Gutter screen

Abstract

A gutter screen includes an elongated body configured to engage a portion of a gutter. The body defines a front side and a rear side and includes a rear gutter engaging member configured to engage a rear wall of the gutter and a front gutter engaging member configured to engage a front wall of the gutter. A plurality of perforated sections is disposed between the rear and front gutter engaging members. Each perforated section slopes downwardly from a rear end thereof to a front end thereof. A plurality of lipped portions connects the perforated sections. Each lipped portion attaches a front side of one perforated section to a rear side of another perforated section such that each front side is offset below the rear side connected thereto by the lipped portion.

1 . A gutter screen comprising:
 an elongated body configured to engage a portion of a gutter, the elongated body defining a front side and a rear side and including:
 a rear gutter engaging member extending longitudinally along the rear side of the elongated body and configured to engage a rear wall of the gutter; 
 a front gutter engaging member extending longitudinally along the front side of the elongated body and configured to engage a front wall of the gutter; and 
 a plurality of longitudinally-extending perforated sections disposed between the rear gutter engaging member and the front gutter engaging member, each perforated section sloping downwardly from a rear end thereof to a front end thereof; and 
 a plurality of lipped portions connecting the perforated sections, each lipped portion attaching a front side of one perforated section to a rear side of another perforated section such that each front side is offset below the rear side connected thereto by the lipped portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The gutter screen according to  claim 1 , wherein the elongated body is formed from 32-gauge aluminum. 
     
     
         3 . The gutter screen according to  claim 1 , wherein each lipped portion includes a plurality of perforations defined therein, the perforations facing toward the rear side of the elongated body. 
     
     
         4 . The gutter screen according to  claim 1 , wherein the perforated sections include at least 48 perforations per square inch. 
     
     
         5 . The gutter screen according to  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of longitudinally-aligned apertures are defined along a front-facing wall of the rear gutter engaging member. 
     
     
         6 . The gutter screen according to  claim 1 , wherein the perforations defined within the perforated sections are staggered with respect to one another. 
     
     
         7 . The gutter screen according to  claim 1 , wherein the gutter screen is configured for attachment to at least one of a 5 inch and a 6 inch gutter. 
     
     
         8 . The gutter screen according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the perforated sections defines an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a rough texture. 
     
     
         9 . A gutter system comprising:
 a gutter having a rear wall configured for attachment to a structure, a front wall and a base, the gutter defining a trough therein; and   a gutter screen configured for attachment to at least one of the front wall and the rear wall, the gutter screen including:
 an elongated body defining a front side and a rear side; 
 a rear gutter engaging member extending longitudinally along the rear side of the elongated body; 
 a front gutter engaging member extending longitudinally along the front side of the elongated body; 
 a plurality of longitudinally-extending perforated sections disposed between the rear gutter engaging member and the front gutter engaging member, each perforated section sloping downwardly from a rear end thereof to a front end thereof; and 
 a plurality of lipped portions connecting the perforated sections, each lipped portion attaching a front side of one perforated section to a rear side of another perforated section such that each front side is offset below the rear side connected thereto by the lipped portion. 
   wherein the gutter screen permits passage of water into the trough and inhibits the passage of debris into the trough.   
     
     
         10 . The gutter system according to  claim 9 , wherein the rear gutter engaging member is configured to engage the rear wall of the gutter and wherein the front gutter engaging member is configured to engage the front wall of the gutter. 
     
     
         11 . The gutter system according to  claim 9 , wherein the gutter trough defines one of a 5 inch and a 6 inch width. 
     
     
         12 . The gutter system according to  claim 9 , wherein the gutter screen is made from 32-gauge aluminum. 
     
     
         13 . The gutter system according to  claim 9 , wherein the gutter is made from 32-gauge aluminum. 
     
     
         14 . The gutter system according to  claim 9 , wherein each lipped portion includes a plurality of perforations defined therein, the perforations facing toward the rear side of the elongated body. 
     
     
         15 . The gutter system according to  claim 9 , wherein the perforated sections include at least 48 perforations per square inch. 
     
     
         16 . The gutter system according to  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of longitudinally-aligned apertures are defined along a front-facing wall of the rear gutter engaging member. 
     
     
         17 . The gutter system according to  claim 9 , wherein the perforations defined within the perforated sections are staggered with respect to one another. 
     
     
         18 . The gutter system according to  claim 9 , wherein each of the perforated sections defines an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface having a rough texture.