Rain gutter system and gutter joints

Abstract

To provide a rain gutter system and gutter joint that can suppress a decrease in workability. [Solution] The rain gutter system has first and second eaves gutters 4a and 4b, each having a base plate and side plates extending upward from both ends in the width direction of the base plate. The second eaves gutter 4b is connected to the downstream side of the first eaves gutter 4a, and the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the second eaves gutter 4b is larger than that of the first eaves gutter 4a. As a result, even if the water slope is kept small, rainwater can be directed downstream by utilizing the property that water tends to flow from the side with a smaller inner width to the side with a larger inner width. Because the water slope can be kept small in this way, a decrease in workability can be suppressed. In addition, because the water slope can be kept small, a decrease in appearance can also be suppressed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a rain gutter system and an eaves gutter joint.

Background Art

[0002] A rain gutter system such as an eaves gutter for draining rainwater falling from the roof to under the eaves, or a valley gutter for draining rainwater falling from two roofs arranged in a valley shape, is provided with a water gradient to allow the rainwater to flow from above the water to below the water, and is drained from a drain hole provided below the water (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

[0006] The present invention has the following aspects. (1) One embodiment of the rain gutter system according to the present invention comprises a first and second eaves gutter having a bottom plate and side plates extending upward from both ends in the width direction of the bottom plate, The second gutter is connected to the downstream side of the first gutter. The drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the second gutter is larger than the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the first gutter.

[0007] In the above-described configuration of the rain gutter system, the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the second gutter connected downstream is larger than that of the first gutter. Therefore, even with a small water gradient, rainwater can be directed from the first gutter to the second gutter downstream by utilizing the property that water tends to flow more easily from the side with a smaller drainage cross-sectional area to the side with a larger drainage cross-sectional area. This allows for a small water gradient, thus preventing a decrease in ease of installation. Furthermore, because the water gradient can be kept small, a decrease in appearance can also be prevented.

[0008] (2) In the embodiment of (1) above, the inner width of the second gutter may be greater than the inner width of the first gutter. The inner width may be expanded from 0 mm to 240 mm.

[0009] In this case, since the inner width of the second gutter connected downstream is greater than the inner width of the first gutter, even if the water slope is kept small, rainwater can be directed from the first gutter to the second gutter downstream by utilizing the property that water tends to flow more easily from the side with the smaller inner width to the side with the larger inner width. This allows the water slope to be kept small, thus preventing a decrease in workability. Furthermore, because the water slope can be kept small, a decrease in appearance can also be prevented.

[0010] (3) In the embodiment of (1) or (2) above, the inner height of the second gutter may be greater than the inner height of the first gutter. The inner height may be extended from 0 mm to 210 mm.

[0011] In this case, since the inner height of the second gutter, which is connected downstream, is greater than the inner height of the first gutter, even if the water slope is kept small, rainwater can be directed from the first gutter to the second gutter downstream by utilizing the property that water tends to flow more easily from the side with the smaller inner height to the side with the larger inner height. This allows the water slope to be kept small, thus preventing a decrease in workability. Furthermore, because the water slope can be kept small, a decrease in appearance can also be prevented.

[0012] (4) In the embodiment of (1) above, the ratio of the expansion of the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the second gutter to the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the first gutter may be 1.2 to 7.1 times. The width may be expanded from 0 mm to 240 mm in the expanded portion. The height may be expanded from 0 mm to 210 mm in the expanded portion.

[0013] In this case, rainwater can be smoothly drained from the first gutter to the second gutter downstream.

[0014] (5) In the embodiment of (1) above, a drain member that induces a siphon effect may be connected to the outlet.

[0015] In this case, rainwater can be smoothly drained from the eaves gutter.

[0016] (6) One embodiment of the gutter joint according to the present invention is a gutter joint for connecting first and second gutters, each having a bottom plate and side plates extending upward from both ends in the width direction of the bottom plate, It has a first connecting portion connected to the first gutter, and a second connecting portion provided downstream of the first connecting portion and connected to the second gutter, The cross-sectional area of ​​the second connecting portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connecting portion.

[0017] The above-described gutter joint configuration allows a first gutter with a small drainage cross-sectional area to be connected to the first connection point, and a second gutter with a large drainage cross-sectional area to be connected to the second connection point. Therefore, the second gutter with a large drainage cross-sectional area can be connected downstream of the first gutter with a small drainage cross-sectional area. This allows rainwater to flow from the first gutter to the second gutter downstream, even with a small water gradient. This reduces the water gradient of both the first and second gutters, thus preventing a decrease in workability. Furthermore, reducing the water gradient of both gutters also prevents a decrease in appearance.

[0018] (7) In the embodiment of (6) above, the inner width of the second connecting portion may be greater than the inner width of the first connecting portion.

[0019] In this case, the first gutter with a smaller inner width can be connected to the first connection point, and the second gutter with a larger inner width can be connected to the second connection point. Thus, the first gutter with a smaller inner width and the second gutter with a larger inner width can be connected. This allows rainwater to flow from the first gutter to the second gutter downstream, even with a small water slope, by utilizing the property that water tends to flow from the side with a smaller inner width to the side with a larger inner width. This reduces the water slope of both the first and second gutters, thus preventing a decrease in workability. Furthermore, reducing the water slope of both the first and second gutters also prevents a decrease in appearance.

[0020] (8) In the embodiment of (6) above, the inner height of the second connecting portion may be greater than the inner height of the first connecting portion.

[0021] In this case, the first eaves gutter with a small inner height can be connected to the first connecting part, and the second eaves gutter with a large inner height can be connected to the second connecting part. Thus, the first eaves gutter with a small inner height and the second eaves gutter with a large inner height can be connected. As a result, even if the water gradient is suppressed to be small, by utilizing the property that water easily flows from the side with a small inner height to the side with a large inner height, rainwater can be made to flow from the first eaves gutter to the second eaves gutter on its downstream side. Thereby, the water gradients of the first eaves gutter and the second eaves gutter can be suppressed to be small, so that a decrease in workability can be suppressed. Also, since the water gradients of the first eaves gutter and the second eaves gutter can be suppressed to be small, a decrease in appearance can also be suppressed.

Advantages of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, a decrease in workability can be suppressed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a plan view showing the overall configuration of the eaves gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a side view showing the overall configuration of the eaves gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view showing an example of a drain member applied to the eaves gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a perspective view showing another example of the upper drain member of the drain member applied to the eaves gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a plan view showing the eaves gutter joint of the eaves gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a side view showing the eaves gutter joint of the eaves gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] It is a front view showing the eaves gutter joint of the eaves gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the first eaves gutter in cross section. [Figure 8] It is a rear view showing the eaves gutter joint of the eaves gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing the second eaves gutter in cross section. [Figure 9] This is a perspective view showing a gutter joint for a rain gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a modified example 1 of the rain gutter system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is a side view showing the overall configuration of a modified example 1 of the rain gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] This is a plan view showing the overall configuration of a modified example 2 of the rain gutter system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] This is a side view showing the overall configuration of a modified example 2 of the rain gutter system according to the embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] The rain gutter system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rain gutter system 1 of this embodiment includes support members 3a to 3c attached to the leading edge of the eaves on the roof 2, a plurality of eaves gutters 4a to 4c supported by the support members 3a to 3c on the roof 2 to receive rainwater falling from the eaves of the roof 2, and a plurality of eaves gutter joints 5ab, 5bc connecting corresponding eaves gutters 4a to 4c. For the convenience of illustration and explanation, here we will explain using as an example a configuration in which the rain gutter system 1 includes an eaves gutter 4a, an eaves gutter 4b, an eaves gutter 4c, an eaves gutter joint 5ab connecting eaves gutters 4a and 4b, an eaves gutter joint 5bc connecting eaves gutters 4b and 4c, a support member 3a supporting the eaves gutter 4a on the roof 2, a support member 3b supporting the eaves gutter 4b on the roof 2, and a support member 3c supporting the eaves gutter 4c on the roof 2. In the following embodiments, a rain gutter system 1 installed at the eaves of a corrugated metal roof (roof 2) will be used as an example for explanation, but there are no particular restrictions on the configuration of the roof on which the rain gutter system 1 is installed. Of course, the present invention is also applicable to so-called valley-type rain gutter systems that drain rainwater falling from two roofs arranged in a valley shape.

[0025] The rain gutter system 1 consists of a gutter 4a, a gutter joint 5ab, a gutter 4b, a gutter joint 5bc, and a gutter 4c, which are connected in this order to form the rain gutter body 6. In the rain gutter body 6, the gutter 4b is connected to the downstream side of the gutter 4a via the gutter joint 5ab, and the gutter 4c is connected to the downstream side of the gutter 4b via the gutter joint 5bc. The gutter 4a, gutter joint 5ab, gutter 4b, gutter joint 5bc, and gutter 4c all have an upward opening.

[0026] Here, the gutter 4b is wider than the gutter 4a, as shown in Figure 1, and taller than the gutter 4a, as shown in Figure 2. The gutter 4c is wider than the gutter 4b, as shown in Figure 1, and taller than the gutter 4b, as shown in Figure 2. The gutter 4a at one end is closed off at the end opposite to the gutter 4b in the longitudinal direction, with an end wall portion 40a. The gutter 4c at the other end is closed off at the end opposite to the gutter 4b in the longitudinal direction, with an end wall portion 40c. The intermediate gutter 4b is open at both ends in the longitudinal direction. As shown in Figure 1, the gutter body 6 has a drain opening 7 on the bottom plate 41c slightly closer to the gutter 4b in the longitudinal direction than the end wall portion 40c of the gutter 4c. The gutter system 1 has a siphon-type drain member 8 connected to this drain opening 7 to induce a siphon effect, and a drain pipe 9 shown in Figure 2 that drains the rainwater flowing down from the drain opening 7 through the drain member 8. In the rain gutter body 6, the eaves gutter 4b is located closer to the outlet 7 than the eaves gutter 4a, and the eaves gutter 4c is located closer to the outlet 7 than the eaves gutter 4b. The drain member 8 provided at the outlet 7 does not have to be of the siphon type.

[0027] The siphon-type drain member 8, as shown in Figure 3, for example, comprises a lower drain member 110, an upper drain member 120, and a siphon section 150 positioned above the upper drain member 120 to generate a siphon effect, and is attached to the gutter 4c. Specifically, the lower drain member 110 is positioned on the lower side of the bottom plate 41c of the gutter 4c, and the upper drain member 120 is positioned on the upper side of the bottom plate 41c. The outer peripheral threaded portion 115 provided at the bottom of the upper drain member 120 is inserted into the drain opening 7 of the bottom plate 41c, and the lower drain member 110 is screwed into the inner peripheral threaded portion 125 of the portion of the outer peripheral threaded portion 115 that protrudes below the bottom plate 41c. As a result, the bottom plate 41c is sandwiched from above and below by the upper drain member 120 and the lower drain member 110, and the drain member 8 is fixed to the bottom plate 41c. The upper drain member 120 includes a lid member 151, a vertical rib 155 connecting the upper drain member 120 and the lid member 151, and a gripping rib 156.

[0028] Instead of the upper drain member 120 of the siphon-type drain member 8, an upper drain member 620, for example, as shown in Figure 4, may be used. The upper drain member 620 includes vertical ribs 630 connected to multiple circumferential positions on the upper surface of the upper flange 616 and the outer peripheral surface of the upper reduced diameter portion 614, an upper inner cylinder 640 connected to the radially inner ends of the multiple vertical ribs 630, and a funnel portion 641 continuous with the upper end of the upper inner cylinder 640.

[0029] Although gutters 4a, 4b, and 4c differ in the width and height mentioned above, their other components are almost identical. Therefore, this explanation will primarily refer to Figures 5 to 9, using gutters 4a and 4b and the gutter joint 5ab that connects them as examples.

[0030] As shown in Figure 7, the eaves gutter 4a comprises a strip-shaped bottom plate 41a and strip-shaped side plates 42a and 43a extending upward from both ends (the long sides of the bottom plate 41a) in the width direction of the bottom plate 41a. In a cross-sectional view, the eaves gutter 4a is formed in a roughly U-shape with the side plates 42a and 43a on both sides opening upward at their upper ends. In other words, the space between the upper ends of the side plates 42a and 43a on both sides of the eaves gutter 4a is an opening 44a. When viewed along the longitudinal direction, the eaves gutter 4a is formed in a channel-shaped cross section. The eaves gutter 4a is suspended by a support 3a attached to a fascia board (not shown) to receive rainwater flowing down from the eaves of the roof 2. The support 3a may be a gutter hanger attached to the fascia board or a gutter receiver attached to the roof, and is not particularly limited. In the gutter 4a, the side plate 42a is installed on the inside of the eaves of the roof 2, that is, on the side facing the exterior wall of the building (hereinafter referred to as the inside of the eaves). In the gutter 4a, the side plate 43a is installed on the outside of the eaves, that is, on the side opposite to the exterior wall of the building (hereinafter referred to as the outside of the eaves). The side plates 42a and 43a are inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the base plate 41a. The side plates 42a and 43a are inclined so that the upper side moves further away from the base plate 41a in the horizontal direction. Preferably, the inclination angle of the side plates 42a and 43a with respect to the vertical direction of the base plate 41a is greater than 0° and 10° or less. However, the side plates 42a and 43a may also be vertical to the base plate 41a. That is, the inclination angle of the side plates 42a and 43a with respect to the vertical direction of the base plate 41a may be 0°.

[0031] The gutter 4a has a lip portion 45a at the upper end of the side plate 42a, which is positioned on the inside of the eaves, so as to protrude outward on the opposite side from the other side plate 43a. The gutter 4a also has a lip portion 46a at the upper end of the side plate 43a, which is positioned on the outside of the eaves, so as to protrude outward on the opposite side from the other side plate 42a. The gutter 4a is formed as a whole, that is, the bottom plate 41a, the side plates 42a and 43a, the lip portion 45a and the lip portion 46a. The gutter 4a does not necessarily have to have the lip portions 45a and 46a.

[0032] The ear portion 45a has a rectangular cross-section and includes a flat top portion 47a extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side plate 42a in the opposite direction to the side plate 43a, a flat side portion 48a extending downward from the tip of the top portion 47a at a distance from the side plate 42a, and a flat bottom portion 49a extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the side portion 48a in the direction of the side surface of the side plate 42a. The ear portion 45a is formed along the entire length of the gutter 4a, and the top portion 47a, side portion 48a, and bottom portion 49a are all formed along the upper end of the side plate 42a and extend along the entire length of the side plate 42a, forming a strip-like shape.

[0033] The ear portion 46a has a rectangular cross-section and includes a flat top portion 51a extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side plate 43a in the opposite direction to the side plate 42a, a flat side portion 52a extending downward from the tip of the top portion 51a at a distance from the side plate 43a, and a flat bottom portion 53a extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the side portion 52a in the direction of the side surface of the side plate 43a. The ear portion 46a is formed along the entire length of the gutter 4a, and the top portion 51a, side portion 52a, and bottom portion 53a are all formed along the upper end of the side plate 43a and extend along the entire length of the side plate 43a, forming a strip-like shape.

[0034] In the gutter 4a, the inner width of the bottom plate 41a is equal to the inner width W1a of the gutter 4a. The height from the top surface of the bottom plate 41a to the top end of the ear portion 46a, in other words, the height from the top surface of the bottom plate 41a to the top end of the side plate 43a, is equal to the inner height H1a on the outside of the eaves of the gutter 4a. The height from the top surface of the bottom plate 41a to the top end of the ear portion 45a, in other words, the height from the top surface of the bottom plate 41a to the top end of the side plate 42a, is equal to the inner height H2a on the inside of the eaves of the gutter 4a. In the gutter 4a, the inner height H2a is lower than the inner height H1a. Therefore, the gutter 4a is a so-called front-high gutter. The gutter 4a is located inside the gutter 4a, between the upper side plates 42a and 43a of the bottom plate 41a, and the area from the bottom plate 41a to the upper end of the side plate 42a, which is lower in height from the bottom plate 41a, serves as a drainage channel 55a for rainwater. Here, the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4a is the cross-sectional area of ​​the drainage channel 55a in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the gutter 4a extends. In other words, the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4a is the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4a in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the gutter 4a extends, and is the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4a from the top surface of the bottom plate 41a to the top end of the side plate 42a, which is lower in height from the bottom plate 41a among the side plates 42a and 43a. Note that in the case of parallel gutters where the inner heights H1a and H2a are equal, the drainage cross-sectional area is the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4a from the top surface of the bottom plate 41a to the top ends of the side plates 42a and 43a. The length of the wetted side of the gutter 4a is the total length of the side of the gutter 4a that is in contact with the drainage channel 55a in a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the gutter 4a extends.

[0035] As shown in Figure 8, the gutter 4b comprises a strip-shaped bottom plate 41b and strip-shaped side plates 42b and 43b extending upward from both ends (the long sides of the bottom plate 41b) in the width direction. In a cross-sectional view, the gutter 4b is formed in a roughly U-shape with the side plates 42b and 43b on both sides opening upward at their upper ends. In other words, the gutter 4b has an opening 44b between the upper ends of the side plates 42b and 43b on both sides. When viewed along its longitudinal direction, the gutter 4b is formed in a channel-shaped cross section. The gutter 4b is suspended by a support 3b attached to a fascia board (not shown) to receive rainwater flowing down from the eaves of the roof 2. The support 3b may be a gutter hanger attached to the fascia board or a gutter receiver attached to the roof, and is not particularly limited. In the gutter 4b, the side plate 42b is positioned on the inside of the eaves of the roof 2, i.e., on the exterior wall side of the building. In the gutter 4b, the side plate 43b is positioned on the outside of the eaves. The side plates 42b and 43b are inclined with respect to the vertical direction of the base plate 41b. The side plates 42b and 43b are inclined so that the upper side is further away from the base plate 41b in the horizontal direction. Preferably, the inclination angle of the side plates 42b and 43b with respect to the vertical direction of the base plate 41b is greater than 0° and 10° or less. However, the side plates 42b and 43b may also be positioned vertically with respect to the base plate 41b. That is, the inclination angle of the side plates 42b and 43b with respect to the vertical direction of the base plate 41b may be 0°.

[0036] The gutter 4b has a lip portion 45b at the upper end of the side plate 42b, which is positioned on the inside of the eaves, so as to protrude outward on the opposite side from the other side plate 43b. The gutter 4b also has a lip portion 46b at the upper end of the side plate 43b, which is positioned on the outside of the eaves, so as to protrude outward on the opposite side from the other side plate 42b. The gutter 4b as a whole, that is, the bottom plate 41b, the side plates 42b and 43b, the lip portion 45b and the lip portion 46b, is formed as one piece. The gutter 4b does not necessarily have to have the lip portions 45b and 46b.

[0037] The ear portion 45b has a rectangular cross-section and includes a flat top portion 47b extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side plate 42b in the direction opposite to the side plate 43b, a flat side portion 48b extending downward from the tip of the top portion 47b spaced apart from the side plate 42b, and a flat bottom portion 49b extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the side portion 48b in the direction of the side surface of the side plate 42b. The ear portion 45b is formed along the entire length of the gutter 4b, and the top portion 47b, side portion 48b, and bottom portion 49b are all formed along the upper end of the side plate 42b and extend along the entire length of the side plate 42b, forming a strip-like shape.

[0038] The ear portion 46b has a rectangular cross-section and includes a flat top portion 51b extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side plate 43b in the direction opposite to the side plate 42b, a flat side portion 52b extending downward from the tip of the top portion 51b at a distance from the side plate 43b, and a flat bottom portion 53b extending substantially horizontally from the lower end of the side portion 52b in the direction of the side surface of the side plate 43b. The ear portion 46b is formed along the entire length of the gutter 4b, and the top portion 51b, side portion 52b, and bottom portion 53b are all formed along the upper end of the side plate 43b and extend along the entire length of the side plate 43b, forming a strip-like shape.

[0039] In the gutter 4b, the inner width of the bottom plate 41b is equal to the inner width W1b of the gutter 4b. The height from the top surface of the bottom plate 41b to the top end of the ear portion 46b, in other words, the height from the top surface of the bottom plate 41b to the top end of the side plate 43b, is equal to the inner height H1b on the outside of the eaves of the gutter 4b. The height from the top surface of the bottom plate 41b to the top end of the ear portion 45b, in other words, the height from the top surface of the bottom plate 41b to the top end of the side plate 42b, is equal to the inner height H2b on the inside of the eaves of the gutter 4b. In the gutter 4b, the inner height H2b is lower than the inner height H1b. Therefore, the gutter 4a is a so-called front-high gutter. The gutter 4b is located inside the gutter 4b, between the upper side plates 42b and 43b of the bottom plate 41b, and the area from the bottom plate 41b to the upper end of the side plate 42b, which is lower in height from the bottom plate 41b, forms a drainage channel 55b for rainwater. Here, the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4b is the cross-sectional area of ​​the drainage channel 55b in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the gutter 4b extends. In other words, the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4b is the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4b in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the gutter 4b extends, and is the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4b from the top surface of the bottom plate 41b to the upper end of the side plate 42b, which is lower in height from the bottom plate 41b. Note that in the case of parallel gutters where the inner heights H1b and H2b are equal, the drainage cross-sectional area is the inner cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4b from the top surface of the bottom plate 41b to the upper ends of the side plates 42b and 43b. The length of the wetted side of the gutter 4b is the total length of the side of the gutter 4b that is in contact with the drainage channel 55b in a cross-section in a plane perpendicular to the direction in which the gutter 4b extends.

[0040] Here, the inner width W1b of gutter 4b is greater than the inner width W1a of gutter 4a. Also, the inner height H1b of the outer edge of gutter 4b is greater than the inner height H1a of the outer edge of gutter 4a. In addition, the inner height H2b of the inner edge of gutter 4b is greater than the inner height H2a of the inner edge of gutter 4a.

[0041] As described above, the gutter 4c shown in Figure 1 is wider and taller than the gutter 4b. The upper part of the bottom plate 41c of the gutter 4c is the drainage channel 55c. The inner width of the gutter 4c, which corresponds to the inner width W1b of the gutter 4b, is wider than the inner width W1b of the gutter 4b. Also, the inner height of the gutter 4c, which corresponds to the inner height H1b of the outer edge of the gutter 4b, is greater than the inner height H1b of the outer edge of the gutter 4b. Also, the inner height of the gutter 4c, which corresponds to the inner height H2b of the inner edge of the gutter 4b, is greater than the inner height H2b of the inner edge of the gutter 4b.

[0042] The eaves gutters 4a to 4c are made of metal or synthetic resin, etc. In this embodiment, the eaves gutters 4a to 4c are extruded products formed from, for example, rigid polyvinyl chloride resin or synthetic resins such as ABS or AES. The material used to form the eaves gutters 4a to 4c can be arbitrarily set and is not limited to synthetic resins; for example, they may be formed from extruded metal products.

[0043] Furthermore, when forming the eaves gutters 4a-4c with synthetic resin, the coefficient of linear expansion should be 2.0 × 10 to prevent thermal expansion and contraction. -5 It is preferable that the coefficient of thermal expansion be below / ℃, and it is preferable to reduce the coefficient of thermal expansion by inserting a low-stretch sheet, such as a PET resin sheet or an iron sheet stretched to the center of the thickness direction of the eaves gutters 4a to 4c, or by incorporating low-stretch additives such as wollastonite or carbon fiber into the synthetic resin that makes up the eaves gutters 4a to 4c. When using a low-stretch sheet, it may be made of one sheet, two sheets, or multiple sheets. By making it of multiple sheets, for example, a weather-resistant sheet can be used on the side of the gutter facing away from the building where it is more exposed to sunlight, or a high-strength sheet can be used in areas where strength is required, thereby obtaining a low-cost gutter with multiple functions.

[0044] Furthermore, the gutter 10 has a bottom width of 100 mm or more, preferably 300 mm or less, and more preferably 200 mm or less. Also, the gutter 10 has a side plate 12 height of 90 mm or more, preferably 300 mm or less, and more preferably 200 mm or less. The gutter 10 may be applied to a large-diameter downpipe that can carry rainwater at a flow rate of 4 liters / sec or more and 90 liters / sec or less. Furthermore, the height of the side panel 12 may be different or the same for the side panel 12 on the building side (the right side panel 12 in Figure 1) and the side panel 12 on the opposite side of the building (the left side panel in Figure 1), as shown in Figure 1. There are no restrictions on the diameter of the downpipe, but examples include 50A, 75A, 100A, 150A, and 200A.

[0045] The gutter joints 5ab and 5bc are made of metal or synthetic resin, etc. In this embodiment, the gutter joints 5ab and 5bc may be injection molded products formed from, for example, rigid polyvinyl chloride resin or synthetic resin such as ABS or AES. When the gutter joints 5ab and 5bc are made of synthetic resin, it is possible to have the same material composition as the gutters 4a to 4c. When the gutter joints 5ab and 5bc are made of metal, they may be formed by bending coils at the construction site, for example.

[0046] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the gutter joint 5ab has a connecting portion 61a that connects to the gutter 4a, a connecting portion 62b that connects to the gutter 4b which is wider and taller than the gutter 4a, and an intermediate intervening portion 63ab between them. The connecting portion 61a is wider and taller than the connecting portion 62b.

[0047] As shown in Figure 9, the connecting portion 61a comprises a flat bottom portion 71a and strip-shaped side wall portions 72a and 73a rising from both ends in the width direction of the bottom portion 71a (the short side of the bottom portion 71a). In a cross-sectional view, the connecting portion 61a is formed in a substantially U-shape with the side wall portions 72a and 73a on both sides opening upward at their upper ends. In other words, the connecting portion 61a has an opening 74a between the upper ends of the side wall portions 72a and 73a on both sides. In the connecting portion 61a, the side wall portion 72a is located on the inside of the eaves of the roof 2, that is, on the exterior wall side of the building. In the connecting portion 61a, the side wall portion 73a is located on the outside of the eaves.

[0048] The connecting portion 61a has an engaging portion 75a provided at the upper end of the side wall portion 72a located on the inside of the eaves, which protrudes outward on the opposite side from the other side wall portion 73a, and then folds back towards the other side plate 43a on the upper side. The connecting portion 61a also has an engaging portion 76a provided at the upper end of the side wall portion 73a located on the outside of the eaves, which protrudes outward on the opposite side from the other side wall portion 72a, and then folds back towards the other side wall portion 72a on the upper side.

[0049] The engaging portion 75a has a U-shaped cross-section and includes a flat plate-shaped extension 77a extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side wall portion 72a in the direction opposite to the side wall portion 73a, a flat plate-shaped side portion 78a extending upward from the tip of the extension portion 77a, a flat plate-shaped top portion 79a extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side portion 78a in the direction of the side wall portion 73a, and a claw portion 80a extending substantially horizontally from the tip of the top portion 79a in the direction of the side wall portion 73a. The extension portion 77a, the side portion 78a, and the top portion 79a are all formed along the upper end of the side wall portion 72a and extend along the entire length of the side wall portion 72a, forming a strip-shaped structure. The claw portion 80a is formed along the upper end of the side wall portion 72a and is shorter than the side wall portion 72a, and is formed off-center to the side opposite to the connecting portion 62b of the side wall portion 72a.

[0050] The engaging portion 76a has a U-shaped cross-section and includes a flat plate-shaped extension 82a extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side wall portion 73a in the direction opposite to the side wall portion 72a, a flat plate-shaped side portion 83a extending upward from the tip of the extension portion 82a, a flat plate-shaped top portion 84a extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side portion 83a in the direction of the side wall portion 72a, and a claw portion 85a extending substantially horizontally from the tip of the top portion 84a in the direction of the side wall portion 72a. The extension portion 82a, the side portion 83a, and the top portion 84a are all formed along the upper end of the side wall portion 73a over its entire length and form a strip-like shape. The claw portion 85a is formed along the upper end of the side wall portion 73a and is shorter than the side wall portion 73a, and is formed off-center to the side opposite to the connecting portion 62b of the side wall portion 73a.

[0051] As shown in Figure 7, the inner width of the bottom portion 71a is equal to the inner width W2a of the connecting portion 61a. The height from the top surface of the bottom portion 71a to the top end of the engaging portion 76a is equal to the inner height H3a of the connecting portion 61a on the outside of the eaves. The height from the top surface of the bottom portion 71a to the top end of the engaging portion 75a is equal to the inner height H4a of the connecting portion 61a on the inside of the eaves.

[0052] As shown in Figure 9, the connecting portion 62b comprises a strip-shaped bottom portion 71b and strip-shaped side wall portions 72b and 73b rising from both ends in the width direction of the bottom portion 71b (the short side of the bottom portion 71b). In a cross-sectional view, the connecting portion 62b is formed in a substantially U-shape with the side wall portions 72b and 73b on both sides opening upward at their upper ends. In other words, the connecting portion 62b has an opening 74b between the upper ends of the side wall portions 72b and 73b on both sides. In the connecting portion 62b, the side wall portion 72b is located on the inside of the eaves of the roof 2, that is, on the exterior wall side of the building. In the connecting portion 62b, the side wall portion 73b is located on the outside of the eaves.

[0053] The connecting portion 62b has an engaging portion 75b at the upper end of the side wall portion 72b located on the inside of the eaves, which protrudes outward on the opposite side from the other side wall portion 73b, and then folds back towards the other side wall portion 73b on the upper side. The connecting portion 62b also has an engaging portion 76b at the upper end of the side wall portion 73b located on the outside of the eaves, which protrudes outward on the opposite side from the other side wall portion 72b, and then folds back towards the other side wall portion 72b on the upper side.

[0054] The engaging portion 75b has a U-shaped cross-section and includes a flat plate-shaped extension 77b extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side wall portion 72b in the direction opposite to the side wall portion 73b, a flat plate-shaped side portion 78b extending upward from the tip of the extension portion 77b spaced apart from the side wall portion 72b, a flat plate-shaped top portion 79b extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side portion 78b towards the side wall portion 73b, and a claw portion 80b extending substantially horizontally from the tip of the top portion 79b towards the side wall portion 73b. The extension portion 77b, the side portion 78b, and the top portion 79b are all formed along the upper end of the side wall portion 72b and extend over the entire length of the side wall portion 72b, forming a strip-like shape. The claw portion 80b is formed shorter than the side wall portion 72b, along the upper end of the side wall portion 72b, and is formed off-center to the opposite side from the connecting portion 61a of the side wall portion 72b.

[0055] The engaging portion 76b has a U-shaped cross-section and, as shown in Figure 8, includes a flat plate-shaped extension 82b extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side wall portion 73b in the direction opposite to the side wall portion 72b, a flat plate-shaped side portion 83b extending upward from the tip of the extension portion 82b, a flat plate-shaped top portion 84b extending substantially horizontally from the upper end of the side portion 83b in the direction of the side wall portion 72b, and a claw portion 85b extending substantially horizontally from the tip of the top portion 84b in the direction of the side wall portion 72b. The extension portion 82b, the side portion 83b, and the top portion 84b are all formed along the upper end of the side wall portion 73b and extend along the entire length of the side wall portion 73b, forming a strip-like shape. The claw portion 85b is formed along the upper end of the side wall portion 73b and is shorter than the side wall portion 73b, and is formed off-center to the side opposite to the connecting portion 61a of the side wall portion 73b.

[0056] The inner width of the bottom portion 71b is equal to the inner width W2b of the connecting portion 62b. The height from the top surface of the bottom portion 71b to the top end of the engaging portion 76b is equal to the inner height H3b of the outside edge of the connecting portion 62b. The height from the top surface of the bottom portion 71b to the top end of the engaging portion 75b is equal to the inner height H4b of the inside edge of the connecting portion 62b. The inner width W2b of the connecting portion 62b is greater than the inner width W2a of the connecting portion 61a, and the inner height H3b on the outside of the eaves of the connecting portion 62b is greater than the inner height H3a on the outside of the eaves of the connecting portion 61a. The inner height H4b on the inside of the eaves of the connecting portion 62b is greater than the inner height H4a on the inside of the eaves of the connecting portion 61a. The cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion 61b is greater than the cross-sectional area of ​​the connecting portion 62a.

[0057] As shown in Figure 9, the intermediate intervening section 63ab comprises a strip-shaped inclined bottom 71ab and strip-shaped side wall sections 72ab and 73ab rising from both ends in the width direction of the inclined bottom 71ab (the short side of the inclined bottom 71ab). The intermediate intervening section 63ab has an opening 74ab between the upper ends of the side wall sections 72ab and 73ab on both sides. In the intermediate intervening section 63ab, the side wall section 72ab is located on the inside of the eaves of the roof 2, i.e., on the exterior wall side of the building. In the intermediate intervening section 63ab, the side wall section 73ab is located on the outside of the eaves. The inclined bottom 71ab connects the bottom 71a of the connecting section 61a and the bottom 71b of the connecting section 62b. The side wall section 72ab connects the side wall section 72a of the connecting section 61a and the side wall section 72b of the connecting section 62b. The side wall portion 73ab connects the side wall portion 73a of the connecting portion 61a and the side wall portion 73b of the connecting portion 62b. The side wall portions 73a, 73ab, and 73b have their outer surfaces arranged on the same plane, i.e., flush, and their inner surfaces are also arranged on the same plane, i.e., flush. The side wall portion 72ab is inclined such that the side wall portion 72b of the connecting portion 62b is further away from the side wall portions 73a, 73ab, and 73b than the side wall portion 72a of the connecting portion 61a.

[0058] The intermediate intervening portion 63ab includes an intermediate connecting portion 77ab that connects the extension portion 77a of the connecting portion 61a and the extension portion 77b of the connecting portion 62b, an intermediate connecting portion 78ab that connects the side portion 78a of the connecting portion 61a and the side portion 78b of the connecting portion 62b, and an intermediate connecting portion 79ab that connects the top portion 79a of the connecting portion 61a and the top portion 79b of the connecting portion 62b.

[0059] The intermediate intervening portion 63ab has an intermediate connecting portion 82ab shown in Figure 5 that connects the extension portion 82a of the connecting portion 61a and the extension portion 82b of the connecting portion 62b, an intermediate connecting portion 83ab that connects the side portion 83a of the connecting portion 61a and the side portion 83b of the connecting portion 62b as shown in Figure 9, and an intermediate connecting portion 84ab that connects the top portion 84a of the connecting portion 61a and the top portion 84b of the connecting portion 62b. The extension portion 82a of the connecting portion 61a shown in Figure 7, the intermediate connecting portion 82ab of the intermediate intervening portion 63ab shown in Figure 5, and the extension portion 82b of the connecting portion 62b shown in Figure 8 have upper surfaces that are on the same plane, i.e., flush. These upper surfaces extend parallel to the upper surfaces of the bottom portion 71a and the bottom portion 71b.

[0060] The gutter joint 5ab is formed as a whole, with the bottom portion 71a, the side wall portion 72a, the side wall portion 73a, the engaging portion 75a, the engaging portion 76a, the bottom portion 71b, the side wall portion 72b, the side wall portion 73b, the engaging portion 75b, the engaging portion 76b, the inclined bottom portion 71ab, the side wall portion 72ab, the side wall portion 73ab, the intermediate connecting portion 77ab, the intermediate connecting portion 78ab, the intermediate connecting portion 79ab, the intermediate connecting portion 82ab, the intermediate connecting portion 83ab, and the intermediate connecting portion 84ab all integrally formed.

[0061] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the gutter joint 5ab has a connecting portion 61a that is connected to the end of the gutter 4a in the longitudinal direction. At that time, as shown in Figure 7, the lower surface of the bottom plate 41a of the gutter 4a is brought into contact with the upper surface of the bottom portion 71a, the outer surface of the side plate 42a of the gutter 4a is brought into contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion 72a, and the outer surface of the side plate 43a of the gutter 4a is brought into contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion 73a. At the same time, the connecting portion 61a fits the ear portion 45a of the gutter 4a into the engaging portion 75a. As a result, the bottom portion 49a comes into contact with the extension portion 77a, the side portion 48a comes into contact with the side portion 78a, the top portion 47a comes into contact with the top portion 79a, and the claw portion 80a engages with the upper end of the side plate 42a. Furthermore, at that time, the connecting portion 61a fits the ear portion 46a of the gutter 4a into the engaging portion 76a. As a result, the bottom portion 53a abuts against the extension portion 82a, the side portion 52a abuts against the side portion 83a, the top portion 51a abuts against the top portion 84a, and the claw portion 85a engages with the upper end of the side plate 43a.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the gutter joint 5ab is connected to the end of the gutter 4b in the longitudinal direction at the connecting portion 62b. At that time, as shown in Figure 8, the lower surface of the bottom plate 41b of the gutter 4b is brought into contact with the upper surface of the bottom portion 71b, the outer surface of the side plate 42b of the gutter 4b is brought into contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion 72b, and the outer surface of the side plate 43b of the gutter 4b is brought into contact with the inner surface of the side wall portion 73b. At the same time, the connecting portion 62b is fitted into the engaging portion 75b of the gutter 4b. As a result, the bottom portion 49b is brought into contact with the extension portion 77b, the side portion 48b is brought into contact with the side portion 78b, the top portion 47b is brought into contact with the top portion 79b, and the claw portion 80b is engaged with the upper end of the side plate 42b. Furthermore, at that time, the connecting portion 62b fits the ear portion 46b of the gutter 4b into the engaging portion 76b. As a result, the bottom portion 53b abuts against the extension portion 82b, the side portion 52b abuts against the side portion 83b, the top portion 51b abuts against the top portion 84b, and the claw portion 85b engages with the upper end of the side plate 43b.

