Snow removal apparatus

Abstract

A snow removal apparatus having a housing with first and second chambers that are in communication with each other. A rear wall and a pair of end plates form the first chamber. Each end plate has a leading edge that is positioned in an offset manner by a transition member, and each transition member is configured to act in a wedge-like manner to split sections of hard packed snow from a larger mass of snow. An auger is positioned within the first chamber and configured so that it is able to move snow towards the second chamber in a controlled manner. The auger includes at least one feeder paddle that is configured to break-up and distribute compacted snow before it enters the second chamber. An impeller is positioned in the second chamber so that its blades project into a portion of the first chamber where they are able to engage snow that is extruded past the auger ends. The blades of the impeller include sidewalls, which also break-up and distribute compacted snow before it enters the second chamber. As the snow enters the second chamber, it is accelerated by the impeller, after which it flows into a rotatably mounted chute that directs the snow away from an area being cleared.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A housing for a snow removal apparatus, the housing comprising: 
 a rear wall,    a first end plate; and,    a second end plate, with the rear wall and the first and second end plates forming an a chamber for receiving snow;    wherein the housing is arranged and configured to assist in the process of snow removal by fracturing sections of snow from a larger, stationary mass of snow and directing the fractured sections towards the interior of the chamber as the housing is advanced into the stationary mass of snow.    
     
     
         2 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second end plates further comprises a leading edge, wherein the leading edge is laterally offset in relation to the end plate.  
     
     
         3 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second end plates further comprises a transition member, wherein the transition member is angled in relation to the end plate.  
     
     
         4 . The housing of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first and second end plates further comprises a transition member and a leading edge, with the transition member connecting the leading edge to the end plate in an offset relation.  
     
     
         5 . An auger assembly for use in a snow removal apparatus, the auger assembly comprising: 
 an auger comprising a blade operatively connected to a rotatable shaft, the blade having an outer end and an inner end; and,    a paddle having a blade, with the paddle operatively connected to the rotatable shaft of the auger so that the blade extends outwardly therefrom in a radial direction, and with the paddle positioned adjacent the inner end of the auger blade;    wherein the blade of the paddle is configured to engage and divert a portion of the flow of snow, which passes out from the inner end of the auger blade when the auger assembly is rotated.    
     
     
         6 . The auger assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the blade of the paddle is angled with respect to the blade of the auger.  
     
     
         7 . The auger assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the blade of auger and the blade of the paddle have substantially the same radial extents.  
     
     
         8 . The auger assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the blade of the auger is radially spaced from the auger shaft.  
     
     
         9 . The auger assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the paddle comprises a second blade, with the second blade extending outwardly from the shaft of the auger in a radial direction; 
 wherein the second blade of the paddle is configured to engage and divert a portion of the flow of snow, which passes out from the inner end of the auger blade when the auger assembly is rotated.    
     
     
         10 . The auger assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the second blade of the paddle is angled with respect to the blade of the auger.  
     
     
         11 . An impeller for use in a snow removal apparatus, the impeller comprising: 
 a shaft; and,    a blade, with the blade operatively connected to and extending outwardly from the shaft, and with the blade in substantial alignment with the shaft; with the blade comprising a body having a working surface and a trailing surface, and a first sidewall, the first sidewall extending from the working surface;    wherein the first sidewall of the impeller blade is configured to engage and separate a portion of snow from a larger mass of snow as the impeller is rotated about its shaft.    
     
     
         12 . The impeller of  claim 11 , wherein the blade further comprises a second sidewall, the second sidewall extending from the working surface; 
 wherein the second sidewall of the impeller blade is configured to engage and separate a portion of snow from a larger mass of snow as the impeller is rotated about its shaft.    
     
     
         13 . The impeller of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second sidewalls are in substantial alignment with each other.  
     
     
         14 . The impeller of  claim 12 , wherein the first and second sidewalls are substantially perpendicular to the working surface of the blade.  
     
     
         15 . The impeller of  claim 12 , further comprising a second blade, a blade, with the second blade operatively connected to and extending outwardly from the shaft, and with the second blade in substantial alignment with the shaft; with the second blade comprising a body having a working surface and a trailing surface, and a first sidewall, the first sidewall extending from the working surface; 
 wherein the first sidewall of the second impeller blade is configured to engage and separate a portion of snow from a larger mass of snow as the impeller is rotated about its shaft.