Patent Application
20110225854
The present disclosure relates generally to devices for improving the durability, performance, and operation of plow blades. Specifically, the present disclosure provides an improved plow blade edge, for example, snow plow edge and method for replacing.
Rough terrain and cold weather conditions have caused problems for snow plow blades for as long as there have been snow plows. Although many modifications and alternative designs have been made to snow plow blades in attempts to improve the life, durability, and performance of snow plow blades, in particular, the life, durability and performance of snow plow blade edges, most of these modifications and alterations did not provide sufficient durability and ride improving capabilities to deal with, among other things, the rough terrain and cold weather that snow plow blades are typically exposed to. Typically, prior art snow plow edges are metallic, for example, steel, and are excessively damaged or even destroyed due to wear from contact between the plow edge and the terrain and corrosion (which is exacerbated by road salt). Such prior art blade edges must frequently be repaired or replaced.
In addition, rigid prior art snow plow blade edges typically can damage the surface over which they are moved, for example, asphalt or concrete. Due to their rigidity, snow plow blade edges typically transmit loads, for example, shock loads to the vehicle, and vehicle mounting components to which the plow blade is attached. The aforementioned shock loads, in turn, are then transmitted to the driver of the vehicle. These loads can damage or incapacitate the vehicle or vehicle mounting components. In addition, the shock loads exacerbate a driver's dissatisfaction with the task of plowing. Furthermore, metallic prior art blade edges are not effective in plowing fluid-like or finely granulated media, for example, slush, water, and other fluids or powders. There is a need in the art to provide a snow plow blade edge which avoids these limitations of prior art plow blade edges, in particular, limitations in prior art snow plow blade edges.
The present disclosure describes a resilient construction material and method of mounting which can be used to provide new plow blade edges or replace worn plow blade edges, in particular, snow-plow blade edges or other surface plows, that overcome many of the limitations of the prior art.
One aspect of the present disclosure provides for a plow blade edge system which can be mounted to a mold board of a plow. The plow blade system includes an adapter blade including a bottom edge having a carbide insert along a portion of the bottom edge. The blade system further includes an elastomeric blade selectively reversible to present first and second edges. Furthermore, the blade system includes a clamp bar wherein the clamp bar is mounted to the adapter blade with the elastomeric blade therebetween.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides a method for replacing an existing plow edge with an elastomeric plow edge. The method comprises mounting at least one adapter blade to a mold board; attaching at least one planar elastomeric plow edge segment to the at least one adapter blade; and, connecting at least one clamp bar to the at least one adapter blade wherein the at least one planar elastomeric plow edge segment is secured between the at least one adapter blade and the at least one clamp bar in a first position.
Another aspect of the present disclosure provides for a plow blade edge kit for mounting to a mold board of a plow. The edge kit comprises an adapter blade including mounting holes for mounting to a mold board. The adapter blade further includes mounting bushings. The edge kit further provides for a rubber plow blade including holes for placing on the mounting bushings selectively in a first position or a second position, a clamp bar having holes aligned with the mounting bushings, and a plurality of fasteners passing through the mounting bushings for securing the clamp bar to the adapter bar whereby the rubber plow blade is mounted between the clamp bar and the adapter blade.
The subject matter which is regarded as the disclosure is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The present disclosure, however, both as to organization and method of practice, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings in which:
The plow assembly 10 can include at least one replaceable (or non-replaceable) plow edge or mold board 16 mounted to the base of plow body 12 where edge 18 will contact the plowed surface, for example, a road surface. Mold board 16 is usually replaceable since its rigid construction is typically prone to damage due to abrasive contact with the surface being plowed or to obstacles, for example, pot holes, sewer covers, trees, mail boxes, and the like, encountered while plowing. Mold board 16 is typically of metallic construction, for example, steel construction, and is mounted to body 12 by a plurality of mechanical fasteners, for example, a plurality of nuts, bolts, and washers (not shown). Mold board 16 typically includes slotted perforations to allow for adjustment of the mounting of the mold board 16 during initial installation or for adjustment of the mounting of the mold board 16 after use and wear.
Referring now to
The dimensions of adapter blade 22 will vary depending upon the size of plow body 12 used, for example, the length of blade 22 is limitless, but reinforcing blade 22 typically will have a length from about 3 to about 12 feet. The width or height of blade 22 can be between about 3.0 to about 12.0 inches. For some exemplary embodiments, the length of individual segments of the adapter blade 22 can be 3, 4, 5, and/or 6 feet. In this manner, any combination of two, or three, blade segments can be combined to extend across plow blade 12 having a length of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12 feet.
Referring now to
It is to be appreciated, that the elastomeric plow edge segment 40 can comprise any variety of heights and a variety of lengths. The dimensions of elastomeric blade 40 will vary depending upon the size of plow body 12 used, for example, the length of plow edge segment 40 is limitless, but edge segment 40 typically will have a length from about 3 feet to about 12 feet. The width or height of blade 40 can be from about 4.0 inches to about 12.0 inches. The thickness of blade 40 can be from about 0.50 inches to about 3.0 inches. Exemplary embodiments include elastomeric plow blade segments 40 of 3, 4, 5, and 6 foot lengths. In this manner, any combination of two, or three, blade segments 40 can be combined to extend across mold board 16 of 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 foot lengths. The aforementioned lengths of plow edge segments 40 provide ease of handling and ease of mounting to the adapter blade 22. The plow edge segments 40 can be easily handled and mounted by one person. The plow edge segments 40 can be planar or linear in orientation. In this manner the plow edge segments 40 retain a flat and planar orientation for ease of mounting. Elastomeric plow blade members heretofore known, typically comprise segments cut off from a coiled storage means. A coiled configuration presents difficulties in trying to straighten and mount a curled or curved elastomeric plow blade segment.
As shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The aforementioned plow blade edge system 20, 20A, 20B simplifies mounting thereby reducing maintenance time. The mounting method also eliminates the annoying time consuming adjustments needed with prior art slotted mounting hole designs. The method for replacing an existing plow edge with the elastomeric plow edge system or plow blade edge kit 20, 20A, 20B comprises mounting the adapter blade 22 to the mold board 16, attaching the elastomeric plow edge 40 to the adapter blade 22 in one of a first position or a second position, and then connecting the clamp bar 60 to the adapter blade 22 wherein the elastomeric plow edge 40 is secured between the adapter blade 22 and the clamp bar 60. Once the first edge 44 has worn, the elastomeric plow edge 40 can be reversed by disconnecting the clamp bar 60 from the adapter blade 22, flipping the elastomeric blade 40 from the first position to the second position. The second position exposes the unworn edge or second edge 45 of the elastomeric plow blade 40. Once the elastomeric plow blade 40 has been reversed, the clamp bar 60 can be reconnected to the adapter blade 22. After the second edge 45 has worn, the used plow edge segment 40 can be replaced with a new plow edge segment.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, plow blade edge kit 20, 20A, 20B can be attached to mold board 16 via adapter blade 22 by means of mechanical fasteners, for example, a plurality of bolts 76 and nuts 77, as shown in
In another embodiment 20C (
A means of mechanical fastening, for example, similar to
It is to be appreciated, that in use, elastomeric blade 140, and/or legs 141, 142 will wear to the point that a bottom edge 143 of blade 140 will generally be aligned with a bottom edge 165 of bar 160 and the bottom edge 28 of adaptor blade 22 (in one mounting arrangement). In this manner, edges 165, 143, and 28 will generally be aligned and proximal to, or in contact with, the road or underlying surface. On one side, a lengthwise scarified edge 161 can include an interrupted edge surface including a plurality of teeth 164 having edges 165 proximal to the road or underlying surface. On another opposing side, and in another mounting orientation, a lengthwise scarified edge 163 can include an interrupted edge surface including a plurality of teeth 166 having edges 167 proximal to the road or underlying surface (
It is to be appreciated that bar 160 can be mounted in four different orientations (not shown). A first orientation includes face 168 facing outward and edge 165 in a downward position. A second orientation includes face 168 facing outward and edge 167 in a downward position. A third orientation includes face 169 facing outward and edge 165 in a downward position. And a fourth orientation includes face 169 facing outward and edge 167 in a downward position. The bar 160 can thus be rotated (i.e. superimposed) lengthwise and rotated widthwise to position each edge 165, 167 in two different directions (orientations) in order to enable even wear and to extend the life of bar 160.
Edge surfaces 165, 167 engaging, or proximal to, the underlying surface represent a minority of the overall length of edge surfaces 161, 163. In one embodiment, the overall edge surfaces 165, 167 comprise less than one-half of the overall length of edge surfaces 161, 163, respectively. In another embodiment, the overall edge surfaces 165, 167 comprise less than one-third of the overall length of edge surfaces 161, 163, respectively. The edges 165, 167 provide a hardened surface for engaging and disturbing hardened material (i.e. packed snow and ice) that are in the path (i.e. upstream) of the moving plow. The aforementioned arrangement provides the benefits of having hardened edges 165, 167 for breaking up material, an elastomeric blade edge 143 for moving fluids and quieting the plow, and a carbide reinforced edge 28 for wear resistance. The combination of edge surfaces 165, 28 sandwiching edge 143 provides the functional advantages of improving the movement of solid and fluid materials in the path of the plow blade while quieting and reducing the impact forces therefrom. Edge surfaces 165, 167, 28 provide hardened edges upstream and downstream from edge 143 thus providing the benefits of durability and wear resistance, while maintaining the benefits of an elastomeric edge.
Referring to
The mold board shoes 200 can include generally lateral skid or wear surfaces 206. At least one cavity 208 can be cast into the mold board shoes 200 at the time of casting. The mold board shoes 200 can be cast from steel for greater strength and resiliency. A carbide matrix wear pad 210 can be welded into the cavity 208 to provide improved impact performance, wear resistance, and longer life to the plow blade edge system.
In one mounting arrangement (not shown), the skid shoes 200 can be bolted proximal to opposing ends of the adapter blade 22 (i.e. for a 4 foot length adapter blade). In another mounting arrangement (not shown), a single skid shoe 200 can reside proximal to the center of an adapter blade 22 (i.e. for a 3 foot length adapter blade). The skid shoes 200 reside close to the blade cutting edges and are thus a more integral part of the blade system and therefore, capable of absorbing more of the undesirable abrasive wear and vibration, and capable of providing support to the ‘working’ edge of elastomeric segment 40. It is to be appreciated that in the mounted position, a front edge 209 of shoe 200 is proximal to a backside of elastomeric blade 40 thereby providing support thereto.
The steel casting of the mold board shoes 200 can take on the following analysis (balance iron).
Subsequent to casting, the cavities 208 can be filled and/or overfilled by welding therein a layered carbide matrix or weldment 210. The layered carbide matrix 210 can be composed of a series of layered deposits one on top another until the cavity 208 is filled or overfilled. Overfilling the cavity 208 can result in a convex or bulbous layer 212 of carbide matrix 210 terminating beyond, i.e. extending below, the wear surface 206 of the mold board shoes 200. The matrix provides a reconstitutable embedded weldment or resistor for increased wear resistance of the wear surface 206. In one exemplary embodiment, one longitudinal cavity extends along substantially the length of the wear surface 206.
The weldments can comprise a weight of between 0.5 and 2 pounds. The weldments can increase the weight of each shoe 200 from about 2% to about 10%. The weldments can be aligned with the wear surface 206 such that when the plow is in use and traveling along the road surface, the weldments are transverse to the direction of travel. Alternatively, the weldments can be aligned with or canted to, the direction of travel.
The weld deposits 210 can have the following analysis (balance iron):
Conventional hard-facing or wear-facing weldments can be used for the deposits. So-called chrome carbide steels are the most common, e.g., Stoody Company No. 121, although vanadium carbide (Stoody No. 134) and tungsten carbide ones also can be used very effectively. It is to be appreciated that the weldment material 210 deposited in the cavity 208 has a higher hardness than the steel casting.
The weldment metal 210 must be abrasion-resistant. Generally, it is a high chrome ferrous metal weld. It is reconstitutable in the sense that it can be repaired or replaced by redeposition of carbide matrix by welding.
The wear surface 206 and the embedded or integrated weldments 210 help to support the cutting edges of the blade such that the abrasive action and impact from the roadbed works on the wear surfaces 206 and weldments 210 of the skid or moldboard shoes 200 instead of the other component edges, thereby substantially prolonging the life of the cutting edges. In addition, the weldments 210 substantially prolong the life of the associated shoe 200 due to the wear surface 206 being a combination of carbide matrix and steel casting.
The surface area of the weldments 210 can comprise from about 10% to about 20% of the total surface area of the bottom wear surface 206.
The present disclosure provides an elastomeric, plow blade edge kit 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D for use in a plow on any form of media. The present disclosure may be used for moving dirt, snow, slush, gravel, sand, blacktop, sawdust, manure, and fluids (including water, paint, petroleum-based fluids, food products, among other fluids), among other materials. The plow blade edge according to the present disclosure is more durable and less prone to damage and require less frequent replacement than prior art plow blade edges. The resilient construction of the present disclosure also transmits less load to vehicles, vehicle mounting equipment, and vehicle operators than prior art plow blade edges. In addition, the resilient plow blade edges according to the present disclosure is more effective when plowing non-rigid media, for example, slush and water, compared to rigid metallic prior art plow blade edges. The sandwiched elastomeric blade reduces ‘chatter’ from the other mated bars and blades mounted thereto in the plow blade edge system, and reduces ‘chatter’ from the road surface below. Impact forces from the road surface are also dampened with the aforementioned edge system.
While the present disclosure has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure described in the following claims.
