Patent Document

FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present application relates to downspout extensions, and in particular, to a downspout extension which is repositionable and easily connects with drainage pipes.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Eavestrough systems work effectively in directing water from a roof to a particular downspout and subsequently discharging the water at a point spaced a certain distance from the house or structure. A number of different products are available for connection with the lower edge of a downspout for directing and discharging the water. It is recommended and often essential that the water be discharged at least three to four feet from a foundation wall to avoid problems associated with the water flowing back to the foundation wall and leaking interior to the structure or causing other foundation problems.  
         [0003]     Existing products include hingeable downspout extensions which are connected to the lower part of a downspout and are movable between an upright position, that allows the homeowner to temporarily move the structure for cutting of grass, to an extended position where the water is discharged a number of feet from the house. Another approach is to use a splash block provided on the ground. These splash blocks are typically prefabricated plastic or concrete structures designed to receive the discharge of a downspout or elbow and move the water to the edge of the splash block. The splash block is also designed to slow the discharge of the water whereby erosion at the edge of the splash block is avoided or reduced.  
         [0004]     It is also known to use buried drainage pipe for directing the water often a longer distance to a suitable discharge point such as a ditch or other low location. Such underground systems typically use rigid plastic pipe or flexible corrugated pipe. These products are designed to be buried and to withstand certain loads without collapsing.  
         [0005]     It is also known to use a flexible extendible downspout diverter having a corrugated or pleated central section which allows adjustment of the length of the diverter. The downspout diverter has a rectangular connector at one end thereof for connecting with a downspout of a common size and a rectangular connection at the other end for connecting with a different size of downspout. This product is offered by GUTTER WORLD. In addition to the two different sizes of rectangular connectors, other specialized cross sections are provided for connecting of the product to itself and connecting with other products. This known diverter is shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,223,777; 6,041,825; 5,915,735 and 5,813,701.  
         [0006]     The present invention provides an extendible downspout extension designed to cooperate with different types of standard rectangular downspouts presently being used and also to cooperate with existing underground drainage systems. The product is intuitive and allows simple connection without cutting or allows the end purchaser to cut off a redundant downspout connector for a more precise finish. In addition, the product is such that it is readily understood with respect to the various possible applications of the product to extend the discharge system by adding a further downspout extension or connecting with a standard underground drainage system.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     A repositionable downspout extension according to the present invention comprises an integral, extruded plastic component having a downspout connector end and a corrugated middle section of extendable length and a drainage pipe connector end. The downspout connector end includes a large generally rectangular connector for connecting with a downspout of a first known size which merges with a smaller generally rectangular connector for connecting with a downspout of a second known size, smaller than the first known size. The corrugated middle section is generally rectangular in section and has a series of expandable pleats movable between a collapsed position of a short length to an expanded position of a length much greater than the short length. The pleats allow the downspout extension to be easily bent for changes in direction or repositioning. The drainage pipe connector end comprises a circular collar which on one side thereof merges with the corrugated middle section and is open on an opposite side. The collar is of a width to allow effective connection with a drainage pipe.  
         [0008]     According to an aspect of the invention the repositionable downspout extension has on the downspout connector end, a corrugation connector sized for an interference connection with the corrugated middle section.  
         [0009]     In yet a further aspect of the invention, the corrugation connector is of a rectangular cross section and includes a projecting locking arrangement which extends outwardly from the corrugation connector defining an interference fit when inserted in a corrugated middle section of a second downspout extension.  
         [0010]     In yet a further aspect of the invention, the corrugation connector is of rectangular cross section and includes locking recesses which cooperate to engage an interior edge of the pleats when the corrugation connector is inserted in the middle section of a further downspout extension.  
         [0011]     In yet a further aspect of the invention, the locking arrangement is continuous about the periphery of the corrugation connector.  
         [0012]     In yet a further aspect of the invention, the drainage pipe connector end includes guiding instructions molded therein for removing of the drainage pipe connector.  
         [0013]     In yet a further aspect of the invention, the drainage pipe connector end and the downspout connector end each include guide instructions molded therein for removing of the respective connector end.  
         [0014]     In a further aspect of the invention, the downspout connector end includes two guide instructions molded therein, namely one guide instructions for removing said large rectangular connector and one guide instruction for removing said large rectangular connector and the small rectangular connector.  
         [0015]     In yet a further aspect of the invention, the large rectangular connector and the small rectangular connector each include inwardly directed protrusions on their sides for defining an interference contact with a downspout.  
