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Gutter coverGutter cover description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080000169, Gutter cover. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001]The present invention relates to a gutter cover and in particular, to a gutter cover that can be applied to a number of different types of eavestrough systems and is designed to produce a water sheeting effect as the rain water moves across the gutter cover. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002]In many situations, eavestroughing systems are a significant maintenance problem with respect to the accumulation of seeds, sticks and leaves that fall from adjacent trees. It is known to retrofit such eavestrough systems with a perforated mesh of a metal or plastic which is basically supported in the eavestrough at or slightly below the edge of the eavestrough. Such perforated eavestrough covers are effective in some situations, however, the perforations allow some debris to pass therethrough and depending upon the particular environment, these perforated eavestrough covers are not satisfactory. Leaves and sticks can also become lodged in the perforations and cause further difficulties. Often such perforation covers reduce the problem associated with debris accumulation in the eavestrough but may require cleaning of the covers themselves from accumulated debris. [0003]A different approach for eavestrough covers is to use a solid cover and provide the cover with a rounded transition section positioned adjacent the front edge of the eavestrough. Water due to surface tension, tends to follow the rounded transition whereas debris tends to be discharged off the eavestrough cover. Below the rounded transition is a series of gaps for allowing the water to enter the eavestrough. With these systems there are no perforations on the upper surface and thus, the accumulation of debris on the cover is significantly reduced. [0004]The present invention relates to improvements in eavestrough solid covers and to disperse of rivulets of water which are formed on the roof. Such rivulets are effectively disbursed to form a sheet like water layer on the eavestrough cover. This sheet like layer more closely follows the rounded transition contour of the eavestrough cover and directs water into the eavestrough while separating debris from the water. In addition, the present invention is directed to a system which can be secured in a quick and effective retrofit manner to a number of different eavestrough systems of different materials. [0005]The invention is also directed to an efficient method for producing the solid eavestrough gutter cover. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006]An eavestrough gutter cover according to the present invention is made of an extruded plastic material and comprises a cover segment, a rounded transition edge, and an undercut angled section joining with a perforated pass through portion located beneath the covered segment. The perforated pass through portion allows water to freely pass therethrough. The perforated pass through portion includes an integral resilient clip sized for securing of the gutter cover to an eavestrough edge or to an upper fastening portion of an eavestrough hook. [0007]The eavestrough gutter cover is designed for use on many plastic eavestrough systems that include what is referred to as a hidden hook. The hidden hook engages the inside front edge of the eavestrough and is effectively hidden from view by the eavestrough. These hooks typically include an upper flange for engaging an eavestrough cover and retaining an eavestrough cover. The present eavestrough gutter cover has the resilient clip for securing to such hooks. In addition, the resilient clip is somewhat oversized to define a significant recess therebehind. This recess is designed for accommodating the rolled or folded edge of a metal eavestrough. With aluminum eavestroughing systems, the gutter cover directly engages the inside rolled edge of the eavestrough. [0008]In a preferred aspect of the eavestrough gutter cover, the resilient clip extends below the pass through portion. [0009]In a further aspect of the invention, the resilient clip includes an upwardly and outwardly angled return ramp formed to one side of the pass through portion. [0010]In yet a further aspect of the invention, the ramp terminates at a position below the rounded transition edge and at a forward position inwardly of the rounded transition edge. [0011]In a further aspect of the invention, the covered segment includes a textured upper surface adjacent the rounded transition edge that serves to slow water runoff, break up rivulets, and improve flow of water runoff around the transition edge for collection and discharge through the pass through portion of the gutter cover. [0012]In yet a further aspect of the invention, the covered segment includes in a generally central position across the width thereof, an integral hinge allowing the cover segment when installed to have an angled section joining a horizontal section with the horizontal section separating the angled section from the rounded transition edge. This serves to further slow the water prior to the water encountering the transition edge. The slowing of the water and the textured upper surface will also serve to spread any rivulets of water. [0013]In yet a further aspect of the invention, the resilient clip includes an oversized recess located behind a narrow forward slot that when forced open includes a memory function urging the resilient clip to return towards the narrow forward slot position and thus secure the resilient clip to a component inserted therein. [0014]The resilient clip is preferably installed on metal eavestrough by first inserting an end portion of the clip onto the eavestrough and then progressively insert the edge of the eavestrough into the clip along the length of the gutter cover. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015]Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein: [0016]FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the eavestrough cover secured above a plastic eavestroughing system; [0017]FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view from underneath showing the gutter cover and the trapezoidal ports and "C" clip fastening arrangement; [0018]FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the eavestrough gutter cover and the textured upper surface thereof; [0019]FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of the extension die; [0020]FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the gutter cover as outputted from the extension die; Continue reading about Gutter cover... Full patent description for Gutter cover Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Gutter cover patent application. Patent Applications in related categories: 20090288349 - Debris deflection devices - This invention related to the field of drains and rain gutters typically attached to a house or commercial building. This invention describes gutter inserts that block, or deflect vegetation and other debris from entering rain gutters. ... ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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