Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
MOUNTING ASSEMBLY FOR COUPLING SNOWPLOW
OR THE LIKE TO A VEHICLE
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
0001 The present invention relates to a mounting assembly for coupling a
snowplow or other
like implement to the front end of a motor vehicle, such as an all terrain
vehicle or the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
0002 Various mounting assemblies have been devised for coupling snowplows to
motor
vehicles, such as pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles. One type of
conventional snowplow
mounting assembly has a frame for mounting to the vehicle and a snowplow
assembly
removably coupled to the frame. The frame attaches to the vehicle chassis and
the front bumper
thereof. This type of snowplow mounting assembly also typically includes a
lifting means for
lowering the snowplow to ground level, or raising the snowplow when not in
use. The lifting
means may be hydraulically actuated or alternatively, it may include a lift
cable and winch
arrangement.
0003 When using this type of mounting asesmebly, the front bumper and chassis
of the vehicle
must often be reinforced to withstand the weight of the snowplow mounting
assembly and the
stresses applied to the vehicle resulting from the deployment of the snowplow.
Substantial
modifications requiring drilling and/or welding are sometimes required to
attach these types of
snowplow mounting assemblies to the vehicle. These modifications can be
expensive and may
have an adverse impact on the resale value of the vehicle.
0004 Moreover, while this type of mounting assembly may be appropriate for
coupling a
snowplow to a tractor or other heavy duty vehicle, it may not to be
particularly well-suited for
use on light all terrain vehicles (ATVs) which have suspension systems. This
is due to the fact
that the weight of the snowplow and any load supported thereon must be
supported by the ATV's
front suspension system. If the load carried on the front of the vehicle is
excessive, it can cause
the front suspension to sag, bottom out, or even collapse.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-2-
0005 Another type of known snowplow mounting assembly uses a thrust coupling
to mount a
snowplow to a vehicle. The thrust coupling has a frame that may be mounted to
the underframe
of the vehicle. A means in the nature of parallelogram arrangement of links is
provided at the
rear end of the frame for suspending the frame from the rear end of the
vehicle. The front end of
the frame is also secured to the front end of the vehicle by chains or cables.
The frame is further
braced to the vehicle chassis by means of a lateral strut. The height of the
thrust frame relative to
the ground may be adjusted by hydraulic lifting meas. More specifically, the
lifting means
includes a hinge block securely fastened onto the front end of the thrust
frame. The hinge block
has a pair of vertically hinged plates mounted on either side thereof.
Pivotally attached to each
of the hinged plates are a hydraulic piston and cross arm member. Each
hydraulic piston is
further pivotally connected to its corresponding cross arm member. The ends of
the cross arm
members are supported by the chains or cables. To urge the snowplow to move
between a raised
position and a lowered position the hydraulic pistons are selectively
retracted or extended
thereby raising lowering the cross arms members. The parallelogram arrangement
of links and
the cables or chains co-operate witth each other to allow the thrust frame to
move in a generally
longitidunal (or horizontal) direction.
0006 While this type of mounting assembly overcomes some of the drawbacks
associated with
the type of mounting assembly previously described above, by distributing a
portion of the
snowplow load throughout the vehicle frame, the plurality of moving parts and
the complexity of
assembly tends to heighten the possibility of malfunction resulting from the
build-up of ice and
dirt. Additionally, there are concerns that such an assembly could unduly
restrict the action of the
ATV's suspension system.
0007 Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a mounting assembly for
coupling a snowplow
or other like implement to the front of an ATV that is of generally simple
construction thereby
mitigating the risk of malfunction. It would further be advantageous to have a
mounting
assembly wherein the load of the snowplow is distributed throughout the
vehicle to prevent
damage to the ATV's front suspension sustem. In this regard, there is a need
for a snowplow
mounting assembly that tends not to interfere and/or hinder the proper
functioning of the ATV's
suspension system. Furthermore, a snowplow mounting assembly that could be
installed onto
the ATV quickly and easily would further be desirable.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-3-
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
0008 In a broad aspect of an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an
assembly for
mounting a snowplow to a vehicle. The vehicle has a front end, a rear end and
a support frame
extending longitudinally between the front and rear ends of the vehicle. The
support frame is
mounted to the undercarriage of the vehicle. The snowplow mounting assembly
includes a
hollow push frame having a front end and a rear end. The front end of the push
frame is adapted
to support the snowplow. The snowplow mounting assembly also has a first
coupling means for
connecting the rear end of the push frame to the support frame and an
attachment means for
securing the push frame to the support frame at a location intermediate the
front and rear ends of
the vehicle. A portion of the attachment means is slideably moveable along the
push frame
between the front and rear ends thereof. Further provided is a second coupling
means for
connecting the front end of the push frame to the support frame. The snowplow
mounting
assembly further includes a linkage assembly that is connected to the push
frame. The linkage
assembly is operable to urge the snowplow to move selectively between a
raised, out-of use
position and a lowered, in-use position. A means for actuating the linkage
assembly is also
provided.
0009 In an additional feature, the push frame has a length. The length of the
push frame is
adjustable to correspond to the length of the vehicle. The push frame includes
a front portion and
rear portion detachably connected to the front portion. The front portion of
the push frame has a
first cross-sectional area and the rear portion of the push frame has a second
cross-sectional area.
The second cross-sectional area is greater than the first cross-sectional area
to thereby permit a
part of the front portion to be received within the rear portion.
0010 In a further feature, each of the front and rear portions are defined by
a pair of opposed
sidewalk, an upper wall and a lower wall. The upper and lower walls extend
between the
opposed sidewalls. The sidewalls of the front and rear portions have at least
one pair of opposed
apertures defined therein. The apertures in the sidewalk of the front portion
are alignable with
the apertures in the sidewalls of the rear portion when the front and rear
portions are connected
to each other. The apertures are sized to receive a pin for fastening the
front portion to the rear
portion.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-4-
OOlI In yet another feature, the first coupling means includes a hitch carried
on the rear end of
the push frame. The rear end of the push frame has a pair of spaced apart
mounting arms for
receiving therebetween the hitch. The pair of mounting arms stands proud of
the rear end of the
push frame to face the undercarriage of the vehicle when the push frame is
mounted to the
support frame. In still another feature, the hitch is hingedly mounted between
the pair of
mounting arms.
0012 In yet a further feature, the snowplow mounting assembly has means for
adjusting the
height of the hitch relative to the rear end of the push frame. The attachment
means includes a
first portion and a second portion. The first portion is the portion of the
attachment means that is
slideably moveable along the push frame between the front and rear ends
thereof. The second
portion is fixed to the support frame. The first portion of the attachment
means is a sliding
member. The second portion of the attachment means is a clamping device
pivotally connected
to the sliding member. The push frame includes a front portion and rear
portion detachably
connected to the front portion. The sliding member is mounted in substantially
surrounding
relation to the front portion of the push frame and is adapted to slide
longitudinally therealong.
0013 In an additional feature, the clamping device includes a pair of clamping
members
operatively connected to each other for fastening to the support frame and a
pair of spaced apart
mounting arms for carrying the clamping members therebetween. Each mounting
arm has a first
end fastened to the clamping members and a second end attached to the sliding
member.
0014 In another feature, the snowplow mounting assembly further includes a
snowplow
support bracket fixed to the push frame adjacent the front end thereof. The
linkage assembly
includes at least one linkage rod, at least one bar link, at least one dog-
legged link and a
generally, L-shaped lever. The at least one linkage rod extends between the
front and rear ends of
the push frame. The at least one linkage rod has a front end, a rear end and
an elongate slot
formed therein adjacent the rear end thereof. The at least one bar link has a
first end and a second
end. The first end of the at least one bar link is connected to the at least
one linkage rod. The at
least one dog-legged link has a first end pivotally connected to the second
end of the at least one
bar link and a second end connected to the actuating means. The at least one
dog-legged link is
mounted to the push frame at a link pivot connection located intermediate the
first and second
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-5-
ends of the at least one dog-legged link. The link pivot connection extends
into the hollow of the
push frame for connection to the at least one linkage rod. The generally L-
shaped, lever has a
first arm and a second arm joined to the first arm. Each arm has a proximal
end and a distal end.
The distal end of the first arm being pivotally connected to the second
coupling means. The
distal end of the second arm is connected to the front end of the at least one
linkage rod. The
lever is mounted to the snowplow mounting bracket at a lever pivot connection
located between
the proximal and distal ends of the second arm. The at least one linkage rod
is housed within the
push frame. The push frame has an elongate slot defined therein. The rear end
of the at least one
linkage rod is constrained to travel longitudinally along the slot defined in
the push frame.
0015 In still another feature, the at least one linkage rod is a first linkage
rod and the linkage
assembly includes a second linkage rod. The second linkage rod has a front
end, a rear end and
an elongate slot formed therein between the front and rear ends thereof. The
first and second
linkage rods are disposed within the push frame side-by-side. The distal end
of the second arm of
the lever is connected to the front end of the second linkage rod.
0016 In a further feature, the second linkage rod is housed within the push
frame. The elongate
slot of the push frame is a first slot and the push frame has a second opposed
slot defined therein.
The rear end of the second linkage rod is constrained to travel longitudinally
along the second
slot of the push frame.
0017 In yet another feature, the at least one bar link is a first bar link and
the at least one dog-
legged link is a first dog-legged link. The linkage assembly includes a second
bar link spaced
apart from the first bar link and a second dog-legged link spaced apart from
the first dog-legged
link. The second bar link has a first end and a second end. The first end of
the second bar link is
connected to the second linkage rod. The second dog-legged link has a first
end pivotally
connected to the second end of the second bar link and a second end connected
to the actuating
means. The second dog-legged link is mounted to the push frame at a second
link pivot
connection located intermediate the first and second ends of the second dog-
legged link. The
second link pivot connection extends into the hollow of the push frame for
connection to the
second linkage rod.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-6-
0018 In an additional feature, the actuating means includes manual actuating
means. The
manual actuating means includes an actuating lever operatively connected to
the linkage
assembly. The actuating lever is a generally L-shaped, actuating lever with a
first arm and a
second arm joined thereto. Each arm has a proximal end and a distal end. The
first arm is fixedly
mounted to the linkage assembly adjacent its distal end. The distal end of the
second arm
terminates in a handle. The handle of the actuating lever is within reach of a
driver of the vehicle.
In another feature, the actuating lever is moveable between an engaged
position whereat the
snowplow is in the lowered, in-use position and a disengaged position whereat
the snowplow is
in the raised, out-of use position.
0019 In yet another feature, the snowplow mounting assembly includes means for
supporting
the snowplow on the front end of the push frame. The snowplow support means
includes a
bracket fixed atop the push frame adjacent the front end thereof and a
snowplow mounting
member for attaching to the snowplow. The mounting member is attached to the
bracket.
0020 In a further feature, the push frame has a flange member that extends
from the front end
of the push frame. The snowplow mounting member rests atop the flange member.
The
snowplow support means further includes fastening means for securing the
snowplow mounting
member to the flange member.
0021 In yet another feature, the mounting member includes a generally semi-
circular plate and
a band welded thereto. The semi-circular plate has an arcuate edge and a
substantially straight
edge. The band extends along the arcuate edge of the semi-circular plate. The
straight edge of the
semi-circular plate is disposed opposite the snowplow and the arcuate edge is
disposed opposite
the bracket, when the mounting member is attached to the snowplow. The semi-
circular plate is
pivotally connected to the flange member. In an additional feature, the
fastening means is pivot
connection member and each of the flange member and the semi-circular plate
has an aperture
defined therein. The apertures are aligned one with the other to receive
therethrough the pivot
connection member.
0022 In still another additional feature, the snowplow mounting assembly
further includes an
indexed snowplow orientation assembly operable to fix the snowplow in a
predetermined angular
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
_7_
position selected from a set of discrete angular positions relative to the
front end of the push
frame.
0023 In a further feature, the band has a plurality of indexing apertures
formed therein. Each
indexing aperture corresponds to one the predetermined angular positions
selected from the set
of discrete angular positions. The bracket includes a pair of opposed, spaced
apart, first and
second walls standing proud of the push frame. Each of the first and second
walls has an opening
defined therein. The openings in the first and second walls are alignable with
one of the plurality
of indexing apertures formed in the band. The indexed snowplow orientation
means includes an
indexing pin for insertion into the openings and one of the plurality of
indexing apertures when
aligned. The openings in the first and second walls, the plurality of indexing
apertures and the
indexing pin define the indexed snowplow orientation means.
0024 In another feature, the indexing pin is supported by the first and second
walls and is
mounted to extend through the openings defined therein. The indexing pin is
moveable between
an engaged position and a disengaged position. In the engaged position, the
indexing pin extends
through the openings and one of the plurality of indexing apertures in
alignment to thereby fix
the snowplow in one of the predetermined angular positions selected from the
set of
predetermined angular positions. In the disengaged position, the indexing pin
extends short of
any of the plurality of indexing apertures to thereby allowing the semi-
circular plate to be rotated
about the pivot connection member and the snowplow to be moved to one of the
predetermined
angular positions selected from the set of predetermined angular positions.
Additionally, the
indexing pin is spring-loaded and is biased toward the engaged position.
0025 In a broad aspect of an embodiment of the invention, there is provided an
assembly for
mounting an implement to a vehicle. The vehicle has a front end, a rear end
and a support frame
extending longitudinally between the front and rear ends of the vehicle. The
support frame is
mounted to the undercarriage of the vehicle. The implement mounting assembly
includes a
hollow push frame having a front end and a rear end. The front end of the push
frame is adapted
to support the implement. The implement mounting assembly also has a first
coupling means for
connecting the rear end of the push frame to the support frame and an
attachment means for
securing the push frame to the support frame at a location intermediate the
front and rear ends of
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-g_
the vehicle. A portion of the attachment means is slideably moveable along the
push frame
between the front and rear ends thereof. Further provided is a second coupling
means for
connecting the front end of the push frame to the support frame. The implement
mounting
assembly further includes a linkage assembly that is connected to the push
frame. The linkage
assembly is operable to urge the implement to move selectively between a
raised, out-of use
position and a lowered, in-use position. A means for actuating the linkage
assembly is also
provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
0026 The embodiments of the present invention shall be more clearly understood
with
reference to the following detailed description of the embodiments of the
invention taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
0027 FIG. 1 is a side elevation view showing the snowplow mounting assembly
operatively
connected to an all terrain vehicle shown in stippled lines, the snowplow
occupying a raised, out-
of use position;
0028 FIG. 2 is another side elevation view of the snowplow mounting assembly
similar to that
shown in FIG. 1, with the snowplow occupying a lowered, in-use position;
0029 FIG. 3 is a rear right perspective view of the snowplow mounting assembly
of FIG. 1
shown mounted to a support frame of the all terrain vehicle, the support frame
being shown in
stippled lines and the all terrain vehicle being omitted for clarity;
0030 FIG. 4 is a front left perspective view of the snowplow mounting assembly
of FIG. 2
shown mounted to a support frame of the all terrain vehicle, the support frame
being shown in
stippled lines and the all terrain vehicle being omitted for clarity;
0031 FIG. 5 is a partially exploded, rear right perspective view of the
snowplow mounting
assembly shown in FIG. 2;
0032 FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the snowplow mounting assembly of FIG.
3 with the
snowplow occupying the raised, out-of use position;
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-9-
0033 FIG. 7 is a side elevation view of the snowplow mounting assembly of FIG.
4, but with
the snowplow occupying the lowered, in-use-position;
0034 FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the snowplow mounting assembly shown in FIG.
7, the
snowplow being fixed in a first predetermined angular position relative to the
front end of the
push frame and having a substantially perpendicular orientation;
0035 FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the snowplow mounting assembly of
FIG. 8 taken
along line "9-9";
0036 FIG. 10 is a magnified, partial cross-sectional view of the snowplow
support means
shown in encircled portion "10" in FIG. 9;
0037 FIG. 11 is a front left perspective view of the snowplow mounting
assembly of FIG. 6
with the support frame removed and certain portions of the push frame shown in
stippled lines to
better reveal the linkage assembly;
0038 FIG. 12 is rear left perspective view of the snowplow mounting assembly
of FIG. 7 with
the support frame removed and certain portions of the push frame shown in
stippled lines to
better reveal the linkage assembly;
0039 FIG. 13 is an isolated, front right perspective view of the indexed
snowplow orientation
assembly shown in FIG. 8, the locking pin of the orientation assembly being
retracted to permit
the snowplow to be moved from a first angular position to a second
predetermined angular
position;
0040 FIG. 14 is another isolated perspective view of the indexed snowplow
orientation
assembly similar to that illustrated in FIG. 13, showing the snowplow fixed in
the second
predetermined angular position; and
0041 FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the snowplow mounting assembly shown in
FIG. 4 with the
snowplow fixed in the second predetermined angular position and having a
skewed orientation.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
- 10-
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
0042 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 of the invention. In the
description that follows, like
parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same
respective
reference numerals.
