Patent Publication Number: US-10774536-B2

Title: Rainwater gutter

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a rainwater gutter, more particularly relates to mountable rainwater gutter sections that can be joined together to form the rainwater gutter. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A rainwater gutter is typically mounted along the roofline, just below the edge of the roof for collecting the rainwater which runs off of the roof. The gutter is, in turn, joined to a downspout for carrying the rainwater from the rain gutter. Gutters made of wood have long been used in the past, these generally are elongated gutters assemblies connected at their ends and corners in a way that provided a smooth, continuous appearance of the gutter on the outside faces. The wood had been slowly replaced by aluminum, being less expensive, easier to install and does not rot like wood. 
     The aluminum gutters are typically made in sections, which are connected together through connectors. The rainwater gutters fit inside the connectors, which leaves the connectors visible on the outside faces of the gutter. Because of the planar difference between the connector and the rainwater gutters, aluminum gutters have a different appearance than wood gutters. 
     It is desirable to replicate the look of a traditional gutter when building or repairing a building. Thus, a need is appreciated for a gutter assembly with continuous outside faces and no visible connectors, thereby replicating the appearance of a wood gutter 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Therefore, the principal objective of the present invention is directed to a rainwater gutter. 
     An additional objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter has a continuous outside face without any visible connectors. 
     A further objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter can be produced in sections that can be joined together easily. 
     Still further objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter is made by extrusion process. 
     Still further objective of the present invention is that the gutter sections of desired length can be cut from a gutter. 
     Still further objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter can be easily mounted to the roof. 
     Another objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter does not allow leaves, twigs and like to collect in the gutter. 
     Still another objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter could be easily cleaned. 
     Yet another objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter is durable and can withstand external damaging forces. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further serve to explain the principles of the present invention and to enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of a gutter section, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of another embodiment of the gutter section, in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  shows two gutter sections of  FIG. 1  connected through square shaped keys, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows an end cap for the gutter section of  FIG. 1 , in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows the gutter section of  FIG. 2  having a hole for connecting a downspout, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6 . shows two gutter sections of  FIG. 1  connected at an angle through a bended elongated pin, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present invention is directed to a rainwater gutter for collecting rainwater which runs-off of the roof of a building, and more particularly the present invention is directed to a gutter section having one or more keyways for connecting it to another gutter section. 
     Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may, however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage or mode of operation. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent. 
     Now referring to  FIG. 1 , which shows an exemplary embodiment of a gutter section  100  according to the present invention. As depicted in  FIG. 1 , the gutter section  100  comprises a rear wall  105 , a front wall  110  and a base  115  forming a body of the gutter section  100 . The top of the gutter section  100  is open. A keyway  120  is disposed on the front wall  110  and runs along the length of the body of the gutter section  100 . Second keyway  125  is disposed on the rear wall  105  and runs along the length of the gutter section  100 . A third keyway  130  is disposed at an intersection of the rear wall  105  and the base  115 , and the keyway  130  runs along the length of the gutter section  100 . Further can be seen a screw boss  135  disposed on the front wall  110  and the screw boss  135  running along the length of the gutter section  100 . A groove  140  is disposed on the upper portion of the front wall  110  and runs along the length of the gutter section  100 . The groove  140  and the keyway  125  are configured to hold a gutter guard  145  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Another groove  150  is provided on the top portion of the rear wall  105  and the groove  150  runs along the length of the gutter section  100 . The groove  150  is configured to secure a metal flashing (not shown). An angled shelf  155  configured on rear wall  105  directs the screws for mounting the gutter section  100  to a supporting surface. 
     The base  115  of the gutter section  100  is curved to provide an aesthetic appearance to the gutter section. It is to be noted that the gutter section can be made in any other shape without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,  FIG. 2  shows a square-shaped gutter body. The body of the gutter sections can be made of commercially available metals. Heavy-gauge aluminum has been found suitable for gutter sections, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, but it is within the contemplation of this invention that other materials, such as galvanized steel, copper or cuprous alloys, or even plastic might also be utilized. Preferably the gutter section in the form of a flat continuum made from metal which is strong, durable, weather-resistant, easily formed, and substantially rigid, yet susceptible to some bending without breakage. According to a preferred embodiment, an elongated gutter can be made by extrusion process and the gutter sections of the desired length can be cut from the elongated gutter. The gutters of the present invention made by the extrusion process are durable, thicker and stiffer than the gutters made by the roll forming process. Such extruded gutters can easily withstand external shocks, such as damage from a foreign object. For example, in case a ladder is supported on the installed gutter, the durable gutter of the present invention could withstand any dents that may be caused by the weight of the ladder. In one case, the thickness of the body of the gutter section can range from 0.10 inches to 0.20 inches. 
     The gutter section  100  shown in  FIG. 1  is mounted over a supporting surface at the rear wall  105 . The supporting surface in one exemplary embodiment is fascia. The term fascia herein connotes a vertical frieze or band under a roof edge. Rainwater gutters are typically installed over the fascia. The rear wall of the gutter sections is shaped according to the surface of the fascia. Shown in  FIG. 1  is the flat upper portion of the rear wall  105 , which can be supported over a flat supporting surface. The front wall  110  and the base  115  could be shaped to provide aesthetic appearance in the gutter section  100 . For example, the front wall and the base could be shaped like ornamental wood moldings used in the buildings. It is to be understood that the terms rear wall, front wall, and the base does not limit the invention in any way. These are used to explain the structure of the gutter and does not denote any structural limitations. Moreover, the gutter could be produced in any shape as desirable, for example, a single wall U-shaped gutter or a rectangular-shaped gutter. 
     The keyways are used to connect two gutter sections. Elongated keys shaped to be received in the keyways are partially inserted in the keyway of the first gutter section. The second gutter section having the similar keyway is mounted over the protruding portion of the keyway, thus joining the two gutter sections.  FIG. 3  shows two gutter sections connected through elongated keys. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the gutter section  100  of  FIG. 1  is connected to second gutter section  300  through three elongated keys  160 . The keyways  120 ,  125  and  130  shown in  FIG. 1  are square-shaped, so the square-shaped keys  160  are can be used. The square-shaped elongated keys  160  is half inserted in the gutter section  100 , wherein the gutter section is already mounted on the fascia. Second gutter section  300  is moved in the remaining half portion of the elongated keys  160  and then coupled to the fascia. Alternatively, the gutter can be assembled separately and then mounted on the supporting surface. Basically, the gutter sections can be joined to get the gutter of desired length and the gutter can then be mounted over the supporting surface. The gutter sections are joined similarly as described above i.e. through the keyways. It is to be understood that the figures show the keyways and the elongated keys to be square-shaped, however, the keyways and the elongated keys could be of any other shape without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, keyway can be of a shape such as rounded, prismatic, rectangular and like. Moreover,  FIG. 3  show the gutter sections connected through three keyways. It is to be understood that only one keyway can connect the two gutter sections and the other keyways are optional. Thus, the present invention can contemplate one or more keyways. 
     The elongated key could be bonded to the keyways using an adhesive. Alternatively, any other method obvious to a skilled person for bonding the key to the keyway is within the scope of the present invention. In one case, the keyways are positioned such as they do not obstruct in cleaning the inside of the gutter sections. For example, in  FIG. 1  the keyways  120  and  125  are disposed on upper portions of the front wall  115  and the rear wall  125 . The third keyway  130  is disposed in the outer portion of the intersection, thus the inner portion of the gutter section is plain that could be easily cleaned. 
     The gutter guard is used to keep out debris, such as leaves and twigs, without restricting the flow of water into the gutter. Structure and functions of the gutter guards are known in the prior art and any variety of different types of gutter guards can be embodied in the present invention. For example, imperforate styles, expanded metal panels, etc. can be used without any limitations. The keyway  125  in  FIG. 1  is shown holding the gutter guard  145  at one side. The gutter guard  145  has ribs on the opposite side running along the length of the gutter guard  145 . The ribs are configured to be slidably received into the grove  140  and the keyway  125  for mounting the gutter guard  145  over the gutter section  100 . Alternatively, the gutter guard  145  can be snapped into the groove  140  and the keyway  125 . It is to be noted that the gutter guard  145  and the groove  140  are optional i.e. the gutter section  100  can be contemplated without the gutter guard  145 . 
     An optional screw boss  135  is shown in  FIG. 1 . The screw boss  135  runs parallel to the keyways and end-to-end along the length of the gutter section  100 . The screw boss  135  includes a central aperture in which a fastener (not shown) is received. The fasteners like the keyways can be elongated pins used to connect two gutter sections, but at an angle other than 180 degrees. The elongated pins can be bent to the desired angle for connected the two sections in the desired angle. For example, two gutter section can be coupled perpendicularly by bending the elongated pins 90 degrees. Thus, the gutter section can be coupled at odd angles through the screw bosses, wherein the alignment pins are bent accordingly. It is to be noted that the screw bosses are optional the gutter section according to the present invention can be embodied without the screw bosses.  FIG. 6  is shows two gutter sections  610  and  620  being coupled at an odd angle. The gutter sections  610  and  620  are shows at separated so that the elongated pins  630  and  640  are visible clearly. The elongated pins  630  and  640  are shown to be bended and received into the screw bosses  625  of each gutter sections  610  and  620 . The gutter section further having the keyway  650  behind the front wall  660 .  FIG. 6  is for showing the gutter section coupled through elongated pin at an odd angle, however the end part of the gutter section be cut at an angle such that the two gutter sections can be joined. 
     The gutter sections are mounted over a supporting surface, such as fascia using screws. In operation, the gutter section is placed over the supporting surface and mounting screw are drilled through the wall of the gutter section into the supporting surface. Considering the shape of the gutter, and, because the screws need to be about 4″ long, they have to be installed at a downward angle in order to not hit the face of the gutter as they are being installed. The wall of the gutter body is modified with an angles shelf for indexing the mounting screws.  FIG. 1  shows the angles shelf  155  disposed on the rear wall  105  of the gutter section  100 . The angled shelf  155  assist in drilling for the mounting screws and to prevent the drill bit from moving on the slippery surface of the gutter body wall. Furthermore, the shape (angle) of angled shelf  155  ensures that the head of the mounting screws sits flat against the inside of the gutter body wall. The present invention is advantageous that, being durable and rigid, no internal supports or external hangers may be required for installation. 
     Metal flashing can be used to provide a pathway for the water from the roof into the gutter. Metal flashing can be an elongated sheet extending from the roof and secured into a groove providing pathway for the water, such that water does not leak into the supporting surface. In  FIG. 1  the groove  150  is provided to secure the metal flashing to the gutter section  100 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an embodiment of an end cap  400 . The end cap  400  has 3 three screws  410 . The endcap is used to close the open ends of the rainwater gutter. The endcap  400  is shaped according to the gutter section of  FIG. 1 . The endcap  400  through the three holes  410  is screwed into the three keyways  120 ,  125  and  130  of the gutter section  100 . 
       FIG. 5  shows an exemplary embodiment of gutter section  500 . The gutter section  500  is like the gutter section  200  shown in  FIG. 2  but having a hole  510  in the base  215  for receiving a downspout connector. Downspout channelizes the water from the gutter into a drain. Section  500  can be connected to the other section through the keyways as explained above. 
     While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.