Abstract:
A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle includes a laser device. A power source is coupled to the laser device for energizing the laser device to generate a laser beam. A first attachment is adapted to adjustably mount the laser device on the vehicle and to adjustably orient the laser device to project the laser beam in a selected direction. The snowplow attachment system further includes a target. The snowplow attachment system further includes a second attachment adapted to mount the target to the snowplow. The target is installed in the snowplow approximately in line with the laser beam. The laser beam projects a dot when incident on the target.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to systems and methods for attaching equipments to a vehicle and, more particularly, to a system and method for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Snow often creates hazardous conditions for motorists on roadways and bridges. Moderate to heavy snowfall often makes roadways and bridges impassable for motorists. Thus, it is necessary to remove snow from the ground for the safety of the motorists. Snow often causes driveways in residences and businesses to become unusable, requiring residents and business owners to remove snow from their driveways.  
         [0003]     Snowplows are generally used for snow removal. Various types of snowplows are available. One popular snowplow, which includes a large blade, is designed to be attached to the front of a vehicle such as a truck. The blade is configured to scrape the snow from the road, bridge or driveway and to deposit the snow to the side, thus allowing the motorists to safely drive. As the vehicle is driven by an operator in a generally forward direction, the blade removes the snow and deposits it to the side. Thus, the operator of the vehicle can steer the vehicle along a desired course to remove the snow from the ground.  
         [0004]     Snowplows are generally built from metal, composite or other hard material suitable for removal of snow from the ground. They are typically heavy and often can weigh 600 to 1000 pounds.  
         [0005]     A snowplow is generally installed on a vehicle prior to its use. After the snowplow is used, it is generally removed or dismounted from the vehicle and stored in a garage or other parking space. The snowplow and the vehicle both include attachment mechanisms or means (referred to hereinafter as attachment points). The snowplow&#39;s attachment points are designed to connect to the vehicle&#39;s attachment points so that the snowplow can be installed on the vehicle. Some snowplows are designed so that the operator can move the blade side to side when the snowplows are installed in on the vehicle.  
         [0006]     When a snowplow is required to be installed on a vehicle, it is difficult to correctly align the attachment points of the snowplow to the attachment points of the vehicle to facilitate the connection. Since a snowplow is heavy equipment, it is difficult for a person to lift and/or push the snowplow into place so that the attachment points are correctly aligned. Also, the attachment points are not visible to the vehicle operator. Thus, the vehicle operator cannot line up the attachment points by sight while steering the vehicle toward the parked snowplow for hook up. If the vehicle operator drives the vehicle towards the parked snowplow but does not steer the vehicle to proper alignment for attachment, the operator must back-up the vehicle and retry often several times, thereby wasting time. Also, the vehicle operator may damage the vehicle or the snowplow if the vehicle is accidentally driven into the snowplow.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, there exist a need for a solution to the foregoing problems. There exists a need for a snowplow attachment system and a method for efficiently installing a snowplow to a vehicle. There exists a need for a snowplow attachment system and a method that allow a snowplow to be installed on a vehicle in a relatively short time. There exists a need for a snowplow attachment system and a method that allow a snowplow to be installed on a vehicle without damaging the snowplow or the vehicle. There exists a need for a snowplow attachment system and a method that allow a snowplow to be installed on a vehicle without being difficult to lift and/or push into place.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     A snowplow attachment system for attaching a snowplow to a vehicle includes a laser device. A power source is coupled to the laser device for energizing the laser device to generate a laser beam. A first attachment is adapted to adjustably mount the laser device on the vehicle. The first attachment is adapted to adjustably orient the laser device to project the laser beam in a selected direction.  
         [0009]     The snowplow attachment system further includes a target. The snowplow attachment system further includes a second attachment adapted to mount the target to the snowplow. The target is installed in the snowplow approximately in line with the laser beam. The laser beam is projected in a substantially forward direction relative to the vehicle. The laser beam projects a dot when incident on the target.  
