Snow melting apparatus

Abstract

A snow melting apparatus in which a heating assembly is attached to a motion enabling apparatus such as the chassis and engine of a fork lift truck or a ride lawn-mower, or the chassis of a push lawn-mower. The heating assembly is an array of fuel burning nozzles oriented vertically downward, and vertically adjustable in height with respect to the snow surface. The fuel may be propane or fuel oil, stored in a pressure resistant cylinder. The snow melting apparatus may include an air blowing apparatus, such as an electric fan, so as to provide increased oxygen and to direct heat down from the nozzles toward the surface the heater is melting. A de-icing mixture dispenser may also be attached to the unit. The snow melter may be made in a ride version, a push version and a detachable version designed to fit onto commonly available devices such as lawn-mowers.

1 . A snow melting apparatus, comprising:
 a motion enabling apparatus having at least three wheels and a vertical adjustment apparatus;   a fuel storage cylinder attached to said motion enabling apparatus; and   a heating assembly comprising at least two fuel burning nozzles and attached to said motion enabling apparatus such that the tips of said fuel burning nozzles are substantially coplanar and oriented substantially vertically downward, and such that said vertical adjustment apparatus moves said fuel burning nozzles in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to a plane touching the bottom of said at least three wheels.   
     
     
         2 . The snow melting apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an air blowing apparatus attached to said heating assembly such that air is blown substantially vertically downwards past said fuel burning nozzles and can be adjusted. 
     
     
         3 . The snow melting apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a deicing mixture dispenser attached to said motion enabling apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The snow melting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said motion enabling apparatus further comprises an engine configured to drive at least one of said wheels. 
     
     
         5 . The snow melting apparatus of  claim 4  and wherein said conveyance platform comprises a driver's seat and a steering assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The snow melting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said fuel burning nozzle burn propane gas. 
     
     
         7 . The snow melting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said fuel burning nozzles burn fuel oil. 
     
     
         8 . The snow melting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein it can be adjusted to adjust the amount of heat delivered. 
     
     
         9 . The snow melting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said heating assembly is removably attached to said motion enabling apparatus. 
     
     
         10 . The snow melting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said motion enabling apparatus is propelled by pushing. 
     
     
         11 . The snow melting apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said motion enabling apparatus is propelled by pulling.