U.S. patent application number 13/311743 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-29 for debris deflection devices.
This patent application is currently assigned to Thomas A. Wootton. Invention is credited to Thomas A. Wootton.
Application Number | 20120073212 13/311743 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41340725 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120073212 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Wootton; Thomas A. |
March 29, 2012 |
Debris Deflection Devices
Abstract
This invention related to the field of drains and rain gutters
typically attached to a house or commercial building. This
invention describes gutter inserts that block, or deflect
vegetation and other debris from entering rain gutters.
Inventors: |
Wootton; Thomas A.;
(Richland, MI) |
Assignee: |
Wootton; Thomas A.
Richland
MI
|
Family ID: |
41340725 |
Appl. No.: |
13/311743 |
Filed: |
December 6, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12468451 |
May 19, 2009 |
8069617 |
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13311743 |
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61054617 |
May 20, 2008 |
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61156271 |
Feb 27, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
52/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 13/076 20130101;
E04D 13/064 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/12 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/076 20060101
E04D013/076 |
Claims
1. A gutter insert comprising at least one an upper blocking
member, at least one vertical support member, wherein said upper
blocking member and said vertical support member are engaged with
each other over all or part of the distal or back edge of the upper
blocking member and the proximal or upper edge of the vertical
support member, wherein said upper blocking members is flexibly
engaged with said vertical support member, wherein said insert is
longer than it is wide.
2. A gutter insert of claim 1, that is made of metal or
plastic.
3. A gutter insert of claim 2, wherein said vertical support member
has a bottom or distal edge that is a bracing member, wherein said
bracing member engages the inside walls, bottom or inside corner of
a gutter.
4. A gutter insert of claim 3, wherein said upper blocking member
covers more than half of the open trough of a gutter when it is
placed in a gutter.
5. A gutter insert of claim 4, wherein a) said upper blocking
member is flexibly engaged with the proximal portion of said
vertical support member, b) said bracing member is either part of
or attached to the distal portion of said vertical support member,
and. c) said upper blocking member has a set back to allow overlap
of multiple upper blocking members when more than one inserts are
used in an adjacent manner in a gutter.
6. The insert of claim 5, wherein said bracing member abuts the
bottom inside back corner wall of the gutter when the insert is
placed in a gutter.
7. The insert of claim 6, wherein there is a gap between the distal
edge of the upper blocking member and back wall of the gutter when
the insert is placed in a gutter.
8. The insert of claim 7, wherein the gap is greater than about 1/8
inch but less than 2 inches in width.
9. A gutter insert for impeding the egress of non-liquid debris
into a gutter, said gutter including a front wall terminating into
a front lip, a back wall, and a bottom wall, said bottom wall
extending between and connecting the front wall to the back wall,
wherein said gutter insert comprises: a) an upper blocking member
including means for engaging said gutter front lip, b) a generally
vertical support member connected to said blocking member, said
generally vertical support member including means for engaging the
insert with the gutter at a location on or near the lower half of
said bottom wall.
10. A gutter insert of claim 9, where said generally vertical
support member is flexible and engages the insert with said gutter
near the corner of the bottom wall and the back wall of said
gutter.
11. A gutter insert of claim 10, wherein said upper blocking member
is between about 3 to 7 inches wide and said vertical support
member is between about 3 to 7 inches in height.
12. A gutter insert of claim 11, wherein said insert comprises a
detent.
13. A gutter insert of claim 12, wherein said vertical support
member has a distal edge that is a bracing member, wherein said
upper blocking member and vertical support member are engaged at an
angle such that the planes of the two members create an angle of
any angle from about 50 to 120 degrees.
14. A gutter insert of claim 13, wherein said detent is in a region
of the insert between the upper and lower region of said vertical
support member wherein said upper region of said vertical support
member forms an angle with said upper blocking member of any angle,
X angle between about 60 to 90 degrees and wherein said lower
region of said vertical support member forms an angle with said
upper region of said vertical support member, Y angle of any angle
between about 100 and 140 degrees, wherein said insert has a set
back at the ends of the insert that allows inserts to overlap with
one another, providing a continuous upper blocking member
appearance, when placed adjacent to each other.
15. Use of a gutter insert to keep rain gutters open and draining
freely comprising an upper blocking member and at least one
vertical support member, wherein said upper blocking member is
comprised of a flat or rounded structure with its distal edge
engaged with the vertical support member, wherein either or both
the upper blocking member and the vertical support member may be
divided into a multiplicity of pieces, wherein the distal portion
of the upper blocking member and the proximal portion of the
vertical support member are attached to each other, wherein said
upper blocking member and vertical support member are attached such
that they form an angle such that the plane of the upper blocking
member is at an angle of less than 90 degrees and more than about
40 degrees when measured with the plane of the vertical support
member, wherein the length of the insert is greater than 5 inches,
wherein the width of said horizontal blocking member is between 2
and 7 inches, wherein the height of said vertical support member is
from 2 to 6 inches, wherein said vertical support member is not
engaged with said horizontal blocking member over its entire
length, wherein the thickness of said article is between 0.001 and
0.5 inch, wherein said vertical support member(s) are flexible.
16. Use of an insert of claim 15, wherein said horizontal blocking
member has a surface that, when in position in a gutter, slopes
either upward or downward with its proximal edge joined to the
vertical support member and having its distal edge engaged with the
lip of a gutter.
17. Use of an insert of claim 16, wherein said upper blocking
member is between about 3 to 6 inches in width, wherein said
vertical support member is about 3 to 6 inches in height.
18. Use of a multiplicity of said inserts of claim 17, to keep rain
gutters open and draining freely wherein one or two inserts overlap
with one or two adjoining inserts when placed in a gutter.
19. Use of a gutter insert of claim 18, wherein said upper blocking
member has a front edge that rests in or on the front lip of the
gutter.
20. Use of a gutter insert of claim 19, wherein said vertical
support member has a bottom edge that rests in or near the inside
bottom back corner of a gutter, where back is the side against the
building.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/054,617, filed on 20 May
2008 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/156,271,
filed on 27 Feb. 2009, which are hereby incorporated in their
entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is related to the field of covers and shields
to prevent leaves, other vegetation and non-liquid debris from
entering rain gutter drains attached to houses and buildings. This
invention describes gutter inserts that prevent, block or trap
leaves and other vegetation and falling debris from entering and
clogging gutter drains.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Leaves, twigs, other vegetation including natural plant
parts and other non-liquid debris frequently falls or drifts into
rain gutter drains, or rain gutters, or gutters, clogging them and
hindering or preventing their intended function of draining water
away from a house or building. Foam inserts are known to be used to
fill a gutter with durable foam material and by filling the space
of the gutter exclude leaves from filling the gutter. Most devices
made to keep falling vegetative debris from rain gutters start on
the roof shingles and extend over the gutter, they are not inserted
into the gutter. Most consider it unwise to block the gutter, and
in particular the base of the gutter. Even foam inserts are
designed to avoid the base of the gutter. Installing covers over
the gutter meanwhile can be difficult because the edge of the roof
often dips low, sometimes very close to or into the trough of the
gutter. Another problem with creating effective simple gutter
covers is that gutters are interrupted at irregular intervals of
about 18 to 30 inches by nails or support brackets that attach and
hold the gutters to the building. The supports and other obstacles
mean that foam inserts and other cover devices usually are
inconvenient, difficult to install and look bad because they have
to be either cut up leaving gaps in coverage or they sit on top of
and or ride up out of the gutter. They are also relatively
expensive. Some devices retain water which can promote the growth
of bacteria, mold and other organisms. The way gutters are
constructed and fastened to buildings have made it difficult to
design a safe inexpensive solution to the problem of gutter being
clogged by falling debris. Typically home owners just climb a
ladder once or twice a year and manually unclog their gutters. Most
gutter covers and screens available rest on top of the roof, or on
top of the shingles on the roof, they extend over the full width of
the gutter and run along its length in sections which are about 3
to 5 feet long. Often these devices require screws, bolts and or
clips to fasten them onto the roof, gutter and or the building.
Often the shingles and the roof itself are penetrated by nails or
screws thus causing or inviting damage to the roof or shingles.
Some gutter covers require lifting or prying up the shingles in
order to install the covers which invites damage to the shingles,
especially in cold weather. Many simple gutter covers are designed
to snap or clip into place but in fact are difficult to install,
and they don't always stay in their proper position. Better methods
and devices needed to keep falling debris from entering rain
gutters are described herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A gutter insert comprising at least one an upper blocking
member, at least one vertical support member, wherein said upper
blocking member and said vertical support member are engaged with
each other over all or part of the distal edge of the upper
blocking member and the proximal edge of the vertical support
member, wherein said upper blocking members is flexibly engaged
with said vertical support member. A gutter insert that is longer
than it is wide. A gutter insert wherein said vertical support
member has an edge or side away from said upper blocking member
that is a bracing member, wherein said bracing member engages the
inside walls, bottom or inside corner of a gutter. A gutter insert
wherein said upper blocking member covers more than half of the
open trough of a gutter when it is placed in a gutter. A gutter
insert of wherein a) said upper blocking member is flexibly engaged
with the proximal portion of said vertical support member, b) said
bracing member is either part of or attached to the distal portion
of said vertical support member, and said upper blocking member has
a set back to allow overlap of multiple upper blocking members when
more than one inserts are used in an adjacent manner in a gutter.
The insert wherein said bracing member abuts the bottom inside back
corner wall of the gutter when the insert is placed in a gutter.
The insert wherein there is a gap between the distal edge of the
upper blocking member and back wall of the gutter when the insert
is placed in a gutter. The insert wherein the gap is greater than
about 1/8 inch but less than 2 inches in width. A gutter insert for
impeding the egress of non-liquid debris into a gutter, said gutter
including a front wall terminating into a front lip, a back wall,
and a bottom wall, said bottom wall extending between and
connecting the front wall to the back wall, wherein said gutter
insert comprises: a) an upper blocking member including means for
engaging said gutter front lip, b) a generally vertical support
member connected to said blocking member, said generally vertical
support member including means for engaging the insert with the
gutter at a location on or near the lower half of said bottom wall.
A gutter insert where said generally vertical support member is
flexible and engages the insert with said gutter near the corner of
the bottom wall and the back wall of said gutter. A gutter insert
wherein said upper blocking member is between about 3 to 7 inches
wide and said vertical support member is between about 3 to 7
inches in height. A gutter insert wherein said insert comprises a
detent. A gutter insert wherein said vertical support member has a
distal edge that is a bracing member, wherein said upper blocking
member and vertical support member are engaged at an angle such
that the planes of the two members create an angle of any angle
from about 50 to 120 degrees. A gutter insert wherein said detent
is in a region of the insert between the upper and lower region of
said vertical support member wherein said upper region of said
vertical support member forms an angle with said upper blocking
member of any angle, X angle between about 60 to 90 degrees and
wherein said lower region of said vertical support member forms an
angle with said upper region of said vertical support member, Y
angle of any angle between about 100 and 140 degrees. Wherein said
insert has a set back at the ends of the insert that allows inserts
to overlap with one another, providing a continuous upper blocking
member appearance, when placed adjacent to each other. Use of a
gutter insert to keep rain gutters open and draining freely
comprising an upper blocking member and at least one vertical
support member, wherein said upper blocking member is comprised of
a flat or rounded structure with its distal edge engaged with the
vertical support member, wherein either or both the upper blocking
member and the vertical support member may be divided into a
multiplicity of pieces, wherein the distal portion of the upper
blocking member and the proximal portion of the vertical support
member are attached to each other, wherein said upper blocking
member and vertical support member are attached such that they form
an angle such that the plane of the upper blocking member is at an
angle of less than 90 degrees and more than about 40 degrees when
measured with the plane of the vertical support member, wherein the
length of the insert is greater than 5 inches, wherein the width of
said horizontal blocking member is between 2 and 7 inches, wherein
the height of said vertical support member is from 2 to 6 inches,
wherein said vertical support member is not engaged with said
horizontal blocking member over its entire length, wherein the
thickness of said article is between 0.001 and 0.5 inch, wherein
said vertical support member(s) are flexible. Use of an insert
wherein said horizontal blocking member has a surface that, when in
position in a gutter, slopes either upward or downward with its
proximal edge joined to the vertical support member and having its
distal edge engaged with the lip of a gutter. Use of an insert of
claim 16 wherein said upper blocking member is between about 3 to 6
inches in width, wherein said vertical support member is about 3 to
6 inches in height. Use of a multiplicity of said inserts of claim
16 to keep rain gutters open and draining freely wherein one or two
inserts overlap with one or two adjoining inserts when placed in a
gutter. Use of a gutter insert of claim 18 wherein said upper
blocking member has a front edge that rests in or on the front lip
of the gutter. Use of a gutter insert of claim 19 wherein said
vertical support member has a bottom edge that rests in or near the
inside bottom back corner of a gutter, where back is the side
against the building.
[0005] A gutter insert comprising at least one upper blocking
member, and at least one vertical support member, wherein the
insert is placed into a rain gutter. The vertical support member
may include at least one bracing member which rests against the
inside of the gutter when in use. The insert wherein the upper
blocking member(s) are flexibly engaged with the vertical support
members. The insert wherein the upper blocking member is flexibly
engaged with the proximal portion of the vertical support member
and wherein the bracing member is either part of or attached to the
distal portion of the vertical support member. The insert wherein
the bracing member abuts the inside corner of the gutter when the
insert is positioned in a gutter. In one embodiment the vertical
support members do not extend to the edge of the insert, there is a
space on either end of the insert, that is there is a "set back" or
space that allows the upper blocking member to extend beyond the
point where it joins with the vertical support member at the end of
the insert and this "set back" allows for the overlap of upper
blocking member from adjacently placed inserts. The "set back" can
be of any length but in particular is described as being of about
any of 1/4, 1/2, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, or more
inches in length. The set back means that in some embodiments the
upper blocking member is not continuously joined to the vertical
support member and as such the shape allows easy cutting, fitting
and placement of the insert into the gutter. See FIGS. 1, 2 and in
particular FIG. 3 where the set back has reference number 212. The
alternatives described with a "set back" where the vertical support
members "set back" from the end of the insert is shown in several
of the drawings.
[0006] The most popular style of gutter in the US and Canada is 5
inch "K" Style. The larger 6 inch "K" Style can handle more water
flow, but is considered a commercial size, typically used on larger
buildings. The inches are measured across the top of the gutter.
Many of the drawings in this disclosure show the "K" style gutter.
Where inches are provided in the specification and indicated as
preferred, then they are in reference to a "K" style 5 inch gutter.
Other styles and sizes may require routine adjustments and
modifications from the sizes and dimensions provided herein. One
such shape is the "U" or the "half pipe" shaped gutter. This style
of gutter usually has no front lip; however the inserts described
herein can be easily modified such that they fit over the front lip
of the gutter rather an fitting into the inside of the front lip of
the gutter, as is shown in FIGS. 14, 15, 16. This embodiment for
the half pipe is described and claimed in greater detail
herein.
[0007] Inserts are described wherein the width of the upper
blocking members is greater than 2 and less than 10 inches, and
wherein the length of the insert is greater than its width. The
insert wherein the upper blocking members form an angle (See angle
"x" in FIG. 4) of less than 10 but more than 20 degrees with the
vertical support member. The insert wherein the vertical support
members and the bracing members form an angle relative to each
other (See angle "y" in FIG. 4) of more than 90 degrees but less
than 180 degrees. A method of using or placing the insert in a
gutter wherein at least one portion of the vertical support member
contacts the inner walls or bottom of the gutter. The bottom of the
gutter is also called the bottom wall. A method of using or placing
the inserts described herein into a gutter wherein at least one
edge of the vertical support member engages the bottom, or bottom
wall of the gutter and at least one edge of the upper support
member engages the internal front lip of the rain gutter. An
alternative embodiment provides for the front edge of the insert to
come over the top front edge of the gutter. This is shown in FIGS.
14, 15, 16. I describe a method of using or placing the insert in a
gutter wherein at least one edge of the vertical support member
engages either the inside back wall, the inside bottom wall, or
both, especially within 1/2, 1, 1.5, or 2 inches of the lower back
wall or the bottom back wall and especially within 1/2, 1, 1.5, or
2 inches of the inside back corner 308 of the gutter. The inside
back corner 308 of the gutter 300 is where the back wall meets the
bottom wall of the gutter.
[0008] In many embodiments there is a gap of between 1/16 to 3, or
1/16 to 2 inches, or a gap of between 1/8 and 11/2 inches, or a gap
of between 1/4 and 1 inches, or a gap of between 1/2 and 3/4 inch,
or a gap of between 1/4 and 1/2 inch, between the back edge of the
upper blocking member and the back wall of the gutter when the
insert is in place. This gap is shown in side view in FIG. 4, and
12-16. In FIG. 4 the gap, or gutter gap is between the back of the
upper blocking member 119 and the back wall 302. We describe a
method of placing the insert into the gutter by pressing the insert
into a gutter such that the bracing member is in the lower half of
the gutter and the upper blocking member is either in or on the
front lip of the gutter, or where the bracing member is in the
lower half, lower one third or bottom wall of the gutter and one or
more upper blocking members have their front edge close to or in
the vicinity or in the front lip of the gutter, or where one or
more bracing members is braced against the bottom wall and or
corner of the bottom and back wall of the gutter and one or more of
the upper blocking members has its proximal edge abutting the
inside of the front lip of the gutter. The device and placement
made in order to prevent vegetation from entering a rain
gutter.
[0009] A gutter insert wherein the vertical support members do not
extend the full length of the insert and are not engaged with the
upper blocking member over its full length, wherein there is a
space of from 2, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 inches or
more, off either end of the insert. Such a space, or as it is
called here a "set back" allows the upper blocking member at the
ends of the insert to overlap with the overhanging or "set back"
portions of another insert. Thus when the entire length of the
upper blocking member is not fully engaged with the vertical
support members such that there is a "set back", cantilever or
overhang which allows two inserts to slide over each other then a
continuous upper blocking member can be presented in the gutter to
keep leaves out of the gutter with no gaps or holes for the debris
to gain entry. When fashioned properly the insert slide easily side
to side in the gutter, allowing for proper placement and providing
a continuous complete barrier to falling leaves, twigs and other
debris. This placement and sliding of the insert pieces such that
one can slide over the other provides for a continuous surface
comprising the upper blocking member which can completely cover any
length of gutter, as one piece is made to fit over the next piece
and so on down the length of a gutter.
[0010] A gutter insert comprising at least one an upper blocking
member, at least one vertical support member and at least one
bracing member, wherein the upper blocking member has a width,
measured from front edge to back edge, of at least one inch and no
more than 10 inches, wherein the upper blocking member and vertical
support member are attached to each other along the distal edge of
the upper blocking member and the proximal edge of the vertical
support member, wherein the vertical support member has a distal
edge that is a bracing member, wherein the upper blocking member
and vertical support member are engaged at an angle such that the
planes of the two members create an angle of less than 100 degrees
but more than 20 degrees, wherein the length of the insert is
greater than its width. A gutter insert wherein the length of the
insert is greater than 8 and less than 10 inches, wherein the upper
blocking member and vertical support member are engaged at an angle
such that the planes of the two members create an angle of 90
degrees or less and more than 30 degrees, wherein the width of the
upper blocking member is between 2 and 7 inches, wherein the height
of the vertical support member is from 2 to 10 inches, wherein the
vertical support member is not engaged with the upper blocking
member over its entire length, wherein the thickness of the article
is between 0.001 and 0.5 inch, wherein the vertical support member
is flexible. A gutter insert wherein the upper blocking member is
not fully engaged with the vertical support member over its entire
width and wherein a further embodiment wherein the upper blocking
member is not attached to the vertical support member at its ends
and where there is an overhang such that the upper blocking member
extends up to 24 inches, or 23, 22, 21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14,
13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, 1/2, 1/4 more or less
inches beyond the vertical support member which holds the upper
blocking member in place in position to prevent nonliquid debris
from entering the gutter.
[0011] The gutter insert wherein the length of the insert is
greater than 8 or 10 and less than 90 inches, wherein the upper
blocking member and vertical support member are engaged at an angle
such that the planes of the two members create an angle of 80
degrees or less and more than 40 degrees, wherein the width of the
upper blocking member is between 2 and 5 inches, wherein the height
of the vertical support member is from 2 to 6 inches, wherein the
vertical support member is not engaged with the upper blocking
member over its entire length, wherein the thickness of the
materials used in the manufacture of the various members of the
insert is between 0.001 and 0.50 inch, wherein the vertical support
member is flexible. An insert wherein the thickness of the insert
is between about 0.005 and 0.090 inch, between about 0.010 and
0.080 inch, between about 0.015 and 0.070 inch, between about 0.015
and 0.060 inch, between about 0.020 and 0.040 inch, about 0.060
inch, about 0.040 inch, about 0.020 inch, about 0.015 or about
0.010 inch thick, and where the flexible vertical support member
may be straight or having a bend or with a detent.
[0012] Use of a gutter insert to keep rain gutters open and
draining freely without clogging from falling leaves comprising an
upper blocking member and at least one vertical support member,
wherein the upper blocking member is comprised of a flat or rounded
structure with its distal edge engaged with the vertical support
member, wherein either or both the upper blocking member and the
vertical support member may be divided into a multiplicity of
pieces, wherein the distal portion of the upper blocking member and
the proximal portion of the vertical support member are attached to
each other, wherein the upper blocking member and vertical support
member are attached such that they form an angle such that the
plane of the upper blocking member is at an angle of less than 90
degrees and more than about 40 degrees when measured with the plane
of the vertical support member, wherein the length of the insert is
greater than 5 inches, wherein the width of the horizontal blocking
member is between 2 and 7 inches, wherein the height of the
vertical support member is from 2 to 6 inches, wherein the vertical
support member is not engaged with the horizontal blocking member
over its entire length, wherein the thickness of the article is
between 0.001 and 0.5 inch, wherein the vertical support member(s)
are flexible. The use of a device having a horizontal blocking
member has a surface that, when in position in a gutters, slopes
either upward, downward or is level and has its proximal edge
engaged with the vertical support member down to its distal edge
which engages the lip of a gutter. The use of an insert wherein the
upper blocking member is between about 3 to 51/2 inches in width,
between about 31/2 to 5 inches in width, between about 33/4 to 43/4
inches in width, between about 4-41/2 inches in width, is about
41/4 inches in width. Use of an insert wherein the vertical support
member is about 2 to 6 inches in height depending on the materials
used, the exact shape of the insert and the size and shape of the
gutter. The vertical support may be 21/2 to 53/4 inches in height,
about 2 to 41/2 inches in height, between about 3 to 4 inches in
height, between about 31/4 to about 31/2 inches in height, is
preferred, especially if the material used is aluminum of about
0.010 to 0.040 inches thick, and where it is often about 0.020 inch
thick.
[0013] A rain gutter insert that is placed in a rain gutter, the
insert having an upper blocking member which is engaged with at
least one vertical support members, wherein the width of the upper
blocking member is the same or less than the width of the gutter
trough in which it is placed, wherein said insert has a length
greater than its width, wherein said upper blocking member has a
proximal edge that is parallel with its distal edge, wherein the
upper blocking member is engaged at various intervals, at its
distal edge with the proximal edge of said vertical support
members, wherein the vertical support members have a proximal edge
that engages with the distal edge of the upper blocking member,
wherein the vertical support member has a distal edge that is
parallel with both its proximal edge and with the distal and
proximal edges of the upper blocking member, wherein the insert has
a thickness that is less than 0.5 inch, wherein the distal edge of
the vertical support member engages the back wall or bottom wall of
a gutter. A gutter insert wherein the vertical support member
extends to the bottom wall of the gutter. A gutter insert herein
the vertical support member rests against the bottom corner of the
gutter, or only against the bottom, bottom wall or only against the
bottom corner of the gutter. A gutter insert wherein the vertical
support member extends to the bottom wall of the gutter and rests
against the back corner of the gutter or only to the bottom wall or
only to the bottom back corner. A gutter insert wherein the upper
blocking member is slanted from back to front, higher in the back
and lower in the front. A gutter insert wherein the upper blocking
member has a front edge that rests in or on the front lip of the
gutter. A gutter insert wherein the upper blocking member has a
width that covers less than 140% of the width of the gutter and in
alternative embodiments only about 99% of the width of the gutter
is covered, with the uncovered part of the gutter trough being
closest to the house or building side of the gutter. In various
embodiments, about 98%, or about 94%, 96%, 91%, 94%, 93%, 92%, 91%,
90%, 89%, 88%, 84%, 86%, 81%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, 80%, 79%, 78%,
77, 76%, 75%, 74%, 73%, 72%, 71%, 70%, 69%, 68%, 67%, 66%, 65%,
64%, 63%, 62%, 61%, 60%, 59%, 58%, 57%, 56%, 55%, or about 50%, or
any range of any of these percents of the gutter trough, as
measured over the width of the gutter, front to back or back to
front, is covered by the insert. A gutter insert wherein the
uncovered part of the gutter trough is the side closest to the
house or building. A gutter insert wherein the vertical support
member is attached to the edge of the upper blocking member and the
vertical support member extends from the upper blocking member down
into the gutter and is supported by having the lower edge of the
vertical support member rest against the wall or the bottom of the
gutter. A gutter insert wherein the vertical support member has its
lower edge resting against the bottom corner of the gutter. A
gutter insert wherein the vertical support member consists of one
or a multiplicity of attached or bent elements that extends from
the upper blocking member to the inside of the gutter.
