Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Title of the Invention
[0001 ] ATV plow support frame assembly with quick locking system and method
for
installing same.
Field on the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to front-end mounted accessory support frame
assembly for
a vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to a plow support frame
assembly for
all-terrain vehicle (ATV) comprising a quick locking and unlocking system.
Back;around of the Invention
[0003] Since a couple of years, the All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) market has been
growing
steadily. Moreover, ATV users have been using their vehicle for new tasks such
as snow
removal, load transport, etc. To help ATV users make the fullest use of their
vehicle,
numerous accessories have been put on the market. Snow plow assemblies,
traction kits,
carrying cases and trailer hitches just to name a few.
[0004] However, in order for the ATV user to use an accessory to its full
capacity, the
accessory must be easy to use but more importantly, easy to install. In the
field of snow
plow and other front-mounted accessories support frame assemblies, this is
even more
important since these assemblies are generally relatively heavy and thus
difficult to
manipulate and install. The present invention simplifies the installation and
uninstallation
of a snow plow support frame assembly by means of a novel locking system.
[0005] Since the support frame assembly of the present invention can be used
with
accessories other than plows, hereinafter, the term "plow" shall be construed
broadly and
shall therefore relate to any front-mounted accessories such as plow, snow
blade and
other similarly mounted accessories.
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[0006] Systems currently on the market are not easy or are time consuming to
install. In
the vast majority of cases, when the user is alone, he or she (hereinafter,
for the sake of
simplicity, only the masculine form will be used) must use brute force to
install the plow
assembly on his ATV. This comes from the fact that all the weight of the plow
assembly
rests on the ground, thus, the user must overcome the friction force between
the ground
and the plow. Moreover, since a snow plow or blade are generally made of
metal, they
can be relatively heavy and the friction force between the ground and the plow
can be
relatively large.
[0007] Thus, in general, most systems currently on the market necessitate at
least two
individuals to install a plow support frame assembly on an ATV in a quick and
easy
manner. The present invention overcomes this drawback by allowing a single
user to
install the novel plow support frame assembly on his ATV quickly and, most
importantly,
with very little effort.
[0008] Most plow support frame assemblies sold on the market today must be
attached,
underneath the ATV, by means of pins or bolts and screws. In US patents nos.
6,502,334;
6,843,002 and RE37,628, the rear end of the plow support frame is attached to
the
underside of the ATV with pins. Thus, the user must individually align each
attach
bracket of the plow support frame with each bracket of the ATV and then insert
the pin or
bolt. This operation can be difficult and time consuming. US patent no.
6,732,811
discloses a different attaching system comprising of U-shaped bolts. This
system is not
easier to use since the plow support frame assembly must first be positioned
in place
before the U-bolts can be attached to the frame. Furthermore, each end of each
U-bolt
must be secured in place by means of a screw.
[0009] There exists, however, plow support frame assemblies with quick connect
systems
for use on tractors, small trucks and all-terrain vehicles. Systems that
resemble most
systems used on ATV's are those used on small trucks. Examples of such systems
can be
seen in US patents nos. 6,594,924 ; 6,381,880 ; 6,209,231 and 6,145,222. These
patents
disclose a plow support frame assembly wherein the attachment means comprise a
female
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element, fixedly attached to the underside front portion of the truck. The
female element
further comprises a transversal metal rod. The male element, located on the
plow
assembly frame, has a shape generally matching the shape of the female element
in order
to have an adequate connection. The plow support frame assembly attachment
means
further comprise one or a plurality of latches. Thus, to install the plow
support frame
assembly described in the aforementioned patents, one must align the truck,
equipped
with the female element, with the plow support frame assembly. Then, the male
element
is inserted in the female element, generally by driving the truck forward.
Upon
completion of the insertion, the latch or latches are pivoted around the
transversal metal
rod in order to securely lock the plow support frame assembly to the truck.
