Gutter protection system and method

Abstract

A gutter protection system configured for engagement with a rain gutter is provided. The gutter protection system includes a bracket configured for attachment to a first portion of the rain gutter. The bracket has a first arm and a second arm, each forming a channel. A base member has a first end configured for insertion into the channel formed by the first arm or the second arm of the bracket. The base member has an opposing second end configured for engagement with a second portion of the rain gutter. The base member further includes an intermediate segment extending from the first end to the second end. The intermediate segment includes a plurality of apertures. A permeable member is seated against an upper surface of the base member and is configured to facilitate the flow of water through the gutter protection system and into the rain gutter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gutter protection system configured for engagement with a rain gutter, the gutter protection system comprising:
 a bracket having a substantially L-shaped cross-section, the bracket having a first arm spaced apart from a second arm by an intermediate segment, the first arm and the second arm each having a plurality of legs forming a channel;   a base member having a first end configured for insertion into the channel formed by the plurality of legs of the first arm or the second arm of the bracket, the base member further having an opposing second end configured for engagement with a second portion of the rain gutter, the base member further including an intermediate section including a plurality of apertures; and,   a permeable member seated against an upper surface of the base member and configured to facilitate the flow of water through the gutter protection system and into the rain gutter.   
     
     
         2 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm has a length that is longer than a length of the second arm. 
     
     
         3 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the first arm forms an angle with a longitudinal axis of the second arm, and wherein the angle is about 84 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the channel formed by the plurality of legs of the first arm has a length L 1  and the channel formed by the plurality of legs of the second arm has a length L 2 , and wherein the length L 1  is different from the length L 2 . 
     
     
         5 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the channel formed by the plurality of legs of the first arm and the channel formed by the plurality of legs of the second arm each have a substantially U-shaped cross-section. 
     
     
         6 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the base member is formed as an assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the first end of the base member includes an extension segment, an end cap, and a coupling feature. 
     
     
         8 . The gutter protection system of  claim 7 , wherein the first end of the base member includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage the permeable member in a manner such as to secure the permeable member to the first end of the base member. 
     
     
         9 . The gutter protection system of  claim 8 , wherein each tooth of the plurality of teeth are offset from each other. 
     
     
         10 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the end cap includes a semi-circular cross-section. 
     
     
         11 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the extension segment forms an angle with a longitudinal axis of the coupling feature, and wherein the angle is about 30 degrees. 
     
     
         12 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the second end of the base member includes a plurality of teeth configured to engage the permeable member in a manner such as to secure the permeable member to the second end of the base member. 
     
     
         13 . The gutter protection system of  claim 12 , wherein each tooth of the plurality of teeth are offset from each other. 
     
     
         14 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the second end includes a tab configured for engagement with the second portion of the rain gutter. 
     
     
         15 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate section of the base member includes a plurality of alternating raised and lowered portions. 
     
     
         16 . The gutter protection system of  claim 15 , wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures is positioned in a lowered portion. 
     
     
         17 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein each aperture of the plurality of apertures has the shape of a dog bone. 
     
     
         18 . The gutter protection system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures covers over 60% of the surface area of the intermediate section. 
     
     
         19 . A method of assembling a gutter protection system, the method comprising the steps of:
 attaching a first portion of a bracket to a rain gutter, the bracket having a substantially L-shaped cross-section, the bracket further having a first arm spaced apart from a second arm by an intermediate segment, the first arm and the second arm each having a plurality of legs forming a channel;   inserting a first end of a base member into the channel formed of the plurality of legs, the base member further having an opposing end configured for engagement with a second portion of the rain gutter, the base member further including an intermediate section extending from the first end to the second end, the intermediate section including a plurality of apertures; and,   seating a permeable member against an upper surface of the base member, the permeable member configured to facilitate the flow of water through the gutter protection system and into the rain gutter.   
     
     
         20 . A kit for a gutter protection system, the kit comprising:
 a bracket configured for attachment to a first portion of the rain gutter, the bracket having a substantially L-shaped cross-section, the bracket further having a first arm spaced apart from a second arm by an intermediate segment, the first arm and the second arm each having a plurality of legs forming a channel;   a base member having a first end configured for insertion into the channel formed by the plurality of legs of the first or second arm of the bracket, the base member further having an opposing second end configured for engagement with a second portion of the rain gutter, the base member further including an intermediate section extending from the first end to the second end, the intermediate section including a plurality of apertures; and,   a permeable member seated against an upper surface of the base member and configured to facilitate the flow of water through the gutter protection system and into the rain gutter.