Patent Publication Number: US-8539633-B1

Title: Gutter applicator

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well known that the outer surfaces of gutters become stained with water marks while also having dirt particles adhere therewith. To date, most modes for cleaning the outer surfaces of gutters include brushes which have difficulty carrying soap and water for washing the dirt and stain from the gutter as is illustrated in Publication No. US2004/0064909 A1. The arrangement here taught requires scrubbing with pressure and a back and forth motion to clean the gutter. 
     It is a primary object of the instant invention to provide means and a method of facilitating the removal of bonded water marks from the gutter face with a minimum of effort. 
     Another object of the invention is the provision of a chemical applicator for the application of the chemical over the outer faces of the gutter. 
     Another object of the invention is the provision of a lightweight applicator which may attach with an extendable handle which allows for easy application of chemical to the gutter face without the need for a ladder. 
     Another object of the invention is the provision of a unitary applicator head which includes fastener members to secure an applicator pad in position. 
     Another object of the invention includes an applicator pad shaped to engage with the applicator in a secure stable invention. 
     Another object of the invention includes a clevis/knuckle connector between the carrier and the pole. 
     Another object of the invention is the provision of an injection molded applicator. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An applicator for applying chemicals onto the exterior surface of a gutter for cleaning and removing water marks and other films. The applicator includes a generally L-shaped carrier having a generally upright wall connected at its lower end with a base wall. A generally rectangular applicator pad which extends over and is engaged with the inner surfaces of the upright walls and base is provided. The pad includes a generally triangular-shaped tab formed along opposed widthwise outer edges and a plurality of holes formed along opposed lengthwise outer edges. The tabs and holes are adapted to engage with securing members carried by the carrier for securing the applicator in position and in engagement with the inner surfaces of the carrier. 
     The applicator pad comprises one of lambs wool or synthetic lambs wool. 
     An applicator for applying chemicals onto an exterior surface of a gutter for removing stains such as water marks. The applicator comprises a generally L-shaped carrier having a generally upright wall and a base wall which extends generally perpendicularly of said upright wall. Each wall has an inner side and a back side. 
     A generally wool-like applicator pad is positioned over and covers the inner sides of the upright and base walls. 
     A clevis member is provided on the back side of the upright wall and includes a pin spaced a selected distance from the back side of the upright wall. 
     A knuckle member having a shaped head including an upper shoulder, a lower shoulder and a pin receiving opening is carried by pole. The knuckle member includes an opening comprising a pair of generally inwardly directed cone-shaped configurations forming a small opening centrally of the knuckle. The pin is adapted to pass through the opening to retain the knuckle a selected distance from the back side of the upright wall. The knuckle and the back side acting to position the knuckle in first, second and third positions. The cone-shaped openings allow the knuckle toggle-type movement. 
     The method of removing water marks from gutters comprising the steps of:
         I. Providing an applicator of generally L-shape with an upright wall contoured to fit an outer face of a gutter and a generally planar base wall contoured to generally fit a lower gutter face;   II. Providing a lambs wool or synthetic lambs wool pad and securing said pad to engage over inner surfaces of the upright and base walls;   III. Applying chemicals to the pad and subsequently moving the head slowly over the gutter outer and lower faces lightly engaging the outer and lower faces with the pad covering the upright and base walls removing the water marks from the gutter.       

     The construction designed to carry out the invention will hereinafter be described, together with other features thereof. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of the following specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings forming a part thereof, wherein an example of the invention is shown and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the applicator of the invention in use. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the L-shaped carrier. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of the carrier in combination with an applicator pad and gutter. 
         FIG. 4  is a side view similar to  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5A  is an exploded top view of the slot. 
         FIG. 5B  is a broken away side view of  FIG. 5A . 
         FIG. 6  is a front view of the carrier. 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of the knuckle. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the knuckle. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the pad. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIG. 1  shows generally the manner of use of the instant applicator  10 . The applicator includes a generally L-shaped carrier  12  supported on pole  14  which is in turn wielded by an operator. Pole  14  may be of fixed length or it may be lengthwise adjustable by any of several known methods. 
     The upper end of pole  14  mounts knuckle  30 , which secures with clevis connector  16 , which is carried by the outer side of upright wall  40  of carrier  12 . (See  FIGS. 2-4  and  7 .) 
     Clevis connector  16 , through pin  22 , engages with knuckle  30  which is supported on pole  14 . (See  FIGS. 1-4 .) 
     The clevis connector comprises spaced extensions  20  which protrude from the outer surface of upright wall  40 . The extensions are adapted to receive pin  22  at a fixed distance from the wall. 
     Knuckle  30  comprises a shaped engaging head  34  and a receiving section  32 . Receiving section  32  comprises an opening adapted to engage with an end of pole  14  in known manner. Engaging head  34  includes a pair of inwardly directed and opposed cone-shaped openings  35  which terminate with a hole at the center of head  34 . The hole is of a size to loosely receive pin  22 . Head  34  is shaped with a generally arcuate forward end arranged between lower shoulder  36  and upper shoulder  38 . 
     The spacing of pin  22  from the back of upright wall  40  is such that when pin  22  is positioned through opening  35 , head  34  is releasably maintained in one of three semi-fixed positions. In a first position, head  34  is generally perpendicular of upright wall  40 . (See  FIG. 4 .) In this position, head  34  may pivot slightly between shoulders  36 ,  38  or about 25%. Movement upwardly is limited by shoulder  38 , engaging wall  40  and movement downwardly is limited by shoulder  36  engaging wall  40 . 
     In a second position, head  34  is in a generally upright position. (See  FIG. 3 .) In the second position, head  34  is pivotal slightly between engagement of shoulder  36  with wall  40  and with knuckles  30  being generally parallel with wall  40 . 
     The third position is the reverse of the second position. In the third position, head  34  may pivot slightly between shoulder  38  and wall  40  with knuckle  30  again being generally parallel with wall  40 . 
     Knuckle  30  is movable between the three positions with the application of pressure in the direction of desired movement. In each of the selected positions, head  34  is releasably retained. 
     The first position is appropriate for use when the gutter being cleaned is in a generally lower position, i.e. even with or slightly above or below the height of the operator. 
     The second position is used when cleaning a gutter which is in an elevated position or well above the height of the operator. 
     The opposed concave openings  35 , in combination with pin  22 , allow a lateral or rocking movement between knuckle  30  and carrier  12  similar to movement allowed by a universal joint or multiple position toggle-type movement. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 2-6 , carrier  12  will be described in detail. The carrier is generally L-shaped having a generally upright wall  40  connected along its lower edge with base wall  42 . Upright wall  40  includes a generally concave section  44  adjacent its upper end and a generally convex section  45  adjacent its lower edge. The area between the concave and convex sections comprises a generally planar surface. This configuration generally conforms with the outer contour of a gutter face as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Minor and obvious changes may be made should the gutter configuration be slightly different. 
     On the outer face and adjacent the outer edge of upright and base walls  40 ,  42  there are provided a plurality of hooks  23 . Hooks  23  are evenly spaced across the outer edges of walls  40  and  42  of carrier  12  and are arranged to extend generally downwardly or away from the outer edges at about a 45% angle. 
     A pair of opposed and inwardly directed slots  46  are formed along the intersection of upright and base walls  40 ,  42 . (See  FIGS. 5A ,  5 B and  6 .) Each slot terminates with a circular opening  47 , as best shown in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the inner walls of slots  46 , to include the circular opening, are formed at an inwardly directed angle of about 15° making the slot larger adjacent the inner side of carrier  12  and smaller adjacent outer side thereof. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 9 , applicator pad  24  is shown. The applicator pad is formed of lambs wool or of synthetic lambs wool. The pad is cut into a generally rectangular shape which is about an 1″ or 1.5″ longer than applicator  10 . Adjacent opposed ends of the applicator pad there are formed a plurality of spaced generally circular holes  26  which extend across the pad. The holes are laterally located to overlie hooks  23 . Generally centrally of and in opposed positions along opposed edges a pair of tabs  28  are formed at a location which overlies the intersections of walls  40 ,  42  along with slots  46 . The tabs are about 1.5″ long adjacent the edge of pad  24  forming an outer end and taper inwardly to form an inner end of only about ¾″. The tabs are about 1″ in length. An opening or cut-out may be formed centrally of the inner ends of tab  28 . 
     In use, pad  24  is laid over the inner faces of walls  40 ,  42 , its ends are bent over the outer edges of the carrier wall and holes  26  are engaged with hooks  23 . Tabs  28  are drawn through slots  46  which engage therewith, locking pad  24  in position adjacent the outer surfaces of walls  40 ,  42 . Knuckle  30  is adjusted to the proper work position, generally position two, the chemical cleaner is applied to pad  24 . At this time the applicator is ready to apply the chemical onto the gutter using only a few light strokes. If desired, the chemical may then be washed away. 
     The chemical cleaner may consist of any all-purpose cleaner/degreaser which is not acid based. 
     It is preferred that the applicator, to include carrier  12 , knuckle  30  and pole  14  be formed of plastic by injection molding. However, any material or combination of materials formed by any known process may be used so long as the strength and weight are within desirable limits. 
     While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been described using specific terms, such description is for illustrative purposes only, and it is to be understood that changes and variations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the following claims.