U.S. patent application number 11/074120 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-08 for adjustable hood system for rain gutters.
This patent application is currently assigned to Apex Product Development, LLC. Invention is credited to Flood, Patrick D., Knudson, Gary A..
Application Number | 20050193639 11/074120 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34915212 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050193639 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Knudson, Gary A. ; et
al. |
September 8, 2005 |
Adjustable hood system for rain gutters
Abstract
An adjustable hood system for rain gutters has a flat roof
section, a hood section rotably connected to the roof section, and
fastening members that rotably connect to the hood section. The
fastening members mount on the front lip of a rain gutter while the
roof section integrates with the roof. Relative rotation of the
roof section, hood section and fastening members permits the hood
system to be mounted on roofs with any slope and pitched rain
gutters at any level relative to the roof.
Inventors: |
Knudson, Gary A.; (Oak
Creek, CO) ; Flood, Patrick D.; (Golden, CO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ANCEL W. LEWIS, JR.
425 WEST MULBERRY
SUITE 101
FORT COLLINS
CO
80521
US
|
Assignee: |
Apex Product Development,
LLC
|
Family ID: |
34915212 |
Appl. No.: |
11/074120 |
Filed: |
March 7, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60551126 |
Mar 8, 2004 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 13/076
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/012 |
International
Class: |
E04D 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable hood system for an open trough rain gutter having
a forward end and a back wall attached to an eave of a roof having
a slope, comprising: a roof section having a generally flat portion
connected to a front end, a hood section having a rearward end, a
generally flat first portion extending forwardly from said back
edge, a curved second portion that extends forwardly and downwardly
from said first portion, and then downwardly and rearwardly, and a
forward end extending from said second portion opposite said first
portion, said rearward end being rotably connected to said front
end of said roof section, and a plurality of spaced fastening
members for mounting on said forward edge of said rain gutter, said
fastening members and said forward end of said hood section being
rotably connected, whereby said roof section is adjustable to said
slope of said roof and capable of being integrated into said roof,
and said hood section is adjustable to a pitch of said rain gutter
and a level of said rain gutter relative to said roof.
2. The hood system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said front end
of said roof section and said rearward end of said hood section
form a mechanical first joint.
3. The hood system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first joint
is substantially impermeable to water.
4. The hood system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said front end
of said roof section and said rearward end of said hood section
interfit.
5. The hood system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said front end
of said roof section and said rearward end of said hood section
each have an upwardly opening, partial cylindrical shape that
curves around a circular arc of more than 180 degrees, said
rearward end of said hood section being sized to fit within said
front end of said roof section to rotably connect said rearward end
of said hood section to said front end of said roof section.
6. The hood system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said forward end
of said hood section and each said fastening member form a
mechanical second joint.
7. The hood system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said forward end
of said hood section and each said fastening member interfit.
8. The hood system as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said
fastening member has a gutter slot for mounting said fastening
member on said forward end of said rain gutter and a hood groove
for receiving said forward end of said hood section.
9. The hood system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said forward end
of said hood section has an upwardly opening, partial cylindrical
shape that curves around a circular arc of more than 180 degrees,
and said hood groove has an upwardly opening, partial cylindrical
shape that curves around a circular arc of more than 180 degrees
and is sized to receive said forward end of said hood section to
form a cylinder-in-cylinder second joint.
10. The hood system as set forth in claim 7 wherein said hood
groove is positioned behind said gutter slot to position said
forward end of said hood section behind said forward end of said
rain gutter.
11. The hood system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said roof
section is divided into a plurality of roof section segments with
adjacent said roof section segments abutting along roof section
segment seams.
12. The hood system as set forth in claim 10 wherein said hood
section is divided into a plurality of hood section segments with
adjacent said hood section segments abutting along hood section
segment seams.
13. The hood system as set forth in claim 11 wherein roof section
segment seams are offset relative to said hood section segment
seams.
14. The hood system as set forth in claim 10 including storm clips
at said roof section segment seams, said storm clips having a base
for mounting on said roof, and first and second tabs spaced above
said base, said first and second tabs extending in opposite
directions from said roof section segment seam such that said first
tab extends over and holds down one of an adjacent pair of roof
section segments and said second tab extends over and holds down
the other of said adjacent pair of roof section segments.
15. An adjustable hood system for an open trough rain gutter having
a forward end and a back wall attached to an eave of a roof having
a slope, comprising: a roof section having a generally flat portion
connected to a front end, said front end having an upwardly
opening, partial cylindrical shape that curves around a circular
arc of more than 180 degrees, a hood section having a rearward end,
a generally flat first portion extending forwardly from said back
edge, a curved second portion that extends forwardly and downwardly
from said first portion, and then downwardly and rearwardly, and a
forward end extending from said second portion opposite said first
portion, said rearward end having an upwardly opening, partial
cylindrical shape that curves around a circular arc of more than
180 degrees, said rearward end being sized to fit within said front
end of said roof section to form a mechanical first joint with said
front end of said roof section to rotably connect said rearward end
of said hood section to said front end of said roof section, said
forward end having an upwardly opening, partial cylindrical shape
that curves around a circular arc of more than 180 degrees, and a
plurality of spaced fastening members having a gutter slot for
mounting said fastening member on said forward end of said rain
gutter and a hood groove for receiving said forward end of said
hood section, said hood groove having an upwardly opening, partial
cylindrical shape that curves around a circular arc of more than
180 degrees and being sized to receive said forward end of said
hood section to form a cylinder-in-cylinder second joint with said
forward end of said hood section to rotably connect said fastening
members and said forward end of said hood section, said hood groove
being positioned behind said gutter slot to position said forward
end of said hood section behind said forward end of said rain
gutter, whereby said roof section is adjustable to said slope of
said roof and capable of being integrated into said roof, and said
hood section is adjustable to a pitch of said rain gutter and a
level of said rain gutter relative to said roof.
Description
[0001] This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) of the U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/551,126
filed Mar. 8, 2004.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to rain gutters for buildings
and more particularly to a hood system for rain gutters that is
adjustable for different roof pitches and different rain gutter
levels.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] Open trough rain gutters collect debris that falls on the
roof and washes down with the rain water. Systems to shield the
rain gutter from debris include screens over the open trough and
reverse-curve shields. The screens have a tendency to clog with
small debris, blocking the rain water from entering the rain
gutter.
[0004] Reverse-curve shields or hoods generally have a sloped
planar section that extends over the rain gutter and a coextensive
curved section that curves forwardly and downwardly over the front
of the rain gutter and curves downwardly and inwardly. Rain water,
through liquid adhesion principles, follows the curved section to
the lower edge and falls into the rain gutter. Debris washed down
by the rain water falls off at the forward extent of the curved
section and drops to the ground.
[0005] Reverse-curve shields can mount only over the rain gutter,
independent of the roof, or can mount with the rear of the shield
integrated into the roof. Reverse-curve shields typically require a
certain amount of vertical spacing above the rain gutter. Generally
rain gutters are mounted as high as possible on the eave, adjacent
to the lower edge of the roof. The combination of a high mounted
rain gutter and the required vertical spacing of the shield above
the rain gutter can result in the rear edge being higher than the
roof edge with a reverse-curve shield that mounts only over the
rain gutter. The rear edge of a reverse-curve shield being higher
than the roof edge prevents proper water flow and accumulates
debris. A reverse-curve shield that integrates into the roof is
preferable in many applications.
[0006] Known reverse-curve shields are generally formed from a
single piece of sheet metal or extruded plastic, and are
substantially rigid. The forward end of known reverse-curve shields
are also generally rigidly connected to the front edge of the rain
gutter. Typical residential roof slopes or pitches vary from 3:12
or about 14 degrees to 12:12 or about 45 degrees. Rain gutters must
slope downwards in the direction of the drain pipe in order to
properly drain. Therefore, the level of a rain gutter relative to
the roof edge will vary. The thickness and overhang of the roof
covering also varies. Known rigid reverse-curve shields often
cannot be satisfactorily integrated into the roof or may require
complex, custom manufacture to integrate into the roof.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An adjustable, reverse-curve hood system for rain gutters
includes a roof section, a hood section and a plurality of spaced
fastening members. The roof section is substantially flat and
integrates with the roof covering on the roof. The roof section
rotably connects to the hood section. The hood section has a
substantially flat, rearward first portion and a downwardly curved,
forward second portion. The fastening members rigidly mount on the
rain gutter and rotably connect to the forward end of the hood
section. Mechanical cylinder-in-cylinder joints provide the rotary
connections between the roof section and hood section, and between
the hood section and fastening members. Relative rotation between
the roof section and hood section, and between the hood section and
fastening members permits mounting the hood system on roofs of any
slope and on rain gutters at any level relative to the roof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] Details of this invention are described in connection with
the accompanying drawings that bear similar reference numerals in
which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable hood system
embodying features of the present invention, mounted on a rain
gutter.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side plan view of the system and rain gutter of
FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a fastening member of the
system of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side plan view of the system and rain gutter of
FIG. 1 mounted a roof.
[0013] FIG. 5 is another side plan view of the system and rain
gutter of FIG. 1 mounted a roof.
[0014] FIG. 6 is another side plan view of the system and rain
gutter of FIG. 1 mounted a roof.
[0015] FIG. 7 is another side plan view of the system and rain
gutter of FIG. 1 mounted a roof.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1 with
storm clips.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a storm clip of the system
of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 10 is an enlarged partial perspective view of the
system of FIG. 1 with a storm clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an adjustable,
reverse-curve hood system 11 embodying features of the present
invention mounts on a rain gutter 12. The rain gutter 12 shown has
a conventional configuration with a back wall 14, a bottom wall 15
that extends forwardly from the bottom of the back wall 14, and a
front wall 16 that extends upwardly from the front of the bottom
wall 15. The back, bottom and front walls 14, 15 and 16 form a
upwardly open trough 17. The back wall 14 is planar and vertical
for mounting to an eave and the bottom wall 15 shown is planar and
horizontal. The front wall 16 shown is shaped, extending upward and
outwardly, to a forward end 19 of the rain gutter 12. The forward
end 19 has an inwardly extending lip 20. The lip 20, when the rain
gutter 12 is formed from sheet metal, is folded under along the
innermost extent to form a hem 21.
[0020] The hood system 11 includes a roof section 24, a hood
section 25 and clips or fastening members 26. The roof section 24
and hood section 25 are each elongated strips of relatively thin,
substantially rigid, impermeable material, and can be made of sheet
metal or extruded plastic. The roof section 24 has an generally
flat portion 28 between a back end 29 and a front end 30. The roof
section 24 shown is formed from sheet metal and the back end 29 is
folded under. The front end 30 bends downwardly at about 90 degrees
relative to the flat portion 28. The front end 30 then curves
downwardly and rearwardly, downwardly and forwardly, upwardly and
forwardly, and upwardly and rearwardly, around a circular arc of
more than 180 degrees, to form an upwardly opening, partial
cylindrical shape.
[0021] The hood section 25 has a rearward end 33, a substantially
flat first portion 34 the extends forwardly from the rearward end
33, a curved second portion 35 that extends from the first portion
34 and a forward end 36 that extends from the second portion 35.
The rearward end 33 bends downwardly at about 90 degrees relative
to the first portion 34. The rearward end 33 then curves downwardly
and forwardly, downwardly and rearwardly, upwardly and rearwardly,
and upwardly and forwardly, around a circular arc of more than 180
degrees, to form an upwardly opening, partial cylindrical shape.
The rearward end 33 of the hood section 25 is sized and shaped to
interfit with the front end 30 of the roof section 24. The rearward
end 33 of the hood section 25 shown fits into front end 30 of the
roof section 24, rotably connecting the roof section 24 and the
hood section 25.
[0022] The second portion 35 of the hood section 25 curves
downwardly and forwardly, and then downwardly and rearwardly. The
forward end 36 bends downwardly from the second portion 35 and then
curves downwardly and rearwardly, upwardly and rearwardly, and
upwardly and forwardly, around a circular arc of more than 180
degrees, to form an upwardly opening, partial cylindrical
shape.
[0023] The fastening member 26 shown, in side view is generally L
shaped with a vertical first leg 38 joined to a horizontal second
leg 39. A gutter slot 40, sized and shaped to receive the lip 20
and hem 21 of the rain gutter 12, extends horizontally inwardly
from the front of the second leg 39. The fastening member 26 has a
hood groove 41 between the first and second legs 38 and 39. The
hood groove 41 curves around a circular arc of more than 180
degrees, to form an upwardly, forwardly opening, partial
cylindrical shape, and is sized to receive the forward end 36 of
the hood section 25, to rotably connect the fastening member 26 to
the hood section 25. The hood groove is positioned behind the
gutter slot 40 to position the forward end 36 of the hood section
25 behind of the forward end 19 of the rain gutter 12. The
fastening member 26 can be molded, preferably from a plastic
material. A plurality of spaced fastening members 26 rigidly mount
on the lip 20 of the rain gutter 12.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows the a roof 45 with a slope of 3:12 with a rain
gutter 12 mounted on the eave 46. The rain gutter 12 is mounted
such that the top of the back wall 14 is vertically even with the
top of the eave 46. The hood system 11 is mounted with the front
end 30 of the roof section 24 resting on the roof covering 47 and
with the roof section 24 substantially parallel to the roof 45. The
back end 29 of the roof section 24 can be inserted between the
first row 48 and the second row 49 of the roof covering 47, as
shown, or can be fastened over the roof covering 47, to integrate
the roof section 24 into the roof 45. The first portion 34 of the
hood section 25 extends forwardly and is nearly horizontal. A
fastening member 26 is shown mounted on the lip 20 of the rain
gutter 12 and the forward end 36 of the hood section 25 is located
in the hood groove 41 of the fastening member 26.
[0025] The front end 30 of the roof section 24 and the rearward end
33 of the hood section 25 form a mechanical cylinder-in-cylinder
first joint 51, the linear equivalent of a ball and socket joint,
allowing rotation of the roof section 24 and hood section 25
relative to each other. The rotation of the roof section 24 and
hood section 25 relative to each other allows the roof section 24
to be positioned substantially parallel to the roof 45 for any roof
slope and for any slope of the hood section 25. The
cylinder-in-cylinder first joint 51 is substantially impermeable to
water, providing a mechanical rotary joint while preventing rain
water from flowing through between the roof section 24 and the hood
section 25, and under the hood section 25 so that the roof section
24 and hood section 25 form a substantially continuous flow surface
52 for draining rain water. Rain water and debris from the roof 45
flow across the roof section 25 and the first portion 34 of the
hood section 25.
[0026] As the rain water and debris flow down the curved second
portion 35 of the hood section 25, the debris separates and falls
off where the second portion 35 becomes vertical. The rain water
continues to flow downwardly and inwardly to the forward end 36 of
the hood section 25 and drops into the rain gutter 12 therefrom.
The hood groove 41 of fastening member 26 positions the forward end
36 of the hood section 25 a selected distance rearward from the lip
20 of the rain gutter 12 to provide proper flow of rain water into
the gain gutter 12 while assuring that debris falls off forward of
the rain gutter 12.
[0027] The forward end 36 of the hood section 25 and the hood
groove 41 of each fastening member 26 form a mechanical
cylinder-in-cylinder second joint 53 so the hood section 25 can
rotate relative to the rain gutter 12. The rotation of the hood
section 25 relative to the rain gutter 12 permits the rearward end
33 of the hood section to rest on the roof 45 while the forward end
36 of the hood-section 25 is positioned the selected distance from
the lip 20 of the rain gutter 12, for any roof slope and for any
level of the rain gutter 12 relative to the roof 45.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows the a roof 45 with a slope of 12:12 with a rain
gutter 12 mounted on the eave 46 such that the top of the back wall
14 is vertically even with the top of the eave 46. As compared to
FIG. 4, the roof section 24 of the hood system 11 in FIG. 5 is
rotated upwardly to be substantially parallel to the steeper roof
45, while the first portion 34 of the hood section 25 is again
nearly horizontal.
[0029] FIG. 6 shows the a roof 45 with a slope of 3:12 with a rain
gutter 12 mounted on the eave 46 such that the top of the back wall
14 is 2.00 inches below the top of the eave 46. As compared to FIG.
4, the hood section 25 of the hood system 11 in FIG. 6 is rotated
downwardly while the roof section 24 is again substantially
parallel to the roof 45. The rotation of the hood section 25 is
enabled by the rotably connecting the hood section 25 to the roof
section 24 and rotably connecting the hood section 25 to the
fastening member 26.
[0030] FIG. 7 shows the a roof 45 with a slope of 12:12 with a rain
gutter 12 mounted on the eave 46 such that the top of the back wall
14 is 2.00 inches below the top of the eave 46. As compared to FIG.
4, the hood section 25 of the hood system 11 in FIG. 6 is rotated
downwardly and the roof section 24 is rotated upwardly to be
substantially parallel to the steeper roof 45.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, the roof section 24 of the
hood system 11 may be divided into a plurality of laterally
extending roof section segments 55 and/or the hood section 25 of
the hood system 11 may be divided into a plurality of laterally
extending hood section segments 56. Adjacent roof section segments
55 meet or abut each other along roof section segment seams 57.
Preferably, adjacent roof section segments 55 are positioned with
virtually no gap or discontinuity at the roof section segment seams
57. Adjacent hood section segments 56 abut each other along roof
section segment seams 58. Preferably, adjacent hood section
segments 56 are positioned with virtually no gap or discontinuity
at the hood section segment seams 58.
[0032] FIG. 8 shows the roof section segment seams 57 staggered or
offset relative to the hood section segment seams 58. The roof
section segment seams 57 are offset relative to the hood section
segment seams 58 to add strength, increase resistance to wind lift
and provide additional rigidity between the roof and hood section
24 and 25 of the hood system 11. Offsetting the roof section
segment seams 57 relative to the hood section segment seams 58 also
minimizes the appearance of changing height when the mounting
height of the rain gutter 12 varies significantly.
[0033] FIG. 9 shows a storm clip 60. The storm clip 60 shown can be
formed from a rectangular piece of material such as metal or
plastic, and includes a substantially flat, horizontal base 61 and
a vertical portion 62 that extends upwardly from one side of the
base 61. The upper portion of the storm clip 60 is split to provide
first and second tabs 63 and 64, with the first tab 63 being folded
to extend horizontally sideways from the top of the vertical
portion 62 in one direction and the second tab 64 being folded to
extend horizontally sideways from the top of the vertical portion
62 in the opposite direction. The storm clip 60 mounts on the roof
covering 47 at a roof section segment seam 57 with the first tab 63
extending over a roof section segment 55 and the second tab 64
extending over the adjacent roof section segment 55. The storm clip
60 provides additional hold-down strength for the roof section
segments 55, to prevent high wind from lifting or damaging the roof
section 24.
[0034] The hood system 11 with the storm clips 60 may be installed
as follows. The hood section 25 is installed first. A roof section
segment 55 is installed by sliding the front end 30 of the roof
section 24 over the rearward end 33 of the hood section 25. The
storm clip 60 is mounted on the roof coving 47 with the first tab
63 extending over the roof section segment 55. The next roof
section segment 55 is installed by sliding the front end 30 of the
roof section 24 over the rearward end 33 of the hood section 25
until the second tab 64 extends over the roof section segment
55.
[0035] Although the present invention has been described with a
certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present
disclosure has been made by way of example and that changes in
details of structure may be made without departing from the spirit
thereof.
* * * * *