Gutter system comprised of tubular elements connected by tubular connecting elements

A gutter system includes a plurality of main tubular members and tubular connecting members; each main tubular member including a first PVC tube with no lengthwise slit therein, a first hanging panel with holes therein, a first run off preventing panel formed to an opposite side thereof, a first holes in the tube between the hanging and run off preventing panels, and each tubular connecting member including a second PVC tube of greater diameter than said first tubes, the second tube having a much shorter length, the second tube having outwardly bowed U-shaped circumferential adhesive receiving channels at opposite ends, a second hanging panel having holes, a second run off preventing panel formed to an opposite side of the second tube, second holes in the second tube between the second hanging and second run off preventing panels, a first slit at opposite ends of the second tube and extending for a distance less than one-half the length of the second tube to receive a first hanging panel, and a second slit at opposite ends of the second tube and on an opposite side of the second tube from the first slit, the second slit extending for a distance less than one-half the length of the second tube to receive the first run off preventing panel, and at least one tubular connecting member includes a downspout connection for connecting to a downspout.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates generally to gutter systems, and more particularly, 
is directed to a gutter system comprised of tubular elements connected by 
tubular connecting elements. 
Conventionally, gutter systems have been secured to the outer peripheries 
of buildings to catch rain and guide the rain to a particular location at 
ground level, through a downspout. Such gutter systems have a generally 
U-shaped cross-section so as to form a trough for catching and guiding the 
rain. 
However, gutter systems of this type are generally formed of extruded or 
shaped metal pieces, and are therefore expensive and costly to 
manufacture. Because they are U-shaped, such gutter systems are also 
relatively weak, that is, lack structural integrity. Further, such gutter 
systems are open at the upper ends thereof, so that leaves and other large 
debris which fall therein, are difficult to remove, and more importantly, 
clog up the gutters so as to prevent or impede the flow of rain therein. 
Guards are known which secure to the upper ends of the gutters to prevent 
leaves from falling therein. However, such guards add to the cost and 
labor of the gutter system. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,427 To 
McPhalen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,095,666 to Williams, Jr. and German 
Offenlegungsschrift No. 1,509,127. 
Although U-shaped gutter systems are known which are made from 
polyvinylchloride (PVC) pipe, such gutter systems must be cut lengthwise, 
and are also difficult and costly to manufacture. See, for example, U.S. 
Pat. No. 5,437,138 to Tuohey et al. 
Other gutter systems are known in which a substantially pipe-like structure 
is provided having a single lengthwise slit at the upper surface along all 
or substantially all of the length thereof. See, for example, U.S. Pat. 
No. 2,120,395 to Dean, U.S. Pat. No. 3,884,753 to Nalle, Jr., U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,858,396 to Rose et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,332,332 to Kenyon, Jr. and 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,583 to Rhoads. However, such lengthwise slits reduce 
the structural integrity of the system, thereby weakening the strength of 
the gutters. Further, if the gutter system is made of sheet metal of the 
like, as in U.S. Pat. No. 2,120,395 to Dean, the sections can telescope 
within each other and then be soldered. However, this is not available 
when using a relatively rigid pipe, such as PVC. In such case, it is known 
that PVC pipe is constructed with a slightly flared end. Thus, if the 
adjacent PVC pipe is cut so as not to have the flared end, such non-flared 
cut end can fit within the flared end of the other PVC pipe. However, such 
fit between the pipes is subject to misalignment and gaps, and is 
difficult to seal. 
Although use of PVC pipe without such lengthwise slits is known, for 
example, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,551,956 to Axford, this gutter system is 
very different, in that it supports the PVC pipe within a conventional 
U-shaped gutter, thereby greatly increasing the cost and complexity of 
manufacture and assembly. 
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter 
system that overcomes the problems with the aforementioned prior art. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a gutter system 
that uses PVC pipe alone, without any lengthwise slit therein that would 
otherwise tend to weaken the structural integrity of the same. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a gutter 
system having a novel tubular connecting member that connects together 
adjacent PVC pipes of the gutter system. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a gutter 
system in which the tubular connecting member has its ends bowed outwardly 
around the circumference thereof to receive an adhesive to secure the 
connector to the elongated PVC pipe after assembly thereof. 
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a gutter system 
in which the tubular connecting member has two partial axially oriented 
slits at opposite ends thereof which receive the hanging panel and run off 
prevention panels of the main tubular members. 
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a gutter 
system that prevents leaves and large debris from entering into the PVC 
pipe. 
It is a yet further object of the present invention to provide a gutter 
system that can use conventionally formed PVC tubes. 
It is a another object of the present invention to provide a gutter system 
that can be formed of PVC tubular elements in various shapes and sizes. 
It is still another object of the present invention to provide entire 
gutter system that can be entirely assembled before adhesively securing 
the same together. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a gutter 
system that is easy and economical to assemble and manufacture. 
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a gutter system 
includes a plurality of main tubular members and tubular connecting 
members. Each main tubular member includes a first tube extending in an 
axial direction, a first hanging panel extending substantially the entire 
length of the tube and formed to one side of the tube, for securing the 
tube to a building, and a first run off preventing panel extending 
substantially the entire length of the tube and formed to an opposite side 
of the tube, for preventing run off of water from the tube. A plurality of 
first spaced apart holes are provided in the tube in an area between the 
hanging panel and the run off preventing panel, such that the tube is 
substantially continuously unbroken except for the holes. Each tubular 
connecting member includes a second tube having ends with an inner 
diameter equal to or greater than an outer diameter of ends of the first 
tubes of the main tubular members so as to receive the ends of the first 
tubes therein, the second tube extending in the axial direction and having 
a length much less than the lengths of the main tubular members. A second 
hanging panel extends in the axial direction and is formed to one side of 
the second tube, for securing the second tube to the building, and a 
second run off preventing panel extends in the axial direction and is 
formed to an opposite side of the second tube, for preventing run off of 
water from the second tube. There are a plurality of second spaced apart 
holes in the second tube in an area between the second hanging panel and 
the second run off preventing panel. A first slit extends in the axial 
direction from opposite ends of the second tube and extends for a distance 
less than one-half the length of the second tube so as to define a central 
portion of the second tube which is not cut-away. Each first slit is 
adapted to receive the first hanging panel when the tubular connecting 
member is inserted over an end of a main tubular member. A second slit 
extends in the axial direction from opposite ends of the second tube and 
on an opposite side of the second tube from the first slit, the second 
slit extending for a distance less than one-half the length of the second 
tube so as to define a central portion of the second tube which is not 
cut-away. Each second slit is adapted to receive the first run off 
preventing panel when the tubular connecting member is inserted over an 
end of a main tubular member. Each hanging panel includes at least one 
hole therein for securing the main tubular members and tubular connecting 
members to a building. 
Preferably, the first and second hanging panels are formed on the first 
tube and second tube, respectively, at angular positions on the first and 
second tubes of approximately 90.degree. from an upper end thereof. Also, 
the first and second run off preventing panels are formed on the first 
tube and second tube, respectively, at angular positions on the first and 
second tubes of approximately 45.degree. from an upper end thereof. The 
second hanging panel and the second run off preventing panel are formed on 
the central portion of the second tube, and extend in the axial direction 
for a length less than the length of the second tube. 
The first tubes of the main tubular members and the second tubes of the 
tubular connecting members are made from PVC pipe. 
Further, at least one said tubular connecting member includes a downspout 
connection for connecting to a downspout. There is also a second tubular 
connecting member for connecting the downspout connection to a downspout, 
the second tubular connecting member including a tube having ends with an 
inner diameter equal to or greater than an outer diameter of a free end of 
the downspout connection and the downspout so as to receive said ends of 
the downspout connection and the downspout therein, the tube of the second 
connecting member being deformed at opposite ends thereof with outwardly 
bowed U-shaped circumferential channels for receiving an adhesive therein 
to secure the second tubular connecting member to the downspout connection 
and to the downspout. 
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a gutter system 
includes a plurality of main tubular members and tubular connecting 
members. Each main tubular member includes a first tube extending in an 
axial direction, a first hanging panel extending in the axial direction 
substantially the entire length of the tube and formed to one side of the 
tube, for securing the tube to a building, and a first run off preventing 
panel extending in the axial direction substantially the entire length of 
the tube and formed to an opposite side of the tube, for preventing run 
off of water from the tube. A plurality of first spaced apart holes are 
provided in the tube in an area between the hanging panel and the run off 
preventing panel. Each tubular connecting member includes a second tube 
having ends with an inner diameter equal to or greater than an outer 
diameter of ends of the first tubes of the main tubular members so as to 
receive the ends of the first tubes therein, the second tube extending in 
the axial direction and having a length much less than the lengths of the 
main tubular members. Further, the second tube is deformed at opposite 
ends thereof with outwardly bowed U-shaped circumferential channels for 
receiving an adhesive therein to secure the tubular connecting members to 
the main tubular members. A second hanging panel extends in the axial 
direction and is formed to one side of the second tube, for securing the 
second tube to the building. A second run off preventing panel extends in 
the axial direction and is formed to an opposite side of the second tube, 
for preventing run off of water from the second tube. A plurality of 
second spaced apart holes are provided in the second tube in an area 
between the second hanging panel and the second run off preventing panel. 
A first slit extends in the axial direction from opposite ends of the 
second tube and extends for a distance less than one-half the length of 
the second tube so as to define a central portion of the second tube which 
is not cut-away, each first slit adapted to receive the first hanging 
panel when the tubular connecting member is inserted over an end of a main 
tubular member. A second slit extends in the axial direction from opposite 
ends of the second tube and on an opposite side of the second tube from 
the first slit, the second slit extending for a distance less than 
one-half the length of the second tube so as to define a central portion 
of the second tube which is not cut-away, each second slit adapted to 
receive the first run off preventing panel when the tubular connecting 
member is inserted over an end of a main tubular member. 
In accordance with still another aspect of the present invention, a gutter 
system includes a plurality of main tubular members and tubular connecting 
members. Each main tubular member includes a first PVC tube extending in 
an axial direction, a first hanging panel extending in the axial direction 
substantially the entire length of the tube and formed to one side of the 
tube, the hanging panel including at least one hole therein for securing 
the main tubular member to a building, and a first run off preventing 
panel extending in the axial direction substantially the entire length of 
the tube and formed to an opposite side of the tube, for preventing run 
off of water from the tube. A plurality of first spaced apart holes are 
provided in the tube in an area between the hanging panel and the run off 
preventing panel such that the tube is substantially continuously unbroken 
except for the first holes therein. Each tubular connecting member 
includes a second PVC tube having ends with an inner diameter equal to or 
greater than an outer diameter of ends of the first tubes of the main 
tubular members so as to receive the ends of the first tubes therein, the 
second tube extending in the axial direction and having a length much less 
than the lengths of the main tubular members. Further, the second tube is 
deformed at opposite ends thereof with outwardly bowed U-shaped 
circumferential channels for receiving an adhesive therein to secure the 
tubular connecting members to the main tubular members. A second hanging 
panel extends in the axial direction for a length less than the length of 
the second tube and is formed to one side of the second tube, the second 
hanging panel including at least one hole therein for securing the tubular 
connecting member to a building. A second run off preventing panel extends 
in the axial direction for a length less than the length of the second 
tube and is formed to an opposite side of the second tube, for preventing 
run off of water from the second tube. A plurality of second spaced apart 
holes are provided in the second tube in an area between the second 
hanging panel and the second run off preventing panel. A first slit 
extends in the axial direction from opposite ends of the second tube and 
extends for a distance less than one-half the length of the second tube so 
as to define a central portion of the second tube which is not cut-away, 
each first slit adapted to receive the first hanging panel when the 
tubular connecting member is inserted over an end of a main tubular 
member, and a second slit extending in the axial direction from opposite 
ends of the second tube and on an opposite side of the second tube from 
the first slit, the second slit extending for a distance less than 
one-half the length of the second tube so as to define a central portion 
of the second tube which is not cut-away, each second slit adapted to 
receive the first run off preventing panel when the tubular connecting 
member is inserted over an end of a main tubular member. 
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will 
become readily apparent from the following detailed description thereof 
which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring to the drawings in detail, a gutter system 8 according to the 
present invention includes a plurality of elongated main tubular members 
10 connected together by tubular connecting members 12. Each tubular 
member 10 is preferably a rigid member made of polyvinylchloride (PVC) 
pipe. In this regard, a preferred outer diameter of each main tubular 
member 10 is three inches, although any other suitable dimension can be 
used. The inner diameter of each tubular connecting member 12 is 
substantially equal to, or slightly greater than, the outer diameter of 
main tubular members 10 so that tubular connecting members 12 can 
telescopically receive the ends of main tubular members 10 therein. 
Alternatively, tubular connecting members 12 can have slightly flared 
ends, in order to receive main tubular members 10. 
The lengths of main tubular members 10 and tubular connecting members 12 
can vary, but preferably, main tubular member 10 has a length in the range 
of ten feet to thirty feet, and tubular connecting member 12 has a length 
of ten inches. Of course, main tubular members 10 can be cut to provide 
any other length. 
Each main tubular member 10 includes a rectangular hanging panel 14 
extending at an approximately mid-horizontal plane thereof, that is, 
90.degree. from top dead center TDC (0.degree.) and formed integrally with 
tubular member 10 as a unitary member. Hanging panel 14 extends upwardly 
to a height above tubular member 10, and includes hanging holes 16 therein 
for receiving nails 17 in order to secure hanging panel 14, and thereby, 
tubular member 10, to the side 19 of a building, immediately below the 
eaves 21 of a roof 23. At the opposite side of tubular member 10, there is 
a rectangular run off preventing panel 18 extending at a position higher 
than that of hanging panel 14, for example, at an angle of .alpha. from 
top dead center and formed integrally with tubular member 10 as a unitary 
member. For example, panel 18 can be formed at a position approximately 
45.degree. from top dead center. Generally, panel 18 is shorter than panel 
14, since panel 18 is only used to prevent run off of water, although the 
height of panel 18 can vary within the scope of this invention. 
Alternatively, in a more preferred arrangement, as shown by dashed lines in 
FIG. 2, panel 18' extends outwardly from tubular member 10 in a radial 
direction, but still a little higher than the upper end of tubular member 
10. With this arrangement, leaves that fall on the top of tubular member 
10 can be easily blown out or washed off. However, panel 18' still 
functions to prevent run off of water. 
Further, a plurality of holes 20 are provided in the upper portion of 
tubular member 10 between panels 14 and 18. The number, size and spacing 
of holes 20 can vary within the scope of the present invention. It will be 
appreciated that, unlike the prior art, there are no lengthwise slits in 
main tubular member 10, but rather, main tubular member 10 presents a 
substantially continuous unbroken tube except for the spaced apart holes 
20. Because of panels 14 and 18, any water impinging upon the upper 
surface of main tubular members 10 is prevented from escaping, and must 
enter holes 20, where the water is drained off to another location, for 
example, to a downspout. 
As discussed above, each tubular connecting member 12 is much shorter than 
main tubular members 10, since it is only used for connection. Each 
tubular connecting member 12 is cut away from opposite ends thereof to 
form slits extending in the axial direction of connecting member 12. 
Specifically, there is a first slit 22a at each end which is oriented at 
approximately 90.degree. from top dead center and is adapted to receive 
hanging panel 14 when connecting member 12 is telescoped over a main 
tubular member 10. A second slit 22b is provided at each end and to the 
side of connecting member 12 opposite to first slit 22a. Second slit 22b 
is oriented at approximately 45.degree. from top dead center and is 
adapted to receive run off preventing panel 18 when connecting member 12 
is telescoped over a main tubular member 10. 
Slits 22a and 22b do not extend entirely through connecting member 12. 
Rather, there is a center portion 24 between aligned slit portions 22 of 
connecting member 12, so that center portion 24 of each connecting member, 
as measured in the axial direction thereof, is circumferentially unbroken. 
A rectangular hanging panel 26 extends to the center portion 24 at one side 
at an approximately mid-horizontal plane thereof of connecting member 12, 
that is, 90.degree. from top dead center and is formed integrally with 
connecting member 12 as a unitary member. Hanging panel 26 extends 
upwardly to the same height as hanging panel 14 when connecting member 12 
is inserted over a tubular member 10, and includes hanging holes 28 
therein for receiving nails (not shown) in order to secure hanging panel 
28, and thereby, connecting member 12, to side 19 of the building, 
immediately below eaves 21 of roof 23. A rectangular run off preventing 
panel 30 extends at the opposite side of central portion of connecting 
member 12, at a position higher than that of hanging panel 26, at the 
aforementioned angle .alpha. and is formed integrally with connecting 
member 12 as a unitary member. Panel 30 is of the same height as panel 18 
and positioned at the same angular location. Thus, when a tubular 
connecting member 12 is inserted over a main tubular member 10, hanging 
panels 14 and 26 abut against each other and effectively form a continuous 
hanging panel. The abutting ends of hanging panels 14 and 26 can be 
adhered to each other by a suitable adhesive to provide a water seal 
thereat. 
