AU2010202091B2 - A gutter spacer - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to a gutter spacer (20) including a first means (24) for engaging with a section of guttering (G) and a second means (26) for engaging with a fascia (F). The first means (24) and second means (26) are 5 arranged so that the section of guttering (G) can be connected to the fascia (F). The gutter spacer further includes a spacer portion (28) that establishes in use of the gutter spacer (20) a spacing (S) between the fascia (F) and the section of guttering (G) to enable water from the guttering (G) to overflow through the spacing (S). The present invention also relates to a gutter spacer (80) including a first means (84, 85) for engaging with a section of guttering (G) and a second means (86) for engaging with a gutter suspension clip (10) arranged to be attached to a fascia (F). The first engaging means (84, 85) and second engaging means (86) 15 are arranged so that the section of guttering (G) can be connected via the gutter spacer (80) and the suspension clip (10) to the fascia (F). The gutter spacer (80) also includes a spacer portion (82b) that establishes a spacing (S) between the fascia (F) and the section of guttering (G) to enable water from the guttering (G) to overflow through the spacing (S). FigI 28 24a 28 28 20 Fig 2a 20 Fig 2b 24a Fig 2c Fig 2d

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 5 10 ORIGINAL 15 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT 20 25 Invention Title: A GUTTER SPACER 30 Applicant: Stratco (Australia) Pty Limited 35 40 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 45 2 A Gutter Spacer Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to a gutter spacer for establishing a spacing between the fascia of a building and section of guttering attached thereto. Background of the Invention Guttering used on buildings may adopt many different forms. However, one 10 form that is particularly popular is known as "high-front" guttering. As the name implies, the front face of the guttering has a top edge that is higher than the top edge of the rear face of the guttering. High-front guttering is popular because the high front face hides the ends of the 15 tiles or roofing material used on the roof of the building. These ends are often uneven and hence such high-front guttering improves the overall aesthetic appeal of the building. High-front guttering has also been extremely popular with builders because of 20 the ease in which it can be attached to the metal fascia of a building. Various spring clip systems have been developed one of which includes a metal suspension clip that clips onto the fascia and which then allows the guttering to be suspended from the clip by virtue of a locking engagement between the guttering and various locking points on the suspension clip. 25 Figure 1 illustrates a metal suspension clip 10 of the general type conventionally used to secure a section of guttering to a fascia. The suspension clip 10 is made of metal and has an inverted "U" shaped cross section. The suspension clip 10 is arranged to be pushed over the upper edge of the fascia and is sized 30 so that it "clips" onto the fascia. The suspension clip 10 has a number of protuberances 12 formed in its outer leg 14 that protrude inwardly towards the fascia. The protuberances are staggered in height.

3 When the rear face of a section of guttering is located between the outer leg 14 of the suspension clip 10 and the fascia, one of the protuberances 12 on the suspension clip 10 is located under a rib formed in the rear face of the section 5 of guttering. The engagement between the rib and the protuberance 12 prevents subsequent downward movement of the section of guttering and thus the section of guttering is secured to the fascia. A gutter strap is then connected between the front face of the guttering and the fascia to further secure the section of guttering to the fascia. 10 It will be appreciated that by connecting the section of guttering to the fascia using at least two suspension clips and attaching the guttering to each at different height located protuberances, it is possible to secure the section of guttering to the fascia with the required fall. 15 The Australian Standard relating to eaves and box gutters (see AS/NZS 3500.3:2003) indicates that one method for installing high front gutters requires the rear face of the guttering to be set at hf below the top of the fascia and with a minimum spacing of 10mm between the fascia and the rear face of the 20 section of guttering. These installation requirements establish appropriate overflow measures for guttering. The present invention seeks to provide a gutter spacer that enables guttering to be connected to a fascia in a manner so as to comply with the aforementioned 25 Australian Standard. The discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general 30 knowledge as at the priority date of this application.

4 Summary of the Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a gutter spacer formed as a single piece including a first means for engaging with a section of guttering, said first means including at least one protuberance, a 5 second means for engaging with a fascia, and a spacer portion, wherein in use, said first means and second means are arranged so that said section of guttering is connected to said fascia, with said protuberance arranged to engage with a part of said section of guttering, and said spacer portion establishing a spacing between said fascia and said section of guttering to 10 enable water from the guttering to overflow through said spacing. In one form, the single piece comprises a single plate of material, from which the first means, the second means, and the spacer are shaped. 15 Multiple stepped in height protuberances are preferably provided so that there may be selective connection of one of the protuberances to the rib of said section of guttering. In this manner a section of guttering may be attached between a pair of gutter spacers so that it falls towards the direction of required water flow (i.e. in a direction downwardly towards the end of the 20 section of guttering where a down pipe or outflow is located). The second engaging means preferably includes a suspension member for suspending the gutter spacer on said fascia. Such a suspension member may "clip" onto the fascia in a manner somewhat similar to conventional metal 25 suspension clips discussed previously. Alternatively, the second engaging means includes a tongue that may be secured to a timber fascia using a nail, screw or other such fastener device. The spacer portion may adopt different configurations but preferably establishes 30 in use a spacing of about 10mm between the guttering and the fascia. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the spacer portion is 5 formed by at least one spacer member that depends downwardly of a body part of the gutter spacer. The body part is preferably located between said first and second engaging means and typically includes a planar part that in use of the gutter spacer rests in contact with an upper face of the fascia. 5 In use the at least one spacer member has a width that is preferably located between the first and second engaging means and establishes the spacing between the fascia and the section of guttering. More particularly, in use, the at least one spacer member has a first surface or side in contact with the section 10 of guttering and a second surface or side in contact with the fascia. In a further aspect there is provided a gutter spacer formed as a single piece from a single piece of metal plate, so as to include a first means for engaging with a section of guttering, said first means including at least one protuberance, 15 a second means for engaging with a fascia, and a spacer portion, wherein in use, said first means and second means are arranged so that said section of guttering is connected to said fascia, with said protuberance arranged to engage with a part of said section of guttering, and said spacer portion establishes a spacing between said fascia and said section of guttering to enable water from 20 the guttering to overflow through said spacing. In a further aspect there is provided a method for forming a gutter spacer including a first means for engaging with a section of guttering, said first means including at least one protuberance, a second means for engaging with a fascia, 25 and a spacer portion, the method comprising the steps of forming a single blank from a single plate of material, and then shaping each of the first means, the second means and the spacer from the blank. In one form, the step of forming the blank includes one of a cutting, punching or 30 a stamping operation. In accordance with an alternative embodiment, the spacer portion is formed by 6 a member located between the first and second engaging means and which extends in a generally horizontal plane. The member may be connected to the first and second engaging means directly or may be connected indirectly (i.e. via intervening members). 5 In accordance with an alternative embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the second engaging means includes a suspension member for suspending the gutter spacer on said fascia and at least one aperture for receiving a pin. In use of the gutter spacer the pin functions as a spacer portion 10 establishing the spacing between the fascia and the section of guttering. Additionally, the pin helps to engage the section of guttering to the gutter spacer. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a gutter 15 spacer including a first means for engaging with a section of guttering and a second means for engaging with a gutter suspension clip arranged to be attached to a fascia, said first engaging means and second engaging means being arranged so that said section of guttering can be connected via the gutter spacer and said suspension clip to said fascia, and said gutter spacer further 20 including a spacer portion that establishes a spacing between said fascia and said section of guttering to enable water from the guttering to overflow through said spacing. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the second aspect, the first 25 engaging means includes at least one hook member arranged to engage under a rib of said section of guttering. The second engaging means includes a lip member arranged to be engaged by a protuberance on said gutter suspension clip. 30 The spacer portion preferably has a width of at least 10mm in dimension. The spacer portion preferably includes a wall portion for establishing said 7 spacing. The wall portion may include at least one side wall and/or at least one bottom wall. The wall portion is preferably located generally between said first and second engaging means. 5 The gutter spacer is preferably made of metal. It will be appreciated that in accordance with the second aspect of the invention the gutter spacer is arranged for use in conjunction with a suspension clip. However, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention the gutter spacer 10 incorporates means for securing the gutter spacer to the fascia and thus the need for suspension clips is eliminated. In accordance with either aspect of the invention it will be appreciated that in use the gutter spacer maintains a defined spacing between the fascia and the 15 section of guttering to which it is connected. The spacing is established by the gutter spacer but is substantially maintained along the length of the section of guttering between adjacent such gutter spacers. This spacing enables any water overflow from the gutter to pass through the spacing (i.e. between the fascia and the rear face of the section of guttering) and run down the front face 20 of the fascia. Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: 25 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a metal suspension clip of the type currently used to connect a section of guttering to a fascia and also of the type to be used with the gutter spacer embodiments shown in Figures 9a to 11 b; 30 Figures 2a, 2b, 2c and 2d are respective perspective, side, front and top views of a gutter spacer in accordance with a first embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; 8 Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate respectively a portion of a length of fascia (in end view), a side view of the gutter spacer shown in Figures 2a to 2d and an end view of a length of guttering; 5 Figure 4 illustrates in end view the length of guttering shown in Figure 3c connected to the fascia of Figure 3a, using the gutter spacer as shown in Figure 3b; Figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5d are respective perspective, side, top and front views 10 of a gutter spacer in accordance with a second embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; Figure 6 illustrates the attachment of the gutter spacer shown in Figures 5a to 5d to a timber fascia board using a nail; 15 Figure 7 is a perspective view of a gutter spacer in accordance with another embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; Figures 8a and 8b are perspective views of a gutter spacer in accordance with a 20 further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. Figure 8a illustrates the insertion of a pin through the aperture in the gutter spacer, whilst Figure 8b illustrates the pin in position within the aperture; Figure 8c is an end view showing the gutter spacer of Figures 8a and 8b 25 connected to a metal fascia and a section of guttering; Figure 9a is a perspective view of a gutter spacer in accordance with a first embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; 30 Figure 9b illustrates the gutter spacer of Figure 9a connected to a suspension clip of the type shown in Figure 1; 9 Figure 9c is an end view showing the gutter spacer and suspension clip of Figure 9b connected to a fascia and a section of guttering; Figure 1 Ca is a perspective view of a gutter spacer in accordance with a second 5 embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; Figure 1 Ob illustrates the gutter spacer of Figure 1 Ca connected to a suspension clip of the type shown in Figure 1; 10 Figure 11a is a perspective view of a gutter spacer in accordance with a third embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; and Figure 11 b illustrates the gutter spacer of Figure 11 a connected to a suspension clip of the type shown in Figure 1. 15 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments The following description is made with reference to guttering that is illustrated as high-front guttering. Although the present invention has particular application with such high-front guttering, it is envisaged that gutter spacers according to 20 embodiments of the present invention may be used in conjunction with other guttering forms. Additionally, most of the embodiments are described with reference to a metal fascia attached to a building and metal guttering. However, it should be appreciated that embodiments of the invention are not intended to be limited to use only in conjunction with such metal components. 25 The gutter spacer 20 illustrated in Figures 2a to 2d is an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. The gutter spacer 20 is arranged to be clipped to a length of metal fascia F and to subsequently engage with a section of metal guttering G so as to thereby connect the section of guttering G to the fascia F. 30 At least two spaced apart gutter spacers 20 would be required to properly secure a section of guttering G to the fascia F. An example of such a 10 connection is illustrated in Figure 4 which depicts how water W in the guttering G can flow over the rear face of the guttering G and then through a spacing S formed between the rear face of the guttering G and the front face of the fascia F. The arrows schematically illustrate such water flow. 5 The gutter spacer 20 is formed as a single piece from a single metal plate including a body part 22, first engaging means 24 for engaging with the section of guttering G and second engaging means 26 for engaging with the fascia F. The body part 22 includes a generally planar part 22a having an 10 underside which rests on or is located adjacent to an upper face of the fascia F when the gutter spacer 20 is connected thereto. As illustrated, the body part 22 is located between the first and second engaging means 24, 26. The gutter spacer 20 further includes a pair of opposed spacer portions or spacer members 28. 15 The first engaging means 24 is formed as a plate which includes at least one protuberance 24a and as illustrated includes four such protuberances 24a. Each protuberance 24a is formed as an upwardly angled hook extending from the plate which is directed generally towards the second engaging means 26 20 and is configured to engage with a rib R formed in the rear face of the guttering G. As best shown in Figures 2b and 2c, the different protuberances 24a are stepped vertically. This means that the angled hooks are located at different positions relative to the planar part 22a of the body 22 so that an installer may selectively engage one of the protuberances 24a of the gutter spacer 20 to the 25 rib R of the section of guttering G. In this manner a section of guttering G can be engaged between a pair of gutter spacers 20, each gutter spacer 20 engaged to the guttering G by a different vertically positioned protuberance 24a so that the guttering G falls towards the direction of required water flow (i.e. in a direction downwardly towards the end of the section of guttering G where a 30 down pipe or outflow is located).

