Inlet filter

Abstract

An inlet filter for use with stormwater drains and roof drains. The filter is formed of a mat of natural or synthetic fiber material with netting bonded on one side. A convenient method for attaching the filter to a drain using cable ties or adhesive is provided.

1 . An inlet filter for a drain inlet having a grate, comprising:
 a fiber mat; and   a plurality of flexible locking connectors for insertion through the mat to secure the mat to the grate.   
   
   
       2 . The filter of  claim 1  wherein the fiber is a natural fiber. 
   
   
       3 . The filter of  claim 2  wherein the natural fiber is coir. 
   
   
       4 . The filter of  claim 1  wherein the fiber is a synthetic fiber. 
   
   
       5 . The filter of  claim 1  wherein the fiber mat has a density of about 4.0 OSF. 
   
   
       6 . The filter of  claim 1  wherein the fiber mat is about 1.5 inches thick. 
   
   
       7 . The filter of  claim 1  wherein the fiber mat is bonded on one side to a mesh. 
   
   
       8 . The filter of  claim 1  wherein the flexible locking connector is a cable tie. 
   
   
       9 . The filter of  claim 1  wherein the inlet is a stormwater drain. 
   
   
       10 . The filter of  claim 1  wherein the inlet is a roof drain. 
   
   
       11 . A method for reducing the amount of sediment which enters a drain, comprising placing a filter as described in  claim 1  over the drain inlet and securing the filter to the grate by inserting the flexible locking connectors through the mat, passing each connector around a bar of the grate and back through the mat and locking each connector, 
   
   
       12 . A method for installing a filter on a drain inlet having a grate, comprising:
 providing a fiber mat of a size and shape to cover and slightly overlap the inlet;   placing the mat over the inlet; and   securing the mat to the drain.   
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein securing the mat comprises attaching the mat to the grates by flexible locking connectors passed through the mat and around bars of the grate. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the flexible locking connectors are cable ties. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the fiber is selected from the group consisting of natural fiber, synthetic fiber, and blended natural and synthetic fiber. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the fiber mat has a density of about 4.0 OSF. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the fiber mat is about 1.5 inches thick. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the fiber mat is bonded on one side to a mesh. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the inlet is a stormwater drain. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the inlet is a roof drain and securing the mat comprises applying adhesive around the perimeter of the roof drain and the perimeter of one side of the mat to adhere the mat to the roof material around the perimeter of the roof drain.