System for removing snow and ice from a surface
First Claim
1. A system for melting snow and ice comprising:
- a housing defined by a top section, a bottom section, a rear section, two side sections, and a substantially hollow cavity;
a fan means, rotatably mounted within the substantially hollow cavity of said housing, for blowing air toward an open front end of said housing;
a heating means, mounted within the substantially hollow cavity of said housing between said fan means and the open front end of said housing, for heating air blown by said fan means;
a heat reclamation means for recapturing at least some of the heated air blown out of said housing by said fan means and directing the recaptured air back into said housing; and
a power source means for powering said fan means and said heating means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for removing snow and ice from a surface that includes a fan and a heating element contained within a hollow cavity open at one end, and a hollow duct positioned above the hollow cavity. The hollow duct is open at both ends; one end is positioned directly above the open end of the hollow cavity, while the other end leads back into the hollow cavity through a hole on the other side of the heating element contained therein. The fan blows air past the heating element and out the open end of the hollow cavity. The heated air melts any snow or ice with which it comes into contact. At least some of the heated air that does not contact any snow or ice is drawn into and through the hollow duct, and back into the hollow cavity where it may be reused.
24 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for melting snow and ice comprising:
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a housing defined by a top section, a bottom section, a rear section, two side sections, and a substantially hollow cavity;
a fan means, rotatably mounted within the substantially hollow cavity of said housing, for blowing air toward an open front end of said housing;
a heating means, mounted within the substantially hollow cavity of said housing between said fan means and the open front end of said housing, for heating air blown by said fan means;
a heat reclamation means for recapturing at least some of the heated air blown out of said housing by said fan means and directing the recaptured air back into said housing; and
a power source means for powering said fan means and said heating means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A system for melting snow and ice comprising:
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a housing defined by a top section, a bottom section, a rear section, two side sections, and a substantially hollow cavity, said rear section defining a plurality of vents disposed therein;
a fan rotatably mounted within the substantially hollow cavity of said housing;
at least one heating element mounted within the substantially hollow cavity of said housing between said fan and an open front end of said housing;
a substantially hollow duct, an open front end of which is positioned substantially above the open front end of said housing, and an open back end of which leads into a hole disposed within the top section of said housing;
at least one handle mounted to an outer surface of one of said housing and said duct; and
a power source means for powering said fan and said heating elements. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
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14. A method for melting snow and ice comprising:
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blowing air past a means for heating said air, toward and through an open end of an otherwise enclosed and substantially hollow cavity, and onto said snow and ice;
recapturing at least some of some of said heated air, after it has been blown out of said hollow cavity, by drawing said heated air into a first open end of a means for recycling said heated air; and
returning said recycled heated air, through a second open end of said heated air recycling means, and through a hole disposed within said hollow cavity, to a position in said hollow cavity which is on a side of said heating means opposite a side facing the open end of said hollow cavity. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification