AU734969B2 - Roof gutter system for excluding debris - Google Patents

Description

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AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

0 Name of Applicant: JOHN PIDGEON Address of Service: BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS 60 MARGARET STREET SYDNEY NSW 2000 Invention Title: "ROOF GUTTER SYSTEM FOR EXCLUDING DEBRIS"

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Details of Associated Provisional Application No. PP0606 dated 27th November 1997 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 9, -2- *see

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0 The present invention relates generally to guttering of the type adapted to channel run-off water from a roofing structure to a drain.

Guttering systems are well known. These typically comprise some form of elongate channel mounted horizontally below the lower edge of an inclined section of a roof to collect run-off water. At least one end of each channel section is normally connected to a vertically oriented down pipe, which directs the run-off water to a stormwater drain.

Alternatively, the water may be diverted to a rainwater tank to supplement or replace conventional water utilities.

10 These known guttering systems are, however, subject to several inherent disadvantages. Most notably, they readily allow the accumulation of debris, typically in the form of leaves or twigs, in the gutter channel. This is undesirable because the debris impedes the flow of water along the channel and blocks the down pipes, causing the gutter to overflow. Moreover, if water is retained for domestic use it may be tainted by the 15 inclusion of leaves, twigs and other debris. Blockages also permit the breeding of insects such as mosquitos in the entrapped water, which stagnates once the rain subsides.

Furthermore, because the accumulated debris tends to retain moisture, it rots over time and in the process, accelerates corrosion of the metal guttering material. This reduces the service life of the gutter and necessitates replacement at considerable cost. Accumulated debris also constitutes a fire hazard in dry weather, particularly in areas which are heavily forested or prone to bush fires. In view of these factors, it is necessary periodically to clean conventional guttering, which is a difficult, time consuming and potentially dangerous task.

In an attempt to ameliorate these problems, it is known to position mesh screens in a generally horizontal orientation along the top of gutter channels, to prevent the accumulation of debris in the gutters. It has been found, however, that this solution is at best only partially effective, since the debris simply accumulates above the screens, which must themselves then be periodically cleaned. If this is not done, the screens become clogged with debris, rendering the guttering ineffectual and again resulting in the overflow of run-off water.

@0S0 ooo It has also been known for gutters to include cover plates in an attempt to exclude see* 0@ S S• debris. In such arrangements, water typically gains entry through inlet slots formed in a

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•10 vertically oriented side face of the gutter. It has been found in practice, however, that such guttering systems do not operate efficiently when used with roofs clad with tiles or corrugated sheet. Such roofs tend to shed water in uneven rivulets or rills. As a result of the consequential uneven flow at relatively high speed, the water tends simply to run past the inlet slots thereby dramatically reducing the efficiency of the gutter. Moreover, the 15 inlet slots themselves are prone to clogging, particularly by relatively coarse debris.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved guttering system So "which overcomes or substantially ameliorates one or more of these disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative.

Accordingly, the invention provides a guttering assembly comprising an elongate gutter channel adapted in a generally horizontal orientation to direct run-off water from a roof structure toward a drain, a top cover panel disposed to prevent the run-off water and entrained debris from flowing directly into the gutter channel, a generally vertically oriented inlet panel disposed along an outer side of the gutter channel and including a plurality of elongate slots permitting the run-off water to be directed inwardly by surface adhesion into the gutter channel while excluding entrained debris, and a longitudinal roll formation defining a flow control ridge extending marginally above the cover panel to slow the run-off water and induce substantially uniform flow, the roll formation extending marginally outwardly from the inlet panel to permit coarse debris to fall freely along a drop line spaced away from the inlet panel, the roll formation further including an underside surface adapted to convey the run-off water inwardly from the drop line by surface adhesion to the inlet panel and thence into the gutter channel.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

Preferably, the gutter channel, the cover panel and the inlet panel are formed as separate components in which case the assembly preferably further includes mounting means disposed to connect the gutter channel, the top cover panel and the inlet panel in a predetermined spatial relationship. Alternatively, these elements may be integrally formed, or connected by other suitable means. The roll formation is preferably formed integrally with the cover panel and/or the inlet panel.

The mounting means preferably include a plurality of spaced apart mounting brackets, each adapted fixedly to secure the top cover panel and the inlet panel to the gutter channel. Preferably also, the cover panel and the inlet panel include complementary longitudinally extending interlocking edge flanges engageable in conjunction with the mounting brackets to locate these elements relative to one another. In the preferred embodiment, these interlocking edge flanges also define the roll formation.

-4a- Also in the preferred embodiment, the gutter channel, the top cover panel and the inlet panel form a substantially closed box section of generally rectangular or square cross sectional profile.

Preferably, an edge of the inlet panel above each slot is curved inwardly to create a vane terminating at a discharge edge oriented at between 50 and 90', and ideally aroun *0 *e 0 0 0 450, to the generally vertical plane of the inlet panel, whereby water running down the outer surface of the inlet panel is drawn inwardly by surface adhesion to follow the curved underside surface of the vane for discharge at the terminal edge into the gutter channel.

The curvature of the vane and the width of the slot are preferably configured such that a substantial proportion of residual debris, such as entrained leaves and twigs, tends to separate from the run-off water without entering the gutter channel.

In the preferred embodiment, the slots formed in the inlet panel are configured oooo according to a predetermined pattern to achieve an aesthetically pleasing decorative effect in. addition to their primary function of separating the run-off water from the residual *eee o o10 debris. In this regard, the slots may be horizontal or inclined, straight or curved, staggered See.

or aligned, randomly oriented, or may include any combination of these configurations.

Preferably, the gutter channel, the cover panel and the inlet panel are formed from °sheet metal by stamping, punching, guillotining, roll forming or a combination of these processes. The guttering assembly is preferably around 130 mm wide by around 140 mm •ee: o 15 deep and of substantially indefinite length. Each slot is preferably between 1 mm and around 30 mm in width.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a self-cleaning gutter assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the guttering assembly of Figure 1 when assembled; Figure 3 is a vertical cross sectional view of the guttering assembly of Figure 2; r -6- Figure 4 is a vertical cross sectional view showing the guttering assembly of Figure 3, in use; Figure 5 is a perspective view showing a first variation of the inlet panel of the guttering assembly, showing the slot vanes in more detail; Figure 6 is a perspective view similar to Figure 5 showing a second variation of slot vane incorporating an inwardly directed bottom lip; Figures 7 is a series of diagrammatic cross sectional views showing a range of 0000 *00o alternative slot vane sizes and configurations; 0006 S° •Figures 8, 9 and 10 are front elevation views showing alternative inlet panels 5065 10 incorporating different arrangements and configurations of slot vanes; and •0• Figures 11, 12 and 13 are a series of diagrammatic cross-sectional views showing a S range of alternative roll formation configurations, according to the invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 to 4, the invention provides a guttering assembly 1 comprising an elongate gutter channel 2 adapted to be mounted below the lower edge of an s5 inclined roof structure 3. The gutter channel is disposed in a generally horizontal S0• orientation to direct run-off water from the roof structure to a stormwater drain via a downpipe (not shown). A top cover panel 5 is disposed above the gutter channel 2 to prevent the run-off water and debris from flowing directly into the gutter channel. An inlet panel 10 is disposed in a generally vertical orientation along the outer side of the gutter channel. The inlet panel includes a plurality of elongate slots 12. The edges of the inlet panel immediately above the respective slots are curved inwardly, as shown for example in Figure 4, to form vanes 14. Each vane terminates at a discharge edge 16 oriented tangentially at between 50 and around 900, and ideally at approximately 450, with respect to the generally vertical plane of the inlet panel. In this way, water running down the outer -7surface of the inlet panel is drawn inwardly by surface adhesion to follow the curved underside surfaces of the vanes, for discharge at the edge of each vane into the gutter channel, as best seen in Figure 4. The curvature of the vane and the width of the slot are configured such that leaves and twigs tend to separate from the run-off water, without entering the gutter channel, as described more fully below.

As best seen in Figure 4 a longitudinally extending roll formation 17 is positioned between the cover panel 5 and the inlet panel 10. The upper surface of the roll formation

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o• defines a flow control ridge 18 which extends marginally above the cover panel, to slow S•the run-off water and induce substantially uniform flow. This is particularly important in 10 the case of roofs formed from tiles or corrugated sheet, from which run-off water tends to rO*6 flow in concentrated rivulets or rills. The outer surface of the roll formation extends marginally beyond the inlet panel to define a drop line 19, spaced outwardly from the inlet Oe *.0 S0 0: panel. Coarse components of entrained debris tend to fall freely along this drop line, away from the inlet panel, as described more fully below. The underside surface of the roll 15 formation 17 is inwardly curved so as to convey the run-off water flowing over the control S. ridge 18 by virtue of surface adhesion, inwardly to the inlet panel.

The gutter channel, cover panel, inlet panel and roll formation are ideally formed from galvanised sheet metal by stamping, roll forming, punching, guillotining, extrusion, or a combination of these techniques. It will be appreciated, however, that any suitable materials may be used. The guttering assembly is ideally around 130 mm wide by around 140 mm deep and of indefinite length. It will be appreciated, however, that any suitable dimensions may be used. Each slot is preferably between 1 mm and around 30 mm in width, depending upon the flow rate of run-off water to be accommodated, the nature of the debris likely to be entrained in the run-offwater, and other factors. The size and configuration of the roll formation can also be varied to best accommodate local conditions, as seen in Figures 11 to 13.

The guttering assembly further includes mounting means in the form of a series of spaced apart mounting brackets 20, as best shown in Figures 1 to 4. Each mounting bracket comprises an external support portion 21 and an internal support portion 22. As best seen in Figures 3 and 4, the gutter channel 2, the top cover panel 5 and the inlet panel 10 are located by the mounting brackets in predetermined spatial relationship so as to form 0.0S 0 *r a substantially closed box section of generally square cross sectional profile, although it .doc Swill be appreciated upon closer inspection that the upper surface of the cover panel is 10 slightly inclined downwardly, away from the roof structure, to facilitate drainage.

*Oro *0St* Turning now to describe in more detail the method of assembly of the guttering °according to the invention, the mounting brackets are initially anchored to a backing board 25 (see Figure 3) or other suitable surface on the upper edge of the building to which the guttering is to be mounted. The brackets are secured in spaced apart relationship by means 15 of mounting screws 26 or other suitable means. The gutter channel 2 is then positioned as shown, with the upper inner edge located in the V-shaped slot 27 defined between the .*q external support portion 21 and the angled tab 28 on the internal support portion 22. At the same time, the lower inner comer of the gutter channel is located by the bottom foot 29 of the external support portion 21. The outer side of the gutter channel is then anchored to a lug 30 formed on the remote end of the internal support portion 22, by means of selftapping screws, rivets, or other suitable means (not shown). The top cover panel 5 is then placed in position, as shown. It will be seen that the inner edge 35 of the cover panel is turned upwardly, and located by a complementary downwardly turned top lip 36 on the external support portion 21. The cover panel simultaneously rests on the upper arm of the -9internal support portion 22. The outer edge of the cover panel 5 is formed with a longitudinal edge flange 37 having a partially circular cross sectional profile. The upper edge of the inlet panel 10 is similarly performed with a longitudinal edge flange 38 having a complementary partially circular cross sectional profile. In this way, the top edge of the inlet panel hooks over the outer edge of the cover panel, and in doing so forms the roll formation 17. With the edge flanges thus interlocked, the lower surface of the inlet panel agog10 is fastened to the lug 30 on the terminal end of the internal support portion 22 of the •0Oe •mounting bracket, again, by means of self-tapping screws, rivets, or other suitable fastening means. In this configuration ,the gutter channel, cover panel and inlet panel 3 "0 10 form a box structure having a generally square cross sectional profile.

Turning now to describe the operation of the guttering assembly in more detail, when rain falls onto the roof structure 3, it runs down the incline of the roof and is discharged @9 Sonto the upper surface of the gently sloping top cover panel 5, which prevents the run-off water and debris from flowing directly into the gutter channel. The roll formation 17, and 15 particularly the flow control ridge 18, in effect provides a small dam or weir over which the water must flow. This has the effect of slowing down and smoothing out any rivulets or rills flow which may be set up as the run-off water runs down the roof As a consequence, the water tends to flow over and around the roll formation in a relatively slow, uniform manner. In the process, the larger, heavier and less flexible elements of entrained debris, unable to follow the relatively tight curvature, drop from the flow along the drop line 19.

The drop line is spaced apart from the inlet panel 10 so that this debris does not obstruct or clog the slot vanes 14. From there, the water and any residual entrained debris flow inwardly around the curved underside surface of the roll formation, by virtue of surface adhesion, to the outer surface of the vertically oriented inlet panel 10. As the water then flows along the undersides of the slot vanes 14, it begins to flow inwardly again due to surface adhesion, and falls from the discharge edges 16, and thence into the gutter channel.

A significant proportion of residual debris is separated at this stage, either by falling away freely as the flow is again diverted inwardly along the underside surfaces of the vanes, or else by catching the lower marginal edges of the slots. In this way, only a relatively fine component of the entrained debris actually reaches the slots and only an even finer component migrates through the slots with the run-off water. From there, the run-off is 0000 conveyed along the gutter channel to a downpipe and ultimately a stormwater drain.

In terms of the roll formation, it will be understood as the radius is decreased, more erg.

10 debris will drop prior to reaching the inlet panel. This is balanced against the capability to handle heavy rain fall. It will thus be appreciated that with heavy rainfall the flow rate

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over the roll formation will be high. The water will then be less able to "hold on" and e g.

hence will not enter the gutter through the inlet panel. The shape and configuration of the 000•0 roll formation can thus be tailored to suit particular rainfall patterns, and other 0•••0 environmental factors. Furthermore, the inclined ramping surface leading to the flow go control ridge may vary in shape and inclination, and may include supplementary ridges running transverse to the direction of flow, to further regulate the speed and uniformity of the run-off water.

In terms of the slots and vanes, because of their size, any residual entrained debris such as leaves and twigs which may not have fallen directly from the roll formation cannot normally pass through the inlet panel. Such debris is therefore separated from the run-off water in a second stage of the continuous self-cleaning process. The vanes initially help to prevent larger and stiffer pieces of debris from following the water layer, due to their relatively tight radius of curvature. However, several modes of separation will be apparent.

-11- For example, in the case of larger twigs, with more than one leaf or which are angular, these will easily separate from the vertical water layer and simply fall away along the drop line under gravity after travelling over the roll formation. In the case of single straight leaves or twigs, up to several millimetres in thickness, these will not follow the water layer as it flows rapidly around the underside curvature of the vanes. The smaller the radius of curvature of the vane, the more difficult it is for stiff and relatively large items of debris to o follow the path of the water. Once the debris has broken away from the water layer, it will 0000 fall away under gravity, down the vertical face of the outside of the gutter.

S •0*o Small fragments of leaf or twig which are relatively one dimensional and relatively 0000 S.o 10 small in comparison to the depth of the water layer may pass through the slots and into the gutter channel. However, debris of this size will readily pass through the downpipe and the *ee °drain, without causing blockages. Slightly larger fragments which may temporarily block o• the slot aperture itself will ultimately tend to fall away under gravity, either when wet or when dry.

The use of a relatively small slot length can be an additional separating factor. For •o example, a pine needle with two relatively small dimensions and a third relatively large dimension, could travel within the water layer around the vane but will ultimately be separated if the slot length is substantially less than the needle length. It will thus be appreciated that by appropriate substitution of different inlet panels, the relevant parameters of the slot such as slot width, slot length, radius of curvature and other factors may be optimised for the flow rate of run-off water and the nature of debris likely to be encountered in any particular location. Examples of different sizes and shapes of slots are shown in Figure 7, while examples of different arrays of slots are shown in Figures 8 to all of which will exhibit slightly different aesthetic and separation characteristics.

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0 -12- Advantageously, it will be appreciated that the relatively square appearance of the guttering is complementary to contemporary building styles, while the different arrays of slots can be configured to provide supplementary decorative effects, in addition to their primary function of separating debris. The relatively square cross sectional profile also makes joining and mitring of the guttering at corner junctions relatively easy, as compared with the more complex curved profiles of the prior art. In many cases, this means that installation can be successfully effected without specially trained personnel. Also, being internally as well as externally braced, the apparatus is relatively strong and easy to assemble. A further advantage is that because the slots are precisely stamped or punched from sheet metal, the slot width is consistent, accurate and can be precisely tailored to the level of flow and the nature and degree of separation required for specific applications.

This is particularly important for the elimination of the fine fragments of debris and for the prevention of entry into the gutter of insects such as mosquitos or wasps. In these and other respects, the invention provides a practical and commercially significant 15 improvement over the prior art.

It will also be appreciated that the invention need not be limited to roof guttering.

For example, in the forestry industry, debarking of logs is often performed using water jets.

By using self-cleaning guttering systems according to the present invention to filter out the debris, this water may subsequently be reused. Further, the invention is applicable to wastewater cleaning, for example to separate debrissuch as cigarette butts, plastic and other disposable items which would otherwise flow into drains surrounding public facilities.

13 Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

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Claims (15)

1. A guttering assembly comprising an elongate gutter channel adapted in a generally horizontal orientation to direct run-off water from a roof structure toward a drain, a top cover panel disposed to prevent the run-off water and entrained debris from flowing directly into the gutter channel, a generally vertically oriented inlet panel disposed along an outer side of the gutter channel and including a plurality of elongate slots permitting the S•run-off water to be directed inwardly by surface adhesion into the gutter channel while Ce.. excluding entrained debris, and a longitudinal roll formation defining a flow control ridge extending marginally above the cover panel to slow the run-off water and induce 0•o• S• o. 10 substantially uniform flow, the roll formation extending marginally outwardly from the inlet panel to permit coarse debris to fall freely along a drop line spaced away from the inlet panel, the roll formation further including an underside surface adapted to convey the Srun-off water inwardly from the drop line by surface adhesion to the inlet panel and thence into the gutter channel. 000*SO

2. A guttering assembly according to claim 1 wherein the gutter channel, the cover V. panel and the inlet panel are formed as separate components.

3. A guttering assembly according to claim 1 wherein the gutter channel, the cover panel and the inlet panel are integrally formed.

4. A guttering assembly according to claim 2 further including mounting means disposed to connect the gutter channel, the top cover panel and the inlet panel in a predetermined spatial relationship.

A guttering assembly according to claim 4 wherein the mounting means include a plurality of spaced apart mounting brackets, each adapted fixedly to secure the top cover panel and the inlet panel to the gutter channel.

6. A guttering assembly according to claim 5 wherein the cover panel and the inlet panel include complementary longitudinally extending interlocking edge flanges engageable in conjunction with the mounting brackets to locate these elements relative to one another.

7. A guttering assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the gutter channel, the top cover panel and the inlet panel form a substantially closed box •oo section of generally rectangular or square cross-sectional profile.

C **OO *Gos A guttering assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein an edge 00 of the inlet panel above each slot is curved inwardly to create a vane terminating at a O ee 10 discharge edge oriented at an angle between 50 and 900 to the general plane of the inlet so panel whereby water running down the outer surface of the inlet panel is drawn inwardly by surface adhesion for discharge into the gutter channel. 0e

9. A guttering assembly according to claim 8 wherein the angle of orientation is "around 45 •O8°• S 15

10. A guttering assembly according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the curvature of the C. vane and the width of the slot are configured such that a substantial proportion of entrained o leaves and twigs tend to separate from the run-off water without entering the gutter channel.

11. A guttering assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the slots formed in the inlet panel are configured according to a predetermined pattern to achieve an aesthetically pleasing decorative effect.

12. A guttering assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the gutter channel, the cover panel and the inlet panel are formed from sheet metal by any one -16- or more of a series of process steps including stamping, punching, guillotining, and roll forming.

13. A guttering assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the guttering assembly is around 130 mm wide by around 140 mm deep and of substantially indefinite length.

14. A guttering assembly according to any one of the preceding claims wherein each S* slot is between 1 mm and 30 mm in width. a

15. A guttering assembly substantially as herein described with reference to any one of Sthe embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings. **t 10 DATED this 27th Day of November, 1998 JOHN PIDGEON Attorney: STUART M. SMITH Fellow Institute of Patent Attorneys of Australia of BALDWIN SHELSTON WATERS I 00 f