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Manual snowplow with a wooden bladeRelated Patent Categories: Excavating, Snow Or Ice Removing Or Grooming By Portable Device, Manually PoweredManual snowplow with a wooden blade description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070186450, Manual snowplow with a wooden blade. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/753,886, filed Jan. 7, 2004 and the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] The present invention relates to a device used for snow removal. In particular, the present invention relates to a snowplowing device having a blade of sufficient size and design to allow efficient and inexpensive snow removal. [0003] Manual snow shovels are a familiar means for removing snow from driveways and walkways. However, shoveling can become cumbersome and inefficient as the surface to be shoveled reaches proportions greater than that of a conventional sidewalk. For example, the repetitive scooping actions associated with shoveling snow can become fatiguing and time consuming. In this manner, strength and endurance limitations play a large role in the effectiveness of manual shoveling. [0004] Another readily recognizable solution to snow removal is a powered snow-removing machine more commonly known as a "snow blower." While snow blowers solve many of the problems associated with removing snow from larger areas, problems remain. For example, snow blowers present a significant investment in purchase price, storage, and maintenance. Additionally, many snow blowers work poorly in lighter snowfalls and are simply inappropriate for snowfalls of approximately four and one-half inches or less. [0005] A possible alternative to conventional shovels or snow blowers is a manual snow-pushing tool (hereinafter referred to as a "manual snowplowing device.") The manual snowplowing devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,597,204; 5,309,654; and 6,237,258 B1 reference potential advantages over shovels and snow blowers by allowing a user to impart a sliding motion on a plow blade when removing snow. One advantage arises as pushing or sliding alleviates the need for the repetitive lifting actions associated with shoveling. An advantage over snow blowers lies in the ability to effectively remove snow associated with lighter snowfalls without the consequential cost and efforts associated with powered snow blowers. Unfortunately, known manual snowplowing devices have several deficiencies. For example, the prior manual snowplowing devices have blades that are either inadequately sized or insufficiently rigid to effectively and efficiently remove snow from larger surfaces. Yet another problem associated with manual snowplowing devices of prior design is the complexity of the steps and corresponding number of parts needed for assembly. [0006] In sum, a need exists for a push-type, manual snowplowing device with a blade of adequate size and structure to efficiently remove snowfalls of four and one-half inches or less. That need encompasses a tool avoiding the physical strain associated with shoveling while remaining cost effective, relatively maintenance free, and amenable to storage and user assembly. BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The invention will be further described with reference to the drawing wherein corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawing, and wherein: [0008] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a manual snowplowing device in accordance with the present invention. [0009] FIG. 2 shows an exploded side view of manual snowplowing device of FIG. 1. [0010] FIG. 3. details a back perspective view of the manual snowplowing device of FIG. 1. [0011] FIG. 4 shows an alternative manual snowplowing device in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0012] In the following Detailed Description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof. The drawings show specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced by way of illustration. In this regard, directional terminology, such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "leading," "trailing," etc., is used with reference to the orientation of the FIGS. being described. Because components of embodiments of the present invention can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is used for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following detailed description is not to be taken in a limiting sense as the scope of the present invention is to be defined by the appended claims. [0013] A preferred embodiment of a manual snowplowing device 10 in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The manual snowplowing device 10 includes a rigid wooden blade 12, a coupling device 14, and a handle 16. The elements of the snow plowing device 10 and their interrelation will be described in greater detail below. However, the named elements are generally related wherein the handle 16 is securely mounted within the coupling device 14, which is in turn secured to the wooden blade 12. The basic mode of operating the manual snowplowing device 10 generally includes a user (not shown) imparting a sliding force on the handle 16, which is then translated through the coupling device 14 to the wooden blade 12. In this manner, the blade 12 is used to push a mass of snow corresponding to a length of the blade 12. [0014] With additional reference to FIG. 2, the wooden blade 12 defines a front face 18, a back face 20, a top side 22, and a bottom side 24. As previously alluded to, the front face 18 of the blade 12 serves as a plowing surface, wherein the front face 18 contacts and pushes the snow to be removed from a surface. In order to effectively remove snow, it is preferable that the blade 12 be configured to resist deflection or flexure during plowing, especially when plowing relatively large amounts of snow. Excessive flexure of the blade 12 results in structural fatigue or failure and less consistent plowing passes. It is well known that the deflection of a generally rigid member is partially a function of the elastic modulus of the material, the load applied, the total length of the member, and the cross-sectional area of the member. It has surprisingly been found that wood products of appropriate dimensions will serve to provide a sufficiently rigid blade 12 at a low cost and at high availability. Wood products and materials are often supplied in rectangular planks or boards. As a result, in a preferred embodiment, the wooden blade 12, and thus the front face 18 and the back face 20 of the wooden blade 12 are generally rectangular in shape and define a thickness of the wooden blade 12 selected to ensure sufficient structural rigidity. In a preferred embodiment, the blade 12 forms a plurality of holes 23 for accepting a plurality of bolts 25 or other similar fastener means as described below. [0015] In the preferred embodiment, the blade 12 is formed of pine and has a length of not less than 36 inches, more preferably in the range of 36-54 inches, more preferably in the range of 40-50 inches, and even more preferably 48 inches in order to provide a sufficiently wide plow path. The blade 12 has a thickness in the range of 3/8- 6/8 inch, more preferably 5/8 inch and a height of not less than 4.5 inches, more preferably in the range of 5-6 inches, more preferably 5.5 inches. While the preferred embodiment incorporates the materials and dimensions described above, it is notable that a number of different wood types can be combined with varying thicknesses and heights to provide sufficient blade rigidity at a particular length and load. The wood types include, but are not limited to, pine, oak, particleboard, cedar, and treated lumber. By choosing a relatively thick wood product for the blade 12, the resultant manual snowplowing device 10 is relatively light weight, yet the blade 12 remains rigid under load and thus allows use of a relatively small coupling device 14, as described below. To this end, it has surprisingly been found that forming the blade 12 of pine having a length of 48 inches, a thickness of 5/8 inch and a height of 5.5 inches provides an optimal balance between available plowing surface area, necessary rigidity, and weight. [0016] The coupling device 14 of the manual snowplowing device 10 is illustrated in greater detail in FIG. 2. In one embodiment, the coupling device 14 includes a metal faceplate 26 and a metal sleeve 28. The metal faceplate 26 defines a front face 30 and a back face 32, which combine to define a shape and a corresponding thickness. In a preferred embodiment, the front face 30 is generally planar, which as will be described in greater detail below, serves to aid attaching of the metal faceplate 26 to the wooden blade 12. Material economy should be emphasized to promote cost effectiveness, transportability, and ease of assembly. As previously mentioned, the rigidity of the wooden blade 12 allows a relatively small metal faceplate 26 while still ensuring the necessary structural support to the snowplowing device 10 during snow removal. As such, with the preferred embodiment of FIG. 2, the faceplate 26 defines a generally rectangular shape having a longest dimension not more than one-quarter a length of the wooden blade 12. More preferably, a longest dimension of the faceplate is not more than one-sixth the length of the wooden blade 12. Additionally, the faceplate 26 can include a plurality of holes 33 for accepting bolts or other fasteners well known in the art to facilitate assembly of the snowplowing device 10. [0017] The metal faceplate 26 can be formed of a wide variety of metals including, but not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other related alloys. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the metal faceplate 26 is formed of stainless steel and defines a generally rectangular shape having a length of not more than 9 inches, more preferably in the range of 5-9 inches, more preferably in the range of 6-8 inches, and most preferably approximately 7 inches, and a thickness of approximately 0.25 inch. With the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the metal faceplate 26 also includes four holes 33 (two of which are shown in FIG. 2) generally located at the corners of the metal faceplate 26. While the metal faceplate 26 has been described as defining a generally rectangular shape, the faceplate 26 can take a variety of shapes as is discussed further below in association with alternative embodiments. [0018] In the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the metal sleeve 28 is immovably welded to the faceplate 26, having a first end 34 welded to the faceplate 26 and having a terminal end 36 extending angularly relative to the back face 32 of the faceplate 26. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the metal sleeve 28 defines a tubular shape extending linearly from the back face 32 of the metal faceplate 26. However, the metal sleeve 28 can extend to define a variety of shapes including arcs, multiple angles, or combinations thereof. The sleeve 28 may also include a plurality of holes for accepting bolts or other similar fasteners. [0019] The metal sleeve 28 can also be formed of a wide variety of metals including, but not limited to, aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other related alloys. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the metal sleeve 28 is formed of stainless steel and defines a generally linear and tubular shape. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the terminal end 36 defines a face generally perpendicular to a central axis of the metal sleeve 28, while the first end 34 defines a face cut at an angle of approximately 35 degrees relative to the central axis of the metal sleeve 28. With the embodiment of FIG. 2, the sleeve 28 includes a hole 37 for accepting a bolt 41 or the like. Additionally, the metal sleeve 28 preferably has a length in the range of 4-6 inches to ensure sufficient surface area contact with the handle 12 (FIG. 1) as described below. [0020] Returning to FIG. 1, the handle 16 of the manual snowplowing device 10 includes a generally solid, cylindrical shaft 17 defining a length and a diameter. As is shown more clearly in FIG. 2, the handle 16 includes a distal section 38, which is sized for insertion into the metal sleeve 28 of the coupling device 14. In a preferred embodiment, the distal section 38 includes at least one hole 39 for accepting the bolt 41 or other fastener. In another preferred embodiment, the distal section 38 of the handle 16 further includes a thin metal jacket 40 received over the shaft 17, which also includes the hole 39 for accepting the bolt 41 or other fastener. Continue reading about Manual snowplow with a wooden blade... Full patent description for Manual snowplow with a wooden blade Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Manual snowplow with a wooden blade patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Manual snowplow with a wooden blade or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Apparatus, system, and method for unibody skate boot Next Patent Application: Rotation-type working machine Industry Class: Excavating ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Manual snowplow with a wooden blade patent info. 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