CA2610307A1

CA2610307A1 - A snow-removing tool

Info

Publication number: CA2610307A1
Application number: CA 2610307
Authority: CA
Inventors: Melanie Saucier; Mathieu Piche
Original assignee: Garant GP
Current assignee: Garant GP
Priority date: 2007-11-13
Filing date: 2007-11-13
Publication date: 2009-05-13

Abstract

A snow broom, comprising bristles separated by a tab, and a dual snow-removing tool, comprising a brush portion for removing snow from the surface of a car, and a broom portion for removing snow from the floor, each portion being respectively adapted to the surface it is intended to clean, in a single portable and ergonomic tool.

Description

TITLE OF THE INVENTION
A snow-removing tool FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a snow-removing tool.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] In the appended drawings:

[0003] Figure 1 is a side view of a tool according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0004] Figure 2 is a side view of a tool according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[0005] Figure 3 is a side view of a tool according to an another embodiment of the present invention;

[0006] Figure 4 is a detailed view of a broom portion of a tool according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0007] Figures 5 and 6 are detailed views of a brush portion of a tool according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0008] Figure 7 illustrates a shaft of a tool according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

[0009] Figures 8 illustrate a shaft of a tool according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0010] A snow removing tool 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in Figure 1 of the appended drawings for example, comprises a shaft 12 having a handle at a proximal end 14 thereof, and connected to a working head 16 at a distal end thereof.

[0011] The working head 16 comprises a broom portion 18, intended for a contact with a surface lower than the user, at an angle a of about 60 to degrees, 75 degrees for instance, relative to the shaft 12. The broom portion comprises a wall 20 supporting bristles 22. The bristles 22 are arranged in two rows 24, 26 along the length L of the broom portion 18, separated by a tab 28 (best seen in Figure 4). The length L may be typically the length of a broom for exterior surfaces as known in the art.

[0012] The wall 20 of the broom portion 18 is typically made by injection of a plastic material. The bristles 22, made in PVC for example or any suitable material as known in the art, are inserted on the lower surface of the wall 20. The tab 28, made in a resilient material resistant to abrasion, such as a thermoplastic elastomer or silicon or urethane for example, is fixed in between the two rows 24, 26 on the lower surface of the wall 20.

[0013] The wall 20 of the broom portion 18 is thin, with a thickness of 0.500". The head 16 may be reinforced for example, by providing reinforcing ribs 30 on the wall 20, as shown in Figure 1 for example. The tab 28 may also contribute to the rigidity to the broom portion 18.

[0014] The bristles 22 have a length comprised in the range between 2.75" and 3.25" for example, as known in standard brooms available for exterior surfaces for instance. The tab 28 is typically in a slight recessed position in relation to the bristles 22 so as to be protected from abrasion via contact with the swept surface.

[0015] The broom portion 18 of the tool 10, when handled in the manner of a standard broom by a user holding the shaft 12 by the handle thereof, may be used to remove snow, for example, from the ground or from a generally horizontal surface, which is lower than the user. The tab 28 prevents the snow from going in between the bristles 22, and packing the broom.

[0016] The shaft 12 may be connected to the wall 20 of the broom portion 18 as known in the art, as shown in Figure 1.

[0017] In the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 to 6, the working head 16 further comprises a brush portion 32.

[0018] The brush portion 32 may be inclined by about 5 relative to the shaft 12 of the tool 10 (see Figure 8a), which proves to be more ergonomic for people of a small size using the tool for removing snow from a car for example.

[0019] The brush portion 32 comprises a wall 34 supporting bristles 36. The bristles 36 may be arranged in three rows along the length I of the brush portion 32, as may be seen in Figures 5 and 6 for example. The length I
of the brush portion 32 may be typically the length of hand snowbrush as known in the art. The bristles 36 have a length in the range comprised between about 1.75" and 2 5/8", as known in standard hand snowbrush.

[0020] The bristles 36 are soft enough so as not to damage a surface they are passed on, such a car surface.

[0021] The wall 20 of the broom portion 18 and the wall 34 of the brush portion 32 may be injected as a single L-shaped working head 16, as illustrated in Figures 2 to 6, and the shaft 12 connected to the brush portion as known in the art of hand snow brush for example. This single L-shaped working head 16 may be made as light as possible by reducing the thickness thereof, i. e. the thickness of the walls 20 and 34 respectively, while it is made resistant by reinforcing ribs 30 as described hereinabove in relation to the wall 20 of the broom portion 18, and as shown in Figure 3 in the shapes of snow flakes for example. The reinforcing ribs 30 may be when molding the single L-shaped working head 16.

[0022] Alternatively, it may be contemplated molding the wall 20 of the broom portion 18 and the wall 34 of the brush portion 32 separately, and have them connected at an adequate angle. Still alternatively, the wall 20 of the broom portion 18 could be molded separately, and removably connectable, at an adequate angle, to a tool comprising the brush portion 32, or even the two portions 18 and 32 could be molded separately, and removably connectable, successively for example, at an adequate angle, to a shaft.

[0023] The shaft 12 is typically made in a light material such as aluminium, for lightness purposes, as known in the art.

[0024] A shaft of an adjustable length, such as a telescopic shaft 12 illustrated in Figure 7 for example, allows adjusting the length thereof depending on whether the broom portion or the brush portion of the tool is used, according to the a desired swept distance, or also according to the size of the user. Obviously, a shaft made in several foldable parts or a shaft provided with a removable extension may also be contemplated, for example.

[0025] Moreover, a telescopic shaft 12 allows folding the tool in a compact state when not in use, for storage purpose, in the entrance hall of the user's home whe the user is back home, or in the car when the user drives away.

[0026] The shaft 12 may be further provided, at the distal end 14 thereof, with a scraper 38, as illustrated in Figures 8 for example.

[0027] Therefore, the present invention provides an improved snow broom, comprising bristles separated by a tab.

[0028] The present invention further provides a dual snow-removing tool, comprising a brush portion for removing snow from the surface of a car, and a broom portion for removing snow from the floor, each portion being respectively adapted to the surface it is intended to clean, in a single portable and ergonomic tool.

[0029] Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it may be modified, without departing from the nature and teachings of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A tool as described herein.

2. A snow broom as described herein.

3. A dual snow removing tool as described herein