GB2203212A - Handtool for cleaning gutters and the like - Google Patents

Abstract

A hand tool 10 has a handle 11 and a body 12 of the same general curvature as a house gutter 13 or the tile, so as to lie fittingly within the gutter 13 and easily scoop out material deposits 14 therein. The rear end of the body 12C, opposite the leading front end 12b, is preferably closed (Fig 5) off to help retain the scooped material 14 on the body 12. The curvature of the body 12 also makes it ideal for dislodging deposits on the underside of overhanging tiles 15. The invention can be used for cleaning other arcuate systems such as pipes and drains. <IMAGE>

Description

HAND TOOL FOR CLEANING GUTTERS AND THE LIKE This invention relates to a hand tool having an arcuate body attached to a handle. The invention is useful for displacing materials out of any arcuate system such as drains or pipes, but is particularly useful for cleaning house gutters. Any reference hereinafter to gutters should therefore be construed broadly.

Conventionally house gutters are cleaned using a trowel such as may be used for gardening. It is, however, very difficult to manoeuvre the trowel within the gutter and to scoop deposits therefrom. A further disadvantage is that such trowels are not wcll adapted to clean the underside of tiles overhanging the gutter.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate the aforesaid advantages.

Accordingly in the present invention there is provided a hand tool comprising of arcuate body with a handle attached thereto, the body having the same general curvature of at least the base portion of a section of a guttering so that, in use, material therein can be removed.

Therefore by adapting the toddy to be sufficiently curved to lie fittingly within the gutter, materials therein can be easily scooped out or otherwise remove4. Furthermore the curvature of the body makes it ideal for dislodging deposits from the underside of, for example, overhanging roof tiles.

Preferably the body will have the same general curvature of the whole section of the gutter.

The handle can be attached to the body so as to lie along the longitudinal axis of the guttering but preferably the handle is substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis for a more convenient grip and easier manoeuvrability.

The arcuate body must be open at the front leading end to scoop up or the like the guttering material, but it is acceptable to have embodiments which are open at rear end, so long as the body is of sufficient dimensions to retain a convenient amount of material. It is more advantageous, however, to have the rear end closed off so as to help retain the guttering material on the arcuate body.

The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a hand tool for cleaning a house guttering; Fig. 2 is a top perspective view of the hand tool and guttering of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side view of the hand tool of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the hand tool of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of a second embodiment of a hand tool with the rear end closed; Fig. 6 is a top perspective view of the hand tool of Fig. 5 within a house guttering; Fig. 7 is a side view of the hand tool of Fig. 5 and; Fig. 8 is a plan view of the hand tool of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, a hand tool 10 comprised a handle 13 snd a plastic body 12 of general size and curvature to that of a section of house guttering 13. In use, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 6 the arcuate body 12 therefore lies fittingly within a house guttering 13. Furthermore, because the handle 11 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis 'of the arcuate body 12 can easily be gripped and manoeuvred within the gutter 13. Such manoeuvrability is also aided by the more gentle gradients and outward extension 12a of the body towards the handle.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the arcuate body 12 is well adapted to dislodge deposits from the underside of slates 15 which overhang the gutters 13.

In the embodiments of Figs. 1 to 4, the arcuate body 12 is open ended both at the front leading end 12b and at the rear end 12C because the dimensions cf the body 12 is large enough to hold a convenient amount of material 14 on each scoop.

Preferably, however, the rear end 12C is closed off, such as by a wall 16 (as shown in the preferred embodiment of Figs. 5 to 8) so as to help retain the scooped material 14 on the body 12.

It will be appreciated that the teaching of the invention can be applied to a number of embodiments.

Therefore, for example, a section of house guttering 13 would be acceptable as tlie arcuate body 12. Furthermore, the invention could have other applications such asifor pipes, arcat drains or the like on appropriate adaption.

Claims (6)

1. A hand tool comprising an arcuate body with a handle attached thereto, the body having the same general curvature of at least the base portion of a section of guttering or the like so that in, material therein can be removed.

2. A hand tool as claimed in claimlwherein the body has the same general curvature as substantially the whole of a section of guttering or the like.

3. A hand tool as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein in use, the handle lies substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of a guttering or the like.

4. A handltool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the body is shaped upwardly and outwardly towards the handle.

5. A hand tool as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein opposite to the front leading end of the arcuate body, the rear end thereof is closed off to help retain any material displaced onto the body.

6. A hand tool substantially as described hereinbefore, with reference to Figs. 1' to 4 or with reference to Figs.

5 to 8.