Snow and ice resistant gutter system

Abstract

A snow and ice resistant gutter system which more effectively and efficiently prevents the formation of ice dams. The gutter system comprises an elongated gutter adapted to be affixed to a building and a heating element for placement in the gutter for melting snow and ice which accumulates on or in the gutter. The gutter includes at least one wall defining a water-carrying channel and an elongated slot formed in the wall. The slot is sized and configured for receiving the heating element therein. The elongated slot has a depth approximately equal to the diameter of the heating element so that the heating element is generally flush with the top surface of the gutter wall so as not to block the flow of water or trap debris in the gutter.

1 . A gutter system comprising: 
 an elongated gutter adapted to be affixed to a building, the gutter including at least one wall defining a water-carrying channel and an elongated slot formed in the wall; and    a heating element for placement in the slot for melting snow and ice which accumulates in or on the gutter.    
   
   
       2 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 1 , the gutter including 
 a rear wall for attachment to the building;    a front wall spaced from the rear wall; and    a bottom wall extending between a lower edge of the rear wall and a lower edge of the front wall, wherein the elongated slot is formed near an intersection of the front wall and the bottom wall.    
   
   
       3 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated slot has a depth approximately equal to a diameter of the heating element so the heating element is generally flush with a top surface of the gutter wall when positioned in the slot so as not to block or impede flow of water or debris in the gutter.  
   
   
       4 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated slot has an opening for receiving the heating element and a closed end for retaining the heating element in the elongated slot.  
   
   
       5 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the wall of the gutter can be bent to widen the opening of the elongated slot to permit insertion of the heating element therein.  
   
   
       6 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is a heating cable.  
   
   
       7 . A gutter system comprising: 
 an elongated gutter including 
 a rear wall adapted to be affixed below a lower edge of a sloped surface of a building;  
 a front wall spaced from the rear wall;  
 a bottom wall extending between a lower edge of the rear wall and a lower edge of the front wall;  
 an elongated slot formed in the bottom wall, the slot presenting a depth; and  
   a heating element for placement in the slot for melting snow and ice which accumulates in or on the gutter, the heating element presenting a diameter approximately equal to the depth of the elongated slot so the heating element is generally flush with the bottom wall when positioned in the slot so as not to block flow of water over the bottom wall.    
   
   
       8 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the heating element is a heating cable.  
   
   
       9 . A gutter system comprising: 
 an elongated gutter including a rear wall adapted to be affixed below a lower edge of a sloped surface of a building, a front wall spaced from the rear wall, and a bottom wall extending between a lower edge of the rear wall and a lower edge of the front wall, the bottom wall presenting a recessed region having an elongated slot formed therein;    a heating element for placement in the slot for melting snow and ice which accumulates on or in the gutter; and    a cover for placement in the recessed region for covering the heating element.    
   
   
       10 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the cover has a thickness approximately equal to a depth of the recessed region so the cover is flush with the bottom wall when placed in the recessed region.  
   
   
       11 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the elongated slot has a depth approximately equal to a diameter of the heating element so the heating element is generally flush with a top surface of the gutter wall when positioned in the slot so as not to block flow of water in the gutter.  
   
   
       12 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the heating element is a heating cable.  
   
   
       13 . An attachment device for securing a heating cable in a gutter downspout, the attachment clip comprising: 
 a base;    at least one gutter clip extending from the base for removably securing the base to a wall of the gutter downspout; and    at least one cable clip extending from the base for securing an end of the heating cable so as to position the heating cable adjacent an inner surface of the wall of the gutter downspout.    
   
   
       14 . The attachment device as set forth in  claim 13 , including a pair of gutter clips.  
   
   
       15 . The attachment device as set forth in  claim 13 , including a pair of cable clips.