Mounting bracket and methods for mounting a push arm to a wing plow

A mounting bracket and method for mounting a push arm to a wing plow. The mounting bracket can include a clevis portion, a backstop, and a mounting flange. The mounting flange can have a first mounting flange hole, a second mounting flange hole, and a third mounting flange hole. The mounting bracket can be configured to be mountable to the wing plow in a first orientation using the first and second mounting flange holes and can be mountable to the plow in a second orientation, using the second and third mounting hole. The second orientation can be rotationally offset from the first orientation about at least one rotational axis.

BACKGROUND

In many applications, wing plows can be supported at extended positions and orientations relative to a plow truck frame. Push arms are generally coupled to the wing plow and the plow truck frame to support the wing plow against the force exerted along the wing plow during plowing operations.

SUMMARY

Some embodiments of the invention provide a mounting bracket for mounting a push arm to a wing plow. The mounting bracket can include a clevis portion with parallel prongs and a cross-member extending between the prongs. The mounting bracket can further include a backstop with a first backstop section at least partially defined by the cross-member and a second backstop section extending from the first backstop section at an acute angle relative to the prongs. A mounting flange can extend in a mounting flange plane, perpendicular from and along the backstop. The mounting flange can have a first mounting flange hole, a second mounting flange hole, and a third mounting flange hole. The mounting bracket can be configured to be mountable to the wing plow in a first orientation using the first and second mounting flange holes and can be mountable to the plow in a second orientation, using the second and third mounting hole. The second orientation can be rotationally offset from the first orientation about at least one rotational axis.

Some embodiments can provide a mounting bracket for alternatively mounting a push arm to a wing plow in a first orientation or a second orientation angularly offset relative from the first orientation. The mounting bracket can include a backstop with a first section and a second section extending at a 30 degree angle from the from the first section. A set of prongs can extend from the backstop in a first direction. A mounting flange can extend from the backstop in a second direction opposite the first direction. The mounting flange can have a plurality of mounting flange holes, a first set of which can be configured to mount the mounting bracket to the wing plow in the first orientation and a second set of which can be configured to mount the mounting bracket to the wing plow in the second orientation.

Some embodiments can provide a method for switching a mounting bracket for mounting a push arm to a wing plow between a first orientation and a second orientation. The mounting bracket can have a mounting flange with a first mounting flange hole, a second mounting flange hole, and a third mounting flange hole. With the mounting bracket attached to the wing plow in the first orientation with a first fastener installed in the first mounting flange hole and a second fastener installed in the second mounting flange hole, the method can include removing the first fastener from the first mounting flange hole and loosening the second fastener within the second mounting flange hole; rotating the mounting bracket relative to the wing plow about the second fastener; and installing the first fastener within the third mounting flange hole to secure the mounting bracket to the wing plow in the second orientation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Also as used herein, unless otherwise specified or limited, directional terms are presented only with regard to the particular embodiment and perspective described. For example, reference to features or directions as “horizontal,” “vertical,” “front,” “rear,” “left,” “right,” “upper,” “lower,” and so on are generally made with reference to a particular figure or example and are not necessarily indicative of an absolute orientation or direction. However, relative directional terms for a particular embodiment may generally apply to alternative orientations of that embodiment. For example, “front” and “rear” directions or features (or “right” and “left” directions or features, and so on) may be generally understood to indicate relatively opposite directions or features for a particular embodiment, regardless of the absolute orientation of the embodiment (or relative orientation relative to environmental structures). “Lateral” and derivatives thereof generally indicate directions that are generally perpendicular to a vertical direction for a relevant reference frame.

Also as used herein, ordinal numbers are used for convenience of presentation only and are generally presented in an order that corresponds to the order in which particular features are introduced in the relevant discussion. Accordingly, for example, a “first” feature may not necessarily have any required structural or sequential relationship to a “second” feature, and so on. Further, similar features may be referred to in different portions of the discussion by different ordinal numbers. For example, a particular feature may be referred to in some discussion as a “first” feature, while a similar or substantially identical feature may be referred to in other discussion as a “third” feature, and so on.

In some contexts, it may be useful to be able to mount a push arm at different angles relative to a wing plow because not all plow trucks have a mount for the push arm located in the same relative area on the plow truck frame, and the angle from which the push arm extends from the plow truck frame can vary. Further, it may be useful to be able to switch the angle of the push arm relative to the wing plow to accommodate different plow trucks without having to remove and replace the mounting bracket that couples the push arm to the wing plow. Embodiments of the invention can be useful for this purpose, and others. For example, embodiments of the invention can be used to couple a push arm to a wing plow in at least two orientations. Some embodiments of the invention can include a mounting bracket that is mountable to a wing plow and selectively switchable between alternative mounting orientations, including without needing to fully remove the mounting bracket from the wing plow. As another example, a mounting bracket according to other embodiments can be secured to a wing plow a plurality of fasteners, wherein one of the fasteners is used to secure the mounting bracket in both orientations.

In some embodiments, a mounting bracket can include a mounting flange that are configured to permit mounting a push arm to a wing plow in two orientations. The mounting flange can have a plurality of mounting flange holes that are alignable with mounting holes on the wing plow and through which a fastener is receivable. At least two of the mounting flange holes can be aligned along a first line and at least two of the mounting flange holes can be aligned along a second line, which is disposed at an angle from the first line. In some embodiments, one of the mounting flange holes can be used for both mounting orientations. In some embodiments, the fastener received within the shared mounting flange hole can be used as a pivot point to switch the mounting bracket between orientations.

In some embodiments, a mounting bracket can have a backstop that abuts the wing plow to allow the force exerted upon the plow during operation to be transferred to the push arm. In some embodiments, the backstop can be configured to abut the wing plow when the mounting bracket is mounted to the wing plow in more than orientation. In some embodiments, the backstop can extend in parallel to the mounting flange holes. In some embodiments, the backstop can have a first backstop section that extends parallel to the first line of mounting flange holes and a second backstop section that extends parallel to the second line of mounting flange holes.

In some contexts, it may be useful to provide a mounting bracket that allows attachment of a push arm to a wing plow in in different orientations and also capable of mounting push arms to wing plows mounted on either side of the truck. In some embodiments, the mounting bracket is symmetrical along at least one axis to enable the mounting bracket to be mountable to a wing plow on a passenger side of the truck and flipped over and be mountable to a wing plow on a driver side of the truck.

In some conventional arrangements, mounting brackets for mounting a push arm to a wing plow are configured to allow the attachment of the wing plow in only one orientation. Thus, two different mounting brackets are needed if mounting a push arm in two orientations is desired. To switch push arm orientations, a user is required to completely remove a first mounting bracket for a first mounting orientation and install a second mounting bracket for a second mounting orientation. The required removal and installation of separate, specialized mounting brackets is time consuming and requires storage of the unused mounting bracket.

Some embodiments of the invention can address this issue, or others. For example, some embodiments of the invention are presented below in the context of a convertible mounting bracket for mounting a push arm to a wing plow, wherein the mounting brackets have mounting features that can accommodate mounting to a push arm to a wing plow in at least two orientations. Generally, the principles disclosed herein can be used with any variety of side-mounted plow, including, but not limited to, wing plows, and can be used to secure any variety of structural or attachment components to the side-mounted plow.

With regard to construction, various embodiments can be readily formed from a variety of known manufacturing techniques, including casting. For example, some embodiments, including the embodiment illustrated in the FIGS., can be cast as one piece. In other embodiments, multiple pieces can be cast and joined together through methods such as welding.

FIG.1illustrates an embodiment of a mounting bracket100configured for coupling a push arm10to a wing plow12attached to a truck14. Shown here, the push arm10extends perpendicular to the length of the truck14, although other orientations are possible. As described further below, the mounting bracket100is configured to be mounted in either a first orientation (shown inFIGS.4through6) or a second orientation (shown inFIGS.7through9) depending on the arrangement of the push arm10as it is mounted to and extends from the truck14. Further, although the discussion herein is tailored to an application in which the mounting bracket100is configured to be coupled to a wing plow12for conciseness and clarity, it should be noted that the mounting bracket100is also configured to be coupled to other types of plows (e.g., a patrol wing) and plows with horizontal mounting flanges like the plow flange20provided on the wing plow12described below. Additionally, in some applications, more than one mounting bracket100can be used to couple more than one push arm to a plow.

As shown inFIG.1, because the push arm10extends perpendicularly from the truck14, the coupling of the push arm10to the wing plow12occurs at an angle less than 90 degrees (e.g., 60 degrees). To achieve such a mounting angle, the mounting bracket100is mounted to the wing plow12in the second orientation. Alternatively, if a push arm extends outward and angled toward the front of the truck14at an angle less than 90 degrees (e.g., 30 degrees), the mounting bracket100is mounted in the first orientation for coupling the push arm10perpendicular to the length of the wing plow12. Although these particular angles may be useful for a variety of wing plow and plow vehicle designs, other embodiments according to the principles disclosed herein may be configured to provide other alternative mounting angles.

Turning now toFIGS.2and3, in particular, the mounting bracket100contains various features for the attachment to the push arm10(shown inFIG.1) and to the wing plow12(shown inFIGS.1,4, and7). For example, the mounting bracket100has a clevis portion102, a mounting flange104, and a backstop106between and separating the clevis portion102and the mounting flange104. As shown, the clevis portion102, the mounting flange104, and the backstop106are integrally joined to form the mounting bracket100, however, it is contemplated that the mounting bracket100can be formed by joining (e.g., by welding) these features, if they are provided in more than one piece.

Continuing to look atFIGS.2and3, the clevis portion102includes a set of prongs108extending in parallel perpendicularly from a cross-member110. In the example embodiment shown, the clevis portion102has two prongs, designated with an “A” or “B” following the part number108. Although other configurations are possible, the prongs108are generally similar to each other. Accordingly, unless a particular prong is specifically being described, the set of prongs will be discussed below using only the part number108. The same system applies to other features of the prongs108as well. Although the configuration of the prongs108may be particularly suitable for a strong, robust, and easily manageable connection to a push arm, a variety of other attachment systems can be used in other embodiments.

In the illustrated embodiment, each of the prongs108has a prong hole112at a distal end114thereof. The prong holes112are aligned along a prong hole axis116that extends through a center of each of the prongs108. The prong holes112are configured to receive a pin there-through to couple the push arm10to the mounting bracket100. In some embodiments, the pin can be a bolt16(shown inFIGS.4through9).

The backstop106is also visible inFIGS.2and3. The backstop106has a first backstop section118and a second backstop section120. The first backstop section118is at least partially defined by the cross-member110of the clevis portion102, and extends parallel to the prong hole axis116. The second backstop section120extends from the first backstop section118at an angle of approximately 60 degrees (shown inFIG.3) relative to the prong108A and therefore extends from the first backstop section118at an angle of approximately 150 degrees. Although these angles may be particularly conducive to effective attachment in some installations, other angular relationships are also possible.

As shown inFIGS.5,6,8, and9, the backstop106is configured to contact the wing plow12when the mounting bracket100is installed thereon. For instance, inFIGS.5and6, the first backstop section118is shown in contact with a front edge18of a plow flange20when the mounting bracket100is mounted in the first orientation. Further, inFIGS.8and9, the second backstop section120is shown in contact with the front edge18of the plow flange20when the mounting bracket100is mounted in the second orientation. The backstop118is configured to transfer force exerted on the face of the wing plow12during operation to the push arm10, which has a compression spring section22(seeFIG.1) configured to help absorb the force.

Further details of the mounting flange104are also shown inFIGS.2and3. The mounting flange104extends perpendicularly outward from and along the backstop106and along a mounting flange plane122. In some embodiments, the prong hole axis116lies within the mounting flange plane, as may help to improve manufacturability and overall strength of the mounting bracket100during use.

Generally, a mounting flange can include an array of holes, some of which can be configured to secure a mounting bracket in a first orientation and some of which can be configured to secure the mounting bracket in a second orientation (e.g., that is rotationally offset from the first orientation about at least one rotational axis). In the embodiment illustrated, the mounting flange104has a first mounting flange hole124, a second mounting flange hole126, and a third mounting flange hole128. The mounting flange holes124,126,128are configured to receive fasteners (e.g., mounting bolts34shown inFIGS.5,6,8, and9) to secure the mounting bracket100to the plow flange20.

Continuing, in the illustrated embodiment, the first and second mounting flange holes124,126are spaced along a first line130, which is parallel to the first backstop section118. The first and second mounting flange holes124,126are also laterally spaced from the first backstop section118a first distance134. The second and third mounting flange holes126,128are spaced along a second line132parallel to the second backstop section120. Therefore, the second line132is disposed at the same angle from the first line130as the second backstop section120is relative to the first backstop section118, approximately 135 degrees. The second and third mounting flange holes126,128are laterally spaced from the second backstop section120a second distance136. In the illustrated example, the first distance134is equal to the second distance136. As further described below, this can help to ensure effective transmission of force to the push arm10for each of two mounting configurations of the mounting bracket100.

Consistent with the discussion above, in some cases a first set of mounting flange holes can be disposed on a first section of a mounting flange, and a second set of mounting flange holes can be disposed on a second section of the mounting flange. For example, for the mounting bracket100, the first mounting flange hole124extends through a first section104A of the mounting flange104, which extends along the first backstop section118, and the third mounting flange hole128extends through a second section104B of the mounting flange104, which extends along the second backstop section120. Further, the second mounting flange hole126extends through the mounting flange at an intersection of the first and second sections104A,104B (i.e., along a reference line that bisects an angle between the first and second backstop sections118,120or along a reference line that extends from the prong108A through an intersection of the first and second backstop sections118,120). As also discussed below, this configuration can provide for effective overall support as well as easy adjustability between different mounting orientations.

