Portable snow blower

Abstract

An apparatus for removal of at least one of snow and ice from a surface includes a housing having a predetermined shape, at least one intake port and a discharge port and a handle engageable with the housing for carrying and operating the apparatus. A heating member is mounted adjacent the discharge port and a powered blower is disposed within the housing for drawing air through the at least one intake port and exhausting the air through at least a portion of the heating means and through the discharge port, whereby the exhausted air is heated by the heating means. A nozzle is engageable with the housing adjacent the discharge port for applying the exhausted heated air under pressure onto the at least one of snow and ice and a control switch is provided for selectively activating and deactivating the powered blower.

1 . An apparatus for removal of at least one of snow and ice from a surface, said apparatus comprising:
 (a) a housing having a predetermined shape, at least one intake port and a discharge port;   (b) a handle means engageable with said housing for carrying and operating said apparatus for removal of said at least one of snow and ice;   (c) a heating means mounted in line with said discharge port; and   (d) a powered blower means disposed within said housing for drawing air through said at least one intake port and exhausting said air through at least a portion of said heating means and through said discharge port, whereby said exhausted air is heated by said heating means.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a nozzle having each of a predetermined size and a predetermined shape, said nozzle operably engageable with said housing adjacent said discharge port for applying said exhausted heated air under pressure onto said at least one of snow and ice for removal of said at least one of snow and ice from said surface. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating means is integrated into a detachable and reattachable heating module. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said nozzle includes insulating means for protecting a user of said apparatus from said exhausted heated air. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus, according to  claim 4 , wherein said insulating means is a material of said nozzle. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said heating means is a coil. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus, according to  claim 6 , wherein said coil is electrically operable. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said powered blower means includes one of an electric motor and an internal combustion engine. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said powered blower means includes an electric motor operable from a source of electrical power. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus, according to  claim 9 , wherein said source of electrical power is one of an electrical cord coupled to an electrical outlet and a battery disposed within said housing. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus, according to  claim 10 , wherein said battery is one of replaceable and rechargeable. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus, according to  claim 9 , wherein said source of electrical power is a rechargeable battery disposed within said housing and said apparatus further includes means for recharging said rechargeable battery from an electrical outlet. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus, according to  claim 9 , wherein said apparatus further includes a control means disposed in a predetermined location within one of said housing and said handle means for selectively activating and deactivating said powered blower means. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus, according to  claim 13 , wherein said control means is an electrical switch means. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a second handle means pivotally connected to said housing. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes one of a strap and harness for suspending said apparatus from a portion of a human body. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said apparatus further includes a carrying and storage case. 
   
   
       18 . A method for removal of at least one of snow and ice from a surface, said method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a portable apparatus capable of generating heated air flow;   (b) activating said apparatus to generate said heated air flow;   (c) positioning a discharge end of said apparatus towards a predetermined portion of said surface containing said at least one of snow and ice; and   (d) applying said heated air flow generated in step (b) and exhausted from said discharge end of said housing onto said predetermined portion of said surface containing said at least one of snow and ice.   
   
   
       19 . The method, according to  claim 18 , wherein said method further includes a step of maintaining application of said heated air flow applied in step (d) onto said predetermined portion of said surface until said at least one of snow and ice is substantially removed therefrom. 
   
   
       20 . An apparatus for removal of at least one of snow and ice from a surface, said apparatus comprising:
 (a) a housing having a predetermined shape, at least one intake port and a discharge port;   (b) a handle means engageable with said housing for carrying and operating said apparatus for removal of said at least one of snow and ice;   (c) an electrically operable heating coil operably mounted adjacent said discharge port;   (d) an electrically operable powered blower means disposed within said housing for drawing air through said at least one intake port and exhausting said air through at least a portion of said heating means and through said discharge port, whereby said exhausted air is heated by said heating means;   (e) a nozzle having each of a predetermined size and a predetermined shape, said nozzle operably engageable with said housing adjacent said discharge port for applying said exhausted heated air under pressure onto said at least one of snow and ice for removal of said at least one of snow and ice from said surface; and   (f) a control switch disposed in a predetermined location within one of said housing and said handle means for selectively activating and deactivating said powered blower means.