Snowplow attachment system and method

• US 20070234597A1
• Filed: 03/29/2006
• Published: 10/11/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ricky Schpok
• Original Assignee: Ricky Schpok
• Inventors: Schpok, Ricky
• Application Number:
  US11/392,162
• Publication Number:
  US 20070234597A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 37/231
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/066 Snow-plough blade accessories, e.g. deflector plates, skid shoes

Abstract

A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle includes a laser device. A power source is coupled to the laser device for energizing the laser device to generate a laser beam. A first attachment is adapted to adjustably mount the laser device on the vehicle and to adjustably orient the laser device to project the laser beam in a selected direction. The snowplow attachment system further includes a target. The snowplow attachment system further includes a second attachment adapted to mount the target to the snowplow. The target is installed in the snowplow approximately in line with the laser beam. The laser beam projects a dot when incident on the target.

Claims

1. A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle, comprising:

a laser device;

a power source coupled to the laser device for energizing the laser device to generate a laser beam;

a first attachment adapted to adjustably mount the laser device on the vehicle and adapted to orient the laser device to project the laser beam in a selected direction;

a target;

a second attachment adapted to mount the target on the snowplow;

wherein the laser beam projects a laser dot when incident on the target.

2. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the laser beam is projected in a substantially forward direction relative to the vehicle.

3. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the first attachment includes a ball and socket joint assembly configured to adjust the orientation of the laser device.

4. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1 wherein the second attachment is adapted to releasably mount the target on the snowplow.

5. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the target is a panel oriented substantially perpendicular to the laser beam.

6. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the target includes a panel attached to a post.

7. The snowplow attachment system of claim 6, further comprising a receiver slot adapted to be mounted on the snowplow, the receiver slot being adapted to receive the post when the target is mounted on the snowplow.

8. The snowplow attachment system of claim 7, wherein the post includes a pin adapted to mate with a slot on the receiver.

9. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the target is oriented substantially perpendicular to the laser beam.

10. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

11. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the power source is the vehicle'"'"'s electrical power system.

12. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the target is configured to be foldably mounted on the snowplow, and wherein the target is folded when the target is not in use.

13. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the target is substantially flat.

14. The snowplow attachment system of claim 1, wherein the target includes one or more lines or patterns to indicate a center.

15. A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle, comprising:

a light source configured to generate a narrow beam;

a power source coupled to the light source for energizing the light source;

a first attachment adapted to adjustably mount the light source on the vehicle and adapted to orient the light source to project the beam in a selected direction;

a target;

a second attachment adapted to mount the target on the snowplow, wherein the beam projects a dot when incident on the target.

16. The snowplow attachment system of claim 15, wherein the light source is a light emitting device configured to generate a beam.

17. The snowplow attachment system of claim 15, wherein the light source is an electric light bulb configured to generate a beam.

18. The snowplow attachment system of claim 15, wherein the first attachment includes a ball and socket joint assembly configured to adjust the orientation of the light source.

19. The snowplow attachment system of claim 15, wherein the second attachment is adapted to releasably and movably mount the target on the snowplow.

20. The snowplow attachment system of claim 15, wherein the target is oriented substantially perpendicular to the beam.

21. A method of mounting a snowplow to a vehicle, comprising the steps of:

calibrating a laser beam projected from the vehicle with respect to a target being mounted on the snowplow, wherein calibrating the target comprises;

mounting the snowplow on the vehicle;

projecting the laser beam in a forward direction with respect to the vehicle;

attaching the target to the snowplow approximately in line with the laser beam;

adjusting the laser beam so that the laser beam is projected on a predetermined point on the target; and

removing the snowplow from the vehicle after the calibration;

projecting the laser beam from a distance from the target;

driving the vehicle toward the snowplow;

steering the vehicle side-to-side so that the laser beam is projected on a predetermined point on the target;

driving the vehicle closer to the snowplow so that the attachment points on the vehicle are aligned to the attachment points on the snow plow;

mounting the snow plow on the vehicle when the attachment points of the vehicle and the snowplow make contact.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the predetermined point is the center of the target.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the target is oriented substantially perpendicular to the laser beam.