BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a block wall showing a drainage block.
FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of a safety screen for a drainage block.
FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of a safety screen for a drainage block
FIG. 4 is a front view of a block wall showing an embodiment of a safety screen installed in a drainage block.
FIG. 5 is a cut away top view of a block wall, cut along the line A from FIG. 1, showing an embodiment of a safety screen installed in a drainage block.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a block wall showing a drainage block with a singe hole.
FIG. 7 is a cut away top view of a block wall, cut along the line B from FIG. 6, showing an embodiment of a safety screen installed on both sides of a drainage block.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
When a block wall is constructed, standard size blocks are often used. Drainage holes of various shapes and sizes may be included in the wall. The drainage holes are usually a standard size hole. The present invention allows the drainage holes to be substantially covered with a screen to prevent most unwanted creatures from passing through the drainage holes. The screens may be held in place with tension and friction as they contact the drainage hole.
FIG. 1 shows a block wall with drainage holes formed from a double hole drainage block 2. The block in this example is a standard cinderblock turned on the side to allow drainage. As shown turned on the side, the block shows a center part 4, side surfaces 6, bottom surfaces 14, and top surfaces 18. The block wall also includes wall blocks 8, and mortar 10.
An example embodiment of a safety screen 20, designed for the standard size of a double hole drainage block 2 is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The safety screen has a frame 22, including a clamping portion 24. The frame supports screen material 26 which can prevent creatures from passing through the drainage block. The frame may be made from a variety of materials including, but not limited to metal, and plastic. The frame may provide a claming portion as shown in the example embodiment in FIGS. 4 and 5, where the flexing of the frame material in the clamping portion 24 creates tension when the safety screen is installed. The screen material may also be made from materials including but not limited to metal, plastic, wood, natural fibers, and synthetic fibers, carbon fibers, or any other know screen material. The safety screen 20 may have a clamping portion which is not incorporated into the frame but is connected to the frame, and may include springs and other parts common in clamping mechanisms. The clamping may also create a tension only on part of the center part 4 of the draining block 2.
The safety screen 20 may be installed as shown in FIG. 4 by pressing on the center of the frame 22 so that the clamping portion fits around the center portion. The screen 26 and frame 22 may be formed to closely fit the inside of the drainage holes. The frame may make contact with the side surfaces 6, the bottom surfaces 14, and the top surfaces 18, but the frame may also be formed and installed so that the only contact with the draining block 2 is at the clamping portion 24. The frame 22 may provide sufficient support to the screen 26 so that if the only contact with draining block 2 is at the clamping portion 24, the frame can prevent small animals from moving the screen and passing through the drainage block.
The safety screen 20 of the present example is shown in FIG. 5 installed on one side of the drainage block 2. The safety screen 20 may be installed on both sides of the drainage hole, which may prevent animals from nesting in the drainage block, and may prevent other material from entering the drainage block and constricting water flow.
Safety screens may be made to fit the size of many drainage holes including holes which are not double holes with a center part. FIG. 7 shows a top view of an embodiment of a single hole safety frame 30, which is inserted into a drainage block. The safety screen 30 has a frame 32 including tension legs 34. The tension legs 34 press against the side parts 16 of the single hole drainage block. The tension legs may press against a top or bottom part instead of, or in addition to the side parts 16. The frame 32 supports a screen which allows water to pass through the drainage hole while preventing creatures from passing. The safety screen 30 is shown installed in both sides of the drainage block, but it may be installed in only one side of the drainage block. The safety screen 30 shown may be used to fit into the two drainage holes shown in FIG. 1.
In an example safety screen the frame and the screen are formed from metal and may be installed by pushing on the frame to force it to enter the drainage hole. The safety screen may be installed by using a hammer to quickly force the safety screen into place. The safety screen may be assembled by forming a frame to the approximate size of the drainage hole. The frame may incorporate a clamping or a tension part to hold the safety screen in place with tension, or a clamping or tension part may be added to the frame. A screen which is capable of preventing creatures from passing may be connected to the frame. The safety screen may then be installed to prevent creatures from passing through the drainage hole.
The safety screen is shown in the Figures with a frame and screen which is smaller than the drainage hole. The safety screen may also be made with a frame and screen which are larger than the drainage hole and which are held against the surface of the drainage block by tension and friction as parts of the safety screen contact the surfaces of the drainage block.
While the principles of the invention have been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to those skilled in the art many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, and methods, the elements, materials, and components used in the practice of the invention, and otherwise, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from those principles. The appended claims are intended to cover and embrace any and all such modifications, within the limits only of the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20080053021
