Plow blade guard

Abstract

A plow blade guard adapted for attachment to a selected plow blade, particularly a plow blade attached to an ATV, 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 an attachment system.

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 having a tubular member top surface, a tubular member bottom surface, and a tubular member outer surface;   an elongated open slot, said elongated open slot being formed in said tubular member top surface;   at least one attachment aperture, said attachment aperture being formed in said tubular member top surface; and   an attachment system for attaching said blade guard to said selected plow.   
     
     
         2 . The plow blade guard of  claim 1  wherein said attachment system includes a bolt, a jam nut, and a nut. 
     
     
         3 . The plow blade guard of  claim 2  wherein said bolt of said attachment system includes a head portion and a distal end. 
     
     
         4 . The plow blade guard of  claim 3  wherein said nut of said attachment system is secured to the outer surface of the tubular member and in alignment with said attachment aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The plow blade guard of  claim 4  wherein said bolt of said attachment system extends through the nut and the attachment aperture such that the distal end extends into the tubular member while the head remains outside the tubular member. 
     
     
         6 . The plow blade guard of  claim 5  wherein said jam nut of said attachment system is positioned between the head of the bolt and the nut. 
     
     
         7 . 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 outer surface;   providing said tubular member top surface with an elongated open slot formed therein;   providing said tubular member top surface with at least one attachment aperture formed therein;   providing said plow blade guard with an attachment system for attaching said blade guard to said selected plow;   inserting said lower edge of said plow blade into said elongated slot;   manipulating said attachment system to thereby engage said lower edge with said tubular member; and   plowing said selected surface with said plow blade and attached plow blade guard.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further including the step of providing said attachment system with a bolt, a jam nut, and a nut. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  further including the step of providing said bolt with a head portion and a distal end. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further including the step of securing said nut to the outer surface of the tubular member, wherein said nut is in alignment with said attachment aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further including the step of extending said bolt through the nut and the attachment aperture such that the distal end extends into the tubular member while the head remains outside the tubular member. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  further including the step of positioning said jam nut between the head portion of the bolt and the nut. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of manipulating the attachment system includes the further steps of: rotating the bolt in a first direction whereat the distal end contacts the plow blade and rotating the jam nut in a first direction whereat the jam nut is in contact with the nut. 
     
     
         14 . A method of plowing a selected surface including the steps of:
 providing a plow blade having a cutting edge;   providing a plow blade guard, the plow blade guard having a tubular member, the tubular member including a tubular member top surface, a tubular member bottom surface, and an inside surface, the tubular member top surface further including an elongated open slot formed therein and at least one attachment aperture; an attachment mechanism, the attachment mechanism including at least one nut member, at least bolt member having a head portion and a distal end, and at least one jam nut;   inserting the cutting edge of the plow blade into the elongated slot;   attaching at least one nut member to a top surface of the guard wherein the nut member is in alignment with an attachment aperture;   inserting at least one bolt member through the nut member and the aligned attachment aperture;   locating a jam nut on the bolt member between the nut member and the head of the bolt member;   rotating the bolt member until the distal end is in contact with the cutting edge;   rotating the jam nut  82  until it is in contact with the nut member; and   plowing a selected surface with the plow blade and attached plow blade guard.