Gutter System

Abstract

A waterfall gutter system comprises a top tubular pipe above and separated from a semi-circular channel or trough where the pipe and trough are separated through the use of various brackets, connectors, corner connectors, downspouts, and end caps. The various brackets, connectors, corner connectors, downspouts, and end caps having a top opening for receiving the pipe and a bottom opening for receiving the trough where the openings are separated to provide proper spacing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a rainwater gutter system, more particularly relates to mountable rainwater gutter system, sections, and pieces that can be joined together to form the rainwater gutter system.

A gutter system for a house or structure is typically mounted along the roofline, just below the edge of the roof for collecting the rainwater which runs off of the roof. The gutter collects the rainwater and carries the rainwater from the rain gutter to a downspout which allows the water to be directed down and away from the house. Gutters are often made of aluminum and are generally elongated assemblies connected at their ends and corners in a way that provides a smooth, continuous appearance of the gutter on the outside faces. The aluminum gutters are typically made in sections, which are connected together through connectors. The rainwater gutters fit inside the connectors, which leaves the connectors visible on the outside faces of the gutter. It is desirable to replicate the look of a traditional gutter when building or repairing a building.

However, present gutter systems are open and prone to collecting debris such as leaves. These open gutter systems clog easily and develop blockages that cannot be detected or cleaned from the ground. Gutter cover systems have been develop which cover the opening but allow water to flow through to the open gutter. However, these covers also can clog defeating their intended function.

There have been numerous attempts to deal with the perennial problem of gutter debris and gutter clogging. Most of the attempts involve some kind of gutter cover or filter device. However, oftentimes these covers do not solve the problem and simply relocate them as the covers often clog or trap debris.

Therefore, what is needed is an easily installable gutter system which collects and diverts rainwater, does not clog, and allows debris to fall to the ground.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a gutter system which provides an easily installable gutter system which collects and diverts rainwater, does not clog and allows debris to fall to the ground.

A further objective of the present invention is that the gutter system can be produced in pieces and sections and can be assembled and joined together easily.

Still further objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter is made by extrusion process. Still further objective of the present invention is that the gutter sections of desired length can be cut from a gutter. Still further objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter can be easily mounted to the roof. Another objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter does not allow leaves, twigs and like to collect in the gutter. Still another objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter could be easily cleaned. Yet another objective of the present invention is that the rainwater gutter is durable and can withstand external damaging forces.

The present invention provides an improved gutter system comprising at least one cylindrical deflecting member or pipe shaped member, wherein the at least one cylindrical deflecting member has a circular profile; at least one elongated receiving channel or trough, wherein the at least one elongated receiving channel has a crescent profile; at least one bracket having an extension arm and an opening with an upper open portion and a lower open portion, wherein the upper open portion has a circular profile and the lower open portion has a crescent profile; wherein the upper open portion of the at least one bracket receives the at least one cylindrical deflecting member, the lower open portion of the at least one bracket receives the at least one elongated receiving channel, and the extension arm is configured to attach to a structure; and wherein, when a liquid falls onto the at least one cylindrical deflecting member, the liquid travels around a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical deflecting member and is received by the elongated receiving channel. Further, where the upper open portion circular profile opening is a partial circular profile and the lower open portion crescent profile could be a semi-circular profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of the invention is better understood when read with reference to the drawings in which:

FIG. 1A provides a perspective view of the gutter system of the present invention attached to a structure having a roof;

FIG. 1B provides a perspective view of a multi section gutter system of the present invention;

FIG. 2 provides a perspective breakout view of the gutter system of the present invention;

FIG. 3 provides a cross sectional view of the present invention attached to a structure;

FIG. 4A provides a perspective view of a bracket of the present invention;

FIG. 4B provides a cross sectional view of a bracket of the present invention;

FIG. 5A provides a perspective view of a connector of the present invention;

FIG. 5B provides a cross sectional view of a connector of the present invention;

FIG. 6A provides a perspective view of a downspout of the present invention;

FIG. 6B provides a cross sectional view of a downspout of the present invention;

FIG. 7A provides a perspective view of a corner connector of the present invention;

FIG. 7B provides a cross sectional view of a corner connector bracket of the present invention;

FIG. 8A provides a perspective view of an end cap of the present invention; and

FIG. 8B provides a cross sectional view of an endcap of the present invention;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, aspects of the methods and associated systems in accordance with various embodiments of the invention will be described. As used herein, any term in the singular may be interpreted to be in the plural, and alternatively, any term in the plural may be interpreted to be in the singular. It is appreciated that features of one embodiment as described herein may be used in conjunction with other embodiments. The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the following detailed description together with the accompanying drawings (FIGS. 1-8), in which like reference indicators are used to designate like elements.

FIG. 1A: provides a prospective view of the system of the present invention installed on a home or structure. The system 10 is attached to a house or a structure having a roof 20 with a structure wall 22. The structure wall 22 may be a fascia board attached to the wall 22. The gutter system 10 is attached to the structure wall 22 by brackets 12. The brackets 12 are designed to fit a tube 11 in an upper opening portion (see FIGS. 4A, 4B) and a trough or channel 15 in a lower opening portion. In a preferred embodiment, the tube 11 or pipe is a PVC tube such as commercially sold in many hardware stores. The trough or channel 15 rests below the tube 11 in a spaced position to allow water to flow over, or around the circumference, of the tube 11 and into the trough 15. In the preferred embodiment, the trough 15 is also made of PVC material and may be a PVC tube cut to the right dimension. In the preferred embodiment, the trough 15 is a half-circle profile and has dimensions which have a slightly smaller diameter then the diameter of the tube 11 which prevents incidental debris falling from the roof from entering or clogging trough 15. However, the trough 15 may also have a half-oval profile with dimensions which have a slightly smaller diameter then the diameter of the tube 11. The half-oval profile trough 15 provides a deeper water flow channel in the trough 15 which allows for more water to flow in situations needing more rainwater flow capacity. The trough 15 may also be produced by extrusion of PVE or other material or by cutting a PVC tube 11 lengthwise in half.

An important aspect of the gutter system 10 is that any debris which may fall off the roof 20 may hit the tube 11 and flow around the circumference of the tube 11 but then fall to the ground as the debris is too large to flow into the gap between the tube 11 and trough 15. In comparison, the water flowing around the tube 11 has a friction effect which enables the water to run or flow around the tube 11 until it falls into the trough 15. However, the debris has little to no friction and falls off of the roof and to the ground do to the spacing between the fascia board 22 and the tube 11 created by the brackets 12 or it hits the top portion of the tube 11 and falls off the top portion of the tube 11 as it will not fit into the trough 15. Thus, the debris falls to the ground where it can be easily cleaned or remove.

As seen in FIG. 1B, the system 10 may include multiple sections which can accommodate inside and outside corners. The first section would have brackets 12 to attach it to the structure or wall 22 and contain the tube 11 and the trough 15. In addition, the system 10 may have downspouts 14, endcaps 18, longitudinal connection pieces (not shown) and corner connection pieces 16. In a preferred embodiment, the brackets 12, downspouts 14, endcaps 18, longitudinal connection pieces (not shown) and corner connection pieces 16 may also be made of PVC material. However, the tube 11, bracket 12, downspouts 14, trough 15, endcaps 18, longitudinal connection pieces (not shown) and corner connection pieces 16 may be made of any suitable material including aluminum, PVC, other plastic or metal material and may be extruded, formed, forged, or for plastic based materials the parts may be 3-D printed.

A breakout view of the present invention is displayed in FIG. 2 where the system 10 shows the brackets 12 having openings for receiving the tube 11 and the trough pieces 15. Again, the system may utilize corner brackets 16, downspouts 14, and end caps 18. As will be described in more detail below, the corner brackets 16, downspouts 14, and end caps 18 also have two openings in a spaced relationship for receiving the tube 11 and trough 15.

As seen in FIG. 3, which depicts water 99 flowing from the roof 20 and travelling down as it engages the system 10. First, the water 99 flows around the upper tube 11, which is help in place by the bracket 12. As seen in the crosscut view in FIG. 3, the water 99 flows around the tube 11 and would move into the trough 15. The bracket 12 is depicted in FIG. 3 and shows the bracket 12 having a lower protrusion 13 which separates the tube 11 from the trough 15. Water 99 flows around the tube 11 and into the trough 15 where it is carried down to the downspout 14. Details of the various parts of the system 10 will be described in more detail below.

As seen in FIG. 4A, the bracket 12 includes an upper portion of the bracket 41 which has an inner wall 42 which creates an opening 43. The bracket 12, also includes a lower portion 44, a separation protrusion 45 which separates the upper opening 43 from the lower opening 47. The upper opening 43 is for receiving the tube 11 and the lower opening 47 is for receiving the trough 15. The bracket 12 includes a left protrusion 45 and a right protrusion 45. The protrusions have an edge 46. The protrusion 45 and edge 46 create the structural element to keep the tube 11 in the upper opening 43 and the trough 15 in the lower opening 47. The lower portion 44 of the bracket 12 includes or creates an opening 47 for receiving the trough 15. The bracket 12 also includes an attachment arm 48 and a mechanical fastening opening 49 for attaching the bracket to the wall 22. In construction, the trough or channel pieces 15 are inserted into the lower opening 47 of the bracket 12 and the tube 11 fits into the upper opening 43 of the bracket 12. During installation, the system 10 can be assembled in pieces and then attached to the wall 22 using the attachment arm 48 and fastening opening 49. Alternatively, the bracket 12 can be attached to the wall 22 and then the pipe 11 and trough 15 can be inserted into the bracket 12 openings 43, 47.

As seen in FIG. 5A, a connector piece 50 is used for connecting two pipes 11 along a horizontal plane. The connector piece 50 has an upper portion 51 and a lower portion 54. The upper portion 51 includes a wall 52 which is used as a stop point for the pipes 11 to push against the connector. The upper portion 51 also contains a protruding connection inner stem 53 which is used to mate with the inner wall of the pipe 11 as a male to female pipe connection. As common with PVC pipe systems, the PVC pipes can be connected with a sealing compound or PVC cement to permanently connect the pipe 11 to the inner stem 53. For use of the connector 50, the two pipes can be connected using the connector 50 to extend the length of the gutter system 10 needed to extend along the entire horizontal length of the structure or wall 22. The connection piece 50 also contains protrusions 55 which separate the upper portion 51 (and pipe 11) from the lower portion 54 (and trough 15). The lower portion has an inner wall 56 for supporting the trough 15 and creates an opening 57 in the lower portion for receiving the trough 15. The trough 15 is inserted in the lower portion opening 57 to continue the trough 15 along the gutter system 10 length requirement. The connector piece 50 also contains the connection arm 58 and a fastening opening 59 for attaching the connector piece to the wall 22.

The downspout 14 can be seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B and contains an upper portion 61 having an inner wall 62 which creates an opening 63. Protrusion 65 separates the upper portion 61 from bottom portion 64. The protrusions 65 also includes edges 66 which separate the upper opening 63 from the bottom opening 68. The bottom portion 64 has an inner wall 67 where the trough or channel 15 rests. The channel 15 is inserted into the opening 68 and the pipe 11 is inserted into the opening 63. However, the downspout has an exit spout 69 with an inner spout channel 169. The downspout 14 has stops or walls which stop the trough 15 from fully extending through the downspout 14. These stops create an opening in the trough 15 allowing the water which has entered the trough 15 to flow to the downspout exit 69, 169. Through use of the system 10, the water rolls over the pipe 11 into the trough channel 15, runs along the gutter system 10 to the exit spout 69 or more accurately the inner exit spout 169.

A corner bracket 16 is depicted in FIGS. 7A and 7B and has a left portion 71 and a right portion 74. The left portion 71 includes an inner wall 72 which creates an opening 73. The right portion 74 has an inner wall 77 which creates a right opening 78. The corner bracket 16 also includes protrusions 75 which separate the left upper portion 71 from the left lower portion 73 and the right upper portion 74 from the right lower portion 77 which creates the respective openings 78 for the trough 15.

The endcap 18 is depicted in FIGS. 8A, 8B, and includes an upper portion 81 and a lower portion 84. The upper portion 81 includes an inner wall surface 82 which creates a partial opening 83 for receiving the pipe 11. The lower portion 84 is separated from the upper portion 81 by protrusions 85. The lower portion 84 includes an inner wall 86 which creates an opening 87. The pipe 11 is inserted into the upper opening 83 until the pipe 11 end hits the back end or wall of the end cap opening 83. The channel or trough 15 is inserted into the lower opening 87 until the channel 15 hits the back end of the wall in opening 87. Alternatively, the endcap 18 is inserted onto the end of pipe 11 and the channel 15. The end cap 18 prevents water from flowing out the end which will force water back through to the downspout 14 as depicted in FIG. 1B.

Another important aspect of the present invention is the rigidity of the design and materials. Since the pipe 11 has a circular shape it is less likely to accumulate debris including snow. Further, in the preferred embodiment, the PVC is more rigid than standard aluminum and less likely to be damaged from wind of heavy loads from snow, leaves, or other debris. Therefore, the system has more rigidity and well suited for harsh conditions of strong wind and snow loads.

While the foregoing description and drawings represent preferred or exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that various additions, modifications and substitutions may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope and range of equivalents of the accompanying claims. In particular, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be embodied in other forms, structures, arrangements, proportions, sizes, and with other elements, materials, and components, without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. In addition, numerous variations in the methods/processes as applicable described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. One skilled in the art will further appreciate that the invention may be used with many modifications of structure, arrangement, proportions, sizes, materials, and components and otherwise, used in the practice of the invention, which are particularly adapted to specific environments and operative requirements without departing from the principles of the present invention. The presently disclosed embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof, and not limited to the foregoing description or embodiments. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.

For the purposes of this specification and the appended claims, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing amounts, sizes, dimensions, proportions, shapes, formulations, parameters, percentages, quantities, characteristics, and other numerical values used in the specification and claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” even though the term “about” may not expressly appear with the value, amount or range. Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are not and need not be exact, but may be approximate and/or larger or smaller as desired, reflecting tolerances, conversion factors, rounding off, measurement error and the like, and other factors known to those of skill in the art depending on the desired properties sought to be obtained by the presently disclosed subject matter. For example, the term “about,” when referring to a value can be meant to encompass variations of, in some embodiments ±100%, in some embodiments ±50%, in some embodiments ±20%, in some embodiments ±10%, in some embodiments ±5%, in some embodiments ±1%, in some embodiments ±0.5%, and in some embodiments ±0.1% from the specified amount, as such variations are appropriate to perform the disclosed methods or employ the disclosed compositions.

Further, the term “about” when used in connection with one or more numbers or numerical ranges, should be understood to refer to all such numbers, including all numbers in a range and modifies that range by extending the boundaries above and below the numerical values set forth. The recitation of numerical ranges by endpoints includes all numbers, e.g., whole integers, including fractions thereof, subsumed within that range (for example, the recitation of 1 to 5 includes 1 2, 3, 4, and 5, as well as fractions thereof, e.g., 1.5, 2.25, 3.75, 4.1, and the like) and any range within that range.

Claims

1. An improved gutter system comprising: at least one cylindrical deflecting member, wherein the at least one cylindrical deflecting member has a circular profile;at least one elongated receiving channel, wherein the at least one elongated receiving channel has a crescent profile;at least one bracket having an extension arm and an opening with an upper open portion and a lower open portion, wherein the upper open portion has a circular profile and the lower open portion has a crescent profile;wherein the upper open portion of the at least one bracket receives the at least one cylindrical deflecting member, the lower open portion of the at least one bracket receives the at least one elongated receiving channel, and the extension arm is configured to attach to a structure; andwherein, when a liquid falls onto the at least one cylindrical deflecting member, the liquid travels around a portion of an outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical deflecting member and is received by the elongated receiving channel.