11 Each spacer member 28 is in the form of a generally U-shaped cross-sectional member that depends downwardly from the planar part 22a. A gap is formed between the opposed spacer members 28. Each spacer member 28 has a width that extends in a direction between the first and second engaging means 5 24, 26 and has a first or front side 28a and a second or rear side 28b (Figure 3b). In use, each spacer member 28 is located between the fascia F and the section of guttering G so that the front side 28a of each spacer member 28 is in contact with (or closely adjacent to ) the section of guttering G and the rear side 28b is in contact with (or closely adjacent to ) the fascia F. The spacer member 10 28 thereby establishes the spacing S between the fascia F and the section of guttering G. The width of the spacer member 28 may vary but is preferably at least 10 mm. Although it is preferable for the gutter spacer 20 to include two opposed spacer 15 members 28 to facilitate proper retention of the spacing S between the fascia F and guttering G even when a side loading is applied to the guttering G, it is envisaged that only one such spacer member 28 may be included. It should be appreciated that water from the section of guttering G will be able to 20 overflow through the gap between the opposed spacer members 28 of each gutter spacer 20 and also through the actual gap or spacings formed along and between the fascia F and guttering G by the adjacently positioned gutter spacers 20 that retain the guttering G to the fascia F. 25 As best shown in Figure 3b, the second engaging means 26 includes a downwardly projecting lip member 26 that extends from the body part 22 and has a U-shaped hooked end 26a. In order to connect the gutter spacer 20 to a fascia F, the gutter spacer 20 is initially positioned so that free end F' of the upper edge of the fascia F is located within the opening 0. The gutter spacer 30 20 is then rotated through 90* until the rear side 28b of each spacer portion 28 contacts against the front of the fascia F and the U-shaped hooked end 26a is clipped below the free end F' of the upper edge of the fascia F. This positioning 12 of the gutter spacer 20 is illustrated in Figure 4. A section of guttering G can be connected between adjacent gutter spacers 20 by pressing the section of guttering G against the front side 28a of the spacer 5 members 28 and then lifting the guttering G vertically until the rib R of the guttering G engages with one of the protuberances 24a on each of the gutter spacers 20. Figures 5a to 5d illustrate an alternative gutter spacer 40 in accordance with an 10 embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. The gutter spacer 40 is very similar to the previously described gutter spacer 20. The difference is in the form of the second engaging means. As described above, the second engaging means of the gutter spacer 20 includes the lip member 26 with hooked end 26a. In contrast, the second engaging means of the gutter spacer 40 includes a 15 tongue with an aperture 27 formed therein. As illustrated the tongue is an extension of the planar part 22a of the body 22. The aperture 27 is arranged to receive a nail N, screw or other such fastener which can be used to secure the gutter spacer 40 to a timber fascia F (see Figure 6). Typically, the gutter spacer 40 would be used in situations where the fascia F is formed by a solid wooden 20 fascia board rather than the metal fascia illustrated in Figure 4. Hence the gutter spacer 40 is simply nailed or screwed to the wooden fascia board rather than "rotating" and "clipping" it into position as described previously in relation to the gutter spacer 20. 25 Figure 7 illustrates another alternative embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. The gutter spacer 50 shown in Figure 7 is formed as a single piece from a single metal plate including a body 52, a first engaging means 54, a second engaging means 56 and a spacer portion 58. The first engaging means 54 includes a number of protuberances 54a that selectively engage 30 with the rear face of a section of guttering G in a manner similar to the protuberances 24a described in relation to the gutter spacer 20.

13 The second engaging means 56 is arranged to "clip" over a fascia F in a manner similar to that described in relation to the metal suspension clip 10. The spacer portion 58 of the gutter spacer 50 extends between the first and 5 second engaging means 54, 56 and for simplicity, in this instance, extends in a generally horizontal plane. The spacer portion 58 is located so as to establish the requisite spacing between the fascia F and the guttering G when they are connected together using a pair of gutter spacers 50. Although the spacer portion 58 as illustrated extends substantially horizontally it is recognised that 10 this need not necessarily be the case provided the spacer portion 58 establishes the requisite spacing between the guttering G and fascia F. Figures 8a, 8b and 8c illustrate a gutter spacer 60 in accordance with a further embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. The gutter spacer 60 is 15 somewhat similar to the gutter spacer 50. However, rather than including a horizontally extending spacer portion 58 to establish the requisite spacing, the gutter spacer 60 makes use of a pin 62 that extends through an aperture 64 in the body 66 of the gutter spacer 60. 20 The first engaging means 68 includes protuberances 68a similar to the protuberances 54a described in relation to the gutter spacer 50. The second engaging means 69 is similar to the second engaging means 56 of the gutter spacer 50. 25 As best illustrated in Figure 8c, in use, the pin 62 and gutter spacer 60 establish a spacing S in much the same way as the spacing is established by the spacer member 28 (the downwardly depending member) of the gutter spacer 20. It will also be appreciated that the pin 62 in conjunction with the first engaging means 68 helps to secure the gutter spacer 60 to the guttering G. Additionally, the pin 30 68 in conjunction with the second engaging means 69 helps to secure the gutter spacer 60 to the fascia F.

14 Figures 9a to 9c illustrate a gutter spacer 80 in accordance with an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention. The gutter spacer 80 is arranged for use in conjunction with a suspension clip 10 of the type shown in Figure 1 and a section of guttering G having a rear face with a suspension rib R of the type 5 illustrated in Figure 9c. The gutter spacer 80 includes a body 82, first engaging means in the form of a pair of hook members 84, 85 and second engaging means in the form of a lip member 86. The hook members 84, 85 and lip member 86 all "curl" in a 10 forward direction (i.e. in use away from the fascia F). The body 82 includes a rear wall 82a, a pair of opposed side walls 82b and front wall portions 82c, 82d. The opposed side walls 82b form spacer portions that establish a spacing S between a fascia F of a building in much the same way as 15 the spacer members 28 of the gutter spacer 20. The rear wall 82a, opposed side walls 82b and front wall portions 82c, 82d define an opening 88 into which the outer leg 14 of the suspension clip 10 is arranged to be positioned. As will be described in more detail below, when the 20 suspension clip 10 is clipped over a fascia F and then the outer leg 14 of the suspension clip 10 is positioned within the opening 88 of the gutter spacer 80, one of the protuberances 12 of the suspension clip 10 can be located under lip member 86 of the gutter spacer 80. The engagement between the underside of the lip member 86 and the protuberance 12 prevents subsequent downward 25 movement of the gutter spacer 80 relative to the suspension clip 10 and hence serves to connect the gutter spacer 80 to the fascia F. The protuberances 12 on the suspension clip 10 are staggered in height along the outer side 14 so as to enable connection of the gutter spacer 80 at different 30 height locations relative to the suspension clip 10. This in turn allows a fall to be established along the length of a section of guttering connected between two adjacent gutter spacers 80 (i.e. the gutter spacers 80 positioned at either end of 15 the section of guttering G are connected to respective suspension clips 10 via protuberances 12 at different height locations). The section of guttering G is connected to the gutter spacer 80 using the hook 5 members 84, 85. This connection is best illustrated in Figure 9c. In order to connect the section of guttering G to the gutter spacer 80, the suspension rib R of the section of guttering G is pushed into the gap formed between the free end 84a, 85a of each hook member 84, 85 and the adjacent front wall portions 82c, 82d of the gutter spacer 80. The suspension rib R of the section of guttering G 10 then engages with the free ends 84a, 85a of the hook members 84, 85. During this process some resilient deflection of the hook members 84, 85 may occur. Figures 1 Ca and 11 a illustrate two further embodiments of the second aspect of the invention. Figures 1 Ob and 11 b illustrate the gutter spacers 120, 140 shown 15 in Figures 1 Ca and 11 a joined with respective suspension clips 10. The gutter spacers previously described enable a section of guttering G to be easily connected to a fascia F of a building or the like in a manner that ensures that a spacing S is established between and along the length of the fascia F and 20 the section of guttering G. In the event that the guttering G fills with water, for example if a down pipe becomes blocked, water in the guttering G can overflow into the spacing S and then run down the front face of the fascia F. The gutter spacers according to embodiments of the invention are light in 25 weight, are relatively inexpensive to manufacture and are easy to install. Typically, gutter spacers according to embodiments of the invention are made of metal, but manufacture from other suitable materials is envisaged. Gutter spacers in accordance with embodiments of the first aspect of the 30 invention are further advantageous because their design eliminates the need for conventional suspension clips.

