Patent Abstract:
A fluid draining manifold includes a central shaft that defines a horizontally registered first passageway and is provided with opposed open ends. The central shaft includes a semi-circular ring anchored to one open end for receiving a locking member, prohibiting unauthorized removal of the apparatus. Outwardly flanged auxiliary shafts are coupled to the central shaft and have linear lengths. Each auxiliary shaft defines an isolated auxiliary passageway in fluid communication with the first passageway. Each auxiliary passageway has opposed open ends in fluid communication with the first passageway such that fluid and debris is directed into the central shaft after traveling through the auxiliary shafts. A discharge shaft is abutted to the central shaft and is in fluid communication with the auxiliary shafts. The discharge shaft has offset open ends formed therein such that fluid and debris converges towards the lower open end prior to exiting the apparatus.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/426,115, filed Jun. 23, 2006 now abandoned, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/693,479, filed Jun. 24, 2005, now abandoned. The entire disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/426,115 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/693,479 are incorporated herein by reference. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX 
   Not Applicable. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Technical Field 
   This invention relates to fluid draining apparatuses and, more particularly, to a fluid draining manifold for selectively channeling water and debris downwardly into an existing roof gutter. 
   2. Prior Art 
   Virtually all homeowners with trees adjacent to their houses or in the near vicinity are familiar with the problem of clogged rain gutters and down spouts, a problem which is especially prevalent every spring and autumn. One of the first chores home owners have to attend to every spring is clearing clogged gutters and down spouts of a winter&#39;s worth of leaves, branches and accumulated debris. In northern areas, this buildup is often the cause of ice jams during freezing weather, which in turn can cause water infiltration under roof shingles and eventual roof-deck or interior home damage. During the fall, homeowners are again faced with the problem of debris-clogged gutters, along with overgrown perennial beds and growing blanket of leaves on the lawn. Such chores can be tedious and cleaning gutters can be risky as it usually entails teetering on a ladder while clawing hunks of matted leaves from clogged gutters. 
   Until recently, the only alternative to gutter problems was to have no gutters at all on your home, but this only leads to other problems. Rainwater pouring off a roof can damage shrubs and wash away grading around a house, which is one of the principal causes of wet basements that can lead to more serious and costly foundation damage. Yet, as advantageous as gutters can be, they sometimes cannot help homes with flat or little-sloping roofs. Unfortunately, these types of structures face the problem of poor drainage, which leads to standing water on the roofs. Over time, this can cause expensive damage to the structure and lead to leaks into the interior of the home. Obviously, it would be advantageous to provide a means for preventing water accumulation on a roof. 
   Accordingly, a need remains for a fluid draining manifold for roofs in order to overcome the above-noted shortcomings. The present invention satisfies such a need by providing a draining apparatus that is convenient and easy to use, is lightweight yet durable in design, is easy to produce, and improves excess water drainage from roofs that are flat or have little slope. Working in conjunction with an existing gutter system, this manifold apparatus effectively eliminates the risk of standing water damage to roofs and other structural components. As a result, users are able to avoid time-consuming and costly home repairs that result from crumbling roofs and interior water damage from leaks. The apparatus enhances the flow of water once it enters the three conduits thereof, rapidly channeling the water through the cross-section and out of the spout into the gutter. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing background, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fluid draining manifold for roofs. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention are provided by a portable fluid draining manifold positional on a roof for channeling water and debris downwardly into an existing gutter. 
   A portable fluid draining manifold positional on a roof for channeling water and debris downwardly into an existing gutter may include a primary shaft including a first passageway and a plurality of outwardly flanged auxiliary shafts removably coupled to the primary shaft. Each of the auxiliary shafts may have a linear longitudinal length registered along a unique axis that may be coplanar with a central portion of the primary shaft. While the primary shaft may be positioned in an existing gutter, the auxiliary shafts may be positioned on a user&#39;s roof to gather water thereon and direct the water into the gutter. This may advantageously assist a user in removing water from the roof so as not to allow large volumes of water to build up and cause roof damage. 
