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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     Applicant&#39;s invention relates to a gutter retaining system for affixing a gutter to a building. More specifically, the present invention relates to an interlocking system that incorporates a clip for affixing gutters to a retaining member on the eaves of a building that obviates the need for using nails or screws within the gutter itself, and to the structure installed according to the system, both preassembly and as assembled.  
         [0003]     2. Background Information  
         [0004]     For years property owners have struggled with the destructive effects of water on their buildings. However, by channeling the water away from the structure, building owners can reduce the damage caused by water. This can be accomplished through the use of a gutter system. Gutters are troughs that channel water from the eaves, being the horizontal lower edge of a roof, of a building to the downspouts. The downspouts are essentially drainpipes that drain water from the roof gutters. Gutters are a critical component of a building because they prevent moisture damage by channeling water off the roof and away from the foundation. But any damaged lengths of gutter or drain pipe caused by wear, improper installation, or sagging can cause leaks which can result in water damage to the building.  
         [0005]     Traditionally, gutters have been attached by nailing the gutter directly to the building. Building contractors typically used a spike and ferrule system, in which a narrow, tubular spacer, the ferrule, is placed between the front face of a gutter and its rear face, ensuring that the front face remains at a uniform distance from the rear face. A spike or long nail, is then punched through the outside of the front face of the gutter, through the ferrule, through the back face of the gutter, and into the wall or fascia of the structure.  
         [0006]     Using the nail in this manner ruins the finished appearance of the gutter. In addition, once the gutter is installed it ends up with its front face tilted forward towards the ground. Once this occurs the captured rainwater and other material tends to pool along the outer edge of the gutter. The weight of this material creates a moment at the point of insertion of the nail, resulting in a force pulling the gutter away from the wall. Further, while this manner of installation has the effect (at least temporarily) of securing the gutter in place, it does not ensure that water will not run behind the gutter. In any structure where water is allowed to run and collect behind the gutter, eventually the integrity of the wood begins to weaken and the moment forces referred to above slowly pull the nail and the gutter away from the building. In periods of adverse weather, high winds can accelerate the process by getting behind the gutter and forcing it completely away from the building.  
         [0007]     The utilization of gutter hangers is the most common way in which installers have tried to improve the integrity and life of gutter systems. In this application, a modified spacer is used, shaped like a flat plate, with both ends mined upward. One end of this spacer is inserted under the lip of the front face of the gutter, while the second end, with a pre-punched nail hole, is placed against the rear face of the gutter. A nail or screw is then inserted through the nail hole, through the rear face of the gutter, and into the building wall. A variation of this method includes placing the second end of the spacer over the top of the rear face of the gutter. The spacer is then nailed directly into the roof decking of the building or to the face of the wall, under any existing shingles. These methods of installation eliminate the unsightly appearance previously created by installing the nail or screw through the front face of the gutter. However, these hangers do not prevent the collection of water behind the gutter, nor relieve the moment created by the weight of the water pooling outwardly within the gutter.  
         [0008]     A further problem occurs with different types of construction. The building may or may not include an additional small piece of fascia board under the eaves which is not as long as the gutter. If a piece of fascia board does exist under the eaves and the gutter system is in turn nailed to it, over time the portion of the gutter which extends below the fascia board will sag towards the building. This sagging can eventually cause leaks. Where no additional fascia board exists, this type of sagging is not seen.  
         [0009]     Because of the problems which have been associated with traditional gutter systems and methods of installation, there is a need for a strong, sturdy gutter system. In addition, this system should be adaptable to different types of construction that may or may not incorporate an additional piece of fascia board. It is desirable that installation be easy, while ensuring that any interlocking aspect of the system is not compromised due to the primary construction of the building nor during periods of high winds or other adverse weather conditions. Preferably, this system should redistribute the water and other material captured within the gutter, such that all moments that could result are negated. Furthermore, the system should prevent any sagging due to construction that incorporates an additional piece of fascia board.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     The present invention embodies a gutter retaining system for affixing a rain gutter under the eaves of a building having a pitched roof. The gutter retaining system incorporates a gutter clip which is used in conjunction with a rain gutter and a retaining member. The gutter clip has an L-portion and a back portion. The back portion includes an upper u-portion with a hanger which is used to slip the gutter clip over the gutter. The back portion of the gutter clip also includes a nib end with a locking tip. Nib end extends slightly beyond the dimensions of the hanger and can fit within a hooked portion of the retaining member. This allows the locking-tip to secure the gutter clip and gutter in place along the eaves of the building.  
         [0011]     The L-portion of the gutter clip is useful on buildings which incorporate an additional piece of fascia board along the eaves in the construction. The L-portion fits between the gutter and the wall of the building, incorporating a base extension which can be fit against the building. In addition, the gutter clip is scored between the back portion and the L-portion which allows these two portions to be separated when desired, such as in the situation where no additional piece of fascia board is found along the eaves of the building. Where the L-portion is removed from the back portion, the L-portion would be discarded. In this situation, the vertical portion of the back portion presses against the building. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the gutter clip component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the gutter clip component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the gutter clip component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention shown overlapping a gutter.  
         [0015]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the gutter clip component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the L-portion removed.  
         [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of the gutter clip component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention retaining the L-portion.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of the gutter clip component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention retaining the L-portion as shown with a gutter and retaining member against a building.  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross-section view of the gutter clip component of the preferred embodiment of the present invention without the L-portion with a gutter and retaining member against a building. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0019]     In  FIGS. 1 and 2  a front view and side view, respectively, of the gutter clip  102  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention are shown. Gutter clip  102  is essentially L-shaped incorporating an L-portion  158 , a back portion  160 , a front face  120  and back face  118 . Beginning at the back portion  160  is locking tip  134  which is contiguous into nib end  106 . Nib end  106  transitions into hanger  108  via junction  136 . Hanger  108  is contiguous with upper u-portion  110 . Upper u-portion  110  continues into vertical portion  162 . Vertical portion  162  transitions into L-portion  158  which begins at first elbow  112 . Scoring can be used on first elbow  112  to allow L-portion  158  to be easily separated from back portion  160 . First elbow  112  turns into base  114  which proceeds into second elbow  116 . Second elbow  116  turns up into base extension  130 . Base extension  130  is contiguous with lower u-portion  132 , lower u-portion  132  being completed at end  138 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a cross section view of the gutter clip  102  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention overlapping a gutter  104 . Gutter clip  102 , gutter  104 , and retaining member  122  make up a gutter retaining system  100 . Gutter clip  102  is as mentioned essentially L-shaped incorporating an L-portion  158  (See  FIG. 2 ), a back portion  160  (See  FIG. 2 ), a front face  120  and back face  118 . Beginning at the back portion  160  (See  FIG. 2 ) is locking tip  134  which is adjacent nib end  106 . Nib end  106  transitions into hanger  108  via junction  136 . Hanger  108  continues into upper u-portion  110 . The portion of gutter clip  102  from locking tip  134  to upper u-portion  110  fits inside the back wall  124  of gutter  104 . Upper u-portion  110  can be crimped to secure gutter clip  102  snugly to gutter  104 . Back face  118  fits against the outside of the back wall  124  of gutter  104  from upper u-portion  110  to first elbow  112 . Upper u-portion  110  of gutter clip  102  continues into vertical portion  162 . Vertical portion  162  transitions into L-portion  158  (See  FIG. 2 ) which begins at first elbow  112 . First elbow  112  turns into base  114  which proceeds into second elbow  116 . Second elbow  116  turns up into base, extension  130 . Base extension  130  is contiguous with lower u-portion  132 , lower u-portion  132  being completed at end  138 . The remainder of gutter  104  includes a gutter channel  156 , front wall  126  and lip  128 .  
         [0021]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of the gutter clip  102  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the L-portion  158  (See  FIG. 2 ) removed. Beginning at the back portion  160  (See  FIG. 2 ) is locking tip  134  (See  FIG. 3 ) which is contiguous into nib end  106  (See  FIG. 3 ). Nib end  106  (See  FIG. 3 ) transitions into hanger  108  (See  FIG. 3 ) via junction  136  (See  FIG. 3 ). Hanger  108  (See  FIG. 3 ) is contiguous with upper u-portion  110 . Upper u-portion  110  can be crimped to secure gutter clip  102  snugly to gutter  104 . Back face  118  (See  FIG. 3 ) fits against the outside of the back wall  124  of gutter  104 . Upper u-portion  110  of gutter clip  102  continues into vertical portion  162 .  
         [0022]     In  FIG. 4B  a perspective view of the gutter clip  102  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention retaining the L-portion  158  (See  FIG. 2 ) is shown. Beginning at the back portion  160  (See  FIG. 2 ) is locking tip  134  (See  FIG. 3 ) which is contiguous into nib end  106  (See  FIG. 3 ). Nib end  106  (See  FIG. 3 ) transitions into hanger  108  (See  FIG. 3 ) via junction  136  (See  FIG. 3 ). Hanger  108  (See  FIG. 3 ) is contiguous with upper u-portion  110 . The portion of gutter clip  102  from locking tip  134  (See  FIG. 3 ) to upper u-portion  110  fits inside the back wall  124  of gutter  104 . Upper u-portion  110  can be crimped to secure gutter clip  102  snugly to gutter  104 . Back face  118  (See  FIG. 3 ) fits against the outside of the back wall  124  of gutter  104  from upper u-portion  110  to first elbow  112 . Upper u-portion  110  of gutter clip  102  continues into vertical portion  162 . Vertical portion  162  transitions into L-portion  158  (See  FIG. 3 ) which begins at first elbow  112 . First elbow  112  turns into base  114  which proceeds into second elbow  116 . Second elbow  116  turns up into base extension  130 . Base extension  130  is contiguous with lower u-portion  132 , lower u-portion  132  being completed at end  138 .  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of the gutter clip  102  of  FIG. 4B  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention retaining the L-portion  158  (See  FIG. 2 ) as shown with a gutter  104  and retaining member  122  against a building  150 . Beginning at the back portion  160  (See  FIG. 2 ) is locking tip  134  which is contiguous into nib end  106 . Nib end  106  transitions into hanger  108  via junction  136 . Hanger  108  is contiguous with upper u-portion  110 . The portion of gutter clip  102  from locking tip  134  to upper u-portion  110  fits inside the back wall  124  of gutter  104 . Upper u-portion  110  can be crimped to secure gutter clip  102  snugly to gutter  104 .  
