AN ARRANGEMENT IN EAVE GUTTERS

Abstract: An eaves gutter arrangement includes a channel section (1), the bottom surface (12) of which is supported by a gutter mounting bracket (2) attached to an eaves board with the rear wall (10) of the channel section in abutment with the bracket. The bracket includes a tongue (56) which engages around the upper edge (16) of the rear wall of the channel section. The free long edge of the front wall (14) of the channel section has a claw-like configuration, such as to form an anchorage means (22) for one end (72) of a strut (3). The mounting bracket (2) has an upper part (46) in which there is formed a part (58) which protrudes outwardly towards the channel section (1), in a manner to define a pocket (60) into which a downwardly extending part of the other end (79) of the strut can be inserted and secured. The tongue (56) comprises a part punched from the mounting bracket (2) at a location beneath the outwardly protruding part (58). The tongue is a lower continuation of the outwardly protruding part and preferably incorporates a spring-like characteristic.

Description: AN ARRANGEMENT IN EAVE GUTTERS The present invention relates to an arrangement in eave gutters of the kind set forth in the preamble of claim 1. Many different kinds of channel sections for eave gutters, 5 and associated mounting devices are known to the art. One serious disadvantage with these known channel sections is that they often need to be manufactured to accurate mea¬ surements. Another drawback with known gutter arrange¬ ments of this kind is that they fail to provide a facility 10 whereby the channel section can be permitted to twist or skew prior to being fitted. This requires subsequent alignment of the channel sections, which is both trouble¬ some and time consuming. US-A 3 150 851 teaches a gutter arrangement comprising a 15 channel section and channel mounting devices comprising a mounting bracket and a strut or brace of the kind set forth in the preamble of the main claim, one end of this brace or strut engaging in the mounting bracket and the other end engaging the front edge of the channel section. 20 in this prior art arrangement; the strut engages a groove provided in the lower edge of the rear wall of the channel section through a bridging tongue and extends therefrom essentially horizontally to the front edge of the channel section. The groove and the co-acting, downwardly ex- 25 tending part of the strut present saw-tooth locking . surfaces. This earlier known construction is encumbered with several ' -^ drawbacks. The mounting bracket is manufactured from extruded aluminium and presents a tongue which extends 30 obliquely downwards from a shoulder or abutment surface adjacent the upper edge of the vertical part. When fit- ting a gutter to the eaves, the tongue is forced in against the rear wall of the channel section and is ex¬ pected to be held firmly thereby. Any load exerted on the gutter, subsequent to fitting the strut will attempt to 5 ' withdraw the tongue. The tongue is thus constantly sub¬ jected to fatigue stresses, and since aluminium has a low fatigue strength, it is liable to fracture after being in use for but a short time. The horizontal extension of the strut also means that the strut is not able to absorb 10. vertical loads on the gutter or channel section. Further¬ more, the saw-tooth abutment surfaces make it impossible to remove the strut from the mounting bracket without seriously damaging or distroying the serrated locking surfaces. Moreover, because the strut is lowered within 15 the channel section, the strut is liable to form a trap for any leaves falling therein, and inhibits the flow of water along ,the guttering. The publication AU-B 35801/78 teaches an eaves gutter which, distinct from the aforementioned gutter arrange- 20 ment, includes a strut or brace having an upwardly bent part which can be inserted beneath the tongue and which is intended to press the rear wall of the channel section firmly against the mounting bracket. The upwardly bent part of the strut and the tongue are locked firmly to- 25. " gether by means of co-acting grooves and outwardly pro¬ jecting parts. The opposite end of the strut is of part- circular configuration and is held in a corresponding part-circular upper edge on the front wall of the channel section. 30 This gutter arrangement is even less able to take-up vertically acting loads, since the strut of this arrange¬ ment extends obliquely upwards. The obliquely downwardly extending struts also form traps which collect any leaves falling into the gutter, therewith forming dams which pre¬ vent the water from running into the downpipe. Conse¬ quently, such gutters have to be cleansed regularly. The struts can also be dislodged out of engagement with the ' . 5 tongue. The object of the present invention is therefore to pro¬ vide an arrangement in eaves gutters comprising a channel section and gutter mounting devices of the aforesaid kind which are capable of being mounted simply and rapidly, 10 even though the channel sections have been deformed, and which will be positively and stably attached subsequent to being mounted, and in which the channel sections, when necessary, can be readily and quickly dismantled without damage thereto. A further object is to enable such gut- 15 ters to be produced at low cost and to provide a general step forwards in this art. Another object of the present invention is to provide a strut or brace which is capable of taking-up vertical loads acting on the front edge of the gutter, and which will not constitute a leaf-trap or 20 present an obstacle to the flow of water and which can be positively attached separately in the fitting and is able to withstand high, momentarily acting transverse loads without loosening from its fitting or breaking. These objects are achieved with a gutter arrangement of 25 the aforesaid kind formed in accordance with the charac- . terizing clause of the following claim 1. In this way there is obtained a force-fitted attachment means which is separate from the tongue, such that the ' * strut is located above the respective channel section, and 30 therewith presents no obstacle to the flow of water there¬ through, and obtains an upwardly directed tension force component capable of taking-up vertical loads. Because the mounting bracket according to claim 2 has a part which extends up over the top edge of the rear wall and which defines a pocket intended to accommodate an angled part of the strut, there is obtained separate attachment points 5, " for: the rear edge and front edge of the channel section, at. the same time as the strut is also able to take-up vertical loads acting on the front edge of the channel section and permits water to flow freely through said section in the absence of damming leaf agglomerations. Q-. The further feature of the strut according to Figure 4, enabling the strut to be firmly anchored to an adjacent part of the building ensures that the channel section is firmly and securely fitted. Because the strut is anchored iir said building part, the strut will exert a retaining 5 and supporting force on the channel section even if the mounting bracket becomes damaged or the channel section is dislodged from its position on the bracket. This arrange¬ ment also relieves the load on the upper attachment points of the gutter mounting bracket. 0 " The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to a non-limiting embodiment thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of an eaves gutter which is mounted with the aid of bracket devices, of which only 5 one is shown; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a channel section form¬ ing part of the gutter arrangement illustrated in Figure 1 ; _ Figure 3 is a perspective view of a gutter mounting bracket; Figure 4 illustrates a strut or brace for the gutter arrangement illustrated in Figure 1 ; Figure 5 illustrates an alternative bracket mounting; Figure 6 illustrates a claw-like strut part in engagement with the channel section; Figure 7 illustrates the attachment of an end cover-mem¬ ber; Figure 8 is a perspective view of an alternative channel- section configuration for an eaves gutter according to the invention; Figure 9 illustrates an alternative mounting strut for the channel section shown in Figure 8; and Figure 10 is a perspective view of a mounting bracket in¬ tended for use with the strut shown in Figure 9. The drawings illustrate guttering comprising a channel profile or section 1 having a -rear wall 10, a bottom sur¬ face 12, and a front wall 14. The upper edge 16 of the rear wall is folded to double thickness, and preferably is formed with a Z-shaped fold 18 and an inwardly extending skirt 20 which lies parallel with the plane of the inner surface of the rear wall 10. This provides a rigid structure which presents no sharp cutting edg.e-and iwhich • avoids the gathering of. dirt in the fold. The bottom surface 12 of the channel section is essential- ly flat and extends preferably horizontally. The front wall 14 of the illustrated embodiment is inclined slightly outwards. It ma , however, be gently swung or curved and need not exhibit solely straight surfaces separated by sharp corners. The free, long edge of the front wall 14 has a claw-like part in the form of an outwardly bulged portion 22 which, in cross-section, has generally a shape of a U or a frustated V. The outward bulge 22 has a lower limb 24 which merges with the main part of the front wall 14, a web 26 and an upper limb 28 in the form of a flange or lip which extends towards the upper edge 16 of the rear wall. The web 26 is substantially parallel with the main surface of the front wall 14. The forwardly located end part of the flange 28 is formed in a manner to present a groove or channel 30, the mouth of which faces towards the upper part of the front wall 14, i.e. faces towards the web 26 of the bulged portion 26. An angled part, or corner part 32 is located at the junction between the web 26 and the flange 28, the purpose of which corner part will be explained herebelow. Figures 1 and 7 illustrate an end cover-member 4 which is intended to be fitted to the channel section 1. The upper edge of the end cover-member 4 is folded over to form a substantially U-shaped stiffening or reinforcement 34. The reinforcement 34 is located on the same level as the bulged portion 22 and has roughly the same form thereas, with the exception that the end cover-member has no groove 30 and no inwardly projecting corner part 32, since these two features play no part in the function of the end cover-member of the gutter arrangement. To facilitate fitting of the end cover-member onto the gutter, the side edges and bottom edge of said member are folded in a manner to form channel-like attachment flanges 36 and 38, which have two holes 40 provided in the bottom thereof . When fitting a cover-member to a channel section, a joint¬ ing compound or some corresponding substance is placed in the attachment channels 36 and 38, whereafter the cover- 5 member and channel section are brought together, so that the end edges 42 of the channel section project through the holes 40 in the cover-member. Preferably, no holes are formed in the bottom channel or flange 38, in order to avoid the possibility of a leakage. There is obtained 10 in this way, inexpensively and through simple means, a highly stable and water-tight fitting between the end- covers of the gutter and the channel section thereof. The gutter mounting bracket, shown generally at 2 , com¬ prises a substantially vertical part 46 which is intended 15 to lie against the rear wall 10 of the channel section. The vertical part 46 has an upper part 48 and a lower part 50, and is referred to hereinafter as the base plate. The base plate 50 has provided therein holes 52 through which nails, screws or like fasteners can be inserted, for se- 20 curing the bracket to an eaves board or soffit. Located at the bottom of the base plate 50 is an outwardly pro¬ jecting, substantially horizontal support shelf 54, which supports against the bottom surface 12 of the channel section. A tongue 56 extends from the upper part 48 of 25 the vertical bracket part 46, parallel with or at a slight acute angle to the vertical part 46. The tongue 56 is formed by punching a flap from the base plate 50 and bend¬ ing the flap in opposite directions. The distance between the base plate and the tongue 56 is essentially equal to *., 30 the thickness of the folded edge 16 of the channel section 1, with a given degree of clearance. The upper part 48 of the vertical plate 46 has arranged thereon, above the tongue 56, an outwardly projecting part 58, which extends from above the junction at which the tongue 56 meets the base plate 50 optionally to the upper edge of the upper part 46 of said base plate. This outwardly projecting part 58 defines, together with an opposing surface of the eaves board, a pocket 60 into which an angled part 62 of a strut 3 is inserted, as described in more detail here¬ inafter. The outwardly projecting part 58 may advantage¬ ously extend from the edge of said upper bracket part 46 to said junction between a tongue 56 and the base plate 50. This results in decreasing the extent to which the tongue can be sprung and also reduces the lever forces acting on the junction point of the tongue, while at the same time the lower part of the projection 56 will form a stop abutment for the upper edge 16 of the rear channel wall. As before indicated, the slightly outwardly projecting part 56 of the base plate 50 need not necessarily extend right to the outward edge of the base plate, but may terminate at a distance from said edge. To this end, one or two horizontal grooves 59 may be formed in the base plate and the underlying part, or intermediate part, of the base plate may be caused to project outwards, as shown at 58 in Figure 5. The eaves board is often not truly vertical, but inclined (perpendicular to the slope of the roof) . In cases such as these, there is provided in accordance with Figure 5 a gutter mounting bracket 2 which has a curved base plate 50 having integral therewith an oblique upper part 64, a vertical part 66, a horizontal intermediate part 68., and a lower oblique part 70. The oblique parts 64,70 have formed therein screw-holes or nail-holes 52, for attach¬ ment of the bracket to an eaves board. The vertical part carries the support shelf 54 and the tongue 56. The out¬ wardly projecting part 58 forming the aforesaid pocket together with the eaves board is preferably located on the upper oblique part of the bracket, but may also be located on the vertical part thereof. The bracket is divided be¬ neath the vertical part 66 into a plurality