Rear receiver and methods for use with modular platform for gutter guard systems with interchangeable components

Abstract

A modular platform for configuring gutter guard systems is disclosed and claimed herein. The modular platform includes a number of interchangeable components that can be assembled to form a gutter guard system for use with specific rain gutters based on a rain gutter's style, size, color, and attachment mechanism used to secure the rain gutter to a structure and/or roofline. One such interchangeable component is a rear receiver. A rear receiver can be arranged for use with a gutter guard system that includes a main body. In one embodiment, a rear receiver includes an upper member with a first downwardly angled edge; a lower member with a second downwardly angled edge; and a vertical member connecting the upper member to the lower member. The upper member, lower member, and vertical member form a channel to accommodate and secure the rear receiver to a main body in a gutter guard system.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A rear receiver for use with a gutter guard system that includes a number of interchangeable components, the rear receiver comprising:
 an upper member with a first downwardly angled edge;   a lower member with a second downwardly angled edge; and   a vertical member connecting the upper member to the lower member;   wherein the upper member, lower member, and vertical member form a channel to accommodate and secure the rear receiver to an interchangeable component of a gutter guard system.   
     
     
         2 . The rear receiver of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the vertical member is positioned at approximately an eighty-seven degree angle with reference to the upper member; and   the vertical member is positioned at approximately a ninety-three degree angle with reference to the lower member.   
     
     
         3 . The rear receiver of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the first downwardly angled edge is angled at approximately forty-five degrees with reference to the upper member; and   
       the second downwardly angled edge is angled at approximately forty-five degrees with reference to the lower member. 
     
     
         4 . The rear receiver of  claim 1 , wherein a distance the lower member extends away from the vertical member is greater than a distance the upper member extends away from the vertical member. 
     
     
         5 . The rear receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the interchangeable component is a main body. 
     
     
         6 . The rear receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the interchangeable component is a second rear receiver, where the second rear receiver is secured to a main body. 
     
     
         7 . The rear receiver of  claim 1 , wherein the vertical member includes a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         8 . A rear receiver for use with a gutter guard system that includes a number of interchangeable components, the rear receiver comprising:
 a first channel arranged to accommodate and secure the rear receiver to an interchangeable component of a gutter guard system, the first channel comprising:
 an upper member with a top surface and a bottom surface; 
 a lower member with a top surface and a bottom surface; and 
 a vertical member connecting the upper member to the lower member; 
   a stop rising above the top surface of the lower member;   a vertical leg extending downward from the bottom surface of the lower member; and   a horizontal leg extending from the vertical leg.   
     
     
         9 . The rear receiver of  claim 8 , wherein the interchangeable component accommodated and secured by the rear receiver is a main body;
 wherein when a main body is accommodated in the first channel, the stop secures the main body within the first channel and provides for lateral adjustment of the main body with respect to the rear receiver.   
     
     
         10 . The rear receiver of  claim 9 , wherein the stop extends the entire length of the lower member. 
     
     
         11 . The rear receiver of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the vertical member is positioned at approximately a right angle with reference to the upper member; and   the vertical member is positioned at approximately a right angle with reference to the lower member.   
     
     
         12 . The rear receive of  claim 8 , wherein a distance the lower member extends away from the vertical member is greater than a distance the upper member extends away from the vertical member. 
     
     
         13 . The rear receiver of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the vertical leg extends from the bottom surface of the lower member at approximately a right angle with reference to the bottom surface; and   the horizontal leg extending from the vertical leg at approximately a right angle with reference to the vertical leg.   
     
     
         14 . The rear receiver of  claim 8 , wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the lower member, the vertical leg, and the horizontal leg form a second channel, further wherein the second channel is arranged to accommodate a bracket or a clip. 
     
     
         15 . The rear receiver of  claim 8 , further comprising an elastomeric strip attached to the top surface of the upper member and extending away from the upper member. 
     
     
         16 . The rear receiver of  claim 15 , wherein the elastomeric strip extends away from the upper member at approximately a one hundred and sixty-five degree angle. 
     
     
         17 . The rear receiver of  claim 8 , further comprising an angled extension member extending away from the upper member. 
     
     
         18 . The rear receiver of  claim 17 , wherein the angled extension member extends away from the upper member at approximately a one hundred and sixty-five degree angle. 
     
     
         19 . The rear receiver of  claim 18 , wherein a portion of the bottom surface of the lower member, the vertical leg, and the horizontal leg form a second channel, further wherein the second channel is arranged to accommodate a clip or a bracket. 
     
     
         20 . The rear receiver of  claim 17 , further comprising an elastomeric strip attached to the angled extension member.