Gutter attached by adhesive above a window or door

Abstract

A vinyl gutter attachable by an adhesive strip to or above the trim of a window or a doorway of a building. The formed gutter has an inwardly inclined front leg portion having a minimum height joined by a horizontal bottom region to a vertical rear leg portion having a maximum height. The gutter has open ends and can be readily be custom cut to fit any size window or door on the job site. A first embodiment has a front leg portion without a lip portion. A second embodiment requires an inwardly projecting lip on the upper rim of the front leg portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to gutters. More specifically, the invention is a one-piece condensation diverter or gutter that is readily cut to size and mounted by an in situ adhesive strip above a window or door of a dwelling.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The relevant art of interest describes various gutter structures, but none discloses the present invention. There is a need for an economical gutter that can be readily cut to size for installation with an attached adhesive strip above a window or a door to divert condensation from dripping on the window or door. The installation of the invention can be done easily by the homeowner or artisan. The relevant art will be discussed in the order of perceived relevance to the present invention.

[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,074 issued on Nov. 23, 1999, to Mell R. Thoman describes a composite roof for a railway car including one-piece rain gutter mounted over each doorway opening to dispatch rainwater away from the doorway openings. FIG. 7 shows strip 200 that functions as a rain gutter, and is adhesively bonded to angle iron 196, top chord 86, and upper track 194 (see col. 1, line 60 through col. 11, line 13).

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 4,337,595 issued on Jul. 6, 1982, to Gerard G. Philippe describes a method and apparatus for protecting extracts obtained by tapping trees comprising an angled strip with upper and lower parts for protecting tapping cuts of rubber trees from rainwater. The strip is applied by painting the tree with an adhesive or latex, and then adhering the strip.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,090 issued on May 24, 1994, to John D. Lowenthal describes an awning gutter comprising an elongate channel member mounted on a front wall of an awning and featuring spaced lug members with support apertures to receive fasteners to secure the channel to the awning.

[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,460,425 issued on Oct. 24, 1995, to Timothy M. Stevens describes a gutter and visor system for a vehicle window comprising an elongated strip mounted by a tape strip having adhesive on both faces.

[0009] U.S. Design Patent No. 328,500 issued on Aug. 4, 1992, to Michael H. Hardy describes an ornamental fascia gutter comprising a gutter without end walls attached to a vertical wall piece by a horizontal T-shaped tongue. The front portion of the gutter is inclined out and has a sharp edge. The real wall portion has a flange on top.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,612,453 issued on Oct. 12, 1971, to Ernest C. Zimmer et al. describes a gutter support and trim means for mobile homes comprising an elongate attaching metal strip having parallel front wall and back wall portions. The front wall portion has a lip directed inwards. An aluminum sheet and a sealing strip are added between the vehicle and the gutter by screws.

[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,372 issued on Feb. 1, 1972, to Carl Rosenthal describes a window sash rebate profile with a condensate reception gutter made from plastic comprising a longitudinal condensate eduction channel.

[0012] U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,423 issued on Oct. 13, 1981, to Lacy A. Rowe describes a sealing means such as a neoprene strip for gutter hanger fastening means such as nails.

[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 4,727,689 issued on Oct. 13, 1981, to Kenneth D. Bosler describes a detachable rain gutter that is formed of a single sheet of material and includes terminal flanges. A clip member secured to the building sidewall includes a channel into which the gutter terminal flanges are fitted to suspend the gutter below the building roof. The gutter top wall includes openings to allow moisture to be drained, while preventing entry of debris that could clog the gutter and downspout.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,149 issued on Apr. 21, 1992, to Donald L. Glossop, Jr. et al. describes a weather strip for hardtop-type framed vehicle door windows.

[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,814 issued on Aug. 11, 1992, to J. Charles Headrick describes a draining doorsill assembly with an adjustable threshold cap.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 4,387,542 issued on Jun. 14, 1983, to David M. Weir describes an integrated window and wall system for industrial and commercial buildings comprising ladder-like horizontal outer and inner metal members which clamp onto the bottom and top portions of insulating wall panels, and clamp onto window glazing units mounted in the openings of the ladder-like members.

[0017] U.S. Pat. No. 3,900,966 issued on Aug. 26, 1975, to Esteban D. Suarez describes a horizontally pivotable double-glazed window.

[0018] U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,110 issued on Sep. 21, 1976, to Andre Le Comec describes a dwelling house having slanting sidewalls with windows.

[0019] Japan Patent Application No. 58-118415 published on Jul. 14, 1983, for Toshirou Arishima et al. describes a gutter section on an extension of the weather strip on an automobile door.

[0020] Japan Patent Application No. 1-308507 published on Nov. 5, 1999, for Nobuo Matsushita et al. describes a gutter on a camera case to protect its window from dirt due to rainwater flowing along the case.

[0021] Japan Patent Application No. 7-10036 published on Jan. 13, 1995, for Katsuhi Fukawatase et al. describes a gutter above a door of a cabin portion of a farm tractor.

[0022] Japan Patent Application No. 10-219744 published on Aug. 18, 1998, for Yasushi Wada describes a steel plate rain gutter for the front window of a construction vehicle.

[0023] Japan Patent Application No. 2000-96857 published on Apr. 4, 2000, for Fumio Moriuchi describes a decorative end of a drain gutter above the door of a bathroom.

[0024] Japan Patent Application No. 2002-19542 published on Jan. 23, 2002, for Minoru Seiko describes a drip structure above a door of a vehicle.

[0025] None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, a gutter attached by an in situ adhesive strip above a dwelling window or glass door solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0026] The present invention is a single piece condensation diverter or gutter for adding above a window or a door. The gutter is made of vinyl, which can readily be cut down to size to fit any window or door with a straight top. The gutter is attached by an adhesive sponge layer already positioned on the rear of the gutter. The configurations of two embodiments differ in the addition of an inwardly positioned lip for the second embodiment gutter. The front leg is inclined slightly inward to counteract any movement outward. There are no end caps. The gutters are economical and ergonomic in not requiring any expensive materials. The gutters divert rain, dew and condensation from dripping down panes blurring vision, forming water stains, and reducing dripping on persons entering or exiting glass doorways.

[0027] Accordingly, the principal object of the invention is to provide a condensation diverter device over windows and doors.

[0028] It is another object of the invention is to provide a single piece condensation diverter device that can be readily cut to fit over any door or window.

[0029] It is a further object of the invention is to provide a single piece condensation diverter device having a vertical rear leg portion, horizontal bottom portion, and an inwardly inclined front leg with or without an inwardly projecting lip.

[0030] Still another object of the invention is to provide a single piece condensation diverter device having an adhesive strip behind the rear leg portion for attachment to any trim above the window or door.

[0031] It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

[0032] These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0033] FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a gutter attached by adhesive to or above the rim of a door and a window of a house according to the present invention.

[0034] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of a first embodiment of the lipless gutter and a second embodiment lipped gutter with the dashed lip portion.

[0035] FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the first embodiment.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the second embodiment having a lip portion.

[0037] Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0038] The present invention is a unique gutter structure useful for correct sizing and positioning over windows and doors to divert condensation from dripping on the glass or door surface and causing blurring and stains. Another advantage is the reduction of dripping on persons entering or exiting doorways. In the wintertime in northern regions, ice will not form on the doorsill or step when utilizing the invention. A critical feature of the present invention is the inclined position of the front leg portion that is unconventional, but aids in the maintenance of an effective, condensation-collecting gutter.

[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates a house 10 having a rear window 12 with sliding panels and a sliding glass door 14 with the inventive generic gutters 16 installed on the trims 18. FIG. 2 depicts an end portion of a generic gutter 16 having an upright front leg portion 20 inclined slightly inward with a minimum height and lacking a lip portion in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment a dashed lip portion 22 extends inward from the front leg portion 20. An upright back leg portion 24, having a maximum height, is connected by a flat horizontal bottom portion 26 to the front leg portion 20.

[0040] FIG. 3 depicts the first embodiment vinyl gutter 28 having an inclined inward front leg portion 20, a horizontal bottom portion 26, an upright back leg portion 24, and an adhesive plastic foam adhesive strip 30 attached to the rear side of the back leg portion 24. The exposed rear surface of the foam adhesive strip 30 has a protective waxed sheet 32, which is removed prior to installation. A homeowner or professional installer can measure the length of gutter desired, cut the gutter 28 to the measured length with shears or a saw, remove the waxed sheet, and install the gutter 28 on the trim 18 in a minimum of time and expense.

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates the second embodiment vinyl gutter 34 having a lip portion 22 extending inward from the tip of the inclined front leg portion 20 to prevent the condensate from dripping over the front leg portion.

[0042] The following preferred dimensions of the gutters 28 and 34 made from {fraction (1/16)} inch vinyl sheeting are as follows:

[0043] Front leg portion 20: ½ inch height.

[0044] Lip portion 22: {fraction (3/16)} inch wide.

[0045] Bottom gutter portion 26: ½ to {fraction (5/8)} inch (external).

[0046] Back leg portion 24: ⅞ inch height.

[0047] Adhesive foam strip 30: ¾ inch height.

[0048] Thus, a novel gutter that has been shown which would expedite the installation over windows and doors to prevent excessive staining due to condensation.

[0049] It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A drain gutter attachable by adhesive above an outside housing window or door, comprising:

an elongated, trough-shaped structure having an inclined front leg portion having a minimum height, a vertical back leg portion having a maximum height, and a horizontal connecting bottom portion; and

an elongated plastic foam strip containing a weather resistant adhesive co-extensive in length with and attached to an outside surface of the vertical back leg portion for attachment above the housing window or door trim;

whereby protection from dripping condensation is provided by the drain gutter for the outside window or the glass door.

2. The drain gutter according to claim 1, wherein the drain gutter is one-piece.

3. The drain gutter according to claim 1, wherein the drain gutter can be readily cut to the width of the window or door.

4. The drain gutter according to claim 1, wherein the drain gutter is essentially made of vinyl.

5. The drain gutter according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the drain gutter is essentially {fraction (1/16)} inch.

6. A drain gutter attachable by adhesive above an outside housing window or door, comprising:

an elongated, trough-shaped structure having an inclined front leg portion having a minimum height and a lip directed inward, a vertical back leg portion having a maximum height, and a horizontal connecting bottom portion; and

an elongated plastic foam strip containing a weather resistant adhesive co-extensive in length with and attached to an outside surface of the vertical back leg portion for attachment above the housing window or door trim;

whereby protection from dripping condensation is provided by the drain gutter for the outside window or the door.

7. The drain gutter according to claim 5, wherein the drain gutter is one-piece.

8. The drain gutter according to claim 5, wherein the drain gutter can be readily cut to the width of the window or door.

9. The drain gutter according to claim 5, wherein the drain gutter is essentially made of vinyl.

10. The drain gutter according to claim 5, wherein the thickness of the drain gutter is essentially {fraction (1/16)} inch.