U.S. patent application number 12/186752 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-11 for wind driven device for preventing the clogging of a downspout.
Invention is credited to Tung Jung Chang.
Application Number | 20100031583 12/186752 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41651633 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100031583 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Tung Jung |
February 11, 2010 |
WIND DRIVEN DEVICE FOR PREVENTING THE CLOGGING OF A DOWNSPOUT
Abstract
A wind driven device for preventing the accumulation of debris
in a gutter at a mouth of a downspout comprises a drive shaft
coupled to the impeller and a bit is disposed at a distal end of
the drive shaft. Means for mounting the device on the gutter
ensures that the bit is disposed above and spaced-apart from the
mouth of the downspout.
Inventors: |
Chang; Tung Jung; (Surrey,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CAMERON IP
SUITE 1401 - 1166 ALBERNI STREET
VANCOUVER
BC
V6E 3Z3
CA
|
Family ID: |
41651633 |
Appl. No.: |
12/186752 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
52/12 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E04D 2013/0866 20130101;
E04D 13/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
52/12 |
International
Class: |
E04D 13/08 20060101
E04D013/08 |
Claims
1. A wind driven device for preventing the accumulation of debris
in a gutter at a mouth of a downspout, the device comprising: an
impeller; a drive shaft coupled to the impeller; a bit disposed on
the drive shaft; and means for mounting the device on the gutter so
that the bit is disposed above the mouth of the downspout.
2. A wind driven device for preventing the accumulation of debris
in a gutter at a mouth of a downspout, the device comprising: an
impeller; a drive shaft coupled to the impeller; an annular bit
slidable along the drive shaft; and means for mounting the device
on the gutter so that the annular bit is disposed above the mouth
of the downspout.
3. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the impeller has a
substantially rounded shape and is formed by a plurality of arcuate
impeller blades which extend between a pair of support members.
4. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the annular bit has a
jagged cutting edge.
5. The device as claimed in claim 2 wherein the annular bit has an
elongate cutting blade.
6. A wind driven device for preventing the accumulation of debris
in a gutter at a mouth of a downspout, the device comprising: an
impeller having a substantially rounded shape and being formed by a
plurality of arcuate impeller blades which extend between a pair of
support members; a drive shaft coupled to the impeller; an annular
bit slidable along the drive shaft, the bit having a jagged cutting
edge and an elongate cutting blade; and means for mounting the
device on the gutter so that the annular bit is disposed above the
mouth of the downspout.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a device for preventing the
clogging of a downspout and, in particular, to a wind driven device
for preventing the accumulation of leaves and other debris at a
mouth of the downspout.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] The accumulation of leaves and other debris in a gutter
restricts, and may even prevent, the flow of water down the
downspout to the ground. This blockage may cause the gutter to
overflow resulting in uncontrolled runoff down the side of the
building. It is accordingly desirable to maintain the gutter, and
in particular the downspout, clear of leaves and other debris.
[0005] Numerous devices have been developed to prevent the clogging
of downspouts. The simplest of these devices comprises a wire mesh
which is placed over the mouth of the downspout. The wire mesh
prevents leaves and other debris from entering and clogging the
downspout but allows water to flow into the downspout. However,
leaves and other debris may still accumulate on the wire mesh, or
even become entangled in the wire mesh, thereby blocking the flow
of water into the downspout.
[0006] Another type of device for preventing the clogging of a
downspout comprises an auger which extends into the downspout. An
example of such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,369 to
Albrecht issued Feb. 1, 1972. In the device disclosed by Albrecht
an auger is coupled to a wind driven impeller. Wind drives the
impeller which in turn imparts rotary motion to the auger. The
auger drives leaves and other debris down the downspout to prevent
clogging. However, in situations where there is a large amount of
foreign matter in the downspout, the auger may jam and the
downspout may still become clogged.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved device for preventing the clogging of a downspout which
overcomes the above-mentioned shortcomings of the prior art
devices.
[0008] Accordingly, there is provided a wind driven device for
preventing the accumulation of debris in a gutter at a mouth of a
downspout. A drive shaft is coupled to the impeller and a bit is
disposed on the drive shaft. Means for mounting the device on the
gutter ensures that the bit is disposed above the mouth of the
downspout.
[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the device comprises an impeller
with a substantially rounded shape formed by a plurality of arcuate
impeller blades which extend between a pair of support members. A
drive shaft coupled to the impeller and an annular bit slidable
along the drive shaft. The bit has a jagged cutting edge and an
elongate cutting blade. Means for mounting the device on the gutter
ensures that the annular bit is disposed above the mouth of the
downspout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention will be more readily understood from the
following description of a preferred embodiment thereof given, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partly in section, of a device
for preventing the clogging of a downspout according to an
embodiment of the invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is an elevation view showing the device of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is an elevation view showing an impeller blade of the
device of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an elevation view showing a drive shaft of the
device of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is an elevation view showing a bit of the device of
FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an impeller frame of
the device of FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] Referring to the drawings and first to FIG. 1 this shows a
device 10 mounted on a gutter 12. The device 10 is used to prevent
the clogging of a downspout 14. The gutter 12 is upwardly open and
installed below a roof 16 of a building of which only siding 20 is
shown. Fasteners 18 connect the gutter 12 to siding 20 on the
building in a manner well known in the art. There is an opening 22
in a bottom 24 of the gutter 12 which allows for communication
between the gutter 12 and the downspout 14. The opening 22 defines
a mouth of the downspout 14, and the downspout 14 extends
downwardly from the opening 22. The device 10 is disposed above the
opening 22. The gutter 12 captures runoff from the roof 16, which
then flows through the opening 22 in the bottom 24 of the gutter
12, into the downspout 14, and down to the ground. In particular,
the device 10 is designed to keep the opening 22 clear of leaves
and other debris to allow for unimpeded flow through the opening
22.
[0018] The device 10 is best shown in FIG. 2. The device 10
generally comprises a bit 26, a drive shaft 28, and an impeller 30.
In this example, the bit 26 is connected to a distal end of the
drive shaft 28 by bolts 32 and 34. Loosening the bolts 32 and 34
allows the bit 26 to slide along the drive shaft 28. This allows
for the position of the bit 26 on the drive shaft 28 to be adjusted
to ensure that when the device 10 is in use the bit is disposed
above and spaced-apart from the mouth of the downspout as seen in
FIG. 1. In other embodiments the bit 26 and drive shaft 28 may be
integral. The drive shaft 28 is coupled to the impeller 30 which
imparts rotary motion to the drive shaft 28. The impeller 30 has a
substantially rounded shape formed by a plurality of arcuate
impeller blades 36a, 36b, 36c, and 36d which extend between a pair
of support members 38 and 40. The top support member 38 has a
convexo-concave shape with a downwardly facing concave side. The
bottom support member 40 has an annular shape. One of the impeller
blades 36a is shown in greater detail in FIG. 3. The impeller blade
36a has an arcuate surface 42 which extends between a pair of
flanges 44 and 46. The flanges 44 and 46 are each provided with
apertures 45a, 45b and 47a, 47b through which rivets, bolts, or
other suitable means may connect the impeller blade 36a to the
support members 38 and 40 as shown in FIG. 2.
[0019] The drive shaft 28 is best shown in FIG. 4. A head 48 is
welded to a proximal end of the drive shaft 28. The head 48 has a
convexo-concave shape and is welded to the drive shaft 28 on its
concave side. A plurality of apertures 49a and 49b extend through
the head 48 allowing rivets, bolts, or other suitable means to
connect the head 48 to the top support member 38 of the impeller 30
as shown in FIG. 2. The drive shaft 28 is thereby coupled to the
impeller 30. As best shown in FIG. 2, the drive shaft 28 extends
through the impeller 30 to the bit 26 which is connected to the
distal end of the drive shaft 28.
[0020] The bit 26 is best shown in FIG. 5. In this example, the bit
26 has an annular body 50 and a pair of two sided, elongate cutting
blades 52 and 54 each of which extend from the annular body 50. The
cutting blades 52 and 54 are opposite to one another and taper
towards their respective remote ends. Edges 56 of the annular body
50 between the cutting blades 52 and 54 are also sharpened and act
as additional cutting means. In this example, the edge 56 of the
annular body 50 between the cutting blades 52 and 54 is jagged to
increase the length of the cutting edge of the bit 26. Preferably,
the bit 26 is symmetrical.
[0021] Referring back to FIG. 2, there is a mounting plate 60
disposed between the bit 26 and the impeller 30. The drive shaft 28
extends through an aperture 62 in the mounting plate 60. A collar
64 is fastened to the mounting plate 60 by bolt and nut systems 66
and 68. The drive shaft 28 also extends through an aperture 70 in
the collar 64. The collar 64 retains a bearing 72 which is coupled
to the drive shaft 28. The mounting plate 60 provides a means to
mount the device 10 on a gutter as shown in FIG. 1.
[0022] As best shown in FIG. 2, drive shaft 28 is retained within a
first sleeve 74 between the impeller 30 and the collar 64. Likewise
the drive shaft 28 is retained within a second sleeve 76 between
the mounting plate 60 and the bit 26. In this example, the second
sleeve 76 is integral with the bit 26. The sleeves 74 and 76
protect the drive shaft 28 from the elements and external
forces.
[0023] The impeller 30 may be reinforced with a frame. As shown in
FIG. 6, in this example, the frame 80 includes three angularly
spaced frame arms 82, 84, and 86 which extend from a hub 88,
disposed near a center of the bottom support member 40, to an inner
wall 41 of the bottom support member 40. Any suitable means such as
welding or rivets may be used to connect the frame 80 to the bottom
support member 40. There is an opening 90 in the hub 88 through
which the drive shaft 28 extends. Accordingly, the frame 80 does
not affect rotation of the drive shaft 28. The frame 80 increases
the robustness of the device 10.
[0024] Referring back to FIG. 1, in operation, the device 10 is
mounted on the gutter 12 above the opening 22 in the bottom 24 of
the gutter 12 which allows the gutter 12 to communicate with the
downspout 14. Specifically, the bit 26 is disposed above and
spaced-apart from the opening 24. The impeller 30 is offset from
the roof 16 to allow wind to blow against the impeller blades 36a,
36b, 36c, and 36d. Wind blowing against the impeller blades 36a,
36b, 36c, and 36d causes the impeller 30 to rotate which, in turn,
imparts rotary motion to the drive shaft 28 which drives the bit
26.
[0025] Rotation of the bit 26 causes turbulence in accumulated
water and debris which draws leaves and other debris in the gutter
12 towards the bit 26. The cutting blades 52 and 54 together with
the cutting edges 56 of the bit 26 cut the leaves and other debris
into small pieces which are more easily carried by flow down the
downspout without clogging the downspout. The turbulence also acts
to keep the opening 22, or downspout mount, clear of leaves and
other debris to allow for unimpeded flow through the opening 22.
Also, as best shown in FIG. 1, spacing between the cutting blades
52 and 54 ensures access to the opening 22 in the gutter 12. The
device 10 is particularly advantageous because the same effect is
achieved regardless of whether the bit 26 rotates in a clockwise or
counter-clockwise direction.
[0026] It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that
the terms "top", "bottom", "above", "below" and "upwardly", and
"downwardly" as used herein are used in relation to positions as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0027] It will further be understood by a person skilled in the art
that many of the details provided above are by way of example only
and are not intended to limit the scope of invention, which is
determined with reference to following claims.
* * * * *