Removable and storable wings for a snow plow blade and snow removal system used therewith

Removable wings or end extensions for a snow plow blade and a snow removal system including removable end extensions are provided. Each of the removable end extensions secure to a side end of a snow plow blade, and are easily removed and stored on the snow plow blade, when not required for the plowing application.

IDENTIFICATION OF RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application is related to co-pending and concurrently filed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/140,886, entitled “Snow Plow Blade Including Nut Retaining Plate” which is assigned to the assignee of the present application, and which patent application is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to snow plow blades, and particularly to removable wings or end extensions for snow plow blades used with a snow removal system.

To move and remove snow and other road debris, a snow plow must be designed to withstand vibration, debris and heavy snow impact, exposure to salt and UV radiation and other rugged environmental conditions over its operating lifetime. Snow plow vehicles depend on the particular plowing application, and can include medium or light duty trucks, a skid or front-end loaders or commercial/government vehicles. A snow plow blade is mounted to the front of the plowing vehicle and has a generally curvilinear shape, to roll the snow upwardly from the bottom and then move it transversely across the face of the blade.

In its simplest form, a typical snow plow blade includes a support frame, having a substantially arcuate or curved overall cross-section, and a skin or moldboard, also having an arcuate cross-section. The rear side of the snow plow blade is hitched or otherwise attached to the plowing vehicle. The moldboard is secured to the front of the frame and includes a front surface that directly contacts and moves the snow during operation of the snow plow. A wearstrip or cutting edge is also secured to the front side of the frame near the bottom edge of the moldboard, which is the surface that contacts the ground during plowing.

Snow plow blades come in may different types and sizes, depending on the particular plowing application. One type of snow plow design includes a straight, single snow plow blade. This type of blade can be operated in a straight position or can be pivoted left or right about a central axis to push snow to either side of the vehicle. However, a plow with a straight blade has difficulty in pushing a mound of snow to an out of the way location because snow spills out the sides of the plow.

Another type of snow plow design is referred to as an “apex type” plow blade, “articulated plow blade” or a “V-plow” because the hinge is at the apex of the V formed when the wings or blades of the plow are in a swept back position). The snow plow blades of a V-plow can be individually positioned into any configuration—allowing the snow to be pushed to either side of the snow plow. Like a straight blade design, an articulated snow plow has a difficult time moving large mounds of snow because snow tends to spill over the far ends of each of the wing blades.

In order to improve the efficiency of a snow plow system, providing an end extension to increase the width or plowing productivity of a snow plow blade have been attempted. Prior art end extensions for snow plow blades typically require a significant amount of effort and mechanical modification, such as drilling or welding of the blade frame, to safely and securely mount an end extension to a snow plow blade. As such, prior art end extensions, if provided, are constructed to be permanent/semi-permanent additions to the snow plow blade. If the end extensions are removed for a given application, the extensions are stored apart from the snow plow blade, making a quick change to an extended blade inconvenient and time consuming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages and limitations of the background art discussed above are overcome by the present invention. With this invention, a snow removal system including a snow plow blade and removably securable and storable end extensions are provided.

The snow plow blade has a front, plowing side, and a rear side that will be secured to the plow vehicle. In its simplest form, the snow plow blade includes a support frame having a substantially arcuate overall cross-section, a moldboard and a cutting edge or wearstrip secured near the bottom of the support frame. The snow plow blade is configured to receive and store first and second removable wing extensions.

A bottom member of the support frame is constructed of a three sided channel member including a channel top, and front and rear legs which angle downward and outward from the channel top. The front leg of the bottom frame member includes a plurality of evenly spaced apertures for mounting the wearstrip when the snow plow blade is assembled. A nut holder or retaining bar is secured to the inside surface of the front leg. The nut retaining bar includes also plurality of apertures formed therein, which are spaced to substantially axially align with the apertures formed in the front leg of the bottom frame member of the snow plow blade.

The apertures in the nut retaining bar are preferably oval or oblong in shape, and are sized to accommodate a hex nut. Importantly, each aperture in the nut retaining bar is sized to receive at least a portion of the nut but is not large enough for the nut to be turned in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction once positioned inside the aperture, preventing movement of the nut therein.

Accordingly, when the support frame of the snow plow blade is assembled using the nut retaining bar of the present invention, the wearstrip can be bolted to the support frame from the plowing or front side of the support frame. To do this, each bolt used to secure the wearstrip in place is inserted consecutively through an aperture in the wearstrip, a corresponding aperture in the moldboard, a corresponding aperture in the bottom frame member and a corresponding aperture in the nut retaining bar. A nut, which is positioned inside each of the apertures in the nut retaining bar, is then threaded on to the bolt. Because the nut cannot be turned or rotated inside the aperture of the nut retaining bar, each of the bolts can be tightened from the front of the snow plow blade, without the problem of the nut spinning, turning or coming loose, and without the need for a second individual to hold the nut in place during installation and removal of the wearstrip.

The present invention also provides, removable snow plow wing extensions and snow plow blades configured to store and removably secure end extensions to one or both side ends of a snow plow blade. As such, a pair of wing extensions constructed in accordance with the present invention are configured in substantially the same manner; but are mirror images of each other, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

A wing or end extension of the present invention, in its simplest form, includes a wing frame, a moldboard section secured to the front side of the wing frame and a wing cutting edge or wearstrip secured to a bottom edge of the moldboard section. The wing frame comprises a top member provided, at least in part, to retain or secure the top edge of the moldboard section in place, a bottom member provided, at least in part, to retain or secure the moldboard section and/or the wearstrip in place, vertical side members, and an attachment mechanism.

The attachment mechanism includes an attachment bracket configured to mount tubular attachment arms thereto. The attachment arms are sized to be removably received into apertures provided within the rear side of the main snow plow frame when the extensions are in the operational position, and are configured to be retained in a wing storage bracket, also secured to the rear side of the main snow plow frame, when the wing extension is not needed during operation of the snow plow.

The snow plow blade and removable wings of the present invention are of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which will require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The snow plow blade and removable wings of the present invention are also of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A snow plow blade30including the nut retaining plate and wing extensions taught by the present invention is illustrated inFIGS. 1 through 21and is described with respect to a straight snow plow blade. The straight snow plow blade30is provided as only one example of the type of snow plow blade that can be utilized with the present invention. It will be appreciated that one or more features of the present invention can be incorporated into each wing of an articulated snow plow configuration, or into smaller, single blade designs, such as those used with skid loaders.

Referring first toFIGS. 1 and 2, the snow plow blade30has a front, plowing side, indicated generally at34, and a rear side, indicated generally at36, that will be secured to the plow vehicle with a hitch mechanism (not shown) during operation of the snow plow. In its simplest form, the snow plow blade30of the present invention includes a support frame40having a substantially arcuate overall cross-section, an arcuate moldboard42, and a cutting edge or wearstrip43secured near the bottom of the support frame40. The snow plow blade30is configured to receive first and second removable wing extensions200and202, respectively, secured to opposite ends of the support frame40of the snow plow blade30, as will be described in more detail herein.

The support frame40comprises a top horizontal member44, a bottom horizontal member46and vertical side or rib members, indicated generally at48and50, that are generally arcuate shape, connecting the top and bottom members44and46at respective ends thereof. The frame40also includes a plurality of support ribs52,54,56,58and60having a generally arcuate shape, also connecting the top member44to the bottom member46to reinforce the support frame40. It will be appreciated that although five ribs are shown in the Figs., any number of reinforcing ribs can be included, depending on the size of the snow plow blade and end-use application of the snow plow.

The support frame40is preferably constructed of a metal material, such as steel, aluminum or another lightweight metal, alloy or composite material capable of withstanding the environmental and wear conditions usually encountered when plowing. It will be appreciated that the frame components are preferably welded together or otherwise permanently secured in a conventional manner. Further, the moldboard42and the wearstrip43can be constructed of a metal material such as rolled steel, stainless steel, carbon steel or another metal composite or alloy material, as well known to those skilled in the art. Further, the moldboard42and/or wearstrip may be constructed of a thermoplastic material, such as polycarbonate or polyurethane, if desired.

The top member44of the support frame40is preferably formed of an angle member including a front surface66, a top surface68and first and second opposing ends70and72. The front surface66of the top member44is configured to retain a top edge45of the moldboard42. Accordingly, the front surface66comprises a clip, retainer plate or other fastening mechanism80, and/or can include a plurality of apertures or holes (not shown) between the ends70and72thereof for removably securing the top edge45of the moldboard42to the support frame40with bolts or screws.

The top surface68of the top member44includes a plurality of apertures or holes82positioned between the ends70and72thereof for mounting additional accessories to the snow plow blade30, such as a snow deflector. The apertures82may be pre-drilled in the top surface68, or may be provided at the time of installation of the accessory. It will be appreciated that the top member44can be a hollow member, a solid member, a channel member, or any type of rigid structure capable securing the moldboard42in position at the top of the support frame40.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 17 through 21, in addition toFIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom member46of the support frame40is constructed of a three sided channel member resembling a wide inverted “U”, having a channel top90, front and rear legs92and94which angle downward and outward from the channel top90. The bottom member46also has first and second side ends96and98. A plurality of reinforcing members100are evenly spaced along the length of the bottom member46between the side ends96and98thereof. The reinforcing members100are mounted to the channel top90and span from the front leg92to the rear leg94and are secured at each respective end thereto.

The rear leg94of the bottom horizontal member46includes a plurality of apertures102. The apertures102are substantially equally spaced in the longitudinal direction along the rear leg94of the bottom horizontal member46and are linearly arranged with respect to each other. The apertures102are provided for securing a rear scraper (not shown) to the support frame40of the snow plow blade30, if desired. The apertures102may be pre-drilled, or may be provided at the time of installation of the rear scraper.

The front leg92of the bottom horizontal member46includes a plurality of apertures104. The apertures104are substantially equally spaced in the longitudinal direction along the front leg92of the bottom horizontal member44and are linearly arranged with respect to each other. Preferably, there are ten apertures104. Each of the apertures104has a diameter106sized to accept a bolt108or other fastening mechanism to secure the moldboard43thereto.

As best illustrated inFIG. 19, the nut plate or bar110is secured to an inside surface112of the front leg92. The nut plate110includes a plurality of apertures114formed in a substantially equally spaced manner along the length thereof. There are preferably ten apertures114in the nut plate110, spaced to substantially axially align with the apertures104in the front leg92of the bottom member46of the snow plow blade30.

Each aperture114has a side wall115and is of a diameter116larger than the diameter106of the apertures104on the bottom member46. Each of the apertures114are preferably oval or oblong in shape, and are sized to accommodate a nut118. Importantly, as illustrated inFIGS. 18 and 20, each aperture114is sized to receive the nut118, but is not large enough for the nut118to be turned in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction once positioned inside the aperture114, as described in more detail below. As such, at least a portion of the outer edges120of the nut118contact the side walls115of the aperture114, preventing the movement thereof, when the nut118is positioned therein. As illustrated inFIG. 20, it will be appreciated that the apertures114are deep enough to accommodate at least a portion of the width122of the nut118.

