US5172718A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for collecting fluids from a leaking ceiling
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1992-04-29
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Granted: 1992-12-22
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Expires: 2012-04-29
Abstract
Abstract One or more plastic funnel sheets, attachable to any type of ceiling structure, are positioned and attached beneath each drip location. The funnel sheets each have flexible tubing networked together and fed into a special receptacle for temporary storage of the collected fluids. The receptacle has a gauge which indicates fluid depth in the receptacle.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert P. Thornburgh
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 20:03
CPC Classifications
B; B67; B67C; B67C11/00; B67C11/04; E; E04; E04D; E04D13/00; B67C2011/40; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/5762; Y10T137/6851; Y10T137/6966; Y10T137/6969; Y10T137/8593; Y10T137/87571
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for collecting fluids from a leaking ceiling, comprising: a plurality of collecting members each of which is comprised of a flexible waterproof sheet with a plurality of eyelets, each defining a hole, equally spaced about said sheet's periphery for attachment of said collecting members about said leaking ceiling, wherein each collecting member has a central funnel neck shape downwardly projecting from said ceiling and terminating in an opening; a tubing network comprised of a plurality of collecting member branch tubes and a receptacle tube wherein said branch tubes interconnect said collecting members with said receptacle tube; a receptacle interconnected to said branch tubes by means of said receptacle tube; and a junction element interconnecting said branch tubes with said receptacle tube.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for collecting fluids from a leaking ceiling, comprising: a plurality of collecting members each of which is comprised of a flexible waterproof sheet with a plurality of eyelets, each defining a hole, equally spaced about said sheet's periphery for attachment of said collecting members about said leaking ceiling, wherein each collecting member has a central funnel neck shape downwardly projecting from said ceiling and terminating in an opening; a tubing network comprised of a plurality of collecting member branch tubes and a receptacle tube wherein said branch tubes interconnect said collecting members with said receptacle tube; a receptacle interconnected to said branch tubes by means of said receptacle tube; and a junction element interconnecting said branch tubes with said receptacle tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising an elongated, generally cylindrical hollow interface element open at both ends and divided into two mirrored portions separated by an external radial flange, wherein one interface element portion is slid into a collecting member central opening until the interface element radial flange abuts the opening and one end of a branch tube is slid over the other interface element portion until the tube end abuts the interface element radial flange.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein: each element portion has three radial grooves, each of which has two intersecting radial walls wherein each groove wall farthest from the flange lies in a radial plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the interface element and each groove wall closest to the flange lies in a radial plane positioned approximately forty-five degrees from the radial plane of the farther wall.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
77 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 3, wherein: said junction element has a hollow inverted conical shape with a flat top surface which has a plurality of hollow interface protrusions protruding therefrom, and a bottom tip opening into and terminating in a hollow interface protrusion, wherein each branch tube from a collecting member is joined to an interface protrusion at the top of the junction element and the receptacle tube is joined to the tip interface protrusion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 4, further comprising: a plurality of caps sealing engaging those top surface interface protrusions not connected to branch tubes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising: a plurality of clamps for sealing attachment around each collecting member neck and tubing section portion positioned on an interface portion and junction element interface protrusion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 6, wherein: said receptacle contains a hollow cap with means for interfacing with said tubing network.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 7, wherein: said hollow cap also contains a gauge for indicating liquid level in said receptacle.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein: said cap is threaded along that portion engaging the receptacle, and has a flat top surface with a hollow, upwardly projecting protrusion, wherein one end of the receptacle tube is joined to the cap protrusion.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein: said cap has a second opening through which a gauge is inserted.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
96 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 10, wherein: said gauge is comprised of a stiff vertical wire connected to a vertical float, a hollow wire guide positioned within said cap, wherein the unconnected end of the wire protrudes into said wire guide and through the guide and through said second cap opening, and a clear, hollow, enclosed cylindrical cap attached to and protruding from the receptacle cap, said the gauge cap providing visibility in observing the unconnected end of the wire as it protrudes through the cap second opening into the interior of the gauge cap.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
An apparatus as recited in claim 11, further comprising: a barrel nozzle attachment with shut-off valve; and a fluid-tight cap for use in place of said receptacle cap for handling and transportation of a full receptacle.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-22 | 1996-06-22 | 1996-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-22 | 2000-06-22 | 2000-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-22 | 2004-06-22 | 2004-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |