Hybrid gutter guard

Abstract

The gutter guard, having regions of expanded and solid metal, is substantially planar without bends or angular inclinations between regions. When installed, the inner edge can lie underneath the last row of shingles on a roof. The outer portion will engage the uppermost outer flange of the gutter. Furthermore, the guard can include a downwardly depending dam. Additionally, a coarse coating can be applied to the gutter guard. This new gutter guard minimizes the debris that enters a gutter while maximizing the water inflow into the gutter.

1 . A gutter guard adapted for mounting on a sloping roof having shingles arranged horizontally with extending overlapping rows, comprising: 
 an inner edge portion that is positionable under a lowest row of shingles;    solid metal regions and expanded metal regions extending from the inner edge portion;    a final solid metal region, extending from the solid metal regions and expanded metal regions, that includes a downwardly depending dam;    an outer edge portion extending from the final solid metal region for engagement with an uppermost outer edge of a gutter; and    the gutter guard forming a substantially planar structure both before and after installation.    
   
   
       2 . The gutter guard in  claim 1 , further including a coarse paint material covering at least a portion of an exterior surface of the gutter guard.  
   
   
       3 . The gutter guard in  claim 1 , wherein the outer edge portion is attached to the upper outermost edge of the gutter with a fastener.  
   
   
       4 . The gutter guard of  claim 3 , wherein the fastener includes at least one screw.  
   
   
       5 . The gutter guard of  claim 3 , wherein the fastener includes at least one nail or rivet.  
   
   
       6 . The gutter guard of  claim 1 , wherein the outer edge portion includes an expanded metal, integral S-shaped, engagement member.  
   
   
       7 . The gutter guard of  claim 1 , wherein the regions of solid metal and expanded metal are each of a uniform width.  
   
   
       8 . The gutter guard of  claim 1 , wherein the inner edge portion is a first expanded metal region.  
   
   
       9 . A gutter guard adapted for mounting on a sloping roof having shingles arranged horizontally with extending overlapping rows, comprising: 
 an inner edge portion that is positionable under a lowest row of shingles;    solid metal regions and expanded metal regions extending from the inner edge portion;    a final solid metal region extending from the solid metal regions and expanded metal regions that includes a downwardly depending dam;    an outer edge portion extending from the final solid metal region for engagement with an uppermost outer edge of a gutter;    the gutter guard forming a substantially planar structure both before and after installation; and    a coarse paint material covering at least a portion of an exterior surface of the gutter guard.    
   
   
       10 . The gutter guard in  claim 9 , wherein the outer edge portion is attached to the upper outermost edge of the gutter with a fastener.  
   
   
       11 . The gutter guard of  claim 9 , wherein the fastener includes at least one screw.  
   
   
       12 . The gutter guard of  claim 9 , wherein the fastener includes at least one nail or rivet.  
   
   
       13 . The gutter guard of  claim 9 , wherein the outer edge portion includes an expanded metal, integral S-shaped, engagement member.  
   
   
       14 . The gutter guard of  claim 9 , wherein the regions of solid metal and expanded metal are each of a uniform width.  
   
   
       15 . The gutter guard of  claim 9 , wherein the inner edge portion is a first expanded metal region.  
   
   
       16 . A gutter guard adapted for mounting on a sloping roof having shingles arranged horizontally with extending overlapping rows, comprising: 
 an inner edge portion of a first expanded metal region that is positionable under a lowest row of shingles;    alternating regions of solid metal regions and additional expanded metal regions extending from the first expanded metal region;    a final solid metal region extending from the alternating regions that includes a downwardly depending dam;    an outer edge portion extending from the final solid metal region for engagement with an uppermost outer edge of a gutter;    the outer edge portion comprising an expanded metal, integral S-shaped, engagement member; and    the gutter guard forming a substantially planar structure both before and after installation.    
   
   
       17 . The gutter guard in  claim 16 , further comprising a coarse paint material covering at least a portion of an exterior surface of the gutter guard.