Alternatively, in a more preferred arrangement, as shown by dashed lines in 
FIG. 4, panel 30' extends outwardly from connecting member 12 in a radial 
direction, but still a little higher than the upper end of connecting 
member 12. With this arrangement, leaves that fall on the top of 
connecting member 12 can be easily blown out or washed off. However, panel 
30' still functions to prevent run off of water. 
In like manner, at such time, run off preventing panels 18 and 30 abut 
against each other and effectively form a continuous run off preventing 
panel. The abutting ends of run off preventing panels 18 and 30 can be 
adhered to each other by a suitable adhesive to provide a water seal 
thereat. 
Further, a plurality of holes 32 are provided in the upper portion of 
connecting member 12 between panels 26 and 30, and are generally in the 
same orientation and spacing as holes 20 of tubular member 10. Because of 
panels 26 and 30, any water impinging upon the upper surface of tubular 
connecting member 12 is prevented from escaping, and must enter holes 32, 
where the water is drained off to another location, for example, to a 
downspout. 
Thus, connecting members 12 can connect together a plurality of tubular 
members 10. In one embodiment, an adhesive is provided on the inner 
surfaces at the ends of connecting member 12 and on the outer surfaces at 
the ends of tubular members 10 prior to assembly of the same together. 
Thus, a permanent assembly is provided, and more importantly, leakage is 
provided. 
In a preferred embodiment, the ends of tubular connecting members 12 have a 
U-shape in an axial cross-section, so as to define U-shaped 
circumferential channels 34 thereat. As a result, an adhesive 36 can be 
inserted within channels 34 after assembly of the entire gutter system 8, 
for example, by inserting adhesive 36 into the ends of channels 34 at the 
positions of slits 22a and 22b, that is, where channels 34 terminate 
immediately before the respective panels 14, 18, 26 and 30. Thus, the 
entire gutter system 8 can be assembled first before adhesively securing 
the same together. Specifically, when assembling gutter system 8, any 
slight offset at one end of side 19 of the building may turn into a larger 
offset at the opposite end of side 19 of the building. Therefore, any 
adjustment can be made in gutter system 10 prior to adhesively securing 
the same together. 
Thus, with the present invention, because of the tubular construction with 
holes 20 and 32, leaves and other large debris are kept out of gutter 
system. Further, the unbroken tubular construction gives much greater 
strength to gutter system 8 over conventional U-shaped channel gutter 
systems, or even gutter systems having a lengthwise slit therein. Still 
further, the entire gutter system 8 can be assembled before adhesively 
securing the same together. 
In addition to the above construction, variations in the shapes of main 
tubular members 10 and tubular connecting members 12 can also be provided. 
For example, as shown in FIG. 8, tubular connecting members 12a can be 
formed in an elbow shape for a corner of a building, and include a 
downspout connection 38. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9, tubular 
connector members 12b can be formed in a T-shape and include downspout 
connection 38. Any other suitable configurations can be provided, such as 
Y-shapes and the like. The U-shaped circumferential channels 34 are 
omitted in FIGS. 8 and 9 for the sake of clarity of the drawings. 
In accordance with the present invention, as shown in FIG. 11, a tubular 
connector 112 is provided for connecting downspout connection 38 to a 
downspout 138. Tubular connector 112 is formed with U-shaped 
circumferential channels 34 at both ends thereof. Since there are no slits 
as with slits 22a and 22b, some means must be provided to access channels 
34 once tubular connector 112 is connected to a downspout connection 38. 
In this regard, a small opening 113 can be provided in each channel 34, 
which becomes sealed when the adhesive is provided therein after 
connection. 
In the event that it is desired to connect to redirect the water from a 
downspout connection 38, that is, to change the angle thereof, a tubular 
angled or elbow connector 212 can be provided which is formed with 
U-shaped circumferential channels 34 at both ends thereof. As with 
connector 112, a small opening 213 can be provided in each channel 34, 
which becomes sealed when the adhesive is provided therein after 
connection. This is shown in FIG. 10. 
It will be appreciated that the elements shown and described herein are not 
to scale. 
Having described specific preferred embodiments of the invention with 
reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the 
present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments and that 
various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of 
ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of 
the invention as defined by the appended claims.