WO2006072184A1

WO2006072184A1 - Snowplow wing attachment with tripping edge

Info

Publication number: WO2006072184A1
Application number: PCT/CA2006/000026
Authority: WO
Inventors: Serafino Pingitore; Jean-Roch Leduc
Original assignee: Serafino Pingitore; Jean-Roch Leduc
Priority date: 2005-01-10
Filing date: 2006-01-10
Publication date: 2006-07-13
Also published as: CA2492181A1

Abstract

A snowplow blade wing attachment having a tripping edge which can be added to an existing snowplow blade. The attachment comprises a base member attached to a side edge of the snowplow blade. It further comprises a wing assembly having a side attachment end and a bottom attachment end and hinge means for pivotally connecting the side attachment end of the wing assembly to the base member. Actuating means connected between the base member and the wing assembly are provided for pivotally and selectively moving the wing assembly with respect to the base member. A tripping edge having a top attachment end pivotally connected to the bottom attachment end of the wing assembly is provided for rotational displacement of the tripping edge between a plowing position and a tripped position. The attachment increases snow removing capacity and efficiency of the snowplow.

Description

SNOWPLOW WING ATTACHMENT WITH TRIPPING EDGE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to snowplows used residential or commercial contexts, or the like. More particularly, it relates to a snowplow wing attachment having a tripping edge which can be added to an existing snowplow blade.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Snowplows are commonplace in areas which require removal of snow from roads, parking lots and other locations. The snowplow is usually fitted on the front end of a vehicle and generally comprises a principal snowplow blade.

Several prior art snowplow blades include a moldboard and a tripping edge. The tripping edge, located on a bottom edge of the moldboard, holds a bottom trip edge of the snowplow blade rigid for general plowing tasks. However, this edge can be rotated automatically when the plow blade enters in contact with a solid object (manhole cover, curbs or other surface irregularities) on the surface being plowed, hence ensuring smoother plowing, with less stress on the plow. The tripping edge returns immediately to its original plowing position when released. Consequently, the snowplow blade or moldboard is better protected when the snowplow hits different objects on the surface being cleared, as the tripping edges gives way. Rotation of the tripping edge is controlled by mechanical stops or brakes which prevent overstressing of the torsion devices or other means attempting to maintain the tripping edge in its original plowing position.

Unfortunately, prior art single blade snowplows have poor snow removal efficiencies and capacity due to the limited width of the snowplow blade and losses of snow at the outside edges of the blade as the plow advances.

Some prior art systems have attempted to solve the problems associated with single blade snowplows.

US 5,285,588 by NIEMELA discloses the use of snowplow blade wings pivotally connected at each of the opposing ends of the main plow blade. These wings can be rotated between a closed position in which the wings project generally forward and an opened position in which the wings project in a generally opposite direction away from each other, effectively extending the length of the plow blade. The system also comprises an actuator, which can be hydraulic, which manipulates the wings between the two different positions.

US 5,437,113 by JONES describes the use of a trip cutting edge on a snowplow blade. The trip cutting edge mechanism, located on the bottom edge of the blade, holds the trip cutting edge rigid for plowing but will allow it to give away upon contact with any solid object.

Tripped-edge scoop plows also exist. In the case of the scoop snowplow, the outer ends are fixed with respect to the main blade. However, it offers a three-section trip-edge, each section tripping independently for smoother plowing, with less stress on the plow.

Other prior art systems in this field are described in the following patent documents: US 4,249,323 (Mathis et al.), US 4,275,514 (Maura), US 4,356,645 (Hine et al.), US 4,479,312 (Turgeon), US 4,707,936 (Steinhoff), US 4,723,609 (Curtis), US 4,741 ,116 (Engle et al.), US 4,962,600 (Zellaha et al.), US 5,655,318 (Daniels), US 5,860,230 (Daniels), US 6,581 ,307 (Jones et al.), US 6,751 ,894 (Verseef), US 6,823,615 (Strait), US 2003/0140528 (Strait) and US 5,720,122 (McLellan). Unfortunately, there is presently no system which integrates all the advantages of the above-mentioned prior art systems and which can be fitted and installed on existing snowplow blades.

Thus, there is still presently a need for an improvement to existing snowplows having a principal blade which can increase their snow removing capacity and efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to propose a snowplow wing attachment that satisfies at least one above-mentioned need.

According to the present invention, that object is achieved with a set of wing attachments that can be attached to existing snowplow blades.

According to the present invention, there is provided a snowplow blade wing attachment comprising: -a base member attached to a side edge of the snowplow blade;

-a wing assembly having a side attachment end and a bottom attachment end;

-hinge means for pivotally connecting the side attachment end of the wing assembly to the base member; -actuating means connected between the base member and the wing assembly for pivotally and selectively moving the wing assembly with respect to the base member; and

-a tripping edge having a top attachment end pivotally connected to the bottom attachment end of the wing assembly for rotational displacement of the tripping edge between a plowing position and a tripped position. More particularly, the present invention provides wing attachments attached to a snowplow blade that can be activated by hydraulic force means and that are each equipped with a tripping edge. The tripping edge makes the attachment safe to use and is compatible with equipment produced by major snowplow manufacturers.

In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the wing attachment comprises a hinged linkage between the wing attachment and the snowplow blade. Consequently, the wing attachment can move up and down by sliding on its hinge thus improving safety for the operator. The wing attachment can be placed in a closed configuration generally perpendicular to the snowplow blade. In a second configuration, the wing attachment is opened and is preferably placed at a 45 degree angle with respect to the snowplow blade.

The purpose of installing extra hydraulic wing attachments is to improve the performance of existing snowplows. The wing attachments, in the open configuration, add an extra two feet to the effective width of the snowplow blade. Consequently, the wing attachments not only increase the effective width of the snowplow blade but also help keep snow in between the wings, which improves the efficiency of the snow removal accomplished with the plow since work is cleaner and done faster. Adding the extra feet of coverage with the wing attachments results in a reduction of job time of up to 40 to 50%.

A non-restrictive description of a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be given with reference to the appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a front view of the snowplow blade provided with wing attachments installed on a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the wing attachments in a closed configuration;

Figure 2 is a front view of the snowplow blade provided with wing attachments installed on a vehicle according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, with the wing attachments in an open configuration;

Figure 3 is a side view of a snowplow wing attachment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for installation on a left side of a snowplow blade;

Figure 4 is a top view of the snowplow wing attachment shown in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a side view of a snowplow wing attachment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, for installation on a right side of a snowplow blade;

Figure 6 is a top view of the snowplow wing attachment shown in Figure 3;

Figure 7 is a schematic top view of a snowplow blade provided with wing attachments according to the present invention illustrating the difference between the opened and closed wing attachment configurations;

Figure 8 is a schematic side view of a wing attachment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating motion of the tripping edge;

Figure 9 is a top schematic view of a wing attachment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating the interaction between the movement of the wing assembly and the tensioning of the flexible cable. Figure 10 is a rear perspective view of a wing attachment according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to figures 1 and 2, the present invention provides a snowplow blade wing attachment 10. The attachment 10 comprises a base member 12 attached to a side edge of the snowplow blade 14. Referring to figures 3 to 6, the attachment 10 further comprises a wing assembly 16 having a side attachment end 18 and a bottom attachment end 20. Hinge means 22 pivotally connect the side attachment end 18 of the wing assembly to the base member 12. The attachment 10 also comprises actuating means 24 connected between the base member 12 and the wing assembly 16 for pivotally and selectively moving the wing assembly 16 with respect to the base member 12. The attachment further comprises a tripping edge 26 having a top attachment end 28 pivotally connected to the bottom attachment end 20 of the wing assembly 16 for rotational displacement of the tripping edge 26 between a plowing position and a tripped position.

Preferably, the snowplow blade attachment 10 further comprises biasing means 30 for urging the tripping edge 26 to the plowing position.

Preferably, the biasing means 30 is a spring.

Preferably, the actuating means 24 is a hydraulic cylinder. The actuating means 24 can also include any type of power means, including mechanical and electrical actuators.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the hinge means 22 comprises hinge members positioned along a vertical axis to slideably connect the wing assembly 16 to the base member 12 and allow vertical displacement of the wing assembly 16 with respect to the base member 12. Consequently, as mentioned before, the wing assembly 16 can move up and down by sliding on its hinge as the plow travels on terrain which may be uneven, thus improving safety for the operator.

Preferably, the wing assembly is pivotally moved with respect to the base member between an open position and a closed position. As mentioned previously and illustrated schematically in figure 7, the wing assembly 16 in the closed position is generally perpendicular to the snowplow blade 14. In a second configuration illustrated with dotted lines, the wing assembly 16 is opened and is preferably placed at a 45 degree angle with respect to the snowplow blade 14.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in figures 3, 5 and 9, the snowplow blade attachment 10 further comprises a flexible cable 32 having a first end connected to the base member 12 and a second opposite end connected to the wing assembly 16. The flexible cable 32 has a length sized such that the cable is tensioned when the wing assembly is in the closed position. When the second opposite end is brought closer to the first end through rotation of the wing assembly 16, as schematically illustrated in Figure 9, this tension is reduced, therefore allowing the wing assembly 16 to slide up or down with respect to the base member 12 and effectively float above variations in terrain on which the snowplow is travelling.

The above-mentioned capability of the wing assembly to move with respect to the base member is of particular use when using the snowplow is used in reverse. In such situations, as illustrated in figure 10, the main snowplow blade 14 typically has a backplate 34. When the snowplow blade 14 is advanced to push snow, the backplate 34 rests passively along the surface behind the blade 14. However, when the same snowplow blade 14 is used in reverse to pull snow, the backplate 34 engages the surface to be cleared. The engagement of the backplate 34 with the snow-covered surface leads to a clutching action by which the front end of the snowplow blade 14 is lifted above and away from the surface. Since the wing assembly 16 is able to slide up or down with respect to the base member 12 attached to the snow blade, in the open position with the flexible loosened, the wing assembly 16 is free to drop and can therefore remain in contact with the surface and ensure snow clearing capacity for the wing attachment when used in reverse. This is certainly advantageous when the front part of the snowplow blade is no longer in contact with the surface to be cleared in these reverse configurations, as the wing assembly can independently move with respect to the blade and continue to help collect snow when the plow is used in reverse.

Preferably, the flexible cable 32 is a steel cable.

For the above applications, the snowplow blade can be straight, V-shaped or any other similar blade that could benefit from a wing attachment.

As mentioned previously, the wing attachments not only increase the effective width of the snowplow blade but also help keep snow in between the wings, which improves the efficiency of the snow removal accomplished with the plow since work is cleaner and done faster. Safety to the operator and the equipment is also increased with the presence of the tripping edge and floating hinged interface between the wing assembly and the base member.

Although the present invention has been explained hereinabove by way of a preferred embodiment thereof, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A snowplow blade wing attachment comprising:

-a base member attached to a side edge of the snowplow blade; -a wing assembly having a side attachment end and a bottom attachment end;

-hinge means for pivotally connecting the side attachment end of the wing assembly to the base member; -actuating means connected between the base member and the wing assembly for pivotally and selectively moving the wing assembly with respect to the base member; and -a tripping edge having a top attachment end pivotally connected to the bottom attachment end of the wing assembly for rotational displacement of the tripping edge between a plowing position and a tripped position.

2. The snowplow blade attachment according to claim 1 , further comprising biasing means for urging the tripping edge to the plowing position.

3. The snowplow blade attachment according to claim 2, wherein the biasing means is a spring.

4. The snowplow blade attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the actuating means is a hydraulic cylinder.

5. The snowplow blade attachment according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hinge means comprises hinge members positioned along a vertical axis to slideably connect the wing assembly to the base member and allow vertical displacement of the wing assembly with respect to the base member.

6. The snowplow blade attachment according to claim 5, wherein the wing assembly is pivotally moved with respect to the base member between an open position and a closed position and the snowplow blade attachment further comprises a flexible cable having a first end connected to the base member and a second opposite end connected to the wing assembly, said flexible cable having a length sized such that the cable is tensioned when the wing assembly is in the closed position.

7. The snowplow blade attachment according to claim 6, wherein the flexible cable is a steel cable.