Douglas Dynamics LLC

Edward A Simi

Gary E Watson

Richard R Miller

This patent relates to a hydraulic system for a vehicle mounted, power operated plow blade. The power unit attached to the vehicle in the front bumper area includes a fluid reservoir, a pump in the reservoir and the lift cylinder for producing vertical movement of the blade. The hydraulic system includes four way, three way, and two way valves, all along with the necessary passages and ports provided in a unitary, manifold block attached directly to the side of the power unit. The four way valve controls flow to and from the reservoir relative to the three way valve and one of the angling cylinders for the blade. The three way controls flow to and from the four way valve relative to the other angling cylinder and the lift cylinder. The two way valve controls fluid flow to and from the lift cylinder relative to the three way valve. An adjustable restrictor valve is included in the hydraulic circuit between the lift cylinder and return flow from the lift cylinder to the reservoir to allow control over the lowering action of the blade. A cushion valve is positioned in the flow passages and between the two angling cylinders to allow fluid flow from the pressurized angling cylinder to the angling cylinder which would not ordinarily be pressurized; this is to accommodate the condition where the extended edge of the blade strikes an obstacle in that the non-pressurized cylinder will be pressurized through the cushion valve causing the blade to angle opposite to the set orientation and thereby prevent damage to the blade and/or system.

Hydraulic system and apparatus for use with vehicle accessory units

The present invention includes a snow plow assembly adapted to be carried by a vehicle and including a snow plow mounting frame adapted to be fixedly secured to the vehicle frame, a plow blade, means for supporting the plow blade for vertical movement and a plow blade supporting member pivotally attached to the mounting frame for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis and for carrying a plow blade. Means are also provided for selectively causing vertical movement of the plow blade and including a linearly extensible member having a screw connected to the snow plow mounting frame, a threaded member threadably housing an opposite end of the screw, and an electric motor drivingly connected to the threaded member for selectively and alternatively driving the threaded member to cause relative rotation of said threaded member whereby the plow blade is moved vertically.

Snow plow assembly including linear actuator

A snow plow assembly adapted to be conveniently mounted on a vehicle. The snow plow assembly includes a vertical frame assembly adapted to be mounted to the vehicle bumper and secured to the vehicle frame. Bracket members are fixedly secured to the opposite lateral sides of the vertical frame and each include a forwardly extending portion bolted to the bumper and a rearward portion bolted to the vehicle frame. Also included is a thrust member having opposite ends, one of its opposite ends being fixedly secured to the lower portion of the vertical frame and an opposite end secured to the vertical frame. The snow plow assembly also includes a plow blade, a frame member having opposite ends and for supporting the plow blade, one of the frame member opposite ends supporting the plow blade and the other of the frame member opposite ends being pivotably joined to the vertical frame. Also included is a motor for lifting the plow blade.

Snow plow mounting assembly

An auxiliary light wiring harness for use with a vehicle headlight system including an existing vehicle plug connected to a vehicle headlight power source. The harness includes a three prong plug adapted for connection to the existing vehicle plug, a pair of female plugs adapted for connection to a pair of vehicle headlights, and auxiliary connectors adapted for connection to a pair of auxiliary headlamps. The harness also includes wires connected to the three prong plug, the pair of female plugs and the auxiliary connectors, and a six pole two position switch connected to the wires and operable to allow an operator to energize the vehicle headlights or the auxiliary headlamps.

Auxiliary light wiring harness

More specifically, the invention includes a single lever control mechanism for controlling the operation of hydraulic cylinders and including a control housing, a manually operable lever, and a support member housed in the control housing and having a supporting surface. The single lever control mechanism also includes a pivot member rigidly connected to the lower end of the lever and supported on the supporting surface of the support member for rocking movement from a neutral position in a first pivotal direction and in a second pivotal direction transverse to the first direction. The control mechanism also includes a first cable attached to one side of the pivot member and being adapted to be operably connected to a first hydraulic cylinder for actuating that hydraulic cylinder in response to pivotal movement of the lever and the pivot member in the first direction. The control member also includes a second cable attached to another side of the pivot member, transverse to the one side of the pivot member, and being adapted to be operably connected to a second hydraulic cylinder for actuating that hydraulic cylinder in response to pivotal movement of the lever and the pivot member in the second direction.

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Menomonee Falls, WI, United States of America

Edward A Simi