Cover for mounting on a gutter

Abstract

The invention relates to a cover for mounting on a gutter, which adjoins a roof surface and serves to prevent leaves and / or similar material from entering a gutter opening. Such a leaf guard is intended to be particularly effective. This is achieved by arranging the cover above and outside the gutter opening, by having comb-like prongs on the roof side, and by supporting the cover with the comb-like prongs on the roof surface.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a cover for mounting on a gutter which adjoins a roof surface, for preventing the entry of leaves and / or similar material into a gutter opening of the gutter.

[0002] Such a cover is described in the form of a leaf catcher for a gutter, for example in DE 20 2008 004 997 U1.

[0003] The object of the invention is to further develop such a leaf catcher so that it is designed to be particularly effective.

[0004] The solution to this problem is that the cover for mounting on a gutter that is connected to a roof surface to prevent leaves and / or similar material from entering a gutter opening of the gutter, is designed such that the cover is arranged above and outside the gutter opening, that the cover has comb-like prongs on the roof side and that the cover is supported on the roof surface with the comb-like prongs. By means of such a design, leaves and other material are guided away from the gutter outside the gutter opening, so that the gutter remains free from such ingress. The cover is positioned above and outside the gutter opening.

[0005] Overall, this results in long-term maintenance-free operation with a self-cleaning effect, while at the same time the pre-treated rainwater can be used beneficially.

[0006] Preferably, the comb-like prongs are arranged next to each other in such a way that the gaps between them are small enough to allow water to pass through, but not leaves or similar material. This ensures that the gutter remains free of leaves.

[0007] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover has retaining elements with which it is attached to the gutter bead. It is connected to the gutter bead in such a way that a parallel air gap exists between the end edge of the cover and the underlying gutter bead. This allows air to enter or exit, allowing any water remaining in the gutter to evaporate.

[0008] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover is made of a translucent material. This also promotes heating of the water beneath the cover, allowing it to evaporate. In another embodiment, a photovoltaic panel can also be arranged beneath the cover. This embodiment is further specified below.

[0009] Preferably, there is a gradient from the comb-like prongs to the end edge of the cover. This allows the water to drain off particularly well. In particular, the gradient then also carries leaves and other debris carried away by the comb-like prongs over the end edge of the cover. The cover advantageously consists of a plurality of individual sections, with a gap between two sections and / or at their ends, which gap is closed by a compensating cover. This easily ensures that the cover extends over the entire area of the gutter opening. Preferably, the top side of the cover is formed by an axial, longitudinally running, sinusoidal wave structure with a period length between 200 micrometers and 200 nanometers. This design causes the rainwater to roll off and a self-cleaning effect (lotus effect) is created.The reflection and transmission losses of the sun's rays are thus significantly reduced.

[0010] In the other design of the cover already mentioned above, a photovoltaic panel is arranged below the cover, in particular below the translucent cover, on which panel one or more semiconductor layers are arranged to generate solar power. In this way, the function of covering leaves is combined with the function of generating energy. Energy generation can be further improved by arranging parallel hoses below the photovoltaic panel with a heat-conducting contact to the photovoltaic panel. These hoses form a mat and run through the solar fluid, which is intended to absorb heat from the photovoltaic panel. In this way, heat energy is also generated in addition to electrical current. For this purpose, the hoses carrying the solar fluid are preferably plugged at both ends into adapted pipe stubs of each connecting pipe.This creates a circuit that heats the solar fluid particularly effectively. Furthermore, a heating element, preferably powered by solar power, is preferably located within the two connecting pipes. This allows the solar fluid to be maintained at an ideal temperature. All components that carry the solar fluid are resistant to cooling liquids and are temperature-resistant from -45°C to 100°C, frost-proof, and made of elastic material. Beneath the mat with the pipes is a heat-insulating plate, on the underside of which electrical components such as bypass diodes and inverters with an electromechanical shutdown device, as well as rechargeable batteries, are located.

[0011] In another advantageous embodiment, an additional photovoltaic panel is attached to the side of the gutter, preferably with the same dimensions as the photovoltaic panel below the cover. This allows the solar power generated by the invention to be doubled.

[0012] The invention is further explained below with reference to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in the drawing. The figures show in detail: Fig. 1: a perspective view of a cover according to the invention; Fig. 2: a perspective view of a cover according to the invention, in which the collecting pipe for the hose mat arranged below the cover can also be seen; Fig. 3: a side view of Fig. 2; Fig. 4: the hose mat arranged below the cover with the hoses, the pipe stubs, the manifold, the heating element, the electrical connection cable, the plug-in hole strip and the solar fluid flange, Fig. 5: the cover according to the invention according to Fig. 1, expanded to include additional photovoltaic panels, inverters and rechargeable batteries.

[0013] In Fig. 1, a cover 1 is arranged above a gutter 2, wherein the cover 1 is supported on a roof surface 3. The gutter 2 has a gutter opening 4, which is covered by the cover 1 and the compensation cover 11. The cover 1 and the compensation cover 11 also have comb-like prongs 5, which are supported on the roof surface 3 and in this way prevent leaves and other debris from the roof surface 3 from penetrating the gutter 2, specifically into the gutter opening 4. The comb-like prongs 5, which are preferably made of metal or plastic and are arranged on the roof-side end region of the cover 1, enable flexible alignment on the roof surface 3, in particular on the protruding beads that arise between the individual tiles of the roof surface 3.The comb-like prongs 5 are arranged so closely next to one another that the gaps 6 between them are so small that water can pass through, but leaves cannot. The gutter has a gutter bead 8 at its front end area. The cover 1 is connected to this bead by holding elements 7. The holding elements 7 are preferably fastened to the gutter bead 8 with screws. However, the fastening is such that an air gap 10 running parallel to the gutter bead 8 remains between an end edge 9 of the cover 1 and the gutter bead 8 below and at a lower level. Here, any water remaining in the gutter 2 can evaporate relatively easily.The cover 1 is composed of the actual elements of the cover 1 and compensating covers 11, which are slid over remaining gaps or spaces between the covers 1, creating a continuous surface that covers the entire length of the gutter. A photovoltaic panel 12 is arranged beneath the cover 1, so that in addition to the function of the cover 1, it also serves the function of energy generation, namely solar energy generation. However, this requires that the cover 1 be made of a translucent material in this embodiment.

[0014] In Fig. 2 is a somewhat shortened version of a perspective view of a cover according to the invention, but here, in contrast to Fig. 1, a collecting pipe 16 arranged below the cover 1 can be seen. Starting from this collecting pipe 16, a hose mat runs below the cover 1, which will be referred to in the description. Fig. 4. Also arranged in the manifold 16 is a heating rod 17 (not visible here), which is held by a fastening 20 and heated by an electrical connecting cable 19. Otherwise, identical components are identified by identical reference numerals.

[0015] In Fig. 3 is a side view of the gutter 2, corresponding to the Fig. 1, in particular the Fig. 2. Here, the manifold 16 can be seen, particularly on the side, in which the heating element 17, which is inserted into the manifold, runs with the aid of the fastening 20.

[0016] In Fig. Figure 4 shows the technology running beneath the cover 1 in detail and in a perspective view. A plurality of hoses 13 run beneath the cover 1, parallel to the gutter 2, and together form a mat 14. These hoses 13 are open at their ends and are connected to the collecting pipe 16 via a plurality of pipe stubs 15 that correspond to the hoses 13, ensuring the circulation of a heating fluid via the hoses 13 in the mat 14 via the collecting pipes 16 arranged at both ends of the cover 1. The hoses 13 are pushed onto the pipe stubs 15 through a plug-in hole strip 21. The collecting pipe 16 is sealed at its end by fastenings 20 and also holds the heating rod 17 there, with which the fluid circulating in the mat 14 can be brought to an optimal temperature.The circulating fluid is a solar fluid that absorbs heat, ensuring optimal heat absorption within the resulting circuit. The mat is positioned directly beneath the photovoltaic panel described above. The heating element 17 is attached to one end of the collecting tube 16 via a fastener 20, which allows an electrical connection cable 19 for the heating element 17 to pass through. At the other end of the collecting tube 16 is a flange 22, which serves as a receptacle for a hose or pipe and conducts the solar fluid.

[0017] For clarification, Fig. 4, the surrounding cover has been partially removed. In the open area to the left of the mount 20, the electrical connections running in the electrical connection cable 19 can be seen. In the area to the right of the mount 20, the heating coils running into the heating element 17 can be seen partially exposed. In reality, these areas are also closed.

[0018] In Fig. 5, the cover 1 on the gutter 2 is analogous to the Fig. 1. In addition to the embodiment according to Fig. 1, a further photovoltaic surface 18 is arranged here, which has the same dimensions as the cover 1 and thus also as the photovoltaic plate 12 arranged below the cover 1.

[0019] A rechargeable battery 24 or accumulator is also arranged below the photovoltaic panel 12. These are arranged in two parallel arrays. An inverter 23 with an electromechanical shutdown device is arranged between them. A further inverter 23 is arranged below the additional photovoltaic panel 18. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2008 004 997 U1

[0002]

Claims

Cover (1) for mounting on a gutter (2) which adjoins a roof surface (3), for preventing the entry of leaves and / or similar material into a gutter opening (4) of the gutter (2), characterized in that the cover (1) is arranged above and outside the gutter opening (4), that the cover (1) has comb-like prongs (5) on the roof side, and that the cover (1) is supported on the roof surface (3) with the comb-like prongs (5). Cover (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the comb-like prongs (5) are arranged next to one another in such a way that gaps (6) lying therebetween are so small that water can pass through, but leaves or similar material cannot. Cover (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the cover (1) has holding elements (7) with which it is fastened to the gutter bead (8) and is connected to the gutter bead (8) in such a way that a parallel air gap (10) exists between an end edge (9) of the cover (1) and the underlying gutter bead (8). Cover (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (1) consists of a translucent material. Cover (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that there is a gradient from the comb-like prongs (5) to the end edge (9) of the cover (1). Cover (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cover (1) consists of a plurality of individual sections and that between two sections and / or their ends there is a gap which is closed by a compensating cover (11). Cover (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a photovoltaic plate (12) is arranged below the cover (1), on which one or more semiconductor layers are arranged which generate solar power. Cover (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that parallel hoses (13) with a heat-conducting contact to the photovoltaic plate (12) are arranged below the photovoltaic plate (12), which form a mat (14) and in which solar fluid runs, which is intended to absorb heat from the photovoltaic plate (12). Cover (1) according to claim 8, characterized in that the hoses (13) which carry the solar fluid are plugged at their two ends into adapted pipe stubs (15) of each connecting pipe (16). Cover (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that a heating rod (17), preferably operated with solar power, is arranged within the two connecting pipes (16). Cover (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a further photovoltaic surface (18) is attached laterally next to the gutter (2), which preferably has the same dimensions as the photovoltaic plate (12) below the cover (1).

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