US2333360A - Snowplow - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 2, 1943. H. B. CHURCHILL 2,333,360

SNOW PLOW 7 Filed April 30, 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN V EN TOR.

55 HOW/1E0 B. CHURCH/LL. ma By J ATTORNEYS Nov. 2, 1943. H. B. C-HURCHILL SNOW PLOW 1942 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 30 INVENTOR. HOW/4E0 E CHURCH/LL.

ATTORNEYS 1943- H. B. CHURCHILL 2,333,360

SNOW PLOW Filed April 30, 1942 s Sheets-Sheet 3 r yzlz. 13

. INVENTOR.

Hon/A R05- CHURCH/LL.

ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 2, 1943 UNITED STAT ES eare .;2,333,360

SN'OWPL'OW Howard. 7B.. Churchi1l,.Rye, .N..

Application 30, 1942;Seflil3lodl41i086 15 Claims.

This invention relates to snow plows and more particularly to snow plow constructions ofatype adapted to be detachably applied to bumpers "of common types of automobiles.

Snow plows of such a type, in order to becon- ,1

veniently used when occasionally requiredby the usual driver of 'an automobile, should preferably be so constructed as to be readily attachedwithin a few minutes or less,-andpreferably without requiring the use of tools. Furthermore, theplow should be collapsible sothat'it 'may be stowed in small spaces such as available'in' private garages, and with its parts still connected, to'prevent loss thereof. Also when applied to the ordinary automobile in use, there should-'be'no danger-"of injury to the car, or injury to driveways, etc., through any tendencyof the plow to dig into the ground or any failure to passover minor obstructions. The present invention provides'inexpensive practical constructions fulfilling these requirements and at the same time adapted to be so connected to an automobile bumper that the vehicle is able to transmit a powerful forward thrust to the plow, the plow also-being so-connected to the bumpenas to be capable of resisting powerful sidewise and diagonal stresses which occur when following. a curved path,'and"when a plowed area is being widened, .at" whioh'time much greater forces are applied to one side of the plow than the other.

Various further and more specific objects,'features and advantages of the invention will clearly appear from the detailed description given below taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which forma part of this specification and illustrate by way of example certain prelierred forms of the invention. The invention consists in such novel features and combinations as may be shown and described in connection with the apparatus herein disclosed.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a; plan view showing one form of the invention .as applied to .anautomobile bumper;

Figs. 2 and 3 are side and. rear elevational views of the construction of Fig-1;

Fig. 4 showsthesameconstruction when collapsed;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the forward. portion of the plow;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged 'detailed'view of-such forward portion-with the plow: wings ormold boards in extended position ready -for use;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to'Fig; 6,-but-showing the mold boards in collapsed" positions;

Fig. 8 iSaI'PBT-SPEGt-llle view ore: runner *for the forward endof' the plow;

*Figj 9 is a secticnal view" taken' 'substantially along the line '9*9-of"Fig'.8

"Figs;"'10 and lI"respectively are perspectlveand sid'eviewspf' another form-of "runner" construction; the latter view showing the manner ofat- 'tacliing' this'fornrof rimner;

"Figs." Hand 13 are erfiarge'd" detailed views-of the"*bumper" connecting means and mtild-b-oard brace'connections for-the plow in Figul; and

1'4 is "a "perspective v'iew"of" an alternative embodimentnf theinvention.

Referring now moreispeci'fically 'to""F 'ig.' l the front'erid of a'rnotonvehicle towhich theplow is to be attached is 'shown' at iii-'with a'iront bumper lfi'of a'wellknownitype. While "inthe drawingsthe "plow is shown 'as attached-to the front bumper; 'tofbe used forplowing whenthe automobile is "'driven forwardly, it will" be "understood that thezsarne' constructionsmay be 'sirnilarly applied" if desired, to"the' rear bumper (for usewhen backing the. automobile. Thebumper 'I'BLas shownxis of'the'c'onventiona'ltype having end portions. as at l1;.'whichicurveoutwardlyand rearwardly or toward the vehicle. These portions are secured to the vehiclebybraces'as'. at 18 designed tobe bolted in'the usualway to the rear surfacesof the bumper ends.

The snow plow includes :a pai'r "of'rno'ld "boards as at 9,123, madef'or example of plywood-arid interconnected at; theinforward .ends 'by' hinge means hereinafter described, whereby .the'tjboards maybe positioned on 'edgein either an adjustable V formation 'as shown "in"Fig.."1, oribrought into generally parallel re'lati'on as ."shown I'Fig. 4 with spacing therebetween sufficient to accommodate the connecting and bracing ineans"when collapsed.

As shown in Figf'Z; themold boardsarereach of. a widthto normally extendf'from adj'acentthe ground 'toa height somewhat-above the, bumper, and the"insidetsurface"areas o'fthe re'arip'orti'ons ofthe boards-are," as'shcwrr inFig. lyadapted to extend outwardly andrea'rwa'rclly' substantially tangentially pastthe-curvedbmnperendsrespectively. This "relationship make's it -possibie to position inside" surfaceareas-of *the-'boards-close to" the bumper-- ends'so that theboards'm-ay be conveniently secured to the bmnper by simple forms of connecting "means capizbleb'f "rigidly transmitting'forward thrustsgand avith connecting means --at the-two ends -of the lemnper acting conioin t'ly' with tI-re'tri-angular formblt'ion or the -'-plow, Y to rigidly resist the si'dewise uses of the bumper.

diagonal stresses applied to the plow in use. This relationship has a further important advantage in that the bumper attaching means may be secured usually without the necessity of drilling any new holes through the bumper or without depending upon any clamping means. That is, with this arrangement the bolt which secures the bumper brace I8 may be removed and simply replaced by an eyebolt 2|, as more clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 1 3. This may be done when the plow is first acquired and preferably at some time prior to the intended use of the plow. Ordinarily no other change need be made to the vehicle or bumper construction in order to prepare the same for quick application of the plow when needed. The eyebolts may be relatively small and the protruding rounded eyelet portions thereof will not materially interfere with the normal The eyebolts further may be used to permanently secure the bumper braces I8 to the bumper. This attaching arrangement has a still further advantage in connection with the collapsible forms of plows shown, having the mold boards hinged together at the forward ends. That is, the arrangement permits the V formation of the plow to be adjustable at the forward hinge, thus allowing the rear ends of the mold boards to be readily attached by the same means, to bumpers of different widths or bumpers on which the spacing between the brace bolts may differ.

The parts of the. bumper attaching means which are carried by the mold boards will now be described in further detail, particularly in reference to Figs. 12 and 13. A removable pin 22 for extending through the eyelet of one of the eyebolts 2| may be slidably received in a pair of members as at 23, 24, these members being in the form of simple hinge elements formed with apertures at one end for receiving the pin, and being secured as by bolts or rivets 25 to an inside surface area of the mold board preferably just in advance of the end of the bumper. Preferably these hinge elements are so applied as shown, to hold the pin 22 in a position tilted slightly in a forward direction at the top. This is for the purpose of avoiding any tendency for the rear ends of the mold boards to rise when forward thrust is applied to the pin 22 by the eyebolt 2|.

