Snowplow attachment system and method

Abstract

A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle includes a laser device. A power source is coupled to the laser device for energizing the laser device to generate a laser beam. A first attachment is adapted to adjustably mount the laser device on the vehicle and to adjustably orient the laser device to project the laser beam in a selected direction. The snowplow attachment system further includes a target. The snowplow attachment system further includes a second attachment adapted to mount the target to the snowplow. The target is installed in the snowplow approximately in line with the laser beam. The laser beam projects a dot when incident on the target.

1 . A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle, comprising: 
 a laser device;    a power source coupled to the laser device for energizing the laser device to generate a laser beam;    a first attachment adapted to adjustably mount the laser device on the vehicle and adapted to orient the laser device to project the laser beam in a selected direction;    a target;    a second attachment adapted to mount the target on the snowplow; wherein the laser beam projects a laser dot when incident on the target.    
   
   
       2 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the laser beam is projected in a substantially forward direction relative to the vehicle.  
   
   
       3 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the first attachment includes a ball and socket joint assembly configured to adjust the orientation of the laser device.  
   
   
       4 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1  wherein the second attachment is adapted to releasably mount the target on the snowplow.  
   
   
       5 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the target is a panel oriented substantially perpendicular to the laser beam.  
   
   
       6 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the target includes a panel attached to a post.  
   
   
       7 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 6 , further comprising a receiver slot adapted to be mounted on the snowplow, the receiver slot being adapted to receive the post when the target is mounted on the snowplow.  
   
   
       8 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 7 , wherein the post includes a pin adapted to mate with a slot on the receiver.  
   
   
       9 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the target is oriented substantially perpendicular to the laser beam.  
   
   
       10 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is a battery.  
   
   
       11 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the power source is the vehicle's electrical power system.  
   
   
       12 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the target is configured to be foldably mounted on the snowplow, and wherein the target is folded when the target is not in use.  
   
   
       13 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the target is substantially flat.  
   
   
       14 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 1 , wherein the target includes one or more lines or patterns to indicate a center.  
   
   
       15 . A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle, comprising: 
 a light source configured to generate a narrow beam;    a power source coupled to the light source for energizing the light source;    a first attachment adapted to adjustably mount the light source on the vehicle and adapted to orient the light source to project the beam in a selected direction;    a target;    a second attachment adapted to mount the target on the snowplow, wherein the beam projects a dot when incident on the target.    
   
   
       16 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 15 , wherein the light source is a light emitting device configured to generate a beam.  
   
   
       17 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 15 , wherein the light source is an electric light bulb configured to generate a beam.  
   
   
       18 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 15 , wherein the first attachment includes a ball and socket joint assembly configured to adjust the orientation of the light source.  
   
   
       19 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 15 , wherein the second attachment is adapted to releasably and movably mount the target on the snowplow.  
   
   
       20 . The snowplow attachment system of  claim 15 , wherein the target is oriented substantially perpendicular to the beam.  
   
   
       21 . A method of mounting a snowplow to a vehicle, comprising the steps of: 
 calibrating a laser beam projected from the vehicle with respect to a target being mounted on the snowplow, wherein calibrating the target comprises:    mounting the snowplow on the vehicle;    projecting the laser beam in a forward direction with respect to the vehicle;    attaching the target to the snowplow approximately in line with the laser beam;    adjusting the laser beam so that the laser beam is projected on a predetermined point on the target; and    removing the snowplow from the vehicle after the calibration;    projecting the laser beam from a distance from the target;    driving the vehicle toward the snowplow;    steering the vehicle side-to-side so that the laser beam is projected on a predetermined point on the target;    driving the vehicle closer to the snowplow so that the attachment points on the vehicle are aligned to the attachment points on the snow plow;    mounting the snow plow on the vehicle when the attachment points of the vehicle and the snowplow make contact.    
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the predetermined point is the center of the target.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the target is oriented substantially perpendicular to the laser beam.