Roof snow removal apparatus

• US 7,296,368 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2005
• Issued: 11/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/23/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Louis Rigo
• Original Assignee: Louis Rigo
• Inventors: Rigo, Louis
• Primary Examiner(s): Beach; Thomas A
• Application Number:
  US11/133,853
• Time in Patent Office: 911 Days
• Field of Search: 372/41, 372/66, 372/65, 372/68, 372/70, 372/84, 372/85, 374/34, 294 545- 59, 294/53.5
• US Class Current: 37/285
• CPC Class Codes: E04D 13/106 Snow removing devices for gutters E04D13/076

Abstract

An apparatus includes an elongated pole that has a longitudinal axis and further has axial proximal and distal ends. A central anchor includes brackets equidistantly and radially spaced about a perimeter thereof. The anchor threadably receives the proximal end. Coextensive paddles are pivotally connected to the brackets that articulate along a unique pivot axis between extended and retracted positions, and are radially extended from and equidistantly juxtaposed along an outer perimeter of the anchor when a user exerts a linear force towards the proximal end of the pole, fanning the paddles to an extended position. A flexible canvas is connected to the paddles for collecting snow therein when the paddles are fanned to an open position. The canvas is foldable to a compact position when the paddles are at a closed position, and further has an outer edge provided with a radius equal to a longitudinal length of the paddles.

Claims

1. A snow removal apparatus for assisting a user to remove accumulated snow from a roof, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated rectilinear pole having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis and further having axially registered proximal and distal end portions;

a central anchor including a plurality of brackets equidistantly and radially spaced about a perimeter thereof, said anchor threadably and directly receiving said proximal end portion of said pole;

a plurality of coextensive paddles pivotally connected to said brackets respectively, each said paddle being articulated along a unique pivot axis between extended and retracted positions;

wherein said paddles are radially extended from and equidistantly juxtaposed along an outer perimeter of said anchor when a user exerts a linear force directed towards said proximal end portion of said pole for fanning said paddles to an extended position; and

a flexible canvas directly connected to said paddles for collecting snow therein when said paddles are fanned to an open position.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said distal end portion of said pole includes a grip member directly conjoined thereto for increasing a user'"'"'s grip.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said canvas is formed from mesh material for allowing a selected quantity of snow and debris to pass therethrough when the user pulls said apparatus away from an edge of a roof top.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said central anchor has a protrusion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis such that a user can easily insert the apparatus into a bank of snow when said paddles are at a retracted position.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said brackets are securely and statically fastened to said anchor such that said paddles move along a fixed and predetermined arcuate path during operating conditions.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said canvas is formed from fluid impermeable material for prohibiting snow and debris from passing therethrough.

7. A snow removal apparatus for assisting a user to remove accumulated snow from a roof, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated rectilinear pole having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis and further having axially registered proximal and distal end portions;

a central anchor including a plurality of brackets equidistantly and radially spaced about a perimeter thereof, said anchor threadably and directly receiving said proximal end portion of said pole;

a plurality of coextensive paddles pivotally connected to said brackets respectively, each said paddle being articulated along a unique pivot axis between extended and retracted positions;

wherein said paddles are radially extended from and equidistantly juxtaposed along an outer perimeter of said anchor when a user exerts a linear force directed towards said proximal end portion of said pole for fanning said paddles to an extended position; and

a flexible canvas directly connected to said paddles for collecting snow therein when said paddles are fanned to an open position, said canvas being foldable to a compact position when said paddles are articulated to a closed position.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said distal end portion of said pole includes a grip member directly conjoined thereto for increasing a user'"'"'s grip.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said canvas is formed from mesh material for allowing a selected quantity of snow and debris to pass therethrough when the user pulls said apparatus away from an edge of a roof top.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said central anchor has a protrusion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis such that a user can easily insert the apparatus into a bank of snow when said paddles are at a retracted position.

11. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said brackets are securely and statically fastened to said anchor such that said paddles move along a fixed and predetermined arcuate path during operating conditions.

12. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said canvas is formed from fluid impermeable material for prohibiting snow and debris from passing therethrough.

13. A snow removal apparatus for assisting a user to remove accumulated snow from a roof, said apparatus comprising:

an elongated rectilinear pole having a centrally disposed longitudinal axis and further having axially registered proximal and distal end portions;

a central anchor including a plurality of brackets equidistantly and radially spaced about a perimeter thereof, said anchor threadably and directly receiving said proximal end portion of said pole;

a plurality of coextensive paddles pivotally connected to said brackets respectively, each said paddle being articulated along a unique pivot axis between extended and retracted positions;

wherein said paddles are radially extended from and equidistantly juxtaposed along an outer perimeter of said anchor when a user exerts a linear force directed towards said proximal end portion of said pole for fanning said paddles to an extended position; and

a flexible canvas directly connected to said paddles for collecting snow therein when said paddles are fanned to an open position, said canvas being foldable to a compact position when said paddles are articulated to a closed position, said canvas further having an outer edge provided with a radius substantially equal to a longitudinal length of said paddles.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said distal end portion of said pole includes a grip member directly conjoined thereto for increasing a user'"'"'s grip.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said canvas is formed from mesh material for allowing a selected quantity of snow and debris to pass therethrough when the user pulls said apparatus away from an edge of a roof top.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said central anchor has a protrusion extending parallel to the longitudinal axis such that a user can easily insert the apparatus into a bank of snow when said paddles are at a retracted position.

17. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said brackets are securely and statically fastened to said anchor such that said paddles move along a fixed and predetermined arcuate path during operating conditions.

18. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said canvas is formed from fluid impermeable material for prohibiting snow and debris from passing therethrough.