Support structure for gutter cover

Abstract

A structure for mounting a gutter cover on a new rain gutter or an existing rain gutter, wherein the gutter cover prevents debris from entering the gutter. The cover support structure is comprised of a lifting strut that supports the leading hooked frontal edge of a gutter cover, two stabilizing struts that interlock with the hooked edge of a frontal rim of a gutter trough, a connecting strut that connects the lifting strut to the stabilizing struts, and a junction where the lifting strut and stabilizing struts converge.

1 . A support structure for mounting a gutter cover to a gutter, said support structure comprising: 
 a junction for at least three struts;    a lifting strut having a distal end that can support a frontal edge of said gutter cover and having a proximal end that is integral with said junction;    at least two stabilizing struts having distally hooked ends that can interlock with a folded edge of a front rim of said gutter and having proximal ends that are integral with said junction; and    at least one connecting strut that connects said lifting strut to said stabilizing struts.    
   
   
       2 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said lifting strut has at least one aperture and said at least one connecting strut has at least one aperture, said apertures allowing passage of a spike and ferrule.  
   
   
       3 . The support structure of  claim 2 , wherein said support structure can rest on top of a hidden hanger mounting system or on top of a spike and ferrule mounting system.  
   
   
       4 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure can rest on top of a hidden hanger mounting system or on top of a spike and ferrule mounting system.  
   
   
       5 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure can be retrofitted to an existing rain gutter.  
   
   
       6 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure can be fitted to a new rain gutter.  
   
   
       7 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is made of plastic.  
   
   
       8 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is made of composites of plastic.  
   
   
       9 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is made of metal.  
   
   
       10 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is made of composites of metal.  
   
   
       11 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said distal end of said lifting strut has a curvature that is comparable to the curvature of a frontal curved portion of said gutter cover, thereby creating a partially interlocking attachment to the frontal curved portion of said gutter cover.  
   
   
       12 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is formed by plastic injection molding.  
   
   
       13 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is formed by continuous extrusion.  
   
   
       14 . The support structure of  claim 1 , wherein said support structure is formed by a casting process.  
   
   
       15 . A method of providing support along the width of a cross sectional length of a gutter cover, comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a rain gutter;    obtaining a hidden hanger mounting system for said rain gutter;    obtaining a gutter cover suitable for fitting new rain gutters or retrofitting existing rain gutters;    obtaining a fastening means for securing said gutter cover to a roof;    obtaining multiple support structures for a gutter cover, wherein each said support structure is comprised of a junction for at least three struts, a lifting strut having a distal end that can support a frontal edge of said gutter cover and having a proximal end that is integral with said junction, at least two stabilizing struts having distally hooked ends that can interlock with a folded edge of a front rim of said gutter and having proximal ends that are integral with said junction, and at least one connecting strut that connects said lifting strut to said stabilizing struts;    attaching said gutter to a house with said hidden hanger mounting system;    positioning at least two said support structures on top of said hidden hanger mounting system along a trough of said gutter at intervals sufficient to provide support for said gutter cover, by interlocking said hooked distal end of said lifting strut with said frontal end of said gutter cover and interlocking said distal hooked ends of said stabilizing struts with said folded edge of said front rim of said gutter;    aligning said gutter cover over said trough of said rain gutter, wherein a longitudinal rear edge of said gutter cover is positioned under a course of shingles or against a fascia plank of a roof;    pushing said gutter cover against a roof until a leading hooked frontal edge of said gutter cover is contacting the distal end of said lifting strut of said support structure; and    securing said cover to a roof with said fastening means.    
   
   
       16 . A method of providing support along the width of a cross sectional length of a gutter cover, comprising the steps of: 
 obtaining a rain gutter;    obtaining a spike and ferrule mounting system for said rain gutter;    obtaining a gutter cover suitable for fitting new rain gutters or retrofitting existing rain gutters;    obtaining a fastening means for securing said gutter cover to a roof;    obtaining at least two support structures for a gutter cover, wherein each said support structure is comprised of a junction for at least three struts, a lifting strut having a distal end that can support a frontal edge of said gutter cover and a proximal end that is integral with said junction, said lifting strut also having an aperture for passage of a spike and ferrule; at least two stabilizing struts having distally hooked ends that can interlock with a folded edge of a front rim of said gutter and having proximal ends that are integral with said junction, and at least one connecting strut that connects said lifting strut to said stabilizing struts and that has an aperture for the passage of a spike and ferrule;    attaching said gutter to a house with said spike and ferrule mounting system;    positioning at least two said support structures on top of said spike and ferrule mounting system along a trough of said gutter at intervals sufficient to provide support for said gutter cover, by interlocking said hooked distal end of said lifting strut with said frontal end of said gutter cover and interlocking said distal hooked ends of said stabilizing struts with said folded edge of said front rim of said gutter;    aligning said gutter cover over said trough of said rain gutter, wherein a longitudinal rear edge of said gutter cover is positioned under a course of shingles or against a fascia plank of a roof;    pushing said gutter cover against a roof until a leading hooked frontal edge of said gutter cover is contacting the distal end of said lifting strut of said support structure; and    securing said cover to a roof with said fastening means.