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[0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of Ser. No. 11/944,759 filed Nov. 26, 2007, which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of the U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/867,649 filed Nov. 29, 2006. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to rain gutters for buildings and more particularly to an integrated rain gutter, reverse-curve shield, back flashing or back dam, and fastening clip system. 
       BACKGROUND ART 
       [0003]    Open trough rain gutters collect debris that falls on the roof and washes down with the rain water. Systems to shield the rain gutter from debris include screens over the open trough and reverse-curve shields. The screens have a tendency to clog with small debris, blocking the rain water from entering the rain gutter. 
         [0004]    Reverse-curve shields or hoods generally have a sloped planar section that extends over the rain gutter and a coextensive curved section that first curves forwardly and downwardly over the front of the rain gutter and then curves downwardly and inwardly. Rain water, through liquid adhesion principles, follows the curved section to the lower edge of the shield and falls from this lower edge into the rain gutter. Debris washed down by the rain water falls off at the forward extent of the curved section of the shield and drops to the ground. 
         [0005]    Known reverse-curve shields can generally be divided into two types. In a first type, the rear of the shield is integrated into the roof, typically by sliding the rear edge of the shield under the lower, forward edge of the roof covering. Reverse-curve shields typically require a certain amount of vertical spacing above the rain gutter. Open top rain gutters are generally mounted as high as possible on the eave, adjacent to the lower edge of the roof. When a reverse-curve shield is added over an open top rain gutter, the required vertical spacing of the shield above the rain gutter can result in the rear edge of the shield being higher than the roof edge. In order to achieve an appropriate geometric configuration of the shield relative to the rain gutter for correct functionality, this first type of reverse-curve shield is typically used when a reverse-curve shield is added over an existing open top rain gutter. 
         [0006]    In the second type of reverse-curve shield, the shield mounts only over the rain gutter, independent of the roof. This second type of reverse-curve shield is mounted with specialized fastening clips and typically mounted with the rain gutter as part of an integrated system. When positioned correctly, the shield is located slightly below the roof edge and completely above both the front edge and back edge of the rain gutter. This type of positioning often leaves the back edge of the gutter located well below the existing flashing with the fascia behind the gutter exposed and susceptible to leakage behind the gutter. 
         [0007]    Seams or joints in a rain gutter can leak. Seamless rain gutters, with a single seamless section of rain gutter along each straight section of guttered eave, reduce the possibility of leakage and are preferable over rain gutters with joints or seams along straight sections of rain gutter. In many known rain gutters, including many seamless rain gutters, the fasteners that attach the rain gutter to the eave, pierce the rain gutter. Differential thermal expansion between the rain gutter and eave can generate stress on these fasteners, creating a possibility of failure. A mounting system for a rain gutter that allows the rain gutter and shield to independently expand relative to the eave is desirable. 
       DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An integrated covered rain gutter system includes a back-flashing, a plurality of fastening clips, a fastener for each fastening clip, an open-top rain gutter, and a reverse-curve shield. The fasteners extend through the base of the fastening clips and the back flashing to anchor the fastening clips and the back flashing to the fascia. The rain gutter and the shield are each mounted on the back flashing and/or the fastening clips, each being anchored vertically and in a fore/aft direction while being allowed to float laterally to prevent stress from thermal expansion. The upper back end of the rain gutter extends behind the lower edge of the back flashing. The upper front end of the rain gutter has an angled face to improve debris shedding. One end of the shield has a barb that is received into a shaped receiving slot on the fastening clips to semi-permanently attach the shield. Means are provided for uniformly locating or aligning the fastening clips relative to the shield. 
         [0009]    An alternative integrated covered rain gutter system includes, an open-top rain gutter, a plurality of fastening clips, a fastener for each fastening clip, and a reverse-curve shield with an integrated back dam. The fasteners extend through the base of the fastening clips and the shield to anchor the fastening clips and the shield to the fascia. The rain gutter is mounted on the fastening clips, being anchored vertically and in a fore/aft direction while being allowed to float laterally to prevent stress from thermal expansion. The upper back end of the rain gutter connects to the lower back edge of the shield with a snap together joint. The upper front end of the rain gutter has an angled face to improve debris shedding. The front end of the shield has a barb that is received into a shaped receiving slot on the fastening clips to semi-permanently attach the shield. Means are provided for uniformly locating or aligning the fastening clips relative to the gutter and the shield. The back dam prevents leakage behind the rain gutter. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    Details of this invention are described in connection with the accompanying drawings that bear similar reference numerals in which: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a side plan view of a covered rain gutter system embodying features of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective, partially cut-away view of the system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the back flashing of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the fastening clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side plan view of the fastening clip of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side plan view of the rain gutter of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side plan view of the shield of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side plan view of an alternative covered rain gutter system embodying features of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a sectional view of the fastening clip of the system of  FIG. 8  taken along line  9 - 9 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a side plan view of an alternative configuration of the joint of the system of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a side plan view of another alternative configuration of the joint of the system of  FIG. 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is a side plan view of another alternative configuration of the joint of the system of  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an integrated covered rain gutter system  10  embodying features of the present invention includes a back-flashing  12 , a plurality of fastening clips  13 , fastener  14  for each fastening clip  13 , an open-top rain gutter  15 , and a reverse-curve shield  16 . The back flashing  12 , rain gutter  15  and reverse-curve shield  16  are preferably each roll formed from sheet metal. The back flashing  12 , rain gutter  15  and reverse-curve shield  16  could also be plastic and could be molded or extruded. The advantage to roll forming is that the length of each back flashing  12 , rain gutter  15  and reverse-curve shield  16  can be tailored to the length of each eave, so that a substantially seamless rain gutter system  10  can be provided. 
         [0024]    Describing the specific embodiments herein chosen for illustrating the invention, certain terminology is used which will be recognized as being employed for convenience and having no limiting significance. For example, the terms “front” and “forward” will refer to directions away from the fascia or eave and “back” or “rearward” will refer to directions toward from the fascia or eave on which the rain gutter is installed. With reference to the drawings, this means that “forwardly” is to the right and “rearwardly” is to the left. Further, all of the terminology above-defined includes derivatives of the word specifically mentioned and words of similar import. 
         [0025]    The back flashing  12 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , has a substantially vertical, planar intermediate portion  18 , a generally planar upper portion  19  that extends upwardly and forwardly from the top of the intermediate portion  18  to an upper edge  24 , and a crease  20  that projects forwardly from the bottom of the intermediate portion  18 . The crease  20  is formed with a forwardly projecting first fold  21  from the bottom of the intermediate portion  18  connected to a spaced, generally parallel, second fold  22  that projects rearwardly below the first fold  21  to a lower edge  25 , with a rearwardly opening slot  23  being formed between the first and second folds  21  and  22 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the fastening clip  13  has a base  26  and a support body  27  that extends forwardly from the base  26  to a forward end  28 . The fastening clip  13  can be molded plastic. The base  26  is generally vertical, and has a forwardly opening first receiving slot  29  at the top of the base  26 , a fastener aperture  30  below the first receiving slot  29 , and a rearwardly opening groove  31  below the fastener aperture  30 . 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the groove  31  is sized and shaped to receive the crease  20  of the back flashing  12 , and in cooperation with the crease  20  of the back flashing  12 , provides a means for aligning the fastening clips  13  with the back flashing  12 . The back flashing  12  is mounted to the fascia  32 , with the fastening clips  13  spaced along the back flashing  12 , by a fastener  14  that extends through the fastener aperture  30  in each fastening clip  13 , through the back flashing  12  and into the fascia  32 . The back flashing  12  preferably overlaps the existing flashing  33 . The upper portion  19  of the back flashing  12  extends above the top of the base  26  of each fastening clip  13  to protect the fascia  32  above the top of the base  26 . 
         [0028]    Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the support body  27  of the fastening clips  13  has a lower portion  34  and a web portion  35 . The lower portion  34  extends upwardly and forwardly from the bottom of the base  26  and then horizontally forwardly to the forward end  28 . The forward end  28  has a lower surface  37  that curves upwardly and forwardly, and an upper surface  38  that slopes upwardly and rearwardly from the front of the lower surface  37 . A rearward surface  39  of the forward end  28  curves, from the back of the upper surface, downwardly, then downwardly and forwardly and then downwardly and rearwardly. 
         [0029]    The lower portion  34  of the support body  27  has an upwardly opening second receiving slot  41  spaced rearwardly from the rearward surface  39  of the forward end. The second receiving slot  41  has a generally barb shape with a substantially vertical forward surface  43 , a lower rearward surface  44  that slants upwardly and rearwardly and an upper rearward surface  45  that slants upwardly and forwardly so that the second receiving slot  41  tapers at the top. The web portion  35  is a vertical wall that extends upwardly from the lower portion  34  to the first receiving slot  29  and forwardly from the base  26  to the second receiving slot  41 . 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the rain gutter  15  has an open top trough shape and includes a back wall  47 , a bottom wall  48  and a front wall  49 . The back wall  47  is generally planar and vertical. The bottom wall  48  projects forwardly from the bottom of the back wall  47 , and is generally planar and horizontal. The front wall  49  projects upwardly and forwardly from the bottom wall  48 , and is shaped. The front wall  49  shape is first vertical, then transitions into a forwardly convex curve, then transitions into a forwardly concave curve, and then transitions to vertical again. 
         [0031]    The upper back end  51  of the rain gutter  15  is formed by a forwardly projecting right angle bend at the top of the back wall  47 . The upper front end  52  of the rain gutter  15  has a front portion  54  that angles rearwardly and upwardly from the top of the front wall  49 , and a rear portion  55  projects downwardly from the back of the front portion  54 . As shown in  FIG. 1  the upper back end  51  fits into the slot  23  in the back flashing  12  and the upper front end  52  fits over the forward end  28  of the fastening clip  13 , so that the rain gutter  15  is slidably mounted to and floats relative to the back flashing  12  and the fastening clip  13 . The upper back end  51  fitting into the slot  23  places the upper back end  51  above and behind the bottom of the back flashing  12 , preventing leakage between the bottom of the back flashing  12  and the top of the back wall  47  of the rain gutter  15 . The angled front portion  54  of the upper front end  52  enhances debris shedding. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , the reverse-curve shield  16  includes a substantially horizontal first end  57 , a substantially planar rearward section  58  that slopes forwardly and upwardly from the first end  57 , a substantially planar intermediate section  59  that slopes forwardly and downwardly from the rearward section  58  and a reverse curve forward section  60  that extends forwardly from the rearward section  59  to a second end  61 . The forward section  60  curves downwardly until the forward section  60  projects rearwardly. The first end  57  shown is a downward and forward  180  fold. The second end  61  has a barb shape, extending downwardly from the forward section  60  and then folding rearwardly to project upwardly and rearwardly at an angle. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first end  57  of the reverse-curve shield  16  fits into the first receiving slot  29  of the fastening clip  13 . The second end  61  of the reverse-curve shield  16  fits into the second receiving slot  41  of the fastening clip  13 . The first and second receiving slots  29  and  41  position the intermediate section  59  of the reverse-curve shield  16  at a selected angle and the front of forward section  60  the of the reverse-curve shield  16  at a selected alignment over the front of the rain gutter  16 . The complementary barb shapes of the second end  61  of the reverse-curve shield  16  and the second receiving slot  41  of the fastening clip  13  allow the second end  61  of the reverse-curve shield  16  to snap into the second receiving slot  41  of the fastening clip  13 , providing semi-permanent mounting of the reverse-curve shield  16  and preventing the wind from dislodging the reverse-curve shield  16 . The reverse-curve shield  16  is slidably mounted to and floats relative to the fastening clips  13 . The first and second receiving slots  29  and  41  are positioned, and the reverse-curve shield in shaped to place the intermediate section  59  at a selected angle with the forward section  60  at a selected alignment over the upper front end  52  of the rain gutter  15 . 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , an alternative integrated covered rain gutter system  63  embodying features of the present invention includes a plurality of fastening clips  65 , a fastener  66  for each fastening clip  65 , an open-top rain gutter  67 , and a reverse-curve shield  68 . The rain gutter  67  and reverse-curve shield  68  are preferably each roll formed from sheet metal. The rain gutter  67  and reverse-curve shield  68  could also be plastic and could be molded or extruded. The advantage to roll forming is that the length of each rain gutter  67  and reverse-curve shield  68  can be tailored to the length of each eave, so that a substantially seamless rain gutter system  63  can be provided. 
         [0035]    The fastening clip  65  has a base  70  and a support body  71  that extends forwardly from the base  70  to a forward end  72 . The fastening clip  65  can be molded plastic. The base  70  is generally vertical and has a rearwardly opening groove  73 . The support body  71  has spaced lower, intermediate and upper portions  75 ,  76  and  77  that project forwardly from the base  70 , and web portions  78  that extend between the lower, intermediate and upper portions  75 ,  76  and  77 . The lower portion  75  extends forwardly from the bottom of the base  70  to the forward end  72 . 
         [0036]    The lower and intermediate portions  75  and  76  converge a selected distance behind the forward end  72 . The forward end  72  has a lower surface  80  that curves upwardly and forwardly, and an upper surface  81  that slopes upwardly and rearwardly from the front of the lower surface  80 . A rearward surface  82  of the forward end  72  curves, from the back of the upper surface  81 , downwardly, then downwardly and forwardly and then downwardly and rearwardly. The lower portion  75  has an upwardly opening receiving slot  84  between the rearward surface  82  and the convergence of the lower and intermediate portions  75  and  76 . The intermediate and upper portions  76  and  77  converge intermediate the base  70  and the forward end  72 . A fastener aperture  85  extends through the upper portion  76  and the base  70 , above the groove  73 . The receiving slot  84  has a generally barb shape with a substantially vertical forward surface  87 , a lower rearward surface  88  that slants upwardly and rearwardly and an upper rearward surface  89  that slants upwardly and forwardly so that the receiving slot  84  tapers at the top. 
