Patent Publication Number: US-6209937-B1

Title: Gutter cleaning device

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field 
     This invention concerns gutter cleaning devices which are constructed for attachment to the end of a long pole or other such support and for actuation by a pull cord or the like adapted to extend from the device to near the ground whereby an operator standing on the ground can actuate the device by pulling on the cord. More specifically, the present device utilizes freely pivotal and dangling clamp arms which can be brought together by the operator&#39;s pull on the cord to grasp leaves and other debris in the gutter. The present device further incorporates a specially mounted viewing mirror whereby the target debris in the gutter is kept in the operator&#39;s field of vision even though the device may be moved a considerable lateral distance in an arc such as to reach debris in places spaced along the gutter, without necessitating repositioning of the operator on the ground. 
     2. Prior Art 
     Heretofore, many constructions for gutter cleaners have been proposed as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,720,409; 3,601,835; 4,930,824; 5,288,118; 3,972,552; 4,057,276; 4,196,927; 4,930,820; 4,114,938; 5,727,580; 4,310,940; and 4,319,851. 
     Despite the existence of such an array of patents for gutter cleaning devices which are operated remotely from the ground, none are in common use. Such prior devices have one or more disadvantages including excessive weight, excessive friction between moving parts, clogging of the gripping ends of the arms during operation, lack of a sustained mechanical advantage for the cord pull throughout the cycle of operation, the requirement of the operator standing directly beneath the area being cleaned due to the structure of the device, the need for the operator to walk along while looking up in order to see and grasp debris spaced along the gutter, use of water which adds much weight and wets the user, and inflexibly mounted mirrors that do not afford an optimal view of the target debris as the device is moved in an arc from a substantially vertical posture. 
     Therefore, the primary objective of the present invention is to provide a device to clear gutters of debris, particularly that which can be pinpointed as obstructing the flow of water. It is not intended that the present device be used only for cleaning gutters of all soil, grit, leaves or the like, nor that as much debris as possible shall be removed in a single gripping operation. The present invention has special utility in providing a unique means by which an average homeowner can scan gutters at regular intervals and selectively target problem areas from which debris must be removed for allowing proper water flow, e.g., throughout the fall season when repeated clogging problems arise. The device further permits flexibility in the operator&#39;s standing position such that landscaping features can be preserved, and is capable of removing as much as a bolus of debris or as little as a single leaf. Such debris is easily targeted and held by the device and released at the desired moment and away from sensitive landscape areas. 
     The mechanical advantages inherent in the present design minimize the pull cord tension needed for its gripping operation which would otherwise be added to the weight of the device to be overcome by the supporting arm of the operator. The operator can then easily maintain cord tension by grasping the cord along with the extension pole with the same hand, thus eliminating cord tension as a force affecting the other arm while the device and pole are swung to a desired unloading position. The gripping operation of the device involves only a single hinge or pivot movement and thus affords negligible friction. The upshot is that even petite home owners will be able to keep gutters free of obstructive debris without risking valuable landscaping, without having to perform feats of strength, and without risking perilous heights. The ease of control of the device minimizes the risk to the operator of becoming soiled, splashed, or struck by debris, thus enhancing the convenience and safety of regular use through the problem seasons. 
     The present structure contrasts with heavier and multiple hinged prior devices which require more strength and which require the operator to stand directly under the area being cleared. It further contrasts with motorized and water using devices which are likely to subject the operator to a shower of water and waste and with scraping devices that involve the operator moving about while looking up which poses a hazard both to the operator and to landscaping underfoot. The considerable task of physically controlling these prior devices further discourages their regular use. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention in one of its preferred embodiments is defined as a gutter cleaning device having an operator controlled handle and a cleaning head affixed thereto, wherein the head has an elongated shaft affixed to the handle and has a pair of clamp arms pivotally mounted on the shaft to allow the arms to freely pivot on the shaft and freely dangle in a work plane. Structure is provided to allow the arms and gripping end portions thereon to be moved selectively together and apart in the work plane for easily gripping and releasing gutter debris regardless of the lateral angular orientation of the handle. Also provided is a specially pivotally mounted mirror and a motion resistance mechanism engaging the mirror for attenuating an angular follow of the mirror relative to an adjustment in lateral angular orientation of the handle, thereby maintaining operator focus on the problem debris field. 
     The present device combines the qualities of economy of construction, very light weight, e.g., about one or two pounds or so for the cleaning head, high mechanical advantage, negligible operational friction, self adjusting grasping angle by virtue of the free pivotal mounting of the arms, self adjusting mirror, and easy attachment to a standard extension pole such as commonly used with paint rollers and the like and often already in possession of the average home owner. With the present device it is easy to scan a long area of gutter with the attached mirror from one standing position by sweeping the device in an arc from side to side, i.e., laterally. The use of sparred or toothed gripping arms or tongs facilitates a mechanical advantage which is sustained throughout the grasping operation. The device can be operated easily at a lateral angle for allowing gutter clearing over sensitive landscaping which would prevent a concientious operator from standing on the landscaping directly beneath the area of the gutter needing cleaning. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be further understood from the following description and drawings which are not to scale and wherein certain structural portions are broken away or markedly enlarged for clarity, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a side view of the present device with portions broken away for clarity; 
     FIG. 2 is a view taken along line  2 — 2  of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows of the cleaning head with portions broken away for clarity; 
     FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a clamp arm taken generally along line  3 — 3  of FIG. 2 in the direction of the arrows; 
     FIG. 4 is an elevational view taken along line  4 — 4  of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing an “adjusted lateral angular orientation”, ALAO, of the handle axis and two comparative postures of the mirror; 
     FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line  6 — 6  of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows; 
     FIGS. 7,  7 E,  7 A,  7 B,  7 C, and  7 D are views, partially in section, of various alternative motion resistance structures for the mirror; and 
     FIGS. 8,  8 A,  8 B,  8 C,  8 D and  8 E are views of alternative pivot structures for mounting the clamp arms on the support means or shaft. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings and with particular reference to the claims hereof, the present gutter cleaning device  8  is provided with operator controllable handle means  10  and a cleaning head generally designated  11  and comprising elongated support means  12  having a distal end  14  portion and a proximal end portion  16 , said proximal end portion being affixed to an end portion  18  of said handle means, said support means extending along a support axis  20  oriented at an obtuse angle γ with respect to a longitudinal axis  22  of said handle means, a pair of clamp arms  24 , 26  each having a gripping end portion  28 , 30  respectively and a mounting end portion,  32 ,  34  respectively, cooperating pivot means  36  on said mounting end portions and  38  on said support means for allowing said arms to freely pivot on said support means in a work plane  40  and for allowing said arms and gripping end portions to be moved selectively together or apart in said work plane for gripping or releasing gutter debris  42  regardless of the “lateral angular orientation”, ALAO, of said handle means, said work plane  40  being oriented substantially normal to said support axis  20 , spring means  43  engaging both arms and urging them apart, pull means  44  engaging said arms and accessible to an operator for bringing said arms together, mirror means  46  pivotally mounted on said support means intermediate said end portions thereof and having a reflector surface  48  oriented substantially parallel to said support axis and adapted to face generally downwardly when in use, and motion resistance means  50  engaging said mirror means for attenuating the angular follow of said reflector surface relative to an ALAO of said handle means whereby the angle of reflection does not increase to a point where the target debris is no longer in the operator&#39;s field of vision. 
     The handle means  10 , it will be recognized, can be a conventional paint roller type having a threaded end  52  adapted to threadedly receive a matingly threaded end  54  of an extension pole of any length. The support means  12 , preferably a round shaft, pivotally supports both the clamp arms and the mirror. These arms are of lightweight construction such as conventional kitchen tongs and can be pivotally mounted on  12  by any convenient means. As shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the mounting end portions  32 ,  34  of the arms can be pivoted to each other by a pin  36  mounted thru a pair of stabilizer nibs  53 ,  55  affixed to shaft  12  which provide pin bearings and lateral stability to the arms. A torsion spring  39  having its coil  58  pivotally mounted on journal surface  38  of shaft  12  and having its legs  60 ,  62  sprung against the webs  27 ,  29  of the arm channels urges the arms apart. 
     The pull means  44  preferably comprises a loop segment  68  and main pull cord  70  which should be sufficiently long to reach from a gutter to the hand of an operator standing on the ground. The ends of segment  68  are tied or looped and ferruled at  69  through eyes  71  in levers  72 ,  74  affixed to arms  24 ,  26  respectively. Cord  70  is loosely tied to segment  68  such that it can easily slide along segment  68  when handle  10  and head  11  are moved laterally thru an arc by the operator to view or reach a debris field in the gutter. By the sliding of cord  70  along segment  68 , a more equal pull on the levers and minimum dislocation of vertical dangle of the arms arc are realized. 
     It is particularly noted that the length of the levers is such that an easy pull on cord  70  is sufficient to cause gripping ends  28 , 30  to grip gutter debris with adequate pressure to lift the debris from the gutter, and whereby release of cord  70  will allow spring means  43  to readily separate the arms to release the debris. 
     Mirror means  46  may have a flat or convex reflecting surface  48  on a backing plate  76  which is provided with pivot support members  78 , 80  fixed in position thereon but pivotally mounted on shaft  12 . Collars such as  82  affixed to  12 , e.g., by set screws, prevent sliding of members  78  and  80  along the shaft. 
     The motion resistance means  50  of the type shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 comprises a thin leaf spring or wire spring  84  affixed to shaft  12  and having its lower end  85  extending down loosely between a pair of lugs  86  on plate  76  whereby, as head  11  and shaft  12  are moved thru an arc such as  88  by the operator, the combined inertia of elements  46 ,  78  and  80  will be partially overcome by spring  84  and allow a predetermined angular follow of the mirror. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the ALAO  88 , e.g., about 19°, results in a significantly lesser angular follow,  89  of the mirror, e.g., about 8°. The composition of spring  84  or of any of the other types of motion resistance means discussed below, and their, dimensions, strength and flex characteristics can be selected by those skilled in the art to give the degree of angular follow desired. 
     Referring to FIGS. 7,  7 A,  7 B,  7 C and  7 D, the structural elements which are the same or equivalent to those of FIGS. 1 and 6 are numbered the same. 
     In FIGS. 7 and 7E, a rigid member  64  is affixed at its upper end to shaft  12  and engages at its lower forked end  66  a light coiled spring  65  attached at its ends to members  78  and  80 . Rotation of shaft  12  and member  64  will cause spring  65  and mirror  46  to follow, in a diminished sense, the shaft rotation. 
     In FIG. 7A, the coiled spring  65  is connected to  12  at its upper end and to plate  76  at its lower end. In FIG. 7B one or a pair of spring wires  73  affixed to shaft  12  and plate  76  provide the rotation attenuation. In FIG. 7C, member  64  extends, and spring  65  is positioned above shaft  12 . In FIG. 7D, one or more torsion springs  77  are loosely coiled around and fixed to shaft  12  at one end and fixed at the other end to plate  76 . 
     Referring to FIGS. 8,  8 A,  8 B,  8 C,  8 D and  8 E, the structural elements which are the same or equivalent to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 are numbered the same. 
     In FIGS. 8,  8 A and  8 B, arms  24  and  26  are apertured at their mounting ends to mount on shaft  12  and freely rotate thereon. Torsion spring  39  may be used as in FIGS. 1 and 2 or a curved shaft  79  and compression spring  81  as shown in FIG. 8, or equivalent spring mechanism may be employed. 
     In FIG. 8C, the legs  60 ,  62  of torsion spring  39  are welded, brazed, or otherwise affixed to arms  26 ,  24  and spring  39  is freely rotatable on shaft  12 . The coil  58  of this spring may be given a larger number of turns in order to further stabilize the arms in their pivoting motion on shaft  12 . 
     In FIG. 8D, arms  24 ,  26  of spring steel or the like are affixed to a bearing member  83  preferably of about 0.5 to about one inch in length, which is rotatably mounted on shaft  12  with tolerances which afford good pivotal stability to the arms. In FIG. 8E, the spring steel arms are formed to provide their own integral bearing member  83 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5, head  11  is shown positioned at a LAO of about 45° from vertical  13  with the freely dangling arms properly positioned within a gutter  56 . At this LAO and without the assistance of the present motion resistance means  50 , the reflective surface of the mirror, thru its pivotal mounting on  12 , would lie in a generally horizontal plane  57  whereby the reflective path  59  from the gutter and to the operator&#39;s eye would lie outside of the debris field  61 . With the present motion resistance means  50  however, the reflective path now lies along  63  which initiates, as designed, within the debris field. 
     The invention properly constructed, will allow the operator to assume a position on the ground appropriate to landscaping from which to scan a considerable length of gutter by holding the device via the extension pole above the gutter slightly away from its edge affording a view of the inside of the gutter via the mirror. The mirror, properly suspended with its restraining spring, will afford a downward view, e.g., up to about a 45 degree angle with the extension pole when viewed with a line of sight parallel to the extension pole. This will allow the operator to use the extension pole at an angle from this position both for finding and removing debris. The device is lowered over the debris thus located, the debris and tong or gripping ends being visible in the mirror. The cord is then pulled taut, causing the tongs to grasp the debris. The cord is then clasped by the operator&#39;s hand against the extension pole to maintain tautness. The device is then lifted from the gutter and extended downwind to an appropriate location. Releasing the tautness of the cord will then release the debris. This operation is well within the limits of performance of the average healthy adult. Safety goggles are recommended. It is not advisable for operation by individuals with physical limitations who may encounter problems with neck extension or balance or the like. It is intended that the operator may have to change his position on the ground only infrequently while he is viewing and removing debris and the device can be lowered and a new ground position assumed before continuing operation. This will enhance safety of operation. 
     This invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications will be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.