GB2351014A - Improvements in or relating to scrapers - Google Patents

Abstract

A scraper device 1 for removing ice, snow, frost etc from windows, especially automotive vehicle windows in the form of a thin sheet of flexible material such as stainless steel. The device 1 comprises a generally rectangular sheet having a curved edge 6 to allow the device to be held in the hand and a scalloped edge 2 with converx and concave portions 2a, 2b or a plain edge 3 for inserting under the material to be removed and using the resilience of the device to lever the material away from the surface.

Description

2351014 IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SCRAPERS This invention concerns

improvements in or relating to scrapers for a surface such as a window and in particular, though not exclusively, to scrapers for vehicle windows. More particularly, the invention is concerned with scrapers for removing ice, snow, frost etc. from vehicle windows, especially windscreens, although the scrapers may be used for other purposes such as removing insects.

Known scrapers for vehicle windows typically comprise a working head and a handle for gripping by a user to position the head for removing ice, snow, frost etc. by scraping with a rigid blade portion of the head. The head and handle are commonly formed in one piece, usually a plastic moulding, and the blade portion is formed by a straight edge which may be chamfered to assist removal of the ice, snow, frost etc.

The known scrapers are generally of a size and shape that they have to be kept in the vehicle or in a garage or other storage location until required. As a result, it can often happen that the scraper is not readily to hand when required. This is a particular problem if the scraper is not kept permanently in the vehicle.

The present invention has been made from a consideration of the aforementioned problem.

Thus, it is a preferred object of the invention to provide a scraper which the user can carry with them at all times, for example in a pocket, wallet etc. so as to be available whenever required.

2 According to the present invention there is provided a scraper for a surface comprising a sheet of flexible material.

Preferably, the sheet of flexible material is sheet metal although other 5 materials may be used. Stainless steel is especially suitable as being corrosion resistant and having the necessary strength and durability.

Advantageously, the sheet of flexible material is thin to provide the required flexibility for conforming to the contour of the surface being scraped, for example a vehicle windscreen. Where the flexible material is sheet metal such as stainless steel, the sheet may be approximately 0. 2mra thick. Reducing the thickness may increase the risk of injury, damage to the user or their clothes by the sharp edge of the sheet material while increasing the thickness may adversely affect the flexibility and reduce the effectiveness of the scraper. Generally, it is envisaged that the thickness of the scraper will not exceed 0.5mm, preferably 0.4mm, when using sheet metal.

Preferably, the scraper is flat and approximately rectangular with a pair of shorter edges and a pair of longer edges of a size and shape generally similar to a credit card or the like. In this way, the scraper can be easily carried, for example in a pocket, wallet etc- so as to be available when required.

One or both of the shorter edges may be used for removing ice, snow, frost etc. by pushing underneath and using the resilience of the sheet of flexible material to lever the ice, snow, frost etc. away from the surface of the window. The shorter edges may be straight or one or both of the shorter edges may be shaped, for example scalloped, to assist removal of thicker, solid ice, snow, frost etc. The shorter edges may also be adapted 3 to facilitate pushing the edge under the ice, snow, frost etc., for example one or both of the shorter edges may be bevelled or chamfered.

The longer edges may be straight but more preferably at least one of the longer edges is curved enabling the scraper to be held comfortably in the palm of the hand between the thumb and fingers. The curved edge also helps to reduce the risk of the user being cut when holding the scraper.

The scraper may also be provided with markings on one or both sides to indicate the preferred positions for gripping the scraper.

Other features, benefits and advantages of the invention will be understood from the following description of an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing in which the single figure is a plan view of a scraper according to the present invention.

The scraper 1 depicted in the drawing comprises a flat, generally rectangular sheet of stainless steel approximately 0.2mm thick.

One shorter edge 2 is scalloped with alternate convex and concave portions 2a, 2b. The other shorter edge 3 is straight.

One of the longer edges 4 is straight with a series of decorative holes 5 adjacent thereto. The other longer edge 6 is curved enabling the scraper 1 to be held comfortably and reducing the risk of injury to the user 1 from contact with the edge 6.

In use, the scraper 1 is held between the thumb and fingers to position one of the shorter edges 2,3 on the surface to be cleared, for example a 4 vehicle windscreen. Markings 7 on one or both sides indicate the preferred positions for holding the scraper 1.

The edge 2,3 is then pushed under the ice, snow, frost etc. to lever same away from the surface using the resilience of the sheet of stainless steel to flex and bend to break locally the ice, snow, frost etc. The scalloped edge 2 is particularly useful for removing thicker ice or frozen snow while the straight edge 3 is preferred for removing frost.

In this embodiment, the dimensions of the scraper 1 are generally similar to a credit card with a length of 8.5 cm and a maximum width of 5.5 cm. As a result, the scraper 1 can be stored in a wallet, or similar holder for credit cards and is readily available when required.

The above-described scraper 1 may be produced by photo chemical machining in which the metal sheet is coated with a photo resist, the required shape printed and unwanted photo resist removed prior to etching to remove unprotected metal followed by removal of the photo resist to leave the finished scraper 1. As the unwanted metal is removed the profile of the edges can be controlled and this may be used to produce a chamfered or bevelled edge surface to facilitate insertion of the scraper 1 under the ice, snow, frost etc.

As will now be appreciated, the present invention provides a scraper of simple construction, that is lightweight and has a size and shape suitable for storing and carrying the scraper by the user. In this way, the user can have the scraper with them at all times for removing ice, snow, frost etc.

covering the windows when the vehicle is left outside in any location.

Although the scraper has been described for removing ice, snow, frost etc. , from vehicle windows it will be understood that the scraper has wider application. For example, vehicle windscreens can become covered with dead insects such as flies, wasps etc. which stick to the windscreen reducing visibility and are difficult to remove with the windscreen washers and wipers. The invented scraper may be used to remove these insects, clearing the windscreen and improving visibility.

Furthermore, while the invention has particular application for scraping windows, especially vehicle windscreens to remove ice, snow, frost or other matter where the flexibility of the scraper enables it to conform to the curvature of the windscreen, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to such use and has application for scraping other surfaces.

For example, the scraper may be used for scraping vehicle wing mirrors or vehicle lights to remove ice, snow, frost or other matter.

6

Claims (17)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A scraper for a surface comprising a sheet of flexible

   material.
2. 2. A scraper according to Claim 1 wherein the sheet of flexible 5 material is sheet metal.
3. 3. A scraper according to Claim 2 wherein the sheet metal is stainless steel.
4. 4. A scraper according to any preceding Claim wherein, the sheet of flexible material is thin.
5. 5. A scraper according to Claim 4 wherein the thickness of the scraper does not exceed 0.5ram.
6. 6. A scraper according to Claim 5 wherein the sheet of flexible material is approximately 0.2mm thick.
7. 7. A scraper according to any preceding Claim wherein the scraper is flat and approximately rectangular with a pair of shorter edges and a pair of longer edges.
8. 8. A scraper according to Claim 7 wherein one or both of the shorter edges is suitable for removing ice, snow, frost etc. from a window by pushing underneath and using the resilience of the sheet of flexible material to lever the ice, snow, frost etc. away from the window.
9. 9. A scraper according to Claim 8 wherein the shorter edges are straight.

   7
10. 10. A scraper according to Claim 8 wherein one or both of the shorter edges is scalloped or otherwise shaped to assist removal of thicker, solid ice, snow, frost etc.
11. 11. A scraper according to any one of Claims 8 to 10 wherein one or both of the shorter edges is bevelled, chamfered or otherwise adapted to facilitate pushing the edge under the ice, snow, frost etc.
12. 12. A scraper according to any one of Claims 7 to 11 wherein the 10 longer edges are straight.
13. 13. A scraper according to any one of Claims 7 to 11 wherein at least one of the longer edges is curved enabling the scraper to be held comfortably in the palm of the hand between the thumb and fingers.
14. 14. A scraper according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein markings are provided on one or both sides to indicate the preferred positions for gripping the scraper.
15. 15. A scraper substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
16. 16. A hand held ice scraper comprising a scraper according to any of the preceding Claims.
17. 17. A hand held snow scraper comprising a scraper according to any of Claims 1 to 15.