Abstract:
A double-bladed ice and snow scraper positions the handle so that considerable scraping force can be comfortably applied. The two blades are separated and present a stable platform so that more scraping force can be applied safely and comfortably.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the field of ice scraping apparatus for removing ice and snow from vehicle windshields and the like. 
     There are various ice scraper designs presently in existence. These designs include the ice scrapers disclosed in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,275,476; 4,719,660; 4,422,206; 4,305,175; 4,364,145; 4,164,801; 4,040,140; 4,141,111; 3,566,430; 2,275,713. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved ice and snow scraper which includes a handle positioned for comfort even when considerable force is being applied to the device. 
     A further object is to provide an improved ice and snow scraper device which includes two blades to produce a more efficient scraping action than a single blade, and to provide a more stable platform so that more force can be exerted on the scraper tool without jeopardizing the safety and comfort of the user. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An improved ice and snow scraper tool for automotive windshields and the like in accordance with this invention comprises front and rear scraper blades, separated by a platform member attached to the front and rear blades. A handle member is fitted between the front and rear blades and positioned above the platform member so as to permit the user&#39;s fingers to fit between the handle and the platform member when the scraper tool is in use. The handle is canted from front to back so as to position the handle member for comfortable gripping while the scraper tool is forcibly urged across the surface of a windshield or the like in a scraping motion. 
     In the preferred embodiment, the handle member is canted at an angle of approximately 20 degrees from the horizontal, and the handle member comprises a generally U-shaped member including a transverse element which connects relatively short, front and rear leg members, the front leg member attached to the front scraper and to the front end of the platform member, and the rear leg member attached to the rear scraper blade and to the rear end of the platform member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
     These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual bladed ice and snow scraper tool embodying the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a side view of the scraper tool of FIG. 1. 
     FIG. 3 is a front view of the scraper tool of FIG. 1. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     A preferred embodiment of an ice and snow scraper tool 50 in accordance with the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3. The tool 50 comprises front and back scraper elements 52 and 54, secured together by a platform member 56 and a handle member 58. These elements may all be fabricated of hard plastic material such as acrylic, polycarbonate or similar polymer material. The handle member 58 comprises an inverted U-shaped member having a width of about 4.5 inches, with the relatively short legs 60 and 62 providing substantial surfaces to which the scraper elements 52 and 54 may be secured, e.g., by adhesives or fastener elements (not shown). The preferred embodiment, however, is a one piece molded construction, wherein the elements 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 and 62 are all molded together to form a single unitary member. The ends of the handle legs 60 and 62 rest against the platform 56, which in this embodiment has a substantial lateral or width dimension approximately the same as the width of the adjacent portions of the scraper tool members. 
     As best shown in FIG. 2, the front scraper element 52 is considerably longer or taller than the rear scraper element 54. In this exemplary embodiment, the front scraper element has a length dimension L1 which is 2.5 inches, while the rear scraper element has a corresponding dimension L2 which is 1.0 inches. As a result, the platform and handle are canted at an angle of about 20° when the tool 50 is resting on a flat surface, which provides a much more comfortable, ergonomically correct gripping position for the user than if the front and rear scraper elements were of equal length. 
     With the tool 50 resting on a flat surface, the front blade 52 and the rear blade 54 in this embodiment are positioned at an approximate angle of 60° from the flat surface. 
     The tool 50 permits the user to grip the handle 58 with one hand and bear down on the tool with considerable force comfortably. The handle 58 is separated from the platform 56 by a sufficient distance to permit the user&#39;s fingers to be easily fitted therebetween. The platform 56 provides additional stiffness to the scraper tool 50, and helps keep ice and snow off the hands of the user. The handle 58 is wide enough to provide a comfortable grasping element. And with the angle at which the handle is canted, the tool provides an ergonomic grasping tool, permitting ice or snow removal from a vehicle window with relative ease in comparison to single blade scraper tool design. 
     It is understood that the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the possible specific embodiments which may represent principles of the present invention. For example, the platform member 56 could be omitted, provided the handle is designed to properly stabilize and support the front and rear scraper blades. The tool would then have a generally U-shaped side-view configuration. Other arrangements may readily be devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.