Self cleaning shield
View Patent ↗A gutter guard device is provided for preventing material from entering a gutter to which the gutter guard device is mounted. The device includes a stand alone filtration element configured to be mounted to the gutter. The filtration element has a substantially planar surface formed from a plurality of threads, the substantially planar surface having a longitudinal edge configured to be positioned substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the gutter; and a downward extending channel having a longitudinal direction that is obliquely oriented relative to the longitudinal edge of the substantially planar surface.
1. A gutter guard device for preventing material from entering a gutter to which the gutter guard device is mounted, the device comprising:
a stand alone filtration element configured to be mounted to the gutter, the filtration element having
a substantially planar surface formed from a plurality of threads, the substantially planar surface having a longitudinal edge configured to be positioned substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the gutter, and
a downward extending channel having a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular or not completely parallel relative to the longitudinal edge of the substantially planar surface.
2. The device of claim 1 , wherein the filtration element is configured to mount directly to the gutter.
3. The device of claim 2 , wherein the filtration element has a plurality of the downward extending channel.
4. The device of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of downward extending channels are parallel to each other.
5. The device of claim 4 , wherein the plurality of downward extending channels are formed from the filtration element being folded to form each channel.
6. The device of claim 5 , wherein the substantially planar surface and the plurality of downward extending channels are formed from one continuous sheet of material.
7. The device of claim 6 , wherein the filtration element has a lateral edge that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the filtration element, and the lateral edge is configured to overlap a lateral edge of a second one of the filtration element.
8. The device of claim 4 , wherein the longitudinal edge of the filtration element is configured to engage a channel in the gutter, the channel in the gutter extending along the longitudinal direction of the gutter.
9. The device of claim 1 , wherein the longitudinal direction of the downward extending channel is perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the substantially planar surface.
10. The device of claim 9 , wherein the filtration element has a plurality of the downward extending channel, and the plurality of downward extending channels are parallel to each other.
11. A gutter and gutter guard device combination, the combination comprising:
a gutter configured to be attached proximate to an edge of a roof of a building; and
a gutter guard device mounted to the gutter, the gutter guard device configured to prevent material from entering the gutter, the device having
a stand alone filtration element mounted to the gutter, the filtration element having
a substantially planar surface formed from a plurality of threads, the substantially planar surface having a longitudinal edge configured to be positioned substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the gutter, and
a downward extending channel having a longitudinal direction that is perpendicular or not completely parallel relative to the longitudinal edge of the substantially planar surface.
12. The combination of claim 11 , wherein the filtration element is mounted directly to the gutter.
13. The combination of claim 12 , wherein the filtration element has a plurality of the downward extending channel.
14. The combination of claim 13 , wherein the plurality of downward extending channels are parallel to each other.
15. The combination of claim 14 , wherein the plurality of downward extending channels are formed from the filtration element being folded to form each channel.
16. The combination of claim 15 , wherein the substantially planar surface and the plurality of downward extending channels are formed from one continuous sheet of material.
17. The combination of claim 16 , wherein the filtration element has a lateral edge that is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the filtration element, and the lateral edge is configured to overlap a lateral edge of a second one of the filtration element.
18. The combination of claim 14 , wherein the longitudinal edge of the filtration element engages a channel in the gutter, the channel in the gutter extending along the longitudinal direction of the gutter.
19. The combination of claim 11 , wherein the longitudinal direction of the downward extending channel is perpendicular to the longitudinal edge of the substantially planar surface.
20. The combination of claim 19 , wherein the filtration element has a plurality of the downward extending channel, and the plurality of downward extending channels are parallel to each other.