MULTIMODE SNOW TOOL
A one-piece tool head comprising a scoop and at least one socket with a retention snap provided on the scoop for engaging a free end of a handle to secure the handle to the one-piece tool head, thus forming a multi-functional tool without the need for separate fasteners to secure the handle and the one-piece tool head together.
The present invention relates to snow shovels. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with a multimode snow shovel.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONSnow removing tools typically comprises a scoop attached to a handle. The connection between the scoop and the handle oftentimes proves to be too flexible and flimsy. Moreover, a snow removing tool usually functions as either a snow pusher or a snow scoop. Snow pushers are characterized by wide, curved scoops, and are typically used like human-powered plows. Designed to push the snow out of the way, the shape of their scoops makes lifting and flinging snow with them difficult. Lifting and flinging snow is best done with snow scoops. However when the scoops have low sides, the snow that is being shoveled tends to spill out therefrom. However, deep large scoops tend to be heavy and therefore difficult for the user to handle.
In fact, traditional snow tools are cumbersome and labor intensive, and do not provide ergonomics for a wide range of users.
There is still a need in the art for an improved snow tool.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONMore specifically, there is provided a one-piece tool head for a tool having a handle, comprising a scoop and at least one socket provided on the scoop, the socket comprising a retention snap engaging a free end of the handle to secure the handle to the one-piece tool head.
There is further provided a tool comprising a one-piece tool head including a scoop and at least one socket provided on the scoop, and a handle comprising an end grip and at least one free end, the at least one free end comprising a stop engaging a retention snap of the at least one socket.
There is further provided a one-piece scooping head for a tool, comprising a scoop, housings for connection to a handle extending from the scoop, and at least one of a grip and a foot rest supported between the housings.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the appended drawings:
As shown in
The handle 14 may be a double handle formed of a folded member 20, the folded part of the member 20 providing an end grip 22 for a user.
As best seen in the side view in
The handle 14 as illustrated in
The one-piece tool head 12 comprises a scoop 13, which may have a range of size so as to best accommodate the strength of the user. The scoop 13 may be a deep, shovel/pusher combo like scoop. The scoop 13 may be made in a plastic material. It may comprise a steel galvanized, injection-molded nylon wear strip 16 at a bottom edge thereof shown in
The one-piece tool head 12 further comprises sockets 18 integral with the scoop 13, which receive the free ends of the handle 14. The free ends of the handle 14 are provided with stops 50 which can engage retention snaps 30 of the sockets 18 as discussed hereinbelow (see
As best seen in
The one-piece tool head 12 may further comprise, at a top part of the scoop 13, for example between the sockets 18 and the housings 19, a foot rest 25, also integral with the scoop 13.
The one-piece tool head 12, including the scoop 13, sockets 18 with retention snaps 30, housings 19 and intermediate grips 24, 26 and foot rest 25, is typically made in a plastic material, such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or a composite material. As people in the art will appreciate, the present tool head is a one piece member, which integrates auxiliary grips.
The free ends of the handle 14 are inserted in the sockets 18 of the one-piece tool head 12. Each socket 18 may be provided with ribs 51, seen in
When a downward force is applied on the handle 14, for example when using the tool as a pusher or a scraper as described hereinbelow in relation to
It has been shown that such a retention snap 30, having a compression strength of about 75 lbs at +20° C., has a compression strength increased by about 25% at a temperature of −20° C.
The present tool can be used as a pusher, the user, positioned behind the tool 10 and holding the end grip 22, moving forward (see
The present tool can also be used as a shovel, the user having one hand on the end grip 22 and another hand on one of the intermediate grips 24, 26 (
The quick-connect system as formed by the snap and the stop as illustrated for example in
The present tool is a multi-functional snow tool, as efficient and ergonomic as a pusher as a sleigh shovel for example.
As discussed hereinabove, the present tool head and snap connection between the tool head and the handle can be used for a tool comprising a double handle formed by two separate handles each one having a free end secured in a respective socket. The handles may be made in wood or other material for example.
The present one-piece tool head and snap connection between the tool head and the handle may also be used for a tool comprising a traditional single handle design, as shown in
Moreover, although the handle 14 as illustrated herein is shown connected to the scoop 13 in a generally vertical position, the present tool head and the quick-connect system between handle and tool head allow connecting the handle at a range of angles as shown in
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it may be modified, without departing from the nature and teachings of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A one-piece tool head for a tool having a handle, comprising:
- a scoop; and
- at least one socket provided on the scoop, said socket comprising a retention snap, and said retention snap engaging a free end of the handle to secure the handle to said one-piece tool head.
2. The one-piece tool head of claim 1, comprising at least one housing extending from said at least one socket, said housing guiding the free end of the handle.
3. The one-piece tool head of claim 1, comprising two sockets and a first and a second housings extending from each said sockets respectively, and at least one intermediate grip provided along a length of said first and second housings.
4. The one-piece tool head of claim 1, further comprising a foot rest provided at an upper edge of said scoop.
5. A tool, comprising:
- a one-piece tool head including a scoop and at least one socket provided on the scoop; and
- a handle, comprising an end grip and at least one free end; the at least one free end comprising a stop, said stop engaging a retention snap of said at least one socket.
6. The tool of claim 5, wherein said handle is a double handle having two free ends, said one-piece tool head comprising two sockets provided on the scoop, each socket receiving a free end of the handle, each socket comprising a retention snap engaged by a stop in each free end.
7. The tool of claim 5, wherein said handle is a double handle formed of a folded member, said handle having two free ends, a folded portion of the folded member forming the end grip and free ends of the folded members opposite said folded portion forming the free ends of the handle, said one-piece tool head comprising two sockets on the scoop, each socket receiving a free end of the handle, each socket comprising a retention snap engaged by a stop in each free end.
8. The tool of claim 5, wherein said end grip of the handle is at an angle relative to a remaining part of the handle.
9. The tool of claim 5, wherein said handle is a one-piece member comprising one of a metal and a composite material.
10. The tool of claim 5, wherein said handle has one of an elliptical, a circular and a tubular cross section.
11. The tool of claim 5, wherein said one-piece tool head is made in one of a plastic material, a composite material, and a metallic material.
12. The tool of claim 5, wherein said at least one free hand of the handle comprises one of an aperture, a notch, a sinking and a pin that forms said stop.
13. The tool of claim 1, wherein said one-piece tool head further comprises at least one housing extending from said at least one socket, said housing guiding said at least one free end of the handle.
14. The tool of claim 6, wherein said one-piece tool head further comprises a housing extending from each one of said socket, and at least one intermediate grip supported between said housings.
15. The tool of claim 5, wherein said one-piece tool head further comprises a foot rest provided at an upper edge of said scoop.
16. The tool of claim 5, wherein said one-piece tool head further comprises at least one housing extending from said at least one socket, said housing guiding said at least one free end of the handle.
17. A one-piece scooping head for a tool, comprising a scoop, housings for connection to a handle extending from said scoop, and at least one of a grip and a foot rest supported between said housings.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 26, 2010
Publication Date: Sep 1, 2011
Inventor: Richard ROCKWELL (Levis)
Application Number: 12/713,567
International Classification: E01H 5/00 (20060101); E01H 5/02 (20060101);