Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley – With separator; e.g. – strainer
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-07
2001-09-25
Cuomo, Peter M. (Department: 3636)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley
With separator; e.g., strainer
C210S474000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06293054
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a gutter liner apparatus which excludes leaf and other debris from interrupting the drainage flow in a building's gutter system.
2. Description of Related Art
The accumulation of leaves and other matter in the gutter system of buildings is a constant concern for the building owner. Such accumulation, if not removed leads to interruption of the normal drainage flow that the gutter system was designed to accomplish. If left uncorrected, damage to the gutter system and/or the building may occur.
During periods of rainfall, the run-off water from the roof quickly fills and overflows the clogged gutter system thereby totally defeating the function and purpose of the gutter system. During periods of heavy snow accumulation, the water generated from the accumulated snow which usually melts during daylight hours in direct sunlight fills the clogged gutters only to freeze again at night or when temperatures dip below the freezing point. This cycle which is often repeated for several days can result in what is known as ice damming, wherein the ice fills the gutters completely and if left uncorrected begins to accrete so that it builds up beneath the roofing materials. This can result in serious water damage as the accumulated ice melts underneath the roof and leaks into the attic.
To address this problem, gutter liner apparatuses have been developed which most commonly use different kinds of screening systems to preclude leaves and other debris from accumulating in the bottom of the gutter and blocking the drainage flow. Gutter apparatuses take a wide variety of forms and additional functions such as, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,964,247 by Spica which combines a gutter screening and flushing apparatus and U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,427 by McPhalen that forms a roof-rain gutter shield comprising an elongated resilient weatherproof planar sheet.
There is a continuing need which exists for a simple inexpensive gutter liner apparatus that will act as a leaf barrier and be easily installed and replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the aforementioned problems by providing a novel inexpensive gutter liner apparatus that is both easy to manufacture and install. In one embodiment, a gutter liner apparatus is provided which has a perforated upper platform surface that extends the width of the gutter bottom and is supported by two sidewalls that extend downwardly from the edges of the upper platform. Variations in the sidewalls can provide the multiple advantages for the present invention.
Alternate configurations include sidewalls that are perpendicular to the platform portion and rest on the gutter bottom, flare outward and provide a sealing bias against the gutter walls, are connected to form a four sided conduit with a solid bottom, or are connected to form an inverted “V”. The perforations can be varied in size and shape to maximize the areas of the through holes or provide a maximum leaf screening effect in instances where smaller leaves predominate. Perforations can also be varied to fit the needs of a particular installation.
An advantage of the invention is that the gutter liner apparatus can be easily installed or removed from a gutter. In one configuration the gutter liner apparatus can be divided into sections approximately three feet in length that allow for the gutter liner apparatus sections to be installed into a gutter from a single point and pushed to their resting point along the gutter bottom without the time consuming placement of individual gutter sections.
In one particular embodiment, the present disclosure provides a gutter liner apparatus including an upper platform surface portion having first and second side edges and defining a plurality of perforations therein, and first and second sidewall portions extending downwardly from the first and second side edges, respectively, the first and second sidewall portions configured and dimensioned such that upon insertion of the gutter liner apparatus in a gutter, the upper platform surface is positioned at a vertical height situated within the lower half of the gutter.
In one aspect of the gutter liner apparatus, at least one of the first and second sidewall portions are disposed orthogonally with respect to the upper platform surface portion.
An alternate feature of the gutter liner apparatus is that the first and second sidewall portions may be flared outwardly away from an axis perpendicular to the first and second side edges such that upon insertion of the gutter liner in a gutter, the first and second sidewall portions bias against the inner surfaces of the gutter.
Additionally, the first sidewall and the second sidewall may also define a plurality of perforations.
A further alternative feature of the gutter liner apparatus is the provision of a lower solid planar platform portion that forms a bottom to the channel section and rests on the bottom of the gutter.
In an alternative embodiment, the gutter liner apparatus includes an elevated platform portion that defines a plurality of perforations, a first sidewall downwardly appending from the rear of the elevated platform portion at a perpendicular angle that rests on the bottom of a gutter when installed therein, and a second sidewall downwardly appending from the front of the elevated portion at a perpendicular angle that rests on the bottom of the gutter when installed therein.
The present disclosure further provides a method of installing a gutter liner apparatus which includes providing a gutter liner apparatus that includes an upper planar surface portion having first and second side edges and defining a plurality of perforations formed therein, and first and second sidewall portions extending downwardly from said first and second side edges, respectively, and resting the gutter liner apparatus on the bottom surface of a gutter such that the upper planar surface is positioned at a vertical height situated within the lower half of the gutter and extends substantially from side to side of the gutter interior.
REFERENCES:
patent: 956372 (1910-04-01), Kreutzberg
patent: 1597503 (1926-08-01), Andrews
patent: 2457940 (1949-01-01), Swenson
patent: 2461610 (1949-02-01), Lord
patent: 2533402 (1950-12-01), Schmitz, Jr.
patent: 3507396 (1970-04-01), Homa
patent: 3550381 (1970-12-01), South
patent: 3855132 (1974-12-01), Dugan
patent: 4107929 (1978-08-01), Ebeling et al.
patent: 4112691 (1978-09-01), Ebeling et al.
patent: 4406093 (1983-09-01), Good et al.
patent: 4607465 (1986-08-01), Hopkins
patent: 4608786 (1986-09-01), Beam
patent: 4615153 (1986-10-01), Carey
patent: 4852308 (1989-08-01), Papenbrock et al.
patent: 4905427 (1990-03-01), McPhelan
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: 5230798 (1993-07-01), Rogman
patent: 5409602 (1995-04-01), Sorenson
patent: 5435105 (1995-07-01), Visser
patent: 5522183 (1996-06-01), Allen
patent: 5535554 (1996-07-01), Harris, Jr.
patent: 5536406 (1996-07-01), Silva
Cuomo Peter M.
Dilworth & Barrese LLP
Tran Hanh V.
LandOfFree
Gutter liner apparatus 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 liner apparatus, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Gutter liner apparatus will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2473849