WO2008083444A1

WO2008083444A1 - Gutter support and mounting assembly

Info

Publication number: WO2008083444A1
Application number: PCT/AU2008/000028
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian John Higgins; Brian John Higgins
Original assignee: Guttering no Brackets Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Guttering no Brackets Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2007-01-11
Filing date: 2008-01-11
Publication date: 2008-07-17
Anticipated expiration: 2009-07-11
Also published as: AU2008204733A1; AU2008204733C1; NZ578366A; NZ601614A; AU2008204733B2

Abstract

Disclosed is a support rod for a channel-shaped gutter for a building. The rod comprises a first end that is adapted for mounting at or adjacent to the building, and a second opposite end that is adapted for engaging and supporting an outer portion of the gutter when the gutter is positioned at the building. Also disclosed are systems and methods for supporting and mounting a gutter at a building.

Description

GUTTER SUPPORT AND MOUNTING ASSEMBLY

Technical Field

Disclosed is a support component for a gutter used with buildings and the like, 5 and an associated guttering assembly, mounting method and system. Also described is a mounting assembly for a gutter.

Background Art

Channel-shaped guttering can be relatively time consuming to mount to ao building. To address this, WO 2004/092509 discloses a mounting strip for channel- shaped guttering (the strip is referred to as a "strip" in WO 2004/092509). The mounting strip of WO 2004/092509, the contents of which are herein incorporated by cross-reference, can improve installation efficiency in that it can enable the rapid configuring of a fall line without requiring the use of a string line. This can then ensure5 that water in the guttering is properly directed at a desired fall angle to a down pipe. Channel-shaped guttering is typically cantilever mounted to a fascia located adjacent to and under a building roof. Prior to the mounting strip of WO 2004/092509, to support channel-shaped guttering and to maintain the channel shape/structure a series of separately spaced support strips have been employed. Support strips in the form of o straps are known that are either externally or internally mounted with respect to a gutter body. In either case, a proximal portion of each such strap must be screwed or nailed to a suitable support of the building (usually the fascia). This in itself can be time consuming and, once a roof has been installed, access to this proximal portion of the strap can be quite difficult. 5 In some more recent forms of guttering, the outer side of the gutter is arranged to be higher than the inner side of the gutter which is adjacent the building. Whilst these "high front" gutters are often preferred as they are more aesthetically pleasing as they effectively conceal the fixing arrangement, they do present problems in that if the gutter is blocked there is a tendency for water to overflow on the inner side of the gutter o and flow into the building. Summary of the Disclosure

According to a first aspect there is disclosed a support rod for a channel-shaped gutter for a building, the rod comprising a first end that is adapted for mounting at or adjacent to the building, and a second opposite end that is adapted for engaging and supporting an outer portion of the gutter when the gutter is positioned at the building. The employment of a rod, as opposed to straps, to support an outer portion of the gutter when the gutter is positioned at the building can help to facilitate the use of a simple and expedient gutter-to-building mounting mechanism (such as that disclosed in WO 2004/092509). In addition, such a rod can be simply fabricated and can then beo easily manipulated in use. The use of a rod can also allow for its easy detachment after installation (eg. for gutter cleaning, servicing, maintenance etc).

According to a second aspect there is disclosed an elongate support for a channel-shaped gutter for a building, the support comprising a first end that is adapted for self-securing at or adjacent to the building without the use of an additional fastener,5 and a second opposite end that is adapted for engaging and supporting an outer portion of the gutter when the gutter is positioned at the building.

The elongate support of the second aspect can again take the form of a rod, although a bar, tube etc might instead be used. In any case, the support can be self- secured at or adjacent to the building without requiring the use of an additional, o separate fastener (such as screws, nails, adhesive etc). This can again result in the simple and expedient supporting of a gutter, and can allow for easy rod detachment after installation.

When, for example, such a rod is employed with a rapid gutter-to-building mounting mechanism (such as that disclosed in WO 2004/092509) a guttering 5 assembly, and mounting method and system, can be provided that offer substantial installation efficiencies and expediencies over existing gutter mounting straps.

In one form the rod first end can be adapted for self-securing location at a structure located at or adjacent to the building. For example, the rod first end can be inserted through an aperture defined in the structure and, once inserted, can be o interferingly retained within the structure. In this regard, such an aperture can be provided in one of a gutter mounting strip or snap clip, a fascia forming part of the building, or in the gutter itself. In any case, to adapt the rod first end and render it suitable for eg. self-secure mounting, a free end of the rod can be bent to define a type of tight loop configuration that projects laterally from a remainder of the rod. In this regard, a free end portion of the rod can be bent back to closely face an adjacent part of the rod, and the adjacent part can project laterally from the rod remainder. This configuration can then adapt the rod first end for mounting without requiring the use of a separate fastener.

For example, when the channel-shaped gutter is mounted to the building via an elongate mounting strip (such as that disclosed in WO 2004/092509) the rod first end can be adapted for location at the strip after having been passed through an aperture defined in this strip. Once inserted, the rod first end can be manoeuvred so as to be interferingly retained behind a portion of the strip.

Such interfering retention can occur, for example, by way of frictional interference, or the rod first end can be push-fitted up into a retained position. It may alternatively occur by an interlocking of the rod first end with the strip. Also, it may rather be that a region defined behind the strip for accommodating the rod first end is spacious with respect to an external dimension of the rod first end and yet, because of the position the rod first end assumes once inserted, it can still be interferingly (and self-securingly) retained by the strip portion (eg. located behind an outer wall portion thereof). To facilitate both gutter and rod retention, the mounting strip can comprise both an attachment section which is attachable to the building and a gutter mounting section in which a series of spaced apertures are defined. Each aperture may then receive therethrough a respective rod first end. Once a gutter inner wall has been retained between the attachment and gutter mounting sections, each rod first end can thereafter be interferingly retained (eg. by being moved or pushed up) between inwardly facing walls of each of the gutter and gutter mounting section. Advantageously, the gutter mounting section apertures can also enable access to the attachment section to initially allow the strip to be fastened to the building (eg. by way of a separate fastener such as a screw, nail etc). In other words, the apertures can provide a dual function. To adapt the rod second end for engaging and supporting an outer portion of the gutter, an opposing free end portion of the rod can also be bent, however, in this case may be bent to define more of an open loop configuration thereat. Then, when the channel-shaped gutter is of a type comprising a bent back lip at an in-use distal edge thereof, the rod second end may accordingly be shaped so that it can be interferingly retained within and under this lip. The bending of the second free end of the rod can be adjusted and varied to accommodate different bent back lip configurations of differing 5 channel-shaped gutters.

In the case where a gutter mounting strip (as referred to above) is employed to mount the gutter to a building (eg. where the strip is mounted to a fascia located adjacent to a roof of the building) a strip can be employed that has a generally U-shaped end profile (eg. to allow the strip to be formed by rolling, extrusion and/or bending ofo eg. a single sheet or plate of metal material). One stem of the U-shape can define the attachment section and the other stem can define the gutter mounting section. The space between the sections can then define a strip channel into which an in-use internal wall of the gutter can be received for mounting the gutter to the building. The apertures in the gutter mounting section can thus open onto this channel so that, after a rod first ends has been passed through a respective aperture, it can then be manoeuvred to be located in the channel for self-securing retention between the gutter mounting section and the gutter internal wall.

To aid with retention of the gutter internal wall in the mounting strip, projections can be defined on the gutter mounting section which extend into the strip o channel. These projections can be adapted for engaging an elongate ridge defined along the gutter internal wall when the internal wall is received in the strip channel, thereby retaining the internal wall in the strip channel.

When the channel-shaped gutter is mounted to the building other than via an elongate mounting strip (such as that disclosed in WO 2004/092509) the building5 and/or the gutter and/or a gutter snap clip may be modified to enable the rod first end to be self-secured at or adjacent to the building (ie. but still without requiring the use of an additional, separate fastener).

In this regard, the rod first end may be located adjacent to the gutter internal wall, for example, by being inserted through a hole defined in a fascia of the building, o or defined in a hole of the snap clip, which hole is then located adjacent to the gutter internal wall when mounted at the fascia. Once inserted through this hole the rod first end may be manoeuvred so as to be interferingly retained behind a fascia wall portion located adjacent to this hole. In one embodiment the rod can be configured in use to bend up and over the gutter internal wall to then enable the rod first end to remain inserted through the fascia hole.

Alternatively the rod first end may be adapted for location behind the gutter internal wall, for example, by being inserted through an aperture defined in the internal wall. Once inserted through this aperture the rod first end may be manoeuvred so as to be interferingly retained behind a portion of the internal wall that is adjacent to the aperture.

The support rod can also be bent intermediate its first and second ends such that, in use and when the rod is mounted to the gutter, a roof of the building that overhangs and extends partially into the gutter can be accommodated by the intermediate bend.

According to a third aspect there is disclosed a system for supporting a channel- shaped gutter at a building, the system comprising:

- a mounting element for attachment at the building, the mounting element being further adapted for receiving and mounting the gutter thereat; and

- an elongate support comprising a first end that is adapted for self-securing at or adjacent to the mounting element, and a second opposite end that is adapted for engaging and supporting an outer portion of the gutter when the gutter is mounted at the mounting element. In the third aspect the mounting element can be constituted by the strip, and the elongate support can be constituted by the support rod, as defined above in the first and second aspects.

According to a fourth aspect there is disclosed a gutter assembly comprising:

- a channel-shaped gutter; - a mounting element for attachment at a building, the mounting element receiving and mounting the gutter thereat; and

- an elongate support comprising a first end that self-secures at or adjacent to the mounting element, and a second opposite end that engages and supports an outer portion of the gutter that is mounted at the mounting element. Again, in the fourth aspect the mounting element can be constituted by the strip, the elongate support can be constituted by the support rod, and the gutter can be as defined, as in the first and second aspects above. According to a fifth aspect there is disclosed a method for mounting a channel- shaped gutter at a building, the method comprising the steps of:

- attaching a mounting element at the building, the mounting element being further adapted for receiving and mounting the gutter thereat;

5 - mounting the gutter to the mounting element; and

- positioning a first end of an elongate support with respect to the mounting element and a second opposite end of the support with respect to an outer portion of the gutter, such that the elongate support extends to the gutter outer portion to support it with respect to the building. o In the method of the fifth aspect the support first end can be positioned for retention between an in-use inner wall of the gutter and the mounting element, and the support second end can be positioned for engagement with a free edge of the gutter outer portion.

Again, in the method of the fifth aspect the mounting element can be defined by5 the strip, the elongate support can be defined by the support rod, and the gutter can be as defined, as in the first and second aspects above.

According to a sixth aspect there is disclosed a mounting assembly for a gutter, the mounting assembly comprising a support assembly to support the gutter on an upright surface of a building, and spacers, the spacers being arranged to locate between o the in-use inner side of the gutter and the upright surface to provide an overflow gap between the upright surface and the gutter.

According to the sixth aspect there is provided an improved mounting assembly for a gutter which incorporates one or more overflow gaps (which can be referred to as "weir gaps") so as to allow water to overflow over the inner edge of a gutter thereby 5 minimising the risk of water penetration in the building. As will be appreciated, the mounting assembly may, in some embodiments, be configured to provide overflow gaps that extend for a majority of the length of the gutter. Such an arrangement is ideally suited to high front gutters which are susceptible to overflow over that inner edge. o The mounting assembly of the sixth aspect is suitable for use in conventional gutter mounting arrangements which incorporate separate support brackets. However the assembly has been developed and is ideally suited to the strip type guttering mounting arrangements disclosed in WO 2004/092509.

Whilst the spacers may be directly connected between the upright surface and the in-use inner side of the gutter, in a preferred form the spacers are disposed between the support assembly and the upright surface.

In one form the spacers are formed separately to the support assembly. Whilst conceivably the spacers may be integrally formed as part of the gutter or support assembly, for manufacturing convenience it has been desirable to manufacture the spacers separately. The spacers may be in the form of discrete blocks which are typically made from plastic but it is to be appreciated that they could be made from any other suitable material such as metal or the like.

In a particular arrangement where the spacers are formed separately, the mechanical fasteners which are used to fix the support assembly to the upright surface may also be used to extend through the spacers. This provides a convenient arrangement wherein the mechanical fasteners, which are typically tech-screws or the like, can be used to secure both the support assembly and the spacers thereby obviating the need for additional fasteners.

In a particular embodiment, the spacers incorporate a retaining portion arranged to mount a spacer to one of either the support assembly or the upright surface. In one arrangement where the support assembly is in the form of an "elongate strip", the spacers are adapted to receive an edge of that strip so as to enable them to be retained on the strip. This is beneficial as it may facilitate installation of the support assembly.

In another form, the retaining portions of the spacers may be shaped so that they can be located over a fascia or the like which constitutes the upright surface on which the gutter is mounted. In this form, the retaining portions may be in the form of a hook which locates over the upper edge of the fascia. Again, having the facility to be able to retain the spacers in place can simplify the installation of the mounting assembly. This latter form of spacer is ideally suited to be used with more conventional mounting assemblies for brackets that incorporate separate support brackets. In a particular form, the spacer provides an additional function to assist in guiding of the gutter into its correct location onto the support assembly. Again such an arrangement is ideally suited for use in the strip type support assemblies disclosed in WO 2004/092509 in which the gutter can be located in a recess formed between the legs of a U-shaped portion of the support strip.

In a seventh aspect, a spacer is disclosed for a mounting assembly according to any form of the sixth aspect described above.

5

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms that may fall within the definition of the support rod or gutter system, assembly or mounting method as set forth in the Summary, a number of specific embodiments of the support rod, system, assembly and o method will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a support rod;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of the support rod of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows an in-use plan view of the support rod of Figure 1 when 5 mounted to extend between a gutter mounting strip and channel-shaped gutter assembly;

Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a gutter mounting strip to which the support rod of Figure 1 and gutter of Figure 3 can be attached;

Figure 5 shows a schematic end view of the strip of Figure 4 mounted to a o fascia, and assembled with a channel-shaped gutter and the support rod of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 A shows a schematic end view of the strip of Figure 4 mounted to a fascia, and assembled with an alternative channel-shaped gutter and an alternative embodiment of a support rod;

Figure 6 shows a perspective view of an alternative channel-shaped gutter with a 5 second support rod embodiment mounted thereto;

Figure 7 shows a schematic end view of the strip of Figure 4 mounted to a fascia, and assembled with a channel-shaped gutter and a third support rod embodiment;

Figures 8 A and 8B show in perspective view a gutter mounting snap clip (Figure o 8A) and a roll-formed steel facia (Figure 8B); Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the channel-shaped gutter of Figure 6 mounted to the fascia of Figure 8B via the snap clip of Figure 8 A, and with a fourth support rod embodiment then mounted thereto;

Figure 10 is a schematic isometric illustration of a support assembly for use in a gutter mounting assembly according to a first embodiment of the sixth aspect;

Figure 11 is a side elevation of a spacer for use in the mounting assembly according to the first embodiment of the sixth aspect;

Figure 12 is a front elevation of the spacer of Figure 11 ;

Figure 13 is a side elevation of the mounting assembly according to the first embodiment of the sixth aspect when fixed to an upright surface of a building;

Figure 14 illustrates a gutter mounted to the mounting assembly of Figure 13; and

Figure 15 illustrates a side elevation of a gutter installed on a gutter mounting assembly according to a second embodiment of the sixth aspect.

Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, an elongate support rod for supporting and maintaining a channel-shaped gutter in its cantilever mounting to a fascia is shown in the form of a gutter support rod 10. The rod 10 is typically formed of a rigid/stiff but bendable metal (eg. a doubly galvanised mild steel) and comprises a first end 12 that is shaped so that it can self-securingly locate at or adjacent to the fascia without requiring the use of an additional, separate fastener (such as screws, nails, adhesive etc). The rod 10 further comprises a second opposite end 14 that is adapted for engaging and supporting an outer portion of the gutter to support and maintain its channel-shape when cantilever mounted to the fascia.

The rod 10 is bent at 16, a location intermediate the first and second ends 12, 14. When the rod is mounted to the gutter this bend enables a typical overhanging and protruding roof portion R (see dotted outline in Figure 5) to be accommodated.

The rod 10 is typically employed with a gutter-to-building elongate mounting strip (such as disclosed in WO 2004/092509). When so employed, a guttering assembly, together with an installation method and system, can be provided that offer substantial installation efficiencies and expediencies over existing gutter mounting strap mechanisms. This is because the guttering assembly is, in effect, modularised, and also a minimal use of separate and time-consuming fasteners is required, as will be come apparent from the following description.

As described hereafter, the rod first end 12 can be self-securingly mounted at one of a gutter mounting strip, a fascia located at the building, or the gutter itself. To render the rod first end suitable for such mounting, a free end portion 18 of the rod 10 is bent back to closely face an adjacent part 20 of the rod, to thereby define a type of tight loop configuration at the first end. Rod adjacent part 20 is in turn bent so as to laterally project from a remainder 22 of the rod. As described hereafter, this configuration helpso to adapt the rod first end 12 for self-securing mounting to one of the gutter mounting strip, fascia, or gutter and without requiring the use of a separate fastener. In an alternative embodiment (shown in Figure 5A), the rod (referred to as rod 86 in Figure 5A) may not include the free end portion 18 and the rod first end (referred to as first end 88 in Figure 5A) may be self-securingly mounted via a means that does not require a5 tight loop configuration at the first end.

To render the rod second end 14 suitable for engaging and supporting an outer portion of the gutter, a free end portion 24 of the rod 10 is bent around to define an open loop structure 26 thereat. As described hereafter, the open loop structure is shaped so that it can be retained within and under a bent back lip of a channel-shaped gutter that o comprises such a lip at a distal edge thereof. Of course, the bending of the free end portion 24 can be adjusted and varied to accommodate different bent back lip configurations of differing channel-shaped gutters (see the differences in eg. Figures 5 and 6). In alternative embodiment, to simplify manufacture, the free end portion 24 of the rod 10 may be bent around to define an open loop structure thereat, but with the 5 portion 24 further comprising a return portion which extends back along the rod 10 towards bend 16.

Referring now to Figures 3 to 5 there is shown a mounting strip 30 for mounting a channel-shaped gutter 50 in a cantilevered manner to a fascia F of a building. The gutter 50 has an internal wall 52 for location in the strip 30, with an elongate mounting o ridge 54 being formed along the wall 52 to facilitate gutter retention in the strip 30.

The mounting strip 30 includes an elongated body 32 having a general U-shape in end profile. This U-shape defines an attachment section 34 that can be screwed, nailed, adhered or otherwise fastened to the fascia F (see Figure 5) or to other suitable parts of the building (such as a wall, rafter etc). The U-shape also defines a gutter mounting section 36.

The U-shape results in a spacing apart of the attachment section 34 and gutter mounting section 36, as connected by land 37, thereby defining a channel 38 between the sections that is adapted to receive a part of the gutter internal wall 52 therein when mounting the gutter to the strip. A free end 40 of gutter mounting section 36 is flared out to provide a lead-in guide when mounting the gutter to the strip. In alternative forms, free end 40 can be crimped or knurled. The gutter mounting section 36 comprises a number of spaced projections 42 arranged along its length and each extending into channel 38. The projections are tab- like elements typically pressed or punched into the gutter mounting section, and can be pre-formed or aligned to provide a given/required fall when the gutter is in its installed position. Because the projections 42 extend into the channel 38 they are adapted to interfere with the mounting ridge 54 on gutter internal wall 52 to retain the gutter in the installed position (as shown in Figure 5). In this regard, during gutter wall insertion into channel 38, the angle of projection extension into channel 38 is such as to allow the ridge 54 to ride past and deflect each projection until the gutter has been moved therepast and into an installed position, whereupon the projections deflect back and are disposed under the ridge as shown. This then inhibits removal of gutter wall 52 from the channel 38. The channel depth is also predetermined such that an upper free end 56 of gutter wall 52 sits adjacent to the underside of land 37, this arrangement reducing or eliminating gutter uplift. As can be seen in Figure 5 A, other types of gutter 80 have a folded edge 84 which extends along the length of the inner wall 82 of the gutter 80. Once inserted into the channel 38 (in a similar manner to that described above), gutter 80 is retained in an installed position because folded edge 84 interacts with the projections 42 (or, as shown, with the projections 42 and a first end 88 of a support rod 86, as will be described below).

