The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 09, 1999
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1996
Julian J Attaway, Marietta, GA (US);
MM Systems Corporation, Tucker, GA (US);
Abstract
A downspout in which a section is formed of a material that is substantially elastic and which forms an expandable face member that flexes away from the center of the downspout if the water in it freezes and, when the rainwater thaws, the elastic material returns to substantially its original dimension. It is also preferred that the expandable face member include two longitudinally-extending channels that are substantially V-shaped in cross section. The channels allow for greater outward expansion of the expandable face member, which further reduces the chances of permanent deformation and decreases the stresses on the connection between the expandable face member and the non-flexible portion of the downspout.