Eaves Trough Patents (Class 248/48.1)
  • Patent number: 7534071
    Abstract: A cradle assembly for installing trench drain or conduit channels which enables the channels to be suspended from support rods while simultaneously permitting the adjustment of the channel height with in the trench. Because the assembly enables the channel to be supported by the support rods while permitting adjustment of the channel height, final adjustments can be performed by a single worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Assignee: ACO Polymer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Humphries, James McConnell
  • Publication number: 20090108144
    Abstract: An eavestrough cover designed to cover the upper front wall portions of a conventional eavestrough and which has a finish to minimize streaking or staining. The eavestrough cover snaps into position on the eavestrough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Guy Brochu
  • Patent number: 7506476
    Abstract: A guard and associated method for rain gutters includes a cap or deflector extending over a gutter of the type having a trough-shaped interior, a rear wall extending along a roof fascia, and a front lip with a channel and an end flange. A mounting bracket has a rear portion abutting the rear wall of the gutter, an upper portion supporting the deflector, and a front portion with a hook-shaped nose. The mounting bracket nose is configured for insertion under the end flange of the gutter, such that the mounting bracket is rotated rearwardly along a generally vertical arc about the nose toward the rear wall of the gutter, and shifted laterally into a skewed orientation within the gutter interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: Quality Edge, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. McDonald, Tony A. Cobb
  • Patent number: 7506844
    Abstract: A drainage channel installation device comprises a channel-securing member and a channel-hanging member. The channel-securing member releasably engages the channel-hanging member and has opposed ends that are adapted to be releasably secured to the opposed side walls of a drainage channel. The channel-hanging-member has both an engaging end that is adapted to releasably engage the channel-securing member and a suspending end that is adapted to receive and retain a suspending member. As a result, when the channel-securing member and the channel-hanging member are releasably engaged, the channel-securing member is releasably secured to the opposed side walls of the drainage channel and the suspending end of the channel-hanging member receives and retains the suspending member, the drainage channel can be suspended from the suspending member for installation of the drainage channel. The drainage installation device is reusable and allows the drainage channel to be positioned within a trench at any desired level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2009
    Assignee: ACO Polymer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Humphries, James A. McConnell
  • Publication number: 20090025303
    Abstract: An interlocking gutter system that incorporates a gutter clip and a gutter hanger to affix a gutter to a retaining clip attached to a fascia board of a building, thereby eliminating the need to place holes in the gutter itself to insert screws or nails. The gutter hanger of the present invention is constructed of a single piece which has a hanger portion which is disposed substantially within the gutter and spans the width of the gutter to maintain the shape and structural integrity of the gutter. A vertical portion of the gutter hanger extends vertically from the hanger portion and terminates in a top portion which provides support to a leaf protection device. Alternatively, the gutter hanger is constructed of a hanger portion, and a separate vertical portion which is contiguous with the top portion, and is also removably attachable to the hanger portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventor: Karl J. Gramling
  • Patent number: 7357360
    Abstract: A rain gutter swivel support is provided. A gutter retaining portion has a proximate portion having a first portion of a first connector attached thereto. The gutter retaining portion is shaped to secure a gutter. A central portion has a proximate portion, a middle portion, and a distal portion. The central portion has a second portion of the first connector attached thereto. The first connector allows the central portion and the gutter retaining portion to rotate contrary to each other. The middle portion of the central portion has a first portion of a second connector attached thereto. An anchor portion has a holding portion and a proximate portion. A second portion of the second connector is attached to a middle portion of the proximate portion. The second connector allows the anchor portion and the central portion to rotate contrary to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Raymond Staggs
  • Patent number: 7347027
    Abstract: A guard and associated method for rain gutters includes a cap or deflector extending over a gutter of the type having a trough-shaped interior, a rear wall extending along a roof fascia, and a front lip with a channel and an end flange. A mounting bracket has a rear portion abutting the rear wall of the gutter, an upper portion supporting the deflector, and a front portion with a hook-shaped nose. The mounting bracket nose is configured for insertion under the end flange of the gutter, such that the mounting bracket is rotated rearwardly along a generally vertical arc about the nose toward the rear wall of the gutter, and shifted laterally into a skewed orientation within the gutter interior.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Quality Edge, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas A. McDonald, Tony A. Cobb
  • Patent number: 7340863
    Abstract: A one-piece rain gutter and leaf guard apparatus is formed from a single sheet of aluminum. The rain gutter includes a formed trough portion that has a conventional scalloped front aesthetic appearance with a generally vertical back wall and a smooth bottom floor. The leaf guard portion is integrally formed with the trough portion and includes a 180 degree fold that permits generally vertical movement of the leaf guard portion relative to the trough portion. A rear reinforcement flange is formed to project above the trough and leaf guard for mounting of the gutter to the facing board of the roof soffit below the drip edge of the roof. The front edge of the leaf guard is connected to the forward edge of the trough portion by detachable fasteners to provide a rigid support to the forward edge of the gutter trough along the entire length of the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2008
    Assignee: Amerimax Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert D. Dressler
  • Patent number: 7278239
    Abstract: Gutter protector (10) comprises a profiled sheet (28) that extends over a gutter invert (24A) above a gutter floor (24) for collecting water and debris that would otherwise directly collect in the gutter invert (24A). The gutter protector (10) includes a spacer (30) for spacing adjacent profiled sheets (28) by a first gap (32) that allows water to the substantial exclusion of leaves and debris to fall through the gap (32) into the underlying gutter invert (24A). The profiled sheet (28) includes a planer liquid impervious portion (34) having an outer edge (36) adjacent an outer wall (22) of gutter (12) and an inner edge (38) disposed to lie adjacent or in substantial alignment with a lower edge (40) of a roof covering (18). A channel (48) is disposed adjacent to and extends along the inner edge (38) of planar portion (34). Channel (48) has a base (50) below the planar portion and a first wall (52) that extends between the base (50) and inner edge (38).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Lauriston Enterprises Pty Ltd.
    Inventor: David Lauriston West
  • Patent number: 7252457
    Abstract: A cradle assembly for installing trench drain or conduit channels which enables the channels to be suspended from support rods while simultaneously permitting the adjustment of the channel height with in the trench. Because the assembly enables the channel to be supported by the support rods while permitting adjustment of the channel height, final adjustments can be performed by a single worker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: ACO Polymer Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Derek Humphries, James McConnell
  • Patent number: 7240884
    Abstract: A mounting device of a sprinkler comprises: a main body provided with a pair of side plates and an upper plate disposed on upper portions of the side plate; a rail mounting portion formed at lower ends of the side plates and insertedly fixed to a support rail; a support bar fixing portion formed at an upper side of the main body, for supporting the support bar; and a locking member inserted in the side plates in a lateral direction, for preventing the rail mounting portion from being separated from the support rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Paradise Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Dae-Min Shim
  • Patent number: 7117642
    Abstract: An end cap for rain gutters having an overlying cover for deflecting leaves and other debris to prevent gutter and downspout clogging. The end cap includes a gutter trough closure region, for blocking water flow from the end of the gutter, and a second, above-trough closure region for blocking entry of leaves and other debris into the end of the gutter between the gutter trough and the overlying cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: The Guttershsutter Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Lee J. Brown
  • Patent number: 7076921
    Abstract: A gutter system has the portions thereof formed to permit the ends of sections thereof to be nested one within another for forming the elements of the gutter. A contour suitable for such nesting has a vertical fascia panel, a generally vertical outer panel, and a generally horizontal floor panel joining lower edges of fascia panel and the outer panel. An arcuate portion joins the lower end of the fascia panel to the floor panel. A lip is provided along the upper edge of the outer panel with the lip of a first length of gutter fitting around the lip of a second length and the arcuate portion between the fascia panel and the floor of the first length fitted around the arcuate portion joining the fascia panel and floor of the second length to provide nesting. Fold over tabs may be provided along the upper edge of the fascia panel and the lip to lock the ends of the two lengths together, or lock the end of a length of gutter to a corner unit, a down spout drop unit, or an end cap unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Erdman O. Spradlin
  • Patent number: 6978577
    Abstract: A gutter assembly for use on a roof includes a gutter, a cover over the gutter, and a heater plate disposed under the cover. The cover includes a bottom surface which is at least partially covered with a heat absorbing material. The heater plate carries at least one heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2005
    Assignee: MSX, Inc.
    Inventor: Thaddeus M. Jones
  • Patent number: 6951323
    Abstract: A new half round gutter hanger provides a stronger product and maintains circles that are interchangeable with existing shanks installed on structures. A double thickness center section has four precise holes located on an engagement surface that is more than two times larger than the prior plate. Extrusions extending from around the through-holes in the circles fit tightly in holes in the double thickness mounting extensions of the plates. A fastener inserted through a single one of the holes holds the circle supported on the plate. Engaging the rolled lip with both end hooks of a U-shaped wire spring extending from the closed slot in the opposite end completes the installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Berger Bros Co.
    Inventor: John McNichol
  • Patent number: 6944992
    Abstract: A gutter shield for protecting a gutter from the gutter shield having a mounting member secured to the gutter, a guard member with an elongated configuration and having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough to permit water drainage into the gutter, the mounting member also having a flexible sealing element extending outwardly therefrom, the flexible ceiling element being designed to seal against either the side of the gutter or a structural element. The device is suitable for many different sizes of gutters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Stéphane Brochu
  • Patent number: 6944991
    Abstract: A rain gutter cover for covering the gutter, includes a large space screen a curved upper leg portion extended from a roof shingle for engaging with an upper end of the large space screen, and a plurality of supports attached to the curved front leg portion and to a lower leg portion whereby the rain gutter can keep out leaves and other debris, and allow water to enter thereinto and fall down into the gutter effectively and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2005
    Inventor: Hyun T. Kim
  • Patent number: 6935074
    Abstract: A gutter retaining system for affixing a gutter under the eaves of a building. The gutter retaining system incorporates a gutter clip with a gutter and retaining member. The retaining member is placed along the eaves. The gutter clip has an L-portion and a back portion. The back portion includes an upper u-portion with a hanger used to slip the gutter clip over the gutter to secure it to the gutter clip. The gutter clip has a nib end with a locking tip. Nib end fits within retaining member to secure gutter clip and gutter in place along the eaves. L-portion fits between the gutter and building where an additional piece of board is included in the construction. The gutter clip is scored between the back portion and L-portion allowing separation, such as when no additional piece of board is found along the eaves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Inventor: Karl Gramling
  • Patent number: 6883760
    Abstract: A rain gutter cover system (10) constructed in accordance with the principles of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. The system (10) is configured for directably collecting rain water running off of the roof (R) of a building (B) while substantially preventing undesired debris from entering the gutter (16). The system (10) broadly includes a gutter assembly (12) and a cover assembly (14) coupled to, and covering, the gutter assembly (12). The cover assembly (14) includes a one piece screen (20) and a plurality of fluted perforations (22) formed in the screen (20). The fluted perforations (22) are each particularly configured to draw water through the screen (20) without allowing undesired debris through the screen (20) and each includes a channel (40) recessed into the screen (20) and a corresponding hole (42) defined in the downhill end of the channel (40).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2005
    Inventor: John W. Seise, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6854692
    Abstract: A swiveling gutter support or bracket is provided to be used to hang and support conventional existing gutters. The gutter support, when affixed to the gutter, keeps the gutter open as well as secured to the building sidewall. The gutter support has a first portion, an intermediate portion and a second portion. The first portion is adapted to be received within the gutter lip. The intermediate portion connects the first portion to the second portion and includes a swivel. In some configurations, especially using plastics, the first portion may be directly molded to the second portion, and the two portions would be able to rotate. The swivel connects the first portion to the second portion. The swivel also permits the second portion to rotate with respect to the first portion. Once rotated, the second portion aligns with the side of the house. An aperture is provided on the second portion structure. The aperture is adapted to receive a fastener such as a nail, screw or the like there through.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Brandon J. Winkel
  • Patent number: 6823630
    Abstract: A rain gutter system comprising: a gutter having a trough for receiving water formed by a front wall, a bottom wall and back wall, and a shield, said shield having an exterior edge, a top portion and an interior section integrally formed with the rear wall, said shield covering at least a portion of the trough to prevent debris from entering the trough, and said shield terminating at said exterior edge in a downwardly and rearwardly curved fashion, wherein a gap is provided between a lower end of said downwardly and rearwardly curved section of said shield and the front wall; wherein said shield has at least one step down portion positioned at point or points on said top portion of said shield; and at least one connecting means for connecting said gutter, said at least one connecting means passing through said at least one step down portion and through said rear wall into the structure to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Assignee: Michael J. Marra, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael J. Marra
  • Patent number: 6820381
    Abstract: Concealed retaining channel for attaching upper edges of storm shutters in front of windows. The concealed retaining channel can be installed within a soffet portion of a roof overhang, and remains unseen with or without a storm shutter attached thereto. The concealed retaining channel can have a lower facing channel opening for receiving an upper edge of the storm shutter, and can be attached with removable fasteners to an exterior wall above the window being protected by the shutter and above the soffit portion of the roof overhang. A front portion of the concealed retaining channel can have a horizontal planar sleeve with an interior facing groove for receiving an upper leg of an elongated piece of trim, such as J-shaped decorative trim, so that only a portion of the decorative trim hangs down exposing a front facing groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: William E. Ballough
  • Publication number: 20040178303
    Abstract: A size-adjustable gutter reinforcement device includes a face bar, spikes and sleeves, the face bar being hollow and generally rectangular in cross section and including a first wall with holes through which the spikes can extend, a second wall generally perpendicular to the first wall and including holes in register with the holes in the first wall and having a diameters that allow the sleeves to pass therethrough, a third wall which is generally parallel to the first wall and which includes holes through which the spikes can extend, and a fourth wall which is generally parallel to the second wall and which includes holes through which the spikes can extend, the holes in the first, second, third and fourth walls being equally spaced along a length of the face bar and register with one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Bert A. Hardin
  • Patent number: 6786008
    Abstract: A gutter guard for protecting a gutter, the guard member having an elongated configuration with a generally planar central portion having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough, first and second longitudinally extending opposed sides located on either side of the planar central portion, a first side of a guard member having an upwardly extending portion designed to fit within a recess formed in the gutter, while the second side of the guard member has an inverted U-shaped portion designed to fit over an upper marginal edge of the rear wall of the gutter. This arrangement permits direct attachment of the gutter to the adjacent wall of the structure to which it is attached through the inverted U-shaped portion. In one embodiment, an intrical one-piece gutter guard and gutter is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Stephane Brochu
  • Publication number: 20040135037
    Abstract: A ladder support bracket (11) for receiving a rung of a ladder intended to be placed against the gutter (19) of a building and thus restraining it, and hence the ladder, from sideways or downwards movement, is disclosed. The bracket comprises a first region (12) for affixing to a rigid portion of the building, a second region (13) which spans the gutter, and a third region (14) in the form of a cradle for receiving the rung of the ladder. The ladder support bracket preferably has the first region for fixing the bracket to a rigid portion of the building in the form of a relatively planar sheet like portion which may be attached by suitable means such as screws (22, 23) or the like to the rafters (18) or other timber members of the roof support structure of the building such as battens (21), this portion then being covered by the roofing material whether tiles or metal roofing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Inventor: Arvo Poldmaa
  • Patent number: 6749156
    Abstract: Holding device (100) for a roof drainage gutter (1) with gutter brackets (2.n) matched to the contour of the gutter profile, with each gutter bracket provided with a headpiece (3.n) that, in installed condition, is positioned on the end (13) of the gutter bracket toward the building, and with a securing rail (4.n) with a C- or U-shaped profile into which the headpiece may be inserted and secured. The headpiece (3.1) is inserted into the interior of the securing rail (4.n) and is tensioned between the two C- or U-shaped profile arms (8.1, 8.2) of the C- or U-shaped profile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2004
    Assignee: Rheinzink GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Thomas Buehlmeyer, Stephan Christensen
  • Patent number: 6732477
    Abstract: The invention is a gutter cap for ducting rainwater to a rainwater gutter, while simultaneously deflecting debris. The invention is particularly suitable for retrofitting pre-existing aluminum gutters. The gutter cap can be installed with minimum tools and with no disruption to the existing gutter. The gutter cap is comprised of a sloped cover, which uses the attraction of water to bend water around a hooked edge as it drains across the sloped cover and ducts it into the trough. The cover, which forms a roof over the gutter's trough, is mounted with mounting blocks that snap on the cross-struts supporting the gutter, and these mounting blocks interlocks with the hooked edge of the cover. An opposing longitudinal edge on the cover is attached to the fascia board of the roof using a few screws or nails.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Rainware Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Roy Richard
  • Patent number: 6726155
    Abstract: A gutter hanging bracket device includes an elongated body portion adapted to span an open top of a gutter between front and rear sides thereof, a forward attachment portion merging from a front end of the body portion for engaging the front side of the gutter, a rearward attachment portion merging from a rear end of the body portion and adapted to cooperate with a fastener for securing the rear side of the gutter to an adjacent external structure so as to hang the gutter in a cantilevered fashion adjacent to the external structure, and a fastener retaining guide structure integrally formed in a rearward section of the body portion extending between a middle section and rear end thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2004
    Inventor: Raymond G. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6708457
    Abstract: Concealed retaining channel for attaching upper edges of storm shutters in front of windows. The concealed retaining channel can be installed within a soffet portion of a roof overhang, and remains unseen with or without a storm shutter attached thereto. The concealed retaining channel can have a lower facing channel opening for receiving an upper edge of the storm shutter, and can be attached with removable fasteners to an exterior wall above the window being protected by the shutter and above the soffit portion of the roof overhang. A front portion of the concealed retaining channel can have a horizontal planar sleeve with an interior facing groove for receiving an upper leg of an elongated piece of trim, such as J-shaped decorative trim, so that only a portion of the decorative trim hangs down exposing a front facing groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2004
    Inventor: William E. Ballough
  • Publication number: 20040025445
    Abstract: In a water diversion system, in a preferred embodiment, a first fold of a deflector is disposed into a first hanger cavity and a second deflector fold is disposed into a second hanger cavity. The first fold of the deflector cooperates with the first cavity of the hanger to allow a resistance hinge-like action of the deflector. The deflector may be lifted open by compression of a curve of the deflector to remove the second fold of the deflector from the second hanger cavity. Methods are provided in which, in a preferred embodiment, a deflector-forming machine is disposed above a trough-forming machine and the deflector-forming machine is moveable forward and backward relative to the trough-forming machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2003
    Publication date: February 12, 2004
    Inventor: A. B. Walters
  • Publication number: 20040010982
    Abstract: An elongate ground gutter device designed to be placed on the ground with the central trough section thereof open above ground. The gutter device is designed to receive rain water falling down from the roof into the trough section, deflect that water inward into the trough, and transport it a distance away from the building.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventor: Paul J. Carlin
  • Patent number: 6651937
    Abstract: An expandable gutter bracket having a gutter support arm is connected to a centrally disposed onto mounting portion, or web, with two spaced apart flanges extending substantially perpendicularly from opposing edges of the mounting portion, in the direction opposite the gutter support arm. The distance between the flanges is selectively provided by the mounting portion to be approximately equal to the thickness of a rafter extension and may be substantially parallel or slightly angled in order to provide a frictional fit on a rafter extension. Various configurations of the mounting portion are provided to select the appropriate thickness, including a plurality of attachments that pass through the gutter support arm and connect to each end of the flanges or two respective halves of a two-piece web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis E. Wilson
  • Publication number: 20030209640
    Abstract: An expandable gutter bracket having a gutter support arm is connected to a centrally disposed onto mounting portion, or web, with two spaced apart flanges extending substantially perpendicularly from opposing edges of the mounting portion, in the direction opposite the gutter support arm. The distance between the flanges is selectively provided by the mounting portion to be approximately equal to the thickness of a rafter extension and may be substantially parallel or slightly angled in order to provide a frictional fit on a rafter extension. Various configurations of the mounting portion are provided to select the appropriate thickness, including a plurality of attachments that pass through the gutter support arm and connect to each end of the flanges or two respective halves of a two-piece web.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Dennis E. Wilson
  • Patent number: 6631587
    Abstract: A new supplemental gutter support bracket designed to be incorporated upon a conventional gutter bracket by being installed upon and secured to the existing gutter bracket as well as the eave to which the gutter bracket is attached. When installed in conjunction with a conventional gutter bracket the supplemental gutter support bracket provides added strength to the gutter support system by triangulating the mounting points of the conventional gutter bracket with the mounting points of the supplemental gutter support bracket. The supplemental gutter support bracket also requires no additional mounting points to the eave or gutter while remaining invisible to the viewer on the ground after installation. The supplemental gutter support bracket also does not protrude or hang down into the gutter channel thereby impeding the flow of larger debris into the preselected gutter downspout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2003
    Inventor: Kenneth Lynch
  • Patent number: 6598352
    Abstract: An elongated strip of extruded plastics material includes a vertical rear plane adapted to seat on the rear portion of a gutter-hanging bracket. The rear vertical plane integrally connects to a second forward extending plane that joins, by means of an underlying u-shaped channel, a v-shaped perforated third plane that forces water to pool and drop through the perforations. The third plane joins, by means of an underlying u-shaped channel, a flange that projects outwardly for retaining the strip to a gutter. A filter configuration comprised of a debris repelling membrane, overlying a skeletal structure of ellipsoid rods spaced and resting on vertical planes, serves to break the forward flow of water and to channel water onto and through its integral perforated horizontal plane. The filter configuration is readily inserted into the u-shaped channels existing on the forward and rear edges of the v-shaped perforated third plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Edward A. Higginbotham
  • Publication number: 20030110712
    Abstract: A gutter shield for protecting a gutter from the gutter shield having a mounting member secured to the gutter, a guard member with an elongated configuration and having a plurality of apertures extending therethrough to permit water drainage into the gutter, the mounting member also having a flexible sealing element extending outwardly therefrom, the flexible ceiling element being designed to seal against either the side of the gutter or a structural element. The device is suitable for many different sizes of gutters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2001
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Inventor: Stephane Brochu
  • Patent number: 6543729
    Abstract: An evestrough hanger bracket has a main bracket member and a separately made secondary bracket member. The main bracket member has front and rear end evestrough clips with the front end clip having a fastener member fitting opening. The secondary bracket member which slideably locks into engagement with the main bracket member has a tubular guide to receive the fastener member in the form of a mounting screw or nail. The guide of the secondary fastener member presents an elongated bore which aligns with and terminates at the opening through the front clip of the main bracket member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Assignee: Royal Group Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Heikki Ylonen
  • Patent number: 6536165
    Abstract: The present invention is an enclosed rain gutter for draining water from the surface of a sloped roof and conducting it to a downspout. The invention rain gutter includes a channel that is covered by collecting surface. The collecting surface has openings that divert water into the channel by using the surface tension property of water that causes water to adhere to a surface. While the collecting surface openings divert water into the channel, they also exclude debris from entering the channel and in particular they exclude debris that would be large enough to obstruct a downspout.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph M. Pilcher
  • Publication number: 20030041531
    Abstract: An exposed rafter end is simulated by a frame and complementary sleeve. The frame is attached to a building eave and the sleeve is inserted over the frame. In an alternative embodiment, the sleeve is inserted over an exposed rafter end. In yet another embodiment, the simulated exposed roof rafter end comprises an architectural design at a distal end and a cradle at a proximal end having a shape which is complementary to the profile of a conventional rain gutter to thereby cradle the rain gutter and provide support thereto. The simulated exposed roof rafter end can also comprise a solid member without a cradle for use without a rain gutter system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2002
    Publication date: March 6, 2003
    Inventor: William G. Seldon
  • Publication number: 20030029129
    Abstract: Methods are provided for installation of a rain diversion system including formation of a deflector with a machine placed above a forming machine dedicated to formation of a trough. As trough is run from a first machine, end caps are installed where appropriate, outlet sites are punched and outlets installed for joinder with downspouts, miters are cut and a cavity structure of the hanger is brought into place to mate a containment lip of the hanger with the containment shelf of the trough. Corresponding deflector is run from a second machine and the deflector is placed on the trough as deflector attachment cavities of the hanger are used to retain deflector. In alternative methods, one cavity retains the deflector 40 for conveyance to the installation location on the structure. In either case, the entire assembly may then be transported to a location on a lower level such as ground, for example, corresponding to the eventual installation location on the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Inventor: A. B. Walters
  • Publication number: 20030009951
    Abstract: A leaf guard is provided to be mounted to a gutter. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, a leaf guard for a gutter mounted to an edifice is provided. The leaf guard is formed of a single sheet of rigid material and includes a first section having one end adapted to be secured to the edifice, a first bend, and a second section connected to the first section at the first bend, the second section including apertures to permit water to pass therethrough and adapted to extend from the first bend to an inner edge of the gutter, wherein the first section, first bend and the second section are constructed and arranged so that the bend is substantially even with or below the inner edge of the gutter when the guard is mounted to the edifice and gutter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Inventor: Rodolphe S. Bergeron
  • Publication number: 20020125377
    Abstract: An adjustable gutter bracket preferably includes a gutter retaining bracket and a pivotal attachment arm. One end of the pivotal attachment arm is pivotally attached to a rear of the gutter retaining bracket at substantially a middle thereof and an arm mounting opening is preferably formed on the other end thereof. A bracket mounting opening is formed through a top of the gutter retaining bracket at a rear thereof. The adjustable gutter bracket is preferably installed in the following manner. A first fastener is inserted through the mounting hole and partially inserted into the facia. The pivotal attachment arm is placed against the facia while the top of the gutter retaining bracket contacts the facia. A second fastener is inserted through the arm mounting opening and fully inserted into the facia. Finally, the first fastener is fully inserted into the facia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2001
    Publication date: September 12, 2002
    Inventor: Don L. Miller
  • Patent number: 6412228
    Abstract: An open top rain gutter has a front wall with an upper return flange and is mounted on a fascia board below a roof covering. The gutter is covered by an elongated cover device or strip formed or extruded of a semi-rigid plastics material having a generally uniform thickness. The cover strip includes a flat inner portion adapted to project under the rood covering, and a generally flat first intermediate portion projects over the gutter and is integrally connected to a second intermediate portion by a first thin flexible hinge section to provide for accommodating a sloping gutter. The second intermediate portion is integrally connected to an outer flange portion mounted on the return flange of the gutter and includes a nose above the outer flange portion and an inclined channel having bottom slots below the outer flange portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2002
    Inventor: Alan F. Meckstroth
  • Patent number: 6389755
    Abstract: A gutter and downspout system for retractably mounting to a structure and facilitating clean out and prevention of breakage due to ice dam buildup. The system includes a gutter arrangement that retractably mounts to the structure and facilitates clean out and prevention of breakage due to ice dam buildup and a downspout arrangement that detachably mounts to the gutter arrangement and retractably mounts to the structure and facilitates clean out and prevention of breakage due to ice dam buildup. The gutter arrangement includes a bracket that retractably mounts to the structure and a gutter that detachably mounts to the bracket. The downspout arrangement includes a bracket that retractably mounts to the structure and a downspout that detachably mounts to the bracket. The bracket of each of the gutter arrangement and the downspout arrangement includes a stationary portion that is affixed to the structure and a movable portion that is pivotally mounted to the stationary portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Inventor: Carl F. Wenner
  • Patent number: 6367743
    Abstract: A top flange extends over a portion of the roof overhanging the gutter and is formed with a fastener-receiving bore for securing the gutter cover thereto. A riser web extends downwardly from the top flange, and a return web extends inwardly from the riser web. The top flange, riser web and return web define an overhang-receiving space. A shoulder web extends downwardly from the return web and is formed with a fastener-receiving bore for securing the shoulder web to a back wall of the gutter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Inventor: Anthony Iannelli
  • Patent number: 6354401
    Abstract: A U-shaped channel member fitted horizontally over a gutter, with each protruding channel member engaging the fascia board to which the gutter is attached. Ladder legs rest against the channel member between brackets. A strap attached to the channel member is adapted to engage a ladder rung with the gutter, thereby holding the ladder in engagement with the channel member and further preventing the ladder from sliding laterally or diagonal movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: John T. Murray
  • Patent number: 6347780
    Abstract: System to easily install and remove hangers for a string of decorative lights around a house, while standing on the ground and without the use of a ladder. The system is particularly intended for attachment to gutter lips, but could be used to attach light strings to a variety of surfaces found on buildings. The system is comprised of two components, a hanger clip which holds the light string and which has spring loaded jaws to attach to the building, and an elongated staff with hanger clip actuator at one end to temporarily hold the clip until it can be positioned and attached. The staff has an actuating means which opens and closes the hanger clip jaws. In use, the actuating means is used to open the hanger clip jaws, the clip is then positioned on top of the gutter lip or other surface, and then the actuating means is used again to close the hanger clip jaws, allowing the clip to be firmly attached to the gutter lip or other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventor: Paul Robert Holbrook
  • Patent number: 6301836
    Abstract: Gutters have on opposed side walls formations for engagement with ends of gutter straps, which ends include deformable formations for securement thereof to the gutter side wall formations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Assignee: Ultraframe (UK) Limited
    Inventor: Christopher Richardson
  • Publication number: 20010022052
    Abstract: The present invention is an enclosed rain gutter for draining water from the surface of a sloped roof and conducting it to a down spout. The invention rain gutter includes a channel that is covered by collecting surface. The collecting surface has openings that divert water into the channel by using the surface tension property of water that causes water to adhere to a surface. While the collecting surface openings divert water into the channel, they also exclude debris from entering the channel and in particular they exclude debris that would be large enough to obstruct a down spout.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2001
    Publication date: September 20, 2001
    Inventor: Joseph Pilcher
  • Patent number: 6269592
    Abstract: An improved gutter shield is provided which allows water to run into a gutter while forbidding foreign material, such as leaves, from entering the gutter. The shield comprises an elongated gutter shield comprising a curl. A mounting clip is provide which comprises a gutter mounting tab; a downward leg attached to the gutter mounting tab and extending downward therefrom and a riser leg attached to the downward leg and extending upward therefrom. The gutter mounting tab is attachable to the gutter and the riser leg is attachable to the curl of the elongated gutter shield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2001
    Inventor: Kenneth M. Rutter