Patent Application
20170284044
The present invention relates generally to a snow removal device for removing snow from walkways and other pathways. More specifically, the present invention relates to a snow removal device with a V shaped plow. The preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes an accumulation surface used in conjunction with a V shaped plow for plowing and compacting snow.
Residents that live in colder climates are well aware of the hazards that result from snow fall accumulation. Accumulation of snow on walkways, driveways, streets, and other paths can lead to slippery surfaces that are hazardous to drive and/or walk on. Many colder climate residents utilize snow removal devices, like snow shovels, to remove accumulated snow from pathways to avoid the aforementioned hazards.
Traditional snow shovels are comprised of a wide, relatively flat surface, usually made of metal or plastic, at the bottom end of the shovel and a handle at the top end. The two pieces are attached by a shaft of varying length, traditionally made of wood or plastic. Users grip the handle with one hand and may grip the shaft of the shovel with their other hand for additional leverage. The user can then push the handle of the snow shovel to correspondingly push the flat surface below a buildup of snow, typically at an angle to the pathway below. Once the snow is resting on the flat surface, the user may lift the handle and shaft to move the snow from the pathway to another location. Users experience strain on their arms and backs due to the repetitive lifting of the snow shovel with the added weight of the built-up snow. This can lead to unnecessary strain and even injury, especially in light of the cold climate associated with the activity and if proper lifting techniques are not used. Additionally, the strain involved with the activity worsens the longer the activity is undertaken which is usually directly correlated to the size of the area to be cleared and the physical health of the user.
Other types of devices are also used to clear snow, namely plows that push snow from one area to another. A typical plow comprises a wide, substantially vertical piece of metal, plastic or other stiff material. This plow piece can be attached to numerous devices and can also take on multiple shapes. A plow may be connected to a handle to allow a user to manually push snow out of a pathway or it may be attached to a vehicle. The plow can take the shape of a straight, wide plow or variously angled, V shaped plows. As the plow is pushed through snow, snow accumulates at the front of the plow and adds resistance to the user or vehicle pushing the device and accumulated snow. Additionally, if a plow is not substantially perpendicular to the pathway it is meant to clear and is not in contact with the pathway along the lower edge, the plow will not be as effective in clearing snow from the pathway. Again, plows, specifically manual plows, can come with some of the same health risks as traditional snow shovels.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/861,413 to Fortino discloses a V shaped, manually-operated plow with a small shovel blade mounted facing opposite the V shaped plow. The user is able to push the snow away as with a typical plow and then is directed to drag the Fortino device backwards to clear any remaining snow using the small shovel blade.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/618,325 to Fernandez, Sr. discloses a convertible plow that can move from a substantially straight bladed plow to a V shaped plow. The convertible bottom blade is attached to a shaft that allows each piece of the blade to move from a straight to a V shaped configuration. The shaft is connected to a secondary shaft which is attached to one or more handles to allow for manual operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,436,847 to Marion discloses a V shaped plow blade that is attachable to a garden tractor. The plow blade is adjustable in height and includes ground engaging shoes in the center and outer lower ends of the plow to adjustably secure the blade.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,255,884 to Williams discloses a V shaped plow that can be attached to the front of the bucket of a front end loader. The blade allows a user of the front end loader to attach or detach the plow without dismounting from the front end loader.
PCT Patent Application Number PCT/GB2012/000576 to Lloyd et al. discloses a manually operated snow plow with a chipper blade attached to the bottom portion of the V shaped plow blade. Furthermore, Lloyd et al. describes a wheel assembly mounted behind the plow that allows the device to roll. Additionally, Lloyd et al. provides a main frame with a pivotable handle and a footplate that the user may excerpt force against to push the device with their foot, while balancing on the ground with their other foot, while simultaneously pushing forward with the handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,072 to Schbot discloses a manually operated, adjustable V shaped plow. The angle of the plow sections and the correlated width of the plow can be adjusted via the connector assembly disclosed in Schbot. Additionally, Schbot discloses a height adjustable shaft connected to a handle on one end and the plow blade on the other.
None of the prior art devices provide a means for inserting plow blades at an angle and effectively channeling snow toward the plow using an accumulation surface. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved snow removal device that utilizes a V shaped plow attached to an accumulation surface. The integration of an accumulation surface with a V shaped plow, such as in the current invention, eases the effort required by a user as well as more effectively clears a path without the need for repetitive passes as with a traditional plow.
The present invention provides an improved snow removal device for more easily and effectively moving snow from a pathway. An embodiment of the present invention provides an accumulation surface for receiving snow that also includes a V shaped plow integrally attached and extending from the accumulation surface. The accumulation surface may be attached to a shaft, with or without an additional handle at the opposite end, or it may be attached to a granular spreader apparatus. Additionally, when the present invention is utilized with a granular spreader apparatus it is anticipated that the device can be used with or without an accumulation surface.
The V shaped plow of the present invention is composed of two sections in the preferred embodiment. Each section comprises an upper edge, a lower edge, a proximal edge, a distal edge, an outward facing surface, and an inward facing surface. Each section is integrally attached at the proximal edge to form the V shaped plow of the preferred embodiment. The integrally attached proximal edges also form the leading apex of the V shaped plow of the present invention. Additionally, a bracket can be included to reinforce and/or create an attachment point. The bracket is integrally attached to the inward facing surface of one or more sections and can act as the attachment point for a granular spreader apparatus and/or to reinforce the sections of the V shaped plow to better hold its overall shape as it is pushed through the snow.
It is contemplated that the angle of attachment for the sections can vary depending on the size and anticipated need of the device. The preferred embodiment of the V shaped plow also comprises a concave surface between the upper and lower edges of each section on the outward facing surface. The curvature of the concave surface can be emphasized at the bottom or the top of each section of the V shaped plow. For example, if the lower curvature is emphasized, then the lower edge of the sections of the V shaped plow will extend further in front of the plow compared to the upper edge. Conversely, if the upper curvature is emphasized, then the upper edge of the sections of the V shaped plow will extend further in front of the plow compared to the lower edge.
Embodiments of the present invention also utilize a V shaped plow with a deflector included and integrally formed with the leading apex of the V shaped plow. The first edge of the deflector inversely compliments the shape of and is integrally formed with the leading apex of the V shaped plow. The second edge of the deflector can be shaped so as to produce either a straight, convex, or concave edge between the upper and lower edges of the V shaped plow at the leading apex.
The present invention decreases the amount of effort and time needed to clear a pathway of accumulated snow. This is accomplished by pairing a V shaped plow with the accumulation surface base of a traditional snow shovel and/or a granular spreader apparatus. The accumulation surface allows the users to insert the accumulation surface at an angle to the snow and pathway below which channels the snow toward the plow to push it out of the way. Accordingly, the user does not need to excerpt as much effort to angle the plow properly to stay substantially in contact with the pathway below the accumulated snow. This allows the user to save time and energy when clearing pathways of snow. The snow removal device of the present invention can also reduce the risk of injury to the user due to the decreased effort required, thus reducing the risk of improper use.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved snow removal device that reduces the amount of effort needed by the user, and correspondingly the risk of injury to the user, to clear snow from a pathway.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved snow removal device that reduces the amount of time needed by the user to clear snow from a pathway.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved snow shovel that includes an accumulation surface, that can cut into accumulated snow, which is connected to a V shaped plow, that can simultaneously push snow from a path.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved snow removal device that interfaces with a granular spreader apparatus, such as a salt spreader, so that a user can remove snow and spread salt on a pathway at the same time.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description below in light of the accompanying figures.
The following is a detailed description of embodiments of an improved snow removal device 100. The snow removal device 100 aids users in removing snow from a pathway while reducing the effort and time required for the activity compared to traditional snow shovels or snow plows. The preferred embodiment of the snow removal device 100 improves the ease of operation for manual snow removal thereby reducing strain to the user and the potential for injury. Additionally, the snow removal device 100 of the present invention clears snow from a pathway more efficiently compared to prior art, manually operated snow removal devices.
Referring to
Turning to
A deflector 124 integrally attached to the leading apex 118 is also shown in
Looking to
The acuteness of the concave shape 120 of the outward facing surface 114 may increase along a gradient as it gets closer to the proximal edge 110 or the distal edge 112 of each section 103 and 104 and/or as it gets closer to the upper edge 106 or the lower edge 108 of each section 103 and 104. The contemplated gradient concave shape 120 of the outward facing surface 114 of each section 103 and 104 of the V shape plow 105 creates a curled end (See
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Referring now to
Also illustrated in
Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification and claims. Joinder references (e.g. attached, adhered, joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. In some instances, in methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Listing the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.
