Single Handle Double Bladed Ice Removal Devices

Abstract

A two bladed ice shovel and a two bladed windshield ice scrapper each having a single handle bar are disclosed. The collecting blade of the shovel has its axis substantially aligned with the axis of the handle bar. The axis of the second blade termed, chopping blade remains above the axis of the collecting blade. The axes of the two blades form a 30 to 60 degree angle. During ice removal, the chopping blade delivers roughly constant volume of load onto the shovel, leads the way, chops by vibratory hammering, the ice formed on the pavement; and the collecting blade follows and collects chopped ice allowing ice removal. The structure of the chopping blade provides a convenient second handle for ease of load disposal if desired. A second embodiment of the apparatus allows better removal of ice and snow from vehicle windshields.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a method and apparatus to remove ice and snow from flat or nearly flat surfaces such as drive ways, pavements, vehicle window shields and the like during the forward stroke of the apparatus. The apparatus has been developed to affect an impact on ice surfaces to break ice into pieces, an impact mainly dependant on the flexural property of the material and design features.

[0002] One embodiment of the design can be used to chop ice formed on drive ways and pavements, and collect not only the chopped ice but also snow using only one forward stroke of a hand-held shovel. The design also allows for better control of load of snow and ice on the shovel.

[0003] Another embodiment of the design can be used to chop ice formed on vehicle window shields to make it easy to scrape ice away doing both chopping and scrapping either in the forward or the backward stroke. This design allows greater depth of snow removal from windshield in each stroke.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Ice formation during winter time in northern and southern higher latitudes of the globe is very common where snowfalls, ice storms and blizzards occur regularly. Ice formation causes havocs in form of injuries, loss of work, loss of human and animal life and property. Ice impedes human mobility during winter. Many people get stranded into their homes due to icy conditions on the drive ways, access ways, pavements and roads. Vehicular movements become difficult due to additional cleaning work needed on the automobiles in form of window and other cleanings.

[0005] During freezing rains, driveways, pavements and vehicle window shields cover with ice sheets which make the passage of vehicular and human traffic not only very difficult but sometime impossible. During fluffy snow showers, snow accumulates on various surfaces mentioned above. But, due to vehicular and other traffics, fluffy snow gets compacted and forms ice. Ice also forms from snow if and when temperature drops substantially. Physical removal of ice from flat surfaces is very difficult and laborious. Usually, various snow and ice shovels and windshield ice scrappers are used to remove snow and ice.

[0006] A shovel consists of a metal or plastic blade, generally of rectangular size having some curvature and mounted on a handle bar. In shoveling position, the blade has some upward concavity to increase the amount of shoveled material. One axis of the shovel blade and the axis of the handle bar almost coincide with each other making the shovel sturdy and easy to handle and store. The snow shovels work reasonably well when used to remove fluffy snow. But, they have severe limitations when it comes to removing ice. The snow shovels when used in a normal manner do not facilitate breaking and or chopping ice from a surface, and lack ease of removing ice from flat surfaces such as driveways and pavements

[0007] When a shovel is used on icy surfaces, the shovel blade generally slides on the ice surface without breaking or chopping the ice. Sliding is affected by the center of gravity of the shovel being close to the ground and force being applied with a small acute angle with the ice surface. Also, the blade fails to collect ice on it. Sometimes, people use the blade to make impacts to break the ice. As such, ice removal becomes laborious, awkward, inefficient and some time back breaking. Another limitation of a snow shovel is, sometimes it picks up more volumes of snow than a person should handle resulting in injury.

[0008] Ice adheres strongly to a flat surface and is hard to break. This is especially true for vehicle windshields and windows. Even though, there are various designs of windshield scrappers none of them is perfect; and pursuit of perfection is ongoing. Apart from the difficulty of ice removal, present windshield scrapper designs allow to remove relatively thin layers of snow, because the thickness of the cleaning blade is usually low.

[0009] Therefore, needs exist to develop an improved shovel that allows collection of not only snow but also ice from flat surfaces, such as driveways and pavements--(1) by breaking and or chopping the ice into appropriate sizes and then (2) facilitating collection by the shovel blade, preferably doing both works (1) and (2) during a single stroke namely, the forward stroke of the shovel. There is also a need to develop a shovel that will allow picking up nearly a constant volume of shoveled material in each scoop, and provide an additional handle by way of design features. Also, there is a need to develop better windshield ice scrappers that will allow (1) easier cleaning of ice and (2) removal of greater depths of snow layers in one stroke from the vehicle windshields.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The problems outlined above are in large measure solved by the Single Handle Double Bladed Ice Removal Devices in accordance with the present invention. In accordance with the present invention, methods and apparatus are provided to break or chop ice formed on flat surfaces such as driveways, pavements and automobile windshields using two blades instead of one, both blades being securely positioned and mounted on a single handle bar. During the process of ice removal, the chopping blade leads the trailing collecting or scrapping blade, and not only loosens ice but also breaks or chops ice into smaller sizes facilitating collection or removal of the broken pieces of ice by the trailing collecting or scrapping blade. Because of its novel design, during the forward motion ,of the shovel, the leading edge of the chopping blade undertakes a bumpy ride on an ice surface with a vibratory motion in two orthogonal directions which results in a hammering impact on the ice surface. This impact not only dislodges the ice from flat surfaces but also breaks or chops ice into smaller pieces. As the ice breaks, the trailing blade gathers or removes the ice pieces. In case of ice shovel, the operator can then remove the load by lifting the shovel by both hands; the supporting bent for the chopping blade being used as an additional handle during load disposal.

[0011] For an ice shovel, the collecting blade is mounted on the handle bar with its concavity facing upward. The minor axis of the collecting blade and the axis of the handle bar roughly align on a straight line, similar to most designs of shovels. Even though, the chopping blade is also structurally mounted on the handle bar like the collecting blade, it must be emphasized here that the minor axis of the chopping blade is offset from the axis of the handle bar; and both axes lie on the same vertical plane; and that chopping blade is positioned to lead the collecting blade during a forward motion of the shovel. Additionally, the minor axis of the chopping blade forms an angle with the horizon larger than the angle formed by the axis of the handle bar. The shape of the supporting bent and the chopping blade is concave downward during shoveling while the shape of the collecting blade is concave upward. The concavity, flexural property and weight of the chopping blade and the location of its center of gravity which is substantially above the axis of the handle bar, and the edge of the chopping blade that makes contact with ice are jointly responsible in causing movement of the chopping blade in two mutually orthogonal directions, one in parallel and the other perpendicular to the ice surface i.e. the hammering actions on the ice surface that break and chop the ice during the forward movement of the shovel. The center of gravity of the chopping blade lies well above the center of gravity of the collecting blade; and also, because of some flexing and downward concavity of the chopping blade and its supporting bent, the forward motion of the leading edge of the chopping blade on the ice surface during shoveling causes vibratory impact on the ice surface, dislodges the ice and breaks or chops the ice into smaller pieces, from driveways and pavements and allows the trailing collecting blade to collect ice. Also, the chopping edge being engaged on the ground during the time of shoveling, restricts the forward movement of the chopped ice and facilitates pickup of the chopped ice on to the shovel surface by the trailing collecting edge. The structure supporting the chopping blade creates a convenient handle for the disposal of load from the shovel.

[0012] Since, snow and ice enter in the shovel through the opening between the chopping and collecting blades, only a metered amount of snow and ice can get onto the shovel thereby limiting the load of the shoveled material to nearly a constant value.

[0013] For a windshield ice scrapper, the scrapping blade is nearly flat, approximately hugs the windshield during use, and is mounted on the handle bar. The axis of the handle bar makes an acute angle of 10 to 30 degree with the scrapping blade surface. Even though, the chopping blade is also structurally mounted on the handle bar like the scrapping blade, it must be emphasized here that the minor axis of the chopping blade is offset from the axis of the handle bar; and both axes lie on the same vertical plane; and that chopping blade is positioned to lead the scrapping blade during a forward motion of the windshield scrapper. Additionally, the minor axis of the chopping blade forms an angle with the windshield larger than the angle formed by the axis of the handle bar. The chopping blade has a roughly downward concavity during windshield cleaning while the shape of the collecting blade is roughly flat. The concavity, flexural property and weight of the chopping blade, the location of center of gravity of the chopping blade which is substantially away from the axis of the handle bar, the direction of applied force during windshield cleaning and the edge of the chopping blade that makes contact with ice on windshield are jointly responsible in causing movement of the chopping blade in two mutually orthogonal directions, one in parallel and the other perpendicular to the ice surface i.e. the hammering actions on the ice surface that break and chop the ice during the forward movement of the scrapper. The center of gravity of the chopping blade lies well above the center of gravity of the scrapping blade; and also, because of some flexing and concavity of the chopping blade, the forward motion of the leading edge of the chopping blade on the ice surface during scrapping causes vibratory impact on the ice surface, dislodges the ice and breaks or chops the ice into smaller pieces, and allows the trailing scrapping blade to scrape and remove ice more effectively from windshield.

[0014] Because of an arch like shape of the scrapping blade, the overall thickness of the windshield scrapper is a lot higher than the existing designs. The thicker scrapper allows thicker layers of snow to be removed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic Plan View of first embodiment of the Single Handle Double Bladed Ice Removing Devices for removing ice from flat surfaces.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic Front View of the first embodiment of the Single Handle Double Bladed Ice Removing Devices for removing ice from flat surfaces.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic Plan View of second embodiment of the Single Handle Double Bladed Ice Removing Devices for removing ice from windshields.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a schematic Front View of the second embodiment of the Single Handle Double Bladed Ice Removing Devices for removing ice from windshields.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] Referring now to the drawings of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first embodiment of Single Handle Double Bladed Ice Removing Devices 10 for removing ice from flat surfaces; in accordance with the invention broadly includes a handle bar 110; collecting blade 120; chopping blade 130; chopping edge 140; collecting edge 150; axis of the handle bar 160; minor axis of the collecting blade 170; minor axis of the chopping blade 180; center of gravity of the chopping blade 190; a detachable fixture 200; and a curved bar 210.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the collecting blade 120 is fixed to the handle bar 110 at the shoveling end of the handle bar with the minor axis of the collecting blade 170 approximately aligning with the axis of the handle bar 160. The chopping blade 130 is detachably fixed to the handle bar using the detachable fixture 200 and supporting bent 210 such that the minor axis of the chopping blade 180 and the minor axis of the collecting blade 170 lie on the same vertical plane as viewed in the Plan View FIG. 1. The chopping blade is supported by the curved bar.

[0021] During use of the shovel 10, the axis of the collecting blade 170 and the axis of the handle bar 110 make an approximately equal angle A with the ground surface from which ice is collected, with the angle A being an acute angle, and the minor axis of the chopping blade 180 making a second acute angle B with the ground surface, B being larger than A. During shoveling, the collecting edge 150 and the chopping edge 140 ride on the surface from where ice is to be removed. When the shovel is pushed forward, the chopping edge 140 undergoes a vibratory gliding motion over the ice because of the unevenness of the ice surface, flexural property of the chopping blade and the curved bar, and the center of gravity 190 of the chopping blade being located well above the collecting blade 120. The concavity of the chopping blade facing towards the ground surface, an appropriate combined mass of the chopping blade and curved bar, the flexural property of the curved bar and frequency of the vibration result in the breaking and chopping of the ice. The chopping edge 140 remains engaged on the ground during the shoveling and restricts the forward movement of the chopped ice and facilitates the pickup of the chopped ice by the trailing collecting edge 150 on to the shovel surface.

[0022] Referring now to the drawings of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the second embodiment of Single Handle Double Bladed Ice Removing Devices 40 for removing ice from vehicle windshields; in accordance with the invention broadly includes a handle bar 410; scrapping blade 420; chopping blade 430; chopping edge 440; scrapping edge 450; axis of the handle bar 460; minor axis of the scrapping blade 470; minor axis of the chopping blade 480; and center of gravity of the chopping blade 490.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the scrapping blade 420 is fixed to the handle bar 410 at the ice scrapping end of the handle bar with the minor axis of the scrapping blade 470 approximately aligning with the surface of the windshield. The chopping blade 430 is fixed to the handle bar such that the minor axis of the chopping blade 480 and the minor axis of the scrapping blade 470 lie on the same vertical plane as viewed in the Plan View FIG. 3. The chopping blade is approximately semi-elliptical in shape so as to affect the shifting of the center of gravity of the chopping blade well above the windshield.

[0024] During use of the windshield ice scrapper 40, the axis of the scrapping blade 470 and the axis of the handle bar 460 make an acute angle in the range of 20 to 60 degree. The axis of the handle bar 460, passes below the chopping edge 440 so as to cause a torque on the chopping edge 440 while the scrapper is in use. This torque will make the chopping edge to undertake a bumpy ride on the windshield thereby facilitating chopping of ice on the windshield. When the scrapper is pushed forward on the windshield, the chopping edge 440 undergoes a vibratory translatory motion over the ice surface because of the shape and flexural property of the chopping blade and the center of gravity 490 of the chopping blade being located well above the scrapping blade 420. The concavity of the chopping blade facing towards the windshield surface, combined mass of the chopping blade and the handle bar, the force exerted on the handle bar and its direction create a bumpy ride of the chopping edge on the windshield which result in the breaking and chopping of the ice. After the leading edge i.e. edge of the chopping blade breaks the ice, the lagging edge i.e. edge of the scrapping blade cleans the windshield for the second time which enhances the windshield cleaning job.

Claims

1. A Single Handle Double Bladed Ice Removing Devices and methods for removing ice from surfaces such as driveways and pavements comprising: a handle bar with two ends, a chopping blade and, a collecting blade.

2. The chopping blade of claim 1 securely positioned and mounted via a bent pipe on the said handle bar with the chopping blade forming an acute angle to the said collecting blade but leading the collecting blade during shoveling; the chopping blade positioned above the collecting blade when viewed during shoveling with a minimum and a maximum gaps between the two blades; the chopping blade and its supporting structure having an approximate shape like an ellipse with its concavity towards the ground when viewed during shoveling; said chopping blade having an edge called the leading edge of the chopping blade which leads the shoveling journey of the shovel; the minor axis of the said chopping blade is offset from the axis of the handle bar and forms an angle with the horizon larger than the angle formed by the axis of the said handle bar, and minor axis of the chopping blade and the axis of the handle bar lie on the same vertical plane; the center of gravity of the chopping blade and its supporting bent pipe being located well above the ground and the center of gravity of collecting blade; the weight of the chopping blade and its supporting bent pipe causing an impact to chop ice during shoveling; the said chopping blade having mounting devices to detachably secure the chopping blade to the said handle bar; the said mounting devices being designed to affect vibratory motion of the chopping blade to hammer on the ice during shoveling; the leading edge of the chopping blade forming a gate to allow only a metered amount of snow and ice onto the collecting blade thereby making the load on the shovel roughly constant; the line of action of force exerted through the handle bar passing well behind the chopping edge of the shovel such that a torque is induced on the chopping edge that creates the upward motion or bumpy ride of the chopping edge during when the shovel is pushed forward; the leading edge of the chopping blade restricting the forward movement of the chopped ice facilitates the pickup of the chopped ice by the trailing collecting edge on to the shovel: and the said leading edge of the chopping blade being designed of heavy material such as metal so as to enhance chopping of ice

3. The collecting blade of claim 1 securely positioned and mounted on the said handle bar with the collecting blade forming the said acute angle to the chopping blade but lagging the chopping blade during shoveling; the collecting blade having an approximate shape like a scoop with its concavity towards the sky when viewed during shoveling; said collecting blade having an edge called the lagging edge of the collecting blade which lags the leading edge of the chopping blade during shoveling journey of the shovel; the minor axis of the said collecting blade and the axis of the handle bar approximately align on the same straight line; the minor axis of the collecting blade and the axis of the handle bar form an approximately equal angle with the horizon which is smaller than the angle between the minor axis of the said chopping blade and the horizon; the center of gravity of the collecting blade being located near to the ground and well below the center of gravity of the chopping blade.

4. A Single Handle Double Bladed Ice Removing Devices and methods for removing ice and snow from vehicle windshields comprising: a handle bar with two ends, a chopping blade and, a scrapping blade.

5. The chopping blade of claim 4 generally shaped like an elliptical arch or nearly an elliptical arch, securely positioned and mounted on the said handle bar with the chopping blade forming a large acute angle to the said scrapping blade but leading the scrapping blade during windshield scrapping; the chopping blade positioned ahead of the scrapping blade when viewed during scrapping with a small gap between the two blades; the chopping blade having an approximate shape like an inverted scoop with its concavity towards the windshield when viewed during scrapping; said chopping blade having an edge called the leading edge of the chopping blade which leads the scrapping journey of the windshield scrapper; the minor axis of the said chopping blade is offset from the axis of the handle bar and forms an angle with the windshield larger than the angle formed by the axis of the said handle bar, and minor axis of the chopping blade and the axis of the handle bar lie on the same vertical plane; the center of gravity of the chopping blade being located well above the windshield and the center of gravity of scrapping blade; the weight of the chopping blade in combination with the force exerted on the handle bar and its direction causing impact to chop ice during scrapping; the force exerted through the handle bar during ice scrapping passing through a point in between the chopping and scrapping edges so as to cause a torque each on the chopping edge and scrapping edge, the torque on the chopping edge causing a bumpy translatory ride for the chopping edge on the windshield during scrapping, and the torque on the scrapping edge increasing the frictional force on the windshield; the said chopping blade being designed to affect vibratory motion of the chopping blade to hammer on the ice during scrapping; and the said leading edge of the chopping blade being designed of hard plastics or heavy material such as metal so as to affect chopping of ice.

6. The scrapping blade of claim 4 being joined with the said chopping blade and securely positioned and mounted on the said handle bar with the scrapping blade forming the said acute angle to the chopping blade but lagging the chopping blade during scrapping; the scrapping blade having an approximately flat shape; said scrapping blade having an edge called the lagging edge of the scrapping blade which lags the leading edge of the chopping blade during scrapping journey of the windshield scrapper; the minor axis of the said scrapping blade and the axis of the handle bar forms an angle in the range of 10 to 30 degrees; the center of gravity of the scrapping blade being located near to the windshield and well below the center of gravity of the chopping blade.