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  Universal snow plow adapterUSPTO Application #: 20060107555Title: Universal snow plow adapter Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for allowing the use of a common lift assembly with both trip edge snow plow blades and full moldboard trip snow plow blades. A bracket is interposed between a lift assembly, which is adapted to attach directly to a trip edge blade, and a full moldboard trip blade. This bracket is pivotally attached to the lift assembly, so as to allow it to pivot about a vertical axis. It is also pivotally attached to the full moldboard trip blade so as to allow the blade to pivot about a horizontal axis. This allows a single lift assembly to be used in conjunction with both trip edge blades and full moldboard trip blades. (end of abstract)
Agent: Nields & Lemack - Westboro, MA, US Inventor: Marc D. Curtis USPTO Applicaton #: 20060107555 - Class: 037232000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Excavating, Snow Or Ice Removing Or Grooming By Portable Device, Vehicle Mount With Obstacle Responsive Trip, Or Yieldable Tool (e.g., Brush) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060107555. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Snow plows are commonly used in conjunction with general purpose vehicles, such as trucks, to clear roads, driveways and other paths. However, these roads and paths are not always flat and free of obstacles. Because of the possibility of a plow encountering an immovable object, such as a curb, precautions are typically incorporated into the plow system. There are two common implementations used to protect the snow plow system from such obstacles. [0002] One such implementation incorporates a "trip edge" into the snow blade. In this embodiment, the "trip edge" is typically hinged at the lower edge of the plow blade. This edge is typically about nine inches tall and is hinged so as to allow it to move backward when encountering an immovable object. Typically, the trip edge is held in position through the use of biasing elements, such as springs. In operation, the springs hold the trip edge in place as the plow blade is used. When an immovable object, such as a curb, is encountered, the force created by the trip edge against the immovable object will exceed the force exerted by the springs, thereby allowing the trip edge to pivot away from the object. Once the object has been passed, the force of the springs again returns the trip edge to its operative position. [0003] A second such implementation allows the entire plow blade, or moldboard, to pivot when it encounters an immovable object. In this embodiment, the entire moldboard is hinged to the accompanying frame and lift system, thereby allowing it to pivot about a horizontal axis. [0004] Each of these configurations has its perceived advantages and disadvantages. Similarly, each configuration has strong advocates among those who buy snow plows. Because both versions are popular with consumers, and neither is clearly preferred over the other, many manufacturers and dealers design, manufacture and sell both types of systems. [0005] While this allows consumers the opportunity to choose between the two implementations, there are serious disadvantages to the dealers and manufacturers. Manufacturers are forced to develop two separate snow blades and two separate lift assemblies. Similarly, dealers are forced to order and stock both types of systems, as well as spare parts for each. [0006] Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop an apparatus and a method whereby the number of different components used in these two implementations is minimized. This would reduce design and manufacturing costs from the manufacturers and would reduce inventory and carrying costs for the dealers. SUMMARY [0007] The problems of the prior art are overcome by the present invention which provides an apparatus and method allowing the use of a common lift assembly with both trip edge blades and full moldboard trip blades. A bracket is interposed between a lift assembly, which is adapted to attach directly to a trip edge blade, and a full moldboard trip blade. This bracket is pivotally attached to the lift assembly, so as to allow it to pivot about a vertical axis. It is also pivotally attached to the full moldboard trip blade so as to allow the blade to pivot about a horizontal axis. This allows a single lift assembly to be used in conjunction with both trip edge blades and full moldboard trip blades. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a lift assembly for a full moldboard trip blade of the prior art; [0009] FIG. 2 is a side view of a full moldboard trip blade showing the tilting operation of the blade; [0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective drawing of a lift assembly, as it is attached to a trip edge blade; [0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective drawing of the lift assembly of FIG. 3, as attached to a full moldboard trip blade in accordance with the present invention; and [0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective drawing of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0013] FIG. 1 shows a lift assembly 10 for use with a full moldboard trip blade (not shown). The snow plow blade pivotally attaches to points 20a,20b,20c and 20d on arm 95. These points 20 provide a hinge about which the plow blade can pivot. To maintain the snow plow blade in its operative position, biasing elements, preferably springs 80, are used to exert force on the top edge of the plow blade. [0014] FIG. 2 shows the tilting operation of the full moldboard trip blade. One or more biasing elements 80 is used to hold the top of the blade 200 in the operative position. When a strong force, or immovable object exerts pressure on the bottom edge of the blade, the blade pivots at point 20. In order to start pivoting, the force exerted at the bottom of the blade must exceed that exerted by the biasing element(s) at the top edge of the blade. If the force is greater, the blade will pivot about point 20. As it pivots, the biasing elements are stretched, thereby increasing the backward force that they are exerting on the top edge of the blade 200. When the force (or object) is no longer present, the biasing elements force the blade 200 back to its operative position. [0015] FIG. 1 also shows two actuators 70a, 70b, such as hydraulic cylinders, which are used to pivot arm 95 about a pivot point 90. When the right actuator 70a is expanded and the left actuator 70b is contracted, the arm 95 pivots in a counterclockwise direction about pivot point 90. Arm 95 is also in communication with arc 89 and bracket 88, to which the biasing elements 80 are affixed. Therefore, arm 95, arc 89, bracket 88, biasing elements 80 and the plow blade move in unison in response to relative movement of actuators 70a, 70b. This integral motion is imperative to the operation of a full moldboard trip blade. [0016] Other implementations of lift assemblies for full moldboard trip blades are well known to those skilled in the art, and are widely used. While these other implementations can differ in various respects, there are several common characteristics among them. First, the biasing elements 80 moves in unison with the movement of the blade in order to operate properly when the blade is turned. Second, the cylinders 70 do not attach directly to the blade, because of the need for the blade to freely pivot about a horizontal axis. Third, the pivot point 90 about which the blade vertically rotates typically is not integral with the blade, because of the need for the blade to freely pivot about a horizontal axis. [0017] FIG. 3 shows a perspective drawing of a trip edge snow plow blade 300, mated with a lift assembly 310. The trip edge 301 is pivotally attached to blade 300 at attachment points 302. Force from biasing elements 303a, 303b, 303c, and 303d holds the trip edge 301 in its operative position. When an external force or immovable object exerts pressure against the front side of trip edge 301, the trip edge rotates about the horizontal axis defined by attachment points 302. This rotation forces rod 304 to move in an upward direction, thereby causing biasing elements 303 to expand. This expansion creates a downward force on rod 304, such that the trip edge 301 returns to its operative position as soon as the immovable object is no longer present, or the external force is less than the force exerted by the biasing elements 303. Although four biasing elements are shown, those skilled in the art will appreciate that fewer or more could be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. [0018] Blade 300 is not required to pivot about any horizontal axes, since the trip edge 301 is able to perform this rotation in the presence of excessive force or immovable objects, such as curbs. Consequently, lift assembly 310 is pivotally attached directly to blade 300 at vertical pivot location 311. Two actuators 315 such as hydraulic cylinders (only one shown) are used to cause the rotation of the blade about the vertical axis defined by vertical pivot location 311. These actuators are also pivotally coupled directly to the blade 300 at attachment points 312 (only one shown). These points 312 are situated such that one is located to the left of the pivot location 311 and the other is located to the right of the pivot location 311. The attachment points 312 are preferably equally spaced from the pivot location 311. [0019] Other implementations of lift assemblies for trip edge blades are well known to those skilled in the art, and are widely used. While these other implementations can differ in various respects, there are several common characteristics among them. First, the biasing elements 303 are located on the blade 300. Second, the cylinders 315 attach directly to the blade, since the blade 300 is unable to pivot about a horizontal axis. Third, the pivot point 311 about which the blade vertically rotates typically is integral with the blade, because of there is no need for the blade to freely pivot about a horizontal axis. [0020] The differences enumerated above have led snow plow manufacturers to develop separate lift assemblies for each type of blade. The need for two lift assemblies is detrimental to manufacturers and dealers, who must forecast the demand of not only snow plow systems, but the percentage of each type. Similarly, more dissimilar parts need to be manufactured and inventoried because of this duality. Finally, there are more spare parts and replacement parts because of this situation. The present invention significantly reduces the number of different components required to implement both full moldboard trip blades and trip edge blades by using a common lift assembly for both systems. The lift assembly of the present invention is that which is used in the trip edge system of FIG. 3, although other lift assemblies are also possible. Continue reading... Full patent description for Universal snow plow adapter Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Universal snow plow adapter patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Universal snow plow adapter or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ornamental medicine alarm timer slipper Next Patent Application: Dragline bucket Industry Class: Excavating ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Universal snow plow adapter patent info. 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