Composite snow plow apparatus and method

Abstract

The invention includes a snow plow blade made of a composite material. The invention also includes a snow plow system that incorporates a snow plow blade made of a composite material and that further includes a mounting area for a lift mechanism and threadable metal inserts.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A snow plow system comprising:
 a composite blade; and   a lift mechanism having one end attached to the composite blade for raising and lowering the composite blade, the lift mechanism having another end attached to a vehicle.   
     
     
         2 . The snow plow system of  claim 1  further comprising a light system for positioning at least one headlamp above the blade. 
     
     
         3 . The snow plow system of  claim 1  wherein the inner radius of the snow plow blade varies across the snow moving surface of the snow plow blade. 
     
     
         4 . The snow plow system of  claim 3  wherein the inner radius of the snow plow blade increases in a non-linear fashion from the center of the snowplow blade to the outer edges. 
     
     
         5 . The snow plow system of  claim 1  wherein the composite blade includes a core of material substantially surrounded by woven fabric impregnated with resin. 
     
     
         6 . The snow plow system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 woven fabric impregnated with resin wrapped over a core of material to form a composite blade, the composite blade further including: 
 strengthening elements made of a core material and applied to the backside of the blade; and 
 metal inserts positioned in at least one of the strengthening elements. 
 
     
     
         7 . The snow plow system of  claim 6  wherein the strengthening elements are substantially vertical. 
     
     
         8 . The snow plow system of  claim 6  wherein the strengthening elements are substantially horizontal. 
     
     
         9 . The snow plow system of  claim 1  further comprising a pair of substantially vertical brackets attached to a strengthening element of the blade near one end, and attached to the snow plow lifting mechanism at the other end. 
     
     
         10 . The snow plow system of  claim 9  wherein the pair of substantially vertical brackets includes at least one stop bracket. 
     
     
         11 . A snow plow apparatus adapted for attachment to a vehicle comprising:
 a core formed from a first material;   a second material covering the core;   resin infused into the second material and cured to form a composite material main body of the blade;   a wear strip of a third material attached along a lower portion of the main body of the blade, the wear strip providing a wear surface to prevent wear of the main body of the blade;   a set of support brackets attached to the blade, the support brackets supporting the blade and also including:
 at least one attachment element adapted for attaching a lifting mechanism to the support brackets; and 
 at least one stop for limiting motion of the main body of the blade with respect to the lifting mechanism. 
   
     
     
         12 . The snow plow apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the core material includes at least one stabilizer made of the second core material which, when covered with the second material and infused with resin, provides a portion for receiving at least one set of support brackets. 
     
     
         13 . The snow plow apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the core material includes at least one stabilizer made of the second core material which, when covered with the second material and infused with resin, provides a raised portion for receiving at least one set of support brackets. 
     
     
         14 . The snow plow apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the core material includes at least one of a foam, balsa wood or honeycomb material. 
     
     
         15 . The snow plow apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the core material includes at least two of a foam, balsa wood or honeycomb material. 
     
     
         16 . The snow plow apparatus of  claim 11  further comprising at least one metal insert positioned in at least one of the strengthening elements, the bracket attaching to at least one metal insert. 
     
     
         17 . The snow plow apparatus of  claim 16  wherein the metal inserts are threaded. 
     
     
         18 . The snow plow apparatus of  claim 11  wherein the core material includes a snow moving surface, the snow moving surface including a channel portion for receiving a metal strengthening element positioned substantially parallel to the wear surface portion of the snow plow apparatus, the channel portion sized to receive a metal pipe for further strengthening the snow moving surface of the blade. 
     
     
         19 . A method for forming a composite blade comprising:
 forming a main body as a core of a first material;   adding strengthening elements to the core of first material;   covering the main body and strengthening elements with woven fabric;   infusing the fabric with a resin material, thereby forming a composite blade including a core of first material, at least one strengthening element of another material; and   adding at least one mounting bracket to the main body to allow attachement of the composite blade to a vehicle.