Abstract:
An improved apparatus for removing snow and ice from the roof top of a truck, trailer, bus or similar vehicle is mounted atop a converted flatbed trailer for ease of relocation from one site to another for use. The addition of a height adjustable scraper or plow blade that is operator controlled to remain in contact with the roof of the vehicle being cleaned is provided with a self-contained front-to-back and side-to-side stabilization mechanism to prevent damage to the tops of vehicles by gouging or tearing the roof top.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention generally resides in the field of large vehicles having extended flat roofs, such as trucks, trailers and buses, for clearing of snow and ice deposits therefrom. The roof tops of trailers, vans, trucks, buses and the like represent a relatively large area. In cold climates, owners of such vehicles face the challenge of removing snow and ice from roof tops of such vehicles prior to operating them on roadways. The snow and ice removal operation is usually performed manually by several workers shoveling from atop the vehicle roof tops. The operation is both tedious and time consuming. It is associated with relatively high maintenance costs particularly during significant snowfalls occurring in a given period with a large fleet of vehicles that must be cleaned. The cleaning operation can be time consuming which may lead to delays in the delivery of goods with the associated potential of loss of business. 
         [0002]    The removal of snow and ice from the roof tops of vehicles is not only costly but also potentially dangerous for the individuals who must stand on the slippery roof tops of such vehicles which can reach a height of twelve to fifteen feet. Further, in circumstances where the snow and/or ice is not removed from the roof tops of such vehicles, a slab of snow or ice may fly off the vehicle while being operated and strike another vehicle following behind. If such an incident occurs, the driver of the vehicle following may be startled to the point of losing control of his or her vehicle. The slab of snow or ice may also impact a windshield with such force so as to break it leading to disastrous consequences. Consequently, some regional laws recognize that snow and ice atop vehicles pose a threat to the public safety and require that snow and ice be removed from the vehicle before it is driven on a public road imposing large penalties on offenders. 
         [0003]    The need for alternative methods of removing snow and ice from a vehicle&#39;s roof top has been recognized in a number of earlier publications. For example, some devices include rollers for scraping the snow from the vehicle roof with a height adjustment by use of a hydraulic circuit or by having the vehicle move under a snow plow arrangement with the entire structure secured to the ground. Other devices disclose snow removal systems which dispense de-icer fluid to melt the snow combined with a cross-bar that can be raised and lowered. 
         [0004]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,453,500 [Schmitt] entitled “Vehicle Roof Snow Removal System” discloses a blade system riding atop the roof of a trailer where the blade is vertically adjustable using pulley systems in each of two towers straddling the vehicle path. In addition, the blade has a “squeegee” along its lower edge to protect the trailer roof from gouging, etc. Schmitt describes a sensor to detect the vehicle height and a control unit to lower the scraper blade when a vehicle is detected. Schmitt also describes a manual handle for raising and lowering the scraper blade through a series of pulleys and cables. However, Schmitt does not suggest a hydraulically positioned vehicle roof surface plow system for maintaining maximum contact with the roof surface as the vehicle is moved through the cleaning apparatus or structural members to provide a more stable plow blade and control surfaces for throwing snow outward and downward from the plow blade. 
         [0005]    A second example of a vehicle roof plow device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,654 [Yeaglin] entitled “Snow and Ice Remover for Vehicle Roofs” which describes a vertically adjustable plow bar suspended from a winch located on a bridge spanning between two towers that uses each of the towers as a guide for raising and lowering the device. There is a protective strip along the entire horizontal length of the plow blade and the reinforcing bar between the towers. Yeaglin, again, does not disclose a hydraulically adjustable vehicle roofline follower system or control surfaces for throwing the snow and ice outward and downward. 
         [0006]    There are three U.S. Patent Application Publications describing substantially similar vehicle roof clearing concepts. U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. US 2007/0074357 A1, US 2009/0282630 A1 and US 2009/0282708 A1 [Reed] all entitled “Truck Terminal Snow Screed Portable Structure” describe a rearward lateral reinforcing structure of the plow blade. Reed also states that the apparatus is relocatable utilizing a pair of lift trucks operating in tandem to move and relocate the apparatus. The only adjustable element is the vertical height of the blade without any rooftop following apparatus. Also, U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2002/0166265 A1 entitled “Truck, Trailer and Bus Plow” [Shaw] discloses a device similar to the Reed apparatus, but does not disclose a portability feature by use of separate equipment like the Reed apparatus. 
         [0007]    There are several deficiencies found in the various apparatus existing in the field. First, these apparatus do not contain elements to raise or lower tower height to primarily make the snow clearing apparatus truly portable with a lower vertical clearance, and secondarily, to accommodate vehicles of different heights, nor do they suggest it. Next, these existing devices do not describe or suggest the use of a hydraulically positioned vehicle roof surface plow system for maintaining contact with the roof top surface for better snow clearing performance. Finally, these prior devices do not describe or suggest the use of a plurality of structural instrumentalities to provide a more stable plow blade to prevent roof gouging or alignment mishaps. 
         [0008]    Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device for removing snow and ice from the roof top of vehicles which is portable. It is another object of the present invention to provide a device for removing snow and ice from the roof top of vehicles which has a height adjustable scraper or plow blade. 
         [0009]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing snow and ice from the roof top of vehicles which has wheels that greatly adds to the alignment and stability of the device, preventing damage to the top of the vehicle, and has the ability to bounce on the roof top in order to break up compacted snow or ice for easy removal. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a snow and ice removing device from the roof top of vehicles that has a gross adjustment capability for the tower height. 
         [0010]    Further still, another object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing snow and ice from the roof top of vehicles which uses a hydraulic system for maintaining the plow blade against the roof top surface while at the same time pushing off the snow from the roof top. Another object of the present invention is to provide a device for removing snow and ice from the roof top of vehicles that has a rolled rubber end on the plow blade that is sufficiently rigid to assist in the removal of the snow and ice, yet does not present a sharp surface that could damage the roof top of a vehicle. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, there exists a need for an improved portable apparatus for removing snow and ice from the roof top of vehicles that is vertically adjustable to accommodate differing height vehicles and controlled to follow the roofline of a vehicle by hydraulics such that the blade remains in substantial contact with the roof and has control surfaces for throwing snow outward and downward from the plow blade. 
         [0012]    Other objects will appear hereinafter. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention may be described as a vertical height adjustable plow-like blade assembly for scraping the tops of land mobile vehicles to remove deposits of snow and ice. The blade assembly is positioned along a bridge between two towers and is hydraulically adjustable in the vertical direction for close height adjustment to a point proximate the roof of the vehicle. 
         [0014]    A relocatable vehicle roof top snow and ice removal apparatus is described including a converted flatbed trailer base having front and rear sections and a space between them to accommodate the passage of a vehicle. Mounted to the trailer base sections are a pair of towers each having a top and bottom portion with the towers being joined together at their respective top portions by a bridge spanning the space to accommodate the vehicle passage. A scraper blade assembly is mounted at the midpoint of the bridge and is operatively controlled for raising and lowering the blade assembly to engage and remain engaged with the roof surface of the vehicle to be cleaned of snow and ice while maintaining a downward force against the roof of the vehicle. Finally, a self-contained stabilization means within the scraper blade assembly is described for retaining the scraper blade assembly in parallel relationship to the surface of the vehicle roof in order to prevent damage to the vehicle roof. 
         [0015]    Additionally, a plurality of stabilizing jacks can be located along the periphery of the front and rear trailer sections at opposite sides of said towers and at the rear of the rear trailer section to maintain the perpendicularity of the apparatus to the roof top of the vehicle. Stabilizer bracing members for maintaining the perpendicularity of said towers to the trailer sections beds can be used extending between the flat bed of each of the front and rear sections of the trailer to the near side of the bottom portion of the adjacent tower. Also, a trailer section locking bar connecting said front and rear trailer sections for maintaining the spacing between the trailer sections the same as between the towers is required for use in the relocating of the apparatus. Finally, a hydraulic controller may be used for raising and lowering the blade assembly in the vertical direction for close height adjustment to a point proximate the roof of a vehicle to be cleaned of snow and ice. 
         [0016]    The pusher blade is angled symmetrically from the centerline of the point of application in the range between 30 and 45 degrees outward with each blade segment having a sufficient length to extend over the sidewall of the vehicle. The blade portions are maintained at their angular orientation by a position locking bar connecting the two portions at a position to the rear of the blade portions. The blade rides atop a replaceable rubber-like scraper that permits close contact with the vehicle roof without damage. The rolled rubber end on the plow blade of the present invention is sufficiently rigid to remove the snow and ice but gentle enough not to damage the roof top of a vehicle. 
         [0017]    The blade is maintained in a downward forced position by a hydraulic arm extending rearward from the bridge between the towers that is connected to the conjoined point of the two blade portions. Additionally, a flat planar portion is affixed to the top of the blade at its forward portion to force plowed-up material outward and downward from the vehicle roof. 
         [0018]    The scraper or plow blade includes a series of spaced apart wheels that support the plow above the vehicle roof top a predetermined distance and add stability to the device. Structured in this manner the plow blade assembly does not damage the top of the vehicle and has the ability to bounce on the roof top using the wheels as a stop in order to break up compacted snow or ice for easier removal. 
         [0019]    Moreover, the present invention uses a hydraulic system for holding down the plow blade while at the same time pushing off the snow from the roof top by the use of fluid pressure which enables it to clear all snow from the roof top of a vehicle without lifting up. The hydraulic system controls the blade so that it may follow the roofline of a vehicle and remain in substantial contact with the roof. 
         [0020]    These together with other objects of the present invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and description in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings forms which are presently preferred; it being understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is an operationally front view of the portable truck trailer rooftop snow and ice removal apparatus of the present invention mounted onto a two-part mobile trailer platform. 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the truck trailer rooftop snow and ice removal apparatus of the present invention showing the scraper blade assembly deployed atop a trailer being pulled through the apparatus and snow and ice being removed from the trailer rooftop. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is another side view of the truck trailer rooftop snow and ice removal apparatus of the present invention showing the vertical adjustability of the rooftop scraper blade assembly of the apparatus to accommodate vehicles of differing heights. 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is another side view of the portable truck trailer rooftop snow and ice removal apparatus of the present invention showing the tower lowered for transport with the rooftop scraper blade assembly lowered for stowage. 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the portable truck trailer rooftop snow and ice removal apparatus of the present invention showing the towers lowered for transport with the rooftop scraper blade assembly also lowered for stowage and transport. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the trailer rooftop scraper assembly showing (in phantom) the arrangement of the support and guide wheels and reinforcing structure of the assembly. 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view taken along Line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6  showing the front or leading edge of the scraper blade of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view taken along Line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6  showing the structural arrangement of the elements of the scraper blade assembly of the present invention from a bottom view looking upwards. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0030]    The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. The description is not intended in a limiting sense, and is made solely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention. The various features and advantages of the present invention may be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         [0031]    Referring now to the drawings in detail, where like numerals refer to like parts or elements, there is shown in  FIG. 1  the portable truck trailer rooftop snow and ice removal apparatus  10  of the present invention mounted to a two-part mobile trailer platform  11 . The flatbed trailer platform  11  is separated into front and rear sections  11   a ,  11   b  onto each of which is mounted one of two towers  16   a ,  16   b  that support a connecting bridge  14  between them. The mobile trailer platform sections  11   a ,  11   b  can be the front and rear portions of a flatbed trailer with trailer dolly supports  13  under the front section  11   a  and dual wheeled axles  15  at the rear of the rear section  11   b . The trailer dolly assembly  13  provides initial support and stability for the portable snow and ice removal apparatus  10  as do the dual wheeled axles  15  in the rear provide support and stability for both mobility and initial setup of the apparatus  10 . 
         [0032]    The portable snow and ice removal apparatus  10  includes a vertically adjustable plow-like blade assembly  12  for traversing along the tops of land mobile vehicles to remove deposits of snow and ice. The blade assembly  12  is positioned at the approximate midpoint of the bridge  14  between the top portions of the two towers  16   a ,  16   b  and is adjustable for vertical movement by a hydraulic lift means  18  for close height adjustment to a point proximate the roof of a vehicle to be cleaned. 
         [0033]    The apparatus  10  has a plurality of stabilizing jacks  20 ,  22  to support the weight of the vehicle and maintain the position of the apparatus  10  while in use. On either side of the open pathway between the towers  16   a ,  16   b , and adjacent each of the towers  16   a ,  16   b , two sets of stabilizer jacks  20   a ,  20   b  are positioned such that these stabilizer jacks  20   a ,  20   b  can be utilized as outriggers extending forward and backward from the trailer platform  11  to maintain the towers  16   a ,  16   b  in a substantially vertical orientation during use of the portable snow and ice removal apparatus  10 . Rear stabilizer jacks  22  are positioned at either side of the rear of the rear section of the trailer platform  11  b to maintain the entire trailer platform  11  substantially level to prevent wracking of the tower  16  during use. 
         [0034]    An additional tower stabilizer to maintain perpendicularity of the towers  16   a ,  16   b  with their respective trailer sections  11   a ,  11   b  are stabilizer braces  24   a ,  24   b  which are angularly positioned between the trailer bed and each of the vertical towers  16   a ,  16   b . The vertical stabilization braces  24   a ,  24   b  are attached to the trailer bed by a suitable base and positioned for attachment to the towers  16   a ,  16   b  below the mid-portion of each tower  16   a ,  16   b  to support and maintain each tower in substantial perpendicularity to the respective trailer bed. The attachment of the stabilizer braces  24   a ,  24   b  may be by welding or bolting, or by any other suitable means that prevent any shift in the perpendicular relationship of the towers  16   a ,  16   b.    
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a trailer A being towed through the apparatus  10  to remove snow and ice from the trailer rooftop with the direction of motion shown by the directional arrow. The blade assembly  12  is extended and maintained in a downward forced position by the hydraulic lift means  18  that is mounted to and extends rearwardly from the center of the bridge  14 . The hydraulic lift means  18  is connected to the top of the blade assembly  12  spanning across the dual outwardly angled pusher blades of the blade assembly  12  by vertical positioning platform  32 . In this manner, the snow and ice  19  lying atop the trailer A is pushed outward and off the top surface of the trailer A as depicted by the falling snow and ice  19   a.    
         [0036]      FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  show the truck trailer rooftop snow and ice removal apparatus  10  of the present invention in a deployed and a stowed position, respectively.  FIG. 3  shows the stabilizer jacks  20   a ,  20   b  deployed forward and rearward of the tower  16   a  with the trailer dolly assembly  13  also deployed to lift and stabilize the trailer bed. The tower  16   a  is shown with its upper portion  17   a  extended increasing the height of the tower to accommodate vehicles having heights approaching and exceeding 14 feet. Each of the towers  16   a ,  16   b  is extendible either by pulley and gearing to crank the extendible section upwards and downwards, or alternatively by hydraulic piston means to do the same. The towers  16   a ,  16   b  are simultaneously raised and lowered as the bridge  14  rigidly links the tops of the towers  16   a ,  16   b . When the portable snow and ice removal apparatus  10  is fully deployed as described above, the operator&#39;s attention is directed to the vertical adjustability of the rooftop blade assembly  12  of the apparatus  10 . The blade assembly  12  is mounted to the vertical positioning platform  32  which is moveable upward and downward in accordance with the position of the control arms  34  of the hydraulic lift means  18 . The hydraulic lifts means  18  is responsive to operator controls that move the vertical positioning platform  32  to adjust the height of the blade assembly  12 . The hydraulic lift means  18  maintains the blade assembly  12  in a forced downward direction against the rooftop of the vehicle which enables the blade assembly  12  to clear all snow and ice from the rooftop without lifting up. The hydraulic lifts means  18  controls the blade assembly  12  so that it follows the roofline of the vehicle and remains in substantial contact with the roof of the vehicle being cleaned of snow and ice. 
         [0037]      FIG. 4  shows the portable snow and ice removal apparatus  10  with the tower  16   a  lowered for transport, prior to stowage of the rooftop plow apparatus  10 . As described above, the extendible section  17   a  of the tower  16   a  is raised and lowered by use of a crank or manual winch, or by hydraulic piston arrangement. The winch and pulley system, or the hydraulic piston, work in combination with respective locking pins (not shown) in each tower  16   a ,  16   b  to lock and maintain the towers of apparatus  10  in the extended or lowered positions. Either of the systems to raise and lower the towers may alternatively be electrically operated. 
         [0038]    The blade assembly.  12  in  FIG. 4  is shown in its stowed position. The hydraulic arms  34  bring the positioning plate  32  in close to the bridge  14  spanning the towers  16   a ,  16   b  such that the blade assembly is retracted against the bridge  14 . With the tower extension  17   a  lowered into the tower base  16   a , as shown in  FIG. 4 , as well as the companion tower extension lowered into tower  16   b , and the stabilizer jacks  20   a ,  20   b  and  22  retracted and stowed, the portable snow and ice vehicle rooftop clearing apparatus  10  is ready for relocation. Absent the lowering of the tower section  17   a ,  17   b , the overall height of the apparatus  10  would be too great for easy movement over roads as it would be unable to pass under bridges having lower clearances, e.g., 12 feet or less. 