Turning now toFIGS. 3,5and6, in addition toFIGS. 1 and 2, the vertical side member48of the support frame40includes upper and lower openings, indicated generally at130and132. The openings130and132are preferably circular, but maybe formed in another shape, if desired. An aperture134is formed above the upper opening130on the vertical side member48to secure a wing storage bracket138thereto. The rib52, adjacent to the vertical member48, also includes upper and lower openings, indicated generally at140and142. An aperture144, substantially axially aligned with the aperture134on the vertical side member48, is formed above the upper opening140on the rib52to secure the wing bracket138to the support frame40.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 6, the upper openings130and140in the vertical side member46and the rib52, respectively, are axially aligned with each other. Likewise, lower openings132and142in the vertical side member46and the rib52, respectively, are also axially aligned with each other. The openings130,132,140and142can be formed in the vertical side member48and rib52, respectively, by any means known to those skilled in the art, including provided in the vertical side member48and rib52after assembly of the support frame40. As such, it will be appreciated that the present invention can be retrofitted on to already assembled snow plow blades and/or installed on to an existing snow plow blade after sale of the blade to a consumer.

A tube member146for supporting the wing extension200during operation of the snow plow extends through the upper opening130in the vertical side member48and through the upper opening140in the rib52. An end148of the tube member146is secured to the vertical side member48and an end150of the tube member146is secured to the rib52.

The wing bracket138is a plate-type member having a downwardly extending edge151that will abut the moldboard42when the bracket is installed on the snow plow blade30, a flat portion153including two spaced apart openings,155and157, and two upwardly extending tabs152and154. The tab152is positioned on the bracket wing138so that it abut the inner face of the vertical side member48. An aperture156is formed in the tab152and is positioned to axially align with the aperture134on the vertical side member48. Likewise, the tab154is positioned on the wing bracket138so that it abut the inner face of the rib52. An aperture158is formed in the tab154and is positioned to axially align with the aperture144on the rib52. A notch160configured to accommodate the rib52can also be included in the wing bracket138.

As best illustrated inFIG. 8, the wing bracket138is removably secured to the snow plow support frame40by threading a bolt162through the aperture134on the vertical side member48and then through the aperture156in the tab152and securing it with a nut164. Likewise, a bolt166is threaded through the aperture144on the rib52, through the aperture158in the tab154then it is secured with a nut168.

Turning now toFIG. 9, in addition toFIGS. 1 and 2, the vertical side member50of the support frame40includes upper and lower openings, indicated generally at170and172. The openings170and172are preferably circular, but maybe formed in another shape, if desired. An aperture174is formed above the upper opening170on the vertical side member50to secure a wing bracket139thereto. The rib60, adjacent to the vertical member50, also includes upper and lower openings, indicated generally at176and178. An aperture180, substantially axially aligned with the aperture174on the vertical side member50, is formed above the upper opening176on the rib60to secure the wing bracket139to the support frame40.

As best illustrated inFIGS. 9, the upper openings170and176in the vertical side member50and the rib60, respectively, are axially aligned with each other. Likewise, lower openings172and178in the vertical side member50and the rib60, respectively, are also axially aligned with each other. The openings170,172,176and178can be formed in the vertical side member50and rib60, respectively, by any means known to those skilled in the art. As such, it will be appreciated that the present invention can be retrofitted on to already assembled snow plow blades and/or installed on to an existing snow plow blade after sale of the blade to a consumer.

A tube member182for supporting the wing extension202during operation of the snow plow extends through the upper opening170in the vertical side member50and through the upper opening176in the rib60. An end170of the tube member182is secured to the vertical side member50and an end172of the tube member182is secured to the rib60.

The wing bracket139is a plate-type member having a downwardly extending edge187that will abut the moldboard42when the bracket is installed on the snow plow blade30, a flat portion188including two spaced apart openings,189and190, respectively, and two upwardly extending tabs191and192. The tab191is positioned on the bracket wing139so that it will abut the inner face of the vertical side member50. An aperture193(not shown) is formed in the tab191and is positioned to axially align with the aperture174on the vertical side member50. Likewise, the tab192is positioned on the wing bracket139so that it will abut the inner face of the rib60. An aperture194(not shown) is formed in the tab192and is positioned to axially align with the aperture180on the rib60. A notch195configured to accommodate the rib60can also be included in the wing bracket139.

Like the wing bracket139, the wing bracket139is removably secured to the snow plow support frame40by threading a bolt through the aperture174on the vertical side member50and then through the aperture193in the tab191and securing it with a nut. Likewise, a second bolt is threaded through the aperture180on the rib60and then through the aperture194in the tab192and then it is secured with a nut.

Additional elements, such as brackets201for mounting the hydraulic operating system or blade tripping system (not shown), bars203for securing a lighting accessory (not shown), and/or other mounting plates for securing support shoes can be incorporated into the support frame40, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

To assemble the snow plow blade30of the present invention, the support frame40is permanently and securably assembled by welding or otherwise joining individual components as is well known to those skilled in the art. The top edge45of the moldboard42is secured to the top member44using the fastening mechanism80, or by any means known to those skilled in the art. Consistent with the broader aspects of the present invention, the moldboard may be welded or otherwise permanently secured in place, depending on the end-use application of the plow.

As illustrated inFIGS. 20 and 21, apertures204are provided in near the bottom edge of the moldboard42and are formed in a substantially equally spaced manner along the length thereof. There are preferably ten apertures204in the moldboard42, which are configured to align with the apertures104in the front leg92of the bottom member46, and in turn, are configured to align with the apertures114in the nut plate110. When the moldboard42is installed on the support frame40, the apertures204in the bottom edge of the moldboard42should be in a properly aligned position.

Likewise, apertures206are also provided in the wearstrip43, which are formed in a substantially equally spaced manner along the length thereof. There are preferably ten apertures206in the wearstrip43, which are configured to align with the apertures204in the moldboard42, the apertures104in the front leg92of the bottom member46, and in turn, are configured to align with the aperture114in the nut plate110.

Once the moldboard42is installed and properly positioned so that its apertures204are aligned with the apertures104in the bottom member46, the wearstrip43is positioned adjacent to the moldboard42so that its apertures206are aligned with the apertures204in the moldboard42. Each of the bolts108is then inserted consecutively through the aperture206in the wearstrip43, the aperture204in the moldboard42, the aperture104in the bottom member46and the aperture104in the nut plate110. Each nut118is partially threaded by hand or otherwise on to the bolt108at least until the nut is partially positioned inside the aperture104in the nut plate110.

Because the nut118cannot be turned or rotated inside the aperture114of the nut plate110, the bolt108is tightened from the front plowing side34of the snow plow blade30, without the problem of the nut118spinning, turning or coming loose, and without the need for a second individual to hold the nut118in place during installation and removal of the wearstrip43. Accordingly, the wearstrip43is easily secured to the support frame40of the snow plow blade30from the front plowing side34thereof.

Referring next toFIGS. 3 through 11, in addition toFIGS. 1 and 2, the removable snow plow wing extensions200and202will now be described. It will be appreciated that the wing extensions200and202are mirror images of each other, and are therefore constructed in substantially the same manner. As illustrated inFIG. 10, each of the wing extensions200and202have a forward plowing surface, indicated generally at212, and a rearward attachment surface, indicated generally at214.

The wing extension200, in its simplest form, includes a wing frame216, a moldboard section218secured to the front side of the wing frame216and a wing cutting edge or wearstrip220secured to a bottom edge of the moldboard section218.

The wing frame216comprises a top member224, provided, at least in part, to retain or secure the top edge of the moldboard section218in place, a bottom member226provided, at least in part to retain or secure the moldboard section218and the wearstrip220in place, substantially vertical side members228and230, and an attachment mechanism, indicated generally at222.

It will be appreciated that the wing frame components216are constructed of a metal material, like the blade support frame40, and are preferably welded together or otherwise permanently secured in a conventional manner. Further, the moldboard section218and the wearstrip220can be constructed of a metal material such as rolled steel, stainless steel, carbon steel or another metal composite or alloy material, as well known to those skilled in the art. Further, the moldboard218and/or wearstrip220may be constructed of a thermoplastic material, such as polycarbonate or polyurethane, or most preferably, can be constructed of a metal material coated or covered in a thermoplastic material.

The attachment mechanism222comprises an attachment bracket234having a first side end236secured to the vertical side member228of the wing frame216and a second side end238secured to the vertical side member230of the wing frame216, providing a means for attaching the wing extension200to the snow plow blade30. As best illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, the first side end235of the attachment bracket234is longer than the second side end238of the bracket234. This permits the wing extension200to be angled forward with respect to the snow plow blade, providing additional plowing capacity to the snow plow blade30but also allows the attachment mechanism22of the wing200to be substantially axially aligned with the snow plow blade frame components.

Upper openings240and244and lower openings242and246are provided in each of the first and second side ends236and238, respectively, of the attachment bracket234. As best illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7, the upper opening240in the first side end236and the upper opening244in the second side end238of the attachment bracket234are axially aligned with each other. Likewise, lower opening242in the first side end236and the lower opening246in the second side end238of the attachment bracket234are axially aligned with each other.

Attachment arm248extends through the upper openings240and244in the attachment bracket234. An end250thereof is permanently secured to the first side end236of the attachment bracket234. The attachment arm248extends through the upper opening244in the second side end238of the attachment bracket and is secured thereto. A second end252of the attachment arm248extends away from the second side end238of the attachment bracket234. As illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, the attachment arm248is oriented substantially straight when assembled with the bracket236. The end252of the attachment arm248includes a pair of apertures254for securing the wing extension200in position on the snow plow blade30with a pin256or other locking mechanism. It will be appreciated that the attachment arm248is preferably tubular and configured to fit inside the tube member146on the wing frame40.

Likewise, attachment arm260extends through the lower openings242and246in the attachment bracket234. An end262thereof is permanently secured to the first side end236of the attachment bracket234. The attachment arm260extends through the lower opening246in the second side end238of the attachment bracket234and is secured thereto. A second end264of the attachment arm260extends away from the second side end238of the attachment bracket234. As illustrated inFIGS. 10 and 11, the attachment arm260is oriented substantially straight when assembled with the bracket236. The end264of the attachment arm260includes a pair of apertures266for securing the wing extension200in position on the snow plow blade30with a pin268or other locking mechanism. It will be appreciated that the attachment arm260is preferably tubular and configured to fit inside each of the lower openings132and142on the wing frame40.

The wing extension202, in its simplest form, includes a wing frame280, a moldboard section282secured to the front side of the wing frame280and a wing cutting edge or wearstrip284secured to a bottom edge of the moldboard section280.

The wing frame280comprises a top member286, provided, at least in part, to retain or secure the top edge of the moldboard section282in place, a bottom member288provided, at least in part to retain or secure the moldboard section282and the wearstrip284in place, vertical side members290and292, and an attachment mechanism, indicated generally at296. It will be appreciated that the wing frame components280are constructed of a metal material, like the wing frame components280, and are preferably welded together or otherwise permanently secured in a conventional manner. Further, the moldboard section282and the wearstrip284can be constructed of a metal material such as rolled steel, stainless steel, carbon steel or another metal composite or alloy material, as well known to those skilled in the art. Further, the moldboard282and/or wearstrip284may be constructed of a thermoplastic material, such as polycarbonate or polyurethane, or most preferably, can be constructed of a metal material coated or covered in a thermoplastic material.

The attachment mechanism296includes an attachment bracket300, configured in a mirror image manner to the attachment bracket234, having a first side end302secured to the vertical side member290of the wing frame280and a second side end304secured to the vertical side member292of the wing frame280, providing a means for attaching the wing extension202to the snow plow blade30. As best illustrated inFIG. 10, the first side end302of the attachment bracket230is longer than the second side end304of the bracket300. This permits the wing extension202to be angled forward with respect to the snow plow blade30, providing addition plowing capacity to the snow plow blade30.

Upper openings310and314and lower openings312and316are provided in each of the first and second side ends302and304, respectively, of the attachment bracket300. As best illustrated inFIGS. 1,2,4and9, the upper opening310in the first side end302and the upper opening314in the second side end304of the attachment bracket300are axially aligned with each other. Likewise, lower opening312in the first side end302and the lower opening316in the second side end304of the attachment bracket300are axially aligned with each other.

Attachment arm318extends through the upper openings240and244in the attachment bracket300. An end of the attachment arm318is permanently secured to the first side end302of the attachment bracket300. The attachment arm318extends through the upper opening314in the second side end304of the attachment bracket300and is secured thereto. A second end320of the attachment arm318extends away from the second side end304of the attachment bracket300. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the attachment arm318is oriented substantially straight when assembled with the bracket300. The end320of the attachment arm318includes a pair of apertures322for securing the wing extension202in position on the snow plow blade30with a pin324or other locking mechanism. It will be appreciated that the attachment arm318is preferably tubular and configured to fit inside the tube member182on the wing frame40.

Likewise, an attachment arm326extends through the lower openings312and316in the attachment bracket300. An end of the attachment arm326is permanently secured to the first side end302of the attachment bracket300. The attachment arm326extends through the lower opening316in the second side end304of the attachment bracket300and is secured thereto. A second end328of the attachment arm326extends away from the second side end304of the attachment bracket300. As illustrated inFIG. 10, the attachment arm328is oriented substantially straight when assembled with the bracket300. The end328of the attachment arm326includes a pair of apertures230for securing the wing extension202in position on the snow plow blade30with a pin332or other locking mechanism. It will be appreciated that the attachment arm326is preferably tubular and configured to fit inside each of the lower openings178and172on the wing frame40.

The wing extensions200and202are easily installed on the snow plow blade30. As illustrated inFIGS. 5 and 7, the wing200is positioned so the upper attachment arm248is substantially aligned with the tube146in the support frame40, and the lower attachment arm260is substantially aligned with the lower openings132and142of the support frame40. The attachment arms248and260of the wing extension200are then inserted into the tube146, and lower openings132and142, respectively, until there is substantially no gap or space between the snow plow blade30and the wing extension200, providing a contiguous plowing surface in which to contact and move the snow or other materials. The pin256is the inserted into the apertures254on the arm248and secured, locking the arm248into position on the snow plow blade30. Likewise, the pin268is inserted into the apertures254on the arm260and secured, locking the arm260into position on the snow plow blade30.

When the wing extension200is not needed, it can be secured to the snow plow blade30in a stored position using the wing storage bracket138. From the operational position, the pins256and268are removed from the apertures,254and266, respectively, on the wing attachment arms248and260. The wing extension200removed from the side of the snow plow blade and flipped over so that the moldboard section218is facing the rear side36of the snow plow blade30. The wing200is rotated so that the arms248and260align with the openings157and155in the bracket138, respectively. The arms248and260are then inserted into the openings157and155in the bracket138and the pins256and268are inserted into the apertures,254and266, respectively, locking the wing200into the stored position.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4,9and10, the wing202is installed in the same manner as the wing200. Accordingly, the wing202is positioned so the upper attachment arm318is substantially aligned with the tube182in the support frame40, and the lower attachment arm326is substantially aligned with the lower openings172and178of the support frame40. The attachment arms318and326of the wing extension202are then inserted into the tube182, and lower openings172and178, respectively, until there is substantially no gap or space between the snow plow blade30and the wing extension202, providing a contiguous plowing surface in which to contact and move the snow or other materials. The pin324is the inserted into the apertures322on the arm318and secured, locking the arm318into position on the snow plow blade30. Likewise, the pin332is the inserted into the apertures330on the arm326and secured, locking the arm326into position on the snow plow blade30.

When the wing extension202is not needed, it can be secured to the snow plow blade30in a stored position using the wing storage bracket139. From the operational position, the pins324and332are removed from the apertures,322and330, respectively, on the wing attachment arms318and326. The wing extension202is removed from the side of the snow plow blade30and flipped over so that the moldboard section282is facing the rear side36of the snow plow blade30. The wing202is rotated so that the arms318and326align with the openings189and190in the bracket139, respectively. The arms318and326are then inserted into the openings189and190in the bracket139and the pins324and332are inserted into the apertures,322and330, respectively, locking the wing202into the stored position.

It will be appreciated that the snow plow wing extensions200and202can be used at the same time during operation of the snow plow, or only one of the wing extensions200or202can be used for a given application, while the other wing is stored, depending on the given plowing application. As illustrated inFIG. 16, and consistent with the broader aspects of the present invention, the snow plow wing extensions of the present invention can be secured to an articulated plowing system, wherein one of the wing extensions is secured to one of the articulated wings402of the main snow plow blade400, and wherein the other one of the wing extensions202is secured and/or stored within the other of the articulated wings404of the main snow plow blade400.

Turning next toFIGS. 12 through 15, additional embodiments of the wing extension components are illustrated. Referring first toFIGS. 12 and 13, a curb and edge guard wing extension450is illustrated. The wing extension450includes a substantially planar portion452that is configured to abut and protect the moldboard42when the wing extension450is installed on to the snow plow blade30. The wing extension450is oriented in a generally linear fashion with respect to the snow plow blade30to protect the blade components from impact with curbs and other road debris.

The wing extension450includes an attachment mechanism454configured in like manner to the attachment mechanism222of the wing extension200. As such, the wing450includes an upper attachment arm456that is substantially aligned with the tube146in the support frame40, and the lower attachment arm458that is substantially aligned with the lower openings132and142of the support frame40. The attachment arms456and458of the wing extension450are then inserted into the tube146, and lower openings132and142, respectively, until there is substantially no gap or space between the snow plow blade30and the wing extension450, providing a contiguous plowing surface in which to contact and move the snow or other materials. Removable pins, similar to pins256and268, secure the ends of the attachment arms456and458into place on the snow plow blade frame40, locking the wing in place on the snow plow blade30. If the wing450is not needed for a given application, it can be stored in the wing storage bracket138, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The wing extension500includes a slightly angled portion502having a small section of wearstrip503secured thereto, to form a box-type shape when the wing extension500is installed on to the snow plow blade30. The wing extension500includes an attachment mechanism504configured in like manner to the attachment mechanism222of the wing extension200. As such, the wing450includes an upper attachment arm506that is substantially aligned with the tube146in the support frame40, and the lower attachment arm508that is substantially aligned with the lower openings132and142of the support frame40. The attachment arms506and508of the wing extension500are then inserted into the tube146, and lower openings132and142, respectively, until there is substantially no gap or space between the snow plow blade30and the wing extension500, providing a contiguous plowing surface in which to contact and move the snow or other materials. Removable pins, similar to pins256and268, secure the ends of the attachment arms506and508into place on the snow plow blade frame40, locking the wing in place on the snow plow blade30. If the wing500is not needed for a given application, it can be stored in the wing storage bracket138, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Accordingly, the removable and storable wing extensions of the present invention are not limited to the size, shape and configuration illustrated; rather, any size, shape and angle of wing extension, relative to the main snow plow blade, can be configured to fit within the attachment mechanism disclosed by the present invention, and stored in the wing mounting bracket of the present invention.

The snow plow blade and wing extensions of the present invention are of a construction which is both durable and long lasting, and which will require little or no maintenance to be provided by the user throughout its operating lifetime. The snow plow blade and wing extensions are also of inexpensive construction to enhance its market appeal and to thereby afford it the broadest possible market. Finally, all of the aforesaid advantages and objectives of the snow plow blade and wing extensions of the present invention are achieved without incurring any substantial relative disadvantage.

Although the foregoing description of the snow plow blade and wing extensions of the present invention have been shown and described with reference to particular embodiments and applications thereof, it has been presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the particular embodiments and applications disclosed. It will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, variations, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit or scope of the present invention. The particular embodiments and applications were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such changes, modifications, variations, and alterations should therefore be seen as being within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.