Method and device for separating accumulated snow in structure

Abstract

Provided are a method and a device for safely and efficiently separating and dropping accumulated snow in a structure with reduced labor. This method includes the steps of: arranging a string-like body on accumulated snow at a desired position of the accumulated snow; winding the string-like body arranged on the accumulated snow around the accumulated snow by passing it below the accumulated snow to form a ring shape; and cutting the accumulated snow by contracting the ring of the ring-shaped string-like body and separating at least a part thereof from the remaining part. This device comprises: a string-like body having a length that enables the string-like body to be wound around accumulated snow; an operation portion that arranges the string-like body on the accumulated snow at a desired position of the accumulated snow; and an annular body that maintains the ring shape of the string-like body that has been wound around the accumulated snow by passing it below the accumulated snow.

Description

Method and apparatus for separating accumulated snow on a structure

[0001] The present invention relates to snow removal technology, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for separating and dropping accumulated snow on a structure.

[0002] Currently, snow removal on structures in snowy areas is carried out by climbing to a high place on the structure and directly dropping the accumulated snow, or by using a snow removal tool. Snow removal by climbing to a high place is preferably carried out with a safety rope, but in reality, it is often not used because the safety rope hinders the work. Also, as snow removal tools, those with a T-shaped snow shield remover or a sheet attached to the tip of a long rod are sold, but both require a great deal of labor, and since the work is carried out from directly below the accumulated snow, there is a risk of falling snow hitting the operator. Snow removal of accumulated snow on the slope of a road or crown snow formed on a transmission line is carried out by climbing to a high place and using a scoop or a rod-shaped tool, but it is a very laborious and dangerous operation. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that can safely and easily drop the accumulated snow on a structure.

[0003] Patent Document 1 proposes a snow shield remover and a method for removing a snow shield. The snow shield remover of Patent Document 1 includes a rod-shaped support member, a rod-shaped extension member attached so as to be orthogonal to the length direction at the tip of the support member in the length direction, and a string-like member attached to the tip of the extension member. The method for removing a snow shield is a method for removing a snow shield using the above-described snow shield remover, in which the extension member is disposed above one end in the width direction of the snow shield, and the support member is moved through the upper part of the snow shield to the other end, so that the string-like member is stretched across the width direction of the snow shield, and by alternately pulling one end and the other end of the string-like member downward, the snow shield is cut and removed from its upper part.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2013-209867

[0005] The technology described in Patent Document 1 has the following problems. In this technology, a string-like member is stretched across the snow cornice, and the cornice is removed by holding each end with one hand and pulling them alternately. In other words, the technology in Patent Document 1 cuts the snow cornice by moving the string-like member alternately. With this method, the snow cornice is cut from the top downwards, so considerable effort is required to reach the hardest lower layer that forms the base of the snow cornice. Also, because the string-like member is pulled alternately with one hand to cut, the load that can be applied to the snow cornice is limited to arm strength, making it difficult to separate snow that has been hardened and compacted for several days. Furthermore, with this method, because the snow cornice is cut from the top, when the hard lower layer remains at the end, the lower layer may break, and the snow cornice may rotate towards the house using the broken part as an axis, potentially causing damage to windows and walls. Similar damage to houses has actually occurred many times with naturally falling snow cornices. Based on the above, the technology described in Patent Document 1 is applicable only to removing soft snow cornices formed on the roofs of houses.

[0006] Furthermore, in the snow cornice removal tool of Patent Document 1, a rod-shaped extension member perpendicular to the longitudinal direction is provided at the longitudinal end of the support member, and a string-like member is attached to the tip of this extension member. When such an extension member is used, the extension member rotates together with the support member due to the string-like member being pulled by the resistance of the snow, making it difficult to control the support member and difficult to position the string-like member at the desired location on the snow cornice.

[0007] To solve the above problems, the present invention aims to provide a method and apparatus for safely and efficiently separating and dropping snow accumulated on a structure with minimal force.

[0008] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a method for separating at least a portion of a snowpack in a structure. The method includes the step of placing a string-like body on the snowpack at a desired location on the snowpack. The method further includes the step of winding the string-like body placed on the snowpack around the snowpack, passing underneath it, to form a loop. The present invention further includes the step of cutting the snowpack and separating at least a portion of it from the rest by tightening the loop of the looped string-like body.

