Collapsible snow paddle and method of use

Abstract

A collapsible snow paddle. The paddle includes an elongated handle, a rotatable coupling affixed to one end of the handle, and a generally planar snow remover, the rotatable coupling affixed to a rear surface of the remover so that he remover may be collapsed against the handle for storage and extended transverse to the handle for use. The snow remover may have a scraper edge inclined at an angle relative to the surface of the snow remover for scraping ice and a relatively soft capped edge for removing snow.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A collapsible snow paddle comprising:
 an elongated collapsible handle;   a rotatable coupling affixed to a proximal extremity of the handle; and   a rigid, substantially planar snow removal paddle, the rotatable coupling affixed to a rear surface of the snow removal paddle whereby the snow removal paddle may be collapsed against the handle for storage and extended at an angle away from the handle for use.   
     
     
         2 . The snow paddle of  claim 1  and further comprising a handgrip affixed to a distal extremity of the handle. 
     
     
         3 . The snow paddle of  claim 2  wherein the handgrip is oriented approximately transverse to the handle to define therewith a T shape. 
     
     
         4 . The snow paddle of  claim 1  and further comprising a hand grip tube disposed on the handle intermediate the proximal and distal extremities. 
     
     
         5 . The snow paddle of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the handle has an oblong-shaped cross section. 
     
     
         6 . The snow paddle of  claim 1  wherein the dimensions of the snow remover are about 8 inches by 11 inches. 
     
     
         7 . The snow paddle of  claim 1  wherein the handle comprises a plurality of telescoping sections. 
     
     
         8 . The snow paddle of  claim 7  wherein the handle comprises three telescoping sections. 
     
     
         9 . The snow paddle of  claim 7  wherein the handle when telescoped is about 20 inches in length and when extended is about 39 inches in length. 
     
     
         10 . The snow paddle of  claim 1  wherein an edge of a front surface of the snow remover is inclined to define a scraper edge, the scraper edge forming an acute angle with a longitudinal axis of the handle when the paddle is extended. 
     
     
         11 . The snow paddle of  claim 10  wherein the rotatable coupling is affixed to the rear surface of the snow remover at a location offset from center toward the scraper edge. 
     
     
         12 . The snow paddle of  claim 10  wherein a shovel edge of the front surface of the snow remover opposite the scraper edge is relatively softer than the scraper edge. 
     
     
         13 . The snow paddle of  claim 1  and further comprising a shovel cap disposed along an edge of the snow remover, the cap being relatively softer than the snow remover. 
     
     
         14 . The snow paddle of  claim 1  and further comprising a snow paddle bag having a carrying handle and an opening sized to receive the snow paddle when collapsed. 
     
     
         15 . A method of removing snow from a vehicle comprising:
 removing from storage a snow paddle;   rotating a snow remover of the snow paddle into a transverse orientation relative to a handle of the snow paddle;   using a scraping edge of the snow remover to remove ice from a window of the vehicle;   using a capped edge of the snow remover to remove snow from the vehicle by pushing and pulling motions;   rotating the snow remover into a parallel orientation with the handle; and   replacing the snow paddle in storage.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  and further comprising extending the handle prior to using, and telescoping the handle prior to replacing the snow paddle in storage. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein removing the snow paddle from storage comprises removing it from a snow paddle bag.