Multiple-stage snow thrower
AssigneeMTD Products Inc
InventorsJimmy N. Eavenson, Sr., Axel Schaedler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A multiple-stage snow thrower having a housing, a power supply operatively connected to a plurality of drive shafts for rotating a plurality of stage assemblies. Each stage assembly of the multiple-stage snow thrower is configured to move snow either axially along the axis of rotation or radially away from the axis of rotation. The first stage assembly is configured to expel snow from the housing, thereby throwing the snow away from the snow thrower. The second, third, and fourth stages assemblies are configured to push the snow toward the longitudinal centerline of the housing and then rearwardly toward the first stage assembly.
Claims19
A multiple-stage snow thrower comprising:
- a frame;
- a power supply operatively connected to the frame;
- a first stage assembly positioned at least partially within a housing and operatively connected to the power supply, wherein rotation of the first stage assembly expels snow from the housing;
- a second stage assembly operatively connected to the power supply, wherein rotation of the second stage pushes the snow toward the first stage assembly;
- a third stage assembly operatively connected to the power supply, wherein rotation of the third stage assembly pushes the snow toward the second stage assembly;
- and
- a fourth stage assembly operatively connected to the power supply, wherein rotation of the fourth stage assembly pushes the snow toward the second stage assembly;
- wherein the first stage assembly and the second stage assembly are attached to a first drive shaft, the first drive shaft having a first power transfer mechanism and a second power transfer mechanism;
- wherein the third stage assembly is attached to a second drive shaft, the second drive shaft having a third power transfer mechanism;
- and
- wherein the fourth stage assembly is attached to a third drive shaft.
A multiple-stage snow thrower for removing accumulated snow, the multiple-stage snow thrower having a housing, a frame, and a power supply operatively connected to the frame, the multiple-stage snow thrower comprising:
- a first stage assembly operatively connected to a first drive shaft, wherein rotation of the first stage assembly moves the snow radially to expel the snow from the housing;
- a second stage assembly operatively connected to the first drive shaft, wherein rotation of the second stage moves the snow within the housing;
- a third stage assembly operatively connected to a second drive shaft, wherein rotation of the third stage assembly moves the snow within the housing;
- and
- a fourth stage assembly operatively connected to a third drive shaft, wherein rotation of the fourth stage assembly moves the snow within the housing;
- wherein the first drive shaft comprises a first and a second power transfer mechanism, the second drive shaft comprises a third power transfer mechanism, and the third drive shaft comprises a fourth power transfer mechanism;
- and
- wherein the first power transfer mechanism is engaged with the third power transfer mechanism such that rotation of the first drive shaft causes rotation of the second drive shaft, and wherein the first power transfer mechanism is engaged with the fourth power transfer mechanism such that rotation of the first drive shaft causes rotation of the third drive shaft.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.