Abstract: A drainage channel comprising a channel body which is U-shaped in cross-section and defines a concave base and integrally formed opposing first and second vertically spaced-apart side walls, the first and second side walls including respective crowns formed in upper free ends of the side walls. The upper free end of the side walls define a predetermined thickness between respective inner side wall surfaces and outer sidewall surfaces. The outer surfaces of the side walls define an elongate detent spaced below the upper free ends of the first and second side walls and extending along at least part of the length of the channel body and defining an area of reduced thickness below the relatively thicker free ends of the first and second side walls. A coping encloses the crown of a respective side of the channel body. The coping includes an inner leg for resting against the inner side wall surfaces of the channel and an outer leg for resting against the outer side wall surfaces of the channel.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a gutter ferrule comprised of a plastic material, such as ABS or polypropolene. The advantages of producing the ferrule from a plastic material include the ability to injection mold the ferrule such that the entire piece is continuous without any seams. The plastic ferrule is generally a tubular shape in which one end has a funnel portion formed to it in a continuous fashion. The funnel portion enables a worker to more easily guide a support spike through the gutter walls and gutter ferrule into a support structure such as the eave of a roof. In the preferred embodiment, the funnel portion has a generally rectangular opening, however, other shapes offer the same advantages.

Abstract: A landscaping block for a retaining wall includes a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, first and second end walls, and upper and lower steps on the side walls for interlocking with overlying and underlying blocks. The blocks also include a transversely extending step that extends downwardly from one end of the bottom wall for engaging an underlying block while preventing a front wall of an overlying block from contacting the front wall of the underlying block.

Abstract: A modular trench drain system comprising generally V-shaped channels, generally L-shaped grate frames, support anchors, and a grating which are arranged so as to result in a trench drain system tailored made for an individual site.

Abstract: An eavestrough fitting according to the present invention comprises a body portion of a shape generally corresponding to the eavestrough to be axially received therein, with a fitting on the interior surface including an abutment member positioned to limit the extent to which an eavestrough is axially inserted within the fitting. Retaining tabs extend above and project outwardly from the abutment member and define a slot like opening between the retaining tabs and interior surface of the fitting into which an end portion of the eavestrough is inserted and retained. A sealing arrangement is moulded to the fitting on the interior surface of the fitting in front of the retaining tabs and forms an effective seal between the lower surface of the eavestrough and the eavestrough fitting. This fitting allows for an effective method of joining lengths of eavestrough, whether they be symmetrical or nonsymmetrical, and positively retain the eavestrough within the fitting.

Abstract: A plurality of spaced brackets each has mutually perpendicular first and second legs with a lip upstanding from the end of one of the legs. A third leg extends from the upstanding second leg parallel to the first leg and overhangs the first leg. A bracket mounting flange extends from the end of the third leg for securing the bracket to the face of a fascia board, the first, second and third legs being beneath the soffit region. The lip and legs are so dimensioned and spaced to releaseably secure a standard K-gutter thereto without additional fasteners. The gutter is partially under the soffit. A sheet layer has an edge beneath the shingles and curves around in front of and below the fascia above the gutter mouth forming a relatively small entrance region with the gutter. The apex of the curve extends beyond the gutter so that debris carried by water run off falls to the ground while the run off flows around the layer into the gutter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an eavestrough fitting having a molded plastic member with a gasket secured thereto having a unique configuration. The gasket has at least two ribs extending across the molded plastic member and up the sides thereof, with these ribs being sized to form a seal with an appropriately shaped eavestrough inserted within the fitting. The eavestrough is inserted into the fitting and the gasket includes resilient aligning members urging the sidewalls of the inserted eavestrough towards the center whereby the base of the eavestrough is more positively urged into sealing contact with the ribs across the base of the molded plastic member.

Abstract: A gutter device (10) for capturing and channeling run-off rain water from a roof (12). The gutter device (10) comprises a vertical back wall (16), a bottom wall (18) extending outwardly from the back wall (16) and a front wall (20) extending upwardly from the bottom wall (18) to define a generally U-shaped trough portion (14). A hinge (24) is provided at the intersection (22) of the bottom wall (18) and the front wall (20) for allowing the front wall (20) to rotate the trough portion (14) to an open position. A lip portion (42) extends rearwardly of the back wall (16) for insertion underneath the shingles along the roof edge. A perforated top wall (16) extends between the front wall (20) and the back wall (16), and includes a downwardly extending male leg (34) which interlocks with a female channel (36) disposed on the back wall (16). A drip edge (40 ) extends outwardly from the back wall (16).

Abstract: An alignment and installation strap for a presloped drainage channel run is disclosed wherein the strap includes a body and two arms perpendicular to said body, a spike attachment means on each arm and at least two thread holes with bolts on each arm, the holes being placed so that when the strap is placed over or under two adjacent drainage channel sections one of the bolts on each arm will screw into an indentation on each outside wall of one channel section and the other bolt on each arm will screw into an indentation on each outside wall of the second channel section when the two sections are correctly aligned and the two spike attachment means will accept, slide over and attach to two spikes which may be driven into the ground.

