Patent Document

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable to this application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to devices for clearing ice chips from ice fishing holes and more specifically it relates to an ice fishing slush remover for the quick, efficient and orderly capture, removal and discharge of ice and snow debris from an ice fishing hole. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Devices for clearing ice chips from ice fishing holes have been in use for years. Typically, an individual ice fishing uses some type of ice auger to drill a hole in the ice. Obviously, as the hole is drilled the resulting ice chips and snow, if any is present, collects in the space left by the auger. In addition, over time the ice fishing hole will began to freeze over creating new ice chips and slush. Often an ice skimmer is used to ladle out the ice and snow from the ice fishing hole. Ice skimmers are normally nothing more than a concave-shaped strainer on the end of a long pole. 
     Using an ice skimmer can be a time-consuming and laborious process. The ice skimmer is placed into the hole repeatedly and the ice chips and snow that are removed are drawn out and poured onto the surrounding surface. The process often results in water and ice chips being spilled on the user and can make the area surrounding the hole wet with piles of ice chips and slush. The problem of discarding ice chips and slush while using an ice skimmer becomes even more acute when the user is working in an ice house or other protective structure. Normally an individual attempts to keep the area inside an ice house or protective structure relatively dry. 
     Examples of patented devices which may be related to the present invention include U.S. Pat. No. 5,024,757 to Malak; U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,188 to Roberts; U.S. Pat. No. 3,857,787 to Kinne; U.S. Pat. No. 3,289,850 to Gubash; U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,538 to Hendricks et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,140,767 to Traut; U.S. Pat. No. 4,978,156 to Marhula; U.S. Pat. No. 4,769,939 to Gonska et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,253 to Gangi et al. 
     While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for the quick, efficient and orderly capture, removal and discharge of ice and snow debris from an ice fishing hole. Prior art systems consistently use variations of the skimmer on the end of a pole. These systems are limited by the volume of material that the skimmer can hold. This limiting factor therefore requires repeatedly dipping the skimmer into the fishing hole. In addition, prior art systems do not resolve the problem of maintaining the area surrounding the fishing hole relatively dry and free of snow and ice debris. Those systems which attempt to remove a greater volume of ice chips are limited in their methods of discharging the collected snow and debris. 
     In these respects, the ice fishing slush remover according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of quick, efficient and orderly capture, removal and discharge of ice and snow debris from an ice fishing hole. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of devices for clearing ice chips from ice fishing holes now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new ice fishing slush remover construction wherein the same can be utilized for quick, efficient and orderly capture, removal and discharge of ice and snow debris from an ice fishing hole. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new ice fishing slush remover that has many of the advantages of the devices for clearing ice chips from ice fishing.holes mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new ice fishing slush remover which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art devices for clearing ice chips from ice fishing holes, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a hollow cylinder with a pair of semi-circular perforated plates pivotally attached to the lower portion of the cylinder. A pair of rods run through the cylinder and are attached to the pair of semi-circular plates. The ends of the rods opposite the semi-circular plates are connected to the handle. A frame attached to the upper portion of the cylinder keeps the rods in proper alignment with the semicircular plates and the handle. This design allows for the user to open and close the plates manually, and to be able to capture and discharge slush from one end of the cylinder. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     A primary object of the present invention is to provide an ice fishing slush remover that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices. 
     A second object is to provide an ice fishing slush remover for the quick, efficient and orderly capture, removal and discharge of ice and snow debris from an ice fishing hole. 
     Another object is to provide an ice fishing slush remover that is easy to use. 
     An additional object is to provide an ice fishing slush remover that allows for the ice and snow debris to be transported away from the fishing location. 
     A further object is to provide an ice fishing slush remover that removes the ice and snow debris in one step. 
     Another object is to provide an ice fishing slush remover that has an ergonomic design. 
     A further object is to provide an ice fishing slush remover that permits the ice and snow debris to be captured and discharged from the same end. 
     An additional object is to provide an ice fishing slush remover that water can drain from to minimize the weight when transporting the ice and snow debris. 
     Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. 
     To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Various other objects, features and attendant advantages of the present invention will become fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention partly cut away to show details of the interior construction. 
     FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the present invention illustrating the plates in the down position. 
     FIG. 3 is side cutaway view of the present invention illustrating the plates in the closed position. 
     FIG. 4 is an upper perspective view of the present invention in the closed position. 
     FIG. 5 is a bottom end view of the present invention with plates in the opened position. 
     FIG. 6 is a bottom end view of the present invention with the plates in the closed position. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Turning now descriptively to the drawings, in which similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views, FIGS. 1 through 6 illustrate an ice fishing slush remover  10 , which comprises a cylinder  20  having a first plate  40  and a second plate  44  pivotally attached to the lower portion of the cylinder  20 . A first rod  34  and a second rod  38  mechanically connect the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  to the handle  30 . A frame  32  maintains the first rod  34  and the second rod  38  in the proper alignment with the cylinder  20  and the first plate  40  and the second plate  44 . 
     The cylinder  20  is a hollow tube having an upper portion and a lower portion. The cylinder  20  is preferably made of metal. However it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other material could be used for the cylinder  20 . The diameter of the cylinder  20  is preferably slightly smaller than the hole created by an ice auger or other ice fishing hole making device. A variety of different size diameter cylinders  20  could be designed for the ice fishing slush remover  10  corresponding to the.standard sizes of ice augers. The length of the cylinder  20  should preferably be longer than the depth of the ice where the fishing hole is located. Clearly, the cylinder  20  of the ice fishing slush remover  10  could be of a variety of different lengths. 
     As best seen in FIGS.  1 , 2  and  3 , a first plate  40  and a second plate  44  are pivotally attached to the lower portion of the cylinder  20 . The first plate  40  and the second plate  44  are preferably made of metal. However, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other material could be used for the first plate  40  and the second plate  44 . The first plate  40  and the second plate  44  are preferably semi-circular in shape and of an identical size. The diameter of the circle created by placing the first plates  40  side-by-side and in a coplanar alignment with the second plate  44  is preferably slightly smaller than the diameter of the cylinder  20 . The first plate  40  has a plurality of first apertures  48  to assist in draining the water from the cylinder  20  when the ice fishing slush remover  10  is in use. The second plate  44  has a plurality of second apertures  49  to additionally assist in draining water from the cylinder  20 . However, it can be appreciate by one skilled in the art that the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  could be designed with no apertures. The diametral ends of the first plate  40  are attached to the cylinder  20  using a first pivot point  22  and a second pivot point  24 . The diametral ends of the second plate  44  are additionally attached to the cylinder  20  at the first pivot point  22  and the second pivot point  24 . 
     The first pivot point  22  and the second pivot point  24  are preferably affixed to the cylinder  20  at a position directly opposite one another. Additionally, the first pivot point  22  is preferably affixed to the cylinder  20  at a distance from the bottom end of the cylinder  20  slightly greater than the width of the first plate  40 . Correspondingly, the second pivot point  24  is preferably affixed to the cylinder  20  at a distance from the bottom end of the cylinder slightly greater than the width of the second plate  44 . By placing the first pivot point  22  and second pivot point  24  at these locations the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  cannot extend past the bottom end of the ice fishing slush remover  10 . Therefore, the ice fishing slush remover  10  can stand upright in the open position for easier storage when not in use. When the ice fishing slush remover  10  is placed in the closed position the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  are generally in a coplanar alignment perpendicular to the axis of the cylinder  20 . A first rod  34  and a second rod  38  are used to move the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  respectively from the open to closed position and vice versa. 
     The first plate  40  is attached to the first rod  34  at the first attachment point  42 . The second plate  44  is attached to the second rod  38  at the second attachment point  46 . In the preferred embodiment both the first rod  34  and the second rod  38  are made of metal however, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other materials could be used. As seen in FIGS.  1 , 2 , and  3 , the first rod  34  and the second rod  38  are preferably of a length to travel from the first plate  40  and second plate  44  respectively to a point above the frame  32 . The first rod  34  and the second rod  38  are attached to the handle  30 . Therefore, the first rod  34  and the second rod  38  transfer the movement of the handle  30  relative to the first plate  40  and the second plate  44 . The first rod  34  may include a first stop, and the second rod  38  may include a second stop, to restrict the travel of the first rod  34  and the second rod  38 . 
     As best seen in FIGS. 1,  2  and  3 , a frame  32  is attached to the upper portion of the cylinder  20 . The frame  32  is preferably made of metal. However, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the frame  32  could be made of different material and in different shapes. The length of the ends of the frame  32  attached to the cylinder limits the distance the handle  30  can travel relative to the cylinder  20 . It can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the frame  32  can be in a variety of shapes and sizes. The frame  32  includes a first opening  36  and a second opening  39 . The first rod  34  runs through the first opening  36  and the second rod  38  runs through the second opening  39 . Correspondingly, the diameter of the first openings  36  and the second opening  39  are slightly larger than the diameter of the first rod  34  and the second rod  38 . 
     The first stop is preferably of a diameter larger than the first opening  36 , and the second stop is preferably of a diameter larger than the second opening  39 . The first stop  38  is located on the first rod  34  at a point between the handle  30  and the frame  32 . The second stop is located on the second rod  38  at a point between the handle  30  and the frame  32  preferably at the same distance from the handle  30  as the first stop  38 . The first stop and the second stop are preferably at a point to allow the free movement of the first rod  34  and the second rod  38  while still protecting the hands of the individual using the ice fishing slush remover  10  by keeping the handle  30  a safe distance from the frame  32 . 
     The handle  30  is attached to the first rod  34  and the second rod  38 . In the preferred embodiment the handle  30  is made of wood for comfort and to minimize the transfer of cold to the user. However, it can be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other materials could be used for the handle  30 . 
     In use, the ice fishing slush remover  10  is placed over a fishing hole. The ice fishing slush remover  10  is then inserted into the fishing hole. As the handle  30  is in the down position the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  are in the down position substantially making the interior of the cylinder  20  open. As the cylinder  20  at this point is largely a hollow tube the ice fishing slush remover  10  can be forced past the ice and snow debris floating in the hole. The bottom end of cylinder  20  is preferably pushed to a depth below that of the ice layer of the fishing hole. 
     The user now pulls the handle  30  up. As the handle  30  is pulled up the first rod  34  and the second rod  38  transfer that handle  30  motion and pull up the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  respectively. The first plate  40  rotates on the first pivot point  22  and the second pivot point  24 . Correspondingly the second plate  44  rotates on the first pivot point  22  and the second pivot point  24 . As the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  are pulled into a generally coplanar position, the semi-circular shape of the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  form a circle. Once the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  are in a coplanar alignment the interior of the cylinder  20  is substantially closed trapping the ice and snow debris along with the surrounding water within the cylinder  20 . As the user continues to pull the handle  30  away from the fishing hole the ice fishing slush remover  10  begins to exit the fishing hole and the water begins to drain from the bottom of the ice fishing slush remover  10 . The user then pulls the cylinder  20  completely out of the fishing hole allowing the remaining water to drain out into the hole. The ice fishing slush remover  10  can then be transported to wherever the user wants to deposit the contents. To deposit the contents the user simply pushes the handle  30  down toward the frame  32  and cylinder  20 . The first rods  34  and the second rod  38  transfer that movement to the first plate  40  and the second plate  44 . As the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  are pushed down the first plate  40  and the second plate  44  rotate downward causing the ice fishing slush remover  10  to be in the open configuration and allowing the ice and snow debris to fall out. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed to be within the expertise of those skilled in the art, and all equivalent structural variations and relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Technology Category: 1