Snowplow assembly

Abstract

A snowplow assembly comprises a lift frame and A-frame operably pivotally connected together and an actuator operably connected between the lift frame and A-frame for effecting relative pivotal movement between the lift frame and A-frame. A plow blade includes a blade frame. The blade frame includes a tube of circular cross section which is operably pivotally connected to the A-frame. The tube is pivotally received by a quadrant, which is operably connected to the A-frame. A resilient element is operable between the blade frame and A-frame normally biasing a lower edge of the plow blade forwardly. The resilient element is an elastomeric loop. The pivotal connection of the plow blade to the A-frame in combination with the resilient element provides a trip function of the plow blade. The plow blade is a composite. The circular tube of the blade frame provides torsional stiffness to the composite blade.

1 . A snowplow assembly comprising: 
 a lift frame and an A-frame operably pivotally connected together;    an actuator operably connected between said lift frame and A-frame for effecting relative pivotal movement between said lift frame and A-frame; and    a plow blade including a blade frame, said blade frame including a tube of circular cross-section having a length which spans a distance from one side of a longitudinal center-line of said blade to the other side of the longitudinal center-line of said blade, said tube operably pivotally connected to said A-frame.    
   
   
       2 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 1  wherein said lift frame and A-frame are adapted to be connected to a vehicle mount frame as a unit.  
   
   
       3 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 1  wherein said tube of said blade frame is pivotally received by a quadrant, said quadrant operably connected to said A-frame.  
   
   
       4 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 1  further including a resilient element operable between said blade frame and A-frame normally biasing a lower edge of said plow blade forwardly, the pivotal connection of said plow blade to said A-frame in combination with said resilient element providing a trip function of said plow blade.  
   
   
       5 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 4  wherein said resilient element is nonmetallic.  
   
   
       6 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 5  wherein said resilient element is elastomeric.  
   
   
       7 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 1  wherein said plow blade is nonmetallic.  
   
   
       8 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 7  wherein said plow blade is a composite.  
   
   
       9 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 1  wherein said tube extends substantially the width of said plow blade.  
   
   
       10 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 1  wherein said lift frame includes a pair of extensions extending away from said plow blade, said extensions adapted to be received by a vehicle mount frame.  
   
   
       11 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 1  further including a pair of support stands removably secured to said lift frame.  
   
   
       12 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 3  wherein said tube includes a pair of stops which cooperate with a pair of urethane cushions on said quadrant to limit pivoting movement of said plow blade.  
   
   
       13 . A snowplow assembly comprising: 
 a lift frame and an A-frame operably pivotally connected together;    an actuator operably connected between said lift frame and A-frame for effecting relative pivotal movement between said lift frame and A-frame;    a plow blade operably pivotally connected to said A-frame; and    a nonmetallic resilient endless loop operably connected between said plow blade and A-frame in such a manner as to function as an extension spring member when said blade encounters an obstacle during forward movement;    the pivotal connection of said plow blade to said A-frame in combination with said resilient loop providing a trip function of said plow blade.    
   
   
       14 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 13  wherein said lift frame and A-frame are adapted to be connected to a vehicle mount frame as a unit.  
   
   
       15 . (canceled)  
   
   
       16 . (canceled)  
   
   
       17 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 13  wherein said resilient loop is elastomeric.  
   
   
       18 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 13  wherein said plow blade is nonmetallic.  
   
   
       19 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 18  wherein said plow blade is a composite.  
   
   
       20 . (canceled)  
   
   
       21 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 13  wherein said lift frame includes a pair of extensions extending away from said plow blade, said extensions adapted to be received by a vehicle mount frame.  
   
   
       22 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 13  further including a pair of support stands removably secured to said lift frame.  
   
   
       23 . (canceled)  
   
   
       24 . A snowplow assembly comprising: 
 an A-frame; and    a plow blade including a tube of circular cross-section having a length which spans a distance from one side of a longitudinal center-line of said blade to the other side of the longitudinal center-line of said blade, said tube operably pivotally connected to said A-frame.    
   
   
       25 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 24  wherein said tube of said blade is pivotally received by a quadrant, said quadrant operably connected to said A-frame.  
   
   
       26 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 24  further including a resilient element operable between said plow blade and A-frame normally biasing a lower edge of said plow blade forwardly, the pivotal connection of said plow blade to said A-frame in combination with said resilient element providing a trip function of said plow blade.  
   
   
       27 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 26  wherein said resilient element is nonmetallic.  
   
   
       28 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 27  wherein said resilient element is elastomeric.  
   
   
       29 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 24  wherein said plow blade is nonmetallic.  
   
   
       30 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 29  wherein said plow blade is a composite.  
   
   
       31 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 24  wherein said tube extends substantially the width of said plow blade.  
   
   
       32 . (canceled)  
   
   
       33 . A snowplow assembly comprising: 
 an A-frame;    a plow blade operably pivotally connected to said A-frame; and    a nonmetallic resilient endless loop operably connected between said plow blade and A-frame in such a manner as to function as a tension spring member when said blade encounters an obstacle during forward movement;    the pivotal connection of said plow blade to said A-frame in combination with said resilient loop providing a trip function of said plow blade.    
   
   
       34 . (canceled)  
   
   
       35 . (canceled)  
   
   
       36 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 33  wherein said resilient loop is elastomeric.  
   
   
       37 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 33  wherein said plow blade is nonmetallic.  
   
   
       38 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 33  wherein said plow blade is a composite.  
   
   
       39 . (canceled)  
   
   
       40 . (canceled)  
   
   
       41 . A snowplow assembly comprising: 
 an A-frame;    a plow blade including a tube of circular cross-section, said tube operably pivotally connected to said A-frame; and    a nonmetallic resilient endless loop operably connected between said plow blade and A-frame in such a manner as to function as a tension spring member when said blade encounters an obstacle during forward movement;    the pivotal connection of said plow blade to said A-frame in combination with said resilient loop providing a trip function of said plow blade.    
   
   
       42 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 41  wherein said tube of said blade is pivotally received by a quadrant, said quadrant operably connected to said A-frame.  
   
   
       43 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 41  wherein said resilient loop is elastomeric.  
   
   
       44 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 41  wherein said plow blade is nonmetallic.  
   
   
       45 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 44  wherein said plow blade is a composite.  
   
   
       46 . (canceled)  
   
   
       47 . (canceled)  
   
   
       48 . A snowplow assembly comprising: 
 a lift frame and an A-frame operably pivotally connected together;    an actuator operably connected between said lift frame and A-frame for effecting relative pivotal movement between said lift frame and A-frame; and    a plow blade including a blade frame, said blade frame including a continuous tube of closed cross-section having a length which spans a distance from one side of a longitudinal center-line of said blade to the other side of the longitudinal center-line of said blade and which extends substantially the width of the plow blade.    
   
   
       49 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 48  wherein said blade frame includes a plurality of ribs, said tube being secured to said ribs.  
   
   
       50 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 49  wherein each of said ribs includes a hole therethrough, and said tube is installed in said holes in said ribs.  
   
   
       51 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 49  wherein said tube is welded to said ribs.  
   
   
       52 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 48  wherein said plow blade is nonmetallic.  
   
   
       53 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 52  wherein said plow blade is a composite.  
   
   
       54 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 48  wherein said lift frame and A-frame are adapted to be connected to a vehicle mount frame as a unit.  
   
   
       55 . A snowplow assembly comprising: 
 an A-frame; and    a blade frame operably connected to said A-frame, said blade frame including a plow blade secured thereto, said blade frame including a continuous tube of closed cross-section having a length which spans a distance from one side of a longitudinal center-line of said blade to the other side of the longitudinal center-line of said blade extending substantially the width of said blade frame, said tube providing torsional stiffness to said blade frame and hence said plow blade.    
   
   
       56 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 55  wherein said tube is of circular cross-section.  
   
   
       57 . The snowplow assembly of  claim 55  wherein said blade is a composite.