c12) United States Patent
`Lenney et al.
`
`(IO) Patent No.: US 8,479,454 B2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`*Jul. 9, 2013
`
`(54) SUPPORTED MESH DEBRIS PRE℃LUSION
`SYSTEM FOR GUTTERS
`
`(75) Inventors: Robert ℃. Lenney, Newcastle, CA (US);
`John R. Lewis, Modesto, CA (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Gutterglove, Inc., Rocklin, CA (US)
`
`( * ) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 130 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal disｭ
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/924,326
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Sep.23,2010
`
`2,288,121 A
`6/1942 Sandmeyer
`2,583,422 A
`1/1952 Haddon
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`4,308,696 A
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`3/1984 Kuhnel et al.
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`3/1987 Burns
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`5/1988 Davis
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`
`(Co凶inued)
`
`JP
`JP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`06-146506
`5/1994
`09228592
`9/1997
`
`(Continued)
`
`210/474
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2011/0067318Al Mar. 24, 2011
`
`Primary Examiner Phi A
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm Glen L. Gross, Esq.;
`Shlesinger, Arkwright & Garvey, LLP
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/277,406, filed on Sep.
`23, 2009.
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`E04D 131θ4
`E04D 131θ64
`(52) uふ℃L
`USPC ...・ H・.......・ H・.....・ H・...・H・. 52/12; 52/11; 248/48.1
`( 58) Field of ℃lassification Search
`USPC ...・ H・.. 52/12, 15, 11, 741.3, 745.06; 248/48.1,
`248/48.2; 210/474
`See application 白le for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References ℃ited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,732,058 A 10/1929 Martini
`2,229,381 A 1/1941 Grow
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRA℃ I
`
`Multiple assemblies are provided to overlie a g凶er to preｭ
`elude debris entry. Each assembly includes a mesh positioned
`upon an underlying substantially rigid support. The support
`has a tab which can reside beneath shingles and over other
`portions of the roof. A front edge is provided opposite the tab
`which rests upon a lip of the gu壮er when installed. A floor is
`located between the front edge and tab at a position slightly
`below a plane in which the tab and 企ont edge are located. The
`mesh overlies the floor. Holes in the floor allow water which
`passes down through the mesh to be conducted through the
`floor and to fall down into the gu壮er. Ribs extend up from the
`floor to support the mesh and draw water off of the mesh. The
`mesh is corrugated into a plurality of crests and troughs which
`extend perpendicular to the ribs.
`
`17 ℃laims, 3 Drawing Sheets
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1101 p. 1
`
`

`

`US 8,479,454 B2
`Page 2
`
`7,913,458 B2 3/2011 Higginbotham
`7,975,435 B2 7/2011 Lenney
`8,006,438 B2 * 8/2011 Higginbotham ...・ e ・............ 52/12
`8,033,058 B2 10/2011 Block
`RE42,896 E * 1112011 Higginbotham ...・.............. 52/12
`8,079,183 B2 * 12/2011 Lenney ...・.............・e・...・e・... 52/12
`2003/0046876 Al 3/2003 Higginbotham
`2003/0198736 Al 10/2003 Fensel et al.
`2005/0072114 Al 412005 Shiao et al.
`2005/0279036 Al 12/2005 Brochu
`2006/0037252 Al 212006 Gosse et al.
`2006/0117670 Al 612006 Tsioris
`200610179723 Al * 8/2006 Robins .............・ e ・.............. 52/11
`2006/0196124 Al 912006 Bachman
`2006/0213129 Al 912006 Bachman
`2006/0277831 Al 12/2006 Bachman
`2006/0283096 Al 12/2006 Bachman
`2006/0283097 Al* 12/2006 Gregg .・ e ・...............・........... 52/12
`2007/0054129 Al 3/2007 Kalkanoglu et al.
`2007 /0065640 Al 3/2007 Joedicke
`2007 /0094939 Al 5/2007 Bachman
`2007/0107323 Al 5/2007 Higginbotham
`2007/0199276 Al 8/2007 Duque
`2007/0218251 Al 9/2007 Jacobs
`2007/0234647 Al 10/2007 Higginbotham
`2007/0246449 Al 10/2007 Bachman
`2008/0187708 Al 8/2008 Decker
`2008/0248241 Al 10/2008 Kalkanoglu et al.
