Tubular mesh screen

Abstract

A gutter screen suitable for the DIY market consists of a tubular sleeve made of metal or plastic mesh. The sleeve is 110 mm in diameter and is pressed by hand into a gutter or drain channel. In roof gutters, it is retained by its deformation between a gutter edge and the overlying roof. The sleeve flattens allowing it to be stored on a reel.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A screen for preventing the entry of debris into a gutter, comprising a tubular sleeve of mesh which at leas substantially fills the gutter.  
     
     
         2 . A screen as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is resilient and deformable such that once constrained at least partially within the gutter remains in position.  
     
     
         3 . A screen as clamed in  claim 2 , comprising a first array of strands aligned in a first direction overlaid by and joined to a second array of strands aligned substantially at 90° to the first direction.  
     
     
         4 . A screen as clamed in  claim 2 , comprising a first array of strands aligned in a first direction overlaid by and joined to a second array of strands aligned at an acute angle to the first direction.  
     
     
         5 . A screen as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein a first array of mutually parallel strands are aligned in the generally longitudinal direction, the sleeve and a second array of mutually parallel strands arranged circumferentially, said first and second array of strands defining mesh apertures therebetween.  
     
     
         6 . A screen as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the spacing between the circumferential strands is closer than the spacing between the generally longitudinal strands.  
     
     
         7 . A screen as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the circumferential strands overlie the generally longitudinal stands.  
     
     
         8 . A screen as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the generally longitudinal strands are substantially helical.  
     
     
         9 . A screen as clamed in  claim 5 , wherein the spacing in the first direction is 2.5-4.0 mm and 3.5-6.0 mm in the second direction.  
     
     
         10 . A screen as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the strand size is 1.5-2.5 mm.  
     
     
         11 . A screen as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the screen is moulded as a continuous sleeve in which apertures are introduced.  
     
     
         12 . A screen as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the sleeve is deformable to a substantially flat profile in order to permit rolling on a reel.  
     
     
         13 . A screen as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is formed as a flat strip of mesh and the two mutually parallel edges are joined to form a sleeve.  
     
     
         14 . A screen as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is made of HD polyolefin.  
     
     
         15 . A screen as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is made from a strip of expanded metal mesh which is joined to form a sleeve.  
     
     
         16 . A screen as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the tubular sleeve diameter is 100-130 mm.