Elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge and plow flap

Abstract

A plow edge and a plow flap, for example, a snow plow edge and a snow plow flap, having improved durability and performance compared to prior art metallic or elastomeric edges or flaps. The plow edge and plow flap are fabricated from an elastomeric material, for example, a cord-reinforced elastomeric material. According to one aspect of the invention, the cord-reinforced elastomeric materials are elongated members fabricated from tire parts, for example, used treads from pneumatic tires. Tire treads having integral reinforcing cords, for example, metallic or polymer cords or belts provide enhanced strength and durability. The plow edges and flaps may be used on plows for transferring many types of media along a surface, for example, gravel, sand, water, or other liquids, but in one aspect of the invention, the edges and flaps are used for snow plows.

1 . A plow edge comprising at least one elastomeric, cord-reinforced member fabricated from at least one pneumatic tire part.  
     
     
         2 . The plow edge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elastomeric, cord-reinforced member comprises at least one elastomeric, metal-cord-reinforced member or at least one elastomeric, fiber-cord-reinforced member.  
     
     
         3 . The plow edge as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the at least one elastomeric, metal-cord-reinforced member comprises at least one elastomeric, steel-belt-reinforced member.  
     
     
         4 . The plow edge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pneumatic tire part comprises at least one used pneumatic tire part.  
     
     
         5 . The plow edge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the plow edge comprises a snow plow blade edge.  
     
     
         6 . The plow edge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pneumatic tire part comprises at least one pneumatic tire tread.  
     
     
         7 . The plow edge as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the at least one pneumatic tire tread comprises a plurality of pneumatic tire treads.  
     
     
         8 . The plow edge as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one elastomeric, cord-reinforced member comprises a plurality of elastomeric, cord-reinforced members.  
     
     
         9 . The plow edge as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the at least one elastomeric, cord-reinforced member comprises a plurality of elastomeric, metal cord-reinforced members.  
     
     
         10 . The plow blade as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the plurality of elastomeric, cord-reinforced members comprise mating ends, wherein the mating ends have cooperating male and female constructions.  
     
     
         11 . A method for replacing an existing plow edge with an elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge comprising: 
 removing the existing plow edge from the plow; and    attaching the elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge, the elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge comprising at least one elastomeric, cord-reinforced member fabricated from at least one pneumatic tire part.    
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein attaching the elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge comprises positioning at least one rigid support plate adjacent the elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge and fastening the support plate and the elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge to the plow by means of fasteners.  
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the plow comprises an edge mounting surface, and wherein the method further comprises removing debris from the edge mounting surface.  
     
     
         14 . The method as recited in  claim 11  further comprising adjusting the alignment of the elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge wherein the elastomer, cord-reinforced plow edge is mounted at an oblique angle.  
     
     
         15 . A kit for replacing a plow edge with an elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge, the kit comprising: 
 at least one elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge comprising at least one member fabricated from at least one part of a pneumatic tire; and    a plurality of mechanical fasteners.    
     
     
         16 . The kit as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising a metallic mounting plate having a plurality of through holes.  
     
     
         17 . The kit as recited in  claim 15 , further comprising instructions for replacing a plow edge with the elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow edge.  
     
     
         18 . A plow flap mountable on a plow blade, the plow flap comprising an elastomeric, cord-reinforced material fabricated from at least one part of a pneumatic tire.  
     
     
         19 . The plowflap as recited in  claim 18  wherein the elastomeric, cord-reinforced material comprises an elastomeric, metal-cord-reinforced material or an elastomeric, fiber-cord-reinforced material.  
     
     
         20 . The plow flap as recited in  claim 19  wherein the elastomeric, metal-cord-reinforced material comprises an elastomeric, steel-belt-reinforced material.  
     
     
         21 . The plow flap as recited in  claim 18  wherein the plow flap is mountable on two plow blades.  
     
     
         22 . The plow flap as recited in  claim 18  further comprising means for mounting the resilient plow flap to one or more plow blades.  
     
     
         23 . The plow flap as recited in  claim 22  wherein the means for mounting the resilient plow flap comprises one or more through holes.  
     
     
         24 . The plow flap as recited in  claim 18  wherein the plow blade comprises a snow-plow blade.  
     
     
         25 . A plow assembly, comprising: 
 a plurality of plow blades mounted for relative movement about a common axis;    at least one plow flap comprising an elastomeric, cord-reinforced material fabricated from parts of one or more pneumatic tires; and    means for mounting the at least one plow flap to at least one of the plurality of plow blades.    
     
     
         26 . The plow assembly as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the at least one plow flap comprises at least two plow flaps.  
     
     
         27 . The plow assembly as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the plow assembly is a snow plow assembly.  
     
     
         28 . The plow assembly as recited in  claim 25 , wherein the means for mounting the at least one plow flap comprises at least one mounting member and at least one threaded fastener.  
     
     
         29 . The plow assembly as recited in  claim 28 , wherein the at least one mounting member comprises at least one mounting plate or at least one mounting bracket.  
     
     
         30 . The plow assembly as recited in claim  57 , wherein the plurality of plow blades each comprise a plow edge and wherein the means for mounting comprises means for mounting the at least one plow flap adjacent to at least one plow edge.  
     
     
         31 . A kit for replacing an existing plow flap of a plow blade with an elastomeric, cord-reinforced plow flap, the kit comprising: 
 at least one plow flap comprising an elastomeric, cord-reinforced material fabricated from parts of one or more pneumatic tires; and    means for mounting the at least one resilient plow flap to the plow blade.    
     
     
         32 . The kit as recited in  claim 31  wherein the means for mounting comprises at least one mechanical fastener.  
     
     
         33 . The kit as recited in  claim 31  further comprising instructions for replacing an existing plow flap with at least one elastomeric, fiber-reinforced plow flap.  
     
     
         34 . A plow assembly, comprising: 
 a plow body;    at least one plow edge comprising an elastomeric, cord-reinforced material fabricated from parts of one or more pneumatic tires; and    means for mounting the at least one plow edge to the plow body.    
     
     
         35 . The plow assembly as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the plow body comprises a lower edge and wherein the means for mounting the at least one plow edge comprises means for mounting the at least one plow edge adjacent the lower edge of the plow body.  
     
     
         36 . The plow assembly as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the at least one plow edge comprises at least two plow edges.  
     
     
         37 . The plow assembly as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the plow assembly is a snowplow assembly.  
     
     
         38 . The plow assembly as recited in  claim 34 , wherein the means for mounting the at least one plow edge comprises at least one mounting member and at least one threaded fastener.  
     
     
         39 . The plow assembly as recited in  claim 38 , wherein the at least one mounting member comprises at least one mounting plate.