of tongues which form the support shelf 54, or a multiple of such shelves, and also the intermediate part 68 and the lower oblique part 70. In order to achieve a loading symmetry when mounting the end section, it is preferred to use one or more symmetrically located support shelves. The tongue 56 and the outwardly projecting part 58 are positioned symmetrically with the supporting shelf or shelves 54. The channel section 1 , or gutter is secured to a respective mounting bracket 2 with the aid of a strut 3, illustrated in Figure 4. The strut 3 has located at one end thereof a hooked or claw-part 72 which includes a free end-part or tip 74, and a web part 76, said tip 74 extending sub¬ stantially in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the strut. The tip portion 74, the web 76 and that part 78 of the strut adjacent the web 76 are slightly curved in the direction of the long axis into a V-shape or are undulated to provide the desired rigidity. The other end of the strut 3 carries an attachment " plate having a downwardly angled part 62. According to one preferred embodiment, the part 62 is folded to double thickness, the free end of said part projecting out in the manner of a tab 80, beyond the straight part, of the strut. The tab 80 has provided therein a hole 82 for recieving, e.g., a fastener, such as a nail or a screw for securing the strut in position. That part 84 of the strut located nearest the claw-shaped end 72 has, in cross-section, the shape of an inverted V. This affords a high flexural strength while preventing the accumulation of water and dirt. The gutter is mounted in the following manner. The mount¬ ing brackets are attached to the eaves board at suitable locations therealong, and the channel section 1 is offered up to a respective bracket and the upper edge 60 on the rear wall 10 of the channel section is inserted in between the vertical part 46, or 64, and the tongue 56 of the base 5". part 50, such that the bottom surface of the channel sec¬ tion rests on the support shelf 54. The tip portion 74 of the claw-shaped part 72 of said strut is there intro¬ duced into the groove 30, such that the web 76 will lie against the inner surface of the front wall 14, more 0-; specifically against the web 26 of the outward bulge 22. The. corner or junction, referenced 75 in the Figure, be¬ tween, the tip portion 74 and the web 76 of said claw- shaped strut part 72 lies against the inwardly projecting corner part 32 of the outwardly bulged portion 22. The 5: strut will now take a position in which it extends to¬ wards some point above the rear wall 10 and the pocket 60 defined by the base plate 50 and the eaves board, as de¬ scribed above. The strut is then secured firmly in posi¬ tion, by forcing the downwardly extending insert part 62 * 0" of the strut into the pocket 60, with the aid of a suit¬ able tool. This position of the strut can be additionally SB.cured r by driving a nail or screw through the hole 82 in the upper part of the attachment plate 79. When the strut 3 is mounted in position, the tip portion 74 and the 55 cornered part 75 of the strut will act as a lever .against the groove 30 and the inwardly extending corner part 32, such as to press the bottom surface 12 of the channel section against the supporting shelf 54, therewith pro¬ viding a positive attachment in the absence of any clear- 0, ance of play. In this regard, the inwardly projecting corner part 32 forms an important fulcrum point for the moment of force exerted by the strut on the channel sec¬ tion. This provides a better effect than the case when moments of force are transmitted via the inner surfaces of 5 " the flange 28 or the web 26 of the outwardly bulged part 22. At the same time, the inwardly extending corner part 32 of said outwardly bulged part affords greater rigidity to the channel section in this region thereof. Without this corner part, the flange 28 and the web 26 are liable to become deformed, therewith losing the aforesaid lever effect and resulting in a loose fitting. It is not absolutely necessary for the channel section of the inventive guttering to have an outwardly bulging part 22 of the aforedescribed configuration. It is sufficient for this portion of the channel section to present a flange or lip 28 which extends towards the top edge of the rear wall, and a groove or channel 30 which opens towards the upper part of the front wall 14. An inwardly pro¬ jecting corner part 32 is also preferably provided, in the aforedescribed manner. The strut 3 includes between the part 84 of inverted V- cross-section and the planar part 86 a bridging part 88 which forms a bending facility, such as to enable the strut to bend resiliently at this location. For example, if the strut should prove to be too long when the angled insert part 62 of the fitting 'is forced, e.g. hammered, into its respective pocket 60, as is normally the case, the strut is able to bend at the location of this bend facility. This results in a bend that has spring characteristics, such as to urge the claw-shaped part 72 outwards and against the inner surface of the front wall of the channel section, therewith avoiding the occurrence of any play or clearance. Figures 8-10 illustrate a further embodiment of the in- vention. Corresponding gutter components and features have been identified with the same reference numerals as those used in the earlier embodiments. It will be under¬ stood that various features of this embodiment can also be combined with features of the earlier described embodi¬ ments, in any desired suitable fashion. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the upper edge of the rear wall 10 of the channel section 1 is folded in a manner to pro¬ s '" duce a fold 16 having a skirt 19 located on the outer side of the channel wall. This provides a smooth inner surface along the rear wall 10 and also brings down manufacturing costs. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the outwardly bulged portion 22 on the front wall 14 of the 10. earlier channel-section embodiments is replaced with a claw-like attachment socket 22, incorporating a part-cy¬ lindrical portion 92 which merges on one side thereof with a straight junction piece 24, extending out from the wall 14, and which presents along the other side thereof 15^ a. free-standing edge which terminates at a distance from the junction piece 24. The part-cylindrical attachment socket 92 defines a channel 30 which is intended to re¬ ceive the claw-like end 72 of the strut 3, said end 72 of the strut in this case preferably having a corresponding 20 ' part-cylindrical portion at 94,as illustrated in Figure 9. 3_h_ accordance with an alternative embodiment, the claw- shaped end 72 of the strut 3 ' may be formed in a manner which will enable it to be fitted into the part-cylindrical socket 92 at selected locations therealong, by means of a 23 " twisting or screwing action. According to another alter¬ native embodiment, the claw-shaped part 72 of the strut is constructed so that it will be held in the part-cylin¬ drical socket 92 in a manner which ensures that the strut will not be dislodged. In this case, the claw-shaped parts 3D: 72 of respective struts must be inserted before placing the end.cover-members 4 in position, or alternatively separate insertion locations, in the form of cut-outs or outwardly bent parts, must be provided in the part-cylindrical at¬ tachment socket 92. The attachment of the strut 3 in a part-cylindrical attach¬ ment socket provides a positive but movable attachment, in the absence of inherent stresses or lever-arc effects. The strut of the Figure 9 embodiment has at its other end an attachment part, generally referenced 79, which com¬ prises an upstanding portion 18 which is connected to the central part of the strut and which is folded over in a manner to form a depending skirt portion 62 in spaced, opposing relationship with the upstanding portion, there- with to form a slot 96 into which the pocket-defining wall (the outwardly projecting part 58) of the channel section is inserted. The upstanding part 80 and its opposing skirt 62 have formed therein mutually registering screw- holes or nail-holes, as indicated at 82. To enable the attachment part 79 of the strut to be secured to its re¬ spective mounting bracket 2, the bracket may be provided with a hole 98 in the outwardly projecting part 58, as shown in Figure 10.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An arrangement in eaves gutters comprising a channel section (1) which is supported at its bottom surface (12) by a mounting bracket (2) secured to an eave with the rear wall (10) of the channel section in abutment with the bracket, the bracket being arranged to engage around the upper edge (16) of said rear wall through a tongue or the like (56) , and in which channel section the longitudi¬ nally extending free edge of the front wall (14) thereof has a claw-like configuration forming an anchorage (2) for one end (72) of a strut (3) , the other end (79) of which is intended to be secured to the upper end of the bracket, characterized in that the upper end of the bracket (2) incorporates a part (58) which protrudes outwardly, to- wards a fitted channel section, so as to define a pocket (60) into which said second end (79) of the strut can be inserted in order to secure said strut; and in that said tongue or the like (56) comprises a part which is punched from the bracket (2) at a location beneath said outwardly protruding part (58) . 2. An arrangement according to claim 1 , characterized in that the tongue or the like (56) is a lower continuation of said outwardly protruding part (58) and preferably exhibits a spring force. 3. An arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, character¬ ized in that the bracket(2) includes a base plate (50) having a substantially vertical part (46, 56) for abut¬ ment with the rear section-wall (10) and further includes an upper part (48, 64) which extends from the vertical part beyond the upper edge (16) of the rear section-wall (10); in that said outwardly protruding, pocket-defining part (58) of said bracket is formed in said upper part (48 64) ; and in that said other end (79) of said strut (3) is intended to lie against a building surface, e.g. an eaves board, located behind said bracket (2) , and/or against parts of the brackets (2) located adjacent the outwardly protruding part thereof, and/or in that the strut (3) , when fitted, extends obliquely outwards from the pocket (60) towards the free long edge of the front wall (14) . 4. An arrangement according to claim 1 , 2 or 3, charac¬ terized in that the strut (3) includes a tab (80) which extends in a direction opposite to a downwardly extending part (62) and which incorporates anchoring means (hole 82) by means of which the strut (3) can be secured to an ad¬ jacent building part by means of securing devices, such as a nail, screw or rivet, and/or in that the downwardly extending part (62) of the strut (3) can be held in the pocket (60) by means of said retaining means in co-action with holes (82) and/or an abutment surface. 5. An arrangement according to at least one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that the central part of the central strut (3) comprises a part (84) of inverted V-shaped cross-section and a part (86) of flat section having an intermediate junction part (88) and/or that the downwardly extending part is bent downwardly from the centre part of the strut and preferably presents a double- fold which projects upwardly with a tab (80) above the downwardly extending part (62) and/or that the claw-shaped end (72) of the strut (3) engaging the free long edge of the front wall (14) at least partially presents a non- planar,stiffening cross-section. 6. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the anchorage means of the front wall (14) comprises a substantially U-shaped or frustated V-shaped outwardly bulging part (22) comprising an upper limb 28, the free end of which is bent downwardly and rearwardly to define a groove or channel (30) , a web (26) and a lower limb (24) , the web (26) being intended to function as a support for the web part (76) of the claw- shaped end (72) and/or that an inwardly projecting corner part (32) is located in the junction region between the limb (28) and the substantially vertical part of the front wall (14) , and/or that the strut (3) exerts through the claw-shaped end (72) a lever effect on the channel section (1) such as to urge the bottom surface (12) of the channel section (1) against the supporting shelf (54). 7. An arrangement according to any of claims 1-5, charac¬ terized in that the anchorage means (22) of the front wall (14) includes a part-cylindrical part (92) which ex¬ tends from a lower limb (24) and defines a groove or channel (30) ,and in that the claw shaped part (72) of the strut (3) has a correspondingly formed part-cylindrical portion (94) operative in effecting a movable attachment in the anchorage means (22) in the absence of induced or inherent stresses. 8. An arrangement according to one or more of claims 1-7, characterized in that the upper edge (16) of the rear sec¬ tion wall (10) is folded over to present a Z-shaped fold (18) and an inwardly extending skirt (20) , so that the surface of the skirt facing inwardly of the channel sec¬ tion lies in the plane of the inner surface of the rear section wall (10) . 9. An arrangement according to one or more of claims 1-8, characterized in that the arrangement includes an end cover-member for attachment to the channel section (1) , said member including attachment folds (36, 38) intended when fitting the cover member, to accommodate the end edges (42) of the channel section walls (10, 14) and the bottom surface (16) thereof, said attachment folds presenting holes (40) , the end edges (42) , when fitting the cover member, projecting into the attachment folds (36, 38) such that parts (44) thereof project into the holes (40) , said parts (44) being swaged over laterally, so as to overlap the defining edges of holes (40) and secure the cover member in position. 10. An arrangement according to at least one of the pre¬ ceding claims, characterized in that the gutter mounting bracket (2) includes a substantially base plate (50) in¬ corporating attachment means (52) or a base part incor¬ porating a vertical part (66) having oblique parts (64, 70) provided with attachment means (52) and intermediate parts (68) which join the vertical part (56) and the oblique part (64, 70) , the pocket (60) being arranged in the upper oblique part (64) .

Inventors: PAULSSON ARNE, PAULSSON, ARNE
Applicants: SIBA VERKEN AB, AB SIBA-VERKEN
Application year: 1987
Main classification: E04D13
IPC codes: E04D13