Field of the Invention

[1] This invention relates generally to systems for flooding gutters during bushfire emergencies. Background of the Invention

[2] Bushfire embers may burn and/or ignite dried debris within guttering, thereby oftentimes burning a dwelling from within the eaves.

[3] As such, homeowners are encouraged to flood their gutters during bushfire emergencies. Such is typically done by climbing a ladder to stuff wadding (such as rags or the like) to block downpipe entrances whereafter the guttering is then filled with water sprayed from a hosepipe from below.

[4] Whereas such an approach is time-consuming and unreliable, it is especially not suitable for those not readily able to climb ladders, such as the elderly.

[5] In this regard, various systems exist for blocking downpipes at ground level.

[6] For example, US 20040221891 Al ( BA ATT) 11 November 2004 [hereinafter referred to as Dl] discloses a downpipe section having a paddle valve 132 rotationally supported by transverse pivot and handle 142 to selectively close of the downpipe section. A hose inlet 130 allows the flooding of the downpipe section and therefore the gutters above by supplying water using a hose connected to the hose inlet 130 while the paddle valve is shut.

[7] AU 2002010075 Al (WADE) 10 July 2003 [hereinafter referred to as D2] discloses a downpipe section having an access cover 15 which can be removed to insert a plug 14 within an outlet of the downpipe section. Once the plug is located to shut the outlet of the downpipe section, the access cover 15 may be replaced and water introduced therethrough via the hose connection to flood the downpipe section and the gutters above.

[8] AU 2010101379 A4 (CODAC ENGINEERING P/L) 27 January 2011 [hereinafter referred to as D3] discloses a similar solution as D2 which employs a reversable outlet plug accessible via a screw-on cover.

[9] AU 2010224350 Bl (CLARENCE BUCKLEY) 12 January 2012 [hereinafter referred to as D4] discloses a solution that employs a planar shutter portion 12 which slides orthogonally into an opening of a downpipe section so as to lock the downpipe section and an inlet valve 11 above the opening to flood the downpipe section when blocked.

[10] AU 648979 B3 (NAKKAN) 05 May 1994 [hereinafter referred to as D5] discloses a similar system as Dl which employs a paddle valve 13 rotatably held by a transverse pivot and control handle 107 for blocking a downpipe section. [11] AU 2006100041 A4 (KIM P OSSE ) 02 March 2006 [hereinafter referred to as D6] similarly discloses a system similar to Dl and D5 which employs a transverse paddle valve for blocking a downpipe section.

[12] The present invention seeks to provide a gutter downpipe flooding system, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

[13] It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Disclosure

[14] There is provided a gutter downpipe flooding system having a downpipe section which is inserted in-line within a downpipe of a gutter section so as to be accessible at ground-level for selective blocking thereof during bushfire emergencies.

[15] In accordance with an embodiment, the system has a downpipe section which fluidly interfaces an orthogonal section at an inlet and an outlet, thereby defining a flow passage directly between the inlet in the outlet through the orthogonal section.

[16] The system further comprises a rotating member which rotates through 90° within the orthogonal section along a rotational axis orthogonal to an elongate axis of the downpipe section between an open configuration and a closed configuration.

[17] Furthermore, the orthogonal section defines a lateral recess adjacently away from the flow passage and the rotating section further has or defines a shutter portion.

[18] In the open configuration, the rotating section is rotated such that the shutter portion moves into the lateral recess such that the rotating section substantially entirely avoids the flow passage as is substantially illustrated in Figure 8 so as not to restrict the flow passage or provide obstruction on which debris such as dead leaves and the like may collect or become trapped.

[19] In the closed configuration, the shutter portion rotates out from the lateral recess to seal across the outlet, thereby blocking the outlet as a substantially shown in Figure 11.

[20] As such, the system in accordance with this embodiment allows for normal flow through the downpipe section and furthermore does not obstruct debris flowing therethrough, such as dead leaves or the like, thereby avoiding periodic cleaning thereof.

[21] In this regard, it is noted that the transverse rotational paddle valves of certain prior art systems such as Dl, D5 and D6 may collect dead leaves and the like requiring periodic maintenance thereof. The present system avoids such obstacle by rotating the shutter portion into the lateral recess entirely away from the flow passage. Furthermore, D5 and D6 teach the use of sieves to avoid clogging of the valve which is undesirous for the periodic maintenance thereof.

[22] Furthermore, the present system can be easily configured exteriorly by rotating the rotating member externally and avoids difficulty in interior access for plug placement as is taught by the prior art systems of D2 and D3. Furthermore, the present system avoids the problems of separable pieces such as the blocking plate of the prior art system of D4 and potential for leakage of water from the slot thereof.

[23] The present system may further be manufactured from a simple and convenient construction wherein the orthogonal section comprises an outer cylindrical selection and the rotating member comprises an inner cylindrical section which rotates coaxially within the outer cylindrical section.

[24] The inner cylindrical section may define oppositely located inlet and outlet apertures which respectively define the inlets and outlets and which do not obstruct the flow passage through the orthogonal section.

[25] Furthermore, the rotating member may comprise a front cover which may have a flat face through which the water inlet, such as a garden hose connector may be easily inserted and accessed. Furthermore, the outer edges of the front cover may be easily gripped between both hands to rotate the rotating member through 90°.

[26] In accordance with a further embodiment, there is provided a system of simpler and more robust construction which comprises a cylindrical sleeve which is engaged between threading of adjacent upper and lower downpipe sections. In use, the cylindrical sleeve may be rotated so as to disconnect the sleeve from the threading of the upper downpipe section and to move further down into threading of the lower downpipe section so as to create a gap there above.

[27] A blocking cover having a water inlet may then be screwed onto the threading of the upper downpipe section within the created gap to introduce water into the upper downpipe section using a hosepipe.

[28] According to one aspect, there is provided A gutter downpipe flooding system comprising a downpipe section for fluidly connecting adjacent upper and lower downpipe sections in use, the downpipe section having an interior downpipe cross-section and an orthogonal section fluidly interfacing the downpipe section at an inlet and an outlet thereby defining a flow passage therethrough directly between the inlet and the outlet, the orthogonal section widened to defining a lateral recess and a rotating member rotating through 90° within the orthogonal section along a rotational axis orthogonal to an elongate axis of the downpipe section between an open configuration and a closed configuration and having a shutter portion wherein, in use, in the open configuration, the shutter portion locates within the lateral recess thereby not intersecting the flow passage and, in the closed configuration, the shutter portion locates across the outlet thereby blocking the outlet and wherein the system further comprises a water inlet fluidly coupling an interior of the downpipe section for introducing water thereinto to flood the downpipe section and therefore the guttering above when the rotating section is in the closed configuration.

[29] The orthogonal section may have an exterior cylindrical portion and wherein the rotating member may comprise an interior cylindrical portion which rotates coaxially within the cylindrical orthogonal section.

[30] The interior cylindrical portion may define opposite apertures respectively defining the inlet and outlet.

[31] The opposite apertures may have at least one of the same or greater cross-sectional area may be that of the downpipe section.

[32] The shutter portion may be defined by the inner rotating portion between the apertures.

[33] The rotating member may define an annular front.

[34] The annular front may define a planar face and wherein the water inlet may be located through the planar face.

[35] The water inlet may comprise a one-way garden hose connector.

[36] The annular front may define a peripheral grip for rotating the rotating member.

[37] The annular front may have a diameter greater than that of the interior cylindrical portion.

[38] The shutter portion may define an exterior semicylindrical surface.

[39] The downpipe section may comprise inlet and outlet connectors for substantially fluid tight connection between adjacent downpipe sections.

[40] The inlet and outlet connectors may be cylindrical.

[41] The inlet and outlet connectors comprise screw threading.

[42] The inlet and outlet connectors may be rectangular.

[43] The inlet and outlet connectors mau comprise gasketing.

[44] According to another aspect, there is provided, a gutter downpipe flooding system comprising a cylindrical sleeve having threading at either distal end thereof for threading onto complimentary threading of distal ends of adjacent upper and lower downpipe sections and wherein the system further comprises a blocking cover having threading conforming to that of the upper downpipe section and a hose connector such that, in use, the cylindrical sleeve may be rotated such that the cylindrical sleeve moves downwardly to unscrew from the threading of the upper downpipe section and screw further into the threading of the lower downpipe section so as to create a gap thereabove, thereby allowing the threading of the blocking cover onto the threading of the upper downpipe section to allow introduction of water into the upper downpipe section via the hose connector. [45] The cylindrical sleeve may comprise upper interior threading and lower exterior threading.

[46] The blocking cover may comprise interior threading.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[47] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[48] Figure 1 shows guttering having a downpipe blocking system for the selective flooding thereof during bushfire emergencies in accordance with an embodiment;

[49] Figure 2 shows a downpipe flooding system having a displaceable sleeve in accordance with a first embodiment;

[50] Figures 3-5 show the use of the system of the first embodiment by the downward transition of the displaceable sleeve to create a gap between adjacent downpipe sections and the insertion of a blocking cover therebetween having a water inlet to introduce water to an adjacent upper downpipe section in accordance with an embodiment;

[51] Figure 6 shows a front elevation view of a gutter downpipe flooding system in accordance with a second embodiment;

[52] Figure 7 shows a front elevation view of the system of Figure 6 in a closed configuration;

[53] Figure 8 shows a top plan view of the system of Figure 6 in an open configuration;

[54] Figure 9 shows a side elevation view of the system of Figure 6 in the open configuration;

[55] Figure 10 shows a side elevation view of the system of Figure 6 in the closed configuration; and

[56] Figure 11 shows a top plan view of the system of Figure 6 in the closed configuration. Description of Embodiments

[57] Figure 1 illustrates a gutter downpipe flooding system 100 configured for insertion in line within an existing downpipe section 101 having guttering 113 thereabove. As will be described in further detail below, the flooding system 100 allows for the blockage of the downpipe section 101 and the introduction of water thereinto to flood the upper downpipe section 101 above the system 100 and therefore the guttering 103 thereabove with a dam of water 104 to extinguish or prevent burning of combustible material therein during a bushfire situation.

[58] Figures 2 - 5 show a gutter downpipe flooding system 100 in accordance with a first embodiment.

[59] The system 100 comprises a cylindrical sleeve 105 which inserts in line within a downpipe 101. [60] In embodiments, the downpipe may be cylindrical. However, in alternative embodiments, the downpipe may be rectangular and wherein the system comprises upper and lower rectangular-to- cylindrical connection manifolds (not shown) to interface the rectangular downpipe 101 to the cylindrical sleeve 105.

[61] The sleeve 105 comprises upper threading 106 and lower threading 107 which engaged respective upper threading 112 and lower threading 111 of the downpipe 101 or connection manifolds.

[62] Figure 2 illustrates the sleeve 105 in the open configuration wherein the sleeve 105 connects between upper and lower sections of the downpipe 101 using the threading 106, 107.

[63] Figure 3 - 5 illustrate the reconfiguration of the system 100 for gutter flooding during a bushfire emergency situation.

[64] Figure 3 illustrates the rotation of the sleeve 105 such that the upper threading 106 of the sleeve 105 unscrews from the threading 112 of the upper section of the downpipe 101 and the lower threading 107 of the sleeve 105 screws further into the lower threading 111 of the lower downpipe section 101 so as to move downwardly and create a gap between the upper and lower downpipe sections 101.

[65] A blocking cover 108 having peripheral threading 109 may then be screwed onto the upper threading 112 of the adjacent upper downpipe section 108 in the manner shown in Figure 4.

[66] The blocking cover 108 may define a one-way water inlet, preferably a garden connector 110 to which a hose 103 may be connected as shown in Figure 5.

[67] A dam of water 104 may be introduced via the hose 103 via the hose connector 110 to flood the upper section of the downpipe 101 and therefore the guttering 113 thereabove. The one-way valve 110 may allow the removal of the hose, whilst retaining the dam of water 104 therein. After use, the blocking cover 108 may be unscrewed to release the dam of water 104.

