Metal Gutter Joint with Sealant Channel and Resilient Strip
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metal gutter systems face challenges with leakages due to the aging of rubber seals and the need for specialist installation, as well as difficulties in ensuring proper application and retention of sealant, leading to reduced maintenance-free periods and increased maintenance costs.
Innovation Solution
A metal gutter system featuring a gutter joint with a resilient strip sandwiched between overlapping surfaces, where one component has a channel to hold the sealant retaining portion and integral retaining lugs to secure the other component, allowing for controlled application and retention of sealant, ensuring a durable and leak-proof joint without the need for specialist knowledge.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rubber seals are used in metal gutter joints, then sealing capability is improved, but the seals age and harden over time reducing reliability to 25 years
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the rubber seal from the gutter joint system entirely, extracting the aging component that limited service life to 25 years. The sealing function is achieved through direct metal-to-metal contact with overlapping gutter components and sealant, eliminating the rubber seal as a separate element.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the durable but aging rubber seal with a simple sealant bead that can be easily reapplied. While sealant has shorter life, it is inexpensive and simple to replace compared to replacing entire rubber seals or gutter components.
2Reliability
If sealant is applied to abutting surfaces, then joint sealing is improved, but proper application requires specialist knowledge increasing installation complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies sealant to the gutter component before installation, allowing proper application under controlled conditions before the component is installed in the difficult-to-reach roof position. This preliminary action ensures correct sealant placement without requiring specialist skill during installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The overlapping gutter component design with exposed abutting surfaces allows the sealant to self-align and self-seal during installation. The mechanical overlap and exposure of surfaces guide the sealant into the correct position, reducing the need for specialist installation knowledge.
3Strength
If gutter components are joined with overlapping joints, then structural connection is improved, but leakage occurs at the joint interfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different properties to different parts of the joint: the overlapping region provides mechanical strength while the exposed abutting surfaces at the ends of the overlap provide sealing. This local differentiation allows both structural connection and leak prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint combines metal gutter components with sealant material to create a composite sealing system. The metal provides structural strength through overlap while the sealant provides waterproofing at the abutting surfaces, creating a composite solution that addresses both requirements.
4Manufacturing precision
If specialist installers are required for gutter assembly, then installation quality is improved, but installation cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the installation process into simple, discrete steps: applying sealant to the gutter component, positioning it against the building, and connecting adjacent components. This segmentation breaks down the complex task into manageable steps that any builder can perform.
Solution Approach 2:
The gutter system is designed to be self-installing through its overlapping component design and exposed abutting surfaces that guide sealant placement. The system serves itself during installation, requiring no specialist knowledge, thereby reducing both installation time and cost.
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
The solution provides a long-lasting, maintenance-free gutter joint that can last for over 25 years, with controlled sealant application and retention, reducing the risk of leaks and simplifying installation, making it suitable for any builder familiar with conventional plastic guttering.
Implementation Method 1
When the bots are tightened, the sealing member is compressed forcing mastic through the apertures sealing the gutter lengths together
Implementation Method 2
the sealant composition preventing leakage of the water from the interior of the gutter through the bolt holes
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A gutter system is described having a gutter joint where a first metal gutter component, comprising a length of metal gutter (1), is joined to a union (10), the components overlapping at the gutter joint and the gutter joint further having a strip of resilient material (30) that extends transversely to the metal gutter (1) and is sandwiched between adjacent overlapping surfaces of the gutter components, wherein the union (10) is provided with a channel for holding a sealant retaining portion of the strip (30) in place, and further wherein the sealant retaining portion of the strip (30) comprises a track (31) that is arranged to be filled with a bead of sealant prior to joining the gutter components together to form the gutter joint.