Debris exclusion device for rain gutters

Abstract

The disclosed device supports the use of different filters in different sections of the installed system, allowing for a system tailored to the particular home.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gutter filtration system, the gutter filtration system comprising:
 a frame, the frame positioned atop a gutter and further comprising:
 an upper attachment, the upper attachment for securing the gutter filtration system to a house, 
 an upper transition segment,
 the upper transition segment forming an angle with respect to the upper attachment, 
 the angle being greater than ninety degrees, 
 
 an inner capture channel, 
 an outer capture channel, 
 a trough, the trough having a plurality of drain holes, 
   two or more removable filters;
 the two or more removable filters configured to slide into the inner capture channel and outer capture channel, 
 the two or more removable filters able to be installed individually, or in combination, within the inner capture channel and outer capture channel, 
   a stiffening rib located along the center of the trough of the frame,
 the stiffening rib separating the trough into an inner flow channel and an outer flow channel, 
   whereby because the angle between upper transition segment the upper attachment is greater than ninety degrees, the frame sits at a declining angle with respect to the house, encouraging the downward flow of water.   
     
     
         2 . The gutter filtration system of  claim 1  wherein the stiffening rib contacts the two or more removeable filters to secure the plurality of filters within the inner capture channel and the outer capture channel. 
     
     
         3 . The gutter filtration system of  claim 1  whereby the two or more removeable filters overlap an additional two or more removeable filters that are also held within the inner capture channel and outer capture channel. 
     
     
         4 . The gutter filtration system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the two or more removable filters includes a first filter having a first penetration size and a second filter having a second penetration size.   
     
     
         5 . The gutter filtration system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a tab that extends from the frame, the tab under or overlapping an adjacent frame during installation, thereby preventing misalignment of the frame and the adjacent frame.   
     
     
         6 . A gutter protection device that allows for removal and installation of multiple filter types, the device comprising:
 a frame, the frame including;
 an attachment section formed from an upper attachment segment and an upper transition segment;
 the angle of the upper transition segment with respect to the upper attachment segment being greater than ninety degrees; 
 
 an upper filter capture channel; 
 a lower filter capture channel; 
 a collection channel that separates the upper filter capture channel and the lower filter capture channel; 
 a multiplicity of drain holes within the collection channel; 
   a removable filter;
 the removable filter retained within the device without the use of fasteners, but held only by the upper filter capture channel and the lower filter capture channel of the frame; and 
 the removable filter replaceable after installation of the gutter protection device. 
   
     
     
         7 . The gutter protection device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a stiffening rib formed within the collection channel to cause water to be emptied into the center of the gutter.   
     
     
         8 . The gutter protection device of  claim 6 , wherein the removable filter is a first filter and a second filter;
 the first filter having a first end;   the second filter having a second end;   the first end overlapping the second end, thereby preventing debris from circumventing the filter.   
     
     
         9 . The gutter protection device of  claim 8 , wherein the first filter has a first penetration size and the second filter has a second penetration size and the first penetration size is different than the second penetration size. 
     
     
         10 . The gutter protection device of  claim 6 , wherein the stiffening rib presses against the removable filter, causing the filter to bend, thus seating the filter within the upper filter capture channel and the lower filter capture channel. 
     
     
         11 . The gutter protection device of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a plurality of drain penetrations within an upper face of the stiffening rib.   
     
     
         12 . The gutter protection device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an end cap installed at an end of the frame;   the end cap acting to terminate the frame and the filter.   
     
     
         13 . The gutter protection device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a tab that extends from the frame, the tab under or overlapping an adjacent frame during installation, thereby preventing misalignment of the frame and the adjacent frame.   
     
     
         14 . A debris exclusion device for attachment to one or more gutters of a home, the device comprising:
 a single-piece metal frame formed with a central section for drainage and edge sections for filter retention;
 the central section including:
 a primary collection channel; 
 a secondary collection channel; and 
 a stiffening rib joining the primary collection channel and the secondary collection channel; 
 
 the edge sections including:
 an upper filter capture channel; 
 a lower filter capture channel; 
 an upper transition segment; and 
 an upper attachment segment;
 the upper transition segment forming an angle greater than ninety degrees with respect to the upper attachment segment; 
 
 
   a filter;
 the filter formed from a material with a multiplicity of penetrations; 
 the filter interfacing with the upper filter capture channel and the lower filter capture channel of the frame; 
   whereby the device removes debris from rainwater prior to allowing the rainwater into the one or more gutters.   
     
     
         15 . The debris exclusion device of  claim 14 , wherein the primary collection channel and second collection channel have a plurality of drain holes. 
     
     
         16 . The debris exclusion device of  claim 14 , wherein the filter is a first filter and a second filter;
 the first filter having a first end;   the second filter having a second end;   the first end overlapping the second end, thereby preventing gaps between the first filter and the second filter.   
     
     
         17 . The debris exclusion device of  claim 16 , wherein a penetration size of the first filter is different than a penetration size of the second filter. 
     
     
         18 . The debris exclusion device of  claim 14 , wherein the stiffening rib presses against the filter, causing the filter to bend, thus securing the filter within the upper filter capture channel and the lower filter capture channel. 
     
     
         19 . The debris exclusion device of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 drain penetrations within an upper face of the stiffening rib.   
     
     
         20 . The debris exclusion device of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an end cap installed at the end of the frame;   the end cap sealing the frame and filter.