Folding snow shovel

A foldable shovel structured for scooping/pushing is provided. The disclosed foldable shovel includes two arcuate members that are hinged together at one end. In the folded configuration the two arcuate members are nested. Further, the coupling device includes a locking disk assembly structured to allow the arcuate members to be configured in different positions relative to each other. Thus, the foldable shovel may be optimally configured as either a scooping device or a pushing device.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to shovels and, more specifically to a folding shovel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shovels typically serve one of two purposes, digging or scooping/pushing. A traditional garden shovel, i.e. a digging shovel, has a narrow pointed blade whereas a traditional snow shovel, i.e. a scooping/pushing shovel, has a wide, arcuate blade with a flat leading edge. Generally, folding shovels have been constructed as digging shovels having a narrow pointed blade. These devices typically include a pole-like handle constructed of a plurality of collapsible links and/or of a plurality of telescoping members. It is noted that shovels having only a telescoping handle are typically describes as “collapsible” rather than “folding.” Foldable, or collapsible, scooping/pushing shovels exist as well and typically include a telescoping handle.

Folding/collapsing shovels are structured to occupy a limited space in their unexpanded configuration. Foldable digging shovels are typically used by soldiers and campers. Folding/collapsing scooping/pushing shovels are typically stored in vehicles for emergency use. Because of the purpose/intended use of such shovels, the ability to be reduced to as small as possible is an important feature of folding shovels. Collapsing scooping/pushing shovels, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. D543,426 and 7,571,945 suffer from the disadvantage of having the handle member extend well beyond the perimeter of the blade. This disadvantage is not seen, or is not as pronounced, in folding digging shovels, see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. D551, 524. Preferably, a scooping/pushing shovel includes an arcuate blade as this shape is better adapted for moving snow. An arcuate blade, however, increases the space required for storage of the shovel in the unexpanded configuration. U.S. Pat. No. 7,571,945 addresses this issue by providing an arcuate handle/shaft that is stored over the arcuate blade. In the expanded configuration, the entire shovel, i.e. the blade and handle, have an arcuate shape that is not conducive to pushing snow.

A further disadvantage of telescoping handles is that the handle is in a fixed relationship (angle) to the blade. As such, the shovel is not optimized for either pushing or scooping. Further, telescoping handles typically include an expensive/complicated locking mechanism that is subject to degradation from debris becoming lodged therein. This is less of a problem with simple hinged folding shovels.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a foldable shovel that is structured for scooping/pushing. Such a shovel combines the advantages of a folding shovel with the capabilities of a scooping/pushing shovel. The disclosed foldable shovel includes two arcuate members that are hinged together at one end. In the folded configuration the two arcuate members are nested and, because the coupling device is disposed at the ends of the members, the member that acts as a handle does not extend significantly beyond the member that acts as a blade. Further, the coupling device includes a locking disk assembly structured to allow the arcuate members to be configured in different positions relative to each other. Thus, the foldable shovel may be optimally configured as either a scooping device or a pushing device. Further, the arcuate members may be made from a highly visible color and configured at an acute angle. In this configuration, the shovel may also be used as an indicator for a hazard.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As used herein, “handle” and “grip” are defined as follows. A “handle” is any member, or a portion of a member, that may be grasped comfortably. A “grip” is any member, or a portion of a member, that is structured to be grasped. For example, the shaft of a typical long handle shovel may be grasped virtually anywhere over its length; thus the entire shaft is a “handle.” Some long handle shovel may include a padded portion at the distal tip of the shaft, the distal tip may be slightly enlarged, and/or the distal tip may have a textured surface. Structures such as these are “grips.” Further, any member structured to be gripped which extends generally perpendicular to a shaft, e.g. a T-grip or a D-grip, is a “grip” as used herein.

As used herein, “telescoping” means any configuration with an elongated member moving axially within another hollow member.

As used herein a “highly visible color” means any bright, reflective, or fluorescent color as well as any high contrast color combinations, such as, but not limited to, yellow and black (as on a yield sign), red and white (as on a stop sign), and green and white (as on a highway road sign).

As used herein, a “vertex” is an area where two generally straight members meet. As used herein, “coupled” means a link between two or more elements, whether direct or indirect, so long as a link occurs.

As used herein, “directly coupled” means that two elements are directly in contact with each other.

As used herein, “fixedly coupled” or “fixed” means that two components are coupled so as to move as one while maintaining a constant orientation relative to each other.

As used herein, the word “unitary” means a component is created as a single piece or unit. That is, a component that includes pieces that are created separately and then coupled together as a unit is not a “unitary” component or body.

As used herein, an “edge” means a portion of the perimeter of a member. An “edge” is not limited to a corner or another sharp rim like structure. Further, the presence of an opening at an edge does not reduce the limit of the edge. For example, if a body has a U-shape, the upper edge extends between the tips of the “U” despite the presence of a gap/opening.

As used herein, “correspond” indicates that two structural components are structured to fit together. For example, two identical spoons “correspond” to each other and may be placed in a nested configuration One component, however, may have a slightly different size than the other. For example, a protective case for a cellular telephone “corresponds” to the shape of the telephone but is slightly larger than the telephone.

As shown inFIGS. 1-2, a folding snow shovel10includes a first curved surface member11having a body12and a second curved surface member13having a body14. The first curved surface member body12is thin (compared to the length and width), generally arcuate and elongated having a first proximal edge16, a second distal edge18, a width and two, i.e. first and second, lateral sides20,22. The first curved surface member body lateral sides20,22are, preferably, generally parallel. The second curved surface member body14is also thin (compared to the length and width), generally arcuate and elongated with a first proximal edge24, a second distal edge26, a width and two, i.e. first and second, lateral sides28,30. The second curved surface member body lateral sides28,30may be generally parallel or tapered toward the second curved surface member second distal edge26. The second curved surface member body14has a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the first curved surface member body12. As shown inFIG. 3, each curved surface member body12,14member is shaped generally as an arc having a center32,34(first and second curved surface member, respectively) and defining a chord36,38(first and second curved surface member, respectively) extending from the proximal edge16,24to the distal edge18,26.

As shown inFIG. 1, the first and second curved surface member bodies12,14preferably each include first and second stiffening members40,42and44,46(first and second curved surface member, respectively). The first and second stiffening members40,42and44,46are disposed at the lateral sides20,22and28,30of the first and second curved surface member bodies12,14, respectively. Each include first and second stiffening members40,42and44,46and preferably have a U-shaped cross-section with the “tines” of the U-shape extending outwardly and generally parallel to the arc defined by the associated curved surface member body12,14. Each first and second stiffening members40,42and44,46may include support ribs48extending between the “tines” of the U-shaped cross-sectional stiffening members40,42,44,46.

The first curved surface member body second distal edge18defines a blade50. The blade50may be a thin and/or tapered portion of the first curved surface member body12. Alternatively, the first and second curved surface member bodies12,14may be made from a non-metallic material and the blade50may be a metal blade50A that is coupled to the first curved surface member body second distal edge18defines a blade50. Further, the first curved surface member body12includes a radial extension52. The radial extension52extends generally toward the center of the arc defined by said first curved surface member body12. This extension52is structured to resist the movement of snow, or any material being moved, over the first curved surface member body proximal edge16.

The first and second curved surface member bodies12,14are rotatably coupled together adjacent, or at, each member's first proximal edge16,24. The axis of rotation extends substantially perpendicular to each of the first and second curved surface members'12,14longitudinal axis. The first and second curved surface members12,14are preferably coupled by a device that may be maintained in a selected configuration, e.g. a hinge assembly having a ratchet and pawl (not shown). In one embodiment, the coupling device is a locking disk assembly60.

As shown inFIG. 4, the locking disk assembly60includes an axle62, a cam member64, at least two disks66,68. The at least two disks66,68includes a first disk66and a second disk68, each disk having a center opening70. The first disk66has an interface side72and an outer side74. The first disk interface side72has a plurality of radial ridges76and grooves78. Similarly, the second disk68has an interface side80with a plurality of radial ridges82and grooves84. The second disk interface side radial ridges and grooves82,84correspond to the first disk interface side radial ridges and grooves76,78. The first and second disks66,68are disposed with their interface sides72,80engaging each other. The axle62extends through the center opening70of each of the first and second disks66,68. The axle62has a cap88on each end structured to prevent the axle62sliding through the center openings70.

The cam member64has an L-shaped body90with a lever arm92, an extension94, and a cam surface96. The lever arm92is, preferably, longer than the extension94. The lever arm92and the extension94are coupled at a vertex98. The cam surface96extends over the outer surface of the vertex98.

When the locking disk assembly60is assembled, the cam member64is pivotally coupled to the axle62with the extension94engaging an axle cap88. The cam surface96engages the first disk outer side74. The axle62is sized to prevent the first and second disks66,68from substantially separating. That is, the axle62has a sufficient length to allow the first and second disks66,68to separate a distance slightly more then the height, or depth, of the ridges76,82or grooves78,84. In this configuration, the cam member64is structured to move between a first, locked position, wherein the lever arm92extends generally parallel to the first disk outer side74and wherein the first and second disks66,68are biased together with the ridges76,82and grooves78,84interlocking, and a second, open position, wherein the lever arm92extends at an angle to the first disk outer side74and wherein the first and second disks66,68are not biased together thereby allowing the first and second disk interface sides72,80to rotate relative to each other. In this configuration, the disks66,68may be positioned and locked in a selected orientation relative to each other. The first disk66is fixed to the first curved surface member body12and the second disk68is fixed to the second curved surface member body14. Thus, as discussed below, the first and second curved surface member bodies12,14may be moved into a selected orientation relative to each other and locked in that configuration.

As shown inFIG. 1, in the preferred embodiment, both the first and second curved surface member bodies12,14have openings100,102,104at, or adjacent to, the associated proximal end16,24. That is, the first curved surface member body12includes an opening100at the first curved surface member body proximal edge16. The first curved surface member body proximal edge opening100is laterally elongated and extends substantially across the lateral width of the first curved surface member body12. Thus, the two first curved surface member body first and second stiffening members40,42extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the first curved surface member body12.

The second curved surface member body14includes a first and second opening102,104, with one opening adjacent to each of the second curved surface member body proximal and distal edges24,26. An opening that is adjacent to an edge, as opposed to an opening that is at an edge, does not extend to the edge. That is, the second curved surface member body first opening102is an elongated lateral opening extending substantially parallel and adjacent to the second curved surface member body second distal edge24. The second curved surface member body first opening104extends substantially across the lateral width of said second curved surface member body14. As with the first curved surface member body proximal edge opening100, this configuration leaves the two stiffening members44,46on either side of the second curved surface member body first opening102. Further, because the second curved surface member body first opening102is adjacent, rather than at, the second curved surface member body second distal edge26, there is also a lateral member extending across the second curved surface member body second distal edge26. This lateral member is the first grip120discussed below.

The second curved surface member body second opening104is an elongated lateral opening extending substantially parallel and adjacent to the second curved surface member body first proximal edge24. As before, the second curved surface member body second opening104results in the two stiffening members44,46extending on either side of the second curved surface member body second opening104. Further, because the second curved surface member body second opening104is adjacent, rather than at, the second curved surface member body first proximal edge24, there is also a lateral member extending across the second curved surface member body first proximal edge24. This lateral member is a tubular portion110.

The tubular portion110operates cooperatively with an embodiment of the locking disk assembly60having four disks, i.e. a first disk66and a second disk68, and, a third disk67and a fourth disk69. The third and fourth disks67,69are substantially similar to the first and second disks66,68, and identical reference numbers shall be used to identify the ridges, grooves and openings on the third and fourth disks67,69, respectively. The first disk66is located at the first curved surface member body proximal edge16, and more specifically at the tip of the extending stiffening member40located on the first curved surface member body first lateral side20. The third disk67is located at the first curved surface member body proximal edge16, and more specifically at the tip of the extending stiffening member42located on the first curved surface member body second lateral side22. The second disk68is disposed at the second curved surface member body proximal edge, and more specifically, on an axial face of the tubular portion110on the second curved surface member body first lateral side28. The fourth disk69is disposed at the second curved surface member body proximal edge22, and more specifically, on an axial face of the tubular portion110on the second curved surface member body second lateral side30. Further, the tubular portion110includes a center opening112. In this configuration, the axle62extends through, in order, the cam member64, the first and second disks66,68, the tubular portion110, and the fourth and third disks69,67. An axle cap88is disposed on the outer side of the third disk67. As before, the cam member64is structured to move between a first, locked position, wherein the lever arm92extends generally parallel to the first disk outer side74and wherein the first and second disks66,68and the third and fourth disks67,69are biased together with the ridges76,82and grooves78,84interlocking, and a second, open position, wherein the lever arm92extends at an angle to the first disk outer side74and wherein the first and second disks66,68and the third and fourth disks67,69are not biased together thereby allowing the first and second disk interface sides72,80to rotate relative to each other.

The folding snow shovel10preferably includes a plurality of grips. A first grip120is defined by the lateral member disposed at the curved surface member body second distal edge as discussed above. The first grip120is shaped/contoured to be comfortable when grasped by a user. The first grip120may also include padding or texturing (not shown). The first grip120may also extend over the two stiffening members44,46on either side of the second curved surface member body first opening102. That is, in this configuration, the second curved surface member first grip120is U-shaped having a first portion122, a second portion124, and a third portion126. The second curved surface member first grip first portion122extends across the second curved surface member second distal edge26and is, essentially, the embodiment of the grip described above. The grip second and third portions124,126extend generally perpendicular to the grip first portion122and along the outer edges, which are preferably the two stiffening members44,46, of the second curved surface member body14immediately adjacent the grip first portion122.

A second grip130is spaced from said first proximal edge24on the second curved surface member body14. That is, the inner edge of the second curved surface member body second opening104may act as a grip130. Thus, the inner edge of the second curved surface member body second opening104may be shaped/contoured to be comfortable when grasped by a user. The second grip130may also include padding or texturing (not shown).

The first and second grips120,130are disposed on the second curved surface member body14and are primarily used when operating the folding snow shovel10. A third grip140may be used as a carrying grip. That is, the tubular portion110described above may be shaped/contoured to be comfortable when grasped by a user. The third grip140may also include padding or texturing (not shown). When the first and second curved surface member bodies12,14are in the folded configuration, described below, the third grip140provides a convenient location to hold on to the folding snow shovel10.

When the first and second curved surface member bodies12,14are rotatably coupled by the locking disk assembly60as described above, the first and second curved surface members11,13are structured to move between a first, folded configuration, wherein the first and second curved surface members11,13are nested together, and a second, extended configuration, wherein the chords36,38defined by said first and second curved surface member bodies12,14are at an obtuse angle α, as shown inFIG. 5. In this configuration, the folding snow shovel10may be used as a scoop. The first and second curved surface member bodies12,14may be moved to a third, fully extended configuration, wherein the chords36,38defined by the first and second curved surface member bodies12,14are at an angle greater than about 130 degrees. In the third, fully extended configuration the folding snow shovel10may be used as a snow pusher.

While not a primary use of the folding snow shovel10, the disclosed configuration further allows the folding snow shovel10to be used as a indicator for a hazard. That is, the folding snow shovel10may be placed in a fourth configuration, as shown inFIG. 6. In this configuration, the chords36,38defined by said first and second curved surface member bodies12,14are at an acute angle thereby allowing the folding snow shovel10to be set upon the first and second curved surface member bodies second distal edges18,26. To enhance the effect as an indicator for a hazard, the first and second curved surface member bodies12,14may be made from a material having a highly visible color. Alternatively, at least one of the first and second curved surface members11,13may have a material of a highly visible color, such as, but not limited to a strip of reflective tape, coupled thereto.

As a folding snow shovel10is structured for portability and storage in a small space, the size of the snow shovel10is important. Preferably, the first curved surface member body12has a length of between about 13 inches and 17 inches, and more preferably about 16 inches. The first curved surface member body12has a width of between about 8⅝ inches and 10½ inches, and more preferably about 9½ inches. The first curved surface member body12has radius of curvature of between about 19 inches and 22 inches, and more preferably about 20% inches. The second curved surface member body14has a length of between about 12 inches and 16 inches, and more preferably about 15¾ inches. The second curved surface member body14has a width of between about 5 inches and 8 inches, and more preferably about 7⅝ inches. The second curved surface member body14has radius of curvature of between about 14 inches and 16 inches and more preferably about 15¼ inches.