Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley – With separator; e.g. – strainer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-03-22
2001-05-01
Friedman, Carl D. (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley
With separator; e.g., strainer
C052S013000, C052S015000, C052S016000, C210S474000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223474
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for improving the flow of water in rain gutters and downspouts, and more particularly, to a gutter drainer assembly that is installed within a rain gutter to prevent clogging of the rain gutter and downspouts, and to allow the free flow of water within the rain gutter and downspouts.
The roofs of homes and other buildings typically have rain gutters or eaves troughs hung on the outer edge of the eaves below the roof line to catch and redirect rainwater flowing down from the roof. The gutters receive and redirect the flow of water into a downspout which carries the water to the ground.
A common problem with rain gutters and downspouts is that leaves, branches, pine needles and other debris often collect and accumulate within the gutters and downspouts, clogging them and preventing water from flowing through the gutters and into the downspouts. Also, when water from rain or melting snow flows down the roof, the debris on the roof is carried into the gutters and downspouts, clogging them both. If the gutters or downspouts are clogged, the gutters overflow onto the ground possibly causing soil erosion and/or damage to the building's foundation.
There have been various devices invented to prevent the clogging of rain gutters and downspouts. Specifically, there are patents that disclose cage-like structures positioned over the inlet of the downspout to prevent it from clogging. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,535,554 issued to Harris, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,602 issued to Sorenson.
In addition, there have been other devices, such as screens placed over the top of rain gutters, or devices inserted within the rain gutters that allow water to flow through the rain gutters to the downspouts and out onto the ground. Devices such as these can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,949,514; 5,107,635; and 5,109,640.
However, most of these prior art devices are relatively difficult to install and maintain. Therefore, there is a need for a simple inexpensive device that effectively prevents the clogging of rain gutters and downspouts, and is easy to install and maintain.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a gutter drainer assembly for preventing clogging of gutters and downspouts, and allowing the free flow of water through the gutters and into inlets for the downspouts. The gutter drainer assembly includes an elongated flat flexible strip that is folded for installation in the gutter. The strip has a pair of grooves formed in the bottom surface thereof and extending longitudinally along the length of the strip in parallel spaced relation for folding the strip into an inverted U-shaped channel for installation in the gutter.
The grooves formed in the strip separate the strip into a top portion and two side members. The side members having a plurality of openings formed along their outer edges. The plurality of openings create passageways for water to flow through and into an open channel created by folding the side members downwardly and inwardly along the grooves formed in the strip.
The gutter drainer assembly further includes an end member for attaching to the open end of the gutter drainer assembly located at the end of the gutter. The end member having a top portion and a side portion, the top portion being positioned over the top portion of the strip and being attached thereto by a fastening device.
The gutter drainer assembly is preferably formed of an extruded polyethylene strip which is rolled up in rolls of various lengths. The strip is unrolled and installed along the entire length of the gutter including the corners of the gutter. Pieces of flexible strip may be connected together by fastening devices at the corners and ends of the gutter.
The gutter drainer assembly prevents the gutter and downspouts from being clogged by debris accumulating in the gutter. Water flowing into the gutter flows through the plurality of openings along the outer edges of the side members and into the inverted U-shaped channel created by the folded strip installed within the gutter. The flexible strip may also include through holes extending through the top portion of the strip for increasing the flow of water through the inverted U-shaped channel.
The invention also contemplates a method of preventing a gutter and downspouts from clogging including the steps of: installing an elongated flat flexible strip in the gutter; folding the elongated flat flexible strip along grooves formed within the strip to form an inverted U-shaped channel; and attaching an end member to the open ends of the gutter drainer assembly to prevent debris from entering the inverted U-shaped channel.
Various other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be made apparent to those skilled in the art from the following drawings and detailed description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4949514 (1990-08-01), Weller
patent: 4964247 (1990-10-01), Spica
patent: 5103601 (1992-04-01), Hunt
patent: 5107635 (1992-04-01), Carpenter
patent: 5109640 (1992-05-01), Creson
patent: 5242591 (1993-09-01), Beechert
patent: 5409602 (1995-04-01), Sorenson
patent: 5535554 (1996-07-01), Harris, Jr.
Andrus Sceales Starke & Sawall LLP
Friedman Carl D.
Syres Christy M.
LandOfFree
Gutter drainer assembly does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Gutter drainer assembly, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gutter drainer assembly will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2533684