Abstract
A wing plow post and method of manufacturing the post is disclosed. The post is intended for attaching a wing plow to vehicle for moving material, such as snow. The links of the post are parallel to the angle of the wing plow when the plow is in the plowing position to minimize stress on the post and frame of the vehicle. The post includes a float collar on the hydraulic lift cylinder to provide free floating of the toe end of the wing plow. It allows a wing plow to move over road surfaces and limit the stress on both the post itself and the frame of the vehicle to which the post is attached. Further, the plow also allows power to be provided by a hydraulic cylinder in the downward direction to the toe end of the wing plow.
Claims
1. A wing plow post assembly comprising: a tube having an end; an end plate perpendicularly secured to the end of the tube, the end plate comprising: two vertical edges and two hydraulic cylinder connection ears; and a longitudinal axis tilted at an angle of 5-20 degrees from vertical the end plate perpendicular to a forward direction of a vehicle to which the wing plow post is mounted; side plates secured to each vertical edge of the end plate; an upper connection arm pivotally secured to each side plate, the upper connection arm comprising two side links, two bushings, and a cylinder bushing; a lower connection arm pivotally secured to each side plate, the lower connection arm comprising two side links and two bushings; the side plates, upper connection arm, and lower connection arm being substantially parallel to the tube; a hydraulic cylinder having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end secured to the hydraulic cylinder connection ears and the upper end operably secured to the cylinder bushing; a front plate pivotally secured to the upper connection arm and pivotally secured to the lower connection arm; and a removable slab pin pivotally secured to the front plate.
2. The wing plow post assembly of claim 1 further comprising a float collar secured between the hydraulic cylinder upper end and the cylinder bushing.
3. The wing plow post assembly of claim 2 further comprising bolts pivotally securing the upper connection arm and lower connection arm to the side plates and front plate.
4. The wing plow post assembly of claim 3 further comprising a locking collar on each bolt.
5. The wing plow post assembly of claim 1 wherein: the upper connection arm has a lower edge and the lower connection arm has a lower edge; the side plates each have a front edge distal the end plate and an upper edge between the front edge and end plate and a lower edge between the front edge and end plate; the lower edge of the upper connection arm does not extend beyond the upper edge of the side plates proximate the front edge of the side plates; and the lower edge of the lower connection arm does not extend beyond the lower edge of the side plates the front edge of the side plates.
6. The wing plow assembly of claim 1 further comprising an access port in the front plate.
7. A wing plow post assembly comprising: an end plate perpendicularly secured to the end of the tube, the end plate comprising: an upper end and a lower end; at least two vertical edges; a longitudinal axis tilted at an angle of 5-20 degrees from vertical the end plate perpendicular to a forward direction of a vehicle to which the wing plow post is mounted; two side plates each secured to a separate vertical edge of the end plate; an upper connection arm pivotally secured to each side plate, the upper connection arm comprising two side links and a cylinder bushing and having a longitudinal axis; a lower connection arm pivotally secured to each side plate, the lower connection arm comprising two side links and having a longitudinal axis; wherein the upper connection arm longitudinal axis and the lower connection arm longitudinal axis are substantially perpendicular to a forward direction of a vehicle to which the wing plow post is mounted; a hydraulic cylinder having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end secured to the end plate and the upper end operably secured to the cylinder bushing; a front plate pivotally secured to the upper connection arm and pivotally secured to the lower connection arm; and a removable slab pin pivotally secured to the front plate.
8. The wing plow post assembly of claim 7 further comprising a float means secured between the hydraulic cylinder upper end and the cylinder bushing.
9. The wing plow post assembly of claim 7 further comprising bolts pivotally securing the upper connection arm and lower connection arm to the side plates and front plate.
10. The wing plow post assembly of claim 9 further comprising a locking collar on each bolt.
11. The wing plow post assembly of claim 10 further comprising an access port in the front plate.
12. The wing plow post assembly of claim 7 further comprising an access port in the front plate.
13. The wing plow post assembly of claim 7 wherein: the upper connection arm has a lower edge and the lower connection arm has a lower edge; the side plates each have a front edge, an upper edge, and a lower edge; the lower edge of the upper connection arm does not extend beyond the upper edge of the side plates proximate front edge of the side plates when the front plate and side plates are adjacent; and the lower edge of the lower connection arm does not extend beyond the lower edge of the side plates the front edge of the side plates when the front plate and side plates are adjacent.
14. A mount for a wing plow comprising: An end plate comprising two opposite edges and a longitudinal axis tilted at an angle of 5-20 degrees from vertical the end plate perpendicular to a forward direction of a vehicle to which the wing plow is mounted; two side plates, each side plate secured to an opposite edge of the end plate; an upper connection arm pivotally secured to each side plate, the upper connection arm comprising two side links and a cylinder connection means, each side link having a longitudinal axis; a lower connection arm pivotally secured to each side plate, the lower connection arm comprising two side links, each side link having a longitudinal axis; wherein the upper connection arm side link longitudinal axes and the lower connection arm side link longitudinal axes are substantially perpendicular to a forward direction of a vehicle to which the wing plow post is mounted; a hydraulic cylinder having a lower end and an upper end, the lower end secured to the end plate and the upper end secured to the cylinder connection means; means for connecting a slab to the upper connection arm and to the lower connection arm.
