Power spout device

A power spout device includes a generally hollow main body having an outlet opening and an inlet opening for engaging the downspout outlet of a horizontal gutter. An elongated paddle is positioned within the main body and is mechanically connected to an electric motor. A fluid sensor is also positioned within the main body and is electrically connected to the motor. The fluid sensor functioning to selectively operate the motor upon detecting the presence of rainwater from the downspout outlet. A controller having a wireless communication unit is positioned along the main body. The controller functioning to receive operating instructions from a remote-control device. An adjustable nozzle is positioned along the output opening to adjust the vertical angle of the water being discharged out of the outlet opening.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to roof drainage and gutter systems, and more particularly to a power spout device that eliminates or reduces the need for conventional downspouts on commercial or residential buildings.

BACKGROUND

Many building roofs are equipped with a rainwater gutter system for directing the flow of rainwater from the roof onto the ground in a controlled manner. In most instances, these systems include a series of generally horizontal gutters which are open along their top ends. Each of the horizontal gutters are designed to be placed along the edge of the building roof and are slightly angled to direct collected rainwater to one end where a vertical downspout is located.

The vertical downspout is typically an enclosed channel having an opening along the top end which engages a downspout outlet that extends through the bottom of the horizontal gutter. Rainwater flows along the gutter, through the outlet and into the downspout where it is ultimately dispensed by a second opening along the bottom end of the downspout. In most residential applications, the bottom end of the downspout is angled away from the building, so as to position the second opening approximately 8-10 inches from the building wall.

Although generally useful, there are several practical issues associated with the use and operation of downspouts in rainwater gutter systems. For example, aside from detracting from the aesthetics of a building, it is not uncommon for downspouts to become clogged with debris such as leaves, roofing material, sticks, and other such objects. As the debris collects in the downspout, water accumulates and backs up into the horizontal gutter where it can overflow onto the building itself, thus causing potential damage to the roof structure. Moreover, the weight of the water can cause damage to the gutter and/or the downspout itself, which can cause sagging or cause the items to become disconnected from the roof.

Additionally, although the bottom ends of the downspouts are typically directed away from the building, the flow of water leaving the spout often causes serious soil erosion along the base of the building's foundation. Likewise, it is extremely common for the distal ends of the downspouts to become damaged by lawn maintenance personnel and/or to become a haven for rodents who often crawl inside the opening. Although there are known accessories for attempting to reduce these issues such as trench drains, splash pads and the like, these items are not able to eliminate all of the issues described above.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a power spout device which can be used with a gutter system to remove rainwater from a horizontal gutter without the use of a downspout, thus eliminating the issues described above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a power spout device. One embodiment of the present invention can include a generally hollow main body having an inlet opening along the top surface and an outlet opening along the front surface. The inlet opening can include a shape and a size that is suitable for receiving and engaging the downspout outlet of a horizontal gutter.

In one embodiment, an elongated paddle can be positioned within the main body and can be mechanically connected to an electric motor. Additionally, a fluid sensor can be positioned within the main body and can be electrically connected to the motor. The fluid sensor can function to detect the presence of rainwater received from the downspout outlet and selectively operate the motor to rotate the paddle to dispense the received rainwater out through the outlet opening.

In one embodiment, the device can include a controller having a wireless communication unit. The wireless communication unit can include functionality for communicating with a remote-control device such as a smartphone device running a mobile application. The mobile application can include instructions for permitting a user to remotely operate the power spout device.

In one embodiment, a nozzle can be positioned along the output opening. The nozzle can include a servomotor that is connected to a moveable vane which functions to adjust a vertical angle of the water being discharged out of the outlet opening. In one embodiment, the servomotor can be connected to the controller to permit a user to control the movement of the vane by the remote-control device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

As described herein, a “unit” means a series of identified physical components which are linked together and/or function together to perform a specified function.

As described throughout this document, the term “about” “approximately” “substantially” and “generally” shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape, or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

As described herein, the term “removably secured,” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.

As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

As described herein, the term “connector” includes any number of different elements that work alone or together to repeatedly join two items together in a nonpermanent manner. Several nonlimiting examples include, but are not limited to, opposing strips of hook and loop material (i.e., Velcro®), attractively oriented magnetic elements, a thin, flexible strap with a notched surface and one end threaded through a locking mechanism (i.e., zip tie) at the other, tethers, buckles such as side release buckles, and compression fittings, among many others, for example. Each connector can be permanently secured to the illustrated portion of the device via a permanent sealer such as glue, or welds, for example.

FIGS.1-5illustrate one embodiment of a power spout device10that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented inFIG.1.

As shown atFIG.1, one embodiment of the power spout device10can include a main body11having a top end11a, a bottom end11b, a front end11c, a back end11dand a pair of sides11eand11fthat define a generally hollow interior space. As described herein, the main body11may be formed from materials that are, for example, relatively strong and stiff for their weight. Several nonlimiting examples include but are not limited to various metals or metal alloys (e.g., aluminum, steel, titanium, or alloys thereof), plastic/polymers (e.g., high-density polyethylene (HDPE), rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET)), and/or various composite materials (e.g., carbon fibers in a polymer matrix, fiberglass, etc.). Of course, any number of other materials are also contemplated.

In one embodiment, an inlet opening12can be positioned along the top end of the main body, and an outlet opening13can be positioned along the front end of the main body. Each of the inlet and outlet openings can be connected to the hollow interior space of the main body and can function to create a pathway through which rainwater can travel.

In one embodiment, the inlet opening12can function to receive and engage the bottom end of a downspout outlet that extends through the bottom end of a horizontal gutter trough (SeeFIG.5). As such, in the preferred embodiment, the opening12can include a shape and an inside dimension that is complementary to the shape and the outside dimension of the bottom end of a commercially available downspout outlet. To this end, different versions of the device10can be manufactured to include inlet openings having different shapes and sizes so as to be used with a wide variety of gutter outlet devices.

In one embodiment, a watertight seal14can be disposed along the top end of the main body11aat a location adjacent to the opening12. The seal can be constructed from rubber, silicone or other such materials and can function to engage the bottom surface of the horizontal gutter when the downspout outlet is positioned within the opening12.

Although described above as including a particular shape, size or location of components, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, the main body11and/or the inlet opening12can include any number of different shapes and sizes. Additionally, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the inlet opening12and/or outlet opening13are located along different surfaces of the main body so as to permit the device10to engage gutter systems in different orientations than illustrated.

Moreover, in one embodiment the device10can include or can be used with an inlet adaptor such as a hollow sleeve, for example, which can be connected to the downspout outlet along of a horizontal gutter along a first end, and the inlet opening12along a second end. Such a feature allowing a single power spout device to be utilized with gutter systems having downspout outlets of varying sizes whereby only the shape or size of the first end of the sleeve need be different.

Of course, other embodiments are contemplated wherein the main body11is secured onto a horizontal gutter so as to position the inlet opening12directly beneath an aperture along the bottom or side of the horizontal gutter, so as to receive rainwater directly from the gutter without the use of a downspout outlet.

As shown best atFIG.2, where a portion of the main body is removed for ease of illustration, an elongated paddle21can be positioned within the inside of the main body. In the illustrated embodiment, the paddle21can include an elongated, generally cylindrical-shaped member having a plurality of vanes22along the exterior surface. As shown by arrow a, the paddle can be rotatably connected to the main body via mounting pins or other such hardware that permit rotational movement of the paddle.

In one embodiment, the paddle can be connected to an electric motor23which can function to selectively rotate the paddle to actively remove rainwater from the main body. As described herein, the motor23can include any type of electric motor capable of imparting a rotational force onto the paddle in the manner described herein and can be a direct current or alternating current-style motor having a power cord and/or electrical transformer24for connecting to a power source. One suitable example of a motor23for use herein can include the model DF45L024048 DC motor that is commercially available from Nanotec®, for example, however, any number of other motors are also contemplated.

Although described above with regard to a single paddle and motor combination for actively removing water from the main body, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, those of skill in the art will recognize that many other types of fluid discharge systems and components may be provided for actively discharging the water without undue experimentation. For example, other embodiments are contemplated wherein a plurality of different paddles or fluid dispensing motors may be used in conjunction with or in place of the illustrated paddle21. Additionally, the device10may also include an onboard battery26and/or solar cells for providing power to the motor and other electronic components of the device either as a primary power source or as a backup power source.

In one embodiment, a fluid sensor25can be provided to detect the presence of water within the interior space of the main body. The sensor can be positioned anywhere within the main body and can be connected to the motor23. Upon detecting the presence of liquid such as rainwater inside the main body, the sensor can send an electronic signal to the motor23and/or the below described controller40in order to selectively activate the motor.

As described herein, the fluid sensor can include any number of components capable of detecting the presence of a liquid within a specified area. Several nonlimiting examples can include, but are not limited to electronic liquid detection sensors, moisture detection sensors, electronic float switch sensors and mechanical float switch sensors, among others, for example. In various embodiments, the device can function to immediately activate the motor23upon the sensor detecting water or can be programmed to activate the motor upon detecting water in a predetermined amount (e.g., weight of water on the sensor, or height of standing water within the main body, for example).

As shown atFIG.3, one embodiment of the device10can include an adjustable output nozzle31and a mobile application15for allowing remote operation of the device. In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable nozzle31can include one or more vanes that are positioned along the outlet opening13. As shown by arrow b, the nozzle can move relative to the main body in order to allow a user to adjust the vertical angle at which water exits the opening13. This angle, combined with an increase or decrease in paddle spin rate allows a user to specify how far away from the building the water will land.

In one embodiment, the nozzle can be manual in nature, and can be adjusted at a time of initial installation onto the gutter system. In one embodiment, the nozzle can include a servomotor32so as to allow automatic or remote operation of the nozzle. As described herein, the servomotor can include any type of electronic device that is mechanically coupled to the nozzle31in order to physically move the nozzle in one or both of a horizontal or vertical direction. Several nonlimiting examples of suitable servomotors include, but are not limited to a rotational style motor, a linear actuator style motor or other such components which are well known in the art.

In one embodiment, the device10can also include a controller40for controlling an operation of the device components, and for allowing a user to remotely operate the power spout via a smartphone1or other type of processor device that is running a mobile application15.

As shown best atFIG.4, one embodiment of the controller40can include a processor41that is conventionally connected to an internal memory42, a communication unit43, and a component interface unit44.

Although illustrated as separate elements, those of skill in the art will recognize that one or more controller components may comprise or include one or more printed circuit boards (PCB) containing any number of integrated circuit or circuits for completing the activities described herein. Of course, any number of other analog and/or digital components capable of performing the below described functionality can be provided in place of, or in conjunction with the below described controller elements.

The processor41can be a conventional central processing unit (CPU) or any other type of device, or multiple devices, capable of manipulating or processing information such as program code stored in the memory42and for causing the power spout device to function in the manner described herein.

Memory42can any type of physical memory devices such as solid-state memory, for example, capable of storing operating instructions in the form of program code for the processor41to execute.

The communication unit43can include any number of components capable of sending and/or receiving electronic signals with an externally located device, either directly or over a network. In one embodiment, the communication unit can include a Bluetooth transceiver for communicating wirelessly with the remote device1running a mobile application15that is encoded with instructions for communicating operating instructions with the Power spout device10. Of course, any number of other known transmission protocols can be used such as a cellular transceiver, Wi-Fi transceiver or radio transceiver among others, for example.

Although described as including a mobile application for execution on a smartphone or other type of processor enabled device, this is for illustrative purposes only. To this end, the system can include a dedicated physical remote-control device having dedicated hardware for communicating only with the device10.

The component interface unit44can function to provide a communicative link between the processor41and various other device components such as the motor23, the fluid sensor25, the servomotor32, and the power source via the power cord24and/or onboard battery, for example. In this regard, the component interface unit can include any number of different components such as one or more PIC microcontrollers, internal bus, USB connections and other such hardware capable of providing a direct link between the various components. Of course, any other means for providing one or two-way communication between various system components can also be utilized herein.

FIG.5illustrates one embodiment of the power spout device10in operation. As shown, the bottom end of a drain outlet2extending from a horizontal gutter3can be positioned within the inlet opening12of the device. When so positioned, the above-described watertight seal can engage the bottom surface of the horizontal gutter to prevent leakage of rainwater passing through the system, and optional connectors51such as the illustrated clamps or hardware such as screws, for example, can be used to fasten the device to the gutter3and/or downspout2.

As water enters the device from the gutter, the sensor can activate the motor23causing the paddle21to spin. This spinning motion results in the system actively expelling water W out of the outlet opening13and away from the building. As noted above, the direction and distance of the water leaving the system can be adjusted via the speed of the motor and direction of the nozzle31.

Accordingly, the above-described power spout device10functions to actively remove water from a gutter system and can be used in conjunction with downspouts or as a replacement for the same. Moreover, because the water is forced out and away from the building5along the roofline6, the water is disbursed across a much greater area of the ground and therefore does not result in erosion of soil along the building foundation.

For example, in one embodiment, the motor23can be configured to rotate the paddle21with a force sufficient to propel the water at least 5-10 feet horizontally away from the rooftop6of a single story building5when the device is positioned at a height of 12-15 feet from the ground. Of course, other settings and distances are contemplated.

As described herein, one or more elements of the power spout device10can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.