PLOW LIFT AND DOWN PRESSURE CONTROL MECHANISMS, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS
A low cost plow lift and down pressure system comprising a lift frame having a lift end and a mount end for securing to a plow vehicle. A push frame is pivotably coupled between a plow and the lift frame. A lever beam articulates with a lift end of the lift frame between a rear end and a forward end of the lever beam. The lever beam is able to perform a first function from the forward end and a second function from the rear end. An actuator, typically in the form of a hydraulic cylinder, is pivotably coupled at a forward end of the lever beam and an opposed end of the actuator is pivotably coupled to the lift frame. Activation of the actuator results in activating at least two functions of the system.
This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 15/482,608 filed Apr. 7, 2017 which claims priority to Provisional Patent Application No. 62/319,682 filed Apr. 7, 2016, the entire disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference and relied upon.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the InventionThe invention relates generally to snowplow control mechanisms, and more particularly to snowplow lift and down pressure control mechanisms.
Description of Related ArtPlows are utilized throughout the country to remove snow from roads, parking lots, and other terrestrial surfaces needing to be cleared. Plows are also used to grade dirt or gravel roads to keep them smooth. Plows are commonly releasably mounted to the front end of a plow truck. An associated plow truck may be small or large. Commonly pickup or other similar framed vehicles are used. Typically a plow is controlled by hydraulics to lift and lower a plow or to turn it such that it leads with a left or right edge. Some plow systems utilize a complex system of hydraulics to perform these actions and constantly adjust the hydraulics based on the pressures sensed in by a hydraulic system. This approach requires the use of abundant energy usually drained from an associated truck and can cause accelerated wear of the hydraulic system from the repetitive adjustments.
Many plow systems rely on the weight of the plow to keep the plow lowered across the road or terrestrial surface during plowing. More advanced and consequently more expensive plow systems provide not only the inherent weight of the plow but also an additional down pressure on the plow for improved scraping across the plowed surface. The down pressure must be able to react to varying terrain of the surface to be plowed and again must constantly sense and adjust to these variations. Typically these down pressure systems operate utilizing an advanced system of sensors and control systems.
Less expensive plow systems typically use a simpler system of hydraulics driving a one-way hydraulic cylinder against a linkage system. One of the linkages is commonly in the form of a chain that lifts a plow when an associated hydraulic cylinder is extended. Gravity and the weight of the plow account for the plow lowering when the hydraulic pressure to the cylinder is released.
An example of this type of gravity based system from the prior art is illustrated in
What is needed are less expensive robust plow systems that are capable of introducing a down pressure to the plow blade without adding substantial cost to the system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONDisclosed herein are low cost systems for lifting, lowering, and creating a down pressure on a plow secured to a front or rear end of a plow vehicle.
In one form, a plow lift and down pressure system comprises a mechanical tension line lift mechanism working in cooperation with hydraulics to lift a plow from the ground using a controller operated from inside a plow vehicle.
In one form, a mechanical tension line lift mechanism comprises a lift frame.
In one form, a lift frame is configured with a mount end for securing to the front or rear end of a plow vehicle using a sufficient attachment mechanism such as; sliding and pinning into a plow vehicle's hitch receiver, bolting on a hitch plate, and bolting to the frame of the vehicle.
In one form, a lift frame of a plow lift and down pressure system is releasably attached to a lift frame receiver mounted to a frame of a vehicle such as a pickup truck.
In one form, a lift frame broadens laterally at its mount end.
In one form, an opposing lift end of a lift frame is positioned forward and superiorly on the lift frame in front of a plow vehicle.
In one form, a plow vehicle is in the form of a pickup truck.
In one form, a plow vehicle is in the form of a utility truck.
In one form, a first lift pivot is positioned at a lift end of a lift frame.
In one form, pivotably attached to the first lift pivot is a lever beam extending generally forward a distance towards the plow and backwards towards the plow vehicle.
In one form, located at a forward end of a lever beam is a lift receiver for securing a lift tension line thereto.
In one form, located at a rear end of a lever beam is a down pressure receiver for securing a down pressure tension line thereto.
In one form, a lift receiver and down pressure receiver are situated at opposed ends of an lever beam.
In one form, a second lift pivot is disposed between a lift receiver and a down pressure receiver on a lever beam therein creating a lever arm at each end of the lever beam.
In one form, a lever beam in preferred embodiments is in the form of a U-channel but may assume other profiles.
In one form, a first lift pivot of a lift frame and second lift pivot a lever beam are in the form of holes that are aligned and secured by a pin therethrough around which the lever beam pivots about with respect to the lift frame.
In preferred forms, a plow lift and down pressure system comprises one or more lift tension line and one or more down pressure tension lines that are in the form of a chain.
In an alternative form, one or more of the lift tension line and down pressure tension line is in the form of cable, rope, or other flexible elongate tension device.
In one form, one or more of a lift tension line and a down pressure tension line is slack during various operations of a plow lift and down pressure system.
In one form, an anti-slack member is used in remove slack in one or more of a lift tension line and a down pressure tension line. Examples of suitable anti-slack members include one or more of bungee and other similar rubber, elastic cords, and springs.
In one form, a plow lift and down pressure system comprises a slack pocket within the system to assist in collecting chain or other forms of slack lift or down pressure tension line.
In one form, a plow lift and down pressure system comprises a push frame.
In one form, a push frame is pivotably coupled to a plow and a lift frame.
In one form, a push frame comprises a left push strut portion, a right push strut portion, and a base push strut portion generally forming a triangle.
In one form, a push frame is pivotably attached to a lift frame adjacent an inferior base end of the lift frame such that a leading end of the push frame may pivot superiorly and inferiorly for raising and lowering a plow portion coupled to the push frame.
In one form, a leading end of a push frame is attached to a plow wherein forward forces from a plow vehicle are transmitted through a lift frame to a push frame, and to the plow to push snow or other road debris.
In one form, attachment between a plow and a push frame occurs at a pivot junction whereby the plow can be pivotably adjusted (typically by hydraulics) to lead with a left end or be adjusted to lead with a right end or be situated to be generally parallel to a bumper of a plow vehicle.
In one form, a lift boss extends from a pivot junction for securing a lift tension line thereto.
In one form, a lift boss extends from a push frame for securing a lift tension line thereto.
In one form, a plow receiver is disposed on a lift boss for securement of a lower end of a lift tension line.
In one form, an expanding lift member is utilized in the system to provide lifting forces for raising and lowering a plow. In preferred forms, the expanding lift member is in the form of a first hydraulic cylinder driven by changes in hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic pump system.
In one form, an actuator is in the form of a first hydraulic cylinder.
In one form, an actuator actively extends and passively retracts, or actively extends and retracts.
In one form, a first hydraulic cylinder is pivotably secured at one end to a third lift pivot located at a forward end of an lever beam and pivotably secured at an opposing end to a fourth lift pivot located on a lift frame.
In one form, a first hydraulic cylinder is of a bi-directional variety whereby the first hydraulic cylinder can be controlled to not only actively extend by hydraulic pressure but also to actively retract by hydraulic pressure.
In one form, a fifth lift pivot is positioned at a lower end of a lift frame.
In one form, a down pressure arm comprising a sixth lift pivot is pivotably attached to a lift frame by a pivot pin or bolt extending through a fifth lift pivot on a lift frame and the sixth lift pivot.
In one form, a sixth lift pivot is located between a leading end and trailing end of a down pressure arm.
In one form, secured at a trailing end of a down pressure arm is a first down pressure receiver for securing a lower end of a down pressure tension line thereto.
In one form, a leading end of a down pressure arm is coupled with a push frame.
In one form, coupling between a leading end of a down pressure arm and push frame is in the form of at least one of; opposing contact, pivotably attached, and pivotably and slidingly attached to a portion of a push frame.
In one form, a down pressure arm on a leading end comprises a spring portion and a rigid portion.
In one form, a spring portion of a down pressure arm is in the form of a leaf spring but may assume other spring forms such as a coiled.
In one form, a spring portion of a down pressure arm is of a generally constant rate.
In one form, using a constant rate spring, a user may actuate down pressure to a predetermined stop to preset the downward force.
