GB2541655A

GB2541655A - Gutter Hanger

Info

Publication number: GB2541655A
Application number: GB1514974.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hughes Idris
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-24
Filing date: 2015-08-24
Publication date: 2017-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2035-08-24
Also published as: GB2541655B; GB201514974D0

Abstract

A gutter hanger 2 for suspending a gutter section 24 from an edge of a corrugated roof 22, the hanger comprising a unitary body. The body comprising a lower 18 and an upper edge 20, and first 16a and second 16b holes capable of retaining a first and second fasteners for fastening the hanger body to the gutter section. The body also comprising a slot 6 capable of sliding insertion onto the edge of a roof and a borehole capable of retaining a third fastener, the internal surfaces of the slot may be substantially planar. An upper portion of the first side edge may be chamfered and connect to the upper edge of the body. The body may further comprise first 12a and second 12b channels for seating lips on upper edges of the first and second side walls of a gutter section. The hanger may be substantially trapezoidal shaped. Also claimed is a kit of parts.

Description

Gutter Hanger

The present invention relates to a gutter hanger for suspending a gutter section from an edge of a roof, in particular a corrugated roof.

Gutters are troughs which are used to collect rain water running off the roof of a building. Conventional gutters are mounted at an angle to a horizontal length so that the rain water is channelled towards a downspout which directs the water to the ground and away from the walls, windows and foundations of the building. The rain water may then be stored for later use or flushed into a drain.

Gutters are available in many different shapes and sizes. Standard residential gutters are generally made from either aluminium, steel, zinc, vinyl, copper, plastics and synthetic materials. The most common type of gutter is an open gutter. Open gutters may collect leaves and other seasonal debris which can block the gutter or the downspout. This means that the rainwater is able to overflow the gutter and cause damage to the building. For this reason, gutters must be regularly maintained by clearing debris.

For individuals intending to install guttering to a building without the services of a skilled professional, there are many elements to consider, such as the pitch and length of the roof. Gutters are generally available in eight to ten feet sections and mounting brackets are typically used at intervals of approximately every thirty to fortyinches of gutter length, depending upon the gutter profile and width. This is chosen to accommodate the volumes of rainwater encountered, the greatest support being required in situations of heavy rainfall or where a large area of roof is served. The mounting brackets are fixed to a fascia board which is attached to the outer wall of the building just below the roof or to a fascia board attached to a soffit reaching out from the outer wall to the projecting edge of an overhanging roof. Gutters should have an incline of up to approximately a quarter of an inch for every five feet of gutter that is installed. This means that the water will flow freely towards the downspouts. Depending on the size and configuration of the gutters, downspouts are generally needed approximately every thirty feet. Purpose made gutter end-pieces incorporate a connector which allows the channel of the gutter to drain into a vertical downspout; in-line gutter connector-pieces may also incorporate a downspout connector. It is often almost impossible for an individual to attempt to install guttering without the aid of one or two helpers. The installation of conventional gutters which use mounting brackets on fascia boards can be time consuming and expensive. In addition, the need for a fascia board to be attached to the fabric of the building can be troublesome.

The present invention aims to overcome or at least substantially mitigate certain drawbacks of conventional gutter hangers by providing a cost-effective and easy to fit gutter hanger which does not require a fascia board to be attached to the building.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gutter hanger for suspending a gutter section from an edge of a corrugated roof, wherein the gutter hanger is .a unitary body comprising: a lower edge; a pair of spaced apart first and second side edges which extend substantially perpendicularly from a first and second end of the lower edge; an upper edge substantially spaced apart from the lower edge by the pair of first and second side edges; a first hole which extends through the first side edge and which is capable of retaining a first fastener for fastening the unitary body to the gutter section; a second hole which extends through the second side edge and which is capable of retaining a second fastener for fastening the unitary body to the gutter section; a slot which extends through the first side edge and which is capable of slidable insertion onto the edge of the corrugated roof; and a borehole which extends through the upper edge to the slot and which is capable of retaining a third fastener for fastening the unitary body to the edge of the corrugated roof, wherein in use the unitary body is slidably inserted onto the edge of the corrugated roof via the slot such that the lower edge spans a distance between an internal face of two opposing side walls of the gutter section and is fastened to the gutter section by the second fastener retained in the second hole and by the first fastener retained in the first hole and is fastened onto the edge of the corrugated roof by the third fastener retained in the borehole.

