AU5778001A - A gutter punch - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (Original) APPLICATION NO:

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COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LODGED:

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RELATED ART: a NAME OF APPLICANT: ACTUAL INVENTORS: ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: INVENTION TITLE: BARY LYLE KALBUS BARY LYLE KALBUS LORD COMPANY Patent Trade Mark Attorneys 4 Douro Place West Perth, Western Australia, 6005

AUSTRALIA.

"A GUTTER PUNCH" DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO'S: Australian Provisional Patent Application Number PQ9169 filed August 4, 2000 The following Statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me/us: "A GUTTER PUNCH" The present invention relates to a gutter punch.

It is common for gutters to be constructed having an outer wall which extends to a point higher than the inner wall. This is often done for the sake of appearance, so that the gutter provides a border for the edge of the roof and the outer edges of the tiles cannot be seen. This causes problems when a portion of the gutter contains too much water and overflows. The excess water flows over the edge of the gutter adjacent the house and can make its way into the walls of the house causing damage. Overflowing gutters are a common problem that are often the result of a build up of leaves or the like in the gutters which prevents water flow.

One solution that has been used to overcome this problem, is to provide gutters that have slits incorporated into the outer wall during manufacture of the gutter. The slits are generally located in the outer wall at a height which is below the top of the inner wall. The excess water then flows out of the slits before it can flow over the inner wall eoooe ofthe gutter Providing such slits in existing gutters is also possible but would be a difficult task.

Accessing the gutters around the entire perimeter of the building with suitable equipment to create slits or holes is time consuming and would often require the use of suitable safety equipment for the operator, such as a safety harness.

The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part some of the aforementioned disadvantages of previous methods for providing overflow slits in gutters.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a gutter punch comprising a punch member and a force generating means secured to a first end of a handle member wherein the force generating means supplies a force to move the punch member such that in use, a portion of the punch member is forced through an outer wall of a gutter.

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gutter punch in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the gutter punch of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a side sectional view of the gutter punch of Figure 1; Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of a gutter punch in accordance with the present invention in a first position; Figure 5 is a side view of the gutter punch of Figure 4 in a second engaged position; Figure 6 is a front view of a head portion of the gutter punch of Figure 4; and Figure 7 is a perspective view of the gutter punch of Figure 4.

Referring to Figures 1 3, there is shown a gutter punch 10 including punch member 12, a force generating means 14 and a handle member 16. The punch member 12 and the force generating means 16 are attached to a support member 17. The support member 17 is secured adjacent a lower end thereof to a first end of the handle member 16.

In this embodiment, the force generating means 14 is in the form of a pneumatic ram 18 comprising a cylinder and a piston. The support member 17 is pivotally connected to the first end of the handle member 16 and may be secured to prevent pivotal movement relative to the handle member 16 by a first locking means 20. The first locking means 20 allows the angular position of the support member 17 and hence the pneumatic ram 18 in relation to the handle member 16 to be adjusted as required.

The punch member 12 is secured to the piston of the pneumatic ram 18 such that s when the punch member 12 is located adjacent an outer wall 22 of a gutter 24 and pressurised air is supplied to the cylinder, the piston of the pneumatic ram 18 forces an outer end of the punch member 12 to penetrate through the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24. The outer end of the punch member 12 is generally elongate in cross section such that an elongate slit is produced in the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24. Also, the outer end of the punch member 12 is sharpened to effectively penetrate the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24. Further, the outer end of the punch member is preferably provided with an angled upper surface 19. The angled upper surface 19 causes the upper side of the slit created in the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24 to be forced further inwardly than :the lower side of the slit as can be seen in Figure 3. This has the advantage that leaves and the like falling downwardly into the gutter 24 will not catch on the slit and o*oo prevent water flow out of the slit.

An air-hose 26 is provided to supply pressurised air from an air compressor (not shown). The air-hose is secured to the handle member 16 along the length of the handle member 16. A trigger means 28 is provided adjacent a second end of the handle member 16. The trigger means 28 is arranged to activate a valve in the adjacent air-hose 26 so that air flow to the pneumatic ram 18 may be controlled by activation of the trigger means 28.

The handle member 16 is preferably extendable so that the distance between the first and second ends may be varied. An operator of the gutter punch 10 may then stand on the ground holding the second end of the handle member and adjust the length of the handle member 16 such that the first end is adjacent the gutter 24. The support member 17 is also provided with an attachment means 30 adjacent an upper end thereof. The handle member 16 may alternatively be attached at the first end thereof to the attachment means 30, as indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 1. The attachment means 30 also allows pivotal connection of the handle member 16 to the support member 17. A second locking means 31 is provided to secure the handle member 16 in the desired angular position in relation to the support member 17. This would allow the gutter punch 10 to be used by an operator from the roof of the building.

The gutter punch 10 also includes a plurality of guide means. A first guide means 32 secured to the upper end of the support member 17. The first guide means 32 comprises an elongate member 34 arranged to be located generally parallel to an upper edge of the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24. The elongate member 34 includes a plurality of rollers 36 on a lower surface thereof. The rollers 36 are adapted to engage with the upper edge of the outer wall 22. Further, the position of the first guide means 32 is adjustable in relation to the punch member 12. The first guide means 32 may be set at different distances from the punch member 12 so that the punch member 12 may produces slits in the outer wall 22 at different distances from the top of the gutter 24.

The gutter punch 10 also includes a backing plate 44. The backing plate 44 in this embodiment is secured to the elongate member 34. The backing plate 44 is arranged to be placed against an inner surface of the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24 adjacent the point of impact of the punch member 12. The backing plate 44 includes an aperture 46 adapted to receive the punch member 12 when it penetrates the gutter 24.

A second guide means is provided in the form of a first rod member 37. The first rod member 37 is arranged to extend outwardly from the support member 17 so that it is generally parallel to the gutter 24, in use. The first rod member 37 includes a series of graduations 38 along its length and a lug member 40 at an outer end thereof. The lug member is arranged to engage with a previous slit in the gutter 24 created by the gutter punch A third guide member is provided in the form of a second rod member 42. The second rod member 42 is adapted to be secured to the support member 17 so that it is oriented generally perpendicular to the gutter 24. The second rod member 42 is arranged to be adjustable such that an outer end thereof engages with a suitable adjacent surface for support when the gutter punch 10 is in the correct position for the force generating means 14 to be activated.

V The gutter punch 10 may also include a clamp means (not shown). The clamp means is adapted to clamp the backing plate 44 against the inner surface of the outer wall 22 before the punch member 12 is activated to penetrate the gutter 24. The clamp means may be implemented, for example, as a separate mechanism, or by a two stage S.movement of the punch member 12. The two stage movement would include a first 0oo.

stage where the punch member 12 moves against the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24 to stabilise the gutter punch 10 with respect to the gutter 24 and a second stage where the punch member 12 actually penetrates the gutter 24.

Further, the gutter punch 10 may include a depth control mechanism to control the distance through which the punch member 12 travels. By controlling how far through the gutter 24, the punch member 12 penetrates, the size of the slit created can be varied. The gutter punch 10 may also include a return spring mechanism to assist the punch member 12 in moving away from the gutter 24 once the slit is created.

In use, the support member 17 is pivoted about the handle member 16 to a position in which the handle member 16 may be held generally vertically by the operator and the punch member 12 is positioned to strike the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24 at approximately ninety degrees to the outer wall 22. The first end of the handle member 16 is arranged such that the backing plate 44 extends into the gutter 24 and is held against the inner surface of the outer wall 22 with the rollers 36 resting on the upper edge of the outer wall 22. The trigger means 28 is activated such that the cylinder of the pneumatic ram 18 is supplied with pressurised air. The piston of the pneumatic ram 18 then forces the outer end of the punch member 12 through the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24. As a punching mechanism is used to create the slit in the gutter 24, .ooo rather than a cutting mechanism, the protective outer coating of the gutter 24 is dragged across the inner surfaces of the slit. This reduces the risk of corrosion in these areas.

In order to produce further slits in the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24, the gutter punch is rolled along the upper edge of the outer wall 22 on rollers 36. The lug member o* of the second guide means is engaged with the previously produced slit so that the distance between slits produced in the gutter 24 may be kept constant.

While the force generating means 14 in this embodiment is a pneumatic ram, it will be appreciated that it may be any device suitable for generating sufficient force. For example, a hydraulic ram or mechanical lever actuated by the operator.

Figures 4 to 7 show an alternative embodiment of the invention where like numerals denote like parts. The gutter punch 10 of Figures 4 to 7 includes a support member 17 secured at a first end thereof to a handle member 16. The support member 17 is in the form of a first disc member 51 and includes a mounting portion arranged to extend within the gutter 24. The backing plate 44 is mounted on the mounting portion. The handle member 16 is secured adjacent the centre of the first disc member 51 and is secured against rotation relative to the first disc member 51 by a bolt member 62. The bolt member 62 secures through the handle member 16 and into one of a plurality of apertures 58 around the periphery of the first disc member 51. Also provided is a lever member 50 which is pivotally secured adjacent a first end thereof to the first end of the handle member 16. The lever member 50 includes a second support member in the form of second and third disc members 52 and 53. The second and third disc members 52 and 53 are arranged adjacent the first end of the lever member 50 on ";*"opposite sides of the first disc member 51. The second and third disc members 52 and oooe 53 are secured relative to the lever member 50 such that when the lever member 50 is rotated relative to the handle member 16, the second and third disc members 52 and 15 53 are also rotated relative to the handle member 16. The second and third disc members 52 and 53 each include an extending portion 54 between which is mounted the punch member 12. The extending portions 54 are arranged such that when the backing plate 44 is held against the inner surface of the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24 and the lever member 50 is held in a first position (as shown in Figure the punch member 12 is held adjacent the outer surface of the outer wall 22. The lever member is pivotable from the first position to a second position (as shown in Figure 2) in which the punch member 12 moves towards and penetrates the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24.

If it is required to operate the gutter punch 10 from a different position such as above the gutter 24, the bolt member 62 may be removed and the handle member 16 rotated relative to the first disc member 51 until the handle member 16 extends upwardly in use from the first disc member 51. The handle member 16 is then secured to the first disc member 51 by securing the bolt member 62 through an adjacent aperture 58 in the first disc member 51. The lever member 50 may also be rotated and secured relative to the second and third disc members 52 and 53 in the same manner.

The gutter punch 10 of Figures 4 to 7 also includes a first guide means 32 in the form of elongate member 34. The elongate member 34 includes rod members 56 adjacent ends thereof. The rod members 56 are arranged such that distal ends of the rod members 56 rest against the upper edge of the outer wall 22 of the gutter to support *ooo the gutter punch 10 in use. The rod members 56 are length adjustable such that the distance between the punch member 12 and the upper edge of the outer wall 22 of the gutter 24 may be set as desired.

15 The gutter punch 10 is also provided with a depth control means 60. The depth control means 60 comprises an adjustable stopper member secured to the lever member 50. The stopper member is length adjustable and is arranged to come up •o o against the handle member 16 and prevent further travel of the lever member 50 when the punch member 12 has penetrated the outer wall 22 to the desired depth.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (21)

1. A gutter punch comprising a punch member and a force generating means secured to a first end of a handle member wherein the force generating means applies a force to move the punch member such that in use, a portion of the punch member penetrates an outer wall of the gutter and creates a hole in the outer wall.

2. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 1, wherein the gutter punch includes a backing plate arranged to be held against an inner surface of the outer wall of the gutter, the backing plate including an aperture to receive the punch member when the punch member penetrates the outer wall. ooo*

3. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 1 or 2, wherein an outer end of the punch member is generally elongate in cross section such that the hole created .4. in the outer wall is in the form of a slit.

4. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 3, wherein the outer end of the gutter punch includes an angled upper surface arranged such that when the punch *..member penetrates the outer wall, an upper side of the slit is forced further inwardly than a lower side of the slit.

5. A gutter punch in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein the force generating means is a pneumatic ram.

6. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 5, wherein an air hose is provided to supply pressurised air to the pneumatic ram and a trigger means is provided adjacent a second end of the handle member, the trigger means arranged to activate a valve in the air hose such that when the trigger means is actuated, pressurised air is supplied to the pneumatic ram via the air hose.

7. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 5 or 6, wherein the force generating means is secured to a support member, the support member being pivotally connected adjacent a first end thereof to the first end of the handle member such that in use the handle member extends downwardly from the support member.

8. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 7, wherein the support member includes a means adjacent a second end thereof for securing to the first end of the handle member, such that in use, the handle member extends upwardly from the support member.

9. A gutter punch in accordance with any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the force *oo. generating means is a lever member, the lever member being pivotally secured adjacent a first end thereof to the first end of the handle member and the punch member being secured relative to the lever member such that the punch member penetrates the outer wall of the gutter when the lever member is *pivoted about the handle member.

A gutter punch in accordance with claim 9, wherein a first disc member having a mounting portion thereon is secured to the first end of the handle member, the backing plate being mounted on the mounting portion.

11. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 10, wherein second and third disc members are provided secured to the lever member, the second and third disc members being arranged on opposite sides of the first disc member and each of the second and third disc members including an extending potion between which is mounted the punch member.

12. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 11, wherein the angular orientation of the handle member and the lever member with respect to the first, second and third disc members may be adjusted.

13. A gutter punch in accordance with any one of the preceding claims wherein the handle member is extendable.

14. A gutter punch in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first guide means is provided, the first guide means being arranged to rest on an upper edge of the outer wall of the gutter. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 14, wherein the distance between the first guide means and the punch member is adjustable.

S•

16. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 14 or 15, wherein the guide means is an elongate member including a plurality of rollers, the rollers being arranged to rest on the upper edge of the outer wall of the gutter.

17. A gutter punch in accordance with any of the previous claims, wherein a second guide means is provided, the second guide means being arranged to extend generally parallel to the outer wall of the gutter such that the second guide means may be used to measure a predetermined distance between which the holes are to be created in the outer wall of the gutter.

18. A gutter punch in accordance with claim 17, wherein the second guide means includes a lug member adjacent an end thereof, the lug member being engageable with a previous hole in the outer wall in order to maintain an equal spacing between holes created in the outer wall of the gutter.

19. A gutter punch in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein a clamp means is provided, the clamp means being arranged to clamp the gutter punch to the gutter prior to the punch member being moved to create the hole in the outer wall of the gutter.

A gutter punch in accordance with any one of the previous claims, wherein a depth control means is provided to control the distance through which the punch member travels.

21. A gutter punch as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 2ND DAY OF AUGUST 2001. 0I BARY LYLE KALBUS By his Patent Attorneys LORD COMPANY PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA. 9*000o oo so 9*