Ice scraper

Abstract

The present invention is concerned with ice scrapers having a tubular shaft and a blade made of spring sheet steel. The use of spring steel provides an ice scraper blade that is strong, thin and flexible, which makes it easier to lift frozen snow and ice off of sidewalks and driveways. The blade is preferably rectangular although other shapes such as trapezoidal and semi-circular may be used. The shaft comprises a compressible rubber bulb as a handle to absorb the compressible shock forces as the ice scraper is being used. An alternate embodiment of the present invention includes a deflector mounted above the blade similar to a snow scoop that directs pieces of snow and ice forward as they are lifted of the sidewalk or driveway.

1 . A scraper for removing material from a surface, comprising: 
 a) an elongate shaft having upper and lower ends;    b) a blade holder operatively attached to the lower end of said shaft whereby said blade holder extends below the lower end of said shaft; and    c) a flexible blade operatively attached to said blade holder whereby said blade extends below said blade holder.    
   
   
       2 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said scraper is suitable for removing ice from the surface.  
   
   
       3 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the upper end of said shaft comprises a shock-absorbing hand grip.  
   
   
       4 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 3  wherein said hand grip is a compressible bulb made of rubber.  
   
   
       5 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blade holder further comprises a blade support mounted between said blade and said blade holder to support said blade.  
   
   
       6 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 5  wherein said blade holder further comprises a sleeve for receiving the lower end of said shaft whereby the lower end of said shaft contacts said blade support when said lower end is inserted fully into said sleeve.  
   
   
       7 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blade is made of spring steel.  
   
   
       8 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the thickness of said blade is in the range of 0.030″ and 0.080″.  
   
   
       9 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said blade is rectangular.  
   
   
       10 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said blade is trapezoidal.  
   
   
       11 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 7  wherein said blade is semi-circular.  
   
   
       12 . The scraper as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said blade holder further comprises a deflector for directing material away from the surface as said material is raised by said blade as said blade is slid between said material and said surface.  
   
   
       13 . An ice scraper for removing ice from a substantially horizontal surface, comprising: 
 a) an elongate shaft having upper and lower ends, the upper end further comprising a shock-absorbing hand grip;    b) a blade holder operatively attached to the lower end of said shaft, the blade holder having a sleeve for receiving the lower end of said shaft whereby said blade holder extends below the lower end of said shaft; and    c) a flexible blade made of spring steel operatively attached to said blade holder whereby said blade extends below said blade holder, said blade having a blade support mounted between said blade and said blade holder.    
   
   
       14 . The ice scraper as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said blade holder further comprises a deflector for directing ice away from the surface as said ice is raised by said blade, said blade raising said ice with the spring tension of said blade as it is slid between said ice and said surface.  
   
   
       15 . The ice scraper as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said hand grip is a compressible bulb made of rubber.  
   
   
       16 . The ice scraper as set forth in  claim 13  wherein the thickness of said blade is in the range of 0.030″ and 0.080″.  
   
   
       17 . The ice scraper as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said blade is rectangular.  
   
   
       18 . The ice scraper as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said blade is trapezoidal.  
   
   
       19 . The ice scraper as set forth in  claim 13  wherein said blade is semi-circular.