Housing for drain outlet

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for protecting from freezing an above-ground conduit outlet on an exterior wall of a building, the freeze protection apparatus comprising a housing including a top wall, a front wall, and a pair of opposed side walls interconnecting the top wall and the front wall. The housing partially defines an enclosed area having a rear aperture and a bottom aperture. Thermal insulating material lines the interior surface of the walls of the housing. Means are provided for mounting the housing to the exterior wall adjacent the conduit outlet. The inner edges of the side walls and the top wall contact the exterior wall and the bottom edges of the side walls and the front wall contact the ground for enclosing the conduit outlet. Heat is retained within the housing to prevent fluid within the conduit from freezing.

I claim: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for protecting from freezing an above-ground conduit outlet on an exterior wall of a building, the freeze protection apparatus comprising
 (a) a housing adapted for covering the conduit outlet, the housing including
 a top wall, 
 a front wall, and 
 a pair of opposed side walls interconnecting the top wall and the front wall, 
   wherein the housing partially defines an enclosed area having a rear aperture and a bottom aperture;   (b) thermal insulating material lining the interior surface of the walls of the housing; and   (c) means for mounting the housing to the exterior wall adjacent the conduit outlet,   
       wherein the inner edges of the side walls and the top wall contact the exterior wall and the bottom edges of the side walls and the front wall contact the ground below the conduit outlet for enclosing the conduit outlet within an enclosed space defined by the housing, exterior wall and the ground, and 
       wherein heat is retained within the housing to prevent fluid within the conduit from freezing. 
     
     
         2 . The freeze protection apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the walls define a rectangular shape. 
     
     
         3 . The freeze protection apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising flanges at the inner edges of the side wall and the top wall. 
     
     
         4 . The freeze protection apparatus as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge for hingedly securing the housing to the exterior wall for pivoting movement between an open position away from the conduit outlet and a closed position enclosing the conduit outlet. 
     
     
         5 . The freeze protection apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the pivot axis of the housing is about a substantially horizontal axis. 
     
     
         6 . The freeze protection apparatus as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the pivot axis of the housing is about a substantially vertical axis. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus for protecting from freezing an above-ground conduit outlet on an exterior wall of a building, the freeze protection apparatus comprising
 (a) a housing adapted for covering the conduit outlet, the housing including
 a top wall, 
 a front wall, and 
 a plurality of side walls interconnecting the top wall and the front wall, 
   wherein the housing partially defines an enclosed area having a rear aperture and a bottom aperture;   (b) thermal insulating material lining the interior surface of the walls of the housing; and   (c) means for mounting the housing to the exterior wall adjacent the conduit outlet,   
       wherein the inner edges of the side walls and the top wall contact the exterior wall and the bottom edges of the side walls and the front wall contact the ground below the conduit outlet for enclosing the conduit outlet within an enclosed space defined by the housing, exterior wall and the ground, and 
       wherein heat is retained within the housing to prevent fluid within the conduit from freezing.