BACKGROUND

[oooi] Gutter covers are used to keep leaves and other debris out of a gutter while still allowing rainwater into the gutter. Typically they have been designed to be installed on existing gutters. What is needed is a gutter cover that is integrated into a gutter system that can be easily installed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0002] A gutter cover is designed for use with a longitudinally extended gutter system. The gutter system comprises a gutter, a back wall, and a ledge. The ledge is at the front of the gutter and comprises a lip on the side of the ledge that faces the back wall. The gutter cover is fashioned to extend longitudinally, overlying the gutter. The gutter cover comprises a top, a vertical wall, and a clip. The vertical wall extends downwardly from the rear of the top, and is in contact with the back wall. The top comprises apertures, which are sufficient to allow passage of draining rainwater into the gutter. The clip is at the front end of the gutter cover, and fashioned to receive the lip.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0003] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments, and together with the general description given above, and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure.

[0004] FIGURE 1 is a cut-away side view of an embodiment of a gutter cover system (10), including the gutter cover (20).

[0005] FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a gutter cover system (10), including the gutter cover (20).

[0006] FIGURE 3 is a side view of the back of an embodiment of a gutter cover system (10), including the gutter cover (20). [0007] FIGURE 4 is a side view of the front of an embodiment of a gutter cover system

(10) , including the gutter cover (20).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0008] The gutter system is typically mounted on the building frame or fascia (71) below the roof of a structure, such as a house or building. The fascia (71) being a generally horizontally facing surface to which the gutter system is mounted for the purpose of routing water from the roof surface away from foundation of the structure. The fascia (71) is below the shingles at the end of the roof structure.

[0009] This gutter system integrates a gutter cover with a gutter hanger system, such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 8,347,557, that allows the entire system to be installed with a single fastener for a unit of length of the gutter, i.e. there does not need to be a fastener to install the gutter hanger and additional fasteners to attach the gutter cover to the gutter. In addition, the fastener is hidden under the gutter cover so it presents a clean and refined appearance. During the installation of the gutter system, the front of the gutter cover is not engaged with the front of the gutter. This provides easy access to the fastener, which may be screwed or nailed into the fascia (71). Once the gutter system is fastened to the fascia (71), the front of the gutter cover is snapped or clipped onto the front of the gutter, which completes the installation and hides the fastener. The flexibility of the top of the gutter cover allows it to flex rearward so the front of the gutter cover can clip onto the front of the gutter.

[ooio] As shown in Figures 1-4, a gutter cover (20) is designed for use with a longitudinally extended gutter system (10). The gutter system (10) can comprise a gutter

(11) , a back wall (33), and a ledge (13). The ledge (13) is at the front of the gutter (11) and comprises a lip (14) on the side of the ledge (13) that faces the back wall (33). The gutter cover (20) is fashioned to extend longitudinally, overlying the gutter (11). The gutter cover (20) comprises a top (21), a vertical wall (22), and a clip (23). The vertical wall (22) extends downwardly from the rear of the top (24), and is in contact with the back wall (33). The top (21) comprises apertures (26), which are sufficient to allow passage of draining rainwater into the gutter (11). The clip (23) is at the front end of the gutter cover (11), and fashioned to receive the lip (14). In some embodiments, the back wall (33) is part of a vertical slot (12). The gutter cover (20) may work with a gutter hanger system such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 8,347,557, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

[ooii] In some embodiments, the top (21) of the gutter cover (20) extends forward, above the ledge (13), beyond the lip (14). The front edge of the top (21) of the gutter cover (20) is bent rearward and the gutter cover (20) extends underneath the top (21) of the gutter cover (20) to the clip. The front edge of the top (21) of the gutter cover (20) may rest upon the ledge (13) of the gutter. In some embodiments, the front edge of the gutter cover (20) comprises an upturned lip or weir (28) to keep rainwater from dripping off of the front edge of the top (21) of the gutter cover (20). In some environments, such as where there is heavy snow, it may be desirable to use a fastener, such as a zip screw to further attach the front edge of the top (21) of the gutter cover (20) to the ledge (13) of the gutter.

[0012] The clip (23) engages the lip (14) of the gutter (11). In some embodiments, the clip (23) is a "C" shaped curve. The gutter cover (20) is flexible so that the clip (23) can clip onto the lip (14). This flexibility and clipping engagement between the clip (23) and the lip (14) allows the gutter cover (20) to be installed by placing the vertical wall (22) against the back wall (33) or into the vertical slot (12), while still having access to the fastener (50) to install the gutter cover system (10) by attaching it to the fascia (71). The clipping engagement allows the gutter cover (20) to be installed without additional fasteners, so there is a single fastener (50) that is used to install the gutter (11), the gutter hanger (30), the gutter cover (20), and the optional flashing (60).

