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(11) | EP 3 543 419 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A DEVICE FOR REMOVING ICICLES |
| (57) The invention relates to a device for removing icicles, characterized in that the
device comprises a longitudinal main element with a handle at a first, proximal end
and a hot fluid nozzle for spraying a fluid at a second, distal end, said nozzle being
in fluid communication with a pump for displacing said fluid from said pump to said
nozzle through a fluid conduit.
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[0001] The present invention relates to a device for removing icicles, according to the preamble of claim 1.
[0002] It is known in the art to remove icicles by breaking them off roofs, overhanging roof portions like gutters, and the like. Usually, a stick or the like is used for trying to remove the icicles. However, small icicles only can be removed by hitting them, because it is difficult to exercise sufficient and well-directed force due to the considerably height icicles are located. A person performing such method and using a stick therefore has to be positioned relatively close to the icicles, which means that said person is positioned substantially below the icicles.
[0003] This known method therefore does provide removal of some icicles but the danger of becoming injured is imminent.
[0004] A specific disadvantage of this known method is that icicles that have not been removed may have become damaged, such that they can still fall down later without warning.
[0005] The present invention aims at providing an improved device of the kind mentioned in the preamble.
[0006] The invention further aims at providing a device that allows a person to easily, safely and without exerting any force against the icicle remove icicles from roofs, overhanging roof portions like gutters, and the like.
[0007] So as to obtain at least one of the above mentioned aims, the invention provides a device as mentioned in claim 1. This device has the advantage that icicles can be removed from any material they hang from, independent the icicle's thickness, temperature and length.
[0008] It has also shown that the device according to the present invention works much faster and safer than devices known from the art. Such synergistic effect is a surprising and advantageous effect.
[0009] The invention therefore relates to a device for removing icicles, the device being characterized in that the device comprises a longitudinal main element with a handle at a first, proximal end and a hot fluid nozzle for spraying a fluid at a second, distal end, said nozzle being in fluid communication with a pump for displacing said fluid from said pump to said nozzle through a fluid conduit. This device according to the invention provides the advantage that a hot fluid can be directed to the icicle so as to melt the icicle and removing same from its fixed position at a roof, a gutter or the like.
[0010] In the present description, the term "hot fluid" means a fluid at a temperature that is higher than 0 °C, so as to be able to melt at least part of the icicle. The part of the icicle that will melt is the portion of the icicle where the fluid contacts same, which preferably is at a position as close as possible to the position where it is connected to the roof, the gutter or the like, removing the icicle for the most part.
[0011] As indicated above, icicles are particularly known because they hang from a gutter, or any other overhanging portion of a roof. However, the present invention is not limited to a device for removing icicles from overhanging portions of a roof. Icicles may also be hanging from construction parts above entrances to viaducts, overpasses, arches, facades, and the like. Although reference is mostly made to overhanging portions of roofs like gutters, the positions indicated in this paragraph are always covered as well.
[0012] In the device according to the invention, it is preferred that said nozzle is in fluid communication with said pump through an insulated fluid conduit. For, such prevents the fluid from freezing in case of a liquid or misted or vaporized liquid.
[0013] The fluid is preferably a liquid, a gas, a vapor or a combination of two or more of them, the temperature of the liquid, gas, vapor or combination thereof being at least 50 °C, more preferably at least 70 °C, still more preferably at least 80°C, most preferably at least 96 °C. At such temperature, the fluid will easily melt the icicle at the point of impact such that the icicle wil break at said position.
[0014] The device according to the invention will be used at low, for example freezing, temperatures. So as to ensure a sufficiently high temperature of the conduit to prevent freezing of the fluid guided there through when starting to use the device, it is preferred that said pump is driven by a combustion engine, combustion heat of the engine being used for heating an insulated conduit reel for reeling the conduit thereon. The conduit thus will have a sufficient temperature when starting to use the device and the heated reel will prevent fluid in the conduit to freeze when storing the conduit on the reel afterwards.
[0015] So as to sped up the removal of icicles, the device according to the invention may, at its second end, be provided with a chopping device for contacting the icicles at a desired cutting point. Hence, when partially melting the icicle at a desired point, the chopping device can be used to contact the icicle at that position, so as to easily remove the icicle. The chopping device is preferably positioned at substantially the same level as the nozzle, such that a simple horizontal movement of the device after directing a fluid at an icicle, breaks of the icicle at the position the fluid has contacted the icicle.
[0016] Since most icicles are positioned at high parts of a building or construction, it is preferred that the device comprises a roller guide for moving the device along a wall of said building or construction.
[0017] Protecting the user of the device from impact by falling icicles is easily accomplished when the device comprises a bag for receiving removed icicles.
[0018] As indicated above, the device according to the invention will be used at low, for example freezing, temperatures. So as to ensure a sufficiently high temperature of the conduit to prevent freezing of the fluid guided there through when starting to use the device, according to a further embodiment of the invention it is preferred that the pump is connected to the fluid conduit by means of a controllable three way vale, said valve in a first position providing a fluid communication between exhaust pipe of the engine with the conduit and in a second position providing a fluid communication between a source of the liquid, gas, vapor or combination thereof.
[0019] An easy way to hit the icicle, irrespective the height a user has to work, is obtained when the nozzle has a wide-angle spraying head, yielding a spraying pattern wherein a horizontal distribution is larger than a vertical distribution of the fluid.
[0020] The least amount of fluid is spilled and a highest efficiency in use of fluid is obtained when the vertical distribution of the liquid is less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 15°.
[0021] In respect of easily hitting an icicle, it is also preferred that the horizontal distribution of the liquid is larger than 45°, preferably larger than 60°, more preferably larger than 70°.
[0022] Accordingly, the least amount of fluid is again spilled, when the horizontal distribution of the liquid is less than 180°, preferably less than 160°, more preferably less than 140°.
[0023] According to a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for removing icicles applying a device according to claim 1, comprising the step of positioning a nozzle for spraying a fluid near an icicle to be removed, said nozzle being coupled at a distal end of a longitudinal main element with a handle at a proximal end, said nozzle being in fluid communication with a pump for displacing said fluid from said pump to said nozzle through a fluid conduit, and operating said pump for spraying fluid from said nozzle towards the icicle to be removed. This method provides the advantages as indicated above with respect to the device.
[0024] It is especially preferred in the method according to the invention, that it comprises the step of heating said fluid to a temperature of at least 50 °C, more preferably at least 70 °C, still more preferably at least 80°C, most preferably at least 96 °C.
[0025] Increased security is obtained when the method comprises the step of catching removed icicles in a bag positioned below said nozzle.
[0026] Hereafter, the invention will be further described by means of a drawing. The drawing shows in:
Fig. 1 a schematic view of a device according to the invention,
Fig. 2 shows a detailed view of the distal end, and
Fig. 3 shows another schematic view of the device.
[0027] For ease of understanding the figure, not all parts that are required for a practical embodiment have been shown.
[0028] Fig. 1 shows a device 1 for removing an icicle 2. The device 1 comprises a longitudinal main element 3 that may be a telescopic rod. At a proximal end 4 of said element 3 handles 5, 6 are provided for manual interaction by a user (not shown). At a distal end 7 a guiding element 8 is provided for guiding the device 1 along a wall 9 of a construction that carries the icicle 2. The device 1 further comprises a nozzle 10 for spraying a fluid 11 towards the icicle 2. By moving the device along the wall 9, the user may choose were to melt part of the icicle 2.
[0029] In the embodiment shown, the device 1 also comprises a chopping device 12 for breaking the icicle 2 at the position where it has been partly melted by means of the fluid 11. The fluid is preferably directed at a position 16 substantially immediately in front of the chopping device 12. Such eases the step of breaking the icicle after it has been partly melted.
[0030] In the embodiment shown, the icicle 2 hangs from a gutter 13. Only a single icicle 2 is shown in the figure. In practice, many icicles 2 will be hanging besides each other, not only from gutters but from any object, as the case may be.
[0031] Fluid 11 is pumped by means of a pump 14 from a fluid container 15 through a conduit 17. Preferably, the fluid is heated before being pumped through the conduit so as to prevent freezing of the fluid inside the conduit. In case of a liquid, it is preferred to spray or atomize the fluid from the nozzle 10, so as to minimize problems with frozen droplets falling down onto the user or the street or walkway.
[0032] Fig. 2 shows a view of the distal end of the device 1. A clamp 18 is coupled to the element 3 and embodied to carry a guiding wheel 8 and the nozzle 10. The nozzle 10 may be positioned such that it will hit an icicle at a vertical position at which the chopping device 12 is positioned. In that case, a simple horizontal movement of the device 1 towards the icicle will break same at the position the fluid hit and weakened the icicle.
[0033] Fig. 3 shows a schematic view of the device 1, further comprising a bag 19 to catch dropping icicles.
1. A device for removing icicles, characterized in that the device comprises a longitudinal main element with a handle at a first, proximal
end and a hot fluid nozzle for spraying a fluid at a second, distal end, said nozzle
being in fluid communication with a pump for displacing said fluid from said pump
to said nozzle through a fluid conduit.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said nozzle is in fluid communication with
said pump through an insulated fluid conduit.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein said fluid is a liquid, a gas, a vapor or a
combination of two or more of them, the temperature of the liquid, gas, vapor or combination
thereof being at least 50 °C, more preferably at least 70 °C, still more preferably
at least 80°C, most preferably at least 96 °C.
4. A device according to claim 1, wherein said pump is driven by a combustion engine,
combustion heat of the engine being used for heating an insulated conduit reel.
5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device at its second end being provided
with a chopping device for contacting the icicles at a desired cutting point.
6. A device according to claim 1, wherein the device comprises a roller guide for moving
the device along a wall.
7. A device according to claim 1, wherein device comprises a bag for receiving removed
icicles.
8. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pump is connected to
the fluid conduit by means of a controllable three way vale, said valve in a first
position providing a fluid communication between exhaust pipe of the engine with the
conduit and in a second position providing a fluid communication between a source
of the liquid, gas, vapor or combination thereof.
9. A device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the nozzle has a wide-angle
spraying head, yielding a spraying pattern wherein a horizontal distribution is larger
than a vertical distribution of the fluid.
10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the vertical distribution of the liquid is
less than 30°, preferably less than 20°, more preferably less than 15°.
11. A device according to claim 9, wherein the horizontal distribution of the liquid is
larger than 45°, preferably larger than 60°, more preferably larger than 70°.
12. A device according to claim 9, wherein the horizontal distribution of the liquid is
less than 180°, preferably less than 160°, more preferably less than 140°.
13. A method for removing icicles applying a device according to claim 1, comprising the
step of positioning a nozzle for spraying a fluid near an icicle to be removed, said
nozzle being coupled at a distal end of a longitudinal main element with a handle
at a proximal end, said nozzle being in fluid communication with a pump for displacing
said fluid from said pump to said nozzle through a fluid conduit, and operating said
pump for spraying fluid from said nozzle towards the icicle to be removed.
14. A method according to claim 13, comprising the step of heating said fluid to a temperature
of at least 50 °C, more preferably at least 70 °C, still more preferably at least
80°C, most preferably at least 96 °C.
15. A method according to claim 13 or 14, comprising the step of catching removed icicles
in a bag positioned below said nozzle.