US3738030A

US3738030A - Combination bulldozer blade and bucket

Info

Publication number: US3738030A
Application number: US00201354A
Authority: US
Inventors: D Olinger
Original assignee: ROME INDUSTRIES
Current assignee: ROME INDUSTRIES Inc A IN CORP
Priority date: 1971-11-23
Filing date: 1971-11-23
Publication date: 1973-06-12
Anticipated expiration: 1990-06-12
Also published as: DE2255981B2; IT974841B; DE2255981A1; GB1414185A; JPS5420762B2; JPS4859604A; FR2161010B1; DE2255981C3; FR2161010A1

Abstract

A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit including means defining bucket means having a bulldozer blade supported thereon for movement from a first bucket forming position to a second bulldozer operation position. The bulldozer blade is operable as an ejector for removing material contained in the bucket means in response to movement of the blade from the first bucket forming position to the second bulldozer operating position. The bulldozer blade is supported on the unit whereby the blade bottom edge will be moved to a position in front of and below the leading edge of the bucket means and includes control means for effecting an automatic latching engagement between the blade and the leading edge of the bucket means in response to movement of the blade to the bulldozer operating position whereby the maximum forces developed against the blade in a bulldozing operation will be transmitted to the bucket means rather than to the blade linkage support means.

Description

[ COMBINATlON-BULLDOZER BLADE AND BUCKET [75] Inventor: Donald Richard Olinger, Cedartown,

[73] Assignee: Rome Industries, Inc., Cedartown,

22 Filed: Nov. 23, 1971 21 App1.No.:.20l,354

[52] US. Cl 37/1175, 172/802, 214/147 [51] Int. Cl E021 3/76 [58] Field of Search 37/1 17.5; 172/802;

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,148,787 9/1964 Clark et al. 37/1 17.5 X

3,426,928 2/1969 Campbell 214/767 3,477,602 11/1969 Peterson 214/147 R X 3,346,974 10/1967 Haynes 37/ll7.5 3,421,236 l/1969 Moyer 37/1l7.5 3,642,160 2/1972 Rockwell et al. 214/767 June 12, 1973 Primary Examiner-Robert E. Pulfrey Assistant Examiner-Eugene H. Eickholt Att0rneyNewton, Hopkins & Ormsby 57 ABSTRACT A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit including means defining bucket means having a bulldozer blade supported thereon for movement from a first bucket forming position to a second bulldozer operation position. The bulldozer blade is operable as an ejector for removing material contained in the bucket means in response to movement of the blade from the first bucket forming position to the second bulldozer operating position. The bulldozer blade is supported on the unit whereby the blade bottom edge will be moved to a position in front of and below the leading edge of the bucket means and includes control means for effecting an automatic latching engagement between the blade and the leading edge of the bucket means in response to movement of the blade to the bulldozer operating position whereby the maximum forces developed against the blade in a bulldozing operation will be transmitted to the bucket means rather than to the blade linkage support means.

'15 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures COMBINATION BULLDOZER BLADE AND BUCKET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the construction industry which requires movement of construction material, such as soil in excavation, wherein the soil is either moved by loading the soil onto transport means or by pushing the soil along the ground from one location to another. More particularly, this invention relates to a combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit selectively operable as a loading bucket for transferring soil to transport means or operable as a bulldozer blade for pushing or bulldozing soil along the supporting ground.

A number of buckets and bulldozer blades have been provided for soil excavation. However, the prior art bulldozer blades and buckets are independent of each other and can only be used for the operation for which it is designed. Therefore, it was necessary to either provide two translating vehicles, one vehicle having a loading bucket and another vehicle having a bulldozer blade, or provide a bulldozer blade and a loading bucket which are interchangeable with one translating vehicle, when it was desired to switch from a loading operation to a bulldozing operation.

In certain types of bucket loading operations, it is often necessary to elevate the bucket to a maximum height, at which height it is difficult to maneuver the bucket for unloading the soil contained therein. A number of attempts have been made to provide an ejector blade for a loading bucket which is operable for ejecting soil from the bucket regardless of the elevated position. However, the buckets having an ejector blade are not normally operable as a bulldozer blade. In using an ejector blade of a bucket as a bulldozer blade, the bulldozing operation would develop stresses and strains which would result in damage to the supporting linkage.

A number of attempts have been made to provide a combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit wherein the bulldozer blade would transfer the forces developed thereagainst directly to the bucket means. One such combination bulldozer blade and bucket means is disclosed in a U.S. Pat. to Haynes, No. 3,346,974 issued Oct. 17, 1967. The Haynes patent discloses a combination bulldozer blade and bucket wherein the bulldozer blade is operable as an ejector to remove soil from the bucket and was also operable in a bulldozing operation by movement of the blade to a position in front of the bucket leading edge, for transferring the forces developed in a bulldozing operation directly to the bucket means. However, the blade support structure and control means of Haynes is complex in construction and uneconomical to manufacture. Further, the combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit disclosed in the Haynes patent requires separate independent control means for moving the bulldozer blade to a position below the leading edge of the bucket for performing a bulldozing operatiomThe combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit disclosed in the Haynes patent does not include means for effecting a latching engagement between the bulldozer blade and the bottom edge of the bucket means for maintaining the blade in a fixed position relative thereto in a bulldozing operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above disadvantages of the prior art have been overcome by the present invention which basically includes means for defining a bucket means having a pair of horizontally spaced sidewalls and a bottom wall having a leading edge. A bulldozer blade means having a bottom edge is operatively associated with the bucket means for movement from a first bucket forming position with blade means displaced rearwardly of the bucket leading edge to form a material containing means, to a second bulldozer operating position with the blade bottom edge being located in front of and below the bucket leading edge.

Control means is operatively associated with the bulldozer blade for effecting movement of the blade between the two positions. An important feature of the present invention includes the blade support and control means for effecting movement of the blade be tween the bucket forming position and the bulldozer operating position, wherein the blade is automatically moved to a position below the leading edge of the bucket means in response to movement of the blade to a position forward of the leading edge of the bucket means.

Another feature of the present invention includes means for effecting a latching engagement between the blade and a leading edge of the bucket means in response to movement of the blade to the bulldozer operating position.

The blade is supported relative to the bucket means whereby the blade bottom edge will move along an arcuate path adjacent to the bucket bottom portion for ejecting material contained therein in response to movement of the blade from the bucket forming position to the bulldozer operating position.

It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit selectively operable as a loading bucket or as a bulldozer blade.

A further object of this invention is to provide a combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit wherein the forces developed against the blade in the bulldozer operating position will be transferred through the bucket bottom for reducing the amount of strain on the blade linkage support means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit including means for effecting a latching engagement between the blade and the leading edge of the bucket in response to movement of the blade to the bulldozer operating posi-- tion.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a linkage support means for supporting a bulldozer blade on a bucket unit wherein the blade can serve as one wall of the bucket and can be moved relative to the bucket means to eject material therefrom.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a support means for supporting a bulldozer blade for movement relative to the bottom wall of a bucket unit wherein the blade bottom edge moves along an arcuate path adjacent the bucket bottom wall.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a linkage support means for supporting a bulldozer blade on a bucket unit whereby the blade can be selectively moved from a bucket forming position'to a bulldozer operating position.

A further object of this invention is to provide a linkage support means for supporting a bulldozer blade on a bucket unit whereby the bulldozer blade can be bodily shifted in a translating movement between a bucket forming position and a bulldozer operating position.

Another object of this invention is to provide a linkage support means for supporting a bulldozer blade relative to a bucket unit whereby the bulldozer blade will be automatically moved to a position below and in latching engagement with the leading edge of the bucket means in response to movement of the blade to a predetermined position forward of the leading edge of the bucket means.

An additional object of this invention is to provide a combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit which is simple in construction and operation, economical to BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view as seen from the right rear of the bucket of FIG. 1 with certain parts broken away and shown in section and with certain parts being omitted for purpose of clarity;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevational view taken along line 33 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially along line 44 of FIG. 3 showing the blade in a bucket forming position;

FIG. 5 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 4 showing the bulldozer blade moved to an adjusted position;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIGS. 4 and 5 showing the bulldozer blade moved to a position of latching engagement with the leading edge of the bucket means;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing a modified support means for the bulldozer blade;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified connection between a frame supporting arm and blade supporting arm;

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a modified connection of the blade actuating assemblies;

FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view of the combination bulldozer blade and bucket utilizing the modified connections of FIGS. 8 and 9 and showing the blade in a rearwardly retracted bucket forming position;

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIG. 10 showing the blade in an intermediate adjusted position; and,

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view similar to FIGS. 10 and 11 showing the bulldozer blade in a forward adjusted bulldozer operable position. 1

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the drawings, the present invention will be described with reference to a supporting vehicle means 10, a bucket unit 30, and ejector and bulldozer blade and blade support and control means 100.

The function of the vehicle 10 is to provide a translating vehicle capable of supporting and maneuvering the combination bucket unit and bulldozer blade in an excavation operation, such as loading soil onto a transport means or pushing soil in a bulldozing operation.

The function of the bucket unit 30 is to provide means shaped to define a forwardly opened cavity portion capable of containing material, such as soil, to be loaded onto a transport vehicle.

The function of the blade 80 is to provide a combination blade capable 'of either being used as an ejector and back wall of the bucket unit, or capable of being used as a bulldozer blade for pushing soil in a bulldozing operation.

The function of the blade support and control mechanism is to provide means for supporting the blade 80 on the supporting framework in operative association with the bucket unit 30 the blade can be selectively moved from the bucket forming and ejector position to the bulldozer operating position.

As shown in FIG. 1, the support vehicle 10 is a conventional bulldozer having track means 11 for providing a translating movement of the vehicle in the bucket loading and bulldozing operation. Vehicle 10 is provided with a pair of forwardly projecting boom arm means 12, 13. Boom arms 12, 13 are pivotally supported on the tractor by convention] means (not shown) and are capable of being pivotally attached at their forward ends to the bucket unit 30. as will be described in more detail hereinbelow. The vehicle boom means 12, 13 are provided with a hydraulically controlled linkage mechanism for effecting pivotal movement of the bucket 30 about a horizontal axis entending between pivots 53. The hydraulic control linkage mechanism includes a pair of conventional hydraulic cylinder means 14, 15 which are operatively connected at their forward end to lever means 16, 17 respectively. Levers 16, 17 include link-members 18, 19 operatively connected to lever means 20, (only one of which is shown in FIG. 1.) The lever means 20 are pivotally connected adjacent their lower depending ends (not shown) to the boom means 12, 13 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis. The upper extended ends of the lever means 20 are pivotally connected to the bucket unit 30, about pivot support means 54, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow, for effecting pivotal movement of the bucket unit 30 about a horizontal axis extending between pivots 53.

Referring now particularly to FIG. 2, the bucket unit 30 includes a horizontally oriented arcuate shaped bottom wall means 31. Bottom wall 31 is provided with a pair of

sidewalls

32, 33.

Sidewalls

32, 33 extend vertically upward in substantially parallel relationship from opposite side edges of bottom wall 31. An upper extended end of

sidewalls

32, 33 are connected together by a horizontally extending frame means 34. As shown in FIG. 4, the forward or leading edge of bottom wall 31 is provided with a blade means 35 having a sharpened or beveled leading edge 36.

Sidewalls

32, 33 are provided with a vertically oriented reinforcing plate means 37, 38 extending along a forward edge thereof to provide the required rigidity to the sidewall construction.

As shown in FIG. 2, the bucket bottom wall 31 includes a number of openings 39 operable for mounting a conventional shank member 40. Only one set of openings 39 and one shank member 40 have been illus trated in FIG. 2, however, it is to be understood that the bottom wall 31 could be provided with a number of shank members 40 horizontally spaced across the leading edge 35.

The bucket unit 30 is pivotally supported on the forwardly extending end of booms 12, 13 by a pair of horizontally spaced supporting framework means 41, 42. Each of the supporting framework means 41, 42 includes a pair of horizontally spaced

plate members

43, 44.

Plate members

43, 44 are vertically oriented in substantially parallel relationship and are connected adjacent their lower end to the rear edge of bottom wall 31 by conventional means, such as welding. The upper ends of

plate members

43, 44 are connected to supporting arm means 45, 46. Arm means 45, 46 are connected to the horizontally extending frame member 34 in substantially parallel relationship. Arm means 45, 46 include forwardly extending

end portions

47, 48, respectively which project outwardly over the bucket bottom wall 31, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The forwardly extended ends 47, 48 are provided with sleeve means 49, 50 for providing a pivotal support for the blade means 80, as will be described in, more detail hereinbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 2-5, each of the

plate members

43, 44 includes a lower forwardly projecting portion 51 which extends underneath the bucket bottom wall 31. Connected to and extending horizontally outward from each of the forwardly projecting portions 51 is a skid plate member 52. The skid plate members 52 extend from adjacent a leading edge of the arm members 51 rearwardly and upwardly around the lower portion of

plate members

43, 44, as shown in FIG. 2.

Plate members

43, 44 are detailed in horizontally spaced relationship for receiving the forwardly extending ends of the vehicle boom means 12, 13. The vehicle boom means 12, 13 are pivotally connected to the

plate'members

43, 44 by a conventional pin means (not shown) which are inserted through pivot support means 53 provided adjacent a lower edge thereof. The upward extended ends of the vehicle lever means are pivotally connected to the

plate members

43, 44 by pivot support means 54. Levers 20 are connected to the pivot support means 54 by a conventional pin means (not shown). Downwardly extending curved plate members 55 are provided on the bucket unit 30 between the sidewalls 32, 33 and

plate members

43, 44, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The plate members 55 extend from adjacent a bottom'edge of frame element 34, downwardly along a rear edge of

sidewalls

32, 33 to a point substantially midway between frame element 34 and bottom wall 31.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the blade means 80 is constructed of an arcuate shaped plate member having a reinforcing frame means 81 extending around the rear edges thereof. Blade member 80 is provided with a removable cutting edge 82. Cutting edge 82 is removably mounted on a bottom portion of blade 80 by a series of horizontally spaced connecting bolt means 83.

As shown in FIG. 2, the rear surface of blade 80 is provided with a pair of vertically oriented and parallel arranged supporting frame means 84,85. Each of the frame means 84, 85 includes a pair of horizontally spaced, parallel arranged

plate members

86, 87.

Plate members

86, 87 are secured to the rear surface of blade by conventional means, such as welding (not shown).

Plate members

86, 87 extend from adjacent the lower cutting edge of blade 80 upwardly to a point vertically spaced above the upper edge of blade 80. Connected to an upward extended end of the

plates

86, 87 are a pair of horizontally arranged coaxially aligned

sleeve elements

88, 89. Each of the frame support members 84, are provided with a lower pivot support means 90 and an upper pivot support means 91.

Sleeves

88, 89 and pivot support means 90, 91 are detailed for providing a pivotal connection for the blade supporting linkage, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

The blade supporting frame means 84, 85 are detailed in horizontal spacing to be aligned with the bucket support arm means 45, 46, as will be described in more detail hereinbelow.

As shown in FIGS. 4-6, blade 80 is provided with a rearwardly directed latching surface portion 95. Latching surface portion 95 is detailed for latching engagement with the forwardly extending leading edge 36, of the bucket bottom wall 31, substantially as shown in FIG. 6. The function of the latching surface 95 is to provide a latching engagement between the bucket bottom wall leading edge and blade 80 for maintaining the blade in a fixed position relative to the bucket bottom wall during a bulldozing operation, whereby the forces developed against the blade 80 will be transmitted to the bucket bottom wall structure.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. 2-6, the blade 80 is supported on the supporting

framework

41, 42, 45 and 46 in operative association with bucket unit 30 for movement from a first bucket forming position, substantially as shown in FIG. 4 wherein the blade 80 is displaced rearwardly from the leading edge of the bucket bottom wall and movable to a forwardly projected bulldozer operating position, substantially as shown in FIG. 6, wherein the bulldozer blade 80 is supported forward of and beneath the leading edge 36 of bucket 30. In the forward bulldozer operating position, the blade 80 is detailed in supported relationship whereby the latching surface 95 is in latching engagement with the leading edge 36 of the bucket bottom wall 31, substantially as shown in FIG. 6.

The bulldozer blade 80 is supported on the supporting

framework

41, 42, 45 and 46 in operative association with the bucket unit 30 by a pair of linkage control assemblies 100. Linkage control assemblies are operatively connected between supporting frame means 41, 42, 45 and 46 and blade supporting frame means 84, 85. Since the linkage control assemblies 100 are identical, both of the linkage assemblies will be described concurrently. Linkage control assemblies 100 include a

pair oflink members

101, 102.

Link members

101, 102 are connected adjacent one end to the

support arm members

49, 50 by conventional connecting pins 103 and retaining clips 104. Opposite ends of

links

101, 102 are connected to the

blade sleeve members

88, 89 by pins 105 and retaining clips 106. In a connected relationship, as shown in FIG. 3,

links

101, 102 are supported on opposite horizontal edges of the

sleeve elements

49, 50, 88 and 89.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, the linkage support assemblies 100 includes a pair of link means 112, 113.

Links

112, 113 are connected adjacent one end to the upper pivot support means 91 provided on the blade supporting plate means 86, 87. Link means 112, 113 are connected to pivot support means 91 by conventional connecting pins 114 which are maintained in an assembled relationship by conventional retaining clips 115. Opposite ends of the

links

112, 113 are pivotally connected to actuating crank arm means 116 by connecting pins 117 which are maintained in assembled relationship by conventional retaining clips 118.

Yieldable link means are pivotally connected between crank arm means 116 and the blade lower pivot support means 90, as shown in FIGS. 4-6. The yieldable link means includes a pair of

link elements

120, 121. Link elements 120 are pivotally connected to the pivot connecting pins 117 adjacent one end and are pivotally connected adjacent their opposite ends to link elements 121 by connecting pins 122. The connecting pins 122 are maintained in an assembled relationship by conventional retaining clips 123. The opposite or forward ends of link elements 121 are connected to the lower pivot means 90 by connecting pins 124. Sleeve elements 125 are provided around pins 122 between the connections of

link elements

121, 122. Limit stop means 126 are provided on links 120 for abutting engagement with extending ear portions 127 formed on links 121.

Links

120, 121 are urged to a limit stop position by tension spring means 128. Tension springs 128 are connected adjacent one end to the blade support plate means 86, 87 and are connected adjacent their opposite ends to the sleeves 125 provided on the pivot pins 122. With the

link members

120, 121 urged to a limit stop position, the ear portions 127 of links 121 will be in abutting contact with the limit stops 126 formed on links 120.

Pivotal movement of the

links

120, 121 in an opposite direction from the limit stop position is effected by means of tab portions 130 formed on forwardly extending ends of crank arms 116. Tab portions 130 are detailed for abutting engagement with bracket portions 131 of link elements 120. The angular contact between tabs 130 and brackets 131 are adjustable by means of a set screw means 133 threadably supported in a conventional manner in crank arm tab portions 130. The pivotal operation of the

links

120, 121 from a limit stop position to a yielded position will be described in more detail hereinbelow in the description of the operation of the bucket control means.

As shown in FIGS. 2-6, the crank arms 116 are supported for pivotal movement on the bucket

frame supporting means

41, 42. Crank arms 116 include a sleeve portion 140 detailed in lateral dimensions to fit between the

plates

43, 44. Sleeves 140 are pivotally supported between

plates

43, 44 by means of an elongated pin means 141. Crank arm sleeves 140 include keyways 142 operative for receiving locking keys 143. Locking keys 143 are detailed for engagement within sleeve keyways 142 and complementary keyways (not shown) on pins 141 whereby the crank arms 116 are fixed to pins 141 for angular movement therewith. In an assembled relationship, pins 141 are inserted through pivot support means 145 provided in

plates

43, 44 and are held in an assembled position therein by retaining clips 146. The locking key means 143 are operative whereby angular displacement of pins 141 will effect a corresponding angular displacement of the crank arms 116.

Angular displacement of pins 141 is effected by means of hydraulic control cylinder means 150. Cylinders 150 include conventional reciprocally operable piston rod means 151. Extended ends of piston rod means 151 are connected between a pair of projecting arm means 152, 153 by conventional pin means 154. Pins 154 are maintained in an assembled relationship by retaining clips 155.

Arms

152, 153 are fixed to extended ends of pins means 141 whereby movement of

arms

152, 153 will effect pivotal movement of pins 141 and crank arms 116.

As shown in FIGS. 3-6, the upper ends of cylinders 150 are supported by pin means 155. Pin means 155 are supported adjacent one end by bracket means 156 extending rearwardly from bucket frame element 34. Opposite ends of pins 155 are supported by collar means 157 provided on the sidewalls of bucket arm frame means 45, 46. Collar means 157 are coaxially aligned relative to openings extending through the bracket means 156. Pin means 155 are secured in a fixed position relative to the brackets 156 and collars 157 by means of locking screw means 158. Thus, it can be seen that operation of hydraulic cylinder means 150 will effect movement of piston rods 151, thereby rotating crank arm means 116, as described hereinabove. The hydraulic cylinder means 150, 151 are provided with conventional supply lines 159 connected to conventional hydraulic pump means (not shown) for effecting operation of the cylinders.

In a bucket loading operation, blade is supported in a position, substantially as shown in FIG. 4, with the blade rearwardly displaced from the leading edge 36 of the bucket bottom and with the linkage assemblies displaced upwardly by operation of the hydraulic cylinder means 150. Blade 80 is detailed in horizontal dimensions to substantially fill the space between bucket sidewalls 32, 33 and will function as the bucket backwall when in a retracted rearwardly displaced position.

To utilize the blade 80 as an ejector for removing soil contained in the bucket 30, hydraulic cylinder means are operated to drive the piston rods 151 to an extended position. Movement of piston rods 151 to an extended position will effect a pivotal movement of crank arm means 116 thereby moving the blade forwardly within the bucket means to eject any material contained therein. In utilizing the blade 80 as an ejector, the blade will be moved to a position forwardly displaced from the leading edge 36 of the bucket bottom wall 31. Movement of the ejector blade 80 in an ejecting operation is controlled by the linkage assemblies 100 whereby the blade bottom cutting edge 82 will move along an arcuate path adjacent the bucket bottom wall 31 to scrape and eject any material contained thereon. The linkage assemblies 100 will allow the blade 80 to be bodily displaced in a translating motion from the rearwardly retracted bucket forming position to the forward material ejecting position. In movement of the blade 80 from the rearwardly retracted bucket forming position to the forward ejector position, blade 80 will be allowed to bodily pivot, relative to the bucket bottom 31, about the pivotal connection of crank arm pin means 117, for maintaining blade cutting edge 82 adjacent bottom wall 31.

In utilizing blade 80 in a bulldozing operation, the blade is moved from the position shown in FIG. 5 to the position shown in FIG. 6, with the blade latching surface means 95 supported in latching engagement with the forward leading edge 36 of bucket bottom wall 31. Movement of the blade 80 to a latching position is effected by continued operation of the hydraulic cylinder means 150 afte r'the blade has reached a position located slightly ahead of the bucket buttom wall 31. During movement of the blade 80 from the retracted bucket forming position to the forwardly displaced ejector position, the yieldable link means 120, 121 are maintained in a limit stop position as described hereinabove by the tension spring means 128.

A continued clockwise movement of crank arm means 116 after blade 80 reaches a predetermined position forward of bucket leading edge 36, substantially as shown in FIG. 5, will effect a downward displacement of the blade 80 until a blade abutment portion 95a contacts the leading edge 36 of bucket bottom wall 31. After abutment portion 95a contacts bucket leading edge 36, a continued clockwise movement of rotary crank arm means 116 will cause set screw means 133 to contact brackets 131 thereby effecting an angular displacement of link means 120, 121 in a direction away from their limit stop position. Movement of link means 120, 121 away from their limit stop position will effect a rearward camming displacement of abutment surface portion 95a to bring the latch means 95 into contact with the lower surface of bucket leading edge 36.

During movement of the blade 80 from the bucket forming position, to the bulldozer operating position, the blade will travel in a first direction along an arcuate path and will automatically move in a second direction in response to the blade reaching a predetermined location forward of the bucket leading edge 36. Blade 80 is held in a bulldozer operating latched position by maintaining hydraulic control cylinder means 150 in an expanded condition.

The. bulldozer blade means 80 is disengaged from latching engagement with the bucket leading edge by retracting the hydraulic cylinder means 150, which will in turn effect a counterclockwise movement of crank arms 116. A counterclockwise movement of crank arms 116 will disengage the crank arm set screw means 133 from bracket means 131. A disengagement of set screw means 133 from bracket 131 will allow the tension spring means 128 to return link means 120, 121 to their limit stop position. A return movement of link means 120, 121 to their limit stop position will advance blade 80 slightly forward to remove latching surface 95 from engagement with the bucket leading edge 36. A continued counterclockwise movement of crank arms 116 will retract the blade 80 to the bucket forming position, as shown in FIG. 4, with crank arms 116 and link means 112, 113, 120, 121 disposed within a cavity defined between the sidewalls of bucket supporting frame means 45, 46.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a modification of the blade support means is provided. The bucket 30 and blade means 80 shown in FIG. 7 are identical to the bucket and blade provided in FIGS. 1-6 above, except that the linkage means 112, 113, 120 and 121 have been omitted. In place of the

linkage

112, 113 120 and 121, fixed arm means are connected to the blade supporting plate means 86, 87 and extend rearwardly therefrom. Extended rear ends of arms 180 are connected to forwardly projecting ends of crank arms 116 by conventional pin connecting means 181. Pin means 181 extend through elongated angularly displaced slots 182 provided in arm means 180. Pin means 181 are supported in an upper limit pivotal position during movement ofthe blade between the bucket formin'g position to the ejector position and is allowed to displace downwardly along slot 182 during movement of the blade to the bulldozer operating position. Pin means 181 are urged to the upper limit pivot position within slots 182 by tension spring means 183. Tension spring means 183 are connected adjacent one end to pins 181 and are connected adjacent their opposite ends to fixed bracket means 184 extending rearwardly from blade supporting plate means 86, 87.

As shown in FIG. 7, blade plate means 86, 87 are provided with rearwardly extending bracket support means 185. Journaled for rotation rearwardly extending ends of bracket means 185 are roller elements 186. Roller elements 186 operate as abutment stop means for blade means 80 during downward displacement of the blade 80 to the bulldozer operable position. In movement of the blade 80, shown in FIG. 7, from the bucket forming position to the bulldozer operating position, pivot pins 181 will be maintained in the upper limit pivot position during movement of the blade from the rearwardly retracted bucket forming position to the forwardly displaced ejector position. After the blade 80 has reached a predetermined position forward of bucket bottom wall 31, a continued movement of crank arm means 116 will displace blade 80 downwardly until roller means 186 contact the upper surface of bucket blade 35. A continued movement of crank arm means 116 after rollers 186 have contacted blade 35, will cause pin means 181 to be displaced downwardly within elongated slots 182. A downward displacement of pin means 181 relative to slots 182 will effect a camming displacement of blade 80 rearwardly. A rearward displacement of blade 80 will cause rollers 186 to roll over the surface of bucket blade 35 to bring the blade latching surface into contact and in latching engagement with the leading edge 36 of the bucket blade element 35. Blade 80 is disengaged from the latching positionand returned to the bucket forming position by effecting operation of cylinder means to rotate crank arm means 116 in a counterclockwise direction. A counterclockwise movement of crank arm means 116 will displace pin means 181 upwardly within elongated slots 182 thereby camming blade 80 forward to remove latching surface 95 from engagement with the blade leading edge 36. After the pin means 181 reaches the upper limit pivot position within slots 182, a continued counterclockwise movement of crank arm means 116 will effect a first upward movement and then a rearwardly retracting movement of the blade 80 to the bucket forming position described hereinabove.

MODIFIED CONNECTION OF THE BLADE SUPPORTING MECHANISM pair of

links

101, 102 and retaining

pins

103, 105. In

the modified arrangement,

links

101, 102 are connected to an adjustment assembly including a pin 201 having a sleeve 202.

Links

101, 102 are connected to sleeve 202 by retianing pin 103. Also supported on pin 103 is a pair of supporting

links

204, 205. The opposite end of

links

204, 205 are supported on a retaining pin 206 inserted through sleeve 49.

As shown in FIG. 8, pin 201 includes an externally threaded portion which is inserted through an opening 207 formed on an upstanding bracket 208 mounted on the upper surface of

arms

45, 46. Pin 201 is slidable in opening 207 and is secured in a selectively set position by a pair of locking

nuts

209, 210.

The adjustable connecting assembly between support arm 45 and blade arm 84 will permit the support pin 103 to be adjusted about the axis of connecting pin 206.

As shown in FIG. 9, the linkage support assembly connected between arm 116 and blade arm 85 are identical to the linkage system described hereinabove except that the pair of links 121 has been replaced by an adjustable link 215. Adjustable link 215 includes a first link portion 216 which is pivotally attached to the lower pivot means 90 by a conventional pivot pin means 90a. Link portion 216 includes an internally threaded opening 217 adapted to receive an externally threaded second link portion 218. Threaded shank portion 218 includes a head 219 having opening 220 adapted to receive pivot pin means 122. Projecting forwardly from head portion 219 is a limit stop flange 220. Limit stop flange 220 is adapted to cooperate with a limit stop lug (not shown) provided between linkage 120 for controlling the amount of pivotal movement of links 120 relative to the adjustable link 215.

The above described adjustable linkage connecting means including adjustable pin 201 and adjustable link 215 are provided so that the supported bulldozer blade 80 can be adjusted to a detail set position relative to the bucket botton 31, whereby the lower edge of the blade will have sufficient clearance when adjusted between the bucket forming position and the bulldozer operable position. The adjustment mechanism will also ensure that the lower edge of the blade can be maintained in close proximity to the bucket bottom 31 to ensure that the material contained in the bucket will be sufficiently ejected during forward adjustment of blade 80.

Referring now particularly to FIGS. -12, an adjustment of pin 201 to effect clockwise movement of pin 103 will lower the blade relative to the bucket bottom 31 and a counterclockwise movement of pin 103 by adjustable pin 201 will raise the blade relative to the bucket bottom. Further, an adjustment to lengthen link 215 will also lower the blade relative to the bucket bottom 31 and an adjustment to shorten link 215 will raise the blade relative to the bucket bottom.

The bucket, blade and linkage support and control mechanisms are constructed of conventional metal stock material which will provide the desired rigid supporting characteristics necessary to perform bucket loading and bulldozer operations mentioned hereinabove. The fixed or rigid connections between adjacent metal stock members of the bucket and blade means are formed in a conventional manner, such as welding (not shown).

it now becomes apparent that the above described illustrative embodiments embodying the principles of the present invention are capable of obtaining the above stated objects and advantages. It is obvious that those skilled in the art may make modifications in the details of construction without departing from the spirit ofthe invention which is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit comprising, in combination:

a. means on said unit defining a portion of a bucket unit including a pair of horizontally spaced sidewalls and a bottom wall having a leading edge;

. a movable blade having a bottom edge;

. means supporting said blade on said unit for movement from a first bucket forming position with said blade displaced rearwardly of said leading edge above said bottom wall and between the rearward portions of said side walls to provide the rear wall of said bucket unit to a second bulldozer operating position with said blade bottom edge being located in front of and below said bottom wall leading edge; and,

d. means for effecting a latching engagement between the leading edge of said bottom wall and a lower portion of said blade in response to movement of said blade to said second bulldozer operating position.

2. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said blade includes a rearwardly directed shaped latching surface formed adjacent the bottom edge thereof and wherein said shaped latching surface is detailed for latching engagement with said leading edge of said bottom wall in response to movement of said blade to said second bulldozer operating position.

3. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 1 further characterized in that control means is operatively associated with said unit for effecting movement of said blade between said two positions.

4. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 1 further characterized in that said unit includes control means operatively associated with said unit for effecting movement of said blade between said two positions, said control means including first link means pivotally connected to an upper portion of said blade and further including second link means connected to an intermediate portion of said blade, said first and second link means being operatively associated with each other and with said blade whereby said blade can bodily pivot relative to said bottom wall during said movement from said first position to said second position.

5. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 1 further characterized in that control means is operatively associated with said unit for effecting movement of said blade between said two positions, said control means and said blade supporting means being operatively associated with each other whereby said blade is bodily shifted in a translating motion from said first position to said second position.

6. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit comprising, in combination:

b. a movable blade having a bottom edge;

c. means supporting said blade on said unit for movement from a first bucket forming position with said blade displaced rearwardly of said leading edge above said bottom wall and between the rearward portions of said side walls to provide the rear wall of said bucket unit to a second bulldozer operating position with said blade bottom edge being located in front of and below said bottom wall leading edge; and,

d. control means operatively associated with said unit for effecting movement of said blade between said two positions, said control means and said blade supporting means being operatively associated with each other whereby said blade is bodily shifted in a translating motion from said first position to said second position.

7. A combination. bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 6 further characterized in that said control means and said blade supporting means include first linkage means pivotally connected to and operable for supporting an upper portion of said blade, second linkage means connected to an intermediate portion of said blade, actuating means operatively connected to said second linkage means for effecting movement of said blade from said first position to said second position, and wherein said second linkage means is operatively connected to said blade for effecting said bodily translating movement of said blade from said first position to said second position in a first direction and wherein said second linkage means includes means for effecting movement of said blade in a second direction angularly disposed to said first direction in response to said blade reaching a predetermined location relative to the leading edge of said bottom wall.

8. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit comprising, in combination:

a. means on said unit defining a bucket means having a pair of horizontally spaced sidewalls and a bottom wallhaving a leading edge;

b. a bulldozer blade having a bottom edge;

0. means supporting said bulldozer blade on said unit for movement from a first bucket forming position displaced rearwardly of said leading edge to a second bulldozer operating position with said blade bottom edge being located in front of and below said bottom wall leading edge;

d. control means operatively associated with said unit for effecting movement of said bulldozer blade between said two positions, said control means including first linkage means pivotally connected to and operable for supporting an upper portion of said blade, second linkage means connected to an intermediate portion of said blade, actuating means operatively connected to said second linkage means for effecting movement of said blade from said first position to said second position, and wherein said second linkage means is operatively connected to said blade means for effecting a bodily translating movement of said blade from said first position to said second position, with said translating movement being in a first direction along a predetermined path and wherein said first and second linkage means and said actuating means are operatively associated with each other and with said blade for effecting movement of said blade in a second direction along a path angularly disposed relative to said first direction in response to said blade reaching a predetermined location relative to the leading edge of said bucket means, and

e. said second linkage means including arm means fixed to and extending rearwardly from said bulldozer blade and said actuating means including a power controlledcrank arm having an extended end pivotally connected to said rearwardly extending arm means of said blade so that a pivotal movement of said crank arm will effect said movement of said bulldozer blade between said two positions and along said two directions of movement,

said pivotal connection between said rearwardly extending arm means of said blade and said power controlled crank arm including an elongated slot and pivot pin means, said elongated slot being detailed in angular relation relative to said bulldozer blades so that sliding movement of said pivot pin means within said elongated slot means will effect a camming displacement of said bulldozer blade to a position of latching engagement with a leading edge of-said bucket means.

9. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 8 further characterized inthat said bulldozer blade includes abutment stop means detailed in location thereon for abutting contact with an upper surface portion of said bucket in response to movement of said bulldozer blade to said second bulldozer operating positions and wherein said camming operation of said pivot pin means and said elongated slot means is effective in response to abutting contact between said bulldozer blade abutment stop means and said bucket.

10. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 9 further characterized in that said elongated slot and pivot pin means includes spring biasing means for maintaining said pivot pin means in a first position with said elongated slot during a first portion of movement of said bulldozer blade from said first bucket forming position to a predetermined location relative to the leading edge of said bucket means and wherein said spring biasing means is yieldable in response to said bulldozer blade reaching said predetermined location for allowing a yielding movement of said pivot pin means relative to said elongated slot means to effect said camming displacement of said bucket means to said latched position.

11. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit comprising, in combination:

a. means on said unit defining a bucket means having a pair of horizontally spaced sidewalls and a bottom wall having a leading edge;'

b. a bulldozer blade having a bottom edge;

c. means supporting said bulldozer blade on said unit for movement from a first bucket forming position displaced rearwardly of said leading edge to a second bulldozer operating position with said blade bottom edge being located in front of and below said bottom wall leading edge;

(1. control means operatively associated with said unit for effecting movement of said bulldozer blade between said two positions, said control means ineluding first linkage means pivotally connected to and operable for supporting an upper portion of said blade, second linkage means connected to an intermediate portion of said blade, actuating means operatively connected to said second linkage means for effecting movement of said blade from said first position to said second position, and wherein said second linkage means is operatively connected to said blade means for effecting a bodily translating movement of said blade from said first position to said second position, with said translating movement being in a first direction along a predetermined path and wherein said first and second linkage means and said actuating means are operatively associated with each other and with said blade for effecting movement of said blade in a second direction along a path angularly disposed relative to said first direction in response to said blade reaching a predetermined location relative to the leading edge of said bucket means; and e. said actuating means including a pivotally movable crank arm means and said second linkage means including link means having one end pivotally connected to an extended end of said crank arm means and with a second end pivotally connected to said bulldozer blade means, and yieldable latching means operatively associated with said link means for maintaining said link means in angularly set position relative to said bulldozer blade during movement of said bulldozer blade from said first bucket forming position to a predetermined position located in front of the leading edge of said bucket means, said yieldable latch means being operable for permitting pivotal movement of said link means relative to said blade means in response to said bulldozer blade reaching said predetermined position. 12. A bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 11 further characterized in that said yieldable latch means includes a pair of link elements pivotally connected to each other and with one of said link elements being pivotally connected to said bulldozer blade means and said other link elements being pivotally connected to said second link means and wherein said link elements include limit stop means for controlling the pivotal movement of said link elements in a limit stop position in one direction and permitting the pivotal movement of said link elements in an opposite direction and wherein spring biasing means is operatively associated with said link elements for biasing said link elements to said limit stop position.

13. A bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 12 further characterized in that said actuating crank arm means includes means for effecting movement of said link elements in said opposite direction away from said limit stop position in response to said bulldozer blade reaching said predetermined location forward of said leading edge of said bucket means.

14. Apparatus as in claim 8 wherein said means for effecting movement of said bulldozer blade includes a hydraulic control cylinder means.

15. Apparatus as in claim 11 further including means for effecting a latching engagement between the leading edge of said bucket means and a lower portion of said bulldozer blade means when said last-mentioned means is in bulldozer operating position.

Claims

1. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit comprising, in combination: a. means on said unit defining a portion of a bucket unit including a pair of horizontally spaced sidewalls and a bottom wall having a leading edge; b. a movable blade having a bottom edge; c. means supporting said blade on said unit for movement from a first bucket forming position with said blade displaced rearwardly of said leading edge above said bottom wall and between the rearward portions of said side walls to provide the rear wall of said bucket unit to a second bulldozer operating position with said blade bottom edge being located in front of and below said bottom wall leading edge; and, d. means for effecting a latching engagement between the leading edge of said bottom wall and a lower portion of said blade in response to movement of said blade to said second bulldozer operating position.

6. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit comprising, in combination: a. means on said unit defining a portion of a bucket unit including a pair of horizontally spaced sidewalls and a bottom wall having a leading edge; b. a movable blade having a bottom edge; c. means supporting said blade on said unit for movement from a first bucket forming position with said blade displaced rearwardly of said leading edge above said bottom wall and between the rearward portions of said side walls to provide the rear wall of said bucket unit to a second bulldozer operating position with said blade bottom edge being located in front of and below said bottom wall leading edge; and, d. control means operatively associated with said unit for effecting movement of said blade between said two positions, said control means and said blade supporting means being operatively associated with each other whereby said blade is bodily shifted in a translating motion from said first position to said second position.

7. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 6 further characterized in that said control means and said blade supporting means include first linkage means pivotally connected to and operable for supporting an upper portion of said blade, second linkage means connected to an intermediate portion of said blade, actuating means operatively connected to said second linkage means for effecting movement of said blade from said first position to said second position, and wherein said second linkage means is operatively connected to said blade for effecting said bodily translating movement of said blade from said first position to said second position in a first direction and wherein said second linkage means includes means for effecting movement of said blade in a second direction angularly disposed to said first direction in response to said blade reaching a predetermined location relative to the leading edge of said bottom wall.

8. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit comprising, in combination: a. means on said unit defining a bucket means having a pair of horizontally spaced sidewalls and a bottom wall having a leading edge; b. a bulldozer blade having a bottom edge; c. means supporting said bulldozer blade on said unit for movement from a first bucket forming position displaced rearwardly of said leading edge to a second bulldozer operating position with said blade bottom edge being located in front of and below said bottom wall leading edge; d. control means operatively associated with said unit for effecting movement of said bulldozer blade between said two positions, said control means including first linkage means pivotally connected to and operable for supporting an upper porTion of said blade, second linkage means connected to an intermediate portion of said blade, actuating means operatively connected to said second linkage means for effecting movement of said blade from said first position to said second position, and wherein said second linkage means is operatively connected to said blade means for effecting a bodily translating movement of said blade from said first position to said second position, with said translating movement being in a first direction along a predetermined path and wherein said first and second linkage means and said actuating means are operatively associated with each other and with said blade for effecting movement of said blade in a second direction along a path angularly disposed relative to said first direction in response to said blade reaching a predetermined location relative to the leading edge of said bucket means, and e. said second linkage means including arm means fixed to and extending rearwardly from said bulldozer blade and said actuating means including a power controlled crank arm having an extended end pivotally connected to said rearwardly extending arm means of said blade so that a pivotal movement of said crank arm will effect said movement of said bulldozer blade between said two positions and along said two directions of movement, f. said pivotal connection between said rearwardly extending arm means of said blade and said power controlled crank arm including an elongated slot and pivot pin means, said elongated slot being detailed in angular relation relative to said bulldozer blades so that sliding movement of said pivot pin means within said elongated slot means will effect a camming displacement of said bulldozer blade to a position of latching engagement with a leading edge of said bucket means.

9. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 8 further characterized in that said bulldozer blade includes abutment stop means detailed in location thereon for abutting contact with an upper surface portion of said bucket in response to movement of said bulldozer blade to said second bulldozer operating positions and wherein said camming operation of said pivot pin means and said elongated slot means is effective in response to abutting contact between said bulldozer blade abutment stop means and said bucket.

11. A combination bulldozer blade and bucket unit comprising, in combination: a. means on said unit defining a bucket means having a pair of horizontally spaced sidewalls and a bottom wall having a leading edge; b. a bulldozer blade having a bottom edge; c. means supporting said bulldozer blade on said unit for movement from a first bucket forming position displaced rearwardly of said leading edge to a second bulldozer operating position with said blade bottom edge being located in front of and below said bottom wall leading edge; d. control means operatively associated with said unit for effecting movement of said bulldozer blade between said two positions, said control means including first linkage means pivotally connected to and operable for supporting an upper portion of said blade, second linkage means connected to an intermediate portion of said blade, actuating means operatively connected to said second linkaGe means for effecting movement of said blade from said first position to said second position, and wherein said second linkage means is operatively connected to said blade means for effecting a bodily translating movement of said blade from said first position to said second position, with said translating movement being in a first direction along a predetermined path and wherein said first and second linkage means and said actuating means are operatively associated with each other and with said blade for effecting movement of said blade in a second direction along a path angularly disposed relative to said first direction in response to said blade reaching a predetermined location relative to the leading edge of said bucket means; and e. said actuating means including a pivotally movable crank arm means and said second linkage means including link means having one end pivotally connected to an extended end of said crank arm means and with a second end pivotally connected to said bulldozer blade means, and yieldable latching means operatively associated with said link means for maintaining said link means in angularly set position relative to said bulldozer blade during movement of said bulldozer blade from said first bucket forming position to a predetermined position located in front of the leading edge of said bucket means, said yieldable latch means being operable for permitting pivotal movement of said link means relative to said blade means in response to said bulldozer blade reaching said predetermined position.

12. A bulldozer blade and bucket unit as described in claim 11 further characterized in that said yieldable latch means includes a pair of link elements pivotally connected to each other and with one of said link elements being pivotally connected to said bulldozer blade means and said other link elements being pivotally connected to said second link means and wherein said link elements include limit stop means for controlling the pivotal movement of said link elements in a limit stop position in one direction and permitting the pivotal movement of said link elements in an opposite direction and wherein spring biasing means is operatively associated with said link elements for biasing said link elements to said limit stop position.