With Specific Means To Facilitate Connection To, Or Disconnection From, Vehicle Patents (Class 37/231)
  • Patent number: 7784199
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting apparatus further includes a vehicle connecting member for attachment to the vehicle; the vehicle connecting member including a mechanism that allows the mounting frame to swivel in a generally horizontal plane when interconnected with the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 7779562
    Abstract: A universal mount bracket that provides two pairs of adapter plates, one pair for each side of the front end loader. Each adapter plate can be adjusted laterally to match the width of virtually any size loader arm produced, and then be adjusted to the overall width of the loader (distance between the left and right loader arms). Once each pair of adapter plates have been matched to the loader arms (left and right), the equipment implement must then be centered and secured in place to prevent any lateral displacement of the unit while the implement is in use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventors: Allen L. Loveless, Jason N. Abrams
  • Publication number: 20100199527
    Abstract: An extensible snowplough blade comprises a fixed blade body (10), having a substantially linear conformation in a longitudinal direction and is provided, at a posterior surface (11) thereof, with means for support (12). It further comprises a raising structure (20) for defining a hinged connection between the blade body (10) and a vehicle (150). The raising structure (20) in turn comprises a frame (21) for fixing thereof to the vehicle (150) and coupling means (25) of the fixed frame (21) to the means for support (12). The extensible snowplough blade (100) further comprises a first extension (30), slidably mounted on the means for support (12) in a parallel position to the blade body (10) and destined to extend longitudinally with respect to the blade body (10) in a left-wards direction, and a second extension (40), slidably mounted on the means for support (12) in a parallel position to the blade body (10) and destined to extend longitudinally, with respect to the blade body (10), in a right-wards direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Applicant: ASSALONI.COM S.P.A.
    Inventor: Fabio Gandolfi
  • Publication number: 20100175281
    Abstract: A snowplow and mount assembly comprising a mount frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle, and a snowplow frame. One of the mount frame and the snowplow frame has first and second arms and the other of the mount frame and snowplow frame has first and second receivers, the first and second receivers receiving the first and second arms, respectively. Respective ones of first and second latch pins removably secure the first and second arms in the first and second receivers. A latch lever is operably associated with the first and second latch pins and simultaneously actuates the latch pins to latched and unlatched positions. The snowplow frame includes a jack stand movable to and between an extended ground contacting and snowplow frame supporting position and a retracted ground noncontacting and snowplow frame nonsupporting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Publication date: July 15, 2010
    Applicant: Douglas Dynamics, LLC
    Inventors: Andre Valmont LeBlond, James Calvin Pieper, Mark Lawrence Stultz, Steven Lohry Klug, John Wallace Field, David Bloxdorf
  • Patent number: 7743536
    Abstract: A materials moving blade (1) comprising a main blade (3) having a materials engaging surface extending bounded by a first end, a second end, a top edge (37) and a lower edge (39) defining a hinge axis, a plurality of trip blades (9) supported at the lower edge (39) of the main blade (3) and a universal mounting panel having a plurality of holes in the mounting panel for accommodating different mounting system geometries.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Degelman Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Miles M. E. Evans, Donald Stevenson
  • Patent number: 7747739
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described for a power aggregation system. In one implementation, a service establishes individual Internet connections to numerous electric resources intermittently connected to the power grid, such as electric vehicles. The Internet connection may be made over the same wire that connects the resource to the power grid. The service optimizes power flows to suit the needs of each resource and each resource owner, while aggregating flows across numerous resources to suit the needs of the power grid. The service can bring vast numbers of electric vehicle batteries online as a new, dynamically aggregated power resource for the power grid. Electric vehicle owners can participate in an electricity trading economy regardless of where they plug into the power grid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: GridPoint, Inc.
    Inventors: Seth W. Bridges, Seth B. Pollack, David L. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 7735245
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade having a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting upright includes a limiting member that limits upward movement of the retention member when the plow blade is in a working orientation such that the retention member is secured on the mounting upright. The preferred snow plow may also include an attachment member located on the mounting apparatus, wherein the plow blade retention member may be removably secured within the attachment member when the plow blade is in a non-working orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 7730647
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a construction machine which precipitates the removal of earth that is churned up onto a vehicle body from the vehicle body, which reduces transfer loads on a blade bracket, which improves the attachability of the blade bracket, and which achieves standardization of the blade bracket. The construction machine according to the present invention is constituted such that a frame of a crawler belt-type traveling body comprises a center frame, a pair of truck frames disposed on the outside of two side portions of the center frame, a connecting member which connects the center frame to the truck frames, and a blade bracket which is joined to the center frame and the connecting member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Assignee: Komatsu Utility Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiteru Kubo, Sachio Shimizu, Shinichi Senba, Hiroyuki Takayama, Kouhei Urase, Takaharu Nishimura
  • Patent number: 7707753
    Abstract: A self-adjusting snow plow for use with pickup trucks, SUVs, all-terrain vehicles or other land vehicles. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and a plow blade, preferably including a mold board and a retention apparatus assembly. The retention apparatus assembly disengageably secures the plow blade to the mounting apparatus when the plow blade is in a snow displacement position. The snow plow further includes an elongated strap selectively connectable between the plow blade and the mounting apparatus in at least one position, wherein the position is a constrained orientation wherein the elongated strap resists upward movement of the plow blade when the plow blade is disengageably secured to the mounting apparatus or an elevated orientation, wherein the elongated strap suspends the plow blade a desired distance from the ground to prevent the plow blade from contacting the ground and/or snow on the ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20100101119
    Abstract: A secondary lift mechanism configured for quick attachment to an existing snowplow assembly. A secondary lift mechanism is intended as a backup lift mechanism in the event the primary lift mechanism of a snowplow assembly fails. The secondary lift mechanism (the secondary snowplow lift mechanism) is attachable to the lift arm of any of a variety of snowplow assemblies without the use of tools. A novel mounting plate allows the secondary snowplow lift mechanism to be quickly ad easily attached to a variety of lift arm configurations common to various snowplow assemblies. the secondary snowplow lift mechanism restores vertical control of the moldboard when the primary lift mechanism has failed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Inventor: Andrew Roberts
  • Patent number: 7703222
    Abstract: A snow plow for use with personal utility vehicles is disclosed. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and a plow blade having a main surface, a rear surface, a plurality of retention members and a rubber scraper. The mounting apparatus includes a frame having a mounting upright and a hitch tongue, which is easily mounted in a hitch receiver which can be pivotally secured a vehicle. The retention members configured to at least partially encircle and slideably engage the mounting upright when the plow blade is in a working orientation. Preferably, the frame pushes the rear surface of the plow blade when the vehicle is moving in a direction towards the plow blade and wherein the frame disengages the rear surface when the vehicle moves in a direction rearward of the plow blade and the plow blade pivots away from the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20100088930
    Abstract: A plow device is disclosed. The plow device comprises a blade and a plurality of struts attached to the blade. Each strut comprises an arm comprising a first end and a second end. Each arm being attached to the blade at its first end. Each strut further comprising a tire wedge disposed at the second end of the arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Gregory Brame, Andrew Caldwell
  • Patent number: 7681334
    Abstract: A snowplow and mount assembly comprising a mount frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle, and a snowplow frame. One of the mount frame and the snowplow frame has first and second arms and the other of the mount frame and snowplow frame has first and second receivers, the first and second receivers receiving the first and second arms, respectively. Respective ones of first and second latch pins removably secure the first and second arms in the first and second receivers. A latch lever is operably associated with the first and second latch pins and simultaneously actuates the latch pins to latched and unlatched positions. The snowplow frame includes a jack stand movable to and between an extended ground contacting and snowplow frame supporting position and a retracted ground noncontacting and snowplow frame nonsupporting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Batesville Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Andre Valmont LeBlond, James Calvin Pieper, Mark Lawrence Stultz, Steven Lohry Klug, John Wallace Field, David Bloxdorf
  • Patent number: 7681335
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a mold board, preferably, a two piece mold board being an aluminum extrusion. The preferred snow plow also includes an attachable biasing member secured between the plow blade and the mounting apparatus such that the biasing member resists upward movement of the plow blade when the plow blade is in a working orientation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20100064555
    Abstract: A snow pusher attachment for use in conjunction with a straight blade angle-type snow plow mounted to a work vehicle. This pusher allows a work vehicle to capture, contain, and relocate large amounts of snow very quickly and efficiently. The attachment consists of side panels, connected by horizontal members between. This pusher attachment is secured to the snow plow by bracket assemblies, attached to the upper edge of the snow plow that engage hooks on the upper, rear portion of the pusher attachment. The attachment does not require the operator to exit the work vehicle to secure or release it from the snowplow. Accordingly, the attachment allows the quick and repeated conversion of a snow plow into a snow pusher box and visa versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2009
    Publication date: March 18, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Stephan
  • Patent number: 7676963
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, preferably an all terrain vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade. The preferred plow blade has a mold board including a main surface, a back surface and a plate secured proximate the back of the mold board, the plow also has a rubber scraper proximate the main surface and a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to disengageably secure the plow blade with the mounting upright; wherein the retention apparatus allows the plow blade to pivot with respect to the mounting upright such that the rubber scraper can pivot away from the mounting upright when the plow blade is in a working orientation and the vehicle moves in a direction rearward from the plow blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 7676962
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a mold board, preferably, a two piece mold board being an aluminum extrusion. The mold board will preferably include a front and a back and cells or compartments partially formed by support structures that extend between the front and the back of the mold board and along the width of the plow blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 7669353
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The mounting apparatus further includes a transition apparatus having a hitch tongue constructed and arranged to be securable to the vehicle; the transition apparatus having a subframe including a plate having apertures; wherein the apertures in the plate can facilitate placement of the subframe at various heights with respect to the mounting apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 7661211
    Abstract: A snowplow assembly includes an adjustment mechanism for use in adjusting the position of a snowplow frame member on a lift frame member into at least two positions: (1) a first position where the snowplow frame member is on the bottom portion of the lift frame member, the snowplow is positioned to plow snow, and the snowplow operation axis is substantially parallel to a ground surface; and, (2) a second position where the snowplow frame member is on the top portion of the lift frame member and the snowplow operation axis is at an angle A1 that is between 10° and 90° with respect to the ground surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Louis Berkman Winter Products Company
    Inventor: Robert L. Potak
  • Patent number: 7661210
    Abstract: A support or hitch box supports a mounting bar in a selected vertical position. The mounting bar is received in a standard hitch receiver of any car, truck or other vehicle. A plow head is a light weight, strong, box like structure with oppositely directed mold boards so that the plow can operate in both forward and reverse directions. A linkage permits the mold board to be raised or lowered relative to the hitch box. The linkage includes upper and lower links to maintain the vertical orientation of the mold board. The plow head is mounted for pivoting in a horizontal plane. A pivot driver is user controlled to pivot the plow head and a lift driver is user operated to raise and lower the plow head. The plow head carries indicator lights. A spring, preloaded by the lift driver, applies a continuous down force to the plow head when it is the lower, plowing position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Inventor: John D. Shepherd
  • Patent number: 7658021
    Abstract: A self-adjusting snow plow for use with pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles is disclosed. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and a plow blade having first and second ends, a top, a bottom, a plurality of retention members and a rubber scraper. The mounting apparatus includes a pair of mounting uprights and a hitch tongue which is easily mounted in a hitch receiver which is secured to the front of a vehicle. The retention members are constructed and arranged to at least partially encircle and slideably engage one of the respective mounting uprights and the retention members allow the respective ends of the plow blade to slide upward relative to the mounting upright most proximate to that end of the plow while the other end of the plow remains generally in the same position relative to the mounting upright proximate that end of the plow blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Patent number: 7654016
    Abstract: A snow pusher attachment for use in conjunction with a straight blade angle-type snow plow mounted to a work vehicle is disclosed. The attachment consists of side panels, connected by horizontal members. The pusher attachment is secured to the snow plow by bracket assemblies, attached to the upper edge of the snow plow that engage hooks on the upper, rear portion of the pusher attachment. The pusher can be secured or released from the snowplow by manipulation of the plow blade allowing quick and repeated conversion of a snow plow into a snow pusher box and visa versa.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Inventor: Michael Stephan
  • Publication number: 20090307935
    Abstract: A snow plow is provided with an articulated wing blade. The snow plow includes a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle by securing each of a chassis coupler to the vehicle chassis. A plow frame having a front portion and a rear portion is configured to coupled to a central plow blade and a lift bar assembly. The central plow blade includes a wing blade pivotally attached at each end of the central plow blade. Each wing blade is configured to selectively move independently of the central plow blade from a first position to a second position about a vertical axis parallel with each of the first and second ends of the central plow blade. The lift bar assembly is coupled to the rear portion of the plow frame and couples to the hitch frame nose assembly wherein the snow plow is pivotally coupled to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Mike M. Stevens, Mark D. Buckbee, Robert N. Gamble, II
  • Publication number: 20090307940
    Abstract: A method and an adjustable plow hitch frame. The plow hitch frame is configured to pivotally couple with a plow blade at one end and coupled with a vehicle at another end. The adjustable plow hitch frame includes a pair of elongated side members maintained in a spaced apart relationship by a traverse member. Each side member defines a front portion and a rear portion. A pivot assembly is coupled to the front portion of each side member and configured to couple to the plow blade. An adjustment lug is coupled to the rear portion of each side member, with each adjustment lug defining a plurality of orifaces aligned vertically. The height of the adjustable plow hitch frame relative to the vehicle is fixed with corresponding orifaces in the adjustment lugs coupled to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Andrew J. Maas, Mark D. Buckee
  • Publication number: 20090307937
    Abstract: A snow plow is provided with a first V-plow blade and a second V-plow blade each pivotably coupled to a plow tower with a horizontal pivot pin. The snow plow includes a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle by securing each of a chassis coupler to the vehicle chassis. The two V-plow blades are coupled to a plow tower configured to support each of the V-plow blades for movement about a blade vertical pivot pin disposed in each of the first and second V-plow blades and the plow tower. A tower adjustment assembly is coupled to the plow tower and a plow frame which is configured to couple to the hitch frame nose assembly. A lift bar assembly is coupled to the rear portion of the plow frame and couples to the hitch frame nose assembly wherein the snow plow is pivotably coupled to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy G. Koch, Robert N. Gamble, II, Jacob R. Brehmer, Mark D. Buckbee
  • Publication number: 20090307938
    Abstract: A snow plow including a quick connect/disconnect hitch. The snow plow includes a hitch frame nose assembly configured to couple to a vehicle. The hitch frame nose assembly includes a chassis coupler secured at each end of a hitch frame tube with each chassis coupler including a traverse pin. A plow frame is included with the plow frame having a front portion and a rear portion. A plow blade is coupled to the front portion of the plow frame. A lift bar assembly is coupled to the rear portion of the plow frame. A lift bar assembly includes a pair of notched members with each notch member aligned with a corresponding chassis coupler of the hitch frame nose assembly. Each of the notched members is configured to engage the traverse pin in each of the chassis couplers, wherein the snow plow is pivotally coupled to the vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Timothy G. Koch, Kevin J. Kuechler, Mark D. Buckbee, Daniel M. Brunner
  • Publication number: 20090307941
    Abstract: A plow, including a center blade and a wing blade coupled to each end of the center blade. Each wing blade is pivotally connected to the center blade about an axis. The plow includes a first pair of wear strips, with one wear strip coupled to the first end of the center blade and the other wear strip coupled to one wing blade. A second pair of wear strips is included, with one wear strip coupled to the second end of the center blade and the other wear strip coupled to the other wing blade. A wing pivot tube is coupled to the wing blades and center blade at each end of the center blade. The wing blade, wear strips, and wing pivot tube at each end of the center blade minimize a gap between the blades throughout the range of movement of each wing blade.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Robert N. Gamble, II
  • Publication number: 20090307939
    Abstract: There is provided a v-plow including a first blade and a second blade. Each of the blades are pivotably connected about an axis and moveable through a range of movement. The v-plow includes a pair of wearstrips with one wearstrip coupled to each of the first and second blades. A wearstrip cylinder is coupled to at least one of the wearstrips, with the wearstrip cylinder aligned with the axis. The orientation of the first and second blades, the wearstrips, and the wearstrip cylinder minimize a gap defined between the two blades, throughout the range of movement. Each of the wearstrips include a flange coupled to each of the wearstrips and defining an angle between the flange and the wearstrip. In one embodiment one flange is coupled to the wearstrip cylinder and the other flange is closely adjacent to the wearstrip cylinder, throughout the range of movement of the blades.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Robert N. Gamble II
  • Patent number: 7627965
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade including a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to slidlingly and disengageably secure the plow blade to the mounting upright(s) when the plow blade is in a working orientation. The plow blade includes a mold board, the mold board preferably being an aluminum extrusion. The aluminum extrusion will preferably include at least one attachment channel, more preferably a plurality of attachment channels, in which parts of the snow blade can be secured or anchored. The plow blade preferably includes first and second attachment channels and the retention apparatus preferably includes at least one retention member anchored in at least one of the attachment channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20090282708
    Abstract: A snow remover for the roofs of trucks and tractor trailers in which a structure of two vertical supports and a cross piece spanning them in supporting a plow rests upon a connected base plate provided with pairs of pockets on each side of the structure to allow for its lifting by a pair of forklifts operating in tandem and moving to a truck terminal access lane when snow build-up removal is warranted, and thereafter moved into storage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventor: Myron S. Reed
  • Publication number: 20090277048
    Abstract: A snow pusher attachment for use in conjunction with a straight blade angle-type snow plow mounted to a work vehicle. This pusher allows a work vehicle to capture, contain, and relocate large amounts of snow very quickly and efficiently. The attachment consists of side panels, connected by horizontal members between. This pusher attachment is secured to the snow plow by bracket assemblies, attached to the upper edge of the snow plow that engage hooks on the upper, rear portion of the pusher attachment. The attachment does not require the operator to exit the work vehicle to secure or release it from the snowplow. Accordingly, the attachment allows the quick and repeated conversion of a snow plow into a snow pusher box and visa versa.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventor: Michael Stephan
  • Patent number: 7603798
    Abstract: A self-adjusting snow plow for use with pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles is disclosed. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and a plow blade having first and second ends, a top, a bottom, a plurality of retention members and a rubber scraper. The mounting apparatus includes a pair of mounting uprights and a hitch tongue which is easily mounted in a hitch receiver which is secured to the front of a vehicle. The retention members are constructed and arranged to at least partially encircle and slideably engage one of the respective mounting uprights and the retention members allow the respective ends of the plow blade to slide upward relative to the mounting upright most proximate to that end of the plow while the other end of the plow remains generally in the same position relative to the mounting upright proximate that end of the plow blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: AGRI-COVER, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20090255150
    Abstract: A snowplow and mounting assembly having a mounting frame for use with a wheelchair wherein the mounting frame has one side with a V-shape or other shape snowplow facing away from the wheelchair and has another side that faces the wheelchair and is adapted to cooperate with the wheelchair in use to plow snow. A particular snowplow and mounting assembly has a mounting frame for releasable connection to a wheelchair; a snowplow blade disposed on one side of the frame; first and second pivotal linkages disposed on the other side of the frame for releasably engaging first and second wheels of a wheelchair; and at least one handle disposed on the frame adapted to be operated by user of the wheelchair. Snowplow and mounting assembly can easily be connected and disconnected by the wheelchair user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: Charles A. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20090249657
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lightweight car-mounted snowplow which includes one or more plow blades, a mounting member or mesh belt, and retainers, which may comprise straps, for securing the plow blade or blades to a vehicle or the bumper of a vehicle. The snow plow may include plow blade sections having a leading and a trailing end and having enhanced blade edges located at the bottom of each plow blade section. The plow head may be inverted to change the angle at which snow is deflected. The plow blade may be constructed from a lightweight polymer, such as for example plastic, and may include hollow portions for creating storage space for one or more of the remaining plow components.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: October 8, 2009
    Inventor: Matthew Freeman
  • Publication number: 20090241382
    Abstract: This disclosure relates to a snow removal accessory and method of use thereof for a vehicle. The accessory has a translation assembly for rotating an axle through action upon a lever connected via the axle to a leg and a wheel. The axle moves under the influence of an extendible cylinder moving from a retracted configuration to an extracted configuration until the wheel and ultimately the accessory is moved from an operative configuration in contact with the ground to a transport configuration where the wheels only are in contact with the ground.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: AGRI-FAB, INC.
    Inventor: John Victor Johnson
  • Patent number: 7574820
    Abstract: A jack assembly integrated with a plow hitch assembly includes a horizontally supported, rotatable jack tube and a jack leg extending from the tube, rotatable with the tube between a vertical, deployed position and a retracted position. An actuator has one end attached to the jack assembly and another end forming a handle projecting above the hitch frame, for rotating the jack assembly. The jack leg can be selectively extended and retracted relative to the tube when the jack assembly is deployed. A method embodiment includes lowering the plow to the ground while the hitch frame is mounted to the vehicle; rotating the jack assembly so the jack leg projects toward the ground; extending the jack leg to contact the ground; rigidly supporting the extended jack leg relative to the hitch frame; demounting the hitch frame from the vehicle; and driving the vehicle out of the hitch frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: SP Fabricators, LLC
    Inventors: Charles S. Musso, Jr., Tom W. Musso, Brian Weaver
  • Publication number: 20090172976
    Abstract: A snow plow assembly with a longitudinally extending plow body has a blade mounting structure that supports a longitudinally extending plow blade. The blade mounting structure has a series of hinges that receive a longitudinally extending pivot rod to couple the plow body to the snow blade and set of springs to bias the snow plow blade into an operative position and to resiliently restore the snow plow blade to the operative position after encountering an obstacle. The hinge portions fixed to the snow plow body each have a receiving slot to slidingly receive a hinge key and the hinge keys define a bearing surface for abutting one end of the coil spring. A locating notch is provided in the hinge keys to limit relative movement between a hinge key an associated hinge portion. A hinge lock to capture the pivot rod is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2009
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: ADEPCO TECHNOLOGIES CORP.
    Inventor: Gino Paonessa
  • Patent number: 7555853
    Abstract: A snow plow assembly with a longitudinally extending plow body has a blade mounting structure that supports a longitudinally extending plow blade. The blade mounting structure has a series of hinges that receive a longitudinally extending pivot rod to couple the plow body to the snow blade and set of springs to bias the snow plow blade into an operative position and to resiliently restore the snow plow blade to the operative position after encountering an obstacle. The hinge portions fixed to the snow plow body each have a receiving slot to slidingly receive a hinge key and the hinge keys define a bearing surface for abutting one end of the coil spring. A locating notch is provided in the hinge keys to limit relative movement between a hinge key an associated hinge portion. A hinge lock to capture the pivot rod is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2009
    Assignee: Adepco Technologies Corp.
    Inventor: Gino Paonessa
  • Patent number: 7540103
    Abstract: The invention is related to an attachment to a front end loader. The invention comprises a dual blades having a rear frame which is fixed to the movable arm means at the front of the front end\ loader. The rear frame has a pivotal left arm and a pivotal right arm with a left blade mounting frame pivotal mounted to the forward end of the left arm and a left blade spring mounted to the forward end of the left mounting frame. A right blade mounting frame is pivotally mounted to the forward end of the right arm and a right blade spring mounted to the forward end of the right blade mounting frame. A pair of hydraulic cylinders with one mounted between the left arm and the rear frame and with the other mounted between the left arm and the left blade mounting means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventor: James O. Broten
  • Patent number: 7526883
    Abstract: A plow hitch assembly comprising a hitch frame, a lift frame pivotally connected to the back end of the hitch frame, and a back end effector for mounting to a vehicle. The back end effector has an associated latching device and a distinctly actuated device for locking the latch. A stop surface is situated on the latch, and a selectively displaceable lock block supported by the lift frame, abuts the stop surface to prevent rotation of the latch. Each of two uniformly rectangular mounting arms extends from the back of the lift frame, preferably with a leading end having a pair of vertically oriented rollers at the corners. Each guide has a rectangular main channel conforming in cross section with the arm when the arm is fully inserted into the channel and an entry that is larger in cross sectional area than the front of the arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2009
    Assignee: SP Fabricators, LLC
    Inventors: Charles S. Musso, Jr., Tom W. Musso, Brian Weaver
  • Patent number: 7523568
    Abstract: A snow plow with a clutch mechanism for allowing the plow blade to deflect when an off-center portion the blade strikes an obstacle. The clutch comprises two plates in axial alignment, with one plate being attached to brackets for the plow support and the other plate being attached to brackets supporting the blade. One plate has a number of small protuberances and the other plate a corresponding number of shallow pockets. The plates are releasably held in nested relation by an axially adjustable mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Inventor: Barry A. Willey
  • Patent number: 7513069
    Abstract: A jack stand for a snow removal system including an easily vertically positionable frame retaining bracket and locking mechanism is provided. The jack stand is configurable between a lowered, operational position and a raised, stored position, wherein the jack stand includes a locking mechanism for retaining the base of the jack stand on the ground. When the jack stand is not needed, the locking mechanism is released, the jack stand is raised from the ground and the stand remains secured to the hitching mechanism and stored for further use thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Sno-Way International, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert N. Gamble, II, Mark D. Buckbee
  • Patent number: 7509758
    Abstract: A hitch structure for mounting attachments to a vehicle such as a skid steer loader is disclosed herein. The hitch structure includes a universal, reversible hitch structure. The hitch structure includes a first end positioned opposite a second end, a fixed locking structure located adjacent each of the first end and the second end, the fixed locking structure constructed for receiving a toe end of an attachment carrier of a loader vehicle. The hitch structure also includes a removable locking structure with a slot for receiving a locking wedge positioned adjacent a heel end of the attachment carrier. The removable locking structure is removably engageable with the hitch structure alternatively adjacent either the first end or the second end of the hitch structure to form a clamping structure with the fixed locking structure located at the opposite end from the removable locking structure for mounting the attachment to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: NTH Inc.
    Inventor: Clinton Nesseth
  • Publication number: 20090031592
    Abstract: A snowplow and mount assembly comprising a mount frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle, and a snowplow frame. One of the mount frame and the snowplow frame has first and second arms and the other of the mount frame and snowplow frame has first and second receivers, the first and second receivers receiving the first and second arms, respectively. Respective ones of first and second latch pins removably secure the first and second arms in the first and second receivers. A latch lever is operably associated with the first and second latch pins and simultaneously actuates the latch pins to latched and unlatched positions. The snowplow frame includes a jack stand movable to and between an extended ground contacting and snowplow frame supporting position and a retracted ground noncontacting and snowplow frame nonsupporting position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: DOUGLAS DYNAMICS, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andre Valmont LeBlond, James Calvin Pieper, Mark Lawrence Stultz, Steven Lohry Klug, John Wallace Field, David Bloxdorf
  • Patent number: 7472499
    Abstract: A snow plow for attachment to a vehicle, the snow plow including a mounting apparatus having a mounting frame, the mounting frame including at least one mounting upright. The snow plow further including a plow blade. The plow blade has a mold board including a main surface, a rubber scraper proximate the main surface and a retention apparatus constructed and arranged to disengaeably secure the plow blade with the mounting upright; wherein the retention apparatus allows the plow blade to pivot with respect to the mounting upright such that the rubber scraper can pivot away from the mounting upright when the plow blade is in a working orientation and the vehicle moves in a direction rearward from the plow blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2009
    Assignee: Agri-Cover, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles M. Schmeichel
  • Publication number: 20080276499
    Abstract: The invention is related to an attachment to a front end loader. The invention comprises a dual blades having a rear frame which is fixed to the movable arm means at the front of the front end\ loader. The rear frame has a pivotal left arm and a pivotal right arm with a left blade mounting frame pivotal mounted to the forward end of the left arm and a left blade spring mounted to the forward end of the left mounting frame. A right blade mounting frame is pivotally mounted to the forward end of the right arm and a right blade spring mounted to the forward end of the right blade mounting frame. A pair of hydraulic cylinders with one mounted between the left arm and the rear frame and with the other mounted between the left arm and the left blade mounting means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2007
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: James O. Broten
  • Publication number: 20080271349
    Abstract: An adapter frame for installation of a front and an accessory implement, such as a snowplow blade and a sidewing, on a vehicle having a coupling plate is disclosed. The adapter frame has a frame structure. The adapter frame also comprises a hitch coupling mechanism for removably coupling the adapter frame to the vehicle coupling plate. The adapter frame further comprises a front implement coupling receptacle mechanism for removably receiving a corresponding coupling mechanism arranged on a front implement support frame attached to a rear portion of the front implement, the front implement support frame coupling mechanism being adapted to be removably coupled to the vehicle coupling plate. The adapter frame also comprises an accessory implement coupling mechanism for removably coupling the adapter frame to the accessory implement. The adapter frame increases the implement reconfiguration capability of the vehicle. A method for installing the adapter frame is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2007
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventor: Jeff BERNIER
  • Patent number: 7430821
    Abstract: A snowplow and mount assembly comprising a mount frame adapted to be secured to a vehicle, and a snowplow frame. One of the mount frame and the snowplow frame has first and second arms and the other of the mount frame and snowplow frame has first and second receivers, the first and second receivers receiving the first and second arms, respectively. Respective ones of first and second latch pins removably secure the first and second arms in the first and second receivers. A latch lever is operably associated with the first and second latch pins and simultaneously actuates the latch pins to latched and unlatched positions. The snowplow frame includes a jack stand movable to and between an extended ground contacting and snowplow frame supporting position and a retracted ground noncontacting and snowplow frame nonsupporting position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Andre Valmont LeBlond, James Calvin Pieper, Mark Lawrence Stultz, Steven Lohry Klug, John Wallace Field, David Bloxdorf
  • Publication number: 20080222925
    Abstract: A universal front and rear equipment mount for an ATV includes a telescoping central frame member with telescoping front and rear mounting arms extending therefrom for connection to independent axle structures of the ATV, front and rear angled hitch brackets, each with upturned tabs having aligned holes to receive a hitch pin, and front and rear angled pulley brackets having pulleys mounted thereon for routing a winch cable of a winch mounted either on the front or rear of the vehicle or on the front or rear pulley brackets. An implement can be hitched either to the front or rear hitch bracket, and the implement can be raised or lowered by use of the winch, which has its cable routed over selected pulleys and connected to a hitch tongue or other part of the implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2008
    Publication date: September 18, 2008
    Inventors: Luc Belzile, J. Edward Melin
  • Publication number: 20080196280
    Abstract: A hybrid snow blower kit for use on a vehicle, comprising: a frame for attachment to the vehicle, this frame comprising an opened plow housing portion defining a plow wall having a snow outlet, a pair of first connecting sockets on the plow wall and a pair of second connecting sockets on the plow wall. A powered auger actuator is carried by the frame. A first auger assembly can be installed in the pair of first connecting sockets and rotated by the auger actuator. A second auger assembly can be installed in the pair of second connecting sockets and rotated by the auger actuator. A discharge chute is mounted to the frame and connected to the snow outlet. A powered blower member in the snow outlet is for blowing snow from the plow housing portion through the discharge chute. Either one of the first and second auger assemblies of the hybrid snow blower kit can be operatively mounted to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2007
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Applicant: 177197 CANADA LTEE
    Inventors: Yannick Morin, Martin Pigeon