A number of spaced access apertures 46 are also defined along the gutter mounting section 36. These apertures provide a two-fold function in the strip 30. Initially, they allow access to the attachment section 34 when it is being attached to the fascia F. In this regard, the attachment section 34 can be accessed to drive a screw, nail etc therethrough and into the fascia to fasten section 34 thereto. However, conveniently they also subsequently provide a region through which the rod first end 12 can be inserted for self-securing location within the channel 38 (as shown in Figure 5).

To enable water to escape from the channel 38 a bleed hole 48 can be defined below each aperture 46. However, it will be appreciated that in some configurations, water may be able to drain directly out of the channel 38 and bleed holes would not necessarily be required. Thus, once the gutter 50 has been mounted in the strip 30 (ie. to be located in its installed position) the rod first end 12 is then inserted through a respective aperture 46 and is manoeuvred so as to be interferingly retained behind a portion 49 of the mounting section 36 adjacent to the land 37. It will also be seen in Figure 5 that the rod first end 12 sits snugly within a region of the channel located between the mounting section 36 and gutter wall 52, above the ridge 54 and below the land 37, thereby enhancing rod first end retention in the strip.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in Figure 5 A, once the gutter 80 has been mounted in the strip 30, the first end 88 of support rod 86 is then inserted through a respective aperture 46 and is manoeuvred so as to be retained between the folded edge 84 and the projection 42. As will be appreciated, the first end 88 of rod 86 does not require a tight loop configuration to be self-secured to the strip 30.

In summary, the interfering retention of the rod first end 12 (or 88) can occur by way of a frictional interference, or the rod first end can be push-fitted up into this region. In a further alternative, the interfering retention can occur by way of an interlocking between the rod first end 12 and the strip 30. Also, it may be that the channel region located between the mounting section 36 and gutter wall 52 is more spacious with respect to an external dimension of the rod first end 12 and yet, because of the position first end 12 assumes once inserted, it can still be interferingly (and self- securingly) retained behind the strip portion 49. The described arrangement for retaining the rod in the strip can allow for easy rod detachment after installation (eg. for servicing, cleaning etc) and provides a simple and expedient way of supporting and maintaining the gutter structure in its cantilevered mounting to the strip.

In this regard, it will be seen that the rod second end 14 is adapted for engaging and supporting an outer lip portion 60 of the gutter 50. In a configuration employed in a 5 number of channel shaped gutters, the outer lip portion 60 is bent back inwardly at a distal edge 62 of the gutter 50 to safely dispose the often sharp edge 62 within the gutter channel. The open loop configuration at the rod second end 14 is shaped so that it can be interferingly retained within and under the Hp portion 60, as shown in each of Figures 5 to 7. It will also be seen that the rod second end 14' in Figure 6 has been o adjusted/varied to accommodate the different bent back lip configuration of that channel-shaped gutter.

The channel-shaped gutter can be mounted to a building fascia other than via an elongate mounting strip (such as that employed in Figures 3to 5). In this case (or even where such a strip is employed) the fascia and/or the gutter can be modified to enable5 the rod first end to be self-secured at or adjacent to the building, but still without requiring the use of an additional, separate fastener.

For example, and referring now to the rod embodiment 10' of Figure 6 (where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts) the rod first end 12' is in this embodiment shaped for location behind the gutter internal wall 52'. In this o embodiment the rod first end 12' is inserted through a small, close-fitting aperture 80 defined adjacent to the upper edge of the gutter internal wall 52'. Once inserted through this aperture the rod first end is manoeuvred so as to be interferingly retained behind an adjacent portion 82 of the wall 52'. Its second end 14' can then be located under the modified Hp portion 60'. 5 By way of further example, and referring now to the rod embodiment 10" of

Figure 7 (where like reference numerals are used to denote similar or like parts) it will be seen that the rod first end 12" has now been quite differently shaped to enable it to be positioned in relation to a building at a location that is spaced away from the gutter internal wall. A hole H defined in the fascia F is sized such that the first end 12" has to 0 be manoeuvred (eg. tilted) to then just pass through the hole.

It will be seen in this embodiment that, adjacent to the first end 12", the rod is bent alternatingly four times at 90, 91, 92 and 93. This configuration enables the rod to sit and be supported on top of the land 37 of strip 30 thereby, in effect, bending up and over the gutter internal wall. Once the rod first end 12" has been inserted through the hole H it sits up so as to be interferingly retained behind a fascia wall portion Fl located adjacent to the hole. Again, the rod second end 14" can then be located under the lip portion 60.

Something like the rod configuration of Figure 7 can be used when an elongate strip 30 is not used to mount the gutter to the building. Alternatively, if a strip is used that does not include apertures like 46 then the rod configuration of Figure 7 can be employed. o By way of further example, and referring now to the rod embodiment 10'" of

Figure 9 (where like reference numerals are again used to denote similar or like parts) the rod first end is in this embodiment shaped for location behind a snap clip (spring clip) 100 (Figure 8A) used for mounting the gutter 50' of Figure 6 to a roll-formed steel facia 110 (Figure 8B). 5 The rod first end in rod 10'" may be adapted for insertion through a pre-existing hole 102 of the snap clip 100, in which case the snap clip can be employed unmodified. Alternatively, the snap clip can be modified to accommodate the rod first end, for example, by re-sizing the hole 102 and/or by optionally forming a groove in the rear of the clip and into which a laterally projecting part of the rod first end can be received. In o either case, in this embodiment the rod first end is interferingly retained in and by the snap clip. Rod second end 14'" can again be located under to support the lip portion 60'.

As mentioned above, the various rods described, especially when employed with a rapid gutter-to-building elongate mounting strip, can provide a guttering assembly,5 method and system that offer substantial installation efficiencies and expediencies over existing gutter mounting straps.

The various rods described can be formed from eg. a rigid, doubly galvanised mild steel wire having a thickness of around 4mm. Alternatively, a rigid stainless steel wire can be employed. Also, whilst for simplicity of manufacture and use a rod is ideal, o bar or tube etc of similar dimension can instead be used.

Also, whilst the retention of the rod first has been described as occurring either by way of a frictional-type interference (Figure 5), or by a barrier (Figures 6 and 7) it may alternatively occur by an interlocking of the rod first end with a pre-formed fixture on the strip (or otherwise associated with the fascia or gutter itself). Such interlocking would advantageously be in a form where it can be rapidly facilitated (eg. comprising a single action engagement mechanism). Referring now to Figures 10 to 13 , a gutter mounting assembly 210 according to a first embodiment of the sixth aspect is disclosed. The mounting assembly 210 is arranged to be affixed to an upright surface 300 of a building, that surface being typically in the form of a fascia but may also be a wall or rafter of the building. The assembly 210 comprises two primary components, being a support assembly 220 whicho is best illustrated in Figure 10; and a plurality of spacers 230, the individual spacers being of a form shown best in Figures 11 and 12.

The support assembly 220 may be similar to the mounting strip 30 described above and includes an elongate body 221 which is typically made from metal strip. The body 221 is formed in a U-shape having one leg thereof forming an attachment section5 222 whereas the other leg thereof forms a gutter mounting section 223. The body 221 is shaped so that the guttering mounting section 223 is longer than the attachment section 222 with those sections being spaced apart so as to provide a recess 240 in which an inner side of a gutter is arranged to be received as will be discussed in more detail below. o The gutter mounting section 223 incorporates a plurality of retaining clips 225 which include projections 226 which extend into the recess 240. These retaining clips 225 are arranged along the gutter mounting section 223 and can be aligned so as to correspond with a fall required when the gutter is in an installed position. Typically the projections 226 are pressed or punched out of the metal strip that forms the mounting 5 section 223 although it is to be appreciated that the support assembly 220 is not limited to that form of manufacture. A plurality of access apertures 227 are provided in the gutter mounting section 223 that provide access for mechanical fasteners 250 (see Figure 13) which are arranged to secure the attachment section 222 to the wall structure 300. Bleed holes 228 (if necessary) may also be provided below the apertures 227 to o enable water to escape from the recess 240.

The spacer 230 is shown best in Figures 11 and 12 and comprises a body portion 231 which incorporates a central aperture 232 which is arranged to receive the mechanical fasteners 250 and incorporates an outwardly extending leg 233, at one end 234 of the body 231. The leg 233 incorporates a downwardly extending distal lip 235. The other end 236 of the body 231 is tapered so as to provide a guiding surface 237 for guiding the gutter into the recess 240 as will be explained below. The body 231 also 5 incorporates an upwardly extending ledge 238 which in use cooperates with the outwardly extending leg 233 to form a retaining portion 239 operative to receive the support assembly 220 as best illustrated in Figure 13. Typically the spacer 230 is formed from plastics by an injection moulding process but it is to be appreciated that it could be made from other materials as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.o Central aperture 232 is typically provided as an aperture in the spacer, but may be a relatively thinner section of the spacer through which a mechanical fastener (e.g. a screw) may be forced through.

Turing to Figure 13, the mounting assembly 210 is initially assembled wherein a plurality of the spacers 230 are fitted to the support structure 220 so that each spacer5 aligns with the fastener apertures 227. The spacers are fitted in place by location of the attachment section 222 of the support strip 220 locating within the retaining formations 239 of the respective spacers. With this arrangement the leg 233 of the spacers locate over the support strip 220 whereas a lower edge 229 of the attachment section 222 locates in behind the upwardly extending ledge 238. Once the spacers are fitted to the o strip 220 they can then be presented to the wall 300 wherein they are secured in position by fasteners 250. These fasteners 250 extend through the attachment section 222 and pass through the respective apertures 232 of the spacers 230 and into the wall structure 300 thereby encasing the mounting assembly 210 to adopt the configuration as shown in Figure 13. Furthermore, the lower end of the respective spacers locate below the5 attachment section 222 of the strip with the inclined surface 237 of the spacers forming a guide surface to assist in location of a gutter into the mounting assembly 210.

Figure 14 illustrates a gutter 260 mounted to the mounting assembly 210. The gutter includes a generally channel shaped body 261 and incorporates an inner side 262 and an outer side 263. In the illustrated form, the outer side 263 is higher than the inner o side 262. The inner side 262 which is arranged to locate within the recess 240 incorporates an internal elongate or folded rib 264 which in use is arranged to bear against the inwardly directed projections 226 so as to inhibit removal of the inner wall 262 from the recess 240 thereby securing the gutter to the mounting assembly 210. To increase the stability of the gutter 260, a rod 270 may be provided at spaced intervals along the gutter. Alternatively, the support rod described above with reference to Figures 1 to 5 may be used for this purpose. Once installed, the support assembly and the gutter 262 is spaced from the wall

300 thereby providing an overflow gap in the form of a weir gap 290 which extends between the wall 300 and the inner side 262 of the gutter. This weir gap 290 is only interrupted by the spaced apart spacers 230. The weir gap 290 allows any overflow from a blocked gutter to flow between the gutter and building thereby enabling that water to easily escape without pooling or back-flowing into the building structure.

A variation of the mounting assembly 210 is shown in Figure 15.

The mounting assembly 320 shown in Figure 15 also includes a support assembly and spacers. However these are modified from the first embodiment of the sixth aspect with the support assembly comprising a plurality of spaced apart U-shaped brackets 321. The spacers 330 of the mounting assembly 320 have a similar function to that disclosed in the first embodiment in that they are used to space the support brackets 321 from the wall 300 so as to provide a weir gap 290 between the wall 300 and the gutter 260.

In the illustrated form, the building wall 300 is in the form of a fascia and the spacers 330 are arranged so as to incorporate an outwardly directing leg 331 having a downwardly extending distal lip 332 which is arranged to locate over an upper edge 301 of the fascia 300. In this way, in installation of the mounting assembly 320, the spacers can be positioned over the fascia 300 at predetermined distances apart along the length of the facia, and the brackets are then positioned to locate adjacent these spacers. The relative position of the brackets with respect to the spacers is then adjusted to provide an appropriate fall. Fasteners, typically tech-screws 250, are inserted through the brackets and the spacers 330 into the fascia 300 so as to secure the brackets 321 and the spacers 332 to the fascia 300. The gutter 260 can then be located onto the brackets 321 in a conventional manner. In another form, when installing the mounting assembly 320, the spacers 330 can be positioned over the fascia 300 as described above, but with the brackets 321 between the facia 300 and the spacers. The brackets are then effectively held in place on the facia by the spacers while the mounting assembly (i.e. spacer and bracket) are mechanically fixed (e.g. screwed) to the facia. The spacer may also be provided pre- attached to the bracket for positioning and fixing to the facia via a one step operation. In both of these forms, the brackets can be fixed to the building wall 300 such that an appropriate fall is provided.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments.

Whilst a number of specific embodiments have been described it should be appreciated that the rod, guttering assembly, guttering installation method and system, and spacer may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A support rod for a channel-shaped gutter for a building, the rod comprising a first end that is adapted for mounting at or adjacent to the building, and a second opposite end that is adapted for engaging and supporting an outer portion of the gutter when the gutter is positioned at the building.

2. An elongate support for a channel-shaped gutter for a building, the support comprising a first end that is adapted for self-securing at or adjacent to the building without the use of a separate fastener, and a second opposite end that is adapted for engaging and supporting an outer portion of the gutter when the gutter is positioned ato the building.

3. An elongate support as claimed in claim 2 that is in the form of a support rod.

4. A support rod as claimed in claim 1 or 3 wherein the rod first end is adapted for self-securing location at a structure located at or adjacent to the building.

5. A support rod as claimed in claim 4 wherein the rod first end is insertable5 through an aperture defined in the structure and, once inserted, can be interferingly retained within the structure.

6. A support rod as claimed in any one of claims 1, 3 to 5 wherein the rod first end is defined by bending a free end portion of the rod to define a tight loop configuration that projects laterally from a remainder of the rod. 0

7. A support rod as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 3 to 6 wherein the rod second end is defined by bending a free end portion of the rod to define an open loop configuration thereat.

8. A support rod as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 3 to 7 wherein the channel-shaped gutter is of a type comprising a bent back lip at an in-use distal edge5 thereof, and the rod second end is shaped so that it can be interferingly retained within and under this lip.

9. A support rod as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 3 to 8 wherein the channel-shaped gutter is mountable to the building via an elongate strip, and wherein the rod first end is adapted for insertion through an aperture defined in this strip and, o once inserted, to be manoeuvrable so as to be interferingly retained behind a portion of the strip.

10. A support rod as claimed in claim 9 wherein the strip comprises an attachment section which is attachable to the building and a gutter mounting section in which a series of spaced apertures are defined, each for the receipt therethrough of a respective rod first end, and wherein each rod first end is retained between inwardly facing walls of each of the gutter and gutter mounting section.

11. A support rod as claimed in claim 10 wherein the apertures also enable access to the attachment section to allow the strip to be fastened to the building.

