Abstract:
A plow blade guard adapted for attachment to a selected plow blade and method of use is disclosed. The plow blade guard includes an elongated tubular member having an elongated slot formed along its length, the elongated slot is adapted to receive the cutting edge or lower edge of a selected plow blade. The plow blade guard is held place by brackets, chains and clamps. The guard may include handles to facilitate installation and removal.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention claims priority to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/526,320, filed 23 Aug. 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to plow blades and particularly to guard attachments for the blade cutting edge. A traditional snow plow blade includes a cutting edge formed or attached at the lower edge of the plow blade. The function of the cutting edge is to scrape or cut through the snow or ice to remove them from the surface being plowed, such as a road or driveway. The cutting edge is traditionally formed from a hardened piece of steel and is typically attached to the lower edge of the plow blade by way of bolts or the like. Since cutting edges wear over time and need to be replaced, the cutting edge is preferably attached to the plow blade in a manner that permits facile removal. Thus the cutting edge can be replaced as needed while the rest of the plow blade, which is subject to much less wear, has a longer life span. 
         [0003]    A typical cutting edge is somewhat sharp and therefore will tend to cut or dig into surfaces that are not sufficiently hard. For example, if the snowplow is used on a grassy surface or dirt surface, the cutting edge will cut into the grass or dirt and thereby damage the surface. A similar result may occur when the plow is used on a gravel surface. When used on a gravel surface, a typical cutting edge will tend to push the loose gravel, along with the snow, along the plow path. In these situations, subsequent repair of the grass, dirt or gravel is required due to damage done by a typical plow cutting edge. 
         [0004]    Standard cutting edges have also been known to damage surfaces made from brick or paver blocks since the relatively sharp cutting edge has a tendency to chip or break the bricks and blocks. Further, if a surface to be plowed has been coated with paint or an epoxy coating, which is common in parking structures, the plow cutting edge is likely to scrape the paint or coating from the surface. Additional damage may be done to surfaces having speed-bumps or similar structures since the cutting edge is likely to damage these structures as well. 
         [0005]    Plow damage to the mentioned environments is costly to repair and further add to annual grounds maintenance since the repairs must be repeated annually after the end of each plowing season. Therefore, there is a need for a device for use in conjunction with a plow blade that will enable the plow to be used in the mentioned plow environments without creating damage to the plowed environment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention allows the user to plow a path on diverse paved or non-paved surfaces without causing damage to the plow, vehicle equipment, or to the ground surface. The present invention includes a removable plow blade guard having a unique, rounded cross section to therefore allow it and the attached plow to glide across a variety of terrains or obstacles such as rocks or bumps without damage to the underlying terrain. The invention is adapted to fit most manufactured plows and to be easily attached and removed by one individual. 
         [0007]    The invention can be fabricated in a variety of sizes to meet user needs. It may be used in conjunction with residential snowplows, commercial snowplows, split plows, wing plows, all terrain vehicle snowplows, tractor plows, and grader blades. 
         [0008]    The blade guard of the present invention preferably includes a tubular member having an elongated open slot formed along its top surface. Optional end caps may be attached at each end of the member. One or more handles may be affixed along the outer surface of the tubular member. 
         [0009]    A pair of brackets may be attached to the outer surface of the tubular member with the first end of a chain being connected to each bracket. A buckle or clamp may be connected to the opposite end of each chain. 
         [0010]    In use, a plow blade and cutting edge to be used in conjunction with the invention is inserted into the elongated slot. The blade guard is then secured to the plow blade by way of a chain and clamp arrangement which is adapted to attach to an upper portion of the plow blade and/or its frame. The invention can be easily attached by one individual and removed by one individual. One or more handles are attached in locations along the tubular member for easy installation and removal. 
         [0011]    The benefit to the user includes the ability to plow a path through the snow using existing plow equipment without causing damage to the plow equipment or the ground surface. This ability allows the user to access areas of property once unavailable during snow cover. Examples of difficult to plow residential areas include: paths to barns or outbuildings during winter months, or access to livestock pens or farm fields. The invention also allows the user to clear snow from the terrain when the ground is not frozen during early winter and spring months by lessening damage to grassy areas and avoiding time-consuming and costly repairs to the property. Some commercial applications of the invention include use on snowplows used to plow lots with speed bumps, or use on municipal plows having wing plows. Use of the invention on wing plows helps avoid moving gravel on the shoulder of the road or damage to grassy shoulder areas. In addition, the invention may be used on gravel or dirt roadways. The novel blade guard can be used on all terrain vehicles as well as garden or lawn tractors to create a variety of paths for a variety of needs. Residential users can use the invention to plow custom driveways, brick driveways or patios. States and governmental agencies can utilize the device in parts of the United States or Canada with unpaved roadways without causing damage to the ground surface. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a device according to the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is another perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the invention attached to a traditional snow plow. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side perspective view showing the device attached to a plow. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of the invention as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and taken along lines  5 - 5  thereof. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 6A-6C  illustrate a method of attaching the device to a plow blade. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment and illustrating a clamp, chain and bracket with the device engaged with a plow blade. 
           [0019]      FIGS. 8A-8C  illustrate a method of attaching the device illustrated in  FIG. 7  to a plow blade. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  is a side view showing an embodiment having an alternative attachment means. 
           [0021]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate the device in use while in place on a plow blade. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0022]    Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims. 
         [0023]    With reference now to  FIG. 1 , a plow blade guard  10  according to the present invention may be seen. As illustrated, the guard  10  preferably includes a tubular member  12  having a tubular member top surface  14  and a tubular member bottom surface  16 . As seen, an elongated open slot  18  may be formed along the tubular member top surface  14 . The guard  10  may further include end caps  20  at each end  22  of the tubular member  12 , although  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  8 A- 10 B illustrate the invention with end caps  20  removed for ease of viewing. Further, one or more handles  24  may be affixed along an outer surface  26  of the tubular member  12 . The handles  24  aid the user in attaching and detaching the guard  10  from a selected plow blade  28 , as will be discussed in detail. 
         [0024]    With further reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  4 , it may be seen that the plow guard  10  preferably includes attachment means to further secure the blade guard  10  to a selected plow blade  28 . The attachment illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6C  preferably includes a pair of brackets  30 A,  30 B. As seen, the brackets  30 A,  30 B may be attached to the outer surface  26  of the tubular member  12  by welding or other secure means. Each bracket  30 A,  30 B may include at least one pin aperture  32  for receipt of a link pin  34  therethrough. As seen particularly in the view of  FIG. 4 , the pin is adapted to engage a first end  36  of a chain member  38 . The number of pin apertures  32  may vary according the specific application and as desired to provide a variety of link pin  34  positioning points. The ability to position the chain member  38  at various locations along a selected bracket  30 A,  30 B allows the user flexibility in the tension adjustment and angle of the chain  38  length. 
         [0025]    With reference now to  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  6 A- 6 C, a buckle or clamp  40  may be seen. Clamp  40  is connected to an opposite, second end  42  of each chain  38  by way of a clamp bracket  44 . As illustrated, the clamp  40  may be a toggle type clamp, such as the latch action toggle clamp shown. The clamp  40  may include a handle member  46  and U-bolt portion  48 . In use, the U bolt portion  48  is adapted to engage an upstanding latch  50  on latch plate bracket  52 . Clamps  40  for use with the present invention may include latch action toggle clamps such as those manufactured by Carr Lane Manufacturing Company or De-Sta-Co, by way of non-limiting example. As viewed particularly in  FIG. 6A-6C , a latch plate bracket  52  may be attached to an upper edge  54  of plow blade  28  through use of the bolt  56  arrangement shown or other suitable means. 
