(12) United States Patent
`Lenney et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 9,021,747 B2
`May 5, 2015
`
`US009021747B2
`
`(54) CORRUGATED MESH GUTTER LEAF
`PRECLUSION SYSTEM
`
`(75) Inventors: Robert C. Lenney, Newcastle, CA (US);
`John R. Lewis, Modesto, CA (US)
`(73) Assignee: Gutterglove, Inc., Rocklin, CA (US)
`
`1/1952 Haddon
`2,583,422 A
`2,674,961 A * 4/1954 Lake ................................. 52/12
`3,691.343 A
`9/1972 Norman
`3,950,951 A * 4/1976 Zukauskas .................... 405/119
`4,308,696 A
`1/1982 Schroeder
`4,435,466 A
`3/1984 Kuhnel et al.
`4,646,488 A
`3/1987 Burns
`4,745,710 A *
`5/1988 Davis ................................ 52/12
`4.755,229 A
`7/1988 Armanini
`4,769,526 A
`9/1988 Taouil
`4,827,686 A
`5/1989 Stamper et al.
`4,949,514 A
`8/1990 Weller
`4.959,932 A * 10/1990 Pfeifer .............................. 52/12
`5,010,696 A
`4/1991 Knittel
`5,044,581 A
`9/1991 Dressler
`5,107,635 A
`4/1992 Carpenter
`5,127,200 A
`7/1992 Doran
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`WO9953157 A1 10/1999
`WO
`Primary Examiner – Andrew J Triggs
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm – Secure Patent Strategies;
`Glen L. Gross
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Corrugated fine mesh material is configured to be located
`overlying a gutter. The fine mesh material has an upper edge
`opposite a lower edge with the upper edge configured to fit
`beneath shingles on a roof adjacent the gutter. The lower edge
`is configured to be held to a lip at a forward edge of the gutter.
`gll
`p
`9.
`gll
`The corrugations add strength to the material and collect
`water at troughs thereof where the collected water more
`readily forms droplets that fall down into the gutter. A lower
`strip is preferably provided to hold the lower edge of the mesh
`to a lip of the gutter. An upper strip is optionally provided
`which includes a tab which can fit beneath shingles to the
`roof. A barrier such as a bead of caulk can optionally be
`coupled to an underside of the corrugated mesh to further
`encourage water droplets to fall.
`
`23 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`sk
`
`(*) Notice:
`
`* * * *
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 711 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 12/807,394
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`-
`
`Sep. 3, 2010
`
`• - 9
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`|US 2011/00561.45 A1
`Mar 10, 2011
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 61/275,943, filed on Sep.
`4, 2009, provisional application No. 61/277,441, filed
`on Sep. 23, 2009.
`
`(2006.01)
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`E{}4D 13/976
`(52) U.S. CI.
`CPC .................................... E04D 13/076 (2013.01)
`58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ..…. E04D 13/076
`USPC ............................... 52/12; 210/163,474, 499
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`|U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(56)
`
`546,042 A * 9/1895 Van Horn .......................... 52/12
`1,732,058 A 10/1929 Martini
`2,229,381 A
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`6/1942 Sandmeyer
`
`
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 1
`
`

`

`US 9,021,747 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
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`4/1997 Morandin
`2006/0179723 A1* 8/2006 Robins .............................. 52/11
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`6,598.352 B2
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`2007/0220814 A1* 9/2007 Faulks .............................. 52/12
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`6,951,077 B1
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`2009/0300995 A1* 12/2009 Nikolopoulos ................... 52/12
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`2011/0067318 A1* 3/2011 Lenney et al. .................... 52/12
`7,104,012 B1
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`-
`-
`2011/0253611 A1 10/2011 Higginbotham
`... . . . . 2012/0042579 A1
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`2013/0160378 A1
`6/2013 Higginbotham .................. 52/12
`3-2 + x* x
`y
`2014/0013702 A1* 1/2014 Pearce et al. ....
