Ada-compliant downspout sidewalk extension

Abstract

A customizable waterway to transport storm-water over non-permeable substrate. Affixed to the substrate, it is low-profile and weight-bearing to allow wheelchairs to pass over without interference and without disturbing the apparatus.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention generally relates to rain gutter and downspouts and landscape drainage. More particularly, it relates to a downspout extension apparatus designed for safe and efficient passage for pedestrians, wheelchairs, and other wheeled objects to travel over the waterway.DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART[0002]Commonly, buildings are outfitted with gutters along the roof to collect rain water, and downspouts which provide a channel for the water to drain from the gutters. Often times, the downspouts are dumping the water directly onto non-permeable surfaces such as sidewalks and driveways. This creates a hazard for passersby, and also an unavoidable waterway where the path of travel may cause inconveniences such as a person's clothing may get wet. In colder climates, this is of particular concern as the water often times turns to slippery ice, creating a tort liability, in addition to a potential fall hazard. Builders design their buildings for conve...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention provides a retro-fitted, easily installed, contained pathway for water to travel from a downspout over a sidewalk or driveway. It is rigid, weight-bearing, and affixed to the concrete or surface with anchors. Its low-profile is designed to accommodate wheelchairs, bicycles, and wheeled carts, as well as foot traffic, with safe passage over areas where a downspout discharges water onto non-permeable surfaces. Materials for construction should be strong, weight-bearing, and rigid.

Problems solved by technology

This creates a hazard for passersby, and also an unavoidable waterway where the path of travel may cause inconveniences such as a person's clothing may get wet.

In colder climates, this is of particular concern as the water often times turns to slippery ice, creating a tort liability, in addition to a potential fall hazard.

Builders design their buildings for convenience and the most obvious and direct path of travel, but usually fail to take into account the physical limitations of where the water runoff will be dispersed.

It is common to see downspouts dumping on or near sidewalks and driveways because there is no other reasonable option for the gutter installer to direct the water.

One example is an extension tube such as U.S. Pat. No. 8,689,837 B1 issued to Jeffrey E. Smith, which is not fastened to the ground and creates a trip hazard, as well as the unsightly aesthetics of corrugated plastic tubing stretching spanning its length.

The problem again is that this presents a trip hazard during the rain storm, as well as requiring a manual intervention to raise the extension back up into its waiting position.

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