Abstract:
A filter sphere for preventing debris from entering a downspout of a rain gutter. The filter sphere is a hollow, perforated sphere with a diameter slightly less than the width of a normal rain gutter.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to rain gutters and downspouts, and in particular, to a filtering device for separating debris from rain water. 
   Drains and gutters are used to channel the flow of water from houses and buildings thereby avoiding water damage. The roofs of houses and buildings commonly incorporate rain gutters and eaves troughs with downspouts that collect and redirect rain water, and empty the gutters and troughs through downspouts. 
   Water flow through the gutters and troughs often contain large particles or debris such as leaves, small branches, sediment, and the like, which tend to gather at the downspouts. As the water washes down into the downspouts, the leaves and larger debris can create clogs either over the downspout inlets, and/or within the downspouts themselves. This restricts and even blocks drainage through the downspouts. As backed up water overflows the house/building drainage system water damage may then occur, not only to the drainage system, but to the house or building structure itself. 
   Many types of devices are known in the prior art for preventing rain gutters and downspouts from becoming clogged with leaves and other debris. All of the prior art devices require installation in the drainage system. This involves climbing a ladder and performing roofing/carpentry functions at a dangerous height. While this is within the normal work scope of a professional roofer or carpenter, it is not an easy task for the average homeowner. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a filtering device which is simple to install and effective in filtering debris from rain water. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is a primary object of this invention to provide a device for filtering leaves and debris from the rain fall as it moves through a rain gutter and downspout. The present invention provides a simple filter which is easily installed. The filter of the present invention is a hollow, perforated sphere with a diameter slightly less than the width of a normal rain gutter. 
   These together with other objects of the invention, along with various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a house with a typical rain gutter and downspout. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one embodiment of the gutter filtering device of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the invention placed in a rain gutter. 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the invention placed in a rain view, partly in section. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
   Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, there is shown a house  1  with a roof  2  having a rain gutter  10  installed just below the roof edge  3 . The rain gutter  10  will have one or more downspouts  20 . A typical rain gutter  10  will have a generally flat floor  11  with a rear  12  and a forward  13  wall, said floor, rear and forward walls defining a gutter opening  15 . The gutter rear wall  12  is adjacent a house fascia board or wall  4  immediately below of slightly beneath the roof edge  3 . The forward wall  13  is positioned outside the roof edge  3  and deflects water and debris coming off the roof  2  over the roof edge  3  into the gutter opening  15 . Downspouts  20  are connected to the gutter floor  11 , either at one end  14  or both ends. The downspouts have entries  21  fluidly open to the gutter floor  11 . The gutter floor  11  is typically angled so that water will flow toward the downspout entries  21 . 
   As rain and snow fall onto the house roof  1 , the water therefrom flows into the gutter  10 . The water in the gutter then drains out of the gutter through the downspouts  20 . Debris, such as leaves, pine needles, small branches, twigs, and the like, are washed off of the roof  2  into the gutter  10  and down into and through the downspouts  20 . However, the debris often gathers about the entry  21  to the downspout  20 , clogging the drainage and backing up the water. The result is water overflowing the gutter  10  and draining across the house walls  4  and house foundation  5 , often damaging the house structure itself. 
   It has been common in the prior art to provide mesh filters in gutters  10  and/or mesh caps over downspout entries  21  to prevent clogging. However, the fine gauge of prior art mesh is easily clogged as the openings to pass water are typically small. This defeats the purpose of the mesh filters and caps. Installation of the mesh is also difficult and expensive. 
   The present invention is comprised of a hollow filter sphere  30  having a spherical wall  31  with a plurality of apertures  32  formed therein. The spherical wall  31  is comprised of a water-impervious and weather-resistant material such as a heavy plastic. The apertures  32  are generally round, each aperture preferably having a diameter of one inch or more. The purpose of the filter sphere  30  is to allow smaller debris to pass through, the smaller debris less likely to cause a clog as it enters and passes through the downspout. The filter sphere  30  may have apertures  32  of differing sizes, to enable some debris of differing sizes to pass through. The filter sphere wall  31  may be made from a resilient material allowing the filter sphere  30  to be deformed to fit into rain gutters of varying configurations. The filter sphere  30  preferably has a diameter slightly less than the distance between gutter the rear wall  12  and gutter forward wall  13 , thereby permitting the filter sphere  30  to fit snugly within a gutter opening  15 . The filter sphere diameter is greater than the downspout entry  21 . 
   In operation, the filter sphere  30  is placed into a gutter opening  15 , typically wedging itself between the gutter walls  12 ,  13  and gutter floor  11 . The filter sphere  30  may literally be thrown up and into the gutter opening  15 . The preferred placement of the filter sphere  30  within the gutter opening  15  is between 12 and 18 inches from a gutter end  14 . The downspout entry  21  resultant position would then be between the filter sphere  30  and the gutter end  14 . Optionally, the filter sphere  30  may be placed directly over the downspout entry  21 . However, applicant has found that superior water flow is maintained by positioning the filter sphere away from the downspout entry  21 . The round cross-sectional shape of the filter sphere  30  permits water to flow through and about the filter sphere  30  even as the filter sphere backs up gutter debris. 
   It is understood that the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative of the application. Other embodiments may be readily devised by those skilled in the art which will embody the principles of the invention and fall within the spirit and scope thereof.