GB2164967A

GB2164967A - Guttering

Info

Publication number: GB2164967A
Application number: GB08420831A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Upton
Original assignee: Polypipe Ltd
Current assignee: Polypipe Ltd
Priority date: 1984-08-16
Filing date: 1984-08-16
Publication date: 1986-04-03
Also published as: GB2164967B; GB8420831D0

Abstract

A connector for guttering comprises a bracket 10 which has an upper (in use) thickened portion 13 with two vertically extending holes 14 into each of which projects a ratchet tooth (15 Fig. 5). There is also a clip 16 which has a flange 18 and depending tongues 17, opposed faces of each of which have several ratchet teeth (20 Fig 5). When the clip 16 is engaged with the bracket by inserting the tongues 17 in the holes 14 and pressing downwardly, one or more ratchet teeth (20) move past adjacent tooth (15). The downward movement is continued until the flange 18 presses firmly on the rim of the guttering. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Guttering The invention relates to guttering.

Guttering is known which comprises lengths of channel which can be fitted together end to end, the end of one channel overlapping the end of an adjacent channel, a sealing member being positioned between the abutting faces. The channels are held together by brackets shaped to receive the channels. The brackets have flanges attheir ends which overliethe rims of the channels to retain the channels in position. The brackets may also be used to mountthe guttering on a building.

Normally the brackets and channels are made of plastics and the channels are fitted into the brackets by squeezing the rims together slightly so that the channels can be snapped into position underthe flanges of the brackets.

The known system gives rise to at leasttwo problems. Firstlythe size ofthe flanges causes diSiculties. lftheflanges are small, the channels are noitsecurely retained, but if theflangesare made larger, ie is then a difficult and cumbersome operation, requiring considerable force,to fit the channels into position under the flanges. A second problem is that close manufacturing tolerances are required if the channels are to be retained securely in position, without any tendency to slop about, after they have been snapped into position underthe flanges. The size ofthe brackets has to be closely matched to that of the channels.

In an attempt to overcomethefirst problem, detachable flanges have been proposed, but even the use of detachable flanges still requires close manufacturing tolerances.

We have now developed a connectorfor use with channel section guttering which eliminates or reduces both the above mentioned problems and also has other advantages. Accordingly the invention provides a connectorfor use with lengths of channel section guttering, the connector comprising a bracket into which a length of guttering may be laid, and at least one retaining clip attachabletothe bracketto project over a rim of the guttering to retain the guttering in the bracket, the clip having a ratchettype interconnection withthe bracketsuchthatthe clip can betightenedon to the guttering rim to clampthe guttering firmly in position.

The use of a ratchettype interconnection eliminates theneedforclosemanufacturingtolerancesand it is no longer importantforthe precise size ofthe brackets to be matched to that ofthe channel section guttering.

The channel section guttering can simply be laid in position and the clip isthen pressed into position, by means of the ratchet type interconnection, asfar as is necessary to engage and securely retain the guttering.

Preferablythere is a clip at each end of the connector so that the two opposed rims of the guttering are respectively engaged by the two clips.

Each clip may have a pair oftongues thereon, arranged for insertion into a pair of sockets or holes in an end of the bracket, the portion ofthe bracket lying between the two holes being provided with ratchet teeth which engage with complimentary ratchet teeth onthetongues oftheclip.

The bracket may be formed as a separate componentto receive one end ofachannelsection,orthetwo overlapping ends of a pair of channel sections.

Alternatively, the bracket may be formed integrally with a length of channel section guttering,to receive a second length of channel section guttering.

The invention includes a connector as defined above, in combination with at least one length of channel section guttering.

Preferably a sealing member is provided to form a seal between abutting lengths of adjacent channel sections, the or each clip being such that it can be moved to a position, by means ofthe ratchet type interconnection, in which the sealing member is compressed.

By way of example, a specific embodiment of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is an end view of an embodiment of connector according to the invention; Figure 2 is a side view ofthe connector shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a plan view ofthe connector shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a cross-section on line IV-IV of Figure 1; Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the clip in a different position; Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view on line VI-VI of Figure5; and Figure 7 is a plan view ofthe connectorwith the clips removed.

Theconnectorshown in the Figure comprises an arcuate bracket 10 of plastics material which has, on its innerface, an arcuate groove 11 into which an arcuate sealing member 12 is fitted. The sealing member projects slightly above the inner surface of the bracket, as can best be seen from Figure 1.

At each end of the bracket there is a thickened portion 13 and each thickened portion 13 has two, rectangular cross-section, vertically extending holes 14 therein. The portion ofthe bracket lying between the holes is provided, at each side thereof, with a single ratchet tooth 15.

Each end ofthe bracket is provided with a clip indicated generally by the reference numeral 16. Each clip comprises a pair oftongues 17 extending downwardly from a flange 18. Each flange 18 has a small downwardly extending lip 19. The two opposed faces of the two tongues 17 are provided with several ratchet teeth 20.

The bracket is initially provided withoutthe clips attached, as shown in Figure 7. An arcuate crosssection portion of guttering (not shown) is placed in the bracket so that the underside of theguttering rests on the outwardly projecting seal 12. The arcuate shape ofthe guttering mates with the arcuate shape ofthe bracket 10. The two clips 16 are then placed in position by engaging the tongues 17 in the sockets 14. Each slip is pressed downwardly so that one or more of its ratchet teeth 20 move past the single ratchettooth 15 ofthe bracket Downward movement of each clip is continued until the flange of the clip is pressing firmly on the rim ofthe guttering, forcing the guttering on to the sealing member 12 and thus providing a good seal.

Itwill be appreciated thatvery little effort is required to lay the guttering in position and press the clips home bythe required amount. Furthermore, there does not have to be a very close correlation between the size ofthe guttering and the size ofthe bracket since the clips can be pressed home by a greater or lesseramount as desired. If the guttering is on the small side it may be necessaryto press the clips fully home as shown in Figure 4. If however the guttering is of slightly larger dimensions it may only be necessary to partially press the clips home, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

The invention is not restricted to the details ofthe foregoing embodiment. Forinstance,asshown inthe drawings, the bracket 10 is integrally formed at one end of a length of guttering. It can be used to form a jointwith the plain end of an identical length of guttering, orwith either end of a plain length of guttering. However, the bracket could, if desired, be formed as a separate component into which the two overlapping ends oftwo lengths of guttering could be laid, the bracket being used to connectthe lengths together by applying the appropriate clips.

One or more ofthe brackets may be provided with formations, for example screw holes, for use in connecting the bracketsto a building.

Tooling for moulding the components shown in the drawings can be manufactured relatively easily and multi impression tooling may be used.

The arrangement shown in the Figures will caterfor widetolerances, for example as much asS mm.

The illustrated embodiment ofthe invention enables considerable force to be applied to the sealing member, thus providing a very effective seal.

Even if different shapes of bracket and guttering are manufactured,for example square section guttering instead of acruate guttering, identical clips may be used, and so there is no need to manufacture more than one form of clip.

Shouldthesealing member 12 losesomeof its resilience, for example after a considerable period of time in use, thus applying less sealing force, the clips may be pressed further home to restorethesealing force.

It is not essential forthe teeth 15 and 20 to be positioned as shown. The teeth may for example be positioned on the outsideface ofthetongues 17, instead ofthe inside face.

Claims

1. Aconnectorforusewith lengthsofchannel section guttering, comprising a bracket into which a length of guttering may be laid, and at least one retaining clip attachable to the bracket to project over a rim ofthe guttering to retain the guttering in the bracket, the clip having a ratchet type interconnection with the bracket such that the clip can betightened on to the guttering rim to clam p the g utteri ng firm ly in position.

2. A connector according to Claim 1, in which there is a clip at each end ofthe connectorso thatthetwo opposed rims of the guttering are respectively engaged bythetwo clips.

3. Aconnectoraccording to Claim 2, each clip having a pairoftonguesthereon, arranged for insertion into a pair of sockets or holes in an end of the bracket, the portion of the bracket lying between the two holes being provided with ratchet teeth which engage with complementary ratchet teeth on the tongues ofthe clip.

4. A connector according to any preceding claim, the bracket being formed as a separate component to receive one end of a channel section, or the two overlapping ends of a pair of channel sections.

5. Aconnector according to any of Claims 1 to 3, the bracket being formed integrally with a length of channel section guttering,to receive a second length of channel section guttering.

6. A connectorfor use with lengths of channel section guttering, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

7. Aconnectoraccording to any preceding claim, in combination with at least one length of channel section guttering.

8. Acombination according to Claim 7, including a sealing member provided to form a seal between abutting lengths of adjacent channel sections, the or each clip being such that it can be moved to a position, by means ofthe ratchet type interconnection, in which the sealing member is compressed.