Gutter guard and decor support arrangement

Abstract

A gutter guard arrangement is provided that functions to keep debris from entering and clogging a rain gutter. The arrangement may include a cover for keeping debris out of the gutter and a bracket that positions the cover over the gutter. The bracket may include a bracket securing portion that attaches to the gutter for securing the bracket to the gutter, a cover securing portion that attaches to the cover to secure the cover to the bracket and a décor mounting portion disposed on the bracket for mounting decorative décor on the bracket.

1 . A gutter guard arrangement for use with a rain gutter mounted to a building structure, the rain gutter forming a channel, the arrangement comprising: 
 a cover for keeping debris out of the gutter;    a bracket that positions the cover over the channel, the bracket comprising: 
 a bracket securing portion that attaches to the gutter for securing the bracket to the gutter;  
 a cover securing portion that attaches to the cover to secure the cover to the bracket;  
 a décor mounting portion disposed on the bracket for mounting decorative décor on the bracket.  
   
     
     
         2 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the décor mounting portion comprises an integrally formed hook.  
     
     
         3 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the décor mounting portion is removably attached to the bracket via the aperture formed in the bracket.  
     
     
         4 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 3  wherein the décor mounting portion further comprises an integrally formed hook.  
     
     
         5 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the bracket further comprises an elongated body that spans the channel.  
     
     
         6 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 5  wherein the building structure comprises a roof with shingles attached, and wherein the elongated body is partially received between the roof and shingles.  
     
     
         7 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the bracket securing portion comprises an inner arm received within the channel and an outer arm positioned outside of the gutter, the inner arm and the outer arm cooperating to clamp onto the gutter.  
     
     
         8 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the décor mounting portion is integrally formed on the outer arm.  
     
     
         9 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the cover securing portion comprises a cover securing tab forming a slot for receiving an edge of the cover.  
     
     
         10 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 1  wherein the cover comprises a plurality of perforations, and wherein the cover securing portion comprises a cover securing mount that is received through one of the plurality of perforations.  
     
     
         11 . A gutter guard arrangement for mounting onto a gutter having an upwardly extending front wall connected to an upwardly extending rear wall by a bottom wall to define a channel with a top opening, the arrangement comprising: 
 a cover for keeping debris from entering the gutter;    a mounting bracket having an elongated body that extends across the top opening, the mounting bracket comprising: 
 a bracket securing portion for engaging the front lip of the gutter to secure the bracket to the gutter;  
 one or more cover securing portions for securing the cover to the bracket such that the bracket positions the cover over the top opening, and  
 a décor mounting portion formed integrally with the mounting bracket.  
   
     
     
         12 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the décor mounting portion comprises a hook.  
     
     
         13 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the décor mounting portion comprises an aperture adapted to receive removable décor mounting device such that the décor mounting device is removably attached to the bracket.  
     
     
         14 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 13  wherein the décor mounting portion further comprises an integrally formed hook.  
     
     
         15 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the gutter is mounted to a building structure having a roof with shingles attached, and wherein the elongated body is partially received between the roof and shingles.  
     
     
         16 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the bracket securing portion comprises an inner arm received within the channel and an outer arm positioned outside of the gutter along the front wall, the inner aim and the outer arm cooperating to clamp onto the gutter.  
     
     
         17 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the décor mounting portion is integrally formed on the outer arm.  
     
     
         18 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the cover securing portion comprises a cover securing tab forming a slot for receiving an edge of the cover.  
     
     
         19 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 11  wherein the cover comprises a plurality of perforations, and wherein the cover securing portion comprises a cover securing mount that is received through one of the plurality of perforations.  
     
     
         20 . A gutter guard arrangement for use with a rain gutter mounted to a building structure, the rain gutter forming a channel, the arrangement comprising: 
 a cover for keeping debris from entering the gutter;    a mounting bracket for positioning the cover over the channel, the mounting bracket comprising: 
 a means for securing the bracket to the gutter;  
 a means for securing the cover to the bracket;  
 a means for mounting décor onto the bracket.  
   
     
     
         21 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 20  wherein the means for securing the bracket to the gutter comprises a clamping means.  
     
     
         22 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 20  wherein the means for mounting décor onto the bracket is formed integrally with the bracket.  
     
     
         23 . The gutter guard arrangement of  claim 20  wherein the means for mounting décor onto the bracket is removably attached to the bracket.  
     
     
         24 . A gutter guard arrangement for mounting onto a gutter that is secured to a building structure generally adjacent a roof having shingles attached, the gutter having an upwardly extending front wall connected to an upwardly extending rear wall by a bottom wall to define a channel with a top opening, the arrangement comprising: 
 a cover having a plurality of perforations for allowing water to pass through the cover while preventing debris from passing through the cover    a mounting bracket that positions the cover over the top opening, the mounting bracket comprising: 
 an elongated body that extends across the top opening, the elongated body having a first end and a second end;  
 a bracket securing portion that fits over the front lip of the gutter to secure the bracket to the gutter, the bracket securing portion having an inner arm received within the channel and an outer arm positioned outside of the gutter along the front wall, wherein the inner arm and outer arm cooperate to provide a clamping force onto the gutter;  
 a cover securing tab forming a slot that receives the front edge of the cover for securing the cover to the bracket;  
 a plurality of cover securing mounts spaced along the elongated body, wherein each of the cover securing mounts is received in a respective one of the plurality of perforations;  
 a décor mounting aperture formed on the outer arm for receiving and securing a décor mounting device to the bracket; and  
 a décor mounting hook formed integrally with the outer arm;  
   wherein the second end of elongated body is received between the roof and the shingles.