Air and Steam Snow Rake

Abstract

A snow rake used to clear snow or ice from roofs, with air or steam assistance, respectively. A system comprising a rake head, at least one extension tube, a control handle, two pressurized supply lines, wherein the pressurized supply lines carry a fluid, and a fluid source. A rake head comprising a platform, a blade, at least one pressurized transport feed line, at least one nozzle, a tubular connecting column and a quick release connector. When used in air assistance mode, the snow rake lifts snow from the roof prior to clearing the snow with the blade. When used in steam assistance mode, the snow rake melts ice dams on the roof. The system can further comprise a yoke and additional extension tubes, wherein the yoke acts as a fulcrum for the system to facilitate ease of use in air or steam assistance modes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A snow rake system, comprising:
 a rake head,   a plurality of serially-coupled extension tubes, wherein the rake head is coupled to a first end of the extension tubes;   a control handle, coupled to a second end of the extension tubes;   a primary pressurized supply line configured to transport fluid, a first end of the primary pressurized supply line coupled to the rake head and a second end of the primary pressurized supply line coupled to the control handle; and   a secondary pressurized supply line configured to transport a fluid, a first end of the secondary pressurized supply line coupled to the control handle and a second end of the secondary pressurized supply line coupled to a fluid source.   
     
     
         2 . The snow rake system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a yoke, wherein the yoke is coupled to the extension tubes; and   a second series of extension tubes, wherein the yoke is coupled to the second series of extension tubes.   
     
     
         3 . The snow rake system of  claim 1 , wherein the rake head comprises:
 a platform;   a blade coupled to the platform;   a tubular connecting column coupled to the platform;   at least one pressurized transport feed line coupled to the platform; and   at least one nozzle coupled to the pressurized transport feed line.   
     
     
         4 . The snow rake system of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a left wing coupled to the platform;   a right wing coupled to the platform; and   at least one skid plate coupled to the blade.   
     
     
         5 . The snow rake system of  claim 3 , further comprising a manifold coupled to the pressurized transport feed line. 
     
     
         6 . The snow rake system of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 an extension nipple coupled to the manifold;   a flexible connector union coupled to the extension nipple;   a union coupled to the flexible connector union;   a quick release connector coupled to the union; and   a collar cup, wherein the collar cup mates with the union, the collar cup mates with the quick release connector, and the collar cup mates with the tubular connecting column.   
     
     
         7 . The snow rake system of  claim 1 , wherein the control handle comprises:
 a control handle;   a supply connector;   a lower extension nipple coupled to the supply connector;   a ball cock valve coupled to the lower extension nipple;   an on/off controller coupled to both the ball cock valve and the control handle;   an upper extension nipple coupled to the ball cock valve; and   a quick release connector coupled to the upper extension nipple.   
     
     
         8 . The snow rake system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 two internal valve clips, connected to the ball cock valve and mated with the control handle.   
     
     
         9 . The snow rake system of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a collar cup mated with the lower extension nipple and the control handle.   
     
     
         10 . The snow rake system of  claim 2 , wherein the yoke comprises:
 a wishbone;   a swivel coupled to the wishbone;   a mast coupled to the wishbone;   a base shaft coupled to the mast; and   a base coupled to the base shaft.   
     
     
         11 . The snow rake system of  claim 10 , further comprising a washer coupled to the base shaft and mated with the base. 
     
     
         12 . The snow rake system of  claim 10 , further comprising a snap ring, wherein the snap ring is coupled to the base shaft and is mated with the washer, and wherein the base shaft has a rill to facilitate attachment of the snap ring. 
     
     
         13 . The snow rake system of  claim 10 , further comprising a set screw coupled to the base, wherein the set screw connects to a support tubular connecting column. 
     
     
         14 . The snow rake system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is air or steam. 
     
     
         15 . A method for removing snow from a roof, comprising:
 lifting a snow rake head above snow on a roof;   resting a rake head of the snow rake on the snow;   turning on an air compressor coupled to the snow rake;   switching an on/off controller to on, wherein the on/off controller is located on a control handle of the snow rake;   allowing air from the air compressor to loosen the snow; and   pulling the snow rake head down the roof to remove the snow from the roof.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , comprising lifting the snow rake head above snow on the roof using a yoke. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the method comprises:
 obtaining a series of extension tubes, wherein the number of extension tubes is obtained as a function of a height of the roof;   connecting the series of extension tubes, wherein the length of the series of extension tubes depends on the height of the roof;   obtaining a primary pressurized air supply line;   connecting the one end of the primary pressurized air supply line to the snow rake head;   mounting the snow rake head to one end of the series of extension tubes;   connecting the remaining end of the primary pressurized air supply line to the control handle;   mounting the control handle to the remaining end of the series of extension tubes;   connecting one end of a secondary pressurized air supply line to the control handle; and   connecting the remaining end of the secondary pressurized air supply line to the air compressor.   
     
     
         18 . A method for removing an ice dam off a roof, comprising:
 positioning a snow rake head above an ice dam;   turning on a steam generator coupled to the snow rake head;   switching an on/off controller to on, wherein the on/off controller is located on a control handle of the snow rake head;   allowing the steam to melt the ice; and,   pulling the snow rake head towards the edge of a roof of a house.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising:
 obtaining a series of extension tubes;   connecting the series of extension tubes, wherein the length of the series of extension tubes is a function of a height of a roof;   obtaining a primary pressurized steam supply line;   connecting the one end of the primary pressurized steam supply line to the snow rake head;   mounting the snow rake head to one end of the series of extension tubes;   connecting the remaining end of the primary pressurized steam supply line to the control handle;   mounting the control handle to the remaining end of the series of extension tubes;   connecting one end of a secondary pressurized steam supply line to the control handle;   connecting the remaining end of the secondary pressurized steam supply line to the steam generator;   
     
     
         20 . A method as in  claim 18 , comprising positioning the snow rake head above the ice dam using a yoke.