Rain gutter cover

Abstract

A rain gutter cover comprising an elongate cover member adapted to be situated over an open trough of a rain gutter. The cover member has a first cover portion integrally extending into a second water directing portion following a rounded nose portion. An outer surface of the elongate cover member is adapted to substantially cause water passing thereover to adhere to its surface even under light rainfall conditions. The first portion includes multiple channels configured to converge water on the first portion and facilitate initial water adherence to the surface of the second portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to rain gutter covers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a rain gutter cover constructed to deflect leaves or other debris away from a rain gutter while directing rain water into the rain gutter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Rain gutters are constructed to collect water and are installed at the edge (periphery) of the roof of most residential houses in order to direct the water away from the house and its immediate surroundings. A problem of such rain gutters is that they also collect leaves, pine straw, and other debris, which can clog the rain gutter or otherwise prevent the gutter from performing its intended functions. As a result, the rain gutter performs ineffectively or, in some situations, not at all. At that point, the rain gutter must be cleared of debris.

In order to prevent debris from entering the gutters and to eliminate the need to clear the gutters, various rain gutter covers have been provided. Such covers are installed above the open trough of the gutter. They are designed to prevent debris from entering the gutters while allowing water to flow into the gutter's trough.

Covers offered in the past utilize “surface tension” to direct water around a rounded nose portion of the cover into the gutter's trough, while debris is deflected overboard to the ground. Surface tension is the linking exhibited by water molecules that are attracted to one another by intermolecular forces. As a result, rain water collects due to surface tension and is drawn around the cover's nose into the gutter's trough. Examples of such gutter covers may be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,796,390, 4,497,146, and 4,404,775, which are incorporated herein by reference.

“Wettability” is a cover's ability to cause water on the cover to film or “sheet,” flowing in a manner resembling a uniform sheet of water. Wettability enhances the utility of surface tension so that water spreads out into a uniform sheet or film and is drawn around the cover's nose portion and into the gutter. Accordingly, covers have attempted to maximize the use of wettability and surface tension properties so that rain flows into gutters in an improved manner.

Water adheres to a surface traversing its contour when the amount of rain water flowing is sufficient to maintain an unbroken (steady) stream. Only after an initial period of rain fall and only when rainfall rate is significant does there develop a sufficient film of water on the cover's surface to sustain continuous flow. As a result, effective gutter covers of the prior art have tended to have nose portions with a larger radius. The larger, more gentle turn generally requires a lower volume of water to achieve suitable wettability and flow than is the case with smaller radii.

While gutter covers having larger diameter nose portions may perform well, they pose certain objectionable considerations. For example, the gutter itself sometimes must be moved downward on the fascia of the house in order to allow sufficient space for the cover to be located between the gutter and the roof. In addition, the cover's upstream edge must generally be placed under the second or third course of shingles. Requiring relocation of the rain gutter is costly, while requiring placement higher on the roof than the first course of shingles may be aesthetically objectionable.

In addition, the color of large radius gutter covers generally needs to be matched with that of the roof shingles, thus requiring the provider to maintain a large inventory of different colors. Often, particularly where the roof pitch is shallow, the cover is installed on top of the second course of shingles using a butyl seal strip. While the seal-strip is effective in service, it can be difficult to remove and replace when or if the roof is reshingled. In addition, installation of those covers on other type of roofs, such as shake, tile, or slate, can be difficult or impossible.

In view of these considerations, attempts have been made to provide gutter covers with small radius nose portions. Because of the small radius, however, initial wetting of the lower water directing portion of the cover is more difficult to achieve. For example, at the initiation of rainfall and when the quantity of falling water is minimal, water may tend to accumulate in beads at the cover's nose. This water may then drip onto the gutter and run down its face instead of collecting into sheets and being drawn into the gutter as desired. Water dripping down the gutter's face (instead of into the trough) may cause what is known as “tiger striping.” Water dripping down the gutter's face may also carry dirt and debris with it, a portion of which is deposited on the gutter's face. These undesired results can cause unsightly stains to appear on the face of the gutter.

An equally vexing problem associated with the dripping that occurs in minimal rainfall conditions is the tendency for icicles to form in cold weather. Gathering ice is undesirable in that it may seal off the slot through which water from the cover enters the gutter. Moreover, icicles over entrance ways create a danger to people standing or passing below them.

In most situations, as rain water accumulates on the roof of a structure, it begins to flow toward gutters at increasing rates. In order for a rain gutter cover to be able to direct rain water into a rain gutter, it must be constructed in a manner that is capable of handling these increasing rates. Otherwise, the rain water flowing over the cover will fail to adhere to the nose contour and will be jettisoned overboard to the ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing considerations, and problems encountered with covers of prior art constructions and methods. In this regard, one aspect of the invention provides a rain gutter cover comprising an elongate cover member adapted to be situated over an open trough of a rain gutter. The cover member has a first cover portion integrally extending into a second water directing portion following a rounded nose portion. An outer surface of the elongate cover member is configured such that water passing thereover will adhere to the cover surface under all rain conditions and not drip. The first portion includes multiple channels configured to converge water and facilitate initial wetting of the second portion.

According to another aspect, the present invention also provides a rain gutter cover comprising an elongate cover member adapted to be situated over an open trough of a rain gutter. The cover member has a first portion integrally extending into a second water directing portion following a rounded nose portion. The second water directing portion is terminated above the open trough of the rain gutter when the cover member is mounted thereover. The nose portion defines a plurality of indentations each between a respective pair of adjacent protrusions.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a rain gutter cover comprising an elongate cover member adapted to be situated over an open trough of a rain gutter. The cover member has a first portion integrally extending into a second water directing portion following a rounded nose portion. The second water directing portion is terminated above the open trough of the rain gutter when the cover member is mounted thereover. The first portion defines a plurality of spaced apart first channels, which are substantially parallel and extend in a flow direction. The second portion defines a plurality of spaced apart second channels, which are substantially parallel, extend in the flow direction, and are aligned with respective first channels in the flow direction. The nose portion contains a plurality of indentations between a respective pair of adjacent protrusions. The indentations are aligned with channels in the first portion and receive water delivered to them from those channels. Channels are configured to converge water, creating sufficient flow volume to facilitate traversing the nose and filming on the second portion, thus eliminating incipient dripping.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a rain gutter cover attached to the roof of a structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional perspective view of the rain gutter cover of FIG. 1 attached to the roof of a structure;

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional fragmentary view of a portion of the rain gutter cover shown in FIG. 2A but showing an exemplary bracket for supporting the cover;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of a portion of the rain gutter cover of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along line 4-4 of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the underside of a rain gutter cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A is a fragmentary perspective view of a rain gutter cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional fragmentary view of the rain gutter cover of FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a rain gutter cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of a rain gutter cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIGS. 1 and 2A illustrate a rain gutter cover 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Rain gutter cover 10 includes an elongate cover member 12 comprising a first portion 14 integrally extending into a second portion 16 about a rounded nose portion 18. A part of first portion 14 is attached to a roof 20 under a first course of shingles 22 so as to affix cover 10 to structure 24.

As shown most clearly in FIG. 2A, cover 10 is located above an open portion 28 of a trough 30 of a rain gutter 32. The outermost edge of rounded nose portion 18 preferably extends beyond the outside edge (the “bead”) 34 of rain gutter 32. The radius of rounded nose portion 18 is preferably small enough to allow cover 10 to be installed under first course 22 of the roof's shingles to provide an adequate drainage pitch without the need to lower or otherwise relocate rain gutter 32. A radius within the range of an eighth of an inch (⅛″ or 0.125″) to three sixteenths of an inch ( 3/16″ or 0.1875″) should provide cover 10 with such a “low profile” configuration. Cover 10 may be constructed of sheet metal, plastic such as polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”), or any other suitable water resistant and/or non-absorptive material. FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary bracket 17 that may be used to mount cover 10 in relation to gutter 32. Typically, a number of such brackets are located at the ends of cover panels and sometimes at places in between along gutter cover 10.

Placement under the first course of shingles has a number of advantages. For example, cover 10 will be less noticeable than many larger radius designs. This will obviate the need for matching the color of the cover with that of the roof shingles (which requires a larger inventory of an array of colors). Instead, the cover can be matched to the color of the gutter (which are supplied in relatively few colors). Moreover, the smaller overall size of the cover uses less material than many prior art configurations, thus saving on material costs. In addition, the need to nail through shingles or to use a seal strip for attachment to the shingles is eliminated. Attachment under the first course of shingles also simplifies installation on houses with less-commonly encountered types of roofs, such as shake, tile, and slate.

As noted above, previous attempts to provide a small radius gutter cover have encountered certain problems in light rain, or at the commencement of rain, in achieving initial wetting of the cover's lower portion.

Referring now also to FIG. 3, rain gutter cover 10 overcomes these problems by including a number of substantially parallel channels 36 defined in first portion 14 and extending in a flow direction as denoted by arrow 37. Preferably, channels 36 will begin immediately downstream of the part 38 of first portion 14 that is inserted under the first course of shingles (or, immediately downstream of the horizontal rib(s) in such embodiments). Typically, part 38 will be delimited by a bend line 39 at which the slope of the first portion changes to approximate that of the roof. As shown in FIG. 4, channels 36 are defined by a number of valleys 40 between respective pairs of peaks 42. Channels 36 and thus valleys 40 may increase in depth in the direction of arrow 37. Channels may be formed alternatively by pressing valleys from topside down or creating berms (protrusions) by pressing from underside up.

In operation and in reference to FIGS. 1-4, rain coming in contact with roof 20 begins to run down the roof toward cover 10. Rain then flows off roof 20 and onto first portion 14 of cover 10. When the rain begins to run over the part of first portion 14 defining channels 36 and peaks 42, peaks 42 help guide the rain into valleys 40 of channels 36. Thus, channels 36 help to converge any rain water running over the first portion 14 of cover 10. This increases the volume of water at these locations, causing the water to flow in streams around nose portion 18 to second portion 16. This facilitates initial wetting of second portion 16, causing cover 10 to begin functioning sooner and in light rain. After the water has rounded nose portion 18 onto second portion 16, it flows into open trough 30 of rain gutter 32. To assist in inducing filming, coatings, including suitable paint, may be applied to the entire surface of cover 10. Because the outermost edge of nose portion 18 extends beyond edge 34 of rain gutter 32, debris falls overboard to the ground and does not enter the gutter.

As a result of this arrangement, the occurrence of “tiger striping,” as well as other effects caused when water drips from nose portion 18 onto the front surface of the gutter, is eliminated. In addition, it reduces the tendency for icicles to form and their attendant disadvantages to occur.

FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a gutter cover in accordance with the present invention. In this case, second portion 16 of cover 10 also includes a number of substantially parallel channels 44 extending in a flow direction (as denoted by arrow 46). Channels 44 are similar to channels 36 of first portion 14 (FIG. 3) and are preferably aligned with respective channels 36. In operation, water flows over roof 20 onto first portion 14 of cover 10 in a manner similar to that described above. When rain water rounds nose portion 18, channels 44 converge the water on second portion 16. This preserves the integrity of the high-volume streams created on the top of the cover. As such, water is less likely to break up into vulnerable droplets.

FIG. 6A illustrates a further embodiment in which rounded nose portion 18 of cover 10 contains alternating indentations 46 (“roots”) and protrusions 48 (“teeth”). Each indentation 46 is defined between a respective pair of protrusions 48 as shown. In this embodiment, indentations 46 are U-shaped, but it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that other shapes and configurations may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. (As used herein, “U-shaped” should be construed as U-shaped to V-shaped or anything in between.) As shown in FIG. 6B, the gutter cover is preferably configured in this embodiment such that protrusions 48 extend beyond the forward edge of the gutter. Indentations 46, however, may be positioned inside of the forward edge over the rain gutter's open trough.

In operation, water flows over roof 20 onto first portion 14 of cover 10 in a manner similar to that described above. Water is gathered in channels 36 and directed thereby to indentations 46 in nose portion 18. Accordingly, water will flow around nose portion 18 between protrusions 48. Initial wettability is enhanced by the fact the radius of the curved root surface is significantly larger than that at protrusions 48. In other words, the overall gutter cover maintains a small radius profile but the radius traversed by the water will be more like that of a gutter cover with a larger radius nose. Moreover, any dripping of water in this embodiment will be into the open trough of the rain gutter. Protrusions 48 act to prevent leaves and other debris from entering gutter 32 since they extend beyond the gutter bead.

While indentations 46 are shown to be relatively large in the drawings, benefits can be achieved using relatively small indentations. For example, indentations of only about 0.025-0.030 inches “deep” and a width of about ⅜ inch should achieve effective results.

FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment in which first portion 14 of cover 10 includes a horizontal rib 50 that runs the length of the cover. As shown, horizontal rib 50 is located downstream of the part 38 of first portion 14 that is installed under shingle first course 22 (FIG. 2), but upstream of channels 36. Preferably the vertical dimension of rib 50 will be sufficient to cause water cascading from the shingle surface to collide with it, thus slowing the velocity of the flowing water. This may be especially advantageous during high-flow periods (as in a downpour), reducing the chances that water will jettison overboard during extreme conditions. Rib 50 may also serve to advantageously disperse concentrated water streams, such as may be created by the presence of debris on the roof. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, it may be necessary to shorten the flow direction length of channels 36 in comparison with other embodiments in order to accommodate rib 50. Embodiments are also contemplated in which multiple parallel ribs are provided rather than a single horizontal rib as illustrated.

In addition, ribs may be formed in sections, with flat areas between sections to facilitate carrying shingle gravel and other particulate matter away, thus preventing build-up of material that could negatively impact the ribs' damming function. For example, FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment in which the rib is an interrupted continuum in which a small gap 52 is formed between longitudinal sections 50a and 50b. One or more short ribs 54 are located upstream of gap 52 to deny water the opportunity to flow unimpeded through the gap.

In operation, rain falls on roof 20 and begins to flow toward cover 10, increasing in volume with time. The rate at which the water travels may also begin to increase due to gravitational acceleration. Shortly after the water passes onto cover 10, it comes into contact with horizontal rib 50, which acts as a “speed bump” to decrease the rate at which the water is traveling before it enters channels 36. As a result, the rain water enters channels 36 at a more controlled rate allowing the channels to efficiently converge the water so that it may effectively round nose portion 18.

It can thus be seen that the present invention provides a gutter cover having a small nose radius that avoids some issues of the prior art. In one variation, a series of small holes may be formed in the gutter cover slightly upstream of the nose (e.g., ½ inch upstream). Preferably, the holes (which may be about 3/16 inch in diameter) may be spaced apart about ⅜ inch on center and arranged in a line. This arrangement provides an additional flow path into the gutter for especially heavy flows.

While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the present invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof. The embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention. Thus, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments since modifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the scope and spirit thereof.

Claims

1. A rain gutter cover comprising:

a. an elongate cover member adapted to be situated over an open trough of a rain gutter;

b. said cover member having a first portion integrally extending into a second water directing portion following a rounded nose portion;

c. said second water directing portion being terminated above said open trough of said rain gutter when said cover member is mounted thereover;

d. said first portion defining a plurality of spaced apart first channels, said first channels being substantially parallel and extending in a flow direction; and

e. wherein said first channels are configured to converge water flow on said first portion and thereby facilitate initial water adherence around said rounded nose portion on said second portion.

2. The rain gutter cover of claim 1, wherein said second portion of said cover member defines a plurality of spaced apart second channels, said second channels being substantially parallel and extending in said flow direction.

3. The rain gutter cover of claim 2, wherein said second channels are aligned with respective said first channels in said flow direction.

4. The rain gutter cover of claim 1, wherein said nose portion defines a plurality of indentations each between a respective pair of adjacent protrusions.

5. The rain gutter cover of claim 4, wherein said indentations are aligned with said first channels in said flow direction.

6. The rain gutter cover of claim 4, wherein said indentations are U-shaped.

7. The rain gutter cover of claim 4, wherein said protrusions extend beyond an outside edge of said rain gutter.

8. The rain gutter cover of claim 1, wherein said rounded nose portion extends beyond an outside edge of said rain gutter.

9. The rain gutter cover of claim 1, wherein said first channels terminate prior to said nose portion.

10. The rain gutter cover of claim 1, wherein said elongate cover member is formed such that said member may be inserted under a first course of shingles of a roof.

11. The rain gutter cover of claim 1, wherein said first portion includes a horizontal rib extending at least partially along the length of said cover member.

12. The rain gutter cover of claim 11, wherein said first portion includes a plurality of said horizontal ribs arranged in parallel.

13. The rain gutter cover of claim 12, wherein a downstream rib of said plurality of said horizontal ribs defines a flow gap and an upstream rib of said plurality of said horizontal ribs is located at a position upstream of said gap.

14. A rain gutter cover comprising:

a. an elongate cover member adapted to be situated over an open trough of a rain gutter;

b. said cover member having a first portion integrally extending into a second water directing portion following a rounded nose portion;

c. said second water directing portion being terminated above said open trough of said rain gutter when said cover member is mounted thereover; and

d. wherein said nose portion defines a plurality of indentations each between a respective pair of adjacent protrusions.

15. The rain gutter of claim 14 further comprising:

a. a plurality of spaced apart first channels defined by said first portion, said first channels being substantially parallel and extending in a flow direction; and

b. wherein said first channels are configured to converge water flow on said first portion and thereby facilitate initial water adherence on said second portion.

16. The rain gutter of claim 15, wherein said second portion of said cover member defines a plurality of spaced apart second channels, said second channels being substantially parallel and extending in said flow direction.

17. The rain gutter of claim 16, wherein said second channels are aligned with respective said first channels in said flow direction.

18. The rain gutter of claim 15, wherein said indentations are aligned with said first channels in said flow direction.

19. The rain gutter of claim 14, wherein said protrusions extend beyond an outside edge of said rain gutter.

20. The rain gutter of claim 14, wherein said first channels terminate prior to said nose portion.

21. The rain gutter of claim 14, wherein said elongate cover member is formed such that said member may be inserted under a first course of shingles of a roof.

22. The rain gutter of claim 14, wherein said first portion includes a horizontal rib extending at least partially along the length of said cover member.

23. The rain gutter cover of claim 22, wherein said first portion includes a plurality of said horizontal ribs arranged in parallel.

24. The rain gutter cover of claim 23, wherein a downstream rib of said plurality of said horizontal ribs defines a flow gap and an upstream rib of said plurality of said horizontal ribs is located at a position upstream of said gap.

25. A rain gutter cover comprising:

a. an elongate cover member adapted to be situated over an open trough of a rain gutter;

b. said cover member having a first portion integrally extending into a second water directing portion following a rounded nose portion;

c. said second water directing portion being terminated above said open trough of said rain gutter when said cover member is mounted thereover;

d. said first portion defining a plurality of spaced apart first channels, said first channels being substantially parallel and extending in a flow direction;

e. said second portion defining a plurality of spaced apart second channels, said second channels being substantially parallel, extending in said flow direction, and are aligned with respective said first channels in said flow direction;

f. said nose portion defining a plurality of indentations between a respective pair of adjacent protrusions; said indentations are aligned with said first channels and said second channels in said flow direction; and

g. wherein said first channels are configured to converge water flow on said first portion and thereby facilitate initial water filming on said second portion, and said indentations are configured to enhance water flow on said second portion.