Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02925911 2016-04-04
FOLDING WING PLOW
TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] This disclosure relates to the field of excavating and more
particularly to
snow and ice removal using a detachable plow moldboard or blade having
articulating
wing extensions or end gates and a wheel protection system for limiting the
rotation of
the end gates depending on the plow orientation.
BACKGROUND
[002] It is common practice to remove snow from streets, parking lots, and
other
vehicular travelled areas through the use of a vehicle mounted snow plow blade
moveable to different angles to direct snow from the area in front of the
vehicle to either
or both sides of the vehicle.
[003] Typically, snow plow blades are mounted to a vehicle transversely of
the
direction of travel. While plows are sometimes rear mounted, for example, on
tractors,
usually snow plow blades are mounted forwardly of the vehicle such as a front
end
loader so that a travel path is cleared for the plow vehicle as the operator
removes the
snow. Most snow plow blades are C-shaped in cross-section about a vertical
plane
containing the direction of travel. Each such plow thus follows a contour that
is an
arcuate section of a cylindrical shell.
[004] The mounting structures for the above-described snow plows include
rigid
assemblies which position the plow blade at a selected orientation with
respect to the
direction of travel. Mounts may include hydraulic systems that operate to cant
or angle
the blade at various obtuse angles with respect to the direction of travel.
Thus, an
operator can tilt the blade over a variety of angles with respect to the
direction of travel
in order to direct materials gathered by the plow blade. Thus, the operator
can direct the
materials either to the left side of the vehicle or to the right side of the
vehicle
depending on how the blade is canted.
[005] Snow plow blades may also be equipped with moveable wing extensions
or
end [swing] gates added to the distal ends of the snow plow blade to increase
plowing
effectiveness or change its performance. The end gates are adapted to provide
a wide
variety of blade configurations and angular dispositions of the end gates
relative to the
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main plow blade. The end gates can typically pivot through 180 degrees such
that each
end gate can be positioned at 90 degrees to the main plow blade, either
forwards or
rearwards, or to an angle anywhere between.
[006] The need for wider snow plows to be more efficient is growing because
most
areas used to transport heavy equipment are designed for narrow widths of
approximately 11.5 feet (3.5 metres).
[007] Snow plows with articulating end gates must be configured to prevent
a
rearward positioned end gate from contacting the tire of the vehicle when the
plow
blade is angled with and an end gate is positioned rearward the main blade.
[008] The mechanical linkage stops used with some existing snow blades
having
end gates are nonadjustable, prone to buckling due to their length and can be
difficult to
set. Other methods include long struts and linkages that can be complex to set-
up and
easily bent.
[009] The present disclosure provides an adjustable stop assembly by
means of a
hydraulic cylinder (per side) that allows multiple end gate positions, and
that can be set
from the vehicle. An adjustable rotating stop assembly allows the vehicle
operator to set
the end gate to precise positions as the environs to be plowed require.
SUMMARY
[0010] In one embodiment, the disclosure provides a snow plow assembly
for a
vehicle comprising a snow plow frame that is attachable to an associated
vehicle. The
snow plow blade is attachable to the snow plow frame and has a snow plow
surface for
use in plowing associated snow, the snow plow blade comprising upper and lower
edges and first and second ends. An end gate is pivotally attached to at least
one distal
end of the snow plow blade. The end gate has a snow plow surface for use in
plowing
associated snow. A hydraulically operable adjustment mechanism is operatively
attached to the snow plow blade and the end gate. The adjustment mechanism
releasably secures the end gate in at least three different positions relative
to the snow
plow blade. A pivotally connected stop assembly means is operably attached to
the
snow plow blade and the end gate. A hydraulically operable adjustment
mechanism is
operatively attached to the snow plow blade and the stop assembly means.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] An embodiment will now be described in detail by way of example,
with
reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0012] Figure 1 is an isometric view of one end of the snow plow blade
and end
gate, illustrating the gate in a closed position.
[0013] Figure 2A is a top view of the plow and gate of Figure 1.
[0014] Figure 2B is a top view of one end of the snow plow blade and
end gate,
illustrating the gate in full rearward position, known as fully open.
[0015] Figure 3 is a top view of one end of the snow plow blade and end
gate with
the gate open to stop (stop assembly is in fully extended position).
[0016] Figure 4 is a top view of one end of the snow plow blade and end
gate with
the gate open to stop (stop assembly is in second extended position).
[0017] Figure 5 is a top view of one end of the snow plow blade and end
gate, with
the gate open to stop (stop assembly is in first extended position).
[0018] Figure 6 is a top view of one end of the snow plow blade and end
gate, with
the gate open to stop (stop assembly is in standard position).
[0019] Figure 7 is a top view of the main plow blade angled left, with
the right gate
open 90 degrees and the left gate open to a stop position.
[0020] Figure 8 is a top view of the main plow blade angled left with
both gates
closed.
[0021] Figure 9 is a top view of the main plow blade angled left, with
gates open to
full width.
[0022] Figure 10 is a top view of the main plow blade angled right,
with the left gate
open 90 degrees and the right gate open to a stop position.
[0023] Figure 11 is a top view of the main plow blade angled right, with
both gates
closed.
[0024] Figure 12 is a top view of the main plow blade angled right,
with both gates
open to full width.
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[0025] Figure 13 is a top view of the main plow blade in a straight
position
(perpendicular to vehicle), with both gates closed.
[0026] Figure 14 is a top view of the main plow blade in a straight
position, with
booth gates open to 180 degrees.
[0027] Figure 15 is a top view of the main plow blade in a straight
position, with the
gates open to full width (aligned with main blade).
[0028] Figure 16 is a perspective view of the snow plow blade of the
present
disclosure in a straight position.
[0029] Figure 17 is a perspective view of the snow plow blade of the
present
disclosure.in an angled position.
[0030] Figure 18 is a perspective view of the snow plow blade of the
present
disclosure.in an angled position with a rearward opened end gate.
[0031] Figure 19 is a close-up view of the stop lug assembly and the
stop slide
assembly in a first extended position.
[0032] Figure 20 is a close-up view of the stop lug assembly is a close-up
view of
the stop lug assembly and the stop slide assembly in a full extended position.
[0033] Figure 21 is a close-up view of the stop lug assembly is a
close-up view of
the stop lug assembly and the stop slide assembly in a second extended
position.
[0034] Figure 22 is a close-up view of the stop lug assembly is a
close-up view of
the stop lug assembly and the stop slide assembly in a standard position.
[0035] Figure 23 is a close-up underside view of the stop lug assembly
showing the
lynch pins positioned through the adjustment pins.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0036] The description, which follows, and the embodiments described
therein, are
provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples of particular
embodiments of
principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided
for the
purposes of explanation, and not of limitation, of those principles and of the
invention. In
the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the
specification and the
drawings with the same respective reference numerals.
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[0037] Shown in Figure 1 is one end of the main blade and end gate 1,
illustrating
the configuration of main hinge pins 2, a stop lug assembly 3, an upper
hydraulic
cylinder for articulating end gate 1, a hydraulic cylinder 4 for operating the
stop
assembly, stop assembly pin 5, adjustable side slide assembly 6, stop assembly
adjustment pins 7, cylinder mount lugs 6 and cylinder mount pin 9.
[0038] Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the end gate 1 is in a fully
closed position facing
straight forward. The stop lug assembly 3 is pulled back and not needed with
the plow
in this position. With the plow in the straight forward position the end gate
1 should be
allowed a full 1800 of rotation and should not interfere with a tire.
[0039] Referring to Figure 2B, end gate 1 is in a fully open position and
abuts
against the stop lug assembly 3. The compression of the piston in the upper
hydraulic
cylinder articulates end gate 1.
[0040] The stop lug assembly has a stop slide assembly disposed
therein. The slide
assembly position can be manually adjusted by means of removing two lynch pins
from
the bottom of the two slide adjustment pins, then pulling the two adjustment
pins up and
out of both the stop lug assembly and the slide assembly within. The slide
assembly
can then be manually pulled to another desired position within the stop lug
assembly,
by lining up corresponding holes and re-inserting the adjustment pins into
different hole
locations and in turn returning the lynch pins to the bottom of the adjustment
pins.
[0041] The adjustable slide assembly enables the operator to further
control the
angle at which the end gate stops, the stop lug assembly holes are set to
allow intervals
of approximately 10 degrees.
[0042] Figure 3 shows the plow main blade rotated to the right and the
end gate 1
opened up to the stop lug assembly 3 in its fully extended position. The upper
hydraulic
cylinder used to rotate the end gate 1 supplies a pulling force bringing the
end gate 1 in
contact with the stop lug assembly 3. A hydraulic cylinder 4 is used to rotate
the stop
lug assembly 3. The hydraulic cylinder 4 is mounted to the main plow blade by
two
cylinder mount lugs 8 and a cylinder mount pin 9. The hydraulic cylinder 4
provides a
pushing force transferring to the stop assembly pin 5 which in turn rotates
the stop lug
assembly 3 about the main hinge pin 2, interfering with and limiting the end
gate 1
rotation, thereby providing protection for the tires on the vehicle.
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[0043] Figure 4 depicts the stop lug assembly 3 adjusted to the second
extended
position, allowing the end gate 1 to rotate farther. The stop lug assembly 3
is adjusted
by removing the two stop assembly adjustment pins 7 and setting the adjustable
slide
assembly 6 to the desired position.
[0044] Shown in Figure 5 is the stop lug assembly 3 set in its first
extended position,
allowing increased end gate 1 rotation.
[0045] Figure 6 shows the stop lug assembly 3 in its standard
position. This position
allows the end gate 1 to rotate parallel to the machine, but no farther,
thereby
preventing interference with the tires.
[0046] Figures 7 to 23 show the snow plow of the present invention in
various
operating positions.
[0047] While the principles of the invention have been shown and
described in
connection with specific embodiments, it is to be understood that such
embodiments
are by way of example and are not limiting. As is evident from the foregoing
description,
certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the particular
details of the
mobile stand illustrated in the drawings. Other modifications and
applications, or
equivalents, will occur to those skilled in the art.
[0048] By way of example only, changes that can be made to this above
described
embodiment without differing from the principle of the invention would
include, cylinder
size and geometry (4), plate thickness and hardness (1,3,6,8), cylinder
connection
points(4), boss sizes (1,3,8), pin sizes (2,5,7,9), size of end gate (1), size
of plow
moldboard and stop lug geometry (3,6). Control valves, proximity sensors and
stroke
sensors can also vary.
[0049] The terms "having", "comprising" and "including" and similar
terms as used in
the foregoing specification are used in the sense of "optional" or "may
include" and not
as "required". Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and
applications
of the present construction will, however, become apparent to those skilled in
the art
after considering the specification and attached drawings. All such changes,
modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart
from the
spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention
which is
limited only by the claims that follow. The scope of the disclosure is not
intended to be
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limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope
consistent with the claims, wherein reference to an element in the singular is
not
intended to mean "one and only one" unless specifically so stated, but rather
one or
more.
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