Collection and drainage system having a fluid directing assembly

Abstract

A collection and drainage system for a building to redirect fluid away from the building includes a fluid directing assembly and a wash assembly. The fluid directing assembly includes a gutter having a distal edge and a proximal edge that define an opening for receiving the fluid. A cover extends over the opening and includes a support leg extending downwardly toward the opening. A retainer has an arm for mounting to the building and a catch extending from the arm downwardly toward the opening. The catch receives the support leg for removably mounting the cover to the retainer about the opening of the gutter. Should debris enter into the gutter, the collection and drainage system further includes a wash assembly for providing the gutter with water to push the debris toward a drain.

1 . A collection and drainage system for a building to redirect fluid away from the building, said system comprising: 
 a gutter having a distal edge and a proximal edge defining an opening for receiving the fluid;    a cover extending over a majority of said opening from said proximal edge to a position adjacent said distal edge and including a support leg extending downwardly toward said opening; and    a retainer having an arm for mounting to the building and a catch extending from said arm downwardly toward said opening to receive said support leg for removably mounting said cover to said retainer about said opening of said gutter.    
   
   
       2 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said catch further includes a first wall extending from said arm, a second wall spaced from said first wall, and a seat extending between said first wall and said second wall for receiving said support leg such that said cover is removably mounted to said retainer about said gutter.  
   
   
       3 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said catch includes a U-shaped configuration when viewed in cross-section.  
   
   
       4 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said arm, said first wall, said second wall, and said seat are integrally formed as one piece.  
   
   
       5 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said arm extends from said first wall at an angle.  
   
   
       6 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said arm further includes a jog for directing the fluid from the building onto said cover.  
   
   
       7 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cover defines a drip space for allowing the fluid to flow into said opening.  
   
   
       8 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said cover further includes a first edge and a second edge and with said cover sloping downward from said first edge to said second edge relative to said gutter for directing the fluid along said cover toward said second edge.  
   
   
       9 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 8  wherein said drip space is defined between said second edge of said cover and said distal edge of said gutter for allowing the fluid to flow into said opening.  
   
   
       10 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 8  further including a drip lip extending from said second edge of said cover for directing the fluid from said drip space into said opening.  
   
   
       11 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said drip lip is arcuate and extends downwardly from said second edge of said cover toward said opening.  
   
   
       12 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cover extends over at least 55% of said opening.  
   
   
       13 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said cover extends over 55% to 95% of said opening.  
   
   
       14 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 1  further including a bracket disposed within said opening and having a mounting surface abutting said cover for supporting said cover above said gutter.  
   
   
       15 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 1  further including a fastener extending through said gutter for mounting said gutter to the building.  
   
   
       16 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 15  further including a bracket disposed within said opening and said bracket defining an aperture for surrounding said fastener.  
   
   
       17 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 16  wherein said bracket is further defined as including a first portion having a first tab extending from at least one side of said first portion and a second portion having a second tab extending from at least one side of said second portion for interlocking said first portion with said second portion.  
   
   
       18 . A collection and drainage system as set forth in  claim 17  wherein said first bracket and said second bracket define an aperture for surrounding said fastener.  
   
   
       19 . A fluid directing assembly for preventing debris from entering a gutter and directing a fluid into the gutter, said fluid directing assembly comprising: 
 a cover including a support leg; and    a retainer including an arm for mounting to the building and a catch extending from said arm to receive said support leg for removably mounting said cover to said retainer about the gutter.    
   
   
       20 . A fluid directing assembly as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said catch further includes a first wall, a second wall spaced from said first wall, and a seat extending between said first wall and said second wall for receiving said support leg such that said cover is removably mounted to said retainer about the gutter.  
   
   
       21 . A fluid directing assembly as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said catch includes a U-shaped configuration when viewed in cross-section.  
   
   
       22 . A fluid directing assembly as set forth in  claim 20  wherein said arm, said first wall, said second wall, and said seat are integrally formed as one piece.  
   
   
       23 . A fluid directing assembly as set forth in  claim 19  wherein said arm further includes a jog for directing the fluid from the building onto said cover.  
   
   
       24 . A fluid directing assembly as set forth in  claim 24  wherein said cover further includes a first edge and a second edge and with said cover sloping downward from said first edge to said second edge relative to said gutter for directing the fluid along said cover from said first edge to said second edge.  
   
   
       25 . A fluid directing assembly as set forth in  claim 25  further including a drip lip formed on said second edge of said cover for directing the fluid into the gutter.  
   
   
       26 . A fluid directing assembly as set forth in  claim 19  further including a bracket having a mounting surface abutting said cover for supporting said cover above the gutter.  
   
   
       27 . A fluid directing assembly as set forth in  claim 27  wherein said bracket is further defined as including a first portion having a first tab extending from at least one side of said first portion and a second portion having a mounting surface and a second tab extending from at least one side of said second portion for interlocking said first portion with said second portion.