Snow shovel with convex edge

Abstract

A shoveling implement ( 10 ) includes an elongate shaft ( 12 ) attached to a blade ( 14 ) having a convexly shaped portion ( 16 ) protruding from the backside of the blade adjacent the lower leading (or distal) edge ( 17 ), which allows the blade to be easily pushed over rough or uneven surfaces.

1 . A shovel comprising: 
 an elongate shaft; and    a blade attached to the elongate shaft, the blade including a backside and bounded by two side edges, a distal edge, and a proximal edge, the blade having a convex surface which protrudes at least ¼ inch from the backside of the blade and extends laterally across substantially the entire width of the blade adjacent the distal edge, the convex surface having a radius of between 3/16 inch and 10 inches, and extends no more than 5 inches up the backside from the distal edge of the blade.    
   
   
       2 . The shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the convex surface has a generally cylindrical contour.  
   
   
       3 . The shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the convex surface is formed as a separate piece from the rest of the blade, the separate piece being attached proximate the distal edge of the rest of the blade.  
   
   
       4 . The shovel of  claim 3 , wherein the separate piece having the convex surface is made of a different material than the rest of the blade.  
   
   
       5 . The shovel of  claim 4 , wherein the separate piece is made of metal, and the rest of the blade is made of a polymer.  
   
   
       6 . The shovel of  claim 4 , wherein the separate piece is made of a polymer, and the rest of the blade is made of metal.  
   
   
       7 . The shovel of  claim 3 , wherein the separate piece having the convex surface is made of the same material as the rest of the blade.  
   
   
       8 . The shovel of  claim 7 , wherein both the separate piece and the rest of the blade are made of a polymer.  
   
   
       9 . The shovel of  claim 7 , wherein both the separate piece and the rest of the blade are made of metal.  
   
   
       10 . The shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the convex surface is integral with the rest of the blade.  
   
   
       11 . The shovel of  claim 10 , wherein the blade has a non-uniform thickness and the convex surface is formed at a thick portion of the blade.  
   
   
       12 . The shovel of  claim 10 , wherein the portion of the blade forming the convex surface has a substantially uniform thickness and the convex surface is formed by a portion of the blade that is bent under the backside of the blade.  
   
   
       13 . The shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the portion of the blade forming the convex surface has a substantially uniform thickness and the convex surface is formed by a portion of the blade that is bent under the backside of the blade.  
   
   
       14 . The shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the blade has a non-uniform thickness and the convex surface is formed at a thick portion of the blade.  
   
   
       15 . The shovel of  claim 1 , wherein the convex surface is formed as a plurality of separate pieces from the rest of the blade, the separate pieces each being attached proximate the distal edge of the rest of the blade.