GB2221704A

GB2221704A - Rainwater guttering systems

Info

Publication number: GB2221704A
Application number: GB8818999A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James George Young
Original assignee: Caradon Terrain Ltd
Current assignee: Polypipe Terrain Ltd
Priority date: 1988-08-10
Filing date: 1988-08-10
Publication date: 1990-02-14
Anticipated expiration: 2008-08-10
Also published as: GB2221704B; GB8818999D0

Abstract

A gutter section (1) arranged to be connected at opposite ends to gutter lengths has an outlet (2) in its bottom, intermediate its ends, for connecting with a downpipe. Deflectors (3 to 6 or 21, 22) are disposed adjacent the outlet (2) to prevent opposing streams of water meeting except within the cross-sectional area of the outlet (2). <IMAGE>

Description

Improvements to Rainwater Guttering Systems This inventicn relates to rainwater guttering systems and in particular to running outlets of such systems. A running outlet is a gutter fitting which has a gutter section which is connected at opposite ends to gutter lengths for receiving water from the gutter lengths and which has an outlet opening in its bottom, intermediate its ends, for connecting with a downpipe.

The diameter c the outlet opening and downpipe, or in the case of non-cicular pipes, the dimension transverse to the direction of the gutter run is generally less than the width of the gutter section. Water flowing near the sides of the gutters therefore flows in a path which does not pass over the outlet opening. Hence near the side walls of the gutter section two opposing streams of water meet and can, disadvantageously, choke the outlet opening.

The object of the present invention is to eliminate the aforesaid disadvantage.

According to the invention, a running outlet is provided with deflectors which are disposed adjacent the outlet opening to prevent the opposing streams of water meeting except within the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.

The deflectors may be disposed vertically within the running outlet and curve from the sides of the gutter sections towards the outlet opening to guide water from the sides of the gutter section over the outlet opening.

Alternatively the deflectors may each extend across the width of the gutter section on each side of the outlet opening and curve downwardly from a position outside the cross-section of the outlet opening to a position over the outlet opening so that each deflector forms a downward bend to guide water into the outlet opening.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying ddrawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment, Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment, and Figure 3 is a half sectional half elevational side view of a second embodiment.

In all the embodiments the running outlet comprises a plastics moulding having a gutter section 1 for receiving a gutter length in each end thereof, the gutter lengths being clipped into the gutter section and sealed with it to prevent water leakage. Intermediate its ends the running outlet has circular outlet 2 for connecting with a downpipe.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2 curved vertical deflected plates or vanes 3, 4, 5 and 6 extend on each side of the gutter section. Each vane extends from the edge of the gutter section 1 to a position slightly over the outlet opening 2. The pair of vanes 1 and 2 on one side of the gutter section and similarly the pair of vanes 3 and 4 on the other side of the gutter section curve towards each other to form a 'V' configuration, whose apex is over the outlet 2.

If desired additional curved vanes 7, 8, 9 and 10 extending parallel to the vanes 3, 4, 5 and 6 respectively may be provided, these latter vanes extending up to but not beyond the edge of the outlet opening 2.

Under normal conditions when the gutters are running at their maximum capacity the depth of water in the immediate vicinity of the outlet 2 is approximately half the height of the gutter section 1. Therefore the vanes 3 to 6 should be at least half the height of the gutter section 1 as indicated by line 11 in Figure 2.

Under certain conditions, such as a partially blocked pipe or when there is an abrupt offset in the downpipe close below the outlet 2, the water cannot pass freely through the opening and water level builds up in the fitting. When this occurs the water in the fitting can swirl. This swirling reduces the rate of flow into the opening which causes the gutters to overflow. The presence of the vanes 3 to 6 and the vanes 7 to 10 if fitted obstructs rotational motion of the water in the body of the fitting, thus suppressing the swirl. For this reason it is desirable that the vanes 3 to 6 should extend upwards to, or nearly to, the level of the top of the fitting as shown in Figure 2.

In the alternative embodiment shown in Figure 3, baffles 21 and 22 extend the full width of the gutter section. Each baffle 21,22 extends from a position to one side of the outlet 2 to a position midway across the outlet 2. Also each baffle 21,22 extends from the top of the gutter section 1 and curves downwardly to a position about level with the bottom of the gutter section 1 to provide a downward bend for guiding the water into the outlet 2 and for maintaining the flows of water from the two ends of the fitting separate until they enter the downpipe 2.

Conveniently the two baffles 21 and 22 form a 'V' configuration as seen in side view and are connected together at their apex. The baffles 21 and 22 are preferably separately formed from the rest of the running outlet and are removable so that obstructions in the downpipe can be cleared by rodding.

Claims

1. A running outlet for a rainwater guttering system, the running outlet comprising a gutter section which is arranged to be connected at opposite ends to gutter lengths for receiving water from the gutter lengths and which has an outlet opening in its bottom, intermediate its ends, for connecting with a downpipe and characterised in that deflectors are disposed adjacent the outlet opening whereby to prevent or substantially prevent opposing streams of water meeting in the running outlet except within the cross-sectional area of the outlet opening.

2. A running outlet according to Claim 1, characterised in that said deflectors are disposed vertically within the running outlet on each side of the gutter section and curve from the sides of the gutter section towards the outlet opening.

3. A running outlet according to Claim 2, characterised in that a pair of said deflectors is provided on each side of the gutter section, the deflectors of each pair forming a substantially 'V' configuration whose apex is over said outlet opening.

4. A running outlet according to Claim 3, characterised in that a further pair of deflectors are provided on each side of the further section, the deflector of each further pair extending substantially parallel to a respective deflector of the first mentioned pair and extending from a position spaced from the side of the gutter section to a position adjacent to but not beyond the edge of the outlet opening.

5. A running outlet according to Claim 1, characterised in that the deflectors are in the form of baffles which extend the full width of the gutter section and curve downwardly from a position outside the cross-section of the outlet opening in opposite directions from adjacent the upper edge of the gutter section to a position within the cross-section of the outlet opening and adjacent the bottom of the gutter section.

6. A running outlet according to Claim 5, characterised in that said baffles form a substantially 'V' configuration with the apex of the 'V' at their lower ends.

7. A running outlet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2.

8. A running outlet substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 3.