CA2832893C - Gutter hanger - Google Patents

Abstract

A gutter hanger is disclosed for securing a gutter to a fascia of a roof, the gutter having a front wall and a rear wall. The gutter hanger comprises an elongate fastener and a bracket. The bracket includes a front end longitudinally opposite to a rear end, two transversely opposite sides, a front attachment portion, a rear attachment portion, an intermediate portion extending longitudinally from the front attachment portion to the rear attachment portion, and at least one arm. Each of the front, rear and intermediate portions includes a central region, and two transversely opposite side regions. Each side region is transversely outward of the central region. Each arm is bent downwardly and transversely inwardly from a side region of the intermediate portion to under a central region of the intermediate portion. The at least one arm urges the fastener against a central region of the intermediate portion.

Description

, , TITLE: GUTTER HANGER
FIELD
[0001] The field of the present disclosure relates to gutter hangers for securing a gutter to a fascia of a roof.
INTRODUCTION

[0002] The lower periphery of many roofs is lined by lengths of gutters (also known as eaves troughs). A gutter is typically formed as a narrow channel, and is normally a component of a rain water diversion system, which collects and diverts rainwater that falls from a roof. A gutter may be fastened to the upper portion of an exterior wall of the building (also known as the fascia of the roof). A series of hanging brackets (also known as gutter hangers), may be positioned intermittently along the length of the gutter to fasten the rear wall of the gutter to the fascia of the roof.
SUMMARY

[0003] In a first aspect, there is a gutter hanger for securing a gutter to a fascia of a roof, the gutter having a front wall and a rear wall. The gutter hanger may comprise an elongate fastener, and a bracket including a front end longitudinally opposite to a rear end, two transversely opposite sides, each side extending from the front end to the rear end, a front attachment portion proximate the front end including an upwardly turned hook which in use abuts the front wall of the gutter, a rear attachment portion proximate the rear end which in use abuts the rear wall of the gutter, an intermediate portion extending longitudinally from the front attachment portion to the rear attachment portion, each of the front, rear and intermediate portions including a central region, and two transversely opposite side regions, each side region being transversely outward of the central region, and at least one arm, each arm being bent downwardly and transversely inwardly from one of the side regions of the intermediate portion to under the central region of the intermediate portion, the at least one arm urging the fastener against the central region of the intermediate portion.

[0004] In some embodiments, the at least one arm may include at least one pair of two arms, and within each of the at least one pair of two arms, each arm may be bent downwardly and transversely inwardly from a different of the two side regions of the intermediate portion, and the two arms are transversely aligned.

[0005] In some embodiments each of the at least one arm may include a distal end under the central region of the intermediate portion, and within each of the at least one pair of two arms, the distal ends of the two arms may be spaced apart.

[0006] In some embodiments, the at least one pair of two arms may include at least two pairs of two arms, each of the at least two pairs of two arms may be longitudinally spaced from each other of the at least two pairs of two arms.

[0007] In some embodiments, the fastener may include first and second fastener ends, the first fastener end may be proximate to the front attachment portion, and the second fastener end may be longitudinally inwardly spaced from the rear attachment end.

[0008] In some embodiments, an underside of the central region of the intermediate portion may define a longitudinally extending channel, the fastener may be longitudinally aligned with the channel, and the fastener may extend longitudinally inside the channel.

[0009] In some embodiments, at least some of the central region of the intermediate portion may bow transversely upwardly to define the channel.

[0010] In some embodiments, the at least one arm may hold the fastener in the channel.

[0011] In some embodiments, the bracket may be formed from a single sheet of metal.

[0012] In some embodiments, the intermediate portion may further include two transversely opposite flanges, and each flange may be transversely outward of and bent downwardly from a different one of the transversely opposite side regions of the intermediate portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the rear attachment portion may include a downwardly extending end panel having an opening sized to receive the fastener, the opening being aligned with the fastener, and two transversely opposite tabs spaced longitudinally inward from the end panel, and extending transversely inward, and the panel and the two tabs may define a slot sized to receive the front wall of the gutter.

[0014] In some embodiments, the intermediate portion may further include two transversely opposite flanges, each flange may be transversely outward of and bent downwardly from a different one of the transversely opposite side regions of the intermediate portion, and each of the two tabs may extend from and is bent transversely inwardly from a different one of the two flanges.

[0015] In some embodiments, the front attachment portion may include two longitudinally extending transversely spaced apart ribs.

[0016] In some embodiments, at least some of each of the two side regions of the front attachment portion may bow upwardly to define the two ribs.

[0017] In some embodiments, a first portion of the hook which may be immediately adjacent the front end is without ribs, and a second portion of the hook which may be spaced from the front end includes the two ribs.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first portion of the hook may overly the second portion of the hook.

[0019] In some embodiments, in the second portion, each of the two ribs may protrude inwardly with respect to a curvature of the hook.

[0020] In another aspect there is a method of manufacturing a gutter hanger. The method may comprise providing an elongate fastener; providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material including a front end longitudinally opposite to a rear end, two transversely opposite sides, each side extending from the front end to the rear end; a front attachment portion proximate the front end, a rear attachment portion proximate the rear end, and an intermediate portion extending longitudinally from the front attachment portion to the rear attachment portion, each of the front, rear and intermediate portions including

[0021] a central region, and two transversely opposite side regions, each side region being transversely outward of the central region; bending the front attachment portion upwardly and longitudinally inwardly to form a hook; for each of at least one arm, perforating one of the side regions of the intermediate portion to define the arm; positioning the elongate fastener under the central region of the intermediate portion;
and bending each of the at least one arm downwardly and transversely inwardly to extend under the fastener and the central region of the intermediate portion, to urge the fastener against the central region of the intermediate portion.

[0022] In some embodiments the at least one arm may include at least one pair of two arms, and for each pair of two arms, the perforating may include perforating each of the two side regions of the intermediate portion to define two transversely opposite and transversely aligned arms.

[0023] In some embodiments the bending of each of the at least one arm may include, for each pair of two arms, bending each of the two arms downwardly and transversely inwardly toward each other.

[0024] In some embodiments the at least one pair of two arms may include at least two pairs of two arms, and the perforating may include perforating the two side regions of the intermediate portion at longitudinally spaced positions to define the at least two pairs of two arms, where each of the at least two pairs of two arms is longitudinally spaced from each other of the at least two pairs of two arms.

[0025] In some embodiments, the method may further comprise deforming the central region of the intermediate portion upwardly to define a longitudinal channel, wherein the positioning includes positioning the fastener to extend longitudinally inside the channel and longitudinally aligned with the channel.

[0026] In another aspect, there is a gutter hanger for holding a gutter front wall and rear wall, and for holding an elongate fastener to be driven into a fascia to connect the gutter to the fascia. The gutter hanger may comprise a body having an attachment hook at a front end which in use holds the front wall, a fascia attachment at a rear end which in use holds the rear wall, and a raised arcuate channel in portion of the body between the front and rear ends, the channel open at both channel ends, the channel slidably receiving the elongate fastener therein; and at least one arcuate arm extending away from the channel, the at least one arm and the channel forming at least one continuous strip that substantially encircles and grips a circumference of a portion of the elongate fastener providing resistance against sliding of the elongate fastener; in use the fastener is slidably drivable, against the resistance from the at least one continuous strip, guided by the channel away from the attachment hook, through the fascia attachment and into the fascia.

DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a gutter hanger, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a bottom perspective view of the gutter hanger of FIG. 1, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0029] FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of the gutter hanger of FIG.
1, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0030] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken through line 4-4 in FIG. 1, in accordance with at least one embodiment;

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view of the gutter hanger of FIG. 1, positioned on a gutter;

[0032] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of the gutter hanger of FIG. 1, mounting a gutter to a fascia of a roof; and

[0033] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a method of manufacturing a gutter hanger.
DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

[0034] Numerous embodiments are described in this application, and are presented for illustrative purposes only. The described embodiments are not intended to be limiting in any sense. The invention is widely applicable to numerous embodiments, as is readily apparent from the disclosure herein. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be practiced with modification and alteration without departing from the teachings disclosed herein. Although particular features of the present invention may be described with reference to one or more particular embodiments or figures, it should be understood that such features are not limited to usage in the one or more particular embodiments or figures with reference to which they are described.

[0035] The terms "an embodiment," "embodiment," "embodiments," "the embodiment," "the embodiments," "one or more embodiments," "some embodiments,"
and "one embodiment" mean "one or more (but not all) embodiments of the present invention(s)," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0036] The terms "including," "comprising" and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless expressly specified otherwise. A listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms "a," "an" and "the" mean "one or more," unless expressly specified otherwise.

[0037] Mounting a gutter may include positioning a hanging bracket about every 24"
along the length of the gutter. A typical residential home may require about 100 or more gutter hangers to mount gutters along the entire lower periphery of the roof.
Accordingly, it may be advantageous to provide a gutter hanger that can be quickly and easily installed.

[0038] Reference is made to FIGS. 1 to 3, 5 and 6. FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a gutter hanger 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG.
2 shows a bottom perspective view of gutter hanger 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment.
FIG. 3 shows a bottom plan view of gutter hanger 100, in accordance with at least one embodiment. FIG. 5 shows a side elevation view of gutter hanger 100 positioned on a gutter 200. FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of gutter hanger 100 mounting gutter 200 to a fascia 300.

[0039] Gutter hanger 100 is a hanging bracket for securing a gutter 200 to a fascia 300 of a roof. For clarity of illustration, gutter hanger 100 is described with reference to a front end 102, a longitudinally opposite rear end 104, and two transversely opposite sides 106 and 108 each of which extends from front end 102 to rear end 104.

[0040] Gutter 200 is shown including an upstanding front wall 202, an upstanding rear wall 204, and a lower wall 206 which extends from front wall 202 to rear wall 204. In combination, front wall 202, rear wall 204, and lower wall 206 for a generally U-shaped channel for carrying rain water.

[0041] In the example shown, gutter hanger 100 includes a front attachment portion 110 proximate front end 102, a rear attachment portion 112 proximate rear end 104, and an intermediate portion 114 between front and rear ends 102 and 104. In some embodiments, front attachment portion 110 is configured to hold front wall 202 of gutter 200, rear attachment portion 112 is configured to hold rear wall 204 of gutter 200, and intermediate portion 114 is configured to hold a fastener 116 for driving through front wall 202 into fascia 300.

[0042]
Rear attachment portion 112 is configured to abut rear wall 204 of gutter 200.
This may permit rear attachment portion 112 to define the interface between gutter hanger 100 and gutter 200 when fastener 116 is driven through fascia 300. In the example shown, gutter hanger 100 includes two transversely opposite flanges 118 and 120. Each flange 118 and 120 is shown extending downwardly and positioned proximate a different one of sides 106 and 108. As shown, each flange 118 and 120 extends longitudinally between front and rear ends 102 and 104. The rear end of each flange 118 and 120 is bent inwardly to define a tab 122 or 124. In some examples, tabs 122 and 124 define at least part of rear attachment portion 112 and are configured to abut rear wall 204 of gutter 200.
In some cases, tabs 122 and 124 may provide an interface between gutter hanger 100 and gutter 200 having a greater surface area. This may better a better distribution of forces which gutter hanger 100 applies to gutter 200 when fastener 116 is driven into fascia 300. As a result, gutter hanger 100 may be less likely to puncture rear wall 204 of gutter 200 if fastener 116 is over tightened when fastened to fascia 300.
Still, in alternative embodiments, gutter hanger 100 does not include tabs 122 and 124.

[0043]
In some embodiments, rear attachment portion 112 is configured to hold rear wall 204 of gutter 200. This may permit gutter hanger 100 to cantilever self-supportedly from rear wall 204 while fastener 116 is driven through gutter 200 and fascia 300. In the example shown, rear attachment portion 112 includes an end panel 126. As shown, end panel 126 is configured to lie between fascia 300 and rear wall 204 of gutter 200, and abut both of fascia 300 and rear wall 204. This may permit end panel 126 to provide a rigid interface between gutter 200 and fascia 300. End panel 126 may also provide a large surface area for distributing the force of gutter 200 as it is urged toward fascia 300 when fastener 116 is driven through fascia 300. As shown, end panel 126 and tabs 122 and 124 define a slot 128 sized to receive rear wall 202 of gutter 200. In some embodiments, slot 128 includes a closed end 130 configured to abut an upper end 212 of rear wall 206 when rear wall 206 extends through the full height of slot 128. Slot 128 in some examples is configured to provide a closed end 130 at a height which, in combination with intermediate portion 114, aligns fastener 116 at an appropriate distance D from upper end 212 of rear wall 206. This may simplify positioning gutter hanger 100 relative to gutter 200, and reduce the probability of gutter hanger 100 being installed too high or too low relative to rear wall 204. Still, in alternative examples rear attachment portion 112 does not include an end panel 126, does not define a slot 128, and is not configured to hold rear wall 204.

[0044] In some cases, gutter hanger 100 is provided in combination with a fastener 116 positioned as shown. In various examples, fastener 116 is a screw, a bolt, or a nail.
As best seen in FIG. 3, tip 132 of fastener 116 is preferably positioned longitudinally inwardly of rear attachment portion 112. This may prevent fastener 116 from obstructing, e.g. slot 128 of rear attachment portion 112. However, it has been observed that if fastener 116 is not tightly held in place, it may shift, during shipping and handling, into rear attachment portion 112 and e.g. obstruct slot 128. If that happens, fastener 116 may need to be repositioned before use, which may be a nuisance when installing, e.g.
100+ gutter hangers for a residential gutter installation.

[0045] Gutter hanger 100 is shown including an intermediate portion 114 configured to grip a fastener 116. In the example shown, intermediate portion 114 includes a plurality of arms 134, 136, 138, and 140 which are configured to at least partially encircle and grip a circumference of fastener 116. As shown, each arm 134, 136, 138, and 140 includes a free end 142. This may permit arms 134, 136, 138, and 140 to be tightened around fastener 116 to grip and provide resistance against sliding of fastener 116 (e.g.
during shipping and handling).

[0046] For clarity of illustration, gutter hanger 100 is described with reference to a central region 144 and two transversely opposed side regions 146 and 148 each of which is transversely outward of central region 144. In some examples, central region 144 is aligned with a transverse center of gutter hanger 100. In alternative examples, central region 144 is transversely offset from the transverse center of gutter hanger 100. Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional view taken through line 4-4 in FIG. 1. As shown, each arm 134, 136, 138, and 140 is bent downwardly and transversely inwardly from a side region 146 or 148 of intermediate portion 114 to under the central region 144 of intermediate portion 114. This may permit arms 134, 136, 138, and 140 to urge fastener 116 upwardly against the central region 144 of intermediate portion 114.

[0047] In some embodiments, intermediate portion 114 includes one or more pairs of arms. In the example shown, intermediate portion 114 includes a first pair of arms 134 and 136, which is longitudinally spaced from a second pair of arms 138 and 140. As shown, in each pair of arms, each arm is bent downwardly from a different one of the side regions 106 and 108, and the two arms are transversely aligned. In some embodiments, a pair of arms may be configured such that there is a gap 133 between their free ends 142 when they are tightened around a fastener 116. In one example, in a pair of arms, the combined transverse length of the two arms and the intervening central portion (measured in a flattened condition) is equal to or less than a circumference of fastener 116.
This may permit the pair of arms to be tightened and grip tightly onto fastener 116.

[0048] In some embodiments (not shown), there may be one longer arm in place of two shorter arms. The longer arm may be similarly configured to produce a gap, this time between its free end and the intermediate portion 114, when the arm is tightened around the circumference of the fastener 116. In some embodiments (not shown), there may be a plurality of shorter arms arranged in longitudinally staggered relationship rather than being transversely aligned as in the example shown.

[0049] As most clearly seen in FIG. 4, a pair of two arms 138 and 140 (or alternatively one longer arm as described above) in combination with central region 144 of intermediate portion 114 may form a continuous strip of material that substantially encircles and grips a circumference of the elongate fastener. As used herein and in the claims, to substantially encircle a circumference means to surround greater than one half of the circumference.

[0050] Referring again to FIGS. 1 to 6, in the example shown, central region 144 of intermediate portion 114 defines a channel 150. As shown, channel 150 is a longitudinally extending raised arcuate channel having an open front end 152, and an open rear end 154 (see FIG.3). In alternative embodiments, channel 150 has a different cross-section that is not arcuate, such as triangular, or square for example. Generally, channel 150 may slidingly receive fastener 116 therein. As shown, fastener 116 is longitudinally aligned with channel 150 and positioned inside channel 150. As illustrated by FIGS. 5 and 6, fastener 116 is slideably drivable against the resistance from arms 134, 136, 138, and 140, guided by channel 150 away from front attachment portion 110 through rear attachment portion 112 and into fascia 300. In some cases, where fastener 116 is a rotary-type fastener (e.g.

a screw or a bolt), rotating fastener 116 may reduce the friction between fastener 116 and arms 134, 136, 138, and 140 to allow fastener 116 to slide more easily as it is driven into fascia 300.

[0051]
In some embodiments, end panel 126 provides a through passage (e.g. an opening, or slot 129) size to receive fastener 116 and which is aligned with fastener 116 when fastener 116 is held by intermediate portion 114. This may permit fastener 116 to pass easily through end panel 126 without having to bore a hole. Still, in alternative embodiments, end panel 126 does not include a through passage for fastener 116.

[0052]
Generally, a typical gutter 200 is configured to collect rain water which falls from a roof, and divert the rain water to one or more downward spouts. When gutter 200 is filled with water, the water may apply significant outward pressure to front wall 202 and lower wall 206. Some gutters 200 may not be robust enough to withstand such pressures without additional support.
In some embodiments, front attachment portion 110 is configured to support front wall 202 in its upstanding position. This may permit a water-filled gutter 200 to support the weight of the water. In the example shown, front attachment portion 110 includes an attachment hook 156 that is configured to hook into a receiving member 208 of front wall 202. As shown, receiving member 208 is a curled flange.

[0053]
Gutter hanger 100 may include one or more reinforcing elements for enhancing the structural strength and rigidity of gutter hanger 100. In some embodiments, gutter hanger 100 includes one or more ribs. In the example shown, front attachment portion 110 includes a pair of ribs 158. As shown, each rib 158 extends longitudinally along front attachment portion 110, and the two ribs 158 are transversely spaced from each other. In alternative embodiments, gutter hanger 100 includes fewer or greater than two ribs (e.g. 0, 1, 3, or 4 ribs). In some embodiments, ribs 158 extend into intermediate portion 114, and/or rear attachment portion 112. Ribs 158 may protrude downwardly or upwardly. In the example shown, at least some of each side region 146 and 148 of front attachment portion 110 bows upwardly to define ribs 158.

[0054]
In the example shown, front attachment portion 110 is sized to insert into receiving member 208 without interfering with or having to deform receiving member 208 or front wall 202. As shown, ribs 158 protrude inwardly with respect to the curvature of hook 156. In some cases, an outwardly protruding rib may enlarge the overall size of hook 156 and bend front wall 202 outwardly when front hook 156 is inserted into receiving member 208. Thus, a hook 156 including inwardly ribs 158 may provide a better fit with receiving member 208. Still, in some embodiment, front attachment portion 110 includes one or more outwardly protruding ribs. For example, hook 156 may be reduced in size to compensate for the protrusion of the outwardly protruding ribs.

[0055] Some gutters 200 include a receiving member 208 having a curled end which defines a channel 210. Optionally, hook 156 is sized for insertion onto channel 210. In the example shown, hook 156 includes a first portion 160 immediately adjacent front end 102, and a second portion 162 spaced from front end 102. As shown, first portion 160 is at least partially inverted to at least partially overly second portion 162. Also, first portion 160 is shown positioned inside channel 210 of receiving member 208. In some embodiments, ribs 158 do not extend to the end of first portion 160. For example, first portion 160 is shown without ribs 158. In some cases, ribs 158 may enlarge a thickness of first portion 160 such that first portion 160 cannot be inserted into channel 210 without deforming channel 210.
Thus, hook 156 including a first portion 160 without ribs 158 may be more easily inserted into channel 210 of receiving member 208. Still, in some embodiments first portion 160 includes ribs 158 which extend through to the end of first portion 160. For example, some gutters 200 include a receiving member 208 defining a channel 210 which is deformable to allow channel 210 to expand when inserting a first portion 160 having an enlarged thickness (e.g. on account of ribs 158). Further, some gutters 200 do not include a receiving member 208 which defining a channel 208, and some gutters 200 do not include receiving member 208 at all.

[0056] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 700 of manufacturing a gutter hanger. For clarity of illustration, method 700 is described with reference to gutter hanger 200. However, in some embodiments, a different gutter hanger may be manufactured by practicing method 700. In the example of method 700 described, gutter hanger 100 is manufactured from a single sheet of material (e.g. metal). However, in alternative embodiments, gutter hanger 100 is formed from a plurality of discrete pieces that are joined together.

[0057]
At 702, an elongate fastener 116 is provided. Fastener 116 can be any suitable elongate fastener, including without limitation, a screw, a nail, or a bolt.

[0058]
At 704, a sheet of material is provided. In one example, the material is metal.
In alternative embodiments, the material is plastic or wood. For clarity of illustration, the sheet of material is described with reference to a front end 102, a longitudinally opposite rear end 104, and two transversely opposite sides 106 and 108 each of which extend from the front end 102 to the rear end 104.
Longitudinally, the sheet of material may be described as having a front attachment portion 110 proximate the front end 102, a rear attachment portion 112 proximate the rear end 104, and an intermediate portion 114 which extends from the front attachment portion 110 to the rear attachment portion 112.
Transversely, each of the front, intermediate, and rear attachment portions 110, 114, and 112 may be described as having a central region 144, and two side regions 146 and 148 each of which is transversely outward of and adjacent to central region 144.

[0059]
At 706, the front attachment portion 110 is bent upwardly and longitudinally inwardly to form a hook 156. In some examples, the hook 156 is arcuate. In other examples, hook 156 is generally polygonal having three or four sides for example.

[0060]
At 708, one or more of side regions 146 and 148 of intermediate portion is perforated to define one or more arms. In some embodiments, each arm is generally identical in size and shape to each other arm. In alternative embodiments, one or more arms is sized or shaped differently than one or more other arms. In various embodiments, one or more arms has a profile that is one of rectangular, triangular, semi-circular, or any other suitable shape. In some embodiments, both side regions 146 and 148 of the intermediate portion 112 are perforated to define one or more pairs of two transversely opposite arms. Each pair of two arms may be longitudinally spaced from each other pair of two arms.

[0061]
At 710, central region 144 of intermediate portion 112 is deformed upwardly to define a longitudinal channel 150. In some example, the sheet of material is perforated at one or both ends 152 and 154 of channel 150 to provide an open ended channel 150.

[0062] At 712, fastener 116 is positioned under the central region 144 of the intermediate portion 112. In some examples, this includes positioning fastener 116 such that it extends longitudinally inside channel 150 and longitudinally aligned with channel 150.

[0063] At 714, each of the arm(s) is bent downwardly and transversely inwardly to extend under fastener 116 and central region 144 of intermediate portion 114.
In the case of a pair of two transversely opposite arms, each of the two arms is bent downwardly and transversely inwardly toward the other of the two arms. In some examples, the arm(s) are bent such that the fastener 116 is urged upwardly against the central region 144 of intermediate portion 114. The arm(s) and channel 150 may form one or more continuous strips, each of which substantially encircles and grips a circumference of a portion of fastener 116.

[0064] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 700 including certain acts performed in a certain order. However, in alternative embodiments, method 700 omits certain acts shown and/or includes certain other acts not shown. Further, in some embodiments, one or more acts of method 700 is performed in a different order than shown, and/or two or more acts of method 700 are performed simultaneously. For example, bending front attachment portion at 706, perforating side region(s) to define arm(s) at 708, and deforming the central region to define a channel at 710 may be performed by a single impact of a die upon the sheet of material.

[0065] While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, it will be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the described embodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments. Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims (20)

CLAIMS:

1. A
gutter hanger for securing a gutter to a fascia of a roof, the gutter having a front wall and a rear wall, the gutter hanger comprising:
an elongate fastener; and a bracket including a front end longitudinally opposite to a rear end, two transversely opposite sides, each side extending from the front end to the rear end;
a front attachment portion proximate the front end including an upwardly turned hook which in use abuts the front wall of the gutter, a rear attachment portion proximate the rear end which in use abuts the rear wall of the gutter, an intermediate portion extending longitudinally from the front attachment portion to the rear attachment portion, each of the front, rear and intermediate portions including a central region, and two transversely opposite side regions, each side region being transversely outward of the central region, and at least one arm, each arm being bent downwardly and transversely inwardly from one of the side regions of the intermediate portion to under the central region of the intermediate portion, the at least one arm urging the fastener against the central region of the intermediate portion.
wherein the at least one arm includes at least one pair of two arms, and within each of the at least one pair of two arms, each arm is bent downwardly and transversely inwardly from a different of the two side regions of the intermediate portion, and the two arms are transversely aligned; and wherein each of the at least one arm includes a distal end under the central region of the intermediate portion, and within each of the at least one pair of two arms, the distal ends of the two arms is spaced apart.

2. A
gutter hanger for securing a gutter to a fascia of a roof, the gutter having a front wall and a rear wall, the gutter hanger comprising:
an elongate fastener; and a bracket including a front end longitudinally opposite to a rear end, two transversely opposite sides, each side extending from the front end to the rear end;
a front attachment portion proximate the front end including an upwardly turned hook which in use abuts the front wall of the gutter, a rear attachment portion proximate the rear end which in use abuts the rear wall of the gutter, an intermediate portion extending longitudinally from the front attachment portion to the rear attachment portion, each of the front, rear and intermediate portions including a central region, and two transversely opposite side regions, each side region being transversely outward of the central region, and at least one arm, each arm being bent downwardly and transversely inwardly from one of the side regions of the intermediate portion to under the central region of the intermediate portion, the at least one arm urging the fastener against the central region of the intermediate portion.
wherein the at least one arm includes at least one pair of two arms, and within each of the at least one pair of two arms, each arm is bent downwardly and transversely inwardly from a different of the two side regions of the intermediate portion, and the two arms are transversely aligned; and wherein the at least one pair of two arms includes at least two pairs of two arms, each of the at least two pairs of two arms is longitudinally spaced from each other of the at least two pairs of two arms.

3. The gutter hanger of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the fastener includes first and second fastener ends, the first fastener end is proximate to the front attachment portion, and the second fastener end is longitudinally inwardly spaced from the rear attachment end.

4. The gutter hanger of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein an underside of the central region of the intermediate portion defines a longitudinally extending channel, the fastener is longitudinally aligned with the channel, and the fastener extends longitudinally inside the channel.

5. The gutter hanger of claim 4, wherein at least some of the central region of the intermediate portion bows transversely upwardly to define the channel.

6. The gutter hanger of claim 4, wherein the at least one arm holds the fastener in the channel.

7. The gutter hanger of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the bracket is formed from a single sheet of metal.

8. The gutter hanger of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the intermediate portion further includes two transversely opposite flanges, and each flange is transversely outward of and bent downwardly from a different one of the transversely opposite side regions of the intermediate portion.

9. The gutter hanger of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rear attachment portion includes a downwardly extending end panel having an opening sized to receive the fastener, the opening being aligned with the fastener, and two transversely opposite tabs spaced longitudinally inward from the end panel, and extending transversely inward, and the panel and the two tabs define a slot sized to receive the front wall of the gutter.

10. The gutter hanger of claim 9, wherein the intermediate portion further includes two transversely opposite flanges, each flange is transversely outward of and bent downwardly from a different one of the transversely opposite side regions of the intermediate portion, and each of the two tabs extends from and is bent transversely inwardly from a different one of the two flanges.

11. The gutter hanger of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the front attachment portion includes two longitudinally extending transversely spaced apart ribs.

12. The gutter hanger of claim 11, wherein at least some of each of the two side regions of the front attachment portion bows upwardly to define the two ribs.

13. The gutter hanger of claim 11, wherein a first portion of the hook which is immediately adjacent the front end is without ribs, and a second portion of the hook which is spaced from the front end includes the two ribs.

14. The gutter hanger of claim 13, wherein the first portion of the hook overlies the second portion of the hook.

15. The gutter hanger of claim 13, wherein in the second portion, each of the two ribs protrudes inwardly with respect to a curvature of the hook.

16. A method of manufacturing a gutter hanger, the method comprising:
providing an elongate fastener;
providing a sheet of material, the sheet of material including a front end longitudinally opposite to a rear end, two transversely opposite sides, each side extending from the front end to the rear end;
a front attachment portion proximate the front end, a rear attachment portion proximate the rear end, and an intermediate portion extending longitudinally from the front attachment portion to the rear attachment portion, each of the front, rear and intermediate portions including a central region, and two transversely opposite side regions, each side region being transversely outward of the central region;
bending the front attachment portion upwardly and longitudinally inwardly to form a hook;

for each of at least one arm, perforating one of the side regions of the intermediate portion to define the arm;
positioning the elongate fastener under the central region of the intermediate portion; and bending each of the at least one arm downwardly and transversely inwardly to extend under the fastener and the central region of the intermediate portion, to urge the fastener against the central region of the intermediate portion.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the at least one arm includes at least one pair of two arms, and for each pair of two arms, the perforating includes perforating each of the two side regions of the intermediate portion to define two transversely opposite and transversely aligned arms.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the bending of each of the at least one arm includes, for each pair of two arms, bending each of the two arms downwardly and transversely inwardly toward each other.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the at least one pair of two arms includes at least two pairs of two arms, and the perforating includes perforating the two side regions of the intermediate portion at longitudinally spaced positions to define the at least two pairs of two arms, where each of the at least two pairs of two arms is longitudinally spaced from each other of the at least two pairs of two arms.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising deforming the central region of the intermediate portion upwardly to define a longitudinal channel, wherein the positioning includes positioning the fastener to extend longitudinally inside the channel and longitudinally aligned with the channel.