The present invention relates generally to material handling equipment, and more particularly to a v-plow including independently movable blades.
It is known that plows, for example snow plows, are bolted to supports which are typically welded to the chassis of a vehicle, for example a truck. It is also known that a plow support can be bolted to the chassis of a vehicle. Since plows typically weigh hundreds of pounds, positioning the plow for attachment to the vehicle can be difficult. It is particularly difficult to maneuver a snow plow in the cold and snow of winter.
It is also known to provide a V-Plow in which two blade segments are positioned in a V-shape with the blade segments swept to the rear. Where the blade segments come close together a gap exists through which material, such as snow, can move. It is known, for example, to overlap the blade segments or place a flexible covering in front of the gap. It is also known to provide central straight plow member with blades hinged to the straight plow member to form a V-plow. Such configurations are not satisfactory and need replacement or high maintenance activity.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a plow hitch mounting mechanism which is easy to maintain and that the process of connecting and disconnecting the plow to or from the vehicle is simple and easy to use by one person without assistance. It is also desirable to provide a V-plow having a minimum gap between the two V-plow segments and providing an adjustment apparatus to facilitate maintaining the blade bottom edges in horizontal alignment along their length.
The apparatus of the present disclosure must also be of construction which is both durable and long lasting, and it should also require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. In order to enhance the market appeal of the apparatus of the present disclosure, it should also be of inexpensive construction to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages should be achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.
The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by the present invention.
There is provided a v-plow including a first blade and a second blade. Each of the blades are pivotably connected about an axis and moveable through a range of movement. The v-plow includes a pair of wearstrips with one wearstrip coupled to each of the first and second blades. A wearstrip cylinder is coupled to at least one of the wearstrips, with the wearstrip cylinder aligned with the axis. The orientation of the first and second blades, the wearstrips, and the wearstrip cylinder minimize a gap defined between the two blades, throughout the range of movement. Each of the wearstrips include a flange coupled to each of the wearstrips and defining an angle between the flange and the wearstrip. In one embodiment one flange is coupled to the wearstrip cylinder and the other flange is closely adjacent to the wearstrip cylinder, throughout the range of movement of the blades.
There is further provided a snow plow including a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle. A plow frame is coupled to the hitch frame. A plow tower is connected to the plow frame with the plow frame including a first v-plow blade and a second v-plow blade, with each v-plow blade pivotably coupled to the plow tower with a horizontal pivot pin. The plow tower is configured to support each of the v-plow blades for movement throughout a range of movement about an axis. Each of the first v-plow and second v-plow blade is coupled to a wearstrip. The wearstrip cylinder is coupled to at least one of the wearstrips, with the wearstrip cylinder aligned with the axis. The orientation of the first and second v-plow blades, the wearstrips and the wearstrip cylinder minimize a gap defined between the two v-plow blades throughout the range of movement and wherein the snow plow is pivotably coupled to the vehicle. In another embodiment each of the wearstrips includes a flange finding an angle between the flange and the wearstrip. One flange may be coupled to the wearstrip cylinder and the other flange is closely adjacent to the wearstrip cylinder throughout the range of movement of the blades.
It is further provided a cutting edge interface for a v-plow. The v-plow includes a first blade and a second blade, with the blades coupled together about an axis by a vertical pivot pin and moveable through a range of movement. The cutting edge interface includes a pair of wearstrips with one wearstrip coupled to each of the first and second blade. Each wearstrip is configured with a flange defining an angle between the flange and a straight portion of the wearstrip. A wearstrip cylinder is coupled to at least one of the wearstrips, with the wearstrip cylinder aligned with the axis. The pair of wearstrips and the wearstrip cylinder minimize a gap defined between the two blades. The wearstrips are also configured with one flange coupled to the wearstrip cylinder and the other flange is closely adjacent to the wearstrip cylinder throughout the range of movement of the blades.
The apparatus of the present disclosure is of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which will require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The apparatus of the present disclosure is also of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market.
These and other advantages of the present invention are best understood with reference to the drawings, in which:
There is disclosed a snow plow 50 for mounting on a vehicle 60 with a quick connection/disconnect hitch 70 (more fully described below). The quick connect/disconnect hitch 70 facilitates the easy connection, i.e., without tools and disconnection of the snow plow 50 from the vehicle 60.
Referring to
Each chassis coupler 108 is a formed U-shaped channel with outward extending flanges. The flanges 110 are configured to provide a mounting surface for the chassis coupler 108 to facilitate coupling of the chassis coupler 108 to the vehicle chassis 60. Each flange 110 defines a plurality of apertures 112 to facilitate bolting of the chassis coupler 108 to the vehicle chassis 60. The apertures 112 may be configured as circles or slots. Each side 114 of each chassis coupler 108 further defines a pair of slots 116 extending longitudinally along and through each side 114 of the chassis coupler 108. The slots 116 facilitate the coupling of the hitch frame tube 102 to each of the chassis couplers 108 comprising the hitch frame nose assembly 100. Each chassis coupler 108 may be provided with slots 116 on each side 114 of the chassis coupler 108 to facilitate manufacturing and assembly by providing commonality of parts. Each chassis coupler 108 is also provided with an end-stop coupled to each of the flanges 110 proximate the front end 120 of the chassis coupler 108. The end-stop 118 assists in positioning the chassis coupler 108 on the vehicle chassis 60. Each chassis coupler 108 also defines a substantially V-shaped notch 122 to accommodate a lock hook pivot more fully described below. Each chassis coupler 108 also includes a traverse pin 124 which extends through both sides 114 of the chassis coupler 108. Traverse pin 124 is secured to the chassis coupler 108 by a nut threadingly fastened to the traverse pin 104. The nut may further be welded to the chassis coupler 108 to further secure the traverse pin 124. A portion 128 of the traverse pin extends beyond the side 114 of the chassis coupler 108 and is configured to engage a locking hook more fully described below.
The lift bar assembly 130 includes a pair of lift bar support members 132 maintained in a spaced apart relationship and coupled to a lift bar approximate the top of each lift bar support member 132. A light bar brace 136 approximate the lower end of each lift bar support member 132 facilitates maintenance of the spaced apart relationship of the lift bar support member 132. A pair of lift bar lugs 138 are coupled to each lift bar support member 132 approximate the light bar brace 136. (Also see
Referring to
Each notch member 146 includes a pair of tapered side members 148 with each tapered side member 148 defining a notch 150. Each notch 150 is configured to engage the traverse pin 124 positioned between the two sides 114 of each chassis coupler 108. Each notch member 146 also includes a plate member 152 fastened to the top portion of each of the tapered side members 148, typically by welding a plate member 150 to each tapered side member 148. The plate member provides additional reinforcement for the notch member 146 and defines with the two tapered side members 148 an inverted U-shape assembly. With the notch member 146 engaged with the chassis coupler 108 the pivot for the quick connect/disconnect hitch 70 formed by the engagement of the notch 150 with the traverse pin 124 is enclosed within the two facing u-shaped assemblies.
Each notched member 146 further includes a locking hook 154 pivotably coupled to a hook pivot 156. The hook pivot 156 extends through each of the tapered side members 148 of each notch member 146. The locking hook 154 moves about the hook pivot 156 in response to movement of the hitch locking lever 158 as the hitch locking lever 158 moves about a lever pivot 160. The hitch locking lever 158 is coupled to the locking hook 154 by a lock linkage 162. The operation of the locking mechanism 144 will be explained below.
The orientation of the locking hook 154 and the notch member 146 is such that when the notch member 146 is inserted into the chassis coupler 108 the locking hook is positioned outside of the unshaped chassis coupler 108 and positioned to selectively engage the portion 128 of the traverse pin 124 that extends beyond the side 114 of the chassis coupler 108. It should be understood that there is a locking hook 154 on each of the notch members 146 which engages the traverse pin 124 extending beyond the side 114 of each of the chassis couplers 108 that are part of the hitch frame nose assembly 100. The locking hook 154 locks the lift bar assembly 130 to the hitch frame nose assembly 100.
Locking mechanism 144 also includes a lock support bracket 164 which is coupled to each of the lift bar support members 132. A preferred embodiment provides that a pair of lock support brackets 164 are coupled to each side of the corresponding lift bar support member 132. (
The operation of coupling the quick connect/disconnect hitch 70 to the vehicle chassis 60 will now be described with reference to
To complete the locking maneuver of the locking mechanism 144, the hitch locking lever 158 is moved to a second locked position 178 which forces the hitch locking lever 158 to move over center of the lever pivot 160 as illustrated in
As described above, the locking mechanism 144 includes a lock hook 154 on each side of the lift bar assembly 130 and are coupled together to simultaneously operate with movement of the hitch locking lever 158.
The lift bar assembly 130 is coupled to a plow frame 170. The lift bar assembly 130 is provided with a pair of lift bar lugs 138 coupled to the lift bar brace 136 and to each of the lock support brackets 164 on both sides of the lift bar assembly 130 (see
A plow frame 170 is configured substantially in the form of a letter A with the plow frame 170 including a front portion 175 and a rear portion 177. The plow frame 170 includes two side member 196, 198 which form the sides of the A-shape with a traverse brace tube 200 coupled to each of the side members 196, 198. A tower traverse brace tube 354 is also coupled to each of the side members 196, 198 and positioned in a spaced apart distance from the traverse brace tube 200 proximate the front portion 175 of the plow frame 170. The side members 196, 198, the tower traverse brace tube 354, and the traverse brace tube 200 are conventional steel square tubing, however, it is contemplated that other cross-section configured tubes, for example circular or triangular, can be used. Coupled to the front portion 175 of the plow frame 170 are a pair of horizontal blade pivot brackets 350. The brackets 350 are coupled to the respective side member 196, 198 and the tower traverse brace tube 354. Each of the brackets 350 defines an orifice 352 configured to receive a horizontal blade pivot pin 370.
