Detachable snow plow for passenger vehcile

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a lightweight car-mounted snowplow which includes one or more plow blades, a mounting member or mesh belt, and retainers, which may comprise straps, for securing the plow blade or blades to a vehicle or the bumper of a vehicle. The snow plow may include plow blade sections having a leading and a trailing end and having enhanced blade edges located at the bottom of each plow blade section. The plow head may be inverted to change the angle at which snow is deflected. The plow blade may be constructed from a lightweight polymer, such as for example plastic, and may include hollow portions for creating storage space for one or more of the remaining plow components.

1 . A vehicle plow for an associated passenger vehicle, comprising:
 at least a first lightweight plow blade;   one or more mounting members operatively connected between the at least a first lightweight plow blade and the associated passenger vehicle; and,   at least a first retainer operable to hold the at least a first lightweight plow blade in place with respect to the associated passenger vehicle.   
   
   
       2 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the at least a first lightweight plow blade comprises a moldable polymer. 
   
   
       3 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the at least a first lightweight plow blade includes a hollow portion for storing the one or more mounting members or the at least a first retainer. 
   
   
       4 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the at least a first lightweight plow blade includes first and second plow blade sections. 
   
   
       5 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 4 , wherein the first plow blade section is adjustable with respect to the second plow blade section about a plow blade axis, and wherein the first and second plow blade sections are operable to form an angled plow blade for directing matter away from the associated passenger vehicle. 
   
   
       6 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the first and second plow blade sections are hinged together about a substantially vertical plow blade axis. 
   
   
       7 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 6 , wherein at least one of the first and second plow blade sections include a hollow portion, and wherein the first and second plow blade sections define an enclosed storage cavity. 
   
   
       8 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the at least a first lightweight plow blade has a first side that is contoured to direct matter away from the associated passenger vehicle. 
   
   
       9 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 8 , wherein the first side of the at least a first lightweight plow blade is concave. 
   
   
       10 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more mounting members comprise a flexible band extended between distal ends of the at least a first lightweight plow blade. 
   
   
       11 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 10 , wherein the flexible band includes a mesh strap. 
   
   
       12 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more mounting members comprise one or more mounting blocks having first and second ends, wherein the first end of the one or more mounting blocks extends from the at least a first plow blade and wherein the second end of the one or more mounting blocks abuts the associated passenger vehicle. 
   
   
       13 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the second end of the one or more mounting blocks is shaped to match an associated passenger vehicle bumper. 
   
   
       14 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more mounting blocks include a first and at least a second mounting block, and wherein the first mounting block has a substantially different length than the at least a second mounting block for positioning the associated passenger vehicle plow at an angle with respect to a forward direction of vehicle travel. 
   
   
       15 . The vehicle plow as defined in  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a rigid cross brace extendable between the first and second plow blade sections for reinforcing the vehicle plow, wherein the rigid cross brace is capable of being stored in the storage cavity.   
   
   
       16 . A method of installing a vehicle plow onto an associated vehicle, comprising the steps of:
 providing a vehicle plow blade sized for storage in the trunk of an associated passenger vehicle;   juxtaposing the vehicle plow blade at an end of the associated vehicle; and,   securing the vehicle plow blade to the associated vehicle.   
   
   
       17 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein the vehicle plow blade is constructed from a lightweight moldable polymer. 
   
   
       18 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , further comprising the step of:
 providing a mounting member; and,   attaching the mounting member to the vehicle plow blade without the use of tools, and,   wherein the step of juxtaposing the vehicle plow blade at an end of the associated vehicle, comprises the step of:   abutting the mounting member to at an end of the associated vehicle.   
   
   
       19 . The method as defined in  claim 18 , wherein the mounting member is mesh strap operable to absorb impact forces. 
   
   
       20 . The method as defined in  claim 16 , wherein when the vehicle plow blade is juxtaposed to the associated vehicle it forms an angled in a first direction with respect to a forward direction of travel, and further comprising the steps of:
 detaching the vehicle plow blade;   inverting the vehicle plow blade; and,   reattaching the vehicle plow blade thereby angling the vehicle plow blade in a second opposite direction.