   Additionally, a mechanism may be included for redirecting fluid along alternate travel paths that are transversely bridged between the auxiliary shafts. In this manner, a concentrated stream of fluid may be redirected to the central shaft when at least one of the auxiliary shafts are clogged with debris. This is vital and advantageous in allowing continued use of the apparatus even when common debris such as leaves, sticks, or dirt gathers in the auxiliary shafts. 
   Further, the first passageway may be registered transversely to the respective longitudinal lengths of the auxiliary shafts. The manifold may include first, second, and third auxiliary shafts defining first, second, and third auxiliary passageways leading towards the first passageway. Thus, the water may run off the roof through the auxiliary passageways and be directed through the primary passageway, out of the primary shaft, and into the gutter to be expelled from the rooftop. 
   The fluid redirecting mechanism may further include a primary valve intermediately situated at the primary shaft and located downstream of the first passageway. Such a valve may permit the user to adjust the flow rate of water coming out of the primary shaft into the gutters, or simply shut off the water flow entirely. In addition, the mechanism may include first, second and third auxiliary valves situated within proximal ends of the first, second and third auxiliary passageways respectively which may be disposed upstream of the first passageway. These valves may advantageously allow a user to choose which auxiliary shafts permit the flow of water at any given time. Further, the valves may allow the user to close one shaft to thereafter clean debris that may have gathered inside thereof. 
   A first fluid transfer shaft may be connected to the first and second auxiliary shafts respectively and spaced from the third auxiliary shaft. Further, a second fluid transfer shaft may be connected to the second and third auxiliary shafts respectively and spaced from the first auxiliary shaft. Additionally, the first and second fluid transfer shafts may define first and second fluid transfer passageways that selectively redirect fluid between the first, second and third auxiliary shafts prior to reaching the primary shaft. The fluid transfer shafts provide the unexpected and unpredictable benefit of redirecting water from one auxiliary shaft to another at times when debris may have blocked the waters ability to travel through the first shaft. Thus, the apparatus may continue to perform its intended function of draining water from the rooftop even when leaves or other debris have temporarily blocked one passageway. 
   The fluid draining manifold may also include a first travel path of the alternate travel paths terminating prior to reaching a distal portion of the first auxiliary shaft. In this manner, the fluid may be redirected to a proximal portion of the second auxiliary shaft prior to reaching the primary shaft. Further, a second travel path of the alternate travel paths may terminate prior to reaching a distal portion of the second auxiliary shaft such that fluid may be redirected to proximal portions of the first and third auxiliary shafts prior to reaching the primary shaft. Additionally, a third travel path of the alternate travel paths may terminate prior to reaching a distal portion of the third auxiliary shaft such that fluid may be redirected to a proximal portion of the second auxiliary shaft prior to reaching the primary shaft. This unexpected benefit provided by the apparatus ensures the flow of water is redirected when individual auxiliary shafts become blocked, a feature not rendered obvious by one skilled in the art. 
   The fluid draining manifold may further include each of the first, second and third auxiliary shafts having an access panel located at a distal end thereof for permitting a user to access and remove debris from the first, second and third passageways during periodic maintenance respectively. The access panel advantageously permits removal of debris without having to dismantle the apparatus to reach sticks or leaves that may be lodged farther down into the shaft. In addition, each of the first, second and third auxiliary shafts may be removably and independently coupled to the primary shaft. This may allow the user to remove and reposition the auxiliary shafts as desired and perform extensive cleanings when needed. 
   Additionally, the fluid draining manifold may include a plurality of flexible auxiliary conduits removably attached directly to proximal ends of the auxiliary shafts to thereby receive and channel fluid directly to the auxiliary shafts respectively. The flexible auxiliary conduits provide the unexpected and unpredictable benefit of allowing the apparatus to reach areas of the rooftop otherwise not accessible, thereby assisting in removal of water from various parts of the user&#39;s roof. 
