Debris removal gutter system

Abstract

A gutter system is provided. The gutter system may include a channel that is capable of catching water from a roof. A mounting member may be present and may be configured for at least partially supporting the channel. The channel may be rotationally mounted to the mounting member so that the channel is capable of rotating with respect to the mounting member. The channel can have a force applied thereto in order to thus rotate about an axis of rotation so that debris present in the channel will fall from its interior and thus effect a cleaning of the channel.

1 . A gutter system, comprising:
 a channel configured for catching water from a roof, the channel configured for having an end located adjacent a wall of a structure and an opposite end located remote from the wall of the structure when the channel is located in an orientation for catching water from the roof;   an engagement member attached to the channel, wherein the relative position between the engagement member and the channel does not change; and   a mounting member configured for at least partially supporting the channel, wherein the channel is rotationally mounted to the mounting member such that the channel is capable of rotating with respect to the mounting member, wherein the channel rotates about an axis of rotation that is located at the remote end of the channel, wherein the engagement member is configured for having a force applied thereto in order to rotate the channel about the axis of rotation from the water catching orientation to an orientation in which debris present in the channel is capable of falling therefrom.   
   
   
       2 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a line attached to the engagement member, wherein a force is capable of being applied to the line so as to be applied to the engagement member to effect rotation of the channel about the axis of rotation. 
   
   
       3 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the line is a chain, and further comprising at least one gear in communication with the chain, wherein rotation of the gear effects movement of the chain. 
   
   
       4 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a pulley that engages the line and changes the direction of the line; and   a winch that is attached to the pulley and is capable of being turned in order to apply force to the line.   
   
   
       5 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 2 , further comprising a motor capable of being actuated in order apply force to the line for subsequent application to the engagement member in order to effect rotation of the channel. 
   
   
       6 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein the channel has a round outer surface and defines a groove thereon, wherein at least a portion of the line is disposed in the groove of the channel. 
   
   
       7 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising an end support mounted to the structure, wherein the end of the channel adjacent the wall of the structure when in the water catching orientation rests on top of and is supported by the end support, wherein the channel is configured for being rotated out of the water catching orientation about the axis of rotation in a direction such that the interior of the channel does not face the portion of the wall of the structure proximate to the channel when the channel rotates from the water catching orientation to an orientation in which the interior of the channel is directed downwards. 
   
   
       8 . A gutter system, comprising:
 a channel configured for catching water from a roof, the channel configured for having an end located adjacent a wall of a structure and an opposite end located remote from the wall of the structure when the channel is located in an orientation for catching water from the roof; and   a mounting member configured for at least partially support the channel, wherein the channel is rotationally mounted to the mounting member such that the channel is capable of rotating with respect to the mounting member, wherein the channel rotates about an axis of rotation that is located at the remote end of the channel;   wherein the channel is configured for being rotated out of the water catching orientation about the axis of rotation in a direction such that the interior of the channel faces the portion of the wall of the structure proximate to the channel after the channel begins to rotate from the water catching orientation to an orientation in which debris present in the interior of the channel is capable of falling out of the interior of the channel.   
   
   
       9 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 8 , further comprising:
 a spring configured for urging the channel to the water catching orientation; and   an end stop that remains stationary with respect to the mounting member during rotation of the channel, wherein the end of the channel adjacent the wall of the structure when the channel is in the water catching orientation contacts the bottom of the end stop and is prevented from further rotating about the axis of rotation such that the channel remains in the water catching orientation.   
   
   
       10 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the spring is a torsion spring, and further comprising an electric motor capable of applying force to the channel so as to effect rotation of the channel about the axis of rotation. 
   
   
       11 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising a line attached to the channel for imparting a force thereto in order to effect rotation of the channel about the axis of rotation, wherein the line is configured for being grasped by a user for application of a force at least partially towards the wall of the structure, and wherein the line is configured for being grasped by a user for application of a force at least partially away from the wall of the structure. 
   
   
       12 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 9 , further comprising a second stop configured for limiting rotation of the channel about the axis of rotation. 
   
   
       13 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the channel is placed into communication with a downspout such that water in the channel is capable of being transferred into the downspout for removal therefrom, wherein the entry point of the downspout is located between the ends of the channel, and further comprising a downspout fill-in component that remains stationary with respect to the mounting member and functions so as to fill-in a portion of the inner surface of the channel when the channel is placed in the water catching orientation. 
   
   
       14 . A gutter system, comprising:
 a channel configured for catching water from a roof, wherein the channel has a pair of ends with an interior located therebetween;   a mounting member configured for at least partially supporting the channel, wherein the channel is rotationally mounted to the mounting member such that the channel is capable of rotating with respect to the mounting member, wherein the channel rotates about an axis of rotation that is located between the ends of the channel, wherein the channel is configured for being rotated about the axis of rotation from the water catching orientation to an orientation in which debris present in the channel is capable of falling therefrom.   
   
   
       15 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a gear; and   a chain capable of rotating the gear, wherein rotation of the gear causes rotation of the channel about the axis of rotation.   
   
   
       16 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 15 , further comprising a second gear capable of being rotated in order to move the chain so as to effect rotation of the first gear in order to cause the channel to rotate. 
   
   
       17 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the first gear is rotated automatically by a motor. 
   
   
       18 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 16 , wherein the first gear is rotated manually by a hand actuated crank. 
   
   
       19 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the axis of rotation is located above the ends of the channel when the channel is in the water catching orientation. 
   
   
       20 . The gutter system as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising:
 an engagement member rotationally mounted to the mounting member, wherein the axis of rotation of the engagement member is coaxial with the axis of rotation of the channel, wherein the engagement member is rigidly attached to the channel such that rotation of the engagement member effects rotation of the channel, wherein the engagement member has a disk shaped portion the center of which is located at the axis of rotation of the engagement member, and wherein the engagement member has a projecting portion that extends from the disk shaped portion;   a line attached to the projecting portion of the engagement member, wherein the line is capable of having a force imparted thereon in order apply a force to the projecting member so as to effect rotation of the channel; and   a plurality of rollers that are located along the length of the channel and engage the bottom of the channel in order to support the channel when the channel is in the water catching orientation.