Patent Publication Number: US-6708453-B1

Title: Gutter protection system

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to gutter systems used to collect rain water and, more particularly, to a gutter cap that directs water into the gutter while preventing debris from entering the gutter. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A typical gutter system is mounted just below the edge of a roof of a house or building and is used to collect rain water and direct the rain water away from the house or building. The gutters are normally mounted generally parallel to the ground so that the collected water flows through the gutters in a direction generally parallel to the ground until the flowing water reaches down spouts, which are generally parallel to the gutters. The water flows into the down spouts, which direct the water downward and ultimately in a direction away from the house or building. 
     As water flows into the gutters, debris such as leaves, sticks and pine straw, for example, is often carried by the water flow into the gutters. Wind and rain can also cause debris to fall directly into the gutters from, for example, trees that extend above the roof. Such debris can clog the gutters and down spouts and thus prevent the gutter system from performing its intended purpose of directing water away from the house or building. This can damage the gutter system and/or the house or building. 
     To prevent debris and other material or items from clogging gutters and/or down spouts of gutter systems, gutter caps have been developed that at least partially cover the gutters and prevent debris from entering the gutter system, or at least lessen the amount of debris that falls into the gutters to the extent that the aforementioned clogging problems are prevented. Examples of devices that are designed for this purpose are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,672,832, 4,404,775, 4,435,925, 4,796,390, 5,016,404, 5,216,851 and 5,457,916. 
     Existing gutter shielding devices (hereinafter referred to as “gutter caps”) have various disadvantages. One major disadvantage is that existing gutter caps, such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,916, for example, attach directly to the gutter, which means that if the gutter bends or is deformed or damaged in some way (e.g., as a result of the force of rain and/or wind), the cap will likely also be deformed or damaged. Also, such caps typically attach to the front lip of the gutter and the aesthetic nature of the gutter system can be compromised due to scratches on the gutters and/or the gutter caps that occur when the caps are being attached (e.g., by screws) to the gutters. 
     Existing gutter caps that attach directly to the gutters often have slot openings formed at particular locations in them that are intended to allow water to flow through the cap into the gutter while blocking debris so that the debris doesn&#39;t enter the gutter and clog up the gutter and impede the flow of water through the gutter. One of the problems associated with caps that have slot openings formed in them for this purpose is that debris can get caught in these openings and block them, thereby preventing water from flowing into the gutter, or limiting the amount of water that is allowed to enter the gutter. 
     Another problem associated with some existing gutter caps is that they are designed and manufactured only to work with one particular gutter system. In this case, if the consumer wants a gutter cap, the consumer has no choice but to use the gutter cap that is designed specifically for use with the particular gutter system. Therefore, existing gutters cannot be retrofitted with these gutter caps if the gutters are of a type other than the particular type for which the cap is designed. 
     Another problem associated with some existing gutter caps is that they are single-piece caps. If the cap is damaged in one or more locations, the entire cap, as opposed to a portion of the cap, must be replaced in order to repair the gutter system. Of course replacing the entire cap can be expensive, and typically would be more expensive than replacing a five or six-foot gutter cap section. 
     A need exists for a gutter cap that is capable of maintaining its design even when a deformity to the gutter to which the cap is coupled exists or occurs, that can be easily installed without affecting the aesthetic appearance of the gutter, that maximizes the amount of water that enters the gutter system and that prevents debris from entering the gutter system, or at least minimizes the likelihood that debris will impede the flow of water in the gutter system. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides various embodiments of a gutter cap and a locking system that couples the gutter cap to the gutter. Because the gutter cap is not directly fastened to the gutter by the locking system, as is the case with many prior art designs, the cap is allowed to move slightly with respect to the gutter, and vice versa. This feature of the present invention reduces the likelihood that movement of the gutter will result in damage to the gutter cap, and vice versa. In accordance with the present invention, the coupling of the cap to the gutter is accomplished by using one or more clips that are configured to secure the cap to the gutter at one or more locations in a way that allows the gutter and the cap to move independently of one another. Furthermore, because the gutter cap of the present invention is not directly fastened to the hem edge of the gutter, as is the case with most prior art gutter caps, more water flows off of the cap into the gutter than with prior art systems that have the cap fastened directly to the hem edge of the gutter. In addition, the end of the cap preferably comprises angled breaks that cause the water to adhere to the cap end as it flows about the cap end before it falls into the gutter trough. The result is that the amount of water that flows off of the cap without entering the gutter trough is lessened in comparison to existing gutter cap designs. 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, drawings and claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the gutter cap of the present invention in accordance with a first example embodiment. 
     FIG. 1B is a side view of the gutter cap of the present invention in accordance with a first example embodiment. 
     FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a clip that is configured to couple a gutter cap, such as the gutter cap shown in FIG. 1A, for example, in such a way that a limited amount of movement of the cap and the gutter relative to one another is allowed. 
     FIG. 2B is a side view of the clip shown in FIG.  2 A. 
     FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the gutter cap of the present invention in accordance with a second example embodiment. 
     FIG. 3B is a side view of the gutter cap shown in FIG.  3 A. 
     FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a clip that is configured to couple a gutter cap, such as the gutter cap shown in FIG. 3A, for example, in such a way that a limited amount of movement of the cap and the gutter relative to one another is allowed. 
     FIG. 4B is a side view of the clip shown in FIG.  4 A. 
     FIG. 5 is a side view of the gutter cap shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B coupled to a gutter by one or more of the clips shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the gutter cap shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B coupled to a gutter by one or more of the clips shown in FIGS.  4 A and  4 B. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides various embodiments of a gutter cap and a locking system that couples the gutter cap to the gutter. Because the gutter cap is not directly fastened to the gutter, as is the case with many prior art designs, the cap is allowed to move slightly with respect to the gutter, and vice versa. This feature of the present invention reduces the likelihood that movement of the gutter will result in damage to the gutter cap, and vice versa. In accordance with the present invention, the coupling of the cap to the gutter is accomplished by using one or more clips that are configured to secure the cap to the gutter at one or more locations in a way that allows the gutter and the cap to move independently of one another. Furthermore, because the gutter cap of the present invention is not directly fastened to the hem edge of the gutter, as is the case with most prior art gutter caps, more water flows off of the cap into the gutter than with prior art systems that have the cap fastened directly to the hem edge of the gutter. With those prior art systems, openings typically are formed in the gutter cap to allow water to flow from the cap into the gutter. Those openings tend to become clogged at times by pine straw or other debris that flows off of the cap, which reduces the amount of water that flows from the cap into the gutter and can result in water damage to the house or building. In addition, the end of the cap preferably comprises angled breaks that cause the water to adhere to the cap end as it flows about the cap end before it falls into the gutter trough. The result is that the amount of water that flows off of the cap without entering the gutter trough is lessened in comparison to existing gutter cap designs. 
     FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the gutter cap  1  of the present invention in accordance with a first example embodiment. FIG. 1B is a side view of the gutter cap of the present invention in accordance with a first example embodiment. In accordance with the present invention, the gutter cap  1  has a first portion  2 , a reverse break  3  and a second portion  4 . The reverse break  3  slows the water flow, flattens the water into a thin sheet-like flow, and quickly spread&#39;s the water over the second portion  4 . The reverse break  3  also breaks up debris, such as soaked leaves, for example. As shown in FIG. 1B, the second portion  2  has an end  5  that has multiple angled breaks  6 ,  7  and  8 , and a terminating end portion  9 . In accordance with the present invention, it has been determined that providing these angled breaks  6 ,  7  and  8  on the end  5  causes water to adhere to the end  5  as it flows around the end  5  toward the terminating end portion  9 . In accordance with the present invention, it has been determined that the water adheres better to these angled breaks than to cap ends that are simply rounded. Although it appears to be horizontal in FIG. 3B, the terminating end portion  9  preferably is slightly angled so that it is not parallel to the ground when the cap  2  is in its installed position. 
     The combination of these breaks  6 ,  7  and  8 , in conjunction with the slightly angled terminating end portion  9 , results in better adherence of the water to the cap  1  until the water is over the trough of the gutter (not shown), at which point gravity causes the water to fall into the trough of the gutter. The typical prior art designs utilize a rounded cap ends, although some have ends that are not smoothly rounded. However, even with the prior art designs that do not have smoothly rounded cap ends, the terminating end portion on those caps is parallel to the ground when the caps are installed, and the water does not adhere well to these horizontal terminating end portions. With these prior art designs, water often falls from the cap end toward the ground before the water has a chance to flow into the gutter, especially in conditions of heavy rain. 
     With reference again to FIG. 1B, the gutter cap  1  also has a bottom rib portion  10  that is U-shaped, as shown. This bottom rib portion  10 , or hem edge, of the cap  1  provides the cap  1  with addition strength and resistance to downward forces on the cap  1 . The rib portion  10  is also the portion of the cap  1  to which the clips of the present invention are secured when the cap  1  is installed, as discussed below with reference to FIG.  5 . FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective and side views, respectively, of an example embodiment of the clip used to attach the cap  1  to a gutter. FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of the gutter cap  1  attached to the hem edge  51  of a gutter  50  by one or more clips of the type shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, which couple the hem edge  51  of the gutter to the rib portions  10  of the cap  1 . The clip  20  shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B has a particular shape that enables it to couple to the rib portion  10  (FIG. 1B) of the cap  1  in such a way that the gutter  50  and the gutter cap  1  have some slight freedom of movement with respect to one another, as described below in more detail. 
     FIGS. 1B and 2B show particular dimensions and angles. It should be noted that although these particular dimensions and angles are preferred, the present invention is not limited to these dimensions and angles, nor is it limited to the number of breaks formed in the end  5 . The present invention also is not limited to any particular shape for the clip used to couple the rib portion of the cap to the hem edge of the gutter. 
     With reference again to FIG. 2A, the clip  20  in accordance with this example embodiment comprises a first portion  21 , a second portion  22 , a third portion  23  and a fourth portion  24 . The clip  20  preferably also has openings  25  and  26  formed therein that are designed to enable the clip  20  to be easily screwed to the gutter hem edge  51  (FIG.  5 ). As shown in FIG. 2B, the first portion  21  of the clip  20  is flat and is generally parallel to the ground when the gutter cap  1  is installed and coupled to the gutter  50 , as shown in FIG.  5 . The second portion  22  of the clip  20  is generally perpendicular to the first portion  21 . The third portion  23  is at an angle to the second portion  22  and is directed generally away from the second portion  22 . This particular angle is shown to be a 35° angle in FIG.  2 B. The fourth portion  24  is at an angle to the third portion  23  and is directed generally back toward the first portion  21 , but at an angle to it, as shown. As indicated above, the angles and the dimensions shown are not required, but merely represent an example of one possible implementation that has been found to work well for its intended purpose. 
     The side view shown in FIG. 5 illustrates the manner in which the clip  20  shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B couples the gutter cap  1  to the hem edge  51  of the gutter  50 . The hem edge  51  of the gutter  50  is screwed to the clip  20  by screws (not shown) that pass through openings  25  and  26  (FIG.  2 A), or by some other attachment mechanism. Those skilled in the art will understand that a variety of attachment mechanisms are suitable for this purpose. It can be seen in FIG. 5 that the clip portions  22 ,  23  and  24  grip the rib portion  10  (FIG. 1B) of the cap  1  in a particular manner. This coupling arrangement allows some slight degree of relative movement between the gutter  50  and the cap  1 , which provides the aforementioned advantages. The cap  1  may be in 5 or 6-foot sections, for example, and the two clips may be located equidistance away from each other near opposite ends of the gutter cap section. Therefore, the only locations along the section length of the cap  1  at which it may be possible for water to be blocked from falling from the terminating end portion  9  (FIG. 1B) of the cap  1  directly into the gutter  50  is at the locations of the clips  20 . Therefore, the flow of water from the cap  1  into the gutter  50  is substantially unimpeded. As stated above, many existing gutter caps connect directly to the hem edge of the gutter and have slotted openings through which water flows, which, as stated above, can be blocked by wet debris, thereby impeding the flow of water from the cap into the gutter. 
     FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the gutter cap  30  of the present invention in accordance with a second example embodiment. FIG. 3B is a side view of the gutter cap  30  shown in FIG.  3 A. The gutter cap  30  has a first portion  31 , a reverse break  32  and a second portion  33 . The reverse break  32  slows the water flow, flattens the water into a thin sheet-like flow, and quickly spread&#39;s the water over the second portion  33 . The reverse break  32  also breaks up debris, such as soaked leaves, for example. It should be noted that some existing gutter caps have ribs formed in the caps at locations similar to the location at which the reverse break  32  of the present invention if formed, but such ribs are for the purpose of providing the cap with additional strength and do not perform the aforementioned functions of the reverse break  32 . 
     As shown in FIG. 3B, the second portion  33  has an end  34  that has multiple angled breaks  35 ,  36  and  37 , and a terminating end portion  38 . As stated above, in accordance with the present invention, it has been determined that providing these angled breaks  35 ,  36  and  37  on the end  34  causes water to adhere to the end  34  as it flows around the end  34  toward the terminating end portion  38 . As stated above, in accordance with the present invention, it has been determined that the water adheres better to these angled breaks than to cap ends that are simply rounded. The terminating end portion  38  preferably is slightly angled so that it is not parallel to the ground when the cap  30  is installed. The combination of these breaks  35 ,  36  and  37 , in conjunction with the slightly angled terminating end portion  38 , results in better adherence of the water to the cap  30  as the water flows over the end  34  before falling into the trough of the gutter  60  (FIG.  6 ). 
     With reference again to FIG. 3B, the gutter cap  30  also has a bottom hem edge  40  that is shaped differently than the U-shaped rib  10  of the gutter cap  1  shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. This bottom hem edge  40  provides the gutter cap  30  with addition strength and resistance to downward forces on the cap  40 . The hem edge  40  is also specifically configured to couple with clips having the shape shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. FIGS. 4A and 4B are perspective and side views, respectively, of an example embodiment of the clip  70  used to attach the cap  30  to a gutter  60  (FIG.  6 ). FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the gutter cap  30  attached to the hem edge  61  of a gutter  60  by one or more clips of the type shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. The clip shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B has a particular shape that enables it to couple to the hem edge  40  (FIG. 3B) in such a way that the gutter  60  and the gutter cap  30  have some freedom of movement with respect to one another. 
     FIGS. 3B and 4B show particular dimensions and angles. It should be noted that although these particular dimensions and angles are preferred, the present invention is not limited to these dimensions and angles, nor is it limited to the number of breaks formed in the cap end  34 . The present invention also is not limited to any particular shape for the clip used to couple the hem edge  40  of the cap  30  to the hem edge  61  of the gutter  60 . 
     As shown in FIG. 4A, the clip  70  in accordance with this example embodiment comprises a first portion  71 , a second portion  72 , a third portion  73 , a fourth portion  74  and a fifth portion  75 . The clip  70  also has openings  77  and  78  formed therein that are designed to enable the clip  70  to be screwed to the gutter hem edge  61  (FIG.  6 ). As shown in FIG. 4B, the first portion  71  of the clip  70  is flat and is generally parallel to the ground when the gutter cap  30  is installed and coupled to the gutter  60 , as shown in FIG.  6 . The second portion  72  of the clip  70  is at a slight angle to the first portion  71 . The third portion  73  is generally parallel to the first portion  71 . The fourth portion  74  is at an angle to the third portion  73  that is less than 90° and is directed generally back toward the first portion  71 , but at an angle to it, as shown. As indicated above, the angles and the dimensions shown are not required, but merely represent an example of one possible implementation that has been found to work well for its intended purpose. 
     The side view shown in FIG. 6 illustrates the manner in which the clip  70  shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B couples the gutter cap  30  to the hem edge  61  of the gutter  60 . The hem edge  61  is screwed to the clip  70  by screws (not shown) or by some other attachment mechanism. Those skilled in the art will understand that a variety of attachment mechanisms are suitable for this purpose. It can be seen in FIG. 6 that the clip portions  73 ,  74  and  75  grip the hem edge of clip  70 , which comprises portions  40 A,  40 B and  40 C (FIG.  3 B), in a particular manner. This coupling arrangement allows some slight degree of relative movement between the gutter  60  and the cap  30 , which provides the aforementioned advantages. The cap  30  may be in 5 or 6-foot sections, for example, and the two clips may be located equidistance away from each other near opposite ends of the gutter cap section. Therefore, the only locations along the section length of the cap  30  at which it may be possible for water to be blocked from falling from the terminating end portion  38  (FIG. 3B) of the cap  30  directly into the gutter  60  is at the locations where the clips  70  couple the cap  30  to the gutter  60 . Therefore, the flow of water from the cap  30  into the gutter  50  is substantially unimpeded. As stated above, many existing gutter caps connect directly to the hem edge of the gutter and have slotted openings through which water flows, which, as stated above, can be blocked by wet debris, thereby impeding the flow of water from the cap into the gutter. 
     It should be noted that the present invention has been described with reference to particular example embodiments in order to clearly demonstrate the concepts and principles of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein. Many modifications and changes can be made to the embodiments described herein without deviating from the scope of the present invention. For example, particular clip shapes or configurations have been described herein. These are merely example of shapes that enable the cap to be securely coupled to the gutter, while allowing some degree of relative movement between the gutter and the cap. The present invention is not limited with respect to the shape of the clip used for this purpose. A variety of clip configurations can be made that will allow these goals to be achieved. One of the primary advantages of using a clip is that the cap is not directly coupled to the hem edge of the gutter, which solves a variety of problems and overcomes disadvantages associated with the prior art.