Abstract:
A low profile downspout extension is formed in multiple segments including a flexible conduit component, a splash block component and an extension component. An adapter is selectively connectable to the inlet portion of the flexible conduit component to allow mounting to a small downspout. The splash block component transitions from a circular inlet into a low profile rectangular configuration with an internal weir that prevents a back-flow of water into the circular portion. The low profile rectangular sections are formed with ribbed side walls and a crowned top surface to provide strength without requiring reinforcement. The flexible conduit portion includes a rectangular inlet, a circular outlet and a corrugated central portion that allows the selective orientation of the inlet relative to the outlet. The adapter includes a deflectable attachment tab that locks into an attachment rib on the inlet portion of the flexible conduit component.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to an apparatus for conveying rainwater away from a downspout and, more particularly, to a downspout extension that connects to different downspout sizes and incorporates a low profile configuration to move water underneath landscaping to a remote discharge location. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gutters and downspouts are mounted on most residential and commercial structures along the lower edge of the roof of the structure to receive water draining off of the roof, such as during a rainstorm. Gutters come in many different styles, including K gutter, half round gutter, or commercial box gutter, but all are generally formed with an open top through which water is received into a trough or channel that delivers the water by gravity to a downspout for discharge away from the building structure. Gutters are often mounted on a plurality of hangers that are spaced along the length of the gutter and fastened to fascia boards by nails or screws such that the gutter is suspended from the hangers. The downspout is connected to an outlet of the gutter to provide a conduit to drain the collected rainwater from the gutter for discharge along the surface of the ground and direct the rainwater away from the building structure. 
     Typically, the downspout is provided with an elbow at the discharge end thereof to direct the discharged rainwater into a generally horizontal direction away from the building on which the downspout is mounted. These elbows at the discharge end of the downspout have a short length and are only effective to provide a direction for the discharge of the rainwater away from the building; therefore, the rainwater is often discharged too close to the building and the discharged rainwater can find a way into the basement of the building to cause cracks or leaks. Splash blocks can be provided to receive the discharged rainwater from the downspout elbow and help direct the rainwater away from the building. Other attempts to divert the rainwater from downspouts include a non-flexible extension, which is typically a generally horizontally disposed piece of downspout affixed to the discharge end of the elbow, and a flexible downspout extension that can be bent in a desired direction to redirect the discharged rainwater. 
     Occasionally, a landowner will bury into the ground a drainage pipe or conduit for conveying rainwater to a remote location, such as a groundwater restoration cistern, or at least some point remotely distant from the building. The downspout is then connected to the drainage pipe by the downspout extension so that the rainwater is discharged at a location that will not infiltrate into the basement of the building. Once such downspout extension can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,701, granted to Christopher Noble on Sep. 29, 1998. The Noble downspout extension is formed with multiple adapter portions at each end of a flexible central portion. The adapter segments at the respective ends of the downspout extension are separated by a cut line to allow the installer of the downspout extension to separate the outwardmost adapter segment from the downspout extension so that the inner adapter segment could be utilized to connect to the downspout. The Noble downspout extension is formed so that the adapter segments at one end of the downspout extension will be capable of fitting into the corresponding adapter segment at the opposing end of the downspout extension so that multiple downspout extensions can be hooked together in a serial manner. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,825, granted to Christopher Noble on Mar. 28, 2000, the downspout extension was formed with multiple adapter segments at each end of the flexible central portion of the downspout extension. More particularly, the adapter segments begin with a large rectangular configuration on the outwardmost ends of the downspout extension followed inwardly by a smaller rectangular adapter segment and then inwardly a smaller circular adapter segment. Each adapter segment is separable from the inwardly disposed adapter segment by a cut line so that the outward adapter segments can be removed. Accordingly, when the outwardmost adapter segment was utilized to connect to the discharge end of the downspout, the rainwater, and any debris entrained within the flow of the rainwater had to pass from a larger adapter configuration into a smaller adapter configuration, thus forming a restriction on the flow through the downspout extension. 
