BACKGROUND

(a) Field

[0001] The subject matter disclosed generally relates to sweeping blade devices.

(b) Related Prior Art

[0002] Snowplowing vehicles are well known in countries that experience significant snowfall and severe cold. Such vehicles include a sweeping blade which travels over the surface of a substrate such as a road, airport, runway, parking lot or the like for removing snow, ice and debris.

[0003] The typical challenge of these vehicles is the presence of uneven surfaces and obstacles on the road especially those of a protruding nature e.g. bumps, which cause uneven wear and premature damage to the blade and/or the entire assembly accompanied by an uneven cleaning of the areas surrounding the protruding obstacle.

[0004] Attempts have been made to address this problem. For example, Figure 1 illustrates the sweeping blade assembly 10 described and shown in co- owned United States Patent No. 9, 121 , 151 , and Figure 1A illustrates a conventional sweeping blade device used in the system of Figure 1A. This sweeping blade assembly 10 allows for a limited angular movement of a given blade with respect to the adjacent ones as exemplified in Figure 2.

[0005] In particular, this reference describes first and second horizontal blade supports 16 and 18 defining a vertical channel in between them for receiving sweeping blade devices 14. The sweeping blade devices are provided beside each other in the channel with little distance between them. The little angular movement permitted in this system is permitted by the fact that the blades are tapered on top and define a trapezoidal shape as exemplified in Figure 1A, whereby if the blade moves angularly (rotates clockwise or counterclockwise) it would not be blocked P3469PC00 or stopped by the top portion of the adjacent blade since the distance between the top portions is greater than the distance between the lower portions of the blades as exemplified in Figure 7a.

[0006] While the system described in United States Patent No. 9, 121 , 151 is an improvement over its prior devices, the movement of the blades is still limited and does not allow for an efficient cleaning of the surface surrounding the obstacle. Furthermore, movement of the blades may result in the creation of interstices which let snow pass therethrough, thereby leaving snow traces inside the plowed area. Moreover, the blades used in this system cannot be reversed due to their tapered top, which means that once the carbide is worn on the lower edge of the blade, the entire blade would have to be changed.

[0007] Therefore, there remains a need in the market for a sweeping blade assembly which reduces the effect of protruding obstacles on the blades as well as on the snow removal procedure in the areas that surround the protruding obstacle.

SUMMARY

[0008] In one aspect, there is provided a sweeping blade assembly for attachment to a vehicle for sweeping a ground surface, the sweeping blade assembly comprising: a first row of blades comprising a plurality of first-row blades spaced apart by a first-row gap; a second row of blades comprising a plurality of second-row blades spaced apart by a second-row gap; and a blade support for receiving the first row of blades and the second row of blades thereon; wherein the blades are configured to move vertically and/or angularly when contacting uneven surfaces; and wherein the first row of blades and the second row of blades are provided side by side and positioned so that a given first-row gap corresponds to a second-row blade and vice versa for allowing a free movement of the blades when contacting uneven surfaces. P3469PC00

[0009] In one embodiment, a given first-row blade is wider than a given second-row gap such that the given first-row blade completely overlaps the given second-row gap and partially overlaps two second-row blades which are separated by the given second-row gap.

[0010] In one embodiment, the blades in a given row are rectangular in shape and are configured to have a free angular movement without coming in contact with other blades of the given row.

[0011] In one embodiment, each one of the blades comprises a first layer of carbide on a lower edge of the blade and a second layer of carbide on an upper edge of the blade, the blades being removeably attachable to the blade support and being reversible to sweep the ground with the second layer of carbide when the first layer of carbide is worn out.

[0012] In one embodiment, the blades are attached to the blade support using compressible bushings.

[0013] In one embodiment, each blade comprises two bushing holes, each bushing hole comprising a resilient material bushing and a metal bushing, the metal bushing being for connecting to the blade support and the resilient material bushing being configured to surround the metal bushing for preventing metal to metal contact between the blade and the blade support.

[0014] In one embodiment, the resilient material bushing comprises one or more air gaps for increasing its compressibility, and thus, a movement flexibility of the blade.

[0015] In one embodiment, each blade comprises two bushings, and wherein a substantially equal compression/decompression of the two bushings results in a vertical movement of the blade, and a differential compression of the bushings results in an angular movement of the blade. P3469PC00

[0016] In one embodiment, a first width of the first-row gap and a second width of the second row gap are substantially equivalent.

[0017] In one embodiment, the first-row blades and the second row blades have similar dimensions.

[0018] In another aspect, there is provided a vehicle comprising a sweeping blade assembly according to the present embodiments.

[0019] In another aspect there is provided a sweeping blade assembly for attachment to a vehicle for sweeping a ground surface, the sweeping blade assembly comprising: a blade support for receiving blades; a first row of blades comprising a plurality of first-row blades which are attached directly onto the blade support and being separated from each other by a first-row gap; a second blade support comprising a plurality of second-row blades which are attached to the blade support and being distant from the blade support by the first row of blades, and being separated from each other by a second-row gap; wherein each one of the first-row gaps is covered by a corresponding one of the second-row blades, thereby preventing formation of an interstice when a blade undergoes movement.

[0020] In one embodiment, the blades are rectangular in shape and reversible.

[0021] In another embodiment, the blades are attached to the blade support using compressible bushings which allow for limited free movement of the blade in an angular manner and/or in a vertical manner.

[0022] In another aspect, there is provided a sweeping blade assembly comprising: a blade support; a plurality of blades removeably attached to the blade support using compressible bushings and having a substantially rectangular shape; wherein adjacent ones of the blades are arranged in distinct planes to allow angular movement of the blades; and wherein each one of the plurality of blades has two sweeping edges to provide reversibility. P3469PC00

[0023] In another aspect there is provided a snow plow blade assembly for sweeping snow, the snow plow blade assembly comprising: a first row of blades comprising a plurality of first-row blades spaced apart by a first-row gap; a second row of blades comprising a plurality of second-row blades spaced apart by a second-row gap; wherein each blade is attached to the blade support by a bushing assembly comprising a resilient material, whereby each blade can undergo limited and independent movement with respect to the blade support; wherein each one of the first-row gaps is covered by a corresponding one of the second-row blades, thereby preventing formation of an interstice when a blade undergoes movement.

[0024] In another aspect, there is provided a snow plow blade assembly for sweeping snow, the sweeping blade assembly comprising: a plurality of blades having a substantially rectangular shape, adjacent ones of the blades being arranged in distinct planes to allow angular movement of the blades; wherein each one of the plurality of blades has two sweeping edges to provide reversibility.

[0025] The expression "blade portion" is intended to mean a blade made of a material resilient or not. Examples include, without limitations, wide range of composite materials, steel, carbide as defined below, aluminum, alloys, polymers, plastics, and the like.

[0026] The expression "carbide" is intended to mean a compound composed of carbon and a less electronegative element. Carbides can be generally classified by chemical bonding type as follows: (i) salt-like, (ii) covalent compounds, (iii) interstitial compounds, and (iv) "intermediate" transition metal carbides. Examples include, without limitations, calcium, carbide, silicon carbide, tungsten carbide (often called simply carbide), and cementite.

[0027] The expression "resilient material" is intended to mean a material which absorbs energy when it is deformed elastically and then, when the force causing the deformation is removed, unloads this energy by substantially taking P3469PC00 back its initial shape. Examples include, without limitations, natural rubber, polymeric material, a wide range of composite material and the like.

[0028] The expression "rubber material" is intended to mean a material in which bond lengths deviate from the equilibrium (minimum energy) and strain energy is stored electrostatically. Examples include, without limitations, compositions of nitrile, hydrogenated nitrile, ethylene-propylene, fluorocarbon, chloroprene, silicone, fluorosilicone, polyacrylate, ethylene acrylic, styrene- butadiene, polyurethane, rubber material and the like.

[0029] Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 illustrates a conventional sweeping blade assembly;

[0032] Figure 1A illustrates a conventional sweeping blade device used in the system of Figure 1A;

[0033] Figure 2 illustrates the limited angular movement of a given blade in the conventional sweeping blade assembly of Figure 1 ;

[0034] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a sweeping blade assembly in accordance with an embodiment; P3469PC00

[0035] Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the sweeping blade assembly of Figure 3;

[0036] Figure 5 is a top view of the sweeping blade assembly of Figure 3;

[0037] Figure 6A is a side view of a conventional blade, and Figure 6B is a side view of a blade in accordance with an embodiment;

[0038] Figure 7A and 7B are side views illustrating neighboring conventional trapezoidal blades and rectangular blades in accordance with an embodiment, respectively;

[0039] Figure 8A is a side elevational view of a blade assembly in accordance with an embodiment;

[0040] Figure 8B is a side view of the blade assembly of Figure 8A without elevation and showing an obstacle in front of the blade assembly;

[0041] Figure 8C illustrates the assembly of Figure 8B at the time of hitting the obstacle; and

[0042] Figure 8D is a 3D illustration showing a side elevational view of an exemplary sweeping blade assembly at the time of hitting the obstacle.

[0043] It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0044] The embodiments describe a sweeping blade assembly for attachment to a vehicle for sweeping a ground surface. The sweeping blade assembly comprises: a blade support for receiving a plurality of blades, a first row of blades and a second row of blades. Each row of blade comprising a plurality of blades which are separated from each other by a gap. The first row of blades and the second row of blades are provided beside (and parallel to) each other and are positioned so that a given gap in a given row corresponds to (faces) a blade in the other row, and vice versa. In an embodiment, the gap is dimensioned to be smaller P3469PC00 in width than the blades whereby a given blade in one row can have a partial overlap of two different blades in the other row. Whereby, the blades can freely move vertically and/or angularly when hitting uneven surfaces, and can be rectangular in shape, and thus, reversible when the carbide on one of the edges is worn out.

[0045] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a sweeping blade assembly 20 in accordance with an embodiment.

[0046] As exemplified in Figure 3, the sweeping blade assembly 20 comprises a blade support 22 comprising a plurality of apertures 24 extending along the length of the blade support 22, and a plurality of sweeping blade devices 26 (aka blades 26) operably connected to the blade support 22. According to an embodiment, the blade 26 is removably attached to the blade support 22 with attaching means, such as nuts and bolts, as shown in Figs. 3-4. In this attaching means is found a bushing assembly 15, comprising a bushing 17 and a bushing hole 19 (illustrated and discussed in more detail with respect to Figure 6B).

[0047] The sweeping blade assembly 20 is generally for attachment to a plough board (not shown) which is operatively attached to a vehicle and adapted to be moved controllably from the inside of the vehicle to be at least lowered and raised for snowplowing purposes. Other embodiments allow for rotating the assembly along different axes for dealing with difficult/irregular spots.

[0048] In an embodiment, the sweeping blade assembly 20 comprises two (or more) rows of blades 26, each row comprising a plurality of blades 26 arranged in a manner that allows for rotation and translation (i.e., angular (rotation with respect to the bushings), horizontal and vertical movements) of each blade 26 without being restricted by the adjacent blade 26 as in the prior art. At rest, each blade 26 extends along a given plane in space; other blades which extend in the same plane as a first blade belong to the same row. The other blades which extend P3469PC00 in another plane (which is usually parallel to the first one but does not coincide therewith) belong to the second row.

[0049] In other words, the sweeping blade assembly 20 comprises a plurality of blades 26, which belong to a first or a second row. Adjacent sweeping blade devices 26 of the same row are separated by a gap to avoid preventing or restricting rotation and translation of a blade 26.The gap defined between two adjacent blades 26 of a given row has a corresponding blade of the other row which covers the gap, or is underlying the gap, thereby avoiding any slots or interstices that would result from the presence of a gap without any corresponding blade. The gap is dimensioned to allow sufficient angular and translational (horizontal and/or vertical) movement, as permitted by the bushing assembly.

[0050] Fig. 5 shows two rows of blades 26. The first row is formed by blade 26a-1 and blade 26a-2. The second row is formed by blade 26b-1 and blade 26b- 2. Neighboring blades within the same row are separated by a gap which extends along a given length and are characterized by a width. The gap in the first row between blade 26a-1 and blade 26a-2 is illustrated clearly in Fig. 5.

[0051] The length of the gap is shown as a substantially large fraction of the length of the blade 26b-1. As illustrated in Fig 5, there is an overlap between the first row blades and the second row of blades. As shown, blade 26b-1 , of the second row, has a small surface in common with blade 26a-1 , and a small surface in common with blade 26a-2. There is thus an overlap on both sides of the blade 26b-1 , which allows the blade 26b-1 to completely cover the gap formed between them.

[0052] Providing an overlap on both sides of all blades of the second row on the corresponding blades of the first row implies that the first row of blades and the second row of blades together form an uninterrupted frontline (when seen from the front), as there is no interstice formed between blades. It means that when the P3469PC00 sweeping blade assembly is used to plow snow, there is no snow trace left behind inside the area that has been plowed.

[0053] As a matter of comparison, Figs. 1 -2, which illustrate a prior art sweeping blade assembly, show that the frontline made up by the single row of blades can have interstices if one of the blades undergoes a horizontal movement different from its neighbors, or if it undergoes an angular movement. In such cases, an aperture between adjacent blades is created, leaving room through which snow permeates, thereby creating undesirable snow traces in the plowed area.

[0054] The sweeping blade assembly 20 provides two rows of blades such that if a given blade of the second row (or of the first row) undergoes a substantial translation and/or rotation, it is backed up by the blades of the first row (or of the second row, respectively) that the given blade overlaps.

[0055] For example, if blade 26b-1 , due to protuberances on the ground, undergoes substantial translation and/or rotation, the presence of blades 26a-1 and 26a-2 will provide a back-up that prevents the creation of an interstice therebetween. This is made possible by the overlap of blade 26b-1 on blades 26a- 1 and 26a-2, or more generally, by the overlap of blades of the second row on the blades of the first row.

[0056] Even though there is no maximum limit on the overlap fraction, the overlap is preferably kept small to avoid wasting materials on widely overlapping blades. Too much overlap does not improve the efficiency of snow removal and may affect the rotation or translation of neighboring blades in the other row (i.e., those concerned by the overlap with one blade).

[0057] According to an embodiment, the overlap fraction is 5% on each side of the blade. In this example, the gap has a length of about 90% of the length of a blade. In most cases, the gap has a length that ranges between 70% and 90% of the length of the blade. P3469PC00

[0058] Because of this overlap, the gap cannot be thinner than the blades it separates, because the blade (from the other row) covering such a gap overlap (i.e., lies on) these blades.

[0059] Now referring to Figs. 6A-6B, there are shown embodiments of a blade device 26 comprising a blade portion 27 (i.e., the area of the blade 26 used for sweeping as such, made of a material as listed in the above definitions), which comprises a sweeping edge 32 (i.e., the edge as such of the blade portion 27) for sweeping a ground.

[0060] With reference to Figure 6B, there is shown an example of a bushing assembly 15 including a resilient material bushing 17 and a metal bushing 21 both being provided in a bushing hole 19. The resilient material bushing 17 may be configured to surround the metal bushing 21 . The metal bushing 21 is used to operatively and detacheably/removeably secure the blade 26 to the blade support 22, whereby as the blade 26 vibrates and moves vertically and angularly in response to road obstacles, these vibrations and shocks are absorbed and/or dampened by the resilient material bushing 17 which is provided between the metal portion of the blade and the metal bushing 21 to avoid any metal to metal contact. In an embodiment, one or more airgaps 23 may be provided within the resilient material bushing 17 for improving the compressibility of the bushing assembly 15. This arrangement allows for increased movement flexibility of the blade 26, wherein, when both bushing assemblies 15 are compressed equally or substantially equally, the blade 26 may move vertically upward to avoid the obstacle and reduce its impact on the entire assembly 20. Whereas when the obstacle happens to be closer to one bushing assembly 15 than the other e.g. when the obstacle is between two adjacent blades, the differential compression of the one bushing assembly 15 will cause the blade 26 to move angularly and rotate to one side to reduce the impact of the obstacle onto the sweeping blade assembly 20 as exemplified in Figures 8A to 8D. P3469PC00

[0061] Figures 8A to 8D illustrate an exemplary movement of the blades when the sweeping blade assembly hits a road obstacle (uneven surface). Figure 8A is a side elevational view of a blade assembly in accordance with an embodiment. As shown in Figure 8A, two rows of blades 26 are illustrated, wherein blades pertaining to the front row are marked with the letter F and those pertaining to the rear row are marked with the letter R. As clearly shown the front blades F do overlap a portion of the rear blades R. Figure 8B is a side view of the blade assembly of Figure 8A without elevation showing an obstacle 23 in front of the blade assembly. Figure 8C illustrates the assembly of Figure 8B at the time of hitting the obstacle 23. Figure 8D is a 3D illustration showing a side elevational view of an exemplary sweeping blade assembly at the time of hitting the obstacle. As exemplified in Figure 8C the front blade 26 rotates clockwise around the right bushing while the rear blade 26 rotates counterclockwise around the left bushing. Due to the presence of a gap on the left and right sides of each blade and the double row arrangement, the blades of the different rows can be made in a rectangular shape and be configured to be reversible without limiting their rotation / angular movement.

[0062] The blade portion 27 of the blade device 26 may be coated with a layer 18 of a resilient material. As an example, the resilient material for the layer

18 may be made of rubber composition material.

[0063] As explained below, the blade device 26 comprises bushing holes

19 which cooperate with corresponding bushings 17 to provide attachment of the blade device 26 belonging to a given row to the blade support 22. A bushing hole 19 and bushing 17 together form a bushing assembly 15. Because materials used in the bushing assembly 15 are resilient materials and also because an airgap can be provided in the bushing hole 19, movement along various degrees of freedom is enabled, resulting in a possibility for a given blade device 26 to undergo rotation and/or translation with respect to the blade support 22, this movement being independent from the movement of the other blades, Indeed, the influence of a P3469PC00 neighboring blade on the movement of a given blade is kept minimal due to the gap between adjacent blades in the same row. Rotation and translation of a given blade is mostly limited by the bushing assembly. Each blade is thus substantially free to move (rotate and translate) under the limits imposed by the bushing assembly. Under some circumstances, the amplitude of the movement enabled by the bushing assembly 15 may be so large that overlapping blades from the other row may prevent further movement.

[0064] It is to be noted that the sweeping blade device 14 include at least one bushing hole 19 opposite to the sweeping edge 32 (Fig. 6A), or provided along a horizontal central line of symmetry across the blade 26 (Fig. 6B). Usually, two bushing holes 19 are provided on a blade 26, as shown. The bushing 17 is made of a resilient material, as defined above, which may consist in a rubber composition material. It is to be noted that the bushing 17 and the bushing hole 19 allow a better absorption and the ability to accommodate uneven and different road surfaces without damaging the vehicle and the vehicle components. It is also to be noted that a metal to metal contact (without the bushing 17 and the bushing hole 19) results in an increase in wear and repair due to vibration which causes costs increase to the user of such a blade for removing snow from all kinds of roads and surfaces.

[0065] The bushing holes 19 may be of different shapes and/or configurations for increasing their ability to accommodate uneven and different road surfaces without damaging the vehicle and the vehicle components. The shape of the bushing hole 19 may be, without limitations, a circular shape, an elliptic shape, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the shape of the bushing hole 19 is an eccentric shape.

[0066] According to an embodiment, the blade 26 has bushings 17 integrally formed thereto, for example, by molding. For example, a metal bushing can be installed in a resilient material bushing. The resilient material bushing allows the metal bushing to absorb vibration and vertical movement causing less wear and P3469PC00 tear on the sweeping edge 32. A ventilation hole (aka airgap) in the blade 26 can be provided for more absorption of vibration and vertical movement of the blade 26, reducing wear and tear on the sweeping edge 32.

[0067] Advantageously, the blade can be provided with two carbide-coated sweeping edges 32 for increased durability. Having two sweeping edges 32 normally ensures that the blade lasts twice longer, which is advantageous for the user.

[0068] In order to provide two sweeping edges 32, the blade can be made to be reversible. According to an embodiment shown in Fig. 6B, the blade can have a rectangular shape to provide reversibility. Fig. 6B further shows that the blade is symmetrical with respect to a horizontal axis. The blade can thus be provided with two sweeping edges, one on the bottom and the other one on the top of the blade. Indeed, reversibility is provided by having both the top and bottom edges with the same length. Because the blade is symmetrical, once one of the sweeping edges is worn out, the blade can be mounted upside down and the other sweeping edge, still unused, can be used instead, thereby substantially doubling the life time of a blade 26.

[0069] However, whereas trapezoidal blades (with only one sweeping edge per blade) had (to some extent) freedom to move angularly as shown in Fig. 7A, the freedom of angular movement of adjacent rectangular blades arranged in a single plane is very much limited, as shown in Fig. 7B, where blades collide after a small angular movement. Therefore, in order to benefit from the advantages of reversible blades with two carbide-coated sweeping edges 32 per blade, which have a rectangular shape, it is preferable to arrange such blades in an alternating pattern in two planes as described above to avoid the limitations on angular movement that would result from having them directly side by side in the same plane. P3469PC00

[0070] Having longer lasting blades is thus made possible by having the blades reversible, resulting in a more economical product. Providing two carbide- coated sweeping edges 32 on a blade can be attained by using rectangular symmetrical blades that can accommodate both these edges, usually as a top edge and a bottom edge. However, this blade shape further limits the angular movement of the blades when blades are arranged side by side. The system described above, where neighboring blades are arranged in different or distinct planes, advantageously reduces these limits on the movement on the blades. This system with two rows of blades is thus advantageous for accommodating reversible rectangular blades.

[0071] Referring to the vehicle on which the sweeping blade assembly 20 is mounted, it is noted that the vehicle may be included in the group consisting of a truck, a car, a four-wheeler, a tractor, a personal vehicle, a commercial vehicle, a snow plow vehicle, a van and the like. The sweeping blade assembly 20 may be attached to the front, back or underneath of such vehicles. This sweeping blade assembly 20 may be used to remove snow from road surfaces or even earth in an agricultural field.

[0072] The adjustable sweeping blade assembly 20 for attachment to personal or commercial vehicles can improve the methods of snow removal, especially high speed snow removal, by, by minimizing vibrations on the equipment, thereby improving the wear life of the product and reducing the noise due to the roads surface contact effects, by reducing the fatigue encountered by the operator due to vibrations and noise, by improving roads and highways safety due to cleaner surfaces substantially free of snow lines or traces inside the plowed area, by reducing sand and salt consumption and by reducing marking wear on highways and roads.

[0073] While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such P3469PC00 modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.