Patent Publication Number: US-2016230359-A1

Title: Tri-planar snow shovel for reduced heart risk and less back strain

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates broadly to shovels, and more particularly to snow shovels. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     During heavy winters in many parts of the USA and other countries, heavy snowfalls and cold weather combine resulting in snow accumulation that requires shoveling to remove enough snow for people to be safe in their residences, and to be able to move around and receive basic services, such as emergency responders. While healthy people often have no problem shoveling snow for long periods of time or in large amounts, it is common knowledge that shoveling snow can cause heart attacks and back injuries for people who may not have robust health. Despite the known dangers of shoveling snow, such as sudden increases in blood pressure and heart rate combined with blood vessels that are constricted by cold weather that leads to heart failure in some cases, or the risk of strained back muscles and spinal problems, even the people at risk sometime have no other choice but to shovel snow for themselves, or simply choose to ignore the risks out of convenience. 
     Existing snow shovels vary widely by design, but are typically curved at least slightly to capture as much snow as possible. As the curve of the snow shovel blade is increased, the depth of sidewalls is increased to provide rigidity and support. The result is a deeper scoop that allows a larger amount of snow to be lifted by a single scoop of the snow shovel. For people who are at risk for heart problems or back strain, the larger scoop increases the dangers described above. 
     Snow shovels having larger scoops are often too bulky to be stored efficiently. For example, as automobiles continue to shrink in size from year to year, carrying a snow shovel with a large scoop is difficult because it takes up too much space in a trunk. The depth of the scoop makes it difficult to store behind a seat, such as a bench seat or pair of seats found in two-passenger vehicles. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A general aspect of the invention is a snow shovel for reduced heart risk and back strain. The shovel includes a shovel blade having a major planar surface defined by a top planar edge, a bottom planar edge, a left edge and a right edge, the left and right edges characterized by the absence of sidewalls; a handle attached to the major planar surface; a top portion formed in an angular relationship of about 75 degrees with respect to the major planar surface at the top edge, the top portion having an aperture though which the handle is inserted and attached to the major planar surface; and a bottom portion having a first minor planar surface extending at a first angle from the major planar surface, and a second minor planar surface extending at a second angle from the first minor planar surface. In some embodiments, the major planar surface is transparent. In some embodiments, the first angle is approximately 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the second angle is approximately 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the major planar surface is constructed from polycarbonate. In some embodiments, the handle has a length of between approximately 40 inches long and 54 inches long. In some embodiments, the handle includes a first bend and a second bend. In some embodiments, the first bend and the second bend are in opposite directions of each other. In some embodiments, a grip is formed at the end of the handle. In some embodiments, the grip is a D-shaped grip. 
     Another general aspect of the invention is a snow shovel for reduced heart risk and back strain. The snow shovel includes a snow shovel blade having a major planar surface defined by a left edge, a right edge, a top planar edge and a bottom planar edge, the left edge and right edge characterized by the absence of sidewalls; a handle attached to the major planar surface. 
     The top planar edge is defined by a top bend, the top bend spanning from the left edge to the right edge, the top bend defining a spanning surface that is at an angular relationship of approximately 75 degrees with respect to the major planar surface, and spanning from the left edge to the right edge; the spanning surface includes an aperture through which the handle is inserted and attached to the major planar surface; wherein the bottom planar edge is defined by a central bend, the central bend spanning from the left edge to the right edge, the central bend defining a first minor planar surface extending from the bottom edge of the major planar surface at a first angle with respect to the major planar surface; and wherein the first minor planar surface is also defined by a bottom bend that is substantially parallel to the central bend, the bottom bend spanning from the left edge to the right edge to define a second minor planar surface that extends from the bottom edge of the first minor planar surface at a second angle, and forms a lowermost edge of the snow shovel blade. 
     In some embodiments, the major planar surface is transparent. In some embodiments, the first angle is approximately 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the second angle is approximately 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the major planar surface is constructed from polycarbonate. In some embodiments, the handle has a length of between approximately 40 inches long and 54 inches long. In some embodiments, the handle includes a first bend and a second bend. 
     In yet another general aspect, the invention provides a snow shovel providing reduced heart risk and back strain. The snow shovel includes a handle; a major planar portion having left, right top and bottom planar edges; a top portion formed at the top planar edge, the top portion formed at an angle that is nearly perpendicular with respect to the major planar portion and having an aperture through which the handle is inserted and attached to the major planar portion; and an angled bottom portion formed at the bottom planar edge, the bottom portion including a plurality of narrow angled planar portions running parallel to the bottom planar edge. 
     In some embodiments, the angled planar portions are defined by bends of approximately 10 degrees. In some embodiments, the handle includes a first bend and a second bend, the first bend and second bend being in opposite directions with respect to each other. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a snow shovel having a major planar surface and open sides. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the major planar surface and top and bottom portions. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the snow shovel of  FIG. 1  with a modified handle having bends in the opposite direction of each other. 
         FIG. 4  is a profile view of the bottom portion of the snow shovel raised to pass over an uneven surface beneath snow. 
         FIG. 5  is a plan view of the snow shovel in use with snow and water exiting the left and right edges of the planar portion. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Directing attention to  FIGS. 1-5 , the present invention provides a snow shovel  100 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , snow shovel  100  has a flat shovel blade defined by major planar surface  102 . Major planar surface  102  may be constructed from polycarbonate, and is defined by left edge  104 , right edge  106 , top planar edge  108 , and bottom planar edge  110 . Handle  112  attaches to planar edge  108  by fasteners inserted through screw holes (not shown) through the back side of major planar surface  102  and fastened into handle  112  with screws  113 . Top planar edge  108  includes top bend  114 , which presents top surface  116  at an angular relationship of about 75 degrees ( FIG. 2 ) with respect to major planar surface  102 . At bottom planar edge  110 , central bend  118  is formed at an angle of approximately 10 degrees ( FIG. 2 ), to form bottom portion  120 . Bottom portion  120  includes two portions: first minor planar surface  122  and second minor planar surface  124 . First and second minor planar surfaces  122 ,  124  are configured to be parallel to bottom planar edge  110 , with bottom bend  126  dividing them at an angular relationship of approximately 10 degrees ( FIG. 2 ). 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , handle  112  is inserted through aperture  117  formed within top surface  116  at or about midway between left edge  104  and right edge  106 . In an embodiment, handle  112  is a straight handle, of approximate 40 inches in length to approximately 54 inches in length, and may have a diameter of approximately 1.5 inches. Various materials can be used to construct handle  112 , such as wood, fiberglass, metal, and the like. At the end of handle  112 , D-shaped grip  132  may be included to provide a firm grasping point for a user to hold handle  112  with one hand, while another hand grasps handle  112  at another point. 
     Handle  115  can also be used with embodiments of snow shovel  100 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , handle  115  includes two separate bends  128 ,  130 . By including bends  128  and  130  in opposite directions along the length of handle  113 , major planar surface  102  can be positioned with top planar edge  110  closer to the ground, allowing a user to use snow shovel  100  in a more upright posture. 
       FIG. 4  shows bottom portion  120  of snow shovel  100  encountering an uneven surface beneath snow, such as one might find in an area with rocks or cracked concrete. When second minor planar surface  124  comes into contact with an obstruction, for example rocks  150 , the user can lower handle  112 ,  115  to raise the front edge of second minor planar surface  124  above rock  150 . Handle  112  is designed with portability and comfort in mind. For example 40-inch lengths are useful for embodiments stored in trucks and automobiles because of the short length, while longer lengths, such as 54-inch lengths, are more comfortable for taller users. Handle  115  is designed with reduction of back strain in mind, as the user can assume a more upright posture because of bends  128 ,  130  placing planer surface at a lower angle with respect to the ground. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates how using snow shovel  100  reduces heart strain. Because of the open sides at left edge  104  and right edge  106 , excess snow  160  falls off snow shovel  100  from the sides during use. Thus, snow shovel  100  has a reduced capacity to move snow when compared to curved or scoop-shaped snow shovels. This prevents a user from attempting to lift large shovelfuls of snow, a common source of heart strain during snow shoveling. Additionally, in applications where there is wet snow and slush, water  162  exits major planar surface  102  and lower portion  120  from left edge  104  and right edge  106 , as major planar surface  102  does not have a concave surface as found in traditional snow shovels so water drains freely during use. 
     While a snow shovel for reduced heart and back strain has been illustrated in detail, it is to be understood that numerous modifications can be made to various embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.