Spring gutter strainer

Abstract

A spring gutter strainer for preventing leaves and debris from clogging the downspout of a gutter, comprising a single helical coil of thick-gauged wire having a bulbous head designed to trap leaves and debris and a flexible neck which is inserted within the downspout so as to ensure the spring gutter strainer will stay in place regardless of the weather conditions. In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of the neck portion is either 2 or 3 inches, although larger and smaller sizes may be produced to accommodate downspouts of any size. The diameter of the head is typically at least an inch greater than that of the neck so as to prevent the strainer from sliding down the downspout and to more effectively trap leaves and debris.

1 . A spring gutter strainer for insertion within the downspout of a gutter for preventing leaves and debris from entering the downspout, said spring gutter strainer comprising a single continuous helical coil having an upper head portion and a lower neck portion, wherein said lower neck portion is roughly cylindrical in shape and of a diameter less than the diameter of said downspout, and wherein said upper head portion is roughly cylindrical in shape and of a diameter greater than the diameter of said downspout.  
   
   
       2 . The spring gutter strainer of  claim 1 , wherein said neck portion is tapered.  
   
   
       3 . The spring gutter strainer of  claim 1 , wherein said helical coil comprises ⅛ inch diameter galvanized steel wire.  
   
   
       4 . The spring gutter strainer of  claim 1 , wherein said helical coil comprises ⅛ inch diameter stainless steel wire.  
   
   
       5 . The spring gutter strainer of  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of said neck portion is between one and four inches.  
   
   
       6 . The spring gutter strainer of  claim 5 , wherein the diameter of said head portion is at least one inch greater than said neck portion.  
   
   
       7 . A spring gutter strainer for insertion within the downspout of a gutter for preventing leaves and debris from entering the downspout, said spring gutter strainer comprising a single continuous ⅛ inch diameter helical coil wire having an upper head portion and a lower neck portion, wherein said lower neck portion is roughly cylindrical having a taper thereto in shape and of a diameter of approximately 2 inches, and wherein said upper head portion is roughly cylindrical in shape and of a diameter of approximately 3⅓ inches.  
   
   
       8 . The spring gutter strainer of  claim 7 , wherein said helical coil comprises galvanized steel wire.  
   
   
       9 . The spring gutter strainer of  claim 7 , wherein said helical coil comprises stainless steel wire.  
   
   
       10 . A method for preventing leaves and debris from blocking or clogging the downspout of a gutter, wherein said downspout is approximately 2 inches in diameter, said method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a spring gutter strainer comprising a single continuous ⅛ inch diameter helical coil wire having an upper head portion and a lower neck portion, wherein said lower neck portion is roughly cylindrical having a taper thereto in shape and of a diameter of approximately 2 inches, and wherein said upper head portion is roughly cylindrical in shape and of a diameter of approximately 3½ inches;    inserting said neck portion within said downspout and securing it therein; and    periodically cleaning the accumulation of leaves and debris from said spring gutter strainer.