Retaining clip for drainage pipe and method of using same

Abstract

A retaining clip is used to locate and secure a downspout lateral extension without the use of any tools or fastening hardware. The clip has a pair of free legs that are joined by a coil section. The coil section has an aperture through which the downspout extension can be matingly received. The legs are inserted into the ground, or other base material, to retain the clip and extension in place. Preferably the legs are splayed outwardly from each other at a neutral position and can be resiliently compressed towards each other to narrow the aperture and create a compression force that securely grips and holds the extension. Preferably the clip is formed from a unitary material that is rust and corrosion resistant, durable, and paintable, such as cold-rolled brass, copper, or stainless steel wire.

Description

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/540,104, filed Jan. 28, 2004, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to an apparatus for retaining a downspout extension, or other drainage pipe, in place. More particularly, this invention relates to a clip that can be easily attached to the extension portion or elbow portion of a downspout in order to anchor the extension or elbow to the ground in order to prevent the extension or elbow portion from blowing away or being easily dislodged from the downspout.

BACKGROUND

Drainage systems to drain water away from structures such as houses and other buildings typically include eaves or gutters located around the periphery for the roof of the structure to catch water as it drains off the roof. These gutters are canted to drain the water towards downspouts, typically located near a corner of the building, that carry the water off the structure and down to a desired drainage location near the bottom of the downspout. These downspouts are tubular in structure, and aligned in a generally vertical orientation. Most commonly the downspouts are made from a relatively light rigid material such as vinyl, plastic, or aluminum. At the bottom of the downspout it is often desirable to provide a lateral extension portion, including an elbow portion, that extends transversely from the bottom of the downspout in order to drain the water at a distance from the foundation of the building.

These lateral extensions are most commonly tubular structures that matingly engage the terminal portion of the downspout. The lateral extensions are commonly, though not necessarily, formed from the same materials as the downspouts to which they attach. Their cross-sectional shape may be any shape that works to effectively drain the water away from the bottom of the downspout.

The lateral extensions are effective for draining water away from the structure, but they suffer from some disadvantages. First, because they extend out away from the structure they can be placed such that they will be kicked or otherwise bumped by people or animals walking around the structure. Because of their typically light weight, they are also susceptible to being blown around by the wind. These factors can cause the lateral extensions to become dislodged from the downspout. When a lateral extension becomes dislodged it can blow away and become lost. Worse yet, the water from the downspout will drain right at the foundation of the structure, which can cause water damage.

Permanently located structures to retain the lateral extensions are not particularly well suited for the task because it is often desired to move the lateral extension to mow or to use the space where it extends when it is not raining. Existing movable devices designed to support and locate downspout extensions suffer from durability problems related to the heat and cold cycles of the weather and breaking from repeated striking by string-line trimmers. A common design for such locators has an open top that is susceptible to becoming dislodged by strong wind, animals or human foot traffic.

What is needed is a device to retain the extensions in place that is durable, easy to use and securely retains the extensions. Preferably, the device will permit the extension to be easily lifted and replaced to allow for mowing, trimming, and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves many of the problems faced with retention of down spout extensions. According to one embodiment of the present invention a retaining clip is proposed that is durable enough to withstand repeated striking by string-line trimmers, will not deteriorate under changing weather heat and cold cycles, is easily located along a desired location on the extension, can support the extension at a selected height, does not require tools or additional fastening means, is reusable, can be painted, is adaptable to various cross section designs for downspout extensions, and is economical.

According to one embodiment, the present invention is formed from a unitary piece of metal wire. The wire has two free legs at opposite ends. A coil is formed between the free legs. The coil is adapted to engage a downspout extension. The free legs can be selectively driven into the ground while the extension is captured within the coil to retain the extension in place.

According to another embodiment of the present invention an anchor for retaining a drainage tube includes a coil portion and a pair of legs. The coil portion forms an aperture for mating engagement around the drainage tube. Each of the legs has a free end for insertion into a base material to retain the drainage tube in the desired position. The coil and legs may be formed from a single piece of metal wire, and the single piece of metal wire may be made of cold rolled brass, copper, or stainless steel. The legs may be splayed outwardly from each other at a neutral position. The legs may be adjustable inwards towards each other to make the aperture smaller. The legs may be adjustable outwards apart from each other to make the aperture larger.

According to another embodiment the present invention is a device for retaining a downspout extension in place on a downspout. The device includes a wire loop that forms an enclosed aperture for engagement with the downspout extension. A first leg member is attached to the wire loop at a proximal end of the first leg member. The first leg member has a free end for insertion into a base material in order to retain the downspout extension in place. The device may include a second leg similar to the first leg. The wire loop and the legs may be formed from a single piece of metal wire having a generally circular cross section. A coating, such as paint, powder coat, and the like may be provided on the wire loop.

According to another embodiment, the present invention is a method of retaining a drainage pipe in a working position. The method includes the steps of providing a drainage pipe, providing a retaining clip that includes a loop forming an enclosed aperture for mating engagement with the drainage pipe and a pair of legs, placing the drainage pipe in mated engagement with the enclosed aperture, and inserting the legs into a base material to retain the drainage pipe in the enclosed aperture in the working position. The loop and the legs may be formed from a single piece of cold rolled metal having a circular cross section. The legs may be splayed outwardly from each other at a neutral position. The legs may be adjustable inward to make the aperture smaller or outward to make the aperture larger.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structure than includes a gutter, downspout, downspout extension, and three retainer clips according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a retainer clip according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the retainer clip of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the retainer clip of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a retainer clip according to the present invention in which the legs of the clip in an open position to facilitate installing and locating the clip on a drainage pipe;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a retainer clip according to the present invention in engagement with a downspout extension and with the legs in an inwardly flexed position and inserted into the ground to retain the extension in place;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the retainer clip and extension of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention intended for use with extensions that have a generally circular cross section;

FIG. 10 is a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention intended for use on extensions with an upright rectangular cross section;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment that includes a coil having two windings;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a retainer clip according to the present invention, wherein the clip has only one leg; and

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the retainer clip of FIG. 9 in engagement with a drainage tile pipe.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Shown generally in the figures and described in detail herein is a retainer clip 10 for use in locating and restraining a downspout extension 12. FIG. 1 illustrates a house 14 that is equipped with a gutter 16 for catching rain water as it drains off a roof 18. A downspout 20 is provided at a lowest end of the gutter 16 to catch and guide the rain water from the gutter 16 towards the ground. An extension 12 is provided at the terminus of the downspout 20 in order to drain the water away from the foundation for the house 14. A pair of retainer clips 10 according to the present invention are provided in engagement with the extension 12 in order to locate and support the extension 12. An additional retainer clip 10 is also used to support and locate the flexible extension 48 attached at the end of extension 12. It should be appreciated that while the drawings show the retainer clips 10 in use on a drainage system for a house, the retainer clips 10 will be suitable for use with a variety of drainage systems above and below ground.

FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a retainer clip 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The retainer clip 10 has a first leg 24 and a second leg 25 that are suitable for being inserted into a base material 22, such as the ground. The legs 24 and 25 are joined together by a coil 26. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the coil is formed by a first top span 28, a first vertical span 30, a bottom span 32, a second vertical span 36, and a second top span 38. An aperture 40 is formed by the interior surfaces of the coil 26 and the inside edges of the top portions of the legs 24 & 25.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the legs 24 & 25 are preferably slightly splayed outward at a neutral position. The combination of the material used and the shape of the coil 26 should provide resiliency to allow the legs 24 & 25 to be flexed inward and outward as desired and as will be described in more detail below. By flexing the legs 24 and 25 inward and outward, the shape and size of the aperture 40 can be adjusted. At the neutral position, or with the legs 24 & 25 slightly flexed apart (see FIG. 5), the retainer clip 10 is suited for slipping on and off an extension 12. With the legs 24 & 25 flexed inward so that they are roughly parallel, the aperture 40 is narrowed, and the clip 10 is suitable for gripping and securing the extension 12 (see FIG. 6).

FIG. 4 shows a side view of a retainer clip 10 in a neutral position. As can be seen, the legs 24 and 25 are also preferably splayed slightly from front to back. This front to back splay also provides a mechanism for narrowing the aperture 40 and creating a compressing gripping force. By adjusting the legs 24 & 25 to be parallel, or even past, the top spans 28 and 38 are moved apart and the bottom span 32 is drawn closer to the top spans 28 and 38, thereby contracting the aperture 40. When the extension 12 is within the aperture 40, this can cause a compressing force against the extension 40, which can be useful for retaining the clip 10 at a desired position on the extension 12.

FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of a retainer clip 10 adjusted to be installed on (or removed from) an extension 12. The legs 24 and 25 are spread apart in order open the aperture 40. In this position, the clip 10 can then slide laterally along the extension 12 until it is in a desired position. The legs 24 and 25 are moved to this open position by pushing or pulling the legs 24 and 25 apart by hand. The resiliency of the coil 26 will pull the legs 24 and 25 back toward the neutral position.

FIG. 6 shows a retainer clip 10 in position holding an extension 12 in place on a downspout 20. The legs 24 and 25 have been pulled inward towards each other from their neutral position in order to close the aperture 40 and bring the top portion of the legs 24 and 25 in close contact with the extension 12 in order to grip and hold the extension 12 securely. Squeezing the legs 24 and 25 inward so that they are nearly parallel also makes insertion of the legs 24 and 25 into the base material 22 easier. Typically the base material 22 will be loose or compacted soil such as found in a turf grass lawn, but the base material may also be gravel, landscaping mulch, asphalt, and the like.

FIG. 7 shows a clip 10 in engagement with an extension 12. It should be noted that while FIG. 7 shows the clip 10 placed near the free end of the extension 12, in practice the clip 10 could be located anywhere along the extension 12. It may be desirable in some instances to place the clip 10 at the junction of the extension and the elbow 20 to provide a clamping force to help retain the extension 12 on the elbow 20.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a portion of the clip 10 and extension 12 of FIG. 7. As seen in FIG. 8, the clip 10 may be covered with a coating 42, such as paint, powder coat, rubber, vinyl, sealant, or the like. The coating 42 can help with the corrosive properties of the clip 10, can add to the aesthetic appeal, and may add to the gripping force of the clip 10 on the extension 12 if it is a relatively tacky coating 42. As also seen in FIG. 8, there is preferably a slight gap between the lower edge of the top spans 28 and 38 of the clip 10 and the top edge of the extension 12 when the clip is square (vertically) with the extension 12, so that the clip 10 will not bind against the extension 12 when being slid into position on the extension 12. In practice, once the clip 10 is in place, and the legs 24 and 25 are pushed into the base material 22, one of the top spans 28 or 38 may be in contact with the top of the extension 12 due to a forward or rearward (left or right in FIG. 8) tilt of the clip 10.

FIGS. 9 and 13 show an alternative embodiment that utilizes a coil 26 that forms a circular aperture 40 that would be well-suited for use on a drainage tube or tile that has a circular cross section. For example, FIG. 13 shows a clip 10 with a circular cross section in use on a drainage tile 50 that has drainage holes 52. Commonly these drainage tiles will be mounted below grade. The clips 10 are used to hold the drainage tiles 50 in place until and during the process of covering them with dirt. These clips with the circular aperture 40 are also well suited for use on round, flexible corrugated drainage tubing. The circular coils fit into the depressed areas of the corrugation to provide a tight grip on such extensions.

With further reference to FIG. 13, when a new home or building is erected, prior to backfilling material up against the base portion of the foundation, contractors commonly lay drainage tiles 50 along a trench. These drainage tiles 50 help to drain excess water away from the foundation, generally to a storage basin equipped with a sump pump. These drainage tiles 50 need to be placed and maintained at a desired slope. This can be difficult to achieve, especially during the backfill process. The disclosed clip 10 can be used as a brace to place the tiles 50 at the desired pitch, and to maintain the tiles 50 in place during the backfill process. A series of clips 10 are placed along the length of the tile 50, and the legs 24 & 25 are pressed into the bottom of the trench until the tile is at a desired height to achieve the desired slope. The trench can then be backfilled. The clips 10 hold the tile 50 in place during the backfill process to maintain the desired slope.

FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment of a retaining clip 10 according to the present invention. According to the embodiment of FIG. 10, the coil 26 has a different shape than the clip 10 shown in FIGS. 2-8. In particular, the rectangular aperture 40 is rotated such that the longer sides are in a generally vertical orientation. This orientation for the longer sides of the rectangle is common in larger capacity drainage system components. As a result, the clip 10 of FIG. 10 has an aperture 40 that is well-suited for use with a larger extension, such as typically found on larger industrial or commercial buildings, or large residential structures.

