Static structures (e.g. – buildings) – Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley – With separator; e.g. – strainer
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-22
2001-09-04
Safavi, Michael (Department: 3635)
Static structures (e.g., buildings)
Cover with surface water receiver at eave or valley
With separator; e.g., strainer
Reexamination Certificate
active
06282845
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND—Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a liner which is placed inside a rain gutter for the expressed purpose of restricting leaves, twigs, pine needles, or other debris from entering the lower passageway of a gutter (while allowing the flow of rain water to proceed into the lower passageway of the gutter and move unrestricted down the downspout).
BACKGROUND—Discussion of Prior Art
In the prior art there are three general types of devices which relate to controlling water run off and restricting the entry of leaves and other debris from entering the gutter. They are:
1. Lattice-type screen or sieve devices which are placed over the open mouth of the gutter, allowing the water to flow through to the gutter tray. Some of these devices are inserted under the roof shingle and attached to the outside top flange of the gutter. Others use various screws, clips, hooks, springs, glue or caulking in order to fasten the device to the gutter/roof. In all cases these devices are attached (in some fashion) to the gutter, shingles, roof sheathing, or fascia board.
Problems with these type devices are:
a. In many cases leaves and debris, which get caught in the latticework, lay on top of the device and sometimes completely cover the screen or sieve openings. The result is that the flow of water especially during heavy, rain storms is restricted from entering the gutter and flows out over the obstructing debris onto the ground below. Water run-off over top of these devices is especially prevalent when the roof pitch is steep. In extreme situations, the entire gutter guard is blocked by debris, effectively preventing any water from reaching the gutter. In these cases the water can seep back up under the shingles and cause damage to the roof sheathing or fascia board.
b. Some of these devices are made of flexible or very light weight material which does not hold tip under pressure from excessive debris, ice, or snow. Instead they collapse, bend, break, or come loose from their attachments. Unless securely fastened they can become dislodged by wind or heavy rain and fall into the gutter tray or over the side to the ground.
c. Ice and snow can be a big problem for these type devices. They are ineffective in eliminating damage to roof shingles, sheathing, or fascia board from melting snow and ice dams. In that they are installed on top of the gutter assembly and generally cover the gutter mouth, snow and ice accumulation on top of the guard close to or on top of the drip edge portion of the roof is inevitable. Water from the melting ice and/or snore will back-up under the over-lapping roof shingles and eventually to the roof sheathing and fascia board causing damage to same.
d. Installation of these devices can and in many cases does disrupt the integrity of the roof and gutter system causing damage to same. Placing the device under roof shingles or using screws, clips, hooks, springs, glue, or caulk all require time to install and can create difficulties in the future when the units becoming loosened or dislodged as a result of excessive debris buildup. In some cases, they are inadequately fastened to the gutter and thus are frequently dislodged during unfavorable weather conditions.
e. Installation time and expense can be quite high depending on the complexity of design and necessity for securely fastening the device to the roof and gutter system.
f. Those who install these devices claim they are maintenance-free; but in actuality they do require maintenance. Such situations as referenced above in a, b, c, and d all contribute to a need for maintaining the system.
2. Perforated or solid cover/deflector devices which completely enclose the mouth of the gutter to prevent the accumulation of snow, leaves, and debris within the gutter while allowing the water to flow through various style openings. Many of these devices work on scientific principles or concepts like surface tension, liquid adhesion, or molecular attraction. Problems with these type devices are:
a. Similarly, although not as severe as the lattice-type devices, leaves and debris do get caught on or adhere to the top of the guard. The accumulation of this material will, like the above devices, affect the flow of water down into the openings.
b. These devices work well during normal weather conditions where the rain gently falls and no debris has accumulated, but during heavy rain storms or high winds the scientific principles that these systems work on can negatively affect the system and allow the water to wash out over the device onto the ground. Also the accelerated flow of water down a steep pitched roof does not allow these devices opportunity to perform their designed function of drawing the water into the openings. Instead much of the water flows out over the cover and onto the ground. Water quantity and velocity have a tendency to negatively impact the water carrying capacity of all of these systems.
c. Since these devices are generally securely attached to the very top of the gutter assembly, ice and snow can also be a problem. Like the lattice-type, snow and ice accumulation on top of the guard (close to or on top of the drip edge portion of the roof) is inevitable. Water from the melting will back-up under the overlapping roof shingles and eventually to the roof sheathing causing damage to same.
d. These perforated or solid cover/deflector devices are generally bulky and difficult to install. Many require already installed gutter systems to be replaced, repositioned, or modified in order to correctly, install. They are very expensive to manufacture and install which limits their potential as an inexpensive solution to gutter/water flow problems.
e. Installation of these devices like the lattice-type can and in many cases disrupt the integrity of the roof and gutter system causing damage to same. Attaching the covers by using screws, clips, hooks, springs, glue, or caulk can create difficulties in the future when the units becoming loosened or dislodged as a result of excessive unfavorable weather conditions or debris buildup.
f. The claim is also made that these devices are maintenance-free. Although they require less maintenance than the lattice-type, they do require some maintenance. Such situations as referenced above in a, b, c, and d all contribute to a need for maintaining the system.
3. Liners or inserts which fit down inside a gutter and act as a barrier to leaves and debris while allowing water to flow through various apertures. Problems with these type devices are:
a. Some of these devices are designed primarily to provide a mechanical means for cleaning out debris and are expensive to manufacture and install. Because of the mechanical nature and a need for flexibility in these devices, they often require frequent maintenance or are not strongly enough to hold up under excessive debris or extreme weather conditions.
b. Those devices which are not designed for easy clean out are generally either not strong enough to hold up under the weight of excessive debris, ice and snow or become easily blocked by the same; thus defeating the very purpose for which they were installed.
To summarize, cutters are installed to protect a house from water damage. Anytime a guard (whether a screen, cover, or liner) is placed over the mouth of the gutter to solve a leaf/debris problem, water damage protection is diminished. Clogged gutters from leaves and debris is reduced; but the result is an increased potential for water damage.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the present invention a piece of specially angled, ridged sheet metal containing openings for water to flow through is inserted into a gutter to form an upper and lower passageway.
Objects and Advantages
Gutters are designed to protect a house from water damage, specifically roof, fascia, soffit, siding, garage door, deck, porch and house foundation. The anti-clogging liner presented here helps a gutter do what a gutter is supposed to do—protect against water damage while successfully eliminating clogged gut
McKay Molly D.
Safavi Michael
LandOfFree
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