Interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance

• US 9,404,267 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2014
• Issued: 08/02/2016
• 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:
  US14/313,983
• Publication Number:
  US 20150368905A1
• Time in Patent Office: 770 Days
• Field of Search: 152/360.4, 151/441, 151/444, 151/45, 151/46, 151/44, 15/3, 401/289, 294/24, 294 49-181
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: B25G 3/38 Hinged, pivoted, swivelling, or folding joints
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/0765 Cleaning tools

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;

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 includes a mounting arm in which the mounting assembly is disposed; and

wherein the mounting assembly includes a cartridge surrounded by a compressible layer of soft material.

2. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable gutter tool includes a plurality of interchangeable gutter tools, each including a different operational member, and no more than one of the plurality of interchangeable gutter tools being installed on the gutter tool interface at any one time.

3. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 2, wherein the plurality of interchangeable gutter tools include at least two of the following:

a scoop, a rake, a brush, and a water sprayer.

4. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 2, wherein the plurality of interchangeable gutter tools are provided as a kit with the holder and the extension assembly.

5. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the cartridge includes a hollow cylindrical tube having a fixed entry sleeve and a floating internal sleeve disposed therein.

6. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 5, wherein the gutter tool interface includes a rod that is inserted into the fixed entry sleeve and the floating internal sleeve.

7. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 6, wherein the floating internal sleeve clamps around the rod, and wherein the hollow cylindrical tube, compressible layer of soft material, and mounting arm are free to rotate around the floating internal sleeve and rod.

8. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 6, wherein the rod is a forged metal rod.

9. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the compressible layer of soft material is a layer of foam.

10. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable gutter tool includes a water sprayer supported by the mounting assembly.

11. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 10, wherein the water sprayer includes a nozzle and a hose fitting.

12. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 1, wherein the interchangeable gutter tool is free to rotate around the gutter tool interface when installed thereon.

13. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 12, wherein the gutter tool interface has a longitudinal axis, wherein the interchangeable gutter tool includes an operational member whose center of gravity is not collinear with the longitudinal axis of the gutter tool interface, and wherein the interchangeable gutter tool rotates such that it hangs below the gutter tool interface as the interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance is moved.

14. 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.

15. The interchangeable gutter cleaning appliance of claim 14, wherein the first and second fittings are threaded fittings.