Abstract:
An apparatus to aid in the removal of ice buildup from motor vehicle windshields includes an ice scraper with an integral sprayer for dispensing de-icing solution. The handle of the ice scraper contains a reservoir filled with de-icing solution with a spray pump trigger, or battery-powered spraying system, for spraying fluid upon the windshield to aid in the de-icing process. A screw cap, located on the handle, is used to refill the invention when the reservoir is depleted. A detachable snow brush is also provided. The apparatus allows drivers in cold weather climates the ability to efficiently remove ice buildup from their vehicle windshield.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described on Feb. 14, 2007 in an Official Record of Invention on file at the Offices of Montgomery Patent and Design in Washington, Pa. There are presently no filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a device for retaining and dispensing a de-icing solution within a windshield ice scraper such that said ice scraper is used in conjunction as is necessary to dispense a de-icing solution either manually or automatically within a refillable reservoir. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Maintaining a clean automobile windshield is a necessary step in ensuring driving safety. This task is exceedingly difficult in those areas where cold weather seasons exist. While windshield wipers and washing spray do an adequate job of keeping the windshield area clean while driving, they cannot cope with huge ice and snow buildup that accumulates while the vehicle is parked. Situations such as this require the driver to get out an ice scraper and physically remove the buildup. Such a task takes a great deal of time to do properly as the frozen ice and snow is often quite difficult to remove by even the strongest person. Further, it is not a pleasant task in freezing temperatures, as even gloves do not always prevent hands from becoming numb. Thus, many drivers only clear a small spot in the center of the windshield—just enough to see out. This results in a dangerous driving condition, not only for the driver, but for any others who may be sharing the road with them. 
     Accordingly, a need has arisen for a means by which motorists can easily and quickly remove ice and snow from motor vehicle windshields. The development of the invention herein described fulfills this need. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,990,705, filed by Schouten and Kingsberry, discloses a multifunctional cleaning device having a collapsible handle. This patent does not appear to disclose a windshield ice scraper with an integral fluid container that is capable of dispensing de-icing fluid. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,092,255 filed by Kim discloses a scraper or squeegee with curved blade surfaces. This patent does not appear to disclose a windshield ice scraper with an integral fluid container that is capable of dispensing de-icing fluid. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 407,876 filed by Ward discloses a window cleaning set including a dispensing handle. This design patent does not appear to disclose the same ornamental or industrial design characteristics of the instant invention and further does not appear to disclose a disclose a windshield ice scraper that possesses an integral fluid container that dispenses the de-icing fluid through the scraper portion of the apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 388,570 filed by Humphries discloses a combined fluid container and ice scraper. This design patent does not appear to disclose the same ornamental or industrial design characteristics of the instant invention and further does not appear to disclose a disclose a windshield ice scraper that possesses an integral fluid container that dispenses the de-icing fluid through the scraper portion of the apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 355,529 filed by Tsai combined brush ice scraper, squeegee and fluid dispenser. This design patent does not appear to disclose the same ornamental or industrial design characteristics of the instant invention and further does not appear to disclose a disclose a windshield ice scraper that possesses an integral fluid container that dispenses the de-icing fluid through the scraper portion of the apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. D 308,139 filed by Viner discloses a triple head surface cleaning device. This design patent does not appear to disclose the same ornamental or industrial design characteristics of the instant invention and further does not appear to disclose a disclose a windshield ice scraper that possesses an integral fluid container that dispenses the de-icing fluid through the scraper portion of the apparatus. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,809,386 filed by Re discloses a combined manual implement for window snow removal, ice scraping, washing and drying, for vehicles in general. This patent does not appear to disclose a windshield ice scraper with an integral fluid container that is capable of dispensing de-icing fluid. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,778,301 filed by Sicotte discloses a compact multi-function glass cleaning device. This patent does not appear to disclose a windshield ice scraper that possesses an integral fluid container that dispenses the de-icing fluid through the scraper portion of the apparatus. 
     The prior art appears to disclose ice scrapers with integral fluid compartments. The prior art does not appear to disclose a windshield ice scraper with de-icing capabilities that possesses a spraying mechanism located on the scraper blades. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior art, it has been observed that there is need for a windshield ice scraper with a de-icing solution dispenser that aids in the removal of ice buildup from motor vehicle windshields. 
     The windshield ice scraper with de-icing solution comprises a conventional ice scrapping blade with an integral spray nozzle for dispensing de-icing solution. 
     The handle features an internal reservoir filled with de-icing solution, a spray pump trigger that provides a spraying means for the solution onto a windshield, and a removably attachable snow brush. 
     The windshield ice scraper with de-icing solution may be refilled with de-icing solution through a threaded reservoir cap that is located on the handle. 
     The windshield ice scraper with de-icing solution comprises: a handle, a snow brush, a first shaft section, a second shaft section, and a scraping blade. 
     The handle further comprises a reservoir, a spray trigger, a reservoir orifice, and a reservoir cap. The handle provides a cylindrical hard plastic enclosure being covered over with a soft rubber or plastic material that provides a firm grip while using the apparatus. The handle is envisioned to be a hollow vessel with an internal reservoir. The reservoir provides for sealed containment of a volume of de-icing solution via a threaded reservoir orifice and reservoir cap located upon an external surface at a distal end. The reservoir orifice is used to refill the reservoir when the de-icing solution is depleted. 
     The reservoir is in fluid communication with a manual spray trigger located at a proximal position on the handle. The spray trigger provides a pressure source to said solution using a pressure bulb or pumping device similar to common household cleanser spray bottles. The spray trigger is in fluid communication with an internal coiled plastic tube providing a fluid pressure thereto. The spray trigger is a hinged trigger with a spring return but may be a push button or the like. 
     The handle further possesses a female threaded region at a distal end to receive the male threaded region portion of a removably attachable snow brush. The snowbrush provides a convenient snow removal appliance and is envisioned to be made using plastic or metal materials providing uni-directional bundled synthetic bristles in an expected manner. The handle also provides a permanent attachment means at a proximal end to a first shaft section. 
     The first shaft section comprises a tubular member being slidingly engaged therewith a second shaft section in a telescoping fashion. Both the first and second shaft sections comprise a tubular construction with an outside diameter of the second shaft section particularly sized to fit snuggly and slidingly therein the first shaft section. The clamping collar provides a locking and length adjustment means to the apparatus and preferably comprises a common threaded collar type device. Various types of tube securing designs common in the industry may be provided such as, but not limited to, a friction collar or a cam lever. The first shaft section and second shaft section are made of resilient light-weight water-proof plastic or metal thin-wall tubing. 
     The second shaft section further provides a permanent attachment means thereto the scraping blade. The first and second shaft sections provide a routing conduit means for a flexible solvent tube therein to a spray nozzle portion of the scraping blade. The scraping blade is envisioned to be a plastic injection molded component comprising an integrally molded spray nozzle located at a front lower surface. 
     The spray nozzle provides dispensing of de-icing solution in a fanned dispersing pattern when pressurized by the spray trigger. The scraping blade is envisioned to be a conventional straight-edged and fan-shaped plastic blade. 
     The majority of the components used in the invention are made of plastic in an injection molding process; materials such as, but not limited to, painted steel, stainless steel, or other metal of lightweight durable materials may be used. 
     The windshield ice scraper with de-icing solution, in an alternate embodiment, possesses a motorized pump. The motorized pump embodiment provides similar function and construction to that of the preferred embodiment with particular enhancements to enable automatic dispensing of the de-icing solution by pressing a push button switch. 
     The motorized pump embodiment comprises a motorized pump, a battery/compartment, and a pushbutton switch. The motorized pump provides a pumping force thereto the de-icing solution propelling said de-icing solution toward the spray nozzle. The motorized pump is envisioned to be a miniaturized DC motor and pump assembly similar to those used in automotive windshield wash reservoirs comprising fluid inlet and outlet orifices and being powered therefrom one (1) or more DC batteries. The motorized pump is to be mounted internal thereto the second shaft section in fluid communication thereto the coiled tube and in electrical communication with said DC battery/compartment and the push button switch. 
     The battery/compartment is to be made using similar materials as the second shaft section being flush thereto an outer cylindrical surface of said second shaft section being affixed using a common threaded fastener in an expected manner. 
     The push button comprises a single contact closure type device with a spring return, thereby providing an electrical closure of an activation circuit, thereby providing a DC current thereto the motorized pump. 
     The motorized pump embodiment is mounted internal to the first shaft section portion and possesses a simple DC circuit comprising one (1) or more rechargeable or disposable batteries providing a direct current thereto a single contact closure push button switch further comprising a spring return, thereby providing a momentary activation means thereto said DC current. Upon manual activation of said switch, DC power is conducted thereto a motor portion of the motorized pump which provides sufficient torque and revolutions per minute (RPM) thereto an integral fluid pump so as to propel de-icing solution. The circuit described herein also comprises electrical connections, electrical components, wiring, and the like in an expected manner. 
     The windshield ice scraper with de-icing solution may be used by removing the reservoir cap; filling the reservoir by pouring a desired volume of de-icing solution into the reservoir as required; replacing the reservoir cap by turning in a clock-wise direction until tightened; installing the snow brush by engaging and turning the male threaded region thereinto the female threaded region of the handle, if not previously installed; adjusting the overall length of the apparatus using the clamp collar; loosening the clamp collar by grasping and turning; extending the second shaft section portion as desired; tightening the clamp collar; grasping the handle in an expected manner; removing ice and snow from a windshield using the scraping blade portion; dispensing and dispersing the de-icing solution by repeatedly depressing the spray trigger as needed, thereby pressurizing and pumping the de-icing solution from the reservoir to the spray nozzle; scraping the windshield using the scraping blade in conjunction with the dispersion of de-icing solution until all ice and snow is removed from said windshield; utilizing the apparatus as needed until the de-icing solution is depleted therefrom the reservoir; refilling said reservoir as described above; and, benefiting from improved visibility and time savings using the present invention. 
     The windshield ice scraper with de-icing solution, in its alternate motorized pump embodiment may be used by loading a fresh set of rechargeable or disposable batteries therein the battery compartment; dispensing and dispersing the de-icing solution by depressing the push button switch, thereby activating the motorized pump in turn propelling de-icing solution from the reservoir to the spray nozzle. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a windshield ice scraper with a de-icing solution dispenser  10  and a detachable brush portion  60 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a motorized pump embodiment  70  of a windshield ice scraper with a de-icing solution dispenser  10 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 3  is an electrical block diagram of a motorized pump embodiment  70  of a windshield ice scraper with a de-icing solution dispenser  10 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
       DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
       
           
           
             
                 10  windshield ice scraper with de-icing solution dispenser 
                 20  handle 
                 25  first shaft section 
                 30  second shaft section 
                 31  clamping collar 
                 32  tube 
                 35  scraping blade 
                 41  filling orifice 
                 45  spray trigger 
                 50  reservoir 
                 51  reservoir cap 
                 55  spray nozzle 
                 56  de-icing solution 
                 60  brush 
                 65  male threaded region 
                 66  female threaded region 
                 70  motorized pump embodiment 
                 71  motorized pump 
                 72  battery/compartment 
                 73  push button switch 
             
           
         
      
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIG. 1  and presented in terms of an alternate embodiment in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes an apparatus and method for a windshield ice scraper with a de-icing solution dispenser (herein described as the “apparatus”)  10 , which provides a means for an apparatus  10  to aid in the removal of ice buildup from motor vehicle windshields. The apparatus  10  comprises a conventional ice scrapping blade  35  with an integral spray nozzle  55  for dispensing de-icing solution  56 . The handle  20  of the apparatus  10  comprises an internal reservoir  50  filled with de-icing solution  56  and a spray pump trigger  45  providing a spraying means thereto solution  56  upon a windshield to aid in a de-icing task. A threaded reservoir cap  51 , located on the handle  20 , is used to refill the invention  10  when the reservoir  50  is depleted. A removably attachable snow brush  60  is also provided. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of the apparatus  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The apparatus  10  comprises a handle  20 , a snow brush  60 , a first shaft section  25 , a second shaft section  30 , and a scraping blade  35 . 
     The handle  20  further comprises a reservoir  50 , a spray trigger  45 , a reservoir orifice  41 , and a reservoir cap  51 . The handle  20  provides a cylindrical hard plastic enclosure further providing a manual gripping means to the apparatus  10  being covered over with a soft rubber or plastic material providing a firm grip in wet or dry conditions. The handle  20  is envisioned to be a hollow vessel providing an internal reservoir  50 . The reservoir  50  provides a sealed containment to a volume of de-icing solution  56  via a threaded reservoir orifice  41  and reservoir cap  51  located upon an external surface at a distal end. The reservoir orifice  41  is used to refill the reservoir  50  when the de-icing solution  56  is depleted. The reservoir  50  is in fluid communication with a manual spray trigger  45  located at a proximal position thereupon said handle  20  being convenient to a user&#39;s index finger. The spray trigger  45  provides a pressure source to said solution  56  using a pressure bulb or pumping device similar to common household cleanser spray bottles. The spray trigger  45  is in fluid communication with an internal coiled plastic tube  32  providing a fluid pressure thereto. The spray trigger  45  is envisioned to be preferably a hinged trigger with a spring return; however, any number of similar devices such as a push button or the like may be provided and as such should not be considered as a limiting factor of the invention  10 . The handle  20  further comprises a female threaded region  66  at a distal end thereof to receive a male threaded region portion  65  of a removably attachable snow brush  60 . The snowbrush  60  provides a convenient snow removal appliance and is envisioned to be made using plastic or metal materials providing uni-directional bundled synthetic bristles in an expected manner. The handle  20  also provides a permanent attachment means at a proximal end to a first shaft section  25 . 
     The first shaft section  25  comprises a tubular member being slidingly engaged therewith a second shaft section  30  in a telescoping fashion. Both the first  25  and second  30  shaft sections have rectilinear shapes and comprise a tubular construction with an outside diameter of the second shaft section  30  particularly sized to fit snuggly and slidingly therein the first shaft section  25 . The clamping collar  31  provides a locking and length adjustment means to the apparatus  10  and preferably comprises a common threaded collar type device similar to those used on photography tripods; however various types of tube securing designs common in the industry may be provided such as a friction collar, a cam lever, or the like and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the invention  10 . The first shaft section  25  and second shaft section  30  are envisioned to be made using resilient light-weight water-proof plastic or metal thin-wall tubing. The second shaft section  30  further provides a permanent attachment means to the scraping blade  35 . The first  25  and second  30  shaft sections provide a routing conduit means for a flexible solvent tube therein (not shown) to a spray nozzle portion  55  of the scraping blade  35 . The scraping blade  35  is envisioned to be a plastic injection molded component comprising an integrally molded spray nozzle  55  located at a front lower surface. The spray nozzle  55  provides dispensing of de-icing solution  56  in a fanned dispersing pattern when pressurized thereby the aforementioned spray trigger  45 . The scraping blade  35  is envisioned to be a conventional straight-edged and fan-shaped plastic blade. 
     The majority of the components used in the invention  10  are envisioned being made of plastic in an injection molding process; however, materials such as painted steel, stainless steel, or the like may be provided with equal benefit and as such should not be considered as a limiting factor of the invention  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of a motorized pump embodiment  70  of the apparatus  10 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The motorized pump embodiment  70  provides similar function and construction to that of the preferred embodiment  10  with particular enhancements to enable automatic dispensing of the de-icing solution  56  by pressing a push button switch  73 . The motorized pump embodiment  70  comprises a motorized pump  71 , a battery/compartment  72 , and a pushbutton switch  73 . The motorized pump  71  provides a pumping force thereto the de-icing solution  56  propelling said de-icing solution  56  toward the spray nozzle  55 . The motorized pump  71  is envisioned to be a miniaturized DC motor and pump assembly similar to those used in automotive windshield wash reservoirs comprising fluid inlet and outlet orifices and being powered therefrom one (1) or more DC batteries  72 . The motorized pump  71  is to be mounted internal thereto the second shaft section  30  in fluid communication thereto the coiled tube  32  and in electrical communication with said DC battery/compartment  72  and the push button switch  73 . The battery/compartment  72  is to be made using similar materials as the second shaft section  30  being flush thereto an outer cylindrical surface of said second shaft section  30  being affixed using a common threaded fastener in an expected manner. The push button comprises a single contact closure type device with a spring return, thereby providing an electrical closure of an activation circuit, thereby providing a DC current thereto the motorized pump  71  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , an electrical block diagram of a motorized pump embodiment  70  of the apparatus  10 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The motorized pump embodiment  70  is mounted internal thereto the first shaft section portion  25  of the apparatus  10  and is illustrated here depicting a simple DC circuit comprising one (1) or more rechargeable or disposable batteries  72  providing a direct current thereto a single contact closure push button switch  73  further comprising a spring return, thereby providing a momentary activation means thereto said DC current. Upon manual activation of said switch  73 , DC power is conducted thereto a motor portion of the motorized pump  71  which provides sufficient torque and revolutions per minute (RPM) thereto an integral fluid pump so as to propel de-icing solution  56  (see  FIG. 2 ). The circuit described herein also comprises electrical connections, electrical components, wiring, and the like in an expected manner. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the apparatus  10 , it would be utilized as indicated in either  FIG. 1  or  2 . 
     The method of utilizing the preferred embodiment of the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: removing the reservoir cap  51 ; filling the reservoir  55  by pouring a desired volume of de-icing solution  56  into the reservoir  55  as required; replacing the reservoir cap  51  by turning in a clock-wise direction until tightened; installing the snow brush  60  by engaging and turning the male threaded region  65  thereinto the female threaded region  66  of the handle  20 , if not previously installed; adjusting the overall length of the apparatus  10  using the clamp collar  31 ; loosening the clamp collar  31  by grasping and turning; extending the second shaft section portion  30  as desired; tightening the clamp collar  31 ; grasping the handle  20  in an expected manner; removing ice and snow from a windshield using the scraping blade portion  35 ; dispensing and dispersing the de-icing solution  56  by repeatedly depressing the spray trigger  45  as needed, thereby pressurizing and pumping the de-icing solution  56  from the reservoir  55  to the spray nozzle  55 ; scraping the windshield using the scraping blade  35  in conjunction with the dispersion of de-icing solution  56  until all ice and snow is removed from said windshield; utilizing the apparatus  10  as needed until the de-icing solution  56  is depleted therefrom the reservoir  55 ; refilling said reservoir  55  as described above; and, benefiting from improved visibility and time saved using the present invention  10 . 
     The method of utilizing the alternate motorized pump embodiment  70  of the apparatus  10  may be achieved by performing the following additional steps: loading a fresh set of rechargeable or disposable batteries therein the battery compartment  72 ; dispensing and dispersing the de-icing solution  56  by depressing the push button switch  73 , thereby activating the motorized pump  71  in turn propelling de-icing solution  56  therefrom the reservoir  55  thereto the spray nozzle  55 . 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention and method of use to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.