Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE
[0001] Snow Plow Equipment Carrying System
FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to a system for carrying
equipment on vehicles, including a new form of bracket system attachable to
snow plows of snow-clearing vehicles for carrying equipment.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Snow-clearing vehicles are commonly used in areas that
accumulate snow on a regular basis to clear snow and ice from roads and
walkways. A common form of snow-clearing vehicle is a pickup truck
equipped with a hydraulically raisable snow plow mounted to a hitch frame
on the front of a truck for pushing and thereby clearing a path in the snow
when the truck is driven forward with the plow in the lowered position. Snow
plows are typically straight or V-shaped. Alternatively, snow plows are
comprised of two halves or blades adjacent to one another, configurable so
that the truck operator can configure the plow blades align to form a straight
snow plow, or to angle relative to one another to form a V-shaped
orientation.
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[0004] Often, snow plow vehicle operators will use the truck bed to
carry a commercial salter, which typically occupies the bulk of the available
space in the truck bed. Other equipment, such as hand-operated drop
salters and snow blowers, are often also required to remove snow from areas
less accessible by snow plow trucks. As there is little room in the truck bed,
this equipment is typically transported in a separate vehicle or trailer
hitched
to the truck, and further, impose difficulty to the snow plow vehicle operator
as the weight of the equipment makes loading and unloading the equipment
a time-consuming and physically arduous task.
[0005] Some have attempted to carry snow blowers on snow-plow
mountable platforms which are accessible for loading when the plow is
lowered. The snow blower is placed on the platform and is kept from coming
off of the platform by a ratchet strap placed around and against the rear of
the snow blower. In these cases, the platform occupies much of the space
around the snow plow making it harder for the truck operator to access
equipment mounted on the platform. The size of such platforms also slows
down the unloading process as the truck operator must first clear the
boundaries of the platform before steering and driving the snow blower in the
desired direction. Further, these platforms add significant weight and bulk to
the truck, increasing the cost to drive and operate the vehicle as well as the
complexity of maneuvering the vehicle plow. Snow blowers mounted on
these platforms are also susceptible to damage from bouncing and/or shifting
on the platform as the snow plow truck is driven over bumps, around
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corners, or generally over rough terrain.
SUM MARY
[0006] There is provided a system for releasably engaging, to a blade
of a snow plow, a piece of equipment having a cross member structure and a
pair of wheels, the cross member structure and the wheels being arranged in
the manner of the handle and wheels of a walk-behind snow blower, the
system comprising: a first ramp structure, a second ramp structure, and a
retaining structure. In use, each of the first and second ramp structures are
disposed on a rear side of the blade to define inclined ramps, the retaining
structure is disposed on the rear side of the blade between and above the
ramp structures, and the ramp structures and retaining structure define a
receiving location. The retaining structure is shaped and dimensioned such
that, when the piece of equipment is in the receiving location, the retaining
structure releasably engages the cross member structure to suspend the
piece of equipment above the ground via the cross member structure, and
the ramp structures are shaped and dimensioned such that the piece of
equipment can be drawn to the receiving location and as the piece of
equipment is so drawn, the wheels traverse the ramp structures.
[0007] There is also provided a system for releasably engaging to a
blade of a snow plow a piece of equipment, the blade of the snow plow
having a top edge and being of the type having a mounting bracket on a rear
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side of the blade, the piece of equipment being of the type having a handle
structure, a cross member and one or more wheels, the handle structure,
cross member and the one or more wheels being arranged in the manner of
the handle, lower cross member and the one or more wheels of a walk-
behind broadcast spreader, the system comprising: a bracket which, in use,
is disposed on the rear side of the blade and is adapted to receive the cross
member of the piece of equipment and, while in receipt of the cross member,
permit the piece of equipment to be pivoted about the cross member to a
storage position where the handle structure is disposed adjacent the
mounting bracket.
[0008] Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the
following description taken together with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] For a better understanding of the present invention, and to
show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be
made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings which show
exemplary embodiments of the present invention in which:
[0010] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a receiving location
constructed
in accordance with the present invention.
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[0011] Figure 2 is a top-down angled front view of the first and
second
ramp structures constructed in accordance with the present invention.
[0012] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a snow blower being
drawn up the first and second ramp structures into the receiving location.
[0013] Figure 4 is a top view of the snow blower and ramp structures
depicted in FIG. 3.
