Gutter guard apparatus and method for making the same

Abstract

A gutter guard apparatus and method of making the same is disclosed. In some embodiments, the gutter guard apparatus is made from at least two different types of materials, thereby enabling, for example, lighter weight, non-conductive plastics that are best suited for coupling to an existing rooftop gutter system in a corrosion preventing manner to be employed while at the same time providing for a central portion spanning the gutter opening made from a more durable material (e.g., lightweight expanded metals). The gutter guard apparatus may be manufactured by a variety of means, including a desirable, low-cost, and highly effective co-extrusion process through which end portions are extruded from raw materials of different colors into desired configurations and simultaneously extruded onto and effectively integrated with the central portion formed from a different material, thereby creating a unitary gutter guard apparatus that desirably incorporates two or more materials.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gutter guard apparatus for attachment to a gutter in a rainwater collection system configured for mounting to a longitudinal edge of a rooftop, the gutter defining a longitudinal and upward facing rainwater collection opening with a bead at an upper lip of the gutter, the gutter guard apparatus comprising:
 a central portion extending longitudinally along the length of the gutter and laterally across at least a portion of the upward facing rainwater collection opening, the central portion comprising a first metallic material defining perforations permitting rainwater to pass into the upward facing rainwater collection opening, and first and second end portions comprising a second non-metallic material, the first and second end portions extending longitudinally along the length of the central portion;   wherein the first end portion is coupled to a side of the central portion configured for placement adjacent to the edge of the rooftop, and the second end portion is coupled to a side of the central portion configured for placement opposite the rooftop;   wherein the second end portion is adapted to couple to an upper portion of the gutter proximate to the bead;   and further wherein the first end portion, the central portion, and the second end portion extend substantially across the water collection opening.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion further comprises a gutter attachment mechanism, the gutter attachment mechanism comprising an upper attachment portion and a lower attachment portion spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of upper portion of the gutter engaged by the second end portion of the apparatus. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the gutter attachment mechanism further comprises teeth disposed along an outer edge of the upper and lower attachment portions and extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, wherein the teeth are configured to snap onto the upper portion of the gutter proximate the bead. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion is substantially flat. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first metallic material comprises lightweight expanded metal. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first metallic material comprises galvanized steel. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the first metallic material comprises aluminum. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the second non-metallic material comprises plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the plastic comprises polyvinyl chloride. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the plastic comprises polypropylene. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the plastic comprises polyethylene. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a non-metallic mesh, wherein the mesh is applied over an upper lateral surface of the central portion. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the non-metallic mesh comprises vinyl coated fiberglass. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second end portions are plastic coextruded with the central portion. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second end portions further comprise a central portion receiver, the receiver further comprising a top portion and a bottom portion spaced apart a distance substantially equal to a thickness of the central portion. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second end portions are secured to the central portion using heat stakes. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the first and second end portions are secured to the central portion using glue. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second end portions are formed and coupled to the central portion through a co-extrusion process, wherein the co-extrusion process comprises providing an extruder device, providing raw materials for the first and second material to the extruder device, heating the raw material for the second material, and extruding the second material and first material together to form the apparatus. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus comprises a first facing surface and a second facing surface opposite the first facing surface, and further wherein the first facing surface comprises a first color and the second facing surface comprises a second color. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first facing surface and second facing surface of the first and second end portions are formed through a co-extrusion process.