Gutter and roof protection system

Abstract

A gutter and roof protection system includes a gutter cover and a heating element. The gutter cover is installed over a gutter attached to a roof or other sloped surface of a building and includes a first end configured to be positioned over or under a row of shingles on the roof and an opposite, second end configured to be positioned over a portion of the gutter which is spaced from the roof. The second end includes an elongated, partially enclosed channel. The heating element is placed within the channel and then connected to a suitable source of electricity so as to melt snow and ice which accumulates on or near the gutter cover. The channel on the second end of the gutter cover is positioned so that it places the heating cable near portions of the gutter cover and gutter that are spaced furthest from the building.

1 . A gutter and roof protection system comprising: 
 a gutter cover configured to be affixed over a gutter of a building, the gutter cover including a first end which is configured to be positioned over or under a row of shingles on a roof or other sloped surface of the building and an opposite second end which is configured to be positioned over or adjacent a portion of the gutter which is spaced from the roof of the building, the second end defining an elongated, partially enclosed channel; and    a heating element for placement in the channel for melting snow and ice which accumulates on the gutter cover.    
   
   
       2 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the gutter cover is formed of a single piece of material.  
   
   
       3 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated channel has an opening for receiving the heating element and a closed end for retaining the heating element in the channel.  
   
   
       4 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the second end of the gutter cover can be bent to widen the opening of the channel to permit insertion of the heating element therein.  
   
   
       5 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the heating element is a heating cable.  
   
   
       6 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the gutter includes 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 gutter cover channel is configured to be positioned approximately over the front wall of the gutter.  
   
   
       7 . A gutter and roof protection system comprising: 
 a 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;    a first heating element for placement in the slot for melting snow and ice which accumulates in or on the gutter;    a gutter cover configured to be affixed over the gutter, the gutter cover including a first end which is configured to be positioned over or under a row of shingles on a roof or other sloped surface of the building and an opposite second end which is configured to be positioned over or adjacent a portion of the gutter which is spaced from the roof of the building, the second end defining an elongated, partially enclosed channel; and    a second heating element for placement in the gutter cover channel for melting snow and ice which accumulates on the gutter cover.    
   
   
       8 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 7 , 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.  
   
   
       9 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 7 , 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.  
   
   
       10 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 7 , 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.  
   
   
       11 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the first and second heating elements are heating cables.  
   
   
       12 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the gutter cover is formed of a single piece of material.  
   
   
       13 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the elongated channel has an opening for receiving the heating element and a closed end for retaining the heating element in the channel.  
   
   
       14 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the second end of the gutter cover can be bent to widen the opening of the elongated channel to permit insertion of the heating element therein.  
   
   
       15 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the gutter includes 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 gutter cover channel is configured to be positioned approximately over the front wall of the gutter.  
   
   
       16 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the gutter slot is positioned near the gutter front wall.  
   
   
       17 . A gutter and roof protection system comprising: 
 a gutter including a rear wall for attachment to a building, a front wall spaced from the rear wall, an elongated channel on an upper end of the front wall, and a bottom wall extending between the rear and front walls;    a gutter cover configured to be affixed over the gutter and including a curved portion which directs water into the gutter and which partially overlies the gutter channel; and    a heating element for placement in the channel for melting snow and ice which accumulates on or near the gutter cover.    
   
   
       18 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the gutter cover is formed of a single piece of material.  
   
   
       19 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the elongated channel has an opening for receiving the heating element and a closed end for retaining the heating element in the channel.  
   
   
       20 . The gutter and roof protection system as set forth in  claim 17 , wherein the heating element is a heating cable.