Patent Abstract:
An apparatus and method for connecting to the down spout of a gutter system to slow, disrupt, diffuse and absorb energy from runoff water to thereby eliminate erosion and destruction of surrounding landscaping is beneficial and desirable. The apparatus has an enclosure for passing runoff water therethrough. At least one upwardly extending baffle is used to slow and disrupt water from the down spout and at least one downwardly extending baffle is also used to slow, disrupt and diffuse runoff water from the down spout. The upwardly extending baffle and the downwardly extending baffle are for managing runoff water from the down spout to prevent erosion and destruction of surrounding landscaping.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/734,852 filed Apr. 13, 2007, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for managing runoff water from a down spout of a gutter system. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for preventing streams of runoff water released over top of the surface of the landscaping surrounding a structure from eroding and destroying the landscaping by slowing, disrupting and diffusing the runoff water by passing the runoff water through a body with at least one baffle in fluid communication with the down spout before releasing over top the surrounding landscaping. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Management of runoff water from a structure using a gutter system offers many benefits which are commonly known and appreciated. For instance, runoff water may be collected in the gutter system near the roof, carried from the roof to a distribution point below using a down spout and released over top of landscaping adjacent the structure and down spout. 
         [0004]    In times past, tiling down runoff water into the sewer system adjacent the structure was acceptable practice. However, more and more regulations are being implemented which require runoff water to be released over top landscaping surrounding the structure. Runoff water released over top of a landscaped surface will continue to erode and destroy the landscaping unless managed by slowing, disrupting and/or diffusing the disruptive stream of runoff water before releasing over top the surface of the landscaping. Therefore, an apparatus and method for managing runoff water from a down spout to prevent uncontrolled streams of water released over top a landscaped surface from eroding and destroying the landscaping surrounding the structure is becoming increasingly important and needed. 
         [0005]    Because, an increasing amount of time, money and resources are being invested into beautifying, upgrading and managing the landscaping surrounding a structure, an apparatus and method for preventing runoff water released over the top of the surface adjacent a structure from eroding the landscaping is desired and important. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to improve over the state of the art. 
         [0007]    It is a further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method for managing the destructive and eroding force of runoff water from a down spout of a gutter system. 
         [0008]    Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that users an enclosed body for passing the runoff water through to extract energy from the runoff water by slowing, disrupting and diffusing the runoff water before releasing over top the surrounding landscaping. 
         [0009]    A further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that uses at least one baffle or a series of baffles in combination with the body to slow, disrupt and diffuse runoff water to prevent erosion and destruction of surrounding landscaping. 
         [0010]    Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that may be flipped up, out of the way, to rest flush against the down spout of the gutter system using the hinge as shown and disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,735,085, the description of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
         [0011]    A still further object, feature, or advantage of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method that uses a flexible baffle biased downward on the outlet toward the base to slow an evenly diffuse runoff water across the base of the apparatus. 
         [0012]    One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. 
         [0013]    According to one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for connecting to a down spout of a gutter system to slow, diffuse and absorb energy from runoff water to thereby eliminate erosion and destruction of surrounding landscaping is disclosed. The apparatus has a body with an inlet and an outlet and a pair of sidewalls spaced apart and enclosed by a top wall and a bottom wall. A pair of upwardly extending baffles are spaced apart on the bottom wall between the pair of sidewalls. A pair of downwardly extending baffles are on the top wall. A plurality of ribs on the bottom wall are spaced apart and fanned outward to diffuse runoff water moving through the body and away from the outlet. The upwardly extending baffles and the downwardly extending baffles slow, diffuse and absorb energy from runoff water passing through the body to prevent erosion of surrounding landscaping. In the preferred form, one of the downwardly extending baffles is a rubber flap positioned at the outlet and biased against the bottom wall to slow and evenly diffuse runoff water exiting the body. The other downwardly extending baffle is a rigid planar member extending between the pair of sidewalls within the body to deflect some runoff water back upon itself to disrupt and discombobulate runoff water passing through the body. The pair of upwardly extending baffles are offset from each other so a gullet of one baffle is aligned with a tooth of the other baffle to disrupt runoff water flowing through the body. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for connecting to a down spout of a gutter system to slow, diffuse and absorb energy from runoff water to thereby eliminate erosion and destruction of surrounding landscaping is disclosed. The apparatus has a tube having a pair of sidewalls spaced apart by a top wall and a bottom wall and an outlet and an inlet adapted to attach to the downspout. A pair of upwardly extending baffles are positioned within the tube on the bottom wall. The pair of upwardly extending baffles are for slowing, diffusing and absorbing energy from runoff water to eliminate erosion and destruction of surrounding landscaping. In the preferred form, a front edge of the top wall at the outlet is angled down toward the bottom wall to redirect some runoff water back upon itself to discombobulate and slow runoff water from the outlet. The pair of teeth on one baffle near the outlet are angled outward toward the pair of sidewalls to diffuse the runoff water flowing out of the outlet. The tube is a gutter elbow fitting for attaching to the down spout of the gutter system. The tube is a gutter extension fitting for attaching to the down spout of the gutter system. 
         [0015]    A new method for preventing runoff water from a down spout of a gutter system from eroding surrounding landscaping is disclosed. The method includes providing an open-ended enclosure having at least one baffle within the open-ended enclosure for discombobulating runoff water flowing through the open-ended enclosure. The method also includes introducing runoff water into the enclosure from the down spout, absorbing energy from runoff water within the enclosure using the at least one baffle and slowing runoff water within and upon exiting the enclosure using the at least one baffle to prevent runoff water from eroding surrounding landscaping. In the preferred form, the method also includes the step of redirecting some runoff water back upon itself to discombobulate runoff water passing through the enclosure. The method also includes the step of deflecting some runoff water upward and downward using the at least one baffle and the step of diffusing runoff water using the at least one baffle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]    While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken into consideration with the accompanying drawings, which: 
           [0017]      FIG. 1  is a partial isometric view of a structure with a gutter system, down spouts and various embodiments of the apparatus of the present invention. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of the apparatus taken along line  2 A- 2 A in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 2B  is a top view of the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 2C  is a top view of the bottom half of the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2D  is an elevated perspective view of the inside of the top half of the of the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2E  is a back view of the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2F  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  2 F- 2 F in  FIG. 2E  showing runoff water passing through the apparatus. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2G  is an isometric view of a pair of adaptors according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3A  is an isometric view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line  3 B- 3 B in  FIG. 3A  showing runoff water passing through the apparatus. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is a cutaway view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of the apparatus hinged to the downspout according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the apparatus flipped upward against the downspout according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    The present invention includes a number of aspects, all of which have broad and far reaching application. One aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method for managing runoff water from a downspout to prevent erosion and the destruction of surrounding landscaping. Another aspect of the present invention relates to an apparatus and method wherein runoff water flowing through the apparatus is slowed, disrupted and diffused before passing over the surrounding landscaping. Although specific embodiments are described herein, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments. The present invention contemplates numerous other options in the design and use of the apparatus and method for managing runoff water from the down spout of a gutter system. 
         [0031]      FIG. 1  is a partial isometric view of a structure with a gutter system, down spouts, and various embodiments of the apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For example,  FIG. 1  shows a gutter system  14  attached to a structure. The gutter system  14  has down spouts  12  for moving runoff water off the structure and onto the surrounding surface near the structure. In one embodiment, the apparatus  10  is an elbow fitting for attaching to the down spout  12 . In another embodiment, the apparatus  10  is an extension for attaching to the elbow of the down spout  12 . In an additional embodiment, the apparatus  10  is attached to the end of an extension from the down spout  12 . Any of the apparatus&#39;s  10  shown in  FIG. 1  may be used to slow, disrupt and diffuse the flow of runoff water from the gutter system  14  before exiting the down spout  12  onto the surrounding landscaping. 
         [0032]    The apparatus  10  as shown in  FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of the apparatus taken along line  2 A- 2 A in  FIG. 1 . The apparatus  10  has a body  16 . The body  16  is fully enclosed with the exception of inlet  18  and the outlet  20 . The body  16  is formed by a top wall  24  that is spaced apart by sidewalls  22 . The body  16  is enclosed by a bottom wall  26 . The bottom wall  26  has a plurality of ribs  40  spaced apart and extending in an outwardly direction from the inlet  18  toward the outlet  20 . A downwardly extending baffle  30  is positioned at the outlet  20  on the top wall  24  of the body  16 . The downwardly extending baffle is preferably constructed of a flexible-type material, such as rubber, plastic or any like material. The downwardly extending baffle  30  is biased toward the bottom wall  26 . The body  16  of the apparatus  10  is preferably constructed of a material suitable for handling and passing runoff water, withstanding interrogation by elements external to the body  16  and wears from use. For example, the body  16  may be constructed of a plastic or metal material like the gutter system  14  to resist rust, wear, fatigue and damage due to wear and being unintentionally impacted. The body  16  may be a single molded piece or fabricated from several pieces. 
         [0033]    The inlet  18  of the body  16 , as best shown in  FIG. 2E , is capable of accommodating one of the adapters  52  shown in  FIG. 2G . The adapters  52  mate the down spout  12  to the inlet  18  of the body  16 . For example, if the down spout  12  is constructed of B-style gutter or alternatively A-style gutter, the appropriate adapter  52  may be used to ensure that the down spout  12  mates properly with the inlet  18  of the body  16 . The top wall  24  of the body  16  tapers downward from the inlet side  18  toward the outlet side  20 . Generally speaking, from the inlet  18  to the outlet  20 , the body  16  tapers in height and expands in width. Thus, the outlet  20  is longer in width and shorter in height than the inlet  18 . However, though the outlet  20  is wider than the inlet  18 , the bottom wall  26  preferably tapers to the width of the inlet  18  to the extent the bottom wall  26  extends outward away from the outlet  20  of the body  16 . It is understood and appreciated that the bottom wall  26  could be shaped so that the front edge of the bottom wall  26  farthest away from the outlet  20  is wider than the inlet  18  of the body  16 . 
         [0034]    As best shown in  FIG. 2B , the bottom wall  26  may be fitted with apertures  44 . Apertures  44  may be used to stake the body  16  of the apparatus  10  to a surface to prevent the body  16  from becoming unattached from the down spout  12 , from being moved by the force of runoff water passing through the body  16  or by some unintentional contact with the body  16 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 2C  shows positioned on the bottom wall  26  of the body  16   a  pair of upwardly extending baffles  28 , specifically a first baffle  32  and a second baffle  34 . The baffle  32 ,  34  have a gullet  36  spaced between teeth  38 . Each tooth  38  ends at its top in a planar surface  60 . The gullet  36  between each tooth  38  is preferably shaped in the form of a “V,” may be shaped liked a “V” or other shapes best suited for controlling the flow of runoff water. The height of the teeth  38  on the second baffle  34  are less than the height of the teeth  38  on the first baffle  32 . It is preferred that each tooth  38  on the second baffle  34  be aligned with a gullet  36  on the first baffle  32 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 2E  and described later in the application. The second baffle  34  is positioned on the bottom wall  26  downstream of the first baffle  32 . Also positioned on the bottom wall  26  of the body  16  is a plurality of ribs  40 . The ribs  40  are spaced apart and extend outwardly away from each other from the inlet  18  toward the outlet  20 . Additional ribs  40  also extend along the edges of the bottom wall  26  near the inlet  18  and extending from the inlet  18  along the outer periphery of the bottom wall  26  toward the outlet  20  to control the flow of runoff water. 
         [0036]      FIG. 2D  shows a top portion of the body  16 . The top portion of the body  16  is formed by sidewalls  22  spaced apart between the top wall  24 . Positioned on the top wall  24  is first baffle  64  of the downwardly extending baffles  30 . The downwardly extending baffle  30  preferably extends between the pair of sidewalls  22 . The first baffle  64  is preferably a planar element constructed of a rigid or semi-rigid material. For example, the first baffle  64  may be constructed of a plastic or some other lightweight inexpensive material capable of withstanding the force of the runoff water passing through the body  16  and the effects of weather and continued exposure to water and moisture. The first baffle  64  is preferably a solid member that is adapted to attach to the top wall  24 . The first baffle  54  may be attached to the top wall  24  using various types of fasteners such as a rivet, screw or weld. Alternatively, the first baffle  64  and the top wall  24  may be constructed as a single piece. The first baffle  64  is preferably angled downstream having an obtuse angle with respect to the top wall  24  upstream from the first baffle  64 . However, it is further understood that the first baffle  64  may be angled at an acute angle with respect to the top wall  24  depending on the desired deflective behavior. Positioned downstream from the first baffle  64  is a second baffle  66  of the downwardly extending baffles  30 . The second baffle  66  is positioned on the outlet side  20  along the top wall  24  of the body  16 . The second baffle  66  preferably extends between the sidewalls  22  and away from the outlet side  20 . Similar to the first baffle  64 , the second baffle  66  may also be attached to the top wall  24  using various types of fasteners, such as a weld, rivet or screw. Alternatively, the top wall  24  and the second baffle  66  may be molded as a single piece. 
         [0037]      FIG. 2E  shows the inlet  18  of the apparatus  10 . The inlet  18  is adapted to receive either one of the adapters  52  shown in  FIG. 2G . The adapter  52  is positioned within the inlet  18  so that the down spout  12 , whether an extension or elbow piece, may mate properly with the inlet side  18  to close off the inlet  18  to thereby discourage any runoff water from escaping back out of the body  16  through the inlet  18 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 2F  shows the apparatus  10  with the upwardly extending baffles  28  and downwardly extending baffles  30  for slowing, disrupting and diffusing runoff water  46  entering the body  16  through the inlet side  18  and exiting the outlet side  20 . In operation, runoff water  46  enters the body  16  through the inlet side  18  from the down spout  12 . As the runoff water  46  exits the down spout  12  it approaches the first baffle  32  of the upwardly extending baffles  28 . Some of the runoff water  46  comes into contact with teeth  38  on the first baffle  32  and some portion of the runoff water  46  is allowed to pass through a gullet  36  on the first baffle  32  as shown by the flow arrow  48  running parallel to the bottom wall  26 . The portion of the runoff water  46  that comes into contact with teeth  38  on the first baffle  32  is deflected in an upwardly direction toward the top wall  24 . A portion of this deflected runoff water  46  is thrown back upon runoff water  46  running at, near or along the bottom wall  26  which causes the runoff water  46  to be discombobulated, slowed, and disrupted in its progression through the body  16 . Other portions of this deflected runoff water  46  pass over top of the planar top edge  60  of each tooth  38  and is deflected in a downwardly direction back into the runoff water  46  passing along or near the bottom wall  26  as shown by flow arrow  48 . As best illustrated by  FIG. 2E , the portion of the runoff water  46  that passes through a gullet  36  on the first baffle  32  comes into contact with a tooth  38  on the second baffle  34 . This is what was meant when stated earlier that a gullet  36  on the first baffle  32  is preferably aligned with each tooth  38  on the second baffle  34 . As shown in  FIG. 2F , the discombobulated runoff water  46  continues from the inlet  18  to the outlet  20  and comes into contact with a second baffle  34  of the upwardly extending baffles  28 . A portion of the runoff water  46  is allowed to pass through gullets  36  in the second baffle  34 . Some of the runoff water  46  is again deflected in an upwardly direction by teeth  38  on the second baffle  34 . A portion of the runoff water  46  deflected in an upwardly direction is again deflected in a downwardly direction toward the runoff water  46  passing at, near, or along the bottom wall  26 . For example, some of the runoff water  46  is deflected backwards upon the runoff water  46  traveling at, near, or along the bottom wall  26  using the top wall  24  of the body  16 . Other portions of the runoff water  46  may be deflected forward using the top wall  24 . The forward deflected portion of the runoff water  46  is directed back into the runoff water  46  passing at, near or along the bottom wall  26  to cause the runoff water to be discombobulated, slowed and interrupted in its progression. As the runoff water  46  passes by the second baffle  28 , it continues forward toward the outlet  20 . Positioned on the outlet  20  is second baffle  66  of the downwardly extending baffles  30 . The second baffle  66  is biased toward the bottom wall  26 . The second baffle  66  causes the runoff water  46  to be spread across the bottom wall  26  before exiting the outlet  20 . Moreover, because the second baffle  66  is biased toward the bottom wall  26 , it further slows the runoff water  46  before exiting the body  16 . 
         [0039]    In addition to the discombobulation, absorption of energy, slowing and disruption of runoff water  46  caused by the upwardly extending baffles  28  and the downwardly extending baffles  30 , the runoff water is diffused as it travels from the inlet  18  toward the outlet  20 . Diffusion is caused by the tapering height and expanding width of the body  16  from the inlet  18  to the outlet  20 . In addition, ribs  40  encourage runoff water  46  to spread outwardly within the body  16  further diffusing the runoff water  46 . Thus, the runoff water  46  enters the body  16  near the inlet  18  having a runoff cross-section akin to the cross-section of the down spout  12 . The cross-section of the runoff water  46  passing from the down spout  12  is diffused by spreading the runoff water  46  across a greater area while passing from the inlet  18  to the outlet  20 . 
         [0040]    Thus, the apparatus  10  has the ultimate effect of slowing, disrupting, absorbing energy from, and diffusing runoff water  46  having a potentially significant amount of energy and eroding capability before passing the runoff water  46  over the surrounding landscaping. In addition, the tapering height of the top wall  24  of the body  16  from the inlet  18  to the outlet  20  allows the apparatus  10  to rest flush against the down spout  12  when rotated upward using the hinge  50  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . Further, the apparatus  10  may be rotated upward out of the way, when necessary, to manicure or care for surrounding landscaping. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show another embodiment of the apparatus  10 .  FIG. 3A  shows that the apparatus  10  has a body  16  of a gutter elbow. The inlet side  18  attaches to the down spout  12 . The body  16  is defined by a top wall  24  connected to sidewalls  22  and enclosed by bottom wall  26 . Positioned on the bottom wall  26  is a first baffle  32  and second baffle  34  of the upwardly extending baffles  28 . The first baffle  32  is formed by teeth  32  spaced apart by gullet  36 . The top planar edge  60  of each tooth  38  of the first baffle  32  is parallel with the bottom planar surface  42  of each gullet  36 . Similar to the first baffle  32 , the second baffle  34  has teeth  38  spaced apart by gullets  36 . The second baffle  34  has angled teeth  62  positioned on the outermost portions of the second baffle  34 . The angled teeth  62  are angled in an outwardly direction toward the sidewalls  22  of the body  16 . A downwardly extending baffle  30  is positioned on the outlet  20  on the top wall  24  of the body  16 . The downwardly extending baffle  30  is formed preferably by bending down the top wall  24  of the body  16  toward the bottom wall  26 . The angle of bend for the angled teeth  62  on the second baffle  34  and downwardly extending baffle  30  may be altered to control the flow dynamics of runoff water  46  passing through the body  16 . 
         [0042]    In use, runoff water  46  passes from the inlet  18  through the body  16  of the apparatus  10  out the outlet  20  as shown in  FIG. 3B . As runoff water  46  comes into contact with the first baffle  32 , a portion of the runoff water  46  is allowed to pass through each gullet  36  and some of the runoff water  46  is deflected in an upwardly direction against the top wall  24  as shown by flow arrow  48 . The runoff water  46  deflected upward by teeth  38  is thrown back down upon the runoff water  46  passing at, near or along the bottom wall  26  to thereby discombobulate, disrupt and slow the progression of the runoff water  46  from the inlet  18  toward the outlet  20 . Downstream from the first baffle  32 , the runoff water  46  comes into contact with the second baffle  34  before exiting the body  16 . A portion of the runoff water  46  passes through each gullet  36  and some of the runoff water  46  is deflected upwardly toward the top wall  24 . A portion of the runoff water  46  deflected upwardly is deflected backwards upon runoff water  46  passing at, near or along the bottom wall  26 . Other portions of the runoff water  46  deflected upwardly is deflected in a downwardly direction by the downwardly extending baffle  30  into runoff water  46  traveling at, near or along the bottom wall  26  to further discombobulate, slow and disrupt the flow of runoff water  46  from the outlet side  20 . Some of the runoff water traveling by or near the sidewalls  22  is diffused in an outwardly direction away from the sidewalls at the outlet  20  by the angled teeth  62 . Thus, the runoff water  46  is slowed in its progression and diffused and deprived of its destructive, eroding power before passing over top of the surrounding landscaping. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  shows another embodiment of the apparatus  10 . The body  16  is a gutter extension tube having a first baffle  32  and a second baffle  34  with a downwardly extending baffle  30 . The operation of the first baffle  32  and second baffle  34  in addition to the downwardly extending baffle  30  is similar to the operation of the embodiment as discussed and shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B . For example, as shown in  FIG. 4 , some of the runoff water  46  is permitted to flow through each gullet  36  following the flow arrows  48 . Other portions of the runoff water  46  are deflected upward and forced to flow over top of each tooth  38  on the first baffle  32  and second baffle  34 . In addition, the downwardly extending baffle  30  forces runoff water back down upon itself to discombobulate and slow the progression of runoff water  46  from the outlet  20  across the surrounding landscaping. Again, like apparatus  10  in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the angled teeth  62  help to diffuse runoff water  46  before passing from the outlet  20  onto the surrounding landscaping. 
         [0044]    The preferred embodiment of this invention has been set forth in the drawings and specification and those specific terms are employed, these are used in the generically descriptive sense only and are not used for the purposes of limitation. Changes in the formed portion and parts as well as in the substitution of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances expressed are rendered expedient without department from the spirit and scope of the invention as further defined in the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5