Snowthrower scraper

Abstract

An auger housing as part of a snowthrower or part of a snowthrower implement for attachment with a vehicle. The auger housing may include a rear wall and spaced-apart first and second sidewalls connected to one another by the rear wall to define a front-facing collection opening. The rear wall may define a lower edge extending between the first and second sidewalls along a transverse direction. The auger housing may also include an oscillating scraper connected to the lower edge of the rear wall. The oscillating scraper extends downwardly from the lower edge toward a ground surface and is configured to move relative to the rear wall in a reciprocating motion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A snowthrower comprising:
 an auger housing comprising spaced-apart first and second sidewalls connected to one another by a rear wall to define a front-facing collection opening, wherein the auger housing comprises a lower edge extending between the first and second sidewalls along a transverse direction;   an auger positioned within the auger housing between the collection opening and the rear wall; and   an oscillating scraper connected to the lower edge of the auger housing, the oscillating scraper extending downwardly from the lower edge toward a ground surface and configured to move relative to the auger housing in a reciprocating motion.   
     
     
         2 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper is configured to move along the transverse direction relative to the auger housing. 
     
     
         3 . The snowthrower of  claim 2 , wherein the oscillating scraper is configured to translate over a total distance of about 0.05 inches to 0.75 inches along the transverse direction. 
     
     
         4 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper is configured to move in a direction perpendicular to the transverse direction relative to the auger housing. 
     
     
         5 . The snowthrower of  claim 4 , wherein the oscillating scraper is configured to translate over a total distance of about 0.05 inches to 0.375 inches in the direction perpendicular to the transverse direction. 
     
     
         6 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper is configured to move at a frequency of about 1-200 Hertz. 
     
     
         7 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper comprises one portion extending between the first and second sidewalls. 
     
     
         8 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper extends along all or most of a length of the lower edge of the auger housing along the transverse direction. 
     
     
         9 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper comprises two or more portions extending between the first and second sidewalls and positioned such that a gap exists between each adjacent portion of the oscillating scraper. 
     
     
         10 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper defines a thickness of about 0.05 inches to 0.375 inches. 
     
     
         11 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper defines a width of about 1 inch to 12 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , further comprising an actuator configured to move the oscillating scraper relative to the auger housing. 
     
     
         13 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein one of the auger housing and the oscillating scraper defines one or more pins and the other of the auger housing and the oscillating scraper defines one or more slots configured to receive the one or more pins. 
     
     
         14 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper defines a leading end cantilevered from the lower edge of the auger housing, wherein the leading end protrudes about 0 inches to 3 inches below a lowest-most point of a profile of the auger. 
     
     
         15 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the auger housing comprises a skid coupled to the first or second sidewall, wherein the skid defines a lower surface configured to support the auger housing upon the ground surface when the snowthrower is in an operating position, wherein the oscillating scraper defines a leading end cantilevered from the lower edge of the auger housing, wherein the leading end is positioned about 0 inches to 3 inches vertically above an elevation of the lower surface of the skid. 
     
     
         16 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper defines an upper surface that is positioned to form a continuous path with an inner surface of the auger housing. 
     
     
         17 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper extends at an angle of less than or equal to 90 degrees relative to the ground surface when the snowthrower is in an operating position on the ground surface. 
     
     
         18 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper comprises a material selected from aluminum, steel, and plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the oscillating scraper comprises a cantilevered member having an upper end movably connected to the lower edge of the auger housing, and a leading end positioned at or near the ground surface. 
     
     
         20 . The snowthrower of  claim 1 , wherein the reciprocating motion of the oscillating scraper relative to the auger housing is selectively actuated. 
     
     
         21 . A snowthrower implement for attachment with a utility vehicle, wherein the snowthrower implement comprises:
 an auger housing comprising spaced-apart first and second sidewalls connected to one another by a rear wall to define a front-facing collection opening, wherein the auger housing comprises a lower edge extending between the first and second sidewalls along a transverse direction;   an auger positioned within the auger housing between the collection opening and the rear wall; and   an oscillating scraper connected to the lower edge of the auger housing, the oscillating scraper extending downwardly from the lower edge toward a ground surface and configured to move relative to the auger housing in a reciprocating motion.