c12) United States Patent
`Lenney et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.: US 7,310,912 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Dec. 25, 2007
`
`(54) RAIN GUTTER DEBRIS PRE℃LUSION
`DEVI℃E
`
`(76) Inventors: Robert ℃. Lenney, 3150 Edgewood
`La., Newcastle, CA (US) 95658; John
`Lewis, 4105 Mercer Dr., Modesto, CA
`(US) 95658
`
`( *) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 44 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No. ・ 10/944,167
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep. 16, 2004
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2006/0123710 Al Jun. 15, 2006
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`2,288,121 A *
`6/1942 Sandmeyer et al. ・・・ H ・H ・－． 52/12
`2,583,422 A *
`1/1952 Haddon ...・H ・H ・ H ・.....・... 210/498
`4,646,488 A
`3/1987 Burns
`4,745,710 A
`5/1988 Davis
`8/1990 Weller
`4,949,514 A
`5,010,696 A
`411991 Knittel
`5,107,635 A *
`4/1992 Carpenter ...................... 52/12
`5,261,195 A
`11/ 1993 Buckenmaier et al.
`5,406,754 A *
`4/1995 Cosby ......・ H・........・ H・..... 52/12
`5,617,678 A *
`411997 Moran din et al. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52111
`5,640,809 A
`611997 Iannelli
`5,729,931 A *
`311998 Wade .....・ H ・.....・ H ・.....・ H ・. 52112
`
`(Co凶inued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Preferred Distributing, Inc.,“How it Works” Section of LeafF ilter
`
`Web Site and Photographs of 出e LeafF ilter Gutter Protection
`Product；羽川川fleaffilter.com; Unknown Date; Plainwell, MI.
`
`Primary Examiner Richard E. Chilcot, Jr.
`Assistant Examiner Adriana Figueroa
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Heisler & Associates
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/503,610, filed on Sep.
`16, 2003.
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRA℃I
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`E04D 13100
`(2006.01)
`BOID 33100
`(2006.01)
`BOID 24100
`....・H ・......・ H・...・H ・.. 52/12; 210/162; 210/474
`(52) uふ℃I.
`( 58) Field of ℃lassification Search .................... 52/11,
`52/12, 15; 248/48.1; 210/474, 162; 405/43,
`405/45; 404/2; 119/530, 527, 450, 480,
`119/509
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References ℃ited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`672,701 A * 4/1901 Daniel ...・H・.....・ H・....... 248/48.l
`2,229,381 A * 1/1941 Grow ...・H ・.....・H・.....・H ・... 52/12
`
`A barrier is provided to preclude debris from passing into a
`rain gu壮er. The barrier includes a screen supported upon a
`channel. The channel includes a tab positionable between a
`roof and shingles upon the roof, and with a lip opposite the
`tab resting upon a portion of a gu壮er opposite the roof. The
`channel includes a recess between the tab and the lip. The
`recess includes a floor defining a lower plane of the channel.
`Ribs extend from the floor up to an upper plane of the
`channel in which the screen is supported. The ribs have
`sufficient height to remain in contact with the screen. Water
`is drawn through the screen and along the ribs down to the
`floor of the recess. Apertures in the floor allow the water to
`fall down through the channel and into the gu壮er, while
`debris is precluded from passing through the screen.
`
`1 ℃laim, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`/
`
`IPR2018-00015
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`

`US 7,310,912 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6,598,352 B2 * 7/2003 Higginbotham .....・H ・...・... 52/12
`6,942,419 B2 * 912005 Knak et al. ... ... ... ... .. ... ... 404/4
`6,134,843 A * 10/2000 Tregear ...・H ・.....・H・H ・H ・... 52/12
`6,205,715 Bl * 3/2001 Rex, Jr. ・・・・ H・ H ・...・H・...・ H・－ 52/12 * cited by examiner
`
`IPR2018-00015
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 25, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 7,310,912 B2
`
`s
`
`~10
`
`34
`
`Fig. 1
`
`s
`
`Fig. 2
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`IPR2018-00015
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Dec. 25, 2007
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 7,310,912 B2
`
`40
`
`Fig. 3
`
`72
`
`70
`
`60
`
`60
`
`24
`20
`__,r10
`
`22
`
`Fig. 4
`
`Fig. 5
`
`s－－十
`
`44(1 40142--...,, /36
`
`ーー－~－：一二千： ＇：_j ＿＿ 一
`
`ー一一一一一一一一一一 "T一一一一
`52
`38-'
`
`57
`
`Fig. 6
`
`IPR2018-00015
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`

`

`US 7,310,912 B2
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`1
`RAIN GUTTER DEBRIS PRE℃LUSION
`DEVI℃E
`
`2
`the water down through the screen along these legs where
`the water is then further allowed to drop down into the
`gutter.
