Abstract: To prevent or minimize bridging of material to be dispersed within a containment vessel, a rotatable auger is positioned in close proximity to a curvilinear inner wall surface of the vessel. The auger has an axis that moves parallel to the curved wall surface in a manner such that the auger flights maintain a close working relationship relative to the curved wall surface as the auger is positioned for movement therealong. A spreader apparatus is positioned to receive material dispensed through the vessel outlet port to broadcast the dispensed material externally of the vessel.

Abstract: A snowthrower has a rotatable chute that directs the snow stream in different directions depending on the rotational position of the chute. A slidable hand grip is mounted on one of the handle tubes of the snowthrower. The hand grip can be slid down the handle tube by the operator to rotate the chute in a first direction. The hand grip can be slid up the handle tube by the operator to rotate the chute in a second opposite direction. The hand grip includes a rounded knob that the operator can grip with one hand. A latch is provided to lock the hand grip in an adjusted position on the handle tube.

Abstract: A shooter for a snow remover has a shooter main body and a shooter guide swingably mounted on the top end of the shooter main body by a hinge. The hinge has an interlocking member for preventing a pin member from falling out from the hinge. The interlocking member is formed from a wire material so as to have elasticity and has pressure parts for applying pressure to both ends of the pin member to retain the pin member in the hinge.

Abstract: A U-shaped handle is physically attached to the back of a deflector atop a snow directing chute on a snowthrower. The deflector pivots atop the chute to adjust the trajectory of a stream of snow being thrown by the snowthrower. The handle is gripped and moved up and down to effect a pivotal adjustment of the deflector. A pivotal latch is carried on the handle which latch protrudes into the open interior hand grip space of the handle. The latch is spring biased so that a detent on the latch engages with a toothed rack with the interengagement between the detent and the rack holding the deflector in an adjusted position. When the operator grips the handle and squeezes the fingers of the gripping hand closed, the latch is pivoted to remove the detent from the rack and thereby permit pivotal adjustment of the deflector.

Abstract: A snow thrower having discharge chute locking and rotating mechanisms, both of which are actuated by a chute handle in the operator zone of the snow thrower. The chute locking mechanism disengages from the chute in response to initial movement of the chute handle in first or second directions, and the rotating mechanism rotates the discharge chute in response to continued movement of the chute handle in the same direction beyond the initial movement.

Abstract: A snow blower attachment for a skid steer loader has a tall discharge chute used for loading high vehicles such as trucks. The discharge chute is folded in the center, and has a strut to support it in its working position. The strut is releasable for folding the chute, and has a saddle that rests on the snow blower housing so that the folded upper chute section is supported adequately during storage.

Abstract: A chute for a snow removal machine, for throwing raked-in snow to the left or right. The chute has a left chute and a right chute, which are branched in a forked shape. During operation, the direction in which to throw snow is changed by shifting a diverter valve.

Abstract: An improved single stage snowthrower includes a housing with an open front portion, the housing including two side walls, a rear wall therebetween and a discharge chute. The rear wall includes deflecting ledges that angle upwardly toward the discharge chute, inwardly toward the center of the housing and forwardly toward the open front. The deflecting ledges provide both an inward and an upward component to snow travelling in the housing. The snowthrower also includes an impeller having axial ends and a radial edge. The impeller is comprised of two molded identical body sections that are joined about a shaft. Each body section includes a central portion, two end portions and a pair of helical portions with one helical portion between each end portion and the central portion. A portion of the radial edge of the impeller includes a shovel-like projection that is oriented in a direction extending laterally away from the impeller in the direction of rotation of the impeller.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a single stage snowthrower wherein a flat rear wall section of an impeller housing, a rear wall of a chute opening and the central axis of an external chute are all aligned to more efficiently remove snow. A gate is also provided to control the recirculation of snow through the impeller housing. The gate may comprise a sliding dam movable along a straight line into the housing. In a further embodiment of the present invention a pivotable gate or reciprocable plate is disposed between sidewalls of the impeller housing to vary the throat area into the chute opening in accordance with the wet or dry conditions of the snow.

Abstract: A safety guard device for a power tool discharge chute which includes a shaft attached to the chute and extending across the opening of the chute. There are a plurality of elongate spaced-apart blade elements mounted to the shaft for pivoting within the chute and one or more springs or other resilient elements are provided for biasing the blade elements into a closed condition within the chute to prevent operator access through the opening of the chute and permitting the blades to pivot into an open condition so that bulky material may be discharged through the chute.

Abstract: A snow thrower comprising a shock resistant drive system for rotating a cylindrical drum having a plurality of outwardly radiating paddles for scraping snow from pavement or the like. The snow is thrown by the paddles into communication with a directional vane assembly adjustable for deflecting the snow to either side.