Gutter Guard

The present invention relates to a guard for restricting debris from entering a gutter on a building.

Gutters around the roof of a building for collecting and channelling rain water tend to accumulate debris over time. Leaves and other matter that fall on the roof wash into the gutters and may eventually cause blockages or generally impact the ability of the gutters to function efficiently. It is therefore common for gutters to require regular cleaning.

Many devices are available which can be installed in or over the top of gutters to restrict debris falling into the gutter. Such devices are often somewhat effective however it is common for at least some debris to enter the gutters. The gutter guard devices in place can then make it more difficult to clean the gutters when required.

The present invention relates to a gutter guard aimed at providing an easily installed guard giving suitable protection against ingress of debris to the gutter while also allowing easy access to the gutter for cleaning or general maintenance.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a gutter guard comprising:

Preferably the hinge comprises a flexible strip of material integrally formed into the body adjacent the first edge along the length of the body.

Preferably the bristle strip is connected to the body at an angle such that when the body is located adjacent and parallel to the roof, distal ends of the bristles angle downwardly towards the surface of the roof.

Preferably there are provided a plurality of guard panels each comprising a rectangular planar panel, such that each of the guard panels includes first and second sides and first and second ends.

Preferably the first side of each of the guard panels includes a flange extending outwardly therefrom to be received in a first channel in the first edge portion of the body.

Preferably the cross-sectional shape of the flange corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the first channel such that the flange can be received within the first channel by sliding.

Preferably the first channel includes a widened inner portion corresponding in shape to a rib located on a distal edge of the flange.

Preferably the first end of each of the guard panels includes a channel member such that the second end of the adjacent guard panel engages into the channel member when the guard panels are slid into the first channel.

Preferably the second edge of the body includes a second edge portion having a second channel therein provided for receiving a base portion of the bristle strip.

Preferably the second edge portion is angled relative to the body such that when the body is parallel to the surface of the roof, the second edge portion extends upwardly away from the roof.

Preferably the second channel includes an opening facing in a direction downwardly and perpendicular to the plane of the second edge portion.

Preferably the second side of each of the guard panels includes a lip extending outwardly to engage onto an upper edge of the gutter.

Preferably the second side of each of the guard panels is provided with a downward projection along the length thereof to engage with an inner edge of the gutter.

In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of grooves are provided in the lower surface of the body between the hinge and the second edge to receive an adhesive.

Preferably the lower surface of the body is provided with an adhesive strip for connecting the body to the surface of the roof.

Referring to the Figures, there is shown a gutter guardfor installation on the guttersof a building. The gutter guardcomprises generally an elongate body, a plurality of guard panelsand a bristle strip.

The bodycomprises an elongate planar memberwhich is to be positioned in use above a roofof the buildingadjacent the gutter. The elongate planar memberis located such that a first longitudinal edgethereof is located adjacent the gutterand connected to the plurality of guard panels.

The bodyincludes a first edge portionalong the first edgethereof to allow connection to the plurality of guard panels. The first edge portionincludes a first channelwhich extends along the length of the bodyon the first edgethereof.

Each of the guard panelscomprises a planar panel having a plurality of openings therein. The guard panelsmay comprise perforated planar panels, or mesh panels formed from a suitable material, such as a plastic material. In the embodiment shown, each of the guard panelsis rectangular such that the guard panelseach include first and second sidesandand first and second endsand. The first sideof each of the guard panelsincludes a flangeextending outwardly therefrom. The cross-sectional shape of the flangecorresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the first channelsuch that the flangecan be received within the first channelby sliding to connect the guard panelto the first edge portionof the body.

In the embodiment shown, the first channelincludes a widened inner portioncorresponding in shape to a riblocated on a distal edge of the flangesuch that when the flangeis slid into the first channel, the guard panelis connected to the first edge portionof the body. The widened inner portionof the first channeland the ribare both generally circular in shape.

A plurality of guard panelsmay be connected with the first edge portionof the bodysuch that the first endsof each of the guard panelsare located adjacent and parallel to the second endsof adjacent guard panels. The guard panelsthereby provide a continuous elongate cover to be located above the upper edge of the gutterin use. The first endof each of the guard panelsincludes a channel memberon an edge thereof such that the second endof the adjacent guard panelengages into the channel member.

The bodyincludes a hingeextending along the length thereof adjacent to the first edge portion. The hingeis provided such that the first edge portionand the connected guard panelsmay rotate relative to the body. The hingein the embodiment shown comprises a flexible strip of material integrally formed into the bodyadjacent the first edge portionalong the length of the body.

The guard panelsmay therefore be rotated between a lowered position (as seen for example in), in which the guard panelsextend across the upper surface of the gutterand a raised position (as seen for example in), in which the interior of the gutteris accessible for cleaning or maintenance. As the adjacent guard panelsconnected to the bodyare also connected together by the channel members, lifting up one of the guard panelswill cause the other guard panelsconnected to the bodyto also be raised.

The bodyof the gutter guardincludes a second edge portionalong the second edgethereof. The second edge portionincludes a second channeltherein provided for receiving the bristle strip. The bristle stripinclude an elongate base portionand a plurality of bristlesextending perpendicularly outwardly from the base portion. The base portionmay be received into the second channelby sliding such that the bristlesextend outwardly from the second edgeof the body.

The bristle stripis connected to the bodyat an angle to the plane of the bodysuch that when the bodyis located adjacent the roofgenerally parallel to the roof, distal ends of the bristlesangle downwardly towards the roof(as can be seen for example in).

In the embodiment shown, the second edge portionis angled relative to the bodysuch that when the bodyis parallel to the surface of the roof, the second edge portionextends upwardly away from the roof. The second channelcomprises a rectangular cross sectioned channel having an openingpointing in a direction downwardly and perpendicular to the plane of the second edge portion(as can be seen in) such that the bristlesof the bristle strippoint at an angle downwardly towards the roofin use.

The second sideof each of the guard panelsincludes a lip, as can be seen in. The lipextends outwardly from the second sideparallel to the guard paneland is provided to engage onto an upper edge of the gutter, as can be seen in. The second sideof the guard panelsare also each provided with a downward projectionalong the length thereof. The downward projectionis provided to engage with an inner edge of the gutter, as can also be seen in. The engagement with the inner edge of the gutterprovides some restriction against upward movement of the guard panelsto keep the guard panelsin place.

A lower surface of the bodyis provided also with an adhesive strip. The adhesive stripcomprises a length of double-sided tape secured to the lower surface of the bodybetween the hingeand the second edgeof the body. Further, a plurality of groovesare provided in the lower surface of the bodybetween the hingeand the second edge. The groovesare provided to receive an adhesive such as silicon placed between the bodyand the roofto secure the bodyto the roof.

In use, the bodyof the gutter guardis secured to the roofwith appropriate fixing means such that the second sideof the guard panelsare located above the upper edge of the gutter. A suitable adhesive such as silicon is applied to connect the lower surface of the bodyto the roofand the adhesive stripis provided to hold the bodyin place until the adhesive sets. The bodymay also be secured in place by other means, such as suitable threaded fasteners.

The bristle strippoints downwardly towards the upper surface of the roofand ends of the bristlesengage with the roof. The bristle stripthereby conforms with the shape of ridges and gullies in surface of the roofsuch that any debris washing downwardly over the upper surface of the roofwill be directed by the bristles of the bristle stripacross the top of the bodyand the guard panels.

When it is required to access the gutterfor cleaning and maintenance, the guard panelsmay be simply moved to the raised position as can be seen in.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention.