Patent Publication Number: US-6708452-B1

Title: Heater arrangement for gutter protector

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to gutter protectors, and in particular to a heating arrangement for the gutter protector to eliminate accumulation of ice and snow. 
     Gutter protectors have become popular for largely eliminating accumulation of leaves, twigs and other material in rain gutters. One such gutter protector is disclosed in applicant&#39;s U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,916, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     In climates where there is a winter accumulation of ice and snow, even with a gutter protector, there can be accumulation of ice at a building eave such that ice damming occurs due to periodic freezing and thawing of the ice and snow. If the ice dam is not eliminated, the ice can work under the protective roof material, leading to roof damage and unwanted water penetration into the interior of a building. 
     Heat tapes and the like are often used for preventing ice damming. Heat tapes are typically strips of wire-containing material that is electrified, and heats sufficiently to dissipate any accumulating ice and snow in the vicinity of the heat tapes. 
     While heat tapes work well when functional, heat tapes are extremely vulnerable to damage. Since heat tapes are applied to the surface of a roof, ice and snow sliding off the roof often remove the heat tape, as well, or damage the heat tape so that it is not functional. Since the heat tape is exposed to the elements, it also has a very short life span, and must be replaced periodically, leading to aggravation and expense. 
     A more substantial ice melting system has been developed by Bylin Engineered Systems, of El Dorado Hills, Calif. This system, known as the RIM System, includes specially designed panels that are installed along a building eave, having a series of heating cables that provide sufficient heat to eliminate ice damming. While the RIM System is effective, it also is particularly expensive, effectively limiting its availability. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention comprises a heating arrangement for a gutter protector. The gutter protector comprises an elongated gutter protecting device which extends over at least a portion of a rain gutter, where the rain gutter is adapted to be mounted proximate a building eave. The heating arrangement comprises an elongated protective cap extending along at least a portion of the gutter protector, and an elongated heating element extending within the protective cap. 
     In accordance with the preferred form of the invention, the elongated protective cap includes a channel for accommodating the heating element. Preferably, the cap is formed to be attached to the gutter protector, and can be attached to the top side of the gutter protector or to the underside of the gutter protector. 
     In accordance with another form of the invention, at least two of the elongated heating elements are provided, parallel to and spaced from one another. Both heating elements extend within the protective cap. The protective cap includes a separate channel accommodating each of the heating elements. 
     A further elongated heating element can also be provided, extending within the rain gutter. Thus, any water entering the rain gutter after having been melted by the elongated heating elements in the protective cap will exit the gutter without freezing therewithin. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention is described in greater detail in the following description of examples embodying the best mode of the invention, taking in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a heating arrangement according to the invention as installed on a gutter protector extending over a gutter installed along the building eave, 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the heating arrangement shown in FIG. 1, 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 2, but with the protective cap installed on an underside of the gutter protector, and 
     FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but employing a plurality of heating elements within the protective cap. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES EMBODYING THE BEST MODE OF THE INVENTION 
     FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate one form of the invention. In a typical building  10  having a sloped roof  12 , a gutter  14  is secured along the vertical building fascia  16 . The fascia is offset from the building by a soffit  18 . The gutter is appropriately attached to the roof or fascia in a conventional manner, and neither the gutter nor its means of attachment form any part of the present invention. 
     For gutter protection, as explained in greater detail in incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5,475,916, a gutter protector including a gutter protecting device  20  is installed over the rain gutter  14 . The gutter protecting device  20  permits water to flow thereover and into the gutter  14 , but leaves and other debris cannot enter the gutter  14 . 
     In the winter, ice and snow can accumulate on the roof  12 , causing potential ice damming problems. To eliminate ice and snow accumulation proximate the gutter protecting device  20 , a heating arrangement having an elongated protective cap  22  is secured to the gutter protecting device  20 . As shown in the drawings, screws  24  are applied periodically to hold the protective cap  22  in place. Any appropriate means of holding the protective cap  22  in place can be employed, such rivets, bolts, adhesives or any other means. It is important that the protective cap  22  remain firmly in place and not be displaced by wind, debris or any other unintended means. 
     The protective cap  22  includes an elongated channel  26  along its length. Installed within the channel  26  is an elongated heating element  28 . The heating element  28  can be a conventional heat strip, heat element or heat tape, and is therefore not shown or described in greater detail. The heating element  28  is controlled by conventional means (not illustrated) for its activation, and is typically connected to a source of electrical power (also not illustrated). The heating cable of the RIM System described above is one type of heating element that could be used. 
     The elongated protective cap  22  and heating element  28  comprise the heating arrangement, and since the material of the gutter protecting device  20  is typically metal which conducts heat, heat produced by the heating element  28  is conduced along the entire elongated protective cap  22  if the heating element  28  and protective cap  22  are co-extensive with the protecting device  20 . Water then enters the gutter  14 , and in cold climates, might freeze within the gutter  14  if sufficient heat is not conducted to the gutter, as well. To avoid that possibility, a further heating element  30  is provided in the base of the gutter  14 , extending the length of the gutter. A similar heating element (not illustrated) can also be installed in any downspouts from the gutter  14  to assure that ice does not accumulate within the gutter or downspout. 
     A second form of the invention is shown in FIG.  3 . All elements remain identical, and therefore bear the same reference numerals. In this form of the invention, however, the elongated protective cap  22  is installed on an underside of the gutter protecting device  20 , as illustrated. Thus, the protective cap  22  and the heating element  28  are protected, by the gutter protecting device  20 , from the elements and any damage. Since the heating element  28  is protected under the gutter protecting device  20 , the protective cap can be less robust, or can be more of a mounting support rather than a protector. It can be sectional. 
     FIG. 4 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, and again, the same elements retain the same reference numerals as identified above. In this form of the invention, an elongated protective cap  32  is provided, but instead of having a single channel, includes a pair of channels  34  and  36 . Heating elements  38  and  40  are installed in the respective channels  34  and  36 . This embodiment of the invention provides greater heating capacity which can be advantageous in particularly cold climates. Also, if the gutter protecting device  20  is formed of a material that is not particularly heat conductive, the form of the invention shown in FIG. 4 can be advantageous. 
     While the form shown in FIG. 4 includes a pair of channels  34  and  36  and the respective heating elements  38  and  40 , any number of channels and heating elements can be employed, depending on the heating capacity desired and size of the elongated protective cap  32 . 
     The invention is shown in combination with the gutter protecting device  20 , which can be that of incorporated U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,916, or can be any other gutter protecting device. The invention, however, can also be used with mesh gutter protectors, or any other type of device that is applied over a gutter to protect the gutter, or in place of a gutter to perform rain channeling and drainage. 
     Various changes can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof or scope of the following claims.