Patent Publication Number: US-8967286-B2

Title: Lateral mount for vehicle mounted implement

Description:
FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to attachment devices for attaching an implement to a vehicle and related implements. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to an implement attachment device that allows for lateral or side-to-side movement between an implement and the vehicle to which it is attached. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Highway snow and ice control is typically performed by governmental entities (states, municipalities, etc.) utilizing plows to remove snow and ice and/or sanders that apply particulates to roadways. In the latter regard, such particulate may be a mixture of sand and/or salts (e.g., sodium chloride, calcium magnesium acetate (CMA)), which may melt snow/ice on a roadway. In addition to snow removal and particulate application, such governmental entities also attend to the cleaning of residual particulates (e.g., sand) from roadways. For instance, it is common for highways to be swept in the spring to remove accumulated particulate from roadway surfaces. Such sweeping is commonly performed utilizing a rotating brush assembly typically to a front end of a vehicle. 
     As plowing and sweeping operations often occur at different time of the year, it is common for governmental entities to utilize the same vehicles for both operations. For example, during winter operations, dump trucks utilized for sanding are often fitted with a snow plow disposed on their front end such that sanding and plowing may be done simultaneously. Further, once snow removal season ends, the plows are typically removed from these trucks such that sweepers may be attached to the front end of these trucks. As will be appreciated, such dual use of the vehicle reduces capital costs for the governmental entity. 
     In the case of plowing or sweeping, the truck mounted plow/sweeper must be short enough to allow transport on public highways which have limited lane width. Further, during plowing or sweeping, it is generally desirable to angle the implement such that the snow or particulate is moved toward the right shoulder of the road as the vehicle moves down the road. However, angling of the implement further shortens the lateral width of the implement. In this regard, it is often necessary to make multiple passes to clear the road. Further, in order to completely remove the snow/particulate from the roadway, it is often necessary for a truck operator to drive on the very edge of the roadway shoulder. Such operation can damage the shoulder which typically does not have the same base as the roadway and can be dangerous to operators if the tire of the vehicle leaves the roadway. 
     SUMMARY 
     Aspects of the presented inventions are directed to the provision of a mount assembly that allows for interconnecting an implement (e.g., snow plow, rotary brush etc.) to the front end of a vehicle while permitting that implement to move laterally relative to the front end of the vehicle. In this regard, such an implement may be moved laterally to the side of the vehicle (e.g., passenger side) during use such that the implement extends further towards the shoulder of a roadway surface. However, during transit, the implement may be moved to a center position relative to the vehicle. 
     According to a first aspect, a mount assembly is provided that allows for providing lateral movement between a vehicle and an implement attached to that vehicle. The assembly includes an attachment mount having a rearward surface that is adapted for removable attachment to a vehicle. A track is fixedly connected to a forward surface of the attachment mount and extends laterally across the forward surface thereof. This track may be integrally formed with the attachment mount or may be a separate member that is fixedly interconnected thereto. In any arrangement, a slide member is moveably attached to the track such that the slide member may move between a first position and a second position along the length of the track and hence relative to the attachment mount and/or front end of a vehicle. A moving frame has a rearward surface that is fixedly connected to the slide member. Accordingly, this moving frame is likewise adapted to move between a first position and a second position relative to the attachment mount. In order to effect movement between the moving frame and the attachment mount, the assembly utilizes an actuator interconnected to these members. In one arrangement, this actuator is formed of a hydraulic cylinder that allows for controllably moving the moving frame relative to the attachment mount. However, any appropriate actuator may be utilized including, without limitation rack and pinion type actuators. A mount is disposed on the forward surface of the moving frame for selectively mounting an implement thereto. In this regard, once the implement is mounted to the moving frame, the implement may move between the first and second lateral positions in conjunction with movement of the moving frame. 
     The slide member may be formed of any element that allows for movement between first and second positions. That is, any track and carriage arrangement may be utilized. In one arrangement, the slide member is formed of a shaft that extends between first and second positions on the attachment mount. In this arrangement, the slide member also includes a linear bearing that is adapted to move along the length of the shaft. In such an arrangement, the moving frame is fixedly interconnected to each linear bearing. In a further arrangement, the slide member includes first and second parallel shafts and the moving frame is fixedly interconnected to linear bearings on each shaft. 
     In a further arrangement, in addition to allowing for lateral movement between the implement mounted to the moving frame and the attachment mount, the mounting assembly further allows for pivotal movement of the implement about a first axis relative to the attachment mount. In this arrangement, an implement connected to a front surface of the moving frame is adapted to move between a first angular position and a second angular position relative to the moving frame. In such an arrangement, a second actuator is operative to move the implement between the first and second angular positions. In another arrangement, the implement is further pivotally connected to the moving frame about a second axis such that the implement may move between third and fourth angular positions relative to the moving frame. In this regard, the implement may tilt up and down relative to the moving frame. 
     Any appropriate implement may be interconnected to the moving frame. In one arrangement, the implement is a snow plow. In another arrangement, the implement is a rotating brush assembly. 
     According to another aspect, a laterally adjustable implement is provided for attachment to a front end of a vehicle. The implement includes a mounting plate having a rearward surface that is adapted for removable attachment to a vehicle. A moving frame has a rearward portion that is movably attached to a forward surface of the mounting plate. In this regard, the moving frame is adapted to move between a first lateral position and a second lateral position relative to the mounting plate. This movement is controlled by a first actuator that displaces the moving frame between the first and second lateral positions. An implement is pivotally connected to a forward surface of the moving frame such that the implement is operable to move between a first angular position and second angular position relative to the moving frame. A second actuator is operative to move the implement between the first and second angular positions. 
     In a further arrangement, the implement is interconnected to the moving frame via a two-axis movable mount (e.g., clevis) that allows for movement between the first and second angular positions and third and fourth angular positions. In this regard, the implement may tilt between first and second horizontal positions relative to the front end of a vehicle and/or tilt up and down relative to the front end of a vehicle. In such an arrangement, another actuator may be utilized to control movement about this second axis. 
     According to another aspect, a method is provided for retrofitting an implement to provide lateral movement between the implement and the front end of a vehicle to which the implement is attached. The method includes removing an attachment element from the implement that is adapted to attach the implement to the vehicle. In conjunction with removal of this attachment element, a sliding attachment mount is provided that allows for interconnection to the front end of the vehicle and interconnection to the implement. The slide assembly permits lateral movement between an attachment mount adapted for attachment to the vehicle and a moving frame to which the implement is attached. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle mounted implement; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a top view of a prior art attachment mount assembly for mounting an implement to a vehicle; 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate a top view of a laterally adjustable attachment mount assembly for mounting an implement to a vehicle; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective exploded view of the vehicle mounted implement of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a laterally adjustable attachment mount assembly and implement frame of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate a top view of the laterally adjustable attachment mount assembly of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIGS. 6C ,  6 D and  6 E illustrate a top view of an alternate embodiment of the laterally adjustable attachment mount assembly of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate an alternate embodiment of the laterally adjustable attachment mount assembly. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which at least assist in illustrating the various pertinent features of the presented inventions. The following description is presented for purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to limit the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the following teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described herein are further intended to explain the best modes known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions. 
       FIGS. 1  illustrates one embodiment of a laterally adjustable mount and corresponding implement that is adapted to be interconnected to the front end of a vehicle. In the illustrated embodiment, the implement is a rotary brush assembly that is adapted for sweeping debris off of a road way surface. However, it will be appreciated that various aspects of the presented inventions are equally applicable to other implements. For instance, rather than incorporating a rotary brush, the system may utilize a snow plow. 
     Aspects of the presented inventions are based on the realization that existing mounts for attaching an implement such as a rotary brush or snow plow to the front end of a vehicle provide limited motion between the vehicle and the implement. In a common mounting arrangement, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , an implement  100  is interconnected to the front end of a vehicle  110 , where the implement  100  is pivotally interconnected to the vehicle  110  via a mounting arrangement  120 . Generally, such a mounting arrangement  120  includes a vehicle mounted frame  122  that is either fixedly or removably interconnected to the front end of the vehicle  110 . In order to provide pivotal movement between the vehicle  110  and the implement, the frame  122  also includes a pivot mount  124  to which a frame  102  of the implement  100  is pivotally interconnected. In operation, various actuators (e.g., hydraulic actuators; not shown) extend between the implement frame  102  and the mount  124  in order to adjust the angular position of the implement  100  relative to the vehicle  110  as illustrated in  FIG. 2B . 
     In previous arrangements, it has been common for the implement  100  to be slightly wider than the vehicle  110 . However, the width of the implement  100  is limited by the requirement that the vehicle be transportable on public highways. Accordingly, the width of the implement  100  may only be slightly wider than the width of the vehicle  110 . In this regard, when the implement  100  is angled relative to the vehicle  110  as illustrated in  FIG. 2B , the implement  100  may minimally extend past the passenger side edge of the vehicle  110 . Accordingly, this has required operators of such a vehicle  110  drive the vehicle very close to the edge of the road in order to fully remove debris (e.g., particulate or snow) from a roadway surface. Further, in the case of a rotating brush, adequately sweeping particulate from the roadway surface to the road shoulder has required that the brush  100  be disposed at a significant angular offset relative to the front end of the vehicle. That is, as the brush rotates, particulate is thrown forward and to the side in a direction that is generally normal to the lateral width of the brush. As the brush only slightly extends beyond the edge of the vehicle, a large relative angle is required between the brush and the vehicle to ensure the particulate is thrown far enough to leave the roadway surface. Such a large relative angle between the brush and the front end of the vehicle results in significant brush wear. Specifically, the brush tends to wear in a conical manner. This ‘coning’ requires periodic replacement of the brush. 
       FIGS. 3A-3C  illustrate the attachment of an implement  100  to the front end of a vehicle  110  utilizing a sliding lateral mount assembly  10 . As shown, the sliding lateral mount assembly  10  utilizes an attachment mount  20  that is interconnected to the vehicle  110  and a moving frame  30  is slideably interconnected to the attachment mount  20 . The moving frame  30  further includes a mounting plate  32  that extends forward from the moving frame  30  to provide a pivotal attachment point for interconnection with an implement frame  102 . As show in  FIG. 3B , the moving frame  30  is adapted to move from a first position to a second position relative to the attachment mount  20  and thereby dispose the implement  100  from a first position to a second position relative to the front end of the vehicle  110 . In this regard, the distance that the implement  100  extends beyond the passenger side edge of the vehicle is increased in relation to prior mounting arrangements. Accordingly, during operation, the implement  100  may be moved toward the passenger edge of the vehicle and thereby provide improved removal of snow and or particulates from a roadway surface while allowing the vehicle to remain a safe distance from the roadway edge. Likewise, the implement may be moved toward the driver edge of the vehicle. Further, in the case of the rotating brush implement  100 , the ability to move the brush a greater distance beyond the side edge of the vehicle allows for reducing the relative angle between the brush and the front end of the vehicle while still removing particulate from the road surface. Stated otherwise, this allows for reducing the angular offset between the brush  100  and the front of the vehicle  110  which thereby reduces coning wear of the brush. This prolongs the life of the brush and provides improved removal of debris from the roadway surface. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an expanded/exploded view of the implement and sliding lateral mount assembly of  FIG. 1 . As shown, the attachment mount  20  of the sliding lateral mount assembly  10  has a rearward surface that includes mounting elements  22 , which are adapted to interconnect to a front bumper of a vehicle. It will be appreciated that different vehicles may utilize different mounting arrangements and therefore the mounting elements  22  are shown by way of example and not by way of limitation. That is, other mounting arrangements may be utilized depending on the configuration of attachment interface of the vehicle. A slide assembly  50  slidably interconnects the moving frame  30  to the attachment mount  20 . An implement frame  102  is interconnected to the moving frame via a mounting plate  32  interconnected the front surface of the moving frame  30 . In the illustrated embodiment, the implement  100  is a rotary brush assembly that includes a rotary brush  106  that is mounted on a hub assembly  108 . A hood or cover  130  is disposed over the rotating brush  106  and is fixedly interconnected to the outside edges of the implement frame  102 . To rotate the brush  106 , the implement utilizes a drive motor  132  which is interconnected to a gear box  134  disposed within the hub  108 . The gear box, hub and brush are supported relative to the implement frame  102  via a support frame  136 . In the present embodiment, the drive motor  132  is a hydraulic motor that is interconnected to a hydraulic system of the vehicle (not shown). However, it will be appreciated that other drive motors are possible and within the scope of the presented invention. Upon assembly, the drive motor  132  turns the input shaft of the gearbox  134  which rotates the hub assembly  108  thereby rotating the brush. Further, in the present embodiment, the brush implement  100  includes first and second castors  140  which are utilized to support the implement  100  during interconnection of the implement to a vehicle  110 . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of the sliding lateral mount assembly  10  and the implement frame  102  with the brush implement removed for purposes of clarity. As will be appreciated, the sliding lateral mount assembly may be utilized with any implement frame  102  that supports any of various vehicle mounted implements. In this regard, the implement frame may support a rotating brush as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a snow plow mould board or other implements. Accordingly, the present figures are provided by way of illustration and not by limitation. 
     FIGS.  5  and  6 A-E more fully illustrate the operation of the lateral slide mount assembly  10 . In the present embodiment, the attachment mount  20  is generally formed of a flat plate  24  having first and second attachment or mounting elements  22  interconnected on either end. As shown, the mounting elements  22  extend transversely from the generally planar front surface of the plate  24  and extend rearward. In the present embodiment, the mounting elements  22  each include a hook  23  that is adapted to be disposed over the top of a mounting plate attached to a vehicle. Further, these mounting elements  22  may include one or more apertures  25  that allow for securing (e.g., bolting) the attachment mount  20  to the mounting plate on the front end of a vehicle. The attachment mount  20  further includes multiple slide support members  26  that are connected to the ends of the flat plate  24  and extend in a forward direction. In the present embodiment, the attachment mount  20  includes four slide support members  26  that are adapted to support first and second slide members. 
     As shown, the slide support members  26  are adapted to support first and second slide assemblies  50  or tracks. In the present embodiment, each slide assembly is formed of a shaft  54  and one or more linear bearings  52  that move along the length of the shaft  54 . However, the slide assemblies  50  may be formed of any elements that allow for movement of a first member relative to a second member. Stated otherwise, the slide assembly may be formed of any track and carriage arrangement that allows for movement of the carriage between first and second positions along the length of the track. In the present embodiment, once the shaft  54  is disposed through the linear bearings  52 , the linear bearings  52  cannot be removed from the shaft but can move along the length of the shaft. The shafts  54  have a length that allows for their disposition between the slide support members  26  of the attachment mount  20 . Once so disposed, the shafts  54  are fixedly interconnected to the attachment mount  20  utilizing bolts that pass through the slide support members  26  and into the ends of the shafts  54 . Once the first and second ends of the shafts  54  are disposed between the slide support members  26  and bolted in place, bodies of the shafts  54  are suspended above the front surface of attachment mount  20  as is best shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the linear bearings  52  each have a mounting surface  58  on their forward surface. A rearward surface of the moving frame  30  engages the mounting surfaces of the linear bearings  52 . As shown, the moving frame  30  is formed of a generally planar surface (e.g., plate) and includes various apertures that allow for bolting the moving frame  30  to each of the linear bearings  52 . Once bolted to the linear bearings  52 , the moving frame  30  is supported relative to the attachment mount  20  via the slide assembly  50 . Furthermore, the moving frame  30  is allowed to move between a first position and a second position in conjunction with movement of the linear bearings from a first position to a second position along the shaft  54 . As shown in  FIG. 6A , the moving frame  30  is disposed in a home position relative to the attachment mount  20 . As shown in  FIG. 6B , the moving frame  60  is offset from the attachment mount  20 . Accordingly, any implements interconnected to the moving frame  30  are likewise offset from the attachment mount  20  and hence the front end of the vehicle to which the attachment mount  20  is connected.  FIGS. 6C ,  6 D and  6 C illustrate an alternate embodiment. In this embodiment, the home position is centered relative to the attachment mount  20 . See  FIG. 6C . This allows the moving frame  30  to move in a first direction (see  FIG. 6D ) and a second direction (See  FIG. 6E ) relative to the attachment mount  20 . As will be appreciated, this embodiment allows an implement to be moved either direction relative to the front end of a vehicle. 
     In order to control the offset between the moving frame  30  and the attachment mount  20 , the lateral slide mount assembly  10  utilizes a linear actuator  56 . See  FIG. 5 . As shown, the actuator has a first end that is interconnected to the attachment mount  20  via a first bracket  60  and a bolt  62 , likewise, a second end of the actuator  56  is interconnected to a rearward surface of the moving frame  30  (not shown). In the present embodiment, the linear actuator  56  is a hydraulic cylinder which is interconnected to a hydraulic system of the vehicle (not shown) and is controllable by an operator of the vehicle  110 . Accordingly, the operator may selectively displace the moving frame  30  relative to the attachment mount  20  and thereby controllably displace the lateral position of an implement  100  relative to the front end of a vehicle. In other embodiments, a rack and pinion assembly may be utilized to move the moving frame relative to the attachment mount. In such an arrangement, the attachment mount and moving frame may incorporate track gears on their facing surfaces and a pinion gear is disposed there between. Such a pinion gear may be operated hydraulically, electrically or mechanically (e.g., via a power take off). 
     The exact configuration of the slide assembly  50  may be varied for a particular application. As noted above, any appropriate track and carriage arrangement may be utilized. In one embodiment, it is preferred that the slide assembly  50  limit movement of the supported moving frame  30  and implement  100  to a single degree of freedom. That is, it may be preferred that the slide member/assembly  50  limit movement of the moving frame to linear movement and prevent rotational movement about the slide assembly. In the present embodiment, limitation of rotational movement is achieved by utilization of first and second shafts that are disposed in a parallel arrangement. In this regard, once the moving frame  30  is interconnected to the linear bearings  52  on each of the parallel shafts  54 , the moving frame  30  is prevented from rotating about the shafts. However, in other embodiments, it may be desired that the moving plate be allowed to rotate relative to the attachment mount  20  in order to allow a further degree of movement (e.g., up and down) between the mounting plate  32  and the attachment mount  20 . Such an arrangement may ulitize a single shaft and one or more additional actuators to control up and down movement of the moving frame and an attached implement. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 5 , the moving frame  30  provides a mounting surface for attaching the implement frame  102  to the lateral slide mount assembly  10  via first and second mounting plates  32 A,  32 B are fixedly interconnected (e.g., welded) to a front surface of the moving frame  30 . As shown, these mounting plates  32 A,  32 B are generally triangular and have a base interconnected to the moving frame  30 . A forward end of each of these plates  32 A,  32 B includes a mounting aperture  34 A,  34 B, which define a pivot axis  36 . In the present embodiment, each of these plates  34 A,  34 B forms a tang of clevis and tang connection. Likewise, the implement frame  102  includes first and second pairs of clevis plates  112  where each pair of clevis plates  112  is sized to be disposed on opposing sides of one of the tangs defined by the mounting plates  32 A,  32 B of the moving frame  30 . The clevis plates  112  each include an aperture that may be aligned with the apertures  34 A,  34 B through the mounting plates  32 . Accordingly, a pin shaft or other element may be disposed through these aligned apertures in order to pivotally interconnect the implement frame  102  relative to the moving frame  30 . This pivotal interconnection between the moving frame  30  and implement frame  102  allows the implement frame to move from a first angular orientation relative to the moving frame  30  (e.g., and vehicle) to a second angular orientation. See for example  FIGS. 3B and 3C . 
     In order to control the angular orientation between the implement frame  102  and moving frame  30 , a second actuator  140  is utilized. The second actuator  140  in the present embodiment is a hydraulic cylinder having a first end interconnected to a forward surface of the moving frame  30  via a bracket  142  and a second that is interconnected to a rearward surface of the implement frame (not shown). An operator of the vehicle  110  can operate the actuator  140  to selectively move the angular orientation of the implement frame  102  relative to the moving frame  30  and hence the vehicle  110 . 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate another embodiment of a lateral slide assembly  10 . This embodiment of the lateral slide assembly again allows for lateral movement of a moving frame  30  relative to an attachment mount  20  thereby allowing lateral movement of an implement frame  102  relative to the attachment mount  20  and a vehicle. However, in this embodiment, the moving frame includes a single mounting plate  32 . Pivotally interconnected to the mounting plate is a two-axis clevis  70 . The two-axis clevis includes a first clevis end  72  that is pivotally attached to the mounting plate  36  about a first pivot axis  36 . A second clevis end  74  is pivotally connected to a tang  76  that is fixedly interconnected to a rearward surface of an implement frame  102 . The second clevis end  74  and tang  76  allow pivotal movement about a second pivot axis  80 . Such movement about this second pivot axis  80  allows for tilting the implement frame relative to the moving frame  30 . In this regard, an implement attached to the implement frame  102  may be raised or lowered relative to the front end of a vehicle to which the attachment mount  20  is connected. Another actuator  82  (e.g., hydraulic cylinder) may be interconnected between the moving frame  30  and the implement frame  102  to control such movement. As will be appreciated, the embodiment of the lateral slide assembly illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B  allows for three axis movement of the implement frame  102  and any attached implement relative to the attachment mount  20 . Specifically, the implement frame may be moved laterally (see e.g.,  FIG. 3B ) along the slide member (not shown), pivoted about the first pivot axis  36  (see e.g.,  FIG. 3C ) and/or raised or lowered about the second pivot axis  80  (see  FIG. 7B ). 
     In addition to being utilized with original equipment manufacturer (OEM) implements, the lateral slide assembly may be retrofit with existing implements. That is, the existing attachment mount of an implement may be removed and replaced with the attachment mount  20 , slide assembly  50  and moving frame  30  of the lateral slide assembly  10 . In this regard, existing implements may be converted to utilize the lateral slide assembly and thereby realize the benefits of the same. 
     The foregoing description has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Furthermore, the description is not intended to limit the inventions and/or aspects of the inventions to the forms disclosed herein. Consequently, variations and modifications commensurate with the above teachings, and skill and knowledge of the relevant art, are within the scope of the presented inventions. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain best modes known of practicing the inventions and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions in such, or other embodiments and with various modifications required by the particular application(s) or use(s) of the presented inventions. It is intended that the appended claims be construed to include alternative embodiments to the extent permitted by the prior art.