CA1294135C - Snowball maker - Google Patents
Snowball makerInfo
- Publication number
- CA1294135C CA1294135C CA 564953 CA564953A CA1294135C CA 1294135 C CA1294135 C CA 1294135C CA 564953 CA564953 CA 564953 CA 564953 A CA564953 A CA 564953A CA 1294135 C CA1294135 C CA 1294135C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- cups
- members
- edges
- snow
- volume
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE INVENTION
There is disclosed a snowball maker that makes better snowballs as it limits that volume of snow used in the formation of the snowball and cuts away the excess snow. The snowball maker is comprised of a pair of semi-spherical cups, the cups having bevelled peripheral edges; and a guide adapted to permit rapid movement of the cups between a first position wherein the edges of the cups are in spaced relation and a second position wherein the edges are engaged, the guide having stop means which define the first position and thereby control the volume of snow compressed between the cups.
There is disclosed a snowball maker that makes better snowballs as it limits that volume of snow used in the formation of the snowball and cuts away the excess snow. The snowball maker is comprised of a pair of semi-spherical cups, the cups having bevelled peripheral edges; and a guide adapted to permit rapid movement of the cups between a first position wherein the edges of the cups are in spaced relation and a second position wherein the edges are engaged, the guide having stop means which define the first position and thereby control the volume of snow compressed between the cups.
Description
~ .d~ S
The pre~ent irlverltiorl rel~-te~ to a ~nowball m~ker.
~A~Du~D o~ v~ o~
Throwing snowballs i~ a popular wirlter past -time for children. Forming the snowballs i8 a task that many younger children have trouble with as it requires a certain degree of strength and manual dexterity. Af-ter being involved in snowball throwing for a period of time a child 1 5 mittens -tend to become covered with snow and 10 his or her finger~ as a consequerlce become cold.
The above mentioned problems are mitigated if the child utilizes an apparatus for making snowballs. A
number of snowball making appara-tus have been devised.
15 The problem with such devise~ is that they do not limit the amount of snow used in the formation of the snowball, and do not have any means to dispose of excess ~now. The resul-t of such shortcomin~s is that the snowball.~ they form generally are oblong in shape, 20 rather than having a more aes-thetically plea~irlg and aerodynamically sound round shape.
S~aRY 0~ T~E ~NVE~TI0~
The primar~ object of the present invention is to 25 provide a ~nowball maker that m~keY botter snowball~
than i0 possible usirl~ prior art devioe0.
Broadly, the pre~ent inventiorl provlde~ ~ ~nowball maker which i~ oompri~ed of a pair o~ semi-sp}lerical cups, the cups havlng bevelled peripheral edges; and a 30 yuide adapted to ~ermit rapid movemerlt of the cup~
between a first position wherein the edges of the cups are in spaced relation and a second position wherein the edge~ are engaged, the guide having stop mean~ which defi~e the first position and thereby control the volume 35 of snow compressed between the cups.
~3~35 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~ DRAWING5 These a~d other features of -the i~lven-tion will become more apparen-t from the followin~ description in which reference is made to the appended drawiny~, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side view of a preferred embodimellt of the invention.
FIGU~ 2 i~ an end view vf a preferred embodiment of the inverltion.
FIG~E 3 is a detailed view of a por-tion of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIGUR~ 4 is a section view of a portion of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along section lines 4-~ o FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 5 i~ an exploded detail view of a portion of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIGURE-6 is an end view of a portion of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG~RE ~ is a side view of a por-kion of a preferred 20 embodiment o~ the inventiorl.
D~T~IL~D D~S~RIPT.IO~ OF T~ P~E~RE~ EM~ODI~T
The preferred embodim~nt~ will now b~ de~cribecl with re~ererlc~ to FIGU~E~ 1 through 7. T~le pref~sred 25 embodiment lllu~trated, gen~rally de~ign~ted by ref~rerlce numqrals 10, 1~ a ~nowball maker.
5nowball maker 10 has a pair of ~emi-spherica] cup~
14 and 1~ and a guide 1~. Both of the CUp5 have a 30 bevelled peripheral ed~es 20. A~ best illu~trated in ~IG~R~S 3 and 4, cup 14 has slots 22 with bev011ed edges 24 which permit the exit of exceas ~ow. Guide 18 permit~ the rapid movement of the cups between a firc~t po~ition where the edges of th~ cups are in ~p~ced s relation and a second po~ition where the edges are engaged. There are prior art device~ which use cups to form snowballs. A probleM with prior art d0vice~ is that an accumulation of excess ~now cau~e~ the snowball~
to be oblon~. Some of these devices even have protruding flanges or mating lip~ which aggravate exce~
snow accumulation by providirlg a surface between which snow is compre~sed. The problem of snow accumulation i8 reduced if the cups are brought rapidly together. This 10 is, of course, not possible in the absence of a guide.
The problem can be further reduced by having a streamline profile on the cups such as bevelled edges 20 thereby eliminating any surface which might compress accumulations of snow, and promoting the cutting away of 15 exce~s ~now. The problem can further be reduced by creating an opening, such as slots 22 through which excess ~now may exit.
Snowball maker 10, as best illustrated in ~IGURE 1, 20 has a guide 18 which consists of a pair of pivotally attach~d ogee shaped sci~sor members 40 and 42. The ogee shape of members 40 and 42 permits a stop -to be placed on one of the members either as a ~rmanently fixed should~r or as a movable clamping m~mb~r as will 25 be hereinafter described. Handle~ 44 are mourlted at erld 46 of the members. Cup8 14 ~nd 16 ar~ mourlt~d to t~
other end 48 o~ member~ 40 and 42. Member~ 40 and 42 pivot about pivct point formed by bolt 50 arld nut 51.
0ll member 40 iY placed a clamp 43 which i~ po~itionecl 30 adjacerlt pivot point 60 toward end 46. Clamp 43, which is best illustrated in FIGUR~S 6 and 7, i5 intended to limit the relative movement of the sci~sor mernbers and defines th~ fir~t position previously referred to. The first position could otherwise be defin~d by shoulders 3552, if shoulders 52 were positioned to en~ure -the volume s of snow taken into cup 14 and 16 would produce a ruund ~nowball withou-t exceYs snow. 5houlders 52 would not be adjustable, however, and for that reason clamp 43 i5 preferred. Clamp 43 consists of two sectionY 45 ar d 47 which are placed around member 40 and fas-tened together by screws 49. A thumb screw 53 goe~ through section 4~
and serves to clamp member 40 in a preselected position against section 45 forming an obstruction which limits the range of pivotal movement of members 40 and 42.
~ hen u~ing snowball maker 10, the user grasp~ the snowball maker by handle6 44 and moves them radially outward until their movement is stopped by cl~mp 43 which limits the re~pective movement of members 40 and 1~ 42 thereby defining a first position. (Alterrlately, the first position can be defined by shoulder~ 52.) End 48 of scissor members 40 and 42 upon which CUp8 14 and 16 are mounted is then inserted into a snowbank. A~
handles 44 are drawn rapidly together cups 14 and 1~ are 20 forced toge-ther compressing the SIlOW therebetween. The rapid motion of CUp5 14 and 16 causes them to cut through the snow. As edge 20 i~ bevelled snow does not become compre~sed ~gainst and build up on th~ periph~ral edge of the cup~. Should the snow contalrl ice c;ry~tal~
25 which adver~ely a~-fect~ the abil~ty of cup~ 14 and .16 t:o compr~s~ th~ volume o ~IlOW obt.~irl~ by th~ ~ovement uf the aup~ ~rom the ~irst posi-tion the present invelltion can be adap-ted to accommodat0 the chanye ln ~now condition~. The user can turn thumb ~crew 53 to release 30 member 40, thereby permitting the clamp 43 to be mvved axially along member 40. This adju~tment changes the range of movement of members 40 and 42, and con~e~uently the volume of snow collected in cups 14 and 16. By experimentation the user can find a po~itioning for 3~ clamp 43 which is optimum for the 8now condition~. As 3~;
long as the adju~tment is r~asonably c108e to -the volume of ~AOW r~quired, ~xce~8 ~now will be ~queezed out o~
810ts 22. Upon the separating of harldles 44, ~up~ 14 and 16 similarly ~eparate giving access to a snowball, 5 which will be clo~er to a round ~nowball than i8 possible with any prior art device.
It will be apparent to one skilled .in the art that modifications may be made to the structure o~ guid~ 18 10 without departing from the teachin~s of the present invention. It will further be apparent that following the teachings of the pre~en-t invention resolves problems present in the prior art relating to oblon~ snowball~
being produced as a result of excess ~now build up 15 between the cup~.
.
The pre~ent irlverltiorl rel~-te~ to a ~nowball m~ker.
~A~Du~D o~ v~ o~
Throwing snowballs i~ a popular wirlter past -time for children. Forming the snowballs i8 a task that many younger children have trouble with as it requires a certain degree of strength and manual dexterity. Af-ter being involved in snowball throwing for a period of time a child 1 5 mittens -tend to become covered with snow and 10 his or her finger~ as a consequerlce become cold.
The above mentioned problems are mitigated if the child utilizes an apparatus for making snowballs. A
number of snowball making appara-tus have been devised.
15 The problem with such devise~ is that they do not limit the amount of snow used in the formation of the snowball, and do not have any means to dispose of excess ~now. The resul-t of such shortcomin~s is that the snowball.~ they form generally are oblong in shape, 20 rather than having a more aes-thetically plea~irlg and aerodynamically sound round shape.
S~aRY 0~ T~E ~NVE~TI0~
The primar~ object of the present invention is to 25 provide a ~nowball maker that m~keY botter snowball~
than i0 possible usirl~ prior art devioe0.
Broadly, the pre~ent inventiorl provlde~ ~ ~nowball maker which i~ oompri~ed of a pair o~ semi-sp}lerical cups, the cups havlng bevelled peripheral edges; and a 30 yuide adapted to ~ermit rapid movemerlt of the cup~
between a first position wherein the edges of the cups are in spaced relation and a second position wherein the edge~ are engaged, the guide having stop mean~ which defi~e the first position and thereby control the volume 35 of snow compressed between the cups.
~3~35 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF T~ DRAWING5 These a~d other features of -the i~lven-tion will become more apparen-t from the followin~ description in which reference is made to the appended drawiny~, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side view of a preferred embodimellt of the invention.
FIGU~ 2 i~ an end view vf a preferred embodiment of the inverltion.
FIG~E 3 is a detailed view of a por-tion of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIGUR~ 4 is a section view of a portion of a preferred embodiment of the invention, taken along section lines 4-~ o FIGURE 3.
FIGURE 5 i~ an exploded detail view of a portion of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIGURE-6 is an end view of a portion of a preferred embodiment of the invention.
FIG~RE ~ is a side view of a por-kion of a preferred 20 embodiment o~ the inventiorl.
D~T~IL~D D~S~RIPT.IO~ OF T~ P~E~RE~ EM~ODI~T
The preferred embodim~nt~ will now b~ de~cribecl with re~ererlc~ to FIGU~E~ 1 through 7. T~le pref~sred 25 embodiment lllu~trated, gen~rally de~ign~ted by ref~rerlce numqrals 10, 1~ a ~nowball maker.
5nowball maker 10 has a pair of ~emi-spherica] cup~
14 and 1~ and a guide 1~. Both of the CUp5 have a 30 bevelled peripheral ed~es 20. A~ best illu~trated in ~IG~R~S 3 and 4, cup 14 has slots 22 with bev011ed edges 24 which permit the exit of exceas ~ow. Guide 18 permit~ the rapid movement of the cups between a firc~t po~ition where the edges of th~ cups are in ~p~ced s relation and a second po~ition where the edges are engaged. There are prior art device~ which use cups to form snowballs. A probleM with prior art d0vice~ is that an accumulation of excess ~now cau~e~ the snowball~
to be oblon~. Some of these devices even have protruding flanges or mating lip~ which aggravate exce~
snow accumulation by providirlg a surface between which snow is compre~sed. The problem of snow accumulation i8 reduced if the cups are brought rapidly together. This 10 is, of course, not possible in the absence of a guide.
The problem can be further reduced by having a streamline profile on the cups such as bevelled edges 20 thereby eliminating any surface which might compress accumulations of snow, and promoting the cutting away of 15 exce~s ~now. The problem can further be reduced by creating an opening, such as slots 22 through which excess ~now may exit.
Snowball maker 10, as best illustrated in ~IGURE 1, 20 has a guide 18 which consists of a pair of pivotally attach~d ogee shaped sci~sor members 40 and 42. The ogee shape of members 40 and 42 permits a stop -to be placed on one of the members either as a ~rmanently fixed should~r or as a movable clamping m~mb~r as will 25 be hereinafter described. Handle~ 44 are mourlted at erld 46 of the members. Cup8 14 ~nd 16 ar~ mourlt~d to t~
other end 48 o~ member~ 40 and 42. Member~ 40 and 42 pivot about pivct point formed by bolt 50 arld nut 51.
0ll member 40 iY placed a clamp 43 which i~ po~itionecl 30 adjacerlt pivot point 60 toward end 46. Clamp 43, which is best illustrated in FIGUR~S 6 and 7, i5 intended to limit the relative movement of the sci~sor mernbers and defines th~ fir~t position previously referred to. The first position could otherwise be defin~d by shoulders 3552, if shoulders 52 were positioned to en~ure -the volume s of snow taken into cup 14 and 16 would produce a ruund ~nowball withou-t exceYs snow. 5houlders 52 would not be adjustable, however, and for that reason clamp 43 i5 preferred. Clamp 43 consists of two sectionY 45 ar d 47 which are placed around member 40 and fas-tened together by screws 49. A thumb screw 53 goe~ through section 4~
and serves to clamp member 40 in a preselected position against section 45 forming an obstruction which limits the range of pivotal movement of members 40 and 42.
~ hen u~ing snowball maker 10, the user grasp~ the snowball maker by handle6 44 and moves them radially outward until their movement is stopped by cl~mp 43 which limits the re~pective movement of members 40 and 1~ 42 thereby defining a first position. (Alterrlately, the first position can be defined by shoulder~ 52.) End 48 of scissor members 40 and 42 upon which CUp8 14 and 16 are mounted is then inserted into a snowbank. A~
handles 44 are drawn rapidly together cups 14 and 1~ are 20 forced toge-ther compressing the SIlOW therebetween. The rapid motion of CUp5 14 and 16 causes them to cut through the snow. As edge 20 i~ bevelled snow does not become compre~sed ~gainst and build up on th~ periph~ral edge of the cup~. Should the snow contalrl ice c;ry~tal~
25 which adver~ely a~-fect~ the abil~ty of cup~ 14 and .16 t:o compr~s~ th~ volume o ~IlOW obt.~irl~ by th~ ~ovement uf the aup~ ~rom the ~irst posi-tion the present invelltion can be adap-ted to accommodat0 the chanye ln ~now condition~. The user can turn thumb ~crew 53 to release 30 member 40, thereby permitting the clamp 43 to be mvved axially along member 40. This adju~tment changes the range of movement of members 40 and 42, and con~e~uently the volume of snow collected in cups 14 and 16. By experimentation the user can find a po~itioning for 3~ clamp 43 which is optimum for the 8now condition~. As 3~;
long as the adju~tment is r~asonably c108e to -the volume of ~AOW r~quired, ~xce~8 ~now will be ~queezed out o~
810ts 22. Upon the separating of harldles 44, ~up~ 14 and 16 similarly ~eparate giving access to a snowball, 5 which will be clo~er to a round ~nowball than i8 possible with any prior art device.
It will be apparent to one skilled .in the art that modifications may be made to the structure o~ guid~ 18 10 without departing from the teachin~s of the present invention. It will further be apparent that following the teachings of the pre~en-t invention resolves problems present in the prior art relating to oblon~ snowball~
being produced as a result of excess ~now build up 15 between the cup~.
.
Claims (4)
1. A snowball maker, comprising:
a. a pair of semi-spherical cups, said cups having bevelled peripheral edges;
b. a guide adapted to permit rapid movement of said cups between a first position wherein said edges of said cups are in spaced relation and a second position wherein said edges are engaged, said guide having stop means which define said first position and thereby control the volume of snow compressed between said cups;
c. at least one of said cups defining slots for permitting exit of excess snow;
d. edges defining said slot being bevelled.
a. a pair of semi-spherical cups, said cups having bevelled peripheral edges;
b. a guide adapted to permit rapid movement of said cups between a first position wherein said edges of said cups are in spaced relation and a second position wherein said edges are engaged, said guide having stop means which define said first position and thereby control the volume of snow compressed between said cups;
c. at least one of said cups defining slots for permitting exit of excess snow;
d. edges defining said slot being bevelled.
2. A snowball maker as defined in claim 1, said guide being a pair of pivotally attached ogee shaped scissor members having handles mounted on one end and said cups mounted on the remote end, at least one of said members having a stop adjacent said pivot toward said handle end of said member limiting relative movement of said members to define said first position and thereby control the volume of snow compressed between said cups.
3. A snowball maker as defined in claim 2, said stop having a clamp attached to one of said members which limits relative movement of said members, said clamp being axially moveable along said member whereby the volume of snow compressed between said cups may be adjusted.
4. A snowball maker, comprising:
a. a pair of semi-spherical cups, said cups having bevelled peripheral edges;
b. a guide adapted to permit rapid movement of said cups between a first position wherein said edges of said cups are in spaced relation and a second position wherein said edges are engaged, said guide having stop means which define said first position and thereby control the volume of snow compressed between said cups;
c. said guide being a pair of pivotally attached ogee shaped scissor members having handles mounted on one end and said cups mounted on the remote end, at least one of said members having a stop adjacent said pivot toward said handle end of said member limiting relative movement of said members to define said first position and thereby control the volume of snow compressed between said cups.
d. said stop being a clamp attached to one of said members which limits relative movement of said members, said clamp being axially moveable along said member whereby the volume of snow compressed between said cups may be adjusted.
a. a pair of semi-spherical cups, said cups having bevelled peripheral edges;
b. a guide adapted to permit rapid movement of said cups between a first position wherein said edges of said cups are in spaced relation and a second position wherein said edges are engaged, said guide having stop means which define said first position and thereby control the volume of snow compressed between said cups;
c. said guide being a pair of pivotally attached ogee shaped scissor members having handles mounted on one end and said cups mounted on the remote end, at least one of said members having a stop adjacent said pivot toward said handle end of said member limiting relative movement of said members to define said first position and thereby control the volume of snow compressed between said cups.
d. said stop being a clamp attached to one of said members which limits relative movement of said members, said clamp being axially moveable along said member whereby the volume of snow compressed between said cups may be adjusted.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 564953 CA1294135C (en) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-04-22 | Snowball maker |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 564953 CA1294135C (en) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-04-22 | Snowball maker |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1294135C true CA1294135C (en) | 1992-01-14 |
Family
ID=4137893
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 564953 Expired - Fee Related CA1294135C (en) | 1988-04-22 | 1988-04-22 | Snowball maker |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1294135C (en) |
-
1988
- 1988-04-22 CA CA 564953 patent/CA1294135C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKLA | Lapsed |