Hanger device for roof gutters

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to devices for hanging roof gutters. More specifically, the invention relates to a modular system for hanging roof gutters, and an associated adjusting apparatus.

[0002] More specifically, the invention relates to a roof gutter hanger assembly as disclosed in the preamble of claim 1, i.e. comprising a gutter bracket and a mounting, wherein the gutter bracket is adapted for receiving a roof gutter, and comprises at least one slot, the mounting is adapted for installation on a structure, and comprises at least one tongue, said at least one slot and tongue being adapted for releasable interconnection, where selective connection and disconnection of the gutter bracket and the mounting is allowed when the mounting is installed on the structure, independent of whether or not the gutter is installed in the bracket.

[0003] Devices or brackets for hanging roof gutters are well known. A typical roof gutter bracket is shown in Fig. 9, and is as a rule made of a flat which is curved as shown, equipped with mounting holes 4 in one end and "gutter locks" 2 and 3 fastened with rivets to the flat. In those cases where it is not possible to mount the gutter brackets to an approximately vertical ridge board, but where the bracket must be mounted to the roof and subsequently bent, as indicated in Fig. 7, this results in a major lack of precision in the hanging. This may mean that the fall of the gutter is wrong, or that one of more gutter brackets do not provide optimal support for the gutter. When a conventional gutter bracket is mounted to a roof as shown in Fig. 7, the gutter bracket is first screwed in place on the roof. The gutter bracket is subsequently bent by hand in a direction as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 7, after which the gutter is laid therein. It is obvious that a method of this kind is very imprecise and, if great precision is required, very time-consuming.

[0004] Another problem with this known type of gutter bracket is that it is made of three main parts: the flat itself and the two gutter locks that are screwed or riveted to the flat. This is a time-consuming and laborious process and increases the manufacturing costs of the gutter bracket.

[0005] Gutter brackets which are made in one piece, i.e., one piece of metal that is cut and punched so that the gutter locks are integral parts of the actual hanger, are also known. However, these one-piece gutter brackets cannot be adjusted, for example, for mounting on a roof as described above.

[0006] Another disadvantage of the conventional bracket is that it is relatively time-consuming to dismantle, for example, in connection with the temporary removal of a gutter when, e.g., a painting job is to be done. In addition, the known bracket type is made in many lengths, to allow for different mounting positions, e.g., ridge boards, on the roof etc.

[0007] Therefore, there is considered to be a substantial need for a gutter hanger system which facilitates installation and adjustment, is more rational to manufacture, easier to retrofit and more easily removable and hence replaceable.

[0008] The document AU 542757 B discloses a roof gutter hanger, comprising a gutter bracket adapted for receiving a roof guutter profile, and a mounting adapted for installation on a fascia of a building, said gutter bracket comprising at least one slot, said mounting comprising at least one tongue, said respective slot and tongue being adapted for releasable interconnection so as to allow a selective connection and disconnection of the hanger bracket and the mounting whereby at least one of said tongues is projecting from the surface of the mounting and at its rear edge is forming a slit between the tongue and the surface of the mounting, said slit in a first end comprising an opening and in a second end comprising a bottom, said slit being adapted for receiving the bracket.

[0009] According to the invention, there is thus provided a roof gutter hanger assembly as disclosed in claim 1.

[0010] Preferred features of the system according to the invention are set forth in the attached patent claims.

[0011] Embodiments of the invention are set forth in the attached patent claims, and in the following description with reference to the attached drawings. It should be understood that the drawings merely show typical exemplary embodiments, and thus should not be understood as defining the limits of the invention. In the drawings the same parts are indicated by the same reference numerals, and these numerals are also used below.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the roof gutter hanger according to the present invention, and shows the two main components, namely the gutter bracket 100 and the mounting 200.

Figure 2 shows the same components as Figure 1, but joined together.

Figure 3 shows two variants of the mounting 200, namely a longer variant 200 and a shorter variant 200'.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mountings 200 and 200' mounted on the ridge board of a house.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the mountings 200 mounted in a bent state to the roof of a house.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of the hanger according to the present invention, where the mounting 200 is shown screwed to a house roof 300 at an angle α relative to the horizontal plane. The mounting 200 is bent so that the second (lowermost) end of the mounting is almost vertical, and the actual gutter bracket is mounted thereon.

Figure 7 shows the previously mentioned known type of bracket mounted on a roof.

Figure 8 is a sectional view which shows principles and relevant variables for the bending of the mounting 200.

