Abstract
A snow removal device comprising an accumulation surface for receiving snow when in use, with one or more rigid sections extending from or connected to the accumulation surface to form a V shaped plow. The accumulation surface may be attached to a support shaft which may include an additional handle to produce a manually operated snow shovel. Alternatively, a bracket mounted to the inward facing surface of the V shaped plow may connect the snow removal device to a granular spreader apparatus. The V shaped plow may include a deflector, of various shape, integrally attached at the leading apex of the plow. Additionally, the outward facing surface of the V shaped plow may utilize a concave shape that may increase along a gradient as it gets closer to the distal ends of the plow and/or as it gets closer to the top edge or the bottom edge of the plow.
Claims
1. A snow removal device comprising: a. an accumulation surface for receiving snow when in use; b. at least one rigid section extending from said accumulation surface forming a V shaped plow; and c. wherein said V shaped plow is attached to said accumulation surface of said snow removal device.
2. The snow removal device of claim 1 wherein said first accumulation surface is attached to a handle wherein the snow removal device is a snow shovel.
3. The snow removal device of claim 1 wherein said device is attached to a granular spreader apparatus.
4. The snow removal device of claim 1 wherein said V shaped plow further comprises: a. a first section and a second section; and b. wherein each of said first and second sections comprise: i. an upper edge, a lower edge, a proximal edge, a distal edge, an outward facing surface, and an inward facing surface; and ii. wherein said proximal edges of said first and second sections are integrally connected to form a leading apex of said V shaped plow.
5. The snow removal device of claim 4 wherein said V shaped plow comprises a concave surface on each of said first and second sections between each said upper edge and said lower edge of said first and second sections of said V shaped plow.
6. The snow removal device of claim 5 wherein said upper edge of said first section and said second section extends in front of said lower edge of said first section and said second section of said V shaped plow as said upper edge gets closer to said distal edge of each said first and second sections of said V shaped plow.
7. The snow removal device of claim 5 wherein said lower edge of said first section and said second section extends in front of said upper edge of said first section and said second section of said V shaped plow as said lower edge gets closer to said distal edge of each said first and second sections of said V shaped plow.
8. The snow removal device of claim 4 wherein said V shaped plow further comprises a mounting bracket attached to said inward facing surface of said V shaped plow.
9. The snow removal device of claim 4 further comprising a deflector at said apex.
10. The snow removal device of claim 9 wherein said deflector further comprises at least two edges, wherein a first edge of said deflector inversely compliments and extends from said apex and a second edge of said deflector deflects snow to either side of said V shaped plow.
11. A snow removal device comprising: a. at least one rigid section forming a V shaped plow; b. said V shaped plow further comprises: i. a first section and a second section; and ii. wherein each of said first and second sections comprise: 1. an upper edge, a lower edge, a proximal edge, a distal edge, an outward facing surface, and an inward facing surface; and 2. wherein said proximal edges of said first and second sections are integrally connected to form a leading apex of said V shaped plow; and c. wherein said V shaped plow is attached to at least one granular spreader apparatus.
12. The snow removal device of claim 11 wherein said V shaped plow comprises a concave surface between said upper edge and lower edge of said first and second sections.
13. The snow removal device of claim 11 wherein said upper edge of said first section and said second section extends in front of said lower edge of said first section and said second section of said V shaped plow as said upper edge gets closer to said distal edge of each said first and second sections of said V shaped plow.
14. The snow removal device of claim 11 wherein said lower edge of said first section and said second section extends in front of said upper edge of said first section and said second section of said V shaped plow as said lower edge gets closer to said distal edge of each said first and second sections of said V shaped plow.
15. The snow removal device of claim 11 wherein said V shaped plow further comprises a mounting bracket attached to said inward facing surface of said V shaped plow.
16. The snow removal device of claim 11 further comprising a deflector at said apex.
17. The snow removal device of claim 16 wherein said deflector further comprises at least two edges, wherein a first edge of said deflector inversely compliments and extends from said apex and a second edge of said deflector deflects snow to said first and second sections of said V shaped plow.
18. A snow shovel comprising: a. a first accumulation surface for receiving snow when in use: b. at least one rigid section extending from said first accumulation surface; forming a V shaped plow c. wherein said V shaped plow is attached to said first accumulation surface of said snow shovel; d. Wherein said first accumulation surface is connected to a handle; e. wherein said V shaped plow further comprises: i. a first section and a second section; and ii. wherein each of said first and second sections comprise: 1. an upper edge, a lower edge, a proximal edge, a distal edge, an outward facing surface, and an inward facing surface; and 2. wherein said proximal edges of said first and second sections are integrally connected to form a leading apex of said V shaped plow; and f. Wherein said V shaped plow further comprises a concave surface between said upper edge and said lower edge of said first and second sections.
19. The snow removal device of claim 19 further comprising a deflector at said apex.
20. The snow removal device of claim 20 wherein said deflector further comprises at least two edges, wherein a first edge of said deflector inversely compliments and extends from said apex and a second edge of said deflector to deflect snow to at least one said first and second sections of said V shaped plow.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved snow removal shovel according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an improved snow removal device attached to a granular spreader apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the V shaped plow of the improved snow removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the V shaped plow of the improved snow removal device according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the V shaped plow of the improved snow removal device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0027] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the V shaped plow of the improved snow removal device according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the V shaped plow of the improved snow removal device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of an improved snow removal device 100. The snow removal device 100 aids users in removing snow from a pathway while reducing the effort and time required for the activity compared to traditional snow shovels or snow plows. The preferred embodiment of the snow removal device 100 improves the ease of operation for manual snow removal thereby reducing strain to the user and the potential for injury. Additionally, the snow removal device 100 of the present invention clears snow from a pathway more efficiently compared to prior art, manually operated snow removal devices.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 1, shown is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. The preferred embodiment of the snow shovel 130 depicted in FIG. 1 utilizes a traditional handle 128 connected to one end of a support shaft. However, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that various handle shapes can be utilized or that the support shaft can act as the handle 128 of the snow removal device 100 without departing from the scope of the present invention. The other end of the support shaft of the snow shovel 130 is connected to the snow removal device of the present invention 100. The support shaft is connected to one end of the accumulation surface 102 of the present invention. It is anticipated that the accumulation surface 102 can take many shapes, such as rectangular or square, as well as various dimensions without departing from the scope of the present invention. A V shaped plow 105 extends from or is integrally connected with the accumulation surface 102. The connection may occur through the use of a bracket 122 as depicted in FIG. 1. The V shaped plow 105 of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is composed of a first rigid section 103 and a second rigid section 104. Each section 103 and 104 comprises of an upper edge 106, a lower edge 108, a proximal edge 110, a distal edge 112, an outward facing surface 114, and an inward facing surface 116. The two sections 103 and 104 are integrally connected to one another along their proximal edges 110 at an angle to create the V shaped plow 105 shape as well as form the leading apex 118 of the V shaped plow 105. Additionally, an optional deflector 124 may be utilized as depicted in FIG. 1. The deflector 124 comprises two edges, a first edge 125 and a second edge 126. The first edge 125 of the deflector 124 is integrally formed and connected with the leading apex 118 of the V shaped plow 105. The second edge 126 of the deflector 124 creates a deflecting edge that can take various forms between the upper edge 106 and lower edge 108 of the V shaped plow 105. It is anticipated that the deflector 124 could produce a straight edge, convex edge, or concave edge between the upper edge 106 and lower edge 108 of the V shaped plow 105.
[0031] Turning to FIG. 2, a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the snow removal device 100 of the present invention is shown. In this embodiment, the V shaped plow 105 is connected to a granular spreader apparatus 132. An exemplary apparatus 132 used in conjunction with the V shaped plow 105 of the present invention is a manually operated salt spreader so that a user may simultaneously clear pathways of accumulated snow and spread salt to aid in preventing the accumulation of additional snow and/or ice. However, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that any type of granular spreader apparatus 132 (for example, powered or manually operated) may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. The granular spreader apparatus 132 is attached to the V shaped plow 105 via the bracket 105 attached to the inward facing surface 116 of one or more sections 103 and 104 of the V shaped plow 105. Although it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other attachment points can be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention. The first and second sections 103 and 104 are integrally connected via their proximal edges 110 to form the leading apex 118 of the V shaped plow 105. It is anticipated that an accumulation surface 102 that is relatively perpendicular to the V shaped plow 105 may be utilized to further enhance the snow removal device 100 depicted in FIG. 2. An accumulation surface would be attached to the lower edge 108 of the V shaped plow 105.
[0032] A deflector 124 integrally attached to the leading apex 118 is also shown in FIG. 2. The deflector 124 comprises of two edges, a first edge 125 that is inversely complimentary to the shape of the leading apex 118 and a second edge 126 that allows the V shaped plow 105 to more easily cut through accumulated snow as it is pushed by the user. It is anticipated that the second edge 126 of the deflector 124 can utilize many shapes, including but not limited to a straight, convex, or concave edge shape, between the upper edge 106 and lower edge 108 of the V shaped plow 105 further enhance the deflecting properties of the defector 124. As an example, FIG. 2 depicts a convex second edge 126 of the deflector 124. To further aid in the channeling of snow as the user pushes the snow removal device 100, the outward facing surface 114 of each of the sections 103 and 104 of the V shaped plow 105 can utilize a concave shape 120 between the upper edge 106 and lower edge 108. This aids in channeling snow forward and out the sides of the of the V shaped plow 105 rather than up and over the top of the V shaped plow 105.
[0033] Looking to FIGS. 3 and 4, provided are perspective and exploded views, respectively, of the V shaped plow 105 of the snow removal device 100 of the present invention. Here is it easier to see the components that make up the V shaped plow 105 of the snow removal device 100 of the present invention. Specifically, the first rigid section 103, second rigid section 104, and bracket 122 of the preferred embodiment of the V shaped plow 105 are shown. Each rigid section 103 and 104 comprises an upper edge 106, a lower edge 108, a proximal edge 110, a distal edge 112, an outward facing surface 114, and an inward facing surface 116. Each section 103 and 104 is integrally connected to the other along its proximal edge 110 to form the leading apex 118 of the resulting V shaped plow 105. As discussed above, the angle of the connection between the two sections 103 and 104 may be set to any desired angle based on the required width of the V shaped plow 105. The bracket 122 is connected to one or more sections 103 and 104 at one or more points on the inward facing surface 116 of the V shaped plow 105. The vertical position of the bracket 122 is modified depending on the embodiment of the snow removal device 100 configuration desired. Also depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 is a concave shape 120 for the outward facing surface 114 between the upper and lower edge 106 and 108 of each section 103 and 104. Naturally, the inward facing surface 116 will take on an inversely angled convex shape compared to the outward facing surface 114 unless additional material is utilized along the inward facing surface 116 to alter its shape. Although an outward facing concave shape 120 is described above, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that any desired outward or inward facing surface shape can be utilized without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0034] The acuteness of the concave shape 120 of the outward facing surface 114 may increase along a gradient as it gets closer to the proximal edge 110 or the distal edge 112 of each section 103 and 104 and/or as it gets closer to the upper edge 106 or the lower edge 108 of each section 103 and 104. The contemplated gradient concave shape 120 of the outward facing surface 114 of each section 103 and 104 of the V shape plow 105 creates a curled end (See FIG. 7) that can further enhance the snow channeling ability of the V shaped plow 105 of the snow removal device 100 of the present invention. For example, if the concave shape 120 creates an exaggerated lip at the lower edge 108 of the V shaped plow 105, it would enhance the ability of the V shaped plow 105 to lift and channel accumulated snow up the plow's 105 outward facing surface 114. This is advantageous since snow will not build up along the lower edge 108, due to friction between the V shaped plow 105 and the pathway to be cleared and/or between particles of snow as they are moved by the snow removal device 100 of the present invention, which would increase the resistance felt by the user. Conversely, if an exaggerated concave shape 120 ends along the upper edge 106, it will aid in keeping snow from moving up and over the top of the V shaped plow 105, especially as the snow is moved from the center of the plow 105 to the distal ends.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, provided are perspective and exploded views of an alternative embodiment of the V shaped plow 105 of the snow removal device 100 of the present invention. The embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 utilizes a deflector 124 integrally attached to the leading apex 118 of the V shaped plow 105 of the snow removal device 100 of the present invention. FIG. 6 particularly points out the inversely complimentary shape of the first edge 125 of the deflector 124 compared to the shape of the leading apex 118. If a concave shape 120 is utilized for the outward facing surface 114 of each of the sections 103 and 104 of the V shaped plow 105, the resulting leading apex 118 will also be concave in shape. Accordingly, the first edge 125 of the deflector 124 must inversely match the shape of the leading apex 118 in order to properly integrate with the apex 118. The second edge 126 of the deflector 124 depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6 shows a straight edge between the upper and lower edge 106 and 108. However, as discussed above, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that any desired shape may be utilized for the second edge 126 of the deflector 124 of the snow removal device 100 without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that any overall shape for the deflector 124 may be utilized without departing form the scope of the present invention.
[0036] Referring now to FIG. 7, shown is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the V shaped plow 105 of the snow removal device 100 of the present invention. As shown, the bracket 122, in this embodiment, is attached toward the distal ends of the inward facing surface 116 of both sections 103 and 104 of the V shaped plow 105 of the snow removal device 100 of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the attachment point of the bracket 122 to the V shaped plow 105 may be moved without departing from the scope of the present invention. Additionally, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the shape of the bracket 122 may be modified without departing from the scope of the present invention.
[0037] Also illustrated in FIG. 7 is a gradient concave shape 120 of the outward facing surface 114 of each section 103 and 104 of the V shaped plow 105. The concave shape gradient increases as it gets closer to the upper edge 106 or the lower edge 108 of each section 103 and 104 of the V shaped plow 105 of the snow removal device 100 of the present invention. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 provides an exaggerated lip along the lower edge 108 of the V shaped plow 105. As discussed above, the extended lower edge can enhance the ability of the V shaped plow 105 to lift and channel accumulated snow up the plow's 105 outward facing surface 114. Again, this is advantageous since snow will not build up along the lower edge 108, due to friction between the V shaped plow 105 and the pathway to be cleared and/or between particles of snow as they are moved by the plow 105, which would increase the resistance felt by the user. Conversely, if an extended concave shape 120 ends along the upper edge 106, it will aid in keeping snow from moving up and over the top of the V shaped plow 105, especially as the snow is moved from the center of the plow 105 to the distal ends.
[0038] Although various representative embodiments of this invention have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the inventive subject matter set forth in the specification and claims. Joinder references (e.g. attached, adhered, joined) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. In some instances, in methodologies directly or indirectly set forth herein, various steps and operations are described in one possible order of operation, but those skilled in the art will recognize that steps and operations may be rearranged, replaced, or eliminated without necessarily departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
[0039] Although the present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments outlined above, various alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements and/or substantial equivalents, whether known or that are or may be presently foreseen, may become apparent to those having at least ordinary skill in the art. Listing the steps of a method in a certain order does not constitute any limitation on the order of the steps of the method. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Persons skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the invention is intended to embrace all known or earlier developed alternatives, modifications, variations, improvements, and/or substantial equivalents.
