Abstract:
A snow removal panel is provided. The panel includes a handle portion for grasping the panel. The panel of the present invention may further include two side flanges protruding from opposing edges. The front edge of the panel may be pushed against snow on a surface so that the snow is pushed up in between the side flanges on the panel. Thereby, the panel is used to remove the snow from the surface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a snow removing device and, more particularly, to a snow removing panel. 
         [0002]    When using a stick handled snow shovel, pusher, or scoop, the snow scooped on the shovel needs to be dispersed from the shovel frequently. Otherwise, the snow may fall off the edges or over the back of the shovel surface, which is counterproductive. When dispersing the snow, the snow may have to be tossed or walked to a pile near the edge of the snow. A user may have to disperse of the snow more often in larger traffic areas. This involves labor intensive back lifting and twisting motion potentially straining the user&#39;s back, arm, and leg muscles in the process. 
         [0003]    As can be seen, there is a need for an improved snow removing device that prevents muscle strain. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present invention, a snow removal device comprises: a substantially flat panel comprising an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end edge, a second end edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a handle portion near the first end edge; a first side flange protruding from the upper surface at the first side edge; and a second side flange protruding from the upper surface at the second side edge. 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the present invention, a method of removing snow comprises: providing a rectangular panel comprising: a first end edge, a second end edge, a first side edge and a second side edge; a handle portion near the first end edge; a first side flange protruding from the upper surface at the first side edge; and a second side flange protruding from the upper surface at the second side edge; grasping the rectangular panel by the handle portion; placing the second end edge on a surface comprising snow; and pushing the rectangular panel in a direction on the surface, thereby removing the snow from the surface These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention shown in use; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the present invention; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a side view of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a front view of the present invention; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present invention shown in an alternate usage. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
         [0013]    The present invention includes a rectangular snow gathering panel with hand holes and long side flanges for manually pushing snow from traffic areas. With the total surface of the upright rectangle snow gathering panel, the present invention provides three to four times the gathering surface of a typical snow shovel and the side flanges keep the snow on the panel surface until one gets to the edge of the traffic area. The snow does not need to be carried and tossed. The user may push the panel squarely in front of the body and disperse of the snow by leaning the panel forward to beyond upright, or lift the snow away from the panel with the user&#39;s foot. Therefore, the user does not need to lift and/or twist their back, preventing injury. 
         [0014]    The present invention is designed to reduce the effort of snow shoveling by aligning the user squarely behind the upright rectangle snow panel. This allows the user to push the snow panel in an upright walking motion. With the large gathering surface area, the user may easily push the snow to the edge of the snow filled traffic area before having to disperse of the snow by tilting the panel beyond a vertical position until the snow falls off. 
         [0015]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 through 6 , the present invention includes a snow removal device panel  10 . The panel  10  of the present invention may be substantially flat and may include an upper surface, a lower surface, a first end edge  22 , a second end edge  24 , a first side edge  26 , and a second side edge  28 . In certain embodiments, the second end edge  24  may be tapered to easily transfer snow onto the panel  10 . In certain embodiments, the panel  10  is a rectangular shaped. 
         [0016]    The panel  10  of the present invention may include a handle portion near the first end edge  22 . Therefore, a user may grasp the handle portion and push the panel  10 . The handle portion may include two handle holes  14  through the upper surface and lower surface of the panel  10  near the first end edge  22 . The handle holes  14  may be used for pushing and handling the panel  10 . The handle holes  14  may be spaced equally apart from the center of the panel  10  to evenly distribute the exerted pressure. In certain embodiments, the present invention may include handle grips to soften the grip and provide cushioning to dampen the impact when hitting obstructions. 
         [0017]    The present invention further includes side flanges  12 . The side flanges  12  include a first side flange  12  and a second side flange  12 . The first side flange  12  protrudes from the upper surface at the first side edge  26 . The second side flange  12  protrudes from the upper surface at the second side edge  28 . The side flanges  12  create a channel in between for scooping and securing the snow within. The side flanges  12  may be substantially perpendicular relative to the panel  10 . In certain embodiments, the first side flange and the second side flange may be angled away from one another, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . The side flanges  12  may make the panel more rigid and help contain the gathered snow on the upper surface until dispersing. 
         [0018]    In certain embodiments, the present invention includes a grasping hole  20 . The grasping hole  20  may be through the upper surface and lower surface of the panel  10 . In certain embodiments, the grasping hole  20  may be in between the first side flange  12  and the second side flange  12 . The grasping hole  20  may be used for carrying or hanging the panel  10 . The grasping hole  12  may also be used for pulling the snow  18  towards the user  16 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0019]    The user  16  may push the panel  10  while walking squarely behind it with the second end edge  24  laying on a surface. The side flanges  12  create rigid support for the panel  10  when gathering snow. The flanges  12  also contain the snow on the panel  10  while the panel  10  is pushed. With one hand in a handle hole  14  and the other in the grasping hole  20 , the user  16  may pull the snow  10  towards the user  16  from an upright surface. The panel  10  may be carried with ease and hung in storage using the grasping hole  20 . The high density panel  10  allows a user  16  to also disperse of the gathered snow  18  by lifting away from the user&#39;s feet or by a kick to the lower surface. 
         [0020]    A method of removing snow may include the following. The panel mentioned above may be provided. The user may place the panel in front of them in a sloping fashion, while grasping the handle portion, such as the handle holes. The second end edge of the plate may be placed on a surface having snow and the handle portion may be oriented near the waste of the user. The rectangular panel may be pushed in a direction on the surface, gathering snow onto the panel until the user reaches the traffic area edge. The snow may be removed from the panel by lifting the panel away from the user&#39;s foot into a substantially vertical position until the snow falls off. The present invention may be used for other purposes, such as scraping mud from a surface. 
         [0021]    It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.