Support structure for gutter cover

Abstract

A structure for mounting a gutter cover on a new rain gutter or an existing rain gutter, wherein the gutter cover prevents debris from entering the gutter. The cover support structure is comprised of a lifting strut that supports the leading hooked frontal edge of a gutter cover, two stabilizing struts that interlock with the hooked edge of a frontal rim of a gutter trough, a connecting strut that connects the lifting strut to the stabilizing struts, and a junction where the lifting strut and stabilizing struts converge.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This nonprovisional patent application claims the benefit of Provisional Application No. 60 / 659,817 filed Mar. 9, 2005 for SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR GUTTER COVER.BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] This invention relates generally to a rain gutter, and more particularly to a support structure for mounting a gutter cover on a new rain gutter or on an existing rain gutter, wherein the cover is installed using a support structure that does not require fastening devices. [0004] 2. Description of Prior Art [0005] The literature is replete with various systems for keeping debris out of rain gutters, while allowing water to freely enter and be conveyed by the gutter. [0006] Layton, U.S. Pat. No. 2,271,081, teaches a rain gutter comprising a “U” shaped trough member supported by hangers and a cover. The cover has staggered slots or elongated apertures. The cover is held in place by pins and by nesting with a comparably h...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] The present invention is a support structure for mounting a gutter cover, wherein the gutter cover is facilely retrofitted to an existing rain gutter as well as to a new rain gutter. The invention is particularly suited for use with an aluminum sheet metal rain gutter. The trough of the gutter has a main channel with a curvilinear front wall and a rear wall that is substantially straight. The cover support structure is comprised of a lifting strut, two stabilizing struts, a connecting strut, and a junction where the lifting strut and stabilizing struts converge. A distal end of the lifting strut provides support to a leading hooked frontal edge of the gutter cover and a proximal end intersects the junction of the support structure. The proximal end of the lifting strut includes an aperture ⅜ inch to ½ inch in diameter to allow passage of a spike and ferrule. Each stabilizing strut has a hooked end that distally interlocks with a hooked edge of a frontal rim of a gutter trough and a proximal end that intersects with the junction of the support structure. The lifting strut and stabilizing struts are joined by at least one connecting strut, wherein the connecting strut enhances the strength of the lifting strut and stabilizing struts. The connecting strut includes an aperture ⅜ inch to ½ inch in diameter to allow passage of a spike and ferrule.

[0018] Conventional aluminum rain guttering is installed with fastening devices which are attached to a fascia plank. A fastening device typically has two sectional components, a cross strut for supporting the front wall of the trough and a hanging strap for supporting the rear wall. In some variations of the fastening device the bottom of the trough is supported. The present invention enables quick installation of the gutter cover. Multiple support structures are positioned along the trough at intervals sufficient to provide support for the cover and preferably are positioned approximately two feet apart from one another. The support structures rest on top of a spike and ferrule or hidden hanger mounting system. Each support structure is secured by interlocking the distal end of the lifting strut into the frontal curved portion of the cover and interlocking the distal ends of the stabilizing struts into the folded edge of the rim of the gutter trough.

[0019] The gutter cover is aligned over the trough and then a longitudinal rear edge of the cover is inserted under the course of shingles or against the fascia plank of the roof The cover is pushed until the leading hooked frontal edge of the gutter cover is contacting the distal end of the lifting strut of the support structure. The cover is then secured to the roof with a fastening means. In a preferable embodiment, the distal end of the lifting strut has a curved end that has the same curvature as the hooked frontal edge of the cover, wherein the penetration of the distal end of the lifting strut into the hooked frontal edge of the cover creates a partially interlocking attachment. The attachment prevents the cover from lifting in high winds, and becoming dislodged from the gutter.

[0022] When a gutter is installed utilizing the invention, the cover deflects debris and collects rainwater. Rainwater coming off the roof is ducted across and down the width of the flat sheet of the cover, and flows, circumferentially, around a curved path and down the longitudinal hooked frontal edge, and drops off into the trough. The upper surface of the cover is coated so as to be easily wetted by water, such that surface tension is sufficient so that the rainwater adheres to the surface. The rainwater's adhesion to the surface of the cover causes the water to track through an arc scribed by the longitudinal hooked frontal edge, without flying off tangentially. Debris is deflected by the cover, and except for small detritus conveyed by the rainwater, debris is excluded. The surface of the cover does not have any projections onto which straw, leaves, etc. can hang up and collect. Also the surface does not become easily fouled.

Problems solved by technology

Pub. No. US 2005 / 0000167, the foregoing systems are designed to be installed as a complete unit and not suitable for retrofitting an existing rain gutter.

The majority of the prior art does not provide a means to support the width of the sectional length of a gutter cover.

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