Plow blade guard

Abstract

A plow blade guard adapted for attachment to a selected plow blade and method of use is disclosed. The plow blade guard includes an elongated tubular member having an elongated slot formed along its length, the elongated slot is adapted to receive the cutting edge or lower edge of a selected plow blade. The plow blade guard is held place by brackets, chains and clamps. The guard may include handles to facilitate installation and removal.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A plow blade guard adapted for attachment to a selected plow blade, the plow blade guard including:
 a tubular member, said tubular member including a tubular member top surface, a tubular member bottom surface, and a tubular member inside surface;   an elongated open slot, said elongated open slot being formed in said tubular member top surface;   at least one bracket member, said bracket member being attached to said tubular member bottom surface;   at least one chain member, said at least one chain member having a first end and a second end, said first end being attached to said at least one bracket member; and   at least one clamp member, said at least one clamp member being attached to said second end of said at least one chain member.   
     
     
         2 . The plow blade guard of  claim 1  wherein said at least one clamp member is a toggle clamp having a handle member and a u-bolt member. 
     
     
         3 . The plow blade of  claim 2  further including at least one latch plate bracket, said at least one latch plate bracket being attached to an upper edge of said plow blade. 
     
     
         4 . The plow blade guard of  claim 3  wherein said at least one latch plate bracket includes a latch member, said latch member adapted for engagement by said u-bolt member. 
     
     
         5 . The plow blade guard of  claim 2  further including a clamp bracket, said clamp bracket including an angled edge portion, said angled edge portion conforming in shape with at least a portion of an upper support edge of said plow blade and for engaged contact with at least a portion of said upper support edge. 
     
     
         6 . The plow blade guard of  claim 5  wherein said clamp member is attached to said clamp bracket. 
     
     
         7 . The plow blade guard of  claim 1  wherein said tubular member further includes at least one handle member. 
     
     
         8 . The plow blade guard of  claim 1  further including at least one rod member extending longitudinally along portion of an inside surface of said tubular member. 
     
     
         9 . A method of plowing a selected surface including the steps of:
 providing a plow blade having an upper edge and a lower edge;   providing a plow blade guard, said plow blade guard having a tubular member, said tubular member including a tubular member top surface, a tubular member bottom surface, and a tubular member inside surface;   providing said tubular member top surface with an elongated open slot formed therein;   providing said tubular member bottom surface with at least one bracket member;   providing said plow blade guard with an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism including at least one chain member and at least one clamp member;   inserting the lower edge of said plow blade into the elongated slot;   attaching at least one latch plate bracket to said upper edge of said plow blade;   attaching a first end of said at least one chain member to said at least one bracket member;   attaching a second end of said at least one chain member to said at least one clamp member;   clamping said clamp member to said at least one latch plate bracket;   plowing said selected surface with said plow blade and attached plow blade guard.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further including the step of providing said tubular member with at least one handle member. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  further including the step of providing at least one rod member, said at least one rod member extending longitudinally along portion of said tubular member inside surface. 
     
     
         12 . A method of plowing a selected surface including the steps of:
 providing a plow blade having an upper edge and a lower edge;   providing a plow blade guard, said plow blade guard including a tubular member;   providing said tubular member with a tubular member top surface and a tubular member bottom surface;   providing said tubular member top surface with an elongated open slot formed therein;   providing said tubular member bottom surface with at least one bracket member;   providing said plow blade guard with an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism including at least one chain member, at least one clamp member having a rotatable handle, and a least one clamp bracket attached to said clamp member;   inserting the lower edge of said plow blade into said elongated slot;   attaching a first end of said at least one chain member to said at least one bracket member;   attaching a second end of said at least one chain member to said at least one clamp member;   attaching said at least one clamp bracket to an upper support edge of said plow blade;   rotating said handle of said clamp member to thereby clamp the clamp bracket and tubular member to the plow blade; and   plowing a selected surface with the plow blade and attached plow blade guard.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of providing said tubular member with at least one handle. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  further including the step of providing at least one rod member, said at least one rod member extending longitudinally along portion of said tubular member inside surface. 
     
     
         15 . A plow blade guard adapted for attachment to a selected plow blade, the plow blade guard including:
 a tubular member, said tubular member having a tubular member top surface, a tubular member bottom surface, and a tubular member inside surface;   an elongated open slot, said elongated open slot being formed in said tubular member top surface;   at least one rod member, said at least one rod member, extending longitudinally along portion of said tubular member inside surface; and   an attachment mechanism for attaching said blade guard to said selected plow.   
     
     
         16 . The plow blade guard of  claim 13  further including at least one handle member affixed to said tubular member. 
     
     
         17 . The plow blade guard of  claim 13  wherein said attachment mechanism includes a screw adapted to pinch said tubular member and attached rod member to thereby engage said guard with said plow blade. 
     
     
         18 . A method of plowing a selected surface including the steps of:
 providing a plow blade having an upper edge and a lower edge;   providing plow blade guard, said plow blade guard having a tubular member, said tubular member having a tubular member top surface, a tubular member bottom surface, and a tubular member inside surface;   providing said tubular member top surface with an elongated open slot formed therein;   providing at least one rod member, said at least one rod member, extending longitudinally along portion of said tubular member inside surface;   providing said plow blade guard with an attachment mechanism for attaching said blade guard to said selected plow;   inserting said lower edge of said plow blade into said elongated slot;   manipulating said attachment mechanism to thereby engage said lower edge with said tubular member inside surface; and   plowing said selected surface with said plow blade and attached plow blade guard.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18  further including the step of providing said tubular member with at least one handle. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein said attachment mechanism includes a screw member.