Inexpensive lightweight single-blade snowplow

Abstract

A lightweight, adjustable snowplow, able to be lifted, carried, and manipulated by one person, adult or teenager, of normal strength, designed to remove new-fallen or otherwise soft snow or slush. It has a minimum number of parts. A plurality of struts attaches the plow to any kind of towing vehicle, providing horizontal and vertical stability. No brackets, hitches, or lifting devices are needed on the towing vehicle.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Disclosure Document 514892 covering this invention was received by the PTO on Jul. 15, 2002. This invention is related to, but different from, application Ser. No. 10 / 230,446, filed Aug. 30, 2002 (published on Mar. 4, 2004 as Application 20040040184) by the present inventor, Customer 3571.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] a. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention relates to devices for removing snow from driveways; from streets, roads, highways, etc. (hereinafter for simplicity called “roadways”); from all or parts of parking lots; from biking-hiking trails; and from sidewalks and other walkways. [0004] b. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Most plows for the removal of snow are mounted on the front of a vehicle. However, snowplows made for attachment to the front of vehicles are very heavy and require much bracket hardware and other complex hardware for controlling and stabilizing purposes. Their weight and rigidity often cause ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0033] The present invention is a device for the removal of new-fallen snow, otherwise still-soft snow, or slush from driveways, roadways, all or parts of parking lots, biking-hiking trails, and from sidewalks and other walkways. (Since the object of plowing is to remove snow as soon as possible, virtually all snow to be removed is new-fallen or, at least, still soft.) This invention has a minimum number of parts; is effective, simple, inexpensive and lightweight; requires no assembly and disassembly, except in unusual circumstances when a change in width of path or direction of snow deposit (left or right side) is desired; is quickly and easily adjustable for a change in width of path or direction of snow deposit (right or left side); is easily and quickly attached to and detached from any kind of vehicle (with no cumbersome or unsightly hardware on the vehicle); is compact; is operable with very little propulsive power; and is not defeated by minor obstructions in the path being plowed.

Problems solved by technology

Shoveling snow is burdensome, time-consuming, and often dangerous to health and even life.

As far as snow throwers are concerned, Consumer Reports magazine (October 1997, page 28) pointed out that “Though faster and less physically taxing than shoveling snow, using a snow thrower isn't effortless or without its annoyances.

It demands some awkward maneuvering of a heavy machine.

And a snow thrower is costly.

You'll also need a sizable space in which to store it.” Further, snow throwers are not without their dangers; hospitals have reported quite a few cases each winter of fingers lost to snow throwers.

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