HEATED SNOW SHOVEL

Abstract

The heated snow shovel combines a snow shovel with an ice chopper. Both shovel and chopper are configured to resemble a human hand or glove. Heat is supplied to both utensils via battery-powered electric heating coils. Mounted on a common handle, the ice chopper utensil can be raised and lowered relative to the shovel. The ice chopper can also be made to vibrate. Controls are provided to regulate the heat supplied to each utensil. The handle is ergonomically configured to enhance comfort.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/282,067, filed Dec. 10, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to snow removal tools, and more particularly to a heated snow shovel with an integrated ice chopper.

2. Description of the Related Art

In many climes, winter weather means lots of snow and ice. Although picturesque on lawns and roofs, the snow and ice must be removed from steps and public walkways to ensure safe pedestrian passage. Many jurisdictions have ordinances that require the removal of snow and/or ice from public sidewalks and walkways that are frequented by pedestrian traffic. Thus, the homeowner or business proprietor will often have on hand at least one tool for the removal of snow and/or ice. The ubiquitous, conventional snow shovel is usually the tool of choice. The conventional snow shovel, though relatively rugged, is often ineffectual when employed to remove a layer of ice, especially if the ice has been allowed to harden in low temperature weather. In such instances, a second tool is required to chop or break the hardened ice. Often the second tool is an axe or a garden hoe, neither of which are designed to efficiently or effectively break ice. It would certainly be advantageous if a single tool were available to incorporate a snow shovel and a specialized tool for chopping ice. It would be even more advantageous if both tools could be heated to partially melt the snow and ice to enhance removal. Thus, a heated snow shovel solving the aforementioned problems is desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The heated snow shovel is a tool that combines a snow shovel with an ice chopper. Both shovel and chopper are configured to resemble a human hand. Heat is supplied to both utensils via battery-powered, electric heating coils housed therein. Mounted on a common handle with the shovel, the ice chopper utensil can be raised and lowered relative to the shovel and can also be made to vibrate. Controls are provided to regulate the heat supplied to each utensil. The handle is ergonomically configured to enhance comfort.

Accordingly, the invention presents a tool that facilitates the removal of snow and ice particularly from pedestrian walkways. The tool is fabricated from a rugged and durable material, i.e. titanium, and is easy to operate and use. The invention provides for improved elements thereof in an arrangement for the purposes described that are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.

These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a heated snow shovel according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a heated snow shovel according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a heated snow shovel according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial front view in section showing the internal electric heating components of the heated snow shovel according to the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a detailed front view in section showing the internal electric heating components of the heated ice chopper portion of a heated snow shovel according to the present invention.

Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the heated snow shovel 10 comprises a handle 12 having an upper end defined by a padded grip 14. A padded intermediate grip 15 is positioned approximately midway the length of handle 12. Both grips 14 and 15 are fabricated from a moldable material to accommodate the fingers and enhance comfort for the user U. The lower end of handle 12 terminates as a snow shovel blade 16. The handle 12 is configured in an ergonomic design to further enhance comfort when in use. The handle is hinged at H so that it may be folded for convenient portability. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the shovel blade 16 is attached at the lower end of handle 12. Shovel blade 16 is designed to resemble a human hand or glove having extended finger-like portions 16a. The shovel blade is configured with a small radius of curvature so that the upper surface is slightly concave. An adjunct in the form of an ice chopper 18 is disposed on handle 12 at a position above the end of shovel blade 16. The ice chopper 18 is also designed to resemble a hand or glove and is provided with extended finger-like portions 18a that have serrated teeth-like portions 19 (FIG. 4A). As presently contemplated, a mechanism 20 is utilized to raise and lower the ice chopper 18. The mechanism 20 also causes the ice chopper to vibrate, thereby facilitating the breaking of ice. A control button or lever 35 is employed to send a signal to operate the mechanism 20.

As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 4A a plurality of electric heating coils 30, 30a is disposed in the shovel blade 16 and in the ice chopper 18. The heating coils 30, 30a receive electrical current generated from a removable, rechargeable battery pack 32. A thermostat control 34 regulates the amount of current provided to either or both the shovel blade 16 and the ice chopper 18. The control 34 is waterproofed and shock-resistant. Other mechanisms may be employed to provide heat to the blade and chopper if suitable.

In use, the mechanism 20 permits the ice chopper 18 to be lowered to a desired position of utility when needed. This allows the shovel blade 16 and the ice chopper 18 to be used independently or in conjunction with each other. The thermostatic control 34 is manipulated to supply electric current to both or either of the shovel blade 16 and the ice chopper 18.

It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A heated snow shovel, comprising:

a handle having an upper end and a lower end;

a snow shovel blade attached to the lower end of the handle;

an ice chopper attached to the handle at a position above the snow shovel blade; and

means for heating the snow shovel blade and the ice chopper.

2. The heated snow shovel according to claim 1, further including a first padded grip member disposed at the upper end of said handle.

3. The heated snow shovel according to claim 1, further including means for raising and lowering the ice chopper relative to the lower end of said handle.

4. The heated snow shovel according to claim 1, further including a second padded grip member disposed at an intermediate position between the upper end and the lower end of said handle.

5. The heated snow shovel according to claim 1, wherein said snow shovel blade is formed with extended finger-like portions.

6. The heated snow shovel according to claim 1, wherein said ice chopper is formed with extended finger-like portions.

7. The heated snow shovel according to claim 1, wherein said means for heating includes electric heating coils disposed in said snow shovel blade and said ice chopper.

8. The heated snow shovel according to claim 1, further including a hinge positioned on said handle, whereby said handle can be folded.

9. The heated snow shovel according to claim 1, wherein said means for heating includes electric heating coils disposed in said snow shovel blade and said ice chopper and a battery pack supplying electrical energy to the heating coils, and further includes thermostatic controls connected to the heating coils for regulating the amount of electrical energy supplied to said snow shovel blade and said ice chopper.

10. The heated snow shovel according to claim 1, wherein said handle is of an ergonomic configuration.

11. A heated snow shovel, comprising:

an ergonomically configured handle having an upper end and a lower end;

a first padded grip member disposed at the upper end;

a second padded grip member disposed at an intermediate position between the upper end and the lower end of the handle;

a snow shovel blade attached to the lower end of the handle;

an ice chopper attached to the handle at a position above the snow shovel blade;

means for raising and lowering the ice chopper relative to the lower end of the handle and providing vibratory motion to the ice chopper; and

means for heating the snow shovel blade and the ice chopper.

12. The heated snow shovel according to claim 11, wherein said snow shovel blade is formed with extended finger-like portions.

13. The heated snow shovel according to claim 11, wherein said ice chopper is formed with extended finger-like portions, the finger-like portions having serrated edges.

14. The heated snow shovel according to claim 11, wherein said means for heating includes electric heating coils disposed in said snow shovel blade and said ice chopper.

15. The heated snow shovel according to claim 11, further including a hinge positioned on said handle, whereby said handle can be folded.

16. The heated snow shovel according to claim 11, wherein said means for heating includes electric heating coils disposed in said snow shovel blade and said ice chopper and a battery pack supplying electrical energy to the heating coils, and further includes thermostatic controls connected to the heating coils for regulating the amount of electrical energy supplied to said snow shovel blade and said ice chopper.

17. A heated snow shovel, comprising:

an ergonomically configured handle having an upper end and a lower end;

a first padded grip member disposed at the upper end;

a second padded grip member disposed at an intermediate position between the upper end and the lower end of the handle;

a snow shovel blade formed with extended finger-like portions attached to the lower end of the handle;

an ice chopper formed with extended finger-like portions having serrated edges, the ice chopper being attached to the handle at a position above the snow shovel blade;

means for raising and lowering the ice chopper relative to the lower end of the handle and for providing vibratory motion to the ice chopper; and

means for heating the snow shovel blade and the ice chopper.

18. The heated snow shovel according to claim 17, wherein said means for heating includes electric heating coils disposed in said snow shovel blade and said ice chopper.

19. The heated snow shovel according to claim 17, further including a hinge positioned on said handle, whereby said handle can be folded.

20. The heated snow shovel according to claim 17, wherein said means for heating includes electric heating coils disposed in said snow shovel blade and said ice chopper and a battery pack supplying electrical energy to the heating coils, and further includes thermostatic controls connected to the heating coils for regulating the amount of electrical energy supplied to said snow shovel blade and said ice chopper.