초록 ▼

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 h

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.

대표청구항 ▼

1. 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 therebetwee

1. 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; anda plurality of teeth extending downwardly from the pair of opposing vertical sidewalls on the scoop. 2. The combination tool of claim 1, further comprising: a handle connected to the scoop at a connection, wherein the second width is measured across the connection of the handle to the scoop, wherein a ratio of the first width to the second width is in range from 4:1 to 1.25:1. 3. The combination tool of claim 2, wherein the connection is a reinforced connection adapted to support the force and weight of shoveling snow and ice. 4. The combination tool of claim 2, further comprising: a longitudinally aligned cavity formed in the handle adapted to receive smaller supplemental tools therein. 5. The combination tool of claim 2, wherein the ratio is about 2.5:1. 6. The combination tool of claim 1, further comprising: at least one longitudinally extending strengthening rib below the concave surface of the scoop. 7. The combination tool of claim 6, further comprising: at least one transversely extending strengthening rib below the concave surface of the scoop. 8. The combination tool of claim 1, further comprising: an apex of the convex upwardly facing surface of the scoop positioned at a height above the bottom of the combination tool, wherein the height is equal to a lug offset above ground surface adapted to assist in changing a tire on the vehicle. 9. 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; andwherein 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. 10. The combination tool of claim 9, further comprising: a pair of vertical sidewalls on the scoop tapering from a first width to a narrower second width, wherein the bristles nest between the pair of vertical sidewalls in the first configuration. 11. The combination tool of claim 9, further comprising: an extension piece shaped complementary to a cavity defined by the shovel handle so as to allow the cavity to receive the extension piece in the second configuration to thereby establish the connection between the shovel handle and the brush handle. 12. The combination tool of claim 9, further comprising: an accessory tool having a width smaller than a cavity defined by the shovel handle and disposed within the cavity when the combination tool is in the first configuration. 13. The combination tool of claim 9, further comprising: a first scraper on the shovel defining the first end of the tool; anda second scraper on the brush, wherein the second scraper is positioned closely adjacent the first scraper in the first configuration. 14. The combination tool of claim 9, further comprising: a plurality of teeth extending upwardly from a convex surface of the scoop, wherein the teeth are oriented to enable traction for an object moving over the convex surface. 15. The combination tool of claim 14, further comprising: a plurality of teeth extending downwardly from a concave surface of the scoop adapted to engage a ground surface while the object moves over the convex surface. 16. The combination of claim 9, wherein the brush has a first length and the shovel has a second length, wherein a ratio of the first length to the second length is in range from about 0.8:1 to about 1.5:1. 17. The combination of claim 9, wherein the scoop has a concave surface defining an arcuate profile when viewed in cross section, and the bristles on the brush having a complementary arcuate profile relative to the concave surface for nesting therewith in the first configuration.