Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A snow-removing tool
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a snow-removing tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0002] In the appended drawings:
[0003] Figure 1 is a side view of a tool according to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0004] Figure 2 is a side view of a tool according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0005] Figure 3 is a side view of a tool according to an another
embodiment of the present invention;
[0006] Figure 4 is a detailed view of a broom portion of a tool
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0007] Figures 5 and 6 are detailed views of a brush portion of a tool
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0008] Figure 7 illustrates a shaft of a tool according to an
embodiment of the present invention; and
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[0009] Figures 8 illustrate a shaft of a tool according to a further
embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0010] A snow removing tool 10 according to an embodiment of the
present invention, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the appended drawings for
example, comprises a shaft 12 having a handle at a proximal end 14 thereof,
and connected to a working head 16 at a distal end thereof.
[0011] The working head 16 comprises a broom portion 18, intended
for a contact with a surface lower than the user, at an angle a of about 60 to
90
degrees, 75 degrees for instance, relative to the shaft 12. The broom portion
18
comprises a wall 20 supporting bristles 22. The bristles 22 are arranged in
two
rows 24, 26 along the length L of the broom portion 18, separated by a tab 28
(best seen in Figure 4). The length L may be typically the length of a broom
for
exterior surfaces as known in the art.
[0012] The wall 20 of the broom portion 18 is typically made by
injection of a plastic material. The bristles 22, made in PVC for example or
any
suitable material as known in the art, are inserted on the lower surface of
the
wall 20. The tab 28, made in a resilient material resistant to abrasion, such
as a
thermoplastic elastomer or silicon or urethane for example, is fixed in
between
the two rows 24, 26 on the lower surface of the wall 20.
[0013] The wall 20 of the broom portion 18 is thin, with a thickness of
0.500". The head 16 may be reinforced for example, by providing reinforcing
ribs 30 on the wall 20, as shown in Figure 1 for example. The tab 28 may also
contribute to the rigidity to the broom portion 18.
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[0014] The bristles 22 have a length comprised in the range
between 2.75" and 3.25" for example, as known in standard brooms available
for exterior surfaces for instance. The tab 28 is typically in a slight
recessed
position in relation to the bristles 22 so as to be protected from abrasion
via
contact with the swept surface.
[0015] The broom portion 18 of the tool 10, when handled in the
manner of a standard broom by a user holding the shaft 12 by the handle
thereof, may be used to remove snow, for example, from the ground or from a
generally horizontal surface, which is lower than the user. The tab 28
prevents
the snow from going in between the bristles 22, and packing the broom.
[0016] The shaft 12 may be connected to the wall 20 of the broom
portion 18 as known in the art, as shown in Figure 1.
[0017] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 to 6, the working
head 16 further comprises a brush portion 32.
[0018] The brush portion 32 may be inclined by about 5 relative to
the shaft 12 of the tool 10 (see Figure 8a), which proves to be more ergonomic
for people of a small size using the tool for removing snow from a car for
example.
[0019] The brush portion 32 comprises a wall 34 supporting bristles
36. The bristles 36 may be arranged in three rows along the length I of the
brush portion 32, as may be seen in Figures 5 and 6 for example. The length I
of the brush portion 32 may be typically the length of hand snowbrush as
known in the art. The bristles 36 have a length in the range comprised between
about 1.75" and 2 5/8", as known in standard hand snowbrush.
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[0020] The bristles 36 are soft enough so as not to damage a
surface they are passed on, such a car surface.
[0021] The wall 20 of the broom portion 18 and the wall 34 of the
brush portion 32 may be injected as a single L-shaped working head 16, as
illustrated in Figures 2 to 6, and the shaft 12 connected to the brush portion
32
as known in the art of hand snow brush for example. This single L-shaped
working head 16 may be made as light as possible by reducing the thickness
thereof, i. e. the thickness of the walls 20 and 34 respectively, while it is
made
resistant by reinforcing ribs 30 as described hereinabove in relation to the
wall
20 of the broom portion 18, and as shown in Figure 3 in the shapes of snow
flakes for example. The reinforcing ribs 30 may be when molding the single L-
shaped working head 16.
[0022] Alternatively, it may be contemplated molding the wall 20 of
the broom portion 18 and the wall 34 of the brush portion 32 separately, and
have them connected at an adequate angle. Still alternatively, the wall 20 of
the
broom portion 18 could be molded separately, and removably connectable, at
an adequate angle, to a tool comprising the brush portion 32, or even the two
portions 18 and 32 could be molded separately, and removably connectable,
successively for example, at an adequate angle, to a shaft.
[0023] The shaft 12 is typically made in a light material such as
aluminium, for lightness purposes, as known in the art.
[0024] A shaft of an adjustable length, such as a telescopic shaft 12
illustrated in Figure 7 for example, allows adjusting the length thereof
depending on whether the broom portion or the brush portion of the tool is
used, according to the a desired swept distance, or also according to the size
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of the user. Obviously, a shaft made in several foldable parts or a shaft
provided with a removable extension may also be contemplated, for example.
[0025] Moreover, a telescopic shaft 12 allows folding the tool in a
compact state when not in use, for storage purpose, in the entrance hall of
the
user's home whe the user is back home, or in the car when the user drives
away.
[0026] The shaft 12 may be further provided, at the distal end 14
thereof, with a scraper 38, as illustrated in Figures 8 for example.
[0027] Therefore, the present invention provides an improved snow
broom, comprising bristles separated by a tab.
[0028] The present invention further provides a dual snow-removing
tool, comprising a brush portion for removing snow from the surface of a car,
and a broom portion for removing snow from the floor, each portion being
respectively adapted to the surface it is intended to clean, in a single
portable
and ergonomic tool.
[0029] Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it may be modified, without
departing from the nature and teachings of the subject invention as defined in
the appended claims.
