GB2327955A

GB2327955A - Gutter joint

Info

Publication number: GB2327955A
Application number: GB9716802A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Zbigniew Zygmunt Wereszczynski
Original assignee: MARLEY ALUTEC Ltd
Current assignee: MARLEY ALUTEC Ltd
Priority date: 1997-08-09
Filing date: 1997-08-09
Publication date: 1999-02-10
Anticipated expiration: 2017-08-09
Also published as: GB2327955B; GB2327955C; GB9716802D0

Abstract

A gutter joint comprises two confronting or abutting gutter sections (1), a clip (2) mounted on the end regions of the gutter sections (1), and a sealant layer (3) between the clip (2) and the gutter sections (1), wherein at least one spacer element (4), preferably of a resiliently compressible, deformable or elastomeric material, is provided between the gutter sections (1) and the clip (2).

Description

GUTTER JOINTS Field-of the Invention This invention relates to gutter joints and in particular to gutter joints having sealant located between confronting or abutting gutter sections and a joining element, such as a clip.

Background to the Invention Sections of gutter need to be joined. It is known to join gutter sections by means of a clip, which is commonly known as a union clip.

Gutter sections to be joined by a union clip have, at the top of each edge of the gutter sections, inwardly extending lips. The union clip has a shape which substantially corresponds to the shape of the gutter sections, the top edges of the union clip and the retaining lips of the gutter sections providing for snap-fitting interengagement of the components.

The union clip fits into the gutter sections leaving sufficient room for a layer of sealant between the gutter sections and the union clip. The purpose of the sealant, when cured, is to prevent egress of water from the gutter sections at the region where they are joined.

One gutter joint of the prior is assembled by first applying a layer of curable sealant to the inside of the ends of two confronting or abutting gutter sections and then bringing the union clip into snap-fitting engagement with the gutter sections internally thereof. The problem suffered by such a joint is that, during the course of its assembly, uncured sealant tends to be squeezed out prior to curing thereof. As a consequence, the union clip may not be at a proper height with respect to the gutter sections to provide for snap-fitting interengagement between the top edges of the union clip and the retaining lips at the top of the gutter sections. As a consequence, the required thickness of sealant cannot be controlled, whereby the integrity of the joint is affected, resulting in its eventual failure and leakage.

Other prior art gutter joints with internal or external union clips can be bolted together. A gap for sealant between the clip and two gutter sections is provided by bellowing out the bolt holes in the clip from the general plane thereof, such that when the joint is assembled, the so-provided gap is supposed to prevent the uncured sealant from being squeezed out from between the clip and gutter sections. As a consequence, it has been found that thermal movement between the rigid components of the joint eventually breaks the seal which would otherwise be provided by the cured sealant.

The present invention seeks to improve the integrity of the above-described joints.

Summary of the Invention The invention provides a gutter joint comprising two confronting or abutting gutter sections, a clip mounted on the end regions of the gutter sections, and a layer of sealant between the clip and the gutter sections, wherein at least one spacer element, preferably of a resiliently compressible material, is provided between the gutter sections and the clip.

The joint may further comprise means to enable the snap-fitting interengagement of the clip and the gutter sections, in which case, the or each spacer element is resiliently compressible, such that, when the clip and gutter sections are snap-fitted together, the or each spacer element is compressed between the clip and gutter sections, to provide a force sufficient to retain the clip and gutter sections in proper snap-fitting engagement with each other, at least until the sealant has cured, and to provide the required thickness of sealant between the clip and gutter sections.

The means to enable snap-fitting interengagement of the clip and the gutter section may comprise a lip and/or a groove. Preferably, the walls of the gutter sections are provided with inwardly extending lips, and the walls of the clip are provided with outwardly extending lips which interengage so that the clip is a snap fit in the gutter sections.

The clip may be mounted inside or outside the gutter sections.

At least one spacer element may be provided on the clip and/or the gutter section(s). Preferably, and when the clip is mounted inside the gutter sections, the or each spacer element is provided on the underside of the clip, and more preferably on the underside of the bottom wall of the clip. More preferably, two spacer elements are provided for each joint, one for each gutter section.

Alternatively, the spacer element(s) may be provided on the upper surface of an inner face of each gutter section.

Further, and when the clip is mounted outside the gutter sections, the or each spacer element may be provided on the topside of the clip, and more preferably on the topside of the bottom wall of the clip. Again, two spacer elements may be provided for each joint, one for each gutter section. Otherwise, the spacer elements may be provided on the lower surface of an outer face of each gutter section.

The spacer element(s) may be formed from any suitable material. Preferably, the material is resiliently compressible or otherwise resiliently deformable, and even more preferably, the material is of an elastomeric material, such as a rubber-like material, to retain the gutter sections and clip in proper spaced relationship with each other at least whilst the sealant therebetween is curing and, also, to allow for at least some thermal movement of the rigid components of the joint after the sealant has cured.

In another embodiment of the invention the spacer element(s) is formed integrally with the clip or the gutter section(s), for example by moulding, or those elements may be preformed and adhered, or otherwise secured, to the clip or gutter section(s) prior to assembly of the joint.

The gutter sections and/or the clip may be formed from aluminium, plastics, or any other suitable material.

The clip may be a union clip.

As indicated above, one embodiment of the joint of the invention is particularly advantageous because the spacer element(s) ensures the required thickness of sealant and, also, proper snap-fitting interengagement of the clip and the gutter sections whilst the sealant therebetween is curing. Once the sealant has cured, it serves to seal the joint and bear weight and although the spacer element(s) tends to become redundant once the sealant has cured, it/they does in certain circumstances, also bear weight and assist in retaining the clip and gutter sections of the so-formed joint in proper snap-fitting engagement with each other. Hence the joint of the invention has a much longer life span than known joints before eventual failure and leakage of the joint.

Brief Description of the Drawings In the drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a cross-section of a gutter joint according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded cross-section of a part of the joint shown in Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a cross-section of the joined end regions of two gutter sections.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to Figure 1, there is shown a gutter section 1 mounted on a fascia bracket 7. The cross-section shows a union clip 2 having upper end portions 6 which provide for snap-fitting interengagement of the union clip 2 with inwardly extending lips 5 of the gutter section 1.

A resiliently compressible spacer element 4 (shown in greater detail in Figure 2) is adhered to the underside of the lower face of the union clip 2.

A layer of sealant 3 is provided between the underside of the union clip 2 and the upper face of the gutter section 1 so as to render the joint impermeable to water. The required thickness of the layer of sealant is 3 mm to 4 mm and is provided by the presence of the spacer element 4.

Figure 3 shows the joined ends of two gutter sections 1. It can be seen that the gutter sections 1 are brought together so as to leave a small space between the two sections 1, and that a spacer element 4 is provided for each gutter section 1. The purpose of leaving a space is to allow for thermal expansion of the gutter sections 1. A union clip 2 is inserted into the gutter sections 1 so as to cover the region where the two gutter sections 1 confront each other.

In order to seal the joint, in the gap 7' between the gutter sections 1 and the union clip 2, a sealant (not shown) is inserted. The space between the gutter sections 1 is also filled with sealant 3.

By using resiliently compressible spacer elements 4, the weight of the union clip 2 is not carried by the sealant 3 but by the spacer elements 4 and hence the gutter sections 1.

When joining two gutter sections 1, they. are mounted on fascia brackets 7 so as to provide a space of 3 to 4 mm between the ends thereof, and the end regions of the gutter sections 1 are then covered with a layer of sealant 3 at a required thickness of, 3 mm to 4 mm in depth. The union clip 2 is then inserted, the fitter pinching it at its top edges and lowering it into position until the spacer element 4 rests on the gutter section 1. Any excess sealant 3 is then pointed into the space between the ends of the gutter sections 1.

Because, in this particular embodiment, each spacer element 4 is of a resiliently compressible material, preferably an elastomeric material, such a rubber-like material, and is compressed when the union clip 2 is inserted into the two gutter sections 1, such compression provides a force between the clip 2 and the gutter sections 1 which retains those components in proper snap-fitting engagement with each other at least until the sealant 3 has properly cured, whilst also providing the required thickness of sealant 3. Although, in certain circumstances, the role of the spacer elements 4 tends to become redundant once the sealant 3 has cured properly, they do assist, to a certain extent, in maintaining the clip 2 and the gutter sections 1 in proper snapfitting engagement with each other during the life of the so-formed joint. Also, the spacer elements 4 do, again to a certain extent, allow for, at least some thermal movement between the rigid components of the joint, in order to maintain the integrity thereof.

It is to be appreciated that, although the embodiment of joint described above in relation to the drawings, has the union clip 2 arranged internally of the gutter sections 1, alternative arrangements could be used, for example, with the clip 1 arranged externally of the gutter sections and secured thereto by a snap-fit or by through bolts.

Claims

1. A gutter joint comprising two confronting or abutting gutter sections, a clip mounted on the end regions of the gutter sections, and a layer of sealant between the clip and the gutter sections, wherein at least one spacer element is provided between the gutter sections and the clip.

2. A gutter joint according to claim 1, wherein said at least one spacer element is of a resiliently compressible material, a resiliently deformable material or an elastomeric material.

3. A gutter joint according to claim 1 or 2 further comprising means to enable the snap-fitting interengagement of the clip and the gutter sections, wherein the or each spacer element is resiliently compressible, such that, when the clip and gutter sections are snap-fitted together, the or each spacer element is compressed between the clip and gutter sections, to provide a force sufficient to retain the clip and gutter sections in proper snap-fitting engagement with each other, at least until the sealant has cured, and to provide the required thickness of sealant between the clip and gutter sections.

4. A gutter joint according to claim 3, wherein said means for enabling snap-fitting interengagement of the clip and the gutter sections comprises a lip and/or a groove.

5. A gutter joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the walls of the gutter sections are provided with inwardly extending lips, and the walls of the clip are provided with outwardly extending lips which interengage so that the clip is a snap fit in the gutter sections.

6. A gutter joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the clip can be mounted inside or outside the gutter sections.

7. A gutter joint according to any preceding claim, wherein said at least one spacer element is provided on the clip and/or the gutter section(s).

8. A gutter joint according to any preceding claim, wherein, when the clip is mounted inside the gutter sections, the or each spacer element is provided on the underside of the clip.

9. A gutter joint according to claim 8, wherein the or each spacer element is provided on the underside of the bottom wall of the clip.

10. A gutter joint according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the or each spacer element is provided on the upper surface of an inner face of each gutter section.

11. A gutter joint according to any preceding claim, wherein, when the clip is mounted outside the gutter sections, the or each spacer element is provided on the topside of the clip.

12. A gutter joint according to claim 11, wherein the or each spacer element is provided on the topside of the bottom wall of the clip.

13. A gutter joint according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the spacer elements are provided on the lower surface of an outer face of each gutter section.

14. A gutter joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the spacer element(s) is formed integrally with the clip or the gutter section(s), for example by moulding.

15. A gutter joint according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the spacer element(s) is preformed and has been adhered, or otherwise secured, to the clip or gutter section(s) prior to assembly of the joint.

16. A gutter joint according to any preceding claim, wherein the clip is a union clip.

17. A gutter joint according to any preceding claims, wherein the gutter sections and/or the clip are/is formed from aluminium, plastics, or any other suitable material.

18. A gutter joint according to any preceding claim, wherein two spacer elements are provided for each joint, one for each gutter section.

19. A gutter joint substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.