AU2016202764A1 - Gutter guard - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a gutter guard. Specifically, the invention provides a gutter guard including a panel having a plurality of apertures, wherein the panel includes a first section moveable relative to a second section. 1104 32- --- -- ~ig r 1- -------

Description

1 2016202764 29 Apr 2016

GUTTER GUARD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001 ] The present invention relates to a gutter guard.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] A gutter is a top open hollow passage attached to the edge of a roof of a house or a property. It is used for collecting and directing rain water from the roof. The rain water from a gutter may either be disposed into a drain or harvested in a rain water tank.

[0003] Over time leaves and other debris get accumulated in the gutter and block the passage of water whereby water in the gutter spills over and damages the property. A second disadvantage of leaves and debris accumulating in the gutter is that these materials once dried are easily flammable whereby fire risk is increased.

[0004] A gutter guard is a shield in the form of a screen or a panel having apertures which is placed atop a gutter to restrict leaves and other debris from entering the gutter and impairing proper operation of the gutter, while allowing rain water to enter the gutter. As the gutter guard reduces accumulation of leaves, the fire risk to the property is reduced.

[0005] A traditional gutter guard panel is a mesh material cut to the size and shape of the gutter. One lateral end of the panel is permanently attached to the outer end of the gutter whereas the other lateral end is permanently attached to the roof. Consecutive panels are adjoining or overlapping each other to restrict ingress of leaves and debris from between the panels. So, a traditional gutter guard installation seals off the hollow passage with a flat mesh material whereby leaves and debris up to a size are restricted from entering the gutters. 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 2 [0006] There are two major problems with the traditional gutter guards.

[0007] Firstly, over time, in about one to three years, debris smaller than the aperture size of the gutter guard panel passes through the panel and enters the gutter. The accumulated debris includes a lot of organic materials and can contain pollens which cause moss and small plants to grow inside the gutter. This accumulated debris builds up inside the gutter and ultimately renders the gutter useless as rain water entering the gutter through the gutter guard panel is not able to flow as per the gutter’s original design causing leakage or overflow of rainwater. Furthermore, this accumulated debris can damage the gutter by corrosion. Also, the increasing weight of the debris inside the gutter can cause the gutter to collapse and fall off the property. .

[0008] Secondly, particularly where gutter guard panels are installed on an incline, much of the rain water simply slides off the gutter guard panels. This not only causes damage to the property as the rain water is allowed to flow beyond the gutters, but also reduces the amount of rain water harvested.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] It is desirable to provide a gutter guard which ameliorates at least one problem of the traditional gutter guards.

[0010] With the aforementioned in mind, an aspect of the present invention provides a gutter guard including a panel having a plurality of apertures, wherein the panel includes a first section moveable relative to a second section. Preferably, the first section is moveable, in use, between an open position in which a region beyond the panel is accessible for cleaning and a closed position in which objects larger than said apertures are restricted from passing through the panel. 3 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 [0011] Advantageously, any such gutter guard panel once installed on a gutter can provide access to clean the accumulated debris. Cleaning the accumulated debris will help reduce clogging of the rainwater and damage to the gutter or the property. The debris may be removed from the gutter by hand or blown away from the gutter by means of a blower.

[0012] The first section may be pivotally connected to the second section by means of a hinge. Preferably, the hinge is at least as long as the first section, and ideally about the length of the second section. Further preferably, the hinge is attached to the panel by a fastening means such as for example rivets.

[0013] In a preferred arrangement the hinge is a rod which is pivotally inserted into said second section, and said first section is joined to said rod. In this arrangement the rod may rotate in position allowing said second section to move relative to said first section.

[0014] The first section may be latchable to the second section in the closed position. Such latching would reduce the chances of unnecessary opening of the panel for example by an animal or wind.

[0015] The first section may be slideably connected to the second section. The first section may be rotatably connected to the second section. The first section may be detachably attached to the first section.

[0016] An elongate support may be attached to the second section in order to increase stiffness of the panel. Preferably, the elongate support is longer than the hinge. Preferably, the elongate support is attached to the panel by a fastening means.

[0017] In the preferred arrangement the rod pivotally inserted into said second section will act as the elongate support, or in some arrangements be in addition to the elongate support. 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 4 [0018] The first section may be proximate to a gutter outer edge side of the panel. Preferably, the first section may extend to the gutter outer edge side of the panel.

[0019] A second aspect of the present invention provides a gutter guard including a panel having a plurality of apertures, wherein the panel includes a rib for disrupting water flowing over the panel.

[0020] The rib disrupts the flow of rain water sloping from the roof thereby urging the flowing rain water to enter the gutter through the apertures of the panel. Such a panel is particularly advantageous when the panel is installed at an incline.

[0021] The rib may be elongate. Preferably, the rib extends along the length of the panel.

[0022] The rib, in use, may be perpendicular to the direction of water flowing towards the rib. The rib may be at any angle to the direction of the water flow. However, a rib substantially parallel to the direction of the water flow is likely to have reduced effect of percolating the water into the gutter.

[0023] The rib may be proximate to a roof side of the panel. This will result in flow of rain water over the gutter guard being restricted at an early location.

[0024] The rib may be integrally formed in the panel.

[0025] Also, this arrangement allows the elongate rib to be formed on the second section in which a continuous elongate length, for the length of the panel, is easy to create. 5 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 [0026] The panel may be a mesh. Preferably, the mesh is an expanded mesh, a flattened expanded mesh or a perforated mesh. Mesh material provides uniformity of apertures and is readily available in the market.

[0027] The panel may be made of steel, galvanised steel, aluminium or plastic material. Ideally, the material used is some form of rigid material.

[0028] The panel may be suited to be mounted on a tiled roof or sheeted roof such as a corrugated roof or a trimdek roof. The present invention can be adapted to suit gutters adjoining many different roof types.

[0029] A further aspect of the present invention provides a gutter guard installation including a plurality of panels according to the abovementioned aspects of the present invention.

[0030] Such a gutter guard may include one or more prior art gutter guard panels installed between two gutter guard panels according to the present invention. Alternatively, one or more prior art gutter guard panels could be installed adjacent a gutter guard panel according to the present invention This could save cost of installation as the prior art gutter guard may simply be a cutout of a mesh.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] An illustrative embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures. Further features and advantages of the invention will also become apparent from the accompanying description.

[0032] Figure 1 shows a perspective view from above of a panel of a gutter guard, according to a first embodiment of the present invention, wherein a first section of the panel is in a partly open position. 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 6 [0033] Figure 2 shows a top view of the panel of a gutter guard of figure 1 wherein the first section of the panel is in a closed position.

[0034] Figure 3 shows a perspective view from above of the panel of a gutter guard of figure 1 wherein the first section of the panel is in an open position.

[0035] Figure 4 shows a perspective view from below of the panel of a gutter guard of figure 1 wherein the first section of the panel is in a closed position.

[0036] Figure 5 shows a perspective view from above of a panel of a gutter guard, according to a second embodiment of the present invention, wherein a first section of the panel is in a partly open position.

[0037] Figure 6 shows a top view of a panel of a gutter guard, according to a third embodiment of the present invention, wherein a first section of the panel is in a closed position.

[0038] Figure 7 shows a top view of the panel of a gutter guard seen in figure 6 wherein the first section of the panel is in an open position.

[0039] Figure 8 shows a view from below of a panel of a gutter guard according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 9 shows a top view of the panel of Figure 8.

[0041 ] Figure 10 shows the basic component parts of the panel of Figure 8 [0042] Figure 11 shows a a panel of a gutter guard according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. 7 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 [0043] Figure 12 shows a a panel of a gutter guard according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

[0044] Figure 13 shows a a panel of a gutter guard according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0045] The following description is presented to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be construed at the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed herein.

[0046] Referring to figures 1 to 4, one embodiment of the present invention is a gutter guard including a panel 100 having a plurality of apertures, wherein the panel 100 includes a first section 10 moveable relative to a second section 20. The first section 10 is an openable section of the panel 100. The second section 20 may be fixedly attached to the roof and gutter. The first section 10 is moveable between an open position and a closed position. In the closed position (figure 2 and 4), the first portion 10 and the second portion 20 are substantially contiguous. In the open position (figure 3), the first section 10 is angled to the second section 20. The first section 10 preferably travels more than 90 degrees between the closed position and the fully open position.

[0047] The panel 100 is expanded mesh material made of steel. Ideally this will be Colorbond® steel from BlueScope Steel Limited, although other material could be selected. -The expanded mesh can be flattened to reduce the chances 8 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 of debris being caught in the mesh of the panel 100. It is expected that the first section and second section will both be made of the same mesh material. In a number of the figures - for example Figures 4 and 6, the drawings show the first section having a different mesh material to that of the second section. While this is a possibility in some arrangements, it is expected that in almost all applications both the first and second sections will be of the same material. Further it is likely that the first section will be cut away from a mesh sheet that then becomes the second section. Thus the apparent difference in material shown in the figures is for clarity purposes only and should not be seen as essential to the invention.

