CA2327438C - Rooftop or slanted surface snow removal device - Google Patents

Abstract

A snow removal apparatus that can be used to remove snow from a pitched roof while the operator is on the roof. There can also be a helper on the ground. The apparatus includes two vertical snow--cutting cords, a horizontal cutting blade, and a sheet of plastic attached to the trailing edge of the cutting board. When in use, the operator pulls the horizontal cutting blade through the snow cutting loose a square section which then slides down the plastic to the ground as the apparatus moves up the roof line. When there is insufficient slope to the roof, the helper on the ground will pull on the downslope cords, causing the horizontal cutting blade to turn up to a vertical position, and pull the snow over the edge of the roof.

Description

Description Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removal Device Technical field This invention relates to a manually operable tool for removing snow from a roof or sloped surface.

Background I have found these patents have some similarities.
Canadian patent number 1042257 Issued 781114 Snow remover Mittelstadt, Robert A. U.S.A.
Application number 268,109 Filed 761217 Application for Canadian Patent John Cooley, U.S.A.
Canadian Patent Number 5083388 John Cooley, U.S.A.
Jan 28,1992 These two patents have long unwieldy handles attached for pushing the device up the roof. To operate them from the ground, you would have to have a very long handle to reach the roof of an average building. Standing on ladders is unsafe, as snow coming off the roof can knock you off the ladder.
If you were on the roof, the end of the handle would be hard to control when the cutting device was close to you.
The second device seems to require pushing or pulling a roller for plastic through the snow, at the end of a long pole.

2 Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removal Device Patent CA1042257 fig 4 shows a device being pulled over the roof from one side to the other.
The use of the ropes or cords in this fashion will result in the roof at the peak being cut by the downward force of the ropes. The ropes must be thrown over the roof, making control and placement difficult.

It is common in devices for removing snow from roofs that shovels are the preferred mediums. There are normally at least two persons on the roof at the same time. On larger roofs, there could be upwards of ten or more. Each shovel full of snow must be picked up and carried to the edge of the roof and thrown over, increasing the risk of slipping off the roof and seriously hurting the person. This damages the roof by walking on it, and by cutting, scraping, and gouging, with the shovels. There is also the possibility of a heart attack in older persons. It takes about two hours to clear an average size roof.

Summarv I have found that these disadvantages may be overcome or diminished by:
Limiting the number of persons on the roof to one.
Limiting the walking distance on the roof.
Putting wheels or skids on the mainframe, preventing it from digging in, gouging, or scraping the roofs' surface.
Attaching a plastic sheet to the mainframe with the snap-together section to protect the roof and gutters from the sliding snow and to facilitate the removal of snow without lifting, or going near the edge, thereby greatly reducing the risk of a heart attack or slipping off the roof.Reducing the time to approximately fifteen minutes, for an average size roof.
The length of cords from mainframe to the ground to retain control, is the limiting

3 Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removal Device factor for two person operations. Usually three stories high are no problem.
There is no limit to the height of the building for one-person operation.
The Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removal Device is operated from the top of the roof where it can be controlled and maneuvered around obstacles on the roof by the cords, without dragging the cords against the roofing material.
On the Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removal Device, there is an area'/z' x 36" to pull through the snow. There are no long handles to work around, and no special cutters attached to the head of the device. It is simple to use, light in weight, inexpensive to produce, and compact for shipping and storing.

Brief description of drawings In drawings which illustrate embodiments of the invention:
Figure 1 is a top view of the embodiment. Scale 1" = 4.5"
Figure 2 is left elevation of the embodiment. Full Scale Figure 3 is left elevation x-ray view of the embodiment. Full Scale Figure 4 is SW isometric view of another embodiment. Scale 1" = 4.5"
Figure 5 is SW isometric view of the axle. Full Scale Figure 6 is left elevation of the wheel. Full Scale Figure 7 is front elevation of the wheel with the axle installed. Full Scale Figure 8 is the layout of the sash type control cord. Not to scale Figure 9 is SW isometric view of the assembled unit. Scale 1" = 4.5"
Figure 10 is elevation showing placement of cords when pulling the unit up a roof.
Figure 11 is isometric view showing how cords are held to slice a section of snow.

4 Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removal Device Detailed description The tool illustrated comprises a'N" x 6" x 36" board type mainframe Fig 1.
Starting 3" in from each end Fig 1(10), there is a 3/8" in 1 sloped center section Figs 1&3(5), from 3/8 " down on leading edge (4), to 1" behind leading edge at top of the mainframe. The purpose of this sloped center section (5), is to generate a downward force on the mainframe as it is pulled under the snow.
The top leading edge has a 1/8 " chamfer Figs 1,2&3(12a) for 3" at each end of the mainframe. The bottom leading edge has a 1/8 " chamfer Figs 2&3(12b) for the full length of the mainframe. The bottom trailing edge has a 1/8 " chamfer Figs 2&3(12c) for the full length of the mainframe.
The left and right ends are cut square and perpendicular to the leading edge.
The 1/4 " diameter holes Figs 1,2&3(3), to hold the axles for the wheels, are drilled one in each end of the mainframe, vertically centered, 1" behind the leading edge and parallel to the top, and perpendicular to the end, to a depth of 1-'/2 ".
The 1/4 " diameter by 2" long axle Fig 5(15) is inserted through the 1/4 " hub Fig 6(14) of the'/2 " wide by 3" diameter wheel (13), as in Fig 7, then inserted and glued in the hole Figs 1,2&3 (3), leaving sufficient clearance to allow the wheel to tum freely.
One wheel on one axle is installed on each end of the mainframe Fig 9.
The 3/16 " diameter holes Figs 1(1)(1 a) for the 1/8 " diameter control cords Fig 8, are drilled horizontally 3'/ " deep, vertically centered on the leading edge Figs 1&3(4), 2" in from each end, and perpendicular to the leading edge.
The 1" diameter holes Figs 1 &3(2) for the control cord exit, are drilled vertically through the mainframe, centered 4" behind the leading edge and 2" in from each end, intersecting holes Figs 1&3(1)(1a).
The two 50 foot control cords are tied together at one end Fig 8(27). Measure from eave to peak, then add 5 feet. Tie a knot in each cord at this distance from the end Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removal Device knot Fig 8(23&25). These become the top knots. Thread the loose ends of the left and right cords through the 3/16 " holes Fig 1(1 &1 a) entering at the leading edge, Fig 1(16&18) and exiting from the 1" hole on the upper side of the mainframe Fig 1(17&19).
Pull the cords through until the top knots touch the leading edge at (16&18), then tie another knot Fig 8(24&26) in each cord at Fig 1(17&19). These become the bottom knots. This fixes the placement of the mainframe on the control cords, and can be adjusted by moving the knots. The bottom lengths of the cords are for use by the ground person.
The trailing edge Figs 1,2&3(7), has a notched area Figs 1&3(11), creating a ledge Fig 1&3(22) 1" wide by 1/4 " thick by 36 " long. This ledge (22) has 12 each 1/4"
diameter holes, drilled vertically through the ledge, centered on the ledge, starting 1 in from each end and spaced 3" apart.
The 1" flat surface of the ledge Figs 1&3(22), has 12 each 1/4 " round by'/ "
long wood or composite pegs or dowels Figs 1,2&3(8) permanently fixed in the equally spaced 114 " diameter holes. This creates 12 pegs, 1/4 " in diameter by 1/4 "
high, rising above the horizontal surface of the ledge Fig 2(8).
The 1" wide by 1/4 " thick by 36 " long strip Fig 1,2&3(6), that has 12 each 1/4 "
diameter holes Figs 1&3(9), drilled to mate with the pegs Figs 1&3(8), when pressed down firmly, will fill the void of the notch Fig 3(11). This strip Fig 3(6) has a 1/8 "
chamfer Figs 1,2&3(12d) on the top extreme trailing edge for the full 36 "
length. This becomes the perforated strip Fig 4.
Place the 36 " end of the plastic sheet over the pegs on the ledge. Then position the perforated strip over the plastic sheeting, aligning the holes in the strip with the pegs on the ledge. Press down, snapping the perforated strip into the notched area.
This pushes the pegs through the plastic sheeting into the holes in the perforated strip, Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removal Device sandwiching the plastic sheeting between the strip and the ledge, affixing the plastic sheeting to the mainframe. This removable and reusable perforated strip allows exchanging different lengths of plastic sheets for different sizes of roofs, or to replace worn or damaged plastic sheets The sheeting Fig 9(21) is made of 6 mil plastic, clear or colored. Its dimensions are the width of the mainframe by approximately 5 feet longer than the eave to peak distance. It is towed up the slanted roof surface by the peg and strip system on the trailing edge of the mainframe, and its' purpose is to provide a low coefficient of friction surface for the snow to slide down hill and off the roof. It also protects the roof and gutters and lets the snow go over the eave without catching the trough.
The purpose of the control cords from the leading edge of the mainframe Fig 1(16&18) and Fig 9, is for cutting the vertical sides of the slice of snow, and for pulling the mainframe with attached plastic sheeting up the slope. The Knot that connects the two cords together is used as an indicator to keep the mainframe parallel to the eave.
The purpose of the bottom control cords exiting from the upper side of the mainframe Fig 1(17&19) and Fig 9, is for use when the slope is insufficient to allow the snow to slide freely on its own. When the person on the ground pulls the mainframe backwards, the mainframe will stand on the trailing edge Fig 2(7). This produces a wall which catches the snow on the plastic sheet Fig 9(21) and pulls it downslope and over the edge. These bottom cords are also used for returning the mainframe to the eave and setting up for the next slice after each slice of snow has been removed.
These embodiments can be made from wood, aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, iron, steel, and can be made by shaping, planing, carving, machining, pouring, injection, forming, molding, casting, extruding, and must be strong enough to hold their form under heavy snow load conditions.

Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removaf Device These embodiments are not limited to the stated measurements. They can be adjusted to fit almost any project. I have found that a 36 " mainframe works best on houses and a 48 " mainframe is better for expansive areas.
The Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removal Device is simple to use, inexpensive to produce, light in weight and compact, allowing for minimal shipping costs and storage space.

Claims (11)

Claims Rooftop or Slanted Surface Snow Removal Device The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1 A manually operable tool for removing snow from roofs or slanted surfaces comprising:
i) a thin board type mainframe having two ends, a leading edge, a trailing edge a top and a bottom.
ii) a length of plastic sheeting fastened to said trailing edge of said mainframe by a snap-together section.
iii) two lengths of a cord attached to said mainframe by inserting cords through holes drilled near each said end of said mainframe.
iv)one wheel or one skid, on one end of one axle, is attached to each said end of said mainframe.

2 The tool as defined in claim 1, in which said mainframe is a board-shaped cutting blade.

3 The tool as defined in claim 1 or 2, in which both said ends are cut square, and perpendicular to said leading edge.

4 The tool as defined in claim 1, in which the top and bottom of said leading and trailing edges are chamfered.

The tool as defined in claim 1 or 3, in which holes have been drilled at the two ends to allow the attachment of the two axles for said wheels or said skids.

6 The tool as defined in claims 1 or 2, in which said top of said mainframe at said trailing edge of said mainframe has a notched area running the full length of said mainframe.

7 The tool as defined in claim 6, in which said notched area creates a ledge that has pegs that project above the ledge.

8 The tool as defined in claims 1, 6 or 7, in which a perforated strip is a strip the same size and shape as the notched area, and drilled to the same size and pattern as the pegs on the ledge, and completely fills the notched area when pressed in place.

9 The tool as defined in claim 8, in which said perforated strip is removable and reusable.

The tool as defined in claims 8, or 9, in which said snap-together section consists of said notched area, the said perforated strip, the ledge and the pegs.

11 The tool as defined in claims 1 or 2, in which the top and the leading edge of said mainframe has a beveled area to generate a downward force while being pulled forward.