COMBINATION SNOW SHOVEL AND ICE SCRAPER

Abstract

The present invention describes a snow related removal device adapted for dual functionality. The device is designed to combine two distinct cold weather related tools into a single functioning snow shovel that can be easily converted from a tool that functions to remove snow from a surface to a tool that can chop and/or scrape ice.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to tools useful for removing cold weather related elements, and more particularly to a single device adapted for removal of snow and scraping and/or chopping ice from a surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The ability to maintain surfaces, passages, and pathways free from snow is paramount to areas of the country that experience cold weather related elements, such as snow fall. A typical device used for removing snow is a snow shovel. Snow shovels allow a user to manually move snow from one surface to another surface, thereby removing excess snow built up on a surface from preventing passage to and from an area. Numerous shovels are known for such purposes.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,457,757 discloses a snow shoveling device described as including a handle mounted to an intermediate portion of a base of a mobile frame such that the handle can undergo pivotal movement between selected vertical angles relative to the base, a tool mounted to a front end of the base such that the tool can undergo pivotal movement between selected horizontal angles relative to the base, a handle angle adjustment mechanism adapted to undergo relative reciprocal movement between latched and unlatched positions so as to allow changing of the vertical angle of the handle relative to the base when the mechanism is in the unlatched position and to hold the handle at a selected one of the vertical angles relative to the base when the mechanism is in the latched position, and a tool angle adjustment mechanism adapted to undergo relative pivotal movement between latched and unlatched positions as to allow changing of the horizontal angle of the tool relative to the base when the mechanism is in the unlatched position and to hold the tool at a selected one of the horizontal angles relative to the base when the mechanism is in the latched position.

U.S. Pat. Re. 36,588 discloses a snow removal tool described as having a graphite in-laid polyethylene blade with outwardly propagating reinforced ribs providing a flex resistant blade of minimal thickness. A shaft of the shovel is described as being constructed of a low cost steel pipe covered with a polyethylene sleeve with knurled grip surfaces. The sleeve conforms to the pipe diameter upon application of heat during manufacture. A one-piece handle is attached to the free end of the shaft. For storage purposes, a cutout is provided on a top edge of each shovel allowing nesting of similarly shaped shovels. A straight blade shovel and a pusher type shovel are two embodiments disclosed herein.

While the removal of snow from a surface is a vital step, those living in areas which receive cold weather related storms understand that the removal of snow may be only the first step in securing safe passage from walkways and other areas. Often times, in areas experiencing frigid temperatures and snow fall, a layer of ice forms beneath the snow. The ice layer must be removed as well, and often forms a much greater danger to travelers than the snow. Unlike snow that is visible to the traveler, a layer of ice on a surface can cause an unwary individual to slip and fall, causing injury. Typically, an individual removing snow may attempt to use the edges of a snow shovel to break up the ice. However, such attempts are generally not successful since snow shovel blades are typically made of a light weight material that cannot penetrate the ice layer. In certain situations or where the snow shovel is made of a strong material, the user may bang the snow shovel blade against the ice with sufficient force that the shovel blade cracks, thereby destroying the snow shovel.

To overcome the problems associated with ice layer formation on a surface, ice scrapers or ice picks have been developed. Such ice scrapers include U.S. Pat. No. 7,155,770. The '770 patent discloses a tool for removing ice, snow and other debris from a vehicle or other surface. The tool is described as having an extension handle with telescoping ends. The device is further described as having one end of the handle an oblong head carrying a broom on one surface and a squeegee on the opposite surface. The head is rotatably mounted on the handle to provide both a linear cleaning motion and an arcuate motion. On the other end of the handle is described a bifurcated extension carrying a scraper and a toothed cutter. Other ice scrapers known in the art include, for example, U.S. Design Pat. D405,573 and D424,385.

While ice scrapers are effective at scraping and chopping ice from a surface, removing the chopped ice from the surface requires the use of a shovel. As such, an individual tasked with removing ice and/or snow from a surface must utilize a two step process, requiring the use of two distinct tools. Utilizing both a snow shovel and an ice pick can be time consuming, requiring the user to switch off when encountering snow and ice. Such extra time can be significant, particularly if the user is performing such tasks in very frigid weather where extended exposure to such temperatures can create increased risk of frost bite and other snow/cold weather-related dangers. Additionally, extra costs must be incurred to purchase two separate devices, and the user must dedicate limited space to each independent device.

Combination devices are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent Application Number 2007/0085359 discloses a combination snow removal tool and snow shovel described as including an elongated handle having an ice scraper attached to one end thereof, a snow brush having sets of bristles extending transversely outwardly from the opposite end of thereof, and a shovel adapted for removable interconnection to the ice scraper. The device, however, appears to be geared to removal of ice from a car windshield surface. Moreover, the ice scraper appears to be continuously exposed, even when removal of snow is required. This arrangement can be awkward in use. In addition, exposing the ice cutting surfaces on a continuous manner can be problematic to the user.

What is needed, therefore, is a single device that can function independently as a snow shoveling tool and an ice scraping and/or chopping tool, and which can quickly and easily traverse or convert to each tool modality independently, without exposing the user to possible damage while using either tool. The device allows the user the capability to use a single device which provides for two fully independent functioning tools in one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention describes a device for use in cold weather reacted sceneries. The device is adapted to provide a single tool which can be used for dual purposes, independently as a snow shoveling tool and as an ice scraper or chopper tool. In an illustrative embodiment, the combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface comprising: an elongated shaft having a first end and an opposing second end; a handgrip attached along said first end of said elongated shaft; a snow removal blade arranged opposite said handgrip and attached to said shaft at or near said second end of said elongated shaft; said snow removal blade having a first surface for engaging snow and a second surface adapted for removably nesting an ice scraper assembly to said snow removal blade; and an ice scraper assembly, said ice scraper assembly comprising at least one ice scraper blade adapted for scraping ice, chopping ice, or combinations thereof, whereby said combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface being traversable between a snow shoveling mode and an ice scraping and chopping mode to form two independently functioning tools. The snow shovel and ice scraper/chopper is designed to easily and quickly traverse or covert from the snow shoveling tool to the ice scraping and chopping tool. As such, each tool can accomplish its purposed functions, i.e. remove snow or scrape/chop ice, independently of the other mode.

In one illustrative embodiment, the combination cola weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface is adapted to provide a pivoting shovel blade pivotably connected to the shaft.

In another illustrative embodiment, the combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface is adapted to provide a shovel blade which is slidably engaged with the shaft.

In another illustrative embodiment, the combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface is adapted to provide an ice scraper and chopper assembly which is adapted to slidably engage with the shaft.

Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved cold weather tool having multiple uses.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a device that can function as a snow shovel and an ice scraper and/or chopper.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a single tool having dual functionality of removing snow and ice from a surface.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a device adapted to remove ice which can be quickly and easily converted to a device that can function independently to scrape and chop ice from a surface.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a device adapted to nest an ice scraper assembly within a snow shovel blade.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a dual functioning device adapted to removal ice which can be quickly and easily converted to a device that can function independently to scrape and chop ice from a surface utilizing a pivoting shovel blade secured to the device.

It is a still further objective of the present invention to provide a dual functioning device adapted to remove ice which can be quickly and easily converted to a device that can function independently to scrape and chop ice from a surface utilizing a snow shovel blade which is slidably engaged with a shaft.

It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a dual functioning device adapted to remove ice which can be quickly and easily converted to a device that can function independently to scrape and chop ice from a surface utilizing an ice scraper assembly which is slidably engaged with a shaft.

Other objectives and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a front side perspective view of an illustrative embodiment of a snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a back perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper in the ice scraping mode;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper prior to the snow shovel blade being traversed or converted to the ice scraping and chopping mode;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper entering the ice chopping mode, wherein the snow shovel blade is partially rotated about the shaft;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper entering the ice chopping mode, wherein the snow shovel blade is rotated about the shaft;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper being converted into the ice chopping mode, wherein the snow shovel blade is fully rotated about the shaft;

FIG. 9 is a front side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a back perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper shown in FIG. 9, illustrating partial sectioning of the shaft;

FIG. 12 is an exploded view of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper;

FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper shown in the snow shovel mode;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper shown in the ice scraping and chopping mode;

FIG. 16 is a front side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a back perspective view of the alternative embodiment of a snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper illustrated in FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper, shown in the ice scraping mode;

FIG. 19 is an alternative perspective view of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper shown in the snow shoveling mode, and illustrating the telescoping alignment of the first and second shafts;

FIG. 20 is a partial exploded view of the alternative embodiment of a snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper as shown in FIG. 16.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the present invention is susceptible of embodiment in various forms, there is demonstrated and will hereinafter be described a presently preferred, albeit not limiting, embodiment with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the present invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.

The present invention describes a snow related removal device adapted for dual functionality. The device is designed to combine two distinct cold weather related tools into a single functioning device that can easily be converted from a snow shovel device that functions to remove snow from a surface to a device that can scrape and/or chop ice. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, an illustrative example of the combination snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper, referred to generally as 10A, is shown. The snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10A contains a shaft 12 having a first end 14 and a second end 16. The shaft 12 is preferably used as a handle to allow the user to have the necessary leverage to remove snow and scrape and/or chop ice. The shaft 12 may be made of any suitable material, such as wood or plastics, and made be hollow, partially hollow or solid. The shaft 12 may also contain ridges or grooves to aid the user in gripping the shaft 12. Preferably, the shaft 12 is a hollow steel shaft which contains a hand grip 18 along the first end 14 and a pivotably attached snow removal blade 20 along the second end 16.

The snow removal blade 20 may be constructed and arranged to provide for removal of snow from one surface, stairways or sidewalks, to another surface, i.e. a grassy area. To that effect, the snow removal blade 20 may be made of various materials depending on the need of the user. Such materials may be, for example, metals such as steel or aluminums, plastics, such as, high density polyethylene (HDPE), impact plastics such as polypropylene or polyethylene, polycarbonates, carbon, graphite, or mixed material such as metal/plastic, depending on the need of the user. The snow removal blade 20 may be constructed of various shapes which may include a snow removal blade designed to be substantially flat or minimally curved. As shown in FIGS. 1-4, however, the snow removal blade 20 contains curved and/or rounded surfaces 22 thereby forming a front snow removal blade surface 24 having generally concave, arcuate surfaces, and a convex snow removal blade back surface (see FIG. 2). Such surface provides the user the ability to push and remove snow from a surface in an efficient manner. While not required, it is preferred that the snow removal blade 20 contain one or more reinforcement ribs 28-34 which are sized and shaped to enhance the strength and structural integrity of the snow removal blade 20. The multiple rib reinforcement channels may be molded across the surface of the show shovel blade. Additionally, the snow removal blade 20 may also contain a protective reinforcement, illustrated herein as a stainless steel metal wear strip 25, secured to the back surface edge 27 of the snow removal blade 20 by securing mechanism known to one of skill in the art, such as rivets or chemical fastening, to provide a wear resistant edge, preventing premature wear associated with shovels being made of a particular material, such as polyethylene. The wear strip 25 may alternately be made of galvanized steel, carbon steel, iron and its alloys, or other metals.

The hand grip 18 is preferably constructed to provide an ergonomic fit to provide the user the ability to better grip the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10A. The hand grip 18 may be made of impact resistant plastic, such as polyethylene or polypropylene and may have a D-shaped configuration. As an illustrative example, the hand grip 18 in accordance with the present invention may be constructed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,826,929, the content, in its entirely, are herein incorporated by reference. Alternatively, any hand grip known to one of skill in the art may be used in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the back surface 26 of the snow removal blade contains a recessed pocket 36 sized and shaped to nest or store an ice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38. The ice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38 is attached to the distal portion 40 (see FIG. 4) of the second end 16 of the shaft 12 and comprises a blade 42, illustrated herein as a tempered, galvanized steel beveled blade secured to an ice scraper blade, support structure 46, preferably having a high impact resin cover. The outside plastic shell of the ice scraper blade support structure 46 may include glass-reinforced resin for increased strength and durability. Preferably, ice scraper blade support structure 46 is injection molded around at least a portion, and more preferably around a majority of the tempered, galvanized steel beveled blade 42 using a process known as insert molding. The combination of plastic which is over molded to the steel blade provides an ice scraper and chopper which provides a high strength to weight ratio as compared to other known devices, thereby reducing the fatigue associated with its use. The pocket 36 is preferably molded inside the back side of the shovel blade 20 and safely secures the ice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38 therein. This feature allows the ice scraper to be securely nested within the snow shovel so as not to interfere with or potentially expose the user to the sharp blade when using the device in the snow shoveling mode. With this feature, the user can truly operate the device in two distinct independent modes without fear the unique features of the independent tools will overlap. Preferably, the ice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38 is secured to the shaft 12 using a metal pin or rivet 48 which is inserted through opening 50 of ice scraper blade support structure 46 and further secured using a nut 52, see for example FIG. 4.

In the snow removal mode, the ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38 remains nested within the recessed pocket 36, see FIG. 5. In this position, the ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38 remains at a distance from any surface in contact with the snow shovel blade 20, thereby allowing for removal of show without interference with any portion of the ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38. To use the device 10A as a snow scraper and/or an ice chopper, the shovel blade 20 is disengaged from its nested position by depressing a first set of spring loaded snap buttons 56 which are positioned inside the hollow shaft 12. Once the spring loaded snap buttons are engaged, the shovel blade 20 is free to rotate 180 degrees about the longitudinal axis 58 (see FIG. 5) of the shaft 12 for which it is pivotably attached, see FIGS. 6-8. To provide a mechanism of rotation about the shaft 12, the snow shovel blade 20 contains a pair of generally parallel plates 60 and 62 (see FIG. 3) secured to, or integrally formed as part of the back side of the shovel blade 20. The front surface 24 of the shovel blade 20 contains a cut-out region 64 (see FIG. 1) which is sized and shaped to allow the shovel blade 20 to pivot about a pivot member, illustrated in FIG. 3 as a pivot pin 66 without providing interference. Upon rotation, the shovel blade 20 can be locked into place using a second set of spring loaded releasable snap buttons 68 (see FIG. 4). To use the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10A as a snow shovel, the steps described above are reversed. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the first or second set of spring loaded releasable snap buttons maintain the positioning of the snow shovel blade 20 through securing within two pair of openings 69 and 71, see FIGS. 3 and 8.

Referring to FIGS. 9-12, an alternative embodiment of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper, referred to generally as 10B is shown. The snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10B has many of the same features as described and above, and is illustrated using the same reference numbers which represent the same features already described. Unlike the embodiment 10A described previously which traverses from the snow shoveling mode to the ice scraping and/or chopping mode through a pivotably connected snow shovel blade 20, the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10B is adapted to allow for the snow shovel blade 20 to slidably engage with the shaft 12. In this embodiment, the size and/or positioning of the ice scraper and chopper remains constant as the snow shovel blade 20 slides up and down the shaft 12, exposing or hiding the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 depending on which mode is required.

As described previously, the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10B is provided with the snow removal blade 20 which contains a recessed pocket 36 within the back surface sized and shaped to nest or store the ice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38 which is attached to the distal portion 40 of the second end 16 of the shaft 12. The ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38 comprises a blade, illustrated herein as a tempered, galvanized steel beveled blade 42 secured to an ice scraper blade, high impact resin cover support structure 46. Preferably, the outside plastic shell material of the support structure uses glass reinforced resin and is injection molded around a majority of the blade 42 using a process known as insert-molding. The combination of plastic over molded steel provides a greater strength to weight ratio than standard ice scrapers, resulting in less effort to use, thereby causing less fatigue. The pocket 36 is preferably molded inside the back side of the shovel blade 20 and safely secures the ice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38 therein. The ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38 secures to the shaft 12 using the pivot pin 48 and nut 52 as described previously.

The snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10B is adapted to traverse between a snow shoveling mode to an ice scraping and/or chopping mode, quickly and easily converting between two tools that independently function. To accomplish such functionality, the shaft 12 of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10B contains a channel 70 formed within at least one side of the shaft. The channel 70 is preferably sized to run the entire length of the shaft 12 from the second end 16 to the first end 14. The channel 70, however, may be sized to run any distance from the second end 16 to the first end 14. The channel 70 is further sized and shaped to allow a portion of the snow shovel blade 20 to move in a forward and backward direction, parallel to the longitudinal axis 58 of the shaft 12. To provide such functionality, the distal end 40 of the second end 16 couples to a generally tubular coupling member 72 extending from or integrally formed from the back surface 26 of the snow shovel blade 20. A pair of flanges 73 and 75 (see FIG. 14) may be used for structural support.

The coupling member 72 is sized and shaped to prevent any lateral separation of the snow shovel blade 20 from the shaft 12. In addition, the coupling member 72 may be designed to maintain the shovel blade 20 in proper orientation within the channel 70 as it slides upwardly towards the first end 14 and downwardly towards the second end 16. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the coupling member 72 contains an alignment member, illustrated as a generally cylindrical member 74, which extends the length of the coupling member 72 and is positioned along the inner surface of the continuous wall surface 76. The generally cylindrical member 74 is sized and shaped to snuggly fit within the channel, i.e. within channel walls 78 and 80 (see FIG. 14), and move along the surface 82. Alternative mechanisms may be utilized, such as but not limited to, use of ball bearings or other devices which allow the coupling member 72 to slidably engage with the shaft 12 and move within the channel 70.

In the snow shoveling mode, see FIG. 14, the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 is nested or stored and hidden inside the pocket 36 molded into the back side of the shovel blade. To traverse to the ice scraping and chopping mode, the user simply disengages the shovel blade 20 from its nested position by depressing a first set of spring loaded snap buttons which extend outwardly from the interior of the shaft 12 through a set of holes in the pole and the neck of the shovel blade. While the buttons 56 remain depressed, the user pulls and slides the shovel blade 20 up the shaft 12, locking it into a second set of snap buttons 68 located a predetermined distance, such as but not limited to 20″ from the first set of spring loaded snap buttons 56. To convert back and use the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10B in the snow shoveling mode, the user simply reverses the procedures described above.

Referring to FIGS. 16-20, an alternative embodiment of the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper, referred to generally as 10C is shown. The snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10C has many of the same features as described above and is therefore illustrated using the same reference numbers when referring to like features already described. Similar to the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10A and 10B, snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10C is adapted to traverse or convert between a snow shoveling mode and an ice scraping and/or chopping mode. The snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper described as 10C is adapted to allow for the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 to slidably engage with the shaft 12. In this embodiment, the positioning of the snow shovel blade 20 remains fixed as the ice scraper and chopper 38 assembly slides up and down the shaft 12, exposing or hiding the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 depending on which mode is required.

As described previously, the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10C is provided with the snow removal blade 20 having a recessed pocket 36 within the back surface 26. The recessed pocket 36 is sized and shaped to nest and store the ice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38. Instead of attaching directly to the distal portion 40 of the second end 16 of the shaft 12, the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 is secured to a secondary shaft 84, see FIGS. 17-20. The secondary shaft 84 is preferably shorter than the primary shaft 12, such as but not limited to a 12′ long hollow steel shaft which is adapted to telescope and be stored within the interior lumen 86 (see FIG. 19) of the primary shaft 12. Accordingly, the secondary shaft 84 slides within the primary shaft 12 to create a shaft length that is greater than the length of the first shaft 12 when fully extended. In this configuration, the shaft 84 coupled to the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 slides up and down resulting in the traversal or conversion between the snow shoveling mode and the ice scraping mode. As such the snow shovel blade 20 is fixed in place to the shaft 12 via securing pin 87 (see FIG. 16) inserted through the coupling member 72.

The ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38 comprises a blade, illustrated herein as a tempered, galvanized steel beveled blade 42 secured to an ice scraper blade high impact resin cover support structure 46. The pocket 36 is preferably molded inside the back side of the shovel blade 20 and safely secures the ice scraper and/or chopper assembly 38 therein. The ice scraper and/or ice chopper assembly 38 secures to the shaft secondary shaft 84 using pin 48 and nut 52 as described previously. In this manner, the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 100 is adapted to traverse between a snow shoveling mode to an ice scraping and/or chopping mode, quickly and easily by extending the length of the shaft 12 in combination with the secondary shaft 84. This creates an ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 that slidably moves into and away from the pocket 36.

Accordingly, in the snow shoveling mode, see FIG. 16, 17, or 19 the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 is nested or stored and hidden within the pocket 36 molded into the back side of the shovel blade 20. To convert the device to the ice scraping and chopping mode, see FIGS. 17-19, the user simply disengages the secondary shaft 84 attached to the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 from its nested position by depressing a set of spring loaded snap buttons 56. As the snap buttons 56 are pressed, the user pulls on the secondary shaft 84 telescoping it out of the distal end of the primary shaft 12. When fully extended, it locks into place through a second set of snap buttons 68. To use the snow shovel and ice scraper and chopper 10C in the snow shoveling mode, the user simply reverses the procedures described above wherein the ice scraper and chopper assembly 38 can be disengaged, sliding back inside the primary shaft 12 and into its nested position.

The publications mentioned in this specification are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All patents and publications are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention, and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/figures included herein.

One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objectives and obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent therein. The embodiments, methods, procedures and techniques described herein are presently representative of the preferred embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended claims. Although the invention has been described in connection with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

1. A combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface comprising:

an elongated shaft having a first end and an opposing second end;

a handgrip attached along said first end of said elongated shaft;

a snow removal blade arranged opposite said handgrip and attached to said shaft at or near said second end of said elongated shaft; said snow removal blade having a first surface for engaging snow and a second surface adapted for removably nesting an ice scraper assembly to said snow removal blade; and

an ice scraper assembly, said ice scraper assembly comprising at least one ice scraper blade adapted for scraping ice, chopping ice, or combinations thereof,

whereby said combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface being traversable between a snow shoveling mode and an ice scraping and chopping mode to form two independently functioning tools.

2. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said second surface of snow removal blade includes a pocket sized and shaped to secure said ice scraper assembly therein and molded into said back surface, whereby said ice scraper assembly blade is not exposed when said tool is in the snow shoveling mode.

3. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said first surface of said snow removal blade includes at least one reinforcement rib.

4. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 further including a wear resistance strip attached to said snow shovel blade.

5. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said at least one ice scraper blade is a tempered, galvanized steel beveled blade.

6. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said snow removal blade is molded out of light weight plastics.

7. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said ice chopper assembly further includes an ice scraper blade support structure.

8. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 7 wherein said ice scraper blade support structure contains glass reinforced resin which is injection molded over at least a portion of said ice scraper blade.

9. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said snow removal blade pivotably connects to said elongated shaft.

10. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 further including an actuating mechanism that releases said ice scraper assembly from said snow removal blade.

11. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 10 wherein said actuating mechanism includes at least one pair of spring buttons.

12. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said snow removal blade is slideably coupled to said elongated shaft.

13. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 12 wherein said elongated shaft includes a channel running from said second to said first end, said channel sized and shaped to receive an alignment member.

14. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 13 further including a first locking mechanism located at or near said distal end, said first locking mechanism maintaining said tool in said snow shoveling mode.

15. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 14 further including a second locking mechanism, said second locking mechanism maintaining said tool in said ice scraping and chopping mode whereby said snow removal blade is maintained at a predetermined distance from said ice scraping assembly.

16. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 15 wherein said first locking mechanism is a pair of spring loaded snap buttons.

17. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 16 wherein said second locking mechanism is a pair of spring loaded snap buttons.

18. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 1 wherein said snow shovel blade is fixed in position at or near the second end of said elongate shaft.

19. The combination cold weather related tool for removing snow and scraping and chopping ice from a surface according to claim 18 wherein said ice scraper assembly is coupled to a second end of a second shaft, said second shaft having a first end coupled to said first shaft, said second shaft sized and shaped to slidably engage with said first shaft thereby extending the positioning of said ice scraper assembly relative to the show shovel blade when in the ice scraping mode.