US20180320924A1

US20180320924A1 - Flow-through Insect Screen

Info

Publication number: US20180320924A1
Application number: US16/034,933
Authority: US
Inventors: Darwin Bryant; Jerrod Harrell
Original assignee: Dobber Industries - Patent Series LLC
Current assignee: Dobber Industries - Patent Series LLC
Priority date: 2016-06-20
Filing date: 2018-07-13
Publication date: 2018-11-08

Abstract

An insect screen and the methods for using the insect screen are provided. The invention includes an insect screen, which can include a body having an internal volume and side walls that include mesh screen. The insect screen can also include means by which to extend the insect screen from the emergency drain line of a residential or commercial HVAC system.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation-in-Part application, continuing from and claiming priority to U.S. patent application having application Ser. No. 15/186,861, titled “Flow-through piping cap”, filed on Jun. 20, 2016 the continuation-in-part application having application Ser. No. 15/812,979, titled Flow-through Piping Cap CIP,” filed on Nov. 14, 2017. This application also claims priority to previously filed design application having application Ser. No. 29/617,129, titled “Flow-through piping cap GEN 2,” and filed on Sep. 12, 2017. Each of the above-mentioned applications are hereby incorporate into this application in their entirety.

BACKGROUND

Field

This invention relates to the general field of building construction. More specifically, this invention relates to the field of piping and the flow of fluid (air, water, etc.) from a building through a piping or vented system.

Description of the Related Art

This invention relates to protection of piping or other fluid flow systems in residential and commercial building structures. For example, this invention can relate to a residential or commercial air conditioning systems used to produce cold air, condensation builds up in the system and drains through a series of tubes to an outlet located on the building's exterior. Most drain pipe systems are comprised of copper or PVC (polyvinyl chloride) piping. Most common, a draining system is connected to a unit evaporator coil, where the draining system is used to remove water that is regularly produced during operation of the air conditioning through the condensation process.
A condenser in an HVAC system usually includes an inside unit containing a cold evaporator coil designed to cool air as the air passes over the coils. Condensation, water droplets, form on the evaporator coils, and the condensation collects by dripping off of the coils and into a drain pan.
The liquid (e.g., water) produced from the condensation is often in such quantities that it must be constantly removed, and often is drained through a pipe which transports the water from the point of condensation to a terminal pipe, or drainage pipe, protruding from the side of the building, whereby the water runs freely out of the end of the pipe. Problems often occur, however, with an open-ended pipe protruding from the building. For example, small insects and animals are able to enter the pipe and build nests or otherwise cause the piping to be clogged. A clogged pipe can cause thousands of dollars in damage due to backed up water. Current unclogging techniques include the use of highly concentrated chemical washes as well as plumbing snakes and augers, each of which can be difficult to perform and harmful to the water draining system.
Accordingly, a need exists for a device to prevent clogging in HVAC and other air conditioning drainage systems.

SUMMARY

An insect screen is designed for use in water drainage systems used in residential and commercial buildings. For example, the insect screen is helpful to prevent problems in the condensate drainage system of a building's HVAC system (otherwise known as the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system). These problems may include clogging of the drainage system due to insects and/or small animals entering the drainage system, often through an open-ended pipe (referred to herein as the “drain pipe”) at a point external to the building, and clogging the system. To prevent these and other clogging problems from occurring, an insect screen may be used to allow water to continue to flow out of the drainage pipe while simultaneously preventing insects and animals from entering the drain pipe.
The insect screen can have an elongated body with a first end and a second end. The body of the insect screen can be generally cylindrical and configured to connect to a pipe end or hosing end or draining terminus. The first end of the insect screen can include a cap terminus face that includes one or more holes disposed therethrough so that a fluid can pass through. The insect screen offers a plurality of advantages to current drainage systems. For example, by letting fluid flow through the insect screen in a first direction, the cap terminus of the insect screen can keep solids from traveling through the insect screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective side view of an insect screen, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 2 depicts a perspective side view of an alternative insect screen, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 3A depicts a perspective side view of the insect screen depicted in FIG. 2, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 3B depicts a perspective side view of the insect screen depicted in FIG. 2, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 4 depicts a building overhang, a channel having a flange, and the insect screen depicted in FIG. 2, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 5 depicts a building overhang, a channel, and the insect screen depicted in FIG. 2, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective side view if another alternative embodiment of an insect screen, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 7 depicts a perspective side view of another alternate embodiment of an insect screen, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the insect screen depicted in FIG. 7, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 9 depicts a perspective side view of an insect screen with an optionally detachable connector, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 9A depicts a perspective side view on an alternative embodiment of an insect screen, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 10A depicts a channel having a flange and the insect screen depicted in FIG. 7, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 10B depicts a channel having a flange connected to the insect screen depicted in FIG. 7, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 11A depicts a building overhand and the insect screen depicted in FIG. 7, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 11B depicts a building overhang, a connector, and the insect screen depicted in FIG. 7, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 11C depicts a building overhang, an adapter, and the insect screen depicted in FIG. 7, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 12A depicts a building overhang, another alternative connector, and the insect screen depicted in FIG. 9A, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 12B depicts a building overhang, a connector arrangement, and the insect screen depicted in FIG. 9A, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 13 depicts a portion of a HVAC unit in the attic of a building, as shown and described herein.

FIG. 13A depicts a close-up view of the emergency drain of FIG. 12, as shown and described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A design and method for using an insect screen 100 is provided. An insect screen 100 is designed for use in water drainage systems used, at least, in residential and commercial buildings. The insect screen can have a main body 101 having a first end 103 and a second end 105. The main body 101 can have an elongated shape. The main body 101 can have a shape generally or exactly reflecting a cylinder, a rectangular prism, a cube, a pyramid, a cone, a hexagonal prism, a hexagonal cone, and/or a sphere.
The insect screen 100 can include a face 107 disposed about the first end 103. The first end 103 and/or the face 107 can include one or more openings 111. The one or more openings 111 can otherwise be referred to as “hole(s)” when appropriate. The opening 111 can vary in size and shape. For example, the opening 111 can be square, circular, rectangular, triangular, or any combination thereof. In another example, the one or more openings 111 can be circular in shape having a diameter of about 1 millimeter, about 2 millimeters, about 3 millimeters, about 4 millimeters, about 5 millimeters, about 6 millimeters, about 7 millimeters, about 8 millimeters, about 9 millimeters, or about 10 millimeters. In another example, the opening can have a diameter of about 1 inch, about 2 inches, about 3 inches, about 4 inches, about 5 inches, about 6 inches, about 7 inches, about 8 inches, about 9 inches, or about 10 inches.
In one or more embodiments, the face 107 can include a pattern of one or more openings 111 sufficient to prevent solid objects from traveling through the openings 111. Accordingly, the size of the one or more openings 111 can be varied for the prevention of these solid objects from passing through the face 107 and/or the first end 103. For example, the openings 111 can be sized to allow small grains of sand to pass through but block the passage of pebbles and/or rocks. In another example, the one or more openings 111 can be sized to allow a flea to pass through but block the passage of a dirt-dauber or wasp.
The one or more openings 111 can be disposed through the main body 101 of the insect screen 100. The one or more openings 111 can be disposed through the walls of the main body 101 at or about the first end 103, at or about the second end 105, at or about the face 107, or any combination thereof. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the one or more openings 111 can be disposed through the walls of the main body 101 at or near the first end 103 of the insect screen 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, an alternative embodiment of the insect screen 200 can include a main body 201 having a first end 203 and a second end 205, and the second end 205 of the insect screen 200 can be configured to connect to a pipe or piping structure. The insect screen 200 can include a face 207 disposed at or about the first end 203, and one or more openings can be disposed therethrough.
The main body 201 can include a connector 223 disposed about the second end 205 of the main body 201. The connector 223 can be configured to, or provide a means to, connect or otherwise attach the insect screen 200 to a drain pipe (not shown). The connector 223 can be a threaded and/or “male” connector configured to connect to a threaded and/or “female” receptacle. Alternatively, the connector 223 can be a threaded and/or female receptacle configured to connect to a threaded and/or “male” connector. The connector can include an appropriately sized and shaped extension from the insect screen to securely engage the drain pipe of an HVAC system. The connector can be secured to that drain pipe by glue, threading interconnection, high friction contact (i.e., rubber, PVC, etc.), one or more tacks or nails, or a combination thereof.
One or more ridges 209 can be disposed on the main body 201 of the insect screen 200 to allow a user to more easily handle the insect screen 200. Ridges 209 can also provide structural support for the elongated body of the insect screen 200, especially when the insect screen 200 is made of a light weight and flexible material, such as plastic.
As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, at least one embodiment of an insect screen 200 can be threadably connected to or otherwise attached to a conduit 331. Specifically, the insect screen 200 can be connected to the conduit 331 by axially rotating the insect screen 200 such that the threads of the insect screen connector 323 interlock with the threads of the conduit 331. The conduit 331 can include a flange 335 having a channel 337 disposed therethrough. In at least one embodiment, the channel 337 can include a hole disposed through the flange 335, including a hole disposed through the flange 335 at the center of the flange 335. In at least one other embodiment, the channel 337 can include a piece of tubing or pipe extending outward from the flange 335, and such protruding piece can be configured to attached or connect to the insect screen 200 (as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B). A portion of the channel 337 can be threaded, glued, or otherwise permanently or temporarily attached to the insect screen 200.