In one form, the spring rate of a spring portion of a down pressure arm is variable.
In one form, a user toggles or steps down hydraulic pressure to a desired position then adds more downward force as needed.
In one form, a spring portion of a down pressure arm is in the form of a pneumatic or hydraulic spring.
In one form, a down pressure arm is configured to act as a lever. Upward force exerted by a down pressure tension line on a corresponding trailing end of the down pressure arm levers the leading end of the down pressure arm against the push frame causing a consequent downward force to be transmitted to a plow. This causes the associated plow to move across the road or other terrestrial surface with not only the inherent weight of the plow but also with additional downward forces induced through an associated down pressure tension line.
In forms of a down pressure arm comprising a spring portion, resiliency of the spring portion accommodates for variations in the road as the plow vehicle moves forward across the driving surface. Therefore, this mechanism not only applies a relatively constant down pressure on the associated plow, but also prevents plastic deformation to components of the plow by allowing the plow to spring up out of the way should the plow encounter a hard barrier such as a curb at the edge of the road or a rock protruding from the surface of a dirt road.
In one form, a down pressure arm comprises a pusher portion for pushing against a push frame. The pusher portion in one embodiment is in the form of a compression surface at a forward end of a down pressure arm. In other forms the pusher may be in the form of a roller or pad or functionally equivalent part.
In one form, a down pressure arm may be pivoted up into a storage position when down pressure is not being used during plowing operations to prevent unnecessary engagement between one or more of a push frame, portions of pusher, and a down pressure arm. This separation also assists with the reduction of noise and un-necessary wear between the parts. A pin, elastic cord, or other functionally equivalent device may be used to hold the down pressure arm in the storage position until needed.
In one form, a pusher portion of a down pressure arm acts surface to surface against a push frame. The pusher may include a bumper or pad between the contacting surfaces. For example, a down pressure arm may act directly to push down from a top surface of a push frame. Alternatively, a down pressure arm may be fastened to a side or lower surface of a push frame effectively pulling the push frame downwards.
In one form, a pusher portion is pinned to a push frame providing a pusher the freedom to pivot about a single axis. A polymer sleeve may be used between articulating parts.
In one form, a pusher portion is secured to the down pressure arm with a slide pivot joint wherein the pusher may both slide and pivot with respect to the push frame as the push frame adjusts to varying terrain and user initiated plow adjustments. These alternative connections therebetween will also reduce noise such as rattling between the parts.
In one form, a plow lift and down pressure system comprises a plow stand.
In one form, a plow stand is in the form of parking leg. In a storage configuration, a parking leg is folded up against and locked adjacent an associated down pressure arm out of the way from terrain, snow, ice, or other item that may catch on it. In an operable configuration, the leg is rotated down wherein an inferior rest surface is used to rest against pavement or other ground surface. In some forms the plow stand is adjustable in height. The plow stand is useful during attachment and removal of the plow assembly from the truck. With the stand in an operable configuration, the plow may be lowered until the weight of the plow system fully rests on the blade of the plow and the inferior rest surface of the leg. In preferred forms, a plow stand stand is at a height wherein the weight of the plow system is fully unloaded from the associated plow vehicle. The plow system is released from the front end of the plow vehicle and the vehicle can back away from the plow system with minimal friction between a mount end of a lift frame and the plow receiver on the plow vehicle.
In an alternative form, a plow lift and down pressure system comprises a secondary hydraulic cylinder attached between a seventh lift pivot on a lift frame and first down pressure receiver on a down pressure arm. In this embodiment, a first hydraulic cylinder and a second hydraulic cylinder cooperate wherein the first hydraulic cylinder extends to raise the associated plow while the second hydraulic cylinder is generally deactivated in a plow lift mode, and a second hydraulic cylinder extends to increase plow down pressure while the first hydraulic cylinder is generally deactivated in a plow down pressure mode.
