GUTTER GUARD WITH REAR PROFILE FOR ACCOMMODATING GUTTER HANGER

Abstract

A gutter guard for installation on a gutter system supported by gutter hangers has a rear profile to engage the gutter system to support the gutter guard so that at least the rear section of the screen portion is spaced apart above a central section of the gutter hanger. The rear profile includes an up leg extending upward and a down leg extending downward in relation to the rear section of the screen portion. The rear leg has a bottom edge configured for engaging the gutter hangers such that the down leg supports the rear profile on the gutter hangers. The rear profile can further include a vertical bracing lip above the rear section of the screen portion for face-to-face contact with the fascia. The rear profile can define a substantially enclosed pocket along the fascia board for containing back flanges and hanger screw heads of the gutter hangers.

Description

BACKGROUND

Gutter guards are used to prevent leaf litter and other debris from entering a gutter. Among some installers, there has been a recent shift in preference toward gutter guards with rear profiles that attach to a fascia board with screws. It is believed that the rear screws provide more secure attachment of the gutter guard and strengthen the gutter system as a whole.

A prior art gutter guard that can be screwed into a fascia board F is generally indicated at 10 in FIG. 1. The gutter guard 10 comprises an upstanding screw flange 12 extending upward from the rear end of a screen portion 14, which extends across the top of the gutter G above the conventional gutter hanger H. A back leg 16 extends rearward from the top of the screw flange 12 at an angle to a rear most edge.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a gutter guard configured for installation on a gutter system comprising a gutter and a plurality of gutter hangers hanging the gutter from a fascia board of a roof comprises a front profile configured to couple to a front edge of a gutter. S screen portion is rearward of the front profile for covering a top portion of the gutter. The screen portion has openings configured to permit infiltration of water through the screen portion into the gutter and inhibit infiltration of debris. A rear profile is rearward the screen portion. The rear profile is configured to engage the gutter system to support the gutter guard on the gutter system so that at least the rear section of the screen portion is spaced apart above a central section of the gutter hanger. The rear profile comprises an up leg extending upward in relation to the rear section of the screen portion. The rear profile comprises a down leg extending downward in relation to the rear section of the screen portion to a bottom edge configured for engaging the gutter hangers such that the down leg supports the rear profile on the gutter hangers.

In another aspect, a gutter guard configured for installation on a gutter system comprising a gutter and a plurality of gutter hangers hanging the gutter from a fascia board of a roof comprises a front profile configured to couple to a front edge of a gutter. A screen portion is rearward of the front profile for covering a top portion of the gutter. The screen portion has openings configured to permit infiltration of water through the screen portion into the gutter and inhibit infiltration of debris. A rear profile is rearward the screen portion. The rear profile is configured to engage the gutter system to support the gutter guard on the gutter system so that at least the rear section of the screen portion is spaced apart above a central section of the gutter hanger. The rear profile comprises a vertical bracing lip spaced apart above the rear section of the screen portion. The vertical bracing lip is configured to extend generally in a vertical plane and having a back side configured to engage the fascia board in face-to-face contact.

In another aspect, a gutter guard configured for installation on a gutter system comprising a gutter and a plurality of gutter hangers hanging the gutter from a fascia board of a roof comprising a front profile configured to couple to a front edge of a gutter. A screen portion is rearward of the front profile for covering a top portion of the gutter. The screen portion has openings configured to permit infiltration of water through the screen portion into the gutter and inhibit infiltration of debris. A rear profile is rearward the screen portion. The rear profile is configured to engage the gutter system to support the gutter guard on the gutter system. The rear profile is configured to engage the gutter system at an upper contact point with the fascia board above back flanges of the hangers and a lower contact point with the hangers. The rear profile is configured to define a substantially enclosed pocket along the fascia board for containing back flanges and hanger screw heads of the gutter hangers.

Other aspects and features will be apparent hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph of a gutter guard of the prior art installed on a gutter system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of a gutter guard of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is another perspective of the gutter guard, showing the gutter guard installed on a gutter system;

FIG. 4 is a perspective of another embodiment of a gutter guard installed on a gutter system;

FIG. 5 is a perspective of another embodiment of a gutter guard installed on a gutter system;

FIG. 6 is a perspective of another embodiment of a gutter guard installed on a gutter system;

FIG. 7 is a perspective of another embodiment of a gutter guard installed on a gutter system;

FIGS. 8-12 are perspectives of another embodiment of a gutter guard, where FIG. 11 shows the gutter guard installed on a gutter system with conventional gutter hangers and FIG. 12 shows the gutter guard installed on a gutter system with screw-type gutter hangers;

FIGS. 13-16 are perspectives of another embodiment of a gutter guard, where FIG. 15 shows the gutter guard installed on a gutter system with conventional gutter hangers and FIG. 16 shows the gutter guard installed on a gutter system with screw-type gutter hangers; and

FIGS. 17-21 are perspectives of another embodiment of a gutter guard, where FIGS. 17-20 show the gutter guard installed on a gutter system with conventional gutter hangers and FIG. 21 shows the gutter guard installed on a gutter system with screw-type gutter hangers; and

FIG. 22 is an elevation of another embodiment of a gutter cover.

Corresponding parts are given corresponding reference characters throughout the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The inventor believes that the rear profile of the screw-in gutter guard 10 of the prior art has drawbacks. In order to accommodate the rear screw flange 12, the gutter screen 14 is recessed below the top of the gutter. This creates a recessed channel below the top of the gutter, which can function as debris trap because it is protected (by the gutter) from the wind. In addition, before the screws are installed, the rear edge of the back leg 16 defines the only point of rear engagement with the gutter system during installation. The rear edge tends to engage the top of the gutter hangers H, which the inventors have discovered is an unstable point of contact, making installation of the rear screws difficult.

This disclosure pertains to embodiments of gutter guards comprising new rear profiles that the inventor believes are improvements on the prior art. As explained more fully below, like the prior art gutter guard 10, the gutter guards of this disclosure comprise rear flanges that can be screwed to the fascia board. But the rear profiles of the gutter guards of this disclosure are further configured to elevate the screen portion of the gutter toward the top of the gutter and/or to provide better engagement of the rear end portion of the gutter guard with the gutter system during installation.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an exemplary embodiment of a gutter guard in accordance with the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference number 110. In general, the gutter guard 110 comprises a front profile 112, a screen portion 114, and a rear profile 116. In the illustrated embodiment, the gutter guard 110 is shown formed as a one-piece (e.g., roll-formed) unit. However, it will be understood that in other embodiments, the gutter guard can be formed as a multi-piece assembly. Although FIGS. 1 and 2 only depict very short lengths of the gutter guard 110, typically the gutter guard 110 will have a length extending from a left end to a right end on the order of 36 inches or 48 inches. The cross-sectional profile of the gutter guard 110 is substantially continuous along the length. Gutter guards 110 can be installed end-to-end along a gutter system to cover the top of a length of gutter G.

The front profile 112 is configured to couple the gutter guard 110 to the front edge of the gutter G (not shown). In the illustrated embodiment, the front profile 112 comprises one or more dimples 118 used for guiding screws that fasten the front profile 112 to the front edge of the gutter. It will be understood, however, that any front profile fixation method (e.g., snap-in, adhesive, etc.) can be used without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

The screen portion 114 is located rearward of the front profile 112 and in front of the rear profile 116. The screen portion 114 is configured for covering the top of the gutter G for blocking leaf litter and other debris from entering the gutter. As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the screen portion 114 suitably defines openings that are configured to permit infiltration of water through the screen portion into the gutter G and inhibit infiltration of debris. Various materials for defining such filter openings are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the screen portion 114 can be formed from molded plastic or suitable non-corroding metal (e.g., aluminum or stainless steel), e.g., expanded metal mesh, woven wire screen, or punched sheet metal.

The rear profile 116 is generally configured to engage the gutter system to support the gutter guard 110 on the gutter system so that at least the rear section of the screen portion is spaced apart above the central section CS of the gutter hanger H. As will be explained in further detail below, in one or more embodiments the rear profile 116 is configured to be screwed to the fascia board F for a strong installation. Because of the novel rear profile 116, the screen portion 114 is supported at the elevated position even before the rear profile is screwed to the fascia board F. That is, the rear profile 116 has features that the inventor believes brace the gutter guard 110 against the gutter system more effectively than the prior art so that the gutter guard is effectively self-supporting at the elevated position once it is placed on the gutter system. The inventor believes that this makes it easier for installers to screw the rear profile 116 to the fascia board. In certain embodiments, the rear profile 116 is also configured to define a pocket 120 for accommodating the back flanges BF and hanger screws HS of the gutter hangers H.

The illustrated rear profile 116 comprises an up leg 122 extending upward in relation to the rear section of the screen portion 114 to a top edge of the rear profile. The up leg 122 is suitably configured to define a height H1 between the top edge and the horizontal top plane HTP of the gutter G in an inclusive range of from 1/16″ to 1¼″ (e.g., an inclusive range of from ⅜″ to ⅞″). In one or more embodiments, the top edge is spaced apart from the rear section of the screen portion 114 by a height in an inclusive range of from 1/16″ to 1¼″ (e.g., an inclusive range of from ⅜″ to ⅞″). The gutter guard 110 comprises an upturned bend 124 between the up leg 122 and the screen portion 114. The bend 124 is configured such that the up leg extends at an upward and backward angle in relation to a horizontal top plane HTP of the gutter. In the illustrated embodiment, the gutter guard 110 is formed from a single roll-formed piece, so the upturned bend is a roll-formed bend that connects the screen portion 114 and the rear profile 116. However, in other embodiments, the rear profile is formed from sheet metal that is crimped onto a screen member of the screen portion (see, e.g., FIGS. 13-16). In these embodiments, the upturned bend 124 can be formed as a bend in the screen member such that the rear profile is crimped onto an upturned flange of the screen member. In one or more embodiments, the upturned bend 124 defines an upper included angle A1 in an inclusive range of from 95 degrees to 140 degrees (e.g., 100 degrees to 130 degrees, 110 degrees to 120 degrees). In the illustrated embodiment, the rear section of the screen portion 114 is horizontal so included angle A1 is also an angle between a flange 126 of the up leg 122 and horizontal.

In the illustrated embodiment, the up leg 122 is roll formed to have three sections extending in respective, non-parallel planes. More particularly the illustrated up leg 122 comprises a flange 126 extending upward and backward from the upturned bend 124, an upper kicker 128 connected to the upper end of the flange by a backward kicker bend 130, and an upturned lip 132 connected to the upper kicker by an upturned lip bend 134. The backward kicker bend 130 is configured so that the upper kicker 128 extends at a more backward angle than the flange 126, for closing the gap between the gutter guard 110 and the fascia board F at the top edge of the rear profile 116. Hence, in one or more embodiments, the flange 126 is configured so that the back side defines an angle A2 with horizontal and the upper kicker 128 is configured so that the back side defines an angle A3 with horizontal, where angle A3 is less than angle A2. In one or more embodiments, the angle A2 is in an inclusive range of rom 45 degrees to 85 degrees (e.g., an inclusive range of from 55 degrees to 75 degrees or an inclusive range of from 60 degrees to 70 degrees). In certain embodiments the angle A3 is in an inclusive range of from 10 degrees to 60 degrees (e.g., an inclusive range of form 15 degrees to 45 degrees or an inclusive range of from 25 degrees to 35 degrees). The upturned lip bend 134 is configured so that the upturned lip 132 extends generally in a vertical plane when installed (e.g., the front face of the upturned lip is configured to be oriented perpendicular to horizontal+/−10 degrees). This enables the upturned lip 132 to form a portion of a vertical bracing lip 136 capable of bracing the rear profile against the fascia board F even before the rear profile 116 is screwed to the fascia board.

Although the illustrated up leg 122 comprises three (non-parallel) planar sections, it will be understood that other embodiments can include up legs formed to have only one or two planar sections (e.g., only a flange, only a flange and an upper kicker, or only a flange and an upturned lip). It is to be further understood that, in certain embodiments, a portion or all of the up leg can have an arcuate (non-planar) cross-sectional shape.

In the illustrated embodiment the flange 126 of up leg 122 is configured to form a screw flange for screwing the rear profile 116 to the fascia board. Suitably the flange 126 is formed with dimples 152 or other screw guides (e.g., screw holes) that assist the installer with guiding the screws through the flange and into the fascia board F during installation.

The rear profile 116 further comprises a crease 138 at the top edge of the up leg 122 and a rear facing section 140 extending downward from the crease. The rear profile 116 is roll-formed at the crease 138 so that the rear facing section 140 is pressed toward the up leg. In other words, the rear facing section 140 has a front side that faces the back side of the up leg 122, is essentially parallel to the back side of the up leg, and is either in face-to-face contact with the back side of the up leg or another piece (e.g., a screen member forming at least part of the screen portion 114) that is crimped between the rear facing section 140 and the up leg 122. Hence, in the illustrated embodiment, the rear facing section 140 includes a lip portion parallel with and facing the upturned lip 132, a kicker portion parallel with and facing the kicker 128, and a flange portion parallel with and facing the flange 126. It will be understood that in an embodiment in which the upturned lip is omitted so that the up leg comprises only the flange and the kicker, the rear facing section will correspondingly comprise only a kicker portion parallel with and facing the upper kicker and a flange portion parallel with and facing the flange. Likewise, in an embodiment in which the kicker is omitted so that the up leg comprises only the flange and the upturned lip, the rear facing section comprises a lip portion parallel with and facing the upturned lip and a flange portion parallel with and facing the flange. Lastly, in an embodiment in which the kicker and upturned lip are both omitted, the rear facing section will consist essentially of only one flange portion parallel with and facing the flange. It will be further understood that the entire rear facing section can be omitted in certain embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper lip portion of the rear facing section 140 forms part of the vertical bracing lip 136 of the rear profile. More specifically, the back side of the upper lip portion of the rear facing section is configured to engage the fascia board in face-to-face contact. The inventor believes that the substantially planar back side of the vertical bracing lip 136 provides more stable engagement with the fascia board than conventional straight edges like the one in prior art gutter guard 10. The stable engagement is thought to make it easier to screw the guard 110 to the fascia board through the flange 126 of the up leg 122 (and flange portion of rear facing section 140).

The rear profile 116 further comprises a down leg 142 extending downward in relation to the rear section of the screen portion 114 to a bottom edge configured for engaging the gutter hangers H such that the rear end of the gutter cover stands on the down leg to elevate the rear section of the gutter screen above the hangers. In the illustrated embodiment, the down leg 142 is configured so that its bottom edge engages the back corners of the gutter hangers H. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear profile comprises a kickback bend 144 between the rear facing section 140 and the down leg 142. The down leg 142 extends downward and backward from the kickback bend 144. In one or more embodiments, the bottom edge of the down leg 142 is spaced apart below the rear section of the screen portion 114 by a height in an inclusive range of from 1/16″ to 1″ (e.g., an inclusive range of from ¼″ to ⅞″ or from ⅜″ to ¾″). In the illustrated embodiment, the gutter cover is configured so that, as installed, the bottom edge of the down leg is spaced apart below the horizontal top plane HTP of the gutter G by a height H2 in an inclusive range of from 1/16″ to 1″ (e.g., an inclusive range of from ¼″ to ⅞″ or from ⅜″ to ¾″). The illustrated kickback bend 144 is at the same level as the rear section of the screen portion 114. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, the gutter guard is configured to support the screen portion at an elevated position in relation to the gutter hangers H such that the rear section of the screen portion is spaced apart above the central section CS of the hangers by a height corresponding with the height H2, for example, a height in an inclusive range of from 1/16″ to 1″ (e.g., an inclusive range of from ¼″ to ⅞″ or from ⅜″ to ¾″).

In the illustrated embodiment, the down leg 142 is formed to have two sections extending in respective, non-parallel planes. More particularly the illustrated down leg 142 comprises a main portion 146 extending downward and backward from the kickback bend 144 and a lower kicker 148 connected to the lower end of the main portion by a backward kicker bend 150. The backward kicker bend 150 is configured so that the lower kicker 148 extends at a more backward angle than the main portion 146, for closing the gap between the gutter guard 110 and the back corners of the hangers H. Hence, in one or more embodiments, the main portion 146 is oriented so that its back side is configured to define an angle A4 with respect to horizontal and the lower kicker 148 is oriented so that its back side is configured to define an angle A5 with respect to horizontal, where angle A5 is less than angle A4. In one or more embodiments, the angle A4 is in an inclusive range of from 60 degrees to 85 degrees (e.g., an inclusive range of from 65 degrees to 80 degrees).

Although the illustrated down leg 142 comprises two (non-parallel) planar sections, it will be understood that other embodiments can include down legs formed to have only one planar sections or more than two sections. It is to be further understood that, in certain embodiments, a portion or all of the down leg can have an arcuate (non-planar) cross-sectional shape.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear profile is illustrated as if each section is formed from a single layer of sheet metal. This is one possible construction. It is also possible for some or all of the sections to be double-layers.

In an exemplary method of using the gutter guard 110, an installer places the gutter guard atop the gutter system so that the front profile 112 engages the front edge of the gutter G and the rear profile 116 engages the rear of the gutter system at upper and lower contact points. At the upper contact point, the upper edge portion of the rear profile 116 contacts the fascia board F above the top ends of the back flanges BF of the hangers H. At the lower contact point, the lower edge of the rear profile 116 simultaneously contacts the hangers H at their back corners. Engagement with the gutter system at the upper and lower contact points stably supports the gutter cover 110 on the gutter system (with the rear section of the screen portion 114 elevated) so that the installer can easily drive screws through the flange 126 of the up leg 122 (e.g., using dimples or screw holes 152 for alignment). Furthermore, between the upper and lower contact points, the rear profile 116 defines aa substantially enclosed pocket 120, which extends along the fascia board and contains the back flanges and hanger screw heads of the gutter hangers.

Referring to FIG. 4, an alternative embodiment of a rear profile for a gutter guard is generally indicated at reference number 216. The rear profile 216 lacks an up leg. Instead, at the rear end of the screen portion there is a turned under section 260 leading to a 90 degree (+/−10 degrees) bend to a down leg 242 ending in an optional kicker. The lower edge of the down leg 242 engages the hangers H to support the screen portion at an elevated position spaced apart above the hangers H.

Referring to FIG. 5, another alternative embodiment of a rear profile for a gutter guard is generally indicated at reference number 316. Rear profile 316 lacks a down leg and is therefore configured so that the screen portion sits down in the gutter G on top of the hangers H. The rear profile 316 comprises an up leg 322 with a bottom forward kicker section, a central (e.g., substantially vertical) main section, and an upper backward kicker section. Despite the lack of a down leg the rear profile 316 still engages the gutter system at two points of rear contact and defines a pocket for receiving the back flanges and screws of the hangers.

Referring to FIG. 6, another alternative embodiment of a rear profile for a gutter guard is generally indicated at reference number 416. The rear profile 416 is similar to the rear profile 116, except that the up leg 422 lacks an upturned lip and the down leg 442 is arcuate.

Referring to FIG. 7, another embodiment of a rear profile 516 comprises an up leg 522 comprising a vertical flange 526 and a kicker 528 to close the gap between the flange and the fascia board F. The rear profile 516 further comprises a vertical down leg 542, optionally including a lower kicker 548.

Referring to FIGS. 8-12, another embodiment of a gutter cover in the scope of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference number 610. The gutter cover 610 comprises a louver-punched screen portion 614 and a rear profile 616 formed with the screen portion from a single piece of sheet metal. The rear profile 616 is similar to the rear profile 116, except the up leg 622 and rear facing section 640 do not include an upturned lip and the down leg 642 does not include a kicker. Note that FIG. 11 shows how the rear profile 616 interfaces with standard gutter standard gutter hangers H and FIG. 12 shows how the rear profile interfaces with a screw-type gutter hanger H′. It can be seen that, for both types of hangers H, H′ the rear profile is configured to engage the gutter system to support the gutter guard 610 on the gutter system so that at least the rear section of the screen portion 610 is spaced apart above a central section of the gutter hanger H, H′. And for both types of hangers H, H′, the rear profile 616 is configured to engage the gutter system at an upper contact point with the fascia board F above back flanges of the hangers H, H′ and engage the gutter system at a lower contact point with the hangers H′ H′ such that rear the profile defines a substantially enclosed pocket along the fascia board for containing the back flanges of the gutter hangers.

Referring to FIGS. 13-16, another embodiment of a gutter cover in the scope of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference number 710. The gutter cover 710 comprises a woven wire screen defining screen portion 714 and a roll-formed rear profile 716 crimped onto the woven wire screen. More particularly the woven wire screen is crimped between the up leg 722 and the rear facing section 740. The rear profile 716 is similar to the rear profile 116, except the up leg 722 and rear facing section 740 do not include an upturned lip and the down leg 742 does not include a kicker. FIG. 15 shows how the rear profile 716 interfaces with standard gutter standard gutter hangers H and FIG. 16 shows how the rear profile interfaces with a screw-type gutter hanger H′.

Referring to FIGS. 17-21, another embodiment of a gutter cover in the scope of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference number 810. The gutter cover 810 comprises a front profile 812, a screen portion 814, and a rear profile 816. In the illustrated embodiment, the rear profile includes only an up leg comprising a flange 826, a kicker 828, and an upturned lip 832. The flange 826 is connected to the screen portion 814 by an approximate right angle bend (e.g., 90 degrees+/−15 degrees) and extends upward, the kicker 828 is connected to the flange 826 by an approximate right angle bend (e.g., 90 degrees+/−15 degrees) and extends backward, and the upturned lip 832 is connected to the kicker 828 by an approximate right angle bend (e.g., 90 degrees+/−15 degrees) and extends upward. As shown, the upturned lip 832 extends generally in a vertical plane and forms a vertical bracing lip for bracing the gutter cover 810 against the fascia board F. The lip 832 is spaced apart above the rear section of the screen portion 814 and has a back side configured to engage the fascia board in face-to-face contact. As shown in the drawings, the gutter cover 810 is compatible with both standard gutter hangers H and screw type hangers H′. In both cases, the rear profile is configured to support the rear section of the screen portion 814 at an elevated positions spaced apart above the central section of the hanger H, H′.

Referring to FIG. 22, another embodiment of a gutter cover in the scope of the present disclosure is generally indicated at reference number 910. The gutter cover 910 comprises a front profile 912, a screen portion 914, and a rear profile 916. In the illustrated embodiment, the gutter cover 910 is formed from a single roll-formed piece of sheet metal (e.g., the screen portion 914 is formed from punched sheet metal). The rear profile 916 is similar to the rear profile 116 in that it comprises an up leg 922 extending upward and backward from the rear section of the screen portion 914 and also a down leg 942 that extends downward and backward from the rear section of the screen portion. The rear section 916 differs from the rear section 116 in how the rear section connects to the screen portion 914. Whereas the gutter guard 110 comprises an upturned bend 124 between the up leg 122 and the screen portion 114, the gutter guard 910 instead comprises a downturned bend 924 between the down leg 942 and the screen portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the downturned bend 924 defines a perpendicular angle (90 degrees+/−10 degrees) in relation to a horizontal rear section of the screen portion 914.

The down leg 942 is formed to have two sections extending in respective, non-parallel planes. More particularly the illustrated down leg 942 comprises a first portion 946 extending downward from the downturned bend 924 and a second kicker portion 948 connected to the lower end of the first portion by a backward kicker bend 950. The backward kicker bend 950 is configured so that the second kicker 948 extends at a more backward angle than the first portion 946, for closing the gap between the gutter guard 910 and the back corners of the hangers. Hence, in one or more embodiments, the first portion 946 is oriented so that its back side is configured to define an angle A6 with respect to horizontal and the second kicker 948 is oriented so that its back side is configured to define an angle A7 with respect to horizontal, where angle A7 is less than angle A6. In one or more embodiments, the angle A6 is in an inclusive range of from 80 degrees to 100 degrees and the angle A7 is in an inclusive range of from 45 degrees to 80 degrees.

The rear profile 916 further comprises a crease 938 at the bottom edge of the down leg 942 and a rear facing section 940 extending upward from the crease. The rear profile 916 is roll-formed at the crease 938 so that the rear facing section 940 is pressed toward the down leg 942. In other words, the rear facing section 940 has a front side that faces the back side of the down leg 922, is essentially parallel to the back side of the up leg, and is in face-to-face contact with the back side of the down leg. Hence, in the illustrated embodiment, the rear facing section 940 includes a portion parallel with and facing the kicker 948 and another portion parallel with and facing the first portion 946.

The rear profile 916 comprises a kickback bend 944 between the rear facing section 940 and the up leg 922. The up leg 922 extends upward and backward from the kickback bend 944. The illustrated kickback bend 944 is at the same level as the rear section of the screen portion 914. The gutter guard 910 is configured to support the screen portion 914 at an elevated position in relation to gutter hangers such that the rear section of the screen portion 914 is spaced apart above the central sections of the hangers by a height corresponding with the height H2 from the kickback bend 944 and/or horizontal top plane of the screen portion to the crease 938, for example, a height H2 in an inclusive range of from 1/16″ to 1″ (e.g., an inclusive range of from ¼″ to ⅞″ or from ⅜″ to ¾″).

The up leg 922 comprises a flange 926 extending upward and backward from the kickback bend 944, an upper kicker 928 connected to the upper end of the flange by a backward kicker bend 930, and a hem 933 connected to the upper end of the upper kicker by a crease 939. The flange 926 is configured so that the back side defines an angle A9 with horizontal and the upper kicker 928 is configured so that the back side defines an angle A10 with horizontal, where angle A10 is less than angle A9. In one or more embodiments, the angle A9 is in an inclusive range of rom 45 degrees to 85 degrees (e.g., an inclusive range of from 55 degrees to 75 degrees or an inclusive range of from 60 degrees to 70 degrees). In certain embodiments the angle A10 is in an inclusive range of from 10 degrees to 60 degrees (e.g., an inclusive range of form 15 degrees to 45 degrees or an inclusive range of from 25 degrees to 35 degrees).

In the illustrated embodiment the upper edge of the up leg 922 (at crease 939) is rearward of the lower edge of the down leg 942 (at crease 938). For example, the upper edge of the up leg 922 is spaced apart rearward of the lower edge of the down leg 942 by an offset distance OD1 in an inclusive range of from 1/16 inches to ⅜ inches.

When introducing elements of the present disclosure or the preferred embodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the disclosure are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above products and methods without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

1. A gutter guard configured for installation on a gutter system comprising a gutter and a plurality of gutter hangers hanging the gutter from a fascia board of a roof, the gutter guard comprising: a front profile configured to couple to a front edge of a gutter;a screen portion rearward of the front profile for covering a top portion of the gutter, the screen portion having openings configured to permit infiltration of water through the screen portion into the gutter and inhibit infiltration of debris; anda rear profile rearward the screen portion, the rear profile configured to engage the gutter system to support the gutter guard on the gutter system so that at least the rear section of the screen portion is spaced apart above a central section of the gutter hanger, the rear profile comprising an up leg extending upward in relation to the rear section of the screen portion and wherein the rear profile comprises a down leg extending downward in relation to the rear section of the screen portion to a bottom edge configured for engaging the gutter hangers such that the down leg supports the rear profile on the gutter hangers.

2. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge is configured for engaging back corners of the gutter hangers.

3. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the down leg extends downward at an oblique angle in relation to a top plane of the gutter.

4. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge is spaced apart below the screen portion by a height in an inclusive range of from 1/16″ to 1″.

5. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein the bottom edge is configured to be spaced apart below a top plane of the gutter by a height in an inclusive range of from 1/16″ to 1″.

6. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein the up leg comprises a top edge and the top edge is spaced apart rearward of the bottom edge by an offset distance.

7. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein up leg comprises a screw flange extending upward from the upturned bend.

8. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein rear profile comprises a crease between the down leg and the up leg.

9. The gutter guard of claim 8, wherein the rear profile comprises a rear facing section extending from the crease, one of the up leg and the down leg having a back side and the rear facing section having a front side facing toward the back side.

10. The gutter guard of claim 9, wherein the front side of the rear facing section is in face-to-face contact with the back side.

11. The gutter guard of claim 9, wherein the gutter guard comprises a crimp-on strip forming the rear profile and a screen member forming at least part of screen portion, the crimp-on strip being crimped onto the main screen member such that a portion of the main screen member is crimped between the front side and the back side.

12. The gutter guard of claim 9, wherein rear profile further comprises a kickback bend between the rear facing section and the other of the up leg and the down leg.

13. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein the up leg comprises a flange, an upper kicker, and a backward kicker bend connecting the upper kicker to the flange.

14. The gutter guard of claim 13, wherein the up leg further comprises one of an upturned lip and a hem connected to the upper kicker.

15. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein the down leg comprises a main portion, a lower backward kicker, and a lower backward kicker bend between the upper portion and the lower backward kicker.

16. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein the rear profile is crimped onto the screen portion.

17. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein the rear profile and the screen portion are integrally formed from a single piece of monolithic sheet metal.

18. The gutter guard of claim 1, wherein the up leg and the down leg are configured to define a substantially enclosed pocket along the fascia board for containing back flanges and hanger screw heads of the gutter hangers.

19. A gutter guard configured for installation on a gutter system comprising a gutter and a plurality of gutter hangers hanging the gutter from a fascia board of a roof, the gutter guard comprising: a front profile configured to couple to a front edge of a gutter;a screen portion rearward of the front profile for covering a top portion of the gutter, the screen portion having openings configured to permit infiltration of water through the screen portion into the gutter and inhibit infiltration of debris; anda rear profile rearward the screen portion, the rear profile configured to engage the gutter system to support the gutter guard on the gutter system so that at least the rear section of the screen portion is spaced apart above a central section of the gutter hanger, the rear profile comprising a vertical bracing lip spaced apart above the rear section of the screen portion, the vertical bracing lip configured to extend generally in a vertical plane and having a back side configured to engage the fascia board in face-to-face contact.

20. A gutter guard configured for installation on a gutter system comprising a gutter and a plurality of gutter hangers hanging the gutter from a fascia board of a roof, the gutter guard comprising: a front profile configured to couple to a front edge of a gutter;a screen portion rearward of the front profile for covering a top portion of the gutter, the screen portion having openings configured to permit infiltration of water through the screen portion into the gutter and inhibit infiltration of debris; anda rear profile rearward the screen portion, the rear profile configured to engage the gutter system to support the gutter guard on the gutter system, the rear profile configured to engage the gutter system at an upper contact point with the fascia board above back flanges of the hangers and a lower contact point with the hangers, the rear profile configured to define a substantially enclosed pocket along the fascia board for containing back flanges and hanger screw heads of the gutter hangers.