Torsion float function apparatus

Abstract

A multi-directional float system is disclosed. The system may include a linkage spring mechanism with a first set of linkages coupling a first body to a second body along a coupling axis. The first set of linkages may include a first linkage and a second linkage spaced apart along a lateral axis. Each linkage may include a link element with a first coupling at a first end and a second coupling at a second end. The first coupling may include a rotational spring with an outer tube and a first element inserted into the outer tube, configured to rotate around a first rotational axis and engage elastic elements inside the outer tube.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A multi-directional float system comprising:
 a first body comprising a mounting structure;   a second body comprising a different mounting structure; and   a linkage spring mechanism comprising a plurality of linkages coupling the first body to the second body along a coupling axis, wherein the plurality of linkages comprise:
 a first set of two or more linkages above or below a second set of one or more linkages, wherein the first set of two or more linkages comprises:
 a first linkage; and 
 a second linkage spaced apart along a lateral axis from the first linkage, 
 wherein each linkage comprises:
 a link element comprising a first coupling at a first end of the link element and a second coupling at a second end, 
 wherein the first coupling comprises a rotational spring, wherein the first end of the link element is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis of the rotational spring, wherein the first rotational axis is parallel to the lateral axis, wherein the rotational spring comprises: 
  an outer tube coupled to the first body; and 
  a first element inserted into the outer tube and configured to rotate around the first rotational axis and engage elastic elements inside the outer tube, wherein the first element is attached to the link element. 
 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein a joint of the second coupling comprises a ball joint. 
     
     
         3 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein a joint of the second coupling comprises a ball joint and a sliding joint. 
     
     
         4 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 3 , wherein an angle of a second rotational axis of the sliding joint is non-parallel to the lateral axis of the multi-directional float system. 
     
     
         5 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of linkages comprise an indicator configured to rotate with the link element, wherein the indicator comprises a protrusion extending outwards. 
     
     
         6 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic elements include segments along a common axis. 
     
     
         7 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the elastic elements include parallel strands along parallel axes in each inner corner of the outer tube of the rotational spring. 
     
     
         8 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 7 , wherein the multi-directional float system comprises an offset distance between a second rotational axis of the second coupling and a second body mounting surface of the second body that is farther than a distance between the second rotational axis and the first body. 
     
     
         9 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the first body is configured to couple to an attachment and wherein the second body is configured to couple to a vehicle. 
     
     
         10 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling is closer to a ground than the second coupling when the multi-directional float system is in an operational position. 
     
     
         11 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the first set of two or more linkages comprises a third linkage spaced apart along the lateral axis from the first linkage and the second linkage. 
     
     
         12 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the link element is rigid. 
     
     
         13 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the link element is flexible and comprises at least one of metal or rubber. 
     
     
         14 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the link element is configured to be adjustable in length. 
     
     
         15 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the first body comprises an attachment, and wherein the attachment comprises a cutting edge with a bevel on an underside of the cutting edge. 
     
     
         16 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 1 , wherein the multi-directional float system includes one or more springs coupled on each side of a linkage. 
     
     
         17 . A multi-directional float system comprising:
 a first body;   a second body; and   a linkage spring mechanism comprising a plurality of linkages coupling the first body to the second body, wherein the plurality of linkages comprises:
 a set of linkages comprising:
 a first linkage; and 
 a second linkage spaced apart along a lateral axis from the first linkage,
 wherein each linkage comprises: 
  a link element comprising a first coupling at a first end of the link element and a second coupling at a second end, 
  wherein the first coupling comprises a rotational spring, 
  wherein the first end of the link element is configured to rotate around a first rotational axis of the rotational spring, 
  wherein the second coupling comprises a joint. 
 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the rotational spring of the first coupling comprises a first element inserted into a second element and configured to rotate around the first rotational axis and engage elastic elements, wherein one of the first element or the second element is attached to a body, and another of the first element or the second element is attached to the link element. 
     
     
         19 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 18 , wherein the elastic elements include segments along a common axis. 
     
     
         20 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 18 , wherein the elastic elements include parallel strands along parallel axes in each inner corner of an outer tube of the rotational spring. 
     
     
         21 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the joint of the second coupling comprises a ball joint. 
     
     
         22 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the joint of the second coupling comprises a ball joint and a sliding joint. 
     
     
         23 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 22 , wherein an angle of a second rotational axis of the sliding joint is non-parallel to the lateral axis of the multi-directional float system. 
     
     
         24 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of linkages comprise an indicator configured to rotate with the link element, wherein the indicator comprises a protrusion extending vertically. 
     
     
         25 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the first body comprises a mounting structure configured to removably couple to an attachment or a vehicle. 
     
     
         26 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the second body comprises a mounting structure configured to removably couple to an attachment or a vehicle. 
     
     
         27 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the first body comprises a mounting structure configured to removably couple to an attachment and wherein the second body comprises a different mounting structure configured to removably couple to a vehicle. 
     
     
         28 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 27 , wherein the multi-directional float system comprises an offset distance between a second rotational axis of the second coupling and a second body mounting surface of the second body that is farther than a distance between the second rotational axis and the first body. 
     
     
         29 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the first body comprises an attachment and wherein the second body comprises a vehicle. 
     
     
         30 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the first coupling is closer to a ground than the second coupling when the multi-directional float system is in an operational position. 
     
     
         31 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the set of linkages comprises a third linkage spaced apart along the lateral axis from the first linkage and the second linkage. 
     
     
         32 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the link element is rigid. 
     
     
         33 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the link element comprises rubber and is flexible. 
     
     
         34 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the link element is configured to be adjustable in length. 
     
     
         35 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the first body comprises an attachment, and wherein the attachment comprises a cutting edge with a bevel on an underside of the cutting edge. 
     
     
         36 . The multi-directional float system of  claim 17 , wherein the multi-directional float system includes one or more springs coupled on each side of a linkage. 
     
     
         37 . A system comprising:
 an attachment comprising a cutting edge, wherein the cutting edge comprises:
 at least one bevel on a first side of the cutting edge; and 
 one or more countersunk holes configured to receive a bolt head, wherein the one or more countersunk holes each comprise a countersunk portion, wherein the at least one bevel is on a same side as the countersunk portion. 
   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 37 , further comprising a multi-directional float system configured to provide the attachment with float capabilities, wherein the multi-directional float system comprises:
 a first body comprising a mounting structure configured to removably couple to the attachment;   a second body comprising a different mounting structure configured to removably couple to a vehicle; and   a linkage spring mechanism comprising a plurality of linkages coupling the first body to the second body.   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 37 , wherein the attachment comprises a snow blower. 
     
     
         40 . A multi-directional float system comprising:
 a first body;   a second body; and   a linkage spring mechanism comprising a plurality of linkages coupling the first body to the second body, wherein the plurality of linkages comprises:
 a first linkage comprising a first flexible element of material configured to bend laterally and twist around a longitudinal axis; and 
 a second linkage comprising a second flexible element of the material configured to bend laterally and twist around the longitudinal axis, wherein the second linkage is spaced apart along a lateral axis from the first linkage, 
 wherein both the first flexible element of the material and the second flexible element of the material comprise at least one of metal or rubber.