`52/741.3
`7,448,167 B2 11/2008 Bachman
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`210/162
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`1gginbotnam ..............
`7,913,458 B2 * 3/2011 Higginbotham .................. 52/12
`* cited by examiner
`
`3 * ~ * *
`7.241,500 B2
`52- : * *
`
`gginbotnam
`7/2007 Shiao et al.
`
`:};
`2013/0160377 A1
`:};
`
`6/2013 Sager ...
`
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52/12
`
`
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 2015
`May 5, 2015
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 9,021,747 B2
`US 9,021,747 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`|PR201 8-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 3
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 2015
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US 9,021,747 B2
`
`43
`
`140
`/~
`
`ATY 140
`
`43 ~~
`2^ TDa
`2^* £
`
`44
`
`Fig. 4
`
`44
`
`45
`
`Fig. 3
`
`
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U S. Patent
`
`May 5, 2015
`May 5, 2015
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`Sheet 3 of4
`
`US 9,021,747 B2
`US 9,021,747 B2
`
`
`
`.A ~~»~;~«
`
` :H-Ft’ ,x-w’
`
`
`
`|PR2018—00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 5
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 5, 2015
`May 5, 2015
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`Sheet 4 of4
`
`US 9,021,747 B2
`US 9,021,747 B2
`
`
`
`
`
`K”.I"
`
`I
`
`
`
`|PR2018—00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 6
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 6
`
`

`

`1
`CORRUGATED MESH GUTTER LEAF
`PRECLUSION SYSTEM
`
`US 9,021,747 B2
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims benefit under Title 35, United
`States Code §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application No.
`61/275,943 filed on Sep. 4, 2009 and U.S. Provisional Appli
`cation No. 61/277,441 filed on Sep. 23, 2009.
`
`10
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The following invention relates to debris preclusion sys
`tems for roof gutters, often referred to as gutter guards. More
`particularly, this invention relates to filter screen mesh type
`gutter guards which have a fine mesh of material to preclude
`leaves and other debris from falling into the gutter, while
`allowing water to filter through the mesh and into the gutter.
`
`15
`
`20
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`45
`
`Gutters are commonly used along eaves at a lower end of a
`sloping roofto catch waterrunning off of the roof and channel
`that water into particular areas rather than allowing the water
`to merely fall from the roof. Such gutters often become
`clogged, especially when trees are located nearby and shed
`leaves which can end up in the gutters. Accordingly, leaf
`preclusion systems, often called “gutter guards,” are known in
`the prior art for attachment over the gutters. Such gutter
`guards serve the basic purpose of allowing water to pass into
`the gutter but precluding leaves and other debris from passing
`into the gutter.
`One type of gutter guard utilizes a filter layer which has
`small openings therein which allow water to pass through but
`which preclude leaves and other debris from passing there
`through. One example of such a prior art mesh based leaf
`preclusion system is in U.S. Pat. No. 7,310,912, incorporated
`herein by reference in its entirety.
`The phenomena of water tension and molecular cohesion
`40
`tend to cause water to not want to pass through such mesh
`layers, but rather to cling to the mesh. These forces thus
`frustrate the ability of mesh based gutter guards to allow
`water to pass through the mesh while precluding debris from
`passing into the gutter. With known prior art mesh based
`gutter guards, commonly an underlying support is provided
`beneath the mesh. This underlying support serves two pur
`poses. First, it keeps the mesh generally planar overlying the
`gutter. Second, it contacts an underside of the mesh providing
`a path along which water can flow while adhering to the
`underlying support. Holes in the underlying support then
`allow water to drop through in larger drops where the weight
`of the drops is sufficient that the surface tension and adhesion
`forces cannot resist such dropping.
`While effective, such mesh based gutter guards with under
`lying supports require a two part structure to operate effec
`tively. These two parts increase the cost to manufacture the
`separate parts as well as adding additional assembly steps to
`produce the final gutter guard product. Many consumers ben
`efit from having a simpler and potentially lower cost alterna
`tive which can still function effectively to preclude leaves and
`other debris from collecting within a gutter. With this inven
`tion such a leaf preclusion system is provided with a simple
`single part construction which can still effectively filter leaves
`and other debris out while allowing water to pass into the
`gutter and have the structural support needed to maintain its
`position overlying the gutter.
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`With this invention, a leaf preclusion system is provided for
`a gutter which includes a filter layer, such as formed of stain
`less steel mesh, which filters out debris (e.g. leaves) while
`allowing water to pass therethrough. Uniquely, no underlying
`support is required beneath the filter member. The filter mem
`ber is itselfimbued with properties of sufficient stiffness and
`the ability to overcome water droplet adhesion characteristics
`without requiring an underlying support. Strength is provided
`to the filter member by providing a corrugated form of either
`an undulating sinusoidal nature ora zig-zag toothed nature, or
`other cross-section. Such a cross-section for the mesh causes
`the mesh to have greater strength particularly in resisting
`bending. These corrugations extend perpendicular to a long
`axis of the gutter and parallel with a direction that water is
`migrating off of the roof. Thus, these corrugations greatly
`resist flexing along the gutter where the mesh would other
`wise be most susceptible to bending.
`When waterruns off of the roof and lands on the corrugated
`mesh material, debris is kept from passing through the small
`openings in the mesh. Water does tend to adhere to this mesh
`but is drawn by gravity down into the troughs between crests
`in the corrugated mesh material. As the water is concentrated
`in these troughs, the water collects into drops sufficiently
`large that the weight of the water drops exceeds adhesion
`forces and surface tension forces so that the water drops.
`To further enhance the channeling of the water down into
`the gutter, a lower strip is optionally provided which acts as a
`form of dam to stop the waterifit migrates entirely to a lower
`end of each trough and diverts the water down into the gutter.
`This front strip of material, typically formed of a rigid or
`semi-rigid material such as aluminum, or a hydrocarbon poly
`meric plastic material can also provide a surface which can be
`used to fasten to a front lip of the gutter. In one form of the
`invention this strip can have a snapping clamp plate so that it
`can snap onto the frontlip of the gutter so that fasteners are not
`required.
`Beneficially, a bead of caulk material or other barrier can
`be bonded to the underside of the mesh along a line between
`(e.g. midway) upper and lower edges of the mesh. Such a
`barrier acts as an intermediate dam to cause water to collect
`and drop into the gutter.
`An upper end of the filter material can merely be left bare
`and slip beneath shingles on the roof and above sheeting
`material underneath the shingles, and above any vapor bar
`rier. Alternatively, an upper strip of rigid material, such as
`aluminum can be attached to the upper edge of the fine mesh
`filter material with a tab extending beneath the roof shingles
`and above underlying sheeting to ensure that water does not
`go underneath the leaf preclusion system, but rather the water
`remains on top of the tab and then on top of the mesh material.
`Objects of the Invention
`Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is to
`provide a system for precluding debris from passing into a
`roof gutter while allowing water to pass into the roof gutter.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`gutter debris preclusion system which is easy to attach to a
`gutter.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`gutter debris preclusion system for a gutter which can accom
`modate gutters of different sizes and shapes as well as roof
`configurations of different materials, pitches and other geo
`metric characteristics.
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 7
`
`

`

`US 9,021,747 B2
`
`3
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`gutter debris preclusion system which has a small number of
`parts and simple form to keep costs thereof reduced, while
`still effectively precluding passage of debris into the gutter
`and while effectively drawing water down into the gutter.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`debris preclusion system for a rain gutter which is sufficiently
`rigid to prevent collapse when encountering loads such as
`debris loads thereon.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide a
`method for precluding the passage of debris into a gutter.
`Other further objects of the present invention will become
`apparent from a careful reading of the included drawing fig
`ures, the claims and detailed description of the invention.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a section of a roof with a
`section of a gutter at a lower edge thereof and with the gutter
`debris preclusion system according to this invention mounted
`thereon, and with portions of shingles on the roof removed to
`reveal details of the system of this invention.
`FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in
`FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is an end elevation view of a lower strip acting as a
`lower support for the debris preclusion system of this inven
`tion.
`FIG. 4 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG.
`3.
`FIG. 5 is an end elevation view of an alternative embodi
`ment of that which is shown in FIG. 3, featuring a clamp for
`securing portions of the system to a lip of a gutter.
`FIG. 6 is a perspective view of that which is shown in FIG.
`5.
`FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a portion offine mesh material
`making up a portion of the system of this invention and
`revealing a preferred geometric configuration of the corru
`gated mesh material.
`FIGS. 8-13 are alternative embodiments of the corrugated
`mesh material of FIG. 7 showing various different alternative
`embodiment corrugation configurations for the mesh mate
`rial.
`FIG. 14 is a perspective view similar to that which is shown
`in FIG. 1 but for an alternative embodiment debris preclusion
`system which also includes an upper strip with associated tab.
`FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of that which is shown in
`FIG. 14.
`FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the debris preclusion
`system shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, with the addition of a
`barrier, such as in the form of a bead of caulk bonded to a
`lower portion of the corrugated mesh of the debris preclusion
`system to encourage water dropping off of the corrugated
`mesh material at a intermediate location.
`FIG. 17 is a sectional view of a portion of that which is
`shown in FIG. 16 illustrating further details of how the barrier
`can draw water off of the mesh material and cause it to fall
`down into the gutter.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT
`
`4
`to capture water running off of shingles S supported over a
`moisture barrier M which is located upon plywood P or other
`sheeting material forming a structural surface of a roof R. The
`water runs down off of the shingles S and then down onto the
`debris preclusion system 10 overlying the gutter G. The sys
`tem 10 is primarily formed of a fine mesh material so that the
`water can fall therethrough. The water will typically adhere to
`an underside of this corrugated mesh 20 (along arrow A of
`FIG. 2) and falling as a drop D of water down into the gutter
`G.
`In essence, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2,
`basic details of the debris preclusion system 10 are described,
`according to a simplest preferred embodiment. The system 10
`includes the fine mesh material 20 which is corrugated to
`include a plurality of crests 22 (also referred to as ridges)
`opposite troughs 24 (also referred to as valleys). This corru
`gated mesh 20 has an upper edge 26 opposite a lower edge 28.
`The upper edge 26 in this simplest embodiment is oriented
`directly beneath the shingles S. Preferably, the lower edge 28
`is held within a recess 42 in a lower strip 40. The lower strip
`40 acts as a substantially rigid support which can rest upon or
`be coupled to the lip L of the gutter G. In a simplest form, an
`alternative lower strip 140 is configured as depicted in FIGS.
`3 and 4. Most preferably, the lower strip 40 is configured with
`a clamp plate 46 which allows the lower strip 40 to snap onto
`the lip Lofthe gutter G. A bead of caulk 50 (FIGS. 16 and 17)
`can be optionally provided beneath the corrugated mesh
`material 20 to encourage water to drop off of this barrier
`(along arrow C of FIG. 16), before reaching the lower strip 40.
`In an alternative embodiment, an upper strip 30 can be pro
`vided adjacent the upper edge 26 of the corrugated mesh 20.
`The upper strip 30 includes a tab 36 which can reside beneath
`the shingles S and the roof R structural support (FIGS. 14 and
`15).
`More specifically, and with particular reference to FIGS. 1,
`2 and 7-13, specific details of the corrugated fine mesh mate
`rial 20 are described, according to a most preferred embodi
`ment. The corrugated mesh 20 provides the function of allow
`ing water to pass into the gutter G while precluding debris
`from passing into the gutter G. This corrugated mesh 20 is
`preferably formed as a woven screen of stainless steel wire or
`other wire/thread of suitable material. Important characteris
`tics of the material forming the mesh include sufficiently high
`strength and inelasticity to function structurally, as well as
`resistance to corrosion in the gutter G environment. Further
`more, it is advantageous that material forming the corrugated
`mesh 20 can be readily bent sufficient to cause the material to
`be readily corrugated into one of a variety of different cross
`sections, such as those meshes 20, 120, 122, 124, 126, 128
`and 129 depicted in FIGS. 7-13 respectively, and hold that
`configuration after being so bent.
`Most preferably, the wire forming the corrugated mesh 20
`extends in a pattern with some threads extending parallel with
`the upper edge 26 of the overall corrugated mesh 20 and some
`of the wire/thread extending perpendicular to the upper edge
`26 of the corrugated mesh 20. In such a configuration, the
`corrugation can occur to create the crests 20 and troughs 24
`with only the threads which run parallel with the upper edge
`26 needing to be bent. In such a configuration the corrugating
`of the fine mesh material forming the corrugated mesh 20 can
`more readily occur and this material forming the corrugated
`mesh can more readily maintain this corrugated configuration
`during installation and use. Hole size between adjacent wires/
`threads forming the corrugated mesh 20 can be selected
`according to various different design considerations includ
`ing the debris present in the environment where the system is
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals
`represent like parts throughout the various drawing figures,
`reference numeral 10 is directed to a debris preclusion system
`mountable overlying an opening on an upper portion of a
`gutter G and behind a lip L of the gutter G. The gutter G is
`typically attached to a fascia F along a lower edge of a roof R
`
`65
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 8
`
`

`

`US 9,021,747 B2
`
`5
`to be installed. Wire/thread diameter can also be adjusted to
`accommodate particular design characteristics desired for the
`overall system.
`The corrugations in the corrugated mesh 20 preferably
`have an amplitude between crests 22 and troughs 24 between
`one-fourth and one-tenth ofthe length ofthe corrugated mesh
`20 between the upper edge 26 and the lower edge 28 and
`similar to a width of the opening in the gutter G. This ampli-
`tude can be increased or decreased through experimentation
`or based on other design considerations to optimize perfor-
`mance of the system 10.
`Preferably, these corrugations 20 are in a repeating pattern.
`This pattern is most preferably a zig-zag pattern, such as that
`depicted in FIG. 7. As an alternative, the pattern could be
`more sinusoidal with a curving crest 22 and curving trough
`24. Other configurations can also be provided for the corru-
`gated mesh 20 such as those depicted in FIGS. 8-13. Not only
`can these configurations be provided, but these configurations
`depicted in FIGS. 8-13 can be inverted and provided upside
`down. Furthermore, other configurations could be utilized
`which combine those depicted therein or be variations
`thereon. Selection of the corrugation pattern for the corru-
`gated mesh 20 can be provided either to optimize function or
`to provide an aesthetic appearance that is desired by the user.
`The amplitude of the corrugated mesh 20 is preferably
`constant throughout the corrugated mesh 20. Alternatively, it
`is conceivable that the corrugated mesh 20 could have its
`amplitude diminished or eliminated adjacent the upper edge
`26 and lower edge 28. The upper edge 26 is preferably cap-
`tured within a pocket 32 formed in the upper strip 30, if the
`upper strip 30 is provided. The lower edge 28 of the corru-
`gated mesh 20 is preferably captured within a recess 42 in the
`lower strip 40, ifthe lower strip 40 is provided. The pocket 32
`and recess 42 could be smaller in height if the corrugated
`mesh 20 is configured to taper to a lesser or zero amplitude at
`the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28. If desired, the corru-
`gated mesh 20 could be configured to have a slightly looser
`weave that would then have this weave compressed adjacent
`the upper edge 26 and lower edge 28 when this amplitude is
`decreased, so that the overall corrugated mesh 20 would have
`a minimum of stress when having this amplitude change, and
`while still being corrugated and sufficiently tightly woven.
`With particular reference to FIGS. 1-6, details of the lower
`strip 40 providing a preferred form of support for the lower
`edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20 are described according to
`a most preferred embodiment. While the lower strip 40 or
`other lower support could be eliminated and the lower edge 28
`of the corrugated mesh 20 could merely rest upon or be
`fastened to the gutter G, most preferably, the lower strip 40 is
`provided to facilitate such attachment of the lower edge 28 of
`the corrugated mesh 20 to the lip L of the gutter G.
`This lower strip 40, 140 can have a variety of different
`configurations, such as those depicted in FIGS. 3-6. In a most
`preferred form of the invention, the lower strip 40 is config-
`ured as depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6. This configuration includes
`a stop plate 45 extending substantially perpendicular to a
`plane in which the corrugated mesh 20 resides. The upper
`plate 43 is oriented perpendicular to this stop plate 45 and
`extending to either side of the stop plate 45. A lower plate 44
`extends perpendicularly from one side of the stop plate 45
`closest to the corrugated mesh 20. A recess 42 is thus defined
`between the upper plate 43 and lower plate 44.
`The distance between the lower plate 44 and upper plate 43
`preferably is similar to an amplitude of the corrugated mesh
`20, or slightly less. Thus, the lower edge 28 of the corrugated
`mesh 20 can fit securely within the recess 42. Optionally,
`some form of adhesive or other fastener can be utilized to
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`further secure the lower edge 28 of the corrugated mesh 20
`within the recess 42. If fasteners are utilized, such fasteners
`could include staples, screws, rivets, pins, wire, clamps or
`other equivalent fastening means. If desired; holes can be
`provided in the lower plate 44 to prevent the recess 42 from
`becoming a reservoir for pooling of water therein.
`As water runs down over the corrugated mesh 20 (along
`arrow A of FIG. 2) the water will tend to angle down (along
`arrow B of FIG. 17) and follow the troughs 24. When these
`troughs reach the lower strip 40, this water will adhere to the
`lower plate 44 and then to a lower portion ofthe stop plate 45.
`With this efficient water collecting at a lower end of the stop
`plate 45, the water will release from the stop plate 45 as
`droplets D and fall (along arrow E of FIG. 2) down into the
`gutter G.
`Most preferably, a clamp plate 46 is provided generally
`opposite the lower plate 44 and extending generally laterally
`from the stop plate 45. This clamp plate 46 preferably is
`somewhat resilient and has a curving form generally match-
`ing a form of a typical lip L on a gutter G. The clamp plate 46
`could have a variety of different configurations to accommo-
`date lips L of different configurations. The clamp plate 46 is
`spaced from the upper plate 43 by a distance that causes the
`clamp plate 46 to flex slightly away from the upper plate 43
`when pressed against the lip L of the gutter G and then snap
`toward the upper plate 43 to a closed position held to the lip L
`of the gutter G, and positioning the entire system 10 in the
`desired position over the gutter G and spanning from the lip L
`up to the roof R below the shingles S.
`The upper plate 43 also provides the location where a
`fastener can be utilized to further secure the lower strip 40 to
`the gutter G. For instance, screws can pass through the upper
`plate 43 and then into the lip L to secure the system 10 in
`position on the gutter G. In addition, or alternatively, an
`adhesive can be utilized or some other form of fastener such
`
`as a rivet, nail, staple, pin or other lip L fastening means.
`With particular reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, details ofthe
`upper strip 30 are described, according to an alternative
`embodiment where the system 10 includes the upper strip 30.
`When the upper strip 30 is provided as a preferred form of
`upper support for the upper edge 26 ofthe corrugated mesh 20
`of the system 10, other portions of the system 10 remain the
`same. This upper strip 30 provides a thinner structure to fit
`beneath the shingles S and above the moisture barrier M, or
`above other underlying plywood P or other sheeting material
`for the roof R, so that water is effectively directed off of the
`shingles S and onto the corrugated mesh 20 of the system 10,
`rather than otherwise migrating under the mesh 20.
`This upper strip 30 most preferably is a rigid structure
`formed ofan extrudable material such as aluminum which has
`a constant cross-section to make it suitable for extrusion.
`
`Alternatively, the upper strip 30 can be formed in some other
`manner and from other materials such as plastics.
`The upper strip 30 preferably includes a pocket 32 sized to
`receive the upper edge 26 therein. Thus, the pocket 32 pref-
`erably has a height between a lower leg 34 and upper leg 35
`which is similar in height to the amplitude between the crests
`22 and troughs 24 ofthe corrugated mesh 20.A tab 36 extends
`away from the pocket 32 in a direction opposite the corru-
`gated mesh 20. This tab 36 is preferably substantially planar
`and in a plane aligned with that of the corrugated mesh 20.
`As an alternative, the tab 36 could be bendable or pre-
`configured with a bend relative to the plane in which the
`corrugated mesh 20 is configured. For instance, to accommo-
`date different pitches of roofs, the tab 36 could either be
`bendable or pre-bent to an angle matching the pitch ofthe roof
`with which the system 10 is to be installed. If such a bend
`|PR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 9
`
`IPR2018-00031
`Petitioners Ex. 1111 p. 9
`
`

`

`US 9,021,747 B2
`
`7
`were provided this bend could be directly adjacent the pocket
`32 or could be spaced further from the pocket 32 depending
`on the width of the gutter G and other particular geometric
`characteristics of the roof R adjacent the fascia F.
`While the lower strip 40 is preferably provided as a unitary
`mass,
`it could be formed of separate parts that are then
`attached together. The pocket 32 is preferably sized so that the
`upper edge 26 of the corrugated mesh 20 fits by friction
`therein. Alternatively, fasteners can be provided or an adhe-
`sive to secure the upper edge 26 within the pocket 32. Options
`for such fastening means are similar to those described above
`with respect to holding the lower edge 28 of the corrugated
`mesh 20 within the recess 42 of the lower strip 40.
`With particular reference to FIGS. 16 and 17 details of an
`alternative embodiment are disclosed where a bead 50 is
`
`provided as a preferred form of barrier at a midpoint on the
`corrugated mesh 20 between the upper edge 26 and lower
`edge 28. This bead 50 is preferably a bead of caulk which acts
`as a preferred form of barrier which is applied wet and then
`hardens and simultaneously adheres to the lower surface of
`the corrugated mesh 20. In such a configuration, the bead 50
`primarily only is bonded to the troughs 24 and portions ofthe
`corrugated mesh 20 adjacent the troughs 24, rather than cov-
`ering an entire undersurface of the corrugated mesh 20. How-
`ever, as most of the water travels along the trough 24 from the
`upper edge 26 toward the lower edge 28, this water impacts
`the bead 50 or other barrier.
`
`The water initially follows planar portions of the corru-
`gated mesh 20 between the crests 22 and the troughs 24 (along
`arrow B of FIG. 17) before following along the troughs 24
`from the upper edge 26 toward the lower edge 28 (along arrow
`A of FIG. 16). By adhesion, the water wraps around this bead
`50 and then collects on a lower surface thereof. When the
`
`weight of the water is sufficient, it forms droplets D which
`then fall off of the bead 50 (along arrow C of FIGS. 16 and
`17). In this way, the water does not only fall of the lower strip
`50, but also offofthe bead 50, so that higher volumes ofwater
`flow can be effectively routed through the corrugated mesh 20
`and down into the gutter G. While such water flows are rare,
`it is important that the gutter G can effectively perform when
`such heavy downpours occur so that the gutters G can perform
`to their full design capacity. With the bead 50 or other barrier
`such performance is optimized.
`This disclosure is provided to reveal a preferred embodi-
`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 from
`the scope and spirit of this invention disclosure. When struc-
`tures are identified as a means to perform a function, the
`identification is intended to include all structures which can
`
`perform the function specified. When structures ofthis inven-
`tion are identified as being coupled together, such language
`should be interpreted broadly to include the structures being
`coupled directly together or coup