Patent Abstract:
An improved scraping tool with a retractable safety guard, for removing debris and dirt from glass, tile and the like. The scraping tool comprises a housing formed of two separable housing portions and a guard member, and is adapted to securely retain a single- or double-edged blade between the housing portions. The separable housing portions are removably secured and held in sealed alignment by a plurality of securing elements, including a releasable housing lock mechanism. Within the housing, a scraping blade is held in a rigid, stationary position by a plurality of posts. A guard member, the ends of which form a pair of upper and lower blade shields, is positioned and secured in sliding engagement within the housing.

Full Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to a device for removing debris and dirt from a surface. More particularly, this invention involves an improved scraper for cleaning tiles, glass and other surfaces. Even more specifically, this invention relates to a handheld single-blade scraper having a sliding safety guard which protects both sides of a leading edge of a blade to protect a user from injury. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Generally, when scraping glass, tile or other surfaces to remove stubborn debris and dirt that is layered or otherwise located thereon, professionals and non-professionals alike require a scraping tool which, in addition to various ancillary components, has a sharp blade that is secured to a handle portion. At least one primary concern in connection with scraper tools which incorporate a sharp blade is to provide a tool that is safe both during use and storage of the tool, and which prevents accidental cutting injuries and unintended damage to clothing, surfaces and the like. 
     In attempts to provide a single solution to the foregoing concerns, a number of scraper tools have been successfully marketed to the public. Many of these products incorporate features that help prevent injuries and unintended damage by either directing users to completely remove the blade from the device or to provide a removable guard cover which sheaths the blade entirely. Despite the advances made in connection with these scraper tools, these products have certain major drawbacks. 
     For example, the prior art discloses a handheld tool for carrying a scraping/stripping blade. The tool includes a handle, a blade receiver and a blade clamp for pivotally clamping a blade. When the device is in an unlocked position, a blade may quickly be removed, inserted or reversed. When utilizing a conventional double-edged blade, only removing it entirely from the device suffices to completely protect a user from injury, since both sides of the blade are razor sharp. However, even when utilizing a conventional single-edged blade having only one sharp edge, inserting the blade in a position where the sharp edge is concealed while the opposite, relatively dull edge remains exposed, still offers a pointed corner which may undesirably catch and tear a pocket of a user when stored therein. 
     This product also has other shortcomings. For example, professionals who conduct cleaning, washing and scraping activities on glass (or other surfaces) outdoors while in an elevated position (e.g., on a ladder) typically endure wet conditions generally and/or cold hands at given time. Thus, it is tiresome and difficult for these users to be required to repeatedly unlock the clamp and change the orientation of the blade (i.e., insert, remove and/or reverse). Inevitably, because a user&#39;s hands are slippery and cold, the blade often slips out of a user&#39;s hand, tears his or her clothing, and/or falls to the ground. 
     Furthermore, the elongated handle of conventional scraper tools leads to users applying a closed hand grip to the handle when utilizing the scraper tool. In applying a closed grip, the angle at which the blade contacts a surface being acted upon is sometimes too extreme (approaching 80-90 degrees) or otherwise less than optimal, which causes a user&#39;s hand and wrist to become easily and more quickly fatigued. 
     In another prior art scraper marketed under the brand Master Mechanic® of True Value Company, a blade is mounted to a retractable blade carrier that is capable of shifting between an exposed position and a retracted position by virtue of the movement of a thumb-actuated button that is connected to the blade carrier. While this device also offers some advantages in that the scraping blade is easily exposed (for use and for replacement of a blade) and retracted (for storage), the device suffers from at least three major drawbacks. First, since the blade in this device is mounted to a carrier which requires clearance to slide between exposed and retracted positions, it provides a wobbly and loosely secured blade which is undesirable to users who require blade stability, particularly when handling sharp objects. Further, the elongated handle attached to the blade also causes a user&#39;s hand and wrist to become more easily fatigued because of the “painting” motion (i.e., straight strokes) that is typically required in employing such a scraping tool to remove dirt or debris. Moreover, when the blade is in a retracted position, the scraper has a plastic protective surface which extends slightly beyond the edge of the blade. The protective surface, which runs adjacent to only the top side of the blade, leaves the underside of the blade unprotected and the sharp blade edge partially exposed. As a result, a user running fingers along the plastic protective surface, believing that he or she was fully protected from injury, may cause a serious wound to be inflicted to the user&#39;s hands, particularly when the blade is drawn away from the protective surface. 
     In other prior art scraping devices where a flexible sliding guard is provided for only one side of the leading edge of a blade, a user may likewise be lured into a false sense of security. When a user pushes his or her fingers against the guard, the guard may flex apart from the blade thereby causing an unexpected severe cut. Accordingly, these forms of scraping tools incorporating only “one-sided” flexible sliding guards have been unsuccessful in preventing all types of injury. 
     In another prior art scraper which is marketed by Vermop® of Vermop Salmon GmbH, a rigid, stationary blade is mounted within a housing case. Since the scraper incorporates a blade that is removable but non-retractable, a separate detachable cover is provided to conceal the blade when the device is not in use. Although the blade edge is fully protected when the cover is engaged, the cover tends to be easily lost, dropped and is otherwise inconvenient in actual use of the instrument. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved scraping tool with a retractable blade safety guard, for removing debris and dirt from glass, tile and other surfaces. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a scraping tool with a retractable blade safety guard that covers both sides of a leading edge of a sharpened blade and prevents the occurrence of injuries and damage to surfaces and objects caused by a fully or partially exposed blade, or sharp corner thereof, when the device is not in use. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a scraping tool with a retractable blade safety guard that flexes to prevent a blade from undesirably becoming exposed and causing injury to a user. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a scraping tool with a retractable blade safety guard that remains retractably disposed within the housing of the scraping tool when the blade is exposed thereby avoiding the loss of a protective covering. 
     An additional object of the present invention is to provide a thin scraping tool with a thin retractable safety guard which allows a blade to scrape or otherwise engage glass or any other hard smooth surface at a reduced angle of attack. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a scraping tool that has a rigid, stationary blade which allows for stable and secure handling during use. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a scraping tool that can be utilized in an arcing motion, thereby reducing fatigue in the hands and wrists of a user, thus being more efficient, comfortable and convenient to use. 
     Additional objectives will be apparent from the description of the invention that follows. 
     In its broadest aspects, the invention involves an improved scraping tool with a retractable safety guard, for removing debris and dirt from glass, tile and other generally flat surfaces. The scraping tool comprises a housing formed of two separable housing portions, a flexible unshaped guard member and a single- or double-edged blade securely retained between the housing portions. 
     The separable housing portions are removably secured and held in sealed alignment by a plurality of securing elements, including a releasable housing lock mechanism. The housing lock mechanism comprises a locking arm which extends upwardly from the rear end of the lower housing portion, a finger actuated locking lever extending axially from the arm, and a locking lip opposite the lever that is positioned against a shoulder on the upper housing portion when both housing portions are secured to one another. The locking mechanism works in conjunction with other securing elements which include a plurality of corresponding slots and inserts which facilitate the secured and sealed alignment between the housing portions. 
     Within the housing, the base of a scraping blade is held in a rigid, stationary position. Preferably, for holding the blade in place, the lower housing portion has two upright posts having a circumference which closely corresponds to two apertures located in the body of the blade, leaving clearance which allows only for removal of the blade. 
     The guard member, the ends of which form a pair of spaced blade shields, is in sliding connection with the housing. The blade shields are preferably disposed entirely within the housing when the guard member and blade shields are in a retracted position, leaving the sharpened blade edge, which extends outwardly from the housing, in an exposed position. Even in the retracted position, the blade is sandwiched between the folding guard member, which surrounds at least a portion of the blade at all times within the housing. When the blade shields are in an extended position, they sheath both sides of the sharpened blade edge entirely to prevent unintended injury or damage. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the sliding connection between the guard member and housing is made possible by virtue of apertures in the guard member and correspondingly positioned projections and the like which extend from the separable housing portions. The apertures in the guard member are elongated to permit a sliding or axial motion of the guard member for a predetermined distance limited to the length of the elongated apertures. The distance is sufficient to completely cover both sides of the sharpened edge of the blade that are otherwise exposed when the guard member and blade shields are in a retracted position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Now referring to the drawings which form a part of the present application, 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of the inventive scraper with sliding safety guard with the blade shields in a forward sheathing position; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross sectional view of the scraper with sliding safety guard taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the scraper with sliding safety guard, showing the internal sections of the upper and lower separable housing portions, the guard member and a double-edged blade; 
         FIG. 4  is a top perspective view of a section of the guard member showing the guard actuator; 
         FIG. 5  is an elevational view of the internal section of the upper housing portion showing the guard actuator as a partial cross section of the guard member in the forward sheathing position, with a blade shield in dashed and dotted lines, taken along lines  5 - 5  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross sectional view of the housing, blade and guard member in the forward sheathing position with the guard actuator securing pin in the forward notch, taken along lines  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5   
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross sectional view of the housing, blade and guard member similar to  FIG. 6  but with downward pressure being applied to the guard actuator and the guard member in the process of being retracted; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross sectional view of the housing, blade and guard member similar to  FIG. 6  but the guard member in the retracted position with the guard actuator securing pin in the rearward notch; 
         FIG. 9  is an elevational view of the lower housing portion of the inventive scraper with sliding safety guard with the blade shields in a forward sheathing position; 
         FIG. 10  is a top perspective view of the inventive scraper with sliding safety guard with the blade shields in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross sectional view of the scraper with sliding safety guard taken along line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 10 , with the guard member and blade shields in a retracted position; 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view showing a user utilizing the scraper with sliding safety guard to remove dirt from a surface; and 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the scraper with sliding safety guard removing dirt from a surface. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 through 13  depict an embodiment of the inventive scraper with sliding safety guard  10 . Generally, the scraper  10  comprises a housing formed of two separable housing portions  12 ,  22 , and a flexible guard member  50 . The scraper  10  is adapted to securely retain a double-edged blade  80  between the housing portions  12 ,  22 . The blade  80  is standard, rectangular in form, and has a pair of sharp edges  82 ,  83  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Each of these elements is described in greater detail below. 
     The scraper  10  comprises an upper housing portion  12  and a lower housing portion  22  that are selectively separable from one another, with each of the two housing portions  12 ,  22  having a front end  14 ,  24  and rear end  16 ,  26 , respectively. As shown most clearly in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the upper housing portion  12  and lower housing portion  22  have securing elements that cooperate to keep the separable housing portions  12 ,  22  in a securely sealed and aligned position when the scraper  10  is assembled. In the proximity of the front end  14  of the upper housing portion  12  there are three securing slots  18 , each of which cooperates with a correspondingly positioned securing insert  28  that is internally located within the lower housing portion  22 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , each securing insert  28  has a securing lip  30  that extends rearwardly and rests against a securing shoulder  20  located within the slot  18   28  in the upper housing portion  12  when the housing portions  12 ,  22  are secured to one another. Further, the lateral edges of the upper housing portion  12  each has an angled insert  44  that is positioned within a correspondingly angled slot or channel  42  located on the lateral edges of the lower housing portion  22 . The angled inserts  44  and slots  42  further facilitate proper securing and alignment of the housing portions  12 ,  22 . 
     In addition to the foregoing securing elements, the scraper  10  further has a releasable housing lock mechanism  31 . In a preferred embodiment, this mechanism comprises a locking arm  32  which extends upwardly from the rear end  26  of the lower housing portion  22 . At the top of the arm  32 , a finger actuated locking lever  34  extends rearwardly from the arm  32  and is accessible through a locking aperture  35  in the upper housing portion  12 . Optionally, the arm  32  has a length that allows the top surface of the locking lever  34  to extend somewhat beyond that of the upper housing portion  12 . A locking lip  36  is positioned opposite the locking lever  34  and rests against a locking shoulder  40  when the housing portions  12 ,  22  are secured to one another. When the housing portions  12 ,  22  are in the secured or assembled position, downward pressure manually applied to the locking lever  34  forces the locking arm  32  to bend backward and the locking lip  36   32  to slide off from the top surface of the locking shoulder  40 . As continued downward pressure on the locking lever  34  is applied after the lip  36   32  is no longer resting on the locking shoulder  40 , the rear end  26  of the lower housing portion  22  detaches from the rear end  16  of the upper housing portion  12 , while the securing inserts  28  are still positioned in the securing slots  18  and the angled inserts  44  are still positioned in the angled slots  42 . Continued separation of the housing portions  12 ,  22  eventually leads to the securing lips  30  of the securing inserts  28  sliding off the securing shoulder  20  and subsequently exiting the securing slots  18 , while the angled inserts  44  exit the angled slots  42 . 
     Conversely, when securing the housing portions  12 ,  22  to one another, the securing inserts  28  and angled inserts  44  are aligned in a position to enter the securing slots  18  and angled slots  42 , respectively. Once the securing inserts  28  and angled inserts  44  are placed into the respective slots  18 ,  42 , the housing portions  12 ,  22  can be squeezed together with sufficient manual pressure to raise the locking lip  36  over the locking shoulder  40  to secure the housing portions  12 ,  22  to one another. 
     Other conventional securing mechanisms may be provided instead of or in addition to each of the foregoing parts which fasten and secure the housing portions. In addition, it should be understood that certain parts of the preferred embodiment for keeping the housing portions  12 ,  22  secured may be omitted while still allowing the housing portions to be safely fastened to one another. For example, the centrally located insert  28  and slot  18  may be omitted in the formation of the device. Likewise, the configuration of the angled inserts  44  and slots  42  may be altered such that the lateral edges of the housing portions  12 ,  22  are straight and simply rest adjacent to one another without there being an interlocking connection. 
     In addition to the securing inserts  28  discussed above, there are a number of additional internal projections within the housing portions  12 ,  22 , some of which serve to maintain a scraping blade  80  in a stationary, rigid position relative to the housing. As shown in  FIG. 3 , in order to maintain the scraping blade  80  in a stationary position, upright pins or posts  46  are provided on the bottom housing portion  22 . Apertures  86  on the blade  80  are correspondingly sized and positioned to receive the posts  46  in the apertures  86 . Recesses  48  on the upper housing portion  12  accommodate the posts  46  when the housing portions are closed. The recesses  48  are elongated since the posts  46  shift somewhat as the housing portions  12 ,  22  are secured to and released from one another as discussed above. Once the blade  80  is mounted on the posts  46  (along with the guard member  50 ), and the posts  46  are inserted into the recesses  48  when the housing portions  12 ,  22  are secured to one another, the blade  80  is inhibited from movement relative to the housing. 
     The blade  80  further conventionally comprises three apertures  88 , which are correspondingly positioned in relation to the three securing inserts  28 , through which the securing inserts  28  can pass for facilitating the securing of the housing portions  12 ,  22 . In the preferred embodiment, these apertures  88  are not strictly utilized to fully inhibit movement of the blade (although they do contribute thereto) as evidenced by their irregular shapes which do not complement the dimensions of the inserts  28 . However, it should be understood that the shape and dimensions of the inserts  28  and/or the apertures  88  on the blade  80  may be altered to correspond to one another so that the inserts  28  retain the blade  80  in a stationary position as do the posts  46 . Furthermore, although the scraper of the preferred embodiment comprises a conventional double-edged blade, it should be understood that a single-edged blade may be used as well. 
     For covering the blade  80  when the scraper  10  is not in use, a double-leaved guard member  50  is provided. In a preferred embodiment, the guard member  50  is formed of a single piece of flexible plastic and is u-shaped. When the guard member  50  is in a folded position, the ends form an upper blade shield  52  and a lower blade shield  54  which provide a cover to protect both sides  85 ,  87  of the exposed leading edge  82  of the blade  80 . As shown in the figures, the entire guard member  50  is in sliding connection with the housing and is retained therein at all times. Whether the blade shields  52 ,  54  are in the retracted or sheathing position, the blade  80  is at least partially sandwiched within the folded guard member  50  positioned inside the housing. The blade shields  52 ,  54  are preferably positioned entirely within the housing when they are in a fully retracted position, leaving the sharpened working edge  82  of the blade  80 , which partially extends out from the housing, exposed for scraping. When the blade shields  52 ,  54  are in an extended or sheathing position, they cover both sides  85 ,  87  of the working edge  82  of the blade  80  in order to prevent unintended injury or damage. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a ridged guard actuator or button  70  is preferably integrally molded to the guard member  50  on the top surface thereof (i.e., opposite the surface which contacts the blade  80 ). When the guard member  50  is appropriately positioned within the housing, the guard actuator  70  extends through an aperture in the upper housing portion  12  which has dimensions sufficient to allow the actuator  70  move between a fully forward (i.e., sheathing) and rearward (i.e., retracted) position. At the rear end of the actuator  70 , a semi-circular cutout  72 , is positioned to receive the thumb(s) or other finger(s) of a user to apply pressure to move the guard member  50 , particularly in connection with movement of the guard member  50  and blade shields  52 ,  54  from a retracted position to a sheathing position. Attached at either side of the guard actuator  70  are two pins  74  appropriately sized to be received and rest in a set of notches  76 ,  78  located on the underside of the upper housing portion  12 . Optionally, the guard actuator  70  is of sufficient height to allow the ridged surface  71  to extend somewhat beyond that of the upper housing portion  12 . 
     By applying the appropriate magnitude and direction of pressure to the guard actuator  70 , a user may shift the entire guard member  50 , and hence the blade shields  52 ,  54 , between a sheathing position as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and a retracted position as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , when the blade shields  52 ,  54  are extended forward, the securing pins  74  on either side of the actuator  70  rest in the pair of forward notches  76  on the upper housing portion  12 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , in order to move blade shields  52 ,  54  into a the retracted position, downward pressure is applied to the actuator  70  at the ridged surface  71  causing the guard member  50  to flex and the pins to exit the forward set of notches  76 . Absent the application of downward pressure, the guard member  50  is prevented by stops  79  from shifting in a rearward direction. Once the pins  74  exit the notches  76 , pressure is applied to shift the guard member  50  in a rearward direction. As shown in  FIG. 8 , once the stop is cleared, the pressure on the actuator  70  is released allowing the actuator to instantly pop back up and the pins  74  to enter and rest in the rearward notches  78 . Significantly, based on the contours of the stops  79  and pins  74 , respectively, in order to shift the guard member  50  and blade shields  52 ,  54  back into the sheathing position, forward pressure is applied, with only little or no downward pressure being required. Once a user has completed scraping a surface, the user slides the guard actuator  70  forward until the pins  74  clicks into place in the forward notches  76 . 
     In connection with the actuator  70  of the present invention, it should be understood that other appropriately shaped indentations may be provided in connection with the actuator  70  instead of the semi-circular cutout  72 . Moreover, cutouts may be provided at the front end of the actuator  70  as well as or instead of at the rear end thereof, which may facilitate shifting the guard member into a retracted position. It should also be understood that the securing pins  74  need not be directly connected to the actuator and may be appropriately spaced a relatively short distance away provided that notches are positioned in a corresponding fashion. 
     In addition to the securing inserts  28  and posts  46 , there are additional internal projections extending from the respective housing portions  12 ,  22 , some of which primarily serve to maintain the guard member  50  in sliding connection with the upper and lower housing portions  12 ,  22 , and others which primarily keep the guard member  50  appropriately positioned within the housing. As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , in order to maintain the guard member  50  in sliding connection with the upper and lower housing portions  12 ,  22 , guard guides  45  having hooked edges are provided. The guard member  50  has correspondingly positioned guard guide slots  55  for receiving the guides  45 . The guide slots  55  are elongated to permit longitudinal movement of the guard member  50  relative to the guides  45  and the housing. The slots  55  preferably have a width that is just smaller than that of the hooked ends of the guides  45 . Thus, after the guard member  50  is mounted on the guides  45 , the hooked ends thereof help keep the guard member  50  from falling off and in proper alignment. 
     It should further be understood that additional guides may be provided in addition to the two that are present in connection with the preferred embodiment. Likewise, a single master guide and corresponding guide slot may be provided instead. Moreover, it should be understood that the scraper may be constructed with guide slots or recesses positioned within the housing and corresponding guides extending from the guard member. 
     In addition to the guide slots  55 , the guard member  50  has other elongated apertures  58 ,  68  near the upper and lower blade shields  52 ,  54 , respectively, which are mounted on the securing inserts  28  of the lower housing portion  22 . Thus, in the assembly of the scraper  10 , the securing inserts  28  first pass through the lower guard member apertures  58 , the blade apertures  88  and then the upper guard member apertures  68  before being inserted into the securing slot  18  when the scraper  10  is assembled for use. Likewise, the guard member  50  has elongated post apertures  56 ,  66  near the upper and lower blade shields  52 ,  54 , respectively, which are mounted on the posts  46  of the lower housing. Thus, in the assembly of the scraper  10 , the posts  46  first pass through the lower guard member post apertures  56 , the blade apertures  86  and then the upper guard member post apertures  66  before being inserted into the recesses  48  when the scraper  10  is assembled for use. Although the securing inserts  28  and posts  46  serve other functions as detailed above, they also keep the guard member  50  in proper position and alignment at all times. 
     In a preferred embodiment, indentations  33  located at the base of the securing inserts  28  further assist in keeping the guard member  50  from becoming dislodged. Once the guard member  50  is mounted on the securing inserts  28 , the area of the guard member  50  just outside the apertures  58  become removably wedged in the indentations  33  which keeps the guard member  50  from slipping off the insert  28  but which still allows the guard member  50  to be manually removed. 
     Notably, the longitudinal movement of the guard member  50  is primarily limited by the length of the elongated apertures  55 ,  56 ,  58 ,  66 ,  68  of the guard member  50 , the distance between the pin notches  76 ,  78 , and the size of the aperture on the upper housing  12  that receives the actuator  70 . Preferably, each of the foregoing should be sized consistently to permit an equivalent amount of longitudinal movement of the guard member  50  relative to the housing and blade. Of course, whatever the distance the guard member  50  permitted to slide, it should be sufficient to completely cover both sides  85 ,  87  of the sharpened edge  82  of the blade  80  that is otherwise exposed when the blade shields  52 ,  54  are in a retracted position. 
     In the extended or sheathing position, the two blade shields  52 ,  54  completely cover both sides  85 ,  87  of the otherwise exposed front edge  82  of the blade  80 , and preferably extend slightly beyond the sharpened edge  82 , see especially  FIG. 2 . Since the gap from which the blade shields  52 ,  54  extend from the front end of the housing are relatively narrow, the blade shields  52 ,  54  bear against the blade  80 , thereby hindering the blade shields  52 ,  54  from individually flexing outwardly and exposing the blade. The application of outside pressure in the general vicinity of the blade shields  52 ,  54  compel both blade shields  52 ,  54  to flex in the same direction preventing exposure of the blade. Thus a user can run a finger over the edge of the scraper  10  with complete security, even if the blade shields  52 ,  54  flex back and forth. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the housing portions  12 ,  22  and the guard member  50  are formed by injection molding. The housing portions  12 ,  22  are preferably formed of acetyl resin marketed under the brand Celcon® of the Celanese Corporation, but may also be formed of other conventional rigid plastics, including polyester, ABS and nylon and others. The guard member  50  is also preferably formed of acetyl resin marketed under the brand Celcon®, but may also formed of other varieties of flexible plastics that should also have some spring and/or elasticity. The guard member  50  may be molded flat and subsequently bent to form a u-shape; however it can also be initially molded into a u-shape (or other similar shape) during its formation. Optionally, one or both of the housing portions  12 ,  22  may include a soft ergonomic grip composed of a thermoplastic elastomer which can be overmolded directly to the housing portions  12 ,  22  once the housing portions  12 ,  22  are produced, or separately attached after each is formed. While the housing portions can take on a number of different shapes and sizes, it should be understood that the scraper  10  when fully assembled should be relatively thin, particularly at the front end thereof, so that the scraper blade may contact a surface at an angle of approximately 40-65 degrees as depicted in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . This permits the scraper  10  to be utilized in an arcing motion without a conventional closed grip and thereby reduces fatigue in the hands and wrists of a user. 
     When the guard member  50  is appropriately mounted to the housing portions  12 ,  22 , the housing portions  12 ,  22  may be separated from direct physical contact when the housing lock mechanism  31  and other securing elements are disengaged, but they remain joined to each other by the guard member  50 , which is preferably designed to inhibit the complete separation of the housing portions  12 ,  22 . This feature permits a user open the scraper  10  for replacing a blade  80  without having the scraper  10  completely separate into all of its constituent parts (i.e., the housing portions  12 ,  22  and guard member  50 ). Thus, when the blade  80  dulls, a simple press of the locking lever  34  permits the scraper  10  to continue to open like a clam shell, exposing the blade  80  for replacing it, yet keeping the housing portions  12 ,  22  joined to one another by the guard member. Optionally, the lower housing portion  22  includes a deep enough cavity to store one or more spare blades for replacement of a used or dull blade. 
     While it is preferable to form the guard member as one integral unit, it should be understood that a guard member may be formed of two or more separate parts as well. Such separate parts for forming a guard member may be subsequently joined by conventional means well know in the art, or may function separately yet perform all of the tasks of the guard member of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     A number of other optional features may be provided in connection with the scraper  10 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , border extensions  47  are optionally provided in order to keep the guard member  50  appropriately positioned within the housing and to inhibit lateral movement of the guard member, particularly at or near the center  60  thereof. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , another optional feature that may be provided is a rest  38  on the lower housing portion  22  to support the guard member  50  and prevent structural stress thereto. Furthermore, a conventional handle or alternate grip attachment may be provided and adapted attach to the recesses  90 ,  92  (shown best is  FIGS. 1 ,  5 ,  9  and  10 ) at the rear end  16  of the upper housing portions  12 . This would provide a user with some flexibility and the ability to reach further to scrape a surface that is otherwise out of reach. 
     Although the invention is described and depicted in terms of a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that the embodiment shown and described herein is merely illustrative of an application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1