Internal Gutter Hanger Installation Prevents Roof Seal Damage

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gutter hangers require lifting shingles to install, which can damage the roof and disrupt the seal, allowing wind and water to penetrate, and do not provide adequate support to prevent gutter sagging under ice and snow loads.

Innovation Solution

An L-shaped gutter hanger that installs internally within the gutter, with a downward extending leg to secure the gutter to the fascia board and a predrilled angled hole for consistent installation, along with additional support features like a web and countersink for screws, ensuring secure attachment and preventing sagging.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional gutter hangers are installed by lifting shingles, then the hanger can be attached to the fascia board, but the roof seal is damaged and wind and water can penetrate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveroof seal integrityVSAvoidinstallation process

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of installing the hanger from the outside by lifting shingles, the patent inverts the installation approach by placing the hanger inside the gutter first, then securing it from the interior. This reversal eliminates the need to disturb the shingle seal while achieving the same attachment function to the fascia board.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Strength

If traditional gutter hangers are used, then installation is simple, but the gutter sags under ice and snow loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegutter support capabilityVSAvoidhanger structure

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a vertical dimension to the hanger structure by extending it downward from the gutter interior to reach the fascia board. This dimensional extension provides additional support points and leverage, enabling the hanger to bear heavier loads like ice and snow while maintaining structural integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If gutter hangers are installed without a guide, then installation is flexible, but the gutters are not kept straight and aesthetic is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegutter alignment consistencyVSAvoidinstallation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates a pre-drilled angled hole in the hanger that serves as a built-in guide for screw placement. This preliminary feature ensures consistent positioning and alignment of gutters during installation, eliminating the need for separate measuring and marking steps while maintaining installation flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS9624673B2Enhanced gutter hanger

Publication Date: 2017.04.18 CONNER DARREN DEAN

AI summary

A gutter hanger for hanging a rain gutter on the fascia board of a structure or building. The gutter hanger includes an elongated horizontal top member connected to a downwardly extending back member, the top and back member connected by a web of material. A bore for a fascia screw extends from the top member, through the web, and exit the back member. The gutter hanger also includes an upwardly extending protrusion to engage the lip of the gutter. The top member also includes a threaded bore hole to accept a screw, so that the top member may be attached to the top front of the gutter with a threaded fastener.