Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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UNIVERSAL FRONT AND REAR EQUIPMENT MOUNT FOR ATV
Cross-Reference to Related Application
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) and 37 C.F.R.
1.78(a)(4) based upon copending U. S. Provisional Application, Serial No.
60/901,776 for UNIVERSAL FRONT AND REAR EQUIPMENT MOUNT FOR
ATV, filed February 16, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Background of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to a mount or mounting structure for attaching
equipment such as a snowplow, bucket loader, fork lift, or the like to a
wheeled
vehicle, and in particular to such a mount which can support the equipment as
unsprung weight on a vehicle having independent front suspension. It is well
known to attach equipment such as a snowplow, a dozer bucket, a fork lift, a
power broom, some types of mowers, or the like to the front of a wheeled
vehicle
such as a garden tractor, a small truck, an all-terrain vehicle (ATV), or
other
vehicle. It is also common to attach other equipment to the rear of such a
vehicle, such as a box scraper, a rear angle grader blade, a tines cultivator,
a
trailing type of mower, a cargo carrier, such as a game carrier, a trailer, or
the
like. Mounting such equipment on a tractor is a relatively straight forward
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procedure because tractors do not typically have any suspension system; i.e.
the
axles of a tractor are rigidly affixed to the chassis. The equipment can,
therefore,
be mounted in any convenient location on the vehicle with little concern as to
the
effect of the weight of the equipment on the handling of the vehicle.
[0003] When mounting equipment on a truck, ATV, or other vehicle having a
suspension, the weight of the equipment becomes a concern. Typically, the
equipment is bolted to the frame of the vehicle and the weight of the
equipment
and any load supported thereon becomes sprung weight, meaning that the
weight must be supported by the springs in the vehicle's suspension. Too much
sprung weight on the front of a vehicle can cause the front suspension to sag,
bottom out, or even collapse and can additionally cause steering problems.
[0004] This problem as been previously addressed in vehicles having solid
beam-type front axles by supporting the weight of the equipment on the front
axle. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,091,343 issued to G. C. Soule et al. in
1937
discloses a snowplow mount for a truck with a beam axle. The weight of the
snowplow is carried by brackets which hook over and attach to the front axle.
The plow is stabilized by a framework which extends rearwardly under the truck
and bolts to the truck frame forward of the rear wheels. The result is that
the
weight of the snowplow is not carried by the truck's suspension, but instead
becomes unsprung weight supported only by the axle and front wheels. The only
force transmitted to the frame is an upward force near the rear of the vehicle
which, due to the length of the framework, is only a fraction of the weight of
the
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plow. Similar inventions are disclosed by Canadian Patent Nos. 326,141 and
535,370.
[0005] With some types of equipment that is connected to the front or rear
of such vehicles, it is desirable to have a means of raising or lowering the
equipment. For example, a front or rear mounted scraper blade needs to be
lowered when scraping is needed and raised for traveling to the worksite or in
maneuvering about the worksite. Small tractors and all terrain vehicles
typically
are not equipped with hydraulic cylinders for such raising and lowering of
equipment. However, some vehicles of these types are equipped with winches.
[0006] While equipment mounts as described above work acceptably well in
older vehicles or large trucks having solid front axles, they are not
applicable to
newer light trucks, sport utility vehicles, or ATVs having independent front
suspension since these vehicles have no axle to which to attach the equipment
mount. What is needed is an improved equipment mount capable of mounting
equipment on a wheeled vehicle wherein the mount is designed to support the
equipment as unsprung weight. U. S. Patent Nos. 6,931,770 and 7,093,381,
issued to one of the inventors of the present invention and incorporated
herein by
reference, disclose a mounting structure for attaching equipment to the front
of
an ATV and which is connected at a rear end to the vehicle chassis and to the
front axles of the vehicle. However, the '770 and '381 patents do not provide
a
means for attaching equipment to the rear of such a vehicle or for raising and
lowering such equipment either at the front or at the rear.
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Summary of the Invention
[0007] The present invention provides equipment mounting structure for
attaching implements to either the front end or the rear end of a wheeled
vehicle
and includes the capability of raising and lowering such implements. The
mounting generally includes a central longitudinal frame with transverse arms
for
connecting the structure to axles of the vehicle. The central longitudinal
frame
preferably includes telescoping members which can be secured at a variety of
lengths to enable the structure to be connected to vehicles of various
wheelbase
lengths. Similarly, the transverse arms are adjustable in length to
accommodate
a range of vehicle track widths. In one embodiment of the mounting structure,
the adjustable transverse arms are sections of leaf springs which are clamped
to
the telescoping central frame members. Outer ends of the leaf spring sections
are adapted for connection to axles of the vehicle to which an implement or
implements are to be connected. The central frame is preferably provided with
a
bolt for connection of the central frame at the rear end to a hitch socket of
the
vehicle. By this means, pulling or pushing forces on the attached implement
are
transferred to the vehicle chassis, while the weight of the mounting structure
and
any implement carried thereon is supported by the vehicle axles.
[0008] The front and rear ends of the central frame are provided with
implement hitch brackets to which various implements can be pivotally
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connected. In one embodiment, the implement hitch brackets have an isosceles
triangle shape with aligned apertures to receive a transverse hitch pin to
thereby
connect the desired implement to the mounting structure. Additionally, the
front
and rear ends are provided with angularly extending pulley brackets which
provide pulleys to route a cable from an electric winch. The winch cable may
be
connected to the hitched implement so that it can be raised and lowered by
operation of the winch. The winch can be located on the front or rear of the
vehicle, and the cable can be routed to the same end or to the opposite end of
the vehicle by use of the pulleys. Alternatively, a winch unit can be mounted
directly on the pulley brackets at either the front or rear of the vehicle,
and the
cable can be used at that end or routed to the opposite end by use of the
pulleys.
[0009] The equipment mounting structure of the present invention is
adapted for convenient removal from the host vehicle so that the vehicle can
be
used without carrying the mounting structure. For this purpose, mounting
brackets are mounted on the axles of the vehicle to receive the ends of the
transverse arms. When the mounting structure is removed from the vehicle, the
mounting brackets remain on the axles. Additionally, one end of the central
frame, such as the rear end, may be connected to the remaining portion by a
single hitch pin, which can be removed to enable separation of the end so that
the portions of the mounting structure can be detached without disassembling
the
pulley brackets, which may be too tall for the vehicle to clear otherwise.
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[00010] Various objects and advantages of this invention will become
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and
example,
certain embodiments of this invention.
[00011] The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include
exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects
and features thereof.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[00012] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an all terrain vehicle (ATV) on which
an embodiment of a front and rear equipment mounting structure of the present
invention is mounted.
[00013] Fig. 2 is a fragmentary view of the ATV showing an implement
attached to the rear of the vehicle by use of the equipment mounting
structure.
[00014] Fig. 3 is a perspective view at an enlarged scale and shows details
of an embodiment of the front and rear equipment mounting structure of the
present invention.
[00015] Fig. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rear end of the
equipment mounting structure and shows an implement connected to the
structure along with a vehicle mounted winch.
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[00016] Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of a front end of the
equipment mounting structure and shows a winch cable extending from a pulley
bracket to an implement for raising and lowering the implement by use of a
winch
located at the rear of the vehicle.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[00017] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed
embodiments
are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms.
Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not
to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ
the
present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure.
[00018] Referring now to the drawing figures, the reference numeral 1
generally designates a universal front and rear equipment mount or mounting
structure which is an embodiment of the present invention. The mounting
structure 1 is particularly well adapted for use with a four-wheel all-terrain-
vehicle
(ATV) 2 (Figs. 1 and 2), although the mounting structure 1 is not intended to
be
restricted to such use. The mounting structure 1 is used for attaching
equipment
or implements 4 to the vehicle 2.
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[00019] Referring to Fig. 3, the mounting structure 1 generally includes an
elongated central frame 10 having front and rear sets of transverse arms 12
and
14 extending laterally therefrom. The central frame 10 has a front hitch
bracket
16 and a rear hitch bracket 18 positioned thereon at respective front and rear
ends. The transverse arms 12 and 14 provide for connection of the mounting
structure 1 to the vehicle 2. The hitch brackets 16 and 18 provide for
connection
of the equipment 4 to the vehicle 2.
[00020] The illustrated central frame 10 includes front and rear telescoping
frame components 22 and 23 which allows the overall length of the central
frame
to be adjusted according to the wheelbase length of the particular ATV 2. The
illustrated front component 22 is a square tubular member, while the
illustrated
rear component 23 is a channel member. One of the components 22 or 23 has
slots 24, such as the rear component 23, and the other component has holes
(not shown) to receive fasteners (not shown) to secure the components in a
selected telescoping relationship to fit the particular vehicle 2.
Alternatively, types
of beam stocks and shapes other than square tubes and channels are
contemplated for use on the central frame. Additionally, it is foreseen that
the
central frame 10 could be formed of parallel members and could also be of a
fixed length for a particular brand or model of vehicle 2. The illustrated
central
frame 2 includes a quick disconnect section 26, illustrated at the rear of the
frame
2. The section 26 is secured to the rear component 23 by a hitch pin 27. The
quick disconnect section 26 facilitates mounting and dismounting of the
structure
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1, as will be detailed below. The section 26 includes a chassis fastener 28,
such
as the illustrated bolt, to connect the central frame 2 to a chassis member,
such
as a hitch socket or the like (not shown). Connection of the fastener 28
enables
pushing and pulling forces generated by use of an implement 4 to be
transferred
to the chassis of the vehicle 2. The fastener 28 may include a cylindrical
roller 30
thereon, as will be described further.
[00021] The transverse arms 12 and 14 are preferably adjustable in length to
accommodate vehicles 2 having various track widths. The illustrated front and
rear arms 12 and 14 are sections of leaf springs which are secured to the
central
frame 10 by respective clamp units 34 and 36. Each clamp unit includes upper
and lower plates and sets of fasteners, such as bolts and nuts. On the
mounting
structure 1 illustrated in Fig. 3, the front clamp 34 is mounted on the front
component 22 of the central frame 10, while the rear clamp 36 is mounted on
the
quick disconnection section 26. Alternatively, the rear clamp 36 could be
mounted on the rear component 23 depending on the relative lengths of the
sections of the central frame 10. As illustrated, the arms 12 and 14 can be
clamped in a number of ways including on the lower side of the central frame
10
curving upwardly, such as the front arms 12 illustrated in Fig. 3, on the
upper side
curving downwardly, such as the rear arms 14 in Fig. 3, on the lower side
curving
downwardly, or on the upper side curving upwardly, depending on the geometry
of particular the vehicle 2 on which the structure 1 is to be mounted.
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[00022] Outer ends 37 of the illustrated arms 12 and 14 are rolled to receive
pins 38 to connect the arms to the vehicle 2. Alternatively, the outer ends 37
could be configured in some other manner to enable connection to the vehicle
2.
The mounting structure 1 of the present invention is intended to be connected
to
the vehicle 2 as "unsprung" weight. That is, it is not intended for the
chassis of
the vehicle 2 to support the weight of the mount structure 1 and any
implements
or equipment 4 hitched to the structure 1. Thus, the weight of the structure 1
and
equipment 4 is intended to be supported by the wheels 44 of the vehicle 2 or,
more particularly, by the wheel axles or axle structures 46, whether solid or
independent. Fig. 3 illustrates two types of axle connection elements which
can
be employed, depending on the configuration of the particular axles 46,
including
a U-shaped axle strap 48 and a quick link set 50. Alternatively, other types
of
connection elements can be employed, such as spaced apart tabs with aligned
holes (not shown). In many arrangements, the connection elements can be
permanently secured to the axles 46 whereby the mounting structure 1 can be
conveniently installed on the vehicle 2 when needed and otherwise removed.
[00023] Referring Fig. 3, the illustrated front and rear hitch brackets 16 and
18 are formed by bracket plates 54 having triangular shapes, such as isosceles
triangles and have transversely spaced upturned tabs 56 with aligned holes to
receive an attaching or hitch pin 58 (Fig. 5) to connect an implement 4 to the
mounting structure 1. It is foreseen that the hitch bracket plates 54 could
alternatively have other shapes besides triangular. The hitch pin 58 may be
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secured in place with a fastener 59 such as a spring clip, a Cotter pin, or
the like.
The illustrated hitch brackets 16 and 18 are secured to the front and rear
ends of
the central frame 10 to orient them in an upwardly angular manner to position
the
holes in the tabs 56 at a desired height above ground to have the implements 4
secured thereto.
[00024] The front end of the central frame 10 has a pair of spaced apart,
upwardly extending, and angularly oriented front pulley brackets 60.
Similarly, a
pair of rear pulley brackets 62 are connected to the central frame 10 at a
rear end
thereof. The illustrated pulley brackets 60 and 62 are formed of angle stock
and
are connected to the respective hitch brackets 16 and 18, as by bolts and
nuts.
Pulleys or sheaves 64 are rotatably mounted between the sets of pulley
brackets
60 and 62 for the purpose of routing a winch cable 66 (Fig. 7) of a winch 68
(Figs. 4 and 5). The winch 68 can be mounted on the vehicle 2, as shown in
Fig.
5, either at the front or the rear, or it can be mounted on one of the sets of
pulley
brackets 60 or 62 at the front or rear of the central frame 10. The winch
cable 66
is used in the present invention primarily for raising and lowering the
implement
4, as by connection to an eyebolt 70 (Fig. 10) or other attachment point on a
hitch tongue 72 or other part of the implement 4. The winch cable 66 can be
used at the same end at which the winch 68 is mounted or it can be routed to
the
opposite end using the pulleys 64, preferably the lower pulleys on each pulley
bracket 60 and 62 to position the cable 66 close to the central frame 10. The
roller 30 on the chassis fastener 28 allows the cable 66 to ride past the
fastener
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28 with minimal wear on either. The winch cable 66 can also be used in some
circumstances to lift the end of the implement 4 to a position for connection
to
one of the hitch brackets 16 or 18.
[00025] The quick disconnection section 26 of the central frame 10 is
provided to facilitate attachment of the structure 1 to the vehicle 2 and the
removal of the structure 1 therefrom, without the need to jack either end of
the
vehicle 2 up to clear the pulley brackets 60 and 62. By this means, the quick
disconnection section 26 can be extended under the rear of the vehicle 2 while
the remaining portions are extended under the front of the vehicle 2.
Similarly,
for removal, the portions of the structure 10 can be removed from opposite
ends
of the vehicle 2.
[00026] It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present
invention
have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to be limited to the
specific
forms or arrangement of parts described and shown.
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