Tiltable bracket for a rain gutter of a building

Abstract

The invention is a tiltable bracket assembly for a rain gutter of a building, the assembly including an elongate clip configured to engage with an edge of the rain gutter; and a support bracket, wherein the support bracket includes a vertical element and a horizontal element, wherein the horizontal element including a hinged flap for a base of the rain gutter; characterized in that the vertical element of the support bracket includes a track for the elongate clip, and wherein the horizontal element of the support bracket includes a slot for the elongate clip. The elongate clip is configured to slide along the vertical element of the support bracket to engage and disengage with the upper rear edge of the rain gutter. When disengaged, the flap can be articulated to facilitate the pivotal movement of the rain gutter. This allows the gutter to be easily emptied or cleared of leaves or snow of the like as required.

Claims

1. A tiltable bracket assembly for a rain gutter of a building, the tiltable bracket assembly including: an elongate clip configured to engage with an edge of the rain gutter; and a support bracket, wherein the support bracket includes a vertical element and a horizontal element, wherein the horizontal element includes a hinged flap for a base of the rain gutter; characterized in that the vertical element of the support bracket includes a track for the elongate clip, wherein the horizontal element of the support bracket includes a slot for the elongate clip, wherein the elongate clip includes a main body having an upper end and a lower end, wherein a tail extends from the lower end of the main body, said tail being narrower than the main body, and wherein the slot is sufficiently wide to receive the tail, but is too narrow to receive the main body.

2. The tiltable bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the slot of the support bracket is dimensioned to approximate the tail of the elongate clip.

3. The tiltable bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tail includes an aperture or recess.

4. The tiltable bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper end of the main body includes a clip configured to engage with the edge of a rain gutter.

5. The tiltable bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the main body of the elongate clip has side edges, wherein the side edges engage with the track.

6. The tiltable bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical element of the support bracket includes at least one aperture for a fastener.

7. The tiltable bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the vertical element has opposing side edges, and wherein the track is formed by folding over the side edges to define a channel.

8. The tiltable bracket assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein one end of the slot of the horizontal element of the support bracket is closer to the vertical element than the other end of the slot.

9. A kit for installing a tiltable bracket assembly for a rain gutter to a building, the kit including: an elongate clip configured to engage with an edge of the rain gutter; and a support bracket, wherein the support bracket includes a vertical element and a horizontal element, wherein the horizontal element includes a hinged flap for a base of the rain gutter, wherein the vertical element of the support bracket includes a track for the elongate clip, wherein the horizontal element of the support bracket includes a slot for the elongate clip, wherein the elongate clip includes a main body having an upper end and a lower end, wherein a tail extends from the lower end of the main body, said tail being narrower than the main body, and wherein the slot is sufficiently wide to receive the tail, but is too narrow to receive the main body.

10. The kit as claimed in claim 9, wherein the kit includes a plurality of fasteners to secure the support to a fascia of the building with which the tiltable bracket assembly is to be used.

11. A tiltable bracket assembly for a rain gutter of a building, the tiltable bracket assembly including: a support bracket, wherein the support bracket includes a vertical element and a horizontal element, wherein the vertical element is configured to be mounted to a building, and wherein the horizontal element includes a hinged flap for a base of the rain gutter; and an elongate clip slidably engaged with the vertical element, wherein the elongate clip is configured to engage with an edge of the rain gutter; characterized in that the vertical element of the support bracket includes a track for the elongate clip, and wherein the horizontal element of the support bracket includes a slot for the elongate clip; wherein the elongate clip includes a main body having an upper end and a lower end, wherein a tail extends from the lower end of the main body, said tail being narrower than the main body, and wherein the slot is sufficiently wide to receive the tail, but is too narrow to receive the main body.

12. A tiltable bracket assembly for a rain gutter of a building, the tiltable bracket assembly including: a support bracket, wherein the support bracket includes a vertical element and a horizontal element, wherein the vertical element is configured to be mounted to a building, and wherein the horizontal element includes a hinged flap for a base of the rain gutter; and an elongate clip having a main body and a tail, the tail being narrower than the main body, wherein the elongate clip is configured to engage with an edge of the rain gutter; wherein the vertical element of the support bracket includes a track which slidably engages the main body of the elongate clip, and wherein the horizontal element of the support bracket includes a slot which slidably engages the tail of the elongate clip, said slot being too narrow to receive the main body of the elongate clip.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order that the advantages of certain embodiments of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. While it should be understood that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a two-part tiltable bracket, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the support bracket of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the elongate clip of the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1;

(5) FIGS. 4a & 4b are side views of a two-part tiltable bracket in use, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

(6) FIG. 1 shows the invention in the form of a two-part tiltable bracket (generally indicated by arrow 100). The tiltable bracket is formed of two major parts, a support bracket (102) and an elongate clip (104) which slides through the support bracket.

(7) The support bracket and the elongate clip are illustrated individually, for sake of clarity, in FIGS. 2 and 3 respectively.

(8) Dealing first with the support bracket (102) of FIG. 2, this is an L-shaped structure (200), with a vertical element (202) and a horizontal element (204).

(9) The vertical element (202) of the support bracket (102) includes a track (206) formed by folding the edges (208) of the vertical element towards each other. This defines a narrow channel at either side of the element.

(10) The horizontal portion (204) of the support bracket (102) includes a hinged flap (210) which pivots about an axle pin (212) at the end (214) of the horizontal portion.

(11) To help reduce the potential for distortion of the axle pin (212) when loading, from the rain gutter (not shown) is placed on it, and to provide support for the hinged flap (210) when it is in a closed state (resting on top of the horizontal portion (204), the side edges (216) of the horizontal portion have been folded over. This effectively compensates for the depth of the axle pin by increasing the thickness of the horizontal portion.

(12) At the juncture or angle (218) formed by the vertical (202) and horizontal elements (204) of the L-shaped structure (200) is provided an elongate slot (220). This is very slightly distanced from the juncture, corresponding substantially with the distance that the tail of the elongate clip has been offset from its body (not shown). It is also angled such that one end of the slot is closer to the juncture than the other end.

(13) In use, the vertical element (202) is affixed to the fascia of the building (not shown) with which the invention is to be used. To allow this, apertures (222) are provided through which fasteners, such as screws (not shown), pass.

(14) Turning now to FIG. 3, the elongate clip (104) is illustrated. As can be seen, it is an elongate structure with a main body (300), the upper end of which is configured to form a clip (302). This forms a structure which in use engages with the upper rear edge of the rain gutter (not shown).

(15) In this embodiment, the clip (302) spans the full width of the body (300); this means that once inserted into the support bracket, it cannot be pulled entirely through it.

(16) The lower end of the main body (300) is configured with an elongate tail structure (304) extending therefrom. This is offset laterally, the extent of which substantially corresponds to the distance between the juncture and the slot of the horizontal portion of the support bracket (not shown).

(17) Referring back to FIG. 2, it will be appreciated that the slot (220) of the support bracket (102) is dimensioned to approximate the tail rather than the main body. This is to ensure that the elongate clip cannot fall entirely through the support bracket in use. The slot is also slightly angled so that as the tail (304 in FIG. 3) moves through it, there is some friction between the contacting surfaces.

(18) Returning to FIG. 3, it will be seen that the central portion of the elongate clip includes an aperture (306). This is dimensioned to be larger than the head of the fasteners (not shown) that would otherwise be used to secure the support bracket (not shown) to the fascia of the building (not shown) with which the invention is to be used.

(19) Making the aperture (306) larger ensures that the heads of the fasteners (not shown) do not inhibit the movement of the clip along the vertical track of the support bracket (not shown), with which the side edges (308) of the main body (300) engage.

(20) The tail (304) also includes an aperture (310). However, this is not intended for a fastener. A cutout (312) is also provided on the tail. These co-operate with a hook or peg of an elongate tool (not shown) wielded by the person clearing the gutters.

(21) FIGS. 4a and 4b show the two main parts of the invention in use. The tiltable bracket (100) is fixed to the fascia of the building (not shown) by the support bracket (102).

(22) The tail (304) of the elongate clip (104) is inserted into the slot (not visible in these views) of the support bracket (102) and the edges of the edges of the main body (300) aligned with the track (206).

(23) Then, by pulling the tail downwards, the clip (302) itself moves downwards and engages with the rain gutter's (400) upper rear edge (402) as shown in FIG. 4a.

(24) The base (404) of the gutter (400) is secured to the hinged flap (210). While the clip is in a secured position, both the base and the upper edge (402) of the rain gutter is held in a secured position.

(25) However, when the clip is disengaged from the rain gutter as shown in FIG. 4b, by articulating it upwards along the track in the direction indicated by arrow A. This leaves the rain gutter secured only by the hinged flap, which is free to be pivoted in the direction indicated by arrow B about the axis of rotation defined by the pin (212).

(26) Using a tool (not shown) to pull the outward facing edge (406) of the rain gutter (400) or by pressing upwards against the part of the base of the rain gutter not obscured by the tiltable bracket, it can be rotated upside down thereby allowing the accumulated debris and detritus contained therein to fall to the ground.

(27) The same tool (not shown) may be provided with a pin to engage with the aperture (not visible) of the tail (304) of the clip portion (104). This can then be used to apply downward pressure to the elongate clip to move it relative to the support bracket (102) and force the clip (302) into engagement with the upper rear edge (402) of the gutter (400).

(28) It will be readily understood that the components of various embodiments of the present invention, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention, as represented in the attached figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as claimed, but is merely representative of selected embodiments of the invention.

(29) The features, structures, or characteristics of the invention described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. For example, reference throughout this specification to certain embodiments, some embodiments, or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases in certain embodiments, in some embodiment, in other embodiments, or similar language throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

(30) It should be noted that reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussion of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

(31) Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

(32) One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the invention as discussed above may be practiced with steps in a different order, and/or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the invention has been described based upon these preferred embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention. In order to determine the metes and bounds of the invention, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims.