Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SELF-ADJUSTING SNOW PLOW
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention relates to adjustable snow plows for attachment to
land
vehicles, primarily personal utility vehicles such as pickup trucks and sport
utility
vehicles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Moving snow off of open ground, streets, sidewalks and parking lots is
an age-
old problem in less temperate climates where significant snowfall is
anticipated
during colder periods of the year. For instance, in many parts of Canada and
in
many northern states in the United States, significant snowfall can be
expected
during the late fall and early-to-mid winter months, and again in the late
winter
and even, at times, early spring.
[003] Clearing freshly fallen snow from open ground, parking lots, driveways,
sidewalks and roadways, whether these surfaces are paved or not, is a task
common to all of these areas that is generally required to make these surfaces
safe and passable, both initially and over time if the snow begins to build up
after
multiple snowfalls. If the snow is allowed to accumulate over a period of
weeks,
the snow eventually makes the use of these surfaces for both pedestrian and
vehicular travel difficult, if not treacherous. Therefore, many devices have
been
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designed and manufactured to remove freshly fallen and accumulated snow from
such surfaces.
(004] Municipalities generally use large vehicles with enormous snow plows to
clear
paved roadways used by the public, and county and state government public
works and transportation departments in these areas also generally have a
fleet
of these kinds of vehicles to clear snow from roadways and from large parking
lots on county-owned or state-owned properties.
[005] The purchase and use of such a vehicle by individuals, however, who have
a
need to move or remove accumulated snow in smaller areas, such as driveways
and privately owned parking areas, is less feasible. First of all, the larger
vehicles are expensive to purchase and maintain and are, in some cases,
dedicated solely to the removal of accumulated snow. It will be appreciated
that
it would not be cost effective for an individual to purchase, house and
maintain
such a vehicle for just removing snow from driveways and smaller parking lots
during a limited period of the year. Furthermore, these vehicles are difficult
to
operate and often require significant training or experience operating such
vehicles.
[006] For this reason, many inventors have designed and manufactured
adjustable
snow plows that can be attached to pickup trucks and other vehicles for a
period
of time during the year when snow removal is required. In this way, the
vehicles
can be used for other purposes during periods when snow removal is not
required.
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[007] Many of the snow plows attached to these vehicles, however, are large
and
heavy and are not easily attached and removed from the vehicles. A number of
snow plows have been invented that attempt to address these problems. For
instance, Kowalczyk (U.S. Patent No. 4,944,104) discloses a detachable snow
plow assembly that is pivotally attached to a common passenger vehicle. In one
embodiment of the invention, the snow plow includes rollers secured within
channels attached to mounting uprights to allow the plow blade to ride up and
down when the blade comes into contact with irregularities in the surface. The
plow blade can also pivot forward along with the mounting uprights in certain
embodiments when the vehicle is moving backward allowing the plow blade to
pivot forward over the ground. In other disclosures, such as the snow plow
assembly disclosed by Rosenberg (U.S. Patent No. 5,136,795), a trip
mechanism is disclosed which allows the lower part of the plow blade to pivot
backward when the plow blade comes into contact with relatively immovable
objects and the trip mechanism is actuated. Rosenberg also discloses a rubber
scraper at the bottom of the plow blade which is secured between two metal
plates and oriented at an angle rearward of a vertical orientation. Rubber
scrapers are also disclosed on older snow plows, such as the snow plow mold
board disclosed by C. H. Wagner (U.S. Patent No. 3,477,149), which discloses a
resilient scraping blade made of rubber. This is a common feature in many snow
plows, allowing the rubber scraper to contact the ground and provide a
somewhat more forgiving surface with which to contact the ground when the
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plow is used to remove accumulated snow, but the rubber scraper is generally
accompanied by a metal backing.
(008] Although each of these inventions has its own advantages, none of them
are
easy to attach to or remove from the vehicle. These snow plows also tend to be
heavy and cumbersome, and at least somewhat unsightly if one is required, for
practical reasons, to keep it attached to the vehicle 24/7 for a period of
several
months during the snow season.
[009] The present invention provides a more cost effective and attractive snow
plow for
removing smaller amounts of accumulated snow from driveways and small-to-
medium sized parking lots where one individual may wish to use his or her
vehicle to remove snow during a relatively limited period of time, while still
having
use of the vehicle available for other purposes, not involving snow removal,
when
the snow plow must either be removed from the vehicle and/or placed in a
suitable position for non-snow removing transit.
[010] In addition, the prior art snow plows are generally so heavy that they
will not ride
up when they are on open ground, for instance, but will tear up the ground and
remove grass and other plant things often just because of the sheer weight of
the plow as it passes along the ground surface. Also, the prior art snow plows
are often virtually impossible for a single person to handle, because of the
weight
associated with these plows; and plows that appear to be relatively light
weight,
such as the snow plow described by Knutson et al. (U.S. Patent No. 6,240,658),
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generally have multiple attachment points and do not appear to be highly
effective, durable or marketable.
[011 ] The present invention provides solutions for these and other problems
associated with the prior art devices for removing accumulated snow and
methods used to accomplish the same.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[012] The present invention provides a snow plow for attachment to a vehicle,
the
snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the
mounting frame including two interconnected mounting uprights . The snow plow
further including a plow blade, the plow blade including retention apparatus
constructed and arranged to disengageably secure the plow blade to the
mounting uprights when the plow blade is in a working orientation for use to
plow
snow. The plow blade preferably includes a mold board, the mold board
preferably being an aluminum extrusion. In preferred embodiments, the
aluminum extrusion will preferably include at least one attachment channel,
preferably a plurality of attachment channels, in which parts of the snow
blade
can be secured or anchored. Preferably, the snow plow is constructed and
arranged to slidably secure the plow blade to the mounting uprights when the
plow blade is in use. The plow blade preferably includes first and second
attachment channels and the retention apparatus preferably includes at least
one retention member anchored in at least one of the attachment channels,
preferably in both of the first and second attachment channels. In certain
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preferred embodiments, the mounting apparatus further includes an elongated
member constructed and arranged to place downward force upon the plow blade
when the plow blade is disengageably secured to the mounting uprights during
use and the elongated member is a resilient elongated member, preferably a
shock cord. In certain embodiments, the self adjusting snow plow is attached
to
a vehicle in such a manner to permit the snow plow to make position
adjustments when, during use then the vehicle is in motion, a portion of the
snow
plow comes into contact with a mass of snow or other relatively immovable
objects on the ground, upon which the vehicle travels when in motion. The self
adjusting snow plow preferably includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to
the vehicle, and a plow blade. The mounting apparatus preferably includes
first
and second mounting uprights and the plow blade has first and second ends, a
top, a bottom, retention apparatus, perhaps a retention member and a rubber
scraper, preferably secured to the bottom of the plow blade. In certain
embodiments, the retention apparatus wilt include first and second retention
members. In these embodiments, the retention apparatus is generally
constructed and arranged to at least partially encircle at least one of the
respective mounting uprights when the plow blade is engaged with the mounting
apparatus in a working orientation, such that the plow blade is in contact
with the
ground or objects on the ground. The retention apparatus will preferably
include
at least one, preferably two retention members. The respective retention
members preferably slidably engage the respective mounting uprights when the
plow blade is engaged with the mounting apparatus in a working orientation.
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[013] When the plow blade alternate and preferred embodiments of the present
invention come into contact with a mass of snow or other objects on the
grounds
that are relatively immovable , the retention apparatus, preferably the
respective
retention members, can slide upward along the respective mounting uprights to
enable the respective ends of the plow blade to slide upwardly relative to the
mounting upright most proximate to that end of the plow blade. The retention
apparatus or retention members, in preferred embodiments, permit the bottom of
the plow blade to pivot away from the respective mounting uprights when the
plow blade is engaged with the mounting apparatus in a working orientation and
the vehicle is in motion in a direction rearward of the plow blade. In certain
embodiments, the rubber scraper secured to the bottom of the plow blade is a
resilient elastomeric member having a resting orientation in which the rubber
scraper extends downwardly and away from the bottom of the plow blade at an
angle which extends forward from a plane which extends along a main surface of
the plow blade. In certain of these embodiments, the rubber scraper is
preferably about an inch thick and extends away from the plow blade at least
about three and one-half inches. In alternate embodiments having a single
retention member, the retention member is alternatively constructed and
arranged to either encircle or partially encircle both of the mounting
uprights.
[014] It is a primary objective of the present invention to provide a method
of clearing
accumulated snow from the surface of driveways, parking lots and other similar
areas where snow removal is essential during the winter months.
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[015] It is an additional objective of the present invention to provide such
an apparatus
that can be easily mounted and removed from the front end of pickup trucks,
sport utility vehicles and other commonly used personal transit type vehicles,
and
that the apparatus for mounting the plow blade provides flexibility for
mounting
the plow blade at different relative heights with respect to vehicles that may
stand at different relative heights off of the ground.
[016] It is a further objective of the present invention to provide such an
apparatus for
snow removal that is much simpler to install and use then other similar
devices
commonly found in the market today.
[017] It is a further objective of the present invention to provide such an
apparatus for
snow removal which includes a plow blade which is relatively light and allows
an
individual person to lift respective ends of the plow blade in order to lower
them
into position for clearing snow or to lift the respective ends of the plow
blade to
secure the blade in position for transit, while still providing a durable plow
made
of materials strong enough to stand up to heavy use during the months in which
snow plowing is required.
[018] It is a further objective of the present invention to provide such an
apparatus for
snow removal that does not require the owner of the vehicle to purchase
separate running lights for the vehicle in order to use the self-adjusting
snow
plow.
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[019] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide such an
apparatus
for snow removal that easily slides upward on a mounting apparatus to allow
the
plow blade to go up and over immovable objects encountered during use.
[020] It is a further objective to provide a plow blade that is essentially
hinged to the
mounting apparatus to permit rapid retreat for the convenience of the user.
[021] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide such an
apparatus
for snow removal that allows the operator to drive in reverse after moving
snow
off of a flat surface, wherein the plow blade is hinged so that the blade
"floats"
freely on a pair of mounting uprights and can slide up and down independently
on the mounting uprights and the lower portion of the plow blade can pivot
forward with respect to the mounting uprights allowing the vehicle to easily
draw
the plow blade in reverse.
[022] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide such an
apparatus
for snow removal that lifts the rubber scraper at the bottom of the plow blade
off
the ground when the vehicle draws the plow blade in reverse and the lower
portion of the plow blade pivots forward with respect to the mounting
apparatus.
[023] It is still a further objective of the present invention to provide such
a method that
does not employ the use of expensive and heavy hydraulic systems that are
common used in such devices today.
[024] Although other vehicle accessory connection devices can be used, these
objectives are preferably accomplished by the use of a common hitch receiver
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that is attached to (and extends forward from) the front end of the vehicle
that is
to be used in the plowing operation. This receiver hitch preferably provides a
mounting point for the mounting apparatus, which is preferably accomplished by
inserting a tongue of the plow hitch into the hitch receiver and then locking
it into
place with a pin. This forms a solid mounting for the present invention that
allows it to be quickly and easily attached to the front end of any vehicle. A
primary advantage of this invention is that it does not require that a user
keep the
plow assembly on the plow vehicle for the entire season. Its ease of use is
also
a primary advantage as is its moderate cost.
[025] It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a system
for placing
downward force on the plow blade when the plow blade is in use, preferably a
resilient elongated apparatus for placing downward force on the plow blade as
a
substitute for constructing the plow blade out of heavy materials which would
be
difficult for an individual to lift.
[026] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a method
of placing
downward force upon the plow blade during snow plowing operations, preferably
a method of providing an elongated member, preferably a resilient elongated
member, interconnected between the mounting apparatus and the plow blade
such that the elongated member places a sufficient amount of downward force
on the plow blade during snow plow operations to improve the usefulness of the
plow blade in removing snow during such operations, particularly when the plow
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blade comes into contact with heavy snows that might otherwise begin to cause
the plow blade to ride up on the respective mounting uprights.
[027] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide an
interconnection
system for interconnecting the mounting apparatus of the present snow plow to
a
vehicle that includes a simple swivel apparatus that can pivot to permit the
plow
blade to be turned either to the left or to the right of an angle generally
perpendicular to the direction of travel of that of the vehicle pushing the
plow
blade.
[028] It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a
mounting
apparatus including two mounting uprights, the mounting uprights preferably
including attachment members for securing the plow blade when the plow blade
is not in use for snow plowing operations and the vehicle is used for transit
purposes. It is a further object to provide attachment members that allow the
plow blade to be easily lifted, one end at a time, and secured in the
respective
attachments members one end at a time, so that a single individual can easily
lift
the plow blade up into the non-operational use position without assistance.
[029] It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a plow
blade
including a mold board having attachment channels in which functional parts of
the plow blade may be anchored or secured, preferably by securing anchoring
nuts within the attachment channel, or attachment channels, in which to secure
reciprocally threaded bolts that anchor or secure the functional parts of the
plow
blade within the attachment channel or channel, such as retention apparatus,
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preferably a retention member or retention members, a handle or handles for
lifting the plow blade and/or hook apparatus, such as a hook or hooks for
interconnecting the plow blade to a resilient elongated member attached to the
mounting apparatus to provide a downward force on the plow blade during use
for snow plowing operations.
[030] These and other objectives and advantages of the invention will appear
more
fully from the following description, made in conjunction with the
accompanying
drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts
throughout the several views. And, although the disclosure hereof is detailed
and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the
physical
embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be
embodied in other specific structure. While the preferred embodiment has been
described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention,
which is defined by the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[031] In the drawings, in which corresponding reference numerals and letters
indicate
corresponding parts of the various embodiments throughout the several views,
and in which the various embodiments generally differ only in the manner
described and/or shown, but otherwise include corresponding parts;
(032] Figure 1 is a side elevation of an embodiment of the present invention
showing a
self-adjusting snow plow 10, with the plow blade 30 in a working or
operational
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orientation, attached to a vehicle 18 (shown in phantom): The plow blade 30 is
also shown in phantom in an elevated position, where the plow blade 30 is in a
non-working, transit orientation;
[033] Figure 2 is a partial side elevation of the self-adjusting snow plow 10
shown in
Figure 1 showing the plow blade 30 in a position in which the bottom (not
shown)
of the plow blade 30 is pivoted forward so that a retention member 38, secured
to the mold board 32 of the plow blade 30, can be disengaged from the mounting
upright 20 and placed in the attachment member 51 so that the plow blade 30
can reside in the non-working transit orientation shown in Figure 3;
[034] Figure 3 is a partial side elevation of the self-adjusting snow plow 10
shown in
Figures 1 and 2, but showing the plow blade 30 in the non-working, transit
orientation;
[035] Figure 4 is a front elevation of an alternate self-adjusting snow plow
10'; the plow
blade 30' is shown in a working orientation and is shown in phantom in further
working orientations when one end or the other is raised with respect to the
mounting uprights 20';
[036] Figure 5 is a top elevation of the self adjusting snow plow 10' shown in
Figure 4;
[037] Figure 6 is a top elevation of a further alternate embodiment of the
self adjusting
snow plow of the present invention showing a plow blade 30" in phantom which
is the same as that shown in Figure 5, but showing an alternate mounting
apparatus 14" having a pivotal hitch assembly 42 which can be secured to place
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the plow blade 30" at an angle to a plane perpendicular to a line parallel to
a
forward direction of the vehicle (not shown);
[038] Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the self-adjusting snow plow
10
shown in Figures 1-3;
[039] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the plow blade 30 shown in Figure
7 as seen
from the line 8-8 of Figure 7;
[040] Figure 9 is a side elevation of the alternate self adjusting snow plow
10' shown in
Figures 4 and 5 illustrating how the plow blade 30' slides upwardly with
respect
to the mounting uprights 20' when it moves forward and comes into contact with
a relatively immovable object on the ground 56, wherein the drawing
illustrates in
phantom the plow blade 30' in a working orientation as it is moving forward
toward such a relatively immovable object and also showing the plow blade once
it has moved upward with respect to the mounting uprights 20' after the rubber
scraper 36' has come into contact with such a relatively immovable object;
[041] Figure 10 is a side elevation of the alternate embodiment of the self
adjusting
snow plow 10' shown in Figures 4-5 and 9 showing how the bottom of the plow
blade 30' pivots outward away from the mounting uprights 20' when the vehicle
(not shown), to which the self adjusting snow plow 10' is attached, moves
backward drawing the plow blade 30' with the vehicle;
[042] Figure 11 is a side elevation similar to that shown in Figure 10, but
showing the
plow blade 30 shown in Figures 1-3 when the vehicle (not shown) moves
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backward drawing the preferred plow blade 30 with it in a manner which allows
the bottom of the plow blade 30 to pivot forward, away from the mounting
uprights 20;
(043] Figure 12 is a partial side elevation of an alternate plow blade 30"
having an
alternate rubber scraper 36";
[044] Figure 13 is a further partial side elevation of an alternate plow blade
30"'
showing a further alternate rubber scraper 36"';
[045] Figure 14 is a side elevation of a portion of a further alternate
embodiment of the
present self adjusting snow plow 10"" showing an alternate catch structure at
the
upper end of the mounting upright 20"" which also includes an alternate
attachment member including a removable pin 80 with which to secure the
retention member 38"" within the attachment member 51 "";
[046] Figures 15 and 16 are top plan views of alternate retention members 84,
84;
(047] Figure 17 is a side elevation of the alternate retention member 84'
shown in
Figure 16;
[048] Figure 18 is a top plan view elevation of a further alternate retention
member
84", which is pivotally secured to the alternate plow blade 30"""';
[049] Figure 19 is a side elevation of the alternate retention member 84"
shown in
Figure 18;
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[050] Figure 20 is a front elevation of an alternate self-adjusting snow plow
110; similar
to that shown in Figure 4 where the plow blade 30' is shown in a working
orientation and is shown in phantom in further working orientations when one
end or the other is raised with respect to the mounting uprights 20', but the
plow
blade 130 includes alternate first and second retention members 138, each of
which just partially encircles one of the respective mounting uprights 120;
[051] Figure 21 is a front elevation of an alternate self-adjusting snow plow
110';
similar to that shown in Figure 4 where the plow blade 130' is shown in a
working
orientation and is shown in phantom in further working orientations when one
end or the other is raised with respect to the mounting uprights 120', but the
plow
blade 130' includes further alternate first and second retention members 138',
each of which just partially encircles one of the respective mounting uprights
120';
[052] Figure 22 is a front elevation of an alternate self-adjusting snow plow
110";
similar to that shown in Figures 4 where the plow blade 130" is shown in a
working orientation and is shown in phantom in further working orientations
when
one end or the other is raised with respect to the mounting uprights, but the
plow
blade only includes a single retention member 238 which encircles both of the
mounting uprights;
[053] Figure 23 is a front elevation of an alternate self adjusting snow plow
110"';
similar to that shown in Figures 4 and 22 where the plow blade 130"' is shown
in
a working orientation and is shown in phantom in further working orientations
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when one end or the other is raised with respect to the mounting uprights
120"',
but the plow blade 130"' includes an alternate retention member 238', which
just
partially encircles each of the mounting uprights 120"';
[054] Figure 24 is an exploded perspective view, similar to that shown in
Figure 7, but
showing a new embodiment of the snow plow 310 of the present invention
having an extruded aluminum mold board 332 having attachment channels 301,
302; and showing another alternate mounting apparatus 314 having a pivotal
swivel apparatus 311 for pivoting the mounting frame 309 with respect to the
direction of travel of the vehicle (not shown) in a manner somewhat similar to
the
manner in which the alternate mounting apparatus 14", shown in part in Figure
6,
functions, but in a different way; and also providing alternate mounting
uprights
320 having alternate attachment members 351, and also showing engagement
apparatus (e.g. retention hook 341 ) for engaging to the plow blade 320, a
resilient elongated member 391, secured to the alternate mounting apparatus
314 when the plow blade 320 is in a working orientation for use during snow
plowing operations;
[055] Figure 25A is a cross-sectional view of the alternate plow blade 320 of
the
improved snow plow 310 shown in Figure 24, as seen from the line 25-25 in a
manner similar to that shown in Figure 8 for the embodiment shown in Figure 7;
[056] Figure 25B is a cross-sectional view just like that shown in Figure 25A,
except
that only the mold board 332 is shown and all the other parts of the plow
blade
320 shown in Figure 25A have been removed to show the attachment channels;
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[057] Figure 25C is a view similar to that shown in Figure 25A, but showing
only a
portion of the plow blade 320 that is changed to shorten the metal plate 339'
to
which the retention member is welded and to provide a counter-sunk screw 303'
that secures into the nut 304' in the attachment channel 302, rather than a
bolt
and washer as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 25A;
[058] Figure 26 is a perspective view of a portion of the alternate snow plow
310
shown in Figure 24, but from a different perspective than that of Figure 24;
one
that is slightly less elevated and from about 180 degrees from the view shown
in
Figure 24 in a horizontal plane, and showing a retention member 338 of the
alternate plow blade 320 engaged in the mounting upright 320 of the alternate
mounting apparatus and also showing an additional securing pin 383 in
phantom, in an orientation in which it would have to reside in order to be
either
inserted or removed from an alternate securing pin slot 385a of the alternate
attachment member 351 shown in this Figure;
[059] Figure 27 is a partial side elevational view of elements of the
alternate snow plow
310 shown in Figure 24, that are shown in Figure 26, with the exception that
the
securing pin 383 is removed and the retention member 383 is shown in phantom
in a transitional orientation in which the retention member 383 would
occasionally pass through when the plow blade 330 is either placed in or
removed from a resting, non-operational, or transit position, and the
retention
member 338 is either placed in or removed from the attachment member 351,
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before or after being in a working or operational position similar to that
shown in
Figures 1 and 9;
[060] Figure 28 is a partial side elevational view similar to Figure 27, but
showing the
securing pin 383 in an engaged position in the attachment member 351 of the
alternate mounting upright 320 and the retention member 338 in solid line, but
showing movement of the retention member 338 in phantom to a raised position;
[061] Figure 29 is a partial perspective view of a further alternate mounting
upright
320', shown in a manner similar to that shown in Figure 26, but showing yet
another embodiment of the mounting upright 320' having an attachment member
351' cut into the upper portion of the mounting upright 320', and showing the
securing pin 383, in a partial exploded view, out of the securing pin
receiving slot
385a' in an orientation that will permit it to be inserted in the slot 385a';
[062] Figure 30 is a side elevational view, similar to that shown in Figure
27, but
showing the alternate mounting upright 320' and attachment member 351' shown
in Figure 29, and showing the securing pin 383 in the receiving slot 385a',
with
additional retention members 338 shown in phantom to demonstrate how the
securing pin 383 can limit the upward movement of the retention member 338
along the mounting upright when the retention member 338 is slideably secured
on the mounting upright 320' and is not within the attachment member 351';
[063] Figure 31 is a front elevational view taken from line 31-31 of Figure
30, showing
a cross-section of the securing pin 383 and showing the pin 383 in place in
the
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receiving slot 385a' as shown in Figure 30, and showing the handle 383b of the
securing pin 383 in hidden line, behind the upper portion of the mounting
upright
320', pointing in a downward, resting position;
[064] Figure 32 is a view similar to that shown in Figure 31, but showing the
handle
383b of the securing pin 383 in an upright position, or orientation, in which
it
must reside in order to be effectively inserted or removed from the pin
receiving
slot 385a' of the alternate attachment member in the upper portion of the
alternate mounting upright;
[065] Figure 33 is a perspective view of an optional angle interceptor 311
including a
pivoting swivel mechanism in the vehicle connection member 323 of the
alternate mounting apparatus 314 shown in Figure 24;
[066J Figure 34 is a partially broken away side elevational view of the
pivoting swivel
mechanism of the optional angle interceptor 311 shown in Figures 24 and 33,
but showing the side of the pivoting swivel mechanism partially broken away to
show the upper and lower structural plates 312a, 312b through which the pivot
bolt 377 and the positioning pin 321 pass to orient the mounting frame 309;
and
showing a channel for the mounting uprights 320 in phantom;
[067] Figure 35 is a top plan view of the pivoting swivel mechanism of the
vehicle
connection member 323 shown in Figure 33 showing the interconnection
member 322 of the mounting frame 309 (shown in phantom) in a generally
perpendicular orientation with respect to the direction of travel of the
vehicle (not
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shown) to which the mounting apparatus 314 would be interconnected, with the
exception that the angle setting pin 321 is shown in cross-section;
[068] Figure 36 is a top plan view similar to that shown in Figure 35, but
showing the
mounting frame 309 (shown in phantom) turned to the right from the
perpendicular orientation shown in Figure 35;
[069] Figure 37 is a top plan view similar to that shown in Figure 35, but
showing the
mounting frame 309 (shown in phantom) turned to the left with respect to the
perpendicular orientation shown in Figure 35;
[070] Figure 38 is a diagrammatic view of the alternate mounting frame 309
shown in
Figure 24 as seen from the front of the vehicle (not shown) to which the
mounting apparatus 314 preferably would be secured, when the mounting frame
309 is in a perpendicular orientation as shown in Figure 35, and showing the
plow blade 320 in a raised position, and the preferred resilient elongated
member 391 attached only to the mounting frame 309 and showing the plow
blade 320 in a working or an operation orientation in phantom;
[071] Figure 39 is a diagrammatic view similar to that shown in Figure 38,
except that
the plow blade 320 is in a lowered working orientation, wherein the retention
members 338 are disengageably secured to the mounting uprights 320 for snow
plowing operations; and the resilient elongated member 391 is interconnected
between the mounting frame and the plow blade 330 creating downward force of
the plow blade 330;
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[072] Figure 40 is a diagrammatic view similar to that shown in Figure 38,
except that
one end of the plow blade 330 is disengaged from the attachment member 351
and is disengageably secured to the mounting upright 320 and resting on the
ground 56, and the plow blade 330 is shown in phantom in the non-working or
transit orientation;
[073] Figure 41A is a cross sectional view of an upper portion of the plow
blade 320
shown in Figure 24 as seen from the line 41-41, but showing an alternate
attachment hook 341 secured in the upper attachment channel 301 of the
alternate plow blade 320 shown in Figure 24;
[074] Figure 41 B is a view similar to that shown in Figure 41A, except that a
further
alternate attachment hook 341' is shown;
[075] Figure 42 is a perspective view of an alternate hook apparatus 341"
secured to a
mold board 332 similar to that shown in Figure 24;
[076] Figure 43 is a perspective view similar to Figure 42, but showing a
further
alternate hook apparatus 41 fastened to a mold board 32 similar to that shown
in
Figure 7 and showing the screws 4 used to secure one of the two alternate
attachment hooks 41 exploded away from the mold board 32 on one side;
[077] Figure 44 is a diagrammatic view of the alternate mounting frame shown
in
Figure 4, similar to that shown in Figure 38, except that alternate attachment
hooks 341, like that shown in Figure 41B, are secured in the upper attachment
channel 301 of the alternate plow blade 330 and the resilient elongated member
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CA 02507910 2005-05-19
391 is attached to three-quarter turn eyebolts 396 secured to the inside of a
bottom portion of the respective mounting uprights 320;
[078] Figure 45 is an enlargement 45-45 of the respective three-quarter turn
eyebolts
396 secured to the respective mounting uprights 320, to which the resilient
elongated member 391 is attached;
[079] Figure 46 is a diagrammatic view similar to that shown in Figure 39,
except that
the three-quarter turn eyebolts 396 shown in Figures 44 and 45 are used to
engage the resilient elongated member 391 to the mounting frame 320 and the
resilient elongated member 391 is engaged to the alternate attachment hooks
341' shown in Figures 41 B and 44; and
[080] Figures 47 and 48 are front elevations of an alternate mounting
apparatus 414
(which is partially broken away in Figure 47) of the present invention shown
with
alternate plow blades 430, 430' that are partially shown, except that
alternate
retention members 438 and 438' that are shown partially in phantom, as are
parts of the mounting apparatus 414.
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CA 02507910 2005-05-19
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[081] Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly, to Figures 1-3, an
alternate
embodiment of a self-adjusting snow plow 10 of the present invention is shown.
The preferred snow plow 10 includes a mounting apparatus 14 and a plow blade
30. The mounting apparatus 14 includes two mounting uprights 20 that are
interconnected by an interconnecting member 22. In this embodiment, a hitch
tongue 24 is secured to the interconnecting member 22. The hitch tongue 24 is
secured to the interconnecting member 22 with a resilient rubber connecting
member 27 interspersed between the interconnecting member 22 and a flat
connecting plate 28 of the hitch tongue 24. A hitch tongue securing pin 29
secures the hitch tongue 24 in a hitch receiver 16, which is secured to a
vehicle
18 (partially shown in phantom in Figure 1 ). The resilient rubber connecting
member 27 allows the entire snow plow 10 some flexibility when the plow blade
30 is subjected to great forces. This is believed to reduce the shock and
vibration in the vehicle 18 due to impacts against relatively immovable
objects.
The connecting plate 28 is bolted to the interconnecting member 22 by a series
of fasteners, preferably bolts 25 secured by nuts 26.
[082] Referring now also to Figures 7-8 and 11, the preferred plow blade 30
includes a
mold board 32 providing a rubber scraper channel 34 in which a rubber scraper
36 is secured. The preferred mold board 32 is a single piece aluminum
extrusion, although other materials may be used. The plow blade 30 also
includes two retention members 38 and a plurality of lifting handles 40. The
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preferred plow blade 30 has enlarged end caps 46 secured at each end of the
plow blade 30 with blade cap securing plates 48. In preferred embodiments, the
end caps 46 and the rubber scraper 36 are made of resilient elastomeric
materials such as hardened natural rubbers and other synthetic materials,
which
have been used commercially to replace such products. In preferred
embodiments, this material can be Styrene-Butadiene Rubbers (SBR), butylene
rubbers (copolymers of isobutylene and isoprene), Acrylonitrile-Butadiene
rubbers (NBR), initial neoprene, Thiokol~ rubbers and the like; preferably
SBR.
In the most preferred embodiments SBR 60 Durometer rubber is used. It will be
appreciated that the term "rubber", when used to describe the various
embodiments of the scraper 36 or the end cap 46, is used in a general sense
and is not meant to limit the material used to construct the scraper 36 or the
end
cap 46 solely to rubber, but that it will also mean the aforementioned
elastomers
and other like materials.
[083] Referring now also to Figures 4-5 and 9-10, a further alternate
embodiment of
the plow blade 30' is shown in which the end caps 46' are metal sheets the
size
of and similar to the blade cap securing plates 48 of the embodiment shown in
Figures 1-3 and 7-8. These end caps 46' do not extend beyond a bottom 60' of
the mold board 32'. It will be appreciated that the embodiment shown in
Figures
1-3, 7 and 11 can be modified by removing the end caps 46 and simply replacing
them with the end cap securing plates 48, which take the place of and become
the replacements for the end caps 46, as used in the alternate embodiments
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shown in Figures 4-5 and 9-10. With the exception of the respective different
end caps 46 and 46', everything else about these embodiments is generally the
same.
[084] Referring now also to Figure 6, a further alternate mounting apparatus
14" is
shown in which the mounting uprights 20" are secured to an interconnecting
member 22" which is joined to a pair of generally identical plates 42, only
one of
which is shown, which sandwich and are pivotally connected with an alternate
hitch tongue 24" by a pivot pin 77. A removable lock pin 21 is used to secure
the
plates 42 in one position or another (as shown in phantom) by removing the
lock
pin 21 and turning the blade 30" so that aligned holes 78 (shown only in the
upper plate shown in Figure 6) in the respective plates 42 align with a hole
in
(not shown) the hitch tongue 24" after the mounting uprights 20" and the plow
blade 30" are turned sufficiently to allow the respective aligned lock pin
receiving
holes in the respective plates 42 and the hole in the hitch tongue 24" to be
aligned.
[085] The plow blade 30' of the second embodiment shown in Figures 4-5 and 9-
10
has been found to be somewhat more effective than the first embodiment of the
plow blade 30 (shown in Figures 1-3, 7 and 11), when the plow is pivoted in
either direction to push snow to one side or the other of the vehicle 18,
because
the larger end caps 46 of the first embodiment are not used. This makes it
easier for snow to slide off of one end of the plow blade 30', 30" or the
other
when the plow blade is being pushed forward. It is possible to address this
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CA 02507910 2005-05-19
potential enhancement by simply removing the end cap 46 from one end of the
preferred plow blade 30, when it is used with the alternate mounting apparatus
14", in which case the end cap 46 at the end which is tilted backwards will be
the
one which is removed and replaced by the end cap securing plate 48 to permit
snow to easily slough off of or away from that end of the plow blade 30,
rather
than collect lots of snow, which may make plowing operations more difficult.
[086] In Figure 1, the preferred plow blade 30 is shown in a working
orientation in
which the retention members 38 encircle the respective mounting uprights 20.
As the snow plow 10 is pushed forward and force is applied to the plow blade
30
and the rubber scraper 36, the rubber scraper has a tendency to bend backward
at its lowest extremities, most removed from the mold board 32. In this way,
the
force on the lower part of the rubber scraper 36 can have a lifting effect on
the
plow blade 30, forcing the retention member 38 to slide upward along the
mounting uprights 20, in certain cases, until the retention member 38 strikes
a
catch structure 50 at an upper end 52 of the mounting uprights 20 as shown in
phantom in Figure 1. In alternate embodiments shown elsewhere (see Figures
14, 26-28 and 29-30), the catch structure 50 is not provided to limit the
upward
movement of the retention member 38, but a retention pin (80 in Figure 14 and
82 in Figures 26-28 and 29-30) will limit the upward movement of the retention
members 38, so long as these pins are engaged in the respective attachment
members 51, 351 and 351'.
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[087] Referring now also to Figure 9, which shows the alternate embodiment
shown in
Figures 4 and 5, it is noted that the retention member 38 will also slide
upward
when the rubber scraper 36' comes into contact with a relatively immovable
object 54 along the ground 56 such as a curb or the like. As shown in Figure
1,
the rubber scraper 36 will also bend backwards at the lower extremities when
it is
pushing a mass of accumulated snow 58.
[088] Referring now also to Figure 10, when the vehicle 18 (not shown) is
placed in
reverse and the plow blade 30' is drawn backwards, the bottom 60' of the plow
blade 30' will naturally pivot away from the mounting uprights 20' because the
plow blade 30' is only secured at the top 62' by the retention members 38'
which
acts in essence, as slideably hinges upon which the plow blades 30, 30' (etc.)
of
the present invention can pivot to a limit degree in such circumstance.
[089] Referring now also to Figures 8 and 11, in which the first embodiments
of the
adjustable snow plow 10 and the plow blade 30 are shown, when this
embodiment of the plow blade 30 is drawn backwards, when the vehicle 18 (not
shown) goes in reverse, the rubber scraper 36 is raised above the ground 56
because the end caps 46 extend well beyond the bottom of the mold board 32
and the rubber scraper channel 34 provided by the mold board 32 for the rubber
scraper 36; This permits snow and gravel and debris to pass below the rubber
scraper 36 when the plow blade 30 is drawn backwards. This is advantageous in
certain situations in which there is a desire not to draw snow backwards with
the
plow blade 30. When using other devices, it is also necessary to lift the plow
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CA 02507910 2005-05-19
blade 30 so as to not draw snow 58 backwards when taking the vehicle in
reverse. In this case, however, the extension to the plow blade 30 provided by
the end caps 46 raises the bottom of the mold board 32 and the rubber scraper
36, which extends away from the mold board 32 at an angle. Referring now also
to Figure 8, this angle, angle a1, relative to a plane 64 of the main surface
66
(shown in phantom in Figure 11 ) of the plow blade 30 is at least about
10°,
preferably at least about 20°, more preferably at least about
25°, even more
preferably at least about 30°, even more preferably at least about
32° and most
preferably at least about 32.5°. In preferred embodiments, the end caps
46
extend below the mold board 32 a distance d3. In preferred embodiments, this
distance is at least about two inches, preferably at least about 2.5 inches,
more
preferably at least about three inches, and most preferably at least about 3.5
inches, and even more preferably at least about four inches.
[090] In preferred embodiments, the rubber scraper 36, 36' is skirtboard
rubber which
has a thickness, d~, in a range from about 0.5 to about two inches, preferably
about 0.625 to about 1.75 inches and more preferably from about 0.75 inches to
about 1.5 inches. In the most preferred embodiments, the thickness of the
rubber scraper 36, 36' is about one inch and it is made of SBR rubber having a
hardness of about 60, although it may be more or less than 60 depending on the
nature of the climate of the environment in which it will be used and other
considerations, including wear resistance, speed of use and the like. The
length
of the rubber scraper 36, 36', designated by line d4, is preferably in a range
from
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about four to about ten inches, more preferably from about five to about nine
inches, even more preferably from about six to about eight inches. In the most
preferred embodiments, the length of the rubber scraper 36, 36' will be about
six
and one-half inches. In preferred embodiments, the length, d2, of the amount
of
the rubber scraper 36, 36' which extends beyond the end of the scraper channel
34 of the mold board 32, 32' is preferably from about three to about seven
inches, more preferably from about four to about six inches, most preferably
about five inches. In preferred embodiments, the length of the rubber scraper
36, 36' which extends beyond the end of the scraper channel 34 of the mold
board 32, 32' is at least about two and one-half inches, preferably at least
about
three inches, more preferably, at least about three and one-half inches, even
more preferably at least about four inches, and even more preferably, at least
about four and one-half inches, most preferably at least about five inches.
[091] Referring now also to Figure 12, a further embodiment of the rubber
scraper 36"
is shown. In this embodiment, the rubber scraper 36" is made up of two
separate sheets of skirtboard rubber that are secured together side by side
within the scraper channel 34" of the mold board 32".
[092) Referring now also to Figure 13, a further alternate embodiment of the
rubber
scraper 36"' is shown in which the backside of the rubber scraper 36"'
includes a
slight bevel 68 or chamfer at the lower end 70 of the rubber scraper 36"'
[093] Referring now again specifically to the first embodiments shown in
Figures 2 and
3, the plow blade 30 may be moved from a working orientation, similar to that
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CA 02507910 2005-05-19
shown in Figure 1, to a non-working transit orientation or position shown in
Figure 3 by raising one end of the plow blade 30 to the upper end 52 of the
mounting upright 20, swinging the bottom 60 of the plow blade 30 outward and
away from the mounting upright 20 to permit the retention member 38 to slide
back past and over the catch structure 50, and then down into the attachment
member 51 where it can be retained as shown in Figure 3. After this has been
done at one end, the same process can be followed to lift the retention member
38 of the opposite end of the plow blade 30 off of the mounting upright 20 so
that
the retention member 38 can be placed in the attachment member 51 in a
manner similar to that shown in Figure 3. Once both retention members 38 are
retained within the respective attachment members 51 at the upper ends 52 of
each of the mounting uprights 20, the plow blade 30 will be in a non-working,
transit orientation in which the plow blade 30 is not in contact with the
ground 56
and the vehicle 18 may be used for purposes other than moving accumulated
snow 58 or other materials. Because of the light weight of the plow blade 30,
the
plow blade 30 can be easily placed in the non-working, transit orientation by
a
single individual.
[094] It is just as easy for a single individual to lower the plow blade 30
into a working
or operational orientation when it is in a non-working transit orientation. To
lower
the plow blade 30 into a working orientation, the individual can lift a
retention
member 38 out of the attachment member 51 at one end, swing the bottom 60 of
the plow blade 30 outward so as to generally pivot it away from the mounting
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CA 02507910 2005-05-19
upright 20, then lower the retention member 38 over the upper end 52 of the
mounting upright 20 and allow the retention member to slide down the mounting
upright 20 until the lower extremity of that end of the plow blade 30 comes
into
contact with the ground 56. Once the first end is in contact with the ground,
the
user can lift the opposite end in a similar manner, swinging the bottom 60 of
the
plow blade 30 outwardly so as to pivot the bottom 60 of the plow blade 30 away
from the mounting upright 20, so that the remaining retention member 38 can be
first of all disengaged from the attachment member 51 and then lowered over
the
upper end 52 of the mounting upright 20 until the lower extremity of the
remaining end of the plow blade 30 comes into contact with the ground 56. At
this point, the plow blade 30 will be in a working orientation in which it may
be
pushed by the mounting apparatus to gather and remove snow or other
particulate matter on the surface of the ground 56. In alternate embodiments
of
the present invention shown in Figures 14, 26-28 and 29-30, if the retention
pins
80, 83 are removed from the respective attachment members 51 "", 351 and
351', it is believed to be especially easy to place the respective retention
members in the respective attachment members or remove the respective
retention members from the respective attachment members, because once the
retention pins 80, 83 are removed, and since there is no catch member 50, it
is a
simple matter to just lift each of the respective ends of the plow blade up
and
either place them in the respective attachment members or remove them from
the respective attachment members and, in the second case, lower that end to
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the ground. This is especiaNy easy for a single person to accomplish without
help from others.
[095] When the plow blade 30 is lowered into the working orientation, it
operates
simply when the vehicle moves forward and the mounting uprights 20 push the
plow blade 30 forward in a manner which will generally cause the resilient
rubber
scraper 36 to bend at its lowest extremities in the manner shown in Figure 1.
When the alternate mounting apparatus 14" is used to tilt one end of the plow
blade 30" back, the mounting uprights 20" still push the blade 30" and the
retention members 38" hold the blade 30" in place in front of the mounting
apparatus 14".
[096] Referring now especially to Figure 4, occasionally, the plow blade 30'
will
encounter greater resistance either to a mass of snow or other relatively
immovable objects on one side or the other, causing one end of the plow blade
30' or the other end of the plow blade 30' to ride up on the mounting upright
20'
most proximate that particular end of the plow blade 30', as shown in phantom
in
Figure 4. Because the preferred retention members 38' have openings 75 which
are significantly larger than the mounting uprights 20', the plow blade 30'
can
ride up on one end or the other until retention member 38' is stopped by the
stop
structure 50 at the upper end of the respective mounting upright 22' or by a
retention pin 80, 83 in other embodiments (See Figures 14, 26-28 and 29-30).
[097] It wilt be appreciated that the retention members 38, 38' are designed
and
constructed to provide an opening 75 which is large enough to allow a person
to
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lift one end of the plow blade 30, 30' up and disengage the retention member
38,
38' from the respective mounting upright 20, 20' with which it is engaged when
it
is in a working orientation. At the same time, however, the opening 75 has
been
designed and constructed to disengageably secure the mold board 32, 32' of the
plow blade 30, 30' is a manner which will not allow the retention member 38,
38'
to slide all the way to the upper end 52, 52' of the mounting upright 20, 20'
without eventually striking the stop structure 50 or a retention pin 80, 83 in
other
embodiments (See Figures 14, 26-28 and 29-30), which will prevent the plow
blade 30, 30', 130 from disengaging from the mounting uprights 20, 20', 120,
120'.
[098j Referring now also to Figure 14, which shows a further alternate
embodiment of
the snow plow 10"" in which, the retention members 38"" are stopped by a
retention pin 80 which is secured within an alternate attachment member 51 ""
In this embodiment, the retention pin 80 must be removed in order to lift the
retention member 38"" off of the upright 20"" and place the retention member
38"" within the attachment member 51 "". Once the retention member 38"" is
placed within the receiving opening 82 of the attachment member 51, the
retention pin 80 can be secured within openings (not shown) in the respective
sides of the attachment member 51 "" and a bale or spring wire 89 can be
secured over an end of the pin 80 to secure the pin 80. Although not shown, a
spring loaded ball bearing pin (not shown) can also be used in such an
attachment member 51"". In this embodiment, the function of the retaining pin
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CA 02507910 2005-05-19
80 makes the need for a catch, such as catch 50 shown in Figures 1-3,
essentially unneeded so long as the retention pin 80 is in place when the snow
plow 10"" is in use.
[099] Referring now also to Figures 15-17, retention members 84, 84' are shown
which
differ significantly from the retention members 38, 38', 38", 38"' and 38"".
These
retention members 84, 84' at least partially encircle the mounting uprights
20. As
seen in Figure 15, the retaining member 84 completely encircles the mounting
upright 20 and is pivotally interconnected with the alternate mold board 32""
by a
securing loop 86, which is welded to the top of the mold board 32"". In Figure
16, a similar retaining member 84' is shown in which the retaining member 84'
only partially encircles the mounting upright 20.
[0100] Referring now also to Figures 18 and 19, a further retaining member 84"
is
shown, which has a larger opening 75", thereby giving the mounting upright 20
greater latitude when moving side to side within the opening 75". This
retaining
member 84" is pivotally attached to a securing plate 88 which is welded to the
alternate mold board 32"""'. It will be appreciated that the retaining member
84"
may also have an incomplete side similar to that shown in Figure 16 for
retaining
member 84'.
[0101 ] Referring now also to Figure 20, an alternate embodiment of the snow
plow 110
is shown having alternate retention members 138 which only partially encircle
the
mounting uprights 120 when the plow blade 130 is in a working orientation as
shown. Referring now also to Figure 21, a further embodiment to the snow plow
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110' is shown having further alternate embodiments of the retention members
138', extending in an opposite direction as compared to that shown in Figure
20,
but once again only partially encircling the mounting uprights 120' when the
plow
blade 130' is in a working orientation as shown. Referring now also to Figure
22,
a further alternate embodiment of the plow blade 110" is shown in which a
single
retention member 238 is attached to the plow blade 130". The retention member
238 is shown in a working orientation and encircles each of the respective
mounting uprights 120". Referring now also to Figure 23, a further alternate
embodiment of the plow blade 110"' is shown in which a single retention member
238' is attached to the plow blade 130"'. The retention member 238' is shown
in
a working orientation and only partially encircles each of the respective
mounting
uprights 120"'. In each of the aforementioned alternate snow plow
embodiments, the plow blade may be disengaged from the respective mounting
uprights one mounting upright at a time or, as is also the case with each of
the
other aforementioned embodiments, the plow blades may be disengaged from
the mounting uprights at the same time, if both ends of the plow blade are
lifted
and disengaged at the same time.
[0102] In preferred embodiments, the mold board 32 of the plow blade 30 is a
hollow
extruded aluminum structure. In the most preferred embodiments, the aluminum
surface will be clear anodized aluminum which is particularly attractive for
consumers. Although the mold board can be extruded into two pieces (not
shown) which are subsequently assembled, the preferred embodiment is a one-
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piece extrusion which saves both on cost for aluminum and on cost for
assembling the mold board. In preferred embodiments, the plow blade will weigh
less than about 150 pounds, preferably less than about 110 pounds. The entire
snow plow 10, including the mounting apparatus will preferably weight about
250
pounds or less, more preferably about 225 pounds or less.
[0103] When force is applied to the rubber scraper 36 of the present
invention, the
bottom of the rubber scraper 36 will bend backwards as shown in Figure 1 and
in
Figure 9 in reference to the alternate embodiment 30'. The rubber scraper 36
will generally bend at a generalized pivot point 81' which is located just
below the
lower edge of the scraper channel 34 within the mold board 32. In softer
rubbers
having a durometer of 40 or 50, the rubber scraper 36 tends to bend more. For
that reason, harder rubbers having a durometer of at least about 60, perhaps
as
much as about 70 or 80, are preferred.
(0104] When installing the mounting apparatus 14, it is easiest to install the
mounting
uprights 20 in a perfectly vertical position as this is easiest to corroborate
if a
carpenter's level is available for use during the installation. It is
possible,
however, to tip the mounting uprights 20 either forward or backward a small
amount. When the uprights 20 are tipped backward, the plow blade 30 tends to
rise somewhat more easily when it comes into contact with moveable objects,
including accumulated snow 58 on the ground 56. When the uprights 20 are
tipped slightly forward, this tends to put pressure on the rubber scraper 36
and it
is believed that the plow blade 30 will not rise up on the mounting uprights
20
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quite as easily as it will when the mounting uprights 20 are perfectly
upright. In
certain embodiments, however, it may be desirable to tilt the uprights 20
forward
about two and one-half degrees from vertical. This will allow the rubber
scraper
36 to flex to a higher degree and appears to have a shock dampening effect
during snow removal. Also, because the mounting uprights 20 are tilted
forward,
it has an added effect of keeping the plow blade 30 down when it is in use. In
certain situations, this is most desirable as a user may be able to obtain
superior
results when the blade 30 rises somewhat less readily or when the scraper 36
comes under a lower degree of force. In this regard, it is also noted that the
rubber scraper 36 needs to extend outward in front of the mold board 32. It is
believed that if the rubber scraper 36 were straight up and down, the blade 30
would lift up too easily and the snow 58 would squirt under the blade 30 and
result in poor snow removal. It is also noted that the rubber end caps 46 will
tend to bow outwardly even as great as 90 degrees to the direction of the
movement of the plow blade 30. This is desirable as it allows the blade to
catch
more snow when moving it.
[0105) An alternative embodiment of the present invention, shown in Figure 6,
in which
the angle of the plow blade 30" can be varied in relation to its direction of
travel.
This embodiment is a pivoting snow plow 79 and allows the user to discharge
snow on either side of the plow vehicle 18. In this embodiment of the
invention,
the connection of the hitch tongue 24" to the plow blade 30" is facilitated
through
the use of a pivot plate 42. The pivot plate 42 provides the point of
attachment
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CA 02507910 2005-05-19
for a forward mounted mount bolt 77 which fastens the interconnecting member
22" to the hitch tongue 24" while allowing the plow blade 30" to pivot around
it.
[0106] Additionally, the pivot plate 42 is equipped with a plurality of
alternate locking
holes 78, which, when used in conjunction with the locking pin 21, are used to
lock the pivoting plow 79 into positions that push snow straight ahead, as
shown
in Figure 6, or to the left or the right as shown in phantom in Figure 6. This
allows the user to employ this embodiment of the present invention in a
plurality
of orientations. The first of these is to lock the pivoting plow 79 in the
position in
which the plow blade 30" is generally perpendicular or square in relation to
the
line of travel. Conversely, to employ the side discharge function, the user
simply
locks the pin 21 in the desired alternate locking holes 78 to discharge the
snow
on a desired side of the vehicle 18 (not shown) pushing to snow plow.
[0107] Subsequent to the initial development of the present invention, certain
aspects of
the invention were enhanced to develop the invention in ways that will make
commercial embodiments of the self adjusting snow plow of the present
invention especially desirable to users.
[0108] Referring now also to Figures 24, 25A, 25B, and 26-28, a commercial
embodiment of the self adjusting snow plow 310 is shown. The self adjusting
snow plow 310 includes a mounting apparatus 314 having an interceptor 323
interconnected with a mounting frame 309. The interceptor 323 includes a hitch
tongue 324 which can be received by a hitch, receiver 316 (shown in phantom)
that is attached to the front of a vehicle (not shown) in a manner similar to
that
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CA 02507910 2005-05-19
disclosed in relation to the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3 and 7. The
interceptor 323 also includes an optional angle interceptor 311, which will be
further described below. The optional angle interceptor 311 is interconnected
to
the hitch tongue 324 by a hitch tongue extension 308 that is pivotally
connected
to the optional angle interceptor 311 by a pivot pin 377. The optional angle
interceptor 311 includes a flat securing plate 328 that is secured to the
interconnecting member 322 of the mounting frame 309 by a series of bolts 325
secured by a series of nuts 326. The mounting frame 309 includes a pair of
mounting uprights 320, preferably 33 inches apart on center, connected by the
interconnecting member 322.
[0109] The plow blade 330 includes a mold board 332 having upper and lower
attachment channels 301, 302 respectively, in which a variety of elements,
described below, of the plow blade 330 are secured or anchored, preferably by
a
series of threaded bolts 303 received by a series of reciprocally threaded
nuts
304, preferably square nuts. In this regard, it will be appreciated that,
threaded
bolts and reciprocally threaded nuts are preferred, other fastening mechanisms
known in the art may be used to secure the various parts of the present
invention.
[0110] The plow blade 330 also includes end caps 346 and end plates 348
similar to
those described in relation to the embodiments disclosed in relation to
Figures 1-
3, 7-8 and 11. In addition, a pair of guide shafts 387 are secured to the
respective ends of the mold board 332, preferably with a pair of fasteners,
one of
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which is normally used to secure the end plate 348 and the end cap 34.6 in a
screw receiving channel 349 in the extruded aluminum mold board (see Figures
25A and 25B). Which also illustrate a preferred rubber scraper 336 similar to
those disclosed in relation to the first embodiment of the present invention
disclosed in Figures 1 and 7-8, as well as the scraper channel 334 in the mold
board 332 in which the rubber scraper 336 is secured.
[0111] Although a two piece or multiple piece aluminum extrusion can be used
to form
the mold board 332, a single piece aluminum extrusion is believed to be more
efficient and to provide a more cost effective structure in so far as no
assembly is
required. The mold board 332 shown without any attachments in Figure 25B is
the most preferred embodiment of the mold board. It includes a series of
internal support structures 353 that strengthen the extruded mold board 332 by
standing between and connecting the exterior walls 354 of the extruded mold
board 332, just as the internal support structures in the earlier embodiments
strengthened the mold board 32 previously disclosed.
[0112] The plow blade 330 disclosed in Figures 24, 25A, 25B and 26-28 include
two
lifting handles 340 on opposite ends of the mold board 332, anchored in the
upper attachment channel 301, two retention hooks 341, also secured in the
upper attachment channel, but placed closer to the middle of the mold board
332
and two retention apparatus assemblies 337 including a retention member 338
welded to a retention plate 339 that is anchored by two threaded bolts 303
secured to reciprocally threaded nuts 304 and the upper attachment channel 301
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and two threaded bolts 303 anchored in reciprocally threaded nuts 304 in the
lower attachment channel 302.
[0113] Referring now also to Figure 25C, an alternate metal retention plate
339' is
shown in part where it differs from the alternate retention plate 339' shown
in
Figures 24, 25A and 25B, only in that it is truncated at the bottom 360 of the
mold board 332 and does not extend as far as the retention plate 339' shown in
Figure 25A. In view of the lower cost of the alternate retention plate 339' is
more
cost effective, due in part to lowered tolerance requirements associated with
the
turn in the retention plate reciprocating the turn in the mold board 332 at
the
bottom 360 of the mold board the alternate retention plate 339' is preferred
as is
the counter sunk threaded bolt 303' shown in Figure 25C having a conical head
to secure the lower portion of the retention plate 339' in the lower channel
302.
[0114] Referring now with particularly to Figures 26-28, the alternate
mounting uprights
320 include an alternate attachment member 351 that is secured to the top 352
of each of the mounting upright 320. As shown in Figure 26, the retention
member 338 can be secured in the attachment member 351 by a retention pin
383 the retention member 338 can be removed from the attachment member
351 if the retention pin 383 is removed from the attachment member so that the
plow blade 330 can be lifted to lift the retention member 338 out of the
attachment member 351 and the plow blade can then be lowered into a working
orientation by encircling the mounting upright 320 with the retention member
338
and sliding the retention member 338 down along the outer extremity of the
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mounting upright 320 to engage the retention member 338 to the mounting
upright 320. As shown particularly in Figure 28, the retention member 338 can
generally slide freely along the exterior of the mounting upright 320, but it
is
limited if the retention pin 383 is inserted in the pin retention slots on
either side
of the attachment member 351. In this way, if the plow blade 330 travels
upward
along the mounting upright 320 its upward travel along the mounting upright
will
be limited by the retention pin 383 that will stop the retention member's
upward
travel when the retention member 338 comes into contact with the retention pin
383.
[0115] Referring now also to Figures 29-32, a further alternate embodiment of
the
attachment member 351' is shown as a cut away in the upper portion 352' of a
further alternate mounting upright 320'. The retention pin 383 can be inserted
into a retention slot 385' and past through the attachment member so that the
end 383A of the retention pin passes through a receiving opening 3858 on the
opposite side of the attachment member 351' in a manner that is the same as
the manner in which the retention pin 383 is inserted in the previously
described
attachment member 351 shown in Figures 24 and 26-28. In each case, the
retention member 338 is inserted into the retention slot 385A when the
retention
pin handle 3838 is in an upright position as shown in Figures 29 and 32 and in
phantom in Figure 26. The end of the retention pin 383A is then passed through
the retention slot 385A and then through the receiving opening 3858. It will
be
appreciated that the handle of the pin has sufficient weight so that it will
be
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drawn to a downward position, 180° from the upward position shown in
Figure 29
and Figure 32 if the retention pin 383 is resting in a generally horizontal
position
as it would frequently be when fully engaged in the attachment member 351' or
351, as shown in Figures 30 and 28, respectively. As shown in Figures 31 and
32, when the retaining pin 383 is inserted into the retaining pin receiving
slot
385A when the retaining pin resides in an upright position as shown in Figure
32,
a securing arm 383C of the retaining pin 383 will pass through a secondary
slot
386 extending horizontally outward from the center of the retaining pin
receiving
slot 385A to accommodate passage of the side arm 383C of the retaining pin
383. Once the retaining pin 383 passes far enough into the slot 385A and the
receiving opening 3858 so that they stop plate 383D of the retention pin is
pressed against the exterior of the mounting plate 320' approximate the
attachment member 351', the side arm 383C will be within the attachment
member 351 or 351' with sufficient leeway to allow the handle 3838 to turn
downward under the force of gravity or otherwise so that the retaining side
arm
383C will hold the retaining pin within the slot 385A, 385A' and the receiving
opening 3858 and 3858'. Once in place, the force of gravity will hold the
handle
3838 in a downward position so that the retaining pin 383 will be retained
within
the slot 285A, 285A' and the receiving opening 3858, 3858' until the handle
3838 of the retaining pin 383 is turned upward so that the retaining pin 383
can
be removed from the receiving opening 3858, 3858' and the slot 385A, 385A'.
Also, as noted elsewhere, the retaining pin 383 will act to limit the upward
travel
of the retention member 338 along the outer extremity of the mounting upright
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320, 320' when the plow blade 330 is forced to travel upward along the
mounting
upright.
[0116] Referring now also to Figures 33-37, the optional angle interceptor 311
is
interconnected with the mounting frame pins shown in Figure 24 by a series of
threaded bolt fasteners secured to reciprocally threaded nuts 326, shown in
Figure 24; and to the front of a vehicle in a manner similar to that shown in
Figure 7 for the first embodiment, where a hitch tongue 24 similar to hitch
tongue
324 shown in Figure 33 can be secured to a hitch tongue receiver 16, similar
to
hitch tongue receiver 316 shown in Figure 24. The interceptor 323 includes the
hitch tongue 324 and a hitch tongue extension 308 that is pivotally connected
to
the optional angle interceptor 311 by pivot pin 377 upon which the interceptor
323 can pivot if the locked pin 321 is removed from the optional angle
interceptor
311. As shown in Figure 34, the optional angle interceptor has an upper plate
312a and a lower plate 312b. Each of the respective upper and lower plates
have a pair of openings, that are aligned in a reciprocating fashion so that,
for
instance, an opening for receiving the lock pin 321 in the upper plate 312a is
directly above and aligned with a similar opening in the lower plate 312B so
that
the lock pin 321 can pass through both openings without difficulty.
Furthermore,
the remaining openings in the upper and lower plates 312a, 312b are aligned so
that they can receive the pivot pin 377 which is preferably a threaded bolt
secured below the lower plate 312b by a reciprocally threaded nut 378. It will
be
appreciated that the optional angle interceptor has three opened sides between
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the upper plate 312a and the lower plate 312b. This design is especially
helpful
to pemnit snow, ice, water, sand and the like to escape from the area between
the respective plates so that it won't interfere with the movement of the
hitch
tongue extension 308, through which the pivot pin 377 passes.
[0117] The structure of the optional angle interceptor also includes a drain
opening 313
in the lower plate 312b so that, if the optional angle interceptor is turned
upside
down 180° from the orientation shown in Figure 33, water, snow, ice,
sand and
the like will fall out of the drain opening 313 to limit collection of such
materials
above the lower plate 312b that will be, in effect, the upper plate when the
optional angle interceptor is turned upside down. It will be appreciate that
the
optional interceptor can be used in either of these two orientations and that
the
plurality of both receiving openings 314 in the flat plate 328 wiH facilitate
placement of the optional angle interceptor at various heights with respect to
the
mounting frame 320 so as to accommodate vehicles having hitch tongue
receivers that will connect at various heights above the ground given the
varying
characteristics of the plethora of vehicles to which such a h~ch receiver may
be
attached. In this way, the plurality of both receiving openings 314 in the
flat plate
328 allow the optional angle interceptor to have significant versatility for
attachment of the mounting frame at various heights were attached in
anticipation of attachment to a number of vehicles to which a hitch tongue
receiver is secured.
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[0118] It will be appreciated that the mounting frame 309 will stand generally
perpendicular to the direction of movement of a vehicle when the hitch tongue
extension is locked in the position shown in Figure 35 by the lock pin 321.
Referring now especially to Figures 36 and 37, if the lock pin 321 is removed
from the lock pin receiving openings in the upper plate 312a the hitch tongue
extension 308 and the lower plate 312b, the hitch tongue extension 308 can
pivot with respect to the optional angle interceptor 311 through a generally
horizontal plain until the hitch tongue extension 308 comes into contact with
a
limiter column 315 on either side of the aligned pin receiving openings in the
upper and lower plates 312a, 312b. It will be appreciated from a review of
Figures 35-37 that the limiter columns 315 allow the hitch tongue extension
308
to pivot just far enough to permit the lock pin 321 to hold the hitch tongue
extension 308 in a position either to the left or the right of the aligned
lock pin
receiving openings in the upper and lower plates 312a, 312b so that the lock
pin
321 can hold the hitch tongue extension 308 in position with respect to the
upper
and lower plates 312a, 312b so that the mounting frame 309 can be held at an
angle to the left or to the right of a position perpendicular to the forward
movement of a vehicle pushing the adjustable snow plow apparatus of the
present invention, so that the plow blade 320 can be held at an angle to the
forward motion of the self adjusting snow plow that is greater than 90°
and
allows snow gathered in front of the plow blade 320 to be pushed off to one
side
or the other of the path of a vehicle pushing the plow blade.
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[0119] Referring now also to Figures 38-39, the present invention includes a
mounting
apparatus 14, 314 having a mounting frame 309, the mounting frame 309
including two interconnected mounting uprights 210, 320; the snow plow
retention apparatus 336, preferably including at least one retention member
338,
preferably two retention members 338, constructed and arranged to
disengageably secure the plow blade 30, 330 to the mounting uprights 20, 320
during use; and an elongated member 390, preferably a resilient elongated
member constructed and arranged to place downward force upon the plow blade
30, 330 when the plow blade 30, 330 is disengageably secured to the mounting
uprights 20, 320 during use and the elongated member 390 is interconnected
between the plow blade 30, 330 and the mounting apparatus 14, 314. In an
alternate embodiment of the elongated member shown in Figures 38 and 39, the
elongated member is a resilient shock chord 391 or bungi cord that is
preferably
stretched or pre-loaded to extend between two eyebolts each of which is
secured
to a bottom portion of the mounting frame 309 in the manner shown in Figure
38.
The pre-loaded shock chord is capable of placing a downward force upon the
plow blade when the shock chord 391 is further stretched to engage retention
hooks 341 secured to the mold board 320 as previously described. By stretching
the shock chord 391, which is secured to the bottom of the mounting uprights
320 as shown in Figure 38, a significant amount of downward force is placed
upon the plow blade when it is in a working orientation as shown in Figure 39.
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(0120] Referring now also to Figure 41A, the retention hooks 341, shown also
in Figures
24, 38 and 39, are preferably made of eight inch steel strap material having a
width of from about a half an inch to about an inch and a quarter, preferably
about three quarters of an inch to about an inch, most preferably about an
inch
wide. Referring now also to Figures 41 B, 42 and 43, further embodiments of
the
retention hooks 341', 341" and 41 are shown. The retention hook 341' shown in
Figure 41 B turns to more than 270° and leaves a relatively small
opening 395
through which to engage the elongated member 391 with the retention hook
341'. The retention hook 341" shown in Figure 42 are welded to the retention
apparatus assembly 337 to which retention members 338 are secured to the
preferred retention hooks 341" and are made of one-quarter inch steel wire
from
material that is formed to have a U-shape and welded to the retention
apparatus
assembly 337 that is secured to the mold board 332 as previously described.
Referring now also to Figure 43, a pair of standard hooks 41 may also be used
when secured to a mold board 32 such as that shown in Figure 43 which is
similar to that shown in Figure 7 and 8. The retention hooks 41 are secured to
the mold board 32 with a pair of threaded screws 4.
[0121] Referring now also to Figures 44-46, a preferred downward force
generating
system is disclosed in which a resilient elongated member 391 is disengageably
engaged with a pair of three-quarter turn eyebolts 396 secured to a lower
portion
of the mounting uprights 320 and retention hooks 341' such as those shown in
Figure 40 are attached to the plow blade 330. In this preferred embodiment,
the
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CA 02507910 2005-05-19
resilient elongated member 391 may be engaged and disengaged from each of
the three-quarter turn eyebolts 391 and each of the three-quarter turn
retention
hooks 341' provided. In this way, the elongated retention member 391 will be
easily replaceable and may be removed for storage when not in use. Because
the climates in which snow plows are used experience significant fluctuations
in
temperature, having a disengageable resilient elongated member 391 is likely
to
increase the ability of the owner to store the elongated member 391 at
moderate
temperatures that are less likely to advance deterioration of resilient
material
such as may be used for the resilient elongated material when such materials
are exposed to either high or low temperatures. As shown in Figures 44-46, the
three-quarter turn eyebolts are turned downward so that the opening 397 faces
away from the retention hooks 341' when the plow blade 330 is in the working
orientation shown in Figure 46, just as the retention hooks 341' face away
from
the three-quarter eyebolts 396, such that the opening 395 faces away from the
eyebolts 396. This permits the rapid attachment of the resilient elongated
member 391 in a manner that is not disruptive of normal use of the snow plow
310.
[0122] It will be appreciated that the elongated member 391 can be any
resilient
elongated member that can be stretched in order to preload the elongated
member so that the elongated member will place a downward force on the plow
blade 330 when the elongated member 391 is engaged with elements of the
mounting apparatus 314 and elements of the plow blade 330 that are positioned
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with respect to each other in a manner placing the engagement elements of the
mounting apparatus below the engagement elements of the plow blade when the
plow blade is in a working orientation as shown in Figure 46. Because the plow
blade is necessarily a relatively light piece of equipment, so that it can be
easily
handled by consumers, it can ride up on the mounting uprights 320 in a manner
that makes it difficult to move large amounts of snow under certain
circumstances. Rather than add weight to the plow blade 330 that would make
the plow blade more difficult for an individual to manipulate, it is believed
that it is
advantageous to provide a resilient elongated member 391, such as those
disclosed, that can be engaged between the mounting apparatus and the plow
blade to create a downward force of the plow blade 330 during snow plowing
operations when the plow blade 330 is in a working or operational orientation.
[0123] It will be appreciated that any elongated member that has some
elasticity and
can stretch and then apply a force upon an object to which it is connected, or
more particularly, two objects between which it is connected, can be used,
notably materials that are used to make shock chords, bungi cords and the
like.
In addition, elongated members that have only a small section, or perhaps a
plurality of small sections which are resilient may certainly be used in the
place
of a single long elongated member that is resilient and therefore stretchable
throughout its length. In addition, using a plurality of elongated members,
interconnected with only a single engaging element on each of the structures
to
be interconnected, e.g., the mounting apparatus 314 and the plow blade 330,
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may also be used. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the only
requirement
of the engagement of the resilient elongated member or members is that they
are interconnected between the mounting apparatus 314 and the plow blade 330
when the plow blade is in the working orientation. It will be appreciated that
springs, rubber bands, and other resilient devices may be substituted for the
preferred resilient elongated member 391 disclosed in the drawings. The
preferred resilient elongated member 391 will be a shock chord having a
diameter of from about an eighth of an inch to about an inch preferably from
about three eighths of an inch to about a half an inch more preferably about a
quarter of an inch in diameter. Extensible of resilient chord material or
straps of
any kind, springs and other elongated materials that can be stretched or
preloaded to create a force that can be arranged to place a downward force on
the plow blade 330 when the elongated material is interconnected between the
mounting apparatus 314 and the plow blade 330 may be used as a resilient
elongated member 391 of the present invention. It wilt be appreciated that
multiple resilient elongated members may also be used and the arrangement for
interconnecting the plow blade 330 and the mounting apparatus 314 may take
any conceivable configuration.
[0124] Referring now also to Figures 47 and 48, in certain alternate
embodiments, the
mounting apparatus 414 of the self adjusting snow plow 410 will include a
mounting frame 409 having a single mounting upright 420, as shown in these
Figures. In Figure 47, the plow blade 430 includes a pair of retention members
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438, similar to those shown in Figure 20, that slideably and/or disengageably
secure the plow blade 430 to the single mounting upright 420. In Figure 48,
the
plow blade 430' includes a single retention member 438', similar to that shon
in
Figure 22, the slideably and/or disengageably secures the plow blade 430' to
the
single mounting upright 420.
[0125] Referring now also to Figure 40, because of the light weight of the
preferred plow
blades, it is relatively easy for an individual to either lift the plow blade
330 from
the working orientation, when the plow blade 330 is resting on the ground 56,
or
to lower the plow blade 330 to a working position from a non-working
orientation
similar to that shown in phantom in this Figure. To move the plow blade 330
from the working orientation when the plow blade 330 is engaged with the
mounting frame 309, an individual will start from a position similar to that
shown
in Figure 46 and lift one end of the plow blade using a lifting handle 340,
after
disengageably the elongated member 391 from the plow blade 330, to raise the
plow blade 320 high enough to disengage the retention member 338 from the
mounting upright 320 on one side of the mounting apparatus 314 and then place
the retention member 338 in the attachment member atop the mounting upright
320 on that side of the mounting apparatus 314 so that the plow blade is in a
position, similar to that shown in solid line in Figure 40, in between a non-
working, transit orientation and a working orientation. To place the plow
blade
330 in the non-working, transit orientation, the individual can then go to the
other
end of the plow blade 330 and lift that end, disengaging the second retention
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member 338 from the mounting upright 320 on that side of the mounting
apparatus 314 and placing the second retention member 338 in the attachment
member 351, so that the plow blade is in the non-working orientation shown in
phantom in Figure 40. In preferred embodiments, the steps to lower the plow
blade 330 from the non-working, transit orientation to the working orientation
are
just the reverse. First, the retention member 338 engaged with the attachment
member 351 on one side of the mounting apparatus is disengage and the
retention member is slideably engaged to the mounting upright 320 on that side
of the mounting apparatus 314 and the end of the plow blade 330 approximate
that side of the mounting apparatus 314 is allowed to rest on the ground, so
that
the plow blade is oriented in the manner shown in solid line in Figure 40.
Then
the individual can go to the other end of the plow blade and lift it to
disengage
the second retention member 338 from the attachment member 351
approximate that side of the mounting apparatus 314 and then engage the
retention member 338 upon the mounting apparatus 320 and lower the second
end of the plow blade 330 to the ground.
[0126] Referring now again to Figure 24, the guide shafts 387 on each side of
the plow
blade are constructed and arranged to provide the operator of a vehicle
pushing
the plow blade 330 with markers with which to create a sight line to assist in
snow plowing operations.
[0127] It will be appreciated that the plow blades 330 of the present
invention will have
many lengths for different purposes. For instance, snow plows for small four
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wheeled vehicles such as ATV's and the like may be anywhere from three and a
half to six and a half feet, preferably four feet, five feet or six feet in
length.
Similarly, the length of the snow plows made for larger vehicle such as
trucks,
SUV's and the like may be from six and a half to ten and a half feet,
preferably
seven feet, eighth feet, eight and a half feet, nine feet or even ten feet
long. In
preferred embodiments, the retention member 38, 338, or slide hinge as it is
sometimes called, is definitely made from rod steel that is from about three
eighths to about five eighths inches in diameter, preferably about one half
inch in
diameter. The retention members 38, 338 are preferably welded to a steel plate
or flat iron that is an eighth of an inch thick.
[0128] Referring now to Figure 24 and Figure 25A, the nuts 304, placed in the
attachment channels 301 and 302 are preferably square notes although hex nuts
can also be used. In preferred embodiments, the plow blade of the present
invention may be easily assembled by assembly workers or even consumers
who purchase a kit for assembly at home or at the consumer's workshop. It will
be appreciated that the preferred aluminum extrusion shown in Figure 24, does
not require any drilling or placement of openings for fasteners. Although not
shown, the end caps 346 will be predrilled, as will the cap plates 348. The
guide
shafts 387 or sight guides will also come with predrilled holes so that
fasteners
can be used to secure the guide shafts to the ends of the plow blade
approximately the end caps 346 and the end plates 348.
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[0129] It will be appreciated that the materials used in the materials
described in the
present application are only preferences and that the present self adjusting
snow
plow apparatus 10, 310 may be made of many different materials and of
materials having a wide variety of thickness' and sized dimensions.
[0130] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of
the invention.
Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to
those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the
exact
construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred
embodiment has been described herein, the details may be changed without
departing from the intended scope of the invention, which is defined by the
attached claims.
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