The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 05, 1998
Filed:
Dec. 27, 1996
Timothy C Bonerb, Bartlett, NH (US);
Other;
Abstract
A device and method for removing ice and snow from roofs whereby a flexible sleeve attached to the lower part of a roof is remotely inflated, thereby shattering the ice in a controlled and safe manner. In the preferred embodiment, a mounting frame is sealingly attached to the roof surface and is configured to removably retain the flexible, inflatable sleeve in position on the roof. A number of retention means are disclosed. However, the preferred means is a zipper assembly, which is easy to operate and retains the overall flexibility of the inflatable sleeve to allow it to be rolled up for easy storage when it is removed from a roof. The lower end of the inflatable sleeve extends beyond the lower edge of the roof surface where it is movably secured to the edge of the roof. An operator realizing the need to remove ice from a roof remotely inflates the sleeve with a low pressure air supply. The expansion of the sleeve attached to the roof shatters the brittle ice. The movable attachment to the lower edge of the roof allows the sleeve to expand and still retains it in a taught manner when the sleeve is not inflated to prevent flapping in windy conditions.