US4590716A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Gutter system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1983-10-28
•
Granted: 1986-05-27
•
Expires: 2003-10-28
Abstract
Abstract A gutter system to exclude contaminants and encourage the migration of water only therewithin including a conduit having a bottom wall, side walls and a top wall, the top wall being provided with a longitudinal slit along its length adapted to receive therewithin a plurality of comb-like teeth depending from the roof, the comb-like teeth disposed in substantially a vertical plane and its associated comb structure optionally having a textured surface for attracting water within the slit by capillary attraction which water is thereafter disposed in the conduit and removed from the premises.
Inventors
- 👤 Clark Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 20:34
CPC Classifications
E; E04; E04D; E04D13/00; E04D13/04; E04D13/076
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
166 words
A gutter system comprising in combination a downspout communicating with a substantially closed conduit disposed below the eaves of a sloped roof, the conduit having an upper portion provided with a longitudinal slit formed therein along the length of the conduit, the slit having respective edges, a comb member having a planar first portion secured to the roof and substantially following the slope of the roof, the comb member further having a second portion carried by the first portion and bent downwardly therefom, the second portion of the comb member being arranged in a substantially vertical plane and having a plurality of comb teeth formed therein, the teeth extending through the longitudinal slit and into the conduit, and the teeth being in substantial frictional engagement with the edges of the slit, whereby the debris will wash off the roof and the water will be carried by capillary action by the comb teeth into the conduit, and whereby debris will be precluded from entering into the conduit.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
166 words
A gutter system comprising in combination a downspout communicating with a substantially closed conduit disposed below the eaves of a sloped roof, the conduit having an upper portion provided with a longitudinal slit formed therein along the length of the conduit, the slit having respective edges, a comb member having a planar first portion secured to the roof and substantially following the slope of the roof, the comb member further having a second portion carried by the first portion and bent downwardly therefom, the second portion of the comb member being arranged in a substantially vertical plane and having a plurality of comb teeth formed therein, the teeth extending through the longitudinal slit and into the conduit, and the teeth being in substantial frictional engagement with the edges of the slit, whereby the debris will wash off the roof and the water will be carried by capillary action by the comb teeth into the conduit, and whereby debris will be precluded from entering into the conduit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 including a plurality of removeable spacers periodically spaced along said slit to render uniform said slit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 2 wherein said conduit is provided with a further bottom wall internally and sloped towards the downspout.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 3 wherein mounting brackets are provided which extend from a roof fascia below said conduit and up to one side wall thereof for retaining the conduit adjacent the roof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The device of claim 4 wherein said comb teeth are supported by a comb bar, said teeth equally spaced and having constant section along their length tapering to a point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 5 wherein said comb bar is attached to an associated comb support plate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said comb bar is attached to said support plate by means of periodic clips depending from a bottom face of said plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said support plate includes a depending lip to which said comb bar fastens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 6 wherein said support plate is a shingle and has a textured surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
113 words
A gutter system for the migration of water comprising in combination a plurality of vertically downwardly depending spaced teeth extending from an edge of a roof at an oblique angle thereto, said teeth having a substantially uniform dimension and further having substantially constant cross-section, substantially enclosed conduit means surrounding a substantially vertically depending portion of said teeth and including a longitudinal slit having edge means which substantially straddles and encompasses said teeth with substantial frictional engagement therebetween, whereby spaces between adjacent teeth provide a capillary means of egress for said water from said roof into said conduit, and whereby the debris washes off the roof and is precluded from entering into the conduit.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
113 words
A gutter system for the migration of water comprising in combination a plurality of vertically downwardly depending spaced teeth extending from an edge of a roof at an oblique angle thereto, said teeth having a substantially uniform dimension and further having substantially constant cross-section, substantially enclosed conduit means surrounding a substantially vertically depending portion of said teeth and including a longitudinal slit having edge means which substantially straddles and encompasses said teeth with substantial frictional engagement therebetween, whereby spaces between adjacent teeth provide a capillary means of egress for said water from said roof into said conduit, and whereby the debris washes off the roof and is precluded from entering into the conduit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 10 wherein said conduit means includes a top wall, side walls and a bottom wall, said bottom wall communicating with a downspout.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 11 wherein said teeth are formed with a supportive comb bar.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 12 wherein said comb bar attaches to the leading edge of the roof through a support plate.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The device of claim 13 wherein said support plate is textured.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 14 wherein said support plate attaches to said comb bar by a depending lip attached to one side of said comb bar.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 14 wherein said support plate attaches to said comb bar by means of clips spaced along the length thereof.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 14 wherein said comb bar is supported by a shingle.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device of claim 17 including bracket means for securing said conduit against a fascia of the roof.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 18 including an internally sloped bottom wall within said conduit extending and declinated towards the downspout.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-05-26 | 1989-11-25 | 1990-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-05-26 | 1993-11-25 | 1994-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-05-26 | 1997-11-25 | 1998-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |