Illuminated Shovel Assembly

Abstract

An illuminated shovel assembly, configured to protect a user while shoveling during snowy and/or low light conditions, including: an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft includes a length, a first proximal end, and a second distal end; a handle sub-assembly, wherein the handle sub-assembly is secured to or forms part of the first proximal end of the elongated shaft; a blade implement, wherein the blade implement is secured to or forms part of the second distal end of the elongated shaft; and a light sub-assembly, wherein the light sub-assembly comprises an energy source, a switch, and one or more light sources. Preferably, the light sources emit stroboscopic light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft to, in turn, alert third parties of the presence of the user and the shovel assembly. In addition, the illuminated shovel assembly preferably includes an accelerometer that provides auto-on and/or auto-off functionality to the light source.

Claims

1. An illuminated shovel assembly, configured to protect a user while shoveling during snowy and/or low light conditions, comprising: an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises a length, a first proximal end, and a second distal end; a handle sub-assembly, wherein the handle sub-assembly is secured to or forms part of the first proximal end of the elongated shaft; a blade implement, wherein the blade implement is secured to or forms part of the second distal end of the elongated shaft; and a light sub-assembly, wherein the light sub-assembly comprises an energy source, a switch, and a first light source.

2. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft.

3. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 2, wherein the first light source emits stroboscopic light for alerting third parties of the presence of a user holding the illuminated shovel assembly.

4. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 3, further comprising a second light source, wherein the second light source is positioned at least partially within the handle sub-assembly.

5. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 4, wherein the second light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft.

6. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 5, wherein the second light source emits stroboscopic light for alerting third parties of the presence of a user holding the illuminated shovel assembly.

7. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 6, further comprising a third light source, wherein the third light source is associated with at least one of the elongated shaft and the blade implement.

8. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 7, wherein the third light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft.

9. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 8, wherein the third light source emits stroboscopic light for alerting third parties of the presence of a user holding the illuminated shovel assembly.

10. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 9, wherein the light sub-assembly comprises an energy source, a switch, a printed circuit board, the first light source, the second light source, and the third light source.

11. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 10, wherein the light sub-assembly further comprises an accelerometer for providing auto-on and/or auto-off functionality of the light sub-assembly.

12. The illuminated shovel assembly according to claim 1, wherein the light sub-assembly comprises an energy source, a switch, a printed circuit board, a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source.

13. An illuminated shovel assembly, configured to protect a user while shoveling during snowy and/or low light conditions, comprising: an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises a length, a first proximal end, and a second distal end; a handle sub-assembly, wherein the handle sub-assembly is secure to or forms part of the first proximal end of the elongated shaft; a blade implement, wherein the blade implement is secured to or forms part the second distal end of the elongated shaft; and a first light sub-assembly, wherein the first light assembly comprises an energy source, a printed circuit board, an accelerometer, and at least one light source.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted. It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

[0027] The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of an illuminated shovel assembly of the present invention in an off or non-illuminated configuration;

[0029] FIG. 2 of the drawings is a perspective view of an illuminated shovel assembly of the present invention, wherein the shaft is in a glowing, illuminated configuration;

[0030] FIG. 3 of the drawings is a perspective view of an illuminated shovel assembly of the present invention, wherein the shaft is in an illuminated configuration;

[0031] FIG. 4 of the drawings is a perspective view of an illuminated shovel assembly of the present invention, wherein the shaft, and the handle are in an illuminated configuration;

[0032] FIG. 5 of the drawings is a perspective view of an illuminated shovel assembly of the present invention, wherein the shaft, the handle, and the blade implement are in an illuminated configuration; and

[0033] FIG. 6 of the drawings is schematic representation of the electronics of a light sub-assembly for use in accordance with the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The present invention is directed to, in one embodiment, an illuminated shovel assembly, configured to protect a user while shoveling during snowy and/or low light conditions, comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of: (a) an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises a length, a first proximal end, and a second distal end; (b) a handle sub-assembly, wherein the handle sub-assembly is secured to or forms part of the first proximal end of the elongated shaft; (c) a blade implement, wherein the blade implement is secured to or forms part of the second distal end of the elongated shaft; and (d) a light sub-assembly, wherein the light sub-assembly comprises an energy source, a switch, and a first light source.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft.

[0036] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first light source emits stroboscopic light for alerting third parties of the presence of a user holding the illuminated shovel assembly.

[0037] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the illuminated shovel assembly further comprises a second light source, wherein the second light source is positioned at least partially within the handle sub-assembly.

[0038] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft.

[0039] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second light source emits stroboscopic light for alerting third parties of the presence of a user holding the illuminated shovel assembly.

[0040] In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the illuminated shovel assembly further comprises a third light source, wherein the third light source is associated with at least one of the elongated shaft and the blade implement.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third light source emits light substantially orthogonally to and away from the length of the elongated shaft.

[0042] In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the third light source emits stroboscopic light for alerting third parties of the presence of a user holding the illuminated shovel assembly.

[0043] In one aspect of the present invention, the light sub-assembly comprises an energy source, an optional switch, an accelerometer, a printed circuit board, a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light sub-assembly further comprises an accelerometer for providing auto-on and/or auto-off functionality of the light sub-assembly.

[0045] In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the light sub-assembly comprises an energy source, a switch, a printed circuit board, a first light source, a second light source, and a third light source.

[0046] The present invention is also directed to, in one embodiment, an illuminated shovel assembly, configured to protect a user while shoveling during snowy and/or low light conditions, comprising, consisting essentially of, and/or consisting of: (a) an elongated shaft, wherein the elongated shaft comprises a length, a first proximal end, and a second distal end; (b) a handle sub-assembly, wherein the handle sub-assembly is secure to or forms part of the first proximal end of the elongated shaft; (c) a blade implement, wherein the blade implement is secured to or forms part the second distal end of the elongated shaft; and (d) a first light sub-assembly, wherein the first light assembly comprises: (1) an energy source, (2) a printed circuit board, (3) an accelerometer, and (4) at least one light source.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0047] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will be described herein in detail, one or more specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0048] It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of one or more embodiments of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

[0049] Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1-6 collectively, illuminated shovel assembly 10 is shown as generally comprising elongated shaft 12, handle sub-assembly 14, blade implement 16, and light sub-assembly 18. In accordance with the present invention, illuminated shovel assembly 10 is configured to protect a user while shoveling during blizzards, snowy, foggy, rainy, and/or low light conditions by alerting third parties of the presence of the user and the shovel assembly.

[0050] Elongated shaft 12 comprises length (L), first proximal end 20, and second distal end 22. Elongated shaft 12 is preferably fabricated from, for example, metals (e.g. aluminum, tin, copper, nickel, titanium, steel, and alloys thereof), natural resins, synthetic resins, plastics, composites, woods, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, elongated shaft 12 comprises a transparent material so that when the light sub-assembly is illuminated, elongated shaft 12 exhibits glow like physical properties. Elongated shaft 12 is preferably at least one of rigid, non-flexible, and non-semi-flexible.

[0051] Handle sub-assembly 14 is preferably secured to or (if integrally fabricated) forms part of first proximal end 20 of elongated shaft 12. Handle sub-assembly 14 preferably comprises a D-top, O-top, or C-top handle, and is preferably fabricated from, for example, metals (e.g. aluminum, tin, copper, nickel, titanium, steel, and alloys thereof), natural resins, synthetic resins, plastics, composites, woods, and mixtures thereof.

[0052] Blade implement 16 is preferably secured to or (if integrally fabricated) forms part of second distal end 22 of elongated shaft 12. Blade implement 16 preferably comprises a snow blade, plow, scoop, or other removal implement, and optionally comprises reflective members and/or tape 24 (See FIG. 5). Blade implement 16 is preferably fabricated from, for example, metals (e.g. aluminum, tin, copper, nickel, titanium, steel, and alloys thereof), natural resins, synthetic resins, plastics, composites, woods, and mixtures thereof.

[0053] Light sub-assembly 18 preferably comprises energy source 30, optional switch 32, optional printed circuit board/controller 34, optional accelerometer 36, first light source 37, optional second light source 38, and optional third light source 39. In accordance with the present invention, the components of light sub-assembly 18 may be associated with and/or incorporated into elongated shaft 12, handle sub-assembly 14, blade implement 16, and/or any combination thereof. It will be understood that the light sources (e.g., 37-39) can be in direct electrical communication with energy source 30, or activated via switch 32, and/or accelerometer 36 in cooperation with printed circuit board/controller 34.

[0054] Energy source 30 is preferably at least partially contained within an internal chamber of elongated shaft 12. Energy source 30 is also preferably in electrical communication with optional switch 32, optional printed circuit board/controller 34 and one or more light source 37-39. Energy source 30 preferably comprises, for example, a primary electrochemical cell, a secondary electrochemical cell, and/or a fuel cell.

[0055] Switch 32 preferably comprises a push-button switch or five position rotary switch incorporated into elongated shaft 12 or handle sub-assembly 14 (i.e., off, first light source on, second light source on, third light source on, all light sources on). When present, switch 32 is preferably in electrical communication with printed circuit board/controller 34.

[0056] Printed circuit board/controller 34 preferably includes electronics to enable a plurality of device functionalities including, for example, flashing, pulsating and/or stroboscopic light, light color change (e.g., a tri-color (RGB) light-emitting diode), timer delay for auto-on and/or auto-off of one or more of the components of light sub-assembly 18. Printed circuit board/controller 34 is preferably at least partially contained within an internal chamber of elongated shaft 12 or handle sub-assembly 14, and is preferably in electrical communication with energy source 30, switch 32, accelerometer 36, and one or more light sources 37-39.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, printed circuit board/controller 34 of light sub-assembly 18 comprises one or more components, such as a battery, a bridge rectifier, a capacitor, a central processing unit, a communications port, a control board, a crystal, a diode, a fuse, a graphics board, an inductor, an input port, an integrated circuit, a microprocessor, a memory module, an oscillator, an output port a potentiometer, a receiver, a relay, a resistor, a semiconductor, a transformer, a transistor, a tuner, a video processing unit, a wired communications hub, and/or a wireless communications hub.

[0058] Accelerometer 36 detects when a user picks up, moves, and/or displaces illuminated shovel assembly 10, thereby enabling an auto-on, auto-off (with an optional timer delay) feature of one or more of light sources 37-39 of light sub-assembly 18. When present, accelerometer 36 is preferably in electrical communication with printed circuit board/controller 34.

[0059] Light sub-assembly 18 preferably includes first light source 37, optional second light source 38, and optional third light source 39. It will be understood that each one of the above-identified light sources may comprise one or more lights, bulbs, diodes, etcetera.

[0060] In accordance with the present invention, light sources 37-39 preferably comprise a light-emitting diode, an organic light-emitting diode, a tri-color (RGB) light-emitting diode, an incandescent bulb, a tungsten-halogen bulb, a xenon bulb, a fluorescent bulb, a compact fluorescent lamp, and/or a high-intensity discharge bulb.

[0061] One or more of light sources 37-39 preferably emit light substantially (i.e., greater than 50 percent of the emitted energy) orthogonally and/or perpendicularly, as is shown via dashed arrows in FIGS. 2-5, to and/or away from the length (L) (See FIG. 1) of elongated shaft 12. Preferably, at least one of light sources 37-39 emit flashing, blinking, pulsating and/or stroboscopic light for alerting third parties of the presence of a user holding the illuminated shovel assembly.

[0062] Light sources 37-39 are preferably in electrical communication with energy source 30 and/or printed circuit board/controller 34. First light source 37 is preferably associated with and/or incorporated into elongated shaft 12, second light source 38 is preferably associated with and/or incorporated into handle sub-assembly 14, and third light source 39 is preferably associated with and/or incorporated into blade implement 16. Third light sources 39 shine upon reflector and/or reflective tape 24 which are preferably positioned within one or more ribs of the blade implement. Third light source or sources 39 illuminate the area and/or region proximate blade implement 16 in a plurality of vectors (e.g., generally flood like dispersion) so that a user can see the snow and/or ground near the blade implement even in dark and/or inclement weather.

[0063] The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.