US3791053A

US3791053A - Snow compacting apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3791053A
Application number: US00196658A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Breckbill
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1971-11-08
Filing date: 1971-11-08
Publication date: 1974-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 1991-02-12

Abstract

An apparatus for compacting snow includes a conveyor screw rotatably positioned in an elongated housing. The housing and screw each have a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape along their entire lengths. The screw has a discharge end portion and restriction means is positioned in the housing spaced from the discharge end of the screw. The screw forces snow through the restriction means for compressing the snow to a much smaller volume. The size of the opening through the restriction means is automatically variable in accordance with the density of the snow being forced therethrough.

Description

mite-=1" Breckbiil States atent i191 1 Feb. 12, 1974 1 SNOW COMPACTING APPARATUS Frank D. Breckbill, 703 Clarendon Ave. N.W., Canton, Ohio 44708 22 Filed: Nov. 8, 1971 21 Appl. No; 196,658

[76] Inventor:

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 684,052 10/1901 Farquhar 37/11 1,708,376 4/1929 Cook 37/10 1,561,472 11/1925 Linderman.. 37/11 2,022,166 11/1935 Welty 214/8332 X 2,428,995 10/1947 Rogers 193/213 X 1,458,492 6/1923 Mathews et a1.... 198/213 X 1,505,863 8/1924 Chayer 214/8332 X 2,788,196 4/1957 Jacobi et a1 198/215 X 3,549,000 12/1970 Christian et a1. 198/213 3,547,261 12/1970 Koch 198/213 X 852,833 5/1907 Farquhar 37/10 1,562,842 ll/l925 Milne et a1. 37/43 E 1,523,012 1/1925 Gettelman 37/10 3,435,545 4/1969 Andersonm 37/10 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 1,201,706 8/1970 Great Britain 198/215 Primary ExaminerRobelt E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Eugene H. Eickholt Attorney, Agent, or FirmMeyer, Tilberry & Body [5 7 ABSTRACT An apparatus for compacting snow includes a conveyor screw rotatably positioned in an elongated housing. The housing and screw each have a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape along their entire lengths. The screw has a discharge end portion and restriction means is positioned in the housing spaced from the discharge end of the screw. The screw forces snow through the restriction means for compressing the snow to a much smaller volume. The size of the opening through the restriction means is automatically variable in accordance with the density of the snow being forced therethrough.

7 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures Patented Feb. 12, 1974 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fi f1 INVENTOR.

F RA NK 0. BREC/(B/LL ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 12, 1974 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. FRANK D. BREC/(B/LL A TTOR/VEYS Patented Feb. .12, 1974' 339mm 6 Sheets-Sheet 4.

INVENTOR. FRANK D. BREC/(B/LL WWW Patented Feb. 12,1974 W 3,791,053

I 6 sheet -sheet s v INVENTOR. J FRANK 'BRECKB/LL ATTORNEYS atented Feb. 12, 1974' r 3,791,053

6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. F RANK 0. BRECAB/LL @k w awy/ ATTURNEYS SNOW COMPACTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application pertains to the art of snow removal and more particularly to apparatus for compacting snow into a smaller volume. Although the apparatus is particularly applicable for use in compacting snow, it will be appreciated that the invention has broader applications and may be used for compacting other materials.

Removal of snow presents a serious problem for metropolitan areas. In general, snow is relatively light and has a very low density so that it occupies a large volume. Hauling such material to disposal areas requires an extremely large amount of equipment and the operation is inefficient because vehicles used to transport the material operate far below their load carrying capacity.

The use of snow blowers for removing snow from city streets and depositing it in vehicles presents a hazard because stones and chunks of ice, or other solid objects, may be thrown from the blower at high velocity and cause damage to persons or property.

Many different proposals have been made for increasing the density of snow so that it will occupy a much smaller volume beforeit is transported to a disposal area. One proposal includes melting the snow so that it is transported as a liquid. This requires an extremely large amount of heat energy in order to rapidly convert the snow as it is being removed from a surface area. The high heat energy required makes such a procedure extremely expensive. In addition, vehicles used for conveying the water during freezing weather must be specially constructed in order to prevent the water from freezing before the vehicle reaches a disposal area. Equipping such special vehicles, and providing them with a heat source to furnish sufficient heat energy to prevent freezing, is anextremely expensive proposition.

Other previous arrangements have included an auger or conveyor screw which was tapered and enclosedin a tapered housing. Snow was conveyed along the rotatable screw into a progressively decreasing volume. Depending upon the density of the snow, it might be transformed into a solidbefore reaching the end of the tapered screw. Since a confined solid cannot be further compressed, the tapered screw would cease rotation, or the screw and its confining housing would burst.

There is a very large variation in the density of snow. In a naturallyfallen state, snow may vary up to thirty times the volume of ordinary ice. The temperature of the snow also varies over a wide range and this naturally affects its density. When snow is mechanically compacted, as by being plowed from a street to a curb area, its density will be greatly increased. Depending upon the density of the snow, it may be transformed to a near-solid within a tapered conveyor screw and enclosure housing so that it can no longer be extruded.

Other previous arrangements for compacting snow have included the use of a reciprocating piston which would force the snow through a restricted outlet. Depending upon the density of the snow, it may be compacted into a substantially solid mass before the end of the compressing stroke of the piston. This would break the crankshaft; the piston or its connecting rod; or the piston housing. In addition, reciprocation of the piston SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION I Apparatus for compacting snow includes an elongated hollow housing for carrying snow longitudinally therethrough. Conveyor screw means is rotatably positioned in the housing for conveying snow therethrough. The screw has an intake end portion and a discharge end portion, and a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length. The housing has a housing portion coextensive in length with the screw and the housing portion also has a substantially uniform crosssectional shape throughout its length. This arrangement prevents snow from being compacted to an extremely high density in the conveyor screw so that it will no longer travel therealong.

In accordance with a preferred arrangement, restriction means is positioned in the housing in spaced relationship to the discharge end portion of the screw for compacting snow forced therethrough by the screw. In one arrangement, it is possible to construct the screw with a spiral flight thereon which decreases in pitch from the intake end portion of the screw to the discharge end portion thereof.

In accordance with a most preferred arrangement, at least a pair of screws having spiral flights thereon intermeshed with one another are rotatably positioned in the housing. With a single screw design, it is possible that caking and freezing of snow within the spiral flight will result in blockage because the entire mass of compacted snow may-turn with the screw within the housing. With at least two screws having their flights intermeshed, compacted snow cannot simply rotate with one screw within the housing because it will be contacted by the flight of the other screw. Such an arrangement will positively move the snow through the housing and crush any large chunks of ice and vegetable solids while leaving sufficient clearance for passage of stones and the like. More thantwo screws having their spiral flights intermeshed maybe provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the device, the housing has an'internal peripheral wall with projection means thereon extending radially inward toward the screw inorder to aid movement of snow along the screw within the housing. In a preferred arrangement, the projection means comprises a spiral projection which extends over an arc not greater than forty-five degrees and is spiraled in the same direction as the spiral flight on thescrew. This spiral projection arrangement in the housing may be used with a single screw or with the plural screw arrangement wherein plural screws have-their flights intermeshed.

In one arrangement, the housing includes an upwardly inclined portion extending from the discharge end portion of the screw to the restriction means for defining a compacting chamber in which snow is compacted due to its own weight prior to extrusion through the restriction means.

In accordance with another aspect of the device, the housing has a discharge outlet for discharging compacted snow forced through the restriction means, and

fracturing means is positioned at the discharge outlet for fracturing snow moving through the restriction means into small sections. In one arrangement, the discharge outlet from the housing opens transversely of the longitudinal axis of the housing and transverse wall means is located between the housing and the discharge outlet. This transverse wall bends the compacted snow immerging from the restriction means and defines the fracturing means. It will be recognized that mechanical devices may also be located adjacent the outlet for fracturing the snow into relatively short lengths.

In the preferred arrangement, the restriction means has a variable opening which includes wall means connected with the housing for displacement relative thereto to vary the size of the opening. Many different arrangements may be provided for making the wall means movable relative to the housing in order to vary the size of the opening through the restriction means. In one arrangement, the wall means is formed of elastomeric material. In another arrangement, a fluid pressure chamber is provided between the housing and the elastomeric wall means in order that the force necessary to pass compacted snow through the restriction means may be varied. In another arrangement, the wall means includes a plurality of plate elements annularly positioned in the housing. First ends of the plate elements are pivotally connected with the housing and opposite ends thereof are positioned radially inward of the housing for displacement relative thereto. The plate elements may be of arcuate shape longitudinally of the housing and have the opposite ends thereof displaceable longitudinally of the housing for flattening the arcuate curvature thereof. It is also possible to arrange the plate elements with means for normally biasing the opposite ends thereof radially inward relative to the housing with yieldable biasing means in the form of hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders, springs or elastomeric material.

In the preferred arrangement, the conveyor screw is positioned for directly receiving material from an enlarged scoop attached to the inlet opening of the housing. As soon as snow is picked up by the scoop, it is fed to the inlet opening of the housing and carried through the housing by rotation of the screw. Forward movement of a vehicle on which the compacting apparatus is mounted results in some preliminary compaction of the snow as it enters the scoop and is forced to the inlet opening of the housing for conveyance by the conveyor screw.

It is a principle object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for compacting snow.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for compacting snow which is less expensive to manufacture and maintain.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an improved snow compacting apparatus which is very efficient in operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved snow compacting apparatus which is capable of handling snow of varying densities and temperatures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention may take form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, certain preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawing which forms a part hereof.

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a snow compacting apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of another modified form of snow compacting apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and with portions cut away for clarity of illustration;

FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking generally in the direction of arrows 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking generally in the direction of arrows 7-7 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking generally in the direction of arrows 8--8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 and showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is another view similar to FIGS. 8 and 9 and showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is another view similar to FIGS. 8-10 and showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 12 is another view similar to FIGS. 8-11 and showing another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is an end elevational view showing another form of housing constructed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a partial end elevational view showing the housing of FIG. 13 with a conveyor screw positioned therein,

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional elevational view looking generally in the direction of arrows 1515 of FIG. 13; and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional top plan view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting same, FIG. 1 shows an apparatus A for removing snow from a surface area and compacting same to a nearsolid form prior to discharge. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, apparatus A includes a vehicle B having rotatable surface engaging wheels 12 and a frame 14. All or certain ones of wheels 12 may be rotatably driven in a known manner by a fuel burning engine on vehicle B. Vehicle B moves forward in the direction of arrow 16 while removing snow from surface area 18 and compacting same to a near-solid. Although the apparatus is being described with reference to use with a selfpowered vehicle, it will be recognized that the apparatus may be pushed along by a separate conveyance or may be located in a stationary position for other compacting operations.

In accordance with one arrangement, snow conveying and compacting means C is mounted in vehicle B. In the arrangement shown, snow conveying and compacting means C includes a pair of spaced-apart elongated hollow housing means D mounted on vehicle B and positioned on opposite sides thereof. Each housing D includes a housing portion 20 which has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape and area along its length. A conveyor screw Ehaving a spiral flight 22 thereon is rotatably positioned within each housing portion 20. Screw E includes an intake end portion 24 and a discharge end portion 26. Shaft 28 of each screw E is rotatably mounted in a bearing 30 which in turn is mounted on cross brace members 32 welded or other wise suitably secured to the walls of enlarged scoop 36. Enlarged scoop 36 is attached to inlet opening ends 38 of housings D. Scoop 36 may have runners 42 attached thereto for sliding movement along surface 18 during movement of vehicle B.

Shafts 28 of screws E adjacent discharge end portions 26 may be rotatably supported on right angle drive gear boxes 44 which in turn may be mounted on cross braces in the same manner as described with reference to braces 32. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, vehicle B has a power takeoff unit 46 connected with rotatable drive shafts 48 through universal joints 50. Drive shafts 48 have a bevel gear 52 thereon within transmission 44 engaging bevel gear 54 on shaft 28 of screw E. Power takeoff unit 46 is arranged to drive shafts 48 in order to rotate each of screws E in a direction so that spiral flights 22 thereon convey snow through housings D from inlet end portions 24 toward discharge end portions 26.

In accordance with another aspect of the device,

each housing D includes a compacting chamber portion 60. Each compacting chamber 60 has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length which is substantially the same as housing por tions 20. Housing portions 20 are connected to housing portions 60by connecting rings 62. Support members F have arm portions 64 secured to frame 14 as by bolts 66 and bifurcated yoke portions 68 pivotally connected with connector rings 62 as by pins 70. Each housing D includes restriction means G connected to housing portions 60 as by connector rings 74. Double-acting hydraulic cylinders H have a rod end 76 pivotally connected to frame 14 as by bolts 78, and bifurcated yoke portions 80 pivotally connected to connector ring 74 as by pins 82. Double acting hydraulic cylinders H are connected in a hydraulic circuit in a known manner through suitable control valves for pivoting housings D about pins 70 so that housings D may be positioned in a desirable inclined'or horizontal location. Each housing D also has an outlet opening 86 for discharging compacted snow either to the side of a roadway or into a receptacle on a hauling vehicle.

Although housing portions 20 have been illustrated as being peripherally corrugated, it will be recognized that it is possible to have smooth housing portions and the corrugated sections simply provide added strength. As apparatus A moves over surface 18 in the direction of arrows 16, snow enters scoop 36 and is somewhat compacted therein. Scoop 36 has inwardly sloping walls extending toward inlet openings 38 of housings D so that snow entering scoop 36 is forced toward inlet openings 38. In the arrangement shown, inlet end portions 24 of screws E are located in scoop 36 for positively conveying snow through inlet openings 38 and through housing portions 20. Snow carried along conveyors E enters housing portions 60 which are upwardly inclined from discharge end portions 26 of conveyors E to restriction means G. Therefore, snow enter- 7 ing housing portion 60 is somewhat compacted by its own weight as it moves therealong under force of additional snow carried thereto by screws E. In one arrangement, spiral flight 22 on each screw B may have a pitch which progressively decreases from inlet end portions 24 toward discharge end portions 26 so that snow is at least partially compacted during movement through housing portions 20. Preferably, the decreasing pitch is arranged so that show cannot be compacted any greater than around 3 or 4 times in volume so that snow which is already dense when entering scoop 36 will not become a near-solid before exiting from discharge end portions 26 of screws E.

As snow is continuously fed to compacting chamber 60 by a screw E, snow in compacting chamber 60 is forced through restriction means G. Restriction means G has an opening 90 therethrough which is of a much smaller cross-sectional area than

housing portions

20 and 60. Restriction means G preferably has a smoothly curved wall means 92 so that snow is gradually compacted as it passes therethrough. Compacting means G is adapted to substantially reduce the volume of snow moving therethrough and change it to a near-ice solid condition.

Outlet openings 86 of housings D open transversely of the longitudinal axes of housings D and a curved transverse wall 96 connects restriction means G of housings D with outlets 86. Snow which is extruded or forced through restriction means G will strike against curved wall portions 96 to cause bending of the snow so that it fractures into relatively short lengths for discharge through openings 86. With such an arrangement, it will be recognized that curved wall portions 96 define a fracturing means for fracturing snow forced through restriction means G into relatively short lengths. Other fracturing means in the form of mechanical devices could also be provided for fracturing the compacted snow into smaller chunks.

In accordance with one arrangement, as shown in FIG. 8, restriction means G includes a restriction housing portion 102 connected with housing portion 104 by a suitable connector 106 as by welding or the like. Restriction means G includes a pair of longitudinallyspaced ring members 108 and 110. Ring member 108 is secured to the internal peripheral surface of restriction housing member 102 as by welding. A plurality of plate elements 112 have first ends 114 curved around ring member 10810 form a pivotal connection and second ends 116 curved around ring member to form a second pivotal connection. Plate elements 112 are curved arcuately inward as shown in FIG. 8 to provide a restricted opening. Ring member 110 is displaceable longitudinally of restriction housing 102. When snow has been compacted to substantially its maximum density, the force of such snow being forced through restriction means G will cause arcuate plate elements 1 12 to flatten out so that second ends 116 move away from first ends 114 with ring member 110. This will enlarge the opening through restriction means G. Arcuate plate elements 112 may be formed of spring steel or the like.

In accordance with another arrangement, a plurality of plate elements 120 in FIG. 9 may have their first ends 122 curved around a ring member 124 to define a pivotal connection. A plurality of coil springs 126 are positioned in cylinders 128 secured in circumferential- Iy-spaced relationship around housing 102. Springs 126 act against piston ends 130 having rods 132 extending through holes 134 in housing 102 and pivotally connected as at 136 with each plate element 120. Rods 132 may also be pivotally connected with pistons 130 so that the angle therebetween may be varied when plates 120 move to the dashed line position shown in FIG. 9. Springs 126 provide a yieldable biasing force and normally bias plate elements 120 radially inward of housing 102 so that second ends 140 thereof define a small diameter opening through which snow is forced and thereby compacted. When the snow is already of a great density when picked up, plate elements 120 may move radially outward against the force of springs 126 so that the cross-sectional area of snow forced through restriction means G is greater but still of a near-ice density. It will be recognized that it is also possible to replace springs 126 with hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders to provide variable force for compacting snow of varying density.

In accordance with another arrangement, as shown in FIG. 10, a circumferential coil spring 144 extends through eyelets 146 attached to each overlapping plate member 120. Circumferential coil spring 144 provides a yieldable biasing force so that plate elements 120 may expand outwardly to vary the size of the outlet opening defined by second end edges 140.

In another arrangement, as shown in FIG. 11, a collapsable and extensible wall member 150 has its

opposite edges

152 and 154 secured to housing 102 as by adhesive or riveting. A space 156 is provided between housing 102 and wall 150. A source of compressed air or hydraulic fluid 158 communicates with space 156 through hole 160. The size of opening 162 through wall member 150 may be varied by a controlling source 158 of compressed or hydraulic fluid. Wall member 150 may be of elastomeric material, or may be of such materials as a polyamide.

In another arrangement, a solid mass 170 of elastomeric material, such as natural or neoprene rubber, has a venturi-shaped orifice 172 therethrough which provides a restriction for compacting snow as it is forced therethrough. Elastomeric material 170 is compressible so that the size of opening 172 will vary depending upon the density of snow being forced through orifice 172.

It will be recognized that restriction means G may take many cross-sectional shapes and may be rectangular instead of being tubular. Only one plate member may be provided in a rectangular conduit and be biased toward a position providing only a small rectangular opening therethrough. Compacted snow would then be somewhat extruded in a rectangular shape and the single plate would yield against the yieldable biasing means in order to increase the cross-sectional area of the rectangular opening as the density of the snow became greater.

In using a snow compacting apparatus with a single screw, it has been found that snow will sometimes be highly compacted within the screw and may freeze to the screw so that it simply rotates therewith and the screw no longer conveys snow through the hollow housing. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 4, hollow housing D includes an elongated portion 180 of substantially oval cross-sectional shape. A pair of elongated conveyor screws I are rotatably supported within housing portion 180 with spiral flights 182 thereof intermeshed with one another. Screws 1 are driven in a common direction. Each shaft 184 of screws I have one end rotatably mounted in a suitable bearing 186 secured to cross braces 188. The other ends of shafts 184 are journaled to right-angle gear units 190 mounted on suitable cross braces secured to housing D. A power takeoff shaft 192 may be driven by connection to the engine of vehicle B or may be rotatable driven by a suitable hydraulic motor. Shaft 192 drives a bevel gear 194 within right angle gear housing 196. Bevel gear 194 in turn drives bevel gear 198 fixed to shaft 202 for driving bevel gears 204 which in turn drive bevel gears 206 on shafts 184 of screws I. Any snow which may tend to rotate with either screw I will be broken up by the intermeshed flights 182 so that the snow will be positively conveyed from entrance scoop 210 through housing D toward restriction means G. Housing portion has a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape along screws I so that snow is not compacted as it moves along screws I. As previously explained, substantial compaction of snow by a tapered housing as the snow moves along the screws may result in the snow being compacted to its maximum density before it reaches the end of the screw. This will stall the screw or break some part of the apparatus. It will also be recognized that more than two screws with intermeshed flights may be provided. For example, three or more screws having their flights intermeshed may be provided to obtain the same advantages explained with reference to FIG. 4.

In accordance with another preferred arrangement of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 13, housing D includes a portion 212 surrounding a conveyor screw E. Housing portion 212 has a substantially uniform diameter along its length which surrounds screw E. The internal peripheral surface of housing portion 212 is provided with projection means 214 projecting radially inward toward screw E. In one arrangement, projection means 214 may be in the form of spiral lands much like rifling in a gun. When projection means 214 is in the form of spiral lands, they may be extruded integrally with housing portion 212. However, it will be recognized that it is possible to secure angle iron or the like to the internal periphery of a tubular or other shaped hollow housing in the form of a spiral. In a preferred arrangement, spiral projection means 214 has a pitch substantially greater than the pitch of the flight on the conveyor screw. For example, it is preferable that spiral projection means 214 spirals in such a manner so that it does not extend over an arc greater than 45 from one end of housing portion 212 to the other end thereof. If spiral projection means spiraled at the same pitch as the flight on the conveyor screw, compacted snow frozen to the screw might still simply rotate therewith. In the arrangement described, any snow which tends to rotate with the screw will be acted upon by spiraled projection means 214 and positively forced along housing portion 212 toward the outlet end thereof. It should be recognized that the projection means may take other shapes. It will also be recognized that the projection means, whether it be spiral lands or of some other shape, may be used with the plural conveyor screw arrangement of FIG. 4. In the most preferred arrangement, the plural screw arrangement of FIG. 4 combines with the projection means of FIGS. 13-15 to substantially eliminate any problem with compacted snow sticking to the conveyor screws and preventing feeding movement toward restriction means G. With a housing having an oval or other cross-sectional shape, the projection would not be a true spiral but would still be curved along the housing in the manner of a spiral having an oval shape.

FIG. 16 shows another arrangement wherein oval housing D of FIG. 6 has a pair of screws M and N rotatably mounted therein in the same manner as described with reference to the other embodiments. However, in this arrangement, spiral flight 220 on screw M is spiraled in an opposite direction from spiral flight 222 on screw

N. Spiral flights

220 and 222 are intermeshed, and screws M and N are rotatably driven in opposite directions. This balances the rotational forces when the screws are driven at high speeds. In addition, the flights of the screws are perpendicular to one another in the intermeshing area and produce greater pressures to aid in the flow of material through housing D. The oppositely directed spiral flights and opposite rotation also provides increased churning and cleaning action.

Although the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain preferred embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification. The present invention includes all such equivalent alterations and modificationsand is limited only by the scope of the claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apparatus for compacting snow comprising; elongated hollow housing means for carrying snow longitudinally therethrough, conveyor screw means rotatably positioned in said housing means for conveying snow longitudinally therethrough, said screw means having an intake end portion and a discharge end portion and a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length, said housing means having a housing portion coextensive in length with said screw means, said housing portion having a substantially uniform crosssectional shape throughout its length, restriction means in said housing means spaced from said discharge end portion of said screw means for compacting snow forced therethrough by said screw means, said screw means including at least a pair of screws having spiral flights thereon intermeshed with one another, said housing means having an inner peripheral surface, and spiral projection means on said inner peripheral surface for cooperation with said screw means to carry snow through said housing means.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said projection means spirals in the same direction as said spiral flights and extends over an arc of not greater than 45.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said restriction means is outwardly yieldable.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said screws have spiral flights thereon decreasing in pitch from said intake end portion to said discharge end portion.

5. Apparatus for compacting snow comprising; elongated hollow housing means for carrying snow longitudinally therethrough, conveyor screw means rotatably positioned in said housing means for conveying snow longitudinally therethrough, said screw means having an intake end portion and a discharge end portion and a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length, said housing means having a housing portion coextensive in length with said screw means, said housing portion having a substantially uniform crosssectional shape throughout its length, restriction means in said housing means spaced from said discharge end portion of said screw means for compacting snow forced therethrough by said screw means, said restriction means having a variable opening and including wall means connected with said housing means for displacement relative thereto to vary said opening, said wall means including a plurality of plate elements annularly positioned in said housing means, said plate elements having first ends pivotally connected with said housing means and opposite ends positioned radially inward of said housing means for displacement relative to said housing means.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said plate elements are arcuatelongitudinally of said housing means and said opposite ends are displaceable longitudinally of said housing means away from said first ends for varying the arcuate curvature of said plate elements.

7. The device of claim 5 and further including yieldable biasing means for normally biasing said opposite ends of said plate elements radially inward relative to said housing means.

Claims

1. Apparatus for compacting snow comprising; elongated hollow housing means for carrying snow longitudinally therethrough, conveyor screw means rotatably positioned in said housing means for conveying snow longitudinally therethrough, said screw means having an intake end portion and a discharge end portion and a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length, said housing means having a housing portion coextensive in length with said screw means, said housing portion having a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length, restriction means in said housing means spaced from said discharge end portion of said screw means for compacting snow forced therethrough by said screw means, said screw means including at least a pair of screws having spiral flights thereon intermeshed with one another, said housing means having an inner peripheral surface, and spiral projection means on said inner peripheral surface for cooperation with said screw means to carry snow through said housing means.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said projection means spirals in the same direction as said spiral flights and extends over an arc of not greater than 45*.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said restriction means is outwardly yieldable.

5. Apparatus for compacting snow comprising; elongated hollow housing means for carrying snow longitudinally therethrough, conveyor screw means rotatably positioned in said housing means for conveying snow longitudinally therethrough, said screw means having an intake end portion and a discharge end portion and a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length, said housing means having a housing portion coextensive in length with said screw meanS, said housing portion having a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape throughout its length, restriction means in said housing means spaced from said discharge end portion of said screw means for compacting snow forced therethrough by said screw means, said restriction means having a variable opening and including wall means connected with said housing means for displacement relative thereto to vary said opening, said wall means including a plurality of plate elements annularly positioned in said housing means, said plate elements having first ends pivotally connected with said housing means and opposite ends positioned radially inward of said housing means for displacement relative to said housing means.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein said plate elements are arcuate longitudinally of said housing means and said opposite ends are displaceable longitudinally of said housing means away from said first ends for varying the arcuate curvature of said plate elements.