The gutter hanger of the present invention is straightforward and cost-effective to manufacture and fit and removes the need for a fascia board to be attached to the fabric of the building. In addition, the degree of overhang of the edge of the corrugated roof beyond the position of any fascia board or other building structure that might otherwise need to be in place specifically to support a gutter does not need to be taken into account because the gutter hanger is able to be attached directly to the edge of a corrugated roof rather than to any part of the building. The horizontal alignment of the gutter section across its width imder the edge of the corrugated roof can be advantageously adjusted by varying the depth of insertion of the slot. Furthermore the gutter hanger is attached to the edge of a crest section of the corrugated roof rather than to the edge of a trough section which collects the rainwater so as to avoid any undesirable consequences (eg leaks) caused by damage when tightening the third fastener.

The first side edge may be longer than the second side edge. The upper edge may be substantially parallel to the slot.

Preferably an upper portion of the first side edge is chamfered and connects to the upper edge. Preferably an upper portion of the second side edge is chamfered and connects to the upper edge. Particularly preferably the upper portion of the first side edge and the upper portion of the second side edge are convergent.

The unitary body may be polygonal. In a preferred embodiment, the unitary body is substantially trapezoidal-shaped. The trapezoidal-shape is ergonomic and readily handled by a user to facilitate quick and easy insertion of the gutter hanger onto the edge of the corrugated roof

The first hole may extend in use substantially horizontally through the first side edge. The second hole may extend in use substantially horizontally through the second side edge.

The first hole and second hole may be substantially collinear along an axis.

Preferably the slot extends through the first side edge at an angle to the axis which may be substantially equal to the pitch of the corrugated roof This provides quick and easy insertion of the gutter hanger onto the edge of the corrugated roof

Alternatively preferably the slot extends through the first side edge at an angle to the axis which is not equal but approximates to the pitch of the corrugated roof. This accommodates variations in the pitch of the corrugated roof (there being also a further but smaller degree of adjustment available by increasing the height of the attachment hole in the side walls of the gutter section).

The slot may extend through the first side edge at an angle in the range approximately 5° to 16°, 10° to 16° or 12° to 15° to the axis {eg to the horizontal in use). The angle may be approximately 14° to the axis {eg to the horizontal in use). Alternatively the slot may extend through the first side edge at an angle in the range approximately 17° to 30°, 17° to 25° or 18° to 22° to the axis {eg to the horizontal in use). The angle may be approximately 20° to the axis {eg to the horizontal in use).

The borehole may extend substantially perpendicularly to the axis {eg to the vertical in use) through the upper edge to the slot. The perpendicularity {eg verticality) of the third fastener retained in the borehole ensures that the gutter hanger is held firmly in place and is less likely to slide off the edge of the corrugated roof

Surfaces of the lower edge, upper edge, first and second side edges and internal surfaces of the slot may be substantially planar so as to facilitate easy insertion of the gutter hanger onto the edge of the corrugated roof

Preferably the unitary body further comprises; a first channel which spans a width of the first side edge for seating a lip on an upper edge of a first side wall of the gutter section and a second channel which spans a width of the second side edge for seating a lip on an upper edge of a second side wall of the gutter section. Particularly preferably the first channel is positioned above the first hole and the second channel is positioned above the second hole.

The gutter sections may be mounted at an angle suitable to allow rainwater to be channelled towards a downspout and away fiOm the building. A plurality of gutter hangers of the invention with differing lengths of the first and second side edges may be used to achieve this. Such variation in the length of the first and second side edges may be achieved by a series of detachable sections (for example by cutting or snapping off individual sections).

The gutter hanger may be made from aluminium, steel, zinc, vinyl, copper, plastic or synthetic material for durability and longevity.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit of parts comprising: a gutter hanger, a gutter section, a first fastener, a second fastener and a third fastener as hereinbefore defined.

The gutter section may be an open gutter section with a curved, square or polygonal cross-section.

Each of the first fastener, second fastener and third fastener may be a threaded fastener (eg a screw, bolt fitting that screws into place, a self-tapping screw or bolt or a press-fitted metal threaded sleeve).

The gutter hanger may further comprise a leaf shield mounted on or attached to the unitary body.

Specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a gutter hanger according to a first embodiment of the invention in the x-y plane;

Figure 2 shows an end of the gutter hanger in the y-z plane along the line A^B;

Figure 3 shows an end view of the gutter hanger in the y-z plane along the line B—>A; Figure 4 shows a plan view of the gutter hanger in the x-z plane;

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the gutter hanger suspending a gutter section from a corrugated roof;

Figure 6A shows a side view of a gutter hanger according to a second embodiment of the invention which is suspending a gutter section from a corrugated roof in which an angle of a slot in the gutter hanger is equal to a pitch of the corrugated roof;

Figure 6B shows a side view of a gutter hanger according to a third embodiment of the invention which is suspending a gutter section from a corrugated roof and in which the angle of the slot in the gutter hanger is not equal but approximates to the pitch of the corrugated roof;

Figure 6C shows a side view of a gutter hanger according to a fourth embodiment of the invention in the x-y plane; and

Figure 6D shows a side view of a gutter hanger according to a fifth embodiment of the invention in the x-y plane.

With reference to Figures 1 to 5, the present invention in a first embodiment relates to a gutter hanger (2) for suspending a gutter section (24) from an edge of a corrugated roof (22). The gutter hanger (2) is a solid unitary body which is substantially trapezoidalshaped and is attachable to the edge of a crest section of the corrugated roof (22). In use, the gutter hanger (2) suspends the gutter section (24) beneath the edge of the corrugated roof (22) to collect rain water which has run along a trough section of the corrugated roof (22).

The solid body comprises a substantially planar lower edge (18) which is approximately equal in length to a distance between internal faces of a pair of opposing side walls of the gutter section (24). Extending substantially perpendicularly from a first and second end of the lower edge (18) of the gutter hanger (2) is a pair of substantially spaced apart, parallel first and second side edges (9,11). The first side edge (9) of the gutter hanger (2) is of greater length than the second side edge (11). Upper portions (5,7) of the first and second side edges (9,11) are chamfered and converge towards an upper edge (20). In a second, third and fourth embodiment shown in Figures 6A-D, the upper portion (7) of the second side edge (11) is chamfered but the upper portion of the first side edge (9) is not.

In the first and second embodiments in use (see Figures 5 and 6A), the lower edge (18) is substantially horizontal and the first and second side edges (9,11) are substantially vertical. However in the third embodiment in use (see Figure 6B), the lower edge (18) is nonhorizontal and the first and second side edges (9,11) are non-vertical. A channel (12a, 12b) is positioned in a lower portion of each of the first and second side edges (9,11). The channel (12a, 12b) spans a width of the first and second side edges (9,11). The channel (12a, 12b) is relatively shallow and has a depth which is approximately equal to a depth of a lip on an upper edge of each of the pair of side walls of the gutter section (24). The lip on the upper edge of the side wall of the gutter section (24) is able to sit snugly inside the channel (12a, 12b).

Beneath each of the channels (12a, 12b), a drilled hole (16a, 16b) extends into each of the first and second side edges (9,11) of the solid body and is substantially horizontal in use. The diameter and depth of the drilled hole (16a, 16b) is suitable to retain a screw. A slot (6) is positioned in an upper portion of the first side edge (9). The slot (6) spans the width of the first side edge (9) and extends into the solid body at an angle a shown in Figure 1. The slot (6) is substantially rectangular and has an open end (8) and a closed end (10) and a substantially planar upper and lower surface (13a, 13b). These features facilitate easy insertion of the gutter hanger (2) onto the edge of the corrugated roof (22).

In use, the gutter hanger (2) is slidably inserted onto the edge of a crest section of corrugated roof (22) via the open end (8) of the slot (6). The edge of the corrugated roof (22) abuts the closed end (10) of the slot (6) so that the gutter hanger (2) is held snugly in place.

Angle a is determined by the pitch of the corrugated roof (22) to which the gutter hanger (2) is to be attached. In the second embodiment (see Figure 6A), the angle a of the slot (6) is approximately equal to the pitch of the corrugated roof (22) for easy insertion of the gutter hanger (2) onto the edge of the crest section. For example, a corrugated roof (22) with a pitch of between approximately 10° and 16° to the horizontal would require a gutter hanger (2) with a slot (6) having an angle a which is approximately equal to 14°. Furthermore a corrugated roof (22) with a pitch of between approximately 17° and 25° would require a gutter hanger (2) with a slot (6) having an angle a which is approximately equal to 20°. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, a gutter hanger (2) for use on the corrugated roof (22) of an agricultural building has a slot (6) with an angle a which is approximately equal to 10°. In the third embodiment (see Figure 6B), the angle a of the slot (6) is not equal but approximates to the pitch of the corrugated roof (22). The fourth and fifth embodiments (see Figures 6C and D respectively) have further variations in the angle a.

The upper edge (20) is disposed at an angle β shown in Figure 1. Angle β is substantially equal to angle a of the slot (6) and the upper edge (20) is substantially parallel to the slot (6). A drilled borehole (14) extends substantially vertically downwards from the upper edge (20) through the solid body to the upper surface (13a) of the slot (6). The drilled borehole (14) is of a suitable diameter for a retaining screw.

After the gutter hanger (2) has been slidably inserted onto the edge of the crest section of the corrugated roof (22) via the open end (8) of the slot (6), a retaining screw is inserted in the drilled borehole (14). The retaining screw is tightened and passes through the solid body to protrude through the upper surface (13a) of the slot (6) and against a top surface of the corrugated roof (22) to secure the gutter hanger (2). The alignment of the gutter section (24) under the edge of the corrugated roof (22) can be adjusted by varying the depth of insertion of the corrugated roof edge (22) into the slot (6). The verticality of the retaining screw through the solid body ensures that the gutter hanger (2) cannot unintentionally slide off the edge of the corrugated roof (22). In the event that the corrugated roof (22) is accidentally damaged when tightening the retaining screw to secure the gutter hanger (2), there are no undesirable consequences because the gutter hanger (2) is attached to the crest section of the corrugated roof (22) rather than a trough section which collects rainwater. This means that there is no risk of unwanted leaks through accidental damage.

In order to attach gutter seetions (24) to the gutter hanger (2), an aperture is drilled through each of the side walls of the gutter sections (24) at a position approximately one centimetre below the upper edge. The apertures are of a suitable diameter to retain a screw and are aligned directly opposite one another collinearly. According to Figure 6(B), the apertures in the side walls of the gutter section are positioned at different heights to accommodate the use of the gutter hanger (2) in which the angle a of the slot (6) is not equal but approximates to the piteh of the corrugated roof (22). This arrangement allows the gutter hanger (2) to be used with a range of corrugated roofs (22) which have varying pitch.

To attach the gutter sections (24) to the gutter hanger (2), the lower edge (18) of the gutter hanger (2) is positioned between the side walls of the gutter sections (24). The lip on the upper edge of the side walls of the gutter section (24) is then positioned inside the ehannels (12a, 12b) of the side edges (9,11). The drilled holes (16a, 16b) of the first and second side edges (9,11) are aligned with the apertures on the side walls of the gutter section (24). To secure the gutter section (24), a screw is inserted through eaeh of the apertures in the gutter section (24) and tightened into the respective drilled holes (16a, 16b) in the first and second side edges (9,11). This ensures that the gutter seetions (24) are safely suspended beneath the edge of the corrugated roof (22) and cannot be accidentally dislodged.

Claims

1. A gutter hanger for suspending a gutter section from an edge of a corrugated roof, wherein the gutter hanger is a unitary body comprising: a lower edge; a pair of spaced apart first and second side edges which extend substantially perpendicularly from a first and second end of the lower edge; an upper edge substantially spaced apart from the lower edge by the pair of first and second side edges; a first hole which extends through the first side edge and which is capable of retaining a first fastener for fastening the unitary body to the gutter section; a second hole which extends through the second side edge and which is capable of retaining a second fastener for fastening the unitary body to the gutter section; a slot which extends through the first side edge and which is capable of slidable insertion onto the edge of the corrugated roof; and a borehole which extends through the upper edge to the slot and which is capable of retaining a third fastener for fastening the imitary body to the edge of the corrugated roof, wherein in use the unitary body is slidably inserted onto the edge of the corrugated roof via the slot such that the lower edge spans a distance between an internal face of two opposing side walls of the gutter section and is fastened to the gutter section by the second fastener retained in the second hole and by the first fastener retained in the first hole and is fastened onto the edge of the corrugated roof by the third fastener retained in the borehole.

2. A gutter hanger as claimed in claim 1, wherein an upper portion of the first side edge is chamfered and connects to the upper edge.

3. A gutter hanger as claimed in claim 2, wherein an upper portion of the second side edge is chamfered and connects to the upper edge, wherein the upper portion of the first side edge and the upper portion of the second side edge are convergent.

4. A gutter hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the first hole and second hole are substantially collinear along an axis and the slot extends through the first side edge at an angle to the axis which is substantially equal to the pitch of the corrugated roof.

5. A gutter hanger as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first hole and second hole are substantially collinear along an axis and the slot extends through the first side edge at an angle to the axis which is not equal but approximates to the pitch of the corrugated roof

6. A gutter hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein internal surfaces of the slot are substantially planar.

7. A gutter hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the unitary body further comprises: a first channel which spans a width of the first side edge for seating a lip on an upper edge of a first side wall of the gutter section; and a second channel which spans a width of the second side edge for seating a lip on an upper edge of a second side wall of the gutter section.

8. A gutter hanger as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first channel is positioned above the first hole and the second channel is positioned above the second hole.

9. A gutter hanger as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the unitary body is substantially trapezoidal-shaped.

10. A kit of parts comprising: a gutter hanger as claimed in any preceding claim; and a gutter section, a first fastener, a second fastener and a third fastener as defined in any preceding claim.

11. A kit of parts as claimed in claim 10, wherein the gutter section is an open gutter section.

12. A kit of parts as claimed in either of elaims 10 or 11, wherein eaeh of the first fastener, second fastener and third fastener is a screw.

13. A gutter hanger for suspending a gutter section from an edge of a corrugated roof substantially as described herein with reference to the aecompanying drawings.

14. A kit of parts comprising a gutter hanger, a gutter seetion, a first fastener, a second fastener and a third fastener substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.