Debris Removal Apparatus and Method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method of use thereof for cleaning a gutter, drain, or roof using a vacuum system, and more particularly, to a system with a semicircular bend hydraulically designed to prevent clogs by having a substantially constant section and lower friction coefficients and able to be disassembled during operation to manually remove clogs in the bend. The apparatus is also further designed to be of simple commercial constituents able to be used with an existing shop vacuum. The cleaning apparatus has a single, semicircular bend of constant radius and size to limit clogging.

1 . A gutter and roof cleaning apparatus, comprising:
 a vacuum system;   a collection system further comprising a flexible hose having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is operatively connected to the vacuum system; a first connector having a first connecting end and a second connecting end, wherein the first connecting end is operatively connected to the second end of the flexible hose; a fluidic bend having a first fluidic end and a second fluidic end, wherein the first fluidic end is operatively connected to the second connecting end; and a second connector having a third connecting end and a collecting end, wherein the third connecting end is operatively connected to the second fluidic end,   wherein the vacuum system collects a volume of debris from a gutter or a roof top by creating suction in the collection system, and wherein the collecting system is of a substantially constant section along its entire length to facilitate the transportation of the volume of debris from the gutter or the rooftop to the vacuum system.   
   
   
       2 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the substantially constant section is circular. 
   
   
       3 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the first connector, the fluidic bend, and the second connector can be readily disassembled for unclogging cleaning of the fluidic bend during operation. 
   
   
       4 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the fluidic bend is a semicircular bend. 
   
   
       5 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum system is a dry/wet vacuum system. 
   
   
       6 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the dry/wet vacuum system is a shop vacuum. 
   
   
       7 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the second connector is smaller in length than the first connector. 
   
   
       8 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the second connector is assembled and disassembled using threads. 
   
   
       9 . A method for cleaning a gutter and roof using a cleaning apparatus having an improved bend access for unclogging, the apparatus comprising a vacuum system, and a collection system further comprising a flexible hose having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is operatively connected to the vacuum system, a first connector having a first connecting end and a second connecting end, wherein the first connecting end is operatively connected to the second end of the flexible hose, a fluidic bend having a first fluidic end and a second fluidic end, wherein the first fluidic end is operatively connected to the second connecting end, and a second connector having a third connecting end and a collecting end, wherein the third connecting end is operatively connected to the second fluidic end, wherein the second connecting end is easily removable for manual unclogging during operation, the method comprising the steps of:
 using the cleaning apparatus by placing the collecting end in a gutter or on a rooftop to be cleaned;   suctioning a volume of debris and water from the gutter or the rooftop into the vacuum system until a clog is formed in the fluidic bend;   disassembling the second connector from the second fluidic end to provide access to the clog;   using a small object or a finger to push the clog further into the vacuum system while the vacuum system remains in operation;   assembling the second connector to the fluidic bend to resume use of the cleaning apparatus after unclogging.   
   
   
       10 . The method for cleaning a gutter and roof using a cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the substantially constant section is circular. 
   
   
       11 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the first connector, the fluidic bend, and the second connector can be readily disassembled for cleaning by hand. 
   
   
       12 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the fluidic bend is semicircular. 
   
   
       13 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the vacuum system is a dry/wet vacuum system. 
   
   
       14 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the dry/wet vacuum system is a shop vacuum. 
   
   
       15 . The gutter and roof cleaning apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the second connector is smaller in length than the first connector.