Patent Publication Number: US-2007101620-A1

Title: Atv plow support frame assembly with quick locking system and method for installing same

Description:
ATV plow support frame assembly with quick locking system and method for installing same.  
     FIELD ON THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to front-end mounted accessory support frame assembly for a vehicle. More particularly, this invention relates to a plow support frame assembly for all-terrain vehicle (ATV) comprising a quick locking and unlocking system.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Since a couple of years, the All-Terrain Vehicles (ATV) market has been growing steadily. Moreover, ATV users have been using their vehicle for new tasks such as snow removal, load transport, etc. To help ATV users make the fullest use of their vehicle, numerous accessories have been put on the market. Snow plow assemblies, traction kits, carrying cases and trailer hitches just to name a few.  
      However, in order for the ATV user to use an accessory to its full capacity, the accessory must be easy to use but more importantly, easy to install. In the field of snow plow and other front-mounted accessories support frame assemblies, this is even more important since these assemblies are generally relatively heavy and thus difficult to manipulate and install. The present invention simplifies the installation and uninstallation of a snow plow support frame assembly by means of a novel locking system.  
      Since the support frame assembly of the present invention can be used with accessories other than plows, hereinafter, the term “plow” shall be construed broadly and shall therefore relate to any front-mounted accessories such as plow, snow blade and other similarly mounted accessories.  
      Systems currently on the market are not easy or are time consuming to install. In the vast majority of cases, when the user is alone, he or she (hereinafter, for the sake of simplicity, only the masculine form will be used) must use brute force to install the plow assembly on his ATV. This comes from the fact that all the weight of the plow assembly rests on the ground, thus, the user must overcome the friction force between the ground and the plow. Moreover, since a snow plow or blade are generally made of metal, they can be relatively heavy and the friction force between the ground and the plow can be relatively large.  
      Thus, in general, most systems currently on the market necessitate at least two individuals to install a plow support frame assembly on an ATV in a quick and easy manner. The present invention overcomes this drawback by allowing a single user to install the novel plow support frame assembly on his ATV quickly and, most importantly, with very little effort.  
      Most plow support frame assemblies sold on the market today must be attached, underneath the ATV, by means of pins or bolts and screws. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,502,334; 6,843,002 and RE37,628, the rear end of the plow support frame is attached to the underside of the ATV with pins. Thus, the user must individually align each attach bracket of the plow support frame with each bracket of the ATV and then insert the pin or bolt. This operation can be difficult and time consuming. U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,811 discloses a different attaching system comprising of U-shaped bolts. This system is not easier to use since the plow support frame assembly must first be positioned in place before the U-bolts can be attached to the frame. Furthermore, each end of each U-bolt must be secured in place by means of a screw.  
      There exists, however, plow support frame assemblies with quick connect systems for use on tractors, small trucks and all-terrain vehicles. Systems that resemble most systems used on ATV&#39;s are those used on small trucks. Examples of such systems can be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,594,924; 6,381,880; 6,209,231 and 6,145,222. These patents disclose a plow support frame assembly wherein the attachment means comprise a female element, fixedly attached to the underside front portion of the truck. The female element further comprises a transversal metal rod. The male element, located on the plow assembly frame, has a shape generally matching the shape of the female element in order to have an adequate connection. The plow support frame assembly attachment means further comprise one or a plurality of latches. Thus, to install the plow support frame assembly described in the aforementioned patents, one must align the truck, equipped with the female element, with the plow support frame assembly. Then, the male element is inserted in the female element, generally by driving the truck forward. Upon completion of the insertion, the latch or latches are pivoted around the transversal metal rod in order to securely lock the plow support frame assembly to the truck.  
      A similar plow support frame assembly for ATVs has been built by Polaris Industries. In the system of Polaris, the user drives his ATV partly over the plow support frame assembly, a part of which automatically connects with the ATV. Then, the user, using his winch, raises the plow support frame assembly and finishes the installation.  
      Finally, another system is disclosed in the US patent application publication no. 2004/0148811. This system is very similar to the one disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,594,924; 6,381,880; 6,209,231 and 6,145,222 described earlier. In this system, the locking mechanism between the plow assembly frame and the ATV is not readily accessible and is not automatic.  
      Thus, there is indeed a need for a new and improved locking system for a plow support frame assembly for an ATV.  
     OBJECT OF THE INVENTION  
      Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a new locking mechanism for a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which is easy to install.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism for a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which locks itself automatically upon installation.  
      Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism for a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which can be unlocked easily by the user.  
      Still another object of the present invention is to provide a locking mechanism for a plow support frame assembly for a vehicle which will not unlock itself accidentally during use.  
      Other and further objects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in the appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      To attain these and other objects which will become more apparent as the description proceeds according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided plow support frame assembly for an ATV which comprises an improved locking mechanism.  
      The plow support frame assembly of the present invention generally comprises a plow and preferably a plow angular adjustment assembly which itself comprises an angular latch bracket and an unlocking handle. The plow support frame assembly further comprises a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion, at least one but preferably two locking hooks and at least one but preferably two linking cables.  
      The plow of the plow support frame assembly is preferably pivotally attached to the plow angular adjustment assembly which is itself preferably pivotally attached to the forward portion of the frame. The locking hooks are preferably pivotally attached to the frame rearward portion. The unlocking handle and the locking hooks are linked by at least one but preferably two cables.  
      Other aspects and many of the attendant advantages will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designate like elements throughout the figures. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      For a fuller understanding of the nature and object of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:  
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the preferred embodiment of the plow support frame assembly of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is a close-up isometric view of the angular adjustment assembly of the plow support frame assembly.  
       FIG. 3  is a close-up isometric view of the underside of the angular adjustment assembly of the plow support frame assembly.  
       FIG. 4  is a close-up isometric view of the locking mechanism of the plow support frame assembly.  
       FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the plow support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of the frame of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 6B  is a top view of the frame of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 6C  is a side view of the frame of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 6D  is a rear view of the frame of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 6E  is a front view of the frame of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 7A  is an isometric view of the angular adjustment plate of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 7B  is a top view of the angular adjustment plate of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 7C  is a side view of the angular adjustment plate of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 8A  is an isometric view of the angular latch bracket of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 8B  is a top view of the angular latch bracket of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 8C  is a side view of the angular latch bracket of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 9A  is an isometric view of the unlocking handle of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 9B  is a front view of the unlocking handle of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 9C  is a side view of the unlocking handle of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 9D  is a top view of the unlocking handle of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1  in its unfolded form.  
       FIG. 10A  is a side view of the right locking hook of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 10B  is an isometric view of the right locking hook of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 10C  is a front view of the right locking hook of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 10D  is a side view of the right locking hook of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1  in its unfolded form.  
       FIG. 11A  is a side view of the left locking hook of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 11B  is an isometric view of the left locking hook of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 11C  is a rear view of the left locking hook of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 11D  is a side view of the left locking hook of the support frame assembly of  FIG. 1  in its unfolded form.  
       FIG. 12  is a front view of the plow assembly and an ATV prior to the installation of the plow support frame assembly.  
       FIG. 13  is a side view of the plow support frame assembly upon installation on an ATV.  
       FIG. 14  is a side view of the plow support frame assembly once installed on an ATV.  
       FIGS. 15 and 16  are close-up views of the locking mechanism of the plow support frame assembly as locked on an ATV.  
       FIG. 17  is a side view of the plow support frame assembly upon actuation of the unlocking handle. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , we can see the plow support frame assembly  100  of the present invention. The plow support frame assembly generally comprises a plow  200  or other front-mounted similar devices, an angular adjustment assembly  300 , a frame  400  and a locking mechanism  500 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , we see that the angular adjustment assembly  300  comprises an angular latch bracket  600 , an angular latch  650  and an unlocking bracket  700  comprising an unlocking device preferably configured as a handle  710 . Since the plow support frame assembly  100  comprises several component parts, each of which will be described individually prior to describe the full system.  
      Plow Assembly Frame  
      Referring to  FIG. 6A , we can see the frame  400  of the plow support frame assembly. This frame  400  is preferably a A-shape frame having a forward end and a rearward end. The width of the forward end is preferably smaller than the width of the rearward end. The frame  400  comprises two preferably metallic tubes  406  and  407 . At about a third of way, starting from the forward end, the tubes are slightly bent  410  upwardly in order to add more clearance to the plow support frame assembly  100 .  
      The two tubes  406  and  407  are linked together at the forward end by two preferably metal plates  401  and  408 . The first plate  401  is located on the upper side of the frame  400 , above the tubes  406  and  407 . The shape of the plate generally matches the shape of the A-frame forward end. The plate  401  has a front portion and a back portion. The front portion of the plate comprises a hole which allows the mounting of the angular adjustment assembly  300  by means of a screw, bolt, pin or the like.  
      The back portion of the plate comprises holes to secure the angular latch bracket  600  with screws, bolts, pins or the like. The back portion also comprises a slot to allow the passage of the angular latch  650 . The rearmost portion of the plate in bent downwardly, preferably at 90°, to add rigidity to the frame  400 .  
      The second plate  408  is a reinforcing plate having a L-shape. The plate is fixedly attached to the end of both tubes  406  and  407  and to the first plate  401  as shown in  FIG. 6A . This second plate  408  also comprises a hole, aligned with hole of the front portion of the first plate  401 , which allows the mounting of the angular adjustment assembly  300 .  
      The combination of plate  401  and plate  408  improves the strength of the frame  400 , particularly at the forward end. Other means to improve the strength of the frame, such as adding more plates or to attach the angular assembly  300 , the angular latch bracket  600  or other parts, such as welding, could also be used without departing from the scope of the invention.  
      Located along the tubes, inside the frame  400  as shown in  FIG. 6A , are cable guides  405 . There is one or more guides  405  on each tube and each guide  405  is preferably welded on the tube. The cable guides  405  are preferably small metal mounts comprising an aperture. The cable guides allow to redirect the cables  800  (see  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) for the locking system  500  and to prevent cables from scraping against the ground or the vehicle.  
      The rearward end of the A-frame comprises two attachments means  402  and  403  and an angle iron  404 .  
      The two attachments means  402  and  403  are two preferably metallic plates. Only one plate  403  will hereinafter be described since the two plates  402  and  403  are of symmetric nature as best seen in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . The front portion of the plate  403  is fixedly attached, preferably by welding, to the rear end of the tube  407 . The plate  403  is slightly bent, toward the interior of the frame, in order to be parallel with its corresponding symmetric plate  402 . This bent thus defines the front portion, already described and a rear portion. As seen in  FIG. 6A , the rear portion comprises a recess  411  with an innermost radius generally matching the radius of the support rod or bar located of the ATV (see  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). The portion  413  above the recess is bent toward the exterior of the frame. Thus, taken together, the portions  413  and  415  above the recess define a funnel like shape which helps to attach the frame to the ATV. The portion under the recess is not bent. This portion includes a circular hole which receives the fastening means for securing the locking hook  510  to the attachment means  403 . This hole also defines a pivot point for the locking hook  510 . The portion further includes an arcuate aperture which allows the locking hook  510  to pivot around the pivot point. This arcuate aperture also limits the rotational movement of the locking hook  510 .  
      Finally, located between both attachment means and at the rear end of the tube is the iron angle  404 . This iron angle  404  serves two purposes. First, it gives an adequate support to the attachment means  402  and  403  and secondly, it rigidities the rearward portion of the A-frame. Iron angle  404  comprises two oblong apertures, preferably located near the attachment means, one on each side. More precisely, these oblong apertures are located at the intersection between the interior of the A-frame and the interior of the tube. The part of these apertures located in the interior of the A-frame allows the passage of the cables  800 . The part located in the interior of the tubes allows any water accumulated inside one of the tubes  406  and  407  to be expelled.  
      Angular Adjustment Assembly  
      The angular adjustment assembly  300  is the link between the plow  200  and the frame  400 . The angular adjustment assembly  300  acts as plow  200  or other accessory mounting assembly and also allows the adjustment of the angle of the plow  200 .  
      Referring to  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the piece of equipment is a plate  301  preferably made of metal. This plate comprises a plurality of angular adjustment notches  303 . Preferably, these notches  303  are located at 25°, 12.5°, 0°, −12.5° and −25°. It is to be noted that these angles are by no means limitative in nature and other angles could be used without departing from the scope of the invention. The number of notches  303  can also be changed.  
      As shown in  FIG. 7A , the sides  305  and  307  of the plate  301  are bent upwardly, preferably at 90°. These bent sides  305  and  307  further comprises small ears  309  and  311  bent outwardly (best shown in  FIG. 7B ). These ears  309  and  311  include a hole which is used to secure the plow retaining spring. The bent sides  305  and  307  further include downward protuberances. Each protuberance includes a hole reinforced with welded metal rings or flat bars. These holes receive the bolts that secure the plow  200  to the angular adjustment assembly  300 .  
      The front portion of the plate  301  is also bent upwardly, preferably at 90°. This bent portion adds some strength to the angular adjustment assembly  300 .  
      As seen in  FIG. 7A , the plate  301  further comprises a hole  313 , approximately located in the center of the plate  301 . This hole  313  also defines a pivot point around which the angular adjustment assembly  300  will pivot. This is also reinforced with a welded metal ring. Located near the notches  303  is an arcuate aperture  315 . This aperture  315 , which allows the passage of a fixating pin or bolt of the angular latch bracket  600 , also limits the angular travel of the angular adjustment assembly  300 .  
      Angular Latch Bracket  
      As best shown in  FIG. 8A , the angular latch bracket  600  is generally a small metal base plate  601  onto which two parallel protuberances  602  and  603  are projecting upwardly. These protuberances  602  and  603  are at right angle with the metal base plate  601 . These two protuberances  602  and  603  further comprise two aligned holes  612  and  613 , one in each protuberance, which also define a pivot point. The space defined between the protuberances  602  and  603  is where the latch  650  (see  FIG. 2 ) will be located. The latch will pivot around the pivot point defined by the holes  612  and  613 .  
      The base plate  601  further comprises a plurality of fastening holes, preferably three, which will be used to attach the base plate onto the angular adjustment assembly  300 . The base plate  601  also includes an elongated slot or aperture  620 . This aperture  620  allows the passage of the latch  650  when the aperture  620  is aligned with one of the angular adjustment notches  303  previously described.  
      Unlocking Bracket  
      The unlocking bracket  700 , best seen in  FIG. 9A , is a U-shape piece  701 , preferably made of bent metal. The bent sides  702  and  703  of the opening bracket  700  comprise attachment holes  714  and  715  and cable attachment means  704  and  705 . The attachment holes  714  and  715 , which are aligned, define a pivot point for the handle to pivot around. One of the side  702  or  703  further comprises an elongated protuberance  710  which acts as the handle. In  FIG. 9A , the handle  710  extends from bent side  703 .  
      Locking Hooks  
      As best seen in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the main use of the locking hooks  510  and  520  is to securely attach the frame  400  of the plow support frame assembly  100  to the support rod located on the ATV. As seen in  FIG. 4 , the locking hooks  510  and  520  are two symmetric pieces of equipment. Each hook is associated with one attachment means  402  and  403  of the frame  400 .  FIGS. 10A-10B  and  11 A- 11 B show detailed views of each of the locking hooks  510   520 . Since both hooks  510  and  520  are symmetric in nature, only hook  520  of  FIG. 10A-10B  will be described. Hook  520  comprises a round portion  521  and a pointed portion  522 . The pointed portion  522  is directed toward the ATV and allows the support rod to slide along the slope  526  of the locking hook  520 . At the end of the slope side  526  of the point portion is a recess  523  which has a radius generally matching the radius of the support rod of the ATV (see  FIGS. 15 and 16 ). It is this recess  523  that effectively locks the frame  400  to the ATV.  
      The locking hook  520  also comprise a small protuberance  524 , bent inwardly, which protuberance  524  comprises cable attachment means  525 . The locking hook  520  further comprises pin holes which allow the locking hook  520  to pivot around the pin (not shown).  
      As best seen in  FIG. 4 , the locking hooks  510  and  520  are held in place via a bolt and nut assembly and a torsion spring. The torsion springs effectively keep the locking hooks  510  and  520  in locked position.  
      Linking Cables  
      The linking cables  800 , best seen in  FIGS. 1, 2  and  4 , act as a mechanical link between the unlocking bracket  700  and the locking hooks  510  and  520 . At both ends of each cable  800  are mounting loops  810  and  820 . The loops are inserted into the cable attachments means of the unlocking handle  704  and  705  and of the locking hooks  515  and  525 . The linking cables  800  allow the actuation of the locking hooks  510  and  520  by the actuation of the unlocking bracket  700 . The skilled addressee will understand that other similar linking mechanisms, devices or means could be used instead.  
      Plow  
      Since the design of plow  200  and other front-mounted accessories is generally known in the art, it is considered outside the scope of this invention and will not be described any further.  
      General System Functioning  
      Since the plow support frame assembly  100  is symmetric in nature, only one side of the system will be described for the sake of simplicity.  
      Starting from the forward end of the plow support frame assembly  100 , the plow  200  is pivotally attached to the angular adjustment assembly  300 , preferably using bolts and nuts. So attached, the plow  200  can pivot around a horizontal axis. The plow  200  is also linked to the angular adjustment assembly  300  via retaining springs  213  and  215 .  
      The angular adjustment assembly  300  is pivotally attached to the forward end of the A-frame  400 , preferably on the front plates  401 , using nut and bolt. On top of the angular adjustment assembly  300  is the angular latch bracket  600  which is attached to the first plate  401  of the frame  400  using nuts and bolts. As seen in  FIG. 2 , the angular latch bracket  600  is completed with the angular latch  650  and the unlocking bracket  700 . The latch  650  is kept in its angular notch  303  by a small retaining spring  651  (see  FIG. 3 ).  
      To create a small space between the angular adjustment assembly  300  and the first plate  401  of the forward end of the frame  400 , a ring spacer and an anchoring bracket  900  are inserted between the angular latch bracket  600  and the first plate  401 . The anchoring bracket  900  also serves as attachment means for the winch hook  950  (see  FIG. 13 ).  
      This single latch  650  and bracket  700  assembly have the particularly interesting characteristic to allow the latch  650  and the bracket  700  to function independently one from the other.  
      To the unlocking bracket  700  are attached to two steel cables  800 . These cables then go through the cable guides  405 , through the oblong apertures in the angle iron  404  and up to the locking hooks  510  and  520 . These hooks  510  and  520  are pivotally attached to the rearward end attachment plates  402  and  403  of the frame  400  via at least nuts and bolts. To allow a better functioning of the locking mechanism  500 , washers can be inserted between the locking hooks  510  and  520  and the attachments plates  402  and  403 . These washers prevent dirt, ice or snow to block the locking mechanism  500 . The locking hooks  510  and  520  are maintained in locked position by preconstrained torsion springs generally coaxially mounted between the fixating nut and bolt as seen in  FIG. 4 .  
      To install the plow support frame assembly  100 , the user of the ATV drives his vehicle partly over the rearward end of the frame as seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 . The frame  400  is most preferably aligned with the longitudinal axis of the ATV. The user then gets down from his ATV and attaches the winch hook to the anchoring bracket  900 . Then, using the winch, the user raises the plow support frame assembly  100  approximately four (4) inches or ten (10) centimeters from the ground. The user, as shown in  FIG. 13 , then goes in the front of the plow and pushes the plow support frame assembly  100  on the support rod or bar located on the ATV. By sliding along the slopes  516  and  526  of the locking hooks  510  and  520  and the attachment plates  402  and  403 , the rod forces open the locking hooks  510  and  520 . When the rod is completely inside the recesses  513  and  523 , as shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 , the locking hooks  510  and  520  forcefully return to their locked position with the help of the torsion springs. The user then returns on his ATV and lowers the plow assembly using the winch.  
      To remove the plow support frame assembly  100 , the user lowers the plow assembly with the winch and gets down from his ATV. Then, by pulling on the unlocking handle  710 , as shown in  FIG. 17 , the user actuates the locking hooks  510  and  520  to their unlocked position. Then, simply by pulling on the assembly  100  while maintaining the pulling force on the unlocking handle  710 , the support rod is extracted from the recesses  411 ,  412 ,  513  and  523  and thus, from the locking mechanism  500 .  
      Although the present plow support frame assembly with a quick locking system 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 embodiment(s) described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.