Snowthrower impeller assembly with rigid cutting implement
View Patent ↗An impeller assembly for a snowthrower includes a flexible impeller configured to rotate about an axis, wherein the flexible impeller extends radially from the axis to an impeller radial distance, and a cutting implement extending radially from the axis to a cutting implement radial distance less than the impeller radial distance, wherein the cutting implement is spaced apart from and does not contact the flexible impeller.
1. An impeller assembly for a snowthrower, comprising:
a flexible impeller configured to rotate about an axis, wherein the flexible impeller extends radially from the axis to an impeller radial distance;
a driven shaft configured to rotate about the axis;
two cutting disks, each cutting disk attached to the flexible impeller to couple the flexible impeller to the driven shaft;
a blade attached by a plate to a central portion of the driven shaft between the two cutting disks and wherein the flexible impeller is attached to the plate; and
a cutting implement extending radially from the axis to a cutting implement radial distance less than the impeller radial distance, wherein the cutting implement is spaced apart from and does not contact the flexible impeller.
2. An impeller assembly for a snowthrower, comprising:
a flexible impeller configured to rotate about an axis, wherein the flexible impeller extends radially from the axis to an impeller radial distance;
a cutting implement extending radially from the axis to a cutting implement radial distance less than the impeller radial distance, wherein the cutting implement is spaced apart from and does not contact the flexible impeller;
a driven shaft configured to rotate about the axis; and
a blade attached by a plate to a central portion of the driven shaft between two cutting disks attached to the flexible impeller and wherein the flexible impeller is attached to the plate.