Gutter Guard Adhesive Fastener Eliminates Metal Corrosion

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing rain gutter debris preclusion devices face issues with instability, labor-intensive installation, and corrosion due to direct metal contact, which affects their effectiveness and longevity.

Innovation Solution

The use of non-metal fasteners, specifically double-sided tape or laminate with adhesive layers, to secure the gutter guard to the gutter, creating a corrosion barrier and simplifying the installation process by eliminating direct metal contact and providing a buffer between metal pieces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional screw fasteners are used to affix the gutter guard to the gutter, then the gutter guard is securely fastened, but the installation becomes very labor intensive and corrosion increases due to direct contact between metal fasteners and metal gutter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegutter guard fastening stabilityVSAvoidinstallation labor intensity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a non-metal fastener member as an intermediary between the metal gutter guard and metal gutter. This fastener member includes a barrier portion that contacts the gutter and an adhesive portion that bonds the gutter guard to the fastener member. The intermediary non-metal fastener eliminates direct metal-to-metal contact while providing secure attachment through adhesive bonding, thus resolving both the corrosion and labor intensity issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical screw fastening system with a chemical adhesive bonding system. Instead of using threads and mechanical interlocking, the invention uses adhesive material to create a strong bond between the gutter guard and the fastener member. This substitution eliminates the need for drilling, screwing, and other labor-intensive mechanical fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If traditional screw fasteners are used to affix the gutter guard to the gutter, then the gutter guard is securely fastened, but corrosion increases due to direct contact between metal fasteners and metal gutter

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegutter guard fastening stabilityVSAvoidcorrosion

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a non-metal fastener member as an intermediary between the metal gutter guard and metal gutter. This fastener member includes a barrier portion that contacts the gutter and an adhesive portion that bonds the gutter guard to the fastener member. The intermediary non-metal fastener eliminates direct metal-to-metal contact while providing secure attachment through adhesive bonding, thus resolving both the corrosion and labor intensity issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical screw fastening system with a chemical adhesive bonding system. Instead of using threads and mechanical interlocking, the invention uses adhesive material to create a strong bond between the gutter guard and the fastener member. This substitution eliminates the need for drilling, screwing, and other labor-intensive mechanical fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If no fasteners are used to place the gutter guard on the gutter, then the installation is simple, but the gutter guard moves around or falls off

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation simplicityVSAvoidgutter guard stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a non-metal fastener member as an intermediary between the metal gutter guard and metal gutter. This fastener member includes a barrier portion that contacts the gutter and an adhesive portion that bonds the gutter guard to the fastener member. The intermediary non-metal fastener eliminates direct metal-to-metal contact while providing secure attachment through adhesive bonding, thus resolving both the corrosion and labor intensity issues.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical screw fastening system with a chemical adhesive bonding system. Instead of using threads and mechanical interlocking, the invention uses adhesive material to create a strong bond between the gutter guard and the fastener member. This substitution eliminates the need for drilling, screwing, and other labor-intensive mechanical fastening operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution enhances the stability and longevity of gutter guards by reducing corrosion and labor requirements for installation, making the devices more time-efficient and cost-effective while ensuring effective debris prevention.

Implementation Method 1

a fastener member disposed on the support structure and having a barrier member and a protective film removably attached to the barrier member... the barrier member is a corrosion barrier... in some exemplary embodiments is double sided tape

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS11359379B2Gutter guard barrier

Publication Date: 2022.06.14 GUTTERGLOVE

AI summary

A gutter debris preclusion device for use with a gutter having a support structure being substantially rigid; a screen having a plurality of apertures and being disposed on the support structure; and, a fastener member disposed on the support structure and having a barrier member and a protective film removably attached to the barrier member.