Patent Application
20060226323
1. Technical Field
The invention generally is related to the field of building construction tools and more specifically is related to tools and devices to assist in the installation of rain and water gutters on building.
2. Prior Art
Currently, the most common method for attaching gutters to a building is to have two or more people hold the gutters against the building, adjust the gutters to as close to a desired position as possible using the naked eye, and then attaching the gutters to the building. This can result in uneven gutters, poor drainage slopes, and unattractive workmanship. Several devices have been developed to assist in the attachment of gutters to buildings, as exemplified in U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,496B1 to Gilchrist, U.S. Pat. No. 5,240,234 to Lee and U.S. Pat. No. 4,579,303 to Midlik. However, there exists a need for a more convenient, less costly device for attaching gutters to buildings.
Accordingly, there is always a need for an improved device and method for attaching gutters to residences and other building that is easy and convenient to use. There also is a need for an improved device and method for attaching gutters to residences and other buildings in which the components are reduced and simplified and less costly to produce and use. It is to these needs, among other needs, that the present invention is directed.
Briefly, the invention is a device for assisting in the installation of gutters on a building, comprising a base for releasably supporting a length of gutter, a vertical stem extending downward from a first end of the base for mounting on the building, a vertical extension extending upward from a second end of the base for releasably retaining the length of gutter on the base, wherein at least one of the device is releasably mounted on the building in a position corresponding to a desired location for attaching the length of gutter to the building, the length of gutter is placed on the base between the vertical extension and the building, the gutter is attached to the building, and the device is removed from the building.
The invention has at least two embodiments. A first embodiment is a unitary device that is releasably mounted on the building in a position corresponding to a desired location for attaching the length of gutter to the building. In this first embodiment, the base, vertical stem and vertical extension are a unitary structure. A second embodiment is a two-piece device in which the vertical stem is releasably mounted on the building in a position proximal to the desired location for attaching the length of gutter to the building and the base is adjusted to a position corresponding to a desired location for attaching the length of gutter to the building. In this second embodiment, the base and the vertical extension are a first component and the stem is a second component. The base slidably and adjustably cooperates with the vertical stem.
These features, other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the relevant art when the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments is read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which like reference numerals represent like components throughout the several views.
The five sheets of figures show preferred embodiments of the invention.
FIGS. 1 to 5 illustrate two of many preferred embodiments of a gutter installation device as contemplated by this invention.
Referring to
On the bottom of the base 12 of the illustrative example of the gutter installation bracket 10 (at the back), there is a vertical stem 14 that:
There are two (2) holes 18 in the vertical stem 14 that are drilled through the stem 14 from front to back and are:
On the top of the base 12 of gutter installation bracket 10, at the front there is a vertical extension 16 that:
The top of the base 12 of the gutter installation bracket 10 that does not have the vertical extension 16 attached to it is:
The angles between the base 12 and the stem 14 and between the base 12 and the vertical extension 16 are shown in the figures to be in the 90° range. Although 90° is the preferred angle, this angle can range several degrees. For example, many times the gutter 50 is attached to the residence 60 at a slight downward angle sloping from the residence 60 outward to help prevent water in the gutter 50 from sloshing over the inner wall of the gutter 50 (that is, the wall of the gutter 50 proximal to and attached to the residence 60) when the gutter 50 is full, in which case, water will slosh over the outer wall of the gutter 50 (that is, the wall of the gutter distal from the residence 60). Thus, the angle between the base 12 and the stem 14 can be slightly less than 90° such that the gutter 50 will rest on the gutter installation bracket 10 at an appropriate slight angle for attachment to the residence 60. Alternatively, most gutter installers likely will angle the gutter 50 manually when attaching the gutter 50 to the residence 60 without the need for such an angle.
Referring now to
In use, the installer places the gutter installation bracket 10 onto the structure 60 so that the highest point of the back base 12 of the gutter installation bracket 10 is aligned with a mark (not shown) previously placed on the structure 60, typically a fascia board 62 of the structure 60. The mark previously placed on the structure 60 corresponds to where the bottom of the gutter 50 is located relative to the fascia board 62.
The installer then inserts the screw(s) 20, such as two (2) #10 by one and one half (1.5) inch to three (3) inches machine screws (supplied), through washers (supplied). Then, the installer places the screw(s) 20 with the washers in place through the holes 18 of the stem 14 of the gutter installation bracket 10. The screw(s) 20 are inserted in the holes 18 in the stem 14 from the front, that is the side of the stem 14 not in contact with the structure 60. The screw(s) 20 is(are) then tightened enough to hold the weight of the gutter installation bracket 10 and the weight of the gutter 50 being installed.
The gutter 50 then is placed onto the gutter installation bracket 10 and secured to the structure 60 using appropriate attachment brackets specified by the gutter manufacturer. The gutter installation bracket 10 is then removed from the structure 60. One or more gutter installation brackets 10 can be used at the same time. The use of two (2) or more gutter installation brackets 10 at once allows the installer to lay the gutter 50 section on more than one gutter installation bracket 10, which will support the gutter 50 section without the need for the installer to maintain a hold on the gutter 50 section, as would be the case if only one gutter installation bracket 10 was used at a time.
For economy of manufacture, it has been found that a gutter installation bracket 10 of a set size is suitable for the majority of gutter 50 installations. Following is a description of such a universal gutter installation bracket 10. The universal gutter installation bracket 10 preferably is manufactured of molded plastic that has a base 12 that is four and one half (4.5) inches long by three (3) inches wide and one half (½) inches thick at the center.
On bottom of the base 12 of the gutter installation bracket 10 (at the back), there is a vertical stem 14 that is three (3) inches long by one half (½) inches thick and extends three (3) inches from the bottom of the base 12, downward.
There are two (2) three sixteenths ( 3/16) inch wide by three quarter (¾) inch vertical holes 18 in the stem 14 that are one and one half (1.5) inches (on center) from the bottom of the base 12. The vertical holes 18 run from front to back through the stem 14 and are placed three quarters (¾) inches on center from either side of the stem 14.
On the top of the base 12 of gutter installation bracket 10, at the front there is a vertical extension 16 that runs from side to side that is one half (½) inch tall by three (3) inches wide by one half (½) inch thick. The vertical extension 16 has no holes, grooves, or slots.
The top of the base 12 of the gutter installation bracket 10 that does not have the vertical extension 16 attached to it is four (4) inches long by three (3) inches wide. The top of this area of the base 12 is one half (½) inch thick at the center. There is a slope that starts in the center of the top of this area and travels to either side. The sides of the top of this area of the base 12 are one eighth (⅛) inch lower than the center of the top of the base 12 of this area.
The gutter installation bracket 10 is used to aid in the attachment of, for example, standard five (5) inch gutters 50 to, for example, a residential structure 60. One gutter installation bracket 10 is used for approximately every four (4) feet of gutter 50 to be installed. If the distance is less than four (4) feet, the use of two (2) gutter installation brackets 10 is appropriate. It is mounted after correct measurements have been taken and the proper placement of the gutter 50 has been determined. Thus, in a preferred embodiment of the use of the gutter installation bracket 10, namely, the universal gutter installation bracket 10 disclosed above, two or more gutter installation brackets 10 are used for better support of the gutter 50 when attaching the gutter 50 to the residence 60.
The use of the universal gutter installation bracket 50 is identical to the general use method disclosed above. The installer places the gutter installation brackets 10 onto the fascia board 62 so that the highest point of the back base 12 of the gutter installation brackets 10 line up with a mark previously placed on the fascia board 62. The installer inserts two (2) #10 by one and one half (1.5) inch machine screws 20 (supplied) through the washers (supplied). The installer then places the machine screws 20 with the washers in place through holes 18 of the stem 14 of the gutter installation bracket 10. The screws 18 are inserted in the holes 18 in the stem 14 from the front side.
The gutter 50 is placed on the gutter installation brackets 10 and secured to the fascia board 62 of the residence 60 using appropriate attachment brackets specified by the gutter manufacturer. The gutter installation brackets 10 then are removed and can be reused.
Referring to
The device 100 consists of two separate components 112, 114 preferably constructed of plastic. One component is the support bracket 112. The other component is the assembly attachment block 114. The two (2) components 112, 114 are assembled together with a one quarter (¼) by one and one half (1.5) inch bolt 126. Once the two (2) components 112,114 have been assembled, they are then secured to the fascia board 62 of the house 60 with two (2) #10 screws 20. The gutter 50 is placed onto the device 100 and secured to the house 60 using appropriate attachment brackets specified by the gutter manufacturer. The device 100 is then removed.
The angles between the base 102 and the stem 104 and between the base 102 and the vertical extension 106 are shown in the figures to be in the 90° range. Although 90° is the preferred angle, this angle can range several degrees. For example, many times the gutter 50 is attached to the residence 60 at a slight downward angle sloping from the residence 60 outward to help prevent water in the gutter 50 from sloshing over the inner wall of the gutter 50 (that is, the wall of the gutter 50 proximal to and attached to the residence 60) when the gutter 50 is full, in which case, water will slosh over the outer wall of the gutter 50 (that is, the wall of the gutter distal from the residence 60). Thus, the angle between the base 102 and the stem 104 can be slightly less than 90° such that the gutter 50 will rest on the gutter installation bracket 100 at an appropriate slight angle for attachment to the residence 60. Alternatively, most gutter installers likely will angle the gutter 50 manually when attaching the gutter 50 to the residence 60 without the need for such an angle.
The two (2) components 112, 114 now will be disclosed in somewhat more detail in conjunction with
Referring now to
On the top of the base 102 of support bracket 112, at the front there is a vertical extension 106 that runs from side to side that in a preferred universal application embodiment is one half (½) inch tall by three (3) inches wide by one half (½) inch long. The vertical extension 106 has no holes, grooves, or slots. The word “front” can be stamped on the vertical extension 106 on the front of the support bracket 112 to identify it as the front of the support bracket 112.
