Patent Abstract:
A snow shover including a scraper blade with a pair of spaced-apart push handles extending rearwardly therefrom. The push handles are pivotally secured to the blade about generally vertical axes. The push handles are length adjustable.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to a snow shover or pusher having a pair of elongated handles pivotally secured to the rearward side of a blade. More particularly this invention relates to a snow shover wherein each of the handles thereof is length adjustable. Even more particularly, this invention relates to a snow shover which is designed to laterally move large volumes of snow. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Many types of snow shovels and snow blades have been previously provided. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,746,859 illustrates a scraper which is V-shaped and which pushes the snow in both directions from the center. This design makes it very difficult to scrape driveways or sidewalks next to a building or fence. U.S. Pat. No. 2,826,835 discloses a snow shovel wherein the pushing force is directed to the center of the scraper blade and is designed to push the snow directly forwardly. U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,933 discloses a shovel with a crossbar handle. It appears that this shovel is very heavy with many moving parts. 
     U.S. Published Patent Application 2005/001232448 A1 discloses a snow shoveling device which is apparently designed to move snow only directly forwardly. The movement of snow directly forwardly, as in this device, is only possible for short distances before it become impossible to proceed due to the weight of the snow. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key aspects or essential aspects of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, this Summary is not intended for use as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     A snow shover is disclosed which includes an elongated blade having a concave front side, a convex rear side, an upper edge, a lower edge, a first end and a second end. A first upper mount is secured to the rear side of the blade inwardly of the first end thereof below the upper edge thereof and which extends rearwardly from the rear side of the blade. The lower end of the first upper mount has a cylindrical opening formed therein which extends upwardly thereinto. A first lower mount is secured to the rear side of the blade directly below the first upper mount and which extends rearwardly from the rear side of the blade above the lower edge of the blade. The first lower mount has a vertically disposed bore, having upper and lower ends, formed therein which extends therethrough. An upstanding first pivot shaft is disclosed which has upper and lower ends. The upper end of the first pivot shaft is pivotally received in the cylindrical opening in the lower end of the first upper mount. 
     A first mounting structure is disclosed which includes a first tee fitting is provided which has an open upper end, an open lower end, and an open side end. The open upper end of the first tee fitting is secured to the lower end of the first pivot shaft above the first lower mount. The open lower end of the first tee fitting is pivotally received in the bore of the first lower mount. A generally vertically disposed first shaft has its upper end secured to the lower end of the first tee fitting. A first 90 degree elbow, having first and second ends, has its first end secured to the lower end of the first shaft. The second end of the first elbow extends laterally rearwardly. The forward end of a horizontally extending second shaft is secured to the second end of the first elbow and extends rearwardly therefrom. The forward end of a second elbow, which is a 45 degree elbow, is secured to the rearward end of the second shaft. The rearward end of the second elbow is secured to the lower end of a third shaft. A third elbow, which is a 90 degree elbow, has its lower end secured to the upper end of the third shaft. A fourth shaft has its lower end secured to the upper end of the third elbow. The upper end of the fourth shaft is secured to the side end of a second tee fitting. The lower end of the second tee fitting has the upper end of a fifth shaft secured thereto. The lower end of the fifth shaft is secured to the rearward end of a fourth elbow, which is a 45 degree elbow. A sixth shaft connects the forward end of the fourth elbow to the side end of the first tee fitting. The lower forward end of an elongated first push handle is secured to the upper rearward end of the second tee fitting. Preferably, the first push handle is length adjustable. 
     Although the first mounting structure is described as including several individual parts or components, it is preferred that all the parts or components of the first mounting structure as well as the first pivot shaft be of one-piece or single-piece construction. 
     A second upper mount is secured to the rear side of the blade inwardly of the second end thereof below the upper edge thereof and which extends rearwardly from the rear side of the blade. The lower end of the second upper mount has a cylindrical opening formed therein which extends upwardly thereinto. A second lower mount is secured to the rear side of the blade directly below the second upper mount. The second lower mount has a vertically disposed bore, having upper and lower ends, formed therein which extends therethrough. An upstanding second pivot shaft is disclosed which has upper and lower ends. The upper end of the second pivot shaft is pivotally received in the cylindrical opening in the lower end of the second upper mount. 
     A second mounting structure is disclosed which includes a third tee fitting is provided which has an open upper end, an open lower end, and an open side end. The open upper end of the third tee fitting is secured to the lower end of the second pivot shaft above the second lower mount. The open lower end of the third tee fitting is pivotally received in the bore of the second lower mount. A generally vertically disposed seventh shaft has its upper end secured to the lower end of the third tee fitting. A fifth elbow, which is a 90 degree elbow with first and second ends, has its first end secured to the lower end of the seventh shaft. The second end of the fifth elbow extends laterally rearwardly. The forward end of a horizontally disposed eighth shaft is secured to the second end of the fifth elbow and extends rearwardly therefrom. The forward end of a sixth elbow, which is a 45 degree elbow, is secured to the rearward end of the eighth shaft. The rearward end of the sixth elbow is secured to the lower end of a ninth shaft. A seventh elbow, which is a 90 degree elbow, has its lower end secured to the upper end of the ninth shaft. A tenth shaft has its lower end secured to the upper end of the seventh elbow. The upper end of the tenth shaft is secured to the side end of a fourth tee fitting. The lower end of the fourth tee fitting has the upper end of an eleventh shaft secured thereto. The lower end of the eleventh shaft is secured to the rearward end of an eighth elbow, which is a 45 degree elbow. A twelfth shaft connects the forward end of the eighth elbow to the side end of the third tee fitting. The lower forward end of an elongated second push handle is secured to the upper rearward end of the fourth tee fitting. Preferably, the second push handle is length adjustable. 
     Although the second mounting structure is described as including several individual parts or components, it is preferred that all the parts or components of the second mounting structure as well as the second pivot shaft be of one-piece or single-piece construction. 
     It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide an improved snow shover. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a snow shover wherein first and second length adjustable push handles are secured to a scraper blade inwardly of the opposite ends thereof. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a snow shover of the type described which enables the scraper blade thereof to be angularly disposed with respect to the direction of movement of the snow shover. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a snow shover of the type described which is lightweight and easy to maneuver. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a snow shover of the type described which enables the snow shover to be pivotally moved above an obstruction in the surface being cleared. 
     A further object of the invention is to provide a snow shover of the type described wherein the push handles thereof maybe folded from operative to inoperative or storage positions. 
     These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the snow shover of this invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a lower perspective view of one of the upper mounts of this invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an upper perspective view of one of the lower mounts of this invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a partial sectional view of the snow shover of this invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top elevational view of the snow shover of this invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a view similar to  FIG. 5  except that the blade is shown in an angled position with the broken lines indicating the blade in another angled position; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating the snow shover pushing snow; 
         FIG. 8  is a view similar to  FIG. 7  except that the snow shover has been moved upwardly to pass over an obstruction in the surface being cleared of snow; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view illustrating the push handles in a folded position. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense in that the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. 
     The snow shover or pusher of this invention is designated by the reference numeral  10 . Snow shover  10  generally includes a blade  12 , a first pivot mount assembly  14 , a second pivot mount assembly  14 ′, a first mounting structure  15 , a second mounting structure  15 ′, a first handle assembly  16  and a second handle assembly  16 ′. Inasmuch as pivot mount assemblies  14  and  14 ′ are identical, only pivot mount assembly  14  will be described in detail with “′” indicating identical structure on pivot mount assembly  14 ′. Inasmuch as mounting structures  15  and  15 ′ are identical, only mounting structure  15  will be described in detail with “′” indicating identical structure on mounting structure  15 ′. Inasmuch as handle assemblies  16  and  16 ′ are identical, only handle assembly  16  will be described in detail with “′” indicating identical structure on handle assembly  16 ′. 
     Blade  12  includes a concave front side  18  and a convex back side  20 . Although it is preferred that front side  16  be concave in shape and that back side  18  be convex in shape, the front and back sides could have other arcuate shapes. Blade  12  has an upper end  22 , a lower end or edge  24 , a first or left end  26  and a second or right end  28 . Blade  12  may be comprised of any material such as aluminum, steel, or PVC. 
     The first pivot mount assembly  14  includes an upper mount  30  and a lower mount  32 . Upper mount  30  has a forward end  34  which has a shape complementary to the back side  20  of blade  12 . The forward end  34  of mount  30  is secured to the back side  20  of blade  12  by any convenient means such as adhesive, screws, etc. Mount  30  is positioned below the upper end  22  of blade  12  inwardly of end  26  of blade  12 . Mount  30  has a cylindrical opening or bore  36  extending upwardly into mount  30  from the lower end  38  thereof. 
     Lower mount  32  has a forward end  42  which has a shape complementary to the back side  20  of blade  12 . The forward end  42  of lower mount  32  is secured to the back side  20  of blade  12  by any convenient means such as adhesive, screws, etc. Mount  32  is positioned directly below mount  30 . Mount  32  has a generally vertically disposed cylindrical opening or bore  44  extending therethrough which is directly below opening  36  in mount  30 . 
     Mounting structure  15  includes a generally vertically disposed pivot shaft  46  having an upper end  48  and a lower end  50 . The upper end  48  of pivot shaft  46  is pivotally received in sleeve  40 . The lower end  50  of pivot shaft  46  is secured to the upper end  52  of a tee fitting  54 . The lower end  56  of tee fitting  52  is partially received in bore  44 . A shaft  58  has its upper end received in and secured to the lower end  56  of tee fitting  52 . The lower end of shaft  58  is received by and secured to the upper end  60  of an elbow  62 . 
     The forward end of shaft  64  is received by and secured to the lower end of the 90 degree elbow  62 . The rearward end of shaft  64  is secured to the forward end of a 45 degree elbow  66 . The rearward end of elbow  66  receives a shaft  68  which is secured thereto. One end of a 90 degree elbow  70  is secured to the upper end of shaft  68  as seen in  FIG. 4 . A short shaft  72  is received in the upper end of elbow  70  and has a tee fitting  74  secured thereto. A short shaft  76  has one end received by the tee fitting  74  as seen in  FIG. 4 . The other end of shaft  76  is received by and is secured to one end of a 45 degree elbow  78 . A shaft  80  interconnects elbow  76  and the tee fitting  54  as seen in  FIG. 4 . Although mounting structure  15  is shown as being comprised of several parts or components, it is preferred that mounting structure  15  be of single unit construction for ease of manufacture. 
     Handle assembly  16  includes an elongated, tubular portion  82 , the lower end of which is received in tee fitting  74  and which is secured thereto. Tubular portion  82  includes a plurality of spaced-apart openings  84  formed therein. Handle assembly  16  also includes an elongated, tubular portion  86  which selectively slidably receives tubular portion  82  therein. Tubular portion  86  has a pin  88  which extends through a pin opening  90  in tubular portion  86  into one of the openings  84  in tubular portion  82  to permit the length of handle assembly  16  to be selectively changed. A D-shaped handle grip  92  is secured to the outer end of tubular portion  86 . The primary reason for having the handle assembly  16  length adjustable is to accommodate persons of different heights. In the drawings, the numeral  94  refers to a concrete surface which has snow thereon. The numeral  96  refers to a raised portion in the concrete surface  94 . 
     The snow shover is used as follows. If the blade  12  is going to be used in an angularly disposed manner, which is usually the case, such as seen in  FIG. 6 , the length of handle assembly  16  may be increased if so desired so that the handle grips  92  and  92 ′ will be aligned. Normally, the handle assemblies  16  and  16 ′ will not have their lengths adjusted in response to an angular position of the blade  12 . The operator then pushes the blade  12  forwardly so that snow will be pushed to the right from blade  12 , as seen in  FIG. 6 . If snow is to be pushed to the left, the blade  12  is angled as shown by broken lines in  FIG. 6 . The pivot shafts  46  and  46 ′ enable the handle assemblies to be parallel to the direction of travel even though the blade  12  is angularly disposed. 
     If the blade  12  should engage an obstruction  96 , the operator simply lowers the handle assemblies  16  and  16 ′ so that elbows  66  and  66 ′ engage the surface  94  to pivotally move blade  12  upwardly to avoid the obstruction  96 . 
     It can therefore be seen that the snow shover of this invention is extremely easy to use with the blade  12  being angled as desired. The push handle assemblies  16  and  16 ′ may be easily pivoted from a working position to the storage position of  FIG. 9   
     Thus it can be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives. 
     Although the invention has been described in language that is specific to certain structures and methodological steps, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific structures and/or steps described. Rather, the specific aspects and steps are described as forms of implementing the claimed invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be practiced without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.

Technology Classification (CPC): 4