Drain pipes are often found protruding through an outer wall of a building or structure. Most common, such a drain pipe protrudes from the side of the building or from an overhang portion of a roof by several inches, so that fluid may drain out of the building without causing damage or staining to the outer wall of the building. In some situations, though, the water drain pipe is flush with the side of the building or overhang portion of the roof, wherein the insect screen can be attached to the drain pipe at a position interior to the outer wall. In some circumstances, it may be more beneficial to connect an extension conduit onto the drain pipe and then connect the insect screen to the extension conduit. In some circumstances, the drain pipe may not be threaded and configured to connect to a threaded connector on the insect screen. To remedy this, a conduit may be used, attaching a first end of the conduit to the drain pipe and attaching a second end of the conduit that is threaded to the threaded connector of the insect screen.
As shown in FIG. 4, the insect screen 200 can be configured to attach to a flange conduit 431 having a flange 433, and the flange conduit 431 can be configured to attach to the drain pipe 445. As described herein, any reference to a “drain pipe” can include the emergency drain line of an HVAC system, described in greater detail below. In this configuration, and those like it, the flange 433 of the conduit 431 can be used to secure and stabilize the insect screen 200. For example, the flange 433 can be secured to the overhang 403 (also referred to as the “soffit”) portion of a roof 401 by nailing, screwing, or otherwise securing the flange 433 to the overhang 403. The conduit 431 can include a flange 433 having a channel 435 disposed therethrough.
FIG. 5 depicts a conduit 541 used to attach the insect screen 200 to the terminal end of the drain pipe 545. The drain pipe 545 can protrude from the overhang 503 roof 501 (as shown). It is not always the case that the end of the drain pipe is configured to attach to the insect screen. For example, the connector of the insect screen 200 may be of a different size or configuration than the end of the drain pipe. In such cases, an adapter conduit 541, can be used to connect the insect screen 200 to the drain pipe 545. Adaptor conduits come in many shapes and sizes and a person having ordinary skill in the art can understand that, generally, a conduit can be used to accommodate and overcome mismatched pipe sizes and fittings.
FIG. 6 depicts a side view of an alternative embodiment of an insect screen 600. One or more openings 611 a, 611 b can be disposed through the walls of the insect screen 600. one or more openings 611 b can be disposed through the side walls or main body 601 of the insect screen 600 and one or more openings 611 a can be disposed through the face 607 of the insect screen 600. The openings 611 a, 611 b can be elongated in shape. The openings 611 a, 611 b can vary in shape from one another. The openings 611 a, 611 b can be configured to allow maximum drainage through the insect screen 600 while adequately preventing insects and rodents from passing through the openings 611 a, 611 b.
FIG. 7 depicts another alternate embodiment of an insect screen 700 and FIG. 8 depicts a side view of the insect screen 700 depicted in FIG. 7. The insect screen 700 can include a connector 723 disposed about a first end. The connector 723 can include a flat surface making up a face of the first end and an extension extending outwardly therefrom. The extension can include a circular protrusion having a size and shape necessary to attached to the drainage pipe of an HVAC system. The insect screen 700 can include a face disposed about a second end, and holes or openings may be absent from this face because the mesh screen disposed around the circumference of the main body may be sufficient to allow any liquid to escape the interior of the insect screen 700. In an alternative embodiment, though not shown, one or more openings can be disposed through this face.
A portion of the insect screen 700 can include a mesh screen comprise of a plurality of openings or holes to allow liquid to pass through. In a practical sense, the mesh screen is designed to allow water flowing through the HVAC drainage line to also flow out of the insect screen 700 through the mesh screen. It is rare that water will travel out of the mesh screen at a rate or volume more than a “drip,” so the size of the mesh screen can be quite small. In a preferred embodiment, the mesh screen can be 30-mesh (30 openings in one square inch of screen). In an alternative embodiment, the mesh screen can be about 4-mesh, about 6-mesh, about 8-mesh, about 12-mesh, about 16-mesh, about 20-mesh, about 24-mesh, about 26-mesh, about 28-mesh, about 32-mesh, about 34-mesh, about 36-mesh, about 38mesh, about 40-mesh, about 50-mesh, about 60-mesh, about 70-mesh, about 80-mesh, about 100-mesh, about 140-mesh, about 200-mesh, about 230-mesh, about 270-mesh, about 325-mesh, or about 400-mesh. In at least one embodiment, the mesh screen can range in size from about 10-mesh, about 16-mesh, about 20-mesh, or about 24-mesh to about 32-mesh, about 36-mesh, about 40-mesh, or about 46-mesh.
The size of the mesh can be dependent on the material used to make the mesh, but size should be selected to ensure that liquid (primarily water) can travel out of the insect screen 700 but insects (primarily dirt daubers) cannot travel in to the insect screen. The mesh can be made of woven fabric that is painted and heat treated. In a more practical embodiment, the mesh is made from plastic or related PVC material cast into appropriate molds, providing an insect screen made of a single piece of material.
The mesh screen can be disposed about part of or the entire main body. As shown in FIGS. 7-11C, the mesh screen can be disposed around the circumference of the main body of the insect screen 700 and can extend from the first end to the second end of the insect screen 700. In an alternative embodiment, the mesh screen can be disposed primarily toward the second end of the main body where liquid would naturally congregate due to gravity when attached to a drain line.
The insect screen or any one or more portions of the insect screen can be made of, fiberglass, spun-glass filament with a PVC coating, bronze, brass, copper, steel, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), chlorinated polyvinyl chloride (CPVC), vinyl-coated polyester, or acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), carbon steel (galvanized or non-galvanized), impact tested carbon steel, low temperature services carbon steel, stainless steel, malleable iron, non-ferrous metals, non-metallic composites (e.g., ABS, fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP), PVC, HDPE, tempered glass), alloy steel, aluminum, a variety of plastic composites, or any combination thereof.
In some circumstances, debris or particulates may make its way down the HVAC drainage pipe and into the insect screen. This can occur after a new home is built or after a new HVAC is installed in a building and the building and insulation materials commonly found in the attic area (i.e., insulation materials, sheetrock, roofing materials, etc.) can make their way into the drain pan and out through the HVAC drainage lines. When this occurs, a technician or homeowner will need to remove the debris from the insect screen so that the insect screen can drain properly and does not become clogged. When a threaded connector is used, the user or homeowner can simply unscrew the insect screen and remove the debris. However, when the insect screen is glued or otherwise more permanently affixed to the drain pipe, another option is available. As shown in FIG. 9, in one or more embodiments, the connector 723 of the insect screen 700 can be a separate piece and removable from the main body of the insect screen 700. The connector 723 can “pop,” snap,” or “click” into place by way of one or more protrusions extending from the main body 701 of the insect screen 700 fits into a corresponding indention within the connector 723. Alternatively, the connector 723 can be threadably connected to the main body 701 of the insect screen 700. When a technician or homeowner elects to clean out debris found inside the insect screen 700, he/she can remove the main body 701 from the connector 723 to do so.
FIG. 9A depicts a perspective side view on an alternative embodiment of an insect screen 900. The insect screen can include a main body similar to the insect screen described above in reference to FIGS. 7-9, having an internal volume 911 and side walls comprising a mesh screen. In at least one embodiment, the main body can include a mesh screen section 907. Otherwise, the insect screen of FIG. 9A can include a connector 923 portion disposed about its first end 903 that is fixed to the main body, and not removable. In this embodiment, the connector can be permanently connected to or otherwise extend from the main body 901. During manufacturing, the connector 923 and main body 901 can be made as a single piece. As shown, the connector 923 can include a threading on the exterior surface, commonly referred to as a “male” configuration, but could also include threading in the interior surface of the connector 923 providing a “female” configuration. The mesh screen of the insect screen 900 can also extend from about the first end 903 to about the second end 905. In one or more embodiments, a support or reinforcement can extend around the circumference (about its longitudinal axis), or about the main body 901 of the insect screen to provide structural support.
FIGS. 10A and 10B depict a perspective view of the insect screen 700 detached and attached, respectively, to a conduit 1031. The conduit 1031 can be similar to or the same as the conduit discussed and described in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The conduit 1031 can include a flange 1035 and a channel 1037. The channel 1037 can extend outwardly from the flange and be configured to connect to the connector 723 of the insect screen 700. As shown, the insect screen connector 723 can include a female threaded receptacle configured to attach to a male threaded receptacle on the channel 1037 disposed on the conduit 1031. The user can simply “screw” the insect screen 700 onto the conduit 1031. For additional support, the conduit 1031 can include a flange 1035. Though not shown here, the flange 1035 can be secured to the overhang of a building to provide structural support and to prevent pests and insects from getting into the building structure through the hole provided for the HVAC drain pipe.
FIG. 11A-11C depict the insect screen connecting to the drain pipe of an HVAC system using three different kinds of connection options. FIG. 11A depicts the insect screen 700 having a threaded female receptacle connector 723 and the HVAC drain pipe 1145 (including an emergency drain pipe) having a threaded male receptacle. The connector 700 can be directly attached the drain pipe 1145 by simply screwing the insect screen 700 onto the drain pipe 1145, as it extends from the building overhang 1101.
FIG. 11B depicts a threaded-non-threaded adapter conduit 1155 configure to connect the insect screen 700 to an unthreaded drain pipe 1245 extending from the building overhang 1101. If the insect screen 700 is threaded and the drain pipe 1145 is not threaded, the adapter conduit 1155 can be used to attach them. To do so, a non-threaded end of the adapter conduit 1155 can be glued to the drain pipe 1145 and the threaded female receptacle of the insect screen connector 723 can be “screwed” onto a threaded end of the adapter conduit 1155.
FIG. 11C depicts a flange conduit 1175 configured to connect the insect screen 700 to the unthreaded drain pipe 1145 extending from the building overhang 1101. The flange conduit 1175 can slide onto the drain pipe 1145 and be glued into place, with the threaded channel 1179 of the flange conduit 1175 facing away from the overhang 1101. For additional support one or more nails or screws can be disposed through the flange portion 1177 and into the surface of the overhang 1101, thereby further securing the flange conduit 1175 to the overhang. The threaded female receptacle of the insect screen connector 723 can be screwed onto the threaded channel 1179 of the flange conduit 1175.
FIG. 12A depicts a building overhang 1201, an adapter 1205, and the insect screen 900 depicted in FIG. 9A. Similar to FIGS. 11A-C, one or more conduits can be used to properly fit and attach the insect screen to the drain pipe. However, different from FIGS. 11A-C, the sizing of the insect screen connector can be different from the size of the drain pipe extending from the overhang. As such, an adaptor can be used to secure the insect screen to the distal end of the drain line.
As shown in FIG. 12A, an adapter 1205 can include a connector portion for attaching to the insect screen 900. Here, the connector portion can be threaded about an internal surface as a “female” receptacle configured to thread or otherwise connect to the “male” receptacle of the insect screen 900. The adapter can then include a section having a generally cone like shape where the adapter 1205 can have a reduction in size, such that a first end of the adapter can have a diameter smaller or larger than the diameter of the second end of the adapter. The adapter can also provide the same function as a “reducer.” The end of the adapter 1205 opposite the insect screen 900 can then be fitted to the drain pipe 1245.
FIG. 12B depicts the building overhang, a connector arrangement, and the insect screen depicted in FIG. 9A. A first end of the adapter 1205 can be configured to attach to the insect screen 900. The second end of the adapter can be configured to engage or otherwise extend from the drain pipe 1245, but a flange conduit 1275 (similar or the same as the flange conduit 1175 discussed above in reference to FIG. 11C) can be connected to the second end of the adapter in an attempt to provide structural support to the overall assembly.
In some circumstances, the insect screen, flange conduit, conduit, or adapter does not attach directly to the drain pipe as it extends from the soffit. There are many reasons this may occur, for example, the diameter of the drain pipe does not correspond to these pieces. Another reason may be that such a small amount of the drain line extends from the soffit that it is not feasible to attach anything to it. In such cases, it may be more appropriate to attach the insect screen, flange conduit, conduit, or adapter to the surface of the overhang/soffit instead of connecting directly to the drain pipe. Generally, this is not a problem because the nature of the drain pipe is to allow water to flow out. So long as the insect screen is secured in such a way as to prevent insects and pests from accessing the interior of the drain pipe, it usually does not matter if the insect screen or conduits mentioned above are attached directly to the drain line. As such, the insect screen and/or conduits or adapters can instead “extend from” the terminal end of the drain pipe such that any condensate can still flow throw while preventing insects or pests from entering the drain pipe.
The threaded connection means of any connection disclosed herein, including male and female connection receptacles disposed on any conduit and any embodiment of the insect screen connector can be made of non-tapered threads. The non-tapered embodiment allows the insect screen to be placed on the drain pipe and/or conduit without the technician or user over tightening the insect screen. This is particularly important when the insect screen is made of a light weight material such as PVC/plastic composite or carbon fiber. However, when suitable and when the insect screen is made of a more durable material, tapered threads can be used.
The shape of each embodiment of the insect screen disclosed herein is shown in the figures to be generally elongated and resembling a cylinder, having holes/openings/mesh disposed through its side walls and/or the face disposed about the second end. This shape is selected to be more aesthetically pleasing while still easy to handle, store, and package for marketing and consumption purposes. That said, the general shape of the insect screen can be modified to be more square, spherical, like a pyramid, or to resemble other appropriate three-dimensional shapes.
FIG. 13 depicts a portion of the HVAC unit in the attic of a building and FIG. 13A depicts a close-up view of the emergency drain of FIG. 13. Residential and commercial HVAC systems include condenser coil unit that is often placed in the structures attic. For example, an air conditioner coil for a residential system can be placed in the attic of the home, as shown in FIG. 13. The condenser is a component of the basic refrigeration cycle that ejects or removes heat from the system. The condenser 1305 typically includes condenser coils 1301 contained within a housing 1303. During operation of the AC system, air is directed into the condenser 1305 through one or more air intake vents and is subsequently passed into the condenser housing 1303. The air is then cooled by passing by the condenser coils 201 and recirculated into the home by one or more air supply vents.
The coils 1301 of the condenser 1305 act as a heat exchanger and, in doing so, the outer surface of the coils 1301 reacts with water vapor in the air (amount depends on general humidity) to produce water condensate. The water condensate is often collected into a main drain pan 1311 and directed through a main drain line 1313. The main drain line 1313 is often routed into the building's pluming system (i.e., a bathroom sink) to be removed as waste water or through a drip line to the building's exterior.
