Gutter insert

Abstract

A gutter insert formed of a flexible open cell porous foam has five or more sides and forms an inverted “V” or check-mark shape. Four gutter inserts may be cut from one column of foam material, thereby reducing foam waste. The four gutter inserts may be shipped nested together in columnar form, and separated at the jobsite just before installation.

1 . A gutter insert, comprising:
 an elongated porous structure having a predetermined length and forming a generally “V” or check-mark shape in cross-section, said member having a top surface, a rear surface disposed at a first acute angle to the top surface, a first front surface disposed at an acute angle to the top surface, a second front surface disposed at a reflex angle to the first front surface, and a bottom surface.   
     
     
         2 . The gutter insert of  claim 1 , wherein each of the top surface, rear surface, first front surface, second front surface and bottom surface are substantially flat. 
     
     
         3 . The gutter insert of  claim 1 , wherein the rear surface and the bottom surface meet at a bottom corner of the gutter insert. 
     
     
         4 . The gutter insert of  claim 3 , wherein the bottom corner is truncated. 
     
     
         5 . The gutter insert of  claim 1 , wherein the rear surface and the bottom surface meet at a curved bottom corner of the gutter insert. 
     
     
         6 . The gutter insert of  claim 1  wherein the top surface and the rear surface meet at a top rear corner of the gutter insert. 
     
     
         7 . The gutter insert of  claim 6 , wherein the top rear corner is truncated. 
     
     
         8 . The gutter insert of  claim 1 , further comprising a vertical mid surface between the first front surface and the second front surface at an inner base of the generally “V” or check-mark shape of the structure. 
     
     
         9 . The gutter insert of  claim 1 , further comprising a vertical rear surface between the top surface and the rear surface. 
     
     
         10 . The gutter insert of  claim 1 , wherein one or more coatings are applied to the foam, with such coating(s) containing one or more of a fire retardant, a UV protectant and an anti-microbial agent. 
     
     
         11 . The gutter insert of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is formed of open cell foam. 
     
     
         12 . The gutter insert of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is formed of reticulated foam. 
     
     
         13 . A gutter system, comprising:
 a gutter associated with a building roof system and defining a passageway; and   a gutter insert according to  claim 1  installed within said passageway.   
     
     
         14 . The gutter system of  claim 13 , wherein the rear surface and the bottom surface of the gutter insert meet at a bottom corner of the gutter insert, and the corner contacts a bottom inner surface of the passageway. 
     
     
         15 . The gutter system of  claim 14 , wherein the bottom corner of the gutter insert is truncated. 
     
     
         16 . The gutter system of  claim 13 , comprising multiple gutter inserts according to  claim 1  installed end to end within said passageway. 
     
     
         17 . The gutter system of  claim 13 , wherein the structure is formed of open cell foam. 
     
     
         18 . The gutter system of  claim 13 , wherein the structure is formed of reticulated foam.