Residential or commercial see-through eaves and downspout gutter system

Abstract

The present invention is a gutter system with a transparent eavestrough and a transparent downspout that allow for the monitoring of the rainwater flow and debris in the gutter and downspout system in a building or a house. This gutter system can provide a continuous monitoring of the gutter and downspouts to detect the exact spot of debris collected therein for the purposes of readily predicting and cleaning the system or repairing and preventing debris blockage in the flow of rainwater runoff and preventing the unnecessary cleaning of the downspout and removal of debris to eliminate homeowners cost.

Claims

1. A gutter system for monitoring of debris in a gutter trough and a downspout trough each of said gutter trough and downspout trough being positioned proximate to a building, said gutter system comprising: a. the gutter trough positioned near-horizontally in relation to the building such that sections of the gutter trough are positioned proximate to one of the one or more side-walls of the building, the gutter trough incorporating three walls including a gutter-base-wall that is connected on its front facing side to a gutter-front-wall and on its opposite a rear facing side to a gutter-rear-wall, said gutter-front-wall and said gutter-base-wall each incorporating a longitudinal gap with a longitudinal transparent section positioned over or within said longitudinal gap; b. one or more downspout troughs, each downspout trough incorporating four walls including a downspout-front-wall positioned opposite to a downspout-rear-wall and being connected to each of two downspout-side-walls that are positioned opposite to each other, the four walls forming an elongate trough, at least one of said downspout-side-walls incorporating a longitudinal transparent section, and said downspout troughs each having the downspout-rear-wall positioned proximate to one of the side walls of the building and the downspout troughs each being attached to one of the side-walls of the building; and c. a plurality of downspout elbows, at least one of such plurality of downspout elbows connecting said gutter trough to one of said one or more downspout troughs, whereby flow of rainwater and debris is navigated along at least a portion of the gutter trough through the downspout elbow connected to the gutter trough, to the downspout trough connected to the downspout elbow, and through the downspout trough towards a ground surface.

2. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of downspout elbows: a. incorporates four walls including an elbow-front-wall positioned opposite an elbow-rear-wall and being connected to each of two elbow-side-walls that are positioned opposite to each other; and b. incorporates a transparent section, whereby the downspout elbow can be monitored for build-up of debris occurring in the interior space of the downspout elbow.

3. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of downspout elbows is formed of a transparent material, such that the transparent section encompasses the whole of the downspout elbow.

4. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of downspout elbows has an access point whereby an interior space of the downspout elbow is accessible, whereby unclogging of a clog in the downspout elbow is achieved.

5. The gutter system of claim 4, wherein the access point incorporates an opening in one of the walls of the downspout elbow and a removable cap configured to fit over the opening and that is attachable to the opening by way of a screw connection between the opening and the cap to thereby close the opening.

6. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein said building is any of the following: a residential building, a house, or a commercial building.

7. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the transparent section incorporated in the gutter trough is configured as one or more transparent strips incorporated in any of: the gutter-front-wall or the gutter-base-wall.

8. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the transparent section incorporated in either one of or both of the gutter-front-wall and the gutter-base-wall encompasses the whole thereof.

9. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the transparent section incorporated in the gutter-front wall and the gutter-base-wall is configured as one or more transparent strips therein.

10. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the transparent section incorporated in the downspout trough is configured so that the whole of the downspout trough is formed of a transparent material.

11. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the longitudinal transparent section of the downspout trough is configured as one or more transparent strips incorporated in one or more of the downspout-front-wall, the downspout-rear-wall and the downspout-side-walls.

12. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein a plurality of transparent elongated brackets or hangers are connected to one of one or more of the side-walls of the building or fascia-board and the gutter trough is supported in proximity to the building by the plurality of transparent elongated brackets or hangers.

13. The gutter system of claim 12, wherein each of the elongated brackets or hangers incorporates an horizontally extended front grabbing section operable to grab an area of the gutter-front-wall, whereby support of the gutter trough is reinforced and sagging or dislodging of the gutter systems in proximity to the building is deterred.

14. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the gutter system is formed of a material that is one of the following: metal plastic, glass, or aluminum.

15. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the gutter system is formed of a material that is a combination of plastic and glass.

16. The gutter system of claim 1, wherein the gutter system is formed of a material that is one of the following: polycarbonate or polyacrylate.

17. A gutter system for monitoring of rainwater flow and debris in a gutter trough, at least one downspout trough, and at least one downspout elbow positioned proximate to a building, said gutter system comprising: a. the gutter trough positioned near-horizontally in relation to the building such that sections of the gutter trough are positioned proximate to one of the one or more side-walls of the building, the gutter trough incorporating three walls including a gutter-base-wall that is connected on its front facing side to a gutter-front-wall and on its opposite side rear facing side to a gutter-rear-wall, said gutter-front-wall and said gutter-base-wall each incorporating a longitudinal gap with a longitudinal transparent section positioned over or within said longitudinal gap; b. one or more downspout troughs, each downspout trough incorporating four walls including a downspout-front-wall positioned opposite to a downspout-rear-wall and being connected to each of two downspout-side-walls that are positioned opposite to each other, the four walls forming an elongate trough, at least one of said downspout-side-walls incorporating a longitudinal transparent section, and said downspout troughs each having the downspout-rear-wall positioned proximate to one of the side-walls of the building and the downspout troughs each being attached to one of the side-walls of the building; c. a plurality of downspout elbows, at least one of such plurality of downspout elbows connecting said gutter trough to one of said one or more downspout troughs, each downspout elbow incorporating four walls including an elbow-front-wall positioned opposite an elbow-rear-wall and being connected to each of two elbow-side-walls that are positioned opposite to each other, and further incorporating a transparent section in at least one of the four walls; d. an access point incorporated in at least one of the plurality of downspout elbows comprising an opening incorporated in one of the walls of the downspout elbow and a removable cap configured to fit over the opening being attachable to the opening by way of a screw connection between the opening and the cap to thereby close the opening; and e. a plurality of transparent elongated brackets each incorporating a grabbing section operable to grab an area of the gutter-front-wall, and each connected to one of the side-walls of the building, and the gutter trough being supported in proximity to the building by said plurality of transparent elongated brackets; and whereby rainwater flow is navigated along at least a portion of the gutter trough through the downspout elbow connected to the gutter trough, to the downspout trough connected to the downspout elbow, and through the downspout trough towards a ground surface.

18. The gutter system of claim 17, wherein the building is any of the following: a residential building, a house, or a commercial building.

19. The gutter system of claim 17, wherein the plurality of transparent elongated brackets are hangers, and said hangers are connected to one of one or more side-walls of the building or fascia-board.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Embodiments herein will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the claims, wherein like designations denote like elements, and in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a building with the present invention attached thereto;

(3) FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a gutter showing the left side thereof;

(4) FIG. 2B shows a perspective view of a gutter showing the right side thereof;

(5) FIG. 2C shows a cross-sectional side view of a gutter;

(6) FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of a gutter incorporating a transparent strip;

(7) FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of a gutter incorporating a plurality of transparent strips;

(8) FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of a gutter incorporating a wide transparent strip;

(9) FIG. 4A shows a bottom view of a gutter;

(10) FIG. 4B shows a bottom view of a gutter incorporating a bottom section formed of a transparent material;

(11) FIG. 4C shows a bottom view of a gutter incorporating a transparent strip in the front wall and the base wall;

(12) FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a prior art downspout;

(13) FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of a downspout incorporating a transparent strip in two side walls;

(14) FIG. 5C shows a side view of a downspout incorporating a transparent strip in a side wall;

(15) FIG. 6A shows a perspective view of an attachment means;

(16) FIG. 6B shows a perspective view of an attachment means incorporating a wider grabbing means;

(17) FIG. 6C shows a perspective view of an attachment means that is formed of a transparent material;

(18) FIG. 7A shows a perspective view of an elbow section;

(19) FIG. 7B shows a side view of an elbow section;

(20) FIG. 7C shows a side view of an elbow section incorporating a transparent strip in a side wall;

(21) FIG. 7D shows a side view of a elbow section formed of a transparent material; and

(22) FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the gutter system incorporating a plurality of downspouts attached to a gutter.

