Tool for preventing clogging of rain gutters and method for preventing clogging of rain gutters

Abstract

To provide a tool which can be installed on an existing rain gutter and can effectively prevent clogging of the rain gutter.SOLUTION: A rain gutter clogging prevention tool 10 includes a body portion 20 having mesh portions 22A and 22B between hinges 42 and is fixed above a drain port 130A. When an operator pulls a wire 150, the mesh portions 22A and 22B provided on both sides of a shaft 42A are axially rotated.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a tool for removing or preventing clogging caused by the accumulation of garbage, dust, sand, mud, etc. near the drain outlet (water collection portion) of a rain gutter. [Background technology]

[0002] Rain gutters attached to buildings consist of eaves gutters and valley gutters that are attached along the lower edge of the roof eaves, and downspouts that run vertically down along the building and are attached to the eaves gutters and valley gutters. Leaves, dust, sand, etc. accumulate in the eaves gutters that extend horizontally to the roof, and leaves, sand, and mud tend to accumulate in the drainage outlet (water collection section) that connects to the downspout as rainwater flows, causing the gutters to become clogged.

[0003] To prevent this, a configuration is known in which a deposit removal member is provided in part of the eaves gutter or downpipe so that dirt, mud, etc. can be removed midway through the path of the eaves gutter or downpipe. For example, a section of the eaves gutter or downpipe is partially cut out to make it openable and closable, allowing fallen leaves and other debris that have accumulated in the eaves gutter to fall (see Patent Document 1).

[0004] In the case of downspouts, a configuration is known in which a garbage and mud receiving member consisting of a mesh portion and a mud receiving portion is slidably attached as a component that constitutes part of the downspout to remove accumulated garbage, or a connecting portion with a supplementary net attached is provided midway along the downspout, and fallen leaves and the like are removed from the supplementary net by lowering the connecting portion (see Patent Documents 2 and 3). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 3611033 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-268720 [Patent Document 3] Utility Model Registration No. 3118885 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Modifying existing gutters to make them removable or replacing them with gutters that already have a sediment removal device installed can be difficult depending on the environment in which the building is used. For example, in the case of buildings installed in public places such as train platform, problems such as restrictions on construction hours, restrictions on building use, and construction obstacles arise.

[0007] Therefore, there is a need to provide a tool that can be installed in existing gutters and that can effectively unclog or reduce gutter clogging. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The gutter clogging prevention tool according to one embodiment of the present invention is a tool for removing or preventing clogging in a gutter, which can be attached to the gutter on or near the drain outlet and includes a mesh-like or porous member (hereinafter referred to as a deposit removal member). When attached to the gutter, the deposit removal member can be raised and lowered around a center portion or both end portions.

[0009] Here, "raising and lowering" the sediment removal member includes actions such as axial rotation, bending, folding, etc., and indicates that it can be moved toward the bottom side and upward side of the gutter. In addition, regarding the mesh or porosity, the size, number, and dimensions of the holes can be determined to allow sediments such as mud to fall into the drain.

[0010] Furthermore, one aspect of the present invention is a method for preventing gutter clogging, which involves attaching a mesh or porous member (hereinafter referred to as a deposit removal member) that can be raised and lowered around a central portion or both end portions as an axis to the drain outlet of the gutter or near the drain outlet, and repeatedly pulling a pair of elongated flexible members (hereinafter referred to as flexible elongated members) attached to either side of the central portion of the deposit removal member. Effect of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a tool that can be installed in an existing rain gutter and can effectively eliminate or prevent clogging of the rain gutter. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a diagram showing the configuration of the station building. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a gutter clogging prevention tool. [Diagram 3] This is a perspective view showing that the gutter clogging prevention tool has been made flat. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view showing that the gutter clogging prevention device has a valley shape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] Hereinafter, the gutter clogging prevention device according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0014] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a station building. A station building 100 (e.g., a passenger shed) is a structure with a roof 200 provided on a platform 110, and in this case, the roof 200 is gabled and made of slate material with a corrugated cross section. The roof 200 is supported by beams 160 via girders 170, and the beams 160 are supported by columns 150 installed along the platform 110.

[0015] An eaves gutter (rain gutter) 120 installed along the eaves of a roof 200 is connected to a downpipe 140 via a lower gutter (elbow) 130. In this embodiment, a gutter clogging prevention tool 10 that functions as a tool for preventing clogging of the gutter is installed at the connecting portion between the eaves gutter 120 and the lower gutter 130. The gutter clogging prevention tool 10 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 2 to 4.

[0016] 2 is a perspective view showing the gutter clogging prevention tool 10 installed in the eaves gutter 120. Here, for ease of explanation, only one side surface 120S of both sides of the eaves gutter 120 is shown.

[0017] The gutter clogging prevention tool 10 comprises a mesh-like main body (deposit removal member) 20 and an attachment part 40, and is installed so that a drain outlet 130A formed at the connection part between the gutter 120 and the lower gutter 130 faces the central part. The main body 20 is installed on the bottom surface 120D of the eaves gutter 120 so that the longitudinal direction of the main body 20 is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the eaves gutter 120. The width of the main body 20 is determined to a length corresponding to the width of the bottom surface 120D of the gutter 120.

[0018] The central portion of the main body 20 is formed by a hinge 42 consisting of an axis 42A and a plate 42B, and mesh portions 22A and 22B of the same size and shape are connected to both sides of the hinge 42. The mesh portions 22A and 22B are each rotatable around the axis 42A of the hinge 42, and are symmetrical with respect to the axis 42A here. Both ends of the main body 20 are structured such that plates 24A and 24B are connected to the ends of the mesh portions 22A and 22B, respectively.

[0019] The mounting part 40 is a member with a U-shaped cross section that can be fixed to the side surface 120S of the eaves gutter 120, and is fixed (here, by screws) to the eaves gutter 120 so as to cover the side wall of the eaves gutter 120 from above. Note that a mounting part is also arranged facing the other side wall of the eaves gutter 120 not shown in Fig. 2. The main body 20 is fixed by connecting the shaft 42A of the hinge 42 to the mounting part 40.

[0020] The fixed position of the shaft 42A of the hinge 42 is determined at a height a predetermined distance away from the bottom surface 120D of the eaves gutter 120, and is positioned along the width direction of the eaves gutter 120. Therefore, the main body 20 of the gutter clogging prevention tool 10 has a mountain shape with the shaft 42A as the apex farthest from the bottom surface 120D of the eaves gutter 120, and the plates 24A, 24B on both ends of the main body 20 contact the bottom surface 120D of the eaves gutter 120.

[0021] In the main body 20, expandable springs 50A, 50B extend in the longitudinal direction of the mesh parts 22A, 22B across the hinge 42, with both ends attached to the mesh. The springs 50A, 50B have the same elastic force and are arranged symmetrically in the width direction of the eaves gutter 120.

[0022] A wire (flexible elongated member) consisting of a pair of wires 150A and 150B is attached to the main body 20, and specifically, ring-shaped ends 151A and 151B of the pair of wires 150 are engaged with the mesh portions 22A and 22B, respectively. The other end 150T (see FIG. 1) of the wire 150 has a connecting structure that allows an operator to pull the pair of wires 150A and 150B simultaneously. For example, an operator can pull the pair of wires 150A and 150B simultaneously with the same force by hooking a rod-shaped member having a hook at its end onto the other end 150T (see FIG. 1) of the wire 150.

[0023] Rainwater flowing along roof 200 or rainwater that falls directly into eaves gutter 120 flows out from drain outlet 130A formed at the connection between eaves gutter 120 and lower gutter 130 into lower gutter 130. In addition, fallen leaves and other debris also flow out from drain outlet 130A together with the rainwater if they are small enough to pass through mesh portions 22A and 22B.

[0024] On the other hand, when sand, dust, etc. accumulate around the drain outlet 130A below the main body 20 of the gutter clogging prevention tool 10, it may turn to mud due to rain, etc., and settle to become sediment. In this case, even if some rainwater flows through the eaves gutter 120, the sediment itself is not discharged from the drain outlet 130A. Such sediment is further mixed with garbage such as fallen leaves and sand that pass through the net parts 22A, 22B, and settles on the bottom surface 120D of the gutter 120 over time.

[0025] In the gutter clogging prevention tool 10 of this embodiment, the mesh parts 22A, 22B rotate about the axis 42A to prevent deposits from settling. Specifically, when the pair of wires 150A, 150B are pulled by an operator, the plates 24A, 24B at both ends of the main body 20 move away from the bottom surface 120D of the gutter 120.

[0026] Then, the mesh portions 22A, 22B move in a direction in which the plates 24A, 24B at both ends of the main body 20 approach each other. That is, the main body 20 rotates about its axis so as to become flat (flat) and then valley-shaped (see Figs. 3 and 4). At this time, the springs 50A, 50B function as members (regulating members) that apply an elastic force that resists the axial rotation direction of the mesh portions 22A, 22B.

[0027] When the tension on the pair of wires 150A, 150B is stopped, the elastic force of the springs 50A, 50B and its own weight cause the main body 20 to form a mountain shape again and place it on the bottom surface 120D of the rain gutter 120. By repeating this tension, the mesh parts of the mesh parts 22A, 22B lift up the deposits, shake them off, and slam the deposits down, repeating this process. As a result, the rainwater that has been blocked by the deposits that have accumulated and settled on the bottom surface 120D of the rain gutter 120 is discharged from the drain 130A. Also, some of the fragmented and crushed deposits become liquid and can be discharged from the drain outlet 130A.

[0028] In this way, in the gutter clogging prevention tool 10 of this embodiment, the mesh parts 22A, 22B provided on both sides of the shaft 42A fixed at the midpoint of the drain outlet 130A in the longitudinal direction of the eaves gutter 120 are rotated and raised and lowered. This eliminates the gutter clogging or suppresses the gutter clogging when the sediment blocks the drain outlet 130A and causes the gutter to clog, thereby preventing rain from leaking from the gutter. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation from developing into a construction obstruction that may require construction work such as closing off the tracks. It can also be applied to guttering such as eaves gutters and valley gutters installed in buildings other than the platform 110 of a station building.

[0029] The mesh size and longitudinal length of the mesh parts 22A, 22B of the main body 20 may be determined to be the width of the bottom surface 120D of the gutter 120, to prevent fallen leaves from falling into the discharge outlet 130A, and to be able to shake off deposits such as mud, and the mesh thickness and number of holes can be set as appropriate. Note that the main body 20 can also be made of a porous material (for example, a plate with regularly-spaced holes) instead of a mesh.

[0030] By installing the main body 20 in a mountain shape, the mesh parts 22A, 22B do not impede the flow of rainwater. On the other hand, by repeatedly deforming the main body 20 into a mountain shape and a valley shape, it is possible to break down the sediments that accumulate not only near the ends 24A, 24B of the main body 20 but also near the edge of the drain outlet 130A.

[0031] Since the main body 20 is configured to be fixed to the side surface 120S of the eaves gutter 120 by the mounting portion 40, there are no architectural impediments and the worker can install the gutter clogging prevention tool 10 in the eaves gutter 120. In particular, since the shaft 42A of the main body 20 is configured to be connected to the mounting portion 40, the mesh portions 22A, 22B are installed as they are in a mountain shape by attaching the mounting portion 40.

[0032] The main body 20 may have a triangular mountain shape when viewed from the side, or a trapezoidal mountain shape when viewed from the side. The main body 20 may be installed in a valley shape, that is, the plates 24A, 24B at both ends of the main body 20 may be fixed to allow the shaft 42A to move up and down, and the shaft may rotate from the valley shape to the mountain shape. Furthermore, the shaft may be rotated from the mountain shape (or from the valley shape) to a flat shape (or an oblique position halfway between the flat shape).

[0033] In this embodiment, the mesh parts 22A and 22B of the main body 20 are configured to rotate around an axis by the hinge 42, but the main body 20 may be configured to be made of an elastic and flexible material and be bent or folded. The center or both ends of the main body 20 may be used as an axis to allow both sides to be raised and lowered. Also, the axis 42A may be fixed offset from the center of the drain outlet 130A.

[0034] Since the worker can simultaneously pull the pair of wires 150A, 150B from the platform 110, the sediment accumulated around the drain outlet 130A can be evenly broken down and removed. In particular, since the pair of wires 150A, 150B are connected to each other and can simultaneously apply the same pulling force, the wires can rotate the mesh portions 22A, 22B about the same axis.

[0035] The elongated flexible member that exerts the tensile force may be configured with more than one pair of wires. Also, the mesh portions 22A, 22B may be configured to be operated by something other than wires. For example, an actuator such as a motor may be installed and the mesh portions 22A, 22B may be rotated about an axis by remote control.

[0036] In the main body 20 of this embodiment, springs 50A, 50B are attached to the mesh parts 22A, 22B in the longitudinal direction so as to straddle the hinge 42. This makes it possible to impart momentum to the axial rotational movement of the mesh parts 22A, 22B. Note that a restricting member such as an elastic member other than a spring that exerts a force resisting the movement of the mesh parts 22A, 22B may also be used.

[0037] In this embodiment, the gutter clogging prevention device is attached to an eaves gutter that does not have a water collection portion, but it may also be configured to attach the gutter clogging prevention device to an eaves gutter or valley gutter that has a water collection portion. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 10. Tools to prevent clogged gutters 20 Main body 22A, 22B Mesh section 42 Hinge 100 Station building 120 Gutters 150 Wire

Claims

1. A gutter clogging prevention device that can be attached to a gutter on or near the drain outlet, A member (hereinafter referred to as a deposit removal member) having a shaft in its central portion and mesh-like or porous portions connected to both sides of the shaft; A mounting portion that can be fixed to the rain gutter and is connected to the shaft, A gutter clogging prevention device, characterized in that when attached to the gutter, the mesh parts or porous parts on both sides of the shaft are each rotatable around the shaft.

2. A gutter clogging prevention device as described in Claim 1, characterized in that a plate that contacts the bottom surface of the gutter is connected to the ends of each of the mesh or porous portions on both sides of the shaft.

3. 3. The gutter clogging prevention tool according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the deposit removal member can be attached to the gutter in a mountain-shaped state.

4. 4. The gutter clogging prevention tool according to claim 1, wherein the deposit removal member is provided with a regulating member that exerts a resisting force when the mesh portion or the porous portion rotates about its axis.

5. 5. The gutter clogging prevention tool according to claim 4, wherein the regulating member is composed of a spring that straddles the central portion of the deposit removal member and has both ends attached to the mesh portion or porous portion.

6. 6. The gutter clogging prevention device according to claim 1, wherein the attachment portion is capable of being fixed to both side surfaces of the gutter.

7. A gutter clogging prevention device as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a pair of elongated flexible members (hereinafter referred to as flexible elongated members) are attached to the mesh or porous portions on both sides of the central portion of the deposit removal member.

8. 8. The gutter clogging prevention device according to claim 7, wherein the pair of flexible elongated members are connected or engaged with each other so as to be capable of exerting a pulling force simultaneously.

9. A gutter clogging prevention device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, which is attached to or near the drain outlet of a gutter, a pair of elongated flexible members (hereinafter referred to as flexible elongated members) are attached to the mesh or porous portions on both sides of a central portion of the deposit removal member; The pair of flexible elongated members are repeatedly pulled. A method for preventing clogging of rain gutters.

10. The method for preventing clogging of a gutter according to claim 9, further comprising pulling the pair of flexible elongated members simultaneously.

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