Blast Repairable Plough

Abstract

A repairable plough for mine and area clearance is provided and comprises a main support frame and a blade formed from a plurality of modular blade sections that are detachably connected to the main support frame.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A repairable plough for mine and area clearance, comprising: a main support frame; and a blade formed from a plurality of modular blade sections that are detachably connected to the main support frame. 
     
     
         2 . A repairable plough as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the blade sections extend in generally parallel ranks across the frame. 
     
     
         3 . A repairable plough as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising one or more tines connected to one or more of the modular blade sections. 
     
     
         4 . A repairable plough as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the or each tine is detachably connected to the blade sections. 
     
     
         5 . A repairable plough as claimed in  claim 3 , in which the or each tine includes a replaceable tip. 
     
     
         6 . A repairable plough as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the main support frame comprises a top rail and each modular blade section includes a hook section so that they can be hooked onto the rail. 
     
     
         7 . A repairable plough as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the main support frame comprises an upper and lower tubular member that are arranged in an open structure so as to be blast tolerant. 
     
     
         8 . A repairable plough according to  claim 1 , wherein the parts of the main support frame closest to the plurality of tines are constructed from thick tubular members. 
     
     
         9 . A repairable plough according to  claim 1 , wherein the modular blade sections are offset from the main support frame. 
     
     
         10 . A repairable plough according to  claim 3 , wherein the main support frame is offset from the plurality of tines. 
     
     
         11 . A repairable plough according to  claim 1 , wherein each modular blade section further comprises a wire attachment arranged to limit travel of the modular blade section in the event of the modular blade section becoming detached from the blade by a blast. 
     
     
         12 . A repairable plough according to  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of tines is individually attached to a modular blade section via two shear pins. 
     
     
         13 . A repairable plough according to  claim 3 , wherein each modular blade section comprises two tines. 
     
     
         14 . A repairable plough according to  claim 1 , wherein each modular blade section further comprises a lift member for allowing each modular blade section to be lifted onto the main support frame. 
     
     
         15 . A repairable plough according to  claim 1 , wherein the plough has a substantially arrow-like arrangement when viewed from above. 
     
     
         16 . A repairable plough according to  claim 1 , wherein the plough further comprises a frangible skid mount with fixings designed to shear off in the event of a blast. 
     
     
         17 . A repairable plough according to  claim 1 , wherein the plough further comprises a pedestal crane for in-field repair. 
     
     
         18 . A blast repairable mine plough, comprising: a main support frame; a blade formed from a plurality of modular blade sections that are detachably connected to the main support frame; and a plurality of tines, detachably connected to the modular blade sections. 
     
     
         19 . A kit of parts for repairing a plough as claimed in  claim 1 , comprising one or more modular blade section and/or one or more tines and/or one or more tine tips. 
     
     
         20 . A mine ploughing vehicle provided with a mine plough according to  claim 1 .