This patent disclosure relates generally to plows and, more particularly, to wing plows which are mounted to extend from a side of a vehicle.
Plows are commonly mounted to vehicles for use in the removal of snow or other debris from roadway surfaces. Typically a plow is mounted to the front of the vehicle such that it is generally aligned with the longitudinally-extending chassis of the vehicle. A wing plow that extends from a side of the vehicle and is offset laterally from the chassis can be used either alone or in conjunction with a standard front-mounted plow to remove snow from the sides or shoulders of roadways or to extend the plowing path width of a vehicle (e.g., such that a vehicle can plow two driving lanes of a multi-lane roadway).
The location of the wing plow to the side of the vehicle can hinder an operator's ability to see the wing plow while driving, thereby increasing the susceptibility of the wing plow to damage while in operation. To reduce damage to the wing plow and the amount of time and attention devoted by the driver to control the position of the wing plow, it is desirable to equip a wing plow with the ability to follow the ground contour, such as when the wing plow rides on and off the shoulder of the roadway, and to move over an obstruction encountered in the roadway.
A wing plow can include a trip mechanism adapted to allow a wing plow to pass over a fixed obstruction projecting from the roadway to reduce damage when the wing plow's cutting edge strikes the obstruction. A trip mechanism typically either allows the top of the moldboard to roll forward or the bottom edge of the cutting edge to independently move backward when an obstruction is contacted.
It will be appreciated that this background description has been created by the inventor to aid the reader, and is not to be taken as an indication that any of the indicated problems were themselves appreciated in the art. While the described principles can, in some aspects and embodiments, alleviate the problems inherent in other systems, it will be appreciated that the scope of the protected innovation is defined by the attached claims, and not by the ability of any disclosed feature to solve any specific problem noted herein.
In an embodiment, the present disclosure describes a wing plow that includes a mast including a support frame adapted for mounting to a chassis, a moldboard having a toe end and a heel end, and a moldboard connector assembly arranged with the moldboard and the mast to provide a rotatable floating connection between the moldboard and the mast such that the moldboard is rotatably movable over a range of travel between a plowing position and a range of tripped positions. The moldboard connector assembly includes a link arm pivotably mounted with respect to the support frame and a moldboard mount pivotably mounted to the moldboard adjacent the toe end of the moldboard. The link arm and the moldboard mount are pivotably connected to each other to permit relative rotation therebetween.
In another embodiment, the present disclosure describes a vehicle including a chassis and a wing plow mounted to the chassis. The wing plow includes a mast including a support frame mounted to the chassis, a moldboard having a toe end and a heel end, and a moldboard connector assembly arranged with the moldboard and the mast to provide a rotatable floating connection between the moldboard and the mast such that the moldboard is rotatably movable over a range of travel between a plowing position and a range of tripped positions. The moldboard connector assembly includes a link arm pivotably mounted with respect to the support frame and a moldboard mount pivotably mounted to the moldboard adjacent the toe end of the moldboard. The link arm and the moldboard mount are pivotably connected to each other to permit relative rotation therebetween.
In yet another embodiment, the present disclosure describes a moldboard connector assembly adapted to provide a rotatable floating connection between a moldboard and a mast with a support frame such that the moldboard is rotatably movable over a range of travel between a plowing position and a range of tripped positions. The moldboard connector assembly includes a link arm adapted to be pivotably mounted with respect to the support frame of the mast and a moldboard mount adapted to be pivotably mounted to the moldboard adjacent a toe end of the moldboard. The moldboard mount and the link arm are pivotably connected to each other to permit relative rotation therebetween. The moldboard connector assembly is adapted to provide relative movement between the moldboard and the mast with three degrees of freedom.
Further and alternative aspects and features of the disclosed principles will be appreciated from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings. As will be appreciated, the vehicles, wing plows, and moldboard connector assemblies disclosed herein are capable of being carried out in other and different embodiments, and capable of being modified in various respects. Accordingly, it is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and do not restrict the scope of the appended claims.
In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration, specific embodiments or examples. These embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, and various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure.
Embodiments of vehicles, wing plows, and moldboard connector assemblies are described herein. A wing plow constructed according to principles of the present disclosure can include a moldboard connector assembly constructed in accordance with principles of the present disclosure and be mounted to a vehicle for use to plow snow from roadways, for example, or to plow other materials, such as gravel or rock, for example, from roadways and other surfaces over which the vehicle traverses.
In some embodiments, a wing plow includes a mast having a support frame adapted for mounting to a chassis, a moldboard having a front or toe end and a rear or heel end, and a moldboard connector assembly arranged with the moldboard and the mast to provide a rotatable floating connection between the moldboard and the mast such that the moldboard is rotatably movable over a range of travel between a plowing position and a range of tripped positions. The moldboard connector assembly includes a link arm pivotably mounted with respect to the support frame and a moldboard mount pivotably mounted to the moldboard adjacent the toe end of the moldboard. The link arm and the moldboard mount are pivotably connected to each other to permit relative rotation therebetween. The moldboard connector assembly can be adapted to provide relative movement between the moldboard and the mast with three degrees of freedom. A brace assembly can be provided which positions the heel end of the moldboard away from the vehicle at a plowing angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle chassis for plowing operations.
Embodiments of a wing plow constructed in accordance with principles of the present disclosure can help reduce damage to the wing plow when the wing plow encounters an obstruction on the surface being plowed. The wing plow can include a moldboard connector assembly constructed according to principles of the present disclosure and arranged with the moldboard and the mast to provide a rotatable floating connection between the moldboard and the mast such that the moldboard is rotatably movable between a range of plowing positions and a range of tripped positions. In use, the floating connection allows a cutting edge mounted to the moldboard to follow the contours of the surface being plowed, such as when riding on and off a shoulder of a road, rotatably trip over obstructions which resist being taken up by the cutting edge.
Turning now to the Figures, there is shown in
The wing plow 102 includes a mast 108 including a support frame 120 adapted for mounting to a chassis 103 of the vehicle 100, a moldboard 104 having a front or toe end 122 and a rear or heel end 124, a moldboard connector assembly 107 arranged with the moldboard 104 and the mast 108 to provide a rotatable floating connection between the moldboard 104 and the mast 108 such that the moldboard 104 is rotatably movable over a range of travel between a plowing position (
The illustrated support frame 120 of the mast 108 is in the form of a tubular cross brace. The support frame 120 provides a connection for the mast 108 to the chassis 103 of the vehicle 100. In other embodiments, the support frame 120 of the mast 108 can take any suitable form sufficient for mounting the mast 108 to the chassis of a vehicle.
The wing plow 102 can be mounted at a front end 116 of the vehicle 100 to push snow further to a right side of the vehicle 100, as shown in
The moldboard 104 can be made from a substantially rigid material, such as metal (e.g., steel) that defines a material moving or plowing surface 121. In some embodiments, the moldboard 104 can be constructed from sheet metal and include stiffening ribs 126 (see, e.g.,
A cutting edge 106 is mounted to a bottom portion 123 of the moldboard 104. In an embodiment suitable for plowing snow, the cutting edge 106 is a relatively rigid member. The cutting edge 106 can be constructed from any suitable material, such as steel, for example. Fasteners 138 removably secure the cutting edge 106 to the moldboard 104. The cutting edge 106 can extend below the bottom portion 123 of the moldboard 104 as shown in
Referring to
The link arm 130 is pivotably movable with respect to the support frame 120 about a link arm pivot axis 137 defined by a link arm pivot pin 131. The moldboard 104 is pivotably movable with respect to the moldboard mount 133 at the toe end 122 about a toe end moldboard pivot axis 139 defined by a moldboard pivot pin 141. The moldboard mount 133 is pivotably movable with respect to the link arm 130 about a plowing axis 143 defined by a king pin 144. The plowing axis 143 is generally perpendicular to the link arm pivot axis 137 and to the toe end moldboard pivot axis 139. The link arm pivot axis 137 and the toe end moldboard pivot axis can be in oblique relationship with respect to each other such that they are in non-perpendicular relationship to each other.
The moldboard connector assembly 107 can include an adjustment mechanism 142 adapted to change the orientation of the plowing axis 143 with respect to a supporting ground surface. The illustrated adjustment mechanism 142 is in the form of a circular disk which is adapted to be adjustable relative to the link arm 130. The adjustment disk 142 includes an attachment point for the moldboard mount 133 such that the orientation of the plowing axis 143 can be adjusted to be substantially vertical relative to a supporting surface upon which the vehicle 100 sits (and substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 145 of the chassis 103) when the wing plow 102 is in a plowing position, as shown in
The moldboard connector assembly 107 provides a floating connection between the moldboard 104 and the mast 108 which allows the vertical position of the cutting edge 106 along the plowing axis 143 and a vertical axis generally perpendicular to the ground to vary to follow the contour of the surface over which the vehicle traverses. The link arm 130 can pivot about the link arm pivot axis 137 to permit the floating movement. The moldboard connector assembly 107 is also adapted to provide a tripping relief action when the wing plow 103 strikes an obstruction upon the surface being plowed which resists being lifted up by the cutting edge 106. The moldboard connector assembly 107 allows the cutting edge 106 to rotate such that when encountering an obstruction, it moves from a plowing position (see, e.g.,
Referring to
The brace assembly 110 includes a push arm 151 pivotably connected to a mounting bracket 153. The mounting bracket 153 is mounted to the chassis 103. The push arm 151 includes a distal end 156 pivotably mounted to the moldboard 104 adjacent the heel end 124 of the moldboard 104 and a proximal end 158 pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket 153.
Referring to
Referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the upright 117 includes a pair of walls in spaced relationship to each other to accommodate the lift arm 128 therebetween. The lift arm 128 is pivotable relative to the upright 117 about a lift arm pivot pin 129 on a proximal end 127 of the lift arm 128. A distal end 125 of the lift arm 128 can pivot upwardly in a storage direction 181 when the actuator 136 is extended and downwardly in a plowing direction 183 when the actuator 136 is retracted.
The lift arm 128 is connected to the link arm 130 by the support linkage 132. The illustrated support linkage 132 comprises a flexible tension device extending between the distal end 125 of the lift arm 128 and a distal end 134 of the link arm 130. The support linkage 132 can be adapted to constrain the link arm 130 from pivoting in a lowering direction beyond a lowered position (such as, when the link arm 130 is pivoted downwardly so that the illustrated support linkage 132 is taut) but to allow the link arm 130 to pivot in a lifting direction away from the lowered position without the need to operate the lift assembly 111. Although the illustrated embodiment shows the support linkage 132 as a chain, it is contemplated that in other embodiments other suitable devices, such as a cable, cord, or rope, may be used. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the support linkage 132 can be a device other than a flexible tension device (e.g., a slide linkage) which still permits the link arm 130 to float when the wing plow is in a plowing position.
In use, the hydraulic cylinder 136 can be used to operate the lift assembly 111 such that the position of the wing plow 102 can move from a plowing position to a stowed position. As the cylinder 136 raises the lift arm 128, the lift arm 128 pivots about the lift arm pivot pin 129 on the mast end 127 of the lift arm 128. The cylinder 136 raises the link end 125 of the lift arm 128, thereby taking up any slack in the support linkage 132. When the support linkage 132 is taut, continued upward movement of the lift arm 128 raises the distal end 134 of the link arm 130 (which pivots about the link arm pivot axis 137) and the toe end 122 of moldboard 104. To lower the wing plow 102 from a stowed position to a plowing position, the cylinder 136 lowers the lift arm 128, thereby allowing the support linkage 132 to move downwardly, which in turn lowers the link arm 130 until the cutting edge 106 comes into contact with the supporting ground surface. The cylinder 136 can continue to be retracted to provide slack in the support linkage 132, which in turn can allow the cutting edge 106 to float both upwardly and downwardly relative to a vertical position of a reference supporting ground surface such that the cutting edge 106 can move downwardly into a dip in the supporting surface and upwardly over a bump. In some embodiments, the length of the support linkage 132 can be adjusted to set the vertical height of the moldboard 104 relative to the mast 108.
Referring to
Referring to
The moldboard connector assembly 207 is adapted to provide relative movement between the moldboard 204 and the mast 208 with three degrees of freedom. The moldboard connector assembly 207 includes a link 230 pivotably mounted with respect to the support frame 220, a moldboard mount 233 pivotably mounted to the moldboard 204 adjacent a toe end 222 of the moldboard 204, and an adjustment mechanism 242 adjustably mounted to the link arm 230. The link arm 230 and the moldboard mount 233 are pivotably connected to each other via the adjustment mechanism 242 to permit relative rotation therebetween about a plowing axis.
The adjustment mechanism 242 is in the form of a plate and includes a clevis bracket 285. The moldboard mount 233 includes a dee or connector plate 287 having a clevis bracket 289 which is adapted to be aligned with and inter-engage the clevis bracket 285 of the adjustment plate 242. The link arm 242 and the connector plate 287 are pivotably connected together by a king pin 244 extending through the clevis brackets 285, 289.
The adjustment mechanism 242 is adapted to change the orientation of the plowing axis (extending axially along the kingpin 244) with respect to a supporting ground surface. In use, the orientation of the adjustment plate 242 relative to the link arm 230 can be varied to change the orientation of the clevis bracket 289 of the adjustment plate 242, thereby also varying the plowing axis defined by the king pin 244 inserted through the clevis bracket 289 to pivotably mount the moldboard 204. The orientation of the adjustment plate 242 can be adjusted relative to the link arm 230 to substantially align the plowing axis with a vertical axis that is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the chassis and a supporting ground surface.
The adjustment plate 242 includes an adjustment slot 291 at a proximal end 292 of the adjustment plate. The adjustment plate can be mounted in a desired orientation relative to the link arm 230 by securing a fastener through the adjustment slot 291 and an aligned mounting hole 295 in the link arm 230. The adjustment plate 242 includes an opening 293 therethrough at a distal end 294 that can accept a pivot boss 296 projecting from the link arm 230. The orientation of the adjustment plate 242 relative to the link arm 230 can be varied by pivoting the adjustment plate 242 about the link arm pivot boss 296. The adjustment slot 291 can be configured to accommodate the movement of the adjustment plate 242 relative to the link arm 230. Additional mounting holes 298 can be provided in the adjustment plate 242 and the link arm 230 which can be aligned and accommodate fasteners 299 therethrough to further secure the adjustment plate to the link arm 230.
The components of the front portion 201 of
Referring to
The moldboard connector assembly 307 is adapted to provide relative movement between the moldboard 304 and the mast 308 with three degrees of freedom. The moldboard connector assembly 307 includes a link arm 330 pivotably mounted with respect to the support frame 320 and a moldboard mount 333 pivotably mounted to the moldboard 304 adjacent a toe end 322 of the moldboard 304.
The link arm 330 includes a pair of fixed lugs 391, 392 extending therefrom to form a clevis bracket 393. The clevis lugs 391, 392 are adapted to receive a king pin 344 therethrough. The moldboard mount 333 includes a dee or connector plate 387 also having a clevis bracket 389 adapted to receive the king pin 344 therethrough. The connector plate 387 is pivotably mounted to the toe end 322 of the moldboard 304. The link arm 330 and the connector plate 387 are pivotably connected together by the king pin 344 extending through the clevis brackets 389, 393. This embodiment omits an adjustable mechanism.
The components of the front portion 301 of
Referring to
The retaining function provided by the inter-engagement of the jaw 382 of the link arm 330 and the retaining plate 381 mounted to the support frame 320 can be particularly useful in situations where a vehicle having a wing plow, which is constructed in accordance with principles of the present disclosure and in the plowing position, moves in reverse. Should the cutting edge 306 catch upon the supporting surface, the link arm 330 may have a tendency to move in the lateral outward direction 385 relative to the mast 308. The retaining jaw 382 can engage the retaining plate 381 to help maintain the link arm 330 in its relative lateral position.
Referring to
The link 330 extends longitudinally from the proximal mast end 335 to a distal end 334 (where the link arm is pivotably associated with the moldboard 304) to define a link arm angle θ with respect to the longitudinal axis of the chassis of the vehicle and the supporting ground surface (i.e., a horizontal axis) when the wing plow is in a normal plowing position with the cutting edge 306 resting upon the ground and/or the plowing axis 343 substantially vertical. The link arm angle θ determines the trip path over which the moldboard 304 moves when the wing plow strikes an obstruction. The illustrated link angle θ is about 10° below the horizontal axis 345. In embodiments, the link arm angle θ of the link arm 330 when the moldboard 304 is in a normal plowing position (with the cutting edge 306 resting upon the ground) is in a range from about 5° above the horizontal axis 345 downward to about 90° below the horizontal axis 345, in a range from about parallel with the ground downward to about perpendicular to the ground in other embodiments, in a range from about parallel to the horizontal axis 345 downward to about 60° below the horizontal axis 345 in other embodiments, in a range from about 10° below the horizontal axis 345 downward to about 45° below the horizontal axis 345 in still other embodiments, and in a range from about 10° below the horizontal axis 345 downward to about 25° below the horizontal axis 345 in yet other embodiments.
In embodiments, the link arm 330 can be oriented at a link arm angle θ that is in a range between parallel with the ground and perpendicular to the ground in order for the moldboard 304 to move both rearward horizontally 397 and upward vertically 398 relative to the support frame 320 when the cutting edge 306 strikes an obstruction. If the link arm 330 is oriented substantially at a link arm angle θ that is parallel to the ground (where the link arm angle θ is equal to about zero) and the cutting edge 306 strikes an obstruction, the link arm 330 is restrained from moving longitudinally backward along the longitudinal axis of the chassis relative to the mast 308 and can only pivot vertically upward 398 from the ground. In such a configuration, the moldboard 304 has limited rearward movement to absorb the force from the obstruction, and damage to the cutting edge 306 or the wing plow assembly could occur.
On the other hand, orienting the link arm 330 at a link arm angle θ that is perpendicular to the ground (where the link arm angle θ is equal to about 90° below) results in the link arm 330 pivoting horizontally to the ground and rearward 397 when the cutting edge 306 strikes an obstruction. In such a configuration, the moldboard 304 moves straight rearward 397 as well with limited vertical upward 398 movement. While movement straight rearward 397 may absorb some of the impact resulting from the cutting edge 306 striking an obstruction, the moldboard 304 may not have enough vertical upward 398 movement in such a configuration to raise up over the obstruction and avoid further damage.
When the link arm 330 is oriented at a link angle θ in a range between about 15° and about 30° below the horizontal axis 345 (and even more preferably at about 20° below the horizontal axis 345), the cutting edge 306 of moldboard 304 has the ability to move rearward 397 relative to the support frame 320 and absorb force from the cutting edge 306 striking an obstruction, but also to move vertically upward 398 relative to the support frame 320 and clear the obstruction to help reduce damage to the wing plow. It is contemplated, however, that other values for the link arm angle θ can be effective at reducing damage to the moldboard 304 and the wing plow upon striking an obstruction. Additionally, the optimum orientation of the link arm 330 can depend upon the specific plowing conditions and the material being cleared. As such, the link arm angle θ can be adjusted to suit the specific conditions in different embodiments.
A toe end lift assembly 311 is connected to the link arm 330 such that the link arm 330 is allowed, without operation of the toe end lift assembly 311, to float by pivoting about the link arm pivot pin 331 in a lowering direction 378 to a ground-engaging position wherein the cutting edge 306 contacts the ground when the moldboard 304 is under the influence of gravity, and in a lifting direction 379 to a tripped position when the moldboard 304 encounters an obstruction. The lifting direction 379 is in opposing relationship to the lowering direction 378.
The toe end lift assembly 311 is arranged with the link arm 330 such that the link arm 330 is constrained from pivoting in the lowering direction 378 beyond a lowered position but allowed to move in the lifting direction 379 away from the lowered position. In the illustrated embodiment, a link arm lower stop 350 is provided to define the lowered position. The link lower stop 350 is engageable with a bottom edge 355 of the link 330 to prevent the link an 330 from moving further in the lowering direction 378. The link arm lower stop 350 can be affixed to the retaining plate 381.
A link arm upper stop 349 can also be provided to limit the movement of the link arm 330 in the lifting direction 379 to a raised position. In embodiments, the link arm upper stop 349 is engageable with an upper edge 357 of the link arm 330, a retaining member, or other suitable structure to prevent the link arm 330 from moving further in the lifting direction 379, thereby defining the raised position. The link arm upper stop 349 can also be affixed to the retaining plate 381. In use, it is preferred that the link arm 330 is disposed between the lowered position and the raised position when the cutting edge 306 is resting on a reference supporting ground surface, thereby allowing the cutting edge 306 to float both upwardly and downwardly to follow the contour of the ground.
Referring to
The brace assembly 410 is adapted to support the moldboard 404 in a plowing position (e.g., as shown in
The brace assembly 410 includes a push arm 451 pivotably connected to a mounting bracket 453, which in turn is mounted to a rear mast 457 adapted to be mounted to a chassis of a vehicle. The push arm 451 includes a distal end 456 pivotably mounted to the moldboard 404 adjacent the heel end 424 of the moldboard 404 and a proximal end 458 pivotably mounted to the mounting bracket 453. The pivotable connections between the push arm 451, the mounting bracket 453, and the moldboard 404 can be made using any suitable device, such as universal joints, ball joints, or any other suitable joints that allow the push arm 451 to pivot with respect to the mounting bracket 453 and the moldboard 404 with multiple degrees of freedom.
A heel end lift assembly 415 is operable to selectively move the heel end 424 of the moldboard 404 over a range of travel along the plowing axis 443 between a plowing position (see, e.g.,
The illustrated actuator 452 is in the form of a hydraulic cylinder having a reciprocally moving piston 454. The piston 454 is movably and sealingly mounted within the cylinder such that the piston 454 can reciprocally move in and out of the cylinder under the influence of hydraulic fluid. The connection between the actuator 452 and the mounting bracket 453 and between the actuator 452 and the slide collar 460 can be made with any suitable joint, such as universal joints, ball joints, or any other suitable joints allowing the actuator 452 to pivot with respect to the mounting bracket 453 and the slide collar 460 with multiple degrees of freedom.
The slide collar 460 is movably mounted to the push arm 451 such that the push arm 451 extends through the slide collar 460. The slide collar 460 is disposed between a proximal arm stop 462 and a distal arm stop 464 which act to define a range of travel over which the slide collar 460 is movable with respect to the push arm 451. The slide collar 460 can move along the push arm 451 between the proximal arm stop 462 and the distal arm stop 464 in response to pivotal movement of the push arm 451 when the moldboard 404 is moving through a tripping sequence, for example. The length of travel defined by the stops 462, 464 can be configured such that the moldboard 404 can move from a plowing position to a range of trip positions without interference from the heel lift assembly 415 or without requiring the heel lift assembly 415 to be operated.
The brace assembly 410 positions the heel end 424 of the moldboard 404 away from the vehicle at a plow angle for plowing snow or other materials. When the wing plow 402 is in the plowing position, the brace assembly 410 stabilizes the heel end 424 of the moldboard 404 to resist the forces encountered when plowing snow or other materials to help maintain the moldboard 404 in a plowing position.
When the cutting edge 406 strikes an obstruction which resists being lifted up by the cutting edge 406, the moldboard 404 moves rearwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the chassis and up vertically relative to the ground into a tripped position, as discussed above. The brace assembly 410 is adapted to permit the movement of the moldboard 404 through a tripping sequence. As the moldboard 404 moves to a tripped position, the push arm 451 pivots about its proximal end 458. As the push arm 451 pivots about its proximal end 458, the slide collar 460 moves toward the distal arm stop 464 to accommodate the movement. As the moldboard 404 moves back to a plowing position, the slide collar 460 can move toward the proximal arm stop 462.
Referring to
Referring to
The illustrated support linkage 432 comprises a slide linkage defining a slot 447 and a mounting pin 448 extending from the lift arm 428. The mounting pin 448 extends through the slot 447 of the slide linkage 432. The mounting pin 448 supports the slide linkage 432 at a proximal support end 445 of the slot 447 when the link arm 430 is in the lowered position (see, e.g.,
The slide linkage 432 is movably connected to the lift arm 428 such the slide linkage can pivot with respect to, and translate relative to, the mounting pin 448 and the lift arm 428. The distal end of the slide linkage 432 is pivotally connected to the link arm 430.
The slide linkage 432 is adapted to allow the moldboard 404 to move through a trip sequence such that the moldboard moves both rearwardly relative to the longitudinal axis of the chassis of the vehicle and vertically upward relative to the ground when the cutting edge 406 strikes an obstruction. As the moldboard 404 moves from a plowing position to a trip position, the link arm 430 pivots in a lifting direction 479 about the link arm pivot pin 431, thereby lifting the distal end 434 of the link arm 430 (see, e.g.,
Referring to
A lock pin 492, 592 (see, e.g.,
Referring to
Referring to
The wing plow 402 of
Referring to
In embodiments, an operator can use a controller in the cab 412 or elsewhere on the vehicle 100 to cause the actuator 436 (see, e.g.,
Referring to
Referring to
As the wing plow 402 moves into the partially tripped position shown in
In the fully tripped position illustrated in
Referring to
Referring to
The brace assembly 710 includes a push arm 751 that is adapted to be axially adjustable over a range of travel between a retracted position and an extended position such that the push arm 751 has a variable axial length. The push arm 751 includes a pair of segments 781, 783 that are telescopically movable with respect to each other. To adjust the axial length of the push arm 751, the proximal segment 781 can be retracted into or extended out of the distal segment 783. A lock pin 785 can be inserted through a mounting hole 787 of the distal segment 783 and one of a series of mounting holes in axial spaced relationship to each other that is aligned with the mounting hole 787 of the distal segment 783 to restrain further relative movement between the proximal and distal segments 781, 783.
A distal end 756 of the push arm 751 is equipped with a reciprocally movable extension piece 771 having a spring 776 mounted thereto which function as a shock absorber adapted to absorb some of the impact when the cutting edge 706 encounters an obstruction.
When the cutting edge 706 strikes an obstruction while plowing, the extension piece 771 compresses and retracts into the distal segment 783 to allow the heel end 724 of the moldboard 704 to move at least slightly horizontally rearward relative to the front mast 708. Once the cutting edge 706 is clear of the obstruction, the spring 776 urges the extension piece 771 to extend outwardly from the distal segment 783 and return to the position shown in
The heel end lift assembly 715 includes an actuator 782 pivotably mounted between a moldboard mount 733 and the moldboard 704. The actuator 782 has a proximal end 792 that is pivotably connected to an extended dee or connector plate 787. A distal end 796 of the actuator 782 is pivotably mounted to the moldboard 704 by way of a U-shaped channel or carriage 786 mounted to the moldboard 704. The carriage 786 defines a pair of slots 790 therein. The distal end 796 of the actuator includes a pin that extends through the slots 790 of the carriage 786 to inter-engage the actuator 782 and the moldboard 704.
The distal end 796 of the actuator 782 is engageable with a proximal end 794 of the carriage 786 to selectively lift the heel end 724 of the moldboard 704 to move the moldboard 704 from a plowing position to a stowed position. The distal end 796 of the actuator 782 is movably disposed within the slots 790 such that the distal end 796 of the actuator 782 moves with respect to the carriage 786 and the actuator 782 pivots with respect to the extended dee 787 when the moldboard 704 rotates from a plowing position to a tripped position.
As the moldboard 704 rotates when moving through a trip sequence, the distal end 796 of the actuator 782 moves in the slots 790 relative to the carriage 786 toward a distal end 798 thereof to allow the moldboard 704 to move through the trip sequence without requiring the operation of the heel end lift assembly 715. The actuator 782 pivots with respect to the extended dee 787 to accommodate the moldboard 704 movement. Once the obstruction is cleared, the moldboard 704 returns to the plowing position and the distal end 796 of the actuator 782 moves in the slots 790 relative to the carriage 786 toward the proximal end 794 thereof.
The wing plow 702 of
The language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes. Accordingly, the disclosure is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting, of the scope of the invention. While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
It will be appreciated that the foregoing description provides examples of the disclosed system and technique. However, it is contemplated that other implementations of the disclosure may differ in detail from the foregoing examples. All references to the disclosure or examples thereof are intended to reference the particular example being discussed at that point and are not intended to imply any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure more generally. All language of distinction and disparagement with respect to certain features is intended to indicate a lack of preference for those features, but not to exclude such from the scope of the disclosure entirely unless otherwise indicated.
Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.
The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description.
The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
This patent application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/513,352, filed on Jul. 29, 2011, and entitled “Plow Assembly With Link Wing Mast,” which is incorporated in its entirety herein by this reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61513352 | Jul 2011 | US |