Patent Publication Number: US-2007119104-A1

Title: Covered rain gutter system

Description:
This application is a continuation-in-part of co-pending U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No. 11/234,589, filed Sep. 23, 2005, entitled “Covered Rain Gutter System,” and to the fullest extent permitted by law, claims priority to and the benefit thereof. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates generally to rain water collection devices, and more particularly, to a one-piece rain gutter and cover unit, wherein the gutter is a three-dimensional structure that receives water from a mounted position under the extended end of a roof, wherein a springedly-held grating system essentially eliminates clogging of downspouts by inhibiting the accumulation of leaves, and wherein an integrated mounting system provides secure placement and support for the grating and the gutter.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Numerous types of gutters are available for use, wherein a common problem to many, if not all such rain collection devices is the undesirable accumulation of debris and the resulting inhibition from proper functioning. Further, once cluttered with debris, most current designs do not facilitate cleaning, especially those adapted with covers.  
      Gutter covers are intended to impede the collection of leaves and other debris and thereby prevent the clogging of the gutter and downspout system. Some such covers are adapted to be retrofitted onto existing gutters. Others are integrated into a specific gutter design. However, each is disadvantageous in view of the present invention.  
      Several gutter designs exist wherein grates or screens act as the cover, or as the major component of the upper surface thereof. Although such screens and/or grates can prevent leaves or other debris from entering the gutter rainwater collection compartment, accumulated debris on top of the screens and/or grates can become a problem because collected rainwater must pass through these grates or screens to enter the main gutter compartment.  
      Another type of cover attempts to carry undesirable debris over the outside of the gutter by directing the flow of water over a series of ridges and down into an open topped gutter via increase surface tension, wherein larger debris is not intended to be directed therewith. Unfortunately, relying solely on such forces does not prevent the passage of all debris.  
      Additionally, irrespective of the type of gutter and/or cover structure, the method by which the gutter is fastened to the building is critical, not only to the effectiveness of the gutter at redirecting rainwater, but also to the structural integrity of the guttered building. That is, over time, most traditionally mounted gutters begin to pull away from the wall, or facia. This phenomenon can result in rainwater creeping behind the gutter, potentially causing water damage to the structure.  
      Therefore, it is readily apparent that there is a need for a rain gutter and cover unit that receives water from a mounted position under the extended end of the roof, wherein a strainer-style debris blocking system essentially eliminates the collection of unwanted leaves, seeds and other clogging materials, wherein easy access to the gutter rainwater collection compartment is facilitated, and wherein a mounting system provides support for secure, flush placement, thereby avoiding the above-discussed disadvantages.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      Briefly described, in a preferred embodiment, the present invention overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a device by providing a covered rain gutter system, wherein a tiered upper surface and an arcuate outer edge surface encourage the adhesion of rainwater while propelling large objects therefrom, wherein a side-mounted, springedly-held grating allows the passage of rainwater, inhibits passage of small debris pieces, and facilitates access to the main gutter compartment for maintenance, and wherein an incorporated mounting system facilitates uniform structural support and easy installation.  
      According to its major aspects and broadly stated, in its preferred form, the present invention is a covered rain gutter that mounts to facia via an internally held mount support bracket, to collect water upon exit from the peripheral edge of a roof structure, wherein surface dynamics facilitate the collection of rainwater and minimize the passage of undesirable debris to a straining-type system, wherein a grille member further limits the passage of debris into the gutter collection compartment, and wherein the overall structural design facilitates access to the gutter collection compartment for cleaning or other maintenance.  
      More specifically, the device of the present invention in its preferred form is a covered rain gutter system with a mount structure enabling flush and secure placement relative to facia, wherein an internal bracket support member is secured via a threaded fastener to the facia, wherein an internal fastener port is defined to extend from the gutter mounting surface essentially across the depth of the gutter, thereby supporting the shell of the gutter and securing the gutter mounting surface to the facia.  
      In the preferred form, the gutter body is a uniquely shaped, multi compartment unit with upper cover compartments essentially divided by internal gutter mount structure and a lower rainwater collection compartment, also essentially sub-divided by internal gutter mount structure, wherein the upper surface of the cover compartment incorporates a multi-waterfall shape to reverse rivuletting, and the outer edge of the cover compartment defines an arcuate surface to provide increased adhesion of collected rainwater while propelling large objects from the cover surface. The arcuate outer edge of the cover compartment thus serves to facilitate the continued adhesion of collected water, thereby facilitating the unimpeded passage of the collected rainwater, without undesirable matter, into the rainwater collection compartment.  
      The preferred grate, or stripping and screening structure is a springedly-related elongated member, wherein the first or upper end thereof is positioned proximate a recess defined below the arcuate outer edge of the cover compartment, and wherein the second or lower end is pivotally held proximate the upper edge of the collection compartment, facilitating the secure, hingedly movable positioning of the stripping and screening structure, extending between the two compartments. The hinged nature of the grating, or stripping and screening structure, facilitates easy access therebehind, should such access become necessary. Further, the grate-like design facilitates the stripping of debris away from the gutter, thus enabling screening of potentially clogging materials.  
      A feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to facilitate uniform gutter support via secure mounting to the facia board.  
      Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be easily installed.  
      Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to maintain gutter positioning close to the support structure, thereby limiting water creepage therebehind.  
      Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to essentially eliminate the collection of unwanted debris.  
      Yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to facilitate easy access behind the gutter rainwater collection compartment.  
      Still another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be mounted to facia below the extended end of a roof.  
      Still yet another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to be secured to facia board via a support member that coincidently reinforces the gutter structure.  
      Another feature and advantage of the present invention is its ability to minimize debris collection on the gutter grate or screen.  
      These and other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent to one skilled in the art from the following description and claims when read in light of the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The present invention will be better understood by reading the Detailed Description of the Preferred and Alternate Embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, in which like reference numerals denote similar structure and refer to like elements throughout, and in which:  
       FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a covered rain gutter system, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is a cut-away perspective view of the covered rain gutter system of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a covered rain gutter system, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 4  is a cut-away perspective view of the covered rain gutter system of  FIG. 3 ;  
       FIG. 5  is a cut-away perspective view of a covered rain gutter system, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, showing an alternate gutter unit shape and an alternate grate member; and  
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a covered rain gutter system, according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED AND ALTERNATE EMBODIMENTS  
      In describing the preferred and alternate embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in the figures and/or described herein, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar functions.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , the present invention in the preferred embodiment is covered rain gutter system  10 , comprising multi-compartment gutter unit  20 , grate member  60 , and mount system  100 . Preferably, multi-compartment gutter unit  20  is defined by upper cover  22  and lower rainwater collection compartment  24 , wherein grate member  60  extends therebetween, wherein mount system  100  is defined by internal fastener port  102 , bracket support frame  104 , and threaded fastener  106 , and wherein internal fastener port  102  is defined to extend from gutter mounting surface  34  essentially across the depth of gutter  10 , thereby supporting the exterior of gutter  10  and coincidently securing gutter mounting surface  34  to the facia.  
      In the preferred form, gutter unit  20  is uniquely shaped, wherein upper wall  26  of cover compartment  22  incorporates a multi-waterfall shape to reverse rivuletting of passing rainwater. Although a multi-waterfall shape is preferred, as depicted in  FIGS. 1-2 , a greater or lesser number of waterfall shapes could be incorporated in lieu of as depicted. Preferably, outer edge  28  of cover compartment  22  defines an arcuate shape, whereby surface  28   a  facilitates adhesion of collected rainwater while propelling large objects therefrom. Surface  28   a  of outer edge  28  of cover compartment  22  thus serves to direct, uninterruptedly, the collected rainwater essentially following the arcuate path of surface  28   a , wherein grate member  60  is preferably positioned to strip debris and thereby facilitate passage of the collected rainwater, without undesirable matter, into rainwater collection compartment  24 .  
      Preferably, outer edge  28  of cover compartment  22  defines mount recess  30 , preferably adapted to receive first or upper end  64  of grate member  60  therein. Extending below mount recess  30 , lower closure wall  32  of cover compartment  22  preferably extends in an angularly variable fashion to bracket support frame  104 , wherein the angular variation of lower closure wall  32  preferably defines male support mount  36 , and wherein, preferably, upper wall  26 , lower wall  32 , rear wall  34  and bottom wall  46  of gutter  10  are integrally formed. In this preferred arrangement, as mount recess  30  functionally engages upper end  64  of grate member  60 , grate member  60  is preferably hingedly related to bracket support frame  104 , functionally supporting cover compartment  22  relative to gutter unit  20 .  
      In the preferred form, rainwater collection compartment  24  is defined proximate and partially below bracket support frame  104 , wherein bottom member  105  is a component of and preferably integrally related to bracket support frame  104 . Preferably, lower rainwater collection compartment  24  is integrally related to upper cover compartment  22 , wherein rainwater collection compartment  24  is preferably defined as extending from distal end  47 , to bottom wall  46 , and to rear wall  42 , wherein upper cover compartment  22  is preferably defined as extending from rear wall  34 , to upper wall  26 , and to male support mount  36 , and wherein together, the compartments  24  and  22  preferably essentially and integrally define the exterior structure gutter unit  20 . Preferably, bottom wall  44  defines support shelf  49 , proximate rear wall  42 , defining base mount  48 . Also preferably, distal end  47  defines hook mount  35 , wherein preferably, distal end  47  is generally arcuately configured to facilitate hook-like engagement with bracket support frame  104 .  
      Preferably, grate member  60  extends between recess mount  30  and hinged mount  52 , as a springedly-related elongated member, wherein first or upper end  62  thereof is positioned proximate recess mount  30  defined below arcuate outer edge  28  of cover compartment  22 , and wherein second or lower end  66  is pivotally held proximate bracket support frame  104 , facilitating the secure, hingedly movable positioning of the stripping and screening structure, extending between the two compartments, wherein the hinged nature of the grating, or stripping and screening structure, facilitates easy access therebehind, should such access become necessary.  
      Preferably, plurality of elongated bars  68  define grate member  60 , thereby facilitating the collection and adherence of rainwater to the surface area thereof, and the passage of collected rainwater therethrough and into rainwater collection compartment  24 , while coincidently preventing the passage of debris. It is important to note that although it is convenient to refer to grate member  60  as a grate, this word choice is not intended to be limiting in any way. That is, grate member  60  could be any suitable strainer, sieve, filter, screen, porous trap, mesh, web, lattice, and/or grille-type structure capable of facilitating the stripping away of undesirable debris while permitting the passage of water therethrough.  
      Preferably, grate member  60  is hingedly held between recess mount  30  and hinged mount  52 , wherein user access into rainwater collection compartment  24  is enabled without necessitating complete removal of grate member  60 . It is noted, however, that in an alternate embodiment, grate member  60  could be fully removable.  
      Preferred mount system  100  is defined by internal fastener port  102 , bracket support frame  104 , and threaded fastener  106 , wherein, as noted hereinabove, internal fastener port  102  preferably extends from gutter mounting surface  34  essentially across the depth of gutter  10 , thereby supporting the exterior of gutter  10  and coincidently securing gutter mount surface  34  to the facia. Preferably, internal fastener port  102  is a threaded cylinder adapted for receipt of threaded fastener  106 , wherein first end  102   a  of internal fastener port  102  carries spring  103  for hinged support of grate  60 , and wherein first end  102   a  of internal fastener port  102  also carries reception port  37  for supportively receiving male support mount  36  therein.  
      Bracket support frame  104  is preferably defined as extending from reception port  37 , to upper support truss  54 , to upper end  55  of rear wall  34 , to lower end  57  of rear wall  42 , to hook mount  35 , and to grate support edge  59 . In this manner, bracket support frame  104  supports the outer gutter structure, as defined by compartments  22  and  24 , while coincidently functioning as the structural basis for the attachment mechanism, namely threaded fastener  106 .  
      It is important to understand that the preferred structure of the present invention not only facilitates the clog-free collection of rainwater, but enables the preferred dual-support mount system for secure placement and gutter reinforcement. Thus, while the foregoing embodiment of covered rain gutter system  10  is preferred, other embodiments and adaptations are anticipated wherein equivalent functionality of components are provided.  
      In the preferred use, threaded fastener  106  is secured through gutter unit  20  and into the facia board F of a house or building at an appropriate position relative to the roof R, wherein rear walls  34  and  42  are generally flush against facia board F. Rainwater is collected upon exit from roof R onto upper wall  26  of cover compartment  22 , wherein surface dynamics encourage the adhesion of rainwater, arcuate outer edge  28  of cover compartment  22  propels large objects therefrom. Upper end  64  of grate member  60  receives the collected rainwater, wherein elongated bars  68  are configured to perform a stripping function, permitting the collected rainwater, without undesirable matter, to pass into rainwater collection compartment  24 . Thus, after the rainwater travels the arcuate outer edge  28  of cover compartment  22 , upper end  64  of preferred length of elongated bars  68  facilitates continued rainwater adhesion, essentially uninterruptedly, into rainwater collection compartment  24 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 2 , grate member  60  is preferably formed from plurality of elongated bars  68 , wherein cross-support member  72  functions to maintain plurality of elongated bars  68  in relative position. Also preferably, each bar of plurality of elongated bars  68  is generally cylindrically-shaped to enhance stripping abilities. However, any other suitable shape could be utilized such as, for exemplary purposes only, prismatic.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in an alternate embodiment, outer edge  28  of cover compartment  22  could exclude mount recess  30  (defined in the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), wherein the arcuate nature of surface  28   a  at outer edge  28  could facilitate the uninterrupted passage of collected rainwater along an extended arcuate path. Such a configuration facilitates incorporation of alternate grate  260 .  
      Alternate elongated bars  268  define a J-shape cross-section for grate member  260 , wherein long end  261   a  extends essentially between outer edge  28  of cover compartment  22  and trough mount  252 , wherein first or upper end  262  thereof is generally pointed, and wherein second or lower end  266  is tightly held within trough mount  252  via pressure plate  265 . Alternate grate member  260  is thus formed from plurality of J-shaped elongated bars  268 , wherein cross-support member  272  functions to supportively maintain plurality of elongated bars  268  in relative position. Pressure plate  265  is adjustably secured to upright support wall  253  of trough mount  252 , wherein short end  261   b  of J-shaped cross-section of grate member  260  essentially abuts thereagainst.  
      Alternate bracket support frame  204  includes alternate bottom member  205 , wherein three angularly-related component members  205   a ,  205   b  and  205   c  essentially define the shape of one half of a hexagon, with central component member  205   b  supportively abutting internal fastener port  102 . Additionally, distal end  47  of rainwater collection compartment  24  could be alternately configured, wherein hook mount  35  could be angularly defined, in lieu of arcuately configured, incorporating first corner  235   a , second corner  235   b , upper lip surface  235   c , and inner lip surface  235   d.    
      Internal fastener port  102  could be defined to extend in an angular fashion from gutter mounting surface  34 , essentially upwardly, across the depth of gutter  10 , wherein base support  103  could be incorporated, with mount medium  107  included therein, proximate second end  102   b  of internal fastener port  102 . In this embodiment, alternate bracket support frame  204  continues to be defined as extending from reception port  37 , however, reception port  37  is defined below alternate internal fastener port  102 , in lieu of above, as defined in the preferred embodiment previously described hereinabove. Further, alternate support truss  254  is shaped to receive interior waterfall conformation, and extending essentially straight therefrom to upper end  55  of rear wall  34 .  
      Referring now to  FIG. 5 , in another alternate embodiment, outer edge  28   a  of cover compartment  22  could include periodic grate mount apertures  302 , for receiving alternate grate  360 . Alternate elongated bars  368  are essentially straight; however, periodic key-shaped elongated bars  369  are defined, at least one at each end of alternate grate  360 , in order to facilitate installation thereof.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 6 , in another alternate embodiment, lower rainwater collection compartment  24  is alternately defined with bottom wall  446  defining an essentially trough-shaped, or “pseudo-V” configuration. Such a shape facilitates the funneling, via gravity, of any small debris, if inadvertently collected into gutter  20 , into the trough area, thereby rendering gutter system  10  to be self-cleaning, wherein any debris collected therein would be washed out with subsequent rain, via the trough.  
      Additionally, gutter unit  20  could be formed without support shelf  49  (as depicted in the preferred embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), wherein alternate bottom member  405  could include extended support leg  407 .  
      In another alternate embodiment, gutter unit  20  could be defined by a plurality of components, in lieu of integral formation.  
      In another alternate embodiment, a plurality of elongated apertures could be defined in grate member  60 , wherein a plurality of diamond-profile teeth could be alternately spaced therewith, wherein the diamond-profile could facilitate the passage of collected rainwater through the plurality of elongated apertures and into rainwater collection compartment  24 , while coincidently discouraging adherence of leaves or other debris material.  
      In another alternate embodiment, grate  60  could be retained in an openable, yet closed position via a springless mechanism, and/or could be adapted to open from either above or below, depending upon the relative positioning of the hinge mechanism.  
      In yet another alternate embodiment, the internally held mount support bracket of the present invention could be comprised of multiple, interrelated component members in lieu of integral formation.  
      It yet another alternate embodiment of the present invention, other appropriate fasteners may be utilized in lieu of a threaded fastener for securing gutter unit  20  to the facia, such as, for exemplary purposes only, expansion bolts, adhesives, nails, or any other suitable securing means capable of retaining gutter unit  20  securely in position relative to the facia.  
      Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only, and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated herein, but is limited only by the following claims.