(23) The figures are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be understood that the invention can be practiced with modification and alteration, and that the disclosed technology be limited only by the claims and equivalents thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(24) The technology disclosed herein, in accordance with one or more various embodiments of the present invention, is described in detail with reference to the figures described herein. The drawings are provided for purposes of illustration only and merely to depict typical or example embodiments of the disclosed technology. These drawings are provided to facilitate the reader's understanding of the disclosed technology and shall not be considered limiting of the breadth, scope, or applicability thereof. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of illustration these drawings are not necessarily made to scale.

(25) FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a building 100 with the present invention. The present invention is a gutter system 10 comprising a horizontal gutter 20 and a vertical downspout 30. The horizontal gutter 20 may be formed in accordance with several profiles and sizes and may extend longitudinally along the lower sides of the roof 40, to allow rainwater to flow from the roof 40 into the gutter 20 whereby rainwater is directed toward downspout 30.

(26) As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C the horizontal gutter 20 comprises a front wall 21, a rear wall 22, and a base 23 that form a channel 24 for receiving and channelling rainwater. The horizontal gutter 20 is configured to attach to and to extend longitudinally along a side wall or fascia of the building or house. The horizontal gutter 20 can be attached to the building 100 with hangers, brackets or other attachment means 60. The examples of the attachment means are shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C.

(27) Again as shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C, the attachment means 60 has a means 61 which is grabs the front wall of the gutter. In the present invention, the grabbing means 61 can be designed in such a way that it grabs more area in the front wall as needed for holding the gutter system securely on the building. As shown in FIG. 6C, the attachment means 60 can be completely transparent.

(28) Again as shown in FIG. 1, a downspout 30 is a tubular trough positioned vertically on the side wall 101 that directs water flow downward from the horizontal gutter 20. As shown in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 5C a downspout comprises a front wall 31, a left wall 38, a right wall 39 and a rear wall 34, attached to and extending longitudinally along a side wall 101 or fascia of a building 100.

(29) FIGS. 1, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4B, 4C show the gutter system 10 of the present invention. In one embodiment, a transparent strip 36 is incorporated in the front wall 21 at an elevation about 2.5 inches from the base 23 and acts as an indicator for the homeowners monitoring the rainwater flow in the gutter system 10 in a building 100. The transparent strip 36 is longitudinally provided on the front wall 21 of the gutter 20.

(30) As shown in FIG. 3B, the front wall 21 of the gutter 20 may have a plurality of longitudinal transparent strips 36. This arrangement for the transparent strips, helps homeowners understand the amount of debris inside the gutter 20.

(31) As shown in FIG. 4A, the base 23 can be formed of an opaque material, or the whole structure of the gutter system can be made of the opaque material similar to the conventional gutter system in the market. In one embodiment of the present invention, the base 23 can be constructed of a transparent material as shown in FIG. 4B. In this case any blockage in the gutter 20 can be observed by the homeowners and alert them to take an action. In one embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIG. 4C, the horizontal gutter 20 comprises a transparent strip 37 that is longitudinally attached to the base 23. In another embodiment of the present invention, the horizontal gutter 20 can be completely constructed of a transparent material using a variety of methods, such as an extrusion and/or moulding process.

(32) FIG. 5A shows a conventional downspout. FIGS. 5B and 5C show the downspout 30 of the present invention. The downspout 30 of the present invention has at least a transparent strip 32 longitudinally incorporated in the left side wall 38 or a transparent strip 33 incorporated in the right side wall 39. In this case transparent strips 32, 33 are attached/built in longitudinally to the side walls of the downspout 30, extending along the length of the downspout 30. This method will not damage the aesthetic appearance of the building with viewable debris.

(33) In another embodiment of the present invention, the downspout 30 is constructed completely of a transparent material using a variety of methods, such as an extrusion and/or moulding process. In this case any blockage in the downspout can be observed by the homeowners and alert them to take an action.

(34) The gutter system of the present invention can be made of a variety of different materials, such as a plastic, or a metal or an aluminium. The gutter system of the present invention comprises of a transparent material which is sun resistant and capable of withstanding both hot and cold temperatures.

(35) The gutter system of the present invention comprises of a transparent or a see-through structure to provide for visual inspection. Preferred materials are polycarbonates such as Lexan and polyacrylates such as Plexiglas. The gutter system of the present invention can also be made of a glass material. Any glass composition, including specially formulated glass, may be used, such as laminates of glass. In the present invention, a combination of plastic and glass may also be used.

(36) An elbow section is shown in FIGS. 7A, 7B, 7C and 7D. The elbow 50 of the present invention is the most highly prone place for clogging of the debris. The elbow 50 further has a front side 51, a rear side 52, and side walls 53, 54, and are bent at an angle of 45 degrees, or elbows can also come in bends of 90 degrees, 75 degrees, and 45 degrees. The elbow 50 provides an access point 55 to access the elbow 50 interior that may be clogged and can be literally cleaned by the homeowner in a minutes of time. (Prior art methods would require the homeowner to disassemble the entire downspout system to access the clogged areas.) The access point 55 has a cap 56 that can be fastened on the access point 55 by a fastening means and can be removed for cleaning.

(37) Again as shown in FIG. 7C, the elbow 50 further has a transparent strip 59 along one or more of the elbow walls 51-54. The transparent strip 59 indicates any clogging by debris inside the elbow 50. In one embodiment of the present invention, the elbow 50 can be formed of a transparent material.

(38) Cleaning the gutters and downspouts in a conventional method can take up to several hours, which requires errors and grammar, and the use of special tools/calling on a professional. If the debris has clogged the horizontal gutter 20 or downspout 30, as shown in FIG. 8, the homeowner now has a clear view to where the problem lies. If the homeowner chooses to hire a professional to take on the issue the homeowner now has the confidence of knowing the job will be done to satisfaction and the homeowner will be charged the correct amount for the services rendered. The system can be viewed through the transparent strip 32, and can be cleaned without disassembling the whole downspout system 30. The homeowner can view the blocked area and access the point through the access point 55 of the elbows 50 and clean the blocked area.

(39) The gutter system of the present invention may attach along a house's eaves by any of several means, including straps, brackets, and hangers. The brackets can be adapted to be secured to the side wall of a building/house underneath the eaves of a roof and connected to fascia board of a home. A plurality of brackets and hangers can be spaced along the gutter to support the gutter system (roughly every 2-3 feet). The brackets of the present invention can comprise brackets formed of transparent materials or errors and grammar, and brackets formed of different materials. The brackets of the present invention are elongated for additional support, this added reinforcement helps to avoid any dislodging/sagging of the gutters that occurs when a buildup of debris or rain water has accumulated.

(40) The hangers/brackets of the gutters are transparent and are elongated for added support to reinforce the sustainability of the gutter when connected to the house/building and avoid any sagging or dislodging of the gutter. The downspouts are accompanied by elbows that consist of access points to ensure easy access to the most vulnerable parts of the downspouts that are prone to clogging.

(41) The gutter system of the present invention further comprises an easy to assemble feature. For example, one side of the downspout will have a female adapter while the other side has a male adapter which allows the downspouts to be easily screwed together to facilitate an easy set-up/disassembly process, or two male adapting sides with a middle component connecting the two sides to each other.

(42) Whenever the homeowners experience a backup, they can either simply clean it themselves, which saves them money, or call a professional. The present system makes disassembly and cleaning of the blocked area easier even for the professionals, therefore, reducing cost to the homeowner. This method also avoids any water seepage through the borders of each of the downspouts and avoids dirty water running down the external part of the spout and potentially staining it. This makes it easier and simpler for the homeowners to take care of their downspouts.

(43) The gutter system of the invention can be optionally used in conjunction with a leaf guard or a screen, known in the art, to minimize the entry of debris into to the gutter.

(44) The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

(45) With respect to the above description, it is to be realized that the optimum relationships for the parts of the invention in regard to size, shape, form, materials, function and manner of operation, assembly and use are deemed readily apparent and obvious to those skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.