FLEXIBLE WING APPARATUS AND METHOD

Abstract

Disclosed is a wing apparatus for snow removal to remove snow and ice debris from an ice rink area delimited by boards without damaging the boards. The wing apparatus includes a first end configured for attaching the wing to the snow removal machine; a second end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and a portion there between for receiving and directing the snow and ice debris towards the snow removal machine. Several mechanisms are disclosed to adapt the wing to be flexible to different operating ranges from the boards without damaging the boards.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the first application filed for the present application.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application relates to the field of snow removal and, more particularly, to the field of snow removal from surfaces bound by walls or boards, such as outdoor or indoor skating rinks in general, and to a flexible wing apparatus and method, in particular.

BACKGROUND OF THE APPLICATION

It is common practice to remove snow from ice skating rinks using snow shovels, snow blowers or the more frequent use of tractors with snow ploughs at the front or rear. The shovel and the snow blower are methods that may require a lot of effort and time. A tractor or pick-up truck with a snow plough facilitates the task. Although a tractor or pick-up truck with a snow plough facilitates the task, however, lest the boards be damaged, the snow plough is kept away leaving snow and ice residues on the edge of the boards especially in the curves or an ice rink built in angled panels. Once frozen, these residues may present an obstacle and a risk of injury to players and skaters so they may be removed with shovels or brooms, thereby increasing the duration of snow removal and operating costs.

SUMMARY

It would be advantageous to provide a solution that reduces the duration of the snow and ice removal of an ice rink. It would also be advantageous to provide a solution that reduces the operating cost of the snow and ice removal of an ice rink. It would further be advantageous to provide a solution that does not damage the boards of the ice rink.

According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a wing apparatus suitable for cooperation with a snow removal machine operating to remove snow from an ice rink area delimited by boards without damaging the boards. The wing apparatus includes: (a) a first end configured for attaching the wing to the snow removal machine; (b) a second end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and (c) a portion there between for receiving and directing the snow towards the snow removal machine. This prevents damage to the boards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation of the at least one bearing roller to protect the boards of the ice rink against friction of the wing, while enabling the snow removal machine to remove snow. In some embodiments, the wing includes a mechanism in the portion of the wing apparatus between the first end and the second end, thereby delimiting: (i) a stationary wing portion between the first end and the mechanism; and (ii) a movable wing portion between the mechanism and the second end, the movable wing portion movable relative to the stationary wing portion by action of the mechanism. In some embodiments, the wing apparatus mechanism operates on the movable wing portion so as to bias the movable wing portion against the board such that the bearing roller maintains contact with the boards over a predetermined range of motion of the snow removal machine relative to the boards. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes: (a) a hinge linking the stationary wing portion to the movable wing portion; and (b) a tension spring biasing the hinge in an open position. This biases the bearing roller towards the boards over a predetermined range of angle between the movable wing portion and the stationary wing portion. In some embodiments, the hinge further comprises a removable pin, thereby enabling the movable wing portion to be releasably attached to the stationary wing portion when the pin is inserted into the hinge, and the movable wing portion to be detached from the stationary wing portion when the pin is removed from the hinge. In some embodiments, the hinge and tension spring are provided by a living hinge. In some embodiments, the wing includes at least one of a supporting roller, roller support, flange, scraping blade, bottom support plate, bottom support bracket, guide plate, access hole, reinforcing angle, support plate, spring hook, spring slide, wheel, wheel support, and rear reinforcing angle. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes: (a) a sliding engagement between the movable wing portion and the sliding wing portion such that the movable wing portion can slide relative to the stationary wing portion; (b) a compression spring biasing the sliding engagement in an extended position. In some embodiments, the bearing roller towards the boards over a predetermined range of distance between the movable wing portion and the stationary wing portion. In some embodiments, the mechanism includes a stop block to dictate the maximum opening of the hinge, leaving the retraction mobility free of a forward angle. In some embodiments, the wing is in a forward angle position, the entire snow removal machine and wing combination is J-shaped, which facilitates the removal of snow or other materials without spilling out towards the end of the snow removal machine.

According to another aspect, there is provided a wing apparatus suitable for cooperation with a surface material removal machine operating to remove surface material from an area delimited by boards without damaging the boards. The wing apparatus includes: (a) a first end configured for attaching the wing to the removal machine; (b) a second end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and (c) a portion there between for receiving and directing the matter towards the removal machine. This prevents damage to the boards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation of the at least one bearing roller while enabling the removal machine to remove the material.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of operating a snow removal machine to remove snow from an ice rink area delimited by boards without damaging the boards. The method includes the steps of: (a) providing a wing apparatus comprising: (i) a first end configured for attaching the wing to the snow removal machine; (ii) a second end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and (iii) a portion there between for receiving and directing the snow and ice debris towards the snow removal machine; (b) if the snow removal machine is below a predetermined distance from the boards, operating the snow removal machine so that the bearing roller rolls on the boards; and (c) if the snow removal machine is above the predetermined distance from the boards, operating the snow removal machine so that the bearing roller does not roll on the boards. This prevents damage to the boards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation of the at least one bearing roller to protect the boards of the ice rink against friction of the wing, while enabling the snow removal machine to remove snow.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method of operating a surface material removal machine to remove surface material from an area delimited by boards without damaging the boards, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a wing apparatus comprising: (i) a first end configured for attaching the wing to the surface material removal machine; (ii) a second end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and (iii) a portion there between for receiving and directing the surface material towards the surface material removal machine; (b) if the surface material removal machine is below a predetermined distance from the boards, operating the surface materials removal machine so that the bearing roller rolls on the boards; and (c) if the surface material removal machine is above the predetermined distance from the boards, operating the surface material removal machine so that the bearing roller does not roll on the boards. This prevents damage to the boards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation of the at least one bearing roller to protect the boards of the ice rink against friction of the wing, while enabling the surface materials removal machine to remove surface materials.

Other aspects and features of the present application will become apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of specific embodiments of a flexible wing apparatus and method in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present application will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a wing provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 1A is an enlarged detail view of the roller feature of the wing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 1 cooperating with a snow blower;

FIG. 5 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 1 cooperating with the snow blower of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a front view of a wing provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a top view of an ice skating rink;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the ice skating rink of FIG. 9 covered in snow;

FIG. 11 is a top view of a first example operating path for clearing the ice skating rink covered in snow of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the rink and remaining snow after using the first example operating path for clearing some of the snow on the ice skating rink of FIG. 10;

FIG. 13 is a second example operating path for clearing the remaining snow on the ice skating rink of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a top detail view of a third example operating path in the upper left corner of the ice skating rink and remaining snow of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 15 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method of using a wing apparatus;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method of using a wing apparatus;

FIG. 17 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a wing;

FIG. 18 is a top view of an alternative ice skating rink;

FIG. 19 is a top view of the alternative ice skating rink of FIG. 18 covered in snow;

FIG. 20 is a top view of a first example operating path for clearing the alternative ice skating rink covered in snow of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a top view of the alternative rink and remaining snow after using the first example operating path for clearing some of the snow on the ice skating rink of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a second example operating path for clearing the remaining snow on the alternative ice skating rink of FIG. 20; and

FIG. 23 is a top detail view of a third example operating path in the upper left corner of the alternative ice skating rink and remaining snow of FIG. 20.

Like reference numerals are used in different figures to denote similar elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This application teaches snow removal improvements specifically for outdoor or indoor skating rinks while protecting the boards against any damage that may be caused by the metal portions of a snow plough. The improvements are applicable to the practice of removing snow or other surface material from outdoor or indoor skating rinks using snow shovels, snow blowers or the more frequent use of tractors with snow ploughs at the front or rear. Since the shovel and the snow blower are methods that require a lot of effort and time, a tractor or pick-up truck with a snow plough facilitates the task. While avoiding damaging the boards, a snow plough is enabled to get at the snow close to the board without leaving snow and ice residues on the edge of the boards, which may be especially useful in the curves of an ice rink, or an ice rink built using angled panels. These residues, which typically freeze, may no longer be present as obstacles and a risk of injury to players, skaters, workers or property because they have been addressed without the need for shovels or brooms and without damaging property. The duration and operating costs may be reduced by using embodiments of the application attached to a snow plough. The snow removal operation may be about three times faster including the removal of residues along the edge of the boards. An embodiment of a wing, for example, installed on the left may make it possible to go faster with the snow plough and to collect all the discharge on the right leaving the left side immaculate. An operator may no longer have the task of shovelling around the edge of the rinks, except for a small portion at the entrance of the ice rink when a snow plough comes out. In some embodiments, the wing has a pivoting section retained by a spring and provided with bearing rollers at the end so as to keep the pivoting section accommodating the strip while minimizing the damage that may be inflicted by a fixed wing or no wing at all.

Disclosed herein is a two-part wing attached to the left or right of a snowplough used on vehicles such as pickup trucks and tractors for the purpose of moving or blowing snow or other surface material from an outdoor or indoor skating rink. The wing of the snowplough has two main components, one of which is fixed to the snow plough and the other is able to pivot at the end of the fixed component by means of a hinge. A spring connects the two components of the wing ensuring the maximum opening of the wing dictated by a stop block, leaving the retraction mobility free of a forward angle. When the snowplough wing is in a forward angle position, the entire snowplough is J-shaped, which facilitates the removal of snow or other materials without spilling out towards the end of the snow plough. The swivel component of the wing is equipped with a rubber or plastic roller to protect the boards of an ice rink against friction of the wing.

Referring to the drawings showing a first embodiment, FIG. 1 is a front view of a wing provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 1A which is an enlarged detail view of the roller feature of the wing of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 1 cooperating with a snow scoop 300 of a snow blower, a form of snow removal machine 310, another example of which is a snow plough. FIG. 5 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 1 cooperating with the snow blower of FIG. 4. The following elements are shown in FIGS. 1-5: stationary wing portion 10, pin 20, movable wing portion 30, supporting roller 40, roller support 50, bearing roller 60, flange 70, hinge 80, scraping blade 90, bottom support plate 100, bottom support bracket 110, guide plate 120, access hole 130, reinforcing angle 140, support plate 150, spring hook 160, spring slide 170, tension spring 180, wheel 190, wheel support 200, and rear reinforcing angle 210.

Referring to the drawings showing a second embodiment, FIG. 6 is a front view of a wing provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. FIG. 7 is a top view of the wing of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a left view of the wing of FIG. 6. The following elements are shown in FIGS. 6-8: stationary wing portion 10, pin 20, movable wing portion 30, roller support 50, bearing roller 60, flange 70, hinge 80, scraping blade 90, bottom support plate 100, bottom support bracket 110, guide plate 120, access hole 130, reinforcing angle 140, support plate 150, spring hook 160, spring slide 170, tension spring 180, wheel 190, wheel support 200, and rear reinforcing angle 210.

Operationally, the stationary wing portion 10, remains substantially stationary with respect to the snow removal machine 310 that the wing is attached to, while the movable wing portion 30 is substantially movable with respect to the snow removal machine 310 that the wing is attached to, the result being a flexible wing made up of these two portions. The bottom support bracket 110 is provided on the snow removal machine 310, whereas the guide plate 120, and access hole 130 on one hand, and the bottom support plate 100 on the other hand are provided on the stationary wing portion 10 so as to adapt the stationary wing portion 10 of the wing to different snow removal machine 310 and to maintain the stationary wing portion 10 substantially stationary at a given angle with respect to the front of snow removal machine 310. The reinforcing angle 140 and support plate 150 provided on the stationary wing portion 10 further improve this stationary given angle functionality.

The scraping blade 90 serves two functions: first, as its name implies, it scrapes the rink; second it extends the reach of the stationary wing portion 10 so as to position the bottom support plate 100 to connect with the bottom support bracket 110 on the snow removal machine 310. In order to attach the stationary wing portion 10 to a snow removal machine 310, the bottom support bracket 110 is provided to be attached to the bottom of the snow removal machine 310. The stationary wing portion 10 includes the support plate 150 and the reinforcing angle 140 at the rear, the scraping blade 90 welded underneath, the bottom support plate 100 at the other end of the scraping blade 90, and is terminated by one half of the hinge 80.

The guide plate 120, including the reinforcing angle 140, is bolted to the support plate 150 at the rear of the stationary wing portion 10. The bottom support bracket 110 is attached to the front of the snow removal machine 310. The support pieces (bottom support plate 100, bottom support bracket 110, reinforcing angle 140 and support plate 150) are perforated to receive bolts. The stationary wing portion 10 is then itself stabilized by using bolts and threaded nuts (not shown) retaining the support parts (bottom support plate 100 and bottom support bracket 110). An access hole 130 allows access to the fixing bolt (through reinforcing angle 140 and support plate 150) with the snow removal machine 310 when the guide plate 120 is inserted on the side of the snow removal machine 310. The support parts (bottom support plate 100 and bottom support bracket 110) and the assembly including (reinforcing angle 140 and support plate 150) may be modified for securing to any other kind or model of snow removal machine 310.

The movable wing portion 30 is provided with a hinged end (the other half of hinge 80) at one end of the flange 70. The Flange 70 also provides the scraping functionality for movable wing portion 30 that is equivalent to the scraping blade 90 of the stationary wing portion 10. The flange 70 is integral to and provided on the bottom of the movable wing portion 30, whereas the scraping blade 90 is welded onto the stationary wing portion 10. The movable wing portion 30 includes three roller support 50, three pair of supporting roller 40 and three bearing roller 60 held by bolts and nuts, as illustrated in the enlargement FIG. 1A.

The stationary wing portion 10 and the movable wing portion 30 are then connected by the hinged ends which when brought together form the hinge 80 and retained by a pin 20. The rear of the assembly includes a rear reinforcing angle 210 welded to the movable wing portion 30, wheel support 200, wheel 190, spring slide 170, two spring hook 160, one for each of the stationary wing portion 10 and movable wing portion 30, and tension spring 180. Spring slide 170 and wheel support 200 are welded to the movable wing portion 30. The two spring hook 160, spring slide 170 and tension spring 180 operate to bias the movable wing portion 30 open away from the snow removal machine 310.

FIG. 9 is a top view of an ice skating rink. The ice rink 400 is surrounded by boards, including a number of straight board 410 and corner board 420.

FIG. 10 is a top view of the ice skating rink of FIG. 10 covered in snow. Snow cover 500 covers ice rink 400 such that portions of snow cover 500 are adjacent to straight board 410 and corner board 420.

FIG. 11 is a top view of a first example operating path for clearing the hockey rink covered in snow of FIG. 10. A first path 510 for operating a snow removal device that is sufficiently far away from boards including straight board 410 and corner board 420 is illustrated.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the of the ice skating and remaining snow after using the first example operating path for clearing most of the snow on the hockey rink of FIG. 10. After the central portion of the now cover is removed, a remaining portion of board snow 520 remains against the boards including straight board 410 and corner board 420.

FIG. 13 is a view of a second example operating path for clearing the remaining snow on the an ice skating rink of FIG. 12. A second path 530 for operating a snow removal device that is close enough to boards including straight board 410 or corner board 420 to remove the board snow 520 is illustrated.

FIG. 14 is a top detail view of a third example operating path in the upper left corner of the ice skating rink and remaining snow of FIG. 12. A third path 540 for operating a snow removal machine that is close enough to boards including straight board 410 or corner board 420 to remove the board snow 520 is illustrated. As illustrated a snow removal machine 310 begins with the movable wing at an angle alpha with respect to the fixed wing. When the bearing roller 60 on the movable wing comes into contact with the boards, such as straight board 410 or corner board 420, advantageously the bearing roller 60 rolls against the boards thereby avoiding any damage to the boards. Further advantageously, the movable wing moves to vary the angle alpha so as to accommodate a variable distance of operating the snow removable wing from the boards without damage to the boards.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart 600 view of an embodiment of a method of using a wing apparatus. The flowchart 600 begins at a step whereat one would ‘attach wing’ 610 to a snow removal machine. At a ‘Near boards?’ 620 step, depending on whether the snow removal machine is operating sufficiently far away or close enough to boards, then the step of ‘operate normally’ 630 (of the snow removal machine) or the step of ‘operate rolling on boards’ 650 (of the snow removal machine) occurs. At the ‘operate normally’ 630 step, a portion of the snow cover 500 that is sufficiently far away from the boards is removed. At the ‘operate rolling on boards’ 650 step, a portion of the board snow 520 is removed with the bearing roller 60 rolling on boards. At step ‘remove snow without board damage’ 640, a portion of the snow cover 500 is removed without any damage to the boards, including straight board 410 and corner board 420.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart view of an embodiment of a method of using a wing apparatus. The flowchart 700 begins at a step whereat one would ‘attach wing’ 610 to a snow removal machine. At a ‘Near boards?’ 620 step, depending on whether the snow removal machine is operating sufficiently far away or close enough to boards, then the step of ‘operate normally’ 630 (of the snow removal machine) or the step of ‘operate rolling on boards’ 650 (of the snow removal machine) occurs. At the ‘operate normally’ 630 step, a portion of the snow cover 500 that is sufficiently far away from the boards is removed. At the ‘operate rolling on boards’ 650 step, a portion of the board snow 520 is removed with the bearing roller 60 rolling on boards. At step ‘Within range of boards?’ 652, the snow removal machine either is within a predetermined range of the boards that maintains the bearing roller 60 in contact with the boards, or not. If still in contact with the boards, then at ‘Movable wing adjusts’ step, the movable wing moves to keep the bearing roller 60 in contact with the boards. At step ‘remove snow without board damage’ 640, a portion of the snow cover 500 is removed without any damage to the boards, including straight board 410 and corner board 420.

FIG. 17 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a wing. Instead of having a hinge, a sliding engagement 187 and a compression spring 185 is used to attach the movable wing portion 30 to the stationary wing portion 10. When the bearing roller 60 contacts the boards 410, any further movement of the snow removal machine 310 towards the boards 410 causes the movable wing portion 30 to telescope over the stationary wing portion 10. The bearing roller 60 remains in contact with the boards due to the biasing action of the compression spring 185, which operates over a predetermined range between D1 and D2 of distance from the boards 410.

FIG. 18 is a top view of an alternative ice skating rink. The ice rink 400 is surrounded by boards, including a number of straight board 410 and 45 degree corner board 445, which as illustrated in this case is a 45 degree corner instead of the round corner board 420.

FIG. 19 is a top view of the alternative ice skating rink of FIG. 10 covered in snow. Snow cover 500 covers ice rink 400 such that portions of snow cover 500 are adjacent to straight board 410 and 45 degree corner board 445.

FIG. 20 is a top view of a first example operating path for clearing the alternative hockey rink covered in snow of FIG. 10. A first path 510 for operating a snow removal device that is sufficiently far away from boards including straight board 410 and 45 degree corner board 445 is illustrated.

FIG. 21 is a top view of the of the alternative ice skating and remaining snow after using the first example operating path for clearing most of the snow on the hockey rink of FIG. 20. After the central portion of the now cover is removed, a remaining portion of board snow 520 remains against the boards including straight board 410 and 45 degree corner board 445.

FIG. 22 is a view of a second example operating path for clearing the remaining snow on the alternative ice skating rink of FIG. 21. A second path 530 for operating a snow removal device that is close enough to boards including straight board 410 or 45 degree corner board 445 to remove the board snow 520 is illustrated.

FIG. 23 is a top detail view of a third example operating path in the upper left corner of the ice skating rink and remaining snow of FIG. 21. A third path 540 for operating a snow removal machine that is close enough to boards including straight board 410 or 45 degree corner board 445 to remove the board snow 520 is illustrated. As illustrated a snow removal machine 310 begins with the movable wing at an angle alpha with respect to the fixed wing. When the bearing roller 60 on the movable wing comes into contact with the boards, such as straight board 410 or 45 degree corner board 445, advantageously the bearing roller 60 rolls against the boards thereby avoiding any damage to the boards. Further advantageously, the movable wing moves to vary the angle alpha so as to accommodate a variable distance of operating the snow removable wing from the boards without damage to the boards.

Although not expressly shown in the drawings, the movable wing portion and the stationary wing portion can be provided in an integral part that has an integral mechanism, such as a living hinge, between the two portions.

Although not expressly shown in the drawings, other designs are envisaged as a function of the shape and dimensions of different models of snow removing machines. For example, instead of the mechanism joining the stationary portion of the wing to the movable portion of the wing, it is envisaged and therefore within the scope of the application, that another mechanism be used, such as for example a resilient rubber piece that joins the two portions of the wings so long as the movable wing portion can move relative to the stationary portion of the wing. Another alternative envisaged is to form the flexible wing using a plastic material featuring an integral hinge at the juncture between the movable wing portion and the stationary wing portion. Yet another alternative is the use of a telescoping mechanism instead of a rotating mechanism whereby the movable wing slides behind the stationary wing instead of rotating, such that what is meant by flexible wing as used in this description and the accompanying claims, is that the wing is forgiving with respect to the contact of the wing with the boards so as not to damage them.

It is also envisaged that, although snow removal from an ice rink is the first application of the technology disclosed herein, the flexible wing apparatus and method could be used to scoop any residue that amasses near an edge where a substantially horizontal rink-like surface and a substantially vertical board-like surface meet, such as for example, but not limited to, soil, gravel, sand, salt, or any other loose substance, without damaging the walls of the container from which it is being scooped.

The above-described embodiments of the present application are intended to be examples only. Those of skill in the art may effect alterations, modifications and variations to the particular embodiments without departing from the scope of the application, which is set forth in the claims

Claims

1. A wing apparatus suitable for cooperation with a snow removal machine operating to remove snow from an ice rink area delimited by boards without damaging the boards, the wing apparatus comprising: (a) a first end configured for attaching the wing to the snow removal machine;(b) a second end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and(c) a portion there between for receiving and directing the snow towards the snow removal machine;thereby preventing damage to the boards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation of the at least one bearing roller to protect the boards of the ice rink against friction of the wing, while enabling the snow removal machine to remove snow.

2. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising: (a) a mechanism provided in the portion of the wing apparatus between the first end and the second end, thereby delimiting: (i) a stationary wing portion between the first end and the mechanism; and(ii) a movable wing portion between the mechanism and the second end, the movable wing portion movable relative to the stationary wing portion by action of the mechanism.

3. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 2, whereby the mechanism operates on the movable wing portion so as to bias the movable wing portion against the board such that the bearing roller maintains contact with the boards over a predetermined range of motion of the snow removal machine relative to the boards.

4. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 2 wherein the mechanism includes: (a) a hinge linking the stationary wing portion to the movable wing portion; and(b) a tension spring biasing the hinge in an open position;thereby biasing the bearing roller towards the boards over a predetermined range of angle between the movable wing portion and the stationary wing portion.

5. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the hinge further comprises a removable pin, thereby enabling the movable wing portion to be releasably attached to the stationary wing portion when the pin is inserted into the hinge, and the movable wing portion to be detached from the stationary wing portion when the pin is removed from the hinge.

6. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the hinge and tension spring are provided by a living hinge.

7. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one of a supporting roller, roller support, flange, scraping blade, bottom support plate, bottom support bracket, guide plate, access hole, reinforcing angle, support plate, spring hook, spring slide, wheel, wheel support, and rear reinforcing angle.

8. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein the mechanism includes: (a) a sliding engagement between the movable wing portion and the sliding wing portion such that the movable wing portion can slide relative to the stationary wing portion;(b) a compression spring biasing the sliding engagement in an extended position;thereby biasing the bearing roller towards the boards over a predetermined range of distance between the movable wing portion and the stationary wing portion.

9. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein the mechanism includes a stop block to dictate the maximum opening of the hinge, leaving the retraction mobility free of a forward angle.

10. The wing apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein, when the wing is in a forward angle position, the entire snow removal machine and wing combination is J-shaped, which facilitates the removal of snow or other materials without spilling out towards the end of the snow removal machine.

11. A wing apparatus suitable for cooperation with a surface material removal machine operating to remove surface material from an area delimited by boards without damaging the boards, the wing apparatus comprising: (a) a first end configured for attaching the wing to the removal machine;(b) a second end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and(c) a portion there between for receiving and directing the matter towards the removal machine;thereby preventing damage to the boards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation of the at least one bearing roller while enabling the removal machine to remove the material.

12. A method of operating a snow removal machine to remove snow from an ice rink area delimited by boards without damaging the boards, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a wing apparatus comprising: (i) a first end configured for attaching the wing to the snow removal machine;(ii) a second end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and(iii) a portion there between for receiving and directing the snow and ice debris towards the snow removal machine;(b) if the snow removal machine is below a predetermined distance from the boards, operating the snow removal machine so that the bearing roller rolls on the boards; and(c) if the snow removal machine is above the predetermined distance from the boards, operating the snow removal machine so that the bearing roller does not roll on the boards.thereby preventing damage to the boards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation of the at least one bearing roller to protect the boards of the ice rink against friction of the wing, while enabling the snow removal machine to remove snow.

13. The method as recited in claim 12, further comprising the step of: (a) providing a mechanism in the portion of the wing apparatus between the first end and the second end, thereby delimiting: (i) a stationary wing portion between the first end and the mechanism; and(ii) a movable wing portion between the mechanism and the second end, the movable wing portion movable relative to the stationary wing portion by action of the mechanism.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising the step of biasing the movable wing portion against the board such that the bearing roller maintains contact with the boards over a predetermined range of motion of the snow removal machine relative to the boards.

15. The method as recited in claim 13 further including the steps of: (a) providing a hinge linking the stationary wing portion to the movable wing portion; and(b) providing a tension spring biasing the hinge in an open position;thereby biasing the bearing roller towards the boards over a predetermined range of angle between the movable wing portion and the stationary wing portion.

16. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of providing a removable pin in the hinge, thereby enabling the movable wing portion to be releasably attached to the stationary wing portion when the pin is inserted into the hinge, and the movable wing portion to be detached from the stationary wing portion when the pin is removed from the hinge.

17. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of providing both the hinge and tension spring by using a living hinge.

18. The method as recited in claim 15, further comprising the step of providing at least one of a supporting roller, roller support, flange, scraping blade, bottom support plate, bottom support bracket, guide plate, access hole, reinforcing angle, support plate, spring hook, spring slide, wheel, wheel support, and rear reinforcing angle.

19. The method as recited in claim 13, further comprising the steps of: (a) providing a sliding engagement in the mechanism between the movable wing portion and the sliding wing portion such that the movable wing portion can slide relative to the stationary wing portion;(b) providing a compression spring in the mechanism biasing the sliding engagement in an extended position;thereby biasing the bearing roller towards the boards over a predetermined range of distance between the movable wing portion and the stationary wing portion.

20. A method of operating a surface material removal machine to remove surface material from an area delimited by boards without damaging the boards, the method including the steps of: (a) providing a wing apparatus comprising: (i) a first end configured for attaching the wing to the surface material removal machine;(ii) a second end having at least one bearing roller for rolling on the boards; and(iii) a portion there between for receiving and directing the surface material towards the surface material removal machine;(b) if the surface material removal machine is below a predetermined distance from the boards, operating the surface materials removal machine so that the bearing roller rolls on the boards; and(c) if the surface material removal machine is above the predetermined distance from the boards, operating the surface material removal machine so that the bearing roller does not roll on the boards.thereby preventing damage to the boards in the event that the wing apparatus contacts the boards by operation of the at least one bearing roller to protect the boards of the ice rink against friction of the wing, while enabling the surface materials removal machine to remove surface materials.