I. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A. Field of Invention
This invention pertains to the art of methods and apparatuses for deflecting precipitation and more specifically to a snow plow having a deflector with recessed ends.
B. Description of the Related Art
It is known in the art to include a snow plow on the front of a vehicle for displacing precipitation along a roadway or other paved surface. In many instances the snow plow is connected to the front of the vehicle and may be maneuvered about various axes for directing the precipitation, which may be snow, sleet, or other frozen precipitation. As the frozen precipitation is being channeled by the snow plow, frequently the frozen precipitation may fall back onto the surface that is being cleared. It is desirable therefore when the frozen precipitation is being plowed, to effectively displace the frozen precipitation away from the surface being cleared.
II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One advantage of this invention includes a snow plow device, comprising: a contiguously formed, rigid blade member for use in displacing associated precipitation, the blade member having a first concave side and a second convex side, the blade member having an upper edge; connecting means for use in connecting the blade member to an associated vehicle, the connecting means operatively connected to the second convex side of the blade member; and, a contiguously formed, semi-rigid deflector member having first and second sides and first and second ends, the deflector member being fixedly connected substantially along the entire length of the upper edge of the blade member at the first side of the deflector member, the deflector member extending downward with respect to the upper edge of the first concave side, wherein a substantially 45° angular recess is formed in the first and second ends respectively, and wherein the second side of the deflector member is substantially shorter than the first side of the deflector member.
Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, comprising: a generally concave plow blade having an upper edge; connecting means for use in connecting the plow blade to an associated prime mover; and, a deflector member having at least a first side and first and second ends, wherein the at least a first side of the deflector member is juxtaposed to at least a first portion of the upper edge of the plow blade, wherein the deflector member extends outward with respect to the upper edge of the plow blade, and wherein a recess in fashioned in the first and second ends of the deflector member respectively.
Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein the deflector member is operatively attached with respect to the upper edge of the plow blade substantially along the entire length of the upper edge of the plow blade. has a generally trapezoidal shape.
Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein the deflector member has a second side spaced apart from the first side, and, wherein the second side of the deflector member is substantially shorter that the first side of the deflector member.
Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein the deflector member is a semi-rigid deflector member, and, wherein the plow blade is a rigid plow blade.
Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein the deflector member is substantially concave, and wherein the concavity of the deflector member faces downward toward the associated ground.
Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein the connecting means is for use in connecting the snow plow to an associated vehicle.
Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein the recess is an angular recess with respect to a longitudinal access of the deflector member.
Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein the angle of the angular recess is between 35° and 55°.
Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein the angle of the angular recess is substantially 45°.
Another advantage of this invention includes a snow plow, wherein the recess is a curved recess.
Still other benefits and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon a reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
III. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, a preferred embodiment of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with attached snow plow and deflector.
FIG. 2 is a perspective cut away view of the snow plow and plow frame.
FIG. 3 is a side view of the snow plow and attached deflector.
FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of a snow plow deflector with recessed edges.
FIG. 4
a is a schematic representation of a snow plow deflector with recessed edges.
IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIG. 1 shows a vehicle 1, which may be a truck, tractor or other vehicle, including a snow plow shown generally at 2. The plow 2 may be mounted on vehicle 1 by a plow frame 4, which may include mounting brackets 5, and a support assembly 6, shown in FIG. 2. The plow 2 may be mounted on the plow frame 4 for pivotal movement about various axes, e.g. vertical and horizontal. The vertical position of the plow may be controlled by a lift cylinder, not shown, which may be mounted on a bracket, not shown. Horizontal movement of the plow 2 may be accomplished by side actuators or cylinders. It is noted that any number of axes of movement and any manner of actuation may be incorporated into the plow 2 as chosen with sound engineering judgment. As is well known in the art, the plow 2 may be maneuvered about the various axes of movement during use for the purpose of displacing precipitation, such as snow, sleet, ice, water and the like. In one embodiment, the plow 2 may be attached to a truck 1 wherein the truck 1 may travel along a road or parking area. The operator of the vehicle 1 and plow 2 may raise, lower and tilt the snow plow 2 as needed for use in displacing the precipitation. In that the movement of the snow plow 2 and connection of the snow plow 2 to vehicle 1 is known in the art, no further explanation will be offered at this time.
With continued reference to FIG. 1 and now to FIGS. 2 and 3, the snow plow 2 may include a plow blade 8 having a first front side 9 and a second rear side 10. In one embodiment, the first front side 9 of the plow blade 8 may be generally concave in shape. Accordingly, the second rear side 10 of the plow blade may be convex in shape. It is noted here that any configuration of plow blade 8 may be chosen with sound engineering judgment including but not limited to the aforementioned concave/convex configuration, a straight/flat configuration or any other shape. The plow blade 8 may also include actuators 13 for use in maneuvering the plow blade 8 about the various axes of movement. Any type, quantity and/or configuration of actuator may be incorporated as is appropriate for use with the subject invention. Continuing, the plow blade 8 may be maneuvered by way of a control mechanism or controller, not shown, which may be remotely located in the cab of the vehicle or elsewhere. In this way, the operator may engage the controller to manipulate the plow 2 as desired. As the actuation and movement of the plow blade is well known in the art, no further explanation will be offered at this time.
With continued reference to FIGS. 1 through 3, the rear side 10 of the plow blade may include mounting brackets 5 as previously mentioned. The mounting brackets 5 may be configured to selectively detachably receive a support assembly 6, shown most clearly in the cutaway view of FIG. 2. Pins 15 may be included that engage both the support assembly 6 and the mounting brackets 5 and which may be inserted to selectively connect the mounting brackets 5 and support assembly 6 together. In this way, the plow blade 8 may be affixed to the plow frame 4 and subsequently to the vehicle. In one embodiment, the mounting brackets 5 may be fixedly connected to the plow blade 8 via welding or any other method chosen with sound engineering judgment. Additionally, the support assembly 6 may be mounted or bolted to the frame 17 of the vehicle 1. In this manner, the plow blade 8, with mounting brackets 5 and support assembly 6, may be juxtaposed to the vehicle 1 and connected together by way of the pins 15. It is noted at this point that any manner of connecting the plow 2 and plow blade 8 to the support frame 6 and vehicle 1 may be chosen with sound engineering judgment as is appropriate with the present invention.
With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the plow blade 8 may be a contiguously formed, rigid blade member 8. In other words, the plow blade 8 or blade member 8 may be constructed from rigid material such as steel, other metal, metal alloy, other composite, plastic and the like. The rigid plow blade 8 may alternately be constructed from individual plow blade segments joined together via any means chosen with sound engineering judgment. The plow blade 8 may include an upper edge 18 and a lower edge 19. A deflector member 21 may be affixed to the upper edge 18 of the blade member 8 via fasteners 26 or other connecting means 26, as will be discussed in detail in a subsequent paragraph. Similarly, a lower lip portion 23 may be affixed proximate to the lower edge 19 of the blade member 8 via fasteners 26. In one embodiment, the lower lip portion 23 may contact the ground during use of the snow plow 2.
With reference again to FIG. 3 and now to FIG. 4, the deflector member 21 may be a semi-rigid contiguously formed deflector member 21. By contiguously formed it is meant that the deflector member 21 does not include gaps or breaks along the length of the blade member 21. It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that the blade member 21 may include separate individual segments individually fastened at consecutive positions along the upper edge 18 of the blade member 8. Continuing, by semi-rigid it is meant that the deflector member 21 may flex somewhat under stress or load without breaking or being permanently deformed. The deflector member 21 may also be generally longitudinal in configuration having a longitudinal axis Y and a width W. In one embodiment, the length Ld of the deflector member 21 may extend substantially along the entire length Lb of the blade member 8. However, any length of deflector member 21 may be chosen with sound engineering judgment. The deflector member 21 may have first 28 and second 29 sides and first 31 and second 32 ends. In one embodiment, the length Ld1 of the first side 28 may be different from the length Ld2 of the second side 29. In the preferred embodiment, Ld1 may be longer than Ld2 as will be discussed in detail in the following paragraphs. It is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that Ld1 may be shorter than Ld2. However, any ratio of lengths Ld1/Lb and Ld1/Ld2 may be chosen with sound engineering judgment as is appropriate for use with plow blade 8.
With reference to FIGS. 3 through 4a, as shown the first side 28 of the deflector member 21 may be juxtaposed to the upper edge 18 of the blade member 8. Connecting means 26, which may be threaded bolts 26, may be inserted through the deflector member 21 and into holes, not shown, in the blade member 8. In this way, the deflector member 21 may be fixedly secured to the blade member 8. It is noted that any type of connecting means 26 may be used to fixedly secure the deflector member 21 to the blade member 8 including but not limited to threaded bolts, nuts, threaded holes, rivets, and the like.
With reference again to FIGS. 3 through 4a, the configuration of the deflector member 21 will now be discussed. As previously mentioned, the first side 28 of the deflector member 21 has a length Ld1 and the upper edge 18 of the blade member 8 has a length Lb. In one embodiment, the lengths Ld1 and Lb may be substantially equal in length. That is to say that the first side of the deflector member 21 may extend all along the length of the upper edge 18 of the blade member 8. A recess 35 may be fashioned in the first and second ends 31, 32 of the deflector member 21. By recess it is meant that a portion of an edge of an object may be removed leaving an alternative edge shape or configuration. By way of example, a portion of a rectangular edge may be removed leaving a trapezoidal shape, reference FIG. 4. In this manner, the rectangular edge changes shape respective of the removed angular portion. With reference to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, an angular recess 43 may be fashioned in the first and second ends 31, 31 of the deflector member 2i leaving a trapezoidal configuration. The edge 40 of the angular recess may be a linear edge 40. The linear edge 40 of the angular recess 43 may form an angle A with the longitudinal axis of the deflector member 21. In the preferred embodiment, the angle A may be substantially 45°. However, the angle A may be within the range of 35° to 55° degrees. In an alternate embodiment, a curved recess 43′, shown in FIG. 4a, may be fashioned in the first and second ends 31, 32 of the deflector member 21. It is noted at this point that any configuration of recess fashioned in the deflector member 21 may be chosen with sound engineering judgment. It will be recognized in the Figures that the recesses formed in the deflector member 21 are symmetrical about a centerline of the deflector member 21. Accordingly, it is contemplated in an alternate embodiment that different configurations of recesses may be formed in the first and second ends 31, 32 of the deflector member 21. For example, a linear angular recess 43 may be formed in the first end 31 and a curved recess 43′ may be formed in the second end 32 of the deflector member 21. The above description of forming the recess, which is described as removing a portion of the edge of an object, should not be construed as limiting the manner in which the recess may be fashioned in the ends 31, 32 of the deflector member 21. That is to say that the deflector member 21 may be molded into the depicted configurations without removing actual material from the edges of the deflector member 21. In fact, any manner of forming the deflector member 21 and/or recesses 43, 43′ may be chosen with sound engineering judgment.
With reference to all of the Figures, the deflector member 21 may extend downward with respect to a horizontal axis coincident with the upper edge 18 of the blade member 8. Additionally, the deflector member 21 may be substantially concave in configuration. In this manner, the concave portion of the deflector member 21 may face downward toward the generally concave portion of the blade member 8. It is noted that any configuration of deflector member may be chosen with sound engineering judgment including but not limited to a linear deflector member 21.
The preferred embodiments have been described, hereinabove. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above methods may incorporate changes and modifications without departing from the general scope of this invention. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed:
Patent Application
20060059728
