Aluminium Gutter System

Abstract

A guttering kit or assembly comprising at least one gutter piece and at least one mounting bracket for mounting the gutter piece to a surface, wherein the gutter piece comprises an elongate drainage channel and one or more mounting parts, each of the one or more mounting parts comprising an extending part that extends from, and away from, an external side wall portion of the drainage channel at least to a pair of lock pieces that extend from, and away from, the extending piece and away from each other; and the mounting bracket comprises a mounting member for mounting to the surface, and a pair of opposing slots, each of the opposing slots being formed by a respective slot forming member, each slot forming member comprising a spacing portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly away from the mounting member to an end portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the spacing portion so as to form the slot between the end portion and the mounting member; and wherein respective slots of the pair of opposing slots of the mounting bracket accommodate or are configured to receive respective lock pieces of the pair of lock pieces to mount the gutter piece to the mounting bracket.

Claims

1. A guttering kit or assembly comprising at least one gutter piece and at least one mounting bracket for mounting the gutter piece to a surface, wherein the gutter piece comprises an elongate drainage channel and one or more mounting parts, each of the one or more mounting parts comprising an extending part that extends from, and away from, an external side wall portion of the drainage channel at least to a pair of lock pieces that extend from, and away from, the extending piece and away from each other; and the mounting bracket comprises a mounting member for mounting to the surface, and a pair of opposing slots, each of the opposing slots being formed by a respective slot forming member, each slot forming member comprising a spacing portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly away from the mounting member to an end portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the spacing portion so as to form the slot between the end portion and the mounting member; and wherein respective slots of the pair of opposing slots of the mounting bracket accommodate or are configured to receive respective lock pieces of the pair of lock pieces to mount the gutter piece to the mounting bracket.

2. The guttering kit or assembly of claim 1, comprising at least two of the gutter pieces and a connector that connects or for connecting the gutter pieces.

3. The guttering kit or assembly of claim 2, wherein the connector comprises a wall member that defines a substantially U-shaped or semicircular cross sectional profile that extends between two edges, one edge being provided with a chamfered profile.

4. The guttering kit or assembly of claim 2, wherein the connector further comprises a protruding member that extends outwardly from an outer surface of a side wall part of the wall of the connector on a side of the connector; and each of the gutter pieces comprises a protruding catch that extends out from an inner side of the other side wall portion of the drainage channel and configured to resiliently receive and releasably lock the catch member of a connector when the connector is in a position abutting the interior of the drainage channel of the gutter piece.

5. The guttering kit or assembly of claim 2, wherein: a protruding member that extends outwardly from an outer surface of a side wall part of the wall of the connector on a side of the connector comprises a fixing arrangement for receiving a fixing therethrough; and each of the gutter pieces comprises a protruding part that extends out from an inner side of the other side wall portion of the drainage channel and is configured to receive and fix to the fixing.

6. A guttering kit or assembly, comprising at least two gutter pieces, a mounting bracket and a connector that connects or is for connecting the gutter pieces, wherein each of the gutter pieces comprises one or more mounting parts, each of the one or more mounting parts comprising an extending part that extends from, and away from, an external side wall portion of the drainage channel at least to a pair of lock pieces that extending from, and away from, the extending piece and away from each other, and an elongate drainage channel for conveying fluid therealong; the mounting bracket comprises a mounting member for mounting to the surface, and a pair of opposing slots, each of the opposing slots being formed by a respective slot forming member, each slot forming member comprising a spacing portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly away from the mounting member to an end portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the spacing portion so as to form the slot between the end portion and the mounting member; and wherein respective slots of the pair of opposing slots of the mounting bracket accommodate or are configured to receive respective lock pieces of the pair of lock pieces to mount the gutter piece to the mounting bracket; the connector comprises a wall member that defines a profile matches an interior profile of the elongate channel of the gutter piece and that extends between two edges, one edge being provided with a chamfered profile, and the connector further comprising a protruding catch member that extends outwardly from an outer surface of a side wall part of the wall of the connector on a side of the connector that is opposite to the side on which the chamfered edge is provided; and each of the gutter pieces comprises a protruding catch that extends out from an inner side of the other side wall portion of the drainage channel and configured to resiliently receive and releasably lock the catch member of a connector when the connector is in a position abutting the interior of the drainage channel of the gutter piece.

7. The guttering kit or assembly of claim 1, wherein one of the slot forming members is an upper slot forming member that defines an upper slot and is locatable above the other, lower, slot forming member that defines a lower slot, in use.

8. The guttering kit of claim 7, wherein the upper slot is deeper and/or wider than the lower slot.

9. The guttering kit of claim 7, wherein at last one of: the upper slot forming member comprises a spacing portion that extends obliquely away from the mounting member to an end portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the spacing portion so as to form the upper slot between the end portion and the mounting member; and/or. the lower slot forming member comprises a spacing portion that extends perpendicularly away from the mounting member to an end portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the spacing portion so as to form the lower slot between the end portion and the mounting member.

10. The guttering kit or assembly of claim 1, wherein the respective slots of the pair of opposing slots of the mounting bracket are configured to receive respective lock pieces of the pair of lock pieces to mount the gutter piece to the mounting bracket in an rock and lock manner in which the gutter piece is oriented to be obliquely angled with respect to the mounting bracket and one of the lock pieces is inserted into the upper slot before the gutter piece is rotated until the other lock piece is aligned with the lower slot, and gutter piece moved so that the other lock piece is inserted into the lower slot, so that each lock piece of the gutter is received and retained in a respective slot of the pair of opposing slots.

11. The guttering kit or assembly of claim 7, wherein the upper slot forming member comprises a fixing hole for receiving a fixing such as a bolt or screw therethrough for securing the lock pieces of the gutter piece in the respective slots.

12. The guttering kit or assembly according to claim 3, wherein at least part of an edge of the drainage channel that partly defines a mouth of the drainage channel defines a recess facing the interior of the drainage channel for receiving the chamfered edge of the connector, and wherein a terminal end of the edge of the drainage channel that defines the recess is chamfered or radiused.

13. The guttering kit or assembly according to claim 3, wherein a spacer member is provided on, and extending outwardly from, the outer surface of the side wall part of the wall of the connector on the side of the connector that is opposite to the side on which the chamfered edge is provided, wherein the spacer member is configured to create a gap between part of the outer surface of the side wall section of the connector and part of the inner surface of the drainage channel of the gutter piece when the connector is locked in situ in the drainage channel of the gutter piece.

14. The guttering kit or assembly according to claim 3, wherein a terminal end of the side wall part of the wall of the connector on the side of the connector that is opposite to the side on which the chamfered edge is provided comprises an outer flat section.

15. The guttering kit or assembly according to claim 12, wherein an edge of the drainage channel opposite the edge of the sidewall portion of the drainage channel that defines the recess, defines an outwardly protruding portion and/or thickened bead portion, that extends along most or all of the length of the edge of the drainage channel.

16. The guttering kit or assembly according to claim 6, wherein at least one of: the upper lock piece terminates in a chamfered or radiused end; a terminal end of the upper slot forming member is chamfered or radiused and/or a terminal end of the lower slot forming member is chamfered or radiused.

17. A gutter system comprising two or more gutter pieces, a plurality of mounting brackets that mount the gutter pieces to a surface and at least one connector, wherein: each of the gutter pieces comprises an elongate drainage channel and one or more mounting parts, each of the one or more mounting parts comprising an extending part that extends from, and away from, an external side wall portion of the drainage channel at least to a pair of lock pieces that extend from, and away from, the extending piece and away from each other; and each of the mounting brackets comprises a mounting member mounted to the surface, and a pair of opposing slots, each of the opposing slots being formed by a respective slot forming member, each slot forming member comprising a spacing portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly away from the mounting member to an end portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the spacing portion so as to form the slot between the end portion and the mounting member; each of the connectors comprises a wall member that defines a substantially U-shaped or semicircular cross sectional profile that extends between two edges, one edge being provided with a chamfered profile, and the connector further comprising a protruding catch member that extends outwardly from an outer surface of a side wall part of the wall of the connector on a side of the connector that is opposite to the side on which the chamfered edge is provided and wherein at least parts of respective lock pieces of the pair of lock pieces are located in respective slots of the pair of opposing slots of the mounting bracket so that the gutter piece is mounted to the mounting bracket; and the connector is in a position abutting the interior of the drainage channel of the gutter piece and each of the gutter pieces comprises a protruding catch that extends out from an inner side of the other side wall portion of the drainage channel and releasably locks with the catch member of the connector.

18. A method of mounting a gutter piece to a mounting bracket, the gutter piece comprising an elongate drainage channel and one or more mounting parts, each of the one or more mounting parts comprising an extending part that extends from, and away from, an external side wall portion of the drainage channel at least to a pair of lock pieces that extend from, and away from, the extending piece and away from each other; the mounting bracket comprising a mounting member for mounting to the surface, and a pair of opposing slots, each of the opposing slots being formed by a respective slot forming member, each slot forming member comprising a spacing portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly away from the mounting member to an end portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the spacing portion so as to form the slot between the end portion and the mounting member; and wherein respective slots of the pair of opposing slots of the mounting bracket accommodate or are configured to receive respective lock pieces of the pair of lock pieces to mount the gutter piece to the mounting bracket; and the method comprising: angling the gutter piece obliquely with respect to the mounting bracket and thereafter inserting the one of the lock pieces into the upper slot; then rotating the gutter piece until the other lock piece is aligned with the lower slot; moving the mounting part so that the other lock piece is inserted into the lower slot such that at least part of each lock piece is inserted into a respective slot.

19. A method of demounting a gutter piece from a mounting bracket, the gutter piece comprising an elongate drainage channel and one or more mounting parts, each of the one or more mounting parts comprising an extending part that extends from, and away from, an external side wall portion of the drainage channel at least to a pair of lock pieces that extend from, and away from, the extending piece and away from each other; the mounting bracket comprising a mounting member for mounting to the surface, and a pair of opposing slots, each of the opposing slots being formed by a respective slot forming member, each slot forming member comprising a spacing portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly away from the mounting member to an end portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the spacing portion so as to form the slot between the end portion and the mounting member; and wherein respective slots of the pair of opposing slots of the mounting bracket accommodate or are configured to receive respective lock pieces of the pair of lock pieces to mount the gutter piece to the mounting bracket; and the method comprising: moving the gutter piece so that one of the lock pieces is removed from the lower slot; rotating the gutter piece with respect to the mounting bracket so that the lock piece is rotated away from the mounting bracket; removing the one of the lock pieces from the upper slot to thereby release the gutter piece from the mounting bracket.

20. A method of connecting two gutter pieces using a connector, each gutter piece comprising an elongate drainage channel and one or more mounting parts, each of the one or more mounting parts comprising an extending part that extends from, and away from, an external side wall portion of the drainage channel at least to a pair of lock pieces that extend from, and away from, the extending piece and away from each other; and at least part of an edge of the drainage channel that partly defines a mouth of the drainage channel defines a recess facing the interior of the drainage channel; and the connector comprises a wall member that defines a substantially U-shaped or semicircular cross sectional profile that extends between two edges, one edge being a chamfered edge provided with a chamfered profile; the method comprising: applying sealant to ends of the inner surface of the drainage channels of the gutter pieces to be joined by the connector; lowering the connector into at least the end parts of the drainage channels of both gutter pieces to be connected; inserting the chamfered edge of the connector into the recess defined in the edge of the drainage channel of at least one or each of the gutter pieces to be connected; rotating the gutter piece until at least one or each of: a catch member of the connector engages and locks with the catch of at least one or both gutter pieces; the spacer member of the connector abuts an interior surface of the drainage channel; and/or an outer flat section of the connector abuts against an edge of the drainage channel.

21. A method of disconnecting two gutter pieces from a connector, each gutter piece comprising an elongate drainage channel and one or more mounting parts, each of the one or more mounting parts comprising an extending part that extends from, and away from, an external side wall portion of the drainage channel at least to a pair of lock pieces that extend from, and away from, the extending piece and away from each other; and at least part of an edge of the drainage channel that partly defines a mouth of the drainage channel defines a recess facing the interior of the drainage channel; and the connector comprises a wall member that defines a substantially U-shaped or semi-circular cross sectional profile that extends between two edges, one edge being a chamfered edge provided with a chamfered profile; and a spacer member is provided on, and extends outwardly from, the outer surface of the side wall part of the wall of the connector on the side of the connector that is opposite to the side on which the chamfered edge is provided, wherein the spacer member is configured to create a gap between part of the outer surface of the side wall section of the connector and part of the inner surface of the drainage channel of the gutter piece when the connector is locked in situ in the drainage channel of the gutter piece; the method comprising: inserting a prying tool into the gap formed by the spacer member of the connector between the outer surface of the side wall section of the connector and the inner surface of the drainage channel(s) of the gutter pieces to release the catch member from the catch and thereby the connector from the gutter piece or pieces; and removing the chamfered edge of the connector from the recess defined in an edge of the drainage channel of at least one or each of the gutter pieces.

22. Producing a gutter piece and a mounting bracket by additive manufacturing, extruding or moulding the gutter piece and the mounting bracket, the gutter piece comprising an elongate drainage channel and one or more mounting parts, each of the one or more mounting parts comprising an extending part that extends from, and away from, an external side wall portion of the drainage channel at least to a pair of lock pieces that extend from, and away from, the extending piece and away from each other; and the mounting bracket comprising a mounting member for mounting to the surface, and a pair of opposing slots, each of the opposing slots being formed by a respective slot forming member, each slot forming member comprising a spacing portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly away from the mounting member to an end portion that extends obliquely or perpendicularly from the spacing portion so as to form the slot between the end portion and the mounting member.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] For a better understanding of the present disclosure and to show how embodiments may be put into effect, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0047] FIG. 1 is a cross section of a gutter system;

[0048] FIGS. 2 to 11 show the mounting of a gutter piece of the gutter system of FIG. 1 to a mounting bracket of the gutter system of FIG. 1;

[0049] FIGS. 12 to 17 show the connecting of two gutter pieces of the gutter system of FIG. 1 using a connector of the gutter system of FIG. 1;

[0050] FIG. 18 shows the gutter system of FIG. 1 mounted to a wall;

[0051] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating a method of connecting the gutter piece of the gutter system of FIG. 1 to the mounting bracket;

[0052] FIG. 20 is a flowchart illustrating a method of disconnecting the gutter piece of the gutter system of FIG. 1 from the mounting bracket;

[0053] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating a method of connecting the two gutter pieces of the gutter system of FIG. 1 using a connector of the gutter system of FIG. 1;

[0054] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating a method of disconnecting the connector and two gutter pieces of the gutter system of FIG. 1;

[0055] FIG. 23 is a cross section of an alternative gutter system;

[0056] FIG. 24 shows a comparison between the gutter systems of FIG. 1 and FIG. 23;

[0057] FIGS. 25 to 28 show the connecting of two gutter pieces of the gutter system of FIG. 23 using a connector of the gutter system of FIG. 23; and

[0058] FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of two gutter pieces of the gutter system of FIGS. 23 to 28 connected with a connector.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0059] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the inventive subject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice them, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized, and that structural, logical, and electrical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the inventive subject matter. Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to, individually and/or collectively, herein by the term invention merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed.

[0060] The following description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limited sense, and the scope of the inventive subject matter is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0061] In the following embodiments, like components are labelled with like reference numerals.

[0062] As used herein, except wherein the context requires otherwise, the terms comprises, includes, has and grammatical variants of these terms, are not intended to be exhaustive. They are intended to allow for the possibility of further additives, components, integers or steps.

[0063] Specific embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawings.

[0064] FIG. 1 illustrates a gutter system 5 shown in a lateral cross section. The gutter system 5 comprises at least two gutter pieces 10 (only one shown as the other gutter piece 10 is behind the shown gutter piece 10, into the page) connected by a connector The gutter system 5 also comprises a plurality of mounting brackets 20 (although again only one is shown as the other mounting brackets are hidden behind the shown mounting bracket 20) for mounting the gutter pieces 10 to a vertical surface in the form of a wall (see FIG. 18) in this example but could be e.g. a fascia or eaves of a building. The gutter pieces 10 are elongate, extending into the page. The connector 15 is also elongate and extends into the page but is considerably shorter than the gutter pieces 10. The brackets 20 may be of any width, e.g. long or short.

[0065] In use the brackets 20 are screwed into the wall (FIG. 18) using fixings such as screws (FIG. 18) 25 that are received through fixing points 25, 30 in the form of screw holes. The fixing points include at least one (e.g. two) concealed fixing points that are hidden behind the gutter pieces 10 in use and at least one unconcealed fixing point 30, in this case an upper fixing point above the gutter pieces 10 in use.

[0066] The mounting bracket 20 comprises a mounting member 32 that comprises the fixing points 25, 30. The mounting bracket 20 comprises a pair of opposing slots 35, 40, each of the opposing slots 35, 40 being formed by a respective slot forming flange 50, that extends obliquely or perpendicularly away from the mounting member and round so as to form the slot 35, 40 between the respective slot forming flange 50, 55 and the mounting member 32.

[0067] One of the slot forming flanges 50 is an upper flange and the associated slot 35 is an upper slot. The other of the slot forming flange 55 is a lower flange and the associated slot 40 is a lower slot. The upper slot forming flange 50 and upper slot 35 are located directly vertically above or at least higher than the lower slot forming flange and lower slot 40 in use, e.g. when the mounting bracket 20 is mounted to the wall.

[0068] Beneficially the upper slot forming flange 50 extends obliquely away from the mounting member 32 and obliquely towards the lower slot forming flange 55, so as to form an oblique surface that can engage a distal end, preferably a chamfered distal end, of a lock piece of a mounting member 80 of the gutter piece 10 to help facilitate its insertion into the upper slot. A terminal end of the upper slot forming flange 50 may be chamfered or radiused, preferably with a slope that slopes downwardly as it extends away from mounting member 32 and towards the gutter piece 10. This may help facilitate the insertion and rotation of the upper lock piece 70. The lower slot forming flange 55 may extend perpendicularly away from the mounting member 32 to provide a stable base for another lock piece of a mounting member 80 of the gutter piece 10. A terminal end of the lower slot forming flange may comprise a chamfered or radiused end, which may make it easier to insert the lock piece 75 into the lower slot 40.

[0069] The upper slot 35 is deeper and/or wider than the lower slot 40. That is, the upper slot forming flange 50 is longer than the lower slot forming flange 55 so that the upper slot 35 is deeper than the lower slot 40 and the upper slot forming flange 50 is spaced further away from the mounting member 32 than the lower slot forming flange 55 that the upper slot 35 is a wider slot than the lower slot 40. This may facilitate easier mounting of the gutter pieces 10.

[0070] The end portion of the upper slot forming flange 50 comprises a fixing hole 60 for receiving a fixing 65 such as a bolt or screw therethrough.

[0071] The slots 35, 40 receive respective lock pieces 70, 75 of a mounting part 80 of one of the gutter pieces 10. The lock pieces comprise an upper lock piece 70 and a lower lock piece 80 which extend oppositely from each other and are spaced away from the outer surface of a side wall part of the wall that defines the drainage channel 85. A distal end of the upper lock piece 70 is chamfered to facilitate easier insertion into the upper slot 35. The fixing 65 can then be inserted into the fixing hole 60 so as to lock the mounting part 80 of the gutter piece 10 to the mounting bracket 20.

[0072] Each gutter piece 10 comprises a water tight drainage channel 85 that runs the length of the gutter piece 10 for carrying water therealong, the drainage channel 85 comprising a U-shaped cross sectional wall that is open at a mouth 90 at the top that runs the length of the elongate gutter piece 10. The mounting member 80 of the gutter piece 10 extends from an outer side of the wall of the drainage channel 85.

[0073] An edge part 95 of the drainage channel 85 that is closest to the mounting member 80 loops back in on itself towards the interior of the drainage channel 85 to define a recess 100. An opposite edge part 105 of the drainage channel 85 that is furthest from the mounting member 80 defines an outwardly protruding edge of the gutter piece 10. The provision of the outwardly protruding edge can provide a comfortable finger grip and helps resist deformation of the front edge of the gutter piece 10, e.g. if a ladder is placed against it. An inner side part of the edge part 105 defines a protruding clip 110. The opposite edge part 105 may optionally be thickened for extra strength, e.g. to form a bead for extra strength.

[0074] In this example, the gutter pieces 10 and the mounting brackets 20 are separate pieces and the means for mounting and demounting the gutter pieces 10 from the mounting brackets 20 is shown in FIGS. 2 to 11.

[0075] The gutter piece 10 is moved upwards at a slightly tilted angle, leaning the upper lock piece 70 of the mounting part 80 of the gutter piece 10 towards the mounting bracket(s) 20, so that the engaging chamfered distal end of the upper lock piece 70 of the mounting part 80 of the gutter piece 10 engages with the upper slot forming flange of the mounting bracket(s) 20 and the upper lock piece 70 of the mounting part 80 of the gutter piece 10 slides in to the upper slot 35 of the mounting bracket(s) 20.

[0076] The gutter piece 10 is then rotated back to that the upper and lower lock pieces 70, 75 are rotated towards vertical so that the lower lock piece 75 of the mounting part of the gutter piece 10 engages a radiused or angled end of the lower slot forming flange, which assists the lower lock piece 75 into the lower slot 40. Then the retaining fixing 65 is screwed in through the front face of the upper lock piece 70, which prevents the gutter piece 10 uncoupling.

[0077] To remove the gutter piece 10 from the mounting bracket 20, the above process is performed in reverse.

[0078] Where two lengths of gutter piece 10 are to be joined to extend the length, then the connector 15 is clipped in to the top of a pair of longitudinally abutting gutter pieces 10.

[0079] The connector 15 has a substantially U-shaped cross sectional profile and defines a water tight fluid channel 115 that runs along the length of the connector 15 (i.e. into and out of the page). The connector 15 has a general shape complementary to that of the inside of the drainage channels 85 of the gutter pieces 10 so that the connector is configured to fit to the inside of the drainage channels 85 of the gutter pieces 10. The fluid channel 115 defined by the connector 15 is an open fluid channel, open at a mouth at the top thereof and configured to convey fluid therealong. The open mouth of the fluid channel 155 of the connector is provided between opposing edges 120, 125 of a wall 130 of the connector 15 that defines the fluid channel 115.

[0080] One of the edges 120 of the wall 130 of the connector 15 comprises a chamfered edge that slopes downwardly from an exterior of the wall 130 towards an interior. The chamfered edge is an edge 120 of the wall 130 of the connector 15 closest to the mounting bracket 20 in use. The chamfered edge 120 is received within the recess 10 defined in the edge part 95 of the wall 130.

[0081] The other edge 125 of the wall 130 of the connector 15 comprises an outer flat section 135. The outer flat section 135 provides a convenient thumb grip such that both of the outer flat section 135 and the opposite edge part 105 of the drainage channel 85 that defines an outwardly protruding edge of the gutter piece 10 can be used to form pressure on the pieces to perform the clip connection easily.

[0082] The connector 15 comprises a catch member 140 that extends outwardly from an outer surface of a side part of the wall 130 of the connector 15. The catch member 140 is located away from the edges of the connector 15. The catch member 140 is configured to resiliently and releasably lock the catch 110 of at least one or both of the gutter pieces 10. The catch member 140 on the connector 15 and the catch 110 on the gutter piece or pieces 10 are inverted with respect to each other and form cam surfaces so they cam over each other as they are being engaged together. It is important that sealant is not disturbed/smudged prior to the final click in of the connector 15 into the gutter pieces 10. The catch member 140 and catch 110 are arranged such that as the connector 15 begins to engage the gutter pieces 10 in a rotational way, the protruding catch member 140 which engages with and cams off the inverted protruding catch 110, which keeps the walls of the gutter piece 10 separated from the connector 15 on the final approach prior to the clip in action. The catch member 140 and catch 110 interlock so as to resist the catch from uncoupling.

[0083] In an alternative or additional approach, rather than rotate the connector 15 into place to connect the gutter pieces 10, the connector 15 may be slid into the end of one of the gutter pieces 10 and the other gutter piece 10 can be slid onto the opposite end of the connector 15 so that the two gutter pieces 10 abut or are adjacent each other, with the connector 15 covering the join between the gutter pieces 10 from inside the drainage channels 85 of the gutter pieces 10.

[0084] A stop or spacer member 145 is provided on the outer surface of the side wall section of the wall 130 of the connector 15. The spacer member 145 is provided between the flat section 135 and the catch member 140 of the connector 15 and extends outwardly and proud of the outer surface of the side wall section of the wall 130 of the connector 15. In this way, the spacer member 145 creates a gap 150 between the outer surface of the side wall section of the connector 15 and the inner surface of the drainage channel(s) 85 of the gutter pieces 10. This makes it easier to insert a prying tool, such as a screwdriver into the gap 150 to release the catch member 140 from the catch 110 and thereby to release the connector 15 from the gutter piece or pieces 10.

[0085] The edge 120 of the connector 15 closest to the mounting bracket(s) 20 has the chamfered edge 120 to assist engagement with an invertedly chamfered edge 95 of the drainage channel 95 of the gutter pieces 10 to facilitate correct insertion of the edge 120 of the connector 15 into the recess 100.

[0086] Prior to the connector 15 being clipped in, a layer of suitable waterproof sealant is applied to the upper surface of the engaging part of the end of both gutter pieces 10. This creates a waterproof seal in a gap 155 between the connector 15 and the inner surface of the drainage channel 85 of the gutter piece 10. As described above, the catch member 140 and catch 110 are arranged such that as the connector 15 begins to engage the gutter pieces 10 in a rotational way, the protruding catch member 140 engages with, and cams off, the inverted protruding catch 110, which keeps the walls of the gutter piece 10 separated from the connector 15 on the final approach prior to the clip in action. This prevents the sealant from being disturbed or smudged

[0087] FIGS. 12 to 17 show the connecting of the two gutter pieces 10 of the gutter system 5 using the connector 15.

[0088] FIG. 18 shows the assembled gutter system 5 mounted to a wall 200. The brackets 20 are screwed into the wall using the fixings 205, 210 such as screws that are received through the fixing points 25, 30 in the form of screw holes. Fixings 210 are hidden behind the gutter pieces 10, whilst upper fixing 210 is exposed.

[0089] FIG. 19 illustrates a process of mounting the gutter piece 10 to the mounting bracket 20.

[0090] In step 1205 the upper lock piece 70 is angled obliquely and inserted into the wider and deeper slot upper slot 35.

[0091] In step 1210 the gutter piece 10 is rotated so that the upper and lower lock pieces 70, 75 rotate towards vertical until the lower lock piece 75 is aligned with the shallower and thinner lower slot 40.

[0092] In step 1215 the gutter piece 10 and its mounting part 80 is moved so that the lower lock piece 75 is slid downwards into the lower slot 40, such that at least part of each lock piece 70, 75 is inserted into the respective slot 35, 40.

[0093] In step 1220, the fixing 65 is inserted into the fixing hole 60 in the end portion of the upper slot forming flange 50 to lock the mounting part 80 of the gutter piece 10 onto the mounting bracket 20.

[0094] FIG. 20 illustrates a process for removing the gutter piece 10 from the mounting bracket 20.

[0095] In step 1305, the fixing 65 is removed from the fixing hole 60 in the end portion of the upper slot forming flange 50.

[0096] In step 1310, the gutter piece 10 is slid upwards so that the lower lock piece 75 is removed from the lower slot 40.

[0097] In step 1315, the gutter piece 10 is rotated so that the locking pieces 70, 75 are rotated away from the vertical so that the lower lock piece 75 is rotated away from the mounting bracket 20.

[0098] In step 1320, the upper lock piece 70 is removed from the wider and/or deeper upper slot 35 to thereby release the gutter piece 10 from the mounting bracket 20.

[0099] FIG. 21 illustrates a method of connecting two gutter pieces 10 together using the connector 20.

[0100] In step 1405, sealant is applied to ends of the inner surface of the drainage channels 85 of the gutter pieces 10 to be joined by the connector 20.

[0101] In step 1410, the connector 20 is lowered into at least the end parts of the drainage channels 85 of both gutter pieces 10 to be connected.

[0102] In step 1415, the chamfered edge 120 of the connector 20 is rotated so as to be inserted into the recess 100 defined in the edge 95 of the drainage channel 85 of each of the gutter pieces 10 to be connected.

[0103] In step 1420, the connector 20 continues to be rotated until the catch members 140 of the connector 20 engages and locks with the catches 110 of both gutter pieces the spacer members 145 of the connector 20 abut an interior surface of the drainage channel 85; and the edge 125 of the connector 20 abuts against the thickened bead of at least one or both of the gutter pieces 10 to be connected.

[0104] FIG. 22 illustrates a method of disconnecting the two gutter pieces 10 and the connector 20.

[0105] In step 1505, a prying tool is inserted into the gap 150 formed by the spacer member 145 of the connector 20 between the outer surface of the side wall section of the connector 20 and the inner surface of the drainage channel(s) 85 of the gutter pieces 10 to release the catch member 140 from the catch 110.

[0106] In step 1510, the chamfered edge 120 of the connector 20 is removed from the recess 100 by rotating the connector 20.

[0107] FIGS. 23 to 28 show a gutter system 2005 that is a variation of the gutter system 5 shown in FIGS. 1 to 18 and for which like components are provided with the same reference numerals but increased by 2000.

[0108] The gutter system 2005 shown in FIGS. 23 to 28 comprises at least two gutter pieces 2010 (again, only one being shown as the other gutter piece 2010 is behind the shown gutter piece 2010, into the page) connected or connectable by a connector 2015. The gutter system 2005 comprises a plurality of mounting brackets 20, which are the same as the mounting brackets 20 shown in, and described in relation to, FIGS. 1 to 18. Each gutter piece 2010 comprises the same mounting member 80 as the gutter pieces 10 shown in FIGS. 1 to 18, so that the gutter pieces 2010 can connect to the mounting brackets 20 using a rock and lock mechanism, in the same way as described above in relation to FIGS. 1 to 22.

[0109] The gutter pieces 2010 define a drainage channel 2085 similarly to the drainage channel 85 shown in FIGS. 1 to 18. Similarly, to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 18, an edge part 2095 of the drainage channel 2085 that is closest to the mounting member loops back in on itself towards the interior of the drainage channel 2085 to define a recess 2100. Similarly, to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 18, one of the edges 2120 of a wall 2130 of the connector 2015 comprises a chamfered edge that slopes downwardly from an exterior of the wall 2130 towards an interior. The chamfered edge is an edge 2120 of the wall 2130 of the connector 2015 closest to the mounting bracket 20 in use. The chamfered edge 2120 is received within the recess 2100 defined in the edge part 2095 of the gutter pieces 2010.

[0110] As can be seen particularly from FIG. 24, the main difference between the example of FIGS. 1 to 18 and that of FIGS. 23 to 28 lies in the mechanism by which another of the edges 2125 of the wall 2130 of the connector 2015 that is opposite the edge 2120 connects to the gutter pieces 2010. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 18, the other edge 125 of the wall 130 of the connector 15 clips and latches to the gutter pieces 10 via the catch member 140 and the catch 110.

[0111] In contrast, in the embodiment of FIGS. 23 to 28, a fixing structure 2110 that comprises a threaded recess for threadably receiving a screw or bolt, and is provided in a thickened part of a wall that forms the drainage channel 2085, so as to lie between the interior of the drainage channel 1085 and an outwardly protruding edge 2105 of the gutter pieces 2010 that is optionally thickened to form a bead. A part 2107 of the wall that forms the drainage channel 2085 that contains an opening 2108 of the threaded recess 2100 is flat and optionally in use extends horizontally so as to engage and abut an outer flat section 2135 of the other edge 2125 of the wall 2130 of the connector 2015.

[0112] The outer flat section 2135 of the connector 2015 comprises a fixing arrangement 2140 in the form of a through hole or thinned wall section for receiving a fixing, such as a threaded fixing e.g. a screw or bolt, therethrough.

[0113] FIGS. 25 to 28 show the connection of adjacent gutter pieces 2010 using the connector 2015. The two longitudinal gutter pieces 2010 are placed adjacent in an end-to-end configuration (so that they extend into and out from the page in FIGS. 25 to 28). Sealant, such as silicone sealant, is applied to ends of an inner surface of the drainage channels 2085 of each of the gutter pieces 2010 to be joined by the connector 2015. As shown in FIG. 25, the connector 2015 is angled so that the edge 2120 (e.g. the chamfered edge) of the wall 2130 of the connector 2015 can be inserted into the recesses 2100 formed on the inward side of the edge 2085 of the drainage channels 2085 at each end of the adjoining gutter pieces 2010.

[0114] As can be seen from FIGS. 26 to 28, the connector 2015 is then rotated around so that the outer flat section 2135 of the edge 2125 of the wall 2130 of the connector 2015 is rotated towards, and eventually so as to be adjacent to or in abutting contact with, the flat parts 2107 at the abutting ends of the walls of each of the adjacent gutter pieces 2010. The sealant remains between the outer surface of the connector 2015 and an inner surface of the drainage channels 2085 of each of the adjacent gutter pieces 2010.

[0115] The fixing, such as a screw, bolt or push stud, can then be inserted through the fixing arrangement 2140 (e.g. a through hole), and fixed into the fixing structure 2110 (e.g. a threaded recess or a recess for receiving a push stud) so as to fix the other edge 2150 of the connector 2010 to one of the gutter pieces 2010. Another fixing can then be inserted through another fixing arrangement 2140 and fixed into the fixing structure 2110 of the adjacent gutter piece 2010 in order to securely join the two adjacent gutter pieces 2010 via the connector 2015.

[0116] FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of two gutter pieces 2010a, 2010b of the gutter system of FIGS. 23 to 28 connected with a connector 2015. It can be seen that the gutter pieces 2010a, 2010b are elongate and the connector 2015 is shorter than the gutter pieces 2010a, 1010b and covers the join between the gutter pieces 2010a, 2010b. The connector 2015 sits in the drainage channel 2085 of each gutter piece 2010a, 2010b, and connects to each gutter piece 2010a, 2010b, e.g. via a screw fixing structure 2110 as shown in FIGS. 23 to 28 or the clip 110 and catch member 140 as shown in FIGS. 1 to 18. It will be appreciated that the configuration of gutter pieces 2010a, 2010b and connector 2015 shown in FIG. 29 is equally applicable to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 18 and to that of FIGS. 23 to 28. The mounting members 80 on each gutter piece 2010a, 2010b fit to corresponding mounting members 80 in the manner described above, via a rock and lock action.

[0117] It will be appreciated that variations on the above are possible. For example, rather than rotate the connector 15, 2015 into position, the connector 15, 2015 can be slid into position, e.g. by sliding part of at least the edge 95, 2095 of the connector 15, 2015 into the recess 100, 2100 of one gutter piece 10, 2010 and then sliding the recess 100, 2100 onto another part of the edge 95, 2095 of the connector 15, 2015.

[0118] Furthermore, although a threaded fixing is described above, the fixing can be a nail, tack, clip or a pop stud, or other fixing known in the art.