CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. patent application serial no. 13/208,212, filed August 11 , 2011 , and U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 61/374,928, filed August 18, 2010, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to eaves troughs. More particularly, the invention relates to an eaves trough detritus deterrent appliance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKGROUND ART

An eaves trough, eaves channel, guttering, or gutter is a narrow channel, or trough, forming the component of a roof system which collects and diverts rainwater shed by the roof. An eaves trough may be a roof integral trough along the lower edge of the roof slope which is fashioned from the roof covering and flashing materials.

Other forms of eaves trough, however, are known. For example, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional eaves trough installed to the edge of roof to catch rainwater shed by the roof and divert it to a downspout. In Figure 1 , a discrete trough 10 of metal, or other material is suspended beyond the roof edge and below the projected slope of the roof 11 to catch rainwater shed by the roof of the structure and divert it to a downspout 12.

An eaves trough may also be a wall integral structure beneath the roof edge, traditionally constructed of masonry, fashioned as the crowning element of a wall; or a box gutter, which is a deep gutter which is concealed within the structure of

the roof.

The main purpose of an eaves trough is to protect a building's foundation by channeling water away from its base. They also help to reduce erosion, prevent leaks in basements and crawlspaces, protect painted surfaces by reducing exposure to water, and provide a means to collect rainwater for later use.

Eaves troughs can be constructed from a variety of materials, including cast iron, lead, zinc, galvanized steel, painted steel, copper, painted aluminum, PVC and other plastics, concrete, stone, and wood.

Water collected by a rain gutter is fed, usually via a downspout (traditionally called a leader or conductor), from the roof edge to the base of the building where it is either discharged or collected. A collection system strategy for water carried from rain gutters may include a rain barrel or a cistern.

Clogged gutters can cause water leakage into the house as the water backs up. Clogged gutters can also lead to stagnant water build up which allows mosquitoes to breed and also allow grasses and weeds to grow in the gutter. To alleviate this problem, rain gutters can be equipped with gutter screens, louvers, or solid hoods to allow water from the roof to flow through, while reducing passage of roof debris into the gutter. While these devices somewhat ameliorate the problem of clogged gutters, they themselves often contribute to the problem by collapsing into the gutter under the weight of debris that falls upon them, rusting away, diverting rainwater away from the gutter and to the foundation of the very structure the gutter is to protect, and the like. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A detritus exclusion appliance is provided that includes a support that is preferably, but not necessarily, constructed of extruded aluminum and that comprises a screen made of surgical grade stainless steel wire mesh that prevents debris from entering rain gutters. The support is preferably formed of an extruded material that includes one or more upwardly projecting support beams. A center beam may project upwardly beyond beams to either side of it to create a curved profile in which the wire mesh is curved along an axis of the support to slope downwardly on either side of the center beam. This arrangement assists in shedding detritus and debris from the screen. Thus, a domed support structure is provided for added strength and to allow greater shedding of debris from the top of rain gutter appliance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional eaves trough installed to the edge of roof to catch rainwater shed by the roof and divert it to a downspout;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a roof having an eaves trough and including a detritus exclusion appliance according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detritus exclusion appliance according to the invention;

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a support structure for a detritus exclusion appliance according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a side, section view of a support structure for a detritus exclusion appliance according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the invention provides a permanent solution for an annual problem. Each year, countless hours are spent cleaning clogged and debris filled rain gutters. This is a time consuming and dangerous task which is eliminated by installing the herein disclosed eaves trough appliance. Thus, the herein disclosed invention provides a unique appliance that prevents clogged eaves troughs and allows the elimination of maintenance, such as cleaning of debris and the like from eaves troughs. Leaves, pine needles, roof grit, seed pods, small organic matter, and whirly birds are thus prevented from entering the eaves trough in a rain gutter system.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a roof having an eaves trough and including a detritus exclusion appliance according to the invention. In Figure 2, an eaves trough is covered by the appliance 20 herein disclosed.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a detritus exclusion appliance according to the invention. As shown in Figure 3, a presently preferred embodiment of the invention comprises an appliance 20 that includes a support 40 that is preferably, but not necessarily, constructed of extruded aluminum and that comprises a screen made of surgical grade stainless steel wire mesh 33 that prevents debris from entering rain gutters. The support is preferably formed of an extruded material that includes one or more upwardly projecting support beams 30, 31 , 32. A center beam may project upwardly beyond beams to either side of it to create a curved profile in which the wire mesh is curved along an axis of the support to slope downwardly on either side of the center beam. The wire mesh is configured to present a domed profile that adds to strength to the appliance and allow it to handle heavy debris prior to shedding off of rain and to support small animals. Thus, this arrangement assists in shedding detritus and debris from the screen. Accordingly, a domed support structure is provided for added strength and to allow greater shedding of debris from the top of rain gutter appliance. A lip 34 is provided at one edge of the support to engage with the roof and a step 35 is provided at the other edge of the support to engage the support within the eaves trough. The lip may be constructed, for example, as a flange that engages beneath a roof covering, e.g. under roofing tiles, panels, shingles, or sheeting. A plurality of oval punch outs 41 are defined within the support to allow water to flow to the trough relatively unimpeded. Grooves 61 (Figure 4) formed on the top and bottom of the flange allow for ease of trimming the appliance for installation by providing guides for a straight cut. The flange is tapered to allow for ease of installation and to limit ramping of shingles or roofing material.

The presently preferred embodiment of the herein disclosed appliance is constructed of a 6063 extruded tempered (T5) aluminum support structure having a clear anodizing (anodic oxidation) finish and a T304 stainless steel plain weave wire mesh for filtering. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that other materials may be used to practice the invention.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a support structure for a detritus exclusion appliance according to the invention; and Figure 5 is a side, section view along section 5-5 in Figure 4, showing a support structure for a detritus exclusion appliance according to the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various dimensions can be provided as appropriate for the application to which the invention is put. As shown in Figure 5, the screen has a profile that forms are series of upwardly projecting arcs above the support beams 30, 31 , 32. This arrangement prevents the forming of depressions between the support beams that can trap debris and impair operability of the device. The appliance herein disclosed is configured to install on a vast majority of eaves troughs (475" or 6 7" in width) including curved, fascia, half round, K-style and ogee by fastening to the front lip of existing eaves troughs with self-drilling screws. In an embodiment, the finish comprises a durable surface coating is provided that adheres to American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA) standards, is environmentally responsible, long lasting, low maintenance, scratch resistant, and that provides tough performance. A binding agent 50 (Figure 5), in a presently preferred embodiment a 10096 silicone structural sealant, adheres the stainless steel wire mesh into each support frame groove.

Additional key design and functionality features include the oval punch outs 41 in extruded aluminum support frame to allow for a higher flow of water to be filtered by the rain gutter appliance and into the rain gutter during heavy rain storms. A front drip edge 52 (see Figures 3 and 5) limits "Tiger Striping" from water condensation running down the vertical face of the aluminum or steel rain gutter. A nodule 53 under front drip edge allows for adhering of Christmas lights with plastic clips or hangers. Arcs in the form of curved upper surfaces (see Figure 3 and 5) are provided on top of the vertical columns to break the surface tension and activate a capillary siphoning action for maximum water flow.

The presently preferred embodiment of the invention is provided in sections that are five feet in length, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that other standard lengths may be provided and that the appliance is cut to length when necessary for installation. Each section of the appliance preferably fastens to the front lip of an eaves trough with three self-drilling screws (not shown) which, in the presently preferred embodiment comprise hex washer head #2 forged Stalgard coated self-drilling screws. A groove 62 (Figure 4) on the front lip allows for ease of installation by providing a guide for screw placement. The appliance typically fits eaves troughs of 2.5" to 7" in width.

Although the invention is described herein with reference to the preferred embodiment, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that other applications may be substituted for those set forth herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention should only be limited by the Claims included below.