The document describes a new product called the Cornerstone that aims to eliminate erosion around building corners caused by failures of conventional run-off systems like gutters and downspouts. It notes common failures of existing systems that lead to erosion and potential water damage. The Cornerstone is presented as a simple and inexpensive solution that provides protection in more areas than conventional splash blocks or extensions, including at roof level and around 90 and 180 degree corners, with its flush, shell-like design.

1. Residential and Commercial Erosion Solutions

3. Cornerstone Run-Off Slope
 To offer a simple, inexpensive, nearly labor-free
product that eliminates erosion at residential and
commercial building corners—both exterior (270
degree angles) and interior (90 degree angles)
corners—caused by failure of conventional—i.e.
Established—run-off systems such as rain gutter
drain pipes and down spouts, poured concrete
run-off funnels, drain spout extensions, splash
blocks , and splash guards.

4. The Cornerstone Drainage Solution
DOUBLE CLICK IMAGE
Manipulate Model with
Cursor

5. Common Drainage Failures

6. Basic Run Off Mechanics

7. Rain gutters become clogged and over-
flow. Drain pipes become separated from
rain gutters. Extensions from drain pipes
become damaged, leak or separate
completely –particularly the elbows at
ground level which allow an extension to
carry water away from a building to beyond
grade.
All of these failures cause erosion around
building corners and lead to labor intensive
refills (regrading), and—in more severe
instances—water invasion.
If regrading and repair is not effected in a
timely manner, water invasion can occur,
leading to more serious problems and
damages to a home or other structure.
The Cornerstone is the solution to to
failures of established systems, a safeguard
against damages caused by the failures of
conventional run-off tools.

8. Conventional Solutions

9. Concrete Splash Block

10. Plastic Splash Block

11. Splash Block With Extension Combination

12. Conventional Solutions Are
Inadequate
Conventional Splash Guards and Gutter Drain spout extensions are
inadequate. Extensions do move water beyond grade, but also become
separated from the drain spout. Further more, the force of water flow is
not broken, and heavy drainage creates pits and holes at the run-off
point. A splash guard may be placed beneath the extension to catch water
should the extension become separated from the spout. However,
conventional splash guards do their job inadequately: They offer only a
narrow area of protection; they over-flow during heavy run-off; can move,
or be placed incorrectly—either off center–- causing a portion of the run-
off to miss the guard completely (Slide 6 right)—or not close enough to
the extension connection—causing a total loss of effectiveness should the
extension become separated from the drain spout (Slide 6 left).
Furthermore, both solutions offer zero protection against failures at roof
level.

13. Failures At Roof Level

14. Zero Protection At Roof Level
Existing products offer no protection against failures at roof level.
Extensions are not designed to catch water, but only to move water
from a drain spout to an area further away from a structure. Splash
guards offer such a narrow degree of coverage as to amount to no
protection at all. Even splash guards mounted at roof level simply
move the problem to a different location. The Cornerstone water
shell is flush with the structure, protecting against all down spout
failures, and gives an area of 270 degrees of protection stretching
22” away from a structure. The design of the Cornerstone allows
the product to be used in pairs to create 360 degrees of protection
by fitting and over-lapping the two units around pillars and posts.
Furthermore, the Cornerstone concept can be modified to
accommodate drain spouts situated at interior corners—90 degree
angles--and even along straight walls—180 degree angles. No other
existing product offers the protection and versatility of the
Cornerstone water shell.

15. Splash Guards At Roof Level

16. 180 Degree Areas