Patent Application
20230048121
The present invention, a device for cleaning gutters, relates to hand-held tools for removing accumulated debris from gutters, and more particularly to a device that is designed and configured to effectively engage the interior angles of a gutter for a more efficient removal of gutter debris.
Diverting rainwater away from a building, be it a residential building or a commercial building, is desired to prevent possible damage and/or deterioration to a building's foundation, the flooding of a building's basement, and well as hazards associated with the pooling and accumulation of surface water in the immediate proximity of a building. One of the most common methods used to address such rainwater issues is the installation of a gutter and downspout system at a building's roof edge. Unfortunately, leaves, pine needles, twigs, small branches and limbs, dirt, shingle sand material, and such other debris may accumulate within a gutter and thereby negatively impacting the effectiveness of the gutter and downspout system.
Additionally, accumulated debris within a gutter can become compacted over time which makes its removal even more difficult and problematic. A gutter clogged with debris can interrupt the flow of rainwater within the gutter and downspout system which in turn can result with the rainwater flowing over the gutter top and down to those areas immediately adjacent to a building's wall or foundation. Additionally, there is also a possibility that the weight of the rainwater pooled within the gutter may cause the gutter, and also the facia or other surface to which the gutter is attached, to pull away from the building and thereby result in damage to the building at its roof edge due in part to the gutter fasteners failing to release from the gutter or facia surface.
Although various systems and scoop-like devices are currently available to address the problems associated with the accumulation of debris within gutters, limitations to their utilization and effectiveness still exist. Various gutter coverings have been developed which aim to prevent possible debris from entering a gutter all together, but such coverings can be expensive, difficult to install, difficult to adapt to the various sizes of gutters, and perhaps not as effective as may be desired by the building owner. Gutters are manufactured in a variety of sizes and with a variety of internal dimensions and shapes. Additionally, most gutters have braces to maintain the gutter wall integrity and are customarily fastened to a building's roof edge with various types of fasteners such as spikes, ferrules, and clips. These gutter braces and gutter fasteners often interfere with most scoop-like gutter cleaning devices due to the shape, size, and design of such gutter cleaning devices. Another problem often incurred when cleaning gutters is due to shingle overhang at the roof's edge which interferes with accessing a gutter's internal area. Shingle overhang can become even more problematic when new roofing is installed over the current roofing which generally increases the amount of shingle overhang. The shape, size, and design of common garden scoops, as well as the specifically designed scoop-like gutter cleaning devices, often have difficulty in accessing the confined internal area of a gutter or being able to address the internal shape of a gutter's interior to effectively remove gutter debris. Also, the shape and design of the generic garden scoop, and some of the specifically designed scoop-like gutter cleaning devices, are not designed to effectively remove accumulated gutter debris that has become compacted over time.
Accordingly, there remains room for improvement and variation within the art and a need for a simple and effective device for removing debris from gutters.
The present invention is directed to a device for the removal of debris which has accumulated within a gutter and thus interfering with the flow of rainwater within the gutter and generally to a gutter downspout. At least one preferred embodiment for the present invention includes a scoop-like device having appropriately sized opposing first and second angular side walls with each angular side wall having a front sloped portion comprising a plurality of sloped upper edges. The simple design and configuration of the present invention allows for its one-handed use and permits access and maneuverability into and within the confines of the walls of a gutter for the efficient removal of gutter debris while minimizing risk of injury to a user's hand, fingers, and/or knuckles during use. Additionally, the size and the sloped upper edges of the first and second angular side walls of the present invention enables a user to rotate the present invention such that an appropriately sloped upper edge of an angular side wall can engage the interior slope of a gutter wall for a more efficient removal of gutter debris.
Therefore, it is at least one aspect of the present embodiments of the present invention to provide a hand-held device for cleaning gutters which comprises a rectangular bottom, a first angular side wall, a second angular side wall, a vertical trapezoidal rear wall, and an elongated tubular handle that extends outwardly away from the vertical trapezoidal rear wall.
It is a further aspect of at least one of the present embodiments to provide a rectangular bottom which has a beveled front edge, a first bottom edge, a second bottom edge, and a rear bottom edge.
It is another aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the present invention to provide a first angular side wall that extends upward from the first bottom edge of the rectangular bottom at a first outward angle of about 7 degrees. The first angular side wall includes a first sloped upper edge with a first upward angle of about 35 degrees, a second sloped upper edge with a second upward angle of about 25 degrees, a first horizontal upper edge, and a first rear edge.
It is another aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the present invention to provide a second angular side wall that extends upward from the second bottom edge of the rectangular bottom at a second outward angle of about 7 degrees. The second angular side wall includes a third sloped upper edge with a third upward angle of about 35 degrees, a fourth sloped upper edge with a fourth upward angle of about 25 degrees, a second horizontal upper edge, and a second rear edge.
It is still a further aspect for one preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a vertical trapezoidal rear wall that extends perpendicularly upward from the rear bottom edge of the rectangular bottom. The vertical trapezoidal rear wall includes a rear top edge, first and second angled edges that extend outward at first and second outward angles of about 7 degrees.
It is at least one aspect of the present embodiments for the present invention for provide an elongated tubular handle that is centrally upward affixed to, and extends horizontally outward from, the outer surface of the vertical trapezoidal rear wall.
Another aspect of at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a gutter cleaning device with angular side wall that can accommodate, compliment, and engage the interior outward angle of a gutter wall.
It is another aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the present invention to provide a gutter cleaning device with sloped upper edges that can engage a gutter's interior wall angles.
It is a further aspect of at least one of the present embodiments for the present invention to provide a gutter cleaning device with a beveled front edge that can facilitate the removal of compacted or dried gutter debris.
Another aspect of at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a gutter cleaning device that can retain gutter debris within its walls during use and on removal of such debris.
Another aspect of at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention is to provide a gutter cleaning device that provides for one-handed use.
It is still a further aspect for one preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a gutter cleaning device that can easily access the interior of a gutter.
It is another aspect of at least one of the present embodiments of the present invention to provide a gutter cleaning device that provides for maneuverability within the interior walls of a gutter.
It is still a further aspect for one preferred embodiment of the present invention to provide a gutter cleaning device that minimizes injury to a user's hand, fingers, and knuckles.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.
Prior to referring to the drawings, definitions and explanations are offered to assist the reader in understanding this description.
The singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “having”, “including”, “comprises” and/or “comprising” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
In the description of exemplary embodiments, relative terms such as “angled”, “upper”, “lower”, “upward”, “downward”, “forward”, “rearward”, “inward”, “outward”, “left”, “leftward”, “right”, “rightward”, “middle”, “midway”, “contiguous”, “parallel”, “coplanar”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “lateral”, “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, and “back” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “downwardly”, “upwardly”, “inwardly”, “outwardly”, “vertically”, “perpendicularly”) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under the discussion.
In describing specific aspects, components, or elements of the present invention when such aspect, component, or element is referred to herein as being attached, contiguous, connected, coupled, or fastened to another aspect, component, or element, it can be directly attached, contiguous, connected, coupled, or fastened to the to the other aspect, component, or element or intervening elements that may be present. In contrast, when an aspect, component, or element is referred to herein as being directly attached, contiguous, connected, coupled, or fastened to another aspect, component, or element, there are no intervening aspect, components, or elements present. Moreover, although the drawings illustrate connection of some aspects, components, or elements by means of welding, any other connecting, fastening, or bonding means may be used provided such means does not interfere with the operation or structural integrity of the subject device.
Reference will now be made in detail to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, one or more examples of which are set forth below. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the intended invention. Other objects, features, and aspects of the present invention are disclosed in the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of one exemplary embodiment only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention.
In describing the various figures herein, the same reference numbers are used throughout to describe the same aspect, apparatus, component, element, or process pathway as applicable. To avoid redundancy, detailed descriptions of much of the apparatus once described in relation to a figure is not necessarily repeated in the descriptions of subsequent figures, although such apparatus or aspect or component or process is labeled with the same reference numbers.
A device for cleaning gutters according to a preferred embodiment of the present inventions is illustrated in
Referring to
Now referring specifically to
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first sloped upper edge 34 of the first top edge 31 having a first sloped upper edge first end 34A contiguous to the first beveled end 21A and a first sloped upper edge second end 34B. As illustrated in
Continuing to refer to
As shown in
The first rear edge 37 of the first angular side wall 30 for one preferred embodiment of the present invention having a first rear edge upper end 37A contiguous to the first horizontal upper edge second end 36B and a first rear edge lower end 37B contiguous to the first bottom edge second end 22B. The first rear edge extending a first rear edge length of about 2 5/16 inches perpendicularly downward from the first horizontal upper edge second end 36B to the first rear edge lower end 37B.
Now referring specifically to
In a preferred embodiment for the present invention the third sloped upper edge 54 of the second top edge 51 having a third sloped upper edge first end 54A contiguous to the second beveled end 21B and a third sloped upper edge second end 54B. The third sloped upper edge 54 having a third upward angle B1 of about 35 degrees as illustrated in
Continuing to refer to
As shown in
The second rear edge 57 of the second angular side wall 50 for one preferred embodiment of the present invention having a second rear edge upper end 57A contiguous to the second horizontal upper edge second end 56B and a second rear edge lower end 57B contiguous to the second bottom edge second end 23B. The second rear edge 57 extending a second rear edge length of about 2 5/16 inches perpendicularly downward from the second horizontal upper edge second end 56B to the second rear edge lower end 57B. The short lengths of the first and second rear edges 37, 57 for the respective first and second angular side walls 30, 50 result in the present invention having a relatively low height which facilitates the entry and removal of the present invention into the gutter interior space and also increases the maneuverability of the present invention within the constricted confines of a gutter.
Now referring to
The rear top edge 41 of the vertical trapezoidal rear wall having a rear top edge first end 41A, and a rear top edge second end 41B. The rear top edge 41 having rear top edge length of about 3 inches.
The first angled edge 42 of the vertical trapezoidal rear wall 40 having a first angled edge upper end 42A contiguous to the rear top edge first end 41A and a first angled edge lower end 42B contiguous to the rear bottom edge first end 24A. The first angled edge 42 extends a length of about 2 5/16 inches upward at the first outward angle A3 of about 7 degrees, as illustrated in
The second angled edge 43 of the vertical trapezoidal rear wall having a second angled edge upper end 43A contiguous to the rear top edge second end 41B and a second angled edge lower end 43B contiguous to the rear bottom edge second end 24B. The second angled edge 43 extending a length of about 2 5/16 inches upward at the second outward angle B3 of about 7 degrees, as illustrated in
Now referring to
In at least one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a device for cleaning gutters, the unique aspects associated with the size and configuration of components for the present invention, such as but not limited to the angles and lengths disclosed herein for the walls and edges of the present invention, provide a user to the ability to effectively remove debris of various kinds which has accumulated within a gutter.
When using a preferred embodiment of the present invention the overall shape and dimensions of the present invention enables a user to position and maneuver the present invention within the relative tight confines of gutters commonly used to direct the flow of rainwater away from a building. The design and configuration of the present invention also allows a user to maneuver the subject gutter cleaning device around gutter fasteners, gutter braces, and shingle overhang for more effective removal of debris and to avoid injury to hands and fingers when pushing the present invention within and against the gutter walls to collect and remove debris that has accumulated within the gutter. Additionally, the centrally upward position of the elongated tubular handle attached to the outer surface of the vertical trapezoidal rear wall of the present invention provides a means for producing leverage to raise the beveled front edge of the subject gutter cleaning device when removing debris from within a gutter while simultaneously keeping the user's hand in a raised position out of harm's way within the gutter.
During use a preferred embodiment of the present invention is generally pushed within a gutter's interior walls along the gutter's bottom surface. The first and second angular side walls 30, 50 of the present invention having respective first and second outward angles A3, B3, of about 7 degrees are designed and configured to generally compliment the angle of a gutter's interior walls. This aspect of one preferred embodiment of the present invention increases its ability to effectively receive debris into the confines of the present invention for removing debris from a gutter. An additional aspect of the first and second angular side walls in a preferred embodiment of the present invention is the compression of the debris as it is pushed and received into the confines of the present invention during use. The compression of the debris minimizes the likelihood of the debris becoming dislodged and spilling back into the gutter as the present invention and the debris contained therein is removed from the gutter.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the first angular side wall 30 is comprised of the first top edge 31 and the second angular side wall 50 is comprised of the second top edge 51. The first top edge 31 of the first angular side wall 30 includes the first and second sloped upper edges 34, 35 and the second top edge 51 of the second angular side wall 50 includes the third and fourth sloped upper edges 54, 55. Both the first sloped upper edge 34 of the first angular side wall 30 and the third sloped upper edge 54 of the second angular side wall 50 have respective first and third upward angles A1, B1 of about 35 degrees and respective first and third lengths of about 2% inches. Additionally, both the second sloped upper edge 35 of the first angular side wall 30 and the fourth sloped upper edge 55 of the second angular side wall 50 have respective second and fourth upward angles A2, B2 of about 25 degrees and respective second and fourth lengths of about 2⅜ inches. The angles and lengths of the first and second sloped upper edges of the first angular side wall, and also the angles and lengths of the third and fourth sloped upper edges of the second angular side wall, are unique aspects of the present invention that provide a user the ability to rotate the present invention within a gutter's interior walls such that one of the subject sloped upper edges can better engage the interior angle of a gutter for a more effective removal of debris accumulated along a gutter wall.
On certain occasions the accumulated debris may become compacted and/or dried within a gutter's interior walls. The beveled front edge of the rectangular bottom of one preferred embodiment of the present invention many be used in a scrapping or chiseling fashion to dislodge such compacted and/or dried debris for removal.
In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, a device for cleaning gutters, such device is manually manufactured preferably from aluminum sheet metal template pattern having a thickness of about 14 gauge. Now referring to
In another preferred embodiment of the present invention is mechanically manufactured from a length, or lengths, of sheet metal via a sheet metal forming process utilizing punches and/or dies and sheet metal presses wherein a plurality of gutter cleaning device templates are stamped or cut pursuant to a pattern for the present invention from the length, or lengths, of sheet metal. The template is deformed via a sheet forming press which mechanically creates the required angular bends along the appropriate edges by which the first angular side wall 30 having a first outward angle of about 7 degrees is created along the first bottom edge 22 of the rectangular bottom 20 of the present invention, the second angular side wall 50 having a second outward angle of about 7 degrees is created along the second bottom edge 23 of the rectangular bottom 20 of the present invention, and the vertical trapezoidal rear wall 40 is perpendicularly created along the rear bottom edge 24 of the rectangular bottom 20 of the present invention. Subsequently, the first rear edge of the first angular side wall 30 is spot welded to that inner surface 40A of the vertical trapezoidal rear wall 40 being adjacent to the first angled edge 42 of the vertical trapezoidal rear wall 40. Similarly, the second rear edge of the second angular side wall 30 is spot welded to that inner surface 40A of the vertical trapezoidal rear wall 40 being adjacent to the second angled edge 42 of the vertical trapezoidal rear wall 40. Similarly to the manually manufactured present invention, the elongated tubular handle 90 of the present invention that is mechanically manufactured is attached to the outer surface of the vertical trapezoidal rear wall by spot welding, or such other means that provides a secure attachment, and may be manufactured in a hollow tubular configuration or as a solid metal handle. The kind of sheet metal from which the present invention is mechanically manufactured includes aluminum, steel, or tin having a gauge thickness as may be suitable for such sheet metal when used with the sheet metal forming process.
Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged either in whole, or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.
