Snow plow

Abstract

A snow plow, including a left vertical surface, a right vertical surface, a cross assembly attached to the right vertical surface and to the left vertical surface, and a handle attached to the cross assembly, wherein the left vertical surface is attached to the right vertical surface at the right end of the left vertical surface and the left end of the right vertical surface.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to snow plows.

BACKGROUND

Shoveling snow after a heavy snow is exceedingly strenuous physical activity that often causes back pain or heart attacks. Snow blowers and snow plows are less stressful on the human body, but are expensive, noisy, environmentally undesirable, and often unable to reach all areas that must be shoveled. A less expensive, low-stress, mechanical solution to snow removal is therefore desirable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A snow plow, including a left vertical surface, a right vertical surface, a cross assembly attached to the right vertical surface and to the left vertical surface, and a handle attached to the cross assembly, wherein the left vertical surface is attached to the right vertical surface at the right end of the left vertical surface and the left end of the right vertical surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use in a partially closed position.

FIG. 3 is a view of a first embodiment of the present invention in use in an open position.

FIG. 4 is a view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following definitions are provided to aid in construing the claims of the present application:

Ice Breaker: For the purposes of the present application, a protrusion, such as a stud, that can serve to break up hardened snow or ice.

Sled: For the purposes of the present application, a horizontal surface parallel to the ground on which another component of the snow plow can rest or to which another component of the snow plow can be attached. The Sled allows the snow plow glide over a variety of ground surfaces.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, in a first preferred embodiment, a first embodiment of snow plow 100 is illustrated. Snow plow 100 includes left vertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120. Right vertical surface 120 and left vertical surface 110 form the surface of the plow and can be manufactured (as can all of the other components of snow plow 100) from wood, metal, plastic, or any other material of sufficient strength to form a snow plow; however, for considerations of strength, weight, and durability, aluminum or a suitable plastic are desirable in many embodiments. Right vertical surface 120 and left vertical surface 110 are attached together at point 112 in such a manner that the angle between left vertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120 can be varied, in some embodiments from zero degrees to one hundred eighty degrees. Such attachment can be accomplished through the use of a hinge or other means.

Cross assembly 140 is attached to left vertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120; in some embodiments it is also attached to handle 130. In a first embodiment, cross assembly 140 includes left bar 142 and right bar 144. The left end of left bar 142 is attached to left vertical surface 110 and the right end of right bar is attached to right vertical surface 120. Handle 130 includes a series of notches along at a portion of its length in this first embodiment. Both left bar 142 and right bar 144 can be attached to handle 130 by inserting their free ends into notches (ordinarily the same notch) along handle 130. If a notch further forward towards the front of the plow is selected, the plow “opens up” and a broader plowing surface is exposed. If a notch further away from the front of the plow (or towards the handle end of the plow) is selected, the plow “closes up” and a narrower plowing surface is exposed. If no notch is attached at all, the plow can be folded flat by closing left vertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120 together. Handle 130 is removably attached to left vertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120 at point 112. In other embodiments, handle 130 is attached only to cross assembly 140; however, attaching handle 130 to point 112 as well provides additional stability to the snow plow.

In another embodiment, cross assembly 140 is not attached to handle 130. Cross assembly 140 includes left bar 142 and right bar 144. The left end of left bar 142 is attached to left vertical surface 110 and the right end of right bar is attached to right vertical surface 120. Each of left bar 142 and right bar 144 have multiple notches along at least a portion of their lengths (or one bar has notches and one has pegs, etc.). The free ends of left bar 142 and right bar 144 can be attached by inserting the notches of the left bar 142 and right bar 144 into each other. The width of the plow can be adjusted by selecting notches towards or away from the free ends of left bar 142 and right bar 144 for insertion.

Handle 130 optionally includes adjustable extension 132. Adjustable extension 132 is a retractable, telescoping, or snap-out extension of handle 132 that allows taller users of snow plow 100 to use the plow comfortably. In some embodiments, more than two positions (e.g., handle in, handle half-in, and handle out) can be provided; in other embodiments, an infinite number of positions can be provided (e.g., smoothly sliding handle extension that can be locked at desired position). In some embodiments, a button can be provided for automatic handle extension.

Sleds 150A and 150B are attached to the undersides of left vertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120 respectively. Sleds 150A and 150B do not necessarily extend beneath the entire snow plow, but in a first preferred embodiment, Sleds 150A and 150B extend beneath substantially all of the snow plow. Sleds 150A and 150B allow the snow plow to glide smoothly over concrete, asphalt, grass, pebbles, ice, and other surfaces.

Optionally, one or more Ice Breakers are attached to the front of each of left vertical surface 110 and right vertical surface 120. The Ice Breakers can aid in breaking up hardened snow and ice in some cases.

Snow plow 100 is used (in a heavy snow fall) by opening up the plow to a relatively narrow setting. The plow can be pushed easily through the snow, clearing a narrow path (see FIG. 2). If any obstructions are encountered, the plow glides over them. In some cases, more than one pass can be necessary to clear hardened snow. After a narrow path has been cleared, the plow can be adjusted to a wider setting. The user then uses the plow on the wider setting on a path encompassing both the narrow cleared path and an additional small path of uncleared snow (see FIG. 3). The user can progress to the widest setting and then continue to plow paths consisting only partly of uncleared snow so as to reduce the level of difficulty involved in using the plow. After plowing is complete, the handle can be removed and the plow folded for easy storage.

Referring to FIG. 4, a second preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Snow plow 200 includes left vertical surface 210 and right vertical surface 220. Right vertical surface 220 and left vertical surface 210 form the surface of the plow and can be manufactured (as can all of the other components of snow plow 200) from wood, metal, plastic, or any other material of sufficient strength to form a snow plow; however, for considerations of strength, weight, and durability, aluminum or a suitable plastic are desirable in many embodiments. Right vertical surface 220 and left vertical surface 210 are attached together at point 212 in such a manner that the angle between left vertical surface 210 and right vertical surface 220 can be varied, in some embodiments from zero degrees to one hundred eighty degrees. Such attachment can be accomplished through the use of a hinge or other means.

Cross assembly 240 is attached to left vertical surface 210 and right vertical surface 220; in some embodiments it is also attached to handle 230. In a second preferred embodiment, cross assembly 240 includes at least one set of springs 242. Springs 242 ordinarily cause snow plow 200 to assume an “open” position exposing a broad plowing surface; however, the heavier the snow that snow plow 200 encounters, the greater the force that such snow exerts on springs 242 and the more that springs 242 contract, causing snow plow 200 to “close” and a narrower plowing surface to be exposed, thereby easing the plowing task. Springs 242 should be appropriately selected such that they exert a force sufficient to keep snow plow 200 almost completely open in very light snow and open at least a minimum useful angle in even the heaviest snow. In a second preferred embodiment, the minimum useful angle is defined as forty-five degrees. Springs 242 should further be either durable or easily replaceable. Handle 230 is removably attached to left vertical surface 210 and right vertical surface 220 at points 214 and 216 respectively. Plow 200 can be folded by folding left vertical surface 210 to right vertical surface 220 (forcibly compressing springs 242) and securing left vertical surface 210 to right vertical surface 220 with a strap or other device.

Handle 230 optionally includes adjustable extension 232. Adjustable extension 232 is a retractable, telescoping, or snap-out extension of handle 232 that allows taller users of snow plow 200 to use the plow comfortably. In some embodiments, more than two positions (e.g., handle in, handle half-in, and handle out) can be provided; in other embodiments, an infinite number of positions can be provided (e.g., smoothly sliding handle extension that can be locked at desired position). In some embodiments, a button can be provided for automatic handle extension.

Sleds 250A and 250B are attached to the undersides of left vertical surface 210 and right vertical surface 220 respectively. Sleds 250A and 250B do not necessarily extend beneath the entire snow plow, but in a first preferred embodiment, Sleds 250A and 250B extend beneath substantially all of the snow plow. Sleds 250A and 250B allow the snow plow to glide smoothly over concrete, asphalt, grass, pebbles, ice, and other surfaces.

Optionally, one or more Ice Breakers are attached to the front of each of left vertical surface 210 and right vertical surface 220. The Ice Breakers can aid in breaking up hardened snow and ice in some cases.

Snow plow 200 is used (in a heavy snow fall) by opening up the plow to a relatively narrow setting. The plow can be pushed easily through the snow, clearing a narrow path. If any obstructions are encountered, the plow glides over them. In some cases, more than one pass can be necessary to clear hardened snow. After a narrow path has been cleared, the plow automatically adjusts itself to a wider setting. The user then uses the plow on the wider setting on a path encompassing both the narrow cleared path and an additional small path of uncleared snow. The user can then continue to plow paths consisting only partly of uncleared snow so as to reduce the level of difficulty involved in using the plow. After plowing is complete, the handle can be removed and the plow folded for easy storage.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes of the invention. Accordingly, reference should be made to the appended claims, rather than the foregoing specification, as indicating the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A snow plow, comprising:

a left vertical surface;

a right vertical surface;

a cross assembly attached to said right vertical surface and to said left vertical surface; and

a handle attached to said cross assembly,

wherein said left vertical surface is attached to said right vertical surface at the right end of said left vertical surface and the left end of said right vertical surface.

2. The snow plow of claim 1, wherein the angle between said left vertical surface and said right vertical surface is adjustable.

3. The snow plow of claim 2, wherein the angle between said left vertical surface and said right vertical surface is adjustable by adjusting said cross assembly.

4. The snow plow of claim 1, wherein the width of said snow plow can be adjusted.

5. The snow plow of claim 1, further comprising:

a first Sled attached to said right vertical surface and extending below at least a portion of said right vertical surface; and

a second Sled attached to said left vertical surface and extending below at least a portion of said left vertical surface.

6. The snow plow of claim 1, further comprising:

at least one Ice Breaker attached to said right vertical surface; and

at least one Ice Breaker attached to said left vertical surface.

7. The snow plow of claim 1, wherein said handle is removable.

8. The snow plow of claim 1, wherein said right vertical surface, said cross assembly, and said left vertical surface, can be folded together when not in use.

9. The snow plow of claim 1, wherein said cross assembly is composed of one or more inflexible cross pieces.

10. The snow plow of claim 9, wherein said one or more inflexible cross pieces are comprised of at least two metal bars;

wherein said at least two metal bars includes a right bar attached to said right vertical surface at one end of said right bar and having a plurality of notches at the other end of said right bar;

wherein said at least two metal bars includes a left bar attached to said left vertical surface at one end of said left bar and having a plurality of notches at the other end of said left bar;

wherein cross assembly can be adjusted by inserting a notch of said right bar into a notch of said left bar to fix the cross assembly at the chosen width.

11. The snow plow of claim 9, wherein said one or more inflexible cross pieces are comprised of at least two metal bars;

wherein said at least two metal bars includes a right bar attached to said right vertical surface at one end of said right bar;

wherein said at least two metal bars includes a left bar attached to said left vertical surface at one end of said left bar;

wherein said handle comprises a plurality of notches along at least a portion of its length; and

wherein cross assembly can be adjusted by inserting the free ends of said right bar and said left bar into notches on said handle to fix the cross assembly at the chosen width.

12. The snow plow of claim 1, wherein said cross assembly is composed of one or more flexible cross pieces.

13. The snow plow of claim 12, wherein said cross assembly is composed of one or more springs.

14. The snow plow of claim 12, wherein said cross assembly is self-adjusting.

15. The snow plow of claim 1, wherein the length of said handle is adjustable.