Water retention/detention structure formed from identical panels

Abstract

A water retention and detention assembly formed of a plurality of panels that may be interconnected edge to edge in a range of 90 through 270 degrees using a unique connector tab arrangement.

Description

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 081,460 filed December Jul. 17, 2008 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 505,233 filed Jul. 17, 2009, both entitled “Water Retention / Detention Structure Formed from Identical Panels” which is incorporated by reference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Improperly managed storm runoff water flows from impervious surfaces picking up pollutants, and washes them into rivers and streams. In addition storm water run-off causes flooding and erosion, destroys habitat, and contributes to storm sewer overflows. Storm water retention and detention basins can be constructed underground with reclaimed water released slowly into rivers and streams or retained on site for irrigation purposes. Properly installed underground retention structures can provide for debris and pollutant removal. Underground retention struct...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a simple and modular building panel that can be joined together in different configurations for use with water retention / detention systems. The panels are square when viewed in elevation and can be assembled to form various shapes, such as a hollow cube or connected double, hollow cube. The panels are lightweight, compact, and can be easily transported. The interior sections of the structures made with the panels may be hollow and the outer support shell can be finished with an appropriate outer covering. The present panel structure provides a simple and modular approach to the assembly of a structural configuration.

Problems solved by technology

Improperly managed storm runoff water flows from impervious surfaces picking up pollutants, and washes them into rivers and streams.

In addition storm water run-off causes flooding and erosion, destroys habitat, and contributes to storm sewer overflows.

Conventional retention / detention systems most often include an array of heavy and cumbersome concrete structures that are extremely expensive to transport and install.

Other water detention / retention structures consist of a multitude of small molded plastic parts that are labor intensive and often difficult to assemble due to the large number of different parts in the system.

These systems have little or no access inside the structure for maintenance, and debris removal.

Still others of these systems consist of an assemblage of large pipes or arched structures that require large quantities of expensive gravel in their installation and have very limited access for maintenance.

Therefore the teaching is limited to the creation of a square or box like structure.

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