Patent ID: 9283816
Filing Date: 2016-03-15
CPC Classification: B60C,E01H

Claim Text:
1. An apparatus comprising: piping; a junction device connected to a first opening of the piping; a switch device which is configured to cause the junction device to open or close the first opening of the piping; and means for attaching the piping, the junction device, and the switch device to a vehicle having a front and an opposing rear, such that a second opening of the piping is located nearer a first tire of the vehicle, at the front of the vehicle, than to any other tire of the vehicle, a third opening of the piping is located nearer a second tire of the vehicle, at the rear of the vehicle, than to any other tire of the vehicle, and the first opening of the piping is located nearer an engine of the vehicle than to any tire of the vehicle; wherein each of the first opening of the piping and the junction device overlap the engine along a length from the front of the vehicle to the opposing rear of the vehicle; wherein the piping includes at least a first pipe and a second pipe; wherein the first pipe has a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the first pipe overlaps the engine along the length from the front of the vehicle to the opposing rear of the vehicle, and is connected to the first opening; wherein the second end of the first pipe is located nearer the front of the vehicle than the rear of the vehicle; wherein the second pipe has a first end and a second end; wherein the first end of the second pipe overlaps the engine along the length from the front of the vehicle to the opposing rear of the vehicle, and is connected to the first opening; wherein the second end of the second pipe is located nearer the rear of the vehicle than the front of the vehicle; wherein the first pipe and the second pipe are configured so that when the first opening of the piping is open, hot air from the engine flowing into the first opening splits into a first part of hot air flowing into the first pipe and a second part of hot air flowing into the second pipe; wherein the first part of hot air flows from the first end of the first pipe, through the first pipe, and at least partially out the second opening of the piping at the second end of the first pipe to cause snow or ice on the first tire to melt; wherein the second part of hot air flows from the first end of the second pipe, through the second pipe, and at least partially out the third opening of the piping at the second end of the second pipe to cause snow or ice on the second tire to melt; wherein the second and third openings face towards the first and second tires, and are unobstructed from the first and second tires, respectively; wherein the second opening is between the first tire and the front of the vehicle; and wherein the third opening is between the first tire and the second tire.