Abstract:
An apparatus for dispensing ice melting chemicals directly into roof gutters comprises a linearly elongated pole having two cushioned grips for comfortable holding. At the upper end of the pole, a guide hook is provided which hooks over the edge of the gutter, and properly positions a container filled with calcium chloride or other safe ice-melting chemical directly over the gutter. A lever at the bottom handle opens a release gate on the chemical container allowing a small amount of the chemical to be released into the gutter. Should the chemical clog and not be released, a separate hammer may be activated by a hammer lever to tap the chemical container and aid in the chemical release. The user would release approximately eight to twelve ounces of chemical every four to five feet along the gutter to aid in ice melting.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present invention was first described in Disclosure Document Number 539,592 filed on Oct. 7, 2003 under 35 U.S.C. §122 and 37 C.F.R. §1.14. There are no previously filed, nor currently any co-pending applications, anywhere in the world. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates generally to deicing systems, and, more particularly, to a deicing material dispensing system for gutters. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Those of us who live in areas where the winter climate brings snow, sleet, high winds and ice know all too well of the harshness and hazards associated with such weather. Such conditions are not only hard on people, but buildings as well. Perhaps the biggest threat to homes in such climates is the ice that builds up in roof gutters. The massive ice damns that buildup with repeated thawing and freezing cycles not only risk damaging the gutter, but the roof and possibly the structural frame of the home as well in severe situations. Such severe weather conditions make it impossible to climb onto the roof to work on the ice damns. Ladders are hardly any safer when snow and ice builds up on the steps, exposing the user to severe and nasty falls. 
   A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention; however, the following references were considered related: 
   
     
       
             
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               U.S. Pat. No. 
               Inventor 
               Issue Date 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               5,391,858 
               Tourangeau et al. 
               Feb. 21, 1995 
             
             
               5,878,533 
               Swanfeld, Jr. 
               Mar. 9, 1999 
             
             
               5,786,563 
               Tiburzi 
               Jul. 28, 1998 
             
             
               6,314,685 
               Sullivan 
               Nov. 13, 2001 
             
             
               6,348,673 
               Winters 
               Feb. 19, 2002 
             
             
               6,489,594 
               Jones 
               Dec. 3, 2002 
             
             
               4,769,526 
               Taouil 
               Sep. 6, 1988 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   Consequently, a need has been felt for providing a means by which ice buildup in roof gutters can be safely eliminated without the disadvantages listed above. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved deicing system. 
   It is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved deicing material dispensing system for gutters. 
   Briefly described according to one embodiment of the present invention, the de-icing dispenser for gutters is an apparatus for dispensing ice melting chemicals directly into roof gutters, while allowing the user to remain safe on ground level. The dispenser includes a long handle which will allow a user of average height to reach the gutters while safely standing on the ground. The angle of the handle with respect to the ground will be approximately 45°. The handle is provided with two cushioned grips for comfortable holding. At the upper end of the invention, a guide hook is provided which hooks over the edge of the gutter, and properly positions a container filled with calcium chloride or other safe ice-melting chemical directly over the gutter. A trigger release mechanism at the bottom handle opens a release gate on the chemical container allowing a small amount of the chemical to be released into the gutter. Should the chemical clog and not be released, a separate “thumping” mechanism will be activated by a lower handle and tap the chemical container to aid in the chemical release. The user would release approximately eight to twelve ounces of chemical every four to five feet along the gutter to aid in ice melting. 
   The use of the De-Icing Dispenser for Gutters allows homeowners to keep their gutters clear of ice in the winter time thus preventing possible costly roof and structural damage. 
   An advantage of the present invention is that it dispenses ice-melting chemical directly into roof gutters, thereby helping eliminate ice dams and blockage in roof gutters in the winter time. 
   Further, the present invention allows user of typical height to reach the gutters while safely standing on the ground. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is an overall pictorial diagram depicting the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  in a state of being utilized, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10 ; 
       FIG. 4 , is a detailed isometric of the aligning hook  90 ; 
       FIG. 5 , is a detailed plan view of the lower end of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10 ; and, 
       FIG. 6  is a detailed side view of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10 . 
   

   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
             
             
                 
             
           
           
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               10 
               deicing material dispensing system for gutters 
             
             
               15 
               user 
             
             
               20 
               building 
             
             
               25 
               roof gutters 
             
             
               30 
               grade level 
             
             
               35 
               deicing material 
             
             
               40 
               interval distance “d” 
             
             
               45 
               roof valley locations 
             
             
               50 
               down spout locations 
             
             
               55 
               pole 
             
             
               60 
               upper cushioned hand grip 
             
             
               65 
               lower cushioned hand grip 
             
             
               70 
               deicing material release lever 
             
             
               72 
               internal cable 
             
             
               73 
               pulleys 
             
             
               75 
               deicing material slide gate 
             
             
               80 
               deicing material reservoir 
             
             
               85 
               reservoir lid 
             
             
               90 
               aligning hook 
             
             
               95 
               support brace 
             
             
               100 
               outward edge of roof gutter 
             
             
               105 
               support arms 
             
             
               110 
               thumping mechanism 
             
             
               115 
               thumping lever 
             
             
               120 
               pivot point 
             
             
               125 
               control cable 
             
             
               130 
               return spring 
             
             
               135 
               hole array 
             
             
               140 
               connecting harness 
             
             
               145 
               connecting cable 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within the  FIGS. 1–6 . 
   1. Detailed Description of the Figures 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an overall pictorial diagram of the deicing material dispensing system or apparatus for gutters  10 , in a state of utilization, is disclosed according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A user  15  stands along a building  20  such as a residential home or other single story structure equipped with roof gutters  25 . It should be noted that while the current FIG. depicts a single story structure building  20 , it is envisioned that the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  could be used with multiple story structures by the use of a longer deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10 , and as such should not be interpreted as a limiting factor of the current invention. The user  15  is standing safely upon a grade level  30  as normally provided on the exterior of a building  20 . As such, the user  15  is capable of walking along the grade level  30  for the length and travel path of the roof gutters  25 . As will be described in greater detail herein below, the user  15  uses the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  to deposit a small amount of deicing material  35  in or on the roof gutters  25  proper at an interval defined by an interval distance “d”  40 . It is envisioned that the amount of deicing material  35  dispensed would be approximately eight to twelve ounces and the interval distance “d”  40  would be approximately four to five feet, though amounts and distances could vary depending on the amount of ice buildup on the roof gutters, current weather conditions, type of deicing material  35  being used and the like. It is also envisioned that a continuous stream or path of deicing material  35  could be dispensed by the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  along the entire route of the roof gutters  25 . Additional amounts of deicing material  35  could be dispensed in troublesome ice buildup locations such as roof valley locations  45 , down spout locations  50 , and the like. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 2 , a side view of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  is shown. The central component of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  is a pole  55 , which would vary in length depending on the distance of the roof gutters  25  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) above the grade level  30  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The pole  55  is equipped with an upper cushioned hand grip  60  and a lower cushioned hand grip  65 . The upper cushioned hand grip  60  would be held in the left hand and the lower cushioned hand grip  65  would be held in the right hand in the case of a right-handed user and vice-versa in the case of a left-handed user. The lower cushioned hand grip  65  is provided with a deicing material release lever  70  which when operated, activates an internal cable  72  (shown as dashed line for illustrative purposes) inside the pole  55  which opens a deicing material slide gate  75  at the top of the pole  55  under a deicing material reservoir  80  via the use of two pulleys  73 . The deicing material reservoir  80  is of a sufficient size to contain approximately three to five pounds of deicing material  35  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The deicing material reservoir  80  is equipped with a reservoir lid  85  to allow the user  15  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) to fill the deicing material reservoir  80 . An aligning hook  90  supported by a support brace  95  allows for the proper and automatic positioning of the deicing material slide gate  75  over the roof gutters  25 . The aligning hook  90  will be shown in greater detail herein below. The aligning hook  90  will rest upon the outward edge of roof gutter  100 , thus assuring proper positioning. Such positioning is important to avoid dispensing deicing material  35  above or beyond the roof gutters  25  on the roof of