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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to gutter screens, and particularly to lateral
gutter screens which do not hinder the longitudinal or transverse flow of
water in the gutter or require the modification of the gutter or the
supporting roof for installation, which are self-supporting, and which are
essentially maintenance free.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various gutter screens and gutter guards have been proposed and implemented
to prevent leaves and other debris from entering roof gutters and from
blocking the flow of water therethrough. Although a large variety of
gutter screens and guards have been developed, there exists significant
problems and limitations with all prior screens and guards. Prior gutter
guards and screen assemblies suffer from complications including
significant limitations ill limiting intrusion by leaves and other debris,
difficulty of installation and removal, and problems associated with
blockage of water flow through the gutter in both the longitudinal and
transverse directions.
Attempts to solve such problems in gutter screens and gutter guards have
met with only limited success. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,103.601 issued
to Hunt, shows a trilateral gutter guard with a first and second leg
connected by a third horizontal leg and is representative of prior, albeit
incomplete solutions to such problems. For example, the Hunt patent has
two legs positioned at art angle which traps leaves and debris in between
the legs and the screen, and restricts the flow of water when leaves and
other debris are caught in between the legs and the gutter. Moreover, such
gutter guards are extremely difficult to install, clean, and remove from
gutters, and in fact are very limited in terms of the number and type of
gutter in which they may be used. In fact, such limitations have
undoubtedly been a reason such prior gutter screens and guards have not
received widespread acceptance.
Accordingly, it is the primary object of this invention to provide a gutter
guard which is highly effective at preventing leaves, pine needles, dirt,
and other debris and organic matter form interfering with the flow of
water through a gutter. It is another object of the present invention to
provide a highly effective, easy to install, easy to clean, easy to
remove, self-supporting, maintenance free, and inexpensive gutter screen.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the
description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the
description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects
and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of
the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the
appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve the foregoing objects, and in accordance with the purpose of the
invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a lateral gutter
screen is provided for preventing leaves, pine needles and other debris
form entering a longitudinally extending roof gutter and blocking the flow
of water therethrough. The gutter screen, in one embodiment, comprises a
first moveable leg adapted to slideably fit within a longitudinally
extending roof gutter. The first leg includes a plurality of apertures
allowing for the flow of water therethrough. A second moveable leg adapted
to slideably fit within a longitudinally extending roof gutter includes a
plurality of apertures. The second leg is hingedly secured to the first
leg allowing movement of the first leg and the second leg in relation to
each other and permitting the gutter screen to be slideably secured within
the longitudinally extending gutter while allowing the gutter screen to be
stored in a flat configuration. Preferably, the gutter screen presents a
generally triangular cross section when positioned within a longitudinally
extending gutter with a gutter wall forming the base of the triangle and
the first leg and the second leg of the gutter screen forming the sides of
the triangular cross section.
The gutter screen is preferably composed of any durable, resilient
material, however, plastics, polyethylene, vinyl, rubber, and the like are
preferred. The gutter screen of the present invention is very efficient in
preventing leaves, pine needles and other debris form clogging a gutter,
and is also very easy to install in the gutter or remove from the gutter,
and is very inexpensive to manufacture. The gutter screen of the present
invention may be used on all types of gutters without requiring
modification of the gutter, roof, or structure to which the gutter is
attached.
In accordance with the present invention there also is provided an improved
lateral gutter screen for preventing debris form clogging a longitudinally
extending gutter, comprising: a first foldable and moveable leg adapted to
be slideably received within a longitudinally extending gutter. The first
leg includes a plurality of selectively spaced and sized apertures therein
allowing for a flow of water through the plurality apertures. A foldable
and moveable second leg is adapted to be slideably held and secured within
the longitudinally extending gutter and includes a plurality of spaced and
sized apertures allowing for the flow of water therethrough. The second
leg is hingedly secured to the first leg by a crease between the first leg
and the second leg allowing the first and second leg to be moved and
adjusted in relation to each other so as to be received and secured within
the longitudinally extending gutter and to be folded flat for storage so
that said first and said second leg extend from one another in an
essentially horizontal plane.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part
of the specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention
and, together with a general description given above and the detailed
description of the preferred embodiment given below, serve to explain the
principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is an end view of a lateral gutter screen shown positioned in a
longitudinally extending gutter, according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of such gutter screen, according to the
invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view of such gutter screen shown folded flat, according to
the invention.
FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of such gutter screen, according to the
invention.
FIG. 5 shows an end view of such gutter screen in a flat configuration
showing hinge 32, according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments
of the invention as illustrated in tile accompanying drawings.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a gutter screen
comprising: a first moveable leg adapted to slideably fit within a
longitudinally extending gutter; said first leg including a plurality of
apertures therein allowing for a flow of water through said plurality of
apertures; and a second moveable leg adapted to slideably fit within said
longitudinally extending gutter: said second leg including a plurality of
spaced apertures allowing the flow of water through said plurality of
apertures; said second leg being hingedly secured to said first leg
allowing movement of said first leg and said second leg in relation to
each other permitting said gutter screen to be slideably secured within
the longitudinally extending gutter while allowing the gutter screen to be
stored in a fiat configuration. Preferably, the gutter screen presents a
generally triangular cross section when positioned within a longitudinally
extending gutter with a gutter wall forming the base of the triangle and
the first and the second leg of the gutter screen forming the sides of the
triangular cross section.
In FIG. 1, a lateral gutter screen 10 is shown according to a preferred
embodiment of the invention. Gutter screen 10 is shown in FIG. 1
positioned in a longitudinally extending gutter 12 with gutter straps 14
secured to shingles 16. Gutter 12 is shown as typically secured to a house
with facia board 20, and rafters 18. Gutter screen 10 prevents leaves,
pine needles, and other debris from entering gutter 12 and blocking or
clogging the flow of water therethrough. Gutter screen 10 preferably
includes a first moveable leg 22 adapted to be slideably fit within gutter
12 having a plurality of spaced and selectively positioned and sized
apertures 24 allowing for a flow of water through the plurality of
apertures 24 so water may enter the gutter essentially unimpeded while
leaves, pine needles, and other debris are prevented from entering gutter
12. Apertures 24 are preferably spaced at about 1/4 inch apart from one
another and are about 5/16 inches in diameter, however, other spacing and
sizing may also be used. Apertures 24 are preferably spaced at least 1/4
inches from the edge of gutter screen 10 and at least 1/4 inch from hinge
or crease 32, of course, other spacing and distancing is also possible. As
seen in FIG. 1, apertures 24 on first leg 22 may be arranged in linear
rows, such as row 26, clustered, or otherwise. First leg 22 is preferably
composed of a durable, resilient material, such as plastic, vinyl,
polyethylene, rubber, or the like, thereby providing a firm yet flexible
screen.
In FIGS. 1-5 a second moveable leg 28 is shown adapted to slideably fit
within gutter 12 and includes a plurality of selectively sized and
positioned apertures 30. Second leg 28 is hingedly secured to first leg 22
allowing for movement of first leg 22 and second leg 28 in relation to
each other permitting gutter screen 10 to be slideably secured and
positioned within gutter 12 or legs 22 and 28 may be folded flat allowing
gutter screen 10 to be stored in a flat configuration. As seen in FIG. 1,
gutter screen 10 preferably present a generally triangular cross section
when positioned within a longitudinally extending gutter such as gutter 12
with a gutter wall forming the base of the triangle and first leg 22 and
second leg 28 forming the sides of the triangular cross section. Second
leg 28, as first leg 22, is preferably composed of a durable, resilient
material, such as, plastic vinyl, polyethylene, rubber or the like, or may
be made from a wire mesh or screen. In the preferred embodiment, gutter
screen 10 with legs 22 and 28 is preferably made with vinyl of about 0.040
inches in thickness. However, other materials as mentioned may be used,
and different thicknesses, for example, from about 0.020 inches to 0.070
inches may be used. However, 0.040 inches in thickness is preferred. By
using the same size apertures in first leg 22 a maximum amount of water is
allowed to pass through first leg 22, while preventing leaves, pine
needles, and other debris from passing through screen 10. Second leg 28
and first leg 22 are hingedly secured together by hinge 32, which is
preferably a crease connecting first leg 22 and second leg 28. That is, in
the preferred embodiment, gutter screen 10 is a one-piece screen with
first leg 22 and second leg 28 hingedly connected by crease 32 allowing
for the movement and folding of first leg 22 and second leg 28 as shown in
FIGS. 1-4, or folded fiat as seen in FIG. 5. Of course, in alternative
embodiments, first leg 22 and second leg 28 may be hingedly connected
together by other means, such as a hinge, or configured in a
cross-sectional U-shape without a hinge or crease with the first and the
second leg forming a continuous curve shaped screen, however, such
configurations are, in most applications, more expensive, difficult to
install, and less efficient.
In reference to FIG. 3, first leg 22 is shown with plurality of apertures
24 which are preferably spaced about one-quarter inch apart and sized at
5/16 inch in diameter. However, other spacing of aperture 24 are clearly
possible, such as clusters, or other geometrical arrangements, and
different size holes may also be used, albeit with less efficiency, such
as 1/4 inch diameter. 1/2 inch diameter, or 3/4 inch diameter apertures,
for example. Second leg 28 preferably is configured with plurality of
apertures 30 being positioned and grouped in three linear groupings, 34,
26, and 38 as shown. Apertures 34 are preferably grouped and arrange to
permit water to pass through and into gutter 12. Apertures 36 is another
preferred grouping of apertures in second leg 28 and, are preferably about
5/16 inches in diameter and spaced at about 3/4 inch from one another. Of
course, other spacing and size apertures may be used, however, the above
spacing and dimensions being preferred. Apertures 38 are preferably of the
same diameter as apertures 36, however, they are preferably spaced closer
together than apertures 36. In this arrangement, water is permitted to
flow through first leg 22 and second leg 28, however, any leaves, pine
needles, or other debris are prevented from entering and clogging or
blocking gutter 12.
In reference to FIG. 4, gutter screen 10 is shown with first leg 22 and
second leg 28 in a typical configuration for sliding into a gutter.
Although a wide variety of dimensions and sizes of gutter screen 10 may be
provided, a typical size for residential applications would be with first
leg 22 about 41/8 inches in width and second leg 28 about 37/8 inches in
width. Lengths of gutter screen 10 of about 4 feet in length are also
convenient, with segments being joined with clips, ties, or other
fastening means well known in the art. Of course other widths of first leg
22 and second leg 28 may be provided if desired, as well as different
lengths of gutter screen 10.
In operation and use, gutter screen 10 is extremely efficient at preventing
leaves, pine needles, and other debris from entering and clogging or
blocking gutters. Gutter screen 10 is very easy to install with lengths
simply being slid into a guitar and either clipped, tied, or otherwise
fastened together. Gutter screen 10 allows for water to both enter and
flow within a gutter allowing both longitudinal and transverse flow
without hindrance while preventing the entrance of leaves and debris.
Gutter screen 10, once installed in a gutter is extremely easy to clean
and remove. Moreover, gutter screen 10 may be used with any type or style
of gutter such as fascia style gutters, plastic gutters, vinyl gutters,
metal gutters, or wood gutters, without modification of the gutter or the
supporting structure.
As is evident from the above description, the gutter screen 10 is both
highly versatile and effective, while being inexpensive to manufacture and
install. Additional advantages and modification will therefore readily
occur to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects
is, therefore, not limited to the specific details, representative
apparatus and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,
departures from such details may be made without departing from the spirit
or scope of the applicant's general inventive concept.
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