Gutter cleanout system and method

Abstract

A gutter clean out system is disclosed that may include a gutter clean out plate pivotally attached to a hinge. In addition, the gutter clean out system may include the hinge configured to be attached an outside surface of a bottom of a gutter, where the gutter includes an opening positioned in a portion of the bottom. The gutter clean out system may include a plurality of fasteners positioned proximate a front edge of the gutter clean out plate and configured to releasably couple to a plurality of nuts positioned in the bottom of the gutter in a closed position and to releasably uncouple from the plurality of nuts in an open position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A gutter clean out system comprising:
 a gutter clean out plate pivotally attached to a hinge;   the hinge configured to be attached an outside surface of a bottom of a gutter,   wherein the gutter includes an opening positioned in a portion of the bottom; and   a plurality of fasteners positioned proximate a front edge of the gutter clean out plate and configured to releasably couple to a plurality of nuts positioned in the bottom of the gutter in a closed position and to releasably uncouple from the plurality of nuts in an open position.   
     
     
         2 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 1  wherein the gutter clean out plate is configured to pivot away from the bottom of the gutter in the open position thereby exposing the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 1  further comprising a gasket positioned around a periphery of an inside surface of the gutter clean out plate and configured to seal the opening in the closed position. 
     
     
         4 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 1  wherein the gutter has a linear length and the hinge is positioned along the linear length of the gutter. 
     
     
         5 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 1  wherein the gutter is configured to collect rainwater in the closed position and is configured to remove debris in the open position. 
     
     
         6 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 1  further comprising a wrench configured to releasably couple the plurality of fasteners to the plurality of nuts positioned in the bottom of the gutter in the closed position and to releasably uncouple the plurality of fasteners from the plurality of nuts in the open position. 
     
     
         7 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 1  further comprising a quick catch bracket,
 wherein the quick catch bracket comprises: 
 a spring clip attached to a bottom front side of the gutter clean out plate, the spring clip including an upright leg connected to a roll-over clip and a lip extending there from; 
 a catch positioned in a front portion of the gutter; and 
 wherein the roll-over clip is configured to releasably engage the spring clip in the closed position and wherein the roll-over clip is configured to be disengaged from the catch in the open position. 
 
     
     
         8 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 7  wherein the lip is configured to facilitate a user to manipulate the gutter clean out plate from the open position to the closed position and is further configured to facilitate a user to manipulate the gutter clean out plate from the closed position to the open position. 
     
     
         9 . A gutter clean out system for use in a gutter system comprising:
 a gutter clean out plate having an outside dimension, fastener holes along a front edge and a periphery with a gasket positioned on an inside surface;   a hinge fixedly attached to an outside surface of a back edge of the gutter clean out plate and mounted to an outside surface of a bottom of the gutter;   a plurality of fasteners configured to threadedly engage a plurality of respective nut plates fixedly installed in the bottom of the gutter, the fasteners having a shoulder to bias against the gutter and a blade end to provide rotational force during installation and removal, and comprising a circlip to prevent axial movement and retain the fastener in the gutter clean out plate; and   a bottom of the gutter including an opening having a length and a width configured to be slightly smaller than the outside dimension of the gutter clean out plate and a plurality of gutter clean out systems disposed in the bottom of the gutter with a separation distance.   
     
     
         10 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 9 , wherein the gutter clean out system further comprises a facia portion, a front portion, and a down spout coupled to the bottom of the gutter. 
     
     
         11 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 9 , wherein the fasteners comprise thumb screws. 
     
     
         12 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of respective nut plates are nuts fixed to the bottom of the gutter. 
     
     
         13 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 9 , wherein the hinge is fixedly attached to the bottom of the gutter and the gutter clean out plate using fasteners. 
     
     
         14 . The gutter clean out system of  claim 9 , wherein the gasket comprises a material configured to adhere to the gutter clean out plate and provide a watertight seal when the gutter clean out plate is in a closed position.