# US 10,870,960 B2 · Snow and debris removal apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,870,960 B2 - Document ID: US10870960B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/906,707 - Filed: 2018-02-27 - Published: 2018-08-30 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-02-28 - Applicants: Todd E. Kautzman - Inventors: Todd E. Kautzman - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10870960B2 ## CPC - E01H 5/106: {Clearing snow or ice exclusively by means of rays or streams of gas or steam or by suction with or without melting (sucking up dirt E01H1/0827)} - E01H 1/0809: {Loosening or dislodging by blowing (combined with suction E01H1/0863; with steam E01H1/10; removing snow by blowing E01H5/106; cleaning rails by blowing E01H8/105, E01H8/125; removing fog by blowing E01H13/00; cleaning joints in road construction by blowing E01C23/0906); Drying by means of gas streams (combined with snow or ice melting E01H5/10)} - E01H 5/04: Apparatus propelled by animal or engine power; Apparatus propelled by hand with driven dislodging or conveying {levelling} elements, conveying pneumatically {for the dislodged material}(E01H5/10, E01H5/12 take precedence) - E01H: STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING {OR PREVENTING} FOG IN GENERAL {CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS}(cleaning in general B08B) ## Abstract A debris removal apparatus (e.g., for moving snow) can include a frame configured to attach to a prime mover. The frame can include one or more rails that extend from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame. Additionally, the debris removal apparatus can include a carriage configured to translate along the one or more rails of the frame. Further, the debris removal apparatus can include a blower configured to intake a fluid and discharge the fluid at a blower outlet. The blower can be coupled with the carriage. Still further, the debris removal apparatus can include a nozzle configured to couple with the blower outlet. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A debris blowing apparatus, comprising: a frame configured to attach to a prime mover, wherein the frame includes one or more rails that extend from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame; a carriage configured to translate along the one or more rails of the frame; a blower configured to intake air and discharge the air at a blower outlet, wherein the blower is coupled with the carriage, and wherein the blower is configured to pivot laterally on the carriage; and a nozzle configured to couple with the blower outlet, wherein the nozzle includes: an inlet having an opening with a first nozzle area and configured to couple with the blower outlet; and an outlet having an opening with a second nozzle area, wherein the first nozzle area is different from the second nozzle area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a first actuator coupled with the frame and the carriage and configured to translate the carriage along the frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first actuator is repositionable along the frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the first actuator is configured to allow the carriage to translate from the first side of the frame to the second side of the frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second nozzle area is less than the first nozzle area. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second nozzle area is greater than the first nozzle area. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a second actuator coupled with the blower and the carriage and configured to pivot the blower with respect to the carriage. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a cutting edge wheel coupled to the frame and configured to translate across a blowing surface. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the debris is: snow, rocks, sand, dirt, rubbish, water, grain, or wood chips. ### Claim 10 A system for blowing debris, comprising: a frame configured to attach to a prime mover, wherein the frame includes one or more rails that extend from a first side of the frame to a second side of the frame; a carriage configured to translate along the one or more rails of the frame; a blower configured to intake air and discharge the air at a blower outlet, wherein the blower is coupled with the carriage, and wherein the blower is configured to pivot laterally on the carriage; a nozzle configured to couple with the blower outlet, wherein the nozzle includes: an inlet having an opening with a first nozzle area and configured to couple with the blower outlet; and an outlet having an opening with a second nozzle area, wherein the first nozzle area is different from the second nozzle area; and a prime mover. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the prime mover includes a skid loader, a skid steer, a tractor, a front end loader, a truck, a telehandler, an all-terrain-vehicle, a side-by-side, utility vehicle, or a forklift. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, wherein the blower is in communication with a power system of the prime mover and the communication with the power system provides energy to intake and discharge the air. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The system of claim 12, wherein the power system includes a hydraulic system, an electrical system, a power takeoff, a pneumatic system, or an internal combustion system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The system of claim 10, further comprising a cutting edge wheel coupled to the frame and configured to translate across a blowing surface.