Plow hitch for vehicle

Abstract

A hitch for hitching a plow to a vehicle is disclosed. The hitch includes a vehicle portion and a plow portion. The vehicle portion includes a mounting member having a substantially planar face. The plow can be pivotally mounted to the plow portion of the hitch. The plow portion of the hitch can be removably mounted to the vehicle portion of the hitch. The plow portion can include a pair of clamping members with one clamping member being movable with respect to the other clamping member. The plow portion can also include a lift assembly for moving the plow between a plowing position and an elevated position.

1 . A hitch assembly for mounting a plow to a vehicle comprising: 
 a vehicle portion for mounting to a vehicle, the vehicle portion including a mounting member having a substantially planar face; and    a plow portion for supporting a plow, the plow portion including a frame and a movable member, the movable member movable with respect to the frame, the movable member including a clamping member, the clamping member being adjustable to engage the mounting member for removably mounting the plow portion to the vehicle portion.    
   
   
       2 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the vehicle portion includes a second frame, the second frame supporting the mounting plate.  
   
   
       3 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 2  wherein the second frame includes a pair of side support members in spaced relationship to each and a pair of transverse support members extending between the side support members.  
   
   
       4 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the plow portion includes a lift assembly for selectively moving the plow.  
   
   
       5 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 4  wherein the lift assembly includes a lift arm and a lift cylinder, the lift arm being pivotally mounted to the frame, and the lift cylinder extending between the lift arm and the frame, the lift cylinder including a movable piston, the lift cylinder operable to selectively move the lift arm.  
   
   
       6 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 5  wherein the lift arm includes a distal end configured to support the plow.  
   
   
       7 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 7  further comprising: 
 a removable brace for engaging the lift arm to prevent rotation thereof in at least one direction.    
   
   
       8 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the frame of the plow portion includes a pair of side support members in spaced relationship to each other and a plurality of transverse support members.  
   
   
       9 - 12 . (canceled)  
   
   
       13 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the frame of the plow portion includes a second clamping member, the clamping member of the movable member being adjustable with respect to the second clamping member of the frame to engage the mounting plate between the clamping members.  
   
   
       14 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 13  wherein each clamping member includes a hook-shaped projection.  
   
   
       15 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 1  wherein the frame of the plow portion includes a plurality of beveled guide gussets.  
   
   
       16 . A hitch assembly for mounting a plow to a vehicle comprising: 
 a mounting member mountable to the vehicle;    a frame for supporting the plow;    a movable clamping member movably mounted to the frame;    wherein the frame is removably mountable to the mounting member via the movable clamping member.    
   
   
       17 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 16  wherein the frame of the plow portion includes a stationary clamping member, the movable clamping member being adjustable with respect to the stationary clamping member to clamp the mounting plate between the clamping members.  
   
   
       18 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 17  wherein each clamping member includes a hook-shaped projection.  
   
   
       19 . A hitch assembly for mounting a plow to a vehicle comprising: 
 a mounting plate mountable to the vehicle, the mounting plate including a substantially planar face; and    a frame for supporting the plow, the frame removably mountable to the mounting plate.    
   
   
       20 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 19  wherein the hitch assembly further comprises: 
 a second frame, the second frame supporting the mounting plate, the second frame mountable to the vehicle.    
   
   
       21 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 20  wherein the second frame includes a pair of side support members in spaced relationship to each and a pair of transverse support members extending between the side support members.  
   
   
       22 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 21  wherein the mounting plate and the transverse support members define a gap therebetween.  
   
   
       23 . The hitch assembly according to  claim 19  wherein the frame includes a pair of clamping members for releasably grasping the mounting plate.  
   
   
       24 - 40 . (canceled)