Splash block with diffuser

Abstract

A splash block having a trough and a diffuser arrangement for use in controlling water dispensed from a downspout of a home or building. The diffuser arrangement including a plurality of diffusing elements that displace a high flow of water produced from a heavy downpour in a random dispensing pattern to prevent erosion of the surrounding ground material. The diffuser arrangement also defining low-flow pathways that accommodate a low flow of water through the trough.

1 . A splash block, comprising:
 a) a trough having a first end and a second end, the trough being constructed such that water dispensed into the trough runs in a first direction of flow from the second end toward the first end, the trough including a base;   b) a diffuser arrangement located at the first end of the trough, the diffuser arrangement including:
 i) at least one low-flow opening that permits a low flow of water to exit the trough at the first end, the low-flow opening coinciding with the base of the trough; and 
 ii) a plurality of diffusing elements that displaces water in a random dispensing pattern at the first end of the trough, the diffusing elements projecting upward from the base of the trough. 
   
     
     
         2 . The block of  claim 1  wherein:
 a) the diffuser arrangement includes a plurality of low-flow openings coinciding with the base of the trough.   
     
     
         3 . The block of  claim 2  wherein:
 a) each of the diffusing elements are discrete diffusing elements, the low-flow openings being located between the discrete diffusing elements.   
     
     
         4 . The block of  claim 1  wherein:
 a) the base of the trough defines a substantially planar bottom surface.   
     
     
         5 . The block of  claim 1  wherein:
 a) each of the diffusing elements includes a transition region that diverts water flow from the first direction of flow to a second random direction of flow different than the first direction of flow.   
     
     
         6 . The block of  claim 5  wherein:
 a) the transition regions of the diffusing elements are ramped surfaces that divert water flow from the first direction of flow to the second random direction of flow.   
     
     
         7 . The block of  claim 1  wherein:
 a) each of the diffusing elements has a width, the width of some diffusing elements being different from the width of other diffusing elements.   
     
     
         8 . The block of  claim 1  wherein:
 a) each of the diffusing elements has a width, the widths of each of the diffusing elements being generally the same.   
     
     
         9 . The block of  claim 1  wherein:
 a) the diffuser arrangement includes a plurality of low flow openings defined between the plurality of diffusing elements, each of the low flow openings having a width of between about 1/16 and ½ inch.   
     
     
         10 . The block of  claim 1  wherein:
 a) each of the diffusing elements are triangular constructions that project upward from the base of the trough.   
     
     
         11 . The block of  claim 10  wherein:
 a) the triangular constructions are right-angle triangular constructions having a hypotenuse, the hypotenuse being oriented to face the flow of water.   
     
     
         12 . The block of  claim 1  wherein;
 a) the trough includes opposing side walls extending between the first and second ends of the trough, and a back wall located at the second end of the trough.   
     
     
         13 . A splash block, comprising:
 a) a trough having a first end and a second end, the trough being constructed such that water dispensed into the trough runs in a direction from the second end toward the first end, the trough including a base;   b) a diffuser arrangement located at the first end of the trough, the diffuser arrangement including:
 i) at least one low-flow water pathway that permits a low flow of water to exit the trough at the first end, the low-flow water pathway coinciding with the base of the trough; 
 ii) a plurality of high-flow water pathways that displaces a high flow of water in a random dispensing pattern at the first end of the trough, the high-flow water pathways directing water flow above the at least one low-flow water pathway. 
   
     
     
         14 . The block of  claim 13  wherein:
 a) the diffuser arrangement includes a plurality of low-flow water pathways coinciding with the base of the trough.   
     
     
         15 . The block of  claim 13  wherein:
 a) the high-flow water pathways are provided by diffusing elements that divert water flow from the at least one low-flow water pathway to the high-flow water pathways.   
     
     
         16 . The block of  claim 15  wherein:
 a) the diffusing elements include a plurality of discrete diffusing elements that project upward from the base of the trough.   
     
     
         17 . A method of controlling water flow from a downspout, the method comprising that steps of:
 a) providing a splash block, the splash block including a trough;   b) positioning the splash block in relation to a downspout such that water dispensed from the downspout is received in the trough;   c) directing a low flow of water dispensed from the downspout through openings located at an end of the trough, the openings coinciding with a bottom surface of the trough; and   d) disrupting a high flow of water dispensed from the downspout at the end of the trough, the step of disrupting the high flow of water including displacing the water in a random pattern to prevent erosion of surrounding ground material.