Covered rain gutter system
A mounting bracket for supporting a covered rain gutter includes a left side panel and a right side panel connected to each other via a rear panel. The left and right side panels include a top portion configured to contact and support an interior side of a cover portion of the covered rain gutter, a bottom portion, and a central portion connecting the top and bottom portions. The left side panel and the right side panel can be engaged with each other via their bottom portions with a bottom portion front part configured to contact and support an interior side of a trough portion of the covered rain gutter. The mounting bracket can maintain separation between the cover portion and the trough portion and can be made from a single, stamped sheet of metal.
1 . A mounting bracket for positioning in the interior of a covered rain gutter and configured to support the covered rain gutter, the mounting bracket comprising:
a top portion configured to contact an interior side of a front wall and/or a top wall of a cover portion of the covered rain gutter to support the cover portion;
a bottom portion configured to contact an interior side of a front wall of a trough portion of the covered rain gutter to support the trough portion, the top portion and the bottom portion of the mounting bracket maintaining separation between the front wall of the cover portion and the front wall of the trough portion; and
a central portion interconnecting the top portion and the bottom portion of the mounting bracket,
wherein:
the central portion has a front part and a rear part, and defines a hole extending through the central portion from the front part to the rear part,
the hole being sized to receive a connector to connect the mounting bracket with a structure, and
a series of side openings are located on a same side of the mounting bracket, each said side opening leading into the hole to enable the connector to slide in from the same side into the hole.
2 . The mounting bracket of claim 1 , further comprising a bracing extending from a front portion to a rear portion of the mounting bracket, wherein the hole extends through the bracing.
3 . The mounting bracket of claim 1 , wherein the hole includes portions configured to receive nuts and/or washers to be use in conjunction with the connector.
4 . The mounting bracket of claim 1 , further comprising a top protrusion and a bottom protrusion, each said protrusion extending from the rear part, the top protrusion being in alignment with the hole and the side opening and allowing the connector to pass therethrough for connection to the structure, the bottom protrusion being configured to brace against the structure.
5 . The mounting bracket of claim 1 , wherein the mounting bracket is formed of a single piece of material.
6 . A mounting bracket for positioning in the interior of a covered rain gutter and configured to support the covered rain gutter, the mounting bracket comprising:
a top portion configured to contact an interior side of a front wall and/or a top wall of a cover portion of the covered rain gutter to support the cover portion;
a bottom portion configured to contact an interior side of a front wall of a trough portion of the covered rain gutter to support the trough portion, the top portion and the bottom portion of the mounting bracket maintaining separation between the front wall of the cover portion and the front wall of the trough portion; and
a central portion interconnecting the top portion and the bottom portion of the mounting bracket,
wherein:
the central portion has a front part and a rear part, and defines a hole extending through the central portion from the front part to the rear part,
the hole being sized to receive a connector to connect the mounting bracket with a structure, and
a bracing extends from a front of the mounting bracket to a rear portion of the mounting bracket, wherein the hole extends through the bracing,
further comprising a top protrusion and a bottom protrusion, each said protrusion extending from the rear part, the top protrusion being in alignment with the hole and allowing the connector to pass therethrough for connection to the structure, the bottom protrusion being configured to brace against the structure.
7 . The mounting bracket of claim 6 , wherein the hole includes portions configured to receive nuts and/or washers to be use in conjunction with the connector.
8 . The mounting bracket of claim 6 , wherein the mounting bracket is formed of a single piece of material.