Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley – With downspout
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-05
2001-03-20
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley
With downspout
C052S011000, C052S102000, C047S033000, C239S208000, C404S002000, C404S007000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202358
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel means for diverting water such as rainwater from roof gutter downspouts away from the foundation of the building in order to prevent water damage and erosion to the foundation and to reduce the accumulation of water at the footing of the foundation. Such accumulation can migrate or seep into the basement of the building, causing dampness and water damage, and can travel beneath the basement floor and generate water pressures which can result in cracking of the floor and expensive damage.
2. State of the Art
It is known to provide the downstream exit of drainpipes with elbows which discharge the rain water in a direction away from the foundation, and to incorporate a drain block or slab onto which the elbow discharges in order to reduce erosion of the soil and grass at the point of water discharge by providing a cement or plastic drain block surface which receives the effect of the water flow and fans out the water discharge to some extent.
While such devices are effective for reducing water erosion of the soil and lawn, they are not effective in substantially reducing the seepage and accumulation of downspout water adjacent the foundation of the building since they do not transport the water more than a few feet away from the foundation. Moreover these devices sit upon the surface of the soil or lawn and present obstructions to a lawnmower or tractor, and can be damaged thereby or dislodged.
It is also known to attach above-ground drainpipe extensions to downspout elbows in order to transport the rainwater far enough away from the foundation to preclude seepage and accumulation of the rain water in the area of the foundation. Such extensions are supported on or above the surface of the lawn, are unsightly, present an obstruction to the cutting of the lawn and can be damaged or dislodged by lawnmowers and tractors and by foot traffic. Moreover, such extensions can become clogged with leaves and other debris discharged from the roof gutter. Also, water accumulated therein can freeze in cold climates.
Finally, it is known to connect downspout elbows to buried drainpipe extensions, such as lengths of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) piping having a downstream discharge end opening into a dry well or above ground at a lower surface level. While such buried drainpipe extensions are not unsightly and do not present obstructions to the cutting of the lawn or to foot traffic, they do have the other disadvantages of the above-ground extensions, namely, they can become clogged and blocked by leaves and other debris, and also can freeze in cold climates.
Therefore there is a need for a fixed downspout extension for transporting roof gutter water away from the building foundation while not obstructing the cutting of the lawn, or foot traffic, and while preventing clogging and freezing of the extension.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an elongate ground gutter device for receiving rain water from a roof gutter downspout and for transporting the rain water for discharge a substantial distance away from the building foundation, such as seven or more feet, to preclude return of the rain water to the area of the foundation. The present ground gutter device preferably comprises an elongate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) plastic extrusion having a central elongate open trough section enclosed on both sides by an opposed pair of vertical short walls, the upper ends of each of which terminate in a reinforced overhang portion. The extrusion also comprises an opposed pair of elongate horizontal narrow flanges which are substantially coplanar with the base of the central trough section and which extend outwardly therefrom.
The present ground gutter devices are designed to be mounted into the surface of the ground so that the central trough section is recessed below ground level, the opposed horizontal flanges are buried in the soil to anchor the device in place, and the reinforced overhang sections of the vertical side walls extend at ground level to permit the passage of a lawnmower or tractor over the open trough section without damage to the device.
The installed device is fixed in place, resistant to any dislodgment, and is not readily visible from a distance, particularly if it is green in color to match the color of the lawn.
Generally the ground or backfill adjacent the foundation of a building is graded away from the foundation, and the present ground gutter device is installed in the ground, with the inlet end of the device communicating with the outlet end of a downspout, and the elongate device is inclined away from the building to cause the discharged rain water to flow to the outlet or discharge end of the device, away from the foundation. The discharge end can be open to a lower ground level. The side walls and reinforced overhang sections can be tapered down to the floor of the trough section, at the discharge end, to prove a smoother downslope interface if desired.
REFERENCES:
patent: 643677 (1900-02-01), Payne
patent: 2334779 (1943-11-01), Luff
patent: 2814529 (1957-11-01), Arnt
patent: 2898839 (1959-08-01), Fox
patent: 3035779 (1962-05-01), Convis
patent: 3636830 (1972-01-01), Watts
patent: 3745701 (1973-07-01), Marvin
patent: 5377447 (1995-01-01), Fritch
patent: 5640801 (1997-06-01), Rynberk
Friedman Carl D.
Perman & Green LLP
Yip Winnie
LandOfFree
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