Support-Wheel Assembly Usable with a Snowplow

The present disclosure relates to the field of plows, including snowplows, and particularly relates to a support assembly for a wing moldboard, along with related methods.

Various types of plows are configured for attachment to a vehicle, such as a motorized vehicle or a trailer. A general class of device used for plowing, including but not limited to snow plowing, is a moldboard. A wing moldboard is a specific type of moldboard configured to be mounted to a vehicle and to extend to a side of the vehicle, to help clear or drive snow or other material that is located to the side of a path of travel of the vehicle. The wing moldboard is attached to the vehicle via a support assembly. The support assembly may allow the moldboard to be positioned under operator control into one or more storage positions or one or more working positions, with the operator controlling the operation of a hydraulic cylinder, mechanical actuator, or other device configured to exert force upon the support assembly and thereby to control the movement of the wing moldboard.

The support assembly may also be configured to allow the wing moldboard to take on working positions in contact with or close to a ground surface, and to take on raised working positions called “benching” positions for pushing back material, wherein a bottom edge of the moldboard is supported above the ground surface so that the moldboard may push an upper portion of a pile of material, such as a pile of previously plowed snow, soil, or other material. In a storage position, the wing moldboard is pivoted close to the body or frame of the vehicle and is disposed parallel or relatively close to parallel to a side of the vehicle. In the storage position, the wing moldboard may be raised above the ground surface to avoid contact with the ground surface, to avoid contact with the front wheels of the vehicle, or for other purposes.

Existing support assemblies for a wing moldboard may be difficult for an operator to use without causing unwanted contact between the wing moldboard and various vehicle elements such as the side of the vehicle, mirrors mounted on the doors of the vehicle, and the front tires on the vehicle (particularly during turning) when the wing moldboard is in a storage position. Existing support assemblies may require an operator of the vehicle and the attached wing moldboard to coordinate movements of the support assembly using separate manual control inputs to control multiple hydraulic cylinders or other actuators to avoid unwanted contact with the above-mentioned vehicle elements.

For example, to avoid such unwanted contact, the operator may need to separately control a front support mechanism secured near a front portion of the wing moldboard, a travel-positioner mechanism which controls movement of the wing moldboard between a working position and a storage position, and a rear support mechanism secured near a rear portion of the wing moldboard. With such prior mechanisms, moving the wing moldboard from a working position to a storage position, without causing unwanted contact, requires that the operator perform the following steps First, the front support mechanism must be activated to raise the front portion of the wing moldboard about 3 feet about the ground. Second, the rear support mechanism must be activated to set the rear portion of the wing moldboard about 3 feet above the ground. Third, the travel-positioner mechanism must be activated to retract the wing moldboard toward the vehicle. Movement of the travel-positioner mechanism will change the balance of the wing moldboard, causing the rear portion of the wing moldboard to drop toward the ground. Fourth, the rear support mechanism must be activated to lift the rear portion of the wing moldboard and to retract the rear portion of the wing moldboard toward the truck. This process requires both operator skill and time to retract the wing moldboard to a desired storage position without unwanted contact with any part of the vehicle. The wing moldboard must be carried at a sufficient height to avoid contact with the front wheel of the vehicle during turns, but sufficiently now to avoid contact with side mirrors located on the door of the vehicle. The necessary coordination may make it difficult for an operator to avoid unwanted contact while accomplishing other purposes, such as efficient movement or rapid movement of the wing moldboard to a storage position or other raised position during an emergency situation, which may require rapid withdrawal of the wing moldboard from the area being plowed.

The present disclosure includes support assemblies for attaching a wing moldboard to a vehicle. The present disclosure also includes a support-wheel assembly for a moldboard. The support-wheel assembly may be employed to attach a wheel to a moldboard to support the moldboard when the moldboard is positioned close to a ground surface. The support-wheel assembly may allow control of an angle of the support wheel with respect to the moldboard and the direction of motion of the moldboard. The support-wheel assembly may also allow control of a vertical position of a wheel attached to the moldboard; the wheel may be positioned vertically to control an operating height of the moldboard with respect to the ground surface.

Briefly stated, one aspect of the present disclosure is directed to a support assembly for a wing moldboard. The support assembly includes a rearward base configured to be secured to a vehicle to pivot with respect to the vehicle about an upright axis. A lower boom has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. The proximal end portion is configured to be secured to the rearward base to pivot with respect thereto about a lower-boom pivoting axis, with the lower-boom pivoting axis being horizontal. The lower boom is configured to extend outwardly with respect to the vehicle and upwardly with respect to the rearward base so that the distal end portion is located above the proximal end portion. An upper boom has an upper-boom proximal portion and an upper-boom distal portion. The upper-boom proximal portion is configured to be secured to the distal end portion of the lower boom to pivot the upper boom with respect to the lower boom about an upper-boom pivoting axis, the upper-boom pivoting axis being at least generally horizontal. The upper-boom distal portion extends at least partially downwardly from the distal end portion of the lower boom. A lower-boom mechanical actuator is configured to be operatively connected to the lower boom to drive the lower boom between a first lower-boom position with a distal end of the lower boom displaced a first horizontal distance from the rearward base, and a second lower-boom position with the distal end of the lower boom displaced a second horizontal distance from the rearward base, with the second horizontal distance being greater than the first horizontal distance. A rotation member has a rotation-member proximal portion and a rotation-member distal portion, the rotation-member proximal portion being configured to be operatively engaged with—for example, pivotably attached to—the rearward base, and the rotation-member distal portion being configured to be operatively engaged with—for example, pivotably attached to—the upper boom to pivot the upper boom with respect to the lower boom when the lower-boom mechanical actuator drives the lower boom between the first lower-boom position and the second lower-boom position.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the wing moldboard may be adapted for plowing snow.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the lower-boom mechanical actuator may comprise a hydraulic cylinder.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the rotation member may have a rotation-

member length and the rotation member may further comprise a rotation-member mechanical actuator configured to extend and contract the rotation-member length.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the rotation-member mechanical actuator may comprise a hydraulic cylinder.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the lower-boom mechanical actuator may comprise a hydraulic cylinder.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the upper boom may have a pivot arm projecting at least partially toward the vehicle and operatively engaged with the rotation-member distal end portion.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the wing moldboard may have a forward portion, a rearward portion, and a lower edge, with the rearward portion being supported by the upper-boom distal portion.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the support assembly may have a ground-proximity configuration wherein the lower edge of the wing moldboard is placed either in contact with a level-ground surface or less than about 1 foot distance above the level-ground surface, and a storage configuration wherein the lower edge of the wing moldboard is placed between ground level and 40 inches above the level-ground surface and aligned with a body of the vehicle (and may be within 2 feet, 1 foot, or half a foot, or a lesser distance of a side of the vehicle), so that the support assembly is selectively movable between the ground-proximity configuration and the storage configuration by extension and retraction of the lower-boom mechanical actuator, and a vertical position of the rearward portion of the wing moldboard is determined at least in part by a degree of extension of the lower-boom mechanical actuator.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the support assembly may have a ground-proximity configuration wherein the lower edge of the wing moldboard is placed either in contact with the level-ground surface or less than six inches above the level-ground surface, and a storage configuration wherein the lower edge of the wing moldboard is placed between ground level and 40 inches above the level-ground surface and aligned with a body of the vehicle (and may be within 2 feet, 1, feet, or half a foot, or a lesser distance of a side of the vehicle), so that the support assembly is selectively movable between the ground-proximity configuration and the storage configuration by extension and retraction of the lower-boom mechanical actuator.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the support assembly may have a ground-proximity configuration wherein the lower edge of the wing moldboard is placed either in contact with the level-ground surface or less six inches above the level-ground surface, and a benching configuration wherein the lower edge of the wing moldboard is placed at least six inches above the level-ground surface.

In any embodiment of the support assembly may have a ground-proximity configuration wherein the lower edge of the wing moldboard is placed either in contact with the level-ground surface or less than about 1 foot, six inches, three inches, or another selected distance above the level-ground surface, and a benching configuration wherein the lower edge of the wing moldboard is placed at least 1 foot, 2 feet, 3 feet, or a greater distance above the level-ground surface, and wherein the rotation radius in the ground-proximity configuration is greater than the rotation radius in the benching configuration, so that the support assembly is selectively movable between the ground-proximity configuration and the benching configuration by extension and retraction of the rotation-member mechanical actuator.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the support assembly may further comprise a central leveling link operatively engaged with—for example, pivotably attached to—the lower boom. A moldboard-support link may be operatively engaged with—for example, pivotably attached to—the upper-boom distal portion of the upper boom, and the moldboard-support link may be configured to engage and support the moldboard to pivot with the moldboard-support link. An outer leveling link may have an outer-leveling-link proximal portion and an outer-leveling-link distal portion, the outer-leveling-link proximal portion being configured to be operatively engaged with—for example, pivotably attached to—a first portion of the central leveling link, and the outer-leveling-link distal portion being configured to be operatively engaged with—for example, pivotably attached to—the moldboard-support link. An inner leveling link may have an inner-leveling-link proximal portion and an inner-leveling-link distal portion, the inner-leveling-link proximal portion being configured to be operatively engaged with—for example, pivotably attached to—the rearward base. The inner-leveling-link distal portion may be configured to be operatively engaged with—for example, pivotably attached to—the a second portion of the central leveling link. The inner leveling link, the central leveling link, and the outer leveling link may be configured to pivot the moldboard-support link with respect to the lower boom when the lower-boom mechanical actuator drives the lower boom between the first lower-boom position and the second lower-boom position, so that the moldboard-support link maintains a selected angular orientation of the moldboard during motion of the lower boom.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the support assembly may further comprise a forward moldboard-support assembly including a forward hinge mount movable from a first height to a second height. A forward moldboard hinge may be operatively connected to the forward hinge mount.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the forward moldboard hinge may include a proximal leaf element configured to be operatively connected to the forward hinge mount. A distal leaf element may be configured to be operatively connected to the proximal leaf element and to the wing moldboard.

Any embodiment of the support assembly may be included in a plowing system comprising a vehicle; a wing moldboard operatively connected to the vehicle; and the support assembly. The support assembly is operatively connected to both the vehicle and the wing moldboard, thereby operatively connecting the wing moldboard to the vehicle. The support assembly may include a forward moldboard-support assembly.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, the forward moldboard-support assembly may include a forward hinge mount movable from a first height to a second height. A forward moldboard hinge may be operatively connected to the forward hinge mount. The forward moldboard hinge may include a proximal leaf element configured to be operatively connected to the forward hinge mount. A distal leaf element may be configured to be operatively connected to the proximal leaf element and to the wing moldboard.

A plowing system may include a vehicle, a wing moldboard operatively connected to the vehicle, and any embodiment of a support assembly disclosed herein. The support assembly may be operatively connected to both the vehicle and the wing moldboard, thereby operatively connecting the wing moldboard to the vehicle.

In any embodiment of the support assembly, a support-wheel assembly may be provided for mounting to a moldboard, including a wing moldboard. A frame base is fixed to the moldboard. A travel-angle frame is attached to the frame base to pivot with respect to the moldboard about a travel-angle axis. A travel-angle actuator is configured to pivot the travel-angle frame with respect to the frame base. A spindle is mounted upon the travel-angle frame. A wheel is rotatably mounted upon the spindle.

In any embodiment of the support-wheel assembly, the travel-angle frame may comprise a travel-angle-actuator anchor configured to engage a distal end of the travel-angle actuator. A spindle mount may be provided for operatively engaging the spindle, the spindle mount being non-rotatably attached with respect to the travel-angle frame to rotate therewith about the travel-angle axis. The travel-angle actuator may be configured to drive the travel-angle frame to adjust a travel angle of the wheel.

In any embodiment of the support-wheel assembly, the travel-angle actuator may be a cylinder.

In any embodiment of the support-wheel assembly, a proximal end of the travel-angle actuator may engage a proximal anchor, the proximal anchor being operatively connected to the moldboard.

In any embodiment of the support-wheel assembly, the support-wheel assembly may further comprise a wheel-height actuator configured to move the wheel vertically with respect to the travel-angle frame and thereby to position the wheel at a selected vertical position with respect to the moldboard.

In any embodiment of the support-wheel assembly, the support-wheel assembly may further comprise a spindle arm operatively connected to the spindle. The spindle arm may define a spindle portion including the spindle, an intermediate portion extending transversely from the spindle portion, and a mounting portion extending transversely from the intermediate portion. The spindle arm may be pivotably mounted in the spindle mount. The wheel-height actuator may be configured to pivot the spindle arm about the spindle mount, rotating the spindle portion of the spindle arm to position the wheel at the selected vertical position.

In any embodiment of the support-wheel assembly, the wheel-height actuator may include a cylinder.

In certain embodiments of the support-wheel assembly, the support-wheel assembly may further comprise a crank arm extending transversely from the spindle arm, the crank arm having a crank-arm anchor configured to engage a distal end of the wheel-height actuator.

In certain embodiments of the support-wheel assembly, a proximal end of the wheel-height actuator engages a wheel-height anchor operatively connected to the travel-angle frame.