FIG. 11 shows an other embodiment of the present invention that utilizes a coil having an additional winding to form the aperture 40. As a result, there are three top spans and two bottom spans in the clip 10 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 12 shows an additional embodiment of the present invention that includes only a single leg 24. The aperture 40 is formed from a single coil formed by the top portion of the leg 24, the top span 28, a vertical span 30, and a bottom span 32. This embodiment lacks some of the advantages of the two-legged embodiments in that is more difficult to adjust the aperture 40 by opening and closing the legs 24. It does have the advantage of requiring less material to manufacture, and can be placed adjacent to vertical foundation surfaces.

It is preferred that the clip 10 be formed from a single piece of material such that it has a unitary construction. The legs 24 and 25 of the clip 10 should be generally straight, and must be rigid enough that they will not buckle when pressed into the base material 22. Preferably the material will have enough flexibility that the legs 25 and 25 can be flexed inward and outward to facilitate the installation, repositioning, or removal of the clip 10 from the extension 12 or the tile 50. Preferably the material will have some memory or resilience so that the legs 24 and 25 will snap back to the neutral position after being displaced. Ideally the material will be durable enough to withstand contact by string trimmers or plastic blade trimmers without being damaged. Also preferably, paint, including house paints of various distillates such as latex, oil, lacquer will stick to the material so that the clip 10 can be painted a desired color, typically the same color as the extension 12. Alternatively, the clip 10 may be dipped in a power coat. The material should also be able to withstand temperature extremes from hot to freezing without becoming brittle or susceptible to stretching or distortion. Preferably the material will not degrade significantly from long-term exposure to the sun.

The preferred material for forming the unitary clip 10 is a metal wire having a circular cross section, and most preferably a stainless steel wire having a diameter of about 5 mm (about 0.187 inches). Cold rolled brass wire and copper wire may also be well suited for making the clips 10. Those of skill in the art will be aware of other materials that share some or all of the desired characteristics such as spring steel, fiber-filled plastics, and other alloys and composite materials. Stainless steel, cold rolled brass, and copper wire have the advantages of being readily available and relatively inexpensive. It can be easily formed into the desired shape. It has the desired stiffness, resiliency and durability. It will hold paint and lacquer well. It is relatively unaffected by temperature changes and is corrosion resistant. It has been found to be sufficiently strong to pierce frozen sod without deforming, buckling, or fracturing, which represents an improvement over plastic retaining devices that can become brittle at cold temperatures.

Those of skill in the art will be aware of various methods of manufacturing the above described clips 10. The preferred method is to use a jig and bend the wire around the jig into the desired shape. Preferably the bending may be done by an automated process, or it may be done manually. The coating 42 may be applied to the clip 10 after it is formed by applying with a brush, spray, or dip method. It may also be possible to paint or coat the wire prior to bending it into the clip 10.

To use the clip 10, the extension 12 is lifted and the clip 10 is slid over the extension 12 with the extension 12 matingly engaging the aperture 40 formed by the coil section 26 of the clip 10. To facilitate sliding the clip 10 down the extension 12, it may be desirable to pull the legs 24 and 25 slightly apart to an open position (see FIG. 5) that effectively expands the aperture 40. When the clip 10 has been moved to the desired position on the extension 12, usually somewhat closer to the free end of the extension 12 than to the point where the extension 12 attaches to the downspout 20, the legs 24 and 25 can be adjusted inward until they are roughly parallel with each other. The legs 24 and 25 can then be inserted into the base material 22 by pressing downward on the clip 10. In the case of extremely hard or impenetrable base material 22, a hammer, mallet or similar driving device could be used, though this will typically not be required. The inward adjustment of the legs 24 and 25 will preferably bring the top portions of the legs 24 and 25 into contact with the extension 12 to provide a gripping force that will tend to hold the extension 12 in place. An additional gripping force can be created by twisting the clip 10 slightly about a generally vertically axis before inserting the legs 24 and 25 into the base material 22. Yet another gripping force can be created by tilting the clip 10 prior to inserting the legs 24 and 25 in the base material. If desired, more than one clip 10 may be used on a single extension 12, especially when the extension 12 is long to help insure joints between extensions 12 and elbows 20 remain secure. The spacing of the extension 12 apart from the base material 22 can be controlled by how far into the base material 22 the legs 24 and 25 are pushed.

With the clip 10 so positioned on the extension 12 and driven into the base material 22, the extension 12 will be securely held in place against the wind and against bumping by animals or foot traffic. A string-line trimmer may be used along the extension without concern for damaging the clip 10, or dislodging the extension 12. It may be helpful in trimming, or for other reasons, to lift the extension 12 partially in order to allow clear access to the area beneath the extension 12. This can be done by simply pulling up on the clip 10 until the legs 24 and 25 are partially removed from the base material 22. Generally, the clip 10 will still support the extension in this partially raised position without the need to further support the extension 12, so that a user can trim underneath the extension 12. The extension 12 can be returned to its desired resting position by pushing down on the clip 10 until it is returned to the lower resting position. If it is necessary to completely remove the extension 12, that can be done by simply pulling the legs 24 and 25 completely out of the base material 22. The extension 10 can then be freely removed from the downspout 20. If desired, the clip 10 can be slid off the extension 12 and reused on a different extension 12, or may be used to reposition the same extension 12. Importantly no tools or fastening hardware are needed for the installation or removal of the clip 10.

Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example, and changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. An anchor for retaining a drainage tube in a desired position, the anchor comprising:

a coil portion, the coil portion forming an aperture for mating engagement around the drainage tube; and

a pair of legs extending from said coil portion, each of said legs having a free end for insertion into a base material to retain the drainage tube in place in the desired position.

2. The anchor according to claim 1, wherein said coil portion and said pair of legs are all formed from a single piece of metal wire.

3. The anchor according to claim 1, wherein said coil portion comprises a first top span, a first vertical span, a bottom span, a second vertical span, and a second top span; and further wherein each one of said pair of legs has a proximal end opposite from its free end, and wherein said first top span is connected to said proximal end of a first one of said legs and said second top span is connected to said proximal end of a second one of said legs.

4. The anchor according to claim 1 wherein the said pair of legs comprises a first leg and a second leg, and wherein said first and second legs are splayed outwardly away from each other at their free ends when in an unbiased neutral position.

5. The anchor according to claim 4, wherein when said first and second legs are moved inwards towards each other out of their unbiased neutral position, they make said aperture smaller in at least one dimension.

6. The anchor according to claim 5, wherein when said first and second legs are moved outwards away from each out of their unbiased neutral position, they make said aperture larger in at least one dimension.

7. The anchor according to claim 2, wherein said metal wire is a piece of stainless steel having a generally circular cross section.

8. A device for retaining a downspout extension in place, the device comprising:

a wire loop forming a enclosed aperture for mating engagement with the downspout extension; and

a first leg member attached to said wire loop at a proximal end of said first leg member, said first leg member having a free end opposite from said proximal end for insertion into a base material to retain the downspout extension in place on the downspout.

9. The device for retaining a downspout extension in place according to claim 8, further comprising a second leg member attached to said wire loop at a proximal end of said second leg member, said second leg member having a free end opposite from said proximal end of said second leg member for insertion into the base material to retain the downspout extension in place.

10. The device for retaining a downspout extension in place according to claim 9, wherein said wire loop and said first and second leg members are all formed from a single piece of material.

11. The device according to claim 10 wherein said material is a metal wire having a generally circular cross section.

12. The device according to claim 10 further comprising a coating covering at least a portion of said wire loop.

13. The device according to claim 12, wherein said coating is paint.

14. A method of retaining a drainage pipe in a working position comprising:

providing a drainage pipe;

providing a retaining clip, said retaining clip comprising a loop forming an enclosed aperture for mating engagement with said drainage pipe, said retaining clip further comprising a pair of legs, each of said legs having a free end;

placing said drainage pipe in mated engagement with said enclosed aperture of said retaining clip and sliding said retaining clip along said drainage pipe to a desired position on said drainage pipe; and

inserting said free ends of said legs into a base material to retain said drainage pipe in the working position.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said loop and said legs are all formed from a single piece of metal wire.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said metal wire comprises stainless steel having a circular cross section.

17. The anchor according to claim 14 wherein the said pair of legs comprises a first leg and a second leg, and wherein said first and second legs are splayed outwardly away from each other at their free ends when in an unbiased neutral position.

18. The anchor according to claim 17, wherein when said first and second legs are moved inwards towards each other out of their unbiased neutral position, they make said aperture smaller in at least one dimension.

19. The anchor according to claim 18, wherein when said first and second legs are moved outwards away from each other out of their unbiased neutral position, they make said aperture larger in at least one dimension.