Roof Valley System

Abstract

A system for handling high volume and velocity rain water in valleys of roofs. An outer frame has a central opening defined by the frame, and a fluid transparent layer is secured to the frame, occupying the opening. The system according to the invention is installed in an opening in a gutter protection system at the base of the roof valley in order to receive rain water which may otherwise overshoot the gutter protection system at the roof valley.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to gutter protection systems, and in particular to a roof valley system for use with a gutter protection system to accommodate high volume and velocity flow of rain water in roof valleys.

Gutter protection systems, such as that shown in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,916, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, are used in connection with homes and other buildings having a pitched roof. Gutter protecting devices such as that of the '916 patent are provided to cover a rain gutter to prevent debris from accumulating in the rain gutter.

However, many gutter protection systems fail at roof valleys due to large volumes of rain water that are funneled down the roof valley to the gutter covering system with such velocity and volume that at least a portion of the water overshoots the gutter protection in this area.

In the past, eliminating overshoot has been accommodated in one manner by attaching metal plates to the roof to divert and slow the flow of water to the gutter protection system. Such diverters, however, are undesirable since organic debris can accumulate behind the diverters, with the debris then degrading, causing water to overflow in a slurry actually leading to eventual clogging of the gutter.

In other efforts to avoid valley overflow, holes have been drilled into the gutter protection system at the location of the roof valley in order to accommodate a larger volume and velocity of water. A problem with holes, however, is that organic debris invariably catches in the holes, leading to impeding of gutter protection in that area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a roof valley system for a gutter protection system, the roof valley system comprising a substantially rigid but pliable outer frame having a central opening defined by the frame. A fluid transparent layer occupies the opening and is secured to the frame.

The frame and the opening are generally triangular, but can be other shapes depending on the roof valley being accommodated. Preferably the fluid transparent layer is secured on one side of the frame proximate the opening by an adhesive. In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the adhesive is silicone.

The fluid transparent layer is just that—it allows fluids to readily flow without being impeded, while inhibiting solids, such as leaves, sticks and similar debris, from passing through. In accordance with one form of the invention, the fluid transparent layer is reticular. The fluid transparent layer can be a nylon matrix.

For appropriate installation, it is preferred that the frame include first and second frame elements which are joined at a defined angle. The defined angle is substantially equal to a valley angle of a roof valley in which the roof valley system is to be installed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in greater detail in the following description of examples embodying the best mode of the invention, taken in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the roof valley system according to the invention, with the fluid transparent layer omitted inside the frame to illustrate detail,

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the roof valley system,

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the roof valley system, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 illustrates a first step of installation of the roof valley system,

FIG. 5 illustrates cutting of a gutter protection device to accommodate the roof valley system of the invention,

FIG. 6 illustrates an opening in an installed gutter protection system prior to installation of the roof valley system according to the invention,

FIG. 7 illustrates installation of the roof valley system,

FIG. 8 illustrates completed installation of the roof valley system, and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional illustration along lines 9-9 of FIG. 8 showing the roof valley system when installed at a roof valley in a gutter protection system.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION

The roof valley system according to the invention is shown generally at 10 in the drawing figures. The roof valley system comprises two basic components, a substantially rigid but pliable outer frame 12 and a fluid transparent layer 14.

The outer frame 12 is substantially rigid, but it is pliable, that is, bendable, when needed. The frame 12 includes a central opening 16 defined by the outer frame 12. In one form of the invention, the frame 12 and opening 16 are generally triangular, as illustrated, and the frame 12 includes a first frame element 18 and a second frame element 20 which are joined at a defined angle 22. As shown in the drawing figures, the angle 22 essentially matches that of the valley angle of a roof valley in which the system 10 is installed so that, as explained in greater detail below, the frame elements 18 and 20 are slipped under the bottom row of shingles (or other roof covering) on a roof when the roof valley system 10 is installed in place. Obviously, the defined angle 22 may vary, depending primarily on the valley angle of the roof valley in which the roof valley system 10 is installed.

The fluid transparent layer 14 is just as its name suggests. It is transparent to fluids, and particularly water, so that any water that flows onto the top of the roof valley system 10 does not flow thereover, but rather falls through the central opening 16, essentially as if the layer 14 were not there. This is true whether the flow of water is slow or fast, and no matter what the volume of water that impinges on the roof valley system 10. Therefore, in one form of the invention, the fluid transparent layer 14 is reticular, as shown. A reticular layer is an entangled, open fiber matrix or mesh which allows through-flow of water as if the fluid transparent layer 14 is absent, but prevents debris, such as leaves, sticks and the like, from entering the central opening 16.

In one form, the fluid transparent layer can be a nylon matrix. Other materials can be used, as well. Having the layer reticular rather than woven is preferred so that there are no large holes that can trap debris, although a woven material could possibly be used, as well, if the holes and fibers are sufficiently small.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fluid transparent layer 14 is secured beneath the frame 12 to cover the central opening 16. Any type of adhesive may be used, and as shown, a bead of adhesive 24 is laid on the underside of the outer frame 12, with the fluid transparent layer 14 then pressed into the adhesive 24 to secure the fluid transparent layer 14 in place. Although the bead of adhesive 24 is shown generally adjacent the central opening 16, it will be apparent that the adhesive can be applied at any point on the underside of the outer frame 12 so long as the transparent layer can be adhered thereto. Also, while a continuous bead of adhesive 24 is illustrated, it will be apparent that it not be continuous. Finally, the adhesive 24 is preferably silicone, although any other type of suitable adhesive for securing the fluid transparent layer 14 to the frame 12 may be used.

Installation of the roof valley system 12 is illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 9. Although a relatively short roof valley is depicted, obvious the valley may be of any length or pitch. Initially, the outline of the roof valley system is marked on the gutter covering element on to which the roof valley system 10 is to be installed. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 5, the elements of the gutter protection system are cut or otherwise have portions removed in order that, when they are installed as shown in FIG. 6, an opening 26 is formed in the abutting gutter protection elements 28 and 30.

Then, the roof valley system 10 is installed over the opening 26, as shown in FIG. 7, with a series of fasteners 32. The frame elements 18 and 20 extend underneath the bottom row of shingles (or other roof covering material) 34, leaving the central opening 16 exposed to accommodate water flowing down the roof valley 36.

The invention thus provides, in essence, a protected “hole” at the most critical location for water flow, where a roof valley 36 meets the gutter protection elements 28 and 30. Water therefore does not overflow the gutter protection elements 28 and 30, but rather flows through the central opening 16, into the gutter 38 beneath the gutter protection elements 28 and 30, and debris remain behind.

Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof or scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A roof valley system for a gutter protection system comprising

a. a substantially rigid but pliable outer frame having a central opening defined by said frame, and

b. a fluid transparent layer occupying said opening and secured to said frame.

2. The roof valley system according to claim 1, in which said frame and said opening are generally triangular.

3. The roof valley system according to claim 1, in which said fluid layer is secured to one side of said frame proximate said opening by an adhesive.

4. The roof valley system according to claim 3, in which said adhesive is silicone.

5. The roof valley system according to claim 1, in which said fluid transparent layer is reticular.

6. The roof valley system according to claim 1, in which said fluid transparent layer is a nylon matrix.

7. The roof valley system according to claim 1, in which said frame includes first and second frame elements joined at a defined angle, said defined angle being substantially equal to a valley angle of a roof valley in which said roof valley system is to be installed.

8. A roof valley system for a gutter protection system, comprising

a. a substantially rigid but pliable, generally triangular outer frame having a generally triangular central opening, and

b. a fluid transparent layer occupying said opening and secured to one side of said frame by an adhesive.

9. The roof valley system according to claim 8, in which said adhesive is silicone.

10. The roof valley system according to claim 8, in which said fluid transparent layer is reticular.

11. The roof valley system according to claim 8, in which said fluid transparent layer is a nylon matrix.

12. The roof valley system according to claim 8, in which said frame includes first and second frame elements joined at a defined angle, said defined angle being substantially equal to a valley angle of a roof valley in which said roof valley system is to be installed.