Connection system and method for a vehicle tool, e.g., plow

Abstract

A connection system for a vehicle tool such as a plow, comprising: a vehicle structure unit adapted to be secured to an underside of a vehicle. A tool connector unit is adapted to be secured to a vehicle tool. A male and female connector system is between the vehicle structure unit and the tool connector unit for the mating engagement therebetween. A latch unit latches at least one male connector of the connector system into a corresponding female connector for releasable engagement, the latch unit comprising at least one biasing element to bias the latch unit into the releasable engagement. An interface connected to the latch unit for operating the latch unit in disengaging the male and female connector system.

1 . A connection system for a vehicle tool, comprising:
 a vehicle structure unit adapted to be secured to an underside of a vehicle;   a tool connector unit adapted to be secured to a vehicle tool;   a male and female connector system between the vehicle structure unit and the tool connector unit for the mating engagement therebetween;   a latch unit latching at least one male connector of the connector system into a corresponding female connector for releasable engagement, the latch unit comprising at least one biasing element to bias the latch unit into the releasable engagement; and   an interface connected to the latch unit for operating the latch unit in disengaging the male and female connector system.   
     
     
         2 . The connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one female connector is a laterally-oriented U-shaped plate. 
     
     
         3 . The connection system according to  claim 2 , comprising two of the U-shaped plate, and wherein the latch unit comprises a latch selectively closing access to each said U-shaped plate. 
     
     
         4 . The connection system according to  claim 3 , wherein the latches are integrally connected to one another to be concurrently biased by the at least one biasing element. 
     
     
         5 . The connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the at least one male connector is a pin. 
     
     
         6 . The connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the vehicle structure unit comprises a structural plate adapted to be secured to the underside of the vehicle, with brackets projecting from the structural plate, the at least one male connector being connected to the brackets. 
     
     
         7 . The connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the interface is an arm projecting sideways from the latch unit. 
     
     
         8 . The connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the arm is a telescopic arm. 
     
     
         9 . The connection system according to  claim 8 , wherein the arm has a pedal surface at an actuatable end thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The connection system according to  claim 1 , wherein the latch unit and the at least one female connector are on the tool connector unit. 
     
     
         11 . An assembly of a plow and a connection system, comprising:
 a plow; and   a connection system comprising:
 a vehicle structure unit adapted to be secured to an underside of a vehicle; 
 a tool connector unit secured to the plow; 
 a male and female connector system between the vehicle structure unit and the tool connector unit for the mating engagement therebetween; 
 a latch unit latching at least one male connector of the connector system into a corresponding female connector for releasable engagement, the latch unit comprising at least one biasing element to bias the latch unit into the releasable engagement; and 
 an interface connected to the latch unit for operating the latch unit in disengaging the male and female connector system. 
   
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the at least one female connector is a laterally-oriented U-shaped plate, and wherein the latch unit comprises a latch selectively closing access to each said U-shaped plate. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein the latches are integrally connected to one another to be concurrently biased by the at least one biasing element. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the vehicle structure unit comprises a structural plate adapted to be secured to the underside of the vehicle, with brackets projecting from the structural plate, the at least one male connector being connected to the brackets. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the interface is an arm projecting sideways from the latch unit. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly according to  claim 15 , wherein the arm has a pedal surface at an actuatable end thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the latch unit and the at least one female connector are on the tool connector unit. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the tool connector unit comprises at least one elongated member, with the plow being at one end of the elongated member, and part of the male and female connector system being at the other end of the elongated member. 
     
     
         19 . A method for connecting a vehicle tool to a vehicle, comprising:
 aligning a tool connector unit connected to the vehicle tool with a vehicle structure unit on the vehicle;   manually raising the tool connector unit by handling an arm unit of the tool connector unit;   moving the vehicle forward to cause the latching engagement of the tool connector unit with the vehicle structure unit; and   releasing the arm unit.   
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 19 , further comprising:
 actuating the arm unit to disengage a latching of the tool connector unit with the vehicle structure unit; and   simultaneously moving the vehicle away from engagement with the tool.