Abstract: An urban transformation and construction method is disclosed that creates a tropical style swimming lagoon at vacant and/or abandoned sites. The transformation includes demolishing at least part of the vacant or abandoned site, excavating material from within the site; forming a basin for a large water body having a surface area of at least 3,000 m2, and constructing water containment walls on a first section of the basin to form a waterfront perimeter. The shape of the waterfront perimeter is mainly curved, the basin has a maximum width of 300 meters, and the bottom is covered with a non-permeable material. A sloped access area is constructed in a second section of the basin to form a beach. A barrier is constructed to control access into the area including the beach. At least one recreational facility is constructed including restaurants, bars, kiosks, stores, and/or cafes about the waterfront perimeter.

Abstract: An air freshener for vehicles including a casing housing a receptacle containing volatile substances and at least one fixing element, which can be fixed to an interior vent grille of a vehicle. The casing and the at least one fixing element are made of cardboard, enabling the obtainment of an air freshener at low cost compared to conventional air fresheners, since it does not require investment in moulds.

Abstract: A pull-behind device to resurface an ice rink. The device includes a rotating brush to sweep the ice anterior to a blade used to the scrape the ice. Collected snow is moved into a water reservoir where it is stored and melted for redeposit onto the skating surface.

Abstract: Systems, methods and devices for converting existing ice resurfacers to reuse collected ice and snow for further ice resurfacing. The systems, methods and devices allows for efficient, clean and environmental friendly ice resurfacing. The conversion includes the modification and/or replacement of the snow dump tank, main water tank and the installing of heating and power systems. This invention is designed for present machines and for incorporation into future manufacturing of ice resurfacers. While reducing the requirement for large amounts of fresh water, the surface water being pre-heated by two commercial hot water tanks, it also reduces the amount of labor and costs associated with ice resurfacing.

Abstract: An ice pulverizing knife comprises a frame and a plurality of blades. The frame has a substantially circular base and comprises a top, a base and at least one opening. The top has a socket adapted for mechanically coupling the frame with a vertical drive shaft. Rotation of the vertical drive shaft results in rotation of the frame. The base engages with ice on a ground surface. The at least one opening is positioned between the top and the base. The plurality of blades is secured to the frame. Each blade radially projects from the frame and engages with the ice on the ground surface for cutting the ice. Ice cut by the blade and accumulated inside the frame is expelled from the frame through the at least one opening. An ice pulverizing device is equipped with the ice pulverizing knife.

Abstract: An apparatus for replacing or changing a shaving blade secured or securable to a blade holder beam of an ice resurfacing machine via a plurality of screws, and including a blade carrier. For each of the screws, the blade carrier is provided with a respective fixing element configured to cooperate with a head of that screw. The fixing elements reliably fix these screws in a prescribed position.

Abstract: An ice re-surfacing machine induces ultrasonic frequency vibrations onto the ice shaving blade. The vibrating blade can be pulled across the ice with less pressure and provides an improved finished surface.

Abstract: An ice auger attachment for attaching an ice auger to and operating the ice auger from a vehicle, such as an ATV. The ice auger attachment generally includes a support frame attached to a front end of the vehicle, a carriage assembly movable vertically along the support frame, and a motorized ice auger supported by the carriage assembly in a vertical orientation, the ice auger adapted to move vertically along the support frame with the carriage assembly. The carriage assembly and ice auger are generally raised and lowered via a winch, cable, and pulley operable from the seat of the vehicle. The ice auger may also be operated from the seat of the vehicle via a control unit that engages the motor of the ice auger. Various structures may be utilized to apply downward pressure structures upon the carriage assembly to ensure proper functioning of the ice auger.

Abstract: A groove is formed in a body of ice using a milling cutter to form lines of weakness for breaking up the body of ice. The shaft of the milling cutter is arranged to be supported in an upright orientation such that the shaft extends through a surface of the body of ice into the body of ice. Rotating the shaft as the milling cutter is displaced along the surface forms a groove which can follow a variable path to follow natural obstacles when cutting across a body of ice on a natural body of water for example. The ice milling cutter is compact and therefore safer to use on sheets of ice as compared to heavy equipment conventionally used for breaking up ice.

Abstract: The horizontal conveyor of an ice re-surfacing machine implements auger flights in which successive half circles of the flight have slightly different radii. The successive contact of larger and smaller radius flights against ice building up in front of the horizontal conveyor breaks up and dissipates the ice.

Abstract: An ice resurfacing machine for small and medium-size indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks comprises a light towing vehicle, a resurfacing attachment, and a lifting and leveling assembly connecting them. To eliminate ruts in the ice, the machine removes only a thin layer of ice by scraping, fills the ruts with “snow” created by the scraping, skating, and precipitation, and adds water to fill the rut. The cold from the base ice and/or the atmosphere freezes the water and thus eliminates the rut. The machine may also be used to remove heavy snow or reduce the thickness of the ice. The resurfacing attachment includes a snow box which collects the snow and carries it along the surface of the ice.

Abstract: An ice-removing device for removing ice from a ground surface. The ice-removing device comprises a frame and an ice cutting mechanism. The ice cutting mechanism is attached to the frame and is adapted to spin on a first axis oriented transversally to the frame. The ice cutting mechanism is operative to cut a plurality of parallel strips in the ice. Optionally, the ice-removing device further comprises at least one ice crushing mechanism, which is also attached to the frame, behind the ice crushing mechanism. The ice crushing mechanism is adapted to spin on a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis. Both the ice cutting mechanism and the ice crushing mechanism are operationally positioned to contact the ice. In another embodiment the ice-removing device is adapted to be mounted to a mobile support.

Abstract: The invention comprises an ice resurfacing machine (1) as well as a system and method for maintenance of ice (3). According to the invention, location of the ice resurfacing machine, properties of the environment of the ice (3) or the position of a blade (15) of a scraper is monitored and received signals are utilized for controlling the ice resurfacing machine or the position of its blade (15).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for resurfacing ice surfaces such as ice hockey playing surfaces wherein an ice shaving blade system and an ice scooping system operate over the entire width of (or the entire length of) said playing surface.

Abstract: An ice resurfacing machine for small and medium-size indoor and outdoor ice skating rinks comprises a light towing vehicle, a resurfacing attachment, and a lifting and leveling assembly connecting them. To eliminate ruts in the ice, the machine removes only a thin layer of ice by scraping, fills the ruts with “snow” created by the scraping, skating, and precipitation, and adds water to fill the rut. The cold from the base ice and/or the atmosphere freezes the water and thus eliminates the rut. The machine may also be used to remove heavy snow or reduce the thickness of the ice.

Abstract: An apparatus for resurfacing an ice surface includes a dolly including a body, a handle and a plurality of wheels attached thereto. The apparatus includes a device for operably receiving fluid from a reservoir and distributing fluid substantially evenly onto an ice surface. The device includes a valve connecting the reservoir to an elongate pipe that has a plurality of substantially evenly spaced perforations for allowing fluid to pass therethrough. An elongate support member extends along the length of the pipe and is secured thereto. An applicator is preferably connected to the support member for receiving fluid and for assisting to evenly apply fluid onto an ice surface. The opposed end portions of the pipe and support member are movable between up and down positions for adjusting the amount of water dispensed onto an ice surface.

Abstract: A rugged demolition system, and method for its use, for pulling up horizontal structures such as concrete or asphalt and breaking them into pieces, pulling over and breaking up vertical structures such as retaining walls and house/building walls, pulling up vertically extending objects from the ground such as tree roots, and breaking up hard or compacted surfaces such as dirt for easier grading. The system has a spear mounted horizontally to the top of a downwardly curving pry hook assembly, a digging tooth and optional side hooks connected to the pry hook assembly, and the pry hook assembly optionally secured to a tubular support member depending perpendicularly from a plate. Although any position-controlling vehicle can be employed to cause the needed vertical, horizontal, and rotational movement of the plate during system use, the plate is configured for attachment to the standard mount of a skid steer loader.

Abstract: An ice auger includes a drive member, an upright bar, and a saw barrel. The drive member is coupled with a top end of the bar, and a bottom of the bar is coupled with a top center of the saw barrel, which is circular mug-shaped with a downward opening. The saw barrel has pores at its top side, saw blades on its bottom fringe, and a chipping-ejecting blade upward spirally extended from an outer sharp edge of each said saw blade along its outer periphery. Whereby, the ice auger of a preferably simplified structure is provided.

Abstract: An ice scruffing device for scruffing a covering of ice on a ground surface to improve the ability of the ice to retain de-icing chemicals on its surface. Paddles are mounted radially about a drum that is mounted substantially parallel to the ground surface and transverse to the direction of travel of a prime mover of the ice scruffing device. Each paddle bears a plurality of impactors. The impactors are made of flexible wire cable, with a strike element arranged at the end of the cable. As the drum rotates, the strike elements strike the ice on the ground surface at high velocity, thereby creating random, discrete indentations, cracks, pit-marks in the surface.

Abstract: An ice auger shroud system for directing debris produced during the drilling of an ice hole in a controlled direction from the operator. The ice auger shroud system includes a shroud member comprised of an elongate tubular structure having a first end and a second end, a side opening within the shroud member, a handle attached to the shroud member, a first strap and a second strap attached to the upper end of the shroud member, an elongate protective strip attached about an outer edge of the flighting of the auger member of the ice auger, and a deflector member attached to the upper portion of the flighting. The deflector member pushes the ice debris out from within the interior of the shroud member through the side opening in a desired location.

Abstract: An ice maker for creating a layer of ice on a cooled surface, is disclosed. The ice maker has a source of de-gassed water, which may be de-gassed by being heated. A pump to pressurize the de-gassed water is provided and the water is passed to a sprayer hydraulically connected to the pump. The sprayer has nozzles sized and shaped to convert the pressurized water into a fine de-gassing droplet spray directed at the cooled surface. The droplets are sized to substantially freeze on contact with the cooled surface. In one embodiment a microprocessor is provided to change the volume sprayed according to the speed of the ice maker to ensure an even coat of ice is layed down.

Abstract: Using a standard ice auger having a central shaft, a spiral flighting affixed thereon, and an ice cutting blade at the lower end of the flighting, a cylindrical ice hole is bored through an ice sheet. The inventive apparatus, mounted adjacent a lower portion of the standard ice auger, is then used to form an inverted funnel-shaped area at the lower end of the cylindrical ice hole. The inventive apparatus includes a bracket mounted to the ice auger and an ice hole flaring blade pivotally mounted to the bracket. A spring biases the ice hole flaring blade toward a transport position wherein the blade has its free end extending toward an upper end of the ice auger. The ice hole flaring blade is pivotable to an operable position wherein the blade is aligned generally below the ice cutting blade of the auger and has its free end extending downwardly and outwardly from the central shaft of the ice auger.

Abstract: An ice cutting instrument for beveling the ice around the bottom of a hole cut in the ice on a lake, which is driven by a motorized power unit. A vertical power shaft supports a cutting blade which can be adjusted between a position near the shaft to an angled position by a control rod extending along the shaft. The shaft carries one or more spacing devices to center it in the hole. The instrument is inserted in the hole, the blade is extended, and the power unit is then energized to rotate the instrument, which is then pulled upwardly to cut the enlarged opening.

Abstract: The device fills a hole in an ice rink surface and has a chamber to receive a slush mixture. An access allows the slush mixture to be deposited into the chamber. The chamber has a lower end and a valve is located at the lower end for dispensing the slush mixture from the chamber. The valve includes a housing with an aperture and a valve member is dimensioned to fit within the aperture and is movable from a closed position to an open position. A trigger opens the valve to dispense the slush mixture. The valve can then be used to press the slush mixture into the hole, thereby to restore the ice rink surface.

Abstract: A formwork board is disclosed for use in the placement of concrete slabs, sidewalks, driveways, and footings. It includes a first element and a second element. The first element is adapted to telescopically receive the second element to provide a board of variable lengths. The elements of the board are advantageously fabricated from a light metal, or a light metal alloy.

Abstract: A one piece, panel-like and generally diametric blade is mounted upon one end of a shaft portion for rotation therewith. The blade is generally S-shaped in configuration as viewed along the center axis of the shaft portion and includes a pair of inner and outer cutting blade edges extending along each of the wing portions of the blade disposed on opposite sides of the shaft portion. The inner ends of the inner cutting blade edges terminate a spaced distance outwardly of the center axis of the shaft portion, the inner and outer cutting blade edges are each outwardly inclined away from the axial direction of the shaft portion in which the blade edges face.

Abstract: A reamer consisting of an elongate body having a first end and a second end. At least one blade is secured to the first end of the elongate body. The blade is movable between an extended position wherein the blade extends radially at an angle from the elongate body and a retracted position wherein the blade is drawn in toward the elongate body. A handle is provided at the second end of the elongate body. The elongate body is inserted through a hole with the blade in the retracted position and then manually rotated to ream a remove end of the hole with the blade in the extended position. A lever is provided adjacent the handle at the second end of the elongate body for moving the blade between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: A blade holder for holding a disposable ice shaving blade on an ice resurfacing machine has an attachment member which is attached to an appropriate support member on the ice resurfacing machine. The attachment member has an elongated "V" shaped groove which extends across the transverse width of the attachment member. A triangular shaped retaining member mates against a surface in the .-+.V" shaped groove on the attachment member. A surface on the attachment member and a wall on the retaining member which are spaced apart from each other in a parallel relationship when the retaining member mates with the attachment member, form a cavity for excepting and retaining a disposable ice shaving blade. The retaining member is connected to the attachment member utilizing a plurality of attaching elements such as appropriate bolts or the like. These attaching elements are independent from the structure which is utilized to attach the attachment member to the appropriate support member on the ice resurfacing machine.

Abstract: Apparatus which penetrates a hole through an ice cap from the water beneath the ice cap. A positively buoyant unit containing water under high pressure discharges the water through a nozzle causing erosion of the ice. The nozzle is connected to a telescopic tube arrangement the total length of which is at least equal to the ice thickness so that when penetration is made the tube arrangement can act as an antenna for a surveillance sensor package carried by the unit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for breaking apart large masses of ice wherein a borehole is drilled into a mass of ice, the hole is blocked and pressurized to split the ice mass.

Abstract: A device at a combined bucket and frozen soil scarifier (/cable plough), where the bucket (13) and scarifier (10) are intended to be attached to a digger arm of an excavator or corresponding machine, and the width of the scarifier (10) is substantially smaller than the width of the bucket (10), and the bucket in digging position is intended to rest at its rear edge (14) against the scarifier (10), and the bucket at its upper portion is hingedly suspended by means of an axle (19) or corresponding member, and preferably by hydraulic means, for example at least one hydraulic cylinder (21), can be folded in the direction from the scarifier, whereby the scarifier can be utilized without the bucket being engaged.

Abstract: An edging apparatus for an ice resurfacing machine includes a guide operatively attaching to one of the side edges of the machine which is capable of being extended from the side of the machine such that it can contact an upright surface as, for example, a rink wall or a dasher board extending around the perimeter of an ice rink. Associated with the guide is an ice shaving blade which is capable of extending in a vertical direction upwards and downwards between a shaving position wherein it can contact the ice surface and shave the surface and a non-shaving position wherein it is lifted upwards from the ice surface. The guide is interposed between the end of the edge of the blade and the dasher board or the rink wall such that it is impossible to catch the end of the blade in the wall or dasher board yet it is possible to correctly position the end of this blade very close to the wall or dasher board allowing shaving of the ice surface to a point almost immediately adjacent to the wall or dasher board.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for drilling a hole in a body of ice and for destroying a body of ice. The method comprises the steps of providing a source of reactant gas of a type which will react chemically with ice to form solid compounds which are unstable and which break down rapidly to water and a dissolved gas. The reaction product which is formed is removed quickly in order to avoid a secondary and initially undesirable exothermic reaction of gas dissolution into the water so formed. The reactant gas is directed through a nozzle to generate a stream of reactant gas. The nozzle is located in close proximity to a body of ice, and the stream of reactant gas is directed against a localized area of the surface of said body of ice at a velocity and flow rate to obtain an optimum phase change reaction with the ice and to quickly remove water formed from the ice in the localized area.

Abstract: Disclosed are ice-breaking units for ships adapted to be installed at the bow and/or bottom portion of the ship's hull, consisting of two ice-breaking units each of which can be reversibly driven independently of each other, for performing ice-breaking and/or propulsion of the ship. The ice-breaking unit has a screw-like body having a spiral blade wound thereabout. The ice-breaking units may be disposed at the bow portion, at both sides of the longitudinal center line of the ship, in parallel with or normal to the latter, or may be arranged to have a propulsion portion and an ice-breaking portion, respectively. The two screw-like bodies may be driven simultaneously in the same direction or reversed, or may be rotated in the opposite directions, to provide thrusts to move the ship in any direction of ahead/astern and port/starboard.

Abstract: An ice cutter movably mounted on a marine structure for cutting encroaching ice floes or ice sheets. A cutter blade is mounted on the structure so that it may be conveniently moved into a position on the structure toward which the ice is moving. Acoustical energy is imparted to the cutter blade which in turn is positioned adjacent the encroaching ice and moved relative to the ice in a manner to cut out a path of unconsolidated ice so that the floe may pass the marine structure without applying destructive forces to the structure.

Abstract: A cutting-chipping system comprising an interconnected triaxial array of rotating drums each mounted for independent rotation. Each drum includes a plurality of spaced, outwardly extending teeth to sequentially cut, chip and break particulate mass such as coal or ice engaged by the system. The drums are oriented with no axis of drum rotation parallel to another and in a configuration wherein the direction of cutter travel from one drum is oblique to that of a second drum. In this manner, particulate matter engaged by the system is initially cut and chipped by a first drum to form a series of protuberances and/or weakened sections which, when struck at an oblique angle by a second drum, will chip and break away. The teeth may be comprised of picks, chisels or combinations thereof constructed and adapted for bidirectional rotation. The system may be adapted for applications upon land vehicles, water crafts, floating platforms, and the like.

Abstract: An apparatus for clearing of land mines are disclosed. One or more rocket engines is mounted above the surface of an area to be cleared, and are then moved over this surface with their stream of exhaust gases directed downwardly towards the surface at a forward angle. The effect of the exhaust gas stream or streams is to exert a plowing action on the land, either detonating or dislodging any land mines that may be buried.

Abstract: There is described a comminuting type ice cutter for use with vessels operating in ice-covered waters. Fluid, such as water or air, is injected into the region of each cutter edge to break the partial vacuum which is created at the cleavage interface of the ice fragments as they are broken away from the body of ice by the cutting or wedging action of the cutters. The fluid is introduced by passages extending through the cutter blades and opening adjacent the cutter edges. Alternatively the fluid may be forced into the cutting region by separate jets which may be either stationary or may rotate with the blades.