GB2277974A - Tool for clearing rainwater guttering - Google Patents

Abstract

A tool for clearing rainwater guttering comprises a channel-shaped member (1) generally conforming in cross-section with the guttering to be cleared, the rear end of the channel-shaped member having a barrier (2) therein, and a handle (5) pivotably attached to the channel-shaped member and having locking means (7, 8, 9) whereby, whichever direction the tool is to be used in, the handle (5) may be pivoted away from the edge of the roof and locked in the desired position. The barrier (2) may be perforated, eg formed of mesh or net, to allow water to pass through while retaining solid material. <IMAGE>

Description

TOOL FOR CLEARING RAINWATER GUTTERING Field of the Invention This invention relates to a tool for clearing rainwater guttering, for example that mounted at the eaves of a building having a pitched roof.

Backaround to the Invention Rainwater guttering tends to collect debris such as sand from tiles, moss and lichen, again from the tiles, mud deposited by the rain, and straw and feathers brought by birds or the wind. This debris can cause blockage of the guttering, leading to overflowing of water and possible problems with damp in the walls of the building and the encouragement of rot in woodwork. It is therefore important to clear out the guttering regularly, a job often carried out using a small trowel of the sort used by builders in pointing brickwork. This operation is time-consuming and messy, since it usually leads to material being dropped to the ground beneath the ladder from which the guttering is being cleared.

Various proposals have been made for tools suitable for cleaning guttering. For example, in GB-A-2 203 212 there is disclosed a hand tool in the form of a channel-shaped member which conforms with the guttering and which has a handle extending sideways to enable it to be slid along the guttering. In one embodiment, the channel-shaped member is closed at one end to facilitate the collection of debris.

While this is more effective, it can only be used in one direction, rendering its use from a ladder inconvenient.

US-A-4 549 611 discloses a flat scraper with various edge profiles to suit different shapes of gutter, and having a straight handle to pull or push it along the gutter. This tool does not enable the scraped up debris to be removed from the gutter; a separate tool is required for that operation. Furthermore, since the handle extends straight from the scraper, its use under the tiles or slates overhanging the gutter is difficult.

US-A-4 542 553 disclose another form of scraper having an extended handle to ensure that the fingers are kept clear of the edges of the slates or tiles, but it again provides no way of lifting the scraped up material from the gutter.

Summarv of the Invention The present invention provides a tool for clearing rainwater guttering, comprising a channel-shaped member generally conforming in cross-section with the guttering to be cleared, the rear end of the channel-shaped member having a barrier therein, and a handle pivotably attached to the channel-shaped member and having locking means whereby, whichever direction the tool is to be used in, the handle may be pivoted away from the edge of the roof and locked in the desired position.

Preferably, the barrier is perforated to permit water to pass through as the tool is pushed along the gutter, while retaining the solid material which could cause blockage. A mesh or net may be used as the barrier.

The locking means may be a wing nut and screw arrangement, or simply a series of ribs providing click stops for the handle in a plurality of different positions, so that the most suitable position can be found for the individual user.

The tool can be formed of metal such as mild steel, or moulded from a rigid plastics material, such as poly(propylene). Different parts may be made of different materials. For example, the channel-shaped member may be formed of metal and the handle and its attachment may be formed of plastics materials.

The tool is of relatively light weight and can be manipulated easily from a ladder, the adaptability of the tool permitting it to be used in both directions from the ladder, reducing the number of times the ladder needs to be moved. The handle can be angled clear of the overhanging tiles or slates, thus avoiding the risk of grazed fingers from the sharp edges.

Brief Description of the Drawinas In the drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention: Figures 1 and 2 are respectively plan view and side elevation of a tool according to one embodiment; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a tool according to a second embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiments Referring first to Figures 1 and 2, the tool has a channel-shaped member 1 which conform generally with the internal shape of the gutter with which it is to be used.

In the embodiment shown, the gutter is of the common half-round type, but different profiles of the channel-shaped member may readily be provided for different shaped gutters.

The member 1 is closed at one end by a barrier 2, the other end 3 being pointed to facilitate the dislodging of hardened accumulations of mud or the like. A bridge piece 4 is fixed across the top of the member 1 and has a handle 5 pivotably attached thereto by means of a screw 6 (a rivet would also be suitable). The handle is of conventional form as used in trowels and the like, but carries a threaded stud 7 which passes through a curved slot 8 in the bridge piece 4. A wing nut 9 on the stud 7 permits the handle to be selectively and releasably locked at any position, for example to the side of the tool, as may be seen more clearly from Figure 3. In the embodiment shown, the bridge piece 4 is welded or riveted to the channel-shaped member 1.In another embodiment, the bridge piece could be releasably attachable to the member to permit the tool to be readily adapted for use with different gutter types by interchanging the channel-shaped members.

In use, the tool is pushed along the gutter to accumulate the debris in the channel-shaped member 1, and can then be lifted out and emptied into a bucket, when full, the angle of the handle being set to avoid the risk of the user's fingers being grazed by the sharp edges of the overhanging tiles or slates.

Figure 3 shows the second embodiment of the tool, with the handle set to one side for use in a gutter 10. The tool is generally as shown in Figures 1 and 2, but has a mesh or perforated metal barrier 11 across the end of the member 1, rather than a solid barrier 2 of the other embodiment, to reduce the amount of water picked up with the debris, thereby reducing the frequency of emptying of the tool.

Claims (7)

1. A tool for clearing rainwater guttering, comprising a channel-shaped member generally conforming in cross-section with the guttering to be cleared, the rear end of the channel-shaped member having a barrier therein, and a handle pivotably attached to the channel-shaped member and having locking means whereby the handle may be selectively locked at a desired position relative to the channel-shaped member.

2. A tool according to Claim 1, wherein the barrier is perforated to permit water to pass through as the tool is pushed along the gutter, while retaining the solid material which could cause blockage.

3. A tool according to Claim s, wherein the barrier comprises a mesh or net.

4. A tool according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the locking means is a wing nut and screw arrangement.

5. A tool according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the locking means comprises a series of ribs providing click stops for the handle in a plurality of different positions.

6. A tool according to any preceding claim wherein the channel shaped member is formed of metal and the handle and its attachment are formed of plastics materials.

7. A tool for clearing rainwater guttering, substantially as described with reference to, or as shown in, the drawing.