The top of the base 102 of the support bracket 112 that does not have the vertical extension 106 attached to it is in a preferred universal application embodiment four (4) inches long by three (3) inches wide. The top of the base 102 is one (1) inch thick at the center. There is a downward slope that starts in the center of the top of the base 102 goes to either side. The sides of the top of the base 102 in a preferred universal application embodiment are one eighth (⅛) inch lower than the center of the top of the base 102.
Assembly attachment block 114 is in a preferred universal application embodiment three (3) inches wide by three (3) inches tall by one (1) inch thick. The back of assembly attachment block 114 block has a groove, such as central groove 144, that in a preferred universal application embodiment is one (1) inch wide, that runs top to bottom and is three quarter (¾) inch deep. There is a hole 132 that is one and one half (1.5) inches from the top of the assembly attachment block 114 (on center) that is one quarter (¼) inches wide and one (1) inch top to bottom. This will allow the vertical movement of the support bracket 112 within the central groove 144, and then be secured by the tightening of wing nut 128 on bolt 126. There are two (2) holes 118 in the back part of the assembly attachment block 114 that are not grooved. One hole 118 is one and one half (1.5) inches (on center) from the top and one half (½) inch (on center) from the side of the assembly attachment block 114. This hole 118 is one eighth (⅛) inch in diameter and runs through the assembly attachment block 114 front to back. The other hole 118 is one and one half (1.5) inches (on center) from the top and one half (½) inch from the other side of assembly attachment block 114. This hole 118 is one eighth (⅛) inch in diameter and runs through the assembly attachment block 114 front to back. The left and right sides of the assembly attachment block 114 have no holes, grooves, or slots.
Referring now to
In use, the support bracket 112 and the assembly attachment block 114 are connected together using the bolt 124 and the wing nut 126. The wing nut 126 is left loose so that the support bracket 112 can be adjusted. Then, the installer places the assembly attachment block 114 onto the structure 60 so that the highest point of the back side, that is the side having the central groove 144, of the assembly attachment block 114 is aligned with a mark (not shown) previously placed on the structure 60, typically a fascia board 62 of the structure 60. The mark previously placed on the structure 60 corresponds to where the bottom of the gutter 50 is located relative to the fascia board 62. In this configuration, the back side is proximal to and contacting the fascia board 62 or structure 60.
The installer then inserts the screw(s) 120, such as two (2) #10 by one and one half (1.5) inch to three (3) inches machine screws (supplied), through washers (supplied). Then, the installer places the screw(s) 120 with the washers in place through the holes 118 of the assembly attachment block 114 of the gutter support bracket 100. The screw(s) 120 are inserted in the holes 118 in the assembly attachment block 114 from the front, that is the side of the assembly attachment block 114 not in contact with the structure 60. The screw(s) 120 is(are) then tightened enough to hold the weight of the gutter support bracket 100 and the weight of the gutter 50 being installed.
The gutter 50 then is placed onto the gutter installation bracket 100 and secured to the structure 60 using appropriate attachment brackets specified by the gutter manufacturer. Prior to attaching the gutter 50 to the structure 60, the gutter 50 can be raised or lowered a certain distance by moving the support bracket 112 vertically upwards or downwards within the central groove 144 of the assembly attachment block 144, and locking the support bracket 112 in the desired place by tightening the wing nut 128 on the bolt 126. After the gutter 50 has been attached to the structure 60, the gutter installation bracket 100 is then removed from the structure 60. One or more gutter installation brackets 100 can be used at the same time. The use of two (2) or more gutter installation brackets 100 at once allows the installer to lay the gutter 50 section on more than one gutter installation bracket 100, which will support the gutter 50 section without the need for the installer to maintain a hold on the gutter 50 section, as would be the case if only one gutter installation bracket 100 was used at a time.
The gutter installation bracket 10 and the gutter support bracket 100 all can be manufactured from a variety of materials. Representative materials of manufacture include plastics, metals, ceramics, and composites. One of ordinary skill in the art can select a material of manufacture of sufficient strength to support the installation of gutters 50 without failing.
The gutter installation bracket 10 and the gutter support bracket 100 all can be manufactures in a variety of material thicknesses, shapes, and configurations. Again, one of ordinary skill in the art can select a thickness of material such that the components will be of sufficient strength to support the installation of gutters 50 without failing. Likewise, the shape of the various components is not limited to the generally rectangular shapes disclosed above and shown in the figures. Other shapes are suitable, including ovals, circles, triangle, and other geometric shapes. Generally speaking the shape of each component, with the exception of the top slope of the base 12, 102, has little bearing on the functionality of the device 10, 100.
Although this specification discusses the attachment of gutters 50 to a residence 60, the term residence is meant to be inclusive of all structures to which a gutter 50 can be attached. For example, other structures include buildings, sheds, apartment buildings, townhouses, brownstones, and the like.
The foregoing detailed description of the preferred embodiments, examples and the appended figures have been presented only for illustrative and descriptive purposes. They are not intended to be exhaustive and are not intended to limit the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiments were selected and described to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications. One skilled in the art will recognize that many variations can be made to the invention disclosed in this specification without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
This patent application is based on and claims priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/649,027 having a filing date of 1 Feb. 2005.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60649027 | Feb 2005 | US |
