Plow extension assembly, plow assembly, and kit for plow assembly

Abstract

A plow extension assembly is disclosed. The plow extension assembly is connectable to a plow body. The plow extension assembly comprises an extension made of a resilient material. The extension comprises a connecting portion having a first rigidity is configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body. The extension further includes a body portion, having a second rigidity, extending from the connecting portion. The second rigidity of the body portion is greater than the first rigidity of the connecting portion. The plow extension assembly further includes a connecting member configured to, at least partially, extend over the connecting portion and being connectable to the extension and to the plow body. The connecting member is configured to stiffen the resilient connection when the connecting member is connected to the extension and to the plow body.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A plow extension assembly connectable to a plow body, the plow extension assembly comprising:
 an extension made of a resilient material, the extension comprising:
 a connecting portion configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body, the connecting portion having a first rigidity, and 
 a body portion extending from the connecting portion, the body portion having a second rigidity, the second rigidity being greater than the first rigidity; 
   a connecting member configured to at least partially extend over the connecting portion, and being connectable to the extension and to the plow body; and   wherein the connecting member is configured to stiffen the resilient connection when the connecting member is connected to the extension and to the plow body.   
     
     
         2 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the resilient connection is a hinged resilient connection. 
     
     
         3 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the extension is configured to resiliently deform according to at least one mode of deformation. 
     
     
         4 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one mode of deformation includes flexion of at least one of: the connecting portion and the body portion. 
     
     
         5 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the connecting portion is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the body portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the body portion. 
     
     
         6 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the extension is made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         7 . A plow assembly connectable to a vehicle, the plow assembly comprising:
 a plow body connectable to the vehicle; and   the plow extension assembly of  claim 1  connected to the plow body.   
     
     
         8 . The plow assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the plow extension assembly is selectively connected to the plow body. 
     
     
         9 . The plow assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the plow body has a plow body rigidity, and the first and second rigidities are less than the plow body rigidity. 
     
     
         10 . A plow extension assembly for a plow body, the plow extension assembly comprising:
 an extension made of a resilient material, and having a connecting portion configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body, the extension being connectable to a lateral edge of the plow body; and   a connector configured to connect the extension to the plow body;   wherein the extension has a first shape in a resting state, and in response to engaging a moving obstacle relative to the extension, the extension resiliently deforming to a second shape, and being biased to return toward the first shape.   
     
     
         11 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the resilient connection is a hinged resilient connection. 
     
     
         12 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the extension is configured to resiliently deform according to at least one mode of deformation. 
     
     
         13 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one mode of deformation includes flexion of at least one of: the connection portion and the body portion. 
     
     
         14 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the extension includes a body portion having a first rigidity,   the connecting portion has a second rigidity, and   wherein the first rigidity is greater than the second rigidity.   
     
     
         15 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the connector is configured to selectively connect the extension to the plow body. 
     
     
         16 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 10 , wherein a cross-sectional area of the connecting portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the connecting portion is smaller than a cross-sectional area of the body portion taken along a plane perpendicular to the body portion. 
     
     
         17 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the connector includes a connecting member to stiffen at least a portion of the resilient connection between the extension and the plow body. 
     
     
         18 . The plow extension assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the resilient material is a polymeric material. 
     
     
         19 . A plow assembly connectable to a vehicle, the plow assembly comprising:
 a plow body connectable to the vehicle; and   the plow extension assembly of  claim 10  connected to the plow body.   
     
     
         20 . A kit for a plow assembly comprising:
 a plow body connectable to the vehicle;   an extension made of a resilient material, the extension body comprising:
 a connecting portion configured to provide a resilient connection between the extension and the plow body, and 
 a body portion configured to increase an effective working area of the plow body; 
   a connector for connecting the body portion to a lateral edge of the plow body;   wherein the extension has a first shape in a resting state, and in response to engaging a moving obstacle relative to the extension, the extension resiliently deforming to a second shape, and being biased to return toward the first shape.