Manual snowplow with a wooden blade

Abstract

The present invention relates to a push-type, manual snowplowing device with a wooden blade of adequate size and structure to efficiently remove snowfalls of four and one-half inches or less. The invention encompasses a manual snowplowing device avoiding the physical strain associated with shoveling while remaining cost effective, relatively maintenance free, and amenable to storage and user assembly.

1 . A manual snowplowing device comprising: 
 a rigid wooden blade having a length of not les than 36 inches;    a coupling device including: 
 a metal faceplate bolted to the wooden blade having a longest dimension not more than one-quarter the length of the blade,  
 a metal sleeve immovably welded to the face plate and having a terminal end extending angularly relative to the face plate; and  
   a handle including a distal section mounted within the sleeve of the coupling device; 
 wherein upon final assembly, extension of the handle relative to a vertical plane of the wooden blade defines an acute push angle.  
   
   
   
       2 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein the metal faceplate defines a generally planar front face and the wooden blade defines a generally planar back face, and further wherein the two faces are flush.  
   
   
       3 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein the handle extends from the terminal end of the metal sleeve to define the acute push angle.  
   
   
       4 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein the faceplate is generally triangular in shape.  
   
   
       5 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein the faceplate is generally rectangular in shape.  
   
   
       6 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 5  wherein the faceplate has a length not more than one-sixth the length of the wooden blade.  
   
   
       7 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 5 , wherein the faceplate has a length in the range of 6-8 inches.  
   
   
       8 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 5 , wherein the snowplowing device is characterized by an absence of components contacting a back face of the wooden blade beyond a length of the face plate.  
   
   
       9 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein the metal sleeve extends linearly from the metal faceplate.  
   
   
       10 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein both the faceplate and the sleeve are formed of stainless steel.  
   
   
       11 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein the wooden blade has a height of not less than 4.5 inches.  
   
   
       12 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 11 , wherein the wooden blade has a length of approximately 48 inches and a height of approximately 5.5 inches.  
   
   
       13 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein the wooden blade is formed of pine wood.  
   
   
       14 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal section of the handle includes a metal jacket.  
   
   
       15 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal section of the handle is mounted within the sleeve by a bolting means.  
   
   
       16 . The manual snowplowing device of  claim 1 , wherein the distal section of the handle and the sleeve include a plurality of corresponding threads.  
   
   
       17 . A method of plowing snow comprising: 
 providing a manual snow plowing device including: 
 rigid wooden blade having a length of not less than 36 inches,  
 a coupling device comprising: 
 a metal faceplate immovably bolted to the wooden blade, the face plate having a longest dimension not more than one-quarter the length of the blade,  
 a metal sleeve immovably welded to the faceplate, the sleeve having a terminal end extending angularly relative to the faceplate,  
 
 a handle including: 
 a distal section mounted within the sleeve of the coupling device,  
 wherein upon final assembly, extension of the handle relative to a vertical plane of the blade defines an acute push angle; and  
 
   plowing a snow covered surface by imparting a push force on the handle, wherein a front face of the wooden blade contacts a mass of snow and a bottom side of the wooden blade contacts the surface to be cleared of snow.    
   
   
       18 . The method of plowing snow of  claim 17 , wherein the method further comprises: 
 unbolting the wooden blade from the faceplate;    rotating the wooden blade one hundred and eighty degrees, wherein a top side of the blade is located where the bottom side of the blade was previously situated in relation to the snow covered surface;    rebolting the wooden blade to the faceplate; and    plowing additional snow.    
   
   
       19 . A kit of parts for assembly into a manual snowplowing device comprising: 
 a rigid wooden blade having a length of not less than 36 inches;    a coupling device including: 
 a metal faceplate having a longest dimension not more than one-quarter the length of the blade,  
 a metal sleeve removably welded to the faceplate and having a terminal end extending at an angle relative to the faceplate; and  
   a handle including a distal section to be mounted within the sleeve of the coupling device;    wherein the kit is configured such that upon final assembly, extension of the handle relative to a vertical plane of the blade defines an acute push angle.    
   
   
       20 . The kit of parts of  claim 19 , wherein the kit further comprises a set of directions for assembly and a plurality of fasteners to be used for assembly.