[0048] The panel 100 is elongate and has a roof side 102 and a gutter outer edge side 104. The roof side 102 may have a undulating profile in order to match a corrugated roof (not shown). The profile of the roof side 102 will ideally be matched to the roof for which installation is intended. Profile matching of the roof is known in the industry. The gutter outer edge side 104 has a straight profile to match the gutter outer edge (not shown). The first end 106 and the second end 108 of the panel connect the roof side 102 and the gutter outer edge side 104 at opposing ends of the panel 100. The two ends 106, 108 should ideally be straight, parallel to each other, and perpendicular to the gutter outer edge side 104 for ease of installation.

[0049] The gutter outer edge side 104 of the panel 100 has three portions -first end portion, mid-portion and second end portion. The first and the second end portions of the gutter outer edge side 104 are formed by edges of the second section 20. The mid-portion of the gutter outer edge side 104 is formed by an edge of the first portion 10.

[0050] In an alternative less preferred arrangement as shown in Figure 11, the gutter outer edge side 104 has only a single portion. In a further alternative as shown in Figure 12 the gutter outer edge 104 has a first end portion and equivalent mid portion only. In another embodiment as shown in Figure 13 the gutter outer edge has no first or second end. 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 9 [0051] The first section 10 preferably is a rectangular cut-out portion of the panel 100 extending to the gutter outer edge side 104 of the panel 100. However, in some arrangements a different cut out shape may be preferred, for example a trapezoid may be used. The first section 10 is preferably shorter than the second section 20. The first section is ideally located mid-way relative to the length of the second section 20.

[0052] In one embodiment the second section 20 is C-shaped. The second section 20 surrounds the first section 10 from three sides. The roof side 102, the two ends 106, 108, and the two end portions of the gutter outer edge side 104 are the outer edges of the second section 20 of the panel 100. In use, the second section 20 extends between the roof and the gutter outer edge.

[0053] The first section 10 in one arrangement is attached to the second section 20 by means of a hinge 30. The hinge 30 may be a continuous or a piano hinge. The hinge 30 can be as long as the first section 10. The hinge 30 is attached to the first section 10 and the second section 20 by means of fasteners 34. The fasteners 34 are spaced apart at substantially regular intervals. In the embodiment of Figure 1, the fasteners 34 are rivets.

[0054] An elongate support 32 may be provided on the second section 20. The support 32 is an angle member, but it may be a flat member instead. The support 32 coincides with one side of the hinge 30. The support 32 is preferably longer than the hinge 30 and ideally extends beyond the hinge 30 in both directions, for about equal lengths in both directions. The support 32 may be fastened to the second member 20 through the hinge 30 by means of fasteners 34 which fasten the hinge 30 to the second section 20. The support 32 may be directly fastened to the second member 20 where the support extends beyond the hinge 30, on both sides of the hinge 30. The support 32 strengthens the second member 20, which can prevent sagging of the panel over longer spans. 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 10 [0055] A latch (not shown) may be provided to latch the first section 10 to the second section 20 in the closed position in order to prevent unwanted opening of the panel 100. There may also be a second latch to hold the first section relative to the second section in the open position to prevent unwanted closing of the panel 100 while access is desired.

[0056] In use, the panel 100 is placed atop a gutter (not shown). The roof side 102 is matched to the shape of the roof (not shown) and the roof side 102 is attached to the roof, for example by means of fasteners and a silicon sealant. The two end portions of the gutter outer edge side 104, formed by the second section 20, are attached to the gutter outer edge (not shown), for example by means of fasteners and a silicon sealant. The second section 20 of the panel 100 is therefore fixedly attached to the roof and the gutter. The first section 10 is not fixed to the roof or the gutter, and is kept moveable relative to the second section 20 after installation. This arrangement is robust for its purpose.

[0057] Consecutive panels 100 are installed atop the gutter in a continuous fashion such that there is no opening for leaves to enter the gutter. Some of the panels 100 may be of the traditional type i.e. without an openable section to conserve costs.

[0058] After installation, the first section 10 of the panel 100 is kept in its closed position to restrict leaves from entering the gutter through the panel 100.

[0059] Periodically, for example annually, the gutters may be cleaned to remove any debris that may have entered through the apertures of the panel 100. To clean the gutter, the first section 10 is moved to its open position. In the open position, a region beyond the panel 100 is accessible for cleaning. Particularly, the region of the gutter below the panel 100 can be accessed by hand or a hand tool to remove the debris built up over a period of time. Alternatively, the debris in the gutter can be removed by means of an air blower or vacuum. 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 11 [0060] The panel 100 preferably includes a rib 40 to disrupt water flowing over the panel 100 in order to increase percolation of water through the apertures of the panel 100 into the gutter. The rib 40 is elongate relative to the panel 100. The rib 40 may be continuous and integral to the panel 100. The rib 40 may be conveniently formed by bending a portion of the panel in a V-shape. The peak or pointy end of the V-shape of the rib 40 protrudes from the main surface of the panel 100 in a direction opposite to where the gutter is to be located. The rib 40 acts as a speed bump for the water flowing over the panel 100.

[0061] The rib 40 is conveniently located on the second section 20 of the panel 100. Ideally the rib 40 is proximate to the roof side 102 of the panel 100 as opposed to the gutter outer edge side 104 so that rain water flowing from the roof comes into contact with the rib 40 earlier. Also, there is further area of the panel 100 beyond the rib 40, with which the flowing rain water comes into contact after being bumped by the rib 40, in order to increase percolation of the rain water. In some circumstances it may be desired to have a plurality of ribs. This may be the case in areas of particularly high water flow.

[0062] Referring to figure 5, in an alternative embodiment the panel 100 includes a first section 10 and a second section 20 made of perforated material rather than mesh. Examples of perforated materials include perforated aluminium or perforated plastic.

[0063] Referring to figure 6 and 7, the first section 10 of the panel 100 is held in its closed position by at least one fastener 34, or four in the embodiment as shown, fastening the first section 10 to the second section 20. The fasteners in this embodiment are screws, although other fastening means may be used such as bolts or plugs. In order to move the first section 10 to its open position, the fasteners 34 are unfastened and the first section 10 is released from the second section 20 creating an opening to access the gutter. 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 12 [0064] Also, in the embodiment seen in figures 6 and 7, the roof side 102 of the panel 100 is shaped to cooperate with a Trimdek® roof by BlueScope Steel Limited as opposed to the corrugated roof Figure 1 is appropriate for. The particular shape being truncated V cut outs located at the roof side 102 at regular intervals. It will be understood that the panel can be shaped to match the intended roof. This will include various corrugated and tiled roofs.

[0065] Referring to Figures 8 to 10, a further embodiment is shown. The more traditional hinge arrangement of Figure 3 is replaced with a rod 50 about which the first section 10 and second section 20 may rotate relative to one another. A channel 60 may be formed in the second section 20 for receiving the rod 50. Portions of the channel 60 may in effect be inverted 70 to create a pseudo tubular passage, albeit not totally enclosed. Complementary portions of the first section 10 are also curled so as to be able to fit around the rod 50.

[0066] In a further alternative embodiment the entire panel 100 may be pivotable relative to the gutter or the roof.

[0067] The gutter guard may be formed of a mesh material. This could for example be aluminium or stainless steel. Depending on the thickness some aluminium may be too soft for an intended span and have a tendency to sag. Stainless steel can be more expensive and difficult to cut. Presently the preferred material is Colorbond® steel from BlueScope Steel Limited, which also has the advantage of matching many roofs already installed or under installation.

[0068] The preferred product is 0.5mm thick with perforations between 4mm and 10mm. Conveniently the mesh can come between 200mm and 500mm wide and 1200mm long. Usually the mesh comes in an expanded metal mesh form which can be put through a metal flattening machine to flatten the perforations back down to a flat piece. 13 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 [0069] Ideally the hinged panel is cut down to 800mm long and is between 200mm and 240mm wide. Other dimensions can be used however if the hinged panel is 800mm long it will generally fit over one roof sheet.

[0070] Once flattened the 800mm panel is then put through a hinge notching tool which takes out the shape of the hinged door or first portion 10. For the preferred arrangement the 800mm panel is put through a ‘Slit and Raise’ tool which will make a slit and raise the entire length of the 800mm panel. In order to create the tubular passage the rod 50 will pass through, portions of the channel 60 will be raised and portions will be lowered as shown at items 70 and 80 of Figure 10. Ideally the channel portions will be raised and lowered respectively around a half the diameter of the rod 50 to ensure that the rod 50 can pass through the tubular passage. The door is then put through a ‘Hinge Curling’ tool which puts a roll 90 around one edge of the door. The roll 90 is also for receiving the rod 50.

[0071] The stainless steel rod can then be slid down the length of the 800mm panel through the rolled edge of the hinged door in the centre of the 800mm panel and continuing through the other side of the 800mm panel.

[0072] Once the first section 10 is cut away, the second section 20 will have a reduced strength. The rod 60 can provide an added function of supporting and strengthening the second section 20. This will reduce the likelihood of the panel sagging in use.

[0073] The stainless steel rod is ideally 6mm in diameter, although may be between 5mm and 8mm. It has been found that in most cases if the rod is less then 5mm it has insufficient strength to maintain the shape of the gutter guard. In particular the gutter guard may have a tendency to sag. Conversely if the rod is larger than 8mm it will rise too high above the gutter guard and present a trap point. That is leaves and other debris may get caught against the ridge point and thereby reduce the effectiveness of the gutter guard. 2016202764 29 Apr 2016 14 [0074] Depending on the roof style (for example: Trimdek® or corrugated roofs) the panel can also be placed through a profile notching tool which will cut one edge to the required shape of the existing roof sheets. The panel can also be folded to suit tiled roofs.

[0075] The present invention still provides a suitable gutter guard to restrict leaves and other debris from entering the gutter as is expected of conventional gutter guards. In addition however, the present invention also provides a convenient means to be able to access and clean the gutter from normal build up of debris over time. Previously it was necessary to remover the gutter guard to gain access to the gutter and to then reinstall the gutter guard.

[0076] Reference throughout this specification to “one” or “an” embodiment means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

[0077] Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in a suitable manner in one or more combinations. It will be appreciated that persons skilled in the art could implement the present invention in different ways to the one described above, and variations may be reduced without departing from its spirit and scope.

[0078] Any discussion or documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention. It should not be taken as an omission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art, in any country, on or before the filing date of the patent application to which the present specification pertains. 2016202764 29 Apr 2016

REFERENCE NUMBER TABLE

Number Feature 10 First section 20 Second section 30 Hinge 32 Support 34 Fasteners 40 Rib 50 Rod 60 Channel 70 Inverted channel 80 Channel portion 90 Roll 100 Panel of a gutter guard 102 Roof side 104 Gutter outer edge side 106 First end 108 Second end

Claims (19)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. A gutter guard including a panel having a plurality of apertures, wherein the panel includes a first section moveable relative to a second section.
2. 2. The gutter guard according to claim 1, wherein the first section is moveable, in use, between an open position in which a region beyond the panel is accessible for cleaning and a closed position in which objects larger than said apertures are restricted from passing through the panel.
3. 3. The gutter guard according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first section is pivotally connected to the second section.
4. 4. The gutter guard according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first section is pivotally connected to the second section by means of a hinge
5. 5. The gutter guard according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the first section and the second section pivot about a rod.
6. 6. The gutter guard according to claim 5, wherein first portions of said panel are raised and second portions of said panel are lowered, said first and second portions forming a tubular passage to receive said rod.
7. 7. The gutter guard according to any one of claims 3 to 6 including an elongate support attached to the second section in order to increase stiffness of the panel.
8. 8. The gutter guard according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first section is proximate to a gutter outer edge side of the panel and extends to the gutter outer edge side of the panel.
9. 9. A gutter guard including a panel having a plurality of apertures, wherein the panel includes a rib for disrupting water flowing over the panel.
10. 10. The gutter guard according to claim 9, wherein the rib extends along the length of the panel.
11. 11. The gutter guard according to any one of claims 9 to 10, wherein the rib, in use, is perpendicular to the direction of water flowing towards the rib.
12. 12. The gutter guard according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the rib is proximate to a roof side of the panel.
13. 13. The gutter guard according to any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein in the rib is integrally formed in the panel.
14. 14. The gutter guard according to any one of claims 1 to 8, including a rib according to any one of claims 9 to 13.
15. 15. The gutter guard according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is a mesh.
16. 16. The gutter guard according to claim 15, wherein the mesh is an expanded mesh, a flattened expanded mesh or a perforated mesh.
17. 17. The gutter guard according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is made of steel, galvanised steel, zinc coated steel, aluminium or plastic material.
18. 18. The gutter guard according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the panel is suited to be mounted on a tiled roof or sheeted roof such as a corrugated roof or a trimdek roof.
19. 19. A gutter guard installation including a plurality of panels, wherein at least one of the panels is according to any one of the preceding claims.