US20190330814A1

US20190330814A1 - Shovel pusher and related systems and methods

Info

Publication number: US20190330814A1
Application number: US15/966,304
Authority: US
Inventors: Ozcan Yildiz
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-04-30
Filing date: 2018-04-30
Publication date: 2019-10-31

Abstract

A blade comprising at least one pushing element, at least one cutting element, and at least one wing section. The at least one pushing element may have a top edge, a bottom edge, and a concave face. The at least one cutting element may be coupled to the at least one pushing element at the bottom edge of the at least one pushing element. The at least one wing may include a wing face and a wing cutting element. The at least one wing may be coupled to a vertical side of the at least one pushing element. The at least one wing section may extend at an obtuse angle relative to the at least one pushing element.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to shovels and/or pushers, such as to shovels and/or pushers that may be manually operated or with small engine equipment.

BACKGROUND

Shovels and pushers are often used for clearing debris (e.g., snow, dirt, rocks, manure, feed, etc.) from driveways, sidewalks, streets, or other hard surfaces. Shovels and pushers are often operated manually (e.g., by hand) or in conjunction with small engine equipment (e.g., lawn tractors, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), lawn mowers, snow-blowers, etc.). Shovels and pushers clear debris under different principles of operation.
For example, pushers generally have a curved face and are used to push the debris from the area being cleared. The debris travels across the curved face and spills out in front of the pusher to continue moving in the direction of the pusher. As debris builds up in front of the pusher the debris may begin to spill out the side of the pusher.
Shovels are generally used to scoop and lift the debris from the area, removing the debris one shovel full at a time.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a material-moving tool comprising a scoop and at least one wing. The scoop may comprise a cutting element coupled to a blade. The cutting element may extend a distance from the blade less than one half a height of the blade. The at least one wing may extend at an angle from the scoop. The wing may include a wing cutting element coupled to a wing blade. The wing cutting element may be coupled to the cutting element of the scoop. The wing blade may be coupled to the blade of the scoop.
Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a blade comprising at least one curved pushing element, at least one scraper, and at least one wing section. The at least one curved pushing element may have a top edge, a bottom edge, and a concave face. The at least one scraper may be coupled to the at least one curved pushing element at the bottom edge of the at least one curved pushing element. The at least one wing may be coupled to a vertical side of the at least one curved pushing element and may extend at an obtuse angle relative to the at least one curved pushing element.
Embodiments of the present disclosure may include a snow pusher comprising a pushing element, a base plate, at least one windrow preventing element, and an element configured to translate a forward propelling force to the pushing element. The pushing element may comprise a lower edge, an upper edge, and a curved face extending between the lower edge and the upper edge. The base plate may protrude in a forward direction from the lower edge of the pushing element. The at least one windrow preventing element may comprise a top edge, a bottom edge, a face extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, and a windrow preventing base plate. The at least one windrow preventing element may protrude in a forward direction from a vertical side of the pushing element.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming what are regarded as embodiments of the present disclosure, various features and advantages of embodiments of the disclosure may be more readily ascertained from the following description of example embodiments of the disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a blade according to the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a scoop according to the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a scoop according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a scoop according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a scoop according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8A is a top view of an attachment for the side plate and blade of the embodiments of FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 8B is a top view of an attachment according to the embodiment of FIG. 8A in an expanded position;

FIG. 8C is a top view of an attachment according to the embodiment of 8A in a windrow allowing position;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a scoop according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a side view of a blade according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a top view of a tool according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The illustrations presented herein are not meant to be actual views of any particular shovel pusher combination or component thereof, but are merely idealized representations employed to describe illustrative embodiments. The drawings are not necessarily to scale. Elements common between figures may retain the same numerical designation.
As used herein, any relational term, such as “first,” “second,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” etc., is used for clarity and convenience in understanding the disclosure and accompanying drawings and does not connote or depend on any specific preference, orientation, or order, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise.
As used herein, the term “and/or” means and includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
As used herein, the term “substantially” in reference to a given parameter means and includes to a degree that one skilled in the art would understand that the given parameter, property, or condition is met with a small degree of variance, such as within acceptable manufacturing tolerances. For example, a parameter that is substantially met may be at least about 90% met, at least about 95% met, or even at least about 99% met.
Pushers provide a relatively efficient means for clearing a large area. However, pushers can be difficult to use when the conditions of the debris create obstacles for the pusher, such as, for example, if the weight of the debris is such that the user or equipment cannot exert enough force to move the pusher in the desired direction, or if the debris does not follow the curved face of the pusher and instead spills over the top of the pusher or out the side rather than traveling in the direction of the pusher.
Shovels are less efficient than pushers for clearing debris from a large area. However, shovels may provide a means for removal of debris that is too heavy for a pusher. Shovels also do not require that the debris travel along any particular surface of the shovel in a specific manner as pushers do. Therefore, shovels may be more efficient for removing unwieldy debris, such as oddly shaped debris or light powder snow that do not follow the curved face of a pusher.
Embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to shovels and/or pushers for use by hand or through attachment to small engine equipment (e.g., lawn tractors, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), lawn mowers, snow-blowers, etc.) The embodiments of the present disclosure may minimize disadvantages of shovels and pushers, individually.
When pushers are used for removing debris they often leave windrows along the side of the plowed path. Windrows are the piles of debris left along a plowed path after the pusher passes due to excess debris falling from the side of the pusher. Windrows often require, at a minimum, an extra pass with a conventional pusher and often require the use of a shovel for removal. The extra pass and/or use of an extra tool are inefficient and often tiresome for the user.
Some embodiments of pushers described herein may include elements for controlling (e.g., eliminating, limiting, or reducing) the formation of windrows. By eliminating or reducing the windrow formation the amount of debris collecting in the path of the pusher will increase because the excess debris is retained in front of the pusher rather than spilling over the side. Increasing the amount of debris being pushed by the pusher limits the distance that the pusher can be advanced before the weight of the debris is too great for the user or equipment to continue advancing the pusher. As such, the user would be required to use a shovel in conjunction with the pusher to remove the excess debris, thereby reducing the weight of the debris so that the user or equipment can successfully advance the pusher. Therefore, reducing or eliminating the windrows alone does not eliminate the inefficiencies of the pusher.
Shovels generally have a scoop with a large flat portion that can lift a large amount of debris. Often clearing large areas with a shovel results in numerous lifts of the shovel with a full scoop each time. These lifts can result in significant fatigue, injury, or damage to the user or equipment. Shovels typically comprise a large flat blade that is substantially parallel to the ground when in use. A shoulder is generally coupled to the blade providing a back stop for the debris when the blade of the shovel is advanced under the debris. Pushing a shovel in a similar manner to the pusher described above generally results in the debris spilling over the shoulder of the shovel and into the recently cleared path because the shoulder on a shovel is generally much shorter than the blade is long.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a tool 100 (e.g., shovel pusher combination, hand operated pusher, pusher, shovel, or snow-shovel). In some embodiments, the tool 100 may include a blade 104. The blade 104 may include a pushing element 106 (e.g., moldboard, shoulder or back portion) configured to turn debris over in front of the tool 100 as the tool 100 is advanced. The pushing element 106 may have a curved surface 108 connecting a bottom edge 110 and a top edge 112. As the tool 100 is advanced the debris may travel from the bottom edge 110 up the curved surface 108. The curved surface 108 may be configured such that when the debris reaches the top edge 112 the debris falls forward into the path of the tool 100.
The pushing element 106 may be formed from metal materials (e.g., steel, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), polymer materials (e.g., polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.), composite materials (e.g., fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.), wood, or a combination of materials.
FIG. 2. Illustrates a cross-sectional side view of the blade 104. In some embodiments, the tool 100 may include a base plate 114 (e.g., cutting element, horizontal cutting element, cutting surface, or scraper). The base plate 114 may protrude forward from the bottom edge 110 of the pushing element 106. The base plate 114 may extend to a width less than half the height of the pushing element 106. For example, the base plate 114 may extend to a width less than about one third the height of the pushing element 106, or less than about one fourth the height of the pushing element 106. For example, in some embodiments the height of the pushing element 106 may be between 10 in (25.4 cm) and 24 in (60.96 cm), such as between about 12 in (30.48 cm) and about 22 in (55.88 cm), or about 12 in (30.5 cm). In those embodiments, for example, the base plate 114 may have a width between about 1 in (2.54 cm) and about 8 in (20.32 cm), such as between about 1 in (2.54 cm) and about 4 in (10.16 cm), or between about 1.5 in (3.81 cm) and about 2.5 in (6.35 cm), or about 2 in (5.08 cm).
As the tool 100 is advanced, the base plate 114 may move beneath debris in its path. In some embodiments, the base plate 114 may provide a surface for lifting debris. The base plate 114 may be supported by structural supports (e.g., struts, gussets, flanges, shoulders, etc.) In some embodiments, the base plate 114 or portions of the base plate 114 may be configured to be removed and/or replaced when damaged or worn. In some embodiments, the base plate 114 may act as both a surface for lifting debris and a wear part.
In some embodiments, the base plate 114 may be formed from a single piece of material or multiple pieces of a material mechanically coupled so that it is one structural piece. The piece of material may undergo one or more processes to improve hardening and/or elasticity (e.g., tempering). In other embodiments, the base plate 114 may be formed from multiple materials with portions of the base plate 114 configured to act as a wear part and portions configured to act as a surface for lifting debris. The base plate 114 may be formed from metal materials (e.g., steel, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), polymer materials (e.g., polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.), rubber (e.g., natural rubber, neoprene, styrene butadiene, etc.), composites (e.g., fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.), wood, or a combination of materials.
In some embodiments, the base plate 114 may include a leading edge 116 and a trailing edge 118. The trailing edge 118 may be coupled to the bottom edge 110 of the pushing element 106. In some embodiments, the base plate 114 may be formed with the pushing element 106 from a single material in a single process (e.g., as a molded polyethylene). In other embodiments, the base plate 114 may be formed from the same material as the pushing element 106 in a different process and attached after each of the pushing element 106 and the base plate 114 are formed. In other embodiments, the base plate 114 may be formed from a different material from the pushing element 106 and attached after each of the pushing element 106 and the base plate 114 are formed. In certain embodiments, the base plate 114 or the pushing element 106 may be formed first, and the other may be formed and attached thereto in a single process. In some embodiments, the base plate 114 may be attached to the pushing element 106 with hardware (e.g., screws, bolts and nuts, carriage bolts and nuts, bolts and threaded inserts, etc.), a geometric retention (e.g. tongue and groove), a heating process (e.g., welding, soldering, brazing, plastic welding, etc.), adhesives (e.g., glue, epoxy, tape, etc.), or a combination.
Referring back to FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the tool 100 may include at least one wing 120 (e.g., windrow preventing element, side plate, side surface, or side shield). The wing 120 may be coupled to a vertical side 122 of the pushing element 106. The wing 120 may protrude in the advancing direction of the tool 100 (e.g., a forward direction). The wing 120 may include a wing top edge 124, a wing bottom edge 126, and a wing leading edge 128 (e.g., distal edge, leading end, or distal end). In some embodiments, the wing 120 may include a wing base plate 130 (e.g., wing cutting element, horizontal wing cutting element, wing cutting surface, or wing scraper). The wing base plate 130 may be coupled to the wing 120 at the wing bottom edge 126.
In some embodiments, the wing 120 may be configured to maintain debris within the path of the tool 100. As the tool 100 is advanced, the wing 120 may prevent some or most debris from falling out the side of the blade 104 and forming windrows.
The wing 120 and the wing base plate 130 may be formed from metal materials (e.g., steel, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), polymer materials (e.g., polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.), rubber (e.g., natural rubber, neoprene, styrene butadiene, etc.), composite materials (e.g., fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.), wood, or a combination of materials.
In some embodiments, the wing base plate 130 may extend from the wing bottom edge 126 substantially the same distance as the width of the base plate 114 of the pushing element 106 described above. In some embodiments, the wing base plate 130 may taper from a first extended distance, at the location where the wing base plate 130 meets the base plate 114 of the pushing element 106, to a second extended distance at the wing leading edge 128. For example, in some embodiments the first extended distance may be substantially the same as the width of the base plate 114 of the pushing element 106 and the second extended distance may be less than one half the width of the base plate 114 of the pushing element 106. For example, as described above, the base plate 114 of the pushing element 106 may be between about 1 in (2.54 cm) and about 8 in (20.32 cm). The wing base plate 130 may have a first extended distance between 1 in (2.54 cm) and about 8 in (20.32 cm), such as between about 1 in (2.54 cm) and about 4 in (10.16 cm), or between about 1.5 in (3.81 cm) and about 2.5 in (6.35 cm), or about 2 in (5.08 cm). The second extended distance of the wing base plate 130 may be between about 0 in (0 cm) and 4 in (10.16), such as between about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) and 2 in (5.08 cm), or about 0.5 in (1.27 cm) and about 1 in (2.54 cm), or about 0.5 in (1.27 cm). In some embodiments, the wing base plate 130 may have a straight taper from the first extended distance to the second extended distance. In other embodiments, the wing base plate 130 may have a nonlinear taper (e.g., parabolic taper, reverse parabolic taper, step down pattern, arc, etc.).
In some embodiments, the wing base plate 130 may be configured similar to the base plate 114 of the pushing element 106. In some embodiments, the wing base plate 130 may advance beneath the debris as the tool 100 is advanced. The wing base plate 130 may be configured to lift debris and/or to be replaced when damaged or worn.
In some embodiments, the wing base plate 130 may be formed from the same material as the wing 120 in the same process. In some embodiments, the wing base plate 130 may be formed from the same material as the wing 120 in a separate process and attached to the wing 120 after each of the wing 120 and the wing base plate 130 are formed. In another embodiment, the wing base plate 130 may be formed from a different material than the wing 120 and attached to the wing 120 after each of the wing 120 and the wing base plate 130 are formed. In certain embodiments, the wing base plate 130 or the wing 120 may be formed first, and the other may be formed and attached thereto in a single process. In some embodiments, the wing base plate 130 may be attached to the wing 120 with, for example, hardware (e.g., screws, bolts and nuts, carriage bolts and nuts, bolts and threaded inserts, etc.), a geometric retention (e.g. tongue and groove), a heating process (e.g., welding, soldering, brazing, plastic welding, etc.), adhesives (e.g., glue, epoxy, tape, etc.), or a combination.
In some embodiments, the tool 100 may include at least two wings 120 coupled to opposite vertical sides 122 of the pushing element 106. In some embodiments, the at least two wings 120 may extend in a direction substantially parallel to each other. In other embodiments, the at least two wings 120 may be angled away from each other such that a distance between the leading edges 128 of the at least two wings 120 is greater than a distance between the two vertical sides 122 of the pushing element 106.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a tool 200. In some embodiments, the scoop 204 may be formed from two blades 206 joined in a central seam 221. Each blade 206 may include a curved surface 208 connecting a bottom edge 210 and a top edge 212. The blades 206 may intersect at an angle of less than 180°, and may therefore provide rigidity to one another. In some embodiments, the blades 206 may also include a horizontal cutting element 214 extending horizontally from the bottom edge 212 of the blade 206. Each blade 206 may have a side plate 220 extending from a vertical side 222 of the blade opposite the central seam 221. The side plates 220 may be substantially parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the side plate 220 may include a cutting element 230 extending horizontally from a bottom edge 226 of the side plate 220.
FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the scoop 204 of the tool 200 shown in FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the blades 206 may join at the central seam 221 and define an angle α relative to the two blades 206. The angle α may be an obtuse angle (e.g., between 180° and 90°). Each side plate 220 may intersect with a blade 206 at an obtuse angle β, such that the side plates 220 are parallel to one another. In some embodiments, the side plates 220 may have a leading edge 228 that is substantially straight. The side plates 220 may have a trailing edge 229 (e.g., proximal edge, trailing end, or proximal end) that mates to the vertical side 222 of the blade 206 such that the trailing edge 229 defines a curve that is complementary (e.g., matched) to the profile of the curved surface 208. In some embodiments, the side plates 220 may gradually transition from the complementary curve of the trailing edge 229 to the straight edge of the leading edge 228. In other embodiments, the transition may be a hard transition (e.g., bend, crease, etc.).
In some embodiments, the two blades 206 may join at an angle α. The angle α may be between 90° and 180°, such as between about 110° and about 160°, or between about 130° and about 140°. In some embodiments, the angle β between the blade 206 and the side plate 220 may be configured such that the side plate 220 is substantially parallel with a shaft 203 to which a handle 207 (FIG. 3) is attached. In some embodiments, the orientation of the side plate 220 may be configured to guide the tool. For example, in some embodiments, the side plates 220 may be substantially parallel with the advancing direction of the tool. In other embodiments, the orientation of the side plates 220 may be configured to increase the span of the cutting path for the tool. For example, in some embodiments, the side plates 220 may extend out at an angle from the advancing direction of the tool 200. Increasing the angle from the advancing direction of the tool 200 may increase the cutting path. Increasing the angle from the advancing direction of the tool 200 may also increase the amount of debris that spills out the side of the tool creating windrows. The angle β may affect how much larger the span of the cutting path will be as well as how much windrowing will be prevented by the side plates 220. In some embodiments, the angle β may be between about 90° and 180°, such as between about 100° and about 125°, or between about 110° and about 115°.
In some embodiments, the cutting element 230 of the side plate 220 may taper from a first width to a second width. The cutting element 230 of the side plate 220 may have a first width between 1 in (2.54 cm) and about 8 in (20.3 cm), such as between about 1 in (2.54 cm) and about 4 in (10.2 cm), or between about 1.5 in (3.81 cm) and about 2.5 in (6.35 cm), or about 2 in (5.08 cm). The second width of the wing base plate 130 may be between about 0 in (0 cm) and 4 in (10.2 cm), such as between about 0.25 in (0.64 cm) and 2 in (5.08 cm), or about 0.5 in (1.27 cm) and about 1 in (2.54 cm), or about 0.5 in (1.27 cm). The intersection of the cutting element 230 of the side plate 220 and the horizontal cutting element 214 of the blade 206 may define an angle θ. The angle θ may be between about 90° and about 180°, such as between about 120° and about 160°, or about 135° and about 150°. The angle θ may be the same as or different from the angle β.
In some embodiments, a distance between the leading edges 228 of the side plates 220 may define the cutting span of the tool 200. In some embodiments, the cutting span may be between about 10 inches (25.4 cm) and about 70 inches (178 cm), such as between about 20 inches (50.8 cm), and about 40 inches (102 cm) or between about 25 inches (63.5 cm) and about 22 inches (55.9 cm). In some embodiments, the blades 206 that compose the scoop 204 may have a span that when combined is greater than the cutting span of the scoop 204. In some embodiments, the angle α between the two blades 206 may be configured to achieve the cutting span of the scoop 204 with longer blades 206. In some embodiments, for example, the additional blade length may provide additional surface area for the scoop 204. In some embodiments, for example, the additional blade length may maintain more debris in the cutting path of the scoop 204. In some embodiments, for example, the amount of force required to advance the scoop 204 when loaded with debris may be lower than for standard pushers and shovels known in the art with similar surface areas.
FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a scoop 304. In some embodiments, the scoop 304 may include a curved blade 306. A scraper 314 may extend from the blade 306. In some embodiments, the leading edge 316 of the scraper 314 may have a curve matching the curve of the blade 306. In some embodiments, the leading edge 316 may be straight and the trailing edge 318 may have a complementary curve to the blade 306. In some embodiments, the side plates 320 may extend tangentially to the curved blade 306 at opposite ends of the curved blade 306. In some embodiments, the side plates 320 may extend in a direction substantially parallel with the direction of advancement of the scoop 304.
FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a scoop 404. In some embodiments, the scoop 404 may include a substantially straight blade 406. The scraper 414 may extend from the blade 406. In some embodiments, the blade 406 may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the direction of advancement, and the side plates 420 may be oriented substantially parallel to the direction of advancement and perpendicular to the blade 406.
FIG. 7 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a scoop 404′. In some embodiments, the scoop 404′ may only include one side plate 420. The side plate 420 may be oriented in a direction parallel to the direction of advancement. The side plate 420 may be configured to reduce and/or prevent windrowing on the side of the blade 406 where the side plate 420 is present. The opposite side of the blade 406 may experience windrowing as the blade 406 is advanced. In some embodiments, the side plate 420 may be adjustable. For example, the side plate 420 may be removed from one side of the blade 406 and attached to the opposite side of the blade 406 allowing the user the configure the scoop 404′ to control which side will allow windrowing. In some embodiments, the scoop 404′ may be configured to allow side plates 420 to be removed and/or attached to either or both sides of the blade 406 such that the scoop 404′ is configurable to prevent windrowing, only allow windrowing out of one user selected side, or allow windrowing from both sides.
FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C illustrate an embodiment of the scoops 404 and 404′. In some embodiments, the side plates 420 may be permanently attached to the blade 406 with an adjustable attachment 440 (e.g., hinge, or ratcheting connection). The adjustable attachment 440 may allow the user to orient the side plates 420 to configure the scoop 404 or 404′ to prevent windrowing, expand the cutting span of the scoop, only allow windrowing out of one user selected side, or allow windrowing from both sides without removing or attaching additional side plates 420. In some embodiments, the adjustable attachment 440 may be controlled by a cable or lever attached to a handle (See, for example, the handle 107 shown in FIG. 1) of the tool 400.
FIG. 9 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a scoop 504. In some embodiments, the scoop 504 may include a blade 506 and one side plate 520. In some embodiments the blade 506 may be oriented at an angle λ, to a shaft 505, which may be generally parallel to the expected direction of advancement of the scoop 504. For example, the angle λ, may be between about 10° and about 90°, such as between about 50° and about 80°, or between about 60° and about 70°. In some embodiments, the side plate 520 may be coupled to a leading side 522 of the blade 506 and oriented in a direction parallel to the direction of advancement. The side plate 520 may define an angle β at an intersection between the side plate 520 and the blade 506. The angle β may be a supplementary angle to the angle λ, (i.e., β plus λ may equal) 180°. For example, the angle β may be between about 90° and about 170°, such as between about 100° and about 130°, or about 110° and about 120°. Positioning the blade 506 at an angle λ relative to the direction of advancement may allow windrowing at a trailing side 521 of the blade 506. As the angle λ decreases, the amount of windrowing from trailing side 521 may increase. In some embodiments, the angle λ may be fixed. In other embodiments, the connection between the blade 506 and the shaft 502 and/or the connection between the blade 506 and the side plate 520 may be adjustable such that the angle λ and/or the angle β may be adjustable.
FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of a blade 606. In some embodiments, the blade 606 may include at least one ski 650 (e.g., a sled, skid, slider, etc.). The at least one ski 650 may attach to the blade 606 near a bottom edge 610 of the blade 606 and on a rear surface 609 of the blade 606. In some embodiments, the at least one ski 650 may protrude in a tangential direction to a bottom surface 615 of the cutting element 614 a distance behind the scoop. The distance may be such that a supporting arm 652 may extend in a direction tangential to the curve of the rear surface 609 of the blade 606 at a top connection point 654 on the rear surface 609 of the blade 606 to the at least one ski 650. In some embodiments, the at least one ski 650 may extend past the supporting arm 652. In some embodiments, a trailing end 656 of the at least one ski 650 may have a curved shape. In other embodiments, the trailing end 656 of the at least one ski 650 may have a hard edge (e.g., angle, square, triangular, etc.). In some embodiments, each blade 606 may have at least one ski 650. In some embodiments, each blade may have at least two skis 650. In some embodiments, the at least one ski 650 may be formed from a similar material to the blade 606 or cutting element 614. In some embodiments, the at least one ski 650 may be configured to act as a wear element. In other embodiments, the at least one ski 650 may be configured to act as a support structure. In some embodiments, the at least one ski 650 may be configured act as both a wear element and a support structure.
FIG. 11 illustrates a top view of an embodiment of a snow pusher combination 700. In some embodiments the snow pusher combination 700 may include a shaft 703 and at least one brace 705. The shaft 703 and at least one brace 705 may be coupled to the scoop 704. In some embodiments, the snow pusher combination 700 may include two braces 705. The shaft 703 may be connected to the scoop 704 in a central location with the braces 705 extending at an angle from the shaft 703 and connecting to the scoop 704 on opposite sides of the shaft 703. In some embodiments, the shaft 703 may be substantially straight. In other embodiments, the shaft 703 may include at least one bend, for example, an ergonomic shaft to position a handle 707 at a height appropriate for a typical standing adult (See, for example, FIG. 3). In some embodiments, the handle 707 may include a push bar 713. The handle 707 may include hand grips 709. In some embodiments, the hand grips 709 may be formed from a resilient material (e.g., rubber, foam, elastomeric polymers, or gelatinous elastomers). In some embodiments, the hand grips 709 may be formed from the same material as the handle 707. In some embodiments, braces 711 may extend between and stabilize the shaft 703 and the handle 707. In some embodiments, the braces 711 may be configured to maintain a perpendicular relationship between the handle 707 and the shaft 703.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the handle 107 may connect to at least two shafts 103 coupled to the blade 104. The handle 107 may couple the at least two shafts 103 to each other at ends thereof opposite the blade 104. In some embodiments, the handle 107 may be at least partially enveloped in the resilient material. In some embodiments, the handle 107 may include hand grips 109.
In some embodiments, the shaft 103 may be formed from a rigid material. For example, the shaft 103 may be formed from wood, metal (e.g., steel, aluminum, stainless steel, etc.), polymer materials (e.g., polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, etc.), composite materials (e.g., fiberglass, carbon fiber, etc.), or a combination of materials. In some embodiments, the shaft 103 may be hollow. For example, the shaft 103 may be formed from a tube of material (e.g., round tube, DOM tube, pipe, square tube, box tube, etc.) In some embodiments, the shaft 103 may be formed from solid material. The handle may have a cross-sectional shape selected from any cross-sectional shapes commonly used in the art, such as, for example, round, rectangular, triangular, channel (e.g., C-channel, T-channel, U-channel, etc.), “I” shape (e.g., I beam, H beam, universal beam, etc.), angle stock, etc.
In some embodiments, the handle 107 may be formed from the same material as the shaft 103. In some embodiments, the handle 107 may be formed from a different material from the shaft 103. The handle 107 may be attached to the shaft 103 by a releasable connection (e.g., pinned connection, screw connection, chuck connection, compression fitting, etc.), a solid connection (e.g., welded connection, soldered connection, crimped connection, etc.), or the handle 107 may be formed to the shaft 103 (e.g., molded, bent, etc.).
A user may operate the tool 100 by applying a forward propelling force to the tool 100. In some embodiments, the user may apply the forward propelling force through the handle 107. In some embodiments, the user may apply the forward propelling force through another means. In some embodiments, for example, the tool 100 may be coupled to a form of small engine equipment that may provide the forward propelling force (e.g., through a rigid coupling on the back of the pushing element 106). As the user applies the forward propelling force to the tool 100, the base plate 114 may advance beneath debris in the path of travel. As the base plate 114 advances beneath the debris, the debris may contact the pushing element 106 of the blade 104, which, as described above, may push the debris forward back into the path of the tool 100. The wings 120 may limit and/or prevent debris from windrowing to the side of the tool 100.
As the tool 100 is advanced, the amount of debris being pushed by the tool 100 may increase until the forward propelling force is insufficient to advance the tool 100. If the forward propelling force is insufficient to advance the tool 100, the user may lift the debris with the base plate 114 and pushing element 106 and deposit (e.g., place, throw, or dump) the debris in a temporary or final location. Alternatively, if the forward propelling force is insufficient to advance the tool 100, the user may apply a downward force on the shaft 103 lifting the leading edge 116 of the base plate 114 with the debris on the base plate 114 and in the pushing element 106 and proceed to apply the forward propelling force advancing the tool 100 above a portion of the debris reducing the debris being pushed by the tool 100. In some embodiments, skis 650 may assist in this motion. For example, the skis 650 may extend a distance behind the pushing element 106. When the user applies a downward force on the shaft 103 the skis 650 may act as a fulcrum providing the user with additional mechanical advantage and lifting the debris. Some debris, such as for example, sand, snow, or feed, may have a low density which may make it difficult to maintain the pushing element 106 above the portion of the debris. In some embodiments, the skis 650 may also slide above the portion of debris maintaining the pushing element 106 above the portion of debris.
Forming a tool with a base plate, a pushing element and side plates may significantly increase the efficiency of the tool when clearing debris. The tool may allow the user to advance the tool through the debris without lifting each scoop of debris. The tool may also maintain the debris within the cutting path of the tool, reducing the number of passes necessary when clearing debris. If the debris is maintained within the cutting path of the tool, more debris will be removed in each pass. The tool may also allow the user to remove excess debris when the debris is too difficult to push. The user may use the tool to lift and remove the debris in manageable pieces that are not so heavy as to cause fatigue or equipment damage. The tool may eliminate the need to use multiple different tools when clearing debris.
While the present disclosure has been described herein with respect to certain illustrated embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize and appreciate that it is not so limited. Rather, many additions, deletions, and modifications to the illustrated embodiments may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as hereinafter claimed, including legal equivalents thereof. In addition, features from one embodiment may be combined with features of another embodiment while still being encompassed within the scope of the disclosure as contemplated by the inventor.

Claims

1. A material-moving tool, comprising:

a handle for manually lifting a material using the material-moving tool; and

a scoop operatively coupled to the handle comprising a cutting element operatively coupled to a blade, wherein the cutting element extends a distance from the blade less than one half a height of the blade; and

at least one wing extending at an angle between 90° and 180° from the scoop comprising a wing cutting element operatively coupled to a wing blade, wherein the wing blade is operatively coupled to the blade of the scoop.

2. The tool of claim 1, wherein the wing cutting element extends a first distance from the wing blade at a proximate end of the wing blade and extends to a second distance at a distal end of the wing blade, wherein the first distance is substantially a same as a distance that the cutting element of the scoop extends from the blade of the scoop and the second distance is less than the first distance.

3. The tool of claim 1, wherein the distance the cutting element extends from the scoop is between 1 inch and 4 inches.

4. The tool of claim 1, wherein the blade defines a top edge opposite the cutting element and the blade of the scoop, defines a curved surface between the cutting element and the top edge.

5. The tool of claim 1, wherein the blade of the scoop, has a span between 20 inches and 26 inches.

6. The tool of claim 1, wherein the at least one wing comprises two wings.

7. The tool of claim 6, wherein the two wings are operatively coupled to opposite sides of the scoop.

8. The tool of claim 7, wherein the wing blades of the two wings are substantially parallel.

9. The tool of claim 1, wherein the handle is operatively coupled to the scoop through a shaft.

10. The tool of claim 9, wherein the shaft is operatively coupled to the scoop in at least two different places.

11. The tool of claim 10, wherein the shaft is operatively coupled to the scoop in a central location and a brace extends between the shaft and the scoop on a first side of the shaft and a second side of the shaft.

12. A blade comprising:

at least one pushing element having a top edge and a bottom edge defining a concave face;

at least one scraper operatively coupled to the at least one pushing element at the bottom edge, wherein the at least one scraper extends from the bottom edge in an advancing direction of the blade; and

at least one wing section comprising a wing face operatively coupled to a vertical side of the at least one pushing element, wherein the at least one wing section extends a greater distance in the advancing direction of the blade than the at least one scraper at a first obtuse angle relative to the at least one pushing element.

13. The blade of claim 12, wherein the at least one pushing element comprises at least two pushing elements.

14. The blade of claim 13, wherein the at least two pushing elements are operatively coupled at a common vertical side of the at least two pushing elements and an angle between the concave faces of the at least two pushing elements is a second obtuse angle.

15. The blade of claim 14, wherein the vertical side of the at least two pushing elements to which the at least one wing section is operatively coupled is opposite the common vertical side of the at least two pushing elements.

16. The blade of claim 12, wherein the at least one scraper is substantially horizontal.

17. The blade of claim 12, wherein the at least one wing section further comprises a wing scraper and a side surface.

18. The blade of claim 17, wherein the wing scraper tapers from a first width substantially the same as a width of the at least one scraper to a second width less than one half the width of the at least one scraper.

19. A snow pusher comprising:

a pushing element comprising a lower edge, an upper edge, and a curved face extending between the lower edge and the upper edge;

a base plate protruding in a direction substantially parallel with an advancement direction of the pushing element from the lower edge;

at least one windrow-preventing element protruding a distance in a forward direction from a vertical side of the pushing element such that a leading edge of the at least one windrow-preventing element is a greater distance in the forward direction from the pushing element than a leading edge of the base plate;

the at least one windrow-preventing element comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, a face extending between the top edge and the bottom edge, and a windrow-preventing base plate; and

a member configured to transfer a forward propelling force to the pushing element.

20. The snow pusher of claim 19, wherein the face of the at least one windrow-preventing element transitions from a curved edge to a substantially straight edge opposite the curved edge, wherein the curved edge matches a curve profile of the curved face of the pushing element.