CA2914151C - Method for safely assembling a snow blower comprising a rotating drum - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for safely assembling a snow blower comprising a rotating drum. The method comprises positioning a frame of the snow blower in a position where a front surface of the frame comprising an opening for receiving the rotating drum is facing upwards. The front surface is substantially perpendicular to the ground when the snow blower is operating. The method comprises positioning the rotating drum inside the opening in the front surface of the frame and securing the rotating drum to the frame. The method further comprises securing an impeller to the frame inside the rotating drum and securing an auger to the frame. The method also comprises securing a scraper longitudinally to a lateral side of the front surface of the frame.

Description

METHOD FOR SAFELY ASSEMBLING A SNOW BLOWER COMPRISING A
ROTATING DRUM
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of snow blowers, and more particularly to a method for safely assembling a snow blower comprising a rotating drum.
BACKGROUND

[0002] Snow blowers can be equipped with a rotating drum for collecting and evacuating snow processed by a dedicated part of the snow blower, such as an auger or an impeller. The snow blower comprises a frame upon which other components of the snow blower, such as the rotating drum and the auger, are assembled. The rotating drum may have several positions for evacuating the collected snow. For example, a first position for evacuating the collected snow on the right side of the snow blower, a second position for evacuating the collected snow on the left side of the snow blower, and a third position for evacuating the collected snow on the top of the snow blower. The drum can be rotated from one position to another to select the appropriate position of evacuation of the snow.

[0003] The assembly of the various components of the snow blower on the frame is performed in a plurality of steps following a pre-determined sequence. For instance, the frame is positioned in a first position, and a first set of components (including for example the rotating drum) is assembled on the frame. The frame is then moved and positioned in a second position, and a second set of components (including for example the auger) is assembled on the frame. The frame may further need to be moved and positioned in other positions, in order for additional components to be assembled on the frame.

[0004] Moving the frame from one position to another in order to permit the assembly of components on the frame is an operation that consumes time, may require (costly) dedicated positioning equipment, and may put the safety of an operator performing the assembly of the snow blower at risk. There is therefore a need for a new method for safely assembling a snow blower comprising a rotating drum.
SUMMARY

[0005] According to an aspect, the present disclosure relates to a method for safely assembling a snow blower comprising a rotating drum. The method comprises positioning a frame of the snow blower in a position where a front surface of the frame comprising an opening for receiving the rotating drum is facing upwards. The front surface is substantially perpendicular to the ground when the snow blower is operating. The method comprises positioning the rotating drum inside the opening in the front surface of the frame and securing the rotating drum to the frame. The method further comprises securing an impeller to the frame inside the rotating drum and securing an auger to the frame.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Embodiments of the disclosure will be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0007] Figure 1 illustrates a perspective view of a frame of a snow blower;

[0008] Figures 2A, 2B, 2C and 2D illustrate the insertion of a liner into a circular protrusion of a rotating drum;

[0009] Figure 3 illustrates the securing of the rotating drum of Figures 2A-D to the frame of Figure 1;

[0010] Figure 4 illustrates the securing of an impeller to the frame of Figure 1;

[0011] Figure 5 illustrates the securing of a retaining assembly to the frame of Figure 1;

[0012] Figures 6A and 6B illustrate an auger and a sprocket wheel affixed to an auger;

[0013] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate the securing of the auger of Figures 6A and 6B to the frame of Figure 1;

[0014] Figure 8A illustrates the assembling of a chain tensioner.

[0015] Figure 8B illustrates the securing of the chain tensioner of Figure 8A to the frame of Figure 1.

[0016] Figure 9A illustrates the assembling of a power shaft.

[0017] Figure 9B illustrates the securing of the power shaft of Figure 9A to the frame of Figure 1.

[0018] Figures 10A and 10B illustrate the installation and tensioning of a chain on the frame of Figure 1

[0019] Figure 11 illustrates a fully assembled snow blower including the frame of Figure 1; and

[0020] Figure 12 illustrates a method for safely assembling the snow blower of Figure 11.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The foregoing and other features will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of illustrative embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like numerals represent like features on the various drawings.

[0022] Various aspects of the present disclosure generally address one or more of the problems related to the assembly of a snow blower in a safe manner.

[0023] For the purpose of clarity and referring concurrently to Figures 1 to 11, a description of a snow blower 10 comprising a rotating drum 200 is provided foremost to the description of a method for safely assembling the snow blower 10. Figures 1 to 10 represent several components of the snow blower 10 and Figure 11 illustrates the snow blower 10 fully assembled with all the components represented in Figures 1 to 10. The snow blower 10 comprises a frame 100 (represented in Figure 1). The frame 100 comprises two lateral panels 115 and 116 and a front surface 110. The front surface 110 is substantially perpendicular to the ground when the snow blower 10 is operating. The two lateral panels 115 and 116 are facing each other and extending perpendicularly from the front surface 110. The front surface 110 of the frame 100 comprises an opening 111 for securing the rotating drum 200 (represented in Figures 2A-D and 3). A scraper 120 (represented in Figure 1) is longitudinally mounted to a lateral side 112 of the front surface 110 (the lateral side 112 is close to the ground when the snow blower 10 is operating).

The snow blower 10 comprises an auger 400 (represented in Figures 6A-B
and 7A-B) rotationally mounted to the frame 100, the auger 400 being adapted for collecting snow upon rotation thereof. The snow blower comprises an impeller 300 (represented in Figure 4) mounted upon the frame 100 behind the auger 400, the impeller 300 evacuating the collected snow into the rotating drum 200. The rotating drum 200 comprises a series of teeth 250 (represented in Figure 2A) about a circumference thereof on a rear surface 205 of the rotating drum 200. The snow blower 10 comprises a hydraulic system (not represented in the Figures) for rotating the rotating drum 200 with respect to the frame 100 via the series of teeth 250. Alternatively, the rotating system may be electric or manual instead of hydraulic. The rotating drum 200 also comprises a central opening 260 (represented in Figure 2A) in a central portion of the rear surface 205, for insertion of a shaft 130 (represented in Figure 4) integral to the frame 100 and extending inside the opening 111 in the front surface 110 of the frame 100. The shaft 130 is inserted in the central opening 260 of the rotating drum 200 for securing the impeller 300 to the frame 100.
The rotating drum 200 further comprises a circular protrusion 201 (represented in Figure 2A) on the rear surface 205 concentric to the central opening 260. A

liner 210 (represented in Figure 2A) is mounted inside the circular protrusion 201 of the rotating drum 200. The rotating drum 200 is held by a retaining assembly (e.g. 310, 311 and 312 represented in Figure 5 and further detailed later in the description) inside the opening 111 in the front surface 110 of the frame 100. The retaining assembly is positioned on top of a circular upper section 290 (represented in Figure 3) of the rotating drum 200. The snow blower 10 comprises a power shaft 600 (represented in Figures 9A-B) comprising a sprocket wheel 640. The power shaft 600 is secured to the frame 100 and transmits (via the sprocket wheel 640) a rotational movement to the auger 400 (via a sprocket wheel 410 of the auger 400 represented in Figure 6A) through a chain 700 (represented in Figures 10A and 10B). The chain 700 circumvents the sprocket wheel 640 of the power shaft 600, the sprocket wheel 410 of the auger 400 and two sprocket wheels 530 of a chain tensioner 500 (represented in Figures 8A and 10B). The chain tensioner 500 is secured to the frame 100 and is adjustable for providing an appropriate tension to the chain 700.

[0024] Referring now concurrently to Figures 1 to 12, a method 800 (represented in Figure 12) for assembling the snow blower 10 described in the forgoing paragraphs is herein provided.

[0025] The method 800 comprises the step 810 of positioning the frame 100 of the snow blower 10 in a position where the front surface 110 of the frame 100, comprising the opening 111 for receiving the rotating drum 200, is facing upwards.

[0026] The method 800 comprises the step 820 of securing the scraper 120 longitudinally to the lateral side 112 of the front surface 110 of the frame 100. The scraper 120 may be secured by screws to the lateral side 112.

[0027] The method 800 comprises the step 830 of securing the liner 210 inside the circular protrusion 201 on the rear surface 205 of the rotating drum 200. As illustrated in Figure 2A, the step 830 comprises inserting the liner 210 into the inner portion of the circular protrusion 201 and bending by hand or with a tool, inside the inner portion of the circular protrusion 201, about half of the length of the liner 210, the later thus circumventing the inner portion of the circular protrusion 201. As illustrated in Figure 2B, the step 830 also comprises maintaining the liner 210 secured inside the inner portion of the circular protrusion 201 with a tool 220 (for example pliers); and bending afterwards, as shown in Figures 2B, the remaining portion of the liner 210 inside the inner portion of the circular protrusion 201. Lastly, as illustrated in Figures 2C
and 2D, the step 830 comprises partially securing the remaining portion 230 of the liner 210 inside the inner portion of the circular protrusion 201 by hand; and completely securing the remaining portion 230 of the liner 210 inside the inner portion of the circular protrusion 201 with a tool 240 (for example a hammer).

[0028] The method 800 comprises the step 840 of positioning the rotating drum 200 inside the opening 111 in the front surface 110 of the frame 100, and securing the rotating drum 200 to the frame 100, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 4 represents the rotating drum 200 fully inserted inside the opening 111 in the front surface 110 of the frame 100. The rotating drum 200 is axially and radially secured to the frame 100 by a protrusion (not represented in the Figures) in the frame 100, which engages the circular protrusion 201 of the rotating drum 200 inside the liner 210.

[0029] The method 800 comprises the step 850 of securing the impeller 300 to the frame 100 inside the rotating drum 200 as shown in Figure 4. In a particular aspect, the shaft 130 is inserted through the central opening 260 of the rotating drum 200 into the impeller 300 for securing the impeller to the frame 100 inside the rotating drum 200. When the snow blower 10 is operating, the shaft 130 defines a horizontal axis of rotation for the impeller 300. The impeller 300 is maintained secured to the frame 100 via the shaft 300 by securing means, including for example screw(s), bolt(s) and nut(s), etc.

[0030] The method 800 comprises the step 860 of securing the retaining assembly to the frame 100 for maintaining the rotating drum 200 in place inside the opening 111 in the front surface 110 of the frame 100. In a particular aspect illustrated in Figure 5, the retaining assembly comprises a liner 310 positioned on top of a circular upper section 290 of the rotating drum 200, two symmetrical retaining plates 311 positioned on top of the liner 310 and overlapping with the front surface 110 of the frame 100, and a restriction plate 312 also positioned on top of the liner 310 and overlapping with the front surface 110 of the frame 100. The retaining plates 311 and restriction plate 312 are secured to the front surface 110 of the frame 100 by securing means, including for example screws, bolts and nuts, etc.

[0031] The method 800 comprises the step 870 of assembling the auger 400. In a particular aspect illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B, a bearing 420 is affixed at each lateral extremity of the auger 400. The bearings 420 are used for securing the auger 400 to the frame 100. Each bearing may comprise a lubricator 651 represented in Figure 7B. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6B, each lateral extremity of the auger 400 comprises a shaft 405 integral to the auger 400 and each bearing comprises a central opening 425.
Each bearing 420 is affixed to each lateral extremity of the auger 400 by inserting the shaft 405 inside the central opening 425. In another particular aspect, the sprocket wheel 410 represented in Figures 7A and 7B is affixed to the auger 400 for generating a rotational movement of the auger 400 (for collecting the snow) when driven by the chain 700 represented in Figures 10A
and 10B. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6B, the sprocket wheel 410 comprises a central opening 415. The sprocket wheel 410 is affixed to one lateral extremity of the auger 400 by inserting the shaft 405 inside the central opening 415. Additionally, as illustrated in Figure 6B, bolts 416 and nuts 417 are used for securing the sprocket wheel 410 to the lateral extremity of the auger 400. The sprocket wheel 410 is positioned between the lateral extremity of the auger 400 and the corresponding bearing 420. The sprocket wheel 410 is pressed against the bearing 420 and they are secured to one another. For instance, two set screws (not represented in Figure 6B) are used for securing the sprocket wheel 410 to the bearing 420. An adhesive or a sealant (e.g.
epoxy, hot melt, silicone, urethane, Loctite , etc.) can also be used to maintain the set screws in place.

[0032] The chain 700 generates a rotational movement of the sprocket wheel 410, which in turn generates a rotational movement of the shaft 405 (and consequently of the auger 400) inside the central opening 425 of the corresponding bearing 420. The usage of the bearings 420 for securing the auger 400 to the frame 100 and the sprocket wheel 410 for rotating the auger 400 represents only one exemplary implementation. Other means may be used for performing the same functions of securing and rotating.

[0033] The method 800 comprises the step 871 of securing the auger 400 to the frame 100. In a particular aspect illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, the auger 400 is secured to the two lateral panels 115 and 116 of the frame 100. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 7A and 7B, securing means (including for example screws, bolts and nuts, etc.) are used for securing the auger 400 to the two lateral panels 115 and 116. The securing means are fastened to the bearings 420 affixed to the auger 400.

[0034] The method 800 comprises the step 872 of rotating (e.g. by a 90 degrees angle as illustrated in Figure 11) the frame 100 of the snow blower 10. After rotation, the rear side of the frame 100 is accessible to a technician for performing the following steps of the method 800.

[0035] The method 800 comprises the step 880 of completing the securing of the retaining assembly (e.g. 310, 311 and 312) to the frame 100.
For instance, if the securing means (e.g. screws, bolts and nuts, etc.) used at step 860 for securing the retaining assembly to the frame 100 where only partially tightened (e.g. by hand), they are completely tightened (with a proper tool such as an impact wrench) at step 880. =

[0036] The method 800 comprises the step 890 of assembling the chain tensioner 500 represented in Figure 8A. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8A, the chain tensioner 500 comprises a lever 510, a tensioner 520 and the two sprocket wheels 530. The sprocket wheels 530 are affixed to the tensioner 520 by securing means, including for example screws on elbow, bolts and nuts, etc. The lever 510 is affixed to the tensioner 520 by securing means, including for example a screw, a bolt and a nut, etc.

[0037] The method 800 comprises the step 900 of securing the chain tensioner 500 to the frame 100. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8B, the frame 100 comprises an arm 140 extending therefrom. The sprocket wheels 530 of the chain tensioner 500 are affixed to the arm 140 by securing means, including for example screws, bolts and nuts, etc. The arm 140 comprises an opening 144 for inserting the lever 510 of the chain tensioner 500. The lever 510 is affixed to a compression spring 540 and a spring guide 550.

[0038] The method 800 comprises the step 910 of assembling the power shaft 600. In the embodiment represented in Figure 9A, the power shaft 600 comprises the sprocket wheel 640 at one of its extremity. The sprocket wheel 640 is pressed against a bearing 620, and they are secured to one another. As mentioned previously, the bearing 620 comprises at least one pressure screw (not represented in Figure 9A) for securing the sprocket wheel 640 to the bearing 620. An adhesive or a sealant (e.g. epoxy, hot melt, silicone, urethane, Loctite , etc.) can also be used to maintain the at least one pressure screw in place. A spacer 630 is positioned between the sprocket wheel 640 and the bearing 620. The bearing 620 further comprises a lubricator 650 facing towards the sprocket wheel 640. The bearing 620 is affixed to a support 610 by securing means, including for example screws, bolts and nuts, etc.

[0039] The method 800 comprises the step 920 of securing the power shaft 600 to the frame 100. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 9B, the arm 140 extending from the frame 100 comprises an opening 142 for inserting the power shaft 600 therethrough. The power shaft 600 is secured to the frame 100 via the support 610, which is affixed to the arm 12 by securing means, including for example screws, bolts and nuts, etc.

[0040] The method 800 comprises the step 930 of installing the chain 700. In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 10A and 10B, the chain 700 circumvents the sprocket wheel 640 of the power shaft 600, the two sprocket wheels 530 of the chain tensioner 500, and the sprocket wheel 410 of the auger 400.

[0041] The method 800 comprises the step 940 of adjusting the chain tensioner 500 for modifying a tension of the chain 700, by adjusting the position of the lever 510 of the chain tensioner 500 for applying a variable pressure on the chain 700, as illustrated in Figure 10B.

[0042] Although the present disclosure has been described hereinabove by way of non-restrictive, illustrative embodiments thereof, these embodiments may be modified at will within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and nature of the present disclosure.

Claims (15)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method for safely assembling a snow blower comprising a rotating drum, the method comprising:
a) positioning a frame of the snow blower in a position where a front surface of the frame comprising an opening for receiving the rotating drum is facing upwards, the front surface being substantially perpendicular to the ground when the snow blower is operating, the front surface comprising a shaft integral to the frame and extending inside the opening of the front surface, b) securing the rotating drum inside the opening of the front surface of the frame by inserting a central opening of the rotating drum over the shaft of the frame, and axially and radially securing the rotating drum to the frame;
c) securing an impeller to the shaft of the frame through the central opening of the rotating drum; and d) securing an auger to the frame.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing a scraper longitudinally to a lateral side of the front surface of the frame.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein securing the rotating drum to the frame comprises securing a retaining assembly to the frame for maintaining the rotating drum in place inside the opening in the front surface of the frame.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the retaining assembly is positioned on top of a circular upper section of the rotating drum and overlaps with the front surface of the frame.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises two lateral panels facing each other and extending perpendicularly from the front surface of the frame, and the auger is, secured to the two lateral panels of the frame by securing means.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the auger comprises two lateral extremities, a bearing is affixed at each lateral extremity of the auger, and the securing means are fastened to the bearings affixed to the auger.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein a sprocket wheel is affixed to the auger for generating a rotational movement of the auger when driven by a chain.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising rotating the frame.

9.The method of claim 8, wherein the frame is rotated by an angle of 90 degrees.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising securing a chain tensioner to the frame.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising securing a power shaft to the frame.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising installing a chain, the chain generating a rotational movement of the auger when driven by the power shaft, the chain tensioner controlling a tension of the chain

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the auger comprises a sprocket wheel, the chain tensioner comprises two sprocket wheels, the power shaft comprises a sprocket wheel, and the chain circumvents the sprocket wheel of the power shaft, the two sprocket wheels of the chain tensioner, and the sprocket wheel of the auger.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the chain tensioner comprises a lever for modifying the tension of the chain, the position of the lever being adjustable for applying a variable pressure on the chain.

15. A snow blower comprising a frame defining a front surface comprising an opening and two lateral panels facing one another and projecting from the front surface, the opening comprising a shaft integral with the frame and extending inside the opening;
a drum defining a central opening, the central opening being inserted over the shaft of the front surface of the frame, the drum being rotationally secured to the frame by a retaining assembly axially and radially securing the rotating drum to the frame;
an impeller inserted over the shaft of the frame surface through the central opening of the rotating drum and secured thereby to the frame;
and an auger rotationally mounted to the frame in front of the impeller for collecting snow upon rotation thereof.