Atv plow support frame assembly with quick locking system and method for installing same

Abstract

A plow or other front-mounted accessories support frame assembly for an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) is provided. The plow is attached to a frame which comprises, at its rearward end, a novel locking system. The locking system comprises pivotally attached locking hooks to securely attach the support frame assembly to the ATV underside. A handle, connected to the locking hooks via linking cables, preferably allows for the unlocking of the support frame assembly from the ATV.

1 . A support frame assembly for supporting a front-mounted accessory on a vehicle, said assembly comprising: 
 a. a frame having a forward portion and a rearward portion;    b. an accessory mounting assembly;    c. an unlocking device;    d. locking device; and    e. linking means;    wherein said mounting assembly is mounted to said frame forward portion, said unlocking device is mounted adjacent to said forward portion, said locking device is mounted to said frame rearward portion and wherein said unlocking device and said locking device are operatively connected via said linking means.    
   
   
       2 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said unlocking device is a piece fixed to said support frame assembly having a means to actuate said first linking means.  
   
   
       3 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said unlocking device has a pivot point.  
   
   
       4 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said unlocking device further comprises a first portion extending from said pivot point.  
   
   
       5 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said unlocking device further comprises a second portion extending from said pivot point.  
   
   
       6 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said first portion and second portion are substantially perpendicular to each other.  
   
   
       7 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said linking means is connected to said first portion.  
   
   
       8 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein when a force is applied on said second portion, said unlocking device rotates around said pivot point and thereby actuates said linking means.  
   
   
       9 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said linking means is attached to said locking device.  
   
   
       10 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said linking means is a cable.  
   
   
       11 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said locking device is adapted to lock onto a support rod of said vehicle.  
   
   
       12 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said locking device is defined by a combination of a receiving portion located at the rearward portion of said support frame and a locking element movably mounted adjacent to said receiving portion, said locking element having at least a locked position and an unlocked position with respect to said receiving portion.  
   
   
       13 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said receiving portion is fixedly mounted to said support frame.  
   
   
       14 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein said locking element is pivotally mounted to said receiving portion.  
   
   
       15 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said receiving portion defines a first recess.  
   
   
       16 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said locking element defines a second recess.  
   
   
       17 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein when said locking element is in locked position, said first recess and said second recess defines an aperture sized to receive said support rod.  
   
   
       18 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein said locking element comprises a pointed portion adjacent to a slope portion extending toward said second recess whereby said support rod can slide along said slope portion.  
   
   
       19 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said second recess and said slope portion define a hook-like portion to lock said support rod.  
   
   
       20 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said locking element pivots when said unlocking device is actuated.  
   
   
       21 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein said locking element further comprises attachment means for connection with said linking means.  
   
   
       22 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein said attachment means are located on a protuberance.  
   
   
       23 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 22 , wherein said protuberance extends from said locking element.  
   
   
       24 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein said locking device further comprises resilient means for keeping said locking element in said locked position.  
   
   
       25 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein when said locking device is pushed against said support rod, said support rod slides along said slope portion of said locking element and forces said locking element to pivot, thereby allowing said support rod to enter said first recess.  
   
   
       26 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said locking device comprises: 
 a. a first receiving portion located on a first side of said rearward portion of said support frame;    b. a second receiving portion located on a second side of said rearward portion of said support frame;    c. a first locking element movably mounted adjacent to said first receiving portion, said first locking element having at least a locked position and an unlocked position with respect to said first receiving portion;    d. a second locking element movably mounted adjacent to said second receiving portion, said second locking element having at least a locked position and an unlocked position with respect to said second receiving portion.    
   
   
       27 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said first and second receiving portions are fixedly mounted to said support frame.  
   
   
       28 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said first locking element is pivotally mounted to said first receiving portion and said second locking element is pivotally mounted to said second receiving portion.  
   
   
       29 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein said first receiving portion defines a first recess.  
   
   
       30 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 29 , wherein said second receiving portion defines a second recess.  
   
   
       31 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 30 , wherein said first locking element defines a third recess.  
   
   
       32 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 31 , wherein said second locking element defines a fourth recess.  
   
   
       33 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 32 , wherein when said first and said second locking elements are in said locked position, said first and third recesses define a first aperture and said second and fourth recesses define a second aperture, both said apertures being sized to receive said support rod.  
   
   
       34 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 33 , wherein said first locking element comprises a first pointed portion adjacent to a first slope portion extending toward said third recess and said second locking element comprises a second pointed portion adjacent to a second slope portion extending toward said fourth recess whereby said support rod can slide along said first slope portion and said second slope portion.  
   
   
       35 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 34 , wherein said third recess and said first slope portion define a first hook-like portion and said fourth recess and said second slope portion define a second hook-like portion, both said hook-like portions being adapted to lock said support rod.  
   
   
       36 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 28 , wherein said first and second locking elements pivot when said unlocking device is actuated.  
   
   
       37 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 36 , wherein said first locking element further comprises first attachment means for connection with said linking means and wherein said second locking element further comprises second attachment means for connection with said linking means.  
   
   
       38 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 37 , wherein said respective first and second attachment means are located on a respective first and second protuberance.  
   
   
       39 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 38 , wherein said respective first and second protuberances extend from said respective first and second locking elements.  
   
   
       40 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 26 , wherein said locking device further comprises resilient means for keeping said first and said second locking elements in said locked position.  
   
   
       41 . A support frame assembly as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein when said locking device is pushed against said support rod, said support rod slides along said first and said second slope portions of said respective first and second locking elements and forces said first and second locking elements to pivot, thereby allowing said support rod to enter said first and said second recesses.  
   
   
       42 . A support frame assembly for supporting a front-mounted accessory on a vehicle, said support frame assembly comprising: 
 a. a frame having a front end portion and a rear end portion;    b. an accessory mounting assembly mounted near said front end portion of said frame;    c. an unlocking assembly mounted near said front end portion of said frame;    d. a locking assembly mounted near said rear end portion of said frame, said locking assembly having at least a locked position and an unlocked position;    e. linking means operatively connecting said unlocking assembly and said locking assembly; 
 whereby actuation of said unlocking assembly changes the position of said locking assembly from said locked position to said unlocked position.  
   
   
   
       43 . A support frame assembly for supporting a front-mounted accessory on a vehicle, said support frame assembly comprising: 
 a. a frame having a first end and a second end, said second end being distal from said first end;    b. an accessory mounting assembly mounted near said first end of said frame;    c. unlocking means mounted near said first end of said frame;    d. locking means mounted near said second end of said frame, said locking means being distal from said unlocking means;    e. linking means operatively connecting said unlocking means and said locking means; 
 whereby actuation of said unlocking means opens said locking means.  
   
   
   
       44 . A method to install a front-mounted accessory support frame assembly on a vehicle, said support frame assembly comprising a locking mechanism, said vehicle comprising support means and a winch with winch cable, said method comprising: 
 a. driving said vehicle partly over said support frame assembly;    b. attaching said winch cable to said support frame assembly;    c. raising said support frame assembly with said winch;    d. aligning said locking mechanism with said support means;    e. pushing said support frame assembly in order for the locking mechanism to lock on said support means;    f. lowering said support frame assembly.    
   
   
       45 . A method to uninstall a front-mounted accessory support frame assembly from a vehicle, said support frame assembly comprising a locking mechanism mechanically linked to an unlocking means, said vehicle comprising support means and a winch with winch cable, said method comprising: 
 a. lowering said support frame assembly using said winch;    b. unlocking said locking mechanism from said support means by actuating said unlocking means;    c. pulling said support frame assembly while maintaining the actuation of said unlocking means;    d. detaching said winch cable from said support frame assembly.