0043 Referring to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a snowplow mounting assembly
designated
generally with reference numeral 20. The snowplow mounting assembly 20 is
mounted to a
motor vehicle, such as, a four-wheel, recreational all terrain vehicle (ATV)
22 or the like. The
ATV 22 has a front end 24, a rear end 26 and a support frame 28 that attaches
to its
undercarriage 30 for mounting the snowplow mounting assembly 20 thereto. The
support frame
28 is secured to the undercarriage 30 by welding, or other conventional
fastening techniques.
0044 The support frame 28 is disposed between each pair 32, 34 of front and
rear wheels and
extends longitudinally between the front and rear ends 24 and 26 of the ATV
22. The support
frame 28 includes a pair of spaced apart support members 36a and 36b made of
structural steel
tubing, joined to each other at generally, U-shaped, front and rear ends 40
and 42, respectively.
Each end 40, 42 is adapted for connecting to a portion of the snowplow
mounting assembly 20.
When viewed in side elevation as shown in FIG. 7, the support members 36a and
36b extend
generally horizontally from the rear end 42 toward the front end 40 of the
support frame 28. At a
location 44 closer to the front end 40 than to the rear end 42, the support
members 36a and 36b
become generally upturned such that the front end 40 is carried higher from
the ground than the
rear end 42.
0045 Support frame 28 is an example of the type of support frame with which
the snowplow
mounting assembly 20 may be used. It will be appreciated that differently
configured support
frames could be employed instead of support frame 28 and to similar advantage
with the
appropriate modifications being made to the snowplow mounting assembly 20.
0046 With reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the snowplow mounting assembly 20 has
a hollow
push beam or frame 50 with a front end 52 and a rear end 54. The front end 52
of the push frame
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-lI-
50 is adapted to support a snowplow 56 or other similar, front-mounted,
implement or ATV
accessory. The rear end 54 of the push frame 50 is connected to the support
frame 28 by way of
a first coupling means 58. The snowplow mounting assembly 20 further includes
an attachment
means 60 for securing the push frame 50 to the support frame 28 at a location
intermediate the
front and rear ends 24 and 26 of the ATV 22. A second coupling means 62
connects the front
end 52 of the push frame 50 to the support frame 28. Connected to the push
frame 50 is a
linkage assembly 64. The linkage assembly 64 is operable to urge the snowplow
56 to move
selectively between a raised, out-of use position 66 and a lowered, in-use
position 68. A means
70 for actuating the linkage assembly 64 is also provided.
0047 In the preferred embodiment, the push frame 50 is of two-piece
construction. It has a
front portion 72 and a rear portion 74 detachably connected to the front
portion 72. The front
portion 72 carries snowplow support means 76 at the front end 52 of the push
frame 50. In
particular, the front portion 72 supports a bracket 78 to which is mounted a
portion of the linkage
assembly 64.
0048 Each portion 72, 74 is constructed from a generally rectangular hollow
structural steel
(HSS) member. In alternative embodiments, structural steel members having
different shapes in
cross-section could also be employed to similar advantage.
0049 The cross-sectional area of the rear portion 74 is greater than the cross-
sectional area of
the front portion 72 so as to permit an end of the front portion 72 to be
received within the rear
portion 74. It will thus be appreciated that the length of the push frame 50
may be adjusted to
suit the length of the ATV 22 to which the snowplow mounting assembly 20 is
being attached.
Each of the front and rear portions 72 and 74 has a pair of opposed,
relatively short sidewalls 80a
and 80b (best shown in FIG. 8) and a pair of opposed, relatively wide, upper
and lower walls 82
and 84 (best shown in FIG. 7). Defined in each of the short sidewalls 80a, 80b
of the front
portion 72 is a series of spaced apertures (not shown). A corresponding pair
of these apertures
are alignable with a pair of apertures formed within the short sidewalls 80a
and 80b of the rear
portion 74, when the front and rear portions 72 and 74 are connected to each
other. A locking
pin 88 inserted within the aligned apertures is used to fasten the front
portion 72 to the rear
portion 74.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-12-
0050 In the preferred embodiment, the coupling means 58 takes the form of a
hitch 90 that is
carned on the rear end 54 of the push frame 50. The hitch 90 includes an
apertured plate 92 and
a mounting rod 94 welded thereto. The apertured plate 92 is coupled to a
corresponding
connection member 96 carried on the U-shaped rear end 42 of the support frame
28 by a
conventional fastener, for instance a pin and lock clip. Connection member 96
may be factory
installed onto the ATV 22 or alternatively, may be an "aftermarket" mounted
hitch accessory.
Additionally, while it is preferred that the connnection member be onto the
rear end of the
support frame, in other applications it may be desirable or practical to have
the connection
member be mounted to another vehicle component disposed at the rear end of the
ATV 22.
0051 The hitch 90 is hingedly mounted between a pair of spaced apart mounting
arms 98 that
stand proud of the rear end 54 of the push frame 50 to face the undercarriage
30 of the ATV 22
when the push frame 50 is mounted to the support frame 28. Each mounting arm
98 has a series
of apertures 100 defined therein. Each pair of opposed, aligned apertures 100
in the mounting
arms 98 is adapted to receive therein the opposed ends of mounting rod 94.
Each pair of aligned
apertures 100 corresponds to a particular height. The height at which the
hitch 90 is carried
relative to the rear end 54 of the push frame 50 may be adjusted to obtain the
desired mechanical
clearance or suspension characteristics by inserting the mounting rod 94
within that pair of
opposed aligned apertures 100 corresponding to the desired height.
0052 Referring to FIGS. 4, 7 and 8 the attachment means 60 includes a sliding
member 110
and a clamping device 112 pivotally connected thereto. In the preferred
embodiment, the sliding
member 110 is a generally rectangular channel or sleeve 114 with a cross-
sectional area slightly
larger than that of the front portion 72 of the push frame 50. The sleeve 114
is mounted in
substantially surrounding relation to the front portion 72 of the push frame
50 and is adapted to
slide longitudinally therealong. As will be explained in greater detail below,
upon actuation of
the linkage assembly 64, the sleeve 114 is urged to slide between the front
and rear ends 52 and
54 of the push frame 50.
0053 The clamping device 112 has a pair of releasable, clamping members - an
upper clamping
member 120 and a lower clamping member 122 - operatively connected to each
other for
fastening to the support frame 28, and a pair of spaced apart mounting arms
124a and 124b for
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-13-
carrying the clamping members 120 and 122 therebetween (best shown in FIG. 8).
Each
mounting arm 124a, 124b has a first end 126 fastened to the lower clamping
member 122 and a
second end 128 pivotally attached to a flange member 130 (shown in FIG. 9).
The flange
member 130 depends downwardly from the sleeve 114 extending below the lower
wall 84 of the
push frame 50.
0054 The lower clamping member 122 extends between, and is retained by, the
first ends 126
of mounting arms 124a and 124b. The upper clamping member 120 is connected to
the lower
clamping member 122 by way of fasteners in the nature of eyebolts 132. The
eyebolts 132 are
fixed to the lower clamping member 122 at spaced apart locations and are sized
to receive the
ends of the upper clamping member 120 within their respective eyes. When the
snowplow
mounting assembly 20 is operatively connected to the support frame 28, the
support members
36a and 36b of support frame 28 are held firmly between the upper and lower
clamping members
120 and 122 (as shown in FIG. 9). This arrangement helps the snowplow mounting
assembly 20
to resist lateral loads applied thereto during use.
0055 As shown in FIG. 8, the sleeve 114, the mounting arms 124a and 124, and
the upper and
Lower clamping members 120 and 122 cooperate with each other to define an A-
frame type
mount anchored to the support frame 28. As will be appreciated by a person
skilled in the art,
the hitch 90 and the A-frame type mount allow the push frame 50 to "float"
relative to the
support frame 28 (i.e. adjust its elevation and travel independently of the
support frame 28) to
accommodate variances in terrain. Thus configured, the snowplow mounting
assembly 20 tends
not to interfere or restrict the actions of the ATV's suspension system.
0056 In the preferred embodiment, the second coupling means 62 takes the form
of an elongate
rigid connecting rod 140. The connecting rod 140 has a first end 142 pivotally
attached to a
portion of the linkage assembly 64, and an opposed second end 144. The second
end 144 of the
connecting rod 140 is mounted to a fitting 146 for pivotal motion. The fitting
146 extends
frontwardly from the U-shaped front end 40 of the support frame 28.
0057 While it is preferred that the connecting rod 140 be mounted to support
frame 28, in
certain applications, it may be desirable or practical to attach the
connecting rod to the front
bumper of the vehicle, or other like vehicle part disposed at the front end of
the vehicle.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
- 14-
Additionally, the second mounting means 62 need not be a rigid connecting rod.
In an
alternative embodiment, the second coupling means may take the form of a
strap, a cable, a
chain, or the like.
0058 It will thus be appreciated that the snowplow mounting assembly 20
employs a three-
point connection system for securing to the support frame 28. This type of
connection system
better allows the weight of the snowplow and any load supported thereon to be
distributed along
the support frame, thereby minimizing the risk of damage to the ATV's front
suspension system.
0059 Referring to FIG. 5, the snowplow mounting assembly 20 is installed onto
the ATV 22 by
mating the hitch 90 to the corresponding connection member 96 carried by the
rear end 42 of the
support frame 28. The first end 142 of the connecting rod 140 is attached to
lever 156 of the
linkage assembly 64, while the second end 144 thereof is secured to the
fitting 146 of the support
frame 28. The clamping device 112 is then connected to the support members 36a
and 36b. The
upper clamping member is removed from the clamping device 112 to allow the
lower clamping
member 122 to be placed against the support frame 28. The clamping device 112
can then be
fixed in place by inserting the upper clamping member 120 through the eyes of
the eyebolt 132.
The upper and lower clamping members 120 and 122 co-operate with each other to
fixedly retain
the support frame 28 therebetween.
0060 Thus configured, the snowplow mounting assembly 20 may be attached (or
detached)
from the support frame 28 of the ATV 22 quickly and easily. Moreover, as will
be appreciated
the attachment of the snowplow mounting assembly 20 to the ATV 22 does not
require
substantial modifications in the nature of welding or drilling to be made to
the ATV 22, its
chassis or underframe 30.
0061 With reference to FIGS. 9, 10 and 12, the linkage assembly 64 is now
described in
greater detail. In the preferred embodiment, the linkage assembly 64 includes
a pair of linkage
rods 150a and 150b, a pair of opposed bar links 152a and 152b, a pair of
opposed dog-legged
links 154a and 154b and a generally flat, L-shaped lever 156 - the foregoing
elements being
operatively connected to each other as described below.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-15-
0062 The linkage rods 150a and 150b are elongate, substantially flat members
that extend
between the front and rear ends 52 and 54 of the push frame 50. In the
preferred embodiment,
the linkage rods 150a and 150b are housed side-by-side and in spaced relation
to each other,
within the hollow of the push frame 50. Each linkage rod 150a, 154b has a
front end 158, a rear
end 160, a first elongate slot 162 formed therein adjacent the rear end 160
thereof and a second
elongate slot 164 formed therein closer to the rear end 160 than to the front
end 158. The slots
162 and 164 are provided to allow the linkage rods 150a and 150b to travel
longitudinally within
the push frame 50.
0063 As will be explained in greater detail below, the linkage rods 150a and
150b are movable
between an extended position 166 (shown in FIG. 12) and a retracted position
168 (shown in
FIG. 11 ) when the linkage assembly 64 is actuated. When moved to the extended
position 166,
the front ends 158 of the linkage rods 150a and 150b are brought closer to the
front end 52 of the
push frame 50. Correspondingly, the front ends 158 are moved away from the
front end 52 of
the push frame 50 when the linkage rods 150a and 150b are brought to their
retracted position
168.
0064 With reference to FIG. 4, 11 and 12, the linkage rods 150a and 150b are
connected to
each other at their respective rear ends 160 by a roller member 170. The
roller member 170 is
constrained to travel along opposed slots 172 formed in the short sidewalls
80a and 80b of the
push frame 50. In effect, the arrangement of roller member 170 and slots 172
acts to limit the
travel of the linkage rods 1 SOa and 1 SOb relative to the push frame 50.
0065 In the present embodiment, the linkage rods 150a and 150b are not equally
spaced from
each other throughout their respective lengths. More specifically and as best
shown in FIG. 10,
the distance between the respective rear ends 160 of the linkage rods 150a and
150b is greater
than the distance separating the respective front ends 158 thereof. The
linkage rods 150a and
150b converge towards each other at their respective front ends 158 to connect
to the lever 156.
0066 The bar links 152a and 152b are spaced apart from each other and are
disposed on either
side of the push frame 50. Each of the bar links 152a, 152b has a first end
180 pivotally
connected to the roller member 170 and a second end 182 connected to one of
the dog-legged
links 154a, 154b, as the case may be.
DM TOR1263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-16-
0067 In like fashion, each of the dog-legged links I54a, 154b is spaced from
the other and is
disposed on one side of the push frame 50. Each of the dog-legged links 154a,
154b also has a
first end 184 and second end 186. The first end 184 of each dog-legged link
154a, 154b is
pivotally connected to the second end 182 of each bar link 152a, 152b, while
the second end 186
of each dog-legged link 154a, 154b is attached to the actuating means 70. Each
of the dog-
legged links 154a, 154b is mounted to a respective short sidewall 80a, 80b of
the push frame 50
at a link pivot connection 190 located intermediate the first and second ends
184 and 186 of each
respective dog-legged link 154a, 154b. The link pivot connections 190 extend
into the hollow of
the push frame through apertures formed within the short sidewalls 80a and
80b, and are
ultimately received within the slots 162 defined in the linkage rods 150a and
150b.
0068 While it is preferred that the linkage assembly 64 employ a dual
arrangement of opposed
linkage rods 150a and 150, bar links 152a and 152b, and dog-legged links 154a
and 154b, it
should be appreciated that with the appropriate adaptations, a single
arrangement could be used
to similar advantage. More specifically, in an alternative embodiment, the
linkage assembly
could be configured with a single linkage rod, bar link and dog-legged link
operatively
connected to each other.
0069 Referring to FIG. 9 and 10, the lever 156 is operatively connected to the
linkage rods
150a and 150b and to the connecting rod 140, and is pivotally mounted to the
bracket 78. The
generally L-shaped lever 156 has a first lever arm 200 and a second lever arm
202 joined to the
first lever arm 200. The second lever arm 202 is relatively shorter than the
first lever arm 200.
Each lever arm 200, 202 has a proximal end 204, 206 and a distal end 208, 210
respectively.
The first and second lever arms 200 and 202 are joined together at their
respective proximal ends
204 and 206. The distal end 208 of the first lever arm 200 is pivotally
connected to the first end
142 of the connecting rod 140. The second lever arm 202 extends into the
hollow of the push
frame 50 through a narrow slot 194 defined in the front portion 72. The distal
end 210 of the
second lever arm 202 is attached to the first and second linkage rods 150a and
150b at their
respective front ends 158 via pin connections 212. The fulcrum of the Lever
156 is situated at a
lever pivot connection 214 located approximately midway between the proximal
and distal ends
206 and 210 of the second lever arm 202. Extending from either side of the
lever 156 at the
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-17-
lever pivot connection 214 are pivot pins 216 for insertion in apertures
defined in the opposed,
spaced-apart sidewalk 220a and 220b which partially define the bracket 78.
0070 Upon actuation of the linkage assembly 64, the lever 156 is urged to
pivot about the lever
pivot connection 214 and may be moved between a raised position 222 (shown in
FIG. 7) and a
lowered position 224 (shown in FIG. 6). The travel of the linkage rods 150a
and 150b between
the retracted position 168 and the extended position 166 during actuation of
the linkage assembly
64 causes a force (push or pull, as the case may be) to be applied at the
distal end 210 of the
second lever arm 202. The application of this force creates a moment about the
lever pivot
connection 214 and causes the lever 156 to pivot between the raised position
222 and the
lowered position 224.
0071 In this embodiment, the lever 156 is a unitary component made of
structural steel bent to
obtain the desired shape. In alternative embodiments, the lever may be
manufactured from other
metals or like materials exhibiting the required strength characteristics, and
may be shaped
differently.
0072 In the preferred embodiment, the actuating means 70 includes a manually-
actuated lever
230 operatively connected to the linkage assembly 64. With specific reference
to FIGS. 11 and
12, the lever 230 is generally L-shaped and constructed of structural steel
tubing. It has a first
lever arm 232 and a second lever arm 234 joined to the first lever arm 232.
Each lever arm 232,
234 has a proximal end 236, 238 and a distal end 240, 242 respectively. The
first and second
lever arms 232 and 234 are joined together at their respective proximal ends
236 and 238.
Adjacent its distal end 240, the first lever arm 232 is fixedly secured to the
dog-legged links 154a
and 154b. More specifically, the first lever arm 232 extends through apertures
defined in the
second ends 186 of the dog-legged links 154a and 154b to connect to the second
lever arm 234.
The distal end 242 of the second lever arm 234 terminates in a handle 246 that
is within reach of
a driver of the ATV 22.
0073 The lever 230 is moveable between an engaged position 250 (shown in FIG.
7) and
disengaged, generally upright, position 252 (shown in FIG. 6). Broadly
speaking, when the lever
230 is moved to the disengaged position 252, the linkage assembly 64 is
actuated and urges the
snowplow 56 to move to the raised, out-of use position 66.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-18-
0074 As best shown in FIGS. 6 and 10, when the lever 230 is in the disengaged
position 252,
the bar links 152a and 152b and the dog-legged links 154a and 154b are fully
extended. More
specifically, the first ends 180 of the bar links 152a and 152b are the
furthest away from the link
pivot connections 214 of the dog-legged links 154a and 154b. The roller member
170 abuts
against the rearward edge of slots 172 formed in the short sidewalls 80a and
80b. The linkage
rods 150a and 150b are in their retracted position 168 and the lever 156 is in
the lowered position
224. Moreover, in this arrangement, the upper wall 82 of push frame 50 abuts
the support frame
28.
0075 To deploy the snowplow 56, the driver of the ATV 22 actuates the linkage
assembly 64
by bringing the lever 230 to its engaged position 250. As the lever 230 moves
from its
disengaged position 252 to its engaged position 250, a moment is applied at
the link pivot
connection 190 thereby causing the dog-legged links 154a and 154b to rotate
thereabout. As the
dog-legged links 154a and 154b pivot, the first ends 182 of the bar links 152a
and 152b are
brought nearer to the link pivot connection 190 as shown in FIG. 10. The
roller member 170 is
urged to travel along the slot 172 defined in the push frame 50 and the
linkage rods 150a and
150b move toward the front end 52 of the push frame 50. As the linkage rods
150a and 150b
move to their extended position 166, they exert a force against the distal end
of the second lever
arm thereby creating a moment about the lever pivot connection 214. The moment
causes the
lever 156 to pivot from the lowered position 224 to the raised position 222.
The distal end 208 of
the first lever arm 200 pivots about the first end 142 of the connecting rod
140. As a result, the
distance measured between the U-shaped end 40 of the support frame 28 and the
front end 52 of
the push frame 50 is increased thereby permitting the snowplow 56 to be
lowered to ground
level. The sleeve 114 slides along the push frame 50 to adjust to the varying
geometry.
0076 In the present embodiment, the actuating means 70 is manually actuated.
However, this
need not be the case in every application. In an alternative embodiment, with
the appropriate
modifications, the actuating means could be foot-actuated. For instance, in
such an embodiment,
the manually actuated lever could be replaced with a foot-actuated pedal. In
other embodiments,
the actuating means could be motorized.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
- 19
0077 The snowplow mounting means 76 is now described in greater detail with
reference to
FIGS. 8 and 10. The snowplow support means 76 includes the bracket 78 and a
snowplow
mounting member 260 releasably attached to the bracket 78. The snowplow
mounting member is
connected to the snowplow 56.
0078 Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the bracket 78 is fixed atop the front
portion 72 of the push
frame 50 adjacent the front end 52. It has a base 262 welded to the upper wall
82 of the push
frame 50, a pair of opposed, spaced apart, first and second walls 264 and 266
standing proud of
the base 262 and extending transverse of the push frame 50. Each of the first
and second walls
264, 266 has a central opening 268 defined therein. Extending rearwardly from
the side edges of
the first wall 264 are the opposed, spaced-apart sidewalk 220a and 220b
between which the lever
156 is carried.
0079 The second wall 266 also has a tab 304 that extends from the top edge
thereof toward the
front end 52 of the push frame 50, substantially at a right angle. The tab 304
and the base 262 co-
operate with each other to retain the snowplow mounting member 260
therebetween.
0080 As shown in FIG. 8, the snowplow mounting member 260 includes a plate 270
and a
band 272 welded thereto. The plate 270 has a generally, semi-circular
footprint defined by an
arcuate edge 274 and a substantially, straight edge 276. The band 272 extends
along the arcuate
edge 274 of the semi-circular plate 270 and has a plurality of apertures 278
formed therein at
spaced apart locations. Grooves 280 corresponding to, and communicating with,
the apertures
278 are also defined in the semi-circular plate 270.
0081 Projecting beyond the arcuate edge 274 of the semi-circular plate 270 are
a pair of
mounting flanges 282a and 282b welded to the end of the band 272. The mounting
flanges 282a
and 282b are used to secure the snowplow 56 to the snowplow mounting member
260. When the
snowplow mounting member 260 is attached to the snowplow 56, the straight edge
276 of the
semi-circular plate 270 is disposed opposite the snowplow 56 and the arcuate
edge 274 is
disposed opposite the second wall 266 of the bracket 78 as best shown in FIG.
8.
0082 A flange member 284 that extends from the front end 52 of the push frame
50 supports
the snowplow mounting member 260. In the preferred embodiment, the semi-
circular plate 270
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-20-
is pivotally connected to the flange member 284. More specifically, each of
the flange member
284 and the semi-circular plate 270 has an aperture defined therein. The
aperture in the semi-
circular plate 270 is formed in a small nub 286 (best shown in FIG.B) that
protrudes from the
straight edge 276. The apertures in the flange member 284 and plate 270 are
aligned one with the
other and a fastening means in the nature of a pivot connection member 288 is
inserted
therethrough thereby securing the semi-circular plate 270 to the flange member
284.
0083 In this arrangement, the semi-circular plate 270 can be made to rotate
about the pivot
connection member 288 thereby allowing the orientation of the snowplow 56 to
be adjusted
relative to the front end 52 of the push frame 50. An indexed snowplow
orientation assembly 290
operable to fix the snowplow 56 in a predetermined angular position selected
from a set of
discrete angular positions relative to the front end 52 of the push frame 50,
is further provided.
0084 The indexed snowplow orientation assembly 290 is partially defined by the
plurality of
apertures 278 defined in the band 272 and the grooves 280 formed in the semi-
circular plate 270.
Each respective pair of aperture 278 and corresponding groove 280 serves as an
indexing
aperture 294. Each indexing aperture 294 corresponds to one the predetermined
angular
positions. The semi-circular plate 270 may be rotated about pivot connection
member 288 to
place one of the indexing apertures 294 in alignment with the central opening
268 defined in the
second wall 266 of the bracket 78. The angular position of the snowplow 56 may
be fixed by
inserting an indexing pin 296 through the aligned opening 268 and the indexing
aperture 294.
0085 The indexing pin 296 is supported by the first and second walls 264 and
266 and is
mounted to extend through the openings 268 defined therein. The indexing pin
296 is moveable
between an engaged position 298 and a disengaged position 300. In the engaged
position 298
(best shown in FIG. 10), the indexing pin 296 extends through the openings 268
and one of the
plurality of indexing apertures 294 in alignment to thereby prevent rotation
of the semi-circular
plate 270 and lock the snowplow 56 in the selected angular position.
Conversely, in the
disengaged position 300 (best shown in FIG. 13), the indexing pin 296 is
retracted such that it
extends short of the indexing aperture 294. The indexing pin 296 does not
interfere with rotation
of the semi-circular plate 270 thereby allowing the snowplow 56 to be moved to
the desired
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-21 -
angular position. In the preferred embodiment, the indexing pin 296 is spring-
loaded and biased
toward the engaged position 298.
0086 FIGS. 8 shows the snowplow 56 disposed in a substantially perpendicular
orientation 306
relative to the front end 52 of the push frame 50. To change the orientation
of the snowplow 56,
the driver of the ATV 22 grasps the handle 302 of the indexing pin 296 and
retracts the indexing
pin to its disengaged position 300. The semi-circular plate 270 is rotated
until the opening 268 is
aligned with the indexing aperture 294 corresponding to the desired angular
position of the
snowplow 56. Thereafter, the indexing pin 296 is released and urged to move to
its engaged
position 298 thereby locking the snowplow 56 in a relatively skewed
orientation 308 relative to
the front end 52 of the push frame 50 (as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15).
0087 With reference to FIGS. 4, 6 and 12, the snowplow 56 and its attachment
to the
snowplow mounting member 260 are now described. The snowplow 56 includes a
plowboard
310 with a generally concave profile. The plowboard 310 has a front face 312,
a rear face 314
and upper and lower margins 316 and 318. Extending horizontally across the
width of the
plowboard 310 is a reinforcement member in the nature of an angle iron 320.
The angle iron 320
is welded to the rear face 314 of the plowboard 310 along its lower margin
318. A scraper blade
322 with a cutting edge is fastened to the front face 312 of the plowboard 310
and the angle iron
320. Additional reinforcement members in the nature of spaced apart ribs 324a
and 324b are
connected to the angle iron 316 and extend between the upper and lower margins
316 and 318 of
the plowboard 310. Along the upper margin 316, the plowboard 310 has a top
return flange 326
which is bent to extend rearwardly for increased strength. The upper margin
316 is further
reinforced by a plate 328 fastened thereto.
0088 The plowboard 310 is connected to the snowplow mounting member 260 via
the
mounting flanges 282a and 282b. More specifically, each mounting flange 282a,
282b is attached
to a corresponding rib 324a and 324b using conventional fasteners, such as
screws or bolts. To
limit the amount of angular displacement of the plowboard 310 relative to the
mounting flanges
282a and 282b, stop blocks 330a and 330b are provided. The stop blocks 330a
and 330b are
welded onto the ribs 324a and 324b at a location above where the mounting
flanges 282a and
282b are attached to the ribs 324a and 324b.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
CA 02523917 2005-10-19
-22-
0089 In the embodiments described, the mounting assembly 20 is used to couple
a snowplow
56 to the front end of an ATV 22. However, it should be appreciated that a
mounting assembly
constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention could be
employed to couple other
types of plows such as those used for plowing sand, gravel or dirt to the
front end of an ATV, to
similar advantage. Moreover, the mounting assembly could be used for
connecting other
implements (such as, farming or agricultural implements) or ATV accessories to
a vehicle.
Examples of such implements include snowblowers, bristle brushes and front-end
mower decks.
0090 Although the foregoing description and accompanying drawings relate to
specific
preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by
the inventor, it will
be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations, may be made
without
departing from the spirit of the invention.
DM TOR/263490-00002/1676412.1
