AU2017203590A1

AU2017203590A1 - Downpipe Debris Excluder Devices

Info

Publication number: AU2017203590A1
Application number: AU2017203590A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Royston Douglas Bull
Original assignee: Icon Plastics Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Icon Plastics Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2009-09-23
Filing date: 2017-05-29
Publication date: 2017-06-15
Also published as: AU2010224347A1; NZ588160A

Abstract

The specification discloses a device (10) for separating debris from water flowing into a downpipe from a roof gutter or the like, the device (10) having a compartment (11) with an inner space defining a water flow passage (18) extending from an open upper face (19) receiving, in use, water from the roof gutter or the like, and a lower opening (20) enabling water to flow from the water flow passage (18), the device (10) including a first screen member (35) having a mesh size to exclude passage of insects therethrough, said first screen member (35) further enabling collection of solid debris materials thereon and being mounted to move bodily in a lateral direction sideways between a first operative position and a second position that is accessible for cleaning purposes, the first screen member (35) being slideable through a first opening (45) in a side wall (16) of the compartment (11), the device further including a second opening (21) leading from the inner space of the compartment (11) located between said open upper face (19) and said lower opening (20), the device (35) further including a second inclined screen (24) located above said first screen member (35) and substantially spanning the water flow passage (18) so as to allow water to pass therethrough while collecting solid debris and directing same outwardly of said device through the second opening (21). f g2 S 44-- 36 g 3

Description

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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT

Application

Number:

Lodged;

Invention Titie: Dovtmpipe debris excluder devices

The following statement Is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: P111H#AU/0610

This data, for application number 2010224347, is current as of 2017-05-15 21:00 AEST 1

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O (N 15 20 25 30 DOWNPIPE DEBRIS EXCLUDER DEVICES FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to improvements in devices for excluding or minimizing entry of leaf debris or other solid or semisolid particulate material into downpipes leading from roof gutters. Such devices have particular application when the downpipe leads to a rainwater collection and storage tank to minimize contamination and insect infestation in the tank but equally can be used in other applications to minimize the likelihood of blockages occurring in downpipes and drainage pipes leading from roof gutters. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Devices for excluding leaf material and other particulate debris from roof downpipes are known in the prior art. Australian patent specification no. 622644 shows such a device where a mesh screen with three sections is formed in a pyramid shape above a funnel outlet leading to the top of a downpipe. The three mesh sections are disposed in flat planes and are angled outwardly so as to receive water from a gutter dropper outlet to pass therethrough into the downpipe. Any leaf or other debris material flowing in the water hits the screen sections and, provided it is of a size not to pass through the mesh screen sections, will slide sideways away from the downpipe. Australian patent specification no. 198658434 shows a similar device where water from a roof gutter dropper outlet flows into an upwardly open conduit having an opening in a side wall, the device including a flat inclined grid with an array of generally square or rectangular openings formed therein, the grid covers the internal flow area of the conduit and directs leaf or other material outwardly from the conduit by sliding laterally off the inclined grid and through the opening in the side wall. United Kingdom patent no. 2132657 shows a device similar to Australian patent specification no. 198658434 except that in one embodiment, the inclined leaf excluding screen is curved in side view whiie stiil maintaining its inclined form. US patent no. 4472274 also has a device of the above described type wherein the leaf excluding screen is inclined in a fiat plane and formed by a plurality of parallel spaced bars, each bar having a triangular shape in cross-section having its wider surface facing in a downstream direction. The bars are connected by upper and lower cross bars with the lower cross bar being

This data, for application number 2010224347, is current as of 2017-05-15 21:00 AEST ο (Ν σ^ (Ν Ο σ^ mο (Ν 10 ο (Ν 15 20 25 30 positioned adjacent a tower edge of the side wall opening to allow leaf and other similar debris material to escape from the device. Australian patent specification nos. 629139 and 687630 also disclose debris exclusion devices having a main upper inclined mesh screen that in use receives water from a roof gutter outlet such that the water passes downwardly through the inclined mesh screen and leaf material and other particulate material in the water flow that is above a certain size slides sideways off the mesh screen and away from the device. The mesh screens are wire mesh with square mesh openings. The water flow passing through the upper mesh screen also passes through a fine mesh screen intended to exclude the passage of insects such as mosquitoes or similar downwardly into the downpipe. The mesh sizes for the leaf excluding screens in Australian patent nos. 629139 and 687630 are generally as large as possible to try to avoid water escaping from the capture system but larger mesh sizes tends to allow smaller particulate material to pass through the screen and collect on the fine mesh screen below. Such material needs to be periodically cleaned from the fine mesh screen otherwise it will eventually block the water flow into the down pipe. Cleaning of this fine mesh screen is a difficult process particularly as the devices are often installed in quite elevated and difficult to access positions. It is also known to provide devices typically called rain heads cooperable with an outlet from a roof gutter to collect water therefrom with the device being mounted to an upper end of a downpipe. Such rain head devices may be provided with a removable panel including a screen to exclude debris material from the downpipe as much as possible and to also, where desired, exclude passage of insects into the downpipe. The screen is typically made removable as it does need to be cleaned regularly but because of its positioning it is hard to access and therefore difficult to clean. An objective of the present invention is to provide a device of the above described type whereby the mesh screen can be readily accessed for cleaning purposes. A further preferred objective is to provide a simplified means of utilizing a single design of devices of the above discussed type that can readily be connected to a variety of sizes and shapes of downpipes in use.

This data, for application number 2010224347, is current as of 2017-05-15 21:00 AEST C-'

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o (N 15 20 25 30 A still further preferred objective is to provide improved designs for the inclined screen structure when such a screen structure is employed in the device. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention provides a device for separating debris from water flowing into a downpipe from a roof gutter or the like, said device including a compartment having an inner space defining a water flow passage from an upper opening, arranged in use. to receive water flow from the roof gutter or similar, and a tower opening enabling water to flow from the water flow passage, said device including a screen enabling collection of solid debris materials thereon while allowing water to pass therethrough and being mounted to move bodily in a lateral direction between a first operative position and second position whereby the first screen is accessible for cleaning purposes. Conveniently, the mesh size of the mesh screen also prevents passage of insects therethrough. Preferably the first screen slides between said first and said second positions through a first opening in a side wall of the compartment. The first screen may include a first mesh region and a second grippable wall part adapted to close said first opening when the mesh screen is in said first operative position. Conveniently the second opening has a vertical dimension substantially greater than a thickness of said first mesh region of the first screen. In this manner, when the first screen is moved to its cleaning position, any debris material that has built up thereon will not be scraped off and deposited into the downpipe because of the increased dimension of the second opening. Preferably said first screen is, in use, inclined to a horizontal plane. Conveniently the first screen, when in the second position is separated from said device. In a preferred structure, the device may further include a second opening leading from the inner space of said compartment located between said upper opening and said lower opening, said device further including a second inclined screen located above said first screen and substantially spanning said water flow passage so as to allow water to pass therethrough while collecting solid debris and directing same outwardly of said device through said second opening. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the lower opening is configured to connect with an adapter member, the adapter member being configured to

This data, for application number 2010224347, is current as of 2017-05-15 21:00 AEST ο ο (Ν σ^ (Ν Ο σ^ mο (Ν r- 10 ο (Ν 15 20 25 30 operatively connect with an upper end region of a downpipe. As will be appreciated, downpipes are manufactured in a variety of cross-sectional shapes and sizes. Typically they are circular or rectangular but even within these shapes, various differing sizes are quite commonly provided, both with plastic material construction and sheet metal construction. Providing an adapter member as defined above avoids the need to produce and maintain inventory for devices where the only difference is the configuration of the outlet opening to permit connection with various different downpipe shapes and sizes. In one preferred construction, the second inclined screen is located in a plane defining a predetermined angle of inclination relative to a direction of water flow through said water flow passage, said inclined screen being formed by an expanded metal sheet having a plurality of individual sections adjacent one another in a longitudinal direction of the expanded metal sheet, each said individual section including at least a portion that is inclined upwardly from a lower edge to an upper edge of the individual section relative to said predetermined angle of inclination of the second inclined screen. Preferably the second inclined screen includes said individual sections adjacent one another both in a transverse direction and said longitudinal direction of the expanded metal sheet. In yet another preferred construction, the second inclined screen is located in a plane defining a predetermined angle of inclination relative to a direction of water flow through said water flow passage, said second inclined screen being formed by a plurality of longitudinal bars spaced from one another and extending in a longitudinal direction of said second inclined screen, said longitudinal bars having a triangular cross-section with an apex of the triangular cross-section facing upwardly, said second inclined screen further including at least three longitudinally spaced cross bars connecting said longitudinal bars. Conveniently, the three or more spaced cross bars are positioned below said longitudinal bars. The cross-bars act to break water surface tension to ensure that it traverses through the gaps between the longitudinal bars rather than sheeting in the plane of the second inclined screen. Preferably the second inclined screen may be pivoted at an upper end region to the compartment to be selectably pivotable from the operative inclined position upwardly therefrom.

