AU2006100723A4

AU2006100723A4 - Rainhead Arrangement

Info

Publication number: AU2006100723A4
Application number: AU2006100723A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Garry Ewen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-08-24
Filing date: 2006-08-24
Publication date: 2006-09-21
Anticipated expiration: 2014-08-24

Description

AUSTRALIA

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Invention Title: Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor(s): Address for service: Rainhead Arrangement Garry Ewen Garry Ewen WRAY ASSOCIATES Level 4, The Quadrant 1 William Street Perth, WA 6000 Attorney code: WR The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- "RAINHEAD ARRANGEMENT" Field of the Invention The present invention relates roof drainage systems and, more particularly, to rainhead arrangements.

It is to be appreciated that the present invention may find application in drainage systems for buildings, in general, and is not to be taken as being merely directed to drainage systems for roofing.

Background Art Drainage systems must be sufficiently sized to direct storm water and conventional run off into drains and/or storm water tanks. In the case of roofing a number gutters typically form a guttering network that is sized and configured to direct water to a number of discharge pipes.

Problems arising in guttering networks include debris accumulation and blockage. Blockage of the guttering network can result in water overflow and subsequent water damage. Typically water damage occurs as a result of water being unable to flow through the drainage system and, as a consequence of that, being forced to flow over the walls of the guttering. If such situations are not attended to quickly significant water damage can occur.

In order to address this problem, drainage ducts are sometimes used to direct overflowing water to a preferred outlet. Whilst drainage ducts are certainly advantageous in this respect they are typically expensive to install and are not always suitable.

It is against this background and the problems and deficiencies associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

-3- Disclosure of the Invention According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a rainhead comprising: a body defining an inlet and an outlet; the body having a side wall portion disposed therebetween; wherein the side wall portion extends inwardly away from the inlet towards the outlet in a manner assisting with limiting debris accumulation.

As can be seen from Figure 1, a conventional rainhead 10 defines an inlet 12 and an outlet 14 having a side wall portion 16 that is does not extend inwardly away from the inlet 12 towards the outlet 14. Rather, the side wall portion 16 comprises a series 18 of four walls each inclined at 90 degrees to the immediately preceding wall in the series 18. In the prior art rainhead 10 of Figure 1 debris accumulates on the lower face 19 of the rainhead 10 beneath the series 18 of four walls. In particular conditions, the accumulated debris can cause blockage and water overflow. In comparison, the present invention has an inwardly extending side wall portion for assisting with limiting debris accumulation.

The present invention has the advantages of requiring much less maintenance in comparison to conventional rainheads. During storm events water overflow and water damage are both less likely to occur. This avoids unwanted demands being placed on plumbers and building owners during storm events.

In preferred embodiments of the invention the side wall portion is adapted to form a vortex of flowing water following the contour of the side wall portion and serving to force debris to rotate about a central path from the inlet towards the outlet.

The vortex of flowing water advantageously draws debris within the rainhead arrangement through the rainhead arrangement and out the outlet. In a particularly preferred embodiment the side wall portion is smoothly frusto-conical.

The rainhead arrangement preferably includes a flange portion extending laterally away from the inlet. Preferaby, the transition region between the flange portion and the side wall portion is rounded to present a curved surface to water -4flowing thereover. The flange portion may include a plurality of holes spaced therearound for receiving fasteners such as rivets to fix the flange portion to the underside of a box gutter. In other embodiments bolts, glue, sealant and the like may be used.

The outlet may be defined by a tubular portion of the body extending away from the sidewall portion. Preferaby, the transition region between the side wall portion and the tubular portion is rounded to present a curved surface to water flowing thereover. The tubular portion is preferably sized to receive a circular drainage pipe. The tubular portion and drainage pipe are preferably cylindrical so as to assist with the formation of the vortex.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a rainhead comprising a body defining an inlet and an outlet, the body having a side wall portion disposed between the inlet and the outlet, a flange portion at the inlet and a tubular portion at the outlet, a first transition region between the flange portion and the side wall portion, the first transition region being rounded to present a curved surface to water flow into the side wall portion, and a second transition region between the side wall portion and the tubular portion, the second transition region being rounded to present a curved surface to water flow out of the side wall portion.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a guttering system comprising: a gutter having a drainage inlet in the underside thereof; a rainhead connected to the gutter structure from below the drainage inlet so as to provide a drainage outlet spaced therefrom; and a side wall portion disposed between the drainage inlet and the drainage outlet, the side wall portion being angled inwardly away from the drainage inlet towards the drainage outlet in a manner assisting with limiting debris accumulation.

