AU2010201731A1 - Spacer clip - Google Patents

Description

Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT APPLICANT: STODDART TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD Invention Title: SPACER CLIP The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: CLIP SYSTEM Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a clip system for mounting a gutter relative to a fascia. Background of the Invention Figures 1A to 1C illustrates a prior art clip system 10 for mounting a gutter 20 relative to a fascia 30. The exemplary gutter 20 is generally U-shaped in cross section with an inner wall 22, bottom wall 24, and outer wall 26. The prior art clip system 10 is formed of a resilient metal material and includes an inner, fascia-engagement portion 12 which is located, in use, behind the fascia 30; and an outer, gutter-engagement portion 14 which is located, in use, on the outer side of the inner wall 22 of the gutter 20. The inner wall 22 of the gutter 20 includes an outwardly and horizontally-extending ridge 28 which cooperates with a series of vertically spaced, inwardly-extending barbs 16 disposed on the inwardly facing side of gutter-engagement portion 14 of the clip system 10 to provide a height-adjustable mounting of gutter 20 relative to fascia 30. The prior art clip system has several problems. Firstly, during heavy rain, or in other circumstances (e.g. blocked downpipes) where the gutter may overflow, there is a risk of water penetrating behind the fascia and into the eaves of a building. Secondly, the gutter is able to flex or deform under high loads. And thirdly, the gutter is able to rotationally move relative to the fascia, which in turn may lead to the gutter sliding out of engagement from the prior art clip, or at least upsetting the "fall" of the gutter towards the downpipe. 1 Summary In accordance with the present invention, the clip system mounts the gutter relative to the fascia and simultaneously spaces the gutter from the fascia to provide a gap between the gutter and fascia to allow overflow to fall through the gap. Spacing the gutter from the fascia aggravates the secondary problem discussed above (i.e. flexion of the gutter under load) due to the fact that the inner wall of the gutter no longer abuts the fascia. Therefore, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide additional support to the bottom wall and/or outer wall of the gutter. Highly preferred embodiments of the present invention retain height adjustability by implementing the clip system as a 2-piece clip system. Further embodiments of the present invention provide secondary fastening means of the clip system to gutter and/or fascia reducing rotational movement of the gutter relative to the fascia. Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1A is a perspective view of a prior art clip system; Figure 1B provides an illustration of use of the prior art clip system shown in Figure 1A from the gutter side of the assembly; Figure 1C provides an illustration of use of the prior art clip system shown in Figure 1A from the fascia side of the assembly; Figure 2A is a perspective view of a clip system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2B provides an illustration of use of the clip shown in Figure 2A from the gutter side of the assembly; 2 Figure 2C provides an illustration of use of the clip system shown in Figure 2A from the fascia side of the assembly; Figure 2D is a perspective view of a support clip for use with a clip system as shown in Figure 2A in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2E provides an illustration of use of the clip system shown in Figure 2A together with the support clip shown in Figure 2D from the gutter side of the assembly; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a clip system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4A is a perspective view of a clip system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4B provides an illustration of use of the clip system shown in Figure 4A from the gutter side of the assembly; Figure 5A is a perspective view of a two-piece clip system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5B is a further perspective view of the two-piece clip system as shown in Figure 5A; Figure 5C is a section view of a gutter-clip-piece of the two-piece clip system shown in Figures 5A and 5B being fitted onto a gutter in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 3 Figure 5D is a section view of a fascia clip piece of the two-piece clip system shown in Figures 5A and 5B being fitted to a fascia in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5E provides an illustration of use of the two-piece clip system shown in Figures 5A and 5B from the gutter side of the assembly; Figure 5F provides an illustration of use of the two-piece clip system shown in Figures 5A and 5B from the fascia side of the assembly; Figure 6A is a gutter-side perspective view of a two-piece clip system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 6B is a fascia-side perspective view of a two-piece clip system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7A is a gutter-side perspective view of a two-piece clip system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 7B is a fascia-side perspective view of a two-piece clip system in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Drawings Alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims which follow. Wherever possible, like numbers will refer to like parts. 4 Figures 2A to 2E illustrate a preferred embodiment of a clip system 100 having top portion 102, gutter engagement portion 104, and fascia engagement portion 106. The preferred elements of clip 100 and their interrelationship are described below. Gutter engagement portion 104 has inner arms 108 and 110 and outer arm 112. Each inner arm 108 and 110 has a step 114. Step 114 of inner arms 108 and 110 includes three surfaces 114a, 114b and 114c. Surface 114a extends inwardly and is substantially orthogonal to inner arm 114. Surface 114b is a substantially vertical surface extending downwardly from surface 114a. Inclined surface 114c extends outwardly from surface 114b. It is to be appreciated that step 114 need not be restricted to the shape shown in this exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Step 114 may be configured in any other suitable shape. For example, step 114 may have a continuously curved shape, or have one or more partially flat surfaces and one or more partially curved surfaces. Outer arm 112 includes a plurality of inwardly-directed protrusions 118. In this exemplary embodiment, protrusions 118 are shown to be in the form of punched teeth. It is to be appreciated that protrusion 118 may alternatively be in the form of domes, bubbles, curved hooks, or other suitable shapes that would provide gripping to a gutter wall. Outer arm 112 also includes inclined flange 120 extending outwardly from outer arm 112. It is to be appreciated that flange 120 need not be restricted to a flat surface as shown in this exemplary embodiment of the invention. Flange 120 could be curved, or partially flat and partially curved. Fascia engagement portion 106 preferably extends downwardly and toward the lower end of the gutter engagement portion 104 and includes curved ridge 122 best shown in Figure 2C. Curved ridge 122 includes contact portion 122a and end portion 122b. In this exemplary embodiment, contact portion 122a is in the form of a curved surface and end portion 122b is in the form of a flange. Fascia engagement portion 106 is suitably dimensioned to substantially align curved ridge 122 with step 114 of inner arms 108 and 110. 5 Referring to Figure 2B, use of clip 100 is shown in as seen from within gutter 20. Gutter 20 includes inner wall 22, base 24, and outer wall 26. Inner wall 22 engages with gutter engagement portion 104 by sliding inner wall 22 between inner arms 108 and 110 (as shown in Figure 1) and outer arm 112. Flange 120 allows for ease of engagement of inner wall 22 with gutter engagement portion 104. The angle at which flange 120 extends from outer arm 112 allows for inner wall 22 to approach gutter engagement portion 104 at a range of angles such that installation of clip 100 can be performed with ease. The angle at which fascia engagement portion 106 extends downwardly and inwardly toward the lower end of the gutter engagement portion 104 is preferably set to ensure that contact portion 122a aligns with surface 114b of step 114 of each of inner arms 108 and 110. This arrangement provides two co-acting engagement points that maximise frictional engagement between fascia 30 and fascia engagement portion 106. Protrusions 118 in outer arm 112 allow inner wall 22 to engage with gutter engagement portion 104 at any desirable height relative to the top 32 of fascia 30. To release gutter 20 from gutter engagement section 104, a user need only pull flange 120 toward outer wall 26, thereby disengaging teeth 118 from inner wall 22, and slide inner wall 22 downwardly to release gutter 20 from clip 100. Step 114 of each inner arm 108 and 110 (as shown in Figure 1) abuts against fascia 30 providing a gap 40 between fascia 30 and inner wall 22 of gutter 20. Gap 40 is determined by the size of step 114. Gap 40 is preferably set to 10mm between fascia 30 and inner wall 22 of gutter 20. However, gap 40 may be set to provide a space between fascia 30 and inner wall 22 of gutter 20 between 5mm to 50mm. Referring to Figure 2C, use of clip 100 is shown as seem from behind fascia 30. Clip 100 engages with fascia 30 by sliding clip 100 over fascia 30 such that fascia 30 sits in between curved ridge 122 of fascia engagement portion 106 and step 114 of each of inner arms 108 and 110 of clip 100. The top 32 of fascia 30 abuts top portion 102 of clip 100. 6 Figure 2D shows gutter bracket 200 formed as an integrated piece for supporting a gutter with a secure attachment to a fascia. Gutter bracket 200 includes a valley portion 202 from which first arm 204 extends towards the outer wall of a gutter, and second arm 206 extends towards the inner wall of a gutter. First and second arms 204 and 206 have a convex upper surface due to the formation of rib 207 to stiffen gutter bracket 200. First arm 204 includes a first engagement portion 208 designed for complementary engagement with a gutter wall. In this exemplary embodiment, first engagement portion 208 is preferably configured as a convex portion designed to clip into a concave lip within an outer wall of a gutter. Second arm 206 includes a second engagement portion 210 designed for frictional engagement with a gutter wall and a fascia. In this exemplary embodiment, second engagement portion 210 is preferably configured as a folded clip having a first side portion 210a, a top portion 210b, and second side portion 210c, and a flexible tab portion 210d. Top portion 210b includes opening 212 and second side portion 210c includes opening 214. First and second arms 204 and 206 extend from valley portion 202 at an enclosed angle 0 suitably set in accordance with the dimensions of the gutter onto which gutter bracket 200 is installed. Referring to Figure 2E, support bracket 200 is shown in use to support gutter 20 installed against fascia 30. First arm 204 extends toward the top of outer wall 26 and first engagement portion 208 clips into concave lip 27 of outer wall 26. Second arm 206 extends toward the top of inner wall 22 and second engagement portion 210 clips over inner wall 22 and fascia 30. Flexible tab portion 210d abuts against the wall of fascia 30 under frictional engagement. Engagement of a gutter bracket to a gutter and fascia as shown with reference to Figures 2D and 2E provides support for the gutter by enhancing the gutter's engagement to the fascia. Figure 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a clip system 300 having top portion 302, gutter engagement portion 304, and fascia engagement portion 306. The 7 preferred elements of clip system 300 and their interrelationship are described below. Gutter engagement portion 304 has inner arms 308 and 310. Each inner arm 308 and 310 has a lower section 314 configured to abut against a fascia similarly to the illustration shown in Figures 2B and 2E. However, in this exemplary embodiment, lower section 314 is folded to form two surfaces 314a and 314b. Surface 314a is substantially folded at 900 to inner arms 308 and 310, while surface 314b is substantially folded at 900 to surface 314a. It is to be appreciated that surfaces 314a and 314b need not be restricted to flat surfaces as shown in this exemplary embodiment. Surfaces 314a and 314b could be configured as curved shapes or with one surface curved and the other one flat. Fascia engagement portion 306 preferably extends downwardly and toward the lower end of the gutter engagement portion 304 and includes curved ridge 322. Curved ridge 322 includes contact portion 322a and end portion 322b. In this exemplary embodiment, contact portion 322a is in the form of a curve and end portion 322b is in the form of a flange. Fascia engagement portion 306 is suitably dimensioned to substantially align curved step 322 with lower section 314 of inner arms 308 and 310. This arrangement provides two co-acting engagement points that maximise frictional engagement between a fascia and fascia engagement portion 306. Figures 4A and 4B show an alternative embodiment of a two-piece clip system 400 having intermediate spacing clip 402 and outer clip 404. Intermediate spacing clip 402 has facia engagement portion 406, top portion 408, front plate 410, and folded portion 412 having surface 412a and surface 412b. Outer clip 404 has top portion 414, fascia engagement portion 416 and gutter engagement portion 418. The preferred elements of two-piece clip system 400 and their interrelationship are described below. 8 Intermediate spacing clip 402 is fitted to fascia 30 such that fascia engagement portion 406 and top portion 408 wrap around the top of fascia 30, while surface 412b of folded portion 412 abuts against the face of fascia 30 closest to gutter 20. Once intermediate spacing clip 402 is fitted to fascia 30, gutter 20 is positioned proximal to the fascia 30 such that inner wall 22 of gutter 20 abuts front plate 410 of intermediate spacing clip 402. Outer clip 404 is fitted over fascia 30, intermediate spacing clip 402 and gutter 10, such that gutter 10 is mounted to fascia 30 with gap 40 in between fascia 30 and inner wall 22 of gutter 20. The width of gap 40 is determined by the size of surface 412a. In an alternative embodiment, gutter engagement portion 418 of outer clip 404 may be configured with a plurality of protrusions adapted to engage with ridge 420 on inner wall 22 of gutter 20 such that gutter 20 can be mounted at a plurality of selected heights relative to the top of fascia 30. A clip system, such as the one shown with reference to Figures 2A to 2E, 3, or 4A to 4B, ameliorates the problem of overflow of excess water. The provision of a gap between the fascia and the inner wall of a gutter allows for excess water to overflow over the outer wall as well as the inner wall of the gutter without any excess water flowing into a building structure through the fascia. With this capability, the gutter may be a hi-front gutter that can be placed at any height relative to the top of the fascia. Figures 5A to 5F illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a two-piece clip system 500 having gutter-clip-piece 502 and fascia-clip-piece 504. Gutter-clip-piece 502 includes outer wall support portion 506, bottom wall support portion 508, upstanding fascia clip engagement portion 510, manually deformable tab 512 and manually deformable tab 514, back plate 516, step 518, front plate 520, and folded portion 522. Fascia-clip-piece 504 includes top portion 532, fascia engagement portion 534, and gutter engagement portion 536 having a plurality of protrusions 538. The 9 preferred elements of clip system 500 and their interrelationship are described below. Convex portion 524 of outer wall support portion 506 is adapted to be clipped into concave lip 27 of gutter 20. This part of the assembly process is best illustrated in Figure 5C where gutter-clip-piece 502 is in a position to be rotated towards the bottom of gutter 20 such that bottom wall support portion 508 snap-fits onto bottom wall 24 of gutter 20. The dashed line of Figure 5C illustrates gutter-clip piece 502 installed in its final position on gutter 20. Fascia-clip-piece 504 is adapted to engage with fascia 30 by sliding fascia-clip piece 504 onto fascia 30 such that facia 30 sits in between fascia engagement portion 534 and gutter engagement portion 536 with protrusions 538 being on the outside of fascia 30 (i.e., on the gutter side of the fascia). This part of the assembly process is best illustrated with reference to Figure 5D where fascia-clip piece 504 is being fitted onto fascia 30. The dashed line of Figure 5D illustrates fascia-clip-piece 504 installed in its final position on fascia 30. In its final position on fascia 30, fascia-clip-piece 504 is configured to receive upstanding fascia clip engagement portion 510 of gutter-clip-piece 502 to secure gutter 20 to fascia 30. Once gutter-clip-piece 502 is fitted to gutter 20, and fascia-clip-piece 504 is fitted to fascia 30, gutter-clip-piece 502 is attached to fascia-clip-piece 504 by inserting upstanding fascia clip engagement portion 510 in between gutter engagement portion 536 of fascia-clip-piece 504 and fascia 30. Ridge 526 of upstanding fascia clip engagement portion 510 engages with a selection of protrusions 538 to control the height of gutter 20 relative to the top of fascia 30. In order to further secure gutter 20 to fascia 30 and lessen the likelihood of rotational movement of gutter 20 relative to fascia 30, manually deformable tab 512 is folded over fascia 30, while manually deformable tab 514 is folded over inner wall 22 of gutter 20. Once assembled (see Figures 5E and 5F), gutter 20 is mounted relative to fascia 30 with the presence of gap 40 in between inner wall 22 of gutter 20 and fascia 10 30. In the event of heavy rain, excess water can overflow into gap 40 between gutter 20 and fascia 30. In this exemplary embodiment, gap 40 is provided by virtue of step 518 which spaces apart the vertical alignment of back plate 516 and front plate 520. Gap 40 is also provided through folded portion 522, which comprises of surface 522a folded substantially horizontally at about 900 to back plate 516 and surface 222b folded substantially vertically at about 90* to surface 522a. Back plate 516 rests substantially flat against fascia 30, which front plate 520 rests substantially flat against inner wall 22 of gutter 20. Gap 40 may range between 5mm to 20mm and is preferably configured as 10mm. The configuration of step 518 and folded portion 522 determine the size of gap 40. For added security in the mounting of gutter 20 to fascia 30, fascia 30 can be fastened to gutter-clip-piece 502 via a screw or pop-rivet protruding through the wall of fascia 30 and through openings 528 or opening 530. Two-piece clip system 500, gutter 20 and fascia 30 may be assembled in an alternative way where gutter-clip-piece 502 is fitted to gutter 20, a fastening means, such as a screw or pop rivet is threaded or punched through fascia 30 such that opening 530 of gutter-clip-piece 502 is inserted onto the fastening means for temporary mount. With gutter-clip-piece 502 loosely mounted to fascia 30, fascia-clip-piece 504 is fitted to fascia 30 and upstanding fascia clip engagement portion 510. For further security in the mounting of gutter 20 to fascia 30, bottom wall support portion 508 of gutter-clip-piece 502 is provided with opening 540 for insertion of a fastening means, such as a threaded screw of pop rivet, into through opening 540 and further into bottom wall 24 of gutter 20. Preferably, any secure fastening is performed after mounting the gutter at a desirable height. In this exemplary embodiment, gutter-clip-piece 502 is shown as having one outer wall support portion 506 with upstanding fascia clip engagement portion 526 on one side of outer wall support portion 506 and with manually deformable tabs 512 and 514 on the other side of outer wall support portion 506. In an alternative 11 embodiment of the present invention, the gutter-clip-piece can have more than one fascia clip engagement portion for engagement with more than one fascia clip-piece. Furthermore, there may be more than two manually deformable tabs on either side of the one or more fascia clip engagement portion(s). Figures 6A to 6B illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention with a two-piece clip system 600 including gutter-clip-piece 602 and fascia-clip-piece 604. Gutter-clip-piece 602 includes outer wall support portion 606, upstanding fascia clip engagement portion 608, front plate 610, and folded step portion 612 at each lateral end of front plate 610. Front plate 610 includes ridge 611 (not visible in Figures 6A to 6B - hidden behind gutter engagement portion 620). Fascia-clip-piece 604 includes top portion 616, fascia engagement portion 618, and gutter engagement portion 620 having a plurality of protrusions 624. The preferred elements of clip system 600 and their interrelationship are described below. In use, end convex portion 614 of outer wall support portion 606 is adapted to be clipped into the concave lip of a gutter. Once end convex portion 614 is movably fitted to the concave lip, gutter-clip-piece 602 is rotated such that front plate 610 abuts the inner wall of the gutter. At this stage, gutter-clip-piece 602 (and the attached gutter) are moved towards a fascia such that surface 612b of folded step portion 612 abuts the fascia, leaving a gap between the gutter and the fascia. The width of the gap is determined by the width of surface 612a. Fascia-clip piece 604 is fitted to the fascia and gutter-clip-piece 602 by insertion of upstanding fascia clip engagement portion 608 into complementary opening 622 of top portion 616. The gutter is mounted at a desired height relative to the top of the fascia by sliding fascia-clip-piece 604 such that a selected number of protrusions 624 engage with ridge 611 of front plate 610. Once the desired height is achieved, upstanding fascia clip engagement portion 608 is folded over the 12 inner wall of the gutter as a secondary securing means providing pull out resistance to stop the gutter from sliding or pulling out of two-piece clip system 600. Figures 7A to 7B illustrate yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention with two-piece clip system 700 including gutter-clip-piece 702 and fascia-clip-piece 704. Gutter-clip-piece 702 includes outer wall support portion 706, upstanding fascia engagement portion 708, manually deformable tabs 710 and 712, back plate 714, step portion 716, front plate 718, folded portion 720, and bottom wall support portion 722. Fascia-clip-piece 704 includes top portion 730, fascia engagement portion 732, and gutter engagement portion 734. The preferred elements of clip system 700 and their interrelationship are described below. In use, end convex portion 724 of outer wall support portion 706 is adapted to clip into the concave lip of a gutter. Once end convex portion 724 is movably fitted to the concave lip, gutter-clip-piece 702 is rotated such that that front plate 718 abuts the inner wall of the gutter. At this stage, gutter-clip-piece 702 (and the attached gutter) are moved towards a fascia such that surface 720b of folded step portion 720 abuts the fascia, leaving a gap between the gutter and the fascia. The width of the gap is determined by the width of surface 720a. Fascia-clip piece 704 is fitted to the fascia and gutter-clip-piece702 by insertion of upstanding fascia engagement portion 708 into complimentary opening 736 of top portion 730. The gutter is mounted at a desired height relative to the top of the fascia. Once the desired height is achieved, upstanding fascia engagement portion 708 is folded over the inner wall of the gutter, manually deformable tab 710 is folded over the fascia, and manually deformable tab 712 is folded over the inner wall of the gutter providing pull out resistance to stop the gutter from sliding or pulling out of two-piece clip system 700. 13 Having one or more deformable tabs fold over the inner wall of the gutter or the fascia on one side of the outer wall support portion, and an upstanding foldable fascia engagement portion fold over the inner wall of the gutter or the fascia on the other side of the outer wall support, provides a securing means against rotational movement of the gutter relative to the fascia. In the specification the term "comprising" shall be understood to have a broad meaning similar to the term "including" and will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. This definition also applies to variations on the term "comprising" such as "comprise" and "'comprises." The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. 14

Claims (22)

1. A clip system for mounting a gutter relative to a fascia, the clip system, in use, providing a gap between the gutter and the fascia such that water can overflow into the gap between the gutter and the fascia.

2. The clip system of claim 1, the clip system comprising: a fascia-engagement portion; a gutter-engagement portion; and a spacer located intermediate the fascia-engagement portion and the gutter-engagement portion and configured, in use, to provide the gap between the gutter and the fascia.

3. The clip system of claim 2, wherein the clip system includes a bridging portion joining the fascia-engagement portion and the gutter-engagement portion, and the spacer depends from the bridging portion.

4. The clip system of claim 2, wherein the spacer depends from the gutter engagement portion.

5. The clip system of claim 1, wherein, in use, the gap between the gutter and fascia is about 10mm.

6. The clip system of claim 1, the clip system being a multi-piece clip system and comprising: a gutter-clip-piece; and a fascia-clip-piece; the gutter-clip-piece being engageable with the fascia-clip-piece to, in use, mount the gutter relative to the fascia.

7. The clip system of claim 6, wherein the gutter-clip-piece is engageable with the fascia-clip-piece in a height-adjustable manner. 15

8. The clip system of claim 6 or 7, wherein, in use, the gutter-clip-piece supports a bottom wall and/or an outer wall of the gutter.

9. The clip system of claim 8, wherein the gutter-clip-piece comprises an outer wall support portion including a convex portion configured, in use, to engage a concave lip on the outer wall of the gutter.

10. The clip system of claim 9, wherein the gutter-piece-clip includes a bottom wall support portion and wherein, during assembly of the gutter-piece clip and gutter, the convex portion is inserted into the concave lip, and the gutter-clip-piece is then rotated relative to the gutter until the bottom wall support portion engages the bottom wall of the gutter.

11. The clip system of claim 10, wherein said engagement of the bottom wall support portion with the bottom wall of the gutter occurs as a resilient snap fit.

12. A gutter-clip-piece suitable for use with the multi-piece clip system of claim 6.

13. The gutter-piece-clip of claim 12, wherein the gutter-clip-piece is engageable with the fascia-clip-piece in a height-adjustable manner.

14. The gutter-clip-piece of claim 13, wherein, in use, the gutter-clip-piece supports a bottom wall and/or an outer wall of the gutter.

15. The gutter-clip-piece of claim 14, wherein the gutter-clip-piece comprises an outer wall support portion including a convex portion configured, in use, to engage a concave lip on the outer wall of the gutter.

16. The gutter-clip-piece of claim 15, wherein the gutter-piece-clip includes a bottom wall support portion and wherein, during assembly, the convex portion is 16 inserted into the concave lip, and the gutter-clip-piece is then rotated relative to the gutter until the bottom wall support portion engages the bottom wall of the gutter.

17. The gutter-piece-clip of claim 16, wherein said engagement of the bottom wall support portion with the bottom wall of the gutter occurs as a resilient snap fit.

18. A kit for sale including the clip system of any one of claims 1 to 11 in combination with at least one of a gutter and a fascia.

19. A kit for sale including the gutter-piece-clip of any one of claims 12 to 17 in combination with at least one of a gutter and a fascia.

20. An assembly of a gutter, a fascia, and a clip system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.

21. A method of mounting a gutter relative to a fascia using a multi-piece clip system as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11, the method comprising the following steps in any order: attaching the gutter-clip-piece to the gutter; attaching a fascia-clip-piece to the fascia; and attaching the gutter-clip-piece to the fascia-clip-piece.

22. A method of remounting a gutter relative to a fascia using a gutter-clip piece as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 11, the method comprising the steps of: de-mounting the gutter from the fascia, attaching the gutter-clip-piece to the gutter; and re-mounting the gutter relative to the fascia. 17