AU715438B2 - Gutter assembly - Google Patents

Description

P/00/0oII Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT n.e

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The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best Invention Title: GUTTER ASSEMBLY Applicant: NO-SWEAT GUTTERS PTY. LTD.

method of performing it known to me:

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2 GUTTER ASSEMBLY Field of the Invention The present invention relates to guttering and, more particularly, to a gutter assembly for installation on a building for collecting and channelling rainwater run-off from the building's roof, as well as a mounting bracket for a gutter member of that gutter assembly.

The gutter assembly and mounting bracket of this invention have particular application to domestic housing and it will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in this context. It is to be appreciated, however, that the gutter assembly and mounting bracket of the invention are not limited in application to domestic housing and that they may be used with a wide variety of buildings and structures.

Background As is well known, rain gutters are typically mounted to a fascia board or similar structural member at the eaves of a roof and extend around periphery thereof. In order to properly fulfil the function of collecting rainwater run-off from the roof and channelling that water away to a drain, the guttering needs to be maintained clear of leaves, twigs and other debris which tend to accumulate in the guttering from surrounding trees in the domestic environment. The problems associated with cleaning and maintaining rain gutters are also quite well known and perhaps the single biggest impediment in this regard is the problem of access. Access is a problem not only in relation to the guttering's somewhat remote location several meters above the ground, but also in relation 25 to access into the channel of the guttering itself which is often quite narrow and partially obstructed by the roofing. Since guttering tends to extend in substantial lengths, this access is also generally required along the guttering's whole 0 C length.

In recent years hinged or pivotally mounted gutter assemblies have been 30 developed to facilitate this cleaning and maintenance process. Many of these prior arrangements, however, are characterised by their complexity. The consequential drawbacks of these arrangements include a high initial cost S associated with installation, difficulty of operation, and component failures KW C:\My Documents\KATE\SPECI\gutter.doc rendering the systems either inoperable or of reduced benefit.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an improved gutter assembly which facilitates gutter cleaning and maintenance. It is a further aim of the invention to provide an improved mounting bracket forming part of that gutter assembly. At the same time it is also an aim of the invention to provide a gutter assembly and mounting bracket which are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, and which have a simple and reliable method of operation.

Summary of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a gutter assembly for collecting and channelling rainwater run-off from a roof structure, including: one or more elongate gutter members having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section defined by opposite upright portions interconnected by a base portion; and at least one mounting bracket for pivotably mounting the or each gutter member at the roof structure, each mounting bracket having an attachment part for attaching the bracket to the roof structure, a support part extending beneath the gutter member base portion to support the gutter member thereon in an inuse position collecting and channelling rainwater run-off, and a hinge connection for hingedly fastening the support part directly to the base portion intermediate the transverse extent of the gutter member base portion to enable the gutter member to pivot between the in-use position and a substantially inverted cleaning position, and to enable the gutter member to stably remain at 25 the in-use position by self-weight.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting bracket for pivotably mounting a gutter member for collecting and channelling rainwater run-off from a roof structure, the gutter member having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section defined by opposite upright 30 portions interconnected by a base portion, the mounting bracket including: an attachment part for attaching the bracket to the roof structure; KW C:\My DocumentsWKATE\SPECI\gutter.doc a support part for extending beneath the gutter member base portion to support the gutter member thereon in an in-use position collecting and channelling rainwater run-off; and, a hinge connection for hingedly fastening the support part directly to the base portion intermediate the transverse extent of the gutter member base portion to enable the gutter member to pivot between the in-use position and a substantially inverted cleaning position, and to enable the gutter member to stably remain at the in-use position by self-weight.

One of the major advantages of the gutter assembly and mounting bracket of the present invention is their simplicity of design, providing for quick and easy installation as well as simple operation. By having the gutter members fastened directly at the base portion, the invention is suitable for use with most gutter member section shapes, and fastening to the gutter member base portion is facilitated by ease of fastening tool access into the open channel of each gutter member.

Furthermore, according to the present invention each elongate gutter member is mounted in such a way that it is stable under its own weight when it is located in the in-use or channelling position. In this way the gutter assembly and mounting bracket of the present invention do away with the need for complicated clip or locking devices necessary in other pivotable gutter arrangements. The present gutter assembly and mounting bracket thus become simple to install as well as simple to operate. With the aid of a long too tool, such as a pole with a hook on its end, each gutter member can be pivoted 0* to too about its connection with the mounting means from ground level. The gutter 25 member pivots outwardly, away from the roof structure to a preferably substantially inverted position at which any leaves or other debris in the gutter are automatically discharged under the influence of gravity. In this position also the inside of the gutter channel is fully exposed for ready spraying or hosing (again from ground level) to remove any stubborn debris remaining inside.

30 Wiping or brushing of particularly resistant debris may also be effected from ground level with the aid of an accessory tool on a pole. When each gutter member is cleaned it can be readily pivoted back to its in-use position.

J RAIn at least one form of the invention the gutter assembly includes a -0 !KW C:\My Documents\KATE\SPEClgutter.doc plurality of elongate gutter members and the gutter members are provided in substantially straight lengths. Each elongate gutter member is also preferably closed at opposite ends thereof. Accordingly, each of the gutter members is desirably provided at its base portion with an outlet for fluid communication with a drain pipe. Thus, the outlet in the base portion may provide the only point of discharge for rainwater run-off flowing into the gutter member. The outlet naturally includes an aperture or opening in the base portion and also desirably includes a flow guide adapted to direct the water through the opening and into a drain pipe adjacent the gutter assembly. The adjacent drain pipe, or "downpipe" as it is commonly known, is typically of rectangular cross section. The flow guide is therefore also desirably formed with a complementary rectangular shape.

In one form of the invention the outlet of each gutter member is formed by cutting a plurality of intersecting slits in the base portion of the gutter member to create foldable tabs. As the gutter members are typically formed of sheet steel or aluminium the slits may be cut with a chisel, for example. The metal tabs are then folded downwardly to make the outlet opening and simultaneously form a flow guide for directing the water into the drain pipe. That is, the folded tabs form a flow guide which is integral with the gutter member at the outlet opening. The flow guide is adapted to be received in an open upper end of the adjacent drain pipe. In one particularly preferred form, the flow guide is created by making five slits in the gutter member base portion. Four of the slits constitute two shapes, which we arranged such that the apex of one 4* is spaced from and opposed to the other. The fifth slit joins or interconnects "25 the two apexes. The tabs formed from this slit arrangement can be folded down to give a generally rectangular flow guide configuration.

In an alternative form of the invention the flow guide includes a pipe stub which is adapted to be received in an open upper end of the drain pipe. An 4 upper end of the pipe stub may be formed with an outwardly directed flange for 30 seating against a peripheral region surrounding an aperture or opening at an 4o inner side of the gutter member base portion. The flange may be sealed around the periphery of the opening using known sealants, eg. silicone.

In at least one form of the invention each mounting bracket is formed in KW C:lMy Documents\KATE\SPECl~gutter.doc 6 an approximately right-angled L-shape. The upright attachment part of the bracket is configured for fastening at a fascia board or other structural member under the eaves of the roof. The lower support part of the bracket is arranged so as to project substantially horizontally outwardly from the fascia board beneath the base portion of a gutter member to support it in the in-use position.

In use, the support part is desirably hingedly fixed directly to the base portion of the gutter member such that the gutter member can pivot about the distal or free end of the support part.

In at least one form of the invention, the hinge connection has a fastening facility at which the base portion can be fastened and a pivot axis about which the gutter member can pivot. The pivot axis is spaced from the fastening facility so as to be disposed transversely outwardly thereof when the gutter member base portion is fastened to the support part and the gutter member is in the in-use position.

In one form of the invention, the hinge connection includes at least one hinge flange for fastening directly to the gutter member base portion. That hinge flange extends in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of the gutter member base portion when fastened thereto, in this form. Moreover, in one form, the hinge flange is hingedly connected to the support part for pivoting of the gutter member when fastened thereto.

In at least one form of the invention, the support part includes a pair of elongate support elements extending from the attachment part in spaced apart S- relation. The hinge connection extends between the support elements, in this Sform.

25 In one form, a single hinge flange is provided and is positioned between the support elements. In an alternative form, however, a pair of hinge flanges are provided and are positioned adjacent respective outer sides of the support elements.

