Gutter cover

Abstract

A gutter cover which more effectively sheds pine tree needles and other debris and therefore resists clogging. The gutter cover comprises a first section adapted to be installed under or over roofing material on the roof; a second section attached to the first section and adapted to at least partially overlie the gutter; a water channel attached to the second channel for directing water flowing over the second section into the gutter; and a plurality of spaced-apart diverting elements positioned on the second section for orienting debris so that the debris is less likely to enter the water channel.

1 . A gutter cover for covering a gutter attached to a roof of a building, the gutter presenting a longitudinal axis, the gutter cover comprising: 
 a first section adapted to be installed under or over roofing material on the roof;    a second section attached to the first section and adapted to at least partially overlie the gutter;    a water channel directly or indirectly attached to the second section for directing water flowing over the second section into the gutter; and    a plurality of spaced-apart diverting elements positioned on the first or second section for orienting debris so that the debris is less likely to enter the water channel.    
   
   
       2 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the diverting elements each consist of an upstanding projection formed on the second section and extending at an angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the gutter.  
   
   
       3 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the diverting elements extend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gutter.  
   
   
       4 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the diverting elements are of several different lengths to facilitate the orienting of the debris.  
   
   
       5 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the diverting elements orient the debris so that the debris extends generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gutter.  
   
   
       6 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the diverting elements present a repeating pattern of long, medium, and short lengths to facilitate the orienting of the debris.  
   
   
       7 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the diverting elements present a repeating pattern of long, medium, short, short, medium, and long lengths to facilitate the orienting of the debris.  
   
   
       8 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the long length diverting elements are approximately ½ to 2 inches in length.  
   
   
       9 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the medium length diverting elements are approximately ¼ to 1 inches in length.  
   
   
       10 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the short length diverting elements are approximately ⅛ to ¾ inches in length.  
   
   
       11 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of the diverting elements is approximately 1/32 to ½ inches wide.  
   
   
       12 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the diverting elements are spaced between ¼ and 3 inches apart.  
   
   
       13 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the debris includes evergreen tree needles.  
   
   
       14 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the second section includes a first edge connected to the first section and a second edge adjacent the water channel, wherein the diverting elements are all generally aligned along the second edge of the second section.  
   
   
       15 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 1 , further including a bend which joins the first and second sections and which permits the first section to be bent to match the pitch of the roof.  
   
   
       16 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the first section, the second section, the water channel, and the bend are integrally formed of a single piece of material.  
   
   
       17 . The gutter cover as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the first section, the second section, the water channel, and the bend are integrally formed of stainless steel.