Scott H Ireland

US Patent:

20070022762, Feb 1, 2007

Filed:

Jul 28, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/161261

Inventors:

Scott Ireland - Westminster CO, US

International Classification:

F25D 3/08
F25C 1/00

US Classification:

062066000, 062340000

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for molding a block or sheet of ice that is resistant to breakage and can be readily attached to an external object such as a ski, sled, or other device for the purpose of sliding said objects down or along non-snowy or non-icy terrain. The ice molding apparatus consists of three, typically plastic, parts: a container, a lid, and a grate, all just large enough to fit horizontally into the freezer portion of a standard home side-by-side refrigerator/freezer. The grate is suspended from the container edges down into the container and below the lid, with a portion of the grate extending outside of the container. The lid is mounted on the grate, with the container, grate, and lid all forming a seal to prevent water from easily spilling from the mold apparatus during the ice making and freezing process. The ice that is formed encapsulates the grid that provides structural reinforcement to the ice block and makes it more resistant to breakage than comparably sized ice blocks when impacted by external physical forces. Additionally, a portion of the grate extends outside of the mold (container and lid) and contains a snap latch or other mechanism of similar purpose for attachment to a mating feature on a sled, ski, or other device.