GUTTER SYSTEM

Abstract

The present gutter and gutter system provides a gutter that is capable of draining water at a higher rate than traditional gutters. The gutter also has good structural integrity and is able to accommodate weight loads that would otherwise damage the gutter system. The gutter includes a vertical back wall and a front wall depending from the bottom edge of the back wall, the front wall being at an acute angle from the back wall and defining a V shaped trough having an open top therebetween. The gutter systems comprises the gutter, gutter hangers or gutter covers and a spout.

Description

FIELD

The present invention relates to the field of rain gutters or eves troughs and gutter systems, and in particular to improvements to eaves trough and gutter systems.

BACKGROUND

Gutter systems have been the principle means by which water and debris suspended in or by the water, resulting from various weather conditions such as rain, snow, and sleet, is carried off the roof of a building or similar structure. The water flows off the slanted portion of a roof and typically enters a trough which is fitted along this horizontal perimeter of the roof (i.e., the fascia); this trough is commonly known as the “gutter”. This gutter collects the water and debris and follows a small slope of the gutter toward a spout, and eventually out through a downspout. Gutters may be fastened to the fascia directly, or using an alternative attachment means, such as gutter hangers.

Downspouts are typically attached to the gutters through a spout in the gutter, at the lowest point of the slopped gutter. Spouts are positions above downspouts, which are positioned vertically to the horizontal gutter and travel the height of the building to ground level where the water and debris can exit the system on the ground or into a perimeter drainage system.

In addition to the actual gutter, spout, and downspout, limited improvements have been made to the gutter system in general. One of the most widely used improvements to a traditional gutter has been gutter guards, or covers. These covers allow rain and minute debris to enter the gutter system while preventing larger debris from entering and clogging the gutter system.

Traditionally gutters have been designed with two different general profiles. They are either based on a half round piece of pipe or a rectangular base shape. These two systems have been in place with slight modifications for over 100 years.

Traditional “half round” gutters consist of a smooth “C” shape in order to flow water and debris at a higher volume and allowing for easier maintenance in an open trough form. Traditional rectangular cross-section gutters consist of rear, bottom and front walls forming a trough therebetween. The most popular gutters in North America is a K-style gutter which has a generally rectangular cross section but with a front wall which is aesthetically curved. Canadian Pat. No. 2,723,499 discloses a K style gutter.

Traditional gutters suffer from the inability to drain water at a sufficient rate. Gutters are generally installed with a very small downward incline towards the downspout to assist with water flow. During the final stages of draining water, traditional gutters retain water, which slowly drains away over a long period of time. These traditional gutters are susceptible to weight loads from snow, sleet, wildlife, maintenance procedures, and the like, imposed upon the gutters. The weight load may distort the structural integrity, or even fracture the gutter. Such damage may prevent the gutter from properly draining water away from the roof.

Traditional spouts may not be able to adequately drain water at a sufficient rate. When large amounts of water are run into the gutters, if the spout prevents sufficient water drainage flow, the water can build up in the gutter and overflow. This prevents the gutters from performing their drainage function and further weight loads may be placed on the gutter system. Traditional spouts also do not easily dissipate debris that may accumulate within the gutter system. Such a buildup of debris may result in a clog of the spout, preventing water from running through the spout into the downspout, and ultimately may create water retention within gutter system or an overflow of water.

The gutter cover as described above has been implemented into gutter systems in order to prevent larger debris such as leaves, twigs, nests, etc. from collecting within the gutter and flowing towards the spout. As described above, if large debris collects at the spout, it may prevent proper drainage of water through the spout into the downspout and away from the roof. Although these covers have reduced the amount of debris that may clog up the gutter system, smaller debris can move through the gutter cover apertures into the gutter to collect. The gutter covers also create a means by which a weight load can accumulate on the gutter, which may result in the damage as described above. Canadian Pat. No. 2,723,499 discloses a gutter guard for protecting a gutter.

Therefore there is a need for a gutter system that is not subject to one or more of the limitations of the prior art.

This background information is provided to reveal information believed by the applicant to be of possible relevance to the present invention. No admission is necessarily intended, nor should be construed, that any of the preceding information constitutes prior art against the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a gutter comprising a vertical back wall and a front wall depending from the bottom edge of the back wall. The front wall has an acute angle from the back wall and defines a V shaped trough with an open top.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gutter system comprising a gutter, a gutter cover and a spout. The gutter having a vertical back wall and a front wall depending from the bottom edge of the back wall. The front wall being at an acute angle from the back wall and defining a V shaped trough having an open top. The front wall having a least one aperture to drain water out of the gutter. The gutter cover extends over opening of the gutter and comprises a plurality of apertures. The gutter cover engages the back and front walls of the gutter. The spout coupled to the gutter for fluidly coupling the gutter to a downspout.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gutter system comprising a gutter, a plurality of gutter hangers and a spout. The gutter comprises a vertical back wall and a front wall depending from the bottom edge of the back wall. The front wall being at an acute angle from the back wall and defining a V shaped trough having an open top. The front wall having a least one aperture to drain water out of the gutter. The system including a plurality of gutter hangers for engaging the back and front walls of the gutter. The spout is coupled to the gutter for fluidly coupling the gutter to a downspout.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Embodiments of the present invention will be better understood in connection with the following Figures, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a profile view of the shape of the gutter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a profile shape and perspective shape view of the gutter hanger in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective front view of the gutter in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4A illustrates an interior view of the gutter and cutout in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4B illustrates a perspective view of the spout in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a side profile view of the gutter system in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a profile view of gutter system and that of a traditional regular gutter, and how forces applied to those gutters are distributed in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the gutter cover in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the term “about” and “approximately” refers to a +/−10% variation from the nominal value. It is to be understood that such a variation is always included in a given value provided herein, whether or not it is specifically referred to.

The term “substantially” means an amount of at least generally about 80%, alternatively about 90%, or alternatively about 99%.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

System Overview/Method Overview

The present gutter system provides a gutter that is capable of draining water at a higher rate than traditional gutters. The gutter also provides for structural integrity of the gutter, which is able to accommodate weight loads that would otherwise damage the gutter system. The gutter system also utilizes either gutter hangers as an attachment means for the gutter to the structure upon which the gutter system has been installed. The gutter system may also include a gutter cover portion that is capable of preventing debris from entering into the gutter. The gutter hanger and gutter cover may be combined into a single mechanism, which may also increase the structural integrity of the gutter system. The gutter system may also accommodate a spout, which allows water to drain out of the gutter and into a downspout away from the roof of the structure.

In one embodiment, the gutter system is comprised of at least one gutter, which includes a back gutter wall, a triangular or curved lower gutter wall, and a front gutter wall, the walls defining a trough having a top therebetween.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the front gutter wall may comprise a portion that is aesthetically curved in a manner such as but not limited to the K-style gutter front wall aesthetic curve as described above.

In one embodiment, the at least one gutter may be attached to the fascia of the structure adjacent to the roof of the structure, for the purposes of receiving water collected from the roof. This can be accomplished using conventional techniques which are in and of themselves known.

In another embodiment, the at least one gutter hanger may attach the at least one gutter to the fascia located under the roof line of a structure. The at least one gutter hanger is comprised of a back hanger wall, an inverted u-shape portion, sized and arranged to fit over an upper marginal portion of the back gutter wall, a front hanger wall, a planar surface extending across the trough to an upwardly extending portion resembling a reverse c-shape, which is designed to fit within a recess. It is further contemplated that the planar surface may be be further comprised of at least one embossed protrusion to add strength across the planar surface, and at least one side wing folded down to add strength to the planar surface. The upper marginal portion of hanger front wall that rests against the trough side of the back gutter wall, may facilitate a v-shaped recess, that accommodates a v-shaped protrusion sized and arranged to fit the v-shaped recess, located on the upper marginal portion of the back gutter wall, which allows the gutter hanger to snap into the gutter.

In one embodiment, the at least one gutter hanger may be further secured through the at least one gutter to the fascia using another attachment means such as but not limited to a screw, nail, bolt, and the like.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the at least one gutter hanger may be attached by one end, to the fascia as described above, as well as having the other end attached to the at least one upper marginal edge of the at least one front gutter wall, using the recess situated on the at least one front gutter wall as described below, and the hanger upwardly extending portion, sized and arranged to fit into the recess.

It is contemplated that the attachment of the at least one gutter hanger to the at least one upper marginal edge of the at least one front gutter wall may be facilitated by a recess formed by a top portion extending inwardly from an upper marginal edge of the front gutter wall, and a downwardly extending flange from a distal end of the top portion, the front gutter wall, top portion, and flange defining a recess therebetween.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that at least one portion of the gutter may also have a top wall portion extending inwardly from an upper marginal edge of the front gutter wall, to the upper marginal edge of the back gutter wall, the top wall comprising a gutter cover having an elongated configuration with a central portion, first and second longitudinally extending opposed sides located on either side of the central portion, a plurality of apertures extending through the central portion, the first side of the cover having an upwardly extending portion designed to fit within a recess, and the second side of the cover having an inverted u-shaped portion designed to fit over an upper marginal end of the back wall of the gutter as described above.

In one embodiment, it is contemplated that the at least one gutter cover may include appropriately sized aperture and placement to facilitate adequate drainage of water into the gutter through the gutter cover, while preventing debris from entering into the gutter.

In another configuration, the at least one gutter hanger and the at least one gutter cover may be combined into one mechanism that covers at least one portion of the at least one gutter, while also attaching the at least one gutter to the fascia.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the portion of the gutter hanger or gutter cover designed to fit within a recess on the upper marginal end of the front wall of the gutter, may also form a mode of attachment for a gutter/hanger mechanism as described above.

In one embodiment, the at least one gutter may communicate with at least one spout which can drain water away from the at least one gutter. It is understood that for most applications, a plurality of gutter segments and spouts will be employed to effectively drain water from the roof of the structure.

In one embodiment, the spout has a back spout side, which extends longitudinally from a first spout end to a second spout end, a curved middle spout portion that is sized and arranged to accommodate a back gutter wall, a curved lower gutter wall, and a front gutter wall, which extends from the back spout side to the front spout side, and a front spout side, which also extends longitudinally from a first spout end to a second spout end. It is also contemplated that a back spout side may have a top spout flange extending inwardly from an upper marginal edge of the back spout side, towards the curved middle spout portion.

In another embodiment, the spout will receive water from a gutter cutout located on the marginal bottom half of the front gutter wall, extending outwardly from an lower marginal edge of the front gutter wall, to the marginal middle of the front gutter wall, and longitudinally extending outwardly from marginally before a first spout end to marginally before a second spout end. It is further contemplated that this cutout may have flanges, extending from at least one edge of the gutter cutout towards the spout. These flanges may be manipulated as would be understood within the art to improve their water drainage properties, to further enhance the attachment of the spout to the gutter, and the like.

It is contemplated that in one embodiment, the back spout side may be attached to the fascia of the structure using techniques as contemplated above so that it may communicate with the gutter for the purposes of receiving water from the gutter, for discharge from the bottom of the downspout.

In one embodiment, the back spout side may be attached to the fascia prior to the remainder of the other components that make up the gutter system.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that the at least one spout may mate with at least one downspout to further drain water away from the gutter. It is understood that for most applications, a plurality of gutter segments and downspouts will be employed to effectively drain water from the roof of the structure.

In another embodiment, it is contemplated that a downspout is coupled with the gutter by a cooperating combination of a top portion of a spout associated with the gutter and a bottom portion of the spout associated with the downspout.

In one embodiment, the back gutter wall may sit in a configuration that is flat against the fascia. This configuration will provide an angled front gutter wall, which may further facilitate the attachment of the at least one gutter hanger, gutter cover, or gutter hanger/cover mechanism. In this configuration, the recess situated on the upper marginal edge of the at least one front gutter wall may better accommodate the first side of the hanger/cover mechanism having an upwardly extending portion designed to fit within a recess. This configuration may provide an enclosed substantially triangular gutter system, also referred to as a v-shaped gutter.

In one embodiment, the v-shaped gutter will allow for an entire side of the gutter to rest along the fascia. By eliminating space between the gutter and the fascia, support for a weight load that is imposed upon the gutter will be transferred from the gutter to the fascia. The fascia may be more structurally sound and better able to withstand the forces imposed by a weight load. The V-shaped gutter is thus able to provide greater structural integrity to the gutter system for supporting large weight loads from factors such as but not limited to debris, wildlife, snow and the like.

In another embodiment, the spout as provided is able to adequately drain water at an improved rate. This may prevent the over flow of water from the gutter during times when high amounts of water are run through the gutter system. It may also reduce the amount of weight load caused by accumulated water that can build up on gutter systems that do not drain water at this improved rate.

In another embodiment, the spout as provided will allow for greater passage of debris out of the trough and out through the spout. By preventing a buildup of debris within the trough and at the spout of the gutter system, the gutter system is able to avoid overflow and weight loads that can occur when debris builds up in the system, and prevents water from exiting the system through the spout.

In one embodiment, the structural integrity of the gutter system is improved by including the v-shaped gutter configuration in the gutter system. This configuration is a self supporting configuration that has removed unsupported elements of the gutter system. By removing unsupported portions of a gutter system commonly found within a traditional gutter system, which can result in gutter damage underweight load stress, the v-shaped gutter system as provided has improved weight loading capabilities.

It is contemplated that the gutter system as provided may be attached to any structure that supports a roof such as, but not limited to a building, permanent structure, temporary structure, and the like.

It is further contemplated that the gutter system as described may be formed of any suitable material, or combination of materials thereof, and could conveniently be formed of metallic, plastic, and like material.

It is also contemplated that the gutter system as described may be manufactured by any suitable means such as but not limited to stamped, roll-formed, molded, and the like.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, at least one embodiment of the gutter 9 is illustrated. The gutter 9 has a substantially triangular shape and can include a substantially vertical back gutter wall 002, lower wall 003, front gutter wall 004 and means of retaining a hanger or gutter cover. The back wall 002 may include a protrusion 001 at its upper portion that would interact with a similar protrusion on a hanger or gutter cover to assist in retaining a back portion of a hanger or gutter cover on the back wall 002 of the gutter. The front wall 004 includes at its upper portion means of retaining a front portion of a hanger or gutter cover including an upper marginal edge of front gutter wall 007, an inward extending top portion 008, a downwardly extending flange 005, and a recess 006. The lower wall 003 is curved or rounded. In another embodiment, the lower wall 003 ends in an acute angle. The front wall is set at an acute angle from the back wall 002. In one embodiment, the angle formed at the lower end of the gutter between the back wall 002 and the front wall 007 is less than 50 degree. In one embodiment, the angle formed at the lower end of the gutter between the back wall 002 and the front wall 007 is approximately 50 degree. In one embodiment, the angle formed between the back wall 002 and the front wall 007 is approximately 45 degree. In one embodiment, the angle formed between the back wall 002 and the front wall 007 is approximately 40 degree. In one embodiment, the angle formed between the back wall 002 and the front wall 007 is approximately 35 degree.

With reference to FIG. 4A there is shown at portion of a piece of gutter 009 showing a cutout 020 for communication with the spout 400 and downspout (not shown) for flow of water from the gutter to the downspout. In this embodiment, the cutout 020 is part of a portion of the front wall 007 of the gutter 009. In another embodiment, the cutout 020 is part of a portion of the front wall 007 and a portion of the lower wall 003. In an embodiment, the cutout 020 measure approximately 4 inches by 5 inches.

The cutout 020 may be formed by cutting along the depicted X-shaped dashed lines creating a series of four V-shaped sections that can be pushed towards the outside of the gutter.

With reference to FIG. 4B, an embodiment of the spout 400 is shown. The spout 400 is sized and shaped to be coupled with the gutter 009 and cover the cutout 020. The spout is a box-like tunnel including a back portion 030, middle portions 033 and a front portion 034. The upper portion of the spout 400 defines an opening for fluid communication with gutter. The spout 400 also includes a lower portion defining an opening to communicate with a downspout (not shown). The spout 400 includes a back side 030 with a flange 35 projecting inwardly and downwardly for coupling over the top of the back wall of the gutter 009. The upper portion of the sides of the spout are sized and shaped to receive a portion of the gutter.

With reference to FIG. 2, at least one embodiment of a gutter hanger 200 is illustrated. The gutter hanger 200 includes a back hanger wall 012, an inverted u-shaped portion 010, a front hanger wall 014, a planar surface 017, an upwardly extending portion 013, an embossed protrusion 015, a side wing 016, and a v-shaped protrusion 011

With reference to FIG. 7, an embodiment of a gutter cover 300 is shown. The gutter cover 300 is includes a central portion 070 with a plurality of apertures 073, a first side 071 with an upwardly extending portion 074 designed to fit a recess 006 at the top of the front wall 004 of the gutter 009 and a second side 072 that will couple with the top back side 002 of the gutter 009. In one embodiment, the second side 072 is comprises an inverted u-shaped portion 075 that fits over the top of the back wall 002 of the gutter 009. The U-shaped portion 077 may include holes to facilitate the drilling of screws, nails or the like, through the U-shaped portion and coupled top portion of the back wall 002 of the gutter 009.

With reference to FIG. 5, an embodiment of the gutter system 100 coupled to the fascia of a building is illustrated. The gutter system 100 illustrated includes a gutter 009, a spout 400 and multiple gutter hangers 200. Alternatively, instead of the multiple gutter hangers, the gutter system may include a gutter cover 300, The gutter 009, gutter hangers 200 (or gutter cover 300), and spout 400 are coupled together as depicted in FIG. 5 and are attached to the fascia 041 of a structure using screws 042 fixed into the fascia through the gutter 009, gutter hanger 200 (or gutter cover 300), and spout 400. In one embodiment, the spout 400 is simply coupled to the top of the back wall 002 via its flange 035 and the spout is not affixed to the wall with the gutter 009, gutter hangers 200 (or gutter cover 300).

As shown in FIG. 5, rain enters the gutter 009 at its top opening. If a gutter cover 300 is used instead of gutter hangers 200 the rain will enter the gutter 009 via the apertures 73 of the gutter cover 300. The gutter 009 is installed on the structure 041 with a slight angle downwards towards the opening 020 so that the water flows towards the opening 020. The water enters the opening and is discharged in the spout coupled to the gutter 009. The spout will discharge into the downspout (not shown).

FIG. 6 illustrates the effect of weight load applied to the top distal end of the gutter (away from the wall). In this embodiment, forces acting upon the gutter system 050 as contemplated, through weight load upon the gutter and the like, are transferred from the gutter hanger 200 or gutter cover 300, to the front gutter wall 055, through the curved lower wall 056, to the back gutter wall 051. Forces 052 acting upon a traditional gutter system (K style), through weight load upon the gutter and the like are applied upon a gutter hanger 059, transferred to the front gutter wall 057, and partially to the flat lower wall 058, but minimally to the back gutter wall 060. A traditional rectangular or K style gutter under this stress is prone to deform 053.

EXPERIMENTAL EXAMPLE

Aspects of traditional gutter water draining properties were tested against water draining properties of the gutter system as provided. An industry standard 5 inch K style gutter (“5K gutter”), with 2.875 inches (″) drainage outlet, set to a 0.25″ gutter slope over 40 ft of gutter length was set up to measure water draining properties. A 10 ft section was filled to 2.125″ of water (22.5 litres), and capped at its drainage end. The cap was removed and the time required to drain the water was recorded. The 5k gutter consistently took just over 60 seconds to drain the majority of the water within the gutter, after which time remaining water remnant continued to drain out slowly.

Next, the V shaped gutter 900 as described hereinof the as provided was set to a 0.25″ gutter slope over 40″ of gutter length to measure water draining properties. The drainage outlet is 4 by 5 inches. A 10 ft section was filled to 2.125″ of water (40 litres), and capped at its drainage end. When the cap was removed, the provided shaped gutter 900 consistently took approximately 35 to 40 seconds to drain the majority of the water. The flow rate of the gutter system as provided was also tested by recording the time required for 2 objects to traverse a length of 8 ft along the gutter and objected travelled faster in the V shaped gutter 900. These results outline the improved draining capabilities of the gutter system as provided.

It will be understood that the foregoing descriptions, specific examples, and figures of the gutter system are intended to describe embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the invention in any way.

It is obvious that the foregoing embodiments of the invention are examples and can be varied in many ways. Such present or future variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A gutter comprising a vertical back wall and a front wall depending from the bottom edge of the back wall, said front wall being at an acute angle from the back wall and defining a V shaped trough having an open top therebetween.

2. The gutter of claim 1, further comprises a rounded lower wall between the back wall and the front wall.

3. The gutter of claim 1, further comprises a C-shaped lower wall between the back wall and the front wall.

4. The gutter of claim 1, wherein the acute angle between the back wall and the front wall is approximately 50 degrees.

5. The gutter of claim 1, wherein the acute angle between the back wall and the front wall is less than 50 degrees.

6. The gutter of claim 1, wherein the acute angle between the back wall and the front wall is approximately 45 degrees.

7. The gutter of claim 1, wherein the acute angle between the back wall and the front wall is approximately 40 degrees.

8. The gutter of claim 1, further comprises an aperture in the front wall to drain water from the gutter.

9. The gutter of claim 1, further comprises an aperture in the front wall and the lower wall to drain water from the gutter.

10. The gutter of claim 9, wherein the aperture measures at least four inches in diameter.

11. The gutter of claim 9, wherein the aperture measures at least four inches by five inches in diameter.

12. A gutter system comprising:

a gutter comprising a vertical back wall and a front wall depending from the bottom edge of the back wall, said front wall being at an acute angle from the back wall and defining a V shaped trough having an open top therebetween, said front wall having a least one aperture to drain water out of the gutter;

a plurality of gutter hangers for engaging the back and front walls of the gutter; and

a spout coupled to the gutter for fluidly coupling the gutter to a downspout.

13. A gutter system comprising:

a gutter comprising a vertical back wall and a front wall depending from the bottom edge of the back wall, said front wall being at an acute angle from the back wall and defining a V shaped trough having an open top therebetween, said front wall having a least one aperture to drain water out of the gutter;

a gutter cover extending over opening of the gutter and comprising a plurality of apertures, said gutter cover engaging the back and front walls of the gutter; and

a spout coupled to the gutter for fluidly coupling the gutter to a downspout.