Snow removal tool having an insert-molded wearstrip and method of forming same

Abstract

An snow removal tool having an insert-molded wearstrip is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the tool includes: a plastic blade portion and a wearstrip attached to each other by insert molding. Insert molding is performed by placing the wearstrip, which has one or more openings therethrough, in a recess of a mold cavity. Plastic is injected into the mold cavity and flows through the openings in the wearstrip. Upon solidification of the plastic, the final molded product has a cutting edge of the wearstrip protruding from a front edge of said snowtool. Preferably the wearstrip is made from galvanized steel and has a fold or ridge across it to increase stiffness of said snowtool in bending.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A tool apparatus comprising: 
 a blade; and    a wearstrip attached to said blade by insert molding.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a shaft coupled to said blade; and    a handle coupled to said shaft.    
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said wearstrip comprises at lest one perforation.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said blade comprises a moldable material that fills said one or more openings during insert molding.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said moldable material is plastic.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said wearstrip is L-shaped.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said wearstrip comprises metal.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said wearstrip comprises galvanized steel.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the wearstrip is scalloped.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is a snow removal tool.  
     
     
         11 . A method for attaching a wearstrip to a tool blade, comprising: 
 placing a wearstrip comprising one or more openings therethrough in a recess in a mold cavity of the tool blade;    injecting a fluid material into said mold cavity, wherein said fluid material flows through said one or more openings;    solidifying said fluid material to obtain a final molded product; wherein said final molded product has a cutting edge of said wearstrip protruding from a front edge of said snowtool.    
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said fluid material is plastic.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein said wearstrip is metal.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , further comprising: 
 shaping the wearstrip after solidification.    
     
     
         15 . A snowtool comprising: 
 a plastic digging end; and    a wearstrip having a first portion comprising one or more openings therethrough;    wherein said plastic digging end covers said first portion and fills said one or more openings.    
     
     
         16 . The snowtool of  claim 15 , wherein said wearstrip comprises a second portion not in direct contact with said plastic digging end.  
     
     
         17 . The snowtool of  claim 15 , wherein said second portion has a cutting edge.  
     
     
         18 . The snowtool of  claim 15 , wherein said wearstrip is metal.  
     
     
         19 . The snowtool of  claim 18 , wherein said metal is galvanized steel.  
     
     
         20 . The snowtool of  claim 15 , wherein said wearstrip comprises a fold or ridge across it to increase stiffness of said snowtool in bending.