Storage bracket for a snow plow

A storage bracket facilitates storage of portions of a vehicle snow plow. The snow plow has a support frame portion mountable to a vehicle, and a lift frame portion, mountable on the support frame portion, for lifting another portion of the snow plow. The support frame portion and the lift fame portion have inter-engagement segments that inter-engage when the lift frame is mounted on the support frame segment. The storage bracket includes a first segment for engaging the inter-engagement segment of the support frame portion when the support frame portion is removed from the associated vehicle. The storage bracket also includes a second segment for engaging the inter-engagement segment of the lift frame portion when the lift frame portion is removed from the associated vehicle. The storage bracket retains the lift frame portion relative to the support frame portion.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle-mountable snow plow, and specifically relates to a device for storage of snow plow components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A snow plow is a common add-on accessory item for a vehicle such as a truck. The add-on snow plow allows the vehicle to have a further function as a means to remove snow from a driveway, a parking lot, or the like. An add-on snow plow is especially popular for a light duty vehicle. The combination of a light duty vehicle with an add-on snow plow provides an arrangement for the expedient removal of snow in areas, such as driveways, that may be impractical to utilize a larger, over-the-road snow plow and truck arrangement. As such, add on snow plows are very popular. This is especially true in tempered regions where snow fall is seasonal and some what moderate.

Within such temperate zones, the snow plow is only useful for a portion of each year. During other portions, the snow plow serves no function on the associated vehicle and can be unnecessarily cumbersome. Further, at least one snow plow manufacturer recommends removing all or part of the snow plow from the vehicle when the snow plow is not in use.

A typical snow plow comprises several portions. These portions are inter-engaged when the snow plow is mounted for use on the associated vehicle. When these portions of the snow plow are removed from the vehicle, these portions do not regularly inter-engage with each other in a fashion that facilitates safe and compact storage.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with one aspect, the present invention provides a storage bracket for facilitating storage of portions of a vehicle snow plow arrangement when the portions are removed from the associated vehicle. The snow plow arrangement has a support frame portion mountable to the vehicle for supporting another portion of the snow plow arrangement. The snow plow arrangement has a lift frame portion mountable on the support frame portion, and the lift frame portion is for lifting another portion of snow plow arrangement. The support frame portion and the lift fame portion have inter-engagement segments that inter-engage when the lift frame is mounted on the support frame segment. The storage bracket includes a first segment for engaging the inter-engagement segment of the support frame portion of the snow plow arrangement when the support frame portion is removed from the associated vehicle. The storage bracket also includes a second segment for engaging the inter-engagement segment of the lift frame portion of the snow plow arrangement when the lift frame portion is removed from the associated vehicle. The storage bracket retains the lift frame portion relative to the support frame portion.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

Two storage brackets10,10′, in accordance with the present invention, are shown inFIG. 1along with two associated portions12,14of a snow plow arrangement16(seeFIG. 2). The snow plow arrangement16is associated with a vehicle18, such as a pick-up truck. It is to be appreciated that a snow plow blade, which engages snow to be plowed, is a portion of the snow plow arrangement. Such a snow plow blade is not shown inFIG. 2to provide for ease of illustration of other portions of the snow plow arrangement that are more relevant to the present invention.

The illustrated portions12,14of the snow plow arrangement16include a support frame (also referred to as an A-frame) portion12that mounts under a front portion of the associated vehicle18. The support frame portion12includes suitable structure for attachment to the vehicle18as will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art. The attachment structure is not discussed herein in detail.

In pertinent part, the support frame portion12includes two lift frame mounts22,22′. Each lift frame mount22,22′ is located on an opposed end of a cross member24of the support frame portion12. The lift frame mounts22,22′ are spaced a distance “D” apart. The two lift frame mounts22,22′ have certain identical structural features. As such, the identical features are discussed generically for both of the lift frame mounts22,22′. It is to be understood that the identical structure features are indicated by identical reference numerals, but with the “′” mark.

Each lift frame mount (e.g.,22) includes a projection (e.g.,26) that extends from the support frame portion12in a forward direction when the support frame portion is attached to the associated vehicle18. Also, each lift frame mount (e.g.,22) includes a hole (e.g.,28) extending through the projection (e.g.,26). In the illustrated example, the projection (e.g.,26) is rectangular in cross section, and the hole (e.g.,28) has a circular cross-section and extends horizontally (i.e., parallel to the left to right direction). However, it is to be appreciated that different shapes, configurations, etc. of the lift frame mounts22,22′ are possible. Also, it is to be appreciated that the support frame portion12generally is symmetric about a left-right dividing line.

The support frame portion12includes structure that interacts with structure (not shown) of the snow plow arrangement associated with the plow blade. Such interacting structure has been highly schematized or omitted for brevity.

The other illustrated portion14of the snow plow arrangement16is a lift frame portion14. The lift frame portion14has a segment that extends upwardly, in front of the vehicle18. A lifting connector (e.g., a chain, not shown) extends from the plow blade portion of the arrangement16to a lifting motor30(schematically shown) mounted on the lift frame portion14. Operation of the lifting motor30causes height adjustment of the plow blade, as will be appreciated by the person of ordinary skill in the art.

Other components of the snow plow arrangement16are located on the lift frame14. For example, light assemblies32,32′ are attached to the lift frame. The structures (i.e., the motor30, the light assemblies32,32′, etc.) located on the lift frame14are somewhat more delicate than other portions of the snow plow arrangement16. For example, each light assembly (e.g.,32) may include a glass lens. As such, it is to be appreciated that use, removal, and, notably, storage of the snow plow arrangement16should be accomplished in a manner that avoids damage.

The lift frame portion14is primarily composed of a member34that has several bends, and which has two ends36,36′ that are spaced the distance “D” apart and that mate with the lift frame mounts22′,22of the support frame portion12. Other structure of the lift frame portion14includes a cross-member and reinforcements. Such other structure, is not discussed further in detail.

Turning attention to the member34, in the illustrated example, the member34is tube-shaped (e.g., circular cross-section). Starting from one end36(the left end as shown inFIG. 1), the member34has an opening38to an interior bore of the member. When the snow plow arrangement16is attached to the vehicle18(FIG. 2) the corresponding lift frame mount22′ extends into the opening38. The member34extends forward (relative to the vehicle18) from the end36. At a distance in front of the vehicle18, the member34is bent to turn upward. At a distance from the first bend, the member34is bent again to turn parallel to the ground and traverse along a segment of the front of the vehicle18. At the end of the segment that extends along the front of the vehicle, the member34is bent downward. Subsequently, the member34is bent reward, with reference to the vehicle18. The member34terminates at a second end36′ (seeFIG. 1), which has an opening38′. When the snow plow arrangement16is attached to the vehicle18(FIG. 2) the corresponding lift frame mount22extends into the opening38′. As such, the member34, and the lift frame portion14generally, is symmetric about a left-right dividing line. It is to be appreciated that other shapes and configurations are possible.

With the support frame portion12secured to the vehicle18, the ends36,36′ of the member34inter-engage with the lift frame mounts22′,22, respectively. In the illustrated example, the projections26,26′ of the lift frame mounts22′,22extend into the openings38,38′ of the member34. As such, the lift frame mounts22′,22of the support frame portion12and the member34of the lift frame portion14are inter-engaging portions. It is to be appreciated that different inter-engaging portions, having different structure, etc. may be provided dependent upon the design of the snow plow arrangement16.

Holes42,42′ extend transversely through both sides of the member34a distance from the respective ends38,38′. The location of the holes42,42′ on the member34are such that with the projections26′,26extending to a desired distance into the member at the openings38′,38, respectively, the holes42,42′ are aligned with the holes28′,28, respectively. Securing members (e.g., locking pins or bolts, not shown) extend through the aligned holes28,28′,42,42′ to secure the lift frame portion14onto the support frame portion12. Such securing affixes the lift frame portion14in the mounted position on the support frame portion12.

The left-right symmetry of the support frame portion12and the left-right symmetry of the lift frame portion14allows the lift frame portion to be rotated 180° relative to the mounting position of the lift frame portion on the support frame portion, with the lift frame mounts22,22′ being adjacent to the ends36,36′ (e.g., the distance “D” is constant). As such, upon removal of the support frame portion12and the lift frame portion14, the lift frame portion is rotated 180° relative to the support frame, while still maintaining a distance relationship for the lift frame mounts22,22′ to the ends38,38′.

It is to be appreciated that the specifics of the snow plow arrangement16are not to be considered as limitations on the present invention. The structure of the snow plow arrangement16is forth so that the structure and use of the storage brackets10,10′, in accordance within the present invention, may be easily understood. As such, it is to be appreciated that the snow plow arrangement16may be a MEYERS EZ MOUNT® snow plow arrangement.

Turning to the storage brackets10,10′ of the present invention, in one example the brackets are structurally identical. As such, only the structure of the bracket10is discussed with the understanding that the other bracket10′ has the same structure (as indicated by the identical reference numerals with the “′” mark). In one example, the bracket10is made of metal. The bracket10has a generally “U” channel portion48. Specifically, the channel portion48includes a lower plate50(seeFIG. 4), a first side plate52(FIG. 1) located on one side of the lower plate and extending upward from the lower plate, and a second side plate54located on another side of the lower plate and extending upward from the lower plate. The upper side of the channel portion48is open, and as such, the channel portion defines a channel. It is to be noted that in the disclosed example, the channel has a shape and has dimensions that correspond to the shape and dimensions of the lift frame mount22such that the lift frame mount fits into the channel without undue tightness or undue excessive space.

