GB2335932A

GB2335932A - A gutter system

Info

Publication number: GB2335932A
Application number: GB9806906A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Whitehead
Original assignee: ALLFOR INVESTMENTS Ltd
Current assignee: ALLFOR INVESTMENTS Ltd
Priority date: 1998-04-01
Filing date: 1998-04-01
Publication date: 1999-10-06
Also published as: GB9806906D0

Abstract

A gutter system 10 comprises a structural member 12 lined with a liquid-proof membrane 20, characterised in that bracket means 30 are provided which support a walkway element 45 substantially out of contact with the membrane 20. The gutter system may further comprise insulation material 18.

Description

1 PATENTS ACT 1977 DJL/A9371GB Title: Improvements in or Relating to

Gutters

Description of Invention

2335932 This invention relates to a gutter system and more particularly to a socalled internal gutter adapted to collect rainwater or other liquid from a pair of surfaces, such as roof sections.

In a roofing application it is a requirement that such gutters may be used as a walkway along the roof and accordingly such gutters need to possess the necessary mechanical strength to withstand such treatment whilst remaining liquid tight.

Gutter systems have been proposed which comprise one or more main sections each having a generally channel shaped upper metal skin lined by a liquid-proof membrane. The metal upper skin is bonded to suitably shaped insulation beneath, and a further lower, usually metal, generally channel shaped skin is bonded to the underside of the insulation. The gutter obtains its mechanical strength from the upper skin which is sufficiently robust to walk on, and the lower skin is provided primarily for aesthetic purposes.

However in such a system the membrane, being the uppermost surface, is prone to wear as it is walked upon, which can lead to premature failure, and also it is necessary to bond two skins to the insulation, which in terms of production costs, is expensive.

According to one aspect of the present invention we provide a gutter system comprising a structural member, and a liquid-proof membrane to line the structural member, characterised in that bracket means are provided which 2 co-operate with the structural member to support a walkway element substantially out of contact with the membrane.

Thus where the gutter is walked upon, the load is taken by the walkway element and not directly by the membrane liner, so that the membrane is protected. Even where the bracket means are in contact with the membrane, the load is dispersed by the walkway and the bracket means so that the membrane is less prone to damage.

In a preferred arrangement the structural member is generally channel shaped and may be made of metal e.g. by rolling or pressing or the like. The gutter system may comprise a plurality of gutter sections joined end to end to provide a gutter of desired length e.g. along a building, or may comprise a single gutter section along a building. In each case though, preferably the membrane liner is continuous along the building although may comprise Joined sections if necessary.

The structural member may comprise first co-operating formations with which second co-operating formations of the bracket means may engage. Where the structural member is generally channel shaped the bracket means may be generally channel shaped brackets, the co-operating means of the structural member and the bracket means being provided on limbs of the respective channels. The bracket means may support the walkway element above a base part of the generally channel shaped structural member and the that base parts of the bracket means may be out of contact with the membrane liner, or the base pails of the bracket means may lie in contact with the membrane liner.

In one embodiment the first co-operating formations of the structural member may comprise projecting tangs and the second co-operating formations of the bracket means may comprise openings to receive the tangs,..Q.nc.e versa.

3 In another embodiment though the co-operating formations may comprise surfaces which are fastened together with fasteners, such as self drilling/threading screws, bolts, rivets or the like.

In each case, the membrane liner may be retained by the co-operating formations of the structural member and the bracket means.

The brackets of the bracket means my be made as a unitary structure by pressing, e.g. in metal, or moulding, e.g. in plastic material, or the brackets may be fabricated e.g. in two or more parts which connect together.

Desirably, the bracket means and the walkway element have cooperating means whereby the walkway elements may be secured to the bracket means. The walkway element may have openings therethrough to permit of passage of liquid therethrough.

The gutter system may be insulated to inhibit condensation on the underside of the structural member which may face into a building. Such insulation may be provided by insulation elements which are positioned between the structural member and the membrane. The elements may be simple planar elements which extend along the bottom of the gutter structural member, or may be especially shaped to conform to the shape of the structural member and thus may be e.g. channel shaped.

The gutter system described may be fabricated on-site from simple components.

Thus according to a second aspect of the invention we provide a method of fabricating a gutter system according to the first aspect of the invention comprising the steps of securing a structural member in position, lining the structural member with a membrane liner, characterised in that the method includes supporting a walkway element substantially out of contact with the membrane by bracket means which co- operate with the structural member.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:- 4 FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a first embodiment of a gutter system in accordance with or made in accordance with the invention; FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of an alternative bracket means which may be used in the embodiment of figure I; FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a gutter system in accordance with or made in accordance with the invention.

Referring first to Figure 1 there is shown a gutter system 10 in accordance with the invention. The gutter system 10 comprises a structural member 12 which in this example is made of metal e.g. by rolling or pressing, and is of generally channel shape, having a base part 13, and a pair of side limbs 14 and 15 which terminate in out turned lips 16 and 17. In contrast with existing two skin gutter systems, the structural member 12 is of relatively greater strength, typically being of heavy gauge metal, aluminium or galvanised steel, of thickness 2mm. The particular cross section and size of the structural member 12 will vary depending upon the application of the gutter system. For example, the width of the channel and depth of the channel may vary depending upon the roof area which the gutter system 10 is to drain, and also the roof pitch, or structural details at a valley location between a pair of roof sections.

The structural member 12 is adapted to be supported in position by support brackets e.g. of winged construction generally to conform to the crosssectional shape of the structural member 12. The structural member 12 may be supported for example on purlins of the buildings. The structural member 12 forms the maor structural pail of the gutter system and may be installed so as J to extend from end to end of a building as a continuous run, or may be provided in sections which may be lap jointed, oggled or butt ointed to provide a J co J mechanically robust structural connection.

The gutter system further comprises insulation 18 which may comprise a plurality of insulation elements laid end to end within the channel of the structural member 12. Although the insulation 18 may be attached to the structural member 12 this is not necessary. The insulation 18 is preferably though configured to conform to the cross sectional shape of the structural member 12 so as to be generally channel shaped as shown in figure 1. Alternatively, the insulation elements may be made to the shape shown from discrete insulation panels which may thus conveniently be delivered to site in flat pack form. The insulation 18 may be configured to provide varying insulation values so that for example, a base part of the channel shaped insulation element 18 may be thicker and provide a greater insulation value to the limbs of the channel.

With the insulation 18 in position, a membrane liner 20 is laid within the channel of the insulation 18. The membrane 20 may be made of any suitable lining material, such as PVC, rubber, or another long life flexible membrane material. The membrane liner 20 is supplied to a required width and for a purpose to be described hereinafter, has a plurality of openings 21 pre-pierced along its length. The membrane liner 20 may be provided in a continuous coil form and unrolled along the structural member 12 so as to extend substantially alon., the entire length of the building.

It can be seen that the structural member 12 comprises a plurality of upwardly projecting tags 22 which provide first co-operating formations. As the membrane liner 20 is uncoiled along the structural member 12 length, the pre-pierced openings 21 which comprise second co-operating formations, may receive the upwardly projecting tangs 22 of the structural member 12. Thus the membrane liner 20 is retained in position along the structural member 12 by the co-operation of the tangs 22 in the openings 2 1. The membrane liner 20 is pressed into the channel of the insulation 18 and thus assumes the generally channel shape shown, with a base part 24 of the channel shaped membrane 6 liner 20 extending along the base part 13 of the channel shaped structural member 12, and limbs 25 extending along the side limbs 14 and 15 of the structural member 12, the openings 21 being provided in outwardly extending lips 27 and 28 which in use over lie the outwardly extending lips 16 and 17 of the structural member 12.

It will be appreciated that the end of the structural member 12 will need to be closed by a suitable stop end, and the membrane liner 20 may be secured to the stop end by suitable clips or other fixings.

The gutter system further comprises bracket means comprising a plurality of brackets such as shown at 30, The brackets 30 each comprise a base part 3 1, side limbs 32 and 3) 3, and outwardly extending lips 34 and 35, and thus the brackets 3 W are of generally channel shape conforming to the general channel shape of the structural member 12. The outwardly extending lips 34 and 35 of the brackets 30 each have openings 36, 37 which may receive the upwardly extending tangs 22 of the structural member 12. Thus the brackets 30 are retained in position by the co-operation of the tangs 22 of the structural member 12 and the openings 3)6, 3 7.

The brackets 30 may be configured so that the base part 31 of the bracket 30 lies in contact with the base part 24 of the membrane liner 20, or may be configured so as to be spaced slightly above the base 24 of the membrane liner 20. The base parts 31 of the brackets are provided with upwardly extending ridges 40 to provide strength and to ensure that any load imposed upon the brackets 3 W 'Is disbursed.

The gutter system finally comprises a walkway element 45 comprising in this example, a slotted panel so that liquid impinging upon the walkway element 45 need pass therethrough into the lining 20 of the gutter system. The walkway element 45 is preferably secured relative to the bracket 30 e.g. by means of cut outs 46 provided in the sides of the walkway, which cut outs 46 are each adapted to receive side limb parts 32, 333 of a bracket 30 so that 7 longitudinal movement of the walkway element 45 relative to the gutter extent is prevented. Other means may be provided to secure the walkway element 45 in co-operation with the brackets 30, e.g. to prevent the walkway element 45 beffig lifted out of engagement with the brackets 30. For example, locking means may be provided which positively lock the walkway elements 45 to the bracket means 30 upon a small longitudinal movement of the walkway element 45 permitted the cut outs 46 where provided.

Referring to Figure 2, and alternative bracket 50 is shown and parts similar to those in Figure 1 are labelled with the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the outwardly extending lips 3)4 and 3)5 of the bracket 50 are not adapted to co-operate with projecting tangs such as those shown at 22 in Figure 1. Rather, in this embodiment, the outwardly projecting lips 34 and 35 are adapted simply to over lie corresponding outwardly stepped lips (not show) of the structural member 12, and the brackets 50 are secured relative to the structural member 12 by means of fastenings which may pass through pre formed openings 51 provided in the outwardly extending lips 34, 35. The fastenings may comprise bolts in which case corresponding openings would need to be provided in the outwardly extending lips 16 and 17 of the structural member 12 below, although preferably the fastenings comprise self drilling screws. Using the brackets 50 of Figure 2, the membrane liner 20 is retained relative to the structural member 12 by means of being sandwiched between the outwardly extending lips 34 and 35 of the brackets 50 and the outwardly extending lips 16 and 17 of the structural member 12, and in addition, the fastenings will retain the member lining 20.

Referring to Figure 3 there is shown an alternative embodiment, in which again, similar parts to those of Floure 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals.

In this embodiment, the structural member 12 comprises a simpler channel having a base pan 13, and side limbs 14 and 15, but not outwardly 8 extending lips. The insulation 18, comprises a simply board which insulates the base part 13 of the structural member 12 and the membrane liner 20 is shaped to conform to the more simple cross-sectional shape of the structural member 12. In this embodiment, the walkway element 45 is supported by a bracket 60 which does not comprise a unitary structure as with the brackets 30 and 50 of Figures 1 and 2, which may conveniently be made by pressing in metal, or by moulding in a suitably strong plastics material.

Rather, the bracket 60 comprises two parts which are secured together e.g. by means of a hook 61 provided on one of the bracket parts, and a hook (not shown) of opposite configurations to hook 61 provided on the other of the bracket parts. The hook 61 provides a ridge like ridges 40 of the brackets of Figures 1 and 2 to support the walkway 45 and to spread the load imposed upon the walkway.

The bracket parts 60 each have oubvardly extending tangs 62 spaced there along, which tangs 62 are received in pre-pierced openings 21 of the membrane liner. However the brackets 60 co-operate with the structural member 12 simply by being supported within the channel of the structural member 12 although if desired, the structural member 12 may be provided with openings to receive the tangs 62 thus to secure the brackets 60 to the structural member 12.

Various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, although as described, the gutter system is applied in a new build situation in which case the structural member 12 and gutter is fabricated prior to roofing sheets foi- example being applied to a roof, the invention may be applied to repair an existing single skin gutter which is no longer liquid tight in which case the structural member 12 may already be in position and need not be erected.

Although it is preferred for the lining membrane 20 to extend for the full length of a building without there being any Joins, where necessary joins may 9 be provided. Where a rainwater outlet is provided from the gutter, this may be achieved by providing an opening in the base part 13 of the structural member 12, and cutting the membrane liner 20 so as to extend through such opening into a downpipe below. The membrane liner 20 may then be secured by means of a flanged sleeve which may also extend down into the downpipe below, the flange lying on top of the membrane liner 20.

Though it is preferred for the gutter system to include insulation 18, this may not be required in every application. Also, it is preferred for the under surface of the structural member 12 to be decorated e.g. painted where it is visible for example from the inside of a building but this may not be necessary in every application.

The walkway elements 45 are in each case maintained substantially out of contact with the membrane liner 20 so that loads imposed upon the walkway element 45 by a person walking therealong, are not transmitted directly to the membrane liner 20. The brackets 30, 50, 60 are made to co-operate with the structural member 12 such that the base pai-t 3) 1 of the bracket is spaced away from the membrane 20, in which case loads imposed upon the walkway element 45 are not transmitted to the base part 24 of the membrane liner 20 but are taken by co-operating formations of the structural membrane 12 and the bracket. Alternatively the base part 31 of the brackets 30, 50 and 60 may engage with the membrane 20, although by vinue of the ridges 41 loads imposed on the walkway element 45 will be dispersed by the brackets 30, 50, so as to minimise any risk of damage to the membrane liner 20.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed 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 in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. A gutter system comprising a structural member, and a liquid-proof membrane to line the structural member, characterised in that bracket means are provided which co-operate with the structural member to support a walkway element substantially out of contact with the membrane.

2. A system according to claim 1 wherein the structural member is generally channel shaped.

3. A gutter according to claim 2 wherein the structural member is made of metal by rolling or pressing.

4. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the membrane liner is continuous along the building

5. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the structural member comprises first co-operating formations with which second co-operating formations of the bracket means engage.

c

6. A system according to claim 5 where appendent to claim 2 wherein the bracket means are generally channel shaped brackets, the co-operating formations of the structural member and the bracket means being provided on limbs of the respective channels.

7. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the c bracket means support the walkway element above a base part of the generally channel shaped structural member 11

8. A system according to claim 7 wherein the base parts of the bracket means are out of contact with the membrane liner.

9. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the base parts of the bracket means lie in contact with the membrane liner.

10. A system according to any one of claims 5 to 9 where appendent to claim 5 wherein the first co-operating formations of the structural member comprise projecting tangs and the second co-operating formations of the bracket means comprise openings to receive the tangs, or vice versa.

11. A system according to any one of claims 5 to 9 where appendent to claim 5 wherein the co-operating formations comprise surfaces which are fastened together with fasteners.

12. A system according to any one of claims 5 to 11 where appendent ot claim 5 wherein the membrane liner is retained by the co-operating formations of the structural member and the bracket means.

13. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the brackets of the bracket means are made as a unitary structure by pressing or moulding or the brackets are fabricated in pails which connect together.

14. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the bracket means and the walkway element have co-operating means whereby the walkway elements may be secured to the bracket means.

12

15. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the walkway element has openings therethrough to permit of passage of liquid therethrough.

16. A system according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the gutter is insulated to inhibit condensation on the underside of the structural member.

17. A system according to claim 16 wherein the insulation is provided by insulation elements which are positioned between the structural member and the membrane.

18. A system according to claim 17 wherein the insulation elements are simple planar elements which extend along the bottom of the structural member, or are shaped to conform to the shape of the structural member.

19. A gutter system substantially as herein before described with reference to figure 1 and figure 2, or figure 3 of the accompanying drawings.

20. A method of fabricating a gutter system according to any one of the preceding claims comprising the steps of securing a structural member in position, lining the structural member with a membrane liner, characterised 'm that the method includes supporting a walkway element substantially out of contact with the membrane by bracket means which cooperate with the structural member.

21. A method of fabricating a gutter system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

c c 13

22. Any novel feature or novel combination of features described herein and or shown in the accompanying drawings.