Pivoting Flexible Downspout Extension for Durable Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional downspout extensions made of thin aluminum are prone to damage, leading to frequent replacements due to deformation and wear, while flexible options require costly installation and maintenance, and none offer a method for storage to avoid tripping hazards and aesthetic issues.
Innovation Solution
A downspout extension assembly constructed from resilient and flexible rubber-like materials with integrally formed connectors for pivotable attachment, allowing the extension to be easily stored and reducing wear and tear, featuring a semi-rigid design that deforms and returns to its original shape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If thin aluminum downspout extensions are used, then the extension can be easily manufactured and installed, but the extension is prone to damage, deformation, and wear leading to frequent replacements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies composite materials by combining rubber-like material with aluminum or other metals to create a downspout extension that integrates the flexibility and resilience of rubber with the strength and durability of metal. This composite construction resolves the contradiction by providing both ease of manufacture (through modular design) and high reliability (through material properties that resist damage, deformation, and wear).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by transitioning from thin aluminum alone to a composite structure with rubber-like material coating or reinforcement. This parameter change increases the extension's resistance to damage, deformation, and wear while maintaining manufacturability through standardized composite construction methods.
2Ease of operation
If flexible corrugated hose downspout extensions are used, then the extension can be easily installed and moved, but the installation is costly and time-consuming, and frequent maintenance is required
Solution Approach 1:
The composite construction with rubber-like material provides flexibility for easy installation and movement while the integrated aluminum or metal reinforcement ensures structural integrity, reducing the need for frequent maintenance and replacement. This resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation without the costly and time-consuming installation requirements of purely flexible hoses.
3Ease of manufacture
If aluminum downspout extensions are used, then the extension can be manufactured at low cost, but the fasteners tear through the aluminum walls over time making it difficult to hold pieces together
Solution Approach 1:
The rubber-like material coating or reinforcement on the aluminum downspout extension prevents fasteners from tearing through the walls by distributing stress and providing a protective layer. This composite structure maintains low manufacturing costs while significantly improving fastener holding strength and overall connection durability.
4Shape
If the downspout extension is made rigid, then the extension maintains its shape and position, but the extension cannot deform to absorb impact and return to its original shape
Solution Approach 1:
The composite construction combines rigid aluminum or metal providing shape stability with flexible rubber-like material providing impact resistance. The rubber layer deforms to absorb impact forces while the metal core maintains the structural shape, resolving the contradiction between shape stability and impact resistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the rigidity parameter by creating a composite structure with varying stiffness levels - the metal core provides rigidity for shape maintenance while the rubber coating provides flexibility for impact absorption. This parameter differentiation resolves the contradiction between shape stability and impact resistance.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assembly provides a durable, long-lasting solution that reduces the risk of injury and maintenance costs, maintaining functionality for up to 25 to 50 years without the need for frequent replacements, while keeping the extension out of the way when not in use.
Implementation Method 1
the thin aluminum body or walls of the downspout extension is subject to damage whenever it is stepped on, driven on, hit or otherwise crushed. As the aluminum downspout extension is subjected to damage, it may be sufficiently deformed to prevent water and debris from freely flowing through the channel
Implementation Method 2
the downspout extension may be pivotably attached to the outlet of the downspout, or to an elbow, by a pair of screws or other fasteners, which allows the downspout extension to be rotated upwardly and away from the ground in a storage position when not in use
Data Source
AI summary
A downspout extension assembly includes an elbow having a first tubular body, an inlet and an outlet, the outlet at an angle of less than 180 degrees relative to the inlet, and a pair of connectors integrally formed with the first tubular body, positioned on opposite sides of the elbow's outlet. A downspout extension comprises a second tubular body having first and second ends. The first end includes a cutout in an upper wall of the second tubular body and a pair of apertures corresponding to the elbow's connectors. The elbow and the downspout extension are each manufactured of a semi-rigid, resilient material. The downspout extension is releasably mounted to the elbow by inserting a free end of each elbow connector through a corresponding aperture of the downspout extension to rotatably mount the downspout extension to the elbow. The downspout extension rotates between a storage position and a deployed position.