Gutter assembly

Abstract

A gutter assembly (1) including a longitudinally extending channel (5) having an opening (10) and downwardly converging side surfaces (15) terminating at a bottom surface (20) to receive and disperse therealong water runoff from a roof (25) of a building (30). At the opening (10) the side surfaces (15) have a longitudinal edge portion (35) remote from the building (30) and a longitudinal edge portion (40) adjacent the building. Fastening means (50) secure the assembly (1) to the building. The side surfaces (15) are angularly offset relative to each other so that in use the center of gravity of the assembly (1) is adjacent the building (30) to thereby urge the assembly (1) towards the building when the assembly (1) is under load.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to gutter assemblies and in particular to an asymmetrical gutter for a building such as a dwelling.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Buildings such as dwellings typically include around a perimeter of the roof structure a series of gutters or the like to catch and distribute rainwater.

Typical gutter assemblies do not effectively drain water run-off from a roof, do not prevent the accumulation of detritus and litter in the gutter, require extensive supports and downpipes, are not easily installed in new buildings or able to be retro-fitted to existing buildings.

Typical roof gutters include shallow semi-circular sections with a broadly rounded or flat bottom (or trough); are usually fabricated from pressed metal; are open to the elements from above; are mounted perpendicular to the fascia panel;. and are supported by internal and/or external brackets mounted on the fascia panel.

The above problems associated with conventional gutter design are due to at least the reason of their shape (especially if box shaped) as water flows at a generally uniform rate over the entire depth of the trough. In a shallow semi-circular shaped gutter there is only a slight differential at the bottom. Also, being open, detritus and litter will enter the gutter and wildlife can climb or perch on or in the gutter. By reason of the above there is a tendency for detritus and litter to accumulate in the gutter. Such accumulations cause blockages and pooling of run-off with increased loading on the supports and tend to rust the gutter.

Significantly, the centre of gravity of typical gutter shifts outward under load and causes the gutter to fall away from the building structure to which it is attached further decreasing drainage efficiency. The resultant water pooling encourages mosquitos and other such animals which breed and attract wildlife, rodents and vermin. Further, in dry seasons the litter accumulated in the gutters dries and is a fire hazard and in freezing conditions the contents of conventional flat bottomed or shallow semi-circular gutters tend to expand sideways causing distortion and breakage.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate some of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is firstly disclosed herein a gutter assembly including:

a longitudinally extending channel having an opening and downwardly converging side surfaces terminating at a bottom surface to receive and disperse therealong water runoff from a roof of a building, at said opening said side surfaces defining a longitudinal edge portion remote from the building and a longitudinal edge portion adjacent said building;

fastening means to secure said assembly to said building;

one said side surface is adapted to be mounted substantially parallel to said building, said other side surface being angularly offset relative thereto; so that in use the center of gravity of said assembly is adjacent said building to thereby urge said assembly towards said building when said assembly is under load.

Preferably, wherein said edges are inclined to the horizontal such that the edge adjacent said building is higher relative to said bottom surface than the edge remote said building to define an angle of inclination of said opening.

Preferably, wherein said angle of inclination substantially corresponds to the pitch of said roof.

Preferably, including a removable filter to extend across said opening between said edges.

Preferably, wherein said filter means includes a screen section through which water is to pass to enter the channel, the screen being adapted to inhibit the passage of leaf material into the channel.

Preferably, wherein at least one said edge includes a tip extending in a generally longitudinal direction along said opening.

Preferably, wherein one said side surface is adapted to be positioned underneath said roof of said building.

Preferably, wherein said channel has a generally “V” shaped cross section.

Preferably, wherein said channel has a generally “U” shaped cross section.

Preferably, wherein said assembly is secured to an eave of said building;

Preferably, whereby said bottom surface has an arcuate cross section.

Therefore, in the preferred form the present invention provides a rounded asymmetrical “V” shape gutter where the resultant maximisation of water flow velocity at the lowest, narrowest and deepest point, or apex, increases drainage flow and moves the centre of gravity under load towards the building to which it is attached. The integrated mesh grate or filter means is installed at the pitch of the roofline and also seals and structurally strengthens the assembly whilst also preventing litter and detritus entering the assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cutaway view of the gutter assembly of FIG. 1 in situ;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway side view of a gutter assembly of an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a cutaway side view of a gutter assembly of a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

There is disclosed herein a gutter assembly 1 having a longitudinal extending channel 5 having an opening 10 and downwardly converging side surfaces 15 terminating at a bottom surface 20 to receive and disperse therealong water run-off from the roof 25 of a building 30. The channel 5 is generally either “V” or “U” shaped in cross section and the bottom surface 20 is typically arcuate or curved in cross section. At the opening 10 the side surfaces 15 have a longitudinal edge portion 35 remote from the building 30 and a longitudinal edge portion 40 adjacent the building 30. The longitudinal edge portion 35 remote from the building 30 includes a lip 45. However, both edge portions 35, 40 could include lips 45. Fastening means 50 in the form of screws, bolts, rivets or the like secure the assembly 1 to the building 30. In particular, the fastening means 50 secure to the eaves of fascia panels of the building 30. However, the assembly 1 could be attached to the building 30 in any location. The side surfaces 15 are angularly offset relative to each other so that in use the center of gravity of the assembly 1 is adjacent the building 30 to thereby urge the assembly 1 towards the building 30 when the assembly 1 is under load conditions, such as, during rain.

In a particularly preferred form, one of the side surfaces 15 is adapted to be mounted substantially parallel to the building 30 and the other side surface is angularly offset relative thereto. Further, the longitudinal edge portions 35, 40 are inclined to the horizontal such that the edge 40 adjacent the building 30 is higher relative to the bottom surface 20 than the edge 35 remote from the building 30 to define an angle of inclination of the opening 10. The angle of inclination should substantially correspond to the pitch of the roof 25 as best seen in FIG. 3.

The assembly 1 further includes a removable filter means 50 to extend across the opening 10 between the edges 35, 40. In a preferred form the filter means 50 would secure into the lip 45 and include a screen section 55 through which water is to pass to enter the channel 5. The screen 55 being adapted to inhibit the passage of leaf material into the channel 5. In a preferred form one of the side surfaces 15 is adapted to be positioned underneath a roof line of the building 30. The gutter assembly 1 therefore shows the distinctive rounded asymmetrical “V” shaped cross-section with the apex on bottom surface 20 located hard against the building 30. This shifts the centre of gravity of the assembly 1 towards the building 30 and reduces the need for supports. The integrated mesh grate 50 mounted at the pitch of the roofline encloses and strengthens the gutter assembly 1 from above. In use, the asymmetrical gutter assembly 1 in at least the preferred embodiment has the following advantages:

the integrated mesh grate 50 is mounted at the pitch of the roof 25 preventing droppings, detritus and litter entering the gutter assembly 1. This causes droppings, detritus and litter to actually roll over and off the gutter. The assembly 1 being fabricated in an asymmetrical “V” section water flows fastest and strongest at the apex or bottom surface 20, flushing whatever material may have penetrated the mesh 50 and entered the channel 5, improving the quantity and quality of run-off water. Also, being fabricated in an asymmetrical “V” section, the centre of gravity under load is at the apex or bottom surface 20 which rests against the fascia panel so that the load when full, beards hard on the fascia panel and is not cantilevered, improving strength under load and reducing the need for supports. Further, by increasing water flow velocity and minimizing litter accumulation the capacity of the gutter assembly 1 is increased and the requirement for downpipes and connecting drainage pipes is reduced. The gutter assembly 1 can be fabricated from metal or a suitable plastic or other extrudable or malleable substances in short or long sections. Also, if frozen the shape of the gutter assembly 1 causes vertical expansion of the contents. Being mounted at the angle or pitch of the roofline wildlife is discouraged from perching or resting on the gutter assembly 1 and fouling the contents facilitating harvesting and recycling of the run-off.

Claims

1. A gutter assembly including:

a longitudinally extending channel having an opening and downwardly converging side surfaces terminating at a bottom surface to receive and disperse therealong water runoff from a roof of a building, at said opening said side surfaces defining a longitudinal edge portion remote from the building and a longitudinal edge portion adjacent said building;

fastening means to secure said assembly to said building;

one said side surface being adapted to be mounted substantially parallel to said building, said other side surface being angularly offset relative thereto; so that in use the center of gravity of said assembly is adjacent said building to thereby urge said assembly towards said building when said assembly is under load.

2. The gutter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said edges are inclined to the horizontal such that the edge adjacent said building is higher relative to said bottom surface than the edge remote said building to define an angle of inclination of said opening.

3. The gutter assembly according to claim 2, wherein said angle of inclination substantially corresponds to the pitch of said roof.

4. The gutter assembly according to claim 1, including a removable filter to extend across said opening between said edges.

5. The gutter assembly according to claim 4, wherein said filter includes a screen section through which water is to pass to enter the channel, the screen being adapted to inhibit the passage of leaf material into the channel.

6. The gutter assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one said edge includes a lip extending in a generally longitudinal direction along said opening.

7. The gutter assembly according to claim 1, wherein one said side surface is adapted to be positioned underneath said roof of said building.

8. The gutter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said channel has a generally “V” shaped cross section.

9. The gutter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said channel has a generally “U” shaped cross section.

10. The gutter assembly according to claim 1, wherein said assembly is secured to an eave of said building.

11. The gutter assembly according to claim 1, whereby said bottom surface has an arcuate cross section.