Patent Abstract:
A snow removal device is disclosed for removing snow from a roof surface. The device includes a multi-angled tool comprising a plurality of panels. The panels include a first panel portion configured to dig into the snow, a second panel portion connected to a trailing edge of the first panel portion, the second panel portion being angled to compact a small amount of snow between the tool and the roof surface, and a third panel portion connected to a trailed edge of the second panel portion, the third panel portion being configured to slide over the compacted small amount of snow.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/166,174 filed on May 26, 2015 which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    This disclosure is related to a device for clearing snow from a roof, particularly to a device with a blade configured to glide closely above roof shingles while dislodging and channeling away a majority of snow from the roof surface. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure. Accordingly, such statements are not intended to constitute an admission of prior art. 
         [0004]    Heavy snow accumulating upon a roof can damage the roof through the weight of the snow. Melting and refreezing snow upon a roof can cause “ice dams” which can damage the roof and cause the roof to leak. Accumulated snow on a roof can fall upon a person standing under the roof 
         [0005]    A person can stand on a roof with a shovel and use the shovel to remove snow. This can be a dangerous and labor intensive process. Long handled tools can be used to sweep or pull snow from a roof. However, known tools frequently include complicated mechanisms that stand out at sharp angles away from the tool handle, frequently creating easily broken tools. Other tools include heavy device that are difficult for an average person to wield or include wheels that roll upon the shingles of the roof, potentially damaging the shingles. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    A snow removal device is disclosed for removing snow from a roof surface. The device includes a multi-angled tool comprising a plurality of panels. The panels include a first panel portion configured to dig into the snow, a second panel portion connected to a trailing edge of the first panel portion, the second panel portion being angled to compact a small amount of snow between the tool and the roof surface, and a third panel portion connected to a trailed edge of the second panel portion, the third panel portion being configured to slide over the compacted small amount of snow. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    One or more embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary snow removal device including a tool handle connected to a tool with a multi-angled blade configured to remove snow from a roof, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates the multi-angled blade of  FIG. 1  including attachment of a plastic sheet to the tool in the context of a roof surface, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates the tool of  FIG. 2  including the plastic sheet being used to remove snow from a roof, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates the tool of  FIG. 2  from a different angle and including details of the attachment of the plastic sheet to the tool, in accordance with the present disclosure; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the tool of  FIG. 3  removing snow from the roof surface of  FIG. 3  in detail, and, in particular, illustrating a mass of packed snow being broken up and channeled away by the tool, in accordance with the present disclosure; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  illustrates an optional embodiment of a snow removal device including optional shingle protection tabs, stiffening ribs, and a removable cylindrical handle, in accordance with the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating certain exemplary embodiments only and not for the purpose of limiting the same,  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary snow removal device including a tool handle connected to a tool with a multi-angled blade configured to remove snow from a roof. Snow removal device  5  is illustrated, including tool panel portions  10 ,  20 , and  30  configured to dig into snow accumulated upon a roof and cause the snow to dislodge and fall from the roof. Panel portions  10 ,  20 , and  30  are illustrates as three connected planar sheets. The tool blade can be constructed of any known material such as exemplary plastic or aluminum which can be used to construct a typical snow shovel blade known in the art. In place of flat planar sheets, portions  10 ,  20 , and  30  can include curved transitions between the portions, so long as blade surfaces impact the snow in a same manner as disclosed herein. 
         [0015]    The illustrated handle  40  can take a number of different forms. For example, one or a number of square or circular cross section poles can be used to construct the handle. In one embodiment, a user may add to the pole in exemplary five foot sections to make the pole as long as is necessary. In one embodiment the handle can include one circular section pole inserted within another larger circular section pole, with a twist lock mechanism allowing the user to select the overall length of the pole by pulling one pole partially out of the other pole and using the twist lock mechanism to fix the poles together. In a similar embodiment, the outer pole can have a constriction band at the interface with the inner pole, and a fastener on the constriction band can be used to tighten and thereby fasten the band to the inner pole, thereby locking the poles together in an overall desired length. The blade tool affixed to the end of the tool handle is configured to be thrust into a snow pack upon a roof to dislodge snow from the snow pack. 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates the multi-angled blade of  FIG. 1  including attachment of a plastic sheet to the tool in the context of a roof surface. Snow removal device  5  is illustrated, including tool portions  10 ,  20 , and  30  configured to dig into snow accumulated upon a roof and cause the snow to dislodge and fall from the roof. Portions  10 ,  20 , and  30  are illustrates as three connected planar sheets. Roof surface  100  is illustrated, including a flat, slightly stepped surface provide by layers of overlapping roof shingles known in the art. Handle  40  is provided whereby a user may provide a thrusting force parallel or nearly parallel to roof surface  100 . Parallel line  102  is provided for illustration purposes only, showing what angle a blade on device  5  would need to be to be parallel with a surface of the roof. Portion  10  is illustrated canted or angled slightly downward in relation to parallel line  102 . As device  5  is thrust into a bank of snow in region  105 , the downward angle of portion  10  would tend to cause the blade to be pushed against roof surface  100 . This downward force created by portion  10  ensures that device  5  stays closely against roof surface  100 . Parallel line  102  is an imaginary construction useful to describe how the tool panel portions move over a roof surface. However, handle  40  will typically be used in a parallel or almost parallel relation to the roof surface. As a result, the tool planar portions and their angles in relation to line  102  can be similarly described in relation to handle  40 , with portion  10  being slightly angled toward the roof surface in relation to the handle, with portion  30  being either flat or slightly angled away from the roof surface in relation to the handle, and with portion  20  being angled away from the roof surface more than portion  30 . 
         [0017]    As portion  10  is thrust into snow, some snow will go under portion  10  into region  110 . This snow in region  110  will come into contact with portion  20  which is slanted upwards in relation to parallel line  102 . As snow comes into contact with portion  20 , it is compressed against roof surface  100 . Finally, the compressed snow of region  110  enters region  115  below portion  30 . Portion  30  can be flat or slightly angled upward in relation to parallel line  102 . Portion  30  rides upon a layer of compressed snow in region  115 , such that the device  5  does not or infrequently contacts the roof surface  100 . 
         [0018]    Snow passing over portion  10  is broken up by the force of gravity and the impact of device  5 , and falls over the device into region  120  where the broken up snow can fall down the angled incline of the roof surface. 
         [0019]    The blade tool of the illustrated device is illustrated suspended over a roof surface including layer shingles common to modern housing. In the illustrated embodiment, the tool has three distinct angled sections. The first, portion  10 , includes a substantially planar surface that is thrust edge first into the snow bank on the roof. In one embodiment, the planar surface can be parallel to the handle of the device. In the illustrated embodiment, the portion  10  includes a slight angle greater than zero with respect to the handle, in the direction of the roof surface. In most cases, the handle will be operated substantially parallel to the roof surface. In such use, portion  10  will dig into the snow bank at a slight angle toward the roof surface, thereby tending to keep the tool close to the roof surface and not drift away from the roof surface. Further, the weight of the snow above the tool acting on portion  10  will further keep the tool close to the roof. Such a drifting away would cause the tool to leave behind a large amount of snow on the roof. Portion  20  is angled, such that snow being pushed upon by portion  20  is pressed down upon the roof or compacted, leaving a small amount of snow upon the roof under the tool. This compacted amount of snow prevents the tool from touching the shingles of the roof, thereby preventing damage to the roof. Finally portion  30  acts as a bearing surface, riding upon the compacted amount of snow on the roof. In this way, the blade tool can be thrust into a snow bank, dislodge and break up the snow, and remain close to the roof while not touching the roof 
         [0020]    An optional plastic sheet  50  is shown attached to the blade tool. This plastic sheet receives dislodged snow falling over the tool in region  120 . The surface of the plastic sheet is smooth, and the chunks of snow that fall upon it tend to continue to fall along the sheet until they fall off the edge of the roof. In this way, snow can easily be removed from the roof surface. 
         [0021]    The blade tool of  FIG. 2  can be lightweight and made of resilient material. In one example, the blade can be made of thin-gage steel. In another embodiment, the blade can be made of light weight aluminum. Any similar metallic material or alloy can be used. In another embodiment, the blade can be made of a resilient polymer or plastic material. Any width blade can be used. A larger blade, for example, 24 to 36 inches in width, can be made available for physically fit individuals that have the strength to use a larger tool. A smaller blade, for example, 12 to 24 inches in width, can be made available for less fit or elderly individuals. In one embodiment, the blade tool can be extruded. In another embodiment, the tool can be made from sheet metal in a stamping and bending process. In another embodiment, the tool can be injection molded. 
         [0022]    Plastic sheet  50  can be attached to device  5  in a number of different ways. The device of  FIG. 2  illustrates a wrap around section  32  of portion  30 , wherein a long thin rod  34  can be slid within wrap around section  32 . By wrapping an end of sheet  50  around rod  34 , sheet  50  can be removably attached to device  5 . Sheet  50 , if removable, can be provided in a number of different lengths, widths, or thicknesses. If sheet  50  becomes damaged, it can be replaced. If sheet  50  becomes stuck, for example, upon a gutter cap system meant to keep leaves out of the gutter, sheet  50  can be disconnected from device  5 . 
         [0023]      FIG. 3  illustrates the tool of  FIG. 2  including the plastic sheet being used to remove snow from a roof. Structure  200  is illustrated including roof surface  210  covered with snow  220 . Device  5  including handle  40  is illustrated being pushed up roof surface  210 . Plastic sheet  50  is attached to device  5 . As snow  220  is impacted with device  5 , snow chunks  220  fall down sheet  50  and off of roof surface  210 . 
         [0024]    The plastic sheet can typically be the same or similar width to the tool. In one embodiment, the plastic sheet should be long enough that the individual can reach the apex of the roof and still have the plastic sheet at least to the edge of the roof overhang, so snow can travel down the plastic sheet and over the edge without getting hung up on the shingles. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4  illustrates the tool of  FIG. 2  from a different angle and including alternative details of the attachment of the plastic sheet to the tool. Device  305  is illustrated including angular planar portions consistent with portion  10 ,  20 , and  30  of device  5 . Device  305  is illustrated in relation to typical roof surface  300 . Portion  330  is illustrated as a planar portion through which a number of holes are provided and configured to accept fasteners  360  for the attachment of sheet  350  to device  305 . Fasteners  360  can include countersunk heads upon a bottom side of device  305  to provide a flat surface upon the bottom of portion  330 . Sheet  350  can include metal eyelets or reinforcement rings to strengthen the sheet at the points of contact with fasteners  360 . 
         [0026]      FIGS. 5A and 5B  illustrate the tool of  FIG. 3  removing snow from the roof surface of  FIG. 3  in detail, and, in particular, illustrating a mass of packed snow being broken up and channeled away by the tool.  FIG. 5A  illustrates device  5  in perspective view as the device digs into a mass of snow  210  upon roof surface  200 . Chunks of snow  222  are illustrated falling off the roof after being dislodged by device  5 .  FIG. 5B  illustrates the device of  FIG. 5A  in profile as it digs into the mass of snow. Roof surface  200  is illustrated including mass of snow  210  upon the roof surface. Device  5  is illustrated creating dislodged blocks  221  of snow from snow  210 , which fall upon either the roof surface  200  or a plastic sheet attached to device  5  and become chunks of snow  222  falling from the roof surface. As device  5  digs into snow  210 , some of the snow enters into region  110  under device  5  and is compressed into a flat mass of compressed snow in region  115 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 6  illustrates an optional embodiment of a snow removal device including optional shingle protection tabs, stiffening ribs, and a removable cylindrical handle. Device  305  is illustrated including tool panel portions  310 ,  320 , and  330  which are consistent with portions  10 ,  20 , and  30  of device  5 . Stiffening ribs  307  are provided, for example, molded into the plastic material of the surface of portions  310  and  320 . Shingle protection tabs are provided, extending downwardly from portion  310  to prevent the front edge of device  305  from accidentally digging under the edge of a roof shingle. Tabs  306  can be curved to allow the tabs to ride upon a surface of the roof shingles without digging into the shingle materials. A round, replaceable handle  340  is illustrated inserted into a handle receiving portion  308  of device  305 . Sheet  350  is illustrated attached to portion  330  in attachment region  352 , for example, with an adhesive or through vibration welding. 
         [0028]    Sheets  50  and  350  are illustrated as pliable plastic sheets. In other exemplary embodiments, portion  30  can simply be extended in a flat section extending parallel with a roof surface, providing an additional length for snow to fall upon and pick up speed before falling from the roof surface. 
         [0029]    Advantages of the disclosed device include that the tool can be used without touching the roof surface; the tool can be lighter weight than other designs, making the device more usable for persons with lesser strength; the device has a tendency to undercut the snow as it is pushed forward; the device can be constructed with welded or adhered joints, thereby removing weaknesses associated with mechanical fasteners; and the tool can be used to break large chunks of thick snow easily into smaller chunks which are gravity fed off the roof. 
         [0030]    The disclosed tool can benefit from the use of the attached pliable sheet to aid in speeding chunks of snow away from the roof surface. Such a pliable sheet can be used with other snow removal tools, and the disclosure is not intended to be limited to the particular examples provided herein. 
         [0031]    The disclosure has described certain preferred embodiments and modifications of those embodiments. Further modifications and alterations may occur to others upon reading and understanding the specification. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4