Patent ID: 7328734

Claim:
A machine for welding the ends of two thermo-plastic rain gutters together, the machine comprising: (a) a frame assembly; (b) a first holder disposed on said frame assembly for supporting the first rain gutter, said first holder having a cross sectional profile corresponding to the cross sectional profile of the first rain gutter; (c) a second holder disposed on said frame assembly for supporting the second rain gutter, said second holder having a cross sectional profile corresponding to the cross sectional profile of the second rain gutter; (d) a first clamp assembly disposed on said frame assembly for clamping the first rain gutter against the first holder; (e) a second clamp assembly disposed on said frame assembly for clamping the second rain gutter against the second holder; (f) a heater disposed on said frame assembly for heating the ends of the first and second rain gutters a sufficient amount to permit the ends of the rain gutters to be welded together, wherein said heater includes a groove defined on at least one surface, said groove being configured to receive the end of a corresponding one of said rain gutters; and (g) a press disposed on said frame assembly for pressing and holding the molten ends of the first and second rain gutters together so that the molten ends become welded together.