Abstract:
An improved downspout diverter to diffuse water flowing out of a downspout in order to avoid erosion. The improved downspout diverter employs a highly effective progression of diffuser elements, and also provides a more aesthetic appearance, improved manufacturability, a stronger molded design, and eliminates the problem of debris clogging the diverter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/392,071 filed 12 Oct. 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to rainspouts and, more particularly, to a downspout distributor for positioning beneath a rain downspout to direct and distribute rainwater away from the foundation, minimizing erosion. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Background 
         [0005]    In storms and heavy downpours, large volumes of water collect in residential gutters and exit from surrounding downspouts, sometimes emerging as an extremely strong flow of rainwater. This gushing water can cause surrounding ground and landscape material to wash away, creating deep and unsightly ruts in the ground leading away from the downspouts. To solve this problem, there have been past efforts to diffuse the flow of water from downspouts and thereby prevent erosion. 
         [0006]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,636,830 to Watts issued Jan. 25, 1972 shows a sheet metal downspout drain trough that leads to a series of convolutions and holes at the discharge end to diffuse the rainwater and allow it to leak out and soak into the ground. The patent is expired. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,212 to Joyner issued May 30, 2006 shows a downspout energy dissipater splash pad with spillway that permits accumulated water in the splash pad to spillover and be discharged from the splash pad. Aggregate is contained within the splash pad for dissipating the water discharge. 
         [0008]    The brochure page for the AquaBarrel™ Splash Block Diffuser shows a clam-shell downspout diffuser with an internal series of ‘teeth’ that work as baffles to slow the speed of the water and distribute it over a wider area. 
         [0009]    United States Patent Application No. 20090003933 by Ken Anderson filed Jun. 27, 2007 shows a splash block having a trough and a diffuser arrangement for use in controlling water dispensed from a downspout of a home or building. The diffuser arrangement includes a plurality of diffusing elements that displace a high flow of water produced from a heavy downpour in a random dispensing. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,334,779 to E. T. Luff issued Nov. 23, 1943 shows a ramped splash block with divergent guide vanes. 
         [0011]    U.S. Pat. No. 2,966,171 to Edward A. Kotlar issued Jan. 20, 1958 shows a downspout diverter with a slayed hose arrangement. 
         [0012]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,823,894 to Koller et al. issued Nov. 30, 2004 shows a downspout lateral outlet water splay apparatus that splays the water laterally from the outlet to overcome the problem of erosion of the ground as had on direct flow from a lateral spout onto the ground. 
         [0013]    None of the foregoing references provide a multi-piece repositionable downspout distributor having both a ramped diffuser formed as an integral molded plastic component, and a removable cover for enclosing and protecting the ramped diffuser. The specific design details of the present invention, and particularly its diffuser pattern, add to its utility and manufacturability, and provide significant advantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]    It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple and inexpensive downspout diverter to diffuse water flowing out of the downspout and avoid erosion, 
         [0015]    It is another object to provide an improved downspout diverter with highly effective diffusers, a more aesthetic appearance, improved manufacturability, a stronger molded design, and eliminate the problem of debris clogging the diverter. 
         [0016]    In accordance with the foregoing object, the present downspout distributor is a molded splash block that diffuses rainwater pouring out of a downspout so that it does not erode soil or cause moisture damage around a foundation. The downspout distributor includes an upper chamber formed with a receptacle that couples to a downspout, a ramped chute leading downward and away from the receptacle, and a cover plate that partially covers the cute. The chute broadens at the bottom to a circular platform, and a series of diffusing vanes are spaced along the chute and on the platform to spread water runoff around a broader area. The diffusing vanes begin as sharp triangles and progress in size and angle to broad V-shaped vanes. The Downspout Distributor is positioned beneath the downspout, helps direct and distribute rainwater away from the foundation, and helps minimize erosion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments and certain modifications thereof when taken together with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of the downspout distributor  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged top view of the diffusor elements  46 ,  62  on the surface  44  of the ramp. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the downspout distributor  10  as in  FIGS. 1-2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    The present invention is a rain downspout for directing, diffusing and distributing rainwater away from the foundation, minimizing erosion. 
         [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective top view of the downspout distributor  10  according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, and  FIG. 3  is a perspective side view of the downspout distributor  10  as in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0023]    With combined reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the downspout distributor  10  generally comprises a unitary molded splash block  12  that serves as a foundation and partial protective enclosure for a diffuser ramp  14  that diffuses rainwater pouring out of a downspout so that it does not erode soil or cause moisture damage around a foundation. 
