Gutter shield

#The present invention relates in general to a gutter shield that is used on a standard gutter for preventing leaves and other debris from entering the gutter. More particularly, the invention pertains to an improved gutter guard or gutter shield that can be easily installed and the gutter easily cleaned.

#There are numerous existing patents that show various types of gutter protectors such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,072,415; 4,032,456 and 4,351,134. One of the drawbacks with existing gutter shield constructions is that they still allow too much debris to enter the gutter. Moreover, with existing gutter protectors there is no effective and easy way of cleaning the gutter without removing the gutter protector. Another drawback to existing gutter shields is that they need to be attached to the roofing and thus possibly create an additional problem of leaks at the attachment points.

#Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved gutter shield that blocks most debris preventing it from entering the gutter and yet also provides a convenient means for cleaning out the gutter.

#It should be understood that the drawings are provided for the purpose of illustration only and are not intended to define the limits of the disclosure. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the embodiments described herein will become apparent with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention incorporating a lid or cover for clean-out purposes;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gutter shield of FIG. 1 showing the lid or cover in an open position;

#A first embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 1-11. An alternate embodiment is shown in FIGS. 12 and 13.

#In the first embodiment of the present invention there is shown a gutter shield 10 that is illustrated as disposed over the gutter 12. FIGS. 1 and 2 also illustrate a down spout 14 extending from the gutter 12. In the perspective view of FIG. 1, associated with the gutter shield 10, is a lid or cover 20 that is hinged to the gutter shield by means of a conventional hinge 22 (see FIG. 5). The gutter shield and cover may both be constructed of a light weight metal such as aluminum, or could be constructed of a plastic material.

#The gutter shield 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 as provided in separate lengths of, for example, four feet and each may or may not be provided with a clean out cover or lid 20. The embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be considered as illustrating a four foot section with the clean out cover 20. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 includes a four foot section without any clean out cover. For a long length of gutter, one may use the sections with the clean out cover at either end of the gutter shield arrangement and provide intermediate gutter sections that do not use the cover therein. A normal length gutter can be cleaned with a hose from either or both ends.