Water inlet protection system

Abstract

A water inlet protection system and apparatus for removing sediment and/or chemical from water or other fluids is provided. The system may include a filtration material that is configured to be water permeable and to collect sediment within the water. The system may be configured to be removably secured to various types of storm drains or water inlets. The system may include a frame configured to be removably attached to a storm grate. The frame may also include a plurality of tabs extending from the frame and be slidably adjustable. The system may also include an s-clip member or magnets for removably securing the filtration material to a storm drain or water inlet. Furthermore, the water inlet protection system may include one or more over-flow protection openings. The over-flow protection openings may include a raised member or barrier to regulate the water level where over-flow occurs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A drain inlet protection system, said system comprising:
 a frame;   a filtration material removably attached to the frame;   a plurality of tabs extending from the periphery of the frame; and   wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to removably secure the frame to a storm drain cover and/or grate.   
     
     
         2 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more handles attached to the filtration material and/or frame. 
     
     
         3 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises one or more corners. 
     
     
         4 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 3 , wherein the filtration material further comprises a cut-out section proximate to the one or more corners of the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of tabs extending from the periphery of the frame proximate to the one or more corners. 
     
     
         6 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is an adjustable frame that further comprises a top member and an opposing bottom member, said top member and said bottom member in slideable communication with one another. 
     
     
         7 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is an adjustable frame that further comprises a plurality of solid corner members slidably interconnected by one or more flat members. 
     
     
         8 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of tabs are configured to create friction fit with an outer edge of a storm drain grate. 
     
     
         9 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the filtration material is wrapped about the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the filtration material is configured to be water permeable and to collect sediment. 
     
     
         11 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the frame is a solid frame. 
     
     
         12 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 11 , wherein the solid frame is a round shaped frame. 
     
     
         13 . A drain inlet protection system, said system comprising:
 a filtration material;   one or more magnets configured to removably secure the filtration material to a drain opening; and   wherein the filtration material is configured to be water permeable and to collect sediment.   
     
     
         14 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 13 , wherein the filtration material comprises a water flow rate of 192 gpm/ft 2  and a filtering efficiency of 91%. 
     
     
         15 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 13 , further comprising an overflow opening. 
     
     
         16 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 15 , further comprising an overflow member proximate to the overflow opening, said overflow member configured to create an elevated barrier to the overflow opening. 
     
     
         17 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more handles. 
     
     
         18 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 13 , further comprising a sealing member proximate to an outer edge of the filtration material, said sealing member made of a neoprene material and configured to create a seal between the curb and the filtration material. 
     
     
         19 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 13 , wherein the filtration material comprises a water flow rate of 240 gpm/ft 2 . 
     
     
         20 . A drain inlet protection system, said system comprising:
 a filtration material;   a plurality of s-clip members removably secured to the filtration material;   wherein the plurality of s-clip members configured to secure the filtration material to an open throat water drain inlet positioned along a curb; and   wherein the plurality of s-clip members are configured to create a friction fit with an opening of the open throat water drain inlet.   
     
     
         21 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of s-clip members is positioned proximate to each edge of the opening of the open throat water drain inlet. 
     
     
         22 . The drain inlet protection system of  claim 20 , further comprising a sealing member along a top edge and/or a bottom edge of the filtration material, said sealing member made of a neoprene material and configured to create a seal between the curb and the filtration material.