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BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to devices and methods for preventing the obstruction of gutters by leaves, pine needles and other debris. 
     Rain gutters provide an effective means for conducting rainwater to a desired location, such as away from the foundation of a home or to a reservoir for collection. Rain gutters however can easily be clogged and rendered ineffective by debris such as leaves and pine needles from trees which are often in close proximity to the home. Even a small handful of debris can block the proper function of a gutter by collecting in the corners and down spouts of rain gutters. 
     A number of devices have been introduced to protect rain gutters from being clogged by debris. However, many of these devices are difficult and time-consuming to install. For example, many gutter protection devices require the installation of clips and the difficult manipulation of rigid screens which can lead to damage to parts of the home such as shingles and eves, as well as injury to the installer. The location of gutters high on rooftops further complicates their installation. In addition, the installer requires a knowledge of the gutter type, size and configuration to determine compatibility with a given gutter protection device. The combination of the difficulty of installation and required knowledge of compatible shields prevents a large fraction of the home owners from using these products. Moreover, many gutter protection devices often slip out of position after installation due to wind, rain or snow, making these devices require repair and maintenance. 
     What is needed in the art therefore is a simple, inexpensive device for keeping gutters from being clogged by debris without requiring complicated installation or maintenance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention overcomes the problems with known gutter protection devices by providing an inexpensive and effective gutter insert that is easily installed within an already mounted rain gutter. The invention does not require complicated brackets, tools or permanently mounted hardware thereby eliminating much of the effort required for maintaining and installing known gutter protection devices, in addition, the gutter inserts of the invention are easily customized to fit a desired length of rain gutter. 
     It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a modular device for keeping a gutter from being clogged by debris, wherein the device comprises a hollow linear member having a first end and a second end, wherein the hollow linear member is perforated and wherein the first end is configured to connect to the second end thereby allowing a plurality of said modular devices to connect to one another end-to-end for placement inside a gutter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is perspective view of a device according to the invention wherein the device is in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a device of according to the invention wherein the device is in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 2A  is a callout showing a connecting means from  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a device according to the invention wherein the device is in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 4  is an end view of a device according to the invention wherein the device is in an open configuration. 
         FIG. 5  is an end view of a device according to the invention wherein the device is in a closed configuration. 
         FIG. 6  is an operational view of a device according to the invention wherein the device is installed within a rain gutter. 
         FIG. 7  is an end view of a device according to the invention wherein the device is inside a rain gutter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1-7  show various embodiments of gutter inserts consistent with principles of the present invention. It should be understood that these embodiments are exemplary only and that various features from the embodiments can be imported into other embodiments while remaining consistent with the principles of the present invention. Like reference characters are used wherever possible throughout the figures. 
     The inventive device relates to a gutter insert for keeping rain gutters and similar devices from being obstructed by debris such as leaves, pine needles, ice, or hail stones, for example. When referring to a gutter, the term “obstructed” or “clogged” means that the flow of water (or other fluid) through the gutter (and/or gutter downspout) is being inhibited by debris by a measurable amount relative to the flow of water through the gutter in the absence of such debris. “Clogging,” or “obstruction” therefore includes debris completely preventing the flow of a fluid through a gutter and/or gutter downspout. The term “gutter” as used herein refers to systems for conducting a fluid to desired location. The term gutter includes, but is not limited to, rain gutters and in-ground trenches, for example. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a gutter insert according to the invention wherein the insert assumes a hinged arrangement such that the device can be closed to produce the hollow linear body depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of the inventive gutter insert comprising a pair of opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  which are perforated along their length. Opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  are connected to one another along edges  102   a  and  102   b  by hinges  103   a - n . The perimeter of the device is formed by outer edges  104   a  and  104   b . Affixed to portions of outer edges  104   a  and  104   b  is a connecting means for holding opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  together. According to the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , this connecting means comprises a plurality of hooks  105   a - n  and loops  106   a - n  which interact and lock the device in a closed configuration when opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  are brought together (see e.g.  FIG. 2A ). It will be understood however that the gutter inserts of the invention may use a single connecting means, or other locking mechanisms such as a slide lock, ball and socket, zip ties, velcro, or a combination thereof, for example. It will also be understood that opposing halve  101   a  and  101   b  may be separate, unhinged pieces wherein the hinges  103   a - n  are replaced with connecting means that enable opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  to be held together to form a hollow linear body such as that depicted in  FIG. 2 . 
     When opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  are closed, the device of the invention forms gutter insert  201  as depicted in  FIG. 2 . Gutter insert  201  has leading end  202  and trailing end.  203 . Leading end  202  and trailing end  203  are configured to interact with one another to allow multiple gutter inserts to be connected end-to-end in a modular fashion. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , leading end  202  comprises a taper or neck for fitting within trailing end  203 . In the closed position, opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  form aperture  204 . Alternatively, leading end  202  may be free of aperture  204  in which case the area occupied by aperture  204  comprises either a perforated wall or non-perforated (i.e. solid) wall. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a side view of half  101   b  with hooks  105   a - n  attached to sidewall  301 . Though not depicted directly, it will be appreciated that half  101   a  comprises an opposing sidewall of the similar or the same proportions as sidewall  301 , but with loops  106   a - n.    
       FIG. 4  depicts an end view of leading end  202  of the gutter insert with opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  in an open configuration. Each of opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  optionally contain on the end of edges  104   a  and  104   b  a pair of indentations  401   a  and  401   b  that form aperture  204  when opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  are closed as depicted in  FIG. 5 . In some aspects of the invention, aperture  204  is larger than the apertures of leading end  202  (and/or the apertures on the neck or taper of leading end  202 ) so as to permit debris to flow through leading end  202  should the smaller apertures become clogged with debris. 
       FIG. 6  depicts an operational view wherein a plurality of gutter inserts  201   a - n  are joined end-to-end in a modular fashion and placed inside gutter  601 . As depicted in  FIG. 6  gutter inserts  201   a - n  are preferably of a size and dimension that permits gutter inserts  201   a - n  to fit inside gutter  601 . Though not essential, the size and dimension of the inventive device preferably permits gutter inserts  201   a - n  to fit snugly inside gutter  601  so as to prevent gutter inserts  201   a - n  from becoming dislodged from gutter  601 . Gutter inserts  201   a - n  may also be of a size and shape wherein the sides of the tubular body do not contact the inner sidewalk of gutter  601 . In such configurations, gutter inserts  201   a - n  still form a hollow conduit through which water (or other liquids) may flow despite debris collecting between the inner sidewalls of gutter  601  and the outside wall of gutter inserts  201   a - n . While the gutter inserts of the invention may comprise any diameter that permits them to be placed within a desired gutter, a non-limiting range for the outside diameter of the gutter inserts is between about 3.25 to 3.5 inches, or greater than 3.25 inches, for example. 
     In their connected configuration, and still referring to  FIG. 6 , gutter inserts  201   a - n  form a series of internal screening portions. That is, when the gutter inserts of the invention are connected end-to-end, leading ends  202  create a plurality of closed, perforated walls that prevent the flow of debris that may pass through the outer wall of gutter inserts  201   a - n  thereby preventing such pass-through debris from collecting at gutter downspout  602 . In addition, apertures  204  may provide an overflow should the small apertures on leading ends  202  become clogged with pass-through debris. 
     In operation, the outer perforated walls of gutter inserts  201   a - n  form a barrier to keep debris from entering the hollow space inside gutter inserts  201   a - n . Should any debris pass through the outer perforated walls of gutter inserts  201   a - n , such debris may be collected by the perforated barrier(s) formed by leading end  202  thereby preventing such pass-through debris from reaching down spout  602 . Thus, the outer walls of gutter inserts  201   a - n  form a first barrier that inhibits debris from entering the inside of the hollow space inside gutter inserts  201   a - n , white the barrier(s) formed by leading end  202  form a second barrier for keeping pass-through debris from reaching down spout  602 . Therefore, when a plurality of gutter inserts  201   a - n  are connected end-to-end, leading ends  202  create a series of internal barriers for capturing any pass-through debris before it can reach down spout  602 . 
     One aspect of the invention concerns the apertures that occupy leading end  202  (including the neck or taper thereof) and the outer walls of opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  (or gutter insert  201  when opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  are closed). It will be appreciated that the size and number of apertures that are selected will depend on the size of the debris that is desired to be blocked. Suitable aperture sizes for the opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b  (and leading end  202 ) include, but are not limited to about ¼ inch to ¾ inch holes. Suitable shapes for such apertures include, but are not limited to, squares; diamonds, ovals, circles, or combinations thereof. Collectively, the apertures may create between about 65%-85% open area, although more or less open area may be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention, provided that such apertures inhibit the passage of debris. 
     The perforations in the outer walls of gutter inserts  201   a - n  (i.e. opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b ) may be of the same size, or different size, as the perforations of leading end  202 . That is, gutter insert  201  (and its individual halves) may have the same open area, more open area or less open area than leading end  202 , per square unit of area. In an aspect of the invention, leading end  202  has smaller perforations than the outer wall of gutter insert  201  (i.e. opposing halves  101   a  and  101   b ) so as to catch debris that passes through the larger holes of the outer wall of gutter insert  201   a - n.    
       FIG. 7  shows an end view of a gutter insert of the invention inside rain gutter  701 . Rain gutter  701  is secured to wall  702  next to roof  703  by nail  704  which passes through spacer  705 . In some aspects of the invention, gutter insert  201  is of a size and dimension to permit it to fit snugly under spacer  705  so as to secure gutter insert  201  inside rain gutter  701 . While depicted with a nail and spacer, the gutter inserts of the invention may be configured to fit snugly under other types of attaching systems that use a cross support member. The gutter inserts of the invention may be of any length that makes it practical to connect a plurality of them together end-to-end so that they can be placed inside a gutter. In some aspects of the invention, the gutter inserts are between about 12 to 24 inches, for example. It should be noted that shorter lengths of the gutter insert may be desirable to create a greater number of internal barriers so that larger amounts of pass-through debris can be collected. The length of gutter insert  201  may of course be shortened by a user by cutting gutter insert  201  to a desired length. 
     Although the gutter insert of the invention has been described as keeping gutters (e.g. rain gutters) from clogging up, it will be appreciated that the gutter inserts of the invention may be used in other systems that are designed for conducting water to a desired location, such as in-ground trenches. Thus, the particular shape, dimensions and rigidity of the gutter insert of the invention may be modified to fit the water conducting system that is desired to be protected from debris. Gutter insert  201  may therefore assume a variety of shapes including, but not limited to, round, square, elliptical or oval-shaped cylinders. 
     The gutter inserts of the invention may be made from any material that permits them to be manufactured and used as disclosed herein. Suitable materials for constructing the gutter insert of the invention include, but are not limited to, plastic, stamped sheet metal, wire, or a combination thereof. While the gutter inserts of the invention are depicted as a pair of opposing halves (to facilitate injection molding, for example), it will be appreciated that gutter insert  201  may be formed as a single continuous unit. 
     Methods of using the presently disclosed gutter insert are also within the scope of the invention. Such methods may be practiced by providing a plurality of gutter inserts and connecting them together end-to-end to form a modular gutter insert, and placing the modular gutter insert inside a rain gutter. As noted above, the gutter inserts of the invention may be modified by having a user cut the gutter insert to a desired length. Thus, it may be desirable to manufacture the gutter insert out of a material such as plastic to permit it to be easily cut by a user by scissors or garden shears, for example.

Summary:
A gutter insert for preventing the clogging of gutters and devices that are used for conducting a fluid to a desired location. The gutter insert can be connected end-to-end to produce a modular gutter insert having a desired length for placement in a gutter or like device. Closed ends on each segment of the modular gutter insert provide a plurality of internal screens for preventing debris from flowing towards downstream gutter downspouts and outlets.