PLOW EXTENSION ASSEMBLY, PLOW ASSEMBLY, AND KIT FOR PLOW ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A plow extension assembly is disclosed. The plow extension assembly is connectable to a plow body. The plow extension assembly comprises an extension made of a resilient material. The extension comprises a connecting portion having a first rigidity is configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body. The extension further includes a body portion, having a second rigidity, extending from the connecting portion. The second rigidity of the body portion is greater than the first rigidity of the connecting portion. The plow extension assembly further includes a connecting member configured to, at least partially, extend over the connecting portion and being connectable to the extension and to the plow body. The connecting member is configured to stiffen the resilient connection when the connecting member is connected to the extension and to the plow body.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present application generally relates to devices for improving the performance of a plow assembly for moving material on a surface. Specifically, the present disclosure provides a flexible extension for a plow assembly which is attached to a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

Plow assemblies are readily available as attachments for vehicles, and are configured to move material, such as snow, gravel, or dirt, from various surfaces.

Conventionally, a plow assembly includes a plow body, which is connected to the vehicle, and a plow blade, which contacts a ground surface. Typically, the plow assembly is constructed of a rigid material which provides adequate stiffness to move material. As a result, when the plow assembly encounters an obstacle, such as a curbside or a rock, a load resulting from the impact can be transmitted to the plow assembly and/or the vehicle which can be especially damaging.

To mitigate some of the load experienced by the plow assembly and/or the mounting attachment, some plow assemblies provide a flexible blade edge configured to scrape the ground. These flexible blade edges are constructed of multiple pieces which increases the complexity of manufacturing and assembly. Further, the flexible blade edge is only a small portion of the plow assembly, therefore if the plow assembly contacts a larger obstacle (for example, one that is higher than the plow blade), there is little to no mitigation of load. Alternatively, some plow assemblies have been designed to include springs to absorb the shock forces exerted by the obstacle on the plow assembly and/or the mounting attachment. However, these configurations add complexity to the design and an increase cost in manufacturing.

Furthermore, to optimize the amount of material moved, it is often desirable to have a larger effective working area. However, an increase in working area results in a higher chance of impacting obstacles when moving material.

Therefore, there is a desire for a plow extension which provides users with an increased working area, maximizing the quantity of material being moved, while ensuring proper absorption of force to mitigate potential damage to the plow assembly and/or attaching mechanism when an obstacle is contacted.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present technology to ameliorate at least some of the inconveniences present in the prior art.

According to one aspect of the present technology, a plow extension assembly connectable to a plow body is provided. The plow extension assembly comprises an extension made of a resilient material, the extension comprises a connecting portion configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body, the connecting portion having a first rigidity; and, a body portion extending from the connecting portion, the body portion having a second rigidity, the second rigidity being greater than the first rigidity; a connecting member configured to at least partially extend over the connecting portion, and being connectable to the extension and to the plow body; wherein the connecting member is configured to stiffen the resilient connection when the connecting member is connected to the extension and to the plow body.

In some embodiments, the resilient connection is a hinged resilient connection.

In some embodiments, the extension is configured to resiliently deform according to at least one mode of deformation.

In some embodiments, the at least one mode of deformation includes flexion of at least one of: the connecting portion and the body portion.

In some embodiments, a profile of the extension is arcuate.

In some embodiments, the profile of the extension is configured to generally match a profile of the plow body.

In some embodiments, the body portion extends at an angle to the connecting portion.

In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the connecting portion is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the body portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the body portion.

In some embodiments, the connecting member is connected to the extension and to the plow body by at least one fastener.

In some embodiments, the at least one fastener induces a clamping effect.

In some embodiments, the at least one fastener is a threaded fastener.

In some embodiments, the at least one fastener is a bolt.

In some embodiments, the body portion has reinforcing ribs.

In some embodiments, the extension is made of polymeric material.

In some embodiments, the polymeric material is polyurethane.

In some embodiments, the extension is casted.

In some embodiments, the extension is a monolithic extension.

In some embodiments, the plow assembly comprises a plow body connectable to the vehicle; and the plow extension of the present technology.

In some embodiments, the plow extension assembly is selectively connected to the plow body.

In some embodiments, the plow body has a plow body rigidity, and the first and second rigidities are less than the plow body rigidity.

In some embodiments, the extension is made of a first material and the plow body is made of a second material different from the first material.

In some embodiments, a bottom edge of the extension is generally aligned with a bottom edge of the plow body.

In some embodiments, the connecting portion of the extension is connected to a lateral portion of the plow body.

In some embodiments, a vehicle comprises a frame; a driving assembly supported by the frame; and the plow assembly of the present technology.

According to one aspect of the present technology, a plow extension assembly for a plow body is provided. The plow extension assembly comprises an extension made of a resilient material, and having a connecting portion configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body, the extension being connectable to a lateral edge of the plow body; and a connector configured to connect the extension to the plow body; wherein the extension has a first shape in a resting state, and, in response to engaging a moving obstacle relative to the extension, the extension resiliently deforming to a second shape, and being biased to return toward the first shape.

In some embodiments, the resilient connection is a hinged resilient connection.

In some embodiments, the extension is configured to resiliently deform according to at least one mode of deformation.

In some embodiments, at least one mode of deformation includes flexion of at least one of: the connection portion and the body portion.

In some embodiments, the extension includes a body portion having a first rigidity, the connecting portion has a second rigidity, and the first rigidity is greater than the second rigidity.

In some embodiments, a profile of the extension is arcuate.

In some embodiments, the profile of the extension is configured to generally match a profile of the plow body.

In some embodiments, the connector is configured to selectively connect the extension to the plow body.

In some embodiments, a cross-sectional area of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the connecting portion is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the body portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the body portion.

In some embodiments, the connector includes a connecting member to stiffen at least a portion of the resilient connection between the extension and the plow body.

In some embodiments, the plow extension assembly further includes at least one of a fastener, an adhesive, a clamp, a tongue and groove connection, and a mechanical interlocking connection.

In some embodiments, the extension comprises a rear portion and wherein the rear portion includes reinforcing ribs.

In some embodiments, the resilient material is a polymeric material.

In some embodiments, the resilient material is polyurethane.

In some embodiments, the extension is formed as a monolithic body and wherein the monolithic body is made by casting process.

In some embodiments, the extension is configured to increase an effective working area of the plow body.

In some embodiments, the effective working area is configured to push material.

In some embodiments, the plow assembly comprises: a plow body connectable to the vehicle; and the plow extension assembly of the present technology.

In some embodiments, the plow extension assembly is selectively connected to the plow body.

In some embodiments, the plow body is more rigid than the extension.

In some embodiments, the extension is made of a first material and the plow body is made of a second material different from the first material.

In some embodiments, a bottom edge of the extension is generally aligned with a bottom edge of the plow body.

In some embodiments, the connecting portion of the extension is connected to a lateral edge of the plow body.

In some embodiments, a vehicle comprises a frame; a driving assembly supported by the frame; and the plow assembly of the present technology connected to the frame.

According to one aspect of the present technology, a plow extension assembly for a plow body is provided. The plow extension assembly comprises: an extension made of a resilient material, the extension comprises: a connecting portion configured to connect to the plow body, and a body portion extending from the connecting portion, the body portion being configured to resiliently deform; a connecting member configured to at least partially extend over the connecting portion.

In some embodiments, the extension has an initial shape, and in response to the body portion being resiliently deformed, the extension being biased to return toward the initial shape.

According to one aspect of the present technology, a kit for a plow assembly is provided. The kit comprises: a plow body; a extension made of a resilient material, the extension comprises: a connecting portion configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body, the connecting portion having a first rigidity and a body portion extending from the connecting portion, the body portion having a second rigidity, the second rigidity being greater than the first rigidity; a connecting member configured to at least partially extend over the connecting portion; and a connector for connecting the extension to the plow body, wherein the connecting member is configured to stiffen the resilient connection when the connector connects the connecting member and the extension to the plow body.

According to one aspect of the present technology, a kit for a plow assembly is provided. The plow assembly comprises: a plow body connectable to the vehicle; an extension being made of a resilient material, the extension body comprises: a connecting portion configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body, and a body portion configured to increase an effective working area of the plow body; a connector for connecting the extension body to a lateral edge of the plow body; wherein the extension has a first shape in a resting state, and in response to engaging a moving obstacle relative to the extension, the extension resiliently deforming to a second shape, and being biased to return toward the first shape.

In the context of the present specification, unless expressly provided otherwise, the words “first”, “second”, “third”, etc. have been used as adjectives only for the purpose of allowing for distinction between the nouns that they modify from one another, and not for the purpose of describing any particular relationship between those nouns.

