GB2146368A - Gutters - Google Patents

Abstract

A gutter is in the form of a longitudinally split tube (16) adapted for the split to be resiliently openable to clamp onto a run-off lip of a roof (12). The tube may preferably be adapted to be secured to the run-off lip by a securing means in the form of a bracket which may engage the tube either internally or externally. Connector means for connecting together adjacent lengths of tube may consist of a double socket tube or sleeve (36) which may similarly be resiliently openable to clamp onto the run-off lip of a roof. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gutters This invention relates to gutters. Whilst this invention is concerned mainly with gutters for roofing, such gutters may also be applied to other constructions or articles such as washing and sorting tables where liquids are present and these liquids desirably should be contained and guided away.

Background of the Invention Conventional gutters, for example for roofing, generally require to be fastened against a facia board, or the like, and require to be attached to the facia board with suitable brackets. Such gutters tend to become clogged with leaves and/or dust, or for example snow or hail. Such accumulation can either lead to rusting, blockage, or overloading.

In an attempt to overcome at least some of these problems, the applicant is aware of South African patent number 64/2411 in the name of J. J. H.

Lagesse. This patent disclosure describes a rectangular trough which is open substantially at the side thereof and which can be secured directiy to the tops of the flutes of a roof. The rectangular trough, however, requires to be especially rolled and formed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gutter comprising a longitudinally split tube adapted for the split to be resiliently openable to clamp onto a run-off lip and adapted to receive accessories for containing and discharging liquid entering from the run-off lip.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gutter comprising a longitudinally split tube adapted for the tube to be resiliently openable to clamp onto a run-off lip and adapted to be secured to the run-off lip by a securing means.

The securing means may comprise a holding bracket securable to the run-off lip and adapted to be located inside the tube.

The bracket may be ring-like with a dimension and shape such that it fits snugly in or around the tube.

In one form of the invention, the bracket may have limbs extending in opposed directions, the limbs being linked by a transverse or substantially transverse member.

More particularly, the bracket may have two limbs securable to the run-off lip, which limbs extend inside the tube and are joined by a transverse member inside the tube. The limbs may be rounded.

In another form of the invention, the securing means may comprise a strap or bracket extending from the run-off lip to the outside of the tube.

The tube may have a circular or substantially circular cross-sectional shape; alternatively an angular or polygonal cross-sectional shape.

The gutter may include spacer means for spacing the upper edge of the tube away from the upper surface of the run-off lip in the case that the roof has a flat or plane surface, or a run-off surface.

The spacer means may comprise a plurality of spacers, each spacer having a formation on its upper surface adapted to engage the upper part of the split tube.

The gutter may be adapted such that adjacent tubes may be longitudinally joined in spigot and socket fashion. Alternatively, the gutter may be provided in combination with connector means comprising a single external socket or a double socket.

In another form of the invention, the gutter may be provided in combination with connector means comprising an inner part and an outer part, the inner part and the outer parts being spaced apart from each other so as to receive between them and at each thereof an end part of the split tube, the connector means being adapted to be resiliently openable to clamp onto the run-off lip.

The expression split tube in the specification and claims includes not only a tube which is longitudinally slit or cut, but also a tube which is provided with a longitudinal opening therein.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector means for a longitudinally split tube gutter, comprising an inner part and an outer part, the inner part and the outer parts being spaced apart from each other so as to receive between them and at each end thereof an end part of a split tube gutter, the connector means being adapted to be resiliently openable to clamp onto a run-off lip.

The inner and outer parts of the connector may be secured together by a plurality of fastening means, for example screws and nuts.

Preferably the inner part may extend beyond the outer part at each end of the connector means.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gutter system comprising a gutter as herein described in combination with connector means and accessories adapted to be connected to the tube, the accessories comprising for example inside bends, outside bends, connecting means, T-pieces, elbows, angle bends, and the like.

The invention extends to a roof in combination with a gutter system as herein described.

Roofs normally have ridges and flutes, namely corrugated sheets, IBR sheeting, similar profiles, and fluted tiles of concrete, baked clay, asbestos, and the like. As mentioned previously, spacer means can be provided in the case of fiat or plane roofs to effectively provide channels for water to run from the run-off surface or lip into the inside of the tube.

Engagement of the tube on the run-off lip can be caused either by resiliently stressing a pipe of flexible material e.g. plastics such as PVC, or thin sheet steel, by opening it length wise circumferentially, inserting the pipe over a roof edge and allowing it to close. Alternatively, the engagement may be achieved by using supporting brackets, preferably of a resilient material such as spring steel, connected to the roof. In this event, the pipe may be flexible or stiff. Such brackets may be located internally or externally of the pipe.

As mentioned previously, the split pipe may be formed by longitudinally slitting a closed tube or pipe, or by forming the tube with a slit for example during extrusion of a plastics tube or during bending of a metal sheet.

A return lip may be formed at one end of the slit.

As a modification, an external lip may be formed adjacent one edge of the slit (on the other side of the slit where a return lip is provided) for securing the pipe to a roof edge.

Where the pipe is flexible it may also be flexible longitudinally, so that, for example, it can conveniently be fitted to a curved roof edge such as that present on round huts or rondawels.

The tube may be made from any suitable material for example steel which may be pre-painted, galvanised, coated, or the like; and an appropriate plastics material such as PVC, polypropylene, and the like; or an elastomer such as natural or synthetic rubber; fibre reinforced pitch; and the like.

Any suitable method of joining adjacent sections may be employed such as connecting sleeves, spigot and socket formations, curled lip and clamp formations, socket connectors, and the like.

This gutter provides a decorative appearance to a building structure, such as a house, and at the same time is relatively quick and easy to install.

Detailed Description of the Invention The invention will now be described in greater detail by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the following drawings: Figure 1 shows a three dimensional view of a house fitted with a gutter of the invention; Figures 2 and 3 show respectively, inside and outside elbow members; Figure 4 shows a straight gutter or tube to which may be fitted a down pipe; Figure 5 shows a three-dimensional, partly sectioned view of a gutter of the invention fitted to a corrugated iron roof and a device for connecting tube gutter lengths to each other; Figure 6 shows an embodiment of one type of supporting bracket; Figure 7 shows a three dimensional, partly sectioned view of a gutter of the invention fitted to a corrugated iron roof and a supporting bracket with another embodiment of a supporting bracket;; Figure 8 shows a preferred connecting means according to the invention; Figures 9A to 9E show different cross sections of gutter tube of the invention; Figures 10A and 10B show, on a larger scale, two variants of cross sections of the gutter tube of the invention; Figures 11A to 11 E show cross sectional views of various connecting means for connecting adjacent sections of tube together; Figure 12 shows a three-dimensional view of one bracket member for the gutter of the invention, as fitted to the lower end of a roof; Figure 13 shows an end sectional view of a gutter with another embodiment of the securing means; and Figure 1 4A to 14E show variants of securing means in the form of variously shaped brackets.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts unless otherwise indicated.

Referring firstly to Figure 1,there is shown a house 10 having a roof 12 fitted with a gutter 14 comprising a number of sections of split tube 16 (-see Figure 4), inside corners 18 (-see Figure 2), outside corners 20 (-see Figure 3), a T-piece 22 (which could be formed from a straight piece of tube 16 to which a down pipe is suitably secured), connected to a down pipe 24, including an elbow 26, outside securing brackets 28 connecting the gutter to the roof and connector members 30 connecting adjacent tubes 16 together.

Referring next to Figures 2,3 and 4, the tubes are circular in cross-section, the corner members 18 and 20 circular in cross-section, the corner members 18 and 20 being bent, and all the tubes being split and including a slit 32 which is formed either by slitting a conventional round plastics pipe or by moulding a pipe with a longitudinal slit therein.

Although not shown, each of the corner members or tubes 18 or 20 are provided with a cut-out or recessed portion to accommodate a corner ridge or ridge plate.

The tubes 16 (and 18 and 20) are applied to the run-off lip of the roof 12 by resiliently opening the tube i.e. widening of the slit 32 and engaging the widened slit 32 over the run-off lip (not shown) of the roof 12. The tubes 26, 18 and 20 then resiliently clamp onto the run-off lip of the roof 12. It is preferable to use a securing means for example in the form of a resilient clamp (see below) to secure the tubes aforementioned to the run-off lip of the roof 12.

Adjacent tubes may be secured together by means of connector means also discussed hereunder. At the end of the gutter a cap 34 may be (friction) fitted.

Figure 5 shows two sections of elongate tubes 16 in greater detail. As can be seen, the split tube is opened and fitted over the edge of the roof 12 and then ailowed to close resiliently. The fluting in the roof 12 ensures that passages are formed through which water on the roof can run off into the tube 16.

The two lengths of tube 16 are connected to each by a socket or sleeve 36 which may be moulded or formed form a tube of slightly larger diameter than the tube 16 and which clamps onto the end portions of the adjacent tubes 16. A suitable adhesive is applied to the inside of the sleeve 36 (shown in dotted lines).

Referring next to Figure 6, a securing means is shown in the form of a bracket member comprises a loop or clamp 38 of spring steel which passes through a hole 40 in the roof and extends outwardly beyond the edge of the roof. The tube 16 is simply fitted over the clamp 38 or inside the clamp 38.

Figure 7 shows another embodiment of a securing member in the form of an H-shaped bracket 42, of which two legs engage two holes in the roof, as shown in the direction of the upper arrow. A length of tube 16 is then resiliently opened and slid in the direction of the lower arrow over the bracket 42 so that the bracket 42, to the extent that it protrudes above the surface of the roof 12, is located inside the tube 16.

Figure 8 shows one preferred form of a connector means in the form of a double socket 44 which comprises an inner part 44.1 and an outer part 42 which are spaced apart to provide a space between them into which a length of tube 16 can be inserted from either end. The inner and outer parts are spaced apart by being stretched open relative to each other and secured relative to each other in position by means of three screws and nuts 44.3. It will be seen that the inner part or tube 44.1 extends beyond the length of the outer part of tube 44.2 at both ends of the connector 44, of which the slit 32 can also be opened to enable the connector 44 to clamp resiliently on the run-off lip of the roof 12.

The tubes 16,18 and 20 as well astheconnector 44 can preferably be made from a suitable resilient plastics or elastomeric material such as PVC, for example. Naturally, however, these parts can also be made from any other suitably resilient material such as steel sheet, for example.

Referring next to Figure 9, different variants of cross-section of a tube are shown, which may be chosen for their appearance. The tubes of Figures 9D and E will provide a type of facia or barge-board appearance and also provide a greater depth of gutter than do the other embodiments.

Figure 1 OA shows a gutter which may be formed by extrusion and is fitted to the edge of a roof 12.

The cross-section of the tube 16 comprises a circular body portion 46 having a slit 48 into which the roof 12 fits. On the one side of the slit there is a return lip portion 50 while on the other side of the slit 48 there is an external lip 52 which is secured to the roof 12 by a rivet 54 at the peak of a ridge in the roof sheet.

Figure 108 shows a variant of gutter tube 16 or the body portion 46, the variant being substantially similar to that of Figure 1 OA except that it has an elongate cross-section so as to form a type of facia.

The return lip portion of these two embodiments is to prevent water running rapidly off a roof and entering the gutter, from swirling around and spilling out of the back of the gutter.

Figures 11A to liE show five different variants of connector means by which adjacent tubes may be joined. In Figure 1 1A is shown a spigot 56 and socket 58 formation. In Figure 11 B is shown a connecting piece 60 of a resilient material which is formed in a profile corresponding to that of the cross-section of the tube 16 and which has opposed recesses 62 into which end portions of adjacent tubes 16 may be inserted. The tubes sections may either be held in a connector 60 by friction or by a suitable adhesive. See also Figure liD which provides an angled connecting piece 60. In Figure 9C, end portions of adjacent tubes are curled over at 64 and are clamped to each other by a clamp 66 which may be a flexible, resilient tube.Figure liE shows a cross-sectional view of the end parts of two adjacent tubes 16 connected together by the connector 44 shown in Figure 8.

Figure 12 shows a clamp 42 similar to that shown in Figure 7 except that the two circular parts thereof are somewhat similar to the clamp 38 shown in Figure 6 i.e. such that two brackets 38 are effectively joined to each by a transverse member, as shown, so that the brackets 38 are held with their axes parallel to the axis of the gutter.

Referring next to Figure 13, a tube 16 is clamped about the run-off lip of the roof 12 and is secured to the roof 12 by means of a nail 68 driven through a strap 70 into a perlin 72. The strap 70 has a button or clip 74 at its outer end which engages a hole provided in the tube 16 so that the button or clip 74 opens when inside the tube 16 thereby providing an effectively permanent connection. The clip 74 can for example be of the type used for upholstery buttons or securing upholstery panels in motor car doors.

Referring lastly to Figures 14Ato 14E,variants of securing means in the form of bracket 42 are shown.

It will be seen especially in Figures 14B to E that these brackets have opposing limbs 42.1 and 42.2 joined together by means of a transverse limb or member 42.3. In Figure 14D only one limb is provided on one side of the transverse member 42.3. The limbs of only Figures Band Dare numbered.

In Figure 14Athetransverse member 42.4 is provided at the end of the limbs which is located or intended to be located within or inside the tube 16.

It will be appreciated that the exact form of the profile may be tailored as desired. The material may also be varied both as regards composition and thickness. Any of the examples of gutters described above may also be used with washing tables such as fruit and vegetables sorting tables, in a mining application, and the like. In these events, suitable channels may be cut into the table or spacers or inserts may be provided between the upper edge of the slit in the tube and the surface of the table so that an opening is provided for water to drain from the top of the table into the gutter. This will also be the case when a flat or plane roof is used. Such inserts or spacers may be spaced apart along the length of the flat roof or table and may preferably have a groove provided in the top surface thereof so that the upper wedge of the slit in the tube 16 may engage the groove.Such inserts or spacers may for example also be made of a suitable plastics or elastomeric material.

It will also be appreciated that inspection lids or covers can be provided at various positions along the guttering, for example at the outside corners, such inspection covers or lids can be used for gaining access for example for cleaning the gutter at intervals, if this should be required.

A particular advantage of the gutters described above is that they are readily made and fitted to a roof; and that because they are upwardly closed they cannot accumulate leaves, dust, snow or hail.

Such materials or accesses will run off or flow over gutter, and thus the gutter will tend not to become overloaded and deform or cause bending of the supporting brackets as is the case with conventional open gutters.

Although certain embodiments only of the invention have been described herein, it will be readily apparent to any person skilled in the art that other modifications and/or variations of the invention are possible. Such modifications and/or variations are therefore to be considered as falling within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (21)

1. A gutter comprising a longitudinally split tube adapted for the split to be resiliently openable to clamp onto a run-off lip and adapted to receive accessories for containing and discharging liquid entering from the run-off lip.

2. A gutter comprising a longitudinally split tube adapted for the tube to be resiliently openable to clamp onto a run-off lip and adapted to be secured to the run-off lip by a securing means.

3. A gutter as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the securing means comprises a holding bracket securable to the run-off lip and adapted to be located inside the tube.

4. A gutter as claimed in claim 3, in which the bracket is ring-like with a dimension and shape such that it fits snugly in or around the tube.

5. A gutter as claimed in claim 3, in which the bracket has limbs extending in opposed directions, the limbs being linked by a transverse or substantially transverse member.

6. A gutter as claimed in claim 5, in which the bracket has two limbs securable to the run-off lip, which limbs extend inside the tube and are joined by a transverse member inside the tube.

7. A gutter as claimed in claim 5, in which the limbs are rounded.

8. A gutter as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the securing means comprises a strap or bracket extending from the run-off lip to the outside of the tube.

9. A gutter as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, in which the tube has a circular cross-sectional shape.

10. A gutter as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, in which the tube has an angular or polygonal cross-sectional shape.

11. A gutter as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, including spacer means for spacing the upper edge of the tube away from the upper surface of the run-off lip.

12. A gutter as claimed in claim 11, the spacer means comprising a plurality of spacers, each spacer having a formation on its upper surface adapted to engage the upper part of the split tube.

13. A gutter as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, adapted such that adjacent tubes may be longitudinally joined in spigot and socket fashion.

14. A gutter as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, in combination with connector means comprising a single external socket or a double socket.

15. A gutter as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, in combination with connector means comprising an inner part and an outer part, the inner part and the outer parts being spaced apart from each other so as to receive between them and at each end thereof an end part of a sp!it tube gutter, the connector means being adapted to be resiliently openable to clamp onto a run-off lip.

16. A connector means for a longitudinally split tube gutter, comprising an inner part and an outer part, the inner part and the outer parts being spaced apart from each other so as to receive between them and at each end thereof an end part of a split tube gutter, the connector means being adapted to be resiliently openable to clamp onto a run-off lip.

17. A connector means as claimed in claim lithe inner and outer parts being secured together by a plurality of fastening means.

18. A connector means as claimed in claim 1, the inner part extending beyond the outer part at each end of the connector means.

19. A gutter system comprising a gutter as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, connector means and accessories adapted to be connected to the tube, the accessories comprising inside bends, outside bends, connecting means, T-pieces, elbows, angle bends, and the like.

20. A roof including a gutter system as claimed in claim 19.

21. A gutter substantially according to any of the embodiments herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.