WO1997019235A1

WO1997019235A1 - Method and apparatus for fastening gutters to structures

Info

Publication number: WO1997019235A1
Application number: PCT/US1996/019088
Authority: WO
Inventors: Wayne A. Willert
Original assignee: Willert Wayne A
Priority date: 1995-11-21
Filing date: 1996-11-20
Publication date: 1997-05-29
Also published as: AU1142697A

Abstract

A gutter fastener (10) having a first shank portion (14) with a head (12) integrally formed on one end and a second shank portion (16) integrally formed with the opposite end. The first shank portion (14) has a length substantially equal to the water collecting opening in a gutter (20), while the second shank portion (16) has a length substantially equal to one half the length of the first shank portion. The second shank portion (16) includes screw-like threads for engaging the facial panel (24) behind a gutter (20) and enabling a more secure connection between the two.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FASTENING GUTTERS TO STRUCTURES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to roof gutters. More particularly, it relates to a roof gutter fastener and method for the application thereof, that utilizes a threaded shank portion for securing the gutter to the facia panel.

The Prior Art

U.S. Patent No. 3,909,905 to Giordano , discloses gutter installation tools. The invention consists of a spacer tool having a U-shaped channel and being positioned between the front and rear panels of the gutter. When the tool is in place, a conventional spike can be driven through the front gutter panel into the U-shaped channel and the rear gutter panel to fasten the gutter to the structure. Once the spike has been driven in, the tool can be removed and used again. In addition, the invention discloses a novel spike design that adds a notch on the shaft near the head for engaging the front portion of the gutter. The notch enables a more secure coupling between the spike and the gutter.

These prior art gutter fasteners are nails that ultimately end up having to be re-secured over time. As such, the gutter partially detaches from the facia panel and thereby prevents the efficient operation of the gutters.

In addition, by providing a more secure connection between the gutter and the facia panel, the safety of the working conditions for workers in the roofing, siding and gutter fields is significantly increased. On many occasions, these workers find themselves leaning on the gutters, which causes stress on the gutter fasteners and usually requires the gutter to be re-secured. A more secure connection will alleviate this stress. Furthermore, it often happens that one of these workers loses their balance while working and grabs onto the gutter for support. With the old gutter fasteners, the weight of an adult would literally rip the gutter from the facia panel causing the worker to fall to the ground. Depending on the height of the gutter, this can be a potentially fatal circumstance. A more secure connection between the gutter and facia panel has proven to eliminate this danger by preventing the gutter from detaching when subject to the weight of an adult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gutter fastener that overcomes the shortfalls of the prior art by enabling a more secure connection between the gutter and the facia panel. This more secure connection eliminates the need for subsequent re-securing of the gutter with the facia panel.

According to the invention, a gutter fastener is provided having a head portion for receiving a tool, a first shank portion integrally formed with head portion, and second shank portion integrally formed with the first shank portion.

The first and second shank portions each a have a specific length, and share a common longitudinal axis. The length of the first shank portion is such that the gutter fastener can pass through the front of a gutter and extend across the water collecting opening in the gutter. The second shank portion has a length substantially equal to one-half the length of the first shank portion. The second shank portion is threaded in a screw-like manner, and has a pointed end for facilitating the engagement of the gutter fastener with the gutter and facia panel.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a gutter fastener that utilizes a threaded end to secure the gutter to the facia panel. It is another object of the invention to provide a gutter fastener that does not require additional time to install.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a gutter fastener that eliminates the need for re-securing the gutter to the facia panel after a period of time.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a gutter fastener that operates more efficiently and reliably that the prior art gutter fasteners.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose several embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the gutter fastener according to the invention;

FIG. 2 iε a partial cross-sectional view of a gutter secured to a facia panel with the gutter fastener according to the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a first embodiment of the tool receiving end of the gutter fastener according to the invention;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a second embodiment of the tool receiving end of the gutter fastener according to the invention; and

FIG. 5 is a top view of a third embodiment of the tool receiving end of the gutter fastener according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning now in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show the gutter fastener 10 according to the invention. Fastener 10 has a first shank portion 14 and a second shank portion 16 integrally formed with one end of the first shank portion. A head portion 12 is integrally formed with the opposite end of first shank portion 14. First shank portion 14 and second shank portion 16 share a common central or longitudinal axis 30.

First shank portion 14 has a length L, and second shank portion 16 has a length _j. Length L, is substantially equal to twice the length Lj. In other words, length L, is substantially equal to one-half the length L, . Although other lengths could be employed for L, and L₂, these are the preferable lengths that enable gutter fastener 10 to operate more efficiently that other gutter fasteners.

The length L, of first shank portion 14 is such that said shank portion can completely pass through ferrule 22 and across water collecting opening 28 in gutter 20 (FIG. 2) . Once installed as shown in FIG. 2, the threaded second shank portion 16 is completely secured within facia panel 24 and thereby secures gutter 20 to said facia panel. The overall length of fastener 10 is proportional to the diameter D such that an approximate ratio of 24:1 length to diameter is formed. For example, with diameter D equal to 1/4", the overall length of Ll and L2 combined would be approximately 6". The overall length of fastener 10 can be in the range of 6"- 8" without the head. The preferred length of second shank portion 16 is 1.25".

The length of fastener 10 plays an integral part in the design of said fastener. As the length is increased, the torque applied to the head when being forced into facia panel 24 causes an additional torsional stress to occur at the weakest point along fastener 10. The weakest points of fastener 10 are the point at which head 12a connects with first shank portion 14, and the transition point between first shank portion 14 and second shank portion 16 (i.e. where the threaded portion meets the non-threaded portion) . Thus, head 12a can have a thickness in the range of 1/8" - 1/2".

Second shank portion 16 has an end 18 that is pointed to facilitate the initial engagement of fastener 10 with gutter 20 and facia panel 24. In addition, pointed end 18 enables the user to hammer fastener 10 through gutter 20 and into facia panel 24 to further facilitate the initial engagement.

Fastener 10 has a diameter D that can be, for example, 1/4". Diameter D is chosen such that it is slightly larger that the diameter of a standard gutter nail. Thus, the current gutter nails can be replaced with gutter fastener 10 using the same hole left by the gutter nail.

In another embodiment of the invention, diameter D of fastener 10 can be different for first shank portion 14 and second shank portion 16. For example, the diameter of second shank portion 16 could be slightly larger that of first shank portion 14.

The screw-like threads of second shank portion 16 have sharp edges 15, and a pitch P suitable for engaging wood. The sharp edges provide a deeper thread than that of machine threads. The thread depth for wood is enlarged to compensate for the low strength of wood in comparison to the strength of steel. Pitch P can be in a range of 1/16" - 3/16" (i.e. approximately 5 to 16 threads per inch) . Thus, pitch P and diameter D have a ratio such that when one increases the other increases, and vice versa. The pitch P is chosen such that it is small enough to reduce the torque needed to drive the fastener 10, without effecting the ability to apply said fastener to wood, or causing the fastener to torsionally break at its weakest point.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, an oil or a teflon coating (e.g. paraffin) can be applied to the screw-like threads of second shank portion 16 to aid in reducing friction between fastener 10 and facia panel 24, thereby reducing the torque required to drive the fastener. The screw-like threading on second shank portion 16 provides an extra secure coupling of gutter 20 with facia panel 24.

FIGS. 3, 4. and 5 show the first, second and third embodiments of head portion 12, respectively. When securing fastener 10 as shown in FIG. 2, head portions 12a, 12b, and 12c are engaged by a manual or automatic tool operated by the user which applies the requisite rotational motion and pressure to secure gutter 20 to facia panel 24. Fastener 10 can be made from aluminum, galvanized steel, stainless steel, or any other suitable known material.

In an actual installation, pointed end 18 is placed against the gutter and lightly hammered through the front of the gutter and through the back of the gutter, until end 18 engages facia panel 24. A ferrule 22 is fit around fastener 10 before the hammer blow that penetrates the back wall of the gutter. Upon initial contact with facia panel 24, repeated light hammer blows to head portion 12a will cause pointed end 18 to further penetrate facia panel 24, and the threads on second shank portion 16 will cause fastener 10 to begin to rotate in the thread direction. At this time, the user may apply a manual or electric power tool to head 12a and further secure fastener 10 into the facia panel.

While several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS;

1. A gutter fastener for securing a roof gutter to a facia panel, the gutter having an opening for collecting water from the roof, the gutter fastener comprising:

a first shank portion having a first end and an opposite second end and a longitudinal axis;

a head portion integrally formed with said first end of said first shank portion, said head portion for receiving a tool;

a second shank portion having a first end integrally formed with said second end of said first shank portion along said longitudinal axis, a second opposite end and an outer surface, said first and second shank portions having a diameter;

said second shank portion having screw-like threading disposed on said outer surface, said threading having a pitch;

wherein said first shank portion has a length substantially equal to the water collecting opening, and said second shank portion has a length substantially equal to one half the length of said first shank portion; and

wherein a ratio between the thread pitch and shank portion diameter increases the pitch when the diameter is increased and decreases the pitch when the diameter is decreased.

3. The gutter fastener according to claim 2, wherein said end of said second shank portion is pointed to facilitate the insertion if the gutter fastener through the gutter and into the facia panel.

4. The gutter fastener according to claim 3, further comprising coating means applied to said screw-like threading on said second shank portion for aiding in the application of said fastener to the facia panel.

5. The gutter fastener according to claim 4, wherein said coating means comprises a teflon coating.

6. The gutter fastener according to claim 4, wherein said coating means comprises paraffin. 7. The gutter fastener according to claim 3, wherein said head portion iε hexagonal shaped.

8. the gutter fastener according to claim 3, wherein said head portion is square shaped.

9. The gutter fastener according to claim 3, wherein said head portion is octagonal shaped.

10. The fastener according to claim 1, wherein the combined length of said first and second shank portions is proportional to the diameter of said shank portions with a ratio of 24:1.

11. A method for fastening a gutter to a facia panel comprising the steps of:

positioning a fastener at a point on the gutter;

hammering the fastener through the front of the gutter;

threading the fastener through a ferrule within the water collecting opening of the gutter; hammering the fastener through the back of the gutter; and

rotating the fastener into the facia panel until the gutter is securely fastened thereto.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of rotating the fastener is performed by the user with a manual tool.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein said step of rotating the fastener is performed by the user with an automatic power tool.