SADLEIR KIMBERLEY VERE (AU)
WO1990007619A1 | 1990-07-12 | |||
WO1993008345A1 | 1993-04-29 | |||
WO1984002552A1 | 1984-07-05 | |||
WO1992008021A2 | 1992-05-14 |
AU5805980A | 1980-11-06 | |||
US4745710A | 1988-05-24 | |||
US4631875A | 1986-12-30 | |||
AU3023984A | 1985-01-17 | |||
US1706458A | 1929-03-26 |
1. | The Claims defining the invention are as follows: A gutter system for collecting water from a water collection surface and directing it into a gutter and thereby into a conduit such as a downpipe or drain, the gutter system including a gutter cover system located between the water collecting surface and the gutter for assisting the flow ofthe water between the water collection surface and the gutter, the gutter cover system extending over the gutter for closing off the gutter, the gutter cover system including at least one hole located above the gutter for allowing water to flow from the water collecting surface into the gutter, a water directing surface for directing water from the water collecting surface to the at least one hole, the at least one hole having a crosssectional area which is less than 8 times the crosssectional area of the downpipe or drain, wherein the at least one hole promotes the passage of water into the gutter, inhibits the ingress of debris into the gutter and promotes the removal ofthe debris by the action of the wind. |
2. | A gutter cover system for use in assisting the flow of the water between a water collection surface and a gutter and thereby into a conduit such as a downpipe or drain, the gutter cover system being disposed over the gutter for closing off the gutter, the gutter cover system including at least one hole located above the gutter for allowing water to flow from the water collecting surface into the gutter, a water directing surface for directing water from the water collecting surface to the at least one hole, the at least one hole having a cross sectional area which is less than 8 times the crosssectional area ofthe downpipe or drain, wherein the at least one hole promotes the passage of water into the gutter, inhibits the ingress of debris into the gutter and promotes the removal of the debris by the action ofthe wind. |
3. | A tile for use in assisting the flow of the water between a water collection surface such as a road or roof and a gutter and thereby into a conduit such as a downpipe or drain, the tile being disposed over the gutter for closing off the gutter, the tile including at least one hole located above the gutter for allowing water to flow from the water collecting surface into the gutter, a water directing surface for directing water from the water collecting surface to the at least one hole, the at least one hole having a crosssectional area which is less than 8 times the crosssectional area of the downpipe or drain, wherein the at least one hole promotes the passage of water into the gutter, inhibits the ingress of debris into the gutter and promotes the removal ofthe debris by the action ofthe wind. |
4. | A gutter system for collecting water from a water collecting surface such as a roof and directing it into a conduit such as a downpipe, the gutter system including a gutter for disposition substantially horizontally and parallel to a lower edge of the water collecting surface, a plurality of connecting brackets attachable to members supporting the water collecting surface, a facia member coupled to the connecting brackets, and a clip means for clippably attaching the gutter to the facia member, the gutter having a plurality of horizontally disposed ridged and the facia member having a plurality of horizontally disposed ridges for receiving the ridged of the gutter so that the gutter can be held in position on the facia member by the cooperation ofthe two sets of ridges and the height of the gutter on the facia member being adjustable by raising the gutter so that the ridges slide past each other, the adjustment ofthe height ofthe gutter with respect to the facia member accommodating water collection surfaces of differing slopes. |
5. | A method of installing a gutter system onto a water collecting surface such as a roof, the gutter system having a facia member connected to the roof and a gutter attached by clips to the facia member, the facia member and the gutter each having horizontally disposed ridges which cooperate for holding the gutter at a predetermined height with respect to the facia member, the method including the steps of fixing the facia to the roof; attaching the gutter to the roof with the clips; and, raising the gutter so that the ridges of the gutter slide over the ridges of the facia, the raising ofthe gutter allowing adjustment ofthe disposition ofthe gutter to match the plane of water collecting surfaces of differing slopes. |
GUTTER SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gutter system particularly, although not exclusively, envisaged for use in relation to inhibiting the accumulation of debris in house gutters and road drainage pipes
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The accumulation of debris in house gutters and road drainage pipes is a major problem
Roof gutters perform a number of functions The main function is the collection and orderly removal of storm water which falls on the roof
The roof gutter also performs the aesthetic function of covering the exposed ends of the tiles or roofing steel To facilitate this, the lower end of the roof normally terminates well inside the gutter. This feature also prevents drip or blow back water from entering the roof system Unfortunately, a number of unwanted materials land on roofs. These include leaves, twigs, cones, nuts, bark, dust and bird droppings. Most of these materials collect in the standard gutter
The accumulation of this material in gutters is a major problem for many house owners. If the material is not removed on a regular basis, the gutters can rust and require replacement More importantly, overflow from a blocked gutter can stain eaves, ceilings and internal walls In areas where there is a significant fire hazard, the accumulation of leaves in the gutter can aid the spread of fire into the main house structure
The commercial cost of cleaning gutters is typically $60 per visit. Replacing a gutter system can cost over $1,000 and the bill for repairing damaged walls and ceilings can be even higher
There have been various attempts at creating a system to guard the gutter from collection of unwanted material Currently, the main gutter guard system is a wire or plastic mesh that fits over the gutter. This system is largely ineffective, especially where fine leaves and twigs are concerned. The time and cost of cleaning and removing the gutter guard largely cancels any benefits.
