U.S. patent application number 11/729429 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-24 for rain gutter cover.
Invention is credited to Richard Marriner.
Application Number | 20080016787 11/729429 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38970089 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080016787 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Marriner; Richard |
January 24, 2008 |
Rain gutter cover
Abstract
This invention relates to rain gutters installed on houses and
other buildings, and in particular to covers installed on rain
gutters to prevent debris from accumulating in the rain gutters and
adversely affecting the water diversion function of the gutters.
The subject invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art
by providing a gutter cover that is both readily installed and
removed--and effectively prevents leaves, nuts, berries, pine cone,
and needles from the gutter and holds its structural integrity
under snow loads.
Inventors: |
Marriner; Richard; (Bend,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
RICHARD MARRINER
P O BOX 5425
Bend
OR
97708
US
|
Family ID: |
38970089 |
Appl. No.: |
11/729429 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11075027 |
Mar 7, 2005 |
|
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11729429 |
Mar 27, 2007 |
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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 13/076 20060101
E04D013/076 |
Claims
1. A rain gutter cover comprising: a top wall, a front wall and a
rear wall; and, the top wall including surfaces defining a
plurality of arcuate openings having a minimum radius of curvature
selected to prevent the passage there through of planar and
elongate particles.
2. A rain gutter cover according to claim 1 further comprising the
plurality of arcuate openings comprise a plurality of S-shaped
openings.
3. A rain gutter cover according to claim 2 wherein the plurality
of S-shaped arcuate openings are positioned adjacent one another
and wherein a line drawn along the top wall is intersected by a
plurality of the S-shaped arcuate openings.
4. A rain gutter according to claim 1 where in the top wall has a
traverse dimension selected to position the front wall in a spaced
apart position relative to a gutter front wall.
5. A rain gutter cover according to claim 1 further comprising a
spacer mounted on the front wall.
6. A rain gutter cover according to claim 1 wherein the rear wall
has a height that is greater than a height of the front wall.
7. A rain gutter cover according to claim 4 wherein the spaced
apart position of the front wall is selected to exclude planar and
elongated particles.
Description
II. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a CON of 11/075,027 Mar. 7, 2005, is
herein incorporated in its entirety by reference.
III. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable.
IV. REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM
LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX
[0003] Not Applicable.
V. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0004] None included.
VI. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates to rain gutters installed on houses
and other buildings, and in particular to covers installed on rain
gutters to prevent debris from accumulating in the rain gutters and
adversely affecting the water diversion function of the
gutters.
[0006] The maintenance of rain gutters is largely a matter of
keeping the gutters and downspouts clear of debris such as leaves,
nuts, berries, pine cones, and needles from overhanging or nearby
trees. A number of types and styles of gutter covers are available,
but none has so far been offered which effectively exclude most, if
not all, leaves, nuts, berries, pine cones, and especially needles,
and which is simple to install and maintain, as well as maintain
its integrity under snow loads. Many currently available gutter
cover designs cannot be readily removed for cleaning. Cleaning is
often necessary even if the cited debris does not accumulate in the
gutter. Composite roofs and tile roofs shed material often
necessitating cleaning every five or so years--hosing out the
gutter with water is the preferred method of cleaning.
[0007] The subject invention overcomes the shortcomings of the
prior art by providing a gutter cover that is both readily
installed and removed--and effectively prevents leaves, nuts,
berries, pine cones, and needles from the gutter and holds its
structural integrity under snow loads.
VII. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0008] FIG. 1: top view of gutter cover illustrating one embodiment
of the arcuate openings.
[0009] FIG. 2: a close up view of the gutter cover of FIG. 1
illustrating one embodiment of the arcuate openings.
[0010] FIG. 3: end view of one of the alternative embodiments of
the gutter.
[0011] FIG. 4: top view of gutter cover illustrating one embodiment
of the arcuate openings.
[0012] FIG. 5a: top view of the preferred embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 5b: bottom view of the preferred embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 5c: left side view of the preferred embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 5d: right side view of the preferred embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 5e: a reversed view of FIG. 5a-5d.
VIII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] This invention relates to rain gutters installed on houses
and other buildings, and in particular to covers installed on rain
gutters to prevent debris from accumulating in the rain gutters and
adversely affecting the water diversion function of the
gutters.
[0018] The maintenance of rain gutters is largely a matter of
keeping the gutters and downspouts clear of debris such as leaves,
nuts, berries, pine cones, and needles from overhanging or nearby
trees. A number of types and styles of gutter covers are available,
but none has so far been offered which effectively exclude most, if
not all, leaves, nuts, berries, pine cones, and especially needles,
and which is simple to install and maintain, as well as maintain
its integrity under snow loads. Many currently available gutter
cover designs cannot be readily removed for cleaning. Cleaning is
often necessary even if the cited debris does not accumulate in the
gutter. Composite roofs and tile roofs shed material often
necessitating cleaning every five or so years--hosing out the
gutter with water is the preferred method of cleaning.
[0019] The subject invention overcomes the shortcomings of the
prior art by providing a gutter cover that is both readily
installed and removed--and effectively prevents leaves, nuts,
berries, pine cones, and needles from the gutter and holds its
structural integrity under snow loads.
[0020] The invention is embodied in a preferred embodiment
illustrated in the enclosed drawings and illustrations. Referring
to FIGS. 5a through Se and FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the invention is shown
generally--gutter cover 10. FIG. 5a shows a top view of the
preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5b shows a bottom view
of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 5c shows a left side view of the
preferred embodiment. FIG. 5d shows a right side view of the
preferred embodiment. FIG. 5e shows a reversed view (vis-a-vis
FIGS. 5a through 5d) of the preferred embodiment installed in a
gutter 51, FIG. 5a through 5e include tabs 54a and 54b, flanges 55a
and 55b, and gutter mounting bracket 56. FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show
different illustrations of a plurality of arcuate openings 13 in
gutter cover 10. FIG. 5e shows axis 52 through which a screw,
preferably a sheet metal screw, affixes gutter cover 10 to gutter
51. Axis 53 is preferably the axis through which the gutter bracket
is secured to gutter 51 which is in turn affixed to a fascia board.
Axis 52 is preferably the axis through which a 5 foot section of
gutter cover 10 is secured to gutter 51. Tabs 54a and 54b are
approximately at the far end of the 5 foot sections. Subtle
variations in the gutter 51 design depicted and bracket(s) 54 and
are well known in the art but accommodating changes to the gutter
cover 10 to accommodate such variations do not affect the scope of
the subject invention.
[0021] The aperture pattern in gutter cover 11 is not shown in FIG.
5a through 5e. The aperture pattern is shown in FIG. 1, 2, and 4.
The invention is shown generally at 10, and includes a top surface
12 that includes arcuate openings 13, which are best seen in FIG.
2, which is a partial enlargement portion A of FIG. 1. The arcuate
openings are selected so as to provide a relative large opening
area on top surface 12, while at the same time providing openings
that present only relatively small dimensions in any one direction.
Debris--in particular pine needles tend to be linear: the arcuate
design discourages passage of needles as well as entanglement
therewith. Applicant has discovered through empirical observations
that this particular pattern of openings is very effective at
diverting debris, including needles, while at the same time
providing sufficient open area in the cover to permit large volumes
of water to pass into the gutter system during heavy storms or snow
melt.
[0022] An alternative embodiment of the subject invention is
depicted in FIG. 3. An end view of gutter cover 11 is depicted and
illustrates two flanges 14 and 16. There are no tabs. The front
flange 14 and a rear flange 16 are depicted. Rear flange 16 and
front flange 14 are preferably angled at more than 90 degrees
relative to the top surface to facilitate easy mounting in the
event the gutter itself tapers toward the bottom horizontal surface
on which water is collected and diverted to downspouts or
functional equivalents. Such tapers are not uncommon as depicted in
FIG. 5e. Front flange 14 and back flange 16 heights may vary to
accommodate varying roof pitches to optimize its utility.
[0023] Front flange 14 is shorter than the depth of the gutter to
permit the top surface 12 to be tilted away from the roof, and
facilitate the flushing of debris off of the top surface. Front
flange 14 is fixed in place by the use of an adhesive-coated tab 20
(FIGS. 3-4), which are adhered to front flange 14 and to the inner
surface of front wall 22 of gutter 24. Tab 20 also serves to space
the edge of top surface 12 apart a small distance from front wall
22 of gutter 24. The resulting gap 26 permits the flow of water
into gutter 24 along the entire length of the gutter cover. In
addition, the flow of water into gutter 24 along gap 26 is from the
bottom of the stream flowing over the cover top surface, optimizing
the split of clear water flowing into gutter 24 through gap 26,
while debris floating on top is diverted over the edge and flushed
off of the gutter. A functionally equivalent gap 27 is illustrated
in FIG. 5e.
[0024] The applicant has also empirically observed that gap 26 or
27 which may be in whole or in part under the roofing can prevent
the migration or wicking of water on the underside of the roof to
the fascia board--thereby potentially preventing the premature
structural and aesthetic degradation of the fascia board and any
protective coatings thereon.
[0025] This embodiment of the invention does not require additional
hangars, nails, or screws. This represents an advantage in that it
reduces the time and cost required to install the gutter cover and
to remove and re-install the gutter cover when gutters need to be
cleaned. The cover can be cut to any desired length or angle to
correspond to a specific run length of roof/gutter or corner, or
can be precut into sections of predetermined length, then only
requiring a single cut at the end of the gutter length to finalize
the installation.
[0026] The invention is preferably formed of sheet metal, but the
invention is not limited to any particular material of
construction, or to any specific method of manufacture. These and
other variations, modification and/or embodiments are possible
without departing from the scope of the invention.
* * * * *