Non-motorized machine for throwing snow or other debris

A manually operated machine, which requires minimal physical effort and does not produce harmful pollution, is provided for throwing snow or other debris. The machine includes a frame supported by at least one wheel that actuates at least one rotating blade or brush when the machine is pushed forward. A handle is provided to facilitate pushing the machine and a shroud is provided to help direct the snow or debris and shield the operator from misdirected material. A pivoting mechanism allows an operator to direct the thrown debris to either side by pivoting the blade or brush. An adjustment lever and a pivot lock are provided to facilitate the pivoting action.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to a machine for removing debris, 
and more specifically to a non-motorized, or manually operated, machine 
for throwing snow or other debris. 
Throughout winter a household or business often encounters a need to remove 
snow from sidewalks or driveways. Although numerous devices are known in 
the art to provide snow removal, these devices tend to fall into two 
categories: (1) snow shovels, which require substantial physical effort, 
and (2) powered snow blowers and snow throwers, which are not only 
expensive but bulky and contribute to pollution. Other inventions have 
tried to fill the gap between these two extremes, but they too are either 
too labor intensive or work ineffectively. For example, some devices are 
little more than a push shovel with wheels. Another device positions a set 
of wheels so that a shovel becomes a lever that assists in lifting away 
unwanted snow. Although aided by the use of wheels, these devices still 
require great physical exertion to push and transport the snow. 
Additional snow removal machines employ an auger to force the snow to one 
side. Even though such devices avoid lifting and throwing the snow, unless 
aided by a motor they still require extreme effort to move through the 
snow. 
Although there are other mechanical snow removal machines that attempt to 
lift and deposit the snow to one side using a series of blades, brushes, 
or belts, these devices are bulky and difficult to manipulate. 
Motorized snow blowers and snow throwers provide effective snow removal, 
but they also require fuel or electricity to operate, thus incurring 
additional expenses and contributing to environmental pollution. Motorized 
machines also require extensive maintenance for them to run properly. 
Furthermore, because motorized machines are bulky, they are neither 
efficient nor effective for small jobs. 
Even though the present invention is ideal for removing snow, the invention 
can also be adapted to push away other types of debris such as dirt, 
trash, leaves, water, sawdust, gravel, or other similar material. 
Accordingly, the present invention's use should not be limited to the 
removal of snow. 
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a machine that effectively 
removes snow or other debris with minimal physical effort and without the 
need for an engine or motor that requires fuel and thus produces harmful 
pollution. 
SUMMARY 
According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and 
advantages are attained by providing a non-motorized, or manually 
operated, machine comprising a throwing mechanism that includes at least 
one rotating blade or brush that throws the snow or debris forward. The 
blade is attached to a primary drive shaft that is rotatably coupled to a 
frame. The frame is supported by at least one wheel. The blade is 
mechanically connected to the support wheel such that as the support wheel 
turns, by pushing the machine forward, it actuates the throwing mechanism. 
A handle is provided to facilitate pushing the machine. A shroud is 
provided to help direct the snow or debris and shield the operator from 
misdirected material. 
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the throwing mechanism 
is pivotally supported such that the operator can pivot the throwing 
mechanism and thus control the direction in which the machine throws the 
snow or debris. An adjustment lever and a pivot lock are also provided for 
easy pivoting of the throwing mechanism and locking it in place. 
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the machine employs 
blades that can scoop away snow, slush, or other type of debris. 
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the machine employs 
bristles, which may form a brush, that can more easily wisp away light 
snow, dirt, or other type of debris. 
A further advantage of the invention is a disengaging clutch that allows an 
operator to disengage the throwing mechanism during transport. An 
adjustment lever is also provided to allow easy manipulation of the 
clutch. 
A further advantage of the invention is a ratcheting freewheel that 
transmits torque in only one direction, thus disengaging the throwing 
mechanism if the machine is moved in reverse. 
The machine thus provides an easy to operate, environmentally friendly, 
labor saving way to remove snow or other debris.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those 
skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments 
herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in 
other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been 
described, the details may be changed without departing from the 
invention, which is defined by the claims. 
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGS. 
1, 2 and 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the device generally provides a supporting 
frame 22, a handle member 38, a support wheel 21, a shroud 30, a throwing 
mechanism 40, and drive mechanism 60. 
FIGS. 2 and 3 show that in one embodiment the frame 22 includes two 
generally parallel rails 23 and 24 connected by a crosspiece 25. The frame 
22 further includes two generally parallel rails 26 and 27 attached to 
rails 23 and 24 respectively to support the handle member 38. Additional 
support may be provided by connecting rails 26 and 27 by a crosspiece 29 
and by providing a support rail 28 running between rail 23 and rail 26, 
and a support rail 28 running between rail 24 and rail 27. Although this 
configuration is the preferred embodiment, other frame 22 configurations 
will also provide adequate support. 
The frame 22 can be made of any material sufficiently strong to withstand 
the pressures exerted upon it. Although steel is used in the preferred 
embodiment, aluminum, plastic, metal or plastic tubing, or wood may be 
used. Depending on the material used, the handle member 38 is attached to 
the supporting frame 22 using welding techniques, screws, cooperating nuts 
and bolts, or other methods commonly known in the art. To facilitate 
manual pushing of the machine, the handle member 38 should be 
ergonomically designed. 
Although in the preferred embodiment one support wheel 21 is used, 
additional support wheels may be added to provide stability. The support 
wheel 21 can be of any functional size. While any wheel diameter between 
12 and 48 inches is practical, a wheel diameter of 24 to 36 inches is 
preferred. A practical embodiment operated successfully using a 
conventional 26 inch diameter bicycle wheel. Not only does a large 
diameter support wheel 21 expedite moving the machine, but a large 
diameter support wheel 21 also allows a greater diameter drive wheel 62, 
which in turn enables the machine to rotate the drive mechanism 60 at a 
greater velocity. This action is explained later. 
As shown in FIG. 4, the throwing mechanism 40 comprises a primary drive 
shaft 42 journaled in bearings 43 seated in a pair of laterally spaced 
uprights 44 secured to the frame 22. Coupled to the primary drive shaft 42 
is at least one scraper blade 50. The preferred embodiment includes four 
scoop-shaped scraper blades 50 coupled to the primary drive shaft 42 at 
approximately equidistant intervals. The blades 50 may be scoop-shaped 52 
as depicted in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7. The blades 50 may be made of metal such 
as steel or aluminum, plastic, rubber, natural or synthetic bristles or 
other material suitable for removal of a specific type of debris. For 
example, although a steel blade is most suitable for hard snow and ice, a 
rubber blade may be most suitable for pushing away slush or water. For wet 
snow a metal blade with a non-stick coating 54, such as Teflon, is most 
practical. For added strength, especially if plastic is used, the blade 
may contain vertical ribbing or beading (not shown.) To remove light snow, 
the blade may comprise multiple bristles configured to form at least one 
brush 56, as shown in FIG. 13. An alternate brush configuration 58 is 
illustrated in FIG. 14. A brush 56 or 58 not only permits easy removal of 
light snow, but also allows the machine to sweep away dirt and other 
debris. Utilizing a brush 56 or 58 to sweep away dirt will extend the 
machine's usefulness to any season. Consequently, by designing the machine 
to utilize a brush 56 or 58 the machine may be used in warmer climates 
that do not experience snowfall. 
As further depicted in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment includes a partial 
enclosure or shroud 30 attached to the frame 22. The shroud 30 includes a 
conforming portion 34 that partially surrounds the throwing mechanism 50. 
The shroud 30 may also contain a runner portion 32 to scrape up ice, snow, 
dirt, or other debris. The conforming portion 34 is radially spaced from 
the throwing mechanism 40 so as to conform to the throwing mechanism's 40 
path 48. The shroud 30 can be made of steel, aluminum, plastic, rubber, or 
any other material sufficiently strong to guide the debris and protect the 
operator from misdirected material. If a heavier gage material is used to 
construct portions of the shroud 30, theses portions may act as part of 
the frame 22 in supporting the throwing mechanism 40 or portions of the 
drive mechanism 60. 
The runner portion 32 of the shroud 30 may be made of hard steel for wear 
qualities or otherwise reinforced to withstand the harsh wear of scraping 
against the ground. The runner portion 32 is secured to the free end lip 
35 of the conforming portion 34 of the shroud 30 and may be removable so 
that the runner portion 32 can be easily replaced once it is worn. Because 
a runner portion 32 may not be practical in an alternate embodiment that 
utilizes brushes 56 or 58, an easily removed runner portion 32 would 
facilitate switching between a scoop-shaped 52 blade 50 and a brush 56 or 
58. 
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 7, the drive mechanism 60 includes a drive wheel 
62, a driven wheel 64, and a means of mechanically connecting the drive 
wheel 62 and the driven wheel 64. The means of mechanically connecting the 
drive wheel 62 and the driven wheel 64 may include at least one belt 70, 
at least one chain 71, a series of interlocking gears 72, or a combination 
of these mechanical devices. Care must be taken to arrange the belt 70, 
chain 71, gears 72, or other means so that the throwing mechanism rotates 
in a direction that would throw the snow or debris forward. This may 
include twisting a belt 70 or chain 71 into a figure-eight configuration 
73 as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. 
For the best results, the throwing mechanism 40 must rotate quite rapidly. 
Consequently, the drive wheel 62 must be larger than the driven wheel 64. 
As seen in FIG. 7, in the preferred embodiment the drive wheel 62 is 
substantially larger than the driven wheel 64. 
The preferred embodiment of the drive mechanism 60 further includes an 
intermediate drive mechanism 80, best shown in FIGS. 2 and 8. The 
intermediate drive mechanism 80 includes an intermediate drive shaft 82 
rotatably coupled to the frame 22, a first wheel 84, and a second wheel 
86. The first wheel 84 and the second wheel 86 are attached near opposing 
ends of the intermediate drive shaft 82. In this preferred embodiment, the 
drive wheel 62 is mechanically connected to the first wheel 84, and the 
second wheel 86 is mechanically connected to the driven wheel 64. 
The means of mechanically connecting the drive wheel 62 to the first wheel 
84, or the second wheel 86 to the driven wheel 64 can include a belt 70, a 
chain 71, or other comparable means. If a belt 70 is used, the drive wheel 
62, first wheel 84, second wheel 86, or driven wheel 64 would each need to 
include a channel 75, such as a pulley 74, to support the belt 70. If a 
chain 71 is used, the drive wheel 62, first wheel 84, second wheel 86, or 
driven wheel 64 would need to include teeth 77, such as a sprocket 76, to 
support and grip the chain 71. A further embodiment uses a corrugated belt 
(not shown) in conjunction with a grooved pulley (not shown) to reduce 
slip. 
If a series of gears 72 is used, the second wheel 86, the driven wheel 64, 
and any intermediate gears 78 would need to have teeth to grip one 
another. Furthermore, to keep the primary drive shaft 42 rotating in the 
proper direction to throw the snow or debris forward, an even number of 
gears must be placed between the second wheel 86 and the driven wheel 64. 
The non-motorized machine 20 as illustrated is of relatively light weight 
construction and is intended to be manually pushed forward by the 
operator. However, if it is desired, the machine could readily be designed 
to be power operated or be pushed by a motorized vehicle such as an 
automobile, snowmobile, motorcycle, or all terrain vehicle. 
A pivoting mechanism 100, as shown in FIG. 3, is the preferred method of 
directing the thrown material. The pivoting mechanism 100 includes a 
housing 102 attached to the frame 22. If a heavier gage material is used 
to construct portions of the shroud 30, theses portions may act as part of 
the frame 22 in supporting the housing 102. Within the housing 102 fits an 
adjustable shaft 104 such that the adjustable shaft 104 can slide back and 
forth through the housing 102. Referring to FIG. 4 it can be seen that the 
primary drive shaft 42 is journaled in bearings 43 seated in a pair of 
laterally spaced uprights 44 secured to the adjustment shaft 104 via a 
pivoting joint 120 near the second end 46 of the primary drive shaft 42. 
The first end 45 of the primary drive shaft 42 is journaled in bearings 43 
seated in a pair of laterally spaced uprights 44 secured to the frame 22. 
A universal joint 122 is placed along the primary drive shaft 42 to enable 
the primary drive shaft 42 to rotate after it is pivoted. 
The pivoting mechanism 100 further comprises an adjustment lever 106 whose 
second end 110 is coupled to the adjustable shaft 104 and whose first end 
108 is slidably connected to a pivot lock mechanism 112 located on the 
handle member 38. As shown in FIG. 10, the pivot lock mechanism 112 
includes at least one aperture 114 to lock the pivot mechanism 100 in 
place by sliding the first end 108 of the adjustment lever 106 into an 
aperture 112. A guide bar 116 may be connected to the adjustment lever 106 
to help guide the adjustment lever 106 into the desired aperture 114. 
As shown in FIG. 3, an operator can apply pressure to the adjustment lever 
106 thereby moving the adjustable shaft 104 to slide through the housing 
102 and push the second end 46 of the throwing mechanism 40 forward. The 
pivoting joint 120 works in conjunction with the universal joint 122 to 
allow the blade 50 to pivot yet still allow the throwing mechanism 40 to 
rotate. The throwing mechanism 40 is locked into a pivoted position by 
placing the first end 108 of the adjustment lever 106 into an aperture 
114, which prohibits the pivot mechanism 100 from further movement. By a 
like process, pulling on the adjustment lever 106 will pivot the throwing 
mechanism 40 in the opposite direction. 
FIG. 11 shows the drive mechanism 60 further including a disengaging clutch 
130. Although a disengaging clutch 130 could be placed any where along the 
drive mechanism 60, in the preferred embodiment the disengaging clutch 130 
is placed along the intermediate drive shaft 82 of the intermediate drive 
mechanism 80. The disengaging clutch allows the machine's 20 operator to 
disengage the drive mechanism 60 so that the throwing mechanism 40 will 
not rotate when the support wheel 21 rotates. To reduce wear and increase 
safety, the disengaging clutch 130 allows an operator to push the machine 
20 to a job site without having the throwing mechanism 40 rotate. To allow 
easy manipulation of the disengaging clutch 130, an adjustment lever 132 
is provided. 
The machine 20 may further include a ratcheting freewheel 136, FIG. 12, 
that transmits torque in only one direction. The freewheel 136 is 
implemented to disengage the throwing mechanism 40 when the machine 20 is 
moved in reverse. Although in the preferred embodiment the driven wheel 64 
houses the freewheel 136, the freewheel 136 may be incorporated into any 
part of the drive mechanism 60 including the drive wheel 62, the first 
wheel 84, the second wheel 86, or the disengaging clutch 130. 
FIG. 9 depicts the ability to adjust the belt 70 or chain 71 tension by 
sliding the bearing block 94 along an elongated opening 96 in the frame 
22. FIG. 7 depicts a similar mechanism whereby one may adjust the belt 70 
or chain 71 tension by sliding the support wheel 21 along an elongated 
opening 98 in the frame 22. FIG. 6 depicts a similar mechanism whereby one 
may adjust the belt 70 or chain 71 tension by sliding the throwing 
mechanism 40 along an elongated opening 97 in the frame 22. 
The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the 
invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will 
readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the 
invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. 
While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be 
changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the 
claims.