Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02737992 2011-04-26
TITLE
SNOW AND WATER CLEARING DEVICE
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to United States Provisional
Patent
Application No. 61/326,745, filed on April 221, 2010, and entitled "Snow
Clearing Pusher/Puller
Device," the content of which is relied upon and incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to snow and water removal devices, and,
more
particularly, to a more efficient device for pushing and/or pulling snow,
slush, solids, viscous
liquids, or water with one or two hands.
2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
[0003] In many parts of the world, snow removal is performed throughout a
significant
percentage of the year. Although electric- and gas-powered snow removal
devices are
commonly used in cold climate areas, there continues to be a demand for human-
powered
devices, especially in areas where mechanical snow removal devices are either
not affordable or
are unable to effectively remove snow. Often, there are periods of constant
light "snow drizzle,"
between major snow events, which although too slight for aggressive snow
removal by
motorized equipment, still present a slip and fall hazard. Therefore a need
exists to quickly and
efficiently remove small quantities of continual wet or dry snow throughout
such periods.
Further, indoor and outdoor ice skating requires the quick removal of wet ice,
resurfacer machine
shavings, and slush.
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[0004] Human-powered snow removal is expensive, both in terms of time, effort,
and
medical costs. Traditional snow removal devices typically require extensive
manual labor,
including lifting the equivalent of hundreds of pounds and typically require
the use of two hands.
This labor can be difficult for the elderly or those with back or joint
injuries, as well as for those
with a multitude of other physical ailments. In addition to aggravating pre-
existing medical
conditions, every year there are many reported instances of people suffering
medical afflictions
such as heart attacks due to the stress imposed by snow removal.
[0005] In terms of time, snow removal can require a significant investment of
time,
particularly in regions that receive multiple, heavy snowfalls throughout the
season. Snow
removal with traditional removal devices can also require substantial time
when the area to be
cleared is rough or uneven, since these devices can catch or become stuck on
these types of
surfaces. Indeed, slush often cannot effectively be removed with traditional
shovels as they do
not lift this viscous material, they are too narrow to be of any use, and do
not conform to the
surfaces to be cleared.
[0006] Because of the inherent slip and fall risk posed by traditional methods
of
removing slush and water from ice rinks, there is a need for a too] which can
remove ice slush,
snow, and water by an operator standing outside of the rink and not on the ice
sheet itself using a
pulling, squeegee action.
[0007] Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a snow removal device that,
using new
features and resulting greater efficiency, reduces the time and effort needed
to clear moderate
amounts of snow. There is also a continued need for a snow removal device that
quickly and
easily removes snow from rough or uneven surfaces. There is similarly a
continued need for a
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snow and slush removal device that will help commercial property owners reduce
the tracking of
slush into their buildings causing economic and liability concerns.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore a principal object and advantage of the present
invention to provide
a device for snow and/or slush removal.
[0009] It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide
a snow
and/or slush removal device that greatly reduces the time required to clear
snow.
[0010] It is yet another object and advantage of the present invention to
provide a snow
and/or slush removal device that greatly reduces the amount of effort required
to clear snow.
[0011] It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to
provide a snow
and/or slush removal device that eliminates the need to lift snow during
removal.
[0012] It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide
a snow
and/or slush removal device that easily removes snow and/or slush from rough
or uneven
surfaces without catching or stopping in mid-push.
[0013] It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to
provide a snow
and/or slush removal device that can be safely operated with only one hand and
ann.
[0014] Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be
obvious, and
in part appear hereinafter.
[0015] In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present
invention
provides a snow removal device, the device comprising: (i) a generally V-
shaped blade
comprising a top panel and a bottom panel, the top panel and the bottom panel
each comprising
an inner surface and an outer surface, where the inner surface of the top
panel and the inner
surface of the bottom panel are separated from one another by a first angle of
less than 180
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degrees; and (ii) a first extension panel attached to and roughly parallel to
the bottom panel, the
second extension panel extending downward beyond a bottom edge of the bottom
panel. In a
preferred embodiment, the device further comprises a second extension panel
extending from a
top edge of the top panel toward the outer surface of the top panel at a
second angle, where the
second angle is less than 180 degrees. The blade can further comprise handle
attachment means
such as, for example, a generally V-shaped brace which has a top brace panel
attached to the
outer surface of the blade's top panel, a bottom brace panel attached to the
outer surface of the
blade's bottom panel, and a pole receptacle. Further, in a preferred
embodiment, the first angle
is approximately 135 degrees, and the second angle is approximately 125
degrees, although these
are merely examples and not in any way limiting the possible angles of the
device.
[0016] A second aspect of the present invention further provides a snow
removal device
comprising: (i) a generally curved blade comprising an inner surface and an
outer surface, a top
edge and a bottom edge; (ii) a first extension panel extending from the top
edge toward the outer
surface of the blade at an angle less than 180 degrees; and (ii) a second
extension panel attached
to the bottom edge which extends downward beyond the bottom edge of the blade.
In a preferred
embodiment, the second extension panel is composed of a resilient material
such as rubber.
[0017] A third aspect of the present invention further provides a snow removal
device
comprising: (i) a generally V-shaped blade comprising a left panel and a right
panel each
comprising a front surface and a reverse surface, where the reverse surface of
the left panel and
the reverse surface of the right panel are separated from one another by a
first angle of less than
180 degrees; (ii) a first extension panel extending from a top edge of the
left and right panels
toward the reverse surface of the panels at an angle less than 180 degrees;
and (iii) a second
extension panel attached to, and extending downward beyond, a bottom edge of
the left and right
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panels. According to a preferred embodiment, the left and right panels each
comprise a top
section and a bottom section which together form a second V shape, and the top
section and the
bottom section of the right panel together form a third V shape, where the
apex of the second and
third V shapes is offset by 90 degrees from the apex of the generally V-shaped
blade. In a
preferred embodiment, the fist angle is approximately 90 degrees.
[0018] A fourth aspect of the present invention further provides a snow
removal device
comprising: (a) a main blade with top and bottom working edges, the bottom
edge of the blade
comprising a straight, curved, curved inverted V, or cupped V surface, the
bottom edge having a
flexible material; (b) the reverse side of the blade contains attachment
points and bracing for the
main handle pole; (c) the pole comprises a first end and a second end, the
main handle being
connected at the first end to the reverse side of the blade; and (d) a rear
handle or tube plug
provided at the second end of the main handle.
[0019] A fifth aspect of the present invention provides a snow and or slush
removal
device wherein the bottom edge of the blade is constructed of replaceable
rubber or other flexible
material with a suitable modulus to remove or scrape snow from surfaces either
wet or dry when
the edge is placed against the ground and the device is pushed or pulled.
[0020] A sixth aspect of the present invention provides a snow and or slush
removal
device wherein the bottom edge of the blade is near vertical,
[0021] A seventh aspect of the present invention provides a snow and/or slush
removal
device wherein the main blade is formed to create stiffness. In one embodiment
the main blade
is in a V-shaped configuration when viewed from the side, although other
shapes which create
stiffness or a flat shape with reinforcing are also claimed. A curved or
straight shape could also
be used. The width of the blade can vary depending on the needs of the user.
In a preferred
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embodiment, the blade ranges from about 1 foot long to about 5 feet long,
depending on the
application.
[0022] A eighth aspect of the present invention provides a snow and/or slush
removal
device wherein the main blade is formed straight as depicted in FIG. 1, or in
the shape of a "V,"
or snow-plow shaped pointing forward when viewed from above as depicted in
FIG. 4A,
depending on the application.
[0023] A ninth aspect of the present invention provides a snow and/or slush
removal
device wherein the main handle is generally straight. In another embodiment,
the rear handle
comprises a tube plug or a T- or D-shaped grip. The rear handle can further
comprise a slightly
bent grip to facilitate operation of the snow removal device.
[0024] A tenth aspect of the present invention provides a snow and/or slush
removal
device wherein the main handle is sufficiently long enough to place the
operator at a distance
away from the blade such that a smaller downward vector component and a
greater horizontal
component is produced, thereby reducing friction with the ground and
converting more energy
into pushing snow. This, in combination with a vertical or almost vertical
angle of the edge in
combination with a flexible material contacting the ground, facilitates
removal of snow from
gravel or stone walkways, as well as other uneven surfaces, without catching,
destroying,
upsetting, or moving the stone surface.
[0025] An eleventh aspect of the present invention provides a snow removal
device
wherein the blade is secured by quick removable pins clips to facilitate
disassembly and easy off
season storage or transportation.
[0026] A twelfth aspect of the present invention provides a snow and or slush
removal
device wherein the top edge of the blade is constructed so when the blade is
inverted 180 degrees
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so that the edge contacts the ground, the weight of the snow during the
pulling operation will
press the edge and the blade down into and under the snow thus allowing it to
scoop and or
scrape snow as the blade is pulled by the handle. The operator will be able to
pull the snow by
standing erect, thereby reducing the opportunity to injure a back. The effort
of pulling the snow
is considerably less than pushing the equivalent amount of snow since there is
less downward
force vector.
[0027] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a snow
removal device
with a top edge formed rearward to scrape the surface as the blade is pulled
towards the operator.
[0028] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a snow
removal device
wherein the handle is braced equally on both sides by beams which prevent the
bending of the
pole and keep the blade perpendicular to the pole. These braces can be easily
detached from the
blade by two removable pins.
[0029] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a snow
removal device
wherein the angle of the blade against the ground is variable to accommodate
the height of the
person using the pusher puller varies as well as the user's preferred grip.
Using the metal edge,
varying the angle will create different degrees of scraping the surface with
either the tool's own
weight or by adding downward force by pulling on the handle.
[00301 It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a snow
removal device
utilizing a combination of both the longer handle in combination with a
flexible material attached
to the bottom edge in order to clear snow and/or slush with less required
energy to overcome
friction between the blade and the ground. This facilitates removal of snow
from gravel or stone
walkways, as well as other uneven surfaces, without catching, destroying,
upsetting, or moving
the stone surface.
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[0031] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a snow
removal device
wherein the angle of the lower portion of the blade to the pole is adapted to
facilitate scraping but
will not allow the blade to bind when confronting cracks or uneven sections of
surface such as
sidewalk expansion joints. In one embodiment, the material of the lower edge
of the bottom of
the blade is flexible to enable the clearing of partially melted snow, mud, or
other viscous liquid
to clear sidewalks of this hazard,
[0032] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a snow
removal device
which is adapted to removing snow from roofs without causing undue damage to
shingles due to
the flexible edge material which is set at a non aggressive near vertical
angle of attack, the low
angle of attack of the handle, and the long handle which keeps operators away
from the edge of
the roof, which is a key safety feature of this device.
[0033] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a snow
removal device
which is adapted to remove snow from roofs by incorporating a lower blade
which is angled
slightly forward and which, when pulled back against the snow in the direction
of the operator,
will climb up onto new snow. This "ratcheting" eliminates the need to manually
lift the blade to
reposition it on top of the remaining snow. When the handle is then pushed,
the forward angle of
the lower blade causes it to dig down into the snow to push it off the roof.
The flexible edge also
serves to minimize damage to shingled or rubber-coated roofs and scratching of
surface finish of
coated metal roofs, and does not catch on existing ice dams.
[0034] It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a snow
removal device
which is adapted to remove snow from low shed roofs through pulling action
without causing
undue damage to shingles due to the flexible material on the edge. However, if
ice is present on
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the roof, the hard metal edge of the snow removal device could be used, adding
yet another
aspect of versatility.
[0035] It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a snow
removal device
wherein the angle of the top edge of the pusher/puller blade will facilitate
the clearing of a few
steps by allowing the operator to stand on the lower main surface of the
ground and use the
pulling function of the top edge of the blade to pull snow or slush downward
toward the operator.
This is a key safety feature of the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0036] The present invention will be more fully understood and appreciated by
reading
the following Detailed Description in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a schematic of a snow removal device according to one
embodiment of
the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a schematic of the shovel portion of a snow removal device;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a graphic representation of an individual using one
embodiment of the
snow removal device to remove snow from a roof;
[0040] FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a snow removal device according to one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0041] FIG. 4B is a top view of the snow removal device of FIG. 4A; and
[0042] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of handle attachment means
according to one
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0043] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
like parts
throughout, there is seen in FIG. 1 a snow removal device 10 called a
combination snow pusher
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and snow puller. Device 10 comprises at least a handle 12, two braces 14, and
a blade 16. As
shown more clearly in FIG. 2, blade 16 has at least two working surfaces, a
forward working
surface 20 and a rear working surface 18. Blade 16 also has two working edges,
a top working
edge 22 and a bottom working edge 24. Forward surface 20 and bottom edge 24
are for pushing
snow or other matter. Top edge 22 and rear surface 18 are for pulling snow or
other matter, The
bottom edge 24 is optionally constructed of a flexible material and is
positioned at such an angle
of attack as to reduce the tendency to "catch" or stop when encountering
uneven surfaces such as
expansion joints or heaved sections in sidewalks. In a preferred embodiment,
the angle between
the top surface and bottom surface of device 10 is about 135 degrees, as is
shown in FIG. 1,
although other angles are possible. Additionally, in a preferred embodiment
the angle formed
between the upper edge and the reverse side of the top surface is about 125
degrees, although
other angles are possible.
[0044] Top edge 22 is designed to shave under the snow or other matter. As
device 10 is
pulled, the edge of the device has less downward vector component and thus
less friction and
allows the snow or matter to glide over the surface as it is being pulled. As
a human safety
consideration, this design clears snow without the need to lift snow.
[0045] Handle 12 is made of any material suitable for a wide range of
temperatures and
climates, and for sustaining moderate amounts of use, pressure and stress.
Suitable materials
include, but are not limited to, fiberglass, wood, and plastic. In one
embodiment, handle 12 can
be extended or lengthened, or can be coupled with a second handle using any
mechanism of
coupling or joining known in the art. This allows the user to reach snow- or
ice-covered surfaces
that are beyond the reach of the normal-length handle, such as a roof. Braces
14 are positioned
to help secure the handle to the blade. In a preferred embodiment, the braces
connect at one end
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to blade 16, and at the other end to a clamp, such as a saddle clamp, which is
clamped around the
handle. This sturdy construction allows device 10 to be used to move large
amounts of heavy
snow or scrape ice without wear and tear. FIG. 1 shows a clamp and pin system
that can
optionally be used to connect the end of handle 14 to blade 16.
[0046] FIG. 5 shows alternative means of attaching the handle to the blade. In
this
embodiment, a brace connects the handle to the reverse side of the blade. One
advantage of this
brace is that the handle is quickly and easily changed if it becomes damaged
or worn.
[0047] In another embodiment, the blade of shovel 10 is primarily "V"-shaped,
as shown
in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Similar to the device in FIG. 1, this embodiment comprises
at least handle
12 and a blade 16. The shovel further comprises two braces 28 and 30 to stably
connect the
handle to the blade. Further, handle 14 of device 10 is positioned at an angle
that maximizes
forward force while minimizing downward force, as will be discussed in detail
hereinafter. In a
preferred embodiment, blade 16 is V-shaped and has a bottom working edge 24
that is optionally
constructed of a flexible material and is positioned at such an angle of
attack as to reduce the
tendency to "catch" or stop when encountering uneven surfaces such as
expansion joints or
heaved sections in sidewalks. A flexible working edge 24 provides several
advantages,
including faster use, better adjustment to surface abnormalities, and reduced
shock to both the
device and the operator's hand, thereby resulting in less fatigue for the user
and less wear on
snow removal device 10.
[0048] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the blade of shovel
10 is
designed such that it is adaptable to one of two or more configurations,
including a first
configuration where the blade is straight, and a second configuration where
the blade is shaped
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similar to a "V" or a snowplow. The variable configurations of the shovel can
be accomplished
through any mechanism known in the art, including but not limited to hinges or
movable parts.
[0049] By virtue of its innovative design features, the combination snow
pusher and
snow puller device greatly reduces the time and effort required to clear
moderate amounts of
snow from rough and or uneven surfaces. As this design reduces friction and
the chance of
catching in expansion joints, the increased efficiency is converted into
clearing a wider swath of
snow at a greater walking speed, thus reducing the total time to clear a
sidewalk of slush or
snow. This is particularly useful for city sidewalks with expansion cracks,
driveways, stairs,
wooden decks, gravel walkways and drives, and the beds of pickup trucks, among
many other
places. The push and pull operation of device 10 eliminates the need to lift
the snow that is
being removed. This operation is significantly different from the operation of
a shovel, which is
normally considered as a means of scooping and lifting material. The pull
feature of device 10 is
especially useful when clearing stairs while standing at ground level.
[0050] When using ordinary shovels and snow pushers, the weight of the snow in
the
scoop or in front of the blade will press downwardly and cause greater
friction against the
surface of the ground. As the snow builds up, the shovel will eventually stop
from its own
friction. Greater force to continue to push proportionately increases the
downward vector force
of the shovel edge to the ground until it is too high to proceed any further.
This adds
unnecessary resistance to the effort of clearing snow, and slows down or stops
the shovel by
adding weight and downward force to the shovel blade as it contacts the
surface. The design of
device 10, however, does not allow this to happen due to the novel angles of
the blade and the
construction of the blade. Friction is not greatly increased by virtue of more
snow.
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[0051] The present invention provides a unique push/pull method of clearing
snow, as
shown in FIG. 3. According to this method, the user places blade 16 of shovel
10 into or atop
the snow and pushes the shovel forward. The forward force on the shovel pushes
the blade into
the snow and pushes the snow forward. If the method is used to remove snow
from a roof or
steps, the shovel is pushed forward until the snow falls from the edge of the
roof or step. The
user then pulls the shovel backward, and the blade rises on top of the snow.
The operator does
not have to lift the blade, this being another advantage of the present
invention. By rising on top
of the snow, the shovel of the present invention provides a unique push/pull
snow removal
method whereby the user rhythmically pushes and pulls the shovel but only
pushes snow. When
the shovel is completely or partially pulled backward, the user again applies
a forward force,
which pushes the blade into the snow and pushes the snow forward.
[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the blade and
shovel are
arranged such that the angle of the handle maximizes the forward force of the
shovel and thereby
minimizes the effort expended by the user to remove snow and/or slush. For
example, a typical
snow shovel with a 38 inch long handle causes the operator to place the handle
at an approximate
45 degree angle. If the operator pushes this typical snow shovel at a
hypothetical 100 lb. push,
then there is a 70 lb. horizontal push and a 70 lb. vertical push. The 70 lb.
vertical pushes the
blade into the ground and causes friction between the blade and the ground. In
the preferred
embodiment of the present invention, however, the 6 foot handle creates an
angle of 30 degrees
between the handle and the ground, which is in sharp contrast to the 45
degrees of a typical snow
shovel. At an angle of 30 degrees, a 100 lb, push by the user results in a
roughly 86 lb,
horizontal push and only a 50 lb, vertical push. This represents at least a
28% reduction in
downward friction and at least a 22% increase in available forward pushing
vector force. Added
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together, the present invention represents at least a total 50% increase in
efficiency. The
efficiency is further improved by the rubber edge of the shovel, all of which
prevent the blade
from catching on cracks or tearing up gravel walkways.
[0053] In addition to traditional snow and slush removal, the present
invention has many
other uses, including but not limited to the following: clearing steps;
clearing hazardous oil spills
and sludge from beaches, pushing slush and water to roof drains on flooded
flat roofs, grooming
terrain parks at ski hills or resorts; moving slush or slurry; clearing roofs;
clearing snow from
vehicles (e.g., removing snow from truck beds at automotive dealerships);
clearing barn stalls;
moving feed or grain; moving hard foodstuffs; or smoothing concrete, dirt, and
gravel, among
many other uses.
[0054] Another non-traditional use of the device is to remove ice slush, snow,
water, and
other debris from ice rinks, including both indoor and outdoor rinks. For
example, the device
can be modified to pull or push debris off of the ice rink surface. Once such
model, called the
"Radius," has been modified to remove debris using the corner date of
traditional ice rinks.
Since many ice rinks have radii of approximately 28 feet (8.5 meters) in
northeastern America
(and other radii in other regions or countries), the device can be modified to
suitably remove
debris from a circle having that radius.
[0055] Because of the inherent slip and fall risk posed by traditional methods
of
removing slush and water from ice rinks, there is a need for a tool which can
remove ice slush,
snow, and water by an operator standing outside of the rink and not on the ice
sheet itself using a
pulling, squeegee action.
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[00561 Although the present invention has been described in connection with a
preferred
embodiment, it should be understood that modifications, alterations, and
additions can be made
to the invention without departing from the scope of the invention as defined
by the claims.
