US20080179904A1

US20080179904A1 - Snow shovel with an internal rod probe

Info

Publication number: US20080179904A1
Application number: US11/700,436
Authority: US
Inventors: Wen-Sheng Huang
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-31
Filing date: 2007-01-31
Publication date: 2008-07-31

Abstract

A snow shovel with an internal rod probe including of a connection part disposed to one edge of the shovel; one end of an extension sleeve is movably coupled to the connection portion of the shovel; a movable ice chisel is provided to another end of the extension sleeve; a foldable rod probe is received in the extension sleeve; the rod probe is comprised of multiple pipes and has a cable penetrating therein; and one end of each tube has an smaller outer diameter smaller than that of the other end so to facilitate rigid connection of those tubes when the rod probe is removed out of the extension sleeve.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to snow shovel, and more particularly to one coupled to a rod probe and ice chisel for easy portability and convenient use.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
Referring to FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a snow shovel of the prior art is essentially comprised of a shovel 10 and a connection rod 20 extending from the base of the shovel 10. Another end of the connection rod 20 is coupled to a handle 5 to facilitate holding the snow shovel. It serves the only purpose to shovel snow (sand, earth or similar objects) without considering the incorporation of additional functions. Accordingly, the user has to prepare item by item various tools depending on practical needs. The preparation could get very tedious and the volume of the luggage may affect the outdoor activities.
For easier portability and efforts saving, tools used in mountain climbing tend to seek lighter and multi-purpose by incorporating various types of tools and/or utensils in one piece.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a snow shovel with an internal rod probe by putting the movable rod probe in a connection tube coupled to the shovel for easy portability.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide a snow shovel with an internal rod probe and an ice chisel disposed to another end of the connection tube.
To achieve these purposes, the present invention includes a shovel having a connection portion disposed to the shovel; an extension sleeve with one end movably attached to the connection portion of the shovel and the other end disposed with a movable ice chisel; and a rod probe movably received in the extension sleeve to be removed for extension and fixation when the ice chisel is disengaged from the extension sleeve.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a construction of a snow shovel of the prior art.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view showing key components of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing details of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a portion of combined extension sleeve and ice chisel in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view showing a rod probe in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing the locating of the rear end of rod probe in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is another schematic view showing the locating of the rear end of rod probe in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is another schematic view yet showing the locating of the rear end of rod probe in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken from FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5, a preferred embodiment of the present invention is essentially comprised of a shovel 1, an extension sleeve 2, a rod probe 3, and an ice chisel 4. A tube-shaped connection portion 11 extends outwardly from an edge of the shovel 1. Two locating holes 111 in symmetry are disposed on the circumference of the connection portion 11. The outer diameter of the extension sleeve 2 is smaller than the inner diameter of the connection portion 11 on the shovel 1. One pair of through holes 22 in symmetry are disposed on the circumference at one end of the extension sleeve 2, and a pair of locating holes 23 in symmetry is disposed on the circumference at another end of the extension sleeve 2. An approximately U-shape sheet elastic member 21 is placed in the opening at one end of the extension sleeve 2 where the through holes 22 are provided. Each of two ends of the elastic member 21 is disposed with a locating pin 211 extending in the opposite direction to elastically protrude outwardly from its respective through hole 22 thus for the extension sleeve 2 to be inserted with that end into the connection portion 11 of the shovel. By inserting the locating pin 211 into the locating hole 111, the extension sleeve 2 is movably coupled to the shovel 1. The rod probe 3 is comprised of a cable 32 penetrating through multiple connection tubes 31. The outer diameter of one end 311 of each connection tube 31 is made smaller than that of another end of the same connection tube 31 for the connection tube 31 to be inserted into another connection tube in rigid engagement. A screw hole 3101 is disposed at the outer end of the head connection tube 310 and a slot 3102 axially extends inwardly from the edge of the screw hole 3101. A hollowed portion 3101 in size greater than that of the slot 3102 is provided at the terminal of the cut slot 3102. A packing nut 33 disposed at it center a through hole is engaged in the screw hole 3101. A recessed portion 331 is dispose don the circumference of the central hole on the end of the packing nut 33 that connects through a slot 332 disposed on the side of the packing nut 33 connecting through the central hole of the packing nut 33. The cable 32 is disposed with an end block 322 in a size greater than that of the hollowed portion 3103 of the connection tube 310 is disposed to the cable at the end the cable 32 connecting through the connection rube 310. A retaining block 321 is disposed at where keeps a proper distance on the inner side of the end block 322. On end of the ice chisel 4 relates to a tip 44 and another end is provided with a recessed chamber to receive insertion of a compass 43. A section of pipe 41 laterally protruding from the mid of the ice chisel 4. A pair of through holes 411 in symmetry is disposed on the circumference of the protruded pipe 41 and a U-shaped elastic member 42 is placed in the protruded pipe 41. Two locating pins 421 extending in opposite direction are provided to both ends of the elastic member 42 to respectively protrude outwardly from the through holes 411 for the protruded pipe 41 to insert into the end of the extension sleeve 2 where provided with the locating holes 23, and the protruded pipe 41 from the ice chisel 4 to be coupled in position to the end of the extension sleeve 2 by inserting each locating pin 421 into the locating hole 23.
In practice, the user may directly hold on to the extension sleeve 2 and the ice chisel 4 (equivalent to a handle) to operate the shovel 1. The extension sleeve 2 will be disengaged from the connection portion 11 of the shovel 1 by pressing both locating pins 211 to retreat into their respectively locating holes 111 for the user to operate the tip 44 of the ice chisel 4. The rob probe 3 is pulled out when the protruded pipe 41 of the ice chisel 4 clears away from the extension sleeve 3 by pressing both locating pins 421 to retreat them into their respectively locating hole2 23.
Now referring to FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 showing the operation with the rob probe 3 pulled and extended and also referring to the sectional view illustrated in FIG. 9, as the rod probe 3 is pulled out of the extension sleeve 2, multiple connection tubes 31 are rigidly connected to one another by having the thinner end 311 of each connection tube 31 inserted into the other end of another connection tube 31. Turn the slot 332 of the packing nut 33 to align at where the slot 3102 on the head connection tube 310 to pull the cable 32 for its retaining block 321 to slide out of the hollowed portion 3103 of the head connection tube 310. The cable 32 passes through the slots 3102(332) to move the retaining block 321 to where outside the recessed portion 331 of the packing nut 33. Finally, the packing nut 33 winds outwardly to hold against the retaining block 321 for the cable 32 to be pulled in a tight status, thus to avoid each connection tube 31 from loosening and bent.
The present invention by providing additional functions incorporated to a snow shovel allowing easy portability and operation convenience meets the requirements of utilities, innovation and advancement. Therefore this application is duly filed. However, it is to be noted that the preferred embodiments disclosed in the specification and the accompanying drawings are not limiting the present invention; and that any construction, installation, or characteristics that is same or similar to that of the present invention should fall within the scope of the purposes and claims of the present invention.

Claims

1. A snow shovel with an internal rod probe including a shovel provided on its edge a connection portion; an extension sleeve with one end coupled to the connection portion of the shovel and another end being disposed with a movable retainer that can be easily held; and a rod probe foldable to be received in the extension sleeve and can be removed for extension and fixation when the retainer clears away from the extension sleeve.

2. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the rod probe is comprised of multiple tubes with a cable passing through the inside of those tubes; and one end of each tube is in an outer diameter slightly greater than that of the other end for the tube to be inserted into the other end for rigid connection.

3. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 2, wherein a screw hole is disposed at the outer end of the tube located by the side of the rod probe; a packing nut disposed at its center a through hole is engaged to the screw hole; a retaining block is disposed externally to the cable; and the packing nut exposed out of the screw hole to hold against the retaining block to stretch and pack the cable.

4. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 3, wherein a slot axially extends inwardly from the edge of the screw hole, a hollowed portion in a greater size than that of the slot is disposed at the terminal of the slot, and another slot is disposed on the a side of the packing nut and connecting through the central hole of the packing nut.

5. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the cable is disposed with an end block at the end of the side facing the retaining block, and the volume of the end block is greater than of the hollow portion of the tube.

6. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the retainer relates to an ice chisel.

7. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the retainer relates to an ice chisel.

8. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the retainer relates to an ice chisel.

9. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 4, wherein the retainer relates to an ice chisel.

10. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 6, wherein, a tube is laterally extends from the mid section of the ice chisel, and the tube is inserted into the end of the sleeve.

11. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 7, wherein, a tube is laterally extends from the mid section of the ice chisel, and the tube is inserted into the end of the sleeve.

12. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 8, wherein, a tube is laterally extends from the mid section of the ice chisel, and the tube is inserted into the end of the sleeve.

13. The snow shovel with an internal rod probe as claimed in claim 9, wherein, a tube is laterally extends from the mid section of the ice chisel, and the tube is inserted into the end of the sleeve.