U.S. patent application number 10/955716 was filed with the patent office on 2006-04-06 for snow thrower with an ergonomic handle.
Invention is credited to Joseph Cohen.
Application Number | 20060070265 10/955716 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36124128 |
Filed Date | 2006-04-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060070265 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cohen; Joseph |
April 6, 2006 |
Snow thrower with an ergonomic handle
Abstract
A snow thrower apparatus for removing snow from the ground. The
snow thrower apparatus includes a snow thrower housing having a top
wall, a rear wall and side walls. The snow thrower housing includes
a rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly. A portion of the snow
thrower housing forms a directional chute having a plurality of
movable blades for throwing snow in a forward or sideward direction
during operational use thereof. The directional chute includes a
directional track having a control knob thereon to move the
plurality of movable blades in a left or right direction. The snow
thrower apparatus also includes an ergonomic handle connected to
the snow thrower housing for pushing the snow thrower apparatus
through the snow; and wheels detachably connected to the snow
thrower housing for moving the snow thrower apparatus on the
ground.
Inventors: |
Cohen; Joseph; (Brooklyn,
NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EZRA SUTTON
900 ROUTE 9
WOODBRIDGE
NJ
07095
US
|
Family ID: |
36124128 |
Appl. No.: |
10/955716 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/246 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01H 5/04 20130101; E01H
5/098 20130101; E01H 5/045 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
037/246 |
International
Class: |
E01H 5/09 20060101
E01H005/09 |
Claims
1. A snow thrower apparatus for removing snow from the ground,
comprising: a) a snow thrower housing having a top wall, a rear
wall and side walls; b) said snow thrower housing including a
rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly; c) a portion of said
snow thrower housing forming a directional chute having a plurality
of movable blades for throwing snow in a forward or sideward
direction during operational use thereof; d) said directional chute
including a directional track having moving means to move said
plurality of movable blades in a left or right direction; e) an
ergonomic handle assembly connected to said snow thrower housing
for pushing said snow thrower apparatus through the snow; and f)
wheels detachably connected to said snow thrower housing for moving
said snow thrower apparatus on the ground.
2. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said moving means includes a movable push rod control knob.
3. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein
each of said plurality of movable blades have a first pivot pin and
a second pin movable in said directional track for pivoting said
blades in either said left or right directions.
4. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly is electrically
connected to an electrical motor.
5. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said directional track is mounted within a track opening on said
top wall of said snow thrower.
6. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said snow thrower housing includes a scraper blade detachably
connected to a rear wall edge of said housing.
7. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said snow thrower housing includes a pair of spaced-apart wheel
wells for receiving each of said wheels, respectively, therein.
8. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said ergonomic handle assembly includes a bent hollow handle shaft
having a first detachable hollow section with a distal end and
having a second detachable hollow section with a proximal end.
9. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein
said first detachable hollow section includes an inner first end
and said second detachable hollow section includes an inner second
end.
10. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 9, wherein
each of said inner first and second ends are joined using a
connector member to form said bent hollow handle shaft.
11. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said rear wall of said snow thrower housing includes an attached
handle holding member having a shaft opening therein.
12. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein
said handle holding member is conically-shaped.
13. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 11, wherein
said shaft opening of said handle holding member for receiving said
distal end of said first detachable hollow section of said bent
hollow handle shaft therein.
14. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein
said proximal end of said second detachable hollow section of said
bent hollow handle shaft for receiving a handle member thereon.
15. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 14, wherein
said handle members includes an electrical plug outlet member and
an ignition key pad member thereon.
16. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein
said second detachable hollow section includes a detachably
connected gripping member having an adjustment tab element thereon
for adjusting said gripping member along said second detachable
hollow section.
17. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 15, wherein
said electrical plug outlet member and said ignition key pad member
are electrically connected to said electrical motor by an
electrical line.
18. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 17, wherein
said electrical line is received within said bent hollow handle
shaft and said snow thrower housing.
19. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein
said snow thrower housing is made from heavy-duty durable plastic
that can withstand temperatures in the range of -30.degree. C. to
66.degree. C.
