Auger-impeller bucket assembly for a snow removal device

Abstract

A snow removal device includes a frame, an engine supported at least in part by the frame, a mobility assembly and a bucket assembly. The mobility assembly is operably coupled to the frame and the engine to provide mobility of the snow removal device responsive at least in part to operation of the engine. The bucket assembly is operably coupled to the frame and houses a material conveyor and an impeller, each of which operate via power from the engine to provide snow removal operations. The bucket assembly includes one of each of a first stage housing, an impeller housing, and a discharge chute base. The bucket assembly is formed such that at least two among the first stage housing, the impeller housing, or the discharge chute base are integrally molded or cast as a single unitary component.

1 . A snow removal device comprising:
 a frame;   an engine supported at least in part by the frame;   a mobility assembly operably coupled to the frame and the engine to provide mobility of the snow removal device responsive at least in part to operation of the engine; and   a bucket assembly operably coupled to the frame and housing a first stage material conveyor and an impeller, each of which operate via power from the engine to provide snow removal operations, the bucket assembly comprising one of each of a first stage housing, an impeller housing, and a discharge chute base, the bucket assembly being formed such that at least two among the first stage housing, the impeller housing, or the discharge chute base are integrally molded or cast as a single unitary component.   
     
     
         2 . The snow removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the first stage housing, the impeller housing, and the discharge chute base are each integrally formed together as the single unitary component. 
     
     
         3 . The snow removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the first stage housing and the impeller housing are integrally formed together as the single unitary component. 
     
     
         4 . The snow removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the impeller housing and the discharge chute base are integrally formed together as the single unitary component. 
     
     
         5 . The snow removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the first stage housing further comprises sidewalls, the sidewalls being integrally formed together with the first stage housing as a portion of the single unitary component. 
     
     
         6 . The snow removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the first stage housing further comprises sidewalls, the sidewalls being formed separately from the first stage housing and joined therewith to form the bucket assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The snow removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the single unitary component is formed of a plastic, composite, resin or metal material. 
     
     
         8 . The snow removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the single unitary component is formed by injection molding or compression molding. 
     
     
         9 . The snow removal device of  claim 1 , wherein the single unitary component is formed of structural foam injection molded plastic comprising a wall thickness of up to about 0.25 inches. 
     
     
         10 . A bucket assembly for a snow removal device, the bucket assembly comprising:
 a discharge chute base in communication with a discharge chute to direct snow ejected from the snow removal device;   an impeller housing adjacent to the discharge chute; and   a first stage housing adjacent to the impeller housing, the bucket assembly being formed such that at least two of the first stage housing, the impeller housing, or the discharge chute base are integrally molded or cast as a single unitary component.   
     
     
         11 . The bucket assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first stage housing, the impeller housing, and the discharge chute base are each integrally formed together as the single unitary component. 
     
     
         12 . The bucket assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first stage housing and the impeller housing are integrally formed together as the single unitary component. 
     
     
         13 . The bucket assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the impeller housing and the discharge chute base are integrally formed together as the single unitary component. 
     
     
         14 . The bucket assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first stage housing further comprises sidewalls, the sidewalls being integrally formed together with the first stage housing as a portion of the single unitary component. 
     
     
         15 . The bucket assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the first stage housing further comprises sidewalls, the sidewalls being formed separately from the first stage housing and joined therewith to form the bucket assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The bucket assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the single unitary component is formed of a plastic, composite, resin or metal material. 
     
     
         17 . The bucket assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the single unitary component is formed by injection molding or compression molding. 
     
     
         18 . The bucket assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the single unitary component is formed of structural foam injection molded plastic comprising a wall thickness of up to about 0.25 inches.