US3576215A

US3576215A - Scraper blade apparatus

Info

Publication number: US3576215A
Application number: US796510A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ted L Cline
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1969-02-04
Filing date: 1969-02-04
Publication date: 1971-04-27
Anticipated expiration: 1988-04-27

Abstract

A scraper blade apparatus including an elongated blade member of concavo-convex cross-sectional configuration connected to one end of an elongated, horizontally extending supporting beam. The structure used to interconnect the blade member to the supporting beam permits the blade member to be pivoted about a vertical axis, and also about a horizontal axis so that the blade member can be adjusted in its angular relationship to the longitudinal axis of the elongated supporting beam and also canted or angled with respect to the ground. The supporting beam is pivotally secured at its end opposite that end which carries the blade member to a horizontally extending transverse mounting beam which has a plurality of mounting brackets adapted for connecting the mounting beam to a self-powered towing or carrying vehicle.

Description

[72] Inventor [54] SCRAlPlER BLADE APPARATUS FOREIGN PATENTS 156,231 4/1954 Australia 244,864 5/1965 Austria Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Stephen C. Pellegrino Attorney-Dunlap, Laney, Hessin & Do'ugherty TRACT: A scraper blade apparatus including an elongated blade member of concavo-convex cross-sectional configuration connected to one end of an elongated, horizontally extending supporting beam. The structure used to interconnect the blade member to the supporting beam permits the blade member to be pivoted about a vertical axis, and also about a horizontal axis so that the blade member can be adjusted in its angular relationship to the longitudinal axis of the elongated supporting beam and also canted or angled with respect to the ground. The supporting beam is pivotally secured at its end opposite that end which carries the blade member to a horizontally extending transverse mounting beam which has a plurality of mounting brackets adapted for carrying vehicle.

PATENTEDAPRZNQH 3576215 sum 1 BF 2 IL E INVIQN TOR. Tr-o La CL/A/zscsa am s AIPPTUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to earth-working apparatus and, more particularly, to an elongated scraper blade of the type adapted to be detachably carried on a self-powered vehicle.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Many types of scraper blades for use in loosening or removing dirt from the surface of the ground have heretofore been proposed. Bulldozer blades are, of course, adapted to accomplish this objective, and many types of elongated scraper blades have been proposed for mounting on the threepoint hitch connection of agricultural vehicles to permit irrigation ditches to be dug, and dams and the like to be constructed. These scraper blades have usually been constructed so that they can be pivoted about one or more axes to permit the position of the blade in relation to the vehicle upon which it is mounted, or with respect to the earth, to be varied and adjusted. The freedom of movement and adjustability of the blades previously proposed have often permitted them to be canted at an angle with respect to the ground, and have also permitted them to be swung or pivoted about a vertical axis so that they can be set at the preselected or desired angle with respect to the path of travel of the vehicle on which they are supported or carried. In some instances, scraper blade devices and machinery have permitted the entire blade to be swung bodily to one side or the other of the line of travel of the vehicle upon which the blade is mounted so that the blade can be offset from directly behind the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention provides a scraper blade apparatus which permits an elongated scraper blade to be selectively positioned so that it may accomplish a wide variety of earthmoving tasks with ease. Broadly described, the scraper blade apparatus of the invention comprises an elongated blade member of concavo-convex cross-sectional configuration. The blade member has secured thereto intermediate its length a hollow socket housing which detachably receives a vertically extending blade post. The blade post is secured in the socket housing by pivot pin means which permits the blade member to pivot on the blade post about a substantially horizontally extending pivotal axis. The lower end of the blade post, which is located in the hollow socket housing, is connected to one end of an angle adjusting means which has its opposite end connected to the blade member to one side of the socket housing. By adjusting the length of the angle-adjusting means, the blade member may be caused to pivot about the pivot pin means to adjust the angle of the blade member with respect to the ground.

The upper end of the blade post is secured to a pivot plate which is a substantially monoplanar, circular or disc-shaped member extending in a substantially horizontal plane. The pivot plate abuts a stationary mounting plate which is shaped similarly to the pivot plate and extends parallel thereto. The mounting plate is secured to the lower side of one end of an elongated support beam. A vertically extending pivot pin extends through the support beam and mounting plate and is used to pivotally support the pivot plate and blade post beneath, and in contact with, the mounting plate.

At the opposite end of the support beam from the end to which the blade member is connected, the support beam is pivotally connected to a transversely extending mounting beam. The mounting beam has secured thereto, a plurality of mounting brackets which can be utilized to connect the scraper blade apparatus to a self-powered vehicle, such as an agricultural tractor or the like.

Secured between the transversely extending mounting beam and the support beam is an angle-adjusting means which can be selectively changed in its length to cause the angle between the mounting beam and the support beam to be varied.

From the brief foregoing description of the invention, it will have become apparent that an important object of the invention is to provide an improved scraper blade apparatus which can be quickly and easily mounted on a self-powered vehicle, and which can be adjusted in its angular relationship to the path of travel of the vehicle, can be canted at a preselected angle with respect to the ground, and can be swung or pivoted out of the line of travel of the vehicle upon which it is mounted so that the entire blade structure is offset to one side or the other of the carrying vehicle.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a scraper blade structure which can be pivoted about horizontal and vertical axes, and can be swung from side to side with relatively simple mechanical structure which is strong and durable, and can be easily operated.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a scraper blade apparatus which is versatile in its capability for earthmoving, leveling, and excavating operations.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following detailed description of the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the scraper blade apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the scraper blade apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the scraper blade illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a rear end view of the scraper blade apparatus of the invention.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the scraper blade apparatus depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the scraper blade apparatus depicted in FIG. I.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. ll of the drawings, an elongated .support beam forming a portion of the scraper blade apparatus of the invention is designated by reference numeral 10. The elongated support beam has secured to the upper side thereof a triangularly shaped brace plate 12 which extends over a major portion of the length of the support beam. At one of its ends, the horizontally extending, elongated support beam 10 has secured to the underside thereof a circular, horizontally extending mounting plate M. A mounting bolt 16 extends vertically through the support beam 10 and through the mounting plate M. The mounting bolt 16 projects through the mounting plate M and through an aperture 18 formed in a circular, disc-shaped pivot plate 20' which flatly abuts the lower side of the mounting plate M in the manner best depicted in FIG. 3. The pivot plate 20 is welded or otherwise suitably secured to the upper end of a hollow blade post 22 which, as shown in FIG. 4, extends into a relatively large opening in the upper side of a socket housing 26. The socket housing has a hollow interior and has a pivot pin 28 extended through the rear side thereof and through a mating hole or aperture (not visible) formed in the rear side of the blade post 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, the blade post 22 and pivot plate 20 are pivotally secured beneath the mounting plate 14 by threading a suitable washer and nut 30 onto the lower end of the mounting bolt 16. In HG. 4, it will be noted that a lug 32 is secured to the lower end of the blade post 22 and that the lug is secured to one end of an extensible threaded rod 34 forming a portion of a turnbuckle assembly designated generally be reference numeral 36. A threaded rod 3% at the other end of the turnbuckle assembly 36 is secured to a suitable lug or bracket All which is secured to one end portion of an elongated scraper blade member having a concavo-convex cross-sectional configuration. The blade member 42 is reinforced by suitable

elongated ribs

44 and 46 as best illustrated in FIGS. 2, and 6.

For the purpose of locking the elongated blade member 42 in a particular angular relationship with respect to the elongated support beam 10, a latching mechanism designated generally by reference numeral 50 is provided at the rear of the scraper blade apparatus and is secured onto the elongated support beam in a manner best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The latching mechanism 50 includes a pair of transversely spaced brackets 52 which are secured to the end of the support beam 10 and which are notched to receive the mounting plate 14 and the pivot plate 20. A securing tongue 54 having an upwardly and forwardly extending handle 56 formed thereon is pivotally supported on a pivot pin 58 which extends through the brackets 52 in a horizontal direction. The securing tongue 54 can thus be pivoted on the pivot pin 58 to move its lower end between the brackets 52 outwardly and to the rear with respect to the brackets. This pivotal movement is resiliently resisted by a suitable spring 58 which is provided between the upper portion 56 of the securing tongue 54 and the support beam 10. The lower end of the securing tongue 54 carries a forwardly projecting tongue which projects into a selected one of a series of circumferentially-spaced notches 62 cut into the outer periphery of the pivot plate 20.

Secured to the upper side of the triangularly shaped brace plate 12 and projecting upwardly therefrom are a pair of hydraulic

line guide loops

64 and 66. There is also provided on the upper side of the triangularly shaped brace plate 12, a U- shaped lifting bracket 68 which can be used to hoist the scraper blade apparatus of the present invention upon a flatbed truck for transport, or to move the structure for any other reason by means of a vertical hoist.

At the forward end of the triangularly shaped brace plate 12, the brace plate extends under an upper pin plate 70 which is welded or otherwise suitably secured to a pair of substantially parallel,

central mounting brackets

72 and 74. The

central mounting brackets

72 and 74 are apertured near their upper end portions with a pair of

apertures

76 and 78 to facilitate connection of the central hitch brackets to the central connection of a three-part hitch connection as hereinafter described. Adjacent their lower ends, the

central mounting brackets

72 and 74 are secured to a transversely extending mounting beam 80. The lower and rear side of the mounting beam 80, as well as the lower edges of the

central mounting brackets

72 and 74, are secured to a lower pin plate 82.

A pivot bolt 84 is extended through the upper pin plate 70, the interior of the triangularly shaped brace plate 12, the elongated support beam 10 and the lower pin plate 82 to 'pivotally secure the support beam 10 and brace plate 12 to the transverse mounting beam 80, and the

central mounting brackets

72, 74 and other structure associated with the transverse mounting beam 80. At the outer end portions of the mounting beam 80 and projecting forwardly therefrom are a series of outer hitch brackets, three of these being shown adjacent each end of the mounting beam and being designated by

reference numerals

86, 88 and 90. The

outer hitch brackets

86, 88 and 90 at each end of the mounting beam 80 are apertured to receive connecting pins so that these hitch brackets may be selectively employed for connecting the outer hitch links of a three-part hitch connection in the manner hereinafter described. A pair of

diagonal braces

92 and 94 extend from a location adjacent the top of one of the

central mounting brackets

72 or 74 to the outer portion of the mounting beam 80 and provide structural strength for the scraper blade apparatus.

For the purpose of swinging the elongated support beam 10 about a vertical axis so that it may be pivoted in relation to the transversely extending mounting beam 80, a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 96 is connected between a lug or bracket 98 secured to the outer end portion of the mounting beam 80 at the back side thereof, and another lug or connecting bracket 100 is secured to the lower edge of the central portion of the elongated support beam 10. It will be noted that a corresponding pair of lugs or

brackets

102 and 104 are respectively connected to the transversely extending mounting beam and to the elongated support beam 10 on the opposite side of the support beam from the

brackets

98 and 100. If is should be desired, another hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly corresponding to the assembly 96 could be connected between the lugs or

brackets

102 and 104 for further control of the pivotal movement of the support beam 10 relative to the mounting beam 80 if this should be desired. The hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 96 includes a double-acting hydraulic cylinder 106 which slidingly receives a reciprocating fluid-powered piston 108 which is connected to the bracket 100. As has previously been explained, the guide loop 64 serves to guide and retain in position, a pair of hydraulic fluid conduits 110 and 112 which supply hydraulic fluid to the double-acting cylinder 106.

It should be pointed out that, in place of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 96 depicted in the drawings, a turnbuckle assembly, similar to that shown in FIG. 4 and there designated by reference numeral 36, could be utilized for pivoting the elongated support beam 10 about the pivot bolt 84 in order to change its position in relation to the mounting beam 80, if this should be desired. Conversely, a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly could be used in lieu of the turnbuckle assembly 36 at the rear of the scraper blade member 42 for the purpose of pivoting the scraper blade member 42 about a horizontal axis coincident with the axis of the pivot pin 28, if this should be desired.

OPERATION In the operation of the scraper blade apparatus of the invention, the apparatus is connected to a suitable selfpowered vehicle having a three-point hitch connection. Connection is effected to the

outer hitch brackets

86, 88 and and to the central mounting

brackets

72 and 74. This places the scraper blade apparatus behind the tractor or other self-powered vehicle and it is ready to perform a variety of earth-working operations. It may be that it is desirable to swing the scraper blade 42 to one side of the tractor or the other as, for example, where the tractor can proceed with little difficulty along relatively smooth or transversable terrain and it is desired to dig a ditch or to perform another operation to one side of the path of the tractor in terrain where it would be difficult to drive the tractor. Such swinging of the concaveconvex scraper blade 42 to one side or the other of the tractor is effected by the use of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 96. Thus, were it desired to swing the blade to the right of the path of movement of the tractor, hydraulic power fluid would be directed through the hydraulic conduits and 112 to the cylinder 106 to extend the piston I08 and thus pivot the elongated supporting beam 10 to the right with respect to the path of travel of the tractor. This would in turn carry the entire scraper blade assembly at the rear of the support beam 10 to the right with respect to this path of travel. Pivotation of the supporting beam 10 would be effected about the pin 84 so that an acute angle would be established between the supporting beam 10 and the mounting beam 80. Placement of the scraper blade member 42 at any point to one side or the other of the path of the tractor within the limits of the stroke of the hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly 96 can be effected.

Should it be desired to swing or pivot the scraper blade member 42 about a vertical axis so as to cant or angle the blade member with respect to the longitudinal axis of the supporting beam 10, this is effected manually by depressing the upper end 56 of the securing tongue 54 to disengage the lower end of this tongue from the notches 62 in the pivot plate 20. This allows the pivot plate 20 to rotate or pivot freely on the mounting bolt 16. When the scraper blade member 42 has, by such pivotal movement, attained the angularity with respect to the supporting beam which is desired, the upper end 56 of the securing tongue 54 is released so that the securing tongue is returned by the bias of the spring 58 to its position of engagement with one of the notches 62 formed in the peripheral edge of the pivot plate 20. Engagement of the securing tongue 54 with one of the notches 62 will assure that the elongatd scraper blade member 42 maintains its angular position with respect to the supporting beam 10.

In some instances, it will be desirable to elevate or lower one or the other of the ends of the elongates scraper blade member 42 in relation to the ground. This is accomplished in the illustrated embodiment of the invention by the use of the turnbuckle assembly 36. Thus, by turning or rotating the central sleeve of the turnbuckle to draw the threaded rods 34 and 38 of the turnbuckle into the sleeve, the turnbuckle assembly is shortened and this will have the effect of causing the left end of the blade member 42 as viewed in FIG. 4 to move downwardly with respect to the right end thereof, or, stated differently, will cause the blade member 42 to pivot about the pivot pin 28 in a counterclockwise direction. Conversely, turning the sleeve member of the turnbuckle assembly 36 so as to drive the threaded rods 34 and 38 of the assembly outwardly from the sleeve will have the effect of rotating the blade member 42 in the opposite direction, or, stated differently, will cause the right end of the blade member as viewed in FIG. 4 to be lowered relative to the left end thereof.

From the foregoing description of the invention, it will have become apparent that the scraper blade apparatus herein disclosed is a versatile, relatively economically constructed, yet operationally reliable device which can be used for a variety of earth-working operations. The control which is provided for the angularity and positioning of the scraper blade member is very good and can be easily and quickly effected by a single person.

Although a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated in order to illustrate one mode of construction of the apparatus sufficient to permit those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it is to be understood that various modifications and changes can be effected in the illustrated and described structure without departure from the basic principles of the invention. Changes of this type are therefore deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.

lclaim:

l. A scraper blade apparatus comprising:

an elongated, horizontally extending mounting beam;

a pair of mounting brackets secured to a central portion of said mounting beam;

upper and lower vertically spaced pin plates secured to said mounting brackets;

an elongated, horizontally extending supporting beam having one end projecting between said pin plates;

a pivot bolt extending vertically through said pin plates and through said supporting beam to pivotally connect said supporting beam to said pin plates;

means on said mounting beam for connecting said mounting beam to a tractor three-point hitch connection;

a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly having one end connected to said mounting beam and an opposite end connected to said supporting beam for automatically altering the angular relationship between the mounting beam and the supporting beam;

a mounting plate secured to the underside of said supporting beam at the opposite end of said supporting beam from said mounting beam;

a pivot plate pivotally secured to the underside of said mounting plate for pivotation about a vertical axis, said pivot plate having circumferentially spaced notches formed in the outer peripheral edge thereof;

at least one bracket secured to said supporting beam;

a securing tongue pivotally connected to said bracket and having a portion enga eable with a selected one of said notches in said pivo plate for arresting the pivotal ovement of said pivot plate in a preselected position relative to said mounting plate;

a blade post secured to and projecting downwardly from,

said pivot plate for pivotal movement therewith;

a concave-convex cross-sectioned scraper blade member;

a socket housing secured to the convex side of said scraper blade member and receiving the lower end of said blade post;

a pivot pin extending through said socket housing and blade post along a horizontal axis to pivotally support said blade member on said blade post; and

a variable length assembly means connected at one end to said blade post and at the other end to said blade member at a point substantially horizontally spaced from said blade post for pivoting said elongated blade member about a horizontal axis extending through the pivot pin which connects the blade member to said blade post.

2. A scraper blade apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said variable length assembly for pivoting said elongated blade member about said horizontal axis comprises a turnbuckle assembly having one end connected to said blade member at a point spaced horizontally from said horizontal axis and having a second end connected to said blade post.

3. A scraper blade apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for connecting said mounting beam to a tractor comprises:

a first plurality of outer hitch brackets secured to one end portion of said mounting beam;

a second plurality of outer hitch brackets secured to the opposite end portion of said mounting beam from the end portion thereof carrying said first plurality of outer hitch brackets; and

central mounting brackets secured to a central portion of said mounting beam and projecting upwardly therefrom.

Claims

1. A scraper blade apparatus comprising: an elongated, horizontally extending mounting beam; a pair of mounting brackets secured to a central portion of said mounting beam; upper and lower vertically spaced pin plates secured to said mounting brackets; an elongated, horizontally extending supporting beam having one end projecting between said pin plates; a pivot bolt extending vertically through said pin plates and through said supporting beam to pivotally connect said supporting beam to said pin plates; means on said mounting beam for connecting said mounting beam to a tractor three-point hitch connection; a hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly having one end connected to said mounting beam and an opposite end connected to said supporting beam for automatically altering the angular relationship between the mounting beam and the supporting beam; a mounting plate secured to the underside of said supporting beam at the opposite end of said supporting beam from said mounting beam; a pivot plate pivotally secured to the underside of said mounting plate for pivotation about a vertical axis, said pivot plate having circumferentially spaced notches formed in the outer peripheral edge thereof; at least one bracket secured to said supporting beam; a securing tongue pivotally connected to said bracket and having a portion engageable with a selected one of said notches in said pivot plate for arresting the pivotal movement of said pivot plate in a preselected position relative to said mounting plate; a blade post secured to and projecting downwardly from, said pivot plate for pivotal movement therewith; a concavo-convex cross-sectioned scraper blade member; a socket housing secured to the convex side of said scraper blade member and receiving the lower end of said blade post; a pivot pin extending through said socket housing and blade post along a horizontal axis to pivotally support said blade member on said blade post; and a variable length assembly means connected at one end to said blade post and at the other end to said blade member at a point substantially horizontally spaced from said blade post for pivoting said elongated blade member about a horizontal axis extending through the pivot pin which connects the blade member to said blade post.

3. A scraper blade apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for connecting said mounting beam to a tractor comprises: a first plurality of outer hitch brackets secured to one end portion of said mounting beam; a second plurality of outer hitch brackets secured to the opposite end portion of said mounting beam from the end portion thereof carrying said first plurality of outer hitch brackets; and central mounting brackets secured to a central portion of said mounting beam and projecting upwardly therefrom.