ENDLESS SCREW ROTOR SYSTEM, SNOWBLOWER PROVIDED WITH SUCH A SYSTEM, KIT FOR ASSEMBLING THE SAME, AND CORRESPONDING METHODS OF MANUFACTURING, ASSEMBLING AND OPERATING ASSOCIATED THERETO

Abstract

A snowblower for blowing snow, the snowblower comprising a propulsion assembly being operatively disposed about a fluid passage for propelling the snow. The snowblower also comprises a pallet assembly being operatively connected to the propulsion assembly for assisting in the propelling of the snow to be blown, the pallet assembly comprising at least one pallet component being rotatable about a main pivot axis, said at least one pallet component comprising base and distal components, the base component being mountable about the main pivot axis of the pallet assembly, and the distal component being made of a flexible material capable of elastic deformation, said distal component being further positioned, shaped and sized for allowing the passage of debris to pass by between a distal edge of the distal component and a complementary component of the fluid passage.

Claims

1. A snowblower for blowing snow, the snowblower comprising: a snow-intake assembly for intaking snow to be blown by the snowblower; a snow-discharge assembly for discharging blown snow away from the snowblower; a fluid passage being defined between an inlet interface of the snow-intake assembly and an outlet interface of the snow-discharge assembly for allowing the snow to be blown by the snowblower to flow from the snow-intake assembly to the snow-discharge assembly thereof; a propulsion assembly operatively disposed about the fluid passage for propelling the snow to be blown from the snow-intake assembly to the snow-discharge assembly along the fluid passage; and a pallet assembly being operatively connected to the propulsion assembly for assisting in propelling of the snow to be blown from the snow-intake assembly to the snow-discharge assembly via the fluid passage, the pallet assembly comprising at least one pallet component being rotatable about a main pivot axis, said at least one pallet component comprising base and distal components, the base component being mountable about the main pivot axis of the pallet assembly, and the distal component being made of a flexible material capable of elastic deformation, said distal component being further positioned, shaped and sized for allowing passage of debris to pass by between a distal edge of the distal component and a complementary component of the fluid passage.

2. A snowblower according to claim 1, wherein the base and distal components of the at least one pallet component are separate and distinct components.

3. A snowblower according to claim 2, wherein the distal component of the at least one pallet component is removably mountable onto the base component of said at least one pallet component.

4. A snowblower according to claim 1, wherein the base component of the at least one pallet component has a coefficient of elastic deformation that is stiffer than a coefficient of elastic deformation of the distal component of said at least one pallet component.

5. A snowblower according to claim 1, wherein the base component of the at least one pallet component is fixedly connectable to a drivable axle being rotatable about the main pivot axis of the pallet assembly; and wherein the snow-intake assembly comprises a snow-intake box, the snow-intake box being provided with an endless screw being positioned, shaped and sized for urging snow towards an interface between the snow-intake assembly and the snow-discharge assembly, the endless screw being rotatable along with a main pivoting axle of the snow-intake box, and wherein the base component of the at least one pallet component is fixedly connectable to said main pivoting axle of the snow-intake box of the snow-intake assembly.

6. A snowblower according to claim 1, wherein the base component of the at least one pallet component is made of a metallic material; wherein the base component of the at least one pallet component is welded onto the main pivoting axle of the snow-intake box of the snow-intake assembly; and wherein the distal component the at least one pallet component is made of a non-metallic material.

7. A snowblower according to claim 1, wherein the distal component of the at least one pallet component is removably mountable onto the base component of said at least one pallet component via a corresponding fastening assembly.

8. A snowblower according to claim 6, wherein the corresponding fastening assembly comprises at least one fastener extending through a pair of complementary holes each being provided about the base and distal components respectively; wherein the at least one fastener comprises a pair of fasteners; and wherein each fastener includes a bolt and a corresponding nut.

9. A snowblower according to claim 8, wherein each hole is oblong so as to enable an effective length of the at least one pallet component to be selectively adjusted by a user of the snowblower; and wherein each hole of the distal component is further positioned, shaped and sized so as to enable a variation of the effective length of the at least one pallet component between about 19 mm and about 25 mm.

10. A snowblower according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pallet component comprises a supporting component for supporting a back portion of the distal component of said at least one pallet component during an operational bending of the distal component.

11. A snowblower according to claim 10, wherein the supporting component of the at least one pallet component includes a curved portion for receiving and supporting the back portion of the distal component of said at least one pallet component during an operational bending of the distal component.

12. A snowblower according to claim 11, wherein the supporting component of the at least one pallet component is a substantially L-shaped supporting component, and wherein an elbow portion of said L-shaped supporting component includes the curved portion for receiving and supporting the back portion of the distal component of said at least one pallet component during an operational bending of the distal component wherein the supporting component of the at least one pallet component includes a hole for receiving a corresponding bolt of the at least one fastener of the corresponding fastening assembly; and wherein the hole of the supporting component of the at least one pallet component is substantially circular.

13. A snowblower according to claim 1, wherein the at least one pallet component comprises a plurality of pallet components having n pallet components, with n being an integer greater than 1; wherein each of the plurality of pallet components projects radially outwardly away from the main pivot axis of the pallet assembly; and wherein each of the plurality of pallet components are disposed equidistantly from one another about the main pivot axis.

14. A snowblower according to claim 13, wherein the pallet assembly comprises at least one reinforcement component provided between at least one pair of sequential pallet components; wherein the pallet assembly comprises at least one reinforcement component provided between each pair of sequential pallet components; and wherein the at least one reinforcement component has a substantially triangular profile with a portion being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving a complementary portion of a rotating shaft of the snowblower.

15. A snowblower according to claim 1, wherein each pallet component has a substantially rectangular profile; wherein each pallet component comprises at least one hole being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving a corresponding bolt of the at least one fastener of the corresponding fastening assembly; wherein said at least one hole of each pallet component comprises a pair of holes; wherein said pair of holes of each pallet component defines an imaginary line being substantially parallel to the distal edge of the pallet component; wherein each base component of each pallet component has a substantially rectangular profile; and wherein each base component comprises at least one hole being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving a corresponding bolt of the at least one fastener of the corresponding fastening assembly; wherein said at least one hole of each pallet component comprises a pair of holes; wherein said pair of holes of each pallet component defines an imaginary line being substantially parallel to the distal edge of the pallet component; wherein each base component of each pallet component has a substantially rectangular profile; and wherein each base component comprises at least one hole being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving a corresponding bolt of the at least one fastener of the corresponding fastening assembly,

16. A snowblower according to claim 1, wherein the distal component of the at least one pallet component is made of a polymeric material.

17. A snowblower according to claim 1, wherein a rear rim of the distal component of the at least one pallet component is provided with a chamfer for providing said the distal component with an additional rearward clearance during an operation and corresponding rotation of the at least one pallet component with respect to the complementary component of the fluid passage.

18. A kit with corresponding components for assembling a snowblower according to claim 1.

19. A pallet assembly for use with a snowblower according to claim 1, the pallet assembly being operatively connectable to the propulsion assembly of the snowblower for assisting in the propelling of the snow to be blown from the snow-intake assembly to the snow-discharge assembly via the fluid passage, the pallet assembly comprising at least one pallet component being rotatable about a main pivot axis, said at least one pallet component comprising base and distal components, the base component being mountable about the main pivot axis of the pallet assembly, and the distal component being made of non-metallic flexible material capable of elastic deformation, said distal component being further positioned, shaped and sized for allowing the passage of debris to pass by between a distal edge of the distal component and a complementary component of the fluid passage.

20. A kit with corresponding components for assembling a pallet assembly according to claim 19.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ENCLOSED DRAWINGS

[0039] FIGS. 1-5B represent different views, components and/or features of possible embodiments of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF POSSIBLE AND/OR PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0040] In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. The embodiments (ex. geometrical configurations, dimensions, materials, etc.) illustrated in the figures and the features described in patent specification are preferred only, given for exemplification purposes only.

[0041] Moreover, although the present invention was primarily designed for removing snow and for use with an auger of a snowblower, for example, the invention may be used with any other analogous object, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. For this reason, expressions such as snow removal, snow, snowblower, auger, etc., as used herein and/or any other reference and/or expression equivalent or similar to these expressions should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the present invention and include any other kind of object/substitute and/or any other application with which the present invention could be used and may be useful, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

[0042] In addition, although the preferred embodiments of the system as illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprise various components, not all of these components are essential to the invention and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense, i.e. should not be taken so as to limit the scope of the present invention. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and geometries and/or other suitable cooperations thereinbetween may be used for the system according to the present invention, as will be briefly explained herein, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0043] Moreover, expressions such as system, snowblower, vehicle, device, assembly, mechanism, product, equipment, etc., as well as any other equivalent expression(s) and/or compound word(s), may be used interchangeably in the context of the present description, as apparent to a person skilled in the art. This applies also for any other mutually equivalent expressions, such as component, tool and accessory, or front and upstream, or rear and downstream, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

[0044] Furthermore, in the context of the present description, it will be considered that all elongated objects will have an implicit longitudinal axis and/or a centerline, such as the longitudinal axis of shaft, for example, or the centerline of a coiled spring, and that expressions such as connected and connectable, or pivoting and pivotable, may be interchangeable and are mutually equivalent, in that the present invention also relates to a kit with corresponding components for assembling a resulting fully-assembled and fully-operational snowblower for carrying out the present method and/or obtaining any resulting and/or derived result.

[0045] Moreover, certain components of the present system and/or steps of the present method(s) (ex. manufacturing, assembling, operating, etc.) being described herein could be modified, simplified, omitted and/or interchanged, without departing from the scope of the present invention, depending on the particular application(s) which the present invention is intended for, and the desired end result(s), as briefly exemplified herein and as also apparent to a person skilled in the art.

[0046] Broadly described, and according to a possible embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in the accompanying figures, the present invention relates to a new pallet system (and/or corresponding endless screw system) for a snowblower, and more particularly, relates to a configuration of pallets on a endless auger rotor intended to feed the main rotor of a snowblower.

[0047] The present pallet system may take on various forms and/or expressions, including one and/or several of the following possible components and features (and/or different possible combination(s) and/or permutation(s) thereof), given as possible preferential and/or optional embodiment(s) only:

[0048] 1. A snowblower (1) for blowing snow, the snowblower (1) comprising: a snow-intake assembly (3) for intaking snow to be blown by the snowblower (1);

[0049] a snow-discharge assembly (5) for discharging blown snow away from the snowblower (1);

[0050] a fluid passage (7) being defined between an inlet interface (9) of the snow-intake assembly (3) and an outlet interface (11) of the snow-discharge assembly (5) for allowing the snow to be blown by the snowblower (1) to flow from the snow-intake assembly (3) to the snow-discharge assembly (5) thereof;

[0051] a propulsion assembly (13) operatively disposed about the fluid passage (7) for propelling the snow to be blown from the snow-intake assembly (3) to the snow-discharge assembly (5) along the fluid passage (7); and

[0052] a pallet assembly (15) being operatively connected to the propulsion assembly (13) for assisting in the propelling of the snow to be blown from the snow-intake assembly (3) to the snow-discharge assembly (5) via the fluid passage (7), the pallet assembly (15) comprising at least one pallet component (17) being rotatable about a main pivot axis (19), said at least one pallet component (17) comprising base and distal components (17a,17b), the base component (17a) being mountable about the main pivot axis (19) of the pallet assembly (15), and the distal component (17b) being made of a flexible material capable of elastic deformation, said distal component (17b) being further positioned, shaped and sized for allowing the passage of debris to pass by between a distal edge (21) of the distal component (17b) and a complementary component (23) of the fluid passage (7).

[0053] 2. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the base and distal components (17a,17b) of the at least one pallet component (17) are separate and distinct components.

[0054] 3. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the distal component (17b) of the at least one pallet component (17) is removably mountable onto the base component (17a) of said at least one pallet component (17).

[0055] 4. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the base component (17a) of the at least one pallet component (17) has a coefficient of elastic deformation that is stiffer than a coefficient of elastic deformation of the distal component (17b) of said at least one pallet component (17).

[0056] 5. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the base component (17a) of the at least one pallet component (17) is fixedly connectable to a drivable axle being rotatable about the main pivot axis (19) of the pallet assembly (15).

[0057] 6. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the snow-intake assembly (3) comprises a snow-intake box (25), the snow-intake box (25) being provided with an endless screw (27) being positioned, shaped and sized for urging snow towards an interface (29) between the snow-intake assembly (3) and the snow-discharge assembly (5), the endless screw (27) being rotatable along with a main pivoting axle (31) of the snow-intake box (25), and wherein the base component (17a) of the at least one pallet component (17) is fixedly connectable to said main pivoting axle (31) of the snow-intake box (25) of the snow-intake assembly (3).

[0058] 7. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the base component (17a) of the at least one pallet component (17) is made of a metallic material.

[0059] 8. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the base component (17a) of the at least one pallet component (17) is welded onto the main pivoting axle (31) of the snow-intake box (25) of the snow-intake assembly (3).

[0060] 9. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the distal component (17b) the at least one pallet component (17) is made of a non-metallic material.

[0061] 10. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the distal component (17b) of the at least one pallet component (17) is removably mountable onto the base component (17a) of said at least one pallet component (17) via a corresponding fastening assembly (33).

[0062] 11. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the corresponding fastening assembly (33) comprises at least one fastener (35) extending through a pair of complementary holes (37) each being provided about the base and distal components (17a,17b) respectively.

[0063] 12. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one fastener (35) comprises a pair of fasteners (35).

[0064] 13. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each fastener (35) includes a bolt (39) and a corresponding nut (41).

[0065] 14. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each hole (37) is oblong so as to enable an effective length of the at least one pallet component (17) to be selectively adjusted by a user of the snowblower (1).

[0066] 15. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each hole (37) of the distal component (17b) is further positioned, shaped and sized so as to enable a variation of the effective length of the at least one pallet component (17) between about 19 mm and about 25 mm.

[0067] 16. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one pallet component (17) comprises a supporting component (43) for supporting a back portion of the distal component (17b) of said at least one pallet component (17) during an operational bending of the distal component (17b).

[0068] 17. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the supporting component (43) of the at least one pallet component (17) includes a curved portion (45) for receiving and supporting the back portion of the distal component (17b) of said at least one pallet component (17) during an operational bending of the distal component (17b).

[0069] 18. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the supporting component (43) of the at least one pallet component (17) is a substantially L-shaped supporting component, and wherein an elbow portion of said L-shaped supporting component includes the curved portion (45) for receiving and supporting the back portion of the distal component (17b) of said at least one pallet component (17) during an operational bending of the distal component (17b).

[0070] 19. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the supporting component (43) of the at least one pallet component (17) includes a hole (37) for receiving a corresponding bolt (39) of the at least one fastener (35) of the corresponding fastening assembly (33).

[0071] 20. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the hole (37) of the supporting component (43) of the at least one pallet component (17) is substantially circular.

[0072] 21. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one pallet component (17) comprises a plurality of pallet components (17) having n pallet components, with n being an integer greater than 1.

[0073] 22. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each of the plurality of pallet components (17) projects radially outwardly away from the main pivot axis (19) of the pallet assembly (15).

[0074] 23. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each of the plurality of pallet components (17) are disposed equidistantly from one another about the main pivot axis (19).

[0075] 24. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the pallet assembly (15) comprises at least one reinforcement component (47) provided between at least one pair of sequential pallet components (17).

[0076] 25. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the pallet assembly (15) comprises at least one reinforcement component (47) provided between each pair of sequential pallet components (17).

[0077] 26. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the at least one reinforcement component (47) has a substantially triangular profile with a portion being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving a complementary portion of a rotating shaft of the snowblower (1).

[0078] 27. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each pallet components (17) has a substantially rectangular profile.

[0079] 28. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each pallet component (17) comprises at least one hole (37) being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving a corresponding bolt (39) of the at least one fastener (35) of the corresponding fastening assembly (33).

[0080] 29. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein said at least one hole (37) of each pallet component (17) comprises a pair of holes (37).

[0081] 30. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein said pair of holes (37) of each pallet component (17) defines an imaginary line being substantially parallel to the distal edge (21) of the pallet corresponding component (17).

[0082] 31. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each base component (17a) of each pallet component (17) has a substantially rectangular profile.

[0083] 32. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each base component (17a) comprises at least one hole (37) being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving a corresponding bolt (39) of the at least one fastener (35) of the corresponding fastening assembly (33).

[0084] 33. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein said at least one hole (37) of each pallet component (17) comprises a pair of holes (37).

[0085] 34. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein said pair of holes (37) of each pallet component (17) defines an imaginary line being substantially parallel to the distal edge (21) of the pallet corresponding component (17).

[0086] 35. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each base component (17a) of each pallet component (17) has a substantially rectangular profile.

[0087] 36. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein each base component (17a) comprises at least one hole (37) being positioned, shaped and sized for receiving a corresponding bolt (39) of the at least one fastener (35) of the corresponding fastening assembly (33).

[0088] 37. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein the distal component (17b) of the at least one pallet component (17) is made of a polymeric material.

[0089] 38. A snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), wherein a rear rim of the distal component (17b) of the at least one pallet component (17) is provided with a chamfer (49) for providing said the distal component (17b) with an additional rearward clearance during an operation and corresponding rotation of the at least one pallet component (17) with respect to the complementary component (23) of the fluid passage (7).

[0090] 39. A kit with corresponding components for assembling a snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s).

[0091] 40. A pallet assembly (15) for use with a snowblower (1) according to any one of the preceding combination(s), the pallet assembly (15) being operatively connectable to the propulsion assembly (13) of the snowblower (1) for assisting in the propelling of the snow to be blown from the snow-intake assembly (5) to the snow-discharge assembly (5) via the fluid passage (7), the pallet assembly (15) comprising at least one pallet component (17) being rotatable about a main pivot axis (19), said at least one pallet component (17) comprising base and distal components (17a,17b), the base component (17a) being mountable about the main pivot axis (19) of the pallet assembly (15), and the distal component (17b) being made of non-metallic flexible material capable of elastic deformation, said distal component (17b) being further positioned, shaped and sized for allowing the passage of debris to pass by between a distal edge (21) of the distal component (17b) and a complementary component (23) of the fluid passage (7).

[0092] 41. A kit with corresponding components for assembling a pallet assembly according to any one of the preceding combination(s).

[0093] Other possible aspect(s), object(s), embodiment(s), variant(s) and/or advantage(s) of the present invention, all being preferential and/or optional, are briefly summarized hereinbelow.

[0094] Indeed, and as mentioned previously, according to one aspect of the present invention, it relates to a configuration of a pallet system (and/or corresponding endless screw system) for an inverse snowblower of the type three phases, enabling to reduce the space between the ends of the pallets of the auger rotor while reducing the risks of having debris getting stuck between the pallets of the endless screw and the wall that surrounds it, thus, in doing so, increases the efficiency of the snowblower.

[0095] The present invention relates also to snowblowers provided with such a system, to vehicles capable of operating such snowblowers, to a method of manufacturing and of assembling of these components, etc. Namely, the present invention relates also to a kit with components meant to be assembled and/or to carry out the present system, as well as to corresponding methods of assembling, operating and use associated thereto.

[0096] The reading of the following paragraphs, along with reference to the drawings, will enable to better understand how the advantages mentioned are associated to the technical novelties of the invention.

[0097] Namely, in order to obtain a mounting of the tip of the pallets at proximity of the wall that surrounds them and to avoid repetitive risks of failure of the shearing bolt, two methods have been used. Firstly, a supplemental clearance (15) (see FIG. 5-A) has been integrated to the tip of the metal pallets in order to distance them by a sufficient distance to enable to allow rocks of (approximately) and less to pass freely. Even though this distance may vary according to the conditions of use, the preferred embodiment is of about 1. Afterwards, in order to make up for this space, rubber pallets (16) are placed at the back of each of the steel pallets. This rubber should have a sufficient resistance to bending in order to displace the snow without bending too much and a sufficient flexibility for allowing to pass through a pebble that would otherwise get stuck (17), and this, at temperatures ranging between 0 degree Celsius (approximately) until 40 degrees Celsius (approximately). Also, given that snow is often mixed with sand or de-icing products, the rubber must have a good resistance to abrasives and to different de-icing products. In order to obtain the good flexibility for allowing to pass a pebble of , for example, a rubber of 85 Duro combined with nylon fiber and a thickness of (approximately) has been retained in the preferred embodiment.

[0098] Also, a steel support (18) (see FIG. 5-B) has been added to the back of the rubber pallet, enabling a securing of the flexible section (16) with bolts (19) while distributing the tightening pressure. This support includes an elbow providing it with a rigidity and also provides at the same time a non-cutting contact formed by the radius of the elbow. This rounded contact (2) (see FIG. 5-A) enables to avoid damaging the rubber when it rests against the back of the plate during bending.

[0099] To enable an individual adjustment of the proximity of the tip of each of the pallets, an oblong form (21) has been added to the two securing holes of the flexible pallets. Even though 85 Duro rubber combined with nylon fiber and a thickness of has been retained, any other material offering similar properties and advantages and any other thickness is covered by the present invention. Indeed, several materials would be eligible for the flexible part of the pallet, mainly in the category of polymeric materials. Thermoplastic polymers flexible at low temperature, elastomers and/or any other type of rubber being flexible in North American winter temperatures (0 to 40 C.) (approximately), composite materials including a flexible matrix and a reinforcement for a better resistance. The thickness of the flexible part is selected according to the rigidity of the material chosen. The greater the material is flexible, the greater its thickness should be.

[0100] Furthermore, variants on the features described for the adjustment, the positioning, the securing and/or others, are contemplated by the present invention.

[0101] Concerning possible embodiments for the pallet with flexible extremity, its methods of adjustment or of securing, several integrating methods are compatible for the invention. For example, the making of a uniform pallet in two materials can be done by molding flexible material directly onto the extremity of a steel pallet that would contain anchoring forms for a solid and uniform joint combined to an adjustment of proximity of the pallet with the belt.

[0102] It is to be noted that the addition of the pallet with flexible and adjustable extremity, to the concept of inverse snowblower of type three phase, is an improvement of the operational efficiency and reliability. In other words, the flexible pallet enables to increase the efficiency by reducing the play by the extension of the pallets with a flexible section that is not likely to break when coming across ground imperfections (22) (see FIG. 4) and/or debris stuck between the tip of the pallet and the wall that surrounds it.

[0103] Finally, and according to the present invention, the snowblower and its corresponding parts are preferably made of substantially rigid materials, such as metallic materials (stainless steel, etc.), hardened polymers, composite materials, and/or any other appropriate material, whereas the other components (ex. pallet(s), etc.) of the system according to the present invention, in order to obtain the advantages discussed above, could be made of any other material, such as polymeric materials (ex. plastic, rubber, etc.), and/or any other suitable material, depending on the particular applications for which the system is intended for and the different parameters in cause, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.

[0104] Although the present invention has been previously explained by way of preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that any modification to these preferred embodiments is not considered changing or altering the nature and the scope of the present invention. Indeed, the scope of the enclosed claim(s) should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.