WO2002031289A1

WO2002031289A1 - Gutter and gutter system

Info

Publication number: WO2002031289A1
Application number: PCT/AU2001/001288
Authority: WO
Inventors: Michael Brennan
Original assignee: Michael Brennan
Priority date: 2000-10-12
Filing date: 2001-10-12
Publication date: 2002-04-18

Abstract

Gutter (10) comprises an elongated strip (12) of liquid impervious material having an inner longitudinal edge (14) and an opposite longitudinal edge (16). The outer edge (16) is provided with a lip (18) that runs along the edge (16) and extends back over the strip (12) toward the inner edge (14). The strip (12) is attached along edge (14) to wall (20) of a building (22). Brackets (26) are also attached to the wall (20) through the strip (12). Gutter (10) is created by bending the strip (12) about its longitudinal axis so that the lip (18) engages a hook (32) on the bracket (26).

Description

Title GUTTER AND GUTTER SYSTEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gutter and a gutter system incorporating said gutter.

Background of the Invention

The most common type of gutter is made from roll formed sheet metal that is shaped to create a channel for collecting water and directing it to one or more downpipes. The gutter is typically supported by brackets that are fastened at one end of a supporting wall, with an opposite end of the bracket provided with a hook for seating inside a rolled upper edge of an outer wall of the gutter. The brackets extend downwardly to some extent into the channel formed by the gutter. This part of the bracket acts as a collection point for leaves and other debris. As the leaves and debris builds up the water flow rate within the gutter decreases exacerbating the build up of debris and further reducing the water flow rate.

Several methods have been proposed for reducing the build up of leaves and other debris in gutters. Most typically this involves the use of metal or plastics meshes that either fill the channel of the gutter or extend across the top of the channel to prevent to ingress of leaves. These meshes are effective to some extent and extend the time between the need to clean gutters. They do however themselves clog up.

Summary of the Invention

It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter and a gutter system that is easy to clean and clear of blockages.

According to the invention there is provided a gutter including at least:

an elongated strip of liquid impervious material having an inner longitudinal edge and an opposite outer longitudinal edge, the outer longitudinal edge provided with first engaging means, and the strip being resiliently bendable about a longitudinal axis whereby, in use, said inner longitudinal edge can be fastened to a support and the elongated strip resiliently bent about said longitudinal axis to engage said first engaging means with a bracket attached to said support to form a gutter channel along which water can flow and wherein said first engaging means can be disengaged from said bracket so that said gutter channel springs open whereby the elongated strip hangs from said support with said outer longitudinal edge below said inner longitudinal edge. This allows leaves and other debris or material held within the gutter channel to fall by action of gravity, or otherwise facilitate easy cleaning where such leaves, debris or material can be physically dislodged from said elongated strip, for example by a water jet from a hose or by use of a broom.

Preferably said elongated strip is one of a plurality of elongated strips in an end to end configuration and where each elongated strip is provided at one end with sealing means to form a substantially liquid impervious seal against an adjacent elongated strip when said first engaging means are engaged with said bracket.

Preferably said sealing means includes a transversely extending seat formed at said one end of each elongated strip and a sealing strip seated in each seat.

According to the present invention there is provided a gutter system including at least: an elongated strip of liquid impervious material having an inner longitudinal edge and an outer longitudinal edge, the inner longitudinal edge attachable to a support, the outer longitudinal edge provided with first engaging means, and the strip being resiliently bendable about a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of brackets each bracket having one end for attachment to said support and a second opposite end having second engaging means; the gutter system having an operable state in which the elongated strip is resiliently bent about said longitudinal axis to engage the first engaging means with said second engaging means to form a gutter channel; and a cleaning state in which said first and second engaging means are disengaged from each other so that said gutter channel springs open whereby the elongated strip hangs from said support with said outer longitudinal edge below said inner longitudinal edge.

Preferably said first engaging means is a lip provided along the outer longitudinal edge, the lip extending toward the inner longitudinal edge.

Preferably said one end of each bracket is attached to said support through said elongated strip.

Preferably said gutter system includes a plurality of elongated strips in an end to end configuration and each elongated strip is provided at one end with a sealing means to form a substantially liquid impervious seal against an adjacent elongated strip when said gutter system is in said operable state.

In one embodiment, said strip is substantially planar.

In an alternate embodiment, said strip is, in transverse section, generally concavely curved about said longitudinal axis to the extent such that when in use, with said inner longitudinal edge fastened to said support and said outer longitudinal is disengaged from said bracket, said outer longitudinal edge is disposed below said inner longitudinal edge.

Preferably, said strip is, in transverse section, further profiled so that when said longitudinal outer edge is engaged with said bracket, said gutter channel is provided with a central depending trough.

Preferably a longitudinal band of said strip adjacent said inner edge is profiled to seat over one or more longitudinal edges of said support. Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a side view showing the juxtaposition of a building and a gutter in accordance with the first embodiment of this invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of a gutter system in accordance with the present invention in a cleaning state attached to a building;

Figure 3 is a side view of the gutter system in an operable state;

Figure 4 is an isometric view of a gutter depicted in Figures 1-3;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal view along section A-A of two adjacent gutters;

Figure 6 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the gutter; Figure 7 is a section view of one embodiment of a seal used for joining adjacent gutters;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a gutter and gutter system in the operable state;

Figure 9 is a section view of the gutter depicted in Figure 8; Figure 10 is a section view of the gutter depicted in Figure 8 when in the cleaning state;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the gutter and gutter system when in the operable state;

Figure 12 is a section view of the gutter depicted in Figure 11; and Figure 13 is a section view of the gutter depicted in Figure 11 when in the cleaning state.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

Referring to Figures 1-3 of the accompanying drawings it will be seen that one embodiment of the gutter 10 includes an elongated strip 12 of liquid impervious material having an inner longitudinal edge 14 and an opposite longitudinal edge 16. The outer edge 16 is provided with first engaging means which is in the form of a lip 18 that runs along the outer longitudinal edge 16 and extends back over the strip 12 toward the inner edge 14. The strip 12 is made from a material that is resiliently bendable about a longitudinal axis A-A of the strip 12.

The strip 12 is attached along but inboard of its inner longitudinal edge 14 to a support in the form of a wall 20 of a building 22 below a roof covering 24. The strip 12 is orientated so that the lip 18 is on a side of the strip 12 distant the wall 20.

A series of brackets 26 for supporting and forming the gutter 10 are then attached to the wall 20. Each bracket 26 has a first end 28 that is attached to the wall 20 through the strip 12 and, a second opposite end 30 which is provided with an engaging means in the form ofa hook 32.

Gutter 10 is created by bending the strip 12 about its longitudinal axis A-A so that the lip 18 engages the hook 32 as depicted in Figure 3. In this, the operable state, the bent strip 12 forms a gutter 10 having a gutter channel 34 through which water can flow to one or more downpipes (not shown) or other water discharge means.

The bending of the strip 12 to form the gutter 10 can be done in various ways including manually by standing on say a ladder gripping the outer longitudinal edge 16 and simply curling it upwardly to engage the lip 18 with the hook 32. Alternately a simple tool can be provided on a pole that can grip over the outer edge 16 and lip 18 to allow bending upwardly of the strip 12 and subsequently being released upon engagement of the lip 18 with the hook 32.

The combination of the strip 12 with brackets 26 forms a gutter system. The gutter system is in the operable state when the strip 12 is bent over and engaged with the bracket 26 to form the gutter 10 and gutter channel 34. The gutter system can then be switched to a cleaning state where it is desired to clean the gutter 10. The cleaning state is represented in Figure 2. The gutter system can be easily switched to the cleaning state by applying upward pressure at the trough 36 of the channel 34 to thereby lift the lip 18 out of engagement with the hook 32. At that point, the natural resilience of the strip 12 will cause it to spring back so as to hang from the wall 20 with its outer edge 16 below its inner longitudinal edge 14. Any leaves or other debris or matter that may have gathered in the channel 34 will fall by action of gravity to the ground. Any such leaves, debris or matter than adheres to the strip 12 or otherwise does not fall by action of gravity can be physically removed in one of many known ways including with the use of a broom or brush, or by water sprayed from a hose.

The strip 12 can either be made in continuous lengths and cut to size on site, or alternately be made in one or more standard lengths.

Figure 5 depicts a sealing means 38 for forming a liquid impervious joint or coupling between adjacent strips 12a and 12b. The sealing means 38 comprises a seat 40 formed at one transverse end of strip 12a and sealing strip 42 seated in the seat 40. The seat 40 is formed by a tool (not shown) which forms a stepped bend along a transverse line 44 inboard of a transverse end 46 of the strip 12 (see Figure 4). The step 40 is formed as a downward step in surface 48 of the strip 12, the surface 48 being the surface of the strip 12 which is opposite the wall 20 when the gutter 10 is in the cleaning state and forms an inside surface of the channel 34 when the gutter 10 is in the operable state. The sealing strip 42 may be in the form of a silicon elastomer with an adhesive backing on one side for adhering onto the step 40.

With reference to Figure 5, transverse end 50 of strip 12b overlies the step 40 at the transverse end 46 of strip 12a. When the strips 12a, 12b are in the operable state the sealing strip 42 is sandwiched between ends 46 and 50 to form a watertight seal between the adjacent strips 12a and 12b.

Figure 6 depicts an alternate embodiment of the strip 12'. In this embodiment, the engaging means is not in the form of a lip 18 but rather in the form of a series of longitudinal slits or slots 18' formed inboard of the outer longitudinal edge 16. When bending the strip 12" to form the gutter 10 the hook 32 is passed though a slot 18' to effect engagement of the strip 12 with the bracket 26. The strip 12 may be made from any material which is resiliently bendable about its longitudinal axis. This would include many types of sheet metals. While many plastics materials by themselves would be unsuitable it is envisaged that the strip 12 could also be made from some plastics or other flexible and/or pliable, but not necessarily resilient, materials which may have embedded or otherwise attached to them biasing means that provides sufficient resilience to enable the strip to spring back to allow disengagement with the bracket 26 and cause the gutter 10, and more particularly the gutter channel 34, to spring open so that it hangs from the wall 20 with edge 16 below edge 14 whereby leaves and other debris held within the gutter 10 will fall by action of gravity or can be readily dislodged by physical means such as a brush, broom or by water squirted from a hose.

Figure 7 depicts an alternate sealing means 38'. The sealing means 38' is in the form of a transversely extending sealing bead 52 that is applied along one transverse edge of each strip 12 so as to abut against an overlapping edge of an adjacent strip 12. The bead 52 has a U-shaped cross-section so that it can be pushed onto a transverse edge of each strip 12, with the "arms" of the U on opposite sides of the strips. The overlapping edge of the adjacent strip 12 can be adhered using a flexible adhesive or sealant to an adjacent face of an adjacent arm of the bend 52. This avoids the need to form a step 40 at one transverse end of each strip 12. However use of a sealing means in the form of a bead 52 will create a step on the inside surface of the channel 34 which may serve as a collection point for debris.

Corner pieces and downpipes can be coupled to the gutter 10 either by conventional means or by use of seals and sealing strips of the type described hereinabove.

Figures 8-10 depict a further embodiment of the gutter 10a, and associated gutter system. In describing this embodiment, features which are the same as, or similar to, in terms of function and/or structure as those depicted and described in relation to the gutter 10 are denoted by the same reference numbers. The gutter 10a differs from the gutter 10 depicted in Figures 1-4 by the inclusion of a longitudinal band 54 which extends along the inner edge 14 and is profiled to seat over a longitudinal edge 56 of a support, which in this embodiment, is in the form of a mounting plate or fascia board 20. The gutter 10a further differs from the gutter 10 by virtue of the strip 12 being, in transverse section, generally concavely curved about the longitudinal axis A. This is depicted most clearly in Figure 10 which illustrates the gutter 10a in the cleaning (or opened) state. The curvature of the strip 12 is such that when the inner edge 14 is attached to the support 20, but the outer longitudinal edge 16 is disengaged from the bracket 26, the outer longitudinal edge 16 is disposed below the inner longitudinal edge 14.

Most preferably, the curvature provided to the strip 12 is such that, when in the cleaning state, as depicted in Figure 10, the tangent T of the curvature in the outside of the gutter 12 at the outer longitudinal edge 16 is substantially horizontal or inclined below the horizontal. This will avoid the formation of a trough or hollow of any substantial depth in the strip 12 when in the cleaning state which may otherwise serve as a collection point for leaves, debris or other material which is intended to be cleaned or removed from the gutter 10a.

In the gutter 10a, the inner edge 14 is bent at right-angles to form the band 54 enabling the inner edge 14 to seat over the longitudinal edge 56 of the mounting plate 20.

Figures 11-13 show yet a further embodiment of the gutter 10b and associated gutter system. In this embodiment, features which are the same as, or similar to, in terms of construction or function as those depicted and described with reference to the gutters 10, or 10a are denoted by the same reference numbers.

The substantive differences between the gutter 10b and gutter 10a are as follows:

The longitudinal band 54 adjacent the inner edge 14 of the gutter 10b is now profiled to extend over two longitudinal edges 56 and 58 of the mounting plate or fascia board 20. This is achieved by forming the band 54 of the strip 12 along the edge 14 with two right- angle bends so as to seat over the edges 56 and 58 of the mounting plate or fascia board

20. As in the gutter 10a, the gutter 10b is, in transverse section, generally concavely curved. However in the embodiment 10b, the strip, in transverse section, is further profiled so that when the gutter 10b is in the operable state with the edge 16 engaged with the bracket 26, a central depending trough 60 is created along the gutter 10b.

Now that embodiments of this invention have been described in detail it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts that numerous modifications and variations may be made without departing from the basic inventive concepts. For example, the bracket 26 is depicted as having its first end 28 fastened through the strip 12. However the bracket 26 can take other configurations that do not require fastening through the strip 12. In particular the first end 28 could be fastened to the building 22 at a location above the strip 12. In such embodiments, the strip 12 itself will require fastening to the building 22.

All such modifications and variations together with others that would be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention the nature of which is to be determined by the above description and the appended claims.

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows:

1. A gutter including at least: an elongated strip of liquid impervious material having an inner longitudinal edge and an opposite outer longitudinal edge, the outer longitudinal edge provided with first engaging means, and the strip being resiliently bendable about a longitudinal axis whereby, in use, said inner longitudinal edge can be fastened to a support and the elongated strip resiliently bent about said longitudinal axis to engage said first engaging means with a bracket attached to said support to form a gutter channel along which water can flow and wherein said first engaging means can be disengaged from said bracket so that said gutter channel springs open whereby the elongated strip hangs from said support with said outer longitudinal edge below said inner longitudinal edge.

2. The gutter according to claim 1 wherein said elongated strip is one of a plurality of elongated strips in an end to end configuration and where each elongated strip is provided at one end with sealing means to form a substantially liquid impervious seal against an adjacent elongated strip when said first engaging means are engaged with said bracket.

3. The gutter according to claim 2 wherein said sealing means includes a transversely extending seat formed at said one end of each elongated strip and a sealing strip seated in each seat.

4. The gutter according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein said strip is substantially planar.

5. The gutter according to any one of claims 1-3 wherein said strip is, in transverse section, generally concavely curved about said longitudinal axis to the extent such that when in use, with said inner longitudinal edge fastened to said support and said outer longitudinal is disengaged from said bracket, said outer longitudinal edge is disposed below said inner longitudinal edge.

6. The gutter according to claim 5 wherein said strip is, in transverse section, further profiled so that when said longitudinal outer edge is engaged with said bracket, said gutter channel is provided with a central depending trough.

7. The gutter according to any one of claims 1-6 wherein a longitudinal band of said strip adjacent said inner edge is profiled to seat over one or more longitudinal edges of said support.

8. A gutter system including at least: an elongated strip of liquid impervious material having an inner longitudinal edge and an outer longitudinal edge, the inner longitudinal edge attachable to a support, the outer longitudinal edge provided with first engaging means, and the strip being resiliently bendable about a longitudinal axis; and a plurality of brackets each bracket having one end for attachment to said support and a second opposite end having second engaging means; the gutter system having an operable state in which the elongated strip is resiliently bent about said longitudinal axis to engage the first engaging means with said second engaging means to form a gutter channel; and a cleaning state in which said first and second engaging means are disengaged from each other so that said gutter channel springs open whereby the elongated strip hangs from said support with said outer longitudinal edge below said inner longitudinal edge.

9. The system according to claim 8 wherein said first engaging means is a lip provided along the outer longitudinal edge, the lip extending toward the inner longitudinal edge.

10. The system according to claims 8 or 9 wherein said one end of each bracket is attached to said support through said elongated strip.

11. The system according to any one of claims 8-10 further including a plurality of elongated strips in an end to end configuration and each elongated strip is provided at one end with a sealing means to form a substantially liquid impervious seal against an adjacent elongated strip when said gutter system is in said operable state.

12. The system according to claim 11 wherein said sealing means includes a transversely extending seat formed at said one end of each elongated strip and a sealing strip seated in each seat.

13. The system according to any one of claims 8-12 wherein said strip is substantially planar.

14. The system according to any one of claims 8-12 wherein said strip is, in transverse section, generally concavely curved about said longitudinal axis to the extent such that when in use, with said inner longitudinal edge fastened to said support and said outer longitudinal is disengaged from said bracket, said outer longitudinal edge is disposed below said inner longitudinal edge.

15. The system according to claim 14 wherein said strip is, in transverse section, further profiled so that when said longitudinal outer edge is engaged with said bracket, said gutter channel is provided with a central depending trough.

16. The system according to any one of claims 8-15 wherein a longitudinal band of said strip adjacent said inner edge is profiled to seat over one or more longitudinal edges of said support.