Abstract:
A V-blade plow having a pair of adjustable plow blades. Each plow blade has an inner end pivoted on a central pivot assembly. A plowed material catcher member is mounted below the central pivot assembly to prevent a trail of snow from passing through any space between the inner ends of the blades at any position of blade adjustment. The plowed material catcher member includes an arcuate ramp portion which projects forwardly of the central pivot assembly and directs snow to the blades respectively. The catcher member is made from a material selected from rubber, plastic or metal.

Description:
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This invention is the subject of provisional application Ser. No. 60/087,070 filed May 28, 1998 and entitled SNOW CATCHER. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a plowed material catcher attachment system for an adjustable V-bladed snowplow or other V-bladed plow. 
     The prior art uses flat rubber belting bolted to the cutting edges of the blades to prevent a small track of plowed material from passing the blades. 
     The object of the invention is to provide an adjustable V-bladed plow with a device to prevent the small trail of material which passes through the small opening between two blades in any blade position. 
     A plowed material (e.g. snow) catcher member is fixedly mounted below the center or vertical pivot assembly for the adjustable blades. It includes an arcuate ramp portion projecting forwardly of the central pivot assembly and directs plowed material to the blades, respectively. 
     Reference is made to Capra et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,568,694 (incorporated herein by reference) for a full exposition of the plow and its functioning operation. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, advantage and features of the invention will become more clear when considered with the following specification and accompanying drawings wherein; 
     FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a snow plow system incorporating the invention, 
     FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the snow catcher of this invention, 
     FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the snow catcher per se, and 
     FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the snow catcher. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIG. 1, the following list sets out the component part number and description of the component part: 
     
         ______________________________________ComponentPart    Description______________________________________1       Blade Half Right2       Blade Half Left3       Center Section, RT3 V-Blade (all models)4       T-Frame, RT3 V-Blade (all models)5       Cutting Edge, 7&#39;6&#34; V-Blade 5/8&#34; Holes5       Cutting Edge, 8&#39;2&#34; V-Blade 5/8&#34; Holes5       Cutting Edge, 9&#39;2&#34; V-Blade 5/8&#34; Holes6       Carriage Bolt Set   Includes:   (10) Carriage Bolts 5/8&#34;-11 × 2&#34; Grade #5 ZN   (10) 5/8&#34; Hardened Washers   (10) 5/8&#34; Lock Nuts7       Bumper Stop, w/Mounting Hardware7       A Self-Tapping Bolt, 3/8&#34;-16 × 2&#34; Hex Washer Head ZN9       Spring Yoke, RT3 V-Blade10-44-45   Plow Shoe Assembly   Includes:   (1) Plow Shoe (1&#34; Shaft)   (1) 7/16&#34; Quick Pin   (20) 1&#34; Flat Washers10-44-45   Plow Shoe, Cast Iron (Center Shoe)   Includes:   (1) Plow Shoe (1&#34; Shaft), Cast Iron   (1) 7/16&#34; Quick Pin   (20) 1&#34; Flat Washers11      Snow Catcher w/Mounting Hardware12      Horizontal Hinge Pin Kit, RT3 V-Blade (all models)13      Center Hinge Pin, RT3 V-Blade (all models)14      Hydraulic Pump - Power Unit Barnes14 A    Hydraulic Pump Filter Cap14 B    Hydraulic Pump Motor-Barnes14 C    Hydraulic Pump Solenoid14 D    Hydraulic Pump Solenoid Ground Cable14 E    Battery cable, 66&#34;14 H    Ground/Power Cable 60&#34; (Vehicle Side)14 J    Ground/Power Cable 36&#34; (Plow Side)14 K    Ground/Power Cable Dust Cap/Plug14 L    Hydraulic Reservoir Drain plug15      Hydraulic Valve Assembly with SmartHitch15 A    Hydraulic Lift/Angle Valve15 B    Hydraulic Valve Coil15 C    Hydraulic Relief Valve15 D    Hydraulic Check Valve15 E    Hydraulic Valve Screen Cartridge15 F    Hydraulic Valve Ground Strap15 G    Hydraulic Valve, SmartHitch Attach15 H    Hydraulic Valve, Flow Control Cartridge16      SmartHitch Toggle Switch Kit (Includes Switch and   Jumpers)17      Hydraulic Cylinder, Angle18 A    Hydraulic Hose 1/4&#34; × 12&#34;, 1/4&#34; MNPT × 1/4&#34;   MNPT)18 B    Hydraulic Hose 1/4&#34; × 15 1/2&#34;, (1/4&#34; MNPT × 1/4&#34;   MNPT)18 C    Hydraulic Hose 1/4&#34; × 15&#34; (1/4&#34; ORB × &#34; MNPT)22      Hydraulic Hose 3/8&#34; × 40&#34; (1/4&#34; MNPT × 3/8&#34; MNPT)25      Hydraulic Cylinder, RT3 Lift32      Hydraulic Swivel Fitting, 90 Deg. (1/4&#34; ORS × 1/4&#34; FPS)33      Trip/Return Spring37      Blade Guide Set37 A    Blade Guide Tip38      Auxiliary Headlight Set, Low Profile Plastic38 A    Turn Signal Cover, Low Profile Plastic38 L    Auxiliary Headlight, Left, Low Profile Plastic38 R    Auxiliary Headlight, Right, Low Profile Plastic39      Auxiliary Light Harness Assembly   Includes: Toggle Switch Connectors39 A    Light and Control Harness 116&#34; (Vehicle Side)39 B    Light and Control Harness 48&#34; (Plow Side)40 A    Switch Box Control, V-Blade40 B    Joystick Control, V-Blade41      Rocker Switch - Lift42      Rocker Switch - Angle44      Quick Pin - 7/16&#34;46      Hydraulic Fitting, 90 Deg. (1/8&#34; MNPT × 1/4&#34; FNPT)47      Eye Bolt, 1/2&#34;55      Hex Head Cap Screw, 5/8&#34;-11 × 41/2&#34; GRS ZN60      Pivot Pin, Kit (Includes Cotter Pins and Washers)60 A    Pivot Pin60 B    3/16&#34; Cotter Pin61      Coupler Assembly62      Push Beam Assembly, RT 362 A    Push Beam Support Plat RH (Passenger Side)62 B    Push Beam Support Plate LH (Driver Side)64      Coupler Spring Pin Kit   Includes:   Coupler Spring Pin   Rolled Pin   Coupler Spring Pin Spring64 A    Coupler Spring Pin64 B    Rolled Pin (5/16&#34; × 201/2&#34;)64 C    Coupler Spring Pin Spring67      Spring, SmartHitch Torsion Spring71      Washer, 3/8&#34; Split Lock72      Washer, 3/8&#34; Fender73      Light Bracket Assembly73 A    Hydraulic Enclosure Cover73 B    Rubber Grommet73 C    Thumb Screw, 10-24 × 1/2&#34;75 A    Angle Bracket RH (Passenger Side)75 B    Angle Bracket LH (Driver Side)80      Control Harness Mounting Bracket85      Hairpin Cotter, #1686      Clevis Pin, 5/8&#34; × 31/2&#34;96      Hex Head Cap Screw, 5/8&#34;-11 × 51/2&#34; GR5 ZN11 ZN   Nut, Self-Locking 5/8&#34;101     Power Ground Cable Mounting Bracket102     Rubber Split Grommet, 11/8&#34;104     Weather Cap for Light &amp; Control Harness (Vehicle Side)106     Weather Cap for Light &amp; Control Harness (Plow Side)108     Headlight Adapter Kit______________________________________ 
    
     As shown in FIG. 1, the blades 1 and 2 of the plow are pivotally mounted on a center section 3 having a center hinge pin 13 and the angle of the blades 1 and 2 is adjusted by hydraulic cylinders 17. The invention features a plowed material catcher 11 which is fixedly mounted on the lower end of center section 3 and hinge pin 13. Plowed material catcher 11 has a ramped surface 11R which is arcuate and generally conically shaped and, in a preferred embodiment, makes an angle of about 120°-130° to the plowed surface--123.7° in the preferred embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the conically shaped ramp surface 11R is located behind the bottom edge of the adjustable blades 1 (The other adjustable blade 2 is removed for clarity in FIG. 2.) and closes the opening in the middle of the two blades in all positions of blade adjustment. Plowed material catcher 11 may be molded or machined from rubber, plastic or steel. The catcher 11 has a flat upper surface 11F and mounting hole 11MH. Raised portion 11P includes a key hole 11K for receiving a key pin (not shown) which prevents rotation of catcher 11. 
     In operation, any plowed or unplowed material which would tend to trail between the blades is blocked and directed to the plowed material catcher 11 to one blade or the other so as to not leave a trail of plowed material between the plow blades 1 and 2. 
     While the invention has been described in relation to preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be appreciated that other embodiments, adaptations and modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art.