CA1186122A - Injection molded seal for snap fit eavestroughing system - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

An eavestrough fitting for attachment to an end portion of an eavestrough is disclosed. The fitting has a compressible seal which is secured thereto by molding the seal in a mold cavity onto the fitting interior. The seal is configured to approximate the eavestrough shape. Provision is made for compressing the seal between the end portion of the eavestroughing and the fitting to seal the eavestrough to the fitting. Such fittings are commonly used in the connecting and mitering of eavestroughing as applied to the eaves of homes and industrial buildings.

Description

1 FIELD OF_THE INVENTION
This invention relates to fittings for an eavestroughing system and more particularly to a fitting which has a sealing member molded on its interior surface for purposes of securing the sealing member to the fitting.
BACKGROVND_OF THE INVENTION
Common practice for eavestrough installations is to form - the eaves~rough and the fittings therefor of metal, where the fittings are used to assemble the troughing for attachment to the eave of a building. In using metal trough, it was always necessary to join them together by soldering techniques.
There is now a definite move in the industry towards the use of plastic eavestroughing with plastic fittings and/or the combination of metal troughing with plastic fittings. To Eacilitate installa~ion of eavestroughing systems using plastic fittings and trough, there was a move away from glue and soldering techniques to join trough sections, because these techqnles were usually outside of the skill of the average homeowner. Advances have been made in fittings which provide for the joining of trough portions together and other connections. It is noted that reference to eavestroughing is also meant to refer to guttering systems.
An example of an eavestroughing or guttering system having fittings provided with seals is disclosed in British Patent 1,065,596. Plastic eavestroughing sections are clamped together in a fitting having resilient foamed rubber pads.
The troughing is placed in the fitting and clamps are located over the fitting and troughing to clamp the trough sections to the fitting. Recesses are provided in the fi~ting to receive the foamed rubber pads. A similar arrangement is disclosed in 4~

1 British Patent 1,090,291. Resilient sealing strips are used in the fitting and usually consi~ts of a synthetic rubber, 5uch as neoprene. The sealing strips are secured to the interior of the fitting by a suitable adhesive and is intendQd to form a seal with the eDd of the plastic eavestroughing or guttering.
British Patent 993,55~ discloses the snap fitting of troughing sections into fittings which again have sealing members adhered to the fitting. The sealing members may be sponge rubber or other suitable deormable material. Canadian Patent 691,~03 alsc discloses a similar system where the eaves~roughing sections are snap fitted into ~he fitting. The fitting includes a foam rubber sealing pad which is located between the eavestroughing section and the fitting.
United States Patent 4,257,716 discloses an eavestroughing system of common assignee where metal eavestroughing is used in combination with plastic fittings.
The plastic fittings include sealing members of foamed resilient material which are glued to the fitting by an appropriate adhesive.
With the above fittings the sealing member is either loosely located in the fitting or adhered to the fitting by an adhesive. Such cutting of sealing members and locating them in the fittings are labour intensive and are subject to error, not only due to improperly glueing them in the fitting, but also variations in the thicknesses of the sealing member can result in leakage problems.
Eavestroughing, according to this invention having the sealing member molded on a preformed fitting, overcomes the above problems with existing eavestrough fittings and provides ~86~2 1 several advantages not reali~able by the prior fitting arrangements.
SUMMARY OF_THE INVENTION
The eavestrougb fitting, according to this invention, is for attachment to an end portion of a length o eavestroughing. The fitting has a compressible seal of a material dissimilar in physical properties to the material of the fitting. The seal is secured to the fitting by molding the seal in a mold cavity onto the preformed fitting. The seal is configured to approximate the configuration of the eavestrough~ Means is provided for compressing the seal be~ween an end portion of the eavestrough and the fitting to seal such eavestrough to the fitting.
The method, according to this invention for molding the sea] onto the fitting, comprises supporting the preformed fitting and inqerting a mold core against the ~upported fitting interior surface to define by a recessed portion in the mold core a cavity in the shape of the desired seal member. Molten plastic material of suitable resilient properties when set, is injected into the cavity ~o form the sealing member. The injected plastic material is allowed to set and then tAe mold core is removed from the fitting leaving the sealing member secured to the fitting interior surface.
The fitting has a socket to receive the eavestrough end portion, where the fitting has spaced-apart tab portions at the upper regions of the fitting socket. A resilient insert may be used for qnap fitting under the tab ~ortions to compress the seaLing member between the eavestrough and the fitting to form thereby a seal between the fitting and the e~vestrough. The eavestrough may be shaped to also snap fit 1 within the fitting socket by engaging the tab portions. In using the resilient insert, additional pressure is applied for compressing the seal between the eavestrough and the fitting to ensure a seal. The resilient insert may be Eormed of a material which is not affected by tamperatures exceeding 140 degrees F which can occur when the eavestroughing system is exposed to direct sunlight.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective exploded view showing various components of an eavestroughing system, according to the invention;
Figure 2 is an exploded view showing an endcap to be connected to an end portion of a length of eavestroughing;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of an endcap fitting;
Figure 4 is a side elevation of the endcap of Figure 3 showing an end portion of an eavestrough to be inserted therein;
Figure 5 shows the eavestrough snap fitted in the endcap portion of Figure 3;
Figure 6 is a cross-section of the endcap of Figure 5 along the lines 6-6 of Figure 5;
Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the use of a resilient inserl: to sacure the eavestrough end portion in the endcap;
Figura 8 is an exploded view of mold components used in injection molding the sealing member onto the interior suxface of the preformed endcap fitting;
Figure 9 shows the insertion of the collapsible mold 1 core into the preformed endcap fitting which is supported by the mold block; and Figure 10 shows the collapsible core of Figure g e~panded against the in~erior sur~ace of the preformed fitting in preparation for injection molding of the sealing member onto the interior surface of the endcap Eitting.
DETAILED DESCFIPTION OF THE PREFE ~R~D ~M~OD/U~N--To facilitate installation of precut lengths of eavestroughing or guttering, fittings are used in joining the lengths of trough together, to provide for downspout portions, mitre fittings traversing corners of buildings and providing blank ends for the troughing system. The fittings have been designed with a view to assisting the homeowner and other do--it yourselfers to facilitate installation of the eavestroughing. To avoid having to make seals between the lengths of trough, should they be metal or plastic, the fittings are adapted to sealingly engage the trough end portion and to provide for downspo~ts, endcaps, miter joints, etc~
Referring to Figure 1, several of the fittings and downspout arrangements are shown. Lengths of eavestroughing 10 having end portions 12 are inserted in the various types of fittings shown in Figures 1 and 2. The fittings include joiner 14, a centre drop downspout fitting 16, a miter fitting 18 for traver~ing corners of buildings and an endcap fitting 20. Although not shown, another fitting commonly used is the end drop downspout. Each fitting is adapted to sealingly engage the end portion 12 of each length of eavestroughing 10. With the centre drop downspout fitting 16, it has provided centrally thereof a hole 22 and depending from the ~,~IL`86~2Z

1 underside of the fitting 16 is a spigot 24, which is sized to be inserted within the downspout piping 26.
Each of the fittings is provided with a sealing member.
The joiner has two sealing members 28 and 30 which engage the respective end portions 12 of eavestroughing section 10.
Similarly, fitting 16 is provided with two sealing members 32 and 34 which also engage the respective end portions of the troughing. Miter 18 has sealing members 36 and 38 which engage the respective end portions 12 of the eavestroughing which e~tend along each side of the building away from the corner. Similarly, fitting 20 has sealing member 40 for engaging a free end 12 of an eavestroughing section 10. By providing each fitting with a sealing member to sealingly engage each trcugh section, water can then flow along the eavestroughing over the joiners and other fittings and drain collected water away through the centre drop downspout piping 26. The seals prevent any water carried by the troughing leaking out between the troughing and the fittings.
Each of the fittings is provided with tab portions which are identically formed on each fitting and are generally referred to as tab portions 42 and 44 on endcap fitting 20 of Figure 2. The tab portions are provided at the upper e~tremities of the socket or recess of the f itting to receive the troughing. The tab portions are used in securing the troughing section in the f itting and in compressing the compressible sealing member to sealingly engage the fitting with the troughing.
Turning to Figure 3, further details of a representative fitting are shown. It is appreciated that all fittings have the same feat~lres with respect to the sealing member and ~ab ~8~22 1 portions, so that details in referring to the endcap of Figure 3 applies equally well to the oth~r fittings of 14, 16 and 18 which all must sealingly engage the eavestroughing.
The endcap fitting 20 of Figure 3 has a body portion 46 which defines a recess generally designated 48 and defined by the interior surface 50 of the fitting body portion. In view of the rectilinear shape of the eavestroughing, the socket or recess 48 has a similar shape, so that the body portion of the fitting 20 consists of a base 52 and generally integrally formed upstanding sidewalls 54 and 56. At the upper extremi~ies of each sidewall are integrally formed tab portions 42 and 44. Since the endcap fitting closes off the end of the eavestroughing, the body portion also includes an end wall 58 to prevent water flowing out the free end of the eave~troughing. The sealing member 40 is molded onto the interior surface 50 of the eavestrough fitting 20. The sealing member is compressible and consists of two upstanding fin portions 60 and 62.
As shown in Figure 4, the tab portions 42 and 44, according to this preferred embodiment, act as clips into which the end portion 12 of tha eavestroughing is sn~p fitted. The end portion 12 of the eavestroughing, as shown in dot in Figure 4~ has one edge 64 inserted in clip portion 42.
The trough is forced down into the fitting 20, so as to be snap fitted under the clips 42 and 44 and take on the shape as shown in Figure S as it compresses the sealing member 40 between the eavestrough and the fitting. The eavestroughing, as with the fitting, consists of a base portion 66 and generally upstanding wall portions 68 and 70. Each wall portion is ang~ed slightly at 72 to provide a vertical portion 1 74~ which presents the respective eavestrough edges 64 and 76. Clip portions 42 and 44 have depending ledges 88 and 90 to re~cain the trough edges when snap fitted into the clips.
The ledges resist dislodging the trough from the fit~ings when a lateral force is exerted on the trough, such as, leaning a ladder against the trough section.
The compressible sealing member 40 is dimensioned relative to the clip portions 42 and 44 such that, when the edges 64 and 76 of the eavestroughing are snap fitt~d therein, the sealing member is compressed along the sidewall portions 68 and 70 and the base portion 66. In snap fitting the eavestroughing into the fitting 20, the base portion 66 tends to bow upwardly slightly about junctures 78 and 80. To compensate fox this bowing, the sealing member 40 varies in thickness along lts length in a predetermined manner to resemble the shape of the eavestroughing end portion 12 when snap fitted into the fitting. Thus, the sealing mamber 40 is thinner in the juncture area 78 and 80 of the eavestroughing than in its central region 82, to match the configuration of the base portion 66 of the eavestrough as snap fitted into t~e fitting. This ensures a leak tight sealing engagement with the base portion of the fitting. Similarly with the sidewalls of the troughing, they are sealingly contacted by the sealing member 40, æo that no leakage can occur along the junctures 78 and 80 and along the sidewalls 68 and 70 of the eavestroughing.
~ s shown in Figure 6, the fitting 20 has the trough end portion 12 snap fitted therein to sealingly engage the sealing member 40. The sealing member consists of two upright fins 60 and 62. Interconnecting the upright fins 60 and 62 is a 1 planar base 84. 8ase 84 adds support to the ~ins 60 and 62 and also is useful in en~uring a secure bonding of the seal member 40 to tbe in~erior surface 50 of the fitting.
Accordingly~ the fittings of Figures 1 and 2 having the clip portions 42 and 44 provide the means for compressing the seal between the eavestroughing end portion and the fitting.
It is appreciated, of course, tha~ other devices may be employed to effect such compression or supplement the compression exerted by snap fitting the eavestroughing into the fitting. Referring to Figure 7, the fitting 20 has the eavestrough end portion 12 snap fitted into the clips 42 and 44. To apply additional compression on the seal sandwiched between the eavestrough and fitting, a resilient insert 86 is used which is snap fitted into the clips 42 and 44. There is sufficient room within the ledges 88 and 90 of the clip portions to accommodate the edges 92 and 94 of the insert 86.
ThP insert 86 has a shape corre ponding to the interior shape of the eavestrough 12, only dimensionally somewhat smaller.
With the insert 86 snap fitted into the clips 42 and 44, addi~ional presssure is exerted on the sealing member. The base portion 96 of the insert may be bowed downwardly slightly such that, when snap fitted into the fitting, the additional pressure is maintained on the fitting and along ~he base 66 of the eavestrouqhing section 12.
In instances where it is not desired to snap fit the troughing into the fitting, the insert 86 may be used as the sole means for compressing the seal between the eavestroughing and the fitting. In that instance, the eavestroughing edges do not clip within the clip portions 42 and 44. Instead the insert 86 would be used to snap fit in the clip5 42 and 44 to 1 exert the compressive forces on the seal along the base portion 66 and the sidewall portions 68 and 70 of the eavestrough to sealingly engage the fitting with the eavestrough end portion 12.
Aside from complementing the clips 42 and 44 in sealing of the eavestroughing in the fitting, the resilient insert ~6 may be used in association with eavestroughing when its temperature exceeds the softening temperatures of the plastic. The eavestroughing may be formed of various colours, such as whiter brown and other pastel colours. With darker colours such as dark brown, the troughing absorbs more of the radiation from direct sun and can increase the troughing temperature to well above its softening point of 140 degrees F. This will permit the eavestroughing base portion 66 to bow upwardly and break its sealing engagement with the seal 40.
Because the troughing is formed o a rigid polyvinylchloride, once softened it will not resume its original shape, so that the exaggerated bow in the trough bottom will not reseal with the sealing member 40. The insert 86, as it applies additional compressive force on the troughing, prevents this unwanted bowing from occurring. The compression insert 86 is formed of a resilient material which will resist softening at these higher temperatures. 5uitable insert materials are those of the pol~carbonates which are thermoplastic and will not loose their resiliency once subjected to the higher temperatures of greater than 140 degrees F under direct sunlight. The inserts are used with whatever fittings include sealing portions, such as those illustrated in Figures 1 and

2~ namely the eavestrough joiner 14, the centre drop fitting 16, the miter 18 and the endcap 20. ID each instance, the 1 compression clip a6 is of the same configuration.
Although a rectilinear shape for ~he eavestroughing has been described with respect to the preferred embodiment, it is appreciated that other cross-sections for troughing may be used with appropriate change in fitting shape. For example, the troughing may be somewhat circular with correspondingly shape Eitting and sealing member.
The use of the insert 86 then allows the installation of a wider range of colours for the eavestroughing system and also provides for alternates to snap fitting of the troughing into the fittings.
As disclosed in United States patent 4,257,716, it was the prior practice to glue the foam rubber sealing strip in the eavestrough fitting. This had several drawbacks including a labour intensive step, unrealiability in always providing a good seal in the fitting and the inconsistencies of the extruded foamed rubber resulting in poor sealing contact with the troughing, particularly along the base portion where a lack of foam rubber could be critical to assuring a leakproof structure~ The sealing member, according to this invention, is molded onto the preformed fitting to provide improved control on the shape of the sealing member to ensure a consistent shape for sealing member from fitting to fitting.
To accomplish this objective, the preformed fitting is located in a mold to support the surfaces of the fitting onto which the sealing member will be molded. Referring to Figure 8, a schematic representation of a mold is shown.
It is appreciated that many techniques are available for molding of a plastic material onto a preformed product.
Examples are provided in Canadian Patents 668,709 and 16~2~

1 758,052. In Canadian Patent 668,709, a ball and socket joint assembly is formed by injection molding plastic materiai around a preformed ball stud. In Canadian Patent 768,052, a compatible thermoplastic material is injection molded between preformed thermoplastic shapes to join the shapes together to form an integral structure, which may be in the shape of a container or the like. Other e~amples of injection molding or molding a plastic material onto a preformed part are disclosed in United States Patent 4,115,506 and Canadian Patents 1,032,320 and 1,070,071.
According to the embodiment shown in Figure 8, a mold block 98 consists of a female mold recess 100 which has supporting surfaces 102, 104 and 106 for supporting the base portion 66 and wall portions 68 and 70 of the fitting 22 to be inserted in the direction of arrow 108. Schematically represented is a block 110 having the runner system for delivering the molten plastic to be injected into the cavity through bore 112. Pins 114 are located on the base 102 of the mold block to support the base portion 66 in the mold and prevent lateral movement in retaining it against wall 116 of the female recess 100. The collapsible core 118 is mounted on guides, not shown, which are adapted to engage bars 120 and 122 for guiding movement of the collapsible core 118 into the interior of fitting 20. The collapsible core 118 consists of two core parts 124 and 126. Each sidewall 128 and base portion 130 of core 124 and 126 has a recess 132 formed therein provided with grooves 134 and 136 to define the cavities in forming the fins 60 and 62 and correspondingly the planar recess area 138 defines the base 84 of the sealing member.

8~:22 1Turning to Figure 9, the collapsible core 118 is lowared in the direction of arrow 140 along guide rods 120 and 122.
The bore 112 of the runner system 110 is partly above the base 66 of the eavestrough fitting 20 as it rests in the mold recess area 100. As shown in dot at 142, the outline for the fin recesses is shown. The core in the collapsed mode is inserted in the fitting and expanded by a wedge forced between cam faces 144 and 146 of the core 118 to move the parts in the direction of arrows 148 and 150. ~ith sufficient presquxe, 10the core faces 128 and 130 of each part 124 and 126 form a cavity of the shape of the sealing member. Molten plastic is injected in through bore 112 to fill the formed cavityO Once the molten plastic material has set or solidified within the cavity, the core is collapsed in the direction reverse to arrows 148 and 150 and withdrawn. The fitting is retrieved from the mold recess 100 with the sealing member now formed thereon.
~ t is appreciated that with the various fitting shapes and sizes, the mold recess 100 may have to be modified to accommodate the particular fitting. With the joiner fitting 1~, two sealing members 28 and 30 are provided therein which are formed in a single mold. The collapsible core has two recesses formed therein and spaced apart to the extent shown to form both the sealing members at the same time from a common hot runner system.
The sealing material is selected such that when injected in a molten state onto the fitting surface the molten injected material causes a bonding of the set sealing material onto the clean fitting surface. For example, when th~ fitting is formed of a rigid polyvinylchloride, then a more flexible , ~,6~æ

1 plastic~zed polyvinylchloride is used as a suitable sealing material. Due to the similarity in the makeup of the two constituents, a physical bond by Eusion is formed between the injected sealing member and the fitting to ensure that the sealing member is always secured to the fitting during transportation, selling and installation of the eavestrough itting.
In situations where the sealing material is not compatible and will not ~use with the material of the fitting, undercut portions may be provided in the preformed fitting such that, when the sealing material is injected, it is gripped by the undercut portions to retain the sealing member on the fitting. When the sealing member is compressed between the eavestrough and the fitting, a seal is provided at all areas.
In forming the sealing member with fin portions 60 and 62, and as secured to the fitting interior surface, support is provided for the fins which do not collapse yet allow movement of the eaYestroughing relative to the fitting during thermal contraction and expansion of the eavestroughing system in extremes of hot and cold. With the sealing members secured to the fitting, the sealing member is not moved out from the fitting to ensure that a seal is retained throughout the usable life of the eavestroughing system.
Because of the injection molding techniques, complete control can be exercised on the shape of the sealing member to ensure that a proper seal is formed for all desired shapes and siæes of eavestroughing. As shown in Figure 4, the height of the sealing member 40 varies along the length of the seal to approximate the contour of the eavestroughing. The height of S~ %2 1 the sealing member along the base area 82 is slightly curved as explained to take on the shape of the troughing when snap fitted into the fitting 20. Also as shown in Figure 3, a sprue 41 from the hot runner bloclc 110 of the mold of Figure 8 remains on the surface 52 of the ~Eitting.
By injection molding the sealing member on the fitting, several advantages are obtained from a marketing and manufacturing standpoint. The seal will not fall out of the fi~ting and provides a solid arrangement for the sealing member. The area within the fitting i8 clean with no unsightly glue and the like. By maintaining the shape of the seal, the fitting is functionally a better product and more readily installed. It maintains its shape and at the retail level ls not readily removed ~rom the fitting, so that the retailer need not be concerned with seals falling out oP the fittings and having to repair them at the store. The sealing member as mentioned may be formed from a plasticiæed polyvinylchloride material. This material can be purchased from B.F. Goodrich under the trademark GEON, Product No.
~0 M544. The lnjection molding of the gasket sealing material can be exactly tailored to the product shape and thereby optimized on its sealing properties. The method of manufacturing also eliminates several present safety hazards and health problems associated with using adhesives to glue the foam rubber sealing member into the fitting.
Although various embodiments of the invention have been described herein in detail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations may be made therato without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope oE the appended claims.

Claims (38)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OR
PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:

1. An eavestrough fitting for attachment to an end portion of a length of eavestroughing, said fitting having an interior surface providing a recess into which an end portion of a length of eavestroughing is to be fitted, a compressible seal of a material dissimilar in physical properties to the material of said fitting being secured by molding said seal in a mold cavity onto said fitting interior surface, said seal being configured to approximate the configuration of an end portion of a length of eavestroughing and means for compressing said seal between an end portion of a length of eavestroughing and said fitting to seal such eavestrough end portion to said fitting.

2. An eavestrough fitting of claim 1, wherein said seal has been injection molded onto said fitting interior surface.

3. An eavestrough fitting of claim 1, wherein said fitting interior surface includes undercut portions for securing said seal to said fitting interior surface.

4. An eavestrough fitting of claim 1, wherein said fitting material and said seal material form a bond when said seal is molded onto said fitting interior surface.

5. An eavestrough fitting of claim 1, wherein said seal comprises a plurality of sealing fins extending along said seal, each of said fins varying in height along said seal to conform in shape to an end portion of a length of eavestrough when fitted in said fitting.

6. An eavestrough fitting of claim 1, wherein said fitting is formed of a semi-rigid plastic, said means for compressing said seal comprising two space-apart clip portions to receive corresponding edges of an eavestrough as they are snap fitted into said clips, the arrangement being such that said seal is compressed by an eavestrough end portion snap fitted into said clips to seal such eavestrough end portion to said fitting.

7. An eavestrough fitting of claim 6, wherein said means for compressing said seal additionally comprises a resilient insert for snapping into said clips on top of such eavestrough end portion to apply additional pressure on such eavestrough end portion in compressing said seal.

8. An eavestrough fitting of claim 1, wherein said fitting comprises two spaced-apart catch portions at the upper regions of said fitting recess, said means for compressing said seal comprising a resilient insert for snap fitting in said catch portions on top of such eavestrough end portion, the arrangement being such that said seal is compressed between such eavestrough end portion and said fitting with said insert snap fitted into said catch portions.

9. An eavestrough fitting of claim 1, wherein said fitting interior surface resembles the exterior of an eavestrough end portion to be inserted in said fitting.

10. An eavestrough fitting of claim 9, wherein said fitting interior surface has a base portion with integral generally upwardly extending sidewalls, said means for compressing said seal comprising a clip portion at each sidewall upper extremity for receiving corresponding edge portions of an end portion of a length of eavestrough as they are snap fitted into said clips, the arrangement being such that said seal is compressed by an end portion of a length of eavestrough snap fitted into said clips to seal such eavestrough end portions to said fitting.

11. An eavestrough fitting of claim 10, wherein said seal comprises a plurality of sealing fins extending along said seal, each of said fins varying in height along its length in a predetermined manner to correspond in shape to such eavestrough end portion when snap fitted into said fitting.

12. An eavestrough fitting of claim 1, wherein said seal comprises two spaced-apart sealing fins which are bonded to said fitting interior surface to provide support for said fins.

13. An eavestrough fitting of claim 12, wherein said fitting is formed of a rigid polyvinylchloride mixture and said seal is molded from a flexible resilient plasticized polyvinylchloride mixture.

14. An eavestrough fitting of claim 12 or 13, wherein said fins are integral with a seal base portion interconnecting said fins, said base portion being bonded to said fitting interior surface.

15. A method of forming a compressible sealing member on an interior surface of a preformed fitting for attachment to an end portion of a length of eavestroughing, said method comprising supporting said preformed fitting, inserting a mold core against the supported fitting interior surface to define by a recessed portion on said mold core a cavity in the shape of said seal member, injecting into said cavity a molten plastic material of suitable resilient properties for forming a sealing member, allowing said seal plastic material to set and removing said core from said fitting, said fitting interior surface being adapted to secure said molded seal to said fitting.

16. A method of claim 15, wherein said fitting interior surface has an undercut recessed portion into which said sealing material is injected in forming said sealing member to secure said sealing member to said fitting.

17. A method of claim 15, wherein said fitting and said sealing member are of materials which bond together where said molten sealing member material is injection molded onto said preformed fitting interior surface.

18. A method of claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein said injectable sealing material is a plasticized polyvinylchloride and said preformed fitting is of a rigid polyvinylchloride.

19. A method of claim 15, wherein said fitting interior surface approximates the shape of an eavestrough portion to be inserted into said fitting.

20. A method of claim 19, wherein said fitting has a base portion with upstanding wall portions to define said fitting interior surface, supporting said fitting base portion and upstanding wall against said inserted mold core, said core having surface protions which contact said fitting interior surface to define said cavity.

21. A method of claim 15, wherein said mold core is collapsible to provide for insertion into and removal from a preformed fitting having undercut portions.

22. A method of claim 21, wherein said mold recess has two spaced-apart V-shaped or U-shaped grooves to define sealing fins when molten plastic material is injected into said cavity.

23. In combination an eavestrough and a rigid plastic fitting for engaging an end portion of said eavestrough, said fitting having a body portion which defines a recess for receiving said eavestrough end portion, said body portion having a interior surface which defines said recess and which supports a compressible sealing member, said sealing member being secured to the preformed fitting interior surface by molding said seal in a mold cavity onto said interior surface, said sealing member having a sealing surface adapted to mate with the exterior surface of said eavestrough end portion, and means for compressing said sealing member between said eavestrough end portion and said fitting body portion to seal said eavestrough end portion to said fitting.

24. In the combination of claim 23, said sealing member comprising spaced-apart sealing fins which are bonded to said fitting interior surface by such molding of said sealing member to provide support for said sealing fins.

25. In the combination of claim 24, said sealing member being molded from a material dissimilar in physical characteristics to the material of said fitting.

26. In the combination of claim 24 or 25, said preformed fitting being formed of a rigid polyvinylchloride material and said sealing member being molded from a plasticized polyvinylchloride material, said sealing member material being injection molded in a molten state, such molten material on setting bonding to said fitting interior surface to secure said sealing member to said fitting.

27. In the combination of claim 23, said fitting body portion having undercut portions in said interior surface for securing said sealing member to said fitting interior surface.

28. In the combination of claim 23, said fitting recess is U-shaped, said sealing member extending along said U-shaped recess and varying in thickness along said recess to conform to the shape of said eavestrough end portion when inserted into said fitting.

29. In the combination of claim 28, said means for compressing said sealing member comprising two spaced-apart clip portions to receive corresponding edges of said eavestrough end portion as they are snap fitted into said clips, the arrangement being such that said sealing member is compressed by snap fitting said eavestrough end portion into said clips to seal said end portion to said fitting.

30. In the combination of claim 29, said means for compressing said sealing member additionally comprises a resilient insert for snapping into said clips on top of said eavestrough end portion to apply additional pressure on such eavestrough end portion in compressing said sealing member.

31. In the combination of claim 28, said fitting comprises two spaced-apart catch portions at the upper regions of said fitting recess, said means for compressing said sealing member comprising an insert for insertion in said catch portions to compress said sealing member between said eavestrough end portion and said fitting body portions.

32. In the combination of claim 31, said insert conforming in shape to the interior of said eavestrough end portion for snap fitting in said catch portions on top of said eavestrough end portion.

33. In the combination of claim 23, said eavestrough having a base portion and integral generally upwardly extending sidewalls, said fitting body portion resembling in shape said eavestrough end portion and have corresponding base portion and integral generally upwardly extending sidewalls, said means for compressing said sealing member comprising a clip portion at each sidewall upper extremity for receiving corresponding edge portions of said eavestrough as they are snap fitted into said clips to compress said sealing member.

34. In the combination of claim 33, said clip portions forcing said eavestrough sidewalls downwardly with said eavestrough end portion snap fitted in position.

35. In the combination of claim 34, said eavestrough being formed of a rigid polyvinylchloride, said base portion bowing slightly upwardly under the force exerted downwardly by said sidewalls.

36. In the combination of claim 35, said sealing member varying in thickness to resemble the shape of said eavestrough when snap fitted into said fitting.

37. In the combination of claim 34 or 35, said sealing member comprises spaced-apart fins which are compressible to facilitate snap fitting of said eavestrough end portion into said fitting.

38. In the combination of claim 23, said fitting having a pair of spaced-apart sealing members for joining adjacent end portions of two lengths of eavestroughing sections.