US 9,969,366 B2 · Combination tool for use with ice and snow

Abstract

A combination tool for use with ice and snow is provided to perform a plurality of different functions with as device. The combination tool includes a shovel that can also serve as a traction pad that grips a tire that has lost traction in the snow. The shovel has a scoop near its forward end that has an apex of an arcuate profile configured to align a tire with lugs on a vehicle. The shovel may be reinforced with a plurality of strengthening ribs or gussets to support the weight of snow during shoveling actions and support the weight of vehicles when used as a traction pad. The shovel may be formed as a monolithic uniform unibody member. A brush may be provided to enable the combination tool to have a first configuration with the brush and shovel nested together and a second configuration where they are connected end-to-end.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A combination tool for use with ice and snow, the combination tool comprising:

a first end and a second end defining a longitudinal direction therebetween, a first side and a second side defining a transverse direction therebetween, and a top and a bottom defining a vertical direction therebetween;
a scoop associated with the first end having an upwardly facing convex surface and a downwardly concave facing surface;
a plurality of teeth extending outward from the convex surface of the scoop, the teeth adapted to grip a tire moving over the convex surface so as to allow the scoop to act as a traction pad for the tire;
a pair of opposing vertical sidewalls on the scoop that taper from a first width near the first end to a narrower second width offset towards the second end from the first end;
and
a plurality of teeth extending downwardly from the pair of opposing vertical sidewalls on the scoop.

3 more elements

A combination tool for use with ice or snow, the combination tool comprising:

a first end and a second end defining a longitudinal direction therebetween, a first side and a second side defining a transverse direction therebetween, and a top and a bottom defining a vertical direction therebetween;
a shovel having a scoop and a shovel handle, wherein the scoop is associated with the first end and the shovel handle is associated with the second end, and the shovel is sized and strengthened to support the weight of snow and ice during a shoveling motion;
a brush having bristles and a brush handle;
wherein the brush and shovel are selectively connected in a first configuration and a different second configuration;
and
wherein when the combination tool is in the first configuration, the bristles nests within the scoop near the first end and the shovel handle and the brush handle nest near the second end;
wherein when the combination tool is in the second configuration, the shovel handle connects to the brush handle in a longitudinally aligned manner and the bristles are offset opposite from the scoop relative to the connection between the shovel handle and the brush handle.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Combination tool for use with ice and snow

Life of this patent

Combination tool for use with ice and snow

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17