Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02842236 2014-02-11
Title: Rain Gutter System For Mounting Atop a Roof
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention pertains to rain gutters for homes and
buildings with
sloped roofs.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The rain gutter system is an essential component for any home or
building.
The rain gutter system collects rain runoff from the entire surface area of
the building's
roof and transfers the runoff to a drainage system. Without a properly
functioning rain
gutter system, that same runoff is forced to the edge of the roof where it
then falls onto the
grounds adjacent to the building. This can obstruct visibility through windows
underneath
the roof edge and also produce excessive noise as the rain runoff aggregates
into larger
droplets or flows of water that drop from the roof to the ground adjacent to
the building.
Worse yet, rain runoff that is not properly redirected to drainage systems can
result in
flooding as the aggregate rain from the surface area of the roof is pooled to
a much smaller
area in the grounds adjacent to the building. This can cause damage to the
foundation of
the building and ruin landscaping. Beyond these functional roles, rain gutter
systems also
serve an aesthetic purpose to some by providing a bordering to the roof.
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[0003] Rain gutter systems for homes and other buildings with sloped
roofs have
not changed for several decades. The standard rain gutter system involves U-
shaped
channels that overhang from the edge of the roof and that collect the rain
runoff The
channels are interconnected at a slope so as to force the collected rain
runoff to one end of
the channel where the rain runoff is funneled into an enclosed channel that
spans the
vertical height of the home or building. The enclosed channel then redirects
the rain runoff
into a drainage system or other plumbing that moves the water away from the
home.
[0004] While effective in their roles, these systems are in need of
radical redesign
to lower the cost of goods, reduce installation time and cost, and provide an
alternative in
building aesthetics. With regards to the cost of goods, standard overhanging
rain gutter
systems are produced with an unnecessary amount of raw materials.
Specifically, the U-
shaped channels that funnel the rain runoff from the roof are three-sided
segments. Each
three-sided segment includes material for a right lateral side, a left lateral
side, and a
bottom side with the material comprising either metal, aluminum, or hardened
plastic.
Therefore, one way to lower the cost of goods associated with standard rain
gutter systems
is to provide a redesigned system that does not need as many raw materials or,
more
specifically, provide a redesigned system that performs the same functional
roles with a
two-sided or single-sided channel. In so doing, the cost of the raw materials
needed for a
gutter system is effectively reduced by a half or two-thirds.
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[0005] With regards to installation time and cost, installation of a
standard
overhanging rain gutter is normally beyond the capabilities of the typical do-
it-yourselfer
and requires a contractor or one or more handymen to perform the installation.
This is
because of the danger that is involved in installing any structure to the edge
of a roof
irrespective of the fact that the channels are heavy and require one person to
hold the
channel in place while another secures the channel to the roof. Installation
is also time-
consuming because several brackets must be drilled, nailed, or otherwise
secured to the
roof in order to support the weight of the channels spanning the entire width
of the roof.
Moreover, overhanging rain gutters can damage the roof itself as water can
enter through
the mounting points of the brackets and thereby seep into and damage the
underlying wood
framework for the roof. Also, the brackets must be precisely installed so as
to support the
channels at an appropriate angle, thereby producing the slope by which gravity
pulls the
collected rain runoff to one end of the channel. An unforeseen cost is also
the time or
money needed to clear these systems from leaf and other debris buildup that
could
otherwise clog or render such systems ineffective. Every so often, someone has
to remove
such blockages from the channels. This can be done by the building owner with
a ladder,
but the time required to do so is nevertheless a cost.
[0006] As architecture has evolved, the standard rain gutter system
has not. With
regards to aesthetics, the look of the overhanging gutter system has become so
commonplace that it is either ignored or viewed as an eyesore by some.
Consequently, the
standard rain gutter system simply does not conform aesthetically with the
architecture or
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other design elements of some homes or buildings.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a need for an entirely new and improved
rain gutter
system. Such a system should be cheaper to manufacture, easier to install, and
provide a
different aesthetic on the home or building that is installed with such a
system. Moreover,
these advantages should be achieved without other tradeoffs with respect to
effectiveness
in removing rain runoff from the roof and without the introduction of other
costs in
maintenance, repair, or damage caused to the home or building that is
installed with the
rain gutter system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an objective of the present invention to provide an
alternative to
standard overhanging rain gutter systems found on nearly every home and
building with a
sloped roof. It is further an objective to provide an alternative rain gutter
system that is
cheaper to manufacture, easier and less time consuming to install, and one
that provides a
different aesthetic to the standard overhanging rain gutter system. Moreover,
it is an
objective to provide these and other benefits without detrimentally affecting
the
functionality of the rain gutter system in effectively redirecting and
removing rain runoff
from a roof.
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[0009] To achieve these and other objectives, a new rain gutter
system is provided
that takes advantage of the existing configuration of a sloped roof in order
to minimize the
raw materials that are needed to create a channel to redirect rain runoff,
simplify the
installation, and provide a new aesthetic to the building that is different
than that provided
by any overhanging rain gutter system. The system includes a set of
interlocked segments
that are placed about perpendicular to the roof atop the roof. The segments
create a
horizontal channel that is slightly angled from one edge of the roof to the
other. The
segments also create a non-permeable barrier at the intersection of the
segments with the
slope of the roof which causes the rain runoff running down the slope of the
roof to be
redirected into the channel and passed to one edge of the roof where it is
deposited into a
drain. The end segment may include a receptacle and a spigot that collects the
runoff and
redirects the runoff into a vertical drain.
[0010] The non-permeable barrier is established by laying a water-
proof skirt that
extends from the bottom of each segment upwards against the slope of the roof.
The skirt
can be inserted underneath the shingles or sealed with a sealant to establish
the non-
permeable barrier. Alternatively, some embodiments create the end of the skirt
thin enough
such that it may be allowed to rest bare atop the roof and still provide a
sufficient non-
permeable barrier.
[0011] Installation for such a system is simplified because only the
end segments at
either edge of the roof need to be secured to the roof. The intermediary
segments are held
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in place by interlocking with one another and with the end segments using a
male-female
coupling mechanism. As such, the roof is only modified when securing the two
end
segments to the roof using nail, screws, clamps, or other securing mechanisms.
Cost is also
reduced when compared to traditional overhanging gutter systems. The system
described
herein requires fewer raw materials as it foregoes the need for a three sided
"U" shaped
channel to redirect the rain runoff. Instead, the system leverages a two sided
"V" shaped
channel, wherein one of the sides is the roof itself.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] In order to achieve a better understanding of the nature of
the present
invention, various embodiments of the new rain gutter system will now be
described, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] Figure 1 illustrates the new rain gutter system in accordance with
some
embodiments.
[0014] Figure 2 illustrates the components of the start anchor
segment and the end
anchor segment.
[0015] Figure 3 illustrates the end anchor segment of some
embodiments with a
funnel shaped receptacle and a spigot.
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[0016] Figure 4 illustrates an anchor segment in accordance with some
embodiments, wherein the segment includes a single anchor block that is
affixed to one
end of the segment.
[0017] Figure 5 illustrates interlocking two adjacent segments in
accordance with
some embodiments.
[0018] Figure 6 illustrates a pronged male-female coupling mechanism
for
interlocking segments in accordance with some embodiments.
[0019] Figure 7 illustrates an alternative pronged male-female
coupling
mechanism for interlocking segments in accordance with some embodiments.
[0020] Figure 8 illustrates from a top view, an interlocking mechanism that
utilizes
angled protrusions in accordance with some embodiments.
[0021] Figure 9 illustrates yet another interlocking mechanism using
a nut and bolt
assembly.
[0022] Figure 10 illustrates the first skirt and second skirt of a
segment in
accordance with some embodiments.
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[0023] Figure 11 illustrates sliding the first skirt underneath a row
of roof shingles
during installation.
[0024] Figure 12 presents a process summarizing the installation of the
gutter
system in accordance with some embodiments.
[0025] Figure 13 illustrates a gutter comprised of five of the
interlocking
segments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] In the following detailed description, numerous details,
examples, and
embodiments of the new rain gutter system are set forth and described. As one
skilled in
the art would understand in light of the present description, the system is
not limited to the
embodiments set forth, and the system may be practiced without some of the
specific
details and examples discussed. Also, reference is made to accompanying
figures, which
illustrate specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. It is
to be
understood that other embodiments can be used and structural changes can be
made
without departing from the scope of the embodiments herein described.
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[0027] The rain gutter system advocated herein does away with the
traditional
overhanging rain gutter and replaces this effective but costly and time
consuming standard
with a simple, minimalistic, and unobtrusive design. This new design takes
advantage of
the existing configuration of a sloped roof in order to minimize the raw
materials that are
needed to create a channel to redirect rain runoff, simplify the installation,
and provide a
new aesthetic to the building that is different than that provided by any
overhanging rain
gutter system. In summary, the design integrates the roof as part of the rain
gutter system.
[0028] Figure 1 illustrates the new rain gutter system in accordance
with some
embodiments. The system works by affixing a set of interlocking segments 110
about
perpendicular to the roof 120 and by angling the segments to form a channel
that forces
rain water to one edge 130 of the roof where a vertical drain 140 then removes
the water.
Once rain water contacts the roof 120, gravity forces the water down the slope
of the roof
120 until it contacts the gutter segments 110. The segments 110 form a non-
permeable
barrier with the roof 120. This barrier prevents the water from seeping past
the segments
110 and from reaching the ledge 150 of the roof 120. Instead, the water is
redirected along
the channel that is formed by the perpendicular intersection of the segments
110 and the
roof 120. The water then collects at the edge 130 of the roof 120 and is fed
into the vertical
drainage system 140. The vertical drainage system may be the same or similar
to those
used for standard overhanging gutters.
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[0029] This design provides several benefits over the traditional
overhanging rain
gutter systems of the prior art. Firstly, cost of materials is reduced. The
parts of the new
system include single-sided or inverted "V" shaped segments in contrast to the
three-sided
U-shaped channels of an overhanging rain gutter system. Accordingly, the parts
for the
new rain gutter system are easier to manufacture and constitute fewer raw
materials,
making them far cheaper to mass produce. Secondly, installation of the new
rain gutter
system is greatly simplified relative to traditional overhanging rain gutter
system. This new
system requires only two points of installation at a minimum. The first
installation point is
at one edge of the roof where a first end segment is anchored to the roof and
the second
installation point is at the opposite edge of the roof where a last end
segment is anchored to
the roof. All segments in between are supported by interlocking directly or
indirectly with
these two anchor segments. In other words, an installer need only drill holes,
nail, or
otherwise secure the anchoring end segments to the roof. The rest of system is
interconnected without further modification to the roof. Thirdly, the new rain
gutter system
provides an entirely different aesthetic to the building. The height of the
segments can be
as low as one inch so that the entire system is almost imperceptible from a
distance. In this
manner, the new gutter system does not interfere with the architecture of the
building or
other design elements of the building as would a traditional overhanging rain
gutter
system. Fourthly, the new gutter system is less susceptible to clogging and
the cleaning of
the new gutter system is far simpler than traditional overhanging gutter
systems. In fact,
the new gutter system effectively cleans itself by using the rain the runoff
to channel fallen
leaves and other debris away from the channel and over a side of the roof.
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[0030] The new rain gutter system is comprised of a start anchor
segment, a
plurality of intermediary segments, and an end anchor segment. The segments
(i.e., start,
intermediary, and end) interlock with one another in order to form a channel
of sufficient
width to accommodate roofs of different sizes.
[0031] Figure 2 illustrates the components of the start anchor
segment and the end
anchor segment. The start anchor segment and end anchor segment are
structurally similar
in that they include anchor blocks 210 and 215, body 220, outer membrane 230,
and
interlocking element 235. The intermediary segments are structurally similar
to the anchor
segments except that they need not include any anchor blocks and they provide
interlocking elements at either end of the segment. The structure of the
intermediary
segments will be clarified below.
[0032] The start anchor segment and the end anchor segment are the
end pieces of
the gutter system. As such, these segments are located at either the right
edge or the left
edge of the roof. These segments establish the position and angle of the
entire gutter
system and may be the only two segments that are physically secured to the
roof, thus
making installation of the entire rain gutter system easy and efficient.
Additional anchor
blocks may be used for added support when the roof is excessively wide or as
will be
discussed below, some of the intermediary segments may include an anchor block
for
additional support. The start anchor segment is vertically offset and
positioned higher on
the roof than the end anchor segment. The intermediary segments interlock in
between the
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start and end anchor segments to create the angle for the gravity assisted
channel that leads
rain runoff to drainage. An installer will typically secure the position of
the end anchor
segment first before securing the start anchor segment and before interlocking
the
intermediary segments. The installer will want the end anchor segment to align
with the
vertical drain so that the collected rain runoff is directed from the gutter
system into the
vertical drain.
[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the end anchor segment of some
embodiments
includes a funnel shaped receptacle 310 and a spigot 320. The receptacle 310
extends away
from the anchor blocks thereby allowing the receptacle 310 to hang over the
side of the
roof. The receptacle 310 collects the horizontally flowing rain runoff from
the channel and
redirects the rain runoff to the spigot 320. The spigot 320 is vertically
disposed at the
bottom of the receptacle 320. In some embodiments, the spigot 320 is flexible
rubber
hosing. The flexible rubber hosing allows the installer to position the hosing
in any vertical
drain that runs along the vertical length of the building. This simple
positioning of the
hosing into the vertical drain is sufficient to cause the rain runoff to enter
the vertical drain.
In some embodiments, the spigot 320 is shaped as a nipple over which rubber
hosing or
PVC piping can be fitted. This allows the installer to create a vertical drain
cheaply using
the aforementioned rubber hosing or PVC piping, either of which can be easily
worked
with to run the vertical length of the building to a sewer system or ground
drain.
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[0034] The start anchor segment should be elevated with at least a
three degree
angle from the position of the end anchor segment. The steepness of the angle
determines
the rate at which rain runoff is channeled off the roof. Accordingly, a larger
angle may be
used for locations that receive greater amounts of sustained rainfall and
where faster
drainage is desired. However, there is no hard and fast rule for this angle or
the offset
between the start and end anchor segments. This further simplifies the
installation as the
installer can proceed with the installation quickly without the need for
measuring.
[0035] The anchor blocks 210 and 215 provide the means by which to
secure either
a start anchor segment or end anchor segment to the roof. As shown, the first
anchor block
210 is located behind the segment at a proximal end and the second anchor
block 215 is
located behind the segment at a distal end. The anchor blocks 210 and 215 are
solid
structures containing a receptacle (see reference markers 240 and 250). Each
anchor block
210 and 215 can be made from hardened rubber or plastic. Each receptacle 240
and 250
may include an unthreaded hole through which a nail passes or a threaded hole
through
which a screw passes. The two nails or screws are longer in length than the
length of the
anchor blocks 210 and 215 so as to pass through the entire length of the
segment and
penetrate into the roof. The two nails or screws establish and maintain the
position and
angle at which the start or end anchor segment is secured to the roof.
[0036] Installation is therefore as simple as positioning the anchor
segment at an
end of the roof at a desired angle and hammering in two nails or driving in
two screws into
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the roof to affix the position of the anchor segment to the roof. This results
in much
quicker installation time, much easier installation, and far less physical
modification to the
roof than required for the installation of traditional overhanging gutter
systems.
[0037] Some embodiments provide start and end anchor segments with
different
anchor blocks than those described above. For example, Figure 4 illustrates an
anchor
segment 410 in accordance with some embodiments, wherein the segment includes
only
one anchor block 420 that is affixed to one end of the segment. The anchor
block 420
includes two holes for securing the segment to the roof. In some such
embodiments, the
anchor block 420 may be modified with three or more receptacles with each
additional nail
or screw providing further support in retaining the angle and position of the
anchor
segment when secured to the roof. For instance, a first receptacle may be
located at a distal
end of the anchor block and second and third receptacles are located at a
proximal end of
the anchor block and are offset from the first receptacle by a horizontal
distance with the
second receptacle being vertically offset though in parallel with the third
receptacle,
thereby providing a greater stabilizing force for the entire gutter system
when secured to
the roof.
[0038] In still some other embodiments, the anchor block can be an
adjustable
bracket that can be resized to clamp to an outer beam below the surface of the
roof. Nails
or screws can be used to secure the clamp to the beam. In some such
embodiments, the
bracket includes an inner shaft that slides in to and out from an outer shaft
to adjust a
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height of the bracket. The inner shaft contains a series of holes that align
with a hole on the
outer shaft when the inner shaft is slid in and out of the outer shaft. A pin
or screw
mechanism inserted through a hole along the inner shaft that is aligned with
the hole of the
outer shaft sets the height of the bracket. A similar inner shaft and outer
shaft combination
can be used to set the width of the bracket. These adjustments allow the
anchor block to
clamp to beams of varying sizes that run underneath the roof surface.
Receptacles along
the bracket receive nails or screws in order to secure the position and angle
of the start or
end anchor segment to the roof.
[0039] With reference back to Figure 2, the body 220 of any of the segments
(i.e.,
start anchor, end anchor, and intermediary) is a rigid inner framework that
defines and
retains the shape of the segment. In some embodiments, the body 220 is an
inverted "V"
shaped frame. The frame can be constructed from rigid metals, rigid plastics,
or composite
materials. For instance, the frame can be constructed from steel, aluminum,
hardened
plastic, or graphite. The rigidity of frame is necessary to preserve the shape
of the gutter
system channel when each of the segments is interlocked with one another. In
other words,
the frame is of sufficient rigidity so as to provide minimal or no bend or
flex when
interlocked with other segments. The inverted "V" shape for the frame also
acts to prevent
slippage or movement of the segment when impacted by the force of rain runoff,
though
the segment primarily derives its static positioning by directly or indirectly
interlocking to
the secured start and end anchor segments. Some other embodiments replace the
inverted
"V" frame with a single planar structure.
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[0040] In some embodiments, the body 220 rises one inch vertically.
At one inch in
height, the segments of the gutter system are nearly imperceptible from a
distance.
However, other embodiments provide for a body 220 that rises anywhere from
half an inch
to six inches in height. The height of the body 220 determines the amount of
rain runoff
that can be carried by the channel at any given moment. Therefore, a body 220
having a
height greater than one inch would be better suited for locations that receive
heavy
sustained rainfall, wherein at such locations, the aggregate rain runoff
collected at any
position along the channel may reach over one inch in height. In other words,
the height of
the body 220 acts as a dam that holds the rain runoff from reaching the roof
ledge, with the
angle of the segments creating the necessary force to redirect the rain runoff
to the roof
edge where a drainage system removes the water from the roof. In some
embodiments, the
body 220 of each segment is one to five feet in width. Though, shorter and
greater widths
can be manufactured to allow the gutter system to fit the width of any roof
segment by up
to one foot.
[0041] In order to interlock the segments, the body 220 of a start or
end anchor
segment includes interlocking element 235 at one end, while the intermediary
segments
include an interlocking element 235 at either end of the segment. In the case
of a start
anchor segment, the interlocking element 235 can be a male coupler with the
end anchor
segment having the complimentary female coupler or vice versa. In the case of
the
intermediary segment, the segment includes a male coupler at one end and a
female
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coupler at the other end. Any number of male-female coupling mechanisms can be
used to
interlock the segments. Some examples will now be given. However, these
examples are
not intended to be exhaustive or limiting and it should be apparent to one of
ordinary skill
in the art that other interlocking mechanisms can be used.
[0042] In some embodiments and as shown in Figure 2, the male coupler
is an
extension of the body frame 235 that extrudes from the first end of the
segment. For such
embodiments, the female coupler comprises an empty cavity at the second
opposite end of
the segment. To interlock a first and second segment, the extruding frame
segment for the
male coupler of the first segment is slid into the female coupler of the
second segment and
when the extruding frame segment of the first segment abuts the frame of the
second
segment, the segments become interlocked. Also, the first segment is prevented
from
sliding further into the second segment because of the abutment of the frames.
[0043] Figure 5 illustrates interlocking two adjacent segments 510 and 520
in
accordance with some embodiments. At 505, the extruding male coupler 530 of
segment
510 is aligned over the female coupler 540 of segment 520. Once aligned, the
segment 520
is lowered at 550 such that the male coupler 530 of segment 510 inserts in the
female
coupler 540 of segment 520, thereby interlocking the two segments 510 and 520.
[0044] In some embodiments as shown in Figure 6, the interlocking
mechanism
includes a male coupler with a pair of prongs 610 that extend out and away
from the body
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towards the first end. The complimentary female coupler includes a pair of
holes 620
towards the second end into which the prongs of the male coupler fit. The
prongs of the
male coupler are inserted into the holes of the female coupler, thus
interlocking the two
segments together. Alternatively as shown in Figure 7, the female coupler may
include
opposite facing prongs 710 that interlock with the prongs 720 of the male
coupler.
[0045] Figure 8 illustrates from a top view, an interlocking
mechanism that utilizes
angled protrusions in accordance with some embodiments. In Figure 8, the male
coupler is
an angled protrusion 810 that extends inward behind the body at the distal end
and the
female coupler is an angled protrusion 820 that extends inward in front of the
body at the
proximal end. Accordingly to interlock a first segment with a second segment,
the second
segment is brought behind the first segment and moved such that the male
coupler of the
first segment engages the female coupler of the second segment.
[0046] Figure 9 illustrates yet another interlocking mechanism using a nut
and bolt
assembly. This interlocking mechanism relies on manufacturing the body of the
segments
with one or two holes at each of the distal and proximal ends. During
installation, the holes
at the distal end of a first segment are aligned with the holes at the
proximal end of a
second segment. A bolt is then slid through the aligned holes and a nut is
secured to the
bolt, thereby interlocking the two segments.
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[0047] With reference back to Figure 2, shrouding each segment is the
outer
membrane 230. In some embodiments, the outer membrane 230 bends in a concave
shape
towards the apex to form the rain runoff containing channel. In some other
embodiments,
the outer membrane 230 is not curved but straight. The outer membrane 230 is
made of a
non-permeable material that envelopes the body 220. The non-permeable material
is
typically a flexible plastic or rubber based material that is waterproof and
weather resistant.
The non-permeable material is selected to withstand cracking and other
deformation from
direct sun, freezing temperatures, as well as rain, snow, and other outside
elements. The
non-permeable material can range in thickness, but is preferably a few
millimeters thick.
[0048] The outer membrane 230 is wedge shaped and is a singular piece
at the
apex. Some distance below the apex, the outer membrane 230 splits to provide a
central
cavity within which the rigid frame of the body 220 is housed. The outer
membrane 230
extends below the body for some distance and forms two skirts. Figure 5 and
Figure 10
illustrate the first skirt 560 and second skirt 570 of a segment in accordance
with some
embodiments.
[0049] When a segment is placed perpendicular to a roof, each skirt
flexes outward
from the center of the segment. A first skirt flexes outward toward the apex
of the roof and
a second skirt flexes outward towards the ledge of the roof.
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[0050] The first skirt sits flush against the roof and causes rain
runoff to flow from
the roof shingles over to the skirt and collect in the channel of the
corresponding segment.
The first skirt thereby creates a barrier that prevents rain runoff from
running underneath
and past the segments. In some embodiments and as shown in Figure 11, the
first skirt
1110 is slid underneath a row of roof shingles 1120 during installation. This
installer is
merely required to lightly lift the row of shingles in front of the first
skirt and slide the
edge of the first skirt underneath. This forms a tight seal that prevents rain
runoff from
passing underneath the segments since the rain runoff will flow over the
shingles, onto the
first skirt, and with the assistance of gravity, across the channel over the
outer membrane
of the interlocked segments. Additionally or alternatively, once the segments
have been
interlocked and placed on the roof, a waterproof sealant can be applied at the
intersection
of the first skirt and the roof. The waterproof sealant can be applied
irrespective of whether
the first skirt is slid underneath the roof shingles or is left atop the
shingles. The waterproof
sealant can include waterproof silicon or caulk as some examples. The sealant
further
serves to prevent rain runoff from passing underneath the first skirt. The
sealant also does
not physically modify the roof and can be easily removed using a blade without
damage to
the roof or its shingles. In some embodiments, the lip or edge of the first
skirt is thin
enough (a few millimeters) that is able to rest bare atop the roof and still
create a sufficient
non-permeable barrier that prevents a majority of the rain runoff from passing
underneath
or past the first skirt. In other words, once the first skirt is laid atop the
roof, the water will
run down the slope of the roof until it contacts the first skirt. The path of
least resistance
for the water is then to flow over the first skirt (not under) and into the
channel created by
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the interlocked bodies of the segments where it is then redirected to the end
anchor
segment. As such, the first skirt need not be inserted underneath the shingles
or sealed with
a sealant, though such acts would improve the seal between the roof and first
skirt.
[0051] The second skirt also sits flush against the roof. The primary
purpose of the
second skirt is to buttress the position of the segment and provide friction
to prevent
movement of the segment along the roof. Secondarily, the second skirt acts as
a second
seal to prevent any rain runoff that passes under the first skirt from passing
past the
segment. Instead, an unseen second channel is formed in between the inverted
"V" frame
of the body.
[0052] In some embodiments, the second skirt is omitted such that
only the side of
the segment that points towards the roof apex is housed with the non-permeable
membrane. In some such embodiments, the entire body of the segment is not
shrouded by
the non-permeable membrane.
[0053] In some embodiments, the width of each of the first and second
skirts is
greater than the width of the body so as to provide overlap when one segment
interlocks
with another. This provides a continuous channel over which rain runoff will
flow until it
reaches the drain at the end anchor segment. Specifically, when the
interconnection of the
segments is achieved by placing one segment over an extruding male coupler of
another
segment, the skirts for the top segment will overlap and partially cover the
skirts of the
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CA 02842236 2014-02-11
underlying segment. When the top segment is up-channel and the underlying
segment is
down-channel, that rain runoff will flow from the top segment to the
underlying segment
and the overlap of the skirts will retain the rain runoff wholly within the
channel without
the need of any additional sealant or waterproofing.
[0054] Figure 12 presents a process 1200 summarizing the installation
of the gutter
system in accordance with some embodiments. Typically a first step in the
process is to
secure (at 1210) the end anchor segment so that it is aligned with the
vertical drain running
the vertical length of the building. Specifically, the end anchor segment is
positioned over
the vertical drain to allow gravity to direct the collected rain runoff
directly into a cup or
mouth of the vertical drain. Next, the process involves securing (at 1220) the
start anchor
segment with a vertical offset from the end anchor segment. Securing the
anchor segments
involves hammering a nail through the receptacles of the anchor blocks into
the roof,
screwing the anchor blocks to the roof, or clamping the anchor blocks to the
roof as some
examples. Next, the installer interlocks (at 1230) the intermediary segments
between the
start and end anchor segments. The installer may use shorter length
intermediary segments
when needed to ensure that the full width of the roof is spanned. For example,
to span a
roof that is 37 feet wide, the installer can use a 5 foot start anchor
segment, a 5 foot end
anchor segment, 5 intermediary segments that are 5 foot, and 2 intermediary
segments that
are 1 foot. Optionally, the installer can insert (at 1240) the segment skirts
underneath the
roof shingles and/or seal the gap between the skirts and the roof. This
completes the
installation.
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CA 02842236 2014-02-11
[0055] As noted above, one enhancement that can be made to the design
includes
providing different length intermediary segments to allow installers to easily
adjust the
length of the gutter to the roof width. Another enhancement includes providing
one set of
intermediary segments that have an anchor block behind and in the middle of
the segment
and another set of intermediary segments that do not have an anchor block. The
intermediary segments with the anchor block can be secured to the roof in the
same
manner as the anchor segments. These enhanced intermediary segments are
intended to be
interspersed between other intermediary segments that do not include the
anchor block as a
means of providing additional rigidity to the gutter if desired. The
intermediary segments
with the anchor blocks may be desired in areas that experience heavy rainfall,
wherein the
additional rigidity afforded by these segments can offset the force and weight
of the
aggregate rainfall against the segments. Figure 13 illustrates a gutter
comprised of five
segments 1310, 1320, 1330, 1340, and 1350. Segment 1310 is the start anchor
segment and
is shown with two anchor blocks 1360 that fix the position and angle of that
segment.
Segments 1320 and 1340 are intermediary segments that do not include an anchor
block.
Segment 1320 is therefore held in place because of the interlocking with
segment 1310 and
1330. Segment 1330 is an intermediary segment that does include an anchor
block 1370.
The anchor block 1360 secures the segment to the roof, thereby providing
segment 1330
with additional support as well as providing the interlocked segments 1320 and
1340
additional support. Finally, segment 1350 is the end anchor segment shown with
two
anchor blocks.
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