Patent Abstract:
An interlocking gutter system with perforations in the visor allows for the maximum amount of water drainage while blocking debris from entering the gutter. The gutter trough has an increasing radius as it approaches the downspout, to increase the capacity for carrying water. In the event that debris does enter the gutter, the interlocking mechanism can be disengaged, thereby allowing the gutter trough to drop away from the visor, dumping accumulated debris with minimal effort. The perforations in the visor can be patterned and sized in order to block the most common debris encountered in that installation. The gutter may allow water to enter the trough via a coanda slot in addition to perforations in the visor. The gutter system may have multiple troughs to further assist in draining a maximum amount of water. In the event of a clog, the system is emptied using an endcap.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The field of the invention relates to gutter systems or the like, and more particularly to debris rejecting and self-cleaning gutter systems. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Various means for controlling the dispensation of rain falling on a roof currently exist. When the flow of rain is not properly controlled and directed, erosion of foundation structures may occur, lawn and garden features may be damaged, and rain may run down an exterior wall of the structure, which can damage the structure, perhaps causing leaks into the interior of the structure. 
     Present systems of gutters are easily clogged by leaves and other debris entering the gutter system, thereby reducing the flow of water, making the gutter less effective. A typical gutter cross-section shape is a rectangular trough design with 90 degree corners, or a designated K-type gutter. Present systems of gutters are difficult to install and are ineffective if they are installed at an incorrect pitch. The pitch of the gutter run is typically less than 1 degree, resulting in the run being nearly level. Over time, debris entering the gutter will collect and buildup in the corners, reducing the capability of the gutter to transport water and may cause the gutter or its supports to fail. 
     Present systems exist that may be placed over a gutter trough to block debris from entering the gutter system. Systems that block debris from entering the gutter are not very effective, still allowing some debris to enter the gutter, and still have to be cleaned from time to time. Cleaning them is a difficult, time-consuming process that can be dangerous. Cleaning such a debris blocking system requires spending long periods of time perched precariously on a roof or on top of a tall ladder or scaffold while exerting great muscular effort in an awkward position. In some cases, the entire gutter must be disassembled to be cleaned. 
     Some existing systems have a gap between the gutter and the debris blocking system to allow water to enter the gutter. These systems may only be effective when the momentum energy of the debris is sufficiently high for the trajectory of the debris to go over the gap between the gutter and the gutter-covering device. When the rainfall intensity, or mass flow, is not adequate to convey the debris with enough momentum, then the debris will fall into the gap, entering the gutter. When the rainfall intensity, or mass flow, is too high, the rain has sufficient momentum to continue its trajectory and to overcome the surface tension forces that would keep it flowing along the surface of the gutter-covering device. Thus, instead of entering the gutter, the rain falls beyond the gutter and may cause the same undesirable results as if there was no gutter. Other gutter covers merely trap the unwanted debris when the momentum energy of the debris is not sufficient to wash the debris over the edge, leading to the debris blocking system becoming clogged, impeding the flow of water. 
     It is desirable in some instances to have an easy to install gutter system that effectively blocks debris from entering the system, but is easy and efficient to clean if the gutter system becomes clogged. It is also desirable in some instances for a gutter system to have an increased accommodation for water flow, so that the gutter system will not overflow and cause water to run back up onto the roof or behind the gutter. It is desirable to have a gutter system be effective over a broad range of rainfall mass flow rates. It is desirable to have a gutter system that is self-cleaning. Such a gutter system would have improved durability and reliability over existing systems. 
     SUMMARY 
     The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim. 
     One non-limiting embodiment of the present invention is an improved rain gutter system suitable for receiving a great amount of rain flowing from a roof of a structure and directing the rain to a desired effluence location. The system is designed to receive the rain, to prevent the admittance of debris, and to convey the rain to a collection point, such as a downspout. The gutter system can be adapted to any length of roof. The gutter system is easy to attach to a building or other structure. The gutter system has components to operate in interior and exterior roof corners and the components can be connected to adjacent gutter run components. Some embodiments of the gutter system have structural stiffeners built in. The gutter system is easy to clean in the event that debris or other material does accumulate in the gutter. Some embodiments of the gutter system also provide an auxiliary means of dispensing large amounts of rain. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A through 1D  illustrate a first embodiment of a gutter system. 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates an embodiment of a gutter system including an interlocking mechanism on the rear of the gutter. 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates an embodiment of a gutter system including an interlocking mechanism on the front of the gutter. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates another embodiment of a gutter system including a coanda slot that allows water to enter through it. 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate another embodiment of a gutter system having a coanda slot, an upper trough, and a lower trough. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another embodiment of a gutter system having an endcap with a removable port cap. 
         FIGS. 6A through 6C  illustrate another embodiment of a gutter system having an endcap with a drainpipe. 
         FIGS. 7A through 7C  illustrate another embodiment of a gutter system including a frame for supporting an upper trough. 
         FIGS. 8A through 8C  illustrate another embodiment of a gutter system including chevron shaped holes in a visor and a flange under shingles feature. 
         FIGS. 9A through 9C  illustrate another embodiment of a gutter system including multiple troughs. 
         FIGS. 10A through 10C  illustrate another embodiment of a gutter system including a spiral trough. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described. 
     The described embodiments of the invention provide for a self-cleaning gutter system with integrated debris blockers. While the gutter systems are discussed for use with residential homes, they are by no means so limited. Rather, embodiments of the gutter system may be used in any structure that requires capture and drainage of rainwater. 
     The following is a description of devices, such as roof gutters, that are able to drain water flowing off of a structure, such as a building. The gutter systems described below feature improved performance in preventing debris from entering and potentially clogging the gutter. In some instances, the device is able to be opened and closed in the event that debris does accumulate inside the device. In some instances, the device is also self-cleaning, by way of a smooth, concave, curved profile on the inside of the gutter run that directs and concentrates water and debris to the lowest point in the gutter profile, thereby allowing the water and debris to flow freely. In some embodiments, the device incorporates a coanda slot along the front of the device, such that water enters the device because of surface tension, and debris falls over the edge of the device onto the ground or a similar surface. The visor, or upper surface, of the gutter might have holes of varying size and shape that allow water to flow into the gutter trough, while preventing debris from entering the gutter trough. 
     The device may be fabricated from various materials, such as, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, copper, brass, bronze, lead, or another sheet metal; sheet plastic; extruded metal; extruded plastic; a laminated fiber reinforced plastic, such as fiberglass reinforced epoxy, graphite epoxy (Gr/Ep), fiberglass (Fg) Polyester, or any other such material that allows for an appropriate amount of flexibility while having the appropriate structural integrity. The device may be fabricated using various manufacturing processes, including, but not limited to roll forming or progressive roll forming; bending and forming using forms, mandrels, press and other brakes, punches, or dies; compound extrusion of plastics; injection molding using various types of molding; or lamination of fiber reinforced plastic and associated processes and materials, including pre-preg, wet layup, molded layup, vacuum bagging, post-curing, autoclave curing, and other types of manufacturing that may be envisioned. 
     The device may be attached to a structure in various ways. In one embodiment, perforations in the gutter may be made to allow insertion of a mechanical fastener, such as a screw, nail, staple, or other suitable fastener. A tool appropriate for addressing the mechanical fastener is used such that the mechanical fastener will be secured through the gutter and into the fascia to hold the gutter in the desired position. Each mechanical fastener may be vertically adjustable within the perforations, such that a user may easily adjust the pitch of the gutter run to ensure that water flows in the proper direction towards the downspout. In another embodiment, an external hanger device may be attached to the fascia of the structure to support the gutter. 
     In a preferred embodiment, a section of gutter run is formed using a single piece of sheet material. The section of gutter run can be any length, up to and including the length of the structure. An upper portion of the material after forming is known as a visor. This portion may also be called a screen, grate, or strainer. A lower portion of the material after forming is known as a trough. The visor and the trough are connected by a straight portion, whereby the gutter is connected to the structure. The visor may have a plurality of holes, or perforations, through it. The holes are of a size, shape, orientation, pattern, gradation, ordering, and spacing that allows rain to pass through the visor while preventing debris from entering the gutter and thereby clogging the trough. Various patterns and combinations of holes may be envisioned. One reason to vary the patterns and combinations of holes may be because a particular type of debris is present on the property, such as oak, pine, tulip, or Bradford pear trees. Other reasons to vary the patterns and combinations of holes can be envisioned. The trough concentrates the flow of rain to the lowest point in the gutter (which may be facilitated, for example, by the smooth, concave shape of the trough) so that any debris that does enter the trough through the holes does not accumulate, but is instead efficiently swept along the run of the gutter to the downspout. 
       FIGS. 1A-1D  show one example of an interlocking roof gutter  100 . The gutter  100  includes a visor  102  with a plurality of holes  112  to capture water that is flowing down the visor  102 . In this particular example, the height of the visor  102  is constant along the gutter run. Other embodiments may include visors where the height of the visor is not constant. In one embodiment, the gutter  100  may be installed such that the top edge  104  of the visor  102  is a constant distance from the roof to prevent the backflow of water between the visor  102  and the structure. In another embodiment, the gutter  100  might incorporate a flange under shingles feature to prevent water from flowing behind the gutter  100 , such as shown in  FIGS. 8A-C . 
     The gutter system  100  of  FIGS. 1A-1D  includes a trough  106 . The pitch of the bottom of the trough  106  may slope downward along the length of the gutter  100  as the gutter  100  approaches the downspout in order to encourage the flow of water to the downspout. In this embodiment, the depth of the trough  106  increases along the length of the gutter  100 . In this way, the volume capacity of the interior of the trough  106  increases as it approaches the downspout, so that the trough  106  is able to carry increasing amounts of water along its length. As illustrated in  FIG. 1D , the increasing depth of the trough  106  causes the bottom edge  110  of the interlocking roof gutter  100  to be farther from the top edge  104  of the visor  102  at the end of the gutter  100  nearer the downspout than it is at the end of the gutter  100  farther from the downspout. Other embodiments may have a trough  106  with a constant cross section as it approaches the downspout. Some embodiments, such as, for example, those described below, may also feature one or more troughs with a slope or taper to increase water capacity as the water moves through the gutter and towards a downspout. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1C and 1D , the visor  102  falls away from the top edge  104  of the gutter  100  in a constant radius. As the visor  102  falls away from the top edge  104  with a gradually increasing slope, the holes  112 , which may take on any shape as desired or required for aesthetic purposes or to facilitate better water entrapment and exclusion of debris, may become progressively larger. In other embodiments, the visor  102  does not need to fall away from the roof in a constant radius and may fall away from the roof in a changing radius or other manner. Having the visor  102  fall away from the roof with a gradually increasing slope, such as shown in  FIG. 1C , or in other embodiments with constant or non-constant radii, will cause the water to fall along the visor  102  with minimal splashing back up onto the roof. Because the visor  102  has a gradually increasing slope, gravity will accelerate the water as it flows down the visor  102 . The increasing rate of water flow and the gradually increasing slope both operate to accelerate the debris, increasing its momentum as it moves along the visor  102 . The increase of momentum in the debris allows for the holes  112  to gradually increase in size because the accelerated debris will pass over the holes  112  and fall away from the structure. However, the larger holes  112  may still capture the water as it accelerates down the slope of the visor  102 . Conversely, near the top of the visor  102  where the water and debris have less momentum, the holes  112  are smaller to prevent debris from entering the gutter  100 , yet still entrain water. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates another example of a gutter  200 A that includes holes  202 ,  204  in the visor  201  and an interlocking mechanism  206 A located on the rear of the device. In this embodiment, the holes  202  closer to the ground are of a larger size than the holes  204  closer to the roof. This serves to allow water to flow freely into the trough  212  due to surface tension, while filtering out the most debris. Holes of a single size and shape are less desirable because they would not be suited for all possible conditions of rainfall intensity, leaf size and shape, the size and shape of other possible debris, wind velocity, and other factors affecting the fall of debris. The holes  202 ,  204  may be punched, dimpled, or indented in a manner that promotes the use of the coanda effect to draw water into the holes  202 ,  204  and through the visor  201 , falling into the trough  212 . The interaction of the surface tension of the water and the momentum of the rain and debris causes holes  202 ,  204  of varying sizes to be desirable. It is possible to envision a different distribution of holes  202 ,  204  in the visor  201 . The holes  202 ,  204  should be of a size, shape, orientation, pattern, gradation, ordering, and spacing that allows rain to enter the trough  212  while preventing most debris from entering the trough  212 . 
     The interlocking mechanism  206 A is located on the rear of the gutter  200 A in this embodiment, with the rear being the section that is mounted to the structure. The interlocking mechanism  206 A can be folded flange edges, although other types of interlocking mechanisms can be envisioned. The interlocking mechanism  206 A may also be a closing seam or latching seam with a hem at both seams. Appropriate types of seams for latching or interlocking the gutter  200 A include a grooved seam joint, a cap strip seam, a drive slip joint, and a flat lock seam. In the event that the gutter system  200 A becomes clogged, the user would simply push up on the trough  212  and squeeze the rear of the trough  212  forward to unlatch the interlocking mechanism  206 A. Then the trough  212  may be lowered to empty the debris. One way of lowering the trough  212  is for gravity to act upon the debris in the gutter  200 A, such that the curvature of the front of the gutter  200 A may act as a living hinge and allow it to open and dump its contents. To reclose the gutter  200 A, the user would simply push the trough  212  up while squeezing the rear forward again to engage the interlocking mechanism  200 A. It is possible to envision a gutter  200 A that would have a different type of locking mechanism  206 A, and/or a hinge, for example, if the gutter  200 A is made of a non-flexible material. 
       FIG. 2B  illustrates an embodiment of a gutter  200 B where the interlocking mechanism  206 B is located on the front of the gutter  200 B. In this embodiment, to unlatch the locking mechanism  206 B, the user squeezes the trough  212  such that the front of the trough  212  moves toward the structure, and slightly lifts the front of the trough  212 . This causes internal latching mechanism  208  to separate from external mechanism  210 . When the user lets go, gravity operating on the debris in the trough  212  may cause the curvature of the gutter trough  212  to straighten, allowing the debris to be dumped. Afterwards, the same squeezing and lifting motion may be used to re-engage locking mechanisms  208  and  210 . The mechanisms  206 A and  206 B shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B  respectively are only one example of mechanisms that may be used to close and secure the gutter  200 A,  200 B. For example, in some embodiments, other mechanical fasteners, such as screws, folding tabs, or twist tabs may be used instead of the specific mechanisms shown in  FIGS. 2A  and B. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an embodiment of a gutter  300 , which may also include holes in the visor  306 , that allows water to enter through a coanda slot  302 . The visor  306  still has the plurality of holes discussed above. A frame  304  supports the visor  306  of the gutter  300  and provides structural integrity. In times of increased rain flow, water flowing down over the visor  306  of the gutter  300  may not enter the holes, thereby adhering to the visor  306  and entering the gutter trough  308  through the coanda slot  302 . Debris falling onto the gutter  300  will have a momentum that is too high for it to adhere to the visor  306  or will be too large to pass through the coanda slot  302  and will fall away from the building. In the event that debris does enter the gutter trough  308 , the gutter  300  may still be easily opened for cleaning. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 3 , the coanda slot  302  may utilize the coanda effect to help entrain water into the trough  308 . However, the geometry and relative positioning of the coanda slot  302  may also help to entrain water while rejecting debris. In certain embodiments, the coanda slot  302  may comprise an upper curve  310  with an outer slope  312  and an inner slope  314 . The coanda slot  302  may also comprise a lower curve  316  which also has an outer slope  318  and an inner slope  320 . The lower curve  316  may be positioned outward or inward relative to the upper curve  310 . This positioning may influence the fall path of water and/or debris as it moves down the visor  306  and towards the coanda slot  302 . As the water and/or debris move towards the coanda slot, the contour of the upper curve  310 , including the relative slopes of the outer portion  312  and inner portion  314 , will determine the fall path of water and debris as it leaves the surface of the visor  306 . Water, due to the coanda effect, surface tension, or other factors, will tend to adhere more closely to the upper curve  310  and fall closer to the trough  308 . By contrast, debris will not follow the curvature of the upper curve  310 , and may have a fall path that is relatively further from the trough  308 . The lower curve  316  may then be positioned relative to the upper curve  310  such that the fall path of water leads it to contact the inner portion  320  and be directed into the trough  308 . Debris, with a fall path relatively further from the trough  308 , may contact the outer portion  318  of the lower curve  316  and be directed away from the trough  308 . In some embodiments, the upper curve  310  and/or lower curve  316  may be replaced by angles, corners, or creases. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate a cross section of another embodiment of a gutter system  400 . The gutter  400  has an upper trough  402  and a lower trough  404 . The upper trough  402  is an extension of the visor  408 . The cross-section profile of the lower trough  404  of the gutter  400  inversely tapers from smaller to larger size along the run of the gutter  400  to the downspout, thereby causing the lower trough  404  basin to become farther from the roof as it approaches the downspout. This inverse taper profile to the gutter  400  increases the water capacity as it collects more water and moves it towards the downspout. The gutter  400  takes advantage of the coanda effect by utilizing the smoothly curved lower edge  416  of the visor  408  as a coanda surface and locates a coanda slot  406  between the coanda surface and the lower trough  404 . This arrangement provides several effects that promote the flow of water into the gutter  400  while excluding undesirable debris. Water falling onto the visor  408  from the shingles will have a certain velocity caused by the rate of rainfall and the size of the roof Because of viscosity, the water imparts momentum to any debris that may be entrained in the water flow. Initially, water will enter the upper trough  402  via the plurality of smaller holes  410 , but the debris will be predominantly excluded. Gravity will accelerate both the water and the debris. As the water and debris flow along the visor  408 , the slope of the visor  408  becomes more vertical and the velocity of the water and debris increases. Due to the coanda effect, water will enter the upper trough  402  via the perforations  412 , but the debris will have sufficient momentum to continue to fall and will not enter the perforations  412  in the visor  408  or the coanda slot  406 . Instead, the debris will fall off the edge of the gutter  400  away from the structure. The coanda effect is further enhanced by the plurality of perforations  412  having an indented or dimpled shape which provides additional coanda surface to draw water into the upper  402  and lower  404  troughs. The upper edge  414  of the lower trough  404  adjacent to the coanda slot  406  also curves inward and is offset slightly away from the lower edge  416  of the coanda surface. This helps to draw water flowing past the visor  408  into the lower trough  404  because it will fall onto a smooth surface below, guiding the water into the lower trough  404  by the coanda effect. This offset also helps to exclude debris from entering the lower trough  404 . 
     During low to moderate intensity of rainfall, most water will pass through the plurality of holes  410 ,  412  in the visor  408  and collect in the upper trough  402  to flow to the downspout. During high intensity of rainfall, there may be too much water to flow through the plurality of holes  410 ,  412  in the visor  408 . In that situation, excess water will enter the lower trough  404  by way of the coanda slot  406  and flow to the downspout. If the intensity of rainfall also causes the upper trough  402  to fill with water passing through the plurality of holes  410 ,  412 , the overflowing water will cascade from the upper trough  402  to the lower trough  404 , through the gap between the upper trough  402  and the rear wall of the gutter  418 . In this way, the water will still flow to the downspout. 
     When the gutter system is installed, gutter run sections are attached to interior and exterior corner sections to fit the roof of the structure. The ends  500  of the gutter runs are plugged with endcaps  502 , illustrated in  FIG. 5 , discussed below. The gutters connect to downspouts to carry the water to the ground. The various pieces of the gutter system are attached using joints or couplings. The joints must be made of a material that will allow the gutter to be unlatched for emptying, but will not leak when the gutter is in the closed or latched position. In the particular embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the endcap  502  includes a removable port cap  504 . Another method of cleaning the gutter is to remove the removable port cap  504  to allow debris to be removed with a tool or flushed out of the trough and into the downspout with water from a water hose. In some embodiments, the endcap could include multiple port caps to flush multiple troughs. 
       FIGS. 6A to 6C  illustrate another example of the end of a gutter run  600  with a plurality of apertures  612 . As shown, these apertures  612  may take on any number of shapes or sizes. An endcap  602  is placed over the end of the gutter run  600 . The endcap  602  includes an opening that allows for a drainpipe  604  to be installed, which passes from the inside of the gutter  600  to the outside of the gutter  600 . The portion of the drainpipe  604  that is on the inside of the gutter  600  bends upward. At the top end of the drainpipe  604 , a ball  606  is located in a housing  608 , which may include features such as a mesh, screen, or mechanisms to block debris from entering and clogging the drainpipe  604 . The ball  606  may be designed such that it will float in water. The portion of the drainpipe  604  that is on the outside of the gutter  600  bends downward. At the bottom end of the drainpipe  604 , there is an opening  610 . The ball  606  acts as a valve, and will float upwardly as the gutter begins to fill with water. In this position, the valve is open, allowing water to drain out of the opening  610 . The opening  610  can be attached to a garden hose or other suitable conduit to convey the water to a safe area for the water to be released. In other embodiments, the ball valve mechanism is not necessary. 
       FIGS. 7A through 7C  show an embodiment of a multi-trough gutter system  800  that is supported structurally by a frame  802 . The upper trough  804  and the lower trough  806  are supported by the internal frame elements  802  at intervals along the length of the gutter run. The frame  802  attaches to the back wall  808  of the gutter  800 . The frame  802  may also extend through the gutter  800  and also function as the fastening mechanism that attaches the gutter  800  to the structure. The frame  802  supports the upper trough  804  continually along the lower surface of the upper trough  804 . The frame  802  also supports the lower trough  806  at or near the lip  810  of the lower trough  806 . In this way, the frame  802  works to resist forces that might cause the lower trough  806  to sag under a heavy load. The particular version of the frame  802  shown in the figures merely illustrates one possible implementation for providing structural integrity to a gutter  800  incorporating an upper trough  804  and a lower trough  806 . It is possible to envision other types of frames  802  being used. It is also possible to envision using a frame  802  in other embodiments of the invention. 
       FIGS. 8A through 8C  illustrate one embodiment of a gutter system  900  incorporating a flange under shingle feature  902 , which may be incorporated with any of the above embodiments to prevent water from flowing behind the gutter. The shingles may be installed on the structure such that the lowest edge of the shingles is not a constant distance from the wall of the structure along the length of the building. In this case, installing the Flange Under Shingles system helps to ensure that the flowing water and debris will enter the gutter system  900 . Flange  902  extends from the back wall  906  of the gutter  900  and fits under the shingles which are adjacent to the gutter  900 . In the particular embodiment of  FIGS. 8A through 8C , slot  904  is located where the flange  902  meets the back wall  906  of the gutter  900 . Slot  904  allows water to enter the lower trough  908 . Holes  910  in the visor  903  allow water that flows over the slot  904  to enter the upper trough  912 . A frame (e.g. a bracket, support, or other structure) may be used to maintain the spacing of slot  904  when water is flowing into and over the gutter  900 . In this embodiment, there is no coanda slot. The upper trough  912  extends from the top edge of the visor  903 , as opposed to the embodiment with a coanda slot, wherein the upper trough extends from the bottom edge of the visor. 
       FIGS. 9A through 9C  illustrate an embodiment of a gutter  1000  comprising a visor  1002  with a plurality of holes  1004  to entrain water as it moves down the surface of the visor  1002 . The visor  1002  may slope down towards an upper curvature  1006  that defines the upper boundary of a coanda slot  1008 . A lower curvature  1010  may define the lower boundary of the coanda slot  1008 . The visor  1002 , holes  1004 , coanda slot  1008  and upper and lower curvatures  1006 ,  1010  may function similarly to the other embodiments of the gutter described above. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 9A through 9C , the lower curvature  1010  may extend from the back wall  1005  to form the first trough  1012  at the bottom of the gutter  1000 . Similarly, the upper curvature  1006  may extend inside the gutter  1000  to form the second trough  1014 , and then extend further to form an internal visor  1017  and third trough  1016 . The gutter  1000  with multiple internal troughs  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016  provides additional water carrying capacity and redundancy compared to gutters with fewer troughs. While three troughs  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016  are shown, the gutter  1000  may include as many troughs as necessary to provide adequate water capacity for a particular application. As shown, the gutter  1000  may have a first trough  1012  at the bottom of the gutter  1000  fed principally by the coanda slot  1008 . The second trough  1014  and third trough  1016  may receive water entrained in the holes  1004  in the visor  1002 . The internal visor  1017  may have holes similar to the visor  1002  designed to allow water to enter the third trough  1016  but to reject or otherwise discard debris from entering the third trough. The use of multiple troughs  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016  allows for increased water carrying capacity because additional troughs  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016  allow for better utilization of the full internal volume of the gutter  1000  without overflow or spillage. Furthermore, multiple troughs  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016  may also provide redundancy such that if any individual trough becomes clogged or otherwise obstructed, additional troughs are may still be clear and deliver water to a downspout or other water flow path. As shown in  FIGS. 9A through 9C , the gutter  1000  with multiple troughs  1012 ,  1014 ,  1016  may be made by bending or otherwise forming a single sheet of material. In some embodiments, the gutter  1000  may be made of separate pieces bonded, fastened, or otherwise joined together. 
       FIGS. 10A through 10C  provide an illustration of an infinite spiral gutter  1100 . The infinite spiral gutter  1100  may comprise a flange  1102  extending down to an outer visor  1106  which may have a plurality of holes  1004 . The flange  1102 , outer visor  1106 , and/or holes  1104  may function similarly to other embodiments of the gutter system described above. As shown, the infinite spiral gutter  1100  may be attached to a roof or other supporting structure through the flange  1102 . However, in certain embodiments, the infinite spiral gutter  1100  may not include a flange  1102  and may instead be secured to a structure using a frame or mounting fasteners. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 10A through 10C , the infinite spiral gutter  1100  may be formed from a single sheet of material. For example, a single sheet of metal or other suitable material may initially be flat to form the flange  1102 . The flange  1102  may then transition into the outer visor  1106  with a plurality of holes  1104 . The outer visor  1106  may then transition into the outer coil  1108  and begin to arc down to form the lower trough  1120 . The material may then continue to arc around from the lower trough  1120  in a spiral to form an inner visor  1114 , inner coil  1110 , inner trough  1122 , second inner visor  1116 , center coil  1112 , center trough  1124 , and center visor  1118 . As shown, the infinite spiral gutter  1100  is depicted as having three troughs  1120 ,  1122 ,  1124 , each having a corresponding visor  1114 ,  1116 ,  1118  that may include holes similar to the holes  1104  in the outer visor  1106 . However, in some embodiments, the infinite spiral gutter  1100  may have as many troughs between the lower trough  1120  and center trough  1124  formed from any number of coils  1108 ,  1110 ,  1112  as desired or required for a particular application. 
     The infinite spiral gutter  1100  may offer a number of advantages over traditional gutters. Similar to the gutter  1000  described in  FIGS. 9A through 9C  above, the infinite spiral gutter  1100  may have increased water carrying capacity and redundancy because of the multiple troughs  1120 ,  1122 ,  1124  with multiple visors  1106 ,  1114 ,  1116 ,  1118  to filter out debris. Each successive trough  1120 ,  1122 ,  1124  may increase the water carrying capacity of the infinite spiral gutter  1100  and provide redundant drainage paths should one or more of the troughs  1120 ,  1122 ,  1124  become clogged or otherwise obstructed by debris. The infinite spiral gutter  1100  may also provide significant advantages in manufacturing and flexibility. Because the infinite spiral gutter  1100  may, in certain embodiments, be formed from a single sheet of material, many different configurations of the infinite spiral gutter  1100  may be made using the same material stock and processing equipment. For example, the outer diameter, number of coils, and/or spacing between individual coils may be changed or adapted to any particular application. Furthermore, while the infinite spiral gutter  1100  is shown with generally circular coils, alternative embodiments may have oval, square, rectangular, or any other desired shape of coils to adapt the infinite spiral gutter  1100  for fit, compatibility with different structures, and/or aesthetic purposes. 
     The foregoing is provided for purposes of illustrating, describing, and explaining aspects of the present invention and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Further modifications and adaptation of these embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art and may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features are useful and may be employed without reference to other features. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. For example, the physical design of the interlocking roof gutter may differ from that described herein. 
     Any of the above described components, parts, or embodiments may take on a range of shapes, sizes, or materials as necessary for a particular application of the described invention. The components, parts, or mechanisms of the described invention may be made of any materials selected for the suitability in use, cost, or ease of manufacturing. Materials including, but not limited to aluminum, stainless steel, fiber reinforced plastics, carbon fiber, composites, polycarbonate, polypropylene, other metallic materials, or other polymers may be used to form any of the above described components. 
     Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4