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STATEMENT OF RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This patent application is based on and claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/649,027 having a filing date of 1 Feb. 2005. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Technical Field  
         [0003]     The invention generally is related to the field of building construction tools and more specifically is related to tools and devices to assist in the installation of rain and water gutters on building.  
         [0004]     2. Prior Art  
         [0005]     Currently, the most common method for attaching gutters to a building is to have two or more people hold the gutters against the building, adjust the gutters to as close to a desired position as possible using the naked eye, and then attaching the gutters to the building. This can result in uneven gutters, poor drainage slopes, and unattractive workmanship. Several devices have been developed to assist in the attachment of gutters to buildings, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,496B1 to Gilchrist, U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,234 to Lee and U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,303 to Midlik. However, there exists a need for a more convenient, less costly device for attaching gutters to buildings.  
         [0006]     Accordingly, there is always a need for an improved device and method for attaching gutters to residences and other building that is easy and convenient to use. There also is a need for an improved device and method for attaching gutters to residences and other buildings in which the components are reduced and simplified and less costly to produce and use. It is to these needs, among other needs, that the present invention is directed.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     Briefly, the invention is a device for assisting in the installation of gutters on a building, comprising a base for releasably supporting a length of gutter, a vertical stem extending downward from a first end of the base for mounting on the building, a vertical extension extending upward from a second end of the base for releasably retaining the length of gutter on the base, wherein at least one of the device is releasably mounted on the building in a position corresponding to a desired location for attaching the length of gutter to the building, the length of gutter is placed on the base between the vertical extension and the building, the gutter is attached to the building, and the device is removed from the building.  
         [0008]     The invention has at least two embodiments. A first embodiment is a unitary device that is releasably mounted on the building in a position corresponding to a desired location for attaching the length of gutter to the building. In this first embodiment, the base, vertical stem and vertical extension are a unitary structure. A second embodiment is a two-piece device in which the vertical stem is releasably mounted on the building in a position proximal to the desired location for attaching the length of gutter to the building and the base is adjusted to a position corresponding to a desired location for attaching the length of gutter to the building. In this second embodiment, the base and the vertical extension are a first component and the stem is a second component. The base slidably and adjustably cooperates with the vertical stem.  
         [0009]     These features, other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numerals represent like components throughout the several views. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     The five sheets of figures show preferred embodiments of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows three views, a side view  FIG. 1A , a top view  FIG. 1B  and a back view  FIG. 1C , of an illustrative first embodiment of a gutter installation bracket of this invention.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the gutter installation bracket of  FIG. 1  shown in use in installing a gutter to a residence.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  shows three views, a side view  FIG. 3A , a top view  FIG. 3B  and a back view  FIG. 3C , of an illustrative second embodiment of a gutter support bracket of this invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  shows four views, a front view  FIG. 4A , a top view  FIG. 4B , a side view  FIG. 4C  and a back view  FIG. 4D , of an illustrative embodiment of an assembly attachment block of this invention  FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the gutter support bracket of  FIG. 3  shows in conjunction with the assembly attachment block of  FIG. 4  and their use in installing a gutter to a residence. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     FIGS.  1  to  5  illustrate two of many preferred embodiments of a gutter installation device as contemplated by this invention.  FIG. 1  shows three views of an illustrative first embodiment of a gutter installation bracket  10  of this invention, with a side view shown in  FIG. 1A , a top view shown in  FIG. 1B  and a back view shown in  FIG. 1C .  FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of the gutter installation bracket  10  of  FIG. 1  shown in use in installing a gutter  50  to a residence  60 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows three views of an illustrative second embodiment of a gutter support bracket  100  of this invention, with a side view shown in  FIG. 3A , a top view shown in  FIG. 3B  and a back view shown in  FIG. 3C .  FIG. 4  shows four views of an illustrative embodiment of an assembly attachment block  120  of this invention for use in connection with the gutter support bracket  100 , with a front view shown in  FIG. 4A , a top view shown in  FIG. 4B , a side view shown in  FIG. 4C  and a back view shown in  FIG. 4D .  FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the gutter support bracket  100  of  FIG. 3  show in conjunction with the assembly attachment block  120  of  FIG. 4  and their use in installing a gutter  50  to a residence  60 .  
       Unitary Device Embodiment of the Invention Physical Definition of Unitary Device Embodiment of the Invention  
       [0017]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a first preferred embodiment of the gutter installation bracket  10  is to be constructed of a material that is appropriate to the size of the gutter  50  to be installed. The gutter installation bracket  10  will vary in size according to the size of the gutter  50  to be installed. An illustrative example of the gutter installation bracket  10  has a base  12  that is: 
        a) Four and on half (4½) inches to seven and one half (7½) inches long;     b) One (1) inch to five (5) inches wide; and     c) One quarter (¼) inch to two (2) inches thick at the center.        
 
         [0021]     On the bottom of the base  12  of the illustrative example of the gutter installation bracket  10  (at the back), there is a vertical stem  14  that: 
        a) Two (2) inches to five (5) inches long;     b) One eighth (⅛) to one and one half (1½) inches thick; and     c) Extends two (2) inches to five (5) inches from the bottom of the base  12 , downward.        
 
         [0025]     There are two (2) holes  18  in the vertical stem  14  that are drilled through the stem  14  from front to back and are: 
        a) One eighth (⅛) inches to five sixteenths ( 5/16) inches wide;     b) One half (½) inches to one and one half (1½) inches tall;     c) One half (½) inch to two (2) inches (on center) from the bottom of the base  12 ; and     d) One quarter (¼) inches to two (2) inches on center from either side of the stem  14 .        
 
         [0030]     On the top of the base  12  of gutter installation bracket  10 , at the front there is a vertical extension  16  that: 
        a) Runs from side to side;     b) Is one half (½) inches to one and one half (1½) inches tall;     c) Is one (1) inch to five (5) inches wide;     d) Is one eighth (⅛) to one and one half (1½) inches thick; and     e) Has no holes, grooves, or slots        
 
         [0036]     The top of the base  12  of the gutter installation bracket  10  that does not have the vertical extension  16  attached to it is: 
        a) Four (4) inches to seven (7) inches long;     b) One (1) inch to five (5) inches wide;     c) One quarter (¼) inches to two (2) inches thick at the center; and     d) One eighth (⅛) inches lower along both longitudinal sides than at the center of the top of the base  12  of this area.        
 
         [0041]      FIG. 1A  illustrates a side view of a representative example of the gutter installation bracket  10 . The base  12  is a generally rectangular component that is used to support the gutter  50  when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60 . As shown and in use, the base  12  generally lies in a horizontal plane. The stem  14  is a generally rectangular component that is used to attach the gutter installation bracket  10  to the residence  60  when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60 . As shown and in use, the stem  14  extends generally vertically downward from a first or back end of the base  12 . At least one hole  18  extends through the stem  14  and is used in conjunction with a screw  20  to secure the gutter installation bracket  10  to the residence  60  when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60 . The vertical extension  16  is a generally rectangular component that is used to maintain the gutter  50  on the gutter installation bracket  10 , specifically on the base  12 , when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60 . As shown and in use, the vertical extension extends generally vertically upward from a second or front end of the base  12 . The base  12 , the stem  14 , and the vertical extension  16  all preferably have the same width and material thickness.  
         [0042]      FIG. 1B  illustrates a top view of a representative example of the gutter installation bracket  10 . As can be seen in this view, the base  12  and the vertical extension  16  have similar widths. Further, as can be seen by the shading in the drawing, the base  12  can have a shallow peaked configuration in which the centerline of the top surface of the base  12  is slightly higher than either edge of the base  12 . This allows for easier sliding of the gutter  50  along the base  12  when installing the gutter on the residence  60 . This also allows the gutter installation bracket  10  to be attached to the residence  60  at an angle off horizontal without affecting the function of the gutter installation bracket  10  in general and the base  12  in specific.  
         [0043]      FIG. 1C  illustrates a back view of a representative example of the gutter installation bracket  10 . As can be seen in this view, the base  12  and the stem  14  have similar widths. This view also shows in more detail that the base  12  can have a shallow peaked configuration in which the centerline of the top surface of the base  12  is slightly higher than either edge of the base  12 . This view also shows in more detail the at least one hole  18  extending through the stem  14  for use in conjunction with the screw  20  to secure the gutter installation bracket  10  to the residence  60  when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60 .  
         [0044]     The angles between the base  12  and the stem  14  and between the base  12  and the vertical extension  16  are shown in the figures to be in the 90° range. Although 90° is the preferred angle, this angle can range several degrees. For example, many times the gutter  50  is attached to the residence  60  at a slight downward angle sloping from the residence  60  outward to help prevent water in the gutter  50  from sloshing over the inner wall of the gutter  50  (that is, the wall of the gutter  50  proximal to and attached to the residence  60 ) when the gutter  50  is full, in which case, water will slosh over the outer wall of the gutter  50  (that is, the wall of the gutter distal from the residence  60 ). Thus, the angle between the base  12  and the stem  14  can be slightly less than 90° such that the gutter  50  will rest on the gutter installation bracket  10  at an appropriate slight angle for attachment to the residence  60 . Alternatively, most gutter installers likely will angle the gutter  50  manually when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60  without the need for such an angle.  
       Description of Use of Unitary Device Embodiment of the Invention  
       [0045]     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , this gutter installation bracket  10  is used to aid in the attachment of gutters  50  to a structure such as a residence  60 . One gutter installation bracket  10  is used for approximately every four (4) feet of gutter  50  to be installed. If the distance is less than four (4) feet the use of two (2) gutter installation brackets  10  is appropriate. The gutter installation bracket  10  is mounted after correct measurements have been taken and the proper placement of the gutter  50  has been determined.  
         [0046]     In use, the installer places the gutter installation bracket  10  onto the structure  60  so that the highest point of the back base  12  of the gutter installation bracket  10  is aligned with a mark (not shown) previously placed on the structure  60 , typically a fascia board  62  of the structure  60 . The mark previously placed on the structure  60  corresponds to where the bottom of the gutter  50  is located relative to the fascia board  62 .  
         [0047]     The installer then inserts the screw(s)  20 , such as two (2) #10 by one and one half (1.5) inch to three (3) inches machine screws (supplied), through washers (supplied). Then, the installer places the screw(s)  20  with the washers in place through the holes  18  of the stem  14  of the gutter installation bracket  10 . The screw(s)  20  are inserted in the holes  18  in the stem  14  from the front, that is the side of the stem  14  not in contact with the structure  60 . The screw(s)  20  is(are) then tightened enough to hold the weight of the gutter installation bracket  10  and the weight of the gutter  50  being installed.  
         [0048]     The gutter  50  then is placed onto the gutter installation bracket  10  and secured to the structure  60  using appropriate attachment brackets specified by the gutter manufacturer. The gutter installation bracket  10  is then removed from the structure  60 . One or more gutter installation brackets  10  can be used at the same time. The use of two (2) or more gutter installation brackets  10  at once allows the installer to lay the gutter  50  section on more than one gutter installation bracket  10 , which will support the gutter  50  section without the need for the installer to maintain a hold on the gutter  50  section, as would be the case if only one gutter installation bracket  10  was used at a time.  
       Physical Definition of Specific Embodiment of the Unitary Device Embodiment of the Invention  
       [0049]     For economy of manufacture, it has been found that a gutter installation bracket  10  of a set size is suitable for the majority of gutter  50  installations. Following is a description of such a universal gutter installation bracket  10 . The universal gutter installation bracket  10  preferably is manufactured of molded plastic that has a base  12  that is four and one half (4.5) inches long by three (3) inches wide and one half (½) inches thick at the center.  
         [0050]     On bottom of the base  12  of the gutter installation bracket  10  (at the back), there is a vertical stem  14  that is three (3) inches long by one half (½) inches thick and extends three (3) inches from the bottom of the base  12 , downward.  
         [0051]     There are two (2) three sixteenths ( 3/16) inch wide by three quarter (¾) inch vertical holes  18  in the stem  14  that are one and one half (1.5) inches (on center) from the bottom of the base  12 . The vertical holes  18  run from front to back through the stem  14  and are placed three quarters (¾) inches on center from either side of the stem  14 .  
         [0052]     On the top of the base  12  of gutter installation bracket  10 , at the front there is a vertical extension  16  that runs from side to side that is one half (½) inch tall by three (3) inches wide by one half (½) inch thick. The vertical extension  16  has no holes, grooves, or slots.  
         [0053]     The top of the base  12  of the gutter installation bracket  10  that does not have the vertical extension  16  attached to it is four (4) inches long by three (3) inches wide. The top of this area of the base  12  is one half (½) inch thick at the center. There is a slope that starts in the center of the top of this area and travels to either side. The sides of the top of this area of the base  12  are one eighth (⅛) inch lower than the center of the top of the base  12  of this area.  
       Description of Use of Specific Embodiment of the Unitary Device Embodiment of the Invention  
       [0054]     The gutter installation bracket  10  is used to aid in the attachment of, for example, standard five (5) inch gutters  50  to, for example, a residential structure  60 . One gutter installation bracket  10  is used for approximately every four (4) feet of gutter  50  to be installed. If the distance is less than four (4) feet, the use of two (2) gutter installation brackets  10  is appropriate. It is mounted after correct measurements have been taken and the proper placement of the gutter  50  has been determined. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the use of the gutter installation bracket  10 , namely, the universal gutter installation bracket  10  disclosed above, two or more gutter installation brackets  10  are used for better support of the gutter  50  when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60 .  
         [0055]     The use of the universal gutter installation bracket  50  is identical to the general use method disclosed above. The installer places the gutter installation brackets  10  onto the fascia board  62  so that the highest point of the back base  12  of the gutter installation brackets  10  line up with a mark previously placed on the fascia board  62 . The installer inserts two (2) #10 by one and one half (1.5) inch machine screws  20  (supplied) through the washers (supplied). The installer then places the machine screws  20  with the washers in place through holes  18  of the stem  14  of the gutter installation bracket  10 . The screws  18  are inserted in the holes  18  in the stem  14  from the front side.  
         [0056]     The gutter  50  is placed on the gutter installation brackets  10  and secured to the fascia board  62  of the residence  60  using appropriate attachment brackets specified by the gutter manufacturer. The gutter installation brackets  10  then are removed and can be reused.  
       Two-Piece Device Embodiment of the Invention Physical Definition of Two-Piece Device Embodiment of the Invention  
       [0057]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , a second preferred embodiment of the gutter installation bracket  10 , namely gutter support bracket  100 , is shown. This device  100  also preferably is used to aid in the attachment of standard five (5) inch gutters  50  to a residential structure  60 . One device  100  is placed every four (4) feet along the fascia board  62 , or the equivalent, with the first device  100  mounted four (4) feet from the downspout (not shown). The first device  100  is mounted after correct measurements have been taken and the proper placement of the device  100  has been determined. This device  100  is not designed to establish the placement of the gutters  50 .  
         [0058]     The device  100  consists of two separate components  112 ,  114  preferably constructed of plastic. One component is the support bracket  112 . The other component is the assembly attachment block  114 . The two (2) components  112 ,  114  are assembled together with a one quarter (¼) by one and one half (1.5) inch bolt  126 . Once the two (2) components  112 , 114  have been assembled, they are then secured to the fascia board  62  of the house  60  with two (2) #10 screws  20 . The gutter  50  is placed onto the device  100  and secured to the house  60  using appropriate attachment brackets specified by the gutter manufacturer. The device  100  is then removed.  
         [0059]      FIG. 3A  illustrates a side view of a representative example of the support bracket  112 . The base  102  is a generally rectangular component that is used to support the gutter  50  when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60 . As shown and in use, the base  102  generally lies in a horizontal plane. The stem  104  is a generally rectangular component that is used to assist in attaching the gutter support bracket  100  to the residence  60  when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60 . As shown and in use, the stem  104  extends generally vertically downward from a first or back end of the base  102 . The vertical extension  106  is a generally rectangular component that is used to maintain the gutter  50  on the support bracket  112 , specifically on the base  102 , when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60 . As shown and in use, the vertical extension extends generally vertically upward from a second or front end of the base  102 . The base  102  and the vertical extension  106  both preferably have the same width and material thickness, while the stem  104  has a somewhat smaller width, but a similar material thickness.  
