AU2006100041A4

AU2006100041A4 - Downpipe Insert

Info

Publication number: AU2006100041A4
Application number: AU2006100041A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Kim Prosser
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-01-18
Filing date: 2006-01-18
Publication date: 2006-03-02
Anticipated expiration: 2014-01-18
Also published as: AU2006100041A9

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 INNOVATION PATENT

DESCRIPTION

DOWNPIPE INSERT o 1 c DOWNPIPE INSERT t 'n In the event of imminent threat from approaching bushfires, authorities 00 recommend householders block their downpipes and fill their gutters with water to help prevent burning embers from entering the roof space. This is usually done by stuffing rags or some other object into the top of the downpipe where it joins into the gutter, then filling the gutter with water from a garden hose. These activities require householders to climb onto their rooves both in preparation, and after the threat has passed. Whether as a result of advancing years, physical infirmity, or simply a fear of heights,

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many people find this a daunting prospect. This invention has been specially devised in order to provide a safe, effective and efficient alternative to this potentially dangerous practice by replacing an easily accessible section of downpipe with a special insert whereby the upper portion of the downpipe and gutter can be readily filled with water from a standard hose without the need to gain access to the roof. Additionally, the insert (through its ease of installation/removal) provides ready access to both the upper and lower sections of the downpipe to facilitate cleaning/unblocking, as well as potentially facilitating the re-use of collected water.

A downpipe insert in accordance with this invention comprises two interconnected, waterproofed, boxed sections of plastic, rubber and/or metal construction having an open top and bottom of the shape and size required to achieve a waterproof seal with the upper and lower sections of the downpipe into which it is inserted. One interconnected boxed section slides within the other. The upper section accommodates a removable coarse filter, a clip-on or screw-on hose fixture with a switchable non return/outflow valve (or simply a non-return valve) and a shut-off/flow vane which can be positioned in such a way as to achieve a waterproof seal against internal shut-off guides to effectively block the flow of water at that point. The upper insert section slides into the top part of the lower insert section in order to effectively collapse the unit for initial insertion into the downpipe following removal of the requisite length of downpipe. The two sections of the insert are then forced apart either by 'screw/lever-type' adjusters or a 'spring'-type 'lock-in' mechanism connecting the two insert sections in order to achieve waterproof seals between the insert and the previously open sections of downpipe.

SIn its 'normal' mode of operation, the shut-off/flow vane will be in the 'flow' position permitting normal drainage of rainwater through the length of the 00 downpipe. The removable coarse filter at the top of the insert safeguards against the passage of debris which could compromise the seal effected when the shut-off/flow vane is switched to the 'shut-off' position.

In the 'shut-off' position, the shut-off/flow vane is moved to a position to come in contact with the internal shut-off guides positioned within the top part of the insert effecting a seal and stopping the passage of water at that IND point. A garden hose would then be connected to the non-return/outflow valve and used to fill the upper section of downpipe/roof gutter with water.

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Once the pending fire threat has passed, the water can be drained from the upper section of downpipe/roof gutter by either moving the shut-off/flow vane back to the 'flow' position (causing it to flow into the lower section of the downpipe, then stormwater drain), or by utilising the outflow valve (and hose) and directing the stored water to any other desired location by gravity feed. (If a combination non-return/outflow valve proves too difficult to incorporate, a separate outflow tap could be used, or that particular feature of the unit could be omitted.) The insert is designed to be easily installed (once the requisite section of downpipe has been cut away)/removed/re-installed in order to facilitate flushing/cleaning if required.

Additionally, should access (for inspection, cleaning or leaf/root blockage removal) be required to the upper section of the downpipe, the lower section of the downpipe, or the stormwater drain further down the line, this can be easily done by temporarily removing the insert thus avoiding the need to specially cut an access hole in the downpipe.

The invention may be better understood with reference to the illustrations of embodiments of the invention, which: Figure 1 is a 3-dimensional view of the downpipe insert, an exploded view of some of its integral features, and a depiction of the general location within an existing downpipe that it would be positioned in.

F1 Figure 2 illustrates the alternative 'spring'-type 'lock-in' mechanism referred to above. (This alternative is envisaged to be a quicker means of 00 inserting/removing the insert.) The downpipe is shown with a section removed at 1 and 2. The length of the section of downpipe to be removed will be dictated by the ultimate height of the operationally expanded insert.

The boxed-shape downpipe insert is shown with interconnecting sections 3 and 4 with an open top and bottom; both top and bottom ends featuring Srecessed rubberised seating 11 to achieve a waterproof seal with the open 10 ends of the downpipe. Sections 3 and 4 are connected by 9 (Fig. 1) a screw/lever-type adjusting/lock-in mechanism, or, alternatively by 10 (Fig.

2) a spring-type lock-in mechanism.

The screw/lever-type adjusting/lock-in mechanism 9 connects sections 3 and 4 on each side. Adjustment of the mechanism (anchored at points on each side to the top and bottom sections) causes one section to either retract into the other, or expand apart from it, and can be detached completely if desired to allow the two sections to be separated.

The alternative spring-type lock-in mechanism 10 connects section 3 and 4 on each side and is attached at points on each side to the top and bottom sections of the insert. The spring is contained within two separate interconnecting sections permitting compression by hand to reduce the height of the insert, and expansion upon removal of the manual compression force to effect a snug fit in between the upper and lower sections of downpipe.

The coarse filter, itself featuring rubberised edges, is shown at The clip-on/screw-on hose fixture is shown at 6 positioned above both the shut-off guides 8, and shut-off/flow vane 7. Both the shut-off guides and the shut-off/flow vane feature complementary rubberised edges in order to achieve a good waterproof seal.

KIM PROSSER 18 JANUARY 2006

Claims

1. A downpipe insert in accordance with this invention comprises two interconnected, waterproofed, boxed sections of plastic, rubber and/or metal construction having an open top and bottom of the shape and size required to achieve a waterproof seal with the upper and lower sections of the downpipe into which it is inserted. One interconnected boxed section slides within the other. The upper section accommodates a removable coarse filter, a clip-on or screw-on hose fixture with a switchable non return/outflow valve (or simply a non-return valve) and a shut-off/flow vane which can be positioned in such a way as to achieve a waterproof seal against internal shut-off guides to effectively block the flow of water at that point. The upper insert section slides into the top part of the lower insert section in order to effectively collapse the unit for initial insertion into the downpipe following removal of the requisite length of downpipe. The two sections of the insert are then forced apart either by 'screw/lever-type' is adjusters or a 'spring'-type 'lock-in' mechanism connecting the two insert sections in order to achieve waterproof seals between the insert and the previously open sections of downpipe.

2. A downpipe insert substantially as herein before described with reference to figures 1 2 of the accompanying drawings. KIM PROSSER 17JANUARY 2006