BACKGROUND

The discussion below is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Ice dams are collections of ice that typically form at the edge of a roof. Extended periods of time below freezing or cycles of temperatures below and above freezing can promote ice dams on roof structures. The occurrence of freezing rain can compound the problem.

Ice dams can prevent water from draining off the roof. The water can be particularly troublesome since it may back up behind the ice dam, leak into a home, and thereby causing damage to walls, ceilings, insulation, etc.

Some have used ice-melting compounds in forms such as loose granular pieces or formed puck-shaped melting products to promote melting of the ice into water such that it will drain off the shingles of the roof. Granules may not stay where needed and instead wash down the roof. Puck-shaped melting products may also move down the roof over time. In addition, their initial placement may be hit or miss nor in an orientation that inhibits the pucks from falling down the roof.

SUMMARY

This Summary and the Abstract herein are provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary and the Abstract are not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor are they intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. The claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any or all disadvantages noted in the Background.

One general aspect includes an ice melting body dispenser. The ice melting body dispenser includes an elongated pole and a body holder mounted to an end of the pole and configured to hold an ice melting body. The body holder includes a support configured to releasably hold the ice melting body. The support includes a forward end over which the ice melting body slides over when leaving the body holder. The dispenser also includes a retainer configured to engage the ice melting body and inhibit sliding movement of the ice melting body over the forward end.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The ice melting body dispenser where the support includes at least one support plate configured to support the ice melting body by engaging a lower surface of the ice melting body. The support includes opposed spaced apart side walls. The at least one support plate may include two support plates, where each opposed side wall is joined to one of the two support plates, the support plates being spaced apart from each other forming a slot so as to allow direct access to a lower surface of the ice melting body. The slot is open ended where the slot is open to the forward end.

In one embodiment, if desired, the ice melting body dispenser and may include an actuator connected to a back surface of the support, the back surface being movable in the support. The back surface can inhibit movement of the ice melting body in a direction away from the forward end. In another embodiment, the body holder can be movably joined to the end of the pole, where the forward end moves toward and away from the back surface, the back surface being configured to engage the ice melting body when the body holder slides in a direction where the forward end moves closer to the back surface. The body holder can include a first set of engageable surfaces that limit sliding movement of the body holder on the pole in a direction where the forward end moves toward the back surface, and a second set of engageable surfaces that limit sliding movement of the forward end in a direction away from the back surface. The body holder may include a spring configured to bias the forward end away from the back surface.

The body holder can be configured to hold a plurality of ice melting bodies where the side walls are of height above the support plate so as to engage side surfaces of the plurality of ice melting bodies when the ice melting bodies are stacked one upon another.

A retainer can be secured at opposite ends to the side walls. A portion of the retainer is displaceable to allow movement of the ice melting body over the forward end. The portion is compliant and deflects with movement of the ice melting body over the forward end. The portion returns to a holding position, for example via a spring force from a spring, after the ice melting body is out of the body holder. If desired, the portion may include a plurality of projections, each projection having a first end secured to the body holder and a second end configured to engage the ice melting body. For example, the portion may include a movable arm, for example, that pivots. The movable arm is disposed on one side of the body holder, and if desired, a second movable arm can be disposed on an opposite side of the body holder

Another general aspect includes a pair of first and second ice melting bodies having identically shaped outer surface. Each body is made of an ice melting chemical compound that may include at least one of calcium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, amide, sodium acetates, calcium magnesium acetates, and glycol, the ice melting chemical compound forming an elongated body having first and second major surfaces facing in opposite directions that are defined by planes that are substantially parallel to each other. The first major surface includes a plurality of projections extending in a direction away from the associated plane defining the first major surface. The second major surface includes at least one depression configured to receive the projections such that the projections of the first ice melting body are received in the at least one depression of the second ice melting body when the second ice melting body is placed upon the first ice melting body.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. The projections of the plurality of projections are typically spaced apart from each other on the first major surface of each ice melting body. The plurality of projections can be arranged in sets, where the sets are spaced apart from each other on the first major surface of each ice melting body. The second major surface of each ice melting body can include a plurality of depressions, each depression configured to receive multiple projections of one of the sets of projections. Each ice melting body includes side walls facing in opposite directions, and where the depression can open at each end to one of the side walls. The projections and depressions can be disposed on each of the ice melting bodies such that elongated axes of the ice melting bodies are parallel to each other in a parallel arrangement. The projections and depressions can be disposed on each of the ice melting bodies such that elongated axes of the ice melting body are perpendicular to each other in a perpendicular arrangement. In this manner, the ice melting bodies are selectively arrangeable in both the parallel and perpendicular arrangements. The projections and depressions are disposed on each of the ice melting bodies such that elongated axes of the ice melting body are perpendicular to each other in a perpendicular arrangement. The first major surface can include spaced apart elongated projections oriented parallel to an axis of elongation of the ice melting body. The ice melting body dispenser described above may include one or more of the ice melting bodies described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ice melting body on a roof.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the ice melting body.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ice melting body on a side opposite that illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a right side elevational view of the ice melting body of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of three ice melting bodies stacked upon each other.

FIG. 6 is a right elevational view of the ice melting bodies in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of four ice melting bodies stacked upon each other in pairs.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an ice melting body dispenser.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a forward end of the ice melting body dispenser of FIG. 8 with an ice melting body in a first position relative to an ice melting body holder.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the forward end of the ice melting body dispenser of FIG. 8 with the ice melting body in a second position relative to the ice melting body holder.

FIG. 11 is a lower perspective view of the forward end of the ice melting body dispenser corresponding to FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is a lower perspective view of the forward end of the ice melting body dispenser corresponding to FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the forward end of the ice melting body dispenser corresponding to FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the forward end of the ice melting body dispenser with an alternative ice melting body being ejected from the ice melting body holder.

FIG. 15 is a lower perspective view of the ice melting body dispenser with the alternative ice melting body in the ice melting body holder.

FIG. 16. is a lower perspective view of the forward end of the ice melting body dispenser corresponding to Fig. 14.

FIG. 17 is a third embodiment of a forward end of of the ice melting body dispenser.

FIG. 18 is a fourth embodiment of a forward end of the ice melting body dispenser. FIG. 19 is a sectional view of fifth embodiment of the forward end of the ice melting body dispenser.

DETAILED DESCRIPTON OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODMENTS

Figs. 1-6 illustrate an embodiment of an ice melting body 10 that is useful for melting ice as well as snow, if desired. Features discussed below of the ice melting body 10 are particularly advantageous for disposing the ice melting body 10 on an inclined surface such as a roof 11 illustrated in Fig. 1; however, such use should not be considered limiting. The ice melting body 10 comprises an ice melting chemical compound comprising at least one of sodium acetate, calcium magnesium acetates, calcium chloride, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, amide, and/or glycol.

The ice melting chemical compound forms a body such as but not limited to the exemplary elongated body shown, having a first major surface 12 and a second major surface 14 facing in opposite directions that are defined by planes that are substantially parallel to each other. The first major surface 12 includes a plurality of projections 16 extending in a direction away from the associated plane defining the first surface 12. The second surface 14 includes at least one depression 18 configured to receive the projection(s) 16 such that the projection(s) 16 of a first ice melting body 10A are received in the at least one depression 18 of a second ice melting body 10B (see for example Figs. 5-7) when the first and second ice melting bodies 10A, 10B are stacked upon each other.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, the projections 16 are generally spaced apart from each other and are of sufficient height from the first major surface 12 and are shaped such that the ice melting body 10 is retained in the stationary position when disposed on an inclined surface such as but not limited to the roof 11. Preferably, each of the projections 16 have a generally larger surface area forming a base portion 20 on the major surface 12 with a perimeter sidewall 21 that converges to a smaller surface area end 22 such as but not necessarily limited to a point. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the shape of each projection 16 is substantially uniform about a reference axis 24 extending perpendicularly from the first major surface 12. The substantially uniform shape of each projection 16 about the reference axis 24 and the projections 16 being spaced apart on the major surface 12 enables the ice melting body 10 to be retained on an inclined surface in any position. In other words, the ice melting body 10 need not be particularly oriented in a certain direction with respect to the inclined surface so as to remain in a stationary position.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the plurality of projections 16 is arranged in sets 26, wherein each set 26 is defined transversely across the width of the first major surface 12, and adjacent sets 26 are spaced apart from each other longitudinally along the first major surface 12. With a plurality of sets 26 on the first major surface 12, preferably a plurality of depressions 18 are spaced apart from each other on the second major surface 14, with the spacing of the depressions 18 corresponding to the spacing of the sets 26. Each depression 18 is configured to receive multiple projections 16 of one of the sets 26. In the embodiment illustrated, the ice melting body 10 includes sidewalls 28 facing in opposite directions. Each of the depressions 18 opens at each end to one of the sidewalls 28.

The presence of both projections 16 and at least one depression 18 on each of the ice melting bodies 10 allows the ice melting bodies 10 to be stacked upon each other such as illustrated in Figs. 5-7 for purposes of packing and shipping in a suitable container, not shown. The shape of the ice melting bodies 10 having the projections 16 and at least one depression 18 can take many different forms as desired, such as the elongated mass shown with curved ends, but also without limitation in the form of a disc, a square or rectangular block or an irregular shape. In the embodiment illustrated, the ice melting body 10 is elongated having a length longer than a width with respect to a reference axis 30. The plurality of projections 16 and depressions 18 are disposed on each of the ice melting bodies 10 so that the ice melting bodies 10 can be stacked upon each other such that the axes 30 are parallel to each other in a parallel arrangement illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6. If desired, the projections 16 and depressions 18 can be so arranged to allow the ice melting bodies 10 to be oriented perpendicular to each other in a perpendicular arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 7. In Fig. 7, the ice melting bodies 10 in a layer are arranged perpendicular to the axes 30 of ice melting bodies 10 in a lower or upper layer, while the ice melting bodies 10 comprising each layer are oriented parallel to each other.

As this point it should be noted that the ice melting bodies 10 can be disposed on a desired surface either by a manual placement for example with access obtained to the desired surface via a ladder. Alternatively, the ice melting bodies 10 can be tossed onto the desired surface such as a roof from a lower ground surface. As indicated above, another aspect of the present invention is a dispenser 40 that can be used to locate the ice melting body 10 on the selected surface such as a roof while the user remains, for example on the ground or a ladder. The first embodiment of a dispenser is illustrated in Figs. 8-13 at 40. The dispenser 40 includes an elongated pole 42. A holder 44 is mounted to an end of the pole 42. The holder 44 includes a support 46 configured to releasably hold the ice melting body 10. The support 46 includes a forward end 48 over which the ice melting body 10 slides over when leaving the holder 44. A retainer 50 is configured to engage the ice melting body 10 and inhibit sliding movement of the ice melting body 10 over the forward end 48 until placement of the ice melting body 10 on the selected surface is obtained.

Referring to Figs. 9-10 and 13, the support 46 includes at least one support plate 52 configured to support the ice melting body 10 by engaging a lower surface thereof preferably, the first major surface 12 having the projections 16. In a preferred embodiment, two support plates 52 are provided and spaced apart from each other so as to form a slot 54 that allows direct access to the lower surface such as the first major surface 12 of the ice melting body 10 having the projections 16. The slot 54 is open ended wherein the slot 54 opens to the forward end 48. In one embodiment, each ice melting body 10 includes a surface configuration on the first major surface 12 that conforms to the width of the slot 54. In the embodiment illustrated, the ice melting body 10 includes flanges or sidewalls 56 that engage edges of each of the support plates 52 so as to maintain orientation of the ice melting body 10 on the support 46 or holder 44. The edges of the support plates 52 can be considered opposed sidewalls that are spaced apart from each other and engage opposite surfaces of the ice melting body 10.

The support 46 typically includes a back surface 60 to inhibit movement of the ice melting body 10 in a direction away from the forward end 48 or further into the holder 44. The back surface 60 can aid in maintaining the ice melting body 10 on the holder 44 prior to placement on the selected surface.

As indicated above, the retainer 50 is configured to engage the ice melting body 10 and inhibit sliding movement on the support 46. In one embodiment, a portion 62 of the retainer 50 is displaceable to allow movement of the ice melting body 10 over the forward end 48. In the embodiment illustrated in Figs. 8-13, the portion 62 is compliant and deflects with movement of the ice melting body 10 over the forward end 48. Generally, the portion 62 returns to a holding position after the ice melting body 10 has left the holder 44. In one embodiment, the portion 62 returns to the holding position due to a spring force. In one embodiment, the portion 62 itself comprises a spring with opposed ends connected to outer sidewalls 66 joined to each support plate 52. The portion 62 is advantageously at least partially cylindrically shaped so as to conform to one of the depressions 18. In the embodiment illustrated, the portion 62 is in the form of a bristle brush having a plurality of projections or bristles. Each projection or bristle has a first end secured to a center body member with opposed ends joined to the side walls 66 and a second end configured to engage the ice melting body 10.

In one embodiment, the holder 44 can be fixedly mounted to the end of the pole 42 such that the ice melting body 10 can be placed on the selected surface, allowing the projections 16 to engage the ice and/or snow. The pole 42 and holder 44 can then be pulled away from the ice melting body 10, leaving it on the selected surface. However, in a particularly advantageous embodiment, the holder 44 is moveably joined to the end of the pole 42. In the embodiment illustrated, the holder 44 slides on the end of the pole 42 and the back surface 60 remains fixed on the pole 42. Hence, when the holder 44 is slid toward the user on the pole 42, the ice melting body 10 slides over the forward end 48 with the forward end 48 moving toward the back surface 60. Typically, the back surface 60 is an end surface of the pole 42 or a member connected to the end of the pole 42.

In a preferred embodiment, the holder 44 and the pole 42 include a first set of engageable surfaces 74 that limit sliding movement of the holder 44 on the pole 42 in a direction where the forward end 48 moves toward the back surface 60, and a second set of engageable surfaces 76 that limit sliding movement of the forward end 48 away from the back surface 60. The first set of engageable surfaces 74 and the second set of engageable surfaces 76 can be embodied with a pin and slot coupling. In the embodiment illustrated, a pin 78 is fixedly attached to the pole 42 and extends through a slot 80 formed in a sleeve 82 that slides over the end of the pole 42. It should be noted, if desired, the pin can be disposed on the holder 44 and a slot can be provided in the pole 42. In the embodiment illustrated, the pin 78 comprises a fastener extending through the pole 42 where the sleeve 82 includes two slots 80 formed on opposite sides of the sleeve 82.

As stated above, the holder 44 can move relative to the end of the pole 42. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the holder 44 moves due to remote actuation from the user at the opposite end of the pole 42. A wire or rope 90 attached to the holder 44 extends to the user at the opposite end of the pole 42. As illustrated in Figs. 9 and 11, the ice melting body 10 can be located in the holder 44 when the holder 44 is extended away from the end of the pole 42 so as to allow the ice melting body 10 to be inserted into the holder 44. The user can then position the ice melting body 10 on the selected surface and by pulling the wire or rope 90 can thereby initiate sliding movement of the holder 44 on the pole 42 such that the holder 44 moves toward the user and the holder 44 slides on the pole 42 in effect causing the ice melting body 10 to slide over the forward end 48.

Figs. 14-16 illustrate the dispenser 40 dispensing an ice melting body 100 having a disc shape. The ice melting body 100 can include depressions and projections similar to ice melting body 10; however, the ice melting body 100 can also have smooth opposed major surfaces or other projections on the lower surface that help retain it on the inclined surface. If the ice melting body 100 includes depressions, the retainer 50 can operate in a manner similar to that described above. In the embodiment illustrated, the ice melting body 100 has a shape that allows it to be retained in the holder 44 with the retainer 50 engaging a perimeter edge or surface of the ice melting body. The holder 44 is suitable for dispensing ice melting body 10 as well as ice melting body 100 although the widths are different. As described above, the edges of the support plates 52 can be considered opposed sidewalls that are spaced apart from each other and engage opposite surfaces of the ice melting body 10, while for ice melting body 100, portions 52A of support plates 52 are the opposed sidewalls holding the ice melting body 100 laterally in the holder 44. Having at least a portion 52B extending over the ice melting bodies 10, 100 can be helpful in retaining the ice melting bodies 10, 100 in the holder 44 when the ice melting bodies 10, 100 are lifted and placed as desired on the roof.

Fig. 17 illustrates that the holder 44 can include upwardly extending walls or members 103 that allow multiple ice melting bodies 100 to be stacked upon each other in the holder 44. Repeated sliding movement of the holder 44 on the pole 42 allows individual ice melting bodies 100 to be successfully ejected from the holder 44 at desired positions on the selected surface. After each ice melting body 100 is ejected the next ice melting body 100 in the stack is received by the holder 44 and retained temporarily by the retainer 50. If desired, the wire or rope 90 can be replaced with a rod such that the holder 44 can be moved in either direction by the user at the remote end. Alternatively, a spring such as a compression spring 105 (schematically illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10) and can be coupled between the holder 44 and the pole 42 such that the holder 44 will return automatically to the holding position where a subsequent ice melting body 100 falls from the stack and onto the support 56. It should be noted a tension spring could also be used. Fig. 18 illustrates another form of a retainer 102 that selectively retains the ice melting body 10 in the holder 44. The retainer 102 comprises at least one moveable arm 104 having a projection 106 that selectively engages one of the depressions 18 in the holding position, not shown. In Fig. 18, the holder 44 has been pulled back towards the user. With this movement, the projection 106 is withdrawn from the depression 18 as the ice melting body 10 slides over the forward end 48. The arm 104 is rotated due to a linkage 108 that is coupled to the arm 104 and in effect to the pole 42. In particular, the linkage includes an extending member 110 fixedly secured to the pole and a link 112 coupling an end 114 of the extending member 110 to the arm 104. Movement of the holder 44 relative to the fixed extending member causes the link 112 to rotate the arm 104 and withdraw the projection 106 from the depression 18 as well as move the projection 106 into a depression 18 of a subsequent ice melting body 10 loaded in the holder 44. In the embodiment illustrated, two arms 104 with projections 106 and two links 112. Although illustrated using ice melting body 10 the holder illustrated in Fig. 18 can also be used with the ice melting body 100 or ice melting bodies or having a shape that conforms to the holder 44.

Fig. 19 illustrates a dispenser 40’ having an actuator 120 to provide a driving force to eject the ice melting body 10 from a holder 44’. The holder 44’ has a shape similar to holder 44 described above. The holder 44’ includes spaced apart support plates 52’ upon which the ice melting body 10 is supported on being retained therein with retainer 50 by way of example. Instead of the back surface 60 being stationary, in holder 44’ the back surface 60’ is movable being selectively displaced so as to push the ice melting body 10 from the holder 44’ over a forward surface 48’ of support 46’. The actuator 120 can take any number of forms so as to drive the back surface 60’. In the embodiment illustrated, the actuator 120 includes a spring 122 that is connected to the back surface 60’ and a stationary plate 124. If desired, a guide rod 128 extends through and is slidable in an aperture 130 in the plate 124.

In Fig. 19, the back surface 60’ is shown in a forward position where the ice melting body 10 has been ejected from the holder 44’. When the next ice melting body 10 is loaded in the holder 44’, the back surface 60’ is rearward of the forward surface 48’ to accommodate the ice melting body 10 in the holder 44’. In this position of the back surface 60’, the spring 122 is compressed. A latch 126 can be provided to hold the back surface 60’ with the spring 122 compressed, and is operated by pulling on the wire or rope 90 so as to release the back surface 60’. Although illustrated using spring 122, the actuator 120 can also be electrically powered where, for example, a solenoid can be used to drive the back surface 60’. The actuator 120 can be incorporated in the embodiment of Fig. 17. In a preferred embodiment, the actuator would drive the back surface in opposite directions so as to repeatedly eject ice melting bodies held by the members 103. An electric solenoid would be particularly advantageous being operated by a switch at an end of the pole 42. However, if desired, a spring type actuator 120 like shown in Fig. 19 can be used where a second wire or rope would be used to pull the back surface rearwardly in the holder to allow another ice melting body to fall into place, while the rope 90 is used to operate a latch like shown in Fig. 19.

Although the subject matter has been described in language directed to specific environments, structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not limited to the environments, specific features or acts described above as has been held by the courts. Rather, the environments, specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.