US20230167641A1

US20230167641A1 - Gutter Cover Apparatus, Method, and System

Info

Publication number: US20230167641A1
Application number: US18/058,632
Authority: US
Inventors: David Gregg
Original assignee: Premier Solutions LLC
Current assignee: Premier Solutions LLC
Priority date: 2021-11-29
Filing date: 2022-11-23
Publication date: 2023-06-01

Abstract

A gutter cover, method for a gutter cover, and gutter cover system for a gutter are disclosed. A gutter cover includes a crease laterally extending between terminal ends of a solid upper portion of a gutter cover and configured for aligning upper portions, lower portions, top edges, bottom edges, opposing terminal edges, and all sections of a gutter cover. A gutter cover also includes at least one outer portion terminating in an outer edge, wherein the outer portion and outer edge extend outwardly beyond an outer edge of the terminal end of a porous intermediate portion and the terminal end of a solid lower portion. The outer portion and outer edge may be configured for being received under the solid upper portion of another section of gutter cover.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to provisional application Ser. No. 63/283,776 filed Nov. 29, 2021, which is incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to gutters. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a Gutter Cover Apparatus, Method, and System.

BACKGROUND

Gutters are a common means to collect, direct, and redistribute precipitation away from homes, residential and office buildings, and various similar structures. Gutter guards and gutter covers are a common means to prevent unwanted leaves, debris, wildlife, or other materials from entering the gutter and obstructing the flow of precipitation away from a building or structure, thereby blocking the redirection of precipitation and inhibiting the gutter from performing its primary purpose. However, many gutter covers in the industry do not provide sufficient protection from unwanted materials entering a gutter and have a limited lifespan due to ineffective design that does not withstand the wear and tear of environment and time.
Additionally, many gutter covers do not account for an overflow of precipitation, nor do they sufficiently eliminate the collection and build up of unwanted leaves, debris, or other materials on the gutter cover, thereby preventing the flow of precipitated into the gutter and away from the structure. Further still, many gutter covers do not effectively install or join together, and thereby have gaps between gutter cover sections, increasing the potential of debris, leaves, wildlife, and other various materials into the gutter and preventing the gutter from performing its primary purpose. This gap may also increase the wear and tear on a gutter cover as well as the gutter as materials may get caught on or snag gap edges, thereby damaging the gutter cover and inhibiting its performance and decreasing its lifespan.
Therefore, what is needed is a gutter cover and a gutter cover system and method that addresses the deficiencies in gutter covers and gutter cover systems.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is a primary object, feature, or advantage of the present disclosure to improve over the state of the art.
It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the present disclosure to provide a gutter cover that may address at least one or more conditions for a gutter, gutter cover, and gutter cover system for a gutter.
It is a still further object, feature, or advantage of the present disclosure to provide a gutter cover wherein an outer portion and an outer edge extending outwardly beyond an outer edge of the terminal end of a porous intermediate portion and the terminal end of a solid lower portion are configured for being received under a solid upper portion of another section of gutter cover.
Another object, feature, or advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a gutter cover that is configured with a crease in a solid upper portion and laterally extending between the terminal ends of the solid upper portion, wherein a crease in the solid upper portion aligns the top edge of a solid upper portion with a top edge of another gutter cover, and wherein the crease in a solid upper portion aligns a bottom edge of a solid lower portion with a bottom edge of another gutter cover.
Yet another object, feature, or advantage of the present disclosure is to provide a gutter cover that includes a crease in a solid upper portion configured to align edges of opposing terminal ends of a porous intermediate portion with edges of opposing terminal ends of a porous intermediate portion of opposing gutter cover sections.
In at least one exemplary aspect, a gutter cover is disclosed. The gutter cover may include a solid laterally extending upper portion having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges, wherein the top edge of the solid upper portion may be configured for insertion underneath roofing during installation. The gutter cover may also include a porous laterally extending intermediate portion having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges. The gutter cover may further include a solid laterally extending lower portion having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges. The gutter cover may also include at least one of the opposing terminal ends having an outer portion terminating in an outer edge, wherein the outer portion and outer edge extend outwardly beyond an outer edge of the terminal end of the porous intermediate portion and the terminal end of the solid lower portion.
In at least one other exemplary aspect, a method for a gutter cover is disclosed. The method for a gutter cover may include providing two or more gutter cover sections, wherein each section may include a solid laterally extending upper portion and a solid laterally extending lower portion joined together by a porous laterally extending intermediate portion, wherein at least one of opposing terminal ends of the solid upper portion include an outer portion terminating in an outer edge, wherein the outer portion and the outer edge extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion. The method for a gutter cover may further include joining two gutter cover sections on a gutter by inserting the outer portion and the outer edge extending outwardly beyond the outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion and the outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion of the first gutter cover section under the solid upper portion of the second gutter cover section.
In at least another aspect, a gutter cover system for a gutter is disclosed. The gutter cover system for a gutter may include sections of gutter cover, and each section may contain a solid laterally extending upper portion and a solid laterally extending lower portion joined together by a porous laterally extending intermediate portion, wherein at least one of opposing terminal ends of the solid upper portion include an outer portion terminating in an outer edge, wherein the outer portion and the outer edge extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion. The gutter cover system for a gutter may also include an installed pair of gutter cover sections having an overlapped portion with the outer portion and the outer edge extending outwardly beyond the outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion and the outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion of the first gutter cover section disposed underneath the solid upper portion of the second gutter cover section. The gutter cover system for a gutter may further include having a portion of the overlapped portion disposed underneath roofing and atop the gutter.
One or more of these and/or other objects, features, or advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow. No single aspect need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Different aspects may have different objects, features, or advantages. Therefore, the present disclosure is not to be limited to or by any objects, features, or advantages stated herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrated embodiments of the disclosure are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gutter cover with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure displaying two separated opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover in accordance with an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gutter cover with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure displaying two connected opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover in accordance with an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3A-3B are pictorial representations of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover in accordance with illustrative aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover and a method of a gutter cover in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover and a method of a gutter cover in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover and a method of a gutter cover in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover and a method of a gutter cover in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover and a method of a gutter cover in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a gutter cover system in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a gutter cover system in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a gutter cover in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a gutter cover with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure displaying a terminal end of a gutter cover in accordance with an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-12 provide various pictorial illustrations for exemplary aspects of a gutter cover 10 and gutter cover system and method in accordance with the objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure.
The present disclosure contemplates many different apparatuses and varying arrangements, methods and systems for a gutter cover. Representative applications of methods and systems are described in this section as well as apparatus mechanisms and structures. These examples are provided solely to add context and aid in understanding of the described aspects of the disclosure. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that the described aspects of the disclosure may be practiced without some and/or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known process steps have not been described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the described aspects. Other applications are possible, such that the following examples should not be taken as limiting.
In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and show, by way of illustration, specific aspects in accordance with the methods and systems of the present disclosure. Although aspects of the disclosure are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the described aspects, it is understood that these examples are not limiting; other aspects may be used, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the described aspects of the disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects of the disclosure only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. By way of example only, while the singular form of numerous components and steps are described in various aspects of the disclosure herein, it will be apparent that more than one of such components and/or steps can be used to accomplish the same. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “including,” “include,” “includes”, “such as” and the like, when used in this specification, are intended to be exemplary and should be construed as including, but not be limited to, all items recited thereafter. These terms additionally specify the presence of stated features, functions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence and/or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gutter cover 10 with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure displaying two separated opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover 10 in accordance with an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure. A gutter cover 10 may include a solid laterally extending upper portion 12 having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges, 14 and 18, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1 . The top edge 14 of the solid upper portion 12 may be configured for insertion underneath roofing during installation. A gutter cover 10 may also include a porous laterally extending intermediate portion 20 having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges 14 and 18, respectively. Though FIG. 1 indicates a porous intermediate portion may include a mesh design, it is contemplated that a porous intermediate portion 20 may consist of a variety of materials, designs, surfaces, and textures, including by not limited to louvered, slotted, checkered, metal, plastic, vinyl, smooth, textured, coated, or any other variety of materials, designs, surfaces, textures, characteristics, or combinations thereof.
The gutter cover 10 may further include a solid laterally extending lower portion 16 having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges 14 and 18, respectively. Further, a gutter cover 10 may also include at least one of the opposing terminal ends having an outer portion 22 terminating in an outer edge 24, wherein the outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 extend outwardly beyond an outer edge 24 of the terminal end of the porous intermediate portion 20 and the terminal end of the solid lower portion 16. Further, the top edge of the laterally extending porous intermediate portion 20 and the bottom edge of the solid laterally extending portion may be secured together along a lateral connection.
A gutter cover 10 may be composed of a metal such as aluminum, steel, stainless steel, galvanized steel, copper, zinc, vinyl, or any variety of metals conceivably used in the art. The gutter cover 10 may also include a variety of finishes or treatments such as powder coated, zinc coated, bronze powder coated, painted, or any other coats or finishes conceivably used in the art. The gutter cover 10 may also include a variety of surface textures, including but not limited to louvered, hammered, crimped, smooth, webbed, cross-hatched, stippled, embossed, creased, or any other conceivable surface texture or design.
Still shown in FIG. 1 , the outer portion 22 and the outer edge 24 may extend outwardly beyond an outer edge 24 of the terminal end of the porous intermediate portion 20, and the terminal end of the solid lower portion 16 may be configured for being received under the solid upper portion 12 of another section of gutter cover 10. This may create an overlap between sections of gutter cover 10 to prevent spaces between sections and to better seal sections of gutter cover 10 together. It is contemplated that outer portion 22 may be a variety of shapes and sizes and extend a variety of lengths on a gutter cover 10. It is further contemplated that outer portion 22 may include of a variety of materials such as metal, plastic, vinyl, or any other material. Outer portion 22 may also include of varying textures, surfaces, designs, or characteristics. For example, outer portion 22 may be solid, mesh, porous, or any other conceivable texture, surface, or design. Further still, the outer portion 22 may include an angle or angled edge 30, as shown in FIG. 12 . Angled edge 30 may be a 45 degree angle or any other angle, and may better enable opposing terminal edges of gutter cover 10 sections to align and maintain alignment.
Further still shown in FIG. 1 , a gutter cover 10 may be configured with a crease 26 in a solid upper portion 12 and laterally extending between the terminal ends of the solid upper portion 12, wherein the crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 aligns the top edge 14 of the solid upper portion 12 with a top edge 14 of another gutter cover 10, and wherein the crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 aligns the bottom edge 18 of the solid lower portion 16 with a bottom edge 18 of another gutter cover 10. Further, a crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 may be configured to align edges of opposing terminal ends of a porous intermediate portion 20 with edges of opposing terminal ends of a porous intermediate portion 20 of opposing gutter cover 10 sections. Additionally, a crease 26 in a solid upper portion 12 of gutter cover 10 may further align edges of opposing terminal ends of the solid lower portion 16 with edges of opposing terminal ends of solid lower portions 16 of opposing gutter cover 10 sections.
The crease 26 may be a variety of depths, shapes, and sizes to further collect and direct the flow of precipitation. It is contemplated that a crease 26 may have any measure of depth or width for collecting water, as it is contemplated various climates may possess different needs for addressing precipitation. It is further contemplated that a crease 26 may be various shapes along the length of a gutter cover 10, including but not limited to curved, zig-zag, straight, swirled, or any other shape or indentation.
While opposing terminal edges of gutter cover 10 may be aligned and joined at a crease, it is further contemplated that gutter cover 10 and sections of gutter cover 10 may be joined together in a variety of manners. For example, a lip, hooks, or loops may be included on either a crease 26 or any of the edges 24 to connect gutter cover 10 sections together. As previously discussed, an angled edge 30 may also be used to align portions, edges, and sections of gutter cover 10.
As shown in FIG. 2 , opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover 10 may be aligned by a crease 26 in a solid upper portion 12 and laterally extending between the terminal ends of the solid upper portion 12, wherein the crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 aligns the top edge 14 of the solid upper portion 12 with a top edge 14 of another gutter cover 10, and wherein the crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 aligns the bottom edge 18 of the solid lower portion 16 with a bottom edge 18 of another gutter cover 10. Further, a crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 may be configured to align edges of opposing terminal ends of a porous intermediate portion 20 with edges of opposing terminal ends of a porous intermediate portion 20 of opposing gutter cover 10 sections. Additionally, a crease 26 in a solid upper portion 12 of gutter cover 10 may further align edges of opposing terminal ends of the solid lower portion 16 with edges of opposing terminal ends of solid lower portions 16 of opposing gutter cover 10 sections.
Still shown in FIG. 2 , the outer portion 22 and the outer edge 24, shown in FIG. 1 , may extend outwardly beyond an outer edge 24 of the terminal end of the porous intermediate portion 20, and the terminal end of the solid lower portion 16 may be configured for being received under the solid upper portion 12 of another section of gutter cover 10. This may create an overlap between sections of a gutter cover 10 to prevent spaces between sections and to better seal sections of gutter cover 10 together. FIG. 2 further shows the opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover 10 joined together, wherein an outer portion 22 and the outer edge 24 of a terminal end of a first section of gutter cover 10 are received under the terminal end 25 of the solid upper portion 12 of a second section of gutter cover 10.
FIG. 3A-3B are pictorial representations of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover in accordance with illustrative aspects of the present disclosure. The gutter cover 10 may include a solid laterally extending upper portion 12 having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges, 14 and 18, respectively. The top edge 14 of the solid upper portion 12 may be configured for insertion underneath roofing during installation. The gutter cover 10 may also include a porous laterally extending intermediate portion 20 having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges 14 and 18, respectively. The gutter cover 10 may further include a solid laterally extending lower portion 16 having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges 14 and 18, respectively.
FIG. 3A shows one exemplary terminal end of a section of gutter cover 10. As detailed in FIG. 3A, a gutter cover 10 may also include at least one of the opposing terminal ends having an outer portion 22 terminating in an outer edge 24, wherein the outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 extend outwardly beyond an outer edge 24 of the terminal end of the porous intermediate portion 20 and the terminal end of the solid lower portion 16. Further, the top edge of the porous laterally extending portion 20 and the bottom edge of the solid laterally extending portion may be secured together along a lateral connection. The outer portion 22 and the outer edge 24 may extend outwardly beyond an outer edge 24 of the terminal end of the porous intermediate portion 20, and the terminal end of the solid lower portion 16 may be configured for being received under the solid upper portion 12 of another section of gutter cover 10. This may create an overlap between sections of a gutter cover 10 to prevent spaces between sections and to better seal sections of gutter cover 10 together.
FIG. 3B shows another exemplary terminal end of a section of gutter cover 10. As detailed in FIG. 3B, gutter cover 10 may have a second terminal end that does not include an outer portion 22 or an outer edge 24 as shown in the previous figures, but may have a solid upper portion 12 configured to receive an outer portion 22 and the outer edge 24 of a first terminal end of a section of gutter cover 10.
As shown in FIGS. 4-8 , a method for a gutter cover 10 may include providing two or more gutter cover 10 sections, wherein each section includes a solid laterally extending upper portion 12 and a solid laterally extending lower portion 16 joined together by a porous laterally extending intermediate portion 20, wherein at least one of opposing terminal ends of the solid upper portion 12 include an outer portion 22 terminating in an outer edge 24, wherein the outer portion 22 and the outer edge 24 extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion 20 and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion 16. The method for a gutter cover 10 may further include joining two gutter cover 10 sections on a gutter by inserting the outer portion 22 and the outer edge 24 extending outwardly beyond the outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion 20 and the outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion 16 of the first gutter cover 10 section under the solid upper portion 12 of the second gutter cover 10 section. An outer portion 22 may fit snugly beneath a solid upper portion 12 of a second gutter cover 10 section. The overlapping section of the outer portion 22 of a first section of a gutter cover 10 and the upper solid portion 12 of a second section of a gutter cover 10 may be fastened or secured together by screws, glue, adhesives, waterproof adhesives, caulk, staples, rivets, welds, or any other means of joining sections together. Further still, a method for a gutter cover 10 may include a top edge 14 of the solid upper portion 12 being disposed underneath roofing when installed on the gutter.
As further shown in FIGS. 4-8 , a method for a gutter cover 10 may include a crease 26. A crease 26 may be included on a solid upper portion 12 and extend laterally between the terminal ends of a solid upper portion 12. The top edges of the solid upper portions 12 of each gutter cover 10 section may be aligned by joining the sections together at the crease 26. Similarly, a crease 26 may align bottom edges of the solid lower portions 16 of each gutter cover 10 and join the sections together at the crease 26. A method for a gutter cover 10 may further include aligning opposing terminal edges of the porous intermediate portions 20 of each gutter cover 10 section by joining sections together at the crease 26. The crease 26 may further still align opposing terminal edges of the solid lower portions 16 of each gutter cover 10 section by joining sections together.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover 10 and a method of a gutter cover 10 in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. As shown, two gutter cover sections 10 may be joined together where a first terminal end of a first section of gutter cover 10 may be received by a second terminal end of a second section of gutter cover 10. A first terminal end of the first section of gutter cover 10 may include an outer portion 22 and an outer edge 24 which may extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion 16 and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion 16. The outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 may be received underneath the solid upper portion 12 of the second terminal end of the second section of gutter cover 10. The crease 26 may enable the two sections of gutter cover 10 to be aligned at all edges and portions. FIG. 4 depicts the process and method of two sections of gutter cover 10 being joined together, showing especially the functionality of the crease 26 and the outer portion 22 and outer edge 24.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover and a method of a gutter cover in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. As shown, two gutter cover sections 10 may be joined together where a first terminal end of a first section of gutter cover 10 may be received by a second terminal end of a second section of gutter cover 10. A first terminal end of the first section of gutter cover 10 may include an outer portion 22 and an outer edge 24 which may extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion 20 and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion 16. The outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 may be received underneath the solid upper portion 12 of the second terminal end of the second section of gutter cover 10. The crease 26 may enable the two sections of gutter cover 10 to be aligned at all edges and portions. FIG. 5 further depicts the process and method of two sections of gutter cover 10 being joined together, showing especially the functionality of the crease 26 and the outer portion 22 and outer edge 24.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover and a method of a gutter cover in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. As shown, two gutter cover sections 10 may be joined together where a first terminal end of a first section of gutter cover 10 may be received by a second terminal end of a second section of gutter cover 10. A first terminal end of the first section of gutter cover 10 may include an outer portion 22 and an outer edge 24 which may extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion 20 and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion 16. The outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 may be received underneath the solid upper portion 12 of the second terminal end of the second section of gutter cover 10. The crease 26 may enable the two sections of gutter cover 10 to be aligned at all edges and portions. FIG. 6 still further depicts the process and method of two sections of gutter cover 10 being joined together, showing especially the functionality of the crease 26 and the outer portion 22 and outer edge 24.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover and a method of a gutter cover in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. As shown, two gutter cover sections 10 may be joined together where a first terminal end of a first section of gutter cover 10 may be received by a second terminal end of a second section of gutter cover 10. A first terminal end of the first section of gutter cover 10 may include an outer portion 22 and an outer edge 24 which may extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion 20 and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion 16. The outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 may be received underneath the solid upper portion 12 of the second terminal end of the second section of gutter cover 10. The crease 26 may enable the two sections of gutter cover 10 to be aligned at all edges and portions. FIG. 7 further depicts the process and method of two sections of gutter cover 10 being joined together where the gutter cover 10 sections are near being joined together, still further showing the functionality of the crease 26 and the outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 during the method and installation of a gutter cover 10.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of opposing terminal ends of a gutter cover and a method of a gutter cover in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure. As shown, two gutter cover sections 10 may be joined together where a first terminal end of a first section of gutter cover 10 may be received by a second terminal end of a second section of gutter cover 10. A first terminal end of the first section of gutter cover 10 may include an outer portion 22 and an outer edge 24 which may extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion 20 and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion 16. The outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 may be received underneath the solid upper portion 12 of the second terminal end of the second section of gutter cover 10. The crease 26 may enable the two sections of gutter cover 10 to be aligned at all edges and portions. FIG. 8 depicts the process and method of two sections of gutter cover 10 being joined together where the gutter cover 10 sections are joined together. Further shown is how the two gutter cover 10 sections may be joined together at a crease 26, further illustrating the alignment of the gutter cover 10 sections and their respective edges, terminal ends, and portions at the crease 26.
In at least another aspect, a gutter cover system 28 for a gutter may include sections of gutter cover 10, each section containing a solid laterally extending upper portion 12 and a solid laterally extending lower portion 16 joined together by a porous laterally extending intermediate portion 20, wherein at least one of opposing terminal ends of the solid upper portion 12 include an outer portion 22 terminating in an outer edge 24, wherein the outer portion 22 and the outer edge 24 extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion 20 and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion 16, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3A-3B. The gutter cover system 28 for a gutter may also include an installed pair of gutter cover 10 sections having an overlapped portion with the outer portion 22 and the outer edge 24 extending outwardly beyond the outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion 20 and the outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion 16 of the first gutter cover section disposed underneath the solid upper portion 12 of the second gutter cover section, as shown in FIGS. 4-8 . A gutter cover system 28 for a gutter may further include having a portion of the overlapped portion disposed underneath roofing and atop the gutter, as shown in FIG. 9 .
A gutter cover system 28 may further include a crease 26 in a solid upper portion 12 that laterally extends between terminal ends of the solid upper portion 12. The crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 may align top edges 14 of the solid upper portions 12 of assembled sections of gutter cover 10. Similarly, the crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 may further align bottom edges 18 of the solid lower portions 16 of assembled sections of gutter cover 10. Further still, the crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 may align opposing terminal edges of the porous intermediate portions 20 of assembled sections of gutter cover 10. The crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 of a gutter cover system 28 may additionally align opposing terminal edges of the solid lower portions 16 of assembled sections of gutter cover 10. The crease 26 may therefore ensure all edges, portions, and sections of gutter cover 10 are aligned and secured together.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a gutter cover system 28 in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, and further shows a gutter cover 10 may include a top edge 14 of the solid upper portion 12 being disposed underneath roofing when installed on the gutter. Illustrated in FIG. 9 are joined sections of gutter cover 10 within a gutter cover system 28 disposed atop a gutter attached to a roof. The gutter cover 10 and gutter cover system 28 may be aligned at all edges, portions, and sections at a crease 26 to seamlessly seal a gutter cover system and prevent unwanted debris, wildlife, or other matter from entering the gutter. An outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 of a first section of gutter cover 10 may be received by a solid upper portion 12 of a second section of gutter cover 10, thereby providing an overlap in gutter cover 10 sections which may be subtle in the aesthetic of the gutter cover system 28.
FIG. 10 is another perspective view of a gutter cover system 28 in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, and further shows a gutter cover system 28 for a gutter may include having a portion of the overlapped portion disposed underneath roofing and atop the gutter. Illustrated in FIG. 10 are joined sections of gutter cover 10 within a gutter cover system 28 disposed atop a gutter attached to a roof. A gutter cover 10 may include a top edge 14 of the solid upper portion 12 being disposed underneath roofing when installed on the gutter. The gutter cover 10 and gutter cover system 28 may be aligned at all edges, portions, and sections at a crease 26 to seamlessly seal a gutter cover system 28 and prevent unwanted debris, wildlife, or other matter from entering the gutter. An outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 of a first section of gutter cover 10 may be received by a solid upper portion 12 of a second section of gutter cover 10, thereby providing an overlap in gutter cover 10 sections which may be subtle in the aesthetic of the gutter cover system 28.
FIG. 11 is yet another perspective view of a gutter cover 10 in accordance with an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, and further shows a gutter cover 10 and gutter cover system 28 for a gutter may include having a portion of the overlapped portion disposed underneath roofing and atop the gutter. A gutter cover 10 may include a top edge 14 of the solid upper portion 12 being disposed underneath roofing when installed on the gutter. The gutter cover system 28 may be aligned at all edges, portions, and sections at a crease 26 to seamlessly seal a gutter cover system 28 and prevent unwanted debris, wildlife, or other matter from entering the gutter. An outer portion 22 and outer edge 24 of a first section of gutter cover 10 may be received by a solid upper portion 12 of a second section of gutter cover 10 as shown in previous figures, thereby providing an overlap in gutter cover 10 sections which may be subtle in the aesthetic of the gutter cover system 28. FIG. 11 further illustrates a close-up view of an installed section of gutter cover 10, featuring the crease 26 and depicting the multifunctionality of the crease 26. Namely, that crease 26 may not only function to align all sections, portions, and edges of gutter cover 10, but crease 26 may also mitigate an overflow of rainwater or other precipitation by collecting extra precipitation. Crease 26 may also assist in the flow of leaves, debris, or other materials away from a roof in such a way to ensure leaves, debris, or other materials do not collect or build up on gutter cover 10 or a gutter cover system 28. Leaves, debris, and other materials eliminated from a gutter cover 10 and gutter cover system may include leaves, seeds, pine cones, pine needles, litter, nuts, dirt, dust, or any other materials that may end up on a roof or gutter.
FIG. 12 is still another perspective view of a gutter cover 10 with an exemplary aspect of the disclosure displaying a terminal end of a gutter cover 10 in accordance with an illustrative aspect of the present disclosure. As exemplified, gutter cover 10 may include an outer portion 22 and an outer edge 24 to be received under another section of gutter cover 10. Further, a crease 26 in the solid upper portion 12 may be configured to align edges of opposing terminal ends of a porous intermediate portion 20 with edges of opposing terminal ends of a porous intermediate portion 20 of opposing gutter cover 10 sections. Additionally, a crease 26 in a solid upper portion 12 of gutter cover 10 may further align edges of opposing terminal ends of the solid lower portion 16 with edges of opposing terminal ends of solid lower portions 16 of opposing gutter cover 10 sections.
A gutter cover 10 may further include an angled edge 30, as shown in FIG. 12 , configured to also align edges of opposing terminal ends of a porous intermediate portion 20, align opposing terminal ends of solid lower portions 16, and/or align opposing terminal ends of solid upper portions 12 of opposing gutter cover 10 sections. Further still, an angled edge 30, which may be positioned on an outer portion 22, may further align bottom edges 18 of the solid lower portions 16 of assembled sections of gutter cover 10, align edges of the porous intermediate portions 20 of assembled sections of gutter cover 10, as well as align opposing terminal edges of the solid lower portions 16 and/or solid upper portions 12 of assembled sections of gutter cover 10. An angled edge 30 may therefore ensure all edges, portions, and sections of gutter cover 10 are aligned and secured together.
According to FIG. 12 , angled edge 30 may be a 45 degree angle, however, it is contemplated that angled edge 30 may be a variety of angles. While angled edge 30 may be a straight edge, it is contemplated that angled edge 30 may instead be a curved edge, a cornered edge, or any other edge shape or type that would enable alignment of sections of gutter cover 10. It is further contemplated that angled edge 30 may further include elements to increase alignment and attachment of sections including but not limited to a lip, crimped sides, split sides, embossing, indentations, or any other feature to further enable alignment and joining of sections of gutter cover 10.
The disclosure is not to be limited to the particular aspects described herein. In particular, the disclosure contemplates numerous variations in a gutter cover apparatus and method. The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list or limit any of the disclosure to the precise forms disclosed. It is contemplated that other alternatives or exemplary aspects are considered included in the disclosure. The description is merely examples of embodiments, processes or methods of the disclosure. It is understood that any other modifications, substitutions, and/or additions can be made, which are within the intended spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A gutter cover, comprising:

a solid laterally extending upper portion having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges, wherein the top edge of the solid upper portion is configured for insertion underneath roofing during installation;

a porous laterally extending intermediate portion having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges;

a solid laterally extending lower portion having opposing terminal ends spaced apart by opposing top and bottom edges;

at least one of the opposing terminal ends comprising an outer portion terminating in an outer edge, wherein the outer portion and outer edge extend outwardly beyond an outer edge of the terminal end of the porous intermediate portion and the terminal end of the solid lower portion.

2. The gutter cover of claim 1, wherein the top edge of the porous laterally extending portion and the bottom edge of the solid laterally extending portion secured together along a lateral connection.

3. The gutter cover of claim 1, wherein the outer portion and the outer edge extending outwardly beyond an outer edge of the terminal end of the porous intermediate portion and the terminal end of the solid lower portion are configured for being received under the solid upper portion of another section of gutter cover.

4. The gutter cover of claim 1, further comprising:

a crease in the solid upper portion and laterally extending between the terminal ends of the solid upper portion.

5. The gutter cover of claim 4, wherein the crease in the solid upper portion aligns the top edge of the solid upper portion with a top edge of another gutter cover.

6. The gutter cover of claim 4, wherein the crease in the solid upper portion aligns the bottom edge of the solid lower portion with a bottom edge of another gutter cover.

7. The gutter cover of claim 4, wherein the crease in the solid upper portion aligns edges of opposing terminal ends of the porous intermediate portion with edges of opposing terminal ends of porous intermediate portions of opposing gutter cover sections.

8. The gutter cover of claim 4, wherein the crease in the solid upper portion aligns edges of opposing terminal ends of the solid lower portion with edges of opposing terminal ends of solid lower portions of opposing gutter cover sections.

9. A method for a gutter cover, comprising:

providing two or more gutter cover sections, wherein each section comprises a solid laterally extending upper portion and a solid laterally extending lower portion joined together by a porous laterally extending intermediate portion, wherein at least one of opposing terminal ends of the solid upper portion comprise an outer portion terminating in an outer edge, wherein the outer portion and the outer edge extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion;

joining two gutter cover sections on a gutter by inserting the outer portion and the outer edge extending outwardly beyond the outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion and the outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion of the first gutter cover section under the solid upper portion of the second gutter cover section.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein a top edge of the solid upper portion is disposed underneath roofing when installed on the gutter.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the solid upper portion includes a crease extending laterally between the terminal ends of the solid upper portion.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

aligning top edges of the solid upper portions of each gutter cover section by joining sections together at the crease.

13. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

aligning bottom edges of the solid lower portions of each gutter cover section by joining sections together at the crease.

14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

aligning opposing terminal edges of the porous intermediate portions of each gutter cover section by joining sections together at the crease.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

aligning opposing terminal edges of the solid lower portions of each gutter cover section by joining sections together at the crease.

16. A gutter cover system for a gutter, comprising:

sections of gutter cover, each section comprising a solid laterally extending upper portion and a solid laterally extending lower portion joined together by a porous laterally extending intermediate portion, wherein at least one of opposing terminal ends of the solid upper portion comprise an outer portion terminating in an outer edge, wherein the outer portion and the outer edge extend outwardly beyond an outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion and an outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion;

an installed pair of gutter cover sections having an overlapped portion comprising the outer portion and the outer edge extending outwardly beyond the outer terminal edge of the porous intermediate portion and the outer terminal edge of the solid lower portion of the first gutter cover section disposed underneath the solid upper portion of the second gutter cover section;

wherein a portion of the overlapped portion is disposed underneath roofing and atop the gutter.

17. The gutter cover system of claim 16, further comprising:

a crease in the solid upper portion and laterally extending between terminal ends of the solid upper portion.

18. The gutter cover system of claim 16, wherein the crease in the solid upper portion aligns top edges of the solid upper portions of assembled sections of gutter cover.

19. The gutter cover system of claim 16, wherein the crease in the solid upper portion aligns bottom edges of the solid lower portions of assembled sections of gutter cover.

20. The gutter cover system of claim 16, wherein the crease in the solid upper portion aligns opposing terminal edges of the porous intermediate portions of assembled sections of gutter cover.