Patent Abstract:
A swiveling gutter support or bracket is provided to be used to hang and support conventional existing gutters. The gutter support, when affixed to the gutter, keeps the gutter open as well as secured to the building sidewall. The gutter support has a first portion, an intermediate portion and a second portion. The first portion is adapted to be received within the gutter lip. The intermediate portion connects the first portion to the second portion and includes a swivel. In some configurations, especially using plastics, the first portion may be directly molded to the second portion, and the two portions would be able to rotate. The swivel connects the first portion to the second portion. The swivel also permits the second portion to rotate with respect to the first portion. Once rotated, the second portion aligns with the side of the house. An aperture is provided on the second portion structure. The aperture is adapted to receive a fastener such as a nail, screw or the like there through. The nail will pass through the second portion, through the flashing which is in contact with the building sidewall, and into the building sidewall securing the gutter support thereto. The swivelling gutter support may be made from metal, plastic or other material which has sufficient material properties.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates to mounting or support devices and more particularly to a gutter mount which swivels or pivots about a generally central point to permit more efficient installation. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Devices to support gutters onto the sidewall of a structure are known. They may be separated into two general types. The first type is a gutter support which hold or supports the gutter from the outside of the gutter proper. This support surrounds the exterior of the gutter and the gutter actually lies in a plurality of such supports. These supports can be easily seen from the ground. The second type is adapted to fit inside the gutter, keeping the gutter open while keeping the gutter secured to the sidewall. These gutter hangers may be known as “hidden hangers”. These prior art gutter supports are of a specific length and include a first end and a second end. The first end is supported in the lip of the gutter and the second end includes an aperture through which a nail or the like passes through securing the gutter mount, and hence the gutter, to the sidewall of the structure. Again, this mount is secured across the top of the interior of the gutter and cannot be seen from the ground. The prior art “hidden hangers” have several drawbacks. They are nearly impossible to install without damaging the front lip of the gutter, the drip edge or the shingles themselves on a pre-existing gutter application. 
   Although the prior art indicates it to be known to use support devices to mount a gutter to a sidewall, the provision of a swivelling or pivotable gutter mount is not taught. The instant invention resides inside the gutter proper, and also cannot be seen from the ground. This will be shown in the figures. Additionally, the prior art does not teach a first portion of the swivelling gutter support being adapted to fit into the lip of the gutter, and then swivelling the second portion of the swivelling gutter support against the side of the sidewall of the structure, where a fastener would secure the support to the sidewall proper. The new gutter support is more easily and efficiently applied than the prior art devices. The instant device due to its rotation, misses flashing, terminus of the roofing material, and other structure permitting ease of installation. The instant invention does not damage existing roof and gutter structure. Although the instant swivel bracket or mount is designed to shore up pre-existing gutter systems, they may be employed to mount a new gutter system if desired. Other advantages of the instant invention will be shown in the specification, figures and claims. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides a swiveling gutter support to be used to hang and support conventional gutters. Although the instant swivel support (brace or bracket) mount is designed to shore up pre-existing gutter systems, they may be employed to mount a new gutter system if desired. The gutter support, when affixed to the gutter, keeps the gutter open as well as secured to the building sidewall. By the ability of the swiveling gutter support to rotate generally about its center to install, damage to the gutter and roof is eliminated. The gutter support has a first portion, an intermediate portion and a second portion. The first portion is adapted to be received within the gutter lip. The intermediate portion connects the first portion to the second portion and includes a swivel. The swivel connects the first portion to the second portion. The swivel also permits the second portion to rotate with respect to the first portion. Once rotated, the second portion aligns with the side of the house. An aperture is provided on the second portion structure. The aperture is adapted to receive a fastener such as a nail, screw, connecting flange, fastening flange or the like there through. The nail will pass through the second portion, through the flashing which is in contact with the building sidewall, and into the building sidewall securing the gutter support thereto. The swivelling gutter support may be made from metal, plastic or other material which has sufficient material properties. 
   A gutter is a generally U-shaped channel with two sidewalls and a bottom which connects the first sidewall to the second sidewall. In modern gutters, a lip is formed on the top of the first sidewall. The first sidewall additionally angled away from the building or structure wall. The second sidewall, when mounting, would be placed directly parallel the wall of the building, underneath a piece of roof flashing. 
   The swivelling gutter mount would be placed in between the top of the first sidewall and the top of the second sidewall. In order to install the swivelling gutter mount, the first portion of the mount remains straight while the second portion is swivelled or pivoted to be in a ninety degree relation to the first portion of the gutter mount. The first portion of the swivelling gutter mount has a C-shaped element at the first end opposite the connecting swivel. This C-shaped element is adapted to fit inside the lip of the gutter. First, the C-shaped portion engages the lip with the first portion of the swivelling gutter mount is vertical. Then, the first portion is brought down to a horizontal position. This firmly engages the gutter mount to the lip of the gutter. Then, the second portion is swivelled or pivoted ninety degrees. This brings the second portion of the swivelling gutter mount into proximal relation to the wall to which the gutter is being affixed. The second portion has a mounting portion which includes an aperture. A fastener is placed through the aperture thus securing the swivelling gutter mount to the wall of the structure to which the gutter is being affixed. This in turn affixes the gutter to the wall of the structure. The precise structural configuration of the swivelling gutter mount and gutter will be better seen in the figures and described in detail in the detailed description of the drawings. 
   The above brief description sets forth rather broadly the more important features of the present invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contributions to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
   In this respect, before explaining the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood, that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for designing other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   It is an object of the present invention is to provide gutter mount which swivels or pivots about its center. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter mount with a first portion and a second portion, the second portion pivotably connected to the first portion. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter mount with a swivel or pivot which includes a detent or other means to keep the mount in it&#39;s elongated position. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter mount with a first portion, the first portion having a generally c-shaped element on it&#39;s first side, the first portion further having a swivelling or pivotable connection means on it&#39;s second side, which swivallably or pivotably connects the first portion second side to the second portion second side (and visa versa). 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter mount with a second portion, the second portion having a mounting element with aperture on it&#39;s first side, the second portion further having a swivelling or pivotable connection means on it&#39;s second side, which swivallably or pivotably connects the second portion second side to the first portion second side (and visa versa). 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter mount which may be used to repair or shore-up existing rain gutter systems. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter mount which may strengthen existing rain gutter systems, without damaging the proximal roof structure such as shingles, roof or flashing. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter mount which adapts to situation where conventional non-rotatable gutter hangers will not work. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter mount which due to the ease of installation decreases the amount of time required to install. 
   These together with still other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiment of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and the above objects as well as objects other than those set forth above will become more apparent after a study of the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the swivelling hanger bracket which is adapted to affix rain gutter systems to the side of buildings or structures. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the swivelling hanger bracket. 
       FIG. 3  is an end view taken along line  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2  of the swivelling hanger bracket. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of the swivelling hanger bracket. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the second portion of the swivelling gutter bracket shown detached. 
       FIG. 6  is a top view of the first portion of the swivelling gutter bracket shown detached. 
       FIG. 7  discloses the swivelling gutter hanger being employed securing a gutter to the fascia of the structure. 
       FIG. 8  discloses a second embodiment of the swivelling gutter hanger as seen in a side view. 
       FIG. 9  discloses a second embodiment of the swivelling gutter hanger as seen in a top view. 
       FIG. 10  discloses a second embodiment of the swivelling gutter hanger showing the first portion and the second portion disassembled. 
       FIG. 11  discloses a cross-section of the second embodiment of the swivelling gutter hanger as seen from line  11 — 11  in FIG.  9 . 
       FIG. 12  shows the swivelling gutter hanger as it rotates or pivots about the centrally disposed pivot pin or barb. 
   

   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, the preferred embodiments of the invention embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described. 
   Turning initially to  FIG. 1 , there is shown the swivelling hanger  10 . The swivelling hanger  10  includes a first portion  12  and a second portion  14 . The first portion  12  is rotatably connected to the second portion  14  by pivot pin  16 . This permits both the first portion  12  and the second portion  14  to swivel about pin  16 . 
   The first portion  12  has a first side  22  and a second side  24 . The second portion  14  has a first side  26  and a second side  28 . The first portion  12  second side  24  is rotatably connected to the second portion  14  second side  28  by the pivot pin  16 . 
   The first portion  12  first side  22  ends in a generally c-shaped element  30 . The first portion  12  first side  22  is integral with the generally c-shaped element  30  as shown. The generally c-shaped element  30  is adapted to be received in the underside of the lip portion of the gutter, which will be better seen in FIG.  7 . This c-shaped element  30  interfits into the underside of the lip portion of the gutter in a sliding fashion, once fully inserted into the gutter, the c-shaped element  30  will remain there until removed. The first portion  12  second side  24  ends in a generally half-circular arc  15  with aperture  38  (best seen in  FIG. 6 ) being the approximate center. 
   The second portion  14  first side  26  ends in an end piece  32 . End piece  32  is generally rectangular as shown and includes a centrally disposed aperture  34 . The end piece  32  is substantially perpendicular as well as integral with the second portion  14  first side  26 . The second portion  14  second side  28  also ends in a generally half-circular arc  25  with aperture  40  (best seen in  FIG. 5 ) being the approximate center. The centrally disposed aperture  34  is designed to receive a fastener (best seen in  FIG. 7 ) there through, securing the swivelling hanger  10  to the wall of a structure (also best seen in FIG.  7 ). Any fastener may be used, including, but not limited to, nails, screws or rivets. The fasteners may be manufactured from plastic, metals or composites. 
     FIGS. 2-4  reflect different views of the swivelling hanger  10 .  FIG. 2  shows a side view of the swivelling hanger  10 .  FIG. 3  shows an end view of the swivelling hanger  10  as seen from line  3 — 3  in FIG.  2 .  FIG. 4  shows a top view of the swivelling hanger  10 . Reference Letter A designates an Arrow which shows the capability of the swivelling hanger  10  to rotate about pivot pin  16 . This rotation is one of the essential elements to mounting the swivelling hanger  10  onto a gutter. It is also to be understood the swivelling hanger  10  may be made from any of a variety of materials. These include, but are not limited to, steel, aluminum, stainless steels, steel alloys, other metals and alloys and any of a variety of plastics. Other materials may be used which have sufficient material properties to perform the function of holding the weight of the gutter. 
     FIGS. 5 &amp; 6  shows the swivelling hanger  10  sans pivot pin  16 . The first portion  12  second side  24  includes a first pin receiving aperture  38 . The second portion  14  second side  28  includes a second pin receiving aperture  40 . The first portion  12  includes a plurality of first frictional elements  44 . The second portion  14  includes a plurality of second frictional elements  46 . When the second portion  14  is rotated about the first portion  12 , the plurality of first frictional elements  44  coact with the plurality of second frictional elements  46 . This has the effect of making the rotation precise as well as to permit the first portion  12  to remain in a desired angular relationship with the second portion  14 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a gutter  50 . The gutter  50  is generally a U-shaped channel having an outer portion  52 , a bottom portion  54  and a inner portion  56 . Atop the outer portion  52  is the gutter lip  58 . The inner portion  56  lies against the fascia  60 . Roofing shingles  62  are shown secured to the roof  64  proper. The roofing shingles  62  extend over the roof  64  where they would lie atop the drip edge  66 . The drip edge  66  may be considered to be a point on the flashing  68 . As can be seen, the top of the gutter&#39;s  50  inner portion  56  lies intermediate the flashing  68  and the fascia  60 . 
   The prior art gutter hanger would be placed where the instant invention  10  is shown. The prior art device is an integral device and does not swivel. It has a c-shaped element on a first side and a straight element vertical element on the second side. The drawbacks of such a device can easily be seen. To install, one must take the prior art device, orient it vertically, get the c-shaped element inside the gutter lip  58 . This is difficult because of its length. At this point, the installer must pass the straight element over the roofing shingles  62 , the flashing  68 , especially where it extends to the drip edge  66 . Once this is accomplished, a fastener would then secure the prior art device. It takes a skilled worker not to damage the roof and its elements and efficiently install the prior art device. Damaged roofing elements degrades the overall system and contributes to early replacement of fascia  68 , flashing  68 , shingles  62  and other components. 
   The swivel hanger  10  is shown installed in FIG.  7 . The installation of the swivel hanger  10  of the invention is simple, efficient, and does not damage any of the roofing elements. Initially, the second portion  14  is pivoted to be about ninety degrees to the first portion  12 . The c-shaped element  30  interfits into the gutter lip  58 . During the placement of the c-shaped element  30 , the entire swivel hanger  10  is brought down into the mouth of the gutter  50 . Because the hanger is in its swivelled configuration, its length is too short to intersect with the roof  64 , the roofing shingles  62 , the flashing  68  or even the drip edge  66 . At this point, the second portion  14  of the swivelling hanger  10  is rotated about pivot pin  16  to be essentially co-linear with the first portion  12  of the swivelling hanger. This brings the second portion&#39;s  14  end piece  32  flush against the flashing  68 . A fastener  80  is then driven through the aperture  34  on the end piece  32 , through the flashing  68 , through the inner gutter  56 , through the fascia  60  and into element  82 . This has the effect of securing the gutter  50  without damaging any of the roof elements. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a second embodiment of the swivelling gutter bracket  100  is shown. This gutter bracket  100  is preferably made from any of the multitude of plastics or metals commercially available. Gutter bracket  100  also has a first portion  120  and a second portion  140 . The first portion  120  is rotatably connected to the second portion  140  by pivot pin  160 . Both the first portion  120  and the second portion  140  may swivel independently or for that case in concert about pivot pin  160 . 
   The first portion  120  has a first side  220  and a second side  240 . The first portion  120  first side  220  is proximal a generally c-shaped element  300  and is integral with the first portion  120 . The c-shaped element  300  is adapted to be received in the underside of the lip portion of the gutter, which can be seen in previous FIG.  7 . The c-shaped element  30  interfits into the underside of the lip portion of the gutter in a sliding fashion, once fully inserted into the gutter, the c-shaped portion will remain fixed there until removed. The first portion  120  second side  240  ends in a generally half-circular arc  290  with aperture  152  being the approximate center. 
   The second portion  140  has a first side  260  and a second side  280 . The second portion  140  first side  260  is proximal and integral with an end piece  320 . End piece  320  is vertically oriented with respect to the second portion  140  first side  260 . This vertical orientation creates an angle of about a ninety degrees between the end piece  320  and the second portion  140 . The end piece  320  includes an aperture  340 . The aperture  340  passes through the end piece  320  and is adapted to receive a fastener there through. The second portion  140  second side  280  ends in a generally half-circular arc  285  with aperture  154  being the approximate center. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 9  a top view of the swivelling gutter bracket  100  is shown. Specifically looking at the first portion  120 , a short right sidewall  122  and a short left sidewall  124  are shown. The short right sidewall  122  terminates at point  122 A as shown. Also, the short left sidewall  124  terminates at point  124 A as shown. Two parallel elongated detents ( 126  and  128  respectively) traverse the top side of the first portion  120 . 
   Now, specifically looking at the second portion  140 , a short right sidewall  132  and a short left sidewall  134  are shown. Both the short right sidewall  132  and the short left sidewall  134  extend about the entire length of the second portion  140 . This is a different configuration than the short sidewalls found on the first portion  120 , where the sidewalls on both sides terminate as shown at points  122 A and  124 A respectively. The sidewalls on the first portion  120  do not extend the entire length of the first portion  120 , but only a fraction of that length. Additionally, two parallel elongated detents ( 136  and  138  respectively) traverse the top side of the second portion  140 . Also shown is cutout slot  162 . This permits any water which may gather on the top side of either the first portion  120  or second portion  140  to drain into the gutter, which, once the gutter bracket  100  is installed, would be located immediately below the bracket  100 . 
   The rotational arc (AR) is also shown in FIG.  9 . The second portion  140  lies atop the first portion  120  where pivot pin  160  secures both portions in such a manner where they may rotate about each other. The reason that the first portion  120  short right sidewall  122  and first portion  120  short left sidewall  124  do not extend the length of the first sidewall  120  is because if they did so, the rotation would not be able to take place. By terminating the first portion  120  short right sidewall  122  at point  122 A and short left sidewall  124  at point  124 A is to permit the second portion  140  to freely rotate without interacting with either sidewall on the top portion of the first portion  120 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 10 , the first portion  120  and the second portion  140  are shown disassembled. Aperture  152  passes through the first portion  120  as shown. Aperture  154  passes through the second portion  140  as shown. When the first portion  120  and the second portion  140  are mated together, the pivot pin  160  secures them together in a rotatable manner. The two parallel elongated detents ( 126  &amp;  128 ) are adapted to lockingly interfit with the second pair of two parallel elongated detents ( 136  &amp;  138 ). The discussion concerning the method of installation of the swivelling gutter hanger  100  will demonstrate how each of these elements are utilized. 
     FIG. 11  shows a cross-section of the first portion  120  of the swivelling gutter hanger  100  taken immediately about line  11 — 11  in FIG.  9 . This shows the short right sidewall  122 , the short left sidewall  124 , and the two parallel elongated detents  126  &amp;  128 . The top  127  and bottom  128  of the first portion  120  is also shown. The cross-section shown in  FIG. 11  is generally identical to a cross-section which would be formed at line  12 — 12  of FIG.  9 . When the first portion  120  and the second portion  140  are not in linear alignment, they are able to easily rotate about the pivot pin  160 . When the first portion  120  and the second portion  140  are in linear alignment, the two parallel elongated detents  126  &amp;  128  have the second of two parallel elongated detents  136  &amp;  138  nested atop of detents  126  &amp;  128  within the area of the rotational arc AR. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 12 , the swivelling gutter bracket  100  is shown in transition from the un-locked position to the locked position. The sidewalls are sized to miss each other and the detents on the first portion  120  receive the detents on the second portion  140  in a nested relationship within the rotational arc which essentially locks the bracket  100  in the extended position. The installation is as described in paragraph [0042]. 
   It is also understood that different mechanical structures or assemblies may be employed in the swivelling gutter mount which would also accomplish the same goal of not damaging preexisting gutter &amp; roofing structure. Such devices may have a first portion and a second portion which include a slot in each portion to permit the two portions to inter-fit. Two or more slots may be provided which would permit the two portions to inter-fit. In yet another embodiment the mating elements of the two portions may be two c-shaped elements which inter-fit, thereby connecting them together. Even a central cutout on one portion which mates with a generally c-shaped element on the second portion has been considered. Other connection means may be employed as well. 
   It is apparent from the above that the present invention accomplishes all of the objectives set forth by providing a swivelling gutter mount which may be efficiently installed without damaging the gutter or any of the roof elements proximal to the gutter. 
   With respect to the above description, it should be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and therefore, all relationships equivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed only by the scope of appended claims. 
   While the present invention has been shown in the drawings and fully described above with particularity and detail in connection with what is presently deemed to be the invention, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be made without departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein. Hence, the proper scope of the present invention should be determined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalents.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4