Patent Publication Number: US-7707781-B2

Title: Gutter cap assembly and bracket

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/064,604 filed Feb. 24, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,500,375. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to a gutter cap, a gutter cap bracket and a gutter cap forming tool that may be used to make a gutter cap assembly. 
   2. Background Art 
   Gutters are provided on houses and other buildings to collect rain water flowing off of a roof and direct the water to down spouts that in turn direct the water away from the foundation of the house or building. While gutters perform a valuable function, the effectiveness of gutters is adversely affected by the accumulation of debris in the gutters. The flow of water in gutters may be blocked by an accumulation of debris that may form a dam preventing water from flowing through the gutters to the down spout. Gutters may overflow if the water is prevented from flowing through the gutter. Water flowing off of the roof that overflows the gutters defeats the purpose of the gutters. Debris in gutters can also lead to the formation of ice dams on the roof that can damage the roof of the building. 
   Cleaning gutters is a difficult and sometimes dangerous chore. A person generally must use a ladder to reach a clogged gutter to manually remove debris. Debris such as leaves, seeds, pine needles, twigs and other material may fall on a roof and may be washed into the gutters where it may accumulate. While hand tools and hose attachments have been developed to make the process of cleaning gutters less difficult, this is one chore that homeowners would rather avoid. 
   Gutter caps have been developed that cover the top of a gutter to prevent debris from being deposited in the gutter. Gutter caps allow water to flow around an arcuate flow path to the underside of the gutter cap as a result of the surface tension of the water. 
   One problem associated with gutter caps is that they are generally fabricated off-site in a factory and shipped in predetermined lengths to a job site where they are cut and assembled. Prefabricated gutter caps are relatively costly. There is a need for a gutter cap that may be made to custom sizes without unnecessary scrap or waste that is associated with gutter caps that are provided in predetermined lengths. 
   Prefabricated gutter caps are generally only available in aluminum and in a limited number of colors. There is a need for a tool for forming gutter caps on site that may be made of a variety of different materials and may be provided in a wide range of colors to match the wide range of aluminum and vinyl siding colors that are currently available. 
   Gutter caps that are currently available generally require that the gutter be removed and replaced at a lower height on the house or building to provide the proper pitch for the gutter cap so that the water may flow down the roof, across the gutter cap and into the gutter while preventing debris from entering the gutter. In addition, prefabricated gutter caps tend to be difficult to install because it is hard to hold a long length of gutter cap material in place while it is being secured to a gutter on a building. 
   Installation systems used with prior art gutter caps generally require brackets that may cause the gutter cap to interfere with gutter spikes that are used to secure the gutter to a building. Generally, the brackets for a gutter cap are independent from other gutter mounting hardware such as gutter spikes and sleeves. Frequently, gutter caps must be notched to accommodate gutter spikes and sleeves. There is a need for gutter cap assembly system that may be used without interfering with gutter spikes and sleeves while providing a simple installation procedure. 
   Prior art brackets generally have fastener receptacle holes that are difficult to locate while standing on a ladder and working in the limited space provided between the gutter and gutter cap. There is a need for a bracket that is easy to install and constrains the gutter cap with or without a fastener. 
   Recently, a gutter cap forming tool known as the Gutter Wizard® was developed that is currently being offered at the website “BuildingSolution.com”. The Gutter Wizard® product is an on-site gutter cap fabrication tool. While the ability to provide an on-site gutter fabricating tool offers certain advantages, the Gutter Wizard® tool requires that a flange be formed in a sheet stock blank using a separate bending brake tool. The flange is inserted lengthwise into an L-shaped longitudinally extending slot in the Gutter Wizard® tool. The Gutter Wizard® tool tends to be difficult to use because it is difficult to slide the flange, full length, into the tool. This is particularly the case if the flange is improperly formed and is longer than the size of the L-shaped longitudinally extending slot. Also, if the flange is disposed at angle that varies substantially from 90°, it can be difficult to insert in the tool. 
   Gutter caps made with the Gutter Wizard® tool suffer from variation and distortion in the gutter cap shape that may be caused by bending the forming rolls during the forming process. Distortion is a particular problem with thicker gauge material that may be used to form the gutter cap. 
   Gutter caps made with the Gutter Wizard® tool are not well suited for retrofit jobs on which gutters are hung at normal gutter height which is about 1.5 inches below the roof edge. The Gutter Wizard® tool has a range of forming motion of only about 175° about a stationary ¾″ diameter roller and the blank springs back to a different degree depending upon the thickness and material of the blank. For example, 0.019 aluminum sheet springs back 75° to 100° and 0.027 aluminum sheet springs back 42° to 133°. Typically, more than 2 inches of spacing is required between the top of the gutter and the roof edge which necessitates removing and remounting the gutter for most retrofit jobs. 
   There is a need for an efficient, all-in-one tool for on-site fabrication of gutter caps. It is important that the tool be easy to use and capable of fabricating gutter caps from standard sheet blanks of different materials and thickness. It is also important that the gutter cap fabrication tool be lightweight and portable for on-site applications. 
   The above problems and needs are addressed by applicant&#39;s invention as summarized below. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one aspect of the present invention, a gutter cap assembly is provided for a roof of a building having a water directing layer, such as shingles, a standing seam metal roof, tile or slate. The roof may have a slanted top surface and a vertically extending face to which a gutter is attached. The assembly comprises a gutter cap having an interstitial planar portion that is received between the top surface of the roof and the water directing layer. A cap portion extends from the interstitial planar portion over and substantially across the top of the gutter. A reversely-turned radiused portion is provided at the opposite end of the cap portion from the interstitial planar portion. The radiused portion is spaced from the gutter to define a gap through which water is directed by surface tension. A return leg extends from the radiused portion below the cap portion. A flange is provided at the opposite end of the return leg from the radiused portion. A plurality of brackets are provided wherein each bracket has an inner end secured to the vertically extending face by a fastener, an intermediate receptacle formed on an upper portion of the bracket to which the anchor flange is secured by at least one retaining lip, and an outer end engaging a lip of the gutter at a spaced location relative to the inner end. 
   According to other aspects of the invention as they relate to the gutter cap assembly, the gutter cap assembly may include a hook formed on an upper surface of the outer end of the bracket that is hooked behind a hemmed edge of the lip of the gutter. The gutter cap assembly may also have a uniform profile from side to side because the bracket is extruded in a direction perpendicular to a line extending between the inner end and the outer end and is cut to a desired width perpendicular to the direction in which it is extruded. The intermediate portion may define a slot in the flange receiving surface that extends across the flange receiving surface and into the intermediate portion that is adapted to receive a screw that secures the flange to the flange receiving surface. 
   According still further aspects of the invention, an fastener receptacle is provided between the intermediate portion and the inner wall of the gutter, the fastener receptacle may have an upstanding wall that defines a first hole with the face end defining a second hole, wherein a fastener is installed through the first and second holes to secure the bracket to the face plate. The fastener receptacle, the face end and the upstanding wall in combination with a lower wall define an inner enclosed cell of the bracket. The intermediate portion, the gutter lip engaging end, the lower wall and the upstanding wall in combination define an outer enclosed cell of the bracket. The gutter cap is assembled to a gutter having a facing wall and a gutter lip. The gutter cap has a cap portion, a reversely turned portion, a return leg and a flange. The bracket comprises a lower wall extending from the gutter lip to the facing wall. A flange receiving portion is provided against which the flange is secured when the gutter cap is installed. 
   According to other aspects of the invention as it relates to bracket structure, a bracket for a gutter cap is provided that has a facing wall, a gutter lip, a cap portion, a reversely-turned portion, a return leg and a flange as described above. The bracket further comprises a lower wall extending generally from the gutter lip engaging end to the face end. An upper wall extends from the gutter lip engaging end to the face end that has an intermediate portion that includes a flange receiving surface. The flange of the gutter cap is secured to the flange receiving surface. A retaining lip disposed adjacent the flange receiving portion to locate the flange of the gutter cap. 
