Method and apparatus for removing snow

Abstract

The present invention discloses a plow assembly, which may be selectively, operatively connected to the front portion of a walk-behind lawn mower for use in removing snow from a surface. The plow assembly may include a plow blade and mounting means for selectively, operatively mounting the plow blade to the lawn mower. The mounting means may include a “J” shaped mounting bracket, which may be received onto the lawn mower and is adapted to selectively receive the plow blade. The mounting means may further include a strap, which may extend from the “J shaped mounting bracket to the lawn mower. Also disclosed is a method of plowing snow using the plow assembly.

Description

I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for removing snow from surfaces, including driveways and sidewalks, and more specifically, to a plow mounted to a walk behind lawn mower, useful in moving snow from such surfaces.

B. Description of the Related Art

Many methods and apparatuses have been developed to assist in the removal of snow from surface areas, such as driveways and sidewalks. These methods include both mechanical and chemical means for pushing, blowing, melting or otherwise clearing snow build-up. Among the mechanical means for clearing snow, shovels, plows and snow throwers are well known in the art. With respect to plows, it is well known to mount a plow blade to the front of a truck, a tractor or a riding lawn mower or lawn tractor and using the vehicle in combination with the plow to clear snow.

While the existing vehicle and plow combinations are well suited for clearing snow, many individuals do not have trucks, tractors or riding lawn mowers that can be adapted with a plow blade. Such individuals are otherwise relegated to using other means for clearing snow, such as a shovel, which can be extremely laborious, or a snow thrower, which can be expensive, difficult to operate, and unwieldy, particularly in areas where snow fall is rare.

One disadvantage of standard shovels, or alternatively, an advantage of snow-throwers and existing vehicle/plow combinations, is the weight that can be applied in moving the blade, be it a shovel blade or plow blade, through the snow. In this respect, existing vehicle/plow combinations tend to have relatively substantial weight pushing the plow through the snow relatively efficiently. Shovels do not have the associated weight behind them.

Many individuals do not have trucks, tractors, or riding lawn-mowers adapted to receive plow blades, or snow throwers; however, many of these do have walk-behind lawn mowers, which may be either self-propelled or not. These lawn mowers sit idle during the winter months. As of yet, these machines have not been incorporated into the process of snow removal, despite their widespread accessability. Such lawn mowers have significant weight, which would be useful in pushing snow, and have wheels, often mechanically-propelled, that would aid in moving the lawn mower through the snow.

It would be advantageous therefore, to provide a plow blade that is adapted to be received onto a walk behind lawn mower. In this way, the lawn mower could be used in conjunction with the blade, to push snow from associated surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks. Such blades could be inexpensively manufactured and installed on existing equipment that otherwise is idle during the winter. The weight of the lawn mower would aid in driving the blade through the snow, and, thereby, make clearing of the snow substantially easier. The present invention discloses a plow blade so adapted and methods for clearing snow using such blades in combination with walk behind lawn mowers.

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a plow blade, adapted to be selectively received onto a walk-behind lawn mower, is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the plow blade is adapted to be removably received onto a walk-behind lawn mower.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the plow blade is adapted to be adjustably received onto a walk-behind lawn mower.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a plow assembly, including a plow blade and mounting means, for use in association with a lawn mower, is provided.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the mounting means may include a mounting bracket adapted to be received onto the front portion of a mower housing and adapted to receive the plow blade.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, the mounting means may include a belt or strap.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the mounting bracket may be a “J” shaped mounting bracket.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a method for plow snow from a surface using a plow assembly selectively mounted to a walk-behind lawn mower is provided.

Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.

III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a front view of an exemplary walk-behind lawnmower having a plow blade affixed thereto, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 depicts a top view of an exemplary walk-behind lawnmower having a plow blade affixed thereto.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the front portion of an exemplary lawnmower depicting various components for attaching the plow blade.

FIG. 4 is a top-down view of the front portion of an exemplary lawnmower depicting various components for attaching the plow blade.

FIG. 5 is a top view depicting various components of the present apparatus.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a lawn mower 1, having a plow assembly 20 selectively, removably affixed thereto for plowing snow. The lawn mower 1 may include a mower housing 3, having a top and a front 4, 5, at least first and second wheels, 6, 7 operationally connected to the mower housing 3, an engine housing 9 extending above the mower housing 3, and a mower handle 11 extending from the mower housing 3. The above cited components of the exemplary lawn mower 1 are intended to describe components typically associated with the type of lawn mower that is known as a walk-behind lawn mower 1. It should-be understood that the term “walk-behind” includes self-propelled walk-behind lawn mowers and stand-on platform lawn mowers, as well as traditional push-type lawn mowers.

The plow assembly 20 may include a plow blade 25 and mounting means 50 for removably mounting the plow blade 25 to the lawn mower 1.

The plow blade 25 may be a rigid, substantially rectangular blade, having a length l, depth d and thickness t. The plow blade 25 may be constructed of metal or plastic or any other material or combination of materials selected with sound engineering judgment. The plow blade 25 may be a single, rigid panel. Alternatively, the plow blade 25 may include more than one piece. The plow blade 25 may have a front face 27 and a rear face 29. The plow blade 25 may be substantially straight along its length l and depth d. In another embodiment, the front face 27 of the plow blade 25 may be convex along its depth d. While straight and convex plow blades 25 are expressly taught in the present disclosure, any other shape may be incorporated into the plow blade 25 in accordance with sound engineering judgment.

The length l of the plow blade 25 may be from approximately 12 inches to approximately 60 inches. In one embodiment, the length l of the plow blade 25 may be selected to be approximately the same as the largest width x of the lawn mower 1. In another embodiment, the length l of the plow blade 25 may be selected to be larger than the largest width x of the lawn mower 1. In this way, the plow blade 25 may clear a path of associated snow having a width approximately equal to or greater than the largest width of the lawn mower. The depth d of the plow blade 25 may be from approximately 4 inches to approximately 18 inches. As with the length l of the plow blade 25, the width w of the plow blade 25 may be selected based on the characteristics, including the dimensions and power, of the lawn mower 1 on which the plow blade 25 will be mounted. Additionally, though exemplary dimensions for the length l and width w of the plow blade 25 have been described, any length l or width w may be selected with sound engineering judgment.

The mounting means 50 may include any means for removably securing the plow blade 25 to the front of the lawn mower 1 so that the plow blade 25 can push snow in front of the lawn mower 1 as the lawn mower 1 moves forward. The plow blade 25 may be removably attached directly to the front of the mower housing 3 by mechanical fasteners, such as bolts, screws, straps, belts or a combination thereof. The plow blade 25 may alternatively be removably secured to the lawn mower by means of at least a first mounting bracket 55, which may, at one end, be secured to the lawn mower, and at another end, be removably or fixedly secured to the plow blade 25. The at least a first mounting bracket 55, may be removably or fixedly attached to the lawn mower 1. Straps or belts 95 may be used in conjunction with the at least a first mounting bracket 55 to removably secure the plow blade 25 to the lawn mower 1. The plow blade 25 may be removably secured directly to the at least a first mounting bracket 55. Alternatively, the plow blade 25 may be provided with a bracing network 85 extending from the rear face 29 of the plow blade 25 and adapted to be removably received by the at least a first mounting bracket 55. The interface between the plow blade 25 and the at least a first mounting bracket 55, or, alternatively, the bracing network 85 and the at least a first mounting bracket 55 may be adapted so that the plow blade 25 may be selectively raised and lowered. In another embodiment, the interface between the plow blade 25 and the at least a first mounting bracket 55, or, alternatively, the bracing network 85 and the at least a first mounting bracket 55 may be adapted so that one or the other ends of the plow blade 25 may be selectively extended from or retracted toward the front of the lawn mower 1. In this way, the plow blade 25 may be selectively skewed so that the plow blade 25 is other than parallel (along its length) to the front of the lawn mower 1.

Having generally described the variety of mounting means 50, which may be selected for removably, operatively, securing the plow blade 25 to the lawn mower 1, what follows is a description of a specific embodiment of a mounting means 50, which is depicted in FIGS. 3-5. The mounting means 50 depicted in FIGS. 3-5 may include a first mounting bracket 55 that is at least a first “J” mounting bracket 56 adapted to be removably secured to the front of the mower housing 3. The “J” mounting bracket 56 may include at least first and second mounting members 57, 58, which may be “J” shaped mounting members, having a mounting plate 80 extending there between. The first and second “J” shaped members 57, 58 may have first, second, third and fourth leg portions respectively 60, 61, 62, 63. The first leg 60 portion may be a horizontal leg portion existing above and essentially parallel to the top 4 of the mower housing 3, The first leg portion 60 may have a first end 65 and a second 67. The first end 65 of the first leg portion 60 may be adapted to receive one end of a strap or belt 95 (discussed below). The second end 67 of the first leg portion 60 may be fixedly attached to one end of the second leg portion 61. The second leg portion 61 may extend downward, substantially parallel to the front 5 of the mower housing 3. The opposite end of the second leg portion 61 may be fixedly attached to one end of the third leg portion 62. The third leg portion 62 may extend beneath and substantially horizontally with the top 4 of the mower housing 3 toward the interior of the mower housing 3. The opposite end of the third leg portion 62 may be fixedly attached to one end of the fourth leg portion 63. The fourth leg portion 63 may extend substantially vertically upward and parallel with the front 5 of the mower housing 3. In this way, the “J” shaped members 57, 58 may be removably secured to the mower housing 3 by sliding the front 5 of the mower housing 3 into the gap created between the second and fourth leg portions 61, 63 of the “J” shaped member 57, 58 by the third leg portion 62, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and 5. To further secure the “J” shaped members 57, 58 and thus, the “J” mounting bracket 56, to the lawn mower 1, there may be provided a hold-down bolt 70 which may extend through a hole 71 in the first leg portion 60 of the “J” shaped members 57, 58. In one embodiment, the hold down bolt 70 may be threaded and the hole 71 may be threaded to received the hold down bolt 70. In this embodiment, the “J” mounting bracket 56 may be removably secured to the lawn mower 1 by sliding the “J” shaped members 57, 58 about the front 5 of the mower housing 3, as described above and then turning the hold-down bolt 70 in each “J” shaped member 57, 58 until the hold-down bolt 70 is engaged with the top 4 of the mower housing 3. On twisting the hold-down bolt 70, the first leg portion 60 of the “J”shaped members 57, 58, and, thus, the “J” shaped members 57, 58 may be raised so that the third leg portion 62 may engage the front 5 of the mower housing 3.

The “J” shaped members 57, 58 may any rigid material selected with sound engineering judgment, including metal and plastic. Though the “J” shaped members 57, 58 are discussed as having first, second, third and fourth leg portions 60, 61, 62, 63, it should be understood that the leg portions 60, 61, 62, 63 may be separate portions fixed together, such as by welding, or a single length of material bent into four leg portions. The dimensions of the leg portions 60, 61, 62, 63 of the “J” shaped members 57, 58 may be selected with sound engineering judgment to provided adequate rigidity and significant size to fit, as described, to the mower housing 3. Furthermore, while in the above described embodiment, the leg portions 60, 61, 62, 63 of the “J” shaped member 57, 58 are described as being substantially horizontal or vertical with respect to the top 4 and front 5 of the mower housing 3 or parallel to the top 4 or front 5 of the mower housing 3, it should be understood that even significant deviation from the horizontal, vertical, and parallel may be permitted without deviating from the essential operation of the “J” shaped brackets 57, 58 as described. The expressed embodiment is not intended to exclude other types and shapes of brackets based on these directional characteristics.

As discussed above, there may be provide a mounting plate 80 extending between the first and second “J” shaped members 57, 58. The mounting plate 80 may be fixed to the second leg portions 61 of the “J” shaped members 57, 58, such as by welding or with mechanical fasteners. The mounting plate 80 may be adapted to receive the plow blade 25 or the bracing network 85 of the plow blade 25. The mounting plate 80 may be adapted to receive the plow blade 25 or the bracing network 85 of the plow blade 25 by means of mechanical fasteners. Alternatively, the mounting plate 80 may be provided with channels, such as a sliding dovetail mortise (not shown) for receiving a tenon (not shown) on the rear face 29 of the plow blade 25 or the bracing network 85. The interface between the mounting plate 80 and the plow blade 25 or bracing network 85 may be constructed by any means selected with sound engineering judgment.

To provide additional support for securing the “J” mounting bracket 56 to the mower housing 3, there may be provided a belt or strap 95 which may extend from the first end 65 of the first leg portion 60 of the “J” shaped members 57, 58. There may be a single strap 95 which may be wrapped around the engine housing 9. The length of the strap 95 may be adjustable so that the strap 95 can be tightened about the engine housing 9. Alternatively, there may be more than one strap, wherein each strap may be joined to the first end 65 of the first leg portion 60 of the “J” shaped members 57, 58 at one end and have a fixture adapted to be secured to a portion of the lawn mower 1 (embodiment not depicted in the Figures)

The method of the present invention may involve the steps of mounting the plow assembly 20 to the lawn mower 1 and pushing or propelling the lawn mower 1 forward through the snow to push the snow, thereby clearing a path behind the lawn mower. In accordance with the embodiment described above, the method of the present invention may involve securing the “J” mounting bracket 56 to the lawn mower 1 by slipping the “J” shaped members 57, 58 so that the front 5 of the mower housing 3 is received into the gap created between the second and fourth leg portions 61, 63 of the “J” shaped member 57, 58. The hold-down bolt 70 may be engaged with the top 4 of the mower housing 3 and the strap 95 may be wrapped around the engine housing 9 and adjusted so that the strap 95 is tight. In these ways, the “J” shaped mounting bracket 56 may be removably secured to the lawn mower 1. The plow blade 25 may be removably secured to the “J” shaped mounting bracket 56 by means described above. Alternatively, the plow blade 25 may be secured to the “J” shaped mounting bracket 56 prior to mounting the “J” shaped mounting bracket 56 to the lawn mower 1.

The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.

Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:

Claims

1. An apparatus for removing snow from driveway, sidewalks and similar surfaces, said apparatus comprising:

a plow blade, said plow blade selectively operatively connected to a front portion of an associated lawn mower.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the associated lawn mower has at least two wheels, a motor disposed above said wheels, and a handle extending rearwardly of said lawn mower.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said apparatus further comprises:

mounting means for selectively mounting said plow blade to the associated lawn mower.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said attaching means comprises:

a strap to selectively secure said plow blade to the associated lawn mower.

5. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said attaching means comprises:

a bracket, said bracket being selectively attachable a front edge of the associated lawn mower, said bracket operative to selectively secure said plow blade to the associated lawn mower.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said attaching means comprises:

a bracket, said bracket being selectively attachable a front edge of the associated lawn mower, said bracket operatively connected to said strap to selectively secure said plow blade to the associated lawn mower.

7. An apparatus for removing snow from driveway, sidewalks and similar surfaces, said apparatus comprising:

a lawn mower, said lawn mower having at least two wheels, a motor disposed above said wheels, and a handle extending rearwardly of said lawn mower, and,

a plow blade, said plow blade operatively connected to said front portion of said lawn mower.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said plow blade is selectively operatively connected to said front portion of said lawn mower.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said plow is directly connected to said front portion of said lawn mower.

10. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said plow blade is adjustably connected to said front portion of said lawn mower.

11. The apparatus of claim 7 further comprising:

a mounting bracket situated between said plow blade and said front portion of said lawn mower, wherein said mounting bracket includes at least first and second mounting members adapted to receive said front portion of said lawn mower; and

a mounting plate extending between said first and second mounting members, wherein the mounting plate is adapted to receive said plow blade.

12. An apparatus for removing snow from driveway, sidewalks and similar surfaces, said apparatus comprising:

a lawn mower, said lawn mower having at least two wheels, a motor disposed above said wheels, and a handle extending rearwardly of said lawn mower, said lawn mower having a deck, said deck having a front side, a first side, a second side, a rear side, a bottom side and a top side; and,

a plow blade, said plow blade selectively operatively connected to said front side of said deck of said lawn mower; and,

mounting means for selectively mounting said plow blade to said lawn mower, said mounting means comprising: a bracket, said bracket being selectively attachable to said deck of said lawn mower, said bracket having at least first and second “J” shaped members, said first and second “J” shaped members being selectively received under a front edge of said front side of said deck of said lawn mower, each of said first and second “J” shaped members having a first leg portion having a threaded hole therethrough, a screw being operatively associated with said threaded hole, so that when said screw is in a first, extended position a first end of said screw pushes against said top surface of said deck, thereby pinning said front edge of said deck against said first and second “J” shaped members, and thereby securing said plow blade to said lawn mower, and, when said screw is in a second, retracted position said first end of said screw is retracted and no longer pushes against said top surface of said deck, thereby releasing said front edge of said deck from said first and second “J” shaped members of said bracket, and thereby releasing said plow blade from said lawn mower; and, a strap, said strap being attachable to each of said first and second “J” shaped members of said bracket and to said lawn mower.

13. A method of plowing snow from a surface, the method comprising:

Providing a plow blade, said plow blade being selectively operatively connected to a front portion of a lawn mower, said lawn mower having at least two wheels, a motor disposed above said wheels, and a handle extending rearwardly of said lawn mower,

Selectively operatively connecting said plow blade to said from portion of said associated lawn mower, and

Directing said lawn mower through associated snow on an associated surface.