Powered mechanical apparatus for removing frost and snow from windshield and other viewing areas

Abstract

A handheld mechanized windshield scraper with a built-in blower to remove snow, ice and other material from a motor vehicle windshield and window panes. The blower tube is tapered to increase air velocity. A plurality of scraper blades is rotatably mounted on a shaft away from the blower to scrape material off of the windshield. Vents are provided in the casing for air to blow the scraped snow out from the work area. The unit can have a built-in power source or can be connected directly to the power outlet of the automobile.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to handheld devices for removing frost and snow from windshields and window panes of automobiles, trucks and other types of vehicles. The invention more particularly relates to handheld power operated mechanical devices to scrape frost from surfaces on automobiles and other vehicles.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The most common snow removal devices found in automobiles are simple hand-held devices having a scraper blade and/or brush on one or both ends of the handle. Generally, the hand-held devices tend to require a great deal of effort and are extremely slow in removing frost and snow, especially when the snow has hardened. To make it a little easier to remove frost and ice, heating devices generally comprising of an electrical coil and battery to power the heater element have been disclosed. The heating devices are of only slightly greater efficiency, since their power output is low and takes a long time to melt the snow on the window pane or windshield. These have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,973,294—“Heated windshield scraper device” awarded to Michael Schatt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,646—“Heated ice scraper” awarded to David Kim, U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,176—“Combination heated scraper and brush” awarded to Gideon Gelman, 20050061793—“Ice scraper” submitted by Williams J. Deane III (patent pending), 20040148810—“Ice and snow remover” submitted by Bill Hsu (patent pending) and 20040021575—“Methods and apparatus for melting snow and ice on a vehicle” submitted by John Jeffrey Oskorep (patent pending). Because the power output of the heater is limited while the heat required to melt snow on the windshield is large, the task of removing snow from a windshield is still likely to take a considerable amount of time.

To overcome the above limitations, David Weissberger obtained a patent with U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,425 for a “Mechanized electrically heated windshield cleaner”. In this, the scraper head is moved back and forth in a straight line by a motor. At the same time, the tip of the scraper is heated using a heating element. Though this is a much better solution than the ones cited above, it also suffers from certain drawbacks. First, since it takes a relatively long time to melt snow, the heating element is ineffective. Second, since the scraper head does not have a guide, optimal scraping angle and pressure cannot be applied to the scraper head for it to do a good job. Third, since the scraper blade is not enclosed, it is not safe to work with an exposed blade. Fourth, the back and forth motion is not very efficient since the blade tip goes from zero velocity to a maximum velocity and back to zero velocity before changing its direction of movement. Fifth, to transfer a rotational motion of the motor to linear motion, a few linkages have to be used which increases the cost of manufacture. Sixth, the scraped snow will accumulate just ahead of the scraper blade and should be brushed off by the user.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The primary objective of the present invention is to come up with a powered mechanical scraper that overcomes the above mentioned deficiencies so as to minimize the driver's exposure to the elements and help the driver do a better job of cleaning the front and rear windshields and window panes.

Another objective of the present invention is to make the manufacture of the improved mechanized scraper cost effective for the manufacturer to adopt it.

The foregoing objectives are attained by having a multi-blade circular scraper (so called because of the circular motion of the scraper blades) attached to one end of a motor shaft and having a protective housing around the circular scraper so that the scraping edge of the scraper and the bottom rim of the housing are at the same level. Thus the driver can apply optimal pressure on the scraper housing without damaging the scraper blades. Also, the driver is protected from injury from the rotating blades by the protective housing around the blades. The multi-blade design hastens the process of snow and frost removal from the automotive windshield and window panes.

To aid in the fast removal of the scraped snow from the work area, a fan is attached to the other end of the motor shaft, away from the scraper blades. The air blown by the fan is directed at the work area and the scraped snow is blown away from the work area through vents in the circular housing.

To make it convenient for the driver to use the unit, the scraper is powered by rechargeable battery that can be charged using the car power outlet.

In the ensuing description, frost, ice and snow are used interchangeably.

In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is the side view of a preferred embodiment of the mechanized scraper of the present invention with the inside components visible. In this the fan draws air from the top.

FIG. 2 is the side view of another preferred embodiment of the mechanized scraper of the present invention with the inside components visible. In this embodiment also, the fan draws air from the top.

FIG. 3 is the top view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention displaying the screened opening for air inlet for the fan.

FIG. 4 is an assembly view of the components of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Here a double shaft electric motor is used to rotate the fan blades and the scraper blades.

FIG. 5 is an assembly view of the components of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Here a single shaft electric motor is used to rotate the fan blades and the scraper blades.

FIG. 6 is an assembly view of the components of yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention. Here a single shaft electric motor is used to rotate the fan blades and the scraper blades.

FIG. 7 is the side view of yet another preferred embodiment of the mechanized scraper of the present invention with the inside components visible. In this the fan draws air from the side instead of the top. Here two single shaft electric motors are used, one for the fan assembly and the other for the scraper blade unit.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention for the scraper blade assembly where the blades are straight and where the blades do not meet at the center.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention for the scraper blade assembly where the blades are straight and where the blades meet at the center.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention for the scraper blade assembly where the blades are curved and where the blades do not meet at the center.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention for the scraper blade assembly where the blades are curved and where the blades meet at the center.

The numbering is kept consistent across FIG. 1 through FIG. 11 for clarity. Hence like reference numerals designate like parts.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 refers to a preferred embodiment of the present invention of a mechanical scraper unit with its internal parts exposed. The whole unit is generally referred to as 1. Unit 1 has a cylindrical housing 2 with a handle 7. The housing 2 has the scraper assembly 6 of the present invention while handle 7 houses a switch 3 to turn the unit on and off, a rechargeable power source 4 and electrical contacts 5 to charge the rechargeable power source. A partition 10 between the cylindrical housing 2 and the handle 7 prevents air from flowing into the handle. An axial flow fan is used in this embodiment. Thus the full force of the air blown by the axial fan is directed at the work surface where the scraper is acting to remove frost and snow. All around the circumference of the housing 2, adjacent to the scraper blades are vents, marked 8, through which air drawn in by the fan blows out scraped snow. The bottom edge of the housing is marked 9 in the figure.

FIG. 2 is another preferred embodiment of the present invention of a mechanical scraper unit with its internal parts exposed. It is the same as FIG. 1, except for the shape of the housing 2. The housing has a nozzle shape, which ensures that the air velocity is increased as the air reaches the work surface where the scraper is acting to remove frost and snow.

FIG. 3 is the top view of the present invention with a screen 11 above the mechanical assembly mentioned in FIG. 1. Air is drawn in through the screen by the fan to blow out the scraped snow.

FIG. 4 is a preferred embodiment of the scraper assembly 6. It consists of a motor 14, with a double shaft protruding out axially on both sides of the motor. The shaft protruding out on one side of the motor is numbered 13 while the shaft protruding out on the other side of the motor is numbered 15. An axial flow fan blade assembly 12 is mounted on shaft 13 of the motor. A reduction gear assembly 16 is mounted on shaft 15 of the motor. The scraper blade assembly, generally referred to as 22, is connected to the output shaft 17 of the reduction gear assembly 16. The scraper blade assembly has one or more blades 20 and a ring 18 that is attached to the radial ends of the blades for added strength. The ring 18 is attached to the blades 20 such that the bottom edge 19 of the ring is above the scraping edges 21 of the blades. The scraping edges 21 of all the blades are on the same plane.

FIG. 5 is another preferred embodiment of the scraper assembly 6. It consists of a motor 14, with a single shaft 13 protruding out axially on one side of the motor. The motor is mounted such that the shaft faces the air inlet 11. A gear, 24, is mounted on shaft 13 of the motor. An axial flow fan blade assembly 12 is mounted on shaft 13, on top of gear 24. Two gears, 25 and 27, are mounted on the two ends of a shaft, 26. This gear assembly is mounted such that gear 25 engages with gear 24. The axis of the shaft is parallel to the axis of the motor. Another gear 28 engages with gear 27. Gear 28 is mounted on one end of a shaft 29, whose axis is the same as the axis of the motor. A reduction gear assembly 16 is mounted on the free end of shaft 29. The scraper blade assembly, generally referred to as 22, is connected to the output shaft 17 of the reduction gear assembly 16. The scraper blade assembly has one or more blades 20 and a ring 18 that is attached to the radial ends of the blades for added strength. The ring 18 is attached to the blades 20 such that the bottom edge 19 of the ring is above the scraping edges 21 of the blades. The scraping edges 21 of all the blades are on the same plane.

FIG. 6 is another preferred embodiment of the scraper assembly 6. It consists of a motor 14, with a single shaft 13 protruding out axially on one side of the motor. In this embodiment, the motor shaft is away from the air inlet 11 of FIG. 3. An axial flow fan blade assembly 12 is mounted on shaft 13. A reduction gear assembly 16 is also mounted on shaft 13, below the fan blade assembly. The scraper blade assembly, generally referred to as 22, is connected to the output shaft 17 of the reduction gear assembly 16. The scraper blade assembly has one or more blades 20 and a ring 18 that is attached to the radial ends of the blades for added strength. The ring 18 is attached to the blades 20 such that the bottom edge 19 of the ring is above the scraping edges 21 of the blades. The scraping edges 21 of all the blades are on the same plane.

FIG. 7 is another preferred embodiment of the present invention of a mechanical scraper unit with its internal parts exposed. Unlike the unit in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fan used here is a radial flow fan. The air is drawn in from the side of the cylindrical housing 2 and blown down along the axis of the scraper assembly. Here, two motors are used, one for the fan assembly and another for the scraper assembly.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the scraper blade assembly 22. It shows a center shaft 23, to the circumference of which a plurality of straight blades, 20, are attached. To increase the rigidity of these blades, the other ends of this plurality of blades are attached to the inner circumference of a ring 18. The bottom end of the shaft does not extend to the scraping edges 21 of the blades. Hence, when the blades scrape the snow, the shaft does not touch the glass. In this embodiment, the blades do not meet at the center.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the scraper blade assembly 22. It is the same as FIG. 8 except that the blades meet at the center.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the scraper blade assembly 22. It is similar to FIG. 8 except that the blades are curved. Since the blades are curved, it requires less power than the straight blades to scrape snow. In this embodiment, the blades do not meet at the center. The arrow shows the direction of rotation of the blades.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the scraper blade assembly 22. It is the same as FIG. 10 except that the blades meet at the center.

When the user wants to scrape frost off the windshield, he/she turns the switch 3 on while holding the scraper unit in such a way that the scraper blades touch the frost. In the case of the double shafted motor, this causes the motor shafts 13 and 15 to rotate, thus rotating the fan blades as well as the scraper blades. In the case of the single shafted motor, turning on switch 3 causes the motor shaft 13 to rotate, thus rotating the scraper blades as well as the fan blades. The scraper blades make a circular motion and scrape the snow. At the same time, the fan blades draw air in through the air inlet 11 and blow it on the scraped snow. The snow and air are forced out through vents 8 adjacent to the scraper blades. Once all the glass surfaces such as the front and rear windshield and window panes have been cleared of frost, the user can power off the unit and replace it in the car power outlet to charge the scraper unit for future use.

Claims

1. A mechanized handheld scraper for scraping snow, frost and ice from a surface comprising of a fan assembly to blow air on the scraped material, a reduction gear assembly, a scraper assembly connected to said reduction gear assembly, an electric motor to power said fan assembly and said reduction gear assembly, a cylindrical hollow body having a first end and a second end, said second end having an opening, a tubular hollow handle having a first end and a second end, a power source and a switch; said cylindrical hollow body housing said fan assembly, said electric motor, said reduction gear assembly and said scraper assembly; said tubular hollow handle housing said power source and said switch; said power source connected to said electric motor via said switch.

2. A cylindrical hollow body of claim 1 where said cylindrical hollow body has a plurality of vents on its circumference close to said second end for scraped material to be blown out.

3. A cylindrical hollow body of claim 2 where said cylindrical hollow body is uniform in diameter.

4. A cylindrical hollow body of claim 2 where said cylindrical hollow body is tapered from said first end to said second end.

5. A cylindrical hollow body of claim 2 where said cylindrical hollow body has an opening at said first end for air inlet; said opening covered by a permeable membrane.

6. A fan assembly of claim 1 where said fan assembly is an axial flow fan; said axial flow fan drawing air from said opening at said first end in said cylindrical hollow body.

7. A cylindrical hollow body of claim 2 where said cylindrical hollow body has an opening along the circumference near said first end for air inlet; said opening covered by a permeable membrane.

8. A fan assembly of claim 1 where said fan assembly is a radial flow fan; said radial flow fan drawing air from said opening near said first end in said cylindrical hollow body.

9. A reduction gear assembly of claim 1 where said reduction gear assembly has a first end on a first plane, a second end on a second plane; said first plane parallel to said second plane; said first end accepting circular motion as input; said second end providing circular motion as output; said output angular velocity less than said input angular velocity.

10. A scraper assembly of claim 1 where said scraper assembly has one scraper blade connected radially to a scraper blade assembly shaft; said scraper blade having a radial length less than the radius of the inner circle inscribed by said second end of said cylindrical hollow body.

11. A scraper assembly of claim 10 where the scraping edge of said scraper blade assembly is substantially on the same plane as said second end of said cylindrical hollow body.

12. A scraper assembly of claim 11 where said scraper blade is flat.

13. A scraper assembly of claim 11 where said scraper blade is curved.

14. A scraper assembly of claim 1 where said scraper assembly has a plurality of scraper blades connected radially to a scraper blades assembly shaft; said scraper blades having substantially the same angular distance between consecutive blades; said scraper blades having substantially the same linear length; said scraper blades having a radial length less than the radius of the inner circle inscribed by said second end of said cylindrical hollow body.

15. A scraper assembly of claim 14 where said scraper blades have their scraping edges on substantially the same plane; said plane of said scraping edges being substantially the same as the plane of said second end of said cylindrical hollow body.

16. A scraper assembly of claim 15 where the radial ends of said scraper blades are connected to a ring to prevent deflection of said scraper blades; bottom plane of said ring being above said plane of said scraping edges.

17. A scraper assembly of claim 16 where said scraper blades are flat.

18. A scraper assembly of claim 16 where said scraper blades are curved.

19. A scraper assembly of claim 18 where said scraper blades are curved in the same direction by the same angle.

20. A tubular hollow handle of claim 1 where said first end of said tubular hollow handle is attached to said first end of said cylindrical hollow body; said tubular hollow handle having an axis at an angle to the axis of said cylindrical hollow body.

21. A power source of claim 1 where said power source is a battery of rechargeable cells internal to said mechanized handheld scraper.

22. A power source of claim 1 where said power source is external to said mechanized handheld scraper.