APPARATUS FOR RELOCATING ICE AND SNOW FROM A SURFACE

Abstract

An apparatus for relocating accumulated ice or snow from an exterior surface includes a flexible mat and a tether attached to a first lifting side of the mat via a plurality of attachment members. The mat has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a greater surface roughness than the bottom surface. The tether extends longitudinally along a length of the first lifting side of the mat.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/432,911, filed on Dec. 12, 2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for relocating snow and ice, and more particularly, to flexible mats that assists in relocating ice and snow from a surface while also inhibiting ice formation on the surface.

BACKGROUND

Snow and ice often accumulate during colder weather when precipitation is unable to be maintained in a liquid form. Thus, surfaces such as sidewalks and vehicles are often covered by a layer of snow and/or ice which requires removal to ensure safety. Removal of the accumulation can be both time consuming and costly, particularly when removal agents such as salt are necessary to effectively remove the snow and ice.

Currently, snow and ice removal methods include shoveling, the application of salt or other melting agents and brines, or heat. These methods, however, must generally be applied after the snow and ice have accumulated in order to effectively abate the accumulated snow or ice. Though salt and other melting agents may be placed on surfaces in anticipation of snow and ice accumulation, the accumulation often surpasses the ability of the melting agent to abate the accumulation. Accordingly, there is a need for improved devices and methods for clearing snow and ice from walkways, driveways and the like.

SUMMARY

In one aspect of the present disclosure, an apparatus for relocating accumulated ice or snow from an exterior surface is provided. The apparatus includes a flexible mat and a tether attached to a first lifting side of the mat. The mat has a top surface and a bottom surface. The top surface has a greater surface roughness than the bottom surface. The tether is attached to a first lifting side of the mat via a plurality of attachment members. The tether extends longitudinally along a length of the first lifting side of the mat.

In embodiments, attachment members may be longitudinally spaced from one another along the length of the first lifting side. The tether may have a looped portion defined between adjacent attachment members. The looped portion may be configured to be grasped by a hand to apply an upwardly-oriented force on the first lifting side of the mat.

In embodiments, the top surface of the mat may be fabricated from a first material, and the bottom surface of the mat is fabricated from a second material, different than the first material.

In embodiments, the bottom surface of the mat may be fabricated from PTFE, PFA and/or FEP.

In embodiments, the top surface of the mat may be configured to abate ice formation thereon, and the bottom surface of the mat may be configured to reduce adherence to exterior surfaces.

In embodiments, the attachment members may be strands of tape each wrapped about discrete portions of the tether.

In another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of relocating ice or snow accumulation from an exterior surface is provided. The method includes positioning a flexible mat on an exterior surface, such that a smooth, bottom surface of the mat is in contact with the exterior surface, and a rough, top surface of the mat is exposed; applying an upward force to a first lateral side of the mat to shift accumulated ice or snow from the first lifting side toward a second lateral side of the mat; and replacing the first lateral side of the mat on the exterior surface.

Some methods may further include grasping a tether that is attached to the first lateral side of the mat. The upward force may be applied to the tether.

In some methods, grasping the tether may include inserting a hand into a looped portion of the tether. The looped portion may be defined between a pair of adjacent attachment members that secure the tether to the first lateral side of the mat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are described hereinbelow with references to the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top, perspective view of an apparatus for relocating accumulated ice or snow from an exterior surface;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, illustrated in a lifted state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 positioned on a planar exterior surface;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 positioned on an uneven exterior surface;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a corner of the apparatus of FIG. 1 having a securing apparatus positioned thereon;

FIG. 6 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 shifting accumulated snow away from a lateral side of the apparatus;

FIG. 7 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 after the accumulated snow has been relocated to a position on the apparatus spaced from the lateral side of the apparatus;

FIG. 8 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 positioned adjacent a vehicle on an exterior surface; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an apparatus for relocating accumulated ice or snow from an exterior surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference throughout this specification to an “embodiment,” “embodiments” or other such similar language is designed to encompass one contemplated iteration of the present disclosure. The description of these iterations is not intended to be limiting to the contemplated iterations, rather the description of particular iterations is provided to facilitate understanding of the provided disclosure. It should be noted that the described features, structures, or characteristics described herein may be combined or modified by one skilled in the relevant art in order to practice the disclosure as desired.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an apparatus 100 for collecting and relocating ice or snow. As illustrated, the apparatus 100 includes a membrane or mat 102 for placement on an exterior surface 202, 302A, 302B (FIGS. 3-5). The exterior membrane 102 may be made of canvas, nylon, polyester, or any other suitable material capable of remaining malleable at lower temperatures. Further, the membrane 102 may be constructed either of a single continuous sheet of fabric capable of lifting a predetermined load of snow or ice. For additional support, the membrane 102 may further include one or more buttresses 108 to reinforce the membrane 102. As illustrated, the membrane 102 has four sides, including two lifting sides 102A, 102B, though it is contemplated that the membrane 102 may have more or less sides depending on the accumulation prevention application. The membrane 102 may be rectangular with a length of between about 4 and 8 feet and a width of between about 2 and 6 feet. In embodiments, the membrane 102 may be about 6 feet in length and about 5 feet in width. It is contemplated that the membrane 102 may assume any suitable shape (e.g., square, oblong, triangle, undulating, curved, etc.) any have any suitable dimension.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the apparatus 100 includes a pair of tethers, such as, for example, ropes 104A, 104B attached to the opposing lateral sides 102A, 102B of the membrane 102. The rope 104A, 104B allows for a person to lift on the periphery of the apparatus 100, thereby shifting the accumulated load (not shown) away from the lifting sides 102A, 102B. The rope 104A, 104B may be attached by a plurality of attachment members, such as, for example, loops 106A, 106B formed from the membrane surface 102 or by material attached to the membrane 102. The loops 106A, 106B may be fixed in position against the membrane 102 by stitching, fabric glue, or any other suitable fixation method.

It is contemplated that the rope 104A, 104B may be replaced with any suitable component capable of distributing a lifting force along the respective lifting side 102A, 102B. Examples of alternative components include rods constructed of steel, aluminum, plastic, polyvinyl chloride, or other structurally similar materials. Rods which replace rope 104A, 104B may be hollow or solid, and may be used in conjunction with fasteners or connectors where segmentation of the rod is desirable, such as for convenient storage. Alternately, the rope 104A, 104B may be made of any suitable strand-based structure such as polyester, nylon, or may be replaced with a cable structure such as braided steel or other suitable cables.

The membrane 102 may be further comprised of multiple membranes (not shown) which have different textures. For example, the top surface 110A of the membrane 102 may be made of a high-friction material to provide enhanced traction or grip for individuals or objects traversing the top surface 110A while the bottom surface 110B may be made of a smoother surface when applied to an exterior surface 202, 302A, 302B. The bottom surface 110B, in addition to being smoother, may be coated with a non-stick material to allow for easy detachment from an exterior surface 202, 302A, 302B. One example of such a suitable material is GORE-TEX® or polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”), which allows for breathability while also repelling liquids. Other hydrophobic materials are also contemplated for the bottom surface 110B, such as, for example, perfluoroalkoxy alkane (“PFA”) or fluorinated ethylene propylene (“FEP”).

An additional advantage to having a rough top surface 110A and smooth bottom surface 110B is that the rougher surface texture of the top surface 110a abates the formation of ice. The top surface 110A may have a plurality of ridges or protuberances (not explicitly shown) projecting therefrom to facilitate the breaking of any ice that forms on the top surface 110A. In embodiments, the protuberances may each house a heating element to assist in melting ice or snow accumulated on the apparatus 100.

It is further contemplated that the top surface 110A may be comprised of a coating which is capable of withstanding successive shovel passes or friction. When accumulated debris builds up to an amount which a person cannot lift from a lifting side 102A, 102B, active snow and ice removal methods such as shoveling may be employed until the lifting side 102A, 102B may be lifted by a person (see person 504, FIG. 6).

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a portion of the apparatus 100, showing both the top surface 110A and bottom surface 110B. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the rope 104A is secured to the membrane 102 by tying the rope 104A with a loop 106A to a side 102A of the membrane 102.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of the apparatus 100 located on the ground. The apparatus 100, as illustrated, is located on the ground with the bottom surface 110B comprising a smooth surface located flush against the ground, and the top surface 110A comprising a rougher surface oriented upward. Both the first lifting side 102A and second lifting side 102B have a rope 104A, 104B attached thereto. In use, once a person is ready to move the apparatus 100, he or she lifts on either the first or second lifting side 102A, 102B thereby shifting the accumulated load to the opposing side or off of the top surface 110A altogether.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the apparatus 100 described in FIG. 1 located on an exterior surface 302. Specifically, the apparatus 100 is placed over multiple steps 302A, 302B. Due to the malleability of the membrane 102, the apparatus 100 is capable of covering a wide and uneven surface such as the exterior surface 302 illustrated.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a portion of the apparatus 100 described in FIG. 1. The apparatus 100 is secured to the exterior surface 202 with a securing apparatus 400. As illustrated, the securing apparatus 400 is of sufficient weight to keep the apparatus 100 against the exterior surface 202 in higher wind environments. It is contemplated that securing apparatus 400 may be any apparatus which applies downward pressure to the periphery of the apparatus 100, such as bricks, hooks, weights, or additional ropes.

FIG. 6 is an illustration of the apparatus 100 shifting a surface load 502. In use, a person 504 grasps the first lifting side 102A and applies the necessary upward force to shift the surface load 502 toward the second lifting side 102B. Once the person 504 lifts the first lifting side 102A, he or she clears a portion of the exterior surface for safe passage thereon.

FIG. 7 is an illustration of the apparatus 100 described in FIG. 6 after a person 504 has applied an upward force onto the first lifting side 102A. As illustrated, the surface load 502 is now compressed into a portion of the surface area available on the membrane 102. By shifting the surface load 502, the person 504, along with other individuals and objects, is able to safely traverse the exterior surface.

FIG. 8 is an illustration of the apparatus 100 described in FIG. 1 positioned adjacent to a vehicle 506. When placed adjacent to a vehicle 506 prior to significant accumulation of snow and ice, the apparatus 100 provides a barrier between the exterior surface 202 and the surface load 502. As a result, when a person 504 applies upward pressure on the first lifting side 102A, the surface load 502 is shifted away from the vehicle 506, thereby permitting individuals to pass in and out of the vehicle 506 both safely and without tracking any of the accumulated surface load 502 into the vehicle 506.

FIG. 9 is an illustration of another embodiment of an apparatus 600 for relocating ice or snow from a surface. As illustrated, the apparatus 600 includes a membrane 102 which includes a plurality of openings defined by grommets 606A, 608A therethrough. The grommets 606A, 608A include entry grommets 606A and exit grommets 608A, allowing for rope 104A to be passed through the grommets 606A, 608A in an under-over fashion along the top surface 110A and the bottom surface 110B.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, two sets of entry and exit grommets 606A, 608A, 606B, 608B are located on opposing sides of the apparatus 600. As a result of the grommet 606A, 608A, 606B, 608B placement, an upward force may be applied to either side of the apparatus 600, as desired. As stated, the rope may, in alternative embodiments, be substituted or replaced with other suitable structures capable of evenly transferring the upward force across the edge of the membrane 102.

From the foregoing and with reference to the various figure drawings, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain modifications can also be made to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the same.

While several embodiments of the disclosure have been shown in the drawings, it is not intended that the disclosure be limited thereto, as it is intended that the disclosure be as broad in scope as the art will allow and that the specification be read likewise. Therefore, the above description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as exemplifications of particular embodiments. Those skilled in the art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit of the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. An apparatus for relocating accumulated ice or snow from an exterior surface, the apparatus comprising:

a flexible mat having a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface having a greater surface roughness than the bottom surface; and

a tether attached to a first lifting side of the mat via a plurality of attachment members, wherein the tether extends longitudinally along a length of the first lifting side of the mat.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of attachment members are longitudinally spaced from one another along the length of the first lifting side, the tether having a looped portion defined between adjacent attachment members of the plurality of attachment members, the looped portion being configured to be grasped by a hand to apply an upwardly-oriented force on the first lifting side of the mat.

3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the top surface of the mat is fabricated from a first material, and the bottom surface of the mat is fabricated from a second material, different than the first material.

4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the bottom surface of the mat is fabricated from at least one of PTFE, PFA or FEP.

5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the top surface of the mat is configured to abate ice formation thereon, and the bottom surface of the mat is configured to reduce adherence to exterior surfaces.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of attachment members are strands of tape each wrapped about discrete portions of the tether.

7. A method of relocating ice or snow accumulation from an exterior surface, the method comprising:

positioning a flexible mat on an exterior surface, such that a smooth, bottom surface of the mat is in contact with the exterior surface, and a rough, top surface of the mat is exposed;

applying an upward force to a first lateral side of the mat to shift accumulated ice or snow from the first lifting side toward a second lateral side of the mat; and

replacing the first lateral side of the mat on the exterior surface.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising grasping a tether that is attached to the first lateral side of the mat, wherein the upward force is applied to the tether.

9. The method according to claim 8, wherein grasping the tether includes inserting a hand into a looped portion of the tether, the looped portion defined between a pair of adjacent attachment members that secure the tether to the first lateral side of the mat.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein the plurality of attachment members are strands of tape each wrapped about discrete portions of the tether.

11. The method according to claim 7, wherein the top surface of the mat is fabricated from a first material, and the bottom surface of the mat is fabricated from a second material, different than the first material.

12. The method according to claim 7, wherein the bottom surface of the mat is fabricated from at least one of PTFE, PFA or FEP.

13. The method according to claim 7, wherein the top surface of the mat is configured to abate ice formation thereon, and the bottom surface of the mat is configured to reduce adherence to exterior surfaces.