CA2844483A1 - Snowblower - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide a snowblower and an impeller for a snowblowing apparatus, the impeller being designed to rotate about a rotation axis, the impeller comprising a front axial region thereof, the front axial region being configured to receive snow therein; a rear axial region thereof; a periphery thereof; a hub, generally located between the front axial region and the rear axial region, adapted to rotate about the rotation axis; a plurality of vanes generally radially extending from the periphery toward the rotation axis, the plurality of vanes including a portion configured to propel snow between the front axial region and the rear axial region, a snow-engaging portion generally located toward the front axial region, wherein the snow engaging portion of at least one of the plurality of vanes is radially extending from the periphery further toward the rotation axis to reduce the radial area not covered by the snow-engaging portions of the other vanes when the impeller is rotating about the rotation axis.

Description

2

3

4 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention 6 [01] This invention generally relates to an apparatus for blowing snow. The 7 present invention more specifically relates to a member of a snowblower that is 8 adapted to propel the snow. The present invention also relates to other features 9 adapted to improve the efficiency of a snow blower.
11 2. Description of the Related Art 12 [02] Apparatuses for removing snow come in various configurations.
They 13 come in small size for personal snowblowers and they reach significant sizes in 14 industrial applications. Generally, snowblowers are designed to remove snow, ice, and sometimes other debris, from the ground and propel the snow and ice at 16 a distance to clear the ground.
17 [03] Snowblowers can use different mechanical configurations to perform 18 the required task. Some snowblowers are using an endless screw in front of the 19 apparatus to break the snow and the ice in smaller portions, in a first stage, and then use a rotatable impeller to propel the snow and the ice at a distance from 21 the snowblower, in a second stage. The distance and the direction are managed 22 with a directional nozzle. The snowblower can be powered in different ways, 23 generally with an engine via a drive member. The engine can be part of the 24 snowblower in some configurations. A vehicle carrying the snowblower can alternatively provide power to the snowblower in other configurations.
26 [04] The rotatable impeller generally includes a series of vanes or blades 27 sized and designed to receive thereon snow and ice. Rotation of the blades is 28 propelling the snow and the ice. The blades are generally equipped with a knife 29 portion to cut through snow and ice. The blades are generally disposed on the 1 snow contacting edge of the impeller to propel the snow. The snow is generally 2 pushed toward the exterior diameter of the impeller when propelled by the 3 rotating impeller, subjected to centrifugal forces.
4 [05] To some extent, the impeller can be compared to a turbine that is pumping air and snow. The blades of the impeller are thus designed to ingest 6 snow, a solid material, and are also pumping air, a fluid with lesser density. The 7 vanes that are generally flat to prevent solid material to squeeze between the 8 vanes and the impeller housing. The design of the impeller could be improved to 9 increase the efficiency of the snowblower and reduce the required amount of power to perform the same work.
11 [06] It is therefore desirable to provide an improved snowblower over the 12 existing art that is requiring less power to propel a same amount of snow and ice.
13 [07] It is also desirable to provide an improved impeller over the existing art 14 that is adapted to ingest and propel more snow.
[08] It is equally desirable to provide an improved vanes design over the 16 existing art.
17 [09] Other deficiencies will become apparent to one skilled in the art to 18 which the invention pertains in view of the following summary and detailed 19 description with its appended figures.

22 [10] One aspect of the present invention is to alleviate one or more of the 23 shortcomings of the background art by addressing one or more of the existing 24 needs in the art.
[11] The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order to 26 provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. This summary is 27 not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key/critical 28 elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention.
Its sole 1 purpose is to present some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a 2 prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
3 [12]
The invention is generally described as an improved impeller for a 4 snowblower having improved snow-blowing capability and other improvements thereof as described below.
6 [13]
The invention is generally described as a self-powered snowblower 7 having improved snow-blowing capability and other improvements thereof 8 caused, at least in part, by an improved design of the impeller as described 9 below.
[14] The invention is generally described as a vehicle including a 11 snowblower having improved snow-blowing capability and other improvements 12 thereof caused, at least in part, by an improved design of the impeller as 13 described below.
14 [15]
The invention is generally described as a method of propelling snow and other materials by a snow blower having improved snow blowing capability 16 and other improvements thereof caused, at least in part, by an improved design 17 of the impeller as described below.
18 [16]
The invention is generally described as a method of propelling snow 19 and other materials carried on by a vehicle including a snowblower having improved snow blowing capability and other improvements thereof caused, at 21 least in part, by an improved design of the impeller as described therein.
22 [17]
The invention is generally described as a replacement impeller for 23 existing snowblowers, the replacement impeller having improved snow-blowing 24 capability and other improvements thereof caused, at least in part, by an improved design of the impeller as described below.
26 [18]
Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 27 the invention, provide an improved snowblower impeller performance over the 28 existing art.

1 [19] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 2 the invention, provide an impeller including a plurality of radially elongated vanes 3 adapted to propel snow and ice. At least some of the elongated vanes including a 4 portion thereof that are substantially extending toward the rotation axis of the impeller in a fashion adapted to generate augmented vacuum via the area in 6 proximity of the rotation axis of the impeller to move additional air and snow with 7 the impeller.
8 [20] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 9 the invention, provide an impeller including a plurality of radially elongated vanes adapted to propel snow and ice. At least some of the elongated vanes including a 11 snow-engaging portion that is substantially extending toward the rotation axis of 12 the impeller in a fashion adapted to ingest more material with the center portion 13 of the impeller in proximity of the rotation axis of the impeller.
14 [21] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, provide an impeller including a plurality of radially elongated vanes 16 adapted to propel snow and ice. At least some of the elongated vanes including 17 portion substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller in a fashion 18 adapted to move air inside the snow blower.
19 [22] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, provide an impeller including a plurality of radially elongated vanes 21 adapted to propel snow and ice. At least some of the elongated vanes including 22 portion substantially extending over the rotation axis of the impeller.
23 [23] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 24 the invention, provide an impeller including a plurality of radially elongated vanes sized and designed to prevent a loss of pressure via an area at the center of the 26 impeller, on the front side of the vanes.
27 [24] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 28 the invention, provide an impeller including improved attack edges on the vanes.

1 [25] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 2 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes with at least one attack edge 3 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the amount 4 of injected snow in the impeller.
[26] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 6 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes with at least one attack edge 7 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the vacuum 8 created by the rotating impeller.
9 [27] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, provide an impeller including vanes on the distal portion of the 11 impeller, and not extending in the center of the impeller, with at least one attack 12 edge substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the 13 amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
14 [28] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, provide an impeller including vanes on the distal portion of the 16 impeller, and not extending in the center of the impeller, with at least one attack 17 edge substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the 18 vacuum created by the rotating impeller.
19 [29] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, provide an impeller including improved blades on the vanes.
21 [30] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 22 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes with at least one blade 23 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the amount 24 of injected snow in the impeller.
[31] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 26 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes with at least one blade 27 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the vacuum 28 created by the rotating impeller.

5 1 [32] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 2 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes on the distal portion of the 3 impeller, and not extending in the center of the impeller, with at least one blade 4 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the amount of injected snow in the impeller.

6 [33] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of

7 the invention, provide an impeller including vanes on the distal portion of the

8 impeller, and not extending in the center of the impeller, with at least one blade

9 substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the vacuum created by the rotating impeller.
11 [34] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 12 the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one angled blade 13 substantially extending over the entire diameter of the impeller to increase the 14 amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
[35] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 16 the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one angled attack 17 edge substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the 18 amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
19 [36] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one multi-angled 21 blade substantially extending over the entire diameter of the impeller to increase 22 the amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
23 [37] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 24 the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one multi-angled attack edge substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase 26 the amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
27 [38] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 28 the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one tooted blade 1 substantially extending over the entire diameter of the impeller to increase the 2 amount of snow propelled by the impeller.
3 [39] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 4 the invention, provide an impeller having vanes with at least one tooted attack edge substantially extending over the diameter of the impeller to increase the 6 amount of injected snow propelled by the impeller.
7 [40] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 8 the invention, provide a kit comprising an impeller having the advantages 9 described therein and a snowblower housing adapted to operatively receive therein the impeller.
11 [41] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 12 the invention, provide a restrictor plate adapted to extend in more than two 13 quadrant of the opening housing the impeller.
14 [42] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of the invention, provide a restrictor plate adapted to cover a larger area of Q2 of 16 the opening housing the impeller.
17 [43] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 18 the invention, provide a restrictor plate including a progressive attack edge and a 19 progressive release edge.
[44] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 21 the invention, provide a restrictor plate adapted to cover a larger area of Q2 of 22 the opening housing the impeller.
23 [45] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 24 the invention, provide a restrictor plate adapted to cover about half of the opening housing the impeller.
26 [46] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 27 the invention, provide an impeller for a snowblowing apparatus, the impeller 28 being designed to rotate about a rotation axis, the impeller comprising a front 29 axial region thereof, the front axial region being configured to receive snow 1 therein; a rear axial region thereof; a periphery thereof; a hub, generally located 2 between the front axial region and the rear axial region, adapted to rotate about 3 the rotation axis; a plurality of vanes generally radially extending from the 4 periphery toward the rotation axis, the plurality of vanes including a portion configured to propel snow between the front axial region and the rear axial 6 region, a snow-engaging portion generally located toward the front axial region, 7 wherein the snow engaging portion of at least one of the plurality of vanes is 8 radially extending from the periphery further toward the rotation axis to reduce 9 the radial area not covered by the snow-engaging portions of the other vanes when the impeller is rotating about the rotation axis.
11 [47] Aspects of our work, in accordance with at least one embodiment of 12 the invention, provide a snowblower comprising an impeller configured to rotate 13 about a rotation axis, the impeller comprising a front axial region thereof, the front 14 axial region being configured to receive snow therein; a rear axial region thereof;
a periphery thereof; a hub, generally located between the front axial region and 16 the rear axial region, adapted to rotate about the rotation axis; a plurality of vanes 17 generally radially extending from the periphery toward the rotation axis, the 18 plurality of vanes including a portion configured to propel snow between the front 19 axial region and the rear axial region, a snow-engaging portion generally located toward the front axial region, wherein the snow engaging portion of at least one 21 of the plurality of vanes ris radially extending from the periphery further toward 22 the rotation axis to reduce the radial area not covered by the snow-engaging 23 portions of the other vanes when the impeller is rotating about the rotation axis.
24 [48] Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the following 26 description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

29 [49] Figure 1 is an illustration of an exemplary snowblower operatively attached at the back of a vehicle;

1 [50] Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a manually operated snowblower, 2 in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof r;
3 [51] Figure 3 is a perspective illustration of the front-right side of an 4 exemplary snowblower, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
[52] Figure 4 is a of the an exemplary snowblower wherein the impeller is 6 displayed;
7 [53] Figure 5 is a left side elevational view of an exemplary snowblower, in 8 accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
9 [54] Figure 6 is a rear elevational view of an exemplary snowblower, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
11 [55] Figure 7 is a left elevational view of an exemplary snowblower, in 12 accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
13 [56] Figure 8 is a rear-right perspective view of an exemplary snowblower 14 with two screw-like tooth member, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
16 [57] Figure 9 is a right side elevational view of an exemplary snowblower, in 17 accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
18 [58] Figure 10 is a front side elevational view of an exemplary snowblower, 19 in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
[59] Figure 11 is a perspective illustration of a screw-like tooth member 21 adapted to be assembled in a snowblower, in accordance with at least one 22 embodiment thereof;
23 [60] Figure 12 is a perspective illustration of a screw-like tooth member 24 adapted to be assembled in a snowblower, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
26 [61] Figure 13 is a perspective illustration of a semi-exploded view of an 27 exemplary snowblower, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;

1 [62] Figure 14 is a perspective illustration of an exemplary snowblower, in 2 accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
3 [63] Figure 15 is an illustration of the front elevational view of the impeller 4 when assembled in the exemplary snowblower, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
6 [64] Figure 16 is a semi-exploded perspective view of an exemplary 7 snowblower assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
8 [65] Figure 17 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary 9 snowblower assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
[66] Figure 18 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary 11 snowblower assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
12 [67] Figure 19 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary 13 snowblower assembly, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
14 [68] Figure 20 is a schematic profile illustration of the principles at work in the prior art to create a vacuum in a snowblower;
16 [69] Figure 21 is a schematic profile illustration of the principles at work in 17 the prior art to create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein the air-flow and the 18 suction of snow within the snowblower are illustrated;
19 [70] Figure 22 is a schematic profile illustration of the principles at work to create a vacuum in a snowblower, in accordance with at least one embodiment 21 thereof;
22 [71] Figure 23 is a schematic profile illustration of the principles at work to 23 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein the air-flow and the suction of snow 24 within the snowblower are illustrated, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
26 [72] Figure 24 is a schematic profile illustration of the principles at work to 27 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate is added, in 28 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;

1 [73] Figure 25 is a schematic profile illustration of the principles at work to 2 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate is added, in 3 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
4 [74] Figure 26 is a schematic profile illustration of the principles at work to create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate extending beyond the 6 length of the snow-engaging portions is added, in accordance with at least one of 7 the embodiment thereof;
8 [75] Figure 27 is a schematic profile illustration of the principles at work to 9 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate extending beyond the length of the snow-engaging portions is added and wherein the air-flow and the 11 suction of snow within the snowblower are illustrated, in accordance with at least 12 one of the embodiment thereof;
13 [76] Figure 28 is a schematic profile illustration of the principles at work to 14 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate extending to the axis of rotation is added, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
16 [77] Figure 29 is a schematic profile illustration of the principles at work to 17 create a vacuum in a snowblower wherein a restrictor plate extending to the axis 18 of rotation is added and wherein the air-flow and the suction of snow within the 19 snowblower are illustrated, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
21 [78] Figure 30 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of 22 the impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
an 23 illustration of the perspective view of a possible embodiment of the impeller in the 24 exemplary snowblower;
[79] Figure 31 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of the 26 impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof; is an 27 illustration of the elevation view of a possible embodiment of the impeller in the 28 exemplary snowblower;

1 [80] Figure 32 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible 2 embodiment of the impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment 3 thereof; is an illustration of the perspective view of a possible embodiment of the 4 impeller in the exemplary snowblower;
[81] Figure 33 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of 6 the impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
7 [82] Figure 34 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of the 8 impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
9 [83] Figure 35 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of the impeller, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment 11 thereof;
12 [84] Figure 36 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of 13 the impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging portions are toothless, in 14 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
[85] Figure 37 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of the 16 impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging portions are toothless, in 17 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof; is an illustration of the 18 elevation view of a possible embodiment of the impeller in the exemplary 19 snowblower wherein the extensions snow-engaging portions have no teeth;
[86] Figure 38 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible 21 embodiment of the impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging portions 22 are toothless, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
23 [87] Figure 39 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of 24 the impeller wherein the extensions have a plurality of sequential toothed attack angles, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
26 [88] Figure 40 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of the 27 impeller wherein the extensions have a plurality of sequential toothed attack 28 angles, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;

1 [89] Figure 41 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible 2 embodiment of the impeller wherein the extensions have a plurality of sequential 3 toothed attack angles, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
4 [90] Figure 42 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of the impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging portions are toothless and 6 the extensions have a plurality of sequential attack angles, in accordance with at 7 least one of the embodiment thereof;
8 [91] Figure 43 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of the 9 impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging portions are toothless and the extensions have a plurality of sequential attack angles, in accordance with at 11 least one of the embodiment thereof;
12 [92] Figure 44 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible 13 embodiment of the impeller wherein the extension and snow-engaging portions 14 are toothless and the extensions have a plurality of sequential attack angles, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
16 [93] Figure 45 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of 17 the impeller wherein four extended snow-engaging portions are interconnected in 18 the center of the axis of rotation, in accordance with at least one of the 19 embodiment thereof;
[94] Figure 46 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of the 21 impeller wherein four extended snow-engaging portions are interconnected in the 22 center of the axis of rotation, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment 23 thereof;
24 [95] Figure 47 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of the impeller wherein four extended snow-engaging portions are 26 interconnected in the center of the axis of rotation, in accordance with at least 27 one of the embodiment thereof;

1 [96] Figure 48 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of 2 the impeller wherein the impeller's eye has different volume and front facing area, 3 in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
4 [97] Figure 49 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of the impeller wherein the impeller's eye has different volume and front facing area, in 6 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
7 [98] Figure 50 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible 8 embodiment of the impeller wherein the impeller's eye has different volume and 9 front facing area, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
[99] Figure 51 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of 11 the impeller wherein the extensions have a progressive radial change in the 12 angle of attack, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
13 [100] Figure 52 is a side illustration of a possible embodiment of the impeller 14 wherein the extensions have a progressive radial change in the angle of attack, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
16 [101] Figure 53 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of the 17 impeller wherein the extension have a progressive radial change in the angle of 18 attack, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
19 [102] Figure 54 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of the impeller wherein the extensions have a progressive radial 21 change in the angle of attack, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment 22 thereof;
23 [103] Figure 55 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of 24 the impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and five snow-engaging portions and wherein the extensions are supported by a retaining member, in 26 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
27 [104] Figure 56 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of the 28 impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and five snow-engaging 1 portions and wherein the extension are contained in a retaining member, in 2 accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
3 [105] Figure 57 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible 4 embodiment of the impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and five snow-engaging portions and wherein the extensions are contained in a retaining 6 member, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
7 [106] Figure 58 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of 8 the impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and five snow-engaging 9 portions, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
[107] Figure 59 is an elevational illustration of a possible embodiment of the 11 impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and five snow-engaging 12 portions, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment thereof;
13 [108] Figure 60 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible 14 embodiment of the impeller wherein the impellers has three extensions and five snow-engaging portions, in accordance with at least one of the embodiment 16 thereof;
17 [109] Figure 61 is a top perspective illustration of a possible embodiment of 18 the impeller wherein the impeller is combined with an endless screw assembled 19 on the axis or rotation, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
[110] Figure 62 is a side-bottom perspective illustration of a possible 21 embodiment of the impeller wherein the impeller is combined with an endless 22 screw assembled on the axis or rotation, in accordance with at least one 23 embodiment thereof; an illustration of the perspective view of a possible 24 embodiment of the impeller in the exemplary snowblower wherein the rotation axis of the impeller is an endless screw; and 26 [111] Figure 63 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an 27 embodiment of the restrictor plate thereon;
28 [112] Figure 64 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an 29 embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon;

1 [113] Figure 65 is a magnified front elevational view of a portion of a 2 snowblower with an embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon;
3 [114] Figure 67 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an 4 embodiment of the restrictor plate thereon;
[115] Figure 68 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an 6 embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon;
7 [116] Figure 69 is a magnified front elevational view of a portion of a 8 snowblower with an embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon;
9 [117] Figure 70 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an embodiment of the restrictor plate thereon;
11 [118] Figure 71 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an 12 embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon;
13 [119] Figure 72 is a magnified front elevational view of a portion of a 14 snowblower with an embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon [120] Figure 73 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an 16 embodiment of the restrictor plate thereon; and 17 [121] Figure 74 is a front elevational view of a snowblower and an 18 embodiment of a restrictor plate thereon.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION
21 [122] Our work is now described with reference to the figures. In the 22 following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are 23 set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention by 24 way of embodiment(s). It may be evident, however, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details.
26 [123] A snowblower 10 driven and powered by a vehicle 14 is illustrated in 27 Figure 1. In the present situation, the vehicle 14 is a schematically illustrated 28 tractor 18 that is powering the snowblower 10 with its power take off (PTO) 22.

1 The tractor 18 has a front side 26 and is driven in reverse to remove snow from 2 the ground with the snowblower 10. The snowblower 10 thus has a front side 30 3 that is opposed to the tractor's front side 26 in the illustrated configuration. The 4 snowblower 10 could alternatively be secured to the tractor 18 in the opposite direction causing the snowblower's front side 30 to be in the same direction as 6 the tractor's front side 26 without departing from the scope of the present 7 invention. The snowblower 10 could also alternatively be located in front of the 8 tractor 18 without further departing from the scope of the invention.
9 [124] A snowblower 10 of a different configuration is illustrated in Figure 2.
The self-powered snowblower 34 illustrated in Figure 2 generally refers to 11 personal snowblowers 10. The snowblower 34 generally includes a pair of 12 handles 38 for a user to grasp to operate the snowblower 10, a pair of wheels 42, 13 an engine 46 driving the wheels 42, an impeller 50 and a screw 54 located in 14 front of the snowblower 34 to manage the snow introduced in the impeller 50. A
snow-directing mechanism 58 operatively associated with the impeller 50 is 16 located above the impeller 50.
17 [125] The text that follows is going to describe a snowblower in the 18 configuration illustrated in Figure 1 to facilitate the reading of the text. The focus 19 put on the snowblower in the configuration illustrated in Figure 1 is not intended to disclaim any rights associated with snowblowers 10, 34 of different 21 configurations even if not expressly described therein.
22 [126] Moving now to Figure 3 throughout Figure 7, illustrating a snowblower 23 10 with a snow-directing mechanism 58 capable of directing the snow propelled 24 by the snowblower 10. The snow-directing mechanism 58 is configured to manage the direction and the height of the flow of snow when blown by the 26 snowblower 10. The snowblower 10 includes a body 62 to which the snow-27 directing mechanism 58 is attached. The body 62 includes a snow-collecting 28 portion 66 generally made of steel and generally having a rectangular section 29 that is equipped with a pair of ground-contacting members 70 adapted to set the height of the snowblower 10 and facilitate the movement of the snowblower 10 1 on the ground. The body 62 also a snow-blowing mechanism 74 taking the snow 2 from the snow collecting portion 66 to the snow-directing mechanism 68 and 3 propel the snow at a distance from the snowblower 10.
4 [127] The snow-collecting portion 66 is used to collect the snow on the ground and for other purposes. One of the other purposes is to make sure to limit 6 the size of the pieces of snow to prevent blocking the snowblower 10 with blocks 7 of snow and ice and therefore ensures proper functioning of the snow blowing 8 mechanism 74. An exemplary embodiment of a mechanism adapted to do so is 9 illustrated in Figures 3-8. A front horizontal rotating axle 78 is equipped with a screw-like tooth member 82 to grind the snow in front of the snowblower 10.
The 11 axle 78 is rotated by a drive taking power from the engine's PTO (not shown) of 12 the tractor 18. The screw-like tooth member 82 is designed in such a way that the 13 snow is going to be moved 86 toward the center of the snowblower 10. In so 14 doing, the direction of rotation of the screw-like tooth member 82 is opposed on each of the right side and the left side of the snowblower 10. A snowblower 10 16 with a pair of superposed rotating axles 78 is illustrated in Figure 8 throughout 17 Figure 10.
18 [128] The rotating axle 78 illustrated in Figures 3-10 include a screw-like 19 tooth member 82 with an additional snow shovel member 98 disposed in the middle of the screw-like tooth member 82. The snow shovel members 98 rotate 21 with the rotating axle 78 and push the snow facing the middle portion of the 22 screw-like tooth member 82 in the snowblower 10. An alternative mechanism is 23 illustrated in Figure 11 and Figure 12. A pivotable pair of snow shovels members 24 102 are illustrated. The snow shovel members 102 are mounted about a pivot axis 106 that is allowing the snow shovel members 102 to pivot 106 instead of 26 being fixedly connected to the rotating axle 78. The pivotable snow shovel 27 members 102 are adapted to pivot when there is a significant amount of snow in 28 front of the snowblower 10 thus preventing the snow shovel members 102 to 29 push back snow toward the front of the snowblower 10 because they are pivoting under the load of the snow. When there is little snow in front of the snowblower 31 10, the pivotable snow shovel members 102 are adapted to extend under the 1 -- centrifugal force generated by the rotation of the rotating axle 78 and shovel the 2 -- snow in the snowblower 10.
3 [129] Still in Figures 1-10, one can appreciate the typical three-point 4 -- fastening mechanism 114 adapted to connect the snowblower 10 to the tractor -- 18. Other systems like the hydraulic system 118 for managing the direction of the 6 -- snow can be appreciated.
7 [130] The snowblower 10 has a snow-blowing mechanism 74 between the 8 -- snow-collecting portion 66 and the snow-directing mechanism 58. The snow-9 -- blowing mechanism 74 is generally housed within the body 62 in a shape of an -- impeller 50 rotating about a rotational axis 90 as it is illustrated in Figures 2-7.
11 -- One can appreciate that the opening 92 of the snow-blowing mechanism 74 is 12 -- managed with a restrictor 94. The restrictor 94 is embodied as a plate in the 13 -- Figures and could be embodied differently to serve a comparable function. The 14 -- restrictor 94 is covering the upper portion of the impeller's housing opening 92 in -- the body 62. The restrictor 94 restricts the opening 92 that is accelerating the 16 -- flow of air and snow inside the snow-blowing mechanism 74 given the smaller 17 -- opening 92. The restrictor 94 can be adjustable and covers a desired portion of 18 -- the opening 92. The restrictor 94 is preferably applied on the upper portion of the 19 -- opening 92 and can cover a small portion of the opening 92 to about half of the -- opening 92. The restrictor 94 also interacts with the impeller 50 to optimize the 21 -- vacuum created by the rotative impeller 50. More precise interaction between the 22 -- restrictor 94 and a snow-engaging portion 122 of the impeller 50 that is going to 23 -- be discussed in more details below.
24 [131] Figure 13 illustrate a semi-exploded view of the snowblower

10 where -- the rotating axle 78 and the impeller 50 are disassembled from the body 62.
26 -- Figure 14 and Figure 15 illustrate the snowblower without the rotating axis 78 and 27 -- the restrictor 94 to appreciate the impeller 50 operatively assembled in the 28 -- opening 92 of the body 62.
29 [132] Figure 16 throughout Figure 19 are illustrating various exploded views -- of the snowblower 10 for further understanding of the assembly. A gearbox 126 is 1 secured to the body 62 to receive rotative motive power from the engine (tractor's 2 PTO), protected with guard 130, and transmit power to the impeller 50 and the 3 rotative axle 78 assembly. One can also appreciate the lower portion of the body 4 62 includes a blade 134 and optional supporting legs 138. A drive system 142 is used to transmit power to the rotating axle 78 via a drive axle 146. A
hydraulic 6 actuator 150 is also depicted in Figure 18. The hydraulic actuator 150 is used to 7 rotate a nozzle 154 of the snow-directing mechanism 58. An opening 158 in the 8 body 62 is also illustrated in Figure 18 to allow passage of the snow from the 9 impeller 50 to the snow-directing mechanism 58.
[133] A side elevational schematic illustration of the vacuum generated by a

11 prior art impeller 50 in a snowblower 10 is depicted in Figure 20 and Figure 21 for

12 the benefit of the reader. The impeller 50 configuration includes a plurality of

13 vanes 162 extending between a rear axial region 166 and a front axial region

14 170. Each vane includes a snow-engaging portion 122 toward the front axial region 170. The vanes 162 further include respective portions configured to 16 propel snow 174 between the front axial region 166 and the rear axial region 170 17 that are rotating with a limited gap against the opening 92 of the body 62 to 18 create a vacuum (negative pressure channeling air in the snowblower 10).
19 Generally, the gap against the opening 92 of the body 62 is less than 24 mm.
The portions of the impeller 50 that are configured to propel snow 174 are 21 defining an impeller's eye 178 located in the center of the impeller 50 about the 22 rotation axis 90 of the impeller 50. The impeller's eye 178 is void of portions of 23 the vanes 162 that are configured to propel snow 174 and thus offer little 24 pumping effect while having no means for preventing a loss of vacuum generated by the portions of the impeller configured to propel snow 174 and snow-engaging 26 portions 122 thereof. The resulting effect in the flow through the snowblower 10 is 27 exemplified with arrows, in Figure 21, where peripheral portion 182 of the 28 impeller 50 are creating vacuum in the snowblower 50 while the central portion 29 186 of the impeller's eye 178 is not producing enough restriction or vacuum to prevent a loss of pressure.

1 [134] In contrast, Figure 22 and Figure 23 are improving the vacuum created 2 by the rotation of the impeller 50 by restricting the impeller's eye 178 with snow-3 engaging portions 122 that are elongated 190 toward the axis of rotation 90. The 4 snow-engaging portions 122 can be extended and formed in the vane 162, the snow-engaging portions 122 can alternatively be extended and formed of an 6 additional part distinct and assembled to the vane 162 with fasteners, welding or 7 other means, the snow-engaging portions 122 can also be extended and the 8 extended portion of the snow-engaging portion 122 can be made of a distinct part 9 than the snow-engaging portion 122 abutted to the vane 162. These parts can be secured together with fasteners or welded or secured in a different fashion.
The 11 impeller 50 and its constituting parts are made of strong materials capable of 12 withstanding significant mechanical stresses. Steel, aluminum, casting materials, 13 powder materials and reinforced plastics are contemplated by the present 14 invention and are not intended to limit materials applicable to the present invention that could become obvious for a skilled reader. The assembly of the 16 snowblower 10 and the parts therein is using fasteners, rivets and welding where 17 needed.
18 [135] A single snow-engaging portion 122 can be elongated.
Preferably, at 19 least a pair of snow-engaging portions 122 is elongated for balancing the rotating impeller 50 and for added strength. When a plurality of snow-engaging portions 21 122 is sufficiently elongated to reach each other, they are interconnected to 22 ensure a strong mechanical assembly. The impeller's eye 178 is a region of the 23 impeller that is void of vanes 162 and that offers little pumping effect but, in the 24 configuration depicted in Figures 22-23, the extended snow-engaging portions 122 offer additional pumping effect and create restriction to prevent a loss of 26 vacuum generated by the portions of the impeller with portions configured to 27 propel snow 174 and snow-engaging portions 122. The resulting effect in the flow 28 of air is exemplified with arrows in Figure 23 where the entire section 190 of the 29 impeller 50 is vacuuming in the snowblower 50. Additional embodiments are presented in Figures 24-29 with the addition of the restrictor plate 94 to the 31 assembly.

1 [136] In the embodiments illustrated in Figure 24-29, the restrictor plate 94 is 2 restricting the opening 92 of the snow-blowing mechanism 74 to reduce portions 3 of the opening 92 that are less efficient in creating vacuum and collecting snow.
4 Figures 24-25 illustrate an embodiment where the restrictor plate 94 extends to a length substantially equal to the length of the snow-engaging portion 122 in front 6 of the portion to propel snow 174 of the vanes 162. Figures 26-27 illustrate an 7 embodiment where the restrictor plate 94 extends further to a length extending 8 beyond the length of snow-engaging portions 122, extending over the impeller's 9 eye 178 in front of the hub 194. Lastly, Figures 28-29 illustrate an embodiment where the restrictor plate 94 extends to a length extending to the axis of rotation 11 90, thus extending over about half of the impeller's eye 178, in front of the hub 12 194. One can appreciate form these Figures that the loss of vacuum is reduced 13 with the reduction of the opening 92 and that the interaction between the snow-14 engaging portions 122 with the restrictor plate 94 are adding to the vacuum power of the snow-blowing mechanism 74.
16 [137] The axial distance between the snow-engaging portions 122, the 17 extended snow-engaging portions 206 and the vanes 162 18 [138] A plurality of embodiments is used below to show different 19 configurations and arrangements thereof. These embodiments are not intended to be limited to the elements and configurations distinctly illustrated therein. The 21 present application is encompassing combinations of features, elements, angles 22 and functions thereof, and are contemplating possible combinations of features, 23 elements, angles and functions from the point of view of a skilled reader in the 24 are of snowblower design.
[139] An embodiment of a possible configuration of the impeller 50, with 26 extended snow-engaging portions 122, is exemplified in Figures 30-32.
The 27 impeller 50 includes a hub 194 from which a plurality of vanes 162 is radially 28 extending. Each vane 162 of this embodiment includes a portion to propel snow 29 174 preferably facing the direction of rotation of the impeller 50 to propel snow.
The portion to propel snow is reinforced with a reinforcement member 198. The 1 portion to propel snow is secured on the rear axial region 166 to a back plate 202 2 substantially normal to the axis of rotation 90. The extensions 206 of the snow-3 engaging portions 122 are illustrated as distinct parts assembled to the snow-4 engaging portions 122 secured to the vanes 162. It can be appreciated that the snow-engaging portions 122 and extensions 206 thereof are angled forward with, 6 for instance, an angle a. The angle a is about between 20 and 60 to efficiently 7 attack the snow and also to increase the vacuum effect of the impeller 50. Each 8 snow-engaging portion 122 is provided with a series of teeth 210 and 9 reinforcement 214. The extensions 206 are also provided with teeth 210 thereon and are reaching each other near the axis of rotation 90. The opposed angled 11 extensions 206 are secured at their meeting point to increase the strength of the 12 assembly.
13 [140] Figures 33-35 illustrate another embodiment where the extensions 206 14 have an increased width 218 constantly increasing with an angle of about p. The width 218 of the extension 206 can encompass the snow-engaging portion 122 16 and be linear or use a progressive shape. The enlarged width 218 of the snow-17 engaging portion 122 toward the middle of the impeller's eye 178 provides 18 additional vacuum effect in locations of the snow-engaging portion 122 where the 19 linear speed of the snow-engaging portion 122 is lesser than at the distal portion thereof.
21 [141] Figures 36-38 illustrate another embodiment where the snow-engaging 22 portions 112 and the extensions 206 have no teeth thereon.
23 [142] Figures 39-41 illustrate an embodiment where the extensions 206 of 24 the snow-engaging portions 112 are wider than the snow-engaging portions and have a plurality of sequential attack angles a. A primary angle 222, with 26 angle a, and a secondary angle 226, with angle a', are illustrated. The plurality of 27 sequential attack angles could be replaced with a progressive attack angle (not 28 illustrated). The plurality of attack angles a is offering increased vacuum and 29 snow blowing capability to the impeller 50.

1 [143] Figures 42-44 illustrate another embodiment where the extensions 206 2 of the snow-engaging portions 112 have a plurality of sequential toothed attack 3 angles. A primary angle 222, with angle a, and a secondary angle 226, with 4 angle a', are illustrated. The plurality of sequential attack angles could be replaced with a progressive attack angle (not illustrated). The plurality of attack 6 angles a is offering increased vacuum and snow blowing capability to the 7 impeller 50.
8 [144] Figures 45-47 illustrate another embodiment where all the vanes 162 9 have a respective extension 206 of their snow-engaging portion 112. In the present embodiment, four extended snow-engaging portion 112 are illustrated 11 and interconnected, preferably welded or secured with fasteners, in the center of 12 the impeller's rotation axis 90. Further, the four snow-engaging portion 112 have 13 toothed 210 and angled snow-engaging portions 112. An angle a is illustrated.
14 The proximal sides of the extensions 206 can optionally be secured to an extension of the center portion of the impeller 50. Thick connection to the center 16 portion of the impeller 50 can be applied to other embodiments described in the 17 specification despite the connection is not illustrated with each embodiment.
18 [145] An impeller's eye 178 is the center of the impeller 50 where the vanes 19 162 are leaving a void to secure the hub 162 to the drive of the impeller 50.
Figures 48-50 illustrate another embodiment where all the vanes 162 are 21 designed to define an impeller's eye 178 of a different volume and front facing 22 area. The proximal and axial shape 230 of the portions to propel snow 174 is 23 profiled differently to adjust the vacuum of the impeller 50. The vanes 162 are 24 designed with a straight edge 238.
[146] Figures 51-54 illustrate another embodiment where the extensions 206 26 of the snow-engaging portions 112 have a progressive radial change in the angle 27 of attack a, extending to angle a' toward the axis of rotation of the impeller 50. A
28 digressive angle where a>a' is illustrated. A progressive angle where a<as is 29 encompassed by the present application despite this embodiment is not illustrated and believed to be obvious in view of the Figures 51-53. The 1 progressive angle of the snow-engaging portions 112 and extensions 206 thereof 2 are, inter alia, adapted to adjust the vacuum of the snow-engaging portions 112 3 and extensions 206 in respect with the linear speed of the and extensions 4 and extensions 206 and/or the amount of snow to be efficiently engaged by a specific region of the vane 162.
6 [147] Moving now to Figures 55-57 illustrating an impeller 50 with snow-7 engaging portions 112 and extensions 206 thereof that are not necessarily 8 aligned with a respective vane 162. A retaining member 242 supports the 9 extensions 206. The retaining member 242 is embodied as a ring and is located between the snow-engaging portions 112 and the extensions 206. The retaining 11 member 242 is used to reinforce the impeller 50, to allow using a number of 12 extensions 206 that is different than the number of vanes 162, that are not 13 aligned with a respective vane 162 and also to allow more adjustment of the 14 extensions 206 in respect with the snow-engaging portions 122. The angle a of the extensions 206 can be different than the angle of the snow-engaging portions 16 122, among other advantages like easy securing and replacement of the 17 extensions 206. The extensions 206 assembled with the retaining member 18 can come as a bundle for easy replacement or as a kit to retrofit existing impeller 19 50.
[148] Figures 58-60 are illustrating a six-vanes 162 impeller 50 21 configurations with alternated vanes 162 with an extension 206 thereof.
Each 22 extension 206 is secured to a vane 162 preferably via respective snow-engaging 23 portions 122. This symmetrical layout allows for easy balancing and lightens the 24 impeller 50.
[149] Finally, Figure 61 and Figure 62 are illustrating en embodiment where 26 an endless screw 246 used with or without extensions 206. The endless screw 27 246 is adapted to increase the amount of snow the impeller 50 can propel and 28 ensures limited snow blocks sizes with get in touch with the impeller 50. The 29 endless screw 246 is optionally connected to the extensions 206 and is axially connected to the hub 194 or an extension thereof. Alternatively, the endless 1 screw 246 could be secure otherwise or used with a different combination of 2 parts.
3 [150] Turning now to Figures 63-65 illustrating an embodiment of the 4 restrictor plate 94 in cooperation with the body 62 and the impeller 50.
The restrictor plate 94 is secured to the body 62 of the snowblower 10 and is 6 configured to restrict the opening 92 of the snow-blowing mechanism 74.
7 Generally, a blowing apparatus using a rotating impeller to generate a vacuum 8 has an impeller's eye 178 about the center of rotation of the impeller 50. This 9 implies covering the radial and distal portion of the opening 92, about the rotation axis 90. Covering the radial and distal portion of the opening 92 ensures to create 11 a vacuum through the impeller's eye 178 given the centrifugal force created by 12 the rotating turbine 50.
13 [151] In the present situation, the impeller 50 creates a vacuum when 14 rotating and is required to propel ice and snow as well (solid materials). The complete distal portion of the impeller's eye 178 is preferably not covered 16 because the snow and the ice are more prone to engage with the impeller 50 at 17 the lower portion of the opening 92.
18 [152] The restrictor plate 94 is thus designed to cover a significant portion of 19 the opening 92 but the lowermost portion thereof to allow ice and snow to enter the opening 92 more easily without having to pile up to reach the impeller's eye 21 178 should the periphery of the lower portion of the opening 92 be restricted. The 22 impeller's eye 178 of at least one embodiment is thus extending to a portion of 23 the periphery of the opening 92 of the impeller 50 housing. The restrictor plate 94 24 can, in embodiments thereof, be used to selectively restrict the opening 92 to improve vacuum and allow passage of snow and ice in the snow-blowing 26 mechanism 74.
27 [153] The opening 92 can be separated in quadrants as depicted in Figure 28 66. The four quadrants are disposed in their correct mathematical positions 29 locating quadrant #1 (01) 250 in the top-right corner, Q2 254 in the top-left corner, Q3 258 in the bottom-left corner and Q4 262 in the bottom-right corner. A

1 schematic impeller 50 is illustrated with one snow-engaging portion 122 and 2 extension 206 thereof. A circle identifies an exemplary impeller's eye 3 boundary 266 that can also represent the radial pattern of the junction between 4 the snow-engaging portion 122 and the extension 206 thereof. The boundary might be used as a reference in the description of the restrictor plate 94 designs.
6 [154] Figure 67 illustrates different portions of the restrictor plate 94. A right 7 portion 270, an intake portion 274, a covering portion 278, an outtake portion 282 8 and a left portion 286. The intake portion 274 is the portion of the restrictor 94 9 configured to begin covering the vanes 162 when the vanes are rotating and is generally found in 02 254 and/or 03 258. The intake portion 274 includes an 11 attack edge 290 that can be straight or curved that generally goes from the edge 12 of the opening 92 to a location toward the center of the impeller 50.
The covering 13 portion 278 is configured to restrict the opening 92 over a determined angular 14 rotation of the impeller 50, the covering portion 278 is located between the intake portion 274 and the outtake portion 282 and is generally found in Q1 250 and 16 254. The outtake portion 282 is generally found in 01 250 and/or 04 262 and is 17 reopening the opening 92 from the covering portion 278 to the edge of the 18 opening 92. The outtake portion 282 includes a release edge 294 that can be 19 straight or curved that generally goes from an edge of the covering portion 278 and the edge of the opening 92.
21 [155] The identification of the sections and portions are dependent of the 22 side of rotation of the impeller 50 and the location of the opening 158 in the body 23 62. The level of vacuum is going to be improved if 02 254 of the opening 92, 24 aligned with the opening 158, is restricted. The level of vacuum of the snowblower 10 also benefits of covering 01 250. 04 262 preferably remains 26 substantially open to allow snow and ice to engage the impeller 50 and be 27 blowed through the opening 158. In embodiments thereof, the restrictor plate 94 28 substantially covers the opening 92 when the vane 162 reaches the opening 158 29 when rotating to prevent loss of pressure from the opening 92 in favor of flowing the snow inside the opening 158 toward the snow-directing system 58.

1 [156] Figure 68 illustrates a preferred embodiment where the attack edge 2 290 provides a progressive engagement of the rotating vanes 162 and remains 3 above the lower 45 degree of Q3. The covering portion 278 is extended toward 4 the axis of rotation 90 to cover more radial area in Q3 to ensure increased pressure in the opening 158. The release edge 298 progressively disengages the 6 vane 162 and remains above the lower 45 degree of Q4.
7 [157] Moving now to Figure 69 showing possible locations of the intake 8 portion 274 attack edge 290 from above the axis of rotation 90 to below the axis 9 of rotation 90 and the same for the release edge 294. Figure 79 illustrates possible location variations of angled intake portion 274 attack edge 290 from 11 above the axis of rotation 90 to below the axis of rotation 90 and the same for the 12 release edge 294. Figure 71 illustrates a more crafted trapezoidal design of the 13 restrictor plate 94 with possible variations of position for the edges 290, 294 14 thereof. Figures 72-74 illustrate other possible embodiments. All the variations of the restrictor plates 94 depicted in the various embodiments therein can be 16 combined without departing from the scope of the present invention.
17 [158] The description and the drawings that are presented above are meant 18 to be illustrative of the present invention. They are not meant to be limiting of the 19 scope of the present invention. Modifications to the embodiments described may be made without departing from the present invention, the scope of which is 21 defined by the following claims:

Claims (40)

What is claimed is:

1. An impeller for a snowblowing apparatus, the impeller being designed to rotate about a rotation axis, the impeller comprising:
a front axial region thereof, the front axial region being configured to receive snow therein;
a rear axial region thereof;
a periphery thereof;
a hub, generally located between the front axial region and the rear axial region, adapted to rotate about the rotation axis;
a plurality of vanes generally radially extending from the periphery toward the rotation axis, the plurality of vanes including a portion configured to propel snow between the front axial region and the rear axial region, a snow-engaging portion generally located toward the front axial region, wherein the snow engaging portion of at least one of the plurality of vanes is radially extending from the periphery further toward the rotation axis to reduce the radial area not covered by the snow-engaging portions of the other vanes when the impeller is rotating about the rotation axis.

2. The impeller of claim 1, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion extends to the rotation axis.

3. The impeller of claim 1 and claim 2, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion includes an angled portion thereof.

4. The impeller of any of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion includes a plurality of sequential angled portions thereof.

5. The impeller of any of claim 1 to claim 4, wherein the further extended snow engaging portion includes a variable width thereof.

6. The impeller of any of claim 1 to claim 5, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion includes a plurality of teeth thereof.

7. The impeller of any of claim 1 to claim 6, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion include a variable width thereof.

8. The impeller of any of claim 1 to claim 7, wherein the reduced radial area improves the vacuum created by a rotation of the impeller.

9. The impeller of any of claim 1 to claim 8, wherein the reduced radial area prevents snow in the impeller to exit from the impeller via the front axial region.

10. The impeller of any of claim 1 to claim 9, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion is two further extended snow-engaging portions.

11. The impeller of claim 10, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion extends to the rotation axis.

12. The impeller of claim 10 and claim 12, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions include opposed angled portions thereof.

13. The impeller of any of claim 10 to claim 12, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions include a plurality of opposed sequential angled portions thereof.

14. The impeller of any of claim 10 to claim 13, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions include a variable width thereof.

15. The impeller of any of claim 10 to claim 14, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions include a plurality of teeth thereof.

16. The impeller of any of claim 10 to claim 15, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions connect to each other in the neighborhood of the rotation axis.

17. The impeller of any of claim 10 to claim 16, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions are substantially radially opposed to each other.

18. The impeller of any of claim 1 to claim 17, wherein the reduced radial area improves the vacuum created by a rotation of the impeller.

19. The impeller of any of claim 1 to claim 18, wherein the reduced radial area prevents snow in the impeller to exit from the impeller via the front axial region.

20. The impeller of any of claim 1 to claim 19, wherein the portion configured to propel snow of the vanes is open in an impeller eye region.

21. A snowblower comprising an impeller configured to rotate about a rotation axis, the impeller comprising:
a front axial region thereof, the front axial region being configured to receive snow therein;
a rear axial region thereof;
a periphery thereof;
a hub, generally located between the front axial region and the rear axial region, adapted to rotate about the rotation axis;
a plurality of vanes generally radially extending from the periphery toward the rotation axis, the plurality of vanes including a portion configured to propel snow between the front axial region and the rear axial region, a snow-engaging portion generally located toward the front axial region, wherein the snow engaging portion of at least one of the plurality of vanes is radially extending from the periphery further toward the rotation axis to reduce the radial area not covered by the snow-engaging portions of the other vanes when the impeller is rotating about the rotation axis.

22. The snowblower of claim 21, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion extends to the rotation axis.

23. The snowblower of claim 21 and claim 22, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion includes an angled portion thereof.

24. The snowblower of any of claim 21 to claim 23, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion includes a plurality of sequential angled portions thereof.

25. The snowblower of any of claim 21 to claim 24, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion includes a variable width thereof.

26. The snowblower of any of claim 21 to claim 25, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion includes a plurality of teeth thereof.

27. The snowblower of any of claim 21 to claim 26, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion include a variable width thereof.

28. The snowblower of any of claim 21 to claim 27, wherein the reduced radial area improves the vacuum created by a rotation of the impeller.

29. The snowblower of any of claim 21 to claim 28, wherein the reduced radial area prevents snow in the impeller to exit from the impeller via the front axial region.

30. The snowblower of any of claim 21 to claim 29, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion is two further extended snow-engaging portions.

31. The snowblower of claim 30, wherein the further extended snow-engaging portion extends to the rotation axis.

32. The snowblower of claim 30 and claim 31, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions include opposed angled portions thereof.

33. The snowblower of any of claim 30 to claim 32, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions include a plurality of opposed sequential angled portions thereof.

34. The snowblower of any of claim 30 to claim 33, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions include a variable width thereof.

35. The snowblower of any of claim 30 to claim 34, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions include a plurality of teeth thereof.

36. The snowblower of any of claim 30 to claim 35, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions connect to each other in the neighborhood of the rotation axis.

37. The snowblower of any of claim 30 to claim 36, wherein the two further extended snow-engaging portions are substantially radially opposed to each other.

38. The snowblower of any of claim 21 to claim 37, wherein the reduced radial area improves the vacuum created by a rotation of the impeller.

39. The snowblower of any of claim 21 to claim 38, wherein the reduced radial area prevents snow in the impeller to exit from the impeller via the front axial region.

40. The snowblower of any of claim 21 to claim 39, wherein the portion configured to propel snow of the vanes are open in an impeller eye region.