U.S. patent application number 11/400593 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-12 for rain gutter guard.
Invention is credited to John M. Stagni.
Application Number | 20060225367 11/400593 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37081803 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060225367 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stagni; John M. |
October 12, 2006 |
Rain gutter guard
Abstract
A rain gutter guard has mounting tabs that are integrally cut
into or otherwise formed with a body of the rain gutter guard. The
body includes a hood and a flange extending therefrom. The flange
is attachable to a roof, and the hood has a forward surface from
which the mounting tabs extend. A system for directing the flow of
water into a rain gutter includes the rain gutter positioned
adjacent to an edge of a roof and a guard attached to the roof and
to the rain gutter. A method of directing water from a roof to a
rain gutter includes attaching a guard to the roof and to the rain
gutter. Integral mounting tabs extending from the guard position
the guard such that it stands off from the rain gutter and defines
a gap through which water can flow into the rain gutter.
Inventors: |
Stagni; John M.; (Moodus,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAUD-DUFFY GROUP LLP
306 INDUSTRIAL PARK ROAD
SUITE 206
MIDDLETOWN
CT
06457
US
|
Family ID: |
37081803 |
Appl. No.: |
11/400593 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60670476 |
Apr 11, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 13/076
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/011 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/00 20060101
E04D013/00 |
Claims
1. A guard for a rain gutter, said guard comprising: a hood; and a
flange extending from said hood and attachable to a roof; said hood
having a forward surface having a mounting tab depending therefrom,
said mounting tab being integral with said hood and attachable to a
surface of said rain gutter.
2. The guard of claim 1, wherein once said mounting tab is coupled
to said rain gutter, said hood and said rain gutter cooperate to
define a gap therebetween through which water can flow.
3. The guard of claim 1, wherein said hood and said flange define a
unitary member, said flange being bent relative to said hood to
correspond to a pitch angle defined by said roof to which said
guard is attached.
4. The guard of claim 1, further comprising a fastener positionable
through said mounting tab for coupling said guard to said rain
gutter.
5. The guard of claim 4, wherein said fastener is selected from the
group consisting of screws, bolts, and rivets.
6. The guard of claim 1, further comprising a deflector member
extending from a terminal edge forming part of said hood.
7. The guard of claim 1, wherein said hood comprises a
non-perforated surface.
8. A system for directing water into a gutter, said system
comprising: a rain gutter positioned adjacent to an edge of a roof;
and a guard attached to said rain gutter, said guard comprising, a
hood positioned over said rain gutter, and a flange extending from
said hood, said flange being attachable to said roof, wherein said
hood includes an integral mounting tab, said mounting tab extending
therefrom for attachment to said rain gutter.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein said mounting tab is attached to
said rain gutter using a fastener.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said rain gutter includes a
front lip and said mounting tab is attached to an inside surface
thereof.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein said rain gutter includes a
front lip having an upwardly-facing surface to which said mounting
tab is attached.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein said rain gutter includes a
forward-facing surface to which said mounting tab is attached.
13. The system of claim 9, wherein said mounting tab is attached to
a cross-member of said rain gutter.
14. The system of claim 8 wherein said mounting tab is attached to
a forward-facing surface of said rain gutter by being crimped
thereto.
15. The system of claim 8, wherein said mounting tab is attached to
said rain gutter so as to define a gap between said hood and an
upper lip of said rain gutter.
16. The system of claim 8, wherein said flange is attachable to
said roof and is positioned at least in part under a course of
shingles.
17. The system of claim 8, wherein said hood is non-perforated.
18. The system of claim 8, further comprising a drip bar attached
to said roof.
19. The system of claim 8, further comprising a deflector member
disposed at a terminal edge of said hood.
20. A method of directing water from a roof to a rain gutter, said
method comprising the steps of: attaching a guard to said roof; and
attaching said guard to said rain gutter via an integral mounting
tab extending from said guard, said rain gutter and said guard
cooperating to define a gap therebetween.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is entitled to the benefit of and
incorporates by reference the disclosure of U.S. Patent Application
60/670,476 filed on Apr. 11, 2005.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This invention generally relates to rain gutters and, more
particularly, to guards for rain gutters, the guards being
attachable to the rain gutters to allow water to enter the gutters
while preventing or limiting the amount of solid debris collecting
in the gutters.
BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0003] Conventional rain gutter guards are generally attached to
rain gutters using clips or other fasteners made of metal or
plastic. These guards are typically attached by being positioned
along the rain gutters and attached to the roof under the shingles
along one longitudinal edge and clipped to the rain gutters along
an opposing longitudinal edge. During the mounting of conventional
rain gutter guards, the clips can be lost or broken. The attachment
of the clips to both the gutters and the guards also provides a
point of weakness that may, in high winds or under heavy snow or
rainfall, cause one or more of the clips to break or separate from
either the guard or the rain gutter, thus compromising the
structural integrity of the guard/gutter assembly and its
attachment to the roof. Furthermore, the use of clips adds weight
to the gutter/guard assembly, which can undesirably stress the
roof. Moreover, the use of clips typically raises the profile of
the guard on the gutter and increases the likelihood that the guard
will be seen from the ground.
[0004] Based on the foregoing, it is a general object of the
present invention to provide a rain gutter guard that overcomes the
problems and drawbacks of conventional rain gutter guards.
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0005] The present invention resides in one aspect in a rain gutter
guard having mounting tabs that are integrally cut into or
otherwise formed with a body of the rain gutter guard. The body of
the rain gutter guard includes a hood and a flange extending from
the hood. The flange is attachable to a roof, and the hood has a
forward surface from which the mounting tabs extend.
[0006] In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a
system for directing the flow of water into a rain gutter. The
system includes the rain gutter positioned adjacent to an edge of a
roof and a guard attached to the roof and to the rain gutter. The
guard includes a hood positioned over an open top of the rain
gutter. A flange extends from the hood and is attachable to the
roof, preferably under a first course of shingles. The hood has an
integral mounting tab for attaching the guard to the rain
gutter.
[0007] In a third aspect, the present invention is directed to a
method of directing water from a roof to a rain gutter. In the
method, a guard is attached to the roof and to the rain gutter.
Integral mounting tabs extending from the guard position the guard
such that it stands off from the rain gutter and defines a gap
through which water can flow into the rain gutter.
[0008] In the present invention, the use of clips can be avoided
altogether. One advantage is that by eliminating the use of clips,
the weight of the guard/gutter assembly is reduced, which in turn
reduces the amount of weight placed on the edge of the roof.
[0009] Another advantage is that by eliminating the use of clips,
the profile of the guard on the gutter is lowered, thus making the
guard less noticeable from the ground (or not noticeable at
all).
[0010] Still another advantage of not using clips is that fewer
parts are required for mounting the guard, which means that the
potential for losing or breaking parts during assembly and after
installation is reduced.
[0011] Still another advantage is that the non-perforated surface
of the preferred embodiments of the guard allows for a flow of
water across the guard without the potential for holes, slots, or
other perforations to become clogged with debris.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rain gutter guard of the
present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective cutaway view of the rain gutter
guard of the present invention mounted on a rain gutter.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of a rain gutter guard of the
present invention attached to an inner surface of a rain
gutter.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a rain gutter guard of the
present invention attached to an outer surface of a rain
gutter.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a rain gutter guard of the
present invention attached to a forward facing surface of a lip of
a rain gutter.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of a rain gutter guard of the
present invention having a bent surface for directing a flow of
water into a rain gutter.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of a rain gutter guard of the
present invention attached to a cross-member of a rain gutter.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rain gutter guard of the
present invention in use.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to FIG. 1, a rain gutter guard of the present
invention is shown generally at 10 and is hereinafter referred to
as "guard 10." Guard 10 is an elongated device having a lengthwise
dimension indicated by L, which corresponds to the longitudinal
dimension of a rain gutter, and a widthwise dimension indicated by
W, which corresponds to the widthwise dimension of the rain gutter.
The lengthwise dimension L is generally substantially greater than
the widthwise dimension W. The guard 10 can extend for all or any
portion of the length of a rain gutter (in the lengthwise dimension
L), although it is preferable that the guard covers the entire
length of the gutter.
[0021] The guard 10 comprises a hood 12 that forms a front portion
of the guard and a rear flange 14 that extends from a rear portion
of the hood. As used herein, the terms "front" and "forward" are
used to indicate the surface of the guard that faces outward from
the building on which the gutter is mounted and the term "rear" is
used to indicate the surface of the guard that faces the building
or is attached to the roof of the building. Preferably the material
of the guard 10 is such that the rear flange 14 can fold, flex, or
be bent relative to the hood 12 to facilitate the attachment of the
guard to the roof of a building. The edge of the material of the
guard 10 opposite the edge at which the rear flange 14 is formed
extends under and back around toward the rear of the guard 10 to
define the front edge of the hood 12.
[0022] The hood 12 is defined by a unitary member having a
non-perforated surface. In other words, the hood 12 is defined by a
contiguous surface lacking holes, slots, or other openings that
would interrupt the flow of water over the surface. The contiguity
of the surface allows water to flow directly from one edge of the
hood 12 to the other.
[0023] Mounting tabs 16 are cut into or otherwise formed so as to
be integral with the front edge of the hood 12. The mounting tabs
16 are bent or are bendable relative to the hood 12 to facilitate
the attachment of the guard 10 to a portion of the rain gutter and
to enable the guard to stand off from the gutter.
[0024] Referring now to FIG. 2, the guard 10 is mounted on a rain
gutter (shown at 20) by locating the rear flange 14 under a course
of shingles 22 or tiles and connecting the hood 12 to the rain
gutter. The rear flange 14 is at least partially located under the
first course of shingles 22 rearward of a drip bar 24 attached to
the front edge of the roof. The mounting tabs 16 are attached to
the gutter 20 via any suitable fastener 26. The fastener 26 is set
through the gutter 20 and the mounting tab 16 to secure the hood 12
to the gutter. Although the guard 10 is shown as being attached to
the inside surface of a front lip 28 of the gutter 20, the present
invention is not limited in this regard as the guard may be
attached to the gutter at other locations, as indicated below.
Suitable fasteners include, but are not limited to, self-tapping
sheet metal screws, bolts, rivets, and the like.
[0025] Referring now to FIG. 3, the mounting tabs 16 may be
positioned on any surface of the gutter 20 conducive to attachment
of the hood 12 to the gutter. As shown in FIG. 3, the mounting tabs
16 may be attached to an inside surface 32 of the front lip 28 to
secure the hood 12 to the gutter 20. The forward-most edge of the
hood 12 is substantially coincident with the front lip 28 or
slightly overhanging. A fastener 26 is set through a substantially
upward-facing surface 34 of the front lip 28 to engage at least a
portion of the mounting tab 16. When fastened, the guard 10 is
pulled upward against the front lip 28. If the fastener 26 is a
self-tapping sheet metal screw, the threaded engagement thereof
with the mounting tab 16 may allow the screw to be periodically
tightened to pull the mounting tab against the inside surface 32 of
the front lip 28 in the event that the connection becomes loose
over time. Furthermore, fastening the mounting tab 16 under or
against the inside surface 32 of the front lip 28 lowers the
profile of the guard 10 on the gutter 20 and also obscures any
rough edges, burrs, or other defects that may be realized during
the forming of the mounting tab.
[0026] When the mounting tab 16 is fastened under or against the
inside surface 32 of the front lip 28, a gap G.sub.1 is formed
between the forward-most edge of the hood 12 and the front lip. The
gap G.sub.1 is sized to prevent or limit the amount of debris
(e.g., leaf material, pine needles, children's toys) that may be
received into the gutter 20. The gap may also be sized to prevent
or discourage the entry of birds or rodents.
[0027] Referring now to FIG. 4, the mounting tabs 16 are attached
to the upward-facing surface 34 of the front lip 28. The present
invention is not limited in this regard, however, as the mounting
tabs 16 may be attached to other surfaces of the gutter. In
embodiments of the guard 10 in which the mounting tabs 16 are
attached to the upward-facing surface 34 of the front lip 28, the
mounting tabs are bent to lay as flat as possible on the
upward-facing surface, and the fasteners 26 secure the mounting
tabs to the upward-facing surface. A gap G.sub.2 is formed between
the forward-most edge of the hood 12 and the upward-facing surface
34 of the front lip 28. The gap G.sub.2 is also sized to prevent or
limit the amount of debris that may be received into the gutter 20
and may also prevent or discourage the entry of birds or
rodents.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 5, the mounting tabs 16 may be bent in
such a way so as to be accommodated on a forward-facing surface of
the front lip 28. The mounting tab 16 may be bent, molded, or
otherwise formed such that the inner surface of the mounting tab
corresponds with the outer surface of the front lip 28. Fasteners
26 may be used to secure the mounting tab 16 to the forward-facing
surface. Additionally (or in the alternative), the mounting tab 16
may be crimped to or otherwise made to frictionally fit the front
lip 28. In such an embodiment, a gap G.sub.3 is formed and sized to
prevent or limit the amount of debris that may be received into the
gutter 20 and may also prevent or discourage the entry of birds or
rodents.
[0029] Referring now to FIG. 6, in any embodiment and irrespective
of where the mounting tab 16 is located on the gutter 20, the hood
12 may include a deflector member 40 at a terminal edge thereof.
The deflector member 40 may be defined by a bend or curl in the
edge of the hood 12 to direct or deflect the flow of water. In
particular, the bend or curl may be in a forward direction to
direct the flow of water (shown by an arrow R) against a
substantially vertical wall of the gutter 20. By doing so the water
is made to cascade downward along the inner surface of the gutter
20 (as opposed to the water dripping from the terminal edge onto a
bottom surface 44 of the gutter). By minimizing the angle at which
the water cascades against the inner surface of the gutter 20 by
directing the water down a vertical surface, a less aggressive flow
of water into the gutter is realized, which may reduce the amount
of stress placed on the gutter and may also reduce the amount of
noise emitted as a result of water striking the surface of the
gutter.
[0030] In any of the above-described embodiments, the fastener 26
is received through the lip and the mounting tab 16. Referring now
to FIG. 7, the mounting tab 16 may be secured to a cross-member 46
of the gutter 20 using the fastener 26.
[0031] In FIG. 8, a system for directing water into the rain gutter
is shown. The gutter 20 is attached to an edge of a roof of a
building. The guard 10 is mounted on the gutter 20 such that water
(shown at arrow R) cascading down the roof or landing directly on
the guard travels across the hood 12. As the water travels across
the hood 12, the surface tension of the water causes the water to
be pulled around the front edge of the hood where it drips into the
gutter 20 or is directed against the inner surface of the gutter.
End caps 30 may be attached to the ends of the guard 10 to prevent
or limit the entry of debris into the gutter 20.
[0032] In any of the above-disclosed embodiments, the guard 10 can
be a single piece that is mounted over the rain gutter, or several
shorter guards can be mounted over the rain gutter. Materials from
which the guard 10 may be fabricated include, but are not limited
to, metal, plastic, fiberglass, and the like. The materials can be
painted, cast, or molded to have any color desired. For example,
the color can be matched to the color of the rain gutter or the
roofing material.
[0033] Although this invention has been shown and described with
respect to the detailed embodiments thereof, it will be understood
by those of skill in the art that various changes may be made and
equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
departing from the scope of the invention. In addition,
modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
material to the teachings of the invention without departing from
the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the
invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed in
the above detailed description, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims
* * * * *