It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “about” in the context of a given value or range refers to a value or range that is within 20%, preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5% of the given value or range.

As used herein, the term “and/or” is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of the two specified features or components with or without the other. For example, “A and/or B” is to be taken as specific disclosure of each of (i) A, (ii) B and (iii) A and B, just as if each is set out individually herein.

For purposes of the present application, terms related to spatial orientation when referring to a plow assembly and components in relation thereto, such as “vertical”, “horizontal”, “forwardly”, “rearwardly”, “left”, “right”, “above” and “below”, are as they would be understood by a driver of a vehicle to which the plow assembly is connected, in which the driver is sitting on the vehicle in an upright driving position, with the vehicle steered straight-ahead and being at rest on flat, level ground.

Implementations of the present technology each have at least one of the above-mentioned object and/or aspects, but do not necessarily have all of them. It should be understood that some aspects of the present technology that have resulted from attempting to attain the above-mentioned object may not satisfy this object and/or may satisfy other objects not specifically recited herein.

Additional and/or alternative features, aspects, and advantages of implementations of the present technology will become apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present technology, as well as other aspects and further features thereof, reference is made to the following description which is to be used in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view taken from a top, front, right side of part of a vehicle having a plow assembly according to an embodiment of the present technology;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view taken from a top, front, right side of the plow extension assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view taken from a top, front, left side of a left plow extension of the plow extension assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view taken from a top, rear, right side of the left plow extension of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view taken from a top, front, right side of a right plow extension of the plow extension assembly of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view taken from a top, front, right side of the right plow extension of FIG. 5, with the right plow extension undergoing deformation with the application of a load.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including”, “comprising”, or “having”, “containing”, “involving” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter as well as, optionally, additional items. In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements.

Referring to FIG. 1, a plow assembly 100 configured to move material, such as snow, gravel, sand, dirt, or the like, from a ground surface is depicted connected to a vehicle 200. The vehicle 200 is an all-terrain vehicle (ATV). It is contemplated that in other embodiments, the plow assembly 100 could be connected to another type of vehicle, such as a snowmobile or a truck.

The plow assembly 100 is removably connected to the vehicle 200. Specifically, the plow assembly 100 is connected to the vehicle 200 via a mounting attachment 300. In certain embodiments, the mounting attachment 300 is configured to connect the plow assembly 100 to a frame 202 of the vehicle 200. It is contemplated, in an alternative embodiment, that the mounting attachment 300 could mount the plow assembly 100 to another feature of the vehicle 200, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,145,915 issued on Sep. 29, 2015 and U.S. Pat. No. 9,643,675 issued on May 9, 2017, the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference. The plow assembly 100 depicted herein is configured to push material from the ground surface, however, it is contemplated, that the plow assembly 100 may be configured to pull material from the ground surface. It is further contemplated that the plow assembly 100 may be configured to push and pull material from the ground surface.

With reference to FIG. 2, the plow assembly 100 includes a plow body 102. The plow body 102 has a top edge 104, a bottom edge 106, and lateral edges 108, 110. The plow body 102 has an elongated rectilinear body which provides a surface area for collecting and moving material. In some embodiments, a profile of the plow body 102, taken along a longitudinal plane, may be substantially arcuate, or angled, or any other suitable shape for deflecting material. The plow body 102 can be made of steel or any other material having sufficient stiffness for moving material. In some embodiments, the plow body 102 may be made of plastics, reinforced plastics, composite materials, etc.

The bottom edge 106 includes a plow blade 112, which is configured to contact the ground surface. The plow blade 112 is configured to scrape along the ground surface while protecting the plow body 102 from being dented, bent, or damaged during use. The plow blade 112 may be composed of a variety of materials such as polymers, elastomers, aluminum, and steel, or a combination thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the plow blade 112 is removably connected to the plow body 102 via fasteners 114. The fasteners 114 are bolts and nuts, but other fasteners such as screws are contemplated. In other embodiments, the plow blade 112 may be connected differently. For example, the plow blade 112 may be connected by rivets.

The plow assembly 100 includes two plow extensions 116: a left plow extension 116a connected to the lateral edge 110, and a right plow extension 116b contacts the lateral edge 108. It is contemplated that in other embodiments of the present technology, the plow assembly 100 could only include a single plow extension 116 connected to one of the lateral edges 108, 110 of the plow body 102. The plow extensions 116 increase the effective working area of the plow body 102. The plow extensions 116 may be configured to be removably connected to the plow body 102. A profile of the plow extensions 116 may be configured to generally match the profile of the plow body 102. For example, the profile of the plow extensions 116 may be arcuate, may be angled, or may have any other suitable shape.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the plow extensions 116 will now be described in greater detail. The left and right plow extensions 116a, 116b are similar (mirror images of one another), and thus, although FIGS. 3 and 4 depict the left plow extension 116a, reference hereinbelow will broadly be made to the plow extension 116. The plow extension 116 includes a connecting portion 118, a body portion 120 that extends away from the connecting portion 118, and a connecting member 136.

In certain embodiments, the plow extension 116 is formed as a single, monolithic, piece. The plow extension 116 may be sized to be substantially the same height as the plow body 102. That is to say, the plow extension 116 may be sized such that a top edge 122 and a bottom edge 124 of the plow extension 116 substantially aligns with the top edge 104 and the bottom edge 106 of the plow body 102, respectively. However, it is appreciated that the plow extension 116 may differ in size compared to that of the plow body 102. For example, the height of the plow extension 116 may be smaller than or greater than the height of the plow body 102.

In some embodiments, the plow extension 116 may be configured to be more flexible and resilient than the plow body 102. In other words, both the connecting portion 118 and the body portion 120 have less rigidity than the plow body 102. In one example, the plow extension 116 may be made of a more flexible and resilient material than that of the plow body 102. In some embodiments, the plow extension 116 is made of a polymeric material such as polyurethane or another suitable flexible, resilient material. In certain embodiments, the plow extension 116 is formed by casting the polymeric material into a mold. In some embodiments, the plow extension 116 may be made of the same material as the plow body 102. In this embodiment, the flexibility of the plow extension 116 may be obtained by altering the size and/or shape of the extension 116, such as the plow extension 116 having a smaller cross-sectional area, and/or the plow extension 116 having surface irregularities (e.g., dent(s) or groove(s)). In certain embodiments, the plow extension 116 may be uniformly less resilient than the plow body 102. Alternatively, the plow extension 116 may include a portion which is less resilient. For instance, the connecting portion 118 may be significantly more flexible than the body portion 120, as described further below.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting portion 118 is configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension 116 and the plow body 102. In some embodiments, the connecting portion 118 forms a resilient connection between the plow extension 116 and the plow body 102. The resilient connection enables the plow extension 116 to move relative to the plow body 120. In some embodiments, during deformation, the plow extension 116 is configured to bend about a single axis along the connecting portion 118, forming a hinged resilient connection. In some embodiments, during deformation, the plow extension 116 is configured to bend about a non-linear centerline passing through the body portion 120 and/or the connecting portion 118 of the plow extension 116, as will be described further below.

The connecting portion 118 may provide a substantially flush connection between the plow extension 116 and the plow body 102. In certain embodiments, the connecting portion 118 forms a lip or a ledge 128 which abuts surfaces of the plow body 102, forming the substantially flush interface between the plow extension 116 and the plow body 102. For example, as depicted in FIG. 4, the connecting portion 118 may include a top contacting surface 125, a side contacting surface 126, and the ledge 128. The top contacting surface 124 contacts and extends over a portion of a top surface 130 of the top edge 104 of the plow body 102. The side contacting surface 126 abuts against a surface (not shown) of one of the lateral edges 108, 110 of the plow body 102. The ledge 128 contacts and covers a portion of the effective working area (e.g., the front face) of the plow body 102. It should be appreciated that the connecting portion 118 may be structured as the lip or ledge which overlaps a portion of the opposing surface of the plow body 102 (that is, the rear face). In an alternative embodiment, the connecting portion 118 may be configured as a sleeve, forming a pocket or a slot which receives a portion of the plow body 120.

As depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connecting portion 118 and the body portion 120 are substantially similar in height. However, it is contemplated that the connecting portion 118 and the body portion 120 may differ in size. For example, the connecting portion 118 may have a height substantially similar to that of the plow body 102 while the body portion 120 may have a height which is smaller or larger than that of the plow body 102. Alternatively, the body portion 120 may have a height which is substantially similar to that of the to plow body 102 while the connecting portion 118 may have a height which is smaller or larger than that of the plow body 102. In some embodiments, such as that of FIG. 4, the connecting portion 118 may include a blade contacting surface 132 to accommodate and cover a portion of the plow blade 112.

With continued reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, the body portion 120 extends from the connecting portion 118, providing an extended effective working area of the plow assembly 100. In some embodiments, the body portion 120 extends at an angle from the connecting portion 118. For example, the body portion 120 may extend at an angle forming a “scoop” which keeps the material within the working area of the plow assembly 100, thus improving the efficiency of the plow assembly 100. It is contemplated, in an alternative embodiment, that the body portion 120 may extend in-line with the connecting portion 118.

The body portion 120 is configured to move material, providing a similar function to that of the effective working area of the plow body 102 and, as such, the body portion 120 should be sufficiently stiff. In certain embodiments, the body portion 120 of the plow extension 116 has a greater rigidity than that of the connecting portion 118. In some implementations, the greater rigidity of the body portion 120 is a result of the structure of the plow extension 116. For example, as depicted in FIG. 4, the cross-sectional area of the connecting portion 118, along a plane perpendicular to the connecting portion 118, is smaller than the cross-sectional area of the body portion 120, when taken along a plane perpendicular to the body portion 120. In other words, the connecting portion 118 is thinner compared to that of the body portion 120, which results in the body portion 120 having a greater rigidity compared to that of the connecting portion 118. It should be appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the difference in rigidity may be achieved using other means. For example, the connecting portion 118 may be constructed of a material with lower rigidity than that of the body portion 120. In this alternative embodiment, the first, less rigid, material may be cast into a mold for the connecting portion 118 and the second, more rigid, material may be cast into the mold for the body portion 120, thereby forming the unitary piece of the plow extension 116. In a further alternative embodiment, the less rigid material for the connecting portion 118 and the more rigid material for the body portion 120 material may be cast in separate molds and joined together (e.g., fused, bonded, glued, etc.). In a further alternative embodiment, a combination of dimensional differences and material differences may be used to provide the rigidity differences between the connecting portion 118 and the body portion 120.

The body portion 120 is configured to provide sufficient stiffness to move material while enabling non-axis deformation when impacting the obstacle. That is, the body portion 120 may, to some extent, bend or deform freely (e.g., deformation is not constrained to a single axis). With reference to FIG. 4, the body portion 120 has reinforcing ribs 134 that are disposed on a rear portion thereof. In an alternative embodiment, the reinforcing ribs 134 may be positioned on a front portion (or the effective working area) of the body portion 120. In certain embodiments, the reinforcing ribs 134 are arranged in a lattice configuration. However, it is contemplated that alternative configurations of the reinforcing ribs 134 may be used such as laterally extending ribs, longitudinally extending ribs, diagonally extending ribs, or reinforcing ribs 134 arranged in various shapes such as hexagons, diamonds, etc. It is appreciated that any of the reinforcing rib 134 configurations described may be used independently or in combination with one another. In an alternative embodiment, the body portion 120 may be formed of a solid piece. In a further alternative embodiment, the body portion 120 may comprise stiffening fibers or reinforcing members embedded into the body portion 120 to provide stiffness while enabling flexibility. In an alternative embodiment, the body portion 120 may be reinforced via separate parts connected thereto.

The plow extension 116 further includes a connecting member 136 configured to at least partially extend over the connecting portion 118, connecting the plow extension 116 and the plow body 102. The connecting member 136 is configured to provide stiffness to the connection between the plow extension 116 and the plow body 102. In certain embodiments, the connecting member 136 is composed of a material which has a higher stiffness than that of the connecting portion 118 and, optionally, the body portion 120. For example, the connecting member 136 is a rigid reinforcing plate composed of steel. In some embodiments, the connecting member 136 is composed of a material which has higher resiliency than that of the connecting portion 118 and, optionally, the body portion 120.

As depicted in FIGS. 1 to 3, the connecting member 136 is positioned over the top of the connecting portion 118, sandwiching the connecting portion 118 between the portion of the plow body 102 and the connecting member 136, stiffening the connection therebetween. In a specific embodiment, the connecting member 136 extends vertically over of a front face of the connecting portion 118 and wraps around the top edge 122 of the plow extension 116, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. In alternative embodiments, the connecting member 136 may instead sandwich the plow body 102 in between the connecting portion 118 and the connecting member 136. For example, the connecting member 136 may extend vertically along a rear face of the plow body 102 and extend to at least partially cover the top edge 122 of the plow extension 116. In a further alternative embodiment, the connecting member 136 may be positioned in between the plow body 102 and the connecting portion 118. In other words, the connecting member 136 is sandwiched between the plow body 102 and the connecting portion 118. It is further contemplated that the connecting member 136 may be configured to fully wrap around both the connecting portion 118 and the plow body 120. In yet another embodiment, the connecting portion 118 may be configured to act as the connecting member 136, thus, the connecting member 136 may be omitted. For example, the connecting member 136 may be embedded within the connecting portion 118 (e.g., by over molding). For example, a reinforcing plate may be placed within the connecting portion 118 of the mold during the casting process to embed the connecting member 136. In some embodiments, the stiffening of the connection by the connecting member 136 enables the plow extension 116 to be one monolithic part.

The connecting member 136 is connected to the plow extension 116 by four fasteners 138. It is understood that in other embodiments, the connecting member 136 may be connected to the plow extension 116 by more or fewer fasteners 138. In certain embodiments, the fasteners 138 are arranged to produce a clamping effect, providing mechanical stability to the connection by distributing a load experienced by the fasteners 138 along the connecting member 136. In one particular example, the fasteners 138 are spaced apart along the connecting member 136 to distribute the load experienced by the fasteners 138 during deformation across the entire length connecting member 138. In some embodiments, the fasteners 138 are threaded fasteners, for example bolts. It is contemplated that other appropriate means of securing the plow extension 116 and the plow body 102 via the connecting member 138 may be used, for example other types of fasteners (e.g., screws, nails, etc.), welding, bonding, gluing, an adhesive, a clamp, a tongue and groove connection, a mechanical interlocking connection, or a combination thereof.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the plow extension 116 is shown resiliently deforming according to at least one mode of deformation. In response to the plow extension 116 contacting or impacting an obstacle, the plow extension 116 deforms due to its resilient nature. More specifically, the plow extension 116 has an initial or resting, state in which the plow extension 116 is undeformed (as depicted in FIG. 5). Upon contacting the obstacle, a load F is applied to the plow extension 116 in which the connecting portion 118, or the body portion 120, or both deform (as depicted in FIG. 6). In some embodiments, the mode of deformation includes flexion of the connecting portion 118 and/or the body portion 120. In some embodiments, the mode of deformation includes torsion of the connecting portion 118 and/or the body portion 120. The connecting member 136 stabilizes the connection, by stiffening said connection, between the connecting portion 118 and the plow body 102. As a result of the plow extension 116 deforming, the plow extension 116 absorbs at least a portion of the load applied and only a remaining portion of the load is transmitted to the plow body 102 and/or mounting attachment 300, mitigating risk of damage to the plow body 102 and/or mounting attachment 300. When the load is no longer being applied (e.g., no longer contacting the obstacle), the resiliency of the plow extension 116 biases the plow extension 116 back toward the undeformed, resting, state (as depicted in FIG. 5).

In some embodiments, the body portion 120 may optionally include an extension blade 140, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. The extension blade 140 is positioned along a bottom portion of the body portion 120 such that a bottom edge of the extension blade 140 substantially aligns with a bottom edge of the plow blade 112. In certain embodiments, the extension blade 140 may have substantially similar dimensions to those of the plow blade 112. For example, the height of the extension blade 140 may be substantially the same height as the plow blade 112. However, it is contemplated, in an alternative embodiment, that the dimensions (e.g., height, width, thickness, etc.) of the extension blade 140 may differ than those of the plow blade 112. The extension blade 140 may be removably connected to the bottom portion of the body portion 120 via fasteners 142 such as threaded fasteners including bolts, screws, etc. In other embodiments, the extension blade 140 may be non-removably connected to the body portion 120.

As previously described, the plow extension 116 may be constructed as a monolithic piece, that is the connecting portion 118 and the body portion 120 are formed as a single, unitary part. Forming the plow extension 116 as a monolithic piece enables easy manufacturing and reduces the complexity of assembly. However, it is contemplated, in an alternative embodiment, that the plow extension 116 may be formed of multiple pieces. For example, the connecting portion 118 and the body portion 120 could be made of separate pieces that are joined together (e.g., fused, bonded, glued, etc.) to form the plow extension 116.

Although previous embodiments describe the plow extension 116 being connected to one or more lateral edges 108, 110 of the plow body 102, it is appreciated that the plow extension 116 may be positioned on other locations of the plow body 102. In an alternative embodiment, the plow assembly 100 may include a plow extension 116 positioned on the bottom edge 106 of the plow body 102 (not shown). It should be appreciated that the plow assembly 100 may include any number of plow extensions 116 positioned on any one of, or combination of, the top 104, bottom 106, or lateral edges 108, 110 of the plow body 102.

The disclosed embodiments of the plow assembly 100 including the plow extension 116 provide various benefits including, but not limited to, providing an increased effective working area of a plow body 102, mitigating risk of damage to the plow body 102, and/or mounting attachment 300, and/or vehicle 200 by providing a resilient extension 116 which absorbs the load and transfers only a part of the load, reducing manufacturing costs and complexity by providing, providing a durable plow extension 116 which, upon impact, deforms to absorb the load and, upon removal of the load, is biased to return to the initial shape, mitigating the risk of the failure of the connecting portion 118 by providing a connecting member 136 which reinforces and stiffens the connection between the plow body 102 and the extension 116, and, in some embodiments, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs by providing the plow extension 116 as a single, monolithic, piece.

Modifications and improvements to the above-described embodiments of the present invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art. The foregoing description is intended to be exemplary rather than limiting. The scope of the present invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A plow extension assembly connectable to a plow body, the plow extension assembly comprising: an extension made of a resilient material, the extension comprising: a connecting portion configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body, the connecting portion having a first rigidity, anda body portion extending from the connecting portion, the body portion having a second rigidity, the second rigidity being greater than the first rigidity;a connecting member configured to at least partially extend over the connecting portion, and being connectable to the extension and to the plow body; andwherein the connecting member is configured to stiffen the resilient connection when the connecting member is connected to the extension and to the plow body.

2. The plow extension assembly of claim 1, wherein the resilient connection is a hinged resilient connection.

3. The plow extension assembly of claim 1, wherein the extension is configured to resiliently deform according to at least one mode of deformation.

4. The plow extension assembly of claim 3, wherein the at least one mode of deformation includes flexion of at least one of: the connecting portion and the body portion.

5. The plow extension assembly of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional area of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the connecting portion is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the body portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the body portion.

6. The plow extension assembly of claim 1, wherein the extension is made of a polymeric material.

7. A plow assembly connectable to a vehicle, the plow assembly comprising: a plow body connectable to the vehicle; andthe plow extension assembly of claim 1 connected to the plow body.

8. The plow assembly of claim 7, wherein the plow extension assembly is selectively connected to the plow body.

9. The plow assembly of claim 7, wherein the plow body has a plow body rigidity, and the first and second rigidities are less than the plow body rigidity.

10. A plow extension assembly for a plow body, the plow extension assembly comprising: an extension made of a resilient material, and having a connecting portion configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body, the extension being connectable to a lateral edge of the plow body; anda connector configured to connect the extension to the plow body;wherein the extension has a first shape in a resting state, and in response to engaging a moving obstacle relative to the extension, the extension resiliently deforming to a second shape, and being biased to return toward the first shape.

11. The plow extension assembly of claim 10, wherein the resilient connection is a hinged resilient connection.

12. The plow extension assembly of claim 10, wherein the extension is configured to resiliently deform according to at least one mode of deformation.

13. The plow extension assembly of claim 10, wherein the at least one mode of deformation includes flexion of at least one of: the connection portion and the body portion.

14. The plow extension assembly of claim 10, wherein: the extension includes a body portion having a first rigidity,the connecting portion has a second rigidity, andwherein the first rigidity is greater than the second rigidity.

15. The plow extension assembly of claim 10, wherein the connector is configured to selectively connect the extension to the plow body.

16. The plow extension assembly of claim 10, wherein a cross-sectional area of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the connecting portion is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the body portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the body portion.

17. The plow extension assembly of claim 10, wherein the connector includes a connecting member to stiffen at least a portion of the resilient connection between the extension and the plow body.

18. The plow extension assembly of claim 10, wherein the resilient material is a polymeric material.

19. A plow assembly connectable to a vehicle, the plow assembly comprising: a plow body connectable to the vehicle; andthe plow extension assembly of claim 10 connected to the plow body.

20. A kit for a plow assembly comprising: a plow body connectable to the vehicle;an extension made of a resilient material, the extension body comprising: a connecting portion configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body, anda body portion configured to increase an effective working area of the plow body;a connector for connecting the body portion to a lateral edge of the plow body;wherein the extension has a first shape in a resting state, and in response to engaging a moving obstacle relative to the extension, the extension resiliently deforming to a second shape, and being biased to return toward the first shape.