There are two systems on the market which appear to solve the problem in a satisfactory manner. These are a low and wide profile plastic gutter system and the Monier 'Leafless Gutter System'. Both products are reported to prevent leaves accumulating in the gutter
but have not sold well. A possible reason for this is the fact that both systems expose the untidy end ofthe root tile or metal.
Storm water drains on sealed and curbed roadways have slightly different problems to those of roof gutters. Roadside rubbish and leaves mostly accumulate in the roadside gutters. During dry periods, litter can accumulate in the drains and after a heavy shower, the drains become blocked. The subsequent flooding can be a safety hazard, cause damage or inconvenience to motorists. Unblocking the gutters can be expensive and disruptive. Litter washed down the storm water system often ends up in the ocean, waterways and beaches. It is generally not practical to cover street gutters, however, covering the inlets to the drain systems is possible. Heavy bar grates are currently used on some inlets and some use the curb to provide a cover for the inlet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a gutter system which inhibits the ingress of material into it whilst still collecting water.
GUTTER SYSTEM (WITH TILE)
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a gutter system for collecting water from a water collection surface and directing it into a gutter and thereby into a conduit such as a downpipe or drain, the gutter system including a gutter cover system located between the water collecting surface and the gutter for assisting the flow of the water between the water collection surface and the gutter, the gutter cover system extending over the gutter for closing off the gutter, the gutter cover system including at least one hole located above the gutter for allowing water to flow from the water collecting surface into the gutter, a water directing surface for directing water from the water collecting surface to the at least one hole, the at least one hole having a cross- sectional area which is less than 8 times the cross-sectional area of the downpipe or drain, wherein the at least one hole promotes the passage of water into the gutter, inhibits the ingress of debris into the gutter and promotes the removal ofthe debris by the action ofthe wind. GUTTER COVER SYSTEM
In accordance with another aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a gutter cover system for use in assisting the flow of the water between a water collection surface and a gutter and thereby into a conduit such as a downpipe or drain, the gutter cover system being disposed over the gutter for closing off the gutter, the gutter cover system including at least one hole located above the gutter for allowing water to flow from the water
collecting surface into the gutter, a water directing surface for directing water from the water collecting surface to the at least one hole, the at least one hole having a cross- sectional area which is less than 8 times the cross-sectional area of the downpipe or drain, wherein the at least one hole promotes the passage of water into the gutter, inhibits the ingress of debris into the gutter and promotes the removal ofthe debris by the action ofthe wind
TILE
In accordance with a further aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a tile for use in assisting the flow ofthe water between a water collection surface such as a road or roof and a gutter and thereby into a conduit such as a downpipe or drain, the tile being disposed over the gutter for closing off the gutter, the tile including at least one hole located above the gutter for allowing water to flow from the water collecting surface into the gutter, a water directing surface for directing water from the water collecting surface to the at least one hole, the at least one hole having a cross-sectional area which is less than 8 times the cross-sectional area of the downpipe or drain, wherein the at least one hole promotes the passage of water into the gutter, inhibits the ingress of debris into the gutter and promotes the removal ofthe debris by the action ofthe wind.
ADJUSTABLE HEIGHT GUTTER SYSTEM βflNUS TILE)
In accordance with a still further aspect of the present invention there is provided a gutter system for collecting water from a water collecting surface such as a roof and directing it into a conduit such as a downpipe, the gutter system including a gutter for disposition substantially horizontally and parallel to a lower edge of the water collecting surface, a plurality of connecting brackets attachable to members supporting the water collecting surface, a facia member coupled to the connecting brackets, and a clip means for clippably attaching the gutter to the facia member, the gutter having a plurality of horizontally disposed ridged and the facia member having a plurality of horizontally disposed ridges for receiving the ridged of the gutter so that the gutter can be held in position on the facia member by the cooperation of the two sets of ridges and the height of the gutter on the facia member being adjustable by raising the gutter so that the ridges slide past each other, the adjustment ofthe height ofthe gutter with respect to the facia member accommodating water collection surfaces of differing slopes
METHOD OF INSTALLING GUTTER SYSTEM (M INUS TILE)
In accordance with a still further aspect ofthe present invention there is provided a method of installing a gutter system onto a water collecting surface such as a roof, the gutter system having a facia member connected to the roof and a gutter attached by clips to the facia member, the facia member and the gutter each having horizontally disposed ridges which cooperate for holding the gutter at a predetermined height with respect to the facia
member, the method including the steps of: fixing the facia to the roof; attaching the gutter to the roof with the clips; and, raising the gutter so that the ridges of the gutter slide over the ridges of the facia, the raising ofthe gutter allowing adjustment ofthe disposition ofthe gutter to match the plane of water collecting surfaces of differing slopes.
The present invention will hereinafter be described with particular reference to water collection surfaces being rooves and roads, although it is to be understood that it is of general applicability. For example, the water collection surface could be an area of sloping ground or any other sloping surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An exemplary embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gutter system in accordance with the present invention, shown applied to a tiled roof;
Figure 2.1 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a gutter system in accordance with the present invention, shown applied to a metal roof;
Figures 2.2 to 2.4 are a front view, a side view and a plan view ofa gutter tile ofthe gutter system of Figure 2.1; Figure 3 is a perspective view, seen from above, of a gutter tile in accordance with the present invention particularly showing an arrangement of gullies and holes for controlling the flow of water through the gutter tile;
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional side view ofthe gutter tile of Figure 3 showing the profile of a plurality of holes; Figure 5 is a plan view of a part of the tile of Figure 3, shown to a larger scale and indicating the flow of water into the holes;
Figure 6 is another cross-sectional side view of the tile of Figure 3, showing a clip coupling used to attach the tile to a gutter;
Figure 7 is a cross-sectional side view of the gutter system of Figure 1, showing the direction of air flow through the holes of the tile (shown in Figure 3) for removing debris from the tile;
Figures 8.1 to 8.4 are a cross-sectional side view of one ofthe holes ofthe tile of Figure 3
showing the manner in which debris may lodge in the holes and how the debris become dislodged from the hole by the force ofthe wind,
Figure 9 is an underside view ofthe tile of Figure 3,
Figures 10 1 to 10 5 are side views of the gutter system of the present invention shown with various types of roof, and,
Figure 10 6 is an end view of various components of an adjustable height gutter system in accordance with the present invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In Figure 1 there is shown a gutter system 10 in accordance with the present invention The gutter system 10 comprises a plurality of gutter tiles 20, a gutter 22 and a water collection system in the form ofa plurality ofa plurality of conventional roof tiles 24 The tiles 20 and 24 are supported upon rafters 26 and the underside ofthe rafters 26 are closed off from the elements by roof eaves panels 28 The rafters 26 also support a facia 30 which in turn supports the butter 22 The gutter tiles 20 are arranged in much the same manner as the conventional tiles 24 except that they lie over the gutter 22 to close off the gutter 22 This is in complete contrast to what is accepted as how roof sheeting should be laid in relation to a gutter 22
The gutter tiles 20 are shown in more detail in Figures 3 to 9 Each of the gutter tiles 20 has an upper surface 40, a lower surface 42, an upstream end 44 and a downstream end 46 The gutter tile 22 is formed with a conventional tile section 48 which extends from the upstream end 44 to intermediate the length of the tile 20, and a modified tile section 50 which extends from the downstream end 46 to intermediate the length of the tile 20 The purpose of the conventional tile section 48 is to enable the tile 20 to fit into the conventional tile 24 in the normal way, and the purpose of the modified tile section is to more efficiently control the flow of water into the gutter 22 whilst inhibiting the passage of debris into the gutter 22
The conventional tile section 48 has a central ridge 52 which in intended to split the flow of water down the tile 20 into two halves The conventional tile section 48 has a profile which allows the tile 20 to couple with the conventional tile 24 at its upstream end 44 and to couple with further gutter tiles 20 at its sides
The modified tile section 50 has a water control surface 60, a plurality of holes 62, a pressurisatioπ slot 64, a facia sealing surface 66 and a fastening lug 68 The water control surface 60 typically has gullies 70 arranged in a criss-cross pattern and having an appearance similar to a bar of chocolate The gullies 70 are interposed with bumps 72 The holes 62 are located in the gullies 70 in the downstream end of the water control
surface 60 and are arranged above the gutter 22 The holes 62 allow the flow of water from the water collection surface 60 into the gutter 22 In the exemplary embodiment there are 13 holes 62 in each ofthe left and right sides ofthe water collection surface 60
Particularly as shown in Figure 4 the holes 62 have a profile which includes a curved upper lip 80 located in the upper surface 40 of the tile 20 The curved upper lip 80 leads to an inlet cone 82, which terminates at a cusp 84, which leads into a fluted siphon tube 86, which has its outlet at a discharge end 88 located in the lower surface 42 of the tile 20 The inlet cone 82 typically has an angle of greater than about 40o to the horizontal The fluted siphon tube 86 flares from the cusp 84 to the discharge end 88 by an angle of 2o to 3o typically If the angle is smaller than this the siphon effect is inhibited and if the angle is much larger than this the siphon effect does not occur Also, to assist in achieving the siphon effect the tube 86 must be longer than it is wide and more particularly that its length be about twice its width
As shown in Figure 5, the holes 62 are offset in the gullies 70 This has the effect of causing th water to spiral into the holes 62 as indicated by arrows 90 The size of the arrows 90 indicates the speed and energy of the water as it flows into the holes 62 Also, water that does not flow into an upstream one ofthe holes 62 tends to flow into one ofthe downstream ones of the holes 62 Hence, the ability of the water control surface 60 to couple the water into the holes 62 is quite high The pressunsation slot 64 is located in the downstream end 46 of the tile 20 and sits over the edge ofthe gutter 22 so as to form an aperture for air to flow into a gutter chamber 92 formed by the gutter tile 20 and the gutter 22 (see Figures 1 and 7) The pressurisation slot 64 allows air to flow into the gutter chamber 92 to pressurise the gutter chamber 92 and flow upwardly out ofthe holes 62 in the direction of arrows 94 It is this upward flow of air through the holes 62 which assists in inhibiting the lodging of debris in the holes 62
The facia sealing surface 66 seals the lower surface 42 of the tile 20 to the gutter 22 so as to seal off the gutter chamber 92 to ensure that the flow of air goes through the holes 62 instead of leaking into the roof cavity 96
Particularly as shown in Figure 6 the fastening lug 68 is located proximate the downstream end 46 and sits over the gutter 22 The fastening lug 68 receives a clip 98 which is pivotably attached to the gutter 22 at one end and which spπng clips on to the fastening lug 68 The fastening lug thus positively attaches the tile 20 to the front edge ofthe gutter 22 This has the effect of maintaining the definition ofthe pressurisation slot 64 and hence ensuring the gutter chamber 90 will be pressurised by the flow of air in the vicinity of the gutter 22
A shown in Figures 7 and 10 3 to 106 the gutter system 10 in accordance with another
aspect of the present invention has an adjustable height gutter 99 comprising a plurality of brackets 100, a facia 102 and a plurality of clips 104 for fixing the gutter 20 to the rafters 26. The brackets 100 typically have ganged nails formed in them for fixing to the rafters 26. The facia 102 is shaped to sit upon the brackets 100 and so be attached to the rafters 26 The facia has a plurality of horizontally disposed ridges 110 located proximate its upper end. The gutter 22 also has a plurality of horizontally disposed ridges 112 arranged to mate with the ridges 1 10 of the facia. The ridges 110 and 112 are arranged so as to provide a ratchet effect as the gutter 22 is pushed upwardly. In this way the height ofthe gutter 22 with respect to the facia 102 can be adjusted. This is necessary where the pitch of the roof varies such as shown in Figures 10.4 (14o pitch) and 10.5 (45o pitch). Then once the gutter tiles 20 are laid the front ofthe gutter 20 is supported by the connection to the tiles 20 with the clips 98. That is, the ridges 110 and 112 on the facia 102 and the gutter 22 allow easy adjustment ofthe height ofthe gutter 22 for rooves of differing pitch.
As shown in Figures 2, 10.1 and 10.2 the tile could be a metal tile 120 for use with metal roof sheeting 122. The tile 120 is similar to the tile 20 and like numerals denote like parts. The only real difference between the tile 120 and tile 20 is that the tile 120 has a corrugated profile so as to match the profile of the roof sheeting 122. It is to be understood, however, that the tile 120 could have other profiles to match roof sheeting 122 of differing profiles. DESIGN PHILOSOPHY
The purpose behind the design of each ofthe components ofthe gutter system 10 will now be discussed.
THE SADLEIR GUTTER SYSTEM
This is a gutter cover system 10 that can be fitted to new or existing tile and steel roofs or over the entrance to storm water drains.
Essentially the system is a method of efficiently separating water and litter or debris. The cover is designed with to cope with the maximum likely water flow and provide the maximum flat area to obstruct litter.
OPERA TION OF THE SADLEIR GUTTER SYSTEM In the Sadleir gutter system 10, there are eleven separate technical features which operate both independently and collectively to keep the gutters or drains free from leaves etc. Depending on the requirement, all or any combination of features can be used The technical features can be grouped as follows
1. High ratio of cover area to hole 62 area 2. Small hole 62 diameter relative to leaves and debris size
3. Relatively smooth and exposed upper surface 40
4. Sloping upper surface 40
5. Upstream water slowing and guiding systems (water control surfaces 60)
6. Hole 62 design including spiralling input (Figure 5) 7. Hole 62 design including rounded upper lip 80
8 Hole design including deep angled inlet cone 82
9. Hole design including cusped hole 84
10. Hole design including fluted syphons tube 86
11. Wind powered gutter pressurisation (pressurisation slot 64) for hole 62 cleaning HIGH RA TIO OF COVER AREA TO HOLE AREA
Any device used to prevent debris from entering gutter systems must have sufficient hole area to allow water flow into the gutter for all but the most extreme situations. Perth Weather Bureau advises that the highest rate of rainfall is 18 mm over a 5 minute period (3.6 mm/minute) and this occurs only once in every 100 years. This is an extreme situation and systems are usually designed for a rate of around 2 mm/minute.
Houses currently have down-pipes with the capacity to handle about 2 mm/minute of rainfall. The typical pipe has a cross-sectional area of around 50 sq cm. receiving the water from about 14 metres of gutter (50 sq. metres of roof) In the current open house gutters, the inlet area is around 15,000 sq. cm., or 300 times bigger than the area of the down-pipe outlet. The house gutter inlet area is clearly many times greater than necessary to collect the water.
The inlet hole 62 area on 14 metres of Sadleir system gutter tiles is about 400 sq. cm., or 8 times the cross-sectional area of the down-pipe. This still leaves around 97% of the cover surface available to prevent debris such as falling leaves from lodging in the gutter. The debris is blown away in the wind or simply slides off the roof.
In terms of water flow, the Sadleir system allows around 3 to 5 times the gutter 22 capacity. This additional capacity is designed to cope with the variations in down-pipe capacity, roof slope, varying length of collection surface and occasional temporary blocking of holes 62. The separation of storm water and road litter requires some variation to the system used on roof gutters. The road gutters are generally exposed to the wind resulting in better drying of litter and greater movement. Additionally, gutters are generally cleaned on a
regular basis by road sweepers Water takes longer to reach the pipe system on the roads compared to the roof situation Road slopes are generally less than that on the roof and the water has further to travel
It would be to expensive and impractical to cover the road-side gutters but a filter cover over the pipe inlet is practical Examination of local suburban road drainage systems indicates that water is collected from about 500 sq metres of road The drains sometimes have grated inlets of open area about 500 sq cm or flow under curbs through an area of about 250 sq cm At a rainfall rate of 2 mm/minute, the pipe would receive about 1000 litres/minute A filter cover pattern with around 95% cover area to hole 62 area, similar to that used on the tiles 20, may be installed over the storm water inlet The pattern of the water control surfaces 20 can filter water at around 1200 litres/sq metre minute and a modified storm water cover could be expected to give up to 2000 litres/sq metre/minute Thus a 50 cm x 100 cm cover placed over the inlet, or a 200 cm x 25 cm cover placed upstream of the inlet should cope with most storm water situations and prevent debris from entering the system
SMALL HOLE DIAMETER RELA TIVE TO DEBRIS DIMENSIONS.
Most roof litter is in the form of twigs, leaves or needles
Leaves are generally flat with length and width greater than about 10 mm The holes 62 on the Sadleir system are about 7 mm in diameter and the inlet cone 82 is about 20 mm in diameter These dimensions effectively prevent the entrance of leaves into the gutter system
Pine needles and twigs are similar in shape and character Both can have very small diameters, down to about 2 mm and are generally greater than 50 mm in length They often have hooks protruding from part of the stem When they fall on to a roof or road, they tend to stay flat Providing the surface is relatively smooth and no wind-protected gullies exceed about 20 mm in width and length, the twigs and needles are blown freely around and off the roof or down the road This is the case with the Sadleir gutter system
RELATIVELY SMOOTH AND EXPOSED UPPER SURFACE Aiding the large cover area and hole 62 dimensions is the motive force of the wind In order for the wind to remove leaves etc, the surface needs to be smooth and exposed to the maximum force ofthe wind The Sadleir gutter system 10 uses a substantially smooth flat surface 40 which can be streamlined by minimising wind obstructions from tiles 20, 24, gutter 22, or curbing
SLOPING UPPER SURFACE
In order for gravity to assist the cleaning process, the cover needs some level of slope. The greater the slope, the easier it is for material to slide off the roof. Tests indicate the Sadleir gutter system 10 can cope with up to 40 degrees in slope without effecting the water control surfaces 60
UPSTREAM WATER SLOWING AND GUIDING SYSTEMS
Water coming off a roof can travel in the form ofa fast flowing, narrow and erratic stream. In order for this water to enter a number of scattered drainage holes 62 whose axis is at right-angles to the flow, it needs to be slowed, controlled and guided into the holes. The speed of water flowing down a roof gully or roadway gutter can often exceed 100 cm sec. At this speed, a horizontal water stream initially arcs down with an average radius of about 4 cm. For the stream to flow into a pipe, an inlet cone of around 10 cm in diameter would be required. This size hole 62 would not effectively filter many types of debris. Slowing the water can be done by a number of methods including, the bumps 72 and the gullies 70. The size of the bumps 72 or gullies 70 need to be large enough to provide sufficient turbulence in the water in order to absorb the kinetic energy in the water and thereby slow the flow. The bumps 72 or gullies 70 work well when the width of the bumps 72 is similar to the inlet cone 82 diameter (20 mm) wide, the height of the bumps 72 is similar to the hole 62 diameter (7 mm) and the gap between the bumps 72 has similar area to the filter hole 62 area (0 3 sq.cm ). These devices are designed to slow the water to a speed which allows it to fall naturally into the filter hole 62. The slowed water stream in these applications is 30 cm/sec and at this speed, the initial average fall radius is around 1 cm. This radius allows an effective filter inlet cone 82 diameter of around 2 - 3 cm.
The bumps 72 and gullies 70 also act to spread and direct the water into the holes 62 which are usually located in the gullies 70. By using a number of gullies 70, the water flow can be split into smaller streams which are more suited to the smaller holes 62 needed to prevent debris from entering the gutter 22.
The slowing, splitting and redirecting the water stream allows an effective small hole filter design with a comparatively large water flow. HOLE DESIGN
The main function of the hole 62 is to allow the maximum flow of water through to the gutter 22 and prevent leaves and other foreign materials from getting in. Key elements in the hole 62 design include the number and size of the holes 62 as mentioned earlier. Additionally, the filter pipe design must take into account the interaction of the inlet shape and surface tension, the nature and roughness of the fabrication material, the shape, length and overall angle of the filter pipe and the velocity and direction of the incoming flow.
The features of hole 62 design can be grouped as follows
• Spiralling Input,
• Inlet Cone 82,
• Cusped Hole 84, • Fluted Syphons Tube 86
Spiralling input streams is one way to assist the entry of relatively fast moving water into the filter holes 62. A 7 mm diameter stream of water spiralling into a 2 cm diameter cone inlet 82 will travel around the cone a circumferential distance of about 5 cm before it encounters its own incoming stream. If the stream of water falls more than its diameter (ie about 7 mm) then the stream of water will not encounter its own stream again and so will continue to spiral down the hole 62 This system allows relatively fast moving water to enter a smaller hole than would be the case in direct stream entry
The rotation of the earth causes water to naturally spiral down holes in an anti-clockwise direction in the Southern Hemisphere and in the clockwise direction in the Northern Hemisphere. This is called the Coriolis Effect and if the inflow water guides create a spiral direction in the same direction, then the spiralling effect is enhanced and the water flows more quickly If not, the spiralling can still work but it will be retarded by this effect.
The inlet cone 82 needs to be designed to handle the spiralling water. This means that the entry lip 80 on the cone 82 needs to be rounded as much as possible so as to keep the water in contact with it. The walls ofthe speed slowing bumps 72 can be used as part of the inlet cone 82 to increase the radius ofthe lip 80
The inlet cone 82 also needs to have a relatively steep cone angle if inflow is spiralling This is to overcome the centrifugal force caused by the rotation ofthe water stream and to allow it to fall into the filter hole 62. An angle of less than 40 degrees from the hole axis has been found necessary in tests on roof tiles 20
The inlet cone 82 has a cusped lower end 84 The angle ofthe wall changes abruptly from around +40 degrees to the axis to around -2 degrees This causes debris objects that are greater than the diameter ofthe cusped hole (7 mm) to be blocked from entering the hole At the cusp 84, the cone 82 angle is large enough to prevent wedging and the debris remains free to move on top of the surface. If the debris object is smaller than the cusped hole 84, then it will fall through and continue down a widening tube 86
The final part of the filter tube 62 is the fluted pipe 86 The fluted pipe 86 prevents the lodging of small particles as mentioned above For maximum effectiveness, the pipe length relative to its diameter needs to be large enough to produce a syphons effect It has been
found by experiment that the hole length needs to be at least twice that ofthe average hole diameter. A successful tile 20 developed by the inventor has a hole length of 18 mm and an average diameter of 7.5 mm.
GUTTER PRESSURISATION. The above systems handle the large majority of debris that land on roads and houses but small amounts of material can sit in the recessed holes 62 and prevent them from functioning properly.
This debris can be removed from the surface by wind and by a system of gutter pressurisation. The Sadleir gutter tile has the outer lip curved over the lip ofthe gutter 22 with a gap 64 that allows air to enter the gutter chamber 90 and the underside 42 ofthe tile 20 is flat (at the facia sealing surface 66 - shown in Figures 6 and 9) to seal the gutter chamber 90 This causes the gutter chamber 90 to be slightly pressurised when there is wind enter into the slot 64. The pressurisation causes air to clear out the drain holes 62 (arrows 94 in Figure 7). MANUFACTURE
GUTTER TILE MANUFACTURE
For a tiled roof, a matching 'gutter tile' 20 made in the same production process and material as the roof tiles gives the best lowest cost and quickest route to the market.
Current patterns used to make dies or moulds can be copied and modified to make the gutter tile 20. This means that the tiles 20 upstream ofthe facia 30 (ie the conventional tile section 48) will be nearly identical to the standard tile and this means that considerations around water sealing, overlapping and stacking are minimised. Considerable time and cost is saved because of significant reductions in design, pattern making and testing compared to a totally new tile design. A local clay tile manufacturer has indicated the factory cost is mainly determined by level of automation and kiln stacking factors. A fully automated process produces tiles at around half that for semi-automated production. If a tile design has a thick profile then the number that can fit into the kiln at any time is reduced. This increases the price proportionally as the bulk ofthe cost is the long time spent in the firing process. Cost of manufacture of clay tiles ranges from around 45 cents for a fully automated and well stacked design to around $1.50 for a semi-automated, thick profile design. The Sadleir gutter tile 20 is expected to cost about 90 cents in semi-automated production and this could be halved if sufficient market demand occurs.
No detailed manufacturing data is currently available for concrete tile costs. These tiles are significantly cheaper than the clay tile and the gutter tile costs are expected to be
proportionally cheaper.
STEEL ROOF GUTTER COVER
No final manufacturing system for the steel roof has been chosen to date and the information presented below is very approximate and first-order. Ideally, the bottom end of each roofing sheet is stamped to form the gutter cover system 120. The use of colour bonding and high tensile steel in the roof material pose some manufacturing challenges, but this is clearly the best option if it can be done. The cost here is likely to be less than 50 cents/metre of gutter.
The next option could be a soft steel which could be stamped or rolled and punched and then coated or galvanised. The manufacturing cost here is expected be between $1 and $2 per metre of gutter.
Injection moulding or vacuum forming of plastic gutter covers is practical for after-market situations and manufacturing cost could be $1 to $3 per metre depending on process and material used. STORM DRAIN COVER
No final manufacturing system for the drain cover has been selected. The information presented below is very approximate and first-order.
The two current systems of covering gutters are with concrete mouldings or steel grates.
Concrete mouldings would appear to be the preferred process as the set-up costs could be relatively low and the cost per product would also be low. A cover measuring 500 mm x 1000 mm could cost around $50 to manufacture.
Steel pressing would appear to cost more than the concrete but they would be better suited to heavy traffic situations and would stack in less space than the concrete covers.
INSTALLATION Installation of the gutter tiles 20 would be done by the tiler at the same time as the roof. The gutter tile 20 is expected to last the life of the roof and would survive a number of gutter replacements.
The installation can be done by the roof plumber at the same time as the gutters are installed or replaced. INSTALLATION SYSTEM
In Figures 10.1 and 10.2 there is shown a proposed installation system for the steel cover using 'clip-on' gutter, facia and cover.
BENEFITS OF THE SADLEIR HOUSE GUTTER COVER.
1. The gutters 22 remain clean, saving time and money in maintenance for the house owner/landlord and preventing expensive wall and ceiling damage from inward overflow from the gutters 22. 2. Gutters 22 remain clear and dry and this minimises corrosion, giving the gutters 22 much longer life.
3. A neat and attractive join between the roof and gutter system adds a neat and professional appearance to the house.
4. In heavily wooded areas, the fire hazard could be substantially diminished . This could reduce the trauma and loss in a bush fire.
5. Lower gutters 22 (that is with respect to the top ofthe rafters 26 and the facia 102) used in the system 10 stop overflow from gong back into the house and prevent water damage to walls, ceilings and eaves.
BENEFITS OF THE SADLEIR HOUSE STORM WA TER DRAIN COVER 1. The drains remain clean, saving time and money in maintenance for the councils, water authorities and property owners.
2. Gutters remain clear and this prevents traffic congestion caused by flooding after long dry spells
3. Prevents pollution of waterways, beaches and oceans by keeping the litter at source where it can be collected by road sweepers.
MODIFICATIONS AND VARIATIONS
Modifications and variations which would be apparent to a skilled addressee are considered within the scope of the present invention. For example, other means could be used to fix the gutter 22 to the rafters 26. Also, the components of the gutter system 10 could be made of materials other than those described herein.