the open gutter strainer ( ogs ), 10 , fig1 is a new and different device to be used in both new and in existing rain gutter systems , functioning as a collector - strainer , that utilizes the flowing rain water to purge the gutters , 12 , of undesired solid debris while collecting and channelling the liquid effluence to the downspouts , 14 , for proper disposal . the ogs , 10 , enables the rain water to keep the gutters , 12 , open and flowing , without constant cleaning . recognizing that unwanted spillage can be attributed to blockage of the downspouts , 14 , caused by accumulation of collected debris , the ogs , 10 , eliminates the cause of these accumulations . the flowing water floats and pushes most ordinary debris , such as leaves , twigs , and bark , to the low end where the downspout , 14 , should provide drainage . quite frequently the volume and speed of collection in the gutters , 12 , exceeds the capacity of the downspouts , 14 , for disposal . at these times the end - stop ( not shown ) at the low end of the gutter , 12 , can serve as a small dam , holding the water in temporary pools , awaiting the drainage of the over - taxed downspouts , 14 . the solid debris comes to a halt at these times and much of it is deposited on the bottom of the gutter , 12 , as the water pools recede . also much of the debris is too large to fit through the downspout opening or the strainers ( prior art ) that may be positioned at the top of the downspout opening . these deposits are repeated with the ensuing rain falls , and the downspout openings can become completely blocked with the build up . the ogs , 10 , is installed at the end of the gutter , 12 , permitting the lower end - stop to be completely removed leaving an open gutter , 12 . the ogs , 10 , is attached to the gutter , 12 , immediately below the gutter &# 39 ; s , 12 , open end with the gutter , 12 , overlapping the ogs , 10 , by about ½ ″ in position to receive all the effluence , free from restriction or impingement at volumes and speeds consistent with collection by the gutters , 12 . the ogs , 10 , functions like a small trough covered with a bar strainer , 18 and 20 , fig4 and fig5 mounted at a steep angle . the solids are separated from the liquids by the strainer bars , 22 , 24 , 42 , 44 , to slide down and off the end , and the liquids fall between the bars , 22 , 24 , 42 , 44 , into the small trough , called a collector box , 26 , fig1 free from splashing and wind spray , to the bottom , 32 , where the downspout , 14 , is connected for proper drainage disposal . the gutter , 12 , remains open and flowing as a result of the moving water &# 39 ; s capacity to push and float debris to the open end where it falls out and down . in times of limited rainfall , when dry debris accumulates , it does not compact as in pooled water . as a result even small amounts of water can easily wend its way to the open end for drainage and disposal . melting ice and snow can move chunks of encrusted effluence out the end during periods of thaw . the elimination of heavy pooled water and debris protects the gutters from sagging and losing the proper discharge angle . the constant weight of such pooled water and debris can often result in permanently bent gutters and brackets rendering them incapable of performing properly — even after cleaning . the elimination of pooling also removes the added nuisance of breeding areas for mosquitoes and other insects . the ability of the gutters to purge themselves of solid debris is based upon the quantities and frequency of rainfall . in times of light rainfall the area near the end is purged , but in times of heavy downpours the entire gutter , 12 , can be cleared . the ogs , 10 , is comprised of four major components : 1 . the collector box , 26 , is an elongated container open on the top . it is about 18 ″ in length with sides , 58 , and bottom , 32 , of this length measuring about 5½ ″ in width . the box , 26 , is designed to be mounted to the structure at a steep angle , and at this position , the upper end of the box , 26 , forms the upper rear wall , 28 , at a slanted angle from the lower rear wall , 64 , but vertical when installed . the upper rear wall , 28 , is about 5½ ″ across and about 2 ″ in height . at the top of the upper rear wall , 28 , the full width is bent in to serve as a strainer shield , 30 , extending in and down about 1½ ″. at the opposite end of the box , 26 , the bottom , 32 , is bent to a slanted angle to be in a horizontal position when installed . this bottom area , 32 , is about 5½ ″× 5½ ″, and in this surface a circular hole about 4 +″ in diameter is made to serve as the opening , 16 , for the downspout connector - adaptor , 34 , fig6 and fig8 . a stub wall , 36 , extends upward from the horizontal bottom , 32 , at an angle of about 45 °, and measures about 2 ″× 5½ ″. the collector box , 26 , contains holes , 60 , at the upper sides , 58 , and upper rear wall , 28 , to align and attach to mounting hardware , 38 and 40 . the collector box , 26 , can be formed from sheet metal or sheet plastic , or it can be molded from plastic or weather resistant metal . the ogs , 10 , can be made in any size , but for the purposes of trial and development the working samples were made to connect with the most popular size gutters , 4 ″, 5 ″, and 6 ″. since the collector box , 26 , is wider than the bottom of these gutters , 12 , a single size can be used to accommodate all three . the length of the collector box , 26 , was determined by the need to capture the discharging water under all possible conditions . light and medium rainfalls provide an immediate flow of the draining liquid into the collector box , 26 , but in times of teeming down pours the water flowing through clean gutters , 12 , can develop a substantial current speed and will cascade in a wide arc upon leaving the gutter , 12 , end . it is , therefore , necessary that the collector box , 26 , be of sufficient length to capture these surges . 2 . the bar strainer , 18 and 20 , comprised of parallel bars , 22 , 24 , 42 , 44 , with dimension of about 18 ″× 5½ ″, is positioned to cover the entire open top area of the collector box , 26 , extending from the upper rear wall , 28 , under the strainer shield , 30 , to about 1 ″ beyond and resting on the top of the front stub wall , 36 . when installed the bar strainer , 18 and 20 , assumes a steep angle of about 550 down from horizontal . the bar strainer , 18 and 20 , is made of bars , 22 , 24 , 42 , 44 , in two tiers , measuring about 10 ″× 1 ″× ⅛ ″, arranged in a parallel position with a space between the bars , 22 , 24 , 42 , 44 , measuring about 10 ″× 1 ″× ⅜ ″. the two tiers overlap at the center by about 2 ″ with the upper bars , 22 , 42 , positioned to be over the spaces formed by the lower bars , 24 , 44 . they are held in position by cross bars , 46 , placed under and about 1 ″ in from each end and by two cross bars , 46 , between the tiers in the overlapped area . the bar strainer , 18 , is held in position in the collector box , 26 , by the bottom cross bar , 46 , resting on the front stub wall , 36 ; and the upper end , leaning on the upper rear wall , 28 , is held from moving by the strainer shield , 30 , extending in and down from the top of the upper rear wall , 28 . the bar strainer , 18 and 20 , may be easily removed by lifting the extended front , 66 , clear of the front stub wall , 36 , and sliding it out . it is important that the tops and sides of the bars , 22 , 24 , 42 , 44 , be smooth , as this provides the passing debris almost no opportunity of snagging . the 1 ″ depth of the spaces and the smooth sides denied the erose protrusions that sag into these gaps almost any chance of catching . the bar strainer , 18 and 20 , is made in two tiers to prevent spillage . a single tier bar strainer allows the liquid clinging to the bar by surface tension to spill a significant amount off the end . by stopping the upper tier , 22 , 42 , at midpoint , the liquid falls into the the collector box , 26 , between the bars , 24 , 44 , of the lower tier , and the solid debris continues to slide off the end of the lower tier bars , 24 , 44 . the bar strainer , 18 , described above depicts the bar strainer , 18 , made from plastic bars , 22 , 24 , and joined by plastic cement as used in development and testing . in production , however , it is envisioned that this component could be made by molding from plastic or weather resistant metal , or the bar strainer , 20 , can be made by forming from corrugated sheet metal or sheet plastic as shown in fig5 . 3 . a connector - adaptor , 34 , fig6 and fig8 is a tubular funnel with a ½ ″ flange , 48 , at the top ; it provides the connection of the collector box , 26 , and the downspout pipe , 14 . this connection requires different size and shape capabilities to be suited to mate with pipes of different shape and size . the most popular sizes of downspout , 14 , in use are 2 ″× 3 ″ and 3 ″× 4 ″ rectangular shape . in addition , 4 ″ round plastic drainage pipe ( not shown ) has the potential to become highly acceptable because of its larger drainage capacity and attractive cost . it was , therefore , opted to design the connector - adaptor , 34 , to include these three sizes in this initial model , although the connector - adaptor , 34 , is not limited to only these sizes and shapes . an additional variable is the angle required to connect the gutter , 12 , on the edge of the eave to the vertical downspout ( not shown ) on the structure , as some vertical rectangular downspouts are installed with the longer side abutting the wall while others have the short side . to accommodate these variables the connector - adaptor , 34 , is comprised of three male connector surfaces , 50 , 52 , 54 , descending in size . the top connector , 50 , has a shape and size to connect to a 4 ″ round plastic drainage pipe providing a 1½ ″ male connector , 50 , for such pipe . below this is a 1½ ″, 3 ″× 4 ″ rectangular male connector , 52 , reduced in size and changed in shape to mate with a 3 ″× 4 ″ rectangular pipe . and below this is a 1½ ″, 2 ″× 3 ″ rectangular male connector , 54 , reduced in size to mate with 2 ″× 3 ″ rectangular pipe . at the top of the upper round connector , 50 , the flange , 48 , extends outward on a 90 ° angle measuring about ½ ″ in width . the flange , 48 , is required to provide the connection to the bottom , 32 , of the collector box , 26 . the connector - adaptor , 34 , can be fastened to the collector box , 26 , by dropping it down through the round hole from the top , allowing the flange , 48 , to rest on the inside bottom , 32 , or by securing it to the bottom , 32 , from below . fasteners ( not shown ), such as sheet metal screws or nuts and bolts are used , or plastic cement can be used if both parts are made of plastic , and all joints are sealed with caulk . the circular shapes of the upper male connector , 50 , and the flange , 48 , permit the connector - adaptor , 34 , to be rotated to any angle needed to accommodate the downspout pipe on the side of the structure . the unneeded connector surface ( s ) extending below the selected connector surface to be used are cut off and discarded to permit flow at full capacity . the preferred material and production method is of molded plastic . additional methods of joining the downspout to the collector box , 26 , include : ( 1 ) a dedicated fixed connector surface for each different downspout ; ( 2 ) a movable plate covering an opening in the bottom of the collector box , 26 , with dedicated connector male surfaces ; ( 3 ) the downspout , 14 , and its elbows can be connected directly by cutting an opening and bending down fastening tabs from the bottom , 32 , without a circular hole , of the collector box , 26 . 4 . to attach the collector box , 26 , to both the gutter , 12 , and to the structure mounting hardware , comprising a mounting plate , 38 , fig1 , and mounting straps , 40 , fig1 , is provided . in gutter systems , the downspout , 14 , can be placed at either end or at any place in between , therefore , the ogs , 10 , must also be capable of comparable placement . in addition the ogs , 10 , provides for drainage to flow to the side or to the front . the number of collector boxes required to provide a box with fabricated connector hardware designed for dedicated use would present a production and distribution handicap ; thus the mounting hardware presented here is moveable allowing a single collector box , 26 , to be used in all of these varied positions . the mounting plate , 38 , is a flat piece of metal or plastic with dimensions of about 7 ″× 5½ ″. it is fastened to the collector box , 26 , at the top of either side , or upper rear wall , 28 , with fasteners such as sheet metal screws , nuts and bolts , or rivets if made of metal ; or it can be fastened with plastic cement if both parts are made of plastic . the mounting plate , 38 , is supplied with holes , 56 , that align with holes , 60 , on the upper rear wall , 28 , and sides , 58 , of the collector box , 26 . when attached , to the sides , 58 , or the upper rear , 28 , the collector box , 26 , is extended upward about 5 ″. the surface selected for attaching the mounting plate , 38 , is determined by the desired direction of flow . if the direction is desired to the front , the mounting plate , 38 , is attached to the upper rear wall , 28 ; and if the desired direction is to the side , the mounting plate , 38 , is attached to the side , 58 . by reversing the sides , the direction of flow is reversed . the mounting plate , 38 , is always attached to the surface that will be fastened to the structure . the methods of attaching the hardware for selected positions are illustrated in fig1 , fig1 , fig1 , fig2 , fig2 , and fig2 . the mounting hardware also includes two mounting straps , 40 . these are pieces of metal or plastic about 7 ″× 1 ″ with a 2 ″× 1 ″ tab at the bottom bent at a 90 ° angle , one to the left and one to the right with holes , 62 , to align with holes , 60 , in the collector box , 26 . the mounting strap ( s ), 40 , is attached to the opposite side of the collector box , 26 , from the mounting plate , 38 . when the direction of flow is to the side , only one mounting strap , 40 , is required . mounting straps , 40 , are attached with sheet metal screws , nuts and bolts , or rivets . after the mounting hardware is attached to the collector box , 26 , the ogs , 10 , is ready for installation on the gutter , 12 , and the structure . the ogs , 10 , is positioned to align with the downspout , 14 , and its elbows . when aligned with the downspout , 14 , the gutter , 12 , is cut off and removed at a point that will allow the gutter bottom and back to overlap the ogs , 10 , by about ½ ″. the ogs , 10 , is moved up to a touching position with the bottom of the gutter , 12 , while the mounting plate , 38 , is slid between the back of the gutter , 12 , and the structure , usually a fascia , to allow for the overlap . two screws of at least ¾ ″ or ring nails ( not shown ) are driven through the overlapped area into the structure . these fasteners secure the ogs , 10 , to the gutter , 12 , and to the structure simultaneously . two additional screws or ring nails ( not shown ) are driven through the mounting plate , 38 , on the opposite edge . if the ogs , 10 , is discharging to the front receiving effluence from both sides , these fasteners will also be driven through an overlapped area . the mounting strap ( s ), 40 , are pulled upward to keep the ogs , 10 , in a touching position with bottom of the gutter , 12 ; and the top of the mounting strap ( s ), 40 , is secured to the upper outward edge of the gutter , 12 , with sheet metal screws , nuts and bolts , or rivets . the downspout , 14 , is then connected to the connector - adaptor , 34 , at the bottom , 32 , of the ogs , 10 , taking care to remove any unneeded male connector surfaces from the connector - adaptor , 34 , to permit full flow . a piece of the vertical downspout ( not shown ) equal in length to the collector box , 26 , plus the connector - adaptor , 34 , is removed from an existing system . undamaged elbows and other parts removed can be reinstalled . it is important that the gutters , 12 , be in a proper drainage angle to enable the ogs , 10 , to function with full effect . if older gutters , 12 , have been bent out of shape , they must be restored to the proper pitch before the ogs , 10 , is installed . the ogs , 10 , may be summarized as a device which achieves the separation and ejection of solid debris while collecting the liquid to drain into the downspout , 14 . the ogs , 10 , is positioned at the end and under an open - end gutter ( s ), 12 , to receive the exiting effluence . removal of the low point end - stop ( not shown ) and movement of the downspout connector to below the collector box , 26 , enables the discharge to stay open and draining consistent with collection speeds and volumes . the effluence , without stoppage or impingement , flows freely out the open end . the ogs , 10 , accepts all sizes and shapes of debris that can fit into the gutter , 12 , and the steep bars , 22 , 24 , 42 , 44 , of the bar strainer , 18 and 20 , intercept the solids while the liquids fall through the spaces between the bars 22 , 24 , 42 , 44 , protected from wind and splashing , into the collector box , 26 , to flow into the downspout , 14 . small particles held in suspension in the liquid are not further restricted , but are free to continue through with the liquid . the smooth bars , 22 , 24 , 42 , 44 , placed at such a steep angle enable the solids to slide easily off the end . without restrictions , ensuing debris does not result in a continued build - up , causing blocking and spillage , relieving the property owner from the task of frequent cleaning and concern about soil erosion .