GB2511167A

GB2511167A - An Ice Scraper

Info

Publication number: GB2511167A
Application number: GB201321779A
Authority: GB
Inventors: George Broderick Thompson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-12-19
Filing date: 2013-12-10
Publication date: 2014-08-27
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-10
Also published as: GB201222886D0; GB2509067A; GB201321779D0; HK1196760A1; GB2511167B

Abstract

An ice scraper comprises a body 2 having a proximal end providing a handle 3 and a distal end providing a scraping edge 1. The scraper further comprises a rubber blade 6 mounted on the underside of the body 2 and arranged in use to contact a surface behind the scraping edge 1 when the scraping edge 1 is held in contact with the surface. The scraper further comprises a spray means 4,8,10 mounted on the body 2 and arranged in use to spray in front of the scraping edge 1. The spray means comprises a nozzle 10 mounted on the body 2, a spray button 4 arranged in use to control flow of spray liquid, a spray liquid supply container 8 mounted on the body, a fluid pathway linking the spray liquid supply container 8 to the spray button 4 and the nozzle 10, and fluid actuation means arranged in use to urge liquid from the spray liquid supply container 8 to the nozzle 10. The fluid actuation means may be pressure source while the spray liquid supply container 8 may be a pressurized container such as an aerosol can.

Description

An ice scraper

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a de-icing tool for use on glass, in particular to an ice scraper for use on vehicle windows.

Background

Ice scrapers for de-icing glass, for example vehicle windows are known, and have for example a hard plastic blade for removing hard ice, a hard rubber blade for removing softer ice such as hoar-frost, or both provided on opposite sides of the scraper for use one at a time. It is known to use such tools with a de-icing spray for example provided in an aerosol or pump-misting action container. Use of the scraper and the spray is inconvenient however, relies on the availability of both in or at the car, and in the case of a pump-action spray bottle, liable to messy drips and leakages.

It is also inefficient, as the spray is often used over a wide area while the scraping action is slower, so leading to waste of the cleaning spray and in the case of alcohol-based cleaners, evaporation. Also, in use of separate spray de-icers, the spray can Leave streaks on the window, needing a further wiping action to remove it. A rubber wiping blade can be used for this, but requires a further pass over the window before the cleaner dries in place -which needs quick action, especially in cold dry conditions. A device to make spray de-icing and clearing of ice from vehicle windows easier would have practical and commercial utility.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided an ice scraper comprising: a body having a proximal end providing a handle and a distal end providing a scraping edge; a rubber blade mounted on the underside of the body and arranged in use to contact a surface behind the scraping edge when the scraping edge is held in contact with the surface; a spray means mounted on the body and arranged in use to spray in front of the scraping edge, in which the spray means comprises a nozzle mounted on the body, a spray button arranged in use to control flow of spray liquid, a spray liquid supply container mounted on the body, a fluid pathway linking the spray liquid supply container to the spray button and the nozzle, and fluid actuation means arranged in use to urge liquid from the spray liquid supply container to the nozzle.

In use, the spray means is controlled by the spray button to spray de-icing liquid from the spray liquid supply container ahead of the scraping edge on the front of the scraper. This melts or loosens the ice. The scraping edge is then moved forward to scrape the ice away. The rubber blade follows the scraping edge and wipes the surface of the window, so clearing any residual water, particles of ice or spray liquid and leaving a clean window without streaks.

Preferably the fluid actuation means comprises pressure and the spray liquid supply container comprises a pressurised container. In a preferred embodiment the container is an aerosol container comprising a compressed propellant gas and spray cleaning liquid. Preferably the spray control button acts to open or close the fluid pathway.

In a further preferred embodiment the actuation means comprises pump means usable to cause liquid to flow from the spray liquid container along the fluid pathway.

In a preferred embodiment the spray button acts to operate the pump means. In a further preferred embodiment the pump means is a compression pump means adapted to pressurise a fluid within the container, for example a volume of air in the container. In one embodiment the pump has a pump actuation handle usable to pressurise the container and the spray button acts to open the fluid pathway. In a further embodiment the fluid actuation means comprises a liquid pump means that pumps liquid from the spray liquid supply container along the fluid pathway.

Preferably the spray button actuates the liquid pump means.

Preferably the liquid supply container is adapted to be detachable from the body and from the fluid pathway, the fluid actuation means comprising fluid connection means to connect the fluid pathway to the container. In a preferred embodiment the liquid supply container is adapted to be a single use disposable. In an alternative embodiment the liquid supply container is adapted to be re-filled and used repeatedly. In a further embodiment the supply container is mounted permanently on or forms part of the body and comprises a liquid closure adapted to allow filling of the container.

In a preferred embodiment the body comprises a recess into which the container fits, the fluid connection to the container being provided within the recess. Preferably the scraper comprises clip means to hold the container in place in the recess. In one embodiment the container mounts part way into the recess. In an alternative embodiment the container is enclosed within the recess, the recess comprising a lid openable to allow the container to be inserted into the recess. In some embodiments the container is accommodated within the handle.

In a preferred embodiment the scraper comprises a pressurised liquid cleaner canister adapted to clip into the body, having an outlet nib and a pressure valve at the outlet adapted to release the liquid contents when the nib is pushed in, a fluidic connection comprising a tube that is a push fit over or into the nib, the spray button comprising means to push the nib in and so to release liquid along the fluid pathway to the nozzle.

The scraper may have one nozzle or multiple nozzles, for example in a preferred embodiment, two nozzles, one of either side of the body and pointing forward.

In a preferred embodiment the rubber wiper blade is detachably mounted on the body, so allowing it to be replaced in case of wear.

In a preferred embodiment the handle is aligned substantially parallel to the forward to back axis of the scraper, that is substantially as right angles to the front scraping edge.

Preferably the handle may be elongate extending substantially parallel to the canister and allowing the users hand to grasp around the handle and manipulate the ice scraper in both a forwards and reverse manner.

In a preferred embodiment the elongate handle is attached to the ice scraper at each end of the handle. For example the handle may be attached to the canister at each end or the handle may be attached to the canister at one end and to the body and/or canister at the opposite end.

Typically the handle is attached at each end in such a way that an opening is defined under the handle through which a user's hand can extend when grasping the ice scraper.

Ideally the handle may be arcuate; in this way the opening is an arch created by the handle which the user can grasp. In other embodiments the handle may be angled for example by including an elbow to as to allow both ends of the handle to be attached to the body and/or canister. Alternatively the handle may be U-shaped, serpentine in such a way as to allow each end of the handle to be attached to the ice scraper.

Furthermore as both ends of the handle are attached the user is able to brace their hands at either end of the handle (abutting either end of the handle where it joins the body or canister) so as to prevent slipping of their hand during use. This enables the user to securely hold the ice scraper to enable circular or reciprocating motion of the scraper and effective scraping.

In an alternative embodiment the handle is aligned substantially parallel to the forward scraping edge. In this way two variant embodiments are possible, depending on whether a user finds it more comfortable to use the scraper with their arm parallel to the forward scraping direction or at right angles to it.

The scraper is not limited to any specific size or shape, though. the handle will generally be sized to fit a hand and the front scraping edge and rubber blade will be in general similar in size to existing scrapers.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows a top view of an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the embodiment shown in figure 1; Figure 3 shows a rear view of the embodiment shown in figure 1; Figure 4 shows a front view of the embodiment shown in figure 1; Figure 5 shows a left side view of the embodiment shown in figure 1; Figure 6 shows a right side view of the embodiment shown in figure 1; Figure 7 shows an isometric view of the embodiment shown in figure 1; and Figure 8 shows a side view of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

Detailed DescriDtion of Figures Figures 1 to 7 show a first embodiment of the invention. figure 8 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

The front scraping edge 1 is located at the bottom and the body 2 extends rearwards from the front scraping edgel, the handle 3 in this embodiment being aligned substantially at right angles to the front scraping edge 1. The body 2 of the scraper has a trapezoidal shape in the region of the scraping edge 1. moving to an elongated handle 3 dimensioned for easy holding. The spray button 4 is visible on the top surface of the body 2, in this embodiment shown as a sliding button movable parallel to the axis of the handle 3. A series of moulded rubber inserts 5 are visible on the upper surface of the handle 3 to give good grip in use.

The rubber blade 6 is visible rearwards of the front scraping edge 1. The body 2 comprises a convex curved portion accommodating a recess 7 into which the spray liquid container, in this embodiment in the form of a pressurised aerosol canister 8, is filled. The canister 8 is shown extending backwards from the recess 7 underneath the handle 3.

The portion at the end of the cylindrical canister is visible, with the body 2 comprising the scraping edge 1 flaring out behind it. The handle is above the canister 8. Some embodiments are adapted to be used with a canister 8 that is slim enough to be encompassed within the user's grip along with the handle 3. In alternative embodiments the canister 8 may be spaced apart from the handle 3 in such a way that the user's fingers may locate between the handle 3 and the canister 8.

The device as seen in Figure 4, may comprise a front scraping edge 1, with two spray nozzles 10 above it, one to each side of the body 2, the spray button 4 above them, and the bottom portion of the canister 8 visible below the front scraping edge.

The handle 3 is clearly shown as a curved, slim form above the canister 8, allowing a user's fingers to be positioned between the handle 3 and the canister 8.

With reference to Figure 7, in this embodiment the spray button 4 comprises a sliding button that moves in use along the body 2 and is linked to a pivoted arm (not shown), mounted on a pivot position provided on the body 2, that causes sliding of the button to push in the nib (not shown) of the aerosol canister 8 so releasing liquid along a fluid pathway, which in this embodiment may comprise a tube 9 linking the nib and the nozzles 10.

The body 2 may be formed as two moulded components that snap together along the axis of the body, for example injection moulded in polypropylene. The rubber blade 6 may be formed from natural rubber or a moulded elastomer and is held in place by the snap fit joining of the main body 2. In an alternative embodiment the rubber blade 6 may be removable from the body 2 in order to be changed. The nozzles 10 may be separately injection moulded and inserted into the body 2. The spray button 4 is preferably injection moulded in polypropylene and slides back and forth in a recess moulded in the body components.

Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) grips 5 are die cut and added to the handle 3 once assembled. Alternatively one or more grips 5 may be co-moulded with each body component. The canister 8 may be similar to existing de-icer products and snap fits to the body 2. Preferably the nozzle mouldings are adapted to be removable from the body 2 to allow for cleaning and may be a push-fit or a hand operable reversible snap fit.

The device is preferably dimensioned to be comfortable to hold in the hand and so in many embodiments will be of similar dimensions to scrapers of the prior art. In a preferred embodiment the overall length of the scraper is in the range 20 to 30 cm, more preferably in the range 25 to 30 cm, for example 28 cm, and the handle is preferably in the range 15 to 20 cm, for example 17 cm. The front scraping edge 1 is preferably in the range 8 to 18 cm, more preferably in the range 10 to 15 cm, or example 13.5 cm. A canister 8 usable with one embodiment is around 3.5 cm diameter and around 15cm long.

In alternative embodiments the body 2 might have anover-moulded TPU grip in the handle region. In an aLternative embodiment, the handle 3 might be oriented substantially parallel to the front scraping edge 1.

In one such embodiment the front scraping edge 1 and the rubber blade 6 are disposed on each side of, and parallel to the handle 3, the scraper having from the side an inverted V-like configuration. In this embodiment, the front scraping edge 1 is provided on the forward moving arm of the V, the rubber blade 6 on the following arm of the V, the handle 3 being located at the apex. The canister 8 then is located within a cylindrical recess forming the inside of the handle 3.

In a second such embodiment both the front scraping edge 1 and the following rubber blade 6 are provided to the leading side of the handle 2. In such embodiments, the canister 8 is housed in a cylindrical recess within the body 2 of the scraper, between the front scraping edge 1 and the handle 3, which in such embodiments may be at the rear of the scraper.

Figures 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention wherein the handle 3 is arcuate so as to be attached to the canister 8 at one end and to the body 2 at the opposite end of the handle 3. In this way the handle 3 provides an arch 30 through which the user's fingers can be arranged about in use so as to grasp the ice scraper.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

Claims

Claims 1. An ice scraper comprising: a body having a proximal end providing a handle and a distal end providing a scraping edge; a rubber blade mounted on the underside of the body and arranged in use to contact a surface behind the scraping edge when the scraping edge is held in contact with the surface; a spray means mounted on the body and arranged in use to spray in front of the scraping edge, in which the spray means comprises a nozzle mounted on the body, a spray button arranged in use to control flow of spray liquid, a spray liquid supply container mounted on the body, a fluid pathway linking the spray liquid supply container to the spray button and the nozzle, and fluid actuation means arranged in use to urge liquid from the spray liquid supply container to the nozzle.
2. An ice scraper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid actuation means comprises pressure and the spray liquid supply container comprises a pressurised container.
3. An ice scraper as claimed in claim 2 wherein the container is an aerosol container comprising a compressed propellant gas and spray cleaning liquid.
4. An ice scraper as claimed in claim I wherein the fluid actuation means comprises a pump means usable to cause liquid to flow from the spray liquid supply container along the fluid pathway.
5. An ice scraper as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fluid actuation means comprises a liquid pump means that pumps liquid from the liquid supply along the fluid pathway.
6. An ice scraper according to any preceding claim wherein the spray liquid supply container is adapted to be detachable from the body and from the fluid pathway.
7. An ice scraper as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the spray liquid supply container is mounted permanently on or forms part of the body and comprises a liquid closure adapted to allow filling of the container.
8. An ice scraper as claimed in claim 2, in which the scraper comprises a pressurised liquid cleaner canister adapted to clip into the body, having an outlet nib and a pressure valve at the outlet adapted to release the liquid contents when the nib is pushed in, a fluidic connection comprising a tube that is a push fit over or into the nib, the spray button comprising means to push the nib in and so to release liquid along the fluid pathway to the nozzle.
9. An ice scraper according to any preceding claim wherein the handle is aligned substantially parallel to the forward to back axis of the scraper.
10.An ice scraper according to any preceding claim wherein the handle is attached at one end.
11. An ice scraper according to any preceding claim wherein the handle is attached at both ends.
12. An ice scraper as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the handle is aligned substantially parallel to the forward scraping edge.
13. An ice scraper substantially as herein described according to any of claims 1- 10 with reference to the figures.AMENDMENTS TO THE CLAIMS HAVE BEEN FILED AS FOLLOWS: Claims 1. An ice scraper comprising: a body having a proximal end providing a handle and a distal end providing a scraping edge; a rubber blade mounted on the underside of the body and arranged in use to contact a surface behind the scraping edge when the scraping edge is held in contact with the surface; a spray means mounted on the body and arranged in use to spray in front of the scraping edge, in which the spray means comprises a nozzle mounted on the body, a spray button arranged in use to control flow of spray liquid, a spray liquid supply container mounted on the body, a fluid pathway linking the spray liquid supply container to the spray button and the nozzle, and fluid actuation means arranged in use to urge liquid from the spray liquid supply container to the nozzle.2. An ice scraper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fluid actuation means comprises pressure and the spray liquid supply container comprises a pressurised container.3. An ice scraper as claimed in claim 2 wherein the container is an aerosol container comprising a compressed propellant gas and spray cleaning liquid.* 4. An ice scraper as claimed in claim 1 wherein the fluid actuation means *". 25 comprises a pump means usable to cause liquid to flow from the spray liquid 4...supply container along the fluid pathway.5. An ice scraper as claimed in claim 4 wherein the fluid actuation means comprises a liquid pump means that pumps liquid from the liquid supply along the fluid pathway.6. An ice scraper according to any preceding claim wherein the spray liquid supply container is adapted to be detachable from the body and from the fluid pathway.7. An ice scraper as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 wherein the spray liquid supply container is mounted permanently on or forms part of the body and comprises a liquid closure adapted to allow filling of the container.8. An ice scraper as claimed in claim 2, in which the pressurised container is adapted to clip into the body and includes an outlet nib and a pressure valve at the outlet nib adapted to release the liquid contents when the outlet nib is pushed in, a fluidic connection comprising a tube that is a push fit over or into the outlet nib forms the fluid pathway and is provided to connect the container to the nozzle and the spray button comprises means to push the outlet nib in and so to release liquid along the fluid pathway to the nozzle.9. An ice scraper according to any preceding claim wherein the handle is aligned substantially parallel to the forward to back axis of the scraper.10. An ice scraper according to any preceding claim wherein the handle is attached at one end.11. An ice scraper according to any preceding claim wherein the handle is attached at both ends.12. An ice scraper as claimed in any of claims 1 to 8 wherein the handle is S...4 aligned substantially parallel to the forward scraping edge.SS.....S13. An ice scraper substantially as herein described according to any preceding claim with reference to the figures. * /5 S. * S..S