TWO-STAGE SNOW THROWER

Abstract

A two-stage snow thrower for removing and throwing accumulated snow. The two-stage snow thrower includes a housing, a power supply, a longitudinal drive shaft extending from the power supply, and a lateral drive shaft extending transversely relative to the longitudinal drive shaft. A first stage assembly includes at least one auger is positioned immediately adjacent to each opposing sides of the gear assembly which receives both the longitudinal and lateral drive shaft. The first stage assembly pushes loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly. A second stage assembly includes an impeller that centrifugally throws the snow from the housing through a chute extending from the housing. A paddle is attached to each of the augers of the first stage assembly, and the paddles push the snow rearwardly toward the impeller.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to snow removal devices, and more particularly, to a snow thrower having two distinct stages of transferring and expelling loosened snow.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snow removal machines typically include housings with a forward opening through which material enters the machine. At least one rotatable member (auger) is positioned and rotatably secured within the housing for engaging and eliminating the snow from within the housing. Snow blower technology is generally focused on designs whereby flighted augers move snow axially toward an impeller that is driven integrally (single stage) or independently driven (two-stage). Impellers are usually devices such as discs and blades that are shaped and configured such that when rotated they receive materials (snow) and then centrifugally discharge the materials through openings in the housings and then into chutes that control and direct the materials.

The known single stage and two-stage snow throwers have limitations in performance which often result from the augers typically moving material axially and impellers centrifugally, wherein the transition volume between the augers and impellers requires a tertiary force such as forward propulsion of the housing toward the materials to push the material into the impeller(s). Two-stage impellers separate the drive means of the augers and impellers so that each can operate at slower or higher speeds that improve their effectiveness, but in so doing, a transition volume is created. A need therefore exists for a snow thrower that reduces or eliminates the necessity of forward propulsion by the operator that also increases the operational efficiency of the snow thrower.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, a two-stage snow thrower is provided. The two-stage snow thrower includes a power supply, a housing extending from the power supply, and a chute extending from the housing from which snow is thrown from the housing. A longitudinal drive shaft is positioned at least partially within the housing. The longitudinal drive shaft is rotatable by the power supply and extending from the power supply to a gear assembly. A lateral drive shaft is operatively connected to opposing side walls of the housing. The lateral drive shaft is also operatively connected to the gear assembly, wherein the longitudinal drive shaft is rotatably connected to the lateral drive shaft within the gear assembly. A first stage assembly includes at least two augers operatively connected to the lateral drive shaft, wherein at least one of the at least two augers is positioned adjacent to both opposing sides of the gear assembly. A second stage assembly for expelling the snow from the housing, the second stage assembly including an impeller operatively connected to the longitudinal drive shaft. At least one paddle is operatively connected to each of the augers positioned adjacent to opposing sides of the gear assembly.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a two-stage snow thrower is provided. The two-stage snow thrower includes a power supply, a housing extending from the power supply, and a chute extending from the housing for allowing snow to be expelled from the housing through the chute, wherein the housing includes an exit aperture from which the chute extends. A longitudinal drive shaft is positioned within the housing, the longitudinal drive shaft is selectively rotatable by the power supply and extending between the power supply and a gear assembly. A lateral drive shaft is rotatably connected to opposing side walls of the housing. The lateral drive shaft is operatively connected to the gear assembly, wherein the longitudinal drive shaft is rotationally connected to the lateral drive shaft. A first stage assembly includes two augers operatively connected to the lateral drive shaft, wherein each of the augers is positioned adjacent to opposing sides of the gear assembly. Each of the augers is formed of a base and at least one flight extending radially outward from the base, wherein the at least one flight is helically shaped relative to the lateral drive shaft. A second stage assembly includes an impeller positioned within the housing and operatively connected to the longitudinal drive shaft. At least one paddle is operatively connected to a peripheral edge of each flight of the augers.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, a two-stage snow thrower is provided. The two-stage snow thrower includes a power supply and a housing extending from the power supply. The housing includes a recess and the recess has an opening thereto. A chute extends from the housing for allowing snow to be expelled from the housing through the chute. A longitudinal drive shaft having one distal end operatively connected to the power supply and a second distal end operatively connected to a gear assembly. The longitudinal drive shaft is selectively rotatable by the power supply, wherein the longitudinal drive shaft includes a first worm gear adjacent to the second distal end. A lateral drive shaft has a second worm gear and is rotatably connected to opposing side walls of the housing. The lateral drive shaft is operatively connected to the gear assembly transversely with respect to the longitudinal drive shaft, wherein the first worm gear of the longitudinal drive shaft is operatively connected to the second worm gear of the lateral drive shaft for transferring rotation of the longitudinal drive shaft to the lateral drive shaft. A first stage assembly includes at least two augers operatively connected to the lateral drive shaft between the gear assembly and each of the opposing side walls of the housing. Each of the augers is formed of a base and a plurality of flights extending radially outward from the base and oriented helically relative to the lateral drive shaft. A second stage assembly includes an impeller positioned within the recess and operatively connected to the longitudinal drive shaft. A paddle is operatively connected to a peripheral edge of each flight of each auger positioned immediately adjacent to the gear assembly.

Advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the embodiments of the invention which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its details are capable of modification in various respects.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the present invention, and their advantages, are illustrated specifically in embodiments of the invention now to be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is top perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a portion of a two-stage snow thrower of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the snow thrower shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the snow thrower shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the snow thrower shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5A is a side view of an embodiment of a gear assembly; and

FIG. 5B is a front cross-sectional view of the gear assembly shown in FIG. 5A.

It should be noted that all the drawings are diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Relative dimensions and proportions of parts of these figures have been shown exaggerated or reduced in size for the sake of clarity and convenience in the drawings. The same reference numbers are generally used to refer to corresponding or similar features in the different embodiments. Accordingly, the drawing(s) and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a two-stage snow thrower 10 is shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the snow thrower 10 includes a power supply 12 configured to provide power for driving the two stages used to remove or throw accumulated snow from concrete, pavement, or the like. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the snow thrower 10 may alternatively include a cord to receive electrical power, an internal combustion engine, a rechargeable battery, or any other commonly known power supplies. The snow thrower 10 also includes a pair of graspable handles (not shown) attached to the power supply housing that can be used by an operator to control the direction and movement of the snow thrower 10. The snow thrower 10 also includes a pair of wheels (not shown) attached to the power supply housing for allowing the snow thrower to roll along the ground while removing accumulated snow. The snow thrower 10 is configured to remove piled-up snow and propels, or throws the snow to a different location from a chute 16 that is operatively connected to a housing 18 into which the piled-up snow enters the snow thrower 10.

The housing 18 is a generally semi-cylindrical, or C-shaped casing including a recess 20 extending rearwardly from the central C-shaped portion, wherein the housing 18 is longitudinally oriented in a transverse direction relative to the forward direction of movement of the snow thrower 10, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In an embodiment, the housing 18 and recess 20 are formed of a metal material having a thickness sufficient to withstand lower temperatures as well as the repeated impact of snow and debris that is being removed from a sidewalk, driveway, parking lot, or the like. The housing 18 includes an opening 22 into which snow enters the housing 18 and an opening 24 into the recess 20 though which the snow is forced before it is expelled from the housing 18.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the power supply 12 includes a longitudinal drive shaft 26 that extends from the power supply 12 into the housing 18 for providing rotational power to each of the three stages of the snow thrower 10. The power supply 12 selectively drives or rotates the longitudinal drive shaft 26, wherein the power supply 12 can cause the longitudinal drive shaft 26 to always rotate when the power supply 12 is in an on mode, the operator can selectively determine when the power supply 12 engages or causes the longitudinal drive shaft 26 to rotate, or the longitudinal drive shaft 26 does not rotate when the power supply 12 is in an off mode. One distal end of the longitudinal drive shaft 26 is connected to the power supply 12 and the opposing end of the longitudinal drive shaft 26 is operatively connected to a gear assembly 28 that is positioned within the housing 18. In an embodiment, the longitudinal drive shaft 26 extends to the gear assembly 28 such that the distal end of the longitudinal drive shaft 26 is disposed within the gear assembly 28. In another embodiment, one distal end of the longitudinal drive shaft 26 is connected to the power supply 12 and the longitudinal drive shaft 26 extends through the gear assembly 28 such that the opposing distal end of the longitudinal drive shaft 26 extends axially beyond the gear assembly 28. The longitudinal drive shaft 26 is aligned such that the longitudinal axis thereof is substantially aligned with the fore/aft direction of the two-stage snow thrower 10.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a single lateral drive shaft 30 is rotatably attached to each of the opposing side walls of the housing 18, wherein a portion of the lateral drive shaft 30 is disposed within the casing of the gear assembly 28. The lateral drive shaft 30 is operatively connected to the gear assembly 28 in a substantially perpendicular or transverse manner relative to the longitudinal drive shaft 26. The gear assembly 28 includes a casing in which rotational power from the power supply 12 via the longitudinal drive shaft 26 generates or transfers rotational power to the lateral drive shaft 30. The longitudinal drive shaft 26 is operatively connected to the second stage and the lateral drive shaft 30 is operatively connected to the first stage of the two-stage snow thrower 10, thereby providing rotational power to each of the stages so as to quickly and efficiently move, or throw, accumulated snow.

The first stage assembly 32 of the two-stage snow thrower 10 includes at least two augers 34 attached to the lateral drive shaft 30, wherein at least one auger 34 is positioned on the lateral drive shaft 30 adjacent to each opposing side of the gear assembly 28, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the first stage assembly 32 includes two augers 34 positioned on each portion of the lateral drive shaft 30 extending between the gear assembly 28 and the opposing side walls of the housing 18. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that although the illustrated embodiment of the first stage assembly 32 includes four augers 34, the first stage assembly 32 can include any number of augers 34 positioned adjacent to each side of the gear assembly 28 on the lateral drive shaft 30. The augers 34 are removably connected to the lateral drive shaft 30 by way of a connecting mechanism such as a nut-and-bolt, cotter pin, or the like. The augers 34 of the first stage assembly 32 are configured to move snow axially along the lateral drive shaft 30 toward the gear assembly 28 that is positioned at or near the lateral center of the housing 18.

Each auger 34 includes at least one flight 36 that extends radially outward from a base 38 as well as extending at least somewhat concentrically with the outer surface of the base 38. In the illustrated embodiment, the flights 36 include a base portion that extends radially from the base 38 in a generally linear manner, and an arc-shaped blade portion that expands from the end of the base portion in a generally semi-circular manner about the base 38. The blade portion of the flight 36 is also curved, or angled in a helical manner about the base 38. The blade portion of each flight 36 extends about the base 38 about one hundred eighty degrees (180) such that two flights 36 extending about the entire periphery of the base 38. In another embodiment, each auger 34 has a single flight 36 that extends about the entire periphery of the base 38 in a helical manner. In yet another embodiment, each auger 34 includes more than two flights 36 extending from the base 38 such that all of the flights 36 extend about at least the entire periphery of the base 38. The augers 34 can be formed of segmented or continuous flights 36, or the augers 34 may include brushes incorporated with the flights 36. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the augers 34 are configured in a corkscrew or spiral shape or orientation relative to the lateral drive shaft 30 to which they are attached. For example, the augers 34 of the first stage assembly 32 are configure to rotate and push or transport the snow in the direction from the side walls of the housing 18 toward the centrally-located gear assembly 28.

In an exemplary embodiment, each auger 34 of the first stage assembly 32 that is attached to the lateral drive shaft 30 and positioned immediately adjacent to the gear assembly 28 includes at least one paddle 40 extending from the outer radial edge of a flight 36, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. In the illustrated embodiment, each auger 34 positioned immediately adjacent to the gear assembly 28 includes two flights 36 extending from the base 38, and a paddle 40 extends from the outer radial edge of each flight 36, wherein the paddle 40 extends from a position adjacent to the downstream-most corner of the flight 36 nearest the gear assembly 28. The paddle 40 extends at an angle from the outer radial edge of each flight 36. In an embodiment, the paddle 40 extends substantially perpendicular relative to the flight 36, but it should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the paddle 40 can be oriented at any angle between about 10° to about 90° relative to the flight 36. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the augers 34 may include any number of paddles 40 extending from the flights 36 thereof, and it should also be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the paddles 40 can be positioned at any location on the flights 36. In an embodiment, the paddle 40 is formed of the same material as the flight 36 to which it is attached. In another embodiment, the paddle 40 is formed of a dissimilar material relative to the flight 36 to which it is attached.

The paddle 40 extending from the flight 36 of an auger 34 is angled such that the paddle 40 is directed upstream, or toward the direction of rotation of the flight 36 to which it is attached. This orientation allows the paddle 40 to push the loosened snow rearward within the housing 18 as the snow thrower 10 is pushed or driven forwardly. The paddle 40 is configured to extend from at least a portion of the outer radial or peripheral edge of a flight 36. Because the flights 36 are helically- or spirally-shaped, the paddles 40 are arcuate and have a similar helical shape about the lateral drive shaft 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the paddle 40 extends from about a 15° portion or arcuate length of the peripheral edge of the flight 36, wherein the flight 36 extends helically about 180° around the lateral drive shaft 30. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the paddle 40 can also extend from the entire peripheral edge of the flight 36 or any smaller portion of the outer peripheral edge.

In an embodiment, each paddle 40 is formed separately from the auger 34 and then attached to the auger 34 by welding. In another embodiment, each flight 36 is formed separately, and the paddle(s) 40 extending from the flight 36 is integrally formed with the flight 36. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the paddle(s) 40 can be attached to the flights 36 in any manner sufficient to provide a joint which can withstand the temperature variations and stresses to which the augers 32 are subjected to during operation of the snow thrower 10. Whereas rotation of lateral drive shaft 30 results in rotation of the augers 34 attached thereto such that the snow is moved axially along the lateral drive shaft 30 toward the gear assembly 28, the paddles 40 are configured to assist the loosened snow in being moved rearward toward the second stage assembly 42 which is transversely relative to the lateral drive shaft 30.

In an embodiment, the second stage assembly 42 includes a rotatable impeller 44 operatively connected to the longitudinal drive shaft 26 and positioned within the recess 20, as shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4. The impeller 44 is located on the longitudinal drive shaft 26 between the housing 18 and the gear assembly 28. The impeller 44 is configured to receive the snow from the first stage assembly 32, and through rotation of the impeller 44 about the longitudinal drive shaft 26 at a sufficient speed the snow is expelled or centrifugally thrown to and through the chute 16 and away from the snow thrower 10. In an embodiment, the impeller 44 is removably attached to the longitudinal drive shaft 26 such that the impeller 44 can be removed and replaced. The impeller 44 can be attached to the longitudinal drive shaft 26 with any attachment mechanism such as nut-and-bolt, cotter pin, or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, an exemplary embodiment of an impeller 44 includes a plurality of blades 46 that extend radially outwardly from a base 48, wherein the impeller 44 is attached to the longitudinal drive shaft 26 by sliding the base 48 over the outer surface of the longitudinal drive shaft 26 and securing the impeller 44 to the drive shaft 26 by way of an attachment mechanism such as a nut-and-bolt, a cotter pin, or the like. In an embodiment, each blade 46 includes a tip 50 that extends from the end of the blade 46 in a curved manner. The tips 50 are curved in the direction of rotation of the impeller 44. The curved tips 50 assist in maintaining contact between the snow and the blades 46 as the impeller 44 rotates, thereby preventing the snow from sliding past the end of the blades 46 into the gap between the blades 46 and the recess 20 before the snow is thrown into and from the chute 16. Preventing the snow from sliding past the end of the blades 46 results in less re-circulation of the snow within the recess 20, thereby making the snow thrower 10 more efficient in expelling the snow. Whereas the augers 34 are configured to push snow axially, the impeller 44 is configured to move or throw snow in a radial direction away from the axis of rotation of the impeller 44.

The gear assembly 28 is configured to transfer the rotational power from the power supply 12 via the longitudinal drive shaft 26 to the lateral drive shaft 30, as shown in FIGS. 5A-5B. In an embodiment, the worm gears 52 formed on the outer surfaces of both the longitudinal and lateral drive shafts 26, 30 are directly meshingly engaged within the gear assembly 28 such that the rotational power is directly transferred therebetween. Accordingly, both the longitudinal and lateral drive shafts 26, 30 rotate at substantially the same rotational velocity. In another embodiment, both the longitudinal and lateral drive shafts 26, 30 include a worm gear 52 attached to an outer surface of each drive shaft. In yet another embodiment, the gear assembly 28 includes at least one gear that operatively connects the longitudinal drive shaft 26 to the lateral drive shaft 30 to indirectly transfer rotational power from the longitudinal drive shaft 26 to the lateral drive shaft 30. In an embodiment, the gear assembly 28 includes a multiplier (not shown) operatively connecting the longitudinal and lateral drive shafts 26, 30, wherein the multiplier produces an increased rotational ratio such that the lateral drive shaft 30 rotates at an angular velocity that is greater than the rotational velocity of the longitudinal drive shaft 26. In another embodiment, the gear assembly 28 includes a reducer (not shown) operatively connecting the longitudinal and lateral drive shafts 26, 30, wherein the reducer produces an reduced rotational ratio such that the lateral drive shaft 30 rotates at an angular velocity that is less than the rotational velocity of the longitudinal drive shaft 26. It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that any number of gears can be positioned between the longitudinal and lateral drive shafts 26, 30 to transfer rotational power therebetween.

In an embodiment, the snow thrower 10 also includes a baffle 54 positioned within and attached to the housing 18 such that it surrounds the opening to the recess 20, as shown in FIGS. 1-4. The baffle 54 is an arcuate, or curved member having a radius of curvature that is substantially the same as the radius of curvature of the opening to the recess 20. In an embodiment, the baffle 54 includes a plurality of tabs that are welded to the housing 18. In another embodiment, the baffle 54 is directly welded to the housing 18. In yet another embodiment, the baffle 54 is releasably connected to the housing 18 by way of bolts or other releasable mechanical connectors. In a further embodiment, the baffle 52 is integrally formed with the housing 18. The baffle 54 is configured to assist in reducing or restraining the amount of snow that is re-circulated within the housing by preventing snow from leaving the recess 20 via radial movement from the impeller 44, wherein the baffle 54 directs the snow back into the impeller 44 of the second stage assembly 42 to be expelled via the chute 16. The baffle 54 can be made by any resilient material such as steel, aluminum, or any other type of metal or hard plastic that can withstand the stresses and temperature conditions of the snow thrower 10. In an embodiment, the baffle 54 is formed about the entire opening to the recess 20 of the housing 18. In another embodiment, the baffle 54 is formed to extend from only a portion of the opening to the recess 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the baffle 54 is formed about one-fourth (¼) of the circumference of the opening to the recess 20, or about 90° of the opening to the recess 20. When the baffle 54 extends from less than the entire circumference of the opening to the recess 20, the baffle 54 is positioned immediately adjacent to the exit aperture 56 of the recess 20 wherein the snow exits the housing 18 and enters the chute 16 so as to assist in reducing the re-circulation of snow immediately adjacent to the exit aperture 56. The chute 16 is attached to the recess 20 of the housing 18 and extends from the exit aperture 56

The longitudinal drive shaft 26 is powered by the power supply 12 such that the longitudinal drive shaft rotates between about 50 to about 1500 RPM. The rotational power of the longitudinal drive shaft 26 is transferred to the lateral drive shaft 30 by way of the gear assembly 28. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the gear assembly 28 is configured to transfer rotational power from the longitudinal drive shaft 26 to the lateral drive shaft 30, whereby the lateral drive shaft 30 can rotate at the same rotational velocity as the longitudinal drive shaft 26, a slower rotational velocity relative to the longitudinal drive shaft 26, or a faster rotational velocity relative to the longitudinal drive shaft 26. As the augers 34 of the first stage assembly 32 rotate about a lateral rotational axis, these augers 34 break up the accumulated snow and ice and push this loosened snow axially toward the gear assembly 28 positioned near the center of the housing 18. In combination with the forward movement of the snow thrower 10, the paddles 40 attached to the augers 34 of the first stage assembly 32 push the loosened snow rearwardly toward the impeller 44 of the second stage assembly 42. As the loosened snow is pushed into the second stage assembly 42, the impeller 44 rotates at a sufficient rotational velocity to push or throw the snow in a radially outward manner through the chute 16 and away from the snow thrower 10. The baffle 54 reduces or eliminates re-circulation of the snow within the second stage assembly 42, thereby increasing the efficiency of the snow thrower 10.

Rotation of the augers 34 of the first stage assembly 32 causes accumulated snow and ice to break up and become more easily moveable within the housing 18. The axial rotation of the augers 34 in combination with the rotation of the paddles 40 which assist in pushing loosened snow rearward within the housing 18 pulls the snow and ice into the housing 18, thereby reducing the amount of forward or longitudinal thrust that must be applied to the snow thrower 10 by the operator. The rotation of the augers 34 and paddles 40 of the first stage assembly 32 also generates a forward thrust that reduces the possibility of loss of drive traction of the wheels and “ride up” in which the wheels stay on the ground while the housing raises up by itself.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, it should be understood that the present invention is not so limited and modifications may be made without departing from the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, and all devices, processes, and methods that come within the meaning of the claims, either literally or by equivalence, are intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

1. A two-stage snow thrower comprising:

a power supply;

a housing extending from said power supply;

a chute extending from said housing from which snow is thrown from said housing;

a longitudinal drive shaft positioned at least partially within said housing, said longitudinal drive shaft being rotatable by said power supply and extending from said power supply to a gear assembly;

a lateral drive shaft operatively connected to opposing side walls of said housing, said lateral drive shaft also operatively connected to said gear assembly, wherein said longitudinal drive shaft is rotatably connected to said lateral drive shaft within said gear assembly;

a first stage assembly including at least two augers operatively connected to said lateral drive shaft, wherein at least one of said at least two augers is positioned adjacent to both opposing sides of said gear assembly;

a second stage assembly for expelling said snow from said housing includes an impeller operatively connected to said longitudinal drive shaft; and

at least one paddle operatively connected to each of said augers positioned adjacent to opposing sides of said gear assembly.

2. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 1, wherein said longitudinal drive shaft includes a first worm gear formed into an outer surface thereof and said lateral drive shaft includes a second worm gear formed into an outer surface thereof, said first and second worm gears meshingly engaged within said gear assembly.

3. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 1, wherein each of said paddles extends from said auger at an angle.

4. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 3, wherein said angle is between about 10°-90°.

5. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 1, wherein each of said paddles extends from said auger in an upstream orientation.

6. A two-stage snow thrower comprising:

a power supply;

a housing extending from said power supply;

a chute extending from said housing for allowing snow to be expelled from said housing through said chute, wherein said housing includes an exit aperture from which said chute extends;

a longitudinal drive shaft positioned within said housing, said longitudinal drive shaft being selectively rotatable by said power supply and extending between said power supply and a gear assembly;

a lateral drive shaft rotatably connected to opposing side walls of said housing, said lateral drive shaft operatively connected to said gear assembly, wherein said longitudinal drive shaft is rotationally connected to said lateral drive shaft;

a first stage assembly including two augers operatively connected to said lateral drive shaft, wherein each of said augers is positioned adjacent to opposing sides of said gear assembly, each of said augers is formed of a base and at least one flight extending radially outward from said base, wherein said at least one flight being helically shaped relative to said lateral drive shaft;

a second stage assembly including an impeller positioned within said housing and operatively connected to said longitudinal drive shaft; and

at least one paddle operatively connected to a peripheral edge of each flight of said augers.

7. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 6, wherein each of said paddles extends from said corresponding flight at an angle.

8. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 7, wherein said angle is between about 10°-90°.

9. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 6, wherein each of said paddles extends from only a portion of said peripheral edge of said corresponding flight.

10. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 6, wherein each of said paddles extends from a downstream-most corner of said corresponding flight.

11. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 6, wherein said housing includes a recess in which said impeller is positioned, said recess having an opening directed toward said gear assembly.

12. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 11 further comprising a baffle extending from at least a portion of said opening.

13. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 12, wherein said baffle is positioned adjacent to said exit aperture.

14. A two-stage snow thrower comprising:

a power supply;

a housing extending from said power supply, said housing includes a recess and said recess having an opening thereto;

a chute extending from said housing for allowing snow to be expelled from said housing through said chute;

a longitudinal drive shaft having one distal end operatively connected to said power supply and a second distal end operatively connected to a gear assembly, said longitudinal drive shaft being selectively rotatable by said power supply, wherein said longitudinal drive shaft includes a first worm gear adjacent to said second distal end;

a lateral drive shaft having a second worm gear and rotatably connected to opposing side walls of said housing, said lateral drive shaft operatively connected to said gear assembly transversely with respect to said longitudinal drive shaft, wherein said first worm gear of said longitudinal drive shaft is operatively connected to said second worm gear of said lateral drive shaft for transferring rotation of said longitudinal drive shaft to said lateral drive shaft;

a first stage assembly including at least two augers operatively connected to said lateral drive shaft between said gear assembly and each of said opposing side walls of said housing, each of said augers is formed of a base and a plurality of flights extending radially outward from said base and oriented helically relative to said lateral drive shaft;

a second stage assembly including an impeller positioned within said recess and operatively connected to said longitudinal drive shaft; and

a paddle operatively connected to a peripheral edge of each flight of each auger positioned immediately adjacent to said gear assembly.

15. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 14, wherein each paddle extends from said corresponding flight at an angle therefrom.

16. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 15, wherein said angle is between about 10°-90°.

17. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 14, wherein each paddle extends from only a portion of said peripheral edge of said corresponding flight.

18. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 14, wherein each of said paddles extends from said flight in an upstream orientation.

19. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 14, wherein each of said paddles extends from a downstream-most corner of said corresponding flight.

20. The two-stage snow thrower of claim 14 further comprising a baffle extending from said opening to said recess adjacent to said chute.