Gutter cleaning shutter

Abstract

A gutter cleaning shutter, made from a durable material, is disclosed. It consists of a rigid frame ( 1 ) with an internal sliding plate ( 2 ) The shutters are fitted to the ends of roof gutters ( 3 ) instead of gutter stop ends. The gutter cleaning shutter with sliding plate in place provides normal gutter operation. Opening the sliding plate provides an unobstructed outlet to enable gutters to be cleaned by propelling accumulated rubbish along the gutter and out through the open shutter frame. A strong jet of water from a garden hose would be the recommended method of propelling the rubbish during cleaning. Sealing plates ( 5 ) are placed over the tops of downpipes to prevent rubbish falling into the drainage system. When cleaning is completed the sealing plates ( 5 ) are removed, and the sliding plate ( 2 ) in the cleaning shutter frame ( 1 ) closed restoring the normal operation of the roof drainage system.

1 . A shutter for an end of a rain gutter of the type having spaced front and rear sidewalls connected together by a base member and suitable for mounting along and under the overhang of a roof of a building and co-operating with at least one downpipe attached to said gutter, said shutter including: 
 a frame adapted to be connected to said end of said gutter, said frame defining an aperture; and    a plate adapted to slide within said frame from a closed position which substantially prevents exit of debris collected in said gutter through said aperture to an open position allowing exit of said debris through said aperture;    wherein said frame is adapted not to impede flow of said debris along said base member as said debris is discharged through said aperture.    
   
   
       2 . A shutter as defined in  claim 1  wherein said plate is removable from said frame.  
   
   
       3 . A kit for use in the removal of debris from a rain gutter of the type having spaced front and rear sidewalls connected together by a base member and suitable for mounting along and under the overhang of a roof of a building and co-operating with at least one downpipe attached to said gutter, said kit including: 
 a shutter as defined in  claim 1;  and    at least one blanking plate adapted to be removably retained in said downpipe to substantially prevent water and said debris from exiting through said downpipe.    
   
   
       4 . A method to remove debris from a rain gutter of the type having spaced front and rear sidewalls connected together by a base member and suitable for mounting along and under the overhang of a roof of a building and co-operating with at least one downpipe attached to said gutter, said method including: 
 fixing a shutter as defined in  claim 1  to an end of said rain gutter;    moving said plate to said open position;    if required, before, simultaneously with or after said moving of said plate, affixing a blanking plate to said downpipe to substantially prevent water and said debris from exiting through said downpipe;    flushing said debris along said base member of said gutter and through said aperture; and    after said flushing is completed, in any order, returning said plate to said closed position and removing any said blanking plate from said downpipe.    
   
   
       5 . A method as defined in  claim 4  which, after said plate has been moved to said open position, further includes: 
 fixing a net over said aperture to collect any said debris as it exits through said aperture; and    removing said net from said aperture before returning said plate to said closed position.