AU2020204322B2

AU2020204322B2 - Rainwater products

Info

Publication number: AU2020204322B2
Application number: AU2020204322A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Campbell John Seccombe
Original assignee: BlueScope Steel Ltd
Current assignee: BlueScope Steel Ltd
Priority date: 2008-05-30
Filing date: 2020-06-29
Publication date: 2022-03-31
Anticipated expiration: 2029-05-29
Also published as: AU2009210384A1; AU2009202147A1; AU2022204728A1; AU2018253468B2; AU2020204322A1; AU2016216616A1; AU2016273824A1; AU2018253468A1; AU2010101105A4; AU2010101105B4

Abstract

Rainwater overflow products are disclosed. One such product is a rainwater guttering (10) that comprises a spacing element (18) that provides, when the guttering is mounted to a fascia (20), a gap (40) between a rear wall (14) and the 5 fascia for enabling rainwater to overflow from the guttering, and with the gap increasing in width between the top of the rear wall and the bottom of the rear wall. 1/10 30 14 18 24 40 12 18 22 40 18 10 20 FIG1 18 16 SFIG. 2

Description

1/10

30

14 18 24 40 12 18 22 40

18

20 FIG1

18

16 SFIG. 2

RAINWATER PRODUCTS

This is a divisional application of Australian Patent Application No. 2018253468, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by direct reference.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to products for managing collection and removal of rainwater from a roof of a building.

The invention relates particularly to guttering for a building.

Background of the Invention

Guttering for collecting rainwater from a roof of a building generally comprises an open-top channel located below a perimeter of the roof. Such location of the guttering ensures that rainwater running off the roof is collected in the guttering. The open-top channel is formed with a front wall disposed away from the roof and a rear wall which is mounted to the building, for example via a fascia which, in turn, is attached to an upper edge of the building below the perimeter of the roof. The front and rear walls are joined by a pan and, collectively, form the channel. Drainage openings are formed in the pan to allow rainwater collected in the guttering to escape via downpipes to storm water drains or other water collection or disposal systems. In order to ensure that rainwater runs into the guttering, the guttering is arranged such that the roof extends over the rear wall and into a region above the channel.

The front and rear walls of the guttering extend upwardly from the pan. However, the front wall is higher than the rear wall to conceal the edges of the roof from view for aesthetic reasons. In the event that drainage apertures in the pan become blocked, the channel may fill with rainwater to the extent that rainwater overflows the rear wall and fascia to enter the building.

One attempt to solve this problem is proposed in Australian patent application 65951/98 and patent 735006 granted on the application in the name of BHP Steel (JLA) Pty Ltd ("the JLA disclosure"). In the JLA disclosure the problem is sought to be resolved by providing a spacing means between the fascia and the rear wall of the guttering to define a gap through which in use overflow water flowing over the rear wall flows downwardly through the gap rather than into the building.

Another problem with guttering is that the drainage openings can become blocked by leaf matter and other solid debris, with the result that the guttering overflows. In many situations, when guttering overflows, the rainwater flows into buildings, thereby causing water damage to the buildings.

It would be desirable to provide one or more alternative rainwater overflow products that can substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of these problems.

Summary of the Invention

In one aspect, the invention provides rainwater guttering for mounting to a fascia to enable collection of rainwater at a perimeter of a roof, the guttering comprising an open-top channel formed by front and rear walls linked by a pan for allowing rainwater to run from the roof into the channel, the rear wall extending to a height above the pan that is less than the height of the front wall and including a spacing element that provides, when the guttering is mounted to the fascia, a gap between the rear wall and the fascia for enabling rainwater to overflow from the guttering and flow downwardly through the gap. The gap provided by the spacing element may optionally increase in width between the top of the rear wall and the bottom of the rear wall. The spacing element may optionally be in the form of a U-shaped member with a bridge and two legs extending from the bridge. A width of one of the legs may define the gap between the rear wall and the fascia provided by the spacing element. The rainwater guttering may be in combination with one or more clips for mounting the guttering to the fascia. The one or more clips are adapted to mount the guttering to the fascia such that the rear wall of the guttering abuts that one leg of the spacing element and that one leg of the spacing element in turn abuts the fascia.

The gap at the top of the rear wall desirably retains relatively large items of debris in the channel. Excess rainwater can flow around the larger items and into the gap. Smaller items of debris are less likely to lodge in the gap, because once the items enter the gap at the top of the rear wall, the remainder of the gap is preferably greater in width and typically is wider than the dimensions of the debris. Accordingly, debris items that flow into the gap will be less susceptible to bridging the distance between the rear wall and the fascia in order to lodge in the gap. Therefore, rainwater overflow from the gutter is thereby substantially unimpeded through the gap.

The gap between the rear wall and the fascia at the top of the rear wall may be approximately 2 mm and at the bottom of the rear wall may be approximately 4 mm.

The guttering may be roll-formed from sheet metal.

The metal sheet may be coated with a corrosion resistant material.

However, it will be appreciated that the guttering may be formed with other materials, such as plastics.

Also, in accordance with the first aspect, the invention provides a fascia for fastening to a building in proximity to a perimeter of a roof and to which guttering can be fastened, the fascia comprising a spacing element that provides, when the guttering is mounted to the fascia over the spacing element, a gap between a rear wall of the guttering and the fascia for enabling rainwater to overflow from the guttering and flow downwardly, wherein the spacing element preferably provides a gap that increases in width between the top and the bottom of the guttering.

Preferably, the spacing element comprises projections, ribs or corrugations as described above in respect of guttering in accordance with the invention.

The invention also provides an assembly comprising a guttering mounted to a fascia and wherein the fascia or the guttering is in accordance with the fascia or the guttering described above in accordance with the invention.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a rainwater overflow system for rainwater guttering disposed about the perimeter of a roof, the rainwater guttering having front and rear walls and a pan linking the front and rear walls, the rainwater overflow system comprising: (a) two or more spacing elements for disposition between a fascia and the rear wall at spaced locations along a length of a rainwater guttering such that, when in position, a region between adjacent spacing elements comprises a gap between the rear wall and the fascia through which excess rainwater overflowing the rear wall can flow downwardly; and (b) retaining means comprising one or more clips for mounting the rainwater guttering to the fascia such that the rear wall of the guttering abuts the spacing elements and the spacing elements in turn abut the fascia for retaining each spacing element in position on the fascia or the guttering disposed between the rear wall and the fascia when the rainwater guttering is mounted to the fascia.

Also, in accordance with the second aspect, the invention provides a spacer assembly for defining a rainwater overflow path between a fascia and a rainwater guttering having front and rear walls and a pan linking the front and rear walls to define a channel for collecting rainwater, the spacer assembly comprising: (a) a spacing element for disposition between a fascia and a rear wall of a rainwater guttering such that, in use, when multiple spacing elements are disposed at spaced locations along a length of the rainwater guttering, a region between adjacent spacing elements comprises a gap between the rear wall and the fascia through which excess rainwater overflowing the rear wall can flow downwardly; and (b) a retaining means comprising a clip for mounting the rainwater guttering to the fascia such that the rear wall of the guttering abuts the spacing element and the spacing element in turn abuts the fascia for retaining the spacing element in position on the fascia or the guttering with the spacing element disposed between the rear wall and the fascia when the rainwater guttering is mounted to the fascia.

The rainwater overflow system and the spacer assembly may be formed so that the gap increases in width between the top and the bottom of the guttering.

The rainwater overflow system and the spacer assembly may be readily selected and installed depending on the climate. For example, in regions subject to heavy downpours, such as sub-tropical and tropical areas, the rainwater overflow system and the spacer assembly may be selected to provide a gap that is wider than gap forming members used in temperate regions with less rainfall. Accordingly, the system can be readily adapted to accommodate climate differences by changing the dimensions of the gap forming member.

The retaining means may comprise a screw or other fastener that can be extended through the rear wall of the guttering and the spacing element and into the fascia to retain the spacing element on the fascia.

The retaining means may comprise an arm for engaging the fascia.

The arm may be elastically deformable such that the spacing element is clampable to the fascia via elastic deformation of the arm to engage the fascia.

The clip may comprise a web and two arms that extend from the web, with one arm being provided for contacting the rear wall of the guttering and the other arm being provided for contacting the fascia to clamp the rear wall, the spacing element and the fascia together.

The arm that is provided for contacting the rear wall of the guttering may comprise a series of formations at spaced intervals along at least a part of the length of the arm for engaging a formation on the rear wall of the guttering to allow height adjustment of the guttering in relation to the fascia.

The formations may be in the form of a series of teeth pressed from the arm.

The clip and the spacing element may be an assembly.

The clip and the spacing element may be manufactured as a one-piece construction.

The clip and the spacing element may be manufactured separately and connected together to form the assembly.

The spacing element may be any form that is attachable to the clip to form the assembly.

The spacing element may be any form that is attachable to the web of the clip to form the assembly.

The spacing element may be in the form of a U-shaped member with a bridge and two legs extending from the bridge.

The ends of the legs may comprise formations that are attachable to the web of the clip to assemble the clip and the spacing element together.

The ends of the legs may comprise formations that are attachable to the web of the clip by being engaged in openings in the clip to assemble the clip and the spacing element together.

The legs may increase in width from the ends of the legs to the bridge thereby to increase the gap between the rear wall and the fascia provided by the spacing element.

The present invention also provides a building that comprises the above-described guttering.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention are now described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

Figure 1 is a cross-section of an embodiment of overflow system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a cross-section of another embodiment of an overflow system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 3 is a cross-section of another embodiment of an overflow system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 4 is a cross-section of another embodiment of an overflow system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 5 is a front view of the spacing element shown in Figure 3;

Figure 6 is a side view of the spacing element shown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a front view of the spacing element shown in Figure 4;

Figure 8 is a side view of the spacing element shown in Figure 4;

Figure 9 is a cross-section of another embodiment of an overflow system in accordance with the invention;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a side view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 9;

Figure 12 is a top view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 9;

Figure 13 is a front view of the spacing element of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 9;

Figure 14 is a side view of the spacing element of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 9;

Figure 15 is a rear view of the spacing element of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 9;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a clip/spacer assembly of the type shown in Figure 10;

Figure 17 is a side view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a top view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 16;

Figure 19 is a front view of the spacing element of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 16;

Figure 20 is a side view of the spacing element of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 16; and

Figure 21 is a rear view of the clip/spacer assembly shown in Figure 16.

Detailed Description of the Embodiment

Embodiments of the invention, in general terms, comprise forming a gap between the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 and the fascia 20 by locating a spacer 130 between them at intervals along the length of the guttering 10. Accordingly, regions between adjacent spacers 130 comprise a gap between the rear wall 14 and the fascia 20 through which excess water collected in the guttering 10 overflow the rear wall 14 and through the gap. In this arrangement, overflow water does not travel into the building. Accordingly, water damage is minimised by providing gap regions between spacers 130.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, with like features being denoted by like reference numerals in each of the embodiments, the spacer 130 is part of a clip 140 that clamps the guttering 10 to the fascia 20 for holding the guttering in position on a building. The clip comprises depending arms 142 and 144 that respectively contact the rear wall 14 and the fascia 20 to clamp the rear wall 14 in abutment against the spacer 130.

The clip 140 is formed by folding a strip of metal so as to require elastic displacement in order to fit the clip 140 in position over the fascia 20 and the rear wall 14. The resilience of the clip 140 to elastic displacement provides the clamping force for retaining the guttering in position.

The clips 140 and the spacers 130 are approximately 2 to 5 cm wide and are disposed at approximately 1 metre intervals along the length of the guttering 10. The invention is not confined to these dimensions.

In another embodiment of the invention as shown in Figure 2, the spacer 130 is separate to the clip 140, but is retained in position by an arm 132 that hooks over the top 122 of the fascia 20. The arm 132 includes a finger 134 that is elastically deformable for clamping the spacer 132 to the fascia. The resilience of the finger 134 to elastic displacement provides the force for clamping the spacer 132 to the fascia 20. A separate clip 140 clamps the rear wall 14 in abutment with the spacer 130 and in turn clamps the space 130 to the fascia 20.

Spacers 130 in accordance with the embodiment shown in Figure 2 are utilised in the same manner as described in the spacers 130 shown in Figure 1.

In another embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 3, 7, and 8 there is no clip as in the previous embodiments and the spacer 130 is a separate unit that is retained in position by a screw 170 or other suitable fastener that extends through the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 and an opening 172 in an upper section of the spacer 130 and into the fascia 120. As can best be seen in Figures 5 and 6, the spacer 130 increases in width from an upper end to a lower end of the spacer, as viewed in the Figures, and thereby results in providing a tapered gap between the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 and the fascia 20 when the guttering 10 is mounted to the fascia 20. The gap at the top of the rear wall is approximately 2 mm wide and at the bottom of the rear wall 14 is approximately 4 mm wide. However, larger and smaller gaps may be adopted. In addition, the spacer 130 includes a projection 174 that can be received in a corresponding formation 176 in the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10. The projection 174 is provided to assist in locating the spacer 130 in relation to the guttering 10.

In another embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 4, 7, and 8 there is a clip 140 that retains the spacer 130 in position. Specifically, the spacer 130 is separate to the clip 140, but is retained in position by the clip 140 clamping together the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10, the spacer 130 and the fascia. The spacer 130 is the same basic construction as the spacer 130 shown in Figures 3, 5, and 6, save that it does not include an opening 172. The clip 140 is of the same basic construction as the clips shown in more detail in Figures 9 to 21. The clip 140 comprises a web 180 and two arms 182, 184 that extend from the web 180. The clip 140 is formed from spring steel. Hence, the arms 182, 184 can be displaced elastically outwardly to allow the clip 140 to be positioned in the first instance as shown in Figure 4 and then with the arms 182, 184 in this position exerting a clamping action to hold together the assembly of the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10, the spacer 130, and the fascia 120 as shown in the Figure. In effect, the clip 140 clamps the rear wall 14 in abutment with the spacer 130 and in turn clamps the spacer 130 to the fascia 20. The clip 140 also comprises a series of upwardly inclined projections 186 extending from the arm 184. In this embodiment the projections 186 are in the form of teeth pressed from the spring steel of the clip. The projections 186 are provided to cooperate with the formation 176 in the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 to allow adjustment of the position of the guttering 10 along the length of the fascia to provide a required fall of the guttering 10.

In another embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 9 to 15 there is a clip 140 that retains the spacer 130 in position. However, unlike the previously described embodiments of the second aspect, the spacer 130 and the clip 140 are an assembly. Specifically, whilst the two components are manufactured separately, the components are formed to allow the components to be connected together into an assembly to facilitate installation of the guttering 10 to the fascia 120. The basic structure of the clip 140 is as described with reference to Figures 4, 6, and 7. The clip 140 also comprises two openings 188 in the web 180 of the clip 140 that cooperate with formations 192 on the spacer 130 to assemble the two components together. As can best be seen in Figures 13 and 14, the spacer 130 is in the form of a U-shaped member that comprises a bridge 194 and two legs 196 extending from the bridge 194. The ends of the legs 196 have the above-mentioned formations 192 that cooperate with the openings 188 in the clip 140 to enable the two components to be assembled together. More particularly, as can be appreciated from Figure 10, each formation 192 comprises a pair of pins 198 that are elastically deformable inwardly to allow insertion of the pins 198 into the openings 188, with the resilience of the pins 198 causing the pins 198 the pins to engage the web 180 of the clip 140 and hold the assembly together.

In another embodiment of the invention as shown in Figures 16 to 21 the basic components of the embodiment are the same as the components of the embodiment shown in Figures 9 to 15. The only difference between the embodiments is that in the Figures 16 to 21 embodiment the legs 196 increase in width from the ends of the legs to the bridge 194 thereby to provide a tapered gap (rather than a constant gap as shown in Figure 9) between the rear wall 14 of the guttering 10 and the fascia 120 when the guttering 10 is mounted to the fascia 20. As a consequence of this increase in width of the legs 196, the gap at the top of the rear wall 14 of the guttering is approximately 2 mm wide and at the bottom of the rear wall 14 is approximately 4 mm wide. However, larger and smaller gaps may be adopted.

In all of the above situations, there is considerably reduced risk of the level of collected rainwater overflowing the rear wall 14 into the building.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia or any other country.

Many modifications may be made to the embodiments of the present invention described above with reference to the Figures without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that the term "comprises" and/or its grammatical variants as used in this specification and claims is equivalent to the term "includes" and its corresponding variants and is not to be taken as excluding the presence of other features or elements.

Claims

CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A rainwater overflow system for a rainwater guttering disposed about the perimeter of a roof, the rainwater guttering having front and rear walls and a pan linking the front and rear walls, the system comprising: (a) two or more spacing elements for disposition between a fascia and the rear wall at spaced locations along a length of a rainwater guttering such that, when in position, a region between adjacent spacing elements comprises a gap between the rear wall and the fascia through which excess rainwater overflowing the rear wall can flow downwardly; and (b) retaining means comprising one or more clips for mounting the rainwater guttering to the fascia such that the rear wall of the guttering abuts the spacing elements and the spacing elements in turn abut the fascia for retaining each spacing element in position on the fascia or the guttering disposed between the rear wall and the fascia when the rainwater guttering is mounted to the fascia.

2. The rainwater overflow system defined in claim 1, wherein the gap increases in width between the top of the rear wall of the guttering and the bottom of the rear wall of the guttering.

3. The rainwater overflow system defined in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the retaining means comprises an arm for engaging the fascia.

4. The rainwater overflow system defined in claim 3, wherein the arm is elastically deformable such that the spacing element is clampable to the fascia via elastic displacement of the arm to engage the fascia.

5. The rainwater overflow system defined in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each of the one or more clips comprises a web and two arms that extend from the web, with one arm being provided for contacting the rear wall of the guttering and the other arm being provided for contacting the fascia to clamp the rear wall, the spacing element, and the fascia together.

6. The rainwater overflow system defined in claim 5, wherein the arm that is provided for contacting the rear wall of the guttering comprises a series of formations at spaced intervals along at least a part of a length of the arm for engaging a formation on the rear wall of the guttering to allow height adjustment of the guttering in relation to the fascia.

7. The rainwater overflow system defined in claim 6, wherein the formations are in the form of a series of teeth pressed from the arm.

8. The rainwater overflow system defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the clip and the spacing element comprise an assembly.

9. The rainwater overflow system defined in claim 8, wherein the clip and the spacing element are manufactured as a one-piece construction to form the assembly.

10. The rainwater overflow system defined in claim 8, wherein the clip and the spacing element are manufactured separately and connected together to form the assembly.

11. The rainwater overflow system defined in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the spacing element is in the form of a U-shaped member with a bridge and two legs extending from the bridge.

12. A spacer assembly for defining a rainwater overflow path between a fascia and a rainwater guttering having front and rear walls and a pan linking the front and rear walls to define a channel for collecting rainwater, the spacer assembly comprising: (a) a spacing element for disposition between a fascia and a rear wall of a rainwater guttering such that, in use, when multiple spacing elements are disposed at spaced locations along a length of the rainwater guttering, a region between adjacent spacing elements comprises a gap between the rear wall and the fascia through which excess rainwater overflowing the rear wall can flow downwardly; and (b) a retaining means comprising a clip for mounting the rainwater guttering to the fascia such that the rear wall of the guttering abuts the spacing element and the spacing element in turn abuts the fascia for retaining the spacing element in position on the fascia or the guttering with the spacing element disposed between the rear wall and the fascia when the rainwater guttering is mounted to the fascia.

13. The spacer assembly defined in claim 12, wherein the gap increases in width between the top of the rear wall of the guttering and the bottom of the rear wall of the guttering.

14. The spacer assembly defined in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the retaining means comprises a screw or other fastener that can be extended through the rear wall of the guttering and the spacing element and into the fascia to retain the spacing element on the fascia.

15. The spacer assembly defined in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein the retaining means comprises an arm for engaging the fascia.

16. The spacer assembly defined in claim 15, wherein the arm is elastically deformable such that the spacing element is clampable to the fascia via elastic displacement of the arm to engage the fascia.

17. The spacer assembly defined in any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the clip comprises a web and two arms that extend from the web, with one arm being provided for contacting the rear wall of the guttering and the other arm being provided for contacting the fascia to clamp the rear wall, the spacing element, and the fascia together.

18. The spacer assembly defined in claim 17, wherein the arm that is provided for contacting the rear wall of the guttering comprises a series of formations at spaced intervals along at least a part of a length of the arm for engaging a formation on the rear wall of the guttering to allow height adjustment of the guttering in relation to the fascia.

19. The spacer assembly defined in claim 18, wherein the formations are in the form of a series of teeth pressed from the arm.

20. The spacer assembly defined in any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein the clip and the spacing element form an assembly.

21. The spacer assembly defined in claim 20, wherein the clip and the spacing element are manufactured as a one-piece construction to form the assembly.

22. The spacer assembly defined in claim 20, wherein the clip and the spacing element are manufactured separately and connected together to form the assembly.

23. The spacer assembly defined in claim 22, wherein the spacing element is in any form that is attachable to the clip to form the assembly.

24. The spacer assembly defined in claim 23 and claim 17, wherein the spacing element is in any form that is attachable to the web of the clip to form the assembly.

25. The spacer assembly defined in any one of claims 12 to 24, wherein the spacing element is in the form of a U-shaped member with a bridge and two legs extending from the bridge.

26. The spacer assembly defined in claim 25, wherein ends of the legs comprise formations that are attachable to the web of the clip to assemble the clip and the spacing element together.

27. The spacer assembly defined in claim 26, wherein the legs increase in width from the ends of the legs to the bridge thereby to increase the gap between the rear wall and the fascia provided by the spacing element.

28. Rainwater guttering for mounting to a fascia to enable collection of rainwater at a perimeter of a roof, in combination with one or more clips for mounting the rainwater guttering to the fascia, the guttering comprising an open-top channel formed by front and rear walls linked by a pan for allowing rainwater to run from the roof into the channel, the rear wall extending to a height above the pan that is less than the height of the front wall and including a spacing element that provides, when the guttering is mounted to the fascia, a gap between the rear wall and the fascia for enabling rainwater to overflow from the guttering and flow downwardly through the gap, with the spacing element in the form of a U-shaped member having a bridge and two legs extending from the bridge, wherein a width of one of the legs defines the gap between the rear wall and the fascia provided by the spacing element, wherein the one or more clips are adapted to mount the guttering to the fascia such that the rear wall of the guttering abuts said one leg of the spacing element and said one leg of the spacing element in turn abuts the fascia.

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