A pair of lower tower adjustment brackets 354 are coupled, for example by welding, to the tower traverse brace tube 354. A lower trip spring bracket 416 is coupled to the lower tower adjustment brackets 354. See
Coupled to the traverse brace tube 200 are lift cylinder mounts 206. Lift cylinder mounts 206 are aligned to couple the lower end of the lift cylinder 142 which is coupled to the upper lift cylinder mount 140 on the lift bar 134.
Each of the side members 196, 198 of the plow frame 170 include an adjustment lug 172 at the rear portion 177 of the plow frame 170. Each adjustment lug 172 includes a plurality of orifices 179 aligned vertically and configured to receive a bolt 232 which will couple the plow frame 170 to the lift bar lugs 138 on the lift bar assembly 130. As best seen in
Referring now to
The plow tower 362 is an assembly of two side plates 364 which are maintained in a triangular configuration by a top plate 372, a lower plate 374 and a pair of intermediate plates 376 as best illustrated in
A first V-plow blade 386 and a second V-plow blade 388 are coupled together with a blade vertical pivot pin 390 which is received in each of the blade upper vertical pivot tube 380 and lower vertical pivot tube 382. A blade pivot pin tower strap 398 is coupled to the blade vertical pivot pin 390 and the top plate 372 of the plow tower 362.
In a preferred embodiment the blade vertical pivot pin 390 is welded to the blade pivot pin tower strap 398. The orientation of the two V-plow blades 386 and 388 and the vertical pivot tubes 380 and 382 as seen at least in
Each of the V-plow blades 386, 388 include a V-blade actuator 424 which moves each of the V-plow blades 386, 388 into positions as determined by an operator of the snow plow 50.
Each of the V-plow blade actuators 424 include a pair of blade swing cylinder brackets 378 which coupled to the respective V-plow blades 386, 388. One end of the swing cylinder 418 is coupled to the blade swing cylinder bracket 378 by a cylinder pivot pin 420. Another end of the swing cylinder 418 is coupled between each of the intermediate plates 376 by the V-blade swing cylinder pin 422. A fluid supply system (not shown) is coupled to each of the swing cylinders and other power actuators related to the snow plow 50. A preferred embodiment utilizes hydraulic fluid and cylinders.
Each of the wearstrips 392, 393 may include a flange, 392a, 393a. See
Each of the swing cylinders 418 can move each of the V-plow blades 386, 388 into various configurations as determined by an operator of the snow plow 50.
The v-plow 50 may also include a convex bulge 291 defined by each of the first v-plow blade 386 and the second v-plow blade 388 proximate the axis 391, with each convex bulge 291 configured to direct material away from the axis 391. See
It should be noted that in each of the exemplary illustrated plow blade configurations shown in
The tower adjustment assembly 400 includes a tower adjustment bracket 402 which is in a substantial T-shape. The top portion of the T-shape is coupled to an outer adjustment tube 406 at one end of the outer adjustment tube 406 and the lower portion of the T-shaped tower adjustment bracket 402 is also coupled to the outer adjustment tube 406 and is pivotably coupled to the plow tower 362 at the upper tower adjustment bracket 366 (see
In operation as the adjustment bolt 412 is turned, clockwise, into the inner and outer adjustment tube assembly. The adjustment bolt 412 pushes against the adjustment cushion plug 408 and forces the V-plow blades 386, 388 to pivot about the horizontal pivot pin 370 as illustrated schematically in
As illustrated in
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or the two components and any additional member being attached to one another. Such adjoining may be permanent in nature or alternatively be removable or releasable in nature.
Although the foregoing description of a quick connect/disconnect hitch and a plow with independently moveable wings has been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the hitch or plow as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/073,231, filed Jun. 17, 2008, which is incorporated herein in its entirety, and is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,732, U.S. patent application No. 12/140,635, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,671, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,509, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/073,227, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/073,241, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/073,248, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/073,252, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,903, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,881, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,466, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,893, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,886 each of which were filed on Jun. 17, 2008 and all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61073231 | Jun 2008 | US | |
61073227 | Jun 2008 | US | |
61073241 | Jun 2008 | US | |
61073248 | Jun 2008 | US | |
61073252 | Jun 2008 | US |