[68] The sleeve 105 may have O-rings to seal against the adjacent downpipe sections 101 when screwed therebetween in the manner shown in Figure 2. Additionally, or alternatively, the upper threading 106 of the sleeve 105 may be interior threading and the lower threading 107 of the sleeve 105 may be exterior threading so as to create an upward passage therebetween with respect to the flow of water down the downpipe 101 to prevent leakage.

[69] Figures 6 - 11 show a gutter downpipe flooding system 200 in accordance with a second embodiment.

[70] The system 200 comprises a downpipe section 202 configured for insertion in-line in an existing downpipe 101 of existing guttering. The system 200 may comprise inlet and outlet connectors 201, such as screw-type, gasketed connections or the like for connection in-line with the existing downpipe 101.

[71] The inlet and outlet connectors 201 may be circular (and therefore may comprise a screw- type connection) so as to be suited for circular downpipes 101 or alternatively have a rectangular cross-section (and therefore may comprise a gasketed box-type connector) for connection with rectangular downpipes.

[72] The system 200 further comprises an orthogonal section 203 fluidly interfacing the downpipe section 202 at an inlet 218 and an outlet 208. The inlet 218 and outlet 208 may have at least the same cross-sectional area of the downpipe so as to not restrict flow of water therethrough.

[73] The downpipe section 202 and the orthogonal section 203 may be integrally formed such as from plastic and an injection moulding process.

[74] The system 200 further comprises a rotating member 204 which rotates through 90° within the orthogonal section 203 along a rotational axis orthogonal to an elongate axis of the downpipe section 202.

[75] As is illustrated in Figure 6, the inlet 218 and the outlet 208 define a flow passage 205 directly therebetween. Furthermore, the orthogonal section 203 may widen to define a lateral recess 209 which substantially avoids the flow passage 205.

[76] Furthermore, the rotating member 203 has or may define a shutter portion 206.

[77] Figure 6 illustrates the rotating member 204 rotated to an open configuration and Figure 7 illustrates the rotating member 203 rotated to the closed configuration.

[78] In the open configuration as illustrated in Figure 6, the shutter portion 206 is rotated to be accommodated substantially entirely within the lateral recess 209. In this way, the shutter portion 209 does not substantially hinder the flow of water through the flow passage 205 or provide entrapment projections upon which debris such as leaves may collect which may require periodic unblocking.

[79] Figure 7 illustrates the rotating member 204 having been rotated through 90° such that the shutter portion 206 moves from the lateral recess 209 to seal across the outlet 208, thereby blocking the downpipe section 202.

[80] The system 200 further comprises a water inlet 218, preferably a one-way garden hose connector to which a hosepipe may be connected to introduce water the flood the downpipe section 202 and therefore the guttering above when in the closed configuration.

[81] In a preferred embodiment, the orthogonal section 203 comprises an outer cylindrical portion 214 and the rotating member 204 further comprises an inner cylindrical portion 211 which rotates within the outer cylindrical section 214 coaxially. Furthermore, the interior cylindrical portion 211 may define an inlet aperture 212 defining the inlet 218 and an opposite outlet aperture 213 defining the outlet 213 as illustrated in Figure 9. As illustrated in Figure 8, the inlet in the outlet 112, 213 may comprise at least the same cross-sectional area and shape of the downpipe section 202 so as to not protrude into the flow passage 205 when in the open configuration as shown in Figure 8. In accordance with this embodiment, the rotating member 204 need not comprise a separate shutter portion 206 wherein the shutter portion action is defined by the portions of the inner cylindrical section 211 between the opposite inlet and outlet apertures 212, 213.

[82] As is illustrated in Figure 9, the inner cylindrical portion 211 may be supported at both front and rear ends of the outer cylindrical portion 214 of the orthogonal section 213.

[83] The rotating member 204 may define an annular front portion 215 which may define a front planar face 217 through which the water inlet 218 extends.

[84] Furthermore, the annular front portion 215 may define a peripheral edge 216 which may be conveniently gripped between both hands to rotate the rotating member 204.

[85] As can be seen from Figure 6 and 7, as the rotating portion 204 rotates, the water inlet 218 may also rotate such that, in the closed configuration, the water and the 206 is in line with the water passage 205 therebehind. The water and a 206 may also be gripped to assist the rotation of the rotating portion 204.

[86] The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.