FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a gutter assembly and individual components. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a gutter assembly including at least one of a guard, one or more supports, and one or more eaves fil lers.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Gutters protect buildings and building surroundings by channel l ing rainwater. A common problem with gutters is that debris, dust and pests col lect inside the gutters, which may cause blockages, be unsightly, and require regular cleaning and/or maintenance. Gutter guards (also known as gutter covers or leaf guards) cover the tops of open gutters and prevent debris and other items from entering the gutters. Prior gutter screens have included perforations of various sizes, to al low the entry of rainwater but prevent the entry of larger sol id items, such as leaves. Gutters come in a wide variety of dimensions and configurations. Prior guards have failed to readily accommodate a range of gutter widths and lengths. General ly, guards either need to be cut to fit a particular gutter, or their use is restricted to a select one or few gutter dimensions. Prior guards have also failed to readily accommodate a range of pitches. It may be desirable to match the pitch of a gutter guard with the pitch of a gutter, or the pitch of a roof. It is also generally time-consuming and cumbersome to fit gutter guards into gutters, as prior guards have been secured to gutters, roofs or other building parts mechanical ly with screws, adhesives, or similar. Such permanent connections are not reversible without causing damage to the building parts.

Transport of gutter guard parts is often difficult as many prior guards have been non-modular as they are made to fit particular gutters. The bulkiness of non- modular prior guards also make them relatively difficult to instal l.

Bridges situated across the top rims of gutters have been suggested to support gutters, however it is also time-consuming and cumbersome to instal l such bridges, particularly after a gutter has been mounted on a building. Another common problem with gutter guards is that the profile of a building roof may be such that pests and/or debris can enter the gutter through the roof, despite there being a gutter guard in place. In particular, pests and/or debris may enter a gutter through various roof profile gaps, e.g. the recesses of the corrugations of a corrugated roof. Although attempts have been made to block such spaces below a roof profile, these have not been successful in blocking pests and debris from entering the gutter while al lowing the gutter to be adequately ventilated.

Some attempts have been made to provide eaves fil lers which offer ventilation, by using soft and/or foamy materials. However these eaves fillers tend to be bulky and have a relatively short life-span. It is possible for pests to damage and/or destroy these eaves fil lers. It is an object of the invention to overcome or at least amel iorate one or more of the above disadvantages or at least provide the public with a useful choice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect the invention provides a guard for a gutter, including:

one or more first screens; and

one or more second screens,

wherein in use:

the one or more first screens and the one or more second screens are mounted with respect to the gutter so as to deflect debris from entering the gutter; and

the one or more first screens may partially overlap with the one or more second screens,

wherein at least one of the screens includes apertures,

wherein the one or more first screens include one or more first engagement features and the one or more second screens include one or more second engagement features; and

wherein the first engagement features are configured to engage with second engagement features at a plurality of positions to vary the amount of overlap between the one or more first screens and the one or more second screens.

There is also provided a support for a gutter guard, including:

a foot; and

an engagement element,

wherein the foot is configured to rest within a gutter and support the engagement element; and wherein the engagement element is configured to engage with and support the gutter guard at a range of different heights.

There is further provided a duct support including:

a. a foot;

b. a duct bracket including:

i. an engaging portion configured to engage and support a duct in use; ii. an attachment portion configured to attach the duct bracket to the foot;

wherein the foot is configured to rest within a gutter and support the duct bracket.

There is further provided an eaves filler adapted to conform to the shape between a facia board and a roof profile having a series of apertures to facil itate ventilation of a roof cavity but exclude debris and pests, wherein the eaves fil ler includes one or more engagement features to engage with a gutter guard.

There is also provided a gutter assembly formed of these parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention wil l now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of an instal led guard for a gutter according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a top view of a first screen of a guard for a gutter according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a gutter assembly according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a side view of a first engagement element as shown in

Figure 1 and Figure 3;

Figure 5 shows an underside perspective view of the first screen of Figure

2;

Figure 6 shows an underside perspective view of the guard assembly of

Figure 3;

Figure 7 shows a side view of the guard assembly of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a guard for a gutter including screens connected end-to-end according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a second screen of a guard for a gutter according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a support for a gutter guard resting within a gutter according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 1 1 A shows a perspective view of an engagement element of a support according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 1 B shows a side view of the engagement element of Figure 1 1 A;

Figure 12A shows a perspective view of a foot of a support according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 12B shows a top view of the foot of Figure 12A;

Figure 12C shows a bottom view of the foot of Figure 12A;

Figure 1 3A shows a perspective view of an engagement element mounted within a foot in an unengaged position according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 1 3B shows a perspective view of an engagement element mounted within a foot in an engaged position according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 14A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a support for a gutter guard;

Figure 14B shows a front view of the support of Figure 14A;

Figure 1 5 shows a perspective view of an eaves fil ler according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 6A shows a perspective view of an eaves fil ler according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 6B shows a front view of the eaves fil ler of Figure 1 6A;

Figure 1 7 A shows a perspective view of an eaves fil ler according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 7B shows a front view of the eaves fil ler of Figure 1 7A; and

Figure 18 shows a perspective view of an eaves filler engaged with a guard for a gutter according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 9A shows a perspective view of a duct bracket according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 9B shows a perspective view of the underside of the duct bracket of

Figure 1 9A;

Figure 20A shows a perspective view of a support according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 20B shows a perspective view of the support of Figure 20A with both engagement elements inserted;

Figure 20C shows a perspective view of the support of Figure 20A with both engagement elements locked;

Figure 21 A shows a perspective view of a duct bracket in the process of being attached to a foot according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 21 B shows a perspective view of a duct bracket attached to a foot according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 22 shows a perspective view of a duct bracket attached to a support according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 23 shows a perspective view of a duct bracket attached to a support and mounted inside a gutter according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 24 shows a perspective view of a duct bracket attached to a foot and mounted inside a gutter according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 25 shows a perspective view of a duct bracket attached to a foot and mounted inside a gutter, not attached to any duct, according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 26 shows a perspective view of a duct bracket attached to a support and mounted inside a gutter, not attached to any duct, according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 27 shows a perspective view of duct bracket attached to a support and mounted inside a gutter, supporting a duct, according to another embodiment of the invention;

Figure 28 shows a perspective view of a support mounted inside a gutter according to another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 29 shows a perspective view of a support mounted inside a gutter, including a gutter guard according to another embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a guard 1 for a gutter 2 instal led on the gutter 2. The guard 1 is mounted at the top of the gutter 2 such that the gutter 2 is covered and debris is deflected from entering the gutter 2. The guard 1 may be mounted in any suitable position with respect to the gutter 2 to deflect debris from the gutter 2. The guard 1 of Figure 1 includes a first screen 3 and a second screen 4. The first screen 3 and the second screen 4 are connected to each other across the width of the gutter 2. As will be discussed later in the specification, further first and second screens may be included as part of the guard along the length of the gutter 2.

The first screen 3 partial ly overlaps with the second screen 4 at position A, which in the shown embodiment is at approximately the midpoint of the gutter 2. The amount of overlap A between the one or more first screens 3 and the one or more second screens 4 can be varied, al lowing the guard to accommodate different gutter widths. This will be discussed in more detail below.

The guard may be mounted in numerous ways to accommodate a wide variety of gutter types, and the invention is not l imited in this respect. In Figure 1 the guard is mounted in the gutter 2 with the outermost edge of the second screen resting on a gutter rim 1 6 along the outermost longitudinal edge of the gutter 2. The first screen 3 is supported by a support 1 5. As will be discussed later in the specification, the support 1 5 is preferably height-adjustable. This al lows the pitch of the guard to be varied as the guard may pivot on the outermost edge of the second screen as the support 1 5 is raised or lowered. Multiple supports may be positioned along the length of the gutter 2 to support the guard. Alternatively, the guard may be supported only using the supports 1 5 without resting directly on the gutter 2. In wide gutters, two supports 1 5 may be mounted across the width of the gutters to support the guard at any desirable pitch and height. In other embodiments, the guard 1 may not be supported by a support and may be instead secured by some other means, for example it may be screwed to the fascia of a building. Alternatively the guard may be engaged with an eaves filler which is screwed to the fascia of a building.

In the shown embodiment, both the first screen 3 and the second screen 4 include apertures 5, as shown in Figure 1 however it is possible for only one of the screens to include apertures 5. An ideal size for the apertures 5 is approximately 4mm x 6mm to best deflect debris while allowing water and air to pass through the guard 1 . Any suitable size, number and/or configuration of apertures may be used. Preferably, the apertures 5 are configured to al low water to pass through, but prevent larger solid items such as debris from entering the gutter 2.

Figure 2 shows a top view of a first screen of a guard for a gutter according to an embodiment of the invention, clearly showing the apertures 5. The apertures 5 are of a hexagonal shape and are tessellated throughout the screens, forming a hexagonal mesh in the screens.

Returning now to Figure 1 , the first screen 3 includes one or more first engagement features 6 and the second screen 4 includes one or more second engagement features 7. The first engagement features are configured to engage with the second engagement features at a plural ity of positions to vary the amount of overlap between the one or more first screens 3 and the one or more second screens 4. This allows the overal l width of the guard 1 to be varied, depending on the amount of overlap between the screens 3 and 4. Possible embodiments of the first engagement features 6 and the second engagement features 7 wil l be discussed in more detail below.

Intermediate Screens

Figures 3 to 7 show a gutter assembly including a gutter guard including an intermediate screen 8, according to another embodiment of the invention. The guard 1 may optionally include one or more intermediate screens 8 positioned between the first screens 3 and the second screens 4.

As shown in Figure 6, the one or more intermediate screens 8 include first engagement features 9 and second engagement features 10.

The first engagement features 9 on the intermediate screens 8 are configured to engage with either the second engagement features 7 of the one or more second screens 4 or the second engagement features 10 of other intermediate screens 8. In other words, the intermediate screens 8 may be joined to either the second screens 4 or other intermediate screens 8 by their first engagement features 9. The second engagement features 10 of the intermediate screens 8 are configured to engage with the first engagement features 6 of the one or more first screens 3 or the first engagement features 9 of other intermediate screens 8. In other words, the intermediate screens 8 may be joined to either the first screens 3 or other intermediate screens 8 by their second engagement features 10.

The result is that any number of intermediate screens 8 can be connected across the width of a gutter between a first screen 3 and a second screen 4.

Preferably, the first engagement features of the screens are offset from the first engagement features of connected screens, so that the screens can be overlapped without the first engagement features of one screen getting in the way of the first engagement features of another screen. Figure 6 shows how the first engagement features 6 of the first screen 3 are offset from the first engagement features 9 of the intermediate screen 8. When multiple intermediate screens are used, preferably the first engagement mechanism positions wil l be alternated to al low any number of intermediate screens to be added and overlapped with the other screens.

Preferably, the intermediate screens 8 may overlap with the screens they are engaged with to variable degrees to vary the width of the guard 1 , similar to manner in which the amount of overlap between the first screens and the second screens may be varied.

Optional ly, one or more of the intermediate screens 8 include apertures 5 configured to al low water to pass through, but prevent larger sol id items such as debris from entering the gutter 2.

The invention is not limited with respect to the dimensions of the first screens 3, second screens 4 or intermediate screens 8. The first screens 3, second screens 4 or intermediate screens 8 may be made of one or more of the fol lowing materials, however the invention is not l imited in this respect:

• Polyoxymethylene POM ACETAL Copolymer

Polyoxymethylene POM ACETAL G lass Filled

Polyamide 6 NYLON 6 (PA6)

Polyamide 6 Nylon 6 30% Glass Fil led (PA6GF)

Acrylinitrile Butadeine Styrene Copolymer (ABS)

Polypropylene Copolymer PPCOP

Polypropylene HomoPolymer (HPP)

Glass Coupled Polypropylene Copolymer (GCCPP)

High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

Acrylinitrile Ethylene Styrene Copolymer (AES)

UV Light Stabil iser: H indered Amine Light Stabiliser (HALS)

Polycarbonate (PC)

• Polycarbonate G lass Filled (PCGF)

• Poly(lactic acid)/ polylactide thermoplastic aliphatic polyester (PLA) The screens may include UV stabil ised material and/or a fire-retardant material.

Preferably the screens wil l be thin and l ightweight so that they are easy to transport and instal l.

Engagement mechanisms Screens engage with each other through a connection between the first engagement features (6 and/or 9) and the second engagement features (7 and/or 10).

For simpl icity, the engagement mechanism described below will refer to the connection between the first engagement features 6 of the one or more first screens 3 and the second engagement features 7 of the one or more second screens 4, however similar or identical connection mechanisms may be used for connections including the first engagement features 9 and/or second engagement features 10 the intermediate screens 8. The first engagement features 6 of the one or more first screens 3 may be any suitable engagement features which are able to engage with the corresponding second engagement features 7 of the one or more second screens 4.

Preferably, the first engagement features 6 are configured to releasably engage with the second engagement features 7. "Releasably engage", in this context means that the features can be readily and repeatedly engaged and disengaged from each other without any significant damage to the screens or the engagement features. This is distinct from relatively permanent engagement mechanisms for example engagement using screws or adhesives. This allows the guard 1 to easily instal led, reconfigured and disassembled.

In a preferred embodiment, the second engagement features 7 are the apertures 5 of the second screen 4. The first engagement features 6 may be any suitable features which releasably engage with the apertures 5.

Figures 1 and 3 show embodiments in which the first engagement features 6 include one or more clips 1 1 configured to engage with the apertures 5 at a plural ity of positions to vary the amount of overlap between screens. In the shown embodiment, the apertures 5 are uniformly spread across the width of the screens, so that the first engagement features can engage with any of the apertures along the length of the second screens 4 within the reach of the first engagement features 6.

Figure 4 shows a side view of a first engagement feature 6 as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 3. The first engagement feature includes a clip 1 1 . The clip 1 1 include one or more upward facing projections 12 which in use receive the apertures 5. In Figure 4, five upward facing projections 12 are shown, but any suitable number of projections may be used. The upward facing projections 12 are sized and shaped to fit tightly around the apertures 5 and secure the second screen 4 relative to the first screen 3. In the shown embodiment the first engagement feature 1 1 also incl udes a slot 32, which faces a building when the guard 1 is mounted in the gutter 2. The slot 32 is configured to engage with and/or support a gutter accessory. In the embodiment shown, the slot 32 is configured to engage with an eaves fil ler. This will be described in more detail below.

Figure 5 shows an underside perspective view of the first screen of Figure 2. The first screen 3 includes four first engagement features 6, each having five upward-facing projections 12 to receive apertures of a second screen (not shown).

Figure 6 shows an underside perspective view of the gutter assembly of Figure 3, which includes a first screen 3, second screen 4, and intermediate screen 8. Four first engagement features 6 of the first screen 3 are releasably engaged with the apertures 5 of the intermediate screen 8. The apertures 5 of the intermediate screen 8 are the second engagement features 1 0 of the intermediate screen 8. Four first engagement features 9 of the intermediate screen 8 are releasably engaged with the apertures 5 of the second screen 4. The apertures 5 of the second screen 4 are the second engagement features 7 of the second screen 4.

Figure 7 shows a side view of the guard 1 of Figure 6. This shows how the first screen 3 is sl ightly overlapped with the intermediate screen 8, as a single projection of the first engagement feature 6 is engaged with the aperture/second engagement feature (not visible) of the intermediate screen 8 is closest to the edge of the intermediate screen 8 facing the first screen 3. The intermediate screen 8 is overlapped with the second screen 4 to a sl ightly greater extent, as the two projections of the first engagement feature 9 are engaged with the two apertures/second engagement features (not visible) of the second screen 4 which are closest to the edge of the second screen 4 facing the intermediate screen 8.

Depending on the desired amount of overlap between the first screen 3 and the second screen 4, one or more of the projections 12 of the clips 1 1 wil l secure to the apertures 5. For example, if a wider guard width is desired, there wil l be a minimum amount of overlap, and only one of the projections 12 wil l secure to the outermost aperture on the second screen 4. Further intermediate screens may also be added to increase the guard width. If a narrow overal l guard width of desired, there wil l be a maximum amount of overlap and all of the projections 12 (in this case the five) will receive a corresponding number of apertures on the second screen 4 (i.e. the outermost five apertures along the width of the second screen 4). The intermediate screen 8 may also be omitted.

Preferably, the apertures 5 of the screens are al igned with one another when the screens are engaged with each other. For example, the apertures of the first screens 3 will align with the apertures of the second screens 4 when the first screens 3 partial ly overlap with the second screens 4. Al ignment of the apertures 5 ensures that the apertures 5 of the lower screen are not blocked at the sections of overlap between the screens, so rain is able to pass through the apertures 5 even at the points of overlap. This means that the guard 1 wil l be effective at allowing rain to pass through even when there are large amounts of overlap between the first screens 3 and the second screens 4.

End-to-end screen connection

One or more of the screens may be configured to connect to adjoining screens end-to-end along the length of a gutter.

Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a guard 1 for a gutter 2 including second screens 4 configured to connect to adjoining screens 4. In this embodiment, two sets of first screens 3 and second screens 4 as described above are connected end-to-end along the length of the gutter 2 at connection point B. The second screens 4 are configured to engage with one or more adjoining (i.e. adjacent) screens along the length of the gutter 2. In the shown embodiment, the second screens 4 include connectors 1 3 for connecting to adjoining second screens 4. However, instead the first screens 3 may include such connectors 1 3. It is possible that both the first screens 3 and the second screens 4 include connectors for joining the adjacent screens. In embodiments including intermediate screens, the intermediate screens may include connectors for joining to adjacent intermediate screens. Any suitable arrangement of screens including connectors may be used to connect multiple screens across the length of the gutter 2. Any suitable connection mechanism may connect adjacent screens end-to-end. This may include hooks, clamps, twist-locks or adhesive. Preferably, the connection is a releasable connection.

Figure 9 shows a perspective view of a second screen 4 of a guard for a gutter, showing the connector 13. In the shown embodiment, the connector 13 situated along the edge of the screen is configured to fit into apertures of the adjoining screen. The connector 1 3 protrudes from the edge of the screen, and includes upward-facing projections 14 which receive the apertures 5 of the adjoining screen. In the shown embodiment two upward-facing projections 14 are shown, however any suitable number of upward-facing projections may be included.

Returning now back to Figure 8, there is no overlap between the screens connected end-to-end using the connector 13 shown in Figure 9. In an engaged state the screens lies flush against the adjoining screens, forming a uniform plane. Other embodiments are envisaged where there may be overlap between screens connected end-to-end. This may be achieved in a similar manner in which the screens overlap across the width of a gutter to vary the width of the guard. This may be desirable, for example, to allow the guard to more precisely accommodate different gutter lengths.

Height-adjustable support

Figure 10 shows a perspective view of a support 1 5 for a gutter guard (not shown) resting within a gutter 2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

The support 1 5 includes a foot 1 7 and an engagement element 18. The foot 1 7 is configured to rest within a gutter and support the engagement element 18. The engagement element 18 is configured to engage with and support the gutter 2 guard (not shown) at a range of different heights.

In the embodiment shown in figure 10, the foot 1 7 rests on the base of the gutter 2. However, the invention is not l imited in this respect. For example, the foot 1 7 may be wedged between or secured to the walls 20 of the gutter 2.

Preferably, the foot 1 7 is releasably connected to the engagement element 18. "Releasably connected" in this context means that the engagement element 18 can be readily and repeatedly engaged and disengaged from the foot 1 7 without any significant damage to the engagement element 18 or the foot 1 7. This is distinct from relatively permanent engagement mechanisms for example engagement using screws, or adhesives. This al lows the support 1 5 to be easily assembled and reconfigured. Any suitable releasable engagement mechanism may be used. Examples include, but are not l imited to twist-lock, clamp or hook mechanisms.

Figure 1 1 A shows a perspective view of an engagement element of a support according to an embodiment of the invention, in which the releasable connection mechanism is a twist-lock mechanism. Figure 1 1 B shows a side view of the engagement element 18 of Figure 1 1 A.

The engagement element 18 includes an elongate portion 21 and a prong 22. The elongate portion includes projections 23 along its length.

The prong 22 is at the top of the engagement element, and is configured to secure to a gutter guard screen. In the shown embodiment, the prong 22 includes two tines 24, each including a lug 25. The lugs 25 touch each other at the centre of the prong, which forms a closed loop. Preferably the prong 22 has material properties (i.e. plastic with some elasticity) such that the two tines can be forced apart sl ightly, leaving a gap between the lugs 25 so that a portion of the screen between two apertures can be slid under the lugs 25. The screen is supported by the prong 22 and cannot be removed without forcing apart the two tines.

In the shown embodiment, the projections 23 of the elongate portion are configured to twist-lock into the foot 1 7 at two or more points along the length of the elongate portion. A series of long projections 23A project from opposite sides of the elongate portion, and a series of short projections 23B project from opposite sides of the elongate portion, perpendicular to the long projections. The long projections are offset from the short projections by the thickness of a projection. Figure 12A shows a perspective view of a foot 1 7 of a support 1 5 according to an embodiment of the invention. The foot 1 7 includes a substantial ly flat bottom part 26, which rests on the base of the gutter 2, and a top part 27 which is configured to support the elongate portion. The top part 27 of the foot 1 7 is shown having a slot 28 for receiving the elongate portion. In this embodiment the substantially flat bottom part 26 of the base is of an oval shape, such that it can be streaml ined to fit inside a relatively narrow gutter, however the invention is not limited in this respect.

Figure 12B shows a top view of the foot 1 7, and Figure 12C shows a bottom view of the foot 1 7. The slot has a 3D shape such that the elongate portion can slide through the foot 1 7 when it is rotated to a particular position relative to the foot 1 7, i.e. a position in which, when viewed from the top, the projections 23 line up with the shape of the slot.

Figure 1 3A shows the elongate portion being slid inside the foot 1 7, as shown by the arrow C. In this configuration the elongate portion is not locked to the foot 1 7, but can readily slide back out from the foot 1 7.

To lock the foot 1 7, the elongate portion can be rotated clockwise as shown by arrow D. The 3D shape of the slot is such that when the elongate portion is rotated relative to the foot 1 7, the projections 23 of the elongate portion become secured inside the top part 27 of the foot 1 7. The projections 23 which are inside the slot are prevented from sl iding up or down relative to the foot as they are covered blocked by the parts of the foot immediately above and below the slot. Figure 13B shows the support 1 5 in a locked position. The elongate portion is locked to the support 1 5 and cannot be removed from the foot 1 7 without rotating the elongate portion anticlockwise to the unlock position. The foot can be secured to the engagement element 18 at any point along the elongate portion. Any part of the engagement element 18 which protrudes below the foot can be cut or snapped off. This allows the support to be configured to support a guard at a range of different heights. Other embodiments are envisaged where the engagement element 18 is configured to engage with a gutter guard at two or more points along the elongate portion. For example, the engagement element 18 may include an elongate portion with projections configured to twist-lock into a gutter screen. In these embodiments, there is no need for the support to include a prong and a foot may be formed integrally with the engagement element.

Figure 14A shows a perspective view of another embodiment of a support, which is configured to engage with the gutter guard 2 at a plural ity of positions. Figure 14B shows a front view of the support of Figure 14A. The support includes a foot 1 7 and an engagement element 18 which consists of a prong 22. The prong 22 is elongated, and includes two tines 14, each having a series of lugs 25 along their lengths. The lugs 25 touch each other at the centre of the prong 22. Preferably the prong 22 has material properties (i.e. plastic with some elasticity) such that the two tines can be forced apart slightly, leaving a gap between the lugs 25 so that a portion of the screen between two apertures can be slid under the lugs 25. The screen can be sl id between any two sets of lugs of the elongate portion. When the tines 24 return to their original position with the lugs 25 touching, a portion of the gutter screen can be supported on top of a set of lugs. This allows the screen to be supported at a range of different heights.

In another embodiment, the support 15 may be configured to secure two or more gutter screen at the same time. For example, the top of the engagement element 18 may include two or more prongs which secure to two more screens. The top of the engagement element 18 may include a prong which is relatively long with multiple lugs such that it can secure two or more screens one on top of the other, if screens are overlapped with each other. The invention is not limited in this respect.

The foot and/or the engagement element be made of one or more of the fol lowing materials, however the invention is not l imited in this respect:

• Polyoxymethylene POM ACETAL Copolymer

· Polyoxymethylene POM ACETAL G lass Filled

• Polyamide 6 NYLON 6 (PA6)

• Polyamide 6 Nylon 6 30% Glass Fil led (PA6GF)

• Acrylinitrile Butadeine Styrene Copolymer (ABS)

• Polypropylene Copolymer PPCOP

· Polypropylene HomoPolymer (HPP)

• Glass Coupled Polypropylene Copolymer (GCCPP)

• High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

• Acrylinitrile Ethylene Styrene Copolymer (AES)

• UV Light Stabil iser: H indered Amine Light Stabiliser (HALS) · Polycarbonate (PC)

• Polycarbonate G lass Filled (PCGF)

• Poly(lactic acid)/ polylactide thermoplastic aliphatic polyester (PLA) The foot and/or the engagement element may include UV stabilised material and/or a fire-retardant material. Eaves Filler

Figure 15 shows a perspective view of an eaves filler according to an embodiment of the invention. The eaves filler is adapted to conform to the shape between a facia board and a roof (not shown). The eaves filler includes a series of apertures 30 to facilitate ventilation of a roof cavity but exclude debris and pests.

In order for the eaves filler to conform to the shape between a facia board and a roof profile, preferably the eaves filler has a suitable profile that fills gaps under a roof. The profile of the eaves filler will preferably match the profile of the roof. Various roof profiles to which the eaves filler can conform to include but are not limited to corrugated, tray deck, concrete tiled, or metal tiled roof profiles. Figures 16-17 show various eaves fillers having different profiles which may match corresponding roof profiles. Figure 16A shows a perspective view of an eaves filler according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 16B, shows a front view of the eaves filler of Figure 16A. The eaves filler has a sinusoidal profile. The sinusoidal profile would be suited to corrugated roofs, as it has a complimentary shape to roof corrugations and can fill the gaps created by the undulations of a corrugated roof. Figure 17 A shows a perspective view of an eaves filler according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 17B shows a front view of the eaves filler of Figure 17A. This eaves filler has a profile of repeating trapezoidal protrusions 33. This eaves filler would be suited to a roof having a complimentary profile of repeating trapezoidal protrusions.

In order for the eaves filler to allow ventilation of the gutter 2, the eaves filler includes one or more apertures 30. Preferably, the apertures 30 are configured to allow ventilation of the gutter 2, but prevent larger solid items such as debris from entering the gutter 2.

Any suitable size, number and/or configuration of apertures may be used. Preferably, the guard includes apertures with an area of approximately 4mm x 6mm to allow effective ventilation and exclude pests and debris.

In the embodiments shown in Figure 15 the apertures 30 are hexagonal, and are distributed along the body of the eaves fillers.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 16-17, the eaves fillers include hexagonal apertures 5, and in addition to this they also include elongate apertures 34. These elongate apertures allow the eaves fillers to be moved up in situations where the roof substrate does not fit flush on the fascia. In such instances the horizontal slots provide additional ventilation as they will be positioned above the fascia.

The eaves filler may be fixed to a building and/or a gutter or a gutter guard using any suitable means, including screws or adhesive. In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 6 - 1 7, the eaves fil lers include engagement features which are screw holes 35. The eaves fil lers may be screwed to gutters, gutter guards and/or other building parts using the screw holes 35.

