Patent ID: 7469504

Claim:
In combination, a gutter having an opening communicating with an upper end of a downspout and a device positioned in said gutter and above said opening for preventing leaves and other debris from passing through said opening, said device comprising: a first tapered helical coil; a second tapered helical coil surrounding said first helical coil; narrow ends of said tapered coils being joined; said coils being positioned in said gutter so that wide ends of said coils are positioned above said gutter opening and said joined narrow ends extending away from said gutter opening; said first tapered helical coil being wound in a reverse direction from said second tapered helical coil; a cord having one end coupled to said joined ends and extending generally along a central axis of said coils and downward through said gutter opening and said downspout; an opposite end of said cord passing through an opening in said downspout below said gutter for contracting said helical coils when said cord is pulled downwardly; and said helical coils expanding when said cord is released, whereby contraction and expansion of said helical coils crushes and grinds debris extending into said helical coils to enable the debris to be carried by liquid passing through said device and entering into said downspout.