Vehicle Rooftop Snow and Ice Removal Device and Method

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosed technology comprise a device for removing precipitation from the top of a vehicle. The device is mounted on the top of a vehicle and comprises a blade operatively connected to first and second side rails, the side rails adapted for fixed engagement with an upper portion or top of a vehicle, the blade configured to move along the rails. In this manner, the blade, as it moves along the top of a vehicle, removes the ice, snow, and/or debris on the vehicle. The vehicle may be a truck, trailer, sport utility vehicle (SUV), minivan, van, train, or the like. The blade may be moved along the rails using a configuration of sprockets and chains, cables and pulleys, and/or racks and pinions. The device may be powered by a motor or operated manually.

1 . A scraping device comprising:
 parallel first and second side rails adapted for fixed engagement with a top of a vehicle;   a blade operatively connected to said first and second side rails, wherein a cutting end of said blade extends towards said top of said vehicle; and   said blade is operable to move along said first and second side rails and displace precipitation on said top of said vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The scraping device of  claim 1 , wherein said blade further comprises at least one wheel mounted to said blade at a juncture between said blade and said first and second side rails, said wheel adapted to roll along said first and second side rails. 
     
     
         3 . The scraping device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a passive pulley;   a drive pulley; and   a continuous wire, said wire connected to said blade between said passive pulley and said drive pulley.   
     
     
         4 . The scraping device of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a passive sprocket;   a drive sprocket; and   a continuous chain, said chain connected to said blade between said passive sprocket and said drive sprocket.   
     
     
         5 . The scraping device of  claim 1 , wherein said blade moves via a chain and at least two sprockets. 
     
     
         6 . The scraping device of  claim 5 , wherein movement of said blade is caused by a motor rotating a said sprocket. 
     
     
         7 . The scraping device of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-section of said blade is a tractrix shape. 
     
     
         8 . The scraping device of  claim 1 , wherein said first and second side rails are adapted for fixed engagement with a semi-trailer. 
     
     
         9 . The scraping device of  claim 4 , wherein said first and second side rails are adapted for fixed engagement with a roof of a sports utility vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . A vehicle precipitation removal device, said device comprising:
 a blade operatively connected to a first and a second side rail, said first and second side rails being parallel to each other and affixed to the top of a vehicle; and   a means for sliding said blade along said first and second side rails, wherein said sliding is relegated to movement in one dimension.   
     
     
         11 . The vehicle precipitation removal device of  claim 10 , wherein said means for sliding said blade comprises:
 a passive pulley;   a drive pulley; and   a continuous wire, said wire connected to said blade between said passive pulley and said drive pulley.   
     
     
         12 . The vehicle precipitation removal device of  claim 11 , wherein said means for sliding said blade further comprises a motor operable to rotate said drive pulley to cause said wire to move and said blade to slide. 
     
     
         13 . The vehicle precipitation removal device of  claim 10 , wherein said means for sliding said blade comprises:
 a passive sprocket;   a drive sprocket; and   a continuous chain, said chain connected to said blade between said passive sprocket and said drive sprocket.   
     
     
         14 . The vehicle precipitation removal device of  claim 10 , wherein a cross-section of said blade is a tractrix shape. 
     
     
         15 . The vehicle precipitation removal device of  claim 10 , wherein said first and second side rails are adapted for fixed engagement with a semi-trailer. 
     
     
         16 . A device comprising:
 a first and a second side rail adapted for engagement with a top of a vehicle;   a blade operatively connected to said first and second side rails;   a drive mechanism engaged with said blade; and   said blade operable to move in at least two directions to displace precipitation on said top of said vehicle by way of said drive mechanism.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said drive mechanism further comprises a worm shaft, said worm shaft in rotational communication with a worm gear;
 said worm gear affixed to a column portion having a column axis;   said column portion further comprising a sprocket disposed along said column axis in parallel with said worm gear;   said sprocket in rotational communication with a chain operable to move said blade along said side rails.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein said drive mechanism further comprises:
 a second worm gear in rotational communication with said first worm gear;   said second worm gear affixed to a second column portion having a second column axis;   said second column portion further comprising a second sprocket disposed along said second column axis in parallel with said second worm gear; and   said second sprocket in rotational communication with a second chain operable to move said blade along said side rails.   
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said drive mechanism comprises:
 a first and a second toothed rack longitudinally disposed within said first and second side rails;   an axle longitudinally disposed within said blade, said axle comprising a first and a second pinion gear in rotational communication with said first and second toothed racks;   said axle further comprising a third gear; and   said drive mechanism further comprising a drive pinion, said drive pinion in rotational communication with said third gear.   
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said first and second side rails are adapted for fixed engagement with a roof of a sport utility vehicle.