20. A snow thrower apparatus in accordance with claim 3, wherein
each of said plurality of movable blades move in either said left
or right directions in a 90.degree. degree arc.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a snow thrower with an
ergonomic bent handle. More particularly, the snow thrower includes
a directional chute having a plurality of movable blades for
directing snow removal from the snow thrower to the left or right
direction or the forward direction during operational use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Snow throwers, snow blowers, and snow removal apparatus are
well known in the art. In the northern U.S. snow accumulation is
quite common on the ground in relatively large amounts. It is
necessary to clear the snow from sidewalks, driveways, paths and
the like of homes, commercial buildings and industrial complexes.
More particularly, snow removal is often required simply to have
easy access to the user's home and to allow the user's car to be
removed from the driveway.
[0003] Various types of snow removal machines, commonly referred to
as snow blowers or snow throwers, have been developed and used in
place of manual snow shoveling. These devices usually include a
housing having some type of snow impelling mechanism, e.g. a
rotatable rotor or auger. The mechanism throws or blows the snow
outwardly from the housing to a point remote from the ground area
being cleared. Many of the prior art snow blowers have been
relatively heavy. Wheels or rollers have been attached to the
housing to allow the snow blower to be rolled or steered over the
ground. Some of these snow blowers were so heavy that these wheels
were driven by a drive motor. However, these types of snow blowers
were difficult to handle and steer, especially on a slippery
surface such as snow. Users have been deterred from using them
because of these problems. In addition, the complexity and weight
of the snow blowers increases their costs rendering them
uneconomical for users who do not have large areas of ground to be
cleared of snow.
[0004] Small electrically operated snow throwers, and snow blowers
have been developed to replace the more conventional manual shovels
and the larger motorized snow blowers or snow throwers currently in
use. This type of snow thrower is configured to act much like a
shovel and is operated by the user in a manner similar to a shovel.
This type of snow thrower has a small housing at one end of an
elongated handle that extends upwardly from the housing. The
housing includes a relatively open reel-type impeller and a small
electric motor for rotating the impeller. A scraper bar is provided
adjacent the bottom edge of the rear wall of the housing to allow
the housing to bite into the snow. The rear wall of the housing
also includes a guide section and an acuate portion which conforms
to the periphery of the impeller. As the impeller rotates, the
blades of the impeller contact and move the snow through the
housing and eventually throw the snow up along the guide section of
the rear wall to a position distally located from the snow
thrower.
[0005] There remains a need for an improved snow thrower apparatus
having a directional chute with a plurality of movable blades
therein for directing the snow removal from the snow thrower to the
left or right direction, as well as the forward direction during
operational use. In addition, the snow thrower apparatus may
include an ergonomic handle having a bent shaft for increased
maneuverability for moving the snow thrower apparatus through the
snow with a minimal physical effort by the user.
[0006] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a snow thrower apparatus having an ergonomic handle having
a bent shaft for increased maneuverability of moving the snow
thrower through snow.
[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a snow
thrower apparatus having a directional chute with a plurality of
movable blades mounted in a directional track for throwing snow in
a forward or sideward direction.
[0008] Another object of the present invention is to provide a snow
thrower apparatus having a full-sized handle support assembly with
an electrical plug outlet and ignition key compartment pad attached
thereto.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a snow
thrower apparatus having a heavy-duty plastic snow thrower housing
that can withstand temperatures in the range of -30.degree. C. to
66.degree. C.
[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a snow
thrower apparatus that is easily maintained, easy to clean and use
and operates in a safe manner.
[0011] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
snow thrower that can be mass produced in an automated and
economical manner and is readily affordable by the user.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0012] Snow throwers, snow blowers and snow removers having various
designs, structures, configurations and materials of construction
have been disclosed in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No.
4,325,195 to COMBER discloses a snow thrower having an impeller
with forward facing blades which extends a short distance inward
from the periphery of the impeller. The snow thrower also includes
a deflector vane assembly having a plurality of deflector vanes
being laterally movable by a deflector plate. The deflector plate
is also laterally movable with respect to the rear wall by means of
a linkage assembly. The linkage pivots about a centrally-located
point in order to deflect the plurality of deflector vanes to the
right, center or left in order to permit a forward or sideward
deflection of snow during snow throwing. This prior art patent does
not disclose or teach the same structure, configuration and design
of the plurality of movable blades for directing snow removal from
the snow blower as in the present invention.
[0013] U.S. Pat. No. 6,163,986 to TOWNSEND discloses a
non-motorized machine for throwing snow or other debris. The
machine includes a frame supported by at least one wheel that
activates at least one rotating blade or brush when the machine is
pushed forward. The machine also includes a pivoting mechanism
which allows an operator to direct the thrown snow/debris to either
side by pivoting the blade or brush. The housing and blade pivot
together as a unit. An adjustment lever and a pivot lock are
provided to facilitate the pivoting action. This prior art patent
does not disclose or teach the same structure, configuration and
design of the plurality of movable blades for directing snow
removal from the snow blower as in the present invention.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,295,285 to STEVENS discloses a snow thrower
including a housing having rotatable impeller therein. The rotation
of the impeller moves the snow through the housing and ejects the
snow upwardly with sufficient force to throw the snow to a point
distally located from the snow blower. This prior art patent does
not disclose or teach the same structure, configuration and design
of the snow blower of the present invention.
[0015] None of these prior art patents teach or disclose a snow
thrower apparatus having an ergonomic handle and a directional
chute with movable blades mounted in a directional track for
throwing snow in a forward or sideward direction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided
a snow thrower apparatus for removing snow from the ground. The
snow thrower apparatus includes a snow thrower housing having a top
wall, a rear wall and side walls. The snow thrower housing includes
a rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly. A portion of the snow
thrower housing forms a directional chute having a plurality of
movable blades for throwing snow in a forward or sideward direction
during operational use thereof. The directional chute includes a
directional track having a control knob thereon to move the
plurality of movable blades in a left or right direction. The snow
thrower apparatus also includes an ergonomic handle connected to
the snow thrower housing for pushing the snow thrower apparatus
through the snow; and wheels detachably connected to the snow
thrower housing for moving the snow thrower apparatus on the
ground.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0017] Further objects, features and advantages of the present
invention will become apparent upon the consideration of the
following detailed description of the presently preferred
embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the snow thrower
apparatus with an ergonomic handle of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention showing the major component parts of the
apparatus;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the snow thrower
apparatus of the present invention showing a snow thrower housing
having a directional chute with a plurality of movable blades
maintained in a directional track and a rotatable snow throwing
impeller assembly;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of the snow thrower
apparatus of the present invention showing the snow thrower
housing, the directional chute having a movable control knob and a
portion of a handle shaft;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a bottom elevational view of the snow thrower
apparatus of the present invention showing the directional chute,
the plurality of movable blades within the directional track and
the rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the snow thrower
apparatus of the present invention taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 1
in the direction of the arrows showing a motor, a pulley system and
the snow thrower housing;
[0023] FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the snow thrower
apparatus of the present invention showing all of the major
component parts contained therein;
[0024] FIG. 6a is a perspective view of the snow thrower apparatus
of the present invention showing the directional track and control
push rod knob contained therein; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the snow thrower apparatus
of the present invention showing a handle member having a ignition
key pad and an electrical plug member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0026] The snow thrower apparatus 10 and its component parts of the
preferred embodiment of the present invention is represented in
detail by FIGS. 1 through 6 and 6a of the patent drawings. The snow
thrower apparatus 10 is used for removing snow 12 from the ground
14.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the snow thrower apparatus 10
includes a snow thrower housing 20 having a top wall 22, a rear
wall 24 and side walls 26 and 28. The snow thrower housing 20
includes a rotatable snow throwing impeller assembly 30. The
impeller assembly 30 includes a plurality of snow removing blades
32, and end covers 34a and 34b for detachably connecting to the
opposing side walls 26 and 28, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 of the
patent drawings. Each of the end covers 34a and 34b include shaft
elements 36a and 36b being centrally positioned on each of the end
covers 34a and 34b, respectively, as depicted in FIG. 6. Shaft
element 36b is detachably connected to an electrical motor 40, as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. In addition, as shown in
FIGS. 5 and 6, the electrical motor 40 further includes a first
pulley 42, a second pulley 43 and a third pulley 44 and a pulley
belt 46. Snow thrower housing 20 further includes a first covering
48, and a second (motor) covering 49 for side walls 26 and 28,
respectively.
[0028] A portion of the snow thrower housing 20 forms a directional
chute 50. The directional chute 50 is formed by integrally
connecting the top wall 22, a section of the rear wall 24 and side
walls 26 and 28 with each other, as shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 6 of
the drawings. The directional chute 50 includes a directional track
52 having a plurality of movable blades 54a 54b, 54c, 54d and 54e
thereon. The directional track 52 is mounted within a track opening
56 of top wall 22. Each movable blade 54a to 54e has a first pivot
pin 55a and a second pin 55b, wherein the first pivot pin 55a
pivots relative to wall 22 and second pin 55b moves on the
directional track 52 in either the left or right directions, as
each blade 54a to 54e pivots relative to its first pivot pin 55a,
as shown in FIG. 6a of the drawings. The directional track 52 is
movable in the left or right directions within track opening 56 via
a movable (push rod) control knob 58. The control knob 58 enables
the movable blades 54a to 54e to pivot to either the left or right
direction about pivot pin 55a, in a 90.degree. degree arc, as
depicted in FIG. 6a of the drawings.
[0029] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the rear wall 24 of snow
thrower housing 20 further includes a first wheel well 60 and a
second wheel well 62 for wheels 61 and 63, respectively, therein.
Additionally, the rear wall 24 of snow thrower housing 20 also
includes a scraper blade 64 detachably connected to a rear wall
edge 24e, as depicted in FIGS. 2, 4 and 6 of the drawings. Rear
wall 24 of snow thrower housing 20 additionally includes an
integrally attached conically-shaped handle holding member 66
having a shaft opening 68 for receiving a distal end 72 of a bent
handle shaft 74 therein of an ergonomic handle assembly 70.
[0030] The ergonomic handle assembly 70 includes a bent hollow
handle shaft 74 having a first detachable hollow section 76 with a
distal end 72 and having a second hollow detachable section 78 with
a proximal end 73. First detachable section 76 includes an inner
first end 77 and the second detachable section 78 includes an inner
second end 79. Each of the inner first and second ends 77 and 79
are joined together using a connector member 75 to form the bent
handle shaft 74. The proximal end 73 of the second detachable
section 78 includes a handle member 80. Handle member 80 includes
an electrical plug outlet element 82 and an ignition key pad member
84. The electrical plug outlet element 82 and the ignition key pad
member 84 are electrically connected to the electrical motor 40 by
an electrical line 85. The electrical line 85 is received within
the bent hollow handle shaft 74 and the snow thrower housing 20.
The second detachable section 78 includes a removable and
detachably connected gripping member 86 having an adjustment tab
element 88 thereon, as depicted in FIGS. 1 and 6 of the
drawings.
OPERATION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0031] In operating the snow thrower apparatus 10, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 4 of the patent drawings, the user adjusts the push rod
control knob 58 on the directional track 52 for moving the
plurality of movable blades 54a to 54e to a left direction, a right
direction or a straight (centered) position for directing the snow
removal to a sideward direction or a forward direction,
respectively. The user now connects an electrical extension cord 16
to the electrical plug outlet 82, where then the user then pushes
or turns on the ignition key pad 84 via key 18 to start the snow
thrower apparatus 10. The user then proceeds to push the snow
thrower apparatus 10 by the handle member 80 and gripping member 86
in order to remove the excess snow 12 from the ground 14, as shown
in FIG. 1 of the drawings.
ADVANTAGES OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0032] Accordingly, an advantage of the present invention is that
it provides for a snow thrower apparatus having an ergonomic handle
having a bent shaft for increased maneuverability of moving the
snow thrower through snow.
[0033] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for a snow thrower apparatus having a directional chute
with a plurality of movable blades mounted in a directional track
for throwing snow in a forward or sideward direction.
[0034] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for a snow thrower apparatus having a full-sized handle
support assembly with an electrical plug outlet and ignition key
compartment pad attached thereto.
[0035] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for a snow thrower apparatus having a heavy-duty plastic
snow thrower housing that can withstand temperatures in the range
of -30.degree. C. to 66.degree. C.
[0036] Another advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for a snow thrower apparatus that is easily maintained,
easy to clean and use and operates in a safe manner.
[0037] A further advantage of the present invention is that it
provides for a snow thrower that can be mass produced in an
automated and economical manner and is readily affordable by the
user.
[0038] A latitude of modification, change, and substitution is
intended in the foregoing disclosure, and in some instances, some
features of the invention will be employed without a corresponding
use of other features. Accordingly, it is appropriate that the
appended claims be construed broadly and in a manner consistent
with the spirit and scope of the invention herein.
* * * * *