Snow thrower with an ergonomic handle

Abstract

A snow thrower apparatus for removing snow from the ground. The snow thrower apparatus includes a snow thrower housing having a top wall, a rear wall and side walls. The snow thrower housing includes a rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly. A portion of the snow thrower housing forms a directional chute having a plurality of movable blades for throwing snow in a forward or sideward direction during operational use thereof. The directional chute includes a directional track having a control knob thereon to move the plurality of movable blades in a left or right direction. The snow thrower apparatus also includes an ergonomic handle connected to the snow thrower housing for pushing the snow thrower apparatus through the snow; and wheels detachably connected to the snow thrower housing for moving the snow thrower apparatus on the ground.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a snow thrower with an ergonomic bent handle. More particularly, the snow thrower includes a directional chute having a plurality of movable blades for directing snow removal from the snow thrower to the left or right direction or the forward direction during operational use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snow throwers, snow blowers, and snow removal apparatus are well known in the art. In the northern U.S. snow accumulation is quite common on the ground in relatively large amounts. It is necessary to clear the snow from sidewalks, driveways, paths and the like of homes, commercial buildings and industrial complexes. More particularly, snow removal is often required simply to have easy access to the user's home and to allow the user's car to be removed from the driveway.

Various types of snow removal machines, commonly referred to as snow blowers or snow throwers, have been developed and used in place of manual snow shoveling. These devices usually include a housing having some type of snow impelling mechanism, e.g. a rotatable rotor or auger. The mechanism throws or blows the snow outwardly from the housing to a point remote from the ground area being cleared. Many of the prior art snow blowers have been relatively heavy. Wheels or rollers have been attached to the housing to allow the snow blower to be rolled or steered over the ground. Some of these snow blowers were so heavy that these wheels were driven by a drive motor. However, these types of snow blowers were difficult to handle and steer, especially on a slippery surface such as snow. Users have been deterred from using them because of these problems. In addition, the complexity and weight of the snow blowers increases their costs rendering them uneconomical for users who do not have large areas of ground to be cleared of snow.

Small electrically operated snow throwers, and snow blowers have been developed to replace the more conventional manual shovels and the larger motorized snow blowers or snow throwers currently in use. This type of snow thrower is configured to act much like a shovel and is operated by the user in a manner similar to a shovel. This type of snow thrower has a small housing at one end of an elongated handle that extends upwardly from the housing. The housing includes a relatively open reel-type impeller and a small electric motor for rotating the impeller. A scraper bar is provided adjacent the bottom edge of the rear wall of the housing to allow the housing to bite into the snow. The rear wall of the housing also includes a guide section and an acuate portion which conforms to the periphery of the impeller. As the impeller rotates, the blades of the impeller contact and move the snow through the housing and eventually throw the snow up along the guide section of the rear wall to a position distally located from the snow thrower.

There remains a need for an improved snow thrower apparatus having a directional chute with a plurality of movable blades therein for directing the snow removal from the snow thrower to the left or right direction, as well as the forward direction during operational use. In addition, the snow thrower apparatus may include an ergonomic handle having a bent shaft for increased maneuverability for moving the snow thrower apparatus through the snow with a minimal physical effort by the user.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a snow thrower apparatus having an ergonomic handle having a bent shaft for increased maneuverability of moving the snow thrower through snow.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a snow thrower apparatus having a directional chute with a plurality of movable blades mounted in a directional track for throwing snow in a forward or sideward direction.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a snow thrower apparatus having a full-sized handle support assembly with an electrical plug outlet and ignition key compartment pad attached thereto.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a snow thrower apparatus having a heavy-duty plastic snow thrower housing that can withstand temperatures in the range of −30° C. to 66° C.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a snow thrower apparatus that is easily maintained, easy to clean and use and operates in a safe manner.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a snow thrower that can be mass produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the user.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Snow throwers, snow blowers and snow removers having various designs, structures, configurations and materials of construction have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,195 to COMBER discloses a snow thrower having an impeller with forward facing blades which extends a short distance inward from the periphery of the impeller. The snow thrower also includes a deflector vane assembly having a plurality of deflector vanes being laterally movable by a deflector plate. The deflector plate is also laterally movable with respect to the rear wall by means of a linkage assembly. The linkage pivots about a centrally-located point in order to deflect the plurality of deflector vanes to the right, center or left in order to permit a forward or sideward deflection of snow during snow throwing. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the same structure, configuration and design of the plurality of movable blades for directing snow removal from the snow blower as in the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,986 to TOWNSEND discloses a non-motorized machine for throwing snow or other debris. The machine includes a frame supported by at least one wheel that activates at least one rotating blade or brush when the machine is pushed forward. The machine also includes a pivoting mechanism which allows an operator to direct the thrown snow/debris to either side by pivoting the blade or brush. The housing and blade pivot together as a unit. An adjustment lever and a pivot lock are provided to facilitate the pivoting action. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the same structure, configuration and design of the plurality of movable blades for directing snow removal from the snow blower as in the present invention.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,285 to STEVENS discloses a snow thrower including a housing having rotatable impeller therein. The rotation of the impeller moves the snow through the housing and ejects the snow upwardly with sufficient force to throw the snow to a point distally located from the snow blower. This prior art patent does not disclose or teach the same structure, configuration and design of the snow blower of the present invention.

None of these prior art patents teach or disclose a snow thrower apparatus having an ergonomic handle and a directional chute with movable blades mounted in a directional track for throwing snow in a forward or sideward direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a snow thrower apparatus for removing snow from the ground. The snow thrower apparatus includes a snow thrower housing having a top wall, a rear wall and side walls. The snow thrower housing includes a rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly. A portion of the snow thrower housing forms a directional chute having a plurality of movable blades for throwing snow in a forward or sideward direction during operational use thereof. The directional chute includes a directional track having a control knob thereon to move the plurality of movable blades in a left or right direction. The snow thrower apparatus also includes an ergonomic handle connected to the snow thrower housing for pushing the snow thrower apparatus through the snow; and wheels detachably connected to the snow thrower housing for moving the snow thrower apparatus on the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the snow thrower apparatus with an ergonomic handle of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing the major component parts of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the snow thrower apparatus of the present invention showing a snow thrower housing having a directional chute with a plurality of movable blades maintained in a directional track and a rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly;

FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the snow thrower apparatus of the present invention showing the snow thrower housing, the directional chute having a movable control knob and a portion of a handle shaft;

FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational view of the snow thrower apparatus of the present invention showing the directional chute, the plurality of movable blades within the directional track and the rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the snow thrower apparatus of the present invention taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1 in the direction of the arrows showing a motor, a pulley system and the snow thrower housing;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the snow thrower apparatus of the present invention showing all of the major component parts contained therein;

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the snow thrower apparatus of the present invention showing the directional track and control push rod knob contained therein; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the snow thrower apparatus of the present invention showing a handle member having a ignition key pad and an electrical plug member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The snow thrower apparatus 10 and its component parts of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in detail by FIGS. 1 through 6 and 6a of the patent drawings. The snow thrower apparatus 10 is used for removing snow 12 from the ground 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the snow thrower apparatus 10 includes a snow thrower housing 20 having a top wall 22, a rear wall 24 and side walls 26 and 28. The snow thrower housing 20 includes a rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly 30. The impeller assembly 30 includes a plurality of snow removing blades 32, and end covers 34a and 34b for detachably connecting to the opposing side walls 26 and 28, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the patent drawings. Each of the end covers 34a and 34b include shaft elements 36a and 36b being centrally positioned on each of the end covers 34a and 34b, respectively, as depicted in FIG. 6. Shaft element 36b is detachably connected to an electrical motor 40, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the electrical motor 40 further includes a first pulley 42, a second pulley 43 and a third pulley 44 and a pulley belt 46. Snow thrower housing 20 further includes a first covering 48, and a second (motor) covering 49 for side walls 26 and 28, respectively.

A portion of the snow thrower housing 20 forms a directional chute 50. The directional chute 50 is formed by integrally connecting the top wall 22, a section of the rear wall 24 and side walls 26 and 28 with each other, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6 of the drawings. The directional chute 50 includes a directional track 52 having a plurality of movable blades 54a 54b, 54c, 54d and 54e thereon. The directional track 52 is mounted within a track opening 56 of top wall 22. Each movable blade 54a to 54e has a first pivot pin 55a and a second pin 55b, wherein the first pivot pin 55a pivots relative to wall 22 and second pin 55b moves on the directional track 52 in either the left or right directions, as each blade 54a to 54e pivots relative to its first pivot pin 55a, as shown in FIG. 6a of the drawings. The directional track 52 is movable in the left or right directions within track opening 56 via a movable (push rod) control knob 58. The control knob 58 enables the movable blades 54a to 54e to pivot to either the left or right direction about pivot pin 55a, in a 90° degree arc, as depicted in FIG. 6a of the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the rear wall 24 of snow thrower housing 20 further includes a first wheel well 60 and a second wheel well 62 for wheels 61 and 63, respectively, therein. Additionally, the rear wall 24 of snow thrower housing 20 also includes a scraper blade 64 detachably connected to a rear wall edge 24e, as depicted in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 of the drawings. Rear wall 24 of snow thrower housing 20 additionally includes an integrally attached conically-shaped handle holding member 66 having a shaft opening 68 for receiving a distal end 72 of a bent handle shaft 74 therein of an ergonomic handle assembly 70.

The ergonomic handle assembly 70 includes a bent hollow handle shaft 74 having a first detachable hollow section 76 with a distal end 72 and having a second hollow detachable section 78 with a proximal end 73. First detachable section 76 includes an inner first end 77 and the second detachable section 78 includes an inner second end 79. Each of the inner first and second ends 77 and 79 are joined together using a connector member 75 to form the bent handle shaft 74. The proximal end 73 of the second detachable section 78 includes a handle member 80. Handle member 80 includes an electrical plug outlet element 82 and an ignition key pad member 84. The electrical plug outlet element 82 and the ignition key pad member 84 are electrically connected to the electrical motor 40 by an electrical line 85. The electrical line 85 is received within the bent hollow handle shaft 74 and the snow thrower housing 20. The second detachable section 78 includes a removable and detachably connected gripping member 86 having an adjustment tab element 88 thereon, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 6 of the drawings.

OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In operating the snow thrower apparatus 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 of the patent drawings, the user adjusts the push rod control knob 58 on the directional track 52 for moving the plurality of movable blades 54a to 54e to a left direction, a right direction or a straight (centered) position for directing the snow removal to a sideward direction or a forward direction, respectively. The user now connects an electrical extension cord 16 to the electrical plug outlet 82, where then the user then pushes or turns on the ignition key pad 84 via key 18 to start the snow thrower apparatus 10. The user then proceeds to push the snow thrower apparatus 10 by the handle member 80 and gripping member 86 in order to remove the excess snow 12 from the ground 14, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings.

ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a snow thrower apparatus having an ergonomic handle having a bent shaft for increased maneuverability of moving the snow thrower through snow.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a snow thrower apparatus having a directional chute with a plurality of movable blades mounted in a directional track for throwing snow in a forward or sideward direction.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a snow thrower apparatus having a full-sized handle support assembly with an electrical plug outlet and ignition key compartment pad attached thereto.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a snow thrower apparatus having a heavy-duty plastic snow thrower housing that can withstand temperatures in the range of −30° C. to 66° C.

Another advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a snow thrower apparatus that is easily maintained, easy to clean and use and operates in a safe manner.

A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides for a snow thrower that can be mass produced in an automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the user.

A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.

Claims

1. A snow thrower apparatus for removing snow from the ground, comprising:

a) a snow thrower housing having a top wall, a rear wall and side walls;

b) said snow thrower housing including a rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly;

c) a portion of said snow thrower housing forming a directional chute having a plurality of movable blades for throwing snow in a forward or sideward direction during operational use thereof;

d) said directional chute including a directional track having moving means to move said plurality of movable blades in a left or right direction;

e) an ergonomic handle assembly connected to said snow thrower housing for pushing said snow thrower apparatus through the snow; and

f) wheels detachably connected to said snow thrower housing for moving said snow thrower apparatus on the ground.

2. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said moving means includes a movable push rod control knob.

3. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of movable blades have a first pivot pin and a second pin movable in said directional track for pivoting said blades in either said left or right directions.

4. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly is electrically connected to an electrical motor.

5. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said directional track is mounted within a track opening on said top wall of said snow thrower.

6. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said snow thrower housing includes a scraper blade detachably connected to a rear wall edge of said housing.

7. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said snow thrower housing includes a pair of spaced-apart wheel wells for receiving each of said wheels, respectively, therein.

8. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said ergonomic handle assembly includes a bent hollow handle shaft having a first detachable hollow section with a distal end and having a second detachable hollow section with a proximal end.

9. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said first detachable hollow section includes an inner first end and said second detachable hollow section includes an inner second end.

10. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein each of said inner first and second ends are joined using a connector member to form said bent hollow handle shaft.

11. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said rear wall of said snow thrower housing includes an attached handle holding member having a shaft opening therein.

12. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein said handle holding member is conically-shaped.

13. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein said shaft opening of said handle holding member for receiving said distal end of said first detachable hollow section of said bent hollow handle shaft therein.

14. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said proximal end of said second detachable hollow section of said bent hollow handle shaft for receiving a handle member thereon.

15. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein said handle members includes an electrical plug outlet member and an ignition key pad member thereon.

16. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein said second detachable hollow section includes a detachably connected gripping member having an adjustment tab element thereon for adjusting said gripping member along said second detachable hollow section.

17. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein said electrical plug outlet member and said ignition key pad member are electrically connected to said electrical motor by an electrical line.

18. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein said electrical line is received within said bent hollow handle shaft and said snow thrower housing.

19. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein said snow thrower housing is made from heavy-duty durable plastic that can withstand temperatures in the range of −30° C. to 66° C.

20. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein each of said plurality of movable blades move in either said left or right directions in a 90° degree arc.