[0013] The back wall is in contact with the vertical wall (22) of the of the gutter cover (20). In some embodiments, the back wall is part of the vertical slot (12); the first leg (33) comprises the back wall. In some embodiments, the back wall is the inside back portion of the gutter (11). In some embodiments, the back wall is what the top (21) of the gutter cover (20) pushes against when it is flexed. In some embodiments, the top (21) of the gutter cover (20) pushes against the fastener (50) when it is flexed. [0014] In some embodiments, the lip (14) is the edge of the material used to make the gutter (11). In some embodiments, the lip (14) may be formed in an upward or downward turn of the end of the material used to make the gutter (11). This turn can be of any of a variety of radii. In some embodiments, the lip (14) is a "C" shaped curve.

[0015] In some embodiments, the gutter system (10) additionally comprises a gutter hanger (30). Any gutter hanger known in the art can be used. In some embodiments, the gutter hanger (30) attaches the gutter (11) to the fascia (71) and provides support to the ledge (13) of the gutter (11) to prevent it from sagging. The gutter hanger (30) comprises a mounting portion (31) and a support portion (32). The mounting portion (31) comprises first (33) and second (34) legs joined together to define the vertical slot (12), which is an upwardly opening "U" shape. The mounting portion (31) additionally comprises an inner leg (36) that is jointed to the first leg (33) through a first bight (37), the first (33) and inner (36) legs and the first bight (37) define an inverted "U" shape. The support portion (32) engages the ledge (13) of the gutter (11) to provide support. The gutter hanger (30) can be formed by bending a metal strip, or alternatively, the gutter hanger (30) may be made partially or entirely from a non-metal material. In some embodiments, the gutter hanger (30) additionally comprises an outer leg (38). The outer leg (38) is joined to the second leg (34) through a second bight (39). The outer leg (38), second leg (34), and the second bight (39) define an inverted "U" shape.

[0016] In some embodiments, the first (33) and second (34) legs of the gutter hanger (30) comprise openings which are aligned to facilitate the introduction of a fastener (50) through the openings. The openings may be circular or elongated vertically. In some embodiments, there is an opening on the inner leg (36). This opening may be circular, elongated vertically, or may by an inverted "U" shape.

[0017] The fastener (50), such as, for example a spike, nail, or a self-threading component, such as a screw, is directed consecutively through the openings in the second leg (34), the vertical wall (22), the first leg (33), the gutter (11), and the inner leg (36), and into the fascia (71) to effect anchoring of the mounting portion (31) thereagainst. In some embodiments, the fastener additionally passes through an opening in the outer leg (38). When fastened, the second leg (34), the vertical wall (22), the first leg (33), the gutter (11), and the inner leg (36), are all pressed together, which are pressed against the fascia (71). In some embodiments, the vertical wall (22) and/ or the gutter (11) have preformed openings prior to installation. Alternatively, the vertical wall (22) and/ or the gutter (11) may not have pre-formed openings and are punctured during installation.

[0018] In some embodiments, the gutter cover system (10) additionally comprises a flashing (60). Any flashing known in the art can be used. In some embodiments, the flashing (60) comprises a depending portion (61) and a top portion (62), wherein the depending (61) portion extends into the vertical slot (12); the depending portion (61) and the top portion (62) are joined at a bend (63) so the top portion extends rearward of the first bight (37). The top portion (62) of the flashing (60) may extend under the shingles, which helps direct water off the roof, through the gutter cover (20), and into the gutter (11) without the water passing between the gutter (11) and the fascia (71). In some embodiments, the fastener (50) additionally passes through an opening in the flashing (60). In some embodiments, the flashing (60) comprises a pre-formed opening, alternatively, the flashing (60) may not have a pre-formed opening and is punctured during installation.

[0019] In some embodiments, the top (21) of the gutter cover (20) additionally comprises at least one longitudinally extending ridge (25). In some embodiments, the top of the gutter cover (20) comprises at least two, three, or four longitudinally extending ridges. The longitudinally extending ridge (25) or ridges can provide rigidity to the gutter cover (20). In some embodiments a longitudinally extending ridge (25) has a continuing depression (29) or dimple at the top, which may provide additional rigidity. The continuing depression (29) or dimple is described in U.S. Serial No. 13/557,408, filed on July 25, 2012, titled Roof Gutter Cover with Variable Aperture Size, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Rigidity is important because the gutter cover (20) is typically long and so may buckle when being handled, moved, or installed. In some embodiments all the longitudinally extending ridges (25) have a continuing depression (29) at the top of the ridge. In another embodiment, less than all of the ridges (25) have a continuing depression (29) at the top of the ridge.

[0020] In some embodiments the ridges (25) may be of different sizes, for example, the top (21) may comprise at least two longitudinally extending ridges (25), wherein each ridge (25) that is closer to the rear is equal in size or larger than each ridge (25) that is closer to the front. The ridges (25) are believed to help slow down the water as it travels over the gutter cover (20). If the water is traveling too fast it may pass over the gutter cover (20) without entering the gutter (11). A larger ridge (25), which is higher, wider, or both, will slow down the water more than a smaller ridge (25). In some embodiments, each ridge (25) that is closer to the rear is equal in size or larger than each ridge (25) that is closer to the front. In some embodiments, the first longitudinally extending ridge (25a) may be about 0.635 cm (0.25 in) tall, the second longitudinally extending ridge (25b) may be about 0.44 cm (0.175 in) tall, and the third longitudinally extending ridge (25c) may be about 0.32 cm (0.125 in) tall.

[0021] In some embodiments there is more than one bank of apertures (27). A bank of apertures (27) is the apertures (26) that are grouped together between ridges (25) or between a ridge (25) and the vertical wall (22) of the gutter (11) or the clip (23). The gutter cover (20) between ridges (25) is not required to have a bank of apertures (27). In some embodiments, the average size of the apertures (26) in successive banks (27) is smaller as the banks (27) are closer to the front. A larger aperture (26) on the gutter cover (20) is believed to allow more water to enter the gutter (11), but it also has the potential to allow more debris into the gutter (11). A smaller aperture (26) on the gutter cover (20) is believed to allow less water to enter the gutter (11), but it blocks more debris from entering the gutter (11).

[0022] In some embodiments the gutter cover (20) comprises at least three banks of apertures (27). In some embodiments, the first bank of apertures (27a) is behind the first longitudinally extending ridge (25a); the second bank of apertures (27b) is in front of the first longitudinally extending ridge (25a) and behind the second longitudinally extending ridge (25b); and the third bank of apertures (27c) is in front of the second longitudinally extending ridge (25b). Alternatively, the first bank of apertures (27a) is in front of the first longitudinally extending ridge (25a) and behind the second longitudinally extending ridge (25b); the second bank of apertures (27b) is in front of the second longitudinally extending ridge (25b) and behind the third longitudinally extending ridge (25c); and the third bank of apertures (27c) is in front of the third longitudinally extending ridge (25c).

[0023] In some embodiments the gutter cover (20) comprises at least four banks of apertures (27). In some embodiments, the first bank of apertures (27a) is behind the first longitudinally extending ridge (25a); the second bank of apertures (27b) is in front of the first longitudinally extending ridge (25a) and behind the second longitudinally extending ridge (25b); the third bank of apertures (27c) is in front of the second longitudinally extending ridge (25b) and behind the third longitudinally extending ridge (25c); and the fourth bank of apertures (27 d) is in front of the third longitudinally extending ridge (25c). Alternatively, as shown in Figure 2, the first bank of apertures (27a) is in front of the first longitudinally extending ridge (25a) and behind the second longitudinally extending ridge (25b); the second bank of apertures (27b) is in front of the second longitudinally extending ridge (25b) and behind the third longitudinally extending ridge (25c); the third bank of apertures (27c) is in front of the third longitudinally extending ridge (25c) and behind the fourth longitudinally extending ridge (25d); and the fourth bank of apertures (27d) is in front of the fourth longitudinally extending ridge (25d).

[0024] In some embodiments, the size of the apertures (26) in each bank (27) may be of different sizes, such as, for example, the average size of the apertures (26) in the first bank (27a) is larger than the average size of the apertures (26) in the second bank (27b). In some embodiments the first bank of apertures (27a) may have an average diameter of 0.24 cm (0.096 in). The second bank of apertures (27b) may have an average diameter of 0.19 cm (0.075 in). If present, the third bank of apertures (27c) may have an average diameter of 0.15 cm (0.60 in). If present, the fourth bank of apertures (27 d) may have an average diameter of 0.11 cm (0.045 in). The apertures (26) may be laid out in any configuration; they may be in a zigzag row or in straight lines. The apertures (26) may be sized to keep out debris. [0025] While the present disclosure has illustrated by description several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications may readily appear to those skilled in the art.