Patent Application
20250101745
The invention presented herein is generally directed toward gutters for buildings and the like. More particularly, a device to support a gutter that is extending along a roof fascia.
Typically, a gutter system is a crucial component of a building's roofing and drainage system. The gutter system consists of a network of troughs and downspouts that are strategically installed along the edges of a roof to collect and redirect rainwater and melted snow away from the building's foundation, walls, and other vulnerable areas. The primary purpose of the gutter system is to prevent water from accumulating on the roof, overflowing, and causing damage to the structural integrity of the building.
Modern gutter systems encounter numerous problems and challenges. Among the prevalent issues with traditional gutter systems are detachment of the gutter and falling components that attach the gutter to the roof fascia boards. Gutters, fascia boards, and sub-fascia have the potential to become detached from the dwelling due to factors such as weather, subpar installation, and the effects of aging materials. This detachment can result in severe consequences, including water damage, structural impairments, and safety hazards. Additionally, sagging, and improper drainage are common problems that arise as gutters gradually succumb to the weight of accumulated debris and standing water. Consequently, inadequate water drainage can lead to overflowing gutters, causing water to pool around the foundation and thereby instigating foundation damage, basement flooding, and erosion.
Furthermore, the accumulation of leaves, twigs, dirt, and other debris can lead to clogging and blockages within the gutters. This obstructed water flow not only prevents proper drainage but also gives rise to overflowing gutters, ultimately causing damage to the roof, siding, and foundation. Traditional gutter systems also pose maintenance challenges, necessitating frequent cleaning and upkeep to ensure unhindered functionality. The manual process of cleaning gutters, often involving ladder climbing, can be labor-intensive, time-consuming, and potentially hazardous. In some instances, weak attachment methods exacerbate the problem, as certain gutters are affixed using techniques that are insufficient to withstand extreme weather conditions or the test of time. For example, the transition from using siding nails to staples for fascia board installation can lead to weaker attachments and increased risks of detachment if the gutter becomes clogged and overflowing with water.
It is advantageous, therefore, to provide a gutter attachment system that provides secure holding of conventional gutters to a fascia board even when the gutter becomes extremely heavy due to water retention.
Thus, in view of the above, there is a long-felt need in the industry to address the aforementioned deficiencies.
It is with respect to these and other considerations that the disclosure made herein is presented.
A device for use with a roof fascia for supporting a gutter is provided, as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures.
One aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device to support a gutter that is extending along a roof fascia. The device includes a vertical support portion, an upper forward portion, a horizontal support portion, and an aperture. The vertical support portion is adapted to support the exterior surface of the gutter. The vertical support portion includes a proximal end and a distal end. The upper forward portion is extending from the proximal end of the vertical support portion adapted to retain a top inner portion of the gutter. The horizontal support portion is extending from the distal end of the vertical support portion adapted to support an underside portion of the gutter at an optimal length and configuration to support a gutter full of water and debris. The aperture is defined in the vertical support portion to receive a screw to positionally affix the vertical support portion with respect to the gutter.
In an aspect, the vertical support portion has a length of about 5¼ inches.
In an aspect, the upper forward portion extends about ½ inches to ¾ inches from the proximal end of the vertical support portion.
In an aspect, the upper forward portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 45 degrees from the proximal end of the vertical support portion.
In an aspect, the upper forward portion slidingly engages the top inner portion of the gutter.
In an aspect, the horizontal support portion has a length of about 2½ inches.
In an aspect, the horizontal support portion is positioned at about 90 degrees from the distal end of the vertical support portion.
In an aspect, the vertical support portion, the upper forward portion, and the horizontal support portion have a thickness of about ⅛ inch.
In an aspect, the vertical support portion, the upper forward portion, and the horizontal support portion have a width of about 2 inches.
In an aspect, the vertical support portion, the upper forward portion, and the horizontal support portion are arranged in a T-shape form.
In an aspect, the vertical support portion, the upper forward portion, and the horizontal support portion are constructed from either a metal, or an alloy to provide strength, stability, and durability.
In an aspect, the aperture is adaptable to receive the screw that has a dimension of about 5 to 6 inches.
Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a device for use with a roof fascia for supporting a gutter. The device includes a vertical support portion, an upper forward portion, and a horizontal support portion. The vertical support portion is adapted to securely support the exterior surface of the gutter. The vertical support portion includes a proximal end and a distal end. The upper forward portion is extending from the proximal end of the vertical support portion, the upper forward portion configured to retain and guide a top inner portion of the gutter. The horizontal support portion is extending from the distal end of the vertical support portion. The horizontal support portion is configured to provide support to an underside portion of the gutter. The vertical support portion, the upper forward portion, and the horizontal support portion are coated with a weather-resistant material to protect against corrosion and environmental wear.
In an aspect, the device includes an aperture that is defined in the vertical support portion to receive and engage a screw for securing the vertical support portion with respect to the gutter.
In an aspect, the aperture includes a threaded bore to securely engage with the screw and prevent loosening due to one or more external events.
In an aspect, the horizontal support portion includes either a ribbed surface or a textured surface to enhance grip and stability between the device and the underside portion of the gutter.
In an aspect, the horizontal support portion comprises a flat surface for evenly distributing the weight of the gutter and facilitating efficient water drainage.
In an aspect, the upper forward portion is inclined downward at an angle of about 45 degrees from the proximal end of the vertical support portion.
In an aspect, the vertical support portion has a length of about 5¼ inches, and the horizontal support portion has a length of about 2½ inches.
In an aspect, the vertical support portion, the upper forward portion, and the horizontal support portion have a thickness of about ⅛ inch and a width of about 2 inches.
Other embodiments and advantages will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon viewing the drawings and reading the detailed description hereafter, all without departing from the scope of the disclosure. The drawings and detailed descriptions presented are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not in any way as restrictive.
Other features of the example embodiments will be apparent from the drawings and from the detailed description that follows.
The detailed description is set forth with reference to the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference numerals may indicate similar or identical items. Various embodiments may utilize elements and/or components other than those illustrated in the drawings, and some elements and/or components may not be present in various embodiments. Elements and/or components in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. Throughout this disclosure, depending on the context, singular and plural terminology may be used interchangeably.
The disclosure will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodiments of the disclosure are shown, and not intended to be limiting.
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a device that primarily focuses on preventing damage and deterioration that can occur to the gutters, fascia boards, and sub-fascia over time. The device of the present disclosure is designed to prevent gutters, fascia boards, and sub-fascia from detaching from the dwelling. This is crucial as detached components can lead to water damage, structural issues, and costly repairs. The device also tackles the problem of gutter sagging due to excessive weight. By using the provided brackets, the gutter system is supported effectively, preventing sagging, and maintaining proper water drainage. The device of the present disclosure is especially relevant for homes built after 1995 when construction companies began using staples instead of siding nails to install fascia boards. This change in construction methods introduced new challenges, which this device addresses by ensuring the secure attachment of components. Further, the device of the present disclosure has the potential to save homeowners significant amounts of money in the long run. By preventing destruction to fascia and soffit, it mitigates the need for costly repairs and replacements, contributing to overall cost savings.
According to an embodiment herein, the horizontal support portion 106 has either a ribbed surface or a textured surface to enhance grip and stability between the device and the underside portion of the gutter 302 (shown in
According to other aspects, the upper forward portion 104 may be integral with the vertical support portion 102 and manufactured using metal forming processes that introduce a holding angle that may range from 40 degrees to 50 degrees with respect to the vertical support portion 102. In a preferred embodiment, the internal angle is 45 degrees as shown in
According to another aspect, the angular connecting point between the forward portion 104 and the vertical support portion 102 may include a radial portion having a dimension having a minimum of the material thickness of the vertical support portion 102 and the horizontal support portion 106. The radial dimension having a minimum radius equal to or exceeding the material thickness (e.g., ⅛″ as shown in
The material thickness of about ⅛″ is determined to be an optimal material thickness for the upper forward portion 104 that provides stability while minimizing material weight and cost due to unnecessarily proportioned component thickness. In some aspects, the material thickness may exceed or be less than the stated material thickness by 10% while maintaining material holding integrity when in use.
Conventional gutter holding devices may pull away from the fascia or other structure to which the gutter is installed. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the minimum radial dimension and angle between the forward portion 104 and the vertical support portion 102 provides structural integrity and even distribution of torsional forces experienced from a gutter filled with water and/or debris.
In another aspect, the vertical support portion 102, the upper forward portion 104, and the horizontal support portion 106 are coated with a weather-resistant material to protect against corrosion and environmental wear. For example, Teflon, acrylic, enamel, an anodized layer, or another surface coating is contemplated, among other possible coatings. According to an embodiment herein, the device 100 is made of a durable and lightweight material, such as reinforced plastic, aluminum, or steel.
In an exemplary embodiment, the device 100 may include a plurality of alignment markers or indicators (not shown in
In an embodiment, the aperture 108 is adaptable to receive the screw that has a dimension of about 5 to 6 inches in screw length, which allows adequate thread engagement to to withstand pull-out forces and adequate shear strength to withstand significant shear forces acting on the fastener 600 due to gutter weight when filled with water. According to an embodiment, the aperture 108 may include a threaded bore (not shown) to securely engage with the fastener 600 and prevent loosening due to external events such as vibrations. In other aspects, the aperture 108 may include a through hole having no threads as depicted in
Thus, the present device provides a comprehensive solution to various issues associated with the gutter systems and their components by increasing stability and longevity gutter systems.
All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their ordinary meanings as understood by those knowledgeable in the technologies described herein unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, the use of the singular article such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary. Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments could include, while other embodiments may not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments.
In the foregoing description, it will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the concepts disclosed herein. Such modifications are to be considered as included in the following claims, unless these claims by their language expressly state otherwise.
