Extendable plow

Abstract

An extendable plow includes a first plow section having a first plowing surface and adapted to be supported by a vehicle wherein the plowing surface defines a first width, and a second plow section having a second plowing surface and slidably connected to the first plow section. The second plow section and the third plow section are slidable between a retracted position wherein the second plowing and the third plowing surface are substantially laterally aligned with the first plowing surface and an extended position wherein the second plowing surface and the third plowing surface extend laterally beyond the first plowing surface. The first plowing surface, second plowing surface and third plowing surface cooperate to form an uninterrupted total plowing surface defining a second width that is substantially double the first width when the second plowing surface and the third plowing surface are in the extended position.

The invention claimed is:  
     
         1 . An extendable plow, comprising: 
 a first plow section having a first plowing surface and adapted to be supported by a vehicle, the first plowing surface defining a first width;    a second plow section having a second plowing surface and slidably connected to the first plow section; and    a third plow section having a third plowing surface and slidably connected to the first plow section; and    wherein the second plow section and the third plow section are slidable between a retracted position wherein the second plowing surface and the third plowing surface are substantially laterally aligned with the first plowing surface, and an extended position wherein the second plowing surface and the third plowing surface extend laterally beyond the first plowing surface, and wherein the first plowing surface, the second plowing surface and the third plowing surface cooperate to form an uninterrupted total plowing surface defining a second width that is substantially double the first width when the second plow section and the third plow section are in the extended position.    
     
     
         2 . The extendable plow of  claim 1 , wherein the total plowing surface as formed by the first, second and third plowing surface has a substantially concave cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         3 . The extendable plow of  claim 2 , wherein the second and third plow sections are slidably connected to the first plow section by a sliding connector that includes a pair of spaced-apart, horizontally extending guideways affixed to the first plow section.  
     
     
         4 . The extendable plow of  claim 3 , wherein the second plow section and the third plow section each include a pair of engagement members that are slidably received within the guideways.  
     
     
         5 . The extendable plow of  claim 4 , wherein the first plow section is adapted to be supported from the vehicle via a bracket assembly, and wherein the bracket assembly is attached to the first plow section on a surface opposite the first plowing surface.  
     
     
         6 . The extendable plow of  claim 5 , wherein the second and third plow sections are slidably moved between the retracted and extended positions via at least one hydraulic cylinder.  
     
     
         7 . The extendable plow of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket assembly includes a downwardly opening, horizontally extending lip and at least one receiving notch each extending outwardly from the surface opposite the first plowing surface and wherein the lip is adapted to receive a support member attached to the vehicle and the receiving notch is adapted to receive an engagement arm attached to the vehicle.  
     
     
         8 . The extendable plow of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket assembly includes at least one pair of engagement arms extending outward from the surface opposite the first plowing surface, cooperating to form a slot therebetween and adapted to receive a horizontally oriented plate portion of a bucket attached to the vehicle, and wherein the extendable plow further includes at least one eyelet attached to the first plow section and adapted to receive a chain extending therethrough and about the bucket, thereby securing the extendable plow to the vehicle.  
     
     
         9 . The extendable plow of  claim 6 , wherein the bracket assembly includes a pair of downwardly opening hook-shaped members, and at least one engagement tab having an aperture extending therethrough each extending outwardly from the surface opposite the first plowing surface, the hook-shaped member are adapted to receive a support member attached to the vehicle therein, and wherein the aperture of the at least one tab is adapted to receive an engagement pin therein, thereby supporting the extendable plow from the vehicle.  
     
     
         10 . The extendable plow of  claim 9 , wherein the aperture within the at least one tab is horizontally oriented.  
     
     
         11 . The extendable plow of  claim 1 , wherein the total plowing surface has a substantially concave cross-sectional configuration.  
     
     
         12 . The extendable plow of  claim 1 , wherein the second plow section and the third plow section is slidably moved between the retracted position and the extended position via at least one hydraulic cylinder.  
     
     
         13 . The extendable plow of  claim 1 , wherein the first plow section is adapted to be supported from the vehicle via a bracket assembly, and wherein the bracket assembly is attached to the first plow section on a surface opposite the first plowing surface.  
     
     
         14 . The extendable plow of  claim 13 , wherein the bracket assembly includes a downwardly opening, horizontally extending lip and at least one receiving notch each extending outwardly from the surface opposite the first plowing surface and wherein the lip is adapted to receive a support member attached to the vehicle and the receiving notch is adapted to receive an engagement arm attached to the vehicle.  
     
     
         15 . The extendable plow of  claim 13 , wherein the bracket assembly includes at least one pair of engagement arms extending outward from the surface opposite the first plowing surface, cooperating to form a slot therebetween and adapted to receive a horizontally oriented plate portion of a bucket attached to the vehicle, and wherein the extendable plow further includes at least one eyelet attached to the first plow section and adapted to receive a chain extending therethrough and about the bucket, thereby securing the extendable plow to the vehicle.  
     
     
         16 . The extendable plow of  claim 13 , wherein the bracket assembly includes a pair of downwardly opening hook-shaped members, and at least one engagement tab having an aperture extending therethrough each extending outwardly from the surface opposite the first plowing surface, the hook-shaped member are adapted to receive a support member attached to the vehicle therein, and wherein the aperture of the at least one tab is adapted to receive an engagement pin therein, thereby supporting the extendable plow from the vehicle.  
     
     
         17 . The extendable plow of  claim 16 , wherein the aperture within the at least one tab is horizontally oriented.  
     
     
         18 . The extendable plow of  claim 1 , wherein the extendable plow is adapted to be pushed.  
     
     
         19 . An extendable plow, comprising: 
 a first plow section having a first plowing surface and adapted to be supported by a vehicle;    a second plow section having a second plowing surface;    a third plow section having a third plowing surface; and    a sliding connector slidably connecting the second and third plow section with the first plow section, the sliding connector including a pair of spaced-apart, horizontally extending guideways affixed to the first plow section, and a pair of engagement members affixed to the second and third plow sections and received by the guideways;    wherein the second and third plow sections are slidable between a retracted position wherein the second and third plow sections are substantially laterally aligned with the first plow section, and an extended position wherein the second and third plow section extend laterally outward from the first plow section and the first, second and third plowing surfaces cooperate to define an uninterrupted total plowing surface.    
     
     
         20 . The extendable plow of  claim 19 , wherein the first plowing surface defines a first width and the total plowing surface defines a second width, and wherein the second width is substantially double the first width.  
     
     
         21 . The extendable plow of  claim 20 , wherein the first plow section is adapted to be supported from the vehicle via a bracket assembly, and wherein the bracket assembly is attached to the first plow section on a surface opposite the first plowing surface.  
     
     
         22 . The extendable plow of  claim 21 , wherein the bracket assembly includes a downwardly opening, horizontally extending lip and at least one receiving notch each extending outwardly from the surface opposite the first plowing surface and wherein the lip is adapted to receive a support member attached to the vehicle and the receiving notch is adapted to receive an engagement arm attached to the vehicle.  
     
     
         23 . The extendable plow of  claim 21 , wherein the bracket assembly includes at least one pair of engagement arms extending outward from the surface opposite the first plowing surface, cooperating to form a slot therebetween and adapted to receive a horizontally oriented plate portion of a bucket attached to the vehicle, and wherein the extendable plow further includes at least one eyelet attached to the first plow section and adapted to receive a chain extending therethrough and about the bucket, thereby securing the extendable plow to the vehicle.  
     
     
         24 . The extendable plow of  claim 21 , wherein the bracket assembly includes a pair of downwardly opening hook-shaped members, and at least one engagement tab having an aperture extending therethrough each extending outwardly from the surface opposite the first plowing surface, the hook-shaped member are adapted to receive a support member attached to the vehicle therein, and wherein the aperture of the at least one tab is adapted to receive an engagement pin therein, thereby supporting the extendable plow from the vehicle.  
     
     
         25 . The extendable plow of  claim 24 , wherein the aperture within the at least one tab is horizontally oriented.  
     
     
         26 . The extendable plow of  claim 19 , wherein the extendable plow is adapted to be pushed.