Abstract: A rain gutter cleaning apparatus for remotely cleaning a house gutter of accumulated leaves and twigs while operating the apparatus from ground level. A clamping device is operated by a cable located within an elongated tubular rod. The angle between the rod and the vertical clamp is adjustable for differences of height between the ground and the rain gutter.

Abstract: A gripping unit includes a generally U-shaped frame fixed to a shaft which is rotatably connected to a manipulator arm. The actuator frame has a pair of spaced apart actuator arms. A generally U-shaped payload frame has a bracket member for attaching to a payload and a pair of payload arms extending from opposite ends of the bracket member. Each payload arm is pivotally coupled to a corresponding one of the actuator arms so that the payload frame is pivotal with respect to the actuator frame about an axis which is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft. A cam mechanism is operable to releasably hold the payload frame in certain orientations. A brake device prevents rotation of the actuator frame about the axis of the shaft.