In one form of the invention, the hinge connection includes one or more 30 hinge pins extending from the support elements and on which the or each hinge a.

flange is pivotably carried. In one form, a pair of hinge pins are provided. Each pin extends from a respective support element toward one another in co-axial KW C:\Ny Documents\KATE\SPECI\utter.doc alignment. In this form, the single hinge flange is pivotably mounted on those pins.

In at least one form of the invention the support part of the bracket supports each elongate gutter member across more than half the transverse extent of the gutter member base portion. Preferably, the bracket support part is pivotably hinged to the base portion at a position in the range of approximately two thirds to three quarters of the transverse extent of the base portion outwardly of the structure.

In at least one form of the invention, the attachment and support parts of the bracket are formed integral with one another from steel wire. The hinge pin(s) may also be formed from steel wire integral with the support parts. The hinge flange may also be metallic, eg. steel, and may be fastened to the base portion of the gutter member by any suitable means; for example, by riveting.

In at least one form of the invention the gutter assembly includes a gutter member which incorporates a corner. That is, the assembly includes a gutter member which is not simply straight but which has a bend or corner. This gutter member still desirably has an elongate and substantially straight extending length. However, it also has a relatively short length extending at an angle (for example, 90 degrees) thereby forming a continuous rainwater channel around a corner. This particular gutter member configuration is adapted for "internal" roof corners where planar expanses of roofing intersect at a roof valley. The corner gutter member is able to extend right into the "internal" roof corner to collect all the rainwater run-off from the roof valley. The long 0* 1 .length of the corner gutter member is mounted to the roof structure in the usual o- 25 way while the short length remains unmounted simply supported as a cantilevered extension. Another straight length of gutter member may then be mounted in end-to-end abutment with the short length which, as before, is closed at its end.

Brief Description of the Drawings 30 For assistance in arriving and understanding of the present invention, examples of the gutter assembly and mounting bracket of the invention are L illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters 7A designate like features. The preceding description of the gutter assembly and mounting bracket may be read with reference to those drawings. However, as the drawings illustrate examples only their particularity is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description. In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a gutter assembly according to one form of the present invention installed at a roof structure, with the gutter member shown in the in-use position (solid line) as well as during pivoting to the cleaning position (broken line); Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a gutter assembly as shown in Fig. 1, this time installed at a tiled roof structure and including additional flashing; Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a flashing element for the gutter assembly shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a bracket for a gutter assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a bracket for a gutter assembly according to another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a front view of the bracket shown in Fig. Fig. 7 is a side view of a gutter assembly showing the gutter member directly fastened to the hinge of a bracket member as shown in Fig. 4 or Fig. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of a bracket for a gutter assembly according to yet another embodiment of the invention; Figs. 9, 10 and 11 show the formation of a rectangular-shaped outlet in S. the base portion of a gutter member; a.

Figs. 12 and 13 show the formation of a hexagonal or generally round 25 outlet in a gutter member; Figs. 14 and 15 are perspective views showing alternative embodiments of the gutter assembly of the invention at an external corner of a roof structure; Fig. 16 is a perspective view of a rain head for an external corner of a gutter assembly according to the invention; 30 Fig. 17 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the gutter assembly of the invention at an internal corner of a roof structure; invention at an internal corner of a roof structure; KW C:AMy DocumentsW(ATE\SPECI\gutter.doc 8 Fig. 18 is a view of the gutter assembly of Fig. 17 in the direction of arrow B; Fig. 19 is a view of the gutter assembly of Fig. 17 in the direction of arrow A.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments of the Invention With reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings, the present invention provides a gutter assembly 1 for collecting and channelling rainwater run-off from a roof structure 10. The gutter assembly 1 typically includes a plurality of elongate gutter members 20 which together extend around a periphery of the roof structure 10 positioned adjacent and just below the actual roof decking 11.

Each gutter member 20 has a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section defined by opposite upright portions 21 interconnected by a substantially flat base portion 22. The gutter assembly 1 further includes mounting means in the form of a plurality of brackets 30 for pivotably mounting each gutter member e 15 at a fascia board 12 of the roof structure 10. That is, each gutter member 20 is mounted such that it is pivotable between an in-use channelling position for collecting and channelling the rainwater run-off from the roof decking 11 of the roof structure 10, and (ii) a substantially inverted cleaning position. The broken lines in Fig. 1 illustrate the gutter member 20 pivoting to this cleaning position.

a The gutter assembly 1 of the present invention is such that the pivotable mounting of the gutter member 20 is made by direct connection to the base portion 22 of each gutter member at a position intermediate the transverse extent of the base portion. Furthermore, each gutter member 20 is adapted to stably remain at the in-use position on the brackets 30 under its own weight.

Fig. 2 illustrates a similar gutter assembly 1 to that shown in Fig. 1.

However, in this case the roof decking 11 of the roof structure is tiled and the gutter assembly 1 incorporates a flashing strip 50. This flashing strip 50, which is shown in more detail in Fig. 3, extends parallel to the gutter members and is positioned between the roof tiles 11 and the fascia board 12. The flashing strip 50 may be formed from any suitable material, such as steel or aluminium.

Examples of brackets 30 for the gutter assembly of the invention are illustrated in Figs. 4 to 8. In general, each of these brackets is substantially FT C:\WINWORD\VIOLET\PHI\NODELEETE\GUTTER.DOC 9 L-shaped with an upright part 31 and a substantially horizontal, cantilevered support part 32 which is adapted to extend below and to be directly fastened to the base portion 22 of the gutter member 20. The bracket examples are shown in Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 include a metal wire (eg. steel wire) which has been bent or formed to provide the general right-angled or L-shaped configuration described above.

Referring to Fig. 4, the substantially vertical mounting part 31 of the bracket 30 includes a pair of upright wire elements 33 interconnected by a mounting clip 34 by means of which the bracket is attached to the fascia board 12 of the roof structure with a suitable fastening element, such as a screw The mounting clip 34 complements the wire elements 33 to provide height adjustability for the bracket. The substantially horizontal supporting part 32 of the bracket 30 includes a pair of parallel wire elements 36 which, at one end, are integral with and extend from the wire elements 33 of the upright part 31 S. 15 and which, at their opposite ends, are interconnected by a wire element 37.

The bracket 30 further includes a hinge strip 38 having a loop 39 by which the hinge strip is pivotably arranged on the wire element 37. The hinge strip 38 further includes holes 41 for use when the bracket is fastened to the base portion 22 of an associated gutter member.

a Bracket 30 shown in Fig. 5 is similar to that shown in Fig. 4. In this case, however, the free ends of the wire are in the substantially horizontal supporting part 32 of the bracket rather than the upright mounting part 31. Accordingly, the hinge strip 38 is pivotably arranged on the separate wire elements 37' arranged at the end of each of the support arm elements 36. The upright wire elements 33 are integrally joined at an apex and are formed in a loop 42 for receiving the fastening screw 35. The bracket 30 in this embodiment also includes a rigid sleeve 43 which slides over the wire elements 36 to prevent the support arms 36 from being moved apart.

As can be seen in Fig. 7, the gutter member 20 is directly fastened to the hinge strip 38 of the bracket 30 at a position intermediate the transverse extent of the base portion 22. A rivet 44 passes through one of the holes 41 in the hinge strip 38 and is fastened through the base portion 22 of the gutter member FT C:\WINWORD\VIOLETPPHIL4ODELETE\GUTTER.DOC at a position intermediate of the transverse extent of the base portion. The pivot axis for the pivotable mounting of the gutter member is coaxial with the wire element 37 around which the hinge strip loop 39 extends. Thus, in the inuse position, this pivot axis is located transversely outwardly of the pop-rivet fastening to the base portion 22. Preferably two pop-rivets are provided for each hinge strip 38 and each of the riveted connections is sealed against water leakage, for example with a silicon gel.

Fig. 8 of the drawings illustrates an alternative for the brackets 30 in the gutter assembly of the invention. In this embodiment, the upright mounting part 31 of the bracket is a plate element and the cantilevered supporting part 32 includes a pair of relatively rigid arm elements 36. At the end of the arm elements 36 distal from the mounting part 31 is a housing 45 enclosing an electric motor. The electric motor is arranged to rotatably drive (possibly via a gear system 46) at least one, and in this case two, eccentrically mounted hinge pins 47 around which extend bracket hinge strips 38. A cable connection 48 is S-provided for connecting the electric motor within the housing 45 to a power supply. Each of the gearboxes 46 may include clutch overload protection to operate rotate) the hinge pins 47 in forward and reverse directions at, for example, 2rpm on a switching command from a controller. The controller may optionally be a manual or automatic control device. Accordingly, the bracket arrangement in Fig. 8 allows the gutter assembly of the invention to be operated remotely.

Figs. 9 to 13 of the drawings illustrate the formation of an outlet 23 in each gutter member 20. Each outlet 23 is preferably formed by cutting slits 24 in the base portion 22. For example, cutting five slits 24 in a configuration as shown in Fig. 9 creates four tabs 25 which are foldable about the fold lines 26 (shown as broken lines). Referring now to Fig. 10, when the tabs 25 are folded downwardly a generally rectangular opening 27 is created through the base portion 22 and the folded tabs 25 themselves form a guide for directing flow of the rainwater in the gutter member into an adjacent drainage tube or pipe In addition, as shown in Fig. 11, a screen or mesh panel 28 may be provided across the outlet opening 27 to prevent larger objects such as leaves and twigs FT C:\WINWORD\VIOLETPHILXNODELETE\GUTTER.DOC 11 from becoming stuck in the drainage pipe and possibly causing a blockage.

The rectangular outlets 23 shown in Figs. 9 to 11 are designed for communication with the open upper end of drain pipes or "down-pipes" having a rectangular cross-section. Figs. 12 and 13 show the formation of an outlet 23 for communication with a round or circular cross-section drainage pipe.

The elongate gutter members 20 in the gutter assembly of the present invention are preferably provided in straight lengths and each length is desirably closed by an end wall 29 at opposite end regions thereof. At what is herein referred to as an "external" corner of a roof structure where two planar expanses of the roof decking 11 meet at a roof ridge 13) as shown in Fig. 14, the end walls 29 of each gutter member 20 may simply extend squarely transverse the longitudinal extent of the gutter member. The vacant square of space between the gutter members meeting at that corner may optionally be occupied or filled with an end block 65 screwed or bolted to the fascia board 12 15 of the roof structure. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 15, the gutter members may be provided with mitred end walls 29 so that the gutter members meet diagonally at the external corner. A further option (shown in broken lines in Fig.

is that the end walls 29 may be squarely transverse the longitudinal extent ror of the gutter members as before with a mitred portion 66 (optionally solid)

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simply provided for decorative appeal.

With each of the gutter members 20 being closed at its opposite ends, each gutter member therefore also requires an outlet 23. The gutter assembly system of the present invention will therefore typically require a greater number of downpipes as compared with standard non-pivotable guttering. Accordingly, downpipes 60 may be combined as shown in Fig. 15. Alternatively, a rainhead 61 may be provided on a single downpipe 60 as shown in Fig. 16 fastened with a metal strap 62 to a verandah post. The rainhead 61 includes two rainwater inlets 63, each adapted to receive a respective flow guide tabs 25) at the outlet 23 of the respective gutter members 20 meeting at that corner. The rainhead 61 is similarly designed to simplify the additional drainage requirements necessitated by the pivotable gutter assembly of the invention.

With reference now to Figs. 17 to 19, it will be appreciated that the gutter FT C:\WINWORD\VIOLET\PHIL\NODELETE\GUTTER.DOC 12 assembly of the invention may include a gutter member 20' which incorporates a corner; i.e. a gutter member which is not simply straight but which is angled to form a continuous rainwater channel around a corner. This particular gutter member 20' is adapted for so-called "internal" roof corners where planar expanses of roof decking 11 intersect at a roof valley 14. This angled gutter member 20' is able to extend right into the internal roof corner to collect all of the rainwater run-off from the roof valley 14. The angled gutter member 20' has an elongate and substantially straight length 70 combined with a relatively short length 71 which extends at an angle (typically 900) to form a continuous gutter channel through the corner. The elongate length 70 of the angled gutter member 20' is mounted at the roof structure using brackets 30 in the usual way.

o:o, The relatively short angled length 71 is not itself mounted on brackets therefore forms a cantilevered extension of the length 70. As can be more clearly seen in o. SW Fig. 18, the end wall 29' of the short length 71 is angled to complement the 15 angled end wall 29 of the adjacent gutter member 20. This angling of the end walls is to facilitate movement of the gutter member 20' from the in-use position to the inverted cleaning position. When cleaning the gutter members at an internal corner, the angled gutter member 20' is pivoted to the cleaning position first, followed by the adjacent gutter member 20. The short length 71 simply pivots with the main gutter member length 70 about its hinge connection with the brackets 30 in the usual way.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that assembly and installation of the guttering is simple and quick. Furthermore, the gutter assembly of the invention lends itself to use with gutter members of various different sizes and section shapes.

Accordingly, cleaning of the guttering becomes so simplified that it can be performed on a regular basis without having to access the guttering from a ladder or from the roof itself. That is, the guttering can be cleaned quickly and effectively from ground level. Because the guttering of the present invention can be readily maintained in a very clean condition, this guttering is particularly suitable for collecting and channelling rainwater run-off to a tank for subsequent domestic use. This will be a particularly relevant consideration in rural areas FT C:\WINWORD\VIOLET\PHILNODELETE\GUTTER.DOC 13 where rainfall is relied upon to at least partially provide the domestic water supply.

Another advantage of the present invention is that during the hot summer months which are a period of low rainfall the gutter members can be left in the cleaning position to prevent accumulation of any combustible debris such as dry leaves and twigs around the roof line of the house. Again, this will be a particularly important consideration in rural areas where bushfires represent a significant summertime threat.

Furthermore, it should be appreciated that various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be introduced into the construction and arrangement of the parts previously described without departing from the spirit ^or ambit of the present invention.

a. a FT CAkWINWORDVIOLET\PHIL\NODELETE\GUTTER.DOC

Claims (34)

1. A gutter assembly for collecting and channelling rainwater run-off from a roof structure, including: one or more elongate gutter members having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section defined by opposite upright portions interconnected by a base portion; and at least one mounting bracket for pivotably mounting the or each gutter member at the roof structure, each mounting bracket having an attachment part for attaching the bracket to the roof structure, a support part extending beneath the gutter member base portion to support the gutter member thereon in an in- use position collecting and channelling rainwater run-off, and a hinge connection for hingedly fastening the support part directly to the base portion intermediate the transverse extent of the gutter member base portion to enable the gutter member to pivot between the in-use position and a substantially inverted cleaning position, and to enable the gutter member to stably remain at the in-use position by self-weight.

2. A gutter assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of mounting brackets are provided in spaced apart positions along the length of the or each elongate gutter member.

3. A gutter assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each hinge connection has a fastening facility at which the base portion is fastened and a pivot axis about which the gutter member can pivot, the pivot axis being spaced from the fastening facility so as to be disposed transversely outwardly thereof S, when the gutter member is in the in-use position. 25

4. A gutter assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the or each hinge connection includes at least one hinge flange fastened directly to the gutter member base portion.

A gutter assembly as claimed in claim 4 wherein the or each hinge flange extends in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of the gutter member 30 base portion.

6. A gutter assembly as claimed in claim 4 or 5, wherein the or each hinge flange is hingedly connected to the support part for pivoting of the gutter T 41 member. S KW C:\My DoumentsKATE\SPECgutter.doc

7. A gutter assembly as claimed in claim 3 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the fastening facility includes at least one fastening hole and a fastener received in the hole.

8. A gutter assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the fastener is a rivet riveting the hinge connection to the base portion.

9. A gutter assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the support part includes a pair of elongate support elements extending from the attachment part in spaced apart relation, and the hinge connection extends between the support elements.

10. A gutter assembly as claimed in claim 9 when appended to claim 4 or any claim appended thereto, wherein a single hinge flange is positioned between the support elements.

11. A gutter assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein a pair of hinge flanges are provided and are positioned adjacent respective outer sides of the support elements.

12. A gutter assembly as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 11 when appended to claim 4 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the hinge connection includes one or more hinge pins extending from the support elements and on which the or each hinge flange is pivotably carried.

13. A gutter assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one gutter member includes an outlet formed in the base portion thereof for fluid communication with a drain pipe, the outlet including an aperture or opening for passage therethrough of water out of the gutter member, and flow :guide means adapted to direct water passing through the outlet opening into a 25 drain pipe adjacent the outlet, wherein the flow guide means integrally formed with the gutter member base portion.

14. A gutter assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein the flow guide means includes tabs of material cut and folded from the base portion of the gutter a member. 30

15. A gutter assembly as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one gutter member include an angle or corner portion forming a continuous rain water channel around a corner, the gutter member including an elongate and Ssubstantially straight primary length and a relatively short, angled secondary KW CAMy Documents\KATE\SPECI~gutter.doc 16 length; and wherein the base portion of the primary gutter member length is directly fastened to the mounting means to provide a pivot axis for the gutter member substantially parallel to the primary length.

16. A mounting bracket for pivotably mounting a gutter member for collecting and channelling rainwater run-off from a roof structure, the gutter member having a generally U-shaped transverse cross-section defined by opposite upright portions interconnected by a base portion, the mounting bracket including: an attachment part for attaching the bracket to the roof structure; a support part for extending beneath the gutter member base portion to support the gutter member thereon in an in-use position collecting and channelling rainwater run-off; and, a hinge connection for hingedly fastening the support part directly to the base portion intermediate the transverse extent of the gutter member base portion to enable the gutter member to pivot between the in-use position and a substantially inverted cleaning position, and to enable the gutter member to stably remain at the in-use position by self-weight.

17. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 16, wherein the hinge connection has a fastening facility at which the base portion can be fastened and a pivot axis about which the gutter member can pivot, the pivot axis being spaced from the fastening facility so as to be disposed transversely outwardly thereof when 9**W l •the gutter member base portion is fastened to the support part and the gutter member is in the in-use position.

18. A mounting bracket as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the *o 25 hinge connection includes at least one hinge flange for fastening directly to the gutter member base portion.

19. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 18, wherein the hinge flange extends in a plane substantially parallel to a plane of the gutter member base S portion when fastened thereto. 30

20. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 18 or 19, wherein the hinge flange is hingedly connected to the support part for pivoting of the gutter member when fastened thereto. KW C:\My Documents\(ATE\SPECh\gutter.doc 17

21. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 17 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the fastening facility includes at least one fastening hole for receiving a fastener.

22. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 17 or any claim appended thereto wherein fastening facility enables fastening of the flange to the base portion by riveting.

23. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 22, wherein the support part includes a pair of elongate support elements extending from the attachment part in spaced apart relation, and the hinge connection extends between the support elements.

24. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 23 when appended to claim 18 or any claim appended thereto, wherein a single hinge flange is provided and is positioned between the support elements.

A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 23 when appended to claim 18 or any claim appended thereto, wherein a pair of hinge flanges are provided and are positioned adjacent respective outer sides of the support elements.

26. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 25 when appended to claim 18 or any claim appended thereto, wherein the hinge connection includes one or more hinge pins extending from the support elements and on which the or each hinge flange is pivotably carried.

27. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 26 when appended to claim 24, L •wherein a pair of hinge pins are provided, each pin extending from a respective support element toward one another in co-axial alignment and on which the single hinge flange is pivotably mounted. i: 25

28. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 27, wherein each support element and respective hinge pin is formed integral with one another of wire. o0:o

29. A mounting bracket as claimed in, any one of claims 23 to 28, wherein s the attachment part includes a pair of upright elongate attachment elements, each support element extending from a respective attachment element.

30. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 29, wherein the attachment a. elements and support elements are formed integral with one another, and the attachment elements are integrally connected together remote from the support elements. KW C:\My Documents'KATE\SPECIgutter.doc 18

31. A mounting bracket as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 30, and further including a sleeve extending between and fitted to the support elements to retain the support elements in their spaced relation.

32. A mounting bracket as claimed in claim 31, wherein the sleeve is slidably fitted onto the support elements.

33. A gutter assembly for collecting and channelling rainwater run-off from a roof structure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

34. A mounting bracket for pivotably mounting a gutter member for collecting and channelling rainwater run-off from a roof structure, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. DATED: 17 November 1999 PHILLIPS ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: NO-SWEAT GUTTERS PTY. LTD. O *0 c S 0 •o KW C:My Documents\KATE\SPECI\gutter.doc