Gutter cover

Abstract

A gutter cover for covering a gutter supported by a gutter hanger is disclosed. The gutter cover has a central portion, a front portion bent downward from the central portion to contact a front portion of a gutter hanger, and a rear portion bent downward at an angle relative to the central portion to contact a rear portion of the gutter hanger. The front portion of the gutter cover has a top bend, a lower bend below the top bend, and a lower leg extending forward from the lower bend. The lower leg terminates in a front edge located forward of the top bend for contact with a front portion of the gutter hanger.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An elongate gutter cover for covering a gutter supported by a gutter hanger, the gutter having front, back and bottom walls and a flange projecting rearward from the front wall and spaced above the bottom wall of the gutter, the gutter cover comprising
 a central portion,   a front portion formed integrally with the central portion and bent downward to contact a front portion of the gutter hanger, and   a rear portion formed integrally with the central portion and bent downward at an angle relative to the central portion to contact a rear portion of the gutter hanger,   said front portion comprising a top bend, a lower bend below the top bend, an upper leg extending rearward from the top bend to the lower bend, and a lower leg extending forward from the lower bend, the lower leg terminating in a front edge located forward of the top bend for contact with the front portion of the gutter hanger, and   openings in the lower leg located along a length of the gutter cover for the flow of water through the cover into the gutter.   
     
     
         2 . The gutter cover of  claim 1 , wherein the openings are located forward of the top bend. 
     
     
         3 . The gutter cover of  claim 1 , wherein the front portion of the gutter cover defines a channel configured for receiving but not contacting the front flange of the gutter to provide a continuous gap between the forward portion of the gutter cover and the front flange of the gutter for flow of water through the gap to said openings. 
     
     
         4 . The gutter cover of  claim 1 , wherein the upper leg extends downward and rearward from the top bend to the lower bend. 
     
     
         5 . The gutter cover of  claim 1 , wherein the lower leg extends downward and forward from the lower bend. 
     
     
         6 . The gutter cover of  claim 1 , wherein said angle is about 90 or about 120 degrees. 
     
     
         7 . The gutter cover of  claim 1 , wherein the top bend has a first radius of curvature and the lower bend has a second radius of curvature larger that the first radius of curvature. 
     
     
         8 . The gutter cover of  claim 1 , wherein said gutter cover comprises an elongate sheet of substantially continuous material selected from the group comprising metal, plastic, and vinyl. 
     
     
         9 . An elongate gutter cover for covering a gutter supported by a gutter hanger, the gutter having front, back and bottom walls and a flange projecting rearward from the front wall and spaced above the bottom wall of the gutter, the gutter cover comprising
 a central portion,   a front portion formed integrally with the central portion and bent downward to contact a front portion of the gutter hanger, and   a rear portion formed integrally with the central portion and bent downward at an angle relative to the central portion to contact a rear portion of the gutter hanger,   said front portion comprising a top bend, a lower bend below the top bend, and a lower leg extending forward from the lower bend, the lower leg terminating in a front edge located forward of the top bend for contact with the front portion of the gutter hanger.   
     
     
         10 . The gutter cover of  claim 9 , wherein the front portion further comprises an upper leg extending downward and rearward from the top bend to the lower bend. 
     
     
         11 . The gutter cover of  claim 9 , wherein the lower leg extends downward and forward from the lower bend. 
     
     
         12 . The gutter cover of  claim 9 , further comprising openings in the lower leg located along a length of the gutter cover for the flow of water through the cover into the gutter. 
     
     
         13 . The gutter cover of  claim 12 , wherein the front portion of the gutter cover defines a channel configured for receiving but not contacting the front flange of the gutter to provide a continuous gap between the forward portion of the gutter cover and the front flange of the gutter for flow of water through the gap to said openings. 
     
     
         14 . A gutter system comprising
 an elongate gutter having front, back and bottom walls and a flange projecting rearward from the front wall and spaced above the bottom wall of the gutter,   a hanger supporting the gutter, the hanger having a central hanger portion, a front hanger portion extending up from the central hanger portion to a location below the gutter flange, and a rear hanger portion extending up from the central hanger portion generally at the back wall of the gutter,   a gutter cover covering the gutter, the gutter cover comprising
 a central cover portion, 
 a front cover portion formed integrally with the central cover portion and bent downward for contact with the front hanger portion, and 
 a rear cover portion formed integrally with the central cover portion and bent downward at an angle relative to the central cover portion for contact with the rear hanger portion, 
 the front cover portion comprising a top bend, a lower bend, an upper leg extending rearward from the top bend to the lower bend, and a lower leg extending forward from the lower bend, the lower leg terminating in a front edge located forward of the top bend for contact with the front hanger portion. 
   
     
     
         15 . The gutter system of  claim 14 , further comprising openings in the lower leg located along a length of the gutter cover for the flow of water through the cover into the gutter. 
     
     
         16 . The gutter system of  claim 15 , wherein the openings are located forward of the top bend. 
     
     
         17 . The gutter system of  claim 15 , wherein the front portion of the gutter cover defines a channel configured for receiving but not contacting the front flange of the gutter whereby a continuous gap is provided between the forward portion of the gutter cover and the front flange of the gutter for flow of water through the gap to said openings. 
     
     
         18 . The gutter system of  claim 14 , wherein the rear cover portion terminates in a lower edge contacting a rear bend in the gutter hanger. 
     
     
         19 . The gutter system of  claim 14 , wherein the upper leg extends downward and rearward from the top bend to the lower bend. 
     
     
         20 . The gutter system of  claim 14 , wherein the lower leg extends downward and forward from the lower bend. 
     
     
         21 . The gutter cover of  claim 14 , wherein the top bend has a first radius of curvature and the lower bend has a second radius of curvature larger that the first radius of curvature.