Manual snowplow with a wooden blade
The present invention relates to a push-type, manual snowplowing device with a wooden blade of adequate size and structure to efficiently remove snowfalls of four and one-half inches or less. The invention encompasses a manual snowplowing device avoiding the physical strain associated with shoveling while remaining cost effective, relatively maintenance free, and amenable to storage and user assembly.
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The present invention relates to a device used for snow removal. In particular, the present invention relates to a snowplowing device having a blade of sufficient size and design to allow efficient and inexpensive snow removal.
Manual snow shovels are a familiar means for removing snow from driveways and walkways. However, shoveling can become cumbersome and inefficient as the surface to be shoveled reaches proportions greater than that of a conventional sidewalk. For example, the repetitive scooping actions associated with shoveling snow can become fatiguing and time consuming. In this manner, strength and endurance limitations play a large role in the effectiveness of manual shoveling.
Another readily recognizable solution to snow removal is a powered snow-removing machine more commonly known as a “snow blower.” While snow blowers solve many of the problems associated with removing snow from larger areas, problems remain. For example, snow blowers present a significant investment in purchase price, storage, and maintenance. Additionally, many snow blowers work poorly in lighter snowfalls and are simply inappropriate for snowfalls of approximately four and one-half inches or less.
A possible alternative to conventional shovels or snow blowers is a manual snow-pushing tool (hereinafter referred to as a “manual snowplowing device.”) The manual snowplowing devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,597,204; 5,309,654; and 6,237,258 B1 reference potential advantages over shovels and snow blowers by allowing a user to impart a sliding motion on a plow blade when removing snow. One advantage arises as pushing or sliding alleviates the need for the repetitive lifting actions associated with shoveling. An advantage over snow blowers lies in the ability to effectively remove snow associated with lighter snowfalls without the consequential cost and efforts associated with powered snow blowers. Unfortunately, known manual snowplowing devices have several deficiencies. For example, the prior manual snowplowing devices have blades that are either inadequately sized or insufficiently rigid to effectively and efficiently remove snow from larger surfaces. Yet another problem associated with manual snowplowing devices of prior design is the complexity of the steps and corresponding number of parts needed for assembly.
In sum, a need exists for a push-type, manual snowplowing device with a blade of adequate size and structure to efficiently remove snowfalls of four and one-half inches or less. That need encompasses a tool avoiding the physical strain associated with shoveling while remaining cost effective, relatively maintenance free, and amenable to storage and user assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe invention will be further described with reference to the drawing wherein corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing, and wherein:
In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The drawings show specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced by way of illustration. In this regard, directional terminology, such as “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “leading,” “trailing,” etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the FIGS. being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense as the scope of the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims.
A preferred embodiment of a manual snowplowing device 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in
With additional reference to
In the preferred embodiment, the blade 12 is formed of pine and has a length of not less than 36 inches, more preferably in the range of 36-54 inches, more preferably in the range of 40-50 inches, and even more preferably 48 inches in order to provide a sufficiently wide plow path. The blade 12 has a thickness in the range of ⅜-{fraction (6/8)} inch, more preferably {fraction (5/8)} inch and a height of not less than 4.5 inches, more preferably in the range of 5-6 inches, more preferably 5.5 inches. While the preferred embodiment incorporates the materials and dimensions described above, it is notable that a number of different wood types can be combined with varying thicknesses and heights to provide sufficient blade rigidity at a particular length and load. The wood types include, but are not limited to, pine, oak, particleboard, cedar, and treated lumber. By choosing a relatively thick wood product for the blade 12, the resultant manual snowplowing device 10 is relatively light weight, yet the blade 12 remains rigid under load and thus allows use of a relatively small coupling device 14, as described below. To this end, it has surprisingly been found that forming the blade 12 of pine having a length of 48 inches, a thickness of {fraction (5/8)} inch and a height of 5.5 inches provides an optimal balance between available plowing surface area, necessary rigidity, and weight.
The coupling device 14 of the manual snowplowing device 10 is illustrated in greater detail in
The metal faceplate 26 can be formed of a wide variety of metals including, but not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other related alloys. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the metal faceplate 26 is formed of stainless steel and defines a generally rectangular shape having a length of not more than 9 inches, more preferably in the range of 5-9 inches, more preferably in the range of 6-8 inches, and most preferably approximately 7 inches, and a thickness of approximately 0.25 inch. With the embodiment shown in
In the preferred embodiment shown in
The metal sleeve 28 can also be formed of a wide variety of metals including, but not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other related alloys. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the metal sleeve 28 is formed of stainless steel and defines a generally linear and tubular shape. In the embodiment of
Returning to
The shaft 17 can be formed of a wide variety of materials including, but not limited to, woods, metals, plastics, fiberglass, or other composites. The handle 16 can also include loops or grasps at an end opposite the distal section 38 or multiple diameters or bends to promote the ergonomics of the handle 16. Regardless, the handle 16 has an overall length sufficient to permit a user to stand while plowing snow with the device 10, for example not less than 4 feet in length.
With reference to
With the embodiment of
A preferred method of plowing snow utilizing the manual snowplowing device 10 of the present invention can be described with reference to
The preferred method also includes a means of extending the life of the blade 12. As the blade 12 is repeatedly slid across the snow covered surface 42, the bottom side 24 of the blade 16 can become worn and irregular. Therefore, a preferred method of plowing snow following extended blade use includes unbolting the wooden blade 12 from the faceplate 26 and rotating the wooden blade 12 one hundred and eighty degrees such that the bottom side 24 of the blade 12 is situated opposite its position prior to rotation. Thus, the top side 22 of the blade 12 becomes the side that is to contact the snow covered surface 42. In this manner, first the bottom side 24 and then the top side 22 the wooden blade 12 are slid across the snow covered surface 42 until becoming too worn, thereby doubling the life of the blade 12.
The snowplowing device 10 of the present invention can also be supplied to retailers and consumers for later assembly. As a result, the wooden blade 12, the coupling device 14, and the handle 16 can be supplied in an unassembled state as a “kit of parts.” In one preferred embodiment, directions for assembling the snowplowing device 10 are also included in the kit of parts. By supplying the components of the snowplowing device 10 as a kit, the wooden blade 12 of the present invention can be of a greater length than snow plows of prior designs while remaining amenable to shipping and transportation. Additionally, the small number of parts used to assemble the snowplowing device 10 encourages facile and timely assembly.
As various changes could be made in the above constructions and methods without departing from the scope of the dimension as defined in the claims, it is intended that all matter contained in the description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. As such, several alternative embodiments are included within the scope of the present invention. For example, an alternative embodiment manual snowplowing device 210 comprising a wooden blade 212, a coupling device 214 and a handle 216 is shown in
With the alternative embodiment of
In the alternative embodiment of
By at least the above stated means, the present invention embodies a snow plowing device and method of plowing snow that utilizes a wooden blade of adequate size and structure to effectively remove snowfalls of four and one-half inches or less. Moreover, the present invention embodies a tool avoiding the physical strain associated with shoveling while remaining cost effective, relatively maintenance free, and amenable to storage and user assembly.
Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of the present invention. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of the specific embodiments discussed herein. Therefore, it is intended that this invention be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
Claims
1. A manual snowplowing device comprising:
- a rigid wooden blade having a length of not les than 36 inches;
- a coupling device including: a metal faceplate bolted to the wooden blade having a longest dimension not more than one-quarter the length of the blade, a metal sleeve immovably welded to the face plate and having a terminal end extending angularly relative to the face plate; and
- a handle including a distal section mounted within the sleeve of the coupling device; wherein upon final assembly, extension of the handle relative to a vertical plane of the wooden blade defines an acute push angle.
2. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein the metal faceplate defines a generally planar front face and the wooden blade defines a generally planar back face, and further wherein the two faces are flush.
3. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein the handle extends from the terminal end of the metal sleeve to define the acute push angle.
4. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein the faceplate is generally triangular in shape.
5. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein the faceplate is generally rectangular in shape.
6. The manual snowplowing device of claim 5 wherein the faceplate has a length not more than one-sixth the length of the wooden blade.
7. The manual snowplowing device of claim 5, wherein the faceplate has a length in the range of 6-8 inches.
8. The manual snowplowing device of claim 5, wherein the snowplowing device is characterized by an absence of components contacting a back face of the wooden blade beyond a length of the face plate.
9. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein the metal sleeve extends linearly from the metal faceplate.
10. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein both the faceplate and the sleeve are formed of stainless steel.
11. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein the wooden blade has a height of not less than 4.5 inches.
12. The manual snowplowing device of claim 11, wherein the wooden blade has a length of approximately 48 inches and a height of approximately 5.5 inches.
13. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein the wooden blade is formed of pine wood.
14. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein the distal section of the handle includes a metal jacket.
15. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein the distal section of the handle is mounted within the sleeve by a bolting means.
16. The manual snowplowing device of claim 1, wherein the distal section of the handle and the sleeve include a plurality of corresponding threads.
17. A method of plowing snow comprising:
- providing a manual snow plowing device including: rigid wooden blade having a length of not less than 36 inches, a coupling device comprising: a metal faceplate immovably bolted to the wooden blade, the face plate having a longest dimension not more than one-quarter the length of the blade, a metal sleeve immovably welded to the faceplate, the sleeve having a terminal end extending angularly relative to the faceplate, a handle including: a distal section mounted within the sleeve of the coupling device, wherein upon final assembly, extension of the handle relative to a vertical plane of the blade defines an acute push angle; and
- plowing a snow covered surface by imparting a push force on the handle, wherein a front face of the wooden blade contacts a mass of snow and a bottom side of the wooden blade contacts the surface to be cleared of snow.
18. The method of plowing snow of claim 17, wherein the method further comprises:
- unbolting the wooden blade from the faceplate;
- rotating the wooden blade one hundred and eighty degrees, wherein a top side of the blade is located where the bottom side of the blade was previously situated in relation to the snow covered surface;
- rebolting the wooden blade to the faceplate; and
- plowing additional snow.
19. A kit of parts for assembly into a manual snowplowing device comprising:
- a rigid wooden blade having a length of not less than 36 inches;
- a coupling device including: a metal faceplate having a longest dimension not more than one-quarter the length of the blade, a metal sleeve removably welded to the faceplate and having a terminal end extending at an angle relative to the faceplate; and
- a handle including a distal section to be mounted within the sleeve of the coupling device;
- wherein the kit is configured such that upon final assembly, extension of the handle relative to a vertical plane of the blade defines an acute push angle.
20. The kit of parts of claim 19, wherein the kit further comprises a set of directions for assembly and a plurality of fasteners to be used for assembly.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 7, 2004
Publication Date: Jul 7, 2005
Applicant:
Inventor: Spero Payton (Golden Valley, MN)
Application Number: 10/753,886