Special water diverter device for gutters at wall abutments

Abstract

This is a uniquely designed water diverter device for gutters at wall abutments. The device secures the gutter and provides a seal for preventing water to leak and ooze behind the siding. Thus it prevents rainwater from seeping behind siding or under roofing material, yet at the same time does not allow the buildup of debris which can create a back-up of water or allow the formation of ice dams to exacerbate a back-up of water. The diverter device includes a base structure with a top, bottom, closed end, open end, and a raised rim section extending from a plate with a gutter side and wall side; a cover section; a manner to hold the cover to rim of base; and an adhesive, seal, and fasteners to hold wall face plate of base structure to the face of a wall abutment.

Claims

1. A water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 made of a durable material and comprised of: (a) a base structure 35; (b) a cover section 45 with a top, a bottom, a closed end and an open end opposite the closed end; (c) a means 50 for holding the cover 45 to the base structure 35; and (d) a means 51 for holding a wall face plate 52, 53 of the base structure 35 to the wall abutment 65 wherein the base structure is mounted to the wall abutment and the cover is placed and connected to the base structure which provides a sealed and attached device for mounting eaves and gutters 70 to a fascia while also providing a seal for siding 73 and masonry 71 walls at the abutment.

2. The water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 in claim 1 wherein the base structure 35 is further comprised of a top, bottom, closed end, open end, and a raised rim section 56 extending from a plate 42,43 with a gutter side and wall side.

3. The water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 in claim 1 wherein the means 50 for holding the cover 45 to the base structure 35 is selected from a group consisting of spring clips, adhesive, plastic tabs, screws, threaded fasteners, metal fasteners, and plastic fasteners.

4. The water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 in claim 1 wherein the means 51 for holding the wall face plate 52, 53 of the base structure 35 to the wall abutment 65 is selected from a group consisting of adhesive, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, screws, nails, threaded fasteners, and rigid drive clips.

5. The water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 in claim 1 wherein the masonry exterior 71 is selected from a group consisting of brick, block, stucco, lick and stick face masonry, and composite panels.

6. The water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 in claim 1 wherein the siding exterior 73 is selected from a group consisting of wood, vinyl, aluminum, cedar, shakes, and composite materials.

7. The water diverter device in claim 1 wherein the durable material is selected from a group consisting of plastics, composite materials, form or cast metal, aluminum, steel, steel alloy, copper, and brass.

8. The water diverter device in claim 7 wherein the durable material is further comprised of a surface coating.

9. The water diverter device in claim 8 wherein the surface coating is selected from a group consisting of powder coat, paint, plating, and composite materials.

10. A water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 made of a durable material and comprised of a base structure with a top, bottom, closed end, open end opposite the closed end, and a raised rim section extending from a plate with a gutter side and wall side; a cover section; a manner to hold the cover to the raised rim of the base structure; and an adhesive to hold a wall face plate of the base structure to the face of the wall abutment wherein the device is mounted to the wall abutment and the cover is placed and connected to the base structure which provides a sealed and attached device for mounting eaves and gutters 70 to the fascia while also providing a seal for siding 73 and masonry 71 walls at the wall abutment.

11. The water diverter device in claim 10 wherein the masonry exterior 71 is selected from a group consisting of brick, block, stucco, lick and stick face masonry, and composite panels.

12. The water diverter device in claim 10 wherein the siding exterior 73 is selected from a group consisting of wood, vinyl, aluminum, cedar, shakes, and composite materials.

13. The water diverter device in claim 10 wherein the durable material is selected from a group consisting of plastics, composite materials, form or cast metal, aluminum, steel, steel alloy, copper, and brass.

14. The water diverter device in claim 10 wherein the durable material is further comprised of a surface coating.

15. The water diverter device in claim 14 wherein the surface coating is selected from a group consisting of powder coat, paint, plating, and composite materials.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSFIGURES

(1) The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the special water diverter device for gutters at wall abutments that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the special water diverter device for gutters. It is understood, however, that the device is not limited solely to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

(2) FIGS. 1 A through 1 D are sketches of the general water diverter for the gutters at wall abutments.

(3) FIGS. 2 A through 2 C are sketches of the general gutters and eaves for masonry and siding applications.

(4) FIGS. 3 A through 3 E are sketches showing the problems with gutters at the wall abutments with features shown from generally a side view.

(5) FIGS. 4 A through 4 C are sketches of the prototype water diverter, base, and cover with components shown.

(6) FIGS. 5 A through 5 F are sketches of the base and cover with components and features denoted.

(7) FIGS. 6 A through 6 I are black and white sketches of the water diverter, its base and its cover with components and features shown.

(8) FIGS. 7 A through 7 E are sketches of options for the water diverter base.

(9) FIGS. 8 A through 8 E are sketches of the water diverter installation on a wall abutment and roof deck.

(10) FIGS. 9 A through 9 D are sketches of the prior art attempting to divert water from roofs at wall abutments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSREFERENCE NUMERALS

(11) The following list refers to the drawings:

(12) TABLE-US-00002 TABLE B Reference numbers Ref # Description 30 special water diverter device 30 for gutters at wall abutments 65 31 prototype 31 water diverter 30 35 base structure 35 of water diverter 30 36 sketch of prototype 36 of base structure 35 37 closed end 37 of base structure 35 38 open end 38 of base structure 35 39 top 39 of base structure 35 40 bottom 40 of base structure 35 41 end tabs 41 of base structure 35 42 gutter face plate 42 of base structure 35 43 wall face plate of base structure 35 44 attachment slot 44 of base structure 35 45 cover structure 45 of water diverter 30 46 sketch of prototype 46 of cover structure 45 47 top 47 of cover 45 47A rear channel 47A of top 47 48 bottom 48 of cover 45 48A rear channel 48A of bottom 48 49 closed end 49 of cover 45 49A rear channel 49A of the closed end 49 50 means 50 for holding the cover 45 to base 35 such as spring clips, adhesive, plastic tabs, screws, threaded fasteners, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, or the like spring clips 51 means 51 for holding the wall face of base structure 35 to wall abutment 65, the means such as adhesive, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, screws, nails, threaded fasteners, and rigid drive clips, etc.) 52 reverse mold 52 to match siding 73 53 optional end 53 to base structure 35 54 optional end 54 to cover structure 45 55 gutter 55 56 raised rim section 56 for the base structure 35 60 roof deck/shingles 60 65 wall abutment 65 66 fascia 66 70 typical eaves and gutters 70 with masonry exterior 71 (brick, block, stucco, lick and stick face masonry, composite panels, etc.) 71 typical eaves 71 with siding exterior 73 (wood, vinyl, aluminum, cedar, shakes, composite materials, etc.) 71A photo/sketch 71A of typical eaves 71 with siding 73 72 masonry exterior 72 73 siding exterior 73 74 stucco or flat board 74 81 diverter 81 for water off roof 60 82 downspout 82 from other roof portion 83 83 other roof structure 83 90 prior Art 90 U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,665 91 prior Art 91 patent Application US2003/01311542 92 prior Art 92 U.S. Pat. No. 7,685,779 93 prior Art 93 U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,641

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

(13) The present development is a special water diverter device for gutters. This invention relates to a special water diverter device for gutters at wall abutments. This invention relates to a gutter assembly for roofs and more particularly to a gutter or eaves trough assembly. The device relates generally to siding placed on a house, and more specifically to diverting rainwater from the juncture of a sloped roof and vertical wall siding. This is related to a two-piece device that encircles the gutter and helps prevent water intrusion behind a wall. It is for use at a juncture between a vertical wall and an edge of a sloped roof, to prevent water from seeping behind siding.

(14) The advantages for the special water diverter device for gutters e 30 are listed above in the introduction. Succinctly the benefits are that the device: A. Is fast to install; B. Has most parts and molds already available with minor re-tooling; C. Is a universal designs for attachments to fit different gutters and may be easily increased or decreased to fit the standard and seamless gutters; D. Use by siding installers, gutter installers, repair persons, and masons; E. Protects from water intrusion at vulnerable and traditionally difficult places to stop the intrusion; and F. Can be distributed by large building parts suppliers as well as box stores like Lowes, Menards, and Home Depot etc. G. Yet another advantage of the present invention is that by diverting the water into a gutter positioned within the device, if ice should form, the ice will be contained within the device, thus preventing water and ice from backing up behind the siding or under the shingles.

(15) The preferred embodiment of the water diverter device 30, made of durable materials, is for gutters 55 at wall abutments 30 and is comprised of: A water diverter device for gutters at wall abutments comprised of: (a) a base structure 35 including a top, bottom, closed end, open end, and a raised rim section 56 extending from a plate 42,43 with a gutter side and wall side; (b) a cover section 45 with a top, a bottom, a closed end and an open end; (c) a means 50 to hold cover 45 to rim 56 of base 35 such as spring clips, adhesive, plastic tabs, threaded fasteners, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, or the like; and (d) an adhesive or fasteners 51 (screws, nails, rigid drive clips, etc.) to hold wall face plate 52,53 of base structure 35 to wall abutment 65 wherein the base structure is mounted to the wall abutment and the cove is placed and connected to the base structure which provides a sealed attached device for mounting the gutter to the fascia while also providing a seal for siding and masonry walls at the abutment.

(16) There is shown in FIGS. 1-9 a complete description and operative embodiment of the water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65. In the drawings and illustrations, one notes well that the FIGS. 1-9 demonstrate the general configuration and use of this product. The various example uses are in the operation and use section, below. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the special water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 that is preferred. The drawings together with the summary description given above and a detailed description given below serve to explain the principles of the device 30. It is understood, however, that special water diverter device for gutters is not limited to only the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Other examples of such devices are anticipated to be within the scope and spirit shown here.

(17) FIGS. 1 A through 1 D are sketches of the general water diverter 30 for the gutters 55 at wall abutments 65. Shown are several of the parts and components which will be further detailed in this specification. Shown are: a special water diverter device 30 for gutters at wall abutments 65; a prototype 31 water diverter 30; a base structure 35 of water diverter 30; a prototype 36 of base structure 35; a cover structure 45 of water diverter 30; a prototype 46 of cover structure 45; a gutter 55; a roof deck/shingles 60; and a wall abutment 65.

(18) FIGS. 2 A through 2 C are sketches of the general gutters 55 and eaves for masonry and siding applications. This helps set the stage for the use and significant improvements provided by the water diverter 30 for the gutters 55 at wall abutments 65. In these sketches are shown: a gutter 55; a roof deck/shingles 60; a wall abutment 65; a fascia 66; a sketch of a typical eaves and gutters 70 with masonry exterior 71 (brick, block, stucco, lick and stick face masonry, etc.); a sketch of a typical eaves 71 with siding exterior 73 (wood, vinyl, aluminum, cedar, shakes, composite materials, etc.); a photograph 71A of typical eaves 71 with siding 73; a masonry exterior 72; a siding exterior 73; and a stucco or flat board 74.

(19) FIGS. 3 A through 3 E are sketches showing the problems addressed with gutters 55 at the wall abutments 65 with features shown from generally a side view. Shown here are the patched on diverters and gutters from other roof sections running down and flooding siding and wall abutments. Viewed in these photographic sketches are: a gutter 55; a roof deck/shingles 60; a wall abutment 65; a diverter 81 for water off roof 60; a downspout 82 from other roof portion 83; and another roof structure 83. The new water diverter 30 for the gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 solves these problems and shortfalls.

(20) FIGS. 4 A through 4 C are sketches of the prototype water diverter 31, base 36, and cover 46 with components shown. Revealed in these component and features of the prototypes 36, 46 are: a prototype 31 water diverter 30; a prototype 36 of base structure 35; a closed end 37 of base structure 35; an open end 38 of base structure 35; a top 39 of base structure 35; a bottom 40 of base structure 35; an end tab 41 of base structure 35; a gutter face plate 42 of base structure 35; an attachment slot 44 of base structure 35; a prototype 46 of cover structure 45; a top 47 of cover 45; a rear channel 47A of top 47; a bottom 48 of cover 45; a rear channel 48A of bottom 48; a closed end 49 of cover 45; a rear channel 49A of the closed end 49; and a means 50 for holding the cover 45 to base 35 such as spring clips, adhesive, plastic tabs, screws, threaded fasteners, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, or the like. The base structure 35 and cover 45 are made of durable materials. For example and not as a limitation: plastics, composite materials, metalsextruded, formed or castlike aluminum, steel, steel alloy, copper, brass and other metals. These materials can also have a surface coating such as powder coat, paint or plating or naturally colored such as with plastics and composite materials.

(21) FIGS. 5 A through 5 F are sketches of the prototype base 36 and prototype cover 46 with components and features denoted. These are more prototypes showing the components and features. Provided in these sketches are: a prototype 31 water diverter 30; a prototype 36 of base structure 35; a closed end 37 of base structure 35; an open end 38 of base structure 35; a top 39 of base structure 35; a bottom 40 of base structure 35; an end tab 41 of base structure 35; a gutter face plate 42 of base structure 35; a wall face plate of base structure 35; an attachment slot 44 of base structure 35; a cover structure 45 of water diverter 30; a prototype 46 of cover structure 45; a top 47 of cover 45; a rear channel 47A of top 47; a bottom 48 of cover 45; a rear channel 48A of bottom 48; a closed end 49 of cover 45; a rear channel 49A of the closed end 49; and a means 50 for holding the cover 45 to base 35 such as spring clips, adhesive, plastic tabs, screws, threaded fasteners, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, or the like.

(22) FIGS. 6 A through 6 I are black and white sketches of the water diverter 30, its base 35 and its cover 45 with components and features shown. These sketches show most of the parts and features of the water diverter device 30. Shown and demonstrated here are:

(23) a special water diverter device 30 for gutters at wall abutments 65; a prototype 31 water diverter 30; a base structure 35 of water diverter 30; a closed end 37 of base structure 35; an open end 38 of base structure 35; a top 39 of base structure 35; a bottom 40 of base structure 35; an end tab 41 of base structure 35; a gutter face plate 42 of base structure 35; a wall face plate 43 of base structure 35; an attachment slot 44 of base structure 35; a cover structure 45 of water diverter 30; a rear channel 47A of top 47; a bottom 48 of cover 45; a rear channel 48A of bottom 48; a closed end 49 of cover 45; a rear channel 49A of the closed end 49; a means to hold 50 for holding the cover 45 to base 35 such as spring clips, adhesive, plastic tabs, screws, threaded fasteners, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, or the like; and an adhesive or fasteners 51 for holding the wall face of base structure 35 to wall abutment 65, the means such as adhesive or fasteners 51 metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, screws, nails, threaded fasteners, and rigid drive clips (screws, nails, threaded fasteners, rigid drive clips, etc.).

(24) FIGS. 7 A through 7 E are sketches of options for the water diverter base 30. In this view are seen the following components and features: a base structure 35 of water diverter 30; a prototype 36 of base structure 35; an end tab 41 of base structure 35; a gutter face plate 42 of base structure 35; a wall face plate of base structure 35; an attachment slot 44 of base structure 35; a cover structure 45 of water diverter 30; an adhesive or fasteners 51 for holding the wall face of base structure 35 to wall abutment 65, the means such as adhesive, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, screws, nails, threaded fasteners, and rigid drive clips etc.); a reverse mold 52 to match siding 73; an optional end 53 to base structure 35; and an optional end 54 to cover structure 45.

(25) FIGS. 8 A through 8 E are sketches of the water diverter 31 installation on a wall abutment 65 and roof deck 60. They are discussed below in the operation section.

(26) FIGS. 9 A through 9 D are sketches of the prior art attempting to divert water from roofs at wall abutments. These include: prior Art 90 U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,665Waterproof flanged exterior wall outlet secured to a building framework; prior Art 91 Patent Application US2003/01311542Secondary moisture drainage system for structures having pre-manufactured exterior cladding systems; prior Art 92 U.S. Pat. No. 7,685,779Molded wall flashing kick out; and prior Art 93 U.S. Pat. No. 5,109,641Roof transition flashing.

(27) The details mentioned here are exemplary and not limiting. Other specific components and manners specific to describing a special water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 may be added as a person having ordinary skill in the field of the art of gutters, siding and masonry devices for installation and their uses well appreciates.

Operation of the Preferred Embodiment

(28) The water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 has been described in the above embodiment. The manner of how the device operates is described below. One notes well that the description above and the operation described here must be taken together to fully illustrate the concept of the diverter device 30.