         [0060]      FIG. 3B  illustrates a top view of a representative example of the support bracket  112 . As can be seen in this view, the base  102  and the vertical extension  106  have similar widths. Further, as can be seen by the shading in the drawing, the base  102  can have a shallow peaked configuration in which the centerline of the top surface of the base  102  is slightly higher than either edge of the base  102 . This allows for easier sliding of the gutter  50  along the base  102  when installing the gutter on the residence  60 . This also allows the gutter support bracket  100  to be attached to the residence  60  at an angle off horizontal without affecting the function of the gutter installation bracket  100  in general and the base  102  in specific.  
         [0061]      FIG. 3C  illustrates a back view of a representative example of the support bracket  112 . As can be seen in this view, the base  102  and the stem  104  do not have similar widths. This view also shows in more detail that the base  102  can have a shallow peaked configuration in which the centerline of the top surface of the base  102  is slightly higher than either edge of the base  102 . This view also shows in more detail the placement of the bolt  126 , which extends through the stem  104  for use in securing the assembly attachment block  114  to the support bracket  112 .  
         [0062]     The angles between the base  102  and the stem  104  and between the base  102  and the vertical extension  106  are shown in the figures to be in the 90° range. Although 90° is the preferred angle, this angle can range several degrees. For example, many times the gutter  50  is attached to the residence  60  at a slight downward angle sloping from the residence  60  outward to help prevent water in the gutter  50  from sloshing over the inner wall of the gutter  50  (that is, the wall of the gutter  50  proximal to and attached to the residence  60 ) when the gutter  50  is full, in which case, water will slosh over the outer wall of the gutter  50  (that is, the wall of the gutter distal from the residence  60 ). Thus, the angle between the base  102  and the stem  104  can be slightly less than 90° such that the gutter  50  will rest on the gutter installation bracket  100  at an appropriate slight angle for attachment to the residence  60 . Alternatively, most gutter installers likely will angle the gutter  50  manually when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60  without the need for such an angle.  
         [0063]     The two (2) components  112 ,  114  now will be disclosed in somewhat more detail in conjunction with  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Overall, as can be seen in the following disclosure, the gutter support bracket  100  has the same general configuration as the gutter installation bracket  10 , with some differences due to the method of use.  
         [0064]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the first component is the support bracket  112 , which comprises a base  102  that in a preferred universal application embodiment is four and one half (4.5) inches long by three (3) wide inches and one (1) inch thick at the center. On bottom of the base  102  of the support bracket  112  (at the back), there is a vertical stem  104  that in the preferred universal application embodiment is one (1) inch thick by one (1) inch wide and extends three (3) inches from the bottom of the base  102 , downward. The stem  104  is centered approximately one and one half (1.5) inches from either side of the bottom of the base  102  of the support bracket  112 . There is a one quarter (¼) inch hole  108  drilled in the stem  104  that is one and one half (1.5) inches (on center) from the bottom of the base  102  of the support bracket  112  that travels back to front through the stem  104  and is approximately one half (½) inch (on center) from either side of the stem  104 . The part of the hole  108  on the back side of the stem  104  is shaped to accept the head of a hex headed one quarter (¼) inch bolt  126 . This will insure that the bolt  126  will be held secure in order to tighten the wing nut  128  on the other end of the bolt  126 , thus securing the assembly attachment block  114  to the support bracket  112 .  
         [0065]     On the top of the base  102  of support bracket  112 , at the front there is a vertical extension  106  that runs from side to side that in a preferred universal application embodiment is one half (½) inch tall by three (3) inches wide by one half (½) inch long. The vertical extension  106  has no holes, grooves, or slots. The word “front” can be stamped on the vertical extension  106  on the front of the support bracket  112  to identify it as the front of the support bracket  112 .  
         [0066]     The top of the base  102  of the support bracket  112  that does not have the vertical extension  106  attached to it is in a preferred universal application embodiment four (4) inches long by three (3) inches wide. The top of the base  102  is one (1) inch thick at the center. There is a downward slope that starts in the center of the top of the base  102  goes to either side. The sides of the top of the base  102  in a preferred universal application embodiment are one eighth (⅛) inch lower than the center of the top of the base  102 .  
         [0067]      FIG. 4A  shows a front view of the assembly attachment block  114 . As can be seen, assembly attachment block  114  is a generally rectangular component having a planar front face. Assembly attachment block  114  additionally comprises a racetrack shaped hole  132  extending vertically in approximately the horizontal center of the assembly attachment block  114 . This hole  132  cooperates with the bolt  126  for attaching the support bracket  112  and the assembly attachment block  114  together. Assembly attachment block  114  also has at least one screw hole  118  extending therethrough that are used in conjunction with a screw  120  to secure the assembly attachment block  114 , and therefore the gutter installation bracket  100 , to the residence  60  when attaching the gutter  50  to the residence  60 .  
         [0068]      FIG. 4B  shows a top view of the assembly attachment block  114 . As can be seen, assembly attachment block  114  has a U-shaped cross-section comprising two arms  140  and neck  142  defining a central groove  144 . Screw holes  118  are shown, one through each of the arms  140 . Bolt hole  132  also is shown through neck  142 . Assembly attachment block  114  is attached to the structure  60  with the back face  148  proximal to and contacting the fascia board  62  or the structure  60 . Stem  104  slidably fits within central groove  144 .  
         [0069]      FIG. 4C  shows a side view of the assembly attachment block  114 . As can be seen, assembly attachment block  114  has a generally rectangular profile. Screw hole  120  is shown through arm  140 .  
         [0070]      FIG. 4D  shows a back view of the assembly attachment block  114 . As can be seen, the central groove  144  extends centrally from the top to the bottom of the assembly attachment block  114 . The width of the central groove  144  generally corresponds to the width of the stem  104  and the depth of the central groove  144  corresponds generally to the thickness of the stem  104  such that the stem  104  can slidably fit within the central groove  144  when the assembly attachment block  114  is attached to the structure  60 , as disclosed below, and slide vertically upwards and downwards within the central groove  144 .  
         [0071]     Assembly attachment block  114  is in a preferred universal application embodiment three (3) inches wide by three (3) inches tall by one (1) inch thick. The back of assembly attachment block  114  block has a groove, such as central groove  144 , that in a preferred universal application embodiment is one (1) inch wide, that runs top to bottom and is three quarter (¾) inch deep. There is a hole  132  that is one and one half (1.5) inches from the top of the assembly attachment block  114  (on center) that is one quarter (¼) inches wide and one (1) inch top to bottom. This will allow the vertical movement of the support bracket  112  within the central groove  144 , and then be secured by the tightening of wing nut  128  on bolt  126 . There are two (2) holes  118  in the back part of the assembly attachment block  114  that are not grooved. One hole  118  is one and one half (1.5) inches (on center) from the top and one half (½) inch (on center) from the side of the assembly attachment block  114 . This hole  118  is one eighth (⅛) inch in diameter and runs through the assembly attachment block  114  front to back. The other hole  118  is one and one half (1.5) inches (on center) from the top and one half (½) inch from the other side of assembly attachment block  114 . This hole  118  is one eighth (⅛) inch in diameter and runs through the assembly attachment block  114  front to back. The left and right sides of the assembly attachment block  114  have no holes, grooves, or slots.  
       Description of Use of Two-Piece Device Embodiment of the Invention  
       [0072]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of the gutter support bracket  100  and its use in installing a gutter  50  to a residence  60  is shown. As disclosed above, this gutter installation bracket  100  is used to aid in the attachment of gutters  50  to a structure  60 . One gutter installation bracket  100  is used for approximately every four (4) feet of gutter  50  to be installed. If the distance is less than four (4) feet the use of two (2) gutter installation brackets  100  is appropriate. The gutter installation bracket  100  is mounted after correct measurements have been taken and the proper placement of the gutter  50  has been determined.  
         [0073]     In use, the support bracket  112  and the assembly attachment block  114  are connected together using the bolt  124  and the wing nut  126 . The wing nut  126  is left loose so that the support bracket  112  can be adjusted. Then, the installer places the assembly attachment block  114  onto the structure  60  so that the highest point of the back side, that is the side having the central groove  144 , of the assembly attachment block  114  is aligned with a mark (not shown) previously placed on the structure  60 , typically a fascia board  62  of the structure  60 . The mark previously placed on the structure  60  corresponds to where the bottom of the gutter  50  is located relative to the fascia board  62 . In this configuration, the back side is proximal to and contacting the fascia board  62  or structure  60 .  
         [0074]     The installer then inserts the screw(s)  120 , such as two (2) #10 by one and one half (1.5) inch to three (3) inches machine screws (supplied), through washers (supplied). Then, the installer places the screw(s)  120  with the washers in place through the holes  118  of the assembly attachment block  114  of the gutter support bracket  100 . The screw(s)  120  are inserted in the holes  118  in the assembly attachment block  114  from the front, that is the side of the assembly attachment block  114  not in contact with the structure  60 . The screw(s)  120  is(are) then tightened enough to hold the weight of the gutter support bracket  100  and the weight of the gutter  50  being installed.  
         [0075]     The gutter  50  then is placed onto the gutter installation bracket  100  and secured to the structure  60  using appropriate attachment brackets specified by the gutter manufacturer. Prior to attaching the gutter  50  to the structure  60 , the gutter  50  can be raised or lowered a certain distance by moving the support bracket  1   12  vertically upwards or downwards within the central groove  144  of the assembly attachment block  144 , and locking the support bracket  112  in the desired place by tightening the wing nut  128  on the bolt  126 . After the gutter  50  has been attached to the structure  60 , the gutter installation bracket  100  is then removed from the structure  60 . One or more gutter installation brackets  100  can be used at the same time. The use of two (2) or more gutter installation brackets  100  at once allows the installer to lay the gutter  50  section on more than one gutter installation bracket  100 , which will support the gutter  50  section without the need for the installer to maintain a hold on the gutter  50  section, as would be the case if only one gutter installation bracket  100  was used at a time.  
         [0076]     The gutter installation bracket  10  and the gutter support bracket  100  all can be manufactured from a variety of materials. Representative materials of manufacture include plastics, metals, ceramics, and composites. One of ordinary skill in the art can select a material of manufacture of sufficient strength to support the installation of gutters  50  without failing.  
         [0077]     The gutter installation bracket  10  and the gutter support bracket  100  all can be manufactures in a variety of material thicknesses, shapes, and configurations. Again, one of ordinary skill in the art can select a thickness of material such that the components will be of sufficient strength to support the installation of gutters  50  without failing. Likewise, the shape of the various components is not limited to the generally rectangular shapes disclosed above and shown in the figures. Other shapes are suitable, including ovals, circles, triangle, and other geometric shapes. Generally speaking the shape of each component, with the exception of the top slope of the base  12 ,  102 , has little bearing on the functionality of the device  10 ,  100 .  
         [0078]     Although this specification discusses the attachment of gutters  50  to a residence  60 , the term residence is meant to be inclusive of all structures to which a gutter  50  can be attached. For example, other structures include buildings, sheds, apartment buildings, townhouses, brownstones, and the like.  
         [0079]     The foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiments, examples and the appended figures have been presented only for illustrative and descriptive purposes. They are not intended to be exhaustive and are not intended to limit the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were selected and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications. One skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the invention disclosed in this specification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Summary:
A device for assisting in the installation of gutters on a building, comprising a base for releasably supporting a length of gutter, a vertical stem extending downward from a first end of the base for mounting on the building, a vertical extension extending upward from a second end of the base for releasably retaining the length of gutter on the base, wherein at least one of the device is releasably mounted on the building in a position corresponding to a desired location for attaching the length of gutter to the building, the length of gutter is placed on the base between the vertical extension and the building, the gutter is attached to the building, and the device is removed from the building.