Abstract:
An attachment to a conventional snow shovel functions as an auxiliary handle and as a connector to a second snow shovel. When oriented substantially perpendicular to the shovel blade, the attachment functions as an auxiliary handle. The attachment connects to the shovel near the intersection of 1) the blade and neck and 2) the neck and handle. In this embodiment, the auxiliary handle functions as a cradle in which to rotate the shovel to dump snow more easily. The attachment may also be used to combine two shovels to form a plow. The attachment connects to a first shovel at the same two points as in the first configuration. In the same way, another attachment connects to the neck of a second shovel. The two attachments connect to each other at a third attachment point along the body of the attachments, creating a plow formed by the adjacent shovel blades.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/726,732 Snow Shovel Attachment, filed Nov. 15, 2012. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Manually removing snow from sidewalks and drive ways is time-consuming and exhausting. Shoveling can be a dangerous activity, in part because of the strenuous, physical motions required to bend, scoop the snow, lift the load, and then dump the snow. The repetitive motions and strenuous nature of shoveling may result in bodily injuries, especially to the back; overexertion; and even heart failure. 
         [0003]    A standard shovel requires significant bending to scoop the snow, causing the user to practice unsafe positions across a large range of back movements, including a twisting motion in the lower back of a shovel user. Despite the progress that ergonomic shovels have made in reducing some strain to the back, dumping the snow still required the user to employ awkward body positions, including twisting the torso. 
         [0004]    In addition, standard snow shovels are poorly suited to clear larger areas, such as large driveways or parking areas. A wide shovel blade can be used to efficiently plow surface to be cleared, but a narrower blade may be preferred for lifting and dumping of snow. Too wide a shovel blade may make it difficult for users to use the shovel based upon the strength required to lift and dump the snow. And, a wide blade shovel or snow plow is not well suited for clearing tighter areas, including steps and narrow sidewalks. Maintaining a separate snow plow and snow shovel requires extra space for storing these large tools and of course, additional expense in purchasing both items. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0005]    The devices and methods described herein facilitate shoveling and plowing of snow. In certain embodiments, an attachment connects to a conventional snow shovel having a handle, an elongated neck, and a blade at the lower end. The attachment functions as an auxiliary handle that allows the user to exert less force and use fewer bending and twisting motions than are normally required to dump snow from a standard snow shovel. The attachment also functions as a connector to a second snow shovel assembly to form a snow plow. In embodiments, the attachment connects to the shovel near the intersection of 1) the blade and neck and 2) the neck and handle. 
         [0006]    When oriented substantially perpendicular to the shovel blade, the attachment can function as an auxiliary handle. In embodiments, the upper and lower connectors, such as a collar, may be tightened around the neck of the shovel to create a desired amount of friction between the connector and the neck. This flexibility allows the user to determine the amount of force necessary to rotate the neck smoothly within the connectors. In this embodiment, the attachment functions as a higher handle and cradle in which to rotate the snow shovel, enabling the user to lift and dump snow with less energy and movement than are normally required. 
         [0007]    When oriented at an angle other than perpendicular to the blade, embodiments of the attachment can also function as a connector between two shovels. In certain embodiments, the attachment connects to a first shovel as described above. In the same way, a second, separate attachment connects to the neck of a second shovel. The two attachments can be connected together to join the two shovels into a plow assembly. In this embodiment, the two connected, adjacent shovels form a snow plow, enabling the user to push the plow assembly with two handles a comfortable distance apart. 
         [0008]    An embodiment includes an attachment for a shovel, the attachment comprising a body having a first end and a second end, wherein the body is configured to provide a user with handhold offset from a neck of the shovel when the attachment is mounted on the shovel. A lower connector is disposed at the first end of the body, wherein the lower connector is configured to attach to a neck of the shovel proximate to a blade of the shovel; and an upper connector disposed at the second end of the body, wherein the upper connector is configured to attach to the neck of the shovel proximate to a handle of the shovel and distal from the blade. The shovel is rotatable relative to the attachment when the upper connector and the lower connector are attached to the handle of the shovel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The systems, devices and methods may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate like structural elements and features in various figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale and simply illustrate the principles of the systems, devices, and methods. The accompanying drawings illustrate only possible embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of an embodiment of a shovel attachment connected to a single shovel. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of an embodiment of a shovel attachment connected to a single shovel. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  depicts a side view of an embodiment of the shovel attachment. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3A  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a connector for the shovel attachment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3B  is an exploded side view of an embodiment of the attachment to be mounted to a single shovel. 
