Automatic Vehicle Plow Lifting System

Abstract

An automatic vehicle plow lifting system including an apparatus for raising and lowering a snow plow of a winter service vehicle having a plowing assembly including at least one guiding leg configured to lower the snow plow as the winter service vehicle moves forward and to raise the snow plow as the winter service vehicle moves in reverse, and at least one support frame extending from the at least one guiding leg, and including a snow plow couple configured to mount the device to the snow plow.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/479,268 filed Mar. 30, 2017, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates generally to the field of hardware systems and more specifically relates to snow plow devices.

2. Description of Related Art

[0004] A snowplow is a device intended for mounting on a vehicle, used for removing snow and ice from outdoor surfaces, typically those serving transportation purposes. They are known as winter service vehicles, especially in areas that regularly receive large amounts of snow every year, or in specific environments such as airfields. In other cases, pickup trucks and front-end loaders are outfitted with attachments to fulfill this purpose. Plowing snow with an all-terrain, while convenient, can place immense wear and tear on the vehicle after a short period of time. Premature wearing of the all-terrain winch can lead to wearing of the winch cable. Wear and tear on both of these components can cause the plow system to malfunction. Having to manually engage and disengage the plow while removing snow can be exceptionally frustrating, forcing an individual to spend an exorbitant amount of time plowing even small amounts of snow. A suitable solution is desired.

[0005] U.S. Pub. No. 2005/0016033 to Charles Schmeichel relates to a self-adjusting snow plow. The described self-adjusting snow plow includes a self-adjusting snow plow for use with pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles. The snow plow includes a mounting apparatus for attachment to a vehicle and a plow blade having first and second ends, a top, a bottom, a plurality of retention members and a rubber scraper. The mounting apparatus preferably includes a pair of mounting uprights and a hitch tongue which is easily mounted in a hitch receiver which is secured to the front of a vehicle. The retention members are preferably constructed and arranged to at least partially encircle and slideably engage one of the respective mounting uprights and the retention members allow the respective ends of the plow blade to slide upward relative to the mounting upright most proximate to that end of the plow while the other end of the plow remains generally in the same position relative to the mounting upright proximate that end of the plow blade. The preferred retention members also permit the bottom of the plow blade to pivot away from the respective mounting uprights when the plow blade is engaged with the mounting apparatus in a working orientation and the vehicle is in motion in a direction rearward of the plow blade.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known hardware systems art, the present disclosure provides a novel automatic vehicle plow lifting system. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a lifting and lowering device for use with a snow plow while plowing snow with an all-terrain vehicle, or other such suitable vehicle.

[0007] An automatic vehicle plow lifting system is disclosed herein. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system includes an apparatus for raising and lowering a snow plow of a winter service vehicle having a plowing assembly including at least one guiding leg configured to lower the snow plow as the winter service vehicle moves forward and to raise the snow plow as the winter service vehicle moves in reverse, and at least one support frame extending from the at least one guiding leg, and including a snow plow couple configured to mount the device to the snow plow. The snow plow couple includes a mounting bracket configured to be fastened to a back surface of the snow plow. The at least one guiding leg and the at least one support frame are arranged such that a first-end of the at least one guiding leg is proximate the ground. The at least one guiding leg comprises a substantially c-shaped profile having a gradual curvature.

[0008] The automatic vehicle plow lifting system may be arranged as a kit including a set of plowing assemblies, a plurality of mounting fasteners, and a set of instructions.

[0009] For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, an automatic vehicle plow lifting system, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the automatic vehicle plow lifting system during an `in-use` condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0012] FIG. 1A is another perspective view of the automatic vehicle plow lifting system during an `in-use` condition, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the automatic vehicle plow lifting system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the automatic vehicle plow lifting system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0015] FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the automatic vehicle plow lifting system of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0016] FIG. 5 is a kit view for automatic vehicle plow lifting system, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to hardware systems and more particularly to an automatic vehicle plow lifting system as used to improve the use of snow plowing means.

[0019] Generally, the present invention provides all-terrain vehicles and other such vehicles with a hardware system capable of raising and lowering a plow depending on the vehicle's traveling direction. It allows the plows to engage and transport materials when the vehicle is set in forward motion and disengage when set in reverse. This eliminates the need for additional controls in order to activate or deactivate an automatic vehicle plow lifting system. It prevents costly failures of a standard plow winch system, ensuring the plow can be used for an extended period of time. The present invention effectively reduces wear and tear on all parts of the all-terrain (or other) vehicle and reduces the amount of time it takes to plow snow. Further it reduces wear and tear on vehicle charging systems.

[0020] Automatic vehicle plow lifting system is a set of lifting mechanisms connected to a vehicle plow (all-terrain vehicle or the like), allowing the plow to automatically engage and disengage. The system utilizes forward and reverse momentum of a vehicle to raise and lower the plow blade. The lifting mechanisms can be installed on both ends of the plow in order to engage and disengage the plow while a vehicle is in motion. When a vehicle moves forward, the lifters lower the plow blade to the road surface. When the vehicle is put in reverse, the lifters raise the plow blade a few inches above the ground so the plow is not dragging. Users can plow snow as needed with little wear and tear on winch assembly parts while reducing the amount of time it takes to plow.

[0021] The automatic vehicle plow lifting system can be constructed using steel and other suitable materials. The 1/4'' thick steel curved lifting mechanism may measure approximately 21'' in length and is attached to a bracket via a pin. The bracket is attached at the bottom and top of the plow via bolts. The plow can be purchased with the automatic lifters preinstalled or the lifters may be purchased separately for installation to an existing plow.

[0022] Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in FIGS. 1-4, various views of an automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100. FIGS. 1-1A shows an automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 during `in-use` conditions 150, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 may include an apparatus 110 for raising and lowering a snow plow 5 of a winter service vehicle 15 having a plowing assembly 120 including at least one guiding leg 130 configured to lower the snow plow as the winter service vehicle 15 moves forward and to raise the snow plow 5 as the winter service vehicle 15 moves in reverse, and at least one support frame 140 extending from the at least one guiding leg 130, and including a snow plow couple 160 configured to mount the device to the snow plow 5. The small bracket above the atv can be used on plows that already have a side flange (i.e., not requiring the full size arc bracket). Some plows have a side flange and some do not; plows without the side flange require the full arc bracket for support/strength.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 may include the plowing assembly 120 having the at least one guiding leg 130 and at least one support frame 140. The snow plow couple 160 includes a mounting bracket configured to be fastened to a back surface of the snow plow 5. The mounting bracket is further configured to be bolted to the back surface of the snow plow 5. The mounting bracket is further configured to include four bolt holes. The mounting bracket is further configured to be bolted to the back surface of the snow plow 5 using mounting bolts having a diameter of 1/4 inch.

[0024] Referring now to FIG. 3 showing a perspective view of the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 may include the plowing assembly 120 having the at least one guiding leg 130 and at least one support frame 140 configured to be used with a winter service vehicle 15 such as an all-terrain vehicle. The at least one guiding leg 130 and the at least one support frame 140 are arranged such that a first-end 132 of the at least one guiding leg 130 is proximate the ground. The at least one guiding leg 130 includes a bar shaped and oriented to align with the back surface of the snow plow 5. The at least one guiding leg 130 further includes a pipe, a length of which is permanently attached to a second-end 134 of the at least one guiding leg 130.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As above, the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 may include the plowing assembly 120 having the at least one guiding leg 130 and at least one support frame 140. The plowing assembly 120 further includes a fastener 142. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener 142 includes a pin configured to secure the at least one guiding leg 130 to the mounting bracket. The pin allows the at least one guiding leg 130 to pivot in relation to the mounting bracket. The pin is removeable. Other suitable fasteners may be used. The plowing assembly 120 is configured to be installed on opposing ends of the snow plow 5, parallel to one another. The at least one guiding leg 130 comprises a substantially c-shaped profile having a gradual curvature. The snow plow 5 may or may not have a side flange.

[0026] As shown in FIG. 5, the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 may be arranged as a kit 105. In particular, the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 may further include a set of plowing assemblies 120, a plurality of mounting fasteners 25, and a set of instructions 107. The instructions 107 may detail functional relationships in relation to the structure of the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 such that the automatic vehicle plow lifting system 100 can be used, maintained, or the like, in a preferred manner.

[0027] The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.

Claims

1. An automatic vehicle plow lifting system comprising: an apparatus for raising and lowering a snow plow of a winter service vehicle having; a plowing assembly including; at least one guiding leg configured to lower said snow plow as said winter service vehicle moves forward and to raise said snow plow as said winter service vehicle moves in reverse; and at least one support frame extending from said at least one guiding leg and including a snow plow couple configured to mount said device to said snow plow.

2. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said snow plow couple includes a mounting bracket configured to be fastened to a back surface of said snow plow.

3. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 2, wherein said mounting bracket is further configured to be bolted to said back surface of said snow plow.

4. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 3, wherein said mounting bracket is further configured to include four bolt holes.

5. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 3, wherein said mounting bracket is further configured to be bolted to said back surface of said snow plow using mounting bolts having a diameter of 1/4 inch.

6. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said at least one guiding leg and said at least one support frame are arranged such that a first-end of said at least one guiding leg is proximate said ground.

7. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 6, wherein said at least one guiding leg includes a bar shaped and oriented to align with said back surface of said snow plow.

8. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 7, wherein said at least one guiding leg further includes a pipe, a length of which is permanently attached to a second-end of said at least one guiding leg.

9. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said plowing assembly further includes a fastener.

10. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 9, wherein said fastener includes a pin configured to secure said at least one guiding leg to said mounting bracket.

11. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 10, wherein said pin allows said at least one guiding leg to pivot in relation to said mounting bracket.

12. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 10, wherein said pin is removeable.

13. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said plowing assembly is configured to be installed on opposing ends of said snow plow, parallel to one another.

14. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said at least one guiding leg comprises a substantially c-shaped profile having a gradual curvature.

15. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said snow plow does not comprise a side flange.

16. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said snow plow comprises a side flange.

17. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 1, wherein said winter service vehicle includes an all-terrain vehicle.

18. An automatic vehicle plow lifting system, the automatic vehicle plow lifting system comprising: an apparatus for raising and lowering a snow plow of a winter service vehicle having; a plowing assembly including; at least one guiding leg configured to lower said snow plow as said winter service vehicle moves forward and to raise said snow plow as said winter service vehicle moves in reverse; at least one support frame extending from said at least one guiding leg, and including a snow plow couple configured to mount said device to said snow plow; wherein said snow plow couple includes a mounting bracket configured to be fastened to a back surface of said snow plow; wherein said mounting bracket is further configured to be bolted to said back surface of said snow plow; wherein said mounting bracket is further configured to include four bolt holes; wherein said mounting bracket is further configured to be bolted to said back surface of said snow plow using mounting bolts having a diameter of 1/4 inch; wherein said at least one guiding leg and said at least one support frame are arranged such that a first-end of said at least one guiding leg is proximate said ground; wherein said at least one guiding leg includes a bar shaped and oriented to align with said back surface of said snow plow; wherein said at least one guiding leg further includes a pipe, a length of which is permanently attached to a second-end of said at least one guiding leg; wherein said plowing assembly further includes a fastener; wherein said fastener includes a pin configured to secure said at least one guiding leg to said mounting bracket; wherein said pin allows said at least one guiding leg to pivot in relation to said mounting bracket; wherein said pin is removeable; wherein said plowing assembly is configured to be installed on opposing ends of said snow plow, parallel to one another; wherein said at least one guiding leg comprises a substantially c-shaped profile having a gradual curvature; and wherein said winter service vehicle includes an all-terrain vehicle.

19. The automatic vehicle plow lifting system of claim 18, further comprising: a set of said plowing assemblies; a plurality of said mounting fasteners; a set of instructions; and wherein the automatic vehicle plow lifting system is arranged as a kit.