JPS62502270A - gutter cleaning tools - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] gutter cleaning tools The present invention relates to a gutter cleaning tool, and particularly to a gutter cleaning tool for removing debris from roof gutters. It's about the ingredients.

Roof gutters are covered with thick trees, nearby leaves, or treated roof gutters. - Often clogged by roof debris such as felt gravel. And that In such cases, rainwater on the roof will reach the normal downward-facing drainage gutter. Unable to do so, it ends up overflowing. This kind of overflow is caused by e.g. The regular noise caused by the frequent dripping of water can be irritating to residents. It is. Overflow can also cause unsightly stains on roof support walls sooner or later. If the outside walls of your house are made of brick, follow the path of the dripping. It can also cause fissures.

Despite these well-known problems, gutters continue to clog and remain clogged. Left alone. This is because many house occupants and even people in factories and businesses are exposed to rain. This was because he did not want to climb the ladder to the height of the gutter. And debris from the rain gutters to the roof. Calling a contractor to clean the area is a trivial task on the ground, and Considering the short time required, it is expensive.

One attempt to solve this problem was made by Pro Kubank in British patents 1 and 5. It is that of No. 59,925. However, the gutter cleaning tools there are large and fixed. It has a fixed insertion angle. The insertion angle is the angle at which the tool is placed into the gutter. Tangle with roof tiles that extend beyond the outside edge and the inside edge of the implement It is the angle with respect to the horizontal plane at which it must be inserted without any interference.

However, other gutter cleaning tools have been proposed, some of which are so that the tool can be inserted under the overhanging roof tiles and also on the walls of the building. The equipment can be operated by an operator standing on the ground at a selected distance from the It is designed to. For example, Bugbird U.S. Pat. No. 2,817,867 discloses a gutter cleaning tool located at the top end of the handle, the handle being adjacent to the roof gutter; a longitudinal direction that diverges downwardly at an adjusted angle relative to the wall of a building The insertion angle of the tool is thus adjusted. Swani U.S. Pat. Discloses a blade having a contoured bottom surface that engages the interior of the gutter in a condition. . The blade has a bracket provided at one end of the longitudinally extending handle. It has an outwardly projecting arm that is pivotally connected to. This will cause the brake to The surface of the dome can be swung to change the angle of insertion of the tool.

To clean a rain gutter, place the gutter cleaning tool above and to one side, with the handle hanging down. The operator walks around on the ground in a straight plane.

Keep gutter cleaning equipment off the ground and away from shrubs and other obstructions near wall bases. On the one hand, the mechanism for operating is important.

However, the inventor believes that in order to efficiently clean the gutter, it is necessary to The need for other features that were not present or incorporated in the knowledge proposal He discovered that.

We therefore prefer a shovel rather than a blade. this The shovel has a gutter retaining surface that allows it to be dragged along the gutter, thereby Root debris collects in the scoop. Clear the gutter by successively emptying the shovel. will be cleaned. The scoop has a longitudinal axis, i.e. the scoop is along the gutter. It has a tip that almost crosses the direction of movement, and it drives away debris from the gutter. This is to dredge under or inside the garbage. In particular, the inventor has determined that the longitudinal axis of the shovel forms an angle (actuation angle) with respect to the driving direction, and the actuation angle is greater than zero. It was configured as follows. Therefore, when viewed from the side, the operator is on one side of the shovel. Preferably, the shovel is pulled by the handle, which causes the shovel to move. The tip receives a downward force. In this way, the tip of the shovel rests on the garbage. Instead of being put away, they are being shoved into the garbage.

Preferably, this operating angle is variable. For more information on this, see Scoop The angle between the longitudinal axis of the scoop and the handle in the vertical plane containing the longitudinal axis of the scoop This is done by making changes in a plane parallel to . If desired, pull out the shovel. Instead of tightening, you can, for example, push. Therefore short length of rain gutter Then, the operating angle can be kept constant without requiring the operator to walk along the gutter. the handle, i.e. relative to the longitudinal axis of the cleaning implement and therefore relative to the gutter retaining surface. from one side of the operator's body to the other while keeping the angle substantially constant. It can be cleaned by simply moving the dollar. In that case, the next step is to There are two options. That is, the operator must empty the shovel if necessary and remove it from adjacent rain. You can walk sideways to clean the gutter area. Or the operator can adjust the operating angle can vary, thereby allowing the operator to walk sideways (without having to walk sideways). Then, you can clean the gutter over a certain length.

If the operator's lateral movement is restricted, such as when a rain gutter is being cleaned from a second-story window, It will be understood that the latter operation described above is important in such cases.

After testing various gutter cleaning tools proposed in the prior art, the inventors , the weight of an instrument cantilevered over one end of a long handle is Make it difficult to clean the rain gutters of two- or three-story buildings unless you use very strong force. I found out that there is. Because corners like avoiding overhanging tiles Introduce the shovel laterally into the gutter and remove any debris that is collected. This is because both are required.

For example, windows located above can easily be hit if the equipment is operated from the ground. , it will be broken. Blend as in U.S. Patent No. 3,858.267. The provision of a bar hopes to avoid the problem of removing a shovel full of debris. are doing. However, the inventor has developed a blade that is effective in removing accumulated debris. It's not what I found.

Also, if the operator walks directly along the rain gutter, move the blade along the rain gutter. It would require a considerable amount of physical strength to do so.

And according to the present invention, the inventor has provided a scoop having a gutter-engaging surface; a support arm having an end and a second end, the first end being connected to the scoop; and the second end is laterally spaced from the scoop. a coupling arm having an end coupled to the second end of the support arm; the other end of the connecting arm includes a gripping device; and the other end of the connecting arm includes a gripping device; and said first end results in an operating angle as herein defined. The present invention also provides a gutter cleaning tool characterized in that the operating angle is greater than zero. It is.

Preferably, the gripping device and the first end themselves form an actuation angle.

Preferably, the first end of the support arm is removably pivoted to the scoop. and thereby permitting angular adjustment between the support arm and the scoop; For example, an operator leaning out of a second-story window may be able to Provides different operating positions to allow you to remove debris from the gutter. There is. However, if the grip device is suitable for connection with the stretching rond, Alternatively or additionally, this connection can be removably and pivotally connected. and the relative angle between the stretching iron and the scoop can be adjusted. It can be made so that

Scoop the second end of the support arm a sufficient distance to accommodate the sidewall of the gutter. spaced laterally from the arm so that, in use, the connecting arm along and outside the gutter, and the other end of the connecting arm is below the gutter. The shovel can be placed inside the rain gutter as shown in . A pair of scoops The first end of the support arm may include side members, and the first end of the support arm may be attached to one or the other of the side members. It is possible to connect alternately to both sides. However, in other embodiments, The scoop has a cross member coupled to the side member, and the first end of the support arm is connected to the cross member. is connected to the cross member of The first end of this support arm is normally fixed at an angle with respect to the scoop, thereby preventing the scoop from filling with debris. This prevents premature pivoting when being removed from the gutter. deer If the shovel is properly balanced or if the weight of the waste being transported If the object is heavier and has a lower center of gravity than the first end, the first end and the shovel The connection therebetween may allow relative pivoting. This allows the rain gutter This makes it possible for the scoop to adjust its own angle within the If the shovel is used in a rain gutter in an inconvenient location or with a long rond. This is useful if used.

The invention will be further explained by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. In the attached drawings , FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gutter cleaning tool according to the present invention inside a rain gutter, with the rain gutter partially It has been excised; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the gutter cleaning tool; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the shovel; FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the meter; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the connection between the first end of the support arm and the scoop; Figure 5 is a partial plan view of two (superimposed) scoops with different widths. the law of nature; Figure 6a9 is a schematic end view of the narrower shovel of Figure 5 in a narrow trough; ; Figures 6b and 6c are the larger portions of figure 5 in medium and wide troughs, respectively. This is a schematic end view of the scoop; 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment; Figure 7a is a partial sectional view taken along the line x--X of Figure 7; Figure 8 is a universal cross-sectional view; 3 is a side elevational view of another embodiment of the joint; Figure 8a is a partial sectional view taken along line 1, xl in Figure 8; Figure 9M is a second floor window and 10 is a schematic front view of a simple cleaning tool; FIG. 10 is a schematic front view of a second floor window similar to FIG. 9; Schematic side view showing the roof with tiles overhanging the gutter; Figure 11 is a schematic front view showing the state in which the connecting arm and the extended rond form an operating angle α. It is a diagram; Figure 12 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the connecting arm and extension rond are pivoted at an operating angle α. It is a front view; Figure 13 shows that the bottom of the implement rides over the outer wall of the gutter while the inner wall of the implement overhangs. In a schematic side view showing the insertion angle β required to pass under the tile be.

In the drawing, the shovel 2 is placed within the rain ItAd. Support arm 8 One end 6 is disposed within a tube 10 which is fixedly supported by a cross member 12. It is. Cross member 12 is secured to both side members 14 and 16 of the scoop. There is. The first end 6 has a screw 1B that abuts a part of the first end 6 inside the tube 10. It is pivotably attached to the scoop 2 in a detachable manner.

The second end 20 of the support arm 8 is laterally spaced from the scoop 2 and is The second end 20 of is interconnected with one end 22 of a connecting arm 24. During this time The spacing is such that the gutter sidewall 26 can be accommodated between the side member 14 and the connecting arm 24. It has become something like this. The other end 27 of the connecting arm 24 includes a gripping device 28. In this embodiment, this gripping device is used when the locking screw 32 is released. The universal joint 30 is adjustable. The gripping device 28 It includes a hollow mounting member 34 which is shown secured on an elongated rod 35. Second In the illustrated embodiment, like parts are numbered the same. Support arm 8 The tube 10, in which the first end 6 of the It is fixedly held by a triangular member 42 with a corresponding triangular part. A member 42a is fixed to the other side member 16. The grip device 48 is a stretch rod. It has a hollow mounting member 44 that can be fixed on the board 35, but is not universal. - All angles between the support arm 8 and the scoop 2, not including the joint. Adjustment is adapted to occur between the first end 6 and the tube 10. Scoop 2 is at the end It has a section member 46. In another embodiment, triangular member 42 is removable. and instead of using a separate triangular member 42a, it can be reattached to the opposite shovel wall. can be done. This alternative embodiment is lighter and reduces the possibility of triangular member 42a becoming tangled. It is more convenient to use under overhanging tiles.

The embodiment of FIG. 3 has a flat bottom 50 and vertical end members 52 and side members 54. 56 is for another design of the scoop.

The cross member 58 has a pair of mounting holes 60a and 60b, which are connected to the holes in the member 64. Zero members 64, which may be alternately aligned with portions 62, are arranged to fit on each side of cross member 58. It has a pair of eye flanges 66 and a triangular raised portion 68 supporting the tube 70. There is. This scoop embodiment is selected for cleaning rain gutters with rectangular sides. Although it tends to be a scoop with a partially cylindrical shape as shown in Figures 1 and 2, is equally valid for such rain gutters. Because once such a rain gutter Even if there is garbage that remains in the corner without being cleaned by passing by, the rain gutter will be cleaned. The next time you receive a significant flow of rainwater, the middle section between the side members of the gutter for it will be washed away.

FIG. 4 shows a support arm 8 having an annular recess 72 in the first end 6. FIG.

The screws 18 are sufficient to prevent axial withdrawal of the support arm 8, but the support The relative pivoting of the tube 10 with respect to the arm 8 and thus the phase of the scoop 2 with respect to the tube lO It is screwed in just enough to prohibit counter-pivot. This relative pivot If the trA cleaning tool is in a static location, such as a window, and is pulled by an unoperated person. This is necessary in cases where the

The dry cleaning tool of the present invention thus allows the operator to climb a ladder and lean against an outside wall. Suitable for cleaning rain gutters without the need for cleaning. Because the appropriate length and By using a heavy and heavy stretching iron, the operator can This is because it is permissible to stay in Therefore, the gutter cleaning tool of the present invention is suitable for people with fear of heights. It is also safer for people to use, eliminates the need to hire contractors, and eliminates unnecessary overflow. Part of the building's standard maintenance to avoid repair of damage caused by obtain. Dimensions of the cross member 12 and tube 10 in FIG. 1, dimensions of the triangular member 42 in FIG. and the dimensions of the triangular raised portion 68 of FIG. The dimensions of the equivalent member in the example of is operated below the roof, such as a roof, so that the implement is placed in the gutter and selected such that it can be removed therefrom.

If it is structurally desired, for example, if you sit astride the back of the roof, it will be easier to protect yourself from the rain. If access to the gutter is more convenient, the tool can of course be used from above. . The support arm and the connecting arm are integrated as in the embodiment shown in Figs. 1 and 2. It can be separate, or it can be separate.

Figure 5 shows a suitable method for cleaning standard rain gutters and rain gutters with a rectangular cross section. FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the shape of a scoop discovered by the inventor. one fruit The example (solid line) has a width edge 2 of 11.1 cm; This width was found by the inventor to be suitable for a rain gutter of 11.5 cm. second fruit The example (dotted line) has a width of 10.2 emO, which is suitable for a 7.5 cm rain gutter. This width has been found by the inventor to be suitable for this purpose. Typically the length L is 15 ．． 2an, and the radius R is 6.8 cm.

Figure 6a schematically shows a small piece of equipment in a 7.5 cm rain gutter. Figure 6b shows the larger equipment in the 10.0cm gutter and Figure 6c shows the 11.5cm gutter. It shows a large piece of equipment inside the cm rain gutter. Figure 6C shows a large size with a width of -2. As expected, there is a larger gap in the larger of the two gutters. However, judging from the shape of the rain gutter, not all However, most of the garbage collected in rain gutters is concentrated in the center. and the side wall Even if the debris is stuck, after the debris has been cleaned from the center of the gutter, Get carried to the center.

FIG. 7 shows nine embodiments of the universal joint 43. The support arm 24 It has a ball (not shown) of a ball and socket joint. The socket is a mounting member 34, the mounting member 34 is adapted to receive an extension loft 35. It has a hollow 36. The shape of the bottom portion 37 is similar to that of the inner surface of the fixing member 38. A spherical ball receiving area 39 is created. The support arm 24 is rigid. It is fed through the fixing member 38 until the fixing member 38 engages the ball. solid The retaining member 38 is then tightened onto the mounting member 34 by a threaded interconnect 40. It will be done.

A rubber washer is used to seal the gap between the fixing member 38 and the mounting member 34. A shear 41 is provided.

To adjust the actuation angle and/or insertion angle, the fixing member 38 is loosened and then It is then tightened again.

In FIG. 8 showing still another embodiment, the universal joint 53 is Attached by an adjustable ramp, such as a bolt through aligned apertures 42. It includes a removably retained pinch clamp area 41.

FIG. 9 is a schematic front view of a second-story window 80, showing a fixed length of rain gutter adjacent to the window. The operating angle α selected for cleaning is shown.

For areas of the gutter that are further to the right in Figure 9, use a smaller actuation angle α. You can also push the shovel or change the direction of the shovel. After the change (for example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the support arm 8 is placed on the tube 10 from the other side) or by removing the triangular member 42 in the embodiment of FIG. by repositioning it at position 428, etc.) Then, the operating angle α is reversed (as shown by the dotted line) and the area in question is not shown. You can also clean from another window (i.e. further to the right).

If necessary, before the gutter cleaning tool is pushed out of the window 80, the inner wall 8 2 and the ceiling 84 of the room to internally determine the operating angle α. You can also do it.

As seen in Figure 1O, the universal joint 30 has a handle 35 held from the inside window 80 (solid line) or from the outside of the window, i.e. from the ladder or the ground. It is adjustable so that it can be adjusted. The rain gutter 4 is located outside the wall 82 and below the roof 86, In particular, it is fixed to the underside of the overhanging tile 88.

Figure 11 is a schematic front view of the gutter cleaning tool, in which the operating angle α is is provided by a handle 35 and a (universal) joint 30. this As in known gutter cleaning tools, the connecting arm 24 has a zero working angle. This is true even if there are.

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment similar to FIG. 9, but the operating angle α is changed by the connecting arm 24. It is formed by

Figure 13 shows the large insertion angle required in the gutter 4 under the overhanging tile 88. Schematic end face showing β and the value of the universal joint for this It is a diagram. The inner tool wall 90 must pass under the overhanging roof tile 88. However, the bottom 92 of the implement must pass over the outer wall 94 of the gutter.

Although the gutter cleaning tool of the present invention has been described in connection with cleaning roof gutters, It will be appreciated that this can easily be used to clean other gutters as well. , such examples include cleaning floor gutters in farm sink areas; Cleaning floor gutters in toilets; auto repair shops where water is directed to a central drain and car wash areas; bathing bases, areas around pools and showers, etc. The gutter cleaning tool of the present invention is Not only is it more convenient (as well as aiding public health in many applications) Reduces operator health risks.

In the UK, there are currently six sizes of roof guttering (three measured in imperial pounds). (3 in metric) but aligned with the improved actuation angle of the present invention. In some cases, only two types of Scotch according to the invention are needed to clean all these rain gutters. It has been found that only a single tap is required. Preferably the scoop is 20 gauge. made of steel sheet, but the weight of the implement is further reduced, i.e. For applications requiring cantilever loads, the relationship between hollow rods 24°35 Thinner material, for example aluminum, may also be used in the series. The tip of the tool It is rounded and helps in cleaning the gutter near the end of the gutter and corners. It is now possible to do so. In another embodiment, the scoop is made of plastic material or can be made of fibrous materials such as bonded wood fibres, or rTUFN It can be manufactured from materials sold under the registered trademark OLJ.

x″″−4 international search report ;-NQIEX To THE EThiTERNATrCNAL 5EARC HR three? ORτ　0NINTER)IATIONAL　A? ? 1-ICATIO N No, PCT/GB 8610OL58 (SA 12578) +- Kenshizuku Moan - - - Proboscis - - Moan - - - - One - - - Monk - + - - + - One - - - Eleven. ---- Groan ------ ------ −−11−−−−Rei|−−

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. a scoop (2) having a gutter-engaging surface; - a first end (6) and a second end; a support arm (8) having an end (20); - said first end (6) is connected to said step; being coupled to a cup (2); - said second end (20) is laterally spaced from said scoop (2); And, - an end (22) connected to said second end (20) of said support arm (8); a connecting arm (24) having; - the other end (27) of said connecting arm (24) includes a gripping device (28, 48); Being and - said gripping device (28, 48) and said first end (6) are defined herein; The operating angle (α) is different from zero. A gutter cleaning tool that is characterized by its large size. 2. The gripping device (28, 48) and the first end (6) are arranged at the operating angle. The gutter cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that it has the following characteristics (α). 3. The gripping device (28, 48) is attached to one end of the extension handle (35). , the first end (6) and the other end of the extension handle form the actuation angle (α); Thus said first end (6) and said gripping device (28, 48) The gutter cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that it forms an angle (α). . 4. The first end (6) is adjustably connected to the scoop (2) and The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the operating angle (α) is allowed to change. Gutter cleaning tools. 5. The grip device is a universal joint (30, 43, 53) The gutter cleaning tool according to claim 1, characterized in that: 6. The universal joint (30, 43, 53) has the operating angle (α) and the tool insertion angle (β) defined herein. The gutter cleaning tool according to claim 5, characterized in that: 7. The universal joints (30, 43, 53) are poles and sockets. characterized in that the socket is an end (22) of said connecting arm, A gutter cleaning tool according to claim 5. 8. The universal joint includes a pinch clamp. , a gutter cleaning tool according to claim 5. 9. The length of the connecting arm (24) is 2 meters or less, A gutter cleaning tool according to claim 1. 10. Said connecting arm (24) holds an extension handle (35), said arm and Claim characterized in that the combined length of the handle is less than 2 meters The gutter cleaning tool described in paragraph 1.