   The manifold may further include a flexible primary conduit removably attached directly to the primary shaft to thereby receive and channel fluid away from the primary shaft. Such a flexible primary conduit may advantageously direct water into vertical sections of the gutter system to further assist in quickly removing water from the roof. Also, a discharge nozzle may be included and coupled to the primary conduit to thereby outwardly distribute the fluid in a diverging pattern away from the primary shaft. This may be used not only to expel water from the roof, but also may provide the benefit of allowing the user to direct water to desired areas, such as to plants or flowers beneath the eaves of the roof that would otherwise not receive water during rainfall. 
   The present invention may further include a method for channeling water and debris downwardly from a roof into an existing gutter. Such a method may include the chronological steps of first providing a primary shaft including a first passageway. Second, the method may entail providing and removably coupling a plurality of outwardly flanged auxiliary shafts to the central shaft. Next, the method may include arranging the auxiliary shafts in such a manner that each of the auxiliary shafts has a linear longitudinal length registered along a unique axis that is coplanar with a central portion of the primary shaft. 
   Finally, the method may include, when at least one of the auxiliary shafts is clogged with debris, redirecting a concentrated stream of fluid to the central shaft by redirecting fluid along alternate travel paths that are transversely bridged between the auxiliary shafts. The first passageway may be registered transversely to the respective longitudinal lengths of the auxiliary shafts. 
   The method combined with the present invention provides the unexpected and unpredictable benefit of permitting a user to easily remove water from a rooftop before damage is caused by excessive water accumulation. The auxiliary shafts may advantageously gather water from remote locations on the rooftop and direct the water toward the primary shaft to be dispersed in the gutter system. The fluid transfer shafts may assist in directing water from one auxiliary shaft to another at times when debris has blocked the first shaft, and the access panels may permit a user to quickly remove the debris without dismantling the apparatus. The important features provide benefits not rendered obvious by one skilled in the art. 
   There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   It is noted the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING 
     The novel features believed to be characteristic of this invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a top plan view showing one embodiment of a fluid draining manifold for roofs, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front elevational view showing an alternate embodiment of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , taken along line  3 - 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a side elevational view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
       FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein flexible conduits are removably coupled to the auxiliary shafts. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, this embodiment is provided so that this application will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the true scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the figures. Prime notations designate alternate embodiments of the present invention. 
   The apparatus of this invention is referred to generally in  FIGS. 1-6  by the reference numerals  10  and is intended to provide a fluid draining manifold for roofs. It should be understood that the apparatus  10  may be used to drain fluids from many different types of surfaces and structures, and should not be limited in use to only draining fluid from roofs. 
   Referring initially to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5  and  6 , a portable fluid draining manifold  10  is shown, which is capable of being adjustably positioned on a roof for channeling water and debris downwardly into an existing gutter. Such a fluid draining manifold  10  may include a primary shaft  20  including a first passageway and a plurality of outwardly flanged auxiliary shafts  30  removably coupled to the primary shaft  20 . Each of the auxiliary shafts  30  may have a linear longitudinal length registered along a unique axis that may be coplanar with a central portion of the primary shaft  20 . While the primary shaft  20  may be positioned in an existing gutter, the auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B,  30 C (collectively identified at  30 ) may be positioned on a roof surface to receive and direct water into a central path and ultimately into a gutter. This advantageously assists a user in removing water from the roof so as not to allow large volumes of water to build up and cause roof damage. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , an alternate embodiment  10 ′ of the present invention may include a mechanism  40  for redirecting fluid along alternate travel paths that are transversely bridged between auxiliary shafts  30 A and  30 B or  30 B and  30 C, for example. Also, an alternate travel path may be defined as leading from auxiliary shafts  30 A and  30 C into auxiliary shaft  30 B, for example. In this manner, a concentrated stream of fluid may be redirected to the primary shaft  20  when at least one of the auxiliary shafts  30  are clogged with debris. This is vital and advantageous in allowing continued use of the apparatus  10  even when common debris such as leaves, sticks, or dirt gathers in the auxiliary shafts  30 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1-6 , a first passageway (associated with primary shaft  20 ) may be registered transversely to the respective longitudinal lengths of the auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B,  30 C. The first, second, and third auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B,  30 C preferably define first, second, and third auxiliary passageways leading towards the first passageway. Thus, the water may run off the roof and enter through the auxiliary passageways and then be directed through the primary passageway, out of the primary shaft  20 , and into an existing gutter to be expelled from the rooftop. 
   Referring back to  FIGS. 1 ,  3 ,  5  and  6 , the fluid redirecting mechanism  40  may further include a primary valve  32  intermediately situated at the primary shaft  20  and located downstream of the first passageway. Such a valve  32  permits the user to adjust the flow rate of water coming out of the primary shaft  20  into the gutters, or simply shut off the water flow entirely. In addition, mechanism  40  may include first, second and third auxiliary valves  32 A,  32 B,  32 C situated within proximal ends  60 A,  60 B,  60 C of the first, second and third auxiliary passageways respectively which may be disposed upstream of the first passageway. 
   Such valves  32 A,  32 B,  32 C advantageously allow a user to choose which auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B,  30 C permit the flow of water at any given time. Further, valves  32 A,  32 B,  32 C may allow the user to close one shaft to thereafter clean debris that may have gathered inside thereof, via access panels  70 A,  70 B,  70 C, respectively. 
   Referring back to  FIG. 4 , the alternate embodiment  10 ′ is shown as having a first fluid transfer shaft  42  may be connected to the first and second auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B respectively and spaced from the third auxiliary shaft  30 C. Further, a second fluid transfer shaft  44  may be connected to the second and third auxiliary shafts  30 B,  30 C respectively and spaced from the first auxiliary shaft  30 A. Additionally, the first and second fluid transfer shafts  42 ,  44  may define first and second fluid transfer passageways that selectively redirect fluid between the first, second and third auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B,  30 C prior to reaching the primary shaft  20 . 
   The fluid transfer shafts  42 ,  44  provide the unexpected and unpredictable benefit of redirecting water from one auxiliary shaft to another auxiliary shaft when debris blocks the water&#39;s ability to reach the primary shaft  20 . Thus, the apparatus  10  may continue to perform its intended function of draining water from the rooftop even when leaves or other debris have temporarily blocked one passageway, because the water is redirected to an unblocked passageway. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 4 , it is understood that a first travel path of the alternate travel paths terminates prior to reaching a distal portion  50 A of the first auxiliary shaft  30 A, when the first valve  32 A is articulated to a closed position. In this manner, the fluid may be redirected to a proximal portion  60 B of the second auxiliary shaft  30 B prior to reaching the primary shaft  20 . Further, a second travel path of the alternate travel paths may terminate prior to reaching a distal portion  50 A of the second auxiliary shaft  30 B, when the second valve  32 B is articulated to a closed position, such that fluid may be redirected to proximal portions  60 A,  60 C of the first and third auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 C prior to reaching the primary shaft  20 . 
   Additionally, a third travel path of the alternate travel paths may terminate prior to reaching a distal portion  50 C of the third auxiliary shaft  30 C, when valve  32 C is articulated to a closed position, such that fluid may be redirected to a proximal portion  60 B of the second auxiliary shaft  30 B prior to reaching the primary shaft  20 . This unexpected benefit provided by the fluid redirecting mechanism  40  ensures the flow of water is redirected when individual auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B,  30 C become blocked, a feature not rendered obvious by one skilled in the art. 
   As can be seen in  FIG. 4 , each of the first, second and third auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B,  30 C may have an access panel  70 A,  70 B,  70  C located at a distal end  50 A,  50 B,  50 C thereof for permitting a user to access and remove debris from the first, second and third passageways during periodic maintenance respectively. The access panels  70 A,  70 B,  70 C advantageously permit removal of debris without having to disconnect auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B,  30 C from primary shaft  20 . Thus, sticks or leaves that may be lodged further down towards distal ends  60 A,  60 B,  60 C, may be removed while water simultaneously travels along at least one of the alternate travel paths and deposits into primary shaft  20 . Of course, each of the first, second and third auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B,  30 C may be removably and independently coupled to the primary shaft  20 . This allows the user to remove and reposition the auxiliary shafts  30 A,  30 B,  30 C as desired and perform extensive cleanings when needed. 
   Additionally, the fluid draining manifold  10  may include a plurality of flexible auxiliary conduits  72 A- 72 C removably attached directly to proximal ends  60 A- 60 C of the auxiliary shafts  30  to thereby receive and channel fluid directly to the auxiliary shafts  30 A- 30 C, respectively. Additionally, flexible auxiliary conduits  72 A- 72 C provide the unexpected and unpredictable benefit of allowing the apparatus  10  to reach areas of the rooftop otherwise not accessible by auxiliary shafts  30 A- 30 C, thereby assisting in removal of water from various parts and corners of the roof. Flexible conduits  72 D,  72 E are also provided as being removably attached to axially opposed ends of primary shaft  20 . As shown throughout the figures, open ends of all the auxiliary shafts  30  and primary shaft  20  may be closed off with corresponding caps threadably mated thereto respectively. 
   The manifold  10  may further include a flexible primary conduit  76  removably attached directly to the primary shaft  20  to thereby receive and channel fluid away from the primary shaft  20 . Such a flexible primary conduit  76  may advantageously direct water into vertical sections of the gutter system to further assist in quickly removing water from the roof. Also, a discharge nozzle  74  may be included and coupled to the primary conduit  20  to thereby outwardly distribute the fluid in a diverging pattern away from the primary shaft  20 . This may be used to expel water from the roof, and may provide the benefit of allowing the user to direct water to desired areas, such as to plants or flowers beneath the eaves of the roof that would otherwise not receive water during rainfall. 
   The present invention may further include a method for channeling water and debris downwardly from a roof into an existing gutter. Such a method may include the chronological steps of first providing a primary shaft  20  including a first passageway. Second, the method may include providing and removably coupling a plurality of outwardly flanged auxiliary shafts  30  to the primary shaft  20 . Next, the method may include arranging the auxiliary shafts  30  in such a manner that each of the auxiliary shafts  30  has a linear longitudinal length registered along a unique axis that is coplanar with a central portion of the primary shaft  20 . Finally, the method may include: when at least one of the auxiliary shafts  30  is clogged with debris, redirecting a concentrated stream of fluid to the primary shaft  20  by redirecting fluid along alternate travel paths that are transversely bridged between the auxiliary shafts  30 . The first passageway may be registered transversely to the respective longitudinal lengths of the auxiliary shafts  30 . 
   The method combined with the present invention  10  provides the unexpected and unpredictable benefit of permitting a user to easily remove water from a rooftop before damage is caused by excessive water accumulation. The auxiliary shafts  30  may advantageously gather water from remote locations on the rooftop and direct the water toward the primary shaft  20  to be dispersed in the gutter system. The fluid transfer shafts  42 ,  44  may assist in directing water from one auxiliary shaft to another at times when debris has blocked the least one of the auxiliary shafts  30 , and the access panels  70  may permit a user to quickly remove the debris without dismantling the apparatus  10 . The important features provide benefits not rendered obvious by one skilled in the art. 
   While the invention has been described with respect to a certain specific embodiment, it will be appreciated that many modifications and changes may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is intended, therefore, by the appended claims to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention. 
   In particular, with respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the present invention may include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation. The assembly and use of the present invention are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8