     A differently configured flexible downspout extension is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,614 granted on Mar. 28, 2006, to Stephen Handley. In the Handley downspout extension, one end of the downspout extension was formed with multiple rectangular adapter segments arranged in decreasing sizes from the outwardmost adapter segment to the innermost adapter segment, while the opposing end of the downspout extension was provided with circular connector sized for attachment to a circular drainage pipe or conduit. Thus, one end of the flexible downspout extension is formed for connection to a downspout, while the opposing end is formed for connection to a drainage pipe. As with the Noble downspout extensions, the connection of the downspout to the outwardmost adapter segment causes the flow to be constricted through decreasingly smaller adapter segments before reaching the central flexible portion. 
     Low profile downspout extensions are known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,862,632, granted to Eric M. Zima on Jan. 26, 1999, in which a telescopic extension is coupled to the discharge end of the downspout to direct water therefrom to a remote location. The rain chute disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,358, issued on Mar. 20, 2001, to Lawrence M. Janesky, also provides a low profile apparatus for conveying water to a remote location from the downspout of a building. A low profile conduit connectable to a downspout discharge is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,458,532, granted on Dec. 2, 2008, to W. Haynes Sloan. The structure of this low profile conduit requires a reinforcement member at the transition area between the circular connector and the low profile rectangular conduit. 
     It would be desirable to provide a low profile downspout extension that is configured to connect to either 2×3 or 3×4 rectangular downspouts and transition into a low profile rectangular conduit that can be located below landscaping without providing reinforcement members. It would further be desirable to provide a low profile downspout extension that is extendable incrementally to provide a conduit of desirable length. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of this invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a low profile downspout extension that is connectable to different downspout sizes and transitions into a low profile rectangular conduit. 
     It is another object of this invention to provide a low profile downspout extension that multiple component parts that couple together to convey rainwater from a downspout to a remote location. 
     It is a feature of this invention that the low profile rectangular portions of the downspout extension is formed with vertically oriented side ribs to provide strength to the low profile rectangular portions. 
     It is another feature of this invention that the low profile rectangular connector segments are crowned on the top surface thereof to cooperate with the ribbed side walls to strengthen the rectangular connector segments. 
     It is an advantage of this invention that the ribbed side walls of the low profile rectangular connector segments provide a capability of telescoping an extension segment from the splash block segment. 
     It is another advantage of this invention that the length of the low profile conduit can be extended by adding additional segments. 
     It is still another feature of this invention that the splash block segment is formed with an internal weir in the transition portion to prevent a back-up of water from the rectangular segments into the circular portion of the splash block. 
     It is another advantage of this invention that water will not be trapped in the splash block. 
     It is still another object of this invention to provide an adapter that is detachably connectable to a flexible conduit component to allow a small downspout to be connected to a larger inlet opening of the flexible conduit component. 
     It is another advantage of this invention that the adapter transitions from a small opening to a larger opening in the flexible conduit component. 
     It is still another feature of this invention that the adapter is formed with attachment tabs that engage with an attachment rib formed in the inlet portion of the flexible conduit component. 
     It is yet another feature of this invention that the attachment tabs are inwardly deflectable to allow the passage of the attachment tabs into the inlet portion of the flexible conduit component. 
     It is a further feature of this invention that the flexible conduit component includes a central corrugated flexible portion that allows the inlet portion to be selectively oriented relative to the discharge portion. 
     It is yet another advantage that the flexible conduit component is formed with a rectangular inlet portion for connection to a downspout, a circular outlet portion for connection to the inlet end of the splash block component and a corrugated flexible central portion that is bendable to orient the inlet and outlet portions in a desired configuration. 
     It is still a further object of this invention to provide a low profile downspout extension that is connectable to the discharge end of a downspout to direct rainwater away from the building on which the downspout is mounted, which is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage, and simple and effective in use. 
     These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished according to the instant invention by providing a low profile downspout extension that is formed in multiple segments including a flexible conduit component, a splash block component and an extension component. An adapter is selectively connectable to the inlet portion of the flexible conduit component to allow mounting to a small downspout. The splash block component transitions from a circular inlet into a low profile rectangular configuration with an internal weir that prevents a back-flow of water into the circular portion. The low profile rectangular sections are formed with ribbed side walls and a crowned top surface to provide strength without requiring reinforcement. The flexible conduit portion includes a rectangular inlet, a circular outlet and a corrugated central portion that allows the selective orientation of the inlet relative to the outlet. The adapter includes a deflectable attachment tab that locks into an attachment rib on the inlet portion of the flexible conduit component. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages of this invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed disclosure of the invention, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the assembled low profile downspout extension incorporating the principles of the instant invention, the adapter being mounted onto the flexible conduit component having the inlet and outlet portions aligned and the extension member being telescopically received on the splash block component; 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the primary components of the low profile downspout extension with the flexible conduit component being oriented in a first configuration; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the primary components of the low profile downspout extension with the flexible conduit component being oriented in a second configuration; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the flexible conduit component and adapter; 
         FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the flexible conduit component; 
         FIG. 6  is a side elevational view of the flexible conduit component shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged perspective view of the adapter; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the adapter; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the adapter; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the splash block component looking into the circular inlet end thereof; 
         FIG. 11  is a top plan view of the splash block component shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a side elevational view of the splash block component shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged inlet end view of the splash block component; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged outlet end view of the splash block component; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the extension component; 
         FIG. 16  is an end view of the extension component; and 
         FIG. 17  is a top plan view of the extension component. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Referring now to the drawings, a low profile downspout extension incorporating the principles of the instant invention can best be seen. The low profile downspout extension  10  is preferably formed from a hydrocarbon polymer, such as vinyl, polypropylene, PET and PVC, and includes separate components that can be assembled into a downspout extension of variable length depending on the utilization of extension components. As best seen in  FIG. 1 , the downspout extension  10  includes a flexible conduit component  20 , an adapter  30  detachably connectable to the inlet end  21  of the flexible conduit component  20  to selectively change the size of the connection to the downspout (not shown), a fixed length splash block component  40  and one or more extension components  50  that can be connected to extend the length of the downspout extension as far as desired. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-6 , the flexible conduit component  20  is formed with a rectangular inlet end  21 , a circular outlet end  27  and a corrugated flexible portion  25  interconnecting the inlet and outlet ends  21 ,  27 . The rectangular inlet end  21  is preferably sized to mount onto a three inch by four inch rectangular downspout outlet (not shown) and is provided with screw dimples or holes  29  to facilitate the utilization of screws to secure the inlet end  21  to the downspout. The flexible conduit component  20  also includes a transition portion  22  that converts the shape from rectangular to circular that mates with the central corrugated flexible portion  25 , which is approximately four inches in diameter. The central flexible portion  25  is bendable in substantially any direction to allow the inlet end  21  to be oriented relative to the outlet end  27  as desired. The central flexible portion  25  terminates in the circular outlet end  27  that is formed with a connecting rib  28  projecting in a raised manner outwardly from the exterior surface of the outlet end  27 . 
     The inlet end  21  of the flexible conduit component  20  is also formed with a connecting rib  23  that extends around the perimeter of inlet end  21  and with an attachment rib  24  that is formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the inlet end  21 , as is best seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The flexibility of the corrugated central portion  25  allows the inlet end  21  to be oriented generally vertically for connection to a discharge end of a downspout (not shown) while the outlet end  27  is oriented generally horizontally to connect to the splash block component  40  that is positioned to divert water from the downspout underneath landscaping or other cover (not shown). One skilled in the art will readily understand that other selective configurations can be achieved with the ability to position the inlet end  21  as desired relative to the outlet end  27 . 