`While the Higginbotham skeletal support structure with
`5 included screen supporting legs is generally effective, it
`e油ibits some drawbacks which have been addressed by this
`This application claims benefit under Title 35, United invention. In particular, the skeletal structure including the
`States Code ｧ 119( e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. legs and included ellipses is rather complex in form. It is not
`easily attached to rain gutters, and is not conveniently
`60/503,610 白led on Sep. 16, 2003.
`10 formed for supporting the included screen. Also, Higgin-
`botham teaches use of multiple structures together underlyｭ
`ing the screen, rather than utilizing a simplified single
`structure to support the screen and assist in drawing the
`The following invention relates to barriers for rain gu壮ers
`and similar structures for keeping leaves and other debris out water through the screen and into the gu壮er. Higginbotham
`of the rain gutters. More particularly, this invention relates 15 is attached to the gutter only, rather than between the roof
`to rain gu壮er debris preclusion barriers which utilize a and the gutter. Such attachment results in more difficult
`screen to allow water to pass into the gutter, but to preclude installation.
`debris from passing into the gutter.
`
`SUMJ\ι生RY OF THE INVENTION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`20
`
`This invention provides a rain gutter debris preclusion
`barrier which satisfies the aforementioned need for a rain
`Keeping rain gu壮ers free of debris is a common nuisance
`for home owners. When debris such as leaves, shingle gutter debris preclusion barrier. Particularly, a channel is
`residue, and other material collect within a rain gutter, the provided for placement over at least a portion of a rain gutter
`rain gu壮er is prone to becoming clogged and ceasing to 25 and which supports a screen upon the channel. The channel
`function to ca町y water in a desirable fashion off of the roof is configured to rest along one edge between a roof and
`and away 企om the building. Not only is the process of shingles upon the roof, and at another edge adjacent a
`cleaning gutters of such debris a nuisance, it also entails portion of a gu壮er spaced from a roof, such that the channel
`significant risk of injury, particularly when the rain gu壮ers
`need only be attached at the edge adjacent the 企ont of the
`30 gutter. The channel is preferably formed of a single constant
`are elevated high above the ground.
`To remedy this undesirable situation, numerous products cross-sectional structure with a recess below portions of the
`have been developed to keep debris from collecting within channel abu壮ing the gutter and the roof. Ribs extend up from
`a rain g1附:r, so that the cleaning of the gutters can be a floor of the recess to an upper plane in which 白e SC民叩 is
`located. The ribs are thus available to draw water thromrh the
`avoided. For representative sampling of such prior inven-
`tions, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,646,488 (Burns), U.S. 同. No・ 35 screen by providing a wetted surface for capillary action
`4 745,710 (Davis), U.S. Pat. No. 4,949,514 (Weller) U.S. forces to assist in drawing water through fenestrations in the
`Pat. No. 久010,696 (K凶tel), U.S. Pat. No. 久261,195 （ふはー
`screen and down to the floor of the channel. Apertures in the
`enmaier), U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,809 (Iannelli), U.S. Pat. No. channel are provided with sufficient size to allow the water
`6,134,843 (Tregear) and U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352 (Higgin- collecting on the floor to drop through the apertu即日nd into
`botham）・
`40 the rain gutter.
`Some such prior art gu壮er debris guards utilize some form
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`of screen which allows water to pass through but precludes
`Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is
`debris. Such screen-based gutter debris guards present a
`difficult technical problem. If the apertures in the screen are to provide a barrier for preventing debris from passing into
`too large, then debris will pass through the openings in the 45 a rain gutter, while allowing water to pass into the rain
`screen, causing the device to fail. If the openings are slightly gutter.
`smaller, the debris can become lodged within the apertures
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a rain
`themselves, plugging up the apertures and providing a gutter debris barrier which traps very small debris before the
`homeowner with a new challenge involved in cleaning debris passes into the rain gutter, while allowing water to
`debris out of the screen itsel王 Also, ifthe openings are large, so pass into the rain gu壮er.
`the screen must either be of very high strength material, or
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a rain
`be subject to bending or other collapse when a large amount gutter debris barrier which covers the entire rain gu壮er.
`of debris is located upon the screen. At the other extreme, if
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a rain
`the openings are too small, surface tension forces in the gutter debris preclusion device which is easy to install in a
`water will cause a film of water to span the openings in the 55 highly secure fashion.
`screen and the water will roll across the screen and not pass
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a rain
`through the screen into the gutter. With such fine mesh gutter debris barrier which is of high strength and durable in
`screens, water is thus not adequately allowed to pass through performance.
`the screen and water spills over the gu壮ers, preventing the
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a rain
`60 gutter debris barrier which resists deterioration when
`gutter from functioning at all.
`The patent to Higginbotham (U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,352) exposed to direct sunlight and extremes of temperatures.
`teaches one solution to this problem. In particular, the screen
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a rain
`is supported from below by a series of vertical legs that gutter debris barrier which is easy to m組ufacture.
`extend up to elliptical heads which support the screen
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`thereon. With the elliptical heads of the legs in contact with 65 method for precluding debris from a rain gutter which
`the screen, adhesion forces in the water are beneficially operates reliably and minimizes an amount of gutter main-
`utilized to provide a wetted path of surface material wicking tenance for a homeowner.
`
`IPR2018-00015
`Petitioners Ex. 1004 p. 5
`
`

`

`US 7,310,912 B2
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`3
`4
`Other further o句ects of the present invention will become 30 opposite the tab 40. The lip 70 is adapted to be secured
`apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing to a portion of the gutter G most distant from the roof R,
`figures, the claims and detailed description of the invention. such as with a screw 34 or other fastener.
`More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS.
`s 1-3, details of the screen 20 of the barrier 10 are described.
`The screen 20 can be any form of fenestrated structure
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a roof with a rain gutter capable of allowing water to pass therethrough but blocking
`mounted thereon and with the rain gu壮er debris preclusion debris from passing therethrough. The screen 20 is prefer-
`device of this invention mounted upon the gu壮er and the ably formed of a flexible material with uniformly sized
`roof.
`10 fenestrations. Most particularly, this screen 20 is formed of
`FIG. 2 is a detail of a portion of that which is shown in stainless steel woven wire with the fenestrations in the
`FIG. 1 with a汀ows indicating a path followed by water screen 20 sized to provide approximately 8,000 holes per
`passing off of the roof and through the barrier into the rain square inch. With such small fenestrations, twigs, sand and
`gutter.
`leaf stems are precluded from sticking in the fenestrations,
`FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the rain gutter 15 and practically all debris harm白l to the proper functioning
`debris preclusion device of this invention alone.
`of the gutter G is precluded from passing therethrough.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the channel portion of the
`The screen 20 includes a lower edge 22 parallel with and
`rain gutter debris preclusion device of this invention.
`spaced from an upper edge 24. The edges 22, 24 are spaced
`FIG. 5 is a full sectional view of that which is shown in apart by a distance similar to a width of the gutter G away
`FIG. 4.
`20 from the roof R of a struc印re. The scr民n 20 includes side
`FIG. 6 is a top plan view of that which is shown in FIG. edges 26 extending between the lower edge 22 and upper
`4.
`edge 24 at ends of sections of the barrier 10. Typically the
`barrier 10 is provided in separate sections for convenience in
`covering rain gutters G of various different lengths.
`25 FIGS. 1-3 show fenestrations in the screen 20 larger than
`actually preferred, so that the fenestrations can be clearly
`Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numer- seen. Most preferably, the fenestrations are smaller than
`als represent like parts throughout the various drawing those shown in the drawings. Alternatively, a screen 20 with
`figures, reference numeral 10 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is directed to larger fenestrations can be utilized, particularly in environ-
`a barrier for preclusion of debris from a rain gu壮er G 30 ments where the debris to be precluded is not susceptible to
`mounted upon a roof R. Water W traveling off of shingles S becoming lodged in such larger fenestrations, or where
`upon the roof R pass onto a screen 20 of the barrier 10. A higher flows can lead to screen 20 blockage with debris,
`channel 30 is located beneath the screen 20 and supports the such as roof valleys.
`screen 20 in position while also drawing the water W
`With particular reference to FIGS. 4-6, details of the
`through the screen 20 and into the channel 30 for further 35 channel 30 of the barrier 10 are described. The channel 30
`delivery down into the rain gutter G. Any debris falling off provides a rigid underlying structure for supporting the
`of the shingles S and onto the screen 20 of the barrier 10 screen 20 where desired over the gutter G, and for encour-
`either remain upon the barrier 10 or fall off of the screen 20 aging water W migration through the screen 20 by capillary
`and away from the gutter G so that the gu壮er G can remain action. The channel 30 also provides for mounting of the
`40 barrier 10 upon the gutter G and roof R. Particularly,
`free of debris and functioning properly.
`In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and mounting holes 32 are preferably provided along a forward
`2, the basic details of the barrier 10 of this invention are edge of the channel 30. Screws 34 (FIGS. 1and2), such as
`described. The barrier 10 is comprised of two 戸市 including
`sheet metal screws, can pass through the mounting holes 32
`the screen 20 and the channel 30. The screen 20 precludes and be threaded into a portion of the gutter G most distant
`debris from passing into the gutter G (FIG. 1) while allowing 45 from the roof R. The barrier 10 is thus securely held in
`the water W (FIG. 2) to pass into the gutter G. The channel position over the gu壮er G.
`30 is provided to support the screen 20 in the desired
`The channel 30 is preferably shaped to have a constant
`position and orientation for the screen 20. The channel 30 cross-sectional form. Preferably, the channel 30 is formed of
`also functions to draw the water W through the screen 20 by rigid die extruded aluminum. The channel 30 has most of the
`capillary action so that the water W desirably passes into the 50 material thereof aligned with either an upper plan 36 or a
`gutter G.
`lower plane 38 (FIG. 5) which are preferably parallel and
`The channel 30 includes a tab 40 at an upper end. The tab spaced from each other.
`40 preferably fits directly between the shingles S and the felt
`A tab 40 extends in a planar fashion near, but slightly
`or other vapor barrier upon the roof R, so that an upper side above the upper plane 36 and is adapted to be located closest
`of the channel 30 is supported in the desired position 55 to the roofR. This tab 40 secures a portion of the channel 30
`overlying the gutter G. For convenience, the roof R is opposite where the mounting holes 32 and screws 34 are
`considered to include all portions of the covering of a utilized to fasten to the gu壮er G. Particularly, the tab 40 is
`building except for the shingles S. The shingles S are adapted to fit between the roof R and shingles S to secure
`considered to include the uppermost layer of material, and one side of the channel 30. Between the tab 40 and the
`can be “ composite” shingles, tile, wood shake, slate, stone, 60 screws 34, the barrier 10 is securely held in place over the
`or any other roofing material available to provide the upper- gutter G.
`most layer. A recess 50 defines a portion of the channel 30
`The tab 40 includes a tip 42 which defines a portion of the
`adjacent the tab 40. The recess 50 includes a floor 56 channel 30 most distant from the mounting holes 32. The tip
`defining a lowermost portion of the channel 30. A series of 42 also de血ies a width of the tab 40. Preferably, this tab 40
`ribs 60 extend up from the floor 56 of the recess 50 to 65 width is sufficient to cause the tab 40 to be securely held just
`support the screen 20 in the desired position above the floor beneath the shingles S. Typically, this distance is at least one
`56 of the recess 50. A lip 70 defines an edge of the channel centimeter and most preferably two to three centimeters. The
`
`IPR2018-00015
`Petitioners Ex. 1004 p. 6
`
`

`

`US 7,310,912 B2
`
`5
`6
`tab 40 includes notches in surfaces thereo王 to increase the that the screen 20 can remain within the upper plane 36, but
`ability of the tab 40 to be shortened, if the tab 40 is the ribs 60 also provide a wetted path between the screen 20
`excessively wide.
`and the floor 56 so that capillary action can draw water W
`The tab 40 is shown extending parallel with other portions (FIG. 2) from the upper surface of the screen 20, down
`of the channel 30 generally. If a particularly steeply pitched 5 through the fenestrations in the screen 20 to the surfaces of
`roof is provided, it is conceivable that the tab 40 could be the ribs 60 and then on down to the floor 56 where the water
`bent so that it is oriented in a plane distinct from other W can pass through the apertures 56 and fall down off of the
`portions of the channel 30. Alternatively, the tab 40 can be recess 50 of the channel 30 and into the gu壮er G. Preferably,
`shortened or entirely removed to accommodate steeply the ribs 60 are each of a similar height and each of a similar
`10 width and extend perpendicularly betw民n the lower plane
`pitched roofs.
`The tab 40 includes a tab slot 46 for supporting the upper 38 at the floor 56 to the upper plane 36 叫acent the screen
`edge 24 of the screen 20. The tab slot 46 is closed on three 20.
`sides (when viewed such as in FIG. 5), with one open side
`The lower wall 56 of the recess 50 transitions into the lip
`in the tab slot 46. The open side of the tab slot 46 faces a lip 70 of the channel 30. The lip 70 supports the mounting holes
`slot 76 adapted to hold the lower edge 22 of the screen 20 15 32 and screws 34 (FIGS. 1 and 2) for securing the channel
`(described in detail below). An upper shelf 48 defines one 30 to the gu壮er G. The lip 70 extends to a tip 72 defining a
`side of the tab slot 46 below the tab slot 46 which extends portion of the channel 30 most distant from the tab 40. The
`further than other portions of the slot 46 and within the upper lip slot 76 is a mirror image of the tab slot 46 and is located
`plane 36. This upper shelf 48 supports a portion of the screen within the upper plane 36 facing the tab slot 46. A lower
`20, and discourages buckling of the screen 20 in a downward 20 shelf 78 extends between the lip slot 76 and the lower wall
`fashion when loaded with debris or otherwise encountering 54 of the recess 50. The lower shelf 78 further supports a
`forces which would tend to drive the screen 20 downwardly. portion of the screen 20 adjacent the lip slot 76 to discourage
`The recess 50 defines a portion of the channel 30 extend- the screen 20 from being deflected downward into the recess
`ing between the tab 40 and the lip 70 which is below the 50.
`upper plane 36 and extending down to the lower plane 38. 25 The slots 46, 76 preferably have sufficient depth so that
`The upper plane can generally be defined as including the the lower edge 22 and upper edge 24 of the screen 20 can be
`tab slot 46 and the lip slot 76 (described in detail below). The securely held within the slots 46, 76 without requiring
`recess 50 includes an upper wall 52 and a lower wall 54 on fastening of the screen 20 within the slots 46, 76. A sealant
`opposite sides of the recess 50. Each of the walls 52, 54 or other adhesive is preferably used to further secure the
`30 screen 20 within the slots 46, 76. Alternatively, the screen 20
`extend from the upper plane down to the lower plane.
`A floor 56 is aligned with the lower plane 38 and can be fastened within the slots 46, 76 or otherwise fastened
`extending between lower portions of the walls 52, 54. The to the channel 30, such as through adhesive, fasteners,
`floor 56 and lower plane are preferably parallel with the welding, brazing, or other coupling techniques.
`upper plane so that a constant spacing is maintained for the
`In use and operation, and with particular reference to
`recess 50 between the floor 56 and a position where the 35 FIGS. 1 and 2, details of the installation and use of the
`screen 20 lies between the tab slot 46 and the lip slot 76.
`barrier 10 of this invention are described. Initially, the
`The floor 56 includes a plurality of apertures 58 passing barrier 10 is installed upon the gutter G. Particularly, lengths
`therethrough. These apertures 58 are preferably elongate of the barrier 10 are placed over the gu壮er G with the lip 70
`with a significantly greater length than width and with a resting upon a forward edge of the gu壮er G. Screws 34 or
`length thereof extending parallel with a long axis of the 40 other fasteners are utilized to secure the lip 70 to the gutter
`channel 30. The floor 56 is broken up into a plurality of G. Before the screws 34 are utilized, the tab 40 is slid
`troughs 57 between adjacent ribs 60. Each of the troughs 57 between the shingles S and the roof R. If necessary, the tab
`preferably include a plurality of apertures 58 therein. Pref- 40 can be removed to accommodate a steeply pitched roof
`erably, the apertures 58 are closer to a rib 60 on a lower side R and then transition to allow the remaining portions of the
`of each trough 57 than a rib 60 on an upper side of each 45 channel 30 to extend over the gutter G to the lip 70 where
`trough 57. Because the entire lower plane and upper plane the lip 70 supports the screw 34 for fastening of the channel
`are tilted such that the tab 40 is elevated above the lip 70, 30 to the gutter G.
