AU746980B2

AU746980B2 - Improvements relating to guttering

Info

Publication number: AU746980B2
Application number: AU94117/98A
Authority: AU
Inventors: David Kenneth Senogles
Original assignee: SENOGLES Pty Ltd D
Current assignee: D SENOGLES Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1997-12-15
Filing date: 1998-11-24
Publication date: 2002-05-09
Anticipated expiration: 2018-11-24
Also published as: AU9411798A

Description

Our Ref: 709950 P/00/011 Regulation 3:2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT ee

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e g 0@ Oe g Applicant(s): 0 Address for Service: D Senogles Pty Ltd 11 Narooma Road Niagara Park New South Wales 2250

AUSTRALIA

DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Trade Mark Attorneys Level 10, 10 Barrack Street SYDNEY NSW 2000 Improvements relating to guttering Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:- 5020 P:\WDoCsDysospede88750.SPnE-10 Janfy 2002 -1- IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO GUTTERING This invention relates generally to guttering and more particularly to guttering for structures such as buildings and the like. The invention is more particularly concerned with apparatus for use in guttering assemblies for assisting in reducing or inhibiting the accumulation of debris in the guttering.

A major problem for guttering which collects water from roofs and the like is the accumulation of debris such as leaves and the like within the guttering. In the past, one method of alleviating the problem has been by the use of mesh which is disposed over the open face of the gutter. It has been found, however, that the mesh tends to get clogged and also requires that the leaves and other debris be removed manually.

Another proposed solution is described in the Australian Patent No 510773. In this arrangement 15 a cover is arranged to overlie the gutter. The cover includes a curved outer edge portion which permits the passage of water around the curved edge and into the gutter, while causing leaves and other debris to fall off the surface before passing to the gutter. This arrangement has proved to be unsatisfactory because specially designed gutters and cooperating covers had been ae required and the clipping arrangement proved to be unsatisfactory.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus which alleviates one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages.

S According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided Apparatus for reducing or inhibiting the accumulation of debris in guttering, the guttering including a channel which is securable to a structure and having an outer channel wall, the outer channel wall including a lip having a recess in an upper edge of the outer channel wall, the apparatus including a flow guide which includes a first section which, in use, at least partially overlies the guttering channel and an end section which has a curved surface which, in use, at least partially extends beyond the outer channel wall of the guttering and returns to a free edge portion which includes a flange and which, in use, is positioned inwardly of the outer channel wall of the guttering, the apparatus further including a clip means which operatively connects the flow guide to the guttering, the clip means including a guttering mounting section which is securable to the guttering, the guttering mounting section including a protrusion which is generally 03lementary in shape to the recess in the lip of the outer channel wall of the guttering and b> P:\WPOOCSVDYSspwso875O.SPE-O Jnamry 2002 -2is receivable therein, wherein one or both of the protrusion and the recess in the lip are generally resilient so as to provide for snap fit engagement between the two parts, the clip further including a flow guide mounting section which is securable to the flow guide, the flow guide mounting section including a mounting channel wherein the free edge portion of the curved surface includes a flange which is receivable within the mounting channel of the clip means for securing the two parts together, the clip further including an end flange which extends away from the mounting protrusion and in use abuts against the inner surface of the guttering outer wall, the gutter mounting section and flow guide mounting section of the clip being arranged so as to retain the flow guide in a selected position relative to the guttering.

The apparatus is particularly suitable for use with guttering in which the upper edge of the outer wall of the channel is provided with a lip having a recess therein the guttering mounting section being receivable within the recess. Preferably, the recess is generally C-shaped in cross section.

S0. It will be appreciated however, that guttering and any associated recess in a lip on the outer 15 channel wall could be any other suitable shape or configuration. In one form of guttering the recess faces inwardly towards the channel however it will be appreciated that the channel could face upwardly or in any other direction and the invention could still be adapted for use therewith.

In one preferred form the clip means guttering mounting section includes a protrusion which is generally complementary in shape to the recess in the channel wall lip and is receivable therein. Preferably one or both of the protrusions and the lip are generally resilient so as to provide for snap fit engagement between the two parts.

25 Preferably the free edge portion of the curved surface includes a flange which is receivable within the channel of the clip means for securing the two parts together. Preferably the 00 mounting channel in the clip means and the mounting protrusion are spaced from one another by a connector section. The clip means may further include an end flange which extends away from the mounting protrusion and in use abuts against the inner surface of the guttering outer wall. The clip means may be formed from any suitable material such as metal or plastics.

The first section of the flow guide may have corrugations formed in its upper surface, these corrugations extending transversely over the normal liquid flow direction. The corrugations are adapted to retard the liquid flow over the guide and cause the liquid to be spread more evenly over the surface thereof. In addition or alternatively to the upper surface may have slots -3formed therein to assist in water removal. Preferably, the slots may be about 20mm long and about 150mm apart and disposed within the corrugations.

Ribs or corrugations may be provided on the curved surface of the guide preferably at or towards the underside thereof. The purpose of these ribs or corrugations is to assist in dislodge debris such as leaves from the curved surface.

The guide may further include a wall which may be in the form of an upstanding flange at the upper end of the guide to assist in preventing the flow of liquid back towards the structure.

1 0 According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a clip for use in apparatus as described above, the clip being of the form described either in its general or preferred forms.

The clip is arranged to hold the flow guide relative to the guttering so that there is a space between the curved surface of the guide and the upper edge portion of the outer wall of the guttering. Preferably, that distance is about 5 to 9 millimetres, and more preferably, about 7 millimetres. Furthermore, it is preferable that the lateral distance between the outer most portion of the curved surface and the guttering outer wall is from about 7 to 10 millimetres.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, and in those drawings:

I-

Figure 1: is a schematic side elevation of a guttering assembly including apparatus according to a preferred form of the invention.

Figure 2: is a schematic isometric view of a guttering assembly as shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3: is a schematic isometric view of one form of clip according to one preferred form of the invention, and P: WPDOCSXDYSSPECIEN668750.SPE:23/11/98 -4- Figure 4: is a schematic isometric view of another form of clip according to another preferred form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a guttering assembly which includes guttering generally indicated at 50 in the form of a channel 51 having an inner wall 52 which is secured to fascia board 60. The guttering channel includes an outer wall 53 having a generally Cshaped lip 54 forming an inwardly facing recess at its upper edge.

The apparatus generally indicated at 10 comprises a flow guide 12 which is in the form of an j30 elongated metal profile and includes a first section 14 having an inclined surface 15 extending from underneath the roof 61 and being inclined slightly downwardly. A flange 16 is provided at its inner edge which forms a dam wall and inhibits the flow of water back towards the roof a* of the building. Corrugations 17 are formed in the upper surface 15 of the first section 14, these corrugations reducing the flow rate of the water across the surface and spread the water along the surface. The edge portion of the flow guide 12 is adapted to be disposed between the fascia board 60 and roof 61.

The apparatus 10 further includes a separation or end section 20 which includes curved surface 21 having a free end 22 with a flange 23 at the free end. In the assembled position the curved surface 21 extends beyond the outer wall of the guttering of a distance B which is about 7 to 10 millimetres and its free end extends inwardly of the outer wall. Ribs 24 are provided on the surface of the end section assisting in dislodging leaves and other debris from that curved surface.

One or more clips 30 are provided for interconnecting the flow guide 12 and the gutter channel 51, the clips holding the two parts in a selected desired configuration relative to one another.

As shown in Figure 3, the clip 30 includes a guttering mounting section 32 in the form of a protrusion 33 which is generally complementary in shape to the recess in lip 54 on the guttering channel 51. A flange 34 extends downwardly from the guttering mounting section 32 and abuts against the inner surface of the wall 53. The clip 30 further includes a guide mounting section P:%WPDOCSIDYSXSPECIE668750.SPE:231 1198 PA\WPDOCSOYS\Sped.6\8750.SPE-1 JUM 2M02 36 in the form of a channel 37 which receives flange 23 therein. The two mounting sections 32 and 36 are separated by a connector section 38. The clips space the wider side of the curved surface from the top of the channel wall by a distance A which is preferably about 7 millimetres.

The clip shown in Figure 3 is made from metal. The clip shown in Figure 4 is formed from plastics material which is preferably U.V. stabilised. Like reference numerals have been used to identify like parts. The plastics clip includes an additional strengthening section 39. The clips may be from 7mm to 20mm wide or any other suitable width.

The recess in lip 54 of the channel faces inwardly in the form shown in the drawings. In some cases the recess may face in another direction such as upwardly. It will be appreciated that the clip could be designed to that connector section 38 and would be suitable for use with such a channel.

Finally, it is to be understood that the various alterations, modifications and/or additions may 15 be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

o The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common ;20 general knowledge in Australia.

Claims

1. Apparatus for reducing or inhibiting the accumulation of debris in guttering, the guttering including a channel which is securable to a structure and having an outer channel wall, the outer channel wall including a lip having a recess in an upper edge of the outer channel wall, the apparatus including a flow guide which includes a first section which, in use, at least partially overlies the guttering channel and an end section which has a curved surface which, in use, at least partially extends beyond the outer channel wall of the guttering and returns to a free edge portion which includes a flange and which, in use, is positioned inwardly of the outer channel wall of the guttering, the apparatus further including a clip means which operatively connects the flow guide to the guttering, the clip means including a guttering mounting section which is securable to the guttering, the guttering mounting section including S..a protrusion which is generally complementary in shape to the recess in the lip of the outer channel wall of the guttering and is receivable therein, wherein one or both of the protrusion and S: the recess in the lip are generally resilient so as to provide for snap fit engagement between the two parts, the clip further including a flow guide mounting section which is securable to the flow guide, the flow guide mounting section including a mounting channel wherein the free edge portion of the curved surface includes a flange which is receivable within the mounting channel of the clip means for securing the two parts together, the clip further including an end flange which extends away from the mounting protrusion and in use abuts against the inner surface of the guttering outer wall, the gutter mounting section and flow guide mounting section of the clip being arranged so as to retain the flow guide in a selected position relative to the guttering.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the mounting channel in the clip means and the mounting protrusion are spaced from one another by a connector section. P:AWPOOCSDYS'spe'BaMM750.SPE-1O Januuy 2002 -7-

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first section of the flow guide includes corrugations formed in its upper surface, these corrugations extending transversely over the normal liquid flow direction.

4. Apparatus according to any preceding claims wherein the upper surface has slots formed therein to assist in water removal.

Apparatus according to any preceding claim further including ribs or corrugations on the curved surface of the guide at or towards the underside thereof.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim wherein the guide further includes a wall in the form of an upstanding flange at the upper end of the guide to assist in preventing the flow of liquid back towards the structure.

7. A clip suitable for use in apparatus according to any preceding claim, the clip including a guttering mounting section which is securable to the guttering and a flow guide mounting section which is securable to the flow guide, each mounting section being arranged so as to retain the flow guide in a selected position relative to the guttering.

8. A clip according to claim 7 wherein said guttering mounting section includes a protrusion which is generally complementary in shape to the recess in the channel wall lip and is receivable therein.

9. A clip according to claim 8 wherein one or both of the protrusions and the lip are generally resilient so as to provide for snap fit engagement between the two parts.

P:\WVPDOCSIDY'spedew6870.SPE.l0 Januay 202 -8- A clip according to any one of claims 7 to 9 further including an end flange which extends away from the mounting protrusion and in use abuts against the inner surface of the guttering outer wall.

11. A clip according to any one of claims 7 to 10 wherein the clip is arranged to hold the flow guide relative to the guttering so that there is a space between the curved surface of the guide and the upper edge portion of the outer wall of the guttering.

12. Apparatus substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. S.

13. A clip substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying Sdrawings. Dated this 10 th day of January, 2002 D SENOGLES PTY LTD By their Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE a o*