Snow removal apparatuses systems and methods

Abstract

One exemplary embodiment is apparatus including a snow removal bucket for a bucket vehicle, the bucket including a top rim portion, a bottom rim portion, a guard extending past the bottom rim portion, and a bucket exterior, wherein the top rim portion overhangs the bottom rim portion whenever the guard substantially contacts a surface beneath the bucket. In one form of the apparatus, the bucket is attached to a bucket vehicle. In another form of the apparatus, the guard is bolted to a flange extending past the bottom rim portion, and the apparatus further includes a fixture attached to the bucket exterior adapted for coupling the bucket to a portion of a bucket vehicle. In a further form of the apparatus an edge of the guard is substantially parallel to and essentially coextensive with the bottom rim portion. Another form of the apparatus includes a second guard which extends from the top rim portion. In a further form of the apparatus, the top rim portion is located on a lip, the second guard is positioned within a recess formed in the lip, and the bottom rim portion overhangs the top rim portion whenever the guard is not in contact with the surface and the second guard contacts the surface. A variety of other forms and embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods are also contemplated.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technical field relates to snow removal apparatuses systems and methods including, for example, snow removal buckets and systems and methods of using snow removal buckets.

BACKGROUND

Snow removal is a frequent, expensive, and time consuming necessity, particularly in colder climates, but also in temperate, moderate and warmer climates. Snow removal is generally labor, time, and energy intensive and comes with significant costs such as labor, equipment, fuel, maintenance, repair, and replacement costs. Costs also arise due to damage to areas from which snow is removed, the covering of sidewalks and parked cars with snow (which can create inconvenient and dangerous situations), and the inability to clear snow to a desired location, to name a few additional examples. Various snow removal apparatuses, systems, and methods have been proposed; however, they suffer from a number of drawbacks, disadvantages, shortcomings and failings including, for example, difficulty of equipment operation, and inadequate or insufficient efficiency speed, power, equipment agility and/or performance in any of the areas mentioned above and in other aspects. There is a need for advancements in snow removal apparatus, systems and methods.

SUMMARY

One exemplary embodiment is apparatus including a snow removal bucket for a bucket vehicle, the bucket including a top rim portion, a bottom rim portion, a guard extending past the bottom rim portion, and a bucket exterior, wherein the top rim portion overhangs the bottom rim portion whenever the guard substantially contacts a surface beneath the bucket. In one form of an apparatus embodiment, the bucket is attached to a bucket vehicle. In another form of an apparatus embodiment, the guard is bolted to a flange extending past the bottom rim portion, and the apparatus further includes a fixture attached to the bucket exterior adapted for coupling the bucket to a portion of a bucket vehicle. In a further form of an apparatus embodiment, an edge of the guard is substantially parallel to and essentially coextensive with the bottom rim portion. Another form of an apparatus embodiment includes a second guard which extends from the top rim portion. In a further form of the apparatus, the top rim portion is located on a lip, the second guard is positioned within a recess formed in the lip, and the bottom rim portion overhangs the top rim portion whenever the guard is not in contact with the surface and the second guard contacts the surface. A variety of other forms and embodiments of apparatuses are also contemplated.

Another exemplary embodiment is a bucket for a bucket vehicle including a bucket interior, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a bumper adjacent the bottom edge, wherein if at least two points on the bumper contact a section of essentially flat ground, the angle defined by a first ray extending from a point of the bottom edge in a direction essentially normal to the bottom edge and passing through a point of the top edge and a second ray extending from the point of the bottom edge in a direction essentially normal to the bottom edge and essentially normal to the section of ground is an acute angle. One form of a bucket embodiment includes sides having side edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge. Another form of a bucket embodiment includes a mounting fixture adapted to couple the bucket and one or more arms of a bucket vehicle. A further form of a bucket embodiment includes a top bumper adjacent the top edge. An additional form of a bucket embodiment further includes bolts fastening the top bumper and the bottom bumper to the bucket. Another form of a bucket embodiment includes means for coupling the top bumper and the bucket and means for coupling the bottom bumper and the bucket. An additional embodiment includes the bucket being used to remove snow including the bucket being coupled to a bucket vehicle, the bucket being positioned such that the top edge overhangs the bottom edge, and the bucket moved in essentially that position to collect snow using the bucket interior. A variety of other forms and embodiments of buckets are also contemplated.

A further exemplary embodiment is a method of clearing snow from an area, the method comprising coupling a bucket vehicle and a bucket, the bucket including a bucket interior, a first rim having a first guard, the first guard including a portion extending beyond the first rim, a second rim having a second guard, the second guard including a portion extending beyond the second rim, and an opening to the bucket interior defined at least in part by the first rim and the second rim; positioning the bucket so that the first guard contacts the area, and the second guard does not contact the area, the second guard being essentially between the first rim and the vehicle; and moving the bucket relative to the area so that snow is moved at least in part by the first guard. In one form of a method embodiment, the area is a residential driveway, a sidewalk, or a parking lot. In another form of a method embodiment, the moving includes moving the bucket vehicle so that first guard drags across at least a portion of the area. A further form of a method embodiment includes scooping dragged snow using the bucket. In an additional form of a method embodiment, the moving is effective to cause snow to move in a direction essentially toward the bucket interior. In a further form of a method embodiment, the snow moves along an interior surface of the bucket. In another form of a method embodiment, damage to the surface is reduced by the first guard and the second guard. A variety of other forms and embodiments of methods are also contemplated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side view of one example of a snow removal bucket connected to a bucket vehicle.

FIG. 2 is a side view of one example of a snow removal bucket connected to a bucket vehicle.

FIG. 3 is a side view of one example of a snow removal bucket connected to a bucket vehicle.

FIG. 4 is a front view of one example of a snow removal bucket connected to a bucket vehicle.

FIG. 5 is a side view of examples of surfaces from which snow can be removed.

FIG. 6 is a side view of one example of a bucket vehicle and bucket removing snow.

FIG. 7 is a side view of one example of a bucket vehicle and bucket removing snow.

FIG. 8 is a side view of one example of a bucket vehicle and bucket removing snow.

FIG. 9 is a side view of one example of a bucket vehicle and bucket removing snow.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of one example of a bucket for snow removal including exemplary analytical geometrical annotations.

DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the subject inventions, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the inventions is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the inventions illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the inventions relate.

With reference to FIG. 1 there is shown an exemplary snow removal bucket 100 for a bucket vehicle 50 only a portion of which is shown. Vehicle 50 can be any of a variety of vehicles adapted for interconnection or coupling with a bucket. Examples of bucket vehicles include bobcat-type vehicles, tractors, loaders, trucks, as well as other vehicles. As illustrated, vehicle 50 includes wheels such as wheel 59 which allow for movement of vehicle 50. Other vehicles sold include treads, as well as a variety of numbers, sizes and types of wheels and/or treads to facilitate vehicle movement.

Vehicle 50 includes arm 54 which is shown connected to fixture 52 of bucket 100 by coupling member 52a. In the illustrated example, coupling member 51a is a bolt accommodating rotational movement, but a wide variety of other coupling members are contemplated. Hydraulically driven arm 56 is also attached to fixture 52 by coupling member 52b which also accommodates rotational movement. Hydraulically driven arm 56 includes a piston-like portion 58 which can advance in and out of a cylinder-like housing 57 to adjust the length of arm 56. Movement of bucket 100, such as raising, lowering, tilting, rotating, dumping, scooping, extension, contraction, dragging, scraping, and other movements, can be accomplished by movement of arm 54 and arm 56 and/or vehicle 50 or combinations thereof.

The illustrated interconnection of bucket 100 and arm 54 is one example of how a snow removal bucket and a bucket vehicle can be coupled. Additional examples include single arm couplings, dual arm couplings, triple arm-couplings, multi-arm couplings, hydraulically driven couplings, electrically driven couplings, selectably engageable couplings, dedicated couplings, couplings including bearings, jointed couplings, as well as combinations and variations of the foregoing examples. In the illustrated embodiment raising and lowering of bucket 100 and/or rotation or tipping of bucket 100 can be accomplished. Additional embodiments contemplate a variety of other movement capabilities.

Bucket 100 is one example of a snow removal bucket for a bucket vehicle. Bucket 100 includes exterior 116, side 110, and side edge 112. Bucket 100 further includes top lip 134, and top guard 130 connected to bucket 100 with connection means 132. Bucket 100 also includes bottom flange 120 which extends from the bottom 114 of bucket 100. Bottom guard 124 is connected to flange 120 with connection means 122. Connection means 122 and 132 could be any of a variety of devices capable of connecting guards 130 and 124 to bucket 100, including, bolts, screws, pins, rivets, and others. As illustrated, bottom guard 120 contacts surface S which is a surface, such as a ground surface (which could be asphalt, concrete, gravel, blacktop, brick, dirt, grass, other substances, or combinations thereof beneath bucket 100.

Let it be understood that the form, dimensions, configuration, and features illustrated in FIG. 1 are exemplary and that a variety of modified and different embodiments are contemplated. For example, bucket 100 might have only an upper guard, only a lower guard, might also include side guards, or could include a variety of other guards. Additionally, the guards could be connected to bucket 100 in a variety of manners. For example, guards which extend around an edge or rim to serve as a cap could be used, guards which attach to an interior or exterior surface of a bucket and extend past the bucket could be used, guards which extend into one or more recesses formed in a bucket could be used, and combinations and variations of the foregoing and other embodiments could be used. The guard(s) could be made of plastic, rubber, composite material, nylon, polyethylene, or a variety of other substances. The guard(s) could be flat, toothed, bristled, brushes, or a variety of other types.

Embodiments exhibiting variations in the form, dimensions, configuration, and features of the bucket are also contemplated. For example, the upper lip could be absent, and/or lower lip could be included, or the lower flange could be absent and/or an upper flange could be included, or both. Additionally in the position shown in FIG. 1 the upper edge could overhang the lower edge to a greater or lesser degree. Furthermore, the body of the bucket could have different forms, such as a different interior or exterior contour or shape. The sides could be flat or contoured, or could extend to greater, lesser or different degrees. Additional examples of snow removal buckets include those shown in FIGS. 2-4 and 6-10, as well as flat back buckets, angled back buckets, flat top buckets, angled back buckets, curved back buckets, blended geometry buckets, variable geometry buckets, and combinations and variations of the foregoing examples. It should be understood that the foregoing examples are only several of many possible variations and configurations.

With reference to FIG. 2 there is shown a bucket 200 having similar features as bucket 100 which are indicated with reference numerals that have been increased by 100 (e.g. bucket 100 of FIG. 1 increased by 100 becomes bucket 200 of FIG. 2). As shown in FIG. 2, bucket 200 has a different shape from bucket 100 in that its back has a more contoured shape with different curvature. This is one example of the great degree of variation possible between and among different bucket embodiments.

With reference to FIG. 3 there is shown bucket 200 in a position different from that of FIG. 2. In FIG. 3, bucket 200 has been rotated forward so that guard 230 contacts surface S while guard 224 is positioned above surface S. In the position shown in FIG. 3, bucket 200 can be moved, for example, in the direction toward wheel 59, so as to clear snow (which includes snow, ice, sleet, hail, dirt, sand, gravel, debris, and combinations of these and other substances) from surface S.

With reference to FIG. 4 there is shown a front view of one example of bucket 100. Features described above in connection with FIG. 1 are indicated with identical reference numerals. Additionally, operator compartment 70 of vehicle 50 is shown along with controls 71 and 72 which an operator can use to control bucket 100 and/or vehicle 50.

With reference to FIG. 5 there are shown a variety of exemplary surfaces S1-S9 covered in snow 500. As is apparent from the examples of FIG. 5 the surfaces and work areas from which snow can be cleared are varied and numerous. These surfaces can be flat, essentially flat, bumpy, uneven, grooved, graveled, paved, flat, sloping, sloped, angled, inclined, declined, bumped, dipped, concave, convex, hill-like, valley like arched, apexed, and/or pointed, as well as combinations of and variations on the foregoing examples. Exemplary embodiments disclosed herein have the ability to clear snow from a wide variety of surfaces including those mentioned above and those shown in FIG. 5 as well as others.

With reference to FIG. 6 there is shown one example of a snow clearing process using bucket 100 and vehicle 50. As shown in FIG. 6, snow 63 covers a surface 62 as well as the roof of a building 60. Let it be understood that the environment illustrated in FIG. 6 is but one example of an environment in which a snow removal process may be employed. In FIG. 6, bucket 100 has been positioned so that guard 130 and/or lip 134 are in contact with snow 63 on surface 62. In this position, snow can be cleared from surface 62. It is also contemplated that bucket 100 could be further lowered toward surface 62 such that guard 130 is closer to or contacts surface 62.

With reference to FIG. 7 vehicle 50 and bucket 100 are shown at another point in the process of snow clearing. In FIG. 7 bucket 100 has been dragged across surface 62 effective to accumulate cleared snow 65. This can be accomplished, for example, by movement of vehicle 50 and/or bucket 100.

With reference to FIG. 8, vehicle 50 and bucket 100 are shown at another point in the process of snow clearing. In FIG. 8, bucket 100 is shown in the process of scooping snow 65 into bucket 100. In the illustrated example, scooping is accomplished by moving bucket 100 forward into snow 65. This movement can involve guard 120 moving along ground surface 62 so that snow 65 passes into the interior of bucket 100. A variety of other scooping motions are contemplated, such as those in which guard 120 does not drag against surface 62, or touches surface 62 in a different manner or not at all.

