Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DOWNSPOUT HINGE SYSTEMS AND METHODS
BACKGROUND
Background
Downspouts are often used to control water flow coming off of roofs.
Downspouts
distribute water onto the ground and potentially away from the foundation of a
building by
use of extensions that take the water from the downspout to a distance away
from a
foundation of a building. However, oftentimes, an integrated downspout hinge
must be
specifically sized for a particular downspout is required.
SUMMARY
A downspout hinge system and method comprises a first downspout hinge and a
second downspout hinge, the first downspout hinge and the second downspout
hinge coupled
to a downspout on opposing sides of the end of a downspout to form a downspout
hinge
system. In certain exemplary embodiments the opposing sides may be on opposing
sides of
the same surface. Alternative exemplary embodiments may comprise opposing
sides a single
structure. In certain alternative exemplary embodiments opposing sides may
further comprise
opposing sides of a surface and opposing sides of a structure.
In certain embodiments, the downspout hinge system may further comprise a
first and
second downspout hinge coupled to the anterior surface of the downspout and
the orthogonal
surface is coupled to the lateral surface of the downspout.
In certain alternative exemplary embodiments the downspout hinge system may
further comprise at least one downspout hinge further comprises sandwich
mechanism.
In certain alternative exemplary embodiments the downspout hinge system may
further comprise at least one downspout hinge further comprises downspout
material, such as
sheet metal from a downspout, inserted between a sandwich mechanism.
In certain alternative exemplary embodiments the downspout hinge system
further
comprises a securing device which secures the downspout hinge to downspout
material.
A sandwich mechanism provides support to the edge of a downspout. The sandwich
mechanism comprises a structure for receiving material such as a downspout and
securing two
separate received materials together. In certain alternative exemplary
embodiments the
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sandwich mechanism comprises a first member and a second member disposed
opposite the
first member to form a pocket between the two members. An embodiment may
comprise a
pinched "U" shaped configuration wherein the space or pocket between the
vertical legs of
the U are configured to receive material such as sheet metal. The sandwich
mechanism
comprises the receiving structure without the material received therein.
Alternative sandwich
mechanism further comprise sheet metal inserted into the pocket.
An alternative exemplary embodiment of the sandwich mechanism comprises a leaf
comprising a first end and a second end wherein the second end of the leaf is
folded over the
first end of the leaf so that a portion of the second end of the leaf is
positioned or disposed
adjacent to the first end of the leaf. A pocket is formed between the first
end of the leaf and
the second end of the leaf folded over the first end of the leaf.
The sandwich mechanism improves the strength of the edge of the downspout
because
it presses material between the sandwich, which supports both the inside
surface and the
outside surface of the edge of the material inserted therein.
In certain exemplary embodiments the material is secured using a screw, pin or
other
securing means. Alternatively, the material may be secured by adhesive.
Alternatively the
material is secured by friction. Alternatively the material is secured by
welding.
A brace is disclosed that can securely couple to the edge of a downspout or a
downspout extension or even allow a downspout extension to be connected to a
downspout.
In certain embodiments, the brace comprises a pivot joint that allows the
downspout to be
easily rotated from a relatively horizontal position to a relatively vertical
position in which
people can access the areas where the downspout extension. Various hinge
embodiments are
described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the hinge includes a first
plate
positioned on the inner wall surface of a downspout and a second plate
positioned on an
opposing outer wall surface of the downspout. The wall is secured to the hinge
and reinforced
as a fastener is extended though the first plate, the downspout wall, and the
second plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the manner in which the above recited and other features and
advantages
of the present invention are obtained, a more particular description of the
invention will be
rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated
in the appended
drawings. Understanding that the drawings depict only typical embodiments of
the present
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invention and are not, therefore, to be considered as limiting the scope of
the invention, the
present invention will be described and explained with additional specificity
and detail
through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodiment of a
downspout
with a downspout extension and a hinge.
Figure 2 illustrates a perspective view of the downspout and a downspout
extension of
Figure 1 with the downspout extension in a vertical position.
Figure 3 illustrates a perspective view of a representative embodiment of a
hinge.
Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative representative
embodiment of
a hinge.
Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative representative
embodiment of
a hinge.
Figure 6 illustrates a plan view of a section of the hinge of Figure 5,
according to some
embodiments.
Figure 7A illustrates a top view of a section of the hinge of Figure 5,
according to
some embodiments.
Figure 7B illustrates a front side view of a section of the hinge of Figure 5,
according
to some embodiments.
Figure 7C illustrates a side view of a section of the hinge of Figure 5,
according to
some embodiments.
Figure 8A illustrates a top view of a hinge pin, according to some
embodiments.
Figure 8B illustrates a perspective view of a hinge pin, according to some
embodiments.
Figure 9 illustrates a perspective view of another representative embodiment
of a
downspout with a downspout extension and a hinge.
Figure 10 illustrates a perspective view of the representative embodiment of
Figure 9
in a vertical position.
Figure 11 illustrates an isolated perspective view of a hinge member of Figure
9.
Figure 11A illustrates a perspective view of a brace comprising a sandwich
mechanism.
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Figure 11B illustrates a perspective view of a flexible brace comprising a
sandwich
mechanism on the top surface and a sandwich mechanism on the bottom surface.
Figure 11C illustrates a brace comprising a sandwich mechanism coupled to the
end of
the primary member.
Figure 11D illustrates a brace comprising a sandwich mechanism coupled to the
ends
of the brace' s primary member.
Figure 12A illustrates an outside side view of a pivoting member, according to
some
embodiments.
Figure 12B illustrates an inside side view of the pivoting member of Figure
12A.
Figure 13A illustrates an alternative perspective view of a hinge member.
Figure 13B illustrates an alternative perspective view of the hinge member
further
comprising downspout material inserted into the sandwich mechanism.
Figure 13C illustrates an alternative perspective view of the hinge member
coupling a
downspout with a downspout extension.
Figure 13D illustrates an alternative view of a half of the hinge member
comprising an
aperture coupled to a portion of a downspout.
Figure 14 illustrates an alternative view of a brace system coupling a
downspout and a
downspout extension.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A description of embodiments of the present invention will now be given with
reference to the Figures. It is expected that the present invention may be
embodied in other
specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics.
The described
embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not
restrictive. The
scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather
than by the
foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of
equivalency of
the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
Numerical data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is
to be
understood that such a range format is used merely for convenience and brevity
and thus
should be interpreted flexibly to include not only the numerical values
explicitly recited as the
limits of the range, but also as including all the individual numerical values
or sub-ranges
encompassed within that range as if each numerical value and sub-range is
explicitly recited.
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As an illustration, a numerical range of "about 1 to 5" should be interpreted
to include not
only the explicitly recited values of about 1 to 5, but also include
individual values and sub-
ranges within the indicated range. Thus, included in this numerical range are
individual
values such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as 1-3, 2-4, and 3-5, etc. This
same principle
applies to ranges reciting only one numerical value and should apply
regardless of the breadth
of the range or the characteristics being described.
The description may use perspective-based descriptions such as up/down,
back/front,
left/right and top/bottom. Such descriptions are merely used to facilitate the
discussion and
are not intended to restrict the application or embodiments of the present
invention.
For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase "A/B" means A or B. For
the
purposes of the present invention, the phrase "A and/or B" means "(A), (B), or
(A and B)."
For the purposes of the present invention, the phrase "at least one of A, B,
and C" means
"(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B and C)." For the
purposes of the
present invention, the phrase "(A)B" means "(B) or (AB)", that is, A is an
optional element.
Various operations may be described as multiple discrete operations in turn,
in a
manner that may be helpful in understanding embodiments of the present
invention; however,
the order of description should not be construed to imply that these
operations are order
dependent.
The description may use the phrases "in an embodiment," or "in various
embodiments," which may each refer to one or more of the same or different
embodiments.
Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," "having," and the like, as
used with respect
to embodiments of the present invention, are synonymous with the definition
afforded the
term "comprising."
The terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be
used. It
should be understood that these terms are not intended as synonyms for each
other. Rather, in
particular embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate that two or more
elements are in
direct physical contact with each other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more
elements are
in direct physical or electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean
that two or more
elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still cooperate or
interact with each
other.
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Reference will now be made more particularly to embodiments of the present
downspouts and hinged downspout extensions. As shown in Figure 1, downspouts
20 can be
used to control water flow coming off of roofs. Downspouts 20 can distribute
water onto the
ground and potentially away from the foundation of a house or other edifice by
use of a
downspout extension 22. In some instances, a downspout 20 includes an elbow or
bend 26
that directs water away from a foundation of the building. Because the
downspout extension
22 extends away from the building, it may occasionally interfere with
landscape maintenance,
foot traffic, and other use of the area around the downspout extension 22.
Thus, a sandwich
hinge 24, also referred to herein as hinge, can be provided that enables the
downspout
extension to be raised up to a vertical position, as shown in Figure 2. The
sandwich hinge 24
can allow the downspout extension 22 to selectively pivot up off the ground
without removing
the downspout extension 22 to the downspout 20.
In some embodiments, the sandwich hinge 24, including all of its component
parts, is
made of any desirable material with suitable properties and/or
characteristics. By way of non-
limiting example, in some embodiments, the hinge 24 is made of one or more of
the following
materials or combinations thereof: metallic materials, polymer materials,
composite materials,
synthetic materials, or resins. Non-limiting examples of specific metallic
materials include:
aluminum, steel, iron, stainless steel, and combinations and alloys thereof.
In such
embodiments, the desirable or selected material is homogenous or uniform
throughout while
in other embodiments the selected material includes voids or encapsulates non-
homogenous
materials. In some embodiments, the material selected is dictated by the
intended use and/or
method of manufacture of the sandwich hinge 24. For example, in embodiments
wherein the
hinge is formed by bending a flat sheet of material, the material can be
bendable and durable.
For instance, in some instances, the two hinge members 140 are manufactured of
heavy duty
aluminum. This material can resist corrosion even in wet outdoor environments.
The
thickness of the material of the two hinge members 140 can be between about
0.01 and about
0.1 inches, such as about 0.01 inches, about 0.02 inches, about 0.024 inches,
about 0.03
inches, about 0.04 inches, about 0.05 inches, about 0.06 inches, about 0.07
inches, about 0.08
inches, about 0.09 inches, and about 0.1 inches. Using materials of these
thicknesses can
enable screws 136 inserted through the hinge members 140 to be retained,
rather than backing
out over time.
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Figure 3 illustrates an isolated view of some embodiments of a representative
sandwich hinge 24. As shown, the sandwich hinge 24 can include a first section
30 and a
second section 32 coupled together with a pivoting member 35. In some
configurations the
sandwich hinge 24 consists of only the first 4 second sections 30, 32. The
first and second
sections 30, 32 can be substantially identical in function and structure. In
use, a wall of the
downspout 20 can be connected to the first section 30 and wall of the
downspout extension 22
can be connected to the second section 32. These connections can enable the
downspout
extension 22 to be pivotally raised upwards to a vertical orientation, as
shown in Figure 2.
In some embodiments, each of the first and second sections of the hinge 30, 32
can
include two substantially parallel plates 34, 36 separated by a gap 38. The
gap 38 can be
shaped and size to receive a wall of the downspout 20 or downspout extension
22 in a
relatively snug manner that permits little play or movement therein.
Furthermore, the two
plates 34, 36 can include pilot holes 40 formed therein through which a screw,
brad, or other
fastener can be inserted to secure the wall of the downspout 20 or downspout
extension 22
between the plates 34, 36. The pilot holes 40 can be pre-stamped and/or pre-
drilled. The
pilot holes 40 can be sized to accommodate a suitably sized screw. In a non-
limiting
example, the pilot holes 40 have a diameter of about 1/16 of an inch, 3/32 of
an inch, about
1/8 of an inch, about 5/32 of an inch, or about 3/16 of an inch.
When the two parallel plates 34, 36 are secured about a wall of a downspout 20
or
downspout extension 22, the parallel plates 34, 36 can reinforce the wall.
Since the walls are
generally thin aluminum or other such thin materials, they can tear or bend
under stress. The
parallel plates 34, 36 can thus provide reinforcement to these wall portions
to prevent damage
during use of the hinge.
In some configurations, a flange 42 is formed between the plates 34, 36 which
can
ensure a proper spacing of the gap 38 and also limit the depth with which a
wall of the
downspout 20 or downspout extension 22 can be inserted within the gap 38. As
shown, the
flange 42 can be coupled to one or both plates 34, 36. In some embodiments,
the flange 42 is
formed by bending a portion of one of the plates 34, 36. The flange 42 can
provide a space of
a predetermined distance between the end of the downspout 20 wall or the
downspout
extension 22 wall within the plates 34, 36 that can improve the function of
the sandwich hinge
24 in normal use by lowering the likelihood of catching or binding.
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As shown, in some embodiments, the sandwich hinge 24 include one or more pivot
members 35 that are coupled to the plates 34, 36 of the first and second
sections 30, 32. The
pivot members 35 can form a hinge pin channel 45 into which a hinge pin (shown
as 55 in
Figures 8A-8B) can be inserted. The hinge pin 55 can serve to connect the
first section 30
and the second section 32 of the sandwich hinge 24 together, as well as to
facilitate pivoting
of the first section 30 and the second section 32 about the pivot member 35.
Figure 4 illustrates embodiments of a section 30 of a sandwich hinge 24 that
includes
two pivot members 35 rather than three as in the embodiments of Figures 3 and
5. In other
embodiments, a single section 30, 32 can include only one pivot member 35,
four pivot
members 35 or more than four pivot members 35. Figure 5 illustrates
embodiments of a
section 30 of a sandwich hinge 24 that includes three pivot members 35. In
both of the
embodiments illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, the illustrated section 30 of the
sandwich hinge 24
could be coupled with another section 32 using a hinge pin 55 to form the
sandwich hinge 24,
as shown in Figure 3.
Figure 6 illustrates a plan view of the section 30 of the sandwich hinge 24
shown in
Figure 5. This section 30 can be stamped, cut, drilled, or otherwise formed of
a unitary,
single-piece material. Using one or more folding processes, the section 30 can
be formed into
the section 30 illustrated in Figure 5. Figure 7A illustrates a top view of
the section 30 of
Figure 5. Figure 7B illustrates a front side view of a section 30 of Figure 5.
And, Figure 7C
illustrates a side view of the section 30 Figure 5.
Figures 8A and 8B illustrates embodiments of a hinge pin 55 configured to be
inserted
into a hinge pin channel 45 of the sandwich hinge 24. As shown, the hinge pin
55 can include
a cylindrically formed material having a gap 60 extending longitudinally along
the hinge pin
55. The gap 60 can allow the hinge pin 55 to contract and expand as it is
inserted into the
hinge pin channel 45.
When assembled, the ability to pivot the sandwich hinge 24 can be adjusted by
applying opposite compressive forces against the parallel plates 34, 36 to
decrease the size of
the gap 38 and reduce the size of the hinge pin channel 45. As the size of the
hinge pin
channel 45 decreases, the force on the hinge pin 55 is increased, creating
friction that resists
pivoting movements of the sandwich hinge 24. As this force is increased, the
downspout
extension 22 can be elevated to the vertical position and remain in that
position while to
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enable users to access the areas under the downspout extension 22 for
maintenance, care, foot
traffic, or other uses.
Reference will now be made to Figures 9 through 13, which illustrate other
embodiments of a hinged downspout 20. Reference will first be made to Figure
9, which
depicts a downspout 20 pivotally coupled to a downspout extension 22. The
downspout
extension 22 may rest on the ground or on another surface. A mounting surface
128 can be
connected to the downspout extension 22 using one or more bands that are
wrapped around
the downspout extension 22 and fastened to the mounting surface 128 and the
downspout
extension 22. The downspout extension 22 also can include a latch 134 that
latches the
downspout extension 22 in a vertical orientation when it is lifted up. The
latch 134 can be
pivotally coupled to the downspout extension 22 so that the latch 134 can
pivot about a
fastener and latch itself to a feature (not shown) of the downspout 20. In
other words, the
latch 134 can be used to hold the downspout extension 22 in the vertical
position until the
property owner rotates it horizontally to allow the downspout extension 22 to
rest in the
horizontal position.
As shown, in some embodiments, the hinge 124 can include two hinge members
140.
These two hinge members 140 can function together to stabilize the downspout
20 and the
downspout extension 22 both vertically and horizontally. Improved, the
horizontal and
vertical stability can be provided by the portions of the hinge members 140
that connect to the
side walls of the downspout 20 acting in combination with the portions of the
hinge members
140 that connect to the front wall of the downspout 20. This stability can
allow the two hinge
members 140 to be fastened to the downspout 20, the downspout elbow 26, or the
downspout
extension 22.
The use of two opposing hinge members 140 located both above and on the side
of the
downspout 20 or downspout extension 22 can give this hinge 124 enhanced
stability and
durability as it guides the downspout extension 22 in its lateral rotations
between the
horizontal position, shown in Figure 9, and the vertical position, shown in
Figure 10. The
opposing hinge members 140 can also function to protect and guide the
downspout extension
22 as it is lowered to the horizontal position by accurately aligning it with
the elbow 26.
Additionally, the use of two opposing hinge members 140 to form a single hinge
unit 142 can
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allows this hinge 142 to be installed on any sized downspout extensions 22,
reducing the need
to shop for or carry more than one size of hinge.
