With Specific Means To Facilitate Connection To, Or Disconnection From, Vehicle Patents (Class 37/231)
  • Patent number: 5353530
    Abstract: Detachably connecting a snow plow assembly (20) to a vehicle (22). The snow plow assembly includes a vehicle mount frame (28) and a lift assembly (30). The mount frame is for connecting to a vehicle frame (26) behind a front bumper (24). The lift assembly includes an A-frame (42) and a lift frame (44) with the forward end (70) of the A-frame for supporting a snow blade (40). Means (75) is provided for pivotally connecting a rear end (74) of the A-frame to the lift frame so that the A-frame is free to rotate relative to the lift frame. Additional means (82) is provided for releasably connecting the lift frame to the mount frame whereby the lift assembly can be attached to or detached from the mount frame as a single unit while leaving the mount frame connected to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1994
    Assignee: Douglas Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventor: James C. Pieper
  • Patent number: 5346018
    Abstract: An inventive three-point hitch assembly that attaches to the front end of a truck or pickup and supports at three points a plurality of implements or tools. It has a belt-driven power take-off for rotary tools that is controlled by an electric clutch and driven by a pulley attached below the truck engine pulley. A hydraulic lift cylinder raises and lowers the hitch and implement or tool, which by the hitch parallelogram form maintains the implements in a vertical orientation. The lift cylinder hydraulic pressure is supplied by connections to the truck power steering system via electrically controlled solenoid valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Inventor: Rick L. Koster
  • Patent number: 5329708
    Abstract: A hinged snow plow for an off-road vehicle is provided wherein a cowling is pivotally secured to the free end of an adapter. The adapter attaches to a tubular mounting means of a universal nature. The tubular mounting means which is modified, depending upon the off-road vehicle to which the snow plow is to be mounted. The combination of the adapter and tubular frame make the snow plow mountable to almost any off-road vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Inventors: Michael J. Segorski, Arnold R. Sirtola
  • Patent number: 5275314
    Abstract: The present invention makes beneficial use of, rather than replacing, a vehicle's snowplow headgear by combining the headgear with a tire/wheel mounting assembly. A headgear includes a lower horizontal support member parallel to the ground at about frame level, and a pair of substantially vertical uprights connected to the ends of the horizontal support member to form, when viewed from the front, a U or O-shaped support headgear structure. A power ram with a base is normally removably secured in a receiving socket on horizontal support member that forms the bottom of the "U/O" of the headgear. That ram is removed and the tire/wheel assembly is securely mounted in its place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1994
    Inventor: Fred Todenhagen
  • Patent number: 5265355
    Abstract: An improved universal adjustable snow plow apparatus that is connectable to a vehicular rear for plowing snow and the like. The plow apparatus employs a plow blade with a pair of vertically oriented plate supports; a stabilizing and supporting subassembly including a horizontal draw bar and a post; an elevating subassembly including a pair of spaced stabilizing arms and fluidic cylinder actuated pair of end adjacent adjoining links; and a cooperating plow orientation adjustment system. This adjustment system includes plow tilt regulating means and plow height regulating means. The blade is preferably provided with a replaceable elongated ground engaging scraper bar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Daniels Pull Plow, Inc.
    Inventor: Gregory J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5251390
    Abstract: A snowplow consisting of two hinged plates is removably mountable on the front or back frame or bumper of an automobile. The mounting and the plates are adapted to slope the plates at 270.degree.-240.degree. of each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 12, 1993
    Inventor: Michael Wong
  • Patent number: 5245771
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to a road transportable, adjustable or non-adjusta width trailable plow which is adapted to be pulled by a tow vehicle, a four bar linkage interconnects the plow with the tow vehicle allowing the plow to yaw with respect to the vehicle while limiting motion in the pitch plane to parallel displacement, the horizontal links in the four bar linkage are telescopic and spring biased to allow for surge between the tow vehicle and the load and a frame portion securable to the tow vehicle is gimballed with the hitch on an axis parallel to the links for allowing the plow to roll with respect to the tow vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Michael R. Walsh
  • Patent number: 5244047
    Abstract: An apparatus for coupling a tractor's three point hitch system to a ground working implement comprises a U-shaped frame mountable at one end to the hitch system and having rearwardly open grooves formed in its other end. An automatically locking and quick release latch assembly is mounted between the walls of the frame and responds automatically to movement of an implement's latch pins into the grooves to capture and lock the latch pins in place so that the implement can be pulled by the tractor. For release of the implement, a simple tug on a cord attached to the latch assembly releases the latch pins of the implement so that the tractor can simply pull away from the decoupled implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1993
    Assignees: Arthur H. Groover, Aaron Boyd Clark, Joe H. Eudy
    Inventor: Joe H. Eudy
  • Patent number: 5240272
    Abstract: A hitch for attaching an implement with a tongue to an agricultural vehicle has at least one spacer bar which is pivotally coupled to the vehicle body about a horizontal axis. A rear end of the spacer bar is pivotally connected to the middle area of a lift arm. A drawbar hook is connected to a rear end of the lift arm and the lift is pivotal about an axis to adjust the height of the drawbar hook. A lift mechanism is pivotally connected to a forward end of the lift arm. This lift mechanism draws the forward end of the lift arm generally upwards. The hitch operates so that the drawbar hook moves substantially vertically and then horizontally when moved from its lowest position to a work height.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1993
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Sabah Halabiya
  • Patent number: 5209307
    Abstract: A rear mounted grader for vehicles comprises a plate member adapted to be vertically secured to the vehicle frame behind the wheels. A pair of rearwardly extending arms are pivotally mounted on the plate member and are provided with a sliding member securely mounted between the arms. A grader blade is transversally disposed relative to the arms and is secured thereunder at the rear end thereof. A hydraulic piston is pivotally secured at one end to the plate member above the pair of arms and to the sliding member at the opposite end for raising and lowering the blade from a position above the ground to an abutting position with the ground, whereby upon actuation of the piston, the blade is adapted to selectively abut against the ground for grading the ground or be lifted therefrom. The grader is preferably provided with spring blades mounted behind the sliding member between the latter and the pair of arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Inventor: Jean-Francois Hotte
  • Patent number: 5209002
    Abstract: A bucket and H-frame assembly is described which is adapted for use with 4-wheel drive, truck and military and pick-up vehicles. The bucket is designed to contain approximately 600 pounds of material and is ideally suited by landscapers and light contractors. The H-frame assembly is comprised of a pair of H-beam-push arms which are pivotally attached to the bucket. Cross-beams are welded to the H-beam push arms and together form a plane. A tilt adjusting piston is pivotally attached to the H-frame and the arm of the piston is attached to the bucket. To protect the piston from damage during use, piston guards are attached to the front cross-beam extending above the plane defined by the H-beam push arms and cross-beams. These guards protect the piston from contact with the bottom surface of the bumper of the vehicle when the assembly is raised. The assembly further utilizes a pair of adjustable pivotally-mounted ears which cooperate with an attachment means on the vehicle chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 11, 1993
    Assignee: Transtar Truck Body and Welding Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Dominick R. Tranquilli, Greg H. Hamm, Stephen K. Quigley
  • Patent number: 5207010
    Abstract: The invention consists of a plurality of separate pieces that may be fastened together to create a portable automobile snowplow. Each of the parts is folded in a specified fashion in order to define a particular portion of the snowplow. Then, by means of tabs and slots or other suitable fastening means, the parts may be affixed together. For simplified storage, the parts may be sized in a manner to permit them to be nested within each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1993
    Inventor: David D. Grossman
  • Patent number: 5205058
    Abstract: A roadbed maintenance device includes a first frame adapted for attachment to the front end of a vehicle, and a second frame to which a moldboard is joined. The first frame and the second frame are pivotably joined by a parallelogram linkage, so that the second frame can be pivoted between a lowered position in which the lower edge of the moldboard touches the roadway, and a raised position in which the lower edge of the moldboard does not touch the roadway. The pivoting movement is preferably accomplished by biasing the second frame toward the raised position, and applying a force to accomplish pivoting toward the lowered position. The pivoting force is provided by a gas-actuated cylinder linked to the second frame, using a compressed gas source on the vehicle. The moldboard is desirably made of molded rubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Inventors: A. Gregory Allen, Frank T. Samarzea
  • Patent number: 5195261
    Abstract: A quick hitching device for detachably mounting an attachment such as a snow plow or a rotary brush to the frame of a road vehicle. The device comprises a quick hitching sub-frame that is detachably connectable to the bottom of the frame of the vehicle, and tiltable with respect to this frame about a first transversal pivot when its rear end is not connected. The device also comprises an attachment supporting sub-frame having a rear end hingedly connected to the hitching sub-frame about a second transversal axis parallel to the first axis, and a longitudinal extensible power jack having one end pivotably attached to the front portion of the hitching sub-frame above the second axis and another end pivotably attached to the front end of the supporting sub-frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: Bertrand Vachon
  • Patent number: 5193296
    Abstract: A novel means of attaching a plow frame to a vehicle frame is described. The attachment means includes ears on both the plow frame and the vehicle frame. The ears are joined together by pins that are inserted through holes in the ears. The ears are shaped in such a way that they can be forced into alignment using the plow's lifting device. when the ears are held in alignment this way the coupling pins can be easily inserted. This greatly eases the coupling of the plow to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Inventor: Peter V. Reilley
  • Patent number: 5185946
    Abstract: A plow assembly useful for moving material from surfaces such as roadways in various selectable discharge directions includes a moldboard assembly and pivotable frame. The moldboard assembly is capable of being oriented in a right side discharge or a left side discharge in response to pivoting movement of the pivotable frame. A tripping mechanism is included to prevent damage of the plow assembly from obstacles located on the plowing surface. A cutting edge of the plow assembly is secured to the moldboard assembly by a wedge mechanism thus allowing quick cutting edge replacement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 16, 1993
    Inventor: Eugene A. Farrell
  • Patent number: 5155929
    Abstract: A snowplow deflector assembly is attachable to that type of snowplow which is mounted on the front end of a vehicle. The deflector assembly comprises a deflector member which is supported to extend over the top of the blade of the snowplow to deflect snow moving off the top of the blade, that snow being thereby substantially prevented from being thrown against the windshield of the vehicle and obstructing the view of a driver. Two embodiments of the invention are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Gaston Vachon
  • Patent number: 5148617
    Abstract: The support framework for supported mounting of a mounting arm of a wing plow blade includes two mirror image sections, one mounted on each side wall of a forward plow frame. Each section includes a substantially squared peripheral lip within which a first and second plate are contiguously seated in side by side manner, each securing the position of the other within the lip. The first plate is rotatable about a hinge to a position outside the lip, allowing the second plate, which is attached to the side wall of the forward plow frame by a pivot, to pivot forwardly and rearwardly within the confines of the lip, allowing for tiltability of a vertical mounting post of the wing plow which is engaged to the second plate by means of the wing plow mounting are extending therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Monroe Truck Equipment, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Feller, Vincent Alongi
  • Patent number: 5136795
    Abstract: A snow plow assembly has a frame with a rear portion adapted for attachment to a motor vehicle and a blade assembly adapted for rotation about a vertical axis with respect to the front portion of the frame. Two ends of a chain are attached to the blade assembly on either side of the vertical axis. The middle section of the chain can slide in a track (e.g. an arcuate tube) attached to the frame. The yaw angle of the blade is adjustably controlled by sliding the chain with respect to the track. Means are also provided for adjustably securing the chain to the track after the desired angle for the blade has been obtained. In addition, the blade assembly can include means for permitting rotation of said blade about a horizontal axis. In this embodiment, two lever arms extend upward from the blade assembly on opposite sides of the vertical axis. The upper end of each lever arm is attached to one end of the chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: Ivanhoe Rosenberg
  • Patent number: 5129170
    Abstract: A system for mounting, removal, and storage of a snowplow includes a caster removably mounted on the rear crossbar of the plow A-frame. The caster shaft is threaded for adjustability of the vertical position of the crossbar. Front wheels are removably mounted on the right and left ends of the plow blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Anthony T. Fusilli
  • Patent number: 5129169
    Abstract: An attachment, to increase the efficiency of snow removal of vehicles equipped with a bucket, comprising, in one unit, a first side wing portion and a second side wing portion joined by a rear portion. This attachment is secured to the bucket by hooks, attached to the upper edge of the bucket, that engage slots on the rear portion of the attachment. This attachment can be secured to or released from the bucket of the vehicle solely by pivotal movements of the bucket without requiring the driver to leave his vehicle. The attachment increases the volumetric capacity of the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 14, 1992
    Inventor: Andre Aubichon
  • Patent number: 5125174
    Abstract: A detachable snowplow blade lift assembly including a mount frame permanently connected to the vehicle frame. A snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame is pivotally connected to the mount frame. A lift frame assembly including a lift actuator mechanism for raising and lowering the A-frame and snowplow blade is pivotally connected to the A-frame for rotation about a pivot axis. The snowplow blade lift assembly also includes a mounting arrangement for releasably connecting the A-frame and lift frame as a unit to the vehicle for pivotable movement of the A-frame relative to the vehicle and to the lift frame about the pivot axis. The A-frame mount affording pivotal movement of the A-frame and the lift frame about a common pivot axis provides a snowplow blade lift assembly which can be attachhed to, and detached from, the mounting frame as a unit and which has the capacity to stack snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 30, 1992
    Assignee: Douglas Dynamics, Inc.
    Inventors: Gary E. Watson, James P. Doornek, Thomas P. Fechter
  • Patent number: 5114120
    Abstract: An equipment mounting system includes a fixed leg and a second leg pivotable thereon. Equipment mounted at the free end of the second leg is pivotable to a position which is clear of a motor vehicle access location. When the mounting system is locked in a closed position, the equipment is operable. Further, whenever the mounting system is not locked in a closed position, one or more disabling devices prohibit operation of the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1992
    Assignee: Michael Roman Bruno
    Inventors: Robert D. Bartelt, William W. Belson, III, Michael R. Bruno
  • Patent number: 5111603
    Abstract: A coupling for a plow which includes push beam which is attachable to the front of a vehicle and a supporting frame which is attachable to the back side of the plow. The push beam has at least one forwardly extending arm at each end of the beam and a transversely extending connecting pin for each arm. The supporting frame has a pair of rearwardly extending arms. The coupling also includes a slotted mounting tab which is attached to the rearward end of each rearwardly extending arm for receiving the pins and a retaining rod which is removably attached to the tabs for blocking the downward movement of the forwardly-extending arms and preventing the pins from moving out of the slots in the tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 12, 1992
    Inventors: Leland P. Knowlton, Kirk A. Knowlton
  • Patent number: 5094019
    Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a vehicle relative to an implement to be mounted upon the vehicle consists of a stop member defining a stop surface for engagement by tread surfaces of the vehicle to be positioned, and guide arms adjustably mounted upon the stop member and defining arcuate guide surfaces for engagement by the side surfaces of the vehicle wheels. A method for positioning a vehicle relative to an implement to be mounted thereupon is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1992
    Assignee: Paul DeVincenzo
    Inventor: Paul DeVincenzo
  • Patent number: 5082065
    Abstract: A vehicle has front brackets which engage with a coupler which has an upright brace with two vertical members joined by a horizontal member. Fixed pins on the brace engage in the bracket slots and retractable spring-loaded pins on the brace engage with the holes on the bracket. A frame is pivotally mounted to the vertical members and is pivotable by an actuator which connects the brace and the frame. A support is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the frame and has an upturned flange adapted to engage beneath a downturned bracket on the implement and has pinholes located beneath the flange to receive pins extending from the implement. Fixed to the implement is a downturned J-shaped bracket with a vertical portion and a spaced opposed portion which is approximately as deep as the upward extension of the flange on the coupler. Vertical plates are connected on either side of the J-shaped bracket and are spaced to fit on either side of the support of the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Support Services International, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5081775
    Abstract: A device for attaching a plow to the front of a vehicle is described. It secures to the plow mechanism and serves to raise it in a balanced manner for convenient attaching to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Inventor: Leo Veilleux
  • Patent number: 5075988
    Abstract: A lift mount assembly is provided for a plow blade unit mounted on the frame of a vehicle. The assembly includes a housing unit which is permanently attached to the vehicle frame beneath and behind the bumper including two tube members extending away from the vehicle and similarly recessed. A support unit is designed to be quickly removed from or attached to the housing unit by two tube ends insertable into the housing unit tube members and held in place releasably. The support unit includes a specially configured tube extending forwardly then upwardly away from the vehicle where each end is attached, and meeting at a bight portion. A tubular brace member is spaced apart from and parallel to the bight portion. The support unit further includes a pair of bight portion clevis mounting members on the bight portion and another pair of brace member clevis mounting members on the brace member pivotally attached to the lift arm and the lift arm actuator, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: The Louis Berkman Company
    Inventor: James C. Ciula
  • Patent number: 5046271
    Abstract: A vehicle rear mounted snow plow apparatus for plowing within a foot of a permanent structure, including a vehicle supported snow plow actuating mechanism for raising and lowering the snow plow, and linkage for tilting the snow plow to remove snow or to position the plow to push snow in front of the plow. A hydraulic system for moving the actuating mechanism up or down. A pair of stabilizing and pivoting arms to pull said plow in the plowing position and to partially support the snow plow while traveling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Inventor: Gregory J. Daniels
  • Patent number: 5036608
    Abstract: A lift mount assembly is provided for a plow blade unit mounted on the frame of a vehicle. The assembly includes a housing unit which is permanently attached to the vehicle frame beneath and behind the bumper including two tube members extending away from the vehicle and similarly recessed. A support unit is designed to be quickly removed from or attached to the housing unit by two tube ends insertable into the housing unit tube members and held in place releasably. The support unit includes a specially configured tube extending forwardly then upwardly away from the vehicle where each end is attached, and meeting at a bight portion. A tubular brace member is spaced apart from and parallel to the bight portion. The support unit further includes a pair of bight portion clevis mounting members on the bight portion and another pair of brace member clevis mounting members on the brace member pivotally attached to the lift arm and the lift arm actuator, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: The Louis Berkman Company
    Inventor: James C. Ciula
  • Patent number: 5031927
    Abstract: A semi-automatic attach-detach snowplow mounting comprising two mounting mechanisms each comprising a pivotally mounted U-shaped latch member which cooperates with a slot to captively hold a mounting pin, the latch member being locked in place by a locking lever when in a first position and permitted to pivot to release the mounting pin in a second position of the locking lever. The locking lever being spring biased to both of its positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Inventor: Albert E. Frenette
  • Patent number: 5031343
    Abstract: A mounting bracket for mounting the rear post of a side wing plow is provided wherein the bracket is adapted to be mounted to the frame of the snow plowing vehicle. The side wing plow includes a rear post with a carriage for mounting the side wing plow. At least a semi-cylindrical member is located on the post on the opposite side and it has a longitudinal axis parallel to the post. The bracket mounted to the vheicle frame includes at least a concave arcuate seat member having a vertical axis for receiving the semi-cylindrical member such that the post can be rotated through a definite angle in the arcuate seat and the semi-cylindrical members are welded in the seat at an angle which has been selected for the particular vehicle on which the side wing plow has been mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1991
    Assignee: Tenco Machinery Ltd.
    Inventors: Bertrand Houle, Guy Lamoureux, Jacques De Billy
  • Patent number: 5027536
    Abstract: A snowplow mounting apparatus for use on trucks and the like is provided in which a pair of clam-shell plates are mounted on the front of the truck in place of the usual bumper. The plates are pivotally joined together at the top. The removed bumper is mounted on the outer plate of the clam-shell and the actuating hydraulic cylinder is mounted within the clam-shell where it is fully protected. The plow blade is mounted on the outer clam-shell with a quick disconnect feature and a pair of cam surfaces is mounted on the inside of the clam-shell plates. The hydraulic cylinder through cam followers cooperatively engaging said cam surfaces force the plates apart about the pivot point of the clam-shell which raises the plow from engagement with the surface being plowed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 2, 1991
    Assignee: Cives Corporation
    Inventor: Eugene A. Farrell
  • Patent number: 5014961
    Abstract: A snow plow support stand provides for the storage of a vehicle attachable snow plow assembly when the plow assembly is not in use. The support stand may be adjusted to support the arms of the plow assembly at the proper height to allow the vehicle operator to position the vehicle for the attachment of the plow assembly without additional assistance. A guide rod may also be adjusted, enabling a single operator to precisely position the vehicle for the attachment or detachment of the plow to or from the vehicle. The support stand provides for adjustment to compensate for different vehicle and plow combinations, and is sufficiently small and light that a single person may place the stand in the bed of a pickup truck or the like which may be used as a snow plow vehicle, and transport the stand to another location at which it may be desired to leave the plow assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventor: William H. Ferguson
  • Patent number: 5014451
    Abstract: A rigid structural cap mounted on and extending horizontally between truck mounted snow plow support projections. The cap includes a flat horizontal top wall, a flat vertical front wall, flat vertical opposing side walls and bottom and rear structural walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventor: John H. Bandzul
  • Patent number: 5014452
    Abstract: Plow attaching apparatus for attaching a plow having a blade and a frame to a vehicle in a quick and efficient manner. The attachment apparatus includes a pair of attaching pins which are extended into mounting holes attached to the vehicle, and correspondingly retracted therefrom, by a pair of operating arms which are capable of pivoting with respect to mounting means. The apparatus may include adapter brackets mounted to the vehicle and a jack mounted on the plow. Novel methods of attaching and detaching the plow to the vehicle are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 14, 1991
    Inventor: Ray A. Berghefer
  • Patent number: 5000269
    Abstract: A device for attaching a working machine to a vehicle in which a heavy weight working machine can be detachably and fixedly attached to the vehicle and a three point link type working machine can also be attached through a three points linking mechanism when the heavy working machine is not attached to the vehicle. The device includes an attachment frame at a rear portion of the vehicle body, and a working machine connecting portion for attaching the heavy weight working machine. Further, a three point link connecting portion for connecting the three point linking mechanism is provided on the attachment frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: Kubota Ltd.
    Inventors: Tuyoshi Aoki, Toshio Ishiguro
  • Patent number: 4991323
    Abstract: A combined snow plow/winch device is provided which includes a mouldboard for plowing snow and a winch for moving loads, both simultaneously mounted to a front of a vehicle. The mouldboard is pivotally mounted to the vehicle for limited movement about a horizontal axis against a biasing member. The winch includes a cable receiving drum, a cable wound about the drum by rotation of the drum, and drive structure for rotating the drum. The winch is mounted to the vehicle above the horizontal rotation axis of the mouldboard. A fairlead is affixed to the mouldboard above and forward of the horizontal rotation axis. During operation of the winch to move objects, the winch cable passes through the fairlead and exerts a force on the mouldboard such that the mouldboard pivots forward against the biasing member, allowing the cable to be straightened between the drum and the object to be moved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 12, 1991
    Assignee: Standard Marketing System U.S.A., Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald K. Benkler
  • Patent number: 4976053
    Abstract: An auxiliary equipment attachment adapter, to be used in pairs, semipermanently attaches to the customary mounting fixtures on a vehicle for commonly available equipment including snow plows. The adapter has open horizontally diverging jaws, upwardly inclined to direct the attachment plate of the equipment to be attached into a retaining slot of the adapter. The equipment is modified by having a retaining bar placed between its attachments plates to engage a latch that holds the attachments plates in their retaining slots. The rearward portion of the adapter is an I-beam that rigidly encompasses the mounting fixtures of the vehicle and is pinned thereto through the web of the I-beam. This adapter and method provides a safe and easy method for engaging and disengaging attachments by one person from within the cab of any vehicle with no manual positioning of the attachment from outside the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Inventor: Jeffrey H. Caley
  • Patent number: 4962598
    Abstract: A lightweight snow plow apparatus for attachment to the front of a vehicle comprises an aluminum moldboard swivelly mounted in an easily removable manner on the ends of tubular telescopic side beams of an aluminum H-frame, the other ends of the side beams being removably pivoted to a pivot tube mounted on the frame of the vehicle. The side beams are telescopically moved to angle the moldboard by a rack and pinion mechanism housed in the side beams and in the cross beam of the H-frame and which is driven by an electric motor, connected to the electrical system of the vehicle, through a gear box that includes a slip clutch to prevent overloading. The H-frame and moldboard are lifted off the ground and lowered to the ground by an electric motor driven linear actuator, connected to the electrical system of the vehicle, which is pivoted to the cross beam of the H-frame and mounted on a bracket which is removably supported on the front bumper support of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Inventors: Harold G. Woolhiser, Victor L. Hoffman
  • Patent number: 4962599
    Abstract: A quick connect-disconnect coupling is provided for snow plows and like devices. The coupling includes a hitch ear plate and a retaining ear plate preferably attached to the plow. The hitch ear plate has a configured gathering surface and the retaining ear plate has a hitch pin opening extending therethrough. A bracket arrangement preferably attached to the vehicle contains a spring biased axially movable hitch pin. The hitch ear plate positions the retaining plate so that its opening is in registry with the hitch pin when the plow is to be coupled to the vehicle. Rotation of the hitch pin allows the spring to axially move the hitch pin and snap the pin through the hitch pin opening to lock the plow to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: DSP, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary S. Harris
  • Patent number: 4947563
    Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, in the line of suspension of a snow plow when suspended during transit of a motor vehicle having the plow mounted typically on the front frame and bumper thereof, a shock attenuating device typically inclusive of a helical spring arranged to be compressed responsive to intermittent increased stress results from downward surges of the large mass of the snow plow and/or upward movement of the vehicle resulting from vehicular movement over bumps or other rough terrain, with the shock attenuating device being operatively connected in series with between upper and lower chains, the upper chain having its upper end connected to a vehicularly-mounted chain-retraction and extension mechanism for alternately lowering and raising the snow plow to plowing position and raising the snow plow to a transporting position, and the lower chain at its lower end(s) being connected supportably to the snow plow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Inventor: Paul T. Pfister, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4944104
    Abstract: A snow plow blade attachment for a vehicle which has a hood and a bumper. The blade is mounted on two vertically extending supports. The vertical supports, in turn, are each secured to horizontal arms which extend over the vehicle hood. At the distal end of the horizontal arms suction cups are provided to resiliently attach the horizontal arms and in turn the vertical supports and the blade to the vehicle hood. The vehicle bumper releasably engages the rear of the vertical supports to push the supports and thus the blade in order to plow snow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 31, 1990
    Inventor: Dennis Kowalczyk
  • Patent number: 4924610
    Abstract: This invention is to disclose and claim apparatus for a roadway snow plow attachment described as a cable mount disc or pulley mounted in a cable holder disc or pulley housing and a cable hanger yoke vertically hanging and attached to a hanger arm and a cable threaded on one loop around the cable mount disc or pulley and the eyes of the cable attached to the snow plow blade mount beam and the cable eyes attached to the plow blade mount beam at points or locations extending outwardly from the vertical center line of the snow plow blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Inventor: Wayne N. Sodemann
  • Patent number: 4907358
    Abstract: A snowblade assembly is disclosed which is mechanically mounted to a motor vehicle in substantially the same manner as the original bumper and which has a snowblade which is moveable between a forwardly extending pointed position and a generally planar position. The snowblade is attached to the vehicle by a four bar linkage assembly having tubular telescoping portions therein and which is partially contained within box housing members. A pair of springs are also used to normally bias the snowblade in a perpendicular position relative to the traversed ground.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1990
    Assignee: Detroit Innovative Products
    Inventor: Thomas S. Moore
  • Patent number: 4873775
    Abstract: An apparatus for engagement with a vehicle is provided which allows a rotatable support wheel of the vehicle to propel the apparatus ahead of the vehicle in the direction the travel thereof. The preferred apparatus includes a snowplow blade or the like, a pair of spaced-apart mounting structures extending rearwardly from the blade, and a pair of horizontally disposed, transverse rollers rotatably coupled with respective mounting structures for engaging a forward peripheral of the front wheel of the vehicle, and elastomeric straps for holding the rollers engaged with the vehicle wheels. In use, forward motion of the vehicle wheels cause the forward peripheral portion of the wheels to engage the respective rollers and propel the apparatus forward for plowing snow or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1989
    Inventor: Stephen J. Richey
  • Patent number: 4843744
    Abstract: A snowplow whose blade is joined means of at least two links disposed one over the other to an implement plate which can be fastened to a vehicle plate of a working vehicle has a system which assures the proper operation of the blade even when it passes over obstacles. This system permits an upper and lower link to be raised over obstacles and to tilt the links due to the fact that the upper link or links are made so as to be able to elongate against the action of a spring force.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1989
    Assignee: Ing. Alfred Schmidt GmbH
    Inventor: Johann Jansen
  • Patent number: 4833799
    Abstract: A high strength light weight synthetic resin snow removal device is adapted for easy connection to small passenger vehicles having tow rings depending therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Inventors: Francis A. Harte, Mark E. Fusco
  • Patent number: 4825570
    Abstract: A front-mounted snowblower is pivotally attached to a midmount location at the underside of a tractor frame by a pair of lift arms that extend between the tractor front wheel. A rockshaft is pivotally attached to the snowblower at a location forwardly of the tractor and is linked to brackets carried by the tractor axle. The rockshaft includes a transversely offset arm to which the forward end of a lift link is coupled, the rear end of the lift link being coupled to a lift handle located beside the tractor operator station and secured to the outer end of a support bracket fixed to rear end portions of the lift arms. The mounting of the handle to the bracket releases the handle from the bracket upon the handle being swung forwardly beyond a normal working range thereby permitting the implement lift arms to be moved between the tractor front wheels during attachment and detachment operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Steven L. Schmid, Larry D. Hining
  • Patent number: 4821435
    Abstract: A snow plow alignment and storage system for aligning a snow plow with respect to the plow mounting assembly of a truck having a wheeled carrier with a frame supported on caster wheels. A jack is removably mounted on a deck of the carrier for assisting vertical alignment of the snow plow frame. The deck is large from left to right and from forward to rearward to allow the jack to be rested thereon in various positions so as to adjust for variations in plow frames of different brands. Left and right notches in the frame to receive the lower edge of a snow plow blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1989
    Inventor: William D. Pester