(29) A special water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 is simply installed. The prototype 36 of base structure 35 is attached to the wall abutment 65 by the rear face plate 43 and an adhesive or fasteners 51 for holding the wall face of base structure 35 to wall abutment 65, the means 51 adhesive, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, screws, nails, threaded fasteners, and rigid drive clips, etc.). Next on the raised rim section 56 for the base structure 35, a means 50 for holding the cover 45 to base 35 (such as spring clips, adhesive, plastic tabs, screws, threaded fasteners, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, or the like) is placed on the raised rim 56 and then the rear channel 47A of top 47; the rear channel 48A of bottom 48; and the rear channel 49A of the closed end 49 is snapped or popped into place over the connection means 50. After this, the gutter 55 is placed next to the gutter plate surface 52 of the base structure 35 (and cover 46) and then fastened as normal to the fascia 66 at the edge of the roof deck and shingles 60.

(30) FIGS. 8 A through 8 E are sketches of the water diverter 31 installation on a wall abutment 65 and roof deck 60. Shown in these operational sketches are how the gutter 55 is nestled inside the prototype water diverted device 31. A prototype 36 of base structure 35; a prototype 46 of cover structure 45; a means 50 to hold cover 45 to base 35 such as spring clips, adhesive, plastic tabs, threaded fasteners, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, or the like are not shown nor is the adhesive or fasteners 51 for holding the wall face of base structure 35 to wall abutment 65, the means 51 adhesive, metal fasteners, plastic fasteners, screws, nails, threaded fasteners, and rigid drive clips, etc.). In addition is shown the gutter 55; a roof deck/shingles 60; a wall abutment 65; and a fascia 66.

(31) Many uses are anticipated for the water diverter device for gutters at wall abutments. Some examples, and not limitations, are shown in the following Table.

(32) TABLE-US-00003 ITEM DESCRIPTION 1 Gutters with new siding installations (vinyl, aluminum, cedar, wood, etc.) 2 Gutters with new masonry installations (brick, block, stucco, lick and stick face masonry, etc.) 3 Replacement gutters with siding and flat walls

(33) With this description it is to be understood that the water diverter device 30 for gutters 55 at wall abutments 65 is not to be limited to only the disclosed embodiment of product. The features of the device 30 are intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the description.

(34) While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claims, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

(35) Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which these inventions belong. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can also be used in the practice or testing of the present inventions, the preferred methods and materials are now described above in the foregoing paragraphs.

(36) Other embodiments of the invention are possible. Although the description above contains much specificity, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention. It is also contemplated that various combinations or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the inventions. It should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosed inventions. Thus, it is intended that the scope of at least some of the present inventions herein disclosed should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments described above.

(37) The terms recited in the claims should be given their ordinary and customary meaning as determined by reference to relevant entries (e.g., definition of plane as a carpenter's tool would not be relevant to the use of the term plane when used to refer to an airplane, etc.) in dictionaries (e.g., widely used general reference dictionaries and/or relevant technical dictionaries), commonly understood meanings by those in the art, etc., with the understanding that the broadest meaning imparted by any one or combination of these sources should be given to the claim terms (e.g., two or more relevant dictionary entries should be combined to provide the broadest meaning of the combination of entries, etc.) subject only to the following exceptions: (a) if a term is used herein in a manner more expansive than its ordinary and customary meaning, the term should be given its ordinary and customary meaning plus the additional expansive meaning, or (b) if a term has been explicitly defined to have a different meaning by reciting the term followed by the phrase as used herein shall mean or similar language (e.g., herein this term means, as defined herein, for the purposes of this disclosure [the term] shall mean, etc.). References to specific examples, use of i.e., use of the word invention, etc., are not meant to invoke exception (b) or otherwise restrict the scope of the recited claim terms. Other than situations where exception (b) applies, nothing contained herein should be considered a disclaimer or disavowal of claim scope. Accordingly, the subject matter recited in the claims is not coextensive with and should not be interpreted to be coextensive with any particular embodiment, feature, or combination of features shown herein. This is true even if only a single embodiment of the particular feature or combination of features is illustrated and described herein. Thus, the appended claims should be read to be given their broadest interpretation in view of the prior art and the ordinary meaning of the claim terms.

(38) Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing dimensions, physical characteristics, etc. used in the specification (other than the claims) are understood as modified in all instances by the term approximately. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the claims, each numerical parameter recited in the specification or claims which is modified by the term approximately should at least be construed in light of the number of recited significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques.

(39) The present invention contemplates modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art. While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the figures and the foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the disclosures described heretofore and or/defined by the following claims are desired to be protected.