Preferably the gutter extends either side of the rainhead such that water that does not flow through the drainage inlet can flow from one side of the gutter structure to the other side. When in a drainage system this advantageously serves to limit the effect of the drainage limitations of the rainhead.

The vortex of flowing water advantageously draws debris within the rainhead arrangement through rainhead arrangement and out the outlet. In a particularly preferred embodiment the side wall portion is smoothly frusto-conical.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of providing a guttering system comprising: cutting a hole in the underside of a gutter; and fixing a rainhead beneath the hole such that the rainhead provides a drainage outlet and the hole provides a drainage inlet, the rainhead including a side wall portion disposed between the drainage inlet and the drainage outlet, the side wall portion being angled inwardly away from the drainage inlet towards the drainage outlet in a manner assisting with limiting debris accumulation.

Further aspects, preferred features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the specification as a whole.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be better understood by reference to the following description of several specific embodiments thereof, as shown in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional rainhead according the prior art; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a rainhead according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the rainhead of Figure 2; -6- Figure 4 is a is a perspective view of a rainhead arrangement according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of a rainhead arrangement according to a third preferred embodiment of the invention.

Best Mode(s) for Carrying Out the Invention Referring to Figure 2 there is shown a rainhead 20 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The rainhead 20 comprises a body 22 formed of plastics material defining an inlet 24 and an outlet 26. The body 22 includes a side wall portion 28 disposed between the inlet 24 and the outlet 26, the side wall portion 28 being angled inwardly away from the inlet 24 towards the outlet 26 in a manner assisting with limiting debris accumulation.

The rainhead 20 includes a flange portion 30 formed integrally with the side wall portion 28 and extending laterally away from the inlet 24. The flange portion includes a plurality of holes 32 spaced therearound for receiving fasteners such as rivets (not shown) for fixing the flange portion 30 to the underside of a box gutter.

The body 22 further includes a tubular portion 34 formed integrally with and extending away from the sidewall portion 28. The tubular portion 34 is sized to receive a circular drainage pipe (not shown), also known as a down pipe. When the flange portion 30 is connected to the box gutter, the drainage pipe serves to direct water from the box gutter to a drainage network connected to the tubular portion 34.

In this embodiment the tubular portion 34 is cylindrical to assist with forming a vortex of flowing water following the contour of the side wall portion 28. The sidewall portion 28 is itself configured to direct the vortex along its smooth frusto-conical profile.

-7- The transition region 31 between the flange portion 30 and the side wall portion 28 is rounded to present a curved surface to water flowing over the transition region; this arrangement facilitates a smooth flow of water into the body portion 28. Further, the transition region 35 between the side wall portion 28 and the tubular portion 34 is rounded to present a curved surface to water flowing over the transition region; this arrangement facilitates a smooth flow of water into the tubular portion 34.

Accordingly, water flowing through the inlet 24 of the rainhead arrangement forms a vortex that revolves around a central path 36 defined by the body 22 of the rainhead arrangement 20. The vortex follows the contour of the side wall portion 28 and draws debris therealong. Thus the side wall portion 28 forces debris in the water to rotate about the central path 36 from the inlet 24 towards the outlet 26. The surface of the side wall portion 28 is smooth so as to limit friction and assist with water flow. The vortex accordingly operates to suck water towards the outlet 26.

It has been seen that the particular rainhead arrangement 20 of Figure 2 provides a most advantageous effect in that the vortex and side wall portion 28 assist with limiting debris accumulation. The arrangement 20 of Figure 2 does not have to be cleaned as regularly as conventional rainheads. Furthermore the vortex provided by the arrangement 10 provides a flushing mechanism that is most effective. The invention accordingly provides a substantial contribution to the art. Plumbers will not be as frequently called upon during storm events and owners will experience less difficulties and maintenance problems with their guttering.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown a rainhead arrangement 50 according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention. The arrangement 50 includes a gutter structure 52 having a drainage inlet 54. The drainage inlet 54 comprises a hole 56 cut into the underside of the gutter structure 52. A rainhead 58 is connected to the gutter structure 52 from below the drainage inlet 54. A -8drainage outlet 60 is provided by the rainhead 58 at a location spaced from the drainage inlet 54.

Extending from the drainage outlet 60 is a side wall portion 62 of the rainhead 58. The side wall portion 62 extends to the drainage inlet 54 in a manner angled inwardly away from the drainage inlet 54 towards the drainage outlet Advantageously, the gutter structure 52 extends either side of the rainhead unit 58 in direction 64. This serves to guide water that does not flow through the drainage inlet 54 from one side of the gutter structure 52 to the other. When a storm event occurs rainhead 58 will not be able to discharge water above its maximum rate and excess water will subsequently flow from side 66 of the gutter structure to side 68 of the gutter structure 52. The arrangement 50 is therefore most useful in applications involving relatively long gutters.

As before, a side wall portion 62 of the rainhead 58 is configured to provide a vortex of flowing water that follows the contour of the side wall portion 62. As the vortex moves about the central path or axis of the railhead 58, debris is drawn therearound from the inlet 54 to the outlet Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the invention. In the embodiment a rainhead arrangement 70 is provided.

The rainhead arrangement 70 comprises a box gutter 72. The box gutter 72 has two holes 74 cut in the underside thereof. Fixed beneath each hole 74 is a rain head unit 76. The rainhead units 76 provide a drainage outlets 78 and the holes 74 provide a drainage inlets 80. Each rainhead unit 76 includes a side wall portion 82 angled inwardly away from the corresponding drainage inlet 80 thereof towards one of the drainage outlets 78.

The rainhead arrangement is constructed by firstly cutting holes 74 in the underside of the box gutter 72. After this the rainhead units 76 are fixed beneath the holes 74 such that each rainhead unit 76 provides a drainage outlet 78 and each respective hole provides a drainage inlet 80. Rivets (not shown) are fixed -9through corresponding holes 84 in the box gutter 72 and an upper flange portion 86 of the rain heads 76. Once the rain heads 76 are fixed in place, sealant is run over the circumference of holes 74 in the box gutter 72 and aligned inner edges of the flange portions 86. This provides a most advantageous and simple seal.

As would be apparent the rainheads 76 are each configured such that the side wall portions 82 are disposed between the drainage outlets 78 and drainage inlets 80. Moreover, the side wall portions 82 are angled inwardly away from the drainage inlets 80 in a manner assisting with limiting debris accumulation. With regard to current box gutters, the present invention provides significant advantages as have been described.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

It will be understood that various changes may be made to the form, details, arrangement and proportion of the various parts and steps without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are, at the very least, considered to fall within the scope of the present invention, of which the preferred embodiments described herein are specific examples.

Claims

1. A rainhead comprising a body defining an inlet and an outlet, the body having a side wall portion disposed therebetween, wherein the side wall portion extends inwardly away from the inlet towards the outlet in a manner assisting with limiting debris accumulation.

2. A rainhead according to claim 1 wherein the side portion is frusto-conical having a central axis, and wherein the body has a flange portion extending laterally away from the inlet and a tubular portion extending from the side wall portion, the tubular portion having a central axis aligned with the central axis of the side wall portion.

3. A rainhead comprising a body defining an inlet and an outlet, the body having a side wall portion disposed between the inlet and the outlet, a flange portion at the inlet and a tubular portion at the outlet, a first transition region between the flange portion and the side wall portion, the first transition region being rounded to present a curved surface to water flow into the side wall portion, and a second transition region between the side wall portion and the tubular portion, the second transition region being rounded to present a curved surface to water flow out of the side wall portion

4. A guttering system comprising a gutter having a drainage inlet in the underside thereof, a rainhead connected to the gutter structure from below the drainage inlet so as to provide an drainage outlet spaced therefrom, and a side wall portion disposed between the drainage inlet and the drainage outlet, the side wall portion being angled inwardly away from the drainage inlet towards the drainage outlet in a manner assisting with limiting debris accumulation. A method of providing a guttering system comprising cutting a hole in the underside of a gutter, and fixing a rainhead beneath the hole such that the rainhead provides a drainage outlet and the hole provides a drainage inlet, the rainhead including a side wall portion disposed between the drainage inlet and the drainage outlet, the side wall portion being angled inwardly away from the -11 drainage inlet towards the drainage outlet in a manner assisting with limiting debris accumulation. Dated this Twentyfourth day of August 2006. Garry Ewen Applicant Wray Associates Perth, Western Australia Patent Attorneys for the Applicant(s)