GB2493284A

GB2493284A - Gutter cover

Info

Publication number: GB2493284A
Application number: GB201213305A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Stephane Brochu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-07-27
Filing date: 2012-07-26
Publication date: 2013-01-30
Also published as: CA2747513A1; GB201213305D0; IE20120328A1

Abstract

A cover 78 for an eavestrough comprises a longitudinally extending piece of material having first and second side structures and a central area therebetween. The central area has a plurality of longitudinally extending sections separated from each other by upwardly extending rib structures. The sections have a plurality of apertures formed therein, and at least one of the longitudinally extending sections has a convex configuration for ease of installation. The cover 78 may be of a plastics or metal material. The side structures may comprise folded edge formations. The invention also extends to a gutter, cover 78 and hanger 104 in combination.

Description

I

EAVESTROUGH COVER

The present invention relates to eavestrough covers and a combination of a cover and an eavestrough.

The use of eavestrough covers is well known in the prior art and there have been many proposals for different types of shields. The purpose of the shield is essentially to permit the passage of rainwater from the roof to the eavestrough while protecting the drain from extraneous foreign matter such as leaves and the like.

Different approaches have been taken to the design of eavestrough covers. Some of the eavestrough covers are secured directly to the eavestrough while others are secured to the wall or roof of the adjacent structure.

The ease of installation of the eavestrough cover is of prime importance.

Since most of the cavestrough coven are installed by professional installers, the ease and speed of installation is a big factor.

it is an object of the present invention to provide an eavestrough cover IS which can rapidly be installed by an installer.

It is a ttirthcr object of the present invention to provide an eavestrough cover which is easily manufactured and installed.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cover for an eavestrough, the cover comprising a longitudinally extending piece of material, the longitudinally extending piece of material having first and second side structures, a central area being defined between the first and second side structures, the central area having a plurality of longitudinally extending sections, each of the sections being separated from each other by an upwardly extending rib structure. each of the longitudinally extending sections having a plurality of apertures formed therein, at least one of the longitudinally extending sections having a convex configuration.

3 According to a further aspect of the invention, there is also provided in combination, an eavestrough having a rear wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, the front wall terminating in an inwardly extending top wall portion, and a cover, the cover comprising a longitudinally extending piece of material. the longitudinally extending piece of material having first and second side snucturcs. a ecntral area being defined between the first and second side structures, the central area having a plurality of longitudinally extending sections, each of the sections being separated from each other by an upwardly extending rib structure, each of the longitudinally extending sections having a plurality of apertures formed therein, at least one of the longitudinally extending sections having a convex configuration.

As set lbrth above, the cover of the present invention includes a plurality of longitudinally extending sections which are separated from each other by an upwardly extending rib structure. The longitudinally extending ribs may have various ccnhgurations; in one embodiment, the ribs could have an arcuate convex configuration while in another embodiment. the ribs might have a top wall with a pair of downwardly extending side walls joining to the longitudina1l' extending section, However. ii suffices to say that other configurations ma equally well he utilized.

The cover may be formed of conventional materials such as a plastic material or a metallic material. Frequently, the covers are formed of an aluminum material which is easily manufactured and formed.

The cover may be secured to the eavestrough and/or the eave of the building as required. Conventional fastening means would include suitable mechanical fasteners.

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating embodiments thereof, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an eavestrough cover according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of a further eavestrough cover section; and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating installation of the eavestrough cover on an eavestrough.

Referring to the drawings and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated in Figure I a portion of an eavestrough cover or gutter guard for an eavestrough and which gutter guard is generally designated by reference numeral 10. Gutter guard 10 has a first side structure generally designated by reference numcral 12 and a second side structure generally designated by reference numeral 14.

Gutter guard 10 has a central area generally designated by reference numeral 16 and which central area 16 includes a first planar portion 18. First planar portion 18 includes a plurality of apertures 20 formed therein to permit the drainage of water therethrough to the eavestrough.

Gutter guard 10 also includes a second planar portion 22 which includes a plurality of apertures 24 as was the case with first planar portion 18.

S Separating first planar portion 18 and second planar portion 22 is a convex rib stuzeture 26. On the other side of second planar portion 22, a similarly formed convex rib 28 is provided.

Gutter guard 10 includes a third apcrtured portion 30, but which apertured portion 30 has a slightly convex configuration. Third apertured portion 30 includes a plurality of apertures 32. On the other side of third apertured portion 30 there is a third convex rib 34.

Third convex rib 34 joins a planar non apertured portion 36. An inwardly extending segment 38 in turn joins an upwardly and outwardly extending sealing segment 40. Upwardly and outwardly extending sealing segment 40 includes a plurality of apertures 42 fonned therein.

A second embodiment of a gutter guard is illustrated in Figure 2 and reference will now be had thereto. Gutter guard 60 includes a first structure 62 and a second side structure 64. A central area between first side structure 62 and second side structure 64 includes a first planar area 66 having apertures 68 formed therein.

A rib 70 is gcnerally convex in nature and includes a first sloping side wall 72 and a second sloping side wall 74 with a planar top wall 76.

A second planar area 78 also has apertures 80 formed therein. A second rib 82 is or a structure similar to that of first rib 70. At joining rib 82 is a third planar area 84 with apertures 86 formed therein. In the illustrated embodiment.

third planar area 84 has a width less than that of the first two planar areas. A third rib 88 is of similar structure to ribs 70 and 82 and interconnects third planar area 86 and a fourth apertured area 90 having apertures 92 formed therein. It will be noted that fourth apertured area is formed to be slightly convex in nature.

Second side structure 64 includes a reverse inwardly extending segment.

An upwardly and outwardly extending segment 96 terminates in a flexible sealing segment 98. Flexible sealing segment 98 is provided with apertures 10th As shown in Figure 3, the combination of either reverse segment 94 and upwardly extending segment 96 provides an arrangement whereby second side structure 64 is positioned so that it goes underneath screw 102 of hanger 104.

This then permits the installer to easily secure screws 106 which extend through apertures 100. Likewise, screws 108 may be utilized for securing first side structure 62 to a top wall of the eavestrough.

It will be understood that in the embodiment of Figure 1, gutter guard 10 may likewise be secured to the eavestrough.

It will be understood that the above described embodiment is for purposes of illustration only and that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMSI. A cover for an eavestrough, said cover comprising: a longitudinally extending piece of material, said longitudinally extending piece of material having first and second side structures, a central area being defined between said first and second side structures; said central area having a plurality of longitudinally extending sections, each of said sections being separated from each other by an upwardly extending rib structure, each of said longitudinally extending sections having a plurality of apertures formed therein; at least one of said longitudinally extending sections having a convex configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. The cover of Claim 1, wherein said rib is of an arcuate convex configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. The cover of Claim 1, wherein said rib has a planar top wall and two side walls, each side wall extending from said top wall to a longitudinally extending section.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. The cover of Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said first side structure has an apertured side wall extending upwardly and inwardly, a second wall extending outwardly, said second wall extending horizontally for securement to an cavestrough.</claim-text> <claim-text>5. The cover of any preceding Claim, wherein said second side structure has a first inwardly extending wall and a second outwardly and upwardly extending wall, said first and second walls defining a V-shaped configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. The cover of Claim 5, further including a planar non apertured section between said second side structure and one of said ribs.</claim-text> <claim-text>7. The cover of any preceding Claim, wherein said cover is formed of a material selected from a plastic material and a metallic material.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. In combination, an eavestrough having a rear wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, said front wall tenninating in an inwardly extending top wall portion, and a cover, said cover comprising: a longitudinally extending piece of material, said longitudinally extending piece of material having first and second side structures, a central area being defined between said first and second side structures; said central area having a plurality of longitudinally extending sections, each of said sections being separated from each other by an upwardly extending rib structure, each of said longitudinally extending sections having a plurality of apertures formed therein; at least one of said longitudinally extending sections having a convex configuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. The combination of Claim 8, wherein said rib is of an arcuate convex con figuration.</claim-text> <claim-text>10, The combination of Claim 8. wherein said rib has a planar top wall and two side walls, cach side wall extending from said top wall to a longitudinally extending section.</claim-text> <claim-text>Ii. The combination of Claim 8,9, or 10, wherein said first side structure has an apertured side wall extending upwardly and inwardly, a second wall extending outwardly, said second wall extending horizontally and being mechanically secured to said eavestrough.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. The combination of any one of claims 8 to 11, further including a hanger for supporting said eavestrough, said hanger being secured to an eave by a screw, said second side structure having a first inwardly extending wall and a second outwardly and upwardly extending wall, said first and second walls defining a V-shaped configuration which extends over said screw.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. The combination of Claim 12, further including a planar non apertured section between said second side structure and one of said ribs.</claim-text> <claim-text>14, The combination of any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein said cover is formed of a material selected from a plastic material and a metallic material.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. The combination of any one of claims 8 to 14, further including a hanger member supporting said eavestrough, said hanger member having a first end supporting said eavestrough top wall, said hanger being secured to an eave of a building.</claim-text>