Plow Blade Assembly

Abstract

A plow blade assembly includes a moldboard adapter plate, a cover plate, and an articulating blade mounted between the moldboard adapter plate and the cover plate. The articulating blade includes a bushing assembly mounted therein, wherein the bushing assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing. In one aspect, the non-elastomeric spacer is positioned adjacent a top edge of the elastomeric bushing.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains generally to a plow blade assembly for use in conjunction with snow plows and like vehicles, wherein the plow blade assembly travels over the surface of a substrate (e.g., the surface of a roadway) to remove snow and ice, as well as other debris and material, and provide for improved impact and performance properties.

Snow plows are well known and carry a relatively-long moldboard which extends generally laterally (or across) of the substrate surface being worked by the blade. It is conventional practice to mount a snow plow blade, e.g., a cutting blade, on the lower edge of such moldboard with the blade, in turn, extending downwardly below the lower edge of the moldboard. The blade has a lower leading edge that forms the working surface of the blade. The vehicle carrying the blade then moves over the surface of the substrate in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of the moldboard. The blade then contacts or impacts any material (e.g., snow and ice and other materials) on the surface of the substrate so as to dislodge and remove the same.

In the past, such blades have been made of steel. Steel blades have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, but also the disadvantage of wearing out rapidly since the scraping operation can be a very abrasive operation. Once worn out, one must replace the steel blade to avoid damage to the moldboard. Replacement of the steel blade is, of course, time consuming and represents downtime for the equipment. Thus, various techniques, such as impregnation and hardfacing of the blade cutting edge with carbide particles. For example, cemented carbide inserts can be attached into or onto the blade edge in an attempt to prolong the life of the steel blade.

While known blades appear to operate reasonably well under the operating conditions for which they were designed, most blades seem to embody one or more shortcomings in terms of complexity, performance, durability, reliability, and/or cost effectiveness. Thus, there remains a need to provide an improved blade structure, e.g., snow plow blade that exhibits more acceptable performance properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a plow blade assembly includes a moldboard adapter plate, a cover plate, and an articulating blade mounted between the moldboard adapter plate and the cover plate. The articulating blade includes a bushing assembly mounted therein, wherein the bushing assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing. In one aspect, the non-elastomeric spacer is positioned adjacent a top edge of the elastomeric bushing.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an articulating blade for a plow blade assembly includes a blade segment having a bottom surface for contacting a surface and a bushing assembly mounted in the blade segment. The bushing assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, an articulating blade for a plow blade assembly includes a first blade segment having a bottom surface for contacting a surface, the first blade segment further having a first angled chamfer formed on an end thereof. The articulating blade also includes a second blade segment adjacent the first blade segment also having a bottom surface for contacting the surface, wherein the second blade segment further has a second angled chamfer formed on an end thereof. The first angled chamfer and the second angled chamfer are structured and arranged for cooperating with each other to provide for variable degrees of movement of the first blade segment and the second blade segment relative to one another.

Advantageously, it will be appreciated that the plow blade assembly of the invention provides: for better conformance to a substrate, e.g., road surface to provide for better cleaning and/or removal action; for improved movability to avoid obstructions, reduce shock, and vibration and reduce damage to a road surface; and smaller blade sections for ease of installation and replacement, as well as improved ability to conform to the road surface.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be more fully understood following a review of this specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a plow blade assembly in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the plow blade assembly shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a bushing assembly in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the bushing assembly shown in FIG. 3 in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a blade segment of an articulating blade of the invention in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of the blade segment shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the blade segment shown in FIG. 5 in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

FIG. 8 is a partial bottom view of adjacent blade segments in accordance with an aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a plow blade assembly 10 in accordance with an aspect of the invention. The plow blade assembly 10 may be mounted on or used in association with a vehicle (not shown) for plowing or grading a surface, such as, for example, a road surface or earth strata.

Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plow blade assembly 10 includes a moldboard adapter plate 12, a cover plate 14, and a flexible or articulating blade 16 mounted between the moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14. As best illustrated in FIG. 1, the moldboard adapter plate 12 may be a continuous member. The cover plate 14 may include multiple cover plate members 14a corresponding to multiple articulating blade segments 16a of the articulating blade 16. Thus, it will be appreciated that the components of the plow blade assembly 10, i.e., the moldboard adapter plate 12, the cover plate 14, and the articulating blade 16, may be provided in various configurations and arrangements as desired and necessary for particular uses and applications of the plow blade assembly 10.

Referring to FIGS. 2-5, each articulating blade segment 16a includes one or more bushing assemblies 20 mounted or formed in the blade segment 16a. The bushing assembly 20 includes an elastomeric bushing 22 and a non-elastomeric spacer 24 non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing 22. The non-elastomeric spacer 24 may be formed of, for example, steel.

The non-elastomeric spacer 24 defines an opening 26 that is generally axially aligned with an aperture 28 formed in the cover plate members 14a of the cover plate 14 and another aperture 30 formed in the moldboard adapter plate 12 such that a bolt 32 may pass therethrough and cooperate with a nut 34 for assembling the plow blade assembly 10. It will be appreciated that other means for assembling, connecting, or attaching the various components of the plow blade assembly 10 may be provided in accordance with aspects of the invention.

As described herein and illustrated in the figures, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 is non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing 22. In one aspect, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 is offset from the center of the elastomeric bushing 22. In another aspect, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 is positioned adjacent a top edge 36 of the elastomeric bushing 22. In another aspect, a top portion 38 of the non-elastomeric spacer 24 is generally contiguous with the top edge 36 of the elastomeric bushing 22. Advantageously, by positioning the non-elastomeric spacer 24 within the elastomeric bushing 22, as described and illustrated herein, enhanced and improved flexibility of the articulating blade 16 can be achieved. This, in turn, provides for improved performance and durability of the articulating blade 16 that contacts a surface which results in overall improved performance of the plow blade assembly 10.

In another aspect of the invention, the elastomeric bushing 22 may be generally square. In addition, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 may also be generally square. However, it will be appreciated that the elastomeric bushing 22 may be provided in other shapes and configurations and that the non-elastomeric spacer 24 also may be provided in other shapes and configurations. Also, the elastomeric bushing 22 may have a different shape than the shape of the non-elastomeric spacer 24.

In operation of the plow blade assembly 10, the articulating blade 16 is structured and arranged for movement relative to the moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14 as the plow blade assembly 10, and more particularly, the articulating blade 16, contacts a surface for providing a plowing or grading operation. In one aspect, the relative movement of the articulating blade 16 relative to the moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14 is provided by the non-elastomeric spacer 24 having a thickness T1 that is greater than a thickness T2 of the elastomeric bushing 22. (See, for example, FIG. 4.) Thus, when the articulating blade 16 is arranged between the moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14, as described herein, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 with the greater thickness T1 contacts the moldboard adapter plate 12 on one side and the cover plate 14 on the opposing side so as to allow for each blade segment 16a of the articulating blade 16 to move relative to the moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14. This relative movement of the articulating blade 16, and more particularly, the relative movement of the articulating blade segments 16a, allows for the articulating blade 16 to remain in more direct contact with the surface that is being plowed or graded. It will be appreciated that the bolt 32 assembly also contributes to the relative movement of the articulating blade segments 16a.

Referring to FIG. 7, a bottom edge or bottom surface 40 of the articulating blade 16 includes a plurality of hard inserts 42 for contacting a surface. The hard inserts 42 may be made of, for example, tungsten carbide, for providing increased wear and performance of the plow blade assembly 10.

Referring to FIGS. 5-8, another aspect of the invention provides for increasing maneuverability of the blade segments 16a that form the articulating blade 16. More particularly, angled chamfers 44 are formed on opposing ends of each of the articulating blade segments 16a. Thus, when the blade segments 16a are positioned adjacent to one another, one angled chamfer 44 from a first blade segment 16a cooperates with another angled chamfer on a second blade segment 16a so as to provide for variable degrees of movement between the two blade segments 16a. (See, for example, FIG. 8.) It will be appreciated that the blade segments may move more freely in an up-and-down direction and side-to-side direction relative to one another during use of the plow blade assembly 10. The angled chamfers 44 also advantageously operate to reduce the amount of material that may accumulate between ends of adjacent blade segments 16a during operation.

Whereas particular aspects of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A plow blade assembly, comprising:

a moldboard adapter plate;

a cover plate; and

an articulating blade mounted between the moldboard adapter plate and the cover plate, the articulating blade including a bushing assembly mounted therein, wherein the bushing assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing.

2. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the moldboard adapter plate includes a first aperture and the cover plate includes a second aperture, the first aperture and the second aperture being generally axially aligned with the non-elastomeric spacer of the bushing assembly.

3. The plow blade assembly of claim 2, wherein a mounting bolt extends through the first aperture, second aperture, and the non-elastomeric spacer for connecting the moldboard adapter plate, cover plate, and the articulating blade.

4. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-elastomeric spacer is positioned adjacent a top edge of the elastomeric bushing.

5. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric bushing is generally square.

6. The plow blade assembly of claim 5, wherein the non-elastomeric spacer is generally square.

7. The plow blade assembly of claim 6, wherein a top portion of the non-elastomeric spacer is generally contiguous with a top edge of the elastomeric bushing.

8. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the articulating blade is structured and arranged for movement relative to the moldboard adapter plate and cover plate.

9. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-elastomeric spacer has a thickness greater than a thickness of the elastomeric bushing.

10. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the articulating blade includes a bottom surface containing a plurality of hard inserts for contacting a surface.

11. An articulating blade for a plow blade assembly, the articulating blade comprising:

a blade segment having a bottom surface for contacting a surface; and

a bushing assembly mounted in the blade segment, wherein the bushing assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing.

12. The articulating blade of claim 11, wherein the non-elastomeric spacer is positioned adjacent a top edge of the elastomeric bushing.

13. The articulating blade of claim 11, wherein the elastomeric bushing is generally square.

14. The articulating blade of claim 13, wherein the non-elastomeric spacer is generally square.

15. The articulating blade of claim 14, wherein a top portion of the non-elastomeric spacer is generally contiguous with a top edge of the elastomeric bushing.

16. The articulating blade of claim 11, wherein the non-elastomeric spacer has a thickness greater than a thickness of the elastomeric bushing.

17. The articulating blade of claim 11, wherein the bottom surface of the articulating blade contains a plurality of hard inserts for contacting the surface.

18. An articulating blade for a plow blade assembly, the articulating blade comprising:

a first blade segment having a bottom surface for contacting a surface, the first blade segment further having a first angled chamfer formed on an end thereof; and

a second blade segment adjacent the first blade segment also having a bottom surface for contacting the surface, the second blade segment further having a second angled chamfer formed on an end thereof,

wherein the first angled chamfer and the second angled chamfer are structured and arranged for cooperating with each other to provide for variable degrees of movement of the first blade segment and the second blade segment relative to one another.

19. The articulating blade of claim 18, wherein the first blade segment includes a bushing assembly mounted in the first blade segment, wherein the bushing assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing.

20. The articulating blade of claim 18, wherein the second blade segment includes an additional bushing assembly mounted in the second blade segment, wherein the additional bushing assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing.