Patent Abstract:
An interlocking gutter system that incorporates a gutter clip and a gutter hanger to affix a gutter to a retaining clip attached to a fascia board of a building, thereby eliminating the need to place holes in the gutter itself to insert screws or nails. The gutter hanger of the present invention is constructed of a single piece which has a hanger portion which is disposed substantially within the gutter and spans the width of the gutter to maintain the shape and structural integrity of the gutter. A vertical portion of the gutter hanger extends vertically from the hanger portion and terminates in a top portion which provides support to a leaf protection device. Alternatively, the gutter hanger is constructed of a hanger portion, and a separate vertical portion which is contiguous with the top portion, and is also slidably attachable to the hanger portion.

Full Description:
This is a continuation-in-part patent application claiming priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/243,036, filed Oct. 1, 2008. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     Applicant&#39;s invention relates to a gutter retaining system for affixing a gutter to a building without placing holes in the gutter. More specifically, the present invention relates to an interlocking system that incorporates a gutter clip and a gutter hanger to affix the gutter to a retaining clip attached to a fascia board of a building, thereby eliminating the need to place holes in the gutter itself to insert screws or nails. The gutter hanger of the gutter retaining system is constructed of a single piece and incorporates an upper portion designed to support a leaf protection device. Alternatively, the upper portion is removably attached to the gutter hanger. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     For years property owners have struggled with the destructive effects of water on their buildings. However, by channeling the water away from the structure, building owners can reduce the damage caused by water. This can be accomplished through the use of a gutter system to channel water off the roof and away from the foundation. However, any damaged lengths of gutter or drain pipe caused by wear, improper installation, or sagging can cause leaks which can result in water damage to the building. 
     Traditionally, gutters have been attached by nailing the gutter directly to the building. Building contractors typically used a spike and ferrule system, in which a narrow, tubular spacer, the ferrule, is placed between the front wall of a gutter and its rear wall, ensuring that the front wall remains at a uniform distance from the rear wall. A spike or long nail is then punched through the outside of the front wall of the gutter, through the ferrule, through the back wall of the gutter, and into the wall or fascia board of the building. 
     A gutter installed in this way ends up with its front wall tilted forward towards the ground. Once this occurs the captured rainwater and other debris tends to pool along the outer edge of the gutter causing the weight on the outer edge of the gutter to increase, thus resulting in the gutter pulling away from the wall or fascia board. Further, while this manner of installation temporarily secures the gutter in place, it does not ensure that water will not run behind the gutter. If water is allowed to run and collect behind the gutter, eventually the integrity of the wood or fascia board begins to weaken and the gutter is slowly pulled away from the building. 
     The utilization of gutter hangers is the most common way in which installers have tried to improve the integrity and life of gutter systems. A gutter hanger is basically a modified spacer that is shaped like a flat plate, with both ends mined upward. A first end of the gutter hanger is inserted under the lip of the front wall of the gutter, typically located along the inner surface of the front wall of the gutter, along the top thereof. The second end, with a pre-punched nail hole, is placed against the rear wall of the gutter. A nail or screw is then inserted through the nail hole, through the rear wall of the gutter, and into the building wall or fascia board. A variation of this method includes placing the second end of the gutter hanger over the top of the rear wall of the gutter. The gutter hanger is then nailed directly into the building wall or fascia board. While these methods of installation eliminate the need for inserting the nail or screw through the front wall of the gutter, a hole is still placed through the back wall of the gutter. 
     Another problem associated with gutter systems is the collection of leaves, dirt and other debris in addition to water. Collection of such extraneous matter adds substantial weight to the gutter, often resulting in bending or deforming the gutter, or the gutter tearing away from the building or fascia board. As a way to prevent leaves, dirt and other debris from entering the gutter, many different leaf protection devices have emerged. Leaf protection devices are typically installed over the gutter in a manner as to substantially cover the gutter while leaving small areas of the gutter exposed so that water may collect therein. Yet, installation of such leaf protection devices—especially on preexisting gutters—is often cumbersome and time consuming. 
     The reason that installation of leaf protection devices is cumbersome and time consuming is that in order to install most leaf protection devices, brackets must also be installed to support those devices. Typically, the brackets need to be installed onto the gutter hangers. Yet, only certain brackets are appropriate to be installed on certain hangers. Therefore, often times not only do brackets need to be installed, but gutter hangers must be replaced as well. As a result, the nails or screws must be removed from the gutter hangers. Thus, the entire gutter system must be taken down, the gutter hangers must be changed out, the brackets must be installed, and then the gutter system must be reinstalled on the same building. Only then is it possible to install the leaf protection device. 
     It is therefore desirable to provide a gutter system that affixes a gutter to a building without placing holes in the gutter. It is also desirable to provide a system for affixing a gutter which reinforces the integrity of the gutter to prevent the gutter from sagging or tearing away from the building. It is also desirable to provide a gutter hanger which is constructed to incorporate support brackets to support a leaf protection device. Alternatively, it is desirable to provide a gutter hanger that is designed to allow the optional addition of support brackets at a later time with ease, and without needing to replace the gutter hanger. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The gutter system of the present invention provides the advantage of affixing a gutter to a building or fascia board of a building without placing holes in the gutter. The gutter system of the present invention also provides the advantages of providing reinforcement of the structural integrity of the gutter while providing support brackets to support a leaf protection device. The gutter system of the present invention incorporates a gutter clip and a gutter hanger to affix the gutter to a retaining member. The retaining member has a flat vertical portion which rests flush against a fascia board of a building in the preferred embodiment. The retaining member is attached to the fascia board by a nail or screw, and is the only site of attachment of the present system to the fascia board itself. The retaining member extends vertically along the vertical portion above the screw or nail. An arm portion of the retaining member extends downwardly and outwardly from a top portion of the retaining member, and terminates in a hook portion which angles inward and upward toward the vertical portion. Thus, a hook is formed by the retaining member to hold the gutter hanger therein. 
     A gutter clip is designed to attach directly to the gutter. The gutter clip has a vertical portion which is disposed against the outer surface of the rear wall of the gutter, between the gutter and the fascia board. Along the lower end of the vertical portion of the gutter clip, a horizontal spacer extends outward toward the fascia board, and terminates in a vertical protrusion which extends upward and is substantially parallel to the vertical portion. This spacer portion of the gutter clip facilitates keeping the gutter substantially level where there are substantial spaces or overlay between the fascia board and the overhang of shingles, or where the fascia board is tilted inward, toward the building or structure. A hanging portion of the gutter clip is located along the top portion of the gutter clip. The hanging portion curves downward on the side of the vertical portion opposite the spacer portion, creating a cavity for receiving a top edge of the rear wall of the gutter. The hanging portion curves slightly past parallel with the vertical portion, such that it is angled slightly toward the vertical portion. Thereafter, the hanging portion terminates in an end portion which angles slightly downward and away from the vertical portion of the gutter clip. 
     A gutter hanger of the preferred embodiment has a hanger portion which has a first end. The first end has a vertical wall extending substantially vertically and an inward wall which projects inward, toward a vertical portion of the gutter hanger, and slightly upward. The second end is opposite the first end, and has a vertical wall extending upward from the hanger portion, and a hanging portion which curves outward toward the fascia board and then downward along the vertical portion of the retaining member, as described herein below. The intermediate section of the gutter hanger is disposed between the first and second ends and generally spans the width of the gutter, thereby maintaining the shape and structural integrity of the gutter. 
     A vertical portion of the gutter hanger extends vertically from the intermediate section and terminates in a top portion of the gutter hanger. The vertical portion and the top portion form the bracket support to support a leaf protection device. The top portion has a front section which generally conforms to the shape of a front portion of the leaf protection device. The rear section of the top portion extends toward the roof of the building, terminating above the intermediate section of the hanger portion. At the end of the rear section, there is a knob or boss for receiving a support strap. The knob has a small locking protrusion along its rearward portion to prevent the support strap from rotating when engaged with the knob. 
     The gutter clip slides over the top edge of the back wall of a gutter such that the vertical portion of the gutter clip is substantially flush with the outer surface of the back wall of the gutter, with the horizontal spacer aligning outward. The top of the back wall of the gutter slides into the hanging portion, such that part of the hanging portion and the end portion are on the inner surface of the back wall of the gutter. 
     The gutter hanger is then inserted into the gutter. The inward wall of the first end of the gutter hanger engages the lip on the inner surface of the front wall of the gutter, and the vertical wall of the first end of the gutter hanger abuts against a portion of the front wall of the gutter. The second end of the gutter hanger is placed over the gutter clip such that the vertical wall of the second end of the gutter hanger contacts the hanging portion and the end portion of the gutter clip on the inside of the rear or back wall of the gutter. The hanging portion of the gutter hanger then wraps around the hanging portion of the gutter clip. The intermediate section of the gutter hanger is disposed within the gutter and lies across the width of the gutter. 
     The gutter, gutter clip, and gutter hanger are installed on the building by placing the gutter hanger between the vertical portion and the hook portion of the retaining member. After securing the gutter, a leaf protection device may be installed over the top portion of the gutter hanger. Screws or nails can be placed through the leaf protection device and into the top portion of the gutter hanger to secure the leaf protection device to the hanger. 
     Optionally, prior to installing the leaf protection device, a support strap may be removably attached to the top portion. The support strap has a clip for receiving the knob on the rear section of the top portion of the gutter clip. The clip slides onto the knob, and the strap extends toward the roof, where it can rest on the roof. As installed, the support strap relieves part of the stress placed on the top portion and the vertical portion of the gutter clip by the leaf protection device. The locking protrusion prevents rotation of the strap with respect to the knob, so that the strap can rest on the roof in a fixed position and support the vertical portion without penetrating the roof with nails or screws to attach the support strap to the roof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the gutter system of the present invention with a leaf protection device; 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the gutter system of the present invention showing the leaf protection device resting on the gutter hanger; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the gutter hanger of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the gutter hanger of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the gutter hanger of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the gutter system of the present invention with the alternative embodiment of the gutter hanger; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the gutter system of the present invention showing the leaf protection device resting on the alternative embodiment of the gutter hanger; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the retaining member of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the gutter clip of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the support strap of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the gutter hanger of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of the gutter system of the present invention with an alternative embodiment of the gutter hanger. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the gutter system  10  of the present invention is disclosed. The gutter system  10  comprises a gutter hanger  12 , a gutter clip  14  and a retaining member  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 8 , the retaining member has a vertical portion  16   a  which lies flush against a fascia board  18 , and is secured thereto by a screw  20 . In the present gutter system  10 , the screw  20  being place through the retaining member  16  and into the fascia board  18  is the only point of attachment between the gutter  22  and the building or structure (not shown). However, a nail or other appropriate attaching device could be used in place of the screw  20 . The retaining member  16  has an arm  16   b  on the upper end of vertical portion  16   a  which extends downward and outward from the upper end of the vertical portion  16   a . A hook portion  16   c  is contiguous with arm  16   b , and angles inward and upward toward vertical portion  16   a . As discussed in detail below, the gutter clip  14  and gutter hanger  12  are secured to the retaining member  16  between the hook portion  16   c  and the vertical portion  16   a.    
     Furthermore, although the retaining member  16  is shown and described as having a vertical member that is flush against the fascia board  18 , various modifications of the retaining member  16  could be made. For instance, the modifications disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/939,246, wherein a horizontal spacer extends from a lower part of vertical portion  16   a  opposite arm  16   b  and hook portion  16   c  to accommodate different slanting angles of the fascia board  18 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 9 , the gutter clip  14  of the gutter system  10  is shown. The gutter clip  14  has a vertical portion  14   a . At a lower end of vertical portion  14   a , a horizontal spacer  14   b  extends outward, and a vertical protrusion  14   c  extends upward, substantially parallel to vertical portion  14   a  from the end of the spacer  14   b . The spacer  14   b  aides in keeping the gutter substantially level when the gutter hanger  12  is attached to the retaining member  16 . Thus, spacer  14   b  separates the rear wall  22   a  of the gutter  22  from the fascia board  18 . A hanging portion  14   d  of the gutter clip  14  is located along the top of the gutter clip  14 . The hanging portion  14   d  curves downward on the side of vertical portion  14   a  opposite spacer  14   b , creating a cavity for receiving a top portion of the rear wall  22   a  of gutter  22 . Hanging portion  14   d  curves past parallel with vertical portion  14   a  to angle slightly toward vertical portion  14   a . Thereafter, hanging portion  14   d  terminates in an end portion  14   e  which angles downward and outward from said vertical portion  14   a.    
     Hanging portion  14   d  of gutter clip  14  slides over the top edge of rear wall  22   a  of gutter  22 . As engaged with rear wall  22   a , vertical portion  14   a  of gutter clip  14  is substantially flush with the outer surface of rear wall  22   a , and spacer  14   b  is aligned outward from rear wall  22   a . The top of rear wall  22   a  slides into the cavity between vertical portion  14   a  and hanging portion  14   d  such that part of hanging portion  14   d  and end portion  14   e  are disposed along the inner surface of rear wall  22   a . Hanging portion  14   d  and end portion  14   e  are then crimped toward vertical portion  14   a  using a pair of pliers or other suitable crimping device, thus securing gutter  22  to gutter clip  14 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the preferred embodiment of gutter hanger  12  is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, gutter hanger  12  is constructed of a single piece, having a hanger portion  26 , a vertical portion  28  and a top portion  30 . Hanger portion  26  reinforces and helps maintain the structural shape and integrity of gutter  22 , whereas vertical portion  28  and top portion  30  serve as a support bracket for a leaf protection device  24 . Hanger portion  26  has a first end  32  which engages a portion of front wall  22   b  of gutter  22 . First end  32  has a vertical wall  32   a  and an inward wall  32   b . Inward wall  32   b  is angled inward, toward vertical portion  28 , and slightly upward. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , inward wall  32   b  engages a lip  22   c  of front wall  22   b , and is disposed between said lip  22   c  and the inner surface of front wall  22   b . Likewise, vertical wall  32   a  is disposed along the inner surface of front wall  22   b , along a portion thereof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , hanger portion  26  of gutter hanger  12  has a second end  34  disposed on the opposite end of hanger portion  26  from first end  32 . Second end  34  has a vertical wall  34   a  extending upward and a hanging portion  34   b . Hanging portion  34   b  extends downward from vertical wall  34   a , and extends parallel to vertical wall  34   a  for a slight distance, forming a cavity for receiving the hanging portion  14   d  and end portion  14   e  of gutter clip  14 , which is attached to rear wall  22   a  of gutter  22 . An intermediate section  36  of hanger portion  26  is disposed between first end  32  and second end  34 , forming a contiguous hanger portion  26 . Intermediate section  36  is disposed across and inside gutter  22 . Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , once second end  34  receives hanging portion  14   d  and end portion  14   e  of gutter clip  14 , second end  34  of gutter hanger  12  may be crimped using pliers or other suitable crimping devices to secure gutter hanger  12  to gutter clip  14 , and thus, gutter  22 . Once secured, second end  34  is inserted into a cavity between hook portion  16   c  and vertical portion  16   a  of retaining member  16 . Second end  34  fits tightly within the cavity between hook portion  16   c  and vertical portion  16   a  to allow retaining member  16  to securely hold gutter  22 , gutter hanger  12  and gutter clip  14 . 
     Returning to  FIG. 3 , vertical portion  28  extends generally upward from intermediate section  36 , and terminates at top portion  30 . As shown, vertical portion  28  has a lower section  28   a  that extends generally upward and outward toward a front section  30   b  of top portion  30 . An upper section  28   b  of vertical portion  28  is adjacent lower section  28   a  and extends vertically from lower section  28   a . Upper section  28   b  is substantially perpendicular to a rear section  30   a  of top portion  30  and intermediate section  36 . A platform  36   a  is contiguous with and elevated above intermediate section  36 . On one end of the platform  36   a , a small vertical wall  36   b  extends vertically slightly above platform  36   a . On the opposite end, platform  36   a  adjoins lower section  28   a  of vertical portion  28 . Platform  36   a  is disposed between first end  32  of hanger portion  26  and vertical portion  28 . 
     Front section  30   b  of top portion  30  extends outward from rear section  30   a , and angles downward toward first end  32 . An end section  30   c  terminates front section  30   b  and angles downward and slightly inward from first end  32 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , end section  30   c  is disposed above first end  32 , rearward of vertical wall  32   a . Rear section  30   a  is substantially horizontal and extends rearward from vertical portion  28 . Rear section  30   a  terminates in a knob  38 . Top portion  30  as shown accommodates and supports a “nose forward” leaf protection device, as is commonly known in the art. However, top portion  30  could be designed to accommodate other types of leaf protection devices. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , once second end  34  is secured within retaining member  16  between hook portion  16   c  and vertical portion  16   a , the leaf protection device  24  may be installed. Prior to installing leaf protection device  24 , a support strap  40  is removably attached to top portion  30 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , support strap  40  has a clip  40   a  on one end thereof which receives knob  38  of rear section  30   a . Clip  40   a  slides onto knob  38 . The locking protrusion at the rear portion of knob  38  is engaged to a second recess within clip  40   a  to prevent vertical rotation of the support strap  40  with regard to knob  38 . However, the support strap  40  can slide laterally with respect to knob  38 . Support strap  40  extends rearward and contacts a roof (not shown) of the building. Support strap  40  aids in relieving stress placed on top portion  30  and vertical portion  28  by leaf protection device  24 . It should be understood that support strap  40  could be eliminated from the system  10 , in which case leaf protection device  24  could be placed directly on top portion  30  without having support strap  40  anchoring top portion  30  to the roof. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , leaf protection device  24  is placed over top portion  30 . Nose portion  24   a  of leaf protection device  24  substantially conforms to the shape of front section  30   b  of top portion  30 . Nose portion  24   a  extends over end portion  30   c  of front portion  30   b  and extends downward and inward toward platform  36   a  of intermediate section  36 . There is a gap G between lip  22   c  of gutter  22  and leaf protection device  24 , thus allowing the entry of water into gutter  22  while substantially preventing leaves and other debris from entering gutter  22 . A base  24   b  of leaf protection device  24  rests on platform  36   a  and is prevented from sliding laterally off of platform  36   a  by vertical portion  28  and vertical wall  36   b . By providing platform  36   a  to receive base  24   b , the weight of nose portion  24   a  on front section  30   b  is reduced, thus reducing the stress load on front section  30   b . Body portion  24   c  of leaf protection device  24  extends toward the roof of the building, covering rear section  30   a , knob  38 , and support strap  40 . A screw  20  is placed through body  24   c  and into the roof of the building to secure leaf protection device  24  to the building. Likewise, a screw  20  may optionally be placed through body portion  24   c  and rear section  30   a  of top portion  30  to further secure leaf protection device to gutter hanger  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 through 7 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in the alternative embodiment, gutter hanger  12  is constructed such that vertical portion  28  is separate, but slidably attachable to hanger portion  26 . Vertical portion  28  has lower section  28   a  and upper section  28   b  which terminates at top portion  30 . Thus, vertical portion  28  and top portion  30  are constructed of a single piece. Lower section  28   a  terminates at platform  36   a . However, platform  36   a  is not contiguous with intermediate section  36  of hanger portion  26 . Instead, there is a receiving surface  36   c  on which platform  36   a  rests when vertical portion  28  is slidably attached to hanger portion  26 . Receiving surface  36   c  is elevated above, but contiguous with intermediate section  36 . Legs  36   e  are disposed underneath receiving surface  36   c  and are contiguous with intermediate section  36  and receiving surface  36   c . By being disposed underneath receiving surface  36   c , legs  36   e  define grooves for slidably receiving platform  36   a . Legs  36   d  extend vertically downward from platform  36   a . Legs  36   d  extend downward from platform  36   a  and turn inward toward one another below platform  36   a , forming a receiving cavity substantially the same size and shape as intermediate section  36  formed by legs  36   e  and receiving surface  36   c  of hanger portion  26 . This construction allows vertical portion  28  to be slidably attached to hanger portion  26 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     The advantage of having an a two-piece gutter hanger  12  as described hereinabove, is shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 . The hanger portion  26  can readily be installed in the gutter system  10 , as described herein. However, if it is not desired to install a leaf protection device  24 , there is no need to install vertical portion  28  and top portion  30 . An advantage of this embodiment is that if it is later desired to add a leaf protection device  24  to the gutter system  10  wherein hanger portion  26  is already installed, vertical portion  28  can slide onto hanger portion  26 , allowing leaf protection device  24  to be installed on top of the gutter system  10  as described herein, without the need to remove the gutter  22 , gutter clip  14  and hanging portion  26  from the retaining member  16  to replace hanging portion  26  with a one piece gutter hanger  12 . Moreover, the attachment of the vertical portion  28  to the hanger portion  26  by the groove formed underneath platform  36   a  corresponding to the shaped formed by legs  36   e  and receiving surface  36   c  allows the vertical portion  28  to slide laterally with respect to hanger portion  26 . The ability to slide laterally provides an advantage in that it prevents buckling of the gutter  22  and/or leaf protection device  24  as movement of the component parts of the system  10  occurs, especially during summer months as the temperature rises. Moreover, although described as being a part of the system  10  of the present invention, it should be understood that hanger portion  26  and vertical portion  28  can be installed on pre-existing gutters that are not part of the system  10 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11 and 12 , another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. Gutter hanger  12  is constructed such that vertical portion  28  is separate, but slidably attachable to hanger portion  26  in the same manner as disclosed hereinabove in reference to the embodiment of gutter hanger  12  shown in  FIGS. 4 through 7 . However, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 , a backstop  36   f  extends vertically from platform  36   a , and curves slightly forward toward vertical wall  36   b . As shown in  FIG. 12 , base  24   b  of leaf protection device  24  is inserted between backstop  36   f  and vertical wall  36   b  and rests there between. The slight forward curvature of backstop  36   f  prevents base  24   b  from sliding out of the space between backstop  36   f  and vertical wall  36   b . This embodiment accommodates shorter bases  24   b , as exist on some leaf protection devices. It should be understood that backstop  36   f  can be eliminated altogether, or placed anywhere along platform  36  to accommodate the varying bases of different leaf protection devices. 
     Backstop  36   f  is shown as being disposed approximately half way between lower section  28   a  of vertical portion  28  and vertical wall  36   b . However, backstop  36   f  could be placed at any position along platform  36   a  between lower section  28   a  and vertical wall  36   b  so long as the distance between backstop  36   f  and vertical wall  36   b  is sufficient to receive base  24   b  of leaf protection device  24 . Furthermore, although gutter hanger  12  is shown the embodiment disclosed in  FIGS. 11 and 12  as having vertical portion  28  separate but attachable to hanger portion  26 , gutter hanger  12  having backstop  36   f  could be comprised of a single piece, as disclosed in  FIGS. 1 through 3 . 
     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4