Abstract:
An eavestrough cover designed to cover the upper front wall portions of a conventional eavestrough and which has a finish to minimize streaking or staining. The eavestrough cover snaps into position on the eavestrough.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to eavestroughs or gutters, and more particularly, relates to improvements in a cover portion thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Eavestroughs are widely used to collect rainwater from the roof of a building and direct the same away from the building and in particular the foundation thereof. The eavestrough also protects the soil proximate to the building from erosion by the rainwater dripping from the roof. 
     A common problem with eavestroughs has been the accumulation of debris therein. Such debris can include leaves, twigs, and the like. In order to obviate the problem, it is known in the art to provide a shield or cover which will allow the passage of rainwater from the roof to the eavestrough while protecting the same from extraneous foreign matter such as the aforementioned leaves and twigs. 
     A number of different approaches have been taken as to the design of the shield or cover and the attachment of the shield or cover to the eavestrough. Other approaches have also been taken to eliminate the problem of debris within the eavestrough. Thus, it has been proposed that the eavestrough be rotatably mounted such that they may be emptied at desired intervals. A further still further approach is one wherein a cover has an outer edge which curls downwardly and the water follows a curved portion due to the surface tension and thereafter cascades into the eavestrough. Theoretically, any leaves or other debris would not enter as they would continue to fall to the ground. However, when large volumes of water are encountered, the surface tension is generally insufficient to cause all the rainwater to flow into the eavestrough. 
     When utilizing the eavestrough cover, various parameters have to be taken into account. Thus, the size and number of the apertures in the membrane must ensure that there are sufficient openings to permit the water to enter the eavestrough even during heavy downpours. Also, it is important to take into account the attachment of the cover or membrane to the eavestrough. The attachment must be both secure and permit easy installation. 
     A still further problem which is encountered with the eavestrough is the staining of the front wall thereof. Particularly when the paint is of a poor quality, the rain water with surrounding contaminants can lead to a stain being formed on the front over a period of years. Naturally this is not aesthetically pleasing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an eavestrough cover or membrane which can be easily secured to the eavestrough. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide an eavestrough cover or membrane which will also prevent the staining of the front wall of the eavestrough. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an eavestrough cover for use with an eavestrough having an eavestrough rear wall, an eavestrough bottom wall, an eavestrough front wall wherein the eavestrough front wall has a substantially vertical segment at an upper end thereof, an eavestrough top wall extending inwardly from the substantially vertical segment, and a flange extending downwardly and inwardly towards the substantially vertical segment, the eavestrough cover comprising a central planar portion, first and second side structures, the central planar portion being apertured, the first side structure being designed to cover the eavestrough top wall and the eavestrough vertical segment, the first side structure being designed to lock with the eavestrough to maintain the eavestrough cover in position, and the second side structure being designed to abut the eavestrough rear wall. 
     According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in combination, an eavestrough and an eavestrough cover for use therewith, the eavestrough comprising an eavestrough cover for use with an eavestrough having an eavestrough rear wall, an eavestrough bottom wall, an eavestrough front wall wherein the eavestrough front wall has a substantially vertical segment at an upper end thereof, an eavestrough top wall extending inwardly from the substantially vertical segment, and a flange extending downwardly and inwardly towards the substantially vertical segment, the eavestrough cover comprising a central planar portion, first and second side structures, the central planar portion being apertured, the first side structure covering the eavestrough top wall and the eavestrough vertical segment, the first side structure locking with the eavestrough to maintain the eavestrough cover in position, and the second side structure abutting the eavestrough rear wall. 
     The eavestrough cover of the present invention is for use with a standard eavestrough which has the eavestrough rear wall, an eavestrough bottom wall, an eavestrough front wall and wherein the eavestrough front wall has a substantially vertical segment at an upper end and with a flange extending downwardly and inwardly from a top wall portion. The eavestrough cover is designed to cover the top wall of the eavestrough itself and to prevent streaking which can be unsightly. The design of the eavestrough cover minimizes the amount of rain dripping down the front of the eavestrough and as well, the cover may be designed to be of a finish which is highly resistant to streaking or staining. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a side elevational view of a eavestrough cover according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is an end elevational view showing the cover in place on a eavestrough; 
         FIG. 4  is an end elevational view of a further embodiment of an eavestrough cover according to the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view thereof; and 
         FIG. 6  is an end elevational view illustrating the eavestrough cover in place on an eavestrough. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference numerals thereto, there is illustrated in  FIG. 3  an eavestrough (as shown in dot dash lines) and which eavestrough is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . 
     Eavestrough  10  has an eavestrough back wall  12 , an eavestrough bottom wall  14 , and eavestrough front wall  16 . Eavestrough front wall  16  is comprised of three segments; a lower vertical segment  17 , and intermediate arcuate segment  20  and an upper vertical segment  22 . At the top end of upper segment  22 , eavestrough  10  has an eavestrough top wall  24  and which terminates in a downwardly and inwardly extending flange  26 . The design and configuration of eavestrough  10  is one that is well known in the art and widely available. 
     The eavestrough cover of the present invention is generally designated by reference numeral  30  and includes a substantially planar central portion  32  having a plurality of apertures  33  formed therein. Apertures  33  permit the drainage of rainwater into eavestrough  10 . 
     On either side of central planar portion  32  there is provided a first side portion generally designated by reference numeral  34  and a second side portion generally designated by reference numeral  36 . 
     Referring initially to first side portion  34 , as will be seen in  FIG. 3 , central planar portion  32  merges with a C shaped segment  38  which in turn, merges with a cover top wall  40 . As will be seen, cover top wall  40  angles diagonally upwardly so as to be partially spaced from eavestrough top wall  24  at the outer portion thereof. Cover top wall  40  terminates in an upwardly extending peak  41 . Subsequently, there is a cover front wall  42 . At its lower end, cover front wall  42  extends inwardly in a C shaped arcuate configuration as shown by reference numeral  43 . There is provided a diagonally outwardly extending flange  44  with an end segment  46  being substantially parallel thereto. 
     At second side  36 , central planar portion  32  extends upwardly in a diagonally and upwardly extending segment  50 . A second segment  52  lies parallel to segment  50  and with a second upwardly extending segment  54  defines therebetween a channel which is designed to receive a sealing strip  58  and retain sealing strip  58  in position. A U-shaped segment  56  is utilized to finish the end of the cover. 
     In use, and this may be seen from  FIG. 3 , arcuate segments  38  and  43  act to retain cover member  30  in position on eavestrough  10 . Naturally, if desired, other fastening means may also be utilized. 
     The arrangement of cover top wall  40  is such that any rain falling thereon is directed back towards the planar central portion  32 . The termination in a peak portion  41  assists in achieving this. 
     Eavestrough cover front wall  42  may be provided with any desired decorative effect. 
     Reference will now be had to the embodiment of  FIGS. 4 to 6 . In this embodiment, similar reference numerals in the  100 &#39;s are utilized for similar components. 
     As may be seen in  FIG. 6 , an eavestrough  110  has an eavestrough wall  112 , an eavestrough bottom wall  114  and an eavestrough front wall generally designated by reference numeral  116 . Eavestrough front wall  116 , as in the previously described embodiment includes vertical lower segment  18 , intermediate arcuate segment  120  and vertical top segment  122 . 
     The eavestrough cover  130  is similar to that previously described except with respect to second side  136 . As may be seen in  FIG. 3 , second side  136  includes an essentially vertical extending back wall  162  which merges with a diagonally extending segment  164 . A downwardly extending segment  166 , along with vertical segment  162 , encases the upper portion of eavestrough rear wall  112 . 
     In this embodiment, the eavestrough and cover are preferably secured by means of a screw extending through walls  162 ,  166  and  112 . 
     It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.