[0014] An article of manufacture comprising a metal or plastic
insert used to keep rain gutters open and draining freely without
clogging from falling leaves comprising: an upper blocking member
and at least one vertical support member, wherein the upper
blocking member is comprised of a flat or rounded structure with
its distal edge engaged with the vertical support member, wherein
either or both the upper blocking member and the vertical support
member may be divided into a multiplicity of pieces, wherein the
distal portion of the upper blocking member and the proximal
portion of the vertical support member are attached to each other,
wherein the upper blocking member and vertical support member are
attached such that they form an angle such that the plane of the
upper blocking member is at an angle of less than 90 degrees and
more than about 40 degrees when measured with the plane of the
vertical support member, wherein the length of the insert is
greater than 5 inches, wherein the width of the horizontal blocking
member is between 2 and 7 inches, wherein the height of the
vertical support member is from 2 to 6 inches, wherein the vertical
support member is not engaged with the horizontal blocking member
over its entire length, wherein the thickness of the article is
between 0.001 and 0.5 inch, wherein the vertical support member(s)
are flexible. An article of manufacture where the thickness of the
article is between 0.005 and 0.200 inch, is between 0.010 and 0.10
inch, is between 0.020 and 0.080 inch, and the article is made of
plastic, is between 0.040 and 0.080 inch, is between 0.040 and
0.060 inch.
[0015] An article of manufacture comprising a gutter insert with a
upper blocking member, and at least one vertical support member,
wherein the upper blocking member has a width, measured from edge
to edge, of at least one inch and no more than 10 inches, wherein
the upper blocking member and vertical support member are attached
to each other along the distal edge of the upper blocking member
and the proximal edge of the vertical support member, wherein the
upper blocking member and vertical support member are engaged at an
angle such that the planes of the two members create an angle of 10
degrees or less and more than 20 degrees, wherein the length of the
insert is greater than its width.
[0016] This application also includes descriptions of the
following. Some of the gutter inserts may be called box or half box
type that are longer than wide and supported by the inside bottom
or walls of the gutter. The box or half box types may be made of
hard, soft or flexible material. The inside or underside of the box
or half box types are mostly open with a 50% or more hollow
core.
[0017] Some of the gutter inserts described herein may be called
table types, that are supported by vertical support units extending
from the upper blocking member to the inside bottom or lower half,
lower third or bottom of the gutter. The table type may have a
spring hinge or simple be of flexible material which allows the
upper blocking member to be folded flat for storage and then moved
into place when in use.
[0018] A collapsible accordion type of gutter insert is described
which covers more than half of the width of the top of a rain
gutter and it supported by the inside bottom or bottom wall of the
gutter. A collapsible insert when in expanded form is more than
twice as long as in collapsed form. A collapsible insert that in
expanded form is more than three, four, five, six, seven, eight,
nine, ten, eleven or twelve times as long as in collapsed form. In
alternative forms such a collapsible insert in its compressed form
is one half, one third, one fourth, one fifth, one sixth, one
seventh, one eighth, one ninth, one tenth, or less, than when in
its expanded form.
[0019] Any of the inserts as described herein where the top of the
insert is about 2% less than the width of the gutter or about 4, 6,
8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18, 19, 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38,
40, 42, 44 or 46% less than the width of the gutter the insert is
intended to be placed into.
[0020] An insert with fasteners and loops is described that covers
more than half of the width of the top cross section of a rain
gutter, and or is similar to any of the dimensions described for a
collapsible insert, that is longer than it is wide and is supported
by the inside bottom wall or front and back walls of the gutter. An
insert made of fasteners and loops where the fasteners are hooks
made of wire and the loops are made of wire and or metal wire.
[0021] An insert that is a table type of insert that is supported
by one or more, preferably two vertical support members in
opposition, spaced at regular intervals along the length of the
insert wherein the vertical support members have a bracing member
that is braced against or engages with either the front or back
walls or bottom walls and preferably with the bottom wall corners
and bottom of the front and back walls to support the top of insert
which is either fixed or attached with a spring type hinge allowing
the insert to be folded and then lowered and put into proper place
in the gutter.
[0022] With any of the types of gutter inserts described herein the
front edge of the insert can be positioned either inside the front
lip of the gutter as is shown in most of the drawings, or over the
top of the front lip 315 of the gutter, or on top of and over and
down on the front lip 315 of the gutter as is shown in FIGS. 14,
15, 16.
[0023] The process of making and using the gutter inserts are
described and claimed.
[0024] The use of any of the gutter inserts described in the
specification or claims for the purpose of keeping rain gutters
free of substantial amounts of falling vegetable matter and
allowing the rain water to flow down the gutter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gutter insert in a rain
gutter. The gutter inset is a half box type, with three vertical
support members joined with one upper blocking member. The lower
edges of the vertical support members are bracing members engaged
with the lower back wall of the gutter. The front edge of the upper
blocking member is engaged with the front lip of the gutter.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gutter insert with three
vertical support members joined with one upper blocking member.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a gutter insert with three
vertical support members joined to one upper blocking member where
the upper blocking member as "v" shaped notches cut into its front
edge.
[0028] FIG. 4 is a side view of a half box type insert, in a gutter
which is attached to a house or building. The roof with shingles is
shown as it hangs over the gutter. The gutter is shown attached to
side of the house. Rain and the path of water is shown with dotted
lines and arrows
[0029] FIG. 5 is, a side view of a gutter insert, half box, table
top style, in a K style rain gutter.
[0030] FIG. 6 is a side view of a gutter insert, half box, egg with
legs style, in a K style rain gutter.
[0031] FIG. 7 is a side view of a gutter insert, half box, triangle
style, in a K style rain gutter.
[0032] FIG. 8 is a side view of a gutter inset, half box, half
round detent, in a K style rain gutter.
[0033] FIG. 9 is a side view of a gutter insert, half box, with the
insert having a front edge that wraps over the front lip of the K
style gutter.
[0034] FIG. 10 is a side view of a gutter insert, half box,
straight leg, with the insert having a front edge that rests inside
the front lip of the K style gutter.
[0035] FIG. 11 is a side view of a gutter insert, with the insert
having a front edge that wraps over the front lip of half pipe
style gutter.
[0036] FIG. 12 is a side view of a gutter insert, with the insert
having a front edge that wraps over the front lip of traditional
half pipe style gutter.
[0037] FIG. 13 is a side view of a "K" style gutter with details of
the front lip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND ITS PREFERRED
EMBODIMENTS
Definitions.
[0038] "Deleted spring" refers to any material that has the classic
shape of a coiled round or square spring only where a longitudinal
section of the coils are missing. The term need not be a coil that
seeks to return to its original shape after compression or
stretching. Deleted spring simply refers to any shape that appears
in any aspect to be a coiled wire or material that has parts of the
coil missing. For example where the bottom is sliced out of a
stretched spring leaving a spiral tunnel shape.
[0039] "Detent" means a bend that produces a change in the shape of
the material. The bend can be sharply angled or a smooth shape like
a half pipe.
[0040] "Dimensions" this document refers to the dimensions
"length," "height" and the "width" of the gutters and gutter
inserts. The "length" of the gutter and gutter insert is the
measurement that runs the horizontal distance of the gutter and
insert, when the gutter is attached to a building, in relation to
the ground, from one point to another as one moves along the gutter
with or against the direction of water flow. It is the longest
dimension of the gutter 300. The "height" of the gutter 300 or
"height" of the insert 10 is the vertical distance or measurement
from the bottom, or bottom wall 304, or lowest part of the gutter
to the top or highest part of the gutter 300. or height may by the
height of the insert 10 which is from its lowest part to its
highest part as it sits in proper position in the gutter as shown
in the drawings. Top being that which is furthest from the bottom
or bottom wall 302 when the gutter is attached to a building,
furthest from the ground. The gutter 300 typically has a single
height and it is the same whether measured at the front lip 315 or
the back wall 302. The back wall 302 is the side against the house
or building when the gutter is installed. The height of the gutter
insert is typically measured from its lowest edge or the edge or
point that rests in the bottom 302 of the gutter 300 straight up to
the top edge or point of the insert that is furthest from the
bottom. For many of the embodiments herein the insert 10 has an
upper blocking member 110. The upper blocking member may be level
or it can slope in one direction, either back to front or front to
back. The embodiments shown in the Drawing slope from higher in
back to lower in front, but this is not required. The width is
measured from either the front edge to its back edge, of either the
gutter or the gutter insert. The "width" of the gutter 300 and the
"width", of the gutter insert 10, is the measurement from front to
back or back to front, from the front lip 315 to the back wall 302
of the gutter 300, at a constant gutter height. Other widths can be
specified. Unless specified otherwise, when the width dimension is
in reference to the gutter 300, the measurement is taken at the top
of the gutter and from the inside of the gutter, at the back wall
302 of the gutter 300, across the trough of the gutter 300, to the
inside front of the front lip 315 of the gutter 300. The width of
the bottom 304 of the gutter 300 could be specified and would be
the width of the widest part of the lowest part, or bottom 304 of
the gutter 300. Unless specified otherwise, when width is in
reference to the gutter insert 10, the measurement of width is
taken from the insert edge most towards the front 117, 217 straight
across to the point or to the point in space vertical from any
point or edge of the insert 10 most in back, frequently this point
is about the same place as the back wall 302 of the gutter 300.
Other dimensions are also specified, like the width of the upper
blocking member 110, which would be the widest part of the upper
blocking member 110 measured from front edge 117, 217 to edge 119,
219 closest to the back wall 302 of the gutter 300 in FIG. 4. The
gutter gap is also shown in many of the drawings. The gutter gap is
defined below.
[0041] "Gap" means gutter gap, defined below.
[0042] "Gutter" means a drain or trap, typically a box or round
tube shape that is open on one side and generally in the shape of
the letter "U" where the bottom is flat or round. Gutters are
installed just under the edge of the roof 700 in a position to
collect rain water that falls off the roof. Often called a "rain
gutter" 300 it catches and directs rain water into downspouts that
then direct the water to designed places on or in the ground,
usually away from the house or building. Gutters 300 typically have
a front wall 310, a back wall 302, a bottom 304 and a top that is
open as shown for example in FIG. 1. The back wall 302 of the
gutter 300 is the side of the gutter that is closest to the house
600 or building 600 when the gutter is in place. FIG. 4. The front
wall 310 of the gutter 300 is the side of the gutter away from the
house 600, when the gutter is attached to the house 600 or the
building 600. The front wall 310 of the gutter 300 sometimes has a
front lip 315. The front lip 315 often has a slot, opening, groove
or cleft framed by the front lip 315, which has a lip top 309, a
lip front 306, and a lip bottom 303, and the grove runs lengthwise
along the inside of the front lip 315 of the gutter 300. The front
lip 315, grove is usually about 1/4, 1/2, 1/4 to 1 inch deep and
across its opening. The opening is into the gutter. The front lip
315, and the slot, grove or opening in the front lip 315 is shown
in FIG. 12.
[0043] "Gutter gap" refers to the space or distance between the
back or distal edge 119, 219 of the gutter insert 10 and the back
wall 302 of the gutter 300. The gutter gap is shown with particular
clarity and in relation to the house in FIG. 4. It is the space
between the back wall 302 of the gutter and the back or distal edge
119 of the upper blocking member 110. In several embodiments the
gutter gap typically is from 1/16.sup.th, 1/8.sup.th, 1/4, 5/16,
3/8, 7/16, 1/2 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 11/8,
11/4, 13/8, 11/2, 15/8, 13/4, 17/8 to 2 inches wide, or any range
thereof. Inserts with a gutter gap are especially useful as the gap
allows for easier insertion of the gutter insert and it helps
prevent any water that does drip into the gutter from backing up or
overflowing and penetrating the flashing behind the back wall of
the gutter and damaging the building.
