SPLASH BLOCK

Abstract

A splash block includes a body featuring a splash plate, an opposing pair of sidewalls and a back wall. The splash block body is also provided with an aperture adapted to receive an anchoring stake so that the body of the splash block may be secured to a surface.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to provisional patent application no. 61/363,807, filed Jul. 13, 2010, currently pending.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to lawn and garden supplies and equipment, hardware, irrigation and, more particularly, to a splash block featuring a novel anchoring arrangement. However, it is not limited to these markets.

BACKGROUND

As is well known in the art, gutter systems are typically secured along the edges of home and building roofs to collect melting show or rain water that strikes the roof. In this manner, the gutter system prevents the water from flowing onto walkways, pedestrians or other unwanted locations. The gutter system directs the collected water to one or more downspouts whereby the water may be directed to the ground.

Splash blocks are well known and are typically placed under the bottom openings of the downspouts of gutter systems. Splash blocks typically feature a channel shape. As a result, water traveling down a downspout strikes the splash block and may be directed to a desired location. The splash block therefore prevents water from collecting on the ground under the bottom opening of the downspout.

During installation, prior art splash blocks are typically merely positioned under the bottom opening of a downspout and rely on the weight of the splash block to hold it in place. As a result, the splash block may be easily kicked out of position accidently by an individual working or playing in the yard or by the mere force of water exiting the downspout. In addition, such prior art splash blocks are unnecessarily heavy since they rely on weight to hold them in place. A need therefore exists for a splash block including an anchoring arrangement for securing it to the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of the splash block of the invention positioned under the bottom opening of a downspout prior to installation of the stakes of the anchoring arrangement;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the splash block of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a right side elevational view of the splash block of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a left side elevational view of the splash block of FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the splash block of FIGS. 1-4;

FIG. 6 is rear perspective view of the splash block corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the stakes of the anchoring arrangement prior to installation;

FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the splash block of FIG. 6 with the stakes in an installed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the splash block of the present invention is indicated in general at 10 in FIG. 1. The splash block is preferably molded from plastic and may feature an ornamental surface pattern, such as imitation stone.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the splash block includes a body, indicated in general at 11, that features an opposing pair of sidewalls 12a and 12b, a back wall 14 and a splash plate 16. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the sidewalls 12a and 12b and back wall 14 preferably feature a hollow construction and are open at the bottom so that the splash blocks nest with one another and may be stacked for ease of shipping, storage and display.

Splash plate 16 forms the bottom of the splash block and features a distal edge 18. The sidewalls 12a and 12b and back wall 14 are positioned along the three remaining edges of the splash plate so that the splash block features a channel shape. The edge 19 of the splash plate 16 adjacent to the back wall 14 is higher than the distal edge 18. As a result, the splash plate forms a ramp so that water traveling down downspout 22 (FIG. 1), and out downspout bottom opening 24, strikes the splash plate 16 and flows out of the splash block over the distal edge 18.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2 and 5-7, the splash plate is also preferably wider at the distal edge 18 than at the end 19 adjacent to the back wall 14.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-7, a pair of anchoring tabs 28a and 28b are positioned on the outer surface of the back wall 14 at the bottom edge 29 (FIGS. 6 and 7) which equates to ground level when the splash block is installed. The anchoring tabs 28a and 28b feature anchoring apertures 32a and 32b, respectively (FIGS. 2 and 6) that are sized to receive anchoring stakes 34a and 34b (FIGS. 1, 6 and 7), as described in greater detail below. The anchoring tabs are preferably integrally molded with the remaining portion of the splash block. The anchoring apertures 32a and 32b may alternatively be integrally molded into the splash block body so that the apertures pass through, for example, the splash plate, the back wall or the opposing sidewalls with no tabs present.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 6, anchoring stake 34a features a shaft 36a and an enlarged head 38a, while anchoring stake 34b features a shaft 36b and an enlarged head 38b. Each stake may optionally include a tapered bottom end portion as shown.

The size of anchoring tab apertures 32a and 32b are such that the shafts 36a and 36b of the anchoring stakes may pass through, but not the head portions 38a and 38b. It should be noted that while stakes featuring a circular cross-section are illustrated, other stake cross sections with compatible tab aperture shapes may be used. These may include, but are not limited to, X-shaped, V-shaped, square, triangular, etc. The stakes may be constructed of metal, plastic or another durable and rigid material.

In use, the splash block is placed in a desired position—typically below the bottom opening 24 of a downspout 22, as illustrated in FIG. 1. With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the shafts 36a and 36b of the anchoring stakes 34a and 34b are then inserted into the apertures 32a and 32b of the anchoring tabs 28a and 28b. As the stakes are pushed downward, they travel down into the ground, as illustrated in phantom in FIG. 7. Insertion of the stakes into the ground continues until the heads 38a and 38b of the stakes abut the tabs, as illustrated in FIG. 7. As a result, the stakes secure the splash block into the selected position.

A user may easily reposition the splash block by first lifting up on the splash block so that the heads of the stakes are pulled slightly out of the ground. The user may then release the splash block, so that it once again rests on the ground, and pull the stakes out of the ground via the heads 38a and 38b of the stakes. Alternatively, a tool that engages the head portions of the stakes may be used to easily remove them from the ground so that the splash block may be repositioned.

While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A splash block comprising a body featuring a splash plate, an opposing pair of sidewalls and a back wall, said body provided with an anchoring aperture adapted to receive a stake so that the body of the splash block may be secured to a surface.

2. The splash block of claim 1 further comprising an anchoring tab attached to the splash block body and featuring the anchoring aperture.

3. The splash block of claim 2 further comprising a second anchoring tab featuring a second anchoring aperture adapted to receive a second stake so that the body of the splash block may be secured to a surface.

4. The splash block of claim 2 wherein the body and anchoring tab are integrally molded of plastic.

5. The splash block of claim 2 wherein the anchoring tab is attached to the back wall.

6. The splash block of claim 5 wherein the anchoring tab is attached to a bottom edge of the back wall.

7. The splash block of claim 1 wherein the splash plate features a distal edge that opposes an edge positioned adjacent to the back wall, said distal edge having a width greater than the edge positioned adjacent to the back wall.

8. The splash block of claim I wherein the splash plate features a distal edge that opposes an edge adjacent to the back wall, said distal edge positioned vertically lower than the edge positioned adjacent to the back wall so that the splash plate forms a ramp.

9. The splash block of claim 1 wherein the opposing pair of sidewalls and the back wall are hollow and feature open bottoms so that multiple splash blocks may be stacked in a nested fashion.

10. A splash block assembly comprising:

a) a body featuring a splash plate, an opposing pair of sidewalls and a back wall;

b) an anchoring stake featuring a shaft and a head; and

c) said body provided with an anchoring aperture sized to receive the shaft of the anchoring stake so that the body of the splash block may be secured to a surface.

11. The splash block assembly of claim 10 further comprising an anchoring tab attached to the splash block body and featuring the anchoring aperture.

12. The splash block of claim 11 further comprising a second anchoring tab featuring a second anchoring aperture adapted to receive a second anchoring stake so that the body of the splash block may be secured to a surface.

13. The splash block assembly of claim 11 wherein the body and anchoring tab are integrally molded of plastic.

14. The splash block assembly of claim 11 wherein the anchoring tab is attached to the back wall.

15. The splash block assembly of claim 14 wherein the anchoring tab is attached to a bottom edge of the back wall.

16. The splash block assembly of claim 10 wherein the splash plate features a distal edge that opposes an edge positioned adjacent to the back wall, said distal edge having a width greater than the edge positioned adjacent to the back wall.

17. The splash block assembly of claim 10 wherein the splash plate features a distal edge that opposes an edge adjacent to the back wall, said distal edge positioned vertically lower than the edge positioned adjacent to the back wall so that the splash plate forms a ramp.

18. The splash block assembly of claim 10 wherein the opposing pair of sidewalls and the back wall are hollow and feature open bottoms so that multiple splash blocks may be stacked in a nested fashion.

19. The splash block assembly of claim 10 wherein the shaft of the anchoring stake features a round cross section.

20. A method of securing a splash block under a downspout of a gutter system comprising the steps of:

a) providing a splash block having a body featuring a splash plate, an opposing pair of sidewalls and a back wall with an anchoring aperture;

b) providing an anchoring stake having a shaft and a head;

c) positioning the splash block on a surface under an opening of the downspout;

d) inserting the shaft of the anchoring stake through the anchoring aperture; and

e) pushing on the head of the anchoring stake so that the shaft of the anchoring stake is driven into the surface.