US20040064909A1

US20040064909A1 - Gutter brush

Info

Publication number: US20040064909A1
Application number: US10/265,704
Authority: US
Inventors: David Locklear
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-10-08
Filing date: 2002-10-08
Publication date: 2004-04-08

Abstract

The gutter brush for cleaning the exterior surfaces of overhead gutters from the ground level. The gutter brush has a shaped brush head adapted to the contours of the external surfaces of overhead gutters. The head is attached by a joint to an extendable pole.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to overhead gutters cleaning tools. More specifically, the invention is directed to a specialized gutter cleaning brush having an extendable handle and a pivoting head with unique shape for cleaning the outside of an overhead gutter.

2. Description of the Related Art

A number of gutter cleaners have been devised to enable the cleaning of the interior of overhead building gutters from the ground level. U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,209, issued to McDermott discloses a gutter cleaning apparatus for remotely cleaning a house gutter with accumulated leaves and twigs. It includes a telescoping pole, a pivotal shaped head with a brush on the outside forward edges for cleaning the interior walls and bottom the gutter. Additionally, the U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,927, issued to Malless, Jr. describes a cleaning head with spikes and an extensible handle for cleaning the interior surfaces of overhead gutters.

Although these devices have generally served their intended purpose, they have not addressed satisfactorily the need to clean the outside of overhead gutters from the accumulation of dirt, soot, and other debris.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,678, issued to Lange shows an apparatus for overhead cleaning of all types of surfaces. It includes a telescoping pole and a hinged cleaning head with bristles. However, Lange's single cleaning surface is not designed to simultaneously scrub the outer and lower surface of overhead gutters, nor is its single surface capable of hooking onto the gutter to provide the leverage necessary to satisfactorily clean the front and bottom exterior surfaces of the gutter.

None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singularly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus a gutter brush solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a specialized gutter brush having specially designed head pivotally attached to a long extendable handle. The head has a generally C-shaped body with a convex outer surface and a concave inner surface having a plurality of bristles attached thereto. An extendable pole having two ends is attached on one end to the outer surface of the body by way of a ball and socket joint.

Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide an overhead gutter brush which will allow a person standing on the ground level to clean the external surfaces of overhead gutters.

Another object of the invention is to provide a gutter brush of relatively simple construction that is adaptable to the variable contours of overhead gutters.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a gutter brush which is easy to operate and maintain.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a gutter brush and pivot connector that would continuously apply sufficient pressure to the brush head in order to scrub the gutter while being manipulated by means of a pole from ground level.

It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes.

These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an environmental, perspective view of a gutter brush according to the present invention cleaning a gutter and depicts a person using it. [0015]
FIG. 1B is an exploded perspective view of the gutter cleaning brush. [0016]
FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the gutter brush. [0017]
FIG. 3 is an exploded rear view of the gutter brush. [0018]
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a [0020] gutter brush 11, preferably is made up of a brush head 10 connected to an extendable pole 14 by a ball and socket joint 15.
The [0021] pole 14 can be adjusted for length preferably by telescoping in a manner similar to that which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,158,678 which is incorporated herein by reference. This adjustability allows the gutter brush to reach gutters of differing heights and to be conveniently stored when not in use.
As diagrammatically illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 the [0022] brush head 10 is generally C-shaped in cross section, and has two opposing ends, a generally concave inner surface 28, and a generally convex outer surface 27. The inner surface 28 is ordinarily adapted to conform to the shape of the outer and bottom surface of a gutter. One skilled in the art would have the ability to alter the exact shape to the inner surface 28 to match particular gutter shapes. The head 10 further has an upper lip 29 which is adapted to allow the brush head to slidably attach to a gutter. The inner surface 28 additionally has a plurality of bristles 26 attached thereto.
The [0023] brush head 10 is attached to the pole 14 by a ball and socket joint 15. The joint 15 itself has a ball 13 which is attached to the pole 14, and a socket 12 which is attached to the outer surface 27 of the brush. The ball 13 is secured in the socket 12 by a clamp collar 18 which circumferentially compresses the socket along several compression cuts 16. The collar 18 is secured by a bolt 20 and nut 22.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims. [0024]

Claims

I claim:

1. A gutter brush, comprising:

a generally C-shaped brush head having an inner surface, an outer surface and two opposing ends;

a plurality of bristles attached to the inner surface of said head;

a pole having a first end and a second end; and

a joint connecting the back surface of said brush to the second end of said pole.

2. The gutter brush as in claim 1, wherein said joint is a ball and socket joint.

3. The gutter brush as in claim 1, wherein the inner surface of said head further has a lip adapted for engagement with to a gutter.

4. The gutter brush as in claim 1, wherein said pole is telescopic in construction and configuration.

5. The gutter brush of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of said head is adapted for close association with the external surface of a gutter.

6. A gutter brush, comprising:

a generally C-shaped brush head having a generally concave inner surface, a generally convex outer surface and two opposing ends;

a plurality of bristles attached to the inner surface of said head;

a pole having a first end and a second end; and

a joint connecting the back surface of said brush to the second end of said pole;

wherein said joint is a ball and socket joint;

wherein the inner surface of said head further has a lip adapted for engagement with a gutter;

wherein the inner surface of said head is adapted for close association with the external surface of a gutter; and

wherein said pole is telescopic in construction and configuration.