[0063] In this way, the gutters 4a and 4b connected by the gutter joint 5ab are arranged so that the outer surface of the outer side plate 43a and the outer surface of the outer side plate 43b are on the same plane, i.e., flush with each other.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2, the gutter joint 5bc has a connecting portion 61b which is substantially the same as the connecting portion 61a of the gutter joint 5ab but is wider and taller than the connecting portion 61a, and a connecting portion 62c which is substantially the same as the connecting portion 62b but is wider and taller than the connecting portion 62b. In the gutter joint 5bc, the width of the connecting portion 62c is greater than the width of the connecting portion 61b, and the height of the connecting portion 62c is greater than the height of the connecting portion 61b. The end of the gutter 4b opposite to the gutter joint 5ab is connected to the connecting portion 61b which corresponds to the connecting portion 61a, and the end of the gutter 4c opposite to the downspout 7 is connected to the connecting portion 62c which corresponds to the connecting portion 62b. The gutter joint 5bc has a side wall portion corresponding to the side wall portion 73a of the gutter joint 5ab, a side wall portion corresponding to the side wall portion 73b, and a side wall portion corresponding to the side wall portion 73ab, all arranged flush with the surface, similar to the side wall portions 73a, 73b, and 73ab. The gutters 4b and 4c connected by the gutter joint 5bc have the outer surface of the side plate 43b on the outside of the eaves of the gutter 4b and the outer surface of the side wall portion on the outside of the eaves of the gutter 4c arranged on the same plane, i.e., flush with the surface.

[0065] The inner width W1b of gutter 4b is greater than the inner width W1a of gutter 4a. The inner height H1b on the outside of the eaves of gutter 4b is greater than the inner height H1a on the outside of the eaves of gutter 4a. The inner height H2b on the inside of the eaves of gutter 4b is greater than the inner height H2a on the inside of the eaves of gutter 4a. The inner width of gutter 4c corresponding to the inner width W1b is greater than the inner width W1b of gutter 4b. The inner height on the outside of the eaves corresponding to the inner height H1b of gutter 4c is greater than the inner height H1b on the outside of the eaves of gutter 4b. The inner height corresponding to the inner height H2b of gutter 4c is greater than the inner height H2b on the inside of the eaves of gutter 4b. Therefore, for gutters 4a to 4c, the gutter closer to the downstream side, i.e., the outlet 7, has a larger inner width and inner height. In the rain gutter system 1, the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4b downstream of gutter 4a is larger than that of gutter 4a, and the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4c downstream of gutter 4b is larger than that of gutter 4b. For gutters 4a to 4c, the drainage cross-sectional area is larger the further downstream the gutter is, i.e., closer to the outlet 7.

[0066] In the gutter system 1, the drainage cross-sectional area is expanded from gutter 4a to gutter 4b, where the inner width and inner height are increased, and the drainage cross-sectional area is expanded. The expansion ratio of the drainage cross-sectional area from gutter 4a before expansion to gutter 4b after expansion is 1.2 to 7.1 times. The inner width may be expanded from 0 mm to 240 mm in the expanded section. The inner height may also be expanded from 0 mm to 210 mm in the expanded section.

[0067] In the gutter system 1, the drainage cross-sectional area is expanded in the section from gutter 4b to gutter 4c, where the inner width and inner height are increased, and the drainage cross-sectional area is expanded. The expansion ratio of the drainage cross-sectional area between gutter 4b before expansion and gutter 4c after expansion is 1.2 to 7.1 times. The inner width may be expanded from 0 mm to 240 mm in the expanded section. The inner height may also be expanded from 0 mm to 210 mm in the expanded section.

[0068] As described above, the gutter body 6, which is composed of a gutter 4a, a gutter joint 5ab, a gutter 4b, a gutter joint 5bc, and a gutter 4c connected together, has the gutter 4a connected to the lower part of a frame-shaped support 3a, with the gutter 4a passing through the inside of the support 3a, and the upper part of the support 3a being fixed to the roof 2, so that the gutter 4a is positioned almost horizontally and supported by the roof 2. In addition, the gutter body 6 has the gutter 4b connected to the lower part of a frame-shaped support 3b, with the gutter 4b passing through the inside of the support 3b, and the upper part of the support 3b being fixed to the roof 2, so that the gutter 4b is positioned almost horizontally and supported by the roof 2. Consequently, the height from the ground of the bottom plate 41b of the gutter 4b, which is positioned almost horizontally, is lower than the height from the ground of the bottom plate 41a of the gutter 4a, which is positioned almost horizontally. Furthermore, the gutter body 6 is supported by the roof 2 in a nearly horizontal position, as the eaves gutter 4c is connected to the lower part of the frame-shaped support 3c, with the eaves gutter 4c passing through the inside of the support 3c, and the upper part of the support 3c is fixed to the roof 2. As a result, the height of the nearly horizontal bottom of the eaves gutter 4c from the ground is lower than the height of the nearly horizontal bottom plate 41b of the eaves gutter 4b from the ground.

[0069] In the rain gutter system 1 of the embodiment described above, the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4b connected downstream is larger than that of the gutter 4a, and the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4c connected downstream is larger than that of the gutter 4b. Therefore, even if the water slope of the rain gutter body 6 is kept small, rainwater can be directed downstream, i.e., towards the outlet 7, by utilizing the property that water flows more easily from the side with a smaller drainage cross-sectional area to the side with a larger drainage cross-sectional area. Because the water slope of the rain gutter body 6 can be kept small in this way, a decrease in workability can be suppressed. Specifically, since the rain gutter body 6 can position the gutter 4a almost horizontally without providing a water slope, even if the support position of the support member 3a that supports the gutter 4a in the longitudinal direction of the gutter 4a is changed, the height position of the part that supports the gutter 4a does not change, and therefore adjustment of the height position of the part that supports the gutter 4a is unnecessary. In other words, if a water slope is provided to the gutter, changing the position of the support member in the longitudinal direction of the gutter will change the height position of the part that supports the gutter, so adjustment of the height position of the part that supports the gutter is necessary, but this adjustment is unnecessary. Similarly, since the eaves gutter 4b can be positioned almost horizontally without creating a water slope, it becomes unnecessary to adjust the height of the support member 3b that supports the eaves gutter 4b. Likewise, since the eaves gutter 4c can be positioned almost horizontally, it becomes unnecessary to adjust the height of the support member 3c that supports the eaves gutter 4c. Therefore, a decrease in workability can be suppressed. In addition, since the water slope of the rain gutter body 6 can be kept small, a decrease in appearance can also be suppressed.

[0070] In the rain gutter system 1, the inner width of gutter 4b connected downstream is greater than the inner width of gutter 4a, and the inner width of gutter 4c connected downstream is greater than the inner width of gutter 4b. Therefore, even if the water slope of the rain gutter body 6 is kept small, the rainwater can be directed towards the outlet 7 by utilizing the property that water tends to flow from the side with the smaller inner width to the side with the larger inner width. In this way, the water slope of the rain gutter body 6 can be kept small, which helps to prevent a decrease in workability.

[0071] In the rain gutter system 1, the inner height of gutter 4b, which is connected downstream of gutter 4a, is greater than the inner height of gutter 4a, and the inner height of gutter 4c, which is connected downstream of gutter 4c, is greater than the inner height of gutter 4b. Therefore, even if the water slope of the rain gutter body 6 is kept small, rainwater can be directed towards the outlet 7 by utilizing the property that water tends to flow from the side with the smaller inner height to the side with the larger inner height. In this way, the water slope of the rain gutter body 6 can be kept small, which helps to prevent a decrease in workability.

[0072] In the rain gutter system 1, the ratio of the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4b to the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4a is 1.2 to 7.1 times, and the ratio of the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4c to the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4b is also 1.2 to 7.1 times, so that rainwater can flow smoothly from gutter 4a to gutter 4b and from gutter 4b to gutter 4c. The inner width may be expanded from 0 mm to 240 mm in the expanded section. The inner height may also be expanded from 0 mm to 210 mm in the expanded section.

[0073] The rain gutter system 1 has a drain member 8 that induces a siphon effect connected to the outlet 7, so that rainwater can be smoothly drained from the eaves gutter 4c.

[0074] The gutter joint 5ab allows the gutter 4a, which has a small drainage cross-sectional area, to be connected to the connecting part 61a, and the gutter 4b, which has a large drainage cross-sectional area, to be connected to the connecting part 62b. Therefore, the gutter 4b, which has a large drainage cross-sectional area, can be connected downstream of the gutter 4a, which has a small drainage cross-sectional area. This allows rainwater to flow from the gutter 4a to the gutter 4b downstream, even if the water slope is kept small, by utilizing the property that water tends to flow from the side with a small drainage cross-sectional area to the side with a large drainage cross-sectional area. This allows the water slope of the gutters 4a and 4b to be kept small, thus preventing a decrease in workability. In addition, because the water slope of the gutters 4a and 4b can be kept small, a decrease in appearance can also be prevented.

[0075] The gutter joint 5ab allows the gutter 4a with a smaller inner width to be connected to the connecting part 61a, and the gutter 4b with a larger inner width to be connected to the connecting part 62b. Therefore, the gutter 4b with a larger inner width can be connected downstream of the gutter 4a with a smaller inner width. This allows rainwater to flow from the gutter 4a to the downstream gutter 4b, even with a small water slope, by utilizing the property that water tends to flow from the side with a smaller inner width to the side with a larger inner width. This reduces the water slope of both the gutter 4a and the gutter 4b, thus preventing a decrease in workability. Furthermore, reducing the water slope of both the gutter 4a and the gutter 4b also prevents a decrease in appearance.

[0076] The gutter joint 5ab allows the gutter 4a, which has a smaller inner height, to be connected to the connecting part 61a, and the gutter 4b, which has a larger inner height, to be connected to the connecting part 62b. Therefore, the gutter 4b, which has a larger inner height, can be connected downstream of the gutter 4a, which has a smaller inner height. This allows rainwater to flow from the gutter 4a to the gutter 4b downstream, even if the water slope is kept small, by utilizing the property that water tends to flow from the side with the smaller inner height to the side with the larger inner height. This allows the water slope of the gutters 4a and 4b to be kept small, thus preventing a decrease in workability. In addition, because the water slope of the gutters 4a and 4b can be kept small, a decrease in appearance can also be prevented.

[0077] The gutter joint 5bc allows the gutter 4b, which has a small drainage cross-sectional area, to be connected to the connecting part 61b, and the gutter 4c, which has a large drainage cross-sectional area, to be connected to the connecting part 62c. Therefore, the gutter 4c, which has a large drainage cross-sectional area, can be connected downstream of the gutter 4b, which has a small drainage cross-sectional area. This allows rainwater to flow from the gutter 4b to the gutter 4c downstream, even if the water slope is kept small, by utilizing the property that water tends to flow more easily from the side with a smaller drainage cross-sectional area to the side with a larger drainage cross-sectional area. This allows the water slope of the gutters 4b and 4c to be kept small, thus preventing a decrease in workability. In addition, because the water slope of the gutters 4b and 4c can be kept small, a decrease in appearance can also be prevented.

[0078] The gutter joint 5bc allows the gutter 4b with a smaller inner width to be connected to the connecting part 61b, and the gutter 4c with a larger inner width to the connecting part 62c. Therefore, the gutter 4c with a larger inner width can be connected downstream of the gutter 4b with a smaller inner width. This allows rainwater to flow from the gutter 4b to the downstream gutter 4c, even with a small water slope, by utilizing the property that water tends to flow from the side with a smaller inner width to the side with a larger inner width. This reduces the water slope of both the gutter 4b and the gutter 4c, thus preventing a decrease in workability. Furthermore, reducing the water slope of both the gutter 4b and the gutter 4c also prevents a decrease in appearance.

[0079] The gutter joint 5bc allows the gutter 4b with a smaller inner height to be connected to the connecting part 61b, and the gutter 4c with a larger inner height to be connected to the connecting part 62c. Therefore, the gutter 4c with a larger inner height can be connected downstream of the gutter 4b with a smaller inner height. This allows rainwater to flow from the gutter 4b to the downstream gutter 4c, even with a small water slope, by utilizing the property that water tends to flow from the side with a smaller inner height to the side with a larger inner height. This reduces the water slope of both the gutter 4b and the gutter 4c, thus preventing a decrease in workability. Furthermore, reducing the water slope of both the gutter 4b and the gutter 4c also prevents a decrease in appearance.

[0080] Since the outer side wall portion 73a of the connecting portion 61a of the gutter joint 5ab and the outer side wall portion 73b of the connecting portion 62b are arranged flush with each other, a decrease in the appearance of the gutter joint 5ab can be suppressed. Furthermore, the outer side plate 43a of the gutter 4a connected to the connecting portion 61a of the gutter joint 5ab and the outer side plate 43b of the gutter 4b connected to the connecting portion 62b of the gutter joint 5ab can be arranged flush with each other. Therefore, a decrease in appearance can be further suppressed.

[0081] Since the outer side wall portion of the connecting portion 61b of the gutter joint 5bc and the outer side wall portion of the connecting portion 62c are arranged flush with each other, a decrease in the appearance of the gutter joint 5bc can be suppressed. Furthermore, the outer side plate 43b of the gutter 4b connected to the connecting portion 61b of the gutter joint 5bc and the outer side wall portion of the gutter 4c connected to the connecting portion 62c of the gutter joint 5bc can be arranged flush with each other. Therefore, a decrease in appearance can be further suppressed.

[0082] In the rain gutter system 1 of the embodiment described above, the example was given where the side wall portion 73a of the connecting portion 61a and the side wall portion 73b of the connecting portion 62b of the gutter joint 5ab are arranged flush with each other. However, the side wall portion 73b of the connecting portion 62b may be positioned further out than the side wall portion 73a of the connecting portion 61a. In this case, the side plate 43b of the gutter 4b connected to the connecting portion 62b is positioned further out than the side plate 43a of the gutter 4a connected to the connecting portion 61a. In this case, it is preferable that the offset amount of the side wall portion 72b of the connecting portion 62b relative to the side wall portion 72a of the connecting portion 61a and the offset amount of the side wall portion 73b of the connecting portion 62b relative to the side wall portion 73a of the connecting portion 61a are equal. As a result, the offset amount of the side plate 42b of the eaves gutter 4b relative to the side plate 42a of the eaves gutter 4a and the offset amount of the side plate 43b of the eaves gutter 4b relative to the side plate 43a of the eaves gutter 4a become equal. The eaves gutter joint 5bc can be modified in the same way. When the eaves gutter joints 5ab and 5bc are configured in this way, they are suitable for use in rain gutter systems such as valley gutters that drain rainwater falling from two roofs arranged in a valley shape.

[0083] Furthermore, in the gutter system 1, the inner width of the gutter 4b connected downstream of the gutter 4a is greater than the inner width of the gutter 4a, the inner height of the gutter 4b is greater than the inner height of the gutter 4a, the inner width of the gutter 4c connected downstream of the gutter 4b is greater than the inner width of the gutter 4b, and the inner height of the gutter 4c is greater than the inner height of the gutter 4b. However, as shown in Modification 1 in Figures 10 and 11, the inner width of the gutter 4b connected downstream of the gutter 4a is greater than the inner width of the gutter 4a, the inner height of the gutter 4a and the inner height of the gutter 4b are the same, and the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4b is greater than the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4a. The inner width of the gutter 4c connected downstream of the gutter 4b is greater than the inner width of the gutter 4b, the inner height of the gutter 4b and the inner height of the gutter 4c are the same, and the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4c is greater than the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4b. Even with this configuration, and even with a small water gradient, the property that water tends to flow from the narrower side to the wider side can be used to direct rainwater towards the downstream outlet 7. Because the water gradient can be kept small, a decrease in workability can be suppressed. In addition, because the water gradient can be kept small, a decrease in appearance can also be suppressed.

[0084] In this case, the gutter joint 5ab can be modified so that the gutter 4a, which has a smaller inner width, is connected to the joint 61a, and the gutter 4b, which has a larger inner width, is connected to the joint 62b, by making the width of the connecting portion 62b connected to the gutter 4b larger than the width of the connecting portion 61a connected to the gutter 4a. The gutter joint 5bc is modified in the same way.

[0085] In this case as well, it is preferable that the ratio of the expansion of the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4b to the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4a is 1.2 to 7.1 times in the section from gutter 4a to gutter 4b where the inner width is expanded, and that the ratio of the expansion of the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4c to the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4b is 1.2 to 7.1 times in the section from gutter 4b to gutter 4c where the inner height is expanded. This allows rainwater to flow smoothly towards the outlet 7. The inner width may be expanded from 0 mm to 240 mm in the expanded section.

[0086] In this case as well, it is preferable that the outer side wall portion 73a of the connecting portion 61a of the gutter joint 5ab and the outer side wall portion 73b of the connecting portion 62b are arranged flush with each other. This allows the side plate 43a of the gutter 4a and the side plate 43b of the gutter 4b to be arranged flush with each other. Thus, the appearance can be further improved. The same applies to the gutter joint 5bc.

[0087] Furthermore, as shown in Modification 2 in Figures 12 and 13, the inner height of the gutter 4b connected downstream of the gutter 4a may be greater than the inner height of the gutter 4a, and the inner width of the gutter 4a and the inner width of the gutter 4b may be the same, so that the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4b is greater than that of the gutter 4a. Similarly, the inner height of the gutter 4c connected downstream of the gutter 4b may be greater than the inner height of the gutter 4b, and the inner width of the gutter 4b and the inner width of the gutter 4c may be the same, so that the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the gutter 4c is greater than that of the gutter 4b. Even with this configuration, even if the water slope is kept small, rainwater can be directed towards the downstream outlet 7 by utilizing the property that water tends to flow from the side with the smaller inner height to the side with the larger inner height. Because the water slope can be kept small in this way, a decrease in workability can be suppressed. Also, because the water slope can be kept small, a decrease in appearance can be suppressed.

[0088] In this case, the gutter joint 5ab is modified so that the inner height of the connecting part 62b connected to the gutter 4b is greater than the inner height of the connecting part 61a connected to the gutter 4a. This allows the gutter 4a, which has a smaller inner height, to be connected to the connecting part 61a, and the gutter 4b, which has a larger inner height, to be connected to the connecting part 62b. The gutter joint 5bc is modified in the same way.

[0089] In this case as well, it is preferable that the ratio of the expansion of the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4b to the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4a is 1.2 to 7.1 times in the section from gutter 4a to gutter 4b where the inner height is expanded, and that the ratio of the expansion of the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4c to the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​gutter 4b is 1.2 to 7.1 times in the section from gutter 4b to gutter 4c where the inner height is expanded. This allows rainwater to flow smoothly towards the outlet 7. The inner height may be expanded from 0 mm to 210 mm in the expanded section.

[0090] In this case, it is preferable that the outer side wall portion 73a of the connecting portion 61a of the gutter joint 5ab and the outer side wall portion 73b of the connecting portion 62b are arranged flush with each other. This allows the side plate 43a of the gutter 4a and the side plate 43b of the gutter 4b to be arranged flush with each other. In this case, it is also preferable that the inner side wall portion 72a of the connecting portion 61a of the gutter joint 5ab and the inner side wall portion 72b of the connecting portion 62b are arranged flush with each other. This allows the side plate 42a of the gutter 4a and the side plate 42b of the gutter 4b to be arranged flush with each other. This further improves the appearance. The same applies to the gutter joint 5bc. [Examples]

[0091] We investigated whether drainage was possible when connecting 10m long gutters without creating a water slope and flowing water at different rates of 0.2 (L / s), 3 (L / s), and 10 (L / s). The results are shown in Tables 1 and 2. In Table 2, "○" indicates that drainage was successful, "△" indicates that there were parts where water did not drain due to accumulation in the gutter, etc., and "×" indicates that water was blocked around the outlet and could not be drained. Note that in Table 1, the height refers to the height of the side plate on the taller side.

[0092] [Table 1]

[0093] [Table 2]

[0094] As is clear from Tables 1 and 2, in Examples 1 to 9, where the expansion ratio of the drainage cross-sectional area was 1.25 to 7.15, it can be seen that drainage was successful at total drainage volumes of 0.2 (L / s), 3 (L / s), and 10 (L / s). In contrast, in Comparative Example 1, where the expansion ratio of the drainage cross-sectional area was 1.00, there was a portion that could not be drained at a drainage volume of 0.2 (L / s), and in Comparative Example 1, where the expansion ratio of the drainage cross-sectional area was 0.47, there was a portion that could not be drained at a drainage volume of 0.2 (L / s), and at drainage volumes of 3 (L / s) and 10 (L / s), water clogged around the outlet and could not be drained.

[0095] From these results, it can be seen that if the expansion ratio of the drainage cross-sectional area is between 1.2 and 7.1 times, good drainage can be achieved without providing a water slope. Furthermore, the inner width may be expanded from 0mm to 240mm in the area being expanded. Furthermore, the inner height may be expanded from 0mm to 210mm in the area being enlarged.

[0096] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to these embodiments, and modifications, combinations, deletions, etc., of the configuration are also included without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Furthermore, it goes without saying that each of the configurations shown in each embodiment can be used in appropriate combinations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0097] 1. Rain gutter system 7. Drop-off 61a,61b,62b,62c Connection part 4a,4b,4c Eaves gutter 5ab, 5bc gutter joint 73a,73b Side wall part

Claims

1. It has a first and second eaves gutter, each having a base plate and side plates extending upward from both ends of the base plate in the width direction, The second gutter is connected to the downstream side of the first gutter. The drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the second gutter is larger than the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the first gutter. Rain gutter system.

2. The gutter system according to claim 1, wherein the inner width of the second gutter is greater than the inner width of the first gutter.

3. The gutter system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the inner height of the second gutter is greater than the inner height of the first gutter.

4. The gutter system according to claim 1, wherein the ratio of the expansion of the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the second gutter to the drainage cross-sectional area of ​​the first gutter is 1.2 to 7.1 times.

5. The rain gutter system according to claim 1, wherein a drain member that induces a siphon effect is connected to the outlet.

6. A gutter joint for connecting first and second gutters, each having a base plate and side plates extending upward from both ends of the base plate in the width direction, It has a first connecting portion connected to the first gutter, and a second connecting portion provided downstream of the first connecting portion and connected to the second gutter, A gutter joint in which the cross-sectional area of ​​the second connecting portion is larger than the cross-sectional area of ​​the first connecting portion.

7. The gutter joint according to claim 6, wherein the inner width of the second connecting portion is greater than the inner width of the first connecting portion.

8. The gutter joint according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the inner height of the second connecting portion is greater than the inner height of the first connecting portion.

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