Snow removal system for artificial turf and other fragile surfaces

Abstract

A snow removal system for artificial turf and other fragile surfaces is disclosed. The present invention comprises a tubular metallic pipe or sleeve of a length sufficient to cover the entire blade on a snowplow, having flared or curved-up end components, a channel in which the snowplow blade can be placed, and relatively large-surface-area “footies” to disperse the weight of the snowplow blade and system. The footies can have flared or curved-up edges so that they can glide over the artificial turf surface instead of digging in or otherwise damaging the surface. In other embodiments, the system is used without footies. A means of attaching the device to various snowplows is described as is a recommended method of using the system to remove snow from a surface. It is to be understood that the system can be used on other, relatively fragile surfaces in addition to artificial turf.

1 . A snow removal system, configured to be attached to a snowplow, comprising:
 a tubular sleeve having a channel for receiving a snowplow blade therein;   a first flare end attached to a first end of the tubular sleeve and a second flare end attached to a second end of the tubular sleeve, the first and second flare ends angled upwards from the tubular sleeve;   a sleeve attachment means attached to the sleeve and configured to attach the sleeve to the snowplow;   a plurality of footies adjustably attached to the snowplow via a plurality of footie attachment means, the footie attachment means allowing the plurality of footies to be raised or lowered independently of, and relative to, the snowplow blade, and wherein the plurality of footies are each designed to be relatively flat and have a large surface area relative to a bottom of the sleeve in order to distribute a weight of the snow removal system safely onto a surface to be plowed and wherein the plurality of footies are further designed to glide over the surface without marring, tearing, or damaging the surface.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of footies comprises a first footie and a second footie. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the plurality of footies each resemble a snowboard, having a long, flat body and an upturned nose. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second flare ends angle upwards from the first and second ends of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second flare ends curve upwards from the first and second ends of the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the first and second flare ends angle upwards from the first and second ends of the sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the first and second flare ends curve upwards from the first and second ends of the sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the first and second flare ends angle upwards from the first and second ends of the sleeve. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 3  wherein the first and second flare ends curve upwards from the first and second ends of the sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . A method for removing snow from artificial turf and other fragile surfaces using a snow removal system, configured to be attached to a snowplow, the system comprising:
 a tubular sleeve having a channel for receiving a snowplow blade therein;   a first flare end attached to a first end of the tubular sleeve and a second flare end attached to a second end of the tubular sleeve, the first and second flare ends angled upwards from the tubular sleeve;   a sleeve attachment means attached to the sleeve and configured to attach the sleeve to the snowplow;   a plurality of footies adjustably attached to the snowplow via a plurality of footie attachment means, the footie attachment means allowing the plurality of footies to be raised or lowered independently of, and relative to, the snowplow blade, and wherein the plurality of footies are each designed to be relatively flat and have a large surface area relative to a bottom of the sleeve in order to distribute a weight of the snow removal system safely onto a surface to be plowed and wherein the plurality of footies are further designed to glide over the surface without marring, tearing, or damaging the surface;   and wherein the method comprises:   installing the snow removal system on a snowplow;   positioning the snowplow at a first end of the surface to be plowed at approximately a center;   lowering the snowplow and system until a weight is on the plurality of footies;   plowing in straight lines until windrows get too deep to efficiently move snow;   moving system to edges of surface and working back inwards; and   avoiding spinning tires on the snowplow or braking.