Plastic gutter system and components therefor

Abstract

The invention is directed to a gutter system for channelling rainwater from a building The gutter system includes gutter sections that are interconnected with joint members having gaskets incorporated thereon. Each gutter section has a substantially hollow space defined between inner and outer walls that are spanned by a plurality of ribs.

1 . A gutter section for use in a rain gutter system, the gutter section comprising an inner wall defining a channel for receiving and channelling rain water, and an outer wall spaced from said inner wall to define a substantially hollow area between the inner wall and the outer wall.  
     
     
         2 . A gutter section according to  claim 1  wherein said inner wall and said outer wall are spanned by a plurality of ribs.  
     
     
         3 . A gutter section according to  claim 2  wherein said gutter section is elongate and said ribs extend along the length of said gutter section.  
     
     
         4 . A gutter section for use in a rain gutter system comprising: 
 an inner wall defining a channel for receiving and channelling rain water;    an outer wall defining a desired aesthetic outer shape for said gutter section; and    a heat sink between said inner wall and said outer wall to deter substantial expansion and contraction of said gutter under ranging thermal conditions.    
     
     
         5 . A gutter section according to  claim 4  wherein the gutter section is integrally formed.  
     
     
         6 . A gutter section according to  claim 4  wherein the gutter section is formed by an extrusion process.  
     
     
         7 . A gutter section according to  claim 4  wherein the gutter section has a plurality of ribs.  
     
     
         8 . A gutter section according to  claim 4  wherein the gutter section is formed of a plastic material.  
     
     
         9 . A gutter section according to  claim 4  wherein the gutter section has at least one flange for engaging a hanger for supporting said gutter section against a building.  
     
     
         10 . A gutter section according to  claim 4  wherein the inner wall has radiused corners.  
     
     
         11 . A gutter system comprising: 
 (a) a plurality of gutter sections each defining a channel for receiving and channelling rain water; and    (b) a plurality of joint members for joining said gutter sections, each including an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve defining a passageway corresponding in shape to a substantial portion of the cross-sectional shape of said gutter sections for slidably receiving at least one of said gutter sections.    
     
     
         12 . A gutter system as claimed in  claim 11  further comprising a gasket disposed in said passageway for forming a substantially water tight seal between said joint member and said gutter section.  
     
     
         13 . A gutter system as claimed in  claim 11  wherein at least are of said plurality of gutter sections and said plurality of joint members is formed of plastic.  
     
     
         14 . A joint assembly for adjoining one or more gutter sections of a gutter system, the joint assembly comprising: 
 (a) a joint member having an outer sleeve and an inner sleeve defining a passageway corresponding in shape to a substantial portion of the cross-sectional shape of a gutter section for slidably receiving said gutter section; and    (b) a gasket assembly having a gasket and an attachment member for supporting said gasket and attaching said gasket assembly to said joint member.    
     
     
         15 . A joint assembly as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said joint member is integrally formed.  
     
     
         16 . A joint assembly as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said gasket assembly is releasably attached to said joint member.  
     
     
         17 . A joint assembly as claimed in  claim 14  wherein said gasket is formed of a material selected from the group of rubber of EPDM.  
     
     
         18 . A clip for attaching a downspout to a wall, said clip comprising first and second clip members, at least one of said clip members having a means for attaching said clip to said wall, each of said clip members having a releasable interlocking device for releasably interlocking said clip members together around the downspout.  
     
     
         19 . A drainpipe connector system for movably connecting a downspout to a drainpipe, the drainpipe connector system comprising: 
 a downspout connector including a first end and a second end, said first end being shaped for slidably engaging a downspout;    a hinge member having a first portion that is hingeably connected to said second end of said downspout connector, and a second portion that is shaped for slidably engaging a drainpipe, the hinge member being rotatable relative to the downspout connector between a raised position and a lowered position; and    a locking tab disposed on one or both of said downspout connector and said hinge member for releasably locking said hinge member in said raised position.