         [0037]    The rain gutter  67  has an open top trough shape and includes a back wall  91 , a bottom wall  92  and a front wall  93 . The back wall  91  is generally planar and vertical. The bottom wall  92  projects forwardly from the bottom of the back wall  91 , and is generally planar and horizontal. The front wall  93  projects upwardly and forwardly from the bottom wall  92 , and is shaped. The front wall  93  shape shown is first vertical, then transitions into a forwardly convex curve, then transitions into a forwardly concave curve, and then transitions to vertical again. Rain gutters  67  of other shapes can be used. 
         [0038]    The upper back end  94  of the rain gutter  67  is formed into a forwardly projecting first joint portion  95 , shown as a rearwardly opening first crease  96 . The upper front end  98  of the rain gutter  67  has a front portion  99  that angles rearwardly and upwardly from the top of the front wall  93 , and a rear portion  100  that projects downwardly from the back of the front portion  99 . The upper front end  98  fits over the forward end  72  of the fastening clip  65 , so that the rain gutter  67  is slidably mounted to and floats relative to the fastening clip  65 . The angled front portion  99  of the upper front end  98  enhances debris shedding. 
         [0039]    The shield  68  includes a back dam  102  and a shield portion  103  that extends forwardly from the back dam  102  to a forward end  104 . The back dam  102  has a front wall  106  that projects upwardly to a fold  107  and a spaced back wall  108  that extends downwardly from the fold  107 . The back wall  108  extends downwardly beyond the bottom of the front wall  106  to a lower back end  109 . The lower back end  109  is formed into a forwardly projecting second joint portion  110 , shown as a rearwardly opening second crease  111 . 
         [0040]    The second crease  111  is sized and shaped to snap over the first crease  96  on the gutter  67  to form a snap together joint  112 . The joint  112  is sized and shaped to fit into the groove  73  in the base  70  of each fastening clip  65 . The joint  112 , in combination with the groove  73 , is a means for aligning the fastening clips  65  along the back dam  102  and the gutter  67 . 
         [0041]    The shield portion  103  of the shield  68  has a substantially planar rearward section  114  that slopes forwardly and downwardly from the bottom of the front wall  106  of the back dam  102  and a reverse curve forward section  115  that extends forwardly from the rearward section  114  to the forward end  104 . The forward section  115  curves downwardly until the forward section  115  projects rearwardly. The forward end  104  has a barb shape, extending downwardly and rearwardly from the forward section  115  and then folding rearwardly to project upwardly. The forward end  104  is sized to snap into the receiving slot  84  of each fastening clip  65 , providing semi-permanent mounting of the reverse-curve shield  68  and preventing the wind from dislodging the reverse-curve shield  68 . The forward end  104  of the reverse-curve shield  68  is slidably mounted to and floats relative to the fastening clips  65 . 
         [0042]    The gutter  67  and shield  68  are snapped together along the joint  112  and the fastening clips  65  are hooked onto the joint  112 , prior to lifting the system  63  up to the fascia  32 . The plurality of fastening clips  65  are spaced along the joint  112 , in similar manner to the spaced fastening clips  13  of system  10  shown in  FIG. 2 . The shield  68  is left open with the forward end  104  unattached. The system  63  is raised to the fascia  32 , and the fastening clips  65  are slid along the joint  112  for centering and proper spacing. The fasteners  66  are preferably deck screws. The fasteners  66  are inserted into the fastener apertures  85  in the fastening clips  65 , and driven through the back wall  106  of the back dam  102  and into the fascia  32 , to secure the system  63  to the fascia  32 . The forward end  104  of the shield  68  is then snapped into the receiving slot  84 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  shows an alternative configuration of the joint  112  where the second crease  111  on the back dam  102  is sized and shaped to snap into the first crease  96  on the gutter  67 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , in another alternative configuration of the joint  112 , the first joint portion  95  is a first tab  116  with a downward bulge  117 , sized to snap into the second crease  111  on the back dam  102 .  FIG. 12  shows another alternative configuration of the joint  112  where the second joint portion  110  is a second tab  111  with a upward bulge  119 , sized to snap into the first crease  96  on the gutter  67 . 
         [0044]    Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made by way of example and that changes in details of structure may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

Summary:
A rain gutter system includes a fastening clips, fasteners, a rain gutter and a reverse-curve shield. The shield includes a back dam that overlaps existing flashing and has a crease at the bottom. The fastening clips have a groove that locates the fastening clips relative to the back dam. The upper back end of the back wall of the rain gutter forms a snap together joint with lower end of the back dam. The rain gutter is anchored to the back dam and fastening clips vertically and in the fore/aft direction, and can slide laterally. The front upper end of the rain gutter slopes up and back to improve debris shedding.