Patent ID: 9297131
Filing Date: 2016-03-29
CPC Classification: E01H

Claim Text:
1. A snow removal device comprising: an auger assembly comprising a rotatable auger that imparts momentum to draw material engaged by the auger toward an ejection path, the auger extending substantially transversely with respect to a front portion of the snow removal device; a mobility assembly configured to enable the snow removal device to move with respect to a surface; a housing disposed proximate to a portion of the auger assembly to direct at least some of the material toward the ejection path responsive to rotation of the auger; and a blowback prevention assembly disposed to inhibit blowback of material between the housing and the surface, the blowback prevention assembly comprising a scraper bar and a trailing shield, the scraper bar being an elongated, flat and unitary piece of material disposed transversely with respect to a bottom portion of the snow removal device and proximate to the housing and the auger assembly, the trailing shield disposed proximate to the scraper bar and rearward of the scraper bar, wherein a longitudinal length of the scraper bar extends parallel to a longitudinal length of the trailing shield, and a portion of the trailing shield is affixed to the scraper bar, wherein the trailing shield comprises a substantially flat attachment portion and a skirt, the attachment portion continuously overlapping with the scraper bar over substantially a full length and width of one of the scraper bar or the attachment portion while directly attaching the trailing shield to the scraper bar and extending substantially rearward relative to a front of the snow-removal device, the skirt comprising an arcuate curve that bends the skirt at least partially toward the surface, wherein the skirt defines a continuous substantially linear contact point with the surface along a longitudinal length of the skirt, and wherein the skirt has flexibility along the continuous substantially linear contact point and the scraper bar is rigid.