Gutter heating system

Abstract

A gutter heating system for preventing the formation of ice or melting ice in and adjacent a gutter system includes a recirculation fluid transportation circuit a portion of which is disposed adjacent a portion of the gutter system, a heat source for heating an antifreeze fluid and a pump in fluid communication with the circuit for moving the heated fluid there through. Typically, segments of the recirculation circuit are disposed within or adjacent at least a gutter and a downspout and may include segments which are mounted on facia boards on which the gutter is mounted and facia boards which extend along drip edges not having a gutter. The circuit may include single-tube segments and heat ribbons having a plurality of tubes. The system is configured to automatically activate and deactivate based on outdoor temperature.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/600,746 filed Aug. 11, 2004; the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Technical Field

The invention relates generally to a gutter heating system. More particularly, the invention relates to a gutter heating system for heating the gutter region and downspout region of a house or other building to prevent build-up of ice and/or to melt ice formed in the gutter or downspout. Specifically, the invention relates to such a system utilizing a circuit or circuits of tubing through which a heated fluid is pumped adjacent the gutter and downspout to provide the heat necessary to prevent the ice build-up or to melt the ice.

2. Background Information

It is well known that in climates which experience freezing temperatures that gutters and downspouts of houses and other buildings often become clogged or partially clogged with ice. This often leads to water overflowing the gutters, which can lead to damage to basement walls or foundation walls either from the simple seepage of water into such walls and/or the damage caused by the water freezing and expanding within or adjacent such walls. In addition, ice formation within a gutter system can damage the gutters and downspouts and sometimes causes gutters to fall off, which can cause further damage to the gutters and also be a potential safety risk. In addition, this buildup of ice tends to keep facia boards wet for extended periods of time, thus leading to the rotting of said boards. This may also be true of boards which are disposed adjacent the facia boards beneath the roof. Further, especially in the case of relatively high gutters, icicles forming on the gutters may break off and fall, thus presenting an additional safety hazard.

One prior art system intended to address at least some of these problems was an electrical system which utilized cables having a heating element running therethrough. More particularly, the cables of this system are mounted atop a roof adjacent a drip edge above a gutter with the cable snaking back and forth along the surface of the roof in order to heat a portion thereof to melt or prevent the formation of ice on the roof adjacent the drip edge. However, this system does not directly heat the gutter system or facia boards and thus allows the formation of ice within the gutters and downspouts. This type of system tends to require a relatively high degree of maintenance and is susceptible to damage from animals such as squirrels eating through the cables. Further, the draw of electrical power to operate this type of system is relatively costly.

Thus, there is a need in the art to solve the problems noted above. The present invention addresses these and other problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a heating system for use with a gutter system of a building, the heating system comprising a recirculation fluid transportation circuit a portion of which is adapted to be disposed adjacent a portion of the gutter system; a heat source adapted to heat the fluid; and a pump in fluid communication with the circuit and adapted to move the heated fluid through the circuit.

The present invention also provides in combination, a heating system and a gutter system having a gutter and a downspout, the heating system comprising a recirculation fluid transportation circuit comprising a gutter segment mounted adjacent the gutter and a downspout segment mounted adjacentthe downspout; a fluid; a heat source for heating the fluid; and a pump in fluid communication with the circuit for moving the fluid through the circuit.

The present invention further provides a method comprising the steps of heating a fluid; and moving the fluid within a recirculation circuit adjacent a portion of a gutter system of a building to increase the temperature of the portion of the gutter system.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a first embodiment of the gutter heating system of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the lower end of the downspout and upper end of the basement wall on the right side of FIG. 1 showing a single-tube portion of the recirculation circuit.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view showing the area adjacent the intersection of the downspout and gutter on the right side of FIG. 1 and shows the heat ribbons used within the gutter and along the facia boards and the connection of the heat ribbons with the single-tube segment extending from the downspout.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the heat ribbon shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second embodiment of the gutter heating system of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIG. 3 with respect to the second embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

Similar numbers refer to similar parts throughout the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A first embodiment of the gutter heating system of the present invention is indicated generally at 100 in FIG. 1; and a second embodiment is indicated generally at 200 in FIG. 5. System 100 is configured to prevent the buildup of ice or melt ice within a gutter system 50 of a building such as a house 52. System 100 may also serve to heat facia boards along the drip edges of a roof 54 of house 52 in order to prevent rotting of the facia boards. System 100 may also provide sufficient heat to melt or prevent the formation of ice along portions of the roof adjacent the drip edges thereof.

With reference to FIG. 1, house 52 includes an above-ground portion 56 and a basement 58 therebelow bounded by basement walls 60A and 60B. Portion 56 of house 52 is disposed above ground surface or ground level 62 of the ground or soil 64 on which house 52 is built. Ground 64 has a ground or soil freeze zone 66 which extends from ground level 62 downwardly to a sub-ground freeze line 68, the vertical distance between level 62 and freeze line 68 being represented as a distance D1, which typically ranges from about 12 to 18 inches. However, this may vary and the depth of freeze zone 66 depends on the particular locale due primarily to the typical winter temperatures thereof. Basement 58 is typically below or partially below ground level 62.

Roof 54 includes first and second sloped roof portions 70 and 72 which angle upwardly toward one another and are joined at a crest 74. It is noted that roof 54 may also represent a single sloped roof portion or a roof having more than two sloped portions. Roof 54 has drip edges which include first and second gutter drip edges 76A and 76B defining therebetween a width WR of roof 54. Roof 54 also has non-gutter drip edges 78A and 78B defining therebetween a length LR of roof 54. Gutter drip edges 76A and 76B respectively overhang facia members in the form of facia boards 80A and 80B which are spaced from one another by a distance which is slightly less than width WR of roof 54 and each of which has a length which is slightly less than length LR of roof 54. Gutter drip edges 76A and 76B are substantially horizontal. Similarly, each of gutter facia boards 80A and 80B are substantially horizontal along their respective lengths.

Non-gutter drip edges 78A and 78B each include first and second sloped drip edges 79A and 79B which meet at crest 74 of roof 54. Each sloped drip edge 79A extends from crest 74 to gutter drip edge 76B at a respective opposed end thereof and each sloped drip edge 79B extends from crest 74 to gutter drip edge 76A at a respective opposed end thereof. Each first sloped drip edge 79A overhangs a facia member in the form of a facia board 82A which is sloped in the same manner as drip edge 79A and has a length which is substantially the same as drip edge 79A. Similarly, each sloped drip edge 79B overhangs a sloped non-gutter facia member in the form of a facia board 82B sloped in a similar manner as drip edge 79B and having a length substantially the same as drip edge 79B. All of facia boards 80A, 80B, 82A and 82B typically have a substantially vertical outer surface.

Gutter system 50 includes first and second gutters 84A and 84B each having first and second opposed ends 86 and 88 defining therebetween a length LG of gutter 84. Each gutter 84 includes an inner side wall 85, an outer side wall 87 spaced from side wall 85 (FIG. 3) and a bottom wall 89 extending between and connected to lower edges of each of side walls 85 and 87 whereby side walls 85 and 87 and bottom wall 89 form an upwardly open cavity 90 therebetween. Each of side walls 85 and 87 and bottom wall 89 extend the length LG and are capped at first and second ends 86 and 88. Each gutter 84 is mounted in a standard fashion with a respective inner side wall 85 disposed in abutment with a respective facia board 80 (FIG. 3).

Gutter system 50 further includes first and second downspouts 92 and 94 which extend downwardly from respective gutters 84A and 84B. First downspout 92 has an upper end 20 and a lower end 22 defining therebetween a downspout length DL1. For a downspout with curved portions like downspout 92, length DL1 is not simply a vertical length, but takes into account the laterally extending portions of downspout 92 as well. Downspout 92 is connected adjacent upper end 20 thereof to first gutter 84A adjacent first end 86 thereof so that cavity 90 of gutter 84A is in fluid communication with interior passage of downspout 92. Downspout 92 has a side wall 24 which defines an interior passage 26 which extends from first end 20 to second end 22. Downspout 92 includes an outwardly curved section 28 adjacent lower end 22 so that downspout 92 drains onto ground surface 62. Above and adjacent curved section 28, side wall 24 of downspout 92 defines an opening 30 (FIG. 2).

Second downspout 94 is slightly different than first downspout 92 in that downspout 94 has a straight lower end section. Downspout 94 has an upper end 32 and a lower end 34 defining therebetween a downspout length DL2, which includes lateral distance as noted above with regard to length DL1. Downspout 94 includes a side wall 36 extending from upper end 32 to lower end 34 and defining therewithin an interior passage 38 which extends from upper end 32 to lower end 34. Downspout 94 is connected adjacent upper end 32 thereof to second gutter 84B adjacent first end 86 thereof so that cavity 90 of gutter 84B is in fluid communication with interior passage 38 of downspout 94. Lower end 34 of downspout 94 is disposed within a drain pipe 40 which extends into ground 64 so that downspout 94 drains into drain pipe 40.

In accordance with the invention, gutter heating system 100 includes a recirculation fluid transportation circuit 102 and a pump 104 in fluid communication therewith for moving a liquid 106 through circuit 102 adjacent gutter system 50 in order to heat or increase the temperature of gutter system 50 or adjacent gutter system 50. Liquid 106 flows through circuit 102 in the direction indicated along the length thereof in FIG. 1. System 100 further includes a reservoir 108 from which liquid 106 is pumped and to which it returns. A heat source 110 is disposed adjacent reservoir 108 for heating liquid 106.

System 100 further includes a power source 112 for powering pump 104 and optionally for powering heat source 110 where applicable. Most typically, pump 104 is an electric pump and power source 112 is an electric power source such as is typically available within a house or other building. As such, pump 104 is in electrical connection with power source 112 via an electric circuit 114. Heat source 110 may be any suitable heat source but most typically burns natural gas or is an electric heat source in which case it is in electrical communication With power source 112 via an electric circuit 116. It is contemplated that a geothermal heat pump may be used with satisfactory results. However, such heat pumps typically involve the use of chemicals which are not environmentally desirable if released into the environment. Thus, it is preferred that system 100 does not present the potential for a negative environmental impact.

Liquid 106 is an antifreeze liquid which will not freeze at temperatures well below 32° F. Many of the known antifreeze solutions are suitable for the present purposes. Liquid 106 is configured not to boil at the temperatures to which it is heated by heat source 110 and preferably has a substantially higher boiling point. As previously noted, it is preferred that system 100 be environmentally safe and thus liquid 106 is preferably in accordance with that feature in case any liquid 106 should leak from system 100. It has been found that a mixture of windshield washer fluid and a corn oil base works well in accordance with features of the invention and provides an environmentally safe liquid 106.

In accordance with another feature of the invention, pump 104 is automatically switchable between on and off modes at predetermined temperatures via an outdoor-temperature-dependent on/off switch. This automatic switching may be provided in a number of ways, one of which is shown in the drawings. In this embodiment, a thermometer, or temperature sensor 118 which may include a temperature switch is mounted on or adjacent first gutter 84A and is in electrical communication with a temperature relay switch/control unit 120 via an electrical circuit 122. Switch/unit 120 is in electrical communication with pump 104 via an electric circuit 124. Where sensor 118 includes the temperature switch, the outside temperature adjacent gutter 84A will activate said switch at a predetermined temperature to turn on a power circuit to relay switch 120, thus turning power on to pump 104. Depending upon the specific configuration, this process may also activate heat source 110 to heat liquid 106. Alternately, heat source 110 may be operated independently to maintain liquid 106 at a desired temperature. The temperature switch of sensor 118 will similarly be deactivated by a predetermined outside temperature and thus turn pump 104 off and optionally heat source 110 if so configured. Alternately, control unit 120 may have a logic circuit configured to turn pump 104 on at a given temperature and off at another given temperature. In this case, control unit 120 receives an electrical signal from thermometer 118 indicating the outdoor temperature adjacent gutter 84A.

While the predetermined on and off threshold temperatures may vary, they are of course typically within a few degrees of the freezing temperature of water. By way of example, pump 104 may be turned on when thermometer 118 reads an outdoor temperature of 34° F. and turned off when the outdoor temperature is 35° F. These preselected temperatures at which pump 104 turns on and off may be factory set or may be adjustable by a consumer in order to more closely control the system and, for instance, to minimize energy use.

In accordance with the invention, recirculation circuit 102 is further described. Circuit 102 may be formed of any suitable tubing or conduits which are suitable to the purpose of the invention. However, it is preferred that in general circuit 102 is formed from a flexible material, most preferably a plastic or elastomer. While tubes formed of metal or other substantially rigid materials may be used to form circuit 102 or portions thereof, the flexibility of the preferred materials allows for easier installation of circuit 102 and may minimize the number of joints required in order to form the entirety of circuit 102. In addition, the use of flexible materials for circuit 102 eliminates concerns of unequal expansion and contraction of the tubes with respect to the structures on which they are mounted over the course of various temperature changes throughout the year and inherent in the use of system 100.

Circuit 102 includes a supply line segment 126 which extends downstream from pump 104 to opening 30 of first downspout 92. Basement wall 60B defines an opening 128 (FIG. 2) with grommets 130 disposed therein with segment 126 passing through opening 128 and grommets 130. Grommets 130 preferably are formed of a material which prevents the leakage of water through wall 60B and are typically a rubber or elastomer. Similarly, a grommet 132 (FIG. 2) is disposed in opening 30 of downspout 92 so that circuit 102 passes therethrough. Grommets 130 and 132 protect circuit 102 from wear due to chaffing and the like in addition to providing a substantially water-tight seal. Alternately, circuit 102 may be routed into passage 26 of gutter 92 at the opening at end 22 of gutter 92, in which case segment 126 would end at end 22 of downspout 92.

Circuit 102 further includes a first downspout segment 134 which extends downstream from opening 30 of downspout 92 to adjacent upper end 20 of downspout 92. Segment 134 is disposed within interior passage 26 of downspout 92 and extends the full length DL1 thereof. When segment 134 is disposed within passage 26, it is considered to be a downspout insert segment. Alternately, segment 134 may be disposed externally to downspout 92 in very close proximity thereto and most preferably in contact therewith. In the alternate case where circuit 102 were routed through end 22 of downspout 92, downspout segment 134 would extend from end 22 of downspout 92.

Circuit 102 further includes a first gutter segment 136 which includes a first gutter facia board segment 138 and a first gutter insert segment 140. First gutter facia board segment 138 extends downstream from the upper end of downspout segment 134 adjacent first end 86 of gutter 84A to adjacent second end 88 of gutter 84A. First gutter facia board segment 138 is mounted on facia board 80A and is closely adjacent and most typically in abutment therewith. First gutter insert segment 140 extends downstream from facia board segment 138 adjacent second end 88 of gutter 84A to adjacent first end 86 of gutter 84A. Gutter insert segment 140 is disposed within cavity 90 and most preferably is seated on bottom wall 89 of gutter 84A.

Circuit 102 further includes a first non-gutter drip edge segment 142 which extends adjacent drip edge 78A along the length thereof. Segment 142 extends downstream from gutter insert segment 140 and angles upwardly to adjacent crest 74 and then downwardly to adjacent first end 86 of second gutter 84B. Segment 142 includes first and second sloped non-gutter drip edge segments 144A and 144B each extending from adjacent crest 74 to adjacent respective first ends 86 of gutters 84A and 84B. Drip edge segment 142 is preferably mounted on non-gutter facia boards 82A and 82B between first ends 86 and is disposed closely adjacent thereto and preferably in contact therewith. When mounted on boards 82A and 82B, segment 142 is considered to be a non-gutter facia board segment, as are segments 144A and 144B.

Circuit 102 further includes a second gutter segment 146 which includes a second gutter facia board segment 148 and a second gutter insert segment 150. Second gutter facia board segment 148 extends downstream from sloped segment 144A adjacent first end 86 of gutter 84B to adjacent second end 88 of gutter 84B. Second gutter facia board segment 148 is mounted on facia board 80B in the same manner as first facia board segment 138 is mounted to first gutter facia board 80A. Second gutter insert segment 150 extends from adjacent second end 88 to adjacent first end 86 of gutter 84B but is not directly connected to facia board segment 148. Second gutter insert segment 150 is disposed within cavity 90 of gutter 84B and preferably lays on bottom wall 89 of gutter 84B. Because gutters 84A and 84B are substantially parallel to one another, first and second gutter segments 136 and 146 are likewise substantially parallel to one another. First and second segments 136 and 146 are spaced apart from one another by a distance which is nearly equal to the substantially horizontal width WR of roof 54. First and second facia board segments 138 and 148 would thus typically be spaced apart from one another by a distance slightly less than width WR due to the overhanging nature of drip edges 76A and 76B. First and second gutter insert segments 140 and 150 are typically spaced apart from one another a distance slightly greater than width WR.

Circuit 102 further includes a second non-gutter drip edge segment 152 disposed adjacent non-gutter drip edge 78B and extending from adjacent second end 88 of second gutter 84B to adjacent second end 88 of first gutter 84A. Because segment 152 turns back on itself, it includes four sloped segments, two of which feed from adjacent second gutter 84B to adjacent first gutter 84A and two of which feed from adjacent first gutter 84A to adjacent second gutter 84B. More particularly, segment 152 includes first and second sloped drip edge feed segments 154 and 156 and first and second sloped drip edge return segments 158 and 160. Segment 154 extends downstream from facia board segment 148 adjacent second end 88 of gutter 84B to adjacent crest 74 and segment 156 extends downstream from segment 154 adjacent crest 74 to adjacent second end 88 of first gutter 84A. Return segment 158 extends downstream from segment 156 adjacent second end 88 of gutter 84A to adjacent crest 74 and second return segment 160 extends downstream from segment 158 adjacent crest 74 to second gutter insert segment 150 adjacent second end 88 of second gutter 84B. Thus, segment 150 extends downstream from segment 160.