[0044] "Gutter trough" means the open channel or interior space of
the gutter. The trough is formed by the bottom 304 and two sides,
which are the front or front wall 310, and the back or back wall
302 of the gutter. The top of the gutter and the gutter trough are
open, to catch rain water dripping off the roof 700. In most of the
drawings the gutter trough is shown with a gutter insert 10, and
the trough is fully or partially covered by the upper blocking
member 110 of the insert 10.
[0045] "Height" is a dimension, defined above.
[0046] "House", "Building" or "Structure" 700 are terms that are
interchangeable and they refer to any building for personal or
commercial use including personal dwellings, single or multi family
houses, apartments, or commercial building of any type.
[0047] "Insert" means the same as "gutter insert" and is defined
further in the summary and detailed description of the invention.
In the drawings the insert is has the reference number 10, 70, 80,
and 90.
[0048] "Length" is a dimension, defined above.
[0049] "Set back" 112 is used to describe the portions of the upper
blocking members that are at the ends of the inserts and that are
not in continuous engagement with the vertical support units. These
set backs appear in the inserts shown in all the Figs. The set
backs which may also be thought of as overhangs or cantilevers
allow adjacent units to be positioned so they slide over one
another thus allowing the upper blocking members to present a
continuous barrier to any falling leaves and debris.
[0050] "Spring" or "flexion" refers to anything flexible that seeks
to return to its original position when compressed or expanded and
released. A spring can have but need not have the classic shape of
a coiled spring. Spring can also just be a flexible material.
Spring can be in an "L", "Z", "S", "W" or any other shape that can
be compressed and when released will seek to return to the shape it
had before compression. Spring refers to any object that can be
squeezed or compressed and, once the compressive force is removed,
it seeks to return to its original shape.
[0051] "Trough of the gutter" means the same as "trough" and
"gutter trough" defined above.
[0052] "Width" is a dimension, defined above.
[0053] The gutter inserts are described and claimed with more
particularity.
[0054] This invention comprises gutter inserts that deflect falling
vegetation such as leaves, seeds and twigs. The gutter inserts
described herein do not require any screws, nails, clips or
fasteners to install and they have a low visual profile. These
gutter inserts do not rest on the roof or the roof shingles, many
embodiments described herein do not even touch the roof or
shingles. Many embodiments described herein do not cover the entire
opening of the gutter. They are unlike anything ever seen or
described before. They are easy to install and they impart only a
slight, often imperceptible change in appearance to the gutter they
are placed in. The gutter inserts described herein are supported
and held in place by the inside walls and or bottom of the gutter,
and yet they do not significantly slow or disrupt the flow of water
down the gutter. In one embodiment, the inserts rest against the
inside bottom corner or corners of the gutter. Selected designs are
shown and other designs would be apparent to one after reading the
description and viewing the figures disclosed herein. An important
advantage of the gutter inserts described herein is the ability to
lean a ladder against the gutter and place the insert in the same
section of the gutter that the ladder is leaning against. Gutter
covers that overhang the gutter are notorious for requiring some
type of ladder adjustment, or the use of scaffolding. These devices
can be deceptively dangerous because one is often tempted when
trying to install them to leaning way off to the side of the ladder
and this can result in instability and falls resulting in injury.
The devices described herein eliminate these problems. Another
important advantage of the gutter inserts described herein is that
they can be quickly and easily removed. Traditional gutter covers
that attach by way of clips, fasteners, screws or other mechanical
means are notoriously difficult to remove and or replace. With many
gutter covers installation and replacement is usually done only by
a person with training, i.e. a person who derives an income from
such work. The gutter inserts described herein can be easily
installed and removed if needed, as well as replaced by the typical
homeowner. The only tools needed to install most of the inserts
described here is good pair of scissors, or a pair of light duty
tin snips.
[0055] The inserts can easily be made of plastic materials. If made
of clear plastic it allows one to easily see through them in order
to inspect the inside bottom of the gutters. Alternatively, they
can be made of inexpensive black plastic, or a dark coating on
metal, which appears like the dark inside of a gutter and is thus
nearly invisible and a dark color may provides for better snow
melting properties. Because of their nearly "invisible" nature,
some home owners will prefer a dark insert because of their
properties and because colored plastic is usually cheaper than
clear plastic. A colored insert can more easily be made of recycled
materials. Metal inserts made of aluminum (Al), steel or Iron (Fe),
galvanized steel, copper (Cu), nickel (NI), titanium, pot metal and
alloys of these or other metals. Any alloy that is durable. Thin
metal, less than 1.0 inch, preferably less than 0.5 inch is
preferred, so that even using metal inserts the only tools needed
to install most of the inserts described here is good pair of
scissors and often nothing at all.
[0056] The most common gutters in use are often described as "K
type" gutters and are shown in the figures. Gutters come in
different widths and the inserts should be made of a size that best
fits the individual gutter. Specific sizes and dimensions are
described below. A properly sized gutter insert will easily fit
into the gutter and slide side to side in the gutter. Slide to side
sliding allows the ends of the inserts to overlap one another
leaving no gaps or spaces between inserts where leaves can enter
the gutter openings. The ability to overlap inserts with a minimum
of cutting and shaping means an installer can make fewer trips up
and down the ladder, which means more efficient use of time and a
reduced risk of falling.
[0057] The rain gutter inserts described here, herein "inserts,"
can be one of, or a combination of several basic types. For
convenience this document groups the various types of inserts
described. The basic style types are : a) "accordion;" b) "box,"
including "half box;" these insert when viewed from the side, may
appear to have one or more full or partial triangle shapes and
often are made to lean into the front lip 315 of the gutter 300; c)
"spring and hook" types, and the d) "table" type of insert.
[0058] The accordion insert is placed into the gutter 300 in a form
that is collapsed in length. Once in the trough of the gutter 300
it is positioned properly and then expanded, or pulled open, to its
final form in the gutter 300. Box inserts are placed into the
gutter 300, sometimes after a bit of compression. One version of
the box insert is called a half box insert and is shown in FIGS.
3-9. The box insert fits into the gutter with the front edge of the
insert either in, close to, or slightly above the front lip 315 of
the gutter 300. The box insert has one or more or a multiplicity of
upper blocking members 110 supported by one or more or a
multiplicity of vertical support members 120, 130. The vertical
support members 120, 130 may have a detent adding to their
flexibility. The vertical support members 120, 130 may also use
spring devices to better collapse and then expand into the proper
position. In some embodiments there are bracing members 113, 118,
that may be identified as the part of the insert that typically
rests in the back 302 or bottom 304 of the gutter 300. Bracing
members are either part of, or are attached to, the vertical
support members 120, 130. Bracing members help keep the front edge
117, 217 of the upper blocking member 110 in its proper position
close to or in the front lip 315 of the gutter 300. In one
embodiment, shown in FIGS. 4, 7, and 8, the rear top of the gutter
insert 119, 219 sits above the top level of the gutter 310, and the
upper blocking member 110 slopes down towards the front lip 315 of
the gutter as shown. In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 3 the upper
blocking member 110 has a hole added to the front edge that rests
in or near the front lip 315 of the gutter, to facilitate the flow
of water into the gutter. Also disclosed are versions of the insert
10, 20 where instead of a hole the insert edge 117 has a dimple
either pressed into the insert or attached to the top of the insert
such that it forces a space between the front edge of the insert
117 and the inside top of the front lip of the gutter 309, thus
facilitating the flow of water into the gutter. The vertical
support member may be flat or sloped, the sloped embodiments are
shown in the drawings but sloping is not required for all the
disclosed embodiments. FIG. 4 has a detent midway between the upper
and lower part of the vertical support member 120, 130. This detent
could be placed at any position along the vertical support member
120, 130. The spring and shield type of insert involves placing a
large spring like structure into the gutter and then attaching a
upper blocking member to the spring. The inserts can be placed in
the gutters either before or after the gutters are installed on a
house or building.
The Collapsible Type Insert.
[0059] In one aspect of the invention the collapsible insert is put
in place in the gutter in the following manner: Beginning with the
insert in its collapsed form, it is placed into the gutter and
under the edge of the roof, and then it is expanded to fill the
gutter. The insert is shaped to fill the top of the gutter. The
shape can vary from a dome to a more preferred shape that fills the
top of the gutter. The very top of the insert can be flat, sloping
or domed. It may slightly sloped forward, away from the house, with
a high side against the house and a slightly lower side away from
the house. The side of the insert should fit close to the side of
the gutter to keep leaves and other debris out of the gutter. The
bottom of the insert is open to allow water to flow in the gutter.
The bottom of the insert optionally may have wire or other supports
across the bottom of the insert as long as the flow of the water is
not significantly blocked. The lower sides of the insert can fit
snugly against the walls of the gutter thus adding to the insert
being secured into the gutter. This snug fitting is not required.
The insert can simply rest loosely in the gutter. A snug fit is
optional and not required, but, if desired, can be accomplished by
springs or shaping the insert, clips, Velcro, magnets or other
means. Adhesives could even be used. Optionally, there are tabs,
hooks, or wires at each end of the insert to allow it to be secured
to nails or supports that hold up the gutter and fix the gutter to
the house or building. The typical length of the insert in this
configuration is about 2-3 feet expanded, that being the
approximate distance commonly used between the gutter support nails
or brackets. This same insert of 2-3 feet expanded, when collapsed,
can be a relatively thin 1-3 inches depending on the material used,
and in that configuration it is easily slid sideways into the
gutter, turned and expanded and placed into final position. The
collapsible insert is first placed into position, expanded and
finally secured to the gutter supports.
The Box Insert.
[0060] The box insert can be solid or compressible, if compressible
a flexible material would be used. A solid insert can be made of
nearly any material. A compressible insert would need to be made of
a flexible material. Adhesives can also be used in combination with
these materials either in their manufacture or installation.
The "Half Box" Version of the Box Insert.
[0061] The "half box" insert is specially shaped and shown in FIGS.
3-10. In one embodiment the half box insert, when in place in the
gutter 300, rests with one edge 117, 217 of one or more upper
blocking member(s) 110 which rest on or inside the front edge 303
of the gutter 300 and one or more vertical supporting members 120,
130 extends down into the gutter 300. The vertical supporting
members 120, 130 are comprised of an upper part 114, 116 and a
lower part 113, 118 and frequently but not always an area of detent
115. In one embodiment the half box insert rests with the lower
part of its vertical supporting member 120, 130 against the bottom
304 of the gutter, and in one embodiment the vertical support
member 120, 130 has a bend or detent and the bracing member 111
fits into the lower bottom corner 308 of the gutter 300. The lower
part 111, 113, 118 of the vertical support member 120, 130 is
called the bracing member 111, 113, 118. The bracing member 111,
113, 118 is usually continuous with and made of the same material
as the vertical support member 120, 130, but it serves a different
purpose. The bracing member 111, 113, 118 serves to anchor and
brace the insert in place in the gutter. The bracing member 111,
113, 118 will typically be formed by making part of the vertical
support member 120, 130 bend toward the back wall 302 of the gutter
300, thus forming the bracing member 111, 113, 118. The bracing
member 111, 113, 118 can be created by either bending the vertical
support member 120, 130, or it can be made by attaching a bracing
member 111, 113, 118 to the vertical support member 120, 130. In
FIG. 1 the bracing member is either attached or the part of the
vertical support member 114, 116. The bracing member 111, 113, 118
terminates at the bottom 111, of the vertical support member 113,
118. The terminal part 111 of the bracing member 113, 118, can be
placed at any position in the gutter but is usually placed in the
bottom corner 308 of the gutter. The bracing member is usually
continuous with the vertical support member, made of the same piece
and with the same material as the vertical support member. It is
either near its top, in the middle, or as is shown in in the
drawings near the bottom of the vertical support member 120, 130.
It is also possible to create a bracing member 113, 118 by bending
the vertical support member 120, 130 into the proper position. Thus
the bracing member 113, 118 can be created by either bending the
vertical support member 120, 130 or by separate creation and
attachment of a separate and distinct bracing member 113, 118 to
the vertical support member 120, 130. One of ordinary skill in the
art will be able to make a wide variety of bracing members. The
back wall 302 of the gutter 300 is defined as the wall of the
gutter that is closest to the house or building structure 600 when
the gutter is fitted to same. The detent 57, 64, 76, 83, 93, 115 is
such that the vertical support member 120, 130 appears as two
planes joined but may also be simply a straight vertical support
member 120, 130, such as is shown in FIG. 10, at 102. Detents
provide a little more "spring" to the vertical support member, and
ensuring that the lower portion of the vertical support member.