This data, for application number 2010224347, is current as of 2017-05-15 21:00 AEST

In yet another aspect, there is provided a device for collecting water exiting from a roof gutter or the like and directing said water into a downpipe, said device including a compartment having an inner space with an open upper face positioned in use to receive water from said roof gutter or the like to flow 5 downwardly through said inner space to a lower opening, said lower opening being configured to connect with an adapter member, said device further including at least one said adapter member being configured to operatively connect with an upper end region of said downpipe. Preferably, the aforesaid device may further be arranged to separate debris material from water flowing 10 into said downpipe, said device including a screen member configured to allow water to pass therethrough but to collect said debris material therein, said screen member being mounted to move bodily in a lateral direction sideways between a first operative position where substantially all water flowing into said open upper face passes through said screen member to said lower opening, and a second 15 position whereby said screen member Is accessible for cleaning purposes.

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In yet another aspect of this invention there is provided a device for separating debris from water flowing into a downpipe from a roof gutter or the like, said device including: a compartment having an inner space defining a water flow passage from 20 an upper opening, arranged in use, to receive water flow from the roof gutter or similar, and a lower opening enabling water to flow from the water flow passage; a first screen enabling collection of solid debris materials thereon while allowing water to pass therethrough and being mounted to move bodily in a lateral direction between a first operative position and a second position whereby 25 the first screen is accessible for cleaning purposes; a debris disposal opening provided leading from the inner space of said compartment located between said upper opening and said lower opening; a second inclined screen located above said first screen and substantially spanning said water flow passage so as to allow water to pass therethrough while 30 collecting solid debris material and directing same outwardly of said device through said debris disposal opening; and a water flow director adapted for mounting to either a roof gutter or to said device, said water flow director being, in use, positioned to receive water from

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o (N 15 20 25 30 said roof gutter on to a distributor surface of said water flow direotor whereby said water is directed towards an upper zone of said second inclined screen. In the aforesaid device, the water flow distributor may have an upwardly open channel adjacent at least one end of said distributor surface, leading to said distributor surface, the or each said upwardly open channel being configured to impose a swirl motion to water flowing therefrom onto said distributor surface. Conveniently a said upwardly open channel is provided at each end of the distributor surface whereby one or both such channels receive a substantial amount of water flow from the roof gutter when installed. In a still further aspect, the present invention also provides a water flow directing dropper device adapted, in use, for receiving water flow from a roof gutter or the like, said dropper device having an upper opening through which water is received and a lower opening through which water is discharged from the dropper device, said dropper device having a distributor surface onto which water impinges after passing through said upper opening, said distributor surface changing the direction of water flow through said dropper device, said dropper device further including an upwardly open channel adjacent at least one end of said distributor surface and leading to said distributor surface, the or each said upwardly open channel being configured to impose a swirl motion to water flowing therefrom onto said distributor surface. Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig 1 is a longitudinal section through a preferred device in accordance with the present invention including a lower down pipe adapter member; Fig 2 is a longitudinal section similar to Fig 1 but transposed through 90°; Fig 2a is a detailed cross-section of the area member A in Fig 2; Fig 3 is a section view of the lower screen member shown in operative position in Fig 2; Fig 4 is a plan view of the screen member shown in Fig 3; Fig 5 is a front view of the screen member shown in Fig 3; Fig 6 is a plan view of a section of an inclined screen forming material utilized in Figs 1 and 2;

This data, for application number 2010224347, is current as of 2017-05-15 21:00 AEST r-

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Fig 7 is a sectional view similar to Fig 2 along line A-A of Fig 8 showing an alternative preferred embodiment for the inclined screen; Fig 8 is a section view along line B-B of Fig 7; Figs 9 and 10 are perspective views of the device shown in Figs 7 and 8 showing the upper screen in differing positions; Fig 11 is a sectional view similar to Fig 7 showing the device in a use position with a dropper part secured to a roof gutter or similar; Fig 12 is a plan view of a dropper part as shown in Fig 11; Fig 13 is a sectional view along line B-B of Fig 11; Fig 14 is a sectional view along line A-A of Fig 11; Fig 15 is a section view similar to Figs 2 and 7 showing a rain head device not employing an upper inclined screen; and Figs 16 and 17 are perspective views of the rain head device shown in Fig 15 showing the screen in differing positions. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, Figs 1 and 2 show a device 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. The device 10 includes a compartment 11 formed by a rear wall 12, side walls 13,14 and an upper front wall part 15 and a lower front wall part 16. The compartment 11 defines an internal space 17 which, in the embodiment illustrated is substantially rectangular in plan view defining a water flow passage 18 from an upper face 19 defining an opening to receive water flow from a roof gutter flow opening, to a lower outlet opening 20. Further, a side opening 21 is formed between the lower edge 22 of the upper front wall part 15 and the upper edge 23 of the lower front wall part 16. A main upper screen member 24 is positioned within internal space 17 with the lower edge 25 of the member 24 resting behind a lip region 26 below the upper edge 23 of the lower front wall part 16. The screen member 24 is preferably an expanded metal sheet forming an inclined plane such that its upper edge 27 rests against the rear wall 12 of the compartment 11 and substantially fills the water flow passage 18, ie the internal cross-section of the compartment 11. Figs 2a, 6 and the area marked B in Fig 1 illustrate one form of preferred expanded metal sheet forming the screen member 24. The expanded metal sheet has a plurality of individual sections 28 connected at their ends 29, 30 to

This data, for application number 2010224347, is current as of 2017-05-15 21:00 AEST δ ο (Ν σ^ (Ν Ο σ^ mο (Ν r- 10 ο (Ν 15 20 25 30 other parts of the sheet and further including portions 31 that are angled relative to the inclination angle of the screen member 24 in use. The angle of inclination of the portions 31 are upwardly from a lower edge 32 to an upper edge 33 relative to the angle of inclination of the screen member 24 itself. In this manner, water flowing onto the screen member 24 from the upper open face 19 will be captured by the upper edges 33 of the individual sections 25 and pass through the screen member 24 to flow towards the outlet opening 20. While the expanded metal screen member 24 is a preferred form to provide an upper screening capability, in other arrangements other materials or configurations could be used. The expanded metal sheet material is available for other uses and needs only to be cut to size and positioned in the device as illustrated in the drawings. It is, however possible to use other screening devices including bars of triangular cross-section spaced from one another and parallel to each other and the side walls 13, 14 as shown and described hereafter with reference to Figs 7, 8, 9 and 10, Figs 2, 3, 4 and 5 illustrate a second or lower screen member 35 positioned in the water flow passage 18 below the upper screen member 24. The lower screen member 35 includes a first screen section 36 with a rectangular perimeter frame 37 supporting a fine mesh screen material 38 typically sized to prevent small insects such as mosquitoes to pass therethrough. The member 35 includes a second section 39 comprising a front face 40 including a grippable handle part 41 and a portion 42 connecting the front face 40 to the screen section 36. The connecting portion 42 defines upper and lower surfaces 43, 44 spaced apart by a distance substantially greater than the width of the screen section 36. The distance between the surfaces 43, 44 corresponds to the height of the second side opening 45 in the front face wall part 16 into vsrtiich the lower screen member 35 enters with a sliding fit. As a result of the increased height of the opening 45, any debris built up on the screen section 36 will not be partially wiped off the screen section 36 as the member 35 is withdrawn for cleaning purposes. As is shown in Fig 2, the screen member 35 is preferably disposed in an operative position illustrated, inclined to the horizontal and to the water flow path 18.

As also shown in Fig 2, the outlet opening 20 has a fitting 46 adapted to connect with an adapter member 47 having a lower fitting connection 48 configured to engage with an upper region of a downpipe (not shown). In this manner multiple adapter members with various lower fitting connection 5 configurations 48 can be provided to allow connection with differing size and ο Η Ο (Ν δ' σ^ (Ν Ο σ^ ιη m ο (Ν ο (Ν shape downpipes. This avoids the need for differing device structures 10 that only vary because of the need to connect to differing size and shape downpipes.

Figs 7 to 10 illustrate another possible preferred embodiment. In these drawings, the features of the device 10 are the same as with earlier described 10 embodiments except for the main upper screen member 24. In this embodiment the main upper screen member 24 has a plurality of spaced bar members 50 traversing the water flow passage 18 and being generally parallel to the side walls 13, 14 of the compartment 11. The bar members 50 have a triangular cross-section with the apex of the triangular shape facing upwardly. A plurality of cross 15 bars 51 connect the spaced bar members 50 to form an integral structure for the screen member 24, The cross bars 51 also serve to break surface tension of water flowing on the screen member 24 to ensure that the water passes through the screen member 24 in the direction of the water flow passage 18 rather than in the plane of the screen member 24. The screen member 24 conveniently 20 extends beyond the side opening 21 in the compartment 11. Other forms of screen member 24 including those illustrated in earlier described embodiments might also extend beyond the opening 21. As shown in Figs 9, 10 the screen member 24 might be pivoted at 53 to the side walls 13, 14 to enable the screen member 24 to be pivoted between an operative position (Fig 9) and a service 25 position (Fig 10).

Referring to Fig 11, a device 10 similar to that shown in Fig 7 is illustrated, in situ, adapted to receive water flow from a roof gutter 70 via a water flow director 71 connected to the roof gutter 70 beneath an opening 72 in the base wall 73 of the gutter 70. In an alternative arrangement, a modified water flow 30 director 71 could be mounted to the top edge region of the device 10 with a conventional dropper device directing water from the roof gutter 70. At the lower end of the device, an adapter 47 enables the device to connect to an upper end of a downpipe 74. If the downpipe 74 is size and configured to engage directly

This data, for application number 2010224347, is current as of 2017-05-15 21:00 AEST 10

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o (N 15 20 25 30 with the device 10, then the adapter 47 would not be required. Features in the device 10 of Fig 11 have been given the same reference numerals as like features in earlier embodiments. The structure of the water flow director 71 can be seen in greater detail in Figs 12, 13 and 14. The water flow director 71 includes a peripheral flange 75 that may include a peripheral groove 79 to receive a sealant material to seat the flange 75 to the under surface of the roof gutter when it is secured thereto by fasteners or by any alternative means. The water flow director includes a water flow upwardly open channel 76 at either end, the lower end 77 of which leads onto a distributor surface 78 extending between the channels 76, The distributor surface is angled or curved as can be seen in Figs 11 and 14 to re-direct water flow onto an upper region 81 of the upper screen member 24, The channels 76 are configured to provide a swirl water flow motion on the distributor surface 78 to provide as wide as is possible water flow via an opening 80 onto the screen member 24. In some embodiments it is possible to have only one channel formation 76 at one end of the distributor surface 78 rather than at both ends as illustrated in Fig 12. Figs 15, 16 and 17 illustrate another preferred embodiment for a simplified rain head device. In this embodiment, the upper inclined screen 24 is omitted and as a result the compartment 11 has a complete peripheral wall including a front wall 60. The structure of the compartment is substantially the same as with earlier described embodiments and can be moulded from suitable plastics material utilising the same moulds with only minor modifications. Other features in this embodiment are the same as with the earlier embodiments and have been given the same reference numbers. If desired the front upper edge 61 of the compartment 11 may include a recessed zone 62 to provide a water overfiow position should the inside space 17 fill up, in use. As with earlier embodiments, ears 63 with fastener apertures 64 may also be provided to enable the compartment to be secured to a wall or other structure when installed. While several preferred embodiments have been shown and described, other variations and modifications within the scope of the annexed claims might be employed. For example, while the compartment 11 is shown as a one piece construction, it is also possible for it to be produced as a two part construction with the screen member 24 located in one upper part and the second screen

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o (N 11 member 35 located in a lower part but configured such that they might be connected such that a water flow passage 18 continues through the assembled construction. Other modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

1. A device for separating debris from water flowing into a downpipe from a roof gutter or the like, said device including a compartment having an inner space defining a water flow passage from an upper opening, arranged in use, to receive water flow from the roof gutter or similar, and a lower opening enabling water to flow from the water flow passage, said device including a first screen enabling collection of solid debris materials thereon while allowing water to pass therethrough and being mounted to move bodily in a lateral direction between a first operative position and second position whereby the first screen is accessible for cleaning purposes.
2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the first screen slides between said first and said second positions through a first opening in a side wall of the compartment, the first screen having a first mesh region and a second grippable wall part adapted to close said first opening when the first screen is in said first operative position.
3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the first opening has a vertical dimension substantially greater than a thickness of said first mesh region of the mesh screen.
4. A device according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein said mesh screen is, in use, inclined to a horizontal plane.
5. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the first screen in said second position is separated from said device.
6. A device according to any one of claims 2 to 5 further including a second opening leading from the inner space of said compartment located between said upper opening and said lower opening, said device further including a second inclined screen located above said first screen and substantially spanning said water flow passage so as to allow water to pass therethrough while collecting solid debris and directing same outwardly of said device through said second opening.
7. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the lower opening is configured to connect with an adapter member, said adapter member being configured to operatively connect with an upper end region of a downpipe,
8. A device according to claim 6 wherein said second inclined screen is located in a plane defining a predetermined angle of inclination relative to a direction of water flow through said water flow passage, said inclined screen being formed by an expanded metal sheet having a plurality of individual sections adjacent one another in a longitudinal direction of the expanded metal sheet, each said individual section including at least a portion that is inclined upwardly from a lower edge to an upper edge of the individual section relative to said predetermined angle of inclination of the second inclined screen.
9. A device according to claim 8 wherein said second inclined screen includes said individual sections adjacent one another both in a transverse direction and said longitudinal direction of the expanded metal sheet.
10. A device according to claim 6 wherein said second inclined screen is located in a plane defining a predetermined angle of inclination relative to a direction of water flow through said water flow passage, said second inclined screen being formed by a plurality of longitudinal bars spaced from one another and extending in a longitudinal direction of said second inclined screen, said longitudinal bars having a triangular cross-section with an apex of the triangular cross-section facing upwardly, said second inclined screen further including at least three longitudinally spaced cross bars connecting said longitudinal bars.
11. A device according to claim 10 wherein said three or more spaced cross bars are positioned below said longitudinal bars.
12. A device according to any one of claims 8, 9,10 or 11 wherein the second inclined screen is pivoted at an upper end region to said oompartment to be selectably pivotable from an operative inclined position upwardly therefrom.
13. A device for collecting water exiting from a roof gutter or the like and directing said water into a downpipe, said device including a compartment having an inner space with an open upper face positioned in use to receive water from said roof gutter or the like to flow downwardly through said inner space to a lower opening, said lower opening being configured to connect with an adapter member, said device further including at least one said adapter member being configured to operatively connect with an upper end region of said downpipe.
14. A device according to claim 13 further arranged to separate debris material from water flowing into said downpipe, said device including a screen member configured to allow water to pass therethrough but to collect said debris material therein, said screen member being mounted to move bodily in a lateral direction sideways between a first operative position where substantially all water flowing into said open upper face passes through said screen member to said lower opening, and a second position whereby said screen member is accessible for cleaning purposes.
15. A device for separating debris from water flowing into a downpipe from a roof gutter or the like, said device including: a compartment having an inner space defining a water flow passage from an upper opening, arranged in use, to receive water flow from the roof gutter or similar, and a lower opening enabling water to flow from the water flow passage; a first screen enabling collection of solid debris materials thereon while allowing water to pass therethrough and being mounted to move bodily in a lateral direction between a first operative position and a second position whereby the first screen is accessible for cleaning purposes; a debris disposal opening provided leading from the inner space of said compartment located between said upper opening and said lower opening; a second inclined screen located above said first screen and substantially spanning said water flow passage so as to allow water to pass therethrough while collecting solid debris material and directing same outwardly of said device through said debris disposal opening; and a water flow director adapted for mounting to either a roof gutter or to said device, said water flow director being, in use, positioned to receive water from said roof gutter on to a distributor surface of said water flow director whereby said water is directed towards an upper zone of said second inclined screen.
16. A device according to claim 15 wherein said water flow distributor has an upwardly open channel adjacent at least one end of said distributor surface leading to said distributor surface, the or each said upwardly open channel being configured to impose a swirl motion to water flowing therefrom onto said distributor surface.
17. A device according to claim 16 wherein a said upwardly open channel is provided at each end of said distributor surface.
18. A water flow directing dropper device adapted, in use, for receiving water flow from a roof gutter or the like, said dropper device having an upper opening through which water is received and a lower opening through which water is discharged from the dropper device, said dropper device having a distributor surface onto which water impinges after passing through said upper opening, said distributor surface changing the direction of water flow through said dropper device, said dropper device further including an upwardly open channel adjacent at least one end of said distributor surface and leading to said distributor surface, the or each said upwardly open channel being configured to impose a swirl motion to water flowing therefrom onto said distributor surface.