Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley – With downspout
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-25
2001-10-30
Stephan, Beth A. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley
With downspout
C052S011000, C052S217000, C138S162000, C138S168000, C138S166000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06308464
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the art of downspouts utilized in conjunction with rain gutters.
As is well known, rain gutters installed along the roof edge of a house or other structure will collect rainwater as it flows off the roof. Water collected in the rain gutter will then flow into a downspout attached to the side of the house. Preferably, the lower end of the downspout is configured so that discharged water will drain away from the structure in a controlled manner.
In the past, downspouts sold at so-called “home centers” to the do-it-yourself market have typically been produced of aluminum or galvanized steel sheet metal formed in predetermined lengths having a 2×3 inch cross section. For example, ten-foot lengths are typically provided. Because they enclose considerable air, however, shipping and storing downspout lengths is inefficient. Moreover, when an application calls for a length of downspout other than the ten-foot module length, the installer must cut and add increments. This adds labor costs, as well as creating an undesirable joint location.
The rigid nature of a sheet metal downspout also leads to certain difficulties. For example, where a rigid downspout encounters a ledge or other protrusion on the side of a house, short downspout pieces must be custom-made to circumvent them. Besides the labor inefficiencies involved, aesthetics are negatively impacted at the location where the custom-made piece is installed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing disadvantages, and others of prior art constructions and methods. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel downspout for a rain gutter.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide downspout stock that may be conveniently shipped and handled prior to installation.
It is a particular object of the present invention to provide downspout stock in an indeterminate continuous length that may be easily cut to a desired length at the time of installation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a downspout for a rain gutter which is relatively flexible to permit circumvention of minor protrusions.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a novel method of producing a downspout for a rain gutter.
Some of these objects are achieved by a downspout for use with a rain gutter. The downspout comprises an elongate member constructed substantially entirely of plastic material and having a generally planar configuration. The elongate member includes first and second connectors located on respective lateral sides thereof. The connectors are configured to be interlocked so that the elongate member may be maintained as a tubular form having a predetermined geometric cross-section. Preferably, the elongate member will be coiled on a mandrel from which indeterminate lengths may be provided.
In some exemplary embodiments, the first connector comprises a groove element and the second connector comprises a tongue element matable with the groove element. Alternatively, the first and second connectors may comprise first and second interlocking fingers.
Often, it will be desirable to form the elongate member of at least two plastic materials provided in predetermined portions thereof. The respective plastic materials will have different flexibility properties to facilitate formation of the elongate member into the tubular form. For example, one of the plastic materials forming the elongate member may be a flexible plastic material at bend locations in the tubular form. A semi-rigid plastic material may be provided in locations forming planar sides of the tubular form. In such embodiments, the predetermined geometric cross-section of the tubular form may be a rectangular cross-section.
In other embodiments, one of the plastic materials forming the elongate member may be a semi-rigid plastic material along the lateral sides thereof from which the first and second connectors are formed. A flexible plastic material may be provided in an intermediate main portion of the elongate member, between the lateral sides. In such embodiments, the predetermined geometric cross-section may be an oval cross section.
Other objects of the present invention are achieved by a downspout for use with a rain gutter comprising an elongate member. The elongate member is capable of being configured into either a first flattened configuration for coiling in a long dimension thereof or a second tubular configuration upon being uncoiled. In this case, the elongate member is formed of at least two plastic materials provided in predetermined portions thereof. The respective plastic materials have different flexibility properties to facilitate formation of the elongate member into the second tubular configuration.
In some exemplary embodiments, the elongate member has first and second connectors located on respective lateral sides thereof. For example, the first connector may comprise a groove element and the second connector may comprise a tongue element matable with the groove element. Alternatively, the first and second connectors may comprise first and second interlocking fingers.
One of the plastic materials forming the elongate member may comprise a flexible plastic material at bend locations in the tubular form. The other plastic material may be a semi-rigid plastic material in locations forming planar sides of the tubular form. In such embodiments, the second tubular configuration may have a rectangular cross-section.
Other embodiments are contemplated in which one of the plastic materials forming the elongate member comprises a semi-rigid plastic material along the lateral sides thereof from which the first and second connectors are formed. The other plastic material may comprise a flexible plastic material in an intermediate main portion of the elongate member, between the lateral sides. In such embodiments, the predetermined geometric cross-section may be an oval cross section.
Still further objects of the present invention are achieved by a method of producing a downspout for use with a rain gutter. One step of the method involves providing a coil of an elongate member in a first flattened configuration. Next, a predetermined length of the elongate member is withdrawn from the coil. The predetermined length is then erected into a second tubular form. Finally, the predetermined length of the elongate member, in the second tubular form, is mounted to a rain gutter attached to a structure.
Other objects, features and aspects of the present invention are achieved by various combinations and subcombinations of the disclosed elements, which are discussed in greater detail below.
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Pamphlet entitled “TERRAIN The Experts in Rainwater Systems,” Aylesford, Kent, England, dated 1994.
Dorsey Dennis L.
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough
Stephan Beth A.
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