Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
~ ~ ~Q~
'~: ` BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
5~ This invention relates generally to a trough for collecting moisture
condensate on a window and more particularly concerns a U-shaped trough secur-
able directly to the lower portion of a window pane for collection and removal
. of moisture. -
The problem of moisture buildup on the inside of windows of a
building is wellknol~, particularly in regions experiencing extremely cold
weather. Where the panes of windows in such climates are not well insulated
from the outside, they become sufficiently cold that moisture in the air
within a building will condense when it meets the cold pane of glass. When
sufficient moisture has condensed, unless it freezes in place on the window
~; pane, it will trickle to the bottom of the pane where it may collect and cause ~ ;
rotting of the window frame or peeling of paint or other such damage, or, if
~: enough water has collected, even paæs on to surrounding walls and curtains to
,~ cause staining, rotting of the woodwork, peeling of paint, softening of
t' ~ plaster and the like. Numerous solutions for this problem have been proposed `~
in the prior art. For example, Merry, Canadian Patent No. 58,805, dated ```
; January 24, 1898, describes a rounded channel nailed to the molding beneath a
~, window and clipped into a special cut therein, the channel downwardly inclined `
1 20 to collect moisture running off the window at one location. Canadian Patent
No. 107,531, of Cramer, issued September 17, 1907, describes and illustrates
~`~` a length of rigid trough stuck to the lower portion of the pane by suction
cups, a drainage spout extending downwardly beneath a central portion of the ``
trough for removal of moisture collected therein. Both of these troughs are
relatively expensive to manufacture and require a considerable degree of skill
to install, for example in that proper length of the troughs must be determined ~`
~" and cut from the rigid trough members. Other window troughs, of more compli- ~ I
cated construction but of general background interest3 are described and
; illustrated in Rosenthall, Canadian Patent No. 901,388, issued May 309 1972,
^ ~ 30 and Jolly, Canadian Patent No. 942,159, issued February 14, 1974.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple~ read~
ily installed trough for collecting and remoYing moisture condensate on the ;
; ~' 1 ' : ' :~
~ ne of a window. It is a further ob~ect of the present invention to provide
such a trough which is made from easily stored, easily handled materials,
which trough may be installed by an unskilled worker with few or no tools.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention a condensate trough for
a window pane is provided~ comprising a channel member of U-shaped cross-section.
A respective end cap is secured to each end of the channel member in a moisture-
proof connection. At least one of the end caps is provided with channel drain- -
age means, preferably projecting sideways therefrom, at or below the level of the
bottom of the channel member, to allow moisture to flow Erom the trough. Approp- `
riate means is provided for securing the channel member with the end caps to the
bottom portion of a pane of a window. Preferably the channel member is made from
a length of flexible plastic, so that it may be simply cut, for example with ~ :
scissors, to an appropriate length so that that channel member with end caps
secured thereto will be no longer than ~he lower portion of the pane to which it
is to be secured. An appropriate adhesive substance on one of the sides of the
channel member is preferred for adhering the trough to the pane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent
upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the
drawings in which:
~ Figure I is a perspective view of a trough according to the present
:~ invention secured to the bottom portion of a pane of a window;
Figure 2 is an enlarged partial view partially broken away and in ;
section, of a cap and one end of the trough of Figure l;
Figure 3 is a partial view of the other cap and end of the trough
of Figure 1.
In these drawings, similar features have been given similar refer-
ence numerals. ;
; While the invention will be described in connection with an example
embodiment thereof, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the
- 2~
~` : :
~,.: ,-~- `
.' ,.' ~,
~s~
invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all
alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the
spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~E INVENTION
Turning now to the drawings, there is shown in Figures l and 2 a
trough 2 according to the present inventîon comprising channel member 4 of
generally U-shaped cross-section ~see Figure 2) secured, by means of two-way
adhesive 6 (as seen in Figure 2) to a lower portion of pane of glass 8. At
the ends of channel member 4 are caps 10. A nipple 12, communicating with -
the lower portion of one of caps 10 and channel member 4, project sideways
from this cap. The caps may be secured to the ends of channel member 4 in any ~
;' . :: ,'
appropriate manner so that moisture will not leak where they are joined and in
.,
the embodiment illustrated are shown frictionally engaging the ends of channel ~1
member 4 by means of stepped sides 14 extending into and gripping the inner `
, sides of the ends of channel member 4. ~here necessary or desirable, adhesive
6 may also be used to secure the back side of caps 10 to the pane. The height ;
~; of the sides of the caps corresponds to that of the sides of channel member 4.
.f The upper edge 16 of the side of channel member 4 secured to the glass and
`'t the corresponding edge 17 of caps lO are tapered downwardly towards the channel
to assist in collection of the moisture. For appearance it may be desired to -~
have the channel member and caps in horizontal orientation, as shown in the
` Figures. Alternatively, for assisting collection and drainage of the trough,
the trough may be appropriately angled. A tube 18 is secured over nipples 12
~`~ to carry moisture from the trough to an appropriate storage reservoir tnot
shown). Where both end caps are provided with nipples, one of the nipples
! ` - ', ,
~ may be closed with a removable cap.
i. .
The ease of manufacture of a trough according to this in~ention may
~` be readily appreclated. The U-shaped channel member may be extruded or '~
i ~ otherwise formed Erom an appropriate flexible plastic, so that it is storable
. :.. :. :
and may be cut in the home to any desired size. Right and left caps 10 may
:
~ similarly be readily manufactured. While shown in the dra~ings as unitary
. . .
j pieces, they may be made of main body portions and transverse end portions,
:: ~ :-:
~ 3 ~
!`:: '
: .
. . .
_vr example, so that right and left caps may be made from identical pi~ces, or
so that a cap 10 having nipple 12 may be located at one end o channel member ;
4, but a transverse portion only is secured to the other end. In cutting a
length of flexible plastic constituting channel member 4 to size, a length is
required which is equal to the length of the pane to be fitted minus the
effective length of caps 10 secured to the ends thereof. It will be under-
stood that, by using a trough according to the present invention, moisture
condensing on a window pane having such a trough may be collected in the
trough and drained therefrom before it has time to damage the window pane or
walls or curtains surrounding the pane, or before it has a chance to freeze on
the pane.
Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with
the present invention, a trough for collecting moisture condensate on a window
which fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While
the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments
: ;,:
thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations
will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing des-
.~ . ; .
cription. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives,
modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the
appended claims.
~' ' ~` ':
:, ~
:: ~,:
':`, -~ :
'.` ~ ''
~ `
4 _ l ~
