Patent Application
20170081857
The efficient handling of rainwater from buildings is a continual source of concern. While it is typically most desirable to direct rainwater away from a structure, horizontal directional water troughs often create an undesirable hazard near buildings.
The present invention addresses this concern by providing a retractable, motorized, downspout system
In one embodiment, the present invention is a downspout system comprising:
In one embodiment, there is a counter balance weight associated with said downspout lower section. This counter balance is positioned as desired on the lower section. Although demonstrated placement in the drawings is on an end, placement is varied as desired and needed to achieve the intended purpose and function.
In one embodiment, the water sensor is operatively associated with a motor.
In one embodiment, the water sensor is operatively associated with a motor constructed and arranged to rotate said downspout lower section between substantially horizontal and vertical positions. Although the drawings demonstrate a degree of rotation of approximately 90 degrees, if the system is positioned above an inclined surface, degree of rotation can be greater than 90 degrees in order to achieve the desired drainage.
In one embodiment, the system is further comprising at least one water reservoir associated with said downspout lower section.
The present invention relates to a downspout system constructed and arranged to extend and direct water away from a downspout vertical portion when moisture is present.
Downspout water system 10 is operatively associated with a conventional eavestrough 12. System 10 further includes a downspout upper section 14 and a downspout lower section 16. Downspout lower section 16 is operatively associated with pivot body 18 that is constructed and arranged to rotate about pivot 20. Counterbalance weight 22 is configured to assist for the rotational pivotal movement of downspout lower section 16. In one embodiment, water sensor 24 is operatively associated with motor 26 such that when water is sent by water sensor 24 motor 26 rotates lower downspout 16 and provides for a path for moving water away from downspout upper section 14. In one embodiment, butterfly valve 28 is included in system 10. System 10 further includes transfer pipe 30 that selectively directs water based on operation of butterfly valve 28 in the closed position 38 as demonstrated in
In one embodiment, as demonstrated in
In one embodiment, as demonstrated in
In one embodiment, as demonstrated in
Although counterbalance 22 is demonstrated by the figures in a particular position, various configurations provide for counterbalance 22 to be positioned in various areas along lower downspout 16.
In use, water enters upper downspout 14 and actuates water sensor 24. Once sensor 24 is actuated, motor 26 extends lower downspouts 16 by providing rotational motion about pivot 20. This has the overall effect of moving lower section downspout 16 from a substantially vertical position to a substantially horizontal position extending away from a structure where system 10 is positioned.
In one embodiment, movement of downspout lower section 16 is initiated when water accumulates and provides weight that exceeds counterbalance weight 22 and provides for the pivotal rotational motion of lower downspouts 16.
Lower downspout 16 remains in the rotated/extended position as demonstrated in
While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
