WO1995002732A1

WO1995002732A1 - Manually-operated snow removal apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO1995002732A1
Application number: PCT/US1993/007380
Authority: WO
Inventors: Sherman Lynn Fugal
Original assignee: Sherman Lynn Fugal
Priority date: 1993-07-12
Filing date: 1993-08-05
Publication date: 1995-01-26

Abstract

A manually-operated snow removal apparatus is provided having a blade (12) with a front side (14), a back side (16), an upper tip (18), a lower tip (20), an accumulation end (22), and an ejection end (24). The blade is preferably concave on the front side and has formed therein guides (26) to positively direct the travel of material passing thereby in a direction concomitantly toward the upper tip (18) and the ejection end (24) of the blade (12). Attached to the back side (16) of the blade (12) at an angle is a handle mount (60) capable of accepting a handle (64) so sized and configured so as to allow comfortable operation of the snow removal apparatus by an operator. When the snow removal apparatus is propelled through a material such as snow, the snow is positively directed by the guides and is ejected from the side of the snow removal apparatus thereby obviating any need to lift the snow removal apparatus from the surface.

Description

MANUALLY-OPERATED SNOW REMOVAL APPARATUS

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus for the removal of material such as snow. More particularly, the snow removal apparatus of the present invention is designed for efficient manual removal of material such as snow without lifting and without the aid of motorized machinery.

2. Background Art

Snowfall is a seasonal occurrence that requires the removal of fallen snow from walkways, driveways, parking lots and other surfaces. Snow is an impediment to travel and a hazard to safety that necessitates quick and efficient removal. Snow that is not removed immediately often gets packed down, becomes icy and becomes even more unsafe and more difficult to remove. Also, many injuries occur to people that slip and fall on the snow. In addition, many injuries occur to people who attempt to remove snow because of the position of their spine during the lifting that accompanies snow removal. For example, an individual attempting to remove snow bends over to lift and throw snow that accumulates on and in front of the snow removal apparatus.

Various devices have been developed to aid in the removal of snowfall. One of the original devices is the snow shovel. Snow shovels typically consist of a handle attached to a blade that has a vertically concave structure and a straight lower edge.

As the snow shovel is pushed forward through the snow, the accumulating snow often rolls or curls due to the concave shape of the blade and falls in front of the shovel. The snow will roll into curls that are too large to lift, or will continue to be lifted and once again fall into the path of the shovel. In order to alleviate some of the physical stress related to manual lifting of a snow shovel, snow blowers were developed. Snow blowers are typically motorized augers that move the snow as they pass over it and blow the snow out to the side thereby avoiding any lifting. Snow blowers, however, are very expensive compared to manual snow shovels. They also require frequent maintenance, generally being powered by small gasoline engines that need spark plugs, gasoline, oil, and tune-ups. In addition, snow blowers are quite noisy, waking up neighbors in the morning and often requiring earplugs to prevent ear damage. Snow blowers also will not usually remove the snow all the way to the ground, but leave a residue of snow. Finally, snow blowers often plug up and become very dangerous. People sometimes put their hands inside while trying to unplug them. Snow blowers are also bulky and take quite a lot of storage room, and are quite slow, cumbersome, and difficult to maneuver in tight situations. To avoid the problems associated with having an expensive, fossil fuel-powered machine, wheeled shovels have been developed. These shovels typically have a blade, similar to a snow shovel blade with a wheel being attached to the blade. Wheeled shovels are pushed through the snow until the blade is full. The user then utilizes the leverage provided by the wheel on the blade to lift the blade and accumulated snow and to dump the snow to the side. Wheeled shovels designed to dump the snow to the side require delays when the snow must be dumped and still require some effort in doing so.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, a manually-operated snow removal apparatus is provided for use in removing a material such as snow from sidewalks, driveways, and other surfaces. The snow removal apparatus comprises a blade having a front side, a back side, an upper tip, a lower tip, an accumulation end, and an ejection end. The blade is concave toward the front side thereof and the handle mount is affixed to the blade. A handle capable of being retained in the handle mount is utilized. The handle is so sized and configured so as to allow the comfortable operation of the snow removal apparatus by an operator.

Guides are formed in the front side of the blade so as to positively direct the travel of material passing thereby. The preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates guides formed in the front side of the blade in an angular configuration so as to positively direct the travel of material passing thereby in a direction concomitantly upward and toward the ejection end of the blade. The accumulation end of the blade further comprises a retention ridge depending from the front side of the blade and substantially extending transversely from the upper tip to the lower tip of the blade. The blade has a smaller radius of curvature at the accumulation end than at the ejection end. The vertical distance from the lower tip to the upper tip of the blade is smaller at the accumulation end of the blade than at the ejection end.

A handle mount affixed to the blade is attached at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the ejection end of the blade. In this manner, the lower tip of the blade at or near the accumulation end travels, during use, in a position further forward than the lower tip of the blade at or near the ejection end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to a specific embodiment thereof, which is illustrated in the appended drawings and which constitutes the best mode presently contemplated with respect to the invention.

Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not, therefore, to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front side of an apparatus incorporating the teachings of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the apparatus of Figure 1 with the accumulation end toward the viewer; and

Figure 3 is a plan view of the inventive apparatus of Figure 1 illustrating the angle of the handle mount relative to the ejection end of the blade.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a manually-operated snow removal apparatus 10 incorporating the teachings of the present invention. Blade 12 comprises a front side 14, a back side 16, an upper tip 18, a lower tip 20, an accumulation end 22, and an ejection end 24. Blade 12 is formed so as to be concave toward front side 14. Guides 26 are formed in front side 14 of blade 12 so as to positively direct the travel of material passing thereby in a direction concomitantly toward upper tip 18 and ejection end 24 of blade 12.

Blade 12 can be formed from different materials that can withstand the pressure placed against it by the snow being removed. Thus, blade 12 could be constructed from metal, aluminum, polypropylene plastic, or any other suitable material.

The use of guides 26 formed in front side 14 in connection with blade 12 allows the operator to remove snow or other suitable material in a manner to avoid unnecessary accumulation on or in front of apparatus 10. As used herein, the term "snow" includes any material suitable for use with apparatus 10. Therefore, apparatus 10 could also be used to remove water, manure, dirt, or any other solid or fluid that can be manually displaced. Therefore, as apparatus 10 approaches snow, lower tip 20 of blade 12 first comes in contact with such snow and because of the forward movement of apparatus 10 the snow is directed concomitantly upwards and towards ejection end 24 through being in contact with guides 26.

Guides 26 are formed in an angular configuration on blade 12. Guides 26 have a bottom end 40 and a top end 42. Top end 42 can be constructed to correspond with upper tip 18 and bottom end 40 can likewise be formed so as to correspond with lower tip 20 of blade 12. As is demonstrated in Figure 1, top end 42 of guides 26 are preferably positioned in a slanting configuration such that top end 42 is oriented in the direction of ejection end 24 of blade 12.

Accumulation end 22 of blade 12 may further comprise retention ridge 44 extending from front side 14 and substantially extending transversely from upper tip 18 to lower tip 20 of blade 12. Retention ridge 44 allows accumulation end 22 to retain any snow pressed against front side 14 and to prevent such snow from escaping blade 12 at accumulation end 22. Retention ridge 44 need only be formed so that a sufficient amount of snow is retained in accumulation end 22. Retention ridge 44 need not, though it may, be formed to retain substantially all of the snow placed against accumulation end 22. Therefore, the width of retention ridge 44 may be limited so that some of the snow placed against accumulation end 22 is retained therein or it may be further extended so that substantially all of the snow placed against accumulation 22 is retained.

Blade 12 has a smaller radius of curvature at accumulation end 22 than the radius of curvature at ejection end 24 of blade 12. In the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the radial curvature of blade 12 increases from accumulation end 22 to ejection end 24 and the height of blade 12 increases to correspond with the increasing radius of curvature.

The vertical distance from lower tip 20 to upper tip 18 is smaller at accumulation end 22 than the vertical distance λ from lower tip 20 to upper tip 18 at ejection end 24 of blade 12. The increased vertical distance at ejection end 24 relative to the vertical distance of accumulation end 22 allows for the snow pressed against apparatus 10 to seek that portion of blade 12 with the largest surface area and the least resistance and therefore directs the snow toward ejection end 24 of blade 12.

Likewise, the smaller radius of the curvature at accumulation end 22 relative to the larger radius of the curvature at ejection end 24 causes the snow pressing against blade 12 during use to fall more toward ejection end 24 and therefore breaks up any dense packs or balls of snow accumulating on or before apparatus 10. This permits the user of an apparatus incorporating the teachings of the present to continue snow removal without lifting or throwing the snow accumulated in front of or on apparatus 10.

To more fully explore the motion of snow or other material as the material is directed by the guides across the front of the blade, the action imparted to a hypothetical granule of snow will be discussed.

A hypothetical granule of snow may be removed from the surface upon which it has fallen by urging blade 12 through the accumulated snowfall. As the granule of snow encounters blade 12, due to the curvature of blade 12, the granule of snow will be elevated and will be urged upward by subsequent snow as the snow removal apparatus is pushed therethrough.

As the subsequent snow urges the snow granule upwards, the granule will encounter lower end of guide 26. Due to the curvature of guides 26, the granule of snow will encounter the inside curving radius of the guide which projects from the face of the snow removal apparatus which will be referred to as guide side 27. Because guide side 27 projects from the flat face of the blade, the granule will be forced to follow the curvature of guide 26 in a direction towards ejection end 24. As the snow subsequently encountered by the snow removal apparatus urges the granule ever upward, the concavity of blade 12 will cause the granule to be forced along the concavity to a point where the subsequent snow will no longer support the granule and gravity will cause the granule to fall off of the concave surface of the face of the blade and to fall back in front of the blade. As the user continues to push the blade through the snow, the hypothetical granule of snow will once again be lifted up and will be directed along guide side 27 until it eventually is forcibly ejected from ejection end 24.

As most snow removal apparatuses are manually pressed through the snow, there is a tendency for most snow to become compacted while the snow is operated upon. As the snow reaches the point of the concavity where gravity pulls the snow back down in front of the snow removal apparatus, there is a tendency for some curling of the compacted snow to occur resulting in large curled clumps of snow again falling in front of the snow removal apparatus. To overcome this tendency, the concavity of the blade of the inventive snow removal apparatus varies across the face of the blade so that the blade is much flatter at the ejection end. This variation in the concavity tends to break up the curled compressed snow as the face of the blade no longer corresponds to the curvature of the curved compressed snow and therefore breaks up the curves as the snow is pressed against a flatter and flatter surface. This results in much smaller chunks of snow being compressed and being redeposited in front of the snow removal apparatus as the snow removal apparatus is urged forward and therefore results in an easier ejection of the snow.

It will be appreciated that as the inventive apparatus is urged through the snow, an auger-type action will be imparted by the guides to snow passed thereby causing the snow to be forced both upward and toward the ejection end.

Accumulation end 22 further comprises an upper edge 28, a lower edge 30 and retention ridge 44 wherein retention ridge 44 depends from front side 14 of blade 12 along accumulation end 22. Retention ridge 44 extends substantially from upper edge 28 of accumulation end 22 to lower edge 30 of accumulation end 22 of blade 12.

As depicted in Figure 2, one embodiment of an apparatus incorporating the teachings of the present invention contemplates a handle mount 60 affixed to blade 12. Handle mount 60 may be affixed to blade 12 in any position suitable to allow the efficient and comfortable operation of the inventive apparatus. Figure 2 depicts handle mount 60 being affixed to back side 62 of blade 12 such that handle mount 60 is integral with back side 62. Handle mount 60 could also be adhesively attached to blade 12, bonded, screwed, riveted or affixed to blade 12 in any other manner to secure handle mount 60 to blade 12.

A handle 64 is capable of being retained in handle mount 60, and handle 64 is so sized and configured so as to allow the comfortable operation of the inventive apparatus by an operator. There are many ways in which handle 64 could be constructed. Handle 64 could be constructed of metal, plastic, fiberglass, wood or any other suitable material sufficient to withstand the strain placed on handle 64 when blade 12 is placed in contact with snow.

In one embodiment of the present invention, handle mount 60 is formed so as to be tubular. As used herein the term "tubular" is used in its broadest sense. Thus, handle mount 60 could be configured to have a cross-section that is concentric, rectangular, square, hexagonal, or any other shape that does not detract from the use of the operative invention.

As depicted in Figure 3, one embodiment of an apparatus incorporating the teachings of the present invention contemplates a notch 66 formed through upper tip 18 of blade 12. The cross-section of notch 66 is formed so as to essentially have the same shape as the cross-section of handle mount 60, however being slightly larger in diameter. Notch 66 is also positioned equidistant between ejection end 24 and accumulation end 22. Notch 66 allows the stacking of multiple units of apparatus 10.

Figure 3 also depicts one embodiment of an apparatus incorporating the teachings of the present invention wherein handle mount 60 is attached to blade 12 at an angle θ, relative to ejection end 24 of blade 12. In such embodiment, θ is optimally of a degree less than or equal to 90 degrees and thereby allows lower tip 20 of blade 12 at or near accumulation end 22 to travel during use in a position further forward than lower tip 20 of blade 12 at or near ejection end 24 during operation. Thus, angle θ of handle mount 60 relative to ejection end 24 further allows accumulation end 22 to travel during use in a position further forward than ejection end 24. This orientation aids in propelling the snow laterally during operation. The use of the angled handle also allows the user to more conveniently walk behind the apparatus in use and obviates the risk of being impaled on the handle should the blade encounter an obstacle.

In summary, the lateral movement of snow imparted by the auger-like action of the inventive guides provides a user with an effective comfortable snow removal apparatus that does not require lifting but instead channels the snow to the side. If operated in a thrusting manner, or if pushed through the snow, the apparatus accelerates the snow out the ejection end and away from the user.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. What is claimed is:

Claims

1. A manually-operated snow removal apparatus intended for use in removing a material such as snow from sidewalks, driveways, and other surfaces, the snow removal apparatus comprising: (a) a blade having a front side, a back side, an upper tip, a lower tip, an accumulation end, and an ejection end, the blade being concave on the front side;

(b) a handle mount affixed to the blade; (c) a handle capable of being retained in the handle mount, the handle being so sized and configured so as to allow comfortable operation of the snow removal apparatus by an operator; and

(d) guides formed in the front side of the blade so as to positively direct the travel of material passing thereby in a direction concomitantly toward the upper tip and the ejection end of the blade.

2. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the accumulation end of the blade further comprises a retention ridge depending from the front side of the blade, the retention ridge substantially extending transversely from the upper tip to the lower tip of the blade.

3. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the blade has a smaller radius of curvature at the accumulation end than at the ejection end.

4. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim l, wherein the vertical distance from the lower tip to the upper tip is smaller at the accumulation end than at the ejection end.

5. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the shape of the handle mount is tubular.

6. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the blade further comprises a notch formed through the upper tip, the cross-section of the notch having essentially the same shape as the cross-section of the handle mount, being slightly larger than the diameter of the handle mount, and positioned approximately equidistant between the ejection end and the accumulation end.

7. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle mount is attached to the blade at an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the ejection end of the blade, thereby allowing the lower tip of the blade at the accumulation end to travel during use in a position further forward than the lower tip of the blade at the ejection end during operation.

8. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the guides are formed in an angular configuration on the blade, the guides having a bottom end and a top end, corresponding to the lower tip and the upper tip, respectively, of the blade, the guides being slanted such that the top end of the guides is positioned in the direction of the ejection end of the blade.

9. A manually-operated snow removal apparatus intended for use in removing a material such as snow from sidewalks, driveways, and other surfaces, the snow removal apparatus comprising:

(a) a blade having a front side, a back side, a lower tip, an upper tip, an accumulation end, and an ejection end, the blade being concave on the front side with the radius of curvature thereof different at the accumulation end than at the ejection end;

(b) an angled handle mount affixed to the back side of the blade;

(c) a handle capable of being retained in the handle mount, the handle being sized and configured so as to allow comfortable operation of the snow removal apparatus by an operator; and

(d) guides formed in the front side of the blade in an angular configuration so as to positively direct the travel of material passing thereby in a direction concomitantly upward and toward the ejection end of the blade.

10. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the accumulation end of the blade further comprises an upper edge and a lower edge with a retention ridge depending from the front side of the blade and extending substantially from the upper edge of the accumulation end to the lower edge of the accumulation end of the blade.

11. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the angled handle mount is attached to the blade at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the ejection end of the blade, thereby allowing the lower tip of the blade near the accumulation end to travel during use in a position further forward than the lower tip of the blade near the ejection end when the handle is held straight during operation.

12. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the shape of the handle mount is tubular.

13. A snow removal apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein the guides are formed in an angular configuration on the blade, the guides having a bottom end and a top end corresponding to the lower tip and the upper tip, respectively, of the blade, the guides being slanted such that the top end of the guides lean toward the direction of the ejection end of the blade.

14. A manually-operated snow removal apparatus intended for use in removing a material such as snow from sidewalks, driveways, and other surfaces, the snow removal apparatus comprising:

(a) a blade having a front side, a back side, an accumulation end with an upper edge and a lower edge, and an ejection end, the blade being concave toward the first end and further comprising:

(i) an increasing radial curvature from the accumulation end to the ejection end, the height of the blade changing to correspond with the increasing radius of curvature; and

(ii) guides in the blade so as to positively direct the travel of material passing thereby in a direction concomitantly upward and toward the ejection end of the blade; (b) a handle mount affixed to the back side of the blade capable of retaining a handle therein, the handle mount positioned at an angle less than 90 degrees relative to the ejection end of the blade, thereby allowing the accumulation end of the blade to travel in use at a position further forward than the ejection end;

(d) a retention ridge depending from the accumulation end of the blade and extending substantially from the upper edge of the accumulation end to the lower edge of the accumulation end of the blade.