Abstract: Leader filter for being mounted at the top of a leader extending down the side of a building and below the discharge opening formed in the bottom of a rain gutter attached to the building adjacent the edge of a roof upon which rain falls, said leader filter for preventing entrance thereinto of leaves and other debris which cause leader clogging and the stoppage of rain flow through the leader, including a generally closed hollow leader filter including a top, two sides, a bottom, front and back, the sides are provided with a plurality of longitudinally extending, generally horizontally disposed rows of slots such that there is no generally vertical path of rain flow down said sides which is not interrupted by at least one of the slots, the slots are of a predetermined size sufficiently small to generally prevent the entrance thereinto and into the generally closed hollow leader filter of the leaves and other debris, the top is for receiving rain from the rain gutter discharge opening and for diverting the rai

Abstract: A downspout structure adapted to be utilized with a conventional gutter on a building structure to discharge run-off water to a drainage location, including an elongate generally U-shaped open downspout member having an interior water deflector arrangement along substantially the length thereof forming wettable surfaces adapted for causing run-off water contacting the deflector arrangement to flow sheetingly therealong to retain the run-off water within the downspout member. Leaves and other debris are transported through the downspout member by the sheeting water run-off and the open nature of the downspout member permits expulsion of such debris to substantially prevent clogging of the downspout structure.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for unclogging a gutter downspout of debris comprising a motor connected to a source of power and mounted above the downspout, auger means positioned within the downspout and rotated by the motor, and means for supplying power to the motor when water in the gutter attains a predetermined level in order to actuate the motor and for discontinuing the supply of power to the motor when the level of water drops to a second but substantially lower level thereof.

Abstract: An auxiliary drain line is laid in a trench which extends about lower foundation portions of an existing building but at locations preferably spaced several feet from the foundation. The newly laid auxiliary drain line is formed of perforate material which admits surrounding ground water, and is connected to a storm drain line that serves the building so that water which enters the auxiliary drain line is discharged into the storm drain line. A porous reservoir is formed in the trench to (1) duct ground water to the auxiliary drain line, (2) eliminate ground water pressure buildup in the vicinity of the foundation wall, and (3) provide a ground water reservoir during an excessively heavy rainfall when the storm drain line may be incapable of carrying away all of the accumulated waterfall. The auxiliary drain line is laid in the trench at a level below the top of the basement floor of the building.

Abstract: A drain trough system is disclosed wherein the drain trough may be mechanically inverted to permit any debris therein to fall out. The system involves a series of hinged mounting brackets in horizontally spaced alignment, at least one of the mounting brackets being motorized, a length of drain trough supported by the mounting brackets, and a downspout associated with the drain trough. The motorized mounting bracket includes an electric motor positioned below the bracket, a drive mechanism fixedly attached to the spindle of the motor, and a driven mechanism activated by the drive mechanism and associated with a pivotable upper harness member of the mounting bracket.

Abstract: The invention is an improved awning for installation at portable or fixed buildings, including mobile type buildings. The awning is of the rigid type and is provided with a member for affixing to the building which it serves. The invention provides a unique channel-like member for affixing the inboard side of the awning to a building structure; the channel-like member serving as in the inboard side main structural member of the awning. A plurality of uniquely shaped main beams extend from the channel-like member to an outboard member of a flanged channel-like configuration. Pan-like members are fitted between each pair of adjacent main beams to form the roof proper of the awning. The fitting of the pan-like members into the unique shape of the main beams provides a beam-braced awning structure that is very rigid. The outboard ends of the main beams are affixed to the flanged channel-like outboard member, which is suitably supported by columns or posts.

Abstract: A generally closed longitudinally extending hollow rain gutter for preventing entrance thereinto of leaves and other debris which cause gutter clogging and the stoppage of rain flow into downspouts, the rain gutter includes a front provided with a plurality of rows of interrupted slots where the interruptions of the slots in each row are displaced horizontally with respect to the interruptions of the slots in the next adjacent row such that there is no path of rainflow down the front of the gutter which is not interrupted by at least one of the slots, the front is further provided with a plurality of inwardly and downwardly extending flaps formed along the top edges of the slots for receiving rain flowing across the front and for diverting the rain into the slots and into the hollow rain gutter.

Abstract: A process and device for collecting and maintaining fresh amounts of rainwater. The device is comprised of a storage vessel having an inlet passage terminating near the bottom of the vessel, which is further provided with an overflow and a drain. The device possesses a through-pipe which becomes positioned in line with sections of a downspout between which the device can be installed. Water is introduced into the vessel via an upper downspout section and a branch pipe and excess water above the vessel's capacity is discharged via an overflow passage directly into the through-pipe and a lower downspout section. The vessel and its parts are preferably made in one piece by blow-molding a plastic material. The device is substantially intended for collecting small amounts of water.

