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US 11,840,839 B2Granted
Apparatus for cleaning gutters and methods of use
OwnerJames R. Lindlinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A tool for cleaning gutters includes a specialized nozzle that may be attached to a leaf blower via a set of rigid tubing. The nozzle transitions from a tubular shape into a mouth-like opening with a first projection in opposed, spaced relation to a second projection. The tool is particularly well suited to removing debris from gutters with the nozzle in contact with a gutter and made to expel high-velocity air.
Claims14
An apparatus configured to clean gutters using high velocity air, comprising:
- rigid tubing;
- and
- a nozzle assembly attached to the rigid tubing and comprising:
- a proximal nozzle portion characterized by a tubular shape and defining a first bend;
- a distal nozzle portion rotationally attached to the proximal nozzle portion and defining a second bend, the distal nozzle portion transitioning distally from a tubular shape into a mouth-shaped opening with a first projection in fixed, opposed, and spaced relation to a second projection, the first projection defining a first outward-facing surface facing away from the second projection;
- a locking mechanism comprising a rod spanning between the proximal nozzle portion and the distal nozzle portion and further comprising an eccentric clamping handle engaged with the rod, the locking mechanism operative to take on a first state and a second state, wherein rotational motion between the distal nozzle portion and the proximal nozzle portion is allowed in the first state and inhibited in the second state;
- and
- a first anti-wear plate describing a T-shape attached to the first outward-facing surface and formed of a different material therefrom.
5 more elements
A method comprising:
- (A) obtaining an apparatus comprising:
- (i) rigid tubing;
- (ii) a nozzle assembly attached to the rigid tubing and comprising:
- (a) a proximal nozzle portion characterized by a tubular shape and defining a first bend;
- (b) a distal nozzle portion rotationally attached to the proximal nozzle portion and defining a second bend, the distal nozzle portion transitioning distally from a tubular shape into a mouth-shaped opening with a first projection in fixed, opposed, and spaced relation to a second projection, the first projection defining a first outward-facing surface facing away from the second projection;
- (c) a locking mechanism comprising a rod spanning between the proximal nozzle portion and the distal nozzle portion and further comprising an eccentric clamping handle engaged with the rod, the locking mechanism operative to take on a first state and a second state, wherein rotational motion between the distal nozzle portion and the proximal nozzle portion is allowed in the first state and inhibited in the second state;
- and
- (d) a first anti-wear plate describing a T-shape attached to the first outward-facing surface and formed of a different material therefrom;
- (iii) a blower;
- and
- (iv) flexible tubing spanning between the blower and the rigid tubing;
- (B) placing the apparatus in contact with a gutter;
- and
- (C) propelling air from the blower through the flexible tubing, the rigid tubing, and the nozzle assembly into the gutter.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.