CA1178774A - Gutter guard and locking clip therefor - Google Patents

Gutter guard and locking clip therefor

Info

Publication number
CA1178774A
CA1178774A CA000389452A CA389452A CA1178774A CA 1178774 A CA1178774 A CA 1178774A CA 000389452 A CA000389452 A CA 000389452A CA 389452 A CA389452 A CA 389452A CA 1178774 A CA1178774 A CA 1178774A
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
clip
gutter
guard
locking
flange
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired
Application number
CA000389452A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Harry F. Kriegel
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA1178774A publication Critical patent/CA1178774A/en
Expired legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04BUILDING
    • E04DROOF COVERINGS; SKY-LIGHTS; GUTTERS; ROOF-WORKING TOOLS
    • E04D13/00Special arrangements or devices in connection with roof coverings; Protection against birds; Roof drainage; Sky-lights
    • E04D13/04Roof drainage; Drainage fittings in flat roofs, balconies or the like
    • E04D13/076Devices or arrangements for removing snow, ice or debris from gutters or for preventing accumulation thereof

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A gutter guard and locking snap clip for the guard for use with rain gutters in order to prevent leaves and other debris from clogging the outlet of the gutter. The gutter guard is formed with louvre type slots to permit rain to pass therethrough to said gutter for runoff but prevent leaves or other debris from passing through the guard. The guard in one form of the invention is formed with at least one guide groove adjacent the forward edge of the guard. The guide groove is located in a plane below the plane of the adjoining surfaces of said guard and the clip can be moved through the groove. The clip is formed adjacent its leading end with at least one surface irregularity above or below the plane of said leading end, which is adapted to be engaged by or be positioned behind a reversely bent flange of the gutter return bead so as to removably lock the clip, and thus the guard, to the gutter. In another form of the invention, the guard is formed with spaced tongues which function similarly to the separate clips in accordance with other forms of the invention.

Description

i J ~ ~ ' BACKGROUND OF THE I~3~JENTION
The present invention relates as indicated to a guttPr guard and locking clip therefor, and more par-ticularly to a unique gutter guard and integral or sep-arately constructed locking clip for retaining thegutter guard on a conventional rain gutter.
Gutter guards are well known in the art and serve the useful purpose of preventing lea~es and other deb,is from entering the gutter and thereby possibly clogging the gutter outlet at the downflow pipe. Presently known gutter guards of this general type normally com-prise foraminous members which cover the entire top of the gutter, with various types of screening material being commonly employed. The foraminous material permits rain to pass downwardly therethrough but not leaves and other debris, which simply collect on the top of the gutter guard and obstruct the surface drainage. Moreover, there is a tendency in certain gutter guards made of wireimesh or expanded metal to have the leaves cling to the surface of the guard thereby rendering them useless for rain drainage.
Since present gutter guards or screens as they are also referred to, are relatively light in weight due to the foraminous nature of the same, they are subject to being blown off the top of the gutter. Although it is known in the art to provide means for clamping the gutter guard to the gutter return beads, these have not proven satis-factory in use. In one form, the gutter guard is formed with a metal edging on its leading or forward edge which coacts with the gutter return bead for retaining the gutter guard in place. However, experiences to date have in-dicated that such form of retention does not provide a sec~lre holding of the guard since no locking device is used. In another known arrangement, a separate hinged clip is provided with the guard, with the clip coacting with the gutter bead for retaining the gutter guard in position.
However, such çlip is very cumbersome tQ apply since it must be placed in proper position while the installer employs both hands while standing on a ladder. ~oreover, f~.

~-&~

the clip adds to the installation costs.
S~ARY OF THE ~NTION
With the abo~e in mind, a principal feature of the present invention is the provision of a novel gutter guard construction. The guard is formed with louvre-type slots through which rain can pass to the gutter, with the guard otherwise providing a solid surface on which leaves and other debris can accumulate rather than passing into the gutter. The rear edge of the gutter is adapted to rest on a gutter support brace, and the leading edge of the gutter is formed with downwardly depending flanges which extend downwardly adjacent the rear edge of the gutter return bead of the gutter, thereby spacing the gutter guards front to rear on the gutter. Except at the location of the flanges, the leading edge of the gutter guard extends over the gutter ret~rn bead. Thus, the flanges can be struck from the forward edge of the gutter guard as desired to accommodate various size gutters.
The gutter guard is formed with at least one, and preferably a plurality of longitudinally spaced guide grooves located adjacent the leading edges of the guard.
These grooves are constructed and arranged so as to re-ceive locking snap clips,which are formed with projections or depressions in the surface thereof. In certain forms of the in~ention, projections extend upwardly from the plane of the leading edge of the clip, and in other forms grooves or depressions are formed in the legs of the clip.
In either event, insertion of the clip through the groove serves to engage the proje~tion or depression with the bottom edge of the reversely bent flange of the gutter return bead. The shapes of the clip and the guide groove are such that the leading edge of the cliP is cammed down-wardly wher~by resilient pressure inherent in the con-figuration of the clip serves to bias the depression into engagement with the bottom surface of the return flange, or position a projection behind such return flange.

~ ~ ~ `~5 ~ f Preferably, a series of projections or depressions are formed in the clip so as to accommodate various gutter shapes and dimensions. In each instance, the clip is removably locked in place, and in the event it is desired to remove the gutter guard from its locked position, the clip can be engaged by suitable releasing means, such as a screw driver, or separately provided release key, to permit the clip to be removed for unlocking the gutter guard.
In a further form of the invention, the gutter guard is integrally formed with at least one downwardly extending tongue having an upwardly extending flange at the forward end thereof which is adapted to extend behind the return bead of the gutter when the gutter guard is installed. In this form of the invention, a separate clip thus need not be provided.
These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds in particular reference to the application drawings.
BRIET DESC~IPTION OF TH~ APPLIC~TION DRAWINGS
-Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the gutter guard and one form of locking snap clip in accordance with the present invention, with the guard being shown locked to the gutter return bead of the gutter;
Figure 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure l;
Figures 3 and 4 illustrate the manner in which one of the loc~ing snap clip embodiments is inserted through a groove formed in the gutter guard;
Figure 5 illustrates one method by which the releasable loc~ing clip can be removed from engagement with the gutter return bead thereby freeing the gutter guard;
Figures ~-11 show various modifications of loc~ing snap clips constructed in accordance with the present invention;

.

Figure 12 illustrates a modified gutter guard construction formed with downwardly depending tongue portions formed with upwardly directed outer flanges which are adapted to extend ~ehind the gutter return bead of the gutter, Figure 13 illustrates the manner in which the Figure 12 form of the invention is removably locked in place;
Figure 14 is a perspective view of a release key for removing a locking snap dip, and Figure 15 is a sectional view taken on line 15-15 of Fig. 14.
DETAILED DE~C~IPTION OF THE P~FERRED
~lBOD~1ENTS
Referring now in more detail to the application drawings, wherein like parts are indicated by like reference n~merals, the gutter guard constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally in-dicated at 10, and is adapted to be associated with a rain gutter generally indicated at 12. The gutter 12 is of conventional construction, comprising a bottom wall 14, back wall 16 and a front wall 18. The front wall 18 includes a bottom vertical flange 20 and a forwardly off-set forward vertical flange 20, separated by a generally reversely curved intermediate portion. The flange 20 forms part of the gutter return bead, which also inc7udes a top, horizontally extending flange 22 and a reversely bent flange or bead 24, best seen in Fig. 13. Gutter support braces generally indicated at 26, Fig. 13, are also normally provided with the gutter, with the brace including an inverted U-shaped retaining flange 28 at the rear end thereof which extends over the top edge of the back wall 16 of the gutter, and a leading edge portion which includes a vertically extending flange 32 and an obliquely directed and reversely bent end flange 34 which extends into the recess formed by the top flange t ~ . i C ~ . ~` t ` ~

22 and the bead 2~ of the gutter. The brace further includes an intermediate portion 36 which can be formed with up~ardly directed ribs 38 at the sides thereof for rigidifying the brace members. In a typical installation the brace members 26 are positioned at spaced intervals alona the gutter and serve to rigidify the gutter and maintain the spacing of the front and back walls. It will be noted in this regard that where the gutter is con-structed of metal, it is of relatively thin guage, with the support braces serving to prevent bending of the front walls of the gutter.
The gutter guard 10 is supported along its rear edge by the gutter support braces, and at its forward or leading edge 40 by the top flange 22 of the gutter return bead, with the leading edge 40 overlapping the flange 22. A series of downwardly de-pending detents 42, only one of which is visible in Fig. 1, are struc~ from the leading edge of the gutter guard and depend downwardly adjacent the rearwardmost portion of the gutter return bead for spacing the gutter guard from front to rear. It will be understood that the length of the detent 42 can be varied depending upon the dimension of the gutter as measured from the rear wall 16 to the rearward most surface of the gutter return bead so as to space the gutter guard on the gutter with minimum play in a front to rear direction.
The guard 10 is provided with numerous louvre-type slots commonly designated at 44 formed throughout the length and width of the guard, with the slots being formed by stamping during the manufacture of the guard.
The slots 44 serve the purpose of permitting rain to fall downwardly through the guard but are suf~iciently small in dimension so as to prevent leaves and debris from passing through the guard to the gutter. If desired, rigidiying ri~s commonly designated at 46 can be formed in the trailing and leading edges of the guard to rigidify and stiffen the construction of the guard.
In the invention thus far described, the gutter guard 10 can be quic~ly and easily supported on the gutter, being supported at the rear edge thereof by the support braces 26, with the leading edge 40 being supported by the return bead flange, with the detents 42 serving t~
quicky and easily orient and space the guard on the gutter.
As best seen in Figs. 3-5, the gutter guard is formed with longitudinally spaced guide slots generally indicated at 50 relatively adjacent the leading edge of the guard.Each slot includes downwardly offset portions 52 and 54 which are in a plane below the plane of the guard, and a raised portion 56 struck upwardly from the plane of the guard. The depressed portions 52 and 54 and the raised portion 56 thus define an opening of substantial vertical extent through which a locking snap clip generally indicated at 60 can be inserted for retaining the guard on the gutter, as will be presently described. The de~ressed portions 52 and 54 and the raised portion 56 can likewise be formed during the stamping operation.
Figs. 6-11 illustrate several different types of separte locking snap clips which can be employed in connection with the present invention. Referring to Fig. 6, which illustrates the clip appearing in Figs.
l-S, the clip includes a body portion 62 and an upwardly turned finger flange 64 which can be g_asped during in-sertion and removal of the clip. Toward the leading edge of the clip, two projections commonly designated at 66 are struck upwardly from the body 62, at an oblique angle relative thereto. The width of the body portion 62 is slightly less than the width of the guide slot 50 formed in the gutter guard, and the length of the clip is such as to permit one of the detents 66 to be engaged behind the return flange 24 of the gutter return bead of the gutter.
Figs. 3 and 4 show the procedure for inserting the clip shown in Fig. 6, and Fig. 2 comprises a cross-sectional view showing the clip in its installed position.
Referring to Fig. 3, the clip is positioned with its leading edge below the raised portion 56 of the guide slots, and continued movement of the clip causes the leading edge thereof to approach the reversely bent flange or bead 24 of the gutter return bead of the gutter. As the leading edge approaches the reversely bent bead 24, the clip is cammed downwardly so that the forward pro-jection passes under the bottom edge of the bead and, with continued movement of the clip, the second projection 66 is cammed beneath such edge, as appears in Fig. 2.
.At this point, the finger flange 64 is positioned closely adjacent the upraisedportion 56 of the guide slot.
The clip 60 is formed of a resilient metal material, for example, relatively thin sheet metal, where~y the downward distortion of the same during the described forward movement through the guide slot results in a resilient biasing of the clip upwardly whereby the body of the clip tightly engages the bottom edge of the bead, with the projection 66 being positioned behind the bead. Thus, until the clip is intentionally removed as will be hereinafter descri~ed, it serves to removably lock the gutter guard to the gutter thereby preventing in-advertent removal of the guard by wind or other environ-mental or extraneous conditions.
It will be understood that a series of guide slots are provided along the length of the gutter guard, which can be supplied in incremental lengths,for example, four feet. Although only one guide slot and clip is suf-ficient for retaining the gutter guard in place on the gutter, a plurality of clips serves to more firmly retain the gutter guard in place.

