Cover for preventing accumulation of fallen leaf in rain gutter

Abstract

To provide a cover for preventing accumulation of fallen leaves in a rain gutter, which surely prevents leaves falling from trees near a building from getting caught or accumulating in the rain gutter provided on the building, causing the rain gutter to fail to fulfill its function.SOLUTION: Provided is a cover 10 for preventing accumulation of fallen leaves in a rain gutter which efficiently drains rainwater RW flowing down from the roof using a rain gutter 50. When the cover for preventing accumulation of fallen leaves in the rain gutter is attached to the rain gutter at the eaves of a building, two or more horizontal louvers 200 are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rain gutter of the building, and the cover has an attachment member for attaching the two or more horizontal louvers to the upper opening of the rain gutter so that rainwater drainage gaps are formed along the longitudinal direction between the horizontal louvers so that rainwater flowing down from the roof falls into the rain gutter between adjacent horizontal louvers.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] To provide a cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in rain gutters, which reliably prevents leaves that fall from trees near a building from autumn and winter from getting caught in or accumulating in the rain gutters provided on the building, causing the gutters to fail to function as intended. [Background technology]

[0002] Rain gutters, which efficiently drain rainwater that runs off a roof when it rains without it running down onto the building wall, are widely known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Also, a structure is known that prevents fallen leaves, garbage, snow, etc. from accumulating in the gutters and reducing the drainage efficiency of the gutters (see, for example, Patent Documents 2 and 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 63-152824 [Patent Document 2] JP 2004-100386 A [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 05-071200 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The configurations described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are structures that cover the upper opening of the gutter with a net-like member to prevent foreign matter from accumulating in the gutter itself. If measures are taken to cover the entire upper opening of the gutter with the above-mentioned net-like member, rainwater from the roof can be channeled into the gutter and drained if there are no deciduous trees around the building, but if there are deciduous trees in the building's garden, the leaves will fall over a wide area on the roof when the leaves fall.

[0005] In this condition, when it rains and runs off the roof into the gutters, the fallen leaves are carried along with the rainwater toward the gutters, and may cover the mesh of the net mentioned above, or the tips of the stems of the leaves may get caught in the mesh.

[0006] Once the tips of the leaves are caught in the netting, the leaves stand up, and the leaves that fall along the roof are caught by the upright leaves, and they quickly pile up in the surrounding areas. In this way, the leaves pile up rapidly on the top of the net, and the rainwater that flows down with them cannot flow into the gutters.

[0007] In particular, when pine needles fall from pine trees near the roof, the shape of the leaves themselves causes them to get caught in the mesh of the net, and other types of fallen leaves pile up on top of them, completely covering part of the gutter.

[0008] Rain gutters are generally installed along the eaves of a roof and are long from one end to the other. Rainwater that flows into the gutters is drained to the aboveground sewer system through rainwater drainage pipes that are installed at intervals of, for example, 5 to 6 meters along the length of the gutters. Therefore, if the upper opening of the gutters becomes clogged with fallen leaves, as mentioned above, the gaps between them become like a water tank when rainwater flows in, and eventually it overflows and runs down the wall of the building, damaging the building itself.

[0009] It is assumed that when it rains, the rainwater that runs off the roof is efficiently drained through the gutters and the storm drainage pipes that are installed at a certain pitch along the length of the gutters, and it is not assumed that the rainwater will run down along the walls of the building. Therefore, if this happens, the rainwater will seep into the house or soak into the walls of the building itself, causing major damage to the walls in the event of an unexpected major earthquake, which will have a serious negative impact on the building itself.

[0010] Also, in order to reduce construction costs, a net may be attached to the gutter, for example by wrapping a metal net around it and fitting it from one end of the gutter to the other while adjusting the wrapping.

[0011] However, as mentioned above, the net itself is elastic, so when snow falls on the roof in winter and slides down to the eaves, the net itself is crushed and deformed. In other words, a large part of the net, which was originally fitted into the upper part of the gutter in a rounded, protruding shape, is crushed or dented, and the mesh of the net itself is deformed, causing the spacing between the mesh to become narrower (thinner) than when it was first attached to the gutter.

[0012] If this state continues, serious problems will occur when the leaves that have fallen on the roof and accumulated there will fall toward the rain gutters under the eaves due to wind and rain as the leaves change color through the spring, summer, and other seasons. Specifically, the leaves will quickly pile up in the deformed and recessed parts of the net, and the tips of the leaves will become more likely to get caught in the mesh of the net, which has become crushed and has narrower spaces between them, causing the leaves to accumulate in the rainwater inflow part of the gutter and preventing the gutter from preventing the accumulation of leaves.

[0013] As a result, the gutter will no longer be able to efficiently drain rainwater from the roof. Note that the above problems are not limited to metal nets, but can also occur with plastic nets.

[0014] In addition to the above, the leaves will accumulate in an instant as the tips of some of the leaves get caught in such nets, so even if the upper opening of the gutter is covered with a net, it is necessary to periodically clean up the leaves, garbage, etc. When performing such cleaning work, for example, if a resident of a building is performing it, in order to periodically clean the gutter where the leaves have accumulated as described above and to remove the leaves, he or she must use a ladder or the like to climb up to the part where the upper side of the gutter is visible, and completely remove the leaves from one end of the gutter to the other using, for example, a rod-shaped object, and there is a risk that the worker, who is not accustomed to such work, will lose his or her balance and fall to the ground, resulting in fatal injury to the worker who is not accustomed to construction work.

[0015] In particular, with the rapid aging of society in recent years, the number of elderly residents in buildings is also increasing, making the task of cleaning up fallen leaves quite physically demanding, and because elderly residents are more likely to lose their balance, there is a high risk of unexpected accidents.

[0016] On the other hand, instead of fitting the different gutters for each building according to the size of the gutter, a method is also known in which the upper part of the gutter is covered with a gutter cover made of a metal plate with many small perforations in a matrix pattern, called a punched metal, which allows rainwater to flow into the long and narrow gutter. By using this type of gutter cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves, the efficiency of drainage through the gutter is not reduced, and the efficiency of drainage through the gutter is not reduced by preventing fallen leaves that fall down the roof and into the gutter from getting caught and accumulating.

[0017] However, when such a measure is taken, a perforated metal gutter cover to prevent the accumulation of fallen leaves must be manufactured individually for each shape of the gutter. The problem here is that almost no buildings are the same size, shape, or dimensions, and each building usually has a different size and shape, roof size and shape, roof slope, etc.

[0018] The size of the gutter must also be made large enough to improve drainage efficiency according to the size of the roof, and the size of the gutter must be made large enough to drain rainwater depending on the weather in the area the building is built in. In other words, the length from one end of the gutter to the other, the depth of the gutter groove, and the width of the upper opening of the gutter are all different for each building.

[0019] Therefore, in order to realize the above-mentioned punched metal type structure for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves, it is necessary to design, manufacture, and install a custom-made punched metal type rain gutter cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves that is tailored to the structure of each building.

[0020] When such measures are taken, naturally each one must be custom-made and a cover to prevent fallen leaves from accumulating in the gutters must be manufactured for each building. This results in significant costs due to the need to manufacture the gutter covers individually, and when attaching such covers to the gutters, they must be attached securely so that they do not fall from the high places where the gutters are located.

[0021] However, when manufacturing gutter covers using the punching metal method, it is common to prepare thin aluminum sheets and press and punch them with a mold of a specified dimension to mass-produce gutter covers with the same dimensions (same width and same length) at once in order to reduce manufacturing costs. In other words, such gutter covers are supplied in large quantities as covers of the same dimensions with uniform size and thickness, and it is practically difficult to apply custom-made punching metal gutter covers that are tailored to the various opening shapes, groove depths, and inclinations of the opening surfaces of the openings that are individually tailored to the structures and shapes of each individual building to the gutter covers that are installed individually on different buildings.

[0022] The object of the present invention is to provide a cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in rain gutters to solve the problems described above, which reliably prevents leaves that fall from trees near a building from autumn to winter from getting caught or accumulating in the gutters installed on the building, causing the gutters to fail to function as intended. [Means for solving the problem]

[0023] The cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in a rain gutter according to claim 1 of the present invention is as follows: A cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in a rain gutter provided at the eaves, which efficiently drains rainwater flowing down from a roof by preventing fallen leaves from accumulating in the rain gutter, When the cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in the gutter is attached to the gutter at the eaves of a building, two or more horizontal louvers are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gutter of the building, and a mounting member is provided for mounting the two or more horizontal louvers to the upper opening of the gutter so that a rainwater drainage gap is formed along the longitudinal direction between the horizontal louvers so that rainwater flowing down from the roof falls into the gutter between the adjacent horizontal louvers, The rainwater drainage gap formed between adjacent horizontal louvers is characterized by having an opening width that allows at least a portion of the rainwater flowing down from the eaves to flow down into the rain gutter, and also prevents leaves from falling onto the roof and flowing down along with the rainwater, or from falling directly onto a cover for preventing leaf accumulation in the rain gutter and becoming caught or clogged, causing a large number of leaves to accumulate.

[0024] The cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in rain gutters according to claim 2 of the present invention is the cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in rain gutters according to claim 1, A feature of this invention is that rainwater also flows down into the gutter from the downstream end in the width direction of the horizontal louver that is positioned furthest downstream in the perpendicular direction among the louvers aligned in the perpendicular direction.

[0025] The cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in rain gutters according to claim 3 of the present invention is the cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in rain gutters according to claim 1, A cover for preventing fallen leaves from accumulating in gutters as described in claim 1, characterized in that rainwater also flows down into the gutter from the above-water width end of the horizontal louver that is positioned furthest above the water in the perpendicular direction among the louvers arranged in the perpendicular direction.

[0026] The cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in a rain gutter according to claim 4 of the present invention is the cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in a rain gutter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The horizontal louvers are characterized in that the vicinity of the underwater end in the width direction of at least one of the horizontal louvers is raised upward at a predetermined angle over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver.

[0027] The cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in a rain gutter according to claim 5 of the present invention is the cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in a rain gutter according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The horizontal louvers are characterized in that the vicinity of the widthwise downstream end of at least one of the horizontal louvers is curved and folded back along the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver toward the gutter to which the horizontal louver is attached. Effect of the Invention

[0028] According to the present invention, a cover for preventing leaves from piling up in gutters can be provided, which collects the force of rain and drops it down into the gutters, preventing the rainwater from being clogged with leaves, causing it to splash back onto the walls and soak into the walls, thereby deteriorating the strength of the building. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0029] [Figure 1] 1 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, showing a state in which a first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a rain gutter at the eaves of a roof. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention viewed obliquely from above. [Diagram 3] 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, respectively, showing each component constituting the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, showing a state in which a second embodiment of the present invention is attached to a rain gutter at the eaves of a roof. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment of the present invention viewed obliquely from above. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing each component constituting the second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 6 individually. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram corresponding to FIG. 5 and showing a modified example of the second embodiment. [Figure 10] 1A to 1C are cross-sectional views taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, each showing a horizontal louver applicable to each embodiment of the present invention and its modified examples. [Figure 11] FIG. 11(a) is an explanatory diagram showing how rainwater is drained into a gutter when the amount of rainwater is relatively small and the flow rate is slow in the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 11(b) is an explanatory diagram showing how rainwater is drained into a gutter when the amount of rainwater increases to a moderate level compared to FIG. 11(a) and the flow rate is correspondingly faster. [Figure 12] FIG. 12(a) is an explanatory diagram showing how rainwater is drained into a gutter in the first embodiment of the present invention when the amount of rainwater is greater and the flow speed is correspondingly faster than in FIG. 11(b), and FIG. 12(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in the first embodiment when pine leaves fall onto the roof as fallen leaves and then flow down into the gutter along with the rainwater or are blown by the wind from nearby trees and fall onto the gutter. [Figure 13]FIG. 13(a) is an explanatory diagram showing how rainwater is drained into a gutter when the amount of rainwater is relatively small and the flow rate is slow in the second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 13(b) is an explanatory diagram showing how rainwater is drained into a gutter when the amount of rainwater increases to a moderate level compared to FIG. 13(a) and the flow rate is correspondingly faster. [Figure 14] FIG. 14(a) is an explanatory diagram showing how rainwater is drained into the gutter in the second embodiment of the present invention when the amount of rainwater is greater and the flow speed is correspondingly faster than in FIG. 13(b), and FIG. 14(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in the second embodiment in which pine leaves fall onto the roof as fallen leaves and then flow down into the gutter along with the rainwater, or are blown by the wind from nearby trees and fall onto the gutter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0030] The following describes the cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in the rain gutter according to each embodiment and its modified example of the present invention. First, the common configuration of the cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in the rain gutter according to each embodiment and its modified example of the present invention will be described. The reference numerals will be the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0031] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction showing a state in which the first embodiment of the present invention is attached to a gutter at the eaves of a roof. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the present invention from diagonally above. Fig. 3 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction showing each part constituting the first embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 2 individually.

[0032] The cover 10 for preventing leaves from accumulating in rain gutters according to the present invention is intended to prevent leaves from accumulating in the rain gutters 50 provided at the eaves 91, thereby allowing rainwater RW flowing down from the roof 90 to be efficiently drained by the rain gutters 50. When the cover 10 for preventing leaves from accumulating in the rain gutters 50 is viewed as being attached to the rain gutters 50 at the eaves 91 of the building, two or more horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the rain gutters 50 of the building.

[0033] In addition to the above, the louver support mounting member 500 is used to attach two or more horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) to the upper opening of the rain gutter 50 so as to form rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, ... (150) along the longitudinal direction between the horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) so that rainwater RW flowing down from the roof 90 falls between adjacent horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) into the rain gutter 50.

[0034] The rainwater drainage gap 150 formed between adjacent horizontal louvers allows at least a part of the rainwater RW flowing down from the eaves 91 to flow down into the rain gutter 50, and has an opening width that prevents the accumulation of a large number of fallen leaves FL by falling onto the roof 90 and flowing down together with the rainwater RW, or by falling directly onto the leaf accumulation prevention cover 10 into the rain gutter 50 and getting caught or clogged.

[0035] With this configuration, even if leaves that have fallen over a wide area onto the roof 90 during the leaf-fall season reach the eaves 91 of the roof 90 due to wind or rain and then flow down into the gutter 50 together with rainwater RW, the cover 10 for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in the gutter of the present invention prevents not only the leaves but also the stems of the leaves from getting stuck between the adjacent horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100).

[0036] In addition, the rainwater RW passes over the rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, ... (150) via the flow of rainwater RW over the fallen leaf accumulation prevention cover 10 and the wind blowing through it and falls to the ground, and the rainwater RW flowing down from the roof 90 is ensured to flow into the rain gutter 50 through the rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, ... (150) formed between adjacent horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100).

[0037] Each horizontal louver 101, 102, ... (100) is in the form of a long and narrow plate made by bending a thin plate of aluminum or the like into a predetermined shape. In each of the following embodiments and their modified examples, two to four horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) are arranged to cover the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50 except for the rain water drainage gap 150 by aligning their longitudinal direction with the longitudinal direction of the rain gutter 50 while forming the above-mentioned rain water drainage gaps 151, 152, ... (150) between adjacent horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100).

[0038] In addition, with regard to the number of horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100), the effect of the present invention can be achieved as long as there are two or more, so there is no problem in arranging more than four horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) side by side at the upper opening of the rain gutter 50 as shown in each of the following embodiments and their modified examples.

[0039] In addition, the louver support mounting member 500 serves to fix and position two or more horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) in a predetermined positional relationship in the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50, and is arranged at a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction of the rain gutter 50.

[0040] Various forms of this louver support mounting member 500 will be introduced in each of the following embodiments, but basically it has a narrow width and is bridging form with sufficient strength to hold the horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) in their designated positions at the upper opening 51 of the gutter 50, with both ends engaging and fixed to the abovewater and belowwater sides of the upper opening of the gutter 50.

[0041] As for its specific shape and material, it is composed of a thick metal plate such as stainless steel or aluminum alloy that supports the horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100), and fasteners such as bolts and nuts (not shown in the drawings) that fix both ends of this metal plate to the above-water edge 51a and below-water edge 51b that form the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50. In Fig. 1, it has a form in which a plate having sufficient strength is bent into an inverted rectangular U-shape in side view as described above, and fasteners such as bolts and nuts are provided to fix a part of it to the rain gutter 50, but the configurations shown in Figs. 2 and 3 are also included in the present invention.

[0042] The form of the louver support mounting member 500 will be shown as different forms in each drawing, and its configuration will be described in text. It should also be noted that, even in the same embodiment, for convenience of explanation, the number of horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) will be shown as different numbers in each drawing in which the same embodiment corresponds.

[0043] In the following description, the terms "vertical", "horizontal", "parallel", and "over the entire length" are not defined in the strict sense of the terms themselves, but rather include the meanings of "vertical", "horizontal", "parallel", and "over the entire length". In other words, it should be noted that the above terms are essentially equivalent to the terms "approximately vertical", "approximately horizontal", "approximately parallel", and "over approximately the entire length".

[0044] The upward and downward directions of the flow of rainwater RW will be described with reference to the drawing showing the state in which the cover 10 for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in the rain gutter 50 is attached to the rain gutter 50.

[0045] In addition, the state in which the cover 10 for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in the rain gutter 50 is attached to the rain gutter 50 will be described on the assumption that the eaves 91 of the building extends horizontally, and that the rain gutter 50 is accordingly attached to the underside of the eaves 91 of the building while extending horizontally.

[0046] In the following description, the name of the present invention, "a cover to prevent the accumulation of fallen leaves in rain gutters", or more formally, "a cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in rain gutters and for draining rainwater", will be rephrased as appropriate, for example, "first embodiment 10" or "second embodiment 20", with the addition of reference numerals. In addition, for each louver constituting the cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in rain gutters and for draining rainwater, instead of using the term "louvers for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in rain gutters" as the formal name, this term will be simplified and replaced with the term "louvers for draining rain gutters" or simply "horizontal louvers" and described with the same reference numerals.

[0047] 1 is a cross-sectional view taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, showing a cover 10 for preventing fallen leaves from accumulating in gutters according to a first embodiment of the present invention attached to a gutter 50 at the eaves 91 of a roof 90. More specifically, the cross-sectional view is taken perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, showing the gutter 50 provided under the eaves 91 of the roof 90 shown in the upper right of the figure, cut along drainage pipes 60 provided at regular intervals at the bottom of the gutter along the longitudinal direction of the gutter 50.

[0048] In this figure, it can be seen that three horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) are arranged in three rows at the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50, from the above-water side on the right side to the below-water side on the left side, so that the upper surfaces of the horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) join together to form an inclined surface. The longitudinal direction of these three horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) is attached to the rain gutter 50 so as to be perpendicular to the paper surface of Figure 1, i.e., to coincide with the longitudinal direction of the rain gutter 50.

[0049] In Figure 1, when these horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) are attached to the rain gutter 50, the three horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) are lined up from the above-water side to the below-water side on the upper extension of the louver support mounting member 500, which is made of a thin metal plate bent into an inverted U-shape, and are attached with fastening fittings consisting of bolts, nuts, and fastening brackets, which are not shown in detail here.

[0050] In addition, both lower ends 521, 522 of the louver support mounting member 500 are bent inward (towards the drainage pipe) so that the mounting state of the three horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) is always constant relative to the eaves 91 of the roof 90.

[0051] The three horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) are fixed to a louver support mounting member 500 so that both widthwise ends (left and right ends in the figure) of the horizontal louver 102 located in the middle in Figure 1 form rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152 (150) of a specified width with the ends of the adjacent upper and lower horizontal louvers 101, 103 (100).

[0052] In addition, the horizontal louver 101 (100) arranged near the eaves 91 (the horizontal louver on the right side in the figure) is fixed to the louver support mounting member 500 so that a rainwater drainage gap 150a of a predetermined width is formed between the widthwise above-water end portion of the horizontal louver 101 (100) and the above-water edge portion 51a that forms the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50.

[0053] In addition, the horizontal louver 103 (the horizontal louver on the left side in the figure) located at the position farthest from the eaves 91 is attached to the louver support mounting member 500 so that a rainwater drainage gap 150b of a predetermined width is formed between the underwater end of the horizontal louver 103 (the horizontal louver on the left side in the figure) and the underwater edge 51b that forms the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50.

[0054] As can be seen from the above, the three horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) attached to the rain gutter 50 in Figure 1 have rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152 (150) of a predetermined width formed between adjacent louvers along their entire longitudinal direction, and in addition, rainwater drainage gaps 150a, 150b (150) of a predetermined width are also formed along their entire longitudinal direction between the above-water side louvers and the above-water side edge 51a forming the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50, and between the below-water side louvers and the below-water side edge 51b forming the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50.

[0055] Each of the rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, 150a, 150b (150) will be described in detail later as the function of the present invention, but each has an opening width such that when the rainwater RW flowing from the eaves 91 flows down onto the three horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100), the rainwater RW flows down into the gutter 50 through each of the rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152 (150).

[0056] More specifically, in the case of a normal amount of rainwater and wind blowing direction, the opening width is such that all of the rainwater RW flowing down from the eaves 91 through only the rainwater drainage gap 151, or even if the amount of rainwater increases, through both the rainwater drainage gaps 151 and 152, can flow down into the rain gutter 50.

[0057] In addition to the above-mentioned rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, when the amount of rainwater is particularly large or when strong winds are blowing toward the eaves, each rainwater drainage gap 150 has an opening width that allows rainwater to flow down into the gutter 50 through either or both of rainwater drainage gaps 150a, 150b.

[0058] In addition, the opening width of the rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152 (150) is narrow enough that when fallen leaves fall from nearby trees, the leaves themselves or stems of the fallen leaves do not get caught in the rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, 150a, 150b (150) and 150a, 150b or do not get stuck on the horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100).

[0059] Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing the first embodiment of the present invention from diagonally above. More specifically, it is a perspective view showing the three horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) shown in Fig. 1 and the contents having a configuration equivalent to the louver support attachment member 500 that fixes them to the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50 while forming the above-mentioned predetermined rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, and 150a, 150b (150).

[0060] 1, three horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) are arranged side by side in the width direction, whereas in FIG. 2 four horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103, 104 (100) are arranged side by side in the width direction; and whereas in FIG. 1 the louver support mounting member 500 is formed by bending a plate material so as to form an upside-down, roughly rectangular U-shape, the louver support mounting member 600 in FIG. 2 has the form of a long, thin plate with engaging fold-back portions 610, 620 at both ends that hook onto the above-water end of the above-water side horizontal louver 101 (100) and the above-water end of the below-water side horizontal louver 104 (100) and secure them to the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50, which is a difference from the configuration shown in FIG.

[0061] In the configuration shown in Figure 2, fixing brackets 651 and fixing screws 652 are used for each of the horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103, 104 (100) arranged in the width direction to form rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, 153, 154 (150) of a predetermined width similar to the rainwater drainage gaps 150 formed between adjacent horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) shown in Figure 1.

[0062] With regard to the fixing brackets 651 and fixing screws 652, FIG. 2 only shows the fixing brackets 651 and fixing screws 652 located at the far right side of the horizontal louver 104; however, the connection portions of this horizontal louver 103 to the other louver support mounting members 600 and the connection portions of the remaining horizontal louvers to the louver support mounting members 600 are also firmly fixed to each other in the same manner by fixing brackets 651 and fixing screws 652 (not shown).

[0063] The louver support mounting members 600 are firmly fixed to the edges 51a, 51b of the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50 using the rain gutter fixing engagement portions 615, 625 formed on both sides of the louver support mounting members 600.

[0064] In this way, fasteners such as bolts and nuts not shown in Figure 2 are used to form rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, 153 (150) of a predetermined width similar to the space shown in Figure 1 between the above-water width ends of the horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) arranged on the above-water side along the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50 and the edge forming the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50.

[0065] In other words, the basic idea of ​​forming rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, 153 (150) of a predetermined width similar to the space shown in Figure 1 between the above-water width ends of the horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) arranged below the water along the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50 and the edge forming the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50 is common to all of the embodiments of the present invention and their variations.

[0066] FIG. 3 is a perspective view and a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction showing each part constituting the first embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, FIG. 3(a) is a perspective view showing one of the horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103, 104 (100) shown in three pieces in FIG. 1 and in four pieces in FIG. 2. FIG. 3(b) is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) shown in FIG. 3(a). FIG. 3(c) is an exploded perspective view showing a louver support attachment member that fixes the four horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103, 104 (100) in FIG. 2 to the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50 while maintaining a predetermined relative arrangement state. The configuration of FIG. 3(c) has already been described in FIG. 2, so the characteristic configuration of the horizontal louver 100 used in the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3(a) and (b) will be described below.

[0067] As can be seen from Figures 3(a) and (b), the horizontal louvers 101, 102, 103 (100) of this first embodiment have a mountain fold 130 formed by slightly mountain-folding the approximate center in the width direction over the entire length direction, and the above-water end in the width direction (the right end in Figure 3) has an above-water end fold-back portion 110 that is folded back to form an angle equivalent to the above-water mountain fold surface. On the other hand, the below-water end (the left end in Figure 3) has a spring-up fold portion 120 that is folded back to spring up while having a certain width relative to the below-water mountain fold surface.

[0068] 4 is an explanatory diagram showing how rainwater RW flowing down from the roof 90 is drained into the rain gutter 50 in the first embodiment. Here, in Fig. 4(a) and (b), the rainwater RW is shown as a mass of dots in the figure, and the length of the arrow drawn along this mass of dots indicates the flow speed of the rainwater RW, and the thickness of the arrow indicates the amount of the flowing rainwater RW.

[0069] Moreover, the substantially horizontal arrow on the left side of the figure exemplarily indicates the wind direction. In addition, the dotted line PL in the figure that intersects with the upper surface of the horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) is drawn to match the opening plane of the rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, ... (150) formed entirely along the longitudinal direction between adjacent horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100), i.e., the gaps 151, 152, ... (150) for draining rainwater RW to the gutter 50 formed over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) between the jump-up bend portion 120 formed on the belowwater side of the abovewater side horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100) where rainwater RW flows down into the gutter 50, and the abovewater side end folded portion 110 of the adjacent belowwater side horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100). In addition, fallen leaves FL that fall from trees near the building or that wash down from the roof 90 together with rainwater RW are shown as examples by two-dot chain lines in the figure.

[0070] 4(a) is an explanatory diagram showing the process in which rainwater RW is drained from the rainwater drainage gaps 151 (150) between adjacent horizontal louvers 101, 102 (100) to the rain gutter 50 in the case where the amount of rainwater RW flowing down from the roof 90 in the first embodiment is relatively small. As can be seen from this drawing, the speed of the rainwater RW that has flowed down to the horizontal louvers 101, 102 (100) is slowed down by the viscous resistance between the rainwater RW and the jumping up bends 120 at the stage where it flows over the jumping up bends 120 formed over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers 101 formed on the water downstream side.

[0071] It should be noted here that the rainwater RW flowing down from the roof 90 does not flow down uniformly from the longitudinal direction of the eaves 91 depending on the shape of the roof itself, but the amount that flows down varies according to the shape of the roof 90. In other words, this is because the amount of rainwater RW flowing down differs depending on the location of the eaves 91 depending on the shape of the roof 90 and the material that constitutes the roof 90.

[0072] In the first embodiment, when the rainwater RW flows down from the eaves 91 and falls onto the upper surface of the horizontal louvers 101 (100), the flow is uniformly diffused in the horizontal direction along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers 101 (100), and flows along the jump-up bends 120 on the waterfront side of the horizontal louvers 101 (100) so as to overcome them as a whole. As the rainwater RW flows upward along the jump-up bends 120 and overcomes the jump-up bends 120, the viscous resistance of the rainwater RW acts on the entire upper surface of the upper jump-up bends 120 of the horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100), and the speed of the rainwater RW drops sharply as it moves toward the widthwise downstream tip of the horizontal louvers 101 (100).

[0073] As a result, the rainwater RW, whose flow speed has suddenly slowed down at the tip folded portion 121 of the jump-up bent portion 120, has its own viscous resistance acting sufficiently in this state.

[0074] As a result, as shown in Figure 4(a), the rainwater RW flows around the underside of the upward bending portion 120 of the horizontal louver 101 (100), and immediately thereafter, due to the gravity of the rainwater itself, flows down into the rain gutter 50 located below the horizontal louvers 101, 102, ... (100).

[0075] The rainwater drainage gap 150 shown by the two-dot chain line in the figure is formed at a substantially perpendicular angle to the top surface of the horizontal louver as shown by the two-dot chain line. This is due to the intentional provision of a step between the underwater end where the jump-up bend 120 of the abovewater side horizontal louver 101 is formed and the widthwise abovewater end 111 formed on the abovewater side of the belowwater side horizontal louver 102 between adjacent horizontal louvers. This step is formed such that the jump-up bend 120 on the belowwater side of the abovewater side horizontal louver 101 is located relatively higher in the common width direction between the adjacent horizontal louvers 101, 102. On the other hand, the abovewater end fold 110 of the belowwater side horizontal louver 102 is located relatively lower. As a result, the relative positional relationship between these two parts, i.e., the below-water side jump-up fold portion 120 is located at the top along the dotted line LN indicating a direction approximately perpendicular to the width direction of the adjacent horizontal louvers, and the adjacent horizontal louvers 101, 102 are fixed to the louver support mounting member 500 so that they are located below the above-water side end fold portion 110.

[0076] More specifically, in Figure 4(a), the force of the rainwater RW is represented by the length of the arrow, and it can be seen that as the rainwater RW flows down from the eaves 91 and flows through the horizontal louvers 100 from the upper horizontal louvers 100 to the lower horizontal louvers 100, the force of the flow of the rainwater RW suddenly decreases through the jump-up bend portion 120 which is formed by bending the lower side of the upper horizontal louvers 100 so that it jumps up over a certain width in the longitudinal direction.

[0077] Then, depending on a combination of factors such as the amount and force of the rainwater RW flowing along the surface of the horizontal louvers 100 along which the rainwater RW flows, and the wettability and surface tension of the rainwater itself between the surface of the horizontal louvers 100, all or part of the rainwater RW will flow down into the rain gutter 50 through the rainwater drainage gap 150 formed between the upward bending portion 120 of the horizontal louvers 100 on the above-water side and the above-water edge portion of the horizontal louvers 102 on the below-water side.

[0078] To explain this state in more detail, when the amount of rainwater RW is small and its momentum is weak, after the flow reaches the jump-up bend 120 of the horizontal louver 100 on the water side, the so-called fluid kinetic energy of the rainwater RW decreases in the process of changing direction and flowing upward to exceed the jump-up bend 120, and the flow velocity of the rainwater RW drops suddenly. Then, it can be seen from Fig. 4(a) that after the rainwater RW flows around the tip of the jump-up bend 120 due to its wettability, it flows down into the rain gutter 50 in the vertical downward direction as shown by the arrow in Fig. 4(a) by its own weight.

[0079] In addition, unlike conventional mesh-type or punched metal-type gutter covers, the drainage surface of the drainage section is not opened so as to be approximately parallel to the upper opening of the gutter. Specifically, the opening surface of the rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, ... (150) is opened so as to coincide with a plane perpendicular to the paper surface including the dotted line LN in Figure 8(a).

[0080] Therefore, the fallen leaves shown by the two-dot chain lines do not get caught, and the stems of the fallen leaves do not get caught in the rainwater drainage gaps of the horizontal louvers. This unique structure of the present invention effectively prevents fallen leaves from accumulating at the upper opening of the rain gutter.

[0081] Figure 4(b) shows a state in which the amount of rainwater RW is greater than in Figure 4(a) and the speed of the rainwater RW flowing down from the eaves 91 of the roof 90 onto the horizontal louvers 100 is also faster. In this case, as shown in the figure, the rainwater tries to overcome the jump-up bend 120 of the horizontal louvers 101 on the above-water side while spreading in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers 101. A significant portion of the rainwater RW (rainwater RW1) flows down into the rain gutter 50 from the rainwater drainage gap 150 formed between the horizontal louvers 102 on the below-water side and the folded-back parts 110 at the above-water end portions of the horizontal louvers 102, while the remaining rainwater RW that is not drained flows down onto the upper surface of the adjacent horizontal louvers 102 on the below-water side.

[0082] The amount of rainwater RW2 that further flows down onto the adjacent downstream horizontal louvers 102 is significantly less than the amount of rainwater RW1 that originally flowed down onto the above-water horizontal louvers 100. Therefore, when the rainwater overcomes the jump-up bend 120 formed further downstream of the downstream horizontal louvers 102, it travels along the tip folded portion 121 of the jump-up bend 120 (not shown in Fig. 4(b)) to the underside of the jump-up bend 120 due to viscous resistance, in the same principle as shown in Fig. 4(a), and immediately thereafter flows down into the rain gutter 50 through the rainwater drainage gap 150.

[0083] In this way, the rainwater RW flows into the gutter 50 in stages from the rainwater drainage gaps 150 formed overall in the longitudinal direction between adjacent horizontal louvers according to the number of horizontal louvers 100 arranged side by side at the upper opening of the gutter 50. Eventually, all the rainwater RW flows into the gutter 50 from these rainwater drainage gaps 150, or further, it flows down into the gutter 50 from the rainwater drainage gap 150b between the jump-up bend 120 of the horizontal louver 101 furthest above the water and the upper opening 51 of the gutter 50.

[0084] When the wind is strong as indicated by the arrow from left to right in Fig. 4, part of the rainwater RW that flows down from the rain gutter 50 onto the horizontal louvers 100 is pushed back to the underside of the eaves 91 of the roof 90 by the force of the wind and flows into the rainwater drainage gap 150a on the most above-water side. As a result, part of the rainwater RW flows down into the rain gutter 50 from the rainwater drainage gap 150 between the above-water end folded portion 110 of the horizontal louvers 100 on the most above-water side and the edge of the above-water opening of the rain gutter 50.

[0085] According to the present invention, regardless of the amount of rain flowing from the roof of the building or the strength of the wind blowing on the building along with the rain, rainwater flows down efficiently into the gutter through the rainwater drainage gaps formed between adjacent horizontal louvers along almost the entire longitudinal direction as appropriate to the situation, the rainwater drainage gaps between the upward bend of the horizontal louver located furthest below water and the edge of the upper opening of the gutter, and the rainwater drainage gap between the folded portion of the above-water end of the horizontal louver located furthest above water and the upper opening of the gutter.

[0086] In addition, the structure of the present invention can of course prevent fallen leaves that flow down from the roof with rainwater or leaves that fall from trees due to the wind from getting caught in the rainwater drainage gaps between adjacent horizontal louvers. This makes it possible to avoid the situation where the gutter itself becomes unable to drain due to further leaves piling up on fallen leaves that have once gotten caught in the drainage section formed on a plane that is approximately parallel to the upper opening of the gutter over the entire surface, as occurs with conventional mesh-type and punched metal-type gutter covers.

[0087] The following points of the present invention are particularly noteworthy: As shown in Figures 4(a) and (b), the rainwater drainage gaps 250 between adjacent horizontal louvers are formed to open in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface on which the horizontal louvers 200 are arranged side by side (see dotted line PL in the figure), so that fallen leaves fall onto the louvers and the leaves or stems of the fallen leaves do not get caught or get stuck in the rainwater drainage gaps 250 between the adjacent horizontal louvers 200.

[0088] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figures 4(a) and (b), even in the small rainwater drainage gap 250 between the above-water end of the horizontal louver 200 arranged at the above-water end in the width direction and the above-water edge 51b of the upper opening 51 of the gutter 50, and between the below-water curved folded portion 220 of the horizontal louver 200 arranged at the below-water end 221 and the below-water edge 51a of the upper opening 51 of the gutter 50, the risk of part of a fallen leaf or part of a stem getting caught or entering therein is significantly smaller than with other conventional mesh-type gutter 50 covers or punched metal-type gutter covers.

[0089] And, even if the fallen leaves FL that have fallen onto the upper surface of each horizontal louver 200 are subsequently blown up again by the wind and fall to the ground of the building, or even if rain that has fallen on the roof 90 runs down the roof 90 and flows down forcefully from the eaves 91, the leaves FL are pushed by the flow of the rainwater and pass over the gutter 50 by the force of the rainwater RW and fall to the ground, without getting caught in the rainwater drainage gaps 250 formed between the horizontal louvers 200 or the rainwater drainage gaps 250 formed between the horizontal louvers 200 and the upper openings 51 of the gutter 50.

[0090] In this way, even if fallen leaves FL fall onto the horizontal louvers 200 in this embodiment, the fallen leaves FL do not accumulate directly at the upper opening of the rain gutter 50 and do not adversely affect the drainage of rainwater RW, completely unlike conventional rain gutter covers.

[0091] In particular, if a large pine tree is planted near a building, in the season of typhoons or large low pressure systems, the pine needles PL may be blown away by strong winds and fall onto the roof 90 or eaves 91. Pine needles PL are different from the fallen leaves FL of deciduous trees, which are usually flat, in that the leaves themselves are pointed.

[0092] Therefore, in the case of a gutter 50 equipped with a conventional mesh-structured gutter cover or a punched metal-type gutter cover, when a number of pine leaves, each of which has a sharp point, fall in a clump, the pine leaves PL can easily become stuck in the numerous mesh openings or numerous punched metal holes formed parallel to the top surface of the gutter cover, and become unable to be removed.

[0093] Once a pine leaf PL gets caught in such a conventional gutter cover, the sharp part of the pine leaf PL gets stuck deeply into the mesh or punched metal holes, so that even if the wind blows again or rainwater RW flows down from the roof 90, the pine leaf PL will not come off the gutter cover and fall to the ground. Conversely, other pine leaves PL fall from the pine tree one after another and quickly accumulate locally in the area.

[0094] In a gutter 50 equipped with a gutter cover having a conventional mesh-type netting or punched metal-type hole structure, rainwater RW cannot be properly drained into the gutter 50, and in the worst case scenario, it will run down the side walls of the building, causing a deterioration in the strength of the building itself and the infiltration of rainwater RW into the interior of the building.

[0095] However, according to this embodiment, the possibility of pine needles getting caught in the rainwater drainage gap 150 is extremely low. This instantly solves the problems that arise when a conventional rain gutter cover is used.

[0096] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The second embodiment has a basic configuration in common with the first embodiment, but differs from the first embodiment in that the shape of the horizontal louvers in the second embodiment is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0097] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction corresponding to Fig. 1 showing the second embodiment. More specifically, Fig. 5 specifying the second embodiment has a basic configuration in common with Fig. 1 specifying the first embodiment, but the shapes of the horizontal louvers are different from each other as described above.

[0098] Therefore, in Figures 1 and 5, the same symbols are used for common configurations and detailed descriptions are omitted, and for the horizontal louvers 200, which have different configurations, only the symbols in the 100 range are changed and they are described in detail in Figures 6 and 7 described below.

[0099] Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a cover 20 for preventing accumulation of fallen leaves in a rain gutter according to a second embodiment of the present invention, viewed from diagonally above. Fig. 7 is a perspective view of each component constituting the second embodiment 20 of the present invention shown in Fig. 6. More specifically, the horizontal louver 200 shown in Figs. 6 and 7 is different from the horizontal louver 100 shown in Fig. 3 in that the horizontal louver 200 is slightly folded in a valley fold overall along the longitudinal direction at the approximate center in the width direction of the horizontal louver 200. That is, the top surface of the horizontal louver 200 has a valley fold 230 formed over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver 200.

[0100] Furthermore, since the louver support mounting member 600 shown in Figure 7(b) has basically the same configuration as the louver support mounting member 600 in the first embodiment 10 shown in Figures 2 and 3, the description of the configuration of the first embodiment 10 will be reused and the description of the louver support mounting member in the second embodiment 20 will be omitted.

[0101] In the second embodiment 20, as in the first embodiment 10, rainwater drainage gaps 251, 252, 253 (250) of a predetermined width are formed between adjacent horizontal louvers along the entire longitudinal direction in a direction approximately perpendicular to the top surface of the horizontal louver 200, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

[0102] The vicinity of the underwater end of each horizontal louver 200 in the width direction is folded back while curving downward (towards the rain gutter when installed) in a U-shape in end view over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver 200. The vicinity of the abovewater end of the width direction of the horizontal louver 200 is also folded back while curving downward (towards the rain gutter when installed) over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver 200 while curving downward (towards the rain gutter when installed) in a U-shape in end view over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver 200.

[0103] Furthermore, by taking advantage of the difference in shape (the way of folding) between the above-water side curved fold portion 210 and the below-water side curved fold portion 220, each horizontal louver 200 is attached to the louver support mounting member 600 in a predetermined positional relationship so as to form a gap for rainwater drainage between adjacent above-water side horizontal louvers 200 and below-water side horizontal louvers 200 over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers 200.

[0104] 8(a), in the second embodiment 20, the underwater curved folded portion 220 of the horizontal louver 200 is folded back to form a curved surface with a relatively small radius of curvature. Therefore, a screw 660 is screwed into a predetermined location of the louver support mounting member 600, and the lower folded surface of the folded portion of the underwater side horizontal louver 200 is elastically deformed by the head 661 of the screw 660 and warped upward, thereby forming desired rainwater drainage gaps 251, 252, ... (250) between adjacent horizontal louvers 200.

[0105] On the other hand, as another aspect of the second embodiment 20, when the water-underside curved fold 220 of the horizontal louvers 200 is folded back so as to form a curved surface with a relatively large radius of curvature (see FIG. 8(b)), it is possible to form the desired rainwater drainage gap 250 between adjacent horizontal louvers by placing the fold back portion on the louver support mounting member 600 as described above and fixing it with an appropriate fastening means (not shown) without screwing the screws 660 into the specified locations. This aspect will be explained further in the latter half of this embodiment below.

[0106] In the second embodiment 20, a rainwater drainage gap 250b similar to that of the first embodiment 10 is formed between the above-water side curved return portion 210 of the horizontal louver 200 arranged most above the water among the horizontal louvers 200 arranged in a row from above the water side to below the water side, and the edge portion 51a of the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50. In addition, a rainwater drainage gap 250a of a predetermined width is formed over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers between the below-water side curved return portion 220 of the horizontal louver 200 arranged most below the water among the horizontal louvers 200 arranged in a row from above the water side to below the water side, and the edge portion 51b of the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50.

[0107] These rainwater drainage gaps 250 extending over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers all have a predetermined width equivalent to that of the first embodiment 10. That is, similar to the action of the above-mentioned first embodiment 10, only the rainwater RW that flows down from the roof 90 and drops from the eaves 91 is allowed to flow down in stages into the gutter 50 in a predetermined amount from the rainwater drainage gaps 250 on the above-water side to the rainwater drainage gaps 250 on the below-water side.

[0108] Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, even if fallen leaves FL that have fallen onto the upper surface of the horizontal louvers 200 or fallen over the entire surface of the roof are carried down onto the upper surface of the horizontal louvers 200 by wind or rainwater RW, these rainwater drainage gaps are designed to prevent part of the fallen leaves FL from entering or getting caught in each of the rainwater drainage gaps 250.

[0109] As in the first embodiment, the horizontal louver 200 has openings of rainwater drainage gaps 251, 252, 253, . . . (250) through which rainwater RW flows down to the rain gutter 50 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the upper surface of the horizontal louver 200.

[0110] As a result, even if there are trees near the building, as in the first embodiment, leaves FL that fall from the trees during the leaf-shedding season do not accumulate on the top of the gutter 50 and do not interfere with the drainage function of the gutter itself.

[0111] Furthermore, as in the first embodiment, even if pine trees are planted near a building and some of the pine leaves fall as fallen pine leaves PL due to strong winds associated with a typhoon or low pressure, the sharp parts of the fallen pine leaves PL do not have numerous holes formed on their upper surface, as in the case of conventional mesh-type gutter covers or punched metal-type gutter covers.

[0112] This prevents sharp fallen pine leaves PL from pine trees from getting stuck and caught in the rainwater drainage gap, causing the fallen pine leaves PL and the fallen leaves FL of other deciduous trees to pile up, as was the case in the past.

[0113] The operation of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 8(a) and (b). In Fig. 8(b), a slightly different way in which rainwater flows down based on the unique configuration of the horizontal louver of the second embodiment from that of the first embodiment will be described in detail. Unlike the structure of the first embodiment in which a bounce-back bend is provided on the water-underside of the horizontal louver, the horizontal louver of the second embodiment has a curved bend on the water-underside of the horizontal louver that is folded back over the entire length to form a rounded curved bend surface with a certain radius of curvature. Then, the rainwater flows along the surface of this curved bend surface, with the viscous resistance of the rainwater acting on the surface of the curved bend surface, and then the rainwater flows down from the rainwater drainage gap into the rain gutter due to the gravity of the rainwater itself.

[0114] The dotted line drawn in a direction approximately perpendicular to the top surface of the horizontal louver in Figure 8(b) has the same meaning as the two-dotted line shown in Figure 4, so its content is also used in this figure showing the second embodiment and a detailed explanation will be omitted here.

[0115] As for the fallen leaves shown by the dotted line in Figure 8(b), like the first embodiment, leaves that fall from the roof along with rainwater or leaves blown down by the wind from trees near the roof do not get stuck in the rainwater drainage gaps formed over almost the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers, and the stems of the leaves do not get caught.

[0116] Figure 8(c) is an explanatory diagram showing that a rainwater drainage gap 251 (250) for directing rainwater into the rain gutter 50 is formed throughout the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver 200 between the underwater end of the horizontal louver 200 having the basic configuration of the second embodiment having a underwater curved fold portion 220 different from the horizontal louvers shown in Figures 5 to 7 and Figures 8(a) and (b) and the widthwise abovewater end of the adjacent belowwater side horizontal louver 202.

[0117] In addition, the below-water side curved fold portion 220 of the horizontal louver 200 shown in Figure 8 (c) has a radius of curvature that is basically the same as that of the below-water side curved fold portion 220 of the horizontal louver 200 shown in Figures 10 (a-3), (b-3), and (c-3) described below, and is folded back while maintaining a radius of curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of the above-water side curved fold portions of these horizontal louvers.

[0118] As can be seen from the configurations of Figures 10(a-3), (b-3), and (c-3), this has the advantage that it makes it possible to omit the work process of Figure 8(a), in which the screw of Figure 8(a) is screwed into the louver support mounting member and the head of the screw is used to raise the curved folded portion of the horizontal louver below the waterline by the height of the head of the screw above the louver support mounting member.

[0119] The horizontal louvers shown in Fig. 8(c) differ from the horizontal louvers shown in Fig. 8(b) in that the radius of curvature of the curved return portion on the belowwater side of the horizontal louvers located above the water is larger than the radius of curvature of the curved return portion on the abovewater side of the horizontal louvers located below the water. By using such horizontal louvers, there is no need to provide a screw member for curving up the return portion of the belowwater end of the horizontal louvers as described above, and a gap for rainwater drainage can be formed simply by pressing the horizontal louvers directly against the louver support mounting member, which is different from the horizontal louvers having the configuration shown in Fig. 8(b).

[0120] In Figure 8(c), because the radius of curvature of the curved return part above the water of the horizontal louvers is large, rainwater that flows into this part of the return part spreads out in the longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers, making it possible to reduce the overall thickness of the layer of flowing rainwater. It can be seen that by making full use of the viscous resistance of the rainwater, the rainwater is reliably allowed to flow along the curved return part below the water, formed by the gently curved surface of the horizontal louvers, and then flows down into the gutter through the rainwater drainage gap. .

[0121] The fallen leaves indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8(c) are similar to the fallen leaves indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. 8(b), and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

[0122] 9 shows a configuration corresponding to a modified example of the second embodiment. More specifically, the horizontal louvers 201, 202 (200) have the same configuration as the horizontal louvers 200 used in the second embodiment, but unlike the second embodiment, this shows a state in which the present invention is applied when the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50 opens on a horizontal plane, and the two horizontal louvers 201, 202 supported by the louver support attachment member 700 are attached to the upper opening of the rain gutter in a state in which the two louvers are arranged side by side in the horizontal direction, similar to the opening on the horizontal plane.

[0123] In addition, rainwater drainage gaps 151 (the central rainwater drainage gap in Figure 9) between adjacent horizontal louvers, rainwater drainage gaps 50b formed between the widthwise above-water curved fold portions 210 of the horizontal louvers 201, 202 arranged side by side at the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50 and the edge portion 51a of the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50, and rainwater drainage gaps 250b, 250a formed between the below-water curved fold portions 220 of the horizontal louvers 201, 202 and the edge portion 51b of the upper opening 51 of the rain gutter 50, which have the same effect as the first and second embodiments.

[0124] In addition, the louver support mounting member 700 has special engagement portions 710, 720 at both ends for forming the respective rainwater drainage gaps 250b, 250a, and thus its configuration is slightly different from that of the louver support mounting members of the first and second embodiments.

[0125] However, the above-water side engagement portion 710 of the louver support mounting member 700 is inverted U-shaped and is designed to be fitted from above into the above-water side rising portion of the above-water side opening 51 of the gutter 50, and the below-water side end portion 720 of the louver support mounting member 700 has an angular U-shape that elastically engages with an engagement bent portion 750 with both ends bent inwardly at the upper opening 51 of the gutter 50, thereby further increasing the engagement force with the gutter 50 compared to the first and second embodiments, allowing for a more secure fixation.

[0126] 9 is provided with a fixing screw 790 at the center in the longitudinal direction, and this fixing screw 790 is screwed into a predetermined position of the louver support mounting member 700. The position at which this fixing screw 790 is screwed is a position at which the head 791 of the fixing screw 790 can be used to bend the belowwater curved folded back portion 220 of the abovewater side horizontal louver 201 of the two horizontal louvers 201, 202 while elastically deforming it by a predetermined amount. By bending the belowwater side curved folded back portion 220 of the abovewater side horizontal louver 201 upward in this manner, a gap 251 for draining rainwater to the rain gutter 50 described above is formed between it and the abovewater side curved folded back portion 210 of the belowwater side horizontal louver 202.

[0127] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view perpendicular to the longitudinal direction showing the horizontal louvers according to each embodiment of the present invention and their modified examples. More specifically, the three horizontal louvers shown in Fig. 10(a) have a basic structure common to the horizontal louvers of the first embodiment. That is, the center of each horizontal louver in the width direction is slightly folded so that the top surface of the horizontal louver forms a slight mountain shape over the entire longitudinal direction.

[0128] The horizontal louver shown in Fig. 10(a-1) has the same shape as the horizontal louver according to the first embodiment. In addition, the horizontal louver shown in Fig. 10(a-2) has the folded-back portions formed at both ends of the horizontal louver in the width direction folded back with the same radius of curvature. In this case, as described above, the head of the screw portion screwed into the louver support mounting member abuts against the lower surface of the horizontal louver's downstream curved folded-back portion 220, elastically deforming the horizontal louver by the height of the head of the screw portion and pushing the horizontal louver's downstream curved folded-back portion 220 upward, thereby forming a rainwater drainage gap over the entire length of the horizontal louver between the horizontal louver and the upstream curved folded-back portion 210 of the horizontal louver adjacent to the horizontal louver on the downstream side.

[0129] Moreover, the horizontal louver shown in FIG. 10(a-3) is formed so that the radius of curvature of the belowwater side curved return portion 220 is larger than the radius of curvature of the abovewater side curved return portion 210 in the width direction of the horizontal louver.

[0130] In this way, the radius of curvature of the belowwater side curved turn-back portion 220 of the horizontal louvers is formed larger than the radius of curvature of the abovewater side curved turn-back portion 210 of the horizontal louvers, so that when the horizontal louvers are attached to the upper opening of the gutter via the louver support attachment member, the abovewater side curved turn-back portion 210 of the horizontal louvers arranged below the water is attached in a state where it is folded back slightly relative to the belowwater side curved turn-back portion 220 of the horizontal louvers. Then, by fixing adjacent horizontal louvers to the louver support attachment member at a desired interval in the width direction, a rainwater drainage gap is inevitably generated in this portion over the entire length of the horizontal louvers, and this rainwater drainage gap allows rainwater to flow into the gutter.

[0131] In addition, with the configuration of the horizontal louvers shown in Fig. 10(a-3), there is no need to screw a screw part into the louver support mounting member to elastically deform the underwater curved folded part of the horizontal louvers upwards, as with the horizontal louvers shown in Fig. 10(a-2). In other words, by mounting the horizontal louvers directly to the louver support mounting member, a step and a gap for rainwater drainage will inevitably be created between the underwater curved folded part of the horizontal louvers on the abovewater side and the abovewater curved folded part of the horizontal louvers on the belowwater side, so when mounting the horizontal louvers to the louver support mounting member, it is possible to omit the task of screwing a screw part into the louver support mounting member to increase the height of the underwater end of the horizontal louvers by a specified amount.

[0132] Moreover, the three horizontal louvers shown in Fig. 10(b) are different from the horizontal louvers shown in Fig. 10(a), but have a basic structure common to the horizontal louvers of the second embodiment, as introduced in the second embodiment. That is, the center of each horizontal louver in the width direction is slightly folded, so that the top surface of the horizontal louver forms a slightly deep valley along the entire length.

[0133] The horizontal louver shown in Fig. 10(b-1) has a shape in which the approximate center of the width direction of the horizontal louver according to the first embodiment is changed from a mountain fold to a valley fold, and the horizontal louver shown in Fig. 10(b-2) has the same shape as the horizontal louver according to the second embodiment.

[0134] Even in this case, at the underwater end of each horizontal louver, the head of the screw part that is screwed into the louver support mounting member abuts against the underside of the underwater curved fold portion 220 of the horizontal louver, pushing this underwater curved fold portion upward while elastically deforming it by the height of the head of the screw part.

[0135] This forms a gap for draining rainwater between the above-water curved return portion 210 of the horizontal louver adjacent to the horizontal louver on the downstream side, over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver.

[0136] 10(b-3), the horizontal louver shown in Fig. 10(b-3) is formed such that the radius of curvature of the belowwater curved fold 220 is larger than the radius of curvature of the abovewater curved fold 210 of the horizontal louver, as in Fig. 10(a-3). Since the radius of curvature of the belowwater curved fold 220 of the horizontal louver is larger than the radius of curvature of the abovewater curved fold 210 of the horizontal louver in this way, when the horizontal louver is attached to the upper opening of the rain gutter via the attachment member, the abovewater curved fold 210 of the horizontal louver arranged below the water is attached in a state where it is folded back slightly relative to the belowwater curved fold 220 of the horizontal louver, so that a rainwater drainage gap is necessarily generated in this portion over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver, and this rainwater drainage gap allows rainwater to flow into the rain gutter.

[0137] In addition, with the configuration of the horizontal louvers shown in Fig. 10(b-3), there is no need to screw a screw part into the louver support mounting member to elastically deform the underwater curved folded part 220 of the horizontal louvers upwards, as with the horizontal louvers shown in Fig. 10(b-2). In other words, by mounting the horizontal louvers directly to the louver support mounting member, a step and gap will inevitably occur between the underwater curved folded part 220 of the horizontal louvers on the abovewater side and the abovewater curved folded part of the horizontal louvers on the belowwater side, so it is possible to omit the task of screwing a screw part into the louver support mounting member to increase the height of the underwater end of the horizontal louvers by a specified amount when mounting the horizontal louvers to the louver support mounting member.

[0138] The horizontal louvers shown in Figure 10(c) differ from the horizontal louvers shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b) in that they are not folded in the longitudinal direction at approximately the center of the width of the horizontal louvers, and have a flat planar shape except for the folded-over portions at both ends in the width direction.

[0139] The horizontal louver shown in Fig. 10(c-1) is a horizontal louver having an equivalent structure to the horizontal louver according to the second embodiment, except for the valley fold at approximately the center of the width direction. In addition, the horizontal louver shown in Fig. 10(c-2) has the folded parts formed at both ends of the horizontal louver in the width direction folded with the same radius of curvature as in Fig. 10(a-2) and Fig. 10(b-2). Even in this case, the head of the screw part screwed into the louver support mounting member abuts against the lower surface of the downstream curved folded part 220 of the horizontal louver, elastically deforming the downstream curved folded part 220 by the height of the head of the screw part, and pushing the downstream curved folded part 220 upward, thereby forming a rainwater drainage gap over the entire length of the horizontal louver between the upstream curved folded part 210 of the horizontal louver adjacent to the downstream side of the horizontal louver.

[0140] In addition, the horizontal louver shown in Figure 10 (c-3) is formed so that the radius of curvature of the belowwater side curved fold portion 220 is larger than the radius of curvature of the abovewater side curved fold portion 210 of the horizontal louver, similar to Figures 10 (a-3) and 10 (b-3).

[0141] With this configuration, when the horizontal louvers are attached to the upper opening of the rain gutter via the attachment members, the above-water curved fold back portion 210 of the horizontal louvers arranged below the water is slightly folded back relative to the below-water curved fold back portion 220 of the horizontal louvers. As a result, a gap for draining rainwater is inevitably generated over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers.

[0142] Figures 11 and 12 are explanatory diagrams that show the entire configuration more clearly than the diagrams of the first embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5. In the following explanation, the main reference numerals are given to the respective components in the drawings, and the description thereof is omitted.

[0143] FIG. 11(a) is an explanatory diagram showing how rainwater is drained into the gutter when the amount of rainwater is relatively small and the flow rate is slow in the first embodiment. FIG. 11(b) is an explanatory diagram showing how rainwater is drained into the gutter when the amount of rainwater increases to a medium level compared to FIG. 11(a) and the flow rate increases accordingly. The symbol FL in FIG. 11(a), FIG. 11(b) and FIG. 12(a) represents fallen leaves that fall from trees and flow down from the roof together with the rainwater. The symbol PL in FIG. 12(b) represents fallen pine leaves that fall from pine trees and flow down together with the rainwater. The same applies to the symbols FL and PL in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14.

[0144] Fig. 12(a) is an explanatory diagram showing how rainwater is drained into the gutter when the amount of rainwater is larger and the flow speed is correspondingly faster than in Fig. 11(b) in the first embodiment. Fig. 12(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in the first embodiment where pine leaves fall onto the roof as fallen leaves and then flow down into the gutter together with the rainwater or are blown by the wind from nearby trees and fall onto the gutter.

[0145] 11(a) shows how rainwater RW drains into the gutter 50 when the amount of rainwater RW flowing down from the eaves of the roof is small. In this figure, the rainwater RW flowing down from the eaves of the roof onto the horizontal louvers 101 spreads along the length of the horizontal louvers 101 and jumps up as it tries to overcome the bent parts. At this stage, the speed of the flow suddenly slows down and the thickness of the layer of rainwater RW flowing down the horizontal louvers becomes thinner, so that the rainwater RW does not flow down from the horizontal louvers 101 located furthest above the water onto the horizontal louvers 102 located in the middle, and the rainwater RW drains into the gutter 50 from the rainwater drainage gaps 151 formed between these horizontal louvers before that.

[0146] In addition, fallen leaves FL that have been blown down from trees by the wind as indicated by the arrows on the upper side of the figure do not affect the rainwater drainage gap 150 while resting on the horizontal louvers 100. In other words, it can be seen that the structure is such that the leaves FL will not get caught in the rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152, 150a, 150b (150) formed over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers 101 and clog the rainwater drainage gap 150 with the accumulation of fallen leaves FL.

[0147] Figure 11(b) shows a case where the amount and speed of rainwater RW flowing down from the eaves 51 of the rainwater RW is faster than that of Figure 11(a). Similarly, the wind force indicated by the arrow going from the left side to the right side in the figure is also stronger. In this case, the amount of rainwater RW is larger, so as explained in Figure 11(b), a certain amount of rainwater RW1 flows down into the rain gutter 50 from the rainwater drainage gap 150 formed over the entire length of the horizontal louvers between the horizontal louvers 101 located at the most above water side and the horizontal louvers 101 located in the middle, and the remaining rainwater RW2 jumps out from the jump-up bend of the horizontal louvers 101 located on the above water side and flows down onto the top surface of the horizontal louvers 102 located in the middle.

[0148] Then, as the remaining rainwater RW2 flows down toward the top surface of the centrally located horizontal louver 102 with the impact of falling, the kinetic energy of the remaining rainwater RW2 is significantly reduced at the stage of flowing down onto the horizontal louver 102. At the same time, even at this stage, the rainwater RW2 that has flowed down onto the centrally located horizontal louver 102 is diffused over the entire longitudinal direction of the centrally located horizontal louver 102. Due to this situation as well, the flow speed of the rainwater RW2 on the centrally located horizontal louver 102 is significantly reduced and the thickness of the flow layer of the rainwater RW2 becomes thinner.

[0149] Then, the remaining rainwater RW2 that flows down onto the central horizontal louver 102 further loses its kinetic energy due to friction generated between the surface of the upward bending portion of the central horizontal louver 102 and the viscous resistance of the rainwater RW2 as it flows up the upward bending portion of the downstream end of the central horizontal louver 102.

[0150] In this way, the rainwater RW2 flowing down and attempting to cross the upward bend of the horizontal louver 102 located in the middle becomes in a state where its kinetic energy is extremely reduced, and flows down into the gutter 50 through the rainwater drainage gap 150 formed between the horizontal louver 102 located in the middle and the above-water end folded portion 110 of the horizontal louver 103 located furthest below the water, along the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver 101.

[0151] This makes it possible for the rainwater RW to gradually flow down into the gutter 50 in accordance with its amount and speed, even if the amount of rainwater RW increases and the flow speed of the rainwater RW increases as shown in Figure 11 (b), through the rainwater drainage gaps 150 formed between the horizontal louvers 101 of the present invention and the rainwater drainage gaps 151, 152 formed along almost the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers.

[0152] Furthermore, it can be easily understood from these drawings that even if fallen leaves FL that have been blown up and spread across the roof flow down from the roof together with rainwater RW, or even if fallen leaves FL are blown down by the wind from trees near the roof, the fallen leaves FL do not accumulate on the horizontal louvers 101 and reduce the drainage efficiency of the rainwater RW.

[0153] FIG. 12(a) shows how the rainwater RW drains when the speed is even faster than in FIG. 11 and a fairly strong wind is blowing from the left side to the right side in the figure.

[0154] Figure 12(b) corresponds to the content shown in Figure 4 above, and shows the state of particularly troublesome fallen leaves FL, namely pine leaves PL which tend to get caught or pierce conventional mesh or punched metal type gutters 50 and quickly accumulate on the gutter cover, flowing down from the eaves 51 of the roof together with rainwater RW or being blown down by the wind from trees near the roof.

[0155] Even in this case, as shown in Figure 12(b), the fallen pine leaves PL remain resting on the horizontal louvers 101 arranged in a row from the above-water side to the below-water side, and it can be easily seen from this figure that they do not get caught in the rainwater drainage gaps 150 that are formed throughout the longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers 101, but eventually fall along with the rain or are blown by the wind from the end of the rain gutter 50 to the ground next to the building.

[0156] Figures 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams that are easier to understand overall than the diagram of the second embodiment shown in Figure 9. The contents of Figures 13 and 14 correspond to the contents of Figures 11 and 12 described above, and have the same effects, but the differences are as follows. In the following explanation, the main reference numerals are used to denote the respective components, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0157] Specifically, in the first embodiment shown in Figures 11 and 12, the underwater lower end of the horizontal louver 101 is a raised bend formed along the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver 101, whereas in the second embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14, the underwater end of the horizontal louver 200 is formed from a folded portion that is folded back while having a certain radius of curvature along the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver 101, which is a difference between the two configurations.

[0158] More specifically, Fig. 13(a) is an explanatory diagram showing how the rainwater RW is drained into the rain gutter 50 in the second embodiment when the amount of the rainwater RW is relatively small and the flow rate is slow. Also, Fig. 13(b) is an explanatory diagram showing how the rainwater RW is drained into the rain gutter 50 when the amount of the rainwater RW increases to a medium level compared to Fig. 13(a) and the flow rate increases accordingly.

[0159] Fig. 14(a) is an explanatory diagram showing how the rainwater RW is drained into the gutter 50 in the second embodiment when the amount of rainwater RW is greater and the flow speed is correspondingly faster than in Fig. 13(b). Fig. 14(b) is an explanatory diagram showing the state in the first embodiment where pine leaves PL fall onto the roof and then flow down into the gutter 50 together with the rainwater RW or are blown by the wind from nearby trees and fall onto the gutter 50.

[0160] The unique operational effects of the second embodiment shown in Figures 13 and 14 based on the above-mentioned differences in configuration have already been explained in Figures 9(b) and (c), so the contents of those explanations will be reused and the explanation will be omitted here.

[0161] As is clear from the above explanation, if there are trees near a building, during the leaf-fall season, the leaves from the trees will fall all over the roof at once due to the influence of typhoons or low pressure systems. The leaves will then be blown up again by the wind blowing against the roof and will fall onto the gutters, and as the rain that falls on the roof flows down as rainwater from the ridge of the roof to the eaves, the leaves that have fallen onto the roof and stayed on it will also flow down together with the rainwater.

[0162] In this case, according to this embodiment, rainwater flows down from the eaves onto the top surfaces of the horizontal louvers, and then flows down stepwise into the gutter from the horizontal louvers above the water on the upstream side to the horizontal louvers below the water through the rainwater drainage gaps formed between the adjacent horizontal louvers.

[0163] However, as mentioned above, fallen leaves that fall from the eaves onto the horizontal louvers along with rainwater remain on the top surface of the horizontal louvers and do not get caught in the rainwater drainage gaps between the horizontal louvers through which rainwater can enter.Instead, they flow down together with the rainwater that gradually decreases in volume across the entire top surface of the horizontal louvers, just like a small boat going down a mountain stream.

[0164] The rainwater eventually flows down into the gutter through the rainwater drainage gap formed between the downstream end of the horizontal louver on the downstream side and the upper edge of the upper opening of the gutter, but the fallen leaves do not get caught in or enter this rainwater drainage gap, but instead fall toward the ground of the building with the momentum of the rainwater.

[0165] In this way, even if leaves fall on the entire surface of the roof in front of the roof and rain falls at the same time or after a while, in either case, it is possible to prevent the leaves from piling up on the top of the cover all at once, as in the case of conventional net-type rain gutter covers or punched metal-type rain gutter covers, and the rainwater cannot drain from the rain gutter and instead runs down the side walls of the building itself. In this way, the present invention can reliably prevent damage to the building and rainwater from entering the interior of the building.

[0166] It goes without saying that the shape, material, dimensions, number, formation direction and angle of each component of the present invention are not limited to those shown in the above-mentioned first and second embodiments and their modified examples, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the effect of the present invention.

[0167] Specifically, various shapes of the horizontal louvers 101, for example, shapes from Fig. 10(a-1) to Fig. 10(c-3), are applicable to the present invention. In addition, as long as the rainwater drainage gap 150 that exerts the effect of the present invention can be substantially formed, these various types of horizontal louvers 101 may be appropriately combined.

[0168] As for the material, an aluminum alloy plate material is excellent for the horizontal louvers 101 in terms of light weight, workability, cost, and ease of construction, but the material is not limited to this, and any plate material made of a material that exerts the effect of the present invention can be used instead. The number of horizontal louvers 101 arranged side by side at the upper opening of the rain gutter 50 can be any number as long as it is two or more.

[0169] Furthermore, as long as the rainwater drainage gap 150 shown in each of the above-mentioned embodiments and their modified examples is formed between adjacent horizontal louvers over almost the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers, it is not necessarily necessary to form a rainwater drainage gap 150 between the folded portion of the above-water end of the horizontal louver 101 located furthest above the water and the edge of the upper opening of the rain gutter 50.

[0170] Similarly, as long as the rainwater drainage gap 150 shown in the above-mentioned embodiments and their modified examples is formed between adjacent horizontal louvers 101 over almost the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers, it is not necessarily required that the rainwater drainage gap 150 be formed between the below-water side upward bend portion shown in the first embodiment of the horizontal louver 101 positioned furthest below the water and the edge of the upper opening of the rain gutter 50, or between the below-water side curved fold portion shown in the second embodiment and Figure 10 and the edge of the upper opening of the rain gutter 50.

[0171] Also, for example, in the first embodiment, the upper surface or the lower surface or both surfaces of the upward bends formed on the widthwise downstream side of the horizontal louvers over the entire length of the horizontal louvers may be surface-treated by an appropriate method such as sandblasting to create fine irregularities, thereby increasing the contact area between rainwater flowing through the irregular regions and the surfaces of the upward bends.

[0172] As a result, the viscous resistance of the rainwater itself is fully applied to the surface of the upward bend, further slowing down the speed of the rainwater, allowing more rainwater to flow down into the gutter more reliably through the rainwater drainage gaps provided below the upward bend along the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver.

[0173] Similarly, the upper or lower surface or both surfaces of the folded portion formed on the widthwise water side of the horizontal louver over the entire length of the horizontal louver in the second embodiment may be surface-treated to form fine irregularities by an appropriate method such as sandblasting. This increases the contact area between the rainwater flowing through this uneven area and the surface of the jump-up bend portion. As a result, the viscous resistance of the rainwater itself is fully applied to the surface of the jump-up bend portion, further slowing down the speed of the rainwater, and more rainwater can be more reliably drained into the gutter through the rainwater drainage gap provided on the lower side of the jump-up bend portion over the entire length of the horizontal louver.

[0174] Furthermore, such surface treatment of the horizontal louvers is not limited to being formed only on the upward bends on the widthwise underwater side of the horizontal louvers as in the second embodiment or the curved folds on the underwater side of the horizontal louvers in the second embodiment, but may be formed all over the upper surface of the horizontal louvers down which rainwater flows, thereby further slowing down the speed at which the rainwater flows down the horizontal louvers due to its viscous resistance.

[0175] In addition, instead of processing the horizontal louvers themselves to form fine irregularities, a special sheet having fine irregularities on its surface for reducing the flow rate of rainwater, which has excellent strength, durability, weather resistance, and peeling resistance, or a surface itself having numerous fractal-shaped depressions, may be attached to the horizontal louvers themselves.

[0176] It goes without saying that the size (depth) of the unevenness formed on the horizontal louvers themselves or on the special sheet attached to the horizontal louvers, or the indentations formed on a special sheet whose surface itself has many fractal-shaped indentations, is far smaller than the size (depth) that would trap fallen leaves and prevent them from flowing away with the rainwater, and is of a size, dimension and shape that serves to suddenly slow down only the speed of the rainwater flowing through this uneven area, taking into account the viscous resistance of the rainwater flowing through the uneven area.

[0177] In addition, the rainwater drainage gaps formed between adjacent horizontal louvers are basically formed over the entire length of the horizontal louvers, except for the width of the louver support mounting members that fix each horizontal louver to the rain gutter, but depending on the shape of the building roof and the type and shape of the roofing material (tiles, metal sheets, slate sheets) used for the roof, or the arrangement of the roof surfaces of these roofing materials, the amount of rainwater flowing down from the eaves of the roof generally becomes uneven over the length of the eaves. Therefore, if rainwater drainage gaps are properly formed in places where rainwater is likely to flow down locally from the eaves, the effect of the present invention can be fully achieved.

[0178] In addition, the cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in gutters related to the present invention has an upper surface that is basically flat with only slight valleys and ridges formed, and this surface does not have drainage through holes formed so that the axis of the drainage through holes intersects with the cover surface, as is the case with conventional mesh-type or punched metal-type gutter covers.

[0179] Therefore, when the cover for preventing fallen leaves from accumulating in rain gutters according to the present invention is attached to a rain gutter under the eaves of a roof on the first floor, when a resident of the building wants to clean the top surface of the cover for preventing fallen leaves from accumulating in rain gutters according to the present invention, they can simply stand on the ground under the eaves on the first floor, extend the mop attached to the end of a long-handled mop-like cleaning tool to the cover for preventing fallen leaves from accumulating in rain gutters according to the present invention, and then move it along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal louvers to clean the flat top surface above the horizontal louvers in one go.

[0180] Since the tips of the horizontal louvers are flat, the original shine of the horizontal louvers' material can be beautifully restored simply by moving the tip of a mop or other cleaning tool over this surface, and the appearance of the gutter cover, which is relatively noticeable within a building, can be immediately improved with a simple and safe cleaning operation.

[0181] In addition, there is no need to use a ladder or other device to climb up close to the gutter to thoroughly clean conventional mesh or punched metal gutter covers, which is dangerous. This prevents elderly people cleaning the gutter from accidentally losing their balance and falling to the ground, resulting in serious injury or even death. In other words, the present invention ensures the safety of building residents while allowing cleaning and maintenance of the cover to prevent the accumulation of fallen leaves in the gutter to be carried out without any subsequent physical strain, wasted time, or extra costs. [Explanation of symbols]

[0182] 10 Accumulation prevention cover (first embodiment) 20 Accumulation prevention cover (second embodiment) 50 Rain gutters 51 Upper opening 51a Above water edge (edge) 51b Underwater edge (edge) 60 Drain Pipe 90 Roof 91 Front of the House 101, 102, 103, 104, ···(100) Horizontal louvers 110 Above-water end folded part 111 Width direction water side end 120 Folding part 121 Tip folded part 130 Mountain fold 150a, 150b(150) Rainwater drainage gap 151, 152, 153,...(150) Rainwater drainage gap 201, 202, 203,...(200) Horizontal louvers 210 Above-water curved turn-back section 220 Underwater curved folded part 230 Valley fold 250a, 250b Rainwater drainage gap 251, 252, 253,...(250) Rainwater drainage gap 500 Louver support mounting member 521,522 Lower end 600 Louver support mounting member 610,620 Engagement fold 651 Fixing bracket 652 Fixing screw 660 Bis 661 Head RW Rainwater FL Fallen Leaves PL Pine Leaves

Claims

1. A cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in a rain gutter provided at the eaves, which efficiently drains rainwater flowing down from a roof by preventing fallen leaves from accumulating in the rain gutter, When the cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in the gutter is attached to the gutter at the eaves of a building, two or more horizontal louvers are arranged side by side in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the gutter of the building, and an attachment member is provided for attaching the two or more horizontal louvers to the upper opening of the gutter so that a rainwater drainage gap is formed along the longitudinal direction between the horizontal louvers so that rainwater flowing down from the roof falls into the gutter between the adjacent horizontal louvers, The rainwater drainage gap formed between the adjacent horizontal louvers allows at least a portion of the rainwater flowing down from the eaves to flow down into the gutter, and has an opening width that prevents leaves from falling onto the roof and flowing down along with the rainwater, or from falling directly onto the cover to prevent the cover from getting caught or clogging, causing a large number of leaves to accumulate.

2. A cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in gutters, as described in claim 1, characterized in that rainwater also flows down into the gutter from the widthwise downstream end of the horizontal louver that is positioned furthest downstream in the perpendicular direction among the louvers arranged in the perpendicular direction.

3. A cover for preventing fallen leaves from accumulating in gutters, as described in claim 1, characterized in that rainwater also flows down into the gutter from the widthwise above-water end of the horizontal louver that is positioned furthest above the water in the perpendicular direction among the louvers arranged in the perpendicular direction.

4. A cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in a gutter as described in any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the vicinity of the widthwise underwater end of at least one of the horizontal louvers is raised upward at a predetermined angle over the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver.

5. A cover for preventing the accumulation of fallen leaves in a gutter as described in any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the vicinity of the widthwise underwater end of at least one of the horizontal louvers is curved and folded back toward the gutter to which the horizontal louver is attached along the entire longitudinal direction of the horizontal louver.

Images