Hybrid gutter guard

Abstract

The gutter guard, having regions of expanded and solid metal, is substantially planar without bends or angular inclinations between regions. When installed, the inner edge can lie underneath the last row of shingles on a roof. The outer portion will engage the uppermost outer flange of the gutter. Furthermore, the guard can include a downwardly depending dam. Additionally, a coarse coating can be applied to the gutter guard. This new gutter guard minimizes the debris that enters a gutter while maximizing the water inflow into the gutter.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] The invention relates generally to the field of gutter protectors and, more particularly, to a gutter guard having regions of expanded metal and regions of solid metal to direct rain water into a gutter while preventing leaves and other debris from entering the gutter. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Clogged gutters can cause rain water to over-flow a gutter system and result in damage to the building and foundation. Thus, a clogged gutter can defeat the very purpose of the gutter system. Additionally, clogged gutters can trap water creating an ideal mosquito nesting ground. Accordingly, there have been numerous attempts to prevent debris form entering and clogging a gutter system. [0003] Necessarily, gutter shields must allow rainwater to enter the gutter while preventing the entry of debris. Mesh covers are effective for enabling significant water penetration into the gutter system, but such covers also allow a large amount of debris such as pine needles ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] The present invention is an improved gutter guard with regions of expanded metal and regions of solid metal that allow significant amount of water to enter the gutter while preventing leaves and other debris from entering the gutter.

[0007] The improved gutter guard is a substantially planar structure that can mount at one side under the lowest row of shingles on a sloping roof having shingles arranged horizontally with a plurality of extending overlapping rows. On the other side, the gutter guard engages with an uppermost outer edge of a gutter. This substantially planar structure has a slight downward slope that facilitates water collection into the gutter, while still allowing debris to easily slide off of the gutter guard system.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, the gutter guard has an inner edge portion made of expanded metal that is placed under a lowest row of shingles. Extending from the first expanded metal region are regions of solid metal and expanded metal. A downwardly depending dam protrudes down from a final solid metal region. The dam prevents water from adhering to the bottom of the gutter guard and cascading over the gutter without falling into the gutter. An outer edge portion attaches the gutter guard to an upper outermost edge of the gutter. The gutter can attach to the gutter with fasteners such as screws, nails, or the like. Alternatively, the gutter guard can be manufactured with a final expanded metal region that is bent into an integral S-shaped engagement member that can sit over or snap onto the uppermost outer flange of a gutter. Additionally, the entire gutter guard can be coated with a coarse paint material to maximize the surface tension of the gutter guard system.

Problems solved by technology

Clogged gutters can cause rain water to over-flow a gutter system and result in damage to the building and foundation.

Thus, a clogged gutter can defeat the very purpose of the gutter system.

Mesh covers are effective for enabling significant water penetration into the gutter system, but such covers also allow a large amount of debris such as pine needles to enter the gutter system.

Depending on the installation, solid plates can minimize entry of debris, but generally cannot handle more than moderate amounts of rainwater.

Additionally, solid plate covers typically require special brackets and may require remounting of the gutter.

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