Patent Application
20230392379
The present invention relates generally to gutter accessories, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a gutter guard that is configured to be superposed the upper opening of a gutter wherein the present invention includes a heating element so as to inhibit ice accumulation in the gutter and further includes an upper screen member to prevent debris from entering into the gutter.
As is known in the art, gutters are utilized on commercial and residential structures to control the water flow egressing from the roof of the structure. Gutters are secured to the perimeter of the roof and are either mounted to a portion thereof or the entire perimeter. A conventional gutter installation will include downspouts that are operable to direct the flow of water to a particular location. Gutters serve a key role in inhibiting damage to the ground, concrete or other features that may be present directly underneath the roof eave of the structure. Gutters are instrumental in preventing erosion of soil and degradation of concrete by directing waterflow to an alternate location. Conventional gutters are manufactured from aluminum and are typically five to six inches in width. These gutters have an opening across the entire portion thereof so as to capture water runoff from the roof and then direct towards a downspout.
One issue with conventional gutter designs is the accumulation of debris within the gutter. As gutter designs leave the upper portion entirely open, the gutter is susceptible to having debris such as but not limited to leaves accumulate therein. Once a sufficient amount of debris accumulates in the gutter, the gutter becomes clogged and the water runoff from the roof no longer is directed towards the downspout and spills over the perimeter edge of the gutter. Another issue with conventional gutter designs is accumulation of ice in colder climates. In certain climates freezing rain and a variance in temperatures can result in ice buildup in the gutter. Subsequent the ice buildup the water runoff is unable to be directed towards the downspouts and as such will egress from the gutter over the perimeter edge thereof.
It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide a gutter guard apparatus that is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein the present invention inhibits accumulation of debris in the gutter and further prevents ice buildup within the gutter.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a gutter guard that is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein the present invention includes a body having a bottom and opposing sidewalls.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter accessory that is configured to be secured to a gutter so as to inhibit debris and ice accumulation therein wherein the bottom has extending upwards therefrom a plurality of support wall members.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a gutter guard that is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein the present invention wherein one of the sidewalls includes a fascia sealing member securing element formed proximate the top thereof.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter accessory that is configured to be secured to a gutter so as to inhibit debris and ice accumulation therein that further includes a fascia sealing member operably coupled to one sidewall of the body.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a gutter guard that is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein the present invention wherein the outer sidewall has formed adjacent thereto a heating cable channel.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a gutter accessory that is configured to be secured to a gutter so as to inhibit debris and ice accumulation therein wherein the heating element channel further includes a cover member superposed thereto.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a gutter guard that is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein the present invention wherein the plurality of support wall members form a plurality of longitudinal channels.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a gutter guard that is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein the bottom of the body includes a plurality of apertures formed therein.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a gutter accessory that is configured to be secured to a gutter so as to inhibit debris and ice accumulation therein wherein a screen member is superposed the channel wall members.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a gutter guard that is configured to be superposed the opening of a gutter wherein a heating element is disposed in the heating element channel.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a gutter guard apparatus 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
Referring in particular to the Figures submitted herewith, the gutter guard apparatus 100 includes a body 10. The body 10 is manufactured from a durable heat conducting material such as but not limited to aluminum. The body 10 is configured to be superposed the upper opening of a conventional gutter so as to inhibit debris from entering the gutter. As is further discussed herein, the gutter guard apparatus 100 is further operable to inhibit ice buildup in the gutter. The body 10 includes a bottom 12 wherein the bottom 12 has a first longitudinal sidewall 14 and a second longitudinal sidewall 16 contiguously formed therewith on opposing sides thereof. The bottom 12 includes a plurality of apertures 20 formed therein. The apertures 20 are arranged in a linear manner and extend between the first end 5 and second end 6 of the body 10. The apertures 20 permit water to egress therethrough and into the gutter for subsequent direction into a downspout. While the apertures 20 are illustrated herein as being oval in shape, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the apertures 20 could be formed in alternate shapes and sizes. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the gutter guard apparatus 100 could have various quantities and arrangements of apertures 20.
Integrally formed with the bottom 12 extending upwards therefrom and being perpendicular thereto are the support wall members 25. The support wall members extend the length of the body 10 intermediate the first end 5 and second end 6. The support wall members 25 are arranged in a parallel orientation with respect to each other. The support wall members 25 includes an upper end 26 wherein the upper end 26 is flared to have a greater width than the remaining portion of the support wall member 25. While four support wall members 25 are illustrated herein forming the longitudinal channels 28, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the body 10 could have more than or less than four support wall members 25. The shape of the upper end 26 of the support wall member 25 assists in providing support for the screen mesh member 40 that is superposed the opening 9 of the body 10. The screen mesh member 40 is manufactured from conventional metal screen and is operable to inhibit debris from entering the opening 9 of the body 10. The screen mesh member 40 is secured utilizing suitable techniques and extends between the first end 5 and second end 6 of the body and is further disposed across the first longitudinal sidewall 14 and the second longitudinal sidewall 16.
The first longitudinal sidewall 14 has contiguously formed therewith the fascia sealing member securing element 50. The fascia sealing member securing element 50 include a lower portion 51 contiguously formed with the first longitudinal sidewall 14 and is perpendicular thereto. A center portion 52 extends upwards therefrom and provides a structural connection with the upper portion 56. The center portion 52 creates a first void 54 and a second void 55 intermediate the lower portion 51 and upper portion 53 on opposing sides of the center portion 52. The first void 54 operably couples to segment 62 of the fascia sealing member 60. Fascia sealing member 60 includes a first section 61 and second section 63 that are contiguously formed and perpendicular in orientation. The second section 63 of the fascia sealing member 60 is operably coupled to a fascia of a structure having a gutter to which the gutter guard apparatus 100 is being operably coupled thereto. The first section 61 further includes leg member 66 that is superposed the upper surface of the upper portion 53 wherein the leg member 66 and the end of the first section 61 distal to the second section 63 operably couple with the fascia sealing member securing element 50. While a particular structure of the fascia sealing member securing element 50 has been illustrated and discussed herein, it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the fascia sealing member securing element 50 could be formed in alternate manners in order to achieve the objective of securing the fascia sealing member 60 to the body 10.
Contiguously formed with the second longitudinal sidewall 16 is the heating element channel 70. The heating element channel 70 is adjacent to the second longitudinal sidewall 16 and is parallel thereto. The heating element channel 70 has passage 71 that is operable to have the heating element 75 placed thereinto. The heating element channel 70 extends the length of the body 10. The heating element is a conventional electrically operated heating element that is operably coupled to a power source of the structure to which the gutter guard apparatus 100 is being mounted on a gutter thereof. The heating element 75 generates a sufficient amount of heat that is conducted through the body 10 so as to inhibit the accumulation of ice on the gutter guard apparatus 100 and the gutter to which the gutter guard apparatus 100 is operably coupled. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the heating element 75 could be provided in various amperage ratings.
The heating element channel 70 is covered by cover member 80. Cover member 80 provides coverage of the upper opening 73 of the heating element channel 70. The cover member 80 is planar in manner and is manufactured of a suitable width to completely cover the heating element channel 70. The cover member 80 is operably secured via the cover member connection element 90. The cover member connection element 90 includes a center portion 91 extending upward from section 89. Secured to the center portion 91 is the upper portion 92 wherein the upper portion 92 is perpendicular with the center portion 91 creating first void 93 and second void 94. First void 93 is configured to receive an edge of the cover member so as to secure in position. The second void 94 is provided to insert an edge of the screen mesh member 40 so as to secure in position proximate the second longitudinal wall 16.
The body 10 includes outer section 4 that is contiguously formed with the heating element channel 70 extending outward therefrom. The outer section 4 is formed to engage an outer edge of a conventional gutter and be superposed thereto providing the necessary structural support and engagement with a gutter to ensure maintenance of position of the gutter guard apparatus 100. It is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that the outer section 4 could be formed in alternate manners in order to accomplish the desired objective discussed herein. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the length of the body 10 is provided in numerous alternate lengths that are equivalent to the length of the gutter to which the gutter guard apparatus 100 is being operably coupled. This can be accomplished in either a single or multiple segments of the body 10.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
