Abstract:
An adjustable snow plow having a center unit; at least one extender wing; a square channel connected to said center unit; at least one mounting bracket connected to said center unit wherein the at least one extender wing is connected to the center unit via the square channel, and the mounting bracket is selectably attachable to a vehicle. 
     The adjustable snow plow is able to vary the width of the plow blade so as to accommodate a number of different locations for which snow may need to be removed. The adjustable plow may be a straight blade plow, or a partially straight blade plow that allows for the user of the adjustable plow to dictate in which direction the desired snow is displaced.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for snow removal. More particularly, the present invention is directed at a snow plow whose working width can be adjusted to accommodate various sized areas in need of snow removal. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Snow plows are frequently used as snow removal devices in the winter months in cold climates. Snow removal is often desirable for people to be able to travel efficiently. Sometimes entities will need to keep several different sized snow plows in their equipment inventory to accommodate various sized jobs, such as driveways, parking lots, streets, and sidewalks. This is disadvantageous, as each snow plow has associated costs including the purchase price, maintenance and storage. In addition, there are various types of plows, e.g. most snow plows will displace snow to the side, so the result is that there is a pile of plowed snow that is parallel to the direction of travel of the plow. Other types of snow removal apparatuses, sometimes called “containment plows”, capture the snow and transport it without the transverse displacement associated with “straight blade plows.” 
         [0003]    What is needed is a cost-effective snow plow apparatus that can accommodate all of the needs of the different sized areas that need to be plowed, and can remove the snow such that there is no residual snow that can cause additional access problems. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Provided is a an adjustable snow plow having a center unit; at least one extender wing; a square channel connected to said center unit; at least one mounting bracket connected to said center unit wherein the at least one extender wing is connected to the center unit via the square channel, and the mounting bracket is selectably attachable to a vehicle. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is an embodiment of an adjustable plow in the extended position. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is an embodiment of an adjustable plow in the retracted position. 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is an additional embodiment of an adjustable plow without containment plates. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , a perspective view of an embodiment of the rear of an adjustable plow  100  in an extended position is shown wherein extender wings  110  and  112  can be attached to the center unit  120 , and can be extended toward the distal ends of center unit  120  to achieve a maximum width of adjustable plow  100 . Center unit  120  can consist of a curved region  122  between the top edge  160  and a lateral support member  170 . Center unit  120  can have a horizontally mounted square channel  130  on its rearward side into which extender wing bars  140  and  142  can appropriately slide. 
         [0009]    According to one embodiment, the extender wing bars  140  and  142  are able to slide about the horizontally mounted square channel  130  so that the extender wing bars  140  and  142  move away from each other so as to increase the overall width of the plow  100 . According to another embodiment, the extender wing bars  140  and  142  are able to slide about the horizontally mounted square channel  130  so that the extender wing bars  140  and  142  move towards each other so as to decrease the overall width of the plow  100 . According to a further embodiment, the extender wing bars  140  and  142  are able to slide about the horizontally mounted square channel  130  independently from one another so as to vary the overall width of the plow  100 . 
         [0010]    With continued reference to  FIG. 1 , the center unit  120  can also have support columns  150  that can extend from a top edge  160  of the center unit  120  to the bottom of center unit  120 . Likewise, extender wings  110  and  112  can have support columns  152  and  154  respectively. Extender wings  110  and  112  can have curved regions  114  and  116  respectively, which will each align with center unit curved region  122 . 
         [0011]    With reference to  FIG. 2 , a perspective view of the front of the adjustable plow  100  in a retracted position, an embodiment of an adjustable plow  100  is shown wherein extender wings  110  and  112  can be retracted inward towards the center of center unit  120  to achieve a minimum width. Center unit  120  can consist of a non-curved, substantially vertical region  124  between the bottom edge  180  and the lateral support member  170 . Extender wings  110  and  112  can have non-curved, substantially vertical regions  118  and  119  respectively, which will each align with center unit non-curved, substantially vertical region  124 . 
         [0012]    According to one embodiment, extender wings  110  and  112  can have side containment plates  156  and  158  respectively. The side containment plates  156  and  158  are capable of containing the desired amount of snow within the limits of the plow  100 . According to one embodiment, the side containment plates  156  and  158  are fixed to the end of extender wings  110  and  112  respectively in a manner that does not allow them to move other than with the horizontal extension of the extender wings  110  and  112 . According to another embodiment, the side containment plates  156  and  158  are fixed about a vertical axis that allows them to pivot longitudinally about said vertical axis. This allows for the side containment plates  156  and  158  to be oriented at any angle, relative to the substantially vertical region  124 , between 90° and  180 ° . When the side containment plates are rotated so as to be in the same plane as that of the substantially vertical region  124  (180°), the overall width of the plow  100  is increased by the respective length of each side containment plate  156  or  158  that is so extended. 
         [0013]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , another embodiment of the plow  100  is shown in a perspective view such that the plow  100  is able to consist of a center unit  120  and extender wings  110  and  112 , wherein there are no containment plates on either of the respective distal ends of the extender wings  110  and  112 . Extender wings  110  and  112  can have non-curved, substantially vertical regions  118  and  119  respectively, which will each align with center unit non-curved, substantially vertical region  124 . In this embodiment, snow can be displaced to the side of the plow  100 . 
         [0014]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , according to this embodiment, the center unit  120  can be operatively attached to a vehicle such as a truck, ATV, skid steer, or the like, via upper mounting brackets  190  and lower mounting brackets  192 . According to one embodiment, the upper mounting brackets  190  and lower mounting brackets  192  are able to be attached directly to the vehicle. According to another embodiment, the upper mounting brackets  190  and lower mounting brackets  192  are able to be attached to at least one hydraulic actuator which may be attached to a vehicle or frame member on the opposing end. The at least one hydraulic actuator may act to secure the plow  100  to the vehicle, as well as provide the plow  100  with the ability to rotate, adjust, or be manipulated to a desired angle or orientation for plowing purposes. According to another embodiment, the upper mounting brackets  190  and lower mounting brackets  192  are able to be selectively attached to a frame, such as an A-frame, lift frame, or any other type of frame commonly known and used by those skilled in the art. 
         [0015]    According to this embodiment, the any type of frame commonly known and used by those skilled in the art is capable of manipulating the angle, orientation, or any other physical positioning of the plow  100 . This may include motions such as raising, lowering, or rotating the plow blade. Further manipulation associated with this embodiment may include any type of movement which allows the plow  100  to be positioned relative to the vehicle to which the plow  100  may be selectably attached which is commonly known and used by those skilled in the art. According to one embodiment, the upper mounting brackets  190  and lower mounting brackets  192  are operatively attached by way of at least one pin that is placed through an opening of the respective mounting bracket. Each of mounting brackets  190  and  192  are capable of securely receiving such a pin, or other like device, so as to affix the plow  100  to the desired device. According to another embodiment, a hinge, flange, or any other type of pivotal fastening device may be used to attach the plow  100  to the desired location by way of upper mounting brackets  190  and lower mounting brackets  192 . According to this embodiment, the means of attachment are such that the plow  100  is able to rotate according to the action of the frame, vehicle, hydraulic actuator, manual force, or any other means capable of adjusting or altering the relative position of the plow  100 . 
         [0016]    According to one embodiment, the orientation of the plow blade relative to the vehicle or frame to which it is attached remains in a primarily horizontal position such that the opposing ends of the plow blade which contain extender wings  110  and  112  are perpendicular to the direction of travel of the vehicle. The mounting brackets  190  and  192  can be operatively attached to the desired structure in such a way that can allow the plow  100  to be raised, lowered, or angled about an axis substantially defined by the square channel  130  as desired. According to this embodiment, each of the distal ends of the plow  100  are raised or lowered together such that they remain in the same horizontal plane as one another. 
         [0017]    According to one embodiment, the angle of the plow  100  is able to be adjusted according to the contour of the ground below so as to allow the plow blade to remain level with the ground. According to another embodiment, the level of the plow blade is capable of being raised above the surface of the ground. This embodiment allows for the plow  100  to undergo transportation while remaining attached to the vehicle by raising the entire plow  100  in the vertical direction so that the plow  100  is no longer in contact with the ground. According to this embodiment, the plow  100  is able to avoid any unwanted plowing or impending collisions with obstacles below, or may be used for any other purpose that may require the raising of the blade of the plow  100  above the level of the ground. According to another embodiment, the plow  100  is able to be lowered in the opposite manner of the raising motion described above, so as to accommodate any surface that may require such a declination of the plow  100 . 
         [0018]    According to one embodiment, the extender wings  110  and  112  can be operatively attached to an automatic controller so as to allow an operator to selectively position the extender wings  110  and  112  to a desired horizontal position along square channel  130 , thus achieving a desired width of the plow  100 . According to another embodiment, the distance at which the extender wings  110  and  112  are positioned is done so manually, or by any other means currently known and practiced by those skilled in the art. 
         [0019]    With reference to  FIG. 3 , the selective operation of the width of the extender wings  110  and  112  allows the plow  100  to be adjusted to effectively remove snow from surfaces of varying widths, such as sidewalks, driveways, and wider areas such as parking lots. The width of each of extender wings  110  and  112  can independently vary from approximately one foot to approximately three feet, depending on the overall size of the plow  100 . According to one embodiment, each of extender wings  110  and  112  are the same width. 
         [0020]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , the effective width of the plow  100  can vary across a wide range. According to one embodiment, the effective width of the plow  100  is able to be as narrow as approximately one foot. This embodiment is achieved when each of the extender wings  110  and  112  is retracted to the fullest extent allowed by the square channel  130  so as to position the extender wings  110  and  112  so that they overlap each other, or cover the same effective area. According to this embodiment, the width of the plow  100  is the same as that of the substantially vertical region  124 . According to this embodiment, the width of the substantially vertical region  124  of the plow  100  would be approximately one foot. 
         [0021]    According to another embodiment, the extender wings  110  and  112  are extended so as to be positioned along the square channel  130  in a manner which places the inner most face of each of the extender wings  110  and  112  flush with each other. This embodiment would allow for the effective width of the plow  100  to be as narrow as approximately two feet. 
         [0022]    According to a further embodiment, each of the extender wings  110  and  112  are capable of being fully extended about the square channel  130 . According to this embodiment, the effective width of the plow  100  is able to be increased by approximately six feet. Depending on the overall size of the plow, the extender wings  110  and  112  are capable of providing an additional approximate six feet of width when fully extended about the square channel  130 . 
         [0023]    According to one embodiment, the extender wings  110  and  112  can be displaced independently from each other so as to result in a variable overall effective width of the plow  100 . According to another embodiment, the extender wings  110  and  112  are placed equal distances from the center unit  120 . 
         [0024]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the plow  100  can move in a direction substantially perpendicular  102  to the surface of substantially vertical region  124 , while bottom edge  180  can contact with or be very close to the surface to be plowed, e.g. sidewalk, street, etc. such that the snow to be plowed can initially come into contact with substantially vertical regions  124 ,  118  and  119 . As the plow  100  can move in this direction, the snow can accumulate in the area as defined by the substantially vertical regions  124 ,  118  and  119  and the side containment plates  156  and  158 . Thus, very little snow is displaced to either side of the plow  100 . As the plow  100  can continue to move, the snow can continue to accumulate until it cannot be further contained by the center unit curved region  122 , and extender wing curved regions  114  and  116 . When the plow  100  reaches a maximum capacity of snow that can be moved, the plow is able to then displace the snow to an appropriate location. 
         [0025]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the plow  100  can move generally in the direction  102 . According to one embodiment, the frame or other means by which the plow  100  is connected to the vehicle can allow the plow blade to self-adjust such that opposing distal ends of the plow  100  are placed at differing heights with respect to the ground below. Such self-adjustment may result in the plow  100  having one distal end raised higher off of the ground than the other. According to a further embodiment, the angle of elevation between extender wings  110  and  112  is able to be controlled via an automatic controller that may be incorporated into a plow hydraulic controller so as to optimize the efficiency of plowing. 
         [0026]    With continued reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the plow  100  can move generally in the direction  102  with a horizontal angle substantially defined as being a direction perpendicular to the surface of substantially vertical region  124 . This horizontal angle can be adjusted by the frame or other attachment means by which the plow  100  is selectably attached to a vehicle by way of upper mounting brackets  190  and lower mounting brackets  192  on opposing distal ends of the plow  100  corresponding with extender wings  110  and  112 . According to one embodiment, opposing distal ends of the plow  100  are able to be extended or retracted relative to the position of the vehicle to which they are attached. The orientation of the plow  100  is positioned such that the corresponding end of the plow  100  is now located at a distance further away from the vehicle. According to a further embodiment, the plow  100  is extended or retracted relative to the vehicle in such a manner that opposing distal ends of the plow blade remain in the same plane as one another. 
         [0027]    According to one embodiment, the horizontal angle at which the plow  100  is able to extend or retract relative to the position of the vehicle to which the plow  100  is selectably attached by way of upper mounting brackets  190  and lower mounting brackets  192  may be controlled via an automatic controller (not shown). The automatic controller may be incorporated into a plow hydraulic controller so as to optimize the efficiency of plowing. According to one embodiment, the direction  102  will be along the same directional vector as the direction of the movement of the vehicle to which the plow  100  is attached by way of upper mounting brackets  190  and lower mounting brackets  192 . 
         [0028]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the side containment plates  156  and  158  can be substantially parallel to each other and can be substantially orthogonal to vertical region  124 . Additionally, the side containment plates  156  and  158  can be angled with respect to each other and the substantially vertical region  124  in order to gather more snow. In another embodiment of the invention, the plow has no side containment plates  156  and  158  and instead is a straight blade plow. 
         [0029]    With continued reference to  FIG. 2 , the various components such as the center unit  120 , extender wings  110  and  112 , and side containment plates  156  and  158  can be constructed of materials including metal, plastic, or any combination of these or other appropriate materials. 
         [0030]    Additional materials such as rubber, plastic, Teflon, etc. can be used for where the key components fit together, such as where the extender wings  110  and  112  can connect to center unit  120 . Plow markers can be attached to the top of extender wings  100  and  112  so that an operator may be able to easily gauge where the edges of the plow are, even if the snow depth exceeds the height of the adjustable plow  100 . 
         [0031]    With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the plow  100  can move in a direction substantially perpendicular  102  to the surface of substantially vertical region  124 , while bottom edge  180  can contact with or be very close to the surface to be plowed, e.g. sidewalk, street, etc. such that the snow to be plowed can initially come into contact with any combination of substantially vertical regions  124 ,  118  or  119 . According to one embodiment, as the plow  100  moves in the direction substantially perpendicular  102  to the surface of substantially vertical region  124 , snow is able to accumulate in the area as defined by the substantially vertical regions  124 ,  118  and  119 . As the plow  100  continues to move, the snow is able to continue accumulating. The plow  100  is capable of continuing to accumulate snow until such a time when the level of accumulation of snow on the plow  100  reaches a point where it cannot be further contained by the center unit curved region  122 , and extender wing curved regions  114  and  116 . 
         [0032]    According to this embodiment, there are no side containment plates. After achieving such a level of accumulation, snow is capable of being displaced about either side of the plow  100 . The snow is able to be dispersed about the edges of the plow  100  by way of the extender wings  110  and  112 . The extender wings  110  and  112  are able to be adjusted to any of the effective widths as described herein so as to enable the widest range of versatility of the plow  100 . According to another embodiment, extender wing  110  is affixed with a containment plate so as to only allow for the displacement of snow about extender wing  112 . The containment plate may be selectably attached to extender wing  110 . According to a further embodiment, extender wing  112  is affixed with a containment plate so as to only allow for the displacement of snow about extender wing  110 . The containment plate may be selectably attached to extender wing  112 . The placement of a single containment plate about only of the extender wings  110  or  112  allows for the operator of the plow to dictate to which side the snow is displaced. 
         [0033]    With continued reference to  FIG. 3 , according to this embodiment, the direction  102  can be adjusted manually, by a hydraulic actuator, or by any other means known by those skilled in the art such that the displaced snow is able to exit the plow  100  either to the side of extender wing  110 , the side of extender wing  112 , or the side of both extender wings  110  and  112 . According to this embodiment, center unit  120  can consist of a straight-blade plow or the like. 
         [0034]    According to one embodiment, the above-described adjustable snow plow may be combined with a salt spreader machine attached to the rear of the vehicle. Many snow removal professionals use such an arrangement. According to another embodiment, the extender wings  110  and  112  may be extended manually. According to this embodiment, the extender wings  110  and  112  may be locked into place with a locking mechanism. According to one embodiment, the locking mechanism consists of at least one locking pin. According to another embodiment, the locking mechanism consists of a series of locking pins. 
         [0035]    As described above, the present disclosure has been described with preferred embodiments thereof and it is understood that many changes and modifications to the described embodiments can be carried out without departing from the scope and the spirit of the present disclosure that is intended to be limited only by the appended claims. 
         [0036]    Having thus described the invention, it is now claimed: