Rain gutter cover

Abstract

This invention relates to rain gutters installed on houses and other buildings, and in particular to covers installed on rain gutters to prevent debris from accumulating in the rain gutters and adversely affecting the water diversion function of the gutters. The subject invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a gutter cover that is both readily installed and removed—and effectively prevents leaves, nuts, berries, pine cone, and needles from the gutter and holds its structural integrity under snow loads.

Description

II. CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a CON of 11/075,027 Mar. 7, 2005, is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference.

III. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable.

IV. REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

V. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

None included.

VI. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to rain gutters installed on houses and other buildings, and in particular to covers installed on rain gutters to prevent debris from accumulating in the rain gutters and adversely affecting the water diversion function of the gutters.

The maintenance of rain gutters is largely a matter of keeping the gutters and downspouts clear of debris such as leaves, nuts, berries, pine cones, and needles from overhanging or nearby trees. A number of types and styles of gutter covers are available, but none has so far been offered which effectively exclude most, if not all, leaves, nuts, berries, pine cones, and especially needles, and which is simple to install and maintain, as well as maintain its integrity under snow loads. Many currently available gutter cover designs cannot be readily removed for cleaning. Cleaning is often necessary even if the cited debris does not accumulate in the gutter. Composite roofs and tile roofs shed material often necessitating cleaning every five or so years—hosing out the gutter with water is the preferred method of cleaning.

The subject invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a gutter cover that is both readily installed and removed—and effectively prevents leaves, nuts, berries, pine cones, and needles from the gutter and holds its structural integrity under snow loads.

VII. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1: top view of gutter cover illustrating one embodiment of the arcuate openings.

FIG. 2: a close up view of the gutter cover of FIG. 1 illustrating one embodiment of the arcuate openings.

FIG. 3: end view of one of the alternative embodiments of the gutter.

FIG. 4: top view of gutter cover illustrating one embodiment of the arcuate openings.

FIG. 5a: top view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5b: bottom view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5c: left side view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5d: right side view of the preferred embodiment.

FIG. 5e: a reversed view of FIG. 5a-5d.

VIII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to rain gutters installed on houses and other buildings, and in particular to covers installed on rain gutters to prevent debris from accumulating in the rain gutters and adversely affecting the water diversion function of the gutters.

The maintenance of rain gutters is largely a matter of keeping the gutters and downspouts clear of debris such as leaves, nuts, berries, pine cones, and needles from overhanging or nearby trees. A number of types and styles of gutter covers are available, but none has so far been offered which effectively exclude most, if not all, leaves, nuts, berries, pine cones, and especially needles, and which is simple to install and maintain, as well as maintain its integrity under snow loads. Many currently available gutter cover designs cannot be readily removed for cleaning. Cleaning is often necessary even if the cited debris does not accumulate in the gutter. Composite roofs and tile roofs shed material often necessitating cleaning every five or so years—hosing out the gutter with water is the preferred method of cleaning.

The subject invention overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a gutter cover that is both readily installed and removed—and effectively prevents leaves, nuts, berries, pine cones, and needles from the gutter and holds its structural integrity under snow loads.

The invention is embodied in a preferred embodiment illustrated in the enclosed drawings and illustrations. Referring to FIGS. 5a through Se and FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, the invention is shown generally—gutter cover 10. FIG. 5a shows a top view of the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 5b shows a bottom view of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 5c shows a left side view of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 5d shows a right side view of the preferred embodiment. FIG. 5e shows a reversed view (vis-à-vis FIGS. 5a through 5d) of the preferred embodiment installed in a gutter 51, FIG. 5a through 5e include tabs 54a and 54b, flanges 55a and 55b, and gutter mounting bracket 56. FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 show different illustrations of a plurality of arcuate openings 13 in gutter cover 10. FIG. 5e shows axis 52 through which a screw, preferably a sheet metal screw, affixes gutter cover 10 to gutter 51. Axis 53 is preferably the axis through which the gutter bracket is secured to gutter 51 which is in turn affixed to a fascia board. Axis 52 is preferably the axis through which a 5 foot section of gutter cover 10 is secured to gutter 51. Tabs 54a and 54b are approximately at the far end of the 5 foot sections. Subtle variations in the gutter 51 design depicted and bracket(s) 54 and are well known in the art but accommodating changes to the gutter cover 10 to accommodate such variations do not affect the scope of the subject invention.

The aperture pattern in gutter cover 11 is not shown in FIG. 5a through 5e. The aperture pattern is shown in FIG. 1, 2, and 4. The invention is shown generally at 10, and includes a top surface 12 that includes arcuate openings 13, which are best seen in FIG. 2, which is a partial enlargement portion A of FIG. 1. The arcuate openings are selected so as to provide a relative large opening area on top surface 12, while at the same time providing openings that present only relatively small dimensions in any one direction. Debris—in particular pine needles tend to be linear: the arcuate design discourages passage of needles as well as entanglement therewith. Applicant has discovered through empirical observations that this particular pattern of openings is very effective at diverting debris, including needles, while at the same time providing sufficient open area in the cover to permit large volumes of water to pass into the gutter system during heavy storms or snow melt.

An alternative embodiment of the subject invention is depicted in FIG. 3. An end view of gutter cover 11 is depicted and illustrates two flanges 14 and 16. There are no tabs. The front flange 14 and a rear flange 16 are depicted. Rear flange 16 and front flange 14 are preferably angled at more than 90 degrees relative to the top surface to facilitate easy mounting in the event the gutter itself tapers toward the bottom horizontal surface on which water is collected and diverted to downspouts or functional equivalents. Such tapers are not uncommon as depicted in FIG. 5e. Front flange 14 and back flange 16 heights may vary to accommodate varying roof pitches to optimize its utility.

Front flange 14 is shorter than the depth of the gutter to permit the top surface 12 to be tilted away from the roof, and facilitate the flushing of debris off of the top surface. Front flange 14 is fixed in place by the use of an adhesive-coated tab 20 (FIGS. 3-4), which are adhered to front flange 14 and to the inner surface of front wall 22 of gutter 24. Tab 20 also serves to space the edge of top surface 12 apart a small distance from front wall 22 of gutter 24. The resulting gap 26 permits the flow of water into gutter 24 along the entire length of the gutter cover. In addition, the flow of water into gutter 24 along gap 26 is from the bottom of the stream flowing over the cover top surface, optimizing the split of clear water flowing into gutter 24 through gap 26, while debris floating on top is diverted over the edge and flushed off of the gutter. A functionally equivalent gap 27 is illustrated in FIG. 5e.

The applicant has also empirically observed that gap 26 or 27 which may be in whole or in part under the roofing can prevent the migration or wicking of water on the underside of the roof to the fascia board—thereby potentially preventing the premature structural and aesthetic degradation of the fascia board and any protective coatings thereon.

This embodiment of the invention does not require additional hangars, nails, or screws. This represents an advantage in that it reduces the time and cost required to install the gutter cover and to remove and re-install the gutter cover when gutters need to be cleaned. The cover can be cut to any desired length or angle to correspond to a specific run length of roof/gutter or corner, or can be precut into sections of predetermined length, then only requiring a single cut at the end of the gutter length to finalize the installation.

The invention is preferably formed of sheet metal, but the invention is not limited to any particular material of construction, or to any specific method of manufacture. These and other variations, modification and/or embodiments are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A rain gutter cover comprising: a top wall, a front wall and a rear wall; and, the top wall including surfaces defining a plurality of arcuate openings having a minimum radius of curvature selected to prevent the passage there through of planar and elongate particles.

2. A rain gutter cover according to claim 1 further comprising the plurality of arcuate openings comprise a plurality of S-shaped openings.

3. A rain gutter cover according to claim 2 wherein the plurality of S-shaped arcuate openings are positioned adjacent one another and wherein a line drawn along the top wall is intersected by a plurality of the S-shaped arcuate openings.

4. A rain gutter according to claim 1 where in the top wall has a traverse dimension selected to position the front wall in a spaced apart position relative to a gutter front wall.

5. A rain gutter cover according to claim 1 further comprising a spacer mounted on the front wall.

6. A rain gutter cover according to claim 1 wherein the rear wall has a height that is greater than a height of the front wall.

7. A rain gutter cover according to claim 4 wherein the spaced apart position of the front wall is selected to exclude planar and elongated particles.