U.S. patent application number 11/697861 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-02 for down spout guard made from non-woven material.
Invention is credited to Martin J. Rotter.
Application Number | 20070175106 11/697861 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34082937 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070175106 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rotter; Martin J. |
August 2, 2007 |
DOWN SPOUT GUARD MADE FROM NON-WOVEN MATERIAL
Abstract
A guard for preventing debris from entering a downspout of a
rain gutter is provided. The guard includes a piece of non-woven
material having a top surface, and a plurality of cross-sections
that increase in area toward the top surface. The cross sections
are generally complementary to an opening of the downspout. The
material is adapted to extend at least partially into the
downspout. The increase in area of the cross-sections toward the
top surface prevents the material from being over-inserted into the
downspout opening.
Inventors: |
Rotter; Martin J.;
(Glenside, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
VOLPE AND KOENIG, P.C.
UNITED PLAZA, SUITE 1600
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103
US
|
Family ID: |
34082937 |
Appl. No.: |
11/697861 |
Filed: |
April 9, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10920528 |
Aug 18, 2004 |
7200969 |
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11697861 |
Apr 9, 2007 |
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PCT/US04/00545 |
Jan 12, 2004 |
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10920528 |
Aug 18, 2004 |
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60439993 |
Jan 14, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 13/0767 20130101;
E04D 13/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
052/012 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/00 20060101
E04D013/00 |
Claims
1. A guard for preventing debris from entering a downspout of a
rain gutter, the guard comprising: a substantially tapered piece of
non-woven material comprising a plurality of respective
cross-sections that are generally complementary to an opening of
the downspout, the material being adapted to extend at least
partially into the downspout.
2. The guard of claim 1, further comprising one or more channels
extending through the non-woven material.
3. The guard of claim 1, further comprising a handle formed from a
recess in the non-woven material.
4. The guard of claim 1, further comprising a handle formed from a
loop connected to the non-woven material.
5. The guard of claim 1, further comprising a fence guard
comprising a grid portion resting in the rain gutter and an
attachment portion inserted into the non-woven material.
6. A guard for preventing debris from entering a downspout of a
rain gutter, the guard comprising: a piece of non-woven material
comprising a top surface, and a plurality of cross-sections that
increase in area toward the top surface, the cross sections being
generally complementary to an opening of the downspout, and the
material being adapted to extend at least partially into the
downspout, wherein the increase in area of the cross-sections
toward the top surface prevents the material from being
over-inserted into the downspout opening.
7. The guard of claim 6, wherein the area of at least one of the
cross sections is greater than an area of the downspout
opening.
8. The guard of claim 6, wherein the cross sections are stepped
with respect to each other.
9. The guard of claim 8, wherein each stepped cross section
comprises a respective substantially horizontal abutment surface,
and at least one of the substantially horizontal abutment surfaces
contacts a bottom surface of the rain gutter, thereby preventing
the material from being over-inserted into the downspout
opening.
10. The guard of claim 6, wherein the plurality of cross-sections
that increase in area toward the top surface result in a
substantially smoothly tapered piece of non-woven material.
11. The guard of claim 6, further comprising one or more channels
extending through the non-woven material.
12. The guard of claim 11, wherein the channel(s) have a combined
area not greater than about 25% of a corresponding cross-sectional
area of the downspout.
13. The guard of claim 11, wherein the combined area of the
channel(s) is between 5% and 20% of a cross-sectional area of the
downspout.
14. The guard of claim 11, wherein the combined area of the
channel(s) is between 10% and 15% of a cross-sectional area of the
downspout.
15. The guard of claim 6, further comprising a handle for removing
the guard from an installed position in the downspout.
16. The guard of claim 15, wherein the handle comprises a recess
formed in the non-woven material.
17. The guard of claim 15, wherein the handle comprises a loop
connected to the non-woven material.
18. The guard of claim 6, further comprising a fence guard
comprising a grid portion resting in the rain gutter and an
attachment portion inserted into the non-woven material.
19. The guard of claim 6, wherein the non-woven material comprises
a synthetic fiber web treated with at least one binding agent.
20. The guard of claim 6, wherein the non-woven material comprises
a synthetic fiber web having at least a 60% net free area.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/920,528, filed Aug. 18, 2004, which is a
continuation-in-part of International Application No.
PCT/U.S.2004/000545, filed Jan. 12, 2004, which claims the benefit
of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/439,993, filed Jan. 14,
2003.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Many types of devices are known for preventing rain gutters
and down-spouts from becoming clogged with leaves and/or other
blown debris.
[0003] One known device is formed of a wire mesh which is inserted
into the down spout opening of a rain gutter. The wire mesh
prevents leaves or other debris from entering the downspout. While
this does not eliminate the need to clean gutters, it does prevent
downspouts from becoming plugged which can result in gutters
overflowing, freezing or leaking back into the soffit under the
roof overhang.
[0004] It has also been known to cover a rain gutter with a mesh or
with a solid sheet material leaving only a small gap at the edge of
the gutter for water to enter. While this is somewhat effective, it
prevents access for cleaning. Although such products greatly reduce
the need for cleaning, it is still inevitable that some debris
enters the gutter and that periodic cleaning may be necessary.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide a device for preventing
downspouts of rain gutters from overflowing that is inexpensively
produced, can be easily removed and reinstalled for cleaning, and
which will not deteriorate quickly based on exposure to moisture,
UV radiation and general atmosphere conditions.
SUMMARY
[0006] Briefly stated, the present invention provides a non-woven
mesh guard which can be inserted into a downspout opening in a rain
gutter in order to prevent debris from entering the downspout.
Preferably, the non-woven mesh includes a large free area to allow
for the flow of water therethrough while preventing debris from
entering the downspout. It is also possible to increase the free
area for the flow of water while allowing small pieces of debris to
be carried out of the downspout through a plurality of small
channels extending through the guard. Anchor pins may be installed
in the guard to prevent it from being forced too far down into the
downspout opening. Alternatively, the non-woven material may also
be formed such that it includes an enlarged top portion which rests
in the base of the gutter over the downspout opening while a
reduced size portion is inserted into the downspout. It is also
possible to form a handle directly in the non-woven mesh material
which forms the guard to allow for easier gripping for both
installation and removal as well as increased penetration area for
draining water therethrough.
[0007] In another aspect of the invention, a debris shedding fence
is anchored to the guard and sits in the rain gutter upstream from
the downspout opening. The debris shedding fence prevents large
debris from reaching the guard.
[0008] In yet another aspect of the invention, the guard includes a
piece of non-woven material having a top surface, and a plurality
of cross-sections that increase in area toward the top surface. The
cross sections are generally complementary to an opening of the
downspout. The material is adapted to extend at least partially
into the downspout. The increase in area of the cross-sections
toward the top surface prevents the material from being
over-inserted into the downspout opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, will be
better understood when read in conjunction with the appended
drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It
should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to
the precise arrangement shown.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a guard in accordance with
the invention being installed in a rain gutter downspout.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a
guard in accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a
guard in accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of a barbed support pin used in
conjunction with the guard shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view through a fourth embodiment
of a guard in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view through a fifth embodiment
of a guard in accordance with the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a debris shedding fence used
in conjunction with the guard shown in FIG. 8.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the fourth embodiment of the
guard in accordance with the present invention installed in a rain
gutter downspout and the debris shedding fence installed in the
rain gutter.
[0018] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of a
guard in accordance with the present invention, installed in a rain
gutter downspout.
[0019] FIG. 10 is an elevational view of the guard shown in FIG.
9.
[0020] FIG. 11 is a top plan view thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
[0021] Certain terminology is used in the following detailed
description for convenience only and is not considered limiting.
The word "upper" and "lower" designate directions in the drawings
to which reference is made. Additionally, the terms "a" and "one"
are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless
specifically noted. As used herein, "generally complementary"
refers to a shape that generally corresponds to a mating shape,
while allowing for the possibility of an interference fit based on
the material properties of one or both shapes as well as the
possibility of providing void areas within the one shape or along a
surface of the one shape at the interface with the mating
shape.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 1, a first preferred embodiment of a
guard 10 for use in connection with a rain gutter downspout is
shown. The guard 10 is formed from a piece of non-woven matting,
such as that described in the inventors' prior U.S. Pat. No.
5,167,579, which is incorporated herein by reference as if fully
set forth. Other types of non-woven matting may be utilized.
However, the matting described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,167,579 has
proven successful in outdoor roof ridge vent applications and is
resistant to both UV and moisture. The non-woven material has a
large net free area of at least 60%, and preferably over 70%, and
is formed of filaments which are randomly spun together and adhered
in place utilizing an adhesive binder.
[0023] In the first preferred embodiment, the guard 10 includes a
notch 12 which acts as a handle on an upper portion of the guard
10. Preferably, anchor pins 14 are installed which rest upon the
bottom of the rain gutter 16 to prevent the guard 10 from being
over-inserted into the opening 18 for the downspout 20. The guard
10 may be made from two pieces of non-woven material which are
glued, laminated or otherwise connected together in order to form a
guard 10 having a desired thickness. The notch 12 is preferably cut
utilizing an abrasive cutting wheel. However, other cutting methods
may be utilized in order to form the notch 12. In use, a user would
grip the upper portion of the guard 10. The support pins 14 may be
pre-installed or installed in position by the user either prior to
or after inserting the bottom portion of the guard 10 into the
opening 18 for the downspout 20. If the guard 10 needs to be
removed for cleaning, it can be gripped by the notch 12 which
provides a hand grip area in order to remove the guard 10 from the
downspout opening 18. Alternatively, it would be possible to attach
a handle or pull string to the top of the guard 10.
[0024] As shown in FIG. 4, preferably the support pins 14 are
serrated so that they do not become dislodged from the non-woven
material of the guard 10 after they have been installed.
Preferably, the support pins 14 are made of copper or stainless
steel to resist corrosion. However, other materials may be
utilized.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 2, a second embodiment of the guard 30 is
shown. The guard 30 is also made of the non-woven material, as
described above, and includes an upper lip 32 on at least one side,
and preferably on both sides to prevent the guard 30 from being
over-inserted into the gutter. Preferably, a handle 34 is connected
to the top of the guard 30. The handle 34 may be a loop of nylon or
other suitable material and may be semi-rigid such that the loop
extends upward and remains in an open position in order to allow
the guard 30 to be removed using an extension pole having a hook
without the need for a ladder.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 3, a third embodiment of the guard 40 is
shown. The guard 40 in accordance with the third embodiment of the
invention is similar to the guard 10 except that the notch 12 has
been omitted.
[0027] In the preferred embodiments described above, the lower
portion of the guards 10, 30, and 40 are sized to be slightly
greater than the opening 18 for a downspout so that they are
installed with a slight interference fit. Since the non-woven
material utilized to make the guards 10, 30, and 40 is
compressible, this ensures that the guards 10, 30, and 40 remained
anchored in position in the downspouts. The guards 10, 30, 40 are
provided in different shapes and sizes that are generally
complementary to known gutter/downspout configurations.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, additional embodiments of the
guards 50 and 60 are shown and can also include one or more
channels 52, 62 extending generally longitudinally along the sides
of and/or through the guard 50, 60. This allows for an increased
volume of water to flow through the guard 50, 60 and down the
downspout, and also allows for smaller debris to be carried through
the guard and out of the downspout by the water, while preventing
larger debris from clogging the downspout. This higher flow through
rate of the water also helps to clear small debris from the mesh
material. In a preferred embodiment, the combined area of the
channel(s) is no larger than about 25% of the cross-sectional area
of the downspout. In a more preferred embodiment, the combined area
of the channel(s) is between 5% and 20% of the area of the
downspout. In the most preferred embodiments, the combined area of
the channel(s) is between 10% and 15% of the area of the
downspout.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the channels 52, 62 are located
at an outer edge of the guards 50, 60 such that the channels are
located against the wall of the downspout. However, it is possible
to place the channels through the center of the guard 50, 60, or
any other location on the guard 50, 60.
[0030] The guards 50, 60 are provided in different shapes and sizes
and are generally complementary to known gutter/downspout
configurations.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, an additional embodiment of the
invention is shown which utilizes the guard so in combination with
a debris blocking/shedding fence 70. The fence 70 has a grid
portion 72 and an attachment portion 74, generally in the form of a
spike. The fence 70 attaches to the guard 50 by inserting the
attachment portion 74 into the portion of the guard 50 which
protrudes from the opening 18 of the downspout 20. Once assembled,
the grid portion 72 rests in the rain gutter 16 and prevents large
debris from reaching the guard 50 in the opening 18 of the
downspout 20, while still allowing water and smaller debris to pass
through. The fence 70 also allows for debris to spill over the side
walls of the rain gutter 16 in the event that too much debris is
collected against the fence 70.
[0032] While the fence 70 is shown standing generally vertically in
the rain gutter 16, in the embodiment shown, it will be recognized
by those skilled in the art that the fence 70 can be angled, for
example a 60.degree. angle, in order to further enhance the debris
shedding capability of the fence guard 70.
[0033] As shown, the fence guard 70 is placed in the rain gutter 16
with its horizontal edge facing down to complement the horizontal
floor of the rain gutter 16. The fence guard 70 can also be placed
with its curved edge facing down to complement rain gutters with
curved bottoms. The grid portion 72 is made such that pieces can be
easily broken off, as desired, to account for varying dimensions in
different rain gutter designs. This allows the debris shedding
fence 70 to be manufactured as a single item that can then be
adapted to any number of various gutter configurations.
[0034] As an alternate to the pins 14, which are installed on each
of the four sides of the guards 10 and 40, two pins having greater
lengths may be utilized that are inserted all the way through the
guard such that each pin extends through two opposing sides.
Alternatively, the pins 14 can be omitted entirely.
[0035] FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention.
As shown most clearly in FIG. 10, guard 80 may include a
substantially tapered piece of non-woven material includes a
plurality of respective cross-sections 82, 84, 86, 88 that are
generally complementary to an opening of the downspout 20, the
material being adapted to extend at least partially into the
downspout as shown in FIG. 9.
[0036] More specifically, the piece of non-woven material of guard
80 includes a top surface 82, and a plurality of stepped cross
sections 84, 86, 88, 90 that increase in area toward the top
surface 82, as shown in FIG. 10. (In the example illustrated in
FIG. 10, cross section 84 has the smallest area, and cross section
90 has the largest area.) Each stepped cross section 84, 86, 88, 90
has a respective substantially horizontal abutment surface 84A,
86A, 88A, 90A. The increase in area of the stepped cross-sections
84, 86, 88, 90 toward the top surface 82 prevents the material from
being over-inserted into the downspout opening 18. (In view of the
representation of the downspout opening 18 in FIG. 1, it will be
understood that the downspout opening 18 is hidden from view in
FIG. 9.)
[0037] In other words, the generally tapered shape of the non-woven
material facilitates insertion of the guard 80 into the downspout
opening 18. When a stepped cross section 84, 86, 88, 90 with an
area that is greater than an area of the downspout opening 18 meets
the downspout opening 18, however, its respective substantially
horizontal abutment surface 84A, 86A, 88A, 90A contacts a bottom
surface 92 of the rain gutter, thereby preventing the material from
being over-inserted into the downspout opening 18.
[0038] The guard 80 may further include one or more channels 102
extending through the non-woven material as described above with
reference to guards 50 and 60. The configuration and function of
the channels 102 of guard 80 are virtually the same as those of
guards 50 and 60, except that the channels 102 of guard 80
typically extend generally longitudinally along the sides or outer
edges of each cross section 84, 86, 88, 90 (as shown in FIGS. 9-11)
and/or through the guard 80 (not shown).
[0039] As described above with reference to guards 10 and 30, guard
80 may include a handle for removing the guard 80 from an installed
position in the downspout 20. The handle may be formed as a recess
12 in the non-woven material (as illustrated in FIG. 1), or may
include a loop 34 connected to the non-woven material (as
illustrated in FIG. 2). The configuration and function of each
handle of guard 80 are virtually the same as those of guards 10 and
30.
[0040] Guard 80 may also be utilized in combination with a debris
blocking/shedding fence 70 as described above with reference to
FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0041] As described above with reference to guards 10, 30, 40, 50,
and 60, guard 80 is provided in different shapes and sizes that are
generally complementary to known gutter/downspout configurations.
In the example illustrated, the top plan view of FIG. 11 shows that
the general shape of the top cross section 90 is rectangular (as is
the general shape of the remaining cross sections 84, 86, 88). The
length L of each cross section 84, 86, 88, 90 may be approximately
three inches, four inches, five inches, and six inches,
respectively. The height H of each cross section 84, 86, 88, 90 may
be approximately two to three inches. The present invention,
however, is not limited to these dimensions. The stepped cross
sections 84, 86, 88, 90 of guard 80 may be dimensioned, as desired,
to accommodate various downspout configurations.
[0042] The guard 80 illustrated in FIG. 10 includes four stepped
cross sections 84, 86, 88, 90. The present invention, however, is
not limited to four cross sections, and a guard 80 may be
manufactured to include any number of stepped cross sections, as
desired, as long as the area of at least one of the cross sections
is greater than the area of the applicable downspout opening.
Alternatively, guards 80 may be manufactured with a predetermined
standard number of stepped cross sections and the user may then
remove (by cutting) any number of stepped cross sections, as
desired, for a particular downspout configuration.
[0043] An alternative to the stepped configuration of the guard 80
is for the taper to be substantially smooth in shape (not shown).
The principle of preventing the material from being over-inserted
into the downspout opening 18, as described above with reference to
the stepped cross section configuration, applies for a smoothly
tapered guard 80 as well.
[0044] The non-woven material utilized to make the guards 10, 30,
40, 50, 60, 80 is provided in large sheets from a webber, and may
be formed to a desired thickness and then cut to size utilizing
suitable means, such as an abrasive wheel cutter. Multiple pieces
of the non-woven material may also be joined together in order to
form the required thickness for a guard 10, 30, 40, 50, 60, 80.
[0045] While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been
described in detail, the invention is not limited to the specific
embodiments described above which should be considered as merely
exemplary. Further modification and extensions of the present
invention may be developed, and all such modifications are deemed
to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the
appended claims.
* * * * *