[0062] FIGS. 15, 16 and 17 show the angle X, in FIG. 4, between the
upper blocking member 110, 210 and the vertical support member 120,
130. This angle X between the upper blocking member 110, 210 and
the vertical support member 120, 130 should generally be less than
110 and greater than 20 degrees. Specifically the range of the
angles formed by the angle X has any of the following ranges or
numbers exactly or approximately, 20-100, 30-90, 40-80, 50-60,
30-50, 40-40, 40-80, 50-80, 40-60, 60-80, 70-90, 70-80, 80-90,
degrees of angle. Specifically 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85,
More precisely 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or 85
degrees or degress of angle. See FIG. 4. Note the vertical support
member is often itself comprised of two or more sections that form
an angle at their attached top or distal edges 112, 52, 62, 74, 82,
92, 102. The angle Y in FIG. 4, between the upper blocking member
110 and the vertical support member 120 or the upper part of the
vertical support member 114, 85, 78 can be 0, zero degrees (or 180
degrees depending on the perspective), that is, no appreciable
angle or detent in any part of the vertical support member 120,
including the bracing members 113, 118 or it can be anywhere
between 180 (no angle) and 20 degrees. The angle Y is most often
about 180, 170, 160, 150, or more degrees, with the optimal angle
being about 180, 170 or 160 degrees as shown in FIG. 4.
Specifically this angle Y is most often between 160 and 180,
between 150 and 170, between 140 and 160, between 50 and 150,
between 60 and 180, between 180 and 170, between 180 and 150, or on
or about 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 160, 165, 170, 175 or
180 degrees of an angle, or any range between any two of these
numbers.
[0063] The upper blocking member 110 can also be made from 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or a multiplicity of members.
[0064] In various embodiments the following are described: Gutter
inserts having an upper blocking member with a width that covers
from 40 to 99% of the top opening of the gutter, with the open part
of the gutter insert called the gap, or gutter gap running the
length of the gutter closest to the house or building and typically
resting under the overhanging shingles when the insert is in place
in a gutter on a house, with the insert having a length greater
than its width, with the upper blocking member attached to a
vertical support member that extends into the trough of the gutter
and terminates in a bracing member 113, 118. The bracing member
113, 118 may extend to the bottom of the gutter and rest against
the inside wall or bottom 304 of the gutter and it may rest against
either or both inside corners of the gutter. In one embodiment the
bracing member 113, 118 rests against the inside corner of the
gutter closest to the house 308. The upper blocking member 110 may
be slanted from back to front, higher in the back and lower in the
front. The upper blocking member 110 may have a front or proximal
edge that rests in or on the front lip 315 of the gutter. The upper
blocking member 110 may have a width that covers less than 10% of
open trough of the gutter when viewed from above looking down into
the gutter, and in alternative embodiments only about 99% to 50% of
the width of the open gutter trough is covered, with the uncovered
part of the gutter trough being closest to the house or building
side of the gutter.
[0065] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the upper blocking member
110 rests with its front or proximal edge either in or close to the
front lip 315 of the gutter 300 and the proximal edge of the
vertical support member 120, 130 is attached to the rear or distal
edge 119, 219 of the upper blocking member 110. The lower edge 70
of the vertical support member 120, 130, called the bracing member
113, 118 abuts against the bottom 304 of the gutter 300, and more
preferably against the bottom 304, and or, inside back corner 308,
of the inside of the back wall 302 of the gutter 300. The inside of
the back wall 303 corner 308 is where the back edge 70 of the
vertical support member 120, 130, or the bracing member 113, 118,
of the insert 10 rests in the gutter 300 in one embodiment. One
alternative embodiment has the bracing member 113, 118 of the
vertical support member 120, 130 resting with the lower edge 70 of
the bracing member 113, 118 against the bottom front corner 6 of
the gutter 300. The inside or back gutter wall 302 is the side of
the gutter that is nearest or closest to the house 600 or building
600 when the gutter is installed, see FIG. 4. In FIG. 4, the back
wall 302 of the gutter may rest against the building 600 and
sometimes flashing (not shown) will extend from under the roof and
extend either behind or over the back wall 302 of the gutter 300.
The outside or front gutter wall 310 is the side of the gutter that
is away from the house 600 or building 600. The gutter insert 10 is
designed to fit in the gutter 300 such that a portion of the
vertical support member 120, 130, and the bracing member 113, 118,
rests against the inside of the gutter 300. The gutter gap when
present is shown as the space between the back wall 302 of the
gutter 300 and the back edge 119, 219 of the insert 10. The gutter
gap acts to both ensure water does not flow or back up into the
walls of the building 600 and it helps to allow easy insertion and
removal of the insert 10, into the gutter 300, see FIG. 4. The
front lip 315 of the gutter 300, is sometimes called the lip,
gutter lip, or front gutter lip 315, and it is on the outside wall
310 of the gutter 300. The outside wall is the side of the gutter
that is away from the house or building. The front lip 315 appears
to form what looks like an overhang of the gutter, when viewed from
below or in profile. This overhang or front lip 315, as it appears
on some gutters, often has a grove or space 308 of about 1/4 to 1/2
to 3/4 to 1 inch wide and deep, running the length of the gutter.
The front wall of the gutter 300 often drops down in a curving
shape, to connect to the bottom 304 of the gutter 300. The front
wall 310 of the gutter 300 is the wall or side of the gutter
furthest from the house, when the gutter is attached to the
building. The front lip 315 is located at the top of the front wall
of the gutter 300. In one alternative described here and shown in
the drawings, the upper blocking member 110 of the half box style
of gutter insert 10 rests either in, close to, or against the front
lip 315 of the gutter, at or near position 117. In one alternative
the upper blocking member 110 is supported by the inside of the
gutter by the front wall of the gutter either in or near the front
lip 315 of the gutter 300. In one alternative the upper blocking
member 110 is supported from the inside of the gutter 300 by the
front wall of the gutter 310 either in or near the front lip 315 of
the gutter 300. The insert remains fixed in this approximate
position because of the bracing member(s) 113, 118 which are
supported from the inside bottom 304, and or inside back corner
308, of the back wall 302 of the gutter 300.
[0066] Optional drainage channels such as cuts, holes, vents,
screen or mesh openings in the upper blocking member 101 may be
made or included in the devices. Drainage channels or holes should
be made in the inserts that have a front edge that goes over the
top of the front lip 315 of the gutter 300 as shown in FIGS. 14,
15, 16. These drainage channels can be made into the upper blocking
member 110 of the insert 10 at the lowest point of the channel in
the front of the insert in order to facilitate the drainage of
water into the gutter 300. Such drainage channels are typically
made on the edge of the insert closest to the front lip 315 on the
inside of the gutter, i.e. near the front edge 117, 217 of the
insert 10. FIG. 3 shows triangle shaped holes 216 in the front edge
217 of the upper blocking member 110. FIG. 3 shows these holes,
which are an area of perforation 217 made in or near the edge of
the insert 117, 217 that rests against the inside front lip 315 of
the gutter 300. Holes, cuts, screens or mesh or other porous
materials can be used to facilitate drainage of water from on top
of the upper blocking member into the gutter and the holes may be
of various sizes, types shapes and locations. Care should be taken
however to make the holes small enough such that most leaves and
debris are prevented from entering the gutter trough. It is
recommended such drainage channels be less than 3 inches in
diameter, less than about 2 inches, or less than about 1 inch. The
upper blocking member 110 may simply be a screen designed to
facilitate the passage of water but block most leaves or debris
from entering the gutter, usually less than about 3 inches in
diameter.
[0067] An alternative method of making a drainage channel without
cutting or drilling holes into the upper blocking member 110 of the
insert 10, in order to facilitate the drainage of water into the
trough of the gutter 300, is to make the upper blocking member 110
with bumps or dents such that the upper blocking member 110 such
that it cannot be rest pressing smoothly against the inner upper
part of the front lip 315 of the gutter, i.e. the front edge 303 of
the insert 10, rather such bumps or detents force the upper
blocking member 110 down a little short distance which allows water
to flow into the gutter 300 but keeps leaves and other vegetation
out of the gutter 300. Such drainage channels are typically made on
the edge of the insert closest to the front lip of the gutter, i.e.
in the front edge 303 of the upper blocking member 110.
[0068] Many materials can be used to make the gutter insert thin
enough, or porous enough such that no cuts are needed and the water
simply flows inside the front lip 315 of the gutter and down into
the gutter trough. Many styles and places of cuts or drains can be
used, if desired. Once inserted, any leaves dropping, falling, or
flowing into the gutter from the roof or sky, are deflected away
from the trough of the gutter and will fall harmlessly to the
ground. By keeping leaves, twigs, needles and other debris out of
the gutter trough, the gutter inserts keep the gutters flowing
freely without clogging and overflowing.
[0069] The vertical support member(s) 120, 130 of the gutter insert
10 can be 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or a multiplicity of
distinct supports, and it can terminate in at least the same number
of bracing members 113, 118. The vertical support member(s) 120,
130 and the bracing members 113, 118 can be curved, straight, or of
various shapes. FIGS. 1-9 are provided to show both curved and
straight vertical support members. Three examples of various
inserts are shown in FIGS. 1-9. FIG. 3 shows a half box where two
supports 120, 130 make a triangle shape. FIG. 4 shows a half box
with a curved vertical support member 120, 130. The vertical
support member 120, 130 is shown with a bracing member 113, 118
fitting into the rear bottom corner 308 of the gutter 300, but
bracing member 113, 118 could be made and positioned such that it
fits into the top or middle of the back wall 302, or the bottom 3,
even the front wall, or as preferred in the back corner 308 of the
gutter 300. It could be fashioned such that both front 6 and rear
308 corners of the gutter hold the vertical support members 120,
130 in place. Alternatively the bracing members 113, 118 can rest
against the back wall 302 of the gutter at a position in the upper
1/4, 1/3, 1/2, 3/4 or other such that bracing members 113, 118 does
not need to touch the bottom 304 of the gutter 300. The vertical
support member(s) 120, 130 and the bracing members 113, 118 do not
need to run the entire length of the gutter insert 10. It is
preferred to cut the vertical support members at or near the point
of attachment to the upper blocking member 110 as shown in FIGS. 2
and 3 at 112, thus both allowing for easier installation (allowing
placement over the gutter supports or brackets) and reducing the
amount of material needed to make the insert. A multiplicity of
two, three or more vertical support member(s) 120, 130 and the
bracing members 113, 118 attached to one or two, preferably a
single upper blocking member 110 makes an insert that is easier to
install because it can be more simply fitted over the brackets or
nails that are used to attach the gutter to the house or building
and these troublesome brackets then are used to advantage, helping
to support and keep the inserts in the proper position. The insert
10 shown in FIGS. 1-10, is easy to make and install. FIG. 1 shows
an insert with one upper blocking member 110 attached to three
vertical support member(s) 120, 130 and bracing members 113, 118.
The insert is designed to be compressed and inserted into a gutter
300, such that when in place the insert sits in the proper position
with its front edge 303 of the gutter insert 10 resting close to
the front lip 315 of the gutter 300. The insert 10 can be fashioned
in various designs and made of various materials. FIG. 1 shows the
gutter insert 10 of a shape that allows easy trimming for
installation, as mentioned above in reference to its having several
separated vertical support member(s) 120, 130 and the bracing
members 113, 118 attached to the upper blocking member 110. It is
easy to cut the inserts of any shape needed for installation as
only the upper blocking member need be cut rather than having to
cut both the upper blocking member and the vertical support member.
The insert 10 can be made and sold in one convenient piece and then
cut to a multitude of shapes as may be needed by the person
installing the insert 10. The unique shapes shown in the drawings
allow for easy installation by professionals and amateurs alike.
The gutter insert 10 can be cut and trimmed to allow various
segments of the insert to be easily formed and then placed into the
gutter 300. Nearly any gutter 300 can be accommodated with either
the inserts shown in the drawings or variants thereof. Once in
place in the gutter 300, the inserts 10 can be left in the gutter
indefinitely, or as long as desired. If the inserts 10 are made of
transparent materials then visual inspection of the inside and
bottom of the gutter is made easy.
[0070] The vertical support member 120, 130 may be made of one, two
or a multiplicity of supports having various shapes. FIGS. 3-8 show
an insert with a vertical support member 120, 130 being bent such
that it appears to have two parts (a) and (b), that compose the
vertical support member. The vertical support member may have a
detent as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8 to increase its spring like
ability. FIG. 4 shows a vertical support member where the bending
is such that the vertical support member appears to be a single
curved support.
