Snowblower

Abstract

A snowblower includes a main frame, an auger mounted to the main frame via a rotating shaft that defines a rotational axis, a fan rotatably mounted to the main frame coaxially to the auger; and a gear box for operatively coupling both the auger and the fan to an external drive shaft. The gear box has an input shaft for operatively coupling to the external drive shaft, a first output shaft coupled to the auger and a second output shaft coupled to the fan.

Description

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to snowblowers, and more specifically to a snowblower that can be installed on a tractor or on a similar vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Snowblowers are well known to remove snow from driveways, roadways, etc.

Snowblowers can generally be divided into two classes: single-stage and two-stage. On a single-stage snowblower, the auger pulls snow into the machine and directs it out of a discharge chute, the fan being integral with the auger. On a two-stage snow blower, the auger pulls snow into the machine and feeds it into a high-speed impeller or fan, which in turn directs it out of the discharge chute. In a typical two-stage snowblower, the fan is located behind the auger and has a rotational axis perpendicular to the rotational axis of the auger.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,457 issued on May 31, 1983 to Fralish and titled “Snow Caster” describes a snow caster for use as a snowblower that includes a fan which is positioned co-axial the auger.

While Fralish solves the drawback of the lack of efficiency of conventional two-stage snowblower, which results in a multitude of changes of direction for the snow, it is clearly designed for lawn or garden tractor. As such, it includes complex transmission mechanisms, including a planetary gear, which are not adapted for operatively coupling to the conventional external drive shaft of a larger tractor, such as a PTO (Power take-off).

SUMMARY

According to an illustrative embodiment, there is provided a snowblower comprising:

a main frame;

an auger mounted to the main frame via a rotating shaft defining a rotational axis;

a fan rotatably mounted to the main frame coaxially to the auger; and

a gear box for operatively coupling both the auger and the fan to an external drive shaft; the gear box having an input shaft for operatively coupling to the external drive shaft, a first output shaft coupled to the auger and a second output shaft coupled to the fan.

According to a more specific illustrative embodiment, there is provided a snowblower comprising:

a main frame;

an auger mounted to the main frame via a rotating shaft defining a rotational axis;

a fan rotatably mounted to the main frame coaxially to the auger; the auger including two lateral side portions, each positioned on a respective lateral side of the fan; each of the two lateral side portions of the auger including an helicoidal blade mounted to a first tube; both first tubes being attached by a linking shaft and being rotatably mounted to the main frame; the first tubes and linking shaft together defining the rotating shaft of the auger; the fan including a plurality of vane equidistantly mounted to a second tube; the second tube being mounted to the linking shaft via at least one bearing assembly for free rotation thereof about the linking shaft;

the snowblower further comprising:

a gear box for operatively coupling both the auger and the fan to an external drive shaft; the gear box having an input shaft for operatively coupling to the external drive shaft, a first output shaft coupled to the auger and a second output shaft coupled to the fan; the gear box being configured so that a rotational speed of the second output shaft is greater than a rotational speed of the first output shaft;

a first drive assembly for operatively coupling the first output shaft of the gear box to the auger; the first drive assembly including a first sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the first output shaft of the gear box, a second sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the rotating shaft of the auger and a first transmission chain operatively mounted to both first and second sprocket wheels; and

and a second drive assembly for operatively coupling the second output shaft of the gear box to the fan; the second drive assembly including a third sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the second output shaft, a fourth sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the second tube and a second transmission chain operatively mounted to both third and fourth sprocket wheels.

It should be understood at the outset that, although exemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and described below, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The present disclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementations and techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the appended drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a snowblower according to an illustrative embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the snowblower from FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevation of the snowblower from FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a back elevation of the snowblower from FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective similar to FIG. 1, showing the main frame extended;

FIG. 6 is a back perspective similar to FIG. 2, showing the main frame extended;

FIG. 7 is a sectional perspective of the snowblower from FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a cross-section of the snowblower from FIG. 1, taken on the cut side of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-section taken along line 9-9 in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals, and in order not to weigh down the figures, some elements are not referred to in some figures if they were already identified in a precedent figure. Herein, it shall further be noted that, for avoiding unnecessary details obscuring the invention, only device structures and/or processing steps closely relevant to schemes according to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings while omitting other details less relevant to the invention.

The use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one”, but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more”, “at least one”, and “one or more than one”. Similarly, the word “another” may mean at least a second or more.

As used in this specification and claim(s), the words “comprising” (and any form of comprising, such as “comprise” and “comprises”), “having” (and any form of having, such as “have” and “has”), “including” (and any form of including, such as “include” and “includes”) or “containing” (and any form of containing, such as “contain” and “contains”), are inclusive or open-ended and do not exclude additional, un-recited elements.

A snowblower 10 according to an illustrative embodiment will now be described with reference first to FIGS. 1 to 4.

The snowblower 10 comprises a main frame 12 defining a longitudinal axis 14, an auger 16 rotatably mounted to the main frame 12 therein and having a rotational axis 18 generally parallel to the longitudinal axis 14, a fan 20 rotatably mounted to the main frame 12 coaxially to the auger 16, and a gear box 22 for operatively coupling both the auger 16 and fan 20 to a drive shaft (not shown).

Each of these components of the snowblower 10 will now be described in more detail.

The main frame 12 has a top wall 24, a rounded rear wall 26 extending longitudinally from the top wall 24, two side walls 28, each extending laterally from both the top and rear walls 24 and 26 on respective sides thereof, and an open side 32 opposite the rear wall 26. The top wall 24 includes a hole (not shown) defining an outlet for the snow, the open side 32 defining an inlet therefor.

A directional chute 34 is mounted to the main frame 12 so as to be in fluid communication with the outlet. More specifically, the chute 34 is mounted to a flat plate 36, that is part of the top wall 24, via a rotation mechanism, including a cog 38 and motor 40. The motor 40 is connected to a power source from a tractor (not shown) to which the snowblower 10 is mounted or equipment's thereof. The rotation mechanism allows orienting the chute 34 as it is well-known.

It is to be noted that some parts of the chute 34, such as cylinders, etc. has been omitted in the drawings so as to lighten the views. The drive mechanisms (not shown) of the chute 34 are connected to a controller (not shown) and are operable for example from the tractor.

The chute is not limited to the illustrated embodiment and can take other forms with more or less functionalities.

Since a chute for a snowblower is believed to be well-known in the art, it will not be described herein in more detail for concision purposes.

The width of the main frame 12, and more specifically of the open side 32 thereof, is adjustable. With references more specifically to FIGS. 5 and 6, the side walls 28 are slidably mounted to the top and rear walls 24 and 26 so as to be selectively movable laterally in unison towards and away the auger 16.

More specifically, each side wall 28 is secured to the lateral side edge of an arcuate plate 42 that is slidably mounted to the rear wall 26 and that is shaped so as to conform thereto. Two rectangular rods 44 and 46 that are secured to the arcuate plate 42 so as to extend perpendicularly from the side wall 28, one near the top edge 48 of the plate 42, the other near the bottom edge 50 thereof, are telescopically inserted in corresponding tracks 52 and 54 that are secured to the top wall 24. A hydraulic cylinder 56, connectable to a tractor so as to be commanded therefrom, is provided between the rear and side walls 26 and 28 to actuate the sliding movement of the side wall 28 to adjust the width of the main frame 12 to a desired length.

According to another embodiment, the width of the open side 32 of the main frame 12 is fixed.

The auger 16 includes two (2) lateral side portions 58 and 60, each positioned between the fan 20 and a respective side wall 28. Each of the two portions 58-60 includes an helicoidal blade 62 mounted to a rectangular tube 64. With reference to FIG. 9, both tubes 64 are joined on their adjacent sides by a cylindrical linking shaft 66 via a friction member 67. The tubes 64 and shaft 66 together define the rotating shaft of the auger. The distal side of each tube 64 is rotatably mounted on a bearing assembly 68 secured to a side plate 69. The side plate 69 is secured to both the top and rear walls 24 and 26.

The cylindrical shaft 66 is further supported by two plates 70 and 72 that are secured to the main frame 12 therein on both sides of the fan 20 adjacent thereto. A bearing assembly 74 is provided between each of the plates 70-72 and the shaft 66.

The gear box 22 has an input shaft 76 for coupling to an external drive shaft, such as the PTO (Power take-off) of the tractor (not shown), and two output shafts, a first one 78 for driving the auger 16, and a second one 80 for driving the fan 20.

The auger 16 is operatively coupled to the first output shaft 78 of the gear box 22 via a first chain drive assembly 82, including a first sprocket wheel 84 fixedly mounted to the output shaft 78 for solidary rotation therewith, a second sprocket wheel 86 fixedly mounted to the shaft 66 for solidary rotation therewith, and a transmission chain 88 (schematically shown in dashed line to lighten the views).

The fan 20 includes four (4) generally scoop-shaped vanes 90 equidistantly mounted to a rectangular tube 92. The tube 92 is mounted to the shaft 66 via bearing assemblies 92 for free rotation of the tube 92 about the shaft 66. According to another embodiment (not shown), the tube 92 is cylindrical.

Each vane 90 are defined by a plate 94 bended at its center so as to define two straight sides defining an obtuse angle of about 170 degrees therebetween. Each vane 90 further includes two parallel lateral side walls 96, each extending from a respective lateral side edge of the plate 94 on the concave side thereof.

The fan 20 is operatively coupled to the second output shaft 80 of the gear box 22 via a second chain drive assembly 98, including a third sprocket wheel 100 fixedly mounted to the output shaft 80 for solidary rotation therewith, a second sprocket wheel 102 fixedly mounted to the tube 92 for solidary rotation therewith, and a transmission chain 104 (schematically shown in dashed line to lighten the views).

The fan 20, and more specifically the number and configuration of its vanes 90 can take other forms than illustrated.

With reference to FIG. 8, each of the first and second drive chain assemblies 82 and 98 further includes a tensioning mechanism 106 (only one shown). Each tensioning mechanism 106 includes a lever arm 108 that is pivotably mounted to a respective plate 70 or 72 at its proximate end 110 and having a small sprocket 112 at its distal end that engages a respective transmission chain 88 or 102 from a side thereof facing the rear wall 26. The tensioning mechanism 106 further includes a biasing member, in the form of a tensioning spring 114 that is fixedly mounted to a front plate 116 at one end, and to the lever arm 108 at the other end.

The gear box 22 is configured so that the rotational speed of its second output shaft 80 is greater than its first output shaft 78. More specifically, according to a more specific embodiment, the gear box causes the fan 20 to rotate at about 540 rpm (revolutions per minute), while the auger 16 rotates at a speed of about 200 rpm.

Generally stated, it has been found that a rotational speed of the fan 20 which is about 1.5 to 3 times the rotational speed of the auger 16 yields an efficient removal of snow from the auger 20.

Since it is believed to be within the reach of a person skilled in the art to conceive a gearbox with the above-described features, the gearbox 22 will not be described herein in more detail for concision purposes.

It is to be noted that many modifications could be made to the snowblower 10 described hereinabove and illustrated in the appended drawings. For example:

• • the shape and size of the main frame 12 are not limited to the illustrated embodiment;
  • other mechanism than illustrated can be provided to vary the width of the main frame. For example, other sliding mechanism than the telescopic rods 44 and 52 can be provided and other actuating mechanism than hydraulic cylinders can be used. According to still other embodiments, the width of the main frame can be fixed;
  • the tension mechanism is not limited to the illustrated embodiment 106;
  • any of the two (2) chain drive assemblies 82 and 98 can be substituted for another transmission system
  • the drive mechanism of the fan 20 and/or auger 16 can be adapted so as to allow an adjustable variable rotational speed thereof.

It is to be noted that some well-known components of the snowblower 10 have been omitted on the views or have not been described for concision purposes, such as the assembly allowing to secure the snowblower 10 to a tractor.

Although a snowblower has been described hereinabove by way of illustrated embodiments thereof, it can be modified. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that the scope of the claims should not be limited by the thereby but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.

Claims

1. A snowblower comprising: a main frame;an auger mounted to the main frame via a rotating shaft defining a rotational axis;a fan rotatably mounted to the main frame coaxially to the auger; anda gear box for operatively coupling both the auger and the fan to an external drive shaft; the gear box having an input shaft for operatively coupling to the external drive shaft, a first output shaft coupled to the auger and a second output shaft coupled to the fan.

2. The snowblower as recited in claim 1, wherein the auger includes two lateral side portions, each positioned on a respective lateral side of the fan.

3. The snowblower as recited in claim 2, wherein each of the two lateral side portions of the auger includes an helicoidal blade mounted to a tube; both tubes being coupled by a linking shaft and are rotatably mounted to the main frame; the tubes and linking shaft together defining the rotating shaft of the auger.

4. The snowblower as recited in claim 3, further including a first drive assembly for operatively coupling the first output shaft of the gear box to the auger, and a second drive assembly for operatively coupling the second output shaft of the gear box to the fan.

5. The snowblower as recited in claim 4, wherein the first drive assembly includes a first sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the first output shaft, a second sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the rotating shaft and a transmission chain operatively mounted to both first and second sprocket wheels.

6. The snowblower as recited in claim 5, wherein the second sprocket wheel is mounted to the linking shaft.

7. The snowblower as recited in claim 3, further comprising two mounting plates secured to the frame and receiving the linking shaft for rotation therein.

8. The snowblower as recited in claim 1, further including a first drive assembly for operatively coupling the first output shaft of the gear box to the auger, and a second drive assembly for operatively coupling the second output shaft of the gear box to the fan.

9. The snowblower as recited in claim 8, wherein the first drive assembly includes a first sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the first output shaft, a second sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the rotating shaft and a first transmission chain operatively mounted to both first and second sprocket wheels.

10. The snowblower as recited in claim 9, wherein the fan includes a plurality of vane equidistantly mounted to a tube; the tube being mounted to the rotating shaft for free rotation thereof about the rotating shaft; wherein the second drive assembly includes a third sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the second output shaft, a fourth sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the tube and a second transmission chain operatively mounted to both third and fourth sprocket wheels.

11. The snowblower as recited in claim 10, further comprising two mounting plates secured to the frame and receiving the linking shaft for rotation therein; the fan being positioned between the two mounting plates; the first and second drive assemblies being positioned adjacent a respective one of the two mounting plates.

12. The snowblower as recited in claim 11, wherein at least one of the first and second drive assemblies further including a tensioning mechanism including a lever arm that is pivotably mounted to the respective one of the two mounting plates and having a small sprocket at a free end thereof that engages a respective one of the first and second transmission chains, and a biasing member mounted to both the main frame and to the lever arm, therebetween, so as to put tension on the respective one of the first and second transmission chains.

13. The snowblower as recited in claim 1, wherein the fan includes a plurality of vanes equidistantly mounted to a tube; the tube being mounted to the rotating shaft for free rotation thereof about the rotating shaft.

14. The snowblower as recited in claim 13, further including a first drive assembly for operatively coupling the first output shaft of the gear box to the auger, and a second drive assembly for operatively coupling the second output shaft of the gear box to the fan; wherein the second drive assembly includes a first sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the second output shaft, a second sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the tube and a transmission chain operatively mounted to both first and second sprocket wheels.

15. The snowblower as recited in claim 13, wherein the vanes are scoop-shaped, defining a concave side thereof.

16. The snowblower as recited in claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of vane is defined by a plate bended at its center to define two straight sides defining an obtuse angle therebetween.

17. The snowblower as recited in claim 16, wherein each of the plurality of vanes includes two parallel lateral side walls, each extending from a respective lateral side edge of the plate on the concave side thereof.

18. The snowblower as recited in claim 1, wherein the gear box is configured so that a rotational speed of the second output shaft is greater than a rotational speed of the first output shaft.

19. The snowblower as recited in claim 18, wherein the gear box is configured to cause the fan to rotate at about 540 rpm (revolutions per minute), and the auger at about 200 rpm.

20. The snowblower as recited in claim 18, wherein the gear box is configured to cause the fan to have a rotational speed of about 1.5 to 3 times the rotational speed of the auger.

21. The snowblower as recited in claim 1, wherein the main frame has a top wall, a rounded rear wall extending longitudinally from the top wall, two side walls, each extending laterally from both the top and rear walls on respective sides thereof, and an open side opposite the rear wall, defining an inlet for snow; the top wall including a hole that is registered with the fan, defining an outlet for the snow; the snowblower further comprising a chute that is mounted to the frame so as to be in fluid communication with the outlet.

22. The snowblower as recited in claim 21, wherein the fan is longitudinally centered along the main frame.

23. The snowblower as recited in claim 21, wherein the main frame defines a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the rotational axis; the main frame having a width that is adjustable.

24. The snowblower as recited in claim 21, wherein the top and rear walls both includes two longitudinal sides; one of the two longitudinal sides being mounted to the other for telescopic movement in and out thereof.

25. The snowblower as recited in claim 21, further comprising at least one cylinder to actuate the telescopic movement.

26. A snowblower comprising: a main frame;an auger mounted to the main frame via a rotating shaft defining a rotational axis;a fan rotatably mounted to the main frame coaxially to the auger; the auger including two lateral side portions, each positioned on a respective lateral side of the fan; each of the two lateral side portions of the auger including an helicoidal blade mounted to a first tube; both first tubes being attached by a linking shaft and being rotatably mounted to the main frame; the first tubes and linking shaft together defining the rotating shaft of the auger; the fan including a plurality of vane equidistantly mounted to a second tube; the second tube being mounted to the linking shaft via at least one bearing assembly for free rotation thereof about the linking shaft;