A small vehicle-mounted power assisted implement that employs an independent motor associated with or located on the vehicle. The implement features a floatdown system for applying a continuous bi-directional force to the implement and to the vehicle to improve ground surfacing capabilities and efficiency.

RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/442,463 filed Jan. 24, 2003, entitled, “Power Assisted Floatdown Plow for an All-Terrain Vehicle,” incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0003]    The present invention relates to a vehicle mounted implement, and, more particularly, to an attached or removable floatdown implement capable of being supported by a small vehicle.  
           [0004]    2. Background  
           [0005]    All terrain vehicles (“ATVs”) and other small vehicles are capable of accomplishing otherwise difficult or laborious tasks in a relatively short amount of time. As a result, such vehicles are frequently used in connection with farm work, landscaping, and other such labor-intensive activities.  
           [0006]    Accessories capable of being attached to and supported by such vehicles are also known. A removable snow plow, for example, may be mounted to a small vehicle to remove snow and ice from various surfaces, such as driveways, sidewalks, short road segments, parking lots, and other similar relatively limited areas of space that are too small for a full size snow plow to maneuver, yet large enough that shoveling by hand would result in a very labor intensive and time consuming task.  
           [0007]    Indeed, the small vehicle-mounted plow has become a popular alternative to shoveling heavy snow and ice by hand for several reasons. First, small vehicles such as ATVs are typically quite maneuverable. Second, the blade on a small vehicle-mounted removable snow plow typically comprises a much larger surface area than hand snow shovels, thus providing greater snow removal capabilities with each pass. Third, the time required to shovel a driveway, sidewalk, parking lot, etc., is significantly reduced, due to the speed, power, and efficiency with which a small vehicle is able to remove snow and ice compared to shoveling by hand. Fourth, there is virtually no physical exertion or energy expended by the operator of a small vehicle, as opposed to a significant amount where shoveling by hand. Fifth, operating a small vehicle is often an enjoyable experience, even if for work related purposes.  
           [0008]    Several prior art ATV and other small vehicle-mounted plow designs exist. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,745, U.S. Pat. No. 9,590,336, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,708, all incorporated herein by reference. Prior art plow designs are generally mounted to a vehicle using a heavy duty pivotable frame suspended from an underside of the vehicle chassis. The pivotable frame attaches generally below the mid point of the vehicle at a pivot point. This configuration keeps the front end of the vehicle from becoming too heavy for satisfactory operation. A mechanical operating lever is provided to lift the blade off of the ground by rotating the blade about the pivot point. Due in part to the space occupied underneath the vehicle by the plow frame, however, and also due to the cant of the plow blade, the plow blade cannot typically be raised more than 2 or 3 inches off of the ground.  
           [0009]    Moreover, many prior art plow designs suffer from the following deficiencies. First, many plow users lack the strength or energy required to manipulate the plow blade in a manually operated system. Second, prior art plow systems are generally difficult to mount and remove from a vehicle. Thus, most users mount the plow to a vehicle at the beginning of the winter plow season and do not remove the plow until the season is over. With the plow installed, the vehicle is virtually useless for any other purpose. Indeed, as discussed above, there is very little clearance under the bottom cutting edge of the plow blade even when the blade is completely lifted. There is also very little clearance under the chassis of the vehicle due to the presence of the mounting frame beneath the chassis. Further, the weight of the plow substantially alters the maneuverability of the vehicle to which it is attached.  
           [0010]    Another drawback to prior art systems is that many small vehicles, especially ATVs, are relatively light in weight (e.g., lighter ATVs range from about 450 lbs. to 600 lbs. in total weight not including the weight of the plow). Such vehicles thus tend to be underpowered or lack sufficient traction to move large quantities of snow.  
           [0011]    Another problem associated with prior art plow designs is blade floating, which results in irregular and/or uneven ground surfacing. Also, blade floating leaves behind residual snow and ice deposits, which may build up and create slush and other problems once warmer weather arrives. Adding weight to the blade of the plow helps reduce floating, but requires the vehicle to work harder and lose critical traction. When the blade is forced down under added weight, the vehicle has a much more difficult time pushing the blade and gripping the surface, effectively negating any efficiency in blade leveling that may otherwise have been gained. Moreover, many plow designs incorporate a spring loaded blade that, upon contact with an immovable object, pivots or rotates so that the top of the plow moves forward while the bottom of the blade rides up over the object. During the period the blade is pivoted, however, the bottom edge of the plow loses contact with the ground, thus forming a residual ridge of snow and ice. A secondary effect of such a ridge is that as the tires of the vehicle cross the ridge, the vehicle is lifted up over the ridge, often causing the plow to temporarily leave the ground. This may result in the formation of a second, smaller ridge.. Once the object is cleared, the spring causes the blade to abruptly snap back into position, thus contributing to further leveling and/or floating problems.  
           [0012]    Another disadvantage to traditional plow systems, particularly to V-plow systems where a pair of plow blades is connected along a vertical hinge, is that it is difficult to maintain the bottom cutting edge of the plow blade flush with the ground surface unless the plow is precisely mounted on the vehicle and the plow blades are accurately positioned to align the bottom cutting edge flush with the ground. In addition, it is difficult or even impossible to provide evenly distributed downward pressure to a V-blade plow as the bottom cutting edge of the V-plow does not in general remain flush with the ground surface when rotated downward.  
           [0013]    Although an operator-controlled actuator mechanism that provides power to an electric actuator to raise and lower the plow may overcome some of these deficiencies, prior art designs that incorporate such a mechanism nevertheless suffer from certain inherent problems. Namely, electrically powered plow designs in the prior art tend to add a significant amount of weight to the plow as a result of requiring a proprietary motor. Also, the incorporation of such a motor renders the plow much more expensive than a manually operated plow.  
           [0014]    Accordingly, what is needed is an implement capable of quick and easy installation and removal from a small vehicle. Also what is needed is a small vehicle-mounted implement that is easily operated, and that optimizes efficiency in implement performance. Further what is needed is a small vehicle-mounted plow that may be electrically powered without incurring substantial additional weight and expense.  
         SUMMARY AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0015]    The present invention comprises a floatdown implement capable of being mounted to and supported by a small vehicle, such as an all terrain vehicle (“ATV”), garden tractor, small farm tractor or small pickup truck. A floatdown implement in accordance with the present invention maximizes the implement's ground surfacing capabilities by incorporating a floatdown member to apply a substantially downward force to the implement while, in some embodiments, lifting weight from the end of the vehicle to which it is mounted.  
           [0016]    Specifically, in selected embodiments, a floatdown implement in accordance with the present invention may comprise a spring loaded shock absorber having a dampening element. One end of the shock absorber may be attached to the vehicle while an opposite end is attached to the implement. The shock absorber functions to provide a continuous adjustable downward force to the implement to improve responsiveness to surface characteristics, thereby promoting efficient surface treatment.  
           [0017]    According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the implement may utilize a power assist system to promote quick and efficient surface treatment. Specifically, the present invention may incorporate a winch mounted to a vehicle, wherein a cable extends from the winch and attaches to a portion of the implement. The winch may also comprise an actuator that allows the winch to be actuated. The winch functions to provide powered raising and lowering of the implement as desired. Manual lifting and implement manipulation assemblies are also contemplated for use herein.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]    In order that the manner in which the above-recited and other advantages and features of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 illustrates a side perspective view of a small vehicle-mounted power-assisted floatdown implement in accordance with selected embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 illustrates an opposite side perspective view of the small vehicle-mounted power-assisted floatdown implement of FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed view of a floatdown member and a power assist system attached to a small vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of a floatdown member attached to an implement in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 depicts a perspective view of the small vehicle-mounted floatdown implement attached to a rear end of a small vehicle in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]    The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.  
         [0025]    As used in this specification, the term “implement” refers to a device for performing work that may be mounted to and supported by a small vehicle, including a snow or dirt plow, a tiller, an S-tine cultivator, a field cultivator, a row crop cultivator, a fertilizer applicator, a hay rake, a ditcher, or any other such device known to those in the art. The term “small vehicle” refers to an all terrain vehicle (“ATV”), garden tractor, small farm tractor, small pickup truck, or any other such vehicle known to those in the art.  
         [0026]    Although this detailed description of the present invention primarily focuses on a front-loaded or front-mounted implement system, the present invention may also be applied to implements designed to be pulled behind a small vehicle, such as a drag plow for leveling dirt. One ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize the many applications to which the present invention technology may be adapted and implemented.  
         [0027]    A floatdown implement in accordance with the present invention may comprise an implement  50 , a floatdown member  82 , a power assist assembly  70 , and an inline device  110 .  
         [0028]    Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, an implement  50  may comprise any device for performing work that may be mounted to and supported by a small vehicle  52 , including a snow or dirt plow, a farm implement such as a tiller, an S-tine cultivator, a field cultivator, a row crop cultivator, a fertilizer applicator, a hay rake, a ditcher, a drag rake, a heavy brush cutter, or any other such device known to those in the art. An implement  50  comprises at least one operative portion  66  capable of administering a surface treatment to land. For example, an operative portion  66  may comprise a cutting edge, a raking portion, an applicator portion, or any other surface treatment portion known to those in the art capable of applying a particular surface treatment to land.  
         [0029]    An implement  50  as described above may be attached to a vehicle  52  by way of any means of attachment known to those in the art. In selected embodiments, such as those depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, an implement  50  may comprise a push tube  60  extending from a front end of a vehicle  52 . The push tube  60  may be mounted to the vehicle  52  by any means known to those in the art. Preferably, a push tube  60  may be easily attached and detached from the vehicle  52  as desired to facilitate quick and easy implementation of the present invention.  
         [0030]    In alternative embodiments of the present invention, such as that depicted by FIG. 5, an implement  50  may comprise a drawbar  102  attached to a rear end of the vehicle  52 . Preferably, a drawbar  102  may be adjusted both to accommodate a variety of small vehicles  52  having various dimensions, as well as to ensure that the drawbar  102  is retained substantially parallel a surface during surface treatment. A drawbar  102  may comprise, for example, adjustment means  118  intermediate the length of the drawbar  102  for enabling selective adjustment of the height of the drawbar  102  and implement  50  relative to a particular vehicle  52 .  
         [0031]    A vertical bar  104  may be implemented in connection with the drawbar  102  disclosed above to secure the drawbar  102  position as well as to provide a downward force against the implement  50 . In addition, the vertical bar  104  may provide a point of attachment for a power assist system  70 , as discussed below.  
         [0032]    Specifically, one end of a vertical bar  104  may be pivotally attached to the drawbar  102  such that the drawbar  102  is constrained from rotating from side to side such that the implement  50  may be thereby maintained substantially parallel to the ground surface. A second end of a vertical bar  104  may be loosely or solidly attached to a small vehicle  52  such that when the implement  50  is in a down position, the vertical bar  104  exerts a forward force against the vehicle  52  to prevent the vehicle  52  from becoming unbalanced. When the implement is in an up position, the vertical bar  104  may be held substantially adjacent the vehicle  52 .  
         [0033]    As mentioned above, a vertical bar  104  may also provide a point of attachment for a power assist system  70 . Specifically, a pulley may be coupled to the vertical bar  104  to facilitate parting a winch line, where a winch provides assisted power to the implement  50 . Alternatively, any other portion of a power assist system  70  known to those in the art may be attached to the vertical bar  104  to facilitate power assist system operation.  
         [0034]    Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the present invention may further comprise a means for applying a downward force to the implement  50 , as indicated above. Specifically, a floatdown member  82  may apply substantially downward force to the implement  50  without adding substantial weight to or otherwise unbalancing the vehicle  52  to which it is attached. As a result, a floatdown member  82  may both reduce the tendency of the implement  50  to float, as well as facilitate improved surfacing capabilities of the implement  50  in operation. The floatdown member  82  of the present invention also functions to provide added stability to an attached implement  50 .  
         [0035]    Indeed, because of its unique design, implement floating is significantly reduced or kept to a minimum and more even and consistent leveling is achieved. Also, as a floatdown member  82  in accordance with the present invention may be adjusted or may self-adjust to surface characteristics, varying degrees of force may be transferred from the floatdown member  82  to the implement  50 , depending upon the particular circumstances or environment of use.  
         [0036]    In selected embodiments of the present invention, such as that depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4, a floatdown member  82  may comprise a spring-loaded shock absorber having adjustable dampening characteristics. This particular type of float down member  82  is easily adapted for use with an implement  50  and provides an advantage in that it slows or dampens the up and down action of implement  50  during operation. This feature facilitates surfacing capabilities as implement  50  floating potential is thereby effectively reduced. Moreover, the dampening characteristics of this particular type of float down member  82  significantly improves the ability and function of the implement  50  when operated over uneven terrain, immovable objects, or in other cases that may induce undesirable implement  50  movement. Indeed, the float down member  82  allows the implement  50  to absorb shocks and handle abrupt changes in terrain very efficiently.  
         [0037]    Alternatively, a floatdown member  82  may comprise any biasing, hydraulic, pneumatic, or mechanical member, or combination thereof, capable of maximizing implement  50  responsiveness and function while minimizing a likelihood of shock. Specifically, a floatdown member  82  may comprise a coil spring, an air bag, and/or an electrically operated screw. This list is not meant to be limiting in any way as one ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize that other systems, devices or means not specifically recited herein may also be used to accomplish the intended functions as described herein.  
         [0038]    A floatdown implement in accordance with the present invention may be coupled to a front or rear end of an ATV or other small vehicle  52 . A small vehicle  52  preferably comprises a front grill  56 , wherein attachment means  90  may be used to couple the floatdown member  82  to the vehicle's front grill  56 . By way of example and not limitation, attachment means  90  may comprise a first L-shaped bracket  92  and a second L-shaped bracket  94  coupled to the front grill  56 . First and second L-shaped brackets  92  and  94  may be positioned apart and opposite one another on front grill  56  and may implement a crossbar  100  therebetween. The crossbar  100  may be pivotally coupled to each of the first and second L-shaped brackets  92  and  94  such that the floatdown member  82  attached thereto may also pivot with respect to the brackets  92  and  94 .  
         [0039]    As illustrated in FIG. 3, first and second L-shaped brackets  92  and  94  may be attached in an opposing manner on front grill  56  of vehicle  52 . Each of first and second L-shaped brackets  92  and  94  may further comprise a plurality of apertures  96  spaced along their length, where at least one aperture  96  of the first L-shaped bracket  92  preferably corresponds to an aperture  96  of the second L-shaped bracket  94 . Apertures  96  provide adjustability to floatdown member  82  in that crossbar  100  may be inserted into any set of apertures  96  as necessary to optimize the operation of floatdown member  82  and implement  50 . Indeed, in this manner, the downward pressure of floatdown member  82  may be adjusted as needed by moving crossbar  100  up or down such that crossbar  100  may attach to a specific set of apertures  96  on either L-shaped bracket  92  and  94 .  
         [0040]    First and second L-shaped brackets  92  and  94  may be attached to front grill  56  using attachment means  88 . Attachment means  88  are shown as a curved bolt assembly, but may comprise any attachment means commonly known in the art. Moreover, crossbar  100  is shown as extending between and attaching to first and second L-shaped brackets  92  and  94  using attachment means  98 . Attachment means  98  is shown as a bolt structure, but as noted, may also be any attachment means commonly known in the art.  
         [0041]    A float down member  82  may comprise an upper segment  84  that pivotally attaches directly to crossbar  100 , preferably at a center point of the crossbar  100 . The pivoting motion of float down member  82  is provided in order to accommodate and correspond to the lifting and lowering of implement  50 .  
         [0042]    A lower segment  86  of float down member  82  may be attached to implement  50  via attachment means  81 , as illustrated in FIG. 4. Attachment means  81  preferably enables the lower segment  86  to also pivot, similar to attachment means corresponding to upper segment  84  above. In this manner, floatdown member  82  may further increase responsiveness of implement  50  to surface characteristics. It should be noted, however, that one, both, or neither of upper and lower segments  84  and  86  may be pivotable with respect to vehicle  52  and implement  50 .  
         [0043]    In addition, a floatdown member  82  preferably comprises a dampening element that effectively slows the response time of an attached implement  50 . Providing a dampening element essentially allows the implement  50  to smoothly and effortlessly adjust or respond to various objects and/or uneven terrain encountered during surface treatment.  
         [0044]    Each of the above described advantages relating to the floatdown member  82  function to create a more efficient and effective implement system. By reducing implement floating, increasing implement leveling capabilities, improving implement responsiveness, and slowing the reaction of the implement to various objects and terrain, the implement system of the present invention may provide more efficient ground surfacing and application of surface treatments, reduce the time required to complete a ground surface related job, and reduce shock and shock related damage.  
         [0045]    A floatdown member  82  may be adapted for use with any existing implement  50 , regardless of whether a power assist assembly  70  or equivalent structure is implemented. Moreover, a floatdown member  82  in accordance with the present invention is not limited to ATVs and other small vehicles, but may be adapted for use with larger vehicles.  
         [0046]    As discussed above, a third aspect of the present invention may comprise a means to provide assisted power to raise and lower the implement  50 . Specifically, a power assist system  70  may be operatively coupled to the implement  50  such that the implement  50  may be effectively controlled thereby.  
         [0047]    The present invention contemplates utilizing any type of self-powered motor that currently exists or is associated with a vehicle  52 . In selected embodiments, a power assist system  70  comprises a winch  72  having a fairlead  76  and a cable  74  attached thereto to provide power for assisting in the operation of the implement  50 . The cable  74  may extend from a fairlead  76  down to a point of attachment on implement  50 . The winch  72  may be mounted on a vehicle  52  by any means known to those in the art. Preferably, the winch  72  is mounted either behind or above the floatdown member  82 . Winch  72  should also be mounted so that there is no obstruction or interference between it, or particularly its attached cable  74 , and any component of an implement  50  attached to the vehicle  52 .  
         [0048]    A winch  72  may comprise a user actuator module (not shown) that is positioned near the user to actuate winch  72  as desired. Essentially, winch  72  functions to provide automatic or powered lifting and lowering capabilities to implement  50 . As the user sits atop vehicle  52 , the implement  50  may be lifted and lowered as desired via the actuation module of winch  72  at the user's fingertips. To lift implement  50 , the user simply activates the winch  72  to reel in cable  74 . Since one end of cable  74  is attached to implement  50 , this motion causes implement  50  to be lifted off of the ground. Likewise, to lower the implement  50 , the user simply activates winch  72  to let out cable  74 , thereby lowering the implement  50  to the ground.  
         [0049]    [0049]FIG. 4 illustrates an attachment assembly that may be used to attach cable  74  to implement  50 . As shown, cable  74  comprises a hook at one end that attaches to an eye screw securely fastened to implement  50 , although any means of attachment capable of securely attaching cable  74  to implement  50  known to those in the art is contemplated within the scope of the present invention. Indeed, one ordinarily skilled in the art will recognize several different means and methods of attaching cable  74  to implement  50 , and therefore the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is merely exemplary and not intended to be limiting in any way.  
         [0050]    As the power assist system  70  of the present invention does not require any proprietary power source, the present invention may remain affordable without compromising efficiency. In addition, the power assist system  70  of the present invention may be adapted to transition an otherwise manual implement to a power assisted implement with a minimal degree of effort and cost.  
         [0051]    According to certain embodiments of the present invention, the power assist system  70  may be integral to or capable of being integrated with the floatdown member  82  discussed above. For example, a hydraulic device such as a hydraulic ram may implemented to function as a floatdown member  82  capable of providing assisted power to lift the attached implement  50  as desired. Similarly, a coil spring or other biasing means may be used in combination with a hydraulic or other power assist system  70  such that the implement  50  may be powered up and down by the power assist system  70  while the biasing means applies a continuous downward force thereto. While the foregoing is exemplary and not restrictive, one skilled in the art will recognize that many combinations of a power assist system and floatdown member are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention.  
         [0052]    According to another aspect of the present invention, as depicted in FIG. 5, an inline device  110  may be implemented to maintain a centered relationship between the implement  50  and the vehicle  52  to which it is attached. An inline device  110  may comprise, for example, two or more leads  112 , each having one end attached to the vehicle  52  and one end attached to the implement  50 . Preferably, neighboring leads  112  are separated by a spreader bar  114  located substantially adjacent the vehicle  52  to reduce strain on the leads  112 . A lead  112  may comprise any flexible or inflexible material capable of being attached to each of a vehicle  52  and an implement  50  to maintain a substantially centered relationship therebetween. A lead  112  may comprise, for example, a chain, a rope, a metal bar, or any other such device known to those in the art.  
         [0053]    Again referring to FIG. 5, an adapter member  120  may be provided to integrate the functions of the implement  50 , drawbar  102  or push tube  60 , floatdown member  82 , power assist assembly  70 , and inline device  110 . An adapter member  120  in accordance with certain embodiments of the present invention may be adjustable such that the adapter member  120  may be secured at various attachment points along a drawbar  102 , push tube  60 , or other portion of an implement  50  to accomplish various specific purposes, and, depending on the purpose for which the adapter member  120  is used, any or all of the following devices may, but need not, be attached thereto: implement  50 , drawbar  102  or push tube  60 , floatdown member  82 , power assist assembly  70 , and inline device  110 . Alternatively, an adapter member  120  may be fixedly attached to a drawbar  102  or push tube  60 , or to any other device at a location between the vehicle  52  and the implement  50 . In addition, an adapter member  120  may be attached to or used in connection with any other device known to those in the art to facilitate implement operation.  
         [0054]    In certain embodiments of the present invention, an additional set of leads  112  may be implemented between the adapter member  120  and a spreader bar  114  to further ensure a substantially centered relationship between the vehicle  52  and an implement  50 .