Patent Application
20220235528
The present invention relates generally to the field of snowplows. More specifically, the present invention relates to a mechanical arm attachment for snowplow blades, which is designed to function as a side shield, and prevents the plow blade from displacing snow onto a driveway entrance. The mechanical arm of the plow raises or lowers into a position perpendicular with the plow, to activate the side shield as per the requirements. The present invention selectively and intermittently transforms a regular snowplow into a partial pusher box-style plow blade. Additionally, the invention enables the users to use different speed settings for displacing powder, regular snowfall or heavy snowfall accumulation. The mechanical arm of the present invention can be easily attached to the conventional plow devices and offers an effective way to clear snow during winter conditions, without causing inconvenience for homeowners. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, during winter, heavy snowfall and snow accumulation occurs in various parts of the world. Although snow accumulation creates a picturesque view; there are various problems faced by the people in those regions. One of the major problems faced by people due to heavy snowfall is snow accumulation in outdoor areas such as roads, sidewalks and driveway aprons. This affects people's commute and impacts the daily routine of the people living in the areas with heavy snowfall. Also, snow covering or piled on sidewalks and driveway aprons can be slippery, which may lead to injuries to the people walking thereon.
Various kinds of snow removal devices have been used and known for decades in order to remove snow accumulated over roads and more. Generally, large commercial plow trucks are deployed by local or state government to displace any amount of snowfall accumulation from the roadways. A snowplow device is mounted on a vehicle such as a truck, and is used for pushing or moving snow and ice from outdoor surfaces such as roads, and other areas that serve transportation purposes. Using the snowplow trucks, large amounts of snow accumulated during heavy snowfall can be displaced for hours and days at a time. Typically, the snowplow works by using a plow blade to push snow to the side to clear it from a road surface. The plows displace the snow toward the outside of road areas, often allowing enormous mounds of snow to accumulate on sidewalks and in front of driveway aprons. Some homeowners may then be blocked in their driveway due to the amount of snow displaced by the plow truck.
To remove the snow accumulated after the snowplow trucks push the snow to the side of the roads and onto the driveway aprons, people may use various snow removal tools such as a shovel or the like, to move the snow, ice or debris. The snow, ice or debris accumulated on sidewalks, in front of driveway aprons and on driveway aprons can be incredibly difficult to manually move due to their weight, ultimately leaving people without any way for their vehicles to leave their driveway.
Therefore, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device that allows users to quickly and easily displace and move accumulated snow from roadways and other similar areas. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device that prohibits the snowplow blades from pushing the displaced snow to certain areas at the sides of the road surfaces. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device that prevents snow accumulation on driveway aprons and pathways. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device that prevents the driveway aprons and sidewalks from being blocked due the accumulation of snow displaced from the roads. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device that allows the people to easily commute during bitter winter conditions. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device which does not cause any inconvenience to the homeowners by blocking their driveway. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device which improves the overall snow removal process, enables the selective and intermittent transformation of a regular snowplow into a partial pusher box-style plow blade.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a snowplow device having a selectively deployable side shield. The snowplow device comprises: a mounting frame to attach to a front of a vehicle; a hydraulic unit attached to the mounting frame and having a hydraulic cylinder connected to a snowplow blade; the snowplow blade having a top rail, a bottom rail and two C-shaped longitudinal edges; a side shield attached to one C-shaped longitudinal edge of the snowplow blade using a side shield base fixed at the rear of the snowplow blade; the side shield is pivotally connected to the side shield base using a rotating actuator wherein the rotating actuator is attached to an electronic circuit or a hydraulic circuit for providing rotation to the side shield; and, the hydraulic cylinder connected to the rear of the snowplow blade via a universal joint for providing the vertical and rotational movements to the snowplow blade. The rotating actuator includes a range of 180 degrees, and can rotate the side shield up to 90° to the snowplow blade. While the plow vehicle is traveling in the forward direction and during the snowplowing process, the side shield is aligned along the C-shaped longitudinal edge.
In this manner, the novel snowplow device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives, and provides a relatively easy, convenient and effective solution to displace snow from the roads and other similar areas without moving the displaced snow to the sidewalks and driveway aprons. The snowplow device of the present invention prevents the displaced snow from blocking the sidewalks and driveway aprons, and effectively clears the snow during bitter winter conditions.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a snowplow device having a selectively deployable side shield. The snowplow device comprises: a mounting frame to attach to a front of a vehicle; a hydraulic unit attached to the mounting frame and having a hydraulic cylinder connected to a snowplow blade; the snowplow blade having a top rail, a bottom rail and two C-shaped longitudinal edges; a side shield attached to one C-shaped longitudinal edge of the snowplow blade using a side shield base fixed at the rear of the snowplow blade; the side shield is pivotally connected to the side shield base using a rotating actuator wherein the rotating actuator is attached to an electronic circuit or a hydraulic circuit for providing rotation to the side shield; and, the hydraulic cylinder connected to the rear of the snowplow blade via a universal joint for providing the vertical and rotational movements to the snowplow blade. The rotating actuator includes a range of 180 degrees and can rotate the side shield up to 90° to the snowplow blade. While the plow vehicle is traveling in the forward direction and during the snowplowing process, the side shield is aligned along the C-shaped longitudinal edge.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, a side shield barrier to prevent displacement of snow from a side of a snowplow blade is disclosed. The snowplow blade comprises: a planar structure having a straight vertical edge, a curved edge, and a pair of lateral edges; the side shield barrier is pivotally connected to a side shield base using a rotating actuator; the rotating actuator rotates the side shield barrier between an activated position and a retracted position; the side shield aligns with the curved edge of a snow blade in the activated position and is raised up to 90° in the retracted position; and, side shield barrier is configured to be controlled using an activation and retraction button placed in the cabin of a vehicle to which the snowplow blade is attached.
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, a method of intermittently and selectively blocking the discharging of snow from one side of a snowplow blade attached to a vehicle is disclosed. The method comprises: providing the snowplow blade including a side shield attachment secured to the snowplow blade; the side shield attachment includes a straight vertical edge, a curved edge, and a pair of lateral edges; the side shield attachment pivotally secured to an arm; connecting the snowplow blade to the vehicle; pivoting the side shield attachment between a generally vertical upward-retracted position and a generally vertical downward-deployed or activated position; wherein in the activated position, the curved edge of the side shield attachment aligns to the C-shaped curved side edge of the snowplow blade, and prohibits the displacement of snow from the C-shaped curved edge to the side of the snowplow blade.
The device of the present invention provides snowplow trucks with a mechanical arm attachment designed to function as a side shield, preventing the plow from displacing snow onto a driveway entrance. The device enables drivers or operators to intermittently activate the side shield to enable and block snow displacement on one side of the plow. The device converts a regular plow blade back and forth from the regular plow blade to a pusher box-type plow. The plow and side shield barrier can also feature integrated heating coils to further help remove and displace snow. The side shield barrier can be fixed to a side of the plow near to the driveway entrance, home and buildings, and offers a way to effectively clear snow during bitter winter conditions without causing severe inconvenience for homeowners.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device that allows the users to quickly and easily displace snow accumulated on roads, wheel chair ramps, and other similar areas. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device that selectively allows and prevents the snowplow blades from pushing the displaced snow to the sides of the road surfaces. There is also a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device that prevents snow accumulation on driveway aprons and pathways. Additionally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device that prevents the driveway aprons, wheel chair ramps and sidewalks from being blocked due the accumulation of snow displaced from the roads. Moreover, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device that allows the people to easily commute during bitter winter conditions. Further, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device which does not cause any inconvenience to homeowners by blocking their driveway apron with plowed snow from the roadway. Finally, there is a long-felt need in the art for a snowplowing device which improves the overall snow removal process by selectively converting a standard snowplow configuration into a partial snow pusher box plow configuration.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a novel snowplow device having a side shield that is selectively deployable. The snowplow device comprises: a mounting frame to attach to a front of a vehicle; a hydraulic unit attached to the mounting frame and having a hydraulic cylinder connected to a snowplow blade; the snowplow blade having a top rail, a bottom rail and two C-shaped longitudinal edges; a side shield attached to one C-shaped longitudinal edge of the snowplow blade using a side shield base fixed at the rear of the snowplow blade; the side shield is pivotally-connected to the side shield base using a rotating actuator wherein the rotating actuator is attached to an electronic circuit or a hydraulic circuit for providing rotation to the side shield; and the hydraulic cylinder connected to the rear of the snowplow blade via a universal joint for providing the vertical and rotational movements to the snowplow blade. The rotating actuator includes a range of 180 degrees and can rotate the side shield up to 90° to the snowplow blade. While the plow vehicle is traveling in the forward direction and during the snowplowing process, the side shield is aligned along the C-shaped longitudinal edge.
Referring initially to the drawings,
The bottom rail 1062 is a hardened rail which normally runs over the surface of the roadway. The front surface of the blade 106 curves upward in a C-shaped cross-section opening forward so as to prevent the snow pushed by the plow blade 106 from climbing over the top rail 1060 of the plow blade 106.
The planar side shield 102 is attached to the C-shaped end 118 of the blade 106 and is also attached to a side shield base 104 through a rotating actuator (shown in
To vertically raise and rotate the blade 106 for snowplowing action, a hydraulic power unit 114 is present and attached to the snowplow blade 106. The hydraulic power unit 114 can be attached to the vehicle power supply with a front connection mechanism and mount. The hydraulic power unit 114 on a side surface 124 includes a hydraulic cylinder 110 which is attached to a connecting rod 108 through a connecting member 116, and the connecting rod 108 is attached to the blade 106 through a universal joint (shown in
The side shield 102 electively prohibits the plow blade 100 from displacing snow (i.e. sideways discharge) onto a driveway entrance or driveway apron through the open side surface. As a result, a more efficient plowing operation can be achieved and also roads become clear without accumulation of large amounts of snow on driveway aprons and in front of houses. The side shield 102 is substantially planar and is pivotably joined to the side shield base 104, having a mounting frame as described hereinbefore.
The side shield 102 attachment withstands the shock normally associated with plowing operations without damaging any part of the attachments. When the side shield 102 is in the retracted position as shown in
The mounting side shield base 104 is fixed to the rear portion 122 of the blade 106 through a strong and durable mechanical fastener 206. The rotating actuator 202 includes a range of 180° in rotation. As far as the rotating actuator 202 is concerned, the side shield 102 generally lies at 90°, or orthogonal, to the plow blade 106, in the forward direction. The rotating actuator 202 is cost-effective and more efficient than equivalent linear cylinder(s) and associated linkage. Also, the rotatory actuator 202 is small and compact, thereby providing an alternative arrangement from the cylinder-and-linkage equivalent for rotating the side shield 102.
To vertically raise and provide the desired rotation to the blade 106, a hydraulic cylinder 110 moves vertically along a piston rod 126 and is connected to an extendable piston rod 208. The extendable piston rod 208 is connected to a universal joint 210 which allows the rotation of the blade 106 for an effective snowplowing process. The connecting rod 108 is raised vertically by the movement of the hydraulic cylinder 110 along the piston rod 126 to raise the blade 106. The connecting rod 108 is attached to the rear portion 122 of the plow blade 106.
The hydraulic mechanism connected to the connecting rod 108 is electronically operated, and can be connected to the electronic circuitry of the truck to which the snowplow device of the present invention is connected. An operator of the truck can easily control the hydraulic mechanism and rotating actuator. In one embodiment, the angle of the side shield 102 relative to the plow blade 106 can be controlled by the hydraulic operation of the rotating actuator 202. The rotating actuator 202 can have an associated hydraulic circuit with a pressure-sensing cross-over valve.
It should be noted that although in the present embodiment and other embodiments of the present invention, only a single connecting rod 108 is shown, the possibility of a second connecting rod to support the movement of the plow blade 106 can be added to the device. A second hydraulic mechanism can be present to support the second connecting rod or a single hydraulic mechanism can support both of the connecting rods. Based on the needs and requirements of the plowing operation, side shields can be present on the other C-shaped end 120 of the plow blade 106.
The mounting shield base 104 is fixed and remains static in a direction laterally perpendicular to the main plow blade 106 and is affixed along the C-shaped edge 118. During the movement of the main plow blade 106, and also during the rotation of the side shield 102, the mounting shield base 104 remains static and stable using the mechanical fastener 206. In case of an electronically controlled side shield 102, a circuitry is connected to the rotating actuator 202 which connects the rotating actuator 202 to the electronic circuit of the truck on which the plow blade 106 is attached. The side shield 102 and the mounting shield base 104 can be constructed using stainless steel, aluminum or heavy plastic materials. The electronically-controlled rotating actuator 202 enables drivers to selectively activate the side shield 102 to intermittently block snow displacement (i.e. snow discharge) on one side of the plow blade.
In addition to the retraction and activation button 402, three speed control buttons 404, 406, 408 are also present in the controlling system 400, for providing speed settings for the snowplow device 100 including the main blade 106 and the side shield 102. The high speed button 408 snow powder, a moderate speed button 406 for regular snowfall accumulation, and a slow speed button 404 for heavy snowfall accumulation. It is to be appreciated that the speed control buttons 404, 406, 408 control the speed of rotation and movement of both the main blade 106 and the side shield 102, and can correspond to the speed of the plow vehicle during use thereof.
When the side shield 102 is in the deployed or activated position, the snow 600 collected from a roadway or other surface by the snowplow blade 106, contacts the side shield 102 and is temporarily prevented from being discharged from the side of the plow 106. The planar and durable surface of the side shield 102 controls the snow contacting the side shield 102 and temporarily prevents the snow from diverting from the plow to an undesired location, such as across a driveway apron or other roadway section. To return to normal plow function, i.e., when it is desired to dispense snow away from the plow blade, the pivotal side shield 102 is raised from the extended position on the front of the snowplow into a retracted position so that snow can be deposited to the side of the plow.
In one embodiment of the present invention, the side shield 102 and the blade 106 can have integrated heating coils such as electric heating coils, steam coils, heating solenoids or any other heating element to melt and help remove and displace snow from the plow device. The integrated heating coils receive the power for heating from the truck to which the snowplow is attached. The heating elements are placed such that they are evenly-spaced apart from one another for providing uniform heating, and can be used for heavy snow.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name, but not in structure or function. As used herein “snowplow device with side shield”, “snowplow device”, “snowplow device with side attachment”, “improved snowplow device”, and “snowplow device” are interchangeable and refer to the snowplow device with side shield 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the snowplow device with side shield 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above-stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the size, configuration and material of the snowplow device with side shield 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the snowplow device with side shield 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the snowplow device with side shield 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the snowplow device with side shield 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What includes been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/141,156, which was filed on Jan. 25, 2021 and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63141156 | Jan 2021 | US |
