US4168559A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Cleaning device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1978-03-27
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Granted: 1979-09-25
•
Expires: 1998-03-27
Abstract
Abstract A cleaning device for removing leaves and other debris from elevated structures such as gutters. An elongated support handle is provided with a quick-release coupling at an upper end thereof. A curved support member is removably secured to the elongated support member and has a power means, such as an electric motor provided at an opposite end thereof. A shaft extending from the electric motor is provided with a plurality of elongated, flexible elements to engage, dislodge, or comminute leaves and other debris in gutters or other elevated structures during operation of same. Universal joints along the curved upper support member permit the placement of the power means in such fashion to move under nails or the like that are used to support the gutters and secure same to a housing structure. Normal operation of the power means disposes the shaft vertically with the elongated, flexible members rotating in a horizontal plane. The support elements may be tubular in construction, and a further attachment provided for the elongated support to seal an end of a downspout from a gutter, whereby water may be forced through the elongated support member and into the downspout to clear same of debris, if necessary.
Inventors
- 👤 Bobby G. Henson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:08
CPC Classifications
A; A46; A46B; A46B13/00; A46B13/02; A46B13/04; E; E04; E04D; E04D13/00; E04D13/04; E04D13/076; E04D13/0765
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
79 words
A cleaning device for elevated structures comprising: (a) an elongated, rigid support element; (b) a curved upper section secured to an upper end of said support element; (c) a power means secured to said curved upper section at an opposite end thereof, said power means having a rotatable shaft extending therefrom, said shaft having a plurality of flexible members secured thereto for rotary movement with said shaft to engage debris within said structure and dislodge or masticate said debris.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
79 words
A cleaning device for elevated structures comprising: (a) an elongated, rigid support element; (b) a curved upper section secured to an upper end of said support element; (c) a power means secured to said curved upper section at an opposite end thereof, said power means having a rotatable shaft extending therefrom, said shaft having a plurality of flexible members secured thereto for rotary movement with said shaft to engage debris within said structure and dislodge or masticate said debris.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 1 wherein said shaft is hollow.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 1 wherein said curved upper section has at least one joint therealong to permit pivotal movement of said power means about said joint.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 1 wherein the flexible members are synthetic polymeric filaments.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 1 wherein flexible members are secured to said shaft along a major portion of the length thereof, said members decreasing in length downwardly along the shaft, in conformity with the cross section of said structure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 1 further comprising rotary support means secured to an outer free end of said shaft.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 1 further comprising handle means secured to said elongated support.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 1 wherein said elongated support is tubular and has hose securement means provided at a lower end of same.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 8 wherein said elongated support means has valve means therealong.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
91 words
A cleaning device for gutters comprising: (a) an elongated support means; (b) a curved upper support section secureable to said elongated support section at an upper end thereof, said curved upper support having a universal joint therealong; (c) a power means secured to a free outer end of said curved upper support at said universal joint; and (d) an elongated rotatable shaft secured for rotation at said power means, said shaft having a plurality of elongated flexible members secured thereto, said shaft having rotatable support means secured to an end thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
91 words
A cleaning device for gutters comprising: (a) an elongated support means; (b) a curved upper support section secureable to said elongated support section at an upper end thereof, said curved upper support having a universal joint therealong; (c) a power means secured to a free outer end of said curved upper support at said universal joint; and (d) an elongated rotatable shaft secured for rotation at said power means, said shaft having a plurality of elongated flexible members secured thereto, said shaft having rotatable support means secured to an end thereof.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 10 wherein said power means is an electric motor.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 11 further comprising an electrical conductor connected to said motor and being secured along said support members, said conductor being connectable to a source of electricity at a free end thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 10 wherein said elongated support is tubular in structure.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 10 wherein said flexible members on said shaft are synthetic polymeric monofilaments.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
A cleaning device as defined in claim 10 wherein the rotatable shaft has means associated therewith to permit said shaft to deflect.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
96 words
A cleaning device for an elevated structure comprising: (a) an elongated rigid support element, said suppoort element having a curved section adjacent an end of same, said curved section being receivable at said elevated structure; (b) a rotatable shaft received at an outer free end of said curved section of said support element, said shaft having at least one flexible element secured thereto, said at least one flexible element being rotatingly engageable with debris within said structure to dislodge or masticate same; and (c) power means associated with said rotatable shaft for imparting rotation to same.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
96 words
A cleaning device for an elevated structure comprising: (a) an elongated rigid support element, said suppoort element having a curved section adjacent an end of same, said curved section being receivable at said elevated structure; (b) a rotatable shaft received at an outer free end of said curved section of said support element, said shaft having at least one flexible element secured thereto, said at least one flexible element being rotatingly engageable with debris within said structure to dislodge or masticate same; and (c) power means associated with said rotatable shaft for imparting rotation to same.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-09-24 | 1983-03-26 | 1983-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-09-24 | 1987-03-26 | 1987-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-09-24 | 1991-03-26 | 1991-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |