Patent ID: 9695561
Date: 2017-07-04
CPC Classifications: E01H

Claim:
1. A snow removing apparatus configured to mount to a push frame attached to a vehicle, the snow removing apparatus comprising: a snow plow including a blade adapted to engage an underlying surface when the snow plow assumes a snow plowing position; first and second lift arms adapted to be mounted to the push frame and wherein the first and second lift arms are disposed one over the other; the second lift arm being operatively connected to the snow plow for raising and lowering the snow plow between the snow plowing position and a raised travel position; a hydraulic actuator operatively connected to the first lift arm; a pneumatic bladder sandwiched between the first and second lift arms and configured to be operatively connected to a source of compressed air, the pneumatic bladder being expandable and retractable between the first and second lift arms such that the first and second lift arms move relative to each other when the pneumatic bladder expands and retracts; wherein the hydraulic actuator is operative to raise and lower the snow plow between the snow plowing position and the raised travel position by raising and lowering the first lift arm which in turn is operative to raise and lower the second lift arm that is operatively connected to the snow plow; and an air pressure regulator configured to receiving compressed air from the source of compressed air and operatively associated with the pneumatic bladder for controlling the air pressure within the pneumatic bladder, and wherein when the snow plow is in the snow plowing position and the air pressure regulator increases the air pressure within the pneumatic bladder, the pneumatic bladder expands and raises the second lift arm relative to the first lift arm which exerts a lifting force on the snow plow and reduces the effective weight of the snow plow on the underlying surface, and wherein when the air pressure regulator decreases the air pressure in the pneumatic bladder, the pneumatic bladder retracts, resulting in the second lift arm lowering towards the first lift arm and increasing the effective weight of the snow plow on the underlying surface.