Drain Pan Guard

Abstract

A drain guard is configured to block debris from entering a drain line of an HVAC unit. The guard includes a hollow body having a front side, a first side, a second side, and a back side defining an internal volume. A lip extending outward from a ridge formed at the convergence of the front side and the back side subsequently extends downward and parallel to the back side. The gap made between the back side and the lip may act as a receiving section for a sidewall of a drain pan so that the device may be stabilized. For further stabilization, cutouts are positioned in the back side and lip of the device so that a drain pipe connected to the drain pan may be seamlessly positioned adjacent the device.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A cover device for impeding debris approaching a drain, comprising:
 a body having an internal volume defined by a front side, a first side, a second side, and a back side;   a ridge defined by the convergence of the front side and the back side;   a lip extending outward from the ridge, the lip further extending substantially parallel with the back side; and   wherein at least one of the back side and the lip is configured to receive at least a portion of a conduit such that the body seamlessly rests on the conduit while water drains through the body and the conduit while debris approaching the conduit is impeded.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a majority of the body comprises polymer. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a bottom edge of the back side is offset from a remaining bottom edge of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises an open bottom. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the front side extends in a curved configuration to converge with the back side to define a covering. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the front side, the first side, and the second side comprises a plurality of holes defining a screened portion. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the back side and the lip comprises a cutout portion configured to receive the conduit. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7 , wherein each of the back side and the lip comprises a cutout portion positioned parallel one another. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the lip and the back side define a gap for receiving a portion of a sidewall of a drain pan. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the gap tapers in width as it extends upward toward an apex of the device adjacent the ridge. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a continuous rim positioned at bottom edges of the front side, the first side, and the second side. 
     
     
         12 . An HVAC unit drainage system for filtering condensate, comprising:
 an HVAC unit having a condenser;   a drainage pan positioned below at least a portion of the condenser; and   a cover device for impeding debris approaching a drain pipe of the drainage pan, the cover device seamlessly positioned adjacent the drain pipe entrance and the drainage pan, the cover device comprising:
 a body having an internal volume defined by a front side, a first side, a second side, and a back side; 
 a ridge defined by the convergence of the front side and the back side; and 
 a lip extending outward from the ridge, the lip further extending substantially parallel with the back side; and 
   wherein the cover device simultaneously allows flow of condensate into the drain through the cover device and impedes debris approaching the drain.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein a majority of a bottom edge of the body is positioned seamlessly with a bottom interior of the drainage pan when the cover device is seamlessly positioned adjacent the drain pipe entrance. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the cover device is positioned on the drain pipe and drainage pan such that at least one of the lip and the back side sit atop the drain pipe via cutouts and a sidewall of the drainage pan is secured between the lip and the back side. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the body of the cover device extends into the drainage pan and away from the entrance of the drain pipe so as to create a volume of space to decrease the likelihood for debris to block the flow of condensate into the drain pipe. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the front side extends in a curved configuration to converge with the back side to define a covering. 
     
     
         17 . A drain guard for blocking debris from entering a drain pipe of a drainage pan, comprising:
 a hollow elongated body, the hollow body comprising an unperforated back side, at least one perforated side defining an internal volume and affixed to the back side, and an open bottom;   a ridge defined by the convergence of the back side and at least one of the at least two perforated sides, the ridge defining an apex of the guard;   a lip extending outward from the ridge, the lip further extending substantially parallel with the back side and forming a gap with the back side for retention of a sidewall of a drainage pan between the lip and the back side, the lip extending the length of the unperforated back side;   a plurality of cutouts positioned within the lip and the back side for receiving the drain pipe, the plurality of cutouts increasing the stability of the drain guard when the drain guard is placed in a drainage pan; and   wherein the body of the cover device is configured to extend into the drainage pan and away from an entrance of the drain pipe so as to create a volume of space to decrease the likelihood for debris to block the flow of condensate into the drain pipe.