CLEARING STRIP FOR THE CLEARING BLADE OF A SNOWPLOW

Abstract

The invention relates to a clearing strip (1) for the clearing blade of a snowplow, having an attachment neck (2) onto which an elongated rubber body (4) is vulcanized, which body has a freely bendable wear section (6) that projects downward, having a wear surface (7) and a wear height (8). It is the goal of the invention to resolve the conflict of goals between gentle, rapid, and thorough clearing in areas of use having extremely sensitive ground coverings, in particular airfields, in the best possible manner. For this purpose, the invention proposes that plastic slide bodies (5) are inserted into the wear section (6), distributed over it.

Claims

1. A clearing strip (1) for the clearing blade of a snowplow, having an attachment neck (2) onto which an elongated rubber body (4) is vulcanized, which body has a freely bendable wear section (6) that projects downward, having a wear surface (7) and a wear height (8), wherein plastic slide bodies (5) are inserted into the wear section (6), distributed over it.

2. The clearing strip (1) according to claim 1, wherein the wear surface (7) has a rubber surface component (7a) and a plastic surface component (7b) over at least 95% of the wear height (8).

3. The clearing strip (1) according to claim 2, wherein ratio between plastic surface component (7b) and rubber surface component (7a) is coordinated between the two.

4. The clearing strip (1) according to claim 2, wherein the ratio between the rubber surface component (7a) and the plastic surface component (7b) is essentially the same over the entire wear height (8).

5. The clearing strip (1) according to claim 2, wherein the wear surface (7) has a sandwich-type structure having a front and a rear rubber surface component (7a) and a plastic surface component (7b) that lies between them.

6. The clearing strip (1) according to claim 2, wherein the plastic surface component (7b) is arranged in the front in the direction of travel (F), and the rubber surface component (7a) is arranged in the rear in the direction of travel (F).

7. The clearing strip (1) according to claim 2, wherein the plastic surface component (7b) is arranged in the rear in the direction of travel (F), and the rubber surface component (7a) is arranged in the front in the direction of travel (F).

8. The clearing strip (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plastic slide bodies (5) are inserted into the rubber body (4) with shape fit.

9. The clearing strip (1) according to claim 1, wherein the plastic slide bodies (5) have a block shape, triangular shape and/or cylindrical shape.

Description

[0018] In the following, the invention will be explained in greater detail, using drawings. These show:

[0019] FIG. 1a shows: schematically, a clearing strip according to the invention in a first embodiment, in a 3D view;

[0020] FIG. 1b shows: schematically, the clearing strip from FIG. 1a in a front view;

[0021] FIG. 1c shows: schematically, a section through the clearing strip from FIG. 1b along the section line A-A;

[0022] FIG. 1d shows: schematically, the wear surface of a of the clearing strip from FIG. 1a;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows: schematically, a cross-section of a clearing strip according to the invention in a second embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows: schematically, a cross-section of a clearing strip according to the invention in a third embodiment;

[0025] FIGS. 4 a-e show: schematically, clearing strips according to the invention in further embodiments, in a 3D view, in each instance.

[0026] In FIG. 1 a-d, a clearing strip is marked with the reference symbol 1. The clearing strip 1 has a steel attachment neck 2. Bores 3 are provided on the attachment neck 2, by way of which bores the clearing strip 1 is fastened to the clearing blade of a snowplow. However, a connection by means of clamping claws or other joining techniques is also possible for attaching clearing strips 1 according to the invention to the clearing blade. A bendable rubber body 4 is vulcanized onto the steel attachment neck 2. Plastic slide bodies 5 are inserted into the rubber body 4. The rubber body 4 is connected with the steel attachment neck 2 and the plastic slide bodies 5 with material fit during production in a vulcanization process. The rubber body 4, together with the plastic slide bodies 5, forms the wear section 6 of the clearing strip 1. The wear section 6 has a wear surface 7 that enters into direct contact with the surface to be cleared during the clearing process. Furthermore, the clearing body has a wear height 8. When the clearing body has worn out over the entire wear height 8, the clearing strip 1 should be replaced, because the desired clearing result is no longer guaranteed.

[0027] While in the case of known rubber clearing strips the wear surface has only a relatively blunt rubber component, the wear surface 7 in the case of a clearing strip 1 according to the invention is essentially formed by a rubber surface component 7a and a plastic surface component 7b. Because of the inserted plastic slide bodies 5, the sliding behavior of the clearing strip 1 is massively improved. At the same time, it retains its positive properties with regard to bending ability, elasticity, and friction-wear resistance. While it was known to provide pure rubber clearing strips with hard-material wear bodies, among other things so as to improve the sliding behavior, for decades it was assumed in the technical world that a combination of rubber and plastic could not be implemented. Plastic appeared not to be sufficiently strong for the vulcanization process. Furthermore, it was considered to be impossible to implement a material-fit connection between rubber and plastic. Extensive series of experiments and studies by the applicant have not finally led to a satisfactory result. During the subsequent usage test, the clearing strips 1 according to the invention demonstrate improved sliding ability as compared with pure rubber strips, as well as greater friction-wear resistance and better rupture strength as compared with pure plastic strips.

[0028] In this regard, the sandwich-type structure of the clearing strip 1 as shown in FIGS. 1 a-d has proven to be particularly advantageous. The wear surface 7 of the clearing strip 1 is shown schematically in FIG. 1d. It has a rubber surface component 7a that lies in the front in the direction of travel F and one that lies in the rear in the direction of travel F, in each instance. A plastic surface component 7b lies in between them. Because of the sandwich-type structure, the plastic slide bodies 5 are embedded in the rubber body 4 on both sides, and the connection is therefore particularly firm.

[0029] For areas of use in which the sliding ability is particularly important, in other words if clearing is to take place at a relatively high speed, an arrangement of the plastic slide bodies 5 in the rubber body 4 as shown in FIG. 2 is advantageous. Here, the plastic slide bodies 5 are arranged at the front in the direction of travel F, while the rubber surface component 7a lies behind them. Because of this rear rubber surface component 7a, the clearing strip 1 retains its friction-wear resistance almost entirely, wherein the sliding ability is further improved by the front plastic surface component 7b.

[0030] For areas of use in which elasticity and friction-wear resistance are particularly important, an arrangement of the plastic slide bodies 5 in the rubber body 4 as shown in FIG. 3 is suitable, in contrast. Here, the plastic slide bodies 5 are arranged at the rear in the direction of travel F, while the rubber surface component 7a lies in front of them. As a result, the clearing strip 1 is particularly bendable and very friction-wear-resistant. As compared with the clearing strip 1 from FIG. 3, it has a sliding ability that is only slightly reduced.

[0031] In FIGS. 4 a-e, further embodiments are shown. The plastic slide bodies 5 are configured, for example, in plate shape (FIG. 4a, e), in triangle shape (FIG. 4b), or in cylindrical shape (FIG. 4c). In this regard, the plastic wear bodies 5 can also be arranged in multiple rows (FIG. 4d) or offset in the rubber body 4. The ratio of rubber surface component 7a and plastic surface component 7b can be adjusted to the requirements regarding sliding ability, friction-wear resistance, and rupture strength in the area of use, by way of the shape, size, and positioning of the plastic slide bodies 5.

[0032] It can additionally be advantageous to configure the shape of the plastic slide bodies 5 in such a manner that after the vulcanization process, they are inserted into the rubber body 4 with shape fit, for example by means of a rib-shaped or saw-tooth-shaped surface, not shown.

REFERENCE SYMBOL LIST

[0033] 1 clearing strip [0034] 2 attachment neck [0035] 3 bores [0036] 4 rubber body [0037] 5 plastic slide body [0038] 6 wear section [0039] 7 wear surface [0040] 7a rubber surface component [0041] 7b plastic surface component [0042] 8 wear height [0043] F direction of travel