ROOF GUTTER SYSTEM WITH REMOVABLE COVER

Abstract

The present application relates generally to a roof gutter system, and in particular, to a roof gutter system with a removable cover for allowing rainwater and preventing material from flowing into a gutter. The gutter system comprises a hanger adapted to be secured to a sidewall of a building underneath an eave of a roof, and a cover that can be attached and removed from said hanger.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional application that claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 61/264,462, filed on Nov. 25, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a roof gutter system, and in particular to a roof gutter system with a removable cover for preventing debris from collecting within a gutter while allowing rainwater to flow into the gutter.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many types of roof gutter systems, and even some with covers to allow rainwater to flow into a gutter and prevent debris from collecting therewithin, are known in the art. However, it is difficult to design a roof gutter system with a cover that provides ease of cleaning and replacement.

SUMMARY

One embodiment provides a gutter system comprising a hanger adapted to be secured with respect to a sidewall of a building underneath an eave of a roof, the hanger having a front portion and a rear portion. When the hanger is secured with respect to the sidewall, the front portion extends frontward from the building sidewall. The front portion is configured to support a front wall of a gutter positioned underneath the eave and has a front flange extending upwardly from the front portion. The rear portion of the hanger extends upwardly from the front portion, and has a rear flange extending downwardly from the rear portion. The gutter system further comprises an elongated cover having an upper rear edge and a lower front edge. The cover has an attached position in which the rear edge of the cover is positioned rearward of the rear flange of the hanger and in which the front edge of the cover is positioned rearward of the front flange of the hanger. In said attached position, the cover is substantially fixed with respect to the hanger and is configured to extend above and along the gutter, to substantially prevent the collection of debris within the gutter. The cover has sufficient flexibility to permit a user to bend the rear edge and the front edge toward one another to remove the cover from the hanger, or to bring the cover to said attached position by positioning the rear edge of the cover rearward of the rear flange of the hanger and simultaneously positioning the front edge of the cover rearward of the front flange of the hanger.

For purposes of summarizing the invention and the advantages achieved over the prior art, certain objects and advantages of the invention have been described above and as further described below. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such objects or advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other objects or advantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

All of these embodiments are intended to be within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular preferred embodiment(s) disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects of the invention will be readily apparent from the following description and from the appended drawings (not necessarily to scale), which are meant to illustrate and not to limit the invention, and in which:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are an isometric and side cross-sectional view, respectively, of an embodiment of a gutter system.

FIG. 1C is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a gutter system installed on a sidewall of a building underneath an eave of a roof.

FIGS. 2A-C are a side, rear, and top view, respectively, of an embodiment of a hanger for a gutter system.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of a cover for a gutter system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Many gutter systems with various structures for directing rainwater away from a roof of a house or other building structure are known in the art. However, many conventional gutter systems include a gutter with an open side, which can become clogged by leaves or other debris. Gutter systems have been designed with covers, such as screens, to reduce clogging, but these designs can also clog over time. A clogged gutter system prevents a gutter from draining properly, causing overflow, erosion, and potentially damaging the building or home to which the gutter system is attached.

So-called “reverse-curve” gutter cover systems have been designed that allow debris to pass over the gutter, while allowing rainwater to flow from the roof into the gutter. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,491,998 discloses a gutter system constructed from a single piece of flat sheet material. However, even reverse-curve gutter systems will eventually clog over time. Additionally, conventional reverse-curve gutter systems are difficult to clean and require replacement of the entire gutter system when a clog occurs.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a simple, effective reverse-curve gutter cover system that allows rainwater to flow into a gutter, while preventing material from doing the same. Some embodiments provide a cover that can be easily removed and/or replaced.

FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate an isometric and side cross-sectional view, respectively, of an embodiment of a gutter system 10 comprising a hanger 20 and a cover 30, adapted to be used with a gutter 40. Gutter system 10 can be configured proximate to a structure, such as a building, with an extended surface, such as a roof FIG. 1C is a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of gutter system 10 installed on a sidewall 50 of a building 60 underneath an eave 70 of a roof 80. Gutter system 10 can extend longitudinally, along and below the roof 80, to allow rainwater to flow from the roof 80 and into the gutter 40. Gutter 40 can be installed with a slight downward slope, to allow it to receive rainwater from the roof 80 and direct rainwater toward one or more downspouts (not shown), as is known.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, gutter 40 can comprise any of a variety of different materials, such as plastic or metal. Gutter 40 can comprise more than one material, such as a composite, or a metal coated with rubber or plastic. Gutter 40 can comprise a material that has been thermally, chemically or mechanically treated to provide increased durability, flexibility, and/or chemical resistance of gutter 40. In a preferred embodiment, gutter 40 can comprise a material that is weather and/or sun resistant. Gutter 40 can be formed using a variety of methods, such as an extrusion and/or molding process, or from bending a flat material to a desired shape and/or profile.

Gutter 40 can have a variety of shapes, and can comprise a front wall 41, a rear wall 42, and a base 43 that form a channel 46 for receiving and channeling rainwater. Referring to FIG. 1C, rear wall 42 can be configured to attach to and extend longitudinally along a sidewall 50 of building 60 underneath an eave 70 of a roof 80 to allow rainwater to flow into channel 46 from the roof 80. Gutter 40 can be attached to the building 60 with hanger 20, as discussed below.

FIGS. 2A-C illustrate a side, rear, and top schematic view, respectively of an embodiment of a hanger 20. Hanger 20 can be adapted to be secured with respect to a sidewall 50 of a building 60 underneath an eave 70 of a roof 80, to support the front wall 41 of gutter 40 (FIG. 1C). In an embodiment, a plurality of hangers 20 can be spaced along the longitudinal length of gutter 40 to support the front wall 41 of gutter 40.

Hanger 20 can comprise any of the materials described above for gutter 40, and can comprise the same or different materials relative to gutter 40. Hanger 20 can comprise any material with sufficient rigidity and strength to support the front wall 41 of gutter 40 when gutter system 10 is installed. Hanger 20 can comprise, for example, sheet metal, rods, or spring steel. Hanger 20 can be perforated, or non perforated material.

Hanger 20 can comprise a front portion 21 connected to a rear portion 22, such that rear portion 22 extends upwardly from front portion 21. Front portion 21 and rear portion 22 can comprise any of the materials described above for hanger 20, and can comprise the same or different materials relative to each other.

Alternatively, the portions 21 and 22 can be formed separately, and possibly connected together. Front portion 21 can be connected to rear portion 22 in many different ways, such as with welding, brazing, or can be configured to be mechanically fastened to each other, such as with fasteners, or with clamps or tabs (not shown). Front portion 21 and rear portion 22 can be removable from each other, such as by removing clamps or fasteners, to allow replacement of either front portion 21 or rear portion 22. In some embodiments, front portion 21 and/or rear portion 22 can be exchanged with a replacement of different sizes or physical properties.

In a preferred embodiment, front portion 21 and rear portion 22 comprise a single, integrally formed piece. The front portion 21 and rear portion 22 can be oriented at any of many different angles relative to each other, based on the slope of the sidewall 50 (FIG. 1C) to which gutter system 10 is mounted. In a preferred embodiment, front portion 21 and rear portion 22 are approximately orthogonal relative to each other.

Front portion 21 and rear portion 22 can comprise any of a variety of shapes and sizes. In a preferred embodiment, rear portion 22 comprises a shape that conforms to the shape of sidewall 50 (FIG. 1C), and is typically flat. Each of front portion 21 and rear portion 22 can comprise substantially the same size and/or shape relative to each other, or can comprise substantially different sizes and/or shapes relative to each other. Front portion 21 and/or rear portion 22 can comprise, for example and without limitation, a cylindrical, elliptical, or rectangular rod.

Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, front portion 21 can comprise a substantially elongated strip of material, such as a substantially rectangular strip of length L1, thickness T1, and width W1. Length L1, thickness T1 and width W1 can be selected from various dimensions. Length L1, thickness T1 and width W1 are generally selected so that hanger 20 can support the front wall 41 of gutter 40. In a preferred embodiment, L1, T1 and W1 are selected so that hanger 20 is compatible with a standard-sized gutter 40, such as a 5 inch gutter known in the art.

Hanger 20 can comprise a mounting flange 23 extending upwardly from the front portion 21. Mounting flange 23 can comprise any of the materials described above for front portion 21. In a preferred embodiment, mounting flange 23 and front portion 21 can be a single integrated piece. In a further preferred embodiment, mounting flange 23 can be formed by cutting or punching through front portion 21 along an edge 23b, and bending mounting flange 23 along an edge 23c, and upwardly from front portion 21. Mounting flange 23 can alternatively comprise a separate piece that is connected to front portion 21, using any of the methods described above for connecting front portion 21 to rear portion 22. Mounting flange 23 can comprise any of many different shapes, such as a semicircle, rectangle, or triangular shape. In a preferred embodiment, mounting flange 23 comprises a roughly rectangular shape with a curved end. Mounting flange 23 can comprise an opening 23d to receive a fastener, such as a nail, for mounting hanger 20 to a building sidewall 50. Mounting flange 23 can be positioned anywhere along the length of front portion 21. In a preferred embodiment, mounting flange 23 can be spaced between rear portion 22 and a front flange 24, as will be discussed presently.

Hanger 20 can comprise a front flange 24 extending upwardly and preferably rearwardly from the front portion 21. In a preferred embodiment, front flange 24 and front portion 21 can be a single integrated piece. In a further preferred embodiment, front flange 24 can be formed by cutting or punching through front portion 21 along an edge 24b, and bending front flange 24 along an edge 24c, and upwardly from front portion 21. Front flange 24 can alternatively comprise a separate piece that is connected to front portion 21, using any of the methods described above for connecting front portion 21 to rear portion 22. Front flange can comprise any of the shapes described herein for mounting flange 23, and can comprise the same or a different shape as mounting flange 23. Front flange 24 can be positioned anywhere along the length of front portion 21, such as near the end 21a of front portion 21. In a preferred embodiment, front flange 24 is positioned between end 21a and mounting flange 23.

In a preferred embodiment, front portion 21 can comprise an outwardly-extending lip 25 at end 21a. Lip 25 can be sized and shaped to be received by a corresponding inwardly-extending lip 47 on the front wall 41 of gutter 40 (FIGS. 1A-1B), so that hanger 20 provides additional support to gutter 40.

Referring to FIGS. 1, and 2A-2C, rear portion 22 can comprise a rectangular strip of length L2, thickness T2, and width W2. Length L2, thickness T2 and width W2 can be selected from various dimensions. Length L2, thickness T2 and width W2 are generally selected so that rear portion 22 has sufficient strength to be used with front portion 21 such that hanger 20 can support the front wall 41 of gutter 40.

Hanger 20 can comprise a rear flange 26 extending downwardly and preferably forward from the rear portion 22. Rear flange 26 can be positioned along the length of rear portion 22, and in a preferred embodiment, is positioned near the end 22a of rear portion 22. In a further preferred embodiment, rear flange 26 is positioned at the end 22a of rear portion 22. In a preferred embodiment, rear flange 26 and rear portion 22 are a single integrated piece. In a further preferred embodiment, rear flange 26 is formed by bending the end 22a of rear portion 22 downwardly. Rear flange 26 can alternatively comprise a separate piece that is connected to rear portion 22, using any of the methods described above for connecting front portion 21 to rear portion 22. In an embodiment, rear flange 26 can be formed by cutting or punching through rear portion 22, and bending rear flange 26, as described above for flanges 23 and 24.

Rear portion 22 can comprise an opening 27 extending through its thickness T2. Opening 27 can be sized and shaped to allow a fastener 47 (FIG. 1B), such as a nail or screw, to pass through rear portion 22, for attaching hanger 20 and gutter 40 to a building sidewall 50 (FIG. 1C). In some embodiments, rear portion 22 comprises a lower portion 28 that overlaps with an upper portion 42a of the rear wall 42 of gutter 40 during installation of gutter system 10 (FIG. 1B).

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of cover 30. Cover 30 can comprise any of the materials described above for hanger 20 and/or gutter 40, and can comprise the same or different materials relative to hanger 20 and/or gutter 40. In a preferred embodiment, cover 30 is non-perforated, so that water cannot flow through the thickness of the cover. However, cover 30 could be perforated if desired. Cover 30 can comprise any of a variety of different materials that are sufficiently rigid to allow it to be held substantially fixed with respect to hanger 20, and sufficiently flexible to permit cover 30 to be bent and removed from hanger 20, as described further herein. In a preferred embodiment, cover 30 comprises an outer surface 30a comprising a material with sufficient surface tension such that rainwater, will flow on its outer surface and into gutter 40, as described below.

Cover 30 can comprise any of many different shapes, and can be formed from many different processes, such as extrusion and/or molding of a material, or bending of a sheet material. In a preferred embodiment, cover 30 comprises an elongated shape that extends along and above at least a portion of gutter 40. In this way, cover 30 can substantially prevent the collection of debris, such as leaves, twigs, and the like, within the gutter. Cover 30 can comprise an upper portion 31, an intermediate portion 35, and a lower portion 32. Upper portion 31, intermediate portion 35, and lower portion 32 can comprise different pieces, although in the exemplary illustrated embodiment they comprise a single integrated piece. Upper portion 31, lower portion 32, and intermediate portion 35 can comprise any of many different shapes. In some embodiments, upper portion 31, lower portion 32, and/or intermediate portion 35 are substantially curved, and/or include sections thereof that are substantially curved. In other embodiments, upper portion 31, lower portion 32, and/or intermediate portion 35 are substantially straight, and/or include sections thereof that are substantially straight. In an embodiment, an outwardly facing surface of upper portion 31 faces at least partially upwardly, and an outwardly facing surface of lower portion 32 faces at least partially downwardly, wherein downwardly and upwardly are defined relative to the building or structure onto which the gutter system 10 is to be mounted. In an embodiment, intermediate portion 35 can include an outwardly facing surface that includes an upper facing section 35a and a downward facing section 35a. In this way, intermediate portion 35 transitions from an upwardly facing direction to a downwardly facing direction, and connects an upwardly facing outer surface of upper portion 31 with a downwardly facing outer surface of lower portion 32. In a preferred embodiment, intermediate portion 35 is curved, to form a substantially arcuate “nose,” or a “reverse curve” section that connects an upwardly facing outer surface of upper portion 31 with a downwardly facing outer surface of lower portion 32.

In operation, rainwater flows off of and away from the roof 80 (FIG. 1C), and onto the outer surface 30a of cover 30. The rainwater flows along the upper portion 31 of cover 30, away from the roof 80 and the building structure 60, and towards intermediate portion 35. The rainwater flows along the upward facing surface of intermediate portion 35, and continues onto the downward facing surface of intermediate portion 35, where surface tension holds the rainwater to the cover 30 as the rainwater flows downward. The fluid reverses direction, and continues towards the sidewall 50 of the building 60, and along the downward facing surface of lower portion 32. The rainwater continues through a gap or opening 36 between cover 30 and front wall 41 of gutter 40, into the channel 46 of gutter 40, and is drained away from the building, as is known in the art. The material of the cover 30, the size and extension of intermediate portion 35 (relative to the front wall 41 and lip 47 of gutter 40), and the size of opening 36 can be selected such that debris does not flow along the downward facing surface of lower portion 32, and into channel 46, and instead, flows over and away from the outer edge of gutter system 10, without entering channel 46.

Referring to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 3, cover 30 can comprise at least one rear flange 33 and at least one front flange 34 to allow cover 30 to be substantially fixed to and removed from hanger 20. Rear flange 33 can extend longitudinally along at least a portion (and preferably the entirety) of the upper portion 31 of cover 30. The rear flange 33 can extend along the entire length of the cover 30, or can extend partially along a portion of cover 30. In an embodiment, the at least one rear flange 33 can comprise a plurality of tabs spaced along the rear edge of upper portion 31. Rear flange 33 can be oriented at an angle relative to upper portion 31. In a preferred embodiment, rear flange 33 is oriented at approximately 100-140 degrees relative to upper portion 31. The at least one rear flange 33 has a rear edge 33a.

Front flange 34 can extend longitudinally along at least a portion (and preferably the entirety) of the lower portion 32 of cover 30. The front flange 34 can extend along the entire length of the cover 30, or can extend partially along a portion of cover 30. In an embodiment, the at least one front flange 34 can comprise a plurality of tabs spaced along the front edge of lower portion 32. Front flange 34 can be oriented at an angle relative to lower portion 32. In a preferred embodiment, front flange 34 is oriented at approximately 40-70 degrees relative to lower portion 32. The at least one front flange 34 has a front edge 34a. In a preferred embodiment, cover 30 comprises a single sheet of material extending from the rear edge 33a to the front edge 34a.

Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, cover 30 can have an attached position, such that cover 30 is substantially fixed with respect to hanger 20. Cover 30 is substantially fixed with respect to hanger 20 when rear edge 33a is positioned rearward of the rear flange 26, and front edge 34a is positioned rearward of front flange 24. In some embodiments, rear flange 33 can be biased against rear flange 26, and front flange 34 can be biased against front flange 24. As such, cover 30 can have a “snap fit” with hanger 20. Cover 30 can be moved to an attached positioned by bending cover 30 such that rear edge 33a and front edge 34a move towards each other, and moving rear edge 33a to be positioned rearward of the rear flange 26, and moving front edge 34a to be positioned rearward of front flange 24.

Cover 30 can be removed from hanger 20 to a removed position by bending cover 30 such that rear edge 33a and front edge 34a move towards each other, moving rear edge 33a to be positioned forward of the rear flange 26, moving front edge 34a to be positioned forward of front flange 24, and moving cover 30 outwardly and away from hanger 20. FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of cover 30 in a removed position from hanger 20.

It will be understood that one or more components of gutter system 10 can be provided individually or in combination with other components of gutter system 10. For example, in some aspects of the invention, only a hanger is provided, for example, the hanger 20 described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C and 2A-2C. For example, in some aspects of the invention, only a cover is provided, for example, the cover 30 described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C and FIG. 3. For example, in some aspects of the invention, only a gutter is provided, for example, the gutter 40 described herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1A-1C.

Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of certain embodiments and examples, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications thereof. Thus, it is intended that the scope of the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A gutter system comprising:

a hanger adapted to be secured with respect to a sidewall of a building underneath an eave of a roof, the hanger having a front portion and a rear portion, wherein, when the hanger is secured with respect to the sidewall: the front portion extends frontward from the building sidewall, the front portion being configured to support a front wall of a gutter positioned underneath the eave, the front portion having a front flange extending upwardly from the front portion; and the rear portion extends upwardly from the front portion, the rear portion having a rear flange extending downwardly from the rear portion; and

an elongated cover having an upper rear edge and a lower front edge, the cover having an attached position in which the rear edge of the cover is positioned rearward of the rear flange of the hanger and in which the front edge of the cover is positioned rearward of the front flange of the hanger, the cover in said attached position being substantially fixed with respect to the hanger, the cover in said attached position being configured to extend above and along the gutter and to substantially prevent the collection of debris within the gutter, the cover having sufficient flexibility to permit a user to bend the rear edge and the front edge toward one another to remove the cover from the hanger, or to bring the cover to said attached position by positioning the rear edge of the cover rearward of the rear flange of the hanger and simultaneously positioning the front edge of the cover rearward of the front flange of the hanger.

2. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the cover comprises a sheet of material extending from the rear edge to the front edge.

3. The gutter system of claim 1, further comprising the gutter.

4. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the front portion further comprises a mounting flange for mounting the hanger to the eave of a roof.

5. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the front portion further comprises a lip configured to be received by a lip extending longitudinally within a gutter.

6. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the cover is non-perforated.

7. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the front edge and/or the rear edge extend continuously along substantially an entire length of the cover.