Gutter bracket with detachable front and back clips

Abstract

An improved gutter bracket assembly attached to exposed rafters for supporting a gutter provides increased strength as well as flexibility in attaching to various types of rafters by including a pair of flanges that attach to lateral sides of a rafter. Thereby, greater attachment strength is achieved than typical at the open grain of the rafter end. Attachable front and back clips provide secure attachment after initial placement of the gutter is made.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefits of U.S. Pat. Appln. Ser. No. 60/620,389 of the same title filed on 20 Oct. 2004.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to gutter brackets attachable to a roof rafter for the purpose of supporting a gutter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has long been appreciated gutter brackets may be attached to a roof or a wall to support a gutter, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 1,478,837.

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,936, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, a single piece gutter bracket has a gutter support arm that is connected to a centrally disposed web with two spaced apart flanges extending substantially perpendicularly from opposing edges of the central web, in the direction opposite the gutter support arm. The distance between the flanges is approximately equal to the thickness of a rafter extension and may be substantially parallel or slightly angled in order to provide a frictional fit on a rafter extension. The flanges are secured directly to the sides of the rafter extension. The central web covers a portion of the end surface of the rafter extension, providing some protection to the rafter extension. The front of the gutter support arm may lie lower than the back of the gutter support arm to inhibit the flow of water, thereby helping to preserve the dwelling's building materials. The gutter bracket need not be installed during construction, beneath the roof shingles or the like, but may be installed after construction is complete. Accordingly, it is easily removed and replaced, without the need to disturb the building's roof supports or other architecture.

Later, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,651,937, an expandable gutter bracket has a gutter support arm that is connected to a centrally disposed mounting portion, or web, with two spaced apart flanges extending substantially perpendicularly from opposing edges of the mounting portion, in the direction opposite the gutter support arm. The distance between the flanges is selectively provided by the mounting portion to be approximately equal to the thickness of a rafter extension and may be substantially parallel or slightly angled in order to provide a frictional fit on a rafter extension. Various configurations of the mounting portion are provided to select the appropriate thickness, including a plurality of attachments that pass through the gutter support arm and connect to each end of the flanges or two respective halves of a two-piece web.

While these gutter brackets have a number of advantages and applications, further features are desirable to increase the number of applications for gutter brackets and to provide additional improvements.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention overcomes the above-noted and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a gutter bracket assembly which includes a mounting bracket having a proximal portion that attaches to an exposed surface of a rafter extension and a distal portion that extends out beyond the rafter extension to support a gutter. An extension member is attached to the mounting bracket to adjust for variations in the shape of the rafter extension so that the gutter is supported horizontally and at the correct height above ground.

In one aspect of the invention, a gutter bracket assembly has a mounting bracket with a curved distal portion shaped to follow a contour of an undersurface of the gutter. A back clip is fastened to the curved distal portion to grip an inner lip of the gutter. Similarly, a front clip is fastened to the curved distal portion to grip an outer lip of the gutter. Thereby, the gutter is securely held to the mounting bracket even if spaced away from a distal end of a rafter extension that is not plumb. Spacing away may be desired even if plump to reduce trapped moisture on the rafter extension that may lead to deterioration. Further, having a detached back clip rather than a fix gripping feature enables greater installation flexibility. For instance, the front and back clips may be selected for a particular placement that holds a gutter transversely horizontal even if the mounting bracket differs in its installed angle from other rafter extensions.

In another aspect of the invention, a gutter bracket attaches to one lateral side of a rafter extension with a gutter bracket arm extending distally at an angle to accommodate variations in the angle of a distal end of the rafter extension as well as a pitch of the rafter extension.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention shall be made apparent from the accompanying drawings and the description thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and, together with the general description of the invention given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective disassembled view of a gutter bracket assembly with opposing lateral flanges for rafter dimensional flexibility and with attachable front and back clips for securely holding down of a gutter.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of two dual arm gutter bracket assemblies having straight, proximal flange portions that attach to lateral sides of a rafter with lateral force distributing cylindrical spacers.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a dual arm gutter bracket similar to that shown in FIG. 2 but with a straight distal portion passing through the proximal and distal lips of a supported gutter.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a gutter bracket assembly with an increased vertical projecting flange with a plurality of attachment holes to increase vertical adjustment of an attached gutter bracket arm.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a gutter bracket assembly with a downwardly projecting lateral bracket and gutter bracket arm having a horizontal proximal attachment portion.

FIG. 6 is a side view of an increased strength gutter bracket assembly with an elongated proximal portion of a gutter bracket arm attached to a plurality of downwardly projecting lateral flanges.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a contoured gutter bracket assembly.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a disassembled gutter bracket assembly of FIG. 1 with back clips with a plurality of attachment holes in a triangular web that allows attachment to angled rafter ends.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative pair of gutter bracket assemblies attached to respective exposed lateral sides of a rafter extension.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another alternative pair of gutter bracket assemblies with rotatably attachable gutter bracket arms and each mounted on respective exposed lateral sides of a rafter extension.

FIG. 11 is a perspective, exploded view of the alternative pair of gutter bracket assemblies of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12A is a right side view in elevation of the gutter bracket assembly of FIG. 10 installed on a rafter extension having a 10/12 pitch.

FIG. 12B is a right side view in elevation of the gutter bracket assembly of FIG. 10 installed on a rafter extension having a 8/12 pitch.

FIG. 12C is a right side view in elevation of the gutter bracket assembly of FIG. 10 installed on a rafter extension having a 6/12 pitch.

FIG. 12D is a right side view in elevation of the gutter bracket assembly of FIG. 10 installed on a rafter extension having a 4/12 pitch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 depicts a gutter bracket assembly 10 formed from a pair of right and left lateral flanges 12, 14 that are attachable to a rafter (not shown). Each presents opposing front webs 16, 18 that come together at parallel and projecting tabs 20, 22 respectively for being on each side of a proximal end 24 of a gutter bracket arm (“hook”) 26. Fasteners (e.g., bolts and nuts) 28, 30 pass through holes 32, 33 and 34, 35 respectively in the projecting tabs 20, 22 and through holes 36, 38 in the proximal end 24.

Advantageously, a pair of back clips 40 each having a pair of holes 44, 46 are also attached by fasteners 28, 30. A gutter (not shown) is set across gutter bracket arm 26, as well as other gutter bracket arms, and is hooked on the backside under the back clips 40, 42. Then front clips 52, 54 are attached with a fastener 56 to a distal end 58 of the bracket support arm 26 to engage the other lip of the gutter. The front clips 52, 54 are advantageously stamped or molded with substantial strength and possibly decorative ornamentation to provide a more appealing installation over a spring clip or other attachment.

In FIG. 2, a pair of rafters 70, 72 each support a dual arm gutter bracket assembly 74 formed by a pair of gutter bracket arms 76, 78 that have a straight, proximal flange portion 80 and a curved hook portion 82. A pair of back clips 84, 86 and a pair of front clips 88, 90 are attached opposingly on each end of the curved hook portion 82. Fasteners 92, 94 pass through the flange portions 80 of both of the gutter bracket arms 76, 78, advantageously with cylindrical spacers 96, 98 spacing the gutter bracket arms 76, 78 as desired for aesthetics or load distribution at the hook portions 82. In addition, each separate or integral cylindrical spacer 96, 98 presents a larger surface for distributing loads to the side of the respective rafter 70, 72.

In FIG. 3, a pair of straight gutter bracket assemblies 120, 122 are attached to respective rafters 124, 126. Each lateral portion 142 is bolted by bolts 128, 130 with cylindrical spacers 132, 134 formed therein. Instead of a hooked distal portion, a straight support portion 136 of each gutter bracket support arm 138, 140 passes through apertures formed in a gutter 142.

In FIG. 4, a gutter bracket assembly 200 provides additional fastener openings along a vertically extended projecting tab 202 of each lateral flange 204 providing additional vertical adjustment options for a gutter bracket arm 206.

In FIG. 5, a gutter bracket assembly 300 is adapted for a rafter 302 that presents a beveled lower surface 303 so that a vertically oriented lateral bracket 304 may present a downward attachment tab 306 to a gutter bracket arm 308 having a horizontal distal attachment portion 310. The supported gutter 312 may be or may not be held down with back and front clips (not shown).