         [0026]    With particular attention to  FIGS. 6A-6C , attachment of the blade guard  10  to a selected plow blade  28  may be seen. As illustrated, the plow blade  28 , including a cutting edge  58  is inserted into the elongated slot  18  in the direction of arrow A. The blade guard  10  is then secured to the plow blade  28  by way of a chain  38  and clamp  40 , each of which is respectively attached to an upper portion  54  of the plow blade  28  by latch plate bracket  52  and upstanding latch  50 . As shown, the u-bolt portion  48  of the toggle clamp  40  engages the upstanding latch  50 . The handle  46  of the toggle clamp  40  is then rotated in the direction of arrow B wherein a clamping force locks the blade guard  10  on the plow  28  cutting edge  58 . The blade guard  10  may be further provided with rod members  60  (see particularly  FIG. 5 ) extending longitudinally along portion of the inside surface  62  of tubular member  12 . The rod members  60  provide further stability and aid in secure attachment of the guard  10  to a plow blade  28 . Other stability measures may include the use of additional strapping, such as the bungee cords  64  shown, to thereby prevent plow jostling during use to move the toggle handles  46  to an unlatched position and thereby inadvertently release the guard  10  from the blade  28 . 
         [0027]    With reference now to  FIG. 7 , an alternative embodiment of the blade guard  100  may be seen. Similar to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-6C , the blade guard  100  illustrated in  FIG. 7  includes a tubular member  12  having a tubular member top surface  14  and a tubular member bottom surface  16 . As seen, the blade guard  100  further includes an elongated open slot  18  which is formed along the tubular member top surface  14 . One or more handles  24  may be affixed along an outer surface  26  of the tubular member  12  to aid the user in maneuvering and placing the blade guard  100  on a selected plow blade  28 . The blade guard  100  shown in  FIG. 7  further includes attachment means to secure the blade guard  100  to a selected plow blade  28 . The attachment illustrated in  FIG. 7 , similar to that of the blade guard  10  illustrated in  FIGS. 1-6C , preferably includes a pair of brackets  30 A,  30 B. The brackets  30 A,  30 B may be attached to the outer surface  26  of the tubular member  12  by welding or other secure means. As does the blade guard  10 , each bracket  30 A,  30 B of the blade guard  100  may include at least one pin aperture  32  for receipt of a link pin  34  therethrough. The link pin  34  is adapted to engage a first end  36  of a chain member  38 , with each chain member  38  being connected to a respective bracket  30   a,    30   b.  As may be further seen, a buckle or clamp  40  is connected to the opposite, second end  42  of each chain  38 . As illustrated, the clamp  40  may be a toggle type clamp, such as the latch action toggle clamp shown, and include a handle member  46  and a u-bolt portion  48 , the u-bolt portion  48  being attached to a link of the chain  38 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the clamp bracket  144  of clamp  40  includes an angled edge  66  adapted to fit over and engage an upper support edge  70  of blade member  28 . 
         [0028]    With particular attention to  FIGS. 8A-8C , attachment of the blade guard  100  to a selected plow blade  28  may be seen. Similar to the device illustrated in  FIGS. 6A-6C , the plow blade  28 , including a cutting edge  58  is inserted into the elongated slot  18  in the direction of arrow A. The blade guard  100  is then secured to the plow blade  28  by chain  38  and clamp  40 , each of which is respectively attached to an upper support edge  70  of the plow blade  28  by engagement of the angled edge  66  of clamp bracket  144  and the upper support edge  70 . As shown, the u-bolt portion  48  of the toggle clamp  40  engages the second end  42  of chain  38 . Unlike the installation shown in  FIG. 6A-6C , the handle  46  of the toggle clamp  40  is then rotated in the direction of arrow C wherein a clamping force engages the angled edge  66  and upper support edge  70 , thereby locking the blade guard  100  on the plow  28  cutting edge  58 . The blade guard  100  may be further provided with rod members  60  extending longitudinally along portion of the inside surface  62  of tubular member  12  to provide further stability and aid in secure attachment of the guard  100  to a plow blade  28 . 
         [0029]    With reference now to  FIG. 9 , an alternative embodiment of the blade guard  200  may be seen. Similar to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1-8C , the blade guard  200  illustrated in  FIG. 9  includes a tubular member  12  having a tubular member top surface  14  and a tubular member bottom surface  16 . As seen, the blade guard  200  further includes an elongated open slot  18  which is formed along the tubular member top surface  14 . One or more handles  24  may be affixed along an outer surface  26  of the tubular member  12  to aid the user in maneuvering and placing the blade guard  200  on a selected plow blade  28 . The blade guard  200  shown in  FIG. 9  further includes alternative attachment means to secure the blade guard  200  to a selected plow blade  28 . The attachment illustrated in  FIG. 9  preferably includes a screw  68 , or other like device, that is adapted to pinch the tubular member  12  and rod  60  to thereby engage the guard  200  with the plow blade cutting edge  58 . The blade guard  200  may be further provided with rod members  60  extending longitudinally along portion of the inside surface  62  of tubular member  12  to provide further stability and aid in secure attachment of the guard  200  to a plow blade  28 . 
         [0030]    The present invention further includes a method of plowing a selected surface  72  (see  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B) including the steps of attaching a plow guard  10 ,  100 ,  200  to the lower edge of a plow blade  28 , plowing a surface and removing the plow guard  10 ,  100 ,  200 . More specifically, a method may include the steps of: 
         [0031]    providing a plow blade  28  having an upper edge  54  and a lower edge; providing a plow blade guard  10 , the plow blade guard  10  having a tubular member  12 , the tubular member  12  including a tubular member top surface  14 , a tubular member bottom surface  16 , and an inside surface  62 , the tubular member top surface  14  further including an elongated open slot  18  formed therein, the tubular member bottom surface including at least one bracket member  30 A,  30 B, an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism including at least one chain member  38  and at least one clamp member  40 ; 
         [0032]    inserting the lower edge of the plow blade  28  into the elongated slot  18 ; 
         [0033]    attaching at least one latch plate bracket  52  to an upper edge  54  of the plow blade  28 ; 
         [0034]    attaching a first end  36  of the at least one chain member  38  to the at least one bracket member  30 A,  30 B; 
         [0035]    attaching a second end  42  of the at least one chain member  38  to the at least one clamp member  40 ; 
         [0036]    clamping the clamp member  40  to the at least one latch plate bracket  52 ; and 
         [0037]    plowing a selected surface with the plow blade  28  and attached plow blade guard  10 . 
         [0038]    An alternative method may include the steps of: 
         [0039]    providing a plow blade  28  having an upper edge  54  and a lower edge; providing a plow blade guard  100  the plow blade guard  100  having a tubular member  12 , the tubular member  12  including a tubular member top surface  14 , a tubular member bottom surface  16 , and an inside surface  62 ; the tubular member top surface  14  further including an elongated open slot  18  formed therein; the tubular member bottom surface including at least one bracket member  30 A,  30 B; an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism including at least one chain member  38 , at least one clamp member  40  having a rotatable handle  46 , and a least one clamp bracket  144 ; 
         [0040]    inserting the lower edge of the plow blade  28  into the elongated slot  18 ; 
         [0041]    attaching a first end  36  of the at least one chain member  38  to the at least one bracket member  30 A,  30 B; 
         [0042]    attaching a second end  42  of the at least one chain member  38  to the at least one clamp member  40 ; 
         [0043]    attaching the at least one clamp bracket  144  to an upper support edge  70  of the plow blade  28 ; 
         [0044]    rotating the handle  46  of the clamp member  44  to thereby clamp the clamp bracket  144  and tubular member  12  to the plow blade  28 ; and 
         [0045]    plowing a selected surface with the plow blade  28  and attached plow blade guard  100 . 
         [0046]    A method may further include the step of providing the tubular member  14  with at least one handle. 
         [0047]    A method may further include the step of providing the tubular member  14  inside surface  62  with at least one rod member  60  extending longitudinally along portion of the inside surface  62 . 
         [0048]    The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.