Patent ID: 7584576
Filing Date: 2009-09-08
Classification: E04D

Abstract:
1. A guard for conventional rain gutters of the type having a generally trough-shaped interior, a rear wall extending along a roof fascia, a bottom wall and a front lip, comprising: a cap having a rearward portion thereof shaped to extend along an associated roof, a medial portion thereof shaped to extend over the interior of the gutter, and a forward portion thereof shaped to extend adjacent to the front lip of the gutter; a mounting bracket having a rearward mounting portion thereof adapted for abutment with the rear wall of the gutter, an upper cap support portion thereof supporting said medial portion of said cap thereon to deflect debris from the interior of the gutter, a forward gutter support portion thereof having a nose configured to engage the front lip of the gutter, and an angled fastener boss having a central opening shaped to receive therein a fastener which extends through the rear wall of the gutter and into the roof fascia to support said bracket and the gutter along the roof; wherein said mounting bracket has a one-piece molded construction of synthetic resin material, and includes: a generally L-shaped member comprising a vertical leg defining said rearward mounting portion of said bracket, and having a generally flat rear surface configured to abut the rear wall of the gutter in a flush relationship to positively position said mounting bracket in a perpendicular orientation within the interior of the gutter, and a generally flat bottom edge configured to abut the bottom wall of the gutter in a flush relationship to positively position said mounting bracket vertically within the interior of the gutter, a horizontal leg oriented in a generally perpendicular relationship with said vertical leg, and having said nose disposed adjacent a terminal portion thereof, wherein said nose has a hook-shaped configuration for reception in a channel portion of the front lip of the gutter to ensure secure interconnection of said mounting bracket and the gutter, and a predetermined width which tapers inwardly to an outer portion thereof to facilitate positioning said mounting bracket into said perpendicular orientation within the interior of the gutter; a gusset portion extending between a bottom surface of said horizontal leg and a forward surface of said vertical leg and rigidifying said mounting bracket; an inclined top member connected with and disposed generally above said L-shaped member, and defining said upper cap support portion of said mounting bracket, wherein said top member includes a downwardly curved front edge to support thereon said forward portion of said cap; a brace portion disposed between and interconnecting said top member with said L-shaped member, and wherein said top member and said brace portion of said mounting bracket are offset forwardly from said vertical leg to define a clearance space which facilitates installing said mounting bracket in the interior of the gutter, and including an inclined wall extending from said top member to said fastener boss to define at least a portion of said clearance space; and a fastener access aperture disposed through said upper cap support portion of said mounting bracket, aligned with said central opening in said fastener boss, and configured to insert a fastener through said fastener access aperture and into said fastener boss; and a threaded fastener having a shank portion thereof extending through the central opening of said fastener boss, and a head portion of said threaded fastener abuttingly engaging an upper end of said fastener boss, so as to attach said mounting bracket to the rear wall of the gutter and the roof fascia with only one said fastener for ease of installation, and wherein said brace portion of said mounting bracket includes an angled access opening therethrough which is aligned with said fastener access aperture and said central opening of said fastener boss to facilitate insertion of said fastener through said fastener boss.