In order to normally hold the rear ends of the mold boards in slightly spaced relation to the ground, a strap as at 26 or other adjustable means capable of withstanding considerable tension is applied, with one end secured as by an eyelet 21 to the shank of the eyebolt 2|, and having its other end attached to the mold board as by an eyebolt 28 or other suitable means. This strap will therefore serve to normally carry the weight of the rear end of the mold board, yet in case the lower edge of the mold board should encounter an obstruction or raised area on the ground,'the mold board will still be free to rise by the sliding of the pin 22 upwardly with respect to eyebolt 2|. If desired, any such rising of the rear ends of the mold boards may be resisted by a tensioned helical spring 29 secured at its upper end as by eyelet member 30 mounted on the top inside face of the mold board, the lower end of the spring 29 being preferably attached through a. short adjustable chain 3| to an eyelet -32 embracing the shank of eyebolt 2|. Thus when the rear end of the mold board tends to rise either by engagement with some obstruction on the ground or by reason of any transverse tilting forces applied to the other side of the plow, the

tension of spring 29 will be increased thereby resisting further rising of the mold board and also serving to promptly pull down the mold board (if its rear end has been forced up), back to a position with its lower edge normally slightly spaced from the ground, as determined by the adjustment of strap 26. If it is desired to have the rear ends of the mold boards slide on the ground, the straps 26 may of course be omitted. Also if no troublesome tendency is encountered for the rear end of the mold boards to rise out of position, the spring members 29 may be omitted.

'It will be apparent that with the above der 21 and 32 for attaching the strap and spring may be quickly unhooked from the eyebolt 2|. The plow may then be collapsed to the position shown in Fig. 4, for compact storage either by resting the mold boards along their lower edges against the floor, or if desired, the collapsed plow may be stood on end withthe normally vertical rear edges 33 forming stable floor-engaging supports. To again apply the plow to the vehicle, it is merely necessary to adjust the mold boards in front of or tothe rear of the vehicle to the approximate v formation desired, whereupon attaching means as above described, at one end of the bumper may be quickly connected in a manner which will be apparent from Fig. 12. Then the position of the other mold board may be quickly adjusted, using the connection already applied as a pivot about which to properly adjust the position of the plow with respect to the other end of the bumper, whereupon similar attaching means at the other bumper end may be applied. Thus it will be unnecessary to use any tools either for setting up or attaching the plow to the bumper, and merely by spreading the rear ends of the mold boards more or less, they may be connected to bumpers of different widths. It will be apparent that the eyebolts 2| being rigidly secured to the bumper, and in fact directly secured also to the bumper braces iii, are well adapted to transmit forward thrust from the frame of the automobile to the plow, yet

without requiring one to get access to the vehicle frame underneath the car when attaching or removing the plow. Furthermore, while the forward thrust to the plow is normally applied rigidly, yet if the plow should meet with any unexpectedobstruction covered by the snow, the normal resilience of the bumper ends and braces will come into use and permit of enough resilience between the plow and the automobile frame to prevent breaking or bending of either; The pin and eyelet connection to the bumper has the further important advantages of permitting the rear ends of the plow to rise somewhat when necessary to pass over obstructions andalso if obstructions are met with by intermediate portions of the mold boards tending to bend the same transversely, then the pin and eyelet connections will act as hinge means permitting enough articulation, upon such bending, to avoid danger of breaking off the connecting means to the bumper. It will be apparent that the hingelike connections further facilitate the adjustability of the plow for various types and sizes of bumpers and permit the connection to be made at one side of the vehicle without requiring the connection at the other side to be first brought into exact alignment, or until after the first side is connected. Although both of the bumper connections are in the nature of hinges, as is also the connection at the forward end of the mold boards, to be hereinafter described, yet due to the triangular formation of the plow in conjunction with the bumper, it is able effectively to resist sidewise and diagonal stresses by making use of the bumper in effect as a rigid transverse strut, notwithstanding the hinge connections.

The structure at the forward end or point of the plow will now be explained in further detail, more particularly in connection with Figs. -9. A nose piece 35 formed for, example of welded sheet metal parts, preferably has a V-shaped cross section as shown to provide a vertically extending channel-like member protecting the forward ends of the mold boards 19, 20, and also protecting hinges as at 3B, 31, which provide the adjustable front hinge connection or" the mold boards. The member 35 preferably includes generally horizontally extending upper and lower sector-shaped web members as at 38, 3%. These web members may be apertured to receive pintle means as at 40 for the hinges 3B, 31'.

The hinges 3B, 31 are preferably formed with angularly shaped leaves bolted to the forward edges of the mold boards as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, and including portions offset inwardly of the faces of the mold boards for'receiving the pintle means. With hinges of this type, as is apparent from Figs. 6 and 7, when the mold boards are in V formation ready for use, the outer surfaces thereof at their forward ends will be adjacent to or bear against the inner surfaces of the nose piece, thereby limiting the nose piece against any substantial pivotal movement from side to side. On the other hand, when the mold boards are moved to collapsed position, as may be readily done while the nose piece still remains connected, the inner faces of the mold boards will be spaced apart a suitable distance to accommodate the bumper connecting means, as well as other bracing and stay elements hereinafter described, yet permitting the mold boards to assume a parallel relationship when collapsed.

As will be further apparent from Figs. 6 and 7 in order to permit the plow to be both opened up and collapsed while keeping the nose piece pivotally attached by the hinge pintle means, it will be necessary to position the hinge pintle means at a point spaced from both of the inside walls of the nose piece by distances permitting the forward edges of the mold boards to have clearance with respect to the nose piece, at all times except when the mold boards are at their extreme V relationship.

Since the weight of the forward portion of the plow is intended to bear upon the ground, rather than the vehicle, it is preferable to provide a runner as at 4| beneath the nose piece. This runner should be of a width and length sufficient to support the plow without substantially sinking into the earth when in relatively firm condition. However, the runner should not be large enough to cause it to ride up on top of relatively firm snow. Instead, it is intended that the runner will normally dig into the snow and support the forward end of the plow with its lower edges at about the same distance from the ground as the lower edges of the rear ends of the mold boards, as supported by th bumper connections. Thus, thebumper connections and the runner effectively provide a three-point support for the triangular structure of the plow, yet

each Of these three supporting points is such as to permit the corresponding portion Of the plow to rise when meeting with obstructions,.without tending to break any other portion. The runner 4! may be provided with attaching bolts as at 42 welded therein in a manner shown in Fig. 9. These bolts may be secured as shown in Fig. 5 to the forward and rear end of an attached strip 43, which in turn may be welded to. the lower surface of the web 38 of the nose piece. Washers or other suitable variable spacing means as at 44 may be interposed between the runner and the member 43. In some cases it may be found preferable to use a runner of the type shown at 4| in Figs. 10 and 11, having a single pivotal connection at the lower forward corner of the nose piece. This pivotal connection may comprise for example a hinge plate as at 45 welded to the lower surface of the nose piece and associated with a removable pintle bolt 46, which extends through lugs as at 41 upstanding from the runner.

When the plow is used along a hillside or when it is used to widen a plowed area, quite heavy sidewise and diagonal stresseswill be applied to one of the mold boards, particularly. along its lower edge, and the stresses oftentimes will be' much greater than stresses whichare being applied at the same time to the other mold board. For working under these circumstances, particularly with heavy snows, it is preferable to provide additional bracing and stay means between the mold boards intermediate their ends and particularly at their lower edges. As shown in Figs. 1-3, such means may for example take the form of a pair of complementary brace members as at 50, 5| secured in adjustable overlapping relationship as by bolts 52 adapted to fit through several different holes as at 53 (Fig. 3). These brace members, which may comprise strips of wood, may be secured to the mold boards respectively by hinge mean as at 54, 55 preferably of a type which will permit the braces upon removal of bolts 52 to be folded forwardly when the plow is collapsed. When the braces are collapsed in this direction, they will not interfere with the use of the rear edges 33 of the mold boards as floor-engaging supports for the plow when it is stood on end for storage. is collapsed, the mold boards will serve to cover and protect these braces and their hinge members against possible breaka e or detachmentf If excess transverse forces are applied to the lower edge of one mold board, it will be apparent that the braces 50, 5| will serve to apply such forces to the lower edge of the other mold board so that the lower edge of one board will reinforce the other, and thereby tend to prevent any twisting action on the rear portion of either board about its point of connection to the bumper. However, since the pressure against the loWer rear edge Of one mold board or the other, may under some conditions be quite severe, and since these edge portions are at a considerable distance below the bumper connections, additional means is preferably used to oppose such twisting effects, and to prevent transverse thrusts at the lower rear portion of one board from causing the rear portion of the other board to tilt up and rise out of position. This means, with the example shown in Figs. 1-3 may take the form of tensioned stays as at 60, BI. These stays may be formed of small flexible wire cable or as shown, of lengths of chain, which may be tensioned as by turn buckles Yet when the plow it. The outer ends of the stays 60, it may be connected asshown in Figs. Zand 3 toeyeholts as at 63' on, the inner faces the mold; [warm at points intermediate thcir'length, which points are preferably somewhat higher than the normal points of attachment or the moldboards; to the bumper. From these points the stays 61F, it respectivelymay pass transversely of the plow downwardly to eyebolt connections as at on the braces 50, 5 I 'Ihus if a; transverse: force is applied to the lower edge. 01' the rear portion: of one of the mold boards tending to twist such; portion inwardly about its bumper connection, such tendency will be resisted by the stay which is. attached to such mold board above the pivotal. point comprising the bumper connection. That is; the stay 6| in effect: serves to connect the lower rear and intermediate portions of the mold board 20 to the upper intermediate area of the mold board l9, and similarly the stay 60* serves to connect the upper middle portion of mold board 20 to the lower middle and rear'portions of the mold board l9. Since the lower end" of stay I is connected to brace: 50 and stay' (it is similarlyconnected to brace 5 Litwillibe-apparent that incollapsing the plow, upon removing brace bolts 52, the stays and braces may all be swung forwardly without disconnecting the stays. Similarly, in setting up the plow again, the. braces may be swung into position and bolted together. with the stays still connected and without necessarily readjusting the" stays. If desired, the stays 60, El may be tensioned sufficiently to normally warp the upper edges of the mold board somewhat inwardly, and hence due to the rigid braces and minated just short of the lower sector shaped' web member 38 at the forward end of the plow; Small portions or the rear lower corners or the mold boards are preferably cut off along a diagonal as at 61 (Figs. 2, 1i) so that the plow may be drawn backwards when desired to a. limited' extent without jamming against the earth or obstructions on the ground; As shown, the strip- 66 also preferably extends up along the resulting diagonal edge.

The embodiment of the invention shown in Fig 14: may be the same as thatabove described except for the bracing and stay means. In. this form a. pair of crossed transversely extending stays as at 10, H, are shown having their ends connected to vertically extending angle irons or bars as at 12,, 13, riveted respectively to the mold boards 19; 20 intermediate the ends of the latter. The members l2, 13 will serve to keep the mold boards relatively flat and rigid and prevent the lower edges from being flexed inwardly unless. the upper dges are at the same time flexed outwardly. And the latter action may be prevented by the stays 10, 1| acting in conjunction with the bumper connecting means. The stays 10, H may be supplemented if desired by braces 50, 5| as in the case of Fig. 1.

While the invention has been described in detail with respect to particular preferred examples, it will be understood by thos skilled in the art after understanding the invent-ion that assaeao various changes and modifications may be: made without departing from the spirit and scopea! the invention, and it is intended therefore in the appended claims to cover? such changes and modifications.

What is claimed as new and desired to be. secured: by Letters Patent'ls:

I. A collapsible snow plow adapted to be" de tachabl'y connected. to motor vehicle bumpers at types having ends curved toward thevehicle, comprising a pair oi mold; hinge means'constructed. and arranged tor interconnecting the forward ends thereoi whereby the boards may be positioned on edge in either an adjustable v formation or brought into generally parallel: relation upon collapsing the plow, said boards each being of a width to normally extend from adjacent the ground to ahcight abovethe bumper, inside surface areas of: the rear portions. of the boards being adapted to extendsubstantially tangentially past the curved; bumper ends respectively, and detachable: connecting: means on each said area. and positionedbetween saidarea; and the adjacentbumper end to retain such area and end. in close proximity; thereby also determining the angular adjustment of hinge means, said latter connecting means also being constructed and arranged. with the boards to rigidly retain both the forward and. rear portions of theplow' against movement transversely of the path of boards being; adapted to: extend rearwardly past the bumper ends respectively, and thrust transmitting bumper connecting: means on each: said area, positioned between. said area and the adjacent bumper end and constructed andarranged to retain such. area and end in close proximity, thereby also determining the angular-adjustment of said hinge means.

3. A collapsible snow plow comprising a pair, of mold boards, hinge means constructed and arranged for interconnecting the forward ends thereof whereby the boards may be positioned on edge in either a V formation, or in generally parallel relation upon bringing the inner surfaces of the boards closer together to collapse the plow, the rear end portions of the boar-debeing constructed and arrangedto' provide flooren-gag-ing' supports to hol the plow when collapsed in stable vertical position for storage with the hinged ends uppermost, a pair of complementary transverse brace members, and hinge means connecting said members respective-Fr to the inner surfaces of the mold boards interlin diate the ends of the boards, saidlatter hinge means and said members beingconstructed and arranged topermit the members to be swungforwardly, to positions substantially parallel to and between themold boards upon collapsing: the plow.

45. A snow plow ad pted to be detachably' connected to motonvehicle bumpers of types honing supporting" bracesnormally bolted to the rec/r surfaces of the bumper end portions, comprising f in-coxnbination reyelet mean's adapte'd respectively to be bolted: cm thefront surfaces 'of the bumper sends-b3" means which alsoboltsaidbraces to the 'r-rear--:surfaees, a pair "of mold boards secured toether at their forward'*ends, in a V formation, sand pin means-secured in generally vertical posi- -tion onz zthe-insidesurface of the'rear portion of each-mold 1 board *and embraced respectively by safd-eyeletrmeans.

3'5. -Asnowl-plow adapted to be detachably conrnecte'd-to motor-vehicle bumpers of types haviing supporting'braces normally bolted to the rear surfaces of the bumper-end portions, comprising incombination: 'a pair of mold'boards secured together at their forward ends, in a V formation, connecting-means on theinside surface area of the rear portion of each. boardrespectively-and common means 'forsecuring said braces respec- -tively to 'the'rear -surface of the bumper ends while detachablysecuring said-connecting means to the front surface of the bumper ends.

*6. i k-collapsible"snowplow comprising a pair of mold boards, hinge means constructed and arranged for interconnecting the forward ends thereof whereby the boards may be positioned on edge in either a V formation, or in generally parallel relation upon bringing the inner surfaces of the boards closer together to collapse the plow, and a nose piece comprising an upstanding metal channel member of generally V- shaped cross section pivotally secured by the pintle structure of said hinge means, said nose piece and forward ends of the boards being so constructed and arranged with the hinge means that said ends retain the nose piece against substantial pivotal movement when the boards are in V formation, yet leaving the board ends free to permit the boards to be brought into said parallel relation while the nose piece remains thus pivotally secured.

'7. A snow plow construction adapted for detachable connection with automobile bumpers, comprising a pair of mold boards, means for attaching the front ends of said mold boards to each other, and separate means for independently attaching the rear ends of each of said mold boards directly to the bumper near the ends thereof, said means constituting a rigid thrust transmitting connection between the plow and the automobile adapted to transmit forward thrust and to resist sidewise and diagonal stresses applied to the plow in use, said attaching means being adapted to permit the rear ends of said mold boards independently to rise and fall vertically.

8. A snow plow construction adapted for detachable connection with automobile bumpers, comprising a pair of mold boards, means for attaching the front ends of said mold boards to each other, hinge elements secured to the rear ends of said mold boards, hinge elements adapted to be fixed to the bumper, and pins passing through said hinge elements to attach said mold boards to the bumper, said hinge elements and hinge pins constituting a rigid thrust transmitting connection between the plow and the automobile adapted to transmit forward thrust and.

"of said-"mold boards, hingeelementsadapted to be secured to the bumper, the vertical space between said upper and lower hinge elements being-greater than the vertical height of the hinge -element-secured to the bumper, and pins passing 'throughsaid hinge elements to attach said mold boards to the bumper.

10. A snow plow construction adapted for de- '*tachable-connection with automobile bumpers, 'comprisingapair of'mold boards, means for pivotallyattachingthe front ends of said mold "thrust 'and' to resist sidewise and diagonal stresses applied to .the plow in .use and'adjust- "able'bracingmeans' extending transversely across said plow and attached at its ends to said mold boards to hold said mold boards in the desired position of adjustment.

11. A snow plow construction adapted for detachable connection with automobile bumpers, comprising a pair of mold boards, means for attaching the front ends of said mold boards to each other, separate means for independently attaching the rear ends of each of said mold boards directly to the bumper near the ends thereof, said means constituting a rigid thrust transmitting connection between the plow and the automobile adapted to transmit forward thrust and to resist sidewise and diagonal stresses applied to the plow in use, and adjustable bracing means extending transversely across said plow, hinge elements on said bracing means, hinge elements on said mold boards, and pins passing through said hinge elements to attach said bracing means to said mold means.

12. A snow plow comprising, in combination, a pair of mold boards, a hollow V-shaped head having angularly disposed side panels connected at top and bottom by generally horizontal webs, said webs being provided with aligned apertures, mating hinge elements on the forward ends of said mold boards, hinge pintle' means passing through said apertures and through said hinge elements, said hinge elements and the forward ends of said mold boards being entirely enclosed within the outlines of said head, each of said mold boards being adjustable on said pintle means from a position parallel to one of said panels to a position parallel to each other.

13. A collapsible snow plow comprising a pair of mold boards, hinge means constructed and arranged for interconnecting the forward ends thereof, the axis of said hinge means being offset inwardly of the inner faces of said boards whereby the boards While maintaining the hinge connection may be positioned on edge in either a spaced generally parallel relation upon collapsing the plow or in a V relationship for use, a metal nose piece substantially covering said forward ends and pivotally secured in place by the pintle structure of said hinge means when the boards are in either of said relationships, and collapsible means secured on the inner faces of said boards intermediate the ends thereof for retaining the boards in use, in the desired V relationship, the spacing of said boards when in said generally parallel relation being sufficient to accommodate said latter means when col- 7 lapsed.

14. A snow plow adapted to be detachably connected to motor vehicle bumpers, comprising a pair of mold boards, means for interconnecting the forward ends thereof in a V formation while in use, a runner for supporting said forward ends, and bumper attaching means for supporting the rear portions of the boards normally with at least a predeterminedslight spacing from the ground and for securing such portions closely adjacent the end portions respectively of the bumper, said attaching means being articulated with respect to a transverse horizontal axis to permit the forward end of the plow as supported by said runner, to rise and fall, and said attaching means being rigid in directions fore and aft to constitute rigid thrust transmitting means from each end of the bumper and acting conjointly to resist sidewise stresses applied to the plow in use.

15. A snow plow adapted to be detachably connected to motor vehicle bumpers, comprising a. pair of mold-boards, means for interconnecting the forward endsnthereof in a Viformation while in use, said boards each being of a width to normally extend from adjacent the ground to a height above thebumpeninside surface areas of the rear portions of the boards'beingadapted to extend crearwardly past the bumperends respectively, thrust transmitting bumper connect- HOWARD B. CHURCHILL.

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