Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an extension apparatus for rainwater downspouts. More specifically, the present invention relates to a multi-piece, articulated extension apparatus that is attachable to the lowermost portion of an existing rainwater downspout. 
     Typical building construction may include a gutter and downspout system to collect rainwater and divert it away from the building. A downspout extension may be attached to the downspout to ensure the collected rainwater does not accumulate too close to the building and to direct it a distance away from the building. A fixed, one-piece extension may solve the problem of water accumulation, but it may also present other problems. For example, mowing the lawn is made more difficult when for example, the extension must be moved each time the adjacent lawn is to be mowed. The mower must stop to remove the extension and after mowing, must revisit the downspout to reattach the extension. This procedure takes time and is inconvenient. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides an improved extension apparatus for rainwater downspouts that overcomes the previously described problems with typical fixed extensions. The extension apparatus comprises a multi-piece, articulated device that is attachable to the lowermost portion of an existing rainwater downspout. The apparatus includes a plurality of downspout extension members of varying lengths wherein at least two of the extension members are joined at a pivotable joint. The articulated extension apparatus is movable about the pivotable joint from an extended, in use position, to a displaced position. The apparatus is moved to the displaced position when lateral pressure is applied to an extension member, as by a lawnmower for example, and the extension member rotates on the pivotable joint. The apparatus is further configured to return the displaced extension member to the extended, in use position when lateral pressure terminates. 
     The extension members of the disclosed apparatus further include side panels. The extension members are connected at each side panel by elastic members. While an extension member pivots laterally about the pivotable joint in response to displacement caused by outside stimuli such as a lawnmower during lawn maintenance, when the stimuli ceases, the elastic members cause the extension member to automatically pivot and return to the extended, in use position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the apparatus according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 4  and taken along lines  5 - 5  thereof. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view, similar to that of  FIG. 3 , but showing pivoting motion of the apparatus. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  are top views showing use of the apparatus. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Although the disclosure hereof is detailed, and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
     With attention to the Figures, an articulated extension apparatus  10  according to the present invention may be seen. As viewed particularly in  FIGS. 1-4 , the apparatus  10  preferably includes at least a first extension member  12  and a second extension member  14 . The first and second extension members  12 ,  14  are pivotally connected at a pivot point  16 . The pivot, point  16  includes a pivot aperture  18 A in the first extension member  12 , a pivot aperture  18 B in the second extension member  14  and pivot hardware, seen as a pull pin  20  in these views. As may be further seen, the first member  12  may include an elbow  22  having a first elbow end  24  configured for mating attachment with the lowermost portion of a downspout  26 , although it is within the scope of the present invention to provide a first extension member  12  that has a linear configuration and no elbow (not shown). The first member  12  further includes a second end  28  which is adapted for attachment to the second extension member  14  and includes the pivot aperture  18 A. The second extension member  14  includes a first end  30  and a second end  32 , with the first end  30  being configured for mating attachment to the first member  12  and including a pivot aperture  18 B. The second end  32  of the second extension member  14  is configured for optional mating attachment with another extension member (not shown), if desired. Extension members  12 ,  14  for use with the present apparatus  10  may be of varying lengths, and may be composed of a polymer such as PVC, metal, or other suitable material. 
     As further seen in  FIGS. 1-5 , each of the extension members  12 ,  14  includes opposed side panels  34  each having a side panel  34  outer surface  36 . Each side panel  34  outer surface  36  preferably includes at least one anchor device, such as the eye rings  38  shown, although other suitable devices may be used. An elastic member  39 , such as the elastic cord  40  and S-connectors  42  arrangement shown, may be used to further connect the first and second extension members  12 ,  14 . As illustrated, the elastic member  39  includes opposed elastic member ends  44 , with each end  44  being attached to a corresponding anchor device  38  on one of the extension members  12 ,  14 . In use, the elastic member  39  supports the apparatus  10  in the fully extended position (see  FIG. 7B ), while providing sufficient elasticity to allow the second extension member  14  to articulate at the pivot point  16  (see  FIG. 7A ) when lateral pressure is applied. The elastic member  39  further draws the second extension member  14  back to the fully extended position once lateral pressure ceases, as will be discussed. 
     With particular attention to the views of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , it may be seen that the first extension member  12  second end  28  may include a pair of opposed flexible flaps  46 . The flaps  46  are configured to be received within corresponding slots  48  in the second extension member  14  (see  FIG. 5 ) and are preferably made of a resilient, flexible material, such as a polymer or the like. The flaps  46  interact with the second extension member  14  in the slots  48  to slidingly connect the first and second extension members  12 ,  14 , and to flex when the apparatus  10  is articulated about the pivot point  16 . As is shown in  FIG. 6 , the pivoting action of the second extension member  14  in the direction of arrow A flexes the flaps  46  to thereby allow the apparatus  10  to articulate at the pivot point  16 . The flaps  46  further cover any gaps in the side panel  34 . 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a method of use for the articulated extension apparatus  10  according to the present invention. As may be viewed, the second extension member  14  is moved in the direction of arrow B as a lawnmower  50  or other ground maintenance device moves in the direction of arrow C adjacent the apparatus  10 . The lawnmower  50  or other ground maintenance device contacts and applies lateral pressure on the second extension member  14 . The lateral pressure of the lawnmower  50  in contact with the apparatus  10  overcomes the bias of the elastic member  39  and the apparatus  10  pivots as the second extension member  14  moves about the pivot point  16  in the direction of arrow B. The pivoting movement allows the lawnmower  50  to pass the apparatus  10  without the need for the user to stop, disassemble, or otherwise manually reposition the device  10 . As the lawnmower  50  continues in the direction of arrow C, and as shown in  FIG. 7B , lateral pressure against the second extension member  14  ceases, the bias of the elastic member  39  moves the second extension member  14  in the direction of arrow D, and the apparatus  10  resumes its original position. 
     The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.

Technology Category: 0