In one form, a plow lift and down pressure system utilizes a rigid down pressure arm.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily appreciated when considered in connection with the following detailed description and appended drawings, wherein each drawing is according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein, and wherein:
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the Figures, wherein like numerals reflect like elements throughout the several views. Various embodiments are distinguished by a letter complementing each numeral. The terminology used in the description presented herein is not intended to be interpreted in any limited or restrictive way, simply because it is being utilized in conjunction with detailed description of certain specific embodiments of the invention. Furthermore, embodiments of the invention may include several novel features, no single one of which is solely responsible for its desirable attributes or which is essential to practicing the invention described herein.
A preferred embodiment of one embodiment of a plow lift and down pressure system is illustrated in
A plow lift and down pressure system 14A comprises a lift frame 3A. Lift frame 3A is configured with a mount end 24A for securing to the front end or front under frame of a plow vehicle using a sufficient attachment mechanism such as; sliding and pinning into a hitch receiver, bolting on a hitch plate, or bolting to the frame of a plow vehicle. In some forms lift frame 3A is releasably attached to a lift frame receiver mounted to the frame of a vehicle such as a pickup truck. In some forms lift frame 3A may broaden laterally at its mount end 24A.
An opposing lift end 22A of lift frame 3A extends forward then superiorly in front of a plow vehicle. In some forms a lift frame 3A is in the general shape of an ‘L’. A first lift pivot 26A is positioned at the lift end 22A of lift frame 3A. In preferred forms, lift pivots are in the form of aligned holes through parts. Lift pivots are used for pivoting between adjacent parts when a pivot member (not shown) such as a bolt or pin is extended therethrough. Pivotably attached at first lift pivot 26A of lift frame 3A is a lever beam 2A by aligning and pinning first lift pivot 26A with second lift pivot 32A of lever beam 2A. Lever beam 2A extends generally forward from second lift pivot 32A a distance towards a plow 34A and backwards towards a plow vehicle creating a lever arm on opposing sides of second lift pivot 32A. Located at a forward end 56A of lever beam 2A is a lift receiver 28A for securing a lift tension line 4A thereto (
As illustrated in
In preferred forms, attachment between plow 34A and push frame 1A occurs at a pivot junction 40A whereby plow 34A can be pivotably adjusted (typically by hydraulics) to lead with a left end of the plow or be adjusted to lead with a right end of the plow or be situated to be generally parallel to the bumper of plow vehicle 8A. At this pivot junction 40A extends a lift boss 38A. A plow receiver 36A is disposed on the lift boss 38A for securement of a lower end of lift tension line 4A. Plow receiver may assume a wide variety of forms known in the art including for example a bolt, a hook, or weld to fix lift tension line to it.
An expanding lift member is utilized in the system to provide lifting forces for raising and lowering the plow. In preferred forms, the expanding lift member is in the form of a first hydraulic cylinder 5A driven by changes in hydraulic pressure from a hydraulic pump 94A system coupled by hydraulic lines 96A and controlled by a controller 92A. First hydraulic cylinder 5A is pivotably secured at one end to a third lift pivot 42A (
A fifth lift pivot 46A is positioned at a lower end of lift frame 3A. The rear of push frame 1A comprises a sixth lift pivot 48A. Push frame 1A is pivotably attached to lift frame 3A by a pivot pin extending between a fifth and sixth lift pivot 46A, 48A on both the left and right side. A seventh lift pivot 74A is located between a leading end and trailing end of down pressure arm 6A and an ninth lift pivot 90A resides at a lower frontal side of lift frame 3A (
At a trailing end of down pressure arm 6A is a second down pressure receiver 76A (
As illustrated in
Down pressure arm 6A in this embodiment is configured to act as a lever. Upward force exerted by down pressure tension line 7A on a trailing end of down pressure arm 6A levers the leading end of the down pressure arm 6A against the push frame 1A. A downward force is then transmitted to the plow 34A. This causes plow 34A to move across a road or terrestrial surface with not only the inherent weight of the plow but also with additional downward forces induced through down pressure tension line 7A from action of first hydraulic cylinder 5A.
Resiliency of spring portion 78A of down pressure arm 6A accommodates for variations in a road surface as a plow vehicle moves forward across the driving surface. Therefore, this mechanism not only applies a relatively constant down pressure on plow 34A, but also prevents plastic deformation to components of the plow by providing for plow 34A to spring up out of the way should the plow encounter a hard barrier such as a curb at the edge of the road or a rock protruding from the surface of a dirt road.
In some embodiments plow lift and down pressure system 14A comprises a plow stand 13A. In preferred forms plow stand 13A is in the form of parking leg 11A as illustrated in
In this embodiment, a method of operation to cause consequent down pressure in plow 34A comprises the following steps. Using a control interface 91A, a user activates a controller 92A causing a hydraulic pump 94A to activate first hydraulic cylinder 5A into forced retraction (
Illustrated in
Loading of spring portion 78A is further illustrated in
In an alternative embodiment, a spring portion of a down pressure arm is eliminated and an entire down pressure arm is substantially rigid although the operation is similar. As illustrated in
In yet another alternative embodiment, an eighth lift pivot 75C extends from lift frame 3C. Illustrated in
In another embodiment, a down pressure arm is rigid and the down pressure tension line is replaced by a resilient element such as a spring, or replaced by a combination element having both a rigid and spring portion. The spring portion may be constant or variable spring rate. In this configuration, a plow following a rise or dip in the contour of the ground is able to react to these changes without the use of a ground monitoring device or other sensors.
As noted previously, activation of an actuator such as a hydraulic cylinder may result in activating two functions. For example, activation of an actuator on a lever beam may be used to not only control the height of a plow (raise and lower), but may also be used to effectuate the application of downward forces on a plow blade. As illustrated in
In some embodiments, a flexible or non-flexible joiner member may be coupled with the rear end of the lever arm such as one or more of; chains, nylon straps, metal straps, elastic bands, ropes, and various forms of links. As previously disclosed, this flexible or non-flexible joiner member may be used to activate one or more of the following; a leaf spring, a metal arm, a jack stand, and a hitch mechanism or device. For example, forces from the rear end of a lever beam may be used to generate down forces on a plow. This may include a trip release feature to prevent damaging the associated equipment and/or vehicle. In one embodiment, a leaf spring is utilized that provides for a predetermined tension or preset pressure to be applied (
In another embodiment, the rear end of a lever beam effectuates a parking leg (
The adjustable length jack stand 120D comprises an elongate upper beam 124D and an elongate lower beam 126D. At a superior end of the upper beam is an eleventh lift pivot 128D here in the form of a generally horizontal bore extending therethrough. A pivot pin as described previously joins the tenth lift pivot 122D with the eleventh lift pivot 128D of the upper beam 124D. The upper beam 124D and lower beam 126D have a telescoping relationship with releasable interlock 130D for adjusting the overall length of the adjustable length jack stand 120D to preferred lengths. In this embodiment, the releasable interlock 130D is in the form of a release pin and one or more aligned adjustment bores 132D extending through a shaft portion of the upper beam 124D and lower beam 126D. The telescoping relationship may include one or more shaft couplers 134D holding the upper beam and lower beam in sliding engagement with each other or may be in the form of a tube captured with a tube. A frame coupler 136D, in this case extending from the lift frame 3D, has a central aperture to contain the motion path of the upper and lower beam generally along axis D. A rest surface 84D at the bottom of foot 140D may be disposed at an inferior end of the lower beam 126D for resting against a ground surface. Foot 140D, or an extension of it may be used by the user to step on to lower or help raise lower beam 126D if so desired.
In an operable configuration (
The foregoing invention has been described in accordance with the relevant legal standards, thus the description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed embodiment may become apparent to those skilled in the art and fall within the scope of the invention.
Claims
1) A plow lift system comprising:
- a lift frame;
- said lift frame comprising a mount end for securing to a front end of a plow vehicle;
- said lift frame comprising a lift end opposing said mount end;
- said lift end positioned superiorly of said mount end;
- a lever beam;
- said lever beam pivotably coupled with said lift end of said lift frame between a rear end and a forward end of said lever beam;
- a plow for pushing natural materials;
- a push frame;
- said push frame pivotably coupled between said plow and said lift frame;
- an actuator;
- one end of said actuators pivotably fixed to a forward end of said lever beam;
- an opposed end of said actuator pivotably fixed to said lift frame;
- said actuator actively extends and retracts;
- wherein activation of said actuator results in activating two functions.
2) The plow lift system of claim 1 wherein a rear end of said lever beam functions to impart down pressure on the plow.
3) The plow lift system of claim 1 wherein said two functions include lowering a plow and imparting down pressure on the plow.
4) The plow lift system of claim 1 wherein said forward end of said lever beam lifts a plow and said rear end of said lever beam imparts a down force on an associated plow blade.
5) The plow lift system of claim 1 wherein said forward end of said lever beam lifts a plow and said rear end of said lever beam actuates an adjustable length jack used to steady the plow when the plow is detached from the vehicle.
6) The plow lift system of claim 1 wherein a forward end of said lever beam is used to lift a plow and a rear end of said lever beam is used to selectively create one or more of the following; apply a down force on the plow blade and as a jack to support the plow lift system.
7) A plow lift system comprising:
- a lift frame;
- said lift frame comprising a mount end for securing to a front end of a plow vehicle;
- said lift frame comprising a lift end opposing said mount end;
- said lift end positioned superiorly of said mount end;
- a lever beam;
- said lever beam pivotably coupled with said lift end of said lift frame between a rear end and a forward end of said lever beam;
- a plow for pushing natural materials;
- a push frame;
- said push frame pivotably coupled between said plow and said lift frame;
- an actuator;
- one end of said actuator pivotably fixed to a forward end of said lever beam;
- an opposed end of said actuator pivotably fixed to said lift frame;
- said actuator actively extending and retracting;
- wherein activation of said actuator results consequent activation of a first function from a forward end of a lever beam and a second function from a rear end of a lever beam.
8) The plow lift system of claim 7 wherein a forward end of said lever beam is utilized to lift a plow and a rear end of said lever beam is coupled to a plow down pressure device.
9) The plow lift system of claim 7 wherein a forward end of said lever beam is utilized to lift a plow and a rear end of said lever beam is utilized to control an adjustable length jack stand.
10) The plow lift system of claim 9 wherein said adjustable length jack stand comprises and upper beam and a lower beam and a releasable interlock for locking said upper beam and a lower beam in a discrete length relationship.
11) The plow lift system of claim 9 further comprising a foot on an inferior end of said lower beam and a jack spring wherein said jackspring biases said lower beam upwards.
12) The plow lift system of claim 9 wherein said adjustable length jack stand further comprises a telescopically coupled upper beam and lower beam.
13) The plow lift system of claim 11 further comprising a foot wherein foot pressure on said foot by a user overcomes the biasing force.
14) A method of operating a plow with a down pressure system comprising the following steps:
- coupling a lift frame of a plow to a plow vehicle;
- pivotably coupling a lift end of a lift frame between a forward end and a rear end of a lever beam;
- coupling a lift tension line between the forward end of the lever beam and a plow;
- coupling a down pressure tension line to a rear end of the lever beam and down pressure arm;
- activating a controller causing a hydraulic pump to activate a first hydraulic cylinder into forced retraction to cause consequent downward rotation of a forward end of the lever beam and upward rotation of the rear end of the lever beam;
- wherein the lift tension line lowers the plow and the down pressure tension line effectuates plow down pressure.
15) The method of claim 14 further comprising the step of the down pressure tension line forcing a down pressure arm against a push frame that is pivotably coupling a lift frame to a plow.
16) The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of the down pressure tension line forcing a down pressure arm to load a spring tension against a push frame that is pivotably coupling a lift frame to a plow.
17) The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps:
- activating a controller causing a hydraulic pump to activate a first hydraulic cylinder into forced extension to cause consequent upward rotation of a forward end of the lever beam and downward rotation of the rear end of the lever beam;
- and wherein the lift tension line lifts the plow and the down pressure tension line releases down pressure on the plow.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 9, 2018
Publication Date: Dec 27, 2018
Inventors: Matthew P. Jewell (Gwinn, MI), Peter Carl Menze (Marquette, MI), Stephen Robert Lang (Ishpeming, MI)
Application Number: 16/059,231