GUTTER FILTER

US 20100170837A1
Filed: 01/22/2010
Published: 07/08/2010
Est. Priority Date: 04/15/2004
Status: Active Grant

First Claim

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1. A rain gutter filter apparatus, for insertion in a gutter having an open top defining a top width of the gutter, the filter apparatus comprising, a filter element of reticulated foam material having a flat top surface thereof with a width substantially matching the top width of the gutter, a bottom surface having a width less than the width of the top surface of the filter element, and front and rear surfaces thereof extending upward from the bottom surface, to thereby form a front and a rear open passage for water to the front and rear of the bottom surface when the filter element is installed into the gutter.

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Abstract

A rain gutter filter apparatus and method utilize a filter element of a reticulated foam material adapted for insertion into a gutter having an open top defining a top width of the gutter. The filter element has a flat top surface with a width substantially matching the top width of the gutter, a bottom surface having a width less than the top width of the filter element, and front and rear surfaces extending upward from the bottom surface of the filter element to thereby form a front and a rear open passage for water on front and rear sides of the bottom surface of the filter element when the filter element is installed into the gutter. The reticulated foam material of the filter element has a composition that is flame resistant, germicidal, mold resistant, and resistant to degradation by exposure to ultraviolet rays.

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27 Claims

1. A rain gutter filter apparatus, for insertion in a gutter having an open top defining a top width of the gutter, the filter apparatus comprising, a filter element of reticulated foam material having a flat top surface thereof with a width substantially matching the top width of the gutter, a bottom surface having a width less than the width of the top surface of the filter element, and front and rear surfaces thereof extending upward from the bottom surface, to thereby form a front and a rear open passage for water to the front and rear of the bottom surface when the filter element is installed into the gutter.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- - 2. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 1, comprising multiple filter elements adapted to be disposed end to end with one another in the gutter.
  - 3. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter element is comprised of a reticulated foam having a composition that is flame resistant, germicidal, mold resistant, and resistant to degradation by exposure to ultraviolet rays.
  - 4. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reticulated foam provides a cell count in the range of 20 to 40 cells per inch.
  - 5. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 3, wherein the reticulated foam material provides a cell count of approximately 30 plus or minus 6 cells per inch.
  - 6. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter element is configured to balance on the bottom surface, when the bottom surface is supported on a horizontal surface.
  - 7. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 6, wherein the filter element is comprised of reticulated foam having a composition that is flame resistant, germicidal, mold resistant, and resistant to degradation by exposure to ultraviolet rays.
  - 8. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is flat.
  - 9. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the front and rear surfaces are angled surfaces.
  - 10. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the front and rear surfaces is curvilinear in shape.
  - 11. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the top surface is sloped, in such a manner that when the filter apparatus is installed in the gutter, the sloped surface extends upward to a point of substantial contact with the sloped roof.
  - 12. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter apparatus is substantially T-shaped having a top portion of the filter apparatus configured to extend substantially across the top of the gutter when the filter element is installed into the gutter, and further having the bottom surface, front and rear surfaces thereof configured to form a rib portion extending downward into the gutter from the top portion when the filter element is installed into the gutter.

13. The rain gutter filter apparatus of 12, wherein the bottom surface rests upon a bottom surface of the gutter when the filter element is installed into the gutter.

14. The rain gutter filter apparatus of 12, wherein the bottom surface does not contact the bottom surface of the gutter when the filter element is installed into the gutter.

15. A rain gutter filter apparatus, for insertion in a gutter having an open top defining a top width of the gutter, the filter apparatus comprising, a filter element of reticulated foam material having a flat top surface thereof with a width substantially matching the top width of the gutter, a bottom surface having a width less than the width of the top surface of the filter element, and front and rear surfaces thereof extending upward from the bottom surface, to thereby form a front and a rear open passage for water to the front and rear of the bottom surface when the filter element is installed into the gutter.
- View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
- - 16. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 15, comprising multiple filter elements adapted to be disposed end to end with one another in the gutter.
  - 17. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 15, wherein the filter element is comprised of a reticulated foam having a composition that is flame resistant, germicidal, mold resistant, and resistant to degradation by exposure to ultraviolet rays.
  - 18. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 15, wherein the reticulated foam provides a cell count in the range of 20 to 40 cells per inch.
  - 19. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 18, wherein the reticulated foam material provides a cell count of approximately 30 plus or minus 6 cells per inch.
  - 20. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 15, wherein the filter element is configured to balance on the bottom surface, when the bottom surface is supported on a horizontal surface.
  - 21. The rain gutter filter apparatus of claim 20, wherein the filter element is comprised of reticulated foam having a composition that is flame resistant, germicidal, mold resistant, and resistant to degradation by exposure to ultraviolet rays.

22. A method for installing a rain gutter filter apparatus, for a gutter having an open top defining a top width of the gutter, the method comprising, inserting into the gutter, a filter element of reticulated foam material having a flat top surface thereof with a width substantially matching the top width of the gutter, a bottom surface having a width less than the width of the top surface of the filter element, and front and rear surfaces thereof extending upward from the bottom surface, to thereby form a front and a rear open passage for water to the front and rear of the bottom surface when the filter element is installed into the gutter.
- View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
- - 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising installing the filter element into the gutter prior to attaching the gutter to a roof.
  - 24. The method of claim 22, further comprising inserting multiple filter elements end to end with one another into the gutter.
  - 25. The method of claim 22, further comprising forming the filter element from a reticulated foam having a composition that is flame resistant, germicidal, mold resistant, and resistant to degradation by exposure to ultraviolet rays.
  - 26. The method of claim 22, further comprising forming the filter element from a reticulated foam having a cell count in the range of 20 to 40 cells per inch.
  - 27. The method of claim 26, further comprising forming filter element from a reticulated foam material having a cell count of approximately 30 plus or minus 6 cells per inch.

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Current Assignee
American Gutter Filter Incorporated
Original Assignee
American Gutter Filter Incorporated
Inventors
Konkey, Ken

Granted Patent

US 8,220,206 B2
Time in Patent Office

Days
Field of Search
US Class Current

210/162
CPC Class Codes

E04D 13/076 Devices or arrangements for...

Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

GUTTER FILTER

First Claim

1 Assignment

0 Petitions

Accused Products

Abstract

35 Citations

27 Claims

Specification

Solutions

Use Cases

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GUTTER FILTER

First Claim

1 Assignment

Subscription Required

Subscription Required

0 Petitions

Subscription Required

Accused Products

Subscription Required

Abstract

35 Citations

27 Claims

Specification

Subscription Required

Solutions

Use Cases

Quick Links