Apparatus and method for removing snow from a surface using a heated air current

Abstract

A device for removing snow is disclosed. The device produces heated air that is dispensed through a hollow tube. The heated air melts snow and ice. The device may be portable and can either be gas powered or use an electrical supply.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/710,129, filed on Aug. 22, 2005, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to apparatus and methods of removing snow from a surface and specifically to apparatus and methods of removing snow from a surface through the use of a heated air current.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

During the winter months, snow removal is a problem that plagues the people of certain geographic areas. Frequently, snow removal from surfaces, such as sidewalks and/or driveways, involves hours of back-breaking labor using a snow shovel. Alternatively, people use snow blowers to remove the snow. Existing snow blowers are designed much like a lawn mower in that a rotating blade is used to initially break up the snow, which is then drawn into the machine itself and blown in a desired direction. Despite the ease with which large amounts of snow may be removed with existing snow blowers, these larges machines are cumbersome and often difficult to remove snow from smaller spaces that cannot accommodate such snow blowers. Furthermore it simply is not feasible to use existing snow blowers to remove snow from a vehicle (or other delicate surfaces) or surfaces that may not be at ground level and/or at an incline (such as a roofs).

Additionally, it is often inconvenient and/or inefficient to use existing snow blowers to remove small amounts of snow from sidewalks and/or driveways. In fact, many existing snow blowers fail to remove a thin bottom layer of snow from surface, creating a dangerous situation in the event of freezing conditions. Moreover, existing snow blowers are expensive and not owned due to their large size. These problems are especially prevalent in urban communities where storage space is limited, walking traffic is high and city ordinances mandate prompt removal of snow from sidewalks and other publicly accessible spaces. Therefore, there remains a need to provide a snow removal device that is easy to use and maneuver.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aforementioned and other deficiencies are remedied by the present invention which uses a current of heated air to remove snow from surfaces.

In a first aspect of the invention, an apparatus for removing snow from a surface is disclosed. The apparatus has a hollow tubular member having an elongate cavity, a proximal end, and a distal end. The apparatus further has means for forcing air into the proximal end of the hollow tubular member, through the elongate cavity, and out of the distal end. Also part of the apparatus is a means for heating the air flowed through the tubular member.

In a second aspect of the invention a method of removing snow from a surface is disclosed. The method has the steps of providing an apparatus having a hollow tubular member having an elongate cavity, a proximal end, and a distal end. The method also discloses means for forcing air into the proximal end of the hollow tubular member, through the elongate cavity and out of the distal end. Also disclosed is a heating element for heating the air flowed through the hollow tubular member. The method involves the step of activating the apparatus so that cold air is drawn into the apparatus. The cold air is heated by the heating element and forced out of the proximal end of the hollow tubular member as warm air. The method also involves pointing the proximal end of the hollow tubular member at a surface having snow thereon.

In a third aspect of the invention an apparatus for removing snow from a surface is disclosed. The apparatus has a housing having a top portion, a bottom portion, a rear portion and a front portion. The apparatus also has a heating element operatively connected to means for supplying energy. The apparatus also has a fan operatively connected to a motor and a handle connected to the top portion and a second handle connected to the rear portion.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1a shows a side view of a snow removal device.

FIG. 1b shows an isometric view of a snow removal device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the motor, heating element and fan.

FIG. 3 shows an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the snow removal device.

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the interior of a discharge member in an alternative embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1a and 1b show one embodiment of portable snow removal device 10. Device 10 has a housing 24 comprising front, rear, top, bottom and side walls. Within housing 10 there is heating element 22, motor 23, and fan 25, shown in FIG. 2. These items are electrically connected to each other and are supplied energy via an energy supply unit, such as electrical cord 16, that is used in this particular embodiment.

Housing 24 is generally circular in shape, although any shape can be used, including, but not limited to, square, rectangular, oval, pentagonal, octagonal, trapezoidal or any shape capable housing the electrically connected elements. Housing 24 can be made of any material that can withstand the heat generated by the electrical components, such as plastic, wood, rubber, metal or any other suitable material or a combination of such materials. Housing 24 may have a planar surface, such as the planar bottom surface shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 3, that enables it to be rested upon flat surface when not in use.

Discharge hole 15 is present in at least one of the walls of housing 24 so that discharge member 12 can be fixedly or removably connected to device 10. Discharge member 12 has at least two open ends so that air may enter and exit. Discharge member 12 may be set in a position predetermined by the manufacturer or by the user. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b discharge member 12 is tubular in shape, having an elongate cavity and preferably has a length between 6 inches and 4 feet, and more preferably between 1 and 3 feet. Discharge member 12 may be made of a flexible material, or have flexible portions that enables it to be bent or adjusted in order to permit a user to direct heated air into difficult to reach areas. Discharge member 12 may also be made of a durable plastic such as polypropylene and can be constructed via injection molding. The interior of discharge member 12 may also be designed so as to facilitate the flow of air.

At least one air hole 17 is present in housing 24 so that air can enter and cool off heating element 22 when the device is in use. Air hole 17 permits a constant flow of air to enter the device and is assisted by the operation of fan 25. More than one air hole 17 can be employed in the operation of device 10.

When snow removal device 10 is powered by activating switch 20, heated air is generated through the operation of heating element 22. The air is preferably heated to greater than 32° F. and preferably greater than 100° F. Motor 23 is also activated and moves fan 25 which moves the air through device 10. The air flows over and/or through heating element 22, which heats the air via forced convection. Fan 25 blows the heated air through discharge hole 15 and then through discharge member 12. The user points the distal end of discharge member 12 towards the snow to be melted. In the event that discharge member 12 is not present, the user points discharge hole 15 towards the snow to be melted.

While device 10 is blowing heated air, the heated air leaving housing 24 through discharge hole 15 is replaced by cooler air entering housing 24 through air hole 17 in housing 24. The cooler air is then heated by heating element 22 and hot air is continuously blown through discharge hole 15 via the operation of fan 25 and eventually through the distal end of discharge member 12.

Heating element 22 is operatively connected to the power supply and is heated by the energy supplied. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, and 3, heating element 22 is a bare coiled wire which is preferably wrapped around insulating mica boards. The wire may be made of a nickel chromium alloy. Nickel chromium is a poor conductor of electricity and has enough resistance so that it will get hot from the current flowing into. Furthermore, nickel chromium does not oxidize at high temperatures. Other suitable metals and alloys may be using in place of nickel chromium wire, such as chromel™, which is an alloy of chromium, iron, silicon and nickel.

To protect the electrically connected elements, shown in FIG. 2, from dirt and/or other debris, a mechanism for protecting these elements may be present. The mechanism for protecting these elements can be located at air hole 17, at discharge hole 15 and/or the distal end of the discharge member 12. The protecting mechanism can be made of any material suitable for allowing air, but not dirt or other debris, to pass through it. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, protective screens, mesh or any other suitable material or a combination of such materials. If a protecting mechanism is employed it should not entirely occlude any of the openings. It is also desirable to have a fault circuit interrupt in order to protect against electrocution.

The force of the air circulated and discharged by device 10 may be adjusted by the user or may be preset by the manufacturer. Adjusting the force of the air may be achieved by altering the speed of fan 25. The force of the heated air exiting discharge hole 15 blows away the top of snow and the heated air melts away layers of ice and compacted snow.

Snow removal device 10 may be made to any size suitable for removing snow. Preferably it is sized so as to be easily portable by a user. It may be of such a size that shoulder strap 14 is connected to housing 24 so that the user can carry device 10 and bear the weight of the device 24 on his shoulder; alternatively device 10 may be handheld. As shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b, handle 18 is attached to the top of housing 24. Handle 18 may be used for carrying device 10 and guiding it. Secondary handle 11 may also be attached to housing 24. In FIGS. 1a and 1b handle 11 is positioned on the rear wall of housing 24. This enables easy two handed handling of device 10. Switch 20 may be placed in a location proximate to handle 11 in order to provide easy access so that a user may activate switch 20 without releasing his or her hold on device 10.

In another embodiment, device 10 may be small enough so that a user can keep it in his or her car. In yet another embodiment, device 10 may be of such a size that it is operably connected to wheels and the user pushes or pulls it. In still yet another embodiment, device 10 may be fixedly connected to an object located at or near where a user desires to remove snow; for example, if a building has a portico that generally needs snow to be removed, snow removal device 10 may be attached to or near the portico so that the user does not need to hold it when device 10 is in use. A prop mechanism may also be used so that the user does not need to support the weight of device 10 while device 10 is in use. An example of a prop is a tripod or other mechanism capable of supporting the weight of device 10.

Electricity is supplied to device 10 through the use of an electrical cord 16 or a battery (not shown). An adaptor may also be used so that a user can plug the device into an automobile's 12-volt socket. Any other mechanism for powering the device may also be used, including, but not limited to, solar panels or gasoline, or other fuel derivatives. A rechargeable battery may also be used to provide energy as well as disposable batteries.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of the snow blowing device 10. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 a tank 26 is attached to housing 24. Tank 26 has cap 27, which can be removed in order to refuel device 10. Ripcord 28 is provided so that the device may be started. By utilizing an embodiment with tank 26 the device is made more portable and permits a user to operate it when not within the vicinity of an electrical source.

FIG. 4 shows a diagram illustrating a discharge member 12 that may be used in an alternative embodiment. Heating element 22 may be placed within discharge member 12. In the embodiments where this is done, discharge member 12 should not be removable. Furthermore, discharge member 12 should be made of a material that can withstand the heat from heating element 22. In the embodiment shown, heating element 22 wraps around the interior of discharge member 12. Air is then heated as it passes down discharge member 12 and out of the distal end. Discharge member 22 also has scraping member 29 attached to its distal end. Scraping member 29 is used for chipping away ice that may not be completely melted. It is possible to place scraping member 29 at some other location on device 10, such as housing 24, or at the base of handle 11 or handle 18.

Although described above with reference to certain specific embodiments, the present invention is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details described herein. Rather, the present invention is directed to portable snow removal devices and various modifications may be made in details within the scope and range of equivalents of the description and without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing snow from a surface comprising:

a hollow tubular member having an elongate cavity, a proximal end, and a distal end;

means for forcing air into the proximal end of the hollow tubular member, through the elongate cavity, and out of the distal end; and

means for heating the air flowed through the tubular member.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for forcing air comprises a gasoline powered motor.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the means for forcing air further comprises a fan operably coupled to the gasoline powered motor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a housing having an air intake hole and an air discharge hole, the proximal end of the hollow tubular member coupled to the housing so that the air discharge hole is in spatial cooperation with the elongate cavity.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the means for forcing air is contained within the housing.

6. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the heating element is operably coupled to the intake hole.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the elongate member has a length that is greater than 2 feet.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating element is an wire coil inside the elongate cavity.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an ice scraping element connected at or near the distal end of the hollow tubular member.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heating means is adapted to heat the air to a temperature greater than 32° F.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein in the heating means is adapted to heat the air to a temperature greater than 100° F.

12. A method of removing snow from a surface comprising:

a) providing an apparatus comprising a hollow tubular member having an elongate cavity, a proximal end, and a distal end; means for forcing air into the proximal end of the hollow tubular member, through the elongate cavity, and out of the distal end; and a heating element for heating the air flowed through the hollow tubular member;

b) activating the apparatus so that cold air is drawn into the apparatus, the cold air being heated by the heating element, and forced out of the proximal end of the hollow tubular member as warm air; and

c) pointing the proximal end of the hollow tubular member at a surface having snow thereon.

13. The method of claim 11 wherein step c) comprises removing the snow with the heated air flow.

14. An apparatus for removing snow from a surface comprising:

a housing having a top portion, a bottom portion, a rear portion, and a front portion;

a heating element operatively connected to means for supplying energy;

a fan operatively connected to a motor; and

a handle connected to said top portion and a second handle connected to said rear portion.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising a discharge member connected to said housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said discharge member is has a length that is greater than 2 feet.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said heating element is located within said discharge member.

18. The apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a scraping member located at a distal end of said discharge member.

19. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for supplying energy comprises a gasoline tank.

20. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said heating element heats said air to a temperature greater than 100° F.