Hitch mount assembly for snow blades or other accessories or implements for off-road vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles. The assembly includes a receiver for mounting to the vehicle chassis and an implement assembly readily removably coupled to the receiver. The configuration of the receiver and implement assembly allows for self-alignment during the mounting operation. A switching mechanism and actuator also can be used to pivot the working implement remotely. The mount assembly can be attached to the vehicle with a powered winch or manually.

[0001]     This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/341,150 filed Jan. 13, 2003, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     All-terrain vehicles or ATV's are versatile all-season three or four-wheeled motorized vehicles designed for off-road use, including pedestrian and bicycle pathways. Typically ATV's are straddle-type vehicles, where the operator straddles the seat similar to a motorcycle or bicycle. They are generally designed to carry one or two passengers. Although primarily a recreational vehicle, more recently ATV's have been used as utility vehicles. To that end, various utilitarian accessories or implements, such as snow plow blades, can be attached to the ATV. Although the relatively light weight of the ATV allows for the use of small engines, the small engines limit the power capabilities; ATV's generally have a battery and battery recharging system having low amperage storage and low amperage recharging capability relative to a typically automobile. The term “all terrain vehicle” or “ATV” as used herein includes within its scope so-called utility task vehicles or “UTV's”, such as the Kawasaki MULE, the John Deere GATOR, the Polaris RANGER and PROFESSIONAL SERIES, the EZ-GO WORKHORSE, the Club Car CARRYALL and PIONEER and the Toro WORKMAN.  
         [0003]     Conventional snow blade mounts for four wheel drive vehicles such as pick-up trucks can weigh hundreds pounds (e.g., 750 pounds), and generally include a chassis frame that can be permanently fixed to the vehicle chassis, usually behind the vehicle front bumper. A lift frame is then removably coupled to the chassis frame, and the snow blade is then coupled to the front end of the assembly via an A-frame and trip frame assembly. The A-frame with the snow blade attached is typically removable from the vehicle. Such assemblies, however, are too large and too heavy for practical use with the relatively small ATV.  
         [0004]     One drawback of conventional snow blade mounts is the difficulty in readily removing the assemblies from the vehicle chassis, especially in view of their weight. The presence of an implement or accessory on an ATV can render the ATV useless as a recreational all-terrain vehicle. Accordingly, it is highly desirable that the blade be removed after use. However, since the mounting and dismounting operation can be cumbersome and time-consuming, the assemblies are often left on the ATV for the entire winter season.  
         [0005]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a utilitarian accessory mounting assembly for an ATV that is conveniently and easily attachable and removable from the vehicle.  
         [0006]     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a snow blade assembly for an ATV that is mounted and dismounted from the vehicle using a self-aligning hitch mount devoid of mounting pins.  
         [0007]     It is a still further object of the present invention to pivot the utilitarian accessory remotely.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The problems of the prior art have been overcome by the present invention, which provides a hitch mount assembly for snow blades or other accessories or implements for off-road vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles. The present invention includes an implement assembly readily removably coupled to the vehicle, such as in conjunction with a receiver that is mounted to the vehicle chassis or frame or is integrated therewith. The configuration of the receiver and implement assembly allows for self-alignment during the mounting operation. A switching mechanism and actuator also can be used to pivot the working implement remotely.  
         [0009]     In one embodiment, a power winch is used to mount the assembly to the ATV. The winch is also used to vertically raise and lower the working implement relative to the ground. In another embodiment, the relatively light-weight of the assembly allows the assembly to be mounted to the ATV manually, without the use of a winch or other power-operated tool, simply by pushing the assembly towards the ATV or by driving the ATV towards the assembly. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective exploded view of a snow blade mounting assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a receiver in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of a receiver in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the receiver of  FIG. 2  shown mounted to the chassis of an ATV;  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a snow blade mounting assembly shown partially mounted to an ATV in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the blade pivoting mechanism in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a portion of the mounting assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6A  is a view of a lift handle for manual actuation of a blade;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a portion of the mounting assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective bottom view of the blade shown attached to the A-frame in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the accessory actuator in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the motor for pivoting the accessory in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a partial perspective view of the spool and cable assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a schematic diagram of the switching system in accordance with the present invention; and  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a portion of the mounting assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]     Turning first to  FIG. 1 , there is shown generally at  10  the blade and hitch assembly in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  10  is relatively lightweight, preferably weighing between about 50 and about 300 pounds, and is most preferably sufficiently light to enable a single individual to slidingly push the assembly into mounting engagement with the receiver on the vehicle. Thus, its various components can be constructed of metal, steel, stainless steel, plastics or composites, for example, depending upon the relative strength required of each component. Vehicle mounted receiver  11  attaches to the vehicle chassis or frame, or is integrated therewith. Any suitable means can be used to secure the receiver  11  to the vehicle, such as bolting or manufacturing integration (e.g., as a stamped component of the vehicle chassis or frame). For example, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the receiver  11  can include a pair of U-shaped flanges  8  with holes for coupling the receiver to the vehicle chassis. The design of the receiver  11  interface for attachment to the chassis will depend upon the identity (and thus design) of the particular chassis, and is well within the skill in the art. Because in the embodiment shown the receiver  11  is situated under the chassis and is not obtrusive, it optionally can be permanently affixed to the chassis, regardless of whether the snow plow blade or other accessories or working implements are attached or in use. Alternatively, the receiver can be located on the vehicle frame where it does not extend below the frame so as to provide adequate ground clearance. It is fixed and preferably has no moving parts; its main purpose being to provide a means of attachment of the follow-on components. It also can absorb and transfer any shock loads imposed on the snow blade (or other accessory) into the vehicle. It can be made of any rigid material suitable for the job, such as steel, metal, stainless steel, plastic or composites, for example.  
         [0026]     As best seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the receiver  11  is preferably trapezoidal in shape, uniformly tapering inwardly from its open front end towards the rear. It has an optional top plate  6 , with opposite vertically depending side guides  7   a  and  7   b  as shown. Alternatively, the sides  7   a  and  7   b  could be independently attached directly to the chassis, directly to the frame, or integrated therewith, preferably defining between them a trapezoidal wedge. A front upwardly angled lip  9  is optionally provided at the receiver entry to assist in guiding the implement to be mounted into the receiver  11 , in the direction of the arrows shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The sides  7   a ,  7   b  are in a tapered profile such that the distance between them decreases in the direction towards the vehicle rear when mounted thereto.  
         [0027]     Turning back to  FIG. 1 , the blade and hitch assembly  10  is adapted to be releasably coupled to or engaged by the receiver  11 . In the embodiment shown, a blade  15  is illustrated as the utilitarian accessory or working implement, although those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention is not limited to mounting and dismounting of a blade. The blade  15  can be conventional in design. The preferred blade is made of sheet metal, or is a sheet of steel bumped or rolled to a semi-round shape. The blade  15  also can be in the form of an adjustable V-shaped blade. The blade is braced on the backside with a plurality of mounts  4  providing a means of attachment (such as via springs  3 ) to the support frame  20 .  
         [0028]     As best seen in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , support frame  20  includes opposite side members  21   a ,  21   b  that preferably are bent along their lengths to define an A-frame portion  22 . The A-frame portion tapers towards an apex that can be pivotably coupled directly to the blade  15 , or is attached to the blade  15  through a trip flame assembly as discussed in greater detail below. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the term “A-frame” is used herein, the frame need not be in the shape of an “A”. Male hitch member  25  is coupled to a pivotable cross bar  26  (such as by welding to ears  97 ) that is pivotably supported between opposite sides  21   a ,  21   b . At least a portion of the hitch member  25  corresponds in shape to receiver  11 , so that that portion of the hitch member  25  can be slidingly engaged by receiver  11  during the mounting operation. Thus, in the preferred embodiment, hitch member  25  has a trapezoidal portion, which tapers outwardly from the free end  25   a  in the direction towards the implement  15 . In the embodiment shown, the taper extends to a maximum and then tapers inwardly to the opposite end of the member  25 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the free end of the hitch member  25  can be formed as two or more extensions rather than a single continuous end as shown. The hitch member  25  and cross bar  26  pivot about a horizontal axis, preferably about 20° from horizontal in each direction.  
         [0029]     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , an optional trip frame assembly is shown that includes half-ring or A-frame retainer  36  supported on the top surface of the A-frame  22 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the half-ring  36  can be designed having shapes other than that shown. The trip frame assembly is connected to the blade  15  via springs  3  (two shown). The trip frame assembly allows the blade  15  to pivot forward, which allows it to trip over obstacles and absorb shock that would otherwise be transferred into the plow frame assembly and vehicle, which in extreme cases would cause substantial damage. If the trip frame assembly is eliminated, the blade can have a conventional trip edge as known in the art.  
         [0030]     Extending from the half-ring or retainer  36  is a notched plate  37 , also supported on the A-frame  22  top surface, to set the blade angle. The plate  37  has a plurality of spaced notches  38  extending around the annular edge of the plate  37  as shown. As the blade  15  pivots, the notched plate  37  also pivots, and can be locked in place with locking mechanism  40  that, when properly aligned with a notch  38 , inserts into that notch  38  to prevent movement of the plate (and thus the blade  15 ) until it is retracted from the notch.  
         [0031]     One suitable mechanism for actuating the locking mechanism uses cable  41  extending from the locking mechanism  40  to a location where it is readily accessible by the driver of the ATV. By tensioning the cable  41  by drawing it towards the vehicle rear, such as with remote control actuator  71  ( FIG. 9 ), the locking mechanism is disengaged from the notch  38 , allowing the blade to pivot. More specifically, actuator  71  is slidably mounted in cable bracket  72  as is conventional in the art. By pulling actuator towards the vehicle rear, in the direction of arrow  73 , the cable  41  is tensioned and the locking mechanism is unlocked, allowing the blade  15  to freely pivot. Once the blade  15  is positioned as desired, the tension on the cable  41  is released by releasing the actuator  71 , allowing the locking mechanism to again latch into a notch  38  and lock the blade in place. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the locking mechanism can be operated manually.  
         [0032]     Proper angling of the blade  15 , when the blade is in a freely pivotable position, was conventionally accomplished manually, requiring the operator to leave the vehicle and physically pivot the blade. Alternatively, the operator would drive the blade into a stationary object, such as a tree, to pivot the blade. Either method was tedious and inconvenient. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the blade angle preferably is controlled remotely, such as by the driver of the ATV when seated on the ATV in the driving position. Thus, the remote actuator  71  can be used not only to unlock the blade  15  as discussed above, but also to remotely pivot the blade. To that end, remote actuator  71  is modified with slotted member  77  that receives switch  76  in slot  78 . Switch  76 , such as rocker or toggle switch, is in electrical communication with a bi-directional motor  80  ( FIGS. 4 and 10 ). It is preferably a double pole, double throw three-position switch, the center being the off position and the other two positions being momentary ( FIG. 12  shows a suitable schematic of the switch) The motor  80  is preferably powered by the vehicle battery  90  and reversibly drives drum or spool  81  ( FIG. 11 ) wrapped with two separate cables; one threaded through pulley  82   a  and secured at or near an end of the blade  15 , and the other threaded through pulley  82   b  and secured at or near the other end of blade  15 . The attachment of each cable to the blade  15  can be a direct attachment, or a spring  84  ( FIG. 8 ) can be positioned between the blade and the cable for added play.  
         [0033]     To pivot the blade  15 , the operator draws actuator  71  in the direction of arrow  73  to unlock the blade. The actuator is then rotated to the left or to the right, depending upon the desired angle of the blade, thereby actuating switch  76  which engages the motor  80 , driving spool  81 . When driven in one direction, the spool  81  deploys one cable and reels in the other, and when driven in the other direction, the opposite cables are deployed from and reeled onto the spool, respectively. The deploying or reeling in of cable pivots the blade accordingly. Once the blade is in the desired position, the actuator is rotated back to the normal position, which corresponds to the center position of the switch  78 , and is then released to lock the blade in place. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the actuator for power angling of the blade need not be the same actuator used to unlock the blade from its fixed position; separate actuators can be used to accomplish these operations.  
         [0034]     Further details will now be provided regarding the hitch mount of the present invention. As discussed above, receiver  11 , preferably made of ⅜″ mild steel, is attached to the vehicle by suitable means or is integrated therewith such as during manufacturing of the vehicle. Conveniently, some conventional ATV's come equipped with a round bar or rod  200 , solid or tubular, and generally about ⅜ to ½″ in diameter, secured to the vehicle front ( FIG. 1 ). In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4 and 7 , the bar  200  extends horizontally a distance sufficient to be engaged at or near its opposite ends by one or more latch hooks  220  discussed in detail below. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the bar  200  could be vertical or angled, and need not be continuous; two or more separate bars could be used such as at each end of the receiver  11  ( FIG. 2A ), as long as they are appropriately positioned for engagement by one or more latch hooks  220 . In addition, the bar need not be round; other shapes corresponding to the receiving shape of the latch hook could be used. Preferably the bar or bars are located above the plane of the receiver  11 . The receiver  11  need not be positioned directly under the bar or bars; the bar or bars could be positioned radially outwardly of the receiver  11  such as shown in  FIG. 2A .  
         [0035]     In ATV's where the rod  200  is not original equipment, it can be added. For example, as shown in  FIG. 2A , the bar  200  can be part of the receiver  11 , as one continuous bar or as two or more separate bars. Again, the bar(s) could be vertical or angled with respect to horizontal, and need not be positioned directly over the receiver  11 . Where two or more separate bars are used, they are preferably positioned in the same plane. In the embodiment of  FIG. 2A , there are two bars that each terminate in opposite free ends.  
         [0036]     Receiver  11  includes generally longitudinally extending (in the direction from the vehicle front to the vehicle rear) side guide members  7   a ,  7   b  as discussed above, which help ensure proper alignment of the hitch assembly. The spacing or volume or distance between these guide members is configured to accommodate the male hitch  25  pivotably coupled to the frame  20 . Thus, in the embodiment shown, the hitch member  25  is tapered such that the length of its free engaging end  25   a  is relatively short, and expands in the direction towards the implement  15 . Similarly, sides  7   a ,  7   b  are configured and placed such that the receiver volume is tapered, with its end farthest from the vehicle front being shorter than the end closes to the vehicle front. The sides  7   a ,  7   b  thus act as a track for receiving and aligning hitch member  25 . Free end  25   a  of hitch member  25  can be formed with a notch  15   a  ( FIG. 1 ) to ensure that the hitch member  25  clears the nut and bolt that attaches the receiver  11  to the vehicle chassis. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that two or more receivers  11  can be used, in which case two or more hitch members would be used.  
         [0037]     Pivotally coupled to spaced side brackets  54 ,  55  via a pivot shaft is a latch  220 , which in the embodiment shown, is centrally located on cross bar  23  ( FIG. 6 ). The side brackets  54 ,  55  are spaced a sufficient distance to accommodate the latch  220  and allow for its movement. Although only one latch  220  is necessary, multiple latches could be used and are within the scope of the present invention. One such embodiment is illustrated in  FIG. 13 , where two opposite and aligned latches  220 A,  220 B are shown. Where multiple latches are used, the latches  220  can share a common pivot shaft, the pivot shaft extending from one latch to the other so that movement of the latches is coordinated; actuation of one latch results in a corresponding movement of the other latches. Alternatively, the multiple latches can be actuated separately.  
         [0038]     Each latch  220  preferably has a hook shape including an arcuate recess  225  corresponding in angle to the circumference of the bar  200 . The latch is thereby adapted to receive bar  200 . Preferably the recess is shaped as a concentric cam, so that upon contact with the bar  200 , the latch  220  can automatically pivot to a closed position, locking onto the bar  200 . This design facilitates the grasping and interlocking of bar  200  as well as the dismounting operation. The latch  220  can include a handle  221  for manual actuation for use such as in the event the latch does not properly lock onto the bar  200 . A latch locking assembly  230  ( FIG. 1 ) optionally can be used to lock the latch in place. One suitable locking assembly includes a spring loaded pin assembly, with spring biasing against a pin  241 . In the locked position, the spring forces pin  241  through an appropriately dimensioned aperture in the latch, thereby fixing the latch  220  in place. Lever  243 , shown in  FIG. 4  in the locked (orthagonal) position, prevents pin  241  from retracting out of the aperture. In the unlocked position, the pin is retracted from the aperture, allowing movement of the latch for engagement or disengagement of the hitch.  
         [0039]     The preferred method for attaching the hitch mounting assembly to the ATV will now be described with particular reference to  FIG. 4 . The vehicle  100  is positioned close to the hitch mounting assembly, and one end of a tether  70 , such as a rope, chain, cable, wire, links, etc., is attached to the vehicle  100  preferably at a location higher (to later facilitate lifting of the blade) than the mounting assembly. Most ATV's come equipped with a utility hook or clamp  71  coupled to a rope permanently attached at or near the top of the ATV body. This or any other convenient location typically at or near the front of the ATV can be used as the point of attachment of one end of the tether  70 . In ATV's where the clamp  71  is not original equipment, it can be added or another point of attachment can be used. The tether  70  is also a Cached to an actuator  75  such as a winch mounted on the mounting assembly, such as on the A-frame or on the working implement itself. In the embodiment shown, the winch  75  is electrically driven by the motor of the ATV, although it is within the scope of the present invention for the winch to be powered separately. Actuation of the winch causes the tether to be reeled onto the spool of the winch, in turn causing the mounting assembly to be pulled towards the vehicle  100 . The free end of the hitch member  25  is thus pulled towards receiver  11  in the direction of arrow  90 . In view of the corresponding shapes of the receiver  11  and hitch member  25 , the mounting assembly properly aligns with the vehicle  100  as the hitch member  25  is engaged by the receiver  11 . As the tether continues to wrap around winch  75  and pull the mounting assembly towards the vehicle, the hitch member  25  continues to progress into receiver  11 , until latch  220  engages bar  200 . The engagement of the latch with the bar causes the latch to pivot into a closed position about the bar. The locking assembly is then actuated (either automatically, or manually via lever  243 ) to secure the latch in place. Continued actuation of the winch raises the blade, and thus the winch can be used during operation of the vehicle to raise and lower the blade. Alternatively, the blade can be raised and lowered in a conventional manner, such as manually with a lift handle  210  ( FIG. 6A ) positioned rearwardly of the blade, the lift handle  210  being pivotally mounted on a bracket  212  and connected to a bell crank to vertically lift or lower the blade. Such manual actuation of the blade is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,615,745, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. In the embodiment shown, in the latched position the recess of the latch  220  faces downwardly towards the ground, although the latch  220  can be designed so that the recess faces upwardly.  
         [0040]     Alternatively, the assembly can be mounted to the vehicle manually. In view of the design of the hitch member  25  and corresponding receiver  11  and the relatively light weight of the hitch assembly, the assembly can be simply “pushed” into mounting relationship by one or more individuals without the use of the winch. For example, an individual can stand in front of the working implement, place his hands on the implement, and slide the assembly  10  towards the receiver  11 , allowing the hitch member to enter the receiver  11  and progress towards the rear thereof until the latch or latches engages bar or bars  200 .  
         [0041]     To remove the hitch mounting assembly from the vehicle chassis, the locking pin is released, and the lever  221  optionally is placed in the down position. Upon separating the vehicle from the assembly (such as by driving the vehicle away from the assembly or by manually pulling the assembly away from the vehicle), the latch moves away from the bar  200 , disengaging the same and actually pushing the receiver  11  away from the assembly. The electrical and mechanical connections are then disconnected to complete the dismount.  
         [0042]     Alternatively still, the assembly can be mounted to the vehicle by driving the vehicle towards the assembly, and in particular, towards the free end of the hitch member  25  so that it can be received by the receiver  11 . As the mounting progresses, the latch or latches engage the bar  200  and are locked in place. To facilitate the mounting and minimize or prevent the assembly from moving away from the vehicle as it is engaged by the receiver, the assembly can be temporarily fixed in place, such as by positioning it in front of an obstruction.  
         [0043]     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that although the foregoing illustrates a front-mounted assembly, mounting the same to the rear of the vehicle is within the scope of the present invention.