WO2023209495A1 - Gutter connector - Google Patents

Abstract

A gutter connector of conventionally C-shaped cross-section, forming part of a gutter system used in roof drainage systems, having locking grapples symmetrically arranged and facing inwards; provided at each outlet with multi-lip gaskets inserted in gasket grooves; provided at the edges of the arms with external projections, characterised by having a rounded bottom (2) with an arched, bended surface and arms (3, 4) provided with locking grapples (3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2) in the form of a segmental curve arched inwards, of free ends of the arms (3, 4) with a straight end (3.1.1, 3.2.1, 4.1.1, 4.2.1), the arms (3, 4) being deflected outwards in such a way that the distance L3 between the centres of the radii R3 of the bend of the locking grapples (3.1 and 4.1, and 3.2 and 4.2) is greater than the distance L2 between the centres of the radii R2 of the bend of the arms (3, 4) extending from the bottom (2).

Description

Gutter connector

[0001] The subject of the utility model is a gutter connector as a component of a gutter system used in roof drainage systems.

[0002] In the state of the art, there are known gutter connectors with C-shaped cross-sections for square gutters. From the Polish utility model description PL126671 U, among others, is known a gutter connector of a guttering made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), having perforated mounting elements, a web, and front and fixing arms, wherein the front arm has on the inner side at least two, or a plurality thereof, substantially symmetrically arranged mounting grapples inward the connector, with every arm ending with a descending locking projection, and the fixing arm has at its edge at least two, or a plurality thereof, substantially symmetrically arranged locking grapples inward the connector, and a gasket along the edge of each connector outlet.

[0003] Known, among others, from the Polish utility model application W.128472 is a gutter connector for square gutters made of sheet steel of the socket type, such that the outlet of the socket (2) of the first connected gutter R1 is flush with the outer plane of the trough of the gutter Rl, while the second connected gutter R2 has a bare end (1) of a certain length xl, being a section of the gutter trough, without headings, embossed with an embossing (6) parallel to the plane of the trough of the gutter R2, towards the inside of the trough by one thickness of the gutters Rl and R2, and a strip on the side of the socket (2) of length x2=xl of the rear beading of the first connected gutter Rl is separated by a notch (4) transverse to the gutter into an grappling tongue (3) and is diverted, in the setting before assembly, outside the confines of the first connected gutter Rl.

[0004] Gutter connector solutions marketed by competitors are also known, such as Galeco Sp. z o.o. , disclosed at the link with the access date 12.04.2022: https://galeco.pl/produkty/system-rynnowy-galeco-pvc2/elementy/135-70x80 or Bevo Sp. z o.o. disclosed at the link with the access date of 12.04.2022: https://www.bevo.pl/wszystkie-produkty/ksztaltki-i-zlaczki/pvc-ksztaltki-i-zlaczki-do-r urrynien/rwa-ksztaltki-izlaczki/element-laczacy-12760?c=6768 and at the link of the seller ANPLAST Andrzej Grabowski with the access date of 12.04.2022 - https://www.anplast.pl/lacznik-simp-braz-081113,3,11257,730, dedicated to square gutters.

[0005] The aim of the solution is to eliminate the installation inconvenience associated with the mounting of gutter elements at the stage of mounting the gutter in the gutter connector. The solution according to the utility model solves the technical problem of the document. The solution allows for a simple installation of a gutter using the so- called click method, without exposing the mounted parts to cracks. In addition, the design of the connector, through the appropriately shaped bottom and inclination of the arms, allows for precise sealing of the system consisting of a connector and a gutter in shape cooperation with the connector. The positioning of arm curves allows the gutter connector structure to be stiffened in the event that the material is exposed to atmospheric conditions.

[0006] Gutter connector with a C-shaped cross-section, with locking grapples arranged symmetrically and facing inwards; provided, at each outlet, with multi-lip gaskets inserted into the gasket grooves; provided with external curves at the edges of the arms, having a bottom with an arched, rounded surface and arms provided with locking grapples in the form of a segmented, inwardly-arched curve of the free ends of the arms with a straight end section, the arms being inclined outwards in such a way that the distance L 3 between the centres of the radii R₃ of the bend of the locking grapples is greater than the distance L₂ between the centres of the radii R₂ of the bend of the arms extending from the bottom.

[0007] Advantageously, the outer curves on the free edges of the arms of the gutter connector are positioned sectionally between the locking grapples.

[0008] Advantageously, the width Si of the arm wall at the section comprising the outer curves is 1/3 of the width of the entire arm wall, wherein Si=S₂.

[0009] Advantageously, the arm walls are provided on a segmental surface with two pairs of longitudinal projections, which are centrally positioned on this surface corresponding to the surface of the location of the gasket grooves located on the inner surface of the walls of each arm.

[0010] Advantageously, the outer surface of the arms and the bottom of the gutter connector of width S₂, covering the area between the edges of the locking grapples and extending between the locking grapples positioned oppositely, is provided along its entire length with longitudinal projections, which are positioned on a surface corresponding to the location of the gasket grooves located on the inner surface of the walls of each arm.

[0011] Advantageously, the width of the projection S₃ is S₂-(2xS₄), wherein S₄ is S₂-S₃.

[0012] The solution according to the utility model is shown below and in the drawing, in which [Fig.l] shows the gutter connector in a side perspective view, [Fig.2] shows the profile of the connector according to the utility model in front view, [Fig.3] shows the gutter connector according to the utility model in a top perspective view; [Fig.4] shows the gutter connector in a top plane view.

[0013] The gutter connector 1 with a conventionally C-shaped cross-section, is provided with a rounded bottom 2 with an arched, rounded surface, in which the radius of rounding Ri is 752,6 mm and arms 3,4 are deflected outwards from the bottom 2 in such a way that the fixed distance between the centres of the radii R₃ of the locking grapples bend is L₃ = 121,1 mm, while the fixed distance between the centres of the radii R₂ of the bend of arms extending from the bottom is L₂ =109,2 mm, so that arms 3, 4 are inclined relative to each other, and form an acute angle a = 3°. Each of the arms 3, 4 has two symmetrically arranged locking grapples 3.1, 3.2, and 4.1, 4.2, in the form of a segmental arc with a final straight section 3.1.1, 3.1.2, 4.1.1, 4.1.2 of length calculated from the end of the bend radius R₃ of the free ends of the arms 3, 4, where L i = 8 mm. In addition, the walls of the arms 3, 4 are provided with two pairs of projections 5, with each of the arms 3, 4, located on the outer surface of the arms 3, 4 and the bottom 2 of the gutter connector 1 along its length, the location of the projections 5 corresponding to the location of the gasket grooves 6 located inside the walls of each of the arms 3, 4. The width of the projection S₃ is S₂-(2 x S₄), wherein S₄ is S₂-S₃, where S₂ is 70 mm, S₄ is 25 mm. More precisely, the surface on which the projections 5 are positioned comprises the area between the edges of the locking grapples 3.1 or 4.1 and 3.2 or 4.2, respectively, and extends in the direction of the bottom 2 and the opposite locking grapples 3.1 and 4.1 or 3.2 and 4.2 respectively. Between the locking grapples 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2 on the free edges of the arm walls 3, 4 of width Si, there are segmental curves 7, with Si= S₂, which is 1/3 of the width of the entire arm wall 3, 4. [0014] Into the gutter connector 1 are inserted gutter sections R of the guttering system disclosed in [Fig.3], which are placed on each side of the gutter connector 1 sectionally to meet the edge of the inner locking grapples 3.1 4.1 and 3.2, 4.2, after placing in the gasket grooves 6 extruded silicone rubber multi-lip gaskets. The shape with gutter sections R of the guttering system cooperates with the gutter connector 1 according to the utility model. The bottom 2 with its arched, rounded surface and the outwardly inclined arms 3, 4 of the gutter connector 1 and the gutter R allow a sealed installation of the guttering system elements. Blocking grapples 3.1, 4.1 in the form of a segmental, arched curve at the free ends of arms 3, 4, allow simple and safe (without gutter breakage) insertion/fitting of gutter R into gutter connection 1, providing a surface for a beading of the gutter R, without exposing the gutter to breakage, and simplifying the assembly procedure. The deflection of arms 3, 4 in the gutter joint 1 allows the gutter R to fit into the joint 1, thereby sealing the guttering system. Between the outward facing curves 7, there is the inner space of gutter connector 1, which remains unfilled with gutter R. This is the area of the guttering system that is most prone to weather-induced surface bending/warping, and therefore the dedicated curves 7 provide stiffening to the walls of gutter connector 1 on these surfaces.

Claims

Claims

[Claim 1] A gutter connector of conventionally C-shaped cross-section, having locking grapples arranged symmetrically and facing inwards; provided, at each mouth, with multi-lip gaskets seated in gasket grooves; provided at the edges of the arms with external curves, characterised by having a rounded bottom (2) with an arched, rounded surface and arms (3, 4) provided with locking grapples (3.1., 3.2, 4.1, 4.2) in the form of a segmented curve arched inwards, the free ends of the arms (3, 4) with a straight end (3. 1.1, 3.2.1, 4.1.1, 4.2.1), the arms (3, 4) being deflected outwards in such a way that the distance L₃ between the centres of the radii R₃ of the bend of the locking grapples (3.1 and 4.1, and 3.2 and 4.2) is greater than the distance L₂ between the centres of the radii R₂ of the bend of the arms (3, 4) extending from the bottom (2).

[Claim 2] The connector according to claim 1, characterised in that outer curves

(7) on the free edges of the arms (3, 4) of the gutter connector (1), are positioned sectionally between locking grapples (3.1 and 3.2 and 4.1 and 4.2).

[Claim 3] The connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the width Si of the arm wall (3, 4) in the section encompassing the outer curves (7) is 1/3 of the length of the arm wall (3, 4), wherein Si=S₂.

[Claim 4] The connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the walls of the arms (3, 4) are provided on the surface with two pairs of longitudinal projections (5), which are centrally located on this surface, corresponding to the surface of the location of the gasket grooves (6) located inside the walls of each of the arms (3, 4).

[Claim 5] The connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the outer surface of the arms (3, 4) and the bottom (2) of width S₂, comprising the area between the edges of the locking grapples (3.1 and 3.2, and 4.1 and 4.2) and extending between the locking grapples (3.1 and 4.1) and (3.2 and 4.2), respectively, located opposite to each other, is provided along its entire length with longitudinal projections (7), which are located on the surface corresponding to the location of the gasket grooves (6) located on the inner surface of the walls of each of the arms (3, 4).

[Claim 6] The connector according to claim 1, characterised in that the width of the projection S₃is S₂-(2 x S₄), wherein S₄ is S₂-S₃.