         [0016]     In yet a further aspect of the invention, the drainage pipe connector includes a series of inwardly extending protrusions spaced about the collar for interference fit with a drainage pipe.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the repositionable downspout extension;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is an expanded side view of the downspout extension;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the downspout extension;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view showing the downspout connector and of the extension;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view showing the drainage pipe connector;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a partial cutaway perspective view showing two downspout extensions being connected one to the other;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a view similar to  FIG. 6  showing such a connection and also showing the two products;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a partial view showing guiding instructions molded into the product for the end user;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a partial perspective view of the downspout connector and showing an alternate arrangement for connecting of two such extensions and also showing clear guidance of the cutting of the connector; and  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a partial perspective view showing two extensions joined using the alternate construction of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]     The repositonable downspout extension  2  as shown in the drawings has a downspout connector end  4 , an expandable corrugated or pleated middle section  6 , and a drainage pipe connector end  8 . The product is of a plastic material and is typically manufactured by a blow molding process, a corrugated extrusion process or other appropriate molding process.  
         [0029]     Eavestroughing and downspouts are most commonly made of a plastic or aluminum material and are available in different sizes. The most common downspout sizes are a three by four rectangular in cross section downspout, a three by three generally rectangular in cross section downspout, and a two by three rectangular in cross section downspout. As can be appreciated, the corners of the rectangular sections are curved to provide a more pleasing eye appeal. The present repositionable downspout extension is adapted for connection with either of these standard downspout sizes. The large rectangular connector  14  is used for the larger size whereas the smaller rectangular connector  16  is used for a smaller size. As can be appreciated, from a review of the perspective view of  FIG. 1 , it is not necessary for the end user to remove the large rectangular connector  14  if the smaller rectangular connector  16  is required. This larger size can merely be left on the downspout extension as it is larger than the downspout which can pass through the large connector and connect with the smaller rectangular connector therebelow. For a more precise finish, the large connector  20  can be cut off as will be more fully described.  
         [0030]     Located between the corrugated middle section  6  and the smaller rectangular connector  16 , is a corrugation/rectangular connector  18 . The corrugation/rectangular connector includes an outwardly projecting locking rib  20 . This locking rib provides an interference fit when the connector is inserted in the corrugated middle section of a second downspout extension (see  FIG. 7 ). It is preferred that the locking rib be continuous, however, it is also possible to have a series of projections extending outwardly from the corrugation connector which would also serve to provide the necessary interference fit. The corrugation/rectangular connector  18  is also used to join with a smaller or third size of rectangular in cross section downspout.  
         [0031]     The corrugated middle section  6  has a series of pleats which are effectively collapsible upon themselves. Each pleat includes two walls which are joined by a hinged connection. In the collapsed configuration, these walls are abutting or in close proximity to one another and are generally parallel. In the extended position as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  3 , the pleats are separated from one another to define a greater length of the downspout extension. These locking pleats basically go through an over center position (similar to a spring biased over center latch) and prefer to be either in an extended position or a collapsed position. This also allows for changing the position of the downspout position to allow curving of the middle section for repositioning around objects such as trees and bushes. These lockable corrugated pleats have been used for many years in association with children&#39;s toys as well as plumbing fixtures, such as a tail pipe extension, where the locking and repositioning aspects of the pleats are used to join pipes which are not aligned.  
         [0032]      FIG. 4  shows additional details of the downspout connector end  4 . As can be seen, the large rectangular connector  14  (for fitting with a three by four inch downspout) also includes on at least two walls, if not four walls of the connector, inwardly directed protrusions  54 . These protrusions serve to improve the fit and retention of the large rectangular connector  14  when it is forced over the appropriate size of downspout. In addition, these protrusions can be used as a screw location positions in mechanically connecting the connector to a downspout. Similar projections  56  are provided for the smaller rectangular connector  16  (three by three inch downspout). In addition, the corrugation/rectangular connector  18  also includes an inwardly directed projection  58  for mechanically securing the connector  18  with a third size of downspout (two by three inch). These inward protrusions compensate for relatively high tolerance variations associated with blow molding manufacturing and ensure contact with a downspout. It is apparent other sizes of connectors can be used.  
         [0033]     The downspout of  FIG. 4  also includes guide instructions  30  and cut line  32  to inform the user as to the location and manner of removing of one or both of the rectangular connectors  14  and  16 . Basically, a razor knife depiction is used in combination with the engraved cut line  32  for removing of these connectors. Thus, the product itself provides instructions to the user regarding its intended use.  
         [0034]      FIG. 5  is a partial perspective view of the drainage pipe connector end. Guide instructions  40  are molded into the product in the form of a razor knife in combination with the cut line  42 . Should the user wish to remove the drainage pipe connector  8 , he merely uses a razor knife in combination with the cut line to remove the connector at the indicated position. This engraved cut line also acts as a guide. The end user would use to corrugation/rectangular connector  18  to join two downspout extensions to one another without using the drainage pipe connector. The drainage pipe connector of the first downspout exterior is removed and the rectangular connectors of the second downspout extension are removed by cutting at the second cut line to expose or make available the corrugation connector. The exposed corrugation/rectangular connector  18  is then forced into the corrugations of the first extension. Such a connection is shown in the partial cutaway view of  FIG. 6 . As shown, the corrugation/rectangular connector  18  has been forced into the middle section  6  of another downspout extension and at least one pleat of the middle section is retained between the locking rib  20  and the first corrugation locking pleat  23  of the second downspout extension. As clearly shown in the drawings, the locking rib cooperates with the pleat on the inner periphery of the pleat and provides an effective connection therewith. The generally flat sidewalls of the rectangular cross section of pleated section can have a tendency to sink or deform inwardly if the product is released from the mold before the plastic has cooled sufficiently. Any inward deformation merely improves the interference connection.  
         [0035]      FIG. 7  is a partial cutaway where two extensions have been joined one to the other. For illustrating purposes they are shown of reduced length. Each of these products would be substantially longer in normal use. As shown in  FIG. 7 , the corrugation/rectangular connector  18  of the one downspout extension  2   a  has been inserted within the corrugated middle section  6  of the second downspout extension  2   b.  The drainage pipe connector of the second downspout extension  2   b  has been removed. The drainage pipe connector of the extension  2   b  could have been left in place but has been removed to provide a cleaner appearance. In some applications, it may be desirable to leave the drainage pipe connector of the extension  2   b  in place to provide additional protection for the connection. For example, it may be preferable in buried applications to leave the connector in place. The corrugation/rectangular connector  18  can easily be forced through the larger drainage pipe connector  8  for locking the middle portion.  
         [0036]      FIG. 8  shows additional details of the guide instruction  40  in the form of a razor knife positioned in close proximity to the engraved cut line  42 . These instructions provide a simple arrangement for informing the user of the appropriate cut locations and providing a cut guide.  
         [0037]     An alternate corrugation connector is shown in  FIG. 9 . In this case, the corrugation connector includes on each of its corner, inwardly directing channels  60 . These channels  60  cooperate with the interior hinge points  62  of the pleats as shown in  FIG. 10 . Thus the inward hinged points  62  of the pleats interlock or provide an overlapping fit with the corrugation/rectangular connector  18   a  as shown in  FIG. 9 . The inward projections  60  are provided on the corners as the corrugations tend to be stiffer at the corners and the fit is more precise. By providing two such locking arrangements on each corner of the corrugation/rectangular connector  18 , strong securement is achieved.  
         [0038]     With the product as shown in the drawings, a user need not remove any of the components if he does not wish to do so or the circumstances dictate a fast response. For example, the product can be connected to the larger standard four by three downspout extension using the large connector  14 . If the downspout is a two by three connector, the user merely forces the extension somewhat further on to the downspout and uses the smaller connector located therebelow. This smaller connector can then be mechanically fastened or otherwise secured to the downspout. Often problems associated with the discharge of water from eavestroughs is not realized until there is a problem such as during a rainstorm or extended period of rain. The ability to quickly use the downspout extension without cutting is desirable. The final precise solution can be completed when the weather permits.  
         [0039]     If two such downspout extensions are to be joined one to the other, it is not necessary to use the corrugation/rectangular connector  18 . For example, the first downspout extension could be connected to a downspout and the drainage pipe connector can be forced over the drainage pipe connector of the second extension. The downspout extensions are preferably blow molded plastic products with relatively thin walls. It is possible to insert one drainage pipe connector within the other connector as some distortion of the connectors occurs. The inward protrusions on the drainage pipe connectors can be used to provide a lock fit, one with the other.  
         [0040]     It has been found that this particular product is useful for repositioning of the downspout extension and accommodating different length requirements. Although the product has been described where two products are connected one to the other, it would be more common and practical to connect the downspout extension to an underground drainage system. This application typically uses a buried corrugated plastic pipe which allows bending but does not allow elongation, or a rigid plastic pipe. In either case, the drainage pipe connector  18  can be mechanically fastened to the drainage system with a suitable overlap.  
         [0041]     With the present product the rectangular shape of the known downspout systems is maintained in both the downspout connector end and the middle section. The drainage pipe connector can be removed if it is not required. In this may the downspout extension is more consistent with the eavestrough system and less obtrusive.  
         [0042]     Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

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