US3477151A

US3477151A - Snowplow

Info

Publication number: US3477151A
Application number: US469398A
Authority: US
Inventors: Robert C Zanella
Original assignee: ROBERT C ZANELLA
Current assignee: ROBERT C ZANELLA
Priority date: 1965-07-06
Filing date: 1965-07-06
Publication date: 1969-11-11
Anticipated expiration: 1986-11-11

Description

Nov.- 11, 1969 R. c. ZANELLA SNOWPLOW 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Jill e, 1965 F ll/l l// l/ ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,477,151 SNOWPLOW Robert C. Zanella, 67 Western Ave., Sherborn, Mass. 01770 Filed July 6, 1965, Ser. No. 469,398 Int. Cl. E01h /06; E02f 3/76 US. Cl. 37-42 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE This invention relates generally to plows and more particularly to a snowplow having a novel scraper blade for attachment to trucks, Jeeps and similar self-propelled vehicles.

The requirements of snow removal and the number of individuals engaged in snow removal operations have increased tremendously in recent years. The resulting increased demand for snow removal equipment has produced many new snowplow devices of various sizes and utility. The snow removal equipment industry has continuously sought new devices for increasing the efficiency and capacity of snow removal equipment. The importance of these objectives is evident when one considers the extremely rigid time requirements for most. snow removal operations.

The object of this invention therefore is to provide an improved snow removal device which exhibits a greater efficiency and capacity than those presently available.

One feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device having a primary scraper blade straddled by a pair of pivotally connected auxiliary scraper blades. The working surfaces of the auxiliary scraper blades are rotatable to positions making angles of less than 180 with the working surface of the primary scraper blade thereby permitting a confinement of the substance to be plowed.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device of the above featured type including control apparatus for producing simultaneous pivotal movement of the auxiliary scraper blades thereby greatly simplifying their use.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device of the above featured types wherein the control apparatus allows the working surface of one of the auxiliary scraper blades to be in substantial alignment with the working surface of the primary blade while the working surface of the other auxiliary scraper blade makes an angle substantially less than 180 therewith thereby providing a plow device with a substantially increased working capacity.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device of the above featured types wherein the control apparatus includes a doubleended, double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly mounted on the rear surface of the primary scraper blade and having opposed pistons pivotally connected to the auxiliary scraper blades.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device of the above featured types wherein the hydraulic cylinder assembly is mounted to permit movement relative to the primary scraper blade in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto so as to prevent mechanical binding during pivotal movement of the auxiliary scraper blades in response to the thrust of the opposed pistons.

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Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device of the above featured types including a mechanical stop for preventing the auxiliary scraper blade working surfaces from forming an angle greater than with the working surface of the primary scraper blade thereby providing mechanical strength for the auxiliary blades during plowing operations.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device of the first three above featured types wherein the control apparatus includes a mechanical linkage connected between the primary scraper blade and the auxiliary scraper blades and adapted to produce pivotal movement of the auxiliary blades in response to horizontal rotation of the primary scraper blade.

Another feature of this invention is the provision of a plow device of the above featured type wherein the mechanical linkage produces simultaneous pivotal movement of both auxiliary scraper blades in the same direction as the inducing horizontal rotational movement of the primary scraper blade. This automatically adjusts the auxiliary scraper blades for maximum capacity in response to normal horizontal positioning of the primary scraper blade.

These and other features and objects of the present invention will become apparent upon a perusal of the following specification taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a preferred plow embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the plow device shown in FIG. 1 with the auxiliary scraper blades in the neutral position;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the hydraulic cylinder assembly shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial schematic view of the plow device shown in FIGS. 1-3 with the auxiliary blades in position for discharging a plowed substance to the left;

FIG. 5 is a partial schematic view of the plow device shown in FIGS. 1-3 with the auxiliary blades in position for discharging a plowed substance to the right;

FIG. 6 is a partial top view of another preferred plow embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a partial rear view of the plow embodiment shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the plow embodiment shown in FIG. 6-.

Referring to FIGS. l-3 there is shown the primary scraper blade 11 having a substantially straight working surface 12. Straddling the primary blade 11 are the left auxiliary scraper blade 13 with a working surface 14 and the right auxiliary scraper blade 15 with the working surface 16. Each of the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 is pivotally attached to primary blade 11 by a pair of hinges 17 each having one end 18 attached, for example, by welding to the rear surface of the auxiliary blade and another end 19 attached to the rear surface of primary blade 12 by nut and bolt assemblies 21. Also attached, for example, by welding to the rear surfaces of

auxiliary blades

13, 15 are the bumper stops 22 having portions 23 which extend beyond the confines of the auxiliary blade and restrict their movement by contacting the rear surface of the primary blade 11. This contact occurs when the auxiliary blades working surfaces 14, 16 are in alignment with the working surface 12 of the primary blade 11.

Mounted, for example, by rivets from the rear surface 10 of the primary blade 11 is the hydraulic cylinder assembly 24 having the double ended, double acting hydraulic cylinder 25. Projecting from the ends of cylinder 25 are the opposing left piston rod 26 and right piston rod 27. One end of each connecting rod 30 is attached by a threaded connection to one end of left piston rod 26 and right piston rod 27. The opposite end of each connecting rod 30 is pivotally attached by connecting pins 28 to one end of the pivot arms 29. The other ends of pivot arms 29 are attached, for example, by welding to the rear surfaces of left auxiliary blade 13 and right auxiliary blade 15.

The hydraulic cylinder assembly 24 includes a pair of symmetrical housings each having an open rear side, front wall 31 attached to primary blade 11, a top wall 32, a bottom wall 33 and an end wall 34. The cylindrical supports 35 have central bores 36 accommodating the

piston rods

26, 27 and project through slots 37 in the end walls 34. The external shoulders 38 of the supports 35 bear against the inner surfaces of end walls 34. Inner counter bores 39 in the supports 35 enclose the ends of the hydraulic cylinder 25 and provide an inner bearing surface 41 separated from the cylinder end walls by the annular gaskets 42.

The plow device shown in FIGS. 1-3 is preferably attached by conventional apparatus (not shown) to the front of a suitable propelling vehicle such as a truck, Jeep, etc. Such conventional attachment apparatus normally includes hydraulic controls for producing horizontal rotational in addition to vertical movement of the scraping blade. With the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 in the positions shown in FIG. 2 and the propelling vehicle proceeding in the indicated direction D the working surfaces 12, 14, 16 of the primary and auxiliary blades will make contact with the substance, for example snow, being plowed. The auxiliary working surfaces of 14, 16 which form 150 angles with the primary surface 12 provide the extremely useful function of confining the plowed snow to prevent spilling around the edges of the primary blade 11. Such an arrangement is particularly desirable in situations wherein the plowed snow must be entirely removed from the area being cleared rather than merely shifted to the side.

By control of the hydraulic cylinder 25 with conventional hydraulic control apparatus (not shown) the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 can be shifted into desired alternate positions. For example, a simultaneous inward thrust of left piston rod 26 and outward thrust of right piston rod 27 will cause the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 to take the positions illustrated in the schematic showing of FIG. 4 wherein each of the auxiliary blades has rotated in a counterclockwise direction through an angle of about 30 relative to primary blade 11. Thus the working surface 14 of left blade 13 is in substantial alignment with the working surface 12 of the primary blade 11 and the working surface 16 of right auxiliary blade 15 forms an angle of about 120 therewith. Also the primary blade 11 has also been horizontally rotated in a counterclockwise direction so as to form an angle of about 60 with the vehicle direction D. With the

blades

11, 13, 15 as shown in FIG. 4 movement of the plow in the direction D will cause the plowed snow to slide along the working surfaces 12, 14 and be discharged to the left of the left auxiliary blade 13. The right auxiliary blade 15 which projects substantially in the direction of movement D will prevent the plowed snow from spilling over the right edge of the plow device.

The increased capacity provided by the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 will be readily appreciated. In addition to the left auxiliary blade 13 extending the total length of working surface the right auxiliary blade 15, by preventing spillage, permits the vehicle operator to beg-in each successive plow swipe with the right edge of primary blade 11 at exactly the edge of the preceding plow swipe.

FIG. shows the positioning of the various blades for plowing action in which the plowed snow is discharged to the right. For this application the hydraulic cylinder 25 is operated to cause an inward thrust of right piston rod 27 and outward thrust of left piston rod 26. This causes each of the auxiliary blades 13 and to pivot in a clockwise direction. The primary blade 11 is also horizontally rotated in a clockwise direction to form an angle of 60 with the intended direction D of the propelling vehicle.

The operation of the plow in this position is the same as that described in connection with FIG. 4 except that the plowed snow will be discharged to the right of the moving vehicle rather than to the left.

The ease with which the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 can be shifted from the positions shown in FIG. 4 to those of FIG. 5 is extremely important in many plowing operations. For example, a plow operator can make successive, adjacent traversals of a large area with each traversal shifting snow in the same lateral direction. This is accomplished by merely shifting between the different blade positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 and reversing the direction of the propelling vehicle before each traversal of the area being plowed.

FIGS. 6-8 show another plow embodiment of the present invention in which the structure of the primary blade 11 and

auxiliary blades

13, 15 is exactly the same as that shown in FIGS. 1-3. However, the auxiliary blade control provided by the hydraulic cylinder assembly 24 in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 is performed in this embodiment by the mechanical linkage 50.

The primary blade 11 is supported by the A-frame 51 which is adapted for attatchment to a suitable propelling vehicle (not shown). The blade 11 is pivotally attached to the apex of the A-frame by a pivot assembly 52 which permits relative movement therebetween. Secured 0n the arms of the A-frame 51 is the base plate 53 having a centrally located spherical indentation 54. Directly attached to the base plate 53 is a top plate 55 also having a spherical indentation 56 aligned with the indentation 54 to form a spherical cavity. Confined within this spherical cavity is the spherically shaped base 57 of the universal pivot joint assembly 58. The universal assembly 58 also includes upright 59 which is attached to the spherical shaped base 57 and extends through a slot 61 in the indented portion of the top plate 55.

The primary link 62 has ends pivotally connected to a bracket 63 rigidly attached to the rear surface of primary blade 11 and to a bracket 64 rigidly attached to upright 59. The auxiliary links 65 have one end pivotally connected to the mounting bar 66 and opposite ends rigidly attached to the opposing rods 30 which connect to the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 with pivot arms 29 (as shown in FIG. 1). The connecting rod 67 is rigidly connected, for example, by welding between the upright 59 and the central portion of mounting bar 66. Triangular shaped top support 68 is rigidly attached to the rear portion of primary blade 11 and has an aperture 69 which accommodates the upright 59 with sufficient clearance to allow .some relative movement therebetween.

The operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6-8 is similar to that described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-3. However, in this embodiment the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 are automatically positioned in response to horizontal rotational movement of the primary blade 11. This movement is produced by conventional apparatus (not shown) frequently associated with plow devices of this type and typically includes a hydraulic piston connected to the rear surface of the primary blade 11.

The automatic adjustment of the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 takes place as follows: Counter-clockwise rotation of primary blade 11 pulls primary links 62 producing counter-clockwise rotation of the upright 59 and attached connecting rod 67. This movement of the connecting rod 67 pushes right auxiliary link 65 and pulls left auxiliary link 65 causing counter-clockwise rotation of both

auxiliary blades

13, 15 as described above in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1. Thus the primary blade 11 and the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 will assume the positions illustrated in FIG. 4.

Conversely, clockwise rotation of the primary blade 11 will push primary link 62 producing clockwise rotation of the upright 59 and attached connecting rod 67. This in turn pushes left auxiliary link 65 and pulls right auxiliary link 65 producing clockwise rotation of both

auxiliary blades

13, 15. The primary blade 11 and the

auxiliary blades

13, 15 will therefore automatically assume the positions shown in FIG. 5.

The embodiment of FIGS. 6-8 has the advantage of providing proper adjustment of the auxiliary blades without requiring an additional manipulation by the plow operator. As described above, the operator automatically obtains correct positioning of the auxiliary blades in response to conventional horizontal adjustment of the primary blade.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. For example only, although a plane surfaced primary blade has been shown for simplicity it will be appreciated that the invention can be used with the more common scraper blade which has a vertically curved surface. In this regard, the term substantially straight primary blade working surface is meant to include blade surfaces on which all horizontal lines are substantially parallel. It is therefore to be understood that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A plow device comprising an elongated primary scraper blade having a substantially straight vertical surface adapted to contact a substance to be plowed, a pair of auxiliary scraper blades having working surfaces adapted to contact the substance to be plowed, said auxiliary scraper blades being pivotally connected to each horizontal end of said primary scraper blade, said auxiliary scraper blades adapted to pivot between positions wherein said working surfaces are in substantial alignment with said substantially straight vertical surface of said primary scraper blade and positions wherein said working surfaces make an angle of less than 180 with said substantially straight vertical surface, attachment means for connecting said plow device to a propelling vehicle, and control means connected between said auxiliary scraper blades and adapted to produce simultaneous pivotal movement of said auxiliary scraper blades such that one of said auxiliary scraper blade working surfaces is moved into substantial alignment with said substantially straight vertical surface when said other auxiliary scraper blade working surface lies at an angle substantially less than 180 thereto.

2. A plow device according to claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a double ended double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly having opposed pistons connected to said auxiliary scraper blades.

3. A plow device according to claim 2 wherein said hydraulic cylinder assembly is mounted on the rear surface of said primary scraper blade and said opposed pistons are pivotally connected to said auxiliary scraper blades.

4. A plow device according to claim 3 wherein said hydraulic cylinder assembly is movably mounted so as to permit movement thereof relative to said primary scraper blade in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rear surface thereof.

5. A plow device according to claim 1 including stop means adapted to prevent said auxiliary scraper blade working surfaces from making an angle of greater than 180 with said substantially straight vertical surface.

6. A plow device according to claim 1 wherein said control means comprises a mechanical linkage connected between said auxiliary scraper blades and adapted to produce simultaneous pivotal movement thereof.

7. A plow device according to claim 6 wherein said mechanical linkage is connected between said primary scraper blade and said auxiliary scraper blades and is adapted to produce pivotal movement of said auxiliary scraper blades in response to rotation of said primary scraper blade about an axis perpendicular to the elongated direction thereof.

8. A plow device according to claim 7 wherein said mechanical linkage is adapted to produce pivotal movement of said auxiliary scraper blades in the same direction as the inducing rotational movement of said primary scraper blade.

9. A plow device according to claim 8 wherein said mechanical linkage includes a universal pivot joint positioned behind said primary scraper blade, a primary link connected between said universal pivot joint and the back of said primary scraper blade, a pair of auxiliary links each having one end pivotally connected to one of said auxiliary scraper blades, and a connecting link having one end connected to said universal pivot joint and another end pivotally connected to the other ends of both said connecting links.

10. A plow device comprising a primary scraper blade having a front working surface, auxiliary scraper blades pivotally connected to opposite sides of said primary scraper blade, and control means connected between said auxiliary scraper blades and including a mechanical linkage means connected between said primary scraper blade and said auxiliary scraper blades for producing simultaneous pivotal movement of said auxiliary scraper blades in the same rotational sense relative to and in response to rotational movement of said primary scraper blade about a vertical axis.

11. A plow device according to claim 10 wherein said control means comprises a double ended double acting hydraulic cylinder assembly having opposed pistons connected to said auxiliary scraper blades.

12. A plow device according to claim 11 wherein said hydraulic cylinder assembly is mounted on the rear surface of said primary scraper blade and said opposed pistons are pivotally connected to said auxiliary scraper blades.

13. A plow device according to claim 12 wherein said hydraulic cylinder assembly is movably mounted to as to permit movement thereof relative to said primary scraper blade in a direction substantially perpendicular to the rear surface thereof.

14. A plow device according to claim 10 wherein said mechanical linkage is adapted to produce pivotal movement of said auxiliary scraper blades in the same direction as the inducing rotational movement of said primary scraper blade.

15. A plow device according to claim 14 wherein said mechanical linkage includes a universal pivot joint positioned behind said primary scraper blade, a primary link connected between said universal pivot joint and the back of said primary scraper blade, a pair of auxiliary links each having one end pivotally connected to one of said auxiliary scraper blades, and a connecting link having one end connected to said universal pivot joint and another end pivotally connected to the other ends of both said connecting links.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,454,757 5/ 1923 Merillat. 2,006,384 7/1935 Burgess. 2,230,704 2/ 1941 Sorensen. 2,646,633 7/1953 Jahn. 2,938,285 5/ 1960 Lindeman. 3,061,955 11/ 1962 Violette. 2,643,472 6/1953 Mertz. 3,157,099 11/ 1964 Ulrich.

FOREIGN PATENTS 873,189 3/1942 France.

ROBERT E. BAGWILL, Primary Examiner A. E. KOPE'CKI, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 172-802