Patent Application
20140150195
The invention pertains to the field of handicap accessible and ergonomic tools.
A variety of ice scraping device for automotive windshields have been in the public domain. Most are single handles blades where the blade is perpendicular to the handle. Some innovations in the configuration are in the prior art. Weinberger et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 7,814,610 describe an ice scraper with handles where the force is generated by the hands gripping two handles on a shaft. Marion Tucker et al. in pending U.S. patent application 20030106569 describe a similar ice scraper in that the forces are vectored through the wrists of the user via handles on a shaft. Thomas in U.S. Pat. No. 5,758,983 describes a scraper with a liquid delivery system for cleaning and de-icing. Riley et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 5,706,533 describe the addition of a forearm band to assist in the mechanical attachment of the scraper to the user to reduce the lateral strain on the wrist from gripping the device.
One object of the invention is to develop a new ergonomic snow and ice scraper to prevent injury. Another object of the invention is to develop an ice and snow scraper which can be used by the elderly and handicapped adults with ease. Another object of the invention is to create an ice and snow scraper which makes use of shoulder generated force during use and significantly reduces wear or discomfort on the users joints. Yet another object of the invention is to make an adjustable ice and snow scraper. Yet another object of the invention is to make a collapsible ice and snow scraper.
A shoulder stock is fitted onto the extremity of a collapsible two part hollow tube. The tubes are grooved to prevent ice-induced locking up. The two tubes can be fixed at a determined length. The other extremity of the device carries the blade which contacts the windshield. Each tube element has an ergonomically designed handle or grip which can be elastomer coated to spread out any mechanical forces away from concentration points which might damage tendons. The grip handles are also easier for use with arthritic patients. The handles allow to direct the force which is primarily generated by the upper body at the shoulder.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention, two 16 inch sliding aluminum tubes, the first with 1.25 inch outer diameter with a 60 mill wall thickness receives another aluminum tube of 1 inch in outer diameter and 60 mil wall thickness, are fitted with a stock-brace which comfortably fits against the armpit on one extremity and an ice scraping blade on the other. Each tube has a perpendicular handles which extend 5 inches out and are covered with dense open cell polyurethane foam. The tubes have a sliding arrestor in the form of a ring washer system which expands an elastomer and grips the tube in place when tightened. The tubes have groves of 0.125 inches in depth which reduce contact surface area by 50% or more to reduce ice-induced blockage of twisting or sliding the tubes. The device can be adjusted for minimal wrist pressure and uses the wrists only to guide the force from the shoulder driven by abdominal and back muscles in the movement. This allows disabled, weakened or arthritic users to use the device with enough force to remove ice easily. It also can be used as a preventative measure in healthy adults which have arthritic predispositions, as well as prevent carpel tunnel syndrome in normal adults.
