EP3196361B2 - Snow-removal trailer - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to snow removal from road traffic lanes, and more particularly relates to a snow removal trailer intended to be towed by a vehicle with a towing hitch.

• un châssis s'allongeant selon une première direction et comportant une lame de déneigement,
• au moins une roue portant le châssis, ladite roue étant sélectivement orientable par des moyens d'orientation entre une première position, dans laquelle l'axe d'essieu autour duquel tourne la roue est perpendiculaire à la première direction, et au moins une deuxième position, dans laquelle l'axe d'essieu autour duquel tourne la roue fait un angle avec la première direction qui est différent de 90°,
• un timon d'attelage s'allongeant selon une deuxième direction entre des première et deuxième extrémités,
• à la première extrémité du timon d'attelage, des premiers moyens de connexion autorisant une liaison librement pivotante à l'attelage du véhicule tracteur autour d'une troisième direction sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan défini par la première direction et l'axe d'essieu autour duquel tourne ladite au moins une roue.

To simultaneously clear snow from several lanes of a traffic lane using a single towing vehicle, a snow clearing trailer is known as described in the document US 2006/0143952 A1 , comprising:

• a chassis extending in a first direction and comprising a snow removal blade,
• at least one wheel carrying the chassis, said wheel being selectively steerable by steering means between a first position, in which the axle axis around which the wheel rotates is perpendicular to the first direction, and at least one second position, in which the axle axis around which the wheel rotates makes an angle with the first direction which is different from 90°,
• a drawbar extending in a second direction between first and second ends,
• at the first end of the drawbar, first connection means allowing a freely pivoting connection to the coupling of the towing vehicle around a third direction substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first direction and the axle axis around which said at least one wheel rotates.

In this case, the snow removal trailer in the document US 2006/0143952 A1 has four wheels that can be selectively steered by steering means. When the wheels of the snow removal trailer are oriented so that their respective axle axis makes an angle with the first direction that is other than 90°, the chassis of the trailer pivots freely around the hitch of the towing vehicle.

When pivoting the trailer chassis, it is necessary to prevent the snow plow carried by the trailer from hitting the rear of the towing vehicle. To do this, the document US 2006/0143952 A1 provides a drawbar of sufficient length so that the end of the snow plow blade closest to the towing vehicle can come to the side of the towing vehicle without coming into contact with the latter during the circular pivoting movement of the snow plow trailer.

This makes it possible to angle the snow removal trailer even further away from the direction of travel of the towing vehicle, and therefore clear the roadway over a greater width.

However, when the towing vehicle is also equipped with a snow plow, it is necessary to avoid a strip of snow remaining between the trailer's snow plow and that of the towing vehicle. To achieve this, it is necessary to provide a certain overlap between the area swept by the trailer's snow plow and the area swept by the towing vehicle's snow plow. Since the end of the snow plow closest to the towing vehicle can be offset to the side of the towing vehicle when the snow plow trailer is pivoted, the towing vehicle must be equipped with a plow extending in width beyond the towing vehicle and going far enough to the side of the towing vehicle to overlap the trailer's snow plow. But this increase in the The width of the snow plow blade of the towing vehicle is a hindrance to the handling of the towing vehicle.

The document US 2001/0023546 A1 describes a snow removal device intended to be towed by a vehicle. This device comprises a chassis extending in a first direction between a first end and a second end. The first end of the chassis is provided with connection means allowing a freely pivoting connection to the coupling of the towing vehicle in a substantially horizontal plane. In the vicinity of the second end of the chassis is suspended a snow removal blade which can be oriented relative to the chassis by pivoting about a substantially vertical direction and centered on the median longitudinal axis of the chassis. The blade is immobilized in pivoting by rods engaged in holes. The embodiment described in figures 12 and 13 makes it possible more particularly to clear snow from the side of a road bordered by a ditch while avoiding driving the towing vehicle in the immediate vicinity of the edge of the road in order to limit the risks of the towing vehicle accidentally tipping into the ditch. To achieve this, the freely pivoting connection to the towing vehicle's coupling is secured by rods inserted into holes. The chassis is then oriented obliquely and fixedly relative to the direction of travel of the towing vehicle, with the blade then being offset laterally relative to the towing vehicle, but without the ability to retract quickly, particularly to avoid an obstacle.

A snow removal trailer operated by the company Viking-Cives Ltd under the trade name “TP26” is known, and having the characteristics of the preamble of claim 1.

A problem addressed by the present invention is to design a snow removal trailer intended to be towed by a vehicle with a towing hitch, making it possible to effectively limit the risks of collision between the snow removal trailer and the towing vehicle.

At the same time, the present invention aims to enable snow removal from a wide area, without the maintenance of a strip of snow between the snow removal blade of the trailer and the snow removal blade of the towing vehicle, while limiting the width required for the snow removal blade of the towing vehicle.

At the same time, the present invention aims to provide such a snow removal trailer allowing an operator to manage an emergency (such as an obstacle for example).

To achieve these and other objects, the invention provides a snow removal trailer intended to be towed by a towing hitch vehicle, said snow removal trailer comprising the combination of features set forth in claim 1.

With such a snow removal trailer, when the towing vehicle is traveling in a straight line by controlling the pivoting means, it is possible to ensure that the drawbar remains aligned with the straight path of the towing vehicle, whether in the rest position or in the snow removal position. The orientation of the snow removal blade is then achieved by the relative pivoting of the trailer chassis and the drawbar around the fourth direction. For the same angulation of the snow removal blade relative to the path of the vehicle tractor, the end closest to the towing vehicle of the trailer snow plough is laterally closer to the hitch and the towing vehicle, or may even be held laterally behind the towing vehicle (i.e. without protruding beyond the width of the towing vehicle). The towing vehicle can thus be equipped with a narrower front snow plough, without a strip of snow remaining between the trailer snow plough and the towing vehicle snow plough.

And the articulation of the drawbar and the chassis can be used to move more easily with the trailer on bends or roundabouts.

The pivoting means comprise a first double-acting hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is fixed to the drawbar and the other end of which is fixed to the chassis, capable of pivotally moving the drawbar between its transport and snow removal positions, and of fixing the relative angular position of the trailer chassis and the drawbar. The pivoting means thus have a simple and robust structure, and are also very simple to control.

Advantageously, the snow removal trailer may comprise a drawbar locking bar, having a fixed length, one end of which may be fixed to the drawbar and the other end of which may be fixed to the chassis to immobilize the drawbar and the chassis in the transport position.

The locking bar is used to immobilize the drawbar in the transport position, to prevent any unintentional pivoting of the snow removal trailer in the event of failure or unintentional use of the pivoting means. For example, in the event of failure of the pivoting means following use of the trailer for snow removal, the drawbar and chassis can be returned (manually for example) to the transport position, then locked in the transport position to allow the operator to safely tow the snow removal trailer to a maintenance center.

The steering means comprise a second double-acting hydraulic cylinder, one end of which is fixed to the chassis and the other end of which is coupled to the axle axis around which the wheel rotates, capable of moving the axle of the wheel between its first and second positions by pivoting around a pivoting direction substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first direction and the axle axis of the wheel. The steering means thus have a simple and robust structure, and are also very simple to control.

Advantageously, the snow removal trailer may comprise a fixed-length orientation immobilization bar, one end of which may be coupled to the axle shaft around which the wheel rotates and the other end of which may be fixed to the chassis, to immobilize the wheel in the first position.

The steering immobilization bar allows the wheel to be immobilized in the first position, to prevent any untimely pivoting of the wheel in the event of failure of the steering means. For example, in the event of failure of the steering means following the use of the trailer for snow removal, the wheel can be returned (manually for example) to the first position, then immobilized in the first position in order to allow the operator to safely tow the snow removal trailer to a maintenance center.

Said at least one snow removal blade is pivotally articulated on the chassis and is movable, by movement means, around a fifth direction substantially parallel to the first direction, between a rest position and a working position.

The snow plow blade can thus be retracted by a very simple mechanical movement to come to the side of the snow plow trailer chassis in working position.

• la remorque de déneigement comporte au moins deux roues disposées de part et d'autre du châssis selon une direction transversale de châssis,
• en position de travail, l'arête de travail de la lame de déneigement est située, selon la quatrième direction, sensiblement au niveau de la zone de contact des roues avec la chaussée,
• en position de repos, l'arête de travail de la lame de déneigement est située plus haut que les roues selon la quatrième direction,
• en position de repos, la lame de déneigement est située au moins en partie au-dessus d'une roue disposée en première position.

Advantageously, it can be provided that:

• the snow removal trailer has at least two wheels arranged on either side of the chassis in a transverse chassis direction,
• in the working position, the working edge of the snow plow blade is located, in the fourth direction, substantially at the level of the contact zone of the wheels with the roadway,
• in the rest position, the working edge of the snow plow blade is located higher than the wheels in the fourth direction,
• in the rest position, the snow blade is located at least partly above a wheel arranged in the first position.

The snow plough being located at least partly above said at least one wheel arranged in the first position, the risk of a collision between the snow plough in the rest position and an object next to which the snow plough trailer passes is reduced. And the working edge of the snow plough in the rest position being located higher than the wheels in the fourth direction, it is thus possible to give the snow plough trailer a width slightly less than, or even equal to, the maximum width permitted by road regulations, so that it has optimal lateral balance.

Preferably, the snow removal trailer may include means for locking the snow removal blade in the rest position. The locking means make it possible to immobilize the snow removal blade in the rest position and to prevent any untimely movement of the snow removal blade to its working position, in particular when the towing vehicle is traveling with the drawbar and chassis aligned (transport position) to go to or return from the site to be cleared of snow. And in the event of failure of the movement means following the use of the trailer for clearing snow, the snow removal blade can be returned (manually for example) to the rest position, then be immobilized in the rest position in order to allow the operator to travel safely with the snow removal trailer.

Advantageously, the snow removal trailer may comprise a device for projecting a substance such as salt or sand, the longitudinal position of which on the chassis is adjustable in translation in the first direction. Adjusting the longitudinal position of the projection device on the chassis, as a function of the relative angular position of the trailer chassis and the drawbar, makes it possible to position the projection device so that it distributes the projected substance as well as possible on the roadway.

• la remorque de déneigement comporte plusieurs roues tournant chacune autour d'un axe d'essieu respectif,
• chaque essieu de roue est sélectivement orientable par les moyens d'orientation à pivotement autour d'une direction respective de pivotement sensiblement perpendiculaire au plan défini par la première direction et son axe d'essieu.

Preferably, it can be provided that:

• the snow removal trailer has several wheels each rotating around a respective axle axis,
• each wheel axle is selectively steerable by the pivoting steering means about a respective pivoting direction substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first direction and its axle axis.

A plurality of wheels helps to better balance the snow removal trailer and better support its load, especially when it carries a device for projecting a substance such as salt or sand with a salt or sand tank.

Advantageously, the orientation means and/or the pivoting means can be powered by at least one hydraulic pump carried by the chassis. The snow removal trailer is thus equipped with the means necessary to ensure the orientation of said at least one wheel and/or the relative pivoting of the chassis and the drawbar. It can thus be used behind any towing vehicle as long as the driver is provided with remote control means allowing the hydraulic pump to be controlled.

Preferably, the snow removal trailer may include means for synchronised control of the steering means and the pivoting means. This avoids subjecting the steering means and the pivoting means to unnecessarily high forces during the relative pivoting of the trailer chassis relative to the drawbar.

• les moyens d'orientation et les moyens de pivotement sont alimentés par un premier compresseur de fluide,
• les moyens de déplacement de la lame de déneigement sont alimentés par un deuxième compresseur de fluide.

Advantageously, we can provide that:

• the orientation means and the pivoting means are powered by a first fluid compressor,
• The snow plow blade's movement means are powered by a second fluid compressor.

• un rétrécissement ou un élargissement de la voie, nécessitant un déplacement du châssis de remorque par rapport au timon d'attelage sans que cela nécessite d'interrompre le déblaiement de la neige avec la lame de déneigement,
• l'évitement d'un obstacle indésirable pour la lame mais pouvant passer sous la remorque de déneigement, nécessitant un déplacement de la lame de déneigement vers sa position de repos sans que cela nécessite un déplacement relatif du châssis de remorque par rapport au timon d'attelage.

The steering and pivoting means can thus be controlled independently of the snow plow, which allows the operator to adapt the trailer more easily to the different circumstances he may encounter, including in particular:

• a narrowing or widening of the track, requiring the trailer chassis to move relative to the drawbar without interrupting snow removal with the snow plow,
• avoiding an obstacle that is undesirable for the blade but which may pass under the snow removal trailer, requiring the snow removal blade to be moved to its rest position without this requiring a relative movement of the trailer chassis relative to the drawbar.

In this case, it is preferable to provide that the first and second fluid compressors are part of a single double hydraulic pump, which is more compact and more economical.

The snow removal trailer includes safety means capable of simultaneously controlling the movement of the drawbar to its transport position, the movement of the wheel to its first position, and the movement of the snow removal blade to its rest position. Such means are particularly useful in the in the event of an emergency (such as an obstacle for example) requiring the snow removal trailer to be quickly recalled into position behind the towing vehicle and the snow removal blade to be withdrawn.

• la figure 1 est une vue de dessus d'un mode de réalisation particulier de remorque de déneigement selon l'invention, tractée par un véhicule à attelage de remorquage, ladite remorque de déneigement étant en position de transport, et la lame de déneigement étant en position de repos ;
• la figure 2 est une vue de côté de la remorque de déneigement et du véhicule tracteur de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 3 est une vue de détails et de dessus de la remorque de la figure 1, en l'absence d'un dispositif de projection d'une substance telle que du sel ou du sable ;
• la figure 4 est une vue de dessus de la remorque de déneigement et du véhicule tracteur de la figure 1, ladite remorque de déneigement étant en position de déneigement et la lame de déneigement étant en position de travail ;
• la figure 5 est une vue de côté de la remorque de déneigement et du véhicule tracteur de la figure 4 ;
• la figure 6 est une vue de détails et de dessus de la remorque de la figure 5, en l'absence d'un dispositif de projection d'une substance telle que du sel ou du sable ;
• la figure 7 est une vue schématique du châssis de remorque montrant un exemple de structure permettant de faire pivoter les roues de la remorque ;
• la figure 8 est une vue partielle de détails et de dessus de la remorque de la figure 1 ;
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective illustrant des moyens de verrouillage de la lame de déneigement en position de repos ; et
• la figure 10 est un schéma d'un exemple de circuit hydraulique permettant de piloter la remorque de la figure 1.

Other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the following description of particular embodiments, made in relation to the attached figures, among which:

• there figure 1 is a top view of a particular embodiment of a snow removal trailer according to the invention, towed by a vehicle with a towing hitch, said snow removal trailer being in the transport position, and the snow removal blade being in the rest position;
• there figure 2 is a side view of the snow removal trailer and towing vehicle of the figure 1 ;
• there figure 3 is a detailed and top view of the trailer of the figure 1 , in the absence of a device for projecting a substance such as salt or sand;
• there figure 4 is a top view of the snow removal trailer and the towing vehicle of the figure 1 , said snow removal trailer being in the snow removal position and the snow removal blade being in the working position;
• there Figure 5 is a side view of the snow removal trailer and towing vehicle of the figure 4 ;
• there figure 6 is a detailed and top view of the trailer of the Figure 5 , in the absence of a device for projecting a substance such as salt or sand;
• there figure 7 is a schematic view of the trailer chassis showing an example of a structure for pivoting the trailer wheels;
• there figure 8 is a partial detail and top view of the trailer of the figure 1 ;
• there figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating means for locking the snow plow blade in the rest position; and
• there figure 10 is a diagram of an example of a hydraulic circuit for controlling the trailer of the figure 1 .

On the figures 1 to 9 a particular embodiment of a snow removal trailer 1 according to the invention is illustrated, intended to be towed by a vehicle 2 with a towing hitch.

We see more particularly on the figures 3 And 6 that the snow removal trailer 1 comprises a chassis 3 extending in a first direction II and comprising two snow removal blades 4 and 5. The chassis 3 supports the various components of the snow removal trailer 1.

Four wheels 6a to 6d carry the chassis 3 by bearing on the ground, said wheels 6a to 6d being selectively steerable by steer means 7 between a first position ( figure 3 ), in which the axle axes 7a to 7d around which the wheels 6a to 6d rotate are perpendicular to the first direction II, and at least one second position ( figure 6 ), in which the axle axes 7a to 7d around which the wheels 6a to 6d rotate make an angle A with the first direction II which is different from 90°.

A drawbar 8 extends in a second direction II-II between first and second ends 8a and 8b. At the first end 8a of the drawbar 8, first connection means 9 (a simple ring in this case) allow a freely pivoting connection to the coupling of the towing vehicle 2 around a third direction III-III substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first direction II and by the axle axes 7a to 7d around which said wheels 6a to 6d rotate.

At its second end 8b, the drawbar 8 is articulated to the chassis 3 pivoting about a fourth direction IV-IV substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first direction II and the axle axes 7a to 7d about which said wheels 6a to 6d rotate. Pivoting means 10 make it possible to selectively pivotally move the chassis 3 of trailer 1 relative to the drawbar 8 and to fix the relative angular position of the chassis 3 of trailer 1 and the drawbar 8 between a transport position ( figure 3 ), in which the first and second directions II and II-II are substantially parallel, and at least one snow removal position ( figure 6 ), in which the first and second directions II and II-II make a non-zero angle B between them (about 30° here).

We see more particularly on the figure 8 that the pivoting means 10 comprise a first double-acting hydraulic cylinder 11, one end 11a of which is fixed (pivotingly) to the drawbar 8 and the other end 11b of which is fixed (pivotingly) to the chassis 3. The first hydraulic cylinder 11 is capable of moving the drawbar 8 between its transport positions ( figure 3 ) and snow removal ( figure 6 ), and to fix the relative angular position of the chassis 3 of trailer 1 and the drawbar 8 (angle B can for example vary between approximately 0° and approximately 50°).

Starting from the transport position illustrated on the figures 3 And 8 , when the first hydraulic cylinder 11 is powered so as to extend its rod 12, the first hydraulic cylinder 11 pivotally moves the chassis 3 relative to the drawbar 8 to a snow removal position ( figure 6 ). Once a suitable snow removal position of predetermined angle B or deemed satisfactory by the operator has been reached, the supply to the first hydraulic cylinder 11 is interrupted. The first double-acting hydraulic cylinder 11 then maintains the relative angular position of the chassis 3 and the drawbar 8. When the first hydraulic cylinder 11 is supplied so as to retract its rod 12, the first hydraulic cylinder 11 pivotally moves the chassis 3 relative to the drawbar to its transport position ( figures 3 And 8 ).

Always on the figures 3 , 6 And 8 , it can be seen that the snow removal trailer 1 comprises a drawbar locking bar 13 having a fixed length. The end 13a of the drawbar locking bar 13 is pivotally fixed to the chassis 3 while its other end 13b can be fixed either to the chassis 3 or to the drawbar 8. When the ends 13a and 13b are respectively fixed to the chassis 3 and to the drawbar 8, the drawbar locking bar 13 fixes the angular position of the chassis 3 and the drawbar 8 so that the latter is in the transport position (first and second directions II and II-II parallel).

The drawbar locking bar 13 thus makes it possible to immobilize the drawbar 8 and the chassis 3 in the transport position, either in the event of failure of the first hydraulic cylinder 11, or as a safety locking means during passive driving without snow removal.

When it is desired to relatively move the chassis 3 and the drawbar 8 to a snow clearing position, the end 13b of the drawbar 8 is first detached and pivots the drawbar locking bar 13 into the stowed position shown in broken lines on the figure 8 .

On the figure 8 , we see that the orientation means 7 comprise a second double-acting hydraulic cylinder 14, which is more particularly visible in the schematic representation of the figure 7 . One end 14a of the second hydraulic cylinder 14 is fixed (pivotally) on the chassis 3 while its other end 14b is coupled to the axle shafts 7a to 7d around which the wheels 6a to 6d rotate. The second hydraulic cylinder 14 is able to move the axles of the wheels 6a to 6d between a first position ( figures 3 And 8 ) and a second position ( figure 6 ) by pivoting around the pivot directions Va-Va, Vb-Vb, Vc-Vc and Vd-Vd substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first direction II and the axle axes 7a to 7d of the wheels 6a to 6d.

Starting from the first position of wheels 6a to 6d illustrated on the figure 7 , when the second hydraulic cylinder 14 is supplied with fluid so as to extend its rod 15, this causes a pivoting of the eccentric member 16 about the axial direction VI-VI (as illustrated by the arrow 17). The pivoting of the eccentric member 16 is communicated to a pivoting element 18 with opposing arms 18a and 18b which are coupled by two rods 19a and 19b to the axles of the wheels 6a and 6c, which axles then pivot respectively about their pivoting directions Va-Va and Vc-Vc as illustrated by the arrows 20a and 20b. The axle of the wheel 6a is also coupled to the axle of the wheel 6b via a rod 21a while the axle of the wheel 6c is coupled to the axle of the wheel 6d via a rod 21b. In this way, the pivoting of the axles of the wheels 6a and 6c about the pivoting directions Va-Va and Vc-Vc simultaneously causes the respective pivoting of the wheels 6b and 6d about their pivoting directions Vb-Vb and Vd-Vd. It is thus understood that the hydraulic cylinder 14 makes it possible to pivot simultaneously the axles of the four wheels 6a to 6d in the second position while permanently maintaining the axle axes 7a to 7d parallel to each other.

Reverse actuation of the second hydraulic cylinder 14 (withdrawal of the rod 15) allows the axles of the wheels 6a to 6d to be moved simultaneously from a second position to their first position.

To prevent any failure of the second hydraulic cylinder 14 which could lead to untimely movement of the axles of the wheels 6a to 6d from their first position ( figures 3 And 7 ) to a second position ( figure 6 ), immobilization bars are provided in orientation 22a to 22d ( figure 3 ) having fixed lengths. The immobilization bar 22a is more particularly visible on the figure 8 . This has an end 221a which can be selectively coupled either to the axle shaft 7a around which the wheel 6a rotates to immobilize the wheel 6a in orientation in the first position, or to the chassis 3, while its other end 222a is articulated on the chassis 3. It will be noted that, when the four axles of the wheels 6a to 6d are coupled together to pivot as in the figure 7 , a single immobilization bar in orientation 22a, 22b, 22c or 22d is required. For greater safety, however, four immobilization bars in orientation 22a to 22d may still be preferred as illustrated in the figure 3 .

We see more particularly on the figures 3 And 6 that the snow removal blades 4 and 5 are pivotally articulated on the chassis 3 and movable, by displacement means 23 (with hydraulic cylinders 24 and 25), around a fifth direction VII-VII substantially parallel to the first direction II, between a rest position ( figures 2 And 3 ) and a working position ( figures 5 And 6 ). In working position, the snow plough blades 4 and 5 are arranged on the side of the chassis 3 of the snow plough trailer 1.

We see more particularly on the figures 3 And 6 that the snow removal trailer 1 comprises wheels 6a and 6d on the one hand and wheels 6b and 6c on the other hand, arranged on either side of the chassis 3 in a transverse chassis direction VIII-VIII (which is perpendicular to the first direction II and parallel to the plane defined by the first direction II and the axle axes 7a to 7d around which the wheels 6a to 6d rotate).

We see on the Figure 5 that, in the working position, the working edges (lower edges) of the snow plough blades 4 and 5 are located, according to the fourth direction IV-IV, substantially at the level of the contact zone of the wheels 6a to 6d with the roadway C. It can be seen on the figure 2 that in the rest position, the working edges (lower edges) of the snow blades 4 and 5 are located higher than the wheels 6a to 6d in the fourth direction. And we also see on the figure 3 that, in the rest position, the snow blades 4 and 5 are located, in the transverse direction of chassis VIII-VIII, at least partly above the wheels 6b and 6c arranged in the first position.

The snow removal blades 4 and 5 are held at the end of arms 26, more particularly visible on the figure 6 . There figure 9 is a detail view showing one of these arms 26 pivotally articulated on the chassis 3 around an axial direction IX-IX. In this figure 9 , the snow plow 4 or 5 is in the rest position. To allow movement of the snow plow 4 or 5 into the working position, the arm 26 must pivot around the axial direction IX-IX according to the movement illustrated by the arrow 27. The locking means 28 can selectively oppose such a movement and immobilize the snow plow 4 or 5 in the rest position. In this case, the locking means 28 comprise a hydraulic cylinder 29a or 29b whose rod 30 is in the projecting position on the figure 9 to lock the arm 26 (and therefore the snow blade 4 or 5) in the rest position.

In order to allow movement of the snow removal blade 4 or 5 from its rest position to its working position, the rod 30 must be moved to the retracted position according to the movement illustrated by the arrow 31, so as to release the pivoting movement of the arm 26 around the axial direction IX-IX.

Note that, as an alternative to hydraulic cylinders 29a and 29b, simple mechanical pins can be used to be installed or removed manually by an operator.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures 1 And 4 , the snow removal trailer 1 is provided with a tank 32 of a medium such as salt or sand. This salt and this sand are intended to be selectively spread on the roadway C using a projection device 33. By comparison between the figures 1 And 4 , we observe that the longitudinal position of the projection device 33 on the chassis 3 is adjustable in translation according to the first direction II (as illustrated by the double arrow 34).

On the figure 6 , it is observed that the orientation means 7 and/or the pivoting means 10 comprise at least one hydraulic pump 35 carried by the chassis 3.

An example of a hydraulic diagram allowing the use of the snow removal trailer 1 is illustrated in the figure 10 .

In this figure, we can see the first double-acting hydraulic cylinder 11 and the second double-acting hydraulic cylinder 14, which are supplied simultaneously by a flow divider 36 supplied by a first hydraulic distributor 37 (of the solenoid valve type for example) receiving a pressurized fluid from a first fluid compressor 38. The flow divider 36 and the first hydraulic distributor 37 constitute synchronized control means for the orientation means 6 and the pivoting means 10.

On the diagram of the figure 10 , there is also a second fluid compressor 39, making it possible to transmit a pressurized fluid to a second hydraulic distributor 40 arranged in series with a third hydraulic distributor 41, and a fourth hydraulic distributor 42. The second hydraulic distributor 40 makes it possible to supply the double-acting hydraulic cylinders 29a and 29b of the locking means 28 of the snow plough blades 4 and 5. The double-acting hydraulic cylinder 29a makes it possible to immobilize the snow plough blade 4 in the rest position, while the double-acting hydraulic cylinder 29b makes it possible to immobilize the snow plough blade 5 in the rest position.

The third hydraulic distributor 41 makes it possible to supply the hydraulic cylinders 24 and 25 whose rod output (to bring the snow clearing blades 4 and 5 into working position) is synchronized by a flow divider 44. The means 23 for moving the snow clearing blades 4 and 5 are thus supplied by the second fluid compressor 39.

The chambers of the hydraulic cylinders 11, 14, 29a and 29b are supplied via hydraulically controlled non-return valve devices 43.

We see more particularly on the figure 10 that the first and second fluid compressors 38 and 39 are part of a single double hydraulic pump 35 comprising a single motor M.

When circumstances require, the safety means can be actuated by the user to simultaneously control the movement of the drawbar 8 to its transport position and the movement of the wheel axles 6a to 6d to their first position, as well as the movement of the snow blades 4 and 5 to their rest position. To do this, the safety means comprise a single control button 46 for simultaneously controlling the first and third hydraulic distributors 37 and 41 to move them to their position “B”. This causes the hydraulic cylinders 11, 14, 24 and 25 to be supplied so as to retract their rods.

The fourth hydraulic distributor 42 allows the snow removal blades 4 and 5 to remain in contact with the road surface C by the sole effect of their own weight (so-called “floating” blades).

The use of the snow removal trailer 1 will now be explained using the figures 1 And 4 . The snow removal trailer 1 is towed by the towing hitch vehicle 2 which is initially in the position illustrated in the figure 1 , with the drawbar 8 in the transport position and the wheel axles 6a to 6d in the first position.

When the operator wishes to clear snow over a width greater than that permitted by the snow clearing blade 47 of his towing vehicle 2, he actuates the pivoting means 10 to relatively move the chassis 3 and the drawbar 8 towards a snow clearing position as illustrated in the figure 4 . Simultaneously, the orientation means 7 control the movement of the axles of the wheels 6a to 6d from their first position ( figure 1 ) to a second position ( figure 4 ). Simultaneously or after moving the drawbar 8 and the chassis 3 from their transport position to their snow removal position, the snow removal blades 4 and 5 are released by the locking means 28, and the hydraulic cylinders 24 and 25 move them into the working position.

When the hydraulic pump 35 doubles with its first and second compressors 38 and 39 stops supplying the first and second hydraulic cylinders 11 and 14, the latter maintain the drawbar 8 and the chassis 3 in the snow-clearing position and the axles of the wheels 6a to 6d in the second position. During their progress on the roadway C according to the movement illustrated by the arrow 48, the tractor vehicle 2 and the snow-clearing trailer 1 sweep an area of increased width L, making it possible to clear more than one traffic lane. The end 4a of the snow plough 4 does not come into contact with the towing vehicle 2 and deviates little laterally from the coupling of the vehicle 2, ensuring good coverage R of the areas swept by the snow plough blades 47 and 4. The end 4a can even be located behind the rear face of the vehicle 2, so that an even narrower blade 47 can be used.

When clearing the roadway C, the wheels 6a to 6d keep the chassis 3 of the snow clearing trailer 1 oblique to the direction of travel of the towing vehicle 2.

The first connection means 9 at the first end 8a of the drawbar 8 permanently ensure a freely pivoting connection to the coupling of the towing vehicle 2 around a third direction III-III. Thus, if the snow removal trailer 1 encounters an unforeseen obstacle, the risks of damage to the towing vehicle 2 and its coupling 8 are reduced.

When the tractor vehicle 2 and the snow removal trailer 1 sweep a roadway C bordered by a ditch (sometimes barely visible visually due to the snow filling it), the increased width zone L makes it possible to satisfactorily clear the edge of the roadway C (and even beyond) without having to drive the tractor vehicle 2 in the immediate vicinity of the ditch. This limits accidents caused by the tractor vehicle 2 tipping over into the ditch bordering the roadway C.

The longitudinal position of the projection device 33 is adjusted along the first direction I-I so that it remains close to the center of the roadway C, to distribute as evenly as possible the salt or sand from the tank 32 carried by the snow removal trailer 1.

Once the snow removal operations are completed, the orientation means 7 and the pivoting means 10 return the chassis 3 and the drawbar 8 to their transport position, as well as the axles of the wheels 6a to 6d to the first position. Beforehand or simultaneously, the movement means return the snow removal blades 4 and 5 from their working position to their rest position. Once the snow removal blades are in the rest position, the locking means 28 immobilize them in the rest position.

For safety reasons, before returning to the garage, the operator can immobilize the drawbar 8 on the chassis 3 in the transport position using the drawbar locking bar 13, and immobilize the wheel axles 6a to 6d in the first position using one or more immobilizing bars in orientation 22a to 22d.

It should be noted that the trailer with articulated chassis 3 and drawbar 8 according to the invention can be provided, instead of a snow plough 4 or 5, with cleaning means (such as sweeping brushes for example, rotating or fixed, and/or means for projecting fluid(s)) for the roadway C. The same applies to the tractor vehicle 2, the snow plough 47 of which can be replaced by cleaning means. Independent patent protection may thus be sought for such a roadway cleaning trailer. Said cleaning trailer can then be moved between a transport position and a sweeping position.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments which have been explicitly described, but it includes the various variations and generalizations contained within the scope of the following claims.

Claims (12)

1. Towed snowplow (1) intended to be towed by a vehicle (2) with a towing hitch, said towed snowplow (1) comprising:

   - a chassis (3) extending in a first direction (I-I) and comprising a snowplow blade (4, 5) pivotally articulated on the chassis (3) and movable, by movement means (23) with hydraulic rams (24, 25), about a fifth direction (VII-VII) substantially parallel to the first direction (I-I) between a rest position and a work position,

   - at least one wheel (6a, 6b) supporting the chassis (3), the axle of said wheel (6a-6d) being selectively orientable by orientation means (7) between a first position, in which the axle axis (7a-7d) about which the wheel (6a-6d) rotates is perpendicular to the first direction (I-I), and at least a second position in which the axle axis (7a-7d) about which the wheel (6a-6d) rotates makes with the first direction (I-I) an angle (A) which is different than 90°, the orientation means (7) comprising a second double-acting hydraulic ram (14), one end of which is fixed to the chassis (3) and the other end of which is coupled to the axle (7a-7d) around which the wheel (6a-6d) rotates, capable of moving the axle of the wheel (6a-6d) between its first and second positions by pivoting about a pivot direction (Va-Va; Vb-Vb; Vc-VC; Vd-Vd), substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first direction and the axle axis (7a-7d) of the wheel (6a-6d),

   - a drawbar (8) extending in a second direction (II-II) between a first (8a) and a second (8b) end,

   - at the first end (8a) of the drawbar (8), first means of connection (9) allowing a freely pivoting connection with the hitch of the towing vehicle (2) about a third direction (III-III) substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first direction (I-I) and the axle axis (7a-7d) about which said at least one wheel (6a-6d) rotates,

   wherein:

   - at its second end (8b), the drawbar (8) is articulated to the chassis (3) with pivoting about a fourth direction (IV-IV) substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first direction (I-I) and the axle axis (7a-7d) about which said at least one wheel (6a-6d) rotates,

   - pivoting means (10) allowing the selective pivoting movement of the chassis (3) of the towed plow (1) with respect to the drawbar (8) and the fixing of the relative angular position of the chassis (3) of the towed plow (1) and of the drawbar (8), between a transport position in which the first (I-I) and second (II-II) directions are substantially parallel, and at least one snow plowing position in which the first (I-I) and second (II-II) directions form a non-zero angle (B) between them, the pivoting means (10) comprising a first double-acting hydraulic ram (11) of which one end (11a) is fixed to the drawbar (8) and of which the other end (11b) is fixed to the chassis (3), able to move the drawbar (8) and the chassis (3) in pivoting between their transport and snow plowing positions, and able to fix the relative angular position of the chassis (3) of the towed plow (1) and of the drawbar (8),

   characterized in that the towed snowplow (1) comprises safety means including a single control button (46) for simultaneously controlling:

   - a first hydraulic distributor (37) for supplying the hydraulic rams (11, 24) of the pivoting means (10) and the orientation means (7),

   - a third hydraulic distributor (41) for supplying the hydraulic rams (24, 25) of the movement means (23),

   so as to retract their rods, to simultaneously control the movement of the drawbar (8) and the chassis (3) to their transport position, the movement of the wheel (6a-6d) to its first position, and the movement of the snowplow blade (4-5) to is rest position.
2. Towed snowplow (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a drawbar locking bar (13), of fixed length, of which one end (13b) can be fixed to the drawbar (8) and of which the other end (13a) can be fixed to the chassis (3) to immobilize the drawbar (8) on the chassis (3) in the transport position.
3. Towed snowplow (1) according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that it comprises an orientation immobilization bar (22a-22d), of fixed length, of which one end (221a) can be coupled to the axle axis (7a-7d) about which the wheel (6a-6d) rotates and of which the other end (222a) can be fixed to the chassis (3) to immobilize the wheel (6a-6d) in terms of orientation in a first position.
4. Towed snowplow (1) according to any of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that:

   - it comprises at least two wheels (6a, 6b; 6c, 6d) arranged on each side of the chassis (3) in a transverse chassis direction (VIII-VIII),

   - in the work position, the working edge of the snowplow blade (4, 5) is situated, in the fourth direction (IV-IV), substantially at the level of the zone of contact of the wheels (6a-6d) with the roadway (C),

   - in the rest position, the working edge of the snowplow blade (4, 5) is situated higher up than the wheels (6a-6d) in the fourth direction (IV-IV),

   - in the rest position, the snowplow blade (4, 5) is situated at least partially above a wheel (6a-6d) arranged in the first position.
5. Towed snowplow (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises locking means (28) for locking the snowplow blade (4, 5) in the rest position.
6. Towed snowplow (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a device (33) for casting salt or grit, of which the longitudinal position on the chassis (3) is adjustable in translation in the first direction (I-I).
7. Towed snowplow (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that:

   - it comprises several wheels (6a-6d) each rotating about a respective axle axis (7a-7d),

   - each axle of a wheel (6a-6d) is selectively orientable by the orientation means (7) in pivoting about a respective direction of pivoting (Va-Va; Vb-Vb; Vc-Vc; Vd-Vd) substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the first direction (I-I) and its axle axis (7a-7d).
8. Towed snowplow (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the orientation means (7) and/or the pivoting means (10) are powered by at least one hydraulic pump (35) supported by the chassis (3).
9. Towed snowplow (1) according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises control means for synchronized control of the orientation means (7) and of the pivoting means (10).
10. Towed snowplow (1) according to one of Claims 8 or 9, characterized in that:

    - the orientation means (7) and the pivoting means (10) are powered from a first fluid compressor (38),

    - the movement means (23) that move the snowplow blade (4, 5) are powered from a second fluid compressor (39).
11. Towed snowplow (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the first (38) and second (39) fluid compressors form part of one and the same double hydraulic pump (35).
12. Snowplowing method by using:

    - a towing vehicle (2) comprising a snowplow blade (47),

    - a towed snowplow (1) according to any of the claims 1 to 11,

    wherein, during the clearing of snow, the pivoting means (10) are controlled to pivot the drawbar (8) with respect to the chassis (3) of the towed snowplow and the orientation means (7) are controlled to pivot said at least one wheel (6a-6d) with respect to the chassis (3) of the towed snowplow in order to provide an overlap (R) of the zones plowed by the snowplow blades (4, 47).