Gutter and precast panel incorporating the same
OwnerMarvin Hartsfield, Gerald L. Cummingsinventors
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A gutter embedded into a structure to collect moisture that forms on the surface of the structure. The gutter forms a substantially flush engagement with the surface of the structure, and includes a fluid redirecting surface that coaxes the fluid angularly toward a reservoir for capture and collection of the fluid. One or more anchoring portions may be included to extend away from the gutter to further promote a secure connection between the gutter and the structure. The gutter may be made from a one piece elongate body of extruded material, and may further include a planar face portion to facilitate engagement with the surface of the structure. In one form, the gutter can be formed into a wall or related panel.
Claims33
A gutter configured to fit substantially within a wall, said gutter comprising:
- an upper gutter portion and a lower gutter portion, each configured to form a substantially flush fit with a generally planar surface of said wall;
- a reservoir configured to fit within said wall behind a plane defined by said upper and lower gutter portions;
- and
- a fluid redirecting surface disposed between said upper gutter portion and said reservoir such that moisture accumulating on at least one of said upper gutter portion or a portion of said surface of said wall situated above said upper gutter portion is coaxed into said reservoir along said fluid redirecting surface.
A gutter configured to be integrally formed into a precast panel such that upon curing of said panel and placement of same into a generally upright position, said gutter defines a portion of an outer surface of said generally upright panel to enable moisture forming on at least a portion of the surface thereof to be collected in said gutter, said gutter defining a unitary structure comprising a substantially planar face portion, a reservoir fluidly coupled to said face portion, and a fluid redirecting surface disposed between said face portion and said reservoir.
A wall assembly comprising:
- a panel defined by an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface;
- and
- at least one gutter formed into at least one of said surfaces of said panel, said gutter comprising:
- an upper gutter portion configured to form a substantially flush fit with a generally planar surface of said wall;
- a reservoir configured to fit within said wall behind a plane defined by said upper gutter portion and said surface of said wall;
- and
- a fluid redirecting surface disposed between said upper gutter portion and said reservoir such that moisture accumulating on at least one of said wall-engaging portion or a portion of said surface of said wall situated above said upper gutter portion is coaxed into said reservoir along said fluid redirecting surface.
A gutter comprising an extrudable cross-sectional profile, said extrudable cross-section profile defining:
- an upper gutter portion and a lower gutter portion that together defining a face plane of said gutter;
- a fluid containing reservoir;
- and
- a fluid redirecting surface extending from said upper gutter portion, away from said face plane of said gutter, to said fluid containing reservoir, wherein said fluid redirecting surface is configured such that upon orientation of said face plane of said gutter in a substantially vertical position, fluid present at said upper gutter portion is coaxed into said reservoir along said fluid redirecting surface.
A method of removing moisture from a precast panel, said method comprising:
- configuring said precast panel to comprise:
- a substantially planar layer defined by an outward-facing surface and an inward-facing surface;
- and
- at least one gutter formed into at least one of said surfaces of said panel, said gutter comprising:
- an upper gutter portion configured to form a substantially flush fit with a generally planar surface of said wall;
- a reservoir configured to fit within said wall behind a plane defined by said upper gutter portion and said surface of said wall;
- and
- a fluid redirecting surface disposed between said upper gutter portion and said reservoir such that moisture accumulating on at least one of said upper gutter portion or a portion of said surface of said wall situated above said upper gutter portion is coaxed into said reservoir along said fluid redirecting surface;
- placing said precast panel in a substantially upright position;
- exposing said precast panel to a source of moisture such that moisture forms on said at least one of said surfaces of said panel that includes said gutter;
- and
- collecting at least a portion of said formed moisture into said reservoir.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.