Patent Application
20070193125
The present invention relates generally to the field of gutters, and more particularly, an apparatus for diverting water leaked from a gutter away from a structure to prevent moisture damage to the structure.
Gutters have been used for centuries to collect rainwater running off of a building's roof and to channel the water to a downspout to take the water to the ground. It is desirable to collect the water and transfer it to the ground with minimal water contacting the building. Wood or corrosive materials may be damaged with prolonged exposure to water. Accordingly, it is highly desirable to provide gutters that do not leak. This is especially troublesome on most residential structures where the gutters are installed adjacent a fascia board, which is generally susceptible to rot. If the gutters leak onto the fascia board, it may rot and require costly repairs.
Today, gutters are typically constructed of aluminum, because of its non-corrosive and light weight properties. Often, aluminum gutters are supplied in long sections which are joined by junction plates. Unfortunately, wherever there is a joint, the gutters are prone to leaking. Even when sealed, these joints eventually develop leaks.
One solution to this problem has been to provide gutters in continuous lengths between the end and corners of the roof line. This is typically accomplished by forming the gutters at the jobsite and cutting them to length to custom fit the structure. This reduces the number of joints, however, joints are still necessary at each corner. Thus, even this improved installation method yields the same leakage issues.
In order to minimize leaks, gutter installers generally use a sealant, such as caulk, at the seams. Such sealants are often initially effective, but temperature changes due to the weather put a strain on the sealant. It is very difficult for a sealant to maintain a water tight seal over time when exposed to intense summer heat and winter cold. The gutter is constantly expanding and contracting with the environmental temperature and unless the sealant expands and contracts at the same rate, gaps will form. Once a gap forms, a leak is likely to follow.
Another problem is that if a leak develops after installation, it can be very difficult to reapply the sealant in the gutters. This is especially problematic in some of today's covered gutter systems where the covers limit, or prevent, access to the inside of the gutter without disassembling the gutter. While, disassembly is possible, it greatly increases the time, effort, and cost associated with accessing the inside of the gutter.
One solution is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,531 to Okolischan. Okolischan describes a plate that can be inserted between the gutter and the fascia board. The plate extends past the fascia board so that water dripping down the plate will be carried past the fascia board and therefore will not contact it. This solution is undesirable for many installations. Since the plate must extend past the fascia board, it can be unsightly, especially when wide fascia boards are used. Additionally, the Okolischan device does not direct the water away from the structure, it merely allows it to drip down from below the fascia board. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an apparatus to keep water leaked from a gutter away from a building structure.
Additionally, there is a need in the art for an apparatus that can be easily installed with a gutter system for protecting a structure for leaks that develop when sealants break down.
Also, there is a need in the art for an apparatus that can be installed into an existing gutter system to protect a structure from water leaking from the gutter.
The present invention provides a leak diverter for diverting leaked water from a gutter away from a structure. The leak diverter device provides a novel and effective method for diverting water leaked from a gutter away from a fascia board or other moisture sensitive material. The leak diverter-may be installed along with a new gutter system at each gutter seam or gutter joint to divert any water leaked through the joint away from the structure on which the gutter is installed. Additionally, the leak diverter may be installed in an existing gutter system when leaks are discovered or as a preventative measure to combat potential leaks and to preserve the structure on which the gutter is mounted. In residential applications, the gutter is typically mounted to a fascia board and thus the leak diverter may be installed between the gutter and the fascia board.
The leak diverter generally comprises a first portion located substantially parallel to a fascia board and a second portion adjacent to and protruding from the first portion away from the fascia board. Additionally, it is preferable that the angle between the first portion and the second portion be greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. Furthermore, the leak diverter may be installed adjacent a straight section of gutter or may be installed at a corner where two gutter sections meet. When installed at a corner, the first portion and the second portion of the leak diverter are shaped at an angle that is substantially the same as the angle of the corner.
The leak diverter is preferably impervious to water to protect the fascia board by serving as a barrier to water leaking from the gutter. The leak diverter also preferably has a surface that allows leaked water to run down the leak diverter and to drip away from the fascia board.
In a corner arrangement, the leak diverter structure follows the contour of the corner, maintaining its position between the fascia board and the gutter. Structures for various corner configurations are described.
These and other features as well as advantages, which characterize the various preferred embodiments of present invention, will be apparent from a reading of the following detailed description and a review of the associated drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are herein described.
Typically, when installing the leak diverter 100 into a preinstalled gutter system, the gutter 105 may be deflected a small distance away from the fascia board 110. Those skilled in the art will recognize that such deflection may require removal of one or more gutter anchors used to attach the gutter 105 to the fascia board 110. Thus, it may be desirable for the leak deflector 100 to be sufficiently thin and rigid to enable one to insert the leak diverter 100 into a tight fitting location.
The first portion 300 is preferably of sufficient height to extend near the top of the gutter. In such a configuration, the leak diverter 100 will divert a leak from the gutter 105 regardless of how high in the gutter the leak is. Thus, even if the gutter 105 is nearly full of water, the leak diverter 100 may be capable of diverting a leak.
The second portion 305 extends down from the first portion 300 and directs water down and away from the fascia board 110 and the building. By being positioned at an angle away from the fascia board 110, water leaking from the gutter 105 will run down the first portion 300 to the second portion 305 and then drip off the bottom end of the second portion 305 a distance away from the fascia board 110 so as to prevent water contact. Preferably, the angle between the first portion 300 and second portion 305 is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees so that the water will run down and away from the fascia board 110. In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom edge of the second portion 305 may be approximately one-half inch or more away from the fascia board 110. Accordingly, the water will drip away from the fascia board 110 thereby keeping the fascia board 110 dry and protected.
When using the leak diverter 100 along a straight run of gutter 105, the leak diverter 100 may be arranged with a flat first portion 300 and a flat second portion 305. However, when using the leak diverter 100 on a corner, as shown in
Throughout this description, the first portion 300 may refer to the single section 300a arrangement without the corner or to the two section 300a, 300b arrangement for use on a corner.
Also shown in
In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the leak diverter 100 may be made of plastic and formed through injection molding or any alternative methods of forming a plastic component. Preferably, injection molded sections are contemplated for various complex forms. Alternatively, the leak diverter 100 may be fabricated from any other material suitable for diverting water leaked from a gutter. Exemplary materials may include, but are not limited to plastics, fiberglass, aluminum, rubber, or any other substantially non-corrosive material. It is preferable that the leak diverter be constructed as a unitary device such that no joints require sealing. This may be accomplished by molding or casting the device. Alternatively, the leak diverter 100 may be fabricated by bending sheet metal and drawing it to form the curve 305c on the lower, second, portion 305 of the leak diverter 100.
For installation, the leak diverter 100 may be attached to the fascia board 110 using a variety of fasteners including, but not limited to, nails, screws, adhesives, or any other suitable fasteners. Alternatively, the leak diverter may be installed without the use of a fastener. For example, and not limitation, the leak diverter may be held between the gutter 105 and the fascia board 110 through the force of the gutter 105 against the fascia board 110 or by friction.
While the present description has been described with particular reference to the invention when installed between a gutter 105 and a fascia board 110, as shown in the drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the leak diverter may be implemented in a variety of settings when it is desirable to protect a moisture sensitive material from fluid leaked from a gutter or other fluid carrying device.
While the various embodiments of this invention have been described in detail with particular reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that variations and modifications can be effected within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to the above discussed embodiments, and should only be defined by the following claims and all applicable equivalents.
