Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley – With downspout
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-22
2001-06-05
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley
With downspout
C052S011000, C137S615000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240680
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to a downspout for guttering systems. More particularly, it relates to an automatically deployed downspout drain extension.
2. Description of the Related Art
Gutters have long been used to divert the flow of water, such as rain water or snow melt, off of the roof of a structure. Typically, gutters direct the flow of water to one or more downspouts, which themselves direct the flow of water away from the base of the building. Generally, the downspout directs the flow of water towards a splash block or other means of channeling the flow of water away from the base of the building. Often it is desirable to direct the flow of water farther from the base of the building. To this end, various extensions have been developed in the art. Typical of these devices are those disclosed in the following U.S. Letter Patents:
Patent Number
Inventor Name
Issue Date
4,270,572
Jarzynka
June 2, 1981
5,511,829
Sicotte, et al.
April 30, 1996
5,522,427
Johnson
June 4, 1996
5,673,519
McCaughan
Oct. 7, 1997
5,735,085
Denooy
April 7, 1998
In this regard, the extensions are either manually deployed and require a latch mechanism, or are of complex construction.
Accordingly, there is a need for a downspout drain extension that is automatically deployable, automatically retracts upon cessation of the flow of water and is of simple construction.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a downspout drain extension that is automatically deployable.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a downspout drain that automatically retracts subsequent to the cessation of the flow of water.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an automatic downspout drain extension that is of simple construction with relatively few moving parts so as to be substantially free from risk of being fouled by debris.
Other objects and advantages over the prior art will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the detailed description together with the drawings as described as follows.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the teachings of the present invention an automatic downspout drain extension, having advantages over the prior art, is disclosed. The automatic downspout drain extension includes a downspout member that depends from a gutter and is secured to a wall of a structure to which the gutter is mounted. The terminal end of the downspout is connected to a flexible elbow having a first end and a second end. The first end of the flexible elbow is secured to the terminal end of the downspout by any conventional method of securing two conduits so as to form a liquid tight joint. The second end of the elbow is similarly secured to the extension member. In this regard, the extension member is an elongated conduit that includes an energy dissipater carried by the distal end of the extension member. The energy dissipater has a rigid shell frame and a liquid absorbing insert. A spring member, operatively engaged with the downspout and the extension member, biases the extension member in the upright position such that the extension member is substantially parallel to the downspout. As water flowing off of the roof exits the gutter and flows into the downspout, the downspout and extension member simultaneously fill with water. When the weight of the column of water in the extension member is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the spring member, the extension member deploys downward and allows water to flow from the extension member. As water flows from the extension member, the liquid absorbing insert in the energy dissipater becomes saturated. The weight of the saturated liquid absorbing insert is sufficient to overcome the biasing force of the spring member, thus maintaining the extension member in the folded down, or deployed, position.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3316928 (1967-05-01), Weakley
patent: 3375851 (1968-04-01), Henry et al.
patent: 3911954 (1975-10-01), Johnson
patent: 4270572 (1981-06-01), Jarzynka
patent: 5014745 (1991-05-01), Watt
patent: 5358006 (1994-10-01), Sweers
patent: 5358007 (1994-10-01), Carlberg
patent: 5452743 (1995-09-01), Rortvedt
patent: 5482084 (1996-01-01), Cassidy et al.
patent: 5511829 (1996-04-01), Sicotte et al.
patent: 5522427 (1996-06-01), Johnson
patent: 5673519 (1997-10-01), McCaughan
patent: 5735085 (1998-04-01), Denooy
Glessner Brian E.
Pitts & Brittian P.C.
Stephan Beth A.
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