[0010] A similar plow support frame assembly for ATVs has been built by
Polaris
Industries. In the system of Polaris, the user drives his ATV partly over the
plow support
frame assembly, a part of which automatically connects with the ATV. Then, the
user,
using his winch, raises the plow support frame assembly and finishes the
installation.
[0011 ] Finally, another system is disclosed in the US patent application
publication no.
2004/0148811. This system is very similar to the one disclosed in the US
patents nos.
6,594,924; 6,381,880; 6,209,231 and 6,145,222 described earlier. In this
system, the
locking mechanism between the plow assembly frame and the ATV is not readily
accessible and is not automatic.
[0012] Thus, there is indeed a need for a new and improved locking system for
a plow
support frame assembly for an ATV.
Object of the Invention
[0013] Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a new locking
mechanism
for a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which is easy to install.
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[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking
mechanism for a
plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which locks itself automatically
upon
installation.
[0015] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a locking
mechanism for
a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which can be unlocked easily by
the user.
[0016] Still another object of the present invention is to provide a locking
mechanism for
a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which will not unlock itself
accidentally
during use.
[0017] Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will
be obvious
upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or
will be
indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to
herein will occur
to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.
Summary of the Invention
[0018] To attain these and other objects which will become more apparent as
the
description proceeds according to one aspect of the present invention, there
is provided
plow support frame assembly for an ATV which comprises an improved locking
mechanism.
[0019] The plow support frame assembly of the present invention generally
comprises a
plow and preferably a plow angular adjustment assembly which itself comprises
an
angular latch bracket and an unlocking handle. The plow support frame assembly
further
comprises a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion, at least
one but
preferably two locking hooks and at least one but preferably two linking
cables.
[0020] The plow of the plow support frame assembly is preferably pivotally
attached to
the plow angular adjustment assembly which is itself preferably pivotally
attached to the
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forward portion of the frame. The locking hooks are preferably pivotally
attached to the
frame rearward portion. The unlocking handle and the locking hooks are linked
by at
least one but preferably two cables.
[0021] Other aspects and many of the attendant advantages will be more readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the
following detailed
description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which like
reference symbols designate like elements throughout the figures.
Description of the Drawin;as
[0022] For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention,
reference
should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with
the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0023] Figure 1 is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the plow
support
frame assembly of the present invention.
[0024] Figure 2 is a close-up isometric view of the angular adjustment
assembly of the
plow support frame assembly.
[0025] Figure 3 is a close-up isometric view of the underside of the angular
adjustment
assembly of the plow support frame assembly.
[0026] Figure 4 is a close-up isometric view of the locking mechanism of the
plow
support frame assembly.
[0027] Figure 5 is an exploded view of the plow support frame assembly of
figure 1.
[0028] Figure 6A is an isometric view of the frame of the support frame
assembly of
figure 1.
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[0029] Figure 6B is a top view of the frame of the support frame assembly of
figure 1.
[0030] Figure 6C is a side view of the frame of the support frame assembly of
figure 1.
[0031 ] Figure 6D is a rear view of the frame of the support frame assembly of
figure 1.
[0032] Figure 6E is a front view of the frame of the support frame assembly of
figure 1.
[0033] Figure 7A is an isometric view of the angular adjustment plate of the
support
frame assembly of figure 1.
[0034] Figure 7B is a top view of the angular adjustment plate of the support
frame
assembly of figure I .
[0035] Figure 7C is a side view of the angular adjustment plate of the support
frame
assembly of figure 1.
[0036] Figure 8A is an isometric view of the angular latch bracket of the
support frame
assembly of figure 1.
[0037] Figure 8B is a top view of the angular latch bracket of the support
frame assembly
of figure 1.
[0038] Figure 8C is a side view of the angular latch bracket of the support
frame
assembly of figure 1.
[0039] Figure 9A is an isometric view of the unlocking handle of the support
frame
assembly of figure 1.
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[0040] Figure 9B is a front view of the unlocking handle of the support frame
assembly
of figure I .
[0041] Figure 9C is a side view of the unlocking handle of the support frame
assembly of
figure 1.
[0042] Figure 9D is a top view of the unlocking handle of the support frame
assembly of
figure 1 in its unfolded form.
[0043] Figure 10A is a side view of the right locking hook of the support
frame assembly
of figure 1.
[0044] Figure lOB is an isometric view of the right locking hook of the
support frame
assembly of figure 1.
[0045] Figure lOC is a front view of the right locking hook of the support
frame
assembly of figure 1.
[0046] Figure lOD is a side view of the right locking hook of the support
frame assembly
of figure 1 in its unfolded form.
[0047] Figure 1 1A is a side view of the left locking hook of the support
frame assembly
of figure 1.
[0048] Figure 11B is an isometric view of the left locking hook of the support
frame
assembly of figure 1.
[0049] Figure 11 C is a rear view of the left locking hook of the support
frame assembly
of figure 1.
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[0050] Figure 11D is a side view of the left locking hook of the support frame
assembly
of figure 1 in its unfolded form.
[0051] Figure 12 is a front view of the plow assembly and an ATV prior to the
installation of the plow support frame assembly.
[0052] Figure 13 is a side view of the plow support frame assembly upon
installation on
an ATV.
[0053] Figure 14 is a side view of the plow support frame assembly once
installed on an
ATV.
[0054] Figure 15 and 16 are close-up views of the locking mechanism of the
plow
support frame assembly as locked on an ATV.
[0055] Figure 17 is a side view of the plow support frame assembly upon
actuation of the
unlocking handle.
Description of a Preferred Embodiment
[0056] Referring to Fig. 1, we can see the plow support frame assembly 100 of
the
present invention. The plow support frame assembly generally comprises a plow
200 or
other front-mounted similar devices, an angular adjustment assembly 300, a
frame 400
and a locking mechanism 500. Referring to Fig. 2, we see that the angular
adjustment
assembly 300 comprises an angular latch bracket 600, an angular latch 650 and
an
unlocking bracket 700 comprising an unlocking device preferably configured as
a handle
710. Since the plow support frame assembly 100 comprises several component
parts,
each of which will be described individually prior to describe the full
system.
[0057] Plow assembly frame
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[0058] Referring to Fig. 6A, we can see the frame 400 of the plow support
frame
assembly. This frame 400 is preferably a A-shape frame having a forward end
and a
rearward end. The width of the forward end is preferably smaller than the
width of the
rearward end. The frame 400 comprises two preferably metallic tubes 406 and
407. At
about a third of way, starting from the forward end, the tubes are slightly
bent 410
upwardly in order to add more clearance to the plow support frame assembly
100.
[0059] The two tubes 406 and 407 are linked together at the forward end by two
preferably metal plates 401 and 408. The first plate 401 is located on the
upper side of the
frame 400, above the tubes 406 and 407. The shape of the plate generally
matches the
shape of the A-frame forward end. The plate 401 has a front portion and a back
portion.
The front portion of the plate comprises a hole which allows the mounting of
the angular
adjustment assembly 300 by means of a screw, bolt, pin or the like.
[0060] The back portion of the plate comprises holes to secure the angular
latch bracket
600 with screws, bolts, pins or the like. The back portion also comprises a
slot to allow
the passage of the angular latch 650. The rearmost portion of the plate in
bent
downwardly, preferably at 90°, to add rigidity to the frame 400.
[0061] The second plate 408 is a reinforcing plate having a L-shape. The plate
is fixedly
attached to the end of both tubes 406 and 407 and to the first plate 401 as
shown in Fig.
6A. This second plate 408 also comprises a hole, aligned with hole of the
front portion of
the first plate 401, which allows the mounting of the angular adjustment
assembly 300.
[0062] The combination of plate 401 and plate 408 improves the strength of the
frame
400, particularly at the forward end. Other means to improve the strength of
the frame,
such as adding more plates or to attach the angular assembly 300, the angular
latch
bracket 600 or other parts, such as welding, could also be used without
departing from the
scope of the invention.
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[0063] Located along the tubes, inside the frame 400 as shown in Fig. 6A, are
cable
guides 405. There is one or more guides 405 on each tube and each guide 405 is
preferably welded on the tube. The cable guides 405 are preferably small metal
mounts
comprising an aperture. The cable guides allow to redirect the cables 800 (see
Figs. 2 and
3) for the locking system 500 and to prevent cables from scraping against the
ground or
the vehicle.
[0064] The rearward end of the A-frame comprises two attachments means 402 and
403
and an angle iron 404.
[0065] The two attachments means 402 and 403 are two preferably metallic
plates. Only
one plate 403 will hereinafter be described since the two plates 402 and 403
are of
symmetric nature as best seen in Figs. 6A and 6B. The front portion of the
plate 403 is
fixedly attached, preferably by welding, to the rear end of the tube 407. The
plate 403 is
slightly bent, toward the interior of the frame, in order to be parallel with
its
corresponding symmetric plate 402. This bent thus defines the front portion,
already
described and a rear portion. As seen in Fig. 6A, the rear portion comprises a
recess 411
with an innermost radius generally matching the radius of the support rod or
bar located
of the ATV (see Figs. 15 and 16). The portion 413 above the recess is bent
toward the
exterior of the frame. Thus, taken together, the portions 413 and 415 above
the recess
define a funnel like shape which helps to attach the frame to the ATV. The
portion under
the recess is not bent. This portion includes a circular hole which receives
the fastening
means for securing the locking hook 510 to the attachment means 403. This hole
also
defines a pivot point for the locking hook 510. The portion further includes
an arcuate
aperture which allows the locking hook 510 to pivot around the pivot point.
This arcuate
aperture also limits the rotational movement of the locking hook 510.
[0066] Finally, located between both attachment means and at the rear end of
the tube is
the iron angle 404. This iron angle 404 serves two purposes. First, it gives
an adequate
support to the attachment means 402 and 403 and secondly, it rigidifies the
rearward
portion of the A-frame. Iron angle 404 comprises two oblong apertures,
preferably
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located near the attachment means, one on each side. More precisely, these
oblong
apertures are located at the intersection between the interior of the A-frame
and the
interior of the tube. The part of these apertures located in the interior of
the A-frame
allows the passage of the cables 800. The part located in the interior of the
tubes allows
any water accumulated inside one of the tubes 406 and 407 to be expelled.
[0067] Angular adjustment assembly
[0068] The angular adjustment assembly 300 is the link between the plow 200
and the
frame 400. The angular adjustment assembly 300 acts as plow 200 or other
accessory
mounting assembly and also allows the adjustment of the angle of the plow 200.
[0069] Referring to Figs. 7A and 7B, the piece of equipment is a plate 301
preferably
made of metal. This plate comprises a plurality of angular adjustment notches
303.
Preferably, these notches 303 are located at 25°, 12.5°,
0°, -12.5° and -25°. It is to be noted
that these angles are by no means limitative in nature and other angles could
be used
without departing from the scope of the invention. The number of notches 303
can also
be changed.
[0070] As shown in Fig. 7A, the sides 305 and 307 of the plate 301 are bent
upwardly,
preferably at 90°. These bent sides 305 and 307 further comprises small
ears 309 and 311
bent outwardly (best shown in Fig. 7B). These ears 309 and 311 include a hole
which is
used to secure the plow retaining spring. The bent sides 305 and 307 further
include
downward protuberances. Each protuberance includes a hole reinforced with
welded
metal rings or flat bars. These holes receive the bolts that secure the plow
200 to the
angular adjustment assembly 300.
[0071 ] The front portion of the plate 301 is also bent upwardly, preferably
at 90°. This
bent portion adds some strength to the angular adjustment assembly 300.
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[0072] As seen in Fig. 7A, the plate 301 further comprises a hole 313,
approximately
located in the center of the plate 301. This hole 313 also defines a pivot
point around
which the angular adjustment assembly 300 will pivot. This is also reinforced
with a
welded metal ring. Located near the notches 303 is an arcuate aperture 315.
This aperture
315, which allows the passage of a fixating pin or bolt of the angular latch
bracket 600,
also limits the angular travel of the angular adjustment assembly 300.
[0073] Angular latch bracket
[0074] As best shown in Fig. 8A, the angular latch bracket 600 is generally a
small metal
base plate 601 onto which two parallel protuberances 602 and 603 are
projecting
upwardly. These protuberances 602 and 603 are at right angle with the metal
base plate
601. These two protuberances 602 and 603 further comprise two aligned holes
612 and
613, one in each protuberance, which also define a pivot point. The space
defined
between the protuberances 602 and 603 is where the latch 650 (see Fig. 2) will
be
located. The latch will pivot around the pivot point defined by the holes 612
and 613.
[0075] The base plate 601 further comprises a plurality of fastening holes,
preferably
three, which will be used to attach the base plate onto the angular adjustment
assembly
300. The base plate 601 also includes an elongated slot or aperture 620. This
aperture 620
allows the passage of the latch 650 when the aperture 620 is aligned with one
of the
angular adjustment notches 303 previously described.
[0076] Unlocking bracket
[0077] The unlocking bracket 700, best seen in Fig. 9A, is a U-shape piece
701,
preferably made of bent metal. The bent sides 702 and 703 of the opening
bracket 700
comprise attachment holes 714 and 715 and cable attachment means 704 and 705.
The
attachment holes 714 and 715, which are aligned, define a pivot point for the
handle to
pivot around. One of the side 702 or 703 further comprises an elongated
protuberance
710 which acts as the handle. In Fig. 9A, the handle 710 extends from bent
side 703.
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[0078] Locking hooks
[0079] As best seen in Figs. 15 and 16, the main use of the locking hooks 510
and 520 is
to securely attach the frame 400 of the plow support frame assembly 100 to the
support
rod located on the ATV. As seen in Fig. 4, the locking hooks 510 and 520 are
two
symmetric pieces of equipment. Each hook is associated with one attachment
means 402
and 403 of the frame 400. Figs. l0A-lOB and 11A-11B show detailed views of
each of
the locking hooks 510 520. Since both hooks 510 and 520 are symmetric in
nature, only
hook 520 of Fig. l0A-lOB will be described. Hook 520 comprises a round portion
521
and a pointed portion 522. The pointed portion 522 is directed toward the ATV
and
allows the support rod to slide along the slope 526 of the locking hook 520.
At the end of
the slope side 526 of the point portion is a recess 523 which has a radius
generally
matching the radius of the support rod of the ATV (see Figs. 15 and 16). It is
this recess
523 that effectively locks the frame 400 to the ATV.
[0080] The locking hook 520 also comprise a small protuberance 524, bent
inwardly,
which protuberance 524 comprises cable attachment means 525. The locking hook
520
further comprises pin holes which allow the locking hook 520 to pivot around
the pin (not
shown).
[008 I ] As best seen in Fig. 4, the locking hooks 510 and 520 are held in
place via a bolt
and nut assembly and a torsion spring. The torsion springs effectively keep
the locking
hooks 510 and 520 in locked position.
[0082] Linking cables
[0083] The linking cables 800, best seen in Figs, l, 2 and 4, act as a
mechanical link
between the unlocking bracket 700 and the locking hooks 510 and 520. At both
ends of
each cable 800 are mounting loops 810 and 820. The loops are inserted into the
cable
attachments means of the unlocking handle 704 and 705 and of the locking hooks
515
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and 525. The linking cables 800 allow the actuation of the locking hooks 510
and 520 by
the actuation of the unlocking bracket 700. The skilled addressee will
understand that
other similar linking mechanisms, devices or means could be used instead.
[0084] Plow
[0085] Since the design of plow 200 and other front-mounted accessories is
generally
known in the art, it is considered outside the scope of this invention and
will not be
described any further.
