Patent Publication Number: US-6662399-B1

Title: Ice scraper

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to an ice scraper for use in scraping snow and ice from automobile windows. More particularly, this invention relates to an ice scraper having means associated therewith to enable the user thereof to apply greater leverage or pressure to the scraper blade thereon. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many hundreds of differently designed ice scrapers have been previously provided for scraping snow and ice from automobile windows. Some ice scrapers are fairly short arcuate devices while others comprise an elongated handle having a scraper blade at one end thereof. Further, some ice scrapers employ a scraper at one end of an elongated handle with a brush being mounted on the other end thereof. If a short ice scraper is used, it is difficult for the user to sufficiently reach across the windshield to scrape the ice and snow therefrom. Although the longer ice scrapers described above provide an extended reach, it is difficult for the user to apply sufficient scraping pressure to the scraper blade. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An improved ice scraper is disclosed which includes an elongated handle having opposite ends. A conventional ice scraper blade is provided on end of the handle portion with that same end of the handle portion having an optional brush mounted thereon which is disposed opposite to the ice scraper blade. A U-shaped yoke is provided at the other end of the handle portion and includes spaced-apart yoke members which have a U-shaped arm or wrist engaging member secured thereto which extends therebetween. The user grasps the elongated handle in a manner such that the U-shaped engaging member extends over the wrist or lower arm of the user. The U-shaped engaging member enables the user to apply sufficient scraping pressure to the scraper blade so that snow and ice may be removed from the automobile window. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved ice scraper. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide an ice scraper for use in scraping snow and ice from automobile windows which has means associated therewith to enable the user thereof to apply greater leverage or pressure to the scraper blade thereon. 
     Yet another object of the invention is to provide an ice scraper of the type described above which is reversible in that pressure may be applied to either a scraper blade or brush. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide an ice scraper which is durable in use, refined in appearance and economical of manufacture. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ice scraper of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the ice scraper in use; 
     FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the invention being used to brush snow; and 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention similar to FIG. 1 except that the scraper has been rotated 180° for use as a snow brush. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The ice scraper of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral  10 . Scraper  10  includes an elongated handle portion  12  having ends  14  and  16 . A conventional ice scraper blade  18  is provided on end  14  of handle portion  12 . An optional brush  20  may also be provided at end  14  of the handle portion  12  adjacent blade  16 , but opposite thereto, as seen in the drawings. Handle portion  12  is preferably straight but may be angular or curved if so desired. Handle portion  12  may be constructed of wood, plastic, etc. As seen in FIG. 1, the handle portion  12  has a curved portion  21  adjacent blade  18 . Blade  18  may be plastic, metal, or other suitable material. Blade  18  may be integrally formed with handle portion  12  or formed separately thereof. Handle portion  12  may have a round, square or rectangular cross-section. 
     A U-shaped yoke  22  is provided at end  16  of handle portion  12  and includes spaced-apart yoke members  24  and  26 . Yoke members  24  and  26  may dwell in the same plane as handle portion  12  or may be offset therefrom. A U-shaped arm or wrist engaging member  28  is secured to and extends between yoke members  24  and  26 , as seen in the drawings. Member  28  may be flexible or rigid, but is preferably flexible. If member  28  is flexible, it enables the ice scraper to be used in an “upside-down”,fashion as will be described hereinafter and as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. 
     In use, if it is desired to scrape snow and/or ice from a vehicle window, the user inserts his or her hand and wrist beneath the U-shaped engaging member  28  and grasps the handle portion  12  adjacent the U-shaped yoke  22 . (FIG.  2 ). The user then places the scraper blade  18  into contact with the window and moves the scraper blade relative to the window to scrape snow and ice therefrom. The user is able to apply sufficient pressure to the scraper blade  18  since the U-shaped engaging member  28  bears down against the person&#39;s wrist or lower arm thereby enabling the person to exert pressure or leverage onto the window surface. If it is desired to brush snow from the vehicle window, the ice scraper  10  of this invention is merely rotated 180° so that the brush  20  is oriented in a downwardly extending fashion. (FIG.  3 ). The flexible nature of the U-shaped engaging member  28  enables the member  28  to be reversed with respect to the yoke members  24  and  26  (FIG. 3) so that the user may exert pressure onto the brush in the same fashion as pressure was applied to the scraper blade  18 . FIG. 4 illustrates the scraper  10  in its reversed position with the dashed lines illustrating the manner in which the member  28  may be reversed. 
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.