`2009/0056234 Al 3/2009 Brochu
`2009/0064628 Al 3/2009 Mellott et al.
`2011/0253611 Al 10/2011 Higginbotham
`2012/0042579 Al 212012 Mccoy
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,010,696 A 411991 Knittel
`5,044,581 A * 911991 Dressler ........・...........… 248/48.l
`5,107,635 A 411992 Carpente1
`5,127,200 A 7/1992 Doran
`5,261,195 A 11/ 1993 Buckenmaier
`5,315,090 A 511994 Lowenthal
`5,391,858 A 2/1995 Tourangeau
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`5,406,754 A 4/1995 Cosby
`5,558,705 A 911996 Keemer et al.
`5,617,678 A * 4/1997 Morandinetal. .・.............. 52/11
`5,640,809 A 611997 Iannelli
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`5,759,255 A 6/1998 Venturini et al.
`5,878,533 A 3/1999 Swanfeld
`6,134,843 A 10/2000 Tregear
`6,194,049 Bl 212001 Bindschedler-Galli et al.
`6,194,519 Bl 212001 Blalock et al.
`6,205,715 Bl 3/2001 Rex
`6,225,600 Bl 512001 Burris
`6,341,462 B2 1/2002 Kiilk et al.
`6,598,352 B2 * 7/2003 Higginbotham .・............・ e ・. 52/12
`6,607,781 B2 8/2003 Joedicke et al.
`6,700,098 Bl 3/2004 Wyatt et al.
`6,708,452 Bl 3/2004 Tenute
`6,759,630 Bl 7/2004 Tenute
`6,933,007 B2 8/2005 Fensel et al.
`6,942,419 B2 912005 Knak
`6,944,992 B2 * 912005 Brochu ........................・ e ・.. 52/12
`6,951,077 Bl 10/2005 Higginbotham
`6,959,512 B2 1112005 Cobb
`7,104,012 Bl 912006 Bayram
`7,174,688 B2 212007 Higginbotham
`7,191,564 B2 3/2007 Higginbotham
`7,241,500 B2 7/2007 Shiao et al.
`JP
`7,310,912 B2 * 12/2007 Lenney et al. ...・...........・ e ・.. 52/12 KR
`7,448,167 B2 1112008 Bachman
`KR
`7,624,541 B2 * 12/2009 Gentry ..............・ e ・............. 52/12 KR
`7,726,076 B2 * 6/2010 Staub ...・........................・ e ・. 52/11
`7,793,465 B2 * 9/2010 McCann ........................... 52/12
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`2000-008559
`1989-10803
`1989-23083
`1998-16228
`
`1/2000
`7 /1989
`12/1989
`6/1998
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1101 p. 2
`
`

`

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`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1101 p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 9, 2013
`
`Sheet 2 of 3
`
`US 8,479,454 B2
`
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`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1101 p. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jul. 9, 2013
`
`Sheet 3 of 3
`
`US 8,4 79 ,454 B2
`
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`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1101 p. 5
`
`

`

`US 8,479,454 B2
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1
`SUPPORTED MESH DEBRIS PRE℃LUSION
`SYSTEM FOR GUTTERS
`
`2
`The support includes a recessed area between the tab and
`the lip. This recessed area includes a floor with ribs extending
`up from the floor and with holes passing through the floor. The
`ribs extend up to a line parallel with planes of the lip and tab
`5 to support the mesh in a generally planar configuration parｭ
`allel with the tab and lip.
`The mesh can be entrained within slots with one lower slot
`This application claims benefit under Title 35, United
`States Code ｧ 119( e) of U.S. Provisional Application No. adjacent the lip and one upper slot adjacent the tab. These
`61/277 ,406 filed on Sep. 23, 2009.
`slots can also be configured with an adhesive orother bonding
`10 agent or can be crimped down onto the mesh to hold the mesh
`in place.
`Water coming off of the roof is assisted by the tab to travel
`The following invention relates to rain gu壮er debris pre- down and laterally onto the mesh. Debris remains on top of
`clusion systems, often referred to as gu壮er guards, which are the mesh while water passes through the mesh. The ribs help
`placed over gutters. More particularly, this invention relates 15 to channel the water off a lower side of the mesh down to the
`to rain gutter debris preclusion systems which include a floor. The water can then pass through holes in the floor to fall
`screen or filter element supported above a rigid structural down into the gu壮er. The holes are large enough that adhesion
`support element for filtration of debris out of water before forces are overcome and water can freely drop down through
`passing into the gutter.
`the holes. The holes are small enough, however, and in such a
`20 pattern that material remains to give strength to the overall
`support, so that the support can withstand loads, such as snow
`loads or heavy debris loads.
`To add additional strength to the mesh, to minimize the
`Gutters are commonly used along eaves at a lower end of a
`sloping roof to catch water running off of the roof and channel requirement for ribs, and concentrate water more effectively,
`that water into particular areas rather than allowing the water 25 the mesh can have some form of corrugated cross-section, so
`to merely fall from the lower edges of the roof. Such gu壮ers
`that the mesh is partially self-supported and partially sup-
`often become clogged, especially when trees are located ported by the ribs.
`nearby and shed leaves which can end up in the gutters.
`The corrugations run in a direction from the tab to the lip
`Accordingly, leaf preclusion systems, often called “ gutter and perpendicular to a longest dimension of each segment of
`guards ,'’ are known in the prior art for attachment over the 30 the underlying support. Coupler fingers are provided between
`gu壮ers. Such gutter guards serve the basic purpose of allow- adjacent segments of supports and meshes. These connectors
`ing water to pass into the gutter but precluding leaves and hold the separate segments together.
`other debris from passing into the gu壮er.
`One type of gu壮er guard utilizes a filter layer which has
`small openings therein which allow water to pass through but 35
`Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to
`which preclude leaves and other debris from passing there-
`through. One example of such a prior art mesh based leaf provide a system for keeping debris out of gutters.
`Another object of the prese凶 invention is to provide a
`preclusion system is in U.S. Pat. No. 7,310,912, incorporated
`herein by reference.
`gutter debris preclusion system which is of simple but effec-
`百ie phenomena of water tension and molecular adhesion 40 tive construction.
`forces tend to cause water to not want to pass through such
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`mesh layers, but rather to cling to the mesh. These forces thus method for allowing water to pass through the gu壮er while
`frustrate the ability of mesh based gutter guards to allow keeping debris out of the gutter.
`watぽ to pass through the mesh while precluding debris 企om
`Another object of the prese凶 invention is to provide a
`passing into the gu壮er. With known prior art mesh based 45 gutter guard which can be customized to fit different gutter
`gu恥r guards, commonly an underlying support is provided configurations and roof geometries.
`beneath the mesh. This underlying support ser、明 two pur-
`Another object of the prese凶 invention is to provide a
`poses. First, it keeps the mesh generally planar overlying the gutter guard which concentrates the water coming onto the
`gu恥E Second, it contacts an underside of the mesh providing screen thereof into troughs for most effective conduction of
`a path along which water can flow while adhering to the so the water through the screen and on down into the gutter with
`underlying support. Holes in the underlying support then a minimum of required surface area.
`Another object of the prese凶 invention is to provide a
`allow water to drop through in larger drops where the weight
`of the drops is sufficient that the surface tension and adhesion gutter guard with a screen portion and an underlying support,
`forces cannot resist such dropping.
`and which has resistance to collapse built into both the screen
`55 and the mesh.
`Other further objects of the present invention will become
`apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing figｭ
`ures, the claims and detailed description of the invention.
`
`OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
`
`SUMJ\ι生RY OF THE INVENTION
`
`With this invention a filter mesh based two part gutter guard
`is provided including a substantially rigid support and a mesh
`overlying the support. The mesh functions to filter leaves and 60
`other debris so that they cannot fall into the gutter while the
`FIG.1 is a perspective view of the debris preclusion system
`support keeps the mesh approximately planar covering the
`gu壮er. The support includes a tab at one end that can fit of this invention installed upon a gu壮er adjacent an eave of a
`beneath shingles and typically upon a moisture barrier roof and with portions of shingles cut away to reveal particu-
`beneath shingles on the roof. A front edge is provided oppo- 65 lar placement of the system upon the roof and over the gutter.
`site the tab which can rest upon a front lip of a gutter and
`FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in
`FIG. 1.
`potentially be attached to the front lip of the gu壮er.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1101 p. 6
`
`

`

`US 8,479,454 B2
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`3
`FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the debris preclusion
`assembly alone and off of the roof.
`FIG. 4 is an exploded view similar to that which is shown
`in FIG. 3, but with a corrugated mesh screen portion exploded
`away from a support portion of the assembly.
`FIGS. 5-12 are front elevation views of various alternative
`configurations for the corrugated mesh screen of this invenｭ
`ti on.
`FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the support portion of the
`debris preclusion assembly of this invention.
`FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a pair of debris preclusion
`assemblies adjacent each other and with a coupler for joining
`ends of adjacent debris preclusion assemblies shown couｭ
`pling the adjacent debris preclusion assemblies together.
`
`4
`also has sufficient strength characteristics to support the load
`associated with water, debris, snow, ice and other loads expeｭ
`rienced by the mesh 20 when in the environment resting upon
`the gutter G. Other materials that could be provided as an
`5 alternative to stainless steel, or in some combination thereｭ
`with could include various forms of plastic materials or other
`metals. Other forms of weaves could also be provided. It is
`also conceivable that rather than a woven mesh 20, that some
`other form of screen could be utilized, such as a perforated
`10 thin plate, while still providing at least some of the benefits
`according to this invention.
`Beneficially, the overall mesh 20 is not entirely planar, but
`rather is bent into an undulating corrugated contour. These
`undulations are generally defined as alternating crests 22 and
`15 troughs 24. Each crest 22 and trough 24 extends from an
`upper edge 26 of the mesh 20 to a lower edge 28 of the mesh
`20. Preferably, the mesh 20 is continuous with a length similar
`to a length between lateral ends 36 of the overall support 30,
`Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals so that a continuous section of mesh 20 entirely covers the
`represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures, 20 floor 50 of the support 30 within the debris preclusion assem-
`reference numeral 10 is directed to a debris preclusion assem- bly 10. As an alternative, separate sections of mesh 20 could
`bly (FIGS. 1 and 2) which can be placed overlying a gu壮er G be provided upon each support 30. It is also conceivable that
`adj ace凶 a facia F of a roofR and with portions of the assem- multiple sections of support 30 could be overlaid by a single
`bly 10 underlying shingles S. The assembly 10 includes an longersectionofcorrugatedmesh20orotherscreenmaterial.
`underlying support 30 with a mesh 20 on top of the support 25 Most preferably, the crests 20 and troughs 24 are substan-
`30. Water going off of the shingles Sis thus directed onto the tially perpendicular to the longest dimension of the mesh 20
`mesh 20 (along a汀ow B of FIG. 2) and then conducted down and support 30 extending between the lateral ends 36 of the
`through the mesh 20 and through holes 56 (FIGS. 3 and 4) in support 30. Thus, the crests 22 and troughs 24 generally
`the support 30 before traveling (along a汀ow A of FIG. 2) extend with upper edges 26 thereof at a higher side of the
`underneath the support 30 and then dropping (along a汀ow E 30 corrugated mesh 20 and with lower edges 28 of the crests 22
`and troughs 24 adjacent a lower side of the corrugated mesh
`of FIG. 2) as a drop D into the gu壮er G.
`In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 2-4, 20, when the entire assembly 10 is placed upon a gutter G
`basic details of the debris preclusion assembly 10 are adjacent a facia Fin an eave location of the roofR (FIG. 1).
`describedヲ according to the most preferred embodiment. The
`With such an undulating configuration, the co汀ugated
`assembly 10 is comprised of two main parts including a 35 mesh 20 or other screen material beneficially channels water
`corrugated mesh 20 screen and an underlying support 30. The falling off of the roof R into concentrated flows within the
`screen 20 is fenestrated with sufficiently fine openings that troughs 24. Concentration of the water as it strikes the cor孔ト
`debris is substantially entirely precluded from passing gated mesh 20 provides a number of benefits. Water has a
`through the mesh 20. However, water is allowed to pass tendency to adhere to the corrugated mesh 20 rather than pass
`40 through the corrugated mesh 20. Such adherence can be det-
`through the openings in the mesh 20.