If it is desired for any reason to remove the gutter guard for obtaining access to the gutter trough, a suitable tool can quickly disengage the clip from the gutter return bead. Fig. 5 illustrates how a screw driver can be used for that purpose. The flat tip 70 of the screw driver 72 is positioned in the guide slot over the raised portion 56, with the tip of the head 70 engaging the upper surface of the clip. The clip is then forced downwardly so as to depress the upper edge of the pro-jection 66 below the bottom edge of the return flangeof the gutter return bead. The clip can then be gripped by the finger flange 64 and moved rearwardly out of the guide slot. Similar removal of all the longitudinally spaced clips conditions the gutter guard for upward move-ment away from its support on the gutter bead.
- It will be apparent that although two projections 66 are shown in Fig. 6, the clip can be provided with a single such projection, or more than two. Obviously, a plurality of projections serve to accommodate substantial variation in gutter return bead construction, which varies substantially from gutter to gutter.
Figs. 7-11 show other clip forms. Referring to Fig. 7, a clip generally indicated at 70 is illustrated, similarly being formed with a body portion 72and a finger flange 74. Rather than being formed with struckup pro-jections 66 as shown in Fig. 6, ribs 76 and 78 are provided which accomplish the same purpose. The clip 70 can be easily stamped, and is inserted in the guide slot for locking the gutter guard in the same manner as previously describPd.
The locking clip generally indicated at 80 in Pig. 8 likewise includes a body portion 82 and a finger flange 84. Upwardly directed flanges 86 and 88 are pro-vided at the sides of the ~ody portion, with the forward ends of the flanges being serrated as commonly shown at 90. During use of the Fig. 8 clip, the leading edge of the clip is biased downwardly by the return bead flange as described, with the serrationsbeing forced past the edge of the return bead until the clip has been properly positioned. The resilient nature of the clip, which is prefera~ly formed of thin sheet metal, biases the leading end of the clip upwardly against the bottom edge of the gutter return bead thereby firmly engaging such edge against the ~ottom of the aligned serrated teeth with which said edge is in engagement. It will be noted that the leading end of the clip as shown in Fig. 8 is inclined slightly upwardly relative to the main body portion 82 of the clip, thereby enhancing the resilient pressure against the return bead flange when the clip is inserted through the guide slots for engagement with the flange edge. The clip 80 may be formed of desired width,with a rigidifying rib 92 formed in the main body of the clip before the finger flange 84 is struck upwardly. It will again be noted that the clip 80 can be formed simply and economically.
Referring to Fig. 9, there is illustrated therein a still further form of clip, generally indicated at 100. In this form, the clip is formed of metal wire reversely bent upon itself to form spaced legs 102 and 104, and a raised intermediate section 106, which corresponds to the finger flanges in the embGdiments previously de-scriDed. Each leg 102 and 104 has formed in the leading ends thereof a plurality of spaced grooves or notches commonly designated at 108. These correspond in function to the serrations 90 formed in the clip illustrated in Fig. 8, and in the use of the Fig. 9 clip, the clip is extended through the guide slot, and finally positioned so that the ~ottom edge of the reversely bent flange of the gutter return bead engages aligned grooves in each leg.
As the clip 100 is inserted, such edge will se~uentially engage each aligned pair of grooves, and the resilient nature of the spring clip will bias the legs upwardly so that .

the edge engages the aligned grooves. However, such resiliency is not sufficient to prevent continued forward movement of the c1ip until its proper position has been reached. As each pair of aligned grooves advances past the edge, the engagement of the bottom edge of the return flange with the grooves can be felt, thereby insuring that the final location of the clip is such that the flange edge engages one of the several pairs of aligned grooves illustrated in Fig. 9. Since the same resilient forces are encountered during the removal of the clip, the Fig.9 form affords the further advantage of ~eing removable without need for a special tool, thereby providing a temporary locking effect which can be ~uic~ly and easily engaged or disengaged with the return bead flange. As lS in Fig. 8, the leading ends of each leg 102 and 104 are preferably slightly upwardly inclined so as to enhance the resilient pressure afforded by the clip. It will be noted that the clip 100 can be easily formed by bending, with the notches or grooves being cut from the legs either before or after such bending operation.
Fig. 10 is similar in many respects to Fig. 9, and the same reference numerals have been applied where appropriate. However, the Fig. 10 form is formed with a closed end 110, with the raised portion 106 of the clip by means of which the clip can be grasped comprising two separate, spaced end portions. In this manner, the clip can be similarly formed by a wire bending operation, with the ends of the clip being spaced at the end 106 of the clip rather than at the forward end between the legs 102 and 104 as shown in Fig. 9. Again, the leading ends of the legs are preferably slightly upwardly inclined to enhance the resilient detention of the clip, with the clip being installed and removed as previously descri~ed.
Referring to Fig. 11, a further form of clip is illustrated, generally indicated at 120. ~he clip includes a main body portion 122 and an upwardly directed finger flange 124, with an a s~iffeninq bead 126 beina for~e~ in the body to facilitate the bending Gf the flange 124. .~
single upwardly extending projection 128 is formed in the clip, with the projection being generally tri~ngular shape in cross section. Although only one such projection is shown in Fig. 11, it will be apparent that a plurality can be provided if desired. The leading edge of the pr-ojection 128 is upwardly and rearwardly inclined and thereby provides a cam surface when the clip is moved forwardly through the guide slot. Such camming effects downward movement of the leading edge of the clip,so as to position the projection 128 behind the edge of the return flange of the gutter return bead, thereby removably lo~king the clip, and thus the gutter guard to the gutter.
The clip is agair. preferably formed of a relatively thin sheet metal material, inherently resilient when subjected to the downward movement resulting from the camming operation. Since the clip is retained ~y resilient forces ;
behind the edge of the bead, it will be apparent that the clip can be removed frcm its temporarily locked position by simply retracting the clip without need for a se~arate tool.
A still further form of the invention is the pro-vision of a gutter guard having integrally formed therewith at least one, and preferably a plurality of longitudinally spaced tongue members which inherently function as retaining clips when the gutter guard is mounted over the gutter.
Reference is made to Figs. 12 and 13, with the latter having been previously discussed with reference to the general configuration of the gutter and the gutter support braces positioned longitudinally along the gutter for support purFcses. Referring to Fig. 12, a tongue 130 is struck downwardly from the plane of the guard lQ, with the tongue being formed with an upwardly directed front flange 132.
3~ The flange is preferably slightly rearwardly inclined as shown in Fig. 13 so as to provide a cam surface which er.gages the reversely bent flange 24 of the gutter return bead shown in Fig. 13. As a result of such camming action, and in view of the Inherent resiliency provided by the 2referably sheet metal construction of the gutter guard, the flange 132 snaps into place behind the bottom edge of the return flange 24 of the gutter return bead, as shown in Fig. 13. The tongues 130 can be easily and inexpensively stamped from the gutter guard, and the Fig. 12 form of the invention avoids the use of a separate clip described above with reference to the other embodi-ments of the Invention.
To removably loc~ the gutter guard of Fig. 12 in place, the guard is positioned over the gutter with the front edge 134 of the guard positioned adjacent the rear-ward edge of the gutter return bead. The guard is then moved forwardly whereby the leading edge 134 overlaps the top surface 22 of the gutter return bead, and the ; flanges 132 of the tongues 130 engage the flanges 24 of the gutter return bead. Continued movement serves to snap the flange 132 behind the return ,flange 24, as shown in Fig. 13, thereby retaining the gutter guard in place.
To remove the guard, a screw driver or special key can be inserted into engagement with the tongue -130 and the tongue depressed, thereby lowering the top surface of the flange 132 below the edge of the return flange of the gutter return bead, thereby permitting the gutter guard to be removed rearwardly until the tongue clears the return flange, at which time the gutter guard can be raised upwardly and removed, As above noted, a suitable tool can be used for disengaging ~he clip from the gutter return bead, with Fig. 5 illustrating a screw driver being used for that purpose. However, a screw driver has the disadvantage that bending of the raised portion 56 of the guide slots or the portion of the surface of the guard above the front end of the guide slot frequently results. Therefore, a tool specifically designed for permitting withdrawal of the clip has been designed, and is illustrated in Figs. 14 and 15.
The key is generally indicated at 150, and is shown in perspective view ln ~ig. 14. Fig. 15 com-prises a sectional view taken along line 15-15 of Fig. 14. The ~ey includes a main body portion 152 and a pair of leges 154 and 156 at the front of the key. The legs 154 and 156 preferably extend upwardly substantially perpendicular to the main body portion, although the legs could be angled to the main body portion to some degree if desired. The spaced legs define a slot 158 therebetween, and a generally semi-circular slot 160 is rearwardly offset from the point at which the legs deviate from the plane of the main body. The purpose of the slot 160 will be presently described. A hole 162 is preferably formed in the~rear portion of the body member to permit the key to be con-veniently retained and hung when not in use.
As can be seen in Figs. 14 and 15, the leading edges of the legs 154 and 156 are swaged to form a more pointed and narrower front tip. This facilitates the rapid insertion of the key between the snap clip and the gutter bead edge, as will be presently described.
The key lS0 can be used with most if not all of the clip forms illustrated in Figs. 6-12. For convenient ref-erence, the use of the key with the clip form illustrated in Figs. 2-6 will be described. As best seen in Fig. 2, the clip 60 in such form is provided with spaced pro-jections 66, one of which engages behind the refersely 3~ bent flange 24 of the gutter return bead of the gutter.
When it is desired to remove the clip from its loc~ed position, the key is grasped by its body 152, with the legs 154 and 156 being inserted through the slot 54 toward the flange 24. The legs 154 and 156 of the key, ~5 when contacting the flange 24, will be forced downwardly, which in turn will cause downward movement of the leading end of the clip. The slot 158 is slightly greater in width than the width of the projection 66 whereby the legs can extend past the projections as the legs of the key are cammed downwardly by the flange 24.
It will be noted that when the key is inserted for with-drawal of the clip, the legs 154 and 156 are generally parallel to the main body of the clip 60, with the body portion 152 of the key extending generally perpendicularly upwardly.
When the key is in its fully inserted position, the projections 66 are positioned below the bottom sur-face of the reversely bent flange 24 of the gutter re-turn bead, whereby the clip can be quickly and easily removed from locking engagement with the gutter. An important feature of the invention is that the key can be maintained in its inserted position while the clip is being removed. This is possible due to the slot 158 ;
and the slot 160 which provides an opening through~hich the projections 66 can pass during withdrawal of the clip, without interference with the key in its operative position. Thus the key can be inserted with one hand and the clip withdrawn with the other hand. This avoids the awkward and difficult procedure of removing both the key and the clip at the same time.
It will further be noted that the removal of the clip is toally without damage either to the clip or to the guide slot through which the clip extends. Thus, the clip can ~e reinserted if desired without the guide slot or clip suffering damage.
The key is used in the same manner wi.h the other clip forms shown in Figs. 7-12. In each instance, the key is inserted toward the reversely ~ent flange of the gutter bead and generally parallel to the plane of the body of the clip. The swaged and narrowed end portions ~ f ~ ~:

.

of the key permit the leading edge of the key to extend below and beyond the flange 24 when the key continues to be moved forwardly. In this manner, the key legs serve to depress the forward or leading edge of the clip an amount sufficient to permit the projections or recesses by means of which the clip is retained to a extend below the bottom edge of the flange 24 whereby the clip can De removed.
It will thus be seen that a novel gutter guard has been provided, which performs the primary function of permitting rain to pass therethrough but precluding leaves and other debris from reaching the bottom of the gutter. In one form of the invention, tongue-like clips are provided integrally with the gutter guard for re-taining the leading edge of the guard on the gutter returnbead, and in other forms of the invention, a guide slot is stamped in the forward edge of the gutter guard at spaced intervals, and a separate clip is provided, pre-ferably for each guide slot. The clips can be quickly and easily inserted in the guide slot and moved forwardly, with the clips being formed with projections or inden-tations which can be located behind or engaged by the bottom edge of the return flange of the gutter return bead. The gutter guards can thus be quickly and easily locked in place, and in all forms of the invention, the clips can be easily disengaged from the return flange to permit removal of the clip and guard from the gutter.
A specially designed release key is provided for such purpose. The gutter guards can be inexpensively formed by stamping, and the clip embodiments, in all instances, can be formed inexpensively, in many instances from scrap metal.

Claims (20)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION IN WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:-
1. A gutter guard and locking snap clip for such guard for use with rain gutters in order to prevent leaves and other debris from clogging the outlet of the gutter, comprising a) a gutter guard formed with louvre type slots to permit rain to pass therethrough to said gutter for runoff but prevent leaves or other debris from passing through said guard, the forward edge of said guard being adapted to overlap and be supported by the top surface of the gutter return bead of the gutter, said guard being formed with at least one guide groove adjacent said forward edge, said guide groove being located in a plane below the plane of the adjoining surfaces of said guard, said guard being formed with a raised detent above a portion of said groove, said groove and said detent defining an opening of predetermined height and width through which said clip can be inserted, and b) a locking snap clip for locking said guard to said gutter, said clip being smaller in width than said groove, said clip being formed adjacent its leading end with at least one surface irregularity above or below the plane of said leading end, said surface irregularity being adapted to be engaged by or be positioned behind a reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead so as to removably lock said clip, and thus said guard, to said gutter.
2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said clip is formed with a main body portion, an upturned rear end flange which can be grasped during manipulation of the clip, and upwardly directed projections formed at the leading end of the clip which are adapted to extend behind the lower edge of the gutter return bead for locking the clip and thus the gutter guard to the gutter.
3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said projection means comprises a pair of spaced projections struck upwardly from said main body portion near the leading edge thereof, with said projections being rearwardly and upwardly inclined so as to provide cam surfaces engageable with the reversely bent flange of said gutter return beads and which snap behind such bead as said clip is moved for-wardly, thereby locking said clip and gutter guards.
4. The combination of claim 2 wherein said projection means on said locking snap clip includes at least one upwardly extending projection which is bent or rolled from the body of said clip and extends transversely across the width of said clip, said at least one projection being formed with an upwardly and rearwardly directed surface by means of which the projection can be cammed downwardly below said reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead, and thereafter snapped behind said flange for locking said clip and said guard in place.
5. The combination of claim 1 wherein said locking snap clip comprises a bent wire having a pair of spaced legs and an upwardly bent rear end portion by means of said legs being formed with a plurality of notches or grooves, with the grooves in one leg being aligned with the grooves in the opposed leg, whereby the clip can be moved forwardly until the leading end of the clip engages the reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead after which such leading end of the clip is cammed downwardly, with an aligned pair of such grooves engaging the exposed bottom surface of said reversely bent flange to retain such clip and said guard in place.
6. The gutter guard and locking snap clip of claim 1 wherein said clip comprises a main body portion and an upwardly turned finger flange formed at one end thereof, with the edges of said main body portion being formed with upwardly turned flanges generally perpendicular to the plane of said main body portion, the leading edges of said upwardly directed flanges being provided with serrations alternately providing peaks and valleys, with the peaks and valleys in each of said flanges being aligned, said lead end of said main body being slightly upwardly inclined whereby when said clip is positioned in said guide groove and moved forwardly, such leading end is cammed downwardly by said reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead whereby a pair of said aligned valleys of said serrations tightly engage the bottom edge of said reversely bent flange for retaining said clip and thus said gutter guard in place.
7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said gutter guard is formed with means for spacing said guard from front to rear on said gutter, said spacing means comprising a plurality of downwardly extending detents struck from the forward edge of said guards, said detents, when said guard is positioned over said gutter, being positioned closely adjacent the rearwardmost surface of said reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead.
8. A locking snap clip for locking a gutter guard to a rain gutter, said clip being formed of resilient material and provided at the rear end with an upwardly ex-tending portion which can be grasped for manipulation of the clip, said clip being further formed adjacent its leading end with at least one surface irregularity above or below the plane of said leading end, said surface irregularity being adapted to be engaged by or be positioned behind a surface of a gutter return bead on a gutter so as to removably lock the guard to said gutter.
9. The locking clip of claim 8 wherein said clip is formed with a main body portion, an upturned rear end flange which can be grasped during manipulation of the clip, and upwardly directed projection means formed at the leading end of the clip which are adapted to extent behind the lower edge of the gutter return bead for locking the clip and thus the gutter guard to the gutter.
10. The locking clip of claim 9 wherein said projection means comprises a pair of spaced projections struck upwardly from said main body portion near the leading edge thereof, with said projections being rear-wardly and upwardly inclined so as to provide cam surfaces engageable with a reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead and which can snap behind such bead as said clip is moved forwardly, thereby locking said clip and gutter guard.
11. The locking clip of claim 9 wherein said projection means on said locking clip includes at least one upwardly extending projection which is bent or rolled from the body of said clip and extends transversely across the width of said clip, said at least one projection being formed with an upwardly and rearwardly directed front surface by means of which the projection can be cammed downwardly below a reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead, and thereafter snapped behind said flange for locking said clip and guard to the gutter.
12. The locking clip of claim 9 wherein said locking snap clip comprises a bent wire having a pair of spaced legs and an upwardly bent rear end portion by means of which the clip can be manipulated, with the leading ends of said legs being formed with a plurality of grooves or notches, with the notches in one leg being transversely aligned with the notches in the opposed leg, whereby the clip can be moved forwardly until the leading end of the clip engages a reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead, after which such leading end of the clip is cammed downwardly, with an aligned pair of such notches engaging the exposed bottom surface of said reversely bent flange to retain such clip and said guard in place.
13. The locking clip of claim 8 wherein said clip comprises a main body portion and an upwardly turned finger flange formed at one end thereof, with the edges of said main body portion being formed with upwardly turned flanges generally perpendicular to the plane of said main body portion, the leading edges of said upwardly directed flanges being provided with serrations alternately providing peaks and valleys, with the peaks and valleys in each of said flanges being transversely aligned, said leading end of said main body being slightly upwardly inclined whereby when said clip is positioned in said guide groove and moved forwardly, such leading end is cammed downwardly by said reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead whereby a pair of said aligned valleys of said serrations tightly engage the bottom edge of said reversely bent flange for retaining said clip thus said gutter guard in place.
14. A gutter guard with an integrally formed locking means for use with rain gutters in order to prevent leaves and other debris from clogging the outlet of the gutter, comprising a) a gutter guard formed with louvre type slots to permit rain to pass therethrough to said gutter for runoff but prevent leaves or other debris from passing through said guard, the forward edge of said guard being adapted to overlap and be supported by the top surface of the gutter return bead of the gutter, and b) wherein said locking means comprises at least one resilient integrally formed locking clip formed in the forward edge of said guard, said clip comprising a downwardly offset tongue and an upwardly extending flange at the leading edge of said tongue, said flange being cammed downwardly by a reversely bent flange of a gutter return bead of a gutter when said guard is moved outwardly, said flange of said clip engaging behind said reversely bent flange so as to lock said clip and thus said guard in place on said gutter.
15. In combination with a gutter guard having a forward edge with at least one guide groove adjacent said forward edge, and a raised member above a portion of said guide groove, a locking snap clip for locking said gutter guard to a rain gutter, said clip extending through said raised member in said groove and being formed of resilient material and provided at a rear end with an upwardly extending portion which can be grasped for manipulation of the clip, said clip being further formed adjacent a leading end with at least one surface irregularity adjacent a plane of said leading end, said surface irregularity being adapted to cooperate with a surface of a gutter return bead on a gutter so as to removably lock the guard to said gutter.
16. The combination of claim 15, wherein said clip is formed with a main body portion, an upturned rear end flange which can be grasped during manipulation of the clip, and upwardly directed projection means formed at the leading end of the clip which are adapted to extend behind the lower edge of the gutter return bead for locking the clip and thus the gutter guard to the gutter.
17. The combination of claim 16 wherein said projection means comprises a pair of spaced projections struck upwardly from said main body portion near the leading edge thereof, with said projections being rearwardly and upwardly inclined so as to provide cam surfaces engageable with a reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead and which can snap behind such bead as said clip is moved forwardly, thereby locking said clip and gutter guard.
18. The combination of claim 16 wherein said projection means on said locking clip includes at least one upwardly extending projection which is bent or rolled from the body of said clip and extends transversely across the width of the said clip, said at least one projection being formed with an upwardly and rearwardly directed front surface by means of which the projection can be cammed downwardly below a reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead, and thereafter snapped behind said flange for locking said clip and guard to the gutter.
19. The combination of claim 16 wherein said locking snap clip comprises a bent wire having a pair of spaced legs and an upwardly bent rear end portion by means of which the clip can be manipulated, with the leading ends of said legs being formed with a plurality of grooves or notches, with the notches in one leg being transversely aligned with the notches in the opposed leg, whereby the clip can be moved forwardly until the leading end of the clip engages a reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead, after which such leading end of the clip is cammed downwardly, with an aligned pair of such notches engaging the exposed bottom surface of said reversely bent flange to retain such clip and said guard in place.
20. The combination of claim 15 wherein said clip comprises a main body portion and an upwardly turned finger flange formed at one end thereof, with the edges of said main body portion being formed with upwardly turned flanges generally perpendicular to the plane of said main body portion, the leading edges of said upwardly directed flanges being provided with serrations alternately providing peaks and valleys, with the peaks and valleys in each of said flanges being transversely aligned, said leading end of said main body being slightly up-wardly inclined whereby when said clip is positioned in said guide groove and moved forwardly, such leading end is cammed downwardly by said reversely bent flange of said gutter return bead whereby a pair of said aligned valleys of said serrations tightly engage the bottom edge of said reversely bent flange for retaining said clip and thus said gutter guard in place.
CA000389452A 1981-07-20 1981-11-04 Gutter guard and locking clip therefor Expired CA1178774A (en)

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US06/285,017 US4467570A (en) 1981-07-20 1981-07-20 Gutter guard and locking clip therefor
US285,017 1981-07-20

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