The use of the two hinge members 140 can enable the hinge 124 to pivot about a
relatively large range of motion. For instance, the hinge 124 can pivot about
100 to about 160
degrees which allows the downspout extension 22 to be raised past the vertical
position. This
allows the downspout extension 22 to remain in the vertical position without
falling back to
the horizontal position until the user moves the downspout extension 22 to the
horizontal
position.
Each of the two hinge members 140 can be nearly identical or identical,
reducing the
need for carrying and/or purchasing two separate components. Each of the two
hinge
members 140 can be made to be more strong and more durable than the material
of the
downspout 20 and the downspout extension 22. This can add strength and
stability to the
downspout 20 and the downspout extension 22, which are sometimes made of thin
sheets of
aluminum. This can further alleviate the issues of instability and weakness
associated with
the lighter aluminum as the heavy and stronger hinge members 140 sandwiches
the lighter
material of the downspout 20 and the downspout extension 22. For instance, in
some
instances, the two hinge members 140 are manufactured of heavy duty aluminum.
This
material can resist corrosion even in wet outdoor environments. The thickness
of the material
of the two hinge members 140 can be between about 0.01 and about 0.1 inches,
such as about
0.01 inches, about 0.02 inches, about 0.024 inches, about 0.03 inches, about
0.04 inches,
about 0.05 inches, about 0.06 inches, about 0.07 inches, about 0.08 inches,
about 0.09 inches,
and about 0.1 inches. Using materials of these thicknesses can enable screws
136 inserted
through the hinge members 140 to be retained, rather than backing out over
time.
As further shown in Figure 9, the downspout 20 and the downspout extension 22
can
be shaped to form a gap 130 when the downspout extension 22 is in a horizontal
position.
The length of the gap 130 when the downspout extension 22 is in a horizontal
position can be
between about 0.5 inches and about 1.0 inch, such as, for example, about 0.75
inches. The
gap 130 can assist to ensure that the bottom of the downspout extension 22
underlaps the
bottom of the elbow 26. If this gap 130 were not maintained the water may
otherwise escape
the elbow 26 before entering the downspout extension 22 causing water to enter
the ground
adjacent to the properties foundation and washed away landscaping. The gap 130
can also
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allow a property owner to quickly see if there is any debris caught in the
elbow 26 of the
downspout extension 22.
As shown, the gap 130 can be created in part by the geometry of the cut of the
downspout 20 and the downspout extension 22. For example, the downspout 20 can
be
formed to taper downwards from the front to the back (the side closest to the
home or
building), as shown in Figures 9 and 10. Furthermore, the top of the downspout
extension 22
can be cut relatively flat at a constant location along the longitudinal axis
of the downspout
extension 22.
Reference will now be made to Figures 11 and 13A-13D. Figure 11 illustrates an
isolated hinge member 140. A hinge member may comprise a sandwich mechanism
122. A
hinge mechanism may comprise a first front plate 148, and a second front plate
152 wherein
the first front plate and the second front plate are adjacently disposed to
form a pocket 156
therein. An alternative exemplary embodiment of the sandwich mechanism further
comprises
a front member 146. As shown, an alternative exemplary embodiment of the hinge
member
140 may further comprise a first side plate 144. An alternative exemplary
embodiment may
further comprise a second side plate 144 coupled to the first side plate 144
further comprising
a pivot member 135. The first side plate 144 can be substantially parallel to
the second side
plate 144 to enable the hinge member 140 to pivot about the pivot point of the
pivot member
135. A front member 146 can extend away from each of the first and second side
plates 144.
The front member 146 can be positioned on the front of the downspout, a side
which is not
adjacent a building and the side to which the downspout extension 22 extends.
In some
configurations, each of the front members 146 extends substantially
perpendicularly from the
side plate 144 from which it extends. In some configurations, the front member
146 does not
immediately extend substantially perpendicularly from a side plate 144, but
can include one
or more other bends 143 that can conform to the exterior shape of the
downspout 20 or
downspout extension 22, as shown.
In certain exemplary embodiments, the pivot member or pivot joint 135 may be
coplanar with the side plate 144 as illustrated in Figure 11. Alternatively,
the pivot joint,
pivot hinge or pivot member 35 and may be coplanar with the first and second
sections as
illustrated in Figure 3. In addition, alternative exemplary embodiments may
comprise side
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plate 144 coupled to the first section or second section of the Figure 3 to
achieve the optimal
strength.
The front member 142 may be shaped so as to maximize surface contact between
the
hinge member 140 and the down spout 20, 22, and thus strengthen and reinforce
the
downspout 20, 22 point of connection to the hinge member 140.
Each front member 146 can include a first front plate 148 and a second front
plate 152.
The first front plate 148 and the second front plate 152 can be substantially
parallel to one
another, at least for a substantially portion of their bodies. Moreover, as
shown, the first front
plate 148 and the second front plate 152 can be coupled together at an edge
thereof that is
closest to the pivot member 135. In some instances, this coupling is a fold
154 that forms a
pocket 156. In use, a wall of the downspout 20 or downspout extension 22 can
be inserted
into the gap or pocket 156 between the first front plate 148 and the second
front plate 152
until it abuts the fold 154 or other coupling. At this point, the wall of the
downspout 20 or
downspout extension 22 can be secured within the pocket 156 by driving a
screw, brad, or
other fastener through a pilot hole 40 extending through the first front plate
148 and the
second front plate 152. As mentioned above, these two plates 148, 152 can
reinforce the wall
of the downspout 20 or downspout extension 22 to resist tearing or damage
during use of the
hinge 124.
Figure 11 further shows that the side plates 144 can include one or more pilot
holes 40
formed therein to secure the side plates 144 to sidewalls of the downspout 20
and a sidewall
of the downspout extension 22. In this way, the hinge member 140 can
significantly
strengthen the lateral stability of the hinge 124. The pilot holes 40 in the
side plates 144
and/or the first front plate 148 and the second front plate 152 can be sized
to accommodate a
suitably sized screw. In a non-limiting example, the pilot holes 40 have a
diameter of about
1/16 of an inch, 3/32 of an inch, about 1/8 of an inch, about 5/32 of an inch,
about 3/16 of an
inch, or about 7/32 of an inch.
In some embodiments, each of the side members 144 and the corresponding front
members 146 are formed of a single-piece of material that is folded to form
the respective
components and features. Furthermore, each of the sets of side members 155 and
front
members 146 can substantially mirrored each other, in that each set is
substantially the mirror
image of the other, as shown in Figure 11.
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In some embodiments a removable sheath or cover may be selectively placed to
cover
the gap formed between the down spout 20, 22.
Referring now to Figures 11A ¨ 11B, a brace is disclosed. The brace 120 may
comprise a first plate 146 wherein the front plate 146 further comprises a
rigid material such
as stiff plastic, ceramic, or metal, Alternative exemplary embodiments may
comprise flexing
means comprising a flexible material such as flexible plastic, a composite
material, malleable
material, a fabric material such as rubber, glass or Kevlar or other flexible
materials known in
the art or a hinge which may comprise a hinge pin or may comprise members
mating to secure
the members in close proximity to one another while allowing one end to move
independently
of the other end. Alternative exemplary embodiments may further comprise
material selected
for its resistance to degradation due to weather or UV exposure. The brace 120
may be
coupled to a surface of downspout material. The flexible material or flexing
means may
connect a sandwich mechanism 122 to a non-sandwich mechanism end.
Alternatively the
flexing means may connect a sandwich mechanism 122 to another sandwich
mechanism 122.
Alternative exemplary embodiments comprise a sandwich mechanism extending from
the brace end. In such embodiments the sandwich mechanism comprises a forked
section
forming a pocket between the legs of the fork. The legs of the fork are
disposed adjacent the
other and configured to receive material such as sheet metal. The sandwich
mechanism is
further configured to be secured or fastened to the material wherein the
securing device is a
screw and the screw is inserted through a first leg of the sandwich mechanism,
then through
the inserted material and then through the second let of the sandwich
mechanism. The
sandwich mechanism may be secured to the inserted material using other means
and methods.
The ends of the brace are terminal sections of the brace's primary member. A
primary
member may comprise the structure that couples the ends of together. The
primary member
may comprise structure that is coplanar with the ends. Alternative exemplary
embodiments
further comprise primary member that is structure that is not coplanar with
the ends. In hinge
member 140 the primary member may comprise the side plates 144 coupled by the
pivot
member 135. The sandwich mechanism may extend beyond the end. Alternatively, a
sandwich mechanism may be positioned co-terminal with the end. The end may
comprise a
sandwich mechanism 122 formed from a proximal portion of the front plate 146
and the distal
portion of the front plate 152 forming fold 154 so the distal portion of the
front plate 152 is
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disposed adjacent to the proximal portion of the front plate 152.
Alternatively, the sandwich
mechanism may comprise a U shaped structure secured to brace 120.
Alternatively an end may comprise a terminal portion comprising the structure
of the
non-end section of the brace. The length of the end section may be longer than
the brace
section, or alternatively, the end section may be shorter in length than the
brace section.
Alternatively, the brace 120 may comprise a sandwich mechanism on one end
only.
The sandwich mechanism 122 may comprise plates of matching width.
Alternatively
one plate may have a wider width and the second plate may have a narrower
width. Generally
speaking, wider widths will be selected to improve surface contact between the
sandwich
mechanism 122 and any material which may be inserted between into pocket 156.
Alternatively, the sandwich mechanism may comprise one or more pilot hole(s)
40 to
secure the sandwich mechanism to material inserted into the pocket.
The brace 120 may comprise structure falling primarily in a single plane, and
the
sandwich mechanism 122 occupying primarily coplanar the brace's plane.
Alternatively, the
brace may further comprise additional structure that occupies a plane that is
substantially
orthogonal the brace's plane. A brace comprising a surface orthogonal the
primary brace' s
plane provides additional structural support to the brace and to the downspout
structure to
which the brace may be coupled. Additionally, the orthogonal surface may
further comprise a
pivot joint that allows brace to pivot through the arc formed between the ends
of the primary
brace.
The brace may further comprise a sandwich mechanism 122 comprising a proximal
end 148 and a distal end 152 disposed adjacent each other. The ends may be
folded or may be
cast to dispose the ends adjacent the other.
The sandwich mechanisms 122 may be positioned on opposite sides of the brace,
so
that if one sandwich mechanism faces upward the other sandwich mechanism faces
downwards. Such a configuration will create an offset differential between any
material
connected to the respective sandwich mechanisms.
Alternatively, the sandwich mechanism 122 may comprise a pivot member 135,
also
referred to herein as a pivot joint. The pivot joint 135 may be disposed
between the sandwich
mechanisms 122 along the primary member coplanar with the sandwich mechanism
122.
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Alternatively the pivot joint 135 may be disposed on a surface that is not
coplanar with the
sandwich mechanism 122, such as side member 144.
The hinge coupling strength, or the strength between the hinge and the
downspout or
downspout extension may be improved when the side plate 144 is used in
connection with the
front member 146 by creating two points of contact with the downspout, on both
a vertical
surface and a horizontal surface.
Referring now to Figures 11C-11D, a brace comprising a sandwich mechanism
coupled to the end 121 of the primary member. The sandwich mechanism 122
comprises a
pocket 156 formed between a first front plate 148 and a second front plate
152. The pocket
156 receives material such as a downspout and the sandwich mechanism is
secured to the
material by a screw or other securing mechanism that passes through the first
front plate, the
material and the second front plate. An alternative exemplary embodiment
comprises the
sandwich mechanism being tightened to clamp the material in the pocket 156 of
the sandwich
mechanism. Figure 11C shows the brace may comprise a sandwich mechanism 122 on
one
end of the brace. Figure 11D illustrates the brace may comprise a sandwich
mechanism of
different configurations on opposite ends of the brace. Alternative
embodiments may further
comprise any sandwich mechanism disclosed herein being used in conjunction
with any other
sandwich mechanism. Indeed, alternative exemplary embodiments may further
comprise the
brace of Figure 11C being hingedly connected to a hinged member of Figure 11.
The brace
may be manufactured using roll form techniques, casting techniques, or
injection techniques.
Figures 12A and 12B illustrate close-up inside and outside views,
respectively, of the
pivot member 135 of Figure 11. As shown, the pivot member 135 can provide
relatively
smooth operation of the hinge 124 without allowing for undesirable movement or
play which
could lead to failure of the hinge 124 over time. The pivot member 135 can
include a aperture
or hole 160 formed in one of the first or second side members 144 and leaves
162 formed in
the other of the first or second side member 144. The leaves 162 are formed by
a pierce in
side member 144 which separates the leaves 162 and permits the leaves 162 to
be manipulated
independent of other leaves. As further shown, the leaves 162 can be folded in
through the
hole 160 and back on themselves to secure the leaves 162 within the hole 160.
In some
configurations, a lack of play and smoothness can be achieved in the pivot
member 135 by
creating a tight fitting between the leaves 162 and the hole 160. Furthermore,
the tension of
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the pivot member 135 can be quickly and simply adjusted by crimping or
loosening the leaves
162. Crimping the leaves 162 can adjust the holding power of the hinge when
the downspout
extension 22 is in the vertical position, even in instances in which the
downspout extension
has a length between about 1 foot to about 10 feet or increments therebetween.
The pivot member 135 may comprise a hinge pin; however, the pivot member 135
may also comprise the leaves of a first second side member 144 and the
aperture or hole 160
of a second side member, the first and second side members 144 being coupled
by passing the
leaves 162 through the aperture or hole 160 and then the leaves receiving the
inside surface of
the hole 160 by the leaves being extended to wrap around the edge of the
aperture.
In some embodiments, a brace 120 comprising a plurality of ends may couple two
pieces of downspout, two pieces of downspout extension or a downspout to a
downspout
extension. The brace 120 may comprise a rigid section between two ends.
Alternatively, a
brace 120 may comprise a pivot joint to allow the ends to rotate around a
central axis, as
shown in Figures 11A-11B. Brace 120 comprises a first member comprising a
sandwich
mechanism. Alternative exemplary embodiments further comprise a brace
comprising a first
member comprising a sandwich mechanism and a second member comprising a
sandwich
mechanism. Alternative exemplary embodiments may further comprise a pivot
joint or hinge.
Figures 13A ¨ 13D illustrate different perspective views of the brace 120
wherein the
brace comprises a hinged member 140. In certain alternative exemplary
embodiments the
hinged member 140 is the brace 120 further comprising the pivot joint 135.
Alternative
exemplary embodiments of the hinge member further comprise a second plate 140.
The term
brace encompasses brace 120 and hinged member 140 and sandwich hinge 24. The
hinged
member 140 is a brace 120 with Figure 13A shows the profile view of the hinge
member 140
with the front member 146 comprising plate 148 which is the proximal plate,
and a second
plate 152 which is a distal plate. In certain exemplary embodiments, the
sandwich
mechanism 122 comprises the portion where the distal portion of the plate is
adjacent the
proximal portion of the plate.
Figure 13B illustrates a portion of material 20 placed in the pocket 156 of
the
sandwich mechanism 122. The material may be gutter material, downspout
material or
downspout extension material.
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Figure 13C illustrates a system of downspout hinges coupling a downspout 22 to
a
downspout extension 20. The downspout hinge system comprises a first downspout
hinge
180 coupled to two adjacent surfaces of the downspout and a second downspout
hinge 185
coupled to an opposing adjacent surfaces of the downspout. The opposing
surfaces are the
anterior and lateral surfaces. An alternative exemplary embodiment may further
comprise a
hinge system 180 and 185 wherein the hinge is a brace 120 coupled to opposing
sides of the
same horizontal surface. Alternative exemplary embodiments may comprise the
brace
coupled to opposing vertical surfaces.
Aluminum downspouts are manufactured in a variety of sizes. Using a system of
downspout hinges to couple a downspout to another downspout or downspout
extension
allows an installer to reduce the number of different-sized hinges in
inventory or taken to job
sites. The one size hinge will fit nearly sizes of aluminum downspouts.
The downspout hinge system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the first
and
second downspout hinges comprises a first coupling surface and a second
coupling surface
about orthogonal the first coupling surface, the hinge comprising a support
brace for the end
of a downspout hinge. Alternative exemplary embodiments may further comprise
the
downspout hinge wherein the first and second downspout hinges are coupled to a
horizontal
surface of the downspout and the orthogonal surface is coupled to the lateral
surface of the
downspout. Alternative exemplary embodiments may further comprise the
downspout hinge
wherein a least one downspout hinge further comprises sandwich mechanism.
Alternative
exemplary embodiments may further comprise the downspout hinge wherein at
least one
downspout hinge further comprises downspout material inserted between a
sandwich
mechanism. Alternative exemplary embodiments may further comprise the
downspout hinge,
wherein a securing device secures the downspout hinge to downspout material.
The gap 130 is illustrated. The plurality of hinge members comprises a hinge
system.
In certain exemplary embodiments the system may comprise the brace of Figure
11A wherein
the front member comprises a flexible material that allows the downspout
extension to be
displaced or repositioned. An alternative exemplary embodiment comprises the
sandwich
mechanism of hinge 24 in Figure 3.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without
departing
from its structures, methods, or other essential characteristics as broadly
described herein and
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claimed hereinafter. The described embodiments are to be considered in all
respects only as
illustrative, and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore,
indicated by the
appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that
come within the
meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their
scope.