In FIG. 6, a gutter bracket assembly 300 is adapted for a rafter 402 that presents an extended lower surface 403 so that a plurality of vertically oriented lateral brackets 404, 405 may present a respective downward attachment tab 306 to horizontal distal attachment portions 408, 410 of a proximal portion 412 of each gutter bracket arm 414. Thereby, a gutter bracket assembly 300 may withstand greater loads.

In FIG. 7, a gutter bracket assembly 400 includes a curved proximal portion 402 of a gutter bracket arm 404 shaped to underlie a contoured rafter 406. A lateral flange 408 is attached to a generally downward portion 410 of the rafter 406 to attach to the curved proximal portion 402. For additional support, an attachment tab 412 attaches to a more distal portion of a hook portion 414 of the arm 404 to a rafter end surface 414.

In FIG. 8, a gutter bracket assembly 500 is identical to that described in FIG. 1. In this instance, back clips 502, 504 form a triangular flange with a plurality of holes 506-508 that allow adjusting the angle of the gutter bracket arm 26 to advantageously be brought to horizontal, even if the rafter end is not cut plumb or varies from application to application. A plurality of economically fabricated back clips 502, 504 thus provide additional installation flexibility. It should be appreciated that a back clip similar to that described may be used instead in combination with a separate triangular (or other shape) flange that only serves to pivot the orientation of a gutter bracket arm.

In FIG. 9, a pair of identical gutter brackets 600 each include a proximal flange portion 602 fastened to a opposite, exposed lateral sides of a rafter extension 604. The proximal flanges are dimensioned to provide fastener holes 605 spaced to provide enhanced strength. The thickness of the rafter extension 604 thus does not affect the ability to use one or two gutter brackets 600, each extending a curved gutter bracket arm 606 with a fixed proximal hook 608 positioned to grip an inner lip of a gutter (not shown) and a clip recess 610 formed in a distal end for engaging an outer lip of the gutter.

It should be appreciated that paired gutter brackets 600 installed together for each rafter extension 604 advantageously increase the support strength and provide a balanced aesthetic look. In some applications consistent with the present invention, fasteners or attaching members that transversely pass through the rafter extension and attach at each end to respective gutter brackets of the paired assembly assist in avoiding an unbalanced torque on a fastener that could lead to bending.

In FIGS. 10-11, a pair of mirror-image left and right bracket assemblies 700 each include a proximal flange 702 that attaches respectively to opposite exposed lateral sides of a rafter extension 704. Each flange 702 presents a number of spaced apart fastener holes 705 to provide for secure attachment to the rafter extension 704. A distal tab 707 extends from each proximal flange 702, presenting top and bottom arm fastener apertures holes 709, 711. Each gutter bracket assembly 700 includes an attachable curved gutter bracket arm 706 with a fixed proximal hook 708 positioned to grip an inner lip of a gutter (not shown) and a clip recess 710 formed in a distal end for engaging an outer lip of the gutter. A proximal attachment tab 713 of the gutter bracket arm 706 includes a top hole 714 through which a fastener (not shown) may pivotally attach the gutter bracket arm 706 on an outer side of the respective distal tab 705 of the proximal flange 702. Advantageously, a bottom slot 716 arcs in a fixed radius below the top hole 714 such that another fastener (not shown) may lock the gutter bracket arm 706 at a desired angle relative to the proximal flange 702. Thereby, the gutter bracket arm 706 may be positioned horizontally without regard to whether a distal end of the rafter extension 706 is plumb, nor whether the pitch of the rafter extension varies from installation to installation (e.g., 10/12 in FIG. 12A, 8/12 in FIG. 12B, 6/12 in FIG. 12C, and 4/12 in FIG. 12D). Depending upon the slope of the rafter extension.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art.

For example, illustrative versions herein depict paired gutter brackets that form an assembly, perhaps even physically attached to each other. In addition, versions of a gutter bracket assembly shown herein include one gutter bracket arm sharing dual proximal flanges that attach to opposite lateral sides of a rafter extension. Thereby, an increased strength and aesthetically pleasing gutter bracket is realized. However, it should be appreciated with the benefit of the present disclosure that applications consistent with the present invention may include a single gutter bracket arm supported by attachment to only one lateral exposed surface of a wall or rafter extension due to user desires for reduced expense, reduced strength requirements, or personal preference. In particular, certain features disclosed herein for back clips, front clips, spacing lateral the proximal portion of a gutter bracket from the rafter extension, attaching to a bottom of a rafter extension, and/or adjusting to a pitch of a roof may be incorporated into such a single sided gutter bracket or gutter bracket assembly without the benefit of an identical or mirror-image portions on the other side of the rafter extension.

For another example, while a pivotally attached gutter bracket arm advantageously allows for setting a desired angle to compensate for roof pitch, alternatively a range of fixed angle attachments may be provided for the installer to select from.

Claims

1. A gutter bracket assembly for mounting a gutter to a rafter extension with at least one exposed lateral surface and a distal end surface, the gutter bracket assembly comprising:

a proximal flange portion attachable to the at least one exposed lateral surface;

a gutter support arm attached to the proximal flange portion, and extending distally beyond the distal end surface of the rafter extension a curved portion shaped to approximate a transverse undersurface of the gutter; and

a back clip attachable to a proximal end of the curved portion of the gutter support arm to secure an inner edge of the gutter.

2. The gutter bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the rafter extension has left and right exposed lateral surfaces and the first proximal flange portion is attached to the left exposed lateral surface, the gutter bracket assembly further comprising:

a second proximal flange portion attached to the right exposed lateral surface;

an attachment structure connecting distal portions respectively of the first and second proximal flange portions to the proximal end of the gutter support arm and to the back clip.

3. The gutter bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the distal end surface of the rafter extension is angled at a nonplumb orientation, the backclip further comprises an angled attachment to the gutter support arm to present a horizontal attachment portion to the inner edge of the gutter.

4. The gutter bracket assembly of claim 1, further comprising a front clip attachable to a distal end of the curved portion of the gutter support arm to secure an outer edge of the gutter.

5. The gutter bracket assembly of claim 1, wherein the rafter extension has two exposed lateral surfaces, a first gutter bracket formed by the first proximal flange portion, first gutter bracket arm and first back clip, the gutter bracket assembly further comprising an identical second gutter bracket, the gutter bracket assembly further comprising a spaced attachment between a selected exposed lateral surface and the respective first and second proximal flange portions to space the respective first and second gutter support arms in parallel alignment for load distribution.

6. A gutter bracket assembly for mounting a gutter to a rafter extension with two exposed lateral surfaces and a distal end surface, the apparatus comprising for each exposed lateral surface:

a proximal flange portion attachable to the at least one exposed lateral surface;

a plurality of spacing attachments securing the proximal flange portion in parallel, spaced alignment with the respective lateral surface of the rafter extension; and

a gutter support arm attached to the proximal flange portion, and extending distally beyond the distal end surface of the rafter extension.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the gutter includes an inner aperture formed transversely through an inner upper lip and an outer aperture formed transversely through an outer upper lip, the gutter support arm passing through the inner and outer apertures to support the gutter.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein each gutter support arm is curved to underlie the supported gutter.

9. An apparatus for mounting a gutter to a rafter extension with at least one exposed lateral surface and a horizontal undersurface proximate to a distal end surface, the apparatus comprising:

a proximal flange portion attachable to the at least one exposed lateral surface; and

a gutter support arm attached to the proximal flange portion, and extending distally beyond the distal end surface of the rafter extension a curved portion shaped to approximate a transverse undersurface of the gutter.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the gutter support arm is attached to a bottom portion of the proximal flange portion, the gutter support arm further comprising a second attachment to the rafter extension distal to the proximal flange portion.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second attachment comprises a second proximal flange portion attachable to the at least one exposed lateral surface and having a bottom portion attached to the gutter support arm.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the second attachment comprises an aft extending member attached to the distal end surface of the rafter extension.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein proximal flange portion further comprises a distally projecting tab, the gutter support arm rotatably attachable to the project tab to horizontally position a supported gutter.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the tab further comprises a top hole and a bottom hole, the gutter support arm further comprising a proximal portion having a top hole registered to the top hole and a fixed radius slot registered to the bottom hole, further comprising fasteners that attach the tab to the proximal portion at a desired rotation angle.