Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley – With separator; e.g. – strainer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-08
2001-04-24
Hansen, James O. (Department: 3636)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley
With separator; e.g., strainer
C052S011000, C137S121000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06219972
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preventing blockage in a water flow path from a gutter of a building through a downspout.
A gutter is commonly utilized to collect rainwater from a roof of a building. Debris, such as leaves and other materials may be conducted from the roof to the gutter along with the rainwater. The gutter is usually connected with a downspout through which water is conducted away from the gutter. The downspout may conduct the rainwater to a location spaced from the building.
Unfortunately, after a period of time, debris, such as leaves and other materials, collect in the gutter and tend to block the downspout. When this occurs, water can no longer be conducted from the gutter through the downspout. The gutter may then over flow in a manner which may create building maintenance problems.
In order to eliminate the problems which result from downspouts becoming blocked by debris, it has previously been suggested that filters or strainers be associated with the downspout. These filters or strainers may be made of wire mesh or screen on which debris is collected. It has previously been suggested that the screen or mesh could slope downwardly so that the debris can be discharged from the screen. Devices having this known construction are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 752,547 and 1,653,473.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a new and improved method and apparatus for use in preventing blockage of a water flow path from a gutter of a building through a downspout. The apparatus may include a receptacle which is disposed beneath the gutter and is connected in fluid communication with the downspout. A flow of water and debris from the gutter is conducted into the receptacle.
A flow of water is connected through an outlet from the receptacle while the debris collects in the receptacle. As the debris collects in the receptacle, it blocks the outlet from the receptacle. As water and debris accumulate in the receptacle, their combined weight effects movement of the receptacle from the collecting orientation to an emptying orientation to dump the water and debris from the receptacle.
In one specific embodiment of the receptacle, the outlet from the receptacle is formed by a wall portion of the receptacle through which the water passes prior to collection of debris in the receptacle. As the debris accumulates in the receptacle, the center of gravity of the combined mass of the receptacle and the water and debris in the receptacle may move from a location disposed on one side of an axis about which the receptacle is rotatable to an opposite side of the axis. As this occurs, the weight of the water and debris collected in the receptacle causes the receptacle to rotate from the collecting orientation to the emptying orientation.
The receptacle may have a plurality of compartments. In one embodiment of the invention, a main compartment of the receptacle is filled with water and debris. A secondary compartment of the receptacle receives water from the main compartment. As the secondary compartment is filled with water, the center of gravity of the receptacle and the water and debris moves relative to an axis about which the receptacle is rotatable to cause rotation of the receptacle to dump the water and debris from the receptacle.
In another embodiment of the invention, a plurality of receptacles sequentially receive water and debris. When a first one of the receptacles becomes at least partially filled with water and debris, the receptacle is moved from a collecting orientation to an emptying orientation. As the first receptacle moves from the collecting orientation to the emptying orientation, a second receptacle moves to the collecting orientation and receives water and debris. The receptacles may be disposed in any one of several spatial relationships relative to each other including a circular array. If desired, a plurality of receptacles may be arranged in series along a path flow of water from a gutter.
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Hansen James O.
Tarolli, Sundheim, Covell Tummino & Szabo L.L.P.
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