In certain embodiments, a plowing system may comprise a vehicle; a moldboard operatively connected to the vehicle, the moldboard having a wheel-engaging configuration wherein a lower edge of moldboard is placed less than about 18 inches above a level-ground surface; and the support-wheel assembly as disclosed herein. The support assembly may be operatively connected to the moldboard to support the moldboard when the moldboard is in the wheel-engaging configuration.

Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary embodiments of the disclosed snowplow, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The terminology used in the description provided herein is for the purpose of describing the particular embodiment only and is not intended to be limiting.

As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The words “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The words “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used herein, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It should also be understood that the terms “about,” “approximately,” “generally,” “substantially” and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

The words “right,” left,” “lower,” “upper,” “front” and “rear” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the seal, and designated parts thereof. As used herein, the terms “proximal” and “distal” are relative terms referring to locations or elements that are closer to (proximal) or farther from (distal) with respect to other elements.

Although the words first, second, etc., are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these words. These words are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first end could be termed a second end without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

As used throughout the present disclosure, a vertical position of a support assembly or portion thereof, stated with respect to a “level-ground surface,” is to be determined considering the tires or tracks of the vehicle carrying the support assembly as if resting on a level-ground surface, and any moldboards and other elements resting on or above the level-ground surface. For example, if a moldboard attached to a vehicle is in a ground-proximity configuration described as being 3 inches above a level-ground surface, then the moldboard is positioned so that, with the tires or tracks of the vehicle resting on a level-ground surface (with jacks or stabilizers not deployed), a lower portion (such as a lower edge) of the moldboard is 3 inches above the level-ground surface.

The terminology defined above includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, an embodiment of a support assemblyfor a wing moldboardis shown in. A second embodiment of a support assemblyis shown in. A third embodiment of a support assemblyis shown in. A fourth embodiment of a support assemblyis shown in. A fifth embodiment of a support assemblyis shown in. A further embodiment of a support assembly in the form of a support-wheel assemblyis shown in.

Referring to, the support assemblyincludes a rearward baseconfigured to be secured to a vehicleor a frameor other suitable mounting point thereon to pivot with respect to the vehicleabout an upright axis. In the embodiment of, the rearward baseis pivotably attached to a mountby a pin(). The upright axis() is shown inas being essentially vertical with the vehicle resting on a level-ground surface, but the upright axismay angled with respect to vertical.

A lower boom() of the support assemblyhas a proximal end portionand a distal end portion. The proximal end portionis configured to be secured to the rearward baseto pivot with respect thereto about a lower-boom pivoting axis, with the lower-boom pivoting axisbeing horizontal or generally horizontal. The proximal end portionmay be secured to the rearward baseby a pin(). The lower-boom pivoting axiscoincides, in the illustrated embodiment of, with a central axis of a pinand a hole in which the pinis mounted within the rearward base().

Referring to, the lower boomextends outwardly with respect to the vehicleand upwardly with respect to the rearward baseso that the distal end portionis located above the proximal end portion. This mode of attachment between the lower boomand the rearward basemay allow the lower boomto take an upright or nearly-upright stowed position, as shown in,,,, and to take a working position, as shown in,,,,,,, and, with the lower boomextended outwardly from the vehicle-more particularly, extended from a bodyor frameor other portion of the vehicle.

An upper boom,,,,is operatively attached to the lower boomand has an upper-boom proximal portionand an upper-boom distal portionand may be so attached by a pin. The upper-boom proximal portionis configured to be secured to the distal end portionof the lower boomto pivot the upper boom,,,,with respect to the lower boom, with the pivoting occurring about an upper-boom pivoting axis. The upper-boom pivoting axis() may be at least generally horizontal and may correspond with an axis of the pinor a shaft connecting the lower boomto the upper boom,,,,. The upper-boom distal portionextends at least partially downwardly from or with respect to the distal end portionof the lower boom. As a result, embodiments of support assemblies disclosed herein are not, or at least are less likely, to be subject to unwanted contact between the wing moldboardand the vehicle, and do not require that an operator take care to retract the wing moldboardin a particular sequence or fashion to avoid unwanted contact. Instead, the support assemblyof the present disclosure allows the operator to retract the wing moldboardrapidly by manually controlling a single actuator, as the configuration of the support assemblymay be selected to prevent unwanted contact between the wing moldboardand parts of the vehicle.

The lower boomand the upper boom,,,,may be configured by size and shape, and interconnected pivotably or rotatably, so that the upper-boom distal portiontravels a flat or relatively flat path (relatively close to being parallel with a level-ground surface), while the upper-boom distal portionand the wing moldboardattached thereto are also held at an appropriate height to avoid unwanted contact with the vehicle, when the wing moldboardis being moved to or stored in the storage position.

In the embodiment of, a lower-boom mechanical actuatorin the form of a lower cylinder is configured to be operatively connected to the lower boomto drive the lower boombetween a first lower-boom position with a fixed portion such as a distal endof the lower boomdisplaced a first horizontal distance from the rearward base, and a second lower-boom position with the fixed portion (distal end) of the lower boomdisplaced a second horizontal distance from the rearward base, with the second horizontal distance being greater than the first horizontal distance. In the embodiment of, the lower-boom mechanical actuator has a proximal end portionand a distal end portionand is operatively attached to the rearward baseby a pin. The lower-boom mechanical actuatoris operatively attached to the lower boomby being pivotably attached by a pinto a connector link. The connector linkis in turn pivotably attached to the lower boomby a pin. A shear pinmay secure the connector linkto the lower boomso that the connector linkdoes not ordinarily pivot with respect to the lower boom. The shear pin, of which two generally are used, may be selected and configured (by size, material, notching, or the like) so that the shear pinhas a selected strength or impact resistance, so that upon a sudden movement or striking of the wing moldboard, the shear pinmay sacrificially fail rather than transmit an excessive force to inner leveling link inner leveling link, the upper cylinder, the lower-boom mechanical actuator, or other portions of the support assembly. Note that the first and second horizontal distances are relative positions and may be defined in terms of the distal end, or any other fixed portion of the lower boom—preferably a portion of the lower boom located on the distal end portionthereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower-boom mechanical actuatoris a hydraulic cylinder, but the lower-boom mechanical actuatormay take the form of a pneumatic cylinder, an electric motor, or any other suitable mechanism known in the art for driving the lower boombetween the first lower-boom position and the second lower-boom position. For examples of such positions and horizontal distances, compare the stowed position (as in) to the ground-proximity configuration (as in). As a further example, compare a first ground-proximity configuration, which in the identified views is a retracted configuration () to a second ground-proximity configuration ().

A rotation member, which is an upper cylinderin the embodiment of, has a rotation-member proximal portion in the form of an upper-cylinder proximal portionand a rotation-member distal portion in the form of an upper-cylinder distal portion. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper cylinderis a hydraulic cylinder, but the upper cylindermay also take the form of a pneumatic cylinder, an electric motor, or any other suitable mechanism known in the art for driving the lower boombetween the first lower-boom position and the second lower-boom position. Alternatively, the rotation member may take the form of other mechanical actuators known in the art, including screw-type, magnetic, or other mechanical actuators. As an alternative to the upper cylinderor other mechanical actuators that may be used as a rotation member, the rotation member may also be a solid link (as discussed below with respect to) or may be a tension member such as a cable or chain. In any embodiment of the support assembly,,,,, the support assembly,,,,may further comprise a forward moldboard-support assembly including a forward hinge mount movable from a first height to a second height. In the support assemblyof, referring to, the forward moldboard-support assemblyincludes the forward hinge mount, which is movably mounted on a mast. The forward hinge mountmoves lengthwise along on the mastand may be raised and lowered by a forward-support mechanical actuator, which is operatively connected to slider, the sliderin turn being connected to the forward hinge mount. Alternatively, the forward-support mechanical actuatormay be operatively connected to the forward hinge mountvia a cable and pulley to a drive block (not shown), with the drive block driven by a mechanical actuator. In the support assembly, a forward moldboard hingeis operatively connected to the forward hinge mountto travel along the masttherewith. In the forward moldboard-support assembly, the forward moldboard hingeincludes a proximal leaf elementconnected to, and in this case integrally formed with, the forward hinge mount, and a distal leaf elementconfigured to be operatively connected to the forward hinge mountby, for example, a pin. Thusshow a plowing system comprising the vehicle, the wing moldboardoperatively connected to the vehicle, the support assembly, and the forward moldboard-support assembly.portions of the vehicle. An “emergency lift” actuator such as a button or lever may be provided to initiate, based on a single input, an immediate lifting of the wing moldboardportions of the vehicle.() and may have a selected amount of free vertical The upper cylindermay be extended or retracted to select a ground-proximity configuration. When the upper cylinderis so configured, a movement of the support assemblyfrom the ground-proximity configuration to the storage configuration may be driven or determined solely by retraction of the lower-boom mechanical actuator(shown as a lower cylinder). See, for example,. A benching configuration is shown with respect to the second embodiment of the support assemblyin.