SNOW REMOVAL APPARATUS

Abstract

A hand operated snow removal apparatus delivers heated air from a heated air blower through a first air delivery tube and a second air delivery tube to a bifurcated discharge head. The discharge head includes a manifold connected to the second air delivery tube; a left delivery pipe connected to the manifold; a left delivery pipe connected to the manifold; a left delivery pipe connected to the manifold; and a right delivery pipe connected to the manifold. A left nozzle at a forward end of the left delivery pipe, and a right nozzle at a forward end of the right delivery pipe, deliver separate streams of heated air to melt snow.

Description

BACKGROUND

Removal of snow can be time consuming and physically challenging. Snow removal may involve, for example, clearing snow on highways, roads, streets, sidewalks, walkways, porches, decks, stairs, and driveways. Motorized snow removal apparatus includes gas or electric motorized snow plows, snow scoops, and snow blowers. Hand operated snow removal devices includes snow shovels, snow scoops, and hand operated gas or electric snow blowers. The snow removal equipment that is used will depend on the location and amount of snow in the area to be cleared.

SUMMARY

A snow removal apparatus includes a heater blower, a first air delivery tube, a second delivery tube, and a bifurcated discharge head. The first delivery tube is connected to the heated air blower, the second air delivery tube connected to the first air delivery tube. A bifurcated discharge delivery head is connected to a forward end of the second air delivery tube. The bifurcated discharge delivery head includes a manifold connected to the second air delivery tube, a left delivery pipe connected to the manifold, a right delivery pipe connected to the manifold, a left nozzle at a forward end of the manifold, and a right nozzle at a forward end of the right delivery tube delivery pipe.

A snow removal apparatus includes a heated air blower, a bifurcated delivery head, and tubing that connects an air discharge outlet of the heated air blower to a delivery head entrance of the bifurcated discharge delivery head. The heated air blower includes a bousing, an air inlet and the air discharge outlet. The bifurcated discharge delivery head includes the delivery head entrance, a manifold, a left delivery pipe, a left nozzle, a right delivery pipe, a right delivery pipe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a hand operated portable snow melting heat blower viewed from a rear and left side.

FIG. 1B is an isometric view of the portable snow melting heat blower viewed from front and left side.

FIG. 1C is an exploded view of the portable snow melting heat blower.

FIG. 2A is a side view of the portable snow melting heat blower.

FIG. 2B is a top view of the portable snow melting heat blower.

FIG. 2C is a front view of the portable snow melting heat blower.

FIGS. 3A-3D show an isometric view, a top view, a bottom view and an end view of a first air delivery tube.

FIGS. 4A-4D show an isometric view, top view, a bottom view and an end view of a second air delivery tube, respectively.

FIGS. 5A-5D show an isometric view, a top view, a left side view, and a distal end view, respectively of a bifurcation nozzle, respectively.

FIGS. 6A-6D show an isometric view, a top view, a left side view, and a front view of a front handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1A and 1B are isometric views of assembled snow removal apparatus 10. FIG. 1C is an exploded isometric view of snow melted. FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C will be discussed together.

Snow removal apparatus 10 includes five main components: heated air blower 12, first delivery tube 14, second delivery tube 16, bifurcated discharge head 18, and front handle 20. Heated air blower 12 includes housing 22, rear handle 24, air intake inlet 26, heated air discharge outlet 28, electric cord 30, and electric plug 32.

First delivery tube 14 is a hollow tube with rear end 14R and forward end 14F. First delivery tube end 14R is connectable to sized blower 12. For example, first delivery can be sized to fit into outlet coupler 28 of heated air blower 12.

Second delivery tube 16 is a hollow tube with rear end 16R and forward end 16F. Rear end 16R is sized to fit into end 14F of first delivery tube 16.

Bifurcated discharge head 18 includes delivery head enterance 34, manifold 36, left delivery pipe 38L a right delivery pipe 38R, left nozzle left nozzle 40L, and right nozzle 40R. Delivery head entrance 34 is configured to mate with end 16F of second delivery tube 16. Delivery head entrance 34 opens into manifold 36. Left delivery pipe 38L diverges laterally outwardly, downwardly and forwardly from manifold 36 to left nozzle at the forwardmost end of left delivery pipe 38L. Right delivery pipe 38R diverges laterally outwardly, downwardly, and forwardly from manifold 36 to right nozzle 40R. Nozzles 40L and 40R of split nozzle 18, are located at the forwardmost ends of left and right delivery popes 38L and 38R are.

Forward end 16F of second delivery tube 16 mates with rear end 34 of bifurcated discharge head 18. Manifold 36 receives air that enters heated air through delivery head entrance 34. The air flow is divided at manifold 36 into two separate flow paths defined by left delivery pipe 38L and right delivery pipe 38R. The left air path directs heated air from manifold 34 through pipe 38L to left nozzle 40L. The right air path directs heated air from manifold 36 through pipe 38R to Right nozzle 40R.

Left nozzle 40L and right nozzle 40R are generally parallel and facing forward and slightly downward. The spacing between nozzles 40L and 40R are wider than manifold 36. The lateral spacing between left nozzle 40L and right nozzle 40R may vary between about five inches and about eight inches.

Front handle 20 includes base 42, mount 44, grip 46, and screws 48. Base 42 is shaped to match the contour of the exterior surface of first delivery tube 14. Mount 44 attaches grip 46 to base 42. Screws 48 attach base 42 to first delivery tube 14. Snow removal apparatus is easily and rapidly assembled. Similarly, apparatus 10 can be disassembled when not needed. The individual parts are relatively small, and easy to store.

Snow removal apparatus 10, when assembled, provides an extended forward reach to melt snow. In one embodiment the overall length from the rear of rear handle 24 to left and right nozzles 40L and 40R at the forward end of the bifurcated discharge head 18 is about 40 inches. Front handle 20 and rear handle 26 provide passing position of bifurcated discharge head 18. Bifurcated discharge heads allow parallel spaced melting paths to be created simultaneously.

FIGS. 2A-2C show orthographic views of snow removal apparatus 10 as fully assembled. FIG. 2A is a side view; FIG. 2B is a top view; and FIG. 2C is a front view. Reference numbers shown in FIGS. 2A-2C include heated air blower 12, first delivery tube 14, second delivery tube 16, bifurcated discharge head 18, and front handle 20. Heated air blower 12 includes housing 22, rear handle 24, air intake inlet 26, heated air discharge outlet 28, inlet end 34, manifold 36, left delivery pipe 38L, right delivery pipe 38R, left nozzle left nozzle 40L, and right nozzle 40R.

FIGS. 3A-3D show views of first delivery tube 14. FIG. 3A is an isometric view. FIG. 3B is a top view; FIG. 3C a bottom view; FIG. 3D is an end view of a first air delivery tube 14. Reference numbers shown are 16, 16R, and 16F.

FIGS. 4A-4D show views of second delivery tube 16. FIG. 4A is an isometric view; FIG. 4B is a top view; FIG. 4C a bottom view; and FIG. 4D is an end view of a second air delivery tube 16. Reference numbers shown are 14, 14R, and 14F.

FIGS. 5A-5D show views of bifurcated discharge head 18. FIG. 5A is an isometric view; FIG. 5B a top view; FIG. 5C is a left side view; and FIG. 5D is a distal end view, respectively. In FIGS. 5B, 5C, and 5D, dashed lines are used to show internal contours bifurcated discharge head 18. Reference numbers in FIGS. 5A-5D include inlet end 34, manifold 36, left delivery pipe 38L, right delivery pipe 38R, left nozzle left nozzle 40L, and right nozzle 40R.

FIGS. 6A-6D show views of front handle 20. FIG. 6A is an isometric view; FIG. 6B is a top view; FIG. 6C is a left side view, and FIG. 6D is a front view of a front handle of front handle 20. Reference numbers in FIGS. 6A-6D include front handle 20 includes base 42, mount 44, grip 46, and screws 48. Base 42 is shaped to match the contour of the exterior surface of first delivery tube 14.

When snow removal apparatus 10 is assembled and ready for use, power is provided by electricity, which drives the heater blower 10 and heats the air. Air is drawn into heated air blower 12 through air intake 26. The heated air in discharged through coupler into rear end 14R. The heated air flows through first delivery tube 14 and into end 16R of second delivery pipe 16. The heated air flows through second tube 16 and into inlet end 34 of bifurcated discharge head 18. The heated enters manifold 36 and then is split into left and right heated air streams 38L and 38 R is ejected through left and right nozzles 40L and 40R.

While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A snow removal apparatus comprising: a heated air blower:a first air delivery tube connected to the heated air blower;a second air delivery tube connected to the first air delivery tube;a bifurcated discharge delivery head including: a manifold connected to the second air delivery tube;a left delivery pipe connected to the manifold;a right delivery pipe connected to the manifold;a left nozzle at a forward end of the left delivery tube; andright nozzle at a forward end of the right delivery tube.

2. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the heated air blower comprises: a housing;an air inlet; andan air discharge outlet that is connected to the first air discharge outlet.

3. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1 and further comprising: a front handle mounted on the first delivery tube.

4. The snow removal apparatus of claim 3, wherein the front handle comprises: a base attached to the first delivery tube;a grip; anda mount that attaches the grip to the base.

5. The snow removal apparatus of claim 4, wherein the base is attached to the first delivery tube by screws.

6. The snow removal apparatus of claim 3 and further comprising: a rear handle attached to the heated air blower.

7. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1 wherein lateral spacing between the left nozzle and the right nozzle is between about five inches and about eight inches.

8. The snow removal apparatus of claim 1, wherein the assembled snow removal apparatus has a length of about 40 inches.

9. The snow removal apparatus of claim 8, wherein when the heated air blower is operation, air enters the housing through the air inlet, is headed, and exits through the air discharge outlet into the tubing;wherein heated air flows from the heated air blower through the tubing to the head and into the manifold; andwherein the manifold divides airflow between the left delivery pipe and the right delivery pope and delivers a left air stream through the left nozzle and a right air stream through the right nozzle.

10. A snow removal apparatus comprising: a heated air blower comprising: a housing;an air inlet; andan air discharge outlet;a bifurcated discharge delivery head that include a delivery head entrance; andtubing connected at a rear end to the air discharge outlet and at a forward end to the delivery head entrance.

11. The snow removal apparatus of claim 10, wherein when the heated air blower is operation, air enters the housing through the air inlet, is headed, and exits through he air discharge outlet into the tubing;wherein heated air flows from the heated air blower through the tubing to the delivery head entrance and into the manifold; andwherein the manifold divides airflow between the left delivery pipe and the right delivery pope and delivers a left air stream through the left nozzle and a right air stream through the right nozzle.

12. The snow removal apparatus of claim 10 and further comprising: a front handle mounted on the first delivery tube.

13. The snow removal apparatus of claim 12, wherein the front handle comprises: a base attached to the first delivery tube;a grip; anda mount that attaches the grip to the base.

14. The snow removal apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base is attached to the first delivery tube by screws.

15. The snow removal apparatus of claim 12 and further comprising: a rear handle attached to the heated air blower.

16. The snow removal apparatus of claim 10 wherein lateral spacing between the left nozzle and the right nozzle is between about five inches and about eight inches.

17. The snow removal apparatus of claim 10, wherein the assembled snow removal apparatus has a length of about 40 inches.

18. The snow removal apparatus of claim 10 wherein the tubing includes a first air delivery tube connected to the air discharge outlet of the heater air blower.

19. The snow removal apparatus of claim 18 wherein the tubing includes a second air delivery tube having a rear end connected to a front end of the first air delivery tube.

20. The snow removal apparatus of claim 19 wherein a front of the second air delivery tube is connected to the delivery head entrance.