Abstract:
A mounting for a side wing plough includes a mounting having two relatively movable sectorially formed elements, one of which being fixed to the plough and the other being connected to a lifting means for the leading end of the plough. The two elements register with one another and are guided thereby, the interengagement of the elements constituting the connection enabling movement of the plough and also permitting limited compensatory shifting of the plough upon encountering an immovable obstacle. The mounting could further include a tilt mechanism of limited stroke affording the capability of the plough to tilt toward the vehicle to accommodate unpredictable movement of the plough upon impacting an immovable obstacle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a vehicle-mounted side wing plough such for example as deployed on snow removal equipment or the like and is more particularly concerned with a mounting for the plough. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   It is well known in the art to use a frontal bracket for mounting a side wing plough or blade on a vehicle to remove snow or other materials from a pavement/sidewalk or roadside. In particular, wings are temporarily mounted for seasonal use on a motor vehicle, and more specifically on a 2 to 3 tons truck with a low profiled chassis. In the prior art, U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,566 issued to Sumner et al. on Jul. 11, 1961; U.S. Pat. No. 3,659,363 issued to Snyder on May 2, 1972; U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,892 issued to Farrell on Sept. 6, 1977; U.S. Pat. No. 4,096,652 issued to Raines et al. on Jun. 27, 1978; U.S. Pat. No. 4,357,766 issued to Croteau et al. on Nov. 9, 1982 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,631 issued to Cordingley on Apr. 2, 2002 show a frontal bracket holding the forward section of a side wing via a vertical axis wing attachment pivot that is often combined with a frontward lifting means. In those cases however, the pivot is adjacent the wing whilst the frontward lifting means is secured on the vehicle via a generally complex mounting arrangement. 
   Problems associated with the existing types of frontal mounting bracket are operational restrictions occasioned by various circumstances. For example the actual positioning of the frontward lifting means, which includes a substantially vertical post, often partially obstructs the view of the driver of the vehicle. Another drawback characteristic of some prior art equipment is that the frontward lifting means prevents the full opening of the hood of the vehicle, thus necessitating disassembly of some parts of the mounting arrangement in order to gain access to the engine compartment. Furthermore, when the vehicle is to be used without the side wing, such as during the summer period, the visually obstructing and cumbersome frontward lifting means generally remains mounted on the vehicle. 
   All the above mechanisms have their front pivot point or axis extending through the side wing such that when the rear portion of the wing is raised, the bottom front portion wants to dig into the ground surface. U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,631 solves that problem by having the pivot axis toward the front and outside of the wing. The problem associated with the latter is that the bolt forming the pivot takes all the loads and tends to break frequently, thus involving downtime and expense. 
   Furthermore, during snow plowing operation, when the leading end of the side wing hits an obstacle it is physically lifted up and the rear portion (trailing end) of the side wing resists against its displacement thus limiting the partial raising movement of the side wing and inducing significant loads thereon that could damage the wing attachment points. To remove this resistance, there should be a mechanism that allows the leading end of the side wing to tilt backward while moving up upon obstacle impact. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for an improved frontward mounting for a side wing with a simple configuration. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved frontward mounting for a side wing plough. 
   An advantage of the present invention is that the mounting for a side wing plough provides for a pivoting means adjacent a motor vehicle with a frontward lifting means adjacent the side wing plough. 
   Another advantage of the present invention is that the mounting for the side wing plough does not restrict vision to the driver of the vehicle. 
   A further advantage of the present invention is that the mounting for the side wing plough does not prevent direct opening of the vehicle hood. 
   Still another advantage of the present invention is that the mounting for side wing plough can be removed easily as a unit including the substantially vertical frontward lifting means. 
   An important additional advantage of the present invention is that the mounting is further adapted to allow limited tilting backward displacement of the leading end of the side wing plough during use upon encountering an obstacle, thereby enabling the plough to ride over it without causing damage. 
   According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mounting for connecting a side wing plough to a vehicle near side front adjacent a ground surface, the side wing plough having a leading end positionable adjacent said near side front and having a trailing end longitudinally spaced from the leading end and positionable adjacent a vehicle near side, the mounting comprises: a primary mounting means having a first element fixedly associated with the leading end and a second element adapted for securement to the vehicle near side front, the first and second elements being pivotally interconnected at a location distal from the leading end of the plough and being pivotally movable in guiding registration relative one to the other. 
   Conveniently, the mounting includes a secondary mounting means adapted for disposition intermediate the second element and the vehicle near side front and comprising a plate connected to the second element and pivotally mounted on the vehicle near side front to provide limited tilting movement in a plane parallel to the plane of the vehicle near side. 
   The vehicle near side front in the context of the present invention means the front of the vehicle on the near side thereof, the mounting being advantageously positionable on a front bumper structure, which is of suitable strength and dimension to support the plough. 
   The mounting of the invention provides for the location of the frontward lifting means which includes a fluid operable cylinder, conventionally hydraulically powered, fixed to a swivel pin mounting assembly at one end and at the other piston rod end to a slide attached to the second element of the primary mounting means. A slide block attached to the swivel pin mounting assembly registers within the slide. 
   The first and second elements of the primary mounting means may both conveniently be shaped as a sector of a circle with the first and second element each having a respective arcuate contour, the pivot interconnection being distal the leading end and the respective arcuate contour of each said element being proximal the leading end of the plough. The first element of the primary mounting means has at the respective arcuate contour a guideway within which the respective arcuate contour of the second element registers and is thereby guided. The registration between the first and second elements of the primary mounting means constitutes the mechanism by which movement is transmitted from the lifting means to the plough and thus the loading is borne by these elements and not the pivot. The loading is effectively carried by the frictional engagement of the elements, which also accommodate limited relative movement therebetween caused by the plough encountering an obstacle which displaces the plough from its intended path of travel. The purpose of this allowance of limited relative movement is to prevent damage to the plough and its mounting on the vehicle. 
   In order to provide an additional facility to cater for any such obstacle the secondary mounting means is provided whereby compensatory movement of the plough is permitted in a plane parallel to the plane of the vehicle near side. In particular, the secondary mounting means allows tilting movement of the plough in a direction towards the vehicle, thus providing dual protection in the event the plough encounters an obstacle. The plate of the secondary mounting means is provided with stops to define the degree of its movement in relation to the vehicle front near side, a striker being affixed to said bumper structure and being disposed between said stops whereby contact between a stop and the striker limits the extent of the compensatory movement. 
   In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a side wing plough for connection to a vehicle and extending between a front near side and a near side of the vehicle the plough including a mounting that comprises: a primary mounting means having a first element fixedly associated with the leading end and a second element adapted for securement to the vehicle front near side, the first and second elements being pivotally interconnected at a location distal from the leading end of the plough and being pivotally movable in guiding registration relative one to the other. 
   Conveniently, the mounting of the plough includes a secondary mounting means adapted for disposition intermediate the second element and the vehicle front near side and comprising a plate connected to the second element and pivotally mounted on the vehicle near side front to provide limited tilting movement in a plane parallel to the plane of the vehicle near side. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor vehicle for ploughing material including a side wing plough and a mounting therefor in accordance with the first and second aspects of the invention respectively. 
   In a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor vehicle for ploughing material, comprising: a side wing plough having a leading end positioned adjacent a front portion of a near side of the vehicle and having a trailing end longitudinally spaced from the leading end and positioned adjacent the vehicle near side, and a mounting means positioned intermediate the side wing plough leading end and the vehicle near side front portion and comprising a plate connected to a mounting element connected to the plough and pivotally mounted on the vehicle near side front portion, said plate providing limited tilting movement of the plough relative to the vehicle in a plane parallel to the vehicle near side. 
   Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a careful reading of the detailed description provided herein, with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the description in association with the following Figures, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective side view of a motor vehicle carrying a side wing plough and a mounting therefor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective rear view of the side wing plough with the mounting therefor in a normal ploughing position in relation to a ground surface; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective rear view corresponding to that of  FIG. 2  showing the plough in a raised position in relation to the ground surface; 
       FIG. 4  is an exploded view of the secondary mounting means and the swivel assembly of the mount; and 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  are perspective views of the secondary mounting means illustrated in  FIG. 4  and shown in different operational and tilted positions, respectively. 
   

   Similar references used in different Figures denote similar components. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   With reference to the annexed drawings the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be herein described for indicative purpose and by no means as of limitation. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is schematically shown a motor vehicle  1  carrying a side wing plough  2  associated with its near side  4 , the plough  2  being in the form of a blade connected at  6  to the near side  4  of the vehicle chassis  10  through the agency of a pivot pin arrangement  12 . Extending between the pivot pin arrangement  12  and the plough  2  are two hydraulic cylinders  14 ,  15  which serve to retract the plough  2  into a parked location adjacent the near side  4  when not in use. The cylinder  14  is connected to the cylinder  15  as shown and performs a lifting role whilst the cylinder  15  is operable to retract the plough as aforesaid, there being a suitable pivotal hinge  16  on the rear face  18  of the plough  2  adjacent its trailing end  20 . 
   Adjacent the leading end  22  of the plough  2  is located frontward lifting means  30 , for example a hydraulic cylinder  31 , which enables the plough  2  to be raised or lowered into contact with the ground surface  32  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ). The lifting means  30  is attached to the near side front  34  of the vehicle  1  and the attachment is achieved by the mounting of the present invention, the near side front of the vehicle being defined by a bumper structure as at  35 . 
   The mounting is shown generally at  38  and includes a primary mounting means  40 , or pivoting means, comprising two sector-shaped elements  41 ,  42  which are generally parallel to one another and pivotally interconnected by a pin  43 , with its axis  43 ′, at their apices distal from the leading end  22  of the plough  2  and orthogonal to the plane of the plough. The element  41  is affixed to the rear face  18  of the plough and provides a guideway  44  at its arcuate end, the guideway being so dimensioned as to accommodate in guiding registration the corresponding arcuate end of the element  42 . The extent of the relative movement in use as between the elements is of the order of about 30°. The guideway  44  allows the sliding of the arcuate end of element  42  relative to the arcuate end of element  41  during pivoting about pin axis  43 ′ and shown by arrow A of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , while generally preventing any movement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the sliding motion. 
   The element  42  has affixed thereto a slideway  50  to which one end is secured to the piston rod of the cylinder  31  whose casing is attached at  51  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 ) to a lug  53  carried by one side of a first plate  55  of a swivel pin mounting assembly  52  also carrying a slide block  56  longitudinally engageable within the slideway  50 . A clevis  57  is provided on the other side of the plate  55  and has a swivel pin  58 , with swivel axis  58 ′ generally vertical (in operational position) and parallel to the vehicle near side  4 , which registers with a sleeve  59 . The swivel arrangement  52  allows the pivoting of the leading end  22  of the side wing  2  upon activation of the cylinders  14 ,  15  between the parked and the operational positions of the side wing  2 . 
   Sleeve  59  is mounted on a second plate  64  of a secondary mounting means  60 , or tilting means. The secondary mounting means  60  is typically disposed intermediate the swivel assembly  52 , with the primary mounting means  40 , and the bumper structure  35  shown in  FIG. 1  and in dotted outline in  FIG. 4 . The second plate  64  is of substantially triangular shape and bears two stops  61 ,  62  on its side remote from the sleeve  59 . On the same side of the plate  64  as the stops  61 ,  62  is provided a hollow cylindrical pivot pin  63 , with a axis  63 ′ substantially horizontal and perpendicular to the vehicle near side  4 , which locates and is rotatable within a hollow cylindrical tube  65  that is affixed in use to the bumper structure  35  by suitable fixtures (not shown). The swivel pin  63  and the tube  65  are held in position relative to one another by the use of a collar  67  and pin  69  secured with clip  69 ′. The tube  65  is provided with a striker  70  which locates between the stops  61 ,  62  for a purpose to be explained hereinafter. 
   In operation the plough  2  is mounted to the motor vehicle  1  at its near side  4  and on the near side front  34  thereof as previously described, the mountings at both locations allowing articulation of the plough  2  from a parked position relatively closely adjacent the near side  4  to an operational position extending outwardly from the near side to assume a ploughing mode to remove material, for example snow, in its path as the vehicle is driven along a roadway, for example. By virtue of the primary mounting means  40 , the elevation and descent of the plough  2  at its leading end are effected by the lifting means  30 , and through the agency of the sector-shaped elements  41 ,  42  which afford a range of movement approximating to 30°. The sliding movement and frictional engagement as between the elements  41 ,  42  provides the load-bearing capacity of the primary mounting means thus removing substantially any stress that would otherwise be placed upon the pin  43 . The elements  41 ,  42  also permit some limited movement in the plane of their engagement in the event that an obstacle is encountered by way of impact or otherwise, the limited movement allowing the plough to override the obstacle thus reducing the likelihood of damage to the plough and its mounting. 
   The secondary mounting means  60  further permits limited backward tilting movement, within a plane substantially vertical and parallel to the vehicle near  4  side or along a pivot axis  63 ′ substantially vertical and parallel to the vehicle near side, of the plough by means of the pivot pin  63  rotating within its containing tube  65 , as represented by arrows B in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 ,  5  and  6 . The pin  63  being fixed to the plate  64  may move within the range predetermined by the spacing of the stops  61 ,  62 , which act upon the striker  70  to limit any further rotation of the plough towards the vehicle  1  during tilted (raised) position and normal operational position as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively. The tilting motion about the secondary mounting means  60  and its pivot pin  63  (arrows B in  FIGS. 3 and 6 ) is forced by the lifting of the leading end  22  of the side wing  2  (arrows C) upon impact since the trailing end  20  of the side wing  2  remains in position on the ground  32 . In other words, the lifting of the leading end of the wing about the first mounting means  40  is substantially enabled or facilitated by the second mounting means  60 . It will be understood that the swivel assembly  52  enables articulation at the leading end of the plough allowing the plough to swing around when it is desired to park it adjacent the side of the vehicle in a similar vein to the manner of operation of the pivotal hinge  16  at the trailing end  20  of the plough. 
   The present invention thus provides for compensatory motion of the plough away from the ground surface when meeting an unexpected and immovable obstacle, thereby protecting the plough from damage with consequential expense and repair downtime. Additionally the interaction of the sectorial elements of the primary mounting means in the principal operation of the frontward lifting means obviates the problems associated with conventional equipment in which pivot pins have to bear excessive loading, resulting in breakage. 
   Furthermore, since both the primary and secondary mounting means are of compact construction and of relative simplicity, the operation and maintenance thereof are relatively trouble-free. The compactness also assists in reducing the visibility difficulty attendant upon the usage of currently available alternatives. 
   Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.