the structure, or below the roof gutters  25  where it may fall upon the grade level  30  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) or possibly upon the user  15  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The deicing material reservoir  80  is attached to the pole  55  by the use of two support arms  105 , one of which is shown here for purposes of illustration. A thumping mechanism or hammer  110  is provided which is capable of tapping or “thumping” the side of the deicing material reservoir  80  should the deicing material  35  inside clump or stick together. Such a feature is important in the event that any moisture in the deicing material  35  is present, and environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity may cause it to clump or stick together. The thumping mechanism or hammer  110  is activated by a thumping or hammer lever  115  located by the lower cushioned hand grip The thumping mechanism or arm  110  pivots about a pivot point  120  as activated by a control cable  125  that runs the length of the pole  55  on its exterior. A return spring  130  is located at the upper end of the pole  55  to automatically retract or withdraw the thumping mechanism  110 , thus aiding the user  15  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ) when performing the “thumping” action. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a front view of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  is depicted. This view more clearly depicts the nature of the pole  55  and its relationship to the upper cushioned hand grip  60 , the lower cushioned hand grip  65  and the deicing material reservoir  80 . The thumping mechanism or hammer  110  hits or “thumps” the deicing material reservoir  80  directly in the center right below the reservoir lid  85 , as pivoted around the pivot point  120 , and operated around the thumping or hammer lever  115 , the control cable  125  and the return spring  130 . Such action is also directly over the deicing material slide gate  75  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) and as will be described in greater detail herein below, thus aiding in the removal of the deicing material  35  from the deicing material reservoir  80 . The support arms  105 , both visible in this FIG. are in physical contact with the deicing material reservoir  80 . It is envisioned that the deicing material reservoir  80  would be made of plastic thus offering protection from the corroding effects of the deicing material  35 . Other components of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  such as the pole  55 , the support arms  105  and the like would be made of rolled or stamped carbon steel for strength and painted for corrosion protection. 
   Referring next to  FIG. 4 , a detailed isometric of the aligning hook  90  is disclosed. This FIG. clearly depicts the dual nature of the aligning hook  90 . Additionally, the support brace  95  and its relationship and interconnection to the pole  55  is shown. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a detailed plan view of the lower end of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  is shown. This FIG. clearly shows the relationship between the upper cushioned hand grip  60  and the lower cushioned hand grip  65 . Additionally, the relationship between the deicing material release lever  70  and the thumping or hammer lever  115  is depicted as well. Finally, a cutaway view inside the pole  55  shows the control cable  125 . 
   Referring finally to  FIG. 6 , a detailed side view of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10 , as seen along a line I—I in  FIG. 2  is disclosed. This FIG. shows the deicing material slide gate  75  in a partially retracted state on the bottom of the deicing material reservoir  80 . Such retraction depicts a hole array or plurality of holes  135  on the bottom of the deicing material reservoir  80 , through which the deicing material  35  (not shown in this FIG.) will emerge, in much the same manner as a salt shaker. This FIG. also clarifies the use of the support arms  105  in securing the deicing material reservoir  80 . The deicing material slide gate  75  is retracted with the aid of a connecting harness  140  and a connecting cable  145  which are located on the interior of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10 , and thus depicted with hidden lines. The connecting cable  145  then connects to the deicing material release lever  70  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
   It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
   2. Operation of the Preferred Embodiment 
   The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After purchase or procurement of the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10 , it would be filled with deicing material  35 , such as calcium chloride, rock salt, a fluid with a non-toxic an anti-freezing agent, or other common material that would not damage the roof or roof gutters  25  of the building  20 . The user  15  would then begin at one end of the building  20  and hook the aligning hook  90  over the outward edge of roof gutter  100  to properly position it while holding the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  with the upper cushioned hand grip  60  and lower cushioned hand grip  65 . Next, the user  15  would actuate the deicing material release lever  70 , causing the deicing material slide gate  75  to open on the bottom of the deicing material reservoir  80  thus exposing the hole array  135 . Gravity then would cause approximately eight to twelve ounces of the deicing material  35  to drop out onto the roof gutters  25 . The user  15  would then release the deicing material release lever  70 , ceasing the flow of deicing material  35  and move the deicing material dispensing system for gutters  10  to the next spot on the roof gutters  25  which would be approximately four to five feet. 
   In the event that the deicing material  35  clumps inside of the deicing material reservoir  80 , the user  15  may activate the thumping or hammer lever  115  causing the thumping or hammer mechanism  110  to tap or “thump” the side of the deicing material reservoir  80  causing the deicing material  35  to dislodge. The thumping or hammer lever  115  accomplishes this with the aid of the pivot point  120 , the control cable  125  and the return spring  130 . 
   When finished, the user would rinse out the deicing material reservoir  80  with water, allowing it to air dry thus preparing it for use the next time it may be required. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents. Therefore, the scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.