WO1999053157A1

WO1999053157A1 - Gutter system

Info

Publication number: WO1999053157A1
Application number: PCT/AU1999/000271
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Clement Preston
Original assignee: John Clement Preston
Priority date: 1998-04-14
Filing date: 1999-04-13
Publication date: 1999-10-21

Abstract

A gutter comprising a trough adapted to be secured below a roof and to receive rainwater run-off therefrom. The trough having a mouth disposed between a front edge and a rear edge thereof, and a perforated cover sheet extends over the mouth. The cover sheet and said trough are formed from a single strip of sheet material.

Description

GUTTER SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a gutter system, and in particular to a rainwater roof gutter including a debris barrier for use on dwellings and buildings.

BACKGROUND ART

There have been many attempts to prevent debris such as leaves and the like from accumulating in trough or channel shaped rainwater guttering, by providing a barrier or mesh over the trough or channel. Generally such barriers must be fitted to existing rainwater guttering, and must be anchored thereto. A problem associated with some of said such barrier systems is that there is a tendency for leaves and debris to accumulate on the barrier and sometimes get caught in the mesh and on edges, projections or abutments in the vicinity of the junction of the barrier and the front wall of the gutter and/or in the vicinity where the barrier is attached to the guttering. Furthermore, in instances where fine mesh is used as a barrier and anchored to a known channel section gutter, there is a tendency for the mesh to deteriorate by exposure to the elements at a quicker rate than that of the gutter itself.

One attempt to prevent debris and leaves from entering a gutter is that disclosed in US Patent 3,950,951 in the name of Raymond Zukauskas. It discloses a one piece rain gutter having a horizontal upper surface with corrugations formed therein to prevent the accumulation of leaves thereon. A problem associated with such a gutter is that only a very narrow opening at the edge of the horizontal upper surface and outer wall is provided to catch the rain water. A further disadvantage of such a gutter is that it comprises of a plurality of components which add to its manufacturing complexity. SUMMARY OF INVENTION

In one aspect the present invention consists in a gutter comprising a trough adapted to be secured below a roof and to receive rainwater run-off therefrom, said trough having a mouth disposed between a front edge and a rear edge thereof, characterised in that a perforated cover sheet extends over said mouth and in that said cover sheet and said trough are formed from a single strip of sheet material.

In one embodiment the cover sheet extends integrally from the front edge of the trough and preferably slopes upwardly therefrom.

In another embodiment the cover sheet extends integrally from the rear edge of the trough and preferably slopes downwardly therefrom.

Preferably said trough comprises a front wall, a back wall and a bottom wall.

Preferably the back wall of the trough is of a greater height than the front wall of the trough.

In another embodiment the perforations in the cover sheet are slots arranged in at least two rows, which rows are preferably disposed longitudinally along the cover sheet, the slots of the first row being staggered with respect to the second row of slots. Alternatively, said slots of the first and second rows may be in line with each other. Preferably at least third and fourth rows of slots are also disposed longitudinally along the top wall, and each slot of the third and fourth rows is oriented at 90° to those of the first and second rows of slots. The slots of the third and fourth row are preferably staggered with respect to each other.

In one embodiment the perforations in the cover sheet are substantially circular holes. Preferably the holes are arranged in at least two rows, which rows are disposed longitudinally along the cover sheet, the holes of the first row being staggered with respect to the second row of holes. Alternatively, said holes of the first and second rows may be in line with each other.

Preferably in one embodiment the cover sheet has a zig-zag strip extending longitudinally therealong. The zig-zag strip preferably having a raised pattern or indicia thereon.

Preferably in one embodiment an attachment strip is integral with the cover sheet and angled thereto, is adjacent to and parallel with the top portion of the back wall. Preferably a plurality of fastening apertures are provided in the attachment strip and are coincident with similar fastener apertures disposed along the top edge margin of the back wall. The gutter is adapted to be secured to a fascia board or other roof member by securing fasteners such as nails or screws through the fastening apertures. In an alternative embodiment the gutter may be fastened to the fascia board or other roof member by brackets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a length of a gutter according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a reduced schematic end view of the gutter of Figure 1 attached to a sloping roof.

Figure 3 is a reduced perspective view of the gutter shown in Figure 1 , which is a section of the gutter shown in circle A of Figure 4.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a house fitted with the gutter of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is an end view of a second embodiment of a length of gutter according to the present invention. Figure 6 is a view of the length of gutter shown in Figure 5 when viewed along line V of that figure.

Figures 7a, 7b, and 7c are end views of the length of gutter shown in Figure 3 showing water, leaves and snow respectively dropping onto the gutter.

Figure 8 is an end view similar to Figure 5 of a third embodiment of a gutter according to the present invention.

Figure 9 is a view of the gutter of Fig 8 viewed along line VIII of that figure.

Figure 10 is a view similar to Figure 5 of a fourth embodiment of a gutter according to the present invention.

Figure 11 is a view of the gutter of Fig 10 viewed along line X of that figure.

Figure 12 is a view similar to Figure 5 of a fifth embodiment of a gutter according to the present invention.

Figure 13 is a view of the gutter of Fig 12 viewed along line XII of that figure.

Figure 14 shows an exploded schematic plan view of an embodiment of two connector members for joining lengths of gutter according to the present invention.

Figure 15 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of connector members for joining down pipes to gutters according to the present invention.

Figures 16, 17 and 18 depict embodiments of comer connectors for joining lengths of gutter according to the present invention.

Figure 19 is a perspective schematic view of a sixth embodiment of a length of the gutter of the present invention. Figure 20 is a schematic end view of the gutter shown in Figure 19.

Figure 21 is a schematic end view of a seventh embodiment of the gutter of the present invention.

Figure 22 is a view similar to Figure 5 of an eighth embodiment of the gutter of the present invention.

Figure 23 is a view of the gutter of Figure 22 viewed along line XXII of that Figure.

Figure 24 is a view similar to Figure 5 of a ninth embodiment of the gutter of the present invention.

Figure 25 is a view of the gutter of Figure 24 viewed along line XXIV of that Figure.

Figure 26 is a perspective view of a ninth embodiment of a length of gutter according to the present invention.

Figure 27 is schematic end view of the gutter arrangement shown in Figure 26.

Figure 28 is an exploded perspective view of the gutter shown in Figure 26 together with a supporting bracket assembly.

Figure 29 is a perspective of a tenth embodiment of a length of gutter according to the present invention.

MODE OF CARRYING OUT INVENTION

Figures 1-4 depict a first embodiment of a rainwater gutter 1 secured to a longitudinal timber roof member 2 below the overhanging edge of a sloping roof 3. The gutter 1 comprises a trough 4 having a front wall 5, a back wall 6 and a bottom wall 7. A cover sheet 8 is integral with the front wall 5 and slopes upwardly from the front wall over the trough 4. The cover sheet 8 has a plurality of perforations or apertures therein. The mouth of trough 4 disposed between front edge 13 and rear edge 19. The apertures on cover sheet 8 are disposed in seventeen staggered rows of circular holes 9 and 10.

The gutter 1 is constructed from a single strip of folded sheet metal material. The metal may be galvanised and/or painted steel. The apertures in cover sheet 8 may be formed by conventional punching methods. Alternatively, the gutter 1 may be manufactured from aluminium or another suitable material, such as plastic.

The front edge 13 of the trough 4, at the junction of cover sheet 8 and front wall 5 is preferably rounded or smoothly contoured.

An attachment strip 14 is integral with the cover sheet 8 and runs adjacent to the top edge margin 15 of back wall 6. A plurality of holes 17 (only one of which is shown in Figure 1 ) are spaced along the attachment strip 14 and coincide with similar holes (not shown) spaced apart along the top edge margin 15. The gutter 1 may be secured to the structural member 2 by screws, nails or other fasteners.

The gutter 1 may be connected to other rainwater run-off fittings such as downpipes and the like by suitably formed fittings. Such as those described later and shown in Figure 15.

The advantages of the above described gutter are as follows. Firstly, the gutter 1 with the integral cover sheet 8 as a barrier is easy to install. The cover sheet 8 slopes in a substantially parallel direction to that of the roof tiles. Furthermore, the front edge 13 at the junction of cover sheet 8 and front wall 5 does not provide any abutment (stop) or recess for accumulating leaves. As such there is a tendency for leaves and debris deposited and falling from the roof to slide off the cover sheet 8 onto the ground. Only water and very fine debris such as leaf particles may enter the apertures (perforations) in cover sheet 8. Due to the staggered nature of the holes in rows 9 and 10, there is an opportunity for water not entering the holes in rows 9 to have a chance of being collected in the holes of rows 10, ie. water drops or rivulets travelling downwardly on cover sheet 8 between the apertures of rows 9, are to an extent able to be caught by the apertures of rows 10 below them.

A further advantage is that the gutter of the present embodiment can be secured in place without the need to utilise support brackets, as the fasteners used to support the gutter pass through both the attachment strip 14 and edge margin 15 of back wall 6. However, in alternative embodiments the gutter may be secured in place by use of brackets.

Figures 5 and 6 depict a second embodiment of a rainwater gutter 1. In a like manner to the first embodiment the gutter 1 comprises a trough 4 having a front wall 5, a back wall 6 and a bottom wall 7. A cover sheet 8, in a similar fashion to the first embodiment, is integral with the front wall 5 and slopes upwardly from the front wall over trough 4, and has a plurality of apertures (or perforations) therein. It differs from the first embodiment in that it has four rows of in line elongate slots (apertures) 20-23 disposed longitudinally along the width of the cover sheet 8. It also has seven rows of elongate slots (apertures) 24-30 which have a longitudinal direction at 90° to that of slots 20-23, and are staggered with respect to each other.

Figures 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c) depict end views of the first embodiment of gutter 1 being subjected to rain, leaves and snow respectively. In Figure 7(a) rain is shown falling on the sloping roof 3 and travelling downwardly and entering the gutter 1 through the apertures on cover sheet 8. Figure 7(b) depicts leaves falling off the roof 3 downwardly and sliding off the cover sheet 8 of gutter 1. Figure 7(c) depicts fallen snow being supported by roof 3 and gutter 1. The snow on cover sheet 8 may slide off, or alternatively as it melts it may pass through the apertures therein into the gutter 1.

Figures 8 and 9 depict a third embodiment of a rainwater gutter 1. In a similar fashion to the earlier embodiments the gutter 1 comprises a trough 4 having a front wall 5, a back wall 6 and a bottom wall 7. A cover sheet 8, in similar fashion to the earlier embodiments, is integral with the front wall 5 and slopes upwardly from the front wall over trough 4. It differs from the earlier embodiments in that it has nine rows of elongate slots (apertures) 31-39, which are disposed longitudinally along the width of the cover sheet 8, and are staggered with respect to each other. The gutter 1 of this embodiment also has seven rows of elongate slots (apertures) 40-46 which have a longitudinal direction at 90° to that of slots 31-39, and which are staggered with respect to each other.

Figures 10 and 11 depict a fourth embodiment of a rainwater gutter 1. It differs from the earlier mentioned second and third embodiments in that the corners 11 where front wall 5 meets cover sheet 8, front wall 5 meets bottom wall 7 and back wall 6 meets bottom wall 7 all have a smooth curve (or rounded) portion. It has three rows of in-line elongate slots (apertures) 47-49 disposed longitudinally along the width of top wall 8. It also has seven rows of elongate slots (apertures) 50-56 which have a longitudinal direction at 90° to that of slots 47-49, and which are staggered with each other.

Figures 12 and 13 depict a fifth embodiment which is similar to that of the fourth embodiment, however whilst the cover sheet 8 of the fourth embodiment slopes at 45° to the back wall 6, the cover sheet 8 of the fifth embodiment slopes at 30° to the back wall 6.

Figure 14 depicts two connector members 72 and 73 in plan view, which can be used to join to sections of gutter 1 by means of fasteners 57.

Figure 15 depicts two down pipe connectors 58 and 59 which can be used to interconnect down pipes 60, 61 respectively with lengths of gutter 1. The connector 59 is able to also join the two gutters 1 in conjunction with plate connector 62.

Figure 16 depicts an embodiment of outer corner gutter connector 64 and inner corner connector 65 for connecting lengths of gutter 1 at corners of the roof edge. As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the outer corner connector 64 and inner corner connector 65 are each made of two sheet metal components. The outer corner connector 64 comprising upper member 67 and lower channel section 68. The inner corner connector 65 comprising upper member 69 and lower channel section 70.

Figures 19 and 20 depict a sixth embodiment of the gutter which is similar to the earlier embodiments in that it has a trough 4 comprising a front wall 5, back wall 6, bottom wall 7 and cover sheet 8 with a plurality of apertures therein. However, whilst this sixth embodiment is made from a single piece of material, it differs in that its discontinuity is between the top wall 8 and front wall 5 near the front edge 13, rather than between the attachment strip 14 and the back wall 6 as is the case with the first to fifth embodiments. In this sixth embodiment the attachment strip 14 is integral with the back wall 6.

Figure 21 is a seventh embodiment of the gutter which is similar to the sixth embodiment in that its discontinuity is between cover sheet 8 and front wall 5 near front edge 13. However, in this embodiment there is no attachment strip, and the cover sheet 8 is integral with the back wall 6. This seventh embodiment of the gutter is preferably secured to a fascia board or other roof member by brackets (not shown).

Figures 22 and 23 depict an eighth embodiment of a rainwater gutter 1. In a similar fashion to the earlier mentioned second and third embodiments the gutter 1 comprises a trough 4, having a front wall 5, a back wall 6 and a bottom wall 7. A cover sheet 8, is integral with the front wall 5 and slopes upwardly from the front wall over trough 4. It differs from the earlier embodiments in that it has sixteen rows of circular holes (apertures) 9 and 10, which are disposed longitudinally along the width of the cover sheet 8. Each of the rows of circular holes are staggered with respect to each other. Preferably the holes have a diameter of about 4mm. The holes in each row are spaced apart from each other at intervals of about 2.5mm, whilst the spacing between adjacent rows of holes is also about 2.5mm. This sizing and spacing of the holes, prevents a substantial portion of leaves and debris which fall on the gutter from entering therein.

Figures 24 and 25 depict a ninth embodiment of a rainwater gutter Un a similar fashion to the earlier mentioned eighth embodiment the gutter 1 comprises a trough 4, having a front wall 5, a back wall 6 and a bottom wall 7. A cover sheet 8 is integral with the front wall 5 and slopes upwardly from the front wall over trough 4. It also has sixteen rows of circular holes (apertures) 91-92 disposed longitudinally along the width of the cover sheet 8. It differs from the eighth embodiment in that it has a raised zig-zag strip 93 for providing greater strength in the cover sheet 8, to that provided in the eighth embodiment. The zig-zag strip 93 has a raised "herring bone" pattern punched thereon, which in use assists to divert water off the surface of cover sheet 8 into the circular holes (apertures). It should be understood that in an alternative embodiments (not shown) a different pattern such as "straight bars" or "V shapes" may be punched into the zig-zag strip 93 for diverting water off the top surface of cover sheet 8 into the circular holes (apertures). In alternative embodiments the zig-zag strip may also include raised indicia.

In the earlier mentioned embodiments the gutter of the present invention has been shown to be attached below a roof 3, with cover sheet 8 sloping in a substantially parallel direction to that of the roof 3, see Figures 2, 7(a), 7(b) and 7(c). In these earlier embodiments the back wall 6 of trough 4 has a greater height than that of front wall 5. This gutter configuration is particularly suitable for roofing comprising terracotta or cement tiles, as their rough surfaces create friction, thereby arresting water cascading over them, such that the water typically tends to fall directly from the edge of the tiles into the gutter 1. With metal roofing, the surfaces of the metal roof panels are typically smooth, thereby reducing friction and causing water travelling thereon to fall further outwardly from the edge of the roof. In order to address this problem an alternative configuration preferably suitable for use with metal roofing is shown in Figures 26-28. In this configuration a ninth embodiment of the gutter 1 may be mounted below the roof in a reverse orientation of the trough 4, where the wall of greater height becomes front wall 5(a) and the wall of lower height becomes back wall 6(a). In this embodiment cover sheet 8 slopes downwardly from front wall 5(a) towards structure 12 below the roof 3. In this configuration the gutter 1 is secured in place by a bracket assembly, comprising bracket arm 110, angle member 111 and tapered reinforcing strut 112 and fasteners 113 and 114. A plurality of such bracket assemblies are used for a length of gutter 1 at suitable spacing therealong.

Figure 26 depicts the gutter secured below two styles of metal roofing, the first being corrugated cladding 3(a), the second being ribbed flat cladding 3(b).

As seen in Figure 27, water falling roof the water hits cover sheet 8 and/or apertures therein at substantially right angles (90°) thereto.

It should also be noted that in this embodiment the gutter front wall 5(a) acts as a fascia panel hiding the edge of the roof.

It should be understood that any one of the gutters shown in the earlier mentioned first to eight embodiments can be mounted in a similar orientation to that shown for the ninth embodiment in Figures 26-28, utilising not shown brackets to suit the various gutter embodiments.

In a tenth embodiment as shown in Figure 29, a gutter in accordance with the present invention is shown with a threaded aperture 115 in front wall 5 which is pluggable by a plug 116. The threaded aperture 115 is adapted to allow a water hose 117 to be connected thereto by a hose connector 118. This allows the gutter to be flushed using tap water delivered by hose 117. Flushing by tap water delivered by the attached hose 117 allows for any fine sediments or small particle debris to be removed from gutter 1 , in a safe and convenient manner, and does not require a person to get above the gutter as is necessary with cleaning of known conventional gutters. It should be understood that threaded apertures may also be incorporated into the gutter connectors shown in Figures 16-18 for the same purpose.

The abovemenfioned embodiments show the perforations (apertures) in the cover sheet 8 as rows of slots or circular holes. In other not shown embodiments the apertures could differ in shape, number and orientation, as well as the number of rows thereof.

It should also be understood that in a not shown embodiment the zig-zag strip 93 on the cover sheet 8 of the ninth embodiment, may also be used on the cover sheets of the earlier mentioned embodiments.

It should also be understood that whilst in a number of the abovemenfioned embodiments a tiled and metal roofing is depicted, the present invention may be used with a roofing of different configurations and material.

It should be readily understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made to the gutter as described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A gutter comprising a trough adapted to be secured below a roof and to receive rainwater run-off therefrom, said trough having a mouth disposed between a front edge and a rear edge thereof, characterised in that a perforated cover sheet extends over said mouth and in that said cover sheet and said trough are formed from a single strip of sheet material.

2. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said cover sheet extends integrally from said front edge of the trough and preferably slopes upwardly therefrom.

3. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said cover sheet extends integrally from said rear edge of the trough and preferably slopes downwardly therefrom.

4. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said trough comprises a front wall, a back wall and a bottom wall.

5. A gutter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said back wall of the trough is of a greater height than said front wall of the trough.

6. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said perforations in said cover sheet are substantially circular holes.

7. A gutter as claimed in claim 6, wherein said holes are arranged in at least first and second rows which are disposed longitudinally along the cover sheet.

8. A gutter as claimed in claim 7, wherein said holes of the first row being staggered with respect to the second row of holes.

9. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said cover sheet has a zig-zag strip extending longitudinally therealong.

10. A gutter as claimed in claim 9, wherein said zig-zag strip has a raised pattern or indicia thereon.

11. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said perforations in said cover sheet are slots arranged in at least two rows, which rows are preferably disposed longitudinally along said cover sheet, the slots of the first row being staggered with respect to the second row of slots.

12. A gutter as claimed in claim 11 , wherein at least third and fourth rows of slots are disposed longitudinally along said top wall, and each slot of the third and fourth rows is oriented at 90┬░ to those of the first and second rows of slots.

13. A gutter as claimed in claim 12, wherein said slots of the third and fourth row are preferably staggered with respect to each other.

14. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said perforations in said cover sheet are slots arranged in at least two rows, which rows are preferably disposed longitudinally along the cover sheet, said slots of the first and second rows may be in line with each other.

15. A gutter as claimed in claim 14, wherein at least third and fourth rows of slots are disposed longitudinally along said top wall, and each slot of the third and fourth rows is oriented at 90┬░ to those of the first and second rows of slots.

16. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein an attachment strip is integral with said cover sheet and angled thereto, and is adjacent to and parallel with the top portion of said back wall.

17. A gutter as claimed in claim 16, wherein a plurality of fastening apertures are provided in said attachment strip and are coincident with similar fastener apertures disposed along the top edge margin of said back wall, said fastening apertures adapted to allow said gutter to be secured to a fascia board or other roof member by means of fasteners.

18. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , adapted to be secured to a fascia board or other roof member by brackets.

19. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover sheet extends integrally from said rear edge of the trough and slopes upwardly therefrom.

20. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said cover sheet extends integrally from said front edge of the trough and slopes downwardly therefrom.

21. A gutter as claimed in claim 4, wherein said back wall of the trough is of a lesser height than said front wall of the trough.

22. A gutter as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the gutter is provided with at least one pluggable aperture adapted to receive a hose connector thereto.