Articulate downspout

Claim 1

An articulated downspout comprising: an upper fluid duct having an upper portion adapted to receive rainwater and a lower portion; an elongated lower fluid duct pivotably connected to the lower portion of the upper fluid duct and being movable between a raised position in which the lower fluid duct lies substantially parallel to and proximate the upper fluid duct, and a lowered position in which the lower fluid duct lies below the lower portion of the upper fluid duct such that rainwater can be distributed therefrom, the lower portion of the upper fluid duct being spaced apart from the ground to enable the passage therebetween of horticultural equipment; and a planar flap pivotably connected to the upper fluid duct such that at least a portion of the flap extends therewithin, the flap including: a collection segment adapted to move downwardly from a substantially horizontal position in response to pressure exerted by the rainwater received by the upper fluid duct, and a latch segment having an inner end connected to the collection segment and an outer end extending into selective engagement with the lower fluid duct when in the raised position thereof, the outer end of the latch segment being movable upwardly to disengage the lower fluid duct in response to pressure exerted by the rainwater upon the collection segment, thereby releasing the lower fluid duct from the raised position so that the lower fluid duct may pivot from the raised position thereof to the lowered position thereof without manual intervention.