Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02230670 1998-02-27 MULTI-HARDNESS HANDLE FOR SNOW TOOLS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to snow shovels and other snow tools, more
particularly, to
handles for manual snow tools.
When it snows or sleets, the handles of conventional snow tools become wet and
slippery, making it difficult to maneuver, lift, shovel, push and throw snow,
slush and ice.
Furthermore, many of the handles of conventional snow tools are not easily
grippable
making the snow tools cumbersome to use, awkward and unduly burdensome. In an
effort
to alleviate this problem, some of the handles of conventional snow tools have
auxiliary
gripping surfaces, such as knurling, diamond-shaped ribs, or horizontal
ridges. Such
gripping surfaces have met with varying degrees of success, but are generally
not very
comfortable.
Handheld portable snow tools, typically referred to as manual snow tools, are
generally not useful to remove snow, ice and slush from sidewalks and
driveways. Over the
years, various types of manual snow tools have been developed, such as snow
shovels,
pushers and scrapers. In the past, manual snow tools were constructed with a
wooden
handle and a steel or iron blade or scoop. Conventional snow tools are often
bulky, heavy
and cumbersome to use. In an effort to improve the ease of use and decrease
the weight of
snow tools, snow tools have been made with aluminum handles and/or aluminum
blades.
Aluminum handles can be very slippery and difficult to hold when wet, such as
when it
snows or sleets. In modern times, part of the snow tools have been fabricated
of plastic.
Early snow tools with plastic blades were somewhat flimsy and did not wear
well.
Furthermore, snow tools with smooth, plastic rounded handles can also be
slippery and
difficult to hold when wet.
Small amounts of snow can be readily removed from sidewalks, stairs and
driveways
with a snow shovel. Snow shovels are good all around snow tools. Typically,
snow shovels
have a generally flat blade with a very slight curvature. Snow shovels are
useful to shovel,
lift, raise and throw light snow away from the sidewalk, stairs or driveway.
If the snow is
deep, heavy, or slushy, other types of snow tools are better, safer and more
productive than
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standard snow shovels. Moreover, lifting heavy snow with a standard snow
shovel may
cause back injuries and sometimes heart problems for some people.
Snow pushers have a rounded or curved blade which are useful to push heavy or
deep snow and slush away from sidewalks and drivers. Snow pushers can be very
heavy.
The deep curvature of pusher blades, however, are not generally useful to lift
(raise) and
throw snow and slush, which remain after the bulk of the snow and slush has
been pushed
away. Furthermore, many snowfalls, such as 21/2 inches to 5 inches of snow,
are too deep
to comfortably use only a snow shovel, but too shallow (not deep enough) to
use only a
snow pusher. Combination snow shovels and snow pushers can be useful for such
purposes.
Scrapers are useful to scrape, cut and chop ice from sidewalks and driveways.
Smaller scrapers are useful to scrape ice from vehicle windows and
windshields. Ice can
accumulate on sidewalks and driveways from ice storms or from snow which has
melted
during the day and freezes at night when the temperature drops. Icy sidewalks
and
driveways can be very dangerous and slippery. It is often difficult to walk
and safely drive
with full control on icy pavements. If snow falls and accumulates on the ice,
the underlying
layer of ice can be treacherous. Once the ice is chopped or scraped, it can be
scooped,
shoveled and removed with a snow scoop.
The snow shovel and scoop are well known hand tools used primarily for
shoveling,
scooping and removing snow. An important consideration and concern with snow
shovels
and scoops are the strength to weight ratio. In the past, the stronger a snow
shovel and
scoop, the heavier it was, due to the amount of material mass required for
rigidity. The
weight of conventional iron and steel snow shovel blades and scoop blades are
burdensome,
awkward and inconvenient, especially if the person lifting the blade is young,
elderly or not
trained in proper lifting techniques. If the snow shovel blade and scoop blade
is made too
thin, it will bend under load. Therefore, conventional prior snow shovels and
scoop have
been constructed of thick iron or steel which provides a heavy awkward hand
tool that is
hefty and burdensome to operate.
A snow shovel blade and scoop blade are usually subjected to impact forces and
abrasion during use from impacted snow, ice, the underlying pavement, salt,
etc., which can
pit, corrode, or otherwise damage the snow shovel blade and scoop blade.
Furthermore, salt
used to melt ice and water from slush and melting snow can accelerate rust and
degradation
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CA 02230670 1998-02-27 .~ _
of conventional iron snow shovels and scoops. These factors can cause
premature failure
of the snow shovel and scoop.
A snow shovel and scoop used primarily for snow removal is unique in that the
consumer seeks a large, but lightweight, large shovel blade or scoop blade.
For these
reasons, in place of an iron or steel blade, some snow tools are manufactured
with aluminum
or plastic blades. While aluminum does and plastic do not rust, they are much
weaker and
flimsier than iron and steel and often require either greater thickness or
reinforcement in
order to withstand the loads, forces, stress and strain of scooping, shoveling
and removing
snow. Without reinforcement of an aluminum blade to prevent counter-flexing,
such as
stepping on the back of the blade, the aluminum blade can bend in half or
otherwise deform
thereby ruining the tool. _
Another problem with prior snow shovels and scoops is that the conventional
heavy
shaft and associated handle adds enormous weight and bulkiness to the snow
tool. Metal
handles comprising metal shafts and/or metal handgrips, made of iron and steel
have been
used. In an effort to improve the ease of use and decrease the weight of snow
tools, snow
tools have been made with aluminum handles (shafts) and/or aluminum blades.
Aluminum
handles can be very slippery, cold and difficult to hold when wet, such as
when it snows or
sleets. Manufacturers often try to remedy the situation by using various other
types of
materials. While an iron shaft is strong, it can readily corrode due to
moisture, snow and
sleet. Furthermore, an iron or steel shaft is very cold due to the inability
to compensate for
the cold surrounding ambient temperature. Moreover, while an iron or steel
shaft can be
painted, paint can easily wear off.
It has been common practice to make the shaft of the handle from wood and to
rivet
a section of wood o the handgrip. However, a problem with wood is that unless
properly
treated, water can rot the wood especially where the parts are fastened or
coupled together.
While it is possible to replace the wood, it is more likely that the snow tool
will be replaced.
The blade, shaft and handgrip of a shovel can also be constructed from plastic
which
does not rot, rust, or retain cold as its wood and metal counterparts.
However, the problem
with plastic is strength. Early snow tools with plastic blades were somewhat
flimsy and did
not wear well. A plastic shaft may flex causing the shaft to bend since the
shaft becomes
a fulcrum point during use. Furthermore, snow tools with smooth, rounded
handles can also
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be slippery and difficult to hold when wet. A blade made of plastic further
presents a
number of problems including control of flexing and wear.
In order to manually removing snow from sidewalks, driveways and pavements,
different amounts of effort are often required to remove the snow, depending
on the depth,
temperature, fluffiness, amounts of slush, water, ice and texture of the snow
to be removed.
Sometimes, women, children and older men may become frustrated by slippery
handles of
conventional snow tools. Also, conventional snow tools can be too heavy,
awkward and
cumbersome to shovel, lift and throw light snow for some women, children and
older men.
On the other hand, conventional flat snow shovels are usually inadequate and
unsuitable to
push and remove heavy, wet and slushy snow.
It is, therefore, desirable to develop an improved snow tool which overcomes
most,
if not all, of the preceding problems.
SUNIlVIARY OF THE INVENTION
An improved snow removal tool is provided with a special multi-hardness
composite
assembly to enhance gripping, comfort, and maneuvering of a blade assembly.
The
attractive comfortable handle assembly can be used with many different types
of snow tools,
such as: snow shovels, snow pushers, combination snow shovels and pushers,
snow scoops,
ice choppers, and ice scrapers. The strong, readily grippable snow tool can
quickly,
efficiently and effectively remove snow and ice from sidewalks, driveways,
curbs, and
outdoor stairways (exterior stairs). The superb snow tool is easy to use,
durable and reliable.
Advantageously, the novel snow tool is safer, convenient, lighter and more
economical than
bulky conventional snow shovels, heavy snow pushers and many other
conventional snow
tools.
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According to an aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a snow tool comprising: a blade assembly
with a. blade for shoveling, pushing, or scraping snow; a
handle assembly comprising a handgrip; and an elongated
handle extending between and operatively connected to said
blade assembly and said handgrip; and said handle comprising
a first manually grippable member; and a second manually
grippable member; and said first and second manually
grippable members being of similar length and extending
substantially along the length of said handle between said
blade assembly and handgrip wherein said first manually
grippable member comprises a plastic tube; and said second
manually grippable member comprises elastomeric ribs having
a different hardness than said tube.
According to another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a snow tool, comprising: a
snow blade selected from the group consisting of a snow
shovel blade, a snow pusher blade, a combination snow pusher
and shovel blade, a snow scoop blade, an ice chipper blade,
and an ice scraper blade; and a composite handle assembly
operatively associated with said snow blade for maneuvering
said blade, said composite handle assembly comprising a
shaft and a set of radially spaced aliquot ribs extending
outwardly from said shaft, and said shaft having a greater
hardness than said ribs.
According to a further aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a snow tool, comprising: a
blade assembly defining an upwardly extending socket
providing a plastic lower coupling joint and having a set of
symmetrical downwardly diverging plastic reinforcement ribs
extending laterally outwardly of said upwardly extending
socket, and said blade assembly comprising a blade selected
from the group consisting of a snow shovel blade, a snow
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pusher blade, a combination snow pusher and shovel blade, a
snow scoop blade, an ice chopper blade, an ice chipper
blade, and an ice scraper blade; a composite handle assembly
for maneuvering said blade, comprising a plastic handgrip
defining a downwardly extending socket providing an upper
coupling joint; said handgrip comprising plastic selected
from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene,
graphite-impregnated plastic, and polyvinyl chloride; an
elongated handle said handle comprising extending between
said handgrip and blade assembly, and handle comprising a
composite shank providing a manually grippable shaft, said
handle having an upper end positioned within and secured to
said upper coupling joint of said handgrip and said handle
having a lower end positioned within and secured to said
lower coupling joint of said blade assembly; said composite
shank comprising a metal core and an impact-resistant multi-
hardness sleeve thermally insulating and annularly
surrounding said metal core, said metal core and said sleeve
being of similar lengths; said metal core being completely
positioned within and fixedly secured to said sleeve in
press-fitting interlocking engagement thereto, said metal
core comprising a metal tube, said core comprising a metal
selected from the group consisting of steel, iron, and
aluminum; said multi-hardness sleeve comprising an extruded
plastic tube with an exterior surface, said extruded tube
comprising a plastic selected from the group consisting of
polyethylene, polypropylene, graphite-impregnated plastic,
and polyvinyl chloride; and said multi-hardness sleeve
comprising a matrix of manually grippable members extending
along the entire length of said plastic tube, said manually
grippable members comprising an array of longitudinally
extending, circumferentially aliquotly spaced, radial handle
ribs providing elastomeric raised pads, said pads extending
radially outwardly from said plastic tube, said pads
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comprising a cushioned grip comprising a resilient material
softer than the exterior surface of said plastic tube, and
said elastomeric raised pads cooperating with said plastic
tube for providing a multi-hardness sleeve to enhance
gripping and maneuvering of said snow tool.
In order to better grip and readily minimize
slippage of the snow tool, the composite handle assembly
comprises a shaft with a set of radially spaced aliquot
handle ribs which extend outwardly from the shaft.
Preferably, the shaft comprises a plastic tube that provides
a plastic sleeve and the handle ribs comprise elastomeric
ridges that have a different hardness than the plastic
sleeve. Desirably, the ridges are softer than the sleeve
and shaft is harder than the ribs. Advantageously, the
shaft and ribs cooperate with each other to provide a dual
durometer sleeve and multi-hardness handle. The
comfortable, readily
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CA 02230670 1998-02-27
graspable handle assembly is operatively associated with the snow blade to
better and more
easily maneuver the snow tool and blade. The ribbed handle assembly can
comprise an
extruded handle with fluting or furrows.
The user-friendly handle assembly is operatively connected to a blade assembly
to
lift and push the blade. In the preferred form, the composite handle has a
metal core
positioned within a plastic sleeve. The metal core can be a steel, iron or
aluminum pipe.
The. plastic sleeve or tube can encircle and annularly and peripherally
surround the metal
core. The plastic sleeve can have finger-gripping grooves which extend
substantially
parallel to the axis of the sleeve and handle towards the blade.
The lightweight handle assembly also has a handgrip to help push the blade and
further facilitate gripping of the snow tool. The handgrip can be securely
connected to the
upper end of the composite tubular handle. The handgrip preferably comprises a
comfortable, D-shaped ergonomic plastic handgrip. The handgrip can have a
textured
surface.
The blade assembly has a snow blade to shovel, push or scrape snow-and/or ice.
The
snow blade can comprise: a snow shovel blade, a snow pusher blade, a snow
scoop blade,
or a combo snow blade which is a combination of a snow shovel blade and a snow
pusher
blade. A metal wear strip can be secured to the leading or front edge of the
snow blade. The
metal wear strip can be made of steel, iron or other metal. The metal wear
strip can be used
to help scrape, chop and remove ice, but is primarily used to resist wear and
improve the
longevity and useful life of the blade. The snow blade can further comprise an
ice scraper
blade, an ice chopper blade, or an ice chipper blade.
The elongated handle of the snow tool extends between and is operatively
connected
to the blade assembly and handgrip. Desirably, the handle has first and second
manually
gripping members which are of the same length and extend along the entire
length of the
handle between the blade assembly. and handgrip. The first gripping member can
comprise
a plastic tube, shank, shealth or sleeve. If desired, the sleeve can be
axially lined with
grooves. The second gripping member can comprise: a set of resilient
protuberance, soft
bumps, cushion members, raised finger pads, plastic ribs, or circumferentially
spaced
elastomeric gripping ridges, which extend radially outwardly from the handle,
to facilitate
gripping of the snow tool.
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CA 02230670 1998-02-27
A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in the following
description
and appended claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a snow tool with a multi-hardness handle in
accordance with principles of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a front view of the multi-hardness handle;
Figure 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the multi-hardness handle;
Figure 4 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of a portion
of the
multi-hardness handle;
Figure 5 is a perspective view of a snow shovel blade assembly;
Figure 6 is a perspective view of a snow scoop blade assembly;
Figure 7 is a perspective view of a snow pusher blade assembly;
Figure 8 is a perspective view of a mini-ice chopper blade assembly; and
Figure 9 is a perspective view of an ice scraper blade assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
A handheld, manual, portable snow tool 10 (Figure 1), is provided to manually
push,
shovel, lift, raise and remove snow from pavements, such as sidewalks and
driveways,
wooden exterior stairways, concrete stairs, and curbs.
The snow tool has a curved, rounded combination (combo) snow blade 12
fabricated
of impact - resistant plastic, such as polypropylene or polyethylene, or
graphite -
impregnated plastic. The curved blade has a concave, arcuate, front blade
surface 14 (Figure
1) to push, engage, pickup and lift snow and has a convex back (rear) blade
surface 16 which
supports the front surface. The concave front surface of the combo blade can
have a depth
of curvature which is shallower, flatter and less round than a conventional
snow pusher
(pusher blade) and can have a radius of curvature which is greater than a
conventional
pusher (pusher blade) so that the concave front blade surface of the combo
blade can
effectively and easily shovel, pickup, lift and throw snow. The concave front
blade surface
of the combo blade has a greater curvature than the generally flat snow shovel
blade of a
conventional snow shovel so that the concave front blade surface of the combo
blade can
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CA 02230670 1998-02-27 --~
effectively push snow.
The combo snow blade has a lower portion 18 (Figure 1) providing a leading
edge
or front edge 20 and has an upper portion 22 providing a trailing edge or back
edge 24. The
upper portion can have a cutaway section that provides a notch or U-shaped
opening 25
along the centerline of the blade to facilitate nesting, stacking, and storage
of similar blades.
The snow blade also has curved sidewalls 26 and 28 which extend between and
are
integrally connected to the upper and lower portions of the blade. The curved
sidewalls have
concave upper edges 30 and 32 which can have a greater and deeper depth of
curvature and
a smaller radius of curvature than the front surface of the combo blade. The
upper edges of
the curved sidewalls can have a radius of curvature ranging from 6.4" to 6.9".
The sidewalls
help contain, scoop and collect the snow on the curved front blade surface
during shoveling,
pushing and lifting of the combo snow tool.
The blade further has inverted V-shaped bifurcated ribs of ridges 34-40
(Figure 1)
also referred to as reinforced ribs or curved reinforcement ribs. The inverted
V-shaped
ridges comprising the ribs of the blade project integrally outwardly
(forwardly) of the front
blade surface and extend between the lower and upper portions to enhance the
structural
strength and integrity of the combo snow blade. The blade's ribs are generally
V-shaped as
viewed from the back surface of the blade. Preferably, the ribs include curved
flared ribs
35-40 which converge laterally inwardly away from the blade's sidewalls and
toward the
axis of the handle and centerline of the blade in a direction towards the
blade's upper
portion. The blade's ribs facilitate pushing, shoveling and channeling of the
snow towards
the back edge of the upper portion of the blade's front surface. The blade's
ribs also help
prevent the channeled snow from falling off the leading edge of the blade.
Desirably, the
blade's angled ribs throw and push more snow forward creating a powerful
snowplow effect.
The blade's ribs include: a center rib 34, inboard ribs 35 and 36,
intermediate ribs 37
and 38, and outboard ribs 39 and 40. The ribs can have rounded apexes 41. The
inboard
ribs converge towards and are integrally connected to an intermediate portion
of the blade's
center rib. The intermediate ribs are spaced between the inboard and outboard
ribs and
converge towards and are integrally connected to the upper portion of the
center rib adjacent
the back edge of the blade's front surface. The outboard ribs are spaced
between the
sidewalls and the intermediate ribs and curve inwardly towards the back edge
of the blade's
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~ CA 02230670 1998-02-27 -~ .
front surface. The center rib extends along the centerline of the blade and is
in alignment
with the axis of the handle (handle assembly).
The upper portion of the center rib of the blade assembly is deeper than the
lower
portion of the center rib and forms an upwardly extending socket 42 (Figure
1), which
provides a lower coupling joint, coupler, or shaft coupling, to snugly receive
the lower end
of the handle. The socket (coupler) of the blade extends integrally downwardly
from the
blade's back surface. One or more screws 44 or other fasteners can be used to
securely
fasten the coupler of the blade to the handle.
The back of the snow blade can have a center flange which provides a tab or
back
rib, that extends integrally downwardly from the center rib and back surface
of the blade.
The center flange can extend along the centerline of the center rib and blade.
A short
transverse flange can provide a lateral tab or transverse rib which extends
integrally
downwardly from the center rib and the blade's back surface. The transverse
flange can
intersect the center flange and can extend between and connect the centerlines
of the inboard
ribs. The transverse flange can be much shorter than the center flange. The
flanges further
enhance the structural strength of the combo blade.
The back surface of the leading edge of lower portion of the back surface of
the
blade can have peripheral ridges or flanges comprising a raised wear pad or
wear section.
The wear pad can surround and define a recessed rivet pocket or depression
providing a seat
to snugly receive and matingly engage a metal wear strip 52 (Figure 1). The
ridges and
pocket can be generally rectangular with outwardly diverging sides. The wear
strip, which
is also referred to as a wear-resistant strip, edge, metal, skid, protector or
reinforcement strip,
protects the leading edge of the blade and enhances the longevity and useful
life of the blade.
The wear strip can be made of stainless steel, galvanized steel, carbon steel,
iron and its
alloys, or other metal. The wear strip preferable has a hardness of at least
70 on the
Rockwell B scale and can be tempered. The wear strip can be connected to the
seat along
a recessed rivet pocket by rivets or other fasteners. The pocket can have
aligned rivet-
receiving holes. The recessed rivet pocket allows shoveling and scraping to
occur without
wearing the heads of the rivets. The raised wear pad provides enhanced
structural strength
for the leading edge of the blade to allow the snow blade to be constructed
with or without
wear strips. The snow blade is designed and arranged for strength, longevity
and durability,
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CA 02230670 1998-02-27 ~~.
with or without wear strips.
A multi-hardness ribbed composite handle assembly 60 (Figures 1-4) is provided
to
better grip the snow tool and maneuver, push, shovel and lift the blade. The
multi-hardness
ribbed handle assembly has an elongated tubular, manually grippable composite
shaft or
shank 62 which provides a ribbed multi-hardness handle. In the illustrative
embodiment,
the handle is tubular and straight. The handle includes a dual durometer,
plastic, resin,
axially (longitudinally) ribbed sleeve 64 comprising an extruded dual hardness
composite
tube or sheath of impact-resistant plastic, such as polypropylene,
polyethylene, graphite-
impregnated plastic, or polyvinyl chloride. In order to enhance gripping,
elongated,
aliquotly and circumferentially spaced, parallel handle ribs 66, which provide
longitudinally,
raised, rounded convex, finger-gripping pads and ridges in the axial
direction, extend
radially extend radially outwardly from the sleeve. Desirably, the handle ribs
have a
rounded apex and provide resilient protuberances, soft bumps, cushion members,
flexible
plastic handle ribs or elastomeric gripping ridges. For better gripping and
comfort, the
handle ribs are softer than the exterior convex surface of the sleeve. The
handle ribs can be
made of rubber or rubber-like plastic, such as: polyethylene, polypropylene,
graphite-
impregnated plastic, or polyvinyl chloride. If desired, the sleeve can
comprise an extruded
fluted plastic tube with elongated grooves 68 which provide finger-griping
slots or slits that
extend parallel to the axis of the shaft (handle) between the ribs. The
grooves can provide
parallel fluting or furrows which can extend along the entire length of the
tube (handle) to
further enhance gripping of the snow tool. The circumferential handle provide
convex pads
and thermoplastic rubber bumps. Each rib of the dual durometer sleeve is
rounded. In the
illustrated embodiment, there are 12 handle ribs that extend radially
outwardly from the
sleeve. Snow tools have been successfully constructed by applicants with multi-
hardness
dual-durometer sleeves with 12 handle ribs. The ribs were spaced apart 30 .
Each rib had
a radius of 0.05 inches. If desired, more or less ribs, or larger or smaller
ribs, can be used.
The plastic sleeve provides a semi-rigid tube which is flexible to withstand
impact forces,
bending and torque associated with shoving, pushing, scrapping and throwing
snow and ice.
The dual durometer sleeve can comprise a sleeve coextrusion in which the
sleeve is
a low density or medium density, polyethylene or polypropylene tube. The tube
can be
undercut to provide truncated or trapezoided-shaped rib-receiving grooves 69
(Figure 4).
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CA 02230670 1998-02-27
The inwardly facing interior ends or end portions of the ribs are flared, and
diverge to snugly
press fit, wedge, interlock, and be securely connected to the rib-engaging
grooves. The
flared walls surrounding and defining the ribs-receiving grooves, press fit
and clamp the
ribs. The ribs and sleeve can be coextruded or fabricated sequentially. In the
preferred
embodiment, the handle ribs are evenly spaced around the plastic tube (sleeve)
and extend
the entire length of the plastic tube.
In order to improve the structural strength, bending resistance, torsion and
torque
capacity of the handle, an interior metal core 70 (Figure 3) is snugly
positioned and press
fit within the exterior plastic tube (sleeve). The metal core is preferably
hollow and tubular
to decrease the weight of the handle and can comprise a steel tube or metal
pipe made of
steel, iron or other metal. In the preferred embodimental, the metal core and
plastic sleeve
are the same length and have a generally circular cross-section. The dual
durometer ribbed
plastic sleeve provides a protective cover which annularly surrounds,
encircles, and
thermally insulates the metal core. The plastic sleeving (sleeve) overcoats
the steel tube.
The lower blade-connecting male end 72 (Figure 1) of the handle telescopically
fits
and is positioned within and is coupled to the female socket (coupling) of the
blade. The
blade coupling (socket) closes and seals the lower blade-connecting end of the
tubular
handle.
The upper handgrip-connecting male end 74 (Figure 1) of the handle
telescopically
fits and is positioned within and is coupled to a downward extending female
socket 75 of
a plastic ergonomic D-shaped handgrip 76. The female socket, which is also
referred to as
handgrip coupling, coupler, and upper coupling joint, provides a cap which
covers and
closes the upper end of the tubular handle. One or screws 78 or fasteners can
securely
connect and fasten the upper handgrip-connecting end of the handle to the
handgrip coupling
(socket).
The handgrip 76 (Figure 1) is specially shaped, arranged and constructed to
further
enhance gripping of the snow tool and facilitate moving, pushing, shoveling,
lifting, control
and maneuvering of the blade and snow tool. The handgrip is connected to the
upper end
of the handle (shaft) at a location longitudinally (axially) opposite and
spaced away from the
blade. The handgrip is preferably molded of impact-resistant plastic, such as
polyethylene
or polypropylene. The handgrip can have upright tubular sides 80 and 82 with
rounded low
CA 02230670 1998-02-27 -~~
ends which converge toward the multi-hardness handle (shaft) and are
integrally connected
to the sides of the handgrip coupling (socket).
A manually grippable tubular crossbar 84 (Figure 1) extends transversely
across,
laterally between and is integrally connected to the sides of the handgrip.
The crossbar
provides a bight which closes the upper tubular ends of the upright sides of
the handgrip.
Preferably, the crossbar and sides intersect each other with rounded finger-
engageable
corners 86 and 88. The corners are curved to comfortably receive the thumb of
the user's
hand to further facilitate gripping of the snow tool. The crossbar (bight) of
the handgrip
provides a manually grippable portion which can comprise a textured convex
upper gripping
surface. The crossbar can have downwardly facing fmger-gripping ribs 90. The
sides of
the handgrip can also be textured to provide gripping surfaces. The handgrip
can also have
interior radial ribs to enhance the structural strength of the handgrip.
As described above, the snow tool has a blade assembly with an upwardly
extending
socket which provides a lower coupling joint and has a set of symmetrical
downwardly
diverging plastic reinforcement ribs which extend laterally outwardly of the
upwarding
extending socket. The blade assembly comprises a blade with a leading edge.
The blade can
be a combo snow blade (combination snow shovel blade and snow pusher blade) as
shown
in Figure 1. The blade can also be: a snow shovel blade 200 as shown in Figure
5, a snow
scoop blade 202 as shown in Figure 6, a snow pusher blade 204 as shown in
Figure 7, a min-
ice chopper blade 206 as shown in Figure 8, or an ice scraper blade 208 as
shown in Figure
9.
As previously described, the snow tool has a composite handle assembly to
maneuver the blade assembly and blade. The composite handle assembly has a
plastic
generally D-shaped handgrip with a downwardly extending socket which provides
an upper
coupling joint that extends along an upright vertical axis and is aligned in
registration with
the lower coupling joint of the blade assembly. The handgrip has sides with
lower portions
which converge towards and are integrally connected to the handgrip's
downwardly
extending socket (upper coupling joint). The handgrip has a bight comprising a
manually
grippable crossbar that extends between and is integrally connected to the
sides of the
handgrip above the handgrip's upper coupling joint. The crossbar extends along
a horizontal
axis and is positioned perpendicular to the vertical upright axis of the
downwardly extending
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CA 02230670 1998-02-27
socket (upper coupling joint). The handgrip can be molded of impact-resistant
plastic, such
as: polyethylene, polypropylene, graphite-impregnated plastic, or polyvinyl
chloride.
As discussed above, the composite handle assembly has an elongated handle
which
extends along a longitudinal vertical upright axis between the handgrip and
the blade
assembly and is positioned in coaxial alignment with the upper coupling joint
and upright
axis of the handgrip. The upper end of the handle is positioned within and
securely fixed
to the upper coupling joint of the handgrip. The lower end of the handle is
positioned within
and securely fixed to the lower coupling joint of the blade assembly.
The handle comprises a composite shank which provides a manually grippable
shaft.
The composite shank comprises a multi-hardness, dual durometer, manually
grippable
sleeve which completely annularly surrounds and thermally insulates an
interior metal core.
The sleeve and core can be of the same length. The metal core can be
completely positioned
within, press fit and securely fixed to the plastic sleeve. The metal core is
constructed of a
rigid tube of metal, such as iron, aluminum and preferably steel. The sleeve
can comprise
an extruded tube of impact-resistant plastic, such as: polyethylene,
polypropylene, graphite-
impregnated plastic, or polyvinyl chloride.
The multi-hardness dual durometer sleeve comprises a matrix of manually
grippable
members which extend along the entire length of the plastic tube. The manually
grippable
members comprise an array, series or set of longitudinally, vertically or
axially extending,
circumferentially aliquotly spaced, radial handle ribs. The handle ribs
provide elastomeric
raised pads which extend radially outwardly from the sleeve. Advantageously,
the
elastomeric pads provide a cushioned grip comprising a resilient material
which is softer
than the exterior surface of the plastic sleeve. The elastomeric pads
preferably comprise
convex bumps which provide rounded protuberances. The protuberances can be
extruded
or otherwise fabricated of rubber, or rubber-like plastic, such as
polyethylene,
polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or graphite-impregnated flexible plastic.
Desirably, the
elastomeric raised pads cooperate with the plastic tube to provide a multi-
hardness, dual
durometer sleeve to enhance gripping and maneuvering of the snow tool.
The snow tool of Figure 5, comprises a snow shovel. The snow shovel is
structurally and functionally similar to the snow tool of Figure 1, except it
has a snow shovel
blade assembly 230 with a snow shovel blade 200. The snow shovel blade is
flatter and has
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CA 02230670 1998-02-27
a larger radius of curvature than the combo snow blade of Figure 1.
The snow tool of Figure 6 comprises a snow scoop. The snow scoop is
structurally
and functionally similar to the snow tool of Figure 1, except it has a snow
scoop blade
assembly 232 with a snow scoop blade 202. The snow scoop blade is larger and
deeper than
the combo snow blade of Figure 1 and the snow shovel of Figure 5.
The snow tool of Figure 7 comprises a snow pusher. The snow pusher is
structurally
and functionally similar to the snow tool of Figure 1, except it has a snow
pusher blade
assembly 234 with a snow pusher blade 204. The snow pusher blade is deeper and
has a
smaller radius of curvature than the combo snow blade of Figure 1 and the snow
shovel of
Figure 5. The snow pusher blade assembly can have reinforcement flanges or
ribs 236-239
extending between and connected to the upwardly extending socket (lower
coupling joint)
of the blade assembly. The lower coupling joint 240 can also extend integrally
upwardly
from the blade.
The snow tool of Figure 8 comprises a mini-ice chopper. The ice chopper is
structurally and functionally similar to the snow tool of Figure 1, except it
has an ice
chopper blade assembly 242 with a plastic housing which provides a plastic
blade holder
244 with a lower bifurcated end portion 246 which holds and secures an ice
chopper blade
206. The blade holder can be molded of impact-resistance plastic, such as:
polyethylene,
polypropylene, graphite-impregnated plastic, or polyvinyl chloride. The
plastic blade holder
includes the curved symmetrical ribs and upwardly extending socket 247 (lower
coupling
joint) of the blade assembly. The blade holder can also have upwardly
extending ridges 248
and 250 which provide ribs for enhancing gripping and pushing by the boot or
shoe of the
user's foot. The ice chopper blade can be made of plastic, but is preferably
made of
corrosive-resistant metal, such as steel. The ice chopper blade can have a
chamfered beveled
edge 252.
The snow tool of Figure 9, comprises an ice scraper. The ice scraper is
structurally
and functionally similar to the mini-ice chopper of Figure 8, except it is
larger. The ice
scraper has an ice scraper blade assembly 254 with a housing comprising a
plastic blade
holder 256 with a bifurcated lower end portion 258 which holds and secures a
metal ice
scraper blade 208 with a chamfered beveled edge 260. The ice scraper and ice
chopper are
useful to scraper and chop ice.
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CA 02230670 1998-02-27
Among the many advantages of inventive snow tools with multi-hardness handles
are:
1. Outstanding gripping.
2. Superb comfort.
3. Excellent universal multi-purpose snow tools.
4. Superior performance.
5. Readily picks up and throws snow.
6. Manually plows and pushes snow or ice.
7. Better capability and flexibility than conventional snow tools.
8. Excellent snow and ice removal.
9. Attractive.
10. Safe
11. Dependable.
12. User friendly.
13. Convenient.
14. Durable.
15. Portable.
16. Light weight.
17. Comfortable.
18. Simple to use.
19. Efficient.
20. Ergonomic.
21. Economical.
22. Effective.
Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it is to
be
understood that various modifications and substitutions, as well as
rearrangements of parts,
components, and process steps, can be made by those skilled in the art without
departing
from the novel spirit and scope of this invention.
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