[0086] General system functioning
[0087] Since the plow support frame assembly 100 is symmetric in nature, only
one side
of the system will be described for the sake of simplicity.
[0088] Starting from the forward end of the plow support frame assembly 100,
the plow
200 is pivotally attached to the angular adjustment assembly 300, preferably
using bolts
and nuts. So attached, the plow 200 can pivot around a horizontal axis. The
plow 200 is
also linked to the angular adjustment assembly 300 via retaining springs 213
and 215.
[0089] The angular adjustment assembly 300 is pivotally attached to the
forward end of
the A-frame 400, preferably on the front plates 40I, using nut and bolt. On
top of the
angular adjustment assembly 300 is the angular latch bracket 600 which is
attached to the
first plate 401 of the frame 400 using nuts and bolts. As seen in Fig. 2, the
angular latch
bracket 600 is completed with the angular latch 650 and the unlocking bracket
700. The
latch 650 is kept in its angular notch 303 by a small retaining spring 651
(see Fig.3).
[0090] To create a small space between the angular adjustment assembly 300 and
the first
plate 401 of the forward end of the frame 400, a ring spacer and an anchoring
bracket 900
are inserted between the angular latch bracket 600 and the first plate 401.
The anchoring
bracket 900 also serves as attachment means for the winch hook 950 (see Fig.
13).
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[0091 ] This single latch 650 and bracket 700 assembly have the particularly
interesting
characteristic to allow the latch 650 and the bracket 700 to function
independently one
from the other.
[0092] To the unlocking bracket 700 are attached to two steel cables 800.
These cables
then go through the cable guides 405, through the oblong apertures in the
angle iron 404
and up to the locking hooks 510 and 520. These hooks 510 and 520 are pivotally
attached
to the rearward end attachment plates 402 and 403 of the frame 400 via at
least nuts and
bolts. To allow a better functioning of the locking mechanism 500, washers can
be
inserted between the locking hooks 510 and 520 and the attachments plates 402
and 403.
These washers prevent dirt, ice or snow to block the locking mechanism 500.
The locking
hooks 510 and 520 are maintained in locked position by preconstrained torsion
springs
generally coaxially mounted between the fixating nut and bolt as seen in Fig.
4.
[0093] To install the plow support frame assembly 100, the user of the ATV
drives his
vehicle partly over the rearward end of the frame as seen in Figs. 12 and 13.
The frame
400 is most preferably aligned with the longitudinal axis of the ATV. The user
then gets
down from his ATV and attaches the winch hook to the anchoring bracket 900.
Then,
using the winch, the user raises the plow support frame assembly 100
approximately four
(4) inches or ten ( 10) centimeters from the ground. The user, as shown in
Fig. 13, then
goes in the front of the plow and pushes the plow support frame assembly 100
on the
support rod or bar located on the ATV. By sliding along the slopes 516 and 526
of the
locking hooks 510 and 520 and the attachment plates 402 and 403, the rod
forces open
the locking hooks 510 and 520. When the rod is completely inside the recesses
513 and
523, as shown in Figs. 15 and 16, the locking hooks 510 and 520 forcefully
return to their
locked position with the help of the torsion springs. The user then returns on
his ATV and
lowers the plow assembly using the winch.
[0094] To remove the plow support frame assembly 100, the user lowers the plow
assembly with the winch and gets down from his ATV. Then, by pulling on the
unlocking
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handle 710, as shown in Fig. 17, the user actuates the locking hooks 510 and
520 to their
unlocked position. Then, simply by pulling on the assembly 100 while
maintaining the
pulling force on the unlocking handle 710, the support rod is extracted from
the recesses
411, 412, 513 and 523 and thus, from the locking mechanism 500.
[0095) Although the present plow support frame assembly with a quick locking
system
has been described with a certain desgree of particularity, it is to be
understood that the
disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention
is not
limited to the features of the embodiments) described and illustrated herein,
but includes
all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention
as hereinafter
claimed.
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