Under certain circumstances, the main drain line 1313 can become clogged, or otherwise blocked, so that the condensate cannot properly drain away from the main drain pan 1311. As a result, condensate can eventually fill up the main drain pan 1311 and begin leaking over the sides thereof. It is now standard practice for HVAC installers to place an emergency drain pan 1331 below the main drain pan 1311 so that, in the event the main drain pan 1311 does overflow, the emergency drain pan 1331 will collect and remove the condensate through the emergency drain line 1333. In most circumstances, the emergency drain line 1333 is directed to the exterior of the building and can often be found protruding from the buildings overhang, soffit, or eave. The emergency drain line 1333 can also be found above an exterior door or window so that people can take notice of the water coming out of the emergency drain line 1333 and call a repairman.
The emergency drain line 1333, which typically includes a ¾ or 1-inch pipe, extends to the outside of the building structure and is therefore subject to several environmental factors that cause blockage. For example, an insect commonly referred to as a “dirt dauber” or “mud dauber” is well known in several regions of the world for building nests made of mud. Common sites for these nests include vertical or horizontal faces of walls, cliffs, bridges, overhangs and small spaces of a building or shelter. Dirt daubers are also known for building nests within the engine block of tractors, cars, and ATV equipment, as well as vents, drains, and small openings of buildings. Notably, the emergency drain line of a building's HVAC system. A primary focus of this application is to provide a device by which to prevent the blockage of the emergency drain pipe 333 from dirt daubers and other pests known to build nests in, or otherwise form blockages, in emergency drain pipes 1333. Accordingly, the disclosed device was developed to completely screen off the emergency drain so that dirt daubers and other pests cannot enter the emergency drain line to obstruct or block it. A blocked or obstructed emergency drain could cause the emergency drain pan to overflow. In standard units, there is no back-up options after the emergency drain pain, so the emergency drain pan with fill up and overflow. The overflow typically runs down into a home's rooms and walls below the condenser in the attic, causing water damages and associated problems including mold, mildew, and rot, costing potentially thousands of dollars in repairs.
Any embodiment of the insect screen disclosed herein, can be disposed on the terminal or distal end of the emergency drain pipe 1333. In at least one embodiment, a user can install the insect screen on distal end of the emergency drain line 1333 by adapting the connection means of the insect screen to attach to the existing emergency drain line. This can be accomplished by adjusting for a diameter differential by means of an adapter. Connection means can include the adapter, which can be a separate piece from the insect screen and emergency drain pipe. The connection means can include a conduit, flange, tape, adhesive, nail, screw, pressure fitting, threaded fitting, or bolt. In one or more embodiments, connection means can include a connector disposed in the insect screen at a first end and a corresponding threaded portion or connector disposed on the emergency drain line. The user can then connect the insect screen to the terminal end of the emergency drain line via the corresponding threaded connectors. As a person of skill in the art would understand, the term “corresponding” as used herein, indicates a matching shape, size, and thread size for the connecting pieces.
In one or more embodiments, the insect screen can have the necessary design to allow a user to remove the insect screen for cleaning without having to totally disassemble. This could include a flap, door, or cap to allow easy access to the internal volume.
In some circumstances, it may be the small articles (such as dust, dirt housing installation, etc.) exist in the emergency drain pan, those articles can be carried down the emergency drain line by overflow condensate. The insect screen is designed to have an internal volume with one or more sidewalls having screen or other holes disposed there in, such that the articles can fall into the insect screen without completely blocking the flow of the condensate exiting the drain line.
Certain embodiments and features have been described using a set of numerical upper limits and a set of numerical lower limits. It should be appreciated that ranges from any lower limit to any upper limit are contemplated unless otherwise indicated. Certain lower limits, upper limits and ranges may appear in one or more claims below. All numerical values are “about” or “approximately” the indicated value, and take into account numerical error and variations that would be expected by a person having ordinary skill in the art.
Various terms have been defined above. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined above, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in at least one printed publication or issued patent.
While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow. Moreover, an ordinary person having skill in the art should understand that this invention is applicable in a many types of drainage systems, and the invention is not limited to a evaporator drainage system.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An insect screen, comprising:

a main body having side walls, wherein at least a portion of the side walls comprise mesh screen; and

a means for extending the insect screen from the distal end of an emergency drain line of an HVAC system.

2. The insect screen of claim 1, wherein the mesh screen extends about a circumference of the main body.

3. The insect screen of claim 1, wherein the connection means includes a threaded connector disposed at a first end of the insect screen.

4. The insect screen of claim 1, wherein the mesh screen is about 20-mesh to about 40-mesh.

5. The insect screen of claim 3, wherein the mesh screen is about 20-mesh to about 40-mesh.

6. The insect screen of claim 3, wherein the insect screen allows condensate to exit the emergency drain line through the mesh screen.

7. An insect screen assembly, comprising:

a main body having an internal volume and side walls comprising a mesh screen; and

a connector for extending the insect screen from the distal end of the emergency drain line of an HVAC system.

7. The insect screen of claim 7, wherein the mesh screen is between 20-mesh and 40-mesh.

8. The insect screen of claim 7, wherein the mesh screen is 30-mesh.

9. An emergency drain line insect screen assembly, comprising:

an emergency drain line of an HVAC system; and

an insect screen comprising:

a main body with an internal volume,

one or more side walls comprising a mesh screen, and

a connector disposed about the first end of the insect screen and configured to connect the terminal end of the emergency drain line.

11. The insect screen of claim 9, wherein a first end of the conduit is removably connected to the insect screen and wherein a second end of the conduit is connected to the drain line.

12. The insect-screen-system of claim 9, wherein the conduit further comprises a flange.

13. The insect screen system of claim 9, wherein the mesh screen is about 20-mesh to about 40-mesh.

14. The insect screen system of claim 9, wherein the mesh screen is about 30-mesh.