Snow auger assembly

A device for removing material from a surface includes a blade, an auger positioned in close proximity to a front side of the blade and operably mounted on an axle for rotary motion relative to the blade whereby material accumulating at the front side of the blade during movement of the blade over the surface is transversely moved from the front side of the blade to a side of the device by the rotary motion of the auger, and a handle operably connected to the blade for directing the blade and the auger over the surface. The auger has a passage receiving the axle. The auger is preferably rotatable relative to the axle and the axle is preferably rotatable relative to the blade. Preferably, the auger is molded of plastic and the passage is free of a molding draft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to devices for removing materials from surfaces and, more particularly, to devices for removing materials such as snow, ice, and the like from surfaces such as walkways, driveways, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The most common snow removal devices are snow shovels and snow pushers. The snow shovel is used for both pushing and lifting snow to remove the snow from surfaces such as walkways, driveways, and the like. Snow pushers are used to push snow to remove the snow from walkways, driveways, and the like. Many varieties of snow shovels and snow pushers have been developed. However, all of these devices require a considerable amount of physical effort to accomplish the snow removal.

One solution to this problem has been the development of power-driven snow removal devices such as snow blowers, snow throwers, and the like. However, the operation of power-driven snow equipment can require as much physical effort as manual snow removal devices. Additionally, this equipment is typically more expensive to purchase, requires more storage space, and requires annual maintenance in order to stay in proper working order.

Another solution to this problem is a manual snow removing device having an auger in front of a blade. Such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,920,667, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. As the user walks at a normal pace, snow that accumulates in front of the blade is automatically and immediately carried away from the blade by the auger. Thus eliminating the necessity to lift the snow as well as reducing the amount of physical effort required to push accumulated snow.

While these prior solutions have been generally successful in providing material removal devices which reduce the amount of physical effort required to remove the material, these devices are considerably more expensive to produce than traditional shovels and pushers. Additionally, there is a continuous desire to reduce manufacturing costs in the competitive industry of material removal devices. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an improved device for removing materials.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device for removing material which overcomes at least some of the above-noted problems of the related art. According to the present invention, a device for removing material comprises, in combination, a blade having a front side, an auger positioned in close proximity to the front side of the blade and operably mounted on an axle for rotary motion relative to the blade whereby material accumulating at the front side of the blade during movement of the blade over the surface is transversely moved from the front side of the blade to a side of the device by the rotary motion of the auger, and a handle operably connected to the blade for directing the blade and the auger over the surface. The auger has a passage receiving the axle. The auger is molded of plastic and the passage is free of a molding draft.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a device for removing material comprises, in combination, a blade having a front side, an auger positioned in close proximity to the front side of the blade and operably mounted on an axle for rotary motion relative to the blade whereby material accumulating at the front side of the blade during movement of the blade over the surface is transversely moved from the front side of the blade to a side of the device by the rotary motion of the auger, and a handle operably connected to the blade for directing the blade and the auger over the surface. The auger has a passage receiving the axle and is molded of plastic. The auger includes first and second pluralities of openings located on different sides of the passage, wherein the openings of each of the first and second plurality of openings are spaced-apart along the length of the passage, and wherein the openings of the first plurality of openings overlap the openings of the second plurality of openings along the length of the passage.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a device for removing material comprises, in combination, a blade having a front side, an auger positioned in close proximity to the front side of the blade and operably mounted on an axle for rotary motion relative to the blade whereby material accumulating at the front side of the blade during movement of the blade over the surface is transversely moved from the front side of the blade to a side of the device by the rotary motion of the auger, and a handle operably connected to the blade for directing the blade and the auger over the surface. The auger has a passage receiving the axle. The auger is rotatable relative to the axle and the axle is rotatable relative to the blade.

From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various preferred embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology of material removal devices. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing a high quality, reliable, simple, and relatively low cost assembly with improved operational performance. Additional features and advantages of various preferred embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the improved material removal devices disclosed herein. The following detailed discussion of various alternative and preferred embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to a device for removing snow, ice, or the like from surfaces such as walkways, driveways, and the like in residential or commercial environments. Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

Referring now to the drawings,FIGS. 1 and 2illustrate a manual snow removal device10according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The illustrated manual snow removal device10includes a shovel body12forming a blade14for collecting material such as, for example, snow, ice and the like from a surface such as, for example, a walkway, a driveway a handle, or the like, a handle16operably connected to the blade14for grasping by a user to direct the snow removal device10over the surface, and a rotatable auger18positioned near the blade14for moving material collected by the blade14in a transverse or lateral direction away from the blade14and to the side of the device10.

The illustrated shovel body12includes the blade14, a side flange20, a top flange22, and a side wall24. The shovel body12is preferably formed of a suitable plastic such as, for example, polypropylene or the like. The illustrated shovel body12is molded as a unitary component, that is, molded having both the blade and the support structure formed a one-piece component. It is noted, however, that the shovel body12can alternatively be formed by separate components secured together in a suitable manner.

The illustrated blade14is sized and shaped for collecting material at a forward side thereof when it is moved over the surface from which material is to be removed. The illustrated blade14is shaped as a snow pusher having generally parallel right and left side edges and generally parallel top and bottom edges forming a generally rectangular and concave front surface. It is noted, however, that the blade14can alternatively be shaped in any other suitable manner such as, for example, similar to that of a snow shovel.

The illustrated side flange20extends rearwardly from the right side edge of the blade14. The illustrated top flange22extends rearwardly from the top edge of the blade14. The illustrated side wall24extends forwardly from the left side edge of the blade14. The side flange20, the top flange22, and the side wall24are preferably sized and shaped to improve the structural stiffness/strength of the shovel body12. The side wall24is additionally sized and shaped to block or reduce transverse or lateral movement of material from the front side of the blade in a leftward direction. With the side wall24sized and shaped in this manner, material is primarily moved from the front side of the blade14in a rightward direction as described in more detail hereinafter. It is noted that the side wall24alternatively can be eliminated if movement of material in both directions is desired or located at the right side edge of the blade14if movement of material in a leftward direction is desired.

The illustrated side flange20and the illustrated side wall24are also adapted for securing axle braces or supports26at opposite sides of the blade14. The illustrated axle braces26are generally elongate members which forwardly extend from the opposed side edges of the blade14to support an axle28of the rotatable auger18in front of the front surface of the blade14. The illustrated axle braces26are secured to the side flange20and the side wall24by mechanical fasteners in the form of bolts30and lock nuts32. The illustrated bolts30extend through openings34in the axle braces26and cooperating openings36in the side flange20and the side wall24. It is noted that the axle braces26can alternatively be secured to the shovel body12in any other suitable manner or can alternatively be formed unitary with the shovel body12. The illustrated axle braces26are formed of a metal such as, for example, plated steel, but can alternatively be formed of any other suitable material.

The forward end of each of the illustrated axle braces26are provided with openings38for rotatably receiving and supporting the axle28therein such that the axle28is freely rotatable relative to the axle braces26and the shovel body12. The illustrated axle28is retained within the openings38by press nuts40secured to the ends of the axle28. It is noted, however, that the axle28can alternatively be retained within the openings38in any other suitable manner. The illustrated axle28is in the form of an elongate tube but alternatively can be formed in any other suitable manner such as, for example, an elongate solid rod. The illustrated axle28is formed of steel but any other suitable material can alternatively be utilized.

The illustrated axle28extends through an axle passage42of the auger18such that the auger18is freely rotatable relative to the axle28and the shovel body12. Therefore, the illustrated auger18has two degrees of rotational freedom relative to the shovel body12and the blade14: (1) the auger18is freely rotatable relative to the axle28; and (2) the axle28is freely rotatable relative to the axle braces26and the shovel body12. It is noted that alternatively the auger18can be secured to the axle28or the axle28can be secured to the axle braces26such that the auger18has a single degree of rotational freedom relative to the shovel body12and the blade14. It is noted, however, that having the two degrees of freedom provides addition protection against “lock-up” or “jamming” of the auger18during use which prevents rotation of the auger18due to the build-up of material such as snow and/or ice. With the auger18mounted on the axle28, the auger18is located in close proximity to the front side of the blade14and extending in a transverse or lateral direction, that is, the longitudinal axis of the auger18is substantially parallel to the front surface of the blade14.

The illustrated shovel body12also includes a socket44at a rearward side thereof for attaching the handle16to the shovel body12. The illustrated socket44is sized and shaped for receiving the lower end of the handle16therein as described in more detail hereinafter. The illustrated socket44is formed unitary with the shovel body12but alternatively can be a separate component secured thereto.

The illustrated handle16is generally elongate and includes telescoping first and second tubular members46,48. The members46,48are sized and shaped so that they are selectively movable between a retracted or storage configuration (not shown) wherein the tubular members46,48are retracted to reduce the length of the handle16for shipping and storage and an extended or use configuration (shown inFIG. 2) wherein the tubular members46,48are extended to increase the length of the handle16for use. It is noted that the handle16can alternatively be formed by a single elongate member if desired. The illustrated handle16also includes a spring clip0having a pair of opposed buttons or protrusions52which cooperate with openings54in the tubular members46,48to releasably lock the tubular members46,48in the extended configuration. It is noted that the tubular members46,48can alternatively be secured in any other suitable manner. The illustrated tubular members46,48are formed of powder coated steel but alternatively the tubular members, or alternatively a single elongate member, can be formed of any other suitable material such as, for example, aluminum, plastic, fiberglass, wood, or the like. The illustrated handle16also includes a D-grip handle member56secured to the free or upper end of the second tube member48but alternatively can be formed unitary therewith. The illustrated D-grip handle member56is molded of suitable plastic such as polyethylene but alternatively can be formed of any other suitable material. It is noted that the handle member56can alternatively have any other suitable shape or can alternatively be eliminated if desired.

The lower end of the illustrated handle16extends into the socket44located at the rear of the shovel body12. The illustrated handle16is secured to the shovel body12by mechanical fasteners in the form of bolts58and lock nuts60. The illustrated bolts58extend through openings62in the shovel body12and cooperating openings64in the handle16. It is noted that the handle16can alternatively be secured to the shovel body12in any other suitable manner or can alternatively be formed unitary with the shovel body12.

As best shown inFIGS. 3 to 6, the rotatable auger18has an elongate shaft portion66having a central longitudinal axis forming a rotational axis68for the auger18and a helical flight portion70formed about the shaft portion66. The shaft portion66forms the axle passage42coaxial with the rotational axis68of the auger18. The illustrated axle passage42is sized and shaped to rotatably receive the axle28therein. The flight portion70is sized and shaped to convey material along the longitudinal or rotational axis68of the auger18(this is the transverse or lateral direction of the snow removal device10because the auger18is mounted to the shovel body12in a transverse direction). The illustrated flight portion70has a pitch such that counter-clockwise rotation of the auger18(when viewed from the left end of the auger18) moves material toward the right side of the snow removal device10away from the side wall24and toward the open right side of the shovel body12. It is noted that the auger18can alternatively be provided with a reverse pitch to convey material toward the left side of the snow removal device10or a dual pitch to convey material to both sides of the snow removal device10.

The auger18is preferably formed of a suitable plastic such as, for example, Nylon or the like. The illustrated auger18is molded as a unitary component, that is, molded having the shaft portion66and the flight portion70formed as a one-piece component. It is noted, however, that the shaft portion66and the flight portion70can alternatively be formed by separate components secured together in a suitable manner.

As best shown inFIGS. 7 and 8, the illustrated auger18is formed with a bypass molding process. The illustrated axle passage42is formed by a plurality of mold or core members72which extend into a mold from opposite sides in an alternating manner to collectively form the axle passage42that extends the entire length of the auger shaft portion66. The mold members72engage each other in the longitudinal direction of the auger18so that the resulting axle passage42is continuous. The sides of the illustrated mold members72have cooperating drafts of about 10 degrees to about 12 degrees. Ends74of the mold members72are rounded so that they collectively form the circular cross-sectional shape of the axle passage42. Once the auger18is molded, the mold members72forming the axle passage42are withdrawn so that the axle passage42extends the length of the auger18.

As best shown inFIG. 9, once the mold members72are withdrawn, the shaft portion66includes first and second plurality of openings76,78located on opposites sides of the shaft portion66. The openings76,78each open into the axle passage42. The openings76,78are longitudinally spaced-apart along the length of the shaft portion68(this is the lateral or transverse direction of the snow removal device10). The openings of the first plurality of openings76also overlap the openings of the second plurality of openings78in the longitudinal direction of the shaft portion68of the auger18. The illustrated axle passage42, therefore, is formed by a series of alternating shaft portion segments which are generally “C-shaped” in cross-section. The illustrated openings76,78and the flight portion70are each sized and shaped so that the openings76,78do not interfere with or interrupt the flight portion70. It is noted that the illustrated axle passage42has a substantially constant diameter because it can be molded free of a draft. Note that a draft is required to pull a mold pin from a passage after shrinkage of the molded material. Thus, the illustrated axle passage42receives the axle28in a close but rotatable manner throughout the length of the shaft portion68to reduce the amount of “wobble” and thus component wear during use.

Prior to use, the user moves the handle16to the extended configuration if the handle16is in the retracted configuration for storage. The handle16is moved into the extended configuration by grasping both the first and second tubular members46,48and pulling the second tubular member48upward until the spring clip50resiliently snaps into the openings54to releasably lock the tubular members46,48together in the extended configuration. To remove snow or the like from the surface, the user grasps the handle16and pushes the snow removal device10over the surface. As the device is pushed over the surface, snow accumulates at the front surface of the blade14and the rotating auger18moves accumulated snow in a rightward direction. Because the snow is moved to the side of the device10and does not continuously build up in front of the blade14, a relatively low amount of effort is required to push the device10. Additionally, the smooth rotation of the auger18provided by the draft free axle passage42and the two degrees of rotational freedom of the rotating auger18each add to the low amount of effort required to push the device10. The user continues to make passes across the surface until the snow is moved to a desired location. After use, if the user desires to store the handle16in the retracted configuration, the user inwardly depresses the buttons52of the spring clip50until the tubular members46,48can be telescoped to the retracted configuration.

From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. For example, the disclosed manual devices could be modified to be power-driven devices. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the present invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the benefit to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.