Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley – With downspout
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-17
2001-06-05
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley
With downspout
C052S016000, C052S013000, C052S012000, C052S011000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06240679
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to rain gutters and, more particularly, to a gutter system for use with a dwelling that is easy to clean by an individual standing on the ground thereby alleviating the need for a ladder or an individual climbing upon the roof with the inherent dangers therewith.
Gutter systems for use with dwellings to channel water flowing off a roof generally comprise horizontal gutters for receiving the water, brackets for securing the gutters to the fascia boards near the eaves of the dwelling, and at least one down spout for channeling the collected water from the gutters to a drainage system leading away from the dwelling to a storm sewer or a discharge area. The gutters comprising such gutter systems, however, are often obstructed after a period of time by the accumulation of debris, such as leaves, twigs, roofing material, silt, and the like. Unless such cumulation of debris is periodically removed, water which is normally conducted through a gutter system will either overflow the gutter or be prevented from flowing into the gutter. Such water will often flow down the side of the dwelling and may result in mildew or structural damage. Further, water which is prevented from flowing into the gutter may accumulate and leak through the roof, particularly on a roof having a shallow pitch, into the interior of the dwelling.
One method of preventing debris from collecting within a gutter, is by the use of screens that are laid over the top of the gutter. However, while such screens do hinder the accumulation of debris in the gutter, they tend to clog over time and make the task of cleaning the gutter substantially more difficult. Further, if screens are used on a gutter which is located near trees, the screens often become covered with leaves and prevents or hinders water from flowing into the gutter during periods of heavy rain.
As a result of the tendency of a gutter to clog, various methods have been developed to clean a gutter. The most common method for cleaning a gutter is by manually climbing onto the roof or by the use of an extension ladder and removing the accumulated debris by hand or with the use of a hose, rake, or other similar device. This method, however, is relatively time consuming, strenuous, and often dangerous.
Another method for cleaning a gutter involves the use of specialized cleaning tools which are intended to be operated by a person standing on the ground below the gutter. Such tools typically comprise long poles that operate to push debris along the inside of the gutter until it can be scooped out using the tools or other devices. Unfortunately, because the operator is standing on the ground, the operator is unable to see inside the gutter thereby making such tools difficult and cumbersome to operate. Further, manipulation of the tools for removal of debris is often difficult and is substantially time consuming. While tools for cleaning a gutter have been developed for use by persons standing on the roof, the use of such tools requires the operator to be positioned at or near the edge of the roof where uneven footing, slippery roofing or loose shingles can make the use of such tools relatively dangerous.
In order to overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior methods of cleaning a gutter, gutter systems have been developed having rotatable gutters that operate to dump debris out. Unfortunately, until now, such gutter systems generally require a custom-built gutter or require relatively complicated pivoting mechanisms or detract from the appearance of the dwelling. Further, such gutter systems often rotate the gutter in such a manner that makes them unsuitable for use on older houses having overhanging shingles or eaves that can interfere with the rotation of the gutter or results in water and cumulated debris being dumped against the side of the dwelling.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved gutter system that permits easy cleaning and removal of debris from a gutter, that is relatively safe and easy to operate, that is relatively simple in design and inexpensive to manufacture, that is relatively simple to install, that can be used on new or older homes having overhanging eaves, and does not detract from the appearance of the dwelling.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an easy to clean gutter system for use on a dwelling. The gutter system comprises an elongated gutter having an inner side wall, an outer side wall, and a bottom thereby forming an elongated channel there between for receiving water runoff from a roof, a bracket for mounting the gutter to the dwelling; and a hanger secured to the gutter and pivotally mounted to the bracket to permit rotational movement of the gutter, about a pivot axis along the upper end of the outer side wall of the gutter, into an upright water-collecting configuration and into an inverted debris dumping configuration.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gutter system comprises a multiple eyelet system for effecting rotational movement of the gutter.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gutter system comprises means for effecting rotation of the gutter by an operator positioned on the ground.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gutter system comprises a gutter formed from individual sections.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gutter system comprises a down spout separated from the gutter to permit the gutter to freely rotate.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gutter system comprises a gutter having non-rotating corner sections.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gutter system comprises bridges for connecting a rotatable gutter section to a stationary corner section.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gutter system comprises a gutter mounted for rotational movement away from the dwelling from an upright water-collecting configuration into an inverted debris dumping configuration.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the gutter system comprises a mesh screen overlying the gutter.
Therefore, a primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel gutter system that may be easily cleaned.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel gutter system having a gutter which can be cleaned by a person standing on the ground.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel gutter system having a gutter which can be easily rotated from an upright water-collecting configuration into an inverted debris dumping configuration.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel gutter system which can incorporate conventional gutters.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel gutter system which does not detract from the appearance of the dwelling.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel gutter system which can be used on older dwellings having overhanging shingles or eaves.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel gutter system which is relatively simple in design.
Another primary object of this invention is to provide a new and novel gutter system which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
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Friedman Carl D.
Nguyen Chi
Smith Mark F.
Smith, Guttag & Bolin Ltd
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