Snowplow

Abstract

A snowplow attachment for a work machine comprises a frame with a front-end portion and a rear-end portion. The front-end portion having an attachment structure pivotally secured to outer ends of the frame. A snowplow mounting plate is pivotally mounted to the work machine frame. A blade assembly including a pair of pivotally mounted supports is pivotally connected at an upper end to the outer ends of the work machine frame. The lower end of the pair of pivotally mounted supports that are pivotally mounted to the frame so that the frame can move towards and away from the work machine. The blade assembly has two sections operatively connected to the attachment structure by at least one operating strut.

1 . A snowplow attachment for a work machine, comprising:
 a work machine frame with a front-end portion and a rear-end portion;   the front-end portion having an attachment structure pivotally secured to outer ends of the work machine frame;   a snowplow mounting plate pivotally mounted to the work machine frame to carry a blade assembly on a forward end thereof;   the blade assembly including a pair of pivotally mounted supports which are pivotally connected at an upper end to the outer ends of the work machine frame;   the lower end of the pair of pivotally mounted supports that are pivotally mounted to the work machine frame so that the work machine frame can move towards and away from the work machine; and   wherein the blade assembly has two sections operatively connected to the attachment structure by at least one operating strut.   
     
     
         2 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 1  wherein a snowplow mounting plate which supports a snowplow assembly is pivotally mounted below the attachment structure. 
     
     
         3 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 2  wherein the attachment structure is pivotally secured to first and second ends of the work machine frame; a pair of mounting arms attached to a rear facing surface of the attachment structure; the pair of mounting arms being pivotally secured to the first and second ends of the work machine frame by first and second bolts so that the rear facing surface pivots with respect to the bolts. 
     
     
         4 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 3  wherein a lower end of the attachment structure is pivotally secured at either end by third and fourth bolts to the snowplow mounting plate; the third and fourth bolts secure the first and second ends of the frame to the pair of mounting arms attached to the rear facing surface of the attachment structure whereby the first and second bolts remain aligned with the third and fourth bolts so that the snowplow mounting plate remains parallel to a ground surface. 
     
     
         5 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 4  wherein the snowplow mounting plate has a pair of intersecting support members which extend from the attachment structure to the bottom of the snowplow assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 3  wherein the blade assembly includes two blade sections which can pivot about a pivot post to change the shape of the snowplow assembly from a straight shaped plow to a V shaped plow. 
     
     
         7 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 6  wherein the pivot post is mounted to a forward end of the snowplow mounting plate where the pair of intersecting support members meet. 
     
     
         8 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 6  wherein a support plate structure is mounted to the pair of intersecting support members and extends upward and includes a tongue shaped element which projects forward to a location above the pivot post to keep the pivot post aligned against the pressure exerted by the two blade sections of the snowplow during the operation of the work machine. 
     
     
         9 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 8  wherein the blade assembly including a pair of pivotally mounted supports which are pivotally connected at the upper end to the arms of the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 9  wherein the lower ends of the pair of pivotally mounted supports are pivotally mounted to the frame so that the frame can move towards and away from the work machine. 
     
     
         11 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 9  wherein the blade assembly is moved by an assembly including a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
     
         12 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 11  wherein the blade assembly is moved by an assembly including a hydraulic cylinder secured at one end to a cylinder mount and having a piston rod extending out of the opposite end and connected to a support plate so that the components work together. 
     
     
         13 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 4  wherein the two sections of the blade assembly can be operatively connected to the attachment structure by either one or two operating struts. 
     
     
         14 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 4  wherein an operator cab is configured to support the frame and operate the front-end and rear-end portions of the frame. 
     
     
         15 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 14  wherein a third strut is connected between the two blade sections of the snowplow assembly. 
     
     
         16 . A snowplow attachment for a work machine, comprising:
 a frame with a front-end portion and a rear-end portion;   an attachment structure pivotally secured to outer ends of the frame;   a blade assembly pivotally connected to the frame;   a pair of supports pivotally mounted to the frame so that the frame can move towards and away from the work machine; and   the blade assembly having two sections operatively connected to the attachment structure by at least one operating strut.   
     
     
         17 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 16  wherein a mounting plate which supports a snowplow assembly is pivotally mounted below the attachment structure. 
     
     
         18 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 17  wherein the mounting plate carries the snowplow assembly on the forward end thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 18  wherein the snowplow assembly includes two blade sections and which can pivot about a pivot post to change the shape of the snowplow assembly from a straight shaped plow to a V shaped plow. 
     
     
         20 . The snowplow attachment of  claim 19  wherein the two blade sections of the blade assembly can be operatively connected to the attachment structure by either one or two operating struts.