Patent Application
20130174452
The invention pertains generally to a plow blade assembly for use in conjunction with snow plows and like vehicles, wherein the plow blade assembly travels over the surface of a substrate (e.g., the surface of a roadway) to remove snow and ice, as well as other debris and material, and provide for improved impact and performance properties.
Snow plows are well known and carry a relatively-long moldboard which extends generally laterally (or across) of the substrate surface being worked by the blade. It is conventional practice to mount a snow plow blade, e.g., a cutting blade, on the lower edge of such moldboard with the blade, in turn, extending downwardly below the lower edge of the moldboard. The blade has a lower leading edge that forms the working surface of the blade. The vehicle carrying the blade then moves over the surface of the substrate in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the moldboard. The blade then contacts or impacts any material (e.g., snow and ice and other materials) on the surface of the substrate so as to dislodge and remove the same.
In the past, such blades have been made of steel. Steel blades have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, but also the disadvantage of wearing out rapidly since the scraping operation can be a very abrasive operation. Once worn out, one must replace the steel blade to avoid damage to the moldboard. Replacement of the steel blade is, of course, time consuming and represents downtime for the equipment. Thus, various techniques, such as impregnation and hardfacing of the blade cutting edge with carbide particles. For example, cemented carbide inserts can be attached into or onto the blade edge in an attempt to prolong the life of the steel blade.
While known blades appear to operate reasonably well under the operating conditions for which they were designed, most blades seem to embody one or more shortcomings in terms of complexity, performance, durability, reliability, and/or cost effectiveness. Thus, there remains a need to provide an improved blade structure, e.g., snow plow blade that exhibits more acceptable performance properties.
In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a plow blade assembly includes a moldboard adapter plate, a cover plate, and an articulating blade mounted between the moldboard adapter plate and the cover plate. The articulating blade includes a bushing assembly mounted therein, wherein the bushing assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing. In one aspect, the non-elastomeric spacer is positioned adjacent a top edge of the elastomeric bushing.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an articulating blade for a plow blade assembly includes a blade segment having a bottom surface for contacting a surface and a bushing assembly mounted in the blade segment. The bushing assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, an articulating blade for a plow blade assembly includes a first blade segment having a bottom surface for contacting a surface, the first blade segment further having a first angled chamfer formed on an end thereof. The articulating blade also includes a second blade segment adjacent the first blade segment also having a bottom surface for contacting the surface, wherein the second blade segment further has a second angled chamfer formed on an end thereof. The first angled chamfer and the second angled chamfer are structured and arranged for cooperating with each other to provide for variable degrees of movement of the first blade segment and the second blade segment relative to one another.
Advantageously, it will be appreciated that the plow blade assembly of the invention provides: for better conformance to a substrate, e.g., road surface to provide for better cleaning and/or removal action; for improved movability to avoid obstructions, reduce shock, and vibration and reduce damage to a road surface; and smaller blade sections for ease of installation and replacement, as well as improved ability to conform to the road surface.
These and other aspects of the present invention will be more fully understood following a review of this specification and drawings.
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The non-elastomeric spacer 24 defines an opening 26 that is generally axially aligned with an aperture 28 formed in the cover plate members 14a of the cover plate 14 and another aperture 30 formed in the moldboard adapter plate 12 such that a bolt 32 may pass therethrough and cooperate with a nut 34 for assembling the plow blade assembly 10. It will be appreciated that other means for assembling, connecting, or attaching the various components of the plow blade assembly 10 may be provided in accordance with aspects of the invention.
As described herein and illustrated in the figures, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 is non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing 22. In one aspect, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 is offset from the center of the elastomeric bushing 22. In another aspect, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 is positioned adjacent a top edge 36 of the elastomeric bushing 22. In another aspect, a top portion 38 of the non-elastomeric spacer 24 is generally contiguous with the top edge 36 of the elastomeric bushing 22. Advantageously, by positioning the non-elastomeric spacer 24 within the elastomeric bushing 22, as described and illustrated herein, enhanced and improved flexibility of the articulating blade 16 can be achieved. This, in turn, provides for improved performance and durability of the articulating blade 16 that contacts a surface which results in overall improved performance of the plow blade assembly 10.
In another aspect of the invention, the elastomeric bushing 22 may be generally square. In addition, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 may also be generally square. However, it will be appreciated that the elastomeric bushing 22 may be provided in other shapes and configurations and that the non-elastomeric spacer 24 also may be provided in other shapes and configurations. Also, the elastomeric bushing 22 may have a different shape than the shape of the non-elastomeric spacer 24.
In operation of the plow blade assembly 10, the articulating blade 16 is structured and arranged for movement relative to the moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14 as the plow blade assembly 10, and more particularly, the articulating blade 16, contacts a surface for providing a plowing or grading operation. In one aspect, the relative movement of the articulating blade 16 relative to the moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14 is provided by the non-elastomeric spacer 24 having a thickness T1 that is greater than a thickness T2 of the elastomeric bushing 22. (See, for example,
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Whereas particular aspects of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.