`locating of the apertures 58 closer to the ribs 60 on the lower
`At ends of the gutter G, excess portions of the barrier 10
`side of the trough 57 decreases the possibility of puddling of can be cut utilizing a saw for cutting of the aluminum and
`so scissors or other cutting tools for cutting of the material
`water within the troughs 57.
`The apertures 58 are sufficiently large so that no degree of forming the screen 20. ＼＼なiere outside comers are encoun-
`surface tension in the water W can tend to cause a film to tered in the gu壮er G, the channel 30 can be cut at a 45ｰ angle.
`span the apertures 58 which might otherwise preclude water At inside corners, most preferably the screen 20 is replaced
`W migration through the apertures 58. Thus, once water W with a screen having larger fenestrations. Most preferably,
`is within the troughs 57 and adjacent a floor 56, the water 55 such an alternative screen would have sixteen fenestrations
`pぽ inch in each direction (256 per square inch). In this waぁ
`quickly passes through the apertures 58 to drip off of a lower
`surface of the recess 50 of the channel 30.
`the greater concentration of debris tending to gather at inside
`A plurality of ribs 60 extend up from the floor 56 of the corners will not block the screen 20. Alternatively, other
`recess 50, with the ribs 60 extending from the lower plane forms of joints can be utilized to position the barrier 10
`38 up to the upper plane 36. Each of the ribs 60 includes a 60 where desired at inside and outside comers over correspond-
`企ee end 62 adjace凶 the upper plane 36 and a base end 64 ing bends in the gutter G.
`connected to the floor 56. Each of the ribs 60 preferably
`Between linear sections of barriers 10, a seam extends
`include sides 66 which are planar from the base end 64 up from the tabs 40 to the lips 70. Preferably, this joint is
`to the free end 62.
`covered to preclude debris entrapment at this joint. Particu-
`百ie free end 62 is preferably generally thin with the free 65 larly, a 官nger” of thin aluminum can be slid into the slots
`ends 62 supporting the screen 20 ovぽ the recess 50 and the 46, 76 of each barrier 10 to cover the screens 20 where edges
`channel 30. Not only do the ribs 60 support the screen 20 so thereof on adjacent barriers 10 come together. A similar
`
`IPR2018-00015
`Petitioners Ex. 1004 p. 7
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`

`

`US 7,310,912 B2
`
`7
`covering is also preferably provided at outside comer joints
`between 叫acent barriers 10. Such fingers also help to
`interlock adjacent barriers 10 together. At ends of the gu壮ers
`G, end caps are provided to cover the screen 20 edge and
`preclude debris and insects from getting under the screen 20 5
`and/or the barrier 10.
`Once the barrier 10 has been installed, function of the
`barrier 10 occurs as follows. When rain strikes the shingles
`S upon the roof R, the water W travels down off of the
`shingles S toward the gutter G. The water W will have a 10
`tendency to draw debris down the shingles S. Similarly,
`wind and gravity will tend to draw debris down towards the
`gutters G. 明弓1en the water W reaches an edge of the shingles
`S, it falls off of the shingles Sand down onto the barrier 10.
`Particularly, the water W will either strike portions of the tab 15
`40 just above the screen 20, or pass directly onto the screen
`20. In either case, the water W travels downward because the
`barrier 10 is slightly angled so that the water is traveling
`toward the lip 70.
`Debris entrained with the water W will impact the screen 20
`20 and remain upon the screen 20 or bounce over the upper
`surface of the screen 20 and fall off of the barrier 10 to the
`ground. Rain also helps to splash debris off of the screen 20.
`The water W will wet surfaces of the screen 20. Because the
`channel 30 includes a recess 50 below the screen 20 and ribs 25
`60 extending up to the screen 20, the water W impacting the
`screen 20 will, through capillary action and adhesion propｭ
`erties in water molecules, tend to wet all of the surfaces
`contacting the screen 20, including the ribs 60 extending up
`企om the floor 56 in the recess 50 of the charmel 30. Once 30
`the ribs 60 have become wetted, a wet path exists all the way
`down to the floor 56. No surface tension barrier thus exists
`and the water W is drawn by gravity down through the
`fenestrations in the screen 20, along surfaces of the ribs 60,
`and down into the troughs 57 between the ribs 60 on the floor 35
`56 of the recess 50. The apertures 58 allow the water W to
`fall down through the floor 56 of the recess 50 and into the
`rain gu壮er G for collection of the water W and distribution
`of the water W away from the structure.
`This disclosure is provided to reveal a prefe汀巳d embodi- 40
`ment of the invention and a best mode for practicing the
`invention. Having thus described the invention in this way,
`it should be apparent that various different modifications can
`be made to the preferred embodiment without departing
`企om the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When 45
`structures are identified as a means to perform a function, the
`identification is intended to include all structures which can
`perform the function specified. 明なien structures of this
`invention are identified as being coupled together, such
`language should be interpreted broadly to include the struc- so
`tures being coupled directly together or coupled together
`through intervening structures. Such coupling could be
`permanent or temporary and either in a rigid fashion or in a
`fashion which allows pivoting, sliding or other relative
`motion while still providing some form of attachment, 55
`unless specifically restricted.
`明なiat is claimed is:
`1. A rain gutter debris barrier, comprising of:
`a channel adapted to overlie at least a portion of a rain
`gutter;
`a screen, said screen having fenestrations therein adapted
`to allow water to flow therethrough, but to preclude
`debris larger than said fenestrations from passing thereｭ
`through, said screen located over said channel;
`said charmel including a floor with apertures therein;
`said channel including a plurality of ribs extending up
`from said floor into contact with said screen;
`
`60
`
`65
`
`8
`wherein said channel includes a tab adapted to be placed
`between shingles and a roof upon which said shingles
`are mounted, said tab being generally flat;
`wherein said ribs each have a common height between a
`base end of each rib adjacent said floor and a 企ee end
`of each rib opposite said base end;
`wherein said floor is planar;
`wherein said tab includes a tab slot, said tab slot closed on
`three sides and open on one side, when said tab slot is
`viewed in a section perpendicular to a long axis of said
`ribs, said open side of said tab slot defining a portion of
`said slot closest to said ribs, said tab slot located within
`a plane parallel with said floor and spaced from said
`floor and aligned with said free ends of said ribs;
`wherein said channel includes a lip on an edge thereof
`opposite said tab, said lip adapted to be supported upon
`a portion of a rain gutter most distant from the roo王 said
`lip including a lip slot oriented in a common plane with
`said tab slot, with said lip slot facing said tab slot, both
`said tab slot and said lip slot spaced apart a distance
`substantilly equal to a width of said screen, said tab slot
`and said lip slot having a width sufficient to allow said
`screen to be oriented and supported therein, said screen
`oriented within both said tab slot and said lip slot and
`with said screen in contact with each of said ribs;
`wherein said tab includes an upper shelf between said tab
`slot and said ribs, and wherein said lip includes a lower
`shelf between said lip slot and said ribs, said upper
`shelf and said lower shelf oriented in a common plane
`aligned with said free ends of said ribs;
`wherein said free end of each said rib terminates at a plane
`coplanar with said upper shelf and said lower shel王 said
`upper shelf and said lower shelf adapted to support said
`screen thereon, with said 企ee ends of said ribs also
`supporting said screen with said screen remaining
`within a common plane with said upper shelf, said
`lower shelf and said free ends of said ribs;
`wherein said ribs each include sides which are planar and
`flat from said base end to said free end, with said sides
`oriented perpendicular to said floor and parallel with
`each other, said sides being of common height on each
`said rib with said free end extending between said sides
`of each said rib in a flat plane perpendicular to said
`sides along a full width of said free end and parallel
`with said floor, said sides of each said rib having a
`constant distance from each other defining a constant
`width of each said rib from said base end to said free
`end, with no portion of said rib wider than said constant
`width, and with portions of said free ends which contact
`said screen having a same width as said constant width
`between said sides;
`wherein said base ends of said ribs are each connected to
`said floor of said channel with said floor of said channel
`remaining in a plane parallel with said upper shelf and
`said lower shelf, said floor defining a lowermost porｭ
`tion of said channel from which said barrier is adapted
`to allow water to fall freely into the rain gutter below
`said barrier, said floor formed integrally with said ribs,