Bracket For Attaching A Gutter Cover Tail Portion To A Rain Gutter Fascia Board

Abstract

The receiving channel of the bracket may extend horizontally and open forwardly to receive a trailing portion of a gutter cover, or it may extend vertically and open downwardly to receive an upper edge portion of a rear wall of a rain gutter. An intermediate transition segment on the bracket is disposed generally parallel to the receiving channel, and a brace segment extends generally perpendicularly to the receiving channel and the transition segment. When the receiving channel extends horizontally, the brace segment may be mounted on a gutter-engaging fascia wall. When the receiving channel of the bracket extends vertically, the brace segment is disposed to support the trailing portion of the gutter cover.

1 . A bracket adapted to be interposed between a rain gutter-engaging fascia board and a gutter cover having a longitudinally extending trailing portion, said bracket comprising a receiving channel, an intermediate transition segment disposed generally parallel to the receiving channel, and a brace segment extending generally perpendicularly to the receiving channel and the transition segment.  
   
   
       2 . The bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving channel extends generally horizontally and opens forwardly to receive the trailing portion of the gutter cover, the transition segment is disposed generally horizontally and above the receiving channel, and the brace segment extends generally vertically and upwardly from the transition segment.  
   
   
       3 . The bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving channel extends generally vertically and opens downwardly to receive an upper edge portion of a rear wall of the rain gutter, the transition segment is disposed generally vertically and forwardly of the receiving channel and the brace segment extends generally horizontally and forwardly from the transition segment.  
   
   
       4 . The bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving channel extends generally horizontally and opens forwardly to receive the trailing portion of the gutter cover, the transition segment is disposed generally horizontally and above the receiving channel, and the brace segment extends generally vertically and downwardly from the transition segment.  
   
   
       5 . The bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein said bracket is formed from a single strip of aluminum alloy, said strip being between 4 and 6 feet in length.  
   
   
       6 . The bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the channel, transition segment and brace extend substantially the entire length of said bracket.  
   
   
       7 . The bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of said brackets are butted together in end-to-end fashion to receive the trailing end of the gutter cover.  
   
   
       8 . The bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the brace segment is adapted to be secured to the rain gutter-engaging fascia board.  
   
   
       9 . The bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein an angle α between the brace segment and the transition segment is approximately 90°.  
   
   
       10 . The bracket according to  claim 1 , wherein the receiving channel comprises an outboard flange, a first return bend and an inboard segment.  
   
   
       11 . The bracket according to  claim 10 , wherein a second return bend extends between the inboard segment and the transition segment.  
   
   
       12 . The bracket according to  claim 11 , wherein the first and second return bends are each approximately 180°.  
   
   
       13 . The bracket according to  claim 11 , wherein the brace segment and the first return bend are generally coplanar, and wherein a free edge on the outboard flange and the second return bend are generally coplanar.  
   
   
       14 . The bracket according to  claim 11 , wherein the outboard flange is provided with a hemmed front edge and wherein the brace segment is provided with a hemmed upper edge.  
   
   
       15 . The bracket according to  claim 11 , wherein the outboard flange is adapted to be disposed between the rain gutter and the rain gutter-engaging fascia board.  
   
   
       16 . The bracket according to  claim 15 , wherein a free end of the outboard flange is angled outwardly to widen the open end of the channel.  
   
   
       17 . The bracket according to  claim 15 , wherein the first return bend is adapted to limit the downward movement of said bracket on the rain gutter.  
   
   
       18 . The bracket according to  claim 3 , wherein the brace segment is disposed to support the trailing portion of the gutter cover.  
   
   
       19 . The bracket according to  claim 18 , wherein the brace segment is provided with a partially overlapping flange, said partially overlapping flange being disposed to engage the trailing portion of the gutter cover.