US 6,959,512 B2Granted

Heated rain gutter guard

AssigneeQuality Edge, Inc.

InventorTony A. Cobb

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

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Abstract

A heated guard for rain gutters includes a cap which deflects debris from the interior of the gutter. A plurality of mounting brackets are positioned within the interior of the gutter in a laterally spaced apart relationship, and are connected with an associated roof fascia. Each of the mounting brackets has an upper portion supporting the cap, and a forward portion with a horizontal slot. A hat-shaped channel extends between the mounting brackets, has a U-shaped base received in the slot of the mounting brackets, and is attached to the mounting brackets and positioned under the cap. An elongate electric heater element is positioned in the base portion of the channel, and is positively retained therein and covered by the cap. The heater element is connected with a source of electrical power to heat the heater element, the channel and the cap to melt snow and ice thereon.

Claims50

Dependent claims

A heated guard for a rain gutter which extends along an associated roof fascia and has a generally trough-shaped interior, comprising:

a cap having a rearward portion thereof shaped to extend along the roof fascia, and a forward portion thereof shaped to extend over the interior of the gutter and deflect debris therefrom;
a plurality of mounting brackets configured to be positioned in the interior of the rain gutter in a laterally spaced apart relationship, and operably connected with the roof fascia;
each of said mounting brackets including an upper portion thereof supporting said cap, and a forward portion thereof with a slot extending generally horizontally between opposite sides thereof;
an elongate, hat-shaped channel extending between said laterally spaced apart mounting brackets, having a U-shaped base portion thereof received in said slot of each of said mounting brackets, and being fastened to at least one of said mounting brackets and positioned under said cap;
and
an elongate electric heater element positioned in said base portion of said channel, extending longitudinally therealong and being positively retained in said channel and covered by said forward portion of said cap;
said heater element being adapted for connection with a source of electrical power to heat said heater element, said channel and said cap to melt snow and ice thereon.

4 more elements

A rain gutter which has a generally trough-shaped interior, and is configured to extend along a roof fascia, in combination with a heated gutter guard comprising:

a cap having a rearward portion thereof shaped to extend along the roof fascia, and a forward portion thereof positioned over the interior of said gutter and deflecting debris therefrom;
a plurality of mounting brackets positioned in the interior of said rain gutter in a laterally spaced apart relationship, and operably connected with the roof fascia;
each of said mounting brackets including an upper portion thereof supporting said cap, and a forward portion thereof with a slot extending generally horizontally between opposite sides thereof;
an elongate, hat-shaped channel extending between said laterally spaced apart mounting brackets, having a U-shaped base portion thereof received in said slot of each of said mounting brackets, and being fastened to at least one of said mounting brackets and positioned under said cap;
and
an elongate electric heater element positioned in said base portion of said channel, extending longitudinally therealong and being positively retained in said channel and covered by said forward portion of said cap;
said heater element being adapted for connection with a source of electrical power to heat said heater element, said channel and said cap to melt snow and ice thereon.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 11/068,182Filed 24 Feb 2005 · continuation in part
Priority: 10 Jun 2003
Published: US 2005/0166466 A14 Aug 2005
Granted: 1 Nov 2005
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification5 codes

E04D 13/0481
Drainage on the roof surface: drainage guiding provisions, e.g. deflectors or stimulation by inclined surfaces
E04D 13/0725
Hanging means: situated above or inside the gutter
E04D 13/076
Roof drainage; Drainage fittings in flat roofs, balconies or the like: devices or arrangements for removing snow, ice or debris from gutters or…
E04D 2013/0486
Drainage guiding provisions, e.g. deflectors or stimulation by inclined surfaces: deflectors

Family

Application10/458,562Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 10 Jun 2003
US 2005/0166466 A1Pre-grant publication · published 4 Aug 2005
US 2004/0250478 A1Published application
US 6,993,870 B2Related patent
US 6,959,512 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.