US1312169A - Automatic cut-out for rain-spouts - Google Patents

Description

APPLICATION FILED FB. 5. 1917- Patented Aug. 5, 1919. I

'rlm collumnm PLANUGRM'II c0., WASHINGTON, I). c.

UNITED STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

HENRY C. EItTEL, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

AUTOMATIC CUT-OUT FOR RAIN-SPOUTS Patented Aug. 5, 1919.

Application filed February 5. 1917. Serial No. 146.592.

Automatic Cut-Outs for Rain-spouts, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in automatic out-outs for rain spouts and the object thereof is to provide means for automatically directing rain water as it passes from the down-spout into the cistern after the first waters of the rain have washed the roof and passed into the sewer, and also to so construct the device that after the water ceases to flow, it will reassume its initial position for directing the water of the next subsequent rain into the sewer as it flows from the down-spout.

The purpose of the device is to prevent accumulations of dirt and foreign matter that form on the roof and in the eaves-troughs from being carried with the preoipitations of moisture of the air into the cistern, and to effect automatically the in-flow of the cleaner subsequent waters. To this end it is essential that the first water flowing over the roof and which carries with it the foreign matter and debris that has found 1odgment on the roof, shall be diverted to the sewer instead of being allowed to pass into the cistern. It is also essential that the apparatus shall be normally positioned while idle for divertin the water into the sewer.

The objects 0 the invention are accomplished by the construction illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device with the outer housing omitted;

Fig. 2 is a similar view in vertical section;

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the device including the housing, which is shown partially broken away and in section; 1

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section throughthe upper part of the device; and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the movable chute. 1

Similar characters of reference indicate correspondin parts throughout the several views and re erring now to the same:

1 is, a rectangular frame, having crossbars (2) and (3). And (41) is the inner casing that is supported by the frame (1), the frame being in duplicate, one upon each side of the casin Within the casing is formed a tank (5 the top of which has a slant-mg screen (6) and from the bottom there extends a nozzle (7) for draining the tank. The casing has also a partition (8) entending vertically therein and which .divides the easing into two passageways (9) and (10) respectively, the former of which communicates at its lower end with a funnel (11) that is adapted to receive water gravitating therethrough. The tank (5) is located immediately adjacent the upper end of the passage-way (9), and a movable receptacle (12) is suspended. beneath the tank and is adapted to receive the discharge, through the nozzle (7), of the contents thereof. The movable receptacle (12) is sus ended at the lower ends of the cables (13 one upon each side of the casing, and

each of which extends correspondingly over a air of sheaf-wheels (14) that are mounte in brackets (15), the latter being supported upon the corresponding cross-bars The opposite ends of the cables have attached thereto a weight (16) which is proportioned so as to counter-balance the weight of the receptacle (12) when but partially filled with water. Itis the intention that when the receptacle becomes approxi- .85 mately, filled, it will move downwardly by avital force contrary to the opposite inuence of the weight which is of less specific gravity. The receptacle (12) also has a nozzle (17) at its lower end through which the contents of the receptacle drains into the funnel (11). An overflow pipe (18) is arranged in the receptacle with its lower end extending through the bottom thereof, it be ing intended that surplus water received in the receptacle shall be discharged through i the overflow pipe into thefunnel. The nozzle (7) at the bottom of the tank (5) is larger than that atthe bottom of the movable receptacle so that the flow through the former is greater than through the latter.

A receiving spout (19) enters. the casing at the top thereof at a point directly over the tank (,5) and is adapted for connection with the down-spout (not shown) through which water from the roof of the building is received. i

In the upper part'of the casing 1s arranged a movable chute (20) mounted upon Wheels (21) that roll upon tracks (22) secured respectively to the opposite inner faces of thecasing. A transverse bar (23) extends at each of its ends beyond the sides of the chute, and each end projects through a-horizontal slot (2 1) in the corresponding side of the casing and'has fixed connection with the cable (13) that extends adjacent the corresponding wall of the casing upon the exterior thereof. The intention is that as the cables move, the chute will travel accordingly in one directionor the other. The chute is constructed with an opening (25) in its top adjacent one end thereof, and is open at its opposite end (26) so that the flow of water'from the receiving spout may enter the chute through its opening (25), when the chute is shifted beneath it, 7 and ass through its opposite open end (26) into the passage-way (10) in the casing. The chute has a small opening (27) made through its bottom beneath its opening (25) through which a portion of water received by the chute from the spout (19) tally into the tank The passage-way (l0)*terminates with an extended sleeve (28) at its lower end and may pass gravithe funnel (11) also has a sleeve extension (29), the former being intended for connection witha cistern (notshown), and the latter may be connected with a sewer, or left open so that water passing therethrough may run to Waste.

Inthe operation of the invention the recelvlng spout is connected with the downspout lead-lng from the roof; the funnel 1s connected with the sewer; and the sleeve (28) iscoupled with the cistern.

When water commences to flow from the roof through the down-spout and passes through the receiving-spout, it enters the tank (5,) through the screen (6) and the tank becomes filled, and any coarse particles of forelgn matter passing over the screen into the passageway (9) together with any superabundance of water is conveyed through the passage-way and funnel into the sewer.

The flow of water from the tank through 1El1ie)nozzle (7) gravitates into the receptacle 2 ceptacle (12) is relieved of the water supplied thereto through the nozzle (17) in the -bottom thereof, but at a slower rate than it receives Water from the tank, the surplus being discharged from the receptacle through'the overflowipipe (18).. The discharge-from thenozzle (17) andtheoverflow-pipe (18) passing directly into the funnel is conveyed together with the water and the latter becomes filled. The re passing down the passage-way (9) into the sewer.

When the receptacle (12) becomes approximately filled, it overbalances the weight (16) and gravitates to a lower position, thus moving the cables accordingly. The chute (20) having connection with the cables thereby becomes moved horizontally to a position beneath the receiving-spout, and the water flowing through the spout becomes diverted by the chute into the passage-Way (10) and is conveyed therethrough into the cistern.

The opening (27) in the bottom of the chute admits of a portion of the water flowing through the chute to pass into the tank and replenish it as it is being drained by the flow through the nozzle in its bottom.

When the down flow of water through the receiving-spout ceases, the tank is thercfore no longer replenished as it is being drained of its contents. And, when the flow of Water from the tank into the receptacle ceases to replenish the receptacle, the latter also becomes drained of its contents by the flow through the nozzle in its bottom and is therefore overbalanced by the weight (16) and becomes elevated to its initial position. The chute (20) attached to the cables connecting the receptacle and weight also is moved to its initial position out of the path of the flow between the receiving spout and tank. Therefore it will appear that the apparatus is then left in readiness for the recommencement of its operation.

The apparatus thus described is incased within a housing (30) which completely covers the frame, casing and apparatus connected therewith so that they are shielded from external interference.

The screen (6) that covers the top of the tank (5) is placed at an angle so as to readily divert foreign solids contained in the water intothe passage-way (9), and a screen (81) is also placed over the top of the receptacle (12) to prevent the entrance therein of solids that might tend to clog its discharge opening. 7 1

What I claim is In apparatus of the class described, a frame; a casing mounted in the frame having two passage-ways extending therethrough, a tank adjacent one of said passage-ways, thetank having a drain outlet in its bottom, an inlet-spout leading into the casing at a point over the tank; a funnel having communication with the passageway adjacent the tank and extending beneath the latter; a movable receptacle located between the tank and funnel, having a drain outlet in its bottom and also an overflow pipe, each of which are adapted to discharge into the funnel; a screen at the top of the tank; a horizontally movable chute Within the casing adapted to be interposed between In testimony whereof I aflix my signature,

the inlet spout and tank to deflect the flow in presence of two Witnesses. of Water from the in1et-sp0ut into the 0pposite passage-Way; and a counterbalance HENRY ERTEL 5 including a Weight and cables, the latter Witnesses:

having connection with the movable re- MARIE A. HARTMAN,

ceptacle and also with the chute. MATILLDA METTLER.

imples of this patent may be obtained tor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). 0.

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