In other embodiments, the engagement features are configured releasably engage with gutter guards. "Releasably engage", in this context means that engagement features can be readily and repeatedly engaged and disengaged with the gutter 2 guards without damaging the engagement features or the gutter 2 guards. This is distinct from relatively permanent engagement mechanisms for example engagement using, screws, or adhesives. This al lows eaves fillers to be easily instal led and removed from a gutter guard.

Figures 1 5 shows an embodiment in which the eaves fil lers are configured to releasably engage with a gutter guard, in particular a gutter guard as described above. The eaves fil ler includes an engagement feature 31 to engage with a gutter guard. The engagement feature is an elongate ledge at the bottom of the eaves fil ler. Figure 18 shows a perspective view of an eaves filler engaged with a guard for a gutter. The first screen 3 is configured to engage with the eaves filler 29. In particular, the first engagement elements 6 are configured to engaged with and/or support the eaves fil lers 29. The first engagement elements 6 of the first screens 3 of the gutter 2 guard 1 include slots 32, which face a building when the guard 1 is mounted in the gutter 2. The engagement features 31 of the eaves fil lers 29 have a complimentary shape to the slots 32 of the first engagement elements 6. The side view of Figure 7 shows how the eaves filler 29 fits into the slot 32. The shapes of the slot 32 and engagement feature 31 of the eaves fil ler are compl imentary such that the engagement feature 31 may only enter into the slot 32 by sl iding in from the side. The engagement feature 31 is not able to disengage from the slot 32, and the eaves fil ler 29 is fixed in a general ly upright position in use.

In other embodiment, eaves fillers may be connected to each other end-to end. Any suitable connection mechanism may be used for this, for example the eaves fil lers may be clipped to each other. Preferably the connection mechanism facilitates quick instal lation.

The eaves fil ler be made of one or more of the fol lowing materials, however the invention is not l imited in this respect:

· Polyoxymethylene POM ACETAL Copolymer

• Polyoxymethylene POM ACETAL G lass Filled

• Polyamide 6 NYLON 6 (PA6)

• Polyamide 6 Nylon 6 30% Glass Fil led (PA6GF)

• Acrylinitrile Butadeine Styrene Copolymer (ABS)

· Polypropylene Copolymer PPCOP

• Polypropylene HomoPolymer (HPP)

• Glass Coupled Polypropylene Copolymer (GCCPP)

• High Density Polyethylene (HDPE)

• Acrylinitrile Ethylene Styrene Copolymer (AES)

· UV Light Stabil iser: H indered Amine Light Stabiliser (HALS)

• Polycarbonate (PC)

• Polycarbonate G lass Filled (PCGF) • Poly(lactic acid)/ polylactide thermoplastic aliphatic polyester (PLA)

The eaves filler may include UV stabil ised material and/or a fire-retardant material. It is preferable that the eaves fil lers comprise hard and l ightweight material, so that they are easy to instal l and carry and at the same time long- lasting and resistant to damage.

Preferably the eaves fil ler will have a thickness of about 3mm. Eaves fil lers of this thickness are lightweight and easy to transport and instal l. Gutter Assembly

Returning now to Figure 3, preferably the gutter 2 assembly 35 includes a guard 1 , one or more supports 1 5 and one or more eaves fi llers 29 as described above. The guard 1 is supported by the support 1 5, and engaged with the eaves fil ler 29.

A guard 1 may be combined with any number of eaves filler 29 and/or any number of supports 1 5. The invention is not l imited in this respect. There is thus provided an improved gutter assembly. The guard prevents debris and pests from col lecting inside gutters, preventing or at least minimising the need for frequent cleaning of the gutter.

Since no permanent connections are necessary to mount the guard to a gutter, the guard may be quickly and easily instal led and removed from a gutter. This makes it easy to remove the guard for cleaning and/or maintenance of the guard or the gutter (if necessary). The guard may be rel iably supported within a gutter without any permanent connections to gutters, roofs or building parts using one or more height- adjustable supports. This minimises damage to buildings. It is possible to fit the guard to a wide range of roofs and accommodate various lengths, widths and pitches. By varying the amount of overlap between the first screen and the second screen, adding or removing intermediate screen/s or varying the overlap with the intermediate screens, the width of the guard is precisely and readily adjustable. Screens may also be connected to each other end-to-end along the length of the gutter 2 to accommodate various gutter lengths. Height-adjustable supports allow the guard to be supported at a range of pitches, to match the pitch of a gutter or a roof.

The modular nature of the screens, supports and eaves fil lers means that the guard assembly is easy to transport and instal l on a gutter.

The use of releasable connections in the guard, supports and eaves fil lers facilitates assembly and disassembly. The eaves fillers block spaces below a roof profile, preventing pests and debris from entering the gutter while al lowing the gutter to be adequately ventilated. As the eaves fil lers are made from a relatively hard material, they are long- lasting, light in weight and volume. Duct Bracket

In some embodiments, the gutter assembly may include a duct bracket for supporting a duct which passes through a gutter as part of a ducted flush system. Figure 1 9A shows a perspective view of a duct bracket 36 according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 1 9B shows a perspective view of the underside of the duct bracket 36 of Figure 1 9A. The duct bracket 36 includes two duct engaging portions 38a and 38b of a bracket sleeve 38, connected at a hinge 37. The portions 38a and 38b have semi-circu lar cross-sections, and create a duct cavity when closed to support a duct. The other ends of the portions 38a and 38b connect to attachment portions 39a and 39b respectively. Attachment portion 39a includes slots 41 , configured to be coupled with protrusions 40 on the attachment portion 39b to lock the bracket sleeve portions 38a and 38b together.

Figure 20A shows a perspective view of a support 1 5 according to another embodiment of the invention. A foot 1 7 of the support 1 5 is configured to support a gutter screen as wel l as a duct bracket as shown in Figures 19A and 19B. The foot 1 7 is configured to attach to two support elements 18a and 18b. Figure 20A shows a foot 1 7 with one support element 18b inserted and the other 18a about to be inserted. Figure 20B shows a perspective view of the support of Figure 20A with both engagement elements inserted but only support element 18b locked into place. Figure 20C shows a perspective view of the support of Figure 20A with both engagement elements 18a and 18b locked into the foot 1 7.

The foot 1 7 of the support 1 5 includes grooves 43 for coupling with a duct bracket, as wil l be described in more detail below.

In other embodiments the foot may be configured to attach to further support elements and/or include further grooves for attachment to further duct brackets. Figure 21 A shows a perspective view of a duct bracket 36 being attached to a foot according to an embodiment of the invention. The bracket sleeve 38 of the duct bracket 36 surrounds a duct 42. The duct bracket 36 may be attached to any duct with a smal ler cross section than the cross section of the cavity of the bracket sleeve 38. This may be done in a very simple manner by placing one of the portions of the bracket sleeve 38 around the duct and closing the other portion of the bracket sleeve over it and locking the portions 38a and 38b together by inserting the protrusions 40 through the slots 41 .

The ends of the protrusions 40 of the attachment portion 39 of the duct bracket 36 have a shape complimentary to that of the grooves 43, such that they lock into the grooves 43 to secure the duct bracket 36 to the foot 1 7. Figure 21 B shows a perspective view of a duct bracket secured to a foot, with the ends of the protrusions 40 locked within the grooves 43.

Figure 22 shows a perspective view of a duct bracket 36 attached to foot 1 7, similar to that of Figure 21 B, except that the foot 1 7 also includes engagement elements 18 to form a support for a gutter guard (not shown).

The duct bracket 36 may be attached to a foot before or after the attachments of any support elements 18 to the foot.

Figure 23 shows a perspective view of a duct bracket 36 attached to a support 15 and mounted inside a gutter 2 according to an embodiment of the invention. The engagement elements 18 of the support 1 5 support the gutter guard 1 . The duct bracket 36 supports a duct 42. Figure 24 shows a perspective view of a duct bracket 36 attached to a foot 1 7 and mounted inside a gutter 2, showing how the duct bracket 36 and foot 1 7 may be used without engagement elements supporting a gutter guard. Figure 25 shows a perspective view of a duct bracket attached to a foot and mounted inside a gutter, not attached to any duct. In this case a duct may be instal led in the gutter either by passing the duct through the cavity of the bracket sleeve 38, or by opening the bracket sleeve 38 at the hinge to place the duct then re-closing the bracket sleeve 38.

Figure 26 shows a perspective view of a duct bracket attached to a support 15 and mounted inside a gutter 2, not attached to any duct, similar to that of Figure 25 except that the foot is attached to engagement elements 18. Figure 27 shows a perspective view of duct bracket attached to a support 15 and mounted inside a gutter, supporting a duct 42 without being attached to a gutter guard.

Figure 28 shows a perspective view of a support 1 5 as shown in Figures 20A to 20C mounted inside a gutter 2 without a duct bracket.

Figure 29 shows a perspective view of a support 1 5 mounted inside a gutter, to support a gutter guard 1 according to another embodiment of the invention. In this case the foot 1 7 of the support 15 is not attached to a duct bracket.

While the present invention has been il lustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in detail, it is not the intention of the Appl icant to restrict or in any way l imit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Further, the above embodiments may be implemented individual ly, or may be combined where compatible. Additional advantages and modifications, including combinations of the above embodiments, will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not l imited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and il lustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of the Appl icant's general inventive concept.