With reference to FIG. 9 vehicle 50 is shown with bucket 100 having been used to scoop snow 65 and raise above ground surface 62. From this position vehicle 50 can move to accommodate virtually any position or location where snow 65 is to be placed.

With reference to FIG. 10 there is shown an exemplary ray diagram showing geometric properties of a bucket 1000 for a bucket vehicle. As illustrated in FIG. 10 two rays extend from a point defined on the bottom edge of bucket 1000. The upper ray is extends form the point in a direction essentially normal to the bottom edge of the bucket and passes through a point of the top edge of the bucket as denoted by right angle R2. The lower Ray extending from the point of the bottom edge in a direction essentially normal to the bottom edge and essentially normal to the section of ground as denoted by right angle R2. The angel A between the two rays is an acute angle. The exemplary ray diagram is one example of an acute ray angle, it being understood that a variety of exemplary buckets could have essentially any angle less than about 90 degrees defined by similarly positioned rays.

While exemplary embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail in the foregoing drawings and description, the same are illustrative and not restrictive or limiting in character, it being understood that only exemplary embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions herein are desired to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of words such as exemplary or example in the description above may indicate that the feature so described may be more desirable, or preferred, they nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the inventions, the scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims, it is intended that when words such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least one portion” are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and/or “a portion” is used the item can include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a snow removal bucket for a bucket vehicle, the bucket including a top rim portion, a bottom rim portion, a guard extending past the bottom rim portion, and a bucket exterior, wherein the top rim portion overhangs the bottom rim portion whenever the guard substantially contacts a surface beneath the bucket.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the bucket is attached to a bucket vehicle.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the guard is bolted to a flange extending past the bottom rim portion, and further comprising a fixture adapted for coupling the bucket to a portion of a bucket vehicle.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein an edge of the guard is substantially parallel to and essentially coextensive with the bottom rim portion.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second guard which extends from the top rim portion.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein the top rim portion is located on a lip, the second guard is positioned within a recess formed in the lip, and the bottom rim portion overhangs the top rim portion whenever the guard is not in contact with the surface and the second guard contacts the surface.

7. A bucket for a bucket vehicle including a bucket interior, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a bumper adjacent the bottom edge, wherein if at least two points on the bumper contact a section of essentially flat ground, the angle defined by a first ray extending from a point of the bottom edge in a direction essentially normal to the bottom edge and passing through a point of the top edge and a second ray extending from the point of the bottom edge in a direction essentially normal to the bottom edge and essentially normal to the section of ground is an acute angle.

8. The bucket of claim 7 further comprising sides having side edges extending between the top edge and the bottom edge.

9. The bucket of claim 7 further including a mounting fixture adapted to couple the bucket and one or more arms of a bucket vehicle.

10. The bucket of claim 7 wherein further comprising a top bumper adjacent the top edge.

11. The bucket of claim 10 further comprising bolts fastening the top bumper and the bottom bumper to the bucket.

12. The bucket of claim 7 further comprising means for coupling the top bumper and the bucket and means for coupling the bottom bumper and the bucket.

13. The bucket of claim 7 being used to remove snow including the bucket being coupled to a bucket vehicle, the bucket being positioned such that the top edge overhangs the bottom edge, and the bucket moved in essentially that position to collect snow using the bucket interior.

14. A method of clearing snow from an area, the method comprising:

coupling a bucket vehicle and a bucket, the bucket including a bucket interior, a first rim having a first guard, the first guard including a portion extending beyond the first rim, a second rim having a second guard, the second guard including a portion extending beyond the second rim, and an opening to the bucket interior defined at least in part by the first rim and the second rim;

positioning the bucket so that the first guard contacts the area, and the second guard does not contact the area, the second guard being essentially between the first rim and the vehicle; and

moving the bucket relative to the area so that snow is moved at least in part by the first guard.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the area is a residential driveway, a sidewalk, or a parking lot.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein the moving includes moving the bucket vehicle so that the first guard drags across at least a portion of the area.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising scooping dragged snow using the bucket and wherein the area includes concrete, asphalt, blacktop or a combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein the moving is effective to cause snow to move in a direction essentially toward the bucket interior.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the snow moves along an interior surface of the bucket.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein damage to the surface is reduced by the first guard and the second guard.