16 It will be appreciated that when using gutter spacers in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, conventional gutter straps would still normally be required to further secure each section of guttering to the fascia. 5 Throughout the specification and the claims that follow it will be understood that the term "comprise" and any of its derivatives (eg comprises, comprising) as used in this specification is to be taken to be inclusive of features to which it refers, and is not meant to exclude the presence of any additional features unless otherwise stated or implied. 10 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. 15 It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the 20 invention. Therefore, the invention should be understood to include all such modifications in its scope.

Claims (19)

1. A gutter spacer formed as a single piece including a first means for engaging with a section of guttering, said first means including at least one protuberance, a second means for engaging with a fascia, and a spacer portion, wherein in use, said first means and second means are arranged so that said section of guttering is connected to said fascia, with said protuberance arranged to engage with a part of said section of guttering, and said spacer portion establishing a spacing between said fascia and said section of guttering to enable water from the guttering to overflow through said spacing.

2. The gutter spacer of claim 1, wherein the single piece comprises a single plate of material, from which the first means, the second means, and the spacer are shaped.

3. The gutter spacer of claim 2, wherein the material comprises a metal.

4. The gutter spacer as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the part of said section of guttering engaged by the protuberance, is a rib formed in a rear face of the section of guttering.

5. The gutter spacer as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first engaging means includes multiple stepped in height protuberances.

6. The gutter spacer as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the or each protuberance comprises a hook.

7. The gutter spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second engaging means includes a suspension member for suspending the gutter spacer on said fascia.

8. The gutter spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the second engaging means includes a tongue that may be secured to the fascia using a nail, screw or other such fastener device. 18

9. The gutter spacer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacing established by the spacer portion is about 10mm between the section of guttering and the fascia.

10. The gutter spacer according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spacer portion is formed by at least one spacer member that depends downwardly of a body part of the gutter spacer.

11. The gutter spacer according to claim 10 wherein the body part is located between said first and second engaging means and includes a planar part that in use of the gutter spacer includes a portion that rests in contact with or substantially adjacent to an upper face of the fascia.

12. The gutter spacer according to claim 10 or claim 11, wherein in use, the at least one spacer member has a width that is located between the first and second engaging means and establishes the spacing between the fascia and the section of guttering.

13. The gutter spacer according to claim 12, wherein in use the at least one spacer member has a first surface or side in contact with or substantially adjacent to the section of guttering and a second surface or side in contact with or substantially adjacent to the fascia.

14. The gutter spacer according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the spacer portion includes a member located between the first and second engaging means and which extends in a generally horizontal plane.

15. A gutter spacer formed as a single piece from a single piece of metal plate, so as to include a first means for engaging with a section of guttering, said first means including at least one protuberance, a second means for engaging with a fascia, and a spacer portion, wherein in use, said first means and second means are arranged so that said section of guttering is connected 19 to said fascia, with said protuberance arranged to engage with a part of said section of guttering, and said spacer portion establishing a spacing between said fascia and said section of guttering to enable water from the guttering to overflow through said spacing.

16. A method for forming a gutter spacer including a first means for engaging with a section of guttering, said first means including at least one protuberance, a second means for engaging with a fascia, and a spacer portion, the method comprising the steps of forming a single blank from a single plate of material, and then shaping each of the first means, the second means and the spacer from the blank.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the material comprises a metal.

18. The method as in either of claims 16 or 17, wherein the step of forming the blank includes one of a cutting, punching or a stamping operation.

19. A gutter spacer substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 2a to 11 b of the accompanying drawings.