Circuit 102 further includes a second downspout segment 162 which extends downstream from adjacent upper end 32 of downspout 94 or from gutter insert segment 150 adjacent first end 86 of gutter 84B to lower end 34 of downspout 94. Segment 162 is disposed within interior passage 38 of downspout 94 and extends the full length DL2 thereof. When segment 162 is disposed within passage 38, it is considered to be a downspout insert segment. Alternately, segment 162 may be disposed externally to downspout 94 in very close proximity thereto and most preferably in contact therewith.

Circuit 102 further includes a sub-ground-freeze-line segment 164 which is disposed below freeze line 68 and is typically adjacent lower end 34 of downspout 94 depending on the lower termination point of downspout 94. Segment 164 is included to help ensure that no portion of gutter system 50 will be clogged with ice during operation of heating system 100. Circuit 102 further includes a return line segment 166 which includes segment 164 and extends downstream from the lower end of segment 162 at lower end 34 of downspout 94 back to pump 104. Drain pipe 40 defines an opening 168 and basement wall 60A defines an opening 170 with grommets 172 disposed in openings 168 and 170. Segment 166 passes through openings 168 and 170 and grommets 172, which have the same characteristics as grommets 130 and 132.

With reference to FIG. 2, it is preferred that each of segment 126 and segment 134 is a single tube 174 and more preferably these two segments together are a single continuous tube. This is particularly preferred when segment 134 is disposed within passage 26 of downspout 92 in order to minimize any clogging problems due to the presence of segment 134 within downspout 92.

With reference to FIG. 3, downspout segment 134 is seen extending upwardly out of downspout 92 into cavity 90 of gutter 84A as single tube 174. FIG. 3 also shows that all of gutter segments 136 and 140 and non-gutter drip edge segment 142 are preferably a heat ribbon 176. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, heat ribbon 176 has a substantially flat structure and includes a plurality of tubes 178 which extend substantially parallel to one another and are joined by webbing 180 extending between each adjacent pair of tubes 178. Heat ribbon 176 of the exemplary embodiment includes four tubes 178 and typically includes four to six tubes. Heat ribbon 176 has substantially parallel upper and lower edges 182 and 184 defining therebetween a width WHR which is typically about 2½ to 3 inches although this may vary as desired. Heat ribbon 176 has a thickness THR which is typically approximately ¼ inch although again this may vary.

Heat ribbon 176 further includes a plurality of mounting loops 186 which extend upwardly from upper edge 182. Each mounting loop 186 defines a hole 188 for receiving a fastener 189 such as a nail or the like whereby ribbon 176 is mounted to facia board 80A. Mounting loops 186 are typically spaced from one another by about two feet although this may vary as desired. Any suitable mounting mechanism may be used in place of mounting loops 186. FIG. 3 further shows a connector 190 which is connected to an upper end of downspout segment 134 and an end of gutter segment 136 adjacent first end 86 of gutter 84A. Connector 190 is thus in fluid communication with each of segments 134 and 136 and serves as a flow divider for dividing the flow of liquid 106 from single tube 174 into the plurality of tubes 178 of heat ribbon 176.

With continued reference to FIG. 3, segment 136 in the form of heat ribbon 176 extends to adjacent end 88 (FIG. 1) of gutter 84A and simply bends or curves around to return along the bottom of cavity 90 of gutter 84A as gutter insert segment 140. Segment 136 transitions from a substantially vertically flat orientation to a substantially horizontally flat orientation of segment 140. Segment 140 then transitions into sloped segment 144A of drip edge segment 142 as it curves from a substantially horizontally flat configuration into a substantially vertically flat configuration. Conveniently, gutter insert segment 140 may simply lay atop bottom wall 89 of gutter 84A without being connected to gutter 84A. Drip edge segment 142 is mounted on facia board 82B and 82A (FIG. 1) in the same manner as described with the mounting of segment 136.

Referring again to FIG. 1, second gutter facia board segment 148 is preferably also a heat ribbon and is mounted on second facia board 80B in the same manner as segment 136 is mounted on board 80A. Likewise, gutter insert segment 150 is preferably a heat ribbon and lays within gutter 84B in the same manner described with respect to gutter insert segment 140. Second non-gutter drip edge segment 152 is also preferably a heat ribbon and is mounted on facia boards 82A and 82B adjacent second ends 88 of gutters 84A and 84B in the same manner as drip edge segment 142 is mounted adjacent first ends 86 of gutters 84A and 84B. Segment 152 obviously includes feed segments 154 and 156 and return segments 158 and 160 and thus involves two passes of the heat ribbon each of which are attached typically one above the other. Preferably and in keeping with segments 126 and 134, gutter segment 162 and return line segment 166 are preferably formed of a single tube like tube 174. As a result, a connector (not shown) similar to connector 190 is utilized adjacent first end 86 of second gutter 84B to connect second gutter insert segment 150 to second downspout segment 162 to provide the fluid communication within loop 102. Unlike connector 190 which serves as a flow divider, the connector which joins segment 150 and 162 joins the flow from the plurality of tubes 178 of the heat ribbon 176 back into the single tube of segment 162.

Preferably, the single tube which is used to form supply line segment 126 and first gutter segment 134 is a continuous length of tubing which extends from pump 104 to connector 190 (FIG. 3) so as to avoid the necessity of any joints or connectors along that length if possible. This is likewise preferred for the entire length of second downspout segment 162 and return line segment 166. Also it is preferred that the heat ribbon or other conduit which forms segments 138, 140, 144A, 144B, 148, 154, 156, 158, 160 and 150 form a continuous link of tubing or heat ribbon without the use of any joints or connectors along this length. This minimization of the use of connectors and joints is preferred to minimize the potential for leakage at such connectors and joints. However, circuit 102 may be formed with as many connectors or joints as is required to suit the purpose.

While the basic operation of system 100 should be fairly evident from the previous description, the operation of system 100 is now further detailed. In short, heat source 110 is operated to heat fluid 106 within reservoir 108 and pump 104 is operated to pump heated liquid 106 through circuit 102 along a path indicated by the Arrows along circuit 102 whereby the liquid is recirculated from reservoir 108 via pump 104 and through circuit 102 back to pump 104 in reservoir 108. The heating of gutter system 50 and areas adjacent thereto as well as the heating of non-gutter drip edges 78 and associated facia members 82 and areas adjacent thereto is accomplished by a single recirculation circuit.

Heat source 110 will heat liquid 106 to whatever temperature is suitable for the purpose. It should be evident that the temperature to which liquid 106 is heated may vary substantially based primarily on the length of circuit 102, especially that portion of circuit 102 which is exposed to external relatively cold temperatures. Insulation may be provided along certain portions of circuit 102 such as segments 126 and 166 in order to reduce heat loss as much as possible. Typically, liquid 106 will be heated to a temperature within a range of 100° F. to 250° F. Heating liquid 106 to a range for approximately 150° F. to 200° F. has been found suitable in many circumstances. Clearly, the desired temperature setting may be determined by experimentation for a given gutter system.

While system 100 may be operated manually if desired, one of the distinct advantages is the automated activation and deactivation of system 100 in response to the outside temperatures generally and particularly adjacent gutter system 50. Thus, whether system 100 has been set at the factory or is adjustable by the operator or owner thereof, system 100 may be automatically operated in response to the outdoor temperature reaching a first threshold temperature and automatically shut off upon reaching a second threshold temperature which is higher than the first threshold temperature. These threshold temperatures may be set so that system 100 operates after the formation of ice within or adjacent gutter system 50. However, it is generally preferable to set these threshold temperatures a few degrees above 32° F. in order to prevent the formation of ice in and adjacent gutter system 50. This of course applies as well to non-gutter drip edges 78, where it is important as well to melt or prevent the formation of ice in order to prevent the formation of icicles and keep the facia members 82 relatively dry to prevent rotting and seepage adjacent drip edges 78.

System 100 offers the advantage of utilizing facia board gutter segments 138 and 148 in addition to gutter insert segments 140 and 150. Inserts 138 and 148 help to heat facia boards 80A and 80B to help keep them dry and offer additional heat along gutters 84A and 84B to ensure the prevention of ice formation or melting of any ice that forms in these areas. In addition, segments 138 and 148 in particular often provide sufficient heat to prevent formation of or melt ice or snow sitting atop roof 54 adjacent drip edges 76A and 76B. It has been found that prevention of ice formation or melting of snow from this effect may extend upwardly from respective edges 76A and 76B a distance of approximately 12 to 18 inches. Similarly, segments 142 and 152 will typically provide sufficient heat to prevent formation of ice or melt ice atop roof 54 adjacent drip edges 78A and 78B, again extending to a distance of approximately 12 to 18 inches from said drip edges. Thus, gutter heating system 100 provides an effective, efficient and energy efficient apparatus and method for preventing ice formation or melting ice within a gutter system such as system 50 and along the various drip edges of a roof of a house or building.

Gutter heating system 200 is similar to system 100 except that system 200 includes a recirculation circuit 202 which differs from circuit 102 in certain respects. More particularly, circuit 202 is a divided circuit which follows a different pathway adjacent the various drip edges of roof 54. The difference between the flow path of circuit 202 and circuit 102 is easily discerned by examining the arrows along circuits 202 and 102 respectively in FIGS. 5 and 1. As FIG. 5 shows, circuit 202 splits into two sections adjacent first end 86 of first gutter 84A and rejoins the two sections into one adjacent first end 86 of second gutter 84B.

With continued reference to FIG. 5, circuit 202 is further described. Circuit 202, like circuit 102, includes segments 126, 134, 162 and 166, the details of which are not reiterated here. Circuit 202 further includes a first gutter segment 236 which includes a first gutter insert segment 240. First gutter insert segment 240 extends downstream from the upper end of downspout segment 134 adjacent first end 86 of gutter 84A to adjacent second end 88 of gutter 84A. Gutter insert segment 240 is disposed within cavity 90 and most preferably is seated on bottom wall 89 of gutter 84A. More particularly, and with reference to FIG. 6, circuit 202 includes a connector 290 disposed adjacent first end 86 of first gutter 84A. Connector 290 is connected to downspout segment 134 adjacent an upper end thereof and to gutter insert segment 240 to provide fluid communication between segments 134 and 240. Connector 290 serves as a flow divider in a similar manner as connector 190 of circuit 102.

Circuit 102 further includes a first non-gutter drip edge segment 242 which extends adjacent drip edge 78A along the length thereof. Segment 242 extends downstream from downspout segment 134 and more particularly from connector 290 and angles upwardly to adjacent crest 74 and then downwardly to adjacent first end 86 of second gutter 84B. Thus, one end of segment 242 is connected to connector 290 whereby segments 134 and 242 are in fluid communication via connector 290 serving again as a flow divider. Connector 290 thus differs from connector 190 in that connector 290 divides circuit 202 into two pathways going in different directions. Segment 242 includes first and second sloped non-gutter drip edge segments 244A and 244B each extending from adjacent crest 74 to adjacent respective first ends 86 of gutters 84A and 84B. Drip edge segment 242 is preferably mounted on non-gutter facia boards 82A and 82B between first ends 86 and is disposed closely adjacent thereto and preferably in contact therewith. When mounted on boards 82A and 82B between first ends 86, segment 242 is considered to be a non-gutter facia board segment, as are segments 244A and 244B.

Circuit 102 further includes a second non-gutter drip edge segment 252 disposed adjacent non-gutter drip edge 78B and extending from adjacent second end 88 of second gutter 84B to adjacent second end 88 of first gutter 84A. Segment 252 includes first and second sloped drip edge segments 254 and 256. Segment 256 extends downstream from gutter insert segment 240 and angles upwardly to adjacent crest 74 to segment 254. Segment 254 extends downstream from segment 256 and angles downwardly from adjacent crest 74 to adjacent second end 88 of gutter 84B.

Circuit 202 further includes a second gutter segment 246 which includes a second gutter insert segment 250. Second gutter insert segment 250 extends downstream from drip edge segment 254 adjacent second end 88 to adjacent first end 86 of gutter 84B. Second gutter insert segment 250 is disposed within cavity 90 of gutter 84B and preferably lays on bottom wall 89 of gutter 84B.

Second downspout segment 162 extends downstream from adjacent upper end 32 of downspout 94 or from gutter insert segment 250 adjacent first end 86 of gutter 84B to lower end 34 of downspout 94. More particularly, an upper end of second downspout segment 162 is connected to a connector (not shown) similar to connector 290 (FIG. 6). In addition, the downstream end of gutter insert segment 250 and the downstream end of sloped segment 244B are each connected to this connector whereby segments 250 and 244B are in fluid communication with segment 162 via the connector. Thus, the connector which is similar to connector 290 serves to take the divided segments of circuit 202 along the drip edges of roof 54 and converge then into a single segment 162 to return to pump 104. As previously described, the circulation of liquid 106 through sub-ground freeze lines segment 164 additionally ensures that the formation of ice will be prevented or ice will be melted within freeze zone 66 and within pipe 140 in order to prevent any cloggage of gutter system 50 or the drainage system associated therewith.

With reference to FIG. 5, the operation of system 200 is further detailed. The operation of system 200 is similar to system 100 except for the pathway that circuit 202 takes and the elimination of gutter facia board segments and the doubling up of drip edge segments along edge 78B of roof 54. System 200 provides substantially the same advantages as system 100 except that system 200 does not heat facia boards 80A and 80B directly and thus will generally not produce as much heat to prevent formation of ice or to melt ice atop roof 54 adjacent drip edges 76A and 76B. Similarly, relatively less heat will be generated along facia boards 82A and 82B adjacent drip edge 78B of roof 54. However, the flow of liquid 106 through segments 240 and 250 within gutters 84A and 84B typically provides sufficient heat to prevent the formation of ice or melt ice within said gutters and may provide a reasonable amount of heat along facia boards 80A and 80B as well.

Thus, system 200 provides a gutter heating system utilizing a divided recirculation circuit, thus being a recirculation circuit which divides and then rejoins. System 100 and 200 provide several advantages some of which have already been discussed. In addition to those previously discussed, it is noted that systems 100 and 200 may still be used with various gutter coverings which are used to prevent leaves and the like from getting into the gutters. In addition, especially with the use of facia board segments, systems 100 or 200 may provide sufficient prevention of snow and ice buildup in order to eliminate the use of water or ice shields which are disposed beneath the shingles of a roof adjacent the drip edges thereof. Even if such water and ice shields are not eliminated, systems 100 and 200 will substantially improve the utility of such shields.

It will be appreciated that a variety of changes may be made to systems 100 and 200 which are within the scope of the present invention. The power source, pump, reservoir and heat source in the present embodiments are shown located in a basement. However of course, not all buildings or houses have basements and thus these elements of the invention may be located elsewhere. Preferably, these various elements are disposed within a fire-rated enclosure and preferably on a fire-rated wall such as wall 60B of basement 58. Utility closets and the like often have such fire-rated walls. It is also contemplated that portions of circuit 102 or 202 may be prefabricated along with gutters and downspouts whereby these portions are installed as units. It is also contemplated that especially for the portions of circuits 102 or 202 that are exposed to the environment that a covering or housing may be mounted over such portions to prevent damage thereto if necessary.

The embodiments described herein include a single loop circuit and a divided circuit each of which heats a pair of downspouts, a pair of gutters and a pair of non-drip gutter edges and associated facia boards. While it is most preferable that the heating system of the present invention heat at least a gutter and a downspout, it is contemplated that the present invention may include a plurality of separate recirculation circuits which may be operated by a single pump and heat source or multiple pumps and heat sources if necessary. Thus, it may be that a particular embodiment of the gutter heating system of the present invention would have a recirculation circuit that would heat only a downspout or only a gutter while typically another recirculation circuit would heat the other of the gutter and downspout and optionally the facia board and so forth.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness, and understanding. No unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is an example and the invention is not limited to the exact details shown or described.

Claims

1. A heating system for use with a gutter system of a building, the heating system comprising:

a recirculation fluid transportation circuit a portion of which is adapted to be disposed adjacent a portion of the gutter system;

a heat source adapted to heat the fluid; and

a pump in fluid communication with the circuit and adapted to move the heated fluid through the circuit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the circuit includes a first gutter segment.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the first gutter segment includes a gutter facia board segment and a gutter insert segment.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the circuit includes a first downspout segment.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the circuit includes a sub-ground-freeze-line segment adjacent a lower end of the first downspout segment.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the circuit includes a first non-gutter drip edge segment.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the first non-guffer drip edge segment includes a non-gutter facia board segment.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the first gutter segment and the first downspout segment are part of a first section of the circuit; wherein the circuit includes a second gutter segment and a second downspout segment which are part of a second section of the circuit which is spaced from the first section; and wherein the first non-gutter drip edge segment extends between and is connected to each of the first and second sections.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the circuit includes a second non-gutter drip edge segment which is spaced from the first non-gutter drip edge segment and which extends between and is connected to each of the first and second sections.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the circuit includes a first downspout segment.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the first downspout segment includes a downspout insert segment.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the first downspout insert segment is a single tube.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the heat source includes one of an electric heat source and a natural gas heat source.

14. The system of claim 1 further including the fluid and a reservoir from which the fluid exits and returns via the circuit and to which the fluid returns; and wherein the heat source is disposed adjacent the reservoir for heating the fluid.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the fluid has a composition suitable to prevent freezing of the fluid within the circuit at a temperature of 32.0 degrees Fahrenheit.

16. The system of claim 1 further including an outdoor-temperature-dependent on/off switch for automatically switching the pump between on and off modes at predetermined temperatures.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the circuit includes a heat ribbon comprising a plurality of tubes and webbing joining the tubes to one another.

18. The system of claim 17 wherein the circuit includes a single-tube segment and a connector which is connected to each of the single-tube segment and the heat ribbon to provide fluid communication between the single-tube segment and the heat ribbon via the connector.

19. In combination, a heating system and a gutter system having a gutter and a downspout, the heating system comprising:

a recirculation fluid transportation circuit comprising a gutter segment mounted adjacent the gutter and a downspout segment mounted adjacent the downspout;

a fluid;

a heat source for heating the fluid; and

a pump in fluid communication with the circuit for moving the fluid through the circuit.

20. A method comprising the steps of:

heating a fluid; and

moving the fluid within a recirculation circuit adjacent a portion of a gutter system of a building to increase the temperature of the portion of the gutter system.