[0009] In one embodiment, the step of placing a string-like body on the snow at a desired location on the snow includes placing the string-like body at the boundary between at least one portion to be separated and the other portion. The step of winding the string-like body around the snow, passing it beneath the snow, to form a loop includes maintaining the string-like body in a loop by passing the string-like body through a ring attached to the wound string-like body. In one embodiment, the present invention further includes the step of unwinding the string-like body wound around the snow from the string-like body winding frame.

[0010] In one embodiment, the string-like body is wound around the snow by operating a suspension rod to which the string-like body is attached. In another embodiment, the string-like body is wound around the snow by operating a small unmanned aerial vehicle to which the string-like body is attached.

[0011] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a device for separating at least a portion of snow accumulation in a structure. The device comprises a string-like body of a length that can be wound around the snow accumulation, an operating unit for positioning the string-like body on the snow accumulation at a desired location, and an annular body for maintaining the string-like body wound around the snow accumulation in a loop shape by passing beneath the snow accumulation.

[0012] In one embodiment, the operating section of this device can be a suspension rod or a small unmanned aerial vehicle.

[0013] In one embodiment, when the operating part is a lifting rod, it is preferable that the lifting rod has a curved portion at its tip. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the device has a control string-like body attached to one of the positions of the tip portion of the lifting rod to control the position of the tip portion. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the device further comprises a string-like body winding frame from which the string-like body that is wound around the snowpack is unwound.

[0014] According to the present invention, by tightening the loop of a rope that has been wrapped around the snowpack, the rope in contact with the outer circumference of the snowpack tightens not only from the top but also across the entire circumference, biting into the snowpack and cutting it. As a result, at least a portion of the snowpack can be separated from the rest of the snowpack in a short time with little effort. By using different operating parts depending on the height of the snowpack, snowpacks of various heights can be cut safely and efficiently.

[0015] This is a perspective view showing the configuration of a snow separation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. This is a schematic diagram showing a snow separation method using a snow separation device according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the configuration of a snow separation device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1(a) shows the basic configuration of the snow separation device 1, and Figure 1(b) shows a lifting rod 20 having an arched portion 23 at its tip. In Figure 1(b), a configuration in which a control rope 40 is attached to the lifting rod 20 is shown. Note that the two drawings in Figure 1(a) are not scaled to the same extent in order to make the configuration of the device easier to understand. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a snow separation method using the snow separation device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] 1. Snow Separation Device According to One Embodiment The snow separation device 1 (hereinafter referred to as "device 1") comprises a rope 10 (corresponding to the "string-like body" in the claims), a lifting rod 20 (corresponding to the "operating part" in the claims), and a hook 30 (corresponding to the "ring-shaped body" in the claims). By using device 1, at a desired position on the snow (snow accumulation) on a building, the rope 10 is wrapped around the snow accumulation, forming a loop in the wrapped rope 10, and the loop of the looped rope 10 is compressed, applying a shear force to the snow accumulation by tightening it from the entire outer circumference of the snow accumulation, thereby separating the snow accumulation at the position where the rope 10 has bitten into it. According to this device 1, the snow accumulation can be separated simply by continuously pulling the end 12 opposite to one end 11 of the rope 10 that is wrapped around the snow accumulation in a loop in one direction to compress the loop. Furthermore, with this device 1, by contracting the loop, the rope 10 wrapped around the outer circumference of the snowpack comes into contact with the outer circumference, tightening the entire outer circumference and allowing the worker's body weight to be used to apply load to the snowpack. For example, it is easier to get the rope 10 to bite into snowpack that has been compacted hard by its own weight. A portion of the separated snowpack falls due to its own weight, so the device 1 can typically be used for the purpose of removing snowpack.

[0018] Device 1 can be used for purposes such as removing snow cornices overhanging from the roofs of houses, clearing snow from the roofs of houses, and removing snow from structures. When removing snow cornices, a rope can be wrapped around the overhanging portion of the cornice to form a loop, and by tightening the loop of the rope, the cornice can be separated from the rest of the snow and easily dropped.

[0019] Furthermore, the total weight of snow on a house roof can reach tens of tons, and the entire snow accumulation often freezes and adheres to the roof, preventing it from falling. Therefore, when removing snow from a roof, a rope 10 is wrapped around the roof snow to form a loop, and the loop of the rope is tightened to stretch the rope 10 between the upper surface of the roof snow and the lower surface of the roof snow (for example, between the lower end of the roof snow on the eaves side and the roof). By tightening the loop of the rope 10, the ice adhesion between the lower surface of the roof snow and the roof is detached, and at least a portion of the roof snow is separated from the rest at the point where the rope 10 is embedded. Once the ice adhesion to the roof is detached and the roof snow is separated by the rope 10, it falls due to its own weight. By repeating this process, the snow on the roof of a house can be removed.

[0020] Furthermore, in the case of removing snow from structures built on road slopes, for example, a drone can be used to place a rope on top of the snow, move the drone to pass underneath the snow, wrap the rope around the snow to form a loop, and then use a winch or similar device to tighten the loop. This allows a series of operations to be performed mechanically without human effort, separating a portion of the snow from the rest and allowing it to fall. When removing snow from structures such as power lines, a drone can be used to wrap a rope around the snow to form a loop, and by tightening the loop of the rope, a portion of the snow can be separated from the rest and allowed to fall easily.

[0021] As shown in Figure 1(a), the device 1 includes a rope 10. The rope 10 is wrapped around the outer circumference of the snowpack and bites into the snowpack, thereby separating at least a portion of the snowpack from the rest. The material of the rope 10 can be polyethylene, polyester, iron, stainless steel, etc., as needed. For example, when used with relatively soft snowpack, a flexible resin rope such as polyethylene can be used, or when used with hard-packed snowpack, a metal wire such as stainless steel can be used as the rope.

[0022] The length of the rope 10 is not limited as long as it can be wrapped around the snowpack to form a loop. For example, when used for snowpack on a high-altitude structure, a longer rope should be used depending on the height to the snowpack and the amount of snow. The thickness of the rope 10 is not particularly limited as long as it is thick enough not to break when the loop is tightened and embedded around the entire circumference of the snowpack. For example, in the case of polyethylene rope, a rope with a thickness of about 3 to 5 mm can be used.

[0023] The device 1 includes a lifting rod 20 as an operating part for winding the rope 10 around the snow. Using the lifting rod 20, the rope 10 can be appropriately positioned on the snow at a desired location, and the rope 10 can be wound around the snow by passing underneath it to form a loop. After positioning the rope 10 on the snow, when winding the rope 10 around the snow by passing underneath it to form a loop, it is not always necessary to use the lifting rod 20. The worker can hold the rope 10, move underneath the snow, and wind the rope 10 around the snow to form a loop. In one embodiment, the lifting rod 20 can be a straight rod-shaped body having a tip portion 21 and a handle portion 22. The tip portion 21 has an attachment portion 21b on which the rope 10 can be attached to one end 11, to which a hook 30 described later can be attached. The lifting rod 20 preferably has an extendable structure that can be extended when in use and shortened when transporting, taking portability into consideration. For example, a retractable aluminum rod used for snow removal can be used as the lifting rod 20.

[0024] The material of the lifting rod 20 is preferably a lightweight material with little bending, such as aluminum or carbon. The length of the lifting rod 20 is not limited as long as it corresponds to the height of the snow to be worked on, but if it is too long, depending on the material, the weight may increase or the bending may increase, impairing the operability, so it is preferable to determine the length taking these points into consideration. For example, to handle the snow accumulation on the roof of a typical two-story house (about 7 to 9 meters), the length of the lifting rod 20 is preferably about 8 to 10 meters. The thickness of the lifting rod 20 is not particularly limited as long as it is a thickness that is easy for the worker to grip.

[0025] In another embodiment, the lifting rod 20 may have a curved tip portion 23, as shown in Figure 1(b). Having the curved tip portion 23 allows the tip portion 23a to be precisely positioned at a desired location on the roof, and also makes it easier and safer to perform snow removal work away from the snow cornice. The tip portion 23a of the curved tip portion 23a has an attachment portion 23b to which a hook 30, described later, attached to one end 11 of the rope 10 can be attached.

[0026] The length and degree of curvature of the arched portion 23 are not particularly limited, but from the viewpoint of accuracy and operability for positioning the rope 10 at a desired location in the snow, it is preferable that it be configured to extend, for example, about 20 cm to 30 cm from the extension direction of the handle portion 22 of the lifting rod 20. The arched portion 23 may be curved at multiple points, or the entire portion may be curved with a constant curvature.

[0027] Device 1 has a hook 30 as an annular body that can maintain the loop of the rope 10 in an annular shape. The annular body may be not only a completely closed annular shape, but also one in which a part of the ring is open. The hook 30 has an internal hole 31 and an opening / closing part 32 through which the looped rope 10 passes through the hole 31 and which serves as an entrance for an attachment part 21b or 23b provided on the tip 21 of the lifting rod 20 or the tip 23a of the arched part 23.

[0028] Preferably, the hook 30 has a rope attachment portion 33 for attaching one end 11 of the rope 10, but is not limited to this, and the rope 10 may be tied to any part of the hook 30. In this case, the part to which the rope 10 is tied corresponds to the rope attachment portion 33. The hook 30 is used to attach the rope 10 to the rope attachment portion 33, hook the hook 30 onto the attachment portion 21b or 23b of the lifting rod 20, and then operate the lifting rod 20 to position the rope 10 at a desired location in the snow. The hook 30 is also used to maintain the rope 10 in a loop by winding the rope 10 around the snow via the underside of the snow and passing the looped rope 10 through the opening / closing portion 32 to the hole portion 31. By tightening the loop of the rope 10, which has been passed through the hook 30 to form a loop, the rope 10 can bite into the snow not only from the top surface but also from the outer circumference of the snow, and by using body weight, a load can be applied to the entire outer circumference of the snow, so the snow can be easily cut in a short time with little effort. In addition, because a load can be applied to the entire outer circumference of the snow, the force is applied not only to the top surface of the snow but also to the lower layer that has hardened over time, so damage to the house can be effectively prevented by the hardened lower layer remaining and breaking, causing the snow cornice to wrap around to the house.

[0029] In another embodiment, the hook 30 may not be used when winding the rope 10 around the snow, but rather to maintain the rope 10 in a loop shape when shortening the loop of the rope 10. In this case, the rope 10 is wound around the snow with one end 11 of the rope 10 directly connected to the attachment portion 21b or 23b of the lifting rod 20, and the one end 11 of the wound, loop-shaped rope 10 is detached from the attachment portion 21b or 23b and attached to the rope attachment portion 33 of the hook 30, and the rope 10 is passed through the hole 31 via the opening / closing portion 32.

[0030] The device 1 may have a control rope 40 (corresponding to the "control rope-like body" in the claims) attached to either the upper part of the lifting rod 20, for the purpose of reducing the swaying of the tip 21 or 23a of the lifting rod 20 and guiding it to a desired position with high precision. The control rope 40 makes it possible to fine-tune the position where the rope 10 is placed, making it easier to approach the snow to the desired position. In Figure 1, the control rope attachment part 24 and the control rope 40 are shown only in Figure 1(b), but the control rope attachment part and the control rope can also be used in the lifting rod 20 shown in Figure 1(a).

[0031] The control rope 40 can be attached at one end 41 to a control rope attachment part 24 provided at an appropriate position on the tip of the lifting rod 20. Preferably, the control rope attachment part 24 is provided near the base of the arched portion 23 when a lifting rod 20 having an arched portion 23 is used, or at a position extending approximately the length corresponding to the arched portion 23 downward from the tip 21 towards the handle portion 22 when a lifting rod 20 without an arched portion 23 is used.

[0032] When positioning the rope 10 on the snow, the worker can reduce the swaying of the tip 21 or 23a of the lifting rod 20 by appropriately pulling the other end 42 of the control rope 40. The material of the control rope 40 is not particularly limited, and polyethylene, nylon, etc. can be used as appropriate. The thickness of the control rope 40 is not particularly limited, and it should be a thickness that is easy for the worker to handle. The length of the control rope 40 is not particularly limited, and it should be a length that does not interfere with the control of the lifting rod 20.

[0033] The device 1 preferably has a reel 50 (corresponding to the "string winding frame" in the claims). Since the rope 10 is typically wound around snow piles at high elevations of a structure, winding the rope 10 onto the reel 50 and allowing the rope 10 to be unwound from the reel 50 when winding the rope 10 around the snow pile makes the winding work easier. The reel 50 is not limited, and for example, a reel similar to a rope winding reel can be used. The reel 50 can be placed on the ground, but it can also be attached near the handle portion 22 of the lifting rod 20.

[0034] Instead of the lifting rod 20, a small unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone can be used as the operating unit. For example, when using a drone, a hook 30, which is formed by attaching one end 11 of the rope 10 to the rope attachment part 33, can be attached to or hooked onto the underside of the drone. It is more preferable that the underside of the drone has an attachment part for the hook 30. By operating the drone to which the hook 30 is attached, the rope 10 can be wrapped around the snow cover.

[0035] Instead of the lifting rod 20, a weight such as a ball can be used as the operating part. For example, when using a ball, the rope 10 can be wrapped around the ball (or attached to an attachment point on the ball), and the ball can be thrown from one side of the building over the roof to the other side of the building, and then thrown back to the other side of the building over the bottom of the snow, thereby wrapping the rope 10 around the snow.

[0036] 2. Method for separating snow according to one embodiment of the present invention Below, a method for separating at least a portion of the snow on a structure using the device 1 will be described. Figure 2 is a schematic diagram showing a snow separation method using the snow separation device 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0037] (1) Method for separating snow cornices on the roof of a two-story house When separating snow cornices formed on the roof of a two-story house, a lifting rod 20 can be used as the operating part. Below, an embodiment in which a hook 30 is attached to a lifting rod 20 having a bow-shaped portion 23 will be described. First, one end 11 of the rope 10 is attached to the hook 30. The other end 11 can be attached to the hook 30 by, for example, tying it to a rope attachment portion 33. The hook 30 with the rope 10 attached is hung on an attachment portion 23b provided at the tip portion 23a of the bow-shaped portion 23 of the lifting rod 20.

[0038] Next, the tip 23a of the arched portion 23 of the lifting rod 20, to which the hook 30 is attached, is lifted above the snow cornice (Figure 2(a)). Preferably, the position of the tip 23a at this time is higher than the top surface of the snow cornice at one end in the width direction of the snow cornice. If the rope 10 is wound on the reel 50, the reel 50 can be placed on the ground below one end in the width direction of the snow cornice. If the lifting rod 20 has an extendable structure, the hook 30 can be attached to the tip 23a when it is shortened, and the tip 23a can be raised to a position higher than the top surface of the snow cornice by gradually extending the lifting rod 20 at one end in the width direction of the snow cornice. If the lifting rod 20 does not have an extendable structure, the hook 30 can be attached to the tip 23a, and the long lifting rod 20 can be lifted to a position higher than the top surface of the snow cornice at one end in the width direction of the snow cornice. The rope 10 is sequentially unwound from the reel 50 as the tip 23a of the lifting rod 20 rises.

[0039] With the tip 23a positioned higher than the top surface of the snow cornice, the lifting rod 20 is moved along the width direction of the snow cornice (Figure 2(b)). At this time, it is preferable to pull the control rope 40 to control the swing of the tip 23a. By moving the tip 23a of the lifting rod 20 from one end of the snow cornice to the other end, the rope 10 can be positioned on the snow cornice at a desired position on the top surface of the snow cornice. If the device 1 is equipped with a reel 50, the rope 10 is sequentially unwound from the reel 50 as the tip 23a of the lifting rod 20 moves.

[0040] Once the rope 10 reaches the other end of the snow cornice, the tip 23a of the lifting rod 20 is lowered below the snow cornice, and the tip 23a is moved back to the one end of the snow cornice, passing under it. By moving the tip 23a of the lifting rod 20 from one end to the other end and back to the one end again, the rope 10 can be wrapped around the snow cornice, passing under it, to form a loop. Next, the hook 30 is removed from the attachment part 23b of the lifting rod 20, and the rope 10 is passed through the hole 31 of the hook 30 via the opening / closing part 32 (Figure 2(c)). Note that when wrapping the rope 10 around the snow cornice to form a loop after the rope 10 has reached the other end of the snow cornice, the lifting rod 20 is not necessarily required. After the rope 10 reaches the other end of the snow cornice, the tip 23a of the lifting rod 20 is lowered, the hook 30 is detached from the attachment part 23b, and the worker moves the hook 30 from the other end of the snow cornice to the one end, thereby winding the rope 10 around the snow cornice to form a loop.

[0041] Next, the rope 10, which has been passed through the hole 31 of the hook 30, is pulled in one direction (downward in this case) by holding the end 12 closer to the user than the hook 30, thereby tightening the loop of the rope 10 (Figure 2(d)). By pulling the rope 10, which has been wrapped around the snow cornice to form a loop, in one direction to tighten the loop, the rope 10 is wrapped around the entire outer circumference of the snowpack, and by further tightening the loop, the rope 10 can be tightened not only from the top but also from the entire outer circumference of the snowpack, causing it to bite into the interior. If the rope 10 is pulled continuously in one direction to further tighten the loop, the snow cornice into which the rope 10 has bitten will be cut, for example, from the side, and the portion of the snow cornice below the part around which the rope 10 has been wrapped will be separated from the rest of the snowpack (Figure 2(d)). In this way, the device 1 can separate at least a portion of the snow cornice from the rest of the snowpack. In this case, since the snow cornice is protruding from the roof, the snow cornice, which is at least a portion of the separated snowpack, will fall from the roof.

[0042] (2) Method for Separating at Least a Portion of Snow Accumulation on Buildings Higher than Two Stories and Unreachable by the Hoisting Rod 20 Here, a method for separating at least a portion of the snow accumulation at a height unreachable by the hoisting rod 20 using the device 1 will be described. In this method, it is preferable to use a ball as the operating part. By winding the rope 10 around the ball and throwing the ball from one side of the building over the roof to the opposite side of the building, the rope 10 can be placed on top of the snow accumulation at the desired position of the snow accumulation. A rope attachment part may be provided on the ball, and one end 11 of the rope 10 may be attached thereto.

[0043] Next, by throwing the ball or while holding the ball, return from the opposite side of the building to one side of the building via the lower part of the snow accumulation, and the rope 10 can be wound around the snow accumulation to form a loop. Remove the looped rope (10) from the ball, attach one end (11) of the rope (10) to the rope attachment part (33) of the hook (30), and pass the looped rope (10) through the hole part (31) of the hook (30), whereby the rope (10) is maintained in a loop shape. By pulling the end (12) of the rope (10) passed through the hook (30) in one direction while maintaining the loop to shrink the loop, the rope (10) can be wound around the outer periphery of the snow accumulation, penetrate from the entire outer periphery of the snow accumulation into the interior, and cut the snow accumulation.

[0044] When separating at least a portion of the snow accumulation on the roof of an even higher building, it is preferable to use a drone as the operating part. Operate the drone with the hook 30 attached and fly it from one side of the snow accumulation to the other side, whereby the rope 10 is placed on top of the snow accumulation at the desired position of the snow accumulation. Further, operate the drone and fly the drone from the other side of the snow accumulation to one side below the snow accumulation, whereby the rope 10 is wound around the snow accumulation via the lower part of the snow accumulation. Land the drone, and pass the wound looped rope 10 through the hole part 31 of the hook 30, whereby the rope 10 is maintained in a loop shape. By pulling the end 12 of the looped rope 10 passed through the hook 30 in one direction while maintaining the loop to shrink the loop, the rope 10 can be wound around the outer periphery of the snow accumulation, penetrate from the entire outer periphery of the snow accumulation into the interior, and cut the snow accumulation.

[0045] 1 Snow Separation Device 10 Rope (string-like body) 11 One end 12 The end opposite to the other end 20 Lifting rod (operating part) 21 Tip 21b Attachment part 22 Handle part 23 Bow-shaped part 23a Tip 23b Attachment part 24 Control rope attachment part 30 Hook (ring-shaped body) 31 Hole 32 Opening / closing part 33 Rope attachment part 40 Control rope 41 One end 42 The other end 50 Reel (string-like body winding frame)

Claims

1. A method for separating at least a portion of snow in a structure, comprising the steps of: placing a string-like body on the snow at a desired location in the snow; winding the string-like body placed on the snow around the snow by passing it beneath the snow to form a loop; and cutting the snow by tightening the loop of the string-like body to separate at least a portion of it from the rest.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of placing a string-like body on the snow at a desired location in the snow includes placing the string-like body at the boundary between the at least portion to be separated and the other portion.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of winding the string-like body around the snow accumulation, passing it beneath the snow accumulation, to form a loop, includes maintaining the string-like body in a loop shape by passing the string-like body through an annular body attached to the wound string-like body.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of unwinding the string-like body that is wound around the snow cover from the string-like body winding frame.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the string-like body is wound around the snow accumulation by operating the lifting rod to which the string-like body is attached.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the string-like body is wound around the snowpack by operating a small unmanned aerial vehicle to which the string-like body is attached.

7. A device for separating at least a portion of snow accumulation in a structure, comprising: a string-like body of a length that can be wound around the snow accumulation; an operating unit for positioning the string-like body on the snow accumulation at a desired location; and an annular body for maintaining the string-like body wound around the snow accumulation in a loop shape by passing beneath the snow accumulation.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the operating unit is a suspension rod or a small unmanned aerial vehicle.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the operating part is a lifting rod, and the lifting rod has a curved portion at its tip.

10. The apparatus according to claim 9, further comprising a control string-like body provided at any position on the tip of the suspension rod for controlling the position of the tip.

11. The apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a string winding frame from which the string-like material, which is wound around the snowpack, is unwound.

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