Ornamental sculpture having integral gutter spout and mounting kit therefore

Abstract

An architectural ornamental sculpture such as a fish head sculpture, a dragon's head sculpture or a gargoyle sculpture is adapted for use in an architectural water features such as an eave mounted gutter and includes an ornamental spout member having a sealable mating surface and a trough member carrying a mating flange. A support member is optionally provided to permit mounting of the sculpture in an architectural location not related to a gutter or other water feature. The support member carries a distal mating surface dimensioned to fit closely with the ornamental spout member's sealable mating surface, and has a proximal end adapted to be fastened to an architectural surface such as a wall or soffit.

1 . An ornamental sculpture having an integral gutter spout and mounting kit therefore, comprising: 
 a water impermeable sculpture having a substantially planar sealable proximal mating surface and a distal spout in the shape of a mouth defining a fluid constraining channel extending from said proximal mating surface to said spout, said sculpture being configured in one of a plurality of distinctive ornamental configurations;    a water impermeable trough member having a distal flange shaped to sealably engage with said sculpture's proximal mating surface; said distal flange being carried on the distal end of an elongate trough having a proximal opening and defining a water constraining channel;    wherein said trough member is configured to sealably engage and support any of a plurality of water impermeable sculptures having distinctive ornamental configurations.    
   
   
       2 . The ornamental sculpture and mounting kit of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a support member having a substantially planar channel blocking distal mating surface shaped to engage said sculpture's proximal mating surface; said distal mating surface being carried on the distal end of an elongate support member having a proximal mount adapted to engage an architectural surface.    
   
   
       3 . The ornamental sculpture and mounting kit of  claim 2 , wherein said support member having a substantially planar channel blocking distal mating surface includes a cut-out shaped to provide a gutter-downspout occluding member, when removed.  
   
   
       4 . The ornamental sculpture and mounting kit of  claim 2 , wherein said support member proximal mount comprises a circular flange having a plurality of through bores adapted to engage said architectural surface using threaded fasteners.  
   
   
       5 . The ornamental sculpture and mounting kit of  claim 1 , wherein said trough member comprises first and second substantially parallel sidewalls projecting up from a bottom wall, wherein said side walls and said bottom wall carry said distal flange and define a proximal channel opening.  
   
   
       6 . The ornamental sculpture and mounting kit of  claim 5 , wherein said trough member first and second sidewalls include scored and weakened sidewall segments adjacent said proximal channel opening.  
   
   
       7 . The ornamental sculpture and mounting kit of  claim 1 , wherein said sculpture is configured to resemble a fish and the channel is configured to permit water to flow from the fish's mouth.  
   
   
       8 . The ornamental sculpture and mounting kit of  claim 1 , wherein said sculpture is configured to resemble a dragon's head and the channel is configured to permit water to flow from the dragon's mouth.  
   
   
       9 . The ornamental sculpture and mounting kit of  claim 1 , wherein said sculpture includes an illumination source.  
   
   
       10 . The ornamental sculpture and mounting kit of  claim 9 , wherein said sculpture wherein said sculpture is configured to resemble a dragon's head and the illumination source is positioned to resemble an illuminated eye.  
   
   
       11 . A method of installing an ornamental sculpture and mounting kit, comprising the method steps of: 
 (a) providing a water impermeable sculpture having a substantially planar sealable proximal mating surface and a distal spout in the shape of a mouth defining a fluid constraining channel extending from said proximal mating surface to said spout, said sculpture being configured in one of a plurality of distinctive ornamental configurations;    (b) providing a water impermeable trough member having a distal flange shaped to sealably engage with said sculpture's proximal mating surface; said distal flange being carried on the distal end of an elongate trough having a proximal opening and defining a water constraining channel; wherein said trough member is configured to sealably engage and support any of a plurality of water impermeable sculptures having distinctive ornamental configurations;    (c) selecting one sculpture from a plurality of distinctive sculptures adapted to sealable engage said trough member mounting flange; and    (d) positioning said trough member in a desired location, and    (e) mounting said selected sculpture onto said trough member mounting flange.    
   
   
       12 . A method of installing an ornamental sculpture and mounting kit, comprising the method steps of: 
 (a) providing a water impermeable sculpture having a substantially planar sealable proximal mating surface and a distal spout in the shape of a mouth defining a fluid constraining channel extending from said proximal mating surface to said spout, said sculpture being configured in one of a plurality of distinctive ornamental configurations;    (b) providing a water impermeable trough member having a distal flange shaped to sealably engage with said sculpture's proximal mating surface; said distal flange being carried on the distal end of an elongate trough having a proximal opening and defining a water constraining channel; wherein said trough member is configured to sealably engage and support any of a plurality of water impermeable sculptures having distinctive ornamental configurations;    (c) providing a trough member having a substantially planar channel blocking distal mating surface shaped to engage said sculpture's proximal mating surface; said distal mating surface being carried on the distal end of an elongate support member having a proximal mount adapted to engage an architectural surface. (d) selecting one structure to carry said sculpture from said trough member and said support member; and    (e) mounting said sculpture onto said selected structure.