Collecting device for ceiling leaks

• US 4,245,666 A
• Filed: 03/26/1979
• Issued: 01/20/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sarena K. Norris
• Original Assignee: Sarena K. Norris
• Inventors: Norris, Sarena K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Schwadron, Martin P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, A MICHAEL
• Application Number:
  US06/023,888
• Time in Patent Office: 666 Days
• Field of Search: 137/312, 137/313, 137/357, 141/331, 141/375, 141/376, 141/337, 141/340, 141/341, 141/342, 141/334, 184/106, 184/1.5, 248/94, 248/171, 248/435
• US Class Current: 137/357
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 29/085 Funnel filters; Holders therefor
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/00 Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Protection against birds; Roof drainage ; Sky-lights ventilation tiles E04D1/30; ventilation slabs E04D3/40; internal channels E04F17/00
• CPC Class Codes: E04G 21/30 against mechanical damage or dirt, e.g. guard covers of stairs
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/6969 Buildings

Abstract

A collecting device for receiving and containing leaking water and falling debris of ceiling leaks. The device comprises a large collapsible funnel member, preferably of rectangular cross-section, a collapsible base for resting upon a floor surface beneath the leak, and an extensible post mounting the funnel member on the base. When a ceiling leak develops, the base is set on the floor surface therebelow, and the post is extended to position the funnel member close to the ceiling in the vicinity of the leak. A flexible drainage pipe is connected to the device below the funnel to carry collected water to a remote receptacle, sink on the like. A mesh screen is mounted at the bottom of the funnel member to collect falling debris while permitting the passage of water to the drainage pipe.

Claims

1. For use in collecting water and debris falling from a leak in the ceiling of a room, a collecting device for ceiling leaks, comprising

a collapsible tripod member adapted to rest upon a floor surface beneath said ceiling leak and having a single extensible rod section mounted thereon and upstanding from said tripod member, said rod section comprising a tubular standard upstanding from said tripod member, a tubular extension rod telescopically slidable within said tubular standard, and a further extension rod telescopically slidable within said tubular extension rod, said rods being movable for extension toward and away from said ceiling leak,

a collecting section mounted on the free upper end of said rod section and comprising a hollow cup member removably mounted on said rod section, and a collapsible funnel member having an open top end and a bottom end of reduced cross-sectional area communicating with said hollow cup member, said funnel member comprising a collapsible frame and a cover of water-impervious flexible material covering the sides of said frame, said collapsible frame comprising a plurality of metal strips hinged to each other and arranged to form an open rectangular frame section and to collapse to a flattened position, and a plurality of metal rods connected at one end to said metal strips and at the other end to said hollow cup member,

and an elongated flexible drainage pipe communicating with said hollow cup member,

the extensible rod section being of sufficient length, when extended, to position the open top end of the supported funnel member beneath and close to said ceiling leak,

said drainage pipe being of sufficient length to carry the water, collected from said ceiling leak by said funnel, to a receptacle remote from said collecting device.

2. A collecting device according to claim 1 which also includes a wire mesh screen mounted at said bottom end of said funnel member and covering over said cup member.