GB2462631A

GB2462631A - Guttering support

Info

Publication number: GB2462631A
Application number: GB0814843A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David John Cockayne; Susan Barbra Cockayne
Original assignee: PRODIGN INTERNAT Ltd
Current assignee: PRODIGN INTERNAT Ltd
Priority date: 2008-08-14
Filing date: 2008-08-14
Publication date: 2010-02-17
Also published as: GB0814843D0

Abstract

A guttering support apparatus includes a support member2and a bracket3. The support member2has a slot23which the bracket engages. The bracket3has an engaging portion45which may be carried on a slide base plate4. The bracket may be a three part bracket comprising the slide base plate4, a bracket member5for engaging a guttering member, and a locking member6. The engaging portion45is shaped and sized to releasably engage, in use, the slot23to connect the bracket3to the support member2. The bracket member5may be adjustably movable with respect to the slide base plate4and securable thereto by the locking member6.

Description

SUPPORT APPARATUS

This invention relates generally to support apparatus and more specifically to support apparatus for gutters and/or downpipes. The invention is particularly, although not exclusively, concerned with a guttering support apparatus for connecting and/or supporting a gutter and/or a downpipe to a substrate, for example to the side of a house.

As used herein, the term guttering encompasses one, some or all components of a rainwater collection or diversion system including, for example, one or more gutters, a downpipe and the like.

External guttering systems may be constructed from a variety of materials, including galvanised steel, painted steel, copper, painted aluminium. However, the use of plastics material, in particular polyvinyichioride PVC, is becoming increasingly popular for external guttering systems.

Such guttering systems often consist of a length of guttering fixed to a fascia board, which in turn is fixed to roof trusses of a house. The guttering is generally secured to the fascia board using fixings or fasteners which are fitted in situ. This can be labour intensive and requires care to ensure proper alignment of the guttering prior to fixing.

It is therefore a non-exclusive object of the invention to provide an improved and/or simplified and/or more adaptable support apparatus for guttering. It is a further non-exclusive object of the invention to provide a support apparatus which overcomes or at least mitigates the issues associated with known guttering support arrangements.

One aspect of the invention provides a support apparatus for guttering, for example a guttering support apparatus, comprising a support member having a slot and a bracket having an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion is shaped and sized to releasably engage, in use, the slot to connect the bracket to the support member.

Thus, the invention provides an apparatus which simplifies on site erection of the guttering system.

The engaging portion may be shaped and sized for insertion into the slot in a first orientation and/or engageable therewith by moving, for example rotating, in use, the engaging portion relative to the support member. The engaging portion may comprise a flange which may have a shape and size which complements or substantially matches the shape and size of the slot.

The slot may be elongate and/or may be substantially T-shaped or L-shaped and/or may comprise a recess in the support member. The support member may comprise an extrusion, for example wherein the slot is formed by or within the profile of the extrusion.

The engaging portion may comprise a substantially T-shaped or L-shaped cross section and/or with a thickness less, e.g. slightly less, than a width of the slot, for example to allow the aforementioned rotation of the T-shaped or L-shaped engaging portion within the T-shaped or L-shaped slot.

The bracket may be adjustable, for example it may comprise a bracket member and/or an engaging member, wherein the bracket member may be adjustably movable with respect to the engaging member.

The engaging member may comprise a base plate and/or may include the engaging portion. The engaging portion may protrude from a rear surface of the engaging member or of the bracket. The bracket member may releasably engage, for example slidably engage, in use, the engaging member. The bracket member is preferably arranged for stepwise adjustment, for example in a vertical direction in use, with respect to the engaging member. Additionally or alternatively, the position, for example the vertical position, of the bracket member may be adjustable, in use, with respect to the support member.

The engaging member may be elongate with a base portion, which may be substantially flat, and/or flanges, for example a top hat shaped cross-section, along its length. The bracket member may comprise one or more slots which may receive, for example slidably receive, the engaging member or the flanges of the engaging member.

The bracket may further comprise a locking member, for example a slide lock, which may include connecting means, for example which is cooperable with connecting means of the engaging member. The connecting means may be arranged to connect or engage or secure or fix the bracket member with or to the engaging member. The connecting means of the locking member may comprise an engaging formation or formations or recess or recesses, for example a saw tooth formation, which may be complementary in shape with a further engaging formation or formations or recess or recesses, for example a further saw tooth formation, of the engaging member. The connecting means of the locking member may also comprise a portion, for example a peripheral portion, having a shape which is complementary to that of a portion, for example an aperture, of the bracket member.

The engaging formation or formations or recess or recesses of the engaging member are preferably located on opposed inwardly facing surfaces of the flanges.

Preferably, the locking member comprises a pair of spaced apart legs which may be interconnected, for example by resilient biasing means. More preferably, the resilient biasing means is arranged to counter a force exerted on the legs to urge them toward one another. Each leg may include the engaging formation or formations or recess or recesses on a surface, for example an outwardly facing surface, thereof. The connecting means may be arranged to disconnect or disengage the bracket member from the engaging member by urging the legs toward one another. The connecting means may be arranged to connect or engage or secure or fix the bracket member with or to the engaging member, in use, by releasing the legs such that they are biased apart.

More specifically, the engaging formation or formations or recess or recesses of the locking member may be disengaged, in use, with those of the engaging member by urging the legs toward one another and/or may be engaged, in use, with those of the engaging member by releasing the legs such that they are biased apart. Additionally or alternatively, the peripheral portion of the locking member may be arranged to disengage, in use, the aperture of the bracket member by urging the legs toward one another and/or to engage, in use, the aperture of the bracket member by releasing the legs such that they are biased apart.

Each leg may comprise a flange, for example a gripping flange, for a user to urge, in use, the legs toward one another. Each flange may be extend from a first side of the legs, for example a front side, and may be semi-circular in shape. The engaging formation or formations or recess or recesses may be located on a second side of the legs, for example the opposite side thereof to the first side.

A second aspect of the invention provides an adjustable guttering bracket comprising a base member for securing the bracket to a support member, a bracket member and connecting means for adjustably connecting the bracket member to the base member, wherein the connecting means comprises a plurality of cooperable engaging formations arranged to provide, in use, stepwise adjustment of the bracket member relative to the base member.

The base member may comprise engaging formations which may be on an inwardly facing surface or surfaces, for example which cooperate with engaging formations on the bracket member or on a locking member. Preferably, the connecting means comprises a locking member with engaging formations, for example on outwardly facing surfaces of, e.g., a pair of spaced apart legs thereof, which engaging formations may cooperate with the engaging formations of the base member. More preferably, the spaced apart legs are io resiliently interconnected together.

The engaging formations of the locking member may be disengaged, in use, with those of the base member, for example by urging the legs toward one another and/or may be engaged, in use, with those of the base member, for example by releasing the legs such that they are biased apart by the resilient biasing means.

The base member may comprise an engaging member, for example which includes an engaging portion for engaging a support member, which engaging portion may cooperate with an edge or lip of the support member. For example, the engaging member may comprise a hook or the like for engaging the lip. Additionally or alternatively, the engaging portion may be shaped and sized to cooperate with a slot in or of the support member.

Alternatively, the base member may be arranged to receive, in use, a fastener, for example a screw, for securing the bracket to a support member.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a support apparatus according to the invention with the bracket in a secured position; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the engaging portion of the bracket inserted into the slot of the support member immediately prior to engagement or disengagement; Figure 3 is an exploded side view of the apparatus of Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the slide base plate of the bracket of the apparatus of Figures 1 to 3; and Figure 5 is a perspective view of the locking member of the bracket of the apparatus of Figures 1 to 3.

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, there is shown a guttering support apparatus 1 according to the invention for securing a gutter 10 to the wall of a house (not shown). The apparatus 1 includes a support member 2 and a bracket 3. The bracket 3 includes an engaging member in the form of a slide base plate 4, a bracket member 5 and a locking member 6.

The support member 2 in this embodiment is in the form of an extruded polyvinylchloride (PVC) facia board 20 which is similar to standard square edged fascia boards known in the art and having a substantially rectangular cross-section with a flange portion 21 at a first end 22 thereof. However, in accordance with the invention, the fascia board 20 of this embodiment includes an elongate inverted T-shaped slot 23 along the outwardly facing major surface 24 thereof adjacent the other end 25 of its rectangular cross-section, is thereby providing a pair of lips 26a, 26b.

As shown more clearly in Figure 4, the slide base plate 4 is made of plastics material, e.g. polyvinylchloride (PVC) and and is elongate with a substantially top hat shaped cross-section having a rectangular base 40 with a flange portion 41a, 41b protruding from each end of the base 40 on a front surface 40a thereof. A plurality of saw tooth formations 42 are formed in opposed, inwardly facing surfaces 43a, 43b of the flange portions 41a, 41b adjacent a first end 44 of the slide base plate 4.

The slide base plate 4 also includes an engaging portion 45 extending from a rear surface 40b thereof, i.e. on the opposite side thereof to the flanges 41a, 41b, and adjacent a second end 46 of the slide base plate 4. The cross-section of the engaging portion 45 along the longitudinal axis of the slide base plate 4 is of a similar substantially T-shape to that of the slot 23 of the support member 2, wherein the engaging portion 45 includes a base 45a and a pair of outwardly extending engaging flanges 45b, 45c. The thickness of the engaging portion is less than that of the base of the slot 23, that is to say the gap between the lips 26a, 26b of the support member 2. This allows insertion of the engaging portion 45 into the slot 23 when the slide base plate is orientated along the length of the slot 23 as shown in Figure 2. The base 45a of the engaging portion 45 is rounded to allow the slide base plate 4 to be rotated with the engaging portion 45 located within the slot 23, thereby engaging the slot 23 by virtue of the overlap between the lips 26a, 26b and the engaging flanges 45b, 45c.

The bracket member 5 is made of plastics material, e.g. PVC, and includes a mounting portion 50, a cradle portion 51 and a pair of opposed locking flanges 52a, 52b in the form of downwardly extending hooks. The mounting portion 50 is in the form of a relatively long and thick rectangular plate with a rounded first end 53. The mounting portion 50 includes a pair of outwardly extending gripping flanges 54a, 54b at a second end 55 thereof, one of the locking flanges 52a on a front surface thereof, a guide slot 56 along a rear surface thereof and an aperture 57 through its thickness adjacent the first end 53.

The guide slot 56 substantially matches the periphery of the slide base plate 4, which is slidably received therein such that the saw tooth formations 42 are locatable on either side of the aperture 57.

The cradle portion 51 is arcuate in plan and extends from the front surface of the mounting portion 50 below the locking flange 52a. The cradle portion 51 includes the other locking flange 52b on the free end thereof and a strut member 58 which interconnects a lower surface of the arcuate portion and the front surface of the mounting portion 50 to provide strength to the bracket.

As shown more clearly in Figure 5, the locking member 6, or slide lock 6, is made of plastics material, e.g. PVC, and includes a pair of spaced apart legs 61a, 61b which are interconnected by a hip portion 62. The legs 61a, 61b are relatively long and square in cross section with rounded longitudinal corner edges. Each leg 61a, 61b includes a gripping flange 63a, 63b protruding from a first side thereof and a connecting member 64a, 64b protruding from a second side thereof opposite the first side. Each gripping flange 63a 63b is semi-circular in plan with a rounded outer corner edge and is located adjacent the free end of the relevant leg 61a, 61b. Each connecting member 64a, 64b is rectangular in plan with outwardly extending saw tooth formations 65 adjacent their free edge. Each connecting member 64a, 64b is also located adjacent the free end of the relevant leg 61a, 61b. The resilience of the plastics material permits the legs 61a, 61b, and therefore the inwardly facing surface of the connecting members 64a, 64b, to be urged toward one another by a user squeezing or the gripping flanges 63a, 63b together.

In use, the bracket 3 is assembled by inserting the first end 44 of the slide base plate 4 into the guide slot 56 of the bracket member 5 until the saw tooth formations 42 are located on either side of the aperture 57. The gripping flanges 63a, 63b of the locking member 6 are pressed together and the connecting members 64a, 64b are inserted through the aperture 57 until they are located between the inwardly facing surfaces 43a, 43b of the slide base plate 4 which include the saw tooth formations 42. The gripping flanges 63a, 63b are then released, causing the saw tooth formations 65 of the locking member to engage the saw tooth formations 42 of the slide base plate 4. The sides of the saw tooth formations 65 are retained between the inner surface of the mounting portion that surrounds the aperture 57 and the front surface 40a of the slide base plate 4.

Thus, the slide base plate 6, the bracket member 5 and the locking member 6 are held together.

In order to fix the bracket 3 relative to the support member 2, the bracket 3 is orientated as shown in Figure 2, the engaging portion 45 is inserted between the lips 26a, 26b of the io support member 2 and the bracket 3 is rotated through 90 degrees to the orientation shown in Figure 1. Thus, the engaging flanges 45a, 45c of the slide base plate 4 are retained in the slot 23 by the lips 26a, 26b of the support member 2. In this embodiment, the engaging flanges 45a, 45b are sized and dimensioned such that they frictionally engage the slot 23 to provide an interference fit for improved retention and resistance against movement.

The vertical position of the bracket member 5 relative to the slide base plate 4, and therefore relative to the support member 2, is also adjustable. More specifically, the locking member 6 may be removed by pressing the gripping flanges 63a, 63b together, thereby disengaging the saw tooth formations 65, 42 and removing the locking member 6 from the aperture 57. The bracket member 5 is then slidable up or down as required and the locking member 6 is reinserted with gripping flanges 63a, 63b pressed together and the saw tooth formations 65, 42 are engaged as explained above. This optional feature is a particularly useful aspect of the invention since the orientation of the guttering 10 can be arranged to tilt toward, say, a downpipe (not shown) by introducing a downward gradient in the bracket members 3 used to support the guttering 10.

Several variations to the embodiment described above are envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the shape of the engaging portion 45 may be an inverted L-shaped or any other suitable shape capable of engaging the slot 23 of the support member 2. The engaging portion 45 need not be shaped and sized to frictionally engage the slot 23, provided the engagement therebetween is sufficient to connect the bracket 3 to the support member 2. The engaging portion 45 need not be engageable with the slot 23 by rotation. The releasable engagement therebetween may be provided by any other suitable means, for example a snap fit or the like. The slot need not be elongate and/or comprise an extrusion.

Moreover, the bracket 3 need not be adjustable and/or it may comprise a single member, for example which incorporates the engaging portion. Additionally or alternatively, the bracket member need not be arranged for stepwise adjustment, for example the slide base plate 4 may be sized and dimensioned to provide an interference or frictional fit with the guide slot 56 of the bracket member 5, thereby precluding the need for a locking member 6. The shape of the slide base plate 4 and guide slot 56 may be of any suitable shape and need not be as described above in relation to the specific embodiment and/or shown in the Figures.

Moreover, the locking member 6 need not take the form described above and/or shown in the Figures. More specifically, the connecting members 64a, 64b and/or the saw tooth formations 65 may be replaced with any suitable connecting means. The legs 61a, 61b and/or gripping flanges 63a, 63b and/or hip portion 62 may be of any suitable configuration.

Whilst all components are made of PVC or plastics material, any suitable material may be used.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any number of combinations of the aforementioned features and/or those shown in the appended drawings provide clear advantages over the prior art and are therefore within the scope of the invention described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A guttering support apparatus comprising a support member having a slot and a bracket having an engaging portion, wherein the engaging portion is shaped and sized to releasably engage, in use, the slot to connect the bracket to the support member.
2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion is shaped and sized for insertion into the slot in a first orientation and engageable therewith by moving, in use, the engaging portion relative to the support member.
3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the engaging portion is engageable with the slot by rotating, in use, the engaging portion relative to the support member.
4. Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the engaging portion has a thickness which is less than the width of the slot to allow the engaging portion to be rotated within the slot.
5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the engaging portion is shaped and sized to complement the shape and size of the slot.
6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the slot is substantially T-shaped or L-shaped.
7. Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the engaging portion comprises a substantially T-shaped or L-shaped cross section.
8. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the support member comprises an extrusion, wherein the slot is formed by or within the profile of the extrusion.
9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the bracket comprises a bracket member and an engaging member having the engaging portion, wherein the bracket member is adjustably movable with respect to the engaging member.
10. Apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the bracket member slidably engage, in use, the engaging member.
11. Apparatus according to claim 9 or claim 10, wherein the bracket member is arranged for stepwise adjustment with respect to the engaging member.
12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the bracket further comprises a locking member with connecting means which is cooperable with connecting means of the engaging member.
13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the connecting means comprises engaging formations.
14. Apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the locking member comprises a pair of spaced apart legs interconnected by resilient biasing means, each leg including the engaging formations on an outwardly facing surface thereof.
15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein each leg comprises a gripping flange for a user to urge, in use, the legs toward one another.
16. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the apparatus comprises a gutter support apparatus.
17. Apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
18. An adjustable guttering bracket comprising a base member for securing the bracket to a support member, a bracket member and connecting means for adjustably connecting the bracket member to the base member, wherein the connecting means comprises a plurality of cooperable engaging formations arranged to provide stepwise adjustability of the bracket member relative to the base member.
19. Bracket according to claim 18, wherein the base member comprises engaging formations which cooperate with engaging formations on the bracket member or on a locking member of the connecting means.
20. Bracket according to claim 18 or claim 19, wherein the connecting means comprises a locking member having a pair of spaced apart legs interconnected by a resilient biasing means, wherein one of the legs includes engaging formations on an outwardly facing surface thereof.
21. Bracket according to claim 20, wherein the locking member is arranged to disengage, in use, the engaging formations by urging the legs toward one another and to engage the engaging formations by releasing the legs such that they are biased apart by the resilient biasing means.
22. A kit for installing guttering comprising the components of an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and/or of a bracket according to any one of claims 18 to 21.
23. Guttering comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and/or a bracket according to any one of claims 18 to 21.
24. Guttering substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
25. A house comprising an apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 17 and/or a bracket according to any one of claims 18 to 21 and/or guttering according to claim 23 or claim 24.