Abstract: A coupler for rapidly joining a snowplow unit to a prime mover. A horizontally extended tongue is affixed to the push frame of the plow unit which is insertable into a receiving slot contained in the coupler. The tongue is provided with a pair of contoured camming surfaces that are arranged to translate a prescribed motion to a pair of jaw elements contained in a locking mechanism carried by the coupler. The jaw elements are biased to move in contact with the camming surfaces to first move to a fully opened position to allow the tongue to pass into the coupler and then into closed or locked position wherein the push frame of the plow unit is securely drawn into seated contact against the front wall of the coupler.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically locking the blade mechanism of a vehicular driven snowplow at a desired angular position in regard to the forward line of movement of the vehicle. The locking device is adapted to automatically release the blade mechanism when the blade is raised from a normal snow clearing or working position and to move back automatically into locking engagement when the blade mechanism is lowered into the same or a new angularly disposed working position.

Abstract: A truck has a pusher frame secured to its front end and has a space between its cab and its body at the rear. A front post is secured to the pusher frame and a rear post is secured to the vehicle frame between the cab and body. Each post includes a vertically disposed rectangular tubular way having a slot along one side and a double acting hydraulic cylinder having its piston rod secured to the bottom end of the way and the lower end of its cylinder secured to the rectangular portion of a pair of spaced plates adapted to slide within the posts. The cylinder has a piston secured to the upper end of a double tubed piston rod, one tube being telescoped within the other and having an annular space therebetween, the central tube extending beyond the other at each end.

Abstract: An operating and shock cylinder assembly for vehicle mounted underbody scraper and grader blades, plows and the like. The assembly of cylinders operates with hydraulic fluid and air, both under pressure, to move the blade or plow between retracted and road engaging positions. It also permits the blade to trip or yield when it engages a fixed obstacle in the road after which the blade quickly returns to its road engaging position. The assembly includes a pair of coacting cylinders which are first charged with air under pressure after which one of the cylinders is charged with hydraulic fluid under pressure. The hydraulic charge forces all of the air into the other cylinder and further compresses it, and this air operates as a powerful spring force or load on a piston in the cylinder that is connected to the pivotally mounted blade. Under this condition, the blade is firmly but yieldably biased into road engaging position.