초록 ▼

A plow assembly includes a pair of plow wings which are pivotally mounted at opposite ends of a center plow. Each of the plow wings may pivot between a forwardly angled position and an aligned position. The plow assembly may pivot a trailing plow wing in response to the center plow being urged or an

A plow assembly includes a pair of plow wings which are pivotally mounted at opposite ends of a center plow. Each of the plow wings may pivot between a forwardly angled position and an aligned position. The plow assembly may pivot a trailing plow wing in response to the center plow being urged or angled toward that side of the vehicle. The plow wings may be oriented in their forwardly angled position until the center plow is at least substantially urged or pivoted toward its angled position or toward a position between the center position and the angled position. The trailing plow wing may be pivoted or urged to its aligned position in response to the center plow being substantially urged or pivoted toward its angled position or toward a position between its center position and its angled position.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends; a support for attaching said center plow to the vehicle, said center plow being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow i

The invention claimed is: 1. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends; a support for attaching said center plow to the vehicle, said center plow being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a second position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said second end; a first plow wing on said first end of said center plow and a second plow wing on said second end of said center plow, each of said first and second plow wings being pivotable between an angled position, where said plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow, said first and second plow wings being biased toward said angled positions via at least one biasing member; and a wing pivoting system for pivoting said first and second plow wings relative to said center plow, said wing pivoting system being operable to pivot said first plow wing to said aligned position in response to said center plow being pivoted to said first position and to pivot said second plow wing to said aligned position in response to said center plow being pivoted to said second position, said wing pivoting system comprising at least one connected member connected between said first and second plow wings and said support, said at least one connecting member being configured to move said first plow wing toward said aligned position as said center plow is pivoted toward said first position and to allow said first plow wing to move toward said angled position in response to said at least one biasing member as said center plow is pivoted away from said first position, said at least one connecting member being configured to move said second plow wing toward said aligned position as said center plow is pivoted toward said second position and to allow said second plow wing to move toward said angled position in response to said at least one biasing member as said center plow is pivoted away from said second position. 2. The plow assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one connecting member comprises at least one cable connected between said first and second plow wings and said support. 3. The plow assembly of claim 2, wherein said at least one cable connects to a first lever arm connected to said first plow wing, said at least one cable moving said first lever arm relative to said center plow to pivot said first plow wing to said aligned position in response to pivotal movement of said center plow toward said first end. 4. The plow assembly of claim 3, wherein said at least one cable is movable outwardly toward said second end in response to pivotal movement of said center plow toward said first end to allow a second lever arm at said second plow wing to move to allow said second plow wing to pivot toward said angled position in response to said at least one biasing member. 5. The plow assembly of claim 2, wherein said at least one cable comprises first and second cables, said first cable being connected between said support and said first plow wing and said second cable being connected between said support and said second plow wing. 6. The plow assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one biasing member comprises a spring loaded member extending between and connecting to said first and second plow wings. 7. The plow assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one biasing member comprises first and second biasing members, said first biasing member urging said first plow wing toward said angled position and said second biasing member urging said second plow wing toward said angled position. 8. The plow assembly of claim 7, wherein each of said first and second biasing members comprises a spring that is compressed when the respective plow wing is pivoted toward said aligned position. 9. The plow assembly of claim 8, wherein each of said first and second biasing members comprises a dampening device to restrict decompression of said spring to dampen movement of said respective plow wing to said angled position. 10. The plow assembly of claim 7, wherein each of said first and second biasing members is selectively mountable at said main plow in one of at least two positions, said biasing members biasing said plow wings toward different positions depending on which of said at least two positions is selected. 11. The plow assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one connecting member connects to an extension of said support, said extension extending forwardly from a pivot axis of said center plow, such that said extension causes said at least one connecting member to pull at one of said plow wings in response to said center plow pivoting toward a respective one of said first and second positions. 12. The plow assembly of claim 11, wherein said at least one connecting member connects to a lever arm at each of said first and second plow wings and pivots said lever arm relative to said center plow to pivot at least one of said first and second plow wings. 13. The plow assembly of claim 1, wherein said first plow wing has a curved material engaging surface which substantially corresponds to a curved material engaging surface of said center plow. 14. The plow assembly of claim 13, wherein said first plow wing is pivotally mounted on said first end of said center plow via a hinge member that is positioned generally rearward of said curved material engaging surfaces of said first plow wing and said center plow. 15. The plow assembly of claim 1, wherein said first plow wing is at least partially positioned in front of a material engaging surface of said center plow, said first plow wing having a curved inner edge which generally corresponds to a curve of said material engaging surface of said center plow such that said curved inner edge at least partially engages said curved material engaging surface of said center plow to provide a substantially continuous material engaging surface when said first plow wing is in said angled position. 16. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends; a support for attaching said center plow to the vehicle, said center plow being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a second position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said second end; a first plow wing on said first end of said center plow and a second plow wing on said second end of said center plow, each of said first and second plow wings being pivotable between an angled position where said plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and a first biasing member connected between said center plow and said first plow wing and a second biasing member connected between said center plow and said second plow wing, each of said biasing members being selectively mounted at one of said center plow and said plow wing at one of at least two mounting positions, said biasing members being selectively mounted at a first mounting position or a second mounting position, said biasing member positioning the respective plow wing in said aligned position when at said first mounting position and said biasing member positioning the respective plow wing in said angled position when at said second mounting position, said biasing members being compressible to at least partially absorb an impact of said respective plow wing with an object during operation of said plow assembly. 17. The plow assembly of claim 16, wherein each of said first and second biasing members comprises a spring that is compressed when the respective plow wing impacts an object. 18. The plow assembly of claim 17, wherein each of said first and second biasing members comprises a dampening device to restrict decompression of said spring. 19. The plow assembly of claim 16, wherein each of said first and second biasing members are selectively mountable to said center plow via a respective pin being inserted through an opening at an end of said biasing member and through an opening at said center plow. 20. The plow assembly of claim 19, wherein said pin is selectively insertable through one of at least two openings at said center plow to selectively mount said biasing member at said center plow. 21. The plow assembly of claim 19, wherein said pin is selectively insertable through one of at least two openings at said center plow to selectively mount said biasing member at said center plow. 22. The plow assembly of claim 21, wherein said first plow wing is substantially fixed in said angled position when said center plow is generally in said center position. 23. The plow assembly of claim 22, wherein said first plow wing is released and is pivotable in response to said center plow angling toward said first position. 24. The plow assembly of claim 21, wherein said first plow wing is biased toward said angled position via a pressurized cylinder, said pressurized cylinder containing compressible gas which is compressed as said first plow wing is pivoted toward said aligned position. 25. The plow assembly of claim 16, wherein said first plow wing has a curved material engaging surface which substantially corresponds to a curved material engaging surface of said center plow. 26. The plow assembly of claim 25, wherein said first plow wing is pivotally mounted on said first end of said center plow via a hinge member that is positioned generally rearward of said curved material engaging surfaces of said first plow wing and said center plow. 27. The plow assembly of claim 16, wherein said first plow wing is at least partially positioned in front of a material engaging surface of said center plow, said first plow wing having a curved inner edge which generally corresponds to a curve of said material engaging surface of said center plow such that said curved inner edge at least partially engages said curved material engaging surface of said center plow to provide a substantially continuous material engaging surface when said first plow wing is in said angled position. 28. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends, said center plow being mountable to the vehicle and being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a center position, where said center plow is positioned generally normal to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a first plow wing pivotally mounted at said first end of said center slow, said first plow wing being pivotable between an angled position, where said first plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said first plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and an actuating system operable to urge said first plow wing toward said angled position until said center plow is urged at least substantially toward one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions, said actuating system urging said first plow wing toward said aligned position in response to said center plow being urged at least substantially toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions; wherein said actuating system includes a first wing actuator operable to urge said first plow wing toward said aligned position; wherein said actuating system includes at least one plow actuator operable to pivot said center plow between said first and center positions; wherein said actuators are responsive to pressurized fluid; and wherein said actuating system includes a valve that limits fluid flow to or from said first wing actuator until said center plow is at least substantially urged toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions. 29. The plow assembly of claim 28, wherein said at least one plow actuator includes a valve opening device operable to open said valve to allow fluid to flow to or from said first wing actuator when said plow actuator is moved to a threshold position generally corresponding to said center plow being at least substantially urged toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions. 30. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising; a center plow having first and second ends, said center plow being mountable to the vehicle and being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a center position, where said center plow is positioned generally normal to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a first plow wing pivotally mounted at said first end of said center plow, said first plow wing being pivotable between an angled position, where said first plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said first plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and an actuating system operable to urge said first plow wing toward said angled position until said center plow is urged at least substantially toward one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions, said actuating system urging said first plow wing toward said aligned position in response to said center plow being urged at least substantially toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions; wherein said actuating system includes a first wing actuator operable to urge said first plow wing toward said aligned position; wherein said actuating system includes at least one plow actuator operable to pivot said center plow between said first and center positions; wherein said actuators are responsive to pressurized fluid; and wherein said first wing actuator is operable to urge said first plow wing toward said aligned position in response to a threshold hydraulic pressure applied thereto, said plow assembly being configured such that the hydraulic pressure applied to said first wing actuator reaches said threshold hydraulic pressure when said center plow is at least substantially urged toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions. 31. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends, said center plow being mountable to the vehicle and being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a center position, where said center plow is positioned generally normal to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a first plow wing pivotally mounted at said first end of said center plow, said first plow wing being pivotable between an angled position, where said first plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said first plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and an actuating system operable to urge said first plow wing toward said angled position until said center plow is urged at least substantially toward one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions, said actuating system urging said first plow wing toward said aligned position in response to said center plow being urged at least substantially toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions; wherein said actuating system includes a first wing actuator operable to urge said first plow wing toward said aligned position; wherein said actuating system includes at least one glow actuator operable to pivot said center plow between said first and center positions; wherein said actuators are responsive to pressurized fluid; and wherein said actuating system is operable to apply an aligning pressure to said first wing actuator to urge said first plow wing toward said aligned position, said aligning pressure being greater than a plow pressure applied to said at least one plow actuator to pivot said center plow between said first and center positions. 32. The plow assembly of claim 31, wherein said aligning pressure is applied to said first wing actuator after said center plow is substantially urged toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions. 33. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends, said center plow being mountable to the vehicle and being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a center position, where said center plow is positioned generally normal to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a first plow wing pivotally mounted at said first end of said center plow, said first plow wing being pivotable between an angled position, where said first plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said first plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and an actuating system operable to urge said first plow wing toward said angled position until said center plow is urged at least substantially toward one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions, said actuating system urging said first slow wing toward said aligned position in response to said center plow being urged at least substantially toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions; wherein said actuating system includes a first wing actuator operable to urge said first plow wing toward said aligned position; wherein said actuating system includes at least one plow actuator operable to pivot said center plow between said first and center positions; wherein said actuators are responsive to pressurized fluid; wherein said actuating system is operable to apply an aligning pressure to said first wing actuator to urge said first plow wing toward said aligned position, said aligning pressure being greater than a plow pressure applied to said at least one plow actuator to pivot said center plow between said first and center positions; and wherein said aligning pressure is applied to said first wing actuator after said center plow is substantially urged toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions. 34. The plow assembly of claim 33, wherein said actuating system includes at least one valve which restricts flow of fluid therethrough until the fluid pressure at said valve increases to a threshold level, said first wing actuator urging said first plow wing toward said aligned position in response to said at least one valve allowing fluid to flow therethrough. 35. The plow assembly of claim 34, wherein said at least one valve restricts flow of fluid from said first wing actuator until the fluid pressure at said valve increases to said threshold level. 36. The plow assembly of claim 34, wherein said at least one valve restricts flow of fluid from said first wing actuator until the fluid pressure at said valve increases to said threshold level. 37. The plow assembly of claim 34, wherein said plow assembly is configured such that said at least one valve allows fluid to flow therethrough when said center plow is urged at least substantially toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions. 38. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends, said center plow being mountable to the vehicle and being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a center position, where said center plow is positioned generally normal to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a first plow wing pivotally mounted at said first end of said center plow, said first plow wing being pivotable between an angled position, where said first plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said first plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and an actuating system operable to urge said first plow wing toward said angled position until said center plow is urged at least substantially toward one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions said actuating system urging said first plow wing toward said aligned position in response to said center plow being urged at least substantially toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions; wherein said first plow wing is biased via a biasing device which exerts a biasing force at said first plow wing to bias said first plow wing toward said angled position to maintain said first plow wing in said angled position until said center plow is substantially urged toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions. 39. The plow assembly of claim 38, wherein said plow assembly is configured such that said actuating system overcomes said biasing device to pivot said first plow wing to said aligned position in response to said center plow being urged at least substantially toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions. 40. The plow assembly of claim 39, wherein said biasing device comprises at least one of a pressurized cylinder and a spring element. 41. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends, said center plow being mountable to the vehicle and being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a center position, where said center plow is positioned generally normal to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a first plow wing pivotally mounted at said first end of said center plow, said first plow wing being pivotable between an angled position, where said first plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said first plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and an actuating system operable to urge said first plow wing toward said angled position until said center plow is urged at least substantially toward one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions, said actuating system urging said first plow wing toward said aligned position in response to said center plow being urged at least substantially toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions; including a second plow wing pivotally mounted to said second end of said center plow, said center plow being pivotable toward a second position where said center plow is pivoted toward said second end, said second plow wing being pivotable between said angled position and said aligned position in response to said center plow being at least substantially urged toward one of said second position and a position between said second and center positions. 42. The plow assembly of claim 41, wherein said actuating system is operable to urge said second plow wing toward said angled position before said first plow wing is urged toward said aligned position when said center plow is at least substantially urged toward one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions. 43. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends, said center plow being mountable to the vehicle and being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a center position, where said center plow is positioned generally normal to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a first plow wing pivotally mounted at said first end of said center plow, said first plow wing being pivotable between an angled position, where said first plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said first plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and an actuating system operable to urge said first plow wing toward said angled position until said center plow is urged at least substantially toward one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions, said actuating system urging said first plow wing toward said aligned position in response to said center plow being urged at least substantially toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions; wherein said first plow wing has a curved material engaging surface which substantially corresponds to a curved material engaging surface of said center plow. 44. The plow assembly of claim 43, wherein said first plow wing is pivotally mounted on said first end of said center plow via a hinge member that is positioned generally rearward of said curved material engaging surfaces of said first plow wing and said center plow. 45. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends, said center plow being mountable to the vehicle and being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a center position, where said center plow is positioned generally normal to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a first plow wing pivotally mounted at said first end of said center plow, said first plow wing being pivotable between an angled position, where said first plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said first plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and an actuating system operable to urge said first plow wing toward said angled position until said center plow is urged at least substantially toward one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions, said actuating system urging said first plow wing toward said aligned position in response to said center plow being urged at least substantially toward said one of said first position and a position between said first and center positions; wherein said first plow wing is at least partially positioned in front of a material engaging surface of said center plow, said first plow wing having a curved inner edge which generally corresponds to a curve of said material engaging surface of said center plow such tat said curved inner edge at least partially engages said curved material engaging surface of said center plow to provide a substantially continuous material engaging surface when said first plow wing is in said angled position. 46. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends; a support for attaching said center plow to the vehicle, said center plow being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a center position, where said center plow is positioned generally normal to the direction of travel of the vehicle; a first plow wing pivotally mounted to said first end of said center plow, said first plow wing being pivotable between an angled position, where said first plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said first plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and an actuating system comprising at least one plow actuator operable to pivot said center plow between said first and center positions, and a first wing actuator operable to pivot said first plow wing between said angled and aligned positions, said actuators being responsive to fluid pressure generated by said actuating system, said first wing actuator being operable to urge said first plow wing toward said aligned position in response to a first pressure being applied to said first wing actuator, said at least one plow actuator being operable to urge said center plow toward said first position in response to a second pressure being applied to said at least one plow actuator, said first pressure being less than said second pressure such that said first plow wing is at least substantially urged toward said aligned position before said center plow is urged toward said first position. 47. The plow assembly of claim 46 including a second plow wing pivotally mounted to said second end of said center plow, said second plow wing being pivotable between said angled and aligned positions, said actuating system comprising a second wing actuator operable to pivot said second plow wing between said angled and aligned positions, said second wing actuator being operable to urge said second plow wing toward said aligned position in response to said fist pressure being applied to said second wing actuator, said second plow wing being at least substantially urged toward said aligned position before said center plow is urged toward a second position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said second end. 48. The plow assembly of claim 47, wherein said actuating system is operable to urge said second plow wing toward said angled position before said first plow wing is urged toward said aligned position and before said center plow is urged toward said first position. 49. The plow assembly of claim 46, wherein said first plow wing has a curved material engaging surface which substantially corresponds to a curved material engaging surface of said center plow. 50. The plow assembly of claim 49, wherein said first plow wing is pivotally mounted on said first end of said center plow via a hinge member that is positioned generally rearward of said curved material engaging surfaces of said first plow wing and said center plow. 51. The plow assembly of claim 46, wherein said first plow wing is at least partially positioned in front of a material engaging surface of said center plow, said first plow wing having a curved inner edge which generally corresponds to a curve of said material engaging surface of said center plow such that said curved inner edge at least partially engages said curved material engaging surface of said center plow to provide a substantially continuous material engaging surface when said first plow wing is in said angled position. 52. A plow assembly for a vehicle, said plow assembly comprising: a center plow having first and second ends; a support for attaching said center plow to the vehicle, said center plow being pivotable relative to the vehicle between a first position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said first end, and a second position, where said center plow is pivoted toward said second end; a first plow wing on said first end of said center plow and a second plow wing on said second end of said center plow, each of said first and second plow wings being pivotable between an angled position, where said plow wing is angled forwardly with respect to said center plow, and an aligned position, where said plow wing is generally aligned with said center plow; and a first biasing member connected between said center plow and said first plow wing and a second biasing member connected between said center plow and said second plow wing, said biasing member urging the respective plow wing toward said angled position, said biasing members limiting pivoting of the respective plow wings toward said aligned positions until sufficient force is exerted on the respective plow wings. 53. The plow assembly of claim 52, wherein each of said first and second biasing members comprises a spring that is compressed when sufficient force is exerted on the respective plow wing. 54. The plow assembly of claim 53, wherein each of said first and second biasing members comprises a dampening device to restrict decompression of said spring. 55. The plow assembly of claim 52, wherein each of said first and second biasing members comprises a pressurized cylinder, said pressurized cylinder containing compressible gas that is compressed when sufficient force is exerted on the respective plow wing. 56. The plow assembly of claim 52, wherein said first plow wing is pivotable toward said aligned position in response to a sufficient force against said first plow wing in a direction generally along said center plow at least when said center plow is angled toward said first position. 57. The plow assembly of claim 56, wherein said second plow wing is pivotable toward said aligned position in response to a sufficient force against said second plow wing in a direction generally along said center plow at least when said center plow is angled toward said second position. 58. The plow assembly of claim 52, wherein each of said first and second plow wings has a curved material engaging surface which substantially corresponds to a curved material engaging surface of said center plow. 59. The plow assembly of claim 58, wherein said first plow wing is at least partially positioned in front of a material engaging surface of said center plow, said first plow wing having a curved inner edge which generally corresponds to a curve of said material engaging surface of said center plow such that said curved inner edge at least partially engages said curved material engaging surface of said center plow to provide a substantially continuous material engaging surface when said first plow wing is in said angled position. 60. The plow assembly of claim 59, wherein said first plow wing is pivotally mounted on said first end of said center plow via a hinge member that is positioned generally rearward of said curved material engaging surfaces of said first plow wing and said center plow.