Abstract:
An eavestrough cover which has a central portion formed of a woven material and a front longitudinally extending portion and a rear longitudinally extending portion, the woven material being embossed in a generally transverse direction so as to improve the rigidity of the woven material.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an eavestrough cover and more particularly, relates to an eavestrough cover or screen which permits the flow of water into a gutter while preventing debris from collecting in the gutter or eavestrough. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The use of eavestrough covers (also known as gutter guards) is well known in the art. These eavestrough covers have gained popularity as the problem of clogged gutters is almost universal. Irrespective of the climate, leaves and other debris find their way into the eavestrough. These can lead to clogging of the eavestrough, either at the downspout or elsewhere. This in turn can lead to water back up into adjacent structures. Wood rot and other problems can then occur. 
         [0003]    In order to overcome this problem, the use of eavestrough covers is widely practiced. These eavestrough covers permit the passage of water into the eavestrough or gutter while preventing extraneous matter from entering the eavestrough. Various mounting systems have been employed in order to secure the eavestrough cover in place. The success of the mounting system will frequently depend on the place of installation and the design of the eavestrough cover. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to provide an eavestrough cover which is designed to prevent extraneous matter from entering the eavestrough while also efficiently allowing the passage of water through the cover into the eavestrough. 
         [0005]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide an eavestrough cover having sufficient rigidity to be easily secured in place. 
         [0006]    According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an eavestrough cover comprising a front longitudinally extending portion, a rear longitudinally extending portion, a central portion extending between and secured to both of the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion, the central portion being formed of a woven material, and the woven material being embossed in a generally transverse direction so as to improve the rigidity of the woven material. 
         [0007]    According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided in combination, an eavestrough cover comprising a front longitudinally extending portion, a rear longitudinally extending portion, a central portion extending between and secured to both of the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion, the central portion being formed of a woven material, the woven material being embossed in a generally transverse direction so as to improve the rigidity of the woven material, and an eavestrough, the eavestrough having a rear wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a vertical segment formed at an upper portion of the front wall, a top wall and a downwardly extending diagonal segment. 
         [0008]    As aforementioned, the eavestrough cover has a front longitudinally extending portion and a rear longitudinally extending portion. Intermediate the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion is a central portion. This central portion is formed of a woven material as is known in the art. Embossed areas are provided in the woven material with the embossed areas extending in the traverse direction (i.e. between the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion. 
         [0009]    The woven material may be selected from any suitable material (i.e. an aluminum material, a stainless steel material, plastic material, etc.) and is preferably a woven wire mesh known as a micro mesh. 
         [0010]    The embossments are arranged such that they extend upwardly to form generally transversely extending ridges between the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion. The embossments, in a preferred embodiment, extend from the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion. It will be understood that modifications to such an arrangement may be provided; in other words, some of the embossments may not extend completely transversely of the woven material and/or may extend at somewhat of an angle with respect thereto such as an S or Z shape. 
         [0011]    The front longitudinally extending portion is preferably formed of a metallic material such as aluminum and it is arranged to grip one side of the woven material. To this end, the arrangement is such that the aluminum material is folded back on itself and pressed together to retain the woven material. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the arrangement is such that there is provided an upwardly extending portion which forms a wall to direct any excess water back towards the center of the eavestrough cover. In this arrangement, the woven material is gripped firstly by the portion forming the wall and also by a further horizontal portion extending frontwardly from the wall. 
         [0013]    In this arrangement, the front longitudinally extending portion also preferably includes a member which will engage with the eavestrough to assist in retention of the eavestrough cover. 
         [0014]    The rear longitudinally extending portion is also preferably formed of a metallic material such as aluminum. Again, the rear longitudinally extending portion is arranged to grip the woven material. Also, preferably the rear longitudinally extending portion has an upwardly sloping segment which assists in retaining water and directing the same towards the central portion. 
         [0015]    A rearwardly extending flange forms a portion of the rear longitudinally extending portion. This flange is provided to fit under the tiles of a roof. 
         [0016]    Preferably, the flange is of a substantial transverse length to reach between the eavestrough and the roof. In one embodiment, the flange is provided with a line of demarcation or fold line above which the flange may be folded if it is used in other situations. The line of demarcation may comprise a longitudinally extending groove formed in the flange portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which: 
           [0018]      FIG. 1  is perspective view of a portion of an eavestrough cover according to the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  is a further perspective view thereof; 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  is a bottom perspective view thereof; 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  is a further bottom perspective view thereof; 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view thereof; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the left hand side portion of the eavestrough cover shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged view of the right hand side of the eavestrough cover seen in  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the eavestrough cover mounted on an eavestrough. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0026]    Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated an eavestrough cover which is generally designated by reference numeral  10 . 
         [0027]    Eavestrough cover  10  has a front longitudinally extending portion generally designated by reference numeral  12  and a rear longitudinally extending portion generally designated by reference numeral  14 . A central portion generally designated by reference numeral  16  is formed of a suitable woven material as is known in the art. Central portion  16  has a plurality of longitudinally extending filaments  18  and transversely extending filaments  20  which together form the woven material. 
         [0028]    Formed in the woven material are a plurality of transversely extending embossments  22 . As may be seen, embossments  22  extend upwardly—i.e. the embossed portion is on the upper surface of the woven material with reference to the normal placement of the eavestrough cover  10 . 
         [0029]    Front longitudinally extending portion  12  includes, proximate the central portion  16 , a vertical upwardly extending segment  26 . A vertical downwardly extending segment  28  lies substantially parallel to vertical upwardly extending segment  26  to thereby retain a crimped portion  38  of central portion  16  therebetween. Extending from the lower portion of vertical downwardly extending portion  28  is an upper horizontal segment  32 . Lying underneath is a lower horizontal segment  34  which again is arranged such that there is a crimped portion  36  therebetween. Lower horizontal segment  34  terminates in a diagonally and downwardly extending segment  38  designed to engage with the eavestrough. 
         [0030]    Rear longitudinally extending portion  14  has a lower horizontal segment  42  and a parallel intermediate horizontal segment  44 . Retained therebetween is central portion  16  which is a crimped relationship therewith. An upper horizontally extending segment extends rearwardly and is provided with a diagonally upwardly extending segment  47 . A flange  48  extends rearwardly to fit underneath the tiles of a roof. 
         [0031]    It will be noted that rearwardly extending flange  48  terminates in a folded under segment  50 . There is also formed a fold line  52  comprising a groove which extends longitudinally of flange  48  such that flange  48  may be bent thereabout in situations where the length of flange  48  is not required. If desired, a plurality of fold lines could be provided therein to form a desired length of flange  48 . 
         [0032]    The eavestrough cover  10  is shown mounted on an eavestrough generally designated by reference numeral  56 . Eavestrough  56  includes a rear wall  58 , a bottom wall  60  and a front wall generally designated by reference numeral  62 . An upper segment  64  of front wall  62  extends substantially vertically and joins with a top wall  66 . In turn, top wall  66  terminates in a diagonally and downwardly extending segment  68 . 
         [0033]    As may be seen, eavestrough cover  10  engages with top wall  66  and diagonal segment  68 . Flange  48  extends rearwardly and is adapted to fit under the shingles of an adjacent roof. 
         [0034]    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.