12. A support rod as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the strip is defined to generally have a U-shape in end profile, with one stem of the U-shape defining theo attachment section and the other stem defining the gutter mounting section, and with the space between the sections defining a channel into which an in-use internal wall of the channel-shaped gutter can be received for mounting the gutter to the building.

13. A support rod as claimed in claim 12 wherein projections are defined on the gutter mounting section which extend into the channel and are adapted to engage an5 elongate ridge defined along the gutter internal wall when it is received in the channel, thereby retaining the gutter internal wall in the channel.

14. A support rod as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 3 to 8 wherein the channel-shaped gutter is mountable to the building at an in-use internal wall thereof, and wherein the rod first end is adapted for insertion through an aperture defined in or o adjacent to the internal wall and, once inserted therethrough, to be manoeuvrable so as to be interferingly retained behind a wall portion adjacent to the aperture.

15. A support rod as claimed in claim 14 wherein the rod first end is adapted for insertion through a hole defined in a fascia of the building, or defined in a gutter- mounting snap clip, that in use is located adjacent to the gutter internal wall. 5

16. A support rod as claimed in claim 15 that is configured in use to bend up and over the gutter internal wall to enable the rod first end to remain inserted through the hole of the fascia.

17. A support rod as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 3 to 16 that is bent intermediate its first and second ends such that, in use and when the rod is mounted to o the gutter, a roof of the building that overhangs and extends partially into the gutter can be accommodated by the intermediate bend.

18. A system for supporting a channel-shaped gutter at a building, the system comprising:

- a mounting element for attachment at the building, the mounting element being further adapted for receiving and mounting the gutter thereat; and - an elongate support comprising a first end that is adapted for self-securing at or adjacent to the mounting element, and a second opposite end that is adapted for engaging and supporting an outer portion of the gutter when the gutter is mounted at the mounting element.

19. A system as claimed in claim 18 wherein the mounting element is the stripo as defined in any one of claims 9 to 13, and wherein the elongate support is the support rod as defined in any one of claims 4 to 10 or 14 to 17.

20. A gutter assembly comprising:

- a channel-shaped gutter;

- a mounting element for attachment at a building, the mounting element5 receiving and mounting the gutter thereat; and

- an elongate support comprising a first end that self-secures at or adjacent to the mounting element, and a second opposite end that engages and supports an outer portion of the gutter that is mounted at the mounting element.

21. An assembly as claimed in claim 20 wherein the mounting element is the 0 strip as defined in any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the elongate support is the support rod as defined in any one of claims 4 to 10 or 14 to 17, and wherein the gutter is as defined in any one of claims 8, 13 or 14.

22. A method for mounting a channel-shaped gutter at a building, the method comprising the steps of: 5 - attaching a mounting element at the building, the mounting element being further adapted for receiving and mounting the gutter thereat;

- mounting the gutter to the mounting element; and

- positioning a first end of an elongate support with respect to the mounting element and a second opposite end of the support with respect to an outer portion of the o gutter, such that the elongate support extends to the gutter outer portion to support it with respect to the building.

23. A method as claimed in claim 22 wherein the support first end is positioned for retention between an in-use inner wall of the gutter and the mounting element, and wherein the support second end is positioned for engagement with a free edge of the gutter outer portion.

5 24. A method as claimed in claim 22 or 23 wherein, in the method, the mounting element is defined by the strip of any one of claims 9 to 13, the elongate support is defined by the support rod of any one of claims 4 to 10 or 14 to 17, and the gutter is as defined in any one of claims 8, 13 or 14.

25. A mounting assembly for a gutter, the mounting assembly comprising ao support assembly to support the gutter on an upright surface of a building, and a plurality of spacers, the spacers being arranged to locate between the in-use inner side of the gutter and the upright surface to provide an overflow gap between said upright surface and said gutter.

26. A mounting assembly according to claim 25, wherein the spacers are5 arranged to be disposed between the support assembly and the upright surface.

27. A mounting assembly according to claim 25 or 26, wherein the spacers are formed separately to said support assembly and said gutter.

28. A mounting assembly according to claim 27, wherein the spacers incorporate a retaining portion arranged to mount the spacer to either one of the support o assembly and the upright surface.

29. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 28, wherein the support assembly is fixed to the upright surface by mechanical fasteners that are arranged to extend through said spacers.

30. A mounting assembly according to claim 29, wherein the spacers include5 apertures arranged to receive said mechanical fasteners.

31. A mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein the support assembly is formed from an elongate body including an attachment section which is attachable to a building and a gutter mounting section, the gutter mounting section including a plurality of gutter retaining clips arranged along the gutter mounting o section.

32. A mounting assembly according to claim 31, wherein the elongate body includes a generally U-shaped portion, one leg thereof being the attachment section and the other leg thereof being the gutter mounting section, the legs of the U-shaped portion being spaced apart so as to provide a recess therebetween for receiving part of an inner side of the gutter.

33. A mounting assembly for a gutter according to any one of claims 25 to 30, wherein the support assembly comprises a plurality of generally U-shaped brackets.

34. A spacer for use in a mounting assembly according to any one of claims 25 to 33.