WO2018162130A1

WO2018162130A1 - Gutter cleaner

Info

Publication number: WO2018162130A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/051229
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thomas Sauter; Gabriele SCHERER; Benjamin Asal
Original assignee: Husqvarna AB
Current assignee: Husqvarna AB
Priority date: 2017-03-08
Filing date: 2018-01-18
Publication date: 2018-09-13
Anticipated expiration: 2019-09-08
Also published as: EP3592916A1; EP3592916B1; TWI730223B; PL3592916T3; TW201833418A; CN110325693A

Abstract

The invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning gutters comprising a main body (2) with a handling portion (2.3) and two arm portions (2a, 2b) laterally protruding from said handling portion (2.3), wherein a first cleaning portion (2.1) is provided at a first arm portion (2a) and a second cleaning portion (2.2) is provided at a second arm portion (2b). The apparatus (1) further comprises liquid guiding means (10), said liquid guiding means (10) being adapted to selectively guide liquid towards the first or the second cleaning portion (2.1, 2.2).

Description

Gutter cleaner

The present invention relates generally to the field of gutter cleaners. More specifically, the present document discloses an apparatus for cleaning gutters with liquid guiding means for en^¬ hancing the cleaning effect.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Gutter cleaners for cleaning roof gutters are known. Gutter cleaners comprise a main body with a cleaning portion. Said cleaning portion is adapted to be provided in the gutter during gutter cleaning. By moving the gutter cleaner along the gutter, dirt accumulated in the gutter can be removed. Gutter cleaners may comprise a handle for enabling a cleaning of a gutter ar^¬ ranged in a certain height by a user standing on the ground.

Disadvantageously, known gutter cleaners are limited with re- spect to their usability and cleaning effect.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the embodiments of the present invention to provide an apparatus for cleaning gutters (in the following also referred to as gutter cleaner) which allows an improved us ability and an enhanced cleaning effect. The objectives are solved by the features of the independent claim. Preferred em^¬ bodiments are given in the dependent claims. If not explicitly indicated otherwise, embodiments of the invention can be freely combined with each other.

According to an aspect, the invention relates to an apparatus for cleaning gutters. The apparatus comprises a main body with a handling portion and two arm portions laterally protruding from said handling portion, wherein a first cleaning portion is pro^¬ vided at a first arm portion and a second cleaning portion is provided at a second arm portion. The apparatus further compris- es liquid guiding means. Said liquid guiding means are adapted to guide liquid towards the first or the second cleaning por^¬ tion.

This means that there can be a liquid guiding means or device that guide liquid only to the first cleaning portion or only to the second cleaning portion and is not able to guide to the oth^¬ er cleaning portion respectively so that only one of the two cleaning portions is or can be supplied with liquid by the liq^¬ uid guiding means. In this embodiment only liquid guiding por- tions to one of the cleaning portions are usually provided.

In another embodiment the guiding of the liquid can be selected. This means that the liquid guiding means are adapted to selec^¬ tively guide liquid towards the first cleaning portion or the second cleaning portion or in a specific embodiment also to both of the cleaning portions. In such an embodiment the liquid guid^¬ ing means comprise a control means or selection means for se^¬ lecting the path for the liquid and comprise liquid guiding means to the first cleaning portion as well as to the second cleaning portion. The user can therefore decide with which of the cleaning portions he or she can apply also liquid during the cleaning process.

Said gutter cleaner is advantageous because due to said liquid guiding means, liquid, specifically water can be provided to one of said cleaning portions thereby enhancing the cleaning effect of the respective cleaning portion.

According to embodiments, the liquid guiding means are included in the main body, specifically included in the arm portions and cleaning portion (s) of the main body. Thereby, an improved guid^¬ ing of liquid towards the first or the second cleaning portion is obtained and the risk of getting stuck with the liquid guid^¬ ing means at a protrusion of the gutter is reduced.

According to embodiments, said liquid guiding means comprise liquid channels which are integrally formed within said main body, specifically integrally formed within the arm portions and cleaning portion (s) of the main body. Thereby, an improved inte- gration of the liquid guiding means is obtained.

According to embodiments, said liquid guiding means comprise at least one, preferably at least two liquid nozzles, wherein the or at least one of said liquid nozzles is arranged in the area of the first and second cleaning portion in order to pour out liquid at the first and second cleaning portion. Thereby, the cleaning effect caused by the provision of liquid is enhanced.

According to embodiments, said liquid guiding means comprise control means for controlling the liquid flow to the cleaning portions. Said liquid guiding means may ensure a selective pro^¬ vision of liquid to one of said cleaning portions. For example, said control means may be arranged at a crossing point of said liquid guiding means and may be adapted to enable a provision of liquid in one branch of the liquid guiding means.

According to embodiments, said control means comprise a valve, said valve being adapted to selectively control the liquid flow towards the first or second cleaning portion. In other words, said valve is adapted to control the provision of liquid in one branch of the liquid guiding means. In addition, said valve may comprise a closed position in which the provision of liquid to each cleaning portion is prevented. According to embodiments, said control means are included in said main body. More in detail, the housing of the valve may be formed, specifically integrally formed within the main body. Thereby an improved integration of said control means paired with reduced manufacturing costs is obtained.

According to embodiments, said main body comprises a coupling portion adapted to receive a quick coupler of a hose. Thereby, provision of liquid to said gutter cleaner is obtained with re- duced installation effort.

According to embodiments, said coupling portion is fluidly cou^¬ pled with said liquid guiding means included in said main body. Thereby, liquid provided to the coupling portion is directly guided into said liquid guiding means.

According to embodiments, the first cleaning portion comprises at least a first and a second cleaning tool and the first clean^¬ ing tool is movably mounted at the first cleaning portion in or- der to be arranged at least in a first and a second position, wherein in said first position, the first cleaning tool is in an active position and in said second position, the first cleaning tool is in an idle position. Thereby it is possible to adapt the first cleaning portion to different cleaning tasks.

According to embodiments, the first cleaning tool is a brush or a brush-like cleaning tool. By means of said brush or a brush^¬ like cleaning tool it is possible to remove small particles of dirt .

According to embodiments, a further cleaning tool provided at the second cleaning portion comprises a fork-like or rake-like shape including multiple teeth. By means of said further clean^¬ ing tool it is possible to remove larger dirt like leafs, tree branches, moss etc. According to embodiments, the first cleaning portion is provided at a first arm portion in an angled manner such that the longi^¬ tudinal axes of the first cleaning portion and the first arm portion are arranged in a first plane, wherein:

- the longitudinal axes of the second cleaning portion and the second arm portion coincide or are arranged in par^¬ allel to each other; or

- the longitudinal axes of the second cleaning portion and the second arm portion are arranged in an angled manner and the longitudinal axes of the second cleaning portion and the second arm portion are arranged in a second plane different to the first plane.

Thereby, a change from a cleaning tool provided at the first cleaning portion to a cleaning tool provided at the second cleaning portion is possible by simply rotating the apparatus without the necessity of changing the inclination of the appa^¬ ratus .

According to embodiments, the apparatus comprises adjusting means for adjusting the angle of inclination of the main body, specifically the first and second arm portions with respect to a handle or a handle fixing portion. Thereby, an appropriate in^¬ clination of the main body with respect to the handle or a han^¬ dle fixing portion can be chosen.

According to embodiments, said adjusting means are adapted to position the main body such that the angle between the longitu^¬ dinal axis of the first arm portion and the longitudinal axis of the handle or handle fixing portion is greater than 90° and the angle between the longitudinal axis of the second arm portion and the longitudinal axis of the handle or handle fixing portion is smaller than 90°. Thereby, an appropriate inclination of the main body for using cleaning tools provided at the first and second cleaning portions can be obtained.

The term "essentially" or "approximately" as used in the inven- tion means deviations from the exact value by +/- 10%, prefera^¬ bly by +/- 5% and/or deviations in the form of changes that are insignificant for the function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various aspects of the invention, including its particular features and advantages, will be readily understood from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings, in which :

Fig. 1 illustrates a lateral view of an example embodiment of a gutter cleaner with a slidably mounted cleaning tool arranged in a deactivated position; illustrates a lateral view of an example embodiment of a gutter cleaner with a slidably mounted cleaning tool arranged in an activated position; illustrates the usage of a first cleaning portion of the embodiment according to fig.l and 2 for cleaning a gutter;

Fig. 4 illustrates the usage of a second cleaning portion of the embodiment according to fig.l and 2 for cleaning a gutter;

Fig. 5 illustrates a first lateral view of an example embodi^¬ ment of a gutter cleaner including liquid guiding means; and Fig. 6 illustrates a sectional lateral view of an example em^¬ bodiment of a gutter cleaner including liquid guiding means .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully with ref^¬ erence to the accompanying drawings, in which example embodi^¬ ments are shown. However, this invention should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Throughout the following description similar reference numerals have been used to denote similar elements, parts, items or features, when ap^¬ plicable .

Fig. 1 and 2 illustrate an example embodiment of an apparatus 1 for cleaning gutters, in the following referred to as gutter cleaner. The gutter cleaner comprises a main body 2 and, prefer^¬ ably a handle (not shown in Fig. 1 and 2) . Said handle may be used for handling the gutter cleaner. The handle may be directly or indirectly attached to a handling portion 2.3 provided at the main body 2.

The main body 2 further comprises a first and a second arm por^¬ tion 2a, 2b. Said first and second arm portions 2a, 2b laterally protrude at opposite sides of the main body 2. In other words, said first and second arm portions 2a, 2b form together with the handling portion 2.3 a T-shaped or essentially T-shaped main body 2. The first arm portion 2a comprises a longitudinal axis LA_AP1 and the second arm portion 2b comprises a longitudinal axis LA_AP2. Said longitudinal axes LA_AP1, LA_AP2 may be ar^¬ ranged parallel to each other. Preferably, said longitudinal ax^¬ es LA_AP1, LA_AP2 may coincide and thus may form a common longi^¬ tudinal axis . The main body 2 may further comprise a middle axis MA which may form the longitudinal axis of the handling portion 2.3. Said longitudinal axes LA_AP1, LA_AP2 may be arranged vertically or essentially vertically with respect to said middle axis MA.

Said first arm portion 2a comprises a first cleaning portion 2.1 and the second arm portion 2b comprises a second cleaning por^¬ tion 2.2. Said first and second cleaning portions 2.1, 2.2 pro^¬ trude from their respective arm portion 2a, 2b at an outer por- tion of said arm portions 2a, 2b, i.e. at a portion located at a distance to said middle axis MA.

Said first cleaning portion 2.1 builds or includes a straight cleaning portion 2.1 which is arranged in an angled manner with respect to the longitudinal axis LA_AP1 of the first arm portion 2a. Said first cleaning portion 2.1 may comprise a longitudinal axis LA_CP1 which is slanted with respect to the longitudinal axis LA_AP1 of the first arm portion 2a. Said longitudinal axes LA_CP1 and LA_AP1 may span a plane which coincides with the fig- ure planes of Fig. 1 and 2. Said plane may also include said middle axis MA.

As mentioned before, the first cleaning portion 2.1 is slanted with respect to the first arm portion. More in detail, the lon- gitudinal axis LA_CP1 and the longitudinal axis LA_AP1 may con^¬ fine an angle a which opens towards the middle axis MA, respec^¬ tively, the handling portion 2.3. Said angle a may be in the range of 90° and 180°, preferably between 120° and 150°, more preferably in the range of 125° and 135°, specifically 130° or essentially 130°. Thereby, an improved inserting of the first cleaning portion 2.1 in the gutter is achieved.

Said first cleaning portion 2.1 comprises at least two cleaning tools, in the present embodiment a first cleaning tool 3 and a second cleaning tool 4. The first cleaning tool 3 may be, for example, a brush or a brush-like tool and the second cleaning tool 4 may be, for example, a scraper. It is worth mentioning, that said tool configuration is only an example, i.e. in other embodiments, other cleaning tool configurations can be used.

In order to be able to activate one of the cleaning tools 3, 4 and deactivate the other one, the first cleaning tool 3 is move- ably mounted at the first cleaning portion 2.1. By moving the first cleaning tool 3, said cleaning tool can be positioned in an active position (shown in Fig. 2) in which said first clean^¬ ing tool 3 can be used for cleaning the gutter and an idle posi^¬ tion (shown in Fig. 1) in which said first cleaning tool 3 is deactivated . In the present embodiment, the first cleaning tool 3 is slidably mounted at the first cleaning portion 2.1. Thereby it is possi^¬ ble that the first cleaning tool 3 can be slided in a forward position (active position) (shown in Fig. 2) and in a retracted position (inactive position) (shown in Fig. 1) . Said first cleaning tool 3 may comprise a brush base portion 3.1 at which a plurality of bristles 3.2 are arranged. Said brush base portion 3.1 may comprise an annular shape surrounding the first cleaning portion 2.1 in a form-fit manner. In addition, the first clean^¬ ing tool 3 may comprise a locking mechanism 3.3 in order to lock the first cleaning tool 3 in the active, respectively, inactive position .

It is worth mentioning that said movability of the first clean^¬ ing tool 3 can be also archived using other moving means, for example a first cleaning tool 3 which is screwable guided at the first cleaning portion 2.1 or a hinged arrangement of the first cleaning tool 3 at the first cleaning portion 2.1.

As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, said first cleaning tool 3 is also moveable with respect to the second cleaning tool 4. Said second cleaning tool 4 may form the free end of the first cleaning por^¬ tion 2.1. Thereby, by retracting the first cleaning tool 3 in the position according to Fig. 1, at least a portion of the sec^¬ ond cleaning tool 4 protrudes over the first cleaning tool 3. More in detail, a free end portion of the second cleaning tool 4 may protrude over the free ends of the bristles 3.2 of the first cleaning tool 3. Thereby, the gutter can be cleaned using the second cleaning tool 4 instead of the first cleaning tool 3. On the other hand, in case that the first cleaning tool 3 is moved in a forward position, the bristles 3.2 of the first cleaning tool 3 protrude over the free end portion of the second cleaning tool 4 thereby activating the first cleaning tool 3 for cleaning the gutter. According to an embodiment, the second cleaning tool 4 may be a scraper which comprises lips 4.1, 4.2 for cleaning the gutter. A first lip 4.1 may be arranged at the free end (lower portion) of the second cleaning tool 4. In other words, the first lip 4.1 may be arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal axes LA_CP1. In addition, the second cleaning tool 4 may com^¬ prise further lips 4.2 arranged at lateral sides of the second cleaning tool 4, i.e. said lips 4.2 may be spaced apart from each other and may run in the direction of the longitudinal axes LA_CP1. According to embodiments, said lips 4.1, 4.2 may be flexible. Said lips 4.1, 4.2 may be made of an elastically de- formable material, e.g. an elastic polymer. Alternatively or in addition, said lips 4.1, 4.2 may be made of a combination of a hard and a soft component. Preferably there is a harder or hard inner portion or inner component and a softer or soft outer por- tion or component. This has the advantage that the tool can be fitted to different shapes and sizes of the gutter and/or a bet^¬ ter cleaning result can be obtained.

The first cleaning tool 3, specifically the brush head compris- ing the bristles 3.2 may be split in two portions, wherein said two cleaning tool or brush head portions are arranged at differ^¬ ent sides of the second cleaning tool 4. In other words, the first cleaning tool 3 is adapted to at least partially surround the second cleaning tool 4 in the retracted (inactive) position. In yet other words, the first cleaning tool 3 may comprise an interior space in which at least a portion of the second clean^¬ ing tool 4 is received in the retracted (inactive) position.

As shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, the gutter cleaner further com- prises a second cleaning portion 2.2 which is arranged at the free end of the second arm portion 2b. At said second cleaning portion 2.2, at least one further cleaning tool 5 is provided. Said further cleaning tool 5 is, for example, a fork-like or rake-like cleaning tool, specifically is formed by a fork or rake. More in detail, said further cleaning tool 5 may comprise multiple teeth which are protruding at the free end of the sec^¬ ond cleaning portion 2.2 thereby forming said further cleaning tool 5. In order to enhance the usability of the gutter cleaner, the second cleaning portion 2.2 is oriented in a different direction and in a different plane than the first cleaning portion 2.1. More in detail, according to a first example, the longitudinal axis LA-CP2 of the second cleaning portion 2.2 and longitudinal axis LA-AP2 of the second arm portion 2b may coincide or may be arranged in parallel to each other. In other words, the second cleaning portion 2.2 may be attached or integrally formed at the second arm portion 2b without any tilt. According to another embodiment, the longitudinal axis LA-CP2 of the second cleaning portion 2.2 and the longitudinal axis LA-AP2 of the second arm portion 2b may be tilted with respect to each other. However, the tilt, specifically the direction of tilt of the second cleaning portion 2.2 may be different to the

tilt /direction of tilt of the first cleaning portion 2.1. More in detail, as mentioned before, the longitudinal axis LA_CP1 of the first cleaning portion and the longitudinal axis LA_AP1 of the first arm portion may span a first plane which coincides with the figure planes of Fig. 1 and 2. The longitudinal axis LA-CP2 of the second cleaning portion 2.2 and the longitudinal axis LA-AP2 of the second arm portion 2b may span a second plane which is different to said first plane. As shown in Fig. 1 and 2, the second cleaning portion 2.2 is directed out of the first plane (figure plane) wherein the first cleaning portion 2.1 ex- tends in said first plane (figure plane) . According to an embod^¬ iment, said first and second planes may confine an acute angle which opens to a side opposite to the handling portion 2.3, re^¬ spectively opposite to the middle axis MA. According to embodiments, the second arm portion 2b may comprise a pair of second cleaning portions 2.2. Said second cleaning portions 2.2 may protrude at opposite sides of the second arm portion 2b. More in detail and referring to fig. 1 and 2, a first one of said second cleaning portions 2.2 may protrude up- wardly out of the first plane (figure plane of fig. 1 and 2) and the second one of said second cleaning portions 2.2 may protrude downwardly out of said first plane (figure plane of fig. 1 and 2) . At each second cleaning portion 2.2, a fork-like or rake^¬ like cleaning tool may be provided. Also other tool configura- tions are possible, including the same cleaning tools at both second cleaning portions 2.2 or different cleaning tools at said second cleaning portions 2.2. By providing a pair of second cleaning portions 2.2 protruding at opposite sides of the second arm portion 2b, it is possible to use the cleaning tool provided at the second cleaning portion 2.2 in both directions, i.e. when moving the gutter cleaner in a forward and a backward direction.

Referring to fig. 3 and 4, the apparatus 1 may further comprise adjusting means 6 for adjusting the angle of inclination of the main body 2, specifically the first and second arm portions 2a, 2b with respect to a handle 7 or a handle fixing portion 7.1. Said adjusting means 6 may be, for example, a hinge. Upper- mentioned handling portion 2.3 may be used for connecting the main body 2 with a handle 7 or a handle fixing portion 7.1. At said handling portion 2.3, a hinge point may be provided in or^¬ der to be able to tilt the main body 2 with respect to the han^¬ dle 7 or handle fixing portion 7.1. Said adjusting means 6 may be adapted to position the main body 2 such that the angle be^¬ tween the longitudinal axis LA_AP1 of the first arm portion 2a and the longitudinal axis of the handle 7 or handle fixing 7.1 portion is greater than 90° and the angle between the longitudi^¬ nal axis LA_AP2 of the second arm portion 2b and the longitudi^¬ nal axis of the handle 7 or handle fixing portion 7.1 is smaller than 90°. In other words, the main body 2 may be arranged by said adjusting means 6 such that the further cleaning tool 5 is tilted towards the handle 7 or handle fixing portion 7.1.

In addition, said adjusting means 6 may comprise a locking mech^¬ anism 6.1, specifically a quick-locking-mechanism. Said locking mechanism 6.1 may be adapted to enable an angular adjustment of the main body 2 with respect to the handle 7 or handle fixing portion 7.1 in a released state and a fixing of a certain angu^¬ lar position of the main body 2 with respect to the handle 7 or handle fixing portion 7.1 in a fixed state. Thereby it is possi- ble to adapt the apparatus 1 to specific requirements for clean^¬ ing the gutter.

The advantages of different orientation of the first and second cleaning portion 2.1, 2.2 are explained in detail based on Fig. 3 and 4. Due to the tilted arrangement of the main body 2 with respect to the handle 7 or handle fixing portion 7.1, the first cleaning portion 2.1 (comprising first and second cleaning tools 3, 4) and the second cleaning portion 2.2 (comprising said fur^¬ ther cleaning tool 6) can be easily inserted in the gutter with- out changing the angular position of the main body 2 with re- spect to the handle 7 or handle fixing portion 7.1, respective^¬ ly, without changing the spatial orientation of the handle 7. The cleaning tool can be chosen, respectively, changed by rotat^¬ ing (as indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3) the handle 7 around its longitudinal axis by 180° or essentially 180° thereby disen^¬ gaging the first/second cleaning tool 3, 4 and using said fur^¬ ther cleaning tool 6 for gutter cleaning.

In order to enhance the cleaning effect of the gutter cleaner, the apparatus 1 comprises liquid guiding means 10 for providing liquid towards the first or second cleaning portion 2.1, 2.2. Said liquid guiding means 10 may comprise liquid channels 10.1, 10.2 which are integrally formed in the main body 2, i.e. inte^¬ grally formed within the arm portions 2a, 2b and cleaning por- tions 2.1, 2.2 of the main body 2. According to other embodi^¬ ments, said liquid guiding means 10 are not integrally formed within the main body 2 but only arranged at said main body 2. Furthermore, a coupling portion 11 may be provided at the main body 2. Said coupling portion 11 may be adapted to receive a quick coupler of a water hose. The coupling portion 11 may be fluidly coupled with said liquid guiding means 10, specifically with said liquid channels 10.1, 10.2 in order to guide liquid provided by the water hose into said liquid channels 10.1, 10.2. So, by means of said liquid channels 10.1, 10.2, the liquid is provided to the respective cleaning portion 2.1, 2.2.

As shown in Fig. 5 and 6, a liquid nozzle 12, 13 is provided at the free end of the liquid channel 10.1, 10.2. By means of said liquid nozzles 12, 13, liquid can be poured out at the respec- tive cleaning portion 2.1, 2.2.

In order to be able to selectively provide liquid into one of said liquid channels 10.1, 10.2, respectively, to one of said liquid nozzles 12, 13, the apparatus 1 may comprise control means 14 for selectively controlling the liquid flow to the first or second cleaning portion 2.1, 2.2. For example, said control means 14 comprises a liquid valve. Said valve may com^¬ prise a valve housing and a valve body (also referred to as plug) which is movable with respect to the valve housing. Said valve housing may be integrally formed within the main body 2. Said liquid valve may be, for example, a plug valve. Said selec^¬ tively controlling of the liquid flow towards the first or sec^¬ ond cleaning portion 2.1, 2.2 may be obtained by an appropriate positioning the valve body. For example, a rotatable control knob may be provided at the main body for controlling the liquid valve .

Said main body 2 (including the arm portions 2a, 2b, the han^¬ dling portion 2.3 and at least portions of the cleaning portions 2.1, 2.2) may be manufactured by injection-moulding. Thereby, the arm portions 2a, 2b, the handling portion 2.3 and at least portions of the cleaning portions 2.1, 2.2 are integrally formed as a single piece element. It is understood that the liquid guiding means in particular liquid channels or liquid nozzle can also be provided only for one of the cleaning portions so that no selection between the guiding the liquid to either the first cleaning portion or the second cleaning portion is possible but only the switching on and off for one of the cleaning portions.

It should be noted that the description and drawings merely il^¬ lustrate the principles of the proposed gutter cleaner. Those skilled in the art will be able to implement various arrange- ments that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention. List of reference numerals

1 apparatus

2 main body

2a first arm portion

2b second arm portion

2.1 first cleaning portion

2.2 second cleaning portion

2.3 handling portion

3 first cleaning tool

3.1 brush base portion

3.2 bristles

3.3 locking mechanism

4 second cleaning tool

4.1 lips

4.2 lips

5 further cleaning tool

6 adjusting means

6.1 locking mechanism

7 handle

7.1 handle fixing portion

10 liquid guiding means

10.1 liquid channel

10.2 liquid channel

11 coupling portion

12 liquid nozzle

13 liquid nozzle

14 control means a angle

LA_AP1 longitudinal axis (of first arm portion)

LA_AP2 longitudinal axis (of second arm portion)

LA_CP1 longitudinal axis (of first cleaning portion)

LA_CP2 longitudinal axis (of second cleaning portion)

MA middle axis

Claims

1. Apparatus for cleaning gutters comprising a main body (2) with a handling portion (2.3) and two arm portions (2a, 2b) laterally protruding from said handling portion (2.3), where^¬ in a first cleaning portion (2.1) is provided at a first arm portion (2a) and a second cleaning portion (2.2) is provided at a second arm portion (2b) , characterized in that the appa^¬ ratus (1) further comprises liquid guiding means (10), said liquid guiding means (10) being adapted to guide liquid to^¬ wards the first or the second cleaning portion (2.1, 2.2) .

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the liquid guiding means (10) are included in the main body (2), specifically included in at least one of or both of the arm portions (2a, 2b) and at least one of or both of the cleaning portions (2.1, 2.2) of the main body (2), wherein said liquid guiding means (10) in particular comprise liquid channels (10.1, 10.2) which are integrally formed within said main body (2), specifically integrally formed within the arm portion (s) (2a, 2b) and cleaning portion (s) (2.1, 2.2) of the main body (2) .

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid guid^¬ ing means (10) are adapted to selectively guide liquid either towards the first cleaning portion (2.1) or towards the sec^¬ ond cleaning portion (2.2), in particular by means of selec^¬ tion or control means.

4. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said liquid guiding means (10) comprise at least one, prefer^¬ ably at least two, liquid nozzles (12, 13), wherein the or at least one of said liquid nozzles (12, 13) is arranged in the area of the first and second cleaning portion (2.1, 2.2) in order to pour out liquid at the first and second cleaning portion (2.1, 2.2) .

5. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said liquid guiding means (10) comprise control means (14) for controlling the liquid flow to the cleaning portions (2.1, 2.2).

6. Apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said control means (14) comprise a valve, said valve being adapted to selective^¬ ly control the liquid flow towards the first or second clean^¬ ing portion (2.1, 2.2).

7. Apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein said control means (14) are included in said main body.

8. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said main body (2) comprises a coupling portion (11) adapted to receive a quick coupler of a hose.

9. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said coupling portion (11) is fluidly coupled with said liquid guiding means (10) included in said main body (2) .

10. Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first cleaning portion (2.1) comprises at least a first and a second cleaning tool (3, 4) and the first cleaning tool

(3) is movably mounted at the first cleaning portion (2.1) in order to be arranged at least in a first and a second posi^¬ tion, wherein in said first position, the first cleaning tool

(3) is in an active position and in said second position, the first cleaning tool (3) is in an idle position.

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the first cleaning tool (3) is a brush or a brush-like cleaning tool.

2 Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a further cleaning tool (5) provided at the second cleaning portion (3.2) comprises a fork-like or rake-like shape in^¬ cluding multiple teeth.

Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the first cleaning portion (2.1) is provided at a first arm portion (2a) in an angled manner such that the longitudinal axes (LA_CP1, LA_AP1) of the first cleaning portion (2.1) and the first arm portion (2a) are arranged in a first plane, wherein :

- the longitudinal axes (LA_CP2, LA_AP2) of the second

cleaning portion (2.2) and the second arm portion (2b) coincide or are arranged in parallel to each other; or

- the longitudinal axes (LA_CP2, LA_AP2) of the second

cleaning portion (2.2) and the second arm portion (2b) are arranged in an angled manner and the longitudinal axes (LA_CP2, LA_AP2) of the second cleaning portion (2.2) and the second arm portion (2b) are arranged in a second plane different to the first plane.

Apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, compris^¬ ing adjusting means (6) for adjusting the angle of inclina^¬ tion of the main body (2), specifically the first and second arm portions (2a, 2b) with respect to a handle (7) or a han^¬ dle fixing portion (7.1) .

Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said adjusting means (6) are adapted to position the main body (2) such that the angle between the longitudinal axis (LA_AP1) of the first arm portion (2a) and the longitudinal axis of the handle (7) or handle fixing portion (7.1) is greater than 90° and the angle between the longitudinal axis (LA_AP2) of the second arm por^¬ tion (2b) and the longitudinal axis of the handle (7) or han^¬ dle fixing portion (7.1) is smaller than 90°.

3