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FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to gutter cleaning devices, and more particularly to a water-assisted blower and vacuum attachment for use in gutter cleaning.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Numerous different devices are known for cleaning rain gutters and gutter systems. These include vacuum and pressurized air-type devices typified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,971,098; 4,402,106; 5,586,360; and 6,519,809, and water-pressure and water-delivery-type devices typified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,363,335 and 5,037,028. There are also mechanical gutter cleaning devices such as typified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,319,851; 4,718,613 and 5,855,402. The vacuum-type devices have no provision for washing down the gutter troughs after the leaves and other debris have been removed, the latter done by such methods as scraping, blowing or vacuuming. That is, the vacuum-type devices have no capability of using a water jet to blast loose the accumulated leaf debris in a gutter. On the other hand, the water-type devices have no provision for assuring substantial removal of the debris, whether by blowing or vacuuming of it, once a pressurized water jet is used to dislodge the same.  
         [0003]     There has been a need for a gutter cleaning apparatus that provides sufficient impact force to dislodge and loosen encrusted leaves and other debris found in a roof gutter, while additionally being able to remove such dislodged debris.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention in one aspect provides a curved end elbow-like attachment member operable to connect to an elongated blower and vacuum air conduit to reach elevated gutter areas, coupled with a pressurized water nozzle mounted to the curved end attachment member. The water jet provides sufficient water force to dislodge encrusted leaves and other debris from a gutter, while the blowing (or alternatively the vacuum) capability of the curved end attachment member permits ready blowing (or vacuum) removal of that now-dislodged leaf debris.  
         [0005]     The curved end attachment member can take the form of a plastic extruded or injection molded curved member, capable of attachment at one end to an existing elongated blower or vacuum air conduit, while at the other end having a free operating end, usable for blowing or vacuuming of forced air. Further, the pressurized water jet can take the form of a water conduit connected to the elongated air conduit, as well as to the curved end attachment member. More specifically, the water supply hose can be fastened to both the elongated air conduit as well as the curved end attachment member. That hose can either be mounted internally or externally of the curved end attachment member. Additionally, the pressurized water nozzle for the water supply hose can be mounted at the terminal end of the curved end attachment member, somewhat removed from that terminal end, or even more substantially removed from that terminal end, such that the pressurized water jet can exit through the same conduit as the blowing (or vacuum) air, or can even be mixed with the blowing (or vacuum) air for delivery to the encrusted gutter debris. In the latter case, the blowing air helps to increase the velocity, and hence the blasting and cleaning effect, of the water.  
         [0006]     In an alternate arrangement, the elongated air conduit and the curved end attachment member can be separately fitted with, or integrally formed with, hose grip members, for detachably retaining the hose along the exterior of such air conduit and curved end attachment member. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS I  
       [0007]     The foregoing and other aspects of the present invention are illustrated in the following drawings, in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the curved end attachment member of the present invention;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of a first embodiment of the present invention, depicting the curved end attachment member connected to an elongated air conduit, and the associated water pipe end nozzle;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2   a  is a front perspective view of the upper portion of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2   b  is a rear elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a side elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention, with the upper curved end attachment broken away for better viewing, and depicting the placement for the water jet nozzle;  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  is a rear elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  is another alternate embodiment of the present invention, with the upper curved end section broken away for better viewing, and depicting the internal placement of the water hose and nozzle for the curved end portion;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5   a  is an enlarged section view depicting a sealing grommet for use with a water line;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a rear elevation view of the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side elevation view of an alternate form of attachment for the water conduit to the air conduit; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a cross-section view, taken along lines  8 - 8  in  FIG. 7 , of the alternate attachment structure. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  of the drawings, in which similar elements are depicted by like reference numbers, a curved end elbow-like attachment member is generally denoted by reference numeral  20 . Curved end member  20  is preferably formed of a blow-molded plastic material, such as HDPE (high density polyethylene), and includes a connector end  22  for friction fit engagement with the uppermost end  24  of an elongated blowing or vacuum air conduit  26  (see  FIG. 2 ). Curved end member  20  also includes an elongated central curved section  28  with an operating end  30  terminating in a free end  34 . It will be seen that ribs  32  formed on the exterior surface of central curved segment  28  cooperate to provide rigidity and strength to the curved end attachment member  20 . The curved end member  20  can be formed of other materials, and by other manufacturing methods, for example, by injection-molding.  
         [0020]     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the angle a (defining the angle between the collectively upright alignment of the connector end and beginning of central curved segment  28  versus the alignment of the outermost portion of central segment  28  and free end  30 ) can fall within the range from approximately 90° to 170°, but is preferably approximately 120°. Preferably, the inside diameter of the opening of the free operating end  34  is approximately 2.075 inches, to work with the common commercially available forced air hoses, but it will be understood that other sizes can be readily utilized for end  34 .  
         [0021]     Continuing with  FIG. 2 , there is shown a combination water jet and blowing assembly for cleaning gutters, generally denoted by reference numeral  36 . As seen, connector end  22  of the curved end attachment member  20  connects to an elongated blowing (or vacuum) air conduit  26 , which in turn connects (at its lower end in  FIG. 2 ) to a pressurized air hose  38  leading to a pressurized air source (not shown). Air conduit  26  is preferably made of a suitably strong tubular material, such as a blow-molded or injection molded plastic material, so as to withstand wear and tear, and additionally to provide sufficient rigidity and strength for handling, the latter so as to properly maneuver, at an elevated overhead position within a gutter assembly (not shown), the free operating end  34  of the curved end member  20 .  
         [0022]     Further, a pressurized water hose supply, generally denoted by reference numeral  40 , is mounted to the rear side of the elongated air conduit  26 , and along the back and across the top of the curved end member  20 . More specifically, the water hose assembly  40  includes a water hose segment  42  mounted to the rear of the air conduit  26  and of curved end member  20  by way of retainer means  44 , shown in the drawings as band clamps, and terminating in a water nozzle  46 . The other end of water hose segment  42  includes a positive shut off valve member  48  and a terminal female connector end  50  operable to connect to the male end  52  of the suitable pressurized water supply line  54 . It will be noted that the connectors  44  will preferably be either metal or plastic band clamps, but could also be in the form of plastic or metal wire tie members (not shown). Further, the shut-off valve can take, for example, the form of a rotary type sill cock valve, or a pinch clamp or squeeze valve. The water hose  42  can be formed as a section of common garden hose, or as a section of clear flexible tubing material, or even as a harder, extruded or injection-molded plastic tubular segment.  
         [0023]     In operation, the combination water jet and blowing apparatus assembly  36  is manipulated so that the free operating end  34  of curved end attachment member  20  is placed within a gutter system needing cleaned (not shown). In one aspect, the blowing (or vacuum air) source, via hose  38 , is initiated, whereby either blowing or vacuum air operates through the free end  34  of curved member  20  to remove dislodged leaves and other debris residing in the gutter. Thereafter, once the forced air being supplied by hose  38  is discontinued, the hose shut off member  48  can be activated, whereby pressurized water supplied by line  54  moves through the water hose assembly  40 , and exits in a blasting-type water jet stream exiting from the water nozzle  46 . That water jet operates to dislodge any leaves, debris, shingle fines, and other undesirable material that has accumulated within the gutter. Whereupon, if desired, the pressurized water via line  54  can be discontinued (by turning off the hose shut off  48 ), and the forced air reinitiated through supply line  38 , whereby the remaining debris in the gutter can be removed by forced air operating through free end  34 . It will be understood that either water pressure or forced air can be initiated first, and then the other, separately, or in combination, as desired, and repeated as much as needed.  
         [0024]     It will be understood that, instead of having the tip  56  of water nozzle  46  terminate approximately adjacent the outer terminal ends of the rib  42  of curved member  20  (as seen in  FIGS. 2 and 2   a ), that tip end  56  could alternatively be positioned so as to terminate adjacent the outer free end  34  of curved member  20 . However, the nozzle tip  56  is preferably positioned as shown in  FIG. 2 , to minimize the chance that any significant amount of gutter debris can be potentially jammed into the tip end  56  and thus clog the same.  
         [0025]     In another aspect of the invention, there is depicted in  FIG. 3 a  modified version of the present invention, wherein a combination water jet and forced air apparatus assembly  58  is shown. Common elements in this alternate embodiment relative to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , bear common reference numerals.  
         [0026]     In this embodiment, the curved end attachment member, generally denoted by reference numeral  60 , is slightly modified in that, while otherwise the same as curved end attachment member  20  of the first embodiment, it has a specially-configured, integrally-formed water jet nozzle  62 . More specifically, modified water jet nozzle  62  includes an exteriorly-extending portion  64  having a female connector  66  operable to accept a male connector  68  of the water hose segment  42 . Additionally, there is an internally-extending, angularly-canted water jet nozzle portion  70  having a tip end  72  that points upwardly towards the upper curved interior of curved end attachment member  60 .  
         [0027]     In the operation of modified assembly  58 , instead of having the water jet presented at an exterior location relative to terminal end  34 , the water jet emerges from the interior of modified curved attachment member  60 , via the interiorly-positioned water nozzle  70 , and thus exits through the free operating end  34  (when assembly  58  is being operated in the water jet operation mode). Otherwise, when the shut off valve  48  has been put in the off position, such that water no longer exits through internally positioned nozzle tip end  72 , any forced air supplied via hose  38  operates to blow away (or vacuum up) gutter leaf debris via free operating end  34 , just as done with the first embodiment (of  FIG. 2 ). Alternatively, both the forced air and water jet can be operated simultaneously, whereby the blowing air acts to increase the speed, and hence the delivered pressure of the combined blasting water and air jets, i.e. as a combined high-velocity mixture, to best dislodge and remove the gutter debris.  
         [0028]     It will be seen that one advantage of assembly  58  of this second embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , is that the water hose segment  42  only need be fastened, via band clamp fasteners  44 , to the elongated air conduit  26 . This is because the male end  68  of hose  42  threadably connects to the female end  66  of the water jet nozzle  62 , and is supported thereby. Thus, there is no need to have any band clamp fastener  44  used with hose  42  along the modified curved end attachment member  60 . Further, because the nozzle tip end  72  is internally positioned in curved end  60 , and also substantially remote from the operating end  34 , there is less chance for tip end  72  to be in any direct contact with leaves and other debris deposited in gutters, during normal operation and use.  
         [0029]     Alternatively, it will be understood that, instead of having the water jet nozzle formed as an integral unit with the modified curved end attachment member  60  (per  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), the water jet nozzle  62  could be a completely separate item (not shown) that is inserted into an opening formed in the back side of the modified curved end attachment member  60 , and fastened there in place, such as by suitable gluing or otherwise.  
         [0030]     Turning now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , there is shown yet another modified embodiment of the present invention, generally depicted as combination water jet and forced air apparatus assembly  74 . Again, any structural elements in assembly  74  that are similar to ones used in the prior embodiments  36  and  58 , bear the same reference numerals. Assembly  74  includes a modified curved end attachment member  76  having a rearward facing hose opening  78  through which the water hose segment  48  passes. In that manner, the terminal portion  80  of water hose  42  is located internally within the modified curved end attachment member  76 . A water nozzle  82  is mounted to the outer terminal end  80  of water hose  40 , and is maintained in place via a threaded fastener  84  mounted to the end  34  of modified curved end attachment member  76 . Further, in this embodiment, the nozzle tip  86  is positioned so as to terminate approximately even with the outer free operating end  34  of modified curved attachment member  76 . In this fashion, the water jet emerging from nozzle  82  is positioned as close as possible to the debris in the gutter members being cleaned.  
         [0031]     Again, during operation, when the water jet is turned on, via hose shut off member  48 , the stream of pressurized water exiting water nozzle  82  is presented from the internal end of free end  34 , for blasting gutter debris. Then, when that pressurized water flow has ceased, by turning off the hose shut off  48 , forced air (blowing or vacuum) can be sent through air conduit  26  to exit free operating end  34 , so as to blow away (or vacuum up) the gutter leaf debris. Again, if desired by the end user, both the forced air and pressurized water streams can be operated at the same time.  
         [0032]     If preferred, a sealing grommet member  88  (see  FIG. 5   a ) can be used about water hose segment  42 , as it passes through the hose opening  78  of curved end attachment member  76 , so as to minimize any leakage of forced air about hose  42  at hose opening  78 .  
         [0033]     Again, unlike the first embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , the assembly  74  of this alternate embodiment (see  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) eliminates the need for any additional band clamp members  44  along curved end attachment member  76 , since the water hose terminal section  80  is maintained internally of the curved end attachment member  76 . That is, hose section  80  can be held in place up against the inside of curved end member  20  by numerous methods, i.e. gluing, threaded fasteners, or clamps. In any event, whatever method is so used, the goal is to reliably retain the hose section  80 , and nozzle  82 , in place so as to prevent the pressurized water nozzle  82  from flailing about freely within member  76  during use. Further, if the tubing of hose section  80  is held so as to reside directly against the inner wall of curved end  20 , then hose section  80  will restrict less forced air flow through curved end  20 .  
         [0034]     Turning to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , there is shown an alternate means for attaching the water hose segment  42  to the rear side of the curved end attachment member  20 , and along the curved middle segment  28 . That is, instead of utilizing selectively positioned separate fasteners  44 , such as wire ties or band clamps, for example, outwardly extending, U-channel-type grip elements  86  can be integrally formed with the conduit  26  and the curved end attachment member  20 . Grip elements  86  can be formed to be of such an internal diameter as to readily grip and support, as desired, the water hose segment  42 . In this way, via friction fit by such hose grip elements  86 , the water hose  42  is snugly held in place along the back side of the conduit  26  and along curved end attachment member  20 .

Summary:
A water jet-assisted blowing and vacuum apparatus for cleaning gutters having a curved end attachment member for connection to an elongated air conduit to reach into gutter areas, and a pressurized water nozzle mounted to the air conduit curved end member and oriented to loosen gutter debris adjacent the operating free end of the curved end attachment member. The water nozzle can be mounted internally or externally of the curved end attachment member, as well as positioned so as to be removed from or closely adjacent to the operating end of the curved end attachment member.