Abstract:
A downspout filter device having an external conduit with an inlet end configured for detachable coupling with a downspout and receipt of drain water, and an outlet for dispersal of the drain water. A filter element is positioned within the external conduit, thereby defining a channel for fluid communication of the drainwater from the inlet of external conduit, through the channel and to the outlet end of the external conduit. The filter element has a filtering material adapted to remove debris from the drain water and a receptacle for the receipt of debris.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This Non-Provisional application claims priority to United States Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/693,627 filed Aug. 27, 2012, and which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
       [0002]    Not Applicable. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Most conventional buildings include drainage systems to collect rain water or drain water from the roof and direct it away from the foundation of the building. Drainage systems prevent moisture buildup that can enter the building through the foundation. Typically, drainage systems include gutters, or eaves troughs, mounted along the lip of the roof to channel drain water to downspouts, which direct the water on to the ground outwardly from the building foundation. Some drainage systems include buried drainpipes connected to the downspouts to direct the drain water even further away from the building or to a predetermined location, such as a rain barrel or a sewer. 
         [0004]    Debris, such as leaves, can accumulate in the drainage system and clog the gutters, downspouts, and drainpipes. A clogged drainage system can prevent proper operation of the system and lead to damage to the building foundation and the system itself. While gutters are typically accessible for cleaning and maintenance, downspouts and drainpipes are not accessible without special equipment, such as a plumber&#39;s auger, which may be costly. Therefore, a filter device is needed to prevent debris from clogging the drainage system. 
     
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    In the accompanying drawings which form part of the specification: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a downspout filter installed on a downspout; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a section view of the downspout filter installed on the downspout; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a filter element; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is an end perspective view of the filter element; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged perspective view of an upper connector of the downspout filter engaged with a downspout; 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of a lower connector of the downspout filter engaged with the downspout; and 
           [0012]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the lower connector. 
       
    
    
       [0013]    Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of the drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    The following detailed description illustrates the claimed invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enables one skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the claimed invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
         [0015]    As shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , an embodiment constructed in accordance with the present disclosure, generally referred to as a downspout filter device  10 , includes an external conduit  12 , an internal filter element  14 , an upper connector  16 , and a lower connecter  18 . The downspout filter device  10  connects between a downspout A and a drain B, a gutter, a spout, or other predetermined location, to convey drain water and filter debris C from the drain water. 
         [0016]    The external conduit  12  is preferably a 6″ diameter straight pipe preferably made from polyvinylchloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), copper, aluminum, or other suitable material. 
         [0017]    The upper connector  16  is a reducer fitting configured to increase the pipe diameter size from the inlet  20  to the outlet  22 . The upper connector  16  includes an inlet  20  configured to mate with the downspout A, a transition portion  23 , and an outlet  24  configured for mating with the external conduit  12 . Preferably, the upper connector  16  is a conventional 4×6 reducer fitting having a 4″ diameter inlet and a 6″ diameter outlet. The upper connector  16  is preferably made from polyvinylchloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), copper, aluminum, or other suitable material. If needed, an adaptor  26  couples between the downspout A and the upper connector  16 . A first end  28  of the adaptor  26  is shaped and sized to mate with the downspout A and a second end  30  is shaped and sized to mate with the upper connector  16  to enable fluid communication between the downspout A and the upper connector  16 . 
         [0018]    The lower connector  18  is a reducer fitting configured to decrease the pipe diameter size from the inlet  32  to the outlet  34 . The lower connector  18  includes an inlet  32  configured to mate with the external conduit  12 , a transition portion  36 , and an outlet  34  configured for mating with a drain B. Preferably, the lower connector is a conventional 4×6 reducer fitting having a 6″ diameter inlet and a 4″ diameter outlet. The lower connector  18  is preferably made from polyvinylchloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), copper, or other suitable material. 
         [0019]    The lower connector  18  includes a support  40  that extends across the internal diameter of the lower connector to provide support to the filter element  14  and prevent the filter element  14  from obstructing the outlet  34 . Preferably, the support  40  is a bar sized and shaped to be at least larger than the internal diameter of the outlet to extend across the transition portion  36 . 
         [0020]    The filter element  14  is generally a permeable conduit that permits the passage of fluids from the inlet  20  of the upper connector  16  to the outlet  34  of the lower connector  18 , but restricts the passage of debris. In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-7 , the filter element  14  includes a pipe  42  which defines openings  44 . The pipe  42  is preferably 4″ and made from polyvinylchloride (PVC), but other materials can be used such as, chlorinated polyvinylchloride (CPVC), unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (uPVC), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), copper, or other suitable material. A filtering material  45  extends at least across the openings  44 . For example, a wire mesh material can wrap around the entire pipe  42 , however, other materials can be used, including, but not limited to, metal, plastic, or fabric. An upper inlet end  47  of the pipe  42  is configured to mate with the upper connector  16 , such as insertion into the inlet  20  with a slip fit or friction fit. The lower end of the filter element  14  is closed, such as with a cap  46 , thereby defining an enclosure  48  that effectively functions as a receptacle for debris. The filter element  14  has an external diameter smaller than the internal diameter of the external conduit  12  to define a channel  50  between the external diameter of the filter element  14  and the internal diameter of the external conduit  12 . 
         [0021]    In operation, drain water flows from the downspout B into the inlet  20  of the upper connector  16  and into the inlet end  46  of the filter element  14 . The drain water passes through the filtering material  46  into the channel  50  between the filter element  14  and the external conduit  12 . Debris C within the drain water does not pass through the filtering material  46  and remains in the enclosure  48 . The drain water continues to flow through the outlet  34  of the lower connector  18  and into the drain B, gutter, spout, or other, predetermined location. To clean the filter element  12 , the entire filter device  10  can be removed. The filter element  14  can then be removed from the external conduit  12  and the debris removed from the filter element  14 . 
         [0022]    In an alternative embodiment, the filter element can be removed via an resalable panel in the external conduit. 
         [0023]    Changes can be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.