AU2019201699B2 - A product for use in installing roof gutter mesh - Google Patents

Abstract

A product is disclosed which is for use in securing gutter mesh to a roof gutter. The product has a first portion which is operable to be placed on top of at least a part of the mesh that is to be secured to a rim of the gutter, with the mesh located between the first portion and the rim of the gutter. The product is securable relative to the rim of the gutter by inserting one or more fasteners through the first portion, through the mesh and through or into the rim of the gutter such that, upon insertion of the faster(s) thus, the mesh becomes clamped between the first portion and the rim of the gutter. The product also has one or more engagers each operable to engage the mesh at a location other than a location where the mesh is penetrated by a fastener. When the mesh is clamped between the first portion and the rim of the gutter, the one or more engagers engage with the mesh and movement of the mesh relative to the first portion is resisted. [.1:, V Va Figure 4 Figure 5 Vill FFi 100 /F7 IV Figure 6

Description

[.1:,

V

Va Figure 4

Figure 5

Vill FFi 100

/F7

IV

Figure 6

I A PRODUCT FOR USE IN INSTALLING ROOF GUTTER MESH TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to roof gutter mesh, and more specifically to

products and methods used in installing roof gutter mesh (rather than to the actual

mesh itself).

BACKGROUND

[0002] It is to be clearly understood that mere reference herein to previous or

existing devices, apparatus, products, systems, methods, practices, publications or to

any other information, or to any problems or issues, does not constitute an

acknowledgement or admission that any of those things, whether individually or in any

combination, were known, or formed part of the common general knowledge of those

skilled in the field, or that they are admissible prior art.

[0003] Roofs of houses and other buildings very often have an upwardly-open

channel extending around and just below the outer perimeter edge of the roof. This

channel is commonly called the "roof gutter" or simply the "gutter" or "guttering". The

terms "roof gutter", "gutter", "guttering" and like terms mean the same thing and may be

used interchangeably.

[0004] The purpose of the gutter is to catch water that flows off the roof during

rainfall. Normally, there will be one or more pipes, each called a downpipe and each

connected to an opening in the bottom of the guttering. Often there are multiple

downpipes connected to respective openings in the bottom of the guttering, and these

are located at appropriately spaced locations around the roof/building. The downpipes

allow water that is initially caught in the guttering during rainfall (i.e. water which has run

off the roof into the guttering) to flow out of the guttering. The downpipes may lead to, for example, a water storage tank for storing the collected water, or they may direct the water to sewer (or to a stormwater or waste water pipe, etc). In any case, water flowing off the roof during rainfall is caught by the guttering and redirected (e.g. to a tank, or to sewer, or a stormwater pipe, etc), rather than simply spilling over the edge of the roof and onto the ground beside the building.

[0005] It is a common practice to install mesh over the top of roof guttering. This

mesh is generally referred to as roof gutter mesh (or simply gutter mesh), and it is

typically made from metal, usually steel or an aluminium alloy (aluminium alloys are

hereafter referred to simply as "aluminium"). Plastic gutter mesh also exists, although

this is used less frequently (if ever) because gutter mesh made from plastic can

melt/burn and therefore it may not comply with fire safety requirements, depending on

the applicable local building regulations, codes and the like. Plastic gutter mesh is also

not as strong as mesh made from metal, meaning that it can be susceptible to damage

and penetration by e.g. falling debris (sticks and the like); and such damage and

penetration can result in larger openings or holes being formed in the mesh, and these

can in turn allow debris or pests to enter the gutter through larger openings or holes.

Example illustrations of gutter mesh installed over lengths of roof gutter appear in

Figure 2 and Figure 3.

[0006] The purpose of gutter mesh is to provide a barrier over the upwardly-open

gutter. The barrier created by the mesh should, on the one hand, still allow water to flow

off the roof and through the mesh into the gutter (e.g. during rainfall), but on the other

hand it should prevent things like leaves, sticks, bark, other leaf or plant matter, or

indeed other debris such as wind-blown rubbish, children's balls, etc, from entering and

collecting in the gutter. If these kinds of debris are allowed to enter and collect in the

gutter, this can clog up the gutter, as illustrated in Figure 1. Blockages and clogging like

that depicted in Figure 1 can prevent water from flowing properly along the gutter to the

-Y

downpipe(s). It can also lead to the debris entering and blocking up the downpipe(s).

Gutter mesh often also helps to prevent birds and animals (e.g. possums, rats, etc) from

entering the guttering to build nests or to gain entry into downpipes, or into the building

roof cavity, etc.

[0007] The collection and build-up of debris (especially organic debris) in the

guttering can also severely accelerate rusting or other corrosion of the gutter (which is

typically made from metal such as zinc coated steel). The collection and build-up of

debris (especially organic debris) in the guttering can also prevent water from flowing

along and out of the guttering as it should, and this trapped water in combination with

(and in the vicinity of) the built-up debris can further accelerate corrosion. Such

collected debris (especially plant matter) can also pose a severe fire hazard as it is

typically highly flammable. It is extremely undesirable to allow such combustible fire fuel

to collect in the guttering (which is immediately adjacent the roof) because, in the event

of a nearby fire, any fuel material collected in the gutter may be ignited by an airborne

ember and the fire may spread into the roof (i.e. the house/building may catch fire).

[0008] Another important reason for installing gutter mesh over the upwardly-open

gutter is to prevent debris (leaves, sticks, etc) from entering the gutter and clogging it

up, because if such debris enters and clogs up the gutter this can prevent water from

flowing along and out of the gutter as it should, and instead the water can become

trapped in the gutter and it may then flood the gutter, and possibly even flood the

building with which the gutter is associated (if water flows over the edge of the gutter on

the building side of the gutter).

[0009] It is therefore extremely important, for a number of reasons, to prevent debris

from entering and collecting in roof gutters. Accordingly, in summary, gutter mesh

provides a barrier over the gutter which, on the one hand, allows water to flow off the

-r

roof into the gutter, but on the other hand, prevents leaves and other debris from

entering the gutter. Instead of entering the gutter, the leaves and other debris should

simply slide/blow/flow across the gutter mesh and off the roof, as depicted schematically

in Figure 5.

[0010] Conventional methods for installing roof guttering in circumstances where the

roof is corrugated (e.g. made from corrugated roof sheets, panels or the like) typically

begin as follows (see Figure 2 and Figure 3). First, a length of the mesh I is placed over

a length of the roof gutter such that the outer long edge II (Figure 2) of the mesh

extends along the upper, outer rim of the guttering, and such that an area III of the

mesh (which is on the opposite side of the mesh from the edge II) extends over (i.e. it

extends over the top of and "overlaps") the outermost portion of the roof.

[0011] Next, to secure the outer edge II of the mesh to the rim of the guttering,

screws IV (e.g. roofing screws or the like) are sometimes used to directly screw the

mesh to the edge of the guttering, as shown in Figure 2. This method of inserting

screws directly into the mesh to secure the outer edge of the mesh to the outer rim of

the gutter (shown in Figure 2) is more commonly used for securing the mesh to the

gutter where the mesh is made from steel (or a metal or material of similar strength and

toughness). The gutter mesh depicted in Figure 2 is made from steel. The reason this

method is more commonly used when the mesh is made from steel (or a material of

similar strength and toughness) is because this kind of mesh is, as a consequence,

typically strong and tough enough that the structural integrity of the mesh is not

destroyed (or unduly compromised) in the localised regions where, and when, screws

are driven through the mesh to secure the outer edge of the mesh to the gutter rim.

[0012] The method described in paragraph [0011] above is rarely (if ever) used,

however, for securing the outer edge of gutter mesh to the outer rim of the gutter where the mesh is made from aluminium (or any similarly soft/deformable metal or material) like the expanded aluminium mesh depicted in Figure 3. The reason for this is because, for meshes made of softer or more deformable metals or materials (like e.g. aluminium), the structural integrity of the mesh (and indeed the mesh itself) would likely be completely destroyed (or severely compromised) in the localised regions where, and if, screws were simply driven directly into and through the mesh to secure outer edge of the mesh to the gutter rim. In fact, given that power tools (e.g. hand-held electric drills) are typically used to insert the screws when installing gutter mesh, for meshes made from aluminium or other more soft/deformable metals/materials, the speed and torque applied to the screws by such tools can simply cause the screws to "shred" or tear straight through and destroy the mesh in the region through which the screws are inserted if an attempt is made to secure the mesh using the screws alone. (Note: the reason why the method described in paragraph [0011] above can be used if the mesh is made from steel (or a metal/material of similar strength and toughness) is because the strength of the steel mesh is sufficient that the screws do not simply tear straight through and destroy the mesh when the screws are inserted, even if this is done using power tools.)

[0013] Thus, where the mesh is made from aluminium (or some other similar metal

or material that is not as strong and tough as steel), a component called a "trim" V is

typically used to secure the outer edge of the mesh to the outer rim of the gutter, as

depicted in Figure 3. As shown in Figure 3 and Figure 4, a conventional trim V is an

elongate component having a long flat portion Va that can be placed so as to extend

along on top of the outer edge of the guttering, over the outer edge II of the mesh (i.e.

such that the outer edge II of the mesh is located immediately on top of the upper, outer

rim of the guttering but immediately below the underside of the flat portion Va of the

trim). The trim V also has a lip portion Vb, on the outer side of the flat portion Va, and

V

which is folded or otherwise curved relative to the flat portion Va so that, when the trim

V is placed in position as shown in Figure 3, the lip portion Vb extends over the edge

and slightly down the outside of the guttering (e.g. sufficiently to cover up any

exposed/sharp/pointy bits along the outer edge IIof the mesh, etc). The trim V is then

secured in place by screws IV (e.g. roofing screws or like). As may be appreciated from

Figure 3, individual lengths of the trim V are generally held in place by two more

(typically several) screws IV, the number depending on the length. (Having said this, in

some cases a length of trim may need to be quite short if it is to extend along only a

very short length of guttering, in which case such a short length of trim may be secured

to the outer rim of the short length of gutter by even only a single screw.) The screws IV

used usually insert into pre-drilled holes in the flat portion Va of the trim (see Figure 3)

and they are then screwed/driven through the mesh and also through the upper edge of

the gutter rim (i.e. they "screw into" the upper rim of the gutter). In this way, the trim V

becomes fastened to the gutter, and so does the mesh because the mesh becomes

clamped firmly between the trim V and the outer edge of the gutter. Furthermore, the

trim V is typically made from a strong, tough metal such as steel, which the head of the

screws will not tear through (even if power tools are used), and this is why a trim V is

typically used to secure the outer edge of the mesh to the outer rim of the gutter if the

mesh is made from a softer metal like aluminium.

[0014] Whilst the use of a trim V has been explained in the context of installing

aluminium (or similarly soft metal) meshes, trims can also be used in the same way for

installing e.g. steel (or other stronger) meshes. In other words, there is nothing to

prevent the method described above with reference to Figure 3, namely using a trim V

to secure the outer edge II of the mesh to the gutter rim, from being used in the

installation of gutter mesh made from steel or other like stronger materials, and indeed

this is sometimes done. Another reason why a trim is sometimes used is for visual/aesthetic reasons, because the trim can "neaten up" the visual appearance of the outer edge of the gutter.

[0015] After the outer edge II of the mesh has been secured to the outer rim of the

gutter, the opposite edge VI of the mesh must be secured to the roof. Figure 2 and

Figure 3 illustrate two different ways in which this is conventionally done where the roof

is a corrugated group.

[0016] The method depicted in Figure 3 for securing the inner edge VI of the mesh

to the roof is often used in situations where the mesh itself is deformable (e.g. when the

mesh is made from aluminium or other soft metal), and in particular, where the inner

edge VI of the mesh (the edge opposite the outer edge II) can be deformed to a shape

that conforms to the profile of the upper surface of the roof (e.g. like the corrugated

profile in Figure 3). In this and like situations, the mesh along (and close to) the edge VI

is deformed so as to conform or "mould" to the profile of the roof, and a number of

components, often called "saddles" VII, are then used to screw/clamp the edge VI of the

mesh to the roof. As shown in the example in Figure 3, saddles VII are placed over the

edge VI of the mesh at locations corresponding to "peaks" in the corrugated roof.

Typically, a saddle is not applied at every peak in the roof. Rather, saddles are typically

applied at regular intervals, for example every second or third peak (it is every second

peak in Figure 3). Each saddle VII is secured in place by a screw (a roofing screw or

the like). More specifically, each saddle VII usually has a pre-drilled hole therein, and

when the saddle VII is placed on top of the mesh at the correct location (at a peak) and

the screw is inserted, the screw extends through the pre-drilled hole, penetrates the

mesh, and also penetrates the roof, such that the screw "screws into" the roof thereby

clamping the mesh between the saddle VII and the roof.

[0017] Another method that is commonly used for securing the inner edge VI of gutter mesh to corrugated roofs is depicted in Figure 2. The method depicted in Figure 2 is often used in situations where the mesh is not deformable (such as where the mesh is made from steel), or at least not sufficiently deformable for the edge VI (or the inner portion) of the mesh to be deformed to conform to the profile of the roof. When the method in Figure 2 is used, the mesh along the edge VI simply rests on top of the peaks in the roof profile. That is, the edge VI of the mesh remain straight and extends along the roof, parallel to the gutter, touching the roof at the peaks, but it does not conform or mould to the shape of the roof and the mesh does not extend down into the troughs in the roof profile. In order to close the gaps that would otherwise exist between the underside of the mesh and the roof in between respective peaks (these gaps could otherwise allow debris to pass beneath the mesh into the guttering or allow debris to become caught), a component that called a "profile strip" VIII is often used to secure a length of the mesh along the edge VI to the roof. As shown in Figure 2, the profile strip

VIII is substantially flat/planar overall. The edge of the flat profile strip VIII along one

long side (namely the side which is closest to the guttering when installed as shown

Figure 2) is substantially straight. On the opposite long side of the profile strip VIII, the

edge has a smooth but dramatically sawtoothed (i.e. repeatingly wavy) shape. (By

"smooth" here it is meant that there are no sharp corners or the like along the sawtooth

shaped edge, except possibly at the terminal ends thereof.) This sawtooth-shape of the

profile strip's edge creates a series of peaks and troughs in the said edge of the profile

strip. The amplitude of the sawtooth pattern (or equivalently the lateral distance, in the

plane of the profile strip, between a given peak and the successive trough in the

sawtooth edge) is much larger than the amplitude of the roof corrugations (the

amplitude of the roof corrugations is the distance, in a direction perpendicular to the

overall plane of the roof, between a peak and the successive trough in the roof's

corrugated profile). In fact, the amplitude and spacing between the peaks and troughs in the sawtooth edge of the profile strip VIII is such that, when the profile strip is laid onto the roof with its straight edge extending along (and slightly overlapping) the straight inner edge VI of the mesh (as shown in Figure 2), the peaks in the sawtooth-edge of the profile strip form "fingers" each of which extends at a shallow angle into a respective trough between peaks in the corrugated roof profile. The shape of the "fingers" formed by the sawtooth edge of the profile strip is such that, at the angle at which the fingers extend into the troughs in the roof, the edges of the said fingers conform closely to the roof surface leaving little (if any) space between the edge of the "fingers" and the roof.

Hence, there is little (if any) space or gaps between the sawtooth-shaped edge of the

profile strip VIII and the roof's upper surface.

[0018] Once the profile strip VIII has been positioned in this way (i.e. with its straight

edge slightly overlapping the inner edge VI of the mesh and with the "fingers" of the

sawtooth edge extending at a shallow angle into the troughs in the roof), the profile strip

VIII is secured to the roof by inserting screws IV, usually through pre-drilled holes in the

profile strip. Normally, the pre-drilled holes are close to the straight edge of the profile

strip VIII and are spaced from one another such that, when the profile strip VIII is

appropriately positioned on the roof (and relative to the mesh), the pre-drilled holes in

the profile strip should be aligned with the peaks in the roof. Thus the screws IV, when

inserted, extend through the pre-drilled holes in the profile strip, penetrate the mesh,

and also penetrate the roof, such that the screws "screw into" the roof thereby clamping

the mesh between the profile strip VIII and the roof.

[0019] Methods for securing the inner edge VI of gutter mesh to corrugated roofs

have been described above. The above methods are not generally used, however, for

tiled roofs. For tiled roofs, one method for securing the inner edge of the gutter mesh

relative to the roof involves lifting up the outer edges of the tiles in one of the rows of

tiles near the outer edge of the roof, but not the very outermost row of tiles (possibly the

_U

second or third most outwardly row of tiles). Once the outer edges of the tiles in this row

have been lifted up, the inner edge of the gutter mesh can be inserted or slid

underneath them, and the tiles in the said row are then lowered back into place,

whereupon the outer edge of the mesh becomes sandwiched/clamped/held between

the outer edge of the said row of tiles (above) and the tiles immediately beneath them

(below) - this is why it cannot be the very outermost row of tiles that is lifted.

[0020] Note that the method used for securing the outer edge II of the mesh to the

gutter rim can depend on the material from which the mesh is made (as discussed

above); however the material from which the roof itself is made (i.e. whether the roof is

a corrugated steel roof, or a tiled roof, etc) does not generally affect the method used for

securing the outer edge II of the mesh to the gutter rim.

[0021] Whilst the methods described above for installing gutter mesh have proven to

be generally effective and are widely used, one problem with the above methods, and in

particular the above methods used to secure the outer edge of the gutter mesh to the

outer rim of the guttering, has been identified. This is discussed further below.

[0022] As explained above, gutter mesh is designed to operate as shown

schematically in Figure 5. That is, the mesh is intended to provide a barrier over the

gutter which, on the one hand, allows water to flow off the roof into the gutter, but on the

other hand, prevents leaves and other debris from entering the gutter. Instead of

entering the gutter, the leaves and other debris should simply slide/blow/flow across the

top of the gutter and off the roof. However, it has been found that, in a range of

situations, significant vertical or downward loads (this includes both static and

dynamic/impact loads) can be applied directly onto the mesh. Hence, these loads are

typically applied roughly perpendicular to the general plane of the mesh. These

downward vertical loads can be caused by, for example, impacts from hailstones during

II

thunderstorms, the weight of snow that collects and builds up on top of the mesh before

it melts, the build-up of plant matter which comes to rest on top of the mesh but which

becomes snagged or caught by (or otherwise does not blow off) the mesh, large

branches that may fall from trees directly onto the mesh, striking the mesh with a

significant impact, animals (such as e.g. cats, possums and the like) walking on or over

the mesh, or jumping onto the mesh from trees, etc.

[0023] In cases where the mesh is secured to the outer rim of the gutter by screws

alone (as explained above this is often done for steel mesh), the screws in these cases

are all that holds the mesh to the outer rim of the gutter. Therefore, if a downward force

or load of the type described above is applied on the mesh, and if this is sufficiently

large (e.g. a heavy static load or a significant dynamic/impact load), this can be enough

to cause the mesh to pull or tear around the screws and away from the screws, such

that the screws remain in place driven into the gutter rim but the outer edge II of the

mesh becomes separated/detached/unsecured relative to the screws and the outer rim

of the gutter. If this occurs, the outer edge II of the mesh (at least in the region or part of

the length of mesh damaged by the load) may fall or be pushed down into the gutter

itself. Even if this occurs for only a small portion or length of mesh, this still

compromises the overall barrier over the guttering that a complete and undamaged

mesh otherwise provides.

[0024] A similar problem can also arise where a conventional trim (of the type

described above with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 4) is used to secure the outer

edge of the mesh to the outer rim of the gutter. Where a conventional trim (like the one

shown in Figure 4) is used, the trim helps to clamp the outer edge II of the mesh

between the underside of the trim portion Va and the upper edge of the gutter rim.

However, as will be evident from the above, the screws that cause the trim to clamp

down on top of the mesh are located only at spaced locations. (For conventional trims, a

IZ/

spacing of around 250 mm exists between screws holes and hence between the screws

that secure the length trim and the mesh to the gutter.) It is therefore thought that it is

really only at the locations of the screws (or perhaps in the immediate localised regions

around the screws) that there is significant clamping force holding the mesh between

the underside of the trim and the gutter. Consequently it is thought that, again, if a

downward force or load of the type described above is applied on the mesh, and if this

is sufficiently large (e.g. a heavy static load or a significant dynamic/impact load), this

can be enough to cause the mesh to pull or tear around and away from the screws, and

to also pull out from between the trim and the upper rim of the gutter (at leastO near the

screws, such that the screws and the trim remain in place attached to the gutter rim but

the outer edge of the mesh (at least in the region of the mesh damaged by the load)

becomes separated/detached/unsecured relative thereto and may again fall uselessly

down into the guttering.

[0025] It is thought that it would be desirable if the problem discussed above could

be ameliorated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0026] In one broad form, although this may not be the only or the broadest form,

the invention resides in a product for use in securing gutter mesh to a roof gutter, the

product having a first portion which is operable to be placed on top of at least a part of

the mesh that is to be secured to a rim of the gutter, with the mesh (or the said part

thereof) located between the first portion and the rim of the gutter, the product being

securable relative to the rim of the gutter by one or more fasteners which are associated

with the first portion, or which extend through the first portion, through the mesh and

through or into the rim of the gutter, such that, the mesh (or the said part thereof)

becomes clamped between the first portion and the rim of the gutter, the product also

I -Y

having one or more engagers each operable to engage the mesh at a location other

than a location of a fastener, or a location where the mesh is penetrated by a fastener,

whereby when the mesh (or the said part thereof) is clamped between the first portion

and the rim of the gutter, the one or more engagers engage with the mesh and

movement of the mesh relative to the first portion (at least in a direction towards the

inside of the roof gutter) is resisted.

[0027] In some (and probably most) embodiments, the first portion may be operable

to be placed on top of at least part of an edge of the mesh that is to be secured to the

rim of the gutter. In such embodiments, the first portion may be generally elongate and it

may extend along on top of the edge of the mesh that is to be secured to the rim of the

gutter. Also in such embodiments, the product may have a second portion the

configuration of which is such that, when the first portion is positioned to extend along

on top of the edge of the mesh, the second portion extends over the edge of the mesh

on the outer side of the gutter (i.e. it may do so sufficiently to cover up any

exposed/sharp/pointy bits along the edge of the mesh).

[0028] In embodiments of the form of the invention described above, the engagers

may extend or project from an underside of the first portion. (In this regard, the term

"underside" here is intended to refer to a side or surface or edge of the first portion that

is brought into contact with the mesh (or which is brought into close proximity with the

mesh, or which faces the mesh) when the first portion is placed on top of the mesh).

The engagers may take a wide variety of shapes or forms.

[0029] The engagers may be shaped to engage with the mesh. By way of example,

the engagers may insert or hook into openings the mesh. In this case, the engagers

may insert or hook into openings in the mesh in one angled direction (the "insertion

direction") so that, once inserted, the mesh cannot move relative to the first portion of

I -r

the product in a direction opposite to the insertion direction (or at least such movement

is resisted) but the mesh may still be able to move relative to the first portion of the

product in the insertion direction, or in other words the first portion of the product may

still be able to move relative to the mesh in the direction opposite to the insertion

direction, so that the engagers can be withdrawn and the product disengaged from the

mesh if necessary).

[0030] In an alternative to the above, the engagers may e.g. point directly towards

the mesh (or directly down relative to the plane of the mesh) so as to thereby insert into

openings in the mesh, or in a further alternative the engagers may clip onto or otherwise

engage parts or "strands" of the mesh between mesh openings.

[0031] Products in accordance with the broad form of the invention described above

may be made in different or varying lengths, and the number of fasteners used to

secure the product (or a given length of the product) may vary depending on the length.

Where the product is secured by two or more fasteners, in between each of the

locations where fasteners are positioned relative to the first portion, or in between each

of the locations where the product is penetrated by the fasteners, there may be multiple

engagers. The engagers may be spaced at regular intervals, although this is not a

requirement and the engagers may be provided at differing or irregular intervals, even

along a single product (or a single length of the product). The number of engagers, and

the spacing therebetween, may be varied to suit. Generally, a greater number of

engagers may allow for greater engagement with the mesh and consequently greater

retention of the mesh (and vice versa). However, this is not an absolute rule, and there

may be some instances where providing a differing number of the engagers, at a

different spacing (and even if this means a smaller number of the engagers overall),

may actually increase mesh retention by ensuring that the engagers match or suit the

particular mesh type or geometry and engage properly and securely with that mesh.

I -)

The size, shape and configuration of the engagers themselves may also be varied to

suit differing mesh types or geometries.

[0032] Where the fasteners used are fasteners in the nature of screws, bolts, rivets

or the like, the product may have pre-formed holes to receive such fasteners. These

may be formed at regularly spaced intervals (e.g. every 250 mm as in conventional trim

products), although this is not a requirement and the preformed holes could be provided

at differing or irregular intervals. It is also to be clearly understood that embodiments of

the invention may be provided where the fasteners are not in the nature of screws,

bolts, rivets or the like. In such other embodiments, the fasteners could take the form of

clips, or snap-on arrangements, or the like, which may allow the product to be clipped,

or snapped on, etc, to the rim of the gutter without screws or the like.

[0033] In some particular embodiments, product may be made from steel and the

engagers may be formed by punching or stamping them out of the first portion. The

product and/or engagers could alternatively be made in other ways too though, and the

engagers could possibly be formed separately initially and then attached. There could

also be different types or shapes of engagers, even on a single product (or on a single

length of the product), and it is even possible that some of these could be made

together with or as part of the product while others are formed separately initially and

attached. It is to be clearly understood, however, that the product need not necessarily

be made from steel, or even metal, and it may be made from other materials, such as

injection moulded plastic for the like.

[0034] In some quite specific embodiments, the product may be (i.e. it may take the

general form of) a trim member. In such embodiments, the first portion may be a long

flat upper portion which can be placed so as to extend along on top of the rim of the

gutter, over an outer edge of the mesh which is to be secured between the flat upper

IV

portion and the rim of the gutter. The trim member may also have a second portion

which is a lip portion on the outer side of the flat upper portion. This lip portion, if

present, may be curved down or bent or angled relative to the flat upper portion so that,

when the trim member is placed to extend along on top of the outer edge of the mesh

which is to be secured to the rim of the gutter, the lip portion extends over the outer

edge of the mesh (i.e. it may do so sufficiently to cover up any exposed/sharp/pointy

bits along the edge of the mesh).

[0035] In the quite specific embodiments referred to in the previous paragraph, the

engagers may be teeth that are pointed so that, after the mesh is positioned with its

outer edge aligned relative to the gutter rim and its inner edge extends over a portion of

the roof, and after the mesh is secured to the gutter rim using the product, if a load is

applied on or to the mesh (or if anything causes the mesh to try and move relative to the

first portion in a direction towards the inside of the roof gutter, such as a bird pulling that

way on the mesh or some such), the teeth dig into the mesh. Also in these specific

embodiments, where the product (or a length of the product) is secured by two or more

fasteners, in between each of the locations where the product is secured to the gutter

by the fasteners there may be multiple teeth. The teeth may be spaced at regular or

irregular intervals. There may also be multiple rows of the teeth along some or all of the

first portion. Where there are multiple rows of the teeth, the rows may cause the teeth

to have a staggered formation. Where this is the case, this may help to ensure that at

least some of the teeth engage in the mesh, thereby making a single form or type or

configuration of the product potentially usable to secure a range of different forms or

types or geometries of mesh - even if the spacing of the teeth does not correspond

exactly with the size or spacing of the openings in the mesh, at least some of the teeth

will nevertheless engage with openings in the mesh. Normally, in 1 meter of the

conventional trim described in the Background section above, there is four points of

I

/ contact between the trim and the gutter, because the screws are located at 250mm

spacings, but e.g. the tooth pattern (i.e. the pattern of the engagers) in the particular

embodiment of the invention described with reference to the Figures below increases

the number of points of contact to about 86 per lineal meter. These numbers are not

critical, and embodiments of the invention could be equally effective more, or e.g. with

half or less the number of teeth/engagers (compared to the particular embodiment

described below).

[0036] In another broad form, although this also may not be the only or the broadest

form, the invention resides in a roof gutter operable to have gutter mesh secured to a

rim thereof, the mesh being securable to the rim of the gutter by inserting one or more

fasteners through the mesh and through or into the rim of the gutter such that, upon

insertion of the faster(s) thus, the mesh is secured to the rim of the gutter, the gutter

also having one or more engagers each operable to engage the mesh at a location

other than a location where the mesh is penetrated by a fastener whereby when the

mesh is secured to the rim of the gutter, the one or more engagers engage with the

mesh and movement of the mesh relative to the rim of the gutter (at least in a direction

towards the inside of the gutter) is resisted.

[0037] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for installing a

gutter mesh on a roof gutter comprising placing a mesh over a gutter with a part of the

mesh being located above an outer edge of the gutter, positioning a product as

described herein over the edge of the gutter such that the part of the mesh is located

under a surface of the product and fastening the product to the edge of the gutter.

[0038] Any of the features described herein (e.g. described with reference to one

form or embodiment) can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the

other features described herein (e.g. whether described with reference to the same or a different form or embodiment) within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0039] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be

discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information

for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be

regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way.

The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows:

[0040] Figure 1 depicts a roof gutter that does not have gutter mesh installed over it

and which is clogged with leaves, sticks and other plant matter.

[0041] Figure 2 is an illustration of the way gutter mesh can be installed so as to

cover a roof gutter. The mesh in this Figure has its outer edge secured to the outer rim

of the gutter by screws only, and the mesh has its inner edge secured to the roof using

a profile strip with a smooth sawtooth-shaped edge, as described in the Background

section above.

[0042] Figure 3 is another illustration of the way gutter mesh can be installed so as

to cover a roof gutter. The mesh in this case has its inner edge secured to the outer rim

of the gutter using a conventional trim, as described in the Background section above,

and the outer edge of the mesh is deformed/moulded so as to conform to the

corrugated shape of the roof profile and that (outer) edge of the mesh is secured to the

roof using a number of saddles, as also described in the Background section above.

[0043] Figure 4 is a perspective illustration (from slightly above and to the outside)

of a length of conventional trim, for example like that shown in, and described with

reference to, Figure 3.

[0044] Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of the way gutter mesh provides a barrier

over the roof gutter, which allows water to flow off the roof into the gutter but at the

same time prevents leaves and other debris from entering the gutter.

[0045] Figure 6 is a perspective illustration (from slightly above and to the side) of a

length of gutter mesh installed so as to cover a length of roof gutter. The mesh has its

outer edge secured to the outer rim of the gutter using a trim member in accordance

with one particular embodiment of the invention, which is described in the Detailed

Description section below, and the mesh has its other (inner) edge secured to the roof

using a profile strip of generally the same kind as described in the Background section

above.

[0046] Figure 7 is a side-on view of the installed length of mesh in Figure 6, wherein

the outer edge of the mesh is secured to the outer rim of the gutter using the said

embodiment of the trim member, when viewed from the outside at gutter level (i.e. when

viewed in the direction of arrow F7 in Figure 6).

[0047] Figure 8 is a top-down view of the installed length of mesh in Figure 6,

wherein the outer edge of the mesh is secured to the outer rim of the gutter using the

said embodiment of the trim member.

