SNOW REMOVAL DEVICE

Abstract

A plow device includes a plow member and a handle that is pivotally connected to the plow member. The plow member is generally U-shaped, and retains snow or other loose material as the U-shaped member slides over a ground surface.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/594,093 filed on Feb. 2, 2012, entitled, SNOW REMOVAL DEVICE, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various shovels have been developed for removing snow from sidewalks, driveways, and the like. Shovels have also been utilized to move other loose materials such as dirt, gravel, animal waste, or the like. Known shovels utilized to clear materials can be tiring to use, and may not clear loose material as quickly as desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention is a manual plow device that is configured to be pushed on ground surface by a user in a forward direction. The plow device includes a plow having an upright rear wall defining a forwardly facing front side surface. The upright rear wall includes an elongated lower edge that is configured to slidably engage a ground surface in use, and opposite end portions. The plow also includes a pair of horizontally spaced apart end walls that extend forwardly from the opposite end portions of the rear wall. The end walls define inwardly-facing side surfaces and elongated lower edges that are configured to slidably engage a generally flat ground surface simultaneously with the lower edge of the upright rear wall. The front side surface of the upright rear wall and the inwardly facing side surfaces of the end walls together define a U-shape in plan view and a central space that is substantially open vertically whereby snow or other loose material is retained in the central space by the rear wall and the end walls in contact with a ground surface. The plow device further includes a handle having a first end having a grip that is configured to be grasped by a user, and a second end that is pivotally connected to the plow with sufficiently low rotational resistance to permit the handle to be rotated relative to the plow to thereby raise and lower the grip without rotating the plow when the only force resisting rotation of the plow is gravitational force acting on the plow. The plow may comprise a generally flat sheet of polymer material that has been formed into a U-shaped structure.

Another aspect of the present invention is a manual plow device configured to be pushed along a ground surface by a user. The plow device includes a U-shaped plow member having a central portion and a pair of spaced-apart end portions that extend transversely forward from the central portion in a cantilevered manner to define a central space that is open in upper and lower directions and in a forward direction. The plow device includes a handle that is pivotally connected to the plow member for a rotation about a generally horizontal axis relative to the plow member.

These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partially fragmentary isometric view of a manual plow device according to one aspect of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the plow device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the plow member; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a plow device according to another aspect of the present invention, wherein the plow device includes a knock-down handle to facilitate shipping of the plow device in a disassembled state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. However, it is to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative orientations, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.

A plow device 1 (FIG. 1) according to the present invention includes a plow 2 and a handle 3 that is rotatably connected to the plow 2 for rotation about a horizontal axis “A”. The plow 2 includes an upright rear wall 5, and a pair of horizontally spaced apart end walls 6 that extend forwardly from opposite end portion 7 of upright rear wall 5. Upright rear wall 5 includes a forwardly facing front side surface 8, and the end walls 6 define inwardly facing side surfaces 9. Upright rear wall 5 includes elongated upper and lower edges 10 and 11, respectively. The upper and lower edges are preferably linear, and parallel to one another. The end walls 6 define upper and lower edges 12 and 13, respectively. Upper and lower edges 12 and 13 are preferably linear, and parallel to one another, As discussed below, plow 2 can be flipped over (i.e. rotated 180°) such that “upper” edges 10 and 12 are in contact with the ground surface being cleared. The end walls 6 include vertically extending forward edges 16 that extend between upper and lower edges 12 and 13, respectively to define upper and lower corners 17 and 18, respectively. The upper and lower corners 17 and 18 are radiused to permit the plow 2 to travel over bumps or other irregularities in a ground surface 4. The radiuses of corners 17 and 18 are preferably at least about ½ inch, but could be as small as ⅛ inch. The radiuses could also be larger. For example, the radiuses of corners 17 and 18 could be 1.0, 2.0, or more inches. Also, the corners 17 and 18 could be chamfered at a 45° degree angle or otherwise modified to be less “sharp” to facilitate sliding of plow 2 over bumps, irregularities, or the like in ground surface 4.

With further reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, plow 2 is preferably made from a flat sheet of polymer material that is heated and deformed to form corners 19. The plow 2 is preferably made of a polypropylene material that is about ¼ inch thick. During fabrication, a flat sheet of solid polymer material is cut to size. The sheet is then heated and deformed to form end walls 6 and corners 19. In the illustrated example, the corners 19 are relatively sharp. However, it will be understood that the corners 19 could be radiused. The radiuses of corners 19 could be quite large, such that surfaces 8 and 9 are curved. Plow 2 may optionally include angled end flaps 6A having vertical edges 16A. Flaps 6H may extend at an angle θ of about 30°-45° relative to end walls 6. End flaps or extensions 6A ensure that the lower edges 13 of sidewall 6 do not become stuck in elongated cracks (not shown) that may be formed in ground surface 4 at joints between adjacent slabs of concrete or the like. In general, the plow 2 may have a range of configurations, and could comprise a gently curved member as shown by dashed line 20.

The plow 2 defines a central space 22 (FIG. 3) that is open in upward and downward directions, as well as in a forward direction. In use, snow 15 (FIG. 1) or other loose material is retained in central space 22 by the inner surfaces 8 and 9 of upright rear wall 5 and end wall 6, respectively. However, because plow 2 is open in a downward direction, the snow 15 or other loose material is supported on ground surface 4 as it is pushed and retained by surfaces 8 and 9 of plow 2. Thus, in contrast to a shovel, the plow 2 pushes the snow in a horizontal direction, but it does not include a horizontal support surface of the type that is utilized to lift snow or other loose material.

The end walls 6 have a length “L” (FIG. 3) of about 12 inches to about 24 inches. More preferably, the length “L” of end walls 6 is about 10 inches to about 18 inches. The width “W” of the plow 2 is preferably about 18 inches to about 48 inches. The dimension “W” is more preferably about 24 inches to about 32 inches. The height “H” (FIG. 2) of the rear wall 5 and end walls 6 is preferably about 6 inches to about 18 inches. However, it will be understood that the dimensions of the plow 2 may vary as required for a particular application.

Referring back to FIG. 1, handle 3 includes a pair of spaced-apart elongated side members 24 and an upper cross member 25 extending between and inter connecting the side members 24 such that handle 3 has an upside down U-shape. A lower cross member 26 extends between the elongated side members 24, and interconnects the side members 24 to provide additional strength and rigidity. The handle 3 may be made from tubular metal such as aluminum, steel, or other suitable material. In the illustrated example, the handle is made from aluminum tubing having an outer diameter of about 0.75 inches, and a wall thickness of about 0.060 inches. Lower ends 27 of side members 24 of handle 3 are pivotally connected to plow 2 at pivot connections 28. Pivot connections 28 may comprise pins or threaded fasteners or the like that extend through openings in ends 27 of side members 24, and through openings in end walls 6 of plow 2. With further reference to FIG. 2, the handle 3 preferably has a length “L” of about 36 inches to about 60 inches. In the illustrated example, the handle 3 has a length “L” of about 48 inches.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in use, a user grasps upper cross member 25 of handle 3, and pushes on the handle 3 to slide the plow 2 over a ground surface 4. The pivot connection 28 preferably has relatively low resistance with respect to rotation of handle 3 relative to plow 2 such that handle 3 can be rotated as shown by the arrow “R” (FIG. 2) relative to plow 2 without causing rotation of plow 2. Thus, the gravitational force “G” (FIG. 2) due to the mass of plow 6 cases the lower edge 13 of end walls 6 and lower edge 10 of rear wall 8 to remain in contact with ground surface 4 as a user rotates handle 3 about. However, pivot connection 28 may be configured to provide a small amount of rotational resistance such that handle 3 can be stably positioned in an upright configuration “U” (FIG. 2) when plow device 1 is not being used. If threaded fasteners are utilized at pivot connection 28, the threaded fasteners can be tightened or loosened as required to provide the desired degree of rotational resistance at pivot connection 28 to thereby permit rotation of handle 3 relative to plow 2 in use, while also permitting handle 3 to remain in an upright position “U” when plow device 1 is not in use.

In the illustrated example, the plow 2 is generally symmetric about a horizontal plane. Thus, the plow 2 can be flipped over such that upper edge 10 of upright rear wall 5 and upper edges 12 of end walls 6 are in contact with ground surface 4. Thus, if one of the lower edge surfaces 11 or 13 becomes uneven or worn, the plow 2 can be flipped over and used. In general, edges 11 and 13 tend to wear in a relatively even manner, such that the plow 2 can be utilized for a long period of time despite significant wear on edges 11 and 13 (or edges 10 and 12). In the event one of the edges becomes irregular, the plow 2 can be readily repaired by grinding or otherwise removing the irregular material to thereby straighten the edges 11, 13, 10, and/or 12. As the edges wear, chamfers or radiuses can be formed at corners 17 and 18 as required to ensure that plow 2 can travel over bumps and other irregularities in a ground surface.

Referring again to FIG. 1, in use, a user grasps upper cross member 25, and rotates handle 3 to a comfortable height. The user then pushes on the handle 3 to slide the plow 2 in a forward direction as indicated by the arrows “F” (FIGS. 1 and 2). The snow 15 or other loose material is retained within open space 22 by forwardly facing front surface 8 of upright rear wall 5, and by inwardly facing side surfaces 9 of end walls 6. The user pushes the plow device 1 until the snow 15 or other loose material is pushed off the area of ground surface 4 to be cleared. In use, the user can shift handle 3 up or down as required to provide for comfortable use and/or to provide sufficient force to push the snow 15 or other loose material. Due to the low rotational resistance of pivot connections 28, a force applied to the handle 3 will act in a direction along the elongated side members 24 of handle 3. This force provides a horizontal component “F1” (FIG. 2) tending to move the plow 2 in the forward direction “F”, and a downward component “F2” acting downwardly on plow 2 at pivot connection 28. The downwardly acting component “F2” of the force tends to keep the lower edges 11 and 13 of plow 2 in contact with ground surface 4. Typically, in use the handle 3 can be angled such that forces applied by a user are transmitted axially alongside members 24 whereby the total force vector F_T (FIG. 2) extends through the contact area “C” between plow 2 and ground surface 4. This helps ensure that plow 2 remains in contact with ground surface 4. The angle of handle 3 can be adjusted as required to account for forces acting on plow 2 as a result of friction between plow 2 and ground surface 4, and for forces on plow 2 due to snow or other material 15. In this way, a user can ensure that plow 2 remains in contact with ground surface 4 during use.

The plow device 1 is particularly suited for snow removal from sidewalks, driveways, and the like. The plow device 1 permits rapid clearing of snow from a relatively large area, and it does not require shoveling or lifting of the snow. Furthermore, the plow device 1 can also be utilized to move other loose material such as gravel, wood chips, or the like. The plow device is particularly suited for clearing animal waste such as manure from barns or other such facilities.

With further reference to FIG. 4, a plow device 30 according to another aspect of the present invention includes a handle assembly 31 including an upper member 32, a lower member 33, and a pair of side members 34. Side members 34 have reduced diameter ends 35 that are received in open ends 36 of tubular upper and lower members 32 and 33, respectively. Threaded fasteners such as bolts 37 and nuts 38 can be utilized to secure the handle 31 in an assembled condition. Plow device 30 includes a plow 2 that is substantially identical to the plow 2 described in more detail above in connection with FIGS. 1-3. Plow 2 can be secured to lower ends 27 of handle 31 by threaded fasteners such as nuts 37 and bolts 38, The plow device 30 can be shipped in a disassembled state, and assembled after it is removed from the shipping container. The plow device 30 is used in a substantially similar manner to the plow device 1 as described in more detail above.

Claims

1. A manual plow device configured to be pushed by a user to cause the plow device to slide on a ground surface in a forward direction, the plow device comprising:

a plow having an upright rear wall defining a forwardly-facing front side surface, an elongated lower edge that is configured to slidably engage a generally flat ground surface, and opposite end portions, the plow including a pair of horizontally spaced-apart end walls that extend forwardly from the opposite end portions of the rear wall, the end walls defining inwardly-facing side surfaces and elongated lower edges that are configured to slidably engage a generally flat ground surface simultaneously with the elongated lower edge of the upright rear wall, and wherein the front side surface of the upright rear wall and the inwardly-facing side surfaces of the end walls together define a U-shape in plan view and a central space that is substantially open vertically in upper and lower directions whereby loose material disposed in the central space in contact with the ground surface is retained in the central space by the rear wall and the end walls; and

a handle having a first end that includes a grip that is configured to be grasped by a user, and a second end that is pivotally connected to the plow with sufficiently low resistance to rotation so as to permit the handle to be rotated relative to the plow to raise and lower the grip without rotating the plow if the sole force resisting rotation of the plow is gravitational force acting on the plow.

2. The plow device of claim 1, wherein:

the forwardly-facing front side surface of the plow is substantially planar.

3. The plow device of claim 2, wherein:

the inwardly-facing side surfaces of the end walls are substantially planar.

4. The plow device of claim 3, wherein:

the inwardly-facing side surfaces are orthogonal to the front side surface.

5. The plow device of claim 4, wherein:

the elongated lower edge of the upright rear wall and the elongated lower edges of the end walls are linear and lie in an imaginary plane.

6. The plow device of claim 5, wherein:

the forwardly-facing front side surface of the plow is orthogonal to the imaginary plane.

7. The plow device of claim 6, wherein:

the upright rear wall and the end walls define linear upper edge surfaces whereby the plow can be rotated 180° and the linear upper edge surfaces can be positioned on a flat ground surface, and wherein the handle can be rotated to extend up and away from a ground surface.

8. The plow device of claim 7, wherein:

the plow comprises a sheet of polymer material with planar opposite side surfaces, and wherein the upright rear wall is formed by a central portion of the sheet of polymer material, and the end walls are formed by opposite end portions of the sheet of polymer material.

9. The plow device of claim 8, wherein:

the end walls include end edges extending between the lower edges and the linear upper edge surfaces to define upper and lower corners, and wherein the upper and lower corners have an edge surface that faces forwardly and downwardly such that the plow can go over bumps on a ground surface.

10. The plow device of claim 9, wherein:

the edge surface of the corners comprises a radius of at least about 0.50 inches.

11. The plow device of claim 8, wherein:

the handle comprises a U-shaped member with a pair of elongated members having first ends thereof rotatably connected to the plow, and a cross member extending between and interconnecting the elongated members.

12. The plow device of claim 11, wherein:

the first ends of the elongated members are rotatably connected to the end walls of the plow.

13. The plow device of claim 11, wherein:

the elongated members comprise first and second end sections, and a central section having opposite ends thereof detachably connected to first and second end sections whereby the handle can be disassembled into at least three separate sections to reduce the overall size of the handle when it is in a disassembled state.

14. The plow device of claim 8, wherein:

the lower edge of the rear wall and the elongated lower edges of the end walls are linear.

15. The plow device of claim 14, wherein:

the linear upper edge surface of the rear wall is parallel to the lower edge of the rear wall, and the linear upper edge surfaces of the end walls are parallel to the elongated lower edges of the end walls.

16. The plow device of claim 15, wherein:

the linear upper edge surface of the rear wall is spaced-apart from the lower edge of the rear wall by about 6.0 to about 18.0 inches.

17. The plow device of claim 1, wherein:

the inwardly-facing side surfaces of the end walls are spaced about 18.0 to 48.0 inches apart.

18. The plow device of claim 1, wherein:

the end walls extend about 12.0 inches to about 24.0 inches forward from the forwardly-facing front side surface of the rear wall.

19. A manual plow device configured to be pushed along a ground surface by a user, the plow device comprising:

a U-shaped plow member having a central portion and a pair of spaced-apart end portions that extend transversely forward from the central portion in a cantilevered manner to define a central space that is open in upper and lower directions and in a forward direction;

a handle pivotally connected to the plow member for rotation about a generally horizontal axis relative to the plow member.

20. The plow device of claim 19, wherein:

the plow member comprises a sheet of polymer material that is bent to form the end portions.

21. The plow device of claim 19, wherein:

the handle comprises an upside-down U-shaped member having a pair of elongated members having ends thereof pivotally connected to the plow member.