Abstract: A flexible seal is used to cover and fill joints between water flume sections wherein the seal is in the form of a continuous web having a central deformable bead and the seal is secured to each section by both adhesive strips and a reinforcement compressing the seal and adhesive against each section.

Abstract: A rain gutter adapted to be mounted upon the fascia of a building beneath the lowermost extremity of a sloped roof is designed in a manner to easily discharge any accumulated wind-borne debris. The gutter is comprised of a flexible trough having first and second parallel stiffened edge extremities. The first edge extremity is held in fixed position and the second edge extremity is adapted to fall, causing dumping of the contents of the trough. Tether lines control the positioning of the second edge extremity.

Abstract: A run-off trough for a down spout associated with a gutter for a house or building which trough can be light in weight and easily portable to a down spout use location, and which can be easily modified at its use location to become sufficiently heavy that it is not easily displaceable therefrom unintentionally.

Abstract: A draining arrangement for removing water from roofs or equivalent areas wherein the aim of the arrangement is to improve the draining effect making it possible to use smaller draining pipes, and further to avoid disturbing noise in the pipes. The arrangement is mainly characterized in that the opening (4) of the vertical water pipe (3) is situated directly at the surface (1) of the roof and is covered by a lid element (5). This lid is situated at a height (h.sub.c) over the roof that a certain predefined amount of water can flow under the lid where the water stream while on its way to the opening of the vertical draining pipe and without changing its direction, continuously changes to closed flow simultaneously as the air entrance becomes closed.

Abstract: There is provided a self cleaning drainage channel, particularly a drain gutter or pipe, wherein any solid material particles deposited therein and clogging the same may be removed by a nozzle system distributed along the length of the drainage channel provided with injection nozzles oriented in the drainage direction to which a rinsing medium is supplied.

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 non-clogging eaves trough comprising an elongated sheet formed with a flange attachable to the roof of a building. The sheet includes a continuous smoothly curved portion extending outwardly, downwardly and then inwardly of the flange, and an upwardly open trough carried by and below the curved portion. The curved portion overhangs the trough, and a generally vertical screen extends between the trough and the curved portion and engages the latter at the sharp angle beneath the outermost reach of the curved portion so as to avoid diverting water from the smoothly curved portion.

Abstract: A rain water roof outlet for a building for conducting rain water from a roof as an airless flow, i.e. as a full water flow. The arrangement includes a vertical pipe which at its upper end is connected to a wider trough mounted at the level of the roof. In the trough, above the mouth of the vertical pipe, is mounted a lid, which by special formation of its shape or by means of additional elements is adapted to increase the friction against the water flowing towards the mouth of the vertical pipe. This friction counteracts the tendency of creating whirls in the water stream and thereby contributes to producing full water flow in the vertical pipe by preventing air entry. The lid is preferably a net.

Abstract: A cooler employing air, as the cooling media, and a streaming liquid is of the type comprising a peripheral liquid receiving pan resting on piles which are independent and evenly spaced apart below the pan, a distribution system for a liquid to be cooled, a liquid-gas contacting unit extending under the distribution system and liquid receiving devices for the liquid including channels, disposed under the contacting unit, characterized in that the pan of the cooler rests on the piles through a wide peripheral lintel which supports an inner flange and an outer flange thereby defining a u-shaped member into which the cooled liquid collected in the channels is discharged by gravity.

Abstract: A frame formed of metal, for draining ditches, comprising two downward pointing legs extending in parallel spaced relationship forming between them a channel having the material in the upper region of the wall of the ditch formed integrally with it therein said legs being interconnected with each other via a web the upper surface of which forms an abutment area for a ditch covering, and a leg extending upwards from the web for holding the channel covering laterally, with the two lower legs, in particular, being provided with several recesses at the undersides thereof leaving between them projections with the recesses and projections of the one lower leg being respectively arranged to abut at least in part or at least approximately the gaps of the other lower leg.

Abstract: A rain gutter for an associated building which includes an elongated trough shaped member together with means for mounting the trough shaped member on the associated building in a position in which the trough shaped member will hold at least temporarily a quantity of water. The means for mounting also allows movement of the trough shaped member to a second position in which the trough shaped member will not hold water even temporarily and the trough shaped member is in substantially intimate contact with the associated building along substantially the entire axial extent thereof. The trough shaped member may be manufactured of a flexible material and the means for mounting may constrain the flexible material in the first and second positions. The flexible material may be a plastic material. In one form of the invention the trough shaped member may comprise an elongated rigid member and hinge means for carrying the elongated rigid member.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for receiving a liquid which falls freely in the form of a shower or the like, of the type comprising a receiving wall which is inclined to the vertical and directs the received liquid into a trough which extends along the lower edge of the receiving wall. The devices comprise in the flow path of the liquid received on the inclined wall and before the liquid enters the trough, means for substantially reducing or eliminating the vertical velocity component of the liquid when it enters the trough.The disclosure is also directed to such a device employed in countercurrent installations for putting a liquid in contact with a gas.

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: A rotatable gutter system including a longitudinally elongated gutter, a plurality of supports and a pulley and cable drive mechanism is disclosed. The support may be attached to the facia board of a building, or the underside of an eave. Each support includes a support bracket for attachment to the building and a gutter support member having roller bearings. The support member is attached to the gutter. The gutter can be rotated into a substantially inverted position for emptying debris therefrom by a cable actuated pulley affixed to one end of the gutter. A specially designed downspout having a gutter receiving aperture permits unhampered rotation of the gutter.

Abstract: A flexible sewer hose is supported in a trough made of rigid sections. Pairs of supporting members are tied together by resilient means to provide an upper diverging clamping portion and a lower pair of diverging legs. The upper clamping portion securely fastens the legs to the trough and when the clamping portion is positioned about overlapping sections of trough, securely holds the sections together to function as a single trough. The supporting members are easily attached by snapping upper inwardly turned ends over upper edges of the trough, are easily disassembled, and fit together for compact storage.

Abstract: Embodiments useful as means for inhibiting the accumulation of leaves and other debris in household rain gutters. Embodiments include structures which comprise a deflector having a sloped portion, the top edge region of which is adapted for juxtapositioning to the roof shingles, and the bottom edge region of which is arcuate through a large radius cross-section. In such embodiments, the farthest outward extension is outside the outermost edge of the associated rain gutter and the lower edge is positioned between the edges of the rain gutter. Embodiments include means for attenuating the force of water and reducing the localized concentrating of water flowing thereover, such as longitudinal ridges and/or means for improving the surface wettability.

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: The invention provides a device for receiving a liquid which falls freely in the form of a shower or the like, of the type comprising a receiving wall which is inclined to the vertical and directs the received liquid into a trough which extends along the lower edge of the receiving wall. The devices comprise in the flow path of the liquid received on the inclined wall and before the liquid enters the trough, means for substantially reducing or eliminating the vertical velocity component of the liquid when it enters the trough.The disclosure is also directed to such a device employed in countercurrent installations for putting a liquid in contact with a gas.

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: A stop end piece for closing particularly gutters, comprises a plate having a peripheral channel which is formed by the bent peripheral edge of the plate and a portion extending along said edge, which portion protrudes from the plane of the plate in the same direction as said peripheral edge. The peripheral edge has teeth which extend across the channel obliquely towards said portion and bear against or terminate at a small distance from the boundary surface of said portion, which faces said peripheral edge. The end of the gutter to be closed can be pressed into the channel, the teeth urging the inner side of the gutter wall into snug engagement with said boundary surface and simultaneously preventing withdrawal of the gutter end from the channel by their engagement in the outer side of the end of the gutter.

Abstract: A roof gutter of channel shape sheet material, its front flange of greater height than its rear flange, has a series of overflow ports formed in the front flange at a level below that of the top of the rear flange, to prevent water overflowing the rear flange and entering the roof structure, these overflow ports being formed in the bottom part of a continuous longitudinal groove (viewed from the front) formed in the front flange of the gutter, and so the ports are not visible when the gutter is viewed from below.

Abstract: A multiple flume water slide includes individual starting pools for each flume and a common landing pool mounted at different elevations on an earth foundation and connected by way of modular sectional flumes. Each flume consists of a minimal number of end reversible, end abutting, end-to-end sealed acrylic module flume sections which are generally concave upwardly away from the earth formation and are of generally semi-circular transverse cross-section, with each terminating along respective edges in integral upwardly convex hand rails. Straight sections have hand rails of the same height. Curved sections have lower radially inner and higher radially outer walls with the outer walls terminating in hand rails higher than those of the inner walls.

Abstract: A water slide apparatus having a helical slide tube extending from an elevated platform to a pool of water. The water slide has a starting gate having two starting positions mounted adjacent the elevated platform and connected to the water slide tube, and each having a water line opening into the back thereof. Water is supplied by a pump from a pool of water at the base and is directed from a first starting position to a second starting position, in such a manner that the water is never shut off.

Abstract: A unitary plastic molded snap-on end cap for gutters constitutes a vertical end wall having a pair of flanges projecting outwardly normally about the periphery of the end wall from both sides thereof so that the same molded article may be used to cap either left-hand or right-hand open ends of gutters. Positive engagement of the gutter and the cap is provided by forming a groove in the cap having a rib which engages a projection formed on the gutter wall before the cap is applied thereto.

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: 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 rain water roof outlet comprising a vertical pipe and a trough fixed to the upper end of said pipe. A lid is fastened in the trough above the inlet end of said pipe. The lid is larger than the inlet end of the pipe to cause water to flow radially in the trough to said inlet end and to prevent suction of air into the pipe when the water level in the trough is above said lid. The lid is closed except for a number of small holes extending through the lid. The total area of said holes is at the most 15% of the cross-sectional area of the vertical pipe so that the formation of an air whirl in the vertical pipe is prevented in spite of the air entering the inlet end of the pipe through said holes.