Gutter guard

Abstract

A gutter guard comprising an elongate body to be located adjacent to a gutter on a roof. Guard panels having openings are secured along a first edge of the body and a bristle strip is secured to a second edge of the body. A hinge is provided adjacent to the first edge portion of the body such that each of the guard panels are pivotably connected to the body.

1 - 15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A gutter guard comprising:
 an elongate body to be located adjacent a gutter on a roof of a building;   one or more guard panels having openings therein and being secured along a first edge of the body; and   a bristle strip secured to a second edge of the body such that when the body is secured to the roof, the bristles engage with an upper surface of the roof;   wherein a hinge is provided adjacent the first edge portion of the body such that each of the guard panels are pivotably connected to the body to be movable between a lowered position, in which the guard panel extends across the top of the gutter, and a raised position, in which the guard panel is moved upwardly to allow access to the gutter.   
     
     
         17 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the hinge comprises a flexible strip of material integrally formed into the body adjacent the first edge along the length of the body. 
     
     
         18 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the bristle strip is connected to the body at an angle such that when the body is located adjacent and parallel to the roof, distal ends of the bristles angle downwardly towards the surface of the roof. 
     
     
         19 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein there are provided a plurality of guard panels each comprising a rectangular planar panel, such that each of the guard panels includes first and second sides and first and second ends. 
     
     
         20 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the first side of each of the guard panels includes a flange extending outwardly therefrom to be received in a first channel in the first edge portion of the body. 
     
     
         21 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 20 , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the flange corresponds to the cross-sectional shape of the first channel such that the flange can be received within the first channel by sliding. 
     
     
         22 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the first channel includes a widened inner portion corresponding in shape to a rib located on a distal edge of the flange. 
     
     
         23 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 21 , wherein the first end of each of the guard panels includes a channel member such that the second end of the adjacent guard panel engages into the channel member when the guard panels are slid into the first channel. 
     
     
         24 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the second edge of the body includes a second edge portion having a second channel therein provided for receiving a base portion of the bristle strip. 
     
     
         25 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 24 , wherein the second edge portion is angled relative to the body such that when the body is parallel to the surface of the roof, the second edge portion extends upwardly away from the roof. 
     
     
         26 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein the second channel includes an opening facing in a direction downwardly and perpendicular to the plane of the second edge portion. 
     
     
         27 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein the second side of each of the guard panels includes a lip extending outwardly to engage onto an upper edge of the gutter. 
     
     
         28 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 27 , wherein the second side of each of the guard panels is provided with a downward projection along the length thereof to engage with an inner edge of the gutter. 
     
     
         29 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 16 , wherein a plurality of grooves is provided in the lower surface of the body between the hinge and the second edge to receive an adhesive. 
     
     
         30 . The gutter guard in accordance with  claim 29 , wherein the lower surface of the body is provided with an adhesive strip for connecting the body to the surface of the roof.