15. The mount of claim 14 wherein: the upper connection arm does not extend beyond an upper extremity of the side plates proximate a front edge each of the side plates; and the lower connection arm does not extend beyond a lower extremity of the side plates proximate a front edge each of the side.
16. The mount of claim 15 further comprising float means.
17. The mount of claim 15 wherein the means for connected a slab includes an access port.
18. The mount of claim 15 further comprising bolts pivotally securing the upper connection arm and lower connection arm to the side plates and means for connected a slab.
19. The mount of claim 18 further comprising a locking collar on each bolt.
20. The mount of claim 14 further comprising bolts pivotally securing the upper connection arm and lower connection arm to the side plates and means for connected a slab.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) FIGS. 1-3 show an embodiment of the mounting assembly of the present invention.
(2) FIG. 4 shows an upper connection link arm of an embodiment of the present invention.
(3) FIG. 5 shows a hydraulic cylinder mounting of an embodiment of the present invention.
(4) FIG. 6 shows the side view of the post assembly and the access holes for the hydraulic hoses and the connection pin of an embodiment of the present invention.
(5) FIG. 7 shows an upper connection link arm mounting to the hydraulic cylinder of an embodiment of the present invention.
(6) FIGS. 8-9 show a lower connection link arm of an embodiment of the present invention.
(7) FIG. 10 shows a front vertical plate assembly and a wing plow slab of an embodiment of the present invention.
(8) FIG. 11 shows connection bolts of an embodiment of the present invention.
(9) FIG. 12 shows an embodiment of an entire wing plow assembly.
(10) FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of a wing plow post of the present invention parallel to the wing plow in its operating position.
(11) FIG. 14 shows a wing plow post in the upright carrying position of an embodiment of the present invention.
(12) FIG. 15 shows a wing plow post in the operating position of an embodiment of the present invention.
(13) FIG. 16 shows a wing plow post at the top of the float position height of an embodiment of the present invention.
(14) FIG. 17 shows a wing plow post at the lowest position possible of an embodiment of the present invention.
(15) FIG. 18 shows a wing plow post attached to a vehicle with a wing plow of an embodiment of the present invention.
(16) FIG. 19 shows a partial perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
(17) FIG. 20 shows a right side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
(18) FIG. 21 shows a top view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
(19) FIG. 22 shows a front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
(20) FIG. 23 shows another front view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
(21) FIG. 24 shows a front-left perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
(22) FIG. 25 shows a left side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
(23) FIG. 26 shows another left side view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(24) One embodiment of the present invention is a mechanism that allows a wing plow to be attached to the frame of a vehicle 700 [FIGS. 13 and 18], typically a large truck, for the movement of material, usually snow. A preferred embodiment of the invention utilizes welding to attach several of the components but is not necessarily so limited; other methods of connecting components include glue, fasteners, pins, and other methods of attachment not mentioned. Further, several components can be molded in a single unibody construction. The embodiment [FIG. 1] consists of a tube 10 connected to the vehicle 700. Various mounting practices have been utilized to connect wing post tubes to a vehicle 700. The tube 10 extends outwards toward the direction of the toe end of the wing plow. A vertical plate 16 is secured to the end of the tube 10 and braced [FIG. 3] by a front plate 20 and rear plate 30. Extending out laterally side plates 40, 41 are fixed to the vertical plate 16 and align the post assembly with the wing plow when it is in its operating position. The side plates 40, 41 hold bushings 50, 51, 52, and 53 for two link arm pivot points. Located on bushings 50, 52 are bolt head collars 60, 61. The side plates 40, 41 are also affixed by two internal braces 70, 80. The middle brace 70 is configured in such a way to allow access to the hydraulic cylinder. The lower brace 80 is angled downward to allow snow and debris to fall out of the assembly. Also mounted on the vertical plate 16 and tube 10 [FIG. 2] are the hydraulic cylinder connection ears 90, 91.
(25) The upper connection arm [FIG. 4] consisting of two side links 100, 101 that are secured by bushings 110, 111. Located in bushing 110, 111 are grease fittings 152, 153. Additionally, cylinder pin bushings 140, 141 are in side links. Located in each of these cylinder pin bushings 140, 141 are grease fittings 150, 151.
(26) A hydraulic cylinder 160 [FIG. 5] is mounted to the post assembly by a pin 170. Attached to the live end of the hydraulic cylinder 160 is a float collar 180. Further grease fittings 190 and 191 are mounted in the float collar 180. As shown in [FIG. 6] the side view of assembly with the hydraulic cylinder 160 mounted in position. The extended side plate has cutouts 165 and 166 to allow the hydraulic hoses to move with the hydraulic cylinder 160 during operation. Also shown, is the bottom hole 167 to access the lower connection point of the hydraulic cylinder 160. This hole allows for easier maintenance to remove connection pin. The hydraulic cylinder 160 connects to the upper arm 175 [FIG. 7] by pin 200. Collar 210 secures the pin in the assembly with bolt 220. Spacers 230, 231 mount on the pin between the connection arm sides and prevent lateral movement by the cylinder.
(27) The lower connection arm [FIG. 8] consisting of two side links 240, 241 that are rigidly supported by bushings 250, 251. Located in each bushing [FIG. 9] are grease fittings 260 and 261. Further bracing is provided by brace 270 affixed to the side links 240, 241 and bushings 250, 251.
(28) A front vertical plate assembly [FIG. 10] is mounted off of the upper connection arm and the lower connection arm. Two vertical links 280, 281 are fixed about a front plate 290. The front plate 290 includes a cutout to access the hydraulic lift cylinder for maintenance. Additionally, in the vertical links are bushings 300, 301, 302, and 303. Bolt collars 310, 311 are mounted on bushings 300, 303. Located off of the front plate 290 are three mounting ears 321, 322, and 323 and one bottom mounting ear 333. Slab pin 340 attaches a standard wing plow slab 350 to ears 321, 322, 323, and 333. Wing plow slabs 350 are standard equipment and numerous versions similar in art have been used over the years.
(29) As shown in [FIG. 11] connection bolts 360, 361, 362, and 363 secure the front vertical plate 290 to the upper connection arm 175 and lower connection arm 390. Also, connection bolt 360 attaches the side plates 40, 41 of the upper connection arm 175. Connection bolt 361 attaches the upper connection arm 175 to the front vertical plate 290. Connection bolt 363 attaches the lower connection arm 390 to the mounting assembly 400. Connection bolt 362 attaches the lower connection arm 390 to the front vertical plate 290.
(30) Mounting assembly 1000 [FIG. 12] is connected to a vehicle 700. A hydraulic cylinder 160 lowers the heel end 172 of the wing plow 400. A hydraulic cylinder 160 [FIG. 14] within the mounting assembly moves and lowers the toe end 171 of the wing plow 400 from the storage position and into the operating position [FIG. 15]. The upper connection arm 175 pivots [FIG. 11] on Axis A 372 and lowers the front vertical plate 290 assembly on Axis C 374, thus engaging the wing plow and the surface to be plowed. The lower connection arm 390 moves in accordance to the upper connection arm 175 on Axis B 373 and front vertical plate 290 on Axis D 375. As the vehicle 700 travels the wing plow 400 is able to maintain contact with the surface. The mounting assembly 1000 is shown in typical plowing position [FIG. 15]. The float collar 180 on the hydraulic cylinder 160 is able to provide a specified amount of free travel, or float 185 for the wing plow 400 when in the plowing position. As the driver raises the wing plow 400 back into the storage position the hydraulic cylinder 160 pushes the upper connection arm 175 assembly. The upper connection arm 175 pivots on Axis A 372 and raises the front vertical plate 290 on Axis C 374 and toe end 171 of the wing plow 400. When taking the wing plow 400 from the storage position to the operating position it is common for some designs to stick and stay in the upright storage position. The float collar 180 on the present invention is able to provide down pressure for a set distance and free the assembly [FIG. 16]. Wear to the lower connection arm 390 against the extended side plates 40, 41 on the mounting assembly 1000 is reduced because the extended side plates 40, 41 cover the area of travel by the lower connection arm 390 [FIG. 17].
(31) Various heel supports 600 [FIG. 12] use plates fastened to the vehicle frame, typically with bolts and nuts. Attached to the plates is a tube extending laterally towards the wing plow 400. Such support arrangements attach the heel end of the plow wing 172 to a push beam 500, typically with a spring mechanism to absorb shock caused by the wing plow 400 contacting the roadway. The heel end 172 of the wing plow 400 extends laterally from the side of a vehicle 700 when in the plowing position. The heel end 172 of the wing plow 400 is stored in a semi-upright position next to the vehicle. A hydraulic cylinder 160 is commonly used to raise and lower the heel of the wing plow 400. When the operator engages the wing plow 400, the mounting assembly 1000 folds down to the roadway and extends laterally from the vehicle 700 forming an angle of wing plow in operation 850 from the toe end 171 to the heel 172 end of the wing plow 400 and the vehicle 700 [FIG. 13]. This angle is substantially parallel to the angle of connection link 825 when the wing plow 400 is in the plowing position.
(32) Another embodiment of the present invention utilizes similar parts, but accomplishes the goal of minimizing the stress at the toe end of a wing plow is by tilting the mounting assembly at an angle relative to the direction of vehicle 800 [FIG. 19-26]. As can be seen in FIG. 20, the mounting assembly 1000 is tilted with respect to the direction of the vehicle 800 during operation of the wing plow. The angle of tilt 500 is approximately 5-20 degrees.
(33) This arrangement places the longitudinal axes 191, 193 of the upper connection arm side links 100, 101 and the longitudinal axes 192, 194 of the lower connection arm side links 240, 241 in four unique vertical and horizontal planes that are substantially perpendicular to the direction of the vehicle 800 during operation of the wing plow [FIG. 21]. This arrangement also results in tilting the angle of Axes A, B, C, and D 372, 373, 374, 375 at an angle relative to forward motion of the vehicle 800.
