US3582612A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic electrolytic device to limit ice formation in gutters and downspouts
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-03-21
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Granted: 1971-06-01
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Expires: 1989-03-21
Abstract
Abstract A water-sensing switch which energizes heating cables or tapes placed in gutters and downspouts to prevent ice overflow, which switch is part of a circuit including a transformer, a relay, a circuit breaker and a current supply to said gutters and downspouts. The present invention is directed to an electrolytic switch and associated electrical means, which is an improvement on the switch means and associated structures shown in my U.S. Pat. No. 3,233,078, granted Feb. 1, 1966.
Inventors
- 👤 Roman Siemianowski
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:47
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04D; E04D13/00; E04D13/04; E04D13/076; E04D13/0762; H; H01; H01H; H01H35/00; H01H35/42; H05; H05B; H05B3/00; H05B2214/00; H05B2214/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
In combination with a drain gutter having side and bottom walls and having an electric heating tape therein connectable with a source of electric energy in an electric circuit for preventing ice overflow in said gutter, said electric circuit comprising relay means for connecting said source to said heating tape, an electrolytic switch in said circuit and being sensitive to the presence of water, said electrolytic switch comprising an outer U-shaped plate having a pair of spaced legs and connector wall, an inner U-shaped plate wholly contained within said outer plate, having a pair of spaced legs and connector wall, a central plate positioned interiorly of said inner plate, each of the legs of said plates and connector walls being spaced away from, but in close proximity to, each other, said central and said inner plate being inserted in said electric circuit in series with said relay means, said outer and said inner plate being inserted in series with an overload circuit breaker in said electric circuit; a housing for said switch having an open end, said electrolytic switch and housing being positioned in said gutter whereby said open end portion or said housing lies adjacent the bottom wall of said gutter for allowing water access to said switch by water rising in said gutter.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
In combination with a drain gutter having side and bottom walls and having an electric heating tape therein connectable with a source of electric energy in an electric circuit for preventing ice overflow in said gutter, said electric circuit comprising relay means for connecting said source to said heating tape, an electrolytic switch in said circuit and being sensitive to the presence of water, said electrolytic switch comprising an outer U-shaped plate having a pair of spaced legs and connector wall, an inner U-shaped plate wholly contained within said outer plate, having a pair of spaced legs and connector wall, a central plate positioned interiorly of said inner plate, each of the legs of said plates and connector walls being spaced away from, but in close proximity to, each other, said central and said inner plate being inserted in said electric circuit in series with said relay means, said outer and said inner plate being inserted in series with an overload circuit breaker in said electric circuit; a housing for said switch having an open end, said electrolytic switch and housing being positioned in said gutter whereby said open end portion or said housing lies adjacent the bottom wall of said gutter for allowing water access to said switch by water rising in said gutter.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination according to claim 1 wherein said housing is positioned angularly downward in said gutter, adjacent the side gutter wall.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
188 words
The combinAtion of a drain gutter and a drain downspout therefor having an electric heating element in both connectable by switching means to a source of electrical energy for preventing ice overflow therein, an electric circuit having a relay for actuating said switching means, an electrolytic switch positioned in said drain and being sensitive to the presence of water for closing said circuit, said circuit comprising the secondary of an isolation transformer and said source being electrically connected to the primary thereof, said electrolytic switch comprising a series of spaced legs closely positioned in a stack and dielectrically separated, a first group of said legs being inserted in said circuit and a second group of said legs being inserted in series with an overload circuit breaker in said circuit, a housing for said switch device having one end open to the atmosphere, said housing positioned angularly downward in said gutter with the open end adjacent the bottom wall of the gutter, whereby water from the atmosphere draining in said gutter and downspout will be capillary action close said switch to complete the circuit for energizing said heating elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
188 words
The combinAtion of a drain gutter and a drain downspout therefor having an electric heating element in both connectable by switching means to a source of electrical energy for preventing ice overflow therein, an electric circuit having a relay for actuating said switching means, an electrolytic switch positioned in said drain and being sensitive to the presence of water for closing said circuit, said circuit comprising the secondary of an isolation transformer and said source being electrically connected to the primary thereof, said electrolytic switch comprising a series of spaced legs closely positioned in a stack and dielectrically separated, a first group of said legs being inserted in said circuit and a second group of said legs being inserted in series with an overload circuit breaker in said circuit, a housing for said switch device having one end open to the atmosphere, said housing positioned angularly downward in said gutter with the open end adjacent the bottom wall of the gutter, whereby water from the atmosphere draining in said gutter and downspout will be capillary action close said switch to complete the circuit for energizing said heating elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device according to claim 3 wherein a self-resetting thermal circuit breaker is positioned in the line between said second group of legs and said one side of said relay coil.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device according to claim 4 wherein the open end of said housing is removably secured to the heating tape lying in said gutter.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
81 words
The device according to claim 5 wherein the closing of the switch in the presence of water will make a heater leg of one of the legs of said first group of legs and will make a heater leg of one of said second group of legs whereby said heater legs boil the small quantities of water left in the switch, thus drying the switch and causing it to open when water is no longer in contact with the switch device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
162 words
In combination with a drain gutter having an electric heating element connectable with a source of electric energy in electric circuit relation for preventing ice overflow in said gutter, an electrical circuit, an electrolytic switch sensitive to the presence of water, a housing for said electrolytic switch enclosing said switch with one end open to the atmosphere and being positioned angularly downward in said drain gutter with the open end positioned adjacent the bottom of the gutter whereby water contacting said switch completes the formation of an electrolytic cell thereby closing said electric circuit for energizing said heating element, when water rises in said drain gutter, said switch comprising an outer U-shaped plate, an intermediate U-shaped plate wholly within said outer plate, and a flat plate wholly within said intermediate plate, each plate being slightly spaced apart from adjacent plates and all the plates dielectrically separated from each other at one end of each plate anchored at one end of said housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
162 words
In combination with a drain gutter having an electric heating element connectable with a source of electric energy in electric circuit relation for preventing ice overflow in said gutter, an electrical circuit, an electrolytic switch sensitive to the presence of water, a housing for said electrolytic switch enclosing said switch with one end open to the atmosphere and being positioned angularly downward in said drain gutter with the open end positioned adjacent the bottom of the gutter whereby water contacting said switch completes the formation of an electrolytic cell thereby closing said electric circuit for energizing said heating element, when water rises in said drain gutter, said switch comprising an outer U-shaped plate, an intermediate U-shaped plate wholly within said outer plate, and a flat plate wholly within said intermediate plate, each plate being slightly spaced apart from adjacent plates and all the plates dielectrically separated from each other at one end of each plate anchored at one end of said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
An electrolytic-responsive circuit for connecting a current source to electric connectors for applying current to heat-developing circuitry, comprising: terminal means for connection to said current source, electrical connectors switching means inserted in a heating-current circuit connecting said terminal means to said connectors, relay means for operating said switching means to close said heating-current circuit, an electrolytic switch having a first pair of spaced plates inserted in a circuit coupled to said terminal means and including said relay, and a second pair of plates, and an overload circuit breaker inserted in a circuit coupled to said terminal means and including said second pair.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
102 words
An electrolytic-responsive circuit for connecting a current source to electric connectors for applying current to heat-developing circuitry, comprising: terminal means for connection to said current source, electrical connectors switching means inserted in a heating-current circuit connecting said terminal means to said connectors, relay means for operating said switching means to close said heating-current circuit, an electrolytic switch having a first pair of spaced plates inserted in a circuit coupled to said terminal means and including said relay, and a second pair of plates, and an overload circuit breaker inserted in a circuit coupled to said terminal means and including said second pair.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 8, in which said electrolytic switch comprises three plates, the second one intermediate to the first and the third, the first and second plates forming said first pair and the second and third plates forming said second pair.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 9, in which said second and thiRd plates are U-shaped surrounding said first plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 8, in which said plates are spaced to enable entry of water by capillary action therebetween.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 8, in which said overload circuit breaker is an automatically resetting thermal circuit breaker.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 10, in which said third plate is surrounded by a watertight dielectric sleeve covering the middle portion thereof.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 8, in which said electrolytic switch is mounted in a tubular housing open at one of its ends.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
24 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 14, in which said electrolytic switch is mounted on closure means at the other end of said housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
19 words
A circuit as claimed in claim 8, in which a transformer couples said coupled circuits to said terminal means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-31 | 1974-11-30 | 1975-06-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-31 | 1978-11-30 | 1979-06-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-31 | 1982-11-30 | 1983-06-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |