Universal blade mounting system for an all terrain vehicle

Abstract

A universal blade mount is provided for securing or attaching the rearward ends of push tubes of a blade structure to the A-arm suspensions of an ATV. The mount includes a pair of telescoping tubes which enable the mount to be narrowed or widened depending upon the particular ATV being utilized. Further, the telescopic connection of the two tubes enables the accommodation of suspension travel.

1 . A universal mounting system for attaching a blade, including first and second push tubes, having rearward and forward ends, to an off-road vehicle having first and second front wheels which are supported by first and second A-arm suspensions, respectively, comprising:
 a first elongated hollow tube having first and second ends;   a second tube, having first and second sides;   said first and second tubes having forward and rearward sides;   said first end of said second tube being slidably received by said second end of said first tube;   a first clamp assembly secured to said first end of said first tube;   a second clamp assembly secured to said second end of said second tube;   said first and second clamp assemblies being selectively attached to said first and second A-arm suspensions, respectively;   the rearward ends of said first and second push tubes being selectively pivotally connected to said first tube.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first clamp assembly is pivotally connected to said first tube about a horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said first tube and wherein said second clamp assembly is pivotally connected to said second tube about a horizontal axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of said second tube. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  first and second spaced-apart brackets are secured to said first tube and wherein pins pivotally connect the rearward ends of the push tubes and said first and second brackets. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 3  wherein said pins are shear pins. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 3  wherein an elongated support member is secured to the rearward ends of the push tubes and has upstanding end portions, said pins extending through said upstanding end portions and said brackets to connect the push arms to the said first tube. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said first and second brackets are secured to the forward side of said first tube. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5  wherein said first and second brackets are secured to the forward side of said first tube. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein each of said first and second clamp assemblies includes a lower clamp member which is secured to the respective first or second tube and an upper clamp member which is bolted to the associate lower clamp member. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein each of said lower clamp members has an upstanding forward end portion for limiting the rearward movement of the clamp assembly with respect to the associated A-arm suspension. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein each of said lower and upper clamp members are provided with a plurality of openings formed therein to permit the adjustment of the bolting of the clamp members together.