Patent Application
20250163702
The present invention relates to a patio awning or cover fascia gutter device for preventing the incursion of debris into the gutter and related methods.
Recessed rain gutters integrated into patio covers serve the essential function of directing rainwater away from the patio area, thereby preventing water accumulation and potential damage. However, these recessed gutters are particularly susceptible to clogging due to their location below the roof panels and the fascia of the patio cover. Debris such as leaves, pine needles, and other natural materials can easily accumulate in these hard-to-reach gutters, especially given their recessed and obscured positioning. Even a small amount of debris can obstruct the flow of water, leading to ineffective drainage and potential water damage.
Therefore, what is critically needed in the field is a straightforward, cost-effective solution designed specifically for recessed rain gutters in patio covers. This solution should effectively prevent clogging from debris without requiring complex installation procedures or ongoing maintenance, and it should remain securely in place despite varying weather conditions.
The present invention addresses the unique challenges posed by recessed rain gutters in patio covers, which are difficult to access due to their location beneath the fascia and roofing sheets. The invention offers a cost-effective and efficient gutter insert specifically designed for easy installation within these recessed gutters. Unlike traditional gutter protection systems, this invention eliminates the need for complex brackets, or specialized tools, thereby simplifying both the installation and maintenance processes. The gutter inserts are also designed for use in various patio designs and are easily customizable to fit the specific length and configuration of the recessed gutter in the patio cover. This adaptability is particularly beneficial given the unique sizing and positioning challenges associated with recessed gutters.
The object of the invention is to provide a hollow, perforated linear gutter insert that be installed in the recessed patio cover rain gutter by sliding the insert from one end into the gutter or during installation of the patio cover. This linear gutter insert is perforated to allow water flow while preventing the incursion of debris into the rain gutter. The insert is uniquely designed with a rectangular cross-section and features one open side, allowing for easy installation and effective water flow. The cross-section area of the insert is sized to allow the insert to be used in multiple patio cover systems, which are generally provided as kits with common rain gutter sizes. The open side of the insert is placed at the bottom surface of the rain gutter in order to facilitate the flow of water and silt small enough to pass through the perforations of the insert through the rain gutter in order to minimize accumulation of any debris in the rain gutter.
The patio cover rain gutter insert may have two side walls that have a height in a range of about 1 inch to about 2 inches (e.g., about 1.5 inches to about 1.75 inches, or any value or range of values therein). The top of the gutter insert may have a width of about 2.5 inches to about 3 inches (e.g., about 2.75 inches, or any value or range of values therein). The length of the gutter insert may be 3 feet to about 10 feet. The gutter insert may be provided in various lengths to allow the combination of gutter inserts of various lengths to be inserted into the rain gutter in an end-to-end fashion to fill the length of the gutter. In some implementations, the gutter insert may overlap with roof panels or beams of the patio cover that overly a portion of the rain gutter. In such cases, fasteners may be used to attached the gutter insert to the overlapping structure, such as a screw, a bolt and nut combination, rivet, or other fastener.
The insert can also be used in a system in which multiple inserts by placing multiple units end to end in long patio covers, by stacking the inserts in unusually deep rain gutters, and positioning the inserts side-by-side in unusually wide rain gutters to provide additional adaptability. In cases where the length of the insert or multiple inserts is too long for the patio cover gutter, an insert can be easily cut cross-sectionally to accommodate the length of the patio cover gutter. In cases where the width of the patio cover rain gutter is too wide for a single insert, but too small for multiple inserts, an insert can be easily cut along its length to fill the width of the gutter exceeding the width of a single insert. The insert can be quickly cut with a saw (e.g., a circular saw, band saw, or oscillating multi-tool) or metal shears due to the perforated structure of the insert. The perforated material may have nodes of the perforations that are linearly aligned along the length of the insert, allowing the nodes to be cut with a linear path along the length of the insert.
The gutter insert may be constructed from various materials. Suitable materials for constructing the gutter insert of the invention include, but are not limited to, perforated PVC or other plastic material, stamped, perforated aluminum sheeting, stamped, perforated steel sheeting, or a combination thereof. The thickness of the walls of the insert may be in a range of about 0.02 inches to about 0.05 inches (e.g., 0.030 inch aluminum sheet). The perforations in the walls of the gutter insert may be in a range of about 1/16 inch to about ½ inch holes (e.g., about 3/16 inch to about 6/16 inch holes, or any value or range of values therein).
In some embodiments, the insert may be included in a patio cover system that has a rain gutter structure that is complementary to the gutter insert. In such embodiments, the patio cover system may include some or all of the following:
As a component of the patio cover system, the gutter insert may be configured to fit snugly within the recessed patio cover rain gutter such that no debris can pass between the sidewalls of the rain gutter and the gutter insert. The gutter insert may also have an equal length to the rain gutter of the system.
The following aspects, provide the objects of the invention. In one aspect, the present invention relates to a gutter insert that may be constructed, in part, from perforated sheet metal, providing a minimum of 40% open surface area to facilitate water flow. Additionally, this gutter insert serves as an external barrier to prevent debris from obstructing the water's path within the recessed rain gutter. To secure the gutter insert within the patio cover rain gutter, a fastener is included for attachment to a structural member. The parallel sidewalls of this device have a height ranging from approximately 1 inch to about 2 inches, while the upper surface boasts a width between 2.5 inches and 3 inches. The perforations on the insert have diameters within the range of about 3/16 inches to about 6/16 inches.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a patio cover system for preventing debris accumulation in a rain gutter of a patio cover. The system comprises a recessed patio cover rain gutter and a perforated hollow gutter insert with a polygonal cross-section that complements the rain gutter, two vertical, parallel side walls, and an open bottom side. The gutter insert includes perforations throughout its upper surface. This gutter insert may be designed to fit snugly within the recessed rain gutter situated below the fascia and roofing sheets of the patio cover. This gutter insert may be partially constructed from perforated sheet metal, providing a minimum of 40% open surface area for water flow while serving as an external barrier to prevent debris from obstructing the water's path within the recessed rain gutter. Additionally, a fastener may be included for attaching the gutter insert to a structural member of the patio cover, positioning it in the patio cover rain gutter. The parallel sidewalls of this system may have a height ranging from approximately 1 inch to about 2 inches, while the upper surface may possess a width between 2.5 inches and 3 inches. The perforations on the insert may have diameters within the range of about 3/16 inches to about 6/16 inches.
In another aspect, the present invention providing a method for preventing a recessed rain gutter in a patio cover from becoming obstructed with debris may include providing a perforated hollow gutter insert with two vertical, parallel sidewalls, and an open bottom side, featuring perforations throughout its upper surface. This gutter insert may have a polygonal cross-section complementary to the rain gutter and can be inserted into the recessed rain gutter situated below the fascia and roofing sheets of the patio cover. By doing so, the gutter insert may prevent debris from obstructing the flow of water within the recessed rain gutter. The gutter insert may be at least partially formed from perforated sheet metal, providing a minimum of 40% open surface area to facilitate water flow, and serving as an external barrier against debris obstruction. Further comprising the attachment of the gutter insert to a structural member of the patio cover, a fastener may be employed while positioning the gutter insert in the patio cover rain gutter. Additionally, the parallel sidewalls of this system may have a height ranging in about 1 inch to about 2 inches, and the upper surface may possess a width between about 2.5 inches to about 3 inches. The perforations on the insert may have diameters in the range of about 3/16 inches to about 6/16 inches.
Further objects of the invention include, but are not limited to providing an improved device to prevent debris from building up in a rain gutter in a patio gutter; providing an improved patio cover system to prevent debris from building up in a rain gutter in a patio gutter; providing a method for preventing debris from building up in a rain gutter in a patio gutter; and providing a method for installing a device or system that prevents debris from building up in a rain gutter in a patio gutter.
The present invention provides a hollow, perforated linear gutter insert that can be installed in the recessed patio cover rain gutter by sliding the insert from one end into the gutter or during installation of the patio cover, a system incorporated the same, and related methods. It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutations of embodiments of the present invention, and uses thereof, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of either components or steps disclosed herein. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although reference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to be appreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these figures and certain implementations and examples of the embodiments, it will be understood that such implementations and examples are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. References to various features of the “present invention” throughout this document do not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced features. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or features.
The invention pertains to a single-piece gutter insert specifically designed to prevent clogging in recessed rain gutters found in patio covers. These gutters are often located beneath the fascia and roofing sheets, making them difficult to access for cleaning and maintenance. The term “clogging” or “obstruction” refers to any hindrance to the flow of water caused by debris such as leaves, pine needles, or other natural materials. Reference will be made to the exemplary illustrations in the accompanying drawings, and like reference characters may be used to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The series of figures,
A plurality of inserts 100 can also be used in a system in which the plurality of inserts is placed end to end in the rain gutter of a long patio cover, or by stacking the inserts 100 in unusually deep rain gutters, and positioning the inserts 100 side-by-side in unusually wide rain gutters to provide additional adaptability.
In summary, the invention offers a single-piece, perforated aluminum gutter insert with a rectangular cross-section and one open side. This design is specifically tailored for recessed rain gutters in patio covers, providing an effective, easy-to-install solution for preventing clogs without requiring complex installation or ongoing maintenance. In operation, the perforated aluminum sheet effectively filters out debris while allowing water to flow through. The rectangular cross-section is optimized to fit the unique dimensions of the recessed gutter in patio covers, and the one open side facilitates easy installation and removal for maintenance. The insert can be easily customized in length to fit the specific dimensions of a patio cover's recessed gutter. While the standard lengths may range from about 12 to 24 inches, users have the flexibility to cut the insert to a desired length without affecting its functionality.
It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutations of embodiments of the present invention, and uses thereof, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of either components or steps disclosed herein. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although reference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to be appreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.