         [0010]     The target includes a panel attached to post. A receiver is adapted to be mounted on the snowplow. The receiver is adapted to receive the post when the target is mounted on the snowplow.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.  
         [0012]     In the drawings:  
         [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a laser projector device in accordance with one embodiment of the snowplow attachment system;  
         [0014]      FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a target and a receiver in accordance with one embodiment of the snowplow attachment system; and  
         [0015]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  both show a snowplow being installed in a vehicle using the snowplow attachment system. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0016]     The various features and methods of the invention will now be described in the context of attaching a snowplow to a vehicle. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be used to attach other equipment to a vehicle as well.  
         [0017]     Throughout the description of the embodiments, implementation-specific details will be given on how the invention is used to efficiently attach a snowplow to a vehicle. These details are provided to illustrate the preferred embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is set in the claims section.  
         [0018]     In one embodiment of the invention, a snowplow attachment system includes a laser projector device and a target.  FIG. 1  illustrates a laser projector device  104  attached to a vehicle windshield  108  by an attachment mechanism  112 . The laser projector device  104  can be any small laser projector such as a pocketsize laser pointer, which can project a dot, a line or a pattern.  
         [0019]     In one embodiment, the attachment mechanism  112  includes a vehicle bracket  116 , a ball and socket joint  120 , a locking screw  124 , and a laser holder bracket  128 . The bracket  128  is configured to receive and securely retain the laser projector device  104 . In one embodiment, the ball and socket joint  120  can be locked and unlocked by the locking screw  124  which when tightened can jam the ball tightly in the socket. By unlocking the joint  120 , the angular orientation of the laser projector device  104  can be changed with respect to the horizon and side-to-side with respect to a vertical axis. Thus, the laser projector device  104  can be oriented at a desired angle. By changing the vertical and horizontal angular orientation, the laser projector device  104  can be aimed or pointed at a particular target. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, other types of attachment mechanism can also be used to attach the laser projector device to the vehicle.  
         [0020]     The laser projector device  104  can be powered by a battery or powered by the vehicle&#39;s electrical system. A battery can be loaded into the laser projection device  104  by removing the removable battery cap  132 . An ON/OFF switch  136  allows the laser projector device  104  to be switched ON or OFF.  
         [0021]     The attachment mechanism  112  includes a base  140  that is attached to the windshield  108  of the vehicle. The base  140  can be attached to the windshield  108  using adhesive, suction cups or other means. While  FIG. 1  shows the laser projector device  104  being attached to the vehicle&#39;s windshield, it will be appreciated that the laser projector device  104  can be mounted on any suitable surface area of the vehicle, such as the vehicle&#39;s dashboard, on the hood, behind the grill, or on a suitable location on the exterior of the vehicle.  
         [0022]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a target  200  in accordance with one embodiment of the snowplow attachment system. The target  200  includes a panel  204  attached to a post  208 . The panel  204  may include centerlines or other patterns found in a typical target to indicate its center. Other types of targets can also be used. In one embodiment, centerlines or other patterns are incorporated on the snowplow to be used as a target.  
         [0023]     A receiver (or a bracket)  212  is adapted to receive the post  208 . The receiver  212  is typically attached to the blade of a snowplow (not shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). The receiver  212  can also be attached to another part of the snowplow. In one embodiment, the receiver  212  can be removably attached to the snowplow, allowing the receiver  212  to be moved on the snowplow in order to adjust the position of the target  200 . The receiver may be integrally built into the snowplow or attached to the snowplow by welding on, bolting on, clamping on, or other means.  
         [0024]     In one embodiment, the target  200  is permanently attached to the snowplow, but can fold down or collapse out of the way when not in use.  
         [0025]     As shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the receiver  212  includes a slot  220  adapted to receive a pin  216  in the post  208 . As the post  208  is inserted into the receiver  212 , the pin  216  mates with the slot  220 . When the pin  216  is mated to the slot  220 , the target  200  is securely mounted on the snowplow.  
         [0026]     In one embodiment, the post and receiver cross-sections are not round so that when they mate correct target orientation is facilitated without the use of a pin and slot.  
         [0027]      FIG. 3A  shows a snowplow being installed on a vehicle using the snowplow attachment system.  FIG. 3B  is a plan view of the illustration of  FIG. 3A . Initially, a snowplow  312  is attached to the vehicle  308  by conventional means such as by manually moving the snowplow  312  and aligning the attachment points of the snowplow  312  to the attachment points of the vehicle  308  and then connecting the snowplow  312  to the vehicle  308 .  
         [0028]     Next, laser projector device  304  is attached inside a vehicle  308  near the windshield at the driver&#39;s corner or other appropriate location. The laser projector device  304  is switched on. A receiver (shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) is then attached to the blade or other suitable part of the snowplow and the target is attached to the receiver. The target is installed on the snowplow  312  approximately in line with a laser beam  328  so that the laser beam  328  hits the target  316 .  
         [0029]     In one embodiment, the receiver can be movably installed on the snowplow  312  so that the target  316  can be moved side to side.  
         [0030]     Next, the laser projector device  304  is calibrated by loosening locking screw  124  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) and moving laser projector device  104  (shown in  FIG. 1 ) so that the laser beam  328  hits the predetermined point on the target  316 . The laser projector device  304  is then locked to retain its orientation by tightening locking screw  124 . With the laser projector device locked and the receiver permanently attached to the snowplow, the entire system remains calibrated for future use. The target  316  is removed from the receiver and the snowplow is then dismounted from the vehicle and remains ready for future installation.  
         [0031]     When the snowplow is ready for installation, the target  316  is attached to the receiver  212  (shown in  FIGS. 2A and 2B ). The laser projector device  304  is switched on and the vehicle  308  is slowly driven toward the target  316 . As the vehicle  308  is slowly driven toward the target  316 , the driver of the vehicle  308  steers side-to-side until the laser beam  328  is projected on the predetermined point on the target  316 . When the vehicle  308  contacts the snowplow with the laser beam  328  projected on the predetermined point, the attachment points of the vehicle and the snowplow will be aligned. At that time, the attachment points can be connected to install the snowplow on the vehicle. Next, the laser projector device  304  is turned off and the target  316  is removed from the receiver  212 .  
         [0032]     When detaching the snowplow  312  from the vehicle  308 , if the snowplow is of the type such that its blade can be moved side to side after being mounted on the vehicle, the target  316  is installed in the receiver  212 , the laser projector device  304  is switched on and the driver of the vehicle  308  can use the snowplow controls to turn the snowplow  312  until the laser beam  328  is projected on the predetermined point on the target  316  thereby making the snowplow ready for the next installation. Next, the laser projector device  304  is turned off and the snowplow attachment points can be disconnected. The target  316  may be left attached for the next installation.  
         [0033]     In one embodiment, the snowplow attachment system includes means to provide an audible signal (e.g., beeping sound) when the laser beam hits the predetermined point on the target such as the centerline. As the beam gets closer to the centerline, the beeping sound can become faster. In one embodiment, a proximity detector can be added to the system to detect the distance between the vehicle and the snowplow. It will be understood by those skilled in the art how to implement the means to provide the audible sound.  
         [0034]     In one embodiment, an optical source or a light emitting device other than a laser projector device can be used. The optical source or the light emitting device is capable of generating a beam that can be projected on the target.  
         [0035]     In one embodiment, the laser projector device is mounted on the hood, behind the grill, or on a suitable location on the exterior of the vehicle.  
         [0036]     The invention can be used to attach other equipment such as, for example, earthmoving equipment, farm machinery, aircraft towing equipment, trailers and grounds maintenance equipment to a vehicle.  
         [0037]     From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that, although specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.