Ice chipper

Abstract

There is provided an improved device for chipping ice for use in the sport of ice fishing or elsewhere. The device is comprised of a cutting member comprising two spikes defining a semi-rectangular inner area, and a handle attached to the cutting member. This configuration allows the user to create a hole for ice fishing quickly and easily while minimizing ice jamming within the device.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The sport of ice fishing is popular in many countries, and particularly in Canada. In order to facilitate the enjoyment of the sport, a number of devices have been proposed to enable the participant to quickly and effectively dig a hole in the ice.

[0002] U.S. Pat. No. 2,720,023, issued to Koscher et al. on Oct. 11, 1955, discloses an ice spud composed of a head member equipped with a number of blades, at least one of which is substantially at right angles to the other blades. Canadian Patent 1,298,072 issued to Harrie et al. on Mar. 31, 1992, discloses a tool for making holes through ice having seven (7) cutting edges in a particular configuration. Both of these devices are relatively complex in structure and, due to the different angles of the blades, difficult to sharpen and maintain.

[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,591 issued to Barringer on Sep. 5, 1989, discloses a much simpler device, having a single V-shaped cutting edge on a member at the end of a handle of appropriate length. The shape of the cutting edge, however, does not diminish the incidence of ice jamming within the device, and therefore, the device would require frequent clearing, thereby reducing its overall effectiveness and capacity to allow the user to quickly create the desired hole in the ice.

[0004] Other devices have been proposed to dig holes or break up ice. U.S. Pat. No. 2,359,089 issued to Doran on Sep. 26, 1944, describes a device for digging which may be attached to an air hammer or the like, and which is equipped with points which are tapered in both front and side elevation to prevent these points from sticking in the ground while digging. U.S. Pat. No. 281,644 issued to Rex on Jul. 17, 1883, describes a flat cutting device for cutting ice in a flat line without splitting it into fragments. U.S. Pat. No. 949,667 issued to Spalke on Feb. 15, 1910, describes an ice pick in the form of a beveled wedge with a penetrating point. Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 1,094,569 of issued to Hughes on Apr. 28, 1914 describes an ice pick mechanism which serves to translate the force exerted on one end of the device to the tines which enter the ice. The main aspect of the invention is the handle portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide for an ice pick which is simple in design and yet quickly and effectively creates the desired hole in the ice to allow for ice fishing or the like.

[0006] It is a further object of the invention to allow for the creation of the hole while minimizing the amount of ice jamming within the device, which jamming requires cleaning and a loss of momentum in the hole-digging process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon referring to the drawings in which:

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of the pick

[0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of the pick

[0010] FIG. 3 is a front view of the shaft

[0011] FIG. 4 is a front view of the handle

[0012] While the invention will be described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0013] In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals.

[0014] Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an ice chipper 2 having a cutting member 4 and a handle 6. Said cuffing member is comprised of a body portion 10 which has a top 12 and a bottom 14 edge, and first and second cuffing spikes 16a and 16b. The body portion is sloped at an angle of 15° to 20° from the wider top edge 12 to the narrower bottom edge 14, and preferably is sloped at an angle of 18°. Each of the first and second spikes 16a, 16b, terminates in a cutting point 24. The cutting spikes 16a, 16b, each have an outer edge 20 and an inner edge 25. The outer edge 20 has first 21 and second 22 portions. The second portion 22 commences approximately at the point where the spikes 16a, 16b, pass the bottom edge 14 of the body portion 10. The second portion 22 preferably possesses a slope of approximately 30° from the point 23 where it meets the first portion 21, to the cutting point 24. The inner edges 25 are substantially straight and form angles of substantially 90° at the points 26 where they meet with the bottom 14 of the body portion 10, thereby defining a semi-rectangular cavity 40 between the two cutting spikes 16a, 16b.

[0015] In a preferred embodiment, the ends 27 of the inner edges 25 of the cutting spikes 16a, 16b, are sloped at an angle of about 7° towards the cutting points 24.

[0016] The handle 6 of the ice chipper 2 is fixedly attached to the cutting member 4 at the top edge 12 of the body portion 10. The handle 6, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, is comprised of a shank portion 30 and a grip portion 32. The handle 6 may be further equipped with a hole 34 in said shank portion 30 or said grip portion 32 through which a rope (not shown) may be attached to ensure that the ice chipper does not fall into the water when in use.

[0017] In use, the ice chipper 2 is pushed into the ice at its cutting points 24 by exerting a force on the handle 6. Force may also be exerted on the top 10 of the body portion, by the user. The ice chipper 2 is then removed from the ice by exerting an opposite pulling force on the ice chipper 2. This operation may be repeated any number of times until the desired hole is formed in the ice. Due to the shape of the semi-rectangular cavity 40 between the spike portions, the incidence of ice jamming is minimized and therefore the ice chipping operation is quickly and efficiently accomplished.

[0018] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the invention an ice chipper that fully satisfies the objects, aims and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with illustrated embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A device for chipping ice comprising: a body portion, said body portion having upper and lower edges and a plurality of downwardly extending spikes defining a semi-rectangular cavity, each of said spikes possessing an inner and an outer lateral edge and terminating in a generally “v-shaped” cutting edge.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said outer lateral edges of each of said spikes possess a slope of about 200 to about 40° degrees from said body portion towards said cutting edges.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein said outer lateral edges of each of said spikes possess a slope of about 30° degrees from said body portion towards said cutting edges.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein said body portion possesses a slope of about 15° to about 20° from said upper edge to said lower edge.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said body portion possesses a slope of about 18° from said upper edge to said lower edge.

6. The device of claim 1 wherein said inner lateral edges of said spikes meet said lower edge of said body portion at an angle of substantially 90°.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein said inner lateral edges of said spikes possess a slope of about 7° commencing at a point proximate to said cutting edges and terminating at said cutting edges.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said body portion has two (2) downwardly extending spikes.

9. The device of claim 1 and further comprising a handle fixedly attached to said body portion.

10. The device of claim 9 and further comprising a transverse bore at an end of the handle opposite the point of attachment to said body portion to facilitate attachment of a rope thereto.

11. A device for chipping ice comprising: a body portion, said body portion having upper and lower edges, and being sloped at about 18° from said upper edge to said lower edge; a plurality of downwardly extending spikes defining a semi-rectangular cavity, each of said spikes possessing an inner and an outer lateral edge and terminating in a generally “v-shaped” cutting edge, said outer lateral edges of each of said spikes possessing a slope of about 30° from said body portion towards said cutting edges, said inner lateral edges forming an angle of about 90° at a point where said inner lateral edges meet said bottom edge of said body portion, said inner lateral edges being substantially straight, but possessing a slope of about 7° from a point proximate to said cutting edges and terminating at said cutting edges; a handle fixedly attached to said body portion; and a transverse bore at an end of the handle opposite the point of attachment to said body portion to facilitate attachment of a rope thereto.