Plow Lift Cushion Assembly

Abstract

A plow lift cushion assembly can include a housing with a top. The housing can define a chamber. A slider with a sled and a shaft extending from the sled can be included. The sled can be configured to translate within the chamber. The shaft can extend out of the top of the housing and can be configured to be coupled to a plow lift arm. A spring-cushion system can be positioned within the chamber and can extend between the top and the sled. A set of flanges can extend from the housing. The set of flanges can be configured to interface with a set of chains coupled to a plow frame.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plow lift cushion assembly comprising:
 a housing with a top, the housing defining a chamber;   a slider with a sled and a shaft extending from the sled, the sled configured to translate within the chamber and the shaft extending out of the top of the housing and configured to be coupled to a plow lift arm;   a spring-cushion system positioned within the chamber and extending between the top and the sled;   a set of flanges extending from the housing, the set of flanges configured to interface with a set of chains coupled to a plow frame.   
     
     
         2 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the spring-cushion system includes a first spring. 
     
     
         3 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising a first set of centering pins, including a first centering pin and a second centering pin, 
 wherein the first centering pin is received in a first centering hole in the first spring and a first centering-pin hole in the sled and the second centering pin is received in the second centering hole in the first spring and a first centering-pin hole in the top to maintain the positioning of the first spring within the housing.   
     
     
         4 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a swivel coupled to the shaft and configured to allow the housing and slider to swivel relative to the plow lift arm. 
     
     
         5 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the chamber has a chamber length and a chamber width, the chamber length being longer than the chamber width. 
     
     
         6 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the spring-cushion system further includes a second spring; and 
 wherein the first and second springs are aligned in parallel along the chamber length.   
     
     
         7 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the shaft is positioned between the first and second springs. 
     
     
         8 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 1 , whereby, when a downward force is exerted on the housing by the plow frame via the set of flanges or an upward force is exerted on the shaft by the plow lift arm, the sled is configured to translate within the chamber so that the upward and downward forces are absorbed by compression of the spring-cushion system between the sled and the top of the housing. 
     
     
         9 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the sled includes a platform, a first lateral guide extending along a first side of the platform, and a second lateral guide extending along a second side of the platform opposite the first side. 
     
     
         10 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a cover coupled to the housing and enclosing the sled within the housing. 
     
     
         11 . A plow lift cushion assembly comprising:
 a sled positioned within a housing, the sled coupled to a plow lift arm and the housing coupled to a plow blade;   a spring-cushion system positioned between the sled and the housing and configured to compress to absorb forces between the plow lift arm and the plow blade.   
     
     
         12 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the spring-cushion system includes a first spring and a second spring, and the first and second springs are positioned in parallel between the sled and a top of the housing. 
     
     
         13 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 12 , wherein the sled includes a platform with which the first and second springs are in contact. 
     
     
         14 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the sled further includes a first lateral guide extending along one side of the platform and a second lateral guide extending along another side of the platform opposite the first lateral guide. 
     
     
         15 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 13 , further comprising a shaft coupled to the platform of the sled and extending out of the housing through the top and configured to be coupled to the plow lift arm. 
     
     
         16 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 15 , further comprising a swivel coupled to the shaft and configured to allow the housing and sled to swivel relative to the plow lift arm. 
     
     
         17 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a first side flange and a second side flange extending out from the housing in opposite directions, the first and second side flanges being secured to a top of the housing and configured to be coupled to the plow blade through chains. 
     
     
         18 . The plow lift cushion assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a cover configured to be coupled to the housing and fully enclose the sled and the spring-cushion system therein. 
     
     
         19 . A plow assembly comprising:
 a plow blade coupled to a plow mounting frame;   a plow lift arm coupled to a plow mounting structure configured to be coupled to a plow vehicle; and   a plow lift cushion system coupled between the plow mounting frame and the plow lift arm;   the plow lift cushion system including a housing with a top, a sled within the housing, and a spring-cushion system positioned between a wall of the housing and the sled to absorb forces from the plow mounting frame and the plow lift arm via movement of the sled within the housing.   
     
     
         20 . The plow assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising a shaft coupled to the sled and extending through the top of the housing and a swivel coupled to the shaft;
 wherein the housing is coupled to the plow mounting frame; and   wherein the swivel is coupled to the plow lift arm and is configured to allow the plow lift cushion system to swivel relative to the plow lift arm.