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 storm drain inlet protection system for a storm drain having a horizontal inlet covered by a steel grate, the storm drain inlet protection system comprising:
 a water permeable filtration material sized to cover the horizontal inlet;   a neoprene sealing material attached to a perimeter of the filtration material to create a seal around the perimeter of the horizontal water inlet to prevent water from entering the horizontal inlet without first passing through the filtration material; and   a plurality of magnets sewn into the filtration material to magnetically attach the filtration material to the steel grate.   
     
     
         2 . The storm drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the water permeable filtration material includes an overflow opening to permit water to flow into the horizontal inlet.   
     
     
         3 . The storm drain inlet protection system of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 an elevated overflow protection member surrounding the overflow opening.   
     
     
         4 . The storm drain inlet protection system of  claim 3 ,
 wherein the elevated overflow member is a square member.   
     
     
         5 . The storm drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the water permeable filtration material is further sized to cover a vertical curb inlet of the storm drain, the vertical curb inlet covered by the steel grate.   
     
     
         6 . The storm drain inlet protection system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an elongate solid polyethylene core attached to the water permeable filtration material and covering the vertical curb inlet to prevent water from entering.   
     
     
         7 . The storm drain inlet protection system of  claim 6 , wherein the elongate solid polyethylene core extends along the curb beyond either side of the vertical curb inlet. 
     
     
         8 . The storm drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein at least some of the plurality of magnets are positioned at corners of the water permeable filtration material.   
     
     
         9 . The storm drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more handles attached to the water permeable filtration material.   
     
     
         10 . The storm drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the water permeable filtration material is rectangular in shape.   
     
     
         11 . The storm drain inlet protection system of  claim 1 ,
 wherein the water permeable filtration material is circular in shape.