Apparatus and method for testing snow removal equipment

• US 6,351,722 B1
• Filed: 06/20/2000
• Issued: 02/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sno-Way International Inc
• Original Assignee: Sno-Way International Inc
• Inventors: Struck, John M., Wendorff, Terry
• Primary Examiner(s): ASSOUAD, PATRICK J
• Application Number:
  US09/597,103
• Time in Patent Office: 616 Days
• Field of Search: 702/184, 702/182, 702/183, 702/187, 701/1, 701/29, 701/30, 701/35, 701/50, 340/438, 340/901
• US Class Current: 702/184
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 19/10 having fluid weight-sensitive devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01G 23/005 Means for preventing overload
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/007 using microprocessors or computers

Abstract

An apparatus and method for analyzing and diagnosing the operational condition and malfunctions of snow removal equipment. A diagnostic interface, coupled to the snow removal equipment and to an analysis module, retrieves and analyzes data and compares the data to a set of reference data. The apparatus further comprises a display module for displaying detailed information relating to the operational status of the snow removal equipment. Alternative embodiments of the present invention are mobile or facilitate servicing networks.

Claims

1. Apparatus for analyzing an operational condition of a snow plow mounted to a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a snow plow diagnostic interface carried by the snow plow for obtaining data regarding the operational condition of the snow plow;

an analysis module carried by the snow plow, the analysis module coupled to the diagnostic interface for receiving and analyzing the data regarding the operational condition of the snow plow; and

the analysis module including a display module for displaying information relating to the operational condition of the snow plow.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the analysis module includes a personal computer and the display module comprises a video display terminal.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the analysis module identifies and displays information relating to systems of the snow plow and compares the information to a predetermined range of reference data.

4. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein the display module includes at least one indicator light.

6. The apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said computer is a notebook personal computer.

5. A method for analyzing the operational condition of a snow plow mounted to a vehicle, said method comprising the steps of:

mounting a diagnostic interface to the snow plow for obtaining operating data representing the operational condition of the snow plow;

locating an analysis module on the snow plow;

coupling the analysis module to the diagnostic interface for obtaining operating data from the diagnostic interface concerning the operational condition of the snow plow;

causing the analysis module to compare the operating data with reference data concerning the operational condition of the snow plow; and

displaying information related to the operating data on a display module.

7. Apparatus for analyzing an operational condition of a snow plow mounted to a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

a snow plow diagnostic interface carried by the snow plow for obtaining data regarding the operational condition of the snow plow; and

an analysis module carried by the snow plow, the analysis module coupled to the diagnostic interface for receiving and analyzing the data regarding the operational condition of the snow plow, including comparing the data regarding the operational condition of the snow plow with reference data.