Patent Publication Number: US-7586050-B2

Title: Ergonomic snow plow control system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE CLAIMS OF PRIORITY 
   This claims benefit under 35 USC 120 as a continuation-in-part of U.S. utility patent application Ser. No. 10/236,374 filed on Sep. 6, 2002, A.D., which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,852,934 B1, which, as well as does the present matter, claims benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No. 60/318,242 filed on Sep. 7, 2001 A.D. The specifications of both of those applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention concerns a plow control system. In particular, it concerns a snow plow control system for a vehicle. 
   BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
   The task of plowing snow from large parking lots with a plowing vehicle can be long in duration, demanding of attention and response, and tiresome for the operator. With known snow plow control devices, it is difficult at best to control the vehicle transmission shifter and the snow plow simultaneously. 
   Joy stick or electric toggle switch type controls and even hand held remote control units are known but are problematic as most of the control operation is done at the same time as the operator would shift from either forward to reverse or from reverse to forward. With such known devices the operator shifts into forward, then reaches for the control stick, which is often mounted on the dashboard or floor tunnel. When the plow or other attachment goes down, then the operator can start forward motion of the vehicle with plow. When the vehicle arrives at the end of its forward motion, the operator stops the vehicle, reaches for the control and then operates it to pick up the plow or other attachment, then shifts into reverse to start backward motion. 
   Newer hand-held controls help the operator shift and control the plow or other attachment simultaneously by permitting the operator to hold the control with the fingers of the hand with which he handles the shift-knob by his palm, but the controls are fairly big and clumsy, making the job very uncomfortable and fatiguing after only a few hours of operation. Also, the cord with which this type of control is supplied with often gets in the way of the dash controls, cell phones, beverage holders, etc. 
   Various patent art is known, some attempting to address needs of the snow plow operator, other advancing other arts or needs. Among such art are the following U.S. patents: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 2,863,015 to Ahrens. This discloses a steering wheel for motor vehicles having a spoke for mounting thereon the electric switches for operating the electrical equipment of the vehicle. Although it is an object to mount the switches on the spoke so that the driver need not take his hands off the wheel when operating the switches, practically speaking, unless the rim of the wheel is small, at least one of the driver&#39;s hands generally must be removed from the rim of the wheel to reach and operate the switches, especially those nearer the hub of the wheel. A series of toggle switches, dials and buttons are provided for operating the horn, lights, heater, turn indicator, windshield wiper, or hydraulic steering implements. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,750 to Griswold, Jr. et al. This discloses a remote control system for an earth working vehicle. Levers comprise the controls in the cab, and duplicate, miniature levers may comprise the controls at a radio controlled remote location. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,752 to Clevenger. This discloses a mounting arrangement for snowplow blade control switches. The arrangement is mounted by a bracket to the gearshift lever of a plow vehicle so that the switches are to be accessible to the operator. The switches, however, are standard toggle switches for controlling only a simple blade, and these are mounted to a hard bracket and connected by a wire. Reaching and operating the switches can be more difficult in practice than desired. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,519 to Ciula et al. This discloses a control pad for a snowplow. A simple pushbutton pad is mounted to a housing mounted to the dashboard of the vehicle or is placed on the lap of the operator. Wire connections are made to the plow. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,524,368 to Struck et al. This discloses a wireless snow plow control system, with toggle switches and radio control. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,707,262 to Huntley et al. This discloses a wireless trim control system for a boat drive. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,065 to Yaroch. This discloses a remote control for vehicular audio systems. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,252 to Kulczycki et al. This discloses a vehicle wireless switching system. In this invention, otherwise known switches or sensors previously known to have been wire-connected, are activated by a remote transmitter and a receiver. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,193,985 to Chinnery et al. This discloses a system for controlling a snowplow and other vehicle accessories. Digital control through a wire connection to a switchpad is employed. 
   Note, too, the following various art: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,860 to Stone et al. for a backlighted instrument console for a tractor. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,936 to Bulkeley for a motorcycle control lever connector. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,688 to Struck et al. for a power assisted snowplow support stand. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,629 to Curtis for a vehicle hitch mount assembly for a snow plow. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,199 to Christy for a hand-control for V-plows. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,491,319 to Bonn for a steering wheel assembly and a switching device thereof. Compare, WO 2000/50264. 
   Note further the following U.S. patents: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,181 to Schultz for an arm or wrist mounted terminal with a flexible housing. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,044,153 to Kaschke for a hand adaptive telephone. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,129 to Bates for a removable mountable pulse rate monitoring system. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention provides an ergonomic plow control system comprising a housing capable of being mounted to a component in a cab of a vehicle; a switch pad having control keys, said pad mounted in the housing such that said keys are readily accessible to an operator of the vehicle during plowing operation such as shifting and/or steering; and, optionally, a securing member attached to the housing away from said pad and keys for mounting the housing to said component. The switch pad may comprise an arrangement for control of a straight plow and/or of a V-plow having a central element divided into a plurality of independently actuatable switches as for controlling orientation of a plow; at least one laterally disposed switch set for controlling vertical adjustment of the plow; and, optionally, another switch set as for controlling “on-off” of the plow. The system may be embodied in a housing, which may be flexible, which may have an attached mounting strap system. 
   The invention is useful in plowing, especially of snow. 
   Significantly, by the invention, a control system is provided which is adaptable to many areas and in many situations in the cab of plowing vehicles of numerous if not all brands and models. It particularly can be positioned so that the operator can have at his ready command, and without excessive movement of or strain on his hand, both the control system and another part of the vehicle&#39;s intrinsic controls such as the steering wheel or gearshift lever. The system may include an especially effective switch pad arrangement, making for ease of operation, and an optional resilient housing, making for surprisingly increased comfort especially in long-term operation. Also, in typical, preferred embodiments, the control system is wireless and remote. When embodied with the attached strap mounting system, additional versatility, compactness, and utility can be provided. 
   Numerous further advantages attend the invention. 

   
     THE DRAWINGS IN BRIEF 
     The drawings form part of the specification hereof. With respect to the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, the following is briefly noted: 
       FIG. 1A  is a plan view of an ergonomic plow control system of the invention, attached to a column gear shift lever of a plowing vehicle, for control of a V-plow. 
       FIG. 1B  is a top plan view of the V-plow. 
       FIG. 2A  is a plan view of another embodiment of the invention, attached to the floor gear shift lever of a plowing vehicle for control of a straight plow, with detail in circle  2 C. 
       FIG. 2B  is a top plan view of the straight plow. 
       FIG. 3  is a plan view of the system of  FIG. 1  attached to the rim of a steering wheel of the plowing vehicle. 
       FIG. 4  is a detailed view of the control system employed in the systems of  FIGS. 1A and 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of the system of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a plan view of the system of  FIG. 1  attached to the spoke of a steering wheel of the plowing vehicle. 
       FIG. 8  is a top view of another ergonomic plow control system of the invention embodied with an attached strap mounting system. 
       FIG. 9  is a top view of another ergonomic plow control system of the invention embodied with an attached strap mounting system. 
       FIG. 10  is a top view of another ergonomic plow control system hereof, embodied, as in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , with a two-strap attached strap mounting system, but also with a flexible housing. 
       FIG. 11  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 . 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of the embodiment of  FIG. 10 , mounted through employment of the strap mounting system. 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of yet another ergonomic plow control system hereof with a one-strap, attached strap mounting system. 
   

   ILLUSTRATIVE DETAIL OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention can be further understood by the present detail, which may be read in view of the drawings. Such is to be taken in an illustrative and not necessarily limiting sense. 
   In general, the plow control system of the invention is ergonomic in layout, mounting and operation. Preferably, the system is detachable. The system includes a housing capable of being mounted to a component in a cab of a vehicle such as the rim of a steering wheel, a gearshift lever, or possibly a dashboard. Nonetheless, the system may be hand held or mounted elsewhere, say, to the wrist of the operator. Preferably, the housing is resilient, say, being made of a flexible solid or foamed plastic. A switch pad is in the housing, which has control keys that are readily accessible to an operator of the vehicle during plowing operation such as shifting and/or steering. The switch pad may have a central element divided into a plurality of independently actuatable switches as for controlling orientation of a straight plow and/or a V-plow, and at least one laterally disposed switch set for controlling vertical adjustment of the plow. Another switch set for controlling “on-off” of the plow may be provided. A securing member for the system may be attached to the housing away from the switch pad and keys for mounting the housing to the vehicle component of interest. The system can be wire-connected or wireless, but preferably is wireless. The system is remote, i.e., the control is positioned at a location, e.g., in the cab of a plowing vehicle, distant from the location of the plow, which is outside the vehicle. The plow control system may be embodied in a housing, which may have an attached mounting strap system, which housing may be thin and/or flexible and can contain a suitably flexible, if need be or desired, key pad. Strap(s) for the strap mounting system are beneficially flexible, and can contain fastening contrivance(s) to assist in mounting. The strap(s) may have enough weight and flexibility to lie flat when not connected, advantageous, say, to rest a unit on a dashboard. 
   With respect to the drawings, V-plow  8  or straight plow  9  is controlled by remote plow control system  100 . The system  100  can include resilient foamed closed cell plastic housing  10  having interior  11  with cavity  12 , face  13 , first and second opposing sides  14 ,  15 , and third and fourth opposing sides  16 ,  17  normal to the sides  13 ,  14 . Of course, other shapes, say, circular, elliptical, triangular, pentagonal, irregular polygonal or curvilinear, and so on, may be employed. Underside  18  can include generally semicylindrical mounting channel  19  through which the steering wheel rim or gearshift lever may pass to provide for mounting thereon. The channel  19  can also provide for mounting on handle bars, and so forth. As an alternative, the housing  10  can be made to be cannulated so that the otherwise open semicircular channel  19  passes interiorly through for slipping on a gear shift lever when its knob is removed. Mounted in the cavity  13  is plastic key pad  20  with keys for activation and control of the plow(s)  8 ,  9 . Key pad central element  21  is divided into a two independently actuatable switches  22 ,  23  to control left and right orientation of the plow  9  or into four independently actuatable switches  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27  to control the right wing forward, right wing back, left wing forward and left wing back positions of a V-plow  8 . The four-unit central element  21  can be configured so that, for example, its switches  24 ,  26  effect the control of the straight plow  9 . Laterally disposed switch set  28  has two switches  28 L,  28 R for controlling vertical adjustment of the plow by lowering the plow through the switch  28 L and raising it through the switch  28 R. Opposing laterally disposed switch set  29  controls the “on-off” function of the plow hydraulics and control through “off” position switch  29 F or “on” position switch  29 N. Securing member  30  for the system can include strap  31  with hook component  32  to a hook-and-loop fastener such as Velcro with the loop component  33  affixed to the housing  10 , say, on its underside  18 . The strap  31  can be single or dual member arrangement with fastening contrivance(s) such as buckle(s)  31 B on any suitable portion of each member  31 L,  31 R ( FIG. 9 ); strap looping catch  31 C ( FIG. 13 ); hook  32  and loop  33  ( FIGS. 8 ,  10 - 12 ); or bolt(s); hitch(es); knot(s); latch(es); magnet(s); snap(s); zipper(s) and so forth and the like. Thus, the system  100  may be attached to the vehicle component of interest with its housing  10  and member  30  while keeping the pad  20  free for operation. Glue may be used. The profile of the system  100  can be kept to a minimum, if not countersunk and set at or below the surface of a component on or in which it is mounted. For instance, when set on the rim or spoke of a steering wheel, a low housing  10  and/or key pad  20  profile and/or countersinking of the unit  100  can be especially beneficial in assisting in providing an unobtrusive control system  100 , which can itself further assist in increased safety considerations in addition to those which are generally provided in the first instance by the mounting of the control system at a location near the vehicle operating hand of the operator of the vehicle, which may be, say, on the steering wheel or shift lever. Added bushing  34 , which may be considered to be a filler or shim, may be made of a resilient material and employed to take up space around a small diameter member in the cab to which the unit  100  can be attached, if desired or necessary, for example, around a narrow rim or spoke of a steering wheel, or a stick shift lever arm. 
   Thus, it can be seen that the detachable panel, as well as the strap assembly and the other housing embodiments hereof, make the invention more convenient to hook up plow attachments. The system can be employed on any motor vehicle such as Ford, Dodge, Chevy, Jeep, and so forth, and can be used on construction equipment such as Caterpillar, John Deere, and so forth, as well as on all-terrain vehicles and farm machinery. The soft or semisoft housing can be provided with the semicylindrical or other suitably shaped channel that can fit nearly any tubular or other shape. As well, the underside can be made such that the system can lay flat on or against the dashboard, console, door interior or exterior, or one may simply hold it in his hand if that is his desire. The optional mounting strap may be provided with belt holes and catch, a holeless catching strap, or any suitable fastening arrangement. 
   The components of the system can be made by known methods. Parts such as transmitters, receivers, wire connectors, power supplies, solenoids switch mechanisms, can be provided in ways known to the skilled artisan or can be commercially obtained. 
   In wire-connected arrangements, a pig-tail wire-connection from the control system can have a universal J-block that fits the mating end of the plow or other attachment, to include the fitting of standard Western, Meyers, and Power Broom equipment. In cases where the wireless, remote control is employed, the receiver can be mounted at any suitable location, for example, inside the grill or under hood of the vehicle, and employed can be the same or similar type of universal J-block connecter on a two- to three-foot pig-tail to the plow or other attachment. 
   Accordingly, among advantages of the invention are these: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
           
             
                 
                 
             
           
          
             
                 
                1) 
               Generally better safety. 
             
             
                 
                2) 
               Optionally detachable. 
             
             
                 
                3) 
               Universal. 
             
             
                 
                4) 
               Compact. 
             
             
                 
                5) 
               Operator-friendly. 
             
             
                 
                6) 
               Wired or wireless. 
             
             
                 
                7) 
               Convenient. 
             
             
                 
                8) 
               Saves time and labor. 
             
             
                 
                9) 
               Increased production. 
             
             
                 
               10) 
               Durable. 
             
             
                 
               11) 
               Can be illuminated. 
             
             
                 
               12) 
               Attractive. 
             
             
                 
               13) 
               Possible storage in glove box or any small space. 
             
             
                 
               14) 
               Efficient operation. 
             
             
                 
               15) 
               Can be highly mobile. 
             
             
                 
               16) 
               Cost-efficient. 
             
             
                 
               17) 
               Quiet. 
             
             
                 
               18) 
               Mounts nearly anywhere. 
             
             
                 
               19) 
               Simple. 
             
             
                 
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   CONCLUSION 
   The present invention is thus provided. Various features, parts, subcombinations and combinations can be employed with or without reference to other features, parts, subcombinations or combinations in its practice, and numerous adaptations and modifications can be effected within its spirit, the literal claim scope of which is particularly pointed out as follows: