System for applying snow and ice removal and traction-improving products

Abstract

A snow and ice removal system is disclosed. The system includes a container element and a strap element wherein both ends of the strap element are affixed to the same side of the container element. The user can place his arm through a loop in the strap and secure the strap over his shoulder. Securing the strap at two points on the same side enables the container apparatus to be carried in a horizontal position relative to the ground surface. For example, the container element may be carried in a position substantially parallel to the ground enabling the user to readily access the ice removal product. The user can easily reach in to grab the product and apply it.

Claims

1. A snow and ice removal system comprising: a. a hollow container element having i. an open top end; ii. a closed bottom end; iii. a walled middle cavity connecting the open top end and the closed bottom end; iv. a rigid structure enabling the hollow container element to retain its shape while holding snow/ice removal products; b. a first aperture and a second aperture vertically positioned, the first aperture is located closer to the open top end of the hollow container element and the second aperture is located closer to the closed bottom end of the hollow container element, the first and second apertures going from a space interior to the hollow container element to a space exterior to the hollow container element; c. the first aperture and the second aperture both being located on a same arcuate portion of a lateral surface of the hollow container element, the arcuate portion comprising less than 180 degrees of the circumference of the hollow container element; d. a strap element having a first end and a second end; e. wherein the first end of the strap element passes through the first aperture from the space exterior to the hollow container element to the space interior to the hollow container element, the first end of the strap element is tied into a first knot, the first knot being located in the space interior to the hollow container element to secure the first end of the strap element in place by preventing the first end of strap element from passing back through the first aperture; and f. wherein the second end of the strap element passes through the second aperture from the space exterior to the hollow container element to the space interior to the hollow container element wherein the second end of the strap element is tied into a second knot, the second knot being located in the space interior to the hollow container element to secure the second end of the strap element in place by preventing the second end of strap element from passing back through the second aperture.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the strap element is adjustable.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the location of the first and second apertures on the same arcuate portion of a lateral surface of the hollow container element allows the strap element to rest on the shoulder of a user.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the location of the apertures and position of the strap element of the hollow container element enables the distribution of both a snow/ice removal product and a traction improving product by hand.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the snow/ice removal product is selected from the group consisting of halite and calcium chloride.

6. The system of claim 4 wherein the traction-improving product is selected from the group consisting of sand and kitty litter.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second apertures are vertically offset.

8. A snow and ice removal system comprising: a. a hollow container element having i. an open top end; ii. a closed bottom end; iii. a walled middle cavity connecting the open top end and the closed bottom end; iv. a rigid structure enabling the hollow container element to retain its shape while holding snow/ice removal products; b. a first aperture and a second aperture positioned vertically on a same arcuate portion of a lateral surface of the hollow container element, the arcuate portion comprising less than 180 degrees of the circumference of the hollow container element, wherein the first aperture is located closer to the open top end of the hollow container element and the second aperture located closer to the closed bottom end of the hollow container element; and c. a strap element having a first end and a second end wherein the first end and the second end of the strap element are affixed to the same arcuate portion of a lateral surface of the hollow container element.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the vertical alignment of the apertures and the strap element enables the hollow container element to be carried at an angle on the shoulder of a user.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the vertical positioning of the apertures and the strap element enables the distribution of both a snow/ice removal product and a traction improving product with the hand of a user opposite to the shoulder of the user holding the hollow container element.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a container apparatus.

(2) FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a container apparatus partially filled with a snow/ice removal product.

(3) FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a user implementing a partially filled container apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(4) The following descriptions relate principally to preferred embodiments while a few alternative embodiments may also be referenced on occasion, although many other alternative embodiments would also fall within the scope of the invention. The embodiments disclosed are not to be construed as describing limits to the invention, whereas the broader scope of the invention should instead be considered with reference to the claims, which may be now appended or may later be added or amended in this or related applications. Unless indicated otherwise, it is to be understood that terms used in these descriptions generally have the same meanings as those that would be understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art. It should also be understood that terms used are generally intended to have the ordinary meanings that would be understood within the context of the related art, and they generally should not be restricted to formal or ideal definitions, conceptually encompassing equivalents, unless and only to the extent that a particular context clearly requires otherwise.

(5) For purposes of these descriptions, a few wording simplifications should also be understood as universal, except to the extent otherwise clarified in a particular context either in the specification or in particular claims. The use of the term or should be understood as referring to alternatives, although it is generally used to mean and/or unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives only, or unless the alternatives are inherently mutually exclusive. Furthermore, unless explicitly dictated by the language, the term and may be interpreted as or in some instances. When referencing values, the term about may be used to indicate an approximate value, generally one that could be read as being that value plus or minus half of the value. A or an and the like may mean one or more, unless clearly indicated otherwise. Such one or more meanings are most especially intended when references are made in conjunction with open-ended words such as having, comprising or including. Likewise, another object may mean at least a second object or more. Thus, in the context of this specification, the term comprising is used in an inclusive sense and thus should be understood as meaning including, but not limited to. As used herein, the use of may or may be indicates that a modified term is appropriate, capable, or suitable for an indicated capacity, function, or usage, while considering that in some circumstances the modified term may sometimes not be appropriate, capable, or suitable.

(6) FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective view of a container apparatus 10. The container apparatus 10 includes a strap 102 affixed to a container 101. The container 101 can be of any size or shape capable of holding snow removal products such as a pail, bucket, receptacle, or bin. In this example, the container 101 shown is a 5-gallon cylindrical bucket 101. A first end 103 of the strap 102 is affixed near the open top end 115 of the bucket 101. A first hole 105 can be drilled through a side 104 of the bucket 101 to enable the strap 102 to pass through. To secure the first end 103 of the strap 102 inside the bucket 101, a first knot 106 can be tied in the strap. Similarly, a second end 107 of the strap 102 is affixed near the closed bottom end 116 of the bucket 101. A second hole 108 can be drilled through the side 104 of the bucket 101 to enable the strap 102 to pass through. Similarly, a second knot 109 can be tied to secure the second end 107 of the strap 102 inside the bucket 101. The first end 103 and the second end 107 are located on the same side 104 of the bucket 101. Securing the strap 102 at two points on the same side 104 creates a loop enabling the strap 102 to be placed on a worker's (user's) shoulder. In this example, a strap is implemented but other materials can be used including rope, cords, bands, harnesses, and the like.

(7) FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of a container apparatus 10 partially filled with a snow/ice removal product 201. In this example, a bucket 101 is partially filled with rock salt (halite) 201. The product 201 can be applied to a dry surface or wet surface to lower the freezing temperature of water and prevent the accumulation of ice and snow. Further, the product 201 can be applied to a surface covered in ice or snow. The bucket 101 can include other substances such as calcium chloride to facilitate ice melting or provide improved traction (e.g., sand, kitty litter). In addition to carrying substances used for snow and ice hazards, the container apparatus 10 can be used to carry other products such as water, concrete, gravel, dirt, and the like.

(8) FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a user 350 implementing the partially filled container apparatus 10. The user 350 can place his arm through a loop in the strap 102 and secure the strap over his shoulder. Securing the strap 102 at two points on the same side 104 enables the container apparatus 10 to be carried in a horizontal position relative to the ground surface 300. In this example, the bucket 101 is being carried in a position substantially parallel to the ground 300 enabling the user to readily access the ice removal product 201. The user 350 can easily reach into the bucket 101 to grab the product 201 and apply it to the surface 300. The bucket 101 can be tilted at different angles by adjusting the position of the strap 102 on the shoulder. For example, if the bucket 101 is more than half full of the product 201 the user 350 can adjust the strap 102 to tilt the bucket upward so that the open top end 115 is higher than the closed bottom end 116 relative to the surface 300. When the bucket 101 has less product 201, the user 350 can adjust the strap 102 on the shoulder to lower the top end 115 relative to the surface 300. The design of the container apparatus 10 enables a user to efficiently apply ice removal product 201 while walking along a surface 300. The container apparatus 10 is a substantial improvement over containers that must be carried in a vertical position relative to the ground.