U.S. patent application number 11/224815 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-12 for snowplow assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C.. Invention is credited to Michael Goy, Scott Kluck, Andre LeBlond.
Application Number | 20060005434 11/224815 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32107413 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060005434 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goy; Michael ; et
al. |
January 12, 2006 |
Snowplow assembly
Abstract
A snowplow assembly comprises a lift frame and A-frame operably
pivotally connected together and an actuator operably connected
between the lift frame and A-frame for effecting relative pivotal
movement between the lift frame and A-frame. A plow blade includes
a blade frame. The blade frame includes a tube of circular cross
section which is operably pivotally connected to the A-frame. The
tube is pivotally received by a quadrant, which is operably
connected to the A-frame. A resilient element is operable between
the blade frame and A-frame normally biasing a lower edge of the
plow blade forwardly. The resilient element is an elastomeric loop.
The pivotal connection of the plow blade to the A-frame in
combination with the resilient element provides a trip function of
the plow blade. The plow blade is a composite. The circular tube of
the blade frame provides torsional stiffness to the composite
blade.
Inventors: |
Goy; Michael; (Waukesha,
WI) ; Kluck; Scott; (Mequon, WI) ; LeBlond;
Andre; (Owlshead, ME) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOOD, HERRON & EVANS, LLP
2700 CAREW TOWER
441 VINE STREET
CINCINNATI
OH
45202
US
|
Assignee: |
Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C.
Milwaukee
WI
|
Family ID: |
32107413 |
Appl. No.: |
11/224815 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10282630 |
Oct 29, 2002 |
6941685 |
|
|
11224815 |
Sep 13, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/270 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01H 5/06 20130101; E01H
5/063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
037/270 |
International
Class: |
E01H 5/06 20060101
E01H005/06 |
Claims
1. A snowplow assembly comprising: a lift frame and an A-frame
operably pivotally connected together; an actuator operably
connected between said lift frame and A-frame for effecting
relative pivotal movement between said lift frame and A-frame; and
a plow blade including a blade frame, said blade frame including a
tube of circular cross-section having a length which spans a
distance from one side of a longitudinal center-line of said blade
to the other side of the longitudinal center-line of said blade,
said tube operably pivotally connected to said A-frame.
2. The snowplow assembly of claim 1 wherein said lift frame and
A-frame are adapted to be connected to a vehicle mount frame as a
unit.
3. The snowplow assembly of claim 1 wherein said tube of said blade
frame is pivotally received by a quadrant, said quadrant operably
connected to said A-frame.
4. The snowplow assembly of claim 1 further including a resilient
element operable between said blade frame and A-frame normally
biasing a lower edge of said plow blade forwardly, the pivotal
connection of said plow blade to said A-frame in combination with
said resilient element providing a trip function of said plow
blade.
5. The snowplow assembly of claim 4 wherein said resilient element
is nonmetallic.
6. The snowplow assembly of claim 5 wherein said resilient element
is elastomeric.
7. The snowplow assembly of claim 1 wherein said plow blade is
nonmetallic.
8. The snowplow assembly of claim 7 wherein said plow blade is a
composite.
9. The snowplow assembly of claim 1 wherein said tube extends
substantially the width of said plow blade.
10. The snowplow assembly of claim 1 wherein said lift frame
includes a pair of extensions extending away from said plow blade,
said extensions adapted to be received by a vehicle mount
frame.
11. The snowplow assembly of claim 1 further including a pair of
support stands removably secured to said lift frame.
12. The snowplow assembly of claim 3 wherein said tube includes a
pair of stops which cooperate with a pair of urethane cushions on
said quadrant to limit pivoting movement of said plow blade.
13. A snowplow assembly comprising: a lift frame and an A-frame
operably pivotally connected together; an actuator operably
connected between said lift frame and A-frame for effecting
relative pivotal movement between said lift frame and A-frame; a
plow blade operably pivotally connected to said A-frame; and a
nonmetallic resilient endless loop operably connected between said
plow blade and A-frame in such a manner as to function as an
extension spring member when said blade encounters an obstacle
during forward movement; the pivotal connection of said plow blade
to said A-frame in combination with said resilient loop providing a
trip function of said plow blade.
14. The snowplow assembly of claim 13 wherein said lift frame and
A-frame are adapted to be connected to a vehicle mount frame as a
unit.
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. The snowplow assembly of claim 13 wherein said resilient loop
is elastomeric.
18. The snowplow assembly of claim 13 wherein said plow blade is
nonmetallic.
19. The snowplow assembly of claim 18 wherein said plow blade is a
composite.
20. (canceled)
21. The snowplow assembly of claim 13 wherein said lift frame
includes a pair of extensions extending away from said plow blade,
said extensions adapted to be received by a vehicle mount
frame.
22. The snowplow assembly of claim 13 further including a pair of
support stands removably secured to said lift frame.
23. (canceled)
24. A snowplow assembly comprising: an A-frame; and a plow blade
including a tube of circular cross-section having a length which
spans a distance from one side of a longitudinal center-line of
said blade to the other side of the longitudinal center-line of
said blade, said tube operably pivotally connected to said
A-frame.
25. The snowplow assembly of claim 24 wherein said tube of said
blade is pivotally received by a quadrant, said quadrant operably
connected to said A-frame.
26. The snowplow assembly of claim 24 further including a resilient
element operable between said plow blade and A-frame normally
biasing a lower edge of said plow blade forwardly, the pivotal
connection of said plow blade to said A-frame in combination with
said resilient element providing a trip function of said plow
blade.
27. The snowplow assembly of claim 26 wherein said resilient
element is nonmetallic.
28. The snowplow assembly of claim 27 wherein said resilient
element is elastomeric.
29. The snowplow assembly of claim 24 wherein said plow blade is
nonmetallic.
30. The snowplow assembly of claim 29 wherein said plow blade is a
composite.
31. The snowplow assembly of claim 24 wherein said tube extends
substantially the width of said plow blade.
32. (canceled)
33. A snowplow assembly comprising: an A-frame; a plow blade
operably pivotally connected to said A-frame; and a nonmetallic
resilient endless loop operably connected between said plow blade
and A-frame in such a manner as to function as a tension spring
member when said blade encounters an obstacle during forward
movement; the pivotal connection of said plow blade to said A-frame
in combination with said resilient loop providing a trip function
of said plow blade.
34. (canceled)
35. (canceled)
36. The snowplow assembly of claim 33 wherein said resilient loop
is elastomeric.
37. The snowplow assembly of claim 33 wherein said plow blade is
nonmetallic.
38. The snowplow assembly of claim 33 wherein said plow blade is a
composite.
39. (canceled)
40. (canceled)
41. A snowplow assembly comprising: an A-frame; a plow blade
including a tube of circular cross-section, said tube operably
pivotally connected to said A-frame; and a nonmetallic resilient
endless loop operably connected between said plow blade and A-frame
in such a manner as to function as a tension spring member when
said blade encounters an obstacle during forward movement; the
pivotal connection of said plow blade to said A-frame in
combination with said resilient loop providing a trip function of
said plow blade.
42. The snowplow assembly of claim 41 wherein said tube of said
blade is pivotally received by a quadrant, said quadrant operably
connected to said A-frame.
43. The snowplow assembly of claim 41 wherein said resilient loop
is elastomeric.
44. The snowplow assembly of claim 41 wherein said plow blade is
nonmetallic.
45. The snowplow assembly of claim 44 wherein said plow blade is a
composite.
46. (canceled)
47. (canceled)
48. A snowplow assembly comprising: a lift frame and an A-frame
operably pivotally connected together; an actuator operably
connected between said lift frame and A-frame for effecting
relative pivotal movement between said lift frame and A-frame; and
a plow blade including a blade frame, said blade frame including a
continuous tube of closed cross-section having a length which spans
a distance from one side of a longitudinal center-line of said
blade to the other side of the longitudinal center-line of said
blade and which extends substantially the width of the plow
blade.
49. The snowplow assembly of claim 48 wherein said blade frame
includes a plurality of ribs, said tube being secured to said
ribs.
50. The snowplow assembly of claim 49 wherein each of said ribs
includes a hole therethrough, and said tube is installed in said
holes in said ribs.
51. The snowplow assembly of claim 49 wherein said tube is welded
to said ribs.
52. The snowplow assembly of claim 48 wherein said plow blade is
nonmetallic.
53. The snowplow assembly of claim 52 wherein said plow blade is a
composite.
54. The snowplow assembly of claim 48 wherein said lift frame and
A-frame are adapted to be connected to a vehicle mount frame as a
unit.
55. A snowplow assembly comprising: an A-frame; and a blade frame
operably connected to said A-frame, said blade frame including a
plow blade secured thereto, said blade frame including a continuous
tube of closed cross-section having a length which spans a distance
from one side of a longitudinal center-line of said blade to the
other side of the longitudinal center-line of said blade extending
substantially the width of said blade frame, said tube providing
torsional stiffness to said blade frame and hence said plow
blade.
56. The snowplow assembly of claim 55 wherein said tube is of
circular cross-section.
57. The snowplow assembly of claim 55 wherein said blade is a
composite.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to snow removal equipment and, more
particularly, to a snowplow assembly of lightweight
construction.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Passenger vehicles have been used for sometime as a means
for plowing snow by utilizing snowplow assemblies which are
detachably mounted to the passenger vehicle. The passenger vehicles
of choice for such plowing have included full size pickups and
sport utility vehicles ("SUV's".)
[0003] Efforts are underway to utilize smaller passenger vehicles
for plowing snow. For example, it is desirable to be able to
utilize a lightweight pickup as the vehicle for plowing snow with
the detachably mountable snowplow assembly. However, conventional
detachable snowplow assemblies, built for full size pickups and/or
SUV's, can subject such a lightweight pickup to excessive loads due
to the weight of the snowplow assembly.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to redesign the conventional
passenger vehicle mountable snowplow assembly in an effort to
reduce its weight for use on lighter weight vehicles, for example
lightweight pickups.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with the principles of the present invention,
a snowplow assembly comprises a lift frame and A-frame operably
pivotally connected together, an actuator operably connected
between the lift frame and A-frame for effecting relative pivotal
movement between the lift frame and A-frame and a plow blade
including a blade frame, the blade frame including a tube of
circular cross section, the tube operably pivotally connected to
the A-frame.
[0006] The lift frame and A-frame can be adapted to be connected to
a vehicle mount frame as a unit. The tube of the blade frame can be
pivotally received by a quadrant, the quadrant operably connected
to the A-frame. The snowplow assembly can further include a
resilient element operable between the blade frame and A-frame
normally biasing a lower edge of the plow blade forwardly; the
pivotal connection of the plow blade to the A-frame in combination
with the resilient element provides a trip function of the plow
blade. The resilient element can be non-metallic, for elastomeric.
The plow blade can also be non-metallic, for example a composite.
The tube can extend substantially the width of the plow blade. The
lift frame can include a pair of extensions extending away from the
plow blade, and can be adapted to be received by a vehicle mount
frame. The snowplow assembly can further include a pair of support
stands removably secured to the lift frame. The tube can include a
pair of stops which cooperate with a pair of urethane cushions on
the quadrant to limit pivoting movement of the plow blade.
[0007] In another aspect, a snowplow assembly comprises a lift
frame and an A-frame operably pivotally connected together, an
actuator operably connected between the lift frame and A-frame for
effecting relative pivotal movement between the lift frame and the
A-frame, a plow blade operably pivotally connected to the A-frame,
and a non-metallic resilient endless loop operably connected
between the plow blade and A-frame; the pivotal connection of the
plow blade to the A-frame in combination with the resilient loop
provides a trip function of the plow blade.
[0008] In yet another aspect, a snowplow assembly comprises an
A-frame and a plow blade including a tube of circular cross
section, the tube operably pivotally connected to the A-frame.
[0009] In still another aspect, a snowplow assembly comprises an
A-frame, a plow blade operably pivotally connected to the A-frame,
and a non-metallic resilient endless loop operably connected
between the plow blade and the A-frame; the pivotal connection of
the plow blade to the A-frame in combination with the resilient
loop provides a trip function of the plow blade.
[0010] In a further aspect, a snowplow assembly comprises an
A-frame, a plow blade including a tube of circular cross section,
the tube operably pivotally connected to the A-frame, and a
non-metallic resilient endless loop operably connected between the
plow blade and A-frame; the pivotal connection of the plow blade to
the A-frame in combination with the resilient loop provides a trip
function of the plow blade.
[0011] These and other advantages of the present invention will
become more readily apparent during the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the drawings herein, in
which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS OF THE INVENTION
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a snowplow assembly
according to the principles of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2A is a side view of the snowplow assembly of FIG. 1
prior to striking an obstruction;
[0014] FIG. 2B is a view similar to FIG. 2A but showing the trip
function of the snowplow assembly caused by the blade striking an
obstruction;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the snowplow assembly;
and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0017] Referring first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a snowplow
and mount assembly 10 according to the principles of the present
invention. The assembly 10 includes a snowplow assembly 20 and a
vehicle mount assembly 30.
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, snowplow assembly 20 can include a
lift frame 40, an A-frame 50, a quadrant 60 and a plow blade 70.
Lift frame 40 can include a pair of upwardly extending supports 402
interconnected by an upper laterally extending support 404. Lateral
extending support 404 can support a hydraulic motor 406 to supply
hydraulic fluid to a hydraulic lift cylinder 408, also supported by
support 404 and connected to A-frame 50. A pair of headlamps 410
can be supported by the upwardly extending supports 402. Lift
assembly 40 can further include a pair of rearwardly extending
arms. 412 which are adapted to be removably secured to mount frame
assembly 30, as will be described below. Lift assembly 40 can
further include a pair of support stands 414 each of which includes
a leg 416, foot 418 and height adjustment mechanism 420. Each of
the stands 414 can be removably secured to the lift frame 40 by
slipping mechanism 420 onto tongue 422 which can be secured to
vertical member 402. A lower laterally extending support 424 can
interconnect arms 412.
[0019] A-frame 50 has a rear end which can be pivotally connected
to arms 412 of lift assembly 40 via pivot pins or bolts 502, and
has a forward end which can be pivotally connected to the quadrant
60 via pivot bolt 504. Pivot pins 502 permit pivoting of the
A-frame 50, quadrant 60 and blade 70 about a generally horizontal,
transverse axis, whereas pivot bolt 504 permits quadrant 60 and
blade 70 to be pivot relative to A-frame 50 about a generally
vertical axis. A-frame 50 can further include a pair of hydraulic
cylinders 506 operably connected between the A-frame 50 and
quadrant 60 for pivoting the quadrant 60 and blade 70 about the
generally vertical axis which is defined by pivot bolt 504.
[0020] Quadrant 60 can include a first semi-circular structure 602
and a second semi-circular structure 604 which journal or pivotally
support a circular cross section tube 702 on the rear side of blade
70. Tube 702 can be formed as part of a framework 704 to which
blade 70 is mounted, can be continuous and have a length extending
substantially the width of the blade 70, can be about 2-2.75 inches
in outer diameter and can be spaced away from the blade 70 about
0.75 inch. Framework 704 can include ribs 706 having lightening
cuts therethrough to reduce the weight thereof, as well as holes
therethrough through which to install tube 702. Tube 702 and ribs
706 can be carbon steel; tube 702 can be secured to ribs 706 as by
welding. Blade 70 can be attached to framework 704 with suitable
fasteners (not shown): A pair of stops 708 and 710 can be fixedly
secured to tube 702. Stops 708 and 710 limit the angle of pivoting
of blade 70 during the trip function (FIGS. 2A and 2B.) Stops 708
and 710 can cooperate with urethane cushions 606 and 608, mounted
to quadrant 60 with pivot bolt 504, to limit pivoting of blade 704.
Blade 70 can be of lightweight composite construction.
[0021] Quadrant 60 can include a pair of arms 610, 612 on each
lateral side thereof, each pair supporting a bar 614. Blade
assembly 70 can include a cross bar 712 in between two of the ribs
706 of the blade frame 704. A pair of resilient endless elastomeric
loops or bands 714 can be installed to bar 712 and to bars 614 to
provide a restoring force to restore blade 70 to the position shown
in FIG. 2A after being tripped by an obstacle, as shown in FIG.
2B.
[0022] Referring back to FIG. 1, vehicle mount assembly 30 includes
a mount frame 302 adapted to be secured to a vehicle (phantom)
having a pair of sockets 304 each formed by inboard 306 and
outboard 308 plates. Sockets 304 accept arms 412 of lift frame 40.
The lift frame 40, A-frame 50, quadrant 60 and plow blade 70 are
connectable to the mount frame 302 as a unit. Arms 412 are inserted
into sockets 304. Notches 428 in the ends of arms 412 each receive
a pin (not shown) fixed within each socket 304. Removable pins 310
can then pass through holes in alignment plate 312 and through
holes in both socket 304 forming plates 306, 308, as well as
through holes 426 in arms 412 securing lift frame 40 and hence
A-frame 50, quadrant 60 and plow blade 70 to mount frame 302.
[0023] The lightweight nature of elastomeric bands 714, as compared
to metallic tension or compression springs, along with the
composite construction of blade 70, aid in reducing the weight of
the snowplow assembly 20. Further, while providing a trip function
of the blade 70, tube 702 also provides torsional stiffness for
composite blade 70.
[0024] If desired, tube 702 can be employed to torsionally stiffen
blade 70 without providing a trip function for blade 70. In that
case, tube 702 need not be circular in cross-section; most any
hollow, closed cross-section tube such as those having square,
rectangular, etc. cross-sections would suffice. For that matter,
the cross-section need not be constant the length of the tube
702.
[0025] Those skilled in the art will readily recognize numerous
adaptations and modifications which can be made to the present
invention which will result in an improved snowplow assembly, yet
all of which will fall within the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined in the following claims. Accordingly, the
invention is to be limited only by the scope of the following
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *