U.S. patent application number 11/160253 was filed with the patent office on 2006-12-21 for powered mechanical apparatus for removing frost and snow from windshield and other viewing areas.
Invention is credited to Narayanan M. Subramanian.
Application Number | 20060282980 11/160253 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37571888 |
Filed Date | 2006-12-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060282980 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Subramanian; Narayanan M. |
December 21, 2006 |
Powered mechanical apparatus for removing frost and snow from
windshield and other viewing areas
Abstract
A handheld mechanized windshield scraper with a built-in blower
to remove snow, ice and other material from a motor vehicle
windshield and window panes. The blower tube is tapered to increase
air velocity. A plurality of scraper blades is rotatably mounted on
a shaft away from the blower to scrape material off of the
windshield. Vents are provided in the casing for air to blow the
scraped snow out from the work area. The unit can have a built-in
power source or can be connected directly to the power outlet of
the automobile.
Inventors: |
Subramanian; Narayanan M.;
(Marietta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NARAYANAN M. SUBRAMANIAN
4251 CREEK HAVEN DR.
MARIETTA
GA
30062
US
|
Family ID: |
37571888 |
Appl. No.: |
11/160253 |
Filed: |
June 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/401 ; 15/344;
15/405 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B60S 3/047 20130101;
A47L 1/16 20130101; A47L 5/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
015/401 ;
015/344; 015/405 |
International
Class: |
A47L 9/06 20060101
A47L009/06; A47L 5/14 20060101 A47L005/14 |
Claims
1. A mechanized handheld scraper for scraping snow, frost and ice
from a surface comprising of a fan assembly to blow air on the
scraped material, a reduction gear assembly, a scraper assembly
connected to said reduction gear assembly, an electric motor to
power said fan assembly and said reduction gear assembly, a
cylindrical hollow body having a first end and a second end, said
second end having an opening, a tubular hollow handle having a
first end and a second end, a power source and a switch; said
cylindrical hollow body housing said fan assembly, said electric
motor, said reduction gear assembly and said scraper assembly; said
tubular hollow handle housing said power source and said switch;
said power source connected to said electric motor via said
switch.
2. A cylindrical hollow body of claim 1 where said cylindrical
hollow body has a plurality of vents on its circumference close to
said second end for scraped material to be blown out.
3. A cylindrical hollow body of claim 2 where said cylindrical
hollow body is uniform in diameter.
4. A cylindrical hollow body of claim 2 where said cylindrical
hollow body is tapered from said first end to said second end.
5. A cylindrical hollow body of claim 2 where said cylindrical
hollow body has an opening at said first end for air inlet; said
opening covered by a permeable membrane.
6. A fan assembly of claim 1 where said fan assembly is an axial
flow fan; said axial flow fan drawing air from said opening at said
first end in said cylindrical hollow body.
7. A cylindrical hollow body of claim 2 where said cylindrical
hollow body has an opening along the circumference near said first
end for air inlet; said opening covered by a permeable
membrane.
8. A fan assembly of claim 1 where said fan assembly is a radial
flow fan; said radial flow fan drawing air from said opening near
said first end in said cylindrical hollow body.
9. A reduction gear assembly of claim 1 where said reduction gear
assembly has a first end on a first plane, a second end on a second
plane; said first plane parallel to said second plane; said first
end accepting circular motion as input; said second end providing
circular motion as output; said output angular velocity less than
said input angular velocity.
10. A scraper assembly of claim 1 where said scraper assembly has
one scraper blade connected radially to a scraper blade assembly
shaft; said scraper blade having a radial length less than the
radius of the inner circle inscribed by said second end of said
cylindrical hollow body.
11. A scraper assembly of claim 10 where the scraping edge of said
scraper blade assembly is substantially on the same plane as said
second end of said cylindrical hollow body.
12. A scraper assembly of claim 11 where said scraper blade is
flat.
13. A scraper assembly of claim 11 where said scraper blade is
curved.
14. A scraper assembly of claim 1 where said scraper assembly has a
plurality of scraper blades connected radially to a scraper blades
assembly shaft; said scraper blades having substantially the same
angular distance between consecutive blades; said scraper blades
having substantially the same linear length; said scraper blades
having a radial length less than the radius of the inner circle
inscribed by said second end of said cylindrical hollow body.
15. A scraper assembly of claim 14 where said scraper blades have
their scraping edges on substantially the same plane; said plane of
said scraping edges being substantially the same as the plane of
said second end of said cylindrical hollow body.
16. A scraper assembly of claim 15 where the radial ends of said
scraper blades are connected to a ring to prevent deflection of
said scraper blades; bottom plane of said ring being above said
plane of said scraping edges.
17. A scraper assembly of claim 16 where said scraper blades are
flat.
18. A scraper assembly of claim 16 where said scraper blades are
curved.
19. A scraper assembly of claim 18 where said scraper blades are
curved in the same direction by the same angle.
20. A tubular hollow handle of claim 1 where said first end of said
tubular hollow handle is attached to said first end of said
cylindrical hollow body; said tubular hollow handle having an axis
at an angle to the axis of said cylindrical hollow body.
21. A power source of claim 1 where said power source is a battery
of rechargeable cells internal to said mechanized handheld
scraper.
22. A power source of claim 1 where said power source is external
to said mechanized handheld scraper.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to handheld devices for
removing frost and snow from windshields and window panes of
automobiles, trucks and other types of vehicles. The invention more
particularly relates to handheld power operated mechanical devices
to scrape frost from surfaces on automobiles and other
vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] The most common snow removal devices found in automobiles
are simple hand-held devices having a scraper blade and/or brush on
one or both ends of the handle. Generally, the hand-held devices
tend to require a great deal of effort and are extremely slow in
removing frost and snow, especially when the snow has hardened. To
make it a little easier to remove frost and ice, heating devices
generally comprising of an electrical coil and battery to power the
heater element have been disclosed. The heating devices are of only
slightly greater efficiency, since their power output is low and
takes a long time to melt the snow on the window pane or
windshield. These have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
5,973,294--"Heated windshield scraper device" awarded to Michael
Schatt et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,646--"Heated ice scraper"
awarded to David Kim, U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,176--"Combination heated
scraper and brush" awarded to Gideon Gelman, 20050061793--"Ice
scraper" submitted by Williams J. Deane III (patent pending),
20040148810--"Ice and snow remover" submitted by Bill Hsu (patent
pending) and 20040021575--"Methods and apparatus for melting snow
and ice on a vehicle" submitted by John Jeffrey Oskorep (patent
pending). Because the power output of the heater is limited while
the heat required to melt snow on the windshield is large, the task
of removing snow from a windshield is still likely to take a
considerable amount of time.
[0003] To overcome the above limitations, David Weissberger
obtained a patent with U.S. Pat. No. 3,935,425 for a "Mechanized
electrically heated windshield cleaner". In this, the scraper head
is moved back and forth in a straight line by a motor. At the same
time, the tip of the scraper is heated using a heating element.
Though this is a much better solution than the ones cited above, it
also suffers from certain drawbacks. First, since it takes a
relatively long time to melt snow, the heating element is
ineffective. Second, since the scraper head does not have a guide,
optimal scraping angle and pressure cannot be applied to the
scraper head for it to do a good job. Third, since the scraper
blade is not enclosed, it is not safe to work with an exposed
blade. Fourth, the back and forth motion is not very efficient
since the blade tip goes from zero velocity to a maximum velocity
and back to zero velocity before changing its direction of
movement. Fifth, to transfer a rotational motion of the motor to
linear motion, a few linkages have to be used which increases the
cost of manufacture. Sixth, the scraped snow will accumulate just
ahead of the scraper blade and should be brushed off by the
user.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0004] The primary objective of the present invention is to come up
with a powered mechanical scraper that overcomes the above
mentioned deficiencies so as to minimize the driver's exposure to
the elements and help the driver do a better job of cleaning the
front and rear windshields and window panes.
[0005] Another objective of the present invention is to make the
manufacture of the improved mechanized scraper cost effective for
the manufacturer to adopt it.
[0006] The foregoing objectives are attained by having a
multi-blade circular scraper (so called because of the circular
motion of the scraper blades) attached to one end of a motor shaft
and having a protective housing around the circular scraper so that
the scraping edge of the scraper and the bottom rim of the housing
are at the same level. Thus the driver can apply optimal pressure
on the scraper housing without damaging the scraper blades. Also,
the driver is protected from injury from the rotating blades by the
protective housing around the blades. The multi-blade design
hastens the process of snow and frost removal from the automotive
windshield and window panes.
[0007] To aid in the fast removal of the scraped snow from the work
area, a fan is attached to the other end of the motor shaft, away
from the scraper blades. The air blown by the fan is directed at
the work area and the scraped snow is blown away from the work area
through vents in the circular housing.
[0008] To make it convenient for the driver to use the unit, the
scraper is powered by rechargeable battery that can be charged
using the car power outlet.
[0009] In the ensuing description, frost, ice and snow are used
interchangeably.
[0010] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced
and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that
the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose
of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0011] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is the side view of a preferred embodiment of the
mechanized scraper of the present invention with the inside
components visible. In this the fan draws air from the top.
[0013] FIG. 2 is the side view of another preferred embodiment of
the mechanized scraper of the present invention with the inside
components visible. In this embodiment also, the fan draws air from
the top.
[0014] FIG. 3 is the top view of the preferred embodiment of the
present invention displaying the screened opening for air inlet for
the fan.
[0015] FIG. 4 is an assembly view of the components of a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. Here a double shaft electric
motor is used to rotate the fan blades and the scraper blades.
[0016] FIG. 5 is an assembly view of the components of another
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Here a single shaft
electric motor is used to rotate the fan blades and the scraper
blades.
[0017] FIG. 6 is an assembly view of the components of yet another
preferred embodiment of the present invention. Here a single shaft
electric motor is used to rotate the fan blades and the scraper
blades.
[0018] FIG. 7 is the side view of yet another preferred embodiment
of the mechanized scraper of the present invention with the inside
components visible. In this the fan draws air from the side instead
of the top. Here two single shaft electric motors are used, one for
the fan assembly and the other for the scraper blade unit.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of
the present invention for the scraper blade assembly where the
blades are straight and where the blades do not meet at the
center.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the present invention for the scraper blade assembly where the
blades are straight and where the blades meet at the center.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of the present invention for the scraper blade assembly
where the blades are curved and where the blades do not meet at the
center.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of the present invention for the scraper blade assembly
where the blades are curved and where the blades meet at the
center.
[0023] The numbering is kept consistent across FIG. 1 through FIG.
11 for clarity. Hence like reference numerals designate like
parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIG. 1 refers to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention of a mechanical scraper unit with its internal parts
exposed. The whole unit is generally referred to as 1. Unit 1 has a
cylindrical housing 2 with a handle 7. The housing 2 has the
scraper assembly 6 of the present invention while handle 7 houses a
switch 3 to turn the unit on and off, a rechargeable power source 4
and electrical contacts 5 to charge the rechargeable power source.
A partition 10 between the cylindrical housing 2 and the handle 7
prevents air from flowing into the handle. An axial flow fan is
used in this embodiment. Thus the full force of the air blown by
the axial fan is directed at the work surface where the scraper is
acting to remove frost and snow. All around the circumference of
the housing 2, adjacent to the scraper blades are vents, marked 8,
through which air drawn in by the fan blows out scraped snow. The
bottom edge of the housing is marked 9 in the figure.
[0025] FIG. 2 is another preferred embodiment of the present
invention of a mechanical scraper unit with its internal parts
exposed. It is the same as FIG. 1, except for the shape of the
housing 2. The housing has a nozzle shape, which ensures that the
air velocity is increased as the air reaches the work surface where
the scraper is acting to remove frost and snow.
[0026] FIG. 3 is the top view of the present invention with a
screen 11 above the mechanical assembly mentioned in FIG. 1. Air is
drawn in through the screen by the fan to blow out the scraped
snow.
[0027] FIG. 4 is a preferred embodiment of the scraper assembly 6.
It consists of a motor 14, with a double shaft protruding out
axially on both sides of the motor. The shaft protruding out on one
side of the motor is numbered 13 while the shaft protruding out on
the other side of the motor is numbered 15. An axial flow fan blade
assembly 12 is mounted on shaft 13 of the motor. A reduction gear
assembly 16 is mounted on shaft 15 of the motor. The scraper blade
assembly, generally referred to as 22, is connected to the output
shaft 17 of the reduction gear assembly 16. The scraper blade
assembly has one or more blades 20 and a ring 18 that is attached
to the radial ends of the blades for added strength. The ring 18 is
attached to the blades 20 such that the bottom edge 19 of the ring
is above the scraping edges 21 of the blades. The scraping edges 21
of all the blades are on the same plane.
[0028] FIG. 5 is another preferred embodiment of the scraper
assembly 6. It consists of a motor 14, with a single shaft 13
protruding out axially on one side of the motor. The motor is
mounted such that the shaft faces the air inlet 11. A gear, 24, is
mounted on shaft 13 of the motor. An axial flow fan blade assembly
12 is mounted on shaft 13, on top of gear 24. Two gears, 25 and 27,
are mounted on the two ends of a shaft, 26. This gear assembly is
mounted such that gear 25 engages with gear 24. The axis of the
shaft is parallel to the axis of the motor. Another gear 28 engages
with gear 27. Gear 28 is mounted on one end of a shaft 29, whose
axis is the same as the axis of the motor. A reduction gear
assembly 16 is mounted on the free end of shaft 29. The scraper
blade assembly, generally referred to as 22, is connected to the
output shaft 17 of the reduction gear assembly 16. The scraper
blade assembly has one or more blades 20 and a ring 18 that is
attached to the radial ends of the blades for added strength. The
ring 18 is attached to the blades 20 such that the bottom edge 19
of the ring is above the scraping edges 21 of the blades. The
scraping edges 21 of all the blades are on the same plane.
[0029] FIG. 6 is another preferred embodiment of the scraper
assembly 6. It consists of a motor 14, with a single shaft 13
protruding out axially on one side of the motor. In this
embodiment, the motor shaft is away from the air inlet 11 of FIG.
3. An axial flow fan blade assembly 12 is mounted on shaft 13. A
reduction gear assembly 16 is also mounted on shaft 13, below the
fan blade assembly. The scraper blade assembly, generally referred
to as 22, is connected to the output shaft 17 of the reduction gear
assembly 16. The scraper blade assembly has one or more blades 20
and a ring 18 that is attached to the radial ends of the blades for
added strength. The ring 18 is attached to the blades 20 such that
the bottom edge 19 of the ring is above the scraping edges 21 of
the blades. The scraping edges 21 of all the blades are on the same
plane.
[0030] FIG. 7 is another preferred embodiment of the present
invention of a mechanical scraper unit with its internal parts
exposed. Unlike the unit in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the fan used here is
a radial flow fan. The air is drawn in from the side of the
cylindrical housing 2 and blown down along the axis of the scraper
assembly. Here, two motors are used, one for the fan assembly and
another for the scraper assembly.
[0031] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the scraper blade assembly 22. It shows a center shaft 23, to the
circumference of which a plurality of straight blades, 20, are
attached. To increase the rigidity of these blades, the other ends
of this plurality of blades are attached to the inner circumference
of a ring 18. The bottom end of the shaft does not extend to the
scraping edges 21 of the blades. Hence, when the blades scrape the
snow, the shaft does not touch the glass. In this embodiment, the
blades do not meet at the center.
[0032] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment
of the scraper blade assembly 22. It is the same as FIG. 8 except
that the blades meet at the center.
[0033] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of the scraper blade assembly 22. It is similar to FIG.
8 except that the blades are curved. Since the blades are curved,
it requires less power than the straight blades to scrape snow. In
this embodiment, the blades do not meet at the center. The arrow
shows the direction of rotation of the blades.
[0034] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another preferred
embodiment of the scraper blade assembly 22. It is the same as FIG.
10 except that the blades meet at the center.
[0035] When the user wants to scrape frost off the windshield,
he/she turns the switch 3 on while holding the scraper unit in such
a way that the scraper blades touch the frost. In the case of the
double shafted motor, this causes the motor shafts 13 and 15 to
rotate, thus rotating the fan blades as well as the scraper blades.
In the case of the single shafted motor, turning on switch 3 causes
the motor shaft 13 to rotate, thus rotating the scraper blades as
well as the fan blades. The scraper blades make a circular motion
and scrape the snow. At the same time, the fan blades draw air in
through the air inlet 11 and blow it on the scraped snow. The snow
and air are forced out through vents 8 adjacent to the scraper
blades. Once all the glass surfaces such as the front and rear
windshield and window panes have been cleared of frost, the user
can power off the unit and replace it in the car power outlet to
charge the scraper unit for future use.
* * * * *