US 6,745,516 B2 · Cover apparatus for rain gutters

Abstract

The present invention taught, enabled, described, illustrated and claimed herein comprises a continuous cover-type debris/fluid separation apparatus which is easily installed in existing, conventional trough-type gutter structures. The apparatus is configured to capture a small amount of water between two ridge features in a what is termed herein a “static pool.” The first ridge is preferably formed adjacent the outer part of the gutter structure and the second ridge is formed adjacent the inner part of the gutter structure (i.e., adjacent a terminal edge of the roof of a building). The first ridge has an apex portion that is preferably is disposed at a higher elevation than an apex portion of the second ridge. The portion of the cover structure disposed between the first ridge and the second ridge thus defines the static pool region. As rainwater flowing from the terminal edge of the roof begins to fill the static pool region the rainwater naturally seeks level. As the static pool rises it first begins to flow over the second ridge toward the building. As a result, the majority of the rainwater flows “backward” toward the building, over the second ridge and through a gap formed between the cover structure and the gutter, and into the trough portion of the gutter. Meanwhile the leaves and other debris are carried “forward” by the fluid flowing away from the building. Thus, the debris and leaves are urged over the apex feature of the first ridge and past a small gap between the cover structure and the gutter, and ultimately over the lip of the gutter, so that the debris does not enter the trough portion of the gutter. The fluid that accompanies the debris and leaves passes through the small gap and is captured by the gutter.

Claims27

Dependent claims

An apparatus for separating debris from rainwater or other fluid flowing into a gutter that forms a trough adjacent a roof and wherein the gutter has an outer lip portion and an inner lip portion and a series of gutter supports disposed from the outer lip portion to the inner lip portion, said apparatus comprising:

an elongate cover structure disposed on at least two of said gutter supports and having a first longitudinal ridge feature formed adjacent the outer lip portion of a gutter and a second longitudinal ridge feature spaced from the first longitudinal ridge feature and formed adjacent the inner lip portion of the gutter so that a first gap is defined between the first longitudinal ridge feature and the outer lip portion and a second gap is defined between the second longitudinal ridge feature and the inner lip portion;
wherein the first longitudinal ridge feature has an apex portion disposed approximately at the elevation of the outer lip portion and the second longitudinal ridge feature has an apex portion that is lower than the elevation of the apex portion of the first ridge feature and wherein a relatively lower elevation portion of the elongate cover structure is disposed between the first and second longitudinal ridge features;
and
at least one upwardly extending end cap structure sealingly coupled to a first end of the elongate cover structure and having a top portion disposed at an elevation at least as great as the elevation of the first longitudinal ridge feature.

1 more element

A device for guiding flow of a fluid into a gutter while tending to separate debris from the fluid, wherein the gutter includes an inner lip positionable substantially adjacent and beneath a roof, an outer lip spaced apart transversely from the inner lip and disposed outwardly of the roof, and a trough between the inner and outer lips adapted to collect run-off of a debris-carrying fluid from the roof, said device including:

a substantially fluid impermeable elongate cover including a first longitudinal ridge near a first side of the cover having a first apex, a second longitudinal ridge near a second and opposite side of the cover having a second apex, and an intermediate region between the first ridge and the second ridge;
wherein the elongate cover is selectively positionable above a trough of a gutter to define a first gap between the first side of the cover and an outer lip of the gutter, and a second gap between the second side of the cover and an inner lip of the gutter, with the first apex and the second apex at respective first and second elevations above the intermediate region, whereby the cover is adapted to receive a debris-carrying fluid from the roof and collect the fluid along the intermediate region, thereby increasing a fluid level along the intermediate region until said level is substantially equal to at least one of the first and second elevations, with continued receipt of the fluid causing a first portion of the fluid to flow at least over the ridge and apex associated with said at least one elevation, through the associated gap and into the trough.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Cover apparatus for rain gutters

Life of this patent

Cover apparatus for rain gutters

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims27