Patent ID: 7740296
Filing Date: 2010-06-22
Classification: E04D

Abstract:
1. A gutter cleaning apparatus comprising: a generic extendible, non-conductive pole having male threads at an upper end thereof; a fixed blade having a threaded receptacle that comprises female threads for attaching to the extendible non-conductive pole; said fixed blade having a raised beveled edge located along a top edge thereof that acts as a stop; said fixed blade having a flat surface above the threaded receptacle; said fixed blade having an operating end that comprises a reverse curve or “S” shape extending to a blade tip thereof; said fixed blade having a reinforcing or stiffening ridge located along a center exterior side of the operating end extending proximate to said blade tip; said fixed blade having serrations located at said blade tip of said operating end of the fixed blade to facilitate loosening of hard or caked debris in the bottom of a gutter; a movable blade opposing the fixed blade and attached thereto, said movable blade having a lever arm arranged on an exterior face thereof and at a side of the movable blade opposite an operating end thereof and in proximate line with the generic, extendible nonconductive pole, an opening being arranged in the lever arm near an end distal said exterior face at an outer end of the lever arm to which an actuator rope is attached; said movable blade having hole openings located along of a top edge thereof, said movable blade having a raised beveled edge located between the pair of hole openings that acts as a stop for the movable blade in the biased open position, said movable blade having an operating end that comprises a reverse curve or “S” shape, said operating end of the movable blade comprising a reinforcing and stiffening ridge located at a center exterior side of the “S” shape, said movable blade having serrations located at an edge of the operating end of the movable blade to facilitate loosening of hard or caked debris in the bottom of a gutter, said movable blade having marked or scored trim lines on the exterior side along the blade outer edges to assist in trimming the blade width should it be necessary; a blade fastener comprised of at least one spring-biased hinge located at a top edge and between the fixed and movable blades and attaching the blades together to bias the blades toward an open position; and, a rope connected to the lever arm on the moveable blade such that tension may be applied to the rope to rotate the movable blade around the spring-biased hinge thereby closing the operating end of the movable blade tightly against the operating end of the fixed blade.