Stormwater box with trusses

Abstract

Stormwater and fluid management runoff systems, apparatus, and methods for containing and filtering runoff may be provided. In one implementation, a stormwater management box for managing stormwater runoff may be provided. The stormwater management box may include a top plate and a base plate having a plurality of spaced apart columns positioned therebetween. The stormwater management box may include one or more side panels positioned between the top plate and the base plate, each side panel comprising a cover. The stormwater management box may also include a truss, the truss running perpendicular to the vertical plane of the one or more side panels and fitting within a vertical space between an upper surface of the bottom plate and a lower surface of the top plate.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A stormwater box comprising:
 a top plate and a base plate spaced apart vertically, each of the top plate and the base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface;   a plurality of spaced apart columns, each column being positioned vertically upward from the upper surface of the base plate to the lower surface of the top plate; and   a first side panel having a cover and a first truss connected to the first side panel, wherein the first side panel is positioned between the top plate and the base plate and is positioned between the upper surface of the base plate and the lower surface of the top plate;   wherein the base plate has a first groove or cleat on the upper surface of the base plate for engaging the lower end of the first truss connected to the first side panel.   
     
     
         22 . The stormwater box of  claim 21 , comprising a second side panel. 
     
     
         23 . The stormwater box of  claim 22 , further comprising a second groove or cleat on the upper surface of the base plate for engaging the lower end of the first truss connected to the second side panel. 
     
     
         24 . The stormwater box of  claim 22 , wherein the top plate further comprises:
 a first groove or cleat on the lower surface of the top plate for engaging the upper end of the first truss connected to the first side panel; and   a second groove or cleat on the lower surface of the top plate for engaging the upper end of the first truss connected to the second side panel.   
     
     
         25 . The stormwater box of  claim 21 , wherein the first groove or cleat is configured to provide a snap fit for engaging with the lower end of the first truss. 
     
     
         26 . The stormwater box of  claim 21 , wherein the first truss is connected to the first side panel via a hinge. 
     
     
         27 . The stormwater box of  claim 21 , wherein the top plate further comprises at least one of a groove or a cleat on the lower surface of the top plate for engaging the upper end of the first truss. 
     
     
         28 . The stormwater box of  claim 21 , wherein the first truss extends between one quarter and one third of a distance across a length of the upper surface of the base plate. 
     
     
         29 . The stormwater box of  claim 21 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart columns are secured to one or more of the top plate or the base plate. 
     
     
         30 . The stormwater box of  claim 21 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs forming a plurality of openings creating a lattice-like structure. 
     
     
         31 . A stormwater box array comprising first and second stormwater boxes according to the stormwater box of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second stormwater boxes adjoin and the first side panel is fitted within a vertical space between the top plate and the base plate of each of the first and second stormwater boxes. 
     
     
         32 . A stormwater box comprising:
 a top plate and a base plate spaced apart vertically, each of the top plate and base plate having an upper surface and a lower surface;   a plurality of spaced apart columns, each column positioned vertically upward from the upper surface of the base plate to the lower surface of the top plate;   a first side panel comprising a cover, the first side panel fitted within a vertical space between the top plate and the base plate; and   a first truss, separable from the first side panel, the first truss fitting within a vertical space between the upper surface of the base plate and the lower surface of the top plate; and   wherein the base plate has a first groove or cleat on the upper surface of the base plate for engaging the lower end of the first truss connected to the first side panel.   
     
     
         33 . The stormwater box of  claim 32 , comprising a second side panel. 
     
     
         34 . The stormwater box of  claim 32 , wherein the first groove or cleat is configured to provide a snap fit for engaging with the lower end of the first truss. 
     
     
         35 . The stormwater box of  claim 32 , wherein the top plate further comprises at least one of a groove or a cleat on the underside of the top plate for engaging the upper end of the first truss. 
     
     
         36 . The stormwater box of  claim 32 , wherein the first truss extends between one quarter and one third of a distance across a length of the upper surface of the base plate. 
     
     
         37 . The stormwater box of  claim 32 , wherein the plurality of spaced apart columns are secured to one or more of the top plate or the base plate. 
     
     
         38 . The stormwater box of  claim 32 , wherein the cover comprises a plurality of spaced apart ribs forming a plurality of openings creating a lattice-like structure. 
     
     
         39 . The stormwater box of  claim 32 , wherein the first truss is connected to the first side panel via a hinge. 
     
     
         40 . A stormwater box array comprising first and second stormwater boxes according to the stormwater box of  claim 32 , wherein the first stormwater box adjoins the second stormwater box and the first side panel is fitted within the vertical space between the top plate and the base plate of each of the first and second stormwater boxes.