Figure 9 is a perspective view of the known bracket type mentioned above.

[0012] The roof gutter hanger according to the invention basically comprises a bracket 100 which preferably, but not necessarily, is in one piece, and a mounting 200, which may be of different lengths 200, 200'. The bracket has first and second ends 101, 102 and has "gutter locks" 120, 130 which are bent over the gutter to fasten it to the gutter bracket. Unlike the known type of bracket (see Fig. 9), the gutter locks on the bracket according to the invention are an integral part of the bracket. This eliminates at least one operation from the process of manufacturing the bracket. Furthermore, the bracket is equipped at one end with a first fastening device, in the described embodiment made in the form of a slot 110, capable of receiving at least a second fastening device or - in this embodiment - a tongue 210 which may be an integral part of the mounting 200, located at the second end 202 of the mounting and arranged in such manner that it projects from the surface of the mounting. In its rear region, the tounge 210 forms a slit between the tounge 210 and the surface of the mounting 200, 200', said slit in a first end comprising an opening and in a second end comprising a bottom, and said slit being adapted for receiving said bracket 100 by said slot 110. When installing the mounting, the slit opening is oriented upwards. As shown particularly i Fig. 8, the slit comprises a tapered form in a direction away from the slit opening.

[0013] When the bracket 100 and the mounting 200 are to be assembled, the bracket is passed over the lower end of the mounting so that the tongue 210 passes through the slot 110; the bracket is then hooked onto the tongue 210. When the two parts are to be detached from one another, the bracket is lifted slightly so that the tongue 210 is disengaged from the bracket and the bracket can be pulled off the tongue. If so desired, the tongue 210 can be bent to prevent the bracket from being lifted up inadvertently.

[0014] During assembly, the bracket 100 is locked to the mounting 200. When the tounge 210 during assembly is passed through the slot 110, will the tounge shape pinch the bracket. Figure 8 discloses how the gap between the tounge rear part and the mounting surface is gradually tapered (wedge shaped) in a downward direction. The bracket may be disengaged from the mounting by an upward pressue or light tapping.

[0015] The bracket 100 is also equipped with fastening means or mounting holes 140. This means that the bracket can be used without the mounting 200, in that it is fastened to a structure, for example, by means of nails or screws through the mounting holes 140. Even when the mounting and bracket are assembled, the mounting holes 140 can be used as an additional fastening.

[0016] The mounting 200 is fixed to the underlying roof or eaves using the mounting holes 240.

[0017] Figure 2 shows the mounting and the bracket when assembled. In this state, and when the mounting 200 or 200' has been fastened to a wall or roof 300 or the eaves 310, the gutter is placed in the gutter bracket and secured using the gutter locks 120, 130. If at a later stage there is a need to take the gutter down, for example, when cleaning or painting the structure behind the gutter, it is not necessary to release the gutter locks, as the entire length of the gutter can simply be lifted upwards, so that the tongue 210 is disengaged from the slot 110, and the whole gutter with gutter brackets can be lifted off. Similarly, the gutter and gutter brackets mounted thereon can easily be hooked back in place after, for example, the painting has been done.

[0018] Figure 3 shows two possible variants of the mounting according to the invention. They are in principle identical, but it is conceivable that, in particular when fixing the mounting to a roof, there will be a need for an extra long mounting. If the mounting is fixed to the eaves, it may be sufficient to use a shorter variant 200'.

[0019] Figure 4 shows in principle how the mountings are first installed in such a manner that the desired fall is obtained. It is believed to be considerably easier to both handle and install these mountings than a conventional gutter bracket. When the mountings are installed, the individual brackets are quickly and simply hung in place.

[0020] Figure 5 shows the mounting 200 installed in connection with a roof where for various reasons it has been necessary to install the actual mounting on the sloping roof. As mentioned, it is very difficult to do this in a precise manner with the known type of bracket, but with the hanger according to the invention the mounting 200 can be bent to the desired angle first and then screwed in place on the roof 300, whereupon the lower end of the mounting hangs almost vertically and the brackets 100 can easily be hung in place before the gutters are laid and locked therein in a conventional manner.

[0021] Figure 6 shows the same principle, here too with the gutter bracket 100 mounted.

[0022] Thus, it can be seen from the figures that the bracket 100 can be fastened releasably to a gutter by means of fastening elements 120, 130, and that the bracket 100 is thus releasable from the mounting 200, 200' whilst the gutter locks 120, 130 fasten the bracket 100 to a gutter. The mounting 200, 200' is capable of being mounted to a structure, which may be a roof at an angle of α or a wall 300, eaves 310 or another structure, where the mounting is adjustable about a break point k (see Figure 8) in such manner that the second end 202 of the mounting can assume an angle β relative to the first end 201, so as to allow a precise installation of a gutter via the bracket 200 fixed on the mounting.

[0023] When the mounting 200 is bent and mounted to the structure, the second end of the mounting has an almost vertical position (α + 90°), whilst the first end 201 assumes an angle almost equal to α.

[0024] The skilled artisan will understand that the roof gutter hanger according to the invention may also include embodiments where instead of only one slot-and-tongue pair 110, 120, there may be a plurality of such pairs, i.e., two or more slots 110 and similarly two or more tongues 210.

Claims

1. A roof gutter hanger assembly comprising a gutter bracket (100) and a mounting (200; 200'), wherein the gutter bracket (100) is adapted for receiving a roof gutter, and comprises at least one slot (110); the mounting (200; 200') is adapted for installation on a structure, and comprises at least one tongue (210); said at least one slot (110) and tongue (210) being adapted for releasable interconnection, so as to allow a selective connection and disconnection of the gutter bracket and the mounting, characterized in that the tongue (210) is arranged generally perpendicular to the mounting (200; 200') surface and arranged such that it lies in a generally vertical plane when the mounting is installed on the structure; and the slot correspondingly is arranged such that it assumes a generally vertical orientation when interconnected with the tongue and the mounting is installed on the structure, where selective connection and disconnection of the gutter bracket (100)and the mounting (200; 200') is allowed when the mounting is installed on the structure, independent of whether or not the gutter is installed in the bracket.

2. Assembly of claim 1, wherein said tongue at its rear edge is forming a slit between the tongue (210) and the surface of the mounting (200; 200'), said slit in a first end comprising an opening and ina second end comprising a bottom, said slit being adapted for receiving the bracket (100) by the slot (110).

3. Assembly of claim 2, wherein the slit opening is in an upward direction when the mounting (200; 200') is fitted to a building or similar.

4. Assembly of claims 2 or 3, wherein the slit comprises a tapered shape in a direction away from said slit opening.

5. Assembly of claim 2, wherein the slit is wedge-shaped and having a decreasing width towards the slit bottom.

6. Assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting (200; 200') is capable of being mounted to a structure (300) which has an angle α relative to the horizontal plane, where the mounting (200; 200') is adjustable about a breakpoint (k) in such a manner that a second end (202) of the gutter bracket (100) can assume an angle β relative to a first end (201) of the gutter bracket, so as to allow a precise installation of a gutter via the first hanger member.

7. Assembly of claim 1, wherein the tongue (210), when introduced to the bracket via said slot (110), may be bent to prevent the bracket (100) from being lifted up inadvertently.

8. Assembly of claim 1, wherein the bracket (100) comprises two or more first fastening slots (110) and in that the mounting (200; 200') comprises two or more tongues (210).

Ansprüche

1. Dachrinnenhalter-Anordnung mit einem Rinnenhalter (100) und einer Halterung (200; 200'), wobei der Rinnenhalter (100) zur Aufnahme einer Dachrinne vorgesehen ist und mindestens einen Schlitz (110) umfasst; die Halterung (200; 200') zur Montage an einem Bauwerk vorgesehen ist und mindestens eine Lasche (210) umfasst; wobei der mindestens eine Schlitz (110) und die mindestens eine Lasche (210) zur Bildung einer lösbaren Verbindung vorgesehen sind und damit das wahlweise Verbinden und Lösen des Rinnenhalters und der Halterung erlauben, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Lasche (210) allgemein rechtwinklig zur Oberfläche der Halterung (200; 200') steht und derart angeordnet ist, dass sie in einer allgemein senkrechten Ebene liegt, wenn die Halterung am Bauwerk montiert ist; und der Schlitz entsprechend derart angeordnet ist, dass er eine allgemein senkrechte Lage einnimmt, wenn er mit der Lasche verbunden ist und die Halterung am Bauwerk montiert ist, wobei das wahlweise Verbinden und Lösen des Rinnenhalters (100) und der Halterung (200; 200') möglich ist, wenn die Halterung am Bauwerk montiert ist, unabhängig davon, ob die Dachrinne im Halter eingebaut ist oder nicht.

2. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, worin die Lasche an der Hinterkante einen Einschnitt zwischen der Lasche (210) und der Oberfläche der Halterung (200; 200') bildet, wobei der Einschnitt an einem ersten Ende eine Öffnung und an einem zweiten Ende einen Boden umfasst und dazu vorgesehen ist, den Halter (100) über den Schlitz (110) aufzunehmen.

3. Anordnung nach Anspruch 2, worin die Öffnung des Einschnitts nach oben weist, wenn die Halterung (200; 200') an einem Gebäude o.ä. angebracht ist.

4. Anordnung nach den Ansprüchen 2 oder 3, worin der Einschnitt von der Öffnung des Einschnitts ausgehend eine verjüngte Form umfasst.

5. Anordnung nach Anspruch 2, worin der Einschnitt keilförmig ist und sich gegen den Grund des Einschnitts verengt.

6. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, worin die Halterung (200; 200') an einem Bauwerk (300) montierbar ist, welches einen Winkel α zur Horizontalen umfasst, wobei die Halterung (200; 200') derart um eine Knickstelle (k) veränderlich ist, dass ein zweites Ende (202) des Rinnenhalters (100) einen Winkel β zu einem ersten Ende (201) des Rinnenhalters bilden kann, um eine genaue Montage einer Dachrinne mittels des ersten Halterteils zu ermöglichen.

7. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, worin die über den Schlitz (110) in den Halter eingeführte Lasche (210) umgebogen werden kann, um zu verhindern, dass der Halter (100) unbeabsichtigt hochgeschoben werden kann.

8. Anordnung nach Anspruch 1, worin der Halter (100) zwei oder mehr erste Befestigungsschlitze (110) und die Halterung (200; 200') zwei oder mehr Laschen (210) umfasst.

Revendications

1. Ensemble de suspension de gouttière comprenant un support de gouttière (100) et une fixation (200; 200'), où le support de gouttière (100) est adapté à recevoir une gouttière et comprend au moins une fente (110); la fixation (200; 200') est adaptée à être installée sur une structure et comprend au moins une languette (210); ladite fente (110) et ladite languette (210) au moins étant conçues pour une connexion détachable, de sorte à permettre une connexion et déconnexion sélectives du support de gouttière et de la fixation, caractérisé en ce que la languette (210) est agencée généralement perpendiculairement à la surface de la fixation (200; 200') et agencée de telle manière qu'elle se trouve dans un plan généralement vertical lorsque la fixation est installée sur la structure; et que de manière correspondante, la fente est agencée de telle sorte qu'elle assume une orientation généralement verticale lorsqu'elle est connectée à la languette et que la fixation est installée sur la structure, où la connexion et déconnexion sélectives du support de gouttière (100) et de la fixation (200; 200') est possible lorsque la fixation est installée sur la structure, indépendamment du fait que la gouttière soit installée dans le support ou non.

2. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, où ladite languette forme à son arête arrière une incision entre la languette (210) et la surface de la fixation (200; 200'), ladite incision comprenant à une première extrémité une ouverture et à une deuxième extrémité un fond, ladite incision étant adaptée à recevoir le support (100) par l'intermédiaire de la fente (110).

3. Ensemble selon la revendication 2, où l'ouverture de l'incision est orientée vers le haut lorsque la fixation (200; 200') est montée sur un bâtiment ou autre structure similaire.

4. Ensemble selon les revendications 2 ou 3, où l'incision comprend une forme effilée à partir de ladite ouverture de l'incision.

5. Ensemble selon la revendication 2, où l'incision est cunéiforme et présente une largeur décroissante vers le fond de l'incision.

6. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, où la fixation (200; 200') est capable d'être montée sur une structure (300) ayant un angle α par rapport au plan horizontal, où la fixation (200; 200') est ajustable autour d'un point d'inflexion (k) de telle manière qu'une deuxième extrémité (202) de support de gouttière (100) peut assumer un angle β par rapport à une première extrémité (201) du support de gouttière, de sorte à permettre une installation précise d'une gouttière par l'intermédiaire du premier élément de support.

7. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, où la languette (210), lorsqu'elle est introduite dans le support par l'intermédiaire de ladite fente (110), peut être pliée pour éviter que le support (100) puisse être soulevé par inadvertance.

8. Ensemble selon la revendication 1, où le support (100) comprend deux ou plusieurs premières fentes (110) de fixation, et que la fixation (200; 200') présente deux ou plusieurs languettes (210).

Drawing