[0048] Figure 9 is an end-on view of the installed length of mesh in Figure 6,

wherein the outer edge of the mesh is secured to the outer rim of the gutter using the

said embodiment of the trim member, when viewed in the direction of arrow F9 in Figure

6.

[0049] Figure 10 is a perspective illustration of the trim member in the embodiment

shown in Figure 6 to Figure 9. This Figure shows the trim member alone, but in the

same general orientation as in Figure 6, i.e. from slightly above and to the side of the inside edge.

[0050] Figure 11 is another perspective illustration of the embodiment of the trim

member, this time shown from slightly above and to the outside thereof.

[0051] Figure 12 is another illustration of the embodiment of the trim member, this

time shown from slightly below and to the inside thereof (i.e. so that the underside of the

trim member's upper portion is visible).

[0052] Figure 13 is a partial side on view of the embodiment of the trim member

from the inner side.

[0053] Figure 14 is an end view of the embodiment of the trim member.

[0054] Figure 15, Figure 16 and Figure 17 are partial close up views of the

embodiment of the trim member showing the "teeth" thereof from above and how these

are formed by punching.

[0055] Figure 18 is an illustration of a test rig used for applying a vertical test load to

a sample section of mesh (the vertical load is applied along the full length of the mesh

sample) wherein the outer edge of the mesh (the edge closer to the viewer) is secured

using screws alone (i.e. no trim is used) to a structural member that is part of the rig and

represents the outer rim of a gutter. This Figure shows the test rig with the mesh fully

installed but prior to the application of the test load.

[0056] Figure 19 is similar to Figure 18 in that it shows the test rig used for applying

a vertical load to a sample section of mesh secured by screws only; however Figure 19

differs from Figure 18 in that the mesh sample shown in Figure 19 is not the same

sample as shown in Figure 18, and in Figure 19 the mesh sample depicted is shown

after the test load has been applied to the point of failure (i.e. after the sample section of

/- I

mesh depicted has failed by tearing and pulling away from the screws).

[0057] Figure 20 is an illustration of the test rig used for applying a vertical test load

to a sample section of mesh. In Figure 20 the outer edge of the mesh (the edge closer

to the viewer) is secured to the structural member of the rig that represents the outer rim

of a gutter using a conventional trim of the type described in the Background section

above. This Figure shows the test rig with the mesh fully installed, and during (early on

in) the application of the test load, but before failure.

[0058] Figure 21 is similar to Figure 20 in that it shows the test rig used for applying

a vertical load to a sample section of mesh secured using a conventional trim; however

Figure 21 differs from Figure 20 in that the mesh sample shown in Figure 21 is not the

same sample as shown in Figure 20, and in Figure 21 the mesh sample depicted is

shown after the test load has been applied to the point of failure (i.e. after the sample

section of mesh depicted has failed by tearing and pulling away from a screw and also

from between the mesh and the rig member representing the gutter rim).

[0059] Figure 22 is an illustration of the test rig used for applying a vertical test load

to a sample section of mesh. In Figure 22 the outer edge of the mesh (the edge closer

to the viewer) is secured to the structural member of the rig that represents the outer rim

of a gutter using a trim member in accordance with an embodiment of the invention like

that described in the Detailed Description section below and shown in Figure 6 to Figure

17. This Figure shows the test rig with the mesh fully installed but prior to the

application of the test load.

[0060] Figure 23 is similar to Figure 22 in that it shows the test rig used for applying

a vertical load to a sample section of mesh secured using a trim member according to

the said embodiment; however Figure 23 differs from Figure 22 in that, in Figure 23, the

mesh sample depicted is shown after the test load has been applied but before the point of failure of the mesh sample.

[0061] Figure 24 is similar to Figure 22 and Figure 23 in that it shows the test rig

used for applying a vertical load to a sample section of mesh secured using a trim

member according to the said embodiment; however Figure 24 differs in that the mesh

sample depicted therein is shown after the test load has been applied to the point of

failure of the mesh sample.

[0062] Figure 25 contains a table and chart relating to test data obtained from the

testing (using the test rig depicted in earlier Figures) of different kinds of mesh samples

secured to a gutter rim in different ways. Specifically, the data relates to tests of

different samples of mesh secured to the gutter rim (i) with screws only ("No Trim" in

Figure 25), (ii) with a conventional (prior art) trim ("With Trim" in Figure 25) and (iii) with

a trim member according to the said embodiment shown in Figure 22 to Figure 24

("With Toothed Trim" in Figure 25).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] As mentioned above, Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8 illustrate a length of

gutter mesh installed so as to cover a roof gutter. In these Figures, the mesh has one

edge (the outer edge) secured to the outer rim of the gutter using a trim member in

accordance with an embodiment of the invention, and the mesh has its other (inner)

edge secured to the roof using a profile strip of generally the same kind as described in

the Background section above.

[0064] It is important to note that, in Figure 6, Figure 7 and Figure 8, only a short

length of gutter mesh is shown installed across the open top of only a short section of

roof gutter. At either end in Figure 6 (for example) the roof and gutter both appear to

terminate (i.e. they appear to be cut off) and there appears to be a vertical opening beneath the mesh, between the gutter and the mesh, through which things (debris, vermin, etc) could enter the gutter. However, it will be understood that these Figures are intended purely for illustrative purposes; specifically to illustrate how the improved trim member can be used in installing a section of gutter mesh (and specifically for securing the outer edge of the section of gutter mesh to the rim of the gutter). It will therefore be understood that, in reality, if the roof ends (i.e. at an end of the roof), the section of guttering extending there-beneath typically has an end wall terminating and closing the end of the gutter, and the end edge of the mesh would be secured to the rim of this end wall of the guttering so that there would be no opening for things to enter the gutter beneath the mesh.

[0065] Reference will now be made to the trim member 100 illustrated in Figure 6 to

Figure 17. As can be seen in these Figures, the overall shape of the trim member 100

is similar to (it is basically the same as) the shape of the conventional trim V described

in the Background section above and shown in Figure 4 in particular. Therefore, as

shown Figure 6 to Figure 17, the trim 100 is a generally elongate component having a

long flat upper portion 102 (it is the underside of the upper portion 102 that is shown in

Figure 12). As shown in Figure 6 to Figure 9, the long flat upper portion 102 of the trim

member can be placed so as to extend along on top of the outer rim of the guttering,

over the outer edge of the mesh (i.e. such that the outer edge of the mesh is located

immediately on top of the upper rim of the guttering but immediately below the

underside of the flat upper portion 102 of the trim member). The trim member 100 also

has a lip portion 104 on the outer side of the flat upper portion 102 (it is the inside of the

lip portion 104 that is visible in Figure 12 and Figure 13). The lip portion 104 is curved

down (and therefore oriented differently) relative to the flat upper portion 102

(essentially perpendicular thereto in this embodiment) so that, when the trim member

100 is placed in position as shown in Figure 6 to Figure 9, the lip portion 104 extends over the outer edge of the mesh and slightly down the outside of the guttering (e.g.

sufficiently far to cover up any exposed/sharp/pointy bits along the outer edge of the

mesh). The trim member 100 is then secured in place by screws IV (other kinds of

fasteners could possibly also be used, e.g. nails, bolts, rivets and the like, or even clip

or snap-on arrangements that allow the trim member to clip or snap-on to the rim of the

gutter). For the remainder of this Detailed Description, however, reference will be made

to the embodiment shown in the Figures in which fasteners in the nature of screws or

bolts are used. As shown in Figure 6 to Figure 9, each length of trim member 100 is

held in place by several fasteners IV. These fasteners are inserted through pre-formed

holes 106 in the flat upper portion 102 of the trim member and, when inserted, they

pass through the pre-drilled holes 106, penetrate the mesh and screw into the outer rim

of the gutter.

[0066] It is to be noted that the length of the trim member 100 shown in the Figures

is merely by way of example. The trim member could therefore be provided in a range

of different lengths. Also, like in conventional trims, the spacing between the pre-formed

holes 106 will generally be around 250 mm, although no limitation is to be implied about

this. The number of pre-formed holes 106 that exist in a given trim member 100 will

depend on the length of that trim member. Furthermore, although a length of trim

member 100 will typically have two or more holes, trim members 100 having a very

short length could be provided with only a single hole.

[0067] It is envisaged that the trim member 100 will normally be made from metal

(e.g. steel, aluminium, or the like). However, it remains possible that other materials

could also be used, and in any case the material used is not crucial to the invention.

[0068] As explained in the Background section above, a problem has been identified

with the methods that have previously been used to secure the outer edge of the gutter mesh to the outer rim of the guttering. The problem is, in summary, that if a sufficiently large downward force or load is applied on the mesh, this can cause the mesh to pull or tear around the screws and away from the screws (and to also pull out from between the trim and the gutter rim, if a convention trim is used), such that the screws (and trim if present) remain in place but the outer edge of the mesh becomes separated/detached/unsecured and may fall or be pushed down into the gutter.

[0069] It is thought that the underlying reason for this problem (and the reason why

this can happen) is that, regardless of whether the outer edge of the mesh is secured to

the gutter rim using screws alone or using a conventional trim, it is really only at the

locations of the screws (or in the immediate vicinity thereof) that the mesh is actually

held relative to the gutter rim. Therefore, the mesh only needs to fail at the locations (or

in the vicinity) of the screws in order to pull away from the gutter rim if a sufficient load is

applied to the mesh.

[0070] It is therefore thought that, regardless of what type of mesh is used, it may be

possible for the mesh to be more securely attached to the rim of the gutter, and the size

of the load required to cause the mesh to fail and pull away from the guttering would

likely be increased, if more (or a greater amount) of the outer edge of the mesh could be

secured relative to the gutter rim.

[0071] It is considered that one possible way of causing more of the outer edge of

the mesh to be secured relative to the guttering would be to increase the number of

screws (i.e. the number of screws per unit length of mesh) used to secure the mesh to

the gutter rim (whether the screws are used alone or in combination with a conventional

trim). However, it is thought that this solution, whilst possibly effective (depending on

how many more screws are used per unit length of mesh), is nevertheless very

undesirable as it would significantly increase the number of screws that installers would be required to insert when installing gutter mesh. This would, in turn (and much more significantly), increase installation times, and consequently installation costs. It would also cause far more penetrations of the gutter rim, which may have structural or corrosion implications. As a result, it is thought that it would be much better if a different means for addressing the above problem could be found, which preferably does not significantly increase the time or difficulty of gutter mesh installation.

[0072] It is therefore thought that a means for addressing the problem might lie in

providing, in terms of the particular embodiment presently described, a product 100 for

use in securing gutter mesh to a roof gutter, the product 100 having a first portion 102

which is operable to be placed on top of at least a part of the mesh that is to be secured

to a rim of the gutter, with the mesh located between the first portion 102 and the rim of

the gutter, the product being securable relative to the rim of the gutter by inserting one

or more fasteners IV through the first portion 102, through the mesh and through or into

the rim of the gutter such that, upon insertion of the faster(s) IV thus, the mesh becomes

clamped between the first portion 102 and the rim of the gutter, the product 100 also

having one or more engagers 107 each operable to engage the mesh at a location other

than a location where the mesh is penetrated by a fastener IV whereby when the mesh

is clamped between the first portion 102 and the rim of the gutter, the one or more

engagers 107 engage with the mesh and movement of the mesh relative to the first

portion 102 (at least in a direction towards the inside of the roof gutter) is resisted.

[0073] Thus, in the particular embodiment presently described, the trim member 100

has a number of engagers 107, which in this embodiment take the form of teeth 107

that are punched out of, and bent down relative to, the material of the flat upper portion

102. The teeth 107 of the trim member 100 are visible in all of Figure 6 to Figure 17;

however they can be most clearly seen in the close-up views in Figure 13 to Figure 17.

As can be seen, the teeth in this embodiment are generally triangular, and pointed/angled downward and outward (i.e. they point towards the outside/second portion) so that, once the trim member is installed, if a downward force is applied to the mesh that tends to try and pull or move the mesh away from the rim of the gutter and/or out from between the trim member and the gutter rim, the teeth dig into the mesh (or into the holes that exist in the mesh) to the prevent such movement of the mesh.

[0074] It can also be seen that, in this embodiment, the teeth are arranged in two

rows, with one row closer to (and extending along) the outer edge (nearer the second

portion) of the first portion of the trim member, and with the other row closer to (and

extending along) the inner side of the first portion of the trim member. The spacing and

alignment of the respective teeth in these two rows is also such that, together, the two

rows of teeth form a staggered or zig-zag arrangement of the teeth along the length of

the trim member.

[0075] Turning now to Figure 18 to Figure 24, these all illustrate a test rig used for

applying a vertical test load to sample sections of mesh. See the Brief Description of the

Drawing section above for more details on what each of these respective Figures

shows. Figure 25 then contains a table and a graph relating to test data obtained from

testing performed (using the test rig depicted in Figure 18 to Figure 24) on different

kinds of mesh samples secured to a gutter rim in different ways. Specifically, the data

represented in Figure 25 relates to tests of different samples of mesh secured to the

gutter rim (i) with screws only ("No Trim" in Figure 25), (ii) with a conventional (prior art)

trim ("With Trim" in Figure 25) and (iii) with a trim member according to the said

embodiment shown in Figure 22 to Figure 24 ("With Toothed Trim" in Figure 25).

[0076] As the table and graph in Figure 25 shows, the average and minimum

applied loads required to cause failure of steel 5.4 mm mesh when the mesh was

secured to the gutter rim using a trim member according to the embodiment of the invention described above ("With Toothed Trim" in Figure 25) were 1855 N and 1618N, respectively. In comparison, the average and minimum loads required to cause failure of the same steel 5.4 mm mesh when that mesh was secured using a conventional trim

("With Trim" in Figure 25) were 774 N and 730 N, respectively, and the average and

minimum loads required to cause failure of the same steel 5.4 mm mesh when that

mesh was secured using screws only ("No Trim" in Figure 25) were 458 N and 366 N,

respectively. Accordingly, the results from the tests performed on steel 5.4 mm mesh

clearly show that a much higher (average and minimum) load was required to cause

failure when the mesh was secured to the gutter rim using a trim member in accordance

with the above embodiment of the invention, as compared to prior art methods for

securing the same mesh in place. The table and graph Figure 25 also show that the

same applies to the other forms of mesh tested, namely steel 4 mm mesh, steel 2 mm

mesh and aluminium 0.5 mm mesh. For all of these forms of mesh, the results of the

tests performed clearly show that a much higher (average and minimum) load was

required to cause failure when the mesh was secured to the gutter rim using a trim

member in accordance with the above embodiment of the invention, as compared to

prior art methods for securing the mesh in place.

[0077] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word 'comprising' and its

derivatives including 'comprises' and 'comprise' include each of the stated integers but

does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0078] Reference throughout this specification to 'one embodiment' or 'an

embodiment' means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in

connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present

invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases 'in one embodiment' or 'in an

embodiment' in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all

referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0079] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language

more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the

invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein

described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention

is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the

appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.

Claims (20)

1. A product for use in securing gutter mesh to a roof gutter, the product comprising

an elongate member having a length, the elongate member having a first portion

which is operable to be placed on top of at least a part of the mesh that is to be

secured to a rim of the gutter, with the mesh or said part thereof located between

the first portion and the rim of the gutter, the elongate member being securable

relative to the rim of the gutter by inserting one or more fasteners through the first

portion, through the mesh and through or into the rim of the gutter such that, upon

insertion of the fastener(s), the mesh or said part thereof becomes clamped

between the first portion and the rim of the gutter, the first portion of the product

also having a plurality of engagers each operable to engage the mesh at a location

other than a location where the mesh is penetrated by a fastener whereby when

the mesh or said part thereof is clamped between the first portion and the rim of

the gutter, the one or more engagers engage with the mesh and movement of the

mesh relative to the first portion at least in a direction towards the inside of the roof

gutter is resisted, wherein the plurality of engagers are spaced from each other

and the plurality of engagers extend along the length of the elongate member.

2. The product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portion is operable to be placed

on top of at least part of an edge of the mesh that is to be secured to the rim of the

gutter.

3. The product as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first portion is generally elongate

and can extend along on top of the edge of the mesh that is to be secured to the rim of the gutter.

4. The product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elongate member

also has a second portion the configuration of which is such that, when the first

portion is positioned to extend along on top of the edge of the mesh, the second

portion extends over the edge of the mesh on the outer side of the gutter.

5. The product as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagers

extend or project from an underside of the first portion.

6. The product as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the engagers

insert or hook into openings the mesh.

7. The product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the engagers clip onto

or otherwise engage parts or strands of the mesh between mesh openings.

8. The product as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein, where the

product is secured by two or more fasteners, in between each of the locations

where the product is penetrated by the fasteners there are multiple engagers.

9. The product as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagers

are spaced at regular intervals.

10. The product as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further including pre

formed holes to receive the fasteners.

11. The product as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the engagers

are arranged in multiple rows.

12. The product as claimed in claim 11 wherein the engagers in one row are offset

from the engagers in another row.

13. The product as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the product is

a trim member, the first portion is a long flat upper portion which can be placed so

as to extend along on top of the rim of the gutter, over an outer edge of the mesh

which is to be secured between the flat upper portion and the rim of the gutter, and

the trim member also has a second portion which is a lip portion on the outer side

of the flat upper portion, and the lip portion is curved down or bent or angled relative

to the flat upper portion so that, when the trim member is placed to extend along

on top of the outer edge of the mesh which is to be secured to the rim of the gutter,

the lip portion extends over the outer edge of the mesh.

14. The product as claimed in claim 13, wherein the engagers are teeth that are

pointed so that, after the mesh is positioned with its outer edge aligned relative to

the gutter rim and its inner edge extends over a portion of the roof, and after the

mesh is secured to the gutter rim using the product, if a load is applied on or to the

mesh, the teeth dig into the mesh.

15. The product as claimed in claim 14 wherein, where the product is secured by two

or more fasteners, in between each of the locations where the product is

penetrated by the fasteners there are multiple teeth.

16. The product as claimed in claim 14 or 15, wherein the teeth are spaced at regular

intervals.

17. The product as claimed in any one of claims 14-16, wherein there are multiple rows

of the teeth along some or all of the first portion.

18. The product as claimed in claim 17, wherein where there are multiple rows of the

teeth, the rows cause the teeth to have a staggered formation.

19. A roof gutter having gutter mesh secured to a rim thereof, the gutter mesh being

secured to the roof gutter using the product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to

18, the product being secured to the rim of the gutter by one or more fasteners.

20. A method for installing a gutter mesh on a roof gutter comprising placing a mesh

over a gutter with a part of the mesh being located above an outer edge of the

gutter, positioning a product as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 over the edge

of the gutter such that the part of the mesh is located under a surface of the product

and fastening the product to the edge of the gutter.

2019201699 1/9

Figure 1 II III

IV VI I VIII

IV

Figure 2 VII VI III

IV

V

I

Figure 3 Vb

Va