GB2376480A

GB2376480A - Gutter joint clip

Info

Publication number: GB2376480A
Application number: GB0114753A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Mantle; Dean Bridge
Original assignee: Ash and Lacy Building Products Ltd
Current assignee: Ash and Lacy Building Products Ltd
Priority date: 2001-06-16
Filing date: 2001-06-16
Publication date: 2002-12-18
Also published as: GB0114753D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a gutter joint clip (1) for joining two gutter sections together. The gutter joint clip (1) has at least one female cavity (6a,6b) with the or each female cavity (6a,6b) being adapted to receive an end portion of a gutter section. The gutter joint clip (1) of the present invention allows gutter sections to be connected together easily and without the need for drilling.

Description

GUTTER JOINT CLIP The present invention relates to a joint clip for connecting adjacent gutter sections.

Adjacent gutter sections have previously been connected by use of nuts and bolts, screws or rivets. A problem with these connecting means is that holes need to be drilled in each gutter section before the connecting means can be inserted, which can leave undesirable swarf between the joint and the sealant, which is applied after the connection has been made.

A further problem with these connecting means is that when connecting the gutter sections the holes in each gutter sections need to be aligned, which, on site, can be a difficult procedure and can take considerable time, as can the application of the connecting means.

An object of this invention is therefore to overcome at least some of these problems.

Several different kinds of guttering exist, most commonly made of metal, particularly steel, and also less commonly glass-reinforced plastics and other suitable materials. Membrane lined gutters are also available, wherein membranes are applied to the metal gutter sections as a water proofing membrane to protect the metal from water damage. This invention may be used with any of the above examples of guttering, or any other kind of guttering. The most preferred type of gutter used with this invention is a membrane lined gutter.

According to the present invention there is provided a gutter joint clip for joining two gutter sections together, wherein the gutter joint clip has at

least one female cavity, the or each cavity being adapted to receive an end portion of a gutter section.

An advantage of This invention is ihai guiter sectioI1s can be connected together easily and without the need for drilling.

In a first embodiment the gutter joint clip consists of two female cavities, each with a closed end, an upper section and a lower section spaced apart from each other. A distance approximately equal to, or slightly larger than, the thickness of a gutter section preferably separates the upper section and the lower section.

The female cavities may be joined to each other, for example by extensions of the upper or lower sections or by a common wall forming the closed end of each cavity. The cavities preferably extend away from each other in opposing directions along the same longitudinal axis.

Alternatively an upper and a lower female cavity may be positioned one on top of the other extending in opposing directions. The female cavities are preferably joined by the upper section of the lower cavity being common with the lower section of the upper cavity.

In a second embodiment the gutter clip joint is integral with the gutter section and consists of a single female cavity for receipt of an adjacent gutter section.

The female cavity preferably comprises an upper section and a lower section as described in relation to the first embodiment. The upper and lower sections may be joined by a closed end. Alternatively the lower section or the upper section of the clip may be formed from the gutter

section and the corresponding upper or lower section of the clip may be secured to the gutter section at the outer edges thereof.

The lower section of each cavity preferably comprises an inner flat portion extending towards the opening of the cavity, most preferably parallel to the upper section of the cavity.

One or more lugs may be provided on the inner flat portion, which, in use, correspond to one or more indentations on the gutter section. There may be a plurality of lugs spaced apart at intervals along the inner flat portion. Alternatively one or more lugs may be provided on the upper portion.

The indentations on the gutter section may be formed at the initial manufacture point, or immediately prior to the gutter section being fixed in place.

An advantage of the lugs and indentations is that the gutter section may be locked securely in place in the clip.

Extending, most preferably, downwardly from the free end of the inner flat portions there may be provided a guidance slope to aid in guiding the gutter section into the cavity. The total length of the inner flat section and the guidance slope is preferably greater than the upper section. This is advantageous as the gutter section may be guided into the female cavity easily.

The guidance slope is preferably at an angle of 15 degrees to the lower section.

An outer flat portion may be provided extending from the free edge of each guidance slope and allows the gutter section to be rested on the outer flat portion prior to being inserted, with the aid of the guidance slope, into the female cavity. This advantageously makes it easier to locate the gutter section into the clip.

One or more clips may be used to join two adjacent gutter sections. Each clip may have a small width such that one or more clips are used at each joint, taking up only a small area of the joint.

Alternatively the clip may be of a size and shape to extend completely around the profile of the end of each gutter section and therefore extend around the whole of the joint.

The clip may be shaped to match part or all of the profile of the gutter section, i. e. any width of clip between the two extremes above, may also be used.

In order to shape the clip to the required profile it may be necessary for slits of material to be removed from the upper or the lower section of the clip at the bend points, leaving only the material of the corresponding lower or upper section.

The clip may be manufactured from a plastics material or a metal. Most preferably a metal sheet is rolled to provide a clip of the present invention. The joint clip is preferably manufactured from galvanised steel. Most preferably having a thickness of 0. 7mm.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a gutter system comprising two or more gutter sections where adjacent gutter

sections are joined together by one or more gutter joint clips of the present invention.

Preferably each gutter section is provided with one or more indentations positioned to correspond to the lugs on the joint clip.

There will now be described, by way of example only, several embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a first gutter joint clip according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows the a plan view of a locking lug from inside the cavity; Figure 3 shows in cross-section, a first stage of the use of the clip of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows, in cross-section, a second stage of the use of the clip of Figure 1; Figure 5 shows, in cross-section, a third stage of the use of the clip of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows a plan view from below of the clip of Figure 1 prior to bending; Figure 7 shows a cross section through a second gutter joint clip according to the present invention;

Figure 8 shows a cross section through a third gutter joint clip according to the present invention; Figure 9a shows a cross section through a tourth gutter joint clip according to the present invention; Figure 9b shows an end view of the gutter joint clip of Figure 9a ; Figure 10 shows a cross section through a fifth gutter joint clip according to the present invention; Figure 11 a shows a cross section of a boundary wall gutter; Figure 11 b shows a cross section of a wrap-over boundary wall gutter; Figure llc shows a cross section of a valley gutter; and Figure 11 d shows a cross section of a wrap-over valley gutter.

Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a gutter joint clip 1. A first female cavity 6a and second female cavity 6b are connected by an upper portion 9 and extend away from each other along a common longitudinal axis X. Each cavity 6a, 6b has an upper section 9a, 9b and a lower section lOa, lOb. Each lower section lOa, lOb has an inner flat portion lla, lib extending substantially parallel to and the length of the upper section 9a, 9b. A guidance slope 12a, 12b extends downwardly at an angle of 150 from the free end of each inner flat portion lla, lib and an outer flat portion 13a, 13b extending from the free end of each guidance slope 12a, 12b parallel to the lower section lOa, lOb.

Each inner flat portion lla, lib is provided with a lug 5a, 5b extending into the cavity 6a, 6b. In this example the lug 5a, 5b is in the shape of a quarter of a sphere, as can be seen in figure 2 of the accompanying drawings. A gutter section will slide up the side of the quarter sphere until the indentation provided in the gutter section is engaged on the lug, but cannot move in the reverse direction without either considerable force being applied, or movement of the lower section 10a, lOb downwards combined with movement of the gutter section, as the square end of the lug blocks the movement.

Figures 3 to 5 of the accompanying drawings show the steps taken in order to put the invention into effect as described below. Like numerals correspond to like features of Figures 1 and 2.

The joint clip 1 is held firmly by a user, who then takes the first gutter section 2 and rests it on the first outer flat portion 13a. This position is shown in figure 3 of the accompanying drawings. The user then pushes the clip I firmly towards the gutter section 2 or the gutter section 2 towards the clip 1, depending which can be more readily moved, forcing the end of the gutter section 2 to move up the first guidance slope 12a, into the first female cavity 6a and over the first lug 5a, forcing the lower section lOa downwards, and thus opening the first cavity 6a slightly. The end of the gutter is then pushed over the lug 5a until the indentation 4a provided in the lower face of the gutter section corresponds with the lug 5a, and the gutter section 2 then drops into position and locks. The second gutter section 7 is then placed on the second outer flat portion 12b. This position can be seen in figure 4 of the accompanying drawings. The second gutter section 7 is inserted into the second female cavity 6b in the same way as the first gutter section. Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings shows the clip 1 when the second gutter section 7

is pushing over the lug 5b, opening the cavity 6b slightly, before the lug 5b and indentation 4b have aligned. Once both gutter sections are locked into place in the clip 1 the joint is sealed, in this example by heat sealing a piece o membrane v f th j r t between membrane lined gutter sections.

Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings shows a clip 1 before it is altered to fit the shape of the profile of a gutter section. Material has been removed from the lower section lOa, lOb of the clip in the form of slits at the positions where bends will be made, so that the clip can be bent into the correct profile, as can easily be seen on this figure at points 8. The upper sections 9a, 9b can still be seen through the slits.

In this example the slits 8 were removed by a circular saw with a steel cutting blade.

Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings shows a second type of gutter joint clip 21 of the present invention. An upper female cavity 26a and lower female cavity 26b are provided extending in opposing directions. Upper cavity 26a has an upper section 29 and lower cavity 26b has a lower section 30. The cavities 26a, 26b are connected by a common wall 25, which forms the lower section of upper cavity 26a and the upper section of lower cavity 26b. The upper section 29, the common wall 25 and the lower section 30 are all parallel to each other. The upper cavity 26a receives a spigot end 100a of a gutter section 100 and the lower cavity 26b receives a joggle end Ida of a gutter section 101.

Lower section 30 has an inner flat portion 31 extending substantially parallel to and the length of the common wall 25. A guidance slope 32 extends downwardly at an angle of 150 from the free end of the inner flat

portion 31 and an outer flat portion 33 extends from the free end of the guidance slope 32 parallel to the lower section 30.

The inner flat portion 31 is provided with a lug 35 extending into the cavity 26b.

In use the joint clip 21 is held firmly by a user, who then takes the end 100a of the first gutter section 100 and inserts it into upper cavity 26a where it is held by push-fit engagement. The end 101a of the second gutter section 101 is then placed on the outer flat portion 33. The end 101a of the second gutter section 101 is inserted into the lower female cavity 26b as described above in relation to figures 3-5.

Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings shows a third gutter joint clip 41 of the present invention. A female cavity 46 is integral with one end 47a of a gutter section 47. Cavity 46 has an upper section 49 and a lower section 50, joined by a closed end 48. The end 47a of the gutter section 47 is rolled to form the upper section, the closed end and the lower section of the cavity 46. The cavity 46 receives a joggle end 102a of a gutter section 102.

Lower section 50 has an inner flat portion 51 extending substantially parallel to and the length of the upper section 49. A guidance slope 52 extends downwardly at an angle of 150 from the free end of the inner flat portion 51 and an outer flat portion 53 extends from the free end of the guidance slope 52 parallel to the lower section 50.

The inner flat portion 51 is provided with a lug 55 extending into the cavity 46.

In use the joint clip 41 is held firmly by a user, who then takes the end 102a of the gutter section 102 and inserts it into cavity 46 as described above in relation to figures 3-5.

Figures 9a and 9b of the accompanying drawings show a fourth gutter joint clip 61 of the present invention. A female cavity 66 is integral with one end 67a of a gutter section 67. The end 67a of the gutter section 67 forms an upper section of the cavity 66. The lower section 70 of the cavity 66 follows the profile of the end 67a and is secured thereto along the outer edges 67b of the gutter section 67, see Figure 9b.

Lower section 70 has an inner flat portion 71 extending substantially parallel to and the length of the upper section 69. A guidance slope 62 extends downwardly at an angle of 150 from the free end of the inner flat portion 71 and an outer flat portion 63 extends from the free end of the guidance slope 62 parallel to the lower section 70. The gutter clip 61 is used with a joggle end 103a of a gutter section 103.

In use the joint clip 61 is held firmly by a user, who then takes the end 103a of the gutter section 103 and inserts it into cavity 66 by means of push-fit insertion.

Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings shows a fifth gutter joint clip 81 of the present invention. A first female cavity 86a and second female cavity 86b are connected by a lower portion 89 and extend away from each other along a common longitudinal axis X. Each cavity 86a, 86b has a lower section 89a, 89b and an upper section 90a, 90b. Each lower section 89a, 89b has an inner flat portion 91a, 91b extending substantially parallel to and the length of the upper section 90a, 90b. A guidance area 92a, 92b extends outwardly from the free end of each inner flat portion 91a, 91b.

Each upper portion 90a, 90b is provided with a lug 95a, 95b extending into the cavity 86a, 86b. In this embodiment the lug 95a, 95b is formed from rolling the free end of the upper portion 90a, 90b. The cavities 86a, 86b are designed to receive gutter section 104,105 having indentations corresponding to the position of the lugs 95a, 95b.

In use the joint clip 81 is held firmly by a user, who then takes the end 104a of the first gutter section 104 and rests it on the first guidance area 92a. The user then pushes the clip 81 firmly towards the gutter section 104 or the gutter section 104 towards the clip 81, depending which can be more readily moved, forcing the end of the gutter section 104 to move along the first guidance area 92a, into the first female cavity 86a and under the first lug 95a, forcing the upper section 90a upwards, and thus opening the first cavity 86a slightly. The end of the gutter 104 is then pushed under the lug 95a until the indentation provided in the gutter section corresponds with the lug 95a, and the gutter section is locked in position. The end 105a of the second gutter section 105 is then placed on the second guidance area 92b. The second gutter section 105 is inserted into the second female cavity 86b in the same way as the first gutter section.

Some examples of the different clip profiles that may be needed are shown in figures lla to lid of the accompanying drawings. The figures are cross-sections across the gutter at the joint.

Figures lla and 11c show clips 1 shaped to the profile of the gutter sections 15 and 16 respectively and extending over the full surface of the gutter section. Gutter 15 is boundary wall gutter and gutter 16 is a valley gutter.

In figures lib and 11d of the accompanying drawing, the clips 1 do not extend all the way around the profile of the gutter sections 17 and 18, in these cases because the gutter section has extensions for securing it to a purlin. Gutter 17 is a wrap-over boundary wall gutter and gutter 18 is a wrap-over valley gutter.

The gutter joint clips described above in relation to Figures 1-11 are all preferably roll formed from 0. 7mm galvanised steel or alternatively can be roll formed from the same material. To ease the formation of the clips material can be removed from the upper or lower section of the clip as described in relation to Figure 6.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61; 81) for joining two gutter sections together, wherein the gutter joint clip has one or more female cavity (6a, 6b; 26a, 26b; 46; 86a, 86b) the or each cavity being adapted to receive an end portion of a gutter section.
2. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 81) according to Claim 1 consisting of two female cavities (6a, 6b; 26a, 26b; 86a, 86b) each with a closed end, an upper section (9a, 9b; 29; 90a, 90b) and a lower section (lOa ; 10b ; 30; 89a; 89b) spaced apart from each other.
3. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 81) according to Claim 2 wherein the upper section (9a, 9b; 29; 90a, 90b) and the lower section (10a, 10b ; 30; 89a, 89b) are spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to, or slightly larger than, the thickness of the gutter section.
4. A gutter joint clip (1; 81) according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the female cavities (6a, 6b; 86a, 86b) are joined to each other by extensions of the upper or lower sections (9; 89) or by a common wall forming the closed end of each cavity.
5. A gutter joint clip (1; 81) according to any one of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the cavities (6a, 6b; 86a, 86b) extend away from each other in opposing directions along the same longitudinal axis.
6. A gutter joint clip (21) according to Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein an upper (26a) and a lower (26b) female cavity are positioned one on top of the other extending in opposing directions.