     The adapter  30  is best seen in  FIGS. 7-9  and is formed with a rectangular inlet end  31  and a rectangular outlet end  37 . The inlet end  31  is sized to fit over a two inch by three inch downspout discharge end. As with the inlet end  21  of the flexible conduit component  20 , screw dimples or holes  32  are formed in each side of the perimeter of the inlet end  31  to allow the use of screws to fasten the adapter to the downspout (not shown). The outlet end  37  is sized to fit internally of the inlet end  21  of the flexible conduit component  20  and, thus, is substantially at a three inch by four inch rectangular size. The adapter  30  has a transition portion  34  that expands the shape of the adapter  30  from the smaller inlet end  31  to the larger outlet end. 
     The outlet end  37  is also provided with a connecting rib  38  extending around the perimeter of the outlet end  37  and positioned to engage within the connecting rib  23  when the outlet end  37  is positioned within the inlet end  21  of the flexible conduit component  20  to help retain the adapter within the flexible conduit component  20 . The top and bottom surfaces of the outlet end  37  of the adapter  30  are also provided with a deflecting attachment tab  35  having a ridge  36  at the distal end thereof. The attachment tab  35  is operable to deflect inwardly because the ridge  36  pushes the attachment tab  35  inwardly as the adapter  30  is inserted into the inlet end  21  of the flexible conduit component  20 . When the ridge  36  is aligned with the attachment rib  24  the attachment tab  35  springs outwardly to lock the ridge  36  into the attachment rib  24 , locking the adapter  30  into the flexible conduit component  20 . 
     The splash block component  40  is best seen in  FIGS. 10-14 . The inlet end  41  is formed in a circular configuration to mate with the outlet end  37  of the flexible conduit component  20 . As with the adapter  30 , the inlet end  41  is sized to receive the outlet end  27  of the flexible conduit component  20  and is formed with a connecting rib  42  that will be engaged by the connecting rib  28  of the outlet end  27  of the flexible conduit component  20  when inserted into the inlet end  41 . The splash block component  40  has a body portion  45  that is generally rectangular in shape but with a low profile so that the height is much smaller than the width. The body portion  45  terminates in an outlet end  49  that includes a connecting rib  49   a  projecting outwardly thereof around the perimeter of the low profile rectangular outlet end  49 . Between the circular inlet end  41  and the body portion  45 , a transition portion  43  changes the circular shape of the inlet end  41  to the low profile rectangular body portion  45 . 
     The body portion  45  is generally rectangular in shape and incorporates low-height side walls  46  having formed therein, along the longitudinal length of the body portion  45 , a series of spaced apart reinforcing ribs  47 . The reinforcing ribs  47  provide structural strength to the body portion  45  to resist collapse thereof when weight is placed on the top surface  48  between the side walls. To further strengthen the cross-section of the body portion  45 , the top surface  48  is crowned, as best seen in  FIGS. 10 and 14 , preferably by the top surface being formed with an upwardly convex curve such that the longitudinal center of the top surface  48  is spaced further from the bottom surface  48   a  that at the side walls  46 . This crowned top surface  48  further resists collapse of the body portion as the top surface  48  is slightly curved which transfer forces to the side walls  46  which are further strengthened by the reinforcing ribs  47 . As best seen in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a part of the transition portion  43  is also provided with reinforcing ribs  47 . 
     The orientation of the inlet end  41  of the splash block  40  relative to the body portion  45 , presents a weir  44  formed in the transition portion  43  to resist the back flow of water from the body portion  45  into, and possibly through, the inlet opening  41  to the flexible conduit component  20 . Any such water that will back flow in such a manner due to the elevation of the body portion  45  being higher than the lower edge of the inlet opening  41  would collect within the system  10  and become stagnant and a breeding ground for insects. With the formation of the weir  44 , the body portion  45  would have to be oriented at a completely inoperative position to allow a back flow of water into the inlet opening  41 . 
     The last component of the flex conduit system  10  is the extension member  50 . The extension member  50  is formed substantially identically to the body portion  45  of the splash block  40 , except that the cross-section of the extension member  50  is slightly larger than the body portion  45 , for reasons to be provided in greater detail below. The extension member  50  is of a generally rectangular shape with low profile side walls  56  formed with reinforcing ribs  57 , and a crowned top surface  58 . A connecting rib  52  is formed at the inlet end  51  to provide an annular engagement structure for mating with the connecting rib  49   a  on the outlet end  49  of the splash block  40 . The outlet end  59  is also provided with a sealing bead  59   a  and has a slightly reduced cross-sectional size such that the outlet end  59  will fit within the inlet end  51  to facilitate the sequential coupling of multiple extension members  50  to form a low profile conduit  10  of substantial length. 
     As is best seen in  FIG. 1 , the extension member  50 , having a slightly larger cross-section than the body portion  45  of the splash block  40 , will fit over the distal outlet end  49  of the body portion  45  and slide over the body portion  45  in a telescopic manner toward the transition portion  43 . The slightly larger cross-section of the extension member  50  allows the side wall reinforcing ribs  57  to slide over the reinforcing ribs  47  of the splash block  40  for engagement therewith to hold the extension member  50  in the desired location over the body portion  45  of the splash block  40 . Furthermore, the connecting rib  52  on the inlet end  51  of the extension member  50  will also be operable to engage the reinforcing ribs  47  on the body portion  45  and help retain the extension member  50  at the desired location on the splash block  40 . Accordingly, the user assembling the flex conduit system  10  can selectively position the extension member  50  on the splash block  40  and locate the outlet end  59  of the extension member  50  at the desired position relative to the inlet end  41  of the splash block member  40 . 
     The maximum length of the assembly  10  shown in  FIG. 1  is when the connecting rib  57  on the extension member  50  is engaged with the connecting rib  47  on the body portion  45 . Since there are no additional reinforcing rib  57  to reinforcing rib  47  engagements at this maximum length position, the full perimeter engagement between the respective connecting ribs  49   a ,  52  is desirable to provide adequate retention of the extension member  50  on the outlet end  49  of the splash block member  40 . The reduction in sizing of the outlet end  59  of the extension member  50  to fit internally of the inlet end  51  of a succeeding extension member  50  allows the end-to-end connection of subsequent extension members  50  to provide a conduit assembly  10  of substantially any desired length. The telescoping of the first extension member  50  on the body portion  45  of the splash block member  40  will provide a finite length adjustment equivalent to substantially on extension member  50  longitudinal length. 
     As is depicted in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the flex conduit component  20 , and the adapter  30  connected thereto, can be oriented in orthogonal configuration to provide a A/B option as a connecting elbow. The position shown in  FIG. 2  is the most typical orientation, as this corresponds to most downspout constructions. Some downspouts (not shown) are oriented at ninety degrees to this typical orientation, and the flex conduit component can be turned ninety degrees about the connection of the outlet end  27  of the flex conduit component  20  to the inlet end  41  of the splash block component  40 . The circular construction of the flexible corrugated central portion  25  does not change its perspective with respect to the surroundings. 
     It will be understood that changes in the details, materials, steps and arrangements of parts which have been described and illustrated to explain the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art upon a reading of this disclosure within the principles and scope of the invention. For example, the preferred material used to construct the components of the instant invention is a hydrocarbon polymer; however, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other materials, such as other ferrous or non-ferrous materials, natural or synthetic rubber, fiber reinforced resin or a hybrid combination of such materials, could also be utilized to provide a flexible conduit system as described herein. The foregoing description illustrates the preferred embodiment of the invention; however, concepts, as based upon the description, may be employed in other embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention.