US20110099858A1

US20110099858A1 - Vehicle Rooftop Snow and Ice Removal Device and Method

Info

Publication number: US20110099858A1
Application number: US12/916,697
Authority: US
Inventors: Mario Jakus; Troy DePillis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-10-30
Filing date: 2010-11-01
Publication date: 2011-05-05

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a device for removing precipitation from the top of a vehicle. The device is mounted on the top of a vehicle and comprises a blade operatively connected to first and second side rails, the side rails adapted for fixed engagement with an upper portion or top of a vehicle, the blade configured to move along the rails. In this manner, the blade, as it moves along the top of a vehicle, removes the ice, snow, and/or debris on the vehicle. The vehicle may be a truck, trailer, sport utility vehicle (SUV), minivan, van, train, or the like. The blade may be moved along the rails using a configuration of sprockets and chains, cables and pulleys, and/or racks and pinions. The device may be powered by a motor or operated manually.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology relates generally to cleaning a motor vehicle. More specifically, the disclosed technology relates to removal of snow and ice from the top of a motor vehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The accumulation of snow and ice on the top of vehicles can be very dangerous. During winter driving, entire sheets of snow/ice may fly off the roof of a vehicle and smash into a vehicle travelling behind it. Some states, such as New Jersey, require vehicle operators to clear the snow and ice off the roof of their vehicle before driving.
However, removing the snow/ice from larger vehicles is difficult. The bigger the vehicle, the more difficult the undertaking becomes. On sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and vans, drivers typically use shovels to accomplish this task, reaching upwards (if they can) to try and scrape the shovel against the ice and snow to be removed. Some vehicles, such as trucks, tractor trailers, and train cars, may be up to thirteen feet in height and perhaps fifty-three feet in length. While some solutions involve fixing a blade to a lintel of two posts attached to the ground, such systems are expensive and stationary. In many instances, a truck would have to break the law and cause danger to other motorists before reaching such a blade attached to posts in the ground. The alternative is to send a worker to climb on top of a truck in the cold to remove ice and snow with conventional tools. This presents a danger to the worker, if one willing to complete such a task is available, and would send insurance rates skyrocketing.
What is needed in the art is a device and method to remove snow which is more convenient, less expensive, and will not cause danger to human life.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The disclosed technology described herein addresses a need unfulfilled in the prior art by providing a device for removing frozen precipitation from an automobile, truck, van, sport utility vehicle, or tractor trailer.
Accordingly, it is an object of the disclosed technology to provide a device which enables a vehicle user or owner to remove snow, ice, and debris from the top of a vehicle with relative ease.
It is also an object of the disclosed technology to provide a device which automatically removes snow, ice or debris from a vehicle by using a power source.
It is a further object of the disclosed technology to provide a precipitation removal device for a vehicle roof which is aerodynamic, ergonomic, and adds little bulk or height to a vehicle.
Therefore, described herein is a device which employs a sliding plow-like blade to remove snow, ice and debris from the roof/top of a vehicle or trailer.
In an embodiment of the disclosed technology, a scraping device to be used on the top of a vehicle is provided. The scraping device's components include two parallel side rails and a blade/plow (hereinafter “blade”). The blade is connected to the first and second side rails with its cutting end extending towards the top of the vehicle. The blade is operable to move along the side rails to displace snow or ice from the top of the vehicle. In an embodiment of the disclosed technology the blade has at least one wheel mounted to it at the juncture between the blade and the first and second side rails. The wheel is adapted to roll along the side rails. A “vehicle,” for the purposes of this specification, is defined as a car, truck, van, sport utility vehicle, railcar or semi-trailer. Certain embodiments may be specifically designed for use on, for example, a sports utility vehicle or a semi-trailer.
In one embodiment of the disclosed technology the scraping device uses a passive pulley, a drive pulley, and a continuous wire. A “wire,” for the purposes of this specification, includes any length of metal, fibers, rope or the like. The wire is connected to the blade between the passive and drive pulleys to enable movement of the blade.
In an alternative embodiment, the scraping device uses a passive sprocket, a drive sprocket, and a continuous chain. The chain is connected to the blade between the passive and drive sprockets. At least two or more sprockets may be used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. Furthermore, movement of the blade may be triggered by a motor rotating one of the sprockets, causing the chain to move and the blade to slide.
In another embodiment of the disclosed technology, a vehicle precipitation removal device is provided. The device employs a blade operatively connected to a first and a second side rail. The first and second side rails are parallel to each other and are affixed to the top of a vehicle. The device also employs a means for sliding the blade along the first and second side rails. The movement of the blade is relegated to one dimension (i.e., the blade may only move back and forth horizontally).
The means for sliding the blade may be a configuration of a passive pulley, a drive pulley, and a continuous wire. The wire is connected to the blade between the passive and drive pulleys to enable movement of the blade. In further embodiments, the means for sliding the blade may also include a motor to rotate the drive pulley and cause the wire and blade to move. Alternatively, the means for sliding the blade may be a configuration of a passive sprocket, a drive sprocket, and a continuous chain. The chain is connected to the blade between the passive and drive sprockets.
In yet another embodiment of the disclosed technology a device is provided which employs a first and a second side rail, a blade, and a drive mechanism. The first and second side rails are adapted for engagement with the top of a vehicle. The blade is operatively connected to the first and second side rails. A drive mechanism is engaged with the blade, and causes the blade to move in at least two directions to displace precipitation from the top of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the drive mechanism is a configuration of a chain, gears and sprockets. In a second embodiment, the drive mechanism uses a rack and pinion arrangement to move the device.
In one embodiment, the drive mechanism has a worm shaft, a worm gear, a column portion, a sprocket and a chain, the worm gear and sprocket being fixed in parallel to the column portion along the column's axis. The worm shaft drives the device, and is in rotational communication with the worm gear. The chain is connected to the blade and wrapped around the sprocket. Thus, when the worm shaft rotates, the column containing the worm gear and sprocket is caused to be rotated, which translates the rotation to the chain and finally the blade. In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the worm shaft is fixed to a motor or a manually operated crank or pulley system. In a further embodiment, a second worm gear, column portion, sprocket and chain are configured in a similar arrangement, with the second worm gear being in rotational communication with the first worm gear, thereby enabling the drive shaft to cause the first and second worm gears to rotate at the same frequency (in opposite directions).
In a second embodiment, the drive mechanism has a first toothed rack, a second toothed rack, and an axle with a gear and pinions. The first toothed rack is disposed within the first side rail, and the second toothed rack is disposed in the second side rail. The axle is longitudinally disposed within the blade. Each of the ends of the axle is fitted with two pinion gears (a first and a second pinion gear). The pinion gears are in rotational communication with the respective first and second toothed rails. A third gear is fixed about the axle in between, and parallel to, the first and second pinions. The third gear is in rotational communication with a drive pinion. The drive pinion is fixed to a motor which causes it to rotate.
In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the longitudinal cross-section of the blade forms a tractrix shape. Generally, the tractrix blade has a pointed top and concave sloping curved leading edges on one or both sides thereof.
In accordance with these and other objectives which will become apparent hereinafter, the disclosed technology will now be described with particular reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a blade assembly mounted on a trailer in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the top of a vehicle with a blade passing there-over in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 3 shows a close-up of rollers engaged with rails in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 4 is a reverse perspective view of a top of a vehicle with a blade passing there-over in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a drive pulley fixedly attached to a top of a vehicle in an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of a tractrix blade or sled used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a configuration of a blade operatively connected to side rails used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 8 shows a close-up partial cut-away view of a side rail, blade, sprocket and chain assembly used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 9 shows the sprocket and chain assembly of FIG. 8, with the side rail and blade removed.

FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of a vehicle rooftop de-icer used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of a configuration of an assembled vehicle rooftop de-icer with a chain and sprocket arrangement used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic top plan view of a vehicle rooftop de-icer of an embodiment of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 13 shows a close-up perspective view of a chain and sprocket arrangement at the juncture of the blade and a side rail used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 14 shows a close-up perspective view of a chain, sprocket, and worm gear/shaft arrangement used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 15 shows a schematic perspective view of a configuration of an assembled vehicle rooftop de-icer with rack and pinion mechanism used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 16 shows a close-up perspective view of a spur gear drive shaft connection used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

FIG. 17 shows a close-up perspective view of a rack and pinion assembly used in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSED TECHNOLOGY

The technology is a vehicle rooftop de-icer mounted on the top of a vehicle and comprising a blade operatively connected to first and second side rails, the side rails adapted for fixed engagement with an upper portion or top of a vehicle, the blade configured to move along the rails. In this manner, the blade, as it moves along the top of a vehicle, scrapes at or just above the top of the vehicle and removes ice, snow, and/or debris on the vehicle. The vehicle may be a truck, trailer, sport utility vehicle (SUV), minivan, van, train, or the like. While a trailer may possess no independent ability to propel itself, for purposes of this disclosure, it is considered to be part of a vehicle.
Electronic control systems to direct the blade (or sled) to move along the top of a vehicle may be employed, and a switch to control same may be placed within the cabin of a vehicle. The blade or sled may be a tractrix shape blade, which is defined further with reference to FIG. 6. The devices of the disclosed technology, in an embodiment thereof, add no more than 4″ to the height of a vehicle (a 4″ additional clearance).
FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of a blade assembly mounted on a trailer in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. This embodiment shows the device's use on a long semi-trailer 10, with similar dimensions to those trailers used on 18-wheelers. However, it should be noted that the device may be applied to any vehicle. A “vehicle,” for the purposes of this specification, is defined as a car, truck, van, sport utility vehicle, railcar, semi-trailer, or similar vehicle. In a basic embodiment of the disclosed technology, the device uses a blade 100, and two opposing side rails 110, 120. In the embodiment shown, a pulley 130 is employed. A sprocket and chain, or a combination of a sprocket/chain and rope/pulley may also be used. This pulley may be a passive pulley; simply a wire/cable/rope (hereinafter “wire”) wrapped around a fly wheel. A “wire,” for the purposes of this specification, includes any length of fibers, rope, extruded metal, chain or combination thereof. A drive sprocket 150 is shown. A pulley or gear may also be used in place of the drive sprocket 150. Unlike the passive pulley 130, the drive sprocket 150 is powered (i.e., it is coupled to a motor or manually rotated). Manual rotation of the drive sprocket 150 may be by way of a hand crank/lever or a system of pulleys accessible to a user/driver to operate the device. Referring still to FIG. 1, a wire is pictured as forming a continuous circuit between the passive pulley 130 and the drive pulley 150. This configuration will be described in greater detail with respect to FIGS. 2 through 5 below.
FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of the top of a vehicle, with a blade passing there-over in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The blade/sled/plow (the long, thin device extending from the lower left to the upper right in the figure; hereinafter “blade”) is pulled along the top of the vehicle on rails 110, 120 (seen at the bottom left and top right of the figure, in parallel). A “blade,” for the purposes of this specification, may be any long, thin member designed to move, push or scrape matter from a surface. Wire or wires 140, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, pass through or to the blade 100 and may additionally pass around a drive pulley 150 (not shown) and a passive (non-powered) pulley 130. The wire 140 is used to pull the blade 100 backwards and forwards across the top of a vehicle. A stop may be affixed to the wire in order to provide a ‘catch’ for the wire to pull the blade. For example, the wire may pass uninhibited through the blade (without the blade moving) until the portion of the wire with the stop causes the blade to move. The wire 140 may also be fixed to the blade, thus not technically forming a continuous circuit.
Referring still to FIG. 2, the wire 140 is a combination of a length of cable 142 and a length of chain 144. The chain 144 is fixed to the front face of the blade 100, and it runs to and around the drive sprocket (not shown) to eventually connect with the cable 142. The cable 142 runs through the blade 100, around the passive pulley 130, and is fixed to the blade at an opposing point on the face opposite that to which the chain 144 is affixed. The cutout 143 at which the cable passes through the blade is essentially a hole. Thus, the cable 142 is able to freely and frictionlessly pass through the blade 100 as the blade moves backwards and forwards across the top of the vehicle.
FIG. 3 shows a close-up of rollers engaged with rails in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. While the blade 100 may be movably attached to the top of a vehicle by way of any mechanism known in the art (e.g., rollers, frictional housing, magnetism, levers, springs), in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, wheels/rollers 300 are used to attach the blade (top and entire left side in figure) to first and second rails (I-beam shaped at right, bottom of figure). There may be one central rail or two rails, one on each side. Any number of rails may be used and they may be perpendicular, parallel, or adjacent (lined up) to each other to allow for greater functionality or maneuverability of a blade 100. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, rollers 300 are positioned on either lateral side of the rails, as well as above and below a jutting portion of the rail, so as to allow lateral movement of the blade 100, that is, movement towards and away from the viewer in the perspective shown in FIG. 3. The rollers 300 are mounted to the blade at the junction between an end of the blade and a side rail. The rollers 300 enable the blade to have frictionless movement along the side rails. The rollers 300 may also be adapted to be fixedly engaged with the side rails, thereby keeping the blade from becoming disengaged from the rail.
FIG. 4 is a reverse perspective view of a top of a vehicle with a blade passing there-over in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. Here, the blade's attachment to the rail 110 can be seen, as well as its connection with a passive pulley 130, the pulley mounted on an end of a vehicle top. The blade 100 adds the greatest amount of height to the vehicle, while the only overhanging of the sides of the truck is the small additional footprint of the pulley mount. In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the height of the blade 100 is no greater than 4 inches. This allows vehicles such as tractor-trailers to maintain compliance with height restrictions after the device is installed. In some embodiments, no additional overhanging devices are utilized, where the devices are mounted only to the top of the vehicle or extend laterally no further than devices that are already part of the vehicle.
FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a drive pulley/sprocket fixedly attached to the top of a vehicle in an embodiment of the disclosed technology. The sprocket 150 may be crank-operated, manually operated, or may be connected to a motor 160 as shown in FIG. 5. The motor 160 may cause the sprocket to turn either clockwise or counterclockwise, depending on whether the blade is moving towards or away from the sprocket (to the rear or to the front of the vehicle). Limit switches, hard stops (e.g., like a doorstop), or the end of a chain 144 may be reached to indicate when the end of a chain has been reached, and the blade should be pulled back in the other direction or be allowed to rest in the position it is in. In this embodiment the use of a drive sprocket 150 with teeth prevents slippage in wet or icy conditions and is preferred to a plain pulley.
FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of a tractrix blade or sled used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. A blade of any shape may be used, including an angled blade with a leading edge on only one side, a straight blade (90 degree angle from direction of movement). In the embodiments shown in the figures, a tractrix blade is used. It may be a blade of any shape which appears recognizable as a tractrix, that is, relative to the top of the truck, having a pointed top and outwardly sloping curved leading edges 610, 620 on either side thereof, or has a cross-section which is a tractrix. The blade may be pulled in either direction without reorientation of the blade, yet a curved blade surface is used each way. This allows the blade to get under, and remove the ice or snow on, a roof of a vehicle. This also allows the blade to remove snow and ice regardless of the direction in which it is moving. For example, if there is a significant accumulation of snow on a surface, several passes of the blade may be required, and the two-sided blade functions when the blade is moving in either direction.
Tractrix is defined as having a constant distance from a point P on a curve to the intersection of the y-axis and the tangent line at P. The tractrix might be regarded in a multitude of ways. 1. It is the geometric place of the center of a hyperbolic spiral rolling (without skidding) on a straight line. 2. The evolvent of the function is described by a fully flexible, inelastic, homogeneous string attached to two points and subjected to a gravitational field. It has the equation: y(x)=ach(x/a) (note: the evolvent of the function has a perpendicular tangent to the tangent of the original function for the same x-coordinate considered). 3. The trajectory determined by the middle of the back axle of a car pulled by a rope at a constant speed and with a constant direction (initially perpendicular to the vehicle). The function admits a horizontal asymptote. The curve is symmetrical to O_y. The curvature radius is r=actg(x/y).
It should be understood that the exact dimensions of the devices of the disclosed technology will vary with the rooftop of the vehicle. It may be designed for a rooftop of an SUV (approximately 6 foot long by 4 foot wide) up to a 53 foot by 8 foot tractor trailer. The rail may be produced from steel, aluminum, or other metal, or even a hard plastic. In one embodiment, the rail is 2 inches by 2 inches, with a 1 inch by 1 inch inwardly jutting rail.
FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of a configuration of a blade operatively connected to side rails used in an additional embodiment of the disclosed technology. In this embodiment, chains and sprockets (not shown) are used to move the blade 700 along the side rails 710, 720. The chains and sprockets are disposed within the blade 700 and side rails 710, 720 in order to protect them from the elements and prevent their freezing or rusting. Furthermore, by hiding the chains and sprockets, the scraping device is more aesthetically pleasing and looks like any other roof rack or safari rack which may come factory-installed on a sport-utility vehicle, van, or truck. The side rails 710 and 720 may be adapted so that they can be bolted, screwed, or welded onto the roof of a vehicle. Furthermore, the side rails 710 and 720 may also be adapted so that they can be retrofitted to an existing roof-rack on a vehicle, such that the installation of the scraper devices does not cause any alteration to the vehicle or require any drilling or soldering. A better understanding of the movement mechanism of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 will be gained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 below
FIG. 8 shows a close-up partial cut-away view of a side rail, blade, sprocket and chain assembly used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The dynamics of the embodiment shown in FIG. 7 become clearer with reference to FIG. 8. In this embodiment, a system of chains/sprockets and wires/pulleys is employed to enable motion of the blade along the side rails. Like the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the wire is composed of both a length of chain 744 and a length of cable 742. The drive sprocket 750 is disposed below the top of the vehicle and may be stored within the cabin of the trailer/vehicle or on its outside. In the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the drive sprocket 750 is coupled to a motor 760 which provides power to turn the sprocket to operate the device. This embodiment may also alternatively employ a manual control, such as a pulley/rope system or hand crank. If stored within the cabin, the drive sprocket 750 and motor 760 are not visible from the outside of the vehicle. Therefore, the scraper assembly will not add any unsightly bulk or machinery to the exterior of the vehicle. The wire forms a continuous circuit and runs throughout the side rail 710, the blade 700 and beneath the surface of the vehicle's roof. When the drive sprocket 750 is rotated, either clockwise or counterclockwise, the chain 744 moves, thereby moving the blade 700 back or forth along the side rails.
FIG. 9 shows the sprocket and chain assembly of FIG. 8, with the side rail and blade removed. From this view, the circuitry of the chain and rope is better understood. In this embodiment, the cable 742 is shown to be running through the side rail and into the blade. The blade 700 employs the use of wheels/rollers 770 at its ends, in order to slide without friction along the side rail 710. The wheels 770 are disposed within the outer tubing of the side rail 710, in order prevent debris and precipitation from interfering with the movement of the blade 700. Furthermore, this configuration restricts the blades movement to one dimension and prevents the edges of the blade from becoming disengaged from the side rail 710. Although the example shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 is of the first side rail 710, it should be understood that the same configuration and arrangement may also be employed with respect to the second side rail 720 (not shown).
FIG. 10 shows a top plan view of a vehicle rooftop de-icer used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. This shows an overview of the embodiment of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 of the disclosed technology. The configuration of the chains 744 and cables 742 with regard to the blade 700 is better understood from this perspective. The path that the blade takes along the side rails is also better understood with reference to FIG. 10. The example shown in FIG. 10 shows a motor 760 to operate the blade. It should be understood that, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, a second motor (not shown) may also be employed in the same manner beneath the second side rail.
FIG. 11 shows a schematic perspective view of a configuration of an assembled vehicle rooftop de-icer with chain and sprocket arrangement used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. In this embodiment the drive sprocket and/or motor are disposed within the blade. This embodiment allows the assembly to be installed on top of a vehicle without requiring the installation of a motor within the vehicle's cabin and without the running of a chain throughout the cabin. Therefore, the motor moves along with the blade 1100 traveling the blade's path of travel between the side rails 1110, 1120.
FIG. 12 shows a schematic top plan view of a vehicle rooftop de-icer shown in FIG. 11. In this embodiment, there are two separate lengths of chain 1141 and 1142. The two chains are of the same or similar dimensions and appear to be arranged like symmetric mirror-images of each other when viewed from overhead. The chains do not form a continuous circuit and are instead fixed at the ends of the side rails. The blade 1100 propels itself along the side rails 1110, 1120 by displacing the chains 1141, 1142 with drive sprockets. The arrangements of the chains in this embodiment enable the blade 1100 to move easily in either direction. Furthermore, the chains 1141, 1142 are not exposed in this embodiment. The arrangement of the sprockets and chains ensures that the chains do not encounter any precipitation or debris that would inhibit their operation.
FIG. 13 shows a close-up perspective view of a chain and sprocket arrangement at the juncture of the blade and a side rail used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The chain 1141 used in this embodiment has a design similar to that of a standard bicycle chain. This arrangement prevents slippage and provides greater strength and durability. Furthermore, in this embodiment the chain 1141 does not move along a circuit; instead, the blade 1100 moves along the chain.
FIG. 14 shows a close-up perspective view of a chain, sprocket, and worm gear/shaft arrangement used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. The mechanism which drives the blade is better understood by this view. The motor 1160 and all of the parts shown are fixed within the blade itself and thus protected from exposure. In this embodiment, instead of a drive sprocket or pulley, a worm shaft 1163 is coupled to a motor 1160. The worm shaft 1163 is in rotational communication with a first worm gear 1161. The first worm gear 1161 is in rotational communication with a second gear 1162 of equal size and proportion. Along the same vertical axis of the first and second worm gears are first and second sprockets (1151 and 1152). The sprockets are also equal in dimension, and each is engaged with a portion of chain. The first sprocket 1151 is in rotational communication with the second chain 1142. The second sprocket 1152 is in rotational communication with the first chain 1141. The rotation of the worm shaft 1163 by the motor 1160 translates through the worm gears to the sprockets and causes the whole blade assembly to move in either direction along the track created by the two side rails. This arrangement ensures that the two ends of the blade move in conjunction with one another, because both chains are being propelled by the same worm shaft 1163 at the same time. The blade continues to move along the side rails until it reaches either end of the rails, at which point the blade will hit a stop which will prevent the blade from sliding any further.
FIG. 15 shows a schematic perspective view of a configuration of an assembled vehicle rooftop de-icer with rack and pinion mechanism used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. In this embodiment, instead of a flexible chain, a rigid rack-and-pinion assembly is employed. This embodiment may be preferable when the environment requires greater strength than that provided by a chain and sprocket. Furthermore, this embodiment may be suitable for an off-road vehicle which is subject to greater shock that could cause a chain to become disengaged from one or more of the sprockets. A first toothed rack 1541 is provided within the first side rail 1510. A second toothed rack 1542 is provided within the second side rail 1520. In this embodiment, the motor 1560 is disposed within the blade 1500. The embodiment of FIG. 15 will be described in greater detail in the references to FIGS. 16 and 17 below.
FIG. 16 shows a close up perspective view of a spur gear drive shaft connection used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. An axle 1550 is longitudinally disposed within the blade 1510. A first pinion gear 1551 (see FIG. 17) is fitted at one end of the axle 1550, and a second pinion gear 1552 (not shown) is fitted at the other. A third gear 1535 is fixed about the axle 1550 in between, and parallel to, the first and second pinions. The third gear 1535 is in rotational communication with a drive pinion 1530. The drive pinion 1530 is fixed to a motor 1560 which causes it to rotate, and in turn causes the third gear 1535 and axle 1550 to rotate.
FIG. 17 shows a close up perspective view of a rack-and-pinion assembly used in embodiments of the disclosed technology. This view shows one end of the axle 1550 which is contained within the length of the blade 1500. A first pinion gear 1551 is fixed at one end of the axle. The pinions are parallel to the third gear 1535 (See FIG. 16) affixed near the center of the axle 1550. A first toothed rack 1541 is disposed within the first side rail 1510, and a second toothed rack 1542 is disposed within the second side rail 1520. The pinion gears 1551 and 1552 are in rotational communication with the respective first and second toothed rails 1541 and 1542. The toothed racks are disposed within the exterior tubing of the side rails to protect them from exposure. The racks are also arranged such that their ‘teeth’ protrude downward, thus preventing debris from coming to rest within the recesses of the rack. Guide wheels 1570 are also provided at the ends of the blade 1500. The guide wheels 1570 operate to keep the blade 1500 on track within the side rails and to hold the pinion against the rack at each side rail. Each rack runs the length of each side rail. The blade 1500 is propelled by the rotation of the third gear 1535 caused by the drive pinion 1530. This causes the axle 1550 to rotate and the pinions to ‘crawl’ along their respective racks in each side rail. Stops (not shown) at the ends of the racks cause the blade to stop at the ends of the rails.
While the disclosed technology has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes can be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the disclosed technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods, systems, and devices described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the disclosed technology.

Claims

1. A scraping device comprising:

parallel first and second side rails adapted for fixed engagement with a top of a vehicle;

a blade operatively connected to said first and second side rails, wherein a cutting end of said blade extends towards said top of said vehicle; and

said blade is operable to move along said first and second side rails and displace precipitation on said top of said vehicle.

2. The scraping device of claim 1, wherein said blade further comprises at least one wheel mounted to said blade at a juncture between said blade and said first and second side rails, said wheel adapted to roll along said first and second side rails.

3. The scraping device of claim 2, further comprising:

a passive pulley;

a drive pulley; and

a continuous wire, said wire connected to said blade between said passive pulley and said drive pulley.

4. The scraping device of claim 2, further comprising:

a passive sprocket;

a drive sprocket; and

a continuous chain, said chain connected to said blade between said passive sprocket and said drive sprocket.

5. The scraping device of claim 1, wherein said blade moves via a chain and at least two sprockets.

6. The scraping device of claim 5, wherein movement of said blade is caused by a motor rotating a said sprocket.

7. The scraping device of claim 1, wherein a cross-section of said blade is a tractrix shape.

8. The scraping device of claim 1, wherein said first and second side rails are adapted for fixed engagement with a semi-trailer.

9. The scraping device of claim 4, wherein said first and second side rails are adapted for fixed engagement with a roof of a sports utility vehicle.

10. A vehicle precipitation removal device, said device comprising:

a blade operatively connected to a first and a second side rail, said first and second side rails being parallel to each other and affixed to the top of a vehicle; and

a means for sliding said blade along said first and second side rails, wherein said sliding is relegated to movement in one dimension.

11. The vehicle precipitation removal device of claim 10, wherein said means for sliding said blade comprises:

a passive pulley;

a drive pulley; and

12. The vehicle precipitation removal device of claim 11, wherein said means for sliding said blade further comprises a motor operable to rotate said drive pulley to cause said wire to move and said blade to slide.

13. The vehicle precipitation removal device of claim 10, wherein said means for sliding said blade comprises:

a passive sprocket;

a drive sprocket; and

14. The vehicle precipitation removal device of claim 10, wherein a cross-section of said blade is a tractrix shape.

15. The vehicle precipitation removal device of claim 10, wherein said first and second side rails are adapted for fixed engagement with a semi-trailer.

16. A device comprising:

a first and a second side rail adapted for engagement with a top of a vehicle;

a blade operatively connected to said first and second side rails;

a drive mechanism engaged with said blade; and

said blade operable to move in at least two directions to displace precipitation on said top of said vehicle by way of said drive mechanism.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said drive mechanism further comprises a worm shaft, said worm shaft in rotational communication with a worm gear;

said worm gear affixed to a column portion having a column axis;

said column portion further comprising a sprocket disposed along said column axis in parallel with said worm gear;

said sprocket in rotational communication with a chain operable to move said blade along said side rails.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein said drive mechanism further comprises:

a second worm gear in rotational communication with said first worm gear;

said second worm gear affixed to a second column portion having a second column axis;

said second column portion further comprising a second sprocket disposed along said second column axis in parallel with said second worm gear; and

said second sprocket in rotational communication with a second chain operable to move said blade along said side rails.

19. The device of claim 16, wherein said drive mechanism comprises:

a first and a second toothed rack longitudinally disposed within said first and second side rails;

an axle longitudinally disposed within said blade, said axle comprising a first and a second pinion gear in rotational communication with said first and second toothed racks;

said axle further comprising a third gear; and

said drive mechanism further comprising a drive pinion, said drive pinion in rotational communication with said third gear.

20. The device of claim 16, wherein said first and second side rails are adapted for fixed engagement with a roof of a sport utility vehicle.