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7. A gutter joint clip (21) according to Claim 6 wherein the female cavities (26a, 26b) are joined by the upper section of the lower cavity (26b) being common with the lower section of the upper cavity (26a).
8. A gutter joint clip (41; 61) according to Claim 1 wherein the gutter joint clip is integral with the gutter section and consists of a single female cavity (46; 66) for receipt of an adjacent gutter section.
9. A gutter joint clip (41; 61) according to Claim 8 wherein the female cavity (46 ; 66) comprises an upper section (49; 67a) and a lower section (50; 70) spaced apart from each other.
10. A gutter joint clip (41; 61) according to Claim 9 wherein the upper section (49; 67a) and the lower section (50; 70) are spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to or slightly larger than, the thickness of a gutter section.
11. A gutter joint clip (41) according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the upper and lower sections (49, 50) are joined by a closed end (48).
12. A gutter joint clip (61) according to Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the lower section or the upper section (67a) of the clip is formed from the gutter section and the corresponding upper or lower section (70) of the clip is secured to the gutter section at the outer edges thereof.
13. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41) according to any one of Claims 2 to 12 wherein the lower section of each cavity (6a, 6b; 26a, 26b; 46; 66; 86a, 86b) comprises an inner flat portion (lla, llb ; 31; 51 ; 71; 91a, 91b) extending towards the opening of the cavity.

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14. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61; 81) according to Claim 13 wherein the inner flat portion (lla, llb ; 31; 51; 71; 91a, 91b) is parallel to the upper section (9a, 9b; 29; 49; 67a; 90a, 90b) of the cavity.
15. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41) according to Claim 13 or Claim 14 wherein one or more lugs (5a, 5b; 35; 55) are provided on the inner flat portion (lla, llb; 31; 51), which, in use, correspond to one or more indentations on the gutter section.
16. A gutter joint clip according to Claim 15 wherein a plurality of lugs are spaced apart at intervals along the inner flat portion.
17. A gutter joint clip (81) according to any one of Claims 2 to 16 wherein one or more lugs (95a, 95b) are provided on the upper section (90a, 90b).
18. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61 ; 81) according to any one of Claims 13 to 17 wherein a guidance slope (12a, 12b; 32; 52; 62) is provided to aid in guiding the gutter section into the cavity.
19. A gutter joint clip (1 ; 21 ; 41; 61) according to Claim 18 wherein the guidance slope (12a, 12b; 32; 52; 62) extends downwardly from the free end of the inner flat portion (lla, llb ; 31 ; 51 ; 71).
20. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61) according to Claim 18 or Claim 19 wherein the total length of the inner flat section (lla, llb; 31; 51; 71) and the guidance slope (12a, 12b; 32; 52; 62) is greater than the upper section (9a, 9b; 29; 49; 67a).

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21. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61) according to any one of Claims 18 to 20 wherein the guidance slope (12a, 12b; 32; 52; 62) is at an angle of 15 degrees to the lower section (10a, 10b ; 30; 50; 70).
22. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61) according to any one of Claims 18 to 21 wherein an outer flat portion (13a, 13b; 33; 53; 63) is provided extending from the free edge of each guidance slope (12a, 12b; 32; 52; 62) which allows the gutter section to be rested on the outer flat portion prior to being inserted, with the aid of the guidance slope, into the female cavity.
23. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61; 81) according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the clip has a small width such that one or more clips may be used at each joint, taking up only a small area of the joint.
24. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61; 81) according to any one of Claims 1 to 22 wherein the clip is of a size and shape so as to extend completely around the profile of the end of each gutter section and therefore extend around the whole of the joint.
25. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61; 81) according to any one of Claims 1 to 22 wherein the clip is shaped to match part or all of the profile of the gutter section.
26. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61; 81) according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the clip is manufactured from a plastics material or a metal.
27. A gutter joint clip (1; 21; 41; 61; 81) according to Claim 26 wherein the joint clip is manufactured from galvanised steel.

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28. A gutter system comprising two or more gutter sections where adjacent gutter sections are joined together by one or more gutter clips according to any one of the preceding claims.
29. A gutter system according to Claim 28 wherein each gutter section is provided with one or more indentations positioned to correspond to lugs provided on the joint clip.
30. A gutter joint clip substantially as herein before described and with reference to the drawings.
31. A gutter system substantially as herein before described and with reference to the drawings.