Abstract:
A method and apparatus for maintaining roof gutters from ground level is provided. The assembly includes an air supply coupled with a first pipe section. A receptacle for holding material to be delivered to the gutter is in communication with the first pipe section. A second pipe section extends from the first pipe section and has a dispensing nozzle on the end thereof. The dispensing nozzle is disposed proximate to the gutter or roof. The first pipe section can be manipulated from the ground so that a user standing on the ground can deliver material through the assembly to the gutter or roof.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The instant application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/988,469, filed Nov. 16, 2007, the entire specification of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for maintaining rooftops, gutters or the like from ground level. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
       [0003]    Often, gutters on residential and commercial buildings become blocked with debris, such as leaves, dirt, snow and/or ice. Typically, homeowners and commercial maintenance personnel must access the rooftop gutters by climbing ladders to maintain their gutters by manual cleaning, applying air or water to remove trapped debris, or applying salt or other chemicals for the purpose of melting ice or snow. This presents obvious hazards to individuals that must climb the ladders or scaffolds, particularly in inclement weather. 
         [0004]    Most often, individuals cleaning gutters, in addition to the use of ladders, will build temporary scaffolding to climb on the rooftops to manually remove the debris or accumulated ice and snow. This method is an expensive operation and is difficult during inclement weather. 
         [0005]    Alternatively, the debris, particularly snow and ice is removed by manually placing chemical ice melter onto the rooftop. However, this application is unreliable and not always effective, particularly in multi-level rooftop applications. 
         [0006]    One other method of rooftop debris removal is the delivery of high-pressure water through standard water valves and hoses. These systems function fairly well for delivering water to clear debris, such as dirt or leaves. But, these systems lack any mechanism to apply other substances such as air, salt or other chemicals to the gutter. 
         [0007]    Other devices for rooftop debris removal are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,746,027 and 4,252,183. 
         [0008]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,746,027 shows a device having a flexible sleeve that is inflated to break apart the ice and cause it to flow off the rooftop. 
         [0009]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,183 shows a device that is mounted onto the roof to provide a series of channel members. The channel members are made of a material absorbative of heat for purposes of melting accumulated ice or snow. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    According to one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for dispensing material to a gutter. The apparatus comprises a movement supply. A first pipe section is located in proximity to the ground. A receptacle is in communication with the first pipe section. A second pipe section is coupled with the first pipe section and extends upwardly therefrom. A nozzle is coupled with the second pipe section and is adapted for disposition at a position spaced from the ground. 
         [0011]    According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a method of dispensing material to a gutter comprising providing a movement supply. A first pipe section is provided which is located in proximity to the ground. A receptacle is provided in fluid communication with the first pipe section. A second pipe section is provided and is coupled with the first pipe section. The second pipe section extends upwardly from the first pipe section. A nozzle is provided that is coupled with the second pipe section. The nozzle is adapted for disposition at a position spaced from the ground. The movement supply is energized and material is moved from the receptacle through the first and the second pipe sections through the nozzle at a position spaced from the ground. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a schematic view, partially exploded, showing various alternate embodiments of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0016]      FIG. 1  schematically shows one embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, an apparatus for removing debris from a gutter is generally shown at  10 . The apparatus  10  is intended to be connected to an air supply (not shown) via hookup or connector schematically represented at  12 . The air supply is connected to the hookup  12  which is coupled to a line  14  that is coupled with an actuator  16 . The actuator  16  preferably comprises a trigger valve. 
         [0017]    The air supply preferably comprises an air compressor. The air supply provides the motivating force for moving chemicals through the apparatus  10  to a rooftop gutter (not shown). It will be appreciated that any suitable air compressor or air supply that provides sufficient air to the nozzle  24  may be used in accordance with the present invention. 
         [0018]    The line  14  preferably comprises an air hose of the type typically used in pneumatic operations. Such air hoses may typically be flexible. Preferably, the line  14  may include a quick-connect coupling  12  of the type that is well-known. The quick-connect coupling  12  may be secured between the line  14  and the air supply. 
         [0019]    It will be appreciated, that each of the air compressor, line  14 , quick-connect adaptor, and trigger valve  16  may be of the type that are well-known. It will further be appreciated that any suitable air compressor, line, and trigger valve may be used within the context of the present invention. Additionally, while a trigger valve  16  is preferred, any suitable valve that selectively allows the flow of air may be used. 
         [0020]    The trigger valve  16  is used to selectively control the flow of air through the apparatus  10 . That is, the trigger valve  16  can be activated to an “on” position to allow the flow of air through the apparatus  10 . The trigger valve  16  may preferably be biased to an “off” position that prevents the flow of air therepast. The trigger valve  16  may also be moved between various positions to selectively control the volume of air flowing through the apparatus  10 . 
         [0021]    An output side of the trigger valve  16  may be connected to a first pipe section  18 . In the most preferred embodiment, the first pipe section  18  may comprise a rigid piping section. The piping can be constructed of commercially available rigid piping, such as plastic (for example, PVC) or metal pipes. The section  18  can be constructed by attaching together multiple pipe sections. The pipe section  18  can comprise several sections fixedly secured together such as by the use of glue, in the case of PVC piping, or threaded fittings in the case of metal piping. Alternatively, the pipe section  18  can comprise several sections connected together in a manner that can be released from one another. The first pipe section  18  can also be formed from a single piece. At least a portion of the first pipe section  18  is placed in proximity to the ground or near the ground. Being in proximity to the ground or near the ground means that the apparatus can be used by an operator on the ground without the need to use ladders, scaffoldings or other means to raise a user off of the ground. More particularly, the first pipe section can be moved and the valve  16  can be activated by a user on the ground. A handle or grip  12  may also be secured to the first pipe section  18 . 
         [0022]    A receptacle  20  may be provided and may be in communication with the interior of the first pipe section  18 . The receptacle  20  may comprise a funnel-like receptacle that can be used to hold materials desired to be delivered to the gutter (not shown). For example, the receptacle  20  can hold salt or other ice melting material. As shown, the receptacle  20  may be mounted directly to the first pipe section  18  over top of the pipe section  18  such that the apparatus feeds by gravity. It will be appreciated that other methods of delivering the salt or other desired materials to the gutter may be used within the context of the present invention. For example, a tube (not shown) from the trigger valve  16  may be attached to a plastic pipe on one end, and a receptacle on the other. When the trigger valve  16  is actuated, the air creates a vacuum drawing the salt or other material into the first pipe section  18 . 
         [0023]    Preferably, there is a mechanism (not shown) in  FIG. 1  to close off the communication between the receptacle  20  and the first pipe section  18 . That is, it may be desirable to provide a mechanism that can selectively close off communication between the receptacle  20  and the first pipe section  18  such that if only air is desired to be delivered to the gutter, the receptacle  20  will not provide a port for allowing air to escape the apparatus  10 . Preferably, the mechanism to close off the communication between the receptacle  20  and the first pipe section  18  comprises an on-off valve (not shown). Any suitable valve may be used. 
         [0024]    A second pipe section  22  may be coupled with the first pipe section  18 . The second pipe section  22  can take any suitable configuration. The second pipe section  22  may comprise an adjustable rigid piping system for delivery of material to the gutter. The second pipe section  22  may be made of multiple pipe sections coupled together. The second pipe section  22  can comprise plastic piping, such as, for example, PVC piping or metal piping. Preferably, the pipe sections are releasably coupled. That is, they can be secured for operation and removed for storage, or to adjust the configuration of the second pipe section. 
         [0025]    The second pipe section  22  may be connected to the first pipe section by a suitable connector  21 . For example, the suitable connector  21  may comprise an elbow. Further, the second pipe section  22  may have any number of angles (not shown) or elbows  23  or connections  25  in order to adjust the second pipe section  22  to allow the material to flow from the first pipe section  18  to the gutter. The second pipe section  22  is preferably adjustable to allow the shape of the second pipe section  22  to be adaptable for use in connection with varying application requirements. Also, the vertical portion of the second pipe section  22  may be configured in any manner. It may be angled to allow it to have a shape that advantageously gives an operator leverage when using the apparatus  10 . Further, in each embodiment described herein, a handle (not shown) of the type of handle  17  may be used on the second pipe section  22 . 
         [0026]    A dispensing nozzle  24  may be attached at the end of the second pipe section  22 . Any suitable dispensing nozzle  24  may be used in accordance with the present invention. The dispensing nozzle  24  may be configured to spray a fan pattern of the air into the gutter. Typical dispensing nozzles  24  will allow for coverage of 1 in. to 12 in. width which will accommodate most residential and commercial gutters. Further, it is preferred that the dispensing nozzles  24  be interchangeable. That is, the dispensing nozzles  24  can easily be changed to allow for different fluids passing through the pipes or different material to be dispensed to the gutter or different spray patterns. Any suitable means for allowing interchangeability of the dispensing nozzles  24  may be used. By way of non-limiting example, the dispensing nozzles  24  may be threaded onto the end of the second pipe section  22 . Alternatively, the second pipe section  22  and nozzle may include quick connect features (not shown) as are known, to allow the nozzles  24  to be quickly removed and replaced from the second pipe section  22 . 
         [0027]    Use of the apparatus  10  is as follows. The first pipe section  18  and second pipe section  22  are configured to allow the dispensing nozzle  24  to be placed at an elevation over the gutter. Most preferably, the second pipe section  22  is configured to allow the dispensing nozzle  24  to be positioned over the gutter while the first pipe section  18  is located near the ground. The air compressor is coupled to the line  14  via connection  12 . The line  14  is coupled to the trigger valve  16 . The material to be delivered to the gutter is placed in the receptacle  20 . The on-off valve (not shown) in  FIG. 1  used to close off the receptacle  20  from the first pipe section  18  is opened such that it allows the material in the receptacle  20  to flow by gravity into the first pipe section  18 . The trigger valve  16  is then actuated allowing air from the compressor to be moved through the first pipe section  18  and second pipe section  22  in the direction of the arrows and through the dispensing nozzle  24  and into the gutter or onto the roof. The air carries the material to be dispensed into the gutter, such as salt or other ice melting material. The dispensing nozzle  24  preferably is adjustable so that a pattern can be used to dispense the material over the entire width of the gutter or over a portion of the roof. Because the pipe sections  18 ,  22  are preferably light in weight and maneuverable, the pipe sections  18 ,  22  can be moved during use to allow the dispensing nozzle  24  to be moved over the entire length of the gutter. It will be appreciated that since the line  14  preferably comprises a flexible air hose, this allows the remainder of the apparatus  10  to easily be moved by the operator without the need to move the compressor. Flow of air and the material to be dispensed to the gutter can be stopped by deactivating the trigger valve  16 . 
         [0028]    In certain applications, it is not necessary that the valve between the receptacle  20  and the first pipe section  18  be opened. In such a case, only air will be delivered through the dispensing nozzle  24  to the roof. This may be used, for example, to clean debris, such as dirt or leaves from the gutter. 
         [0029]    It will be appreciated that the system described is described in connection with using air as the motivating force. It will also be appreciated that in addition to or instead of an air compressor, a water source may be coupled with the first pipe section  18  via a suitable connector line. Such an arrangement is shown schematically in  FIG. 3 . Like numbers will be used to identify similar parts throughout the embodiments. This embodiment includes each of the features described above and additionally a water source. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the apparatus  10  includes a water line  40  is coupled to a suitable valve  42 . The valve  42  is in fluid communication with the first pipe section  18 . The valve  42  is moveable between an on position to allow water to flow from the line  40  into the first pipe section  18  and an off position which prevents water flow from the water line  40  into the first pipe section  18 . 
         [0030]    In this embodiment, water and air and can be delivered to the gutter through the pipe sections  18 ,  22  and dispensing nozzle  24 . This, in essence, creates a high pressure water spray. Further, other materials, such as salt or cleaning chemicals, may be placed in the receptacle  20  that can be delivered to the gutter by using the water and air system. It will be appreciated that in the apparatus  10  air or water may be used together or individually to provide the motivating force for fluid flow through the apparatus  10 . Accordingly, the movement supply may include a water supply, an air supply, or a combination thereof. 
         [0031]    The water line  40  may be of any type. By way of non-limiting example, the water line can comprise a garden hose that is connected at one end to a water supply (not shown). Alternatively, the water line can comprise a high pressure water line that is connected to a high pressure water supply, such as a pressure washer. Further, valve  42  may comprise any suitable valve. By way of non-limiting example, the valve may comprise an on-off valve such as a globe valve. Alternatively, the valve  42  may comprise a trigger valve. The trigger valve  42  is used to selectively control the flow of water through the apparatus  10 . That is, the trigger valve  42  can be activated to an “on” position to allow the flow of water through the apparatus  10 . The trigger valve  42  may preferably be biased to an “off” position that prevents the flow of water therepast. The trigger valve  42  may also be moved between various positions to selectively control the volume of water flowing through the apparatus  10 . It will be appreciated that any suitable water line  40  and valve  42  may be used within the context of the present invention. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows another alternate embodiment of the present invention. Like numbers will be used to identify similar parts throughout the embodiments. In the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 2 , an apparatus  10 ′ is shown schematically. The apparatus includes a movement supply comprising a suitable motor, such as a drill motor  30 . The drill motor  30  may comprise either a standard AC or DC drill motor. It is most preferred that the drill motor comprise a DC motor capable of operation with batteries. The drill motor  30  includes a trigger actuator  32 . The drill motor  30  includes a standard key or keyless chuck. It will be appreciated that any suitable motor may be used. 
         [0033]    The first pipe section  18  includes a conveyor  34 . Preferably, the conveyor  34  comprises a screw conveyor including an end  36  that may be received in the chuck of the drill motor  30 . A funnel-like receptacle  20  of the type disclosed above is in communication with the interior of the first pipe section  18 , as set forth in connection with the embodiment described above. 
         [0034]    Similarly, second pipe section  22  and dispensing nozzle  24  are as set forth in connection with the embodiments described above. The conveyor  34  is also disposed in the second pipe section  22 . The conveyor  34  may be required to comprise various sections that co-act, in a known manner, to allow for bends or the like. 
         [0035]    The screw conveyor  34  moves the material to be dispensed to the gutter, such as, for example, salt or other ice melting material, through the first pipe section  18 . The material to be dispensed to the gutter then exits into the second pipe section  22  and is pushed by the screw conveyor  34  through the dispensing nozzle  24  and into the gutter. Thus, the drill motor rotates causing rotation of the screw conveyor  34  which pushes the material to be dispensed such as salt through the first pipe section  18  and the second pipe section  22  and out the dispensing nozzle  24 . 
         [0036]    Use of the apparatus  10 ′ is as follows. The first pipe section  18  and second pipe section  22  are configured to allow the dispensing nozzle  24  to be placed at an elevation over the gutter. Most preferably, the second pipe section  22  is configured to allow the dispensing nozzle  24  to be positioned over the gutter or roof section while the first pipe section  18  is located near the ground. The drill motor  30  is connected to end  36  of the screw conveyor  34 . The material to be delivered to the gutter is placed in the receptacle  20 . Any mechanism used to close off the receptacle  20  from the first pipe section  18  is open such that it allows the material in the receptacle  20  to flow by gravity into the first pipe section  18 . The trigger actuator  32  of the drill motor  30  is then depressed causing the drill motor to rotate. This movement in turn causes the screw conveyor  34  to rotate. Rotation of the screw conveyor causes movement of the material to be delivered to the gutter to move in the direction of the arrows shown in FIG.  2 . Continued movement of the material through the first pipe section  18  and the second pipe section  22  forces the material to be dispensed into the gutter through the dispensing nozzle  24 . 
         [0037]    Because the pipe sections  18 ,  22  are preferably light in weight and maneuverable, the pipe sections  18 ,  22  can be moved during use to allow the dispensing nozzle  24  to be moved over the entire length of the gutter. Flow of the material to be dispensed to the gutter can be stopped by deactivating the trigger actuator  32  on the drill motor  30 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 4  shows a schematic view, partially exploded, showing various alternate arrangements of the present invention. 
         [0039]      FIG. 4  shows several of the same components identified in the embodiments above. Accordingly, like numbers will be used to identify like components throughout the various embodiments. As shown in  FIG. 4 , there may be an air hookup or connector  12  coupled with line  14 . Line  14  is coupled to air flow valve  16 . Air flow valve  16  is coupled with a first pipe section  18 . 
         [0040]    A water line  40  may be coupled to the first pipe section  18  via a valve  42 . A receptacle, or dispensing funnel  20 , may also be coupled to the first pipe section  18  via valve  21 . The first pipe section  18  terminates at coupling  19 . 
         [0041]    A second pipe section generally indicated at  22 ′ is coupled with the first pipe section  18  at the coupling  19 . The second pipe section  22 ′ comprises multiple pipe segments  22   a ,  22   b . The pipe segment  22   a  is coupled to the first pipe section  18  via the coupling  19 . The pipe segment  22   a  may include an elbow  21   a . The pipe segment  22   a  may terminate at a coupling  23 ′. Another pipe segment  22   b  may be coupled to the segment  22   a  via a coupling  23 ′. Preferably, the second pipe segment  22   b  includes an elbow or 90° angle  23 . The pipe segment  22   b  may terminate at a coupling  25 . 
         [0042]    Intermediate pipe segments  22   c  may be added between the pipe segments  22   a  and  22   b . Specifically, a pipe segment  22   c  may be connected via a coupling  23 ′ to the pipe segment  22   a . The intermediate pipe segment  22   c  includes another coupling  23   a  at one end thereof. The pipe segment  22   b  may then be connected to the intermediate pipe segment  22   c  via the coupling  23   a . It will be appreciated that any number of intermediate pipe segments  22   c  may be used within the context of the present invention. Furthermore, coupling  23 ′ may comprise a straight coupling or may be angled in any manner. The use of one or more intermediate pipe segments  22   c  allows one to reach different heights spaced from the ground. 
         [0043]    A terminal segment  22   d  may also be added the end of the second segment  22   b . The terminal section  22   d  may be used to extend the horizontal reach of the assembly. The terminal section  22   d  may include a coupling  27  on the end thereof. 
         [0044]    The coupling  25  on the segment  22   b  or the coupling  27  on the segment  22   d  may also be used to connect the pipe section  22  with any of a various interchangeable nozzles or tips  24   a - 24   e . Several alternative nozzles are shown. Nozzle  24   a  is a standard nozzle for delivering air, water, material or a combination of these to the gutter or roof top. Nozzle  24   b  is a fan nozzle for dispensing air, water, material or a combination in a fan pattern to gutters and downspouts. Nozzle  24   c  is a tip for a high-pressure spray. Nozzle  24   d  is a nozzle that may include a brush for delivering material and for washing and/or scrubbing high areas that are out of reach. Nozzle  24   e  is an angled nozzle for delivering material at a different angle. 
         [0045]    Also shown in  FIG. 4  is an alternate arrangement where the upper pipe segment  22  is replaced with a high-pressure connection. That is, a pipe section  30  is coupled to the first pipe section  18  at the coupling  19 . A high-pressure tip  24   c  is placed on the end of the pipe segment  30 . In this manner, the assembly can be used to deliver material to items near the ground, such as for use as a high-pressure washer. 
         [0046]    By allowing the interchangeability of nozzles and pipe segments, the apparatus has increased versatility. While the high-pressure tip  24   c  is shown on the pipe segment  30 , it will be appreciated that any of the nozzles  24   a - 24   e  may be used on pipe segment  30 . 
         [0047]    It will be appreciated that, while in some embodiments, salt may be placed in the receptacle  20 , any material may be placed in the receptacle within the context of the present invention. For example, for cleaning windows or other surfaces, the dispenser  20  may include soap or other cleaning materials. Further, while the embodiments are often discussed as delivery material to a gutter or roof top, the embodiments may also be configured to deliver material to areas located a distance, or spaced, from the ground, such as a side of a building or house that are otherwise accessible only by ladder, scaffolding or the like. 
         [0048]    The invention has been described in an illustrative manner. It is to be understood that the terminology used is intended to be in the nature of words of description. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefor to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described.