Abstract: In combination a mount frame adapted to be attached to a vehicle and a snowplow assembly. The mount frame comprises a pair of detachable receivers which receive a pair of horns extending rearwardly from the snowplow assembly. The snowplow assembly comprises an A-frame, a trunnion and a lift frame. A blade is attached to the front of the A-frame. A pair of spaced stand assemblies, each including a latching mechanism, support the snowplow assembly when the mount frame is separated from the snowplow assembly. The latching mechanisms secure the snowplow assembly to the mount frame.

Abstract: A snowplow assembly comprises a lift frame and A-frame operably pivotally connected together and an actuator operably connected between the lift frame and A-frame for effecting relative pivotal movement between the lift frame and A-frame. A plow blade includes a blade frame. The blade frame includes a tube of circular cross section which is operably pivotally connected to the A-frame. The tube is pivotally received by a quadrant, which is operably connected to the A-frame. A resilient element is operable between the blade frame and A-frame normally biasing a lower edge of the plow blade forwardly. The resilient element is an elastomeric loop. The pivotal connection of the plow blade to the A-frame in combination with the resilient element provides a trip function of the plow blade. The plow blade is a composite. The circular tube of the blade frame provides torsional stiffness to the composite blade.

Abstract: In combination a mount frame adapted to be attached to a vehicle and a snowplow assembly. The mount frame comprises a pair of detachable receivers which receive a pair of horns extending rearwardly from the snowplow assembly. The snowplow assembly comprises an A-frame, a trunnion and a lift frame. A blade is attached to the front of the A-frame. A pair of spaced stand assemblies, each including a latching mechanism, support the snowplow assembly when the mount frame is separated from the snowplow assembly. The latching mechanisms secure the snowplow assembly to the mount frame.

Abstract: In combination a mount frame adapted to be attached to a vehicle and a snowplow assembly. The mount frame comprises a pair of detachable receivers which receive a pair of horns extending rearwardly from the snowplow assembly. The snowplow assembly comprises an A-frame, a trunnion and a lift frame. A blade is attached to the front of the A-frame. A pair of spaced stand assemblies, each including a latching mechanism, support the snowplow assembly when the mount frame is separated from the snowplow assembly. The latching mechanisms secure the snowplow assembly to the mount frame.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for spreading granular material such as salt or sand. The dispenser apparatus includes a hopper that funnels the granular material down to a discharge spout for discharge onto a rotating spreader to broadcast the material onto a roadway. The hopper defines a generally downwardly converging chute that has intermittent radially enlarged sections to minimize "bridging" of the granular material within the hopper. An agitator arrangement provided in the hopper also assists in eliminating any blockage near the base of the hopper.

Abstract: The invention contemplates an automatic headlamp switching system that enables an operator to use an existing vehicle headlamp switch to operate a secondary light source on an accessory unit attached to a vehicle. The vehicle includes a primary circuit having a primary light source, an energy source, and a parking/headlamp switch for connecting the energy source and the primary light source so that the primary light source is selectively energizable. A secondary circuit includes the secondary light source. A pair of relays are connectable in circuit with the primary and secondary light sources. When the accessory unit is electrically connected to the vehicle, the relays are operative to interrupt the primary circuit from the energy source to the primary light source and simultaneously complete the secondary circuit from the energy source to the secondary light source.

Abstract: Detachably connecting a snow plow assembly (20) to a vehicle (22). The snow plow assembly includes a vehicle mount frame (28) and a lift assembly (30). The mount frame is for connecting to a vehicle frame (26) behind a front bumper (24). The lift assembly includes an A-frame (42) and a lift frame (44) with the forward end (70) of the A-frame for supporting a snow blade (40). Means (75) is provided for pivotally connecting a rear end (74) of the A-frame to the lift frame so that the A-frame is free to rotate relative to the lift frame. Additional means (82) is provided for releasably connecting the lift frame to the mount frame whereby the lift assembly can be attached to or detached from the mount frame as a single unit while leaving the mount frame connected to the vehicle.

Abstract: A detachable snowplow blade lift assembly including a mount frame permanently connected to the vehicle frame. A snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame is pivotally connected to the mount frame. A lift frame assembly including a lift actuator mechanism for raising and lowering the A-frame and snowplow blade is pivotally connected to the A-frame for rotation about a pivot axis. The snowplow blade lift assembly also includes a mounting arrangement for releasably connecting the A-frame and lift frame as a unit to the vehicle for pivotable movement of the A-frame relative to the vehicle and to the lift frame about the pivot axis. The A-frame mount affording pivotal movement of the A-frame and the lift frame about a common pivot axis provides a snowplow blade lift assembly which can be attachhed to, and detached from, the mounting frame as a unit and which has the capacity to stack snow.

Abstract: This patent relates to a hydraulic system for a vehicle mounted, power operated plow blade. The power unit attached to the vehicle in the front bumper area includes a fluid reservoir, a pump in the reservoir and the lift cylinder for producing vertical movement of the blade. The hydraulic system includes four way, three way, and two way valves, all along with the necessary passages and ports provided in a unitary, manifold block attached directly to the side of the power unit. The four way valve controls flow to and from the reservoir relative to the three way valve and one of the angling cylinders for the blade. The three way controls flow to and from the four way valve relative to the other angling cylinder and the lift cylinder. The two way valve controls fluid flow to and from the lift cylinder relative to the three way valve.

Abstract: A log splitter comprising a frame generally in the shape of a right triangle having three legs lying in a vertical plane. The frame includes an elongated horizontal member forming the first leg of the right triangle, the elongated horizontal member including a first end, a second end, and an upper surface adapted to support a log. The frame also includes an elongated second member forming the hypotenuse of the right triangle and being positioned below the elongated horizontal member, the elongated second member including a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated second member is fixedly attached to the first end of the elongated horizontal member. The second end of the elongated second member is adapted to rest on a supporting surface.

Abstract: The present invention includes a snow plow assembly adapted to be carried by a vehicle and including a snow plow mounting frame adapted to be fixedly secured to the vehicle frame, a plow blade, means for supporting the plow blade for vertical movement and a plow blade supporting member pivotally attached to the mounting frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and for carrying a plow blade. Means are also provided for selectively causing vertical movement of the plow blade and including a linearly extensible member having a screw connected to the snow plow mounting frame, a threaded member threadably housing an opposite end of the screw, and an electric motor drivingly connected to the threaded member for selectively and alternatively driving the threaded member to cause relative rotation of said threaded member whereby the plow blade is moved vertically.

Abstract: A snow plow assembly adapted to be conveniently mounted on a vehicle. The snow plow assembly includes a vertical frame assembly adapted to be mounted to the vehicle bumper and secured to the vehicle frame. Bracket members are fixedly secured to the opposite lateral sides of the vertical frame and each include a forwardly extending portion bolted to the bumper and a rearward portion bolted to the vehicle frame. Also included is a thrust member having opposite ends, one of its opposite ends being fixedly secured to the lower portion of the vertical frame and an opposite end secured to the vertical frame. The snow plow assembly also includes a plow blade, a frame member having opposite ends and for supporting the plow blade, one of the frame member opposite ends supporting the plow blade and the other of the frame member opposite ends being pivotably joined to the vertical frame. Also included is a motor for lifting the plow blade.

Abstract: An auxiliary light wiring harness for use with a vehicle headlight system including an existing vehicle plug connected to a vehicle headlight power source. The harness includes a three prong plug adapted for connection to the existing vehicle plug, a pair of female plugs adapted for connection to a pair of vehicle headlights, and auxiliary connectors adapted for connection to a pair of auxiliary headlamps. The harness also includes wires connected to the three prong plug, the pair of female plugs and the auxiliary connectors, and a six pole two position switch connected to the wires and operable to allow an operator to energize the vehicle headlights or the auxiliary headlamps.

Abstract: More specifically, the invention includes a single lever control mechanism for controlling the operation of hydraulic cylinders and including a control housing, a manually operable lever, and a support member housed in the control housing and having a supporting surface. The single lever control mechanism also includes a pivot member rigidly connected to the lower end of the lever and supported on the supporting surface of the support member for rocking movement from a neutral position in a first pivotal direction and in a second pivotal direction transverse to the first direction. The control mechanism also includes a first cable attached to one side of the pivot member and being adapted to be operably connected to a first hydraulic cylinder for actuating that hydraulic cylinder in response to pivotal movement of the lever and the pivot member in the first direction.