GB2193982A

GB2193982A - Gutter joint

Info

Publication number: GB2193982A
Application number: GB08619358A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Roland Whitehead; Ivan Joseph George Smith
Original assignee: ALLFOR INVESTMENT Ltd
Current assignee: ALLFOR INVESTMENT Ltd
Priority date: 1986-08-08
Filing date: 1986-08-08
Publication date: 1988-02-24
Also published as: GB8619358D0

Abstract

An end portion (11) of a length of guttering (10) is offset outwardly from an adjacent part of the guttering by a step (14). An outwardly projecting rib (17) is provided on an adjacent length of guttering to rest inside the end portion (11) and maintain a space between the end portions. This space is occupied by a resilient seal (20,21,22) carrying a quantity of a flowable composition (23). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gutter, gutter components and method of joining gutter components Description of Invention From one aspect, the present invention relates to a gutter formed of a number of channel shaped components which are secured to each other. Such gutters are commonly asso ciated with roofs, for example being provided at the eaves of roofs and being provided in valleys defined by roofs.

In GB 1,304,526, there is disclosed a gutter comprising a first component which has a uni form cross-section along its entire length and a second component which defines two grooves open to the interior of the gutter component. These grooves are spaced apart longitudinally of the component and each groove extends across the base and up the sides of the component. Sealing strips of neo prene are placed, one in each of the grooves, and an end portion of the first component is placed inside an end portion of the second component to span the groove therein and rest on the corresponding sealing strip. The gutter components are held in assembled reia tion with each other, by lips on the second component which engage over edges of the first component.

The second gutter component disclosed in GB 1,304,526 is formed by moulding PVC.

Whilst the provision of the transverse grooves in the component contribute significantiy to the cost of the mould tools, once these have been made, manufacture of gutter components with the transverse grooves is not significantly more difficult or expensive than would be moulding of a similar component without the transverse grooves.

In GB 1,534,507, there is disclosed a gutter comprising first and second channel-shaped components, wherein a first component has a uniform transverse cross-section along its en tire length and a second component is pro vided with an end portion which includes a well bounded at opposite ends by respective steps. A first of these steps is positioned a part of the way along the end portion and is relatively shallow. The other step is positioned where the end portion joins an adjacent part of the gutter component and is deeper. In the assembled gutter, the well contains one or more preformed, resilient sealing strips and a body of a flowable sealant composition.The first gutter component rests on the end por tion of the second gutter component adjacent to the free-end thereof and extends across the -well to the deeper step so that the sealing strips and sealing composition are trapped in a space defined between the end portions of the component.

GB 1,534,507 indicates that the gutter com ponents are preferably formed of a glass-reinforced polyester. Such material would be moulded to produce the gutter component.

The specification also mentions that the gutter components can be made of other suitable materials, for example aluminium, sheet steel, sheet iron or sheet asbestos. As noted above, a component which defines a well can be formed conveniently by moulding a plastics material. However, sheet metals are less suitable for manufacture of the gutter components disclosed in GB 1,534,507, because it is difficult to form the well in sheet metal unless expensive press tools are used. It will be understood that the shape and dimensions of the gutter components must be controlled within fairly small tolerances otherwise a satisfactory joint will not result.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gutter comprising first and second channel-shaped components having respective end portions which overlap each other, wherein a first of said components has a step between said end portion and an adjacent part of the first component, the end portion being offset with respect to the adjacent part of the first component in a direction outwardly of the gutter, the second component has an outwardly projecting rib where said end portion meets an adjacent part of the second component, the rib is received by the end portion of the first component and a flexible seal is provided in a space between the end portions.

Sheet metal can be used conveniently in manufacture of components of a gutter in accordance with the invention.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a set of channel-shaped gutter components comprising a first component having a step between an end portion and an adjacent part of the first component, the end portion being offset with respect to the adjacent part of the first component in a direction outwardly of the component, and a second component having an outwardly projecting rib where an end portion of the second component meets an adjacent part of the second component, the rib being dimensioned to be received within the end portion of the first component when said end portions are brought into mutually overlapping relation.

In the assembled gutter, the rib preferably contacts the internal face of the end portion of the first component to maintain a predetermined spacing between the end portions and thereby avoid the flowable composition being squeezed from the joint, during securing of the components to each other.

Furthermore, in the assembled gutter, the end portion of the second component preferably extends to or substantially to the step of the first component. The gutter components, with the possible exception of the rib, are preferably formed of sheet material, for example sheet metal. The rib may be formed sepa rately from the end portion of the second component and be secured to the remainder of the second component, for example by welding or by use of fasteners. The components may be secured to each other by means of fasteners.

The first component preferably has a single step in the vicinity of the end portion which is to be overlapped with the second component.

This step preferably has a height which is considerably greater than the thickness of the material of which the gutter components are formed.

One of the components may be a relatively short connector used for connecting the other component with a further component of the gutter and/or with a downpipe.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a gutter comprising first and second channel-shaped components in partly overlapped relation with each other, a portion of the second component lying inside the first component, wherein there is a substantial clearance space between mutually opposed surfaces of said components, wherein opposite boundaries ofsaid space which are spaced apart in a direction along the gutter are defined by respective different components of the gutter and wherein said space contains a flexible seal.

The boundaries of said space which are spaced apart in a direction along the gutter, called hereinafter the end boundaries of the space, may be defined one by a rib on the second component and the other by a step in the first component. Alternatively, the first component may be overlapped with an end portion ofshe second component and also with an end portion of a third component, in which case the end boundaries of the space may be defined by respective ribs on the second and third components. In a further alternative arrangement, the end boundaries of the space are defined by respective steps on the mutually overlapped components.

The seal may include one or both of a preformed resilient member and a quantity of a flowable composition. The flowable composition may be provided on a strip so that a predetermined quantity of the composition can be place in a joint by placing a predetermined length of the strip in the joint. The strip may be the resilient pre-formed member.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of joining first and second components of a gutter to each other wherein there is formed in a first of the components a step between an end portion of that component and an adjacent part of the component, the end portion being offset with respect to the adjacent part in a direction outwardly of the gutter component, there is provided an outwardly projecting rib on the second component, at a position where an end portion of that component meets an adjacent part of the second component, the end portions are brought into mutually overlapping relation with the rib inside the end portion of the first component and with a sealing material inside the end portion of the first component but outside the end portion of the second component and wherein the first and second components are secured together, the sealing material being subjected to pressure during securing.

Examples of gutters in accordance with the first and third aspects of the invention, comprising components in accordance with the second aspect and which are assembled by a method in accordance with the fourth aspect will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawing, wherein: Figure 1 shows a longitudinal cross-section through a joint structure of a first gutter, Figure 2 shows diagrammatically a modification of the joint structure of Fig. 1, Figure 3 is a similar representation of an alternative joint structure, and Figure 4 is a similar representation of a still further alternative joint structure.

The gutter illustrated in Fig. 1 comprises a first component 10 having an end portion 11 secured in overlapping relation with an end portion 12 of a second component 13. The components 10 and 13 are both channelshaped, including a bottom wall and upstanding side walls. The bottom walls of the components are generally co-planar and first and second side walls of the component 10 are generally co-planar with corresponding side walls of the component 13. As viewed from one end, the profile of each component may be polygonal, for example rectangular, or curved.

The components 10 and 13 are formed mainly of sheet metal, for example plastics coated steel.

The component 10 defines a step 14, commonly termed a joggle, between the end portion 11 and the adjacent part 15 of the component. The end portion 11 is offset from the adjacent part 15 in a direction outwardly of the gutter by a distance which is considerably greater than the thickness of the sheet material of which the component is formed. Typically, the end portion 11 is offset from the adjacent part of the component by a distance which is at least twice the thickness of the material. The end portion 12 is a plain end portion, that is the transverse cross-sectional dimensions of the component 13 are uniform throughout the end portion 12 and an adjacent part 16 of the component. An opposite end portion (not shown) of the component 13 may be offset from the remainder of the component in the same manner as is the end portion 11.

There is on the end portion 12, where this meets the adjacent part 16 of the component 13, an outwardly projecting rib 17 which ex tends transversely of the length of the component and is continuous from one upper edge of the component to the opposite edge. The rib presents in a direction away from the interior of the component 13 a surface 18 which is complementary to the internal surface of the end portion 11. The rib projects from the end portion 12 a distance which is typically equal to or somewhat greater than the thickness of the sheet material of which the end portion is formed. The rib is fixed to the component 13 by means of fasteners or by fusion, in a case where the end portion and the rib are formed of respective materials which can be welded or otherwise united by fusion.In a further alternative arrangement, the rib and end portion may be formed to interfit one with the other so that they are held together in assembled relation without the use of fasteners or by welding.

As shown in the drawing, the rib 17 is spaced from the free-end of the component 13 by a distance such that, when the free-end of the component 13 is placed at the step 14, the ribs can be received inside the end portion 11 but near to the free-end of that end portion.

Prior to assembly of the components 10 and 13 with each other, there is placed inside the end portion 11 a sealing strip 19 which extends continuously around the interior of the end portion from one upper edge thereof to the opposite edge. In the example illustrated, the sealing strip comprises a pre-formed, resiliently flexible member which includes a pair of beads 20 and 21 and a web extending between the beads. Between the beads, there is defined a recess and in this recess there is provided a quantity of a flowable sealant composition 23. The beads 20 and 21 define opposite lateral margins of the strip 19 and are so spaced apart that, when the head 20 is adjacent to the step 14, the bead 21 will engage the rib 17 with the components 10 and 13 positioned as shown in the drawing.

In their unstressed condition, the beads 20 and 21 have a height which is somewhat greater than the corresponding dimension of the rib 17. Accordingly, when the components are brought together in the relation shown in the drawing, the beads 20 and 21 are compressed and the sealant composition 23 is subjected to pressure, causing the composition to flow and occupy fully the space defined between the end portions 11 and 12 and the beads 20 and 21. In this way, there is formed a water-tight joint which will not leak in the event of limited relative longitudinal movement of the components 10 and 11 occurring, for example owing to thermal expansion of the components.

The components 10 and 13 are secured together by a number of bolts or other fasteners, two of which are represented in the drawing at 24 and 25. These bolts may pass through pre-formed apertures in the end portions 11 and 12. It will be noted that the sealant composition 23 prevents leakage of water from the interior of the gutter through the bolt holes.

The components of the joint structure of Fig. 2 correspond to components of the structure shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 2, such corresponding parts are indicated by like reference numerals with the prefix 1 and the preceding description is deemed to apply, except for the difference hereinafter mentioned.

The step 14 represented in Fig. 1 is conveniently formed by a pressing operation. In the joint structure of Fig. 2, the step 114 is formed by fabrication from an outer component which constitutes the end portion 111, an intermediate component and an end portion 11 5 of a channel-shaped component which has a uniform cross-section along its entire length. The intermediate component which forms the step 114 is interposed between the part 115 and the component 111 and is welded or otherwise fastened to the outside of the part 115 and to the inside of the component 111.

In the assembled joint structure of Fig. 2, the end of the second gutter component 113 lies immediately adjacent to, or abutting, the part 115 adjacent to the stem. The rib 117 maintains a space between the end portion 112 and the end portion 111 and this space is occupied by a sealing material (not shown).

As shown in Fig. 3, the part 115 may extend over this space.

Certain components of the joint structure shown in Fig. 3 correspond to components hereinbefore described with reference to Fig.

1. In Fig. 3, such corresponding parts are indicated by like-reference numerals with the prefix 2 and the preceding description is deemed to apply, except for the differences hereinafter mentioned.

The gutter component 213 shown in Fig. 3 may be substantially identical with the gutter component 13 of Fig. 1. Alternatively, the rib 21 7 may be somewhat nearer to the end of the component 213 than is the rib 17 to the end of the component 13, in this case the end portion 212 being shorter than the end portion 12. The end portion 212 is overlapped with and disposed inside a component 211 which also has a channel-shaped crosssection but has somewhat larger dimensions than does the component 213, so that the internal surface of the component 211 is complimentary to the external surface presented by the rib 217. In the assembled joint structure, the rib rests on this internal surface to maintain a space between the end portion 212 and the component 211.The iatter component has a uniform cross-sectional along its entire length, which is short relative to the length of the component 213.

The joint structure of Fig. 3 comprises a further component 226, which may be identi cal with the component 213, but is arranged with its end portion 227, corresponding to the end portion 212, also overlapping the compo nent 211. A rib 228, corresponding to the rib 217, engages the internal face of the compo nent 211 to maintain between the end portion 227 and the component 211 a continuation of the space defined between the end portion 212 and the component 211. This space is occupied by a sealing material, not shown in Fig. 3. The free ends of the components 213 and 226 are immediately adjacent to one another or abut one another.

The components 213 and 226 are conveni ently fabricated by welding on the external surfaces of channel-shaped component suitably formed strips to provide the ribs 217 and 228. These channel-shaped components and the component 211 are conveniently formed by rolling sheet material or by press ing.

The joint structure shown in Fig. 4 is espe cially suitable for gutter components which are moulded, for example of plastics materials. In Fig. 4, there is shown a first gutter compo nent 310 which is generally channel-shaped and includes an end portion defining two steps, 311 and 312 respectively. These steps are at the inside of the component 310. There is joined to the component 310 a second gut ter component 313, also generally channel shaped. An end portion of the component 313 overlaps a corresponding part of the component 310 and the end portion of the component 313 defines three steps, 314, 315 and 316 respectively. These steps are on the outside of-the component 313.

In the assembled joint structure of Fig. 4, that part of the component 313 which lies between the steps 314 and 315 rests on the end portion of the component 310 and main tains a space 317 between the end portion of the component 31Q and that part of the com ponent 313 which projects beyong the step 314. This space is filled with sealing material, not shown in the drawing.

The joint structures illustrated in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are secured in assembled relation by fasteners, respective centrelines of which are indicated in the drawing by chain lines. In each joint structure illustrated, the sealing material may be a mastic alone, a pre-formed body of resiliently flexible material or a combi nation of these, as illustrated in Fig. 1.

It will be noted that, in each of the joint structures illustrated, opposite ends of the space containing the sealing material are defined by different members. Thus there is no requirement for the formation of a well in any components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing de scription, or the accompanying drawings, ex pressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately or any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A gutter comprising first and second channel-shaped components having respective end portions which overlap each other, wherein a first of said components has a step between said end portion and an adjacent part of the first component, the end portion being offset with respect to the adjacent part of the first component in a direction outwardly of the gutter, the second component has an outwardly projecting rib where said end portion meets an adjacent part of the second component, the rib is received by the end portion of the first component and a flexible seal is provided between the end portions.

2. A gutter according to Claim 1 wherein the end portion of the second component extends to or substantially to the step of the first component.

3. A gutter according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the rib contacts the internal face of the end portion of the first component.

4. A set of channel-shaped gutter components comprising a first component having a step between an end portion and an adjacent part of the first component, the end portion being offset from the adjacent part in a direction outwardly of the component, and a second component having an outwardly projecting rib where an end portion of that component meets an adjacent part of the second component, the dimensions of the rib being such that the rib can be received in the end portion of the first component when the end portions are placed in overlapping relation one with the other.

5. A gutter according to any one of Claims 1 to 3 or a set of components accordng to Claim 4 wherein each of said components is formed of sheet material.

6. A gutter or a set of components according to Claim 5 wherein the rib-is formed separately from the end portion of the second component and is secured to the remainder of the second component.

7. A gutter according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, 5 and 6 or a set of components according to any one of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the height of said step is considerably greater than the thickness of the material of which the end portion of the first component is formed.

8. A gutter according to any one of Claims 1, 2 and 3 wherein the seal includes at least one of a pre-formed resilient member and a quantity of a flowable sealant composition.

9. A method of joining first and second components of a gutter to each other wherein there is formed in a first of the components a step between an end portion of that component and an adjacent part of the component, the end portion being offset with respect to the adjacent part in a direction outwardly of the gutter component, there is provided an outwardly projecting rib on the second component, at a position where an end portion of that component meets an adjacent part of the second component, the end portions are brought into mutually overlapping relation with the rib inside the end portion of the first component and with a sealing material inside the end portion of the first component but outside the end portion of the second component and the first and second components are secured together, subjecting the sealing material to pressure during securing.

10. A gutter comprising first and second channel-shaped components in partly overlapped relation with each other, a portion of the second component lying inside the first component, wherein there is a substantial clearance space between mutually opposed surfaces of said components wherein opposite boundaries of said space which are spaced apart in a direction along the gutter are defined by respective different components of the gutter and wherein said space contains a flexible seal.

11. A gutter according to Claim 10 wherein one of the end boundaries of said space is defined by a rib on the outside of one of said components.

12. A gutter according to Claim 10 or Claim 11 wherein one of the end boundaries of said space is defined by a step in one of said components.

13. A gutter according to Claim 10 further comprising a third channel-shaped component having an end portion lying inside the first component.

14. Any novel feature or novel combination of features disclosed herein or in the accompanying drawing.