As additionally shown inFIGS.2and3, the mounting bracket100has a gusset138extending between the second backstop section120and the prong108A. The gusset138increases the structural strength and rigidity of the mounting bracket100, and can also provide other benefits. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the gusset138has an exposed side140that extends in parallel with and is spaced a third distance142from the prong hole axis116. The third distance142is a predetermined distance approximately equal to or slightly greater than a bolt-head radius24of the bolt34(e.g., of a known standard size configured for use in the prong holes112), which is defined herein as the distance from a bolt axis26to a side face28of a head30of the bolt34. For example, as shown inFIG.5, the third distance142is equal to the bolt head radius24. The gusset138, therefore, can contact the face28of the bolt34and prevent the bolt34from rotating within the prong holes112. This can be helpful when tightening or loosening a nut32to the bolt34during the coupling or decoupling of the push arm10to the mounting bracket100because it prevents the bolt34from spinning.

Turning now toFIGS.4-6, the mounting bracket100is shown mounted to the wing plow12in the first orientation. As shown, the mounting flange104is positioned below the plow flange20. It is contemplated, however, that the mounting flange104can be positioned on top of the plow flange20. The plow flange20has a plurality of plow mounting holes36spaced from an edge18of the plow flange20by a plow mounting hole distance38(seeFIG.6). Further, mounting bolts34are placed through the first and second mounting flange holes124,126and two of the plurality of plow mounting holes36to secure the mounting bracket100to the wing plow12.

Of note for the illustrated embodiment, the plow mounting hole distance38is substantially equal to (e.g., within 10% of) the first distance134(seeFIG.3) between the first and second mounting holes124,126and the first backstop section118. The substantial equality between the distances38,134can result in the first backstop section118being positioned in contact with the edge18of the plow flange20, as can help to robustly transfer force from the plow flange20to the push arm10via the mounting bracket100.

Looking atFIGS.7-9, the mounting bracket100is shown mounted to the wing plow12in the second orientation. The mounting flange104is again shown positioned below the plow flange20, but it is contemplated that the mounting flange104can be positioned on top of the plow flange20. Similarly to the configuration ofFIGS.4-6, but with the mounting bracket100in a differently rotated configuration, mounting bolts34are placed through the second and third mounting flange holes126,128and two of the plurality of plow mounting holes36to secure the mounting bracket100to the wing plow12. As similarly discussed above, because the second distance136(seeFIG.3) between the second and third mounting flange holes126,128and the second backstop section120is equal to the first distance134, the second distance136is also substantially equal to the plow mounting hole distance38(seeFIG.9). The substantial equality between the distances38,136can accordingly position the second backstop section120in contact with the front edge18of the plow flange20for robust transfer of force to the push arm10.

In some embodiments, it may be possible to move a mounting bracket between two orientations without necessarily removing the mounting bracket from a wing plow. For example, some embodiments can be configured to use a common mounting hole in a mounting flange for each of multiple differently rotated configurations. In this regard, in the illustrated embodiment, the second mounting flange hole126is used to mount the mounting bracket100to the wing plow12in both the first orientation and the second orientation. Correspondingly, switching between the first orientation and the second orientation requires the full removal of one of the mounting bolts34and only loosening of the second. For example, the mounting bracket100can be rotated about the mounting bolt in the common mounting hole, with the mounting bolt define a rotational axis, to rotationally move the mounting bracket100from the first orientation into the second orientation.

In some embodiments, a mounting bracket can be mounted to a wing plow that is attached to either side of a truck (i.e., to the passenger side of the truck14as shown inFIG.1and to the driver side). For example, the mounting bracket100is symmetrical along the mounting flange plane122(shown inFIG.2) and can accordingly be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the prong hole axis116and parallel to the mounting flange plane122(e.g., the Z-axis as shown inFIG.2) by 180 degrees to be mountable to a wing plow mounted to the driver side of the truck14. When mounted to a wing plow on the driver side, the mounting bracket100maintains the ability to be mounted to the wing plow in two orientations.

In some implementations, devices or systems disclosed herein can be utilized or installed using methods embodying aspects of the invention. Correspondingly, description herein of particular features or capabilities of a device or system is generally intended to inherently include disclosure of a method of using such features for intended purposes and of implementing such capabilities. Similarly, express discussion of any method of using a particular device or system, unless otherwise indicated or limited, is intended to inherently include disclosure, as embodiments of the invention, of the utilized features and implemented capabilities of such device or system.

For example, with reference toFIGS.6and9, some embodiments can include a method of switching the mounting bracket100between a first orientation (FIG.6) to a second orientation (FIG.9). The method includes the removal of the mounting bolt34from the first mounting flange hole124and the loosening of the mounting bolt34within the second mounting flange hole126. The mounting bracket100can then be rotated relative to the wing plow12about the mounting bolt34in the second mounting flange hole126. Once the third mounting flange hole128is aligned with the associated plow mounting hole36, the previously removed mounting bolt34(or a different mounting bolt, for example, if the previously removed mounting bolt34is damaged) is installed within the third mounting flange hole128to secure the mounting bracket100to the wing plow12in the second orientation. It should be understood that the method can be performed in reverse for switching the mounting bracket100from the second orientation to the first orientation.