Internal Half-Round Gutter Hanger With Rear Wall Support
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing fastening supports for half round gutters fail to provide adequate support to the curved rear wall, leading to bending under heavy loads such as snow or ice.
Innovation Solution
A fastening support device with engagement portions for both the front and rear of the gutter, including a rear face with a vertical upper portion and curved lower portion to provide structural rigidity, and a fastener channel for secure attachment, ensuring the device is entirely internal to the gutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If an internal hanger is used with a half round gutter profile, then the gutter can be supported from within, but the curved back of the gutter remains unsupported and bends downward under load
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is segmented into distinct functional portions: a front gutter engagement portion with an L-shaped configuration to engage the front lower portion of the gutter, and a rear gutter engagement portion with a substantially vertical configuration to engage the rear lower portion. This segmentation allows each portion to address specific support needs, with the vertical rear portion providing critical support to prevent downward bending while the front portion provides anchorage.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device transitions from a single-plane hanger design to a three-dimensional structure with both horizontal (front engagement) and vertical (rear engagement) components. This dimensional change enables the device to simultaneously provide lateral anchorage and vertical support, preventing the gutter from bending downward under load while maintaining ease of installation from within the gutter.
2Strength
If a vertical back support structure is used, then the gutter is prevented from bending downwardly, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support device merges the front engagement function and rear support function into a single integrated component. The front gutter engagement portion and rear gutter engagement portion are formed as one piece, combining the L-shaped front anchorage with the vertical rear support structure. This merging provides comprehensive support to prevent downward bending while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate support components.
Solution Approach 2:
The support device is designed as a universal component that performs multiple functions: engaging the front lower portion of the gutter, engaging the rear lower portion with vertical support, and preventing downward bending under load. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate anchorage devices and support structures, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining structural integrity.
3Shape
If the fastening support is entirely internal to the gutter, then aesthetics are improved, but installation access may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is designed to be nested entirely within the gutter profile. Both the front L-shaped engagement portion and the rear vertical engagement portion fit inside the gutter's cross-section, with the device occupying the internal space of the gutter. This nesting provides a clean external appearance while the installation process accesses the device through the open front of the gutter, overcoming the access limitation.
Data Source
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AI summary
Fastening support devices and systems for hanging half round gutter include engagement portions for internal engagement with the front and rear of a gutter. A rear face of the device may be configured to provide support to a curved rear gutter wall, such as the rear wall of a half round gutter. The rear face may include a substantially vertical upper portion adjacent a curved lower portion. A support body of the device may include a substantially planar lower surface, two or more internal supports projecting upwardly from the lower surface, and one or more thin walls interconnecting the internal supports and the lower surface. These features provide structural rigidity to the device and support the gutter to resist bending under heavy loads. Additional features of the device provide ease of installation and improved aesthetics of the overall gutter system.