           [0015]      FIG. 3C  is a side view of an embodiment of the attachment mounted to a single shovel. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3D  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a connector for a shovel attachment. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a combination element in conjunction with an embodiment of an attachment. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the combination element used to join embodiments of attachments. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a front view of an embodiment of a plow assembly formed using a pair of attachments and shovels. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a front view of an embodiment of a plow assembly formed using a pair of attachments and shovels as utilized by a user. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  depicts embodiments of attachments mounted to shovels and stacked for storage or shipping. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8A  depicts a user utilizing a shovel. 
           [0023]      FIG. 8B  depicts a user utilizing an embodiment of the attachment in conjunction with a standard shovel. 
           [0024]      FIG. 8C  depicts a user utilizing an ergonomic shovel. 
           [0025]      FIG. 8D  depicts an embodiment of a user dumping the contents of the shovel utilizing an embodiment of the attachment. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an embodiment of an attachment including a user grip. 
           [0027]      FIG. 10  is an exploded view of an embodiment of an attachment including a user grip. 
           [0028]      FIG. 11A  is a side view of an embodiment of an attachment mounted on a shovel. 
           [0029]      FIG. 11B  is a side view of another embodiment of an attachment mounted on a shovel. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11C  is a side view of another embodiment of an attachment with grip mounted on a shovel. 
           [0031]      FIG. 11D  is a side view of an embodiment of an attachment mounted on a shovel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0032]    Aspects of the system and methods are described below with reference to illustrative embodiments. The references to illustrative embodiments below are not made to limit the scope of the invention in any way. Instead, illustrative embodiments are used to aid in the description of various aspects of the system and method. The description, made by way of example and reference to illustrations, is not meant to be limiting with regards to any aspect of the invention. 
         [0033]    Devices and methods described in this application are especially well adapted for use in clearing and removing snow and will be described in that context. It will become apparent, however, that this is illustrative of only one utility of the described apparatuses and methods. 
         [0034]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the standard snow shovel  100  consists of a wide blade  106  for scooping or shoveling snow, a long straight shaft or neck  102 , and a grip or handle  104  at the far end of the neck  102  from the shovel blade  106 . Typically, users grasp the shaft or neck  102  of the shovel  100  with one hand and the handle  104  with the other hand. To move snow, the user bends over, scoops up a blade  106  full of snow, turns, and dumps the snow out of the area to be cleared. The motion requires bending of the shoveler&#39;s back and twisting. The repetitive bending motion or twisting motion can frequently lead to back strain and soreness or injury. 
         [0035]    The devices and methods described herein can be used to reduce the strain on the user&#39;s back by decreasing the bending and twisting motions when using the snow shovel  100 . In embodiments, an attachment  108  can be connected to a standard shovel  100 . The use of the attachment  108  changes the position at which a user grasps the shovel  100 , raising that grasping position off of the neck  102  to reduce the bending motion when a user utilizes the shovel  100 . In other embodiments, the attachment  108  allows the user to dump snow off the shovel blade  106  merely by rotating the handle  104 , reducing the torsion or twisting of the back of the user when shoveling. In further embodiments, a pair of attachments  108  can be connected to two separate shovels  100  and each other to combine to form a single snow plow  500 , shown in  FIG. 5  and discussed in detail below. 
         [0036]      FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an embodiment of an attachment  108  that facilitates shoveling of snow connected to a single standard shovel  100 . As shown, the standard snow shovel  100  is comprised of a snow shovel blade  106  attached to a snow shovel neck  102  or shaft and a snow shovel handle  104  attached at the far end of the neck  102  from the blade  106 . An embodiment of the attachment  108  is comprised of a non-linear body  204  that extends a distance away from the neck  102  of the shovel  100  when the attachment  108  is connected to the shovel  100 . The attachment  108  can include a lower connector  202  at one end of the body  204  that can be used to connect the attachment  108  to the shovel  100  at or near the blade  106  of the shovel  100  and an upper connector  202  at the other end of the body  204  that can be used to connect the attachment  108  to the shovel  100  at or near the handle  104  of the shovel  100 . 
         [0037]    In an embodiment, the connectors  202  attach to the neck  102  of the standard snow shovel  100  to secure the attachment  108  to the shovel  100 . The attachment  108  provides an additional location that the user can grasp when shoveling. When the attachment  108  is oriented so that it extends from the neck  102  of the shovel  100  in a direction roughly perpendicular to the face of the snow shovel blade  106 , as shown in  FIG. 1B , the attachment  108  allows the user to grip the attachment  108  at a point higher from the ground than the user would grasp the neck  102  of the standard snow shovel  100  when shoveling. As a result, the user is not required to bend as far to grasp the body  204  of the attachment  108  as they would to grasp the snow shovel neck  102 . Consequently, the user would be able to push the shovel  100  with the attachment  108  connected to it without bending down as much as he would have to if he were using a standard snow shovel without the attachment  108 . 
         [0038]    In other embodiments, the attachment  108  allows the user to ergonomically dump the snow from the blade  106  of the standard snow shovel  100 . In an embodiment, the upper connector  202  and lower connector  202  each act as a collar around the shaft or neck  102  of the shovel  100 , where the neck  102  rotates smoothly within these collars. The user can grasp the handle  104  of the standard snow shovel  100  with one hand and the body  204  of the attachment  108  with the other hand, lift the blade  106  of the standard snow shovel  100  off the surface on which it is being used, and rotate the standard snow shovel  100  by rotating the handle  104  without necessarily rotating the attachment  108 . The standard snow shovel  100  would then dump out any contents in the blade  106 . Rotating the shovel  100  can be accomplished by a simple twist of the wrist, rather than a torsion of the user&#39;s back. 
         [0039]    Compared to the operation of a standard snow shovel  100 , the attachment  108  can decrease the pain and discomfort experienced by the user, while reducing the work needed to clear snow. With a standard snow shovel  100  alone, the user normally turns his entire torso to one side or the other to dump the snow or exert a great deal of force to throw the snow over his shoulder. With an attachment  108  connected to the shovel  100 , the user may be able to stand upright or minimize bending his torso while shoveling. The user can simply apply force to rotate the handle  104 , instead of twisting their torso awkwardly to remove the snow from the blade of the snow shovel  106 . 
         [0040]      FIGS. 8A-8D  illustrate use of an embodiment of the attachment  108  with a shovel  100 . Turning first to  FIGS. 8A and 8B ,  FIG. 8A  shows a user with a standard shovel  100  gripping the neck  102  of the shovel in one hand and the handle  104  of the shovel  100  in the other. In comparison, the user shown in  FIG. 8B  utilizes a shovel  100  with an embodiment of the attachment  108 , gripping the attachment  108  with one hand and the handle  104  of the shovel  100  in the other. As shown, by gripping the attachment  108 , the user is able to utilize the shovel  100  with minimal bending. Here, the curvature or angle formed by the user&#39;s back in  FIG. 8B  is less acute than that of the user of the shovel shown in  FIG. 8A . In addition, when the user grasps the shovel  100  and attachment  108 , the shape of the illustrated attachment  108  creates a natural distance between the user&#39;s hands that gives the user leverage when shoveling. 
         [0041]    Turning now to  FIGS. 8C and 8D , here, a user scoops snow into the blade  106 . The user may then pick up the snow, and twist to throw the snow and clear the shovel  100 , as shown in  FIG. 8C . This twisting motion can be very stressful on the back of the user leading to injuries. In contrast, as shown in  FIG. 8D , the user utilizing the shovel  100  with the mounted attachment  108 , can rotate the shovel  100  with respect to the attachment  108 , and release the snow with minimal twisting or straining of the user&#39;s back. 
         [0042]    As discussed below greater detail in with respect to  FIG. 3 , in another embodiment, the connectors  202  may be fixed or adjustable around the neck  102  of the shovel  100 . In embodiments, the connectors  202  can allow the snow shovel  100  to rotate freely when connected to the attachment  108 , allowing the user to easily turn the shovel  100  to remove snow as shown in  FIG. 8D . In another embodiment, the connectors  202  can fix the orientation of the attachment  108  with respect to the shovel for ease in storage or use in tandem with another shovel, as discussed with respect to  FIGS. 5 and 6 . 
         [0043]    Turning now to  FIGS. 2 and 7 , in certain embodiments, the attachment  108  is detachable from the shovel  100  for ease of storage or transport. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the attachment  108  may be disconnected from the standard snow shovel  100  and stored, sold or transported separately. In another embodiment, the attachment  108  may be left connected to the standard snow shovel  100  and rotated with respect to the neck  102  of the shovel  100  to an orientation that would allow the shovel  100  and attachment  108  to easily fit into a desired space. As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the attachment  108  could be rotated such that the body  108  of the attachment extends from the neck  102  of the shovel in a direction substantially parallel to the face of blade  106  of the standard snow shovel  100 . This would facilitate stacking the shovel  100  and attachment  108  and allow the assembly to take up less storage space when hung, leaned against a vertical surface, or stored in the trunk of a car. The attachment  108  could be rotated to any orientation to best fit into a desired space. 
         [0044]    Although ergonomic snow shovels with curved necks  102  may decrease the risk of injury and strain on a user, the bulky, nonlinear neck design of typical ergonomic shovels limits their potential usefulness. An ergonomic shovel frequently will not fit in the trunk of a car, or takes up excessive space, which significantly limits the shovel&#39;s portability. Likewise, the bulk of the ergonomic shovel resulting from its non-linear shape makes it more difficult to store in a garage or other storage space, especially if space is limited. Users may choose to leave shovels outside or leave them lying around a garage or other storage space instead of storing them more effectively. In contrast, the attachment  108  can be removed for storage, or simply rotated to reduce storage space requirements. 
         [0045]    Turning again to  FIG. 2 , an embodiment of the attachment  108  is comprised of a non-linear body  204  having at least one point or portion that would project a distance away from the neck  102  of a shovel  100  when the attachment  108  is connected to the shovel  100 . The attachment  108  includes connectors  202  at each of the ends of the body  204 , and a combination element  206 . In the illustrated embodiment, the combination element  206  is positioned at or near a point or portion of the body  204  distal from the neck  102 , when the attachment  108  is connected to the shovel  100 . In an embodiment, the attachment  108  is sized or configured to connect to standard snow shovels  100 . Consequently, the attachment  108  can be sold, manufactured, and shipped separately from the snow shovel  100 . 
         [0046]    In an embodiment, the body  204  is rigid or substantially rigid, extending from the upper connector  202  for a distance before coming to at least one point or section substantially parallel to the neck  102  when the attachment  108  is connected to a shovel  100  and then extending further at an offset angle back to the shovel  100  to the lower connector  202 . In an embodiment, the body  204  can be bent at an obtuse angle as shown in  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, the body  204  can be curved or bow-shaped, as shown in  FIG. 11D . Any shape can be used that allows the user to grasp the body  204  at an appropriate distance from the shovel neck  102 . An embodiment can include a body  204  of any shape with at least one portion that is a distance away from the neck  102  when connected to the shovel  100 . The distance allows the user to grasp the shovel  100  at another point higher off the ground, reducing the need for the user to bend over when shoveling. 
         [0047]    In other embodiments, the shape of the body  204  may be any shape that would allow two attachments  108  to connect together with the combination element  206 , as described further below with respect to  FIG. 5 . As depicted, the cross-section of the body  204  of the attachment  108  can be cylindrical. In other embodiments, however, the body  204  can be elliptical, rectangular, or any other suitable shape. 
         [0048]    In an embodiment, the body  204  extends approximately 8.5 inches perpendicularly from the neck  102  of the shovel  100 , and the connectors  202  of the attachment  108  are approximately 30 inches apart. The 8.5 inch extension of the body  204  would, accounting for an approximately one inch width of the neck  102  of the shovel  100 , enable a user using a plow assembly as described in greater detail in  FIG. 5  to use two shovels  100 , each of which would have a blade  106  of approximately 18 inches in width. Many states require that a 36-inch path be cleared on sidewalks. Use of the plow assembly can allow for sufficient clearance to comply with state laws. A 30-inch length between the connectors  202  of the attachment  108  corresponds to a length slightly shorter than the average length of the necks  102  of most standard snow shovels  100 . If the attachment is used with a shovel  100  with a neck  102  that is longer 30 inches, the attachment  108  can remain in contact with the end of the handle  104  due to friction and upward forces directed towards the handle  104  of the shovel  100  while collecting snow. As shown, the body  204  has a bend approximately one third of the way along the length of the body  204 . The angle between the neck  102  and the portion of the body  204  of the attachment  108  proximate to the blade  106  is approximately 60 degrees. The angle between the neck  102  and the portion of the body  204  of the attachment  108  proximate to the handle  104  is approximately 35 degrees. The body may be formed of metal such as aluminum, plastic materials, or a combination of metals, plastics, woods or any other suitable material. 
         [0049]    As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , an embodiment of the attachment  108  includes a grip  208 , that can be added to the body  204  of the attachment  108 . The use of a grip  208  would allow a user to utilize the attachment without handling the body  204  directly. The grip  208  may be a removable sleeve that wraps around the body  204 , as seen in  FIG. 10 , or the sleeve may be permanently fixed to the body  204 . In embodiments, the grip  208  is shaped to facilitate grasping the attachment  108  and applying force to the attachment  108  and shovel  100 . For example, in an embodiment, the grip  208  has an increased diameter at the portion of the grip  208  closest to the combination element  206 . This configuration promotes handling the attachment  108  closer to the combination element  206 , can reduce the likelihood that the user&#39;s hand will slip off the grip  208 , and can reduce the pressure imparted on the user&#39;s hand when the user lifts the shovel  100  and the attachment  108  to release snow from the blade  106 . In additional embodiments, the grip  208  may include a flare at each end so as to signal to a user that his or her hand is close to the edge of the grip  208 . An additional embodiment of the grip may have any type of additional feature, including but not limited to a heating mechanism, a semi-solid portion malleable to conform to a hand, or a rigid portion shaped as to conform to a hand grasping the grip. In an embodiment, the grip is formed from a foam, plastic, or other material and can insulate the hand of the user from the body  204  of the attachment  108 . A grip may be positioned anywhere along the length of the body  204  of the attachment  108 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 3A  illustrates an embodiment of the connectors  202 , used as an upper connector  202  and a lower connector  202 . The connectors  202  may attach around the neck  102  of the standard snow shovel  100 , as shown in  FIGS. 3B and 3C . In the depicted embodiment, the connector  202  includes a bracket  304  and a C-shaped collar or clamp  302  that are joined by one or more screws  314 . 
         [0051]    As shown in  FIGS. 3A-3D , the bracket  304  can include an aperture  306  shaped to secure the bracket to the body  204  of the attachment  108 . In an embodiment, the aperture  306  is shaped such that an end of the body is seated within the aperture  306  and can be secured by a fastener, such as a nail or screw, or an adhesive. Any suitable means for securing the bracket  304  to the body  204  can be utilized. The bracket  304  can also include a channel or portion  308  shaped to mate with the neck  102  of a standard snow shovel  100 . In embodiments, the bracket  304  contains one or more raised ribs  312  that reduce the surface of contact between the neck  102  of the shovel  100  and the bracket  304 . The ribs  312  result in low friction contact between the bracket  304  and the neck  102  of the shovel  100 . The collar  302  can be connected to the bracket  304  with fasteners, or using any other suitable method of attachment. As depicted, the connectors  202  use screws  314  to attach the collar  302  to the bracket  304 . In other embodiments, however, the method for connection can include adhesives, movable and lockable portions, straps, or any other suitable way to close the portion around the neck  102 . In an embodiment, the collar  302  includes portion  310  shaped to mate with the neck  102  of a standard snow shovel  100 . The neck  102  would then rest within the combined bracket  304  and collar  302 . 
         [0052]    In embodiments, the combined bracket  304  and collar  302  could apply a variable amount of pressure to the neck  102 , such as by tightening the screws  314 . This variation in pressure allows the user to set or determine the amount of force needed to rotate the standard snow shovel  100  within the attachment  108 . The tightness and therefore friction between the neck  102  and the connectors  202  may be decreased to allow the user to rotate the standard snow shovel  100  more easily. Alternatively, the tightness and resulting friction may be increased to allow the attachment  108  connected to the standard snow shovel  100  to be fixed in a selected position more easily and resist changes in orientation in relation to the standard snow shovel  100 . As shown, the collar  302  can be removed by removing the screws  314 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate an embodiment of a combination element  206  of the attachment  108 . The combination element  206  can be positioned at or near the point or section of the body  204  that extends from the neck  102  of the shovel  100 . In the illustrated example, this portion of the body  204  is substantially parallel to the neck  102  when the attachment  108  is installed on a snow shovel  100  and can be used to join two attachments  108  together. As depicted, the combination element  206  is comprised of an extendable strap or body  406  with an attachment mechanism  402  at each end. A combination element  404 , described in further detail below, is used to stabilize the juncture of the two attachments and secure the attachment mechanisms  402  to form a plow assembly. In other embodiments, the combination element  206  may be a C-shaped hook that can be inserted into apertures in the body  204  of the attachments  108 , a temporary adhesive, a simple strap, bungee cord, or any other suitable way to connect two attachments  108  together. 
         [0054]    In an embodiment, two attachments  108  can be joined by wrapping the extendable body  406  around the bodies  204  of each attachment  108  and securing the attachment mechanisms  402  to each other. Alternatively, a combination mechanism  404  can be used on each shovel attachment  108 . In an embodiment, the combination mechanism  404  includes a surface shaped to conform to the shape of the body  204  of the attachment  108  and a flat surface  408  on the side opposite from the body  204 . If this combination mechanism  404  is used with both of the attachments  108  to be joined, the flat surfaces  408  abut and help form a solid and secure connection between the two attachments  108 . This can increase the sturdiness of the resulting plow assembly  500 . The user can connect a first attachment mechanism  402  of the combination element  206  to a combination mechanism  404 , wrap the extendable body  406  around the body  204  of the first and second attachments  108  and connect back to the combination mechanism  404  of the first attachment  108 . 
         [0055]    In another embodiment, the combination element is comprised of a hook or is C-shaped, such that one end of the combination element  206  is seated in an aperture of the attachment  108 , and the other end of the combination element  206  is seated in an aperture on the opposite side of the second attachment  108 . In this embodiment, the combination element effectively forms a clamp to hold the two attachments  108  together. When using hooks, a second combination element  206  connected on its first end to the second attachment  108  may rotate to latch around the body  204  of the first attachment  108 . 
         [0056]    In an embodiment, the combination element  206  can be stored or retracted so that it does not interfere with the operation of a single shovel  100  with the attachment  108 . The combination element  206  can be stored by wrapping the extendable body  406  around the body  204  of the attachment  108  and connecting the attachment mechanism  402  and combination mechanism  404  to each other. In an embodiment comprised of a hook having a first and second end and an edge, to store the combination element  206 , the hook is connected to the attachment  108  at the hook&#39;s first end with a device allowing the hook to rotate about the point of connection and the second end rotating to bring the edge in contact with the attachment  108 . 
         [0057]      FIGS. 5 and 6  illustrate an embodiment of a plow assembly  500 . The plow assembly  500  is comprised of two standard snow shovels  100  and two attachments  108 . In an embodiment of the plow assembly, each attachment  108  is oriented substantially parallel to the face of the snow shovel blade  106 . The first attachment  108  is oriented in a first direction, and the second attachment  108  is oriented in substantially the opposite direction, relative to their respective snow shovels  100 . At least one of the combination elements  206  of the attachments  108  connects to the other attachment  108 , combining the two attachments  108  and connecting the standard snow shovels  100  and attachments  108  together. In an embodiment, the sides of the two snow shovel blades  106  abut, resulting in a wide plowing surface. 
         [0058]    While it is possible that a user could utilize two separate shovels at the same time to form a plow without the attachments  108  and combination element  206 , such a configuration would be unwieldy. The use of multiple, independent shovels simultaneously to clear a similar width of snow as a snowplow results in instability for a user. The difficulty in controlling each shovel with a single arm could easily lead to injury and would likely lead to frustration. 
         [0059]    As depicted in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , two standard snow shovels  100  can be joined together by connecting two attachments  108 , each of which is secured to a single standard snow shovel  100 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , in embodiment, the plow assembly has two snow shovel handles  104  at a comfortable distance apart from each other, allowing the user to push the plow assembly  500  evenly with both hands, resulting in increased strength and decreased body contortion. For many users, the handles  104  would be near shoulder width apart, allowing more power to transfer to the plow assembly  500  and therefore move more snow more easily. The alignment of the two shovels  100  in the same direction would allow the user to move a greater quantity of snow and clear a larger surface area with ease. This use of the attachments  108  and combination element  206  result in a stable configuration of the shovels  100 . The pressure from the combination element  206  ensures that the blade  106  of the first shovel  100  abuts the blade  106  of the second shovel  100 . Similarly, the attachments  108  hold the necks  108  and handles  104  of the shovels  100  at a fixed relationship to each other and prevent the shovels  100  from slipping or twisting in the grasp of the user. The configuration can eliminate the need for the purchase of a larger plow, instead allowing two standard snow shovels  100  to be combined to act as a plow. 
         [0060]      FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10  illustrate additional embodiments of the attachment  108 .  FIG. 10  provides an exploded view of the attachment  108  for assembly, while  FIG. 9  depicts an assembled attachment  108 , including grip  208  and combination element  206  stored on the attachment  108 , and ready for use to connect two shovel attachments  108  and form the plow assembly. As shown, in embodiments, the grip  208  is a simple sleeve that can be slid over the body  204  of the attachment  108  and slid into the desired position. The grip  208  can be held in place on the body  204  by a mechanical means such as a screw, an adhesive, or simply friction. As shown in  FIG. 10 , the body  204  of the attachment  108  can be formed as a unitary piece, or can be composed of multiple pieces, described in more detail with respect to  FIGS. 11A-D . 
         [0061]      FIGS. 11A-11D  display additional embodiments of the attachment  108 .  FIG. 11A  depicts an embodiment of an attachment  108 , where the body  204  is formed from different materials. For example, a handhold  1100  or portion of the body  204  where the user is likely to grip the attachment  108  can be formed from a plastic, wood, or other suitable material, while the remainder of the body can be formed from a metal, including without limitation, aluminum. Use of a plastic or other material that conducts heat less readily than a metal would help keep a user&#39;s hand warm when grasping the attachment  108 .  FIGS. 11B &amp; 11C  show a shovel  100  equipped with embodiments of the attachment  108 , with variations on dimensions of the handhold  1100  or portion of the body  204  of the attachment formed from various materials. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 11C  also incorporates a grip  208 . 
         [0062]      FIG. 11D  depicts a shovel  100  equipped with an embodiment of an attachment  108  with a curved body  204  with bends proximal to the upper connector and the lower connector. In the illustrated embodiment, the body  204  can be formed from a single tube or pipe. The body can be a single tube or pipe formed in any shape that allows the user to easily grasp the attachment  108  to the upper connector  202  and the lower connector  202 , with metal comprising the remainder of the attachment  108 . 
         [0063]    While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in those embodiments without departing from the principles and the spirit of the devices and methods, the scope of which is defined in the appended claims.