Removable snowplow assembly with pivotable lift stand

• US RE35,700 E
• Filed: 12/01/1995
• Issued: 12/30/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Douglas Dynamics LLC
• Original Assignee: Douglas Dynamics LLC
• Inventors: Watson, Gary E., Fechter, Thomas P., Doornek, James R.
• Primary Examiner(s): Melius, Terry Lee
• Assistant Examiner(s): BATSON, VICTOR D
• Application Number:
  US08/566,277
• Time in Patent Office: 760 Days
• Field of Search: 37/231, 37/232, 37/233, 37/234, 37/235, 37/236, 37/266, 37/270, 37/271
• US Class Current: 37/231
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/06 dislodging essentially by non-driven elements, e.g. scraper blades , snow-plough blades, scoop blades
• CPC Class Codes: E01H 5/066 Snow-plough blade accessories, e.g. deflector plates, skid shoes

Abstract

A detachable snowplow blade lift assembly including a . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame permanently connected to the vehicle frame. A snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame is pivotally connected to the . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame. A lift frame assembly including a lift actuator mechanism for raising and lowering the A-frame and snowplow blade is pivotally connected to the A-frame for rotation about a pivot axis. The snowplow blade lift assembly also includes a mounting arrangement for releasably connecting the A-frame and lift frame as a unit to the vehicle for pivotable movement of the A-frame relative to the vehicle and to the lift frame about the pivot axis. The A-frame mount affording pivotal movement of the A-frame and the lift frame about a common pivot axis provides a snowplow blade lift assembly which can be attached to, and detached from, the mounting frame as a unit and which has the capacity to stack snow.

Claims

1. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly comprising

a vehicle having a frame member and a bumper,

a . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame fixed to the frame member and located generally behind the bumper,

a snowplow blade assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade fixed to the A-frame,

a lift frame supported by the A-frame, and

mounting means for selectively connecting the A-frame to the mounting frame for pivotable movement about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis and for affording removal of the A-frame and the lift frame from the mounting frame as a unit so as to leave the . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame on the vehicle and behind the bumper.

2. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes means for selectively connecting the lift frame and the . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame and wherein, when the lift frame and the . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame are connected, the A-frame is pivotable about said axis relative to the lift frame and the . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame.

3. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lift frame is supported by said A-frame for pivotable movement about said pivot axis, and wherein the mounting means includes means for selectively connecting the lift frame and the . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame.

4. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the mounting means affords a range of free upward pivotal movement of said A-frame when said snowplow assembly is connected to said . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame.

5. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the range of movement is approximately 40 degrees from horizontal.

6. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 and further including actuator means supported by the lift frame for pivoting the snowplow assembly about the pivot axis to raise and lower said snowplow blade assembly.

7. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein the lift frame supports the actuator means above the bumper.

8. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the mounting means affords removal of the A-frame and the lift frame from the vehicle so that the vehicle is substantially unencumbered by structural members in front of the bumper.

9. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the snowplow assembly includes support stand means for supporting the A-frame in a generally horizontal position and, when the A-frame is not connected to the mounting frame, for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the snowplow assembly.

10. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the support stand means includes a support leg pivotally supported by the A-frame and includes means for selectively and alternatively affording and preventing rotation of the support leg.

11. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein the lift frame is pivotally supported by the A-frame, and wherein the support stand means includes means for releasably connecting the support leg and the lift frame so that pivotal movement of the lift frame adjusts the vertical position of the A-frame.

12. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein the lift frame is supported by the A-frame for pivotal movement about the pivot axis.

39. A-frame co-axial with said pivot axis of said A-frame..Iaddend..Iadd.43. A snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lift frame supports a light fixture in a position above the snowplow blade..Iaddend..Iadd.44. A snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 43 wherein mounting means affords removal of the A-frame, the lift frame, and the light fixture as a unit from the mounting

13. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly comprising

a vehicle frame,

a mounting frame connected to the vehicle frame,

a snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame,

A-frame mounting means for releasably and pivotally connecting the A-frame and the mounting frame for relative pivotal movement therebetween about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis,

a lift frame,

lift frame mounting means for connecting the lift frame and the A-frame for selective relative pivotal movement therebetween about the pivot axis and for releasably connecting the lift frame to the mounting frame, and

actuator means on the lift frame for selectively causing pivotal movement of the A-frame about the pivot axis relative to the . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame.

14. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein the vehicle frame includes a bumper, wherein the mounting frame is located substantially behind the bumper, and wherein the A-frame mounting means and the lift frame mounting means afford removal of the snowplow assembly and the lift frame from the vehicle so as to leave the front of the vehicle forward of the bumper unencumbered and so as to leave the . .mount.!. .Iadd.mounting .Iaddend.frame behind the bumper.

15. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein the lift frame is supported by the A-frame and extends upwardly therefrom in front of the bumper.

16. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein the lift frame supports the actuator means above the bumper.

17. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein the A-frame mounting means and the lift frame mounting means afford removal of the snowplow assembly and the lift frame from the vehicle as a unit.

18. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein the A-frame mounting means affords a range of free upward pivotal movement of the snowplow assembly about the pivot axis.

19. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly comprising

a vehicle having a frame member, a mount frame

supported by the frame member, the mount frame having thereon a mounting lug,

a snowplow assembly including an A-frame, a snowplow blade supported by the A-frame, A-frame mounting means for selectively connecting the A-frame and the mount frame, and a support stand pivotally connected to the A-frame for rotation between a blade-on position wherein the support stand is generally parallel to the A-frame and a blade-off position wherein the support stand is generally vertical and supports the A-frame in a generally horizontal position, and

lift frame means for alternatively selectively preventing and affording relative movement between the A-frame and . .of.!. the support stand to adjust the vertical position of the A-frame with respect to the mounting lug.

20. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein the A-frame mounting means includes means for pivotally connecting the A-frame and the mount frame for relative rotation therebetween about a generally horizontal pivot axis, wherein the lift frame means includes a lift frame pivotally supported on the A-frame and .Iadd.said support stand is .Iaddend.releasably connectable to . .the support stand.!. .Iadd.said lift frame.Iaddend..

21. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein, when the lift frame is connected to the support stand, rotation of the lift frame about the axis causes movement of the support stand relative to the A-frame.

22. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein the A-frame and the lift frame are pivotable about a common axis.

23. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein the lift frame supports actuator means for rotating the A-frame about the pivot axis.

24. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein the A-frame mounting means affords a range of free upward movement of the snowplow assembly.

25. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 24 wherein the A-frame mounting means provides a pivotable connection between the mounting frame and the A-frame.

26. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein the range of movement is from horizontal to approximately 40 degrees from horizontal. .Iadd.

27. A snowplow blade assembly connected to a vehicle having a frame and a forward bumper and comprising

a mounting frame having a first point of attachment to said vehicle frame,

said mounting frame including a first portion extending, relative to said vehicle, rearwardly of said first point of attachment to a second point of attachment to said vehicle frame, said mounting frame further including a second portion extending, relative to vehicle, forwardly of said first point of attachment, said first and second frame portions being located beneath said frame and said second frame portion extending forwardly beneath said bumper,

a snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame,

A-frame mounting means for releasably and pivotally connecting the A-frame and the mounting frame for relative pivotal movement therebetween about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis,

a lift frame,

lift frame mounting means for connecting the lift frame and the A-frame for selective relative pivotal movement therebetween about the pivot axis and for releasably connecting the lift frame to the mounting frame,

said lift frame including elongated support means extending from said A-frame upwardly and forward of said bumper to an upper end, and

actuator means on the lift frame for selectively causing pivotal movement of the A-frame about the pivot axis relative to the mounting frame..Iaddend..Iadd.

28. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein said elongated support means comprises

first and second vertically extending elongated members, and

means connecting said elongated members in laterally spaced relationship,

and wherein said actuator means is connected to said elongated support means between said elongated members..Iaddend..Iadd.

29. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein said elongated support means includes first and second vertically extending members, said first and second vertically extending members, relative to said bumper, bow outwardly and upwardly to a point generally in front of said bumper and then continue an extension upwardly from said point to a terminal end above said bumper..Iaddend..Iadd.

30. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein

said mounting frame includes a link extending forwardly and upwardly relative to said bumper and also includes A-frame receiving means located below said link, said A-frame mounting means including said A-frame receiving means, and

including means connecting said link to said elongated support means above said A-frame receiving means..Iaddend..Iadd.31. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 30 wherein said link is located behind said bumper..Iaddend..Iadd.32. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 31 wherein said link is releasably connected in said mounting frame so that said link

31. is selectively removable therefrom..Iaddend..Iadd.33. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein the snowplow assembly includes support stand means for supporting the A-frame in a generally horizontal position and, when the A-frame is not connected to the mounting frame, for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the snowplow

32. assembly..Iaddend..Iadd. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein said elongated support means comprises

first and second vertically extending elongated members, and

said first and second vertically extending members, relative to said bumper, bow outwardly and upwardly to a point generally in front of said bumper and then continue an extension upwardly from said point to a

33. terminal end above said bumper..Iaddend..Iadd.35. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein

said mounting frame includes a link extending forwardly and upwardly relative to said bumper and also includes A-frame receiving means located below said link, said A-frame mounting means including said A-frame receiving means, and

including means connecting said link to said elongated support means above said A-frame receiving means..Iaddend..Iadd.36. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein the pivotal axis of said A-frame relative to said A-frame receiving means and the pivotal axis of said lift frame

34. relative to said A-frame are co-axial..Iaddend..Iadd.37. A snowplow blade assembly connected to a vehicle having a frame and a forward bumper and comprising

a mounting frame attached to said vehicle frame behind and beneath said bumper and including a portion extending forwardly beneath the level of said bumper,

a snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame,

A-frame mounting means for releasably and pivotally connecting the A-frame and the mounting frame for relative pivotal movement therebetween about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis,

said mounting frame including a link extending forwardly and upwardly relative to said bumper and also including A-frame receiving means located below said link, said A-frame mounting means including said A-frame receiving means,

a lift frame,

said lift frame including elongated support means extending from said A-frame upwardly and forward of said bumper to an upper end,

lift frame mounting means for connecting the lift frame and the A-frame for selective relative pivotal movement therebetween and for releasably connecting the lift frame to the mounting frame, said lift frame mounting means including said link and said link being connected to said elongated support means above said A-frame receiving means,

said A-frame receiving means having a releasable connection to said A-frame and said link having a releasable connection to said elongated support means, and

actuator means on the lift frame for selectively causing pivotal movement of the A-frame about the pivot axis relative to the mounting

37. pivot axis of said A-frame..Iaddend..Iadd.41. A snowplow blade assembly connected to a vehicle having a frame and a forward bumper and comprising

a mounting frame having a first point of attachment to said vehicle frame,

said mounting frame including a first portion extending, relative to said vehicle, rearwardly of said first point of attachment to a second point of attachment to said vehicle frame, said mounting frame further including a second portion extending, relative to vehicle, forwardly of said first point of attachment, said first and second frame portions being located beneath said frame and said second frame portion extending forwardly beneath said bumper,

a snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame,

A-frame mounting means for releasably and pivotally connecting the A-frame and the mounting frame for relative pivotal movement therebetween about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis,

an accessory frame supported by the A-frame, said accessory frame including at least one elongated support member extending from said A-frame upwardly and forward of said bumper to an upper end, and

a headlamp supported by the upper end of the elongated support

40. frame..Iaddend..Iadd. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly comprising

a vehicle having a frame member and a bumper,

a mounting frame fixed to the frame member and located generally behind the bumper,

a snowplow blade assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade fixed to the A-frame,

a support frame connected to the A-frame, and

wherein the A-frame and the support frame are connected to the mounting frame for pivotable movement of the A-frame about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis and for affording removal of the A-frame and the support frame from the mounting frame as a unit so as to leave the

41. mounting frame on the vehicle and behind the bumper..Iaddend..Iadd.46. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly comprising

a vehicle frame member and a vehicle bumper,

a snowplow blade assembly including a first frame and a snowplow blade connected to said first frame,

mounting means for selectively connecting said first frame to said vehicle frame member for pivotable movement of said first frame and said snowplow blade relative to said vehicle frame member about a generally horizontally extending axis,

a second frame member,

means for connecting said second frame member to said vehicle, and

means connecting said second frame member to said first frame for pivotable movement therebetween about said horizontally extending axis so that when said second frame member is attached to said vehicle, said first frame member is pivotable relative to said vehicle with said second frame member remaining stationary relative to said vehicle and said first frame and does not interfere with the pivotal movement of said first frame member and said snowplow blade..Iaddend..Iadd.47. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 45

wherein said support frame, when connected to said mounting frame, includes an extension in front of and above said bumper, and

including an actuator connected to said support frame and said A-frame to pivot said A-frame about said pivot axis..Iaddend..Iadd.48. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 45 including a headlamp connected to said support frame and removable with said A-frame and said support frame..Iaddend..Iadd.49. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 45 including a support stand connected to said snowplow blade assembly and extending therefrom for ground engagement to support said snowplow blade assembly when detached from said vehicle, said support stand connected to said snowplow blade assembly for movement to store said support stand when said snowplow blade assembly is attached

35. frame..Iaddend..Iadd.38. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly comprising

a vehicle having a frame member and a bumper,

a mounting frame fixed to the frame member and located generally behind the bumper,

a snowplow blade assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade fixed to the A-frame,

a light fixture supported by the A-frame and including a headlamp located above the snowplow blade, and

mounting means for selectively connecting the A-frame to the mounting frame for pivotable movement about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis and for affording removal of the A-frame and the light fixture from the mounting frame as a unit so as to leave the mounting frame on the vehicle and behind the bumper..Iaddend..Iadd.39. A snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 38 and further including actuator means supported by a lift frame for pivoting the snowplow blade assembly about the pivot axis to

36. raise and lower the snowplow blade assembly..Iaddend..Iadd.40. A snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 38 wherein the lift frame includes a pair of upright members, each of which have a lower end connected to the A-frame and an upper end supporting the light fixture and wherein said upright members have a pivot connection to said A-frame co-axial with said

38. member..Iaddend..Iadd.42. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 41 wherein said headlamp is supported above the snowplow blade,

said at least one elongated support member, relative to said bumper, bows outwardly and upwardly to a point generally in front of said bumper and then continues an extension upwardly from said point to said upper end, and

wherein said elongated support member has a pivot connection to said

42. to said vehicle..Iaddend..Iadd.50. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 49

wherein said support stand is connected to said A-frame, and

including an adjustable connection of said support stand to said A-frame to selectively vary the position of said stand relative to said A-frame to vary the horizontal position of said snowplow blade assembly..Iaddend..Iadd.51. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 45 wherein the snowplow blade assembly includes a support stand for supporting the A-frame in a generally horizontal position and, when the A-frame is not connected to the mounting frame, for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the snowplow blade assembly..Iaddend..Iadd.52. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 46

wherein said second frame member includes an extension in front of and above said bumper, and

including an actuator connected to said second frame member and said first frame member to pivot said first frame member about said horizontally

43. extending axis..Iaddend..Iadd.53. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 46 including a headlamp connected to said second frame member and removable with said first frame member and second frame member..Iaddend..Iadd.54. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 46 including a support stand connected to said snowplow blade assembly and extending therefrom for ground engagement to support said snowplow blade assembly when detached from the vehicle, said support stand connected to said snowplow blade assembly for movement to store said support stand when said snowplow blade assembly is attached to the vehicle..Iaddend..Iadd.55. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 54

wherein said support stand is connected to said first frame member, and

including an adjustable connection of said support stand to said first frame member to selectively vary the position of said stand relative to said first frame member to vary the horizontal position of said snowplow

44. blade assembly..Iaddend..Iadd.56. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 46 wherein the snowplow blade assembly includes a support stand for supporting the first frame member in a generally horizontal position and, when the first frame member is not connected to the mounting means, for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the snowplow blade assembly..Iaddend.