[0071] In one embodiment, the insert has a lower edge of the
vertical support member that rests against one or two of the bottom
corners of the gutter. The inside (i.e. side closest to the house)
bottom corner of the gutter is the corner of the gutter where the
bottom of the gutter meets the back wall of the gutter, the back
wall being the wall of the gutter closest to the house when the
gutter is installed. In one embodiment, the insert has an edge 117,
217 of the upper blocking member 110 that rests against, in or
close to the inside of the front lip 315 of the gutter 300. The
front of the gutter is the side of the gutter 300 that is away from
the house, when the gutter is attached to the building. In a
preferred embodiment the insert 10 has an edge 117 of the vertical
support member that rests against the inside bottom corner of the
gutter 308, the vertical support member is attached to the upper
blocking member 110 of the insert 10 which has an edge (117, 217)
that rests against, in or close to the inside 8 of the front lip
315 of the gutter 300.
[0072] The gutter inserts may be rigid but they seem to work best
when they are flexible. The flexible versions can be compressed for
easy placement into the proper position in the gutter. The flexible
inserts can be compressed, and when the compressive force is
released they will try to assume their original shape which puts
them in the proper position in the gutter. Flexible inserts are
preferred. Flexible inserts can be compressed, placed into the
gutter, and then, when the compression is released, they will
assume a shape that allows one end or edge 117, 217 to fit neatly
in or near the inside of the gutter lip 7 which is at the top of
the gutter and the other end or edge of the insert 70 fits neatly
into the bottom corner 308 of the gutter 300. The inserts may be
shaped so that either bottom corner is utilized.
[0073] The vertical support member 120, 130 is attached to the
upper blocking member 110 of the insert 10 and the vertical support
member 120, 130 extends from the upper blocking member 110 down
into the gutter 300 where it rests with its lower edge 70, which is
part of the bracing member 113, 118, abutting the walls 302 and or
the bottom 3 of the gutter 300. The vertical support member(s) 120,
130 consists of one or a multiplicity of attached or bent elements
that extends from the upper blocking member 110 to the inside of
the gutter 300.
[0074] The upper blocking member 110 can also be made from 1, 2, 3,
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 or a multiplicity of members.
Specific Examples of Dimensions of the Half Box Insert
Length.
[0075] Herein is described a gutter insert 300 of a half box style
that has a length between 11 and 110 inches and where the length of
the upper blocking member 110 can be any length, but the following
lengths are specifically described. Details are provided where the
gutter inserts of a box or half box style are particularly
described that are between 10 and 110, 20 to 110, 30 to 110, 40 to
110, 50 to 110, 60 to 110, 11 to 80, 11 to 70, 11 to 60, 11 to 50,
11 to 40, 11 to 30, 15 to 70, 15 to 60, 15 to 50, 15 to 40, 20 to
30, 20 to 40, 20 to 50, 20 to 60, 20 to 70, 20 to 80, 25 to 50, 30
to 40, 30 to 45, 30 to 50, 30 to 60, 30 to 70, 40 to 50, 40 to 60,
40 to 70, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 45, 50, 55,
60 inches in length. Or any with approximately the same or falling
on or between any of these specific lengths
Width.
[0076] The upper blocking member 110 is anywhere from about 2 to 7
inches in width, (width is measured front to back across the top of
the gutter) and specifically it may be about 2, 21/4, 21/2, 23/4,
3, 31/4, 31/2, 33/4, 4, 41/4, 41/2, 43/4, 1, 11/4, 11/2, 13/4, 6.0,
6.5 or about 7.0 inches in width or any width falling between these
specific widths. Preferred are widths that are, about 3 to 51/2
inches, about 31/2 to 5 inches, about 33/4 to 43/4 inches in width,
about 4 to 41/2 inches in width, about 41/2 to 41/4 inches and in
one embodiment is about 41/4 inches in width.
[0077] The vertical support member(s) 120, 130 need not be the same
width, and they may be curved or straight and their total width
anywhere from as wide as the inserts to as narrow as a 1/4 of an
inch. But in the preferred versions there is a set back in the
vertical support members from the end of the insert from 1/8 to 1/4
to 1/2 inch or so, usually 2 inches or less. The vertical support
member could be made from a multiplicity of straight planes, if
desired, thus resulting in a curve as shown in FIG. 8.
[0078] Another method of measuring the width of the upper blocking
member 110 is to consider its width as a percent of the width of
the gutter, from back wall to front lip. Here a solid or
collapsible insert or form is described that is supported by walls
of the gutter and where a portion of the insert covers from 160% to
about 50% of the width of the gutter. Specifically, at least about
50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, 10%, 105%, 110%,
115%, 120% 125%, 130%, 135%, 140%, 145%, 150%, 155% or about 160%
of the width of the gutter, is covered by the upper blocking
member. The upper blocking member may be solid or have perforations
or even be a screen to resist leaves and other debris from entering
the gutter, but is should permeable enough to allow water from rain
and other sources to enter the gutter.
[0079] Using the percent of gutter width method of measuring the
width of the upper blocking member 110 in preferred embodiments it
is, as measured as a percent of the width of the gutter, from back
wall to front lip, it will, in various embodiments, cover from
about 99%, 98%, 97%, 96%, 95%, 94%, 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, 89%, 88%,
84%, 86%, 81%, 84%, 83%, 82%, 81%, 80%, 79%, 78%, 77, 76%, 75%,
74%, 73%, 72%, 71%, 70%, 69%, 68%, 67%, 66%, 65%, 64%, 63%, 62%,
61%, 60%, 59%, 58%, 57%, 56%, 55%, or about 50%, or any range of
any of these percents, in increments of 1, 5 or 10 percent, of the
width of the upper opening of the gutter trough, as measured over
the width of the top or upper region of the gutter, from back wall
to front lip. The uncovered part of the gutter trough, the gap or
gutter gap, being on the side or edge of the insert closest to the
house or building. Various embodiments are disclosed where the
upper blocking member is from about 99 to 60, 98 to 70, 97 to 80,
96 to 85, 95 to 90, or any other range as a percent of the opening
of the gutter trough, measured as a percent of width of the trough
of the gutter when looking straight down into the gutter, or any
range of any of the values described above.
Height.
[0080] The vertical support member, in the half box style, may be
such that it raises the upper blocking member any of the following
distances from the bottom of the gutter: 2, 21/4, 21/2, 23/4, 3,
31/4, 31/2, 33/4, 4, 41/4, 41/2, 43/4, 1, 11/4, 11/2, 13/4, 5,
51/4, 51/2, 53/4 or 6 inches above the bottom 304 of the gutter
300. Preferred is where the vertical support member is any of about
3 to 6 inches in height, about 3.25 to 51/2 inches in height, about
3 to 5 inches in height, about 3.5 to 41/2 inches in height, about
3.5 or about 4 inches in height. The height of the insert from top
to bottom may be made from about 2 to 4 inches, it may be 2, 21/4,
21/2, 23/4, 3, 31/4, 31/2, 33/4, 4, 41/4, 41/2, 43/4, 1, 11/4,
11/2, 13/4, 6, 61/4, 61/2, 63/4 or 4 inches, as measured from top
to bottom (i.e. the height of the vertical support member).
Thickness.
[0081] The thickness of the insert is between 0.001 and 0.50 inch.
Embodiments are disclosed where it is rigid and not flexible and
embodiments are disclosed where it is flexible. Specific thickness
are provided as the following embodiments as examples.
[0082] Wherein the insert is comprised of plastic having the
following thicknesses: Between about 0.001 and 1/2 inch, between
about 0.001 and 1/4 inch, between 0.050 and 1/8.sup.th inch,
between about 0.005 and 0.200 inch between about 0.010 and 0.200
inch, between 0.010 and 0.10 inch. The thickness of the insert is
between about 0.020 and 0.080 inch. The thickness of the insert is
between about 0.030 and 0.070 inch. The thickness of the insert is
between 0.040 and 0.060 inch. The thickness of the insert is
between about 0.040 and 0.060 inch. The thickness of the insert is
about 0.060 inch. The thickness of the insert is about 0.040 inch.
The thickness of the insert is about 0.020 inch. The thickness of
the insert is about 0.010 inch. Metal inserts will typically be
thinner than plastic inserts. But this depends on the material
used. One should be able to easily determine what materials and
thickness work best depending on the preference of the installer
and the preference of the end user.
[0083] Wherein the insert is comprised of metal having the
following thicknesses: Between about 0.001 and 1/4 inch, between
about 0.005 and 0.10 inch, between about 0.050 and 0.090 inch. The
thickness of the insert is between about 0.010 and 0.080 inch. The
thickness of the insert is between about 0.010 and 0.070 inch. The
thickness of the insert is between 0.02 and 0.060 inch. The
thickness of the insert is between about 0.030 and 0.060 inch. The
thickness of the insert is about 0.005 inch, 0.010 inch, 0.015,
0.020 inch, 0.025, or 0.030 inch or any range of thickness between
any of these values. The thickness of the insert is about 0.019 or
0.020 inch. Metal inserts will typically be thinner than plastic
inserts. But this depends on the material used. One should be able
to easily determine what materials and thickness work best
depending on the preference of the installer and the preference of
the end user.
Gutter Gap.
[0084] In one embodiment the gutter insert has a gutter gap of from
1/10.sup.th to 3 inches when in place in the gutter. Specific
embodiments include the range from 1/10.sup.th of an inch to 3
inches and include the following ranges and approximate gaps: from
1/8 to 21/2 inch, 1/4 to 2 inches, 3/8 to 11/2 inches, 1/2 to 11/2
inches, 3/4 to 1 inch. Specific values are approximately 1/8, 1/4,
3/8, 1/2, 5/8, 3/4, 7/8, 1 inch, 11/8, 11/4, 11/2, 13/8, 11/2, 1,
5/8, 17/8, 2 inches, 21/4, 21/4, 23/4 and 3 inches in width.
[0085] The gap may also be measured in terms of percent of width of
the gutter and using that system of measurement the gap may be 0,
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 35, 40 45 or 50% of the
width of the gutter. Or any range or approximately of any specific
percent mentioned. The gap is along the edge of the insert or side
of the gutter against the building.
The Spring and Shield Type Insert.
[0086] The spring and shield type insert is made in two parts and
assembled by the user, possibly in advance and alternatively it is
made in place in a pre-existing gutter affixed to a house or
building. The two parts consist of the "spring" or "deleted spring"
that rests inside the gutter and the "shield" that attaches to and
or rest against the spring. The shield can be solid or perforated.
The shield can be a screen with small openings designed to keep
larger bits of debris out of the gutter. The shield should mostly
cover the gutter. Several designs are possible and shown in the
drawings. The shield in one aspect rests on the bottom of the
gutter in the front, i.e. the side away from the house and bends
back toward the house or building side, resting against the spring.
This orientation can be reversed. The shield in another aspect
simply sits on top of the spring or deleted spring with or without
being attached with fasteners.
[0087] In one aspect of the invention fasteners are used to
attached the spring to the shield.
[0088] In one aspect the shield is attached to the spring or
deleted spring with small hooks. In this aspect of the invention
the spring is placed in the gutter, the shield is set on top of the
spring and the small hooks in the shield grip the spring, keeping
it firmly in place. The hooks could be small and randomly and
numerously placed so they would engage the spring without the need
for exact positioning. The spring would fill the gutter so the
shield is held in optimal position covering the space of the gutter
and keeping leaves and debris out of the gutter. Other inserts
could be used to fasten the shield to the spring such as wire
twisted in place, Velcro, or other fasteners, which could be made
of any material.
The Table Type of Insert.
[0089] In one embodiment the cover is shaped like a table with
supports, posts or legs at the edges. The supports, legs or posts,
which are also called vertical support members, have a bracing
function whereby they support the top of the "table" herein called
the upper blocking member. The vertical support units may be made
of stiff or preferable made of flexible material. The upper
blocking member like all upper blocking members described herein
may be flat, domed or slanted from either back down to front or
even from front down to back as needed for any particular gutter.
The edges of the cover can be either inside the gutter or on top of
the gutter, but the vertical support members will extend down into
the gutter. Alternatively the upper blocking member can be about 1,
3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35,
37, 39, 41, 43, or 45% of the width of the gutter. These percent
widths can be applied to all the upper blocking members described
herein.
Materials.
[0090] Any of the various types of inserts and in particular the
box and half box types of inserts can be made out of the following
materials. Examples of flexible materials are most types of
plastics, metals, such as: aluminum, tin, copper, gold, nearly
anything if made thinly can be flexible. It could be combined with
other materials if desired. The flexible portion of the insert can
be made of synthetic materials.
[0091] Plastic is the general common term for a wide range of
synthetic or semi-synthetic organic solid materials suitable for
the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically
polymers of high molecular weight, and may contain other substances
to improve performance and/or reduce costs. Some important groups
in these classifications are the acrylics, polyesters, silicones,
polyurethanes, and halogenated plastics, polystyrene" (PS) and
polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Other types of plastic are PET or PETE,
polyethylene terephthalate: Commonly found on 2-liter soft drink
bottles, water bottles, cooking oil bottles, peanut butter jars.
HDPE, high-density polyethylene: Commonly found on detergent
bottles, milk jugs. PVC, polyvinyl chloride: Commonly found on
plastic pipes, outdoor furniture, siding, floor tiles, shower
curtains, clamshell packaging. PP, polypropylene: Commonly found on
bottle caps, drinking straws, yogurt containers, legos. PS,
polystyrene: Commonly found on "packing peanuts", cups, plastic
tableware, meat trays, take-away food clamshell containers.
[0092] Plastic in addition to the terms above includes all of the
following: Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), High impact
polystyrene (HIPS), Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS),
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polyester (PES), Polyamides (PA),
including Nylons and Nylon Fibers, Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC),
Polyurethanes (PU), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyvinylidene chloride
(PVDC) (Saran), Polyethylene (PE), Polycarbonate/Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Styrene (PC/ABS) which is a blend of PC and ABS that
creates a stronger plastic.
[0093] Examples of trade names of these plastics are: Kevlar,
Mylar, Lexan, and others. Some plastics are more suitable for use
than others, depending on how the inserts are to be used, the
properties desired and the length of use and exposure to the
elements. One of ordinary skill in the art should be able to choose
a suitable plastic. Some plastics will be naturally resistant to UV
light, others will need UV blocking agents added to the inserts or
coated on the outside upper blocking members 110, in order to
prevent UV damage when such damage is a concern.
[0094] The inserts can also be made of natural fibers such as
cotton, rayon, hemp etc. that may or may not be treated depending
on the length of time it is expected to be used. In general natural
fibers would not be expected to last as long as a metal foil or
synthetic material and this may be preferred in some situations.
Any or all of these materials could be used alone or combined with
each other in any combination, depending in the interests of the
installer and end user.
Installation and Securing the Insert in the Gutter
[0095] The insert fits either over or between the nails or bracket
support used to attach the gutter to the house or building. The
half box insert conveniently fits over the nails or brackets and
under the roof overhang 700, see FIG. 4 The half box insert is
gently squeezed compressing the upper blocking member towards the
vertical support member, it is fitted into the gutter and released
and the vertical support member is adjusted if necessary so that
the lower edge of the vertical support members rests in the bottom
of the gutter and its front edge fits into the 315 of the gutter.
The insert can conveniently be made to any length desired. The
upper blocking member 110 can be flat and sloped or it can have a
rounded or domed or irregular shape to the upper blocking member
110. The preferred shape of the upper blocking member 110 is flat
or sloping and usually will slope downward from building side or
back edge 119, 219, down to front lip 315 to better keep most of
the vegetation, i.e. leaves and other falling debris, usually of
plant origin, out of the gutter; however in some situations,
especially where the shingle dips down low into the gutter, the
upper blocking member 110 may be level or may slope from its front
edge 117, 217 that is higher than the back edge 119, 219, thus
providing a upper blocking member 110 that slopes from front to
back and where water would flow from the front edge 117, 217, over
the back edge 119, 219 or to the house or building side of the
upper blocking member 110, when the insert is placed in a rain
gutter attached to a house or building. This reverse flow feature
of the gutter inserts makes them especially unique and useful. The
upper blocking member 110 can have holes to allow water to drain
through, or the whole upper blocking member 110 can be permeable,
for example a mesh screen or it can be solid as water will
naturally drain down its edge and into the gutter.
[0096] The unique design of the inserts gives the half box design
special advantages. Because of the gutter gap between the back wall
302 of the gutter 300 and the back edge 119, 219 of the insert 10
there is no possibility of water backing up into the house or
building 600 attached to the gutter 300. This design also allows
for easy compressibility and placement in the gutter as one simply
pushes the bracing member at the bottom edge of the vertical
support member into the bottom of the gutter, and preferably into
the bottom back corner of the gutter, then the upper blocking
member is pushed down into the gutter with its back edge going in
first, under the roof and finally the front edge of the vertical
support member is placed into the front lip of the gutter. When a
compressive force is applied in a manner such that the upper
blocking member 110 is squeezed towards the vertical support member
120, 130 such that the insert is compressed or squeezed together
the insert can then be easily placed into the gutter while the
gutter is attached to a house or building. Once the insert is
compressed or squeezed together and pushed down into the gutter,
past the overhang of the roof 700 shown in FIG. 4, it can then be
allowed to expand back to its relaxed form and original shape and
be positioned such that its front edge 117, 217, 217 is near the
inside of the front lip 315 of the gutter 300 and the back edge
119, 219 of the insert 10 can then be put under the overhang 700 of
the edge of the roof 700. This positioning of the insert prevents
places it firmly into the gutter 300 in proper position where it
can barely be seen from the ground. Finally as mentioned above, the
unique design allows the insert to be placed into gutters where the
shingle dips down low into the gutter, i.e. blow the top of the
gutter. In this situation the upper blocking member 110 may be
level or may slope from its front edge 117, 217 that is higher than
the back edge 119, 219, thus providing a upper blocking member 110
that slopes from front to back and where water would flow from the
front edge 117, 217, over the back edge 119, 219 or to the house or
building side of the upper blocking member 110, when the insert is
placed in a rain gutter attached to a house or building.
[0097] Usually the roof edge is an asphalt shingle that projects
slightly over the edge of flashing on the edge of the roof. This
projections creates an overhang above the trough of the gutter,
FIG. 4. The shingles are made of a variety of materials, they are
often asphalt but they can also be made of slate, copper, tin,
metal alloy, fiberglass or some other water resistant material. The
insert can be compatible both physically and by appearance to any
roofing or gutter materials. Gutters are commonly made of resin or
metal materials like aluminum, zinc, copper or some alloy. The
inserts described herein avoid common installation problems because
they require no touching of the roof or shingles and then need no
fasteners of any kind. They may be installed before or after the
gutters are attached to the house or building. The gutter insert
stays in place because there is little wind directed down into the
gutter and what wind does hit or affect the inserts tends to push
it in place rather than lift it out. The top of the cover can be
either smaller than, and according to the percentages described
herein or it can be slightly larger than the top of the gutter and
the upper blocking member can be made of any material, foil,
plastic, screen or mesh that fits in or over the gutter to prevent
non-liquids from entering the gutter.
Composition and Materials
[0098] The insert is preferably made of any durable material, the
collapsible form most easily from wire and fabric, or even wire
alone if fairly densely woven. The weave should be tight enough to
keep small leaves from penetrating the top. Typically it should be
made of relatively strong durable material because it will be
exposed to the sun and elements. Most metals are suitable. Because
of its low cost and rust inhibiting qualities aluminum is an
excellent material. Galvanized steel works. If plastic, acrylic
works well, so does polyethylene. The inserts can also be made of
disposable materials for temporary use or made out of biodegradable
or even water soluble materials for special temporary applications.
When used in climates with snow and ice it should be strong enough
to resist the pressure of the snow and ice that may form on the
roof and slide onto the insert. If fabric is used, the fabric
should be UV resistant or made UV resistant as it will typically be
exposed to the sun.
[0099] One preferred method of making and using the inserts is to
use aluminum, optionally painted or coated, of about 0.020 inches
thick, as an example, and make the insets a convenient length, e.g.
18 inches, or 36 inches and then every 41/2 inches cut a vertical
support member that is about 31/4 inch long, then simply cut, or
stamp out each piece, with the dimensions mentioned 2 pieces can be
cut from a strip of Al that is about 14 or 15 inches wide, and no
material is wasted. Following cutting the piece is passed to a
bending device like a metal brake, that makes the bends, resulting
in a final product as shown in many of the figures.
[0100] The insert can be made of a material that can be painted and
if desired, painted to any color, include a color to match the
color of the gutter or the house or building where it is used. Some
prefer a dark or black color thinking it hides the insert, others
prefer a light color to blend in with the typical gutter which is
often white. Any type of lights, including Christmas lights could
be attached to it, or it could include tabs or hooks to allow for
easy attachment of lights or other decorative objects.
Sectional Aspects
[0101] The insert can easily be installed in sections. The sections
can easily be removed for cleaning or replacement as needed or
desired. If the style used is collapsible, the removed sections and
be collapsed and saved or discarded as desired. If a fixed "box"
style of insert is preferred the "boxes" can be made to stack. If
the box style is used the boxes can be made of any material
including any type of plastic, preferable with UV inhibitor or any
other preferable durable material like tin or aluminum. The boxes
can be closed in the shape of the tube or tunnel or in a circle
shape or in a shape of the letter "U." The U shape can be easily
stacked.
Roof and Shingle Installation Aspects
[0102] Usually the roof edge is an asphalt shingle 700 that ends
with an overhang 700 somewhere over the gutter 300, see FIG. 4. The
shingle on the roof 700 can be made of any material, it is often
asphalt but can also be made of slate, copper, tile or other
waterproof materials. The insert 10 is compatible both physically
and by appearance to any of these roofing materials and to any
gutter materials. Gutters are commonly made of aluminum, zinc or
copper. The inserts described here avoids common installation
problems by either being installed before the gutter is installed
(typically box or "U" style) or if the gutter is already installed
and in place, the collapsible form, or half box style of the insert
is used which allows easy installation. The insert stays in place
because there is little wind that is directed down into the gutter
and what wind there is actually acts to keep the insert in place
rather than lift it out. If additional securing of the insert is
needed it can be accomplished by fitting it snugly to the gutter
and or securing the insert to the nails or brackets which hold the
gutter to the house or building.
[0103] The top of the insert can be slightly larger than the top of
the gutter and with a foil or fabric lip that fits over the gutter
to prevent wet leaves from sliding over the tube and into the
gutter. The foil lip need not be large and can be painted the same
color as the gutter. In alternative embodiments the top of the
insert is called an upper blocking member and it can be smaller
than or not a wide as the width of the gutter, it fits into the
front lip 315 of the gutter and it has a gap near the back wall of
the gutter which is the side closest to the building when the
gutter is installed. The insert can be fashioned so the gap is of
various sizes and dimensions mentioned above.
Methods of Manufacture
[0104] The inserts described herein can be manufactured by a
variety of methods. They and be cut from a sheet of material either
by stamping, roller cutting, router cutting, laser cutting or any
other cutting method, preferably computer controlled for precision
cuts. After cutting the pieces can be smoother or polished, bent or
shaped into proper position, from either hot or cold bending, and
painted or coated by a variety of procedures if desired. Powder
coating makes for a nice finish and can be done in a variety of
colors. Alternatively various injection molding techniques could be
used, such as extrusion with final shaping and or cutting if
needed. Alternatively the inserts can be made by computer
controlled shaping or any number of other processes.
NUMBERED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0105] 1. A gutter insert comprising at least one an upper blocking
member and at least one vertical support member. 2. A gutter insert
of number 1, the vertical support member being flexibly attached to
the proximal or back edge of the upper blocking member and the
proximal or upper edge of said vertical support member and having a
bracing member on its lower edge. 3. A gutter insert of number 2,
the bracing member being made of water resistant material. 4. A
gutter insert of number 3, the bracing member bottom end that is no
wider than 25 percent of the width of the gutter the gutter insert
is designed to fit into, and wherein the upper blocking member is
not fully engaged over its entire length with the vertical support
member.
[0106] 5. A gutter insert of number 4 where the bottom of the
bracing member is no wider than 1.0 inch. or more than 10 percent
of the gutter the gutter insert is used in. 6. A gutter insert of
number 4 where the bottom of the bracing member is no wider than 5
percent of the gutter the gutter insert is designed to fit into,
and wherein the upper blocking member is not engaged with the
vertical support member on either end having at least 1 inch where
the upper blocking member is not engaged with the vertical support
member. 7. A gutter insert comprising at least one an upper
blocking member, at least one vertical support member, wherein the
upper blocking member has a width, measured from front edge to back
edge, of at least one inch and no more than 10 inches, herein the
upper blocking member and vertical support member are attached to
each other along the distal edge of the upper blocking member and
the proximal edge of the vertical support member, wherein the
vertical support member has a distal edge that is a bracing member,
wherein the upper blocking member and vertical support member are
flexibly engaged with each other, wherein the length of the insert
is greater than its width. 8. The gutter insert of number 7
wherein, when viewed from a side view, the upper blocking member
and the vertical support member form an angle of separation,
wherein the angle is greater than 30 degrees and less than 90
degrees. 9. The gutter insert of number 8 wherein the length of the
insert is greater than 8 and less than 10 inches, wherein the upper
blocking member and vertical support member are engaged at an angle
of 90 degrees or less and more than 40 degrees, wherein the width
of the upper blocking member is between 2 and 7 inches, wherein the
height of the vertical support member is between 2 to 8 inches,
wherein the vertical support member is not engaged with the upper
blocking member over its entire length, wherein the thickness of
the upper blocking member and the lower end of the vertical support
member is between 0.001 and 0.5 inch thick, wherein the vertical
support member is flexible.
[0107] 10. The gutter insert of number 9 wherein the length of the
insert is greater than 10 and less than 90 inches, wherein the
upper blocking member and vertical support member are engaged at an
angle of 80 degrees or less and more than 40 degrees, wherein the
width of the upper blocking member is between 2 and 5 inches,
wherein the height of the vertical support member is from 2 to 6
inches, wherein the vertical support member is not engaged with the
upper blocking member over its entire length, wherein the thickness
of the materials used in the manufacture of the various members of
the insert is between 0.010 and 0.25 inch, wherein the vertical
support member is flexible. 11. An insert of number 10 wherein the
thickness of the insert is between about 0.050 and 0.090 inch, or
between about 0.010 and 0.080 inch, or between about 0.010 and
0.070 inch, or between 0.010 and 0.060 inch, or between about 0.010
and 0.050 inch or between about 0.010 and 0.040 inch, or between
about 0.015 and 0.030 inch or about 0.020 inch. 12. An insert of
above with a flexible vertical support member having a bend or a
detent. 13. A gutter insert for impeding the egress of non-liquid
debris into a gutter, the gutter including a front wall terminating
into a front lip, a back wall, and a bottom wall, the bottom wall
extending between and connecting the front wall to the back wall,
wherein the gutter inset comprises: a) a blocking member including
means for engaging the gutter front lip, and b) a generally
vertical support member connected to the blocking member, the
generally vertical support member including means for engaging the
insert with the gutter at a location on or near the lower one half,
one third, or bottom wall of the gutter. 14. A gutter insert of
number 13 where the generally vertical support member of the insert
engages the gutter with the inside bottom wall of the gutter.
[0108] 15. A gutter insert of number 14 where the generally
vertical support member of the insert engages the gutter at the
inside of the gutter at a location on or near the inside gutter
corner where the bottom wall of the gutter connects to the back
wall of the gutter. 16. A gutter insert of number 15 where there
are a multiplicity of vertical support members engaging one or more
upper blocking members. 17. A gutter insert of number 16 where
there are a multiplicity of vertical support members engaging one
upper blocking member. 18. A gutter insert of number 17 where there
are 1 to 8 vertical support members engaging one upper blocking
member. 19. A gutter insert of number 18 where the vertical support
members are from 3 to 7 inches in length, and the upper blocking
member is from 3 to 6 inches in width.
[0109] 20. A gutter insert described herein where the upper
blocking member is slanted from back to front, higher in the back
and lower in the front and or wherein the upper blocking member has
a front edge that rests in or on the front lip of the gutter. 21.
Use of a gutter insert to keep rain gutters free of non liquid
debris draining freely without clogging comprising a gutter insert
having: a) an upper blocking member and at least one vertical
support member, b) wherein the upper blocking member is comprised
of a flat or rounded structure with its distal edge engaged with
the vertical support member, c) wherein either one or both the
upper locking member and the vertical support member may be divided
into a multiplicity of pieces, d) wherein the distal portion of the
upper blocking member and the proximal portion of the vertical
support member are attached to each other, e) wherein the upper
blocking member and the vertical support member are attached to one
another such that they form an angle, when viewed from the end,
such that the angle is less than 90 degrees. 22. Use of a gutter
insert of number 21 wherein: a) the length of the insert is greater
than 5 inches, b) the width of the horizontal blocking member is
between 2 and 7 inches, c) the height of the vertical support
member is from 2 to 6 inches, d) the vertical support member is not
engaged with the horizontal blocking member over its entire length,
e) the thickness of the insert is between 0.001 and 0.500 inch,
wherein the vertical support member(s) are flexible. 23. Use of an
insert of an insert of number 22 wherein the horizontal blocking
member has a surface that, when in position in a gutter, slopes
either upward or downward with its proximal edge joined to the
vertical support member and having its distal edge engaged with the
lip of a gutter. 24. Use of an insert of number 23 wherein the
upper blocking member is between about 3 to 51/2 inches in width,
between about 31/2 to 5 inches in width, between about 33/4 to 43/4
inches in width, between about 4-41/2 inches in width, is about
41/4 inches in width.
[0110] 25. Use of an insert of number 24 wherein the vertical
support member is about 33/4 to 53/4 inches in height, about 4 to
51/2 inches in height, between about 41/4 to 51/4 inches in height,
between about 41/2 to 5 inches in height, about 43/4 inches in
height. 26. Placing a rain gutter insert into a rain gutter, the
insert having an upper blocking member which is engaged with at
least one vertical support members having a bracing member at the
bottom of the vertical support member, wherein the width of the
upper blocking member is the same or less than the width of the
gutter trough in which it is placed, wherein the insert has a
length greater than its width, wherein the upper blocking member
has a proximal edge that is parallel with its distal edge, wherein
the upper blocking member is engaged at various intervals, at its
distal or back edge with the proximal or upper edge of the vertical
support members, wherein the vertical support members have a
proximal or upper edge that engages with the distal or back edge of
the upper blocking member, wherein the vertical support member has
a distal or bottom edge that is parallel with both its proximal
edge and with the distal and proximal edges of the upper blocking
member, wherein the insert has a thickness that is less than 0.5
inch, wherein the distal or bottom edge of the vertical support
member engages the back wall or bottom wall of a gutter, whereby
the insert is placed into the gutter by first placing the bracing
member into the gutter, then compressing and folding the vertical
support member such that the upper bracing member is folded under
the edge of the roof or shingles which extend beyond the wall of
the house the gutter is fastened to, and then folding the vertical
support member down such that it rests in on or near the front
upper lip of the gutter. 27. Placing the gutter insert of number
27, wherein the vertical support member extends to the bottom of
the gutter. 28. The gutter insert of number 27 wherein the vertical
support member rests against the bottom corner of the gutter. 29.
The gutter insert of number 28 wherein the vertical support member
extends to the bottom wall of the gutter and rests against the back
corner wall of the gutter.
[0111] 30. The gutter insert described herein wherein the upper
blocking member has a width that covers less than 140% of the width
of the gutter and in alternative embodiments only about 99% of the
width of the gutter is covered, with the uncovered part of the
gutter trough being closest to the house or building side of the
gutter. In various embodiments, about 98%, or about 94%, 96%, 91%,
94%, 93%, 92%, 91%, 90%, 89%, 88%, 84%, 86%, 81%, 84%, 83%, 82%,
81%, 80%, 79%, 78%, 77, 76%, 75%, 74%, 73%, 72%, 71%, 70%, 69%,
68%, 67%, 66%, 65%, 64%, 63%, 62%, 61%, 60%, 59%, 58%, 57%, 56%,
55%, or about 50%, or any range of any of these percents of the
gutter trough, as measured over the width of the gutter, front to
back or back to front, is covered by the insert. 31. The gutter
insert described herein wherein the uncovered part of the gutter
trough is the side closest to the house or building. 32. The gutter
insert described herein wherein the vertical support member is
attached to the edge of the upper blocking member and the vertical
support member extends from the upper blocking member down into the
gutter and is supported by having the lower edge of the vertical
support member rest against the back wall, bottom wall, or the
vertical support member has its lower edge resting against the
bottom corner of the gutter, the corner closest to the house. 33.
The gutter insert described herein wherein the vertical support
member consists of one or a multiplicity of attached, detent or
bent elements that extends from the upper blocking member to the
inside of the gutter. 34. An article of manufacture comprising a
metal or plastic insert used to keep rain gutters open and draining
freely without clogging from falling leaves comprising: an upper
blocking member and at least one vertical support member, wherein
the upper blocking member is comprised of a flat or rounded
structure with its distal edge engaged with the vertical support
member, wherein either or both the upper blocking member and the
vertical support member may be divided into a multiplicity of
pieces, wherein the distal portion of the upper blocking member and
the proximal portion of the vertical support member are attached to
each other, wherein the upper blocking member and vertical support
member are attached such that they form an angle such that the
plane of the upper blocking member is at an angle of less than 90
degrees and more than about 40 degrees when measured with the plane
of the vertical support member, wherein the length of the insert is
greater than 5 inches, wherein the width of the horizontal blocking
member is between 2 and 7 inches, wherein the height of the
vertical support member is from 2 to 6 inches, wherein the vertical
support member is not engaged with the horizontal blocking member
over its entire length, wherein the thickness of the article is
between 0.001 and 0.5 inch, wherein the vertical support member(s)
are flexible.
[0112] 35. An article of number 34 where the thickness of the
article is between 0.005 and 0.200 inch or between 0.010 and 0.10
inch, or between 0.010 and 0.080 inch, or between 0.040 and 0.060
inch, or between 0.015 and 0.040 inch, or between 0.0.10 and 0.30
inch or is 0.020 inch. 36. An article of manufacture comprising a
gutter insert with a upper blocking member, at least one vertical
support member, wherein the upper blocking member has a width,
measured from edge to edge, of at least one inch and no more than
10 inches, wherein the upper blocking member and vertical support
member are attached to each other along the distal edge of the
upper blocking member and the proximal edge of the vertical support
member, wherein the upper blocking member and vertical support
member are engaged at an angle such that the planes of the two
members create an angle of less than 10 degrees and more than 20
degrees, wherein the length of the insert is greater than its
width. 37. An article of manufacture of number 35 where the range
of the angles formed by the angle X has any of the following ranges
or numbers exactly or approximately, 20-110, 20-10, 30-10, 20-90,
30-90, 40-90, 80, 40-80, 50-90, 50-80, 60-90, 60-80, 70-90, 70-80,
80-90, degrees of angle. Specifically 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75,
80, 85, More precisely 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, or
85 degrees or degress of angle. The X angle is shown in FIG. 4. 38.
An article of manufacture of number 35 where the range of the
angles formed by the angle Y has any of the following ranges or
numbers exactly or approximately, 0, zero degrees (or 180 degrees
depending on the perspective), that is, no appreciable angle or
detent in any part of the vertical support member 120, including
the bracing members 113, 118 or it can be anywhere between 180 (no
angle) and 20 degrees. The angle Y is most often about 180, 170,
160, 150, or more degrees, with the optimal angle being about 180,
170 or 160 degrees as shown by the "Y" angle in FIG. 4.
Specifically this angle Y is most often between 160 and 180,
between 150 and 170, between 140 and 160, between 50 and 150,
between 60 and 180, between 180 and 170, between 180 and 150, or on
or about 120, 125, 130, 135, 140, 145, 150, 160, 165, 170, 175 or
180 degrees of an angle, or any range between any two of these
numbers. 39. The process of making any of the gutter inserts
described in the specification or claims. 40. The use of any of the
gutter inserts described in the specification or claims for the
purpose of keeping falling vegetable matter out of the rain gutter
it is used in and for which it promotes the flow of rain water down
the gutter.
OTHER EMBODIMENTS
[0113] While the invention has been described in conjunction with
the detailed description above, that description is intended to
illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is
defined by the scope of the claims. Other aspects, advantages, and
modifications are within the scope of the following claims.
[0114] All publications and patents referred to in this disclosure
are incorporated herein by reference to the same extent as if each
individual publication or patent application were specifically and
individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Should the
meaning of the terms in any of the patents or publications
incorporated by reference conflict with the meaning of the terms
used in this disclosure, the meaning of the terms in this
disclosure are intended to be controlling. Furthermore, the
foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary
embodiments of the present invention. One skilled in the art will
readily recognize from such discussion and from the accompanying
drawings and claims, that various changes, modifications and
variations can be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.
* * * * *