         [0024]     Front face  120  fits against mounting lip  146  of retaining member  122 . Mounting lip  146  ends in horizontal section  142 . One end of horizontal section  142  proceeds under the roof  152  tiles  164  while the remaining end drops into a return  140 . Return  140  ends in hooked portion  144 . Nib end  106  extends slightly beyond the dimensions of hanger  108  and therefore can fit within hooked portion  144  to allow locking tip  134  to secure gutter clip  102  and gutter  104  in place. The back of mounting lip  146  presses against a fascia board  148  on building  150 . The thickness of L-portion  158  (See  FIG. 2 ) is approximately equal to the thickness of fascia board  148  to allow for base extension  130  to fit properly against building  150 . In buildings  150  which incorporate this fascia board  148 , L-portion  158  (See  FIG. 2 ) provides stability to gutter  104  to prevent gutter  104  from sagging towards building  150 . The vertical portion  162  of gutter clip  102  as well as the upper u-portion  110 , hanger  108 , nib end  106 , junction  136  and locking tip  134  of gutter clip  102  are positioned under the eaves  154  of building  150 . A portion of horizontal section  142 , return  140  and hooked portion  144  of retaining member  122  are positioned under the eaves  154  of building  150  as is gutter  104 .  
         [0025]     Back face  118  (See  FIG. 3 ) fits against the outside of the back wall  124  of gutter  104  from upper u-portion  110  to first elbow  112 . Upper u-portion  110  of gutter clip  102  continues into vertical portion  162 . Vertical portion  162  transitions into L-portion  158  (See  FIG. 2 ) which begins at first elbow  112 . First elbow  112  turns into base  114  which proceeds into second elbow  116 . Second elbow  116  turns up into base extension  130 . Base extension  130  is designed to fit against building  150 . Base extension  130  is contiguous with lower u-portion  132 , lower u-portion  132  being completed at end  138 . The remainder of gutter  104  includes a gutter channel  156 , front wall  126  and lip  128 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-section view of the gutter clip  102  of  FIG. 4A  of the preferred embodiment of the present invention without the L-portion  158  (See  FIG. 2 ) with a gutter  104  and retaining member  122  against a building  150 . Beginning at the back portion  160  (See  FIG. 2 ) is locking tip  134  which is contiguous into nib end  106 . Nib end  106  transitions into hanger  108  via junction  136 . Hanger  108  is contiguous with upper u-portion  110 . The portion of gutter clip  102  from locking tip  134  to upper u-portion  110  fits inside the back wall  124  of gutter  104 . Upper u-portion  110  can be crimped to secure gutter clip  102  snugly to gutter  104 .  
         [0027]     Front face  120  fits against mounting lip  146  of retaining member  122 . Mounting lip  146  ends in horizontal section  142 . One end of horizontal section  142  proceeds under the roof  152  tiles  164  while the remaining end drops into a return  140 . Return  140  ends in hooked portion  144 . Nib end  106  extends slightly beyond the dimensions of hanger  108  and therefore can fit within hooked portion  144  to allow locking tip  134  to secure gutter clip  102  and gutter  104  securely in place. The back of mounting lip  146  presses against building  150 . The vertical portion  162  of gutter clip  102  as well as the upper u-portion  110 , hanger  108 , nib end  106 , junction  136  and locking tip  134  of gutter clip  102  are positioned under the eaves  154  of building  150 . A portion of horizontal section  142 , return  140  and hooked portion  144  of retaining member  122  are positioned under the eaves  154  of building  150  as is gutter  104 . Back face  118  (See  FIG. 3 ) fits against the outside of the back wall  124  of gutter  104 . Upper u-portion  110  of gutter clip  102  continues into vertical portion  162 . The remainder of gutter  104  includes a gutter channel  156 , front wall  126  and lip  128 .  
         [0028]     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Summary:
A gutter retaining system for affixing a gutter under the eaves of a building. The gutter retaining system incorporates a gutter clip with a gutter and retaining member. The retaining member is placed along the eaves. The gutter clip has an L-portion and a back portion. The back portion includes an upper u-portion with a hanger used to slip the gutter clip over the gutter to secure it to the gutter clip. The gutter clip has a nib end with a locking tip. Nib end fits within retaining member to secure gutter clip and gutter in place along the eaves. L-portion fits between the gutter and building where an additional piece of board is included in the construction. The gutter clip is scored between the back portion and L-portion allowing separation, such as when no additional piece of board is found along the eaves.