         [0024]    Splash block  12  is formed with an upper chamber  16  that serves as a partially-enclosed receptacle that couples to an existing downspout via an adapter plate  18 , various adapter plates  18  being upwardly configured to friction-fit any of a variety of downspout sizes and uniformly downwardly configured for tongue-in-groove seating (and preferably a friction fit) atop upper chamber  16 . Thus, the adapter plates  18  are generally uniformly-dimensioned rectangular plates with downward peripheral grooves for flush seating, and varying central apertures for insertion of the downspout. The upper chamber  16  defines a boxlike structure with open upper frame for seating the adapter plates  18 . The upper chamber  16  opens at a slit onto diffuser ramp  14  which serves as a spillway for water ejected from the downspout. The adapter plate  18  in combination with the upper chamber  16  substantially seals the downspout distributor  10  from accumulating debris, the only ingress being through the vertical slit opening (obscured) onto the diffuser ramp  14 . This avoids clogging and preserves aesthetics. Diffuser ramp  14  is formed with a flat inclined surface  44  sloping downward at an angle with a range of from 4-20 degrees, and preferably approximately ten degrees. The inclined surface  44  of diffuser ramp  14  is bounded on both sides with vertical walls  42  which extend approximately 1-2 inches above the inclined surface  44 . Stabilizing tabs  50  may extend horizontally at the bottom of the walls  42  to provide lateral stability for the entire downspout distributor  10 . 
         [0025]    The inclined surface  44  of diffuser ramp  14  continues down to and terminates at a circular platform  60 . Both the inclined surface  44  of diffuser ramp  14  and circular platform  60  are defined by a series of upwardly protruding diffuser elements  46 ,  62 . Diffuser elements  46  include two to three uniformly spaced solid triangular protrusions oriented base-downward along inclined surface  44 . Diffuser elements  46  are flat-topped, protrude approximately 1-2 cm above the inclined surface  44 , and extend across a majority of the inclined surface  44  of diffuser ramp  14 , leaving approximately 1 inch on either side. 
         [0026]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged top view of the diffusor elements  46 ,  62  on the inclined surface  44  of the ramp. Water flowing down the diffuser ramp  14  encounters shallow diffuser elements  46  which do not entirely obstruct the water, but create an under-current (current of water below the surface, moving in a different direction from the surface water) that diverts it to either side. Debris follows the surface flow, and so this configuration likewise prevents clogging with unsightly debris. 
         [0027]    Referring back to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the circular platform  60  begins proximate to where the walls  42  end and flares outward past the inclined surface  44  of diffuser ramp  14 , thereby providing an expanded lateral spillway at the bottom of the diffuser ramp  14 . The circular platform  60  likewise contains diffuser elements  62 , albeit different than elements  46 . Diffuser elements  62  include a tighter succession of five to seven uniformly spaced V-shaped vanes oriented V-downward. Diffuser elements  62  are likewise shallow and flat-topped, protruding approximately 1-2 cm above the inclined surface  44 , initially extending across a majority of the inclined circular platform  60 , leaving approximately 1 inch on either side. The downward-most diffuser elements  62  extend all the way across the circular platform  60 . The rush of water flowing down the diffuser ramp  14  encounters diffuser elements  46  which diffuse it and slow its speed, resulting in a wider slower rush at the circular platform  60 . The tighter succession of V-shaped diffuser elements  62  on circular platform  60  act more aggressively against this slowed flow and fan the water outward in a uniform circular pattern at the termination of the circular platform  60 . This particular configuration and progression of diffuser elements  46 ,  62  gradually steers the water outward resulting in a smooth and uniform discharge, and avoids rutting of soil at the discharge. 
         [0028]    The net result is a downspout distributor  10  that can be readily positioned beneath most any downspout, and which promotes a minimally-invasive distribution of rainwater away from the house foundation, thereby minimizing erosion. 
         [0029]    In view of the foregoing, it will be apparent that the above-described 
         [0030]    Having now fully set forth the preferred embodiment and certain modifications of the concept underlying the present invention, various other embodiments as well as certain variations and modifications of the embodiments herein shown and described will obviously occur to those skilled in the art upon becoming familiar with said underlying concept. It is to be understood, therefore, that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically set forth in the appended claims.