Gutter cover device

#I. Field of the Invention

#This invention relates to a cover to prevent debris from entering a rain gutter while directing fluid flow from a roof into the gutter for diversion to the ground and, in particular, to a gutter cover having a unique surface formulation and texture to assure diversion and spreading of the fluid flow along the cover surface into the gutter while resisting staining and the build-up of dirt.

#II. Description of the Prior Art

#The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views and in which:

#FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior known gutter cover utilizing physical structure to slow the flow of water across the cover;

#FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the gutter cover embodying the present invention; and

#Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, there is shown a gutter cover 10 embodying the present invention attached to a roof 12 of a building 14 proximate a gutter 16 mounted along the periphery of the roof 12. The gutter 16 is adapted to collect rainwater and similar fluid runoff from the roof 12 and direct it to downspouts (not shown) for delivery to runoff areas. As is well known, the gutter 16 forms a trough 18 and is mounted to a fascia 20 of the building 14 just below the edge of the roof 12. The roof 12 will be covered with a plurality of shingles 22 to protect the building 14 against leaks.

#The gutter cover 10 of the present invention is a device designed to slow the flow of water thereby improving flow to ensure the runoff is directed into the gutter 16 while expelling debris 24 such as leaves and twigs outwardly over the front edge 26 of the gutter 16. The cover 10 includes a substantially planar upper portion 28 having an upper longitudinal edge 30 and an arcuate nose 32 forming a lower or outer longitudinal edge 34. In a preferred installation, the upper edge 28 is inserted beneath the shingle 22 such that run-off from the shingles 22 will flow onto the cover 10. Alternatively, the upper edge 28 may be installed over the shingles 22. Typically, a roofing nail or screw is used to secure the planar portion 26 to the roof 12. The cover 10 is installed such that the arcuate nose 32 is positioned over the gutter 16 preferably to an outer portion of the gutter 16 to minimize the gap between the cover 10 and the front wall 26 of the gutter 16 to prevent debris from entering the gutter 16. To prevent dislodgement or displacement of the front edge 34 of the cover 10, a plurality of spaced clips (not shown) may be employed to fasten the front edge 34 of the cover 10 to the gutter 16 while still allowing the flow of water into the gutter 16.

#Using a single planar cover on the gutter would cause the water to spill outwardly beyond the gutter 16 particularly as the pitch of the roof 12 and therefore the velocity of the water flow increases. The flow of the water is diverted and spread such that the flow will follow the arcuate nose 32 into the gutter 16. While the prior known gutter covers have employed structural modifications, the present invention contemplates modifying the surface of the cover to improve flow. Embodiments of the present invention include the application of coatings 40 and/or substrates 42 to spread the water flow across the cover thereby improving flow, aid in the release of dirt from the cover, and increase resistance to fading and staining. Moreover, such coatings 40 and substrates 42 could be applied in different combinations over the width of the cover 10 as the water flows across the cover 10.