Water channeling system for gutters

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for channeling water flowing off the roof of a structure. In one embodiment, the water channeling system includes a gutter, a gutter cover and a clip. The clip is configured to be positioned substantially within the channel defined by the gutter and to engage an inner surface of the gutter lip and a concave portion of the front wall of the gutter. The clip defines an upwardly directed groove that is configured to receive the front edge of the gutter cover.

1 . A water channeling system for use with a structure having a roof comprising:
 a gutter defining an upwardly directed channel, wherein said gutter includes a front edge defining a lip extending at least partially back towards the upwardly directed channel;   a gutter cover having a front edge, a skirt portion and an arcuate portion intermediate said front edge and said skirt portion, wherein said gutter cover is positioned above said channel with said arcuate portion proximate said front lip of said gutter and said skirt portion is configured to be secured to said roof or said structure; and   a clip configured to be positioned substantially within said channel and supported by an inner surface of said lip and said upwardly directed channel, and wherein said clip defines an upwardly directed groove configured to be capable of receiving said front edge of said gutter cover after said skirt portion has been secured to said roof or said structure.   
     
     
         2 . The water channeling system of  claim 1 , wherein the upwardly directed groove is defined by two substantially parallel walls, and further wherein at least one of said parallel walls defines a hole intersecting said groove. 
     
     
         3 . The water channeling system of  claim 2 , wherein said gutter cover includes a groove proximate said front edge and said clip includes a complementary rib positioned in said upwardly directed groove. 
     
     
         4 . The water channeling system of  claim 1 , wherein the upwardly directed groove is defined by two substantially parallel walls, and further wherein one of said walls defines a recess thereby providing a target for a fastener. 
     
     
         5 . The water channeling system of  claim 1 , wherein said clip includes a concave section, a first planar section and a second planar section, and wherein said second planar section is substantially perpendicular to said first planar section. 
     
     
         6 . A clip for facilitating attachment of a gutter cover having a front edge to a gutter having a front wall defining a front lip, said clip comprising:
 a gutter interface portion configured to be positioned within said channel and to engage at least a portion of each of (1) an interior surface of said front lip and (2) said front wall; and   a cover interface portion defining a groove sized to accept said front edge of said gutter cover wherein said groove is configured to be upwardly directed when said gutter interface portion engages said front lip and said front wall such that said front edge of said cover can be inserted into said groove after said gutter cover is secured to a structure.   
     
     
         7 . The clip of  claim 6 , wherein said cover interface portion comprises a first wall and a second wall which define said groove, and wherein a rib is formed on at least one of said first and said second walls. 
     
     
         8 . The clip of  claim 7 , wherein said first wall defines a hole intersecting said groove. 
     
     
         9 . The clip of  claim 7 , wherein a groove is substantially parallel with a portion of said structure when said gutter interface portion engages said front lip and said front wall. 
     
     
         10 . The clip of  claim 7 , wherein said first wall defines a recess thereby providing a target for a fastener. 
     
     
         11 . The clip of  claim 6 , wherein said gutter interface portion includes a concave section, a first planar section and a second planar section, and wherein said second planar section is substantially perpendicular to said first planar section. 
     
     
         12 . The clip of  claim 11 , wherein said gutter interface portion has a continuous profile, and wherein said concave section terminates in said first planar section and said first planar section terminates in said second planar section. 
     
     
         13 . The clip of  claim 6 , wherein said clip has a periphery section and a web section and wherein said periphery section has a width substantially greater than the width of said web section. 
     
     
         14 . A method for installing a gutter cover to a gutter, said method comprising the steps of:
 securing a clip to a front wall of the gutter and orienting a groove in said clip in an upward direction;   securing a skirt portion of the gutter cover to a structure; and   inserting an interface portion of said gutter cover into said groove after securing said skirt portion to said structure wherein said interface portion is above said channel such that water flowing over said gutter cover will be directed into said channel.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of driving a fastener through a portion of said clip and a portion of said gutter cover. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein said step of securing a slip to a front wall comprises the steps of:
 engaging a lip front lip of the gutter with a first portion of said clip and   turning said clip downwardly until a second portion engages said front wall.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising the step of engaging a rib formed in said groove by a channel formed in said interface portion of said gutter cover. 
     
     
         18 . A clip for facilitating attachment of a gutter cover relative to a K-Style gutter having a front wall and an inwardly directed lip, said clip comprising:
 a gutter interface portion having a profile including a concave section terminating in a first planar section, which terminates in a second planar section and wherein said first planar section is substantially perpendicular to said second planar section, and further wherein said profile is sized to engage a portion of said front wall and said inwardly directed lip; and   a cover interface portion including two substantially parallel walls defining a groove, wherein said groove is substantially parallel with said first planar section.   
     
     
         19 . The clip of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of said substantially parallel walls includes a rib. 
     
     
         20 . A method of cleaning a gutter channel having a gutter cover thereabove comprising the steps of:
 rotating an interface portion of a gutter cover out of a groove defined by a gutter clip secured to the front of a gutter while said gutter cover remains secured to a structure;   accessing the gutter channel to remove debris;   rotating said interface portion of said gutter cover into said groove defined by said gutter clip.