Debris Deflection Devices

Abstract

This invention related to the field of drains and rain gutters typically attached to a house or commercial building. This invention describes gutter inserts that block, or deflect vegetation and other debris from entering rain gutters.

1 . A gutter insert comprising at least one an upper blocking member, at least one vertical support member,
 wherein said upper blocking member and said vertical support member are engaged with each other over all or part of the distal or back edge of the upper blocking member and the proximal or upper edge of the vertical support member,   wherein said upper blocking members is flexibly engaged with said vertical support member, wherein said insert is longer than it is wide.   
     
     
         2 . A gutter insert of  claim 1 , that is made of metal or plastic. 
     
     
         3 . A gutter insert of  claim 2 , wherein said vertical support member has a bottom or distal edge that is a bracing member, wherein said bracing member engages the inside walls, bottom or inside corner of a gutter. 
     
     
         4 . A gutter insert of  claim 3 , wherein said upper blocking member covers more than half of the open trough of a gutter when it is placed in a gutter. 
     
     
         5 . A gutter insert of  claim 4 , wherein
 a) said upper blocking member is flexibly engaged with the proximal portion of said vertical support member,   b) said bracing member is either part of or attached to the distal portion of said vertical support member, and.   c) said upper blocking member has a set back to allow overlap of multiple upper blocking members when more than one inserts are used in an adjacent manner in a gutter.   
     
     
         6 . The insert of  claim 5 , wherein said bracing member abuts the bottom inside back corner wall of the gutter when the insert is placed in a gutter. 
     
     
         7 . The insert of  claim 6 , wherein there is a gap between the distal edge of the upper blocking member and back wall of the gutter when the insert is placed in a gutter. 
     
     
         8 . The insert of  claim 7 , wherein the gap is greater than about ⅛ inch but less than 2 inches in width. 
     
     
         9 . A gutter insert for impeding the egress of non-liquid debris into a gutter,
 said gutter including a front wall terminating into a front lip, a back wall, and a bottom wall, said bottom wall extending between and connecting the front wall to the back wall,   
       wherein said gutter insert comprises:
 a) an upper blocking member including means for engaging said gutter front lip, 
 b) a generally vertical support member connected to said blocking member, said generally vertical support member including means for engaging the insert with the gutter at a location on or near the lower half of said bottom wall. 
 
     
     
         10 . A gutter insert of  claim 9 , where said generally vertical support member is flexible and engages the insert with said gutter near the corner of the bottom wall and the back wall of said gutter. 
     
     
         11 . A gutter insert of  claim 10 , wherein said upper blocking member is between about 3 to 7 inches wide and said vertical support member is between about 3 to 7 inches in height. 
     
     
         12 . A gutter insert of  claim 11 , wherein said insert comprises a detent. 
     
     
         13 . A gutter insert of  claim 12 , wherein said vertical support member has a distal edge that is a bracing member,
 wherein said upper blocking member and vertical support member are engaged at an angle such that the planes of the two members create an angle of any angle from about 50 to 120 degrees.   
     
     
         14 . A gutter insert of  claim 13 , wherein said detent is in a region of the insert between the upper and lower region of said vertical support member wherein said upper region of said vertical support member forms an angle with said upper blocking member of any angle, X angle between about 60 to 90 degrees and wherein said lower region of said vertical support member forms an angle with said upper region of said vertical support member, Y angle of any angle between about 100 and 140 degrees, wherein said insert has a set back at the ends of the insert that allows inserts to overlap with one another, providing a continuous upper blocking member appearance, when placed adjacent to each other. 
     
     
         15 . Use of a gutter insert to keep rain gutters open and draining freely comprising an upper blocking member and at least one vertical support member,
 wherein said upper blocking member is comprised of a flat or rounded structure with its distal edge engaged with the vertical support member,   wherein either or both the upper blocking member and the vertical support member may be divided into a multiplicity of pieces,   wherein the distal portion of the upper blocking member and the proximal portion of the vertical support member are attached to each other,   wherein said upper blocking member and vertical support member are attached such that they form an angle such that the plane of the upper blocking member is at an angle of less than 90 degrees and more than about 40 degrees when measured with the plane of the vertical support member,   wherein the length of the insert is greater than 5 inches,   wherein the width of said horizontal blocking member is between 2 and 7 inches,   wherein the height of said vertical support member is from 2 to 6 inches,   wherein said vertical support member is not engaged with said horizontal blocking member over its entire length,   wherein the thickness of said article is between 0.001 and 0.5 inch,   wherein said vertical support member(s) are flexible.   
     
     
         16 . Use of an insert of  claim 15 , wherein said horizontal blocking member has a surface that, when in position in a gutter, slopes either upward or downward with its proximal edge joined to the vertical support member and having its distal edge engaged with the lip of a gutter. 
     
     
         17 . Use of an insert of  claim 16 , wherein said upper blocking member is between about 3 to 6 inches in width, wherein said vertical support member is about 3 to 6 inches in height. 
     
     
         18 . Use of a multiplicity of said inserts of  claim 17 , to keep rain gutters open and draining freely wherein one or two inserts overlap with one or two adjoining inserts when placed in a gutter. 
     
     
         19 . Use of a gutter insert of  claim 18 , wherein said upper blocking member has a front edge that rests in or on the front lip of the gutter. 
     
     
         20 . Use of a gutter insert of  claim 19 , wherein said vertical support member has a bottom edge that rests in or near the inside bottom back corner of a gutter, where back is the side against the building.