IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0638642
(2003-08-11)
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발명자
/ 주소 |
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출원인 / 주소 |
- The Louis Berkman Company
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
11 인용 특허 :
15 |
초록
▼
A plow mounting assembly is provided for removably attaching a plow blade to the front end of a vehicle. The plow mounting assembly includes a frame assembly semi-permanently connected to a front end of an associated vehicle. A blade assembly includes a plow blade and a grasping assembly in a closed
A plow mounting assembly is provided for removably attaching a plow blade to the front end of a vehicle. The plow mounting assembly includes a frame assembly semi-permanently connected to a front end of an associated vehicle. A blade assembly includes a plow blade and a grasping assembly in a closed position removably connected to the frame assembly.
대표청구항
▼
The invention claimed is: 1. A plow mounting assembly for removably attaching a plow blade to the front end of a vehicle, the plow mounting assembly comprising: a frame assembly semi-permanently connected to a front end of an associated vehicle, the frame assembly including a lower portion and an u
The invention claimed is: 1. A plow mounting assembly for removably attaching a plow blade to the front end of a vehicle, the plow mounting assembly comprising: a frame assembly semi-permanently connected to a front end of an associated vehicle, the frame assembly including a lower portion and an upper portion spaced from the lower portion; and a blade assembly including: a plow blade, and a grasping assembly in a closed position removably connected to the frame assembly, the grasping assembly includes at least one lower hook and at least one upper hook that together grasp the frame assembly when the grasping assembly is in the closed position; wherein the lower portion is engaged by the at least one lower hook and the upper portion includes: a first angled section engaged by a first hook of the at least one upper hook; a second angled section engaged by a second hook of the at least one upper hook; and wherein the first and second angled sections together form a V-shape that generally centers the blade assembly relative to the frame assembly. 2. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the first and second hooks are angled to respectively match angles of the first and second angled sections. 3. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein at least one of said at least one lower hook and said at least one upper hook includes a protective insert for engagement with the frame assembly. 4. The plow mounting assembly of claim 3 wherein the insert is made of a low friction material. 5. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the grasping assembly includes a generally horizontal lower portion engaged by said at least one lower hook and an upper portion spaced from the lower portion which is engaged by said at least on upper hook, said at least one lower hook and said at least one upper hook movable toward one another which is toward the closed position to grasp the frame assembly and movable away from one another which is toward an open position to release the frame assembly. 6. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the blade assembly further includes at least one rotatable connection between the grasping assembly and the plow blade. 7. The plow mounting assembly of claim 6 wherein the at least one rotatable connection allows the plow blade to pivot up and down relative to the front end of the vehicle and the ground. 8. The plow mounting assembly of claim 6 wherein the at least one rotatable connection allows the plow blade to pivot left and right relative to the front end of the vehicle. 9. The plow mounting assembly of claim 6 wherein the at least one rotatable connection allows the plow blade to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle for allowing the plow blade to remain generally parallel with the ground. 10. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 further including a plurality of pivot pins connecting the plow blade to the grasping assembly including a first pivot pin parallel to a wheel axis of the vehicle for allowing the plow blade to be raised and lowered relative to the ground, a second pivot pin parallel to a height of the plow for allowing the plow blade to be positioned at an angle relative to the front of the vehicle, and a third pivot pin defined along a portion of a longitudinal axis of the vehicle for allowing the plow blade to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the vehicle. 11. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 further including at least one centering guide for centering the grasping assembly relative to the plow assembly. 12. The plow mounting assembly of claim 11 wherein one of said at least one lower hook and said at least one upper hook is a pair of spaced hooks each having a vertical portion and an angled portion, the frame assembly includes a pair of guiding members each having a vertical portion and an angled portion, when the plow blade is connected to the frame assembly and misaligned relative to the frame assembly, the hooks engage the guiding members and urge the plow blade to a centered position relative to the frame assembly. 13. The plow mounting assembly of claim 11 wherein the at least one centering guide and said at least one upper hook is a pair of upper hooks of the grasping assembly and the V-shape of the first and second angled sections of the frame assembly that urges the hooks to a centered position on the frame assembly when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle. 14. The plow mounting assembly of claim 11 wherein the at least one centering guide and at least one of said at least one upper hook and said at least one lower hook are a pair of spaced hooks of the grasping assembly each having an angled portion and a pair of guiding members disposed on the frame assembly, each of said guiding members having an angled portion, wherein the spaced hooks and the guiding members are positioned to center the plow blade relative to the frame when the plow blade is connected to the frame. 15. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the frame assembly includes an M-shaped portion including the V-shape for centering the grasping assembly relative to the frame assembly. 16. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the grasping assembly further includes a hydraulic cylinder connected between said at least one lower hook and said at least one upper hook for moving the grasping assembly between the closed position and an open position. 17. The plow mounting assembly of claim 16 wherein the grasping assembly further includes a locking device for locking the grasping assembly in the closed position. 18. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the blade assembly further includes: a lift arm extending from the grasping assembly and pivotally movable relative to the grasping assembly; at least one chain connecting a distal end of the lift arm to the plow blade; and a lift unit for hydraulically moving the lift arm and thereby moving the plow blade up and down. 19. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the grasping assembly further includes: a lower engaging member forming a lower portion of the grasping assembly for releasably connecting to a lower portion of the frame assembly; and a lift bar pivotally connected to the lower engaging member and generally parallel thereto for connecting to the plow blade. 20. The plow mounting assembly of claim 19 wherein the grasping assembly further includes: a frame member having a rear portion rotatably connected to the lift bar allowing the frame member to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the vehicle and a front portion pivotally connected to the plow blade allowing the plow blade to pivot from side-to-side. 21. The plow mounting assembly of claim 20 wherein the frame member rear portion is a generally straight portion rotatably connected to the lift bar and the frame member front portion is a generally pointed portion that holds a pivot pin that pivotally connects to the plow blade and allows the plow blade to pivot from side-to-side. 22. The plow mounting assembly of claim 1 wherein the grasping assembly includes a hydraulic cylinder extending between the at least one upper hook and the at least one lower hook for moving the grasping assembly between the closed position and an open position, the cylinder including: an elongated tubular portion depending from at least one of the at least one lower hook and the at least one upper hook; and an elongated cylindrical portion telescopingly received in the tubular portion and depending from the other one of the at least one lower hook and the at least one upper hook, the cylindrical portion extending from the tubular portion when the grasping assembly is in the open position and the cylindrical portion retracted within the tubular portion when the grasping assembly in the closed position. 23. The plow mounting assembly of claim 22 wherein said at least one upper hook and said at least one lower hook are separated from one another in the open position a distance sufficient to allow the blade assembly which is received between said at least one upper and said at least one lower hooks, to be separated from the frame assembly. 24. A plow mounting assembly comprising: a frame assembly semi-permanently connected to a front end of an associated vehicle; and a blade assembly including: a plow blade, a grasping assembly in a closed position removably connected to the frame assembly, a mounting beam attached to a nonplowing surface of the plow blade, a lift bar pivotally connected to the grasping assembly by a first pivot pin, and a frame member connecting the mounting beam to the lift bar, the frame member including a second pivot pin oriented parallel to a height of the grasping assembly for connecting the frame member to the mounting beam, and a third pivot pin oriented perpendicularly relative to a height of the plow blade for rotatably connecting the frame member to the lift bar. 25. The plow mounting assembly of claim 24 wherein the third pivot pin allows the mounting beam and the plow blade to remain parallel to the ground. 26. The plow mounting assembly of claim 24 wherein the frame member is generally tear drop-shaped and includes a flat base portion adjacent the lift bar and an apex portion adjacent the mounting beam. 27. The plow mounting assembly of claim 26 wherein the second pivot pin is rotatably held within a sleeve defined within the apex portion of the frame member. 28. The plow mounting assembly of claim 27 wherein the mounting beam and plow blade are pivotally movable about the second pivot pin between a first pivot position wherein the mounting beam engages a first side portion of the frame member and a second pivot position wherein the mounting beam engages a second side portion of the frame assembly. 29. The plow mounting assembly of claim 28 wherein one of the frame member and the mounting beam includes inserts appropriately positioned to engage the other one of the frame member the mounting beam when the mounting beam is in the first pivot position and when the mounting beam is in the second pivot position. 30. The plow mounting assembly of claim 29 wherein the inserts are coated with a TEFLON짰 material. 31. The plow mounting assembly of claim 27 wherein the mounting beam includes an upper arm and lower arm extending perpendicularly relative to a longitudinal length of the mounting beam, the upper arm connected to the second pivot pin adjacent an upper end of the sleeve and the lower arm connected to the second pivot pin adjacent the lower end of the sleeve. 32. The plow mounting assembly of claim 31 wherein the upper and lower arms have a predetermined length that corresponds with a maximum pivot angle of the mounting beam and plow blade. 33. The plow mounting assembly of claim 31 wherein the lower and upper arms extend a preselected distance beyond the second pivot pin and are connected by a guide pin extending through a center portion of the frame member. 34. The plow mounting assembly of claim 33 wherein the frame member includes a guide plate adjacent the apex portion, the guide plate extends into the center portion of the frame member and includes a slot therethrough for receiving the guide pin, said slot shaped to guide movement of the guide pin as the mounting beam pivots about the second pivot pin and thereby guide pivoting of the plow blade about the second pivot pin. 35. The plow mounting assembly of claim 31 further including: a first telescoping cylinder extending from a guide member channel to a first position on the mounting beam spaced apart in a first direction from the upper arm, said guide channel member extending from the apex portion into a center portion of the frame member; a second telescoping cylinder extending from the guide member channel to a second position on the mounting beam spaced apart in a second, opposite direction from the upper arm; and wherein the first and second telescoping cylinders are hydraulic cylinders for pivotally moving the plow blade about the second pivot pin. 36. The plow mounting assembly of claim 24 further including: a lift arm extending from the grasping assembly and pivotally movable relative to the grasping assembly; at least one chain connecting a distal end of the lift arm to the mounting beam; and a hydraulic lift unit pivotally connected at one end to the grasping assembly and pivotally connected at another end to the lift arm, the lift unit adapted to move the lift arm and thereby move the mounting beam and the lift bar pivotally relative to the grasping assembly. 37. The plow mounting assembly of claim 24 wherein the plow blade is pivotally attached to the mounting beam. 38. The plow mounting assembly of claim 37 wherein tensioning springs extend between the mounting beam and the plow blade. 39. The plow mounting assembly of claim 24 wherein the grasping assembly is movable to an open position for disconnecting the blade assembly from the frame assembly. 40. The plow mounting assembly of claim 24 wherein the grasping assembly includes at least one lower hook and at least one upper hook that together move toward one another to grasp the frame assembly when the grasping assembly is in the closed position. 41. The plow mounting assembly of claim 40 wherein the frame assembly includes: a generally horizontal lower portion engaged by the at least one lower hook; and an upper portion spaced from the lower portion and engaged by the at least one upper hook. 42. The plow mounting assembly of claim 24 wherein the frame includes a lower portion and an upper portion spaced from the lower portion and the grasping assembly includes at least one lower hook and at least one upper hook that together grasp the frame assembly when the grasping assembly is in the closed position, the lower portion engaged by the at least one lower hook and the upper portion including a first angled section engaged by first hook of the at least one upper hook, a second angled section engaged by a second hook of the at least one upper hook, and wherein the first and second angled sections together form a V-shape that generally centers the blade assembly relative to the blade assembly. 43. The plow mounting assembly of claim 42 wherein the first and second hooks are angled to respectively match angles of the first and second angled sections. 44. The plow mounting assembly of claim 24 further including at least one centering guide for centering the blade assembly relative to the plow assembly. 45. The plow mounting assembly of claim 44 wherein the grasping assembly includes a first clamp and a second clamp spaced from the first clamp, and the first clamp is a pair of spaced hooks each having a vertical portion and an angled portion, the frame assembly includes a pair of guiding members each having a vertical portion and an angled portion, when the plow blade is connected to the frame assembly and misaligned relative to the frame assembly, the hooks engage the guiding members and urge the plow blade to a centered position relative to the frame assembly. 46. The plow mounting assembly of claim 44 wherein the at least one centering guide is a pair of upper hooks of the grasping assembly and a corresponding V-shaped portion of the frame assembly that urges the hooks to a centered position on the frame assembly when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle. 47. The plow mounting assembly of claim 44 wherein the at least one centering guide is a pair of spaced hooks of the grasping assembly each having an angled portion and a pair of guiding members disposed on the frame assembly, each of said guiding members having an angled portion, wherein the spaced hooks and the guiding members are positioned to center the plow blade relative to the frame when the plow blade is connected to the frame. 48. A plow mounting assembly for releasably connecting a plow blade to a vehicle, the mounting assembly comprising: a frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle, the frame having a first portion and a second portion spaced from the first portion a preselected distance; and a blade assembly including: a grasping assembly in a closed position removably connected to the frame assembly, a plow frame member, a plow blade pivotally connected to the grasping assembly by first, second and third pivot pins, the plow blade having a mounting beam attached to a nonplowing surface thereof, the mounting beam pivotally connected to the frame member by the second pivot pin oriented approximately parallel with a height of the plow blade for allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying angles relative to a front of a vehicle when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle, a lift bar pivotally connected to the frame member by the third pivot pin oriented approximately perpendicularly relative to a height of the plow blade for allowing the plow blade to float to a position generally parallel with the ground when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle, and an engaging member pivotally connected to the lift bar by the first pivot pin for allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying distances from the ground, and wherein the grasping assembly has a pair of spaced first hooks adjacent the engaging member and a pair of second hooks spaced apart from the pair of first hooks. 49. A plow mounting assembly for removably attaching a plow blade to the front end of a vehicle, the plow mounting assembly comprising: a frame assembly semi-permanently connected to a front end of an associated vehicle; and a blade assembly including: a plow blade, and a grasping assembly in a closed position removably connected to the frame assembly; wherein the frame assembly includes an M-shaped portion for centering the blade assembly relative to the frame assembly. 50. A plow mounting assembly for removably attaching a plow blade to the front end of a vehicle, the plow mounting assembly comprising: a frame assembly semi-permanently connected to a front end of an associated vehicle; a blade assembly including a plow blade and a grasping assembly in a closed position removably connected to the frame assembly, the grasping assembly having a lower clamp, an upper clamp and a hydraulic cylinder extending between the lower clamp and the upper clamp for moving the grasping assembly between the closed position and an open position, the cylinder having an elongated tubular portion depending from one of the lower hook and the upper hook, and an elongated cylindrical portion telescopingly receiving in the tubular portion and depending from the other one of the lower clamp and the upper clamp, the cylindrical portion extending from the tubular portion when the grasping assembly is in the open position and the cylindrical portion retracted within the tubular portion when the grasping assembly is in the closed position; and a locking device for locking the grasping assembly in the closed position, the locking device including: a first locking arm extending from a distal end of the tubular portion and having a hole therethrough; a second locking arm adjacent said other one of the lower clamp and the upper clamp and having a hole therethrough, the holes of the first and second locking arms in registry with one another when the grasping assembly is in the closed position; and a lock insertable through the holes when in registry with one another for locking the grasping assembly in the closed position, the lock removable from the holes when the grasping assembly is to be moved to the open position. 51. A plow mounting assembly comprising: a frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle, the frame including a lower portion and an upper portion having a V-shape; a plow frame member; a plow blade pivotally connected to the plow frame member allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying angles relative to a front of a vehicle when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; a lift bar pivotally connected to the frame member allowing the plow blade to float to a position generally parallel with the ground when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; an engaging member pivotally connected to the lift bar allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying distances from the ground; a first clamp connected to the engaging member for selective engagement with the frame lower portion; a second clamp spaced from the first clamp for selective engagement with the frame upper portion; the V-shape upper portion for purposes of centering the second clamp on the frame when the plow blade is connected to the frame; and a hydraulic cylinder between the first and second clamps and selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first and second clamps are spaced a sufficient distance apart to allow the frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle to move to a first position between the clamps and a second position away from the clamps, and in the closed position the first and second clamps are capable of holding the frame when the frame is in the first position between the clamps to thereby connect the plow blade to the vehicle. 52. A plow mounting assembly for selectively connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting a plow blade to a vehicle, the mounting assembly comprising: a frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle; a plow frame member having a forward end and a rearward end; a plow blade pivotally connected to the plow frame member adjacent the forward end for allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying angles relative to a front of a vehicle when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; a lift bar pivotally connected to the frame member adjacent the rearward end for allowing the plow blade to float to a position generally parallel with the ground when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; an engaging member pivotally connected to the lift bar allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying distances from the ground; a first clamp connected to the engaging member adjacent the rearward end of the plow frame member; a second clamp spaced vertically upward from the first clamp a hydraulic cylinder between the first and second clamps and selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first and second clamps are spaced a sufficient distance apart to allow the frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle to move to a first position between the clamps and a second position away from the clamps, and in the closed position the first and second clamps are capable of holding the frame when the frame is in the first position between the clamps to thereby connect the plow blade to the vehicle; and a guide for centering the plow blade on the frame when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; and wherein the second clamp is a pair of hooks and the guide is the hooks and a corresponding V-shaped portion of the frame that urges the hooks to a centered position on the frame when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle. 53. A plow mounting assembly for selectively connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting a plow blade to a vehicle, the mounting assembly comprising: a frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle; a plow frame member having a forward end and a rearward end; a plow blade pivotally connected to the plow frame member adjacent the forward end for allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying angles relative to a front of a vehicle when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; a lift bar pivotally connected to the frame member adjacent the rearward end for allowing the plow blade to float to a position generally parallel with the ground when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; an engaging member pivotally connected to the lift bar allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying distances from the ground; a first clamp connected to the engaging member adjacent the rearward end of the plow frame member; a second clamp spaced vertically upward from the first clamp; a hydraulic cylinder between the first and second clamps and selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first and second clamps are spaced a sufficient distance apart to allow the frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle to move to a first position between the clamps and a second position away from the clamps, and in the closed position the first and second clamps are capable of holding the frame when the frame is in the first position between the clamps to thereby connect the plow blade to the vehicle; and a guide for centering the plow blade on the frame when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; and wherein the first clamp is a pair of spaced hooks each having an angled portion and the guide is the hooks and a pair of guiding members disposed on the frame, each of said guiding members having an angled portion, the spaced hooks and the guiding members positioned to center the plow blade relative to the frame when the plow blade is connected to the frame. 54. A mounting assembly for selectively connecting, disconnecting and reconnecting a plow blade to a vehicle, the mounting assembly comprising: a frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle; a plow frame member; a plow blade pivotally connected to the plow frame member allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying angles relative to a front of a vehicle when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; a lift bar pivotally connected to the frame member allowing the plow blade to float to a position generally parallel with the ground when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; an engaging member pivotally connected to the lift bar allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying distances from the ground; a first clamp connected to the engaging member, wherein the first clamp is a pair of spaced hooks each having a vertical portion and an angled portion; a second clamp spaced from the first clamp; a hydraulic cylinder between the first and second clamps and selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first and second clamps are spaced a sufficient distance apart to allow the frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle to move to a first position between the clamps and a second position away from the clamps, and in the closed position the first and second clamps are capable of holding the frame when the frame is in the first position between the clamps to thereby connect the plow blade to the vehicle; and the frame including a pair of guiding members each having a vertical portion and an angled portion so that when the plow blade is connected to the frame and misaligned relative to the frame the hooks engage the guiding members and urge the plow blade to a centered position relative to the frame. 55. A mounting assembly, comprising: a frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle; a plow frame member; a plow blade pivotally connected to the plow frame member allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying angles relative to a front of a vehicle when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; a lift bar pivotally connected to the frame member allowing the plow blade to float to a position generally parallel with the ground when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle; an engaging member pivotally connected to the lift bar allowing the plow blade to be positioned at varying distances from the ground; a first clamp connected to the engaging member; a second clamp spaced from the first clamp; a hydraulic cylinder between the first and second clamps and selectively movable between an open position and a closed position, in the open position the first and second clamps are spaced a sufficient distance apart to allow the frame semi-permanently mounted on the vehicle to move to a first position between the clamps and a second position away from the clamps, and in the closed position the first and second clamps are capable of holding the frame when the frame is in the first position between the clamps to thereby connect the plow blade to the vehicle; a first hole formed in a portion of the hydraulic cylinder; a second hole formed in one of the first and second clamps, the first and second holes aligned with one another when the hydraulic cylinder is in the closed position; and a lock insertable through the aligned holes for locking the hydraulic cylinder in the closed position and removable when desirable to move the hydraulic cylinder to the open position. 56. A plow mounting assembly for removably attaching a plow blade to the front end of a vehicle, the plow mounting assembly comprising: a frame assembly semi-permanently connected to a front end of an associated vehicle; and a blade assembly including a plow blade and a grasping assembly in a closed position removably connected to the frame assembly; wherein the grasping assembly includes a first clamp and a second clamp spaced from the first clamp, and the first clamp is a pair of spaced hooks each having a vertical portion and an angled portion, the frame assembly includes a pair of guiding members each having a vertical portion and an angled portion, when the plow blade is connected to the frame assembly and misaligned relative to the frame assembly, the hooks engage the guiding members and urge the plow blade to a centered position relative to the frame assembly. 57. A plow mounting assembly for removably attaching a plow blade to the front end of a vehicle, the plow mounting assembly comprising: a frame assembly semi-permanently connected to a front end of an associated vehicle; a blade assembly including a plow blade and a grasping assembly in a closed position removably connected to the frame assembly; and at least one centering guide for centering the blade assembly relative to the plow assembly, wherein the at least one centering guide is a pair of upper hooks of the grasping assembly and a corresponding V-shaped portion of the frame assembly that urges the hooks to a centered position on the frame assembly when the plow blade is connected to the vehicle. 58. A plow mounting assembly for removably attaching a plow blade to the front end of a vehicle, the plow mounting assembly comprising: a frame assembly semi-permanently connected to a front end of an associated vehicle; a blade assembly including a plow blade and a grasping assembly in a closed position removably connected to the frame assembly; and at least one centering guide for centering the blade assembly relative to the plow assembly, wherein the at least one centering guide is a pair of spaced hooks of the grasping assembly each having an angled portion and a pair of guiding members disposed on the frame assembly, each of said guiding members having an angled portion, wherein the spaced hooks and the guiding members are positioned to center the plow blade relative to the frame when the plow blade is connected to the frame.
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