METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CREATING GUTTER HOLE

Abstract

A gutter punch is described herein including a base having a top side and a bottom side, a first side wall, a second side wall, wherein the first and second side walls are attached to the bottom side of the base and angle inwardly and downwardly from the base, a front wall, a back wall, wherein the front wall and the back wall are attached to the bottom side of the base and angle inwardly and downwardly from the base, a gutter punch, wherein the gutter punch is connected approximately in the center of each of the connecting plates and is substantially perpendicular to the connecting plates, and a handle connected to the top side of the base.

Claims

1. A gutter punch die tool comprising: a base having a top side and a bottom side; a first side wall; a second side wall, wherein the first and second side walls are attached to the bottom side of the base and angle inwardly and downwardly from the base, wherein the first and second side walls are angled inwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle; a front wall; a back wall, wherein the front wall and the back wall are attached to the bottom side of the base and angle inwardly and downwardly from the base, such that attachment points of the sidewalls and the front wall and back wall are at substantially 90 degree angles with respect to one another, wherein the front wall and the back wall are angled inwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle; a first angled guide; a second angled guide, wherein the first angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the front wall and the first side wall, wherein the second angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the front wall and the second side wall; a third angled guide; a fourth angled guide, wherein the third angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the back wall and the first side wall, wherein the fourth angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the back wall and the second side wall, wherein the first side wall and first angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a first gap is formed between them, wherein the first side wall and third angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a second gap is formed between them, wherein the second side wall and the second angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a third gap is formed between them, wherein the second side wall and the fourth angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a fourth gap is formed between them, wherein the angled guides all have a first end and a second end; a first connecting plate having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first connecting plate is connected to the second end of the first angled guide and the second end of the first connecting plate is connected to the second end of the second angled guide, wherein the first connecting plate and the first angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the first connecting plate and the second angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees; a second connecting plate having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second connecting plate is connected to the second end of the third angled guide, wherein the second end of the second connecting plate is connected to the second end of the fourth angled guide, wherein the second connecting plate and the third angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the second connecting plate and the fourth angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate are substantially parallel to one another; a first cavity, wherein the front wall, the first angled guide, the second angled guide, and the first connecting plate form the first cavity; a second cavity, wherein the back wall, the third angled guide, the fourth angled guide, and the second connecting plate form the second cavity; a gutter punch, wherein the gutter punch is connected approximately in the center of each of the connecting plates and is substantially perpendicular to the connecting plates; and a handle connected to the top side of the base.

2. A gutter punch die tool comprising: a base having a top side and a bottom side; a first side wall; a second side wall, wherein the first and second side walls are attached to the bottom side of the base and angle inwardly and downwardly from the base; a front wall; a back wall, wherein the front wall and the back wall are attached to the bottom side of the base and angle inwardly and downwardly from the base; a gutter punch, wherein the gutter punch is connected approximately in the center of each of the connecting plates and is substantially perpendicular to the connecting plates; and a handle connected to the top side of the base.

3. The gutter punch die tool of claim 2 further comprising: a first angled guide; and a second angled guide, wherein the first angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the front wall and the first side wall, wherein the second angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the front wall and the second side wall.

4. The gutter punch die tool of claim 3 further comprising: a third angled guide; and a fourth angled guide, wherein the third angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the back wall and the first side wall, wherein the fourth angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the back wall and the second side wall.

5. The gutter punch die tool of claim 4, wherein the first side wall and first angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a first gap is formed between them, wherein the first side wall and third angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a second gap is formed between them, wherein the second side wall and the second angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a third gap is formed between them, wherein the second side wall and the fourth angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a fourth gap is formed between them, wherein the angled guides all have a first end and a second end.

6. The gutter punch die tool of claim 5, wherein the first and second side walls are angled inwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle.

7. The gutter punch die tool of claim 6, wherein attachment points of the sidewalls and the front wall and back wall are at substantially 90 degree angles with respect to one another, wherein the front wall and the back wall are angled inwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle.

8. The gutter punch die tool of claim 7 further comprising: a first connecting plate having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first connecting plate is connected to the second end of the first angled guide and the second end of the first connecting plate is connected to the second end of the second angled guide; and a second connecting plate having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second connecting plate is connected to the second end of the third angled guide, wherein the second end of the second connecting plate is connected to the second end of the fourth angled guide.

9. The gutter punch die tool of claim 8, wherein the first connecting plate and the first angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the first connecting plate and the second angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the second connecting plate and the third angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the second connecting plate and the fourth angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate are substantially parallel to one another.

10. The gutter punch die tool of claim 9, further comprising: a first cavity, wherein the front wall, the first angled guide, the second angled guide, and the first connecting plate form the first cavity; and a second cavity, wherein the back wall, the third angled guide, the fourth angled guide, and the second connecting plate form the second cavity.

11. A method of punching a hole in a gutter, the method comprising the steps of: providing a gutter punch die tool, the gutter punch die tool comprising: a base having a top side and a bottom side; a first side wall; a second side wall, wherein the first and second side walls are attached to the bottom side of the base and angle inwardly and downwardly from the base; a front wall; a back wall, wherein the front wall and the back wall are attached to the bottom side of the base and angle inwardly and downwardly from the base; a gutter punch, wherein the gutter punch is connected approximately in the center of each of the connecting plates and is substantially perpendicular to the connecting plates; and a handle connected to the top side of the base; punching a hole in the gutter, thereby creating downwardly extending flanges.

12. The method of claim 11, the gutter punch die tool further comprising: a first angled guide; and a second angled guide, wherein the first angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the front wall and the first side wall, wherein the second angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the front wall and the second side wall.

13. The method of claim 12, the gutter punch die tool further comprising: a third angled guide; and a fourth angled guide, wherein the third angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the back wall and the first side wall, wherein the fourth angled guide is attached to the bottom side of the base between the back wall and the second side wall.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first side wall and first angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a first gap is formed between them, wherein the first side wall and third angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a second gap is formed between them, wherein the second side wall and the second angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a third gap is formed between them, wherein the second side wall and the fourth angled guide are attached to the bottom side of the base such that a fourth gap is formed between them, wherein the angled guides all have a first end and a second end.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first and second side walls are angled inwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein attachment points of the sidewalls and the front wall and back wall are at substantially 90 degree angles with respect to one another, wherein the front wall and the back wall are angled inwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle.

17. The method of claim 16, the gutter punch die tool further comprising: a first connecting plate having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the first connecting plate is connected to the second end of the first angled guide and the second end of the first connecting plate is connected to the second end of the second angled guide; and a second connecting plate having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the second connecting plate is connected to the second end of the third angled guide, wherein the second end of the second connecting plate is connected to the second end of the fourth angled guide.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first connecting plate and the first angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the first connecting plate and the second angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the second connecting plate and the third angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the second connecting plate and the fourth angled guide form an angle of approximately 135 degrees, wherein the first connecting plate and the second connecting plate are substantially parallel to one another.

19. The method of claim 18, the gutter punch die tool further comprising: a first cavity, wherein the front wall, the first angled guide, the second angled guide, and the first connecting plate form the first cavity; and a second cavity, wherein the back wall, the third angled guide, the fourth angled guide, and the second connecting plate form the second cavity.

Description

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The disclosure may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, aspects of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a bottom view of the gutter punch die;

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the gutter punch die;

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a second side view of the gutter punch die;

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the gutter with the hole;

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the gutter in FIG. 4; and

[0017] FIG. 6 shows a bottom side view of the gutter in FIG. 4.

IV. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating aspects of the disclosure only and not for purposes of limiting the same, and wherein like reference numerals are understood to refer to like components.

[0019] The present teaching describes a method of creating a gutter hole 32.

[0020] FIGS. 1-6 show the gutter punch die tool 10, which creates the hole 32 with one punch. The die tool 10 is configured such that the punch creates downward flanges 34, 36, 38, 40 as shown in FIGS. 4-6. The gutter punch die tool 10 has a base 21 (having a bottom side 42), two inwardly angled side walls 16, 18, wherein the first side wall 16 and the second side wall 18 are attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 and angle inwardly and downwardly from the base 21. The gutter punch die tool 10 also has a front wall 20 and a back wall 22, wherein the front wall 20 and the back wall 22 are attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 and angle inwardly and downwardly from the base 21, such that the attachment points of the side walls 16, 18 and the front wall 20 and back wall 22 are substantially at 90 degree angles with respect to one another. Also attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 are first angled guide 11 and second angled guide 15, wherein the first angled guide 11 is attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 between the front wall 20 and the first side wall 16, wherein the second angled guide 15 is attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 between the front wall 20 and the second side wall 18. Also attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 are third angled guide 13 and fourth angled guide 17, wherein the third angled guide 13 is attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 between the back wall 22 and the first side wall 16, wherein the fourth angled guide 17 is attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 between the back wall 22 and the second side wall 18. The first side wall 16 and first angled guide 11 are attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 such that a first gap B is between them. The first side wall 16 and third angled guide 13 are attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 such that a second gap D is between them. The second side wall 18 and second angled guide 15 are attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 such that a third gap A is between them. The second side wall 18 and fourth angled guide 17 are attached to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 such that a fourth gap C is between them. The side walls 16, 18 are angled inwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle, and the front wall 20 and the back wall 22 are also angled inwardly at approximately a 45 degree angle.

[0021] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-6, the angled guides 11, 13, 15, 17 all have a first end and a second end (shown but not referenced). A first connecting plate 19 has a first end and a second end (shown but not referenced), wherein the first end of the first connecting plate 19 is connected to the second end of the first angled guide 11 and the second end of the first connecting plate 19 is connected to the second end of the second angled guide 15. The first connecting plate 19 and the first angled guide 11 form an angle of approximately 135 degrees and the first connecting plate 19 and the second angled guide 15 form an angle of approximately 135 degrees. A second connecting plate 21 has a first end and a second end (shown but not referenced), wherein the first end of the second connecting plate 21 is connected to the second end of the third angled guide 13 and the second end of the second connecting plate 21 is connected to the second end of the fourth angled guide 17. The second connecting plate 21 and the third angled guide 13 form an angle of approximately 135 degrees and the second connecting plate 21 and the fourth angled guide 17 form an angle of approximately 135 degrees.

[0022] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-6, the front wall 20, the first angled guide 11, the second angled guide 15, and the first connecting plate 19 form a first cavity 24. The back wall 22, the third angled guide 13, the fourth angled guide 17, and the second connecting plate 21 form a second cavity 26. The first connecting plate 19 and the second connecting plate 21 are substantially parallel to one another and connected to first connecting plate 19 and the second connecting plate 21 is a gutter punch 14. The gutter punch 14 is connected approximately in the center of each of the connecting plates 19, 21, and is substantially perpendicular to the connecting plates 19, 21. The gutter punch 14 is connected to the bottom side 42 of the base 21 and extends downwardly away from the bottom side 42 of the base 21, tapering to a point 44. The gutter punch die tool 10 also has a handle 12 connected to the top 46 of the base 21. It is to be understood that all of the angles described above are just one aspect of the present teachings. The angles of the side walls 16, 18 and the front and back walls 20, 22 can range from approximately 15 degrees to approximately 60 degrees. The angles of the angled guides can range from approximately 90 degrees to approximately 165 degrees.

[0023] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-6, the gutter punch die tool 10 is used to punch a hole 32 in a gutter 30. The hole 32 punched in the gutter 30 floor pushes the metal from the gutter 30 downwardly, creating four flanges 34, 36, 38, 40. The downspout (not shown) can then be attached directly to the four downwardly facing flanges 34, 36, 38, 40, eliminating the need for an outlet wring or caulk.

[0024] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-6, the downwardly punched flanges 34, 36, 38, 40 also eliminate upward protrusions in the floor of the gutter 30. With the present teaching, the entire floor of the gutter 30 will remain smooth all the way to the downspout, with nothing to prevent free flow of the water. Although the FIGURES show four flanges 34, 36, 38, 40, it is to be understood that the number of flanges is not critical, and any number of flanges can be used, as long as chosen using sound engineering judgment.

[0025] With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-6, the downspout can easily be attached to the downwardly facing flanges 34, 36, 38, 40. The process using the gutter punch die tool 10 also allows for the hole 32 to be punched without cutting or marking the location first. The handle 12 can be held by hand and struck with a hammer, or another mechanical device can be attached to the handle to push the gutter punch die tool 10 through the gutter 30. In one aspect of the present invention, no mechanical or electrical tools are used to push the gutter punch die tool 10. The point 44 of the gutter punch 14 is pushed through the gutter 30 and the remaining parts of the gutter punch die tool 10 push out the flanges 34, 36, 38, 40.

[0026] Numerous aspects have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods and devices may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of the present teaching. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

[0027] Having thus described the disclosure, it is now claimed: