Patent ID: 6959512

Claim:
A heated guard for a rain gutter which extends along an associated roof fascia and has a generally trough-shaped interior, comprising: a cap having a rearward portion thereof shaped to extend along the roof fascia, and a forward portion thereof shaped to extend over the interior of the gutter and deflect debris therefrom; a plurality of mounting brackets configured to be positioned in the interior of the rain gutter in a laterally spaced apart relationship, and operably connected with the roof fascia; each of said mounting brackets including an upper portion thereof supporting said cap, and a forward portion thereof with a slot extending generally horizontally between opposite sides thereof; an elongate, hat-shaped channel extending between said laterally spaced apart mounting brackets, having a U-shaped base portion thereof received in said slot of each of said mounting brackets, and being fastened to at least one of said mounting brackets and positioned under said cap; and an elongate electric heater element positioned in said base portion of said channel, extending longitudinally therealong and being positively retained in said channel and covered by said forward portion of said cap; said heater element being adapted for connection with a source of electrical power to heat said heater element, said channel and said cap to melt snow and ice thereon.