MEYER PRODUCTS, LLC.
`
`EXHIBIT 1007
`
`U.S. Patent No. 4,236,329 to Hetrick
`
`

`
`I
`4,236,329
`[11]
`United States Patent [19]
`I
`4,236,329
`[111
`Umted States Patent
`119;
`Hetrick
`[45]
`Dec. 2, 1980
`
`Hetrick
`[45]
`Dec. 2, 1980
`
`“[54] DETACl-IABLE BLADE MOUNTING DEVICE
`’[54] DETACHABLE BLADE MOUNTING DEVICE
`_
`[75]
`Inventor: Vernon L. Hetrick, North Olmsted,
`[75] Inventor: Vernon L. Hetrick, North Olmsted,
`Ohio
`Ohio
`
`. . . . . . . . . . ..
`
`'''‘
`
`-
`
`-
`
`~
`
`~
`
`-
`
`3/1977
`4,013,182
`Pratt et al. ......................... .. 414/723
`3/1977
`4,013,182
`Pratt et al.
`......................... .. 414/723
`1/ 1978
`4,068,959
`Pemberton ........................... .. 403/15
`I/ 1978
`4,068,959
`Pemberton ........................... .. 403/15
`'
`A
`'
`-
`Primary Examiner—E. H. Eickholt
`Primary Exam1'ner—E. H. Eickholt
`_
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Meyer, Tilberry & Body
`_
`Attorney, Agent, or Fz'rm——-Meyer, Tilberry & Body
`[73] Ass1gnee: Meyer Products, Inc., Cleveland,
`_
`[73] Asslgneez Meyer Products, Inc., Cleveland,
`_
`Ohio
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`Ohio
`ABSTRACI‘
`[57]
`[21] APPL No‘: 56,823
`A snow plow is detachably mounted to the front of a
`[21] Appl_ No’: 55,323
`A lsnciwlplow isldeiachably ngounted todthe ffront 0;a
`_
`vehicle by interlocking members extending from the
`_
`ve ic e
`y mter oc 1ng mem ers exten mg rom t e
`[22] Flled:
`Jul‘ 12’ 1979
`snow plow and vehicle. Engageable members on the
`[22] Ffled’
`J“l' 12’ 1979
`snow plow and vehicle. Engageable members on the
`[51] Int. c1.3 ...................... .. E01H 5/08;AO1B 51/00
`plow are ?xedly positioned a predetermined distance
`[51]
`Int. Cl.3 ........................ E01}! 5/08;AO1B 51/00
`plow are fixedly positioned a predetermined distance
`[52] US. Cl. .................................. .. 37/42 R; 172/273;
`apart- Corresponding engaging members on the vehicle
`[52] U.S. C1. .................................... 37/42 R; 172/273;
`apart. Corresponding engaging members on the vehicle
`280/479 R; 414/723; 403/ 15
`are displaceable between latching and unlatching posi
`280/479 R; 414/723; 403/ 15
`are displaceable between latching and unlatching posi-
`[58] Field of Search ................... .. 37/41, 42 R, 50, 44;
`tions by an over-center linkage arrangement. A ?rst
`[58] Field of Search ................... .. 37/41, 42 R, 50, 44;
`tions by an over-center linkage arrangement. A first
`g
`P
`Y
`172/273, 272, 275; 280/479 R, 48l;403/ 15, 31,
`portion of the over-center linkage is pivotally con~
`172/273, 272, 275; 280/479 R, 48l;403/ 15, 31,
`portion of the over-center linka e is
`ivotall
`con~
`_
`DIG. 4; 414/686, 723
`nected to the vehicle. A second portion of the over-cen-
`_
`DIG. 4; 414/686, 723
`nected to the vehicle. A second portion of the over-cen
`[56]
`References Cited
`ter linkage is slidably connected to the vehicle. Actua
`in
`::.:,.“:::‘:%::,:ii1::*’:y1:°1“:e:;::,:‘:1:’;:“e:‘i°‘e1‘:::"::*
`n e
`ve -cen e
`n -
`tion of a hydraulic cylinder forces the over-center link
`1
`U‘S~ PATENT DOCUMENTS
`age to moge from th)e unlatching position, wherein the
`us PATENT DOCUMENTS
`age to move from the unlatching position, wherein the
`11/1966 Krueger ......................... .. .230/479 R
`3,285,625
`blade and vehicle are disconnected, to the latching
`3,285,625 11/1966 Krueger ......................... .. 280/479 R
`blade and vehicle are disconnected, to the latching
`3.410,008
`11/1968
`Standfuss ... ..
`. ..... .. 37/42 R
`position, wherein the blade and vehicle are detachably
`3,410,008 11/1968
`Standfuss . . . . .
`. . . . . . .. 37/42 R
`position, wherein the blade and vehicle are detachably
`1;;
`gletsmaml
`------ -- 3 connected. With the over-center linkage in the latching
`3/1969 Glesmam
`------ -- 37/44
`connected. With the over-center linkage in the latching
`3432-949
`‘
`position, a toggle pin at ‘the center moves against an
`9/1970 Eastman .-
`28o/479 R position, a toggle pm at ‘the center moves against an
`3,528,685
`.
`abutment to lock the p0S1tlOIl of the over-center linkage,
`9/1973 Birk
`172/273
`abutment to lock the posltlon of the over-center linkage, _
`3 760 883
`9/1973
`Birk
`172/273
`.
`-
`3,760,883
`3,351,394
`12/1974
`Pierre ..........
`37/42 R x
`and *he’°f°’e the P1°W 01110 the "eh‘°1e-
`3:251:39‘: 12/1974 Pierre ........ ..
`37/42 R x and therefow the P1°W °m° the Vehicle
`3,876,092
`4/1975 MacDonald ... ..
`. . .. .. .. 414/686
`3,987,562
`10/1976 Deen et al.
`.......................... 37/42 R
`3,987,562 10/1976 Deen et al. ........................ .. 37/42 R
`
`
`
`,
`
`,
`
`1r . . . . . . . . . .
`
`3,876,092
`
`4/1975 MacDonald . . . . .
`
`. . . . . . .. 414/686
`
`19 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
`19 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures
`
`10.
`
`34
`34
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` 1
`I M
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`_ fi~5’1fr'2-_‘.§\'
`‘
`I
`) 1\e6 ‘\124
`3220 700
`28
`3Q
`24
`38
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`

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`U.S. Patent Dec. 2, 1980
`U.S. Patent
`Dec. 2, 1980
`
`Sheet 1 of6
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`Sheet 1 of6 .
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`US. Patent Dec. 2, 1980
`U.S. Patent
`Dec. 2, 1980
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`Sheet 2 of6
`Sheet 2 of6
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`4,236,329
`4,236,329
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`Dec. 2, 1980
`US. Patent Dec. 2,. 1980
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`Sheet 3 of6
`Sheet 3 of6
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`4,236,329
`4,236,329
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`90
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`FIG. 3
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`US. Patent Dec. 2, 1980‘
`U.S. Patent
`Dec. 2, 1980
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`Sheet4 of6
`Sheet4 of6
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`4,236,329
`4,236,329
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`U.S. Patent Dec.2,1980
`U.S. Patent Dec.2, 1980
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`Sheet5of6 1.
`Sheet50f6 ..
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`4,236,329
`4,236,329
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`5 1a
`ggzxv
`g’ Ts
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`h
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`'2,0
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`II8
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`Dec. 2, 1980
`US. Patent Dec. 2, 1980
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`Sheet 6 of6
`Sheet 6 of6
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`4,236,329
`4,236,329
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`

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`5
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`actuation.
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`-
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`'
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`I
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`10
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`15
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`20
`20
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`25
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`vehicle.
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`1
`I
`DETACHABLE BLADE MOUNTING DEVICE
`DETACHABLE BLADE MOUNTING DEVICE
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`BACKGROUND OF THE ‘INVENTION
`,The present invention relates to plow blades mounted
`.The present invention relates to plow blades mounted
`on the front of vehicles ‘and,_’mor'e particularly, to a
`_on the front of vehicles ‘and,_’mor‘e particularly, to a
`method and apparatus for detachably mounting a plow
`method and apparatus for detachably mounting a plow
`blade to the front of a vehicle. Specifically, the inven-
`blade to the front of a vehicle. Speci?cally, the inven
`tion is concerned with a mechanical latching arrange
`tion is concerned with a mechanical latching arrange-
`ment of a plow blade to' a vehicle through hydraulic
`ment of a plow blade to" a vehicle through hydraulic
`actuation.
`'
`'
`_
`At present, the most commonly used arrangement for
`At present, the most commonly used arrangement for
`attaching a plow blade to a vehicle involves pivotally
`attaching a_ plow blade to a vehicle involves pivotally
`connecting an A-frame which supports the blade to a
`connecting an A-frame which supports the blade to a
`frame extension below the front of the vehicle. Vertical
`frame extension below the front of the vehicle. Vertical
`displacement of the blade and A-frame is provided by a
`displacement of the blade and A-frame is provided by a
`hydraulic cylinder, lift. arm and chain arrangement
`hydraulic cylinder,
`lift_ arm and chain arrangement
`mounted above the vehicle frame. When the hydraulic
`mounted above the vehicle frame. When the hydraulic
`cylinder is extended, the lift armis elevated and-the
`cylinder is extended, the lift arm‘is elevated and-the
`chain lifts the blade from the ‘roadway. To attach the
`chain lifts the blade from the ‘roadway. To attach the
`blade to the vehicle, the A'-frame must be aligned with
`blade to the vehicle, the A‘-frame must be aligned with
`the frame extensionbelow the front of the vehicle. This
`the frame extension'below the front of the vehicle. This
`alignment comprises both‘ lateral and vertical alignment
`alignment comprises both‘ lateral and vertical alignment
`and is time consuming and most often accomplished
`and is time consuming and most often accomplished
`only with considerable manual effort, such as physically
`only with considerable manual effort, such as physically
`lifting and moving the plow blade. The chain is then
`lifting and moving the plow blade. The chain is then
`connected from the A-frame to the lift arm. Once the
`connected from the A-frame to the lift arm. Once the
`A-frame and frame extension have been aligned, locking
`A-frame and frame extension have been aligned, locking
`pins connect the A-frame and allow for pivotal move
`pins connect the A-frame and allow for pivotal move-
`ment of the A-frame and thus the blade relative to the
`ment of the A-frame and thus the blade relative to the
`vehicle.
`1
`—
`Vehicles used for operating plow blades are generally
`Vehicles used for operating plow blades are generally
`intended to be multi~purpose vehicles. Thus, it is imper
`intended to be multi-purpose vehicles. Thus, it is imper-
`ative in such cases that the plow blade be detachable for
`ative in such cases that the plow blade be detachable for
`use of the vehicle without the plow. Obviously, the time
`use of the vehicle without the plow. Obviously, the time
`and manual effort involved in: connecting and discon-
`and manual effort involved in‘ connecting and discon
`necting a plow blade to‘ a vehicle is increased by the
`necting a plow blade to‘ a vehicle is increased by the
`presence of inclement weather conditions, such as snow
`presence of inclement weather conditions, such as snow
`and ice, as is the safety and‘ comfort of a person or
`and ice, as is the safety and comfort of a person or
`persons doing the work. For these reasons, it is desir-
`persons doing the work. For these reasons, it is desir
`able to'minimize'the manualeffort and time required to
`able to'minimize"the manualeffort and time required to
`attach and/or detach the blade from the vehicle, as well
`attach and/or detach the blade from the vehicle, as well
`as the exposure of an individual to inclement conditions
`as the exposure of an individual to inclement conditions
`while doing so.
`*
`while doing so..
`'
`K
`45
`Many efforts have been made heretofore to improve
`Many efforts have been made heretofore to improve
`the detachability of plow blades,v including’the use of
`the detachability of plow blades, includingthe use of
`mechanically actuated latching devices for attaching a
`mechanically actuated latching devices for attaching a
`blade to a vehicle. In connection «with such arrange-
`blade to a vehicle. In connection (with such arrange
`ments, the vehicle is moved towards theblade such that
`ments, the vehicle is moved towards the-blade such that
`corresponding mating members on the vehicle frame
`corresponding mating members on the vehicle frame
`and the plow blade releasably latch when proper align
`and the plow blade releasably latch when proper align-
`ment of the blade and vehicle has been obtained. Align-
`ment of the blade and vehicle has been obtained. Align
`ment of the vehicle relative to the plow blade unit poses
`ment of the vehicle relative to the plow blade unit poses
`signi?cant problems in many of these devices since the
`significant problems in many of these devices since the
`55
`mechanical latching devices are relatively small. When
`mechanical latching devices are relatively small. When
`55
`it is desired to remove the blade fromthe vehicle, an
`it is desired to remove the blade from‘the vehicle, an
`operator must physically disengage the latching mecha
`operator must physically disengage the latching mecha-
`nism while the vehicle and plow are being separated.
`nism while the vehicle and plow are being separated.
`Examples of these arrangements are shown in US. Pat.
`Examples of these arrangements are shown in U.S. Pat.
`Nos. 3,285,625; 3,410,008; 3,851,894; and, 3,987,562.
`Nos. 3,285,625; 3,410,008; 3,851,894; and, 3,987,562.
`Another approach at providing a» detachable vehicle
`Another approach at providing a detachable vehicle
`mounted blade involves use of a hydraulic blade lift unit
`mounted blade involves use of a hydraulic blade lift unit
`which is mounted on, and detachable with, a blade
`which is mounted on, and detachable .with, a blade
`assembly. Attachment of the blade 'assembly‘to the vehi-
`assembly. Attachment of ‘the blade 'assembly‘to the vehi
`cle is accomplished by moving the‘ vehicle into align
`cle is accomplished by moving the‘ vehicle into align-
`ment with the plow blade assembly and then connecting
`ment with the plow blade assembly and then connecting
`the hydraulic lift unit on‘the blade assembly to the vehi
`the hydraulic lift unit onthe blade assembly to the vehi-
`cle hydraulic system. The vehicle isthen moved into
`cle hydraulic system. The vehicle is-then moved into
`
`4,236,329
`4,236,329
`2
`2
`contact with the plow blade assembly, assuming lateral
`contact with the plow blade assembly, assuming lateral
`alignment has been obtained, and the blade assembly is
`alignment has been obtained, and the blade assembly is
`lifted onto the vehicle by actuating the hydraulic lift
`lifted onto the vehicle by actuating the hydraulic lift
`unit. Examples of systems employing such an arrange
`unit. Examples of systems employing such an arrange-
`ment are shown in U.S. Pat. "Nos. 3,432,949 and
`ment are shown in US. Pat. ‘Nos. 3,432,949 and
`3,483,641. These arrangements merely provide for lift
`3,483,641. These arrangements merely provide for lift-
`ing the blade assembly onto the vehicle, and additional
`ing the blade assembly onto the vehicle, and additional
`operations are necessary to assure locking of the blade
`operations are necessary to assure locking of the blade
`assembly to the vehicle, such as hand actuation of me-
`assembly to the vehicle, such as hand actuation of me
`chanical linkage or bolts.
`chanical linkage or bolts.
`Various arrangements of hydraulic clamping mecha
`Various arrangements of hydraulic clamping mecha-
`nisms have also been utilized to latch a blade to a vehi-
`nisms have also been utilized to latch a blade to a vehi
`cle. One such arrangement includes relatively displace
`cle. One such arrangement includes relatively displace-
`able interengaging clamping components and a piston
`able interengaging clamping components and a piston-
`cylinder unit in which the piston is extended to cause
`cylinder unit in which the piston is extended to cause
`interengagement therebetween and to hold the compo-
`interengagement therebetween and to hold the compo
`nents in interengagement. Examples of this type of
`nents in interengagement. Examples of this type of
`mechanism are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,876,092;
`mechanism are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,876,092;
`4,013,182; and, 4,068,959. These devices present opera
`4,013,182; and, 4,068,959. These devices present opera-
`tional difficulties in the event that hydraulic pressure is
`tional dif?culties in the event that hydraulic pressure is
`lost. In this respect, loss of pressure causes the piston to
`lost. In this respect, loss of pressure causes the piston to
`retract and thus the holding force to be released. In
`retract and thus the holding force to be released. In
`another example, the piston-cylinder operation is re
`another example, the piston-cylinder operation is re-
`versed such that retraction of the piston causes the
`versed such that retraction of the piston causes the
`latching of a blade unit to the vehicle. This type of
`latching of a blade unit to the vehicle. This type of
`system is examplified by devices disclosed in US. Pat.
`system is examplified by devices disclosed in U.S. Pat.
`Nos. 3,528,685 and 3,760,883. Neither of these devices
`Nos. 3,528,685 and 3,760,883. Neither of these devices
`are suitable for plow blades in that the jolting forces
`are suitable for plow blades in that the jolting forces
`exerted on the blade unitcan cause disengagement of
`exerted on the blade unitcan cause disengagement of
`the latching mechanisms. In this respect, sudden up
`the latching mechanisms. In this respect, sudden up-
`ward movement of the blade unit can overcome a
`ward movement of the blade unit can overcome a
`spring biased clamping arrangement in one instance,
`spring biased clamping arrangement in one instance,
`and abrupt abutment of the blade unit with a stationary
`and abrupt abutment of the blade unit with a stationary
`object can cause shearing of locking pins in the other
`object can cause shearing of locking pins in the other
`instance.
`instance.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION .
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION .
`The present invention provides a hydraulically oper
`The present invention provides a hydraulically oper-
`ated blade mounting device which advantageously min
`ated blade mounting device which advantageously min-
`imizes the physical efforts of an operator in achieving
`imizes the physical efforts of an operator in achieving
`attachment or ‘detachment of a blade from a vehicle,
`attachment or ‘detachment of a blade from a vehicle,
`avoids exposing the operator to possible injury and to
`avoids exposing the operator to possible injury and to
`adverse weather conditions, and assures the continued
`adverse weather conditions, and assures the continued
`application of latching force in the event of failure in the
`application of latching force in the event of failure in the
`hydraulic system. More particularly, in accordance
`hydraulic system. More particularly, in accordance
`with the invention, the blade mounting device provides
`with the invention, the blade mounting device provides
`hydraulic actuation of a mechanical latching mecha
`hydraulic actuation of a mechanical latching mecha-
`nism to obtain secure mounting of 5a blade unit to a
`nism to obtain secure mounting of 'a blade unit to a
`vehicle. The device enables the operator to align the
`vehicle. The device enables the operator to align the
`vehicle relative to the blade unit and achieve attach
`vehicle relative to the blade unit and achieve attach- _
`ment of the blade unit to the vehicle without either
`ment of the blade unit to the vehicle without either ‘
`leaving the vehicle or obtaining assistance from other
`leaving the vehicle or obtaining assistance from other
`personnel. In this respect, the blade unit is provided
`personnel. In this respect, the blade unit is provided
`with ?xed latching components and the vehicle is pro
`with fixed latching components and the vehicle is pro-
`vided with movable latching components adapted to be
`vided with movable latching components adapted to be
`hydraulically actuated by the operator from within the
`hydraulically actuated by the operator from within the
`. cab of the vehicle. With the blade unit detached and
`cab of the vehicle. With the blade unit detached and
`60
`resting on the ground, the operator manipulates the
`resting on the ground, the operator manipulates the
`vehicle to position the latching components for interen
`vehicle to position the latching components for interen-
`gagement. The operator then manipulates hydraulic
`gagement. The operator then manipulates hydraulic
`controls within the cab, whereby the hydraulically
`controls within the cab, whereby the hydraulically
`operated latching components on the vehicle lift the
`operated latching components on the vehicle -lift the
`blade unit from the ground position, and mechanically
`blade unit from the ground position, and mechanically
`latch the blade unit securely to the vehicle against de
`latch the blade unit securely to the vehicle against de-
`tachment in the event of failure of or in the hydraulic
`tachment in the event of failure of or in the hydraulic
`' system.
`' system.
`
`50
`50
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`65
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`

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`3
`3
`In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the
`In accordance with the- preferred embodiment, the
`movable latching components provided on the vehicle
`movable latching components provided on the vehicle
`include an over-center linkage arrangement which
`include an over-center linkage arrangement which
`looks the blade unit to the vehicle‘ against detachment in
`locks the blade unit to the vehicle against detachment in
`the event ofsubsequent inoperativeness of the hydraulic
`the event ofsubsequent inoperativeness of the hydraulic 5
`system. .
`system. .
`A primary object of the present invention is to pro
`A primary object of the present invention is to pro-
`vide an improved hydraulically actuated blade mount-
`vide an improved hydraulically actuated blade mount
`ing device.
`_
`V
`_,
`ing device.
`“
`v
`_‘
`’
`Another object of the present invention is ‘to provide
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`an improved plow blade mounting device which does
`an improved plow blade mounting device which does
`not require an operator of a vehicle to leave the vehicle
`not require an operator of a vehicle to leave the vehicle
`or obtain assistance in aligning a plow blade unit to the
`or obtain assistance in aligning a plow blade unit to the
`vehicle and connecting and/or disconnecting_ the blade
`vehicle and connecting and/ or disconnecting‘ the blade
`unit from the vehicle.
`‘
`unit from the vehicle.
`Yet another object of the present invention is to pro- '
`Yet another object of the present invention is to pro- '
`vide an improved plow blade mounting device which
`vide an improved plow blade mounting device which
`does not subject an operator to inclement weather coni
`does not subject an operator to inclement weather con-1
`ditions or unsafe situations while connecting or discon-
`ditions or unsafe situations while connecting or discon
`necting a plowv blade unit from a vehicle.
`necting a plow’ blade unit from a vehicle.
`A further object is the provision of an improved
`A further object is the provision of an improved
`hydraulically actuated blade mounting device enabling
`hydraulically actuated blade mounting device enabling
`attachment and detachment of a- blade unit relative to a
`attachment and detachment of a- blade unit relative to a
`vehicle to be achieved safely, and efficiently with re
`vehicle to be achieved safely, and efficiently with re-
`25
`spect to time, without manual part manipulation, and
`25
`spect to time, without manual part manipulation, and
`with positive mechanical blade unit retention indepen
`with positive mechanical blade unit retention indepen-
`dent of the hydraulic actuating system.
`dent of the hydraulic actuating system.
`Still another object of the present invention is to
`Still another object of the present invention is to
`provide an improved hydraulically operated plow blade
`provide an improved hydraulically operated plow blade
`mounting device which includes ?xed latching compo
`30
`mounting device which includes fixed latching compo- 30
`nents on a blade unit and displacable latching compo-
`nents on a blade unit and displacable latching compo
`nents on a vehicle cooperable to effect interlocking of
`nents on a vehicle cooperable to effect interlocking of
`the blade unit to the vehicle to assure against- detach-
`the blade unit to the vehicle to assure against detach
`ment even in the event of loss of hydraulic pressure
`ment even in the event of loss of hydraulic pressure
`subsequent to connection of the blade unit to the vehi
`35
`subsequent to connection of the blade unit to the vehi- 35
`I cle.
`‘ cle.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`The invention may take physical form in a variety of
`The invention may take physical form in a variety of
`parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodi
`parts and arrangements of parts, a preferred embodi- 40
`40
`ment of which will be described in the following specifi-
`ment of which will be described in the following speci?
`cation and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings
`cation and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings
`which form a part hereof and wherein:
`which form a part hereof and wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a partial pictorial view illustrating a vehicle
`FIG. 1 is a partial pictorial view illustrating a vehicle
`45
`equipped with a vehicle portion of a blade mounting
`equipped with a vehicle portion of a blade mounting
`device constructed in accordance with the present in—
`device constructed in accordance with the present in-
`vention;
`A
`vention;
`I
`FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the vehicle and the
`FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the vehicle and the
`vehicle portion of the blade mounting device, and a
`vehicle portion of the blade mounting device, and a
`plow blade assembly including a plow blade portion of
`50
`plow blade assembly including a plow blade portion of 50
`the mounting device, depicting the vehicle and blade
`the mounting device, depicting the vehicle and blade
`portiondisconnected;
`’
`’
`"
`’
`FIG. 3 is ,a detailed elevational view of the vehicle
`FIG. 3 is .a detailed elevational view of the vehicle
`and plow blade portions of the blade ‘mounting device
`and plow blade portions of the blade mounting device
`55
`during a stage of a mounting operation;
`‘
`‘
`55
`during a stage of a mounting operation;
`‘
`‘
`FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the vehicle and
`FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the vehicle and
`plow blade portions of the‘blade mounting device when
`plow blade portions of theblade mounting device when
`the blade is mounted on the vehicle;
`‘
`the blade is mounted on the vehicle;
`‘
`FIG. 5 is a front elevation view’ taken along line 5--5
`FIG. 5 is a front elevation view’ taken along line 5-5
`of FIG. 4 and illustrating the vehicle portion of the
`of FIG. 4 and illustrating the vehicle -portion of the 60
`60
`blade mounting device; and
`v
`blade mounting device; and
`in
`FIG.‘ 6 is a plan view taken along line ‘6—6 of FIG. 4
`FIG.‘ 6 is a plan view taken along line ‘6-6 of FIG. 4
`and illustrating the vehicle and plow blade portions of
`and illustrating the vehicle and plow blade portions of
`the blade mounting device.
`the blade mounting device.
`65
`65
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
`Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings
`Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings
`are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodi-
`are for the purpose of illustrating a preferred embodi
`
`4,2363 29
`4,236,329
`4‘.
`4‘.
`ment of the invention only and not for the purposes of
`ment of the invention only and not for the purposes of
`limiting the same,.FIG.‘-1 shows a‘ vehicle 10 having a
`limiting the same,.FlG.‘-1 shows a vehicle 10 having a
`vehicle portion 14 of a blade mounting device mounted
`vehicle portion 14 of a blade mounting device mounted
`on the front of vehicle 10, and FIG. 2 shows a snow
`on the front of vehicle 10, and FIG. 2 shows a snow
`plow bladeassembly, generally indicated at reference
`plow blade_assembly, generally indicated at reference
`numeral 16, having a plow blade portion 18 of the blade
`numeral 16, having a plow blade portion 18 of the blade
`mounting device thereon. It is preferred that the blade
`mounting device thereon. It is preferred that the blade
`' assembly have a"downward sloping orientation in the
`' assembly have a'downward sloping orientation in the
`direction of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 2, to facilitate
`direction of the vehicle, as shown in FIG. 2, to facilitate
`attachment of blade assembly 16 to vehicle 10. Plow
`attachment of blade assembly 16 to vehicle 10. Plow
`blade portion 18 of the mounting device, as best seen in
`blade portion 18 of the mounting device, as best seen in
`FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6, includes a frame assembly 20 com-
`FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 6, includes a frame assembly 20 com
`posed of a pair of laterally spaced apart, upright frame
`posed of a pair of laterally spaced apart, upright frame
`‘members 22 interconnected at their lower ends by a
`‘members 22 interconnected at ‘their lower ends by a
`15
`lower cross-member 24 and near their upper ends by an
`lower cross-member 24 and near their upper ends by an
`15
`upper‘ cross-member 26. One end of each leg 28 of an
`upper‘ cross-member 26. One end of each leg 28 of an
`A.-frame, only one of which legs is shown, is pivotally
`A-frame, only one of which legs is shown, is pivotally
`connected as by a pin or bolt 30 to frameassembly 20 by
`connected as by a pin or bolt 30 to frame.assembly 20 by
`means of a corresponding one of a pair of brackets 32.
`means of a corresponding one of a pair of brackets 32.
`Brackets 32 extend from lower cross-member 24 and
`Brackets 32 extend from lower cross-member 24 and
`each bracket is near the lower end of a corresponding
`each bracket is near the lower end of a corresponding
`one of the upright frame members 22. The other end of
`one of the upright frame members 22. The other end of
`each leg 28 of the A-frame is pivotally interconnected
`each leg 28 of the A-frame is pivotally interconnected
`with a snow plow blade 34 by means of a pin 36 and a
`with a snow plow blade 34 by means of a pin 36 and a
`corresponding bracket 38 on the blade. ‘As is customar
`corresponding bracket 38 on the blade. ‘As is customar-
`ily provided in plow blades, a tension spring 40 is pro
`ily provided in plow blades, a tension spring 40 is pro-
`vided between legs 28 of the A-frame and snow plow
`vided between legs 28 of the A-frame and snow plow
`blade 34 to return the snow plow blade to an upright
`blade 34 to return the snow plow blade to an upright
`position in the event that the blade is caused to tilt for
`position in the event that the blade is caused to tilt for-
`wardlby an obstruction in the roadway.
`.
`wardby an obstruction in the roadway.
`.
`A hydraulic cylinder device 42 is centrally located
`A hydraulic cylinder device 42 is centrally located
`within ‘ frame assembly 20. Lower cross-member 24
`within M frame assembly 20. Lower cross-member 24
`supports hydraulic cylinder device 42 by means of a pin
`supports hydraulic cylinder device 42 by means of a pin
`44 extending through a mounting flange on the cylinder
`44 extending through a mounting flange on the cylinder
`device and a bracket 46 permanently secured to the
`device and a bracket 46 permanently secured to the
`lower cross-member. Upper cross-member 26 supports
`lower cross-member. Upper cross-member 26 supports
`a lift arm 48 which. is pivotally connected thereto by
`a lift arm 48 which. is pivotally connected thereto by
`means of a pin 50 and a pair of brackets 52 permanently
`means of a pin 50 and a pair of brackets 52 permanently
`secured to the upper cross-member. Hydraulic cylinder
`secured to the upper cross-member. Hydraulic cylinder
`42 includes an extendable piston rod 54 having its outer
`42 includes an extendable piston rod 54 having its outer
`end connected. to lift arm 48 generally at the center
`end connected. to lift arm 48 generally at the center
`thereof by a pin or bolt 56.. A link chain 58 is connected
`thereof by a pin or bolt 56.. A link chain 58 is connected
`between the outer end of lift arm 48 andlegs 28 of the
`between the outer end of lift arm 48 and'legs 28 of the
`A-frame. When hydraulic cylinder 42 is operated to
`A-frame. When hydraulic cylinder 42 is operated to
`extend rod 54, lift arm 48 pivots about pin 50 causing
`extend rod 54, lift arm 48 pivots about pin 50 causing
`chain 58 to ‘raise snow plow‘blade 34 from the roadway.
`chain 58 to raise snow plowiblade 34 from the roadway.
`Retraction of the piston rod results in lowering of lift
`Retraction of the piston rod results in lowering of lift
`arm 48 and the plow blade. Such movement of the plow
`arm 48 and the plow blade. Such movement of the plow
`blade occurs as pivotal motion about pins 30.
`blade occurs as pivotal motion about pins 30.
`Each upright frame member 22 has an upper bracket
`Each upright frame member 22 has an upper bracket
`64 extending generally, perpendicularly from near the
`64 extending generally, perpendicularly from near the
`upper edge of the frame member in a direction away
`upper edge of the frame member in a direction away
`from the plowv blade assembly. Upper brackets 64 are
`from the plow. blade assembly. Upper brackets 64 are
`permanently secured to the upright frame members, as
`permanently secured to the upright frame members, as
`by welding. Also extending generally perpendicularly
`by welding. Also extending generally perpendicularly
`from near the lower edge of each upright frame member
`from near the lower edge of each upright frame member
`22 is a lower bracket 66. Lower brackets 66 are likewise
`22 is a lower bracket 66. Lower brackets 66 are likewise
`permanently secured to the upright frame members, as
`permanently secured to the upright frame members, as
`by welding. Each upper bracket 64 has a recess provid-
`by welding. Each upper bracket 64 has a recess provid
`ing a generally downwardly facing concave surface 68.
`ing a generally downwardly facing concave surface 68.
`Each lower bracket 66-has a recess providing a gener-
`Each lower bracket 66-has a recess providing a gener
`ally upwardly facing concave surface 70. Downwardly
`ally upwardly facing concave surface 70. Downwardly
`facing concave surfaces 68 and upwardly facing con
`facing concave surfaces 68 and upwardly facing con-
`cave surfaces '70 are spaced apart in vertically opposed
`cave surfaces 70 are spaced apart in vertically opposed
`relationship and are separated by a pred