Protector for through-the-curb drain

Details Protector for through-the-curb drain Protector for through-the-curb drain

1999-06-01

2001-05-08

Lillis, Eileen D. (Department: 3673)

Road structure, process, or apparatus

Drain or gutter

Street or curb inlet for surface drainage

C404S002000, C404S025000, C210S164000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06227758

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to curb protectors, and, more particularly, to an improved protector for a through-the-curb roof drain.
2. Description of Related Art For years, contractors have been installing roof drains through curbs by either blocking out the curb, or cutting form lumber and securing a piece of drain pipe in place with wire or some other support method. In some cases, the concrete must be saw-cut to remove the existing curb. Concrete must then be repoured in the removed section, with pipes in place. Additionally, plumbers were often required to be at the job site and prepared to place their pipes in a designated area where concrete was to be poured. If the concrete contractor did not show, or was late, or the curbs were not poured, this resulted in a wasted trip and time for the plumber, thus adding expense to a job. Through practical experience, plumbers have learned that installing roof drain piping though curbs can take up to 45 minutes or longer. However, even after forms are cut and secured in place, it is still possible that the forms will be stepped on or bumped out of alignment. In some sever cases, if the pipes are too far out of alignment, the curb is easily chipped, to the point that it will require replacing. Furthermore, if colored concrete is used, this seemingly minor task becomes very difficult.
The present invention is designed to provide an easy-to-install pipe connection. Once any forms used have been removed, a drainpipe is inserted through an opening in a rear, and sealed thereto using easy-to-apply methods.
There appear to many known methods and devices to strengthen and improve curb inlets for sewers and drains, such as the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: Des. 31,239 Des. 229,185 Des. 373,181 1,473,551 2,473,279 3,788,756 4,061,434 4,192,625 4,610,566 4,637,585 4,844,403 4,957,268
However, none of these patents discloses or teaches a device for strengthening a curb containing an exit for a roof pipe drain to allow water to pass through the curb.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,957,383 to Fredericks shows a solid curb protector, however, there are no openings therein, and no disclosure of any way of strengthening a curb having an opening for a roof pipe drain therein. Therefore, there exists a need in the art for a device and/or method for forming a strengthened opening through a curb, and for securing a roof drain therein to allow water from a roof to escape through the opening.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved curb protector. It is a particular object of the present invention to provide an improved curb protector for a roof drainpipe. It is a still more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved device for allowing excess water from a roof to exit through an opening formed in a curb. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved device for strengthening an opening in a curb through which drain water from a roof is directed. And, it is yet a further particular object of the present invention to provide an improved method of forming a roof drain opening in a curb.
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by providing a device which is inserted and held in a curb to which a drainpipe from a roof is attached. The device includes a top plate, a front plate and an opening formed through the front, together with means for securing the device in a curb. The present invention also provides a novel method for connecting a roof drain to a device forming an opening through a curb, which device strengthens the opening to prevent undue breakage of the curb, and to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.


REFERENCES:
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