US20130139332A1

US20130139332A1 - Device for cleaning a rain gutter

Info

Publication number: US20130139332A1
Application number: US13/687,666
Authority: US
Inventors: Sina Salahshor
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-12-01
Filing date: 2012-11-28
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: CA2797364A1

Abstract

A device for cleaning a rain gutter is provided herein. The device includes an arm assembly with a first end and a second end. The device includes a shaft assembly for extending the arm assembly to the rain gutter, the shaft assembly also having a first end and a second end. The device includes a rotatable locking joint connecting the second end of the shaft assembly with the first end of the arm assembly for setting an angle between the shaft assembly and the arm assembly. The device includes a brush assembly mounted on the second end of the arm assembly, the brush assembly including a brush and a motor, preferably an electric motor for rotating the brush. Structure is provided for mounting the brush to the motor. In use, the motor is actuated to rotate the brush to remove material from the rain gutter.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/565,740, filed Dec. 1, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The described embodiments relate to a device for cleaning a rain gutter.

BACKGROUND

Rain gutters are used to direct rain water from the roof of buildings to a preferred discharge area such as a storm sewer. It is common for leaves, needles and other debris to fall from nearby trees and to get washed down from the roof of a building into the rain gutter. Over time, this collection of leaves, needles and other debris could clog the drainage of the rain gutters. The flow of rain water would then be disrupted and drain along the side of the rain gutter rather than down the rain gutter to a preferred discharge area.
Consequently, rain gutters may require regular cleaning in order function. They are located at the height of the roof and the task of cleaning rain gutters may be cumbersome and potentially dangerous.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Various devices have been disclosed to cover up the gutter to filter out debris while allowing water to flow through. Some of these devices may allow debris eventually to accumulate at the filter which is associated with such rain gutters, and cleaning may still be required. The cleaning of these filter devices are made more difficult by debris clogging up the openings of the grate which is associated with such rain gutters, the filter devices will have to be removed before they can be cleaned. Another shortcoming of some of these filtering devices is it takes very few leaves to redirect the flow of rain water from collecting in the gutter and limiting its use.
Non-limiting examples of U.S. patents directed to devices for cleaning rain gutters include the following:

U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,749, issued Aug. 14, 1973, to J. L. Wilson;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,559, issued Sep. 25, 1979, to B. G. Henson;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,238,866, issued Dec. 16, 1980, to N. D. Taylor;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,940, issued Jan. 19, 1982, to E. L. Moore;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,335, issued Dec. 14, 1982, to W. L. Tapper;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,397, issued Sep. 28 1990, to T. J. Ryan;
U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,070, issued Jan. 25, 2000, to V. V. Poppa;
U.S. Pat. No. 6,185,782, issued Feb. 13, 2000, to I. G. Hall;
U.S. Pat. No. 6,254,153, issued Jul. 13, 200, to V. V. Poppa; and
U.S. Pat. No. 7,926,141, issued Apr. 19, 2011 to Umagination Labs L.P.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to a device for cleaning a rain gutter.
A first broad aspect of the present invention is embodied in a device for cleaning a rain gutter. The device includes an arm assembly with a first end and a second end. The device includes a shaft assembly for extending the arm assembly to the rain gutter, the shaft assembly also having a first end and a second end. The device includes a rotatable locking joint connecting the second end of the shaft assembly with the first end of the arm assembly, the rotatable locking joint being provided for setting an angle between the shaft assembly and the arm assembly. The device includes a brush assembly mounted on the second end of the arm assembly. The brush assembly includes a motor for rotating a brush in the brush assembly. Structure is provided for mounting the brush to the motor. In use, the motor rotates the brush to remove material from the rain gutter.
A second broad aspect of the present invention is embodied in a device for cleaning a rain gutter. The device includes a shaft assembly with a first end and a second end. The device includes a brush assembly mounted on the second end of the shaft assembly. The brush assembly includes a motor for rotating a brush in the brush assembly. Structure is provided for mounting the brush to the motor. In use, the motor rotates the brush to remove material from the rain gutter.

Other Features

By a feature of the first broad aspect of the present invention, the brush comprises a plurality of flexible bristles. By a variant thereof, the plurality of flexible bristles may be characterized by a stiffness sufficient for removing material from the rain gutter, but not of a stiffness which may damage the rain gutter.
By another feature of the first broad aspect of the present invention, the device is equipped to include an electric motor. By a variant thereof, the device is equipped to include a battery for powering the electric motor. By another variant thereof, the device includes a means for recharging the battery.
By another feature of the first broad aspect of the present invention, the device is equipped with at least one guide which may be mounted about the second end of the shaft assembly, for guiding the device along an outer edge of the rain gutter. By a variant thereof, the at least one guide is structured to support the weight of the device along the outer edge of the rain gutter.
By a feature of the second broad aspect of the present invention, the brush comprises a plurality of flexible bristles. By a variant thereof, the plurality of flexible bristles may be characterized by a stiffness sufficient for removing material from the rain gutter, but not of a stiffness which may damage the rain gutter.
By another feature of the second broad aspect of the present invention, the device is equipped to include an electric motor. By a variant thereof, the device is equipped to include a battery for powering the electric motor. By another variant thereof, the device includes a means for recharging the battery.
By another feature of the second broad aspect of the present invention, the device is equipped with a at least one guide which may be mounted about the second end of the shaft assembly, for guiding the device along an outer edge of the rain gutter. By a variant thereof, the at least one guide is structured to support the weight of the device along the outer edge of the rain gutter.
By another feature of the second broad aspect of the present invention, the shaft assembly is extendable and retractable.
The invention in its general form will first be described, and then its implementation in terms of specific embodiments will be detailed with reference to the drawings following hereafter. These embodiments are intended to demonstrate the principle of the invention, and the manner of its implementation. The invention in its broadest sense and more specific forms will then be further described, and defined, in each of the individual claims which conclude this Specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a stylized representation of the use of an embodiment of the device;

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the device;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of an embodiment of the device;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of another embodiment of the device; and

FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the device.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.
Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, one embodiment of the device for cleaning a rain gutter is denoted by general reference number 100.
Generally, in this embodiment, the device 100 includes an arm assembly 12 with a first end 14 and a second end 16. The device also includes a shaft assembly 18 with a first end 21 and a second end 22, the shaft assembly 18 is structured by means of assembly 26 for extending the arm assembly 12 to a rain gutter 110 (see FIG. 1). Consequently, the shaft assembly 18 is both extendable and retractable. The shaft assembly is preferably extendable to about the height of the rain gutters 110 for a house 112 (see FIG. 1), for example about 3.5 meter to about 4 meter. A rotatable joint or rotatable locking joint 24 connects the second end 22 of the shaft assembly 18 with the first end 14 of the arm assembly 12. The rotatable locking joint 24 is structured for setting an angle between the shaft assembly 18 and the arm assembly 12. The angle is manually adjustable by the user of the device, and is generally to an set angle that is comfortable for the user who is holding the first end of the shaft assembly 18 and is operating the device 100 from the ground (see FIG. 1). The angle may be limited in embodiments to a range of motion of about 180 to about 270 degrees rotation with about 1 to about 45 degree intervals of rotation. The range of motion would allow the arm to be moveable or flip from one side to the other.
A brush assembly 28 is mounted on the second end 16 of the arm assembly 12. The brush assembly comprises an electric motor 30 for rotating a brush 20 in the brush assembly 28 that is mounted to the second end 16 of the arm assembly 12. The brush 20 is preferably removably mounted to the electric motor 30 by a suitable means, such as, for example, a nut and washer, or a keyless chuck, or a keyed chuck, or other means known to a skilled person. In operation, the brush 20 is rotated by the electric motor 30 to remove material from the rain gutter. There is no limitation on the direction of motor rotation and it may be selectable by the user by the use of a switch or button (not shown) controlling the direction of motor rotation. It is generally preferable to select a direction of brush rotation that would cause the material removed from the gutter to fall away from the user of the device 100 who is on the ground.
Although not shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, various embodiments of the device 100, may also have a power switch. Also, it is preferable that the device 100 be made of relatively light weight materials. Lighter weight materials may allow for easier operation of the device 100 by users.
The brush 20 is comprised of a plurality of flexible bristles 32. The flexible bristles could be made out of various suitable materials, both natural and synthetic, for example and without limitation: rubber, plastic, and silicone. Various embodiments of the brush 20, include one cluster of flexible bristles, or multiple clusters, preferably spaced evenly in a circular fashion around the center of rotation of the electric motor 30. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the brush 20 is comprised of four clusters of flexible bristles 32 spaced about 90 degrees from each other. The plurality of flexible bristles 32 are characterized by a stiffness which is sufficient for removing material from the rain gutter but which are not so stiff that they cause damage to the rain gutter 110. Depending on the embodiment of the device 100, it is possible to remove or replace the brush 20, so that a worn brush could be replaced, or a different type of brush could be selected.
The device 100 is provided with means to power the electric motor 30. These means can be ordinary 110 volt power from the house, which is accessed by a grounded electric cord namely for providing electricity through an electrical outlet in a manner known to those skilled in the art. On the other hand, the electric motor 30 can be powered by a battery 9. Depending on the embodiment, the battery 9 may be non-removable or removable. The device 100 could further include a means for recharging the battery. Alternatively, the means for recharging the battery may be a separate device and included as part of a kit or system with the device 100. The specifics of batteries, rechargeable batteries, and means for recharging batteries are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. Typically, the capacity of the battery 9 may only have to allow for several minutes of operation since only a few minutes of operation may be required to clean the gutters for a normal house, this could potentially reduce the cost and weight of the battery 9 or the device 100 or both.
Although not shown, the device 100 may be powered by a small gas powered motor as is well known in the art.
An embodiment of the device 100 as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 shows a guide 36 that is mounted about the second end 16 of the shaft assembly 18. The guide 36 is structured for guiding the device along an outer edge of the rain gutter 110. The guide 36 is attached by a means known to those skilled in the art. The guide 36 may be attached about the second end 16 of the shaft assembly 18, or on the arm assembly 12, or attached about the rotatable locking joint 24. In a preferred embodiment, the guide 36 is structured to support the weight or a portion of the weight of the device 100 along the outer edge of the rain gutter 110.
During operation of an embodiment of the device 100, depending on the height of the gutter to reach, the shaft assembly 18 is adjusted so that the device 100 can be placed on the edge of the gutter 110. The guide 36 is designed to fit inside the edge of the gutter and may hang safely from there. Depending on the angle of the rotatable locking joint 24, the brush assembly 28 can be in the front or in the back of the guide 36 from the view of the user of the device 100. While holding the device 100 in place, the electric motor 30 can be started to rotate the brush 20 in either direction depending on the setting of the optional directional switch (not shown). While the electric motor is running, the device 100 can be pushed forward or backward along the gutter by the user, letting the rotating brush 20 clean or remove material such as dirt and leaves from the gutter by the rotating brushing of the brush 20.
A skilled person would understand that in other embodiments, the at least one guide, guide or guides may be mounted on different spots and function in substantially the same manner. For example, there may be two guides where each guide is mounted on either side of the brush, with the brush in the middle and attached to the arm.
An alternative embodiment of the device 100, show in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, comprises a shaft assembly 18 with a first end 21 and a second end 22 and a brush assembly 28 mounted on the second end of 22 the shaft assembly 18. In a further alternative embodiment, the alternative embodiment may further comprise a rotatable joint or rotatable locking joint. The reduction in parts may lead to advantages in ease of production and cost reduction.
The foregoing has constituted a description of specific embodiments showings how the invention may be applied and put into use. These embodiments are only exemplary. The invention in its broadest, and more specific aspects is further described and defined in the claims which follow. These claims, and the language used therein are to be understood in terms of the variants of the invention as described. They are not to be restricted to such variants, but are to be read as covering the full scope of the invention as is implicit within the invention and the disclosure that has been provided herein.
The disclosure herein has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, however, varying modifications thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A device for cleaning a rain gutter, comprising:

an arm assembly with a first end and a second end;

a shaft assembly for extending the arm assembly to the rain gutter, the shaft assembly having a first end and a second end;

a rotatable joint connecting the second end of the shaft assembly with the first end of the arm assembly, for setting an angle between the shaft assembly and the arm assembly; and

a brush assembly mounted on the second end of the arm assembly, the brush assembly comprising:

a motor for rotating a brush; and

structure for mounting the brush to the motor;

whereby, in use the motor rotates the brush to remove material from the rain gutter.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the brush comprises a plurality of flexible bristles.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the plurality of flexible bristles are flexible bristles and are characterized by a stiffness sufficient for removing material from the rain gutter but which have a stiffness which is not damaging to the rain gutter.

4. The device of claims 1, further comprising:

at least one guide for guiding the device along an outer edge of the rain gutter.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the at least one guide is structured to support the weight of the device along the outer edge of the rain gutter.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the at least one guide is mounted about the second end of the shaft assembly.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the motor is an electric motor.

8. The device of claim 7, further comprising:

structure for accommodating a battery for powering the electric motor.

9. The device of claim 8, further comprising:

means for recharging the battery.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the shaft assembly is extendable and retractable.

11. A device for cleaning a rain gutter, comprising:

a shaft assembly with a first end and a second end; and

a brush assembly mounted on the second end of the shaft assembly, the brush assembly comprising:

a motor for rotating a brush; and

structure for mounting the brush to the motor;

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the brush comprises a plurality of flexible bristles.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the plurality of flexible bristles are flexible bristles and are characterized by a stiffness sufficient for removing material from the rain gutter but which have a stiffness which is not damaging to the rain gutter.

14. The device of claim 11, further comprising:

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the at least one guide is structured to support the weight of the device along the outer edge of the rain gutter.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the at least one guide is mounted about the second end of the shaft assembly.

17. The device of claim 11, wherein the motor is an electric motor.

18. The device of claim 17, further comprising:

structure for accommodating a battery for powering the electric motor.

19. The device of claim 18, further comprising:

means for recharging the battery.

20. The device of any one of claims 11, wherein the shaft assembly is extendable and retractable.