GUTTER COVER AND BRACKET SYSTEM AND METHOD OF INSTALLATION

Abstract

A gutter cover system including a mounting bracket, gutter clip, and a cover piece. The mounting bracket attaches into the internal space within the gutter and is attached to a structural portion of the building to which the gutter is attached. The clip helps secure the bracket within the lip of the gutter. The bracket includes a structural tower for supporting the upper portion of the cover and a receiver platform for receiving a lower portion of the cover. The cover is non-uniform and includes several structural ridges to provide structural integrity.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a gutter cover system and method for use thereof, and more specifically to a gutter cover system with support and installation bracket.

2. Description of the Related Art

Gutter cover systems which shield gutters from above have become quite popular. They prevent debris from accumulating in the gutters and prevent squirrels, birds and other wildlife access to the gutter. This alleviates the need for the occasional physical act of cleaning the gutters.

While previous systems have employed a combination bracket and cover system for providing these advantages, most of those require roof attachments due to lack of support of the cover element.

Heretofore there has not been available a system or method for a gutter cover and bracket system with the advantages and features of the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally provides a gutter cover system including a mounting bracket, gutter clip, and a cover piece. The mounting bracket attaches into the internal space within the gutter and is attached to a structural portion of the building to which the gutter is attached. The clip helps secure the bracket within the lip of the gutter. The bracket includes a structural tower for supporting the upper portion of the cover and a receiver platform for receiving a lower portion of the cover. The cover is non-uniform and includes several structural ridges to provide structural integrity.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention illustrating various objects and features thereof.

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a fully assembled position within a typical environment of a gutter.

FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a top cover element thereof.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the top cover element thereof.

FIG. 4 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a bracket element thereof.

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the bracket element thereof.

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the bracket element thereof.

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the bracket element thereof.

FIG. 8 is a three-dimensional isometric view of a clip element thereof.

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the clip element thereof.

FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the clip element thereof.

FIG. 11 is a rear elevational view of the clip element thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Introduction and Environment

As required, detailed aspects of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed aspects are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.

Certain terminology will be used in the following description for convenience in reference only and will not be limiting. For example, up, down, front, back, right and left refer to the invention as orientated in the view being referred to. The words, “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the aspect being described and designated parts thereof. Forwardly and rearwardly are generally in reference to the direction of travel, if appropriate. Said terminology will include the words specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of similar meaning.

II. Preferred Embodiment Gutter Cover System 2

As shown in the FIG. 1, the gutter cover system 2 includes three elements: a cover element 4; a mounting bracket element 6; and a gutter clip 8. The gutter cover system 2 is designed to be installed into a gutter 10 between its rear wall 14 and front lip 12.

The cover 4, as shown in isolation in FIGS. 2 and 3, includes a front end 16 which angles into a gently curved nose 18 and back into a top surface 20 which is designed to protect the gutter 10 from being filled with leaves and other debris. Several structural indentions 22, 24, 26 break up the top surface and provide structural integrity which prevents the cover 4 from bending under debris or from bending and blowing in the wind. The cover is designed to not be physically affixed to the roof or gutter, but instead is designed to cover a portion of the roof, either over or underneath of the shingles. The terminal end 27, as shown in FIG. 1, of the cover 4 can be slipped beneath roof shingles or otherwise secured to the top face of the shingles.

The mounting bracket 6, as shown in more detail in FIGS. 4-7, is placed between the rear wall 14 and front lip 12 of the gutter. The front end of the bracket 6 connects with a clip 8 which fits within the lip 12 of the gutter 10. A nodule 38 helps to lock the clip 8 to the bracket 6. The bracket 6 has a mounting hole 40 which corresponds with a mounting hole 50 of the clip 8 for securing the two elements together.

The mounting bracket 6 includes a foot 30 which is placed against the rear wall 14 of the gutter 10 and includes a mounting hole 42 for receiving a screw or nail or other anchoring device for securing the bracket 6 through the gutter 10 and into the structure of the building the gutter is attached to.

The mounting bracket 6 includes a structural tower 32 extending up from the base platform 28. The structural tower 32 includes a top end point 34 which supports the cover 6 and raises it above the gutter's interior. A front ledge 36 receives the front end 16 of the cover 4.

The clip element 8 as shown in more detail in FIGS. 8-11 merely includes a lower surface 44, and an upper surface 48 which are joined by a vertically-oriented rear wall 46. This clip interfaces with the front lip 12 of a typical gutter 10 and is secured to the bracket 6 using a screw or nut and bolt or some other standard anchoring device.

It is to be understood that while certain embodiments and/or aspects of the invention have been shown and described, the invention is not limited thereto and encompasses various other embodiments and aspects.

Claims

1. A gutter cover system comprising: a cover element comprising a top surface, a curved front nose, and a front end;a mounting bracket configured for installation within a gutter, said mounting bracket comprising a rear foot, a structural tower, and a front end;a clip configured for placement within a front lip of said gutter, said clip further configured to be connected to said front end of said mounting bracket; andsaid cover element configure to be placed atop said mounting bracket such that a bottom face of said top surface contacts said structural tower and said front end of said cover element contacts a ledge on said structural tower.

2. The gutter cover system of claim 1, further comprising: said cover element comprising a plurality of structural ridges.

3. The gutter cover system of claim 1, further comprising: said mounting bracket rear foot comprising a mounting hole for receiving an anchor configured to secure said mounting bracket to a structural element behind a rear wall of said gutter.

4. The gutter cover system of claim 1, further comprising: said mounting bracket front end comprising a first mounting hole;said clip comprising a second mounting hole; andan anchor configured to be placed within said first mounting hole and second mounting hole to secure said clip to said mounting bracket.

5. The gutter cover system of claim 1, wherein a terminal end of said cover element is configured to be affixed beneath roof shingles located in proximity with said gutter.

6. A method of installing a gutter cover system, the method comprising the steps: placing a clip within a lip of a gutter;securing a mounting bracket within said gutter by affixing a foot of said mounting bracket to a rear wall of said gutter and by affixing a front end of said mounting bracket to said clip; andplacing a cover element onto said mounting bracket such that a front end of said mounting bracket rests on a ledge of a structural tower of said mounting bracket,a curved nose extends outwardly over said gutter, and a top surface rests upon a top edge of said structural tower.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the step: placing a terminal end of said cover beneath a shingle located in proximity of said gutter.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said cover comprises a plurality of structural ridges.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said mounting bracket rear foot comprising a mounting hole for receiving an anchor configured to secure said mounting bracket to a structural element behind a rear wall of said gutter.