Lift bar for a snowplow mounted on the forward end of a snowmobile

Abstract

A lift bar is disclosed for mounting on the forward end of an off-road vehicle such as a snowmobile, ATV, UTV, riding mower or garden tractor. The lift bar extends forwardly from the suspension of the vehicle and provides a way for tying off the winch or other actuator of the plow so that the plow may be raised and lowered relative to the vehicle.

1 . In combination with a snowmobile having a forward end, a rearward end, and first and second steerable skis at the forward end thereof which are supported by first and second suspension systems respectively:
 an elongated, transversely extending telescopic support member having first and second ends which are selectively removably secured to the first and second suspension systems of the snowmobile respectively so as to extend therebetween;   a plow blade assembly including a blade with a push tube assembly extending rearwardly therefrom which is pivotally secured to said telescopic support member about a horizontal axis;   said plow blade assembly having a winch mounted thereon which has a winch cable extending therefrom;   a lift bar, having rearward and forward ends, secured to said telescopic support member and extending therefrom towards said blade;   said winch cable being secured to said lift bar whereby said winch may be operated to raise said plow blade with respect to the snowmobile and the ground.   
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said telescopic support member comprises a telescopic tube means. 
     
     
         3 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said lift bar is secured to one of said first and second ends of said telescopic support member. 
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said lift bar is selectively removably secured to said telescopic support member. 
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 3  wherein said lift bar is selectively removably secured to said one end of said telescopic support member. 
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said lift bar has a transversely extending forward end portion. 
     
     
         7 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein said forward end of said lift bar dwells in a plane above its said rearward end. 
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein an outwardly extending stub is secured to one end of said telescopic support member and wherein said lift bar has a transversely extending stub which is selectively secured to said outwardly extending stub. 
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein a forwardly extending stub is secured to one end of said telescopic support member and wherein the rearward end of said lift bar is secured to said forwardly extending stub. 
     
     
         10 . The combination of  claim 8  wherein said lift bar includes a longitudinally extending portion having a rearward end secured to the said stub on said telescopic support member and wherein said lift bar includes a transversely extending forward end portion which extends from the forward end of said longitudinally extending portion. 
     
     
         11 . The combination of  claim 10  wherein said winch cable is secured to said transversely extending forward end portion of said lift bar. 
     
     
         12 . The combination of  claim 8  wherein the forward end of said longitudinally extending portion dwells in a plane above the rearward end thereof. 
     
     
         13 . In combination with an off-road vehicle, having a forward end, a rearward end, and first and second steerable wheels at the forward end thereof which are supported by first and second suspension systems respectively:
 an elongated, transversely extending telescopic support member having first and second ends which are selectively removably secured to the first and second suspension systems of the vehicle respectively so as to extend therebetween;   a plow blade assembly including a blade with a push tube assembly extending rearwardly therefrom which is pivotally secured to said telescopic support member about a horizontal axis;   a lift bar, having rearward and forward ends, secured to said telescopic support member and extending therefrom towards said blade;   a winch having a winch cable extending therefrom;   said winch being secured to one of said plow blade assembly or said lift bar;   said winch cable being secured to the other of said plow blade assembly and said lift bar;   said winch being selectively operable to raise said plow blade with respect to the vehicle and the ground.   
     
     
         14 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein said telescopic support member comprises a telescopic tube means. 
     
     
         15 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein said lift bar is secured to one of said first and second ends of said telescopic support member. 
     
     
         16 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein said lift bar is selectively removably secured to said one end of said telescopic support member. 
     
     
         17 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein said lift bar has a transversely extending forward end portion. 
     
     
         18 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein said forward end of said lift bar dwells in a plane above its said rearward end. 
     
     
         19 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein an outwardly extending stub is secured to one end of said telescopic support member and wherein said lift bar has a transversely extending stub which is selectively secured to said stub which is secured to said telescopic support member. 
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 13  wherein a forwardly extending stub is secured to one end of said telescopic support member and wherein the rearward end of said lift bar is secured to said forwardly extending stub. 
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 19  wherein said lift bar includes a longitudinally extending portion having a rearward end secured to the said outwardly extending stub and wherein said lift bar includes a transversely extending forward end portion which extends from the forward end of said longitudinally extending portion. 
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 19  wherein said winch is mounted on said plow blade assembly and said winch cable is secured to said transversely extending forward end portion of said lift bar.