# US 8,769,847 B2 · Frame assembly for coupling an implement to a vehicle > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,769,847 B2 - Document ID: US8769847B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/184,081 - Filed: 2011-07-15 - Published: 2012-07-26 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2010-07-16 - Assignees: Soucy International Inc. - Applicants: Alexandre Coulombe; Normand Roy; Marc-Andre Patry; Vincent Morin; Jeremie Aubin-Marchand; Erick Bienvenue - Inventors: Alexandre Coulombe; Normand Roy; Marc-Andre Patry; Vincent Morin; Jeremie Aubin-Marchand; Erick Bienvenue - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8769847B2 ## CPC - F16C 11/04: Pivotal connections (hinges for doors, windows or wings E05D) - E01H 5/063: {by snow-plough blades tiltable for shock-absorbing purposes} - E02F 3/627: Devices to connect beams or arms to tractors or similar self-propelled machines, {e.g. drives therefor (connection of beams or booms or arms to the frame per se E02F3/382; connection of scraper bowls to the vehicle main body E02F3/653; connecting devices for agriculture tractors A01B59/06)} - E02F 3/7622: {Scraper equipment with the scraper blade mounted on a frame to be hitched to the tractor by bars, arms, chains or the like, the frame having no ground supporting means of its own, e.g. drag scrapers} - F16C: SHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS - E01H: STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING {OR PREVENTING} FOG IN GENERAL {CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS}(cleaning in general B08B) - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract A support frame assembly for supporting a plow, or another front-mounted implement, on a small vehicle such as an all-terrain vehicle (“ATV”) is provided. The frame assembly comprises a front portion and a rear portion. The front portion is typically raised with respect to the rear portion, allowing the plow to be pivotally attached to the front of the frame assembly at a higher location. The rear portion comprises a locking mechanism allowing the frame assembly to be easily mounted to the underside of the vehicle. A releasing mechanism, operatively connected to the locking mechanism, allows for the easy removal of the frame assembly from the vehicle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A frame assembly for supporting an implement on a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a winch and a mounting assembly located underneath the vehicle, the winch and the mounting assembly defining a first longitudinal distance, the frame assembly comprising: a) a longitudinally extending frame having a front portion and a rear portion, the frame comprising a winch cable supporting member and a winch cable connecting member, the winch cable supporting member and the winch cable connecting member being longitudinally spaced apart by a second longitudinal distance which is fixed during operation of the winch; b) a locking mechanism mounted at the rear portion and configured to releasably engage the mounting assembly of the vehicle, the locking mechanism comprising first and second side plates connected to the rear portion of the frame, and first and second spring-loaded retaining members respectively pivotally mounted to the first and second side plates, the first and second retaining members being displaceable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking mechanism and the winch cable supporting member defining a third longitudinal distance which is substantially equal to the first longitudinal distance; c) a releasing mechanism mounted to the frame and operatively connected to the locking mechanism such as to displace the first and second retaining members from the locked position to the unlocked position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front portion of the frame is located at a higher elevation than the rear portion. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the frame assembly comprises an angular adjustment mechanism mounted at the front portion of the frame, the angular adjustment mechanism being configured to support the implement. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second retaining members are interdependent. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the locking mechanism engages the mounting assembly of the vehicle when the frame assembly is moved upwardly. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releasing mechanism is connected to the first and second retaining members via articulated linkages. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the releasing mechanism comprises a lever, the lever being operatively interconnected to the first and second retaining members such that rotation of the lever causes the displacement of the first and second retaining members from the locked position to the unlocked position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lever is a pedal. ### Claim 9 A frame assembly, in combination with an implement, for supporting the implement on a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a winch and a mounting assembly located underneath the vehicle, the winch and the mounting assembly defining a first longitudinal distance, the frame assembly comprising: a) a longitudinally extending frame having a front portion and a rear portion, the frame comprising a winch cable supporting member and a winch cable connecting member, the winch cable supporting member and the winch cable connecting member being longitudinally spaced apart by a second longitudinal distance which is fixed during operation of the winch; b) a locking mechanism mounted at the rear portion and configured to releasably engage the mounting assembly of the vehicle, the locking mechanism comprising first and second side plates connected to the rear portion of the frame, and first and second spring-loaded retaining members respectively pivotally mounted to the first and second side plates, the first and second retaining members being displaceable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking mechanism and the winch cable supporting member defining a third longitudinal distance which is substantially equal to the first longitudinal distance; c) a releasing mechanism mounted to the frame and operatively connected to the locking mechanism such as to displace the first and second retaining members from the locked position to the unlocked position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A frame assembly in combination with an implement as claimed in claim 9, wherein the implement is a plow. ### Claim 11 A frame assembly for supporting an implement on a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a winch having a winch cable, and a mounting location located underneath the vehicle, the winch and the mounting location defining a first longitudinal distance, the frame assembly comprising: a) a longitudinally extending frame comprising a front portion and a rear portion, the frame comprising a winch cable supporting member and a winch cable connecting member, the winch cable supporting member and the winch cable connecting member being longitudinally spaced apart by a second longitudinal distance which is fixed during operation of the winch; b) a locking mechanism located at the rear portion of the frame and configured to releasably engage the mounting location underneath the vehicle, the locking mechanism and the winch cable supporting member defining a third longitudinal distance, the third longitudinal distance being substantially equal to the first longitudinal distance; c) a releasing mechanism mounted to the frame and operatively connected to the locking mechanism, the releasing mechanism being actionable to release the locking mechanism from the mounting location. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the winch cable connecting member is located nearer the front portion of the frame than the winch cable supporting member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the winch cable connecting member is higher than the winch cable supporting member. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 11, wherein the mounting location comprises at least one mounting rod. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism comprises first and second side plates mounted to the rear portion of the frame, and first and second spring-loaded retaining members respectively mounted to the first and second side plates, the first and second retaining members being displaceable between a locked position and an unlocked position. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the first and second retaining members are interdependent. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the locking mechanism engages the at least one mounting rod when the frame assembly is moved upwardly. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 15, wherein the releasing mechanism is connected to the first and second retaining members via articulated linkages. ### Claim 19 A frame assembly for supporting an implement on a vehicle, the vehicle comprising a winch having a winch cable, and a mounting location located underneath the vehicle, the winch and the mounting location defining a first longitudinal distance, the frame assembly comprising: a) a longitudinally extending frame comprising a front portion and a rear portion, the frame comprising a winch cable supporting member and a winch cable connecting member, the winch cable supporting member and the winch cable connecting member being longitudinally spaced apart by a second longitudinal distance which is fixed during operation of the winch, and the winch cable connecting member being located higher than the winch cable supporting member; b) a locking mechanism located at the rear portion of the frame and configured to releasably engage the mounting location underneath the vehicle, the locking mechanism and the winch cable supporting member defining a third longitudinal distance, the third longitudinal distance being substantially equal to the first longitudinal distance; c) a releasing mechanism mounted to the frame and operatively connected to the locking mechanism, the releasing mechanism being actionable to release the locking mechanism from the mounting location. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the winch cable connecting member is located nearer the front portion of the frame than the winch cable supporting member. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein the locking mechanism engages the mounting location when the frame assembly is moved upwardly. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 21, wherein the mounting location comprises at least one mounting rod. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 22, wherein the locking mechanism comprising first and second side plates mounted to the rear portion of the frame, and first and second spring-loaded retaining members respectively mounted to the first and second side plates, the first and second retaining members being displaceable between a locked position and an unlocked position. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) A frame assembly as claimed in claim 23, wherein the releasing mechanism is connected to the first and second retaining members via articulated linkages.