Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-21
2001-09-04
Kent, Christopher T. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley
C052S016000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282844
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of rain gutter constructions in general, and in particular to a rain gutter provided with a water diverter in the shape of a gargoyle.
2. Description of Related Art
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,210,248; 5,526,612; 5,535,554; 5,772,882; and 5,802,775, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse rain gutter constructions.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical way to divert a portion of the collected rain water to a location spaced from the down spout, so that some of the water can be fed to a collection receptacle.
As anyone who has experienced drought conditions is all too well aware, virtually all of the rain that falls on a conventional peaked roofline provided with an equally conventional gutter system directs all of the collected water into one or more down spouts that discharge the water at ground level at the corners of the house wherein the collected water is virtually wasted.
In addition, many homes are now provided with decorative plantings and flower beds adjacent to the periphery of the home which would certainly benefit if they were to receive even a small portion of the water that is currently being wasted with the present gutter and down spout arrangement.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved diverter arrangement for rain gutters that will not only direct a portion of the collected water in a rain gutter to a location that would benefit from additional moisture, but would accomplish this objection in a whimsical and aesthetic fashion, and the provision of such an arrangement is a stated objective of the present invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly stated, the gargoyle style diverter for rain gutters that forms the basis of the present invention comprises in general, a gutter mounting unit and a diverter spout unit. The gutter mounting unit is designed to be secured to the bottom of the gutter channel and the diverter spout unit is dimensioned to surround a plurality of apertures formed in the exterior side wall of the rain gutter channel.
As will be explained in greater detail further on in the specification, the attachment unit and the spout unit are fabricated from a single sheet of sheet metal which is cut into a desired pattern and then folded along proscribed lines to create the mounting unit and the spout unit.
In addition, certain modifications to the existing gutter channel will be required to both accommodate the mounting unit and the spout unit, as well as to establish fluid communication between the interior of the gutter channel and the mouth of the spout unit.
Furthermore, both the mounting unit and the spout unit are contoured to produce a gargoyle style appearance when installed on the rain gutter and the mounting unit is further adapted to accommodate an auxiliary decorative panel to enhance the overall aesthetic appearance of the gargoyle style diverter construction.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2210248 (1940-08-01), Lighthill
patent: 3889474 (1975-06-01), Frangmeier
patent: 4028895 (1977-06-01), Franzmeier
patent: 5014745 (1991-05-01), Watt
patent: 5522427 (1996-06-01), Johnson
patent: 5526612 (1996-06-01), Wade
patent: 5535554 (1996-07-01), Harris, Jr.
patent: 5718572 (1998-02-01), Hitzel
patent: 5772882 (1998-06-01), Chang
patent: 5802775 (1998-09-01), Toth
Henderson & Sturm LLP
Kent Christopher T.
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