One end of the channel is open. Adjacent to the open end of the channel, a hole56extends through each of the first and second side plates52and54. The holes56are aligned with each other. The holes56are located such that when the lift frame mount22is placed in the channel, the holes56on the side plates52,54are aligned with the hole28in the lift frame mount22.

At the other end of the channel, the channel portion48is affixed (e.g., via welding) to a socket portion60of the storage bracket10. In the shown example, the socket portion60is a short tube section that has a circular cross-section. In particular, the socket portion60has a circular cross-section interior bore62. It is to be noted that in the disclosed example, the interior bore62has a shape and has dimensions that correspond to the shape and dimensions of the end36of the lift frame portion14such that the lift frame portion fits into the bore without undue tightness or undue excessive space. In one example, a lower or distal end of the socket portion is closed (e.g., via a welded plate, seeFIG. 4).

Adjacent to the open end of the socket portion60, two holes64extend through the tube that provides the socket portion. The holes64are diametrically opposed to each other and are aligned with each other. The holes64are located such that, when the end36of the lift frame portion14is located in the bore62, the holes64on the socket portion60are aligned with the holes42in the lift frame portion14. It is to be appreciated that different constructions of the storage bracket10are contemplated. The different construction may take into account a different construction of the inter-engaging portions (e.g., the lift frame mounts and the member) of the snow plow arrangement16.

Pins, bolts, or the like68,70(schematically shown) are used to secure the storage bracket10to the support frame portion12, and to secure the storage bracket to the lift frame portion14. Specifically, one pin68extends through the hole56in the first side plate52on the storage bracket10, through the hole28in the lift frame mount22of the support frame portion12, and through the hole56in the second side plate54on the storage bracket. A second pin70extends through the hole64in one side of the socket portion60, extends through the holes42in the member34of the lift frame portion14, and through the hole64in the other side of the socket portion. The storage bracket10can pivot about the first pin68. The ability to pivot permits the lift frame portion14to be engaged with the storage bracket10in one orientation (FIG. 3) and then pivoted to another orientation (FIG. 4) after securing with the second pin70.

It is to be appreciated that the pins68,70that are utilized may include the securing pins, bolts, etc. that are provided with the snow plow arrangement16. It is contemplated that differ means of securing the storage bracket is contemplated. The different securing means may take into account a different construction of the inter-engaging portions (e.g., the lift frame mounts22,22′ and the member34) of the snow plow arrangement16.

It is to be appreciated that with the two storage brackets10,10′ secured to the support frame portion12and to the lift frame portion14, the lift frame portion can be considered to be reversed, left-right, with regard to the orientation of the lift frame portion relative to the support frame portion when the snow plow arrangement16is mounted on the vehicle18. The reversal allows for compact storage of the support frame portion12and the lift frame portion14. Specifically, the bulk of the lift frame portion14is located over the bulk of the support frame portion12, as is shown inFIG. 4. In one respect, the lift frame portion14may be considered to be “folded-over” the support frame portion12.

In the illustrated example, the storage bracket10includes a stand-off76extending from the socket portion60. The stand-off76extends generally parallel to the extension of the channel portion48. The purpose of the stand-off76is to engage the lift frame mount22once the storage bracket10, and the attached lift frame portion14are pivoted to a desired location (e.g., a folded-over location) relative to the support frame portion12. The engagement of the stand-off76with the lift frame mount22and the general folded-over position of the lift frame portion14are shown inFIG. 4.

The connection of the storage brackets10,10′ to the support frame portion12and the lift frame portion14, and also the ability to compactly store the support frame portion and the lift frame portion is aided by the pivoting ability of the secured bracket relative to the support frame portion. Specifically, for each storage bracket (e.g.,10), with the pin (e.g.,68) securing the storage bracket to the support frame portion12, the storage bracket, and the lift frame portion14, if attached, can pivot relative to the support frame portion about the pin securing the storage bracket to the support frame portion. This pivoting is appreciated upon a comparison ofFIGS. 3 and 4.

As such, the present invention provides a means to provide safe and compact storage of the portions of a snow plow arrangement upon removal from a vehicle. Also, the use of the present invention facilitates the use of a snow plow portion moving device (e.g., a wheeled cart) that supports the portions for easy movement.