GUTTER CLEANING DEVICE AND SYSTEM

Abstract

A gutter cleaning system and device for suctioning debris from a gutter mounted on a house or building above ground level for use with a vacuum cleaner and tubular hose extending from the vacuum cleaner comprising a first hollow tubular conduit having a curvilinear shape, a second hollow tubular pipe having a curvature forming a bend of above zero and less than ninety degrees with the second tubular pipe having one open end adapted to be joined to the first hollow tubular conduit and an opposite open end adapted for placement into the gutter to be cleaned and further comprising a manually adjustable locking mechanism and fitting with the locking mechanism and fitting having a first position for interconnecting the first and second pipes to one another at a fixed angular orientation relative to one another and having a second position for disengaging the first and second pipes from one another thereby permitting the angular orientation of the first and second pipes to be manually adjusted into another position to accommodate different gutter/roof configurations.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to a gutter cleaning device and system for removing debris from the gutter(s) mounted on a house or building adjacent the roof line and more particularly to a gutter cleaning system having a suction head assembly which is manually adjustable to maneuver the suction head of the cleaning system to accommodate different gutter/roof configurations such that the gutter(s) can be readily cleaned from ground level by an operator with minimal experience.

Gutters are structures affixed to houses at the roof line having an open top for directing rainfall from the roof into downspouts at selected locations. The presence of gutter(s) also prevents ice formation at the roof line. However, falling leaves and other debris will collect in the gutters and need to be removed at least once a year to prevent the debris from clogging up the gutters and downspouts. Otherwise, the collection of debris in the gutter(s) when saturated with water will, over time, result in roof leakage and roof damage. Gutter(s) are conventionally cleaned by manually removing collected debris from the gutter(s). At present this requires an operator to climb a ladder to access and clean the gutters while standing on the ladder or to climb onto the roof and clean the gutters directly from the roof. In either case since the operator is susceptible to falling from the latter or roof cleaning the gutters in this fashion is inherently dangerous.

Various gutter cleaning systems have been devised to minimize the danger in cleaning the gutter(s). Conventional cleaning systems use either a blower or a household wet/dry vacuum cleaner to enable an operator to manually clean the gutters from ground level thereby avoiding the necessity to climb onto the roof or to climb upon a latter. However, the systems which depend upon blowing debris out from the gutters are not very efficient since some of the debris will invariably be blown back or will be blown onto the roof from where the debris will wash back into the gutter in the next rainfall.

The more effective method of cleaning relies upon the use of a household wet/dry vacuum cleaner to suction debris from the gutter(s). In this arrangement a conventional vacuum cleaner and vacuum hose is used with or without a manifold assembly for removing debris from the gutter(s).

In some of the prior art systems one end of the hose and manifold is manually lifted to the gutter from ground level. U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,098, for example, teaches an arrangement using a household wet/dry vacuum cleaner for suctioning debris from a gutter through a flexible hose and manifold which is raised using a conventional extension pole by an operator to the level of the gutter from ground level. A nozzle is attached to the open end of the manifold which is inserted into the gutter. In another U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,782 the hose is combined with a U-shaped adapter to access the gutter. In yet another U.S. Pat. No. 6,519,809 a cleaning system is described using a standard vacuum cleaner having a flexible hose and a hollow extension handle for accessing the gutters through a gutter head assembly which includes a straight hollow tubular portion, a U shaped bent section extending from the head and a nozzle extending from the U shaped bent section. The nozzle itself has a frusto-conical geometry and an enlarged open end for placement in the gutter. The nozzle extends from the bent section at an inclined angle relative to the straight hollow tubular portion of the head. The entire assembly is raised by the operator using an extension handle until the bent U shaped suction head overhangs the gutter permitting the enlarged open end of the nozzle to be inserted into the gutter. The suction head lies at an inclined position relative to a vertical axis through the gutter so that the nozzle opening lies substantially horizontal to the bottom of the gutter.

All of the known prior art arrangements for cleaning gutters using a household wet/dry vacuum cleaner to suction debris from ground level are unwieldy and difficult to manipulate particularly from ground level and particularly when used by an inexperienced operator such as the homeowner causing the system to operate inefficiently. Moreover, none of the known prior art devices permit the suction head assembly to be maneuvered into the most efficient angular position relative to the gutter to accommodate for different gutter configurations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The gutter cleaning system of the present invention includes a vacuum cleaner and tubular hose extending from the vacuum cleaner in combination with a suction head assembly for suctioning debris from a gutter mounted on a house or building above ground level comprising a first hollow tubular conduit having a curvilinear shape, a second hollow tubular pipe having a curvature forming a bend of above zero and less than ninety degrees with the second tubular pipe having one open end adapted to be joined to the first hollow tubular conduit and an opposite open end adapted for placement into the gutter to be cleaned upon raising the tubular hose and suction head assembly to the level of the gutter and further comprising a manually adjustable locking mechanism and fitting with the locking mechanism and fitting having a first position for interconnecting the first and second pipes to one another at a fixed angular orientation relative to one another and having a second position for disengaging the first and second pipes from one another thereby permitting the angular orientation of the first and second pipes to be manually adjusted into another position.

In another embodiment of the present invention the suction head assembly comprises at least three hollow pipes having a first hollow pipe adapted to be connected to a tubular hose extending from a vacuum cleaner, a second hollow tubular pipe adapted to be connected to the first pipe and a third hollow pipe adapted to be connected to the second pipe with the third pipe having an open end for placement in the gutter and further comprising a first locking mechanism and fitting having one position for interconnecting the first and second pipes to one another at a fixed angular orientation relative to each other and another position for releasing the interconnection and a second locking mechanism and fitting having one position for interconnecting the second and third pipes to one another at a fixed angular orientation relative to each other and another position for releasing the interconnection such that the angular position between the second and third pipes may be adjusted into substantially different angular positions to maneuver the suction head assembly to accommodate different gutter/roof configurations.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the description of the following exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the appended figures of which:

FIG. 1 is an artist rendition, in perspective, of the gutter cleaning device and system of the present invention shown attached to a tubular hose extending from a conventional generic shop vacuum;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of the gutter cleaning system of FIG. 1 with the tubular hose only partially shown;

FIG. 3a is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of FIG. 2 shown rotated counterclockwise, about a vertical axis through the tubular hose, of approximately ninety degrees relative to the position shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3b is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of FIG. 2 shown rotated counterclockwise, about a vertical axis through the tubular hose, of approximately forty five degrees relative to the position shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3c is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of FIG. 2 shown rotated counterclockwise, about a vertical axis through the tubular hose, of approximately one hundred and thirty five degrees relative to the position shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3d is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of FIG. 2 shown rotated counterclockwise, about a vertical axis through the tubular hose, approximately one hundred and eighty degrees relative to the position shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4a is a diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of FIG. 2 shown in a first angular position relative to the floor of a gutter which is only partially shown;

FIG. 4b is another diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of FIG. 2 shown oriented in a second position relative to the floor of a gutter which is only partially shown;

FIG. 4c is yet another diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of FIG. 2 shown oriented with the suction opening facing the floor (bottom) of a gutter which is only partially shown;

FIG. 4d is a further diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of FIG. 2 shown oriented into yet another angular position relative to a gutter which is only partially shown;

FIG. 4e is an even further diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of FIG. 2 shown oriented into yet another position relative to a wall and floor of a gutter which is only partially shown;

FIG. 4f is yet an even further diagrammatic view, in perspective, of the suction head assembly of FIG. 2 shown in yet another angular position relative to the floor and wall of a gutter which is only partially shown;

FIG. 5a is a diagrammatic top view of a preferred locking mechanism 24 and fittings 22, 23 of the present invention for adjustably coupling and uncoupling the ends of the two adjacent pipes 35 and 36 of FIG. 2 with the adjacent pipes 35 and 36 only partially shown;

FIG. 5b is a diagrammatic side view of the locking mechanism 24 and fittings of FIG. 5a with the locking mechanism 24 shown in the unlocked position;

FIG. 5c is a diagrammatic side view of the locking mechanism 24 and fittings 22, 23 of FIG. 5a with the locking mechanism shown in the locked position;

FIG. 6a is a diagrammatic side view similar to FIG. 5b showing a preferred locking mechanism 24′ and fittings 22′, 23′ coupling the ends of the two adjacent pipes 36 and 38 of FIG. 2 with the adjacent pipes 35 and 36 only partially shown and

FIG. 6b is a diagrammatic side view similar to FIG. 6a with the locking mechanism and fittings 22′, 23′ shown in the unlocked position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The gutter cleaning device and system 10 of the present invention is hereinafter described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an artist's rendition of the gutter cleaning system 10 of the present invention comprising a suction head assembly 14, a generic shop vacuum 11 and a hollow elongated flexible or rigid tubular hose 12. The generic shop vacuum 11 used in the gutter cleaning system 10 of the present invention is representative of a conventional vacuum cleaner having an internal vacuum pump (not shown) adapted to be connected to one end of the tubular hose 12 for developing a suction at the opposite end of the tubular hose 12 when the shop cleaner 11 is turned on to actuate the vacuum pump via an electrical switch (not shown) connected to an external source of power (not shown). The suction head assembly 14 has one end connected to the tubular hose 12 and an opposite end for placement in a gutter 30 extending from a building or residential home 32. A conventional extension pole 13 is used to raise the suction head assembly 14 and hose 12 to a height at or above the level of the gutter 30 to enable the suction end 40 of the suction head assembly 14 to be manoeuvred, as explained hereafter, into a desired angular position within the rain gutter 30 to maximize the suction. The extension pole 13, which is not part of the present invention, may be attached in any desired manner to the suction head assembly 14 for lifting the assembly 14 and hose 12 to the position of the gutter 30. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the suction head assembly 14, as shown in FIG. 2, includes a hollow tubular abutment 32 sized to receive the extension pole 13 for permitting an operator 20, as shown in FIG. 1, to readily raise the suction head assembly 14 to the level of the gutter 30.

The suction head assembly 14 as shown in FIG. 2 preferably comprises at least three hollow tubular sections of pipe 35, 36 and 38 with each section of pipe representing a bent tubular cylinder constructed of, for example, PVC plastic. The two tubular cylinders 35 and 36 may, in combination, be represented by a single hollow tubular conduit with a bent U shaped curvature of substantially 180 degrees or may comprise two independent hollow tubular sections of pipe 35 and 36, as is shown in FIG. 2, with each pipe section 35 and 36 having a preferred curvature of substantially ninety degrees. In the preferred arrangement as shown in FIG. 2, the two sections of pipe 35 and 36 are coupled together at a common end 27 by use of compression fittings 22 and 23 and a locking mechanism 24 (as shown in FIG. 5). The compression fittings 22 and 23 are mounted over the pipes 35 and 36 adjacent the common end 27 so that the fittings 22 and 23 are in relative close proximity to one another. The fittings 22 and 23 are interconnected to the locking mechanism 24 through mechanical links 21 and 25 respectively as shown in FIGS. 5a-5c respectively.

The tubular section of pipe 38 is adapted to be connected to the section of pipe 36 at the end thereof opposite the suction end 40 of pipe 38 using a set of compression fittings 22′ and 23′ as is shown in FIG. 2. The compression fittings 22′ and 23′ are interconnected to a locking mechanism 24′ as shown in FIG. 6a-6b respectively. The arrangement between the fittings 22 and 23 and locking mechanism 24 for coupling and uncoupling pipes 35 and 36 may be identical to the arrangement between the fittings 22′ and 23′ and the locking mechanism 24′ for coupling and uncoupling pipes 36 and 38.

The locking mechanism 24 as is shown in FIGS. 5a-5c includes links 21 and 25 which are pivotally interconnected to one other at a common pivot point 41 connected to the lifting handle 26. The links 21 and 25 are separately connected to the compression fittings 22 and 23 at pivot joints 28 and 29 respectively. The locking mechanism 24 may be manually placed in an unlocking or disengaged position as shown in FIG. 5b by lifting the lift handle 26 or may be manually locked into the engaged position shown in FIG. 5c by depressing the lift handle 26. Each section of pipe 35 and 36 has a common end 27 located between the adjacent compression fittings 22 and 23. The open end of each section of pipe 35 and 36 at the common end 27 is cut to form complimentary serrated edges 42 and 43 which will engage or disengage one another upon operation of the locking mechanism 24. The serrated edges 42 and 43 interact and mesh at the common end 27 when the locking mechanism 24 is in the locked position as shown in FIG. 5c and will pull apart from one another when the locking mechanism 24 is in the unlocked position as shown in FIG. 5b. Accordingly, when the locking mechanism 24 is in the engaged position the pipes 35 and 36 lock into a fixed angular orientation relative to one another and when in the disengaged position the pipes 35 and 36 are adjustable.

Likewise compression fittings 22′ and 23′ which are mounted on pipes 36 and 38 as shown in FIG. 2 are in an arrangement with a locking mechanism 24′ as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b for coupling and uncoupling pipes 36 and 38 in a manner substantially identical to the arrangement of compression fittings 22 and 23 and locking mechanism 24 for coupling and uncoupling pipes 35 and 36. The pipes 36 and 38 have a common end 27′ located between adjacent compression fittings 22′ and 23′. The open end of each section of pipe 36 and 38 at the common end 27′ is cut to form complimentary serrated edges 42′ and 43′ similar to the serrated edges 42 and 43 in pipes 35 and 36 respectively. The serrated edges 42′ and 43′ interact and mesh when the locking mechanism 24′ is in the locked position as shown in FIG. 6c and pull apart from one another when the locking mechanism 24′ is in the unlocked position as shown in FIG. 6b.

An operator can adjust the angular orientation of the suction head assembly 14 or suction end 40 of the pipe 38 so as to maneuver the suction head assembly 14 relative to the gutter 30 to a position of maximum efficiency. This may be done by disengaging each locking mechanisms 24 and 24′ and adjusting the relative angular position of pipe 38 in the gutter 30. In this fashion an operator can at any time manually reposition the suction head assembly 14 into a new angular orientation relative to the gutter 30.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention the hollow tubular pipes 35, 36 and 38 are identical to one another in construction as well as in diameter but not in curvature. The pipe 38 should preferably have a curvature of less than ninety degrees relative to the floor or bottom of the gutter 30 which, in general, lies horizontally aligned parallel to ground level. The preferred angular curvature of pipe 38 is preferably at or less than forty five degrees relative to the floor of the gutter 30.

FIGS. 3a-3d show the angular orientation of the suction head assembly 14 at different positions with the suction head assembly 14 rotated counterclockwise about a vertical axis through the tubular hose 12. FIG. 4a-4d shows examples of different orientations of the suction head assembly 14 relative to the position of the gutter 30. This operation may be accomplished by unlocking the locking mechanisms 24 and 24′, changing the position of the suction head assembly 14 and relocking the locking mechanisms 24 and 24′. In this fashion the suction head assembly 14 may be maneuvered to assume an endless number of positions relative to the gutter 30 thereby permitting a wide range of adjustment to accommodate many different gutter/roof configurations.

Variations of the invention described in connection with FIGS. 2-5 include the repositioning of one of the locking mechanisms 24 or 24′ and either compression fittings 22 and 23 or compression fittings 22′ and 23′ to a location between pipe 35 and the tubular hose 12 instead of either between pipes 35 and 36 or between pipes 36 and 38 respectively. In this case the tubular hose 12 should be constructed of a rigid material. However, this arrangement will provide less control over angular orientation between the suction head assembly 14 and the gutter 30 relative to the arrangement in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2.

It should also be understood that the locking mechanism 24 and 24′ may be modified from the arrangement shown in FIGS. 5a-5e and FIGS. 6a-6b by not cutting the pipes at the common ends 27 and 27′ into complimentary serrated edges 42 and 43 and 42′ and 43′ respectively. Instead the diameter at each of the common ends 27 and 27′ of the pipes can vary slightly from one another by tapering the end of one of each pair of pipes 35, 36 and/or 36, 38 so that each pipe will fit within the other at the common ends 27 and 27′ forming an overlap for at least for a short distance thereby permitting the pipes to be drawn into one another upon engaging the locking mechanism 24 and 24′ i.e., when the locking mechanism 24 or 24′ is placed in its engaged position and to disengage from one another when the locking mechanism 24 or 24′ is placed in its unlocked position.

The present invention also contemplates using only one locking mechanism either between pipes 35 and 36 or 36 and 38 respectively.

Claims

1- A gutter cleaning system for suctioning debris from a gutter mounted on a house or building above ground level including a vacuum cleaner and tubular hose extending from the vacuum cleaner in combination with a suction head assembly comprising a first hollow tubular conduit having a curvilinear shape, a second hollow tubular pipe having a curvature forming a bend of above zero and less than ninety degrees with the second tubular pipe having one open end adapted to be joined to the first hollow tubular conduit and an opposite open end adapted for placement into the gutter to be cleaned upon raising the tubular hose and suction head assembly to the level of the gutter and further comprising a manually adjustable locking mechanism and fitting with the locking mechanism and fitting having a first position for interconnecting the first and second pipes to one another at a fixed angular orientation relative to one another and having a second position for disengaging the first and second pipes from one another thereby permitting the angular orientation of the first and second pipes to be manually adjusted into another position.

2- A gutter cleaning system as defined in claim 1 further comprising a third hollow tubular conduit with one end adapted to be connected to the tubular hose extending from the vacuum cleaner and an opposite end adapted to be connected to the first tubular conduit with the third tubular conduit having a curvature which in combination with the curvature of the first tubular conduit forms a curvature of substantially 180 degrees.

3- A gutter cleaning system as defined in claim 2 wherein the curvature of each of said first and third tubular conduits is substantially equal to ninety degrees.

4- A gutter cleaning system as defined in claim 2 wherein the manually adjustable locking mechanism and fitting is located between either the first and second tubular conduits or between the first and third tubular conduits.

5- A gutter cleaning system as defined in claim 4 further comprising at least another manually adjustable locking mechanism and fitting with one manually adjustable locking mechanism and fitting connected between the first and second tubular conduits and with the other manually adjustable locking mechanism and fitting connected between the first and third tubular conduits.

6- A gutter cleaning system as defined in claim 5 wherein said suction head assembly further comprises a hollow tubular abutment sized to receive an extension pole for lifting the tubular hose and suction head assembly from ground level to the level of the gutter.

7- A gutter cleaning system as defined in claim 5 wherein each of the pipes to which the manually adjustable locking mechanism is coupled has an end with a serrated edge in a complimentary arrangement to enable the ends of adjacent pipe to engage and mesh for locking the pipes into a fixed angular orientation relative to one another when the locking mechanism and fitting is placed in a first position and to disengage from one another when the locking mechanism and fitting is unlocked.

8- A gutter cleaning system as defined in claim 7 wherein the fitting for each locking mechanism comprise a pair of compression fittings mounted over the ends of the pipes to be coupled adjacent the serrated edges thereof.

9- A gutter cleaning device forming a suction head assembly for use in a gutter cleaning system including a vacuum cleaner and tubular hose extending from the vacuum cleaner for suctioning debris from a gutter mounted on a house or building above ground level when the suction head assembly is connected to the tubular hose comprising a first hollow tubular conduit having a curvilinear shape, a second hollow tubular pipe having a curvature forming a bend of above zero and less than ninety degrees with the second tubular pipe having one open end adapted to be joined to the first hollow tubular conduit and an opposite open end adapted for placement into the gutter to be cleaned and further comprising a manually adjustable locking mechanism and fitting with the locking mechanism and fitting having a first position for interconnecting the first and second pipes to one another at a fixed angular orientation relative to one another and having a second position for disengaging the first and second pipes from one another thereby permitting the angular orientation of the first and second pipes to be manually adjusted into another position to accommodate different gutter/roof configurations.

10- A gutter cleaning device as claimed in claim 9 further comprising a third hollow tubular conduit with one end adapted to be connected to the tubular hose extending from the vacuum cleaner and an opposite end adapted to be connected to the first tubular conduit with the third tubular conduit having a curvature which in combination with the curvature of the first tubular conduit forms a curvature of substantially 180 degrees.