Abstract:
A sectional plow is provided. The sectional plow includes a plow body or blade. It also includes a first side plate attachable to a first side of the plow body, and a second side plate attachable to a second opposite side of the plow body. The sectional plow also includes a first thrust arm attachable to the plow body and the first side plate, and a second thrust arm attachable to the plow body and the second side plate. In an embodiment, the thrust arm is a pair of thrust arms. The plow also includes extensions of different sizes that are insertable between the plow body and the side plates to extend the width of the plow and provide at least three alternative plow widths. Significantly, the plow can be easily assembled and disassembled. It is designed to be bolted together as opposed to welded together.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/103,797 filed Jan. 15, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    N/A 
       TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0003]    The present invention generally relates to plows such as for snow removal, earth moving or other similar uses, and in particular to a sectional plow that can be assembled and disassembled, thus saving on costs associated with transporting, storing, and repairing the plow. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Plows for snow removal from roadways and for moving earth on construction vehicles are well-known in the art. Current plows are generally made of a single piece of material, such as steel, with components welded thereon. The plows are frequently connected to preexisting vehicles. Plows for snow and ice removal or earth moving need to be wide to allow full coverage of a road lane, runway or other open area and to maximize the plow&#39;s coverage. Such plows are produced in a single size and welded together at the factory. Different size blades are made separately and shipped separately. The size and bulk of the plows result in increased shipping costs as the plows typically must be shipped on an open flatbed. Each plow often must be packed separately or carefully laid-out on a pallet or in a container for shipping. In addition, the plow&#39;s size and bulk requires a large storage space when not in use. Thus, a significant amount of space is needed at the user&#39;s facility, the distributor&#39;s facility, and the retailer&#39;s facility when selling (inventorying) or storing when not in use. Floor space can, of course, be expensive. Because of the size and weight of steel plows, it is often difficult to store them on shelving or store them vertically. 
         [0005]    In addition, most plows are sold in single sizes. There are some plows that have hydraulics associated with expanding or reducing their widths, but as a general rule they are made, sold, and used in single sizes. If one size is used and another size desired, the one size is removed from the vehicle and another sized plow is installed in its place. Again, apart from the costs of the separate plows, the time needed to change out one and change in another can also be considerable. 
         [0006]    Finally, when a typical plow is damaged, a lot of time and energy must be placed into repairing the plow. Specifically, the damaged components must be cut from the plow such as by special saws and/or saw blades, or by laser/plasma cutting. Once the piece is cut-off, the new piece must be sized and welded into place. This process can take from days to weeks as the replacement parts, if available, must be ordered, received, and fitted, before welding into place. 
         [0007]    The present invention provides an easily assembled and disassembled sectional plow that is fastened together when needed. This sectional design permits the plow to be broken down for shipping and storage, resulting in a cost and space savings as compared to a single piece plow. It also allows the sectional pieces to be stacked during shipping and for storage, resulting in reduced shipping and storage space and costs. 
         [0008]    Further, it can be easily repaired when a component breaks and must be replaced. Spare parts or components can be stored or easily shipped. Once received, the replacement piece can be bolted on. 
         [0009]    Unlike existing plows, the present plow is designed so that it can be bolted together and can be flexible regarding its size or width and can be sized appropriately. It can be made with a width of 8′ and easily enlarged to widths such as, but not limited to, 10′ and 12′ depending on desired use or vehicle. Accordingly, a single plow can be modular and easily extendable by purchase and assembly of relatively few additional parts/components. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    In an embodiment of the present invention, a plow is disclosed that can be assembled and disassembled by removable fasteners (in an alternative embodiment, the separate components of the plow can be secured with other, more permanent fasteners, such as rivets). 
         [0011]    The plow includes a blade, two side members, each being positioned at a side of the blade, and at least one or more struts with each reinforcing a side member and the blade. Each side piece has a runner attached to the bottom and an elongated contact edge is attached adjacent the bottom of the blade (again, in alternative embodiments, wheels, a wear surface or other similar structures can be used instead of a runner). The plow is assembled and disassembled by fasteners comprised of sturdy bolts and nuts. In one embodiment, only two struts are used, each strut attaching to the blade and a side member. In another embodiment, two struts are used on each side so that two struts are attached between the blade and each side member. The struts are to reinforce the side members and the blade. 
         [0012]    In additional embodiments separate pairs of extensions are used and positioned between the blade and side members, one on each side of the blade. Different pairs of extensions are used to enlarge the width of the plow. A plow of the first embodiment has a width of about 8 feet. Other embodiments have widths of about 10 feet and 12 with dual extensions of approximately 1 foot and 2 feet, respectively. Other widths can be created by altering the number or size of any extensions. 
         [0013]    As to the struts or thrust arms, a first thrust arm is attachable to the plow body and the first side plate, and a second thrust arm is attachable to the plow body and the second side plate. When a single thrust arm is used on each side ( FIGS. 13 and 14 ), the first and second thrust arms are attached to the plow body and the first and second side plates at an angle in the range of 30 to 45 degrees along a horizontal axis, and an angle in the range of 50 to 60 degrees along a vertical axis. When dual thrust arms are used, two on each side, as shown in  FIGS. 15-20 , the first set of thrust arms and second set of thrust arms are attached to the plow body and first and second side plates at an angle in the range of 30 to 60 degrees along a horizontal axis, and an angle in the range of 8 to 16 degrees along a vertical axis. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a sectional plow made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view the sectional plow of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the plow of  FIG. 1  showing the thrust arms, side plate and plow body of the plow; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of the plow of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a side elevation view of the plow of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of a second embodiment of the sectional plow made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a rear perspective view the plow of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the plow of  FIGS. 7 and 8 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of the sectional plow made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 11  is a rear perspective view the plow of  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 12  is a top plan view of the plow of  FIGS. 10 and 11 ; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 13 and 14  is a top plan view and front view of a fourth embodiment of the sectional plow of having a single thrust arm connecting the blade and side plates; 
           [0028]      FIGS. 15 and 16  is a top plan view and front view of a plow of the first embodiment having a dual thrust arms connecting the blade and side plates; 
           [0029]      FIGS. 17 and 18  is a top plan view and front view of a plow of the second embodiment having a dual thrust arms connecting the blade and side plates; and, 
           [0030]      FIGS. 19 and 20  is a top plan view and front view of a plow of the third embodiment having a dual thrust arms connecting the blade and side plates. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
         [0032]      FIGS. 1-6 and 15-16  show a first embodiment of a sectional plow  10  made in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The plow  10  includes a plow body, or blade  12 , a first side plate  14  attachable to a first side  16  of the plow body  12 . The plow  10  also includes a second side plate  18  attachable to a second side  20  of the plow body  10  opposite the first side plate  14 . The first and second side plates  14 , 18  of the blade  12  include flanges  114 , 118 . ( FIG. 4 ) that project out at right angles to the blade  12 . The first and second side plates  14 , 18  are attached to the flanges  114 , 118  preferably by high tensile strength bolts  25 . (Note: throughout the disclosure reference number  25  is used to show either bolts or openings for the bolts). Very generally, flanges and bolts are used throughout the construction of this plow. The flanges are sized (thickness and width) to support the pieces being connected under strenuous conditions and the bolts are properly spaced from one another for the same purpose. The plow  10  also includes one or more struts or thrust arms. In the embodiment shown, two first struts or thrust arms  22  and two second struts or thrust arms  24  are shown. The first thrust arms  22  are attachable to and extend between the blade or plow body  12  and the first side plate  14 . And, the second thrust arms  24  are attachable to the plow body or blade  12  and the second side plate  18 . The first and second thrust arms  22 , 24  are preferably attached to the plow body  12  and respective side plates  14 , 18  by high tensile strength bolts  25 , although any suitable removable attachment or fastening method may be used. The plow body  12 , and first and second side plates  14 , 18  are preferably made of steel, namely stainless steel, but can be any suitable high strength material. 
         [0033]    The first and second thrust arms  22 , 24  each include a bar portion  68 . Attached to a first end of the bar portion  68  is a first mounting plate  70 . Attached to a second opposite end of the bar portion is a second mounting plate  72 . The mounting plates are angled so as to mount flush or at the same angle as the piece (blade or side piece) they are attached to. The first mounting plates  70  include a first plurality of bolt openings  25 . Here, there are four. The second mounting plates  72  include a second plurality of bolt openings  25 . Here also there are four bolt openings and bolts used. The first and second mounting plates  70 , 72  are preferably welded to the respective ends of the bar portion  68 . The first mounting plates  70  attach to the vertical portion  44  of the plow body  12  using bolts  25  inserted through the bolt openings of the first mounting plates and bolt openings in the generally vertical portion  44  of the plow body  12 . The second mounting plates  72  attach to the first and second side plates  14 , 18  using bolts  25  inserted through bolt openings of the side plates  14 , 18  and openings of the second mounting plates  72 . 
         [0034]    Accordingly, when disassembled, the four bars  68  with their mounting plates  70 , 72  are separated from the blade and side members and can be stored or shipped alongside or in the blade and side members and then be easily reassembled at a later date. 
         [0035]    The bottom edge  28  of the blade  12  also includes a contact edge  26  attachable thereto. 
         [0036]    Attached to a bottom edge  30  of the first side plate  14  is a first runner  32 . Attached to a bottom edge  34  of the second side plate  18  is a second runner  36 . Each runner  32 , 36  also has a flange  32   a , 36   a  for attaching the runner to the bottom edge  30  of the side member. The contact edge  26  and first and second runners  32 , 36  are attached preferably with high tension bolts  25 . The contact edge  26  and first and second runners  32 , 36  are preferably made of 2000-2500 psi rubber or polyurethane as they are typically in contact with the surface being plowed. The contact edge  26  and bottom edge  28  of the blade  12  can be sandwiched between two elongated straight pieces of steel  35  with bolts going through the pieces of steel and the bottom edge with the contact edge disposed therebetween. The bolt holes of the three pieces are aligned before bolting. In the alternative, the contact edge  26  can be sandwiched between a single elongated piece of steel  35  and the blade  12  with the bolt holes also aligned. 
         [0037]    As shown best in  FIG. 2 , attached to a rear side  38  of the plow body  12  is a mounting plate, shown schematically by X. The mounting plate X secures the plow  10  to a vehicle (not shown). The mounting plate X can be customized for mounting on a particular vehicle and is well-known in the art. The mounting plate  40  can be, but need not be, permanently affixed to the plow body  12 , such as by welding. The mounting plate  40  is preferably made of steel, but can be made of any suitable material. 
         [0038]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the blade  12  includes a first lower inwardly angled portion  42 , a generally vertical portion  44 , and a second upper inwardly angled portion  46 . All portions  42 , 44 , 46 , in combination form a scoop for use in collecting snow or dirt. The scoop can also be used for moving other materials, such as but not limited to, grain or dry media or water, etc. The plow body  12  also includes a plurality of bolt openings  48  along its bottom edge  28 . The generally vertical portion  44  includes a plurality of bolt openings  56  placed to accommodate bolts  25  attaching the plates  70  connected to the first and second plates thrust arms  22 , 24  to the plow body  12  as will be described below. 
         [0039]    As also seen in  FIG. 2 , horizontal parallel channel members  200 , 201  are welded to the rear of the blade  12  to specifically reinforce the blade and stabilize it. These can be C-channels, I-channels or box channels. As used herein, the channels can include any suitable cross-section that provides the required stiffness. 
         [0040]    Turning back to  FIG. 5 , the first and second side plates  14 , 18  have similar constructions. Each has a plurality of bolt openings  25  along its respective bottom edge  30 , 34  to accommodate bolts  25  to attach the first and second runners  32 , 36  thereto. Along the rear edges  60  of the respective side plates  14 , 18  are a plurality of bolt openings  25  to accommodate bolts to attach the side plates  14 , 18  to the first and second sides  16 , 20  respectively of the plow body  12  using bolts  25 . The side plates  14 , 18  also include a plurality of bolt openings  25  adjacent their front edge  62  to attach the plates  72  for first and second thrust arms  22 , 24  attached thereto. 
         [0041]    The first and second thrust arms  22 , 24  are preferably mounted to the plow body  12  and first and second side plates  14 , 18  such that the bar portion  68  forms an angle a in the range of 30 to 60 degrees with the horizontal axis, with a preferred angle of approximately 45 degrees, and an angle b in the range of 8 to 16 degrees with the vertical axis, with a preferred angle of approximately 10 degrees, to ensure the strength and stability of the sectional plow  10  during use. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 7-9 and 17-18  show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the blade is extended on both sides with extension sections  310 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 10-12 and 19-20  show a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment the blade is extended on both sides with extension sections  320 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 13-14  show a fourth embodiment of the present invention. In accordance with this embodiment, the plow  10  includes only one first thrust arm  22  and one second thrust arm  24 . 
         [0045]    The bolt openings in the parts are pre-bored so that the parts can be assembled and then easily bolted together. Standard high strength bolts have hexagonal bolt heads and nuts. In some locations, it is more advantageous to use carriage bolts with rounded, smooth heads. Such places include high impact areas, such as the face of the blade. 
         [0046]    The following parts can be disassembled or shipped broken down: 
         [0047]    the blade  12  (with support channels  201 , 201 ); 
         [0048]    each strut (first struts  22  and second struts  24 )(each with welded end plates  70 , 72 ); 
         [0049]    each side piece (first side  14  and second side  18 ); 
         [0050]    each runner (first runner  32  and second runner  36 ); 
         [0051]    an elongated contact edge  26 ; 
         [0052]    two elongated straight pieces of steel  35 ; and, 
         [0053]    bolts  25 . 
         [0054]    It is relatively easy to assemble the above parts together and assemble the parts for transport or storage. In addition, if something breaks, the piece can be relatively easy to replace with a new piece. Instead of extensive, time consuming repair work, the broken parts can be removed and replaced. 
         [0055]    The above descriptions relate to a plow having an approximate width of 8 feet. This standard width can be easily enlarged to 10 feet and or 12 feet, or other size as discussed above. To accomplish this, plow blade extensions can be added. In particular, extension sections  310  of one foot (as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 7-9 ) or extension sections  320  of two feet (as shown in the embodiment of  FIGS. 10-12 ) can be added to the original structure  10  to form plows of 10 feet ( 110 ) or twelve feet ( 120 ). The blades of each extension  112 , 212  are constructed with a structure to those of the center blade  12  ( FIG. 6 ) having a first lower inwardly angled portion, a generally vertical portion, and a second upper inwardly angled portion with all the portions forming a scoop for collecting snow or dirt. Each of the extension blades  112 , 212  has flanges  214 , 218  integral to their sides, similar to construction to the flanges  14 , 18  of the center blade  12 . Thus, the blade  12  can be unbolted to the side pieces along its flanges and those same flanges can be connected to the blade extension, which in turn can be connected along its free side along its respective flange to the side pieces. In short, the side pieces can be removed and an extension can be interposed between each side piece and the original blade to extend the width of the plow. The first and second sides  14 , 18  of the blade  12  include flanges  114 , 118 . 
         [0056]    As before, each plow  110 , 120  includes struts  122 , 124 , 222 , 224  with each including a bar portion  168 , 268 . Attached to a first end of the bar portion  168 , 268  is a first mounting plate  170 , 270  and attached to a second, opposite end of the bar portion is a second mounting plate  172 , 272 . The plates  170 , 270 , 72 , 172 , 272  include a plurality of bolt openings  25  with aligned bolt openings in the blade and side members. The strut angles are preferably those discussed above with respect to  FIG. 1 . 
         [0057]    Accordingly, to convert the 8′ plow 10 to a 10 or 12 foot plow, one removes the side members  14 , 18  and struts  22 , 24 , inserts and attaches the two extensions ( 310  or  320 ) between the side members  14 , 18  and the blade  12  and then connects the appropriate new struts ( 122 , 124  or  222 , 224 ) contact edge  26  and bottom edge  34  of the blade  12  can be sandwiched between two elongated straight pieces of steel  35  with bolts going through the pieces of steel and the bottom edge and contact edge disposed therebetween. In the alternative, the contact edge  26  can be sandwiched between a single elongated piece of steel  35  and the blade  12 . 
         [0058]    Accordingly, both assembling the plow and disassembling the plow can be performed relatively quickly with minimal tools and in relatively little time. The disassembled plow can be stowed, stored, or shipped in a relatively small space or package. For example, the blade can be used as the shell and the struts, side pieces, runners, elongated contact edge, extensions, alternative struts, and bolts can be stored under or within the frame of the blade for storing. The blade can them be wrapped and shipped at a lower freight rate. 
         [0059]    While the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limited by the scope of the accompanying Claims.