Support device for a snowplough blade

Abstract

The support device for a snowplough blade comprises a body produced in one piece and defining: a reservoir, pumping means and support means for the blade, the pumping means being fed by the reservoir and operating the support means for the blade.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the description of a preferred but non-exclusive embodiment of the device of the invention, illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the device of the invention (including a second swivel cylinder for the snowplough blade);

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view of a snowplough blade mounted on a vehicle; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic side elevation (partly sectioned) of a vehicle carrying a snowplough blade.

Claims

1. A support device for a snowplough blade comprising a body produced in one piece and defining: a reservoir, pumping means and support means for the blade, wherein the pumping means are fed by the reservoir and operate the support means for the blade.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support means comprise a first hydraulic cylinder for raising the blade, said first cylinder being defined by said body.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first hydraulic cylinder is single acting and operates against the action of a spring.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3, wherein said spring is an air spring formed in said first hydraulic cylinder at the opposite end to that comprising the inlet and outlet for the operating fluid.

5. A device as claimed in claim 4, wherein said first hydraulic cylinder is connected to a unidirectional valve enabling air to enter its interior at that end of the first cylinder which defines the spring, only when the cylinder piston rod re-enters said cylinder.

6. A device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a regulating valve for regulating the pressure of said first cylinder.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said support means comprise a second hydraulic cylinder for defining the lateral orientation of said blade.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second cylinder is external to said body, said body presenting at least one connector for connection to said second cylinder.

9. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein said second cylinder is a double acting cylinder, said body presenting two connectors for feeding the second cylinder.

10. A device as claimed in claim 7, further comprising only one second cylinder connectable to one side of said blade, said blade presenting a hinge for its hinging to a frame on its transverse axis of symmetry.

11. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said body presents, for feeding said connectors, a circuit comprising at least one control valve, a bypass valve and a non-return valve.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said circuit feeding said connectors comprises at least one valve for recirculating the operating liquid leaving a chamber of the second cylinder, to feed it into the other chamber of said second cylinder.

13. A device as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a control valve for deviating the flow of operating liquid delivered by the pumping means from the first cylinder to the second cylinder or vice versa, to enable said first cylinder and said second cylinder to be operated by a single pumping means.

14. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein a unidirectional valve is positioned in the line between the reservoir and the first cylinder.