Debris collector for roof gutter systems

An apparatus for catching debris that includes a collection assembly, the collection assembly including a screen section and a grab rail, the collection assembly capable of moving between a first position and a second position; and a mounting assembly, the mounting assembly including a hinge, the hinge pivotally connecting the mounting assembly to the collection assembly, wherein, when the grab rail is actuated, the collection assembly is moved between the first position and the second position.

BACKGROUND

In a downpour, a clogged roof gutter can send a cascade of water down the side of a house, making canyons of flowerbeds and saturating a home's foundation. Clean gutters protect your siding and landscape plantings and prevent thousands of dollars of damage to a home's foundation. Therefore, it is in a homeowner's best interest to clean gutters of leaves and debris to help prevent damage and to head off expensive water damage repairs to a home.

Gutters should be cleaned at least once a year—twice a year if you have overhanging trees and more often if big storms are regular occurrence in the area of the home. The typical way to clean gutters is time-consuming and potentially dangerous as it entails donning proper cloths and gloves, climbing a ladder with a small plastic scoop in hand and clearing and removing leaves and debris. Afterwards, the gutters and downspouts should be flushed with a garden hose. If climbing ladders is not a task a homeowner can handle, a professional can be hired to do the job at a large expense.

A homeowner can slow clogging by installing gutter covers in the form of mesh screens, clip-on grates, or porous foam. However, these gutter covers also need maintenance, which is also time-consuming and potentially dangerous, at regular intervals to keep them clear.

SUMMARY

The disclosed technology is a debris collector for roof gutters that allows debris to collect and, using a poling tool and a hose from a ground level, the debris collector can be inverted, emptied and cleaned. This saves time, money and avoids the use of a ladder.

In one implementation, an apparatus for catching debris can comprise: a collection assembly, the collection assembly including a screen section and a grab rail, the collection assembly capable of moving between a first position and a second position; and a mounting assembly, the mounting assembly including a hinge, the hinge pivotally connecting the mounting assembly to the collection assembly, wherein, when the grab rail is actuated, the collection assembly is moved between the first position and the second position. In some implementations, the mounting assembly can be fixedly attached to a gutter.

In some implementations, the hinge can include a tee section and a hinge section. In some implementations, the hinge section can be made from a flexible material. In some implementations, the tee section and the mounting assembly can be formed from a solid material. In some implementations, the tee section, the hinge section and the mounting assembly are formed as a single unit during a co-extrusion process.

In some implementations, the collection assembly can include a tee receiver guide for slidably receiving the hinge. In some implementations, the tee receiver guide can include fingers.

In some implementations, the collection assembly can include reinforcing strips. In some implementations, the reinforcing strips can include indents providing spacing for screw position ribs. In some implementations, the screen section can be laid out in a grid pattern. In some implementations, the grab rail can include a catch.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed technology relates to a debris collector for a roof gutter system. Specifically, the debris collector is designed so that debris that normally collects in a gutter system can be trapped within the debris collector. Once debris has collected, the debris collector can be moved from a first position to a second position for removal of the debris from the debris collector, as will be described more fully below.

As shown inFIGS. 1-4, the debris collector10can include a clip assembly12and a basket section16. The clip assembly12and the basket section16can be movably connected to each other with a hinge22. The hinge22allows the debris collector10to move from a first position to a second position, as shown inFIGS. 6 and 7. The first position allows debris to collect within the debris collector10and the second position allows for removal of the debris from the debris collector10.

The basket section16of the debris collector10can include strainer openings20that allow water to flow through the debris collector10but retain any debris that collects within the basket section16. The basket section16of the debris collector10can also include risers18. The risers18allow the basket section16to sit slightly above the bottom106of a roof gutter system100as shown inFIG. 6. The height of the riser18can be chosen so that rain water can freely flow though the strainer openings20of the basket section16while allowing the rain water to freely flow through the roof gutter system100.

The basket section16of the debris collector10can also include a right extension24, a left extension26and a rear extension17. The right extension24and the left extension26can be used for placement of the several debris collectors adjacent to one another within a gutter system, as shown inFIG. 5. The right extension24and the left extension26can also be sloped so that rain water can be directed into the basket section16. The rear extension17can be used for placement of the debris collector10in close proximity to a rear side104of the roof gutter system100.

As shown inFIG. 11, the right extension24, the left extension26and the rear extension17can include score lines30,32,34for customizing and sizing the right extension24, the left extension26and the rear extension17to fit within existing gutter systems.

The debris collector10can also include a lever14. The lever14can be positioned midpoint on the debris collector10, but other configurations are contemplated. The lever14, when actuated, allows the debris collector to be moved from the first position to a second position. The lever14can include an opening14afor receiving a tool (not shown) which can allow a user to rotate the debris collector10from the first position to a second position via the hinge22. In some implementations, the lever14can also include a strengthening rib14bfor adding strength to the lever14.

As shown inFIG. 2, the clip assembly12can include a front lip12a, a top lip12b, a rear lip12cand hooking tabs12d. The clip assembly12can securely retain the debris collector10to the roof gutter system100. That is, as shown inFIG. 6, the clip assembly12can be snap-fitted to a gutter flange102, but other attachment mechanisms are contemplated. In this configuration, the gutter flange102can be firmly seated within the clip assembly12. This configuration also allows the debris collector10to be removable from the gutter system100.

As shown inFIGS. 8-10, the debris collector10can be rotated out of the roof gutter system100for removing the debris from the debris collector. In some implementations, a user can place a hooked or magnetic tip of a poling tool (shown inFIGS. 29-36) into the opening14aof the lever14. Once inserted or magnetically connected, the user can apply downward pressure to the poling tool so that the lever14is moved downwards which in turn causes the basket section16to be rotated out of the gutter system100. Once the debris collector10is placed in an inverted second position most if not all of the debris will fall out of the gutter and down to the ground. If some debris remains within the debris collector10, a stream of a garden hose can be directed into the basket section16for clearing any remaining debris. After the basket section16is cleaned out, the user can push the lever in an upwards direction with the poling tool. This motion causes the basket section16to rotate and allows the basket section16to return to its seated position within the gutter system100.

In some implementations, as shown inFIGS. 12-17, a debris collector110can include a collection assembly111and a mounting assembly113. The collection assembly111and the mounting assembly113can be movably connected to each other with a hinge120. The hinge120allows the debris collector110to move from a first position, shown inFIGS. 12-14, to a second position, shown inFIGS. 15-17. The first position allows debris to collect within the collection assembly111and the second position allows for removal of the debris from collection assembly111.

The hinge120can be constructed from a flexible material and can be fixedly connected to the mounting assembly113or can be integrally formed with the mounting assembly113at one end. The hinge120can also include securing tab136at the other end. The securing tab136is capable of receiving a front edge144bof the collection assembly111. The front edge144bcan be seated and secured within the securing tab136. In some implementations, the front edge144bcan have a downward slant.

The collection assembly111of the debris collector110can also include screen124, e.g. a substantially flat and rectangular-shaped screen, that allows water to flow onto and through the screen124of the debris collector110but retains any debris that collects on a top surface of the screen124. The screen124of the debris collector110can include a back edge144athat rests on a roof shingle114as shown inFIG. 12. The back edge144ais capable of allowing water to flow from a roof surface over the screen124.

The debris collector110can also include a lever117. The lever117can be positioned midpoint on the debris collector110, but other configurations are contemplated. The lever117, when actuated, allows the debris collector110to be moved from the first position to a second position. The lever117can include a pull tab118for receiving a tool (not shown) which can allow a user to rotate the debris collector110from the first position to a second position via the hinge120. In some implementations, the lever117can be attached to the screen124by holders134a,134b.

The mounting assembly113can include an extrusion section116and an attachment ledge140. The mounting assembly113can securely retain the debris collector110to the roof gutter system112. That is, as shown inFIG. 17, the attachment ledge140can be fixedly attached roof gutter system112, e.g., the attachment ledge140can be fixedly attached a gutter flange of the roof gutter system112with screws138, but other attachment mechanisms are contemplated.

In some implementations, the extrusion section116can include a solar panel122, an LED lighting strip126, a drip edge130, a light shield132, strip guides125and hooking rail129.

The solar panel122can be attached to a top surface of the extrusion section116with, e.g., an adhesive or clips, and the LED lighting strip126can be attached to an underside of the top surface of the extrusion section116, e.g. with strip guides125, but other attachment mechanisms are contemplated. The solar panel and the LED lighting strip126can be electrically connected to one another so that the solar panel can power the LEDs127of the LED lighting strip126.

Extending from top surface of the extrusion section116can be drip edge130that allows water to be directed away from the extrusion section116while the light shield132allows light to be directed downwards from the LED lighting strip126. The hooking rail129can be located on a rear side of the extrusion section116. The hooking rail129can be used to secure lighting hooks128, as shown inFIGS. 14 and 23-24or a decorative cover142as shown inFIGS. 19-20. The decorative cover142can be curved so as to cover a front and bottom of the roof gutter system112. The decorative cover142can include flange143which attaches to the hooking rail129as shown inFIGS. 19-20. In some implementations, the decorative cover142can be copper, faux wood or any other decorative design.

As shown inFIGS. 12-17, the debris collector110can be rotated out of the roof gutter system112for removing the debris from the debris collector. In some implementations, a user can place a hooked or magnetic tip of a poling tool (shown inFIGS. 29-36) into the pull tab118of the lever117. Once inserted, the user can apply downward pressure to the poling tool so that the lever117is moved downwards which in turn causes the collection assembly111to be rotated out of the gutter system112. Once the debris collector110is placed in an inverted second position most if not all of the debris will fall out of the gutter and down to the ground. If some debris remains within the debris collector110, a stream of a garden hose can be directed at the collection assembly111for clearing any remaining debris. After the collection assembly111is cleaned out, the user can push the lever117in an upwards direction with the poling tool. This motion causes the collection assembly111to rotate and allows the collection assembly111to return to its seated position covering the gutter system112.

In some implementations, as shown inFIGS. 21-24, an extrusion section216can be installed as a standalone device for adding to the aesthetics of a gutter system212. The extrusion section216can include a solar panel222, an LED lighting strip226, a drip edge230, light shield232, strip guides225, hooking rail229, attachment ledge238, screws240and clips228.

The solar panel222can be attached to a top surface of the extrusion section216and the LED lighting strip226can be attached to an underside of the top surface of the extrusion section216via strip guides225. The solar panel222and the LED lighting strip226can be electrically connected to one another so that the solar panel222can power the LEDs227of the LED lighting strip226. In some implementations, the LED lighting strip226can be electrically connected to a 110V power converter.

Extending from top surface of the extrusion section216can be drip edge230that allows water to be directed away from the extrusion section216while the light shield232allows light to be directed downwards from the LED lighting strip226. On a rear side of the extrusion section216, a hooking rail229can be used to secure hooks for hanging string lights228, as shown inFIG. 23.

In some implementations, as shown inFIGS. 25 and 26, a decorative cover300can include lighting system301, e.g., a LED guide302that attaches a LED lighting strip304, however, other attachment mechanisms are contemplated. The LED guide302and the LED lighting strip304can be positioned on a bottom of the decorative cover300for distributing light. The LED lighting strip304can be powered by a solar panel, as described above, or by a D.C. power converter (not shown) supplied from a 110V power source. In some implementations, as shown inFIGS. 27 and 28, a gutter system310can include a lighting system,311, e.g., a LED guide312that attaches an LED lighting strip314. The LED guide312can be incorporated in the gutter system at time of manufacture or can be adhered to the gutter system310after installation through the use of an adhesive or some other attachment mechanism.

In some implementations, as shown inFIGS. 29-30, a poling tool320can used to rotate a debris collector322from a gutter system324. In use, a tip321of the poling tool320can be inserted into a pull tab323of the debris collector322. Once inserted, a user can apply downward pressure to the poling tool320so that debris collector322is rotated out of the gutter system324into an inverted, cleaning position. Once the debris collector322is placed in the inverted position most if not all of the debris will fall away from the debris collector322and down to the ground. If some debris remains within the debris collector322, a stream of a garden hose can be directed at the debris collector322for clearing any remaining debris. After the debris collector322is cleaned out, the user can push the poling tool320in an upwards direction causing the debris collector322to rotate back to a seated position.

In some implementations, as shown inFIGS. 31-33, a poling tool330is used to rotate a debris collector342from a gutter system340. In use, a tip332of the poling tool330can be inserted a pull tab344of the debris collector342. Once inserted, a user can apply downward pressure to the poling tool330so that debris collector342is rotated out of the gutter system324into an inverted, cleaning position. Once the debris collector342is placed in the inverted position most if not all of the debris will fall away from the debris collector322and down to the ground. In some implementations, the poling tool330can also include a hollow rod331, a cleaning head334with nozzles336and a garden hose attachment338. A garden hose (not shown) can be attached to the garden hose attachment338. If some debris remains on the debris collector342, a water stream from a garden hose can be directed up the hollow rod331to the cleaning head334and out of the nozzles336. The water stream can be directed at a face of the debris collector342for clearing any remaining debris. After the debris collector342is rinsed, the user can push the poling tool330in an upwards direction causing the debris collector342to rotate to its seated position covering the gutter system340. In some implementations, the poling tool330can include a valve for controlling the on/off and the pressure of the water stream.

In some implementations, as shown inFIGS. 34-35, a poling tool350can be used to rotate a debris collector358out of a gutter system356. In use, a magnetic tip352of the poling tool350can be magnetically attracted to a magnetic pull tab354of the debris collector358. Once magnetically secured to one another, a user can apply downward pressure to the poling tool350so that debris collector358is rotated out of the gutter system356into an inverted, cleaning position. Once the debris collector358is placed in the inverted position most if not all of the debris will fall away from the debris collector358and down to the ground. If some debris remains within the debris collector358, a stream of a garden hose can be directed the debris collector358for clearing any remaining debris. After the debris collector358is cleaned out, the user can push the poling tool350in an upwards direction causing the debris collector358to rotate to its seated position. The user can then laterally slide the poling tool to the left or right so that the magnetic attraction between the magnetic tip352and the magnetic pull tab354can be removed.

In some implementations, as shown inFIGS. 36-48, a debris collector402installed on a gutter404can include a collection assembly411and a mounting assembly413. The collection assembly411and the mounting assembly413can be movably connected to each other with a hinge420. The hinge420allows the debris collector402to move from a first position, shown inFIGS. 36-38, to a second position, shown inFIGS. 39-40 and 43. The first position allows debris to collect on a surface of the collection assembly411and the second position allows for removal of the debris from the collection assembly411.

In some implementations, the collection assembly411can be a single unit formed from an injection molding process using polymers, thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers and combinations thereof, e.g., including but not limited to, polyester, polyphenylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyvinyl. In other implementations, the collection assemblies can be made from malleable metallic materials and/or other plastic compositions and components.

The collection assembly411of the debris collector402can include a screen section424, a reinforcement structure427, a front section426and a back edge425.

In some implementations, the screen section424can be laid out in a grid pattern with a top surface of the screen section424being substantially flat and rectangular but other configurations are contemplated. The grid pattern of the screen section424allows water to flow onto and through the screen section424of the debris collector402but retains any debris that collects on a top surface of the screen section424.

The back edge425of the debris collector402is capable of resting on or in close proximity to a roof406, as shown inFIG. 37. In use, the back edge425allows water and debris to flow from a roof surface over the screen section424.

The front section426of the debris collector402can include a grab rail428. The grab rail428can be positioned along the front section426of the collection assembly411, but other configurations are contemplated. The grab rail428, when actuated by a poling tool500, as shown inFIGS. 49-53, acts as a lever and allows the debris collector402to be moved from the first position to the second position and vice versa. In use, a user can rotate the debris collector402from the first position to a second position via the hinge420.

The front section426of the debris collector402can also include a tee receiver guide429for receiving the hinge420. That is, the tee receiver guide429can comprise fingers429a,429bfor slidably receiving a tee section422of the hinge420, shown inFIG. 42and described more fully below.

The reinforcement structure427of the debris collector402can include reinforcement strips427a-d, as shown inFIGS. 40-41. The reinforcement strips427a-dprovide support for the screen section424as the screen section424is capable of receiving large and/or heavy amounts of debris from the roof. The reinforcement strips427a-dcan also include indents431for providing spacing for screw location ribs436, described below.

The mounting assembly413of the debris collector402can include a gutter mounting section430and a hinge mounting section432. The gutter mounting section430can be an L-shaped mount for attaching to a gutter rail of roof gutter405. The gutter mounting section430can securely retain the debris collector402to the roof gutter system405. e.g., with screws positioned in screw location ribs436, but other attachment mechanisms are contemplated, e.g., snap-on components. The hinge mounting section432can project from the gutter mounting section430at one end and can be fixedly attached to the hinge420at the other end.

The hinge420can include a hinge section421and a tee section422. The hinge section421can be constructed from a flexible material, e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer/rubber while the tee section422can be constructed from a solid material e.g., polymers, thermoplastics, thermosets and/or elastomers.

In some implementations, the gutter mounting section430, the hinge mounting section432, the hinge section421and the tee section422can be integrally connected to one another through a co-extrusion process. For example, the gutter mounting section430, the hinge mounting section432, and the tee section422can be constructed from a solid material e.g., polymers, thermoplastics, thermosets, elastomers while the hinge section421can be constructed from a flexible material, e.g., a thermoplastic elastomer/rubber. Other manufacturing processes are contemplated.

To assemble the debris collector402, the tee section422of the hinge420can be slidably received by the tee receiver guide429. Once in place, the debris collector402can be screwably mounted to the gutter404. In some implementations, the collection assembly411can be removed and replaced as needed.

In some implementations, as shown inFIGS. 49-53, a poling tool500can be used to rotate a debris collector402from the gutter404. The poling tool can include a handle502, a hook506and a connector504. In use, the hook506is positioned to inside portion of the grab rail428. A user then can pull down on the poling tool500thereby moving the debris collector402from a first position to a second position. In some implementations, as shown inFIGS. 51-53, the grab rail428can include a catch450for establishing a grab point for the poling tool500.

While presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of the disclosure, numerous changes in the arrangement can be made by those skilled in the art. Such changes are encompassed within the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

The foregoing Detailed Description is to be understood as being in every respect illustrative and exemplary, but not restrictive, and the scope of the disclosed technology disclosed herein is not to be determined from the Detailed Description, but rather from the claims as interpreted according to the full breadth permitted by the patent laws. It is to be understood that the embodiments shown and described herein are only illustrative of the principles of the disclosed technology and that various modifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed technology. Those skilled in the art could implement various other feature combinations without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed technology. Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with specific examples, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to those specific examples and that various other changes, combinations and modifications will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the disclosed technology which is to be determined with reference to the following claims.