U.S. patent number RE31,045 [Application Number 06/123,671] was granted by the patent office on 1982-10-05 for snowplow blade extension.
Invention is credited to Christopher W. Essell, Albert E. Essell, deceased, by Virginia G. Essell, executrix, Robert A. T. Essell.
United States Patent |
RE31,045 |
Essell, deceased , et
al. |
October 5, 1982 |
Snowplow blade extension
Abstract
Snowplow blades can be immediately varied in length at one or
both ends by providing extensions of the same shape as the blade,
which extensions carry studs which are received in sockets,
preferably lengthwise of the back of the blade. The studs are
pinned in the sockets for quick and easy fastening and removal.
Inventors: |
Essell, deceased; Albert E.
(late of Twinsburg, OH), Essell, executrix; by Virginia G.
(Twinsburg, OH), Essell; Robert A. T. (Ravenna, OH),
Essell; Christopher W. (Twinsburgh, OH) |
Family
ID: |
26821772 |
Appl.
No.: |
06/123,671 |
Filed: |
February 22, 1980 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
756148 |
Jan 3, 1977 |
04073077 |
Feb 14, 1978 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
37/281;
172/777 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01H
5/065 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
E01H
5/06 (20060101); E01H 5/04 (20060101); E01H
005/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;37/41,42,50,104
;172/777,784,782 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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261668 |
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Aug 1967 |
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AT |
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796483 |
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Oct 1968 |
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CA |
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Primary Examiner: Eickholt; E. H.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Meyer; Harold S.
Claims
I claim:
1. The combination of a snowplow blade on a motorized vehicle, with
a tubular socket which extends longitudinally of the blade on its
back surface and which is an immovable part of the blade structure,
and with a removable extension of a shape corresponding to that of
the blade and from which projects a longitudinal stud fitting the
socket for removably holding the extension in a working position
beyond an end of the blade, and a locking device for preventing
unintended motion of the stud out of the socket.
2. The combination of claim 1, with an extension for each end of
the blade.
3. The combination of claim 1, in which the socket has an opening
extending completely through and the stud is long enough to extend
completely through the opening.
4. The combination of claim 3, in which the locking device is a
pin, and in which the stud has a transverse hole to receive the pin
for latching the stud against removal.
5. The combination of claim 4 in which a spring clip holds the pin
against accidental displacement.
6. The combination of claim 5, in which there are two parallel
sockets and studs for each extension.
7. The combination of claim 6 including a hammer pad on the
extension for receiving blows for loosening a stuck extension.
8. The combination of claim 6, with an extension for each end of
the blade.
9. The combination of claim 7, with an extension for each end of
the blade.
10. The combination of claim 5 in which the pin and clip are
chained to the snowplow blade.
Description
BACKGROUND
Snow removal from other than highways is a major and essential
activity, involving small and medium size vehicles such as the
small four-wheel drive vehicles known as Jeeps, or pickup trucks,
equipped with removable snowplow blades for clearing snow from
parking lots, service stations, driveways, and even sidewalks. The
blades are generally of fixed length slightly greater than the
width of the vehicle, and are supported by adjustable framework
permitting the blade to be held against the ground or to be lifted
well above the ground for transit to and from the place of use, and
also permitting the blade to be perpendicular to the direction of
motion for pushing snow ahead to an out of the way location or to
be at an angle for pushing the snow to one side or the other.
Such blades are necessarily limited in length transversely of the
vehicle for compliance with regulations as to overall dimensions of
road vehicles and as to extent of projection beyond the vehicle
structure, and also to permit passage through restricted spaces
such as between gateposts or trees. The consequence is that
effective snow removal generally requires many more trips of the
vehicle, and therefore much greater expense than would be the case
with longer snowplow blades on the same vehicle.
This problem has been dealt with in the past by equipping heavy
vehicles specifically designed for snow removal with wings or
extensions which can be extended or retracted by mechanism actuated
from the driver's location, to suit the condition which may be
encountered. For smaller vehicles, some use has been made of
extensions which can be bolted to one or both ends of the snowplow
blade when needed, and stowed in the body of the vehicle when not
needed. The former mechanized adjustment of width is far too
expensive for other than highway use, and the latter is too
cumbersome and inconvenient because of the need for tools, the
likelihood of loss of the nuts and bolts, and the problem of
finding a satisfactory stowage location when the extensions are not
being used. The consequence is that almost all snow removal is
carried out with snowplow blades of fixed length.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
I have found that snowplows, and particularly those mounted on
light vehicles, can be equipped quite inexpensively with snowplow
blade extensions of a sturdy construction, yet so simple that the
blade can be converted from its basic length to an extended length
and vice versa in a matter of seconds.
The invention which makes this desirable result so easily possible
involves provision of one or a pair of snowplow blade extensions
matching the curvature or other shape of the basic snowplow blade,
and provided with projecting supports which can be inserted in
sockets in or on the basic snowplow blade and be pinned in
place.
This invention peferably involves also auxiliary sockets for
mounting the snowplow blade extensions on the basic snowplow blade
in an inactive position for convenience and safety in travel to and
from work sites, and for rapid and simple transfer to the operating
position, without the need for using any tools, or at most anything
capable of delivering a light blow such as a rock, a chunk of wood,
or a small hammer.
THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is a representation of the
manner in which a conventional snowplow blade is mounted on the
front of a light motorized vehicle.
FIG. 2 shows a preferred form of snowplow blade extension for
mounting on a conventional blade, and the modification of the basic
blade for receiving the extension.
FIG. 3 is a view of an enlarged scale of the simple holding and
fastening arrangement of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 shows an alternative arrangement for fastening a snowplow
blade extension.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to FIG. 1, conventional snowplows for small and medium
motorized vehicles, such as light truck 10, generally have a
horizontal A-frame 11 mounted on a horizontal transverse pivot, not
shown, under the front end of the vehicle frame.
The A-frame 11 is normally raised to a travel position and lowered
to a working position by a manually operated or power driven
lifting device 12. At the tip of the A-frame 11 a vertical pivot 13
supports a horizontal bar 14 which can be swung into various
transverse or angular positions with respect to the direction of
motion of vehicle 10 and held in the desired position as by pin
15.
A snowplow blade 20 having the general shape of a segment of a
cylinder has two arcuate stiffener bars 21 of curved angle iron
extending from top to bottom on its rear face, with pivot pins 22
connecting the ends of horizontal bar 14 to the flanges of
stiffeners 21 so that the blade 20 can pivot on the transverse axis
through pivot pins 22.
The blade 20 is held in a generally vertical position with its
concave face forward by springs 23. If the bottom edge of blade 20
should strike an immovable and perhaps hidden object such as a
curb, a rock, or a stump, the springs permit the blade 20 to tilt
and slide over the obstacle.
In accordance with this invention, a conventional snowplow blade
such as that described above is modified by providing sockets for
mounting an extension at one end of the blade, or a pair of
extension for both ends.
Referring to FIG. 2, showing a preferred form of the invention, an
extension 30 is made from the same kind and curvature of steel
plate as the blade 20. To the extension are welded a pair of
mounting studs 31, which may be solid rods, or may be tubular for
greater lightness and stiffness. The studs 31 extend horizontally
across the back of extension 30 close to the top and bottom
edges.
To the back of blade 20, close to the top and bottom in a position
corresponding to the location of studs 31 are welded a pair of
tubular sockets 32 of a size permitting studs 31 to pass easily
through so that the extension 30 will fit snugly against the edge
of blade 20.
Each stud 31 has a hole 33 in its free end which projects beyond
the socket 32 to receive a locking pin 34. In turn locking pin 34
is drilled to receive a spring clip 35 to prevent locking pin 34
from bouncing out of its position in hole 33. Each pin 34 and clip
35 is fastened to blade 20 by a light chain 36 so that it cannot be
lost.
Practical experience in use of the arrangement described above is
that the extensions are easily installed and removed if reasonable
clearances are provided between the studs 31 and sockets 32, except
when working in wet snow, when there may be some tendency for ice
to form in the interstices, as well as around locking pins 34 and
spring clips 35. Even then, the foregoing construction permits easy
loosening and removal of spring clips 35, and then locking pins 34
by a light tap. Removal of studs 31 from sockets 32 is not quite so
simple because it is necessary to move both fastenings together
along parallel paths, or each one alternately with the other for a
short distance, particularly if the extension should become bent
and not restored exactly to its original condition. It is
accordingly preferred to weld hammer pads 37 to each extension
close to each mounting 31. A few taps of a hammer or other solid
object against pads 37 will remove extension 30 very quickly
without battering or otherwise damaging the mounting studs 31.
Convenient use of extensions requires provision of a place for
carrying them when they are not in use. Accordingly, an extra
socket 28 is welded to the back of blade 20 in a location such that
extension 30 can be supported by socket 38 on the back of blade 20
without projecting beyond its lateral edge. This socket 38 is
provided with a locking pin 34 and spring clip 35 to prevent loss
of the extension 30 during activities not requiring the extension
to be in its operating position. This carrying socket 38 must, of
course, have its axis spaced somewhat farther from the surface of
blade 20 than socket 32 to allow for the thickness of the extension
30. A lower socket is not required in this inactive position of
extension 30.
Although the preferred form of the invention described above is
quite simple in construction and reliable and convenient in use,
many other arrangements for quick and firm mounting and removal of
a blade extension are possible.
FIG. 4 shows one such alternative in which snowplow blade 40 is
drilled with holes 41 in two or more locations near a lateral edge,
to function as sockets for holding an extension of the blade. An
extension 42 in this case is made longer than the desired amount by
which the blade is to be extended, by a distance sufficient to
extend somewhat beyond each drilled hole 41. Studs 43 are welded to
the back of extension 42 in locations corresponding to those of
holes 41 so that the studs 43 can extend through the basic blade
40. A pin 44 is then passed through a transverse hole in each stud
43 to lock it temporarily in place. This can be a single pin as
shown, or a solid pin locked by a spring pin, each held by a chain
to prevent loss, as shown in FIG. 3.
The extension shown in FIG. 4 can be hung on blade 40 at times when
a snowplow blade extension is not needed, by providing a second
group of holes 45 far enough from the end of the blade 40 that
studs 43 in holes 45 will place the extension 42 snugly against
blade 40 where it can be carried conveniently or can be used for
snow removal where a short blade is preferred.
In the embodiment just described, the thickness of extension 42 is
so small as not to affect noticeably the transverse movement of
snow, along the length of the blade 40.
* * * * *