Forced air snow shovel

Abstract

The invention provides a means to remove accumulated snow from a horizontal surface using forced air directed through the tubular portion onto the shovel portion of the forced air snow shovel. There are no mechanical sections associated with the forced air snow shovel itself, though the forced air can originate from many existing forced air devices currently existing or to be developed. There is an opening which will receive an air flow device. The wheel assembly comprises an axle fork, an axle mounted to the axle fork, and a pair of wheels attached to the axle.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

[0003] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates generally to snow moving devices, and more particularly to a snow moving device that may use forced air as a means to remove snow from a horizontal surface. This utility patent application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 60/451,665 filed Mar. 5, 2003

[0005] A recurring problem for homeowners and business during the winter months is the removal of snow from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. Such snow removal is frequently the cause of heart attacks, strokes, and many lesser ailments such as muscle strains and sprains. The most commonly used method of snow removal consists of the snow shovel, which while inexpensive and simple to operate, requires substantial muscular effort in order to remove any significant quantities of snow. The major problem with the common snow shovel is that the shovel with a load of snow must be lifted and thrown a distance to clear the surface. With the aging of the population, there is a need to alleviate as much as possible the significant burden of lifting and throwing of snow.

[0006] Previous attempts to alleviate the problem have concentrated in the area of powered mechanical snow removal devices using either a single or dual auger drive system. These devices are expensive, heavy, and require considerable storage areas. They are also primarily used to move large/deep accumulations of snow.

[0007] My invention is intended to address the need of many who have limited amounts of snow to remove and who do not have the space to store a large snow removal device yet still need a choice that will eliminate the need to lift and throw the accumulated snow. My invention, therefore, has the following objectives:

[0008] a. to provide a snow removal device enabling the removal of snow without bending, stooping, or lifting the snow to be removed;

[0009] b. to provide a device which is inexpensive for the consumer;

[0010] c. to provide such snow removal device which is simple to store.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides a snow shoveling apparatus that satisfies the aforementioned need. The snow shoveling apparatus of the present invention has a tubular member that has a lower blade which impacts the snow, attached to the tubular member is a wheeled mobile frame. This configuration will alleviate the need to lift and throw the snow. The wheeled mobile frame is moved across the horizontal surface with the forced air directed through the tubular member thus creating enough air velocity to eject the snow off of the lower blade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0012] In the following brief description, reference will be made to the attached drawing in which;

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a forced air snow shoveling apparatus of the present invention.

[0014] FIG. 2 of the drawing is a side view of the tubular portion of one embodiment of the invention, as well as the vertical and horizontal shafts of the mobile frame.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a frontal perspective of the mobile frame of the apparatus.

[0016] FIG. 4 of the drawing is a top view of the invention, showing in particular, the tubular portion of the apparatus, the lower blade means with support ridges, as well as the supporting mobile frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] Referring to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a forced air snow shoveling apparatus of the present invention; generally designated (10); the tubular member (11) basically includes a mobile frame (12) FIG. 3.

[0018] In the illustrated embodiment (FIG. 3), the mobile frame (12) includes a vertical shaft1 (20) and a vertical shaft2 (22), a horizontal shaft (34), an axle (28), and a pair of wheels (26). The tubular member (11) and the mobile frame (12) (embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1), are made of a substantially rigid material, such as plastic or the like. The tubular member (11) being cylindrical in design is fabricated in one continuous piece as shown in FIG. 2. In the illustrated embodiment (FIG. 3), the vertical shaft1 (20), vertical shaft2 (22), horizontal shaft (34), and axle fork (24) of the mobile frame (12) is made of a substantially rigid material such as plastic or the like. The mobile frame (12) assembly comprises an axle fork (24), an axle (28) mounted to the axle fork (24), and a pair of wheels (26) attached to the axle (28). The axle (28) has opposite ends laterally spaced in opposite directions from the axle fork (24) and rotationally mounting the wheels (26) which are of any suitable type. The wheels (26) provide lateral stability of the mobile frame (12) and preferably are identical to one another. The wheels (26) are rotatable in clockwise or counterclockwise and lateral direction relative to the axle fork (24) and axle (28) such that the forced air snow shoveling apparatus (10) may be moved along a surface by means of pushing or pulling.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2, the tubular member (11) is comprised of a substantially cylindrical configuration with a lower blade (49) for accumulating snow. The tubular member (11), and lower blade (49) are fabricated from one continuous piece of plastic or such like material. The lower blade (49) has three nozzle openings (ports) allowing for the forced air to be directed over the full surface of the lower blade (49). The tubular member (11) includes connector pen holes (40), (42) and (44). These connector pin holes (40), (42) and (44) allow for the attachment of vertical shaft1 (20) and horizontal shaft (34) to the tubular member (11). The height of the mobile frame (12) can be adjusted by raising or lowering vertical shaft1 (20) and vertical shaft2 (22), and adjusting the pressure of the tension pin (36) against the vertical shaft1 (20).

[0020] Referring now to (FIG. 4), the illustrated forced air snow shoveling apparatus (11) is displayed in a top view.

[0021] List of Referenced Numerals Utilized in the Drawing:

[0022] Forced Air Snow Shoveling Apparatus 10

[0023] Tubular Member 11

[0024] Mobile Frame 12

[0025] Vertical Shaft1 20

[0026] Vertical Shaft2 22

[0027] Horizontal Shaft 34

[0028] Axle 28

[0029] Wheels 26

[0030] Axle Fork 24

[0031] Lower Blade 49

[0032] Connector Pen Holes 40/42/44

[0033] Tension Pin 36

Claims

1. A forced air snow removal apparatus which comprises:

A. a tubular member with a flat lower blade of one piece of molded plastic, the lower blade arching upward at a first end, a plurality of raised side wall means each of which is rigid to provide rigid support to said apparatus while increasing its snow removal capacity; lower blade means of substantially smooth horizontal bottom surface member; said smooth horizontal bottom surface member enabling said device to be slid on pavement in a horizontal position; said tubular member portion of one piece of molded plastic comprised with flat lower blade; said tubular member portion accept forced air directed through said tubular member intake opening at one end and being tapered so as to define a smaller throat opening at lower blade;

B. a mobile frame fixedly attached to the said tubular member at a first end; said mobile frame fixedly attached to the said tubular member at a second end; said mobile frame fixedly attached to said tubular member at first end and second end connector pins; said mobile frame having an elongated base with opposite wheels supporting said rear end of said base of said frame;

C. means for mounting said mobile frame to tubular member such that said tubular member can undergo pivotal movement between selected horizontal direction;

D. means for adjusting the vertical position of said mobile frame wherein angle of said tubular member to said horizontal surface is adjusted.

2. The forced air snow removal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said tubular member accepts forced air through intake tubular member opening, forced air is directed through said opening onto the upper flat surface of lower blade; said lower blade having exhaust ports by which forced air is directed; said lower blade having raised ridges which directs air in channels;

3. The forced air snow removal apparatus of claim 1 wherein said mobile frame having elongated vertical tubular embediment fixedly attached to said tubular member at first end upper portion of tubular member.

4. The forced air snow removal apparatus of claim 3 wherein said mobile frame having elongated horizontal tubular embodiment fixedly attached to said tubular member at second end of lower portion of tubular member.

5. The forced air snow removal apparatus of claim 3 wherein said mobile frame having elongated forked vertical tubular embodiment fixedly attached to said second horizontal tubular embodiment and first vertical tubular embodiment.

6. The forced air snow removal apparatus of claim 5 said elongated forked vertical tubular embodiment means for mounting said wheel axle assembly.

7. The forced air snow removal apparatus of claim 5 said mobile frame having elongated forked vertical tubular embodiment fixedly attached to said horizontal tubular embodiment, said forked vertical tubular embodiment being larger in circumference than that of said tubular member at first and upper portion of tubular member; said tubular member height adjustment is relative to raising or lowering of said forced air snow removal apparatus; said adjustment is secured using adjustment screw of said forked vertical tubular embodiment directed against said tubular member of first end upper portion of tubular member.