Blade Angled About Fixed, Central, Generally Vertical Axis Patents (Class 172/820)
  • Patent number: 8418777
    Abstract: An agricultural implement includes a traction structure and a tool beam rearward of the traction structure. First and second wheeled support structures support the tool beam at opposite respective ends of the tool beam. First and second linkages each have a forward portion connected to the traction structure and rearward portions connected to the first and second support structures respectively. An actuator is effective between the traction structure and the first linkage for selectively adjusting an angular position of the first linkage relative to the longitudinal axis of the traction structure. The tool beam provides a force transmitting connection between the rearward portions of the first and second linkages whereby angular movement of the first linkage relative to the traction structure is accompanied by angular movement of the second linkage relative to the traction structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: GK Machine, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary R. Grossen
  • Publication number: 20110067892
    Abstract: The invention is intended to make it possible to reduce the overall lengths of a vertical shaft and a fore/aft shaft, while securing sufficient shaft strengths thereof, so that the vertical dimension from the fore/aft shaft to a tilt cylinder may be formed short and to render the construction on the rear face side of a blade compact. A traveling machine body 2 pivotally supports a dozer frame 3 via a horizontal shaft, the dozer frame 3 being lifted up/down via a dozer cylinder S1. This dozer frame 3 pivotally supports, via a vertical shaft Y, a support body 4 which is pivoted back and forth via an angle cylinder S2, and this support body 4 pivotally supports, via a fore/aft shaft Z, a blade 5 which is vertically pivoted via a tilt cylinder S3. The support body 4 supports the fore/aft shaft Z downwardly and forwardly of the vertical shaft Y, and the tilt cylinder S3 is disposed upwardly and forwardly of the vertical shaft Y and upwardly of the fore/aft shaft Z.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: KUBOTA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Shigeru Miyuki, Toshihiro Nakao, Masayuki Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 7419011
    Abstract: The present invention provides a small electrical motor, coupled to the snow plow of a UTV or ATV via a mechanism which allows the plow blade to move in response to unexpected spikes in load. In one embodiment, a braking system is used to absorb the load force. In a second embodiment, a set of pulleys is used in conjunction with a belt, such that the belt will slip in the presence of excessive force. In a third embodiment, a rack and pinion mechanism is used in combination with a spring element to absorb the excessive load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2008
    Assignee: Curtis International, Inc.
    Inventors: Marc D. Curtis, Kenneth Ehn
  • Patent number: 7017288
    Abstract: A leveling system designed for use with a vehicle having a reversing assembly including a table, an A-frame and a swivel member. The reversing assembly may be rotatably mounted to the vehicle with a lifting mechanism designed to elevate the reversing assembly for transportation when not in use. The leveling system is rotatably mounted to the A-frame and stabilized with parallel bars which function to achieve leveling of the assembly. Two chains of equal length are fixed to opposite ends of the leveling system, each at an equal distance outward from the center of the system and each connected at its other end to the lifting member of the vehicle. The chains aid in the lifting and leveling of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2006
    Assignee: Bonnell Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Phillip John Megli
  • Publication number: 20020139545
    Abstract: The invention relates to a construction vehicle with a working appliance, in particular with a blade, which is mounted on a vehicle frame such that it can pivot in the vertical direction about an axis and is mounted such that it can pivot about a second axis substantially perpendicular thereto, for which purpose at least one hydraulic device is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Applicant: macmoter S.p.A
    Inventor: Alois Johann Haringer
  • Patent number: 6253136
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for controlling a work implement in order to enable an earth moving machine to move to a service area after a failure within an implement control system occurs. The method includes the steps of detecting the failure of the implement control system, enabling a limp home mode in response to the failure, and controlling the implement into a limp home position through operator interaction using a display and either an associated keypad or a touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth L. Stratton, Brian G. Funke, Steven R. Genseal, Steven R. Kruase, Richard J. Skiba
  • Patent number: 6109363
    Abstract: The present invention includes an angle blade assembly capable of angular motion relative to a frame of a work machine. The angle blade assembly includes a blade assembly, a subframe connected to the blade assembly, and an actuating cylinder with a line of action. The subframe includes connecting and lever portions that are connected to define a primary vertical axis. The actuating cylinder is connected to the connecting and lever portions so that a secondary vertical axis is defined between the actuating cylinder and the lever portion. The connection of the actuating cylinder to the connecting and lever portions produces the angular motion of the blade assembly when the actuating cylinder is operated. During the angular motion of the blade assembly, the secondary vertical axis moves about the primary vertical axis and a substantially constant distance is maintained between the line of action of the actuating cylinder and a parallel line extending through the primary vertical axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventor: Bradley R. High
  • Patent number: 5595007
    Abstract: The invention is a trailer-type snowplow assembly. The assembly includes one pivot mechanism that allows the plow blade to be raised or lowered. The assembly further includes a free pivot assembly that allows the blade to freely pivot in a transverse direction in response to directional changes of the tow vehicle or uneven snow impact along its length. Also disclosed is a multi-piece plow blade that has removable end portions that allow a user to elongate or shorten the effective length of the plow blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1997
    Inventor: Michael P. Biance
  • Patent number: 5082065
    Abstract: A vehicle has front brackets which engage with a coupler which has an upright brace with two vertical members joined by a horizontal member. Fixed pins on the brace engage in the bracket slots and retractable spring-loaded pins on the brace engage with the holes on the bracket. A frame is pivotally mounted to the vertical members and is pivotable by an actuator which connects the brace and the frame. A support is pivotally mounted about an axis perpendicular to the frame and has an upturned flange adapted to engage beneath a downturned bracket on the implement and has pinholes located beneath the flange to receive pins extending from the implement. Fixed to the implement is a downturned J-shaped bracket with a vertical portion and a spaced opposed portion which is approximately as deep as the upward extension of the flange on the coupler. Vertical plates are connected on either side of the J-shaped bracket and are spaced to fit on either side of the support of the coupler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 21, 1992
    Assignee: Support Services International, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy M. Fletcher
  • Patent number: 5058685
    Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a dozer blade for vertical and angular movement relative to a frame of a wheeled implement. The mounting apparatus a mounting mechanism which allows the dozer blade to be mounted close to the wheels to either end of the implement and which permits angular movement of the blade about a generally vertical axis and vertical movement of the dozer blade about a generally horizontal axis. The mounting apparatus further includes a linearly distendable driver which extends laterally across the frame of the implement and a linkage mechanism which improves angling moments and maximizes the driving force imparted to the blade upon extension of the driver. The linearly distendable driver and linkage mechanism operate in combination and in a closely confined area adjacent to the implement frame for effecting extended angular movement of the dozer blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: J. I. Case Company
    Inventor: John M. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 4986010
    Abstract: Mounted on a tractor is a sloper assembly which is adapted to push earth and debris away from a berm of a road. A support stand is pivotally connected to the tractor for rotation about a vertical axis. A first outrigger arm is pivotally connected to the support stand and extends outwardly therefrom. A first hydraulic cylinder is pivotally connected between the support stand and the first outrigger arm. A second outrigger arm is pivotally connected to the first outrigger arm and supports a sloper assembly. A second hydraulic cylinder is attached between the first outrigger arm and the second outrigger arm. A third hydraulic cylinder is operatively connected between the second outrigger arm and the sloper assembly. A fourth hydraulic cylinder, having overload protection, is operatively connected between the tractor and the support stand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1991
    Inventor: Jack O. Cartner
  • Patent number: 4919212
    Abstract: The invention features a mounting frame and lift assembly for a dozer blade of a tractor. The frame and assembly is easy to install and provides quick connection to the dozer blade. The lift assembly is provided with a pivot placed forward of the front wheel of the tractor to enhance the lifting angle for the dozer blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventor: Ronald G. McClure
  • Patent number: 4860834
    Abstract: The invention provides a converting assembly, cooperating with a general purpose tractor, for periodically interchanging an implement configured for side-to-side motion with one configured for a tilting motion about a horizontal axis. An illustrated embodiment includes a frame, rigidly but readily removably attached to the tractor lift frame members. A motion connector, pivotally mounted to the frame, cooperates with the tractor tilt cylinder and the implement to convert extension and retraction of the tilt cylinder into side-to-side motion of the implement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: William E. Bidgood
  • Patent number: 4463507
    Abstract: A quickly attached and removed adjustable grader blade attachment for a bucket of a bucket vehicle, which includes a blade, and an adapter bracket and frame assembly that will permit the blade to be angularly adjusted by hydraulic or mechanical means and a bucket bottom engaging member that will serve as a cutting depth control for the grader attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1984
    Inventor: Arnold A. Gaub
  • Patent number: 4324055
    Abstract: A moldboard support assembly including a drive frame assembly having one end connectable to the front end of a vehicle. A blade and moldboard support frame is pivotally connected to the other end of the drive frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis. The blade and moldboard support frame includes a gear segment driven by a worm gear mounted on the drive frame assembly to effect the pivotal movement of the blade and moldboard, and wear pads are mounted on the drive frame assembly and engage surfaces on the moldboard support frame, to thereby maintain the drive frame assembly and moldboard support frame in alignment to insure proper intermeshing of the worm gear and gear segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Richard P. Valk
    Inventors: John H. Hippensteel, Rupert J. Brady
  • Patent number: 4249323
    Abstract: A variable wing plow blade and mounting structure for attaching the plow blade to a tractor, snow grooming vehicle, and the like feature distribution of the load on the blade over a relatively wide area of the supporting structural members thereby to permit reduction in their size, weight and number and in their manufacturing and assembling costs while maintaining the essential structural strength, and are further characterized in the attainment of improved performance and utility in respect of independence of the plow blade height and pitch or roll, tilt and wing blade adjustments, and greater freedom of movement of the wing blades of the plow blade, both forwardly and rearwardly, from a position of alignment with the center section of the plow blade.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1978
    Date of Patent: February 10, 1981
    Assignee: De Lorean Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Robert D. Mathis, Gordon Hine