Abstract: A device for use with guttering, troughs and downspouts which collects water and blocking debris, including a channel open at one end including a chute portion and a pair of side walls capable of being attached to a trough so that the chute portion is aligned with the bottom of the trough and the chute portion slopes downward and away from the trough at its attachment to the trough and the pair of side walls are connected to the front wall of the trough so as to allow water to flow from the trough to the channel, and an outlet located in the chute portion of the channel capable of conducting water from the channel to a downspout, the outlet being displaced between the trough side of the channel and the open end of the channel, wherein the channel and the outlet when used in guttering between a trough and a downspout allow water to be collected by a trough, flow to the channel, flow down the chute, flow into the outlet and then flow through a downspout, while also allowing blocking debris to pass through the c

Abstract: A light weight hollow run-off trough which can be secured to a down spout while being substantially supported by the ground is disclosed. The trough includes a depression adjacent its rear end for accommodating the distal end of the down spout. The trough body is formed of a resiliently deformable molded plastic and the rear wall thereof includes a separable portion having the shape of an inverted T. In use, the distal end of the down spout is inserted into the depression and the inverted T shaped portion is bent by 180.degree., and the arms thereof are wrapped around a vertical portion of the down spout, and tied.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hand-held device for removing debris from a gutter. The device is operational from a location remote from the gutter and comprises a cleaning head which is removably attached to a handle.

Abstract: A gutter fitting 1 comprises a body member 2 defining a channel for receiving a gutter length. A sealing member 6 extends through a slot 7 in the body member and has a sealing portion 10 for sealing against the gutter length and a retaining portion 11 which extends transversely of the slot 7 and is clamped in a passage 12 between the body member 2 and a clip 13 which snap fits over the opposite longitudinal edges--one edge 8 only shown--of the channel to clamp the gutter length in the channel. The sealing member is thereby adequately retained in the fitting against displacement.

Abstract: A hinging down-spout assembly having a first elongated section to which a second elongated section is attached by a hinge whereby the second section can swing from a position approximately at a right angle to the first section into a position parallel to the first section for storage, a lapping section attached to the first section and extending at approximately a right angle to the first section and extending under and around the sides of the second section for directing water flow between the elongated sections.

Abstract: A universal structural support system for a pitched roof includes a front fascia gutter assembly, a setback beam assembly and an I-beam assembly, each of which comprises a first portion that is pitch-adjustable with the selected slope of the roof and relative to a second portion positionally fixed with respect to the underlying ground surface and to which the first portion is at least hingedly connected.

Abstract: A device for attachment to roof beams to deflect rain water running from those beams comprising a metal or plastic deflector attachable to the beam but opened from the beam forming a trough into which rain water will run and a deflector trough in communication with the deflector to carry the water to a proper drainage point.

Abstract: A rainwater ducting system mounted adjacent the eaves of a building is comprised of a horizontally disposed open gutter containing horizontally directed auger means and a communicating downspout containing vertically directed auger means. The auger means are designed to occlude less than 50% of the cross sectional area of the trough and downspout, and are separately activated by waterproof motors remotely controlled and adapted to provide variable forward and reverse speeds. In operation, the auger means advance solid debris toward and downward through said downspout.

Abstract: A self-cleaning invertible gutter system is provided in which a gutter having a projecting downspout connector positioned on the end thereof is mounted on the facia board of a building for roll-over invertible movement thereon. The gutter extends beyond the end of the building with a cooperating downspout being positioned near the corner on the adjacent wall of the building such that the downspout connector is adapted to be swung into and out of the cooperating downspout. A single, continuous support line is attached near the ends of the gutter or near the ends of the facia board and is laced alternately through fixed supports spaced along the facia board above the rear of the gutter and through supports mounted on the lower surface of the gutter and positioned toward the front of the gutter such that this support line passes back and forth around the lower rear corner of the gutter.

Abstract: A storm drainage system and a device for use in the system for restricting the rate at which water drains from an eavestrough is disclosed hereinafter. The storm drainage system includes a plurality of pitched roofed structures, a sewer service connection associated with each structure, a municipal sewer drainage system in direct fluid communication with the sewer service connection, an eavestrough system associated with each pitched roofed structure for collecting runoff therefrom and at least one downspout associated with each eavestrough system. The downspout has a through passage for conveying runoff water from its associated eavestrough to the sewer service connection.

Abstract: An eavestrough bracket formed of a length of stamped sheet metal which has a straight bar portion having an upwardly curved hooked portion at an outer end for engaging an upper hooked marginal edge of an eavestrough and an upstanding leg at an inner end for engaging an opposite upper marginal edge portion of the eavestrough, the leg having an opening for receiving a securing nail, a strengthening rib extending continuously from substantially centrally of the bar portion and upwards through the hooked portion and a trough extending continuously from substantially centrally of the bar portion and upwardly through the upstanding leg and terminating at the hole for guiding a nail to be driven to the opening.

Abstract: Wooden gutters are protected against the weather and their useful life extended by applying a flexible plastic liner along the trough of the gutter and closing the ends thereof with sealing caps. The liners and caps are tightly secured in place to prevent water from seeping in-between the liner and the wood gutter. The liner is of extruded, flexible plastic material contoured to fit snuggly within the gutter trough and is readily cut to a length corresponding to the length of the gutter. The end caps may be made of injection molded plastic parts formed with cooperating grooves to receive the ends of the liner, and connectors are provided to join adjacent sections of liners. Other components include corner joints, drain connectors and lifters to provide a pitch to the liner to ensure drainage.

Abstract: An eave trough (2) flushing system (1) is proposed which includes a nozzle mounting bracket (3) for mounting a nozzle (27) in a position to inject water into and lengthwise along an eave trough (2). The mounting bracket (5) laterally spans the eave trough (2) and is configured to engage the eave trough (2) in a manner that permits easy installation.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing a liquid flowing through a substantially vertical tube, particularly for dispensing rain water flowing through a drainpipe wherein a sleeve has a circumferential resiliently deformable wall portion which is adjustable into two different positions, namely a first position in which the inner surface of the wall portion, possibly together with the end portion of the pipe, provides the collecting pocket, and a second position in which the inner surface is substantially conical for not collecting and discharging any liquid letting the liquid pass through the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing water from a ponding area of a flat roof having a run-off system which is no longer operable to drain water from the ponding area which comprises a structure for directing a quantity of the run-off water flowing in the run-off system as a result of the commencement of a rain condition or the like into a priming chamber, a structure for displacing water from the priming chamber back into the run-off system in such a way as to establish a negative pressure condition within the priming chamber, and a structure for communicating the negative pressure condition to an end of a siphon hose at a vertical level below the level of the ponding area, the other inlet end of which is disposed in water sucking relation to the ponding area to thereby prime the siphon hose and commence the flow of water from the ponding area which flow after the cessation of the rain condition or the like continues until the water is substantially removed from the ponding area.

Abstract: This invention consists of a hanger by means of which eavestroughing can be nailed to a building so that the nail is embedded into the wood framework of the building, at a downward angle, and so that the head of the nail is not visible on the front wall of the eavestroughing. The hanger is provided with a hook at its front end for attachment to the upper rim of the front wall of the eavestrough, and a plate at its rear end, which abuts the inside of the rear wall of the trough, when it is inserted therein. Starting from about half way of the hanger and running at a downwardly inclined angle to the rear wall is an open ended tube for holding and guiding a nail therein. The hanger and the tube are provided with attached strips for reinforcement.

Abstract: Gutter lengths having a semicircular cross-section and upwardly extending sides, with curled or similarly bent upper edges, and coupling elements having portions adapted for tightly engaging the ends of the gutter lengths, are assembled together to form a gutter structure. At least one of the coupling elements, designed to compensate for the thermal changes in the gutter length, is fitted with a downspout.

Abstract: Roof drain flashing constituting a tough flexible material bondable to any type roof membrane and capable of accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the roof without cracking and leaking at the drain, being a layer of nonplasticized chlorinated polyethylene integrally and irreversibly joined to a layer of asphalt-saturated roofing felt. The non-plasticized chlorinated polyethylene is physically joined to the asphalt-saturated felt by pressing the two together at pressures in the 4000 PSI range just subsequent to the CPE being extruded and cooled to the 250.degree. F range, having passed through the extrusion die at considerably higher temperatures.

Abstract: A means for cleaning gutters about the eaves of a house including support means which, when rotated, invert the gutter so that any leaves or other debris will be dumped out, and including remotely operated means to cause dumping of the gutter by rotation of the support means.

Abstract: A prefabricated structural system including a support frame and prefabricated panels having strength sufficient to bridge spaced support beams under the panel is disclosed. Each panel includes a sheet metal support subpanel having corrugations, a thin flat metal sheet as a top surface, and a layer of insulating foam filling the space therebetween. A Hypalon membrane is intimately and continuously bonded to the thin, flat metal sheet and has Hypalon fasteners disposed along each edge of the Hypalon sheet and connected to the Hypalon sheet by flexible flaps. The panels are disposed in a continuous array and fastener halves are joined and the corners sealed to provide a continuous Hypalon membrane unpenetrated by fastener screws above the array of panels.

Abstract: Roof arrangements for mobile modular building structures comprising a shallow depressed roof region of low slope confined within parapets, associated with drainage means at one end of the module also comprising utilities.

Abstract: An awning assembly for use with mobile homes which can accommodate a wide variety of terrains. The assembly includes a plurality of anchored adjustable support posts connected to a plurality of panel joining ribs by captive lock nut assemblies. The nut assemblies permit adjustment of the support elements. The frame structural elements are preferably aluminum extrusions, and the awning panels are of the thermal barrier type having a sandwich-like construction.

Abstract: The station, including access stairs and elevator systems are supported by a single vertical girder to reduce the space requirement for the station in a crowded inner city. Various components of the station may be prefabricated and then joined together at the site to standardize and reduce construction costs, and to reduce construction interference at the station site.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for manipulating a gutter to facilitate the dumping of debris from the gutter. Mounting structure supports the gutter for rotation about a longitudinal axis of the gutter, the longitudinal axis being located within the gutter between its upper edge and its bottom whereby the radius of rotary motion of the gutter is less than its depth. A drive apparatus is connected to rotate the gutter in response to the application of power thereto. A crank assembly is connected to the drive apparatus to transmit power to the drive apparatus for rotating the gutter. The drive apparatus responds to the application of power to the crank assembly in a continuous uniform fashion to rotate the gutter over a reciprocatory rotational excursion. Detent structure indicates when the gutter is in a substantially upright position. Structure is disclosed for providing for fluid communication between two gutters rotatable relative to one another, without inhibiting their relative rotatability.

Abstract: A device for draining melted snow from a roof including an adjustable collector tube having means for securing it to a roof at the lower edge of the roof together with a screen unit mounted within the collector tube and spaced from a wall of the tube and means for maintaining a melting agent on the screen whereby ice built up to the screen is melted by the melting agent thereby causing the same to run out of the collector tube.

Abstract: A rain gutter attachment which includes a section capable of fitting between two sections of a rain gutter of conventional form. This attachment section includes a central flat outer surface having a pair of apertures therethrough, one aperture adjoining the bottom of the attachment center, and the other aperture above the level of the first and offset laterally therefrom. Elbows or straight sections of downspout are in communication with these apertures. A solar heat box is secured to the flat central portion of the attachment enclosing portions of the elbows or downspout sections.

Abstract: A building structure is disclosed having a facia board 13 and a shingled roof 14. A gutter assembly is secured to the facia board 13 and includes a gutter member 18 and a roof plate 19. The roof plate 19 includes an open C-shaped cavity 30 which receives a flange 25 projecting from the gutter member. The free edge 26 of the flange resiliently seals against the portion of the gutter member which defines the cavity to prevent water from seeping under the roof plate by capillary action. The vertical disposition of the flange in the cavity varies along the axial length of the cavity for pitching the gutter member. The rear wall 21 of the gutter member is nailed to the facia board, and the front wall 22 of the gutter member is supported by a support bracket 37 extending from the rear wall to the front wall.

Abstract: A method of preparing a rain gutter for connection of a downspout thereto comprising forming a downspout opening by partial separation of material in the gutter bottom wall, displacing material remaining integral with the bottom wall from the area of the opening into a continuous downward lip flange around the edge of the opening and a connection extension means for engagement within the upper end of a downspout aligned with the opening. The connection extension means are formed into a plurality of downwardly projecting tabs which are connected to a downspout assembled therewith by means of screws. The method can be practiced on gutters which are first hung on a building in position to remain thereon whereby the exact position required for the downspout opening can be provided with the opening and continuous lip flange and extension means.

Abstract: A flow divertor arrangement, especially for the downspout of roof guttering, by means of which rain water can be diverted from the downspout and collected for uses requiring soft water. The arrangement has an inoperative position in which water flows in a conventional manner in the downspout and an adjusted position in which at least a substantial portion of water flowing in the downspout is diverted to a location external of the downspout where the water can be collected for use.

Abstract: The invention relates to members for forming in use a complete guttering system which can be used for any slope of roof. There are two members, one a gutter-fascia member and the other a soffit member, and each member has a complementary part of a hinge or pivot so that when the two hinge or pivot parts are connected, a hinge or pivot is formed which allows relative rotation of the two members so that any roof pitch can be accommodated.

Abstract: A rain gutter has a bottom wall prepared for connection of a downspout thereto and comprising a downspout opening in the bottom wall having a continuous downturned lip flange around the edge of the opening derived from material displaced from the area of the opening, and extension means on the lip flange, whereby the extension means and the lip flange can engage within the upper end of a downspout to maintain the downspout in alignment with the opening. The lip flange provides a funnel-like closure for the joint between the gutter bottom wall and the upper end of a downspout coupled to the gutter by means of the extension means.