U.S. patent application number 11/580596 was filed with the patent office on 2007-04-19 for mounting assembly for warning lights on a vehicle blade.
Invention is credited to John E. JR. Johnstad, Garin C. Velin.
Application Number | 20070084092 11/580596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37946845 |
Filed Date | 2007-04-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070084092 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Velin; Garin C. ; et
al. |
April 19, 2007 |
Mounting assembly for warning lights on a vehicle blade
Abstract
An assembly for providing the secure mount of warning lights on
the top and/or back side of the blade of a snow plow or road
grader. The assembly is designed to protect the assembly from a
harsh environment and help a mounted light withstand the shocks and
impacts regularly experienced by a plow when in use.
Inventors: |
Velin; Garin C.; (South
Range, WI) ; Johnstad; John E. JR.; (South Range,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIKOLAI & MERSEREAU, P.A.
900 SECOND AVENUE SOUTH
SUITE 820
MINNEAPOLIS
MN
55402
US
|
Family ID: |
37946845 |
Appl. No.: |
11/580596 |
Filed: |
October 13, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60727589 |
Oct 17, 2005 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/413 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E02F 9/26 20130101; E02F
3/141 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
037/413 |
International
Class: |
E02F 3/64 20060101
E02F003/64 |
Claims
1. Apparatus for securing warning lights to at least one end of a
plow blade of a work vehicle comprising: (a) a rigid metal pipe of
a predetermined length and diameter adapted to be affixed to an
upper edge portion of a plow blade of said work vehicle, the rigid
metal pipe having end caps affixed at opposed ends thereof, the end
caps including a bore formed therethrough; (b) a length of conduit
partially contained within said metal pipe and extending out
through the bores in the end caps so as to run along said upper
edge portion of the plow blade; and (c) a light box secured to said
plow blade by a mounting bracket by a mounting bracket, the light
box containing a first light source and having an opening therein
for receiving one end of the length of conduit therethrough.
2. The apparatus as in claim 1 and further including: (a) a further
light box secured to said plow blade by a further mounting bracket
at an end opposite the one end, the further light box containing a
second light source and having an opening therein for receiving a
second end of the length of conduit therethrough.
3. The apparatus as in claim 1 and further including electrical
wires extending into the rigid metal pipe through a bore formed in
a peripheral surface of the pipe, the electrical wires running
through the length of conduit into said light box for connection to
said light source.
4. The apparatus as in claim 2 and further including electrical
wires extending into the rigid metal pipe through a bore formed in
a peripheral surface of the pipe, the electrical wires running the
length of conduit into both the light box and said further light
box for connection to the first and second light sources,
respectively.
5. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the light box comprises a
generally rectangular frame with an open center and said light
source is suspended in the open center by resilient shock mounting
straps.
6. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket locates
the light box proximate an upper edge of the plow blade.
7. The apparatus as in claim 1 wherein the mounting bracket locates
the light box on a rear surface of the plow blade.
8. The apparatus as in any one of claims 1-7 wherein the light
source in one or the other of the light box and further light box
is a strobe light.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority to provisional patent
application Ser. No. 60/727,589, filed Oct. 17, 2005.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Background of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to an apparatus for
mounting electrical features on a plow assembly, and more
particularly to a structure for effectively mounting electrical
warning lights on a plow blade such that the lights and components
are adequately protected.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Prior Art
[0005] Snow removal is an important task in colder climates where
it is necessary to ensure that the public has safe access to roads
and areas affected by storms and inclement weather. Also important
is the ability to safely conduct road work, landscaping, and
related jobs in warmer areas. A variety of work vehicles mounted
with snow plows or road graders are typically used to accomplish
these tasks. However, when road graders and snow plows are used to
clear snow and other material or to groom gravel roads, their
presence can potentially pose a safety risk to others on the
road.
[0006] One common safety problem is that when these vehicles are
operated to plow snow or the like, the left end of the plow blade
often will extend laterally beyond the vehicle's body. This
configuration, combined with conditions often providing limited
visibility, poses a risk that other on-coming vehicles or those
passing on the left of the road grader/plow may hit the blade.
[0007] One way in which to address this problem, that has been
suggested in the past, is by mounting lights on or around the plow
to help improve visibility during night operation as well as to
provide additional warning illumination. Examples of these
configurations include light bar arrangements on the upper edges
and ends of the plow and configurations which fix a plurality of
lamps to the top portion of a snow plow. While these devices might
provide some enhanced visibility of plows, they are not well
designed to provide adequate warning lights while protecting and
securing the lighting assembly in an effective manner.
[0008] The harsh conditions and frequent and sustained impacts on a
plow blade require that a much more sturdy and reinforced design be
made than the previously contemplated devices. A plow having
mounted lights must overcome the problem of relatively fragile
lights and electrical connections being subjected to undesirable
weather conditions and destructive shaking and jolting of a plow
blade.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The light mounting assembly for plow blades and grader
blades in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention includes an elongated housing member extending parallel
with and fixed to the top of the plow or grader blade, a pair of
mounting brackets joined to the ends of the plow blade, electrical
light members attached to the mounting brackets at the ends of the
plow blade, and steel pipe connecting the housing member to the
electrical light members.
[0010] Alternatively, the assembly may include outer frames joined
to the sides of the back of a plow, a strobe light surrounded by
each frame, and a plurality of flexible dampening members
supporting the strobe light within the outer frames.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The foregoing features, objects and advantages of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description of a preferred embodiment,
especially when considered in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which like numerals in the several views refer to
corresponding parts.
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front view of the mounting assembly of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of a portion of the
mounting assembly of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a left side perspective view of the mounting
assembly of the present invention showing the light assembly and
protective shield for associated electrical wiring;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the lamp assembly
mounted in accordance with the present invention; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the mounting assembly of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] Referring to FIG. 1, the light mounting assembly 10 of the
present invention is seen in schematic form. It is generally made
up of a central housing tube 12, conduit tubes 14, mounting
brackets 16, and light boxes 18.
[0018] These components generally make up an assembly where
flashing lights are mounted on the upper corners of a plow/ road
grader blade 20 (FIG. 2). Light boxes 18, comprising forward and
rearward directed LED strobe lights, are bolted to a mounting
bracket 16 which bolts to the plow blade 20 proximate its opposed
ends, preferably using the same bolt holes that are normally used
for attaching the blade's wear plates 22. See FIG. 3. The wiring 24
for the lights comes from the road grader's lighting system. To
protect this insulated wire 24 leading to the lamp assembly 18, it
is encased in steel conduit or pipe 14 and a larger diameter steel
tubular housing member 12. The insulated wire 24 then proceeds into
the light boxes 18 welded to brackets 16. These brackets 16 are
then bolted to the upper edge of the plow or road grader's blade
20. The invention is well-suited for use on straight plow blades as
well as on wing blades.
[0019] The schematic drawing of FIG. 1 demonstrates how wiring 24
from the plow/grader's lighting system is supplied to the center of
the central housing tube 12 through a grommet located in a drilled
opening 26 and eventually leads to light boxes 18, via conduit
pipes 14. Once inside the housing tube 12 the wiring 24 extends in
opposite axial directions away from central housing tube 12 by
passing from both ends of the housing 12 into steel pipes 14.
Theses pipes 14 are adapted to be attached to an upper edge of the
plow blade and extend toward each respective side of the plow blade
20. They eventually join to junction boxes on which lamp assembles
18 are mounted by means of brackets 16 that are affixed to the
opposed ends of the plow blade 20. In this way, the electrical
power supply is effectively protected from damage and moisture as
its path spans the distance between the plow/road grader's lighting
system and light assemblies 18.
[0020] Without limitation, housing member 12 may comprise a four
inch diameter steel pipe having end caps 30. The end caps 30 are
provided with bores and extending a predetermined distance through
the bores are one-half inch diameter steel pipes 14. The assembly
of FIG. 1 is adaptable for attachment to truck mounted plows,
tractor mounted plows and road graders.
[0021] FIG. 2 discloses a partial side view of the assembly in
place on a plow blade. Central housing tube 12 can be seen located
just above the plow blade 20. This housing tube 12 generally runs
axially parallel to the length dimension of the plow blade 20. A
flat bar mounting bracket 28 joins the housing tube 12 to the top
edge portion of the back face of the plow blade 20. The flat bar
mounting bracket 28 is preferably welded to the outer surface of
housing tube 12 on one end and is bolted to the plow blade 20 on
the opposite end. Housing tube 12 is shown to have a tubular,
cylindrical shape with end caps 30 and a drilled opening 26 in the
side of the cylinder through which wiring 24 passes. The end caps
30 of the housing tube 12 each have a small circular opening 32
through which conduit 14 exits on either side of the housing 12
These circular openings 32 may include a double lipped grommet seal
34 to ensure that the wiring 24 within the housing tube 12 is not
subjected to dirt and moisture.
[0022] FIG. 3 shows another perspective side view of the assembly
10. From this view the light assemblies 18 and a side of the plow
blade is more fully illustrated. The pipe or conduit 14 extends
generally parallel to the top of the plow blade 20 as it leaves the
housing tube 12 and is secured by a bracket 36 for support. Shortly
beyond the bracket 36, the pipe 14 makes, roughly, a 90.degree.
bend such that it extends upward to the light assembly 18. Light
assembly 18 in one embodiment is made up of two box shaped housings
comprising forward and rearward LED strobe lights. These
commercially-available components allow for light to be directed to
both the front and the rear of the plow blade 20. Such LED strobe
lights come in various colors including amber as authorized by the
U.S. Dept. of Transportation and are commercially available from
NOVA Electronics, Inc. of Colchester, Conn.
[0023] Supporting these light assemblies 18 are mounting brackets
16. The mounting brackets 16 have a curved lower portion 38 which
conforms to the shape of the back of the plow blade 20 and a flat
upper portion 40 which projects vertically upward from the top edge
of the plow blade 20 when it is attached. The lower portion 38 of
the bracket 16 additionally contains holes 42 which match the same
bolt holes in the blade that are normally used for bolting on the
blade's replaceable wear plates 22. The mounting bracket 16 is
accordingly fixed in place by bolts 44 extending through the
existing holes in the plow's face.
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a front, partial perspective view of the
plow assembly 10. Blade wear plates 22 cover the top front comers
of the front face of the plow. These plates 22 typically are used
to direct snow away from the plow and are replaceable as wear makes
it necessary. As previously mentioned, these plates 22 also provide
the holes through which bolts 42 extend within the plow face 20 to
hold mounting brackets 16 and the strobe lights 18 to the plow
assembly. The tubular housing 12 and the conduit 14 afford a solid,
dry, protective shield for the electrical wiring preventing
breakage and/or wearing thereof, even in the most severe working
environments.
[0025] FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of the present
invention in which a unique light assembly is attached to the rear
face of the plow blade 20. The assembly generally comprises a
commercially available central strobe light 46 contained within a
moisture-proof strobe light housing 48. The assembly is shown
centrally located near the end edge of the back of the plow blade
20.
[0026] A rectangular frame 50 of the assembly is clamped, bolted,
welded or otherwise attached to either the side lip or back of the
plow 20. The frame 50 comprises four metal side members, as at 56,
which are welded or otherwise fastened together in a generally
square shape.
[0027] Referring still to FIG. 5, centrally located within frame 50
is the strobe light 46 and strobe light housing 48. Strobe light
housing 48 is generally a hollow cylindrically shaped cam member
which terminates in a flat flange 62 around the round opening 64.
This flat flange 62 contains four equally spaced attachment hole
locations 66 around the strobe housing 48 perimeter. The attachment
hole locations 66 provide a structure which allows resilient straps
as at 52 to stretch between the attachment locations 60 of the
frame 50 and the attachment locations 66 around the flange 62 of
the strobe housing 48. In this way, eight resilient straps 52 can
be placed in tension to provide vibration isolated support for the
strobe housing 48 and are configured such that the strobe housing
48 will experience a dampening of vibrations when the plow blade 20
is jolted and impacted during use.
[0028] Located within the strobe housing 48 is an array of LED
strobe lights 46. These strobe lights in array 46 are protected
around the perimeter by a seal member (not shown) placed in between
the strobe light array 46 and strobe housing 48. When in use, the
light array 46 will face outward from the rear face of the plow 20.
Placing a flashing strobe light array in this location enables
drivers approaching from the rear to better see the location of the
plow blade, and will reduce the danger to other motorists. Also
within the strobe housing 48 is wiring which will exit the strobe
housing 48 via an electrical cord 54 either through an opening 74
in the side of the strobe housing 46 (see FIG. 5) or from the rear
opening (not shown) in the back side of the strobe housing 46. The
wiring 54 can be shrouded by conduit 14 as it exits the strobe
housing
[0029] While this embodiment of the present invention has been
primarily described as having a configuration utilizing a frame
equipped with eight resilient straps, a more simplified version
utilizing less than eight straps and corresponding components is
also well within the scope of this invention. Also, the light
assembly can be affixed to a top edge of a plow blade so as to e
viewable to on-coming motorists.
[0030] This invention has been described herein in considerable
detail in order to comply with the patent statutes and to provide
those skilled in the art with the information needed to apply the
novel principles and to construct and use such specialized
components as are required. However, it is to be understood that
the invention can be carried out by specifically different
equipment and devices, and that various modifications, both as to
the equipment and operating procedures, can be accomplished without
departing from the scope of the invention itself.
* * * * *