Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
ROOFING DEBRIS COLLECTION APPARATUS
Inventors: Heath Austin Hicks and Eric James Mackintosh
[0001]
Field of the Invention
[0002] Exemplary embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for
safely
and efficiently delivering materials and debris from roof structures.
Background of the Invention
[0003] In the roofing trades, it is often necessary to completely remove
an existing
roof structure prior to replacement with a new roof. This procedure involves
the tear off
and removal of the roof materials such as asphalt coatings, shingles, roofing
paper,
asbestos, plywood and other materials, which must be delivered to a dump truck
at
ground level for disposal. If these materials are simply dropped off the side
of the roof,
they can damage the side of the building or damage other structures such as
shrubs,
flowers, and bushes. In conventional practice a collection bin is placed on
the roof or
various chute systems have been devised to remove debris from the roof surface
and
deliver it to a dump truck. However, such conventional systems have inherent
drawbacks
and are difficult to manage. Collection bins have to be hoisted onto the roof
and moved
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to different areas of the roof Likewise chutes that extend from the edge of
the roof to the
ground have to be moved from position to position around the perimeter of the
roof. An
easier and quicker system would be an apparatus that allowed discarding of
debris into
the gutters and over the edge of the roof which, at the same time, was safe
and provided
an efficient collection of the debris.
[0004] Roofers often use branded vehicles, clothing, yard signs, and the
like when
performing roofing work as a form of advertising. However, such signage is
generally
small and difficult to read. Furthermore, roofing companies may change names
and logos
over time or sell equipment to another company. Therefore, what is needed is a
roofing
debris collection system which permits the integration of selectively
removable signage.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] The present invention is roofing debris collection apparatus having
one or
more gutter liners, one or more debris chute drapes, and one or more drape
support poles
maintaining the debris chute drapes in a vertical orientation adjacent the
gutter. The gutter
liner has a U-shaped or V-shaped lip on the front of the gutter liner. The U-
shaped or V-
shaped lip is constructed to fit over a front edge of a gutter. The drape
support poles have
a pole tip support for engaging the side of a building. The pole tip support
has a support
portion having a pole connecting portion and a debris chute drape connecting
portion.
The pole tip support also has a protective cover.
[0006] One or more drape support poles are positioned vertically at an
angle on
the side of the building adjacent the gutter, wherein the drape support poles
extend from
beneath the gutter to the ground. One or more debris chute drapes are attached
to the
drape support poles vertically at an angle adjacent the gutter, wherein the
drape support
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poles extend from beneath the gutter towards the ground.
[0007] In an alternative embodiment of the gutter liner, the gutter liner
is adjustable,
having a first portion with a U-shaped or V-shaped lip on a front of the first
portion and
having a second portion with a U-shaped or V-shaped lip on a front of the
second portion.
The second portion is adjustably inserted into the first portion and the U-
shaped or V-
shaped lip on the second portion fits over the U-shaped or V-shaped lip on the
first portion.
[0008] In another alternate embodiment the gutter liner has a plurality of
spaced
apart debris collecting cups. The debris collecting cups are attached to a
first side of a U-
shaped or V-shaped lip. An opposite side of the lip is constructed to fit over
a front side
of a gutter.
[0009] In another alternative embodiment of the gutter liner the gutter
liner has a
U-shaped or V- shaped lip extending from a front side and from a top of the
gutter liner.
The gutter liner has one or more connectors positioned in an interior of the
gutter liner on
the front side for connecting to a debris chute drape.
[0010] The gutter liners of the present invention can be used adjacent to
a gutter
cover for directing roofing debris from a roof, over a gutter, and directly
onto a debris
chute drape. The gutter cover consists of a cover plate and brace member on
its bottom
surface.
[0011] The invention provides a method for collecting roofing debris,
comprising
the steps of inserting one or more gutter liners into a gutter attached to a
roof; positioning
one or more debris chute drapes vertically on one or more poles adjacent the
gutter;
allowing roofing debris to accumulate in the one or more gutter liners or to
fall on to one
or more debris chute drapes and to fall from the one or more debris chute
drapes onto
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the ground or onto a debris collecting ground tarps; and collecting the
roofing debris from
the gutter liners and from the ground or from the debris collecting ground
tarp. The
invention also provides a kit for collecting roofing debris. The kit has one
or more gutter
liners constructed to fit in an interior of a gutter; one or more debris chute
drapes; and
one or more drape support poles for maintaining the debris chute drapes in a
vertical
orientation adjacent the gutter. The kit can also include a gutter cover and a
debris
collecting ground tarp with handles.
[0012] An advantage of the present invention is a roofing debris
collection
apparatus that can be rapidly installed around the perimeter of a roof.
[0013] Another advantage is a roofing debris collection apparatus that is
compact,
easy to transport and assemble, and inexpensive to construct.
[0014] Another advantage is a roofing debris collection apparatus that
allows for
rapid collection and removal of roofing debris.
[0015] Another advantage is a roofing debris collection apparatus that
protects the
sides of a building from any damage that might be caused by the collection of
roofing
debris.
[0016] Another advantage is a debris chute drape made of netting that
allows air
exchange.
[0017] Another advantage is a debris collecting ground tarp having handles
to
facilitate lifting and carrying the debris collecting ground tarp when it is
full of roofing
debris.
[0018] A roofing debris collection system which permits the integration of
selectively removable signage is provided. Fasteners may be provided at
various
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locations of the debris chute drape. The fasteners may be configured to mate
with the
signage such that the signage may be prominently displayed while the debris
chute drape
is installed at a job site. In exemplary embodiments, areas of hook and loop
fasteners
are provided at various locations along the debris chute drape. Hook and loop
fasteners
may be provided at corresponding areas of the signage. The signage may be
removable
for storage, changing out, replacement, repair, some combination thereof, or
the like.
[0019] Further features and advantages of the systems and methods
disclosed
herein, as well as the structure and operation of various aspects of the
present disclosure,
are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0020] In addition to the features mentioned above, other aspects of the
present
invention will be readily apparent from the following descriptions of the
drawings and
exemplary embodiments, wherein like reference numerals across the several
views
refer to identical or equivalent features, and wherein:
[0021] Fig. I shows a front perspective view of a gutter liner of the
present
invention;
[0022] Fig. 2 shows a rear perspective view of the gutter liner;
[0023] Fig. 3 shows a rear perspective view of a plurality of gutter
liners positioned
over a gutter;
[0024] Fig. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the plurality of gutter
liners
positioned in the gutter;
[0025] Fig. 5 illustrates debris chute drapes of the present invention
positioned on
drape support poles adjacent to a gutter on a roof;
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[0026] Fig. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of a pole tip support of
the
present invention;
[0027] Fig. 7 shows an assembled perspective view of the pole tip support;
[0028] Figs. 8a-8c show a rear perspective view of alternant embodiment of
the
gutter liner of Fig. 1;
[0029] Fig. 9 shows a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the
gutter liner of Fig. 1;
[0030] Fig. 10 is an illustration of a debris collecting ground tarp
having handles
attached thereto;
[0031] Fig. 11 shows a front perspective view of another alternate
embodiment
gutter liner;
[0032] Fig. 12 shows a top perspective view of a gutter cover having a
cover plate
and a brace member for use adjacent to a gutter liner;
[0033] Fig. 13 shows a top perspective view of the gutter cover positioned
over a
gutter on a house;
[0034] Fig. 14 shows a top perspective view of the gutter cover having a
debris
guide plate attached at a front end of the cover plate;
[0035] Fig. 15 shows a side perspective view of the gutter cover having a
flexible
cover plate and support members on its bottom surface;
[0036] Fig. 16 shows a debris chute drape with removable signage
installed;
[0037] Fig. 17 shows a rear plan view of the removable signage of Fig. 16;
and
[0038] Fig. 18 shows a front plan view of the debris chute drape of Fig.
16 with the
removeable signage removed.
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Detailed Description of the Invention
[0039] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described
in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following
description, specific
details such as detailed configuration and components are merely provided to
assist the
overall understanding of these embodiments of the present invention.
Therefore, it should
be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications
of the
embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and
spirit
of the present invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions
and
constructions are omitted for clarity and conciseness.
[0040] Embodiments of the invention are described herein with reference to
illustrations of idealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of the
invention. As
such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for
example, of
manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus,
embodiments of
the invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of
regions
illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for
example, from
manufacturing.
[0041] While the following description details the preferred embodiments
of the
present invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application
to the details of construction and arrangement of the parts illustrated in the
accompanying
figures, since the invention is capable of other embodiments and of being
practiced in
various ways.
[0042] Fig. 1 shows a front perspective view of a gutter liner 10 of the
present
invention. The gutter liner 10 has a front side 11, a rear side 12 (see Fig.
2), a first end
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13, a second opposite end 14, a top 15 and a bottom 16. A lip 17, preferably a
U-shaped
or V-shaped lip, extends from the front side 11, top 15 of gutter liner 10.
Fig. 2 shows a
rear perspective view of the gutter liner 10. The gutter liner 10 has a
support member 18
on a first end of the gutter liner 10 and a support member 19 on a second
opposite end
of the gutter liner 10. Fig. 2 further shows an interior 20 of the gutter
liners 10 for collecting
roofing debris.
[0043] Fig. 3 shows a rear perspective view of a plurality of gutter
liners 10
positioned over a gutter 30. The gutter 30 has a front side 31, a rear side
32, a top edge
33, a bottom 36, and an interior 35. The gutter 30 also has mounting straps 34
which
fasten the gutter 30 to a roof Fig. 4 shows a rear perspective view of the
plurality of gutter
liners 10 inserted into the interior 35 of gutter 30. The lips 17 of the
gutter liners 10 are
configured to fit over the front side 31, top edge 33 of the gutters 30. The
support
members 18 and 19 are configured to fit over the mounting straps 34 and the
support
member 18 is configured to fit over the support member 19 or adjacent to it.
At position
37 the support member 18 is positioned over the support member 19 which is
positioned
over a mounting strap 34. At position 38 the support member 18 is adjacent to
or partially
overlaps the support member 19. The support members 18 and 19 may also extend
over
the rear side 32, top edge 33 of the gutter 30. When the gutter liners 10 are
inserted into
the interior 35 of gutter 30 they are in position to receive debris from a
roof.
[0044] Fig. 5 illustrates debris chute drapes 40 of the present invention
positioned
on drape support poles 41 adjacent to a gutter 44 on a roof 45 of a building.
The drape
support poles 41 have a top end 46 and a bottom end 47. The top end 46 has a
pole tip
support 42 (topper) that engages the side of a house 43. The pole tip support
42 maintains
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the position of the top end 46 of the drape support poles 41 against the side
of the house
43. The drape support poles 41 are positioned vertically at an angle against
the side of
the house 43 and the bottom end 47 of the drape support pole 47 engages the
ground or
a debris collecting ground tarp 48 on the ground. The debris chute drapes 40
are
connected to the pole tip supports 42, are draped across the drape support
poles 41
vertically at an angle and extend towards the debris collecting ground tarp 48
so as to act
as a chute. The debris collecting ground tarp 48 can have handles 49 (see Fig.
10) to
facilitate lifting and carrying the debris collecting ground tarp 48 for
debris disposal.
[0045] The debris chute drapes 40 can be made of any suitable materials
known
in the art. The debris chute drapes 40 can be made of flexible plastic,
textile, or netting
material such that roofing debris will slide down the debris chute drapes 40
as it would,
for example, down a chute. Preferably, the debris chute drapes 40 are made of
a netting
design that allows the passage of air. This feature is particularly beneficial
when the
drapes 40 are placed over plants. The drape support poles 41 can be extendable
and
retractable (variable length) and can be made of plastic, metal, or wood, or a
combination
thereof.
[0046] Fig. 6 shows an exploded perspective view of a pole tip support 42.
The
pole tip support 42 is, preferably, T-shaped and has a support portion 50, a
pole
connecting portion 51, and a debris chute drape connecting portion 54. The
support
portion 50 is shown as a cylinder with the cylindrical pole connecting portion
51 being
oriented perpendicular to the support portion 50. The pole connecting portion
51 has
internal threads 52 for connection to external threads 53 on the drape support
pole 41. A
drape chute connecting portion 54 extends from the support portion 50 and the
pole
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connecting portion 51. The drape chute connecting portion 54 has a hole 55 for
holding
a clip 56. The clip 56 connects the debris chute drape 40 to the pole tip
support 42. The
clip 56 is, preferably, a carabiner. The pole tip support 42 has a protective
cover 57 having
slits 58 and a hole 59 so that the protective cover 57 can be reversibly
placed over the
support portion 50, the pole connecting portion 51, and the drape chute
connection
portion 54. The protective cover 51 protects against the pole tip support 42
from damaging
a side of a house 43 and also helps the pole tip support 42 remain in place on
the side of
a house 43. Fig. 7 shows a perspective view of the pole tip support 42 in an
assembled
configuration with the drape support pole 41 screwed into the pole connecting
portion 51
of the pole tip support 42.
[0047]
Figs. 8a-8c show alternative embodiment gutter liner 10. Fig. 8a shows a
first portion 60a and Fig. 8b a second portion 60b. As shown in Fig. 8c the
portions 60a
and 60b combine to form an adjustable gutter liner 60. The first portion 60a
has a front
side 61a, a rear side 62a, a first end 63a, a second opposite end 64a, a top
65a, and
bottom 66a, a U-shaped or V-shaped lip 67a on the front side 61a, and an
interior 68a.
The second portion 60b has a front side 61b, a rear side 62b, a first end 63b,
a second
opposite end 64b, a top 65b, a bottom 66b, a U-shaped or V-shaped lip 67b on
the front
side 61b, and an interior 68b. The first end 63a of first portion 60a is open
and the first
end 63b of the second portion 60b is closed. Fig. 8c shows that the adjustable
gutter liner
60 is formed when the second opposite end 64b of the second portion 60b is
adjustably
inserted into the interior 68a of the first portion 60a through the open first
end 63a of the
first portion 60a. Sections of the front side 61b and the rear side 62b of
second portion
60b are positioned in the interior 68a of the first portion 60a. The U-shaped
or V-shaped
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lip 67b of the second portion 60b is positioned over the U-shaped or V-shaped
lip 67a of
the first portion 60a. In this configuration gutter liner 60 is adjustable as
the second portion
60b is inserted into or out of the first portion 60a to adjust the length of
gutter liner 60
along the direction indicated by the dashed arrows 69. This adjustable feature
facilitates
positioning the gutter liner 60 between the mounting straps 34 in the gutter
30.
[0048] Fig. 9 shows a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment 70
of the
gutter liner 10 shown in Figs. 1-4. The gutter liner 70 is formed with a
plurality of spaced
apart roofing debris collecting cups 71. The gutter liner 70 has a front side
72, a rear side
73, a first end 74, and a second opposite end 75. A lip 76, preferably a U-
shaped or V-
shaped lip, extends from the front side 72 of gutter liner 70. The U-shaped or
V-shaped
lip 73 is constructed to fit over a front side 31of a gutter 30 (see Figs. 3
and 4). The gutter
liner 70 has a support member 77 on the first end 74 and a support member 78
on a
second opposite end 75. The support member 77 on the first end 74 of a first
gutter liner
70 is constructed to fit over the support member 78 on the second opposite end
75 of
second adjacent gutter liner 70, like that shown for gutter liners 10 in Figs.
3 and 4.
Spaces 21 are formed between cups 71. The cups 71 are connected to each other
by
covers 22 positioned over spaces 21.
[0049] Fig. 10 shows a front perspective view of an alternate embodiment
gutter
liner 80. The gutter liner 80 has a front side 81, a rear side 82, a first end
83, a second
opposite end 84, a top 85 and a bottom 86, defining an interior 87. A lip 88,
preferably a
U-shaped or V-shaped lip 17, extends from the front side 81 and from the top
85. One or
more connectors 89, such as rings, are positioned in the interior 87 on front
side 81 near
top 85. The connectors 89 are useful for attaching debris chute drapes 40, for
example,
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to the gutter liner 80, if desired.
[0050] Fig. 11 shows an illustration of a debris collecting ground tarp 48
having
handles 49 attached thereto, preferably at the edges of the debris collecting
ground tarp
48. Although the debris collecting ground tarp 48 is shown as rectangular, it
can be any
desired shape. The handles 49 make a fully loaded debris collecting ground
tarp 48
relatively easy to carry and to empty into truck bed, for example.
[0051] The gutter liners of the present invention can be used adjacent to
a gutter
cover which directs roofing debris from a roof, over a gutter, and directly
onto a debris
chute drape. Fig. 12 shows a top perspective view of a gutter cover 90 to
direct roofing
debris over a gutter 30 and onto a debris chute drape 40. The gutter cover 90
consists of
a cover plate 91 having a front end 92, a rear end 93, a top surface 94, and a
bottom
surface 95. A brace member 96 is attached along the length of the cover plate
91 near
the front end 92. The front end 92 extends beyond the brace member 96.
[0052] Fig. 13 shows the gutter cover 90 positioned over a gutter 30 on a
house
43. The brace member 96 is in the interior 35 of gutter 30 engaging the front
side 31 of
the gutter 30. The front end 92 of the cover plate 91 extends beyond the front
side 31 of
the gutter 30 and the rear end 93 of the cover plate 91 rests upon the roof 45
of the house
43. As roofing debris falls down a roof 45 onto the cover plate 91 it will
fall off the front
end 92 onto a debris chute drape 40.
[0053] Fig. 14 shows that the gutter cover 90 can have an adjustable
debris guide
plate 97 attached at the front end 92 of the cover plate 91 at an angle. The
angle of the
guide plate 97 is optimized to further guide roofing debris from the cover
plate 91 onto a
debris chute drape 40.
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[0054] Fig. 15 shows that the gutter cover 90 can have a flexible cover
plate 91 to
conform to the angle formed by the gutter 30 and the roof 45. The gutter cover
90 can be
split into a first portion 98 and a second portion 99 connected rotatably to
each other with
hinges 100, for example. The gutter covers 90 can also have support members
101 on
its bottom surface 95 for insertion into the interior 35 of gutter 30.
[0055] Fig. 16 illustrates the debris chute drape 40 with removable
signage 102
installed. The debris collecting ground tarp 48 may be positioned on the
ground below,
near, or otherwise adjacent to the debris chute drape 40. Any number,
location, type,
size, and shape of removeable signs 102 may be utilized. In exemplary
embodiments,
without limitations, the signs 102 are comprised of a water proof or water-
resistant
material. A front surface of the removeable sign 102 may comprise a company
name,
company logo, message, image, some combination thereof, or the like.
[0056] Fig. 17 illustrates a rear surface of an exemplary removeable sign
102. The
removeable sign 102 may be provided with one or more fasteners 104. In
exemplary
embodiments, the fasteners 104 may comprise hook and loop fasteners, though
any type
of fastener may be utilized. The fasteners 104 may be provided in any size,
shape, length,
orientation, number, type, and the like. In exemplary embodiments, without
limitation, the
fasteners 104 comprise hook and loop fasteners provided in a first and second
strip along
an upper and lower portion of the sign 102. However, additional strips of hook
and loop
type fasteners may be provided at various additional locations along the rear
surface of
the sign 102, though such is not required. For example, without limitation,
such additional
strips may extend vertically and/or horizontally between the strips along the
first and
second strips to form a grid. Any number, location, size, shape, arrangement,
and type
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of fasteners 104 may be utilized.
[0057] Fig. 18 illustrates the debris chute drape 40 with the signs 102
removed.
Corresponding fasteners 106 may be provided at the debris chute drape 40. The
corresponding fasteners 106 may be provided at areas or other locations
matching the
fasteners 104 provided at the signs 102. In exemplary embodiments, without
limitation,
the fasteners 106 comprise hook and loop fasteners provided in strips to match
the size,
length, orientation, and placement of those provided at the signs 102. Any
number, size,
type, and location of corresponding fasteners 106 may be utilized. For
example, without
limitation, the fasteners 104 provided at the signs 102 may comprise only hook
type
fasteners while the corresponding fasteners 106 provided at the debris chute
drape 40
may comprise only loop type fasteners. The reverse may be utilized. In
exemplary
embodiments, the corresponding fasteners 106 provided at the debris chute
drape 40
may be provided in a first and second strip extending substantially, or
entirely, the
horizontal length of the debris chute drape 40. In such embodiments, the first
and second
strips may be provided on an upper half of the debris chute drape 40.
[0058] The fasteners 104 may be configured to mate with the corresponding
fasteners 106. In this way, the sign(s) 102 may be prominently displayed at
the job site
where the debris chute drape 40 is installed. The sign(s) 102 may be removed
for
storage, replacement, or the like.
[0059] Holes 108 may be provided along an upper portion of some or all of
the
debris chute drape. The holes 108 may be defined, at least in part, by
reinforced
grommets, though such is not required. The drape support poles 41, or
components
thereof, including but not limited to the clip 56 may be configured to mate
with the holes
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108.
[0060] A method for collecting roofing debris includes inserting one or
more gutter
liners into an interior of a gutter attached to a roof; positioning one or
more debris chute
drapes vertically on one or more poles adjacent the gutter; allowing roofing
debris to
accumulate in the one or more gutter liners; allowing roofing debris to fall
on to one or
more debris chute drapes; allowing roofing debris to fall from the one or more
debris chute
drapes onto the ground; and collecting the roofing debris from the gutter
liners and from
the ground. The gutter liners are inserted into a gutter so that a blip on the
front of the
gutter liner extends over the front of the gutter. The gutter liners are
arranged so that a
support member on the first end of the gutter liner and the support member on
the second
opposite end of the gutter liner fit over a mounting strap of a gutter. Also,
the support
member on the first end of the gutter liner fits over the support member on
the second
opposite end of an adjacent gutter liner or is positioned adjacent to it.
[0061] With the alternant embodiment gutter liner 60, the two gutter liner
portions
60a and 60b are combined, adjusted to the desired length, and inserted into
the gutter.
With the alternant embodiment gutter liner 80, it is simply inserted into the
gutter and
debris chute drapes can be attached to the connectors in the gutter liner 80.
With the
alternant embodiment gutter liner 90, it is simply inserted into the gutter.
Gutter covers 90
can be used in place of gutter liners or they can be used in combination with
gutter liners.
[0062] Drape support poles are placed vertically at an angle at desired
intervals on
the side of a building. A top end of the drape support pole is placed adjacent
to the gutter
on the building, beneath the gutter, and extends to the ground or to a debris
collecting
tarp on the ground. A bottom end of the drape support pole is placed on the
ground, with
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-16
the drape support pole angled away from the side of the building. Debris chute
drapes
are draped over the support poles and are connected to the top end of the
drape support
pole, preferably to a pole tip support on the top end of the drape support
pole. The drape
support poles angle the debris chute drapes away from the side of the
building.
[0063] As roofing debris accumulates on the roof of the building it is
allowed to fall
down the slope of the roof into the gutter liner positioned in the interior of
the gutter. The
roofing debris is also allowed to fall off the roof and onto the debris chute
drapes. Because
the debris chute drapes are angled away from the side of the building due to
the angle of
the drape support poles, the roofing debris slides down the debris chute
drapes and on
to the ground. There is, preferably, a debris collecting tarp on the ground to
collect the
roofing debris from the debris chute drapes. The debris collecting ground
tarp, preferably,
has handles. The gutter liners with debris are collected from the gutters and
the debris
collecting ground tarp on the ground, with debris, is picked up. The debris in
the gutter
liners and on the debris collecting ground tarp is then emptied into any
desired receptacle
for removal. The debris chute drapes guide roofing debris away from the side
of the
building and, thus, protect the side of the house and objects near the side of
the house
from any damage that might be caused by the roofing debris.
[0064] Signage may be installed at the debris chute drape. Installation
and/or
removal of the signage may be performed while the debris chute drape is on the
ground,
though such is not required. In other exemplary embodiments, the signage may
be
installed and/or removed when the debris chute drape is installed at a job
site. The sign(s)
may be removed for storage, replacement, or the like. The sign(s) may be
installed by
aligning hook and loop fasteners provided at the debris chute drape and at the
sign(s)
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and applying compressive forces. The sign(s) may be removed by applying
pressure to
pull the sign away from the debris chute drape.
[0065] The foregoing description has been limited to specific embodiments
of this
invention. It will be apparent, however, that variations and modifications may
be made by
those skilled in the art to the disclosed embodiments of the invention, with
the attainment
of some or all of its advantages and without departing from the spirit and
scope of the
present invention. For example, the gutter liners can made in any size and
from any
suitable materials. The drape support poles can be constructed in any size and
strength
and be connected by any suitable means to a pole tip support. The debris chute
drapes
can be of any suitable size and material and can be flexible or inflexible.
The roofing
debris collecting apparatus of the present invention can be adapted to any
type of roof
and building.
[0066] Any embodiment of the present invention may include any of the
features
of the other embodiments of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments
herein
disclosed are not intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the
scope of the
invention. The exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to
explain
the principles of the present invention so that others skilled in the art may
practice the
invention. Having shown and described exemplary embodiments of the present
invention, those skilled in the art will realize that many variations and
modifications may
be made to the described invention. Many of those variations and modifications
will
provide the same result and fall within the spirit of the claimed invention.
It is the intention,
therefore, to limit the invention only as indicated by the scope of the
claims.
[0067] It will be understood that various changes in the details,
materials, and
17
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-16
arrangements of the parts which have been described and illustrated above in
order to
explain the nature of this invention may be made by those skilled in the art
without
departing from the principle and scope of the invention as recited in the
following claim.
18
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-07-16