   According to other aspects of the invention as it relates specifically to the bracket, a hook may be formed on the upper wall at the outer end of the bracket that is hooked into a hem formed on the lip of the gutter. The intermediate portion may define a slot formed in the flange receiving surface that extends across the flange receiving surface in the direction transverse to the length of the bracket. The slot extends into the intermediate portion to receive a screw that secures the flange to the flange receiving surface. The bracket may further comprise a fastener receptacle provided between the intermediate portion and the inner wall of the gutter. The fastener receptacle may have an upstanding wall that defines a first hole with the face end defining a second hole. A fastener is installed through the first and second holes to secure the bracket to the face plate. 
   The bracket is formed with an inner closed cell that is defined by the fastener receptacle, the face end, the upstanding wall and a lower wall. The bracket is also formed with an outer closed cell that is defined by the intermediate portion, the gutter lip engaging end, the lower wall, the upstanding wall. 
   The above features and objects of the invention will be better understood in view of the attached drawings and following detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a bending brake having a gutter cap forming tool; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a gutter cap forming tool; 
       FIG. 3  is a fragmentary partial side elevation view of the gutter cap forming tool shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary diagrammatic view showing the bending brake of  FIG. 1  forming a flange on a blank; 
       FIG. 5  is a fragmentary partial side elevation view of a gutter cap forming tool having an integrated flange bender in which the blank has been inserted with phantom lines showing the forming tool after forming a flange on the blank; 
       FIG. 6  is a fragmentary partial side elevation view showing an alternative embodiment of an integrated flange bender forming the flange on the blank; 
       FIG. 7  is a fragmentary perspective view showing the blank with the flange inserted in a retainer formed on the gutter cap forming tool housing; 
       FIG. 8  is a fragmentary side elevation view of the gutter cap forming tool at an initial stage of forming the blank; 
       FIG. 9  is a fragmentary side elevation view of the gutter cap forming tool at an intermediate stage of forming the blank; 
       FIG. 10  is a fragmentary side elevation view of the gutter cap forming tool after the forming step is completed; 
       FIG. 11  is a fragmentary perspective view of a gutter cap made according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 12  is a fragmentary side elevation view of the gutter cap forming tool illustrating an approach to securing the tool to a bending brake; 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the gutter cap forming tool and a support stand; 
       FIG. 14  is a side elevation view of one embodiment of a bracket that is used to attach the gutter cap; 
       FIG. 15  is a fragmentary perspective view of the gutter cap and the bracket assembled to a building and a gutter; 
       FIG. 16  is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the gutter cap secured to the building with the bracket assembled to the gutter; 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a bracket; 
       FIG. 18  is a diagrammatic side elevation view of the gutter cap secured to the building with the bracket of  FIG. 17 ; 
       FIG. 19  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a bracket; 
       FIG. 20  is a side elevation view of another embodiment of a bracket; and 
       FIG. 21  is a fragmentary close-up side elevation view of a portion of the bracket shown in  FIG. 20 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , a gutter cap forming tool  10  is shown attached to a sheet metal bending brake  12 . The forming tool  10  and brake  12  are supported by a stand  14 . A sheet stock blank  16  is shown inserted in the forming tool  10 . The sheet stock blank  16  could be aluminum, steel, copper or expanded metal. The blank  16  could be provided in any color to match siding or gutter color and may be provided in a wide range of commercially available sheet stock thicknesses. 
   The bending brake  12  may be a commercial portable bending brake such as bending brakes sold by Van Mark Products, assignee of this application, and identified by the model designations Mark I Series, Mark II Trim Master®, Mark IV Trim Master®, or Trim-A-Brake II. The bending brake  12  includes an anvil  18  and a clamp  20  in which a blank  16  may be inserted and locked in place by turning the cam lock bar  22 . A bending leaf  24  is lifted by a handle  26  to engage the blank  16  and forming a bend in the blank  16 . The bending brake  12  is supported on a pair of rails  28  that include rail flanges to which the bending brake  12  is secured. 
   The stand  14  includes a pair of front legs  32  and a pair of rear legs  34 . Rear legs  34  include a bend  36  that directs the rear legs  34  outwardly to stabilize the stand. A clamp bracket  38  secures the rear legs  34  to a rail flange  30  of one of the rail  28 . Other brackets (not shown) are also provided on the front legs  32  to secure the front legs to one of the rails  28 . 
   The forming tool  10  includes a right roll support  42  and a left roll support  44  that supports opposite ends of a fixed roll  46 . An arcuately moveable forming roll  48  is used to form the blank  16  in conjunction with fixed roll  46  as is more particularly described below with reference to  FIGS. 2 ,  3  and  7 - 10 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , gutter cap forming tool  10  is shown in isolation. A blank  16  is inserted between fixed roll  46  and arcuately moveable forming roll  48 . The fixed roll  46  and forming roll  48  are received between right pivot support  50  and left pivot support  52 . A support brace  54  extends between the supports  50 ,  52  and adjacent to the forming roll  48 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , an anti-deflection roller  56  may be incorporated as part of the support brace  54 . The anti-deflection roller  56  is adapted to roll along the surface of the forming roll  48  as it forms the blank  16  around the fixed roll  46 . Anti-deflection roller  56  allows the forming roll  48  to rotate while preventing the forming roll  48  from deflecting away from the fixed roll  46 . A handle  58  is attached to the pivot supports  50 ,  52  and support brace  54  to provide a convenient gripping point and leverage for forming the blank  16  as the forming roll  48  is moved about the fixed roll  46 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the blank  16  has a flange  60  that was previously formed in a bending brake. The flange  60  is received by a retaining lip  62 . The flange  60  may be moved in a direction normal to the retaining lip  62  and remains seated on the lip  62  throughout the forming process. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the step of forming a flange  60  on the blank  16  is illustrated with reference to a bending brake  12 . The blank  16  is initially inserted between the clamp  20  and anvil  18 . While the clamp  20  and anvil  18  securely hold the blank, bending leaf  24  is lifted to form a brake, or bend, in the blank  16  as shown. The flange  60  and blank  16  may be bent to a perpendicular relationship as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , two embodiments of an integrated flange bender are illustrated that may be provided as part of the gutter cap forming tool  10 . In each embodiment a receptacle for an edge of the blank is provided to form a ½ inch flange on the blank. The orientation of the receptacle also facilitates forming the flange to the desired angular relationship of about 90°. 
   In  FIG. 5 , the integrated flange bender  72  comprises a bending leaf  74  that is pivotally attached to the forming tool  10 . The bending leaf  74  has a handle  76  that is used to manipulate the bending leaf  74 . The bending leaf  74  also includes a slot  78  that is adapted to receive a fixed length of the blank  16 . To form a flange  60 , the bending leaf  74  is moved from the position shown in sold lines in  FIG. 5  to the position shown in phantom lines in  FIG. 5 . After forming, the bending leaf  74  may be returned to the position shown in solid lines in  FIG. 5  and the blank  16  with its flange  60  may be removed from the flange bender  72  and inserted between the rolls  46  and  48  and formed as will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 7-10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 6 , an alternative embodiment of an integrated flange bender and gutter cap forming tool  80  is illustrated. The tool  80  is substantially similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 3 , but also includes a flange bender  82  comprising a slot  84  formed in the tool  80 , that is adapted to receive an edge  86  of the blank  16 . The support brace  54  is moved by the handle  58  to engage the blank  16  and form a flange  60  on the blank  16 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 7-10 , the forming tool  10  is shown in a series of steps of the gutter cap forming process. Referring specifically to  FIG. 7 , the forming tool  10  is shown as it would appear with the blank  16  and its associated flange  60  loaded into the tool  10 . Flange  60  is held by the retaining lip  62 . The remainder of the blank  16  extends between the fixed roll  46  and the moveable roll  48 . An anti-deflection die  87  is shown as it is attached to the tool  10 . The anti-deflection die  87  comprises a first leg  87   a  that is secured by a fastener to the tool and a second leg  87   b  that is received in a slot  89  in the fixed roll  46 . 
   In  FIG. 8 , an arcuate bend  88  is shown as it initially begins to form. In the initial stage of the forming operation, the handle  58  lifts the moveable roll  48  and the support brace  54  in an arcuate path around the fixed roll  46 . In  FIG. 9 , the handle  58  has been used to lift the moveable roller  48  and move it arcuately about the fixed roll  46 . The arcuate bend  88  is formed to a greater extent as shown in  FIG. 9 . 
   In  FIG. 10 , the blank  16  is shown with its fully formed arcuate bend  88 . The tool is designed to allow the moveable roll to move in an arc of more than 180° around the stationary roll to bend a portion of the blank into the reversely-turned portion of the gutter cap. The moveable roll may be moved in an arc of more than 200° around the stationary roll to obtain a tighter bend in the gutter cap. While the blank is formed to more than 180°, or to about 200°, depending upon the material and thickness of the blank, it will spring back. If the blank is formed around the fixed roll of 200°, the blank will spring back to provide a 180° to 195° bend in the blank. 
   Referring to  FIG. 11 , a gutter cap  90  is shown to include a cap portion  94  that extends over the gutter. The cap portion  94  overlies the flange  60  that was initially formed by the bending brake  12  or a flange bender as described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . A reversely turned arcuate bend  96  is provided between the cap portion  94  and a return leg  97 . The return leg  97  is disposed between the arcuate bend  96  and the flange  60 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 12 , the forming tool  10  is shown in a position where it is ready to be attached to a conventional bending brake  12 . The forming tool  10 , as illustrated, may have a bracket  95  that secures the tool  10  to the bending brake  12 . A nut is retained in a receptacle  96  for receiving a fastener  98  that attaches the bracket  95  to the tool  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 13 , a gutter cap forming tool  10  is shown attached to an alternative embodiment of a stand  99 . The gutter cap forming tool  10  may be provided as a stand alone tool with its own stand or may be provided in conjunction with a bending brake  12 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The forming tool  10  is shown with a blank  16  inserted between the fixed roll  46  and the arcuately moveable forming roll  48 . The forming roll  48  is lifted manually by means of a handle  58  as previously described to form the gutter cap. 
   Referring to  FIG. 14 , a bracket  100  is shown that may be formed by molding or extruding. The bracket  100  could be formed as an aluminum extrusion, but could also be formed of a different metal or of a rigid or reinforced molded resin. The bracket  100  may be formed as an extrusion having a relatively long length that is then cut into individual brackets by cutting the extruded member perpendicular to the extrusion direction. The bracket  100  may also be formed in an injection molding process as a discrete molded part. 
   The bracket  100  includes a face engaging end  101  and is held in place by means of a wood screw  102 . The bracket  100  includes a fastener receptacle  103  that receives the wood screw  102 . An intermediate, or upstanding, wall  104  defines a first hole  105  and the face engaging end  101  defines a second hole  106 . The wood screw, or nail,  102  is inserted through the first and second holes  105 ,  106  to attach the bracket  100  to a face plate  107 , or fascia, of a building. 
   An intermediate portion  108  of the bracket  100  is provided that has a flange receiving surface  109  that defines a slot  110 . A lower retaining lip  111  and an upper retaining lip  112  may be provided to locate the flange  60  of the gutter cap  90  on the flange receiving surface  108 . The lower retaining lip  111  and the upper retaining lip  112  may together or individually hold the flange  60  of the gutter cap  90 . The slot  110  is adapted to receive a self-tapping screw  113  (shown in  FIG. 16 ) in a range of lateral locations without requiring precise alignment of the self-tapping screw  113  with a small hole. A gutter lip engaging end  114  is provided on the opposite end of the bracket  100  from the face engaging end  101 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 15 and 16 , installation of the gutter cap  90  is described in greater detail. An interstitial planar portion  115  of the gutter cap  90  is inserted between a layer of roofing material  116 , such as a layer of shingles, standing seam metal roof, shake shingle, tile or slate roof. The interstitial planar portion  115  is placed between the layer of roofing material  116  and the roof structure  118 . The roof structure  118  also includes the face plate  107  onto which a gutter  122  is installed. An inner wall  124  of the gutter  122  is secured to the face plate  107 . A gutter lip  126  is provided on the opposite side of the gutter from the inner wall  124 . The gutter lip engaging end  114  of the bracket  100  may be twisted to secure the bracket  100  within the gutter lip  126 . A hem  127  is formed on the gutter lip  126  that is hooked by a hook  128  that is formed on an upper surface of the gutter engaging, or outer, end  114  of the bracket  100 . The cap portion  94  of the gutter cap  90  extends above the gutter  122  and terminates in the reversely-turned arcuate bend  96 . A transition break  130  may be provided between an interstitial portion  115  and the cap portion  94 . Rain water flowing down the layer of roofing material  116  slows upon reaching the transition break  130  causing the water to pool and flow more slowly across the cap portion  94 . Upon reaching the reversely-turned arcuate bend  96 , water  132  flows around the arcuate bend  96  and across the return leg  97  by reason of surface tension until the water  132  contacts the flange  60 , at which point the water is directed into the gutter  122 . Leaves  134  are shed from the gutter cap  90  that covers the gutter  122 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gutter  122  is attached by gutter spikes  136 . Gutter spikes  136  are used to nail the gutter  122  to the face plate  107  to secure the gutter  122  to the building. 
   The gutter  122  may be a new installation or may have been previously installed on the building and the gutter cap  90  may be provided as a retrofit. The face engaging end  101  is located against the inner wall  124  of the gutter  122 . The bracket  100  is secured in place by the wood screw  102  that is inserted through the first and second holes  105 ,  106  formed in the receptacle  103 . After the bracket  100  is installed, interstitial portion  115  of the gutter cap  90  is inserted underneath the roofing material  116 . The flange  60  may then be secured to the bracket  100  by the self-tapping screw  113  that is received in the extruded slot  110 . 
   The bracket  100  has a lower wall  137  that extends from the gutter lip  126  to the inner wall  124 . An upper wall  135  is disposed above the lower wall  137  and is coextensive therewith. The upper wall  135  defines the fastener receptacle  103  and the intermediate portion  108 . An inner closed cell  138  is defined by the fastener receptacle  103 , the face engaging end  101 , the intermediate wall  104  and the lower wall  137 . An outer closed cell  139  is defined by the intermediate portion  108 , the gutter lip engaging end  114 , the lower wall  137  and the intermediate wall  104 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 17 and 18 , an alternative embodiment of a gutter cap bracket is generally referred to by reference  140 . The bracket  140  includes a lower wall  142  that extends from a lip end  144  to a face end  146 . Lip end  144  is adapted to engage the gutter lip  126 . The face end  146  engages the inner wall  124  of the gutter  122 . A bore  148  extends from the lip end  144  to the face end  146 . A bulbous nose portion  150  extends from an intermediate point on the lower wall  142  upwardly and toward the lip end  144 . The bulbous nose  150  is curved to correspond to the desired curvature of the reversely-turned arcuate bend  96  of the gutter cap  90 . The nose  150  is intended to support the arcuate bend  96 . A flange receiving surface  152  is provided below the nose  150  that is adapted to receive the flange  60  of the gutter cap  90 . A slot  154  is provided in flange receiving surface  152 . Slot  154  is adapted to receive a screw, like screw  113  shown in  FIG. 16 . This screw  113  may be received at any point in the slot  154  provided that the screw  104  is able to grip the edges of the slot  154 . A lip  156  is provided between the flange receiving surface  152  and the lip end  144  of the bracket  140 . Lip  156  is provided to retain the flange  60  against the flange receiving surface  152 . The flange  60  is snapped over the lip  156  when the gutter cap  90  is assembled to the bracket  140 . A nail  158  that can be a conventional gutter spike may be inserted through the gutter lip  126  and the bore  148  formed in the lower wall  142  of the bracket  140 . The nail  158  is driven through the inner wall  124  of the gutter  122  and secured to the face plate  107  of the building on which the gutter  122  is installed. One advantage of this embodiment of a gutter cap bracket is that gutter spikes that are normally used to retain the gutter on a building may be accommodated by the bracket  140 . This reduces the number of parts and eliminates concerns regarding adapting the gutter cap to previously installed gutter spikes. 
   Referring to  FIG. 19 , another alternative bracket  160  is illustrated that may be formed as an extrusion. Bracket  160  differs from bracket  140  in that it is a substantially hollow member that requires less material to form the bracket. The bracket  160  has a lower wall  162  that extends from a lip end  164  to a face end  166 . An intermediate wall  168  is provided between lip end  164  and face end  166 . A bulbous nose portion  170  is provided above the lower wall  162  and near the lip end  164  of the bracket  160 . A flange receiving surface  172  is provided below the nose  170 . Flange receiving surface  172  is adapted to receive the flange  60  of the gutter cap  90 . A slot  174  is provided in the flange receiving surface  172 . Slot  174  is intended to receive a self-tapping screw (not shown) to attach flange  60  to the flange receiving surface  172 . A lip  176  is provided between the flange receiving surface  172  and the lip end  164 . When the gutter cap  90  is installed, the flange  60  is snapped over the lip  176  to hold the flange near the flange receiving surface  172 . A nail  178  is inserted through holes (not shown) in the lip end  164 , face end  166  and intermediate wall  168  of the lower wall  162  of the bracket  160 . The nail  178  is a conventional gutter spike that is used to secure the gutter and gutter cap bracket to the face plate  107  of a building. 
   Referring to  FIGS. 20 and 21 , another alternative embodiment of a gutter cap bracket is generally referred to by reference numeral  180 . Bracket  180  includes a lower wall  182  that extends from a lip end  184  to a face end  186 . A bore  188  is provided partially on the lower wall  182 . A nose  190  is formed above the lower wall  182  and extends toward the lip end  184 . The nose  190  is provided to support the reversely-turned arcuate bend  96  of the gutter cap  90 . A flange receiving surface  192  is provided below the nose  190 . A lip  196  is provided between the flange receiving surface  192  and the lip end  184  of the bracket  180 . A wood screw  198  may be secured through the bore  188  that extends from the flange receiving surface  192  to the face end  186  of the bracket  180 . The wood screw  198  may be driven by a screwdriver or nut running tool  200  to secure the bracket  180  to the face plate  107  of a building. The bracket  180  is preferably installed on the building before attachment of the gutter cap to the bracket. 
   The bracket  100  is mounted to the gutter  122  and then to the face plate  107 , or fascia, with the wood screw  102 , or other fastener, that is inserted through first and second holes  105 ,  106  formed in the fastener receptacle  103  of the bracket  100 . The flange  60  is retained between lower retaining lip  111  and upper retaining lip  112 . The cap  90  may then be rotated towards the roof from the position shown as a phantom line to the position shown as a solid line in  FIG. 14 . The end of the gutter cap  90  may then be inserted under the first or second courses of shingles. The cap  90  may then be nailed in place under the shingles. Alternatively, the bracket  100  could be secured in place by the wood screw  102 , or other fastener, as previously described through the hole formed in the bracket  100 . After the bracket  100  is installed, the gutter cap  90  may be inserted under the roofing layer  116  and the flange  60  may then be secured to the bracket  100  by the upper and lower retaining lips  111 ,  112  and, if desired, by the self-tapping screw  113  that is received in the extruded slot  110 . 
   It should be understood that the brackets and gutter cap could be installed as new construction or as a retrofit. As noted previously, prior art systems generally require that the gutter be removed and lowered to provide proper water flow across the gutter cap. 
   While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.