Rain gutter adapter

Abstract

A low cost, one-piece adapter that attaches to the sloping facia board of a building and secures a rain gutter mounting bracket. The adapter's triangular shape permits the rain gutter to be positioned essentially level so rain-water is collected effectively and the gutter appearance is enhanced. The adapter angle is fixed and is manufactured to be compatible with three of the most popular roof pitches used in residential constuction.

Description

This application relates to Provisional Patent Application 60/548,940 filed Mar. 2, 2004.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

• • Adjustable Gutter Bracket Don L. Miller Pat. No. 6,460,811
  • Fascia Angle Adapter for an Eavestrough System Anthony W. Brandt Pat. No. 5,067,675

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None.

SEQUENCE LISTING

None.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the installation of rain gutters to the edge of a house roof Many houses are framed having roof rafters finished with external ends sawed square. The fascia board is attached to the rafter ends resulting in a non-vertical surface for attaching the rain gutter. Rain gutters are designed to be installed on a vertical surface. If the gutter is attached to a non-vertical surface, runoff rainwater may not be captured during heavy rainfall. Because roofs are constructed in only three or four standard slopes, adapters may be fabricated to interface with one of the standard roof slopes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore the object of the present invention to provide a more economical Gutter mounting adapter which is designed specifically for a standard roof slope. It is also the object of the present invention to provide a strong and easy to use adapter which will accelerate gutter assembly time

DRAWINGS—FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adapter from the gutter attaching side.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the adapter from the fascia board attaching side.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the structure, adapter, mounting brackets and gutter.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the formed helical hole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the adapter. Reference numeral 10 refers to the adapter. A gutter is attached to the vertical surface containing holes 12 and 13. Holes labeled 13 are formed in a helix to accept sheet metal screws used to secure the mounting bracket 17. Holes labeled 12 are access holes through which fasteners are inserted into holes 14. The fasteners attach the adapter 10 to the facia board 21. Formed stiffening ribs 11 in the three sides strengthen the adapter.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the adapter 10. A tab in slot 15 at the lower corner provides additional strength to prevent collapse when heavy loads are present due to accumulation of snow or wet leaves in the gutter.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the installation showing a roof 23, rafter 22 with a canted fascia board 21. The adapter 10 is attached to the fascia board with sheet metal screws 18. Finally, a gutter 20 is placed in a mounting bracket 17 and secured by the installation o a retainer bracket 19.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the formed helical hole 13.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

• 10 adapter
• 11 stiffening rib
• 12 access hole
• 13 gutter mounting hole
• 14 adapter mounting hole
• 15 tab and slot
• 16 adapter mounting screw
• 17 mounting bracket
• 18 mounting bracket screw
• 19 retainer bracket
• 20 gutter
• 21 fascia board
• 22 roof rafter
• 23 roof

Claims

1. A one-piece metal bracket having three sides approximately one and one-half inches wide, one side being approximately three and one-half inches long interfaces with and mounts to a building fascia board, a second side interfaces to and mounts a gutter bracket, a third side completes a triangular shape to compensate for a sloping fascia board resulting in a vertical second side.

2. The bracket of claim 1 has formed stiffening ribs in three sides to provide additional strength.

3. The bracket of claim 2 has a tab in the third side which mates to a slot in the first side thereby preserving the triangular shape under heavy loads.

4. The bracket of claim 3 has a formed hole with a helical pitch compatible with a sheet metal screw thereby providing stronger retention of the screw and faster assembly time.