Snow Removal Apparatus for Solar Panels

Abstract

A snow removal apparatus or snow sweeper generally having an elongated handle secured to a scraper and further including a slide suspended between the scraper and the handle is disclosed for use in removing snow and ice from outwardly facing surfaces of solar panels. The scraper preferably includes a top plate and a bottom plate secured to one another so as to engage the slide. The bottom plate is preferably made of HDPE. In preferred embodiments, the bottom plate will have a leading edge that extends beyond a first end of the slide and the top plate, the slide will be made at least partially of polyethylene material and a second or following end of the slide will include a stiffener and the polyethylene material is sewn at least partially around the stiffener.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit of Provisional U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/305,370, filed Mar. 8, 2016, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for removing snow from an array of solar panels or other similar surface. More specifically, the present invention is a snow sweeper including a scraper, an elongated handle engage with a scraper and a slide engaged to both to provide a slip zone for snow and ice to descend after it is dislodged from the surface of any of the solar panels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The accumulation of snow and ice on outwardly facing surfaces of solar panels significantly can reduce the efficiency of such solar panels. This is because the snow and ice can diminish the amount of sunlight that passes through the outwardly facing surface of the solar panel, thereby limiting the amount of sunlight that is received within the solar panel.

Solar panels are general deployed in an array of a series of solar panels place at a pitch to the horizontal of from about 45 to about 70 degrees, preferably about 60 degrees. The outwardly facing surface of solar panels is generally made of glass or some other transparent or translucent material that allows sunlight to pass through the outwardly facing surface so that it can be collected within the solar panel to generate heat and/or electrical energy. Because snow and ice can cover the outwardly facing surface of such solar panels, effective tools for removing snow and ice are needed by owners of solar panels that are deployed in areas where snow and ice are anticipate during certain times.

A number of tools for removing snow from an inclined surface of a roof have been disclosed. A snow removal apparatus having a wheeled head frame attached to an elongated handle is disclosed by Katauskas (U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,315). A slide is attached to the wheeled head frame at one end and tethered to the elongated handle or pole at the other end. This device works very well for the inclined surface of a roof, but is not as useful for clearing snow and ice from solar panel. First, the wheeled head frame will roll up above the outwardly facing surface of the solar panel so that it is not able to dislodge snow and ice directly engaged with the outwardly facing surface of the solar panel. Other aspects of this device make it inadequate for removing snow and ice from solar panels.

Yet another means for removing ice and snow from a roof or an aircraft is a bladed scraping instrument commonly known as a snow rake. Typically a snow rake is comprised of a blade that is attached in a normal relationship to a handle. The blade of a snow rake is used to scrape snow or ice from the roof or aircraft surface upon which snow and ice has accumulated. Generally, snow rakes are relatively inexpensive. However, a snow rake may severely damage a roof surface, a surface of a wing of an aircraft, or an outwardly facing glass surface of a solar panel when the blade is dragged across such a surface. What is more, the use of snow rakes may be difficult and strenuous as a user must pull snow and ice from such a surface. This may prove to be very strenuous, however.

Therefore, it is the objective of this invention to provide an apparatus for removing snow from the outwardly facing surface of a solar panel, an apparatus that will not damage the surface from which snow and/or ice is being removed.

The present invention provides improvements that address limitations associated with the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a snow removal apparatus or sweeper for removing snow and ice from an inclined outwardly facing surface on an inclined solar panel. The preferred snow removal apparatus includes a scraper having a leading edge; an elongated handle for attachment to the scraper; a slide having an elongated top surface and first and second ends; and a fastener that is substantially nonstretchable. The handle can be attached to the scraper in a manner that permits the handle to be used to both push and pull the scraper over a flat surface, in separate operations. The first end of the slide can be secured to the scraper in a manner that permits snow and ice dislodged by the scraper to slip downward on the elongated top surface of the slide when the snow and ice is dislodged from the solar panel; and the second end of the slide can be secured to the handle by the fastener when the handle is attached to the scraper and the first end is secured to the scraper so that the second end can be pulled by the handle when the scraper is pulled by the handle. In preferred embodiments, the second end of the slide will either be stiffened or will include a stiffener that will allow the second end or the trailing end to be rigid enough to engage and dislodge snow and ice when the second end engages such snow and ice on the inclined outwardly facing surface of the inclined solar panel. In preferred embodiments, the fastener will secure the second end to the handle in such a manner that a distance between the second end and a securing point or protrusion on the handle to which the fastener is preferably engaged or secured is preferably no more than about three inches, more preferably no more than about 2.5 inches, more preferably no more than about 2.0 inches; even more preferably no more than about 1.5 inches, even more preferably no more than about 1 inches and most preferably no more than about ½ (0.5) inches so that the second end is secured to the handle under tension that is sufficient to enable the user to manipulate the handle of the snow removal apparatus in a manner the allows the second end of the slide to effectively engage and dislodge snow and ice when the second end engages such snow and ice on the inclined outwardly facing surface.

In preferred embodiments, the scraper will have a top plate and a bottom plate that are secured to one another; wherein the bottom plate is made of high density polyethylene (HDPE), or perhaps alternately ultra high density polyethylene (UHDPE). In preferred embodiments, the scraper will have a top plate and a bottom plate that are secured to one another by a plurality of fasteners. The bottom plate will preferably have a leading edge and a bottom surface, either of which may come into contact with the outwardly facing surface of the solar panel when the scraper is used to dislodge snow and ice from the outwardly facing surface. Each of the plurality of fasteners will preferably be set or countersunk into the bottom plate in such a manner such that each of the fasteners is recessed away from the leading edge and the bottom surface so that the preferred fasteners do not come into contact with the outwardly facing surface of the solar panels when the scraper is used to dislodge snow and ice from the outwardly facing surface.

In preferred embodiments, the slide will be made at least partially out of a sheet of polyethylene material and the slide will have a rigid second end, a second end that is preferably stiffened or preferably includes a stiffener secured to or within the second end of the slide. In preferred embodiments, the stiffener will be made of a rigid material and the polyethylene sheet material will be sewn at least partially around the stiffener to hold it in place proximate the second end so that the second end or trailing edge can act as a cutting edge to engage and dislodge snow and ice when the handle is pulled downwardly so as to pull the trailing edge down along the outwardly facing surface. It will be appreciated that if the second end of the slide is only secured to the handle loosely with a long strap or cord, such as the bungee cord, as advocated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,315 to Katuaskas (hereinafter the '315 patent), the second end will be difficult to manipulate in the desired manner because of the long elastic cord taught by the '315 patent. For this reason, the present invention includes a fastener 50 that is preferably substantially nonstretchable cable tie fastener 52 and will preferably be no longer than about four inches, preferably no more than about three inches, more preferably no longer than about 2 inches, even more preferably no longer than about 1.5 inches, even more preferably no more than about 1 inch so that the second end 44 can be secured to the handle 30 under tension that is sufficient to enable the user to manipulate the handle 30 of the snow removal apparatus 10 in a manner the allows the second end 44 of the slide 40 to effectively engage and dislodge snow and ice when the second end engages such snow and ice on the inclined outwardly facing flat surface.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide methods of removing snow and ice from an inclined, outwardly facing surface on an inclined solar panel. The preferred snow removal method will preferably include the steps of, first, providing a snow removal apparatus or sweeper having a scraper having a leading edge; an elongated handle for attachment to the scraper; a slide having an elongated top surface and first and second ends; and a fastener that is substantially nonstretchable; wherein the handle is attached to the scraper in a manner that permits the handle to be used to both push and pull the scraper over a flat surface, in separate operations; the first end of the slide is secured to the scraper in a manner that permits snow and ice dislodged by the scraper to slip downward on the elongated top surface when the snow and ice is dislodged from the solar panel; and the second end of the slide is secured to the handle by the fastener; wherein the distance between the second end and the handle will be preferably no more than about four inches so that the second end can be secured under tension to the handle so that the second end can be pulled by the handle when the scraper is pulled by the handle; second, grasping the handle of the snow removal apparatus and then deploying the snow removal apparatus on the inclined solar panel so that the scraper is engaged with the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel; and, third, pushing the scraper upward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel so as to dislodge snow and ice located on the inclined outwardly facing surface, preferably such that some of the snow and ice dislodged from the inclined outwardly facing surface, slips downward on the elongated top surface of the slide. In preferred embodiments, the step of pushing the scraper upward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel so as to dislodge snow and ice located on the inclined outwardly facing surface, will preferably include permitting some of the snow and ice dislodged from the inclined outwardly facing surface to slip downward on the elongated top surface of the slide. In preferred embodiments, the aforementioned method will preferably include the step of pulling the handle downward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel in order to pull the scraper and the second end of the slide downward along the inclined outwardly facing surfaces so as engage the scraper and the second end of the slide with the inclined, outwardly facing surface to dislodge any remaining snow and ice from the inclined, outwardly facing surface. In alternate embodiments, the aforementioned method will preferably include the step of pulling the handle downward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel in order to pull the scraper and the second end of the slide downward along the inclined outwardly facing surfaces so as engage the scraper and the second end of the slide with the inclined, outwardly facing surface to dislodge any remaining snow and ice from the inclined, outwardly facing surface, wherein the slide includes a stiffener that is incorporated into the second end of the slide so as to stiffen the second end of the slide to enhance the rigidity of the second end thereby enabling the second end to engage and dislodge snow and ice on the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel.

The snow removal apparatus or sweeper of the present invention preferably includes a scraper that is mounted upon an elongated handle or pole, with a slide which is suspended under tension between the frame and the handle. The scraper preferably includes a top plate and a bottom and also provides a point of attachment for a first end of the slide. The slide is preferably secured to the scraper between the top plate and the bottom plate by a plurality of fasteners securing the bottom plate to the top plate and sandwiching the first end of the slide between the top plate and the bottom plate. The fasteners are preferably screws that will preferably be set or countersunk into the bottom plate in such a manner such that each of the fasteners is recessed away from the leading edge and the bottom surface so that the preferred fasteners do not come into contact with or damage the outwardly facing surface of the solar panels when the scraper is used to dislodge snow and ice from the outwardly facing surface and damage such surface.

The slide is preferably an elongated sheet of material having its first end secured to the scraper and its second end secured to the handle. The sheet must have a slick surface on which ice and snow will easily slide upon, regardless of the temperature. Furthermore, the slide must be fashioned of a material that will retain its flexibility and slick surface regardless of temperature. The second end of the sheet will preferably have a stiffener or stiffener bar attached across its entire width. This stiffener bar will also act as a point of connection for a fastener used to secure the second end of the slide to the handle in preferred embodiments. It is preferred that the slide will be suspended between the handle and the scraper in a manner that maintains the slide in tension at all times, but the inventor has determined that that length of the fastener cannot be more than about five inches, preferably not more than about three inches or the ability of a user to easily manipulate the snow sweeper will be less effective, especially when it comes to using the trailing edge of the slide to dislodge snow and ice when the sweeper is pulled downward. Therefore, it is preferred to use a cable tie that preferably extends through the sheet material and the stiffener bar proximate the second end or trailing edge of the preferred slide. In preferred embodiments, the cable tie fastener will be a loop of nonstretchable material that passes through the sheet of polyethylene material that is wrapped around the stiffener bar and around the stiffener bar and then slipped over the head of a screw that is preferably secured into the handle at a distance from the scraper that is from about 90 to about 98 percent (%) of the length of the slide, preferably about 92 to about 96 percent (%) of the length of the slide. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciate that the slide may be a rigid sheet of material the has rigid ends so that the second end does not require either stiffening or a stiffener or a stiffener bar, because the second end of the alternate slide is sufficiently rigid or stiff to allow the trailing edge to be used as a cutting edge to dislodge snow and ice from outwardly facing surfaces of solar panels when the second end is pulled downward during use.

Generally, the snow removal apparatus or sweeper is moved in separate straight up and straight down motions pushing the scraper up and drawing or pulling the scraper and the trailing edge of the slide down along the inclined outwardly facing surface in a manner that allows the scraper and the trailing edge to dislodge snow and ice accumulated the surface. However, it is also possible to run the scraper of the snow removal apparatus laterally across an inclined surface on which snow or ice are accumulated, but it will be appreciated that this will be problematic for reasons that are self evident.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty which characterize the present 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 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 present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, in which corresponding reference numerals and letters indicate corresponding parts of the various embodiments throughout the several views, and in which the various embodiments generally differ only in the manner described and/or shown, but otherwise include corresponding parts;

FIG. 1 is a bottom plan view of a preferred snow removal apparatus 10 of the present invention showing a portion of the handle 30 in phantom and showing the slide 40 suspended between the scraper 20 and the handle 30;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the slide 40 when secured to the scraper 20;

FIG. 2B is cross-sectional view the slide 40 and the scraper 20 as seen from the line 2B-2B of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the cross-section of the scraper 20 shown in FIG. 2B and encircled with the dashed circle 3;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the cross-section of the second end 44 of the slide 40 shown in FIG. 2B and encircled with the dashed circle 4;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of the scraper 20 shown in FIG. 2A and also showing a portion of the slide 40 and the handle 30 secured to the scraper 20;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial bottom plan view similar to that shown in FIG. 1, showing a portion of both the slide 40 and the handle 30;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial top plan view similar to that shown in FIG. 2A, but showing a portion of the slide 40 secured to the handle 30 with a cable tie fastener 52 that is looped around the head 62 of a screw 60 secured to the handle 30;

FIG. 8A is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the handle 30 partially secured to a portion of the scraper 20 and showing a portion of the sheet material 41 of which the preferred slide 40 is made, sandwiched between the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 24, proximate the first end 42 of the slide 40;

FIG. 8B is an enlarged cross-section of front end 32 of the handle 30 when it is secured to the scraper 20 as seen from the line 8B-8B of FIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a user U (shown in phantom), with the handle 30 in his or her grasp, deploying the snow sweeper 10 on an array of inclined solar panels 2 having a series of inclined outwardly facing surfaces 6 at least partially covered by snow and ice S;

FIG. 10A is a side elevation of the preferred snow removal apparatus 10 of the present invention shown in FIGS. 1-9, showing the slide 40 suspended between the scraper 20 and the handle 30 and the second end of the slide 44 secured to the pole 30 by the cable tie fastener 52 that is looped around the head 62 of a screw 60 secured to the handle 30 at a securing point P1; and

FIG. 10B is a side elevation of the preferred snow removal apparatus 10 similar to shown in FIG. 10B, but showing the cable tie fastener 52 only looped around the handle 30, but not the head 62 of the screw 60 secured to the handle 30, from which the cable tie fastener 52 is disengaged

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-7, a preferred embodiment the snow removal apparatus or snow sweeper 10 of the present invention is shown. The preferred snow sweeper 10 includes a scraper 20, a handle 30 and a slide 40. The scraper 20 is mounted upon a handle 30. The slide is preferably made from sheet material 41, which is polyethylene sheet material in preferred embodiments. The first end 42 of the slide 40 is secured to the scraper 20, preferably within the scraper 20 as shown in FIG. 3, and at its second end 44 is secured to the handle 30 in working embodiments. It will be appreciated, however, that snow sweeper 10 of the present invention may be sold as a kit that can be assembled after receiving all of the respective parts, and that the second end of the slide 40 can be disengaged from the handle 30 when the sweeper 10 is not in use to dislodge snow and ice S from the outwardly facing surfaces 6 of solar panels P in an array of solar panels 2 as shown in FIG. 9.

The scraper 20 of the preferred snow sweeper 10 has a top plate 22 and a bottom plate 24 that are preferably secured together by a series of screws 28 that are countersunk into the bottom surface 25 of the bottom plate 24 and secured with a nut 29 after passing through the first end 42 of the slide 40 and a series of openings (not shown) in the top plate 22. The top plate 22 and the bottom plate 24 sandwich the sheet material 41 of the slide 40 proximate the first end 42.

The front end 32 of the handle 30 of the snow removal apparatus 10 is preferably secured to the scraper 20 at approximately the middle or center, of the top plate 22. In alternate embodiments (not shown), the handle 30 may be secured to the scraper 20 by means of mechanical fasteners, suitable adhesives, welded end attachment mechanisms or slots cut into the scraper 20 or the handle 30 (not shown).

It is preferred that scraper 20 have a width of about 24 inches, but the width can be essential any dimension that is practical, including widths of from about 12 to about 72 inches, preferably from about 18 to about 36 inches. It is to be understood, however, that the size and configuration of the scraper 20 of the preferred snow removal apparatus 10 of the present invention may be modified without extending beyond or outside of the scope of this description and/or the claims appended hereto.

FIG. 3 shows a cross-section portion of the scraper 20 showing the first end 42 of the slide 40 “sandwiched” between the top plate 22 and the bottom plate 24. The bottom plate 24 is secured to the top plate 22 by a series of screws 16 that are countersunk into recesses 26 in the bottom surface 25 of the bottom plate 24 so that the screws will not come into contact with the outwardly facing surfaces 6 of the solar panels P. The respective screws 16 either 1) pass through the bottom plate 24 proximate the recesses 26 and then through the sheet material 41 of the slide 40 and openings (not shown) in the top plate 22, whereupon the respective screws 28 are secured to the scraper 20 by a series of nuts 29, or 2) two of the respective screws 28 pass through the bottom plate 24 proximate the recesses 26 and then through the sheet material 41 of the slide 40 and openings (not shown) in the top plate 22, as before, but then pass through openings 31 in the front end 32 of the handle 30, whereupon the respective screws 28 are secured to the handle 30 and the scraper 20 by two respective nuts 29 residing adjacent to the front end 32 of the handle 30. It will be appreciated that the screws 28 are countersunk into the bottom surface 25 of the preferred bottom plate 24 so that the screws 28 cannot come into contact with the surface 6 of the solar panels P on which snow and ice S is likely to accumulate and require dislodging and removal.

The first end 42 of the slide 40 is preferably secured to the scraper 22 as described above and the second end 44 of the slide 40 is preferably engaged with the handle 30 with fastener 50 of any kind that is know to secure a sheet of material like the slide 40 to a pole like object such as the handle 30. In preferred embodiments the fastener 50 is a cable tie 52 that is looped together so that the cable tie 52 is passed through an opening 48 in the slide 40 proximate a stiffener bar 46 that is sewn into the second end 44 of the slide 40. By looping the cable tie 52 through the opening 48 in the slide 40 and passing the cable tie 52 around both the stiffener bar 46 and the handle 30, the second end 44 will be slidably secured to the handle 30. Because the present inventor has discovered that it is important to secure the second end 44 closely to the handle 30 and maintain it in a tensioned orientation with the handle 30, a protrusion 34 is created in the outer surface 36 of the handle 30 at a distance along the handle 30 from the scraper 20 that is from about 90 to about 98 percent (%), preferably from about 92 to about 96 percent (%) of the length of the slide 40. in preferred embodiments, the protrusion 34 is created by the head 62 of a screw 60 that is placed into the handle 30 so that the head 62 protrudes above the outer surface 36 of the handle 30. As noted elsewhere, the cable tie 52 is preferably made of material that is substantially nonstretchable. As such, when the cable tie 52 is looped around the stiffener bar 46 and the handle 30, the second end 44 of the slide 40 can be drawn tightly around the protrusion 34 provided by the head 62 of the screw 60, which rises above the outer surface 36 of the handle 30 so that the cable tie 52 can engage the screw head 62 and thereby disengagingly secure the second end 44 of the slide 40 to the handle 30 in a manner in which the slide 40 is tautly suspended between the scraper 20 and the handle 30. In this way, the present inventor has discover that the second end 44, which is the trailing edge 44 of the slide 40, can be effectively used to dislodge snow and ice from the outwardly facing surfaces 6 of inclined solar panels P, when the trailing edge 44 is pulled downward along the outwardly facing surfaces 6 of inclined solar panels P that are often erected to gather sunlight in various regions of the country, many of which will generally anticipate the accumulation of snow and ice in the winter months.

As noted, in preferred embodiments, the second end 44 of the slide 40 has a stiffener bar 44 which extends across the entire width of the slide 40 through a sleeve 49 integral formed within the second end 44 of the slide 40. The second end of the slide 40 is secured to the handle 30 a fastener 50 such as the cable tie 52 described above.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the slide 40 is approximately 24 inches wide and 5 feet long. However, it is to be understood that the slide 40 may be of different widths and lengths as application and conditions demand. Typically, the slide 40 will maintain a greater length-than-wider profile. It will be appreciated that in preferred embodiments the width of the slide 40 will be the same as the width of the scraper 20. For that reason, the width of the slide 40 may be anywhere from about 12 to about 72 inches, preferably from about 18 to about 36 inches, more preferably about 24 inches. It is to be understood, however, that the size and configuration of the scraper 20 of the preferred snow removal apparatus 10 of the present invention may be modified without extending beyond or outside of the scope of this description and/or the claims appended hereto.

The handle 30 of the present sweeper 10, may include a plurality of poles 32, just as the handle 30 of the snow removal apparatus 10 disclosed in the '315 patent, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. By varying the number and length of the poles 32, which are secured together to form the handle 30, the length of the handle 30 may be varied according to the needs of a user U of the present snow removal apparatus 10, just as the length of the handle 30 disclosed in the '315 patent may be varied. In referring herein to FIG. 2 of the '315 patent, the reference numbers referenced in the remaining text in this paragraph refer back only to the reference numbers referred to in the '315 patent and shown in the drawing figure of that patent. As such, FIG. 2 of the '315 patent illustrates a junction 34 between poles 32. Retention means 36 releasably secure poles 32 to one another and prevents accidental separation of the poles at joint 34 during use of the snow removal apparatus 10. The poles 32 of the handle 30 may be fashioned of aluminum tubing or of a composite material that will provide the requisite stiffness and strength to permit the handle 30 to reach lengths of 40 feet or more. The length of the handle 30 is limited only by the quantity of the snow being removed and the strength and ability of the user of the snow removal device.

As noted above, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a snow removal apparatus or sweeper for removing snow and ice from an inclined outwardly facing surface on an inclined solar panel. The preferred snow removal apparatus includes a scraper having a leading edge; an elongated handle for attachment to the scraper; a slide having an elongated top surface and first and second ends; and a fastener that is substantially nonstretchable. The handle can be attached to the scraper in a manner that permits the handle to be used to both push and pull the scraper over a flat surface, in separate operations. The first end of the slide can be secured to the scraper in a manner that permits snow and ice dislodged by the scraper to slip downward on the elongated top surface of the slide when the snow and ice is dislodged from the solar panel; and the second end of the slide can be secured to the handle by the fastener when the handle is attached to the scraper and the first end is secured to the scraper so that the second end can be pulled by the handle when the scraper is pulled by the handle. In preferred embodiments, the second end of the slide will either be stiffened or will include a stiffener that will allow the second end to be rigid enough to engage and dislodge snow and ice when the second end engages such snow and ice on the inclined outwardly facing surface of the inclined solar panel. In preferred embodiments, the fastener will secure the second end to the handle in such a manner that a distance between the second end and a point on the handle where the fastener is secured is preferably no more than about five inches, preferably about four inches, more preferably about 3 inches, even more preferably about 2.5 inches and most preferably about 2 inches so that the second end is secured to the handle under tension that is sufficient to enable the user to manipulate the handle of the snow removal apparatus in a manner the allows the second end of the slide to effectively engage and dislodge snow and ice when the second end engages such snow and ice on the inclined outwardly facing surface.

In preferred embodiments, the scraper will have a top plate and a bottom plate that are secured to one another; wherein the bottom plate is made of high density polyethylene, preferably ultra high density polyethylene. In preferred embodiments, the scraper will have a top plate and a bottom plate that are secured to one another by a plurality of fasteners. The bottom plate will preferably have a leading edge and a bottom surface, either of which may come into contact with the outwardly facing surface of the solar panel when the scraper is used to dislodge snow and ice from the outwardly facing surface. Each of the plurality of fasteners will preferably be set or countersunk into the bottom plate in such a manner such that each of the fasteners is recessed away from the leading edge and the bottom surface so that the preferred fasteners do not come into contact with the outwardly facing surface of the solar panels when the scraper is used to dislodge snow and ice from the outwardly facing surface.

In preferred embodiments, the slide will be made at least partially out of a sheet of polyethylene material. In preferred embodiments, the slide will have a rigid second end, a second end that is preferably stiffened or preferably includes a stiffener secured to the second end of the slide. In preferred embodiments, the stiffener will be made of a rigid material and the polyethylene sheet material will be sewn around the stiffener to hold it in place proximate the second end so that the second end or trailing edge can act as a cutting edge to engage and dislodge snow and ice when the handle is pulled downwardly so as to pull the trailing edge down along the outwardly facing surface. It will be appreciated that if the second end of the slide is only secured to the handle loosely with a long strap or cord, such as the bungee cord, as advocated in U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,315 to Katuaskas (hereinafter the '315 patent), the second end will be difficult to manipulate in the desired manner because of the long elastic cord taught by the '315 patent. For this reason, the present invention includes a fastener that is preferably substantially nonstretchable and will preferably be no longer than about five inches, preferably about four inches, more preferably about 3 inches, even more preferably about 2.5 inches and most preferably about 2 inches so that the second end is secured to the handle under tension that is sufficient to enable the user to manipulate the handle of the snow removal apparatus in a manner the allows the second end of the slide to effectively engage and dislodge snow and ice when the second end engages such snow and ice on the inclined outwardly facing surface.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention also provide methods of removing snow and ice from an inclined, outwardly facing surface on an inclined solar panel. The preferred snow removal method will preferably include the steps of, first, providing a snow removal apparatus or sweeper having a scraper having a leading edge; an elongated handle for attachment to the scraper; a slide having an elongated top surface and first and second ends; and a fastener that is substantially nonstretchable; wherein the handle is attached to the scraper in a manner that permits the handle to be used to both push and pull the scraper over a flat surface, in separate operations; the first end of the slide is secured to the scraper in a manner that permits snow and ice dislodged by the scraper to slip downward on the elongated top surface when the snow and ice is dislodged from the solar panel; and the second end of the slide is secured to the handle by the fastener; wherein the distance between the second end and the handle will be preferably no more than about four inches so that the second end can be secured under tension to the handle so that the second end can be pulled by the handle when the scraper is pulled by the handle; second, grasping the handle of the snow removal apparatus and then deploying the snow removal apparatus on the inclined solar panel so that the scraper is engaged with the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel; and, third, pushing the scraper upward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel so as to dislodge snow and ice located on the inclined outwardly facing surface, preferably such that some of the snow and ice dislodged from the inclined outwardly facing surface, slips downward on the elongated top surface of the slide. In preferred embodiments, the step of pushing the scraper upward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel so as to dislodge snow and ice located on the inclined outwardly facing surface, will preferably include permitting some of the snow and ice dislodged from the inclined outwardly facing surface to slip downward on the elongated top surface of the slide. In preferred embodiments, the aforementioned method will preferably include the step of pulling the handle downward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel in order to pull the scraper and the second end of the slide downward along the inclined outwardly facing surfaces so as engage the scraper and the second end of the slide with the inclined, outwardly facing surface to dislodge any remaining snow and ice from the inclined, outwardly facing surface. In alternate embodiments, the aforementioned method will preferably include the step of pulling the handle downward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel in order to pull the scraper and the second end of the slide downward along the inclined outwardly facing surfaces so as engage the scraper and the second end of the slide with the inclined, outwardly facing surface to dislodge any remaining snow and ice from the inclined, outwardly facing surface, wherein the slide includes a stiffener that is incorporated into the second end of the slide so as to stiffen the second end of the slide to enhance the rigidity of the second end thereby enabling the second end to engage and dislodge snow and ice on the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel.

The snow removal apparatus or sweeper of the present invention preferably includes a scraper that is mounted upon an elongated handle or pole, with a slide which is suspended under tension between the frame and the handle. The scraper preferably includes a top plate and a bottom and also provides a point of attachment for a first end of the slide. The slide is preferably secured to the scraper between the top plate and the bottom plate by a plurality of fasteners securing the bottom plate to the top plate and sandwiching the first end of the slide between the top plate and the bottom plate. The fasteners are preferably screws that will preferably be set or countersunk into the bottom plate in such a manner such that each of the fasteners is recessed away from the leading edge and the bottom surface so that the preferred fasteners do not come into contact with or damage the outwardly facing surface of the solar panels when the scraper is used to dislodge snow and ice from the outwardly facing surface and damage such surface. In preferred embodiments the bottom plate will be made of high density polyethylene (HDPE), alternatively ultra high density polyethylene (UHDPE).

The slide is preferably an elongated sheet of material having its first end secured to the scraper and its second end secured to the handle. The sheet will preferably have a surface, upon which ice and snow S will easily slide, regardless of the temperature. Furthermore, the slide must be fashioned of a material that will retain its flexibility and slick surface regardless of temperature. The second end of the sheet will preferably have a stiffener or stiffener bar attached across its entire width. This stiffener bar will also act as a point of connection for a fastener used to secure the second end of the slide to the handle in preferred embodiments. It is preferred that the slide will be suspended between the handle and the scraper in a manner that maintains the slide in tension at all times, but the inventor has determined that that length of the fastener cannot be more than about five inches or the ability of a user to easily manipulate the snow sweeper will be less effective, especially when it comes to using the trailing edge of the slide to dislodge snow and ice when the sweeper is pulled downward. Therefore, it is preferred to use a cable tie that preferably extends through the sheet material and the stiffener bar proximate the second end or trailing edge of the preferred slide. In preferred embodiments, the cable tie will be a loop of nonstretchable material that passes through the stiffener bar and the sheet of polyethylene material that is wrapped around the stiffener bar and then slipped over the head of a screw that is preferably secured into the handle at a distance from the scraper that is from about 101 to about 110 percent (%) of the length of the slide, preferably about 102 to about 106 percent (%) of the length of the slide. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, it will be appreciate that the slide may be a rigid sheet of material the has rigid ends so that the second end does not require either stiffening or a stiffener or a stiffener bar, because the second end of the alternate slide is sufficiently rigid or stiff to allow the trailing edge to be used as a cutting edge to dislodge snow and ice from outwardly facing surfaces of solar panels when the second end is pulled downward during use.

The snow removal apparatus or sweeper 10 of the present invention essentially functions by pushing snow and ice from one position where it is engaged with the outwardly facing surface of the solar panel to a new position or second position where it free from adherence to the surface upon which it is resting so that it may slide upward or downward and off of the surface upon which it was resting. The slide 40 is preferably fabricated from a thin flexible material having a relatively slick surface so that snow and ice may readily slide over the top surface. It is important to note that in preferred embodiments, the material from which the slide 40 is made must retain its flexibility at extremely low temperatures, preferably to at least −40 degrees Fahrenheit. Likewise, the materials from which the scraper 20 and the handle 30 are made must also maintain their strength at extremely low temperatures.

Referring now also to FIGS. 8A and 8B, the first end 32 of the handle 30 is a plug that is forced fit into the hollow tube 30. In preferred embodiments, the first end 32 is a high density polyethylene (HDPE) that must be forced into the hollow tube 30 where it will reside securely. In alternate embodiments, the first end 32 may be a composite material or other chemical compounds such as, for instance, ultra high density polyethylene (UHDPE). The first end 32 will preferably be secured to the scraper 20 with a pair of screw type fasteners 21 which pass through the scraper 20 and are secured to the first end 32 by a pair of nuts 23, preferably self-locking nuts. The screw type fasteners 21 are passed through openings in the bottom plate 24, which are set into the material of the bottom plate 24 so that the screw heads will not engage surfaces over which the bottom plate passes as the scraper 20 is used. In preferred embodiments, the bottom plate 24 will be made of HDPE, alternately UHDPE. The bottom plate 24 is also secured to the top plate 22, which is preferably an aluminum extrusion, but which may be made of HDPE or UHDPE or the like. The top plate 22 and the bottom plate 24 will sandwich the front end 42 of the slide 40 to secure the slide 40 to the scraper 20. The screw type fasteners 21 will pass into openings in the bottom surface 25 of the bottom plate 24 and the bottom plate 24 will have a leading edge 27 which is effective to dislodge snow and ice S from flat surfaces 6, such as those on solar panels 2. A further series of screw type fasteners 28 will secure the bottom plate 24 to the top plate 22, thereby sandwiching the first end 42 of the slide 40 between the respective top and bottom plates 22, 24 when secured together with a series of nuts 29.

Referring now also to FIG. 9, the snow removal apparatus is shown in use to remove snow and ice S from solar panels P. A user U of the snow removal apparatus 10 can push the scraper 20 upward along a snow-covered outwardly facing surface 6 to displace the snow and ice S and dislodge the snow and ice S from the respective outwardly facing surface 6. As the scraper 20 moves upward along the surface 6, the leading edge 27 of the bottom plate 24 will push snow and ice S from its place on the surface 6 where the snow and ice S has accumulated. Because accumulated snow often melts and refreezes so as to become a relatively uniform solid, it is preferable to push the accumulated snow and ice S along the surface 6 so as to dislodge it. Similarly, the trailing edge 44 of the slide will similarly engage the snow and ice S on the surface 6 and push it downward as the trailing edge 44 is pulled downward when the trailing edge is engaged with the surface 6 and the handle 30 is pulled downward by the user U, thereby facilitating the downward movement of the snow and ice S and its travel off the surface 6 being cleared. As layers of snow are dislodged from the surface, gravity will cause them to slip along the slide 40 and off the surface 6.

Referring now also to FIGS. 10A and 10B, the snow removing apparatus 10 of the present invention is shown in FIG. 10 when the slide 40 is secured to a first point P1 at a screw head 62 secured into the handle 30 some distance from the scraper 20. The slide 40 is secured to the screw head 62 by a fastener 50, preferably a cable tie fastener 52, which is substantially non-stretchable. The cable tie fastener 52 is passed through the slide 40 proximate a stiffener 46 which the cable tie fastener 52 secures to the handle 30 proximate the screw head 62 so that the slide 40 is drawn tightly to the handle, such that the distance D2 between the second end 44 of the slide 40 is within at least about 2 inches, preferably at least about 1.5 inches, more preferably at least about 1 inch, and most preferably within at least about 0.5 inch of the handle 30. In preferred embodiments, the distance D1 from the second end 44 and the screw head 62, about which the cable tie fastener 52 is secured, will preferably be no more than about 3 inches, preferably no more than about 2.5 inches, more preferably no more than about 2 inches, even more preferably no more than about 1.5 inches, and, most preferably, no more than about 1 inch. As shown in FIG. 10B, the loop fastener 50, preferably the cable tie fastener 52, can be slipped over the top of the screw head 62 to release the slide 40 so that it is no longer tautly held against the handle and the second end 44 can slide upwardly toward the scraper 20 for storage. It will be appreciated, however, that the loop fastener 50 will be secured over the screw head 62 when the slide 40 is most effectively used, especially insofar as it allows the second end 44 to effectively dislodge snow and ice from flat surfaces 6 of solar panels 2 when the pole 30 is pulled downward along such surfaces 6.

As noted, a snow removal apparatus 10 for removing snow and ice from outwardly facing flat surfaces 6 on an inclined solar panel 2 that is at least partially covered by snow and ice S is disclosed. The snow removal apparatus 10 includes a scraper 20 having a leading edge 27; an elongated handle 30 for attachment to the scraper 20; an elongated slide 40 having an elongated top surface 43 and first and second ends 42, 44; and a fastener 50 that is substantially nonstretchable; wherein the handle 30 can be attached to the scraper 20 in a manner that permits the handle 30 to be used to both push and pull the scraper 20 in separate operations on the flat surface 6 when the handle 30 is attached to the scraper 20; wherein the first end 42 of the slide 40 can be secured to the scraper 20 in a manner that permits snow and ice S on the flat surface 6 to be dislodged from the flat surface 6 by the scraper 20 to slip over the scraper 20 and slide downward on the elongated top surface 43 when the snow and ice S is dislodged from the outwardly facing flat surface 6 of the solar panel 2; and the second end 44 of the slide 40 can be secured to the handle 30 by the loop fastener 50 when the handle 30 is attached to the scraper 20 and the first end 42 is secured to the scraper 20; wherein the distance D1 between the second end 44 and the handle 30 when the handle is attached to the scraper 20, the first end 42 is secured to the scraper 20 and the second end 44 is secured to the handle 30, will be no more than about three inches and the second end 44 will be secured under tension to the handle 30 so that the second end can be pulled by the handle 30 when the scraper 20 is pulled by the handle 30, such that snow and ice S can be dislodged from the flat surface 6 by the second end 44. In preferred embodiments, the scraper 20 has a top plate 22 and a bottom plate 24 that are secured to one another; wherein the bottom plate 24 is made of high density polyethylene (HDPE).

The bottom plate 24 preferably has a leading edge 27 that extends out beyond the first end of the slide 42, or preferably beyond the first end 32 of the handle 30. The bottom plate 24 preferably has a leading edge 27 and a bottom surface 25, either of which may come into contact with the outwardly facing flat surface 6 of the solar panel when the scraper 20 is used to dislodge snow and ice S from the outwardly facing flat surface; and wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is set into the bottom plate in such a manner such that each of the fasteners is recessed away from the leading edge and the bottom surface so that the fasteners do not come into contact with the outwardly facing surface when the scraper is used to dislodge snow and ice from the outwardly facing surface. The slide 40 is preferably made at least partially out of a sheet of polyethylene material. The slide 40 will preferably include a stiffener secured to the second end 44 of the slide 40 and the stiffener is preferably made of a rigid material and the polyethylene material will preferably be sewn at least partially around the stiffener. The distance D2 between the second end 44 and the handle 30 when the handle 30 is attached to the scraper 20, the first end 42 is secured to the scraper 20, and the second end 44 is secured to the handle 30 during use, will preferably be no more than about 2.5 inches.

In preferred embodiments, a method of removing snow and ice S from an inclined, outwardly facing flat surface 6 on an inclined solar panel 2 is provided including the steps of: 1) providing a snow removal apparatus 10 having: a) a scraper 20 having a leading edge 27; b) an elongated handle 30 for attachment to the scraper 20; c) a slide 40 having an elongated top surface 43 and first and second ends 42, 44; and d) a fastener 50, 52 that is preferably substantially nonstretchable; wherein the handle 30 is attached to the scraper 20 in a manner that permits the handle 30 to be used to both push and pull the scraper 20 in separate operations over a flat surface; the first end 42 of the slide 40 is secured to the scraper 20 in a manner that permits snow and ice S dislodged by the scraper 20 to slip downward on the elongated top surface 22 when the snow and ice S is dislodged from the solar panel 2; and the second end 44 of the slide 40 is secured to the handle 30 by the fastener 50; wherein the distance D2 between the second end 44 and the handle 30 will be no more than about three inches so that the second end 44 can be secured under tension to the handle 30 so that the second end 44 can be pulled by the handle 30 when the scraper 20 is pulled by the handle 30; 2) grasping the handle 30 of the snow removal apparatus 10 and deploying the snow removal apparatus 10 on the inclined solar panel 2 so that the scraper 20 is engaged with the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6 of the solar panel 2; and 3) pushing the scraper 20 upward along the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6 of the solar panel 2 so as to dislodge snow and ice S located on the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6, such that some of the snow and ice S dislodged from the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6, slips downward on the elongated top surface 43 of the slide 40. The step of pushing the scraper 20 upward along the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6 of the solar panel 2, so as to dislodge snow and ice S located on the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6, preferably includes permitting some of the snow and ice S dislodged from the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6 to slip downward on the elongated top surface 43 of the slide 40. In preferred embodiments, the method of removing snow and ice S from an inclined, outwardly facing flat surface 6 on an inclined solar panel 2 will further include the step of pulling the handle 30 downward along the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6 of the solar panel 2 in order to pull the scraper 20 and the second end 44 of the slide 40 downward along the inclined outwardly facing flat surface so as to engage the scraper 20 and the second end 44 of the slide 40 with the inclined, outwardly facing flat surface 6 to dislodge any remaining snow and ice S from the inclined, outwardly facing flat surface 6.

In preferred embodiments, the method of removing snow and ice S from an inclined, outwardly facing flat surface 6 on an inclined solar panel 2 further includes the step of pulling the handle 30 downward along the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6 of the solar panel 2 in order to pull the scraper 20 and the second end 44 of the slide 40 downward along the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6 so as engage the scraper 20 and the second end 44 of the slide 40 with the inclined, outwardly facing flat surface 6 to dislodge any remaining snow and ice S from the inclined, outwardly facing flat surface 6, wherein the slide 40 includes a stiffener 46 that is incorporated into the second end 44 of the slide 40 so as to stiffen the second end 44 of the slide 40 to enhance the rigidity of the second end 44, thereby enabling the second end 44 to engage and dislodge snow and ice S on the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6 of the solar panel 2. The step of pulling the handle 30 downward along the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6 of the solar panel 2 so as to dislodge snow and ice S located on the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6, preferably includes permitting some of the snow and ice S dislodged from the inclined outwardly facing flat surface 6 to slip downward on the elongated top surface 43 of the slide 40.

This description is intended to provide a specific example of an individual embodiment which clearly discloses the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment or to the use of the specific elements described therein. All alternative modifications and variations of the present invention which fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims are covered.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.

Claims

1. A snow removal apparatus for removing snow and ice from an outwardly facing flat surface on an inclined solar panel that is at least partially covered by snow and ice; the snow removal apparatus comprising:

a scraper having a leading edge;

an elongated handle for attachment to the scraper;

an elongated slide having an elongated top surface and first and second ends; and

a fastener that is substantially nonstretchable; wherein the handle can be attached to the scraper in a manner that permits the handle to be used to both push and pull the scraper in separate operations on the flat surface when the handle is attached to the scraper; wherein the first end of the slide can be secured to the scraper in a manner that permits snow and ice on the flat surface to be dislodged from the flat surface by the scraper to slip over the scraper and slide downward on the elongated top surface when the snow and ice is dislodged from the solar panel; and the second end of the slide can be secured to the handle by the fastener when the handle is attached to the scraper and the first end is secured to the scraper; wherein the distance between the second end and the handle when the handle is attached to the scraper, the first end is secured to the scraper and the second end is secured to the handle, will be no more than about three inches and the second end will be secured under tension to the handle so that the second end can be pulled by the handle, when the scraper is pulled by the handle, such that snow and ice can be dislodged from the flat surface by the second end.

2. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scraper has a top plate and a bottom plate that are secured to one another; wherein the bottom plate is made of high density polyethylene (HDPE).

3. The snow removal apparatus of claim 2, wherein the bottom plate has a leading edge that extends out beyond the first end of the slide.

4. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the scraper has a top plate and a bottom plate that are secured to one another by a plurality of fasteners.

5. The snow removal apparatus of claim 4, wherein the bottom plate has a leading edge and a bottom surface, either of which may come into contact with the outwardly facing surface of the solar panel when the scraper is used to dislodge snow and ice from the outwardly facing surface; and wherein each of the plurality of fasteners is set into the bottom plate in such a manner such that each of the fasteners is recessed away from the leading edge and the bottom surface so that the fasteners do not come into contact with the outwardly facing surface when the scraper is used to dislodge snow and ice from the outwardly facing surface.

6. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the slide is made at least partially out of a sheet of polyethylene material.

7. The snow removal apparatus of claim 6, wherein the slide includes a stiffener secured to the second end of the slide.

8. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stiffener is made of a rigid material and the polyethylene material is sewn at least partially around the stiffener.

9. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the distance between the second end and the handle when the handle is attached to the scraper, the first end is secured to the scraper, and the second end is secured to the handle, will be no more than about 2.5 inches.

10. A method of removing snow and ice from an inclined, outwardly facing surface on an inclined solar panel; the snow removal method comprising the steps of:

1) providing a snow removal apparatus having: a) a scraper having a leading edge; b) an elongated handle for attachment to the scraper; c) a slide having an elongated top surface and first and second ends; and d) a fastener that is substantially nonstretchable; wherein the handle is attached to the scraper in a manner that permits the handle to be used to both push and pull the scraper, in separate operations over a flat surface; the first end of the slide is secured to the scraper in a manner that permits snow and ice dislodged by the scraper to slip downward on the elongated top surface when the snow and ice is dislodged from the solar panel; and the second end of the slide is secured to the handle by the fastener; wherein the distance between the second end and the handle will be no more than about three inches so that the second end can be secured under tension to the handle so that the second end can be pulled by the handle when the scraper is pulled by the handle;

2) grasping the handle of the snow removal apparatus and deploying the snow removal apparatus on the inclined solar panel so that the scraper is engaged with the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel; and

3) pushing the scraper upward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel so as to dislodge snow and ice located on the inclined outwardly facing surface, such that some of the snow and ice dislodged from the inclined outwardly facing surface, slips downward on the elongated top surface of the slide.

11. The method of removing snow and ice from an inclined, outwardly facing surface on an inclined solar panel of claim 10, wherein the step of pushing the scraper upward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel so as to dislodge snow and ice located on the inclined outwardly facing surface, includes permitting some of the snow and ice dislodged from the inclined outwardly facing surface to slip downward on the elongated top surface of the slide.

12. The method of removing snow and ice from an inclined, outwardly facing surface on an inclined solar panel of claim 10, further comprising the step of pulling the handle downward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel in order to pull the scraper and the second end of the slide downward along the inclined outwardly facing surfaces so as engage the scraper and the second end of the slide with the inclined, outwardly facing surface to dislodge any remaining snow and ice from the inclined, outwardly facing surface.

13. The method of removing snow and ice from an inclined, outwardly facing surface on an inclined solar panel of claim 10, further comprising the step of pulling the handle downward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel in order to pull the scraper and the second end of the slide downward along the inclined outwardly facing surfaces so as engage the scraper and the second end of the slide with the inclined, outwardly facing surface to dislodge any remaining snow and ice from the inclined, outwardly facing surface, wherein the slide includes a stiffener that is incorporated into the second end of the slide so as to stiffen the second end of the slide to enhance the rigidity of the second end thereby enabling the second end to engage and dislodge snow and ice on the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel.

14. The method of removing snow and ice from an inclined, outwardly facing surface on an inclined solar panel of claim 12, wherein the step of pulling the handle downward along the inclined outwardly facing surface of the solar panel so as to dislodge snow and ice located on the inclined outwardly facing surface, includes permitting some of the snow and ice dislodged from the inclined outwardly facing surface to slip downward on the elongated top surface of the slide.