Gutter cover

Abstract

A gutter cover which can be more easily installed over a gutter without the use of siding breaks or other clamping tools. The gutter cover comprises a generally planar first section adapted to be installed under or over a row of shingles on a roof; a generally planar second section adapted to overlie the open end of a gutter; and a bend between the first and second sections. The bend is shaped and configured to permit the angle of the first section to be easily adjusted relative to the second section without the use of tools and to slow the flow of water from the roof through capillary action. The bend is generally V-shaped in cross section and includes a first leg that depends from one edge of the first section and a second leg that depends from one edge of the second section. The two legs are joined at the bottom to form a crevice that slows the flow of water over the gutter cover.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to gutters and gutter covers. More particularly, the invention relates to a gutter cover that can be easily installed over a gutter without the use of clamping tools.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Gutters are often installed on houses and other buildings to collect and carry water away from roofs and other sloped surfaces. Unfortunately, gutters often become clogged with leaves, twigs, and other debris, thus limiting their ability to collect water. Clogged gutters can also overflow, causing water damage to fascia and soffits of the buildings to which they are attached. Gutter covers, such as the ones described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,557,891; 5,660,001; and 6,098,344 have been developed to alleviate these problems.

Most existing gutter covers include a number of sections that may be joined or overlapped end-to-end to cover a length of gutter. Each section is typically formed from a single piece of aluminum or other suitable material that is bent into a desired shape. For example, many existing gutter covers include a generally planar first section adapted to be installed under or over the shingles on a roof, a generally planar second section adapted to overlie the open end of a gutter, and a bend between the first and second sections.

The bend between the first and second sections performs two primary functions: it permits the angle of the first section to be adjusted relative to the second section so that the first section matches the pitch of the roof, and it slows the flow of water from the roof to the second section by changing the direction of the water flow through capillary action. Because roof pitch varies from building to building, it is almost always necessary to bend the first section relative to the second section during installation of the gutter cover to match the pitch of the particular roof. Unfortunately, the shape and configuration of the bend of existing gutter covers necessitates the use of a siding break or other similar clamping tool to achieve the proper angle between the first and second sections. Without the use of such a tool, it is nearly impossible to achieve the proper angle between the first and second sections without deforming the shape and affecting the function of the first and second sections or the bend between the first and second sections.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves the above-described problems and provides a distinct advance in the art of gutter covers. More particularly, the invention provides a gutter cover which can be more easily installed over a gutter without the use of siding breaks and other clamping tools.

One embodiment of the invention is a gutter cover comprising a generally planar first section adapted to be installed under or over a row of shingles on a roof; a generally planar second section adapted to overlie the open end of a gutter; and a bend between the first and second sections. The bend is shaped and configured to permit the angle of the first section to be easily adjusted relative to the second section without the use of tools and to slow the flow of water from the roof through capillary action.

The bend is generally V- or U-shaped in cross section and includes a first leg that depends from an edge of the first section and a second leg that depends from an edge of the second section. The two legs are joined at the bottom to form a crevice that slows the flow of water over the gutter cover. Particularly, water flowing off the roof and over the first section changes direction when it reaches the edge of the first section and then follows the angle of the first leg into the crevice. When the water reaches the bottom of the crevice, it again changes direction and follows the angle of the second leg until it exits the crevice and begins flowing over the second section. Importantly, the second leg is shorter than the first to minimize splashing of water that enters the crevice and to prevent water from flowing over the side margins of the gutter cover.

The bend also permits the angle of the first section to be adjusted to match the pitch of the roof without special clamping tools. An installer can simply grip the first planar section and bend it to the desired angle. Adjusting the angle of the first section changes the angle between the first section and the first leg of the bend, but it does not materially alter the general shape of the bend or the angle between the second leg of the bend and the second section.

These and other important aspects of the present invention are described more fully in the detailed description below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a gutter cover constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention and shown installed over a gutter attached to a building.

FIG. 2 is a vertical side section view of the gutter cover of FIG. 1 showing the profile of the gutter cover.

FIG. 3 is a vertical side section view of a gutter cover constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical side section view of a gutter cover constructed in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The drawing figures do not limit the present invention to the specific embodiments disclosed and described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a gutter cover 10 constructed in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the present invention. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the gutter cover 10 is adapted to be installed over a gutter 16 which is attached to a roof 12 or other sloped surface of a building 14. The gutter cover 10 is designed to collect water from the roof 12 and to direct it into the gutter 16 while preventing leaves and other debris from entering the gutter 16. The gutter cover 10 may be of various shapes and sizes to fit over different sizes and styles of gutters. Other gutter covers are described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,557,891; 5,660,001; and 6,098,344, all incorporated into the present application by reference. These patents also disclose in more detail end caps and diverter elements which may be used with the gutter cover 10.

The gutter cover 10 may include a number of individual segments which can be interconnected to cover any length of gutter. In one embodiment, each segment is approximately four feet long and includes one end which can slide into an end of an adjacent segment so a plurality of segments can be interconnected to cover a long length of gutter without the use of screws, brackets, or other fasteners joining the segments together. The gutter cover 10 may also be formed of a single segment that is long enough to cover a desired length of gutter.

Each gutter cover segment 10 is preferably formed from a single piece of aluminum or other suitable material which is bent into the configuration shown in the drawing figures. If the gutter cover 10 is formed of aluminum, the preferred thickness of each segment is preferably between 1/32″ and 1/16″.

Each gutter cover segment 10 includes a first, generally planar first section 18, which is preferably adapted to be installed under a first row of shingles 20 on the roof 12 without the use of nails, screws, staples or other fasteners. The first section 18 slopes downwardly from right to left when viewed from the perspective the drawing figures so as to match the pitch of the roof 12. The angle of the first section 18 can be changed as described below to match the slope of the roof 12 or other sloped surface to which it is attached. The first section 18 includes a lip 22 formed by a generally 180° bend in the rightmost end. The lip 22 resists movement of the first section 18 once it is installed under the roof shingles 20.

Each gutter cover segment 10 also includes a generally planar second section 24 which is adapted to overlie the open end of the gutter 16. The second section 24 slopes gradually from right to left as viewed from the perspective of the drawing figures so as to direct water away from the roof 12, over the left edge of the second section 24, and into the gutter 16. The second section may include a number of ridges or bumps 26 that serve to slow the flow of water thereover.

The first and second sections 18, 24 are joined by a bend 28 that performs several important functions. First, the bend 28 slows the flow of water from the roof 12 to the second section 24 by reversing the water flow through capillary action. Through capillary action, water flowing over the bend 28 follows along the surface of the bend and reverses direction rather than spilling over the bend. Second, the bend 28 permits the angle of the first section 18 to be adjusted relative to the second section 24 so as to match the pitch of the roof 12 to which the gutter cover 10 is attached.

One embodiment of the bend 28 shown in FIG. 2 is generally V-shaped in cross section and includes a first leg 30 that depends from the leftmost edge of the first planar section 18 and a second leg 32 that depends from the rightmost edge of the second planar section 24. The angle between the top surface of the first section 18 and the top surface of the first leg 30 is preferably between 240°-270°. Thus, water flowing over the first section 18 to the first leg 30 is subjected to a flow reversal of less than 90°. The angle between the first section 18 and first leg 30 varies depending on the pitch of the roof.

The angle between the top surface of the second section 24 and the top surface of the second leg 32 is also preferably between 240°-270°. The two legs 30, 32 are joined at the bottom to form a crevice 34 that slows the flow of water over the gutter cover. Particularly, water flowing off the roof 12 and over the first planar section 18 changes direction when it reaches the edge of the crevice 34 and then follows the angle of the first leg 30 into the crevice. When the water reaches the bottom of the crevice 34, it again changes direction and follows the angle of the second leg 32 until it exits the crevice and begins flowing over the second planar section 24. Importantly, the second leg 32 of the bend is shorter than the first 30 to facilitate draining of water from the crevice 34 onto the second section 24. Applicant has also discovered that the relatively shorter second leg 32 helps minimize the splashing of water that enters the crevice 34 and prevents water from flowing over the side margins of the gutter cover 10.

In accordance with another important aspect of the present invention, the bend 28 also permits the angle of the first section 18 to be adjusted to match the pitch of the roof without the use of a siding break or other clamping tools. An installer can simply grip the first section 18 and bend it to the desired angle. Adjusting the angle of the first section 18 changes the angle between the first section 18 and the first leg 30 of the bend 28, but it does not materially alter the general shape of the bend 28 or the angle between the second leg 32 and the second section 24. Thus, the angle of the first section 18 can be adjusted independently of the second section 24.

Each gutter cover segment 18 also includes a generally planar third section 36 joined to the second section by a bend 38. The bend 38 preferably has an obtuse angle so that the third section 36 slopes downwardly and inwardly relative to the leftmost edge of the second section 26. As with the bend 28, the bend 38 and the third section 36 serve to reverse and slow the flow of water over the gutter cover through capillary action.

Each gutter cover segment 18 also includes a generally planar fourth section 40 joined to the third section 36 by a bend 42. The bend 42 preferably has an acute angle that, when summed with the angle of the bend 38, equals approximately 180°, so that the fourth section 40 is generally parallel with the second section 26. That is, the fourth section 40 has a slight downward slope from right to left. For example, the bend 38 may have an angle of approximately 120° and the bend 42 may have an angle of approximately 60°.

As best illustrated in FIG. 1, a series of spaced-apart holes or cutouts 44 are formed in the fourth section 40 to direct water from the gutter cover 18 into the underlying gutter 16. Similar holes or cutouts may be formed elsewhere in the gutter cover to direct water into the underlying gutter. For example, holes may be formed in the bottom of the bend 28 as illustrated in FIG. 1 or anywhere along the length of the second section 24.

Each gutter cover segment 18 also includes a leftmost lip or hem section 46 joined to the left edge of the fourth section 40. The lip 46 is connected to the front upper edge of the gutter by mounting brackets or other fasteners.

FIG. 3 illustrates a gutter cover 10a constructed in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention. The gutter cover 10a is nearly identical to the gutter cover 10 described above, except that the angle between the upper surface of the first planar section 18a and the upper surface of the first leg 30a of the bend 28a is slightly smaller so that water flowing from the first planar section into the crevice 34a experiences a more gradual change in flow direction. Particularly, the angle between the first planar section 18a and the first leg 30a is preferably between 200°-240°.

FIG. 4 illustrates a gutter cover 10b constructed in accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the invention. The gutter cover 10b is nearly identical to the gutter cover 10 described above except that the bottoms of the first and second legs 30b, 32b join at a curve rather than a point so that the bend 28b is generally U-shaped in cross section. As with the other embodiments, the leg 30b is longer than the leg 32b.

Although the invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment illustrated in the attached drawing figures, it is noted that equivalents may be employed and substitutions made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as recited in the claims.

Claims

1. A gutter cover comprising:

a generally planar first section adapted to be installed under or over shingles on a roof;

a generally planar second section adapted to at least partially overlie a gutter attached to the roof;

and a generally V-shaped bend which joins the first and second planar sections and which permits the first section to be bent to match the pitch of the roof without the use of clamping tools.

2. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first section, the second section and the bend are integrally formed of a single piece of material.

3. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 2, wherein the first section, the second section and the bend are integrally formed of stainless steel.

4. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 1, wherein the bend includes a first leg that depends from an edge of the first section and a second leg that depends from an edge of the second section.

5. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 4, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg to facilitate draining of water from the bend.

6. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 4, wherein the angle between an upper surface of the first section and an upper surface of the first leg is approximately 200°-270°.

7. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 4, wherein the angle between an upper surface of the second section and an upper surface of the second leg is approximately 240°-270°.

8. A gutter cover comprising:

a generally planar first section adapted to be installed under or over shingles on a roof;

a generally planar second section adapted to at least partially overlie a gutter attached to the roof;

and a generally V-shaped bend which joins the first and second planar sections and which permits the first section to be bent to match the pitch of the roof without the use of clamping tools, the bend including a first leg depending from an edge of the first section and a second leg depending from an edge of the second section, the lower ends of the first and second legs being joined to form a crevice for slowing the flow of water over the bend.

9. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 8, wherein the first section, the second section and the bend are integrally formed of a single piece of material.

10. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 8, wherein the first section, the second section and the bend are integrally formed of stainless steel.

11. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 8, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg to facilitate draining of water from the bend.

12. A gutter cover comprising:

a generally planar first section adapted to be installed under or over shingles on a roof;

a generally planar second section adapted to at least partially overlie a gutter attached to the roof;

and a generally U-shaped bend which joins the first and second planar sections and which permits the first section to be bent to match the pitch of the roof without the use of clamping tools.

13. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 12, wherein the first section, the second section and the bend are integrally formed of a single piece of material.

14. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 13, wherein the first section, the second section and the bend are integrally formed of stainless steel.

15. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 12, wherein the bend includes a first leg that depends from an edge of the first section and a second leg that depends from an edge of the second section.

16. The gutter cover as set forth in claim 15, wherein the first leg is longer than the second leg to facilitate draining of water from the bend.