GB2399279A

GB2399279A - Wind driven rainwater gutter clearer

Info

Publication number: GB2399279A
Application number: GB0305612A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Philip Mark Tofts
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-12
Filing date: 2003-03-12
Publication date: 2004-09-15
Also published as: GB0305612D0

Abstract

A roof gutter clearer in which the spiral pronged or corkscrew style bladed debris clearer 1 inserted at the top of the down pipe ensures that any debris capable of passing into the down pipe is driven downwards in the normal rainwater flow. The whole assembly is held in position by means of the gutter clamp 2 which in turn holds the anti-friction (nylon bush or ball bearing) collar 3. A central drive shaft 4 allows fixing of the wind drive assembly clamp 5 which is height adjustable to suit roof pitch, to the shaft and the wind cup connectors 6. The shaft is then rotated by wind power pushing the wind cups7, in a constant direction to provide mechanical function of the debris clearer 1. Only light winds are required in order to produce rotation which in turn allows debris to be continuously mobilised and flushed by rainwater which prevents sludge accumulation at the elevated gutter drain point.

Description

1 2399279 Wind Driven Rainwater Gutter Clearer This invention relates to a

wind driven mechanism for fitting to elevated rain water gutter down pipes in order to clear debris and ensure free flow of rainwater from roof gutters to ground drainage.

Normal building maintenance requires cleaning of elevated rainwater gutters and any associated filter guards. This particularly applies in areas of leaf fall, bird or other animal activity, windfall or dropping of debris or (typically) accidental landing of balls on roofs. The traditional method of guarding against such blockage is to fit chicken wire mesh or other static filter devices.

However, by their very nature and design these static filter devices may prevent blockages in the down pipe but eventually form a dam against water flow through trapping debris at their elevated location. These static filters therefore require relatively frequent maintenance at their elevated position in order to clear the filter elements of the melter that they are designed to trap.

This "Wind Driven Rainwater Gutter Clearer" invention not only forms a coarse filter against larger items such as balls, but also enables mechanical self clearing from the gutter into the down pipe system of most typical leaf' end detritus type friable debris, which may then be safely cleared as and when necessary at a ground level drain trap.

The mechanism is wind driven through a central shaft which requires very little (if any) maintenance in itself. A prototype assembly has been function tested and found lo be extremely effective in clearing typical debris from gutters in a problem area as indicated above.

Preferred materials are stainless steel and/or plastics and nylon construction in order to preserve minimum drive shaft friction and therefore ensure low maintenance characteristics.

The prototype assembly is now described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which FIGURE 1 shows the complete assembly for fixing into any standard type gutter and down pipe: As shown in Figure 1, the essential feature of the device is the driven spiral pronged or corkscrew style bladed debris clearer 1 of indeterminate but practical length to suit chosen location down pipe characteristics, which ensures that any debris capable of passing into the down pipe is driven downwards in the normal rainwater flow. The whole assembly is held in position by means of the gutter clamp 2 which in turn holds the anti-friction (nylon bush or ball bearing) collar 3. A central drive shaft 4 passes through 3 and allows fixing of the wind drive assembly clamp 5 at a height adjusted to suit roof pitch to the shaft and the wind cup connector arms 6. The drive shaft is then rotated by the wind pushing the wind cups 7 in a constant direction to provide mechanical function of the debris clearer 1. The wind cup size may be varied to suit the fitting location wind exposure characteristics. Only light winds are required in order to produce rotation of the spiral clearing blades, prongs or bits 1 which in turn allows debris to be continuously mobilised and flushed by normal rainwater flow which prevents sludge accumulation at the elevated gutter drain point. - 2

Claims

Claims 1. A wind driven mechanical rainwater gutter clearer for installing

in roof gutters at the point of drainage to a down pipe.
2. A rainwater gutter clearer as claimed in Claim I where wind power is utilised by cups or propeller blades on a shaft which drives rotating clearing prongs, blades or other reverse auger or corkscrew style bits of variable length to suit characteristics of down pipe at location.
3. A gutter clearer as claimed in Claim lor Claim2 where a drive shaft and clearing prongs, blades or bits are fitted into a gutter and down pipe by means of a clamp with an antifriction collar.
4. A gutter clearer as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal, plastic or nylon material or from any combination of these materials.
5. A wind driven rainwater gutter clearer substantially as described herein with reference to the drawing (Figure 1).