Interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance

• US 10,392,809 B2
• Filed: 08/01/2016
• Issued: 08/27/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/24/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Timothy S. Nichols
• Original Assignee: Timothy S. Nichols
• Inventors: Nichols, Timothy S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Spisich, Mark
• Application Number:
  US15/225,813
• Publication Number:
  US 20160340906A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,121 Days
• Field of Search: 1523604, 151441, 151443, 151444, 15145, 15146, 15160, 401289, 294 24, 294 29, 294181, 16422, 16427, 16429, 16900, 5640001-40021, 172371-381
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 17/02 Devices for holding brushes in use
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 2200/3073 Brush for cleaning specific unusual places not otherwise covered, e.g. gutters, golf clubs, tops of tin cans, corners
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/0054 designed to allow relative positioning of the head to body
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/0058 Mechanical joint or hinge made up of several components
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/0091 promoting relative motion during use bristle carriers moving during use A46B7/06; driven brush bodies A46B13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A46B 5/0095 Removable or interchangeable brush heads
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 1/04 telescopic; extensible; sectional
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/38 Hinged, pivoted, swivelling, or folding joints
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/0765 Cleaning tools
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 16/90 Handle with angularly adjustable component

Abstract

An interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance includes an extension assembly having a first fitting at a distal end, a holder having a second fitting at its proximal end and a gutter tool interface at its distal end, and an interchangeable gutter tool. The second fitting is coupled to the first fitting of the extension assembly. The interchangeable gutter tool is installed on the gutter tool interface by inserting the gutter tool interface into a mounting assembly in the interchangeable gutter tool, and the interchangeable gutter tool is removed from the gutter tool interface by removing the mounting assembly from the gutter tool interface.

Claims

1. An interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance, comprising:

an extension assembly having a first fitting at a distal end;

a holder having a second fitting at its proximal end and a gutter tool interface at its distal end, wherein the second fitting is coupled to the first fitting of the extension assembly; and

an interchangeable gutter tool including an operational member configured to move debris in a gutter;

wherein the interchangeable gutter tool is installed on the gutter tool interface by inserting the gutter tool interface into a mounting assembly disposed within the interchangeable gutter tool, and wherein the interchangeable gutter tool is removed from the gutter tool interface by removing the mounting assembly from the gutter tool interface;

wherein the interchangeable gutter tool is free to rotate around the gutter tool interface when installed thereon;

wherein the interchangeable gutter tool includes a plurality of interchangeable gutter tools, each including a different operational member, wherein no more than one of the plurality of interchangeable gutter tools is installed on the gutter tool interface at any one time, and wherein the plurality of interchangeable gutter tools include

at least a hoe and a rake, a hoe and a brush, or a rake and a brush.

2. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the gutter tool interface has a longitudinal axis, wherein the interchangeable gutter tool has a center of gravity which is not collinear with the longitudinal axis of the gutter tool interface, and wherein the interchangeable gutter tool rotates such that the operational member hangs below the gutter tool interface as the interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance is moved.

3. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable gutter tools are provided as a kit with the holder and the extension assembly.

4. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable gutter tool includes a mounting arm in which the mounting assembly is disposed.

5. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 4, wherein the mounting assembly includes a cartridge disposed in the mounting arm.

6. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 5, wherein the cartridge includes a hollow cylindrical tube having a fixed entry sleeve and a floating internal sleeve disposed therein.

7. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 6, wherein the gutter tool interface includes a rod that is inserted into the fixed entry sleeve and the floating internal sleeve.

8. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 7, wherein the floating internal sleeve clamps around the rod, and wherein the mounting arm is free to rotate around the floating internal sleeve and rod.

9. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 7, wherein the rod is a forged metal rod.

10. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the holder is a paint roller holder.

11. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the extension assembly includes a plurality of pull-out sections that may be manipulated relative to each other so as to adjust the overall length of the extension assembly and thus of the interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance.

12. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 11, wherein the first and second fittings are threaded fittings.

13. An interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance, comprising:

an extension assembly having a first fitting at a distal end;

a holder having a second fitting at its proximal end and a gutter tool interface at its distal end, wherein the second fitting is coupled to the first fitting of the extension assembly; and

an interchangeable gutter tool including an operational member configured to move debris in a gutter;

wherein the interchangeable gutter tool is installed on the gutter tool interface by inserting the gutter tool interface into a mounting assembly disposed within the interchangeable gutter tool, and wherein the interchangeable gutter tool is removed from the gutter tool interface by removing the mounting assembly from the gutter tool interface;

wherein the interchangeable gutter tool is free to rotate around the gutter tool interface when installed thereon; and

wherein the operational member of the interchangeable gutter tool includes a scoop.

14. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 13, wherein the interchangeable gutter tool includes a mounting arm in which the mounting assembly is disposed.

15. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 13, wherein the gutter tool interface has a longitudinal axis, wherein the interchangeable gutter tool has a center of gravity which is not collinear with the longitudinal axis of the gutter tool interface, and wherein the interchangeable gutter tool rotates such that the operational member hangs below the gutter tool interface as the interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance is moved.

16. An interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance, comprising:

an extension assembly having a first fitting at a distal end;

a holder having a second fitting at its proximal end and a gutter tool interface at its distal end, wherein the second fitting is coupled to the first fitting of the extension assembly; and

an interchangeable gutter tool including an operational member configured to move debris in a gutter;

wherein the interchangeable gutter tool is installed on the gutter tool interface by inserting the gutter tool interface into a mounting assembly disposed within the interchangeable gutter tool, and wherein the interchangeable gutter tool is removed from the gutter tool interface by removing the mounting assembly from the gutter tool interface;

wherein the interchangeable gutter tool is free to rotate around the gutter tool interface when installed thereon; and

wherein the interchangeable gutter tool includes a water sprayer supported by the mounting assembly.

17. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 16, wherein the water sprayer includes a nozzle and a hose fitting.

18. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 16, wherein the gutter tool interface has a longitudinal axis, wherein the interchangeable gutter tool has a center of gravity which is not collinear with the longitudinal axis of the gutter tool interface, and wherein the interchangeable gutter tool rotates such that the operational member hangs below the gutter tool interface as the interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance is moved.

19. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 16, wherein the interchangeable gutter tool includes a mounting arm in which the mounting assembly is disposed.