# US RE35,700 E · Removable snowplow assembly with pivotable lift stand > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US RE35,700 E - Document ID: USRE35700E - Status: Granted - Kind: E - Application number: 08/566,277 - Filed: 1995-12-01 - Granted: 1997-12-30 - Earliest claimed: 1991-04-15 - Assignees: Douglas Dynamics, L.L.C. - Inventors: Gary E. Watson; James R. Doornek; Thomas P. Fechter - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/USRE35700E ## Abstract A detachable snowplow blade lift assembly including a .›.mount.!. mounting frame permanently connected to the vehicle frame. A snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame is pivotally connected to the .›.mount.!. mounting frame. A lift frame assembly including a lift actuator mechanism for raising and lowering the A-frame and snowplow blade is pivotally connected to the A-frame for rotation about a pivot axis. The snowplow blade lift assembly also includes a mounting arrangement for releasably connecting the A-frame and lift frame as a unit to the vehicle for pivotable movement of the A-frame relative to the vehicle and to the lift frame about the pivot axis. The A-frame mount affording pivotal movement of the A-frame and the lift frame about a common pivot axis provides a snowplow blade lift assembly which can be attached to, and detached from, the mounting frame as a unit and which has the capacity to stack snow. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly comprising a vehicle having a frame member and a bumper, a .›.mount.!. mounting frame fixed to the frame member and located generally behind the bumper, a snowplow blade assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade fixed to the A-frame, a lift frame supported by the A-frame, and mounting means for selectively connecting the A-frame to the mounting frame for pivotable movement about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis and for affording removal of the A-frame and the lift frame from the mounting frame as a unit so as to leave the .›.mount.!. mounting frame on the vehicle and behind the bumper. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the mounting means includes means for selectively connecting the lift frame and the .›.mount.!. mounting frame and wherein, when the lift frame and the .›.mount.!. mounting frame are connected, the A-frame is pivotable about said axis relative to the lift frame and the .›.mount.!. mounting frame. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lift frame is supported by said A-frame for pivotable movement about said pivot axis, and wherein the mounting means includes means for selectively connecting the lift frame and the .›.mount.!. mounting frame. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 3 wherein the mounting means affords a range of free upward pivotal movement of said A-frame when said snowplow assembly is connected to said .›.mount.!. mounting frame. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 4 wherein the range of movement is approximately 40 degrees from horizontal. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 and further including actuator means supported by the lift frame for pivoting the snowplow assembly about the pivot axis to raise and lower said snowplow blade assembly. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein the lift frame supports the actuator means above the bumper. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the mounting means affords removal of the A-frame and the lift frame from the vehicle so that the vehicle is substantially unencumbered by structural members in front of the bumper. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the snowplow assembly includes support stand means for supporting the A-frame in a generally horizontal position and, when the A-frame is not connected to the mounting frame, for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the snowplow assembly. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 9 wherein the support stand means includes a support leg pivotally supported by the A-frame and includes means for selectively and alternatively affording and preventing rotation of the support leg. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein the lift frame is pivotally supported by the A-frame, and wherein the support stand means includes means for releasably connecting the support leg and the lift frame so that pivotal movement of the lift frame adjusts the vertical position of the A-frame. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 11 wherein the lift frame is supported by the A-frame for pivotal movement about the pivot axis. ### Claim 13 A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly comprising a vehicle frame, a mounting frame connected to the vehicle frame, a snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame, A-frame mounting means for releasably and pivotally connecting the A-frame and the mounting frame for relative pivotal movement therebetween about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis, a lift frame, lift frame mounting means for connecting the lift frame and the A-frame for selective relative pivotal movement therebetween about the pivot axis and for releasably connecting the lift frame to the mounting frame, and actuator means on the lift frame for selectively causing pivotal movement of the A-frame about the pivot axis relative to the .›.mount.!. mounting frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein the vehicle frame includes a bumper, wherein the mounting frame is located substantially behind the bumper, and wherein the A-frame mounting means and the lift frame mounting means afford removal of the snowplow assembly and the lift frame from the vehicle so as to leave the front of the vehicle forward of the bumper unencumbered and so as to leave the .›.mount.!. mounting frame behind the bumper. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 14 wherein the lift frame is supported by the A-frame and extends upwardly therefrom in front of the bumper. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 15 wherein the lift frame supports the actuator means above the bumper. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 13 wherein the A-frame mounting means and the lift frame mounting means afford removal of the snowplow assembly and the lift frame from the vehicle as a unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 17 wherein the A-frame mounting means affords a range of free upward pivotal movement of the snowplow assembly about the pivot axis. ### Claim 19 A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly comprising a vehicle having a frame member, a mount frame supported by the frame member, the mount frame having thereon a mounting lug, a snowplow assembly including an A-frame, a snowplow blade supported by the A-frame, A-frame mounting means for selectively connecting the A-frame and the mount frame, and a support stand pivotally connected to the A-frame for rotation between a blade-on position wherein the support stand is generally parallel to the A-frame and a blade-off position wherein the support stand is generally vertical and supports the A-frame in a generally horizontal position, and lift frame means for alternatively selectively preventing and affording relative movement between the A-frame and .›.of.!. the support stand to adjust the vertical position of the A-frame with respect to the mounting lug. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein the A-frame mounting means includes means for pivotally connecting the A-frame and the mount frame for relative rotation therebetween about a generally horizontal pivot axis, wherein the lift frame means includes a lift frame pivotally supported on the A-frame and said support stand is releasably connectable to .›.the support stand.!. said lift frame . ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 20 wherein, when the lift frame is connected to the support stand, rotation of the lift frame about the axis causes movement of the support stand relative to the A-frame. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein the A-frame and the lift frame are pivotable about a common axis. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 22 wherein the lift frame supports actuator means for rotating the A-frame about the pivot axis. ### Claim 24 (depends on 19) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 19 wherein the A-frame mounting means affords a range of free upward movement of the snowplow assembly. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 24 wherein the A-frame mounting means provides a pivotable connection between the mounting frame and the A-frame. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade lift assembly as set forth in claim 25 wherein the range of movement is from horizontal to approximately 40 degrees from horizontal. ### Claim 27 A snowplow blade assembly connected to a vehicle having a frame and a forward bumper and comprising a mounting frame having a first point of attachment to said vehicle frame, said mounting frame including a first portion extending, relative to said vehicle, rearwardly of said first point of attachment to a second point of attachment to said vehicle frame, said mounting frame further including a second portion extending, relative to vehicle, forwardly of said first point of attachment, said first and second frame portions being located beneath said frame and said second frame portion extending forwardly beneath said bumper, a snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame, A-frame mounting means for releasably and pivotally connecting the A-frame and the mounting frame for relative pivotal movement therebetween about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis, a lift frame, lift frame mounting means for connecting the lift frame and the A-frame for selective relative pivotal movement therebetween about the pivot axis and for releasably connecting the lift frame to the mounting frame, said lift frame including elongated support means extending from said A-frame upwardly and forward of said bumper to an upper end, and actuator means on the lift frame for selectively causing pivotal movement of the A-frame about the pivot axis relative to the mounting frame. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein said elongated support means comprises first and second vertically extending elongated members, and means connecting said elongated members in laterally spaced relationship, and wherein said actuator means is connected to said elongated support means between said elongated members. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein said elongated support means includes first and second vertically extending members, said first and second vertically extending members, relative to said bumper, bow outwardly and upwardly to a point generally in front of said bumper and then continue an extension upwardly from said point to a terminal end above said bumper. ### Claim 30 (depends on 27) The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein said mounting frame includes a link extending forwardly and upwardly relative to said bumper and also includes A-frame receiving means located below said link, said A-frame mounting means including said A-frame receiving means, and including means connecting said link to said elongated support means above said A-frame receiving means. ### Claim 31 (depends on 30) The snowplow blade assembly of claim 30 wherein said link is located behind said bumper. ### Claim 32 (depends on 31) The snowplow blade assembly of claim 31 wherein said link is releasably connected in said mounting frame so that said link is selectively removable therefrom. ### Claim 33 (depends on 27) The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein the snowplow assembly includes support stand means for supporting the A-frame in a generally horizontal position and, when the A-frame is not connected to the mounting frame, for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the snowplow assembly. The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein said elongated support means comprises first and second vertically extending elongated members, and said first and second vertically extending members, relative to said bumper, bow outwardly and upwardly to a point generally in front of said bumper and then continue an extension upwardly from said point to a terminal end above said bumper. ### Claim 35 (depends on 27) The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein said mounting frame includes a link extending forwardly and upwardly relative to said bumper and also includes A-frame receiving means located below said link, said A-frame mounting means including said A-frame receiving means, and including means connecting said link to said elongated support means above said A-frame receiving means. ### Claim 36 (depends on 27) The snowplow blade assembly of claim 27 wherein the pivotal axis of said A-frame relative to said A-frame receiving means and the pivotal axis of said lift frame relative to said A-frame are co-axial. ### Claim 37 A snowplow blade assembly connected to a vehicle having a frame and a forward bumper and comprising a mounting frame attached to said vehicle frame behind and beneath said bumper and including a portion extending forwardly beneath the level of said bumper, a snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame, A-frame mounting means for releasably and pivotally connecting the A-frame and the mounting frame for relative pivotal movement therebetween about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis, said mounting frame including a link extending forwardly and upwardly relative to said bumper and also including A-frame receiving means located below said link, said A-frame mounting means including said A-frame receiving means, a lift frame, said lift frame including elongated support means extending from said A-frame upwardly and forward of said bumper to an upper end, lift frame mounting means for connecting the lift frame and the A-frame for selective relative pivotal movement therebetween and for releasably connecting the lift frame to the mounting frame, said lift frame mounting means including said link and said link being connected to said elongated support means above said A-frame receiving means, said A-frame receiving means having a releasable connection to said A-frame and said link having a releasable connection to said elongated support means, and actuator means on the lift frame for selectively causing pivotal movement of the A-frame about the pivot axis relative to the mounting frame. ### Claim 38 A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly comprising a vehicle having a frame member and a bumper, a mounting frame fixed to the frame member and located generally behind the bumper, a snowplow blade assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade fixed to the A-frame, a light fixture supported by the A-frame and including a headlamp located above the snowplow blade, and mounting means for selectively connecting the A-frame to the mounting frame for pivotable movement about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis and for affording removal of the A-frame and the light fixture from the mounting frame as a unit so as to leave the mounting frame on the vehicle and behind the bumper. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) A snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 38 and further including actuator means supported by a lift frame for pivoting the snowplow blade assembly about the pivot axis to raise and lower the snowplow blade assembly. ### Claim 40 (depends on 38) A snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 38 wherein the lift frame includes a pair of upright members, each of which have a lower end connected to the A-frame and an upper end supporting the light fixture and wherein said upright members have a pivot connection to said A-frame co-axial with said pivot axis of said A-frame. ### Claim 41 A snowplow blade assembly connected to a vehicle having a frame and a forward bumper and comprising a mounting frame having a first point of attachment to said vehicle frame, said mounting frame including a first portion extending, relative to said vehicle, rearwardly of said first point of attachment to a second point of attachment to said vehicle frame, said mounting frame further including a second portion extending, relative to vehicle, forwardly of said first point of attachment, said first and second frame portions being located beneath said frame and said second frame portion extending forwardly beneath said bumper, a snowplow assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade mounted on the A-frame, A-frame mounting means for releasably and pivotally connecting the A-frame and the mounting frame for relative pivotal movement therebetween about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis, an accessory frame supported by the A-frame, said accessory frame including at least one elongated support member extending from said A-frame upwardly and forward of said bumper to an upper end, and a headlamp supported by the upper end of the elongated support member. ### Claim 42 (depends on 41) The snowplow blade assembly of claim 41 wherein said headlamp is supported above the snowplow blade, said at least one elongated support member, relative to said bumper, bows outwardly and upwardly to a point generally in front of said bumper and then continues an extension upwardly from said point to said upper end, and wherein said elongated support member has a pivot connection to said A-frame co-axial with said pivot axis of said A-frame. ### Claim 43 (depends on 1) A snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein the lift frame supports a light fixture in a position above the snowplow blade. ### Claim 44 (depends on 43) A snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 43 wherein mounting means affords removal of the A-frame, the lift frame, and the light fixture as a unit from the mounting frame. A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly comprising a vehicle having a frame member and a bumper, a mounting frame fixed to the frame member and located generally behind the bumper, a snowplow blade assembly including an A-frame and a snowplow blade fixed to the A-frame, a support frame connected to the A-frame, and wherein the A-frame and the support frame are connected to the mounting frame for pivotable movement of the A-frame about a generally horizontally extending pivot axis and for affording removal of the A-frame and the support frame from the mounting frame as a unit so as to leave the mounting frame on the vehicle and behind the bumper. ### Claim 46 A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly comprising a vehicle frame member and a vehicle bumper, a snowplow blade assembly including a first frame and a snowplow blade connected to said first frame, mounting means for selectively connecting said first frame to said vehicle frame member for pivotable movement of said first frame and said snowplow blade relative to said vehicle frame member about a generally horizontally extending axis, a second frame member, means for connecting said second frame member to said vehicle, and means connecting said second frame member to said first frame for pivotable movement therebetween about said horizontally extending axis so that when said second frame member is attached to said vehicle, said first frame member is pivotable relative to said vehicle with said second frame member remaining stationary relative to said vehicle and said first frame and does not interfere with the pivotal movement of said first frame member and said snowplow blade. ### Claim 47 (depends on 45) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 45 wherein said support frame, when connected to said mounting frame, includes an extension in front of and above said bumper, and including an actuator connected to said support frame and said A-frame to pivot said A-frame about said pivot axis. ### Claim 48 (depends on 45) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 45 including a headlamp connected to said support frame and removable with said A-frame and said support frame. ### Claim 49 (depends on 45) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 45 including a support stand connected to said snowplow blade assembly and extending therefrom for ground engagement to support said snowplow blade assembly when detached from said vehicle, said support stand connected to said snowplow blade assembly for movement to store said support stand when said snowplow blade assembly is attached to said vehicle. ### Claim 50 (depends on 49) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 49 wherein said support stand is connected to said A-frame, and including an adjustable connection of said support stand to said A-frame to selectively vary the position of said stand relative to said A-frame to vary the horizontal position of said snowplow blade assembly. ### Claim 51 (depends on 45) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 45 wherein the snowplow blade assembly includes a support stand for supporting the A-frame in a generally horizontal position and, when the A-frame is not connected to the mounting frame, for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the snowplow blade assembly. ### Claim 52 (depends on 46) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 46 wherein said second frame member includes an extension in front of and above said bumper, and including an actuator connected to said second frame member and said first frame member to pivot said first frame member about said horizontally extending axis. ### Claim 53 (depends on 46) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 46 including a headlamp connected to said second frame member and removable with said first frame member and second frame member. ### Claim 54 (depends on 46) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 46 including a support stand connected to said snowplow blade assembly and extending therefrom for ground engagement to support said snowplow blade assembly when detached from the vehicle, said support stand connected to said snowplow blade assembly for movement to store said support stand when said snowplow blade assembly is attached to the vehicle. ### Claim 55 (depends on 54) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 54 wherein said support stand is connected to said first frame member, and including an adjustable connection of said support stand to said first frame member to selectively vary the position of said stand relative to said first frame member to vary the horizontal position of said snowplow blade assembly. ### Claim 56 (depends on 46) A vehicle mounted snowplow blade assembly as set forth in claim 46 wherein the snowplow blade assembly includes a support stand for supporting the first frame member in a generally horizontal position and, when the first frame member is not connected to the mounting means, for selectively adjusting the vertical position of the snowplow blade assembly.