Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02357675 2005-07-29
29974-36
1
FRONT EQUIPMENT MOUNT FOR A WHEELED VEHICLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a mount for attaching
equipment such as a snowplow, bucket loader or fork lift to
the front of a wheeled vehicle, and in particular to such a
mount which can support the equipment as unsprung weight on
a vehicle having independent front suspension.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is well known to attach equipment such as
snowplow, bucket loader or fork lift to the front of a
wheeled vehicle such as a tractor, truck, all-terrain
vehicle (ATV) or other vehicle. Mounting such equipment on a
tractor is a relatively straight forward procedure because
tractors do not typically have any suspension system; i.e.
the axles of a tractor are rigidly affixed to the chassis.
The equipment can, therefore, be mounted in any convenient
location on the vehicle with little concern as to the effect
of the weight of the equipment on the handling of the
vehicle.
When mounting front-mounted equipment on a truck,
ATV, or other vehicle having a suspension, the weight of the
equipment becomes a concern. Typically, the equipment is
bolted to the frame of the vehicle and the weight of the
equipment and any load supported thereon becomes sprung
weight, meaning that the weight must be supported by the
springs in the vehicle's suspension, and too much sprung
weight on the front of a vehicle can cause the front
suspension to sag, bottom out, or even collapse.
CA 02357675 2005-07-29
29974-36
2
This problem has been previously addressed in
vehicles having solid beam-type front axles by supporting
the weight of the equipment on the front axle. For example,
U.S. Pat. No. 2,091,343 issued to G. C. Soule et al. in 1937
discloses a snowplow mount for a truck with a beam axle. The
weight of the snowplow is carried by brackets which hook
over and attach to the front axle. The plow is stabilized by
a framework which extends rearwardly under the truck and
bolts to the truck frame forward of the rear wheels. The
result is that the weight of the snowplow is not carried by
the truck's suspension, but instead becomes unsprung weight
supported only by the axle and front wheels. The only force
transmitted to the frame is an upward force near the rear of
the vehicle which, due to the length of the framework, is
only a fraction of the weight of the plow. Similar
inventions are disclosed by Canadian Patents 326,141 and
535,370.
While equipment mounts as described above work
acceptably well in older vehicles or large trucks having
solid front axles, they are not applicable to newer light
trucks, sport utility vehicles or ATVs having independent
front suspension since these vehicles have no axle to which
to attach the equipment mount. What is needed is an improved
front equipment mount capable of mounting a snowplow, bucket
loader, forklift or similar piece of equipment to a wheeled
vehicle with independent front suspension wherein the mount
is designed to support the equipment as unsprung weight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises a front equipment
mount for attaching a piece of equipment to a front end of a
wheeled vehicle having an independent front suspension. The
mount includes a longitudinal frame having forward and
CA 02357675 2005-10-20
29974-36
3
rearward ends wherein the forward end is positionable
proximate the front end of the vehicle and the rearward end
is attachable to the vehicle rearward of the front
suspension. A transverse frame member connected to the
longitudinal frame has opposed left and right ends. The left
end is connectable to a left suspension member of the
vehicle and the right end is connectable to a right
suspension member of the vehicle. The piece of equipment is
attachable to the forward end of the longitudinal frame such
that the weight of the piece of equipment is supported by
the suspension members as unsprung weight. The transverse
frame member may be a flexible member, such as a leaf
spring, so that the independent front suspension will remain
functional with the mount installed.
In accordance with an aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a front equipment mount for
attaching a piece of equipment to a front end of a wheeled
vehicle having a chassis and an independent front suspension
with left and right suspension members pivotally attached to
the chassis, said mount comprising: a) a longitudinal frame
having forward and rearward ends; said forward end being
positionable proximate the front end of the vehicle and said
rearward end being attachable to the vehicle rearward of the
front suspension; and b) a transverse frame member connected
to said longitudinal frame and having opposed left and right
ends, said left end being connectable to the left suspension
member of the vehicle said right end being connectable to
the right suspension member of the vehicle; wherein c) the
piece of equipment is attachable to said forward end of said
longitudinal frame such that the weight of the piece of
equipment is supported by the left and right suspension
members as unsprung weight.
CA 02357675 2005-07-29
29974-36
4
In accordance with another aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a front equipment mount for
attaching a piece of equipment to a front end of a wheeled
vehicle having a chassis and an independent front suspension
with left and right suspension members pivotally attached to
the chassis, said mount comprising: a) a longitudinal frame
member having forward and rearward ends; said forward end
being positionable proximate the front end of the vehicle
and said rearward end being attachable to the vehicle
rearward of the front suspension; and b) a transverse frame
member connected to said longitudinal frame member and
having opposed left and right ends, said left end being
connectable to the left suspension member of the vehicle
said right end being connectable to the right suspension
member of the vehicle, said transverse frame member
including left and right sections selectively extendable
relative to one another; wherein c) the piece of equipment
is attachable to said forward end of said longitudinal frame
member such that the weight of the piece of equipment is
supported by the left and right suspension members as
unsprung weight.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an equipment mount
according to the present invention showing the mount
installed on a wheeled vehicle.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the equipment
mount of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As required, detailed embodiments of the present
invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be
understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely
CA 02357675 2005-07-29
29974-36
exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various
forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details
disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but
merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative
5 basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously
employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately
detailed structure. The drawings constitute a part of this
specification and include exemplary embodiments of the
present invention and illustrate various objects and
features thereof.
Certain terminology will be used in the following
description for convenience in reference only and will not
be limiting. For example, the words "upwardly",
"downwardly", "rightwardly", and "leftwardly" will refer to
directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The
words "inwardly" and "outwardly" will refer to directions
toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of
the embodiment being described and designated parts thereof.
Said terminology will include the words specifically
mentioned, derivatives thereof and words of a similar
import.
Referring to the drawings in more detail, and in
particular to FIG. 1, the reference number 1 generally
designates a front equipment mount according to the present
invention. The mount 1 is used to attach a piece of front
mounted equipment 2 to a wheeled vehicle 3. The equipment 2
will be depicted herein as a snowplow, however it is to be
understood that the mount 1 is also suited for use with
other types of equipment 2 including but not limited to
bucket loaders, forklifts and other similar equipment.
Similarly, the vehicle 3 will be depicted herein as an all
terrain vehicle (ATV), however it is to be understood that
the present invention is adaptable to other types of wheeled
CA 02357675 2005-07-29
29974-36
6
vehicles 3 including, but not limited to, light trucks (such
as pickup trucks) and sport utility vehicles.
The mount 1 is especially well suited for use on
vehicles 3 having a chassis 4 with an independent front
suspension system 5 including a right A-arm or similar right
suspension member 7 and a left A-arm or similar left
suspension member or A-arm 9. The suspension members 7 and 9
are each pivotally attached to the chassis 4 for movement
about a respective generally longitudinal axis. Each of the
suspension members 7 and 9 is further connected to a
respective wheel carrier 11 (such as a steering knuckle or
strut housing) by a respective ball joint (not shown). A
respective front wheel 13 is rotatably connected to each
wheel carrier 11. Interposed between each suspension member
7 and 9 and the chassis 4 is a front spring 17.
Referring to FIG. 2, the mount 1 includes a
longitudinal frame 19 which, in ATV applications, comprises
a single longitudinal frame member or backbone 21. In truck
or SW applications wherein the vehicle includes a depending
transmission or drivetrain along the longitudinal centerline
of the vehicle, the longitudinal frame 19 could include a
pair of such longitudinal frame members 21 (not shown)
wherein one of the members 21 is positioned on each side of
the drivetrain.
The longitudinal frame member 21 is preferably
adjustable in length so as to be adaptable to fit vehicles 3
of varying wheelbase, and may comprise a front section 23
telescopically coupled to a rear section 25. For example,
the rear section 25 can comprise a generally U-shaped
channel and the front section 23 can comprise a section of
square tubing sized to be received within the channel of the
rear section 25. The front section 23 is secured to the rear
CA 02357675 2005-07-29
29974-36
7
section 25 by bolts 27 which are received through elongated
slots 29 in the rear section 25.
The front section 23 includes a forward end 33 to
which is attached a bracket 35, which is generally in the
form of a clevis, for connecting the piece of equipment 2 to
the mount. The rear section 25 has a back end 37 which is
attachable to the vehicle 3 rearward of the front wheels 13.
If the vehicle 3 is equipped with a trailer hitch 39, the
hitch 39 can provide a convenient and effective attachment
point for the back end 37 of the rear section 25. In order
to facilitate connection of the rear section 25 to the hitch
39, the rear section 25 is provided with a vertical pin
receiver (not shown) proximate the back end 37. The pin
receiver is sized to accept a pin or bolt 43 which is
simultaneously inserted through the hitch 39 and pin
receiver to connect the rear section 25 to the vehicle 3.
One or more tubular spacers 44 may be used on the bolt 43 to
space the longitudinal frame member 21 downwardly from the
hitch 39.
The mount 1 further includes a transverse frame
member 45 which is secured to the longitudinal frame 19. The
transverse frame member 45 is positioned along the length of
the longitudinal frame 19 to place it in alignment with the
suspension members 7 and 9 of the vehicle 3. The transverse
frame member 45 has opposed right and left ends 47 and 49,
respectively. The right end 47 of the transverse frame
member 45 is securable to the right suspension member 7 of
the vehicle 3. The left end 49 of the transverse frame
member 45 is securable to the left suspension member 9 of
the vehicle 3.
It is to be understood that the transverse frame
member 45 may be of a one piece construction, however, in
CA 02357675 2005-07-29
29974-36
8
order to allow the length the transverse frame member 45 to
be adjusted to fit various vehicles 3, the transverse frame
member 45 preferably comprises a right portion 51 and a left
portion 53 which are mounted so as to be mutually
extensible. For example, the transverse frame member 45 may
be connected to the longitudinal frame member 21 by four
bolts 55 extending through aligned openings in a pair of
plates 57 between which the longitudinal frame member 21 and
both portions 51 and 53 of the transverse frame member 45
are sandwiched. With the bolts 55 loosened, the right and
left portions 51 and 53 of the transverse frame member 45
may be moved relative to one another such that the right and
left ends 47 and 49 may be moved inwardly or outwardly. When
the bolts 55 are tightened, the right and left portions 51
and 53 are retained in a stationary position relative to the
longitudinal frame member 21.
The ends 47 and 49 of the transverse frame member
45 may each be attached to the respective suspension member
7 or 9 by a mounting bracket assembly 59. Each assembly 59
includes a pair of plates 61 and an attaching bolt 63. Each
of the plates 61 in each assembly 59 has a receiver
extending therethrough for receiving the respective bolt 63.
A notch, hole or receiver 65 is also formed in the
transverse frame member 45 near each of the ends 47 and 49.
The transverse frame member 45 is connected beneath the
suspension members 7 and 9 by sandwiching each suspension
member between a pair of the plates 61 and inserting a bolt
63 through the receivers in the plates 61 and the respective
receiver 65 in the transverse frame member 45. The bolt 63
is then tightened to clamp the respective suspension member
7 or 9 between the plates 61.
Alternatively, on some vehicles 3 it may be
possible to attach the transverse frame member 45 to the
CA 02357675 2005-07-29
29974-36
9
suspension members 7 and 9 by connecting the ends 47 and 49
directly to the respective ball joints (not shown). For
example, nuts (not shown) securing the ball joints to their
respective suspension members 7 and 9 may be removed from
their respective ball joint retaining studs (not shown), the
receivers 65 in the transverse frame member 45 slid over the
retaining studs, and the nuts reinstalled.
With the mount 1 installed on the vehicle 3, the
weight of a piece of equipment 2 connected to the bracket 35
is supported as unsprung weight on the suspension members 7
and 9. The front springs 17, therefore, do not have to carry
the weight of the equipment 2 and are not subject to sag or
bottom out. An upward force is exerted on the vehicle 3 at
the point where the back end 37 of the longitudinal frame 19
is connected to the vehicle 3, however this force is
minimized by attaching the back end 37 as far rearwardly as
possible to provide the longest lever arm and thereby the
smallest upward force on the vehicle 3.
It should be noted that, if the transverse frame
member 45 is substantially rigid, the installation of the
mount 1 on the vehicle 3 would essentially override the
independent front suspension system 5 by locking the
suspension members 7 and 9 together. This would produce a
harsh ride and make the vehicle difficult to maneuver on
rough terrain. While these consequences might be acceptable
under certain circumstances, it is advantageous to retain as
much independent movement between the suspension members 7
and 9 as possible. This can be accomplished by using a
material for the transverse frame member 45 which is at
least somewhat flexible, such as a flat or leaf spring.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of
the present invention have been illustrated and described
CA 02357675 2005-07-29
29974-36
herein, it is not to be limited to the specific forms or
arrangement of parts described and shown.
