Abstract:
A manual snow plow with ergonomic features comprises a snow scoop, two (2) articulating struts extending upward from the scoop and two (2) hinged rounded braces placed against a user&#39;s shoulders during use. The struts are provided with cross bracing which provide size adjustability and stability to the plow. A set of position adjustable hand grips extend from each strut in a rearward fashion to control the device during use. A pair of casters provided on a rear of the snow scoop allows the device to ride over cracks and other uneven surface variations. The snow plow becomes an extension of the user&#39;s body and thus enables the user to use the force of their entire body to move snow.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention was first described in a notarized Official Record of Invention on Nov. 21, 2008, that is on file at the offices of Montgomery Patent and Design, LLC, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to snow removal devices, and more particularly, to a manual snow plow 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Those who live in areas where the winter climate brings snow, know all too well of the work associated with the snow removal process. Those that must remove snow from driveways, sidewalks, and porches, typically utilize a snow shovel to help in this process. Snow shovel design typically includes an elongated handle having a wide shovel blade with various degrees of curved surfaces. While snow shovels work, they are not without disadvantages. One (1) of these disadvantages is the risk of back pain or injury that may result from lifting heavy loads of snow. During snow removal process the user is forced to bend over, scoop an amount of snow with the shovel, and lift and throw the snow to desired location. Even if injury is avoided, the process is tiring and time consuming. It is thus easy to see that when coupled with cold weather, large amounts of snow, and frequent snow removal schedules, the process can become quite daunting. 
     Some attempts to improve upon the snow shovel can be seen by reference in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,103,954, issued in the name of Vaslas, describes a snow shovel having an auxiliary handle to enable a user to shovel snow without having to bend over; and, 4,772,057, issued in the name of Harvey, describes a balanced snow shovel to enable the user to lift snow with more ease and without suffering back strain. These designs are unsatisfactory, making it very difficult to push or plow snow and limit the amount of snow which can be removed for a given amount of effort. 
     The pushing or “plowing” motion enables the user to remove much more snow without having to lift the snow off the ground. Attempts have been made to provide devices which enable the user to push snow to the side instead of having to shovel it and can be seen by example in the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,388,985, issued in the name of Martin, describes an adjustable two-way hand snow plow; 4,910,893, issued in the name of Asay, describes a manually operated snow plow or other utility device; 5,048,883, issued in the name of Waluk, describes a snow shovel/scraper; 5,493,797, issued in the name of Jackson, describes a wheeled plow shovel; 5,581,915, issued in the name of Labato, describes a snowplow carriage assembly for manual snow removal; 6,053,548, issued in the name of Bowles, Jr., describes a manually-operated combination shovel and plow for snow and other material. However, these examples are unsatisfactory to achieve the maximum amount of snow removal proportional to the amount of effort used in that they are not properly designed to harness the full force of the user and they fail to allow for proper adjustment for the varying sizes of different users. 
     The disclosures of the above referenced examples are incorporated herein by reference. Each of these prior attempts suffers from one (1) or more of the aforementioned disadvantage or deficiency with respect to design, function, or effectiveness. Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the risk of back pain or injury while using a snow shovel can be greatly reduced while increasing the efficiency of the snow removal process. The development of the present invention substantially departs from the conventional solutions and in doing so fulfills this need. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing art, the inventor recognized the aforementioned inherent problems and observed that there is a need for a means by which the risk of back pain or injury while using a snow shovel can be greatly reduced while increasing the efficiency of the snow removal process, the object of the present invention is to solve the aforementioned disadvantages and provide for this need. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which functions like a snow plow, utilizing the increased pushing force which can be exerted by the entire body of the user instead of only the arms and back. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can be properly adjusted to fit the particular shoulder width and height and arm length of the user, thereby providing a more comfortable and ergonomic snow removal tool. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can comfortably accept the shoulders of the user to provide much of the plowing force. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can be used to remove large amounts of snow quickly and easily by simply pushing the snow off of a surface. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can easily maneuver over irregular bumps and cracks in a surface which is in need to snow removal. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a device which can set the plowing angle of the snow scoop to a selected angle in relation to a user-engaged frame. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is simple and intuitive to use with little to no training and can be used effectively by a single user. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a device which is simple and economical to manufacture. 
     Accordingly, the above objectives and advantages are achieved by an apparatus comprising features which provide a scoop for pushing snow from a surface, a frame that is pivotally attached to the scoop for transferring a force exerted by a user to the scoop, a means to adjust a width of the frame to suit a particular shoulder width of the user; and a means to adjust a height of the frame to suit a particular height of the user. The frame includes a pair of outer struts having a lower ends that is pivotally connected to the scoop, a pair of inner struts having lower ends in a telescoping relationship with open upper ends of the outer struts, a pair of curved shoulder braces that are pivotally connected to upper ends of the inner struts, a pair of hand grips that are adjustably attached to under side surfaces of the outer struts, and a pair of wheel assemblies for guiding the scoop over uneven areas of the surface. 
     In one (1) embodiment, the device provides the scoop including a receptacle having a transverse curved rear wall joining the side walls and the top and an open face, a blade attached to a lower end of the rear wall to scrape the surface and push said snow into the receptacle, a means to adjustably secure the blade to the receptacle at a desired forward position and scraping angle, and a means to pivotably attach said frame to said scoop. 
     In further embodiments the device provides the scoop including a shovel blade to scrape the surface, a means to pivotably attach the frame to the shovel blade, and an articulation means to selectively adjust a position of the shovel blade to a selectable angle in relation to the frame. 
     Furthermore, the described features and advantages of the invention may be combined in various manners and embodiments as one skilled in the relevant art will recognize. The invention can be practiced without one (1) or more of the features and advantages described in a particular embodiment. 
     Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an environmental view of a snow plow  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the snow plow  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a lower end of the snow plow  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3B  is a detailed perspective view of a lower end of the snow plow  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4A  is a perspective view of a pair of the fixed strut of the snow plow  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective bottom view of a hand grip of the snow plow  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective of 4 snow plow  40 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                   
                 10 
                 snow plow 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 11 
                 scoop 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 12 
                 blade 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 13 
                 caster 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 14 
                 caster bracket 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 15 
                 detent pin 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 16 
                 detent pin aperture 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 17 
                 blade clamp 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 18 
                 clamp fastener 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 19 
                 adjusting apertures 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 21a 
                 first fixed strut 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 21b 
                 second fixed strut 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 22 
                 cross-member bracket 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 23 
                 first cross-member 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 24 
                 first pivot pin 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 25 
                 second cross-member 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 26 
                 strut receptacle 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 27a 
                 first hand grip 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 27b 
                 second hand grip 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 28 
                 adjustment rail 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 29 
                 clamping washer 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 31 
                 telescoping strut 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 32 
                 shoulder brace clevis 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 33 
                 shoulder brace 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 34 
                 padding 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 35 
                 second pivot pin 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 40 
                 alternate snow plow 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 41 
                 snow blade 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 42 
                 blade clevis 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 43 
                 guide 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 44 
                 caster assembly 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 45 
                 strut clevis 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 46 
                 guide apertures 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 47 
                 blade pivot pin 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 48 
                 beam 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 49 
                 guide clevis 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 60 
                 user 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 61 
                 snow 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 4B , and in terms of an alternate embodiment within  FIG. 5 . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention, and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a device and method for a snow plow (herein described as the “device”)  10 , which provides a means for applying a user&#39;s body weight as an assist in providing a safer and more effective manual snow removal operation. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an environmental view of a device  10 , according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  is shown in a snow  61  removal operation whereby the weight of a user  60  is applied onto a pair of shoulder braces  33  providing a high degree of mechanical advantage, thus enabling the user the ability to more easily and more safely move larger quantities of snow  61  than is feasible by using a standard snow shovel. A pair of adjustable hand grips  27   a ,  27   b  allows the user  60  to maintain an ergonomic position and stabilize the device  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2  perspective view of the assembled device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  10  comprises a scoop  11 , a blade  12 , and a pair of casters  13 , wherein each caster is contained within a caster bracket  14  located at opposing bottom rear outer center portions of the scoop  11 . The scoop  11  further comprises a pair of strut receptacles  26  which allow the pair of fixed struts  21   a ,  21   b  to be pivotally connected onto the scoop  11  by means of a pair of detent pins  15  inserted into corresponding detent pin apertures  16 . An upper end of each fixed strut  21   a ,  21   b  encloses a lower portion of a telescoping strut  31 , while an upper end of each telescoping strut  31  comprises the curved shoulder brace  33  which is pivotally connected onto the telescoping strut  31  by means of a clevis  32  and a second pivot pin  35 . Each shoulder brace  33  is provided with a padding  34 , thereby providing the user  60  with comfortable means of applying weight onto the device  10  while plowing the snow  61 . Each fixed strut  21   a ,  21   b  comprises a clevis-like cross member bracket  22  permanently affixed symmetrically onto opposing face portions of the fixed struts  21   a ,  21   b . A first cross-member  23  is pivotally affixed within the bracket  22  of a first fixed strut  21   a  and secured by a pivot pin  24  permanently fixed within an aperture through the top and bottom member of the bracket  22 , and through the end portion of the first cross member  23 . The outer end of the first cross-member  23  encloses a first end portion of a telescoping second cross-member  25 . The opposite end portion of the second cross-member  25  is pivotally affixed within the corresponding bracket  22  of a second fixed strut  21   b , and similarly secured by a pivot pin  24  inserted through an aperture within the bracket  22  and the end portion of the second cross-member  25 . 
     The telescoping connection between the first cross-member  23  and the second cross-member  25  allows for adjusting the spacing between the pair of fixed struts  21  to a desired shoulder spacing of the user  60 , wherein another detent pin  15  is inserted through the detent pin aperture  16  within the first cross-member  23  and through one (1) of a plurality of apertures  16  within the second cross-member  25 . The pivotal connections within the pair of strut receptacles  26 , the pair of cross-member brackets  22 , and the pair of brace devises  32  are intended to ensure the freedom of each corresponding member to accommodate an optimal ergonomic orientation. Each of the pair of fixed struts  21   a ,  21   b  further comprises a hand-grip  27   a ,  27   b  adjustably mounted onto the bottom portion of the upper end of each strut  21   a ,  21   b  by means of an adjustment rail  28 . 
     It is envisioned that the various components of the device  10 , except the blade  12 , are made of materials such as, but not limited to: steel, aluminum, fiberglass, plastics, or the like, whereby the components are all made either of the same material, or in a suitable combination of materials. The blade  12  is intended to be made of a wear resistant plastic or of a heat treated steel. The struts  21   a ,  21   b  and  31 , and the cross-members  23  and  25  are envisioned to be made as light weight tubular configurations, either square, rectangular or round, either fabricated from commercial shapes, or produced as extruded shapes. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3A , a perspective view of the bottom portion of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed, wherein the assembly of the pair of fixed struts  21   a ,  21   b  and the cross-members  23  and  25  is depicted in a state of being disconnected from the scoop  11 . Each strut receptacles  26 , cross-member bracket  22 , and shoulder brace clevis  32  comprise a pair of plates or strips which are appropriately spaced and permanently affixed onto their corresponding member by welding or chemical bonding. Alternately, these receptacles  26 , brackets  22  and devises  32  can be either formed as an integral part of its corresponding member, or be molded or formed into an appropriate “U”-shape which is removably or permanently affixed onto its corresponding member. Likewise, the caster brackets  14  intended to be either integral members of the scoop  11 , conventional commercial brackets, or made as a “U”-shaped configuration, wherein the commercial brackets or the “U”-shaped configurations are permanently affixed or removeably attached onto the bottom portion of the scoop  11 . The blade  12  is intended to be removably fastened within a lower interior portion of the scoop  11  by means of a pair of blade clamps  17 . Each blade clamp  17  is secured by means of a fastener  18  which is inserted through one (1) of a plurality of adjusting apertures  19  and threaded into the blade clamp  17 . The adjusting apertures provide a means of adjusting the amount the blade  12  is protruding beyond the edge of the scoop  11 . Since adjusting the protrusion of blade  12  moves it inwardly or outwardly against the curved interior surface of the scoop  11 , this adjustment additionally produces a variation of the angle of the blade  12 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 3B , a perspective detailed bottom view of one (1) end portion of the scoop  11  of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The detailed view depicts the caster  13 , the caster bracket  14 , and the blade  12  protruding beyond the bottom edge of the scoop  11 . Additionally,  FIG. 3B  depicts the blade clamp  17 , the clamp fastener  18  and the adjusting apertures  19 . The pair of blade clamps  17  securely fastens the blade  12  onto the bottom inside portion of the scoop  11  by means of a pair of fasteners  18 , each passing through one (1) corresponding adjusting aperture  19  and tightened by engaging a threaded aperture provided within the clamp fastener  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4A , a perspective view of the fixed struts  21  of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The fixed struts  21   a ,  21   b  are depicted in a disassembled state, which more clearly depicts the pivotal and telescoping disposition of the cross-bracing struts  23 ,  25 . The upper end portion of each fixed strut  21   a ,  21   b  comprises a hand grip  27   a ,  27   b , wherein an adjustment rail  28  and a clamping washer  29  provide the means for adjusting and securely locking each hand grip  27   a ,  27   b  in a desired upward or downward direction. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4B , a perspective bottom view of the hand grip  27  adjustment portion of the device  10 , according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. Each hand grip  27   a ,  27   b  is envisioned to be covered by a comfortable semi-soft material which is not affected by snow and cold temperatures, such as, but not limited to: rubber, fabric or plastic. Additionally, the upper end of each hand grip  27   a ,  27   b  comprises a threaded extension inserted within a corresponding threaded aperture within a clamping washer  29 . A clockwise rotation of each hand grip  27   a ,  27   b  allows it to be securely locked in place by drawing the clamping washer  29  against an inside portion of the adjustment rail  28 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a perspective view of a device  40 , according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention, is disclosed. The device  40 , which is intended to be used in conjunction with the strut configuration which is similar to the one depicted for the device  10 , comprises a beam  48 , a snow blade  41 , a pair of blade devises  42 , a pair of commercial caster assemblies  44 , and a pair of strut devises  45  intended to receive the bottom end portion of the fixed struts  21 . The assembly of the beam  48 , and the pair of caster assemblies  44  fastened onto the bottom outside corners of the beam  48 , constitutes a chassis which supports the pair of strut devises  45  fastened onto the rear face portion of the beam  48 , and a pair of guide devises  49  fastened onto opposing end face portions of the beam  48 . The snow blade  41  comprises a pair of blade devises  42  fastened onto opposing outside rear portions of the blade  41  adjacent to the outer edge, each comprising a curved pivotally mounted guide  43  extending through a guide clevis  49  and secured by a detent pin  15 . This alternate embodiment  40  is designed to allow the snow blade to be set at an angle intended to deflect the snow  61  into a desired direction, to secure the desired setting by means of the pair of detent pins  15 , inserted in the guide clevis detent pin aperture and one (1) of a plurality of guide apertures  46 . The design of this alternate embodiment  40  allows the weight of the user  60  to be ergonomically applied in a manner which is similar to that of the device  10  through the similar assembly of the shoulder braces  33 , the telescoping struts  31 , and the fixed struts  21   a ,  21   b  even with the snow blade  41  positioned at any of the possible angles. 
     Additionally, alternative embodiments of the present invention  10  may comprise a variety of alternate snow  61  moving configurations, in addition to the scoop  11  depicted for the device  10  within  FIGS. 1 through 4B , and the snow blade  41  depicted for the alternate device  40  within  FIG. 5 . However, the invention  10  is not limited to the described embodiments, as alternate configuration would include, but not be limited to: “V”-shapes, flat board-like, condition specific curvatures, and serrated leading edge. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the device  10 , it would be installed as indicated in  FIG. 2A . 
     The method of utilizing the device  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: inspecting all parts; ascertaining the presence of all accessories; installing the first fixed strut  21   a  into its corresponding strut receptacle  26 ; making sure the pivotally attached first cross-member  23  is pointed in an inward direction; securing the first fixed strut  21   a  within its receptacle  26  by means of a first detent pin  15 ; installing the second fixed strut  21   b  into its corresponding strut receptacle  26 ; securing the second fixed strut  21   b  within its receptacle  26  by means of a second detent pin  15 ; moving the pair of fixed struts  21   a ,  21   b  as needed to align the first cross-member  23  with the second cross member  25 ; inserting the free end of second cross-member  25  into the free end of first cross-member  23 ; securing the cross-member  23  and  25  sub-assembly by means of a third detent pin  15 ; installing the free end of each telescoping strut  31  and shoulder brace  33  sub-assembly into the upper end of each fixed strut  21   a ,  21   b ; securing each telescoping strut by means of a fourth and fifth detent pin  15 ; checking the assembled device  10  for comfort; performing adjustments, if and as necessary, by removing the appropriate detent pins  15 ; moving the movable members to align different adjusting apertures  19  with the detent apertures  16 ; re-installing the detent pins  15  to secure the adjustment; loosening a first hand grip  27   a  by rotating it clockwise (as seen from the top); sliding the loosened hand grip  27   a  onto a comfortable location; tightening the first hand grip  27   a  counter-clockwise to firmly secure it in place; repeating these steps to adjust the opposite hand grip  27   b ; transporting the device  10  from the assembly site to a desired location; clearing the snow  61  from the desired location; removing snow  61  and other residue from all parts of the device  10 ; cleaning the device and storing it in an assembled state. 
     The method of utilizing the alternate device  40  may be achieved by first performing assembly and adjusting steps similar to those performed for the device  10 ; after installing the struts  21   a ,  21   b  and  31  and the cross-member  23  and  25  and securing the assemblies with the plurality of detent pins, the final assembly of the device  40  requires the following additional assembly steps: standing the snow blade  41  in an upright position against a wall or workbench structure; aligning the pair of guides  43  with the pair of guide devises  49 ; moving the chassis toward the standing snow blade  41  to engage the guides  43  into the guide devises  49 ; aligning the desired guide  43  adjusting apertures with the guide clevis  49  apertures; securing the snow blade  41  into the desired angle by inserting one (1) detent pin  15  through each of the guide devises  49  top aperture, through one (1) of each guide  43  adjusting apertures, and through the guide clevis  49  bottom aperture. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.