Abstract:
A cantilevered debris plow comprising: a) A housing having a first end and a second end, wherein said first end is open for discharge of debris and said second end is closed for input of debris: b) A mounting plate configurable for attachment to a prime mover is attached to said housing, wherein said mounting plate is positioned between said first end and said second end of said housing and wherein the distance from said first end to said mounting plate is less than the distance from said second end to said mounting plate; and; c) A debris engager positioned in said housing to engage and convey debris from said first end to said second end of said housing for discharge.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Applicant claims priority from U.S. Provisional Pat. App. No. 61/908,538 filed on Nov. 25, 2013, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates to a device for moving debris, such as snow, trash, dirt or other materials, accumulated upon parking surfaces which may impede use of the parking surface as found in a large parking lot or surrounding a warehouse complex, which may impede or interfere with movement of vehicles or trailers for attachment to vehicles. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosed and described in the patent application. 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     AUTHORIZATION PURSUANT TO 37 C.F.R. §1.171 (c) 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document may contain material that is subject to copyright and trademark protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyrights whatsoever. 
    
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       Brief Description of Drawings 
       In order that the advantages of the invention will be readily understood, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered limited of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a side view of an illustrative embodiment and prime mover (shown as a skid steer) according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an illustrative embodiment and prime mover (shown as a skid steer) according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3  is a view provided for perspective combing  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrating the illustrative embodiment positioned with a semi-trailer according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3A  is a detailed front view of the illustrative embodiment according to  FIG. 3  and further providing relative dimensions useful in understanding the problem solved by the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  provides a front perspective view of the cantilevered debris plow of the illustrative embodiment according to the present disclosure attached to a prime mover skid steer. 
         FIG. 5  provides a detailed front view of the cantilevered debris plow of the illustrative embodiment according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  provides a cross-sectional view of the illustrative embodiment according to the present disclosure from the debris outlet end of the embodiment of a cantilevered debris plow disclosed herein. 
         FIG. 7  provides a perspective view of the illustrative embodiment according to the present disclosure from the debris outlet end of the embodiment of a cantilevered debris plow disclosed herein before attachment to the primary mover. 
         FIG. 8  provides a perspective view of the illustrative embodiment according to the present disclosure from the debris inlet end of the embodiment of a cantilevered debris plow disclosed herein before attachment to the primary mover. 
         FIG. 9  provides a detailed view of the illustrative embodiment according to the present disclosure of the rear side of the embodiment of a cantilevered debris plow disclosed herein with additional detail of the debris inlet end with the pump enclosure in place. 
         FIG. 10  provides a detailed view of the illustrative embodiment according to the present disclosure of the rear side of the embodiment of a cantilevered debris plow disclosed herein with additional detail of the debris inlet end with the pump enclosure in place. 
         FIG. 11  provides a detailed view of the illustrative embodiment according to the present disclosure of the rear side of the embodiment of a cantilevered debris plow disclosed herein with additional detail of the debris inlet end. 
         FIG. 12  provides a detailed top view of the inlet end of the embodiment of the plow disclosed herein with particular detail of the components enclosed behind the protection plate as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
         FIG. 13  provides an overview of a parking lot having a plurality of semi-trailers parked in support of using an embodiment of the present disclosure to remove debris from under the semi-trailers parked therein. 
     
    
    
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 DETAILED DESCRIPTION - TABLE OF ELEMENTS 
               
             
          
           
               
                   
                 Element Description 
                 Element Number 
               
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 Surface 
                  1 
               
               
                   
                 Surface under trailer 
                  1a 
               
               
                   
                 Clean (bare) surface 
                  1b 
               
               
                   
                 Skidsteer (prime mover) 
                  2 
               
               
                   
                 Loader arms 
                  3 
               
               
                   
                 Loader arm pin end 
                  3a 
               
               
                   
                 Loader wheel 
                  4 
               
               
                   
                 Loader wheel - debris inlet side 
                  4a 
               
               
                   
                 Loader wheel - debris outlet side 
                  4b 
               
               
                   
                 Attachment plate 
                  5 
               
               
                   
                 Attachment plate - loader side 
                  5a 
               
               
                   
                 Attachment plate - accessory side 
                  5b 
               
               
                   
                 Trailer 
                  6 
               
               
                   
                 Trailer box 
                  6a 
               
               
                   
                 Trailer frame 
                  6b 
               
               
                   
                 Trailer axle 
                  7 
               
               
                   
                   
                  8 
               
               
                   
                 Trailer hitch 
                  9 
               
               
                   
                 Trailer dolly 
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Cantilevered Debris Plow (Plow) 
                 11 
               
               
                   
                 Debris inlet (closed end) 
                 11a 
               
               
                   
                 Debris outlet (open end) 
                 11b 
               
               
                   
                 Housing 
                 12 
               
               
                   
                 Housing height 
                 12a 
               
               
                   
                 Outer end section 
                 13 
               
               
                   
                 Outer end dimension 
                 13a 
               
               
                   
                 Inner end section 
                 14 
               
               
                   
                 Inner end section dimension 
                 14a 
               
               
                   
                   
                 15 
               
               
                   
                 Direction of debris travel 
                 16 
               
               
                   
                   
                 17 
               
               
                   
                 Quick tach brace 
                 18 
               
               
                   
                   
                 19 
               
               
                   
                 Frame 
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Vertical brace 
                 21 
               
               
                   
                 Horizontal brace 
                 22 
               
               
                   
                 Cutting edge 
                 23 
               
               
                   
                 Cutting edge bolts 
                 23a 
               
               
                   
                 Skid shoe 
                 24 
               
               
                   
                 Drive end enclosure 
                 25 
               
               
                   
                 Protection plate 
                 26 
               
               
                   
                 End plate 
                 27 
               
               
                   
                 Angle iron guard 
                 28 
               
               
                   
                 Flange bearing 
                 29 
               
               
                   
                 Hydraulic pump 
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 Hydraulic line 
                 31 
               
               
                   
                 Pump enclosure 
                 32 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustable jack 
                 33 
               
               
                   
                 Adjustable jack handle 
                 34 
               
               
                   
                 Jack mount 
                 35 
               
               
                   
                 Caster wheel 
                 36 
               
               
                   
                 Light 
                 37 
               
               
                   
                   
                 38 
               
               
                   
                   
                 39 
               
               
                   
                 Augur (debris engager) 
                 40 
               
               
                   
                 Auger shaft 
                 40a 
               
               
                   
                 Auger flighting 
                 40b 
               
               
                   
                 Augur sprocket 
                 41 
               
               
                   
                 Drive shaft 
                 42 
               
               
                   
                 Drive sprocket 
                 43 
               
               
                   
                 Drive chain 
                 44 
               
               
                   
                 Flange bearing 
                 45 
               
               
                   
                 Hanger bearing assembly 
                 46 
               
               
                   
                 Hanger bearing assembly bolts 
                 46a 
               
               
                   
                 Hanger bearing 
                 47 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION 
     Before the various embodiments of the present invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that phraseology and terminology used herein with reference to device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like “front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like) are only used to simplify description of the present invention, and do not alone indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”, and “third” are used herein and in the appended claims for purposes of description and are not intended to indicate or imply relative importance or significance. 
     No efficient mechanical process currently exists to remove snow or other debris that may accumulate on the parking surfaces under semi-trailers or other cantilevered structures. Current methods for removing snow from under semi-trailers include extra wide plows that leave windows under the trailers making it even more difficult for semi-tractors to hook up correctly. (Not shown) Offset box blades on skid steers or tractors allow for minimal snow capacity to be moved and significantly increase the amount of machine maneuvering and operator error. (Not shown) For example, operators must continually remove the box blade from underneath the trailers once the box blade is full of snow (approximately every 30-50′ depending on the snow fall amount). Large/fixed angle plows with an offset mount are also currently used and present the same difficulties as a box plow, as previously discussed. (Not shown) The method of clearing snow or debris with large/fixed angle plows offers even less snow carrying capacity and requires the operator to essentially make repeated “swoops” or “passes” under the semi-trailers increasing the possibility of accidents and property damage. 
     The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out illustrative embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appending claims. Various inventive features are described below herein that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features. 
       FIG. 1  provides a simplified side view of an illustrative embodiment of the cantilevered debris plow of the present disclosure. As shown, the cantilevered debris plow  10  is attached to a skid steer loader  2  having loader arms  3  via a skid steer loader universal quick attach plate (attachment plate)  5  secured to the housing  12 . Attachment plate  5  is constructed such that the loader side  5   a  is can be detached or attached via the pins as typically found at the end of loader arms  3   a . On the attachment or accessory side, the plate  5   b  is typically secured attached to the attachment or accessory and allows quick attaching or coupling with the loader side  5   a  by pushing the plate  5   a  up and into the (“scooping up”) the attachment or accessory. This type of quick tach type plate and set-up as shown here are well known to one of ordinary skill and typically designed to fit any model of skid steer loader or tractor having a loader mounted therein including models built by Bobcat, Case, ASV, Gehl, John Deere, New Holland and/or Caterpillar. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that housing  12  may be attached to the loader arms  3  in a multitude of ways other than with attachment plate  5  including by pins, rods and hitches and or combinations therein without departure from the spirit and intent of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of an illustrative embodiment of the cantilevered debris plow illustrating its asymmetric nature i.e. attachment plate  5  is not attached to the housing  12  at its middle or center.  FIG. 3  is a view provided for perspective combing  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrating the illustrative embodiment positioned with a canti-levered semi-trailer  6  according to the present disclosure.  FIG. 3A  is a detailed front view of the illustrative embodiment according to  FIG. 3  and further providing relative dimensions useful in understanding the problem solved by the present disclosure. As shown throughout, the housing  12  of the cantilevered debris plow  11  (“hereinafter referred to exclusively as “plow”) has a total length of 15.71 feet and is defined as having a debris inlet end  11   a  and debris outlet end  11   b . The debris inlet end  11   a  extends a considerable distance away from the prime mover  2  and is distal to the prime mover  2 . A skidshoe  24  is affixed to the frame of the plow  11  on the underside to support the distal end at the end plate  27 . (See also  FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 ) Additionally an adjustable jack  33  attached via the jack mount  35  allows for adjustment of the tension placed upon the skidshoe  24  during operation as more or less weight can be placed on skidshoe  24  by raising or lowering the jack  33  and engagement of the caster wheel  36  with surface  1 . During transit, the adjustable jack  33  may be fully lowered thereby raising skidshoe  24  off the surface  1  allowing for raised transit without engagement with surface  1 . Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that the loader arms  3  may be raised or lowered as well for operation or transit of plow  11 . (Not shown) Additionally, although not shown, one of ordinary skill will understand that the manual adjustable jack  33  herein may be replaced with a hydraulically actuated version without departure from the spirit and intent of the present disclosure. To assist with clearing operations and operator guidance a light  37  may be positioned on the housing  12  at either or both ends of the housing. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 3A , a semi-trailer  6  is an example of a cantilevered structure having at least one axle  7  is positioned at the rear of the trailer while the dolly of the trailer  10  supports the front end of the semi-trailer leaving a certain amount of the semi-trailer supported by the trailer dolly and hanging over the trailer dolly. This presents a problem because semi-tractors or other prime movers (not shown) are unable to be properly hitched to the semi-trailer  6  due to the accumulated snow or other debris interfering with proper placement of the semi-tractor under the trailer and for connection with the trailer hitch. (Not shown) Often times this leads to semi trailers  6  becoming disconnected and falling to the ground causing damage and even injury. Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , the large scale of the modern parking lot surrounding a warehouse and the typical higher costs of labor, a solution is needed does not require manual labor for removal of accumulated debris under this particularly hard to reach surfaces. 
     The area of the parking surface covered by the cantilevered trailer  6  is defined by the width of the trailer in a first dimension and the distance from the front of the trailer to the trailer dolly  10  of the trailer  6  in a second dimension. Typically, the trailer hitch  9  is positioned between the front of the semi-trailer and the trailer dolly  10 . A third dimension is the distance from the parking surface to the bottom of the trailer which is heretofore defined as the trailer clearance (height). One of ordinary skill will further appreciate from the present disclosure and figures that this third dimension also increases the difficulty and cost of solving this problem. 
     As shown the housing  12  on the first end extends between 1-2 feet past the outer width of the skid steer (prime mover) as illustrated by outer wheel  4   b  creating an outer end section  13  having an outer end dimension  13   a  of approximately five (5) feet from the center of the attachment plate  5 . The housing  12  on the debris inlet end  11   a  extends past the inner wheel  4   a  in the range of 8-10 feet creating an inner end section  14  having an inner end section dimension  14   a  of 10-11 feet. Further, as shown, the plow  11  is constructed with a housing height dimension of two (2) feet allowing a clearance of almost two (2) feet under the cantilevered portion of the trailer defined as the portion between the front of the trailer and the trailer dolly. As the dimensions of the trailer frame  6   b  height and the distance the trailer hitch  9  hangs down may vary, this is considered to be a reasonable clearance but is only one of many clearances which may be suitable for a particular application. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that the combination of the longer inner section  14  and the low profile of the plow  11  allows it to reach under the front portion of the trailer to remove accumulated debris positioned therein. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that other dimension combinations are possible that are suitable, dependent upon the particular application, for removal of accumulated debris from a parking surface  1   a  under a cantilevered trailer  6 . 
       FIGS. 4-12  illustrate and enable one embodiment of a plow  11  having an augur  40  positioned therein that may be engaged with a skid steer or other prime mover  2 . As discussed infra, a portion of the plow  11  may be positioned under an end of a semi-trailer or other cantilevered structure, as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 and 13 . 
       FIG. 4  provides a front perspective view of the plow  11  showing the offset in lengths between the inlet and discharge ends of the plow attached to a prime mover (shown as as a skid steer  2 ) previously discussed. As one of ordinary skill will appreciate that debris inlet side loader wheel ( 4   a ) of the skid steer may be replaced or substituted with tracks without limitation or restriction, as suitable for the particular application and or conditions. 
     As best illustrated by  FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7 , the housing  12  of the plow  11  is constructed of steel in the exemplary models shown. The housing  12  is compromised of a frame  20  illustrated as a “straightened” curved shape (see end view  FIG. 6 ) having both vertical  21  and horizontal braces  22  supporting the augur  40  positioned therein. As previously discussed, an attachment (mounting) plate  5   b  is affixed to the frame  20  with additional bracing on either side of the mounting plate  5   b  to enhance structural rigidity necessary support the cantilevered design. The plow  11  and various elements thereof may be constructed of any material known to those skilled in the art that is appropriate for the specific application thereof. For example, steel, metallic alloys, synthetic materials, natural materials, combinations thereof, and/or any other suitable material may be used without limitation. Although not shown, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that the mounting plate may be affixed to the housing and supporting frame by any number of methods includes by welding or by use of typical fasteners well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. In other embodiments, not shown, additional horizontal and or vertical rails may be affixed to the housing. Saddles that cooperatively engage with the rails may then be affixed to the mounting plate  5   b . The horizontal and or vertical rails in combination with attachment of additional hydraulic cylinders would then allow further adjustment of the vertical and or horizontal position of the plow  11  in relation to the prime mover  2 . For example, the addition of horizontal rails and a hydraulic cylinder may allow the operator to advance or retract the debris inlet end in relation to the prime mover increasing utility in reaching further under trailers or easy entry into and through parking lot gates. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 and 12 , the debris inlet end  11   a  is closed or solid. As shown, the hydraulic pump  30  and its drive components (drive shaft  42 , drive sprocket  43 , drive chain  44 ) are positioned at debris inlet end  11   a . Hydraulic lines  31  and hydraulic pump  30  sit on the rear side of the housing and are affixed to the housing therein and protected by pump enclosure  32 , which is removable as needed for maintenance or replacement of hydraulic lines  31  and hydraulic pump  30 , as needed. Hydraulic pump  30  and its drive components are integrated into housing  12  and frame  20 . As the plow  11  shown is subject to severe loads caused by engaging and driving through snow and ice, the drive components for the plow  11  are secured within and protected by drive end enclosure  25  having external protection plate  26 . Drive chain  44  is coupled to the auger sprocket  41  affixed to auger shaft  40   a  to rotatably drive the auger  40  having auger flighting  40   b  for contact and engagement with debris to be removed when energized by the hydraulic system and pump  30 . The auger  40  is secured within housing  12  with its auger shaft  40   a  supported by a combination of bearings secured within frame  20  of housing  12 . At the debris inlet side, the auger  40  is secured within the housing by flange bearing  29  affixed to the interior of end plate  27  and auger shaft  40   a  positioned therein. The auger  40  as shown has a diameter of 11.25 inches. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that other dimensions are possible without departure from the spirit and intent of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 11  provides a detailed view of the front side of the debris inlet side of the plow  11  with protection plate  26  in plate. As shown in the top of  FIG. 12 , the pump  30  is affixed to and positioned on the back side of the plow  11  with the drive chain  44 , auger sprocket  41  affixed to auger shaft  40   a  and flange bearing  29  secured behind the protection plate  26 . One of ordinary skill will appreciate that other drive configurations are possible without departure from the spirit and intent of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 6  provides a cross-sectional view of the debris outlet end of the plow  11  disclosed herein and  FIG. 7  provides a perspective view of the plow  11  from the debris outlet end  11   b  disclosed herein unattached to primary mover  2 . As shown, the debris outlet end  11   b  is open. As best illustrated by  FIG. 6 , auger  40  and auger shaft  40   a  are secured and supported within housing  12  at debris outlet end  11   b  by a number of hanger bearing assemblies  46  affixed to the frame  20  of housing  11  by a number of hanger bearing assembly bolts  46   a , as shown. A hanger bearing  47  is positioned within each hanger bearing assembly  46 , with auger shaft  40   a  positioned in and through the hanging bearing  47 . This particular combination of structure (hanger bearings  46 /hanger bearing assembly  47 ) allows the debris outlet end  11   a  to have an open configuration. One of ordinary skill will appreciate that other bearing and bearing support configurations are possible without departure from the spirit and intent of the present disclosure. 
     As best shown by  FIGS. 4, 7 and 8 , the plow  11  may be configured so that the skid steer or other prime mover  2  to receive energy from the prime mover via a power take off, compressed fluid source, or any other energy source without limitation (e.g., pneumatic, electrical, etc.) to power the debris moving system of the plow  11 , shown through-out as an auger without limitation. Although not shown, one of ordinary skill will appreciate that other types of powered debris moving systems could be used with the present apparatus and method including without limitation or restriction powered system having bristles or brushes allowing for removal of accumulated debris including trash, dirt, dust, fines, and or snow, as suitable for the particular application. As shown throughout in the following figures, applicant has chosen a prime mover  2  having a hydraulic system (not shown) using typical hydraulic lines  31  and a hydraulic pump (aka drive motor)  30  to power rotation of the auger  40  allowing for engagement and removal of accumulated snow from the surfaces engaged. 
     It should be noted that the plow is not limited to the specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended to apply to all similar methods and apparatuses for removing snow or other debris from under a cantilevered structure. Accordingly, modifications and alterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departure from the spirit and scope of the plow. It is understood that the plow as disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of one or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the plow. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing plow and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the same. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art. 
     Having described the preferred embodiment, other features, advantages, and/or efficiencies of the plow will undoubtedly occur to those versed in the art, as will numerous modifications and alterations of the disclosed embodiments and methods, all of which may be achieved without departing from the spirit and scope of the plow.