Snowblower deflector control devices, systems, and methods

Abstract

Snowblower deflector control devices, systems, and methods are provided. In one aspect, a snowblower deflector control device can be externally disposed from a machine handle of the snowblower. The control device can include a control member and a guide plate. The control member can include a longitudinal shaft and a projection disposed along the shaft. The guide plate can be adapted to receive a portion of the control member. The guide plate can include a plurality of gates disposed at spaced intervals from a first end to a second end, and the projection of the control member can be lockable within at least one gate of the plurality of gates.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A snowblower deflector control device comprising:
 a control member comprising a longitudinal shaft and a projection disposed along the shaft; and   a guide plate adapted to receive a portion of the control member, wherein the guide plate comprises a plurality of gates disposed at spaced intervals from a first end to a second end, and wherein the projection of the control member is lockable within at least one gate of the plurality of gates.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide plate is disposed along a portion of a machine handle. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the guide plate is disposed along an outer surface of the machine handle. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of gates are disposed at regularly spaced intervals from the first end to the second end. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the control member is adapted to move clockwise and counterclockwise about a pivot point for raising and lowering a deflector. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of gates comprises a chamfered edge. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a linking member is attached to a portion of the guide plate. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a flexible cable is attached to a portion of the control member. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control member is adapted to move in at least a first direction and at least a second direction when moving between a first gate and a second gate of the plurality of gates, and wherein the first direction is orthogonal to the second direction. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the control member comprises a grip portion. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the guide plate comprises a contoured inner profile adapted to extend about an outer surface of a machine handle of a snowblower. 
     
     
         12 . A snowblower deflector control system comprising:
 a control member;   a guide plate adapted to receive a portion of the control member, wherein the guide plate comprises a plurality of gates disposed at regularly spaced intervals from a first end to a second end;   a deflector hingedly mounted on a discharge chute; and   a linking member coupling a portion of the control member to a portion of the deflector;   wherein, when the control member is proximate the first end of the guide plate, the deflector is at a first angle with respect to a horizontal axis, and wherein, when the control member is proximate the second end of the guide plate, the deflector is at a second angle with respect to the horizontal axis, and wherein the first angle is different than the second angle.   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first angle is smaller than the second angle with respect to the horizontal axis. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the first angle is larger than the second angle with respect to the horizontal axis. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control member comprises a longitudinal shaft and a grip portion attached to one end of the longitudinal shaft. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control member comprises a projection configured to engage at least one gate of the plurality of gates. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein each of the regularly spaced intervals corresponds to an angular displacement of the deflector with respect to the horizontal axis. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the guide plate is disposed along a portion of a machine handle of a snowblower. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the guide plate is disposed along an outer surface of the machine handle. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the linking member comprises a flexible inner cable disposed in an outer sheath. 
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the deflector comprises a biasing member. 
     
     
         22 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the deflector further comprises a curved guide slot. 
     
     
         23 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the control member is adapted to pivot clockwise and counterclockwise about a pivot point for raising and lowering the deflector. 
     
     
         24 . A method of controlling a deflector of a snowblower via a deflector control system, the method comprising:
 providing a control member and a guide plate adapted to receive a portion of the control member, wherein the guide plate comprises a plurality of gates disposed at spaced intervals from a first end to a second end;   providing a deflector hingedly mounted on a discharge chute;   attaching a linking member to a portion of the control member to a portion of a deflector; and   moving the control member between the first end and the second end of the guide plate to raise and lower the deflector.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein moving the control member between the first end and the second end of the guide plate comprises moving the control member in a first direction to release the control member from a first gate of the plurality of gates and moving the control member in a second direction to engage a second gate of the plurality of gates. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein moving the control member between the first end and the second end of the guide plate further comprises pivoting the control member in a direction that is orthogonal to the first and second directions. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the guide plate is disposed along a portion of a machine handle of a snowblower. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the guide plate is disposed along an outer surface of the machine handle. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein moving the control member between the first end and the second end of the guide plate increases or decreases tension applied to the linking member. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein providing a linking member comprises providing a flexible cable within a portion of a fixed outer sheath. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein a pin of the deflector pivots via sliding within a portion of a guide slot. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 24 , comprising moving the control member between at regularly spaced intervals from the first end to the second end.