Snowblower

Abstract

A snowblower includes a main frame, an auger mounted to the main frame via a rotating shaft that defines a rotational axis, a fan rotatably mounted to the main frame coaxially to the auger; and a gear box for operatively coupling both the auger and the fan to an external drive shaft. The gear box has an input shaft for operatively coupling to the external drive shaft, a first output shaft coupled to the auger and a second output shaft coupled to the fan.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A snowblower comprising:
 a main frame;   an auger mounted to the main frame via a rotating shaft defining a rotational axis;   a fan rotatably mounted to the main frame coaxially to the auger; and   a gear box for operatively coupling both the auger and the fan to an external drive shaft; the gear box having an input shaft for operatively coupling to the external drive shaft, a first output shaft coupled to the auger and a second output shaft coupled to the fan.   
     
     
         2 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the auger includes two lateral side portions, each positioned on a respective lateral side of the fan. 
     
     
         3 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 2 , wherein each of the two lateral side portions of the auger includes an helicoidal blade mounted to a tube; both tubes being coupled by a linking shaft and are rotatably mounted to the main frame; the tubes and linking shaft together defining the rotating shaft of the auger. 
     
     
         4 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 3 , further including a first drive assembly for operatively coupling the first output shaft of the gear box to the auger, and a second drive assembly for operatively coupling the second output shaft of the gear box to the fan. 
     
     
         5 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 4 , wherein the first drive assembly includes a first sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the first output shaft, a second sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the rotating shaft and a transmission chain operatively mounted to both first and second sprocket wheels. 
     
     
         6 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the second sprocket wheel is mounted to the linking shaft. 
     
     
         7 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising two mounting plates secured to the frame and receiving the linking shaft for rotation therein. 
     
     
         8 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 1 , further including a first drive assembly for operatively coupling the first output shaft of the gear box to the auger, and a second drive assembly for operatively coupling the second output shaft of the gear box to the fan. 
     
     
         9 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the first drive assembly includes a first sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the first output shaft, a second sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the rotating shaft and a first transmission chain operatively mounted to both first and second sprocket wheels. 
     
     
         10 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the fan includes a plurality of vane equidistantly mounted to a tube; the tube being mounted to the rotating shaft for free rotation thereof about the rotating shaft; wherein the second drive assembly includes a third sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the second output shaft, a fourth sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the tube and a second transmission chain operatively mounted to both third and fourth sprocket wheels. 
     
     
         11 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 10 , further comprising two mounting plates secured to the frame and receiving the linking shaft for rotation therein; the fan being positioned between the two mounting plates; the first and second drive assemblies being positioned adjacent a respective one of the two mounting plates. 
     
     
         12 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the first and second drive assemblies further including a tensioning mechanism including a lever arm that is pivotably mounted to the respective one of the two mounting plates and having a small sprocket at a free end thereof that engages a respective one of the first and second transmission chains, and a biasing member mounted to both the main frame and to the lever arm, therebetween, so as to put tension on the respective one of the first and second transmission chains. 
     
     
         13 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the fan includes a plurality of vanes equidistantly mounted to a tube; the tube being mounted to the rotating shaft for free rotation thereof about the rotating shaft. 
     
     
         14 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 13 , further including a first drive assembly for operatively coupling the first output shaft of the gear box to the auger, and a second drive assembly for operatively coupling the second output shaft of the gear box to the fan; wherein the second drive assembly includes a first sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the second output shaft, a second sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the tube and a transmission chain operatively mounted to both first and second sprocket wheels. 
     
     
         15 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 13 , wherein the vanes are scoop-shaped, defining a concave side thereof. 
     
     
         16 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of vane is defined by a plate bended at its center to define two straight sides defining an obtuse angle therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 16 , wherein each of the plurality of vanes includes two parallel lateral side walls, each extending from a respective lateral side edge of the plate on the concave side thereof. 
     
     
         18 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the gear box is configured so that a rotational speed of the second output shaft is greater than a rotational speed of the first output shaft. 
     
     
         19 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the gear box is configured to cause the fan to rotate at about 540 rpm (revolutions per minute), and the auger at about 200 rpm. 
     
     
         20 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the gear box is configured to cause the fan to have a rotational speed of about 1.5 to 3 times the rotational speed of the auger. 
     
     
         21 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the main frame has a top wall, a rounded rear wall extending longitudinally from the top wall, two side walls, each extending laterally from both the top and rear walls on respective sides thereof, and an open side opposite the rear wall, defining an inlet for snow; the top wall including a hole that is registered with the fan, defining an outlet for the snow; the snowblower further comprising a chute that is mounted to the frame so as to be in fluid communication with the outlet. 
     
     
         22 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the fan is longitudinally centered along the main frame. 
     
     
         23 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the main frame defines a longitudinal axis that is parallel to the rotational axis; the main frame having a width that is adjustable. 
     
     
         24 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 21 , wherein the top and rear walls both includes two longitudinal sides; one of the two longitudinal sides being mounted to the other for telescopic movement in and out thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The snowblower as recited in  claim 21 , further comprising at least one cylinder to actuate the telescopic movement. 
     
     
         26 . A snowblower comprising:
 a main frame;   an auger mounted to the main frame via a rotating shaft defining a rotational axis;   a fan rotatably mounted to the main frame coaxially to the auger; the auger including two lateral side portions, each positioned on a respective lateral side of the fan; each of the two lateral side portions of the auger including an helicoidal blade mounted to a first tube; both first tubes being attached by a linking shaft and being rotatably mounted to the main frame; the first tubes and linking shaft together defining the rotating shaft of the auger; the fan including a plurality of vane equidistantly mounted to a second tube; the second tube being mounted to the linking shaft via at least one bearing assembly for free rotation thereof about the linking shaft;   
       the snowblower further comprising:
 a gear box for operatively coupling both the auger and the fan to an external drive shaft; the gear box having an input shaft for operatively coupling to the external drive shaft, a first output shaft coupled to the auger and a second output shaft coupled to the fan; the gear box being configured so that a rotational speed of the second output shaft is greater than a rotational speed of the first output shaft; 
 a first drive assembly for operatively coupling the first output shaft of the gear box to the auger; the first drive assembly including a first sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the first output shaft of the gear box, a second sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the rotating shaft of the auger and a first transmission chain operatively mounted to both first and second sprocket wheels; and 
 and a second drive assembly for operatively coupling the second output shaft of the gear box to the fan; the second drive assembly including a third sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the second output shaft, a fourth sprocket wheel fixedly mounted to the second tube and a second transmission chain operatively mounted to both third and fourth sprocket wheels.