Patent Publication Number: US-9885160-B1

Title: Rotatable snowplow blade apparatus, systems and methods of using the same

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a snow pusher, also known as a box plow. More specifically, the present invention relates to a snow pusher blade that may be disposed in a first position for pushing snow forwardly, as is typical of snow pushers, and may further be disposed in a second position for pulling snow rearwardly. The blade of the snow pusher may be contained within a snow plow box that may be reversible, allowing the blade to be disposed at a rear of the box for pushing the snow forwardly and at a front of the box for pulling snow rearwardly. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Plows for moving snow have been around for almost two hundred years, and the first patent for a snow plow to move snow from a railway is said to have been issued in the 1840s. Indeed, the first snow plows include wedges or blades affixed to horse drawn carriages that could move snow from roadways. The first plow affixed to motor equipment was recorded in 1913 by Good Roads Machinery company in Kennett Square, Pa., and is widely credited as creating the first modern snow plow. 
     A type of snowplow is known as a “snow pusher” (also known as a box plow, containment plow, or box style plow) and is designed to move snow by pushing it straight ahead. The snow pusher has a curved moldboard that lies perpendicular to the direction of travel and a sidewall at either end that keeps the snow contained. For parking lots, runways, laneways, and other like roadways, this is an improvement on the traditional snow plowing, which uses an angled plow to move snow to the side. Snow pushers allow the snow to be moved en masse and completely off site to be piled someplace out of the way. 
     Snow pushers are often disposed on heavy machinery, such as front loaders, skid loaders, bulldozers, dump trucks, or other like equipment due to their size and weight. Specifically, the box plow itself is typically of a three-walled construction, with the blade element disposed between two sidewalls. The blade typically sits fixed as the rear wall of the box plow for pushing the snow forwardly and containing the snow within the two sidewalls. 
     While snow pushers may be utilized to move a large amount of snow completely out of the way (as opposed to merely deflecting snow to the side as in a snow plow), snow pushers often have difficulty in situations where there is limited space, and no ability to push snow forwardly. For example, a snow pusher has great difficulty removing snow from near buildings or other structures because a snow pusher can only move the snow forward. 
     A need, therefore, exists for a snow pusher or box plow apparatus that may be utilized for areas where snow cannot be moved forward. Specifically, a need exists for a snow pusher or box plow that can move snow away from buildings or other structures. 
     More specifically, a need exists for a snow pusher or box plow that can move snow rearwardly. Moreover, a need exists for a snow pusher or box plow that can move snow both forwardly and rearwardly. 
     Further, a need exists for a snow pusher or box plow having a blade for moving snow disposed between two side walls that is disposed in a first position in a rear of the box plow and in a second position at a front of a box plow. Still further, a need exists for a snow pusher or box plow having a blade that is rotated between a first position at a rear of the box plow for pushing snow forwardly in a traditional manner and a second position at a front of the box plow for pulling snow rearwardly. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a snow pusher, also known as a box plow. More specifically, the present invention relates to a snow pusher blade that may be disposed in a first position for pushing snow forwardly, as is typical of snow pushers, and may further be disposed in a second position for pulling snow rearwardly. The blade of the snow pusher may be contained within a snow plow box that may be reversible, allowing the blade to be disposed at a rear of the box for pushing the snow forwardly and at a front of the box for pulling snow rearwardly. 
     To this end, in an embodiment of the present invention, a box plow apparatus is provided. The box plow apparatus comprises: a first side wall, a second side wall and rear wall forming a three-sided box configuration, and a plow blade disposed within the three-sided box configuration having an open side, the plow blade comprising a first arm extending perpendicularly from the plow blade on a first side of the plow blade, and rotatably connected to the first side wall, wherein the plow blade is rotatable from a first position adjacent the rear wall and a second position adjacent the open side of the three-sided box configuration. 
     In an embodiment, the plow blade comprises a second arm extending perpendicularly from a second side of the plow blade, and rotatably connected to the second side wall. 
     In an embodiment, the first arm comprises an axle disposed through the first side wall, wherein the first arm is rotatable on the axle. 
     In an embodiment, the box plow apparatus further comprises a controller connected to the first arm configured to rotate the first arm and, by extension, the plow blade from the first position to the second position. 
     In an embodiment, the controller comprises a motor and a chain, wherein the chain is connected through a sprocket to an axle extending from the first arm. 
     In an embodiment, the motor is configured to rotate the axle a first direction and a second direction. 
     In an embodiment, the first arm is rotatably connected to the first sidewall at roughly a midpoint of the first sidewall. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a box plow system is provided. The box plow system comprises a box plow comprising a first side wall, a second side wall and rear wall forming a three-sided box configuration, and a plow blade disposed within the three-sided box configuration having an open side, the plow blade comprising a first arm extending perpendicularly from the plow blade on a first side of the plow blade, and rotatably connected to the first side wall, wherein the plow blade is rotatable from a first position adjacent the rear wall and a second position adjacent the open side of the three-sided box configuration; and a vehicle connected to the box plow, wherein the vehicle is configured to control the movement of the box plow and the plow blade. 
     In an embodiment, the first arm comprises an axle disposed through the first side wall, wherein the first arm is rotatable on the axle. 
     In an embodiment, the box plow system further comprises a controller connected to the first arm and configured to rotate the first arm and, by extension, the plow blade from the first position to the second position. 
     In an embodiment, the controller comprises a motor and a chain, wherein the chain is connected through a sprocket to an axle extending from the first arm. 
     In an embodiment, the motor is configured to rotate the axle a first direction and a second direction. 
     In an embodiment, the controller is linked to a control unit within the vehicle wherein the control unit is configured to control the controller on the box plow. 
     In an embodiment, the control unit within the vehicle is configured to move the plow blade from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, a method of moving material is provided. The method comprises the steps of: providing a box plow comprising a first side wall, a second side wall and rear wall forming a three-sided box configuration, and a plow blade disposed within the three-sided box configuration having an open side, the plow blade comprising a first arm extending perpendicularly from the plow blade on a first side of the plow blade, and rotatably connected to the first side wall, wherein the plow blade is rotatable from a first position adjacent the rear wall and a second position adjacent the open side of the three-sided box configuration; providing a vehicle connected to the box plow, wherein the vehicle is configured to control the movement of the box plow and the plow blade; positioning the plow blade in the first position; and moving the vehicle and, by extension, the box plow forwardly, thereby moving material forwardly via the plow blade. 
     In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: positioning the plow blade in the second position; and moving the vehicle and, by extension, the box plow rearwardly, thereby moving material rearwardly via the plow blade. 
     In an embodiment, the material is snow. 
     In an embodiment, the box plow further comprises a controller connected to the first arm and configured to rotate the first arm and, by extension, the plow blade from the first position to the second position and further comprising the step of: activating the controller and moving the plow blade from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position. 
     In an embodiment, the controller comprises a motor and a chain, wherein the chain is connected through a sprocket to an axle extending from the first arm. 
     In an embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: providing a control unit within the vehicle configured to control the controller and move the plow blade from the first position to the second position and from the second position to the first position; and activating the controller using the control unit within the vehicle. 
     It is, therefore, an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a snow pusher or box plow apparatus that may be utilized for areas where snow cannot be moved forward. 
     Specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a snow pusher or box plow that can move snow away from buildings or other structures. 
     More specifically, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a snow pusher or box plow that can move snow rearwardly. 
     Moreover, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a snow pusher or box plow that can move snow both forwardly and rearwardly. 
     Further, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a snow pusher or box plow having a blade for moving snow disposed between two side walls that is disposed in a first position in a rear of the box plow and in a second position at a front of a box plow. 
     Still further, it is an advantage and objective of the present invention to provide a snow pusher or box plow having a blade that is rotated between a first position at a rear of the box plow for pushing snow forwardly in a traditional manner and a second position at a front of the box plow for pulling snow rearwardly. 
     Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments and from the drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a skid loader having a box plow apparatus having a plow blade in a first position in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view at a reverse angle of a skid loader having a box plow apparatus having a plow blade in a first position in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a perspective view of a skid loader having a box plow apparatus having a plow blade in a second position in an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a cut-away side view of a chain mechanism for moving a plow blade from a first position to a second configuration and vice versa. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a rear view of a box plow apparatus showing a connection point to a side loader in an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention relates to a snow pusher, also known as a box plow. More specifically, the present invention relates to a snow pusher blade that may be disposed in a first position for pushing snow forwardly, as is typical of snow pushers, and may further be disposed in a second position for pulling snow rearwardly. The blade of the snow pusher may be contained within a snow plow box that may be reversible, allowing the blade to be disposed at a rear of the box for pushing the snow forwardly and at a front of the box for pulling snow rearwardly. 
     Now referring to the figures, wherein like numerals refer to like parts,  FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate a box plow system  10  in an embodiment of the present invention. The box plow system  10  comprises a box plow  12  removably attached to a skid loader  14 , although it should be noted that the box plow  12  may be attached, either permanently or removably to any other mover and controller of the box plow  12 , such as any tractor, front-loader, bulldozer, truck, or any other vehicle that may have the box plow  12  disposed thereon for moving snow or other material. 
     In an embodiment, the skid load  14  may have a first arm  16  and a second arm  18  connected to the rear side of the box plow  12  and may be used for moving the box plow up and down and in other ways that are typically standard for moving box plows. The first and second arms  16 ,  18  may be connected to a connection point  20  (as illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) disposed on a rear wall  22  of the box plow  12 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the connection point  20  may be a plate having a connection element  24  that may be connected to the rear wall  22  of the box plow  12  via linkages, and may be standard for connecting skid loaders, or any other vehicle, to box plows. 
     The skid loader, or any other vehicle, may have a cabin  28  for a user to sit and control the skid loader and, by extension, the box plow  12  via controls (now shown). The user may utilize the controls of the skid loader to move the box plow in the direction desired, such as up and down via the first and second arms  16 ,  18 , or side-to-side, if desired, or at different angles relative to the ground. Likewise, as described in more detail below, the user may have controls for moving a plow blade  30  from a first position to a second position. 
     The box plow  12  may have first and second sidewalls  42 ,  44  disposed in parallel and further may have the afore-mentioned rear wall  22  spanning the space between the first and second sidewalls  42 ,  44 . The first and second sidewalls  42 ,  44  and the rear wall  2  may form a three-side box configuration with an open front side. Disposed on a bottom of each of the first and second sidewalls  42 ,  44  may be first and second sleds  46 ,  48 , respectively, allowing for easier movement of the box plow  12  over snow or other debris without catching the ends or corners thereof on the snow or other debris. 
     The plow blade  30  may be disposed within the three-sided box configuration formed by the first and second sidewalls,  42 ,  44  and the rear wall  22 . The plow blade  30  may have arms  32 ,  34  that may extend from sides of the plow blade  30  at a roughly perpendicular angle relative to the plow blade  30 , and may be rotatably connected to side walls  42 ,  44 , respectively. Specifically, arm  32  of plow blade  30  may be rotatably connected to side wall  42  via axle  36 . Likewise, arm  34  of plow blade  30  may be rotatably connected to side wall  44  via axle  38 . Axles  36 ,  38  may be bolts, rods, or other like elements that may be allow the arms  32 ,  34  to freely rotate on the sidewalls  42 ,  44 , respectively. Thus, the plow blade  30  may rotate from a first position, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  as a “rear position” within the three-sided box configuration, to a second position, shown in  FIG. 3  as a “front position” within the three-sided box configuration, over the open side. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the plow blade  30  may have a first blade element  50  disposed on a first end of the plow blade  30  and a second blade element  52  disposed on a second end of the plow blade  30 . Thus, when the plow blade  30  is disposed in its first or rear position, the first blade element  50  may be disposed adjacent the ground and may be utilized to scrape material, such as snow or other debris, from the ground, and move the material forwardly when the skid loader moves forwardly. Likewise, when the plow blade  30  is disposed in its second or front position, the second blade element  52  may be disposed adjacent the ground and may be utilized to scrape material from the ground, and move the material rearwardly when the skid loader moves rearwardly. Therefore, the box plow  12  of the present invention may be used to move material both forwardly and rearwardly by changing the plow blade  30  from its first or rear position to its second or front position. 
     The plow blade  30  may include reinforcing struts  54  disposed as ribs thereon, and may further comprise first and second reinforcing arms  56 ,  58 . First reinforcing arm  56  may be attached to one of the reinforcing struts  54  on one end thereof and further may be attached to arm  32  on a second end thereof. Second reinforcing arm  58  may be attached to one of the reinforcing struts  54  on one end thereof and further may be attached to arm  34  on a second end thereof. Therefore, reinforcing arms  54 ,  56  may provide additional strength to the plow bade  30  and, more particularly, to the arms  32 ,  34  extending therefrom. 
     In use, the plow blade  30 , in either the first/rear position or the second/front position may rotate along axles  36 ,  38  to the other of the first/rear position or the second/front position. As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a chain box  60  may be disposed on sidewall  44  for housing a chain and sprockets for controlling the rotation of the plow blade  30  via rotating of the axle  38 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of a chain  62  that may be positioned between sprockets  64 ,  66 . Rotation of sprocket  66  causes chain  62  to move, causing rotation of sprocket  64 , thereby rotating axle  38  and, by extension, plow blade  30  from the first/rear position to the second/front position, and vice versa. Motor  68  may be connected through axle  70  to rotate axle  70 , which may be controlled via lines  72 ,  74 , which may be hydraulic lines, electrical lines, or any other lines useful for controlling motor  68 . Plate  76  may be present to ensure that sprockets  64 ,  66  are aligned so that chain  62  can easily move between them. 
     As motor  68  rotates axle  70  and sprocket  66  in a first direction, thereby moving chain  62  in the first direction, and rotating sprocket  64  in the first direction, axle  38  also moves in the first direction, rotating arm  34  and, by extension, plow blade  30 . Motor  68  may likewise rotate axle  70  and sprocket  66  in a second direction, thereby moving chain  62  in the second direction, and rotating sprocket  64  in the second direction, axle  38  may also move in the second direction, rotating arm  34  and, by extension plow blade  30 . Lines  72 ,  74  may extend to controls disposed within the cabin  28  of the skid loader, or other vehicle, for a user to easily move the plow blade  30  from the first or rear position to the second or front position and vice versa. Of course, it should be noted that any manner of rotating the plow blade  30  from a first or rear position to a second or front position, and vice versa, is contemplated by the present disclosure, and the present invention should not be limited as described herein. 
     It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages. Further, references throughout the specification to “the invention” are nonlimiting, and it should be noted that claim limitations presented herein are not meant to describe the invention as a whole. Moreover, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.