         [0039]    Shown in  FIG. 5  is portable snow and ice removal apparatus  10  with the extendible portions  17   a ,  17   b  of towers  16   a ,  16   b  lowered for transport with the rooftop blade assembly  12  also stowed for transport. In the stowed condition all of the stabilizer jacks  20   a ,  20   b  and  22  are shown retracted and locked in travel position. Also the trailer dolly assembly  13  is retracted as the trailer  11  is connected to a tractor for towing. In addition, in order to maintain the alignment of the front and rear trailer sections  11   a ,  11   b  and to reduce structural stress on the towers  16   a ,  16   b  and the connecting bridge  14  when being towed, a trailer section locking bar  26  is positioned between the front trailer section  11   a  and the rear trailer section  11   b  to retain the trailer bed spacing between the two halves of the trailer  11  during towing. The trailer section locking bar  26  can be attached to the trailer sections in either of two preferred methods. The trailer section locking bar  26  can be attached to receivers  28   a ,  28   b  located on the rear of the front trailer section  11   a  and the front of rear trailer section  11   b , respectively. The ends of the trailer section locking bar  26  are held in place in the receivers  28   a ,  28   b  with locking pins (not shown) extending through the trailer section locking bar  26 . The trailer section locking bar  26  can also be fitted with plates at each end to fit into slotted receivers  28   a ,  28   b  on the respective facings ends of the trailer sections  11   a ,  11   b  and secured into place with bolts or similar temporary securing devices. The trailer section locking bar  26  is removed for use of the portable snow and ice vehicle rooftop clearing apparatus  10 . The trailer section locking bar  26 , once the locking pins or other securing device shave been removed, may be lifted upward out of the receivers  28   a ,  28   b , and stowed by winching the locking bar  26  upward against the underside of the bridge  14 . Alternatively, the trailer section locking bar  26  may be stowed on either trailer section  11   a ,  11   b  until required for structurally linking the two trailer sections  11   a ,  11   b  for relocation of the portable snow and ice vehicle rooftop clearing apparatus  10 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 6  shows a side view of the trailer rooftop blade assembly  12  depicting a number of structural elements, some in phantom, that provide the structural support and stability of the blade assembly  12 . Looking at the right side of the blade assembly  12  a right pusher blade  40   a  is attached to a structural frame with a reinforcing upper flange  42  attached at the top of the pusher blade  40   a . The pusher blade  40   a  has an overlapping rubber member  44  located along the lower outer edge of the pusher blade  40   a  and extending along the lower outer edge of the mirror-image pusher blade  40   b  (See  FIG. 8 ). The overlapping rubber member  44  mounted on the lower edge of plow blade assembly  12  is sufficiently rigid in its rolled position to remove the snow and ice but without any rough or sharp edges that could be damaging the rooftop of a vehicle. Both the reinforcing flange  42  and the overlapping member  44  are bolted along their respective lengths to the blade assembly  12 . At the lower front vertex of the pusher blade section  40   a ,  40   b  is a front blade reinforcer  46  for adding to the stability and structural integrity of the blade assembly  12 . A sectional view of the right side pusher blade  40   a  is shown in  FIG. 7  depicting the vertically oriented pusher blade  40   a , the reinforcing flange  42  at the top of the blade  40   a , and the front reinforcer  46  and overlapping member  44  at the bottom of the blade  40   a . Spanning the top front portion of the blade assembly  12  is a mounting plate  48  for mounting to the positioning plate  32  of the hydraulic lift means  18 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 8  is a bottom view of the blade assembly  12  of the present invention  10 . The structural frame maintains a wedge or a V-shape pusher blade angle for blade assembly  12 . The blade assembly  12  is angled symmetrically from the centerline of the point of application in the range between 30° and 45° outward from the centerline of the V-shape pusher blades  40   a ,  40   b  with each blade segment having a sufficient length to extend over the sidewall of the vehicle. The blade portions  40   a ,  40   b  are maintained at their angular orientation by a structural frame consisting of several interconnected members that may be described as follows. Across the top front of the wedge shaped pusher blade assembly  12  is a mounting plate  48  attached by bolting or welding to the right and left side pusher blades  40   a ,  40   b . At the rear of the wedge shaped pusher blade assembly  12 , across the open space between the blade segment  40   a ,  40   b , there is a structural member  50  welded or bolted to the inner sides of the pusher blade segments in the lower portions thereof spanning the open space and maintaining the spacing of the rear edges of the pusher blade segments  40   a ,  40   b . Connecting the structural member  50  and the mounting plate  48  is the angled connecting strut  52  that maintains the vertical spatial integrity of the pusher blade segments. 
         [0042]    Along the bottom of the pusher blade assembly  12  are arrayed a series of wheels that stabilize the blade assembly both front-to-back and side-to-side to allow the replaceable overlapping member  44  located along the bottom of the blade segments  40   a ,  40   b  continued close contact with the vehicle roof without damage by gouging or tearing. These guide wheels are located in three areas, the first being directly behind the vertex of the blade segments  40   a ,  40   b . This first set of paired guide wheels  54  are mounted to a common axle that extends between paired struts extending rearward from symmetrical points on the inner sides of the respective blade segments  40   a ,  40   b . As added support, another strut separates the paired wheels  54  and supports the axle that passes through the added central strut. A second set of wheels  56  are positioned approximately midway along the length of the blade segments  40   a ,  40   b  and mounted to each of the inner sides of the blade segments by paired struts on both sides of the wheels  56  through which individual axles extend. The final sets of paired guide wheels  58 ,  60  are mounted one behind the other at the respective ends of the structural member  50  connecting the rear edges of the pusher blade segments  40   a ,  40   b . The wheel sets  58 ,  60  are mounted both to the front and the rear of the structural member  50  by paired struts with axles extending through the wheels  58 ,  60  mounted between the struts. The vehicle roof top contact points of the guide wheels  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60  are maintained at the same height as the bottom of the push blade segments  40   a ,  40   b , with the overlapping member  44  being the lowest point in contact with the vehicle rooftop. This evenly spread dimensional height across the entire bottom of the pusher blade assembly  12  is to maintain the blade assembly  12  in an evenly spaced and parallel orientation to the vehicle roof top in order to protect the rooftop of the trailer, truck or bus from damage. 
         [0043]    The reinforcing structure of the blade assembly  12  is composed of the structural support bars  50 ,  52 , the mounting plate  48 , and the guide wheels  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60  provide a structural integrity for the blade assembly  12 . This structure retains the wedge shaped angular arrangement of the elements and provides for the precise elevation for the pusher blade segments  40   a ,  40   b  to cooperate with the other structural components to scrape and push the snow and ice from the rooftop of the vehicle without gouging or tearing the rooftop. 
         [0044]    The V-shaped blade assembly  12  throws the snow outward and downward while pushing along the length of the vehicle rooftop. (See  FIG. 2 ) Blade assembly  12  is wider than the vehicle rooftop and extends outward of the sidewalls of the vehicle at the rear of the blade assembly to allow the snow and ice to be completely pushed off the rooftop and outward over both of the sides of the vehicle. 
         [0045]    Additionally, the cooperative mounting of the mounting plate  48  on the blade assembly  12  with the vertical positioning platform  32  of the hydraulic lift means  18  creates a flat planar orientation between these two components at the forwardmost portion of the blade segments  40   a ,  40   b  to force plowed-up material outward, downward and away from the vehicle roof. The positioning platform  32  located at the end of the control arms  34  of the hydraulic lift means  18 , which is operator controlled from below, assists in raising and lowering the blade assembly  12 . The guide wheels  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60  add stability to the blade assembly  12  so that the blade segments  40   a ,  40   b  cannot move out of alignment with each other or with the roof surface of the vehicle and do not damage the top of the vehicle. Further, the blade assembly  12  has the ability to bounce on the roof top with the assistance of the hydraulic lift means  18  with the cushioning effect of the guide wheels  54 ,  56 ,  58  and  60  in order to break up compacted snow or ice for easier removal. 
         [0046]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof and, accordingly, the described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as being illustrative and not restrictive, with the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing detailed description, as indicating the scope of the invention as well as all modifications which may fall within a range of equivalency which are also intended to be embraced therein.