Gutter cover system
First Claim
1. A gutter hanger adapted for use with a building wall, a gutter mounted on the wall and having a lip, the hanger comprising:
- (a) a hanger member having a shaft including a wall end and a swivel end, the hanger presenting a longitudinal axis along the wall end and the swivel end, the wall end including an upwardly extending flange distal from the swivel end, uppermost portions of the flange presenting a first elevation, the hanger member further including a swivel edge distal from the wall end; and
(b) a lip member affixed to the swivel edge, the lip member adapted to matingly engage the lip of the gutter, uppermost portions of the lip member presenting a second elevation, such that when the lip member is so engaged with the lip and aligned with the longitudinal axis with the swivel edge and lip member locked into such alignment, and the flange is affixed to the wall,the hanger thereby rigidly spans the gutter from lip to wall, providing mechanical support to the gutter and the first elevation is lower than the second elevation.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved gutter cover system which is relatively convenient to install, with an innovative gutter bracket and gutter cover that can be installed more quickly and effectively.
The gutter bracket has a bracket member, a tab member and a lip member. The bracket presents a longitudinal axis aligning the wall end and the swivel end. The bracket includes a shaft with a wall end and a swivel end. The wall end has a flange opposite from the swivel end as well as a flat portion along the longitudinal axis. The tab member extends upwardly from the bracket member, to form a slot adapted for insertion of the edge of the gutter cover. The lip member is affixed to the swivel edge, preferably by a screw. The lip member is configured to be matingly received within the lip of the gutter.
The improved gutter cover includes a planar panel for positioning on the roof, an arcuate nose at the lowest portion of the panel disposed close to the gutter, a planar lower member below the nose and a foot suitable for mating edge insertion into the slot.
The system improvements include a modified nose with an arcuate profile free of formed edges to avoid diversion of the rainwater path. Another improvement is the foot, which provides a mechanically secure placement of the cover between the roof and the bracket. In particularly preferred embodiments, the bracket presents a raised elevation for easier installment of the cover.
In addition, an improved gutter hanger and the gutter bracket are both easier to install, spanning the gutter from front to back, because of a swivel function preferably disposed relatively close to the front of the gutter, for easier installation, yet providing mechanical support for the gutter when the swivel portion is locked into rigid alignment.
Both the bracket and hanger are installed in the same fashion. Each is installed by first placing the lip member in mating engagement within the lip of the gutter. Then the flange is fixed to the wall of the building by a screw, bolt or the like. Then the swivel end is securely aligned with the wall end for appropriate mechanical tension between the lip and the wall. At that point the bracket (or hanger) is “locked in” preferably by fixing the screw to both the swivel end and the wall end at their junction.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gutter hanger adapted for use with a building wall, a gutter mounted on the wall and having a lip, the hanger comprising:
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(a) a hanger member having a shaft including a wall end and a swivel end, the hanger presenting a longitudinal axis along the wall end and the swivel end, the wall end including an upwardly extending flange distal from the swivel end, uppermost portions of the flange presenting a first elevation, the hanger member further including a swivel edge distal from the wall end; and (b) a lip member affixed to the swivel edge, the lip member adapted to matingly engage the lip of the gutter, uppermost portions of the lip member presenting a second elevation, such that when the lip member is so engaged with the lip and aligned with the longitudinal axis with the swivel edge and lip member locked into such alignment, and the flange is affixed to the wall, the hanger thereby rigidly spans the gutter from lip to wall, providing mechanical support to the gutter and the first elevation is lower than the second elevation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A gutter cover bracket adapted for use with a building wall, a gutter mounted on the wall and having a lip, and a gutter cover having a flat foot, the bracket comprising:
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(a) a bracket member having a shaft including a wall end and a swivel end, the bracket presenting a longitudinal axis along the wall end and the swivel end, the wall end including an upwardly extending flange distal from the swivel end and further including a swivel edge distal from the wall end; (b) a tab member extending upwardly from the shaft, portions of the tab member and shaft cooperatively forming a slot therebetween; and (c) a lip member affixed to the swivel edge, the lip member adapted to matingly engage the lip of the gutter, such that when the lip member is so engaged with the lip and aligned with the longitudinal axis with the swivel edge and lip member locked into such alignment, and the flange is affixed to the wall, the bracket thereby rigidly spans the gutter from lip to wall and is positioned to supportingly receive the flat edge of the gutter cover in the planar slot. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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10. A gutter cover suitable for use with a gutter and a gutter-covering system, including a gutter bracket, in conjunction with a roof, having a lower end, the gutter bracket including portions forming a slot, the gutter cover comprising:
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a substantially planar panel suitable for fixing on the lower end of the roof; an arcuate, substantially smooth nose disposed at the lowest portion of the panel; and a substantially planar lower member extending downwardly from the nose, including a foot disposed at the lowest portion of the lower member, the foot suitable for mating engagement with the slot. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A gutter cover system adapted for use with a roof, a building wall and a gutter mounted on the wall, the gutter including a lip, the system comprising:
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(a) a bracket including, a bracket member having a shaft including a wall end and a swivel end, the bracket presenting a longitudinal axis along the wall end and the swivel end, the wall end including an upwardly extending flange distal from the swivel end and further including a swivel edge distal from the wall end, a tab member extending upwardly from the shaft, portions of the tab member and shaft cooperatively forming a slot therebetween, a lip member affixed to the swivel edge, the lip member adapted to matingly engage the lip of the gutter, such that when the lip member is so engaged with the lip, and aligned with the longitudinal axis, with the swivel edge and lip member locked into such alignment, and the flange is affixed to the wall, the bracket thereby rigidly spans the gutter from lip to wall; and (b) a gutter cover including, a substantially planar panel positioned on the roof, an arcuate, substantially smooth nose disposed at the lowest portion of the panel and above the gutter, a substantially planar lower member extending downwardly from the nose, including a foot disposed at the lowest portion of the lower member, the foot suitable for mating engagement with the slot. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A gutter cover bracket adapted for use with a building wall, a gutter mounted on the wall and having a lip, and a gutter cover having a flat edge, the bracket comprising:
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(a) a bracket member having a wall end and a swivel end, the bracket member presenting a longitudinal axis along the wall end and the swivel end, the wall end including a shaft formed as a flat portion along the longitudinal axis, the wall end further including a flange upwardly extending from the shaft and distal from the swivel end, the swivel end having a curved member extending from the shaft, the curved member presenting a raised profile adjacent the swivel edge at portions thereof furthermost from the flange; (b) a tab member extending upwardly from the raised profile portion of the swivel end, portions of the tab member and raised profile portion cooperatively forming a planar slot therebetween; and (c) a lip member affixed to the swivel edge, the lip member adapted to matingly engage the lip of the gutter, such that when the lip member is so engaged with the lip and aligned with the longitudinal axis, with the swivel edge and lip member locked into such alignment, and the flange is affixed to the wall, the bracket thereby rigidly spans the gutter from lip to wall and is positioned to supportingly receive the flat edge of the gutter cover in the planar slot, while mechanically re-inforcing the gutter. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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Specification