`The underlying support 30 is a rigid generally planar struc- rimental in that it can allow the water to skip along the
`ture with a tab 40 portion extending up from a floor 50 corrugated mesh 20 entirely to the lip L at the front of the
`portion, and with a front edge 60 portion most distant from the gutter G and then fall over a front edge of the gu壮er G. One
`tab 40. The tab 40 is configured to rest upon the roofR, and force which tends to resist such adherence of the water to the
`preferably below the shingles S. The tab thus has water com- 45 corrugated mesh 20 is the weight of the water itself. By
`ing off of the roof R above the tab 40 and then flow over the concentrating the water flowing down off of the shingles S of
`corrugated mesh 20 and through the floor 50. The floor 50 the roofR into channels between the crests 20 and within the
`underlies the corrugated mesh 20 and includes holes 56 troughs 24 this weight of the water is concentrated. The
`therein which route the water down through the entire assem- concentrated water is then more likely to release from the
`bly 10 before falling into the gu壮er G. The front edge 60 so corrugated mesh 20 and fall down into the gutter G.
`provides a portion of the support 30 which can rest upon the
`The debris preclusion assembly 10 with such a corrugated
`lipLonthe 企ont of the gutterG. A coupler finger 70 (FIG.14) mesh 20 can thus perform exceptionally well even when
`is also provided wl町h can secure adjacent lateral ends 36 of challenging circumstances are encountered. One challenging
`separateassemblieslOtogetheratjointssothatsectionsofthe circumstance is the scenario where a downpour of rain is
`assembly 10 shorter than the entire length of the gu壮er G can 55 encountered. During such a heavy downpour, a gutter guard
`still entirely cover the gutter G.
`that is designed to perform adequately ninety percent of the
`More specificallぁ and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 time can fail to a large degree. Large amounts of water cas-
`and 5-12, details of the co汀ugated mesh 20 providing a pre- cading off oftheroofR can pass entirely over the gutter G and
`ferred form of screen for the assembly 10, are described then cause damage to adjacent landscaping and generally
`according to a most preferred embodiment. The corrugated 60 thwart the entire purpose of providing the gutters Gin the first
`mesh 20 is most preferably in the form of woven screen place.
`material typically of a weave including a plurality of strands
`With corrugation of the mesh 20, such downpours can be
`extending in a first direction and a plurality of strands extend- more adequately accommodated. The large volumes of water
`ing in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction are concentrated within the troughs 24 and the weight oftl山
`and woven relative to the plurality of first strands. These 65 water flow in high volumes works complementally with the
`strands are most preferably formed of stainless steel to pro- troughs 20 to increase the rate at which the water separates
`vide a substantially non-corroding overall mesh 20 which from the mesh 20 and falls into the gutter G. With the gutter G
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1101 p. 7
`
`

`

`US 8,479,454 B2
`
`5
`6
`also having been precluded from debris by use of the assem- an upper slot 32 facing a lower slot 34 bordering the floor 50.
`bly 10, the gutter G is entirely open and available to handle The upper slot 32 has an upper portion which acts as an
`this large volume of water during such a downpour. Such extension of the tab 40. This extension associated with the
`large volumes of water can have a tendency to cause planar upper slot 32 is important in that water falling off of the
`mesh to deflect. By corrugating the mesh 20 and providing a 5 shingles S on the roof R are first generally routed onto por-
`support 30 beneath the corrugated mesh 20, any such deflec- tions of the tab 10 and then fall over the extension forming the
`tion of the corrugated mesh 20 is resisted.
`upper portion of the upper slot 32, before being routed onto
`In another challenging scenario, a roof with a rather steep the mesh 20 over the floor 50. This extension keeps debris
`pitch is encountered which causes the entire assembly 10 to from finding its way under the mesh 20.
`be installed at a rather steep angle between an upper edge 26 10 When the mesh 20 is provided with a corrugated form,
`of the mesh 20 and the lower edge 28 of the mesh 20. As this these slots 32, 34 are sized to accommodate this undulating
`angle becomes ste氾per and steeper, the forces of gravity are structure. Such accommodation can be in the form of increas-
`not acting perpendicular to themesh20, but rather are to some ing the thickness of the slots 32, 34 to have a greater width
`extent acting along the general plane in which the mesh 20 is than a mere thickness of the screen 20, but rather to accom-
`oriented. Gravity forces associated with the weight of the 15 modate an amplitude between the troughs 24 and crests 22. As
`water are thus diminished and the tendency of the water to an alternative, the corrugated mesh 20 can be collapsed some-
`adhere to the mesh 20 is increased.
`what adjacent the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28 so that the
`By channeling the water into troughs 24, this tendency of slots 32, 34 will have a width greater than a thickness of the
`the water to adhere in greater amounts to the mesh 20 when mesh 20 but less than an amplitude between the crests 22 and
`greatly sloped can still most effectively be overcome. Fur- 20 troughs 24 of the mesh 20. The mesh 20 can be captured
`thermore, when the troughs 24 reach the front edge 60 of the within the slots 32, 34 with fasteners, by crimping, by merely
`overall debris preclusion assembly 10, large volumes of this providing a friction fit, or by sizing a distance between the
`water are adhering to an underside of troughs 24 and abut the slots 32, 34 to be such that the mesh 20 can freely float within
`front edge 60 with substantially all of the water then being the slots 32, 34 but remain therein due to the size of the mesh
`directed downward into the gutter G. Thus, co汀ugation of the 25 20 between the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28 being greater
`mesh 20 or other screen beneficially enhances the effective- than a distance between the upper slot 32 and lower slot 34.
`ness of the entire assembly 10 in conducting water down into
`The support 30 includes lateral ends 36 (FIGS. 1 and 14)
`the gu壮er G while still precluding the passage of debris into which define opposite ends between a length of the support 30
`the gutter G. The efficiency with which water is pulled and the overall length of each section of the assembly 10.
`through the mesh 20 and into the gutter G facilitates to some 30 These lateral ends are preferably straight. A coupler finger 70
`extent the ability of the overall assembly 10 to be configured (FIG. 14) can be provided to secure these lateral ends 36
`with a lesser width of mesh 20 between the upper edge 26 and together. The coupler fingers 70 can have a variety of different
`lower edge 28 and still function adequately. An overall assem- configurations, such as configurations for such fingers dis-
`bly 10 of simpler construction can thus be accommodated and closed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/004, 141, pub-
`still maintain high performance a壮ributes.
`35 lished as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/
`With particular reference to FIGS.1-4and13, details of the 0163561, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
`support 30 are described, according to a most preferred
`As an alternative to the fingers 70, separate assemblies 100
`embodiment. The support 30 provides an underlying substan- could merely be positioned with lateral ends 36 abutting each
`tially rigid structure to support the mesh 20 in position over other. Optionally, the mesh 20 could be slightly longer than
`the gutter G and to cover portions of the gutter G which are not 40 the underlying support 30 with excess length of the mesh 20
`directly covered by the mesh 20. Furthermore, the support 30 extending slightly past the lateral ends 36 and then bent down.
`When the separate assemblies 10 are placed adjacent each
`interfaces v.司ththeroofRabovestructuralportionsoftheroof
`R such as plywood P or other sheeting beneath a moisture other, the meshes 20 of the separate assemblies 10 press
`barrier M and beneath shingles S, so that water is effectively together to filter debris while allowing water to fall between
`routed onto the debris preclusion assembly 10 without inter- 45 the adjacent assemblies 10.
`fering with the construction of the roofR.
`At inside or outside corners, on the overall roof R, these
`The support 30 is preたrably elongate in form and has a lateral ends 36 can be cut to keep ends 36 of adj ace凶 assem-
`substantially constant cross-sectional form ( othぽ than posi- blies 10 叫acent each other around such corners and still
`tioning of the holes 56) to make the entire support 30 suitable allow the coupler fingers 70 to secure the two sections
`for forming by extrusion. Other fabrication techniques can so together. The coupler fingers 70 also act to some degree to
`also be provided for the support 30, including injection mold- preclude debris from getting around the assembly 10 at these
`ing, machining, casting, press forming or assembly 企om
`joints where the lateral ends 36 of separate assemblies 10
`separate subparts welded, bonded or otherwise fastened come together.
`together.
`With continuing reference to FIGS. 1-4 and 13, details of
`Most preferably, the support 30 is formed of a metal which 55 the tab 40 defining an upper portion of the support 30, are
`is compatible with the gutter G environment with a minimum described according to this most prefe汀ed embodiment. The
`of detrimental co汀osion. Aluminum is most prefe汀ed due to tab 40 is preferably provided on an upper portion of the
`its low corrosion and lightweight characteristics, as well as support 30 to cause a portion of the support 30 to extend
`suitable strength when proper alloys of aluminum are upward and substantially within a plane of the overall support
`selected and thicknesses of the various portions of the support 60 30 for placement between the shingles Sand other portions of
`30 are appropriately sized to accommodate the strength char- the roof R beneath the shingles S. The tab 40 ensures that
`acteristics of aluminum. However, other materials could also water and debris falling off of the roofR and traveling over the
`be utilized for forming the support 30 including stainless shingles S will remain on top of the tab 40 and over the
`steel, titanium, other metals, as well as various plastic mate- support 30, rather than finding their way beneath the tab 40.
`65 The tab 40 is preferably rigid and formed along with the
`rials.
`For the support 30 to adequately hold the mesh 20 in support 30 from the same material forming the support 30.
`position over the gutter G, the support 30 preferably includes Thetab 40 includes a top surface 41 opposite a bottom surface
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1101 p. 8
`
`

`

`US 8,479,454 B2
`
`8
`7
`43 which are generally parallel with each other. However, support 30 which come into contact with the corrugated mesh
`these surfaces 41, 43 preferably have a slight taper so that a tip 20, at troughs 24 on the corrugatedmesh20. These troughs 24
`42 of the tab 40 most distant from the front edge 60 of the preferably extend perpendicular to the direction in which the
`support 30 is slightly thinner than portions of the tab 40 ribs 58 extend, so that support of the troughs 24 of the corru-
`adj ace凶 the floor 50 of the support 30.
`5 gated mesh 20 by the ribs 58 occur at points. If desired, holes
`The tab 40 preferably includes a plurality of score lines 44 56 in the floor 50 can be particularly positioned to be aligned
`extending generally parallel with the tip 42 along a longest with the points of contact between the ribs 58 in the troughs
`dimension of the tab 40. Some of the score lines are preferably 24 in the mesh 20 so that holes 56 are readily available at the
`provided in the bottom surface 43, with most of the score lines precise locations where water comes off of the mesh 20 when
`44 located in the top surface 41. Those score lines 44 located 10 traveling through a trough 24 and then abu壮ing one of the ribs
`in the bottom surface 43 are preferably aligned with score 58 as the water clings to an underside of each trough 24 to
`lines 44 in the top surface 41. The score lines 44 provide three some extent. However, such precise alignment of the holes 56
`purposes. First, they provide locations at which the tab 40 can with the troughs 24 is not considered necessary for adequate
`be readily bent, such as to cause the tab 40 to bend to match a performance of the overall assembly 10.
`pitch of the roofR and then transition to a closer to horizontal 15 With particular reference to FIGS. 5-12, various different
`direction of extension over the gutter G. Such a configuration alternative embodiments for the mesh 20 are shown. FIG. 5
`can be required in situations where the roofR has a steep pitch depicts a front elevation view of a corrugated mesh 20 having
`and the shingles S extend too far down towards the gu壮er G. a zig-zag form. Arrows C depict how water coming off of
`Second, the score lines 44 provide a convenient location for shingles S on the roof R will tend to be channeled down into
`trimming of the tab 40 should it be desired to have the tab 40 20 the trough 24 between each crest 22. In FIG. 6 an alternative
`cut to a shorter length. Third, the score lines 44 generally mesh 120 is shown which is generally crenelated with rela-
`increase a friction experienced between the tab 40 and tively small merlons between relatively larger crenels.
`shingles Sand other portions of the roofR adjacent the tab 40,
`In FIG. 7 an alternative mesh 122 is depicted which has a
`which can help to keep the support 30 precisely positioned zig-zag form with planar spacers therebetween. Such a con-
`25 figuration causes the troughs 24 to be rather large compared to
`where desired overlying the gutter G.
`The tab 40 is substantially planar and aligned in a common the crests 22. FIG. 8 depicts an alternative mesh 123 which
`plane with the extension on the upper surface of the upper slot has a more symmetrical crenelated form. FIG. 9 depicts an
`32. This plane also preferably