GB2590035A

GB2590035A - Apparatus for clearing debris from a gutter

Info

Publication number: GB2590035A
Application number: GB2103574.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ward Christopher
Original assignee: LEAFJET Ltd
Current assignee: LEAFJET Ltd
Priority date: 2014-10-14
Filing date: 2015-05-21
Publication date: 2021-06-16
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-21
Also published as: GB2591045A; GB2590035B; GB2532530B; GB2591045B; GB202103574D0; GB201418179D0; GB201508737D0; GB2532530A; GB202103575D0

Abstract

The debris clearing apparatus comprises a pipe 2 provided with at least one slot along at least a portion of its length and a means of driving air into the pipe. The driven air escapes from the slots so as to displace debris. The slot is arranged along the longitudinal length of the pipe. The pipe may extend along a cover of an open topped gutter. The slots may be covered by a flexible material when the blowing driver is not in operation, the flexible material may be a brush or comb.

Description

Apparatus for Clearing Debris from a Gutter

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for clearing leaves from a gutter. Embodiments of the present invention relate to clearing leaves from the upper surface of a leaf guard mounted to a gutter.

Background to the invention

In order to function properly, gutters are required to be clear of leaves and other debris. Should a gutter fill up with leaves or debris then water may not be able to reach a downpipe to be channelled to an appropriate drainage location at the base of a building.

Instead, the water simply overflows from the edges of the gutter.

One existing technique to address this problem is to mount a leaf guard to the top of a gutter. A leaf guard is a generally planar element having apertures (holes or slits) through it which are sized to permit water to pass through into the gutter, but which are too small for the leaves to pass through and block the gutter. It will be appreciated that leaves are less likely to build up on a leaf guard than within a gutter, since the channel shape of the gutter effectively acts as a trap for the leaves.

However, leaves can still build up on a leaf guard, and if they remain on the leaf guard for too long in wet conditions, they can become stuck in place, resulting in the leaf guard becoming a flat surface onto which run off water from a roof will merely pass over the leaf-covered surface of the leaf guard and off to the side of the gutter without passing through the (now blocked) apertures in the leaf guard.

Embodiments of the present invention seek to address this problem Summary of the invention According to of the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for clearing leaves from a gutter, comprising: a leaf guard arranged to cover the open top of a gutter; a pipe extending along at least a portion of the length of the leaf guard, the pipe being provided with apertures along at least a portion of its length; and means for driving air into the pipe; wherein air driven into the pipe escapes through the apertures in the pipe to displace leaves from the leaf guard.

Also according to the present invention, there is provided an apparatus for clearing debris from a gutter, comprising: a guard arranged to cover the open top of a gutter, a pipe extending along at least a portion of the length of the guard, the pipe being provided with at least one aperture along at least a portion of its length; and means for driving air into the pipe; wherein air driven into the pipe escapes through said one aperture in the pipe so as to displace debris from said guard.

In this way, leaves can be periodically removed from the top surface of the leaf guard, enabling the leaf guard to fulfil its function (keeping leaves or other debris out of the gutter) without a build-up of leaves preventing water from entering the gutter.

The pipe may be mounted above the leaf guard. Most leaf guards comprise apertures to permit water to enter the gutter. In some embodiments these existing apertures are used for mounting the pipe. As a result, no modification to existing leaf guards need be required. In particular, the pipe (or brackets to which the pipe is mounted) comprises protrusions which engage with the apertures in the leaf guard to mount the pipe to the leaf guard.

Preferably, said aperture in the pipe is oriented to face in a direction which is substantially parallel with the upper surface of the leaf guard or is angled down onto the upper surface of the leaf guard. This configuration results in the expelled air driving leaves sideways off the leaf guard.

Preferably, the pipe may consist of a plurality of holes, slots, grates or vents along the length of the pipe. Such holes, slots, grates or vents may be spaced equally along the length of the pipe. Alternatively, such holes slots or grates may be spaced according to the demand for debris blowing at any given area of the guard It may also be preferable for said aperture in the pipe to consist of a slot arranged substantially along the longitudinal length of the pipe. Such an embodiment provides a blowing force across the entire surface of the guard and, as such, offer the efficient removal of debris from its surface.

Preferably, the two longitudinal edges of said slot may be arranged to be in opposition with one another along substantially the length of said slot.

Preferably, the two longitudinal edges of said slot may be arranged to be offset from one another along substantially the length of said slot.

It may also be preferable for an upper edge and a lower edge of said slot top be arranged to be in opposition with each other and offset from one another at varying points along the length of said slot.

It may also be preferable for said covering member to partially or substantially cover said aperture in the pipe when the debris blower is not operational. It may be preferable for the members to seal the apertures, preventing water or debris ingress into the blower.

Additionally, the use of members may be used to allow a pressure wave of air to travel along the pipe, increasing the blowing force of the debris blower as the pressure wave travels along the length of the pipe and thus the efficiency of the debris blower. The pipe may be closed (e.g. capped) at one end, and the means for driving air may be in communication with the other end of the pipe.

Alternatively, the means for driving air may be in communication with both ends of the pipe. In this case, the apparatus may comprise a projectile located within the pipe, the projectile being propelled from a first end of the pipe to a second end of the pipe by the means for driving air. The use of a projectile within the pipe has been found to result in air being expelled more vigorously from the apertures in the pipe, particularly in the case of relatively long lengths of pipe.

Alternatively, two separate means for driving air may be in communication with the pipe. In this embodiment, each means for driving air may be in communication with a different area or end of the pipe, and the flow of air through each of these means of driving air be regulated so as to vary the area of the pipe at which the air flows meet and an area of turbulence is created. It may also be preferable for a single means for driving air to be in communication with both ends of the pipe, the flow of air to each end of the pipe regulated by valves or any other method of regulating airflow considered by a person of skill in the art. Such a means for driving air may preferably comprise a pump or compressor with two outlets. More preferably, each of these outlets of the pump or compressor may be capped or closed if it is not required.

In practice, the means for driving air may comprise one or more valves, wherein the valves are set to permit air to be driven into the first end of the pipe and to inhibit air from leaving the second end of the pipe while the projectile is at the first end or travelling from the first end to the second end of the pipe, and are set to permit air to be driven into the second end of the pipe and to inhibit air from leaving the first end of the pipe while the projective is at the second end or travelling from the second end to the first end of the pipe.

The projectile may be held by magnetic attraction at the first end of the pipe until an air pressure applied to the first end of the pipe by the means for driving overcomes the magnetic attraction. Similarly, the projectile may be held by magnetic attraction at the second end of the pipe until an air pressure applied to the second end of the pipe by the means for driving overcomes the magnetic attraction. The pressure build up resulting from this arrangement results directly in an increased expulsion pressure from apertures behind the projectile while resulting in increased expulsion pressure from apertures in front of the projectile due to the more rapid pressure increase caused by the higher speed of the projectile The projectile may comprise a substantially flat end having a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe. A flat end has been found to be more effectively driven by compressed air behind the projectile and more effective in compressing the air in front of the projectile.

The projectile may comprise an external cross section which substantially matches the internal cross section of the pipe.

One or both of each end faces of the projectile and a stop provided at each end of the pipe may be provided with a shock absorbing element. This reduces noise and the likelihood of damage when the projectile strikes the end face it is travelling towards.

A stop may be provided at or towards each end of the pipe, at least one of the stops being provided with an aperture through which the means for driving air is able to drive air into the pipe.

The means for driving air may comprise one or more air-lines from a pump or compressor, the air-lines extending along and through a down pipe from the gutter. In this way, the air-lines may be hidden from view.

The pipe has a non-circular cross section. For example, the pipe may have an elliptical cross section, the pipe being mounted such that the major radius of the oval cross section is substantially parallel with the plane of the leaf guard. This results in the pipe being less liable to rotate within a mounting bracket, which may take the apertures in the pipe out of a suitable alignment for blowing leaves from the leaf guard.

It may be preferable for the pipe to have internal shape such that moving air is predisposed to form a vortex in the pipe. Such an embodiment may be beneficial in increasing the ability of the blower to remove debris from the guard.

Preferably, the means for driving air into the debris blower is located proximal to the pipe. The means for driving air may be preferably located partially or substantially inside a building. It may be preferable for the means for driving air into the debris blower to be partially or substantially located in a roof soffit. In other embodiments, it may be preferable for the means for driving air into the debris blower to be partially or substantially located under an eave of a building. Such embodiments may be beneficial in increasing the ease of operation of the debris blower device.

It is preferable for any hollow member connecting the means for driving air to the pipe to form an acute angle with the pipe. More preferably, the angle between the hollow connecting member and the pipe is between 30 and 60 degrees, still more preferably between 40 and 50 degrees and most preferably at 45 degrees. Such embodiments are beneficial as they reduce secondary airflow, potentially increasing the ability of the debris blower to remove debris from the guard.

Preferably, the means for driving air located proximal to the pipe may be held in place via a fixing base. Preferably the fixing base is in communication with the means for driving air via a partial screw thread. It may also be preferable for the fixing base to be in communication with the means for driving air via a full screw thread.

Preferably the fixing base is affixed to a building. It may be preferable to either bond the fixing base to a building with adhesive or, alternatively, mechanically affix the fixing base to a building via attachment members such as nails or screws. It may also be preferable for any such affixation to be via the use of at least one support brackets.

Preferably the affixation apparatus includes a vibration damper. Such a vibration damper is advantageous as it reduces the vibrations transmitted from the means for driving air to the house via the affixation, potentially resulting in a concomitant decrease in noise.

Preferably the means for driving air is weather resistant. Preferably the means for driving air is waterproofed to provide this weather resistance. It may also be preferable for drainage to be provided through the means of driving air to provide weather resistance. Such an embodiment may increase the weather resistance of the means for driving air by preventing fluids from pooling around said means for driving air.

Preferably, the direction of air flow through the means for driving air can be reversed. It may be preferable for this reversal to be undertaken via a switch, or via a reconfiguration of the means for driving air.

Preferably the means for driving air is a pump.

Preferably the means for driving air is a compressor.

A controller may be provided for controlling the timing of the driving of air into the pipe by the means for driving air.

It may be preferable for the driving of air by the means for driving air be controllable by a remote signal. Such an embodiment would enable a user to control the debris blower with a remote or mobile phone, reducing energy consumption as the debris blower would only be operated when required.

It may be preferable for the debris blowing apparatus to be supported by brackets, at least one of these brackets comprising a clip. Such an embodiment may be preferable as the use of a clip may allow cables or pipes to be held in place along the line of the gutter, potentially preventing said cables or pipes from obstructing the gutter.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for clearing leaves from a gutter, the system comprising a plurality of apparatuses as described above. In particular, a single (long) gutter of a house may be provided with a plurality of pipes for displacing leaves. This may be important for long gutters where applying sufficient air pressure to a long length of pipe would be difficult, resulting in poor leaf clearing performance. Further, a particular building may have several separate gutters, each of which would require a separate pipe, although a single pump or compressor could be used to drive the air into each of these.

Detailed description

The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the following Figures in which: Figure 1 schematically illustrates a leaf guard; Figure 2 schematically illustrates a leaf blower apparatus mounted onto the leaf guard of Figure 1; Figure 3 schematically illustrates a mounting bracket for mounting the pipe of the leaf blower onto the leaf guard; Figure 4 schematically illustrates an end view of a gutter, leaf guard and the leaf blower apparatus of Figure 2; Figure 5 schematically illustrates an air driving arrangement for driving air into the pipe of the leaf guard apparatus; Figure 6 schematically illustrates an interior of the pipe of the leaf blower apparatus, with a projectile present; Figure 7 schematically illustrates an end stop for mounting in the pipe; Figure 8 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment in which a projectile is not used; Figure 9 schematically illustrates another alternative embodiment in which a slot is used along substantially the entire length of the pipe; Figure 10 schematically illustrates a pump for driving air into the pipe of the guard apparatus, the pump mounted inside the roof soffit, and the means for mounting the pump in the roof soffit; and Figure 11 schematically illustrates a clip attached to the debris blowing apparatus.

Referring first to Figure 1, a conventional leaf guard 1 is shown. The leaf guard 1 comprises a mounting plate la by which it is mounted to a facia (not shown) in a position where it rests just inside the open upper portion of a gutter (not shown). A lip lb is provided such that the leaf guard defines a shallow tray which can hold water long enough for it to drain through apertures in a planar surface lc. Leaves or other debris will be caught by the leaf guard 1, but will be unable to enter the gutter due to the relatively small size of the holes (or slits, or other apertures shapes) in the leaf guard. Generally leaves and other debris will be blown from the leaf guard by wind, but as discussed above, some build up is possible which results in rainwater from the roof flowing over the lip lb and not entering the gutter at all.

Referring to Figure 2, a leaf blower apparatus is shown to be attached to the leaf guard 1, which is in turn mounted above a gutter 5. The leaf blower apparatus comprises a pipe 2 which extends along the leaf guard 1. The pipe 2 may be co-formed with the leaf guard 1, or may be a separate component as will be described below. In the present case the pipe 2 is mounted to the leaf guard 1 using clips/brackets 3. Briefly turning to Figure 3, an example bracket 3 is shown. The bracket 3 comprises a "C" shaped part 3a having an internal shape and dimension which substantially matches the external shape and dimension of the pipe 2. The "C" shaped cross section of the bracket 3 comprises a rear wall from which extend two arms, the arms terminating in lips which cause the pipe 2 (when present) to be fully surrounded on three sides and partly surrounded on the fourth side. The bracket 3 also comprises a fastener 3b at the base of the bracket 3, in this case a push fit barbed fastener. The fastener 3b is shaped to permit it to be inserted into one of the apertures in the leaf guard. Advantageously, existing leaf guards already have these apertures, and so no modification to the leaf guard itself is required. To fit the pipe 2 to the leaf guard 1, two or more brackets 3 are fixed to the leaf guard 1 by inserting the fastener 3b through a selected one of the apertures in the leaf guard 1, and the pipe 2 is then pushed into the brackets 3. It will however be appreciated that the brackets 3 could be first fitted to the pipe 2 and the fasteners 3b then inserted into the holes in the leaf guard 1. More generally, it will be appreciated that other bracket types could be used, or alternatively the pipe may itself be provided with fasteners which engage with the existing apertures in the leaf guard.

Referring back to Figure 2, the pipe 2 can be seen to comprise a series of apertures from the inside to the outside of the pipe 2, the series of apertures extending along the length of the pipe 2. In the present case the apertures are evenly spaced. The pipe 2 is of a substantially rectangular cross section with curved edges, although other cross sectional shapes such as a circle, oval, ellipse or square could also be used. Generally, it is beneficial that the cross section not be circular, since a circular cross sectional pipe would tend to rotate within the brackets 3, bringing the apertures in the pipe 2 out of their optimal alignment. The apertures are disposed along a side of the pipe facing outwardly across the leaf guard 1. As will be explained further below, the apertures in the pipe 2 are intended to expel air in order to drive leaves and other debris from the surface of the leaf guard. The apertures should therefore be provided with an alignment which results in the expelled air being directed in a direction which is either substantially parallel to the upper surface of the leaf guard 1, or which is angled slightly downwards onto the upper surface of the leaf guard 1. An angle of preferably between 0 and 30, more preferably between 0 and 20 and still more preferably between 5 and 15 may be used.

At each end of the pipe a stop end 4 is provided. In the example of Figure 2 both stop ends are provided with a single prong airline connector capable of injecting air into the pipe 2. Extending from each airline connector is a double airline hose which can be split and cut to the required lengths prior to attachment each end. It will be appreciated that two single hoses could be used instead, attached to each end respectively of the pipe 2. The hoses in the present case pass from the airline connector down into the gutter, along the gutter and into a downpipe towards the ground, where they can be connected to a pump or compressor at ground level. In an alternative embodiment the hoses may pass from the airline connector directly into the roof of the building, where a pump or a compressor are permanently housed.

Referring to Figure 4, an end view of the gutter 5, leaf guard 1, pipe 2 and bracket 3 are shown. The pipe 3 can be seen to be disposed beneath the overhang of the tile/slate roof, protecting it from environmental conditions and obscuring it from view. The leaf guard 1 can be seen to be mounted via a fixing to a facia, while the pipe 2 is mounted to the top surface of the leaf guard 1.

Referring to Figure 5, a means for driving air into the pipe 2 via the (left L and right R) hoses 8 is shown to comprise a compressor 11 in fluid communication with an operating unit 10 via a compressor line lla and a single female inlet 10a. The compressor 11 may be a mobile compressor or a static compressor. A two way valve is controlled by a microchip/circuit board and battery 10c to alternately inject air into the left or right airline hoses via twin female outlets 10b and a two prong airline connector 9, and thus into the pipe 2. The purpose of the two-way valve is to permit air to be driven first to one end of the pipe 2 (to drive the air, and/or as will be explained below a projectile) in one direction down the pipe 2, and then to permit air to be driven to the other end of the pipe (to drive the air, and/or as will be explained below a projectile) in the opposite direction down the pipe 2. While air is being driven to one end of the pipe 2 it is important that it is not being released from the other end of the pipe 2. To achieve this, the two-way valve is arranged with offset isolation so that as one valve starts to open the other is already fully closed (and vice versa). The chip 10c controls not only the timing for each way of the two-way valve (for example to 3 seconds in each direction), but may also control the compressor 11 and valve to initiate leaf/debris clearance at a predetermined time, or at predetermined intervals. For example, leaf clearance may be carried out on a very infrequent basis or not at all during spring and summer, but at a more frequent basis over winter (for example once weekly) and at a maximum frequency during autumn (for example one or more times daily). In some cases a single compressor 11 and operating unit 10 may provide air to and control plural pipes, at different gutters/parts of the building. In this case further two-way valves may be provided, with each two-way valve being switched in sequence with the other two-way valves. In other words, a valve manifold arrangement may be provided for controlling multiple leaf clearance pipes from a single compressor and controller. In one example, the gutters of a particular building may be divided into zones, all zones being connected to the compressor 11 via a 6, 8, 10 or 12 way solenoid diverter (for example, depending on the number of zones). Each zone, which may correspond to a single pipe or a group of multiple pipes, can be cleared of leaves separately, and all zones would typically be cleared in sequence, so that the compressor 11 is only required to drive air to one zone at a time.

Referring to Figure 6, a cutaway view of the inside of the pipe 2 is shown. In this view, it can be seen that stop ends 4 are provided at each end of the pipe, and that air can be injected in through each stop end 4 (indicated by the inwardly directed arrows). Between the stop ends 4 is provided a projectile 7 (or shuttle) which is able to move within the pipe in both directions. The projectile 7 may be made of metal, plastic or any other suitable material or combination of materials. Turning to Figure 7, the stop end 4 is shown in more detail.

The stop end 4 can be seen to have a cross section which matches the inside of the pipe 2. While this is also true of the projectile 7, it is important that the stop end 4 should be a tight fit to the inside of the pipe 2 to prevent it moving within the pipe 2. This may be achieved either by the stop end 4 being a very fight fit, by the stop end 4 being adhered or otherwise fixed into the pipe 2, or by some other means. In contrast the projectile 7 should be able to move smoothly within the pipe under pressure applied by the compressor 11. To assist with this, the projectile 7 may be fitted with a low friction outer element, such as a pair of '0' rings as shown in Figure 6, which provides a good seal (to stop air from escaping past the projectile 7) while reducing the surface area in contract with the inside of the tube 2 (to reduce friction). The stop end 4 can be seen to comprise a hole 4a into which an airline connector is mounted. The airline connector does not project beyond the inner front surface of the stop end 4, since it would be undesirable for it to be struck by the projectile 7.

The stop end 4 may be magnetic (either formed of a magnetic material or have a magnetic part) or metallic (either formed of a ferromagnetic material or having a ferromagnetic part). Similarly, the projectile 7 may be magnetic (either formed of a magnetic material or have a magnetic part) or metallic (either formed of a ferromagnetic material or having a ferromagnetic part). More specifically, one or both of the stop end 4 and the projectile 7 should preferably be magnetic, and able to attract the other. In this way, the projectile 7 will be held against the stop end 4 until sufficient pressure has built up behind it (in the hoses 8) to overcome the magnetic attraction. At this point the projectile 7 will escape the stop end 4, and will be propelled at a high speed along the length of the pipe 2 to the stop end 4 at the other end of the pipe 2. It has been found that the high speed passage of the projectile 7 within the pipe 2 causes air to be expelled from the apertures in the pipe 2 in more energetic jets than would be the case were the same compressor to simply inject air into the pipe 2. This is understood to be for two reasons. Firstly, when the projectile 7 escapes the stop end 4, the pressure behind the projectile 7 is much higher than the pressure which would normally be achievable should the compressor seek to pressurise the pipe 2 directly, because the apertures in the pipe 2 would limit the maximum achievable pressure. As the projectile 7 passes along the pipe 2, air in this high pressure region behind it reaches the apertures and is ejected therefrom under this high pressure. Secondly, the pressure in front of the projectile 7 is rapidly compressed due to its volume being rapidly reduced, and again the pressure achieved in this way has been found to be higher than would be achievable without the projectile 7. Air in this region is therefore driven out at an increasing pressure as the volume of the region is reduced. When the projectile 7 reaches the stop end 4 at the other end of the pipe 2, it is retained at the stop end 4 again via magnetic attraction. Then, either as an immediate second pass or at a later time, the same process can be repeated to drive the projectile 7 in the other direction. In some cases it may be that greater pressure is achieved either towards the start or the end of the path of the projectile 7. In this case, the second pass is required to complete leaf clearance.

One or both of the stop end 4 and the projectile 7 may be formed of a shock absorbing material, or have a shock absorbing part. For example, the face of the stop end 4 which is presented to the projectile 7 may have a rubber layer 4b and/or a rubber layer may be provided on each face 7a, 7b of the projectile 7. The shock absorbing parts both reduce the noise of the collision between the stop end 4 and the projectile 7, and also reduce wear and damage on the parts. In one implementation the stop end 4 takes the form of a magnetic part sandwiched between two rubber end faces, with a through bore extending through the magnetic part and the rubber end faces to permit air to be driven into the pipe 2.

The projectile 7 can be seen to have relatively flat (rather than curved) end faces 7a, 7b. This is because a flat end has been found to be more effectively driven by compressed air behind the projectile (because less air is prone to leaking past the projectile) and more effective in compressing the air in front of the projectile (for the same reason).

While the benefits of utilising a projectile 7 to achieve the pressure which can be achieved are clear, in some cases it is sufficient to merely drive air through the pipe 2 without using a projectile. In particular, it can be challenging to maintain the pipe 2 if it contains a projectile, and in the case of shorter lengths of pipe the projectile is not necessary. Also, gutters sometimes extend around irregular shapes or corners, which would make implementation of the projectile embodiment challenging without providing multiple lengths of pipe each with their own projectile and air hose. Some of the benefits of the projectile embodiment (such as achieving a pressure build up) may be achievable by utilising a valve or other device within or in combination with the stop end 4 which only permits air to be released into the pipe 2 once the air behind the valve has reached a predetermined pressure.

Turning to Figure 8, an embodiment in which a projectile is not used is shown. In Figure 8, a gutter 105 is provided with a leaf guard 101 in the same manner as described above. In this case, two shorter lengths of pipe 102a, 102b are mounted to the top surface of the leaf guard 101. The shorter lengths are provided to compensate for the lack of projectile. One end of the pipe 102a substantially meets one end of the pipe 102b towards the centre of the leaf guard 101. These ends of the pipe are blocked/capped, preventing the escape of air. The other end (outside end) of each of the pipes 102a, 102b comprise a stop end (not show) having an opening into the pipe which is in fluid communication with a compressor, optionally via a valve arrangement (e.g. a high pressure 12V solenoid diverter valve). Generally the compressor will drive air through first one, and then the other, of the pipes 102a, 102b utilising the valve arrangement (although a sufficiently powerful compressor may be able to drive sufficient air through both pipes simultaneously). As with the previous embodiment, the hoses providing air to the end of each pipe 102a, 102b pass either down into and along the gutter and down the downpipe, or alternatively pass into the building directly.

In terms of assembly, the leaf blower could be installed as follows (some of the steps can be provided in different orders from that exemplified below): (A) attach leaf tray to or above gutter; (B) Cut pipes to required lengths and assemble -intermediate connectors (straight or angled at e.g. 90 or 135) can be used to achieve greater lengths or navigate around awkward gutter configurations; (C) Insert projectile into each pipe length (not for Figure 8 embodiment); (D) Clip pipes to leafguard using brackets, preferably at 1m intervals; (E) Attach stop ends to pipe lengths; (F) Attach airline to desired ends, and cap other end if appropriate; (G) Conceal/run the airline tubes to a two-prong airline connector -the tubes could be carried directly into the roofspace (entry holes may be concealed behind the pipe or under the roof overhang), clipped to the wall of the building, or concealed within a downpipe from the gutter; (H) Attach the operating unit (valves and controller); (I) Connect operating unit to compressor.

Figure 9 schematically illustrates a pipe 2 with an approximately elliptical external cross section. In this embodiment, the pipe 2 contains a single slot 91 along substantially the length of the pipe, with the upper edge 92 and lower edge 93, between which the slot 91 is formed, in offset opposition from one another along substantially their length. It is also envisaged that the upper and lower edges 92, 93 may be in non-offset opposition along substantially their length, or in a combination of both offset and non-offset opposition.

Figure 9 also includes sealing members 94 extending from the upper edge 92 of the slot 91. These sealing members 94 extend substantially across the height and length of the slot 91, although such sealing members 94 may extend only partially in either direction. Figure 9 illustrates a plurality of sealing members 94, although a single sealing member 94 is also envisaged.

Typically, the sealing members 94 are constructed from a flexible material such as rubber, plastic or fabric. Alternatively, the use of brushes or combs as sealing members 94 is also envisaged. Finally, a combination of any of the above sealing members 94 may be utilised in the provision of the debris blower apparatus.

In the embodiment depicted in figure 9, the internal cross section of the pipe 2 is substantially circular. Alternatively, the internal cross section of the pipe may be shaped such that it promotes the formation of a vortex, potentiality increasing the power of the air blown by the debris blower and thus the volume of debris that may be removed from the debris guard 1 at any one time.

Figure 10 relates to an embodiment of the invention wherein a pump 200 for driving air into the pipe 2 of the guard apparatus is mounted inside the roof soffit 201. In this embodiment, the pump 200 is in communication with the pipe 2 of the debris blowing apparatus via a hollow connecting member 202. To assist in the removal of debris from the surface of the guard 1, the hollow connecting member 202 forms a 45 degree angle with the pipe 2 of the debris blowing apparatus, minimising secondary flow.

Here, the pump may be installed into the soffit with a partial screw thread 203, although the use of a full screw thread is not excluded. To install the pump 200 into the soffit 201, an aperture may be cut in the base of the soffit 201 through which the pump 200 is inserted and subsequently connected, via the hollow connecting member 202, to the pipe 2 of the debris blowing apparatus, forming an angled connection between the hollow connecting member 202 and the pipe 2.

Subsequently, the pump 200 could be held in place in the soffit 201 via the use of the partial screw thread 203 and a pump support 204. To support the pump 200 in the soffit 201, the pump support 204 may be inserted into the aperture previously cut into the soffit 201. Any such insertion of the pump support 204 may be undertaken such that the support flange 205 is located proximal to the soffit 201. Thereafter, the pump support 204 may be rotated such that the support threads 206 of the pump support 204 engage with the partial screw threads 203 on the surface of the pump 200, forming a connection between the pump 200 and the pump support 204.

The pump support 204 may be affixed to the soffit 201 using screws 207, the screws 207 placed through the pump support 204 and into the soffit 201, holding the pump 200 in a desired location. Additionally, it may be desired to place a buffer 208 between the pump support 204 and the soffit 201, such a buffer 208 potentially reducing any vibrations transmitted from the pump 200 into the soffit 201 or sealing the interior of the soffit 201 from external environmental conditions Figure 11 relates to an embodiment of the invention wherein a clip 300 is attached to a bracket 301, the bracket used to support both the guard 1 and the gutter 302. Such a clip 300 may be used to carry piping or cables along the length of the gutter 302, potentially preventing any obstruction of the gutter by these piper or cables.

Various further aspects and features are defined in the following numbered clauses: 1. An apparatus for clearing leaves from a gutter, comprising: a leaf guard arranged to cover the open top of a gutter; a pipe extending along at least a portion of the length of the leaf guard, the pipe being provided with apertures along at least a portion of its length; and means for driving air into the pipe; wherein air driven into the pipe escapes through the apertures in the pipe to displace leaves from the leaf guard.

2. An apparatus according to clause 1, wherein the pipe is mounted above the leaf guard.

3. An apparatus according to clause 2, wherein the leaf guard comprises apertures to permit water to enter the gutter, and wherein the pipe or brackets to which the pipe can be mounted, comprise protrusions which engage with the apertures in the leaf guard to mount the pipe to the leaf guard.

4. An apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein the apertures in the pipe are oriented to face a direction which is substantially parallel with the upper surface of the leaf guard or angled down onto the upper surface of the leaf guard.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein the pipe is closed at one end, and the means for driving air is in communication with the other end of the pipe.

6. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 1 to 4, wherein the mean for driving air is in communication with both ends of the pipe.

7. An apparatus according to clause 6, comprising a projectile located within the pipe, the projectile being propelled from a first end of the pipe to a second end of the pipe by the means for driving air.

8. An apparatus according to clause 7, wherein the means for driving air comprises one or more valves, wherein the valves are set to permit air to be driven into the first end of the pipe and to inhibit air from leaving the second end of the pipe while the projectile is at the first end or travelling from the first end to the second end of the pipe, and are set to permit air to be driven into the second end of the pipe and to inhibit air from leaving the first end of the pipe while the projective is at the second end or travelling from the second end to the first end of the pipe.

9. Am apparatus according to clause 7 or clause 8, wherein the projectile is held by magnetic attraction at the first end of the pipe until an air pressure applied to the first end of the pipe by the means for driving overcomes the magnetic attraction.

10. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 7, 8 or 9, wherein the projectile comprises a substantially flat end having a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe.

11. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 7 to 10, wherein the projectile comprises an external cross section which substantially matches the internal cross section of the pipe.

12. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 7 to 10, wherein one or both of each end face of the projectile and a stop provided at each end of the pipe are provided with a shock absorbing element.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding clause, comprising a stop at or towards each end of the pipe, at least one of the stops being provided with an aperture through which the means for driving air is able to drive air into the pipe.

14. An apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein the means for driving air comprises one or more air-lines from a pump or compressor, the air-lines extending along and through a down pipe from the gutter.

15. An apparatus according to any preceding clause, wherein the pipe has a non-circular cross section.

16. An apparatus according to clause 15, wherein the pipe has a substantially rectangular or elliptical cross section, the pipe being mounted such that the major axis of the rectangular or elliptical cross section is substantially parallel with the plane of the leaf guard.

17. An apparatus for clearing debris from a gutter, comprising: a guard arranged to cover the open top of a gutter; a pipe extending along at least a portion of the length of the guard, the pipe being provided with at least one aperture along at least a portion of its length; and means for driving air into the pipe; wherein air driven into the pipe escapes through said aperture in the pipe so as to displace debris from the guard.

18. An apparatus according to clause 17, wherein the pipe is mounted above the guard.

19. An apparatus according to clause 18, wherein the guard comprises apertures to permit water to enter the gutter, and wherein the pipe or brackets to which the pipe can be mounted, comprise protrusions which engage with said aperture in the guard to mount the pipe to the guard.

20. An apparatus according to any of clauses 17 to 19, wherein said aperture in the pipe is oriented to face a direction which is substantially parallel with the upper surface of the guard or angled down onto the upper surface of the guard.

21. An apparatus according to any of clauses 17 to 20, wherein said aperture consists of a plurality of holes along the length of the pipe.

22. An apparatus according to clause 21, wherein the plurality of holes are spaced equally along the length of the pipe.

23. An apparatus according to clause 21, wherein the plurality of holes are spaced unequally along the length of the pipe.

24. An apparatus according to any of clauses 17 to 20, wherein said aperture consists of a slot arranged substantially along a longitudinal length of the pipe.

25. An apparatus according to clause 24, wherein an upper edge and a lower edge of the slot are arranged to be in opposition with each other along substantially the length of said slot.

26. An apparatus according to clause 24, wherein an upper edge and a lower edge of the slot are arranged to be offset from one another along the substantially the length of said slot.

27. An apparatus according to clause 24, wherein an upper edge and a lower edge of a slot are arranged to be in opposition with each other and offset from one another at varying points along the length of said slot.

28. An apparatus according to any of clauses 17 to 27, wherein at least one covering member covers said aperture in the pipe when the debris blower is not operational.

29. An apparatus according to clause 28, wherein the covering members comprise a flexible material.

30. An apparatus according to either clause 28 or 29, wherein the covering members comprise a brush or comb.

31. An apparatus according to any of clauses 17 to 30, wherein the pipe is closed at one end, and the means for driving air is in communication with a second end of the pipe.

32. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 17 to 30, wherein the means for driving air is in communication with both ends of the pipe.

33. An apparatus according to clause 32, comprising a projectile located within the pipe, the projectile being propelled from a first end of the pipe to a second end of the pipe by the means for driving air.

34. An apparatus according to clause 33, wherein the means for driving air comprises one or more valves, wherein the valves are set to permit air to be driven into the first end of the pipe and to inhibit air from leaving the second end of the pipe while the projectile is at the first end or travelling from the first end to the second end of the pipe, and are set to permit air to be driven into the second end of the pipe and to inhibit air from leaving the first end of the pipe while the projective is at the second end or travelling from the second end to the first end of the pipe.

35. An apparatus according to clause 33 or clause 34, wherein the projectile is held by magnetic attraction at the first end of the pipe until an air pressure applied to the first end of the pipe by the means for driving overcomes the magnetic attraction.

36. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 33, 34 or 35, wherein the projectile comprises a substantially flat end having a plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pipe.

37. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 33 to 36, wherein the projectile comprises an external cross section which substantially matches the internal cross section of the pipe.

38. An apparatus according to any one of clauses 33 to 36, wherein one or both of each end face of the projectile and a stop provided at each end of the pipe are provided with a shock absorbing element.

39. An apparatus according to any of clause 17 to 38, comprising a stop at or towards each end of the pipe, at least one of the stops being provided with an aperture through which the means for driving air is able to drive air into the pipe.

40. An apparatus according to any of clauses 17 to 39, wherein the means for driving air comprises one or more air-lines from a pump or compressor, the air-lines extending along and through a down pipe from the gutter.

41. An apparatus according to any of clauses 17 to 40, wherein the pipe has a non-circular cross section.

42. An apparatus according to clause 41, wherein the pipe has a substantially rectangular or elliptical cross section, the pipe being mounted such that the major axis of the rectangular or elliptical cross section is substantially parallel with the plane of the guard.

43. An apparatus according to any of clauses 17 to 42, wherein the pipe has an internal shape such that moving air is predisposed to form a vortex in said pipe.

44. An apparatus according to any of 17 to 43, wherein the means for driving air into the pipe is located proximal to said pipe.

45. An apparatus according to clause 44, wherein the means for driving air into the pipe is located in a building.

46. An apparatus according to clause 44, wherein the means for driving air into the pipe is located in a soffit.

47. An apparatus according to clause 44, wherein the means for driving air into the pipe is located under an eave.

48. An apparatus according to any of clauses 44 to 47, wherein a hollow connecting member connects the means for driving air into the pipe with said pipe.

49. An apparatus according to clause 48, wherein the hollow connecting member forms an acute angle with the pipe.

50. An apparatus according any of clauses 44 to 49, wherein the means for driving air into the pipe, located proximal to the pipe, is held in place via a fixing base.

51. An apparatus according to clause 50, wherein the fixing base is in communication with the means for driving air into the pipe via a screw thread.

52. An apparatus according to clause 50, wherein the fixing base is affixed to a building.

53. An apparatus accruing to any of clauses 50 to 52, wherein the fixing base includes a vibration damper.

54. An apparatus according to any proceeding clause, wherein the means for driving air into the pipe is weather resistant.

55. An apparatus according to any proceeding clause, wherein the direction of air flow through the means for driving air into the pipe may be reversed.

56. An apparatus according to any proceeding clause wherein the means for driving air into the pipe is a pump.

57. An apparatus according to any proceeding clause wherein the means for driving air into the pipe is a compressor.

58. An apparatus according to any preceding clause, comprising a controller for controlling the timing of the driving of air into the pipe by the means for driving air.

59. An apparatus according to clause 58 wherein the controller uses a remote signal.

60. An apparatus according to any proceeding clause, further comprising at least one bracket, wherein said bracket includes a clip.

61. A system for clearing leaves from a gutter, the system comprising a plurality of apparatuses according to any preceding clause.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An apparatus for clearing debris, comprising: a pipe provided with at least one aperture along at least a portion of its length; and means for driving air into the pipe; wherein air driven into the pipe escapes through said aperture in the pipe so as to displace debris wherein the means for driving air into the pipe drives air into different areas or ends of the pipe, and wherein the flow of air into the different areas is regulated so as to vary the area of the pipe at which the air flows meet.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the pipe extends along at least a portion of the length of a gutter, and wherein the air escaping from said aperture displaces debris from the gutter.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a debris guard arranged to cover an open top of a gutter along at least a portion of the length of which the pipe extends, and wherein the air escaping from said aperture displaces debris from the leaf guard.
4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the pipe is mounted above the guard.
5. An apparatus according to either claim 3 or 4, wherein the guard comprises apertures to permit water to enter the gutter, and wherein the pipe or brackets to which the pipe can be mounted, comprise protrusions which engage with said aperture in the guard to mount the pipe to the guard.
6. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein said aperture consists of a plurality of holes along the length of the pipe.
7. An apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said aperture consists of a slot arranged substantially along a longitudinal length of the pipe.
8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein an upper edge and a lower edge of the slot are arranged to be in opposition with each other along substantially the length of said slot.
9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or 8, wherein at least one covering member covers said aperture in the pipe when the debris blower is not operational.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the covering members comprise a flexible material.
11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the pipe is closed at one end, and the means for driving air is in communication with a second end of the pipe.13. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the means for driving air is in communication with both ends of the pipe.14. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the pipe has a non-circular cross section.15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the pipe has a substantially rectangular or elliptical cross section, the pipe being mounted such that the major axis of the rectangular or elliptical cross section is substantially parallel with the plane of the guard.16. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the pipe has an internal shape such that moving air is predisposed to form a vortex in said pipe.17. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the means for driving air into the pipe is located proximal to said pipe.18. An apparatus according to claim 17, wherein the means for driving air into the pipe is located in a soffit.19. An apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein a hollow connecting member connects the means for driving air into the pipe with said pipe.20. An apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the hollow connecting member forms an acute angle with the pipe.21. An apparatus according any of claims 17 to 20, wherein the means for driving air into the pipe, located proximal to the pipe, is held in place via a fixing base.22. An apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the fixing base is in communication with the means for driving air into the pipe via a screw thread.23. An apparatus according to claim 21 or claim 22, wherein the fixing base is affixed to a building.24. An apparatus accruing to any of claims 21 to 23, wherein the fixing base includes a vibration damper.25. An apparatus according to any proceeding claim, wherein the direction of air flow through the means for driving air into the pipe may be reversed.