AU2011213740A1 - Multi-component gutter bracket - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-component gutter bracket for a gutter is described. It comprises a gutter clip adapted to mount to a fascia and receive a rearward wall of a gutter and a support brace adapted to support an outer wall of the 5 gutter. A rigid joint is formable between the support brace and gutter clip to mount the support brace to the gutter clip. It preferably also includes a spacer attached to the gutter clip and dimensioned to space the rearward wall from the fascia to provide a water flow channel between the rear wall and fascia. The clip may comprise an anterior finger, a posterior finger, a 10 bridge connecting the fingers, an intermediate tongue positioned between the fingers, the tongue dimensioned to space the rear wall from the fascia. A first slot may be defined by the anterior finger and the tongue, the first slot adapted to receive the rear wall of the gutter. A second slot is defined by the tongue and posterior finger, the second slot adapted to locate over a fascia 15 wherein the spacer is formed by the tongue. The support bracket may be slid into engagement with the clip 214 25212 4rr280

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "MULTI-COMPONENT GUTTER BRACKET" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 1 TITLE "MULTI-COMPONENT GUTTER BRACKET" 5 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to support apparatus for gutter channels around buildings. In particular, the invention relates to a multi-part gutter bracket for supporting a gutter channel so as to diminish the risk of inflow flooding when the gutter channel is at its capacity. The invention also 10 extends to a method of mounting a gutter to minimize risk of inflow flooding. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Gutter channels have traditionally been used to direct and collect water flow off roofs. Gutter channels are arranged around a periphery of a 15 roof and are installed with a selected fall towards an outlet such as a downpipe. Control and direction of the water flow avoids damage to a surrounding property, provides the opportunity for collecting and storing water, and maintains a system of orderly flow characteristics around a building, be it a residence or a commercial property. 20 Gutters provide a highly significant finish to a building particularly one in which there is an emotional involvement, such as a residence. Gutters provide an aesthetic element to the outward appearance of the building as well as providing an owner or decorator with the opportunity to define a colour contrast to both the roof and walls of the building. 25 In keeping with this gutter aesthetic, there has evolved a trend to provide gutters with high front walls to avoid any mismatch in the visual appearance between the gutter and the line of the roof. One of the problems that arise from this trend is the fact that the front upper edge of the gutter is higher than the back upper edge of the gutter. 30 There have been some attempts to avoid problems with this by providing longitudinal slots in the front gutter wall to thereby disperse any excess water content from the gutter channel during heavy downpours. However, this has 2 not proved effective in all circumstances. The end result is that in heavy rainfall periods, water accumulates in the gutter channel to a depth that overwhelms the combined back edge of the gutter and the fascia to which it is attached. This damming effect leads to an inflow of water over the top of 5 the fascia and into eaves and even into the building surrounded by the particular gutter arrangement. This may lead to flooding and damage to both ceiling panels and walls in the house. In a further or alternative aspect, there are differences in installing 10 gutters with some conventional brackets. The present applicant has filed patent applications to address aspects of this problem. New Zealand Patent No 571719 is for a Gutter Bracket which provides a stand-off effect for a back wall of a gutter. 15 Australian Patent Application No 2009231019 is for a Spacer Clip for a Gutter. The contents of both are incorporated herein by reference. There are however, circumstances in which installation of a bracket is difficult and support provided by the clip is insufficient. 20 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a first aspect, although it need not be the only or the broadest aspect, the invention resides in a multi-component gutter bracket for a gutter, the multi-component gutter bracket comprising: a gutter clip adapted to mount to a fascia and receive a rearward wall 25 of a gutter; optionally, a spacer attached to the gutter clip and dimensioned to space the rearward wall from the fascia to provide a water flow channel between the rear wall and fascia; and a support brace adapted to support an outer wall of the gutter; 30 wherein: a rigid joint is formable between the support brace and gutter clip to removably mount the support brace to the gutter clip.

3 The gutter bracket is preferably a spacer bracket. The spacer is preferably integrally formed with the clip. Most preferably, the clip comprises an anterior finger, a posterior finger, a bridge connecting the fingers, preferably respective ends of each of 5 the fingers, an intermediate tongue positioned between the fingers, a first slot defined by the anterior finger and the tongue, the first slot adapted to receive the rear wall of the gutter, and a second slot defined by the tongue and posterior finger, the second slot adapted to locate over a fascia wherein the spacer is formed by the tongue. The tongue is dimensioned to space the 10 rear wall from the fascia. The fingers are preferably resilient in orderto clamp either one or both of the rear wall or fascia against the tongue and/or to be deformable for positioning relative to the fascia and gutter. The posterior finger is preferably shaped to mount to a profile of a 15 corresponding fascia. The shape of the posterior finger may confirm to that of the fascia. The anterior finger preferably has one or more teeth adapted to enhance grip on the rear wall. The one or more teeth also function to allow adjustment of height of a top edge of the rear wall. The teeth are in the first 20 slot. The tongue preferably also has one or more teeth on either or both forward and rearward surfaces, the teeth adapted to enhance grip on either the rear wall or fascia. The one or more teeth may be adapted to allow adjustment of the height of the top edge of the rear wall on the forward 25 surface of the tongue and/or the position of the clip relative to the fascia. The tongue preferably extends downwardly from the bridge. The tongue may include one or more transverse apertures. The tongue may include one or more lateral recesses. The tongue may be any suitable preferred dimension but is preferably 30 in the range of 5 mm to 20 mm wide from anterior to posterior. More preferably, the range is 10 mm to 15 mm and most preferably 10mm.

4 The spacer clip may be formed from any suitable material. One preferred material is nylon and, most preferably, an ultra-violet resistant and hard wearing composition. Alternative materials include metal, fiberglass or polymeric materials. 5 The support brace includes an arm adapted to extend forwardly, in operation, to engage and support an outer wall of the gutter, preferably a lip of the gutter. The arm may terminate in fingers at an outer end, configured to locate in an outer upper lip of the gutter. The support brace preferably also includes a base located at an inner 10 end of the arm. The rigid joint is preferably formed by a slot and rail assembly, the rail dimensioned to slide into and engage the slot, the slot and rail each on a respective one of the clip and the base. The base itself may form the rail. Most preferably, a slot is formed on a front surface of the anterior 15 finger and corresponding rail on the base. The joint preferably includes a recess and nib, the nib dimensioned to locate into the recess and act as a stop and/or lock. The nib and recess are each on a respective one of the slot and rail. The nib may be formed to snap fit into the recess to thereby provide a 20 resistance to removal of the rail from the slot. Alternatively, or additionally, the slot or rail may have a convex surface designed to increase friction between the components. In a further aspect, the invention may reside in a method of mounting a gutter, the method comprising the steps of: 25 locating a clip onto or over a fascia; positioning a spacer on or adjacent an anterior surface of the fascia; positioning a rearward wall of a gutter adjacent the spacer, preferably in the clip; engaging a finger of a support arm with an outside lip of the gutter; 30 and urging the support brace into engagement with the clip. Preferably, urging the support brace into engagement with the clip 5 comprises sliding the support brace into engagement with the clip. This may include sliding the support brace laterally so that a base and clip engage through a slot and rail assembly. In a further aspect, the invention may reside in a clip alone as 5 described herein. In still a further aspect, the invention may reside in a support brace alone as described herein. In yet another aspect, the invention may reside in a multi-component bracket for a gutter, the multi-component bracket comprising: 10 a gutter clip adapted to mount to a fascia and receive a rearward wall of a gutter; and a support brace adapted to support an outer wall of the gutter; wherein: a rigid joint is formable between the support brace and the gutter clip 15 to reversibly mount the support brace to the gutter clip. Most preferably, the clip comprises an anterior finger, a poster finger, a bridge connecting the fingers, preferably respective ends of each of the fingers, a single slot defined by the anterior finger and a posterior finger, the single slot adapted to locate over a fascia and receive a rear wall of a gutter. 20 The fingers are preferably resilient in order to clamp the rear wall of the gutter to the fascia and to be deformable for positioning relative to the fascia and gutter wall. The posterior finger is preferably shaped to mount to a profile of a corresponding fascia. 25 The anterior finger preferably has one or more teeth adapted to enhance grip on the rear wall of the gutter. The one or more teeth also function to allow adjustment of height of a top edge of the rear wall. The clip may be formed from any suitable material. One preferred material is nylon and most preferably, an ultra-violet resistant and hard 30 wearing composition. Alternative materials include metal, fiberglass or polymeric materials. The support brace includes an arm adapted to extend forwardly, in 6 operation, to engage and support an outer wall of the gutter, preferably a lip of the gutter. The arm may terminate in a finger configured to locate in an outer upper lip of the gutter. The support brace preferably also includes a base located at an inner 5 end of the arm. The rigid joint is preferably formed by a slot and rail assembly, the rail dimensioned to slide into and engage the slot, the slot and rail each on a respective one of the clip and the base. The base itself may form the rail. Most preferably, a slot is formed on a front surface of the anterior 10 finger and corresponding rail on the base. The joint preferably includes a recess and nib, the nib dimensioned to locate into the recess and act as a stop and/or lock. The nib and recess are each on a respective one of the slot and rail. The nib may be formed to snap fit into the recess to thereby provide a 15 resistance to removal of the rail from the slot. Alternatively, or additionally, the slot or rail may have a convex surface designed to increase friction between the components. In a further aspect, the invention may reside in a method of mounting a gutter, the method comprising the steps of: 20 locating a clip onto or over a fascia; optionally, positioning a spacer on or adjacent an anterior surface of the fascia; positioning a rearward wall of a gutter adjacent the spacer, preferably in the clip; 25 engaging a finger of a support arm with an outside lip of the gutter; and sliding the support brace into engagement with the clip. Preferably, sliding the support brace into engagement with the clip includes sliding the support brace laterally so that a base and clip engage 30 through a slot and rail assembly. In a further aspect, the invention may reside in a clip alone as described herein.

7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention, by way of example only, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 5 FIG. 1 is a side view of a gutter clip of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a gutter clip; FIG. 3 is an upper isometric rear view of the gutter clip of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is an upper rear isometric view of a support brace of the present invention; 10 FIG. 5 is an upper front isometric view of the support brace of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a side view of a gutter clip and support brace when assembled to form a multi-component gutter bracket; FIG. 7 is a side schematic view of the assembled multi-component gutter bracket in position with a gutter; 15 FIG. 8 is an upper isometric view of the multi-component spacer bracket of FIG. 7 in working operation with a fascia and gutter; FIG. 9 is a part sectional side view of a multi-component bracket of a second aspect of the invention, in place with a fascia and gutter; and FIG. 10 is an upper isometric view of the arrangement of FIG. 9. 20 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention provides the ability to locate and fix guttering positions, preferably, such that a flow path is provided between a fascia and a rearward wall of the gutter. 25 The first component of the multi-component spacer bracket is a gutter clip exemplified by clip and spacer assembly 10. The assembly comprises a posterior finger 12, an anterior finger 14 and a bridge 16 connecting the fingers. The bridge preferably connects respective ends 17,18 of each of the fingers 12,14. While the bridge is shown as having a straight central axis, it 30 is not so restricted. It may be curved or bent. In one preferred embodiment, the bridge may angle downwards in a forward direction. A preferred range is 450 or less from horizontal. The bridge 16 also supports a tongue 20 which 8 is adapted to space the rearward wall of a gutter from a fascia. The tongue 20 is preferably around 10 mm wide but may be any suitable width to provide the space between the components. The width is measured from front to back. The tongue 20 has a lateral recess 22 which forms a central rib in the 5 tongue to strengthen the arrangement while allowing a decrease of the material used. A plurality of teeth 19 is located on a posterior wall 15 of the anterior finger 14. The clip and spacer assembly 10 is further adapted by the formation of a slot 30 on an anterior face 31 of the anterior finger 14. The slot 30 is 10 formed by the anterior face and a top L-shaped ledge 32 and a Lower L shaped ledge 33. A recess 34 is formed on the anterior finger 14 and its purpose is discussed further below. FIG. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a gutter clip and spacer assembly 110 which is very similar to that of FIG. 1 except the tongue 120 15 extends beyond the lower limits of the anterior finger 114 and posterior finger 112. Further, a lower edge 140 of the anterior finger 114 terminates just below the lower ledge 133. The purposes of these changes are to provide alternatives for use with shorter or longer rear walls of a gutter. 20 In FIG. 3, the clip and spacer assembly is seen in isometric view. The recess 134 is apparent and is configured as a box-like recess with two open walls. The lateral tongue recess 122 is also apparent in this view and as noted, allows for a reduction in material used. Any appropriate material may be recruited. The preferred material is a nylon. However, it should be 25 understood that other materials may be used. Reinforced resins such as fiberglass may also be used and metal may be used in the process. Other polymeric substances may be utilized. In FIGS. 1 and 2, an anterior slot 50 and posterior slot 60 are also provided. These slots are dimensioned to operate with a rearward wall of a 30 gutter and a fascia respectively. Referring now to FIG., 4, there is seen a support brace 70 comprising an arm 72 and a base 74. The same support brace is seen in an anterior 9 isometric view in FIG. 5. The arm 72 terminates at an outer end in a curled finger 76 which is configured to locate in a rounded upper lip of a gutter. The arm 72 has two planar angled segments 77,78 with a strengthening rib or gusset 79. The base is formed as a square or rectangular slab and has a nib 5 75 positioned on an inward surface. FIG. 6 shows the multi-component gutter bracket 80 when assembled and positioned in support of a gutter 81. The sectional schematic view shows the clip and spacer assembly 10. A rearward wall 82 of the gutter is positioned in the anterior slot 50 and slid upwards to a desired height 10 wherein a single gutter tooth 83 ratchets up the slot over the teeth 19 and when released locks in the selected position. The teeth 19,83 have a sloped forward surface and steep rearward surface to provide a sliding action in one direction and a locked resistance to movement in the opposite direction. In this case, the support brace 170 is similar to that previously 15 described other than it includes apertures 173 which transversely extend across the support brace. This again provides the ability to save material while still providing a strong bracket through ribs 178. The finger 176 engages an upper lip 84 of a front wall 85 of the gutter 81. The base 174 forms a rail which slides into the slot 30 of the clip and spacer assembly 10. 20 The slot and rail form a rigid joint (shown generally as 11) to support the arm 172 which in turn supports the outer wall 85 of the gutter and maintains the position of that wall and the floor 87 of the gutter 81. The expression rigid joint should be understood to mean a joint that provides sufficient support to the outer gutter as opposed to a non-rigid joint or flexible articulation. It is to 25 be understood that there may be some play or limited movement in the joint and the arm in turn may flex under weight. The bridge 116 is boomerang shaped in sectional view comprising first section 116a and second section 116b. The second section angles downwardly to run with or away from the line of roof sheeting. 30 As can be seen, the tongue 20 terminates above the posterior wall 12. Both are, however, above the floor 87 and will not be visible to a casual inspection from a distance, thereby providing an aesthetic finish.

10 FIG. 7 shows a schematic side view of a multi-component spacer bracket 90 in operation with a gutter 81 and fascia 91. In this case, the clip and spacer assembly 110 is similar to that of FIG. 2. The support brace 70 is similar to that of FIGS. 4 and 5. The description 5 in general in relation to FIG. 6 is also applicable in the present diagram. The curved finger 76 nestles closely into a corresponding curved upper lip 184. The tongue 120 extends downward along the anterior surface of the fascia 91 and provides good spacing and positioning to a rear wall of a gutter. The posterior finger 112 is positioned over a top section of the fascia 91 and 10 conforms to that section to thereby embrace and nestle closely against it to provide a solid anchoring of the bracket. In general, "conform" should be understood to mean it is designed to engage with the fascia such that it provides a stable basis for support of the gutter. In the present case it is clear that a portion of the finger and the bridge sit closely against the fascia 15 and then the dependent or lower part of the posterior finger 172 angles in to contact the rearward wall of the fascia 91. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the schematic arrangement of FIG. 7 which shows the bridge 116 located over the fascia 91. The tongue 120 acts as a spacer to move the rearward wall 82 of the gutter 81 away from the 20 fascia 91. In operation, the clip and spacer assembly are positioned over the fascia. The rearward wall 82 is urged into the anterior slot and slipped upwardly until in preferred position. In some instances this may be sufficient for supporting a section of the gutter intermediate two brackets. In forming a bracket it is now simply a task of rotating the curved finger 76 into the upper 25 lip 184 of the gutter 81 in a downward direction so that the base 74 is parallel to the rearward wall 82. The support brace is then slid laterally so that the base 74 slides into the slot 130 to snugly fit into the L-shaped ledges 132,133. The support brace is advanced until the nib 75 slides into the recess 34 and stops against a wall of the recess. Other methods of 30 increasing frictional engagement may be used. For example, a contact surface in the joint may be convex to tension the slot inn the rail. A simple frictional engagement may be sufficient. The process may be facilitated by 11 slightly raising the front wall of the gutter to reduce tension on the arm. In some instances, the nib and recess may form a positive engagement such as a snap-lock fit. In other versions, the recess may not be necessary. An installer may elect to place an adhesive between the base 5 and the spacer clip. The base may in fact passively reside in the slot relying on friction to prevent its dislodgement. While the description has been to an assembly with a base forming the rail and the slot formed on the spacer clip assembly, it is clear that these features may be interchanged or reversed. Similarly in relation to the nib and 10 recess, these features may be formed on the other of the respective components to which they are described above. In FIGS. 9 and 10, a multi-component gutter bracket 280 is shown supporting gutter 281 and mounted on fascia 291. The gutter bracket comprises support brace 270 and gutter clip 210. 15 The support brace is similar to those previously described. The gutter clip 210 comprises an anterior finger 212 and posterior finger 214 connected by a bridge 216. A single slot 250 is formed by the fingers and bridge to receive an upper region of the fascia 291. The anterior wall has a slot 230 on anterior finger 212. The support brace 280 has a base 20 274 dimensioned to slide reversibly into the slot 230 to form a rigid joint 211. The process of mounting the clip and support brace to form a multi component gutter bracket is as disclosed above. The present invention provides a versatile, strong and easily installed spacer bracket arrangement formed from at least two components. The 25 method of installing the bracket and supporting a gutter is also considered part of the invention. The multi-component spacer bracket allows for easy positioning of the rearward wall of the gutter and subsequent insertion of the support brace interconnected with an anterior upper edge of the gutter. In reverse, the 30 bracket may be easily dissembled by overcoming the frictional or other attendant forces between the slot and rail joint formation. Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the 12 preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular 5 embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (23)

1. A multi-component gutter bracket for a gutter, the multi-component spacer bracket comprising: 5 a gutter clip adapted to mount to a fascia and receive a rearward wall of a gutter; a support brace adapted to support an outer wall of the gutter; wherein: a rigid joint is formable between the support brace and gutter clip to 10 mount the support brace to the gutter clip.

2. The multi-component gutter bracket for a cutter of Claim 1 further comprising a spacer attached to the gutter clip and dimensioned to space the rearward wall from the fascia to provide a water flow channel between the 15 rear wall and fascia.

3. The multi-component gutter bracket of 1, wherein the spacer is integrally formed with the clip. 20

4. The multi-component gutter bracket of Claims 2 or 3, wherein the clip comprises an anterior finger, a posterior finger, a bridge connecting the fingers, an intermediate tongue positioned between the fingers, the tongue dimensioned to space the rear wall from the fascia, a first slot defined by the anterior finger and the tongue, the first slot adapted to receive the rear wall 25 of the gutter, and a second slot defined by the tongue and posterior finger, the second slot adapted to locate over a fascia wherein the spacer is formed by the tongue.

5. The multi-component gutter bracket of any one of Claims 2 to 4, 30 wherein the fingers are resilient in order to clamp either one or both of the rear wall or fascia against the tongue and/or to be deformable for positioning relative to the fascia and gutter. 14

6. The multi-component gutter bracket of any one of Claims 2 to 5, wherein the tongue includes one or more teeth on either or both forward and rearward surfaces, the teeth adapted to enhance grip on either the rear wall or fascia. 5

7. The multi-component gutter bracket of any one of Claims 2 to 6, wherein the tongue includes one or more of: (A) extends downwardly from the bridge; (B) one or more transverse apertures; and 10 (C) one or more lateral recesses.

8. The multi-component gutter bracket of Claim 1, wherein the gutter clip comprises an anterior finger, a posterior finger, a bridge connecting the fingers, a single slot defined by the anterior finger and a posterior finger, the 15 single slot adapted to locate over a fascia and receive a rear wall of a gutter.

9. The multi-component gutter bracket of Claim 8, wherein the fingers are resilient in order to clamp the rear wall on a fascia and to be deformable for positioning relative to the fascia and gutter wall. 20

10. The multi-component gutter bracket of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anterior finger includes one or more teeth adapted to enhance grip on the rear wall and to allow adjustment of height of a top edge of the rear wall. 25

11. The multi-component gutter bracket of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support brace includes an arm adapted to extend forwardly, in operation, to engage and support an outer wall of the gutter. 30

12. The multi-component gutter bracket of Claim 11, wherein the arm terminates in a finger configured to locate in an outer upper lip of the gutter. 15

13. The multi-component gutter bracket of Claim 11 or 12, wherein the support brace includes a base located at an inner end of the arm.

14. The multi-component gutter bracket of Claim 13, wherein the rigid joint 5 is formed by a slot and rail assembly, the rail dimensioned to slide into and engage the slot, the slot and rail each on a respective one of the clip and the base.

15. The multi-component gutter bracket of Claim 14, wherein the base of 10 the support brace forms the rail.

16. The multi-component gutter bracket of Claim 14 or 15, wherein a slot is formed on a front surface of the anterior finger and corresponding rail on the base. 15

17. The multi-component gutter bracket of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the joint includes a recess and nib each on a respective one of the slot and rail, the nib dimensioned to locate into the recess and act as a stop and/or lock. 20

18. The multi-component gutter bracket of Claim 17, wherein the nib is formed to snap fit into the recess to thereby provide a resistance to removal of the rail from the slot. 25

19. The multi-component gutter bracket of any one of Claims 14 to 18, wherein the slot or rail includes a convex surface designed to increase friction between the components.

20. A method of mounting a gutter, the method comprising the steps of: 30 locating a clip onto or over a fascia; positioning a spacer on or adjacent an anterior surface of the fascia; positioning a rearward wall of a gutter adjacent the spacer, preferably 16 in the clip; engaging a finger of a support arm with an outside lip of the gutter; and sliding the support brace into engagement with the clip. 5

21. The method of Claim 20, wherein sliding the support brace into engagement with the clip includes sliding the support brace laterally so that a base and clip engage through a slot and rail assembly. 10

22. A multi-component gutter bracket substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 8.

23. A multi-component gutter bracket substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 9 and 10. 15