Adjustable Splash Block

Abstract

A splash block of the type that sits on the ground below a gutter downspout and diverts water away from the foundation of the building. The splash block includes, in some embodiments, adjustable legs to ensure the correct pitch for the splash block that will effectively direct water away from the building foundation, along with stakes and a strap to help maintain that pitch throughout the operating life of the block. In some embodiments, the splash block uses a flow control gate for controlling and slowing water flow in order to limit the impact of water on the landscaping as it exits the splash block.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A splash block, comprising:
 a base, comprising side walls, a front portion, and a rear portion;   at least one support leg attached to the base for raising the height of the rear portion of the base relative to the front portion of the base;   wherein the support leg has a first position in which the support leg supports the rear portion and a second position in which the support leg does not support the rear portion.   
     
     
         2 . The splash block of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one support leg comprises a first leg portion attached to the base by a hinge. 
     
     
         3 . The splash block of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one support leg further comprises a second portion attached to the first portion in a telescoping relationship, and
 wherein the second portion has at least one extended position relative to the first portion in which the second portion increases the length of the support leg by a first amount and a retracted position in which the second portion does not increase the length of the support leg or increases the length of the support leg by a second amount that is less than the first amount.   
     
     
         4 . The splash block of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one support leg further comprises a third portion attached to the second portion, the third portion adapted to move relative to the second portion so that the length of the support leg can be increased and decreased. 
     
     
         5 . The splash block of  claim 4 , wherein the third portion of the at least one support leg is attached to the second portion in a threaded relationship. 
     
     
         6 . The splash block of  claim 1 , further comprising a first support leg and a second support leg, wherein the first support leg is attached adjacent to a first rear corner of the base and the second support leg is attached adjacent to a second rear corner of the base. 
     
     
         7 . The splash block of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one stake attached adjacent to the front portion of the base in a hinging relationship. 
     
     
         8 . The splash block of  claim 1 , further comprising a flow control gate adjacent to the front portion of the base adapted to restrict the flow of fluid exiting the splash block. 
     
     
         9 . The splash block of  claim 8 , wherein the flow control gate comprises a sluice gate and at least one tension control system adapted to control the force required to open the sluice gate. 
     
     
         10 . The splash block of  claim 8 , wherein the flow control gate comprises a front wall and a plurality of holes formed in the front wall, through which fluid can flow. 
     
     
         11 . A splash block, comprising:
 a base, comprising a front portion and a rear portion;   side walls that direct fluid flow along the base; and   a flow control gate adjacent to the front portion of the base adapted to restrict the flow of fluid exiting the splash block.   
     
     
         12 . The splash block of  claim 11 , wherein the flow control gate comprises a sluice gate and at least one tension control system adapted to control the force required to open the sluice gate. 
     
     
         13 . The splash block of  claim 12 , wherein the tension control system comprises a spring attached on one end to the sluice gate and attached on a second end to a knob adapted to control the tension of the spring. 
     
     
         14 . The splash block of  claim 11 , wherein the flow control gate comprises a front wall and a plurality of holes formed in the front wall through which fluid can flow. 
     
     
         15 . The splash block of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of holes comprises a lower row of holes each having a first size and a second row of holes above the first row of holes and having a second size that is larger than the first size. 
     
     
         16 . The splash block of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one support leg attached to the base adapted to raise the height of the rear portion of the base relative to the front portion of the base and having a first position in which the support leg supports the rear portion and a second position in which the support leg does not support the rear portion. 
     
     
         17 . The splash block of  claim 11 , further comprising at least one stake attached adjacent to the front portion of the base in a hinging relationship. 
     
     
         18 . A splash block, comprising:
 a base, comprising a front portion and a rear portion;   side walls that direct fluid flow along the base from the rear portion to the front portion;   at least one support leg attached to the base for raising the height of the rear portion of the base relative to the front portion of the base, the support leg comprising a first position in which the support leg supports the rear portion and a second position in which the support leg does not support the rear portion; and   a flow control gate adjacent to the front portion of the base adapted to restrict the flow of fluid exiting the splash block.   
     
     
         19 . The splash block of  claim 18 , wherein the at least one support leg comprises a first portion hingedly attached to the base and a second portion attached to the first portion in a telescoping relationship for adjusting the length of the at least one support leg. 
     
     
         20 . The splash block of  claim 18 , wherein the flow control gate comprises a front wall and a plurality of holes formed in the front wall through which fluid can flow.