US20170058531A1

US20170058531A1 - Eavestrough cover

Info

Publication number: US20170058531A1
Application number: US14/998,687
Authority: US
Inventors: Stephane Brochu
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-08-27
Filing date: 2016-02-02
Publication date: 2017-03-02
Also published as: CA2912617C; CA2912617A1; US20170058529A1

Abstract

An eavestrough cover which has a central portion formed of a woven material and a front longitudinally extending portion and a rear longitudinally extending portion, the woven material being embossed in a generally transverse direction so as to improve the rigidity of the woven material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an eavestrough cover and more particularly, relates to an eavestrough cover or screen which permits the flow of water into a gutter while preventing debris from collecting in the gutter or eavestrough.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of eavestrough covers (also known as gutter guards) is well known in the art. These eavestrough covers have gained popularity as the problem of clogged gutters is almost universal. Irrespective of the climate, leaves and other debris find their way into the eavestrough. These can lead to clogging of the eavestrough, either at the downspout or elsewhere. This in turn can lead to water back up into adjacent structures. Wood rot and other problems can then occur.
In order to overcome this problem, the use of eavestrough covers is widely practiced. These eavestrough covers permit the passage of water into the eavestrough or gutter while preventing extraneous matter from entering the eavestrough. Various mounting systems have been employed in order to secure the eavestrough cover in place. The success of the mounting system will frequently depend on the place of installation and the design of the eavestrough cover.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide an eavestrough cover which is designed to prevent extraneous matter from entering the eavestrough while also efficiently allowing the passage of water through the cover into the eavestrough.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an eavestrough cover having sufficient rigidity to be easily secured in place.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an eavestrough cover comprising a front longitudinally extending portion, a rear longitudinally extending portion, a central portion extending between and secured to both of the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion, the central portion being formed of a woven material, and the woven material being embossed in a generally transverse direction so as to improve the rigidity of the woven material.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided in combination, an eavestrough cover comprising a front longitudinally extending portion, a rear longitudinally extending portion, a central portion extending between and secured to both of the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion, the central portion being formed of a woven material, the woven material being embossed in a generally transverse direction so as to improve the rigidity of the woven material, and an eavestrough, the eavestrough having a rear wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a vertical segment formed at an upper portion of the front wall, a top wall and a downwardly extending diagonal segment.
As aforementioned, the eavestrough cover has a front longitudinally extending portion and a rear longitudinally extending portion. Intermediate the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion is a central portion. This central portion is formed of a woven material as is known in the art. Embossed areas are provided in the woven material with the embossed areas extending in the traverse direction (i.e. between the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion.
The woven material may be selected from any suitable material (i.e. an aluminum material, a stainless steel material, plastic material, etc.) and is preferably a woven wire mesh known as a micro mesh.
The embossments are arranged such that they extend upwardly to form generally transversely extending ridges between the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion. The embossments, in a preferred embodiment, extend from the front longitudinally extending portion and the rear longitudinally extending portion. It will be understood that modifications to such an arrangement may be provided; in other words, some of the embossments may not extend completely transversely of the woven material and/or may extend at somewhat of an angle with respect thereto such as an S or Z shape.
The front longitudinally extending portion is preferably formed of a metallic material such as aluminum and it is arranged to grip one side of the woven material. To this end, the arrangement is such that the aluminum material is folded back on itself and pressed together to retain the woven material.
Preferably, the arrangement is such that there is provided an upwardly extending portion which forms a wall to direct any excess water back towards the center of the eavestrough cover. In this arrangement, the woven material is gripped firstly by the portion forming the wall and also by a further horizontal portion extending frontwardly from the wall.
In this arrangement, the front longitudinally extending portion also preferably includes a member which will engage with the eavestrough to assist in retention of the eavestrough cover.
The rear longitudinally extending portion is also preferably formed of a metallic material such as aluminum. Again, the rear longitudinally extending portion is arranged to grip the woven material. Also, preferably the rear longitudinally extending portion has an upwardly sloping segment which assists in retaining water and directing the same towards the central portion.
A rearwardly extending flange forms a portion of the rear longitudinally extending portion. This flange is provided to fit under the tiles of a roof.
Preferably, the flange is of a substantial transverse length to reach between the eavestrough and the roof. In one embodiment, the flange is provided with a line of demarcation or fold line above which the flange may be folded if it is used in other situations. The line of demarcation may comprise a longitudinally extending groove formed in the flange portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus generally described the invention, reference will be made to the accompanying drawings illustrating an embodiment thereof, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of a portion of an eavestrough cover according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view thereof;

FIG. 4 is a further bottom perspective view thereof;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view thereof;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the left hand side portion of the eavestrough cover shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the right hand side of the eavestrough cover seen in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the eavestrough cover mounted on an eavestrough.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings in greater detail and by reference characters thereto, there is illustrated an eavestrough cover which is generally designated by reference numeral 10.
Eavestrough cover 10 has a front longitudinally extending portion generally designated by reference numeral 12 and a rear longitudinally extending portion generally designated by reference numeral 14. A central portion generally designated by reference numeral 16 is formed of a suitable woven material as is known in the art. Central portion 16 has a plurality of longitudinally extending filaments 18 and transversely extending filaments 20 which together form the woven material.
Formed in the woven material are a plurality of transversely extending embossments 22. As may be seen, embossments 22 extend upwardly—i.e. the embossed portion is on the upper surface of the woven material with reference to the normal placement of the eavestrough cover 10.
Front longitudinally extending portion 12 includes, proximate the central portion 16, a vertical upwardly extending segment 26. A vertical downwardly extending segment 28 lies substantially parallel to vertical upwardly extending segment 26 to thereby retain a crimped portion 38 of central portion 16 therebetween. Extending from the lower portion of vertical downwardly extending portion 28 is an upper horizontal segment 32. Lying underneath is a lower horizontal segment 34 which again is arranged such that there is a crimped portion 36 therebetween. Lower horizontal segment 34 terminates in a diagonally and downwardly extending segment 38 designed to engage with the eavestrough.
Rear longitudinally extending portion 14 has a lower horizontal segment 42 and a parallel intermediate horizontal segment 44. Retained therebetween is central portion 16 which is a crimped relationship therewith. An upper horizontally extending segment extends rearwardly and is provided with a diagonally upwardly extending segment 47. A flange 48 extends rearwardly to fit underneath the tiles of a roof.
It will be noted that rearwardly extending flange 48 terminates in a folded under segment 50. There is also formed a fold line 52 comprising a groove which extends longitudinally of flange 48 such that flange 48 may be bent thereabout in situations where the length of flange 48 is not required. If desired, a plurality of fold lines could be provided therein to form a desired length of flange 48.
The eavestrough cover 10 is shown mounted on an eavestrough generally designated by reference numeral 56. Eavestrough 56 includes a rear wall 58, a bottom wall 60 and a front wall generally designated by reference numeral 62. An upper segment 64 of front wall 62 extends substantially vertically and joins with a top wall 66. In turn, top wall 66 terminates in a diagonally and downwardly extending segment 68.
As may be seen, eavestrough cover 10 engages with top wall 66 and diagonal segment 68. Flange 48 extends rearwardly and is adapted to fit under the shingles of an adjacent roof.
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

I claim:

1. An eavestrough cover comprising:

a front longitudinally extending portion;

a rear longitudinally extending portion;

a central portion extending between and secured to both of said front longitudinally extending portion and said rear longitudinally extending portion, said central portion being formed of a woven material; and

said woven material being embossed in a generally transverse direction so as to improve the rigidity of said woven material.

2. The eavestrough cover of claim 1 wherein said woven material is formed of a metallic material.

3. The eavestrough cover of claim 2 wherein said metallic material is selected from an aluminum material and stainless steel material.

4. The eavestrough cover of claim 3 wherein said woven material is embossed in a transverse direction extending between said front longitudinally extending portion and said rear longitudinally extending portion.

5. The eavestrough cover of claim 4 wherein said woven material is embossed to form upwardly extending ridges.

6. The eavestrough cover of claim 1 wherein said front longitudinally extending portion and said rear longitudinally extending portion are metallic strips.

7. The eavestrough cover of claim 6 wherein said woven material is crimped between said metallic strips.

8. The eavestrough cover of claim 7 wherein said woven material is crimped adjacent said front longitudinally extending portion to form an upwardly extending and longitudinally extending ridge.

9. The eavestrough cover of claim 8 wherein said front longitudinally extending portion forms an upwardly extending wall adjacent said woven to help prevent water overflow.

10. The eavestrough cover of claim 1 wherein said rear longitudinally extending portion includes a substantially planar portion designed to tit underneath roof tiles.

11. The eavestrough cover of claim 10 wherein said rear longitudinally extending portion has a diagonally and upwardly extending segment proximate said woven material.

12. The eavestrough cover of claim 8 wherein said front longitudinally extending portion has a substantially horizontally extending upper segment and a substantially horizontally extending lower segment, said woven material being retained therebetween, a terminating segment extending from said substantially horizontal lower segment, said terminating segment extending diagonally downwardly.

13. In combination, an eavestrough cover comprising:

a front longitudinally extending portion;

a rear longitudinally extending portion;

a central portion extending between and secured to both of said front longitudinally extending portion and said rear longitudinally extending portion, said central portion being formed of a woven material;

said woven material being embossed in a generally transverse direction so as to improve the rigidity of said woven material; and

an eavestrough, said eavestrough having a rear wall, a bottom wall, a front wall, a vertical segment formed at an upper portion of said front wall, a top wall and a downwardly extending diagonal segment.