GB2166464A

GB2166464A - Gutters

Info

Publication number: GB2166464A
Application number: GB08521958A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Brown Craig
Original assignee: Proctor & Sons Ltd William
Current assignee: Proctor & Sons Ltd William
Priority date: 1984-11-03
Filing date: 1985-09-04
Publication date: 1986-05-08
Also published as: GB8521958D0; GB8427870D0

Abstract

A watertight connection between the adjacent ends of lengths of industrial guttering, is formed by interfitting a groove extending over substantially the entire end section of one guttering length, and a corresponding tongue formed on the adjacent end of a second guttering length. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Gutters or the like This invention relates to joints for gutters or the like, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with gutters for industrial applications.

Industrial guttering for the most part must be of greater size and have higher strength characteristic than conventional domestic guttering. Consequently GRP materials are frequently used for industrial gutters and are manufactured in appropriate cross-sections, and of a length convenient to an installer, taking into account safe handling at elevated positions. Thus, when long runs of guttering are to be provided, a number of joints will be required between the ends of adjacent lengths.

Conventional joints between the ends of adjacent lengths of industrial guttering are formed either by abutting or overlapping the adjacent ends, and in some cases a separate cnnecting member, then secured together with suitable bolts. The bolting of the connections is time-consuming and results in a joint that is not of itself watertight and is difficult to seal.

The object of the present invention is to provide guttering that avoids the above disadvantages.

According to the present invention, a joint for guttering comprises a groove formed within the thickness and at one end of a guttering member, said groove extending over substantially the entire end section of the guttering member, and corresponding tongue formed on the adjacent end of a second guttering member.

For ease of manufacture and usage, it is preferred to provide a guttering member with a groove at one end and a corresponding tongue at the other.

Thus with the respective widths of the tongue and groove being such that the tongue is a close sliding fit in the groove, when erecting the guttering, after a first guttering member has been secured in place, a second guttering member can be applied to it and the tongue relatively easily pushed ito the respective groove, to form a fully self-supporting connection not requiring bolts or additional connecting members. Preferably the tongue has a length equal to that of a respective groove, so that when a tongue is inserted into a groove, a gap can be left between the adjacent ends of the gutter members, to form a channel.

The channels between the faces of the respective ends of the gutter lengths, are then filled with a special sealant which not only fully waterproofs the joint but also allows for expansion and contraction.

The invention, therefore, provides a joint for guttering that is relatively easy to assemble and is immediately self-supporting, with the consequential improved safety to the installer, and with applied sealant, is rendered totally waterproof without there being a need to utilise bolts or separate connecting elements.

One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one end of a length of industrial guttering formed with a tongue; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the opposite end of the length of Fig. 1, formed with a corresponding groove; and Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of two adjacent lengths of industrial guttering secured together.

In the drawings, lengths of industrial guttering 1 are formed from glass reinforced plastics material, and are provided at one end with a tongue 2 projecting from the end face 3, and extending over substantially the entire end face. At the opposite end of the length 1 a groove 4 is provided emerging in the end face 5, the groove, the arcuate peripheral length of the groove, and its transverse width being such that the tongue 2 is a close sliding fit in the groove 4.

As is shown by Fig. 3, the longitudinal length of the tongue 2 is equal to that of the groove 4, such that with the tongue 2 of one length of guttering inserted in the groove 4 of an adjacent length, and a 2qmm gap is left, a channel 6 is formed bounded by the adjacent end faces 3 and 5 and the protruding portion of the tongue 2.

Thus, with lengths 1 of a size that can readily be handled by an operative, and of relatively low weight and high strength by virtue of the nature of glass-reinforced plastics material, the lengths can be lifted by an operative without difficulty, and carried to the required height of a building where the guttering is to be installed. Actual installation is, by virtue of the invention, much easier than with any known construction. With a first length of guttering secured in place, the next length is secured in simply by engaging and forcing the tongue of one length in the groove in the other, to create a fully self-supporting joint.

The channel 6 is then loaded with sealant which produces a watertight joint which also acts as an expansion joint.

1. A joint for guttering comprising a groove formed within the thickness and at one end of a guttering member, said groove extending over substantially the entire end section of the guttering member, and corresponding tongue formed on the adjacent end of a second guttering member, said tongue extending over substantially the entire of the second guttering member.

2. A joint for guttering as in Claim 1, wherein a guttering member is provided with

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Gutters or the like This invention relates to joints for gutters or the like, and is particularly, but not exclusively, concerned with gutters for industrial applications. Industrial guttering for the most part must be of greater size and have higher strength characteristic than conventional domestic guttering. Consequently GRP materials are frequently used for industrial gutters and are manufactured in appropriate cross-sections, and of a length convenient to an installer, taking into account safe handling at elevated positions. Thus, when long runs of guttering are to be provided, a number of joints will be required between the ends of adjacent lengths. Conventional joints between the ends of adjacent lengths of industrial guttering are formed either by abutting or overlapping the adjacent ends, and in some cases a separate cnnecting member, then secured together with suitable bolts. The bolting of the connections is time-consuming and results in a joint that is not of itself watertight and is difficult to seal. The object of the present invention is to provide guttering that avoids the above disadvantages. According to the present invention, a joint for guttering comprises a groove formed within the thickness and at one end of a guttering member, said groove extending over substantially the entire end section of the guttering member, and corresponding tongue formed on the adjacent end of a second guttering member. For ease of manufacture and usage, it is preferred to provide a guttering member with a groove at one end and a corresponding tongue at the other. Thus with the respective widths of the tongue and groove being such that the tongue is a close sliding fit in the groove, when erecting the guttering, after a first guttering member has been secured in place, a second guttering member can be applied to it and the tongue relatively easily pushed ito the respective groove, to form a fully self-supporting connection not requiring bolts or additional connecting members. Preferably the tongue has a length equal to that of a respective groove, so that when a tongue is inserted into a groove, a gap can be left between the adjacent ends of the gutter members, to form a channel. The channels between the faces of the respective ends of the gutter lengths, are then filled with a special sealant which not only fully waterproofs the joint but also allows for expansion and contraction. The invention, therefore, provides a joint for guttering that is relatively easy to assemble and is immediately self-supporting, with the consequential improved safety to the installer, and with applied sealant, is rendered totally waterproof without there being a need to utilise bolts or separate connecting elements. One embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of one end of a length of industrial guttering formed with a tongue; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the opposite end of the length of Fig. 1, formed with a corresponding groove; and Figure 3 is a sectional side elevation of two adjacent lengths of industrial guttering secured together. In the drawings, lengths of industrial guttering 1 are formed from glass reinforced plastics material, and are provided at one end with a tongue 2 projecting from the end face 3, and extending over substantially the entire end face. At the opposite end of the length 1 a groove 4 is provided emerging in the end face 5, the groove, the arcuate peripheral length of the groove, and its transverse width being such that the tongue 2 is a close sliding fit in the groove 4. As is shown by Fig. 3, the longitudinal length of the tongue 2 is equal to that of the groove 4, such that with the tongue 2 of one length of guttering inserted in the groove 4 of an adjacent length, and a 2qmm gap is left, a channel 6 is formed bounded by the adjacent end faces 3 and 5 and the protruding portion of the tongue 2. Thus, with lengths 1 of a size that can readily be handled by an operative, and of relatively low weight and high strength by virtue of the nature of glass-reinforced plastics material, the lengths can be lifted by an operative without difficulty, and carried to the required height of a building where the guttering is to be installed. Actual installation is, by virtue of the invention, much easier than with any known construction. With a first length of guttering secured in place, the next length is secured in simply by engaging and forcing the tongue of one length in the groove in the other, to create a fully self-supporting joint. The channel 6 is then loaded with sealant which produces a watertight joint which also acts as an expansion joint. CLAIMS

2. A joint for guttering as in Claim 1, wherein a guttering member is provided with a groove at one end and a corresponding tongue at the other.

3. A joint for guttering as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the tongue has a length which is equal equal to the corresponding groove so that when a tongue is inserted into a co-operating groove a narrow channel is formed on the inside face of the guttering by the spaced ends of the guttering member.

4. A joint for guttering as in Claim 3, wherein the channel is filled with a sealant.

5. A joint for guttering substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.