[0014] Figure 5 shows a snow blower suspended above the ground in
the receiving location of FIG. 1 while the snow plow is in a V-orientation and
raised.
[0015] Figure 6 is a front view of a bracket constructed in accordance
with the present invention.
[0016] Figure 7 shows a lower cross member of a broadcast spreader
received within the bracket of FIG. 6.
[0017] Figure 8 shows a handle structure of a broadcast spreader in
proximity with a mounting bracket.
[0018] Figure 9 shows a broadcast spreader in a storage position.
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[0019] Figure 10 shows a retaining mechanism releasably attached to a
mounting bracket of the snow plow blade used to further retain a broadcast
spreader.
[0020] Figure 11 shows a snow blower in the receiving location and a
broadcast spreader in the storage position suspended above the ground while
the snow plow is in a straight orientation.
[0021] Figure 12 shows a broadcast spreader in the storage position
and suspended above the ground when the snow plow blade is in contact
with the ground.
[0022] Figure 13 shows a snow blower in the receiving location and
suspended above the ground when the snow plow blade is in contact with the
ground.
[0023] Figure 14 shows a retaining mechanism releasably attached to a
mounting bracket of the snow plow blade used to further retain a snow
blower.
DESCRIPTION
[0024] The present invention may be embodied in a number of different
forms. The specification and drawings that follow describe and disclose some
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of the specific forms of the invention.
[0025] Referring to FIGs. 1-5, a receiving location constructed in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention is noted generally by
reference numeral 10. It is expected that in most cases the receiving
location is located on a rear side 71 of a snow plow blade 70, rear side 71
including the back of the plow blade and any attached framing structure,
such as arcuate framing structures 80. Typically, the receiving location
comprises a first ramp structure 12, a second ramp structure 14 and a
retaining structure 16. The first and second ramp structures can define
inclined ramps. In most cases it is expected that ramp structures 12, 14 and
retaining structure 16 are fixedly attached to the rear side of blade 70, for
example, by welding, although other similar methods for secure attachment,
permanent or not, are contemplated and within the scope of the present
disclosure. The retaining structure 16, in most cases, is disposed between
and above the first and second ramp structures. In some embodiments,
each of the first and second ramp structures 12, 14 and the retaining
structure 16 are angle irons. The angle iron ramp structures 12, 14 are most
clearly depicted in FIG. 2, and the angle iron retaining structure 16 is most
clearly depicted in FIG. 3.
[0026] Receiving location 10 can be used to releasably engage, to the
blade of the snow plow, a piece of equipment. Typically, the equipment has
a cross member structure 32, as shown in FIG. 5, and a pair of wheels 33,
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most clearly depicted in FIGs. 3 and 4, although it is contemplated that the
equipment can have more or less wheels. It is expected that in most cases,
the cross member structure and the wheels are arranged in the manner of
the cross member structure 32 of handle frame 34 and the wheels 33 of a
walk-behind snow blower. Other similarly configured pieces of equipment,
such as lawnmowers, can also be releasably engaged by the receiving
location.
[0027] Referring to FIGs. 5 and 13, it is expected that in most cases,
the retaining structure is shaped and dimensioned such that, when the piece
of equipment is in the receiving location, the equipment is suspended above
the ground via cross member structure 32. Particularly, retaining structure
16 is expected, in most cases, to be positioned near an upper edge 72 of the
snow plow blade 70, so that when retaining structure 16 releasably engages
cross member structure 32, when the snow plow is in contact with the
ground, snow blower 30 remains suspended above the ground, as clearly
depicted in FIG. 13.
[0028] Referring to FIGs. 3 and 4, in most cases it is expected that
ramp structures 12, 14 are shaped and dimensioned such that the piece of
equipment can be drawn to the receiving location and as it is so drawn,
wheels 33 traverse the ramp structures. In particular, it is expected that in
most cases, ramp structures 12, 14 are spaced apart at a distance that
generally corresponds to the spacing between wheels 33. Further, in most
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cases, ramp structures 12, 14 are expected to be vertically disposed, as most
clearly shown in FIG. 2. In this manner, ramp structures 12, 14 are spaced
to allow the piece of equipment to fit within the receiving location, and
further, to provide a vertically oriented surface over which wheels 33 can
traverse when the snow blower is vertically lifted from the ground in order to
releasably engage cross member structure 32 with retaining structure 16. In
use, ramp structures 12, 14 are expected to significantly reduce the lifting
force required to lift heavy wheeled equipment, such as snow blower 30, into
the receiving location.
[0029] Still with reference to FIGs. 3 and 4, in order to engage
wheels
33 with ramp structures 12, 14, in most cases it is expected that the piece of
equipment can be drawn via cross member structure 32 or handle frame 34
towards receiving location 10, and positioned such that wheels 33 are
generally aligned with ramp structures 12, 14. Subsequently, snow blower
30 can be tilted away from blade 70 to raise the wheels 33 off of the ground
and into contact with ramp structures 12, 14, as best shown in FIG. 4.
Alternatively, ramp structures 12, 14 may be dimensioned so that they can
be contacted by wheels 33 without the need to raise the wheels of the snow
blower off of the ground.
[0030] In most cases, it is expected that when wheels 33 are in
contact
with ramp structures 12, 14, sidewalls 31 of the wheels come into contact
with ramp structures 12, 14 so that the ramp structures substantially restrain
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lateral movement of the piece of equipment when the equipment is in the
receiving location.
[0031] The embodiment depicted in FIGs. 1-5 is expected to allow an
operator of a snow removal vehicle to releasably engage a snow blower to
the rear side of a snow plow blade very quickly, easily, and without the need
for a bulky platform apparatus affixed to the plow blade. The ramp
structures allow the operator to stand on the front side of the plow blade,
and with relative ease, pull on the snow blower handle structure away from
the plow blade, in order to move the snow blower up the ramp structures far
enough to releasably engage the cross member structure to the retaining
structure. Similarly, the operator can easily and quickly lift the snow blower
slightly to release the cross member structure from the retaining structure,
thereby freeing the equipment from the snow plow blade for use. It will be
appreciated that ramp structures 12, 14 can be shaped, dimensioned and/or
disposed so that they define inclined ramps that are not vertical, but instead
define slopes that form angles relative to the ground that are less than the
generally orthogonal orientation depicted in the figures, such as, for
example, 70 degrees.
[0032] The embodiment depicted in FIGs. 1-5 uses the weight of the
heavy piece of equipment to securely hold the equipment against the
retaining structure and the ramp structures so that, while the snow removal
vehicle is driven over roads, the weight of the equipment is expected to
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prevent the equipment from bouncing off of the retaining structure.
Referring to FIG. 14, to further retain the piece of equipment against the
plow blade, the operator can employ a retaining mechanism 60 that can be
releasably attached to mounting bracket 18. The retaining mechanism can
be a bungee cord, chain, rope, ratchet strap, or other flexible material of
similar strength.
[0033] Referring to FIGs. 6-12, in accordance with another
embodiment, there is provided a system for releasably engaging to a snow
plow blade a piece of equipment having handle structure 42, cross member
41 and one or more wheels 43. In most cases, it is expected that the handle
structure, cross member and one or more wheels are arranged in the manner
of the handle structure 42, lower cross member 41 and one or more wheels
43 of a walk behind broadcast spreader 40, such as the salt dropper depicted
in FIGs. 7-12. The snow plow blade 70 is expected to have a top edge 72,
and in most cases, a mounting bracket 18 on the rear side 71 of the blade
70.
[0034] In this embodiment, the system comprises a bracket 20, best
shown in FIG. 6. In most cases, the bracket is expected to be disposed on
the rear side 71 of the blade. In accordance with an embodiment, the
bracket comprises an elongate base 22, an elongate side 21 generally
orthogonally fixedly attached to the elongate base along a longitudinal edge
of the elongate base, and an elongate structure defining a retaining roof 23
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opposite the base. The retaining roof 23 is generally orthogonally fixedly
attached to elongate side 21 along a longitudinal edge of the retaining roof.
The retaining roof and the elongate base are disposed such that they form
gap 24 between them, gap 24 being adapted to receive cross member 41 of
the piece of equipment 40.
[0035] Referring to FIG. 7, in use, the operator of the snow removal
vehicle can position cross member 41 of equipment 40 within gap 24.
Referring to FIG. 8, given that emptied broadcast spreaders are relatively
light-weight, the operator can then, while gap 24 is in receipt of cross
member 41, relatively easily pivot the piece of equipment 40 about cross
member 41 to a storage position whereat handle structure 42 is disposed
adjacent to mounting bracket 18. Contrary to the prior embodiment depicted
in FIGs. 1-5, this embodiment does not require ramps as the piece of
equipment 40 is significantly lighter than equipment 30. Instead, gap 24 of
bracket 20 serves as a pivot point that permits the operator to relatively
easily position equipment 40 into the storage position. It will be appreciated
that although bracket 20 is disposed near the bottom of the snow plow blade
in the figures, it may be positioned in other locations that similarly allow
the
operator to pivot the equipment 40 once cross member 4lis received within
gap 24. For instance, cross member 41 may be located higher than that of
the salt dropper in the figures, in which case it may be desirable to position
bracket 20 higher on the rear of the plow blade so that gap 24 can receive
cross member 41 by simply rolling equipment 40 towards the bracket until
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the cross member is received within the gap.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 10, once equipment 30 is in the storage
position, the operator can use the resilience in the handle structure 42 to
temporarily hold equipment 40 in place while he or she retains the piece of
equipment to the rear side of the blade by releasably attaching retaining
mechanism 60 to mounting bracket 18. Retaining mechanism 60 is adapted
to secure handle structure 42 to mounting bracket 18 when equipment 40 is
in the storage position. It is expected that when equipment 40 is retained by
its handle structure against the rear side of the blade by retaining
mechanism 60, cross member 41 remains within gap 24. The retaining
mechanism can be a bungee cord, chain, rope, ratchet strap, or other flexible
material of similar strength.
[0037] Referring to FIGs. 8 and 9, to further retain piece of
equipment
40 against the plow blade, in a further embodiment, there is provided an
equipment retainer 50, which, in use, is disposed on handle structure 42 and
adapted to releasably engage top edge 72 of the blade when the piece of
equipment 40 is in the storage position. In the embodiment shown, the
equipment retainer comprises an elongate bar 51 and an elongate lip 52
generally orthogonally attached to the bar along a longitudinal edge of the
bar. Other similar mechanisms can be used as an equipment retainer, such
as hooks. FIG. 8 shows equipment 40 pivoted to a position whereat the
equipment retainer is nearly in position for releasable engagement with the
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top edge of the plow blade. FIG. 9 depicts equipment 40 pivoted to a
position whereat lip 52 has been be lowered to the front side (not shown) of
the plow blade to releasably engage the plow blade. The flexible resilience in
handle structure 42 permits the operator to maneuver equipment retainer 50
over the top edge 72 in order to position lip 52 on the front side of the
blade.
[0038] When the broadcast spreader, or other like equipment 40, is
held in the storage position, retaining roof 23 and elongate base 22 serve to
substantially restrain vertical movement of the cross member and therefore
of the equipment, while elongate side 21 (or alternatively, rear side 71 in
embodiments not using the elongate side, but rather fixing the retaining roof
and the elongate base directly to rear side 71 of the blade) serves to
restrain
forward movement of equipment 40 and retaining mechanism 60 and/or
equipment retainer 50 serve to restrain rearward movement (i.e. toward the
vehicle) of equipment 40.
[0039] In most cases, it is expected that bracket 20 and equipment
retainer 50 are fixedly attached to rear side 71 of blade 70 and handle
structure 42, respectively, for example, by welding, although other similar
methods for secure attachment, permanent or not, are contemplated and
within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0040] Aspects of the embodiments described may be combined. For
example, bracket 20 may be used with ramp structures 12, 14. In such an
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embodiment, the ramp structures would not serve to facilitate lifting
equipment 40, but to substantially restrain lateral movement of the
equipment by, for example, engagement with opposite ends of cross member
41.
[0041] The embodiments described are expected to allow the operator
of a snow removal vehicle to quickly, efficiently and effectively load and
unload snow removal or other like equipment from the rear side of a snow
plow blade. The invention precludes the need for a bulky and heavy blade-
mounted platform which does little to restrain movement of the equipment
while the vehicle is in transit. Further, because of the minimalistic profile
of
the described embodiments, the pieces of equipment can be releasably
engaged to the rear of the snow plow blades while the plow blades are
retracted into a straight plow orientation, as depicted in FIG. 11. Further
still, as the described embodiments allow the equipment to remain
suspended above ground while the snow plow blades are in contact with the
ground surface, as depicted in FIGs. 12 and 13, it is expected that the snow
removal vehicle operator can plow snow without having to first remove the
equipment from the plow blades.
[0042] It is to be understood that what has been described are the
preferred embodiments of the invention. The scope of the claims should not
be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth above, but should be
given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
