Rotatable gutter system

Abstract

A rotatable gutter system that includes a gutter and a pair of support members each located at an opposite end of the gutter to mount it onto a building. The gutter is rotatable relative to the support members about an axis that extends between them. The gutter includes a drive member accessible through an opening in one of the support members. Rotation of the drive member causes concomitant rotation of the gutter. In this way, the gutter can be inverted for easy cleaning and for storage during winter months to prevent ice buildup in the gutter. An elongated drip edge can be provided above the gutter such that it contacts an outer surface of the gutter when it is rotated to a closed (inverted) position. The gutter can have an end piece at each end with the drive post being a unitary extension of that end piece.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A rotatable gutter system, comprising: 
 a gutter having an elongated trough extending from a first end to a second end; and    a first support member located at said first end of said gutter and a second support member located at said second end of said gutter, said gutter being supported by said support members and being rotatable relative to said support members about an axis that extends between said support members;    wherein at least one of said support members includes a central opening, with said gutter including a drive member accessible at said opening, wherein rotation of said drive member causes concomitant rotation of said gutter.    
     
     
         2 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said gutter includes an opening in a lower portion of said trough, and wherein said gutter system further comprises a downspout located below said opening, with said gutter being rotatable relative to said downspout.  
     
     
         3 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said gutter is rotatable between an open position and a closed position, with said trough opening upwardly when in said open position such that it can collect water in said trough, and said trough opening at least generally downwardly when in said closed position such that it cannot collect water in said trough.  
     
     
         4 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 3 , further comprising an elongated drip edge located above said gutter, wherein said drip edge contacts an outer surface of said gutter when said gutter is rotated to said closed position.  
     
     
         5 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said drive member comprises a drive post that extends through said central opening.  
     
     
         6 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 5 , further comprising a drive mechanism that engages said drive post to rotate said drive post and said gutter.  
     
     
         7 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said drive mechanism comprises a hand tool.  
     
     
         8 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said hand tool comprises an extendible hand tool having a telescoping handle.  
     
     
         9 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said hand tool comprises a hand grip tool.  
     
     
         10 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said drive mechanism comprises a pulley system.  
     
     
         11 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 6 , wherein said drive mechanism comprises a motor drive.  
     
     
         12 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 5 , wherein said drive member comprises an end piece of said gutter with said drive post being a unitary extension of said end piece.  
     
     
         13 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each of said support members comprise an end cap that fits over its associated end of said gutter.  
     
     
         14 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein each of said end supports further comprise a retaining ring that is integral with said end cap and that engages a portion of said gutter to captively retain said portion between said retaining ring and said end cap.  
     
     
         15 . A rotatable gutter system, comprising: 
 a gutter having an elongated trough extending from a first end to a second end; and    a plurality of support members in contact with said gutter at spaced locations along the length of said gutter, said gutter being supported by said support members and being rotatable relative to said support members about an axis that extends between at least two of said support members;    wherein at least one of said support members includes a central opening, with said gutter including a drive member accessible at said opening, wherein rotation of said drive member causes concomitant rotation of said gutter.    
     
     
         16 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein said drive member comprises a drive post that extends through said central opening.  
     
     
         17 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising a drive mechanism that engages said drive post to rotate said drive post and said gutter.  
     
     
         18 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 16 , wherein said drive member comprises an end piece of said gutter with said drive post being a unitary extension of said end piece.  
     
     
         19 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 15 , wherein each of said support members comprise an end cap that fits over its associated end of said gutter.  
     
     
         20 . A rotatable gutter system as defined in  claim 19 , wherein each of said end supports further comprise a retaining ring that is integral with said end cap and that engages a portion of said gutter to captively retain said portion between said retaining ring and said end cap.