Snow thrower

Abstract

A snow thrower comprises a main auger having a first diameter, an auxiliary auger above the first auger and an impeller. In one implementation, the impeller has a second diameter greater than the first diameter.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A snow thrower comprising:
 a main auger having a first diameter;   an auxiliary auger above the first auger; and   an impeller having a second diameter greater than the first diameter.   
     
     
         2 . The snow thrower of definition  1  further comprising a single deep drawn auger housing supporting the main auger and the auxiliary auger. 
     
     
         3 . The snow thrower of definition  1  further comprising:
 a main drive connected to a center of the main auger; and 
 an auxiliary transmission extending between the main auger and the auxiliary auger, wherein the auxiliary transmission transmits torque from the main auger to the auxiliary auger. 
 
     
     
         4 . The snow thrower of definition  1 , wherein the main auger has a diameter of less than or equal to 12 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The snow thrower of  claim 1 , wherein the main auger has a first diameter and wherein the impeller has a second diameter greater than the first diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The snow thrower  claim 1 , wherein the main auger comprises at least one helical blade and wherein the auxiliary auger comprises at least one helical blade. 
     
     
         7 . The snow thrower of  claim 1 , wherein the main auger has a first diameter and wherein the auxiliary auger has a second diameter less than the first diameter. 
     
     
         8 . The snow thrower of  claim 1 , wherein the main auger is rotatable about a first axis and wherein the auxiliary auger is rotatable about a second axis above the first axis. 
     
     
         9 . The snow thrower of  claim 1 , wherein the main auger is rotatable about the first axis in a rotational direction about the first rotational axis and wherein the auxiliary auger is rotatable about the second axis in the rotational direction about the second rotational axis. 
     
     
         10 . The snow thrower of  claim 1  further comprising:
 an auger housing receiving the main auger and the auxiliary auger; 
 an impeller housing extending from the auger housing and receiving the impeller; and 
 a chute extending from the impeller housing. 
 
     
     
         11 . The snow thrower a  claim 10 , wherein the auger housing comprises:
 a mouth defined by a bottom edge, a top edge, a first side edge and a second side edge;   a first side extension pivotally coupled to the first side edge for pivoting between a first position and a second position; and   a retainer to retain the first side extension in the first position.   
     
     
         12 . The snow thrower of  claim 10  further comprising a rotatable disc coupled to the auger housing having an outer circumference lower than a bottom of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The snow thrower of  claim 12  further comprising a skid shoe having a skid surface and coupled to the auger housing adjacent the disc, wherein the outer circumference of the disc extends lower than the skid surface. 
     
     
         14 . The snow thrower of  claim 12  wherein the disc has a polymeric circumferential edge. 
     
     
         15 . The snow thrower of  claim 10 , wherein the chute is rotatable to direct snow being thrown and wherein the snow thrower further comprises a first light source carried by the chute, wherein rotation of the chute aims light from the light source. 
     
     
         16 . These notes are of  claim 10  further comprising a compressed gas knife coupled to the auger housing and aimed at an underlying terrain. 
     
     
         17 . The snow thrower of  claim 1 , wherein the main auger is rotatable about a first axis and wherein the snow thrower further comprises a sweeper having flexible terrain engaging members, the sweeper being rotatably driven about a second axis lower than the first axis. 
     
     
         18 . A method comprising:
 rotating a main auger within an auger housing to direct snow towards an impeller;   rotating an auxiliary auger within the auger housing above the main auger; and   rotating the impeller to discharge snow through a chute.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein rotating the main auger comprises driving the main auger with a main drive connected to a center of the main auger and wherein rotating the auxiliary auger comprises locating the auxiliary auger with an auxiliary transmission transmitting torque from the main auger to the auxiliary auger. 
     
     
         20 . A snow thrower comprising:
 a main auger comprising at least one helical blade;   an auxiliary auger above the first auger and comprising at least one helical blade;   an auger housing receiving the main auger and the auxiliary auger;   an impeller housing extending from the auger housing and receiving the impeller;   a chute extending from the impeller housing;   a main drive connected to a center of the main auger; and   an auxiliary transmission extending between the main auger and the auxiliary auger, wherein the auxiliary transmission transmits torque from the main auger to the auxiliary auger.