Earth working – Scraper between front and rear ground supports of vehicle – Actuator for bodily shifting scraper subframe draft connection
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-20
2001-05-15
Novosad, Christopher J. (Department: 3671)
Earth working
Scraper between front and rear ground supports of vehicle
Actuator for bodily shifting scraper subframe draft connection
C172S797000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06230818
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to coupling and mounting mechanisms and, more particularly, to a blade mounting assembly for mounting a ground engaging moldboard or blade of a motor grader.
BACKGROUND ART
Work machines, such as motor graders, are used for geographic surface altering operations. Motor graders include a work implement, such as a surface altering blade or moldboard, that is movably connected to a main frame of the motor grader. Typically, the motor grader blade is suspended from the main frame by means of a drawbar and circle support assembly. The assembly has a forward end connected to the front of the motor grader main frame by a ball and socket connection, while the rearward portion of the assembly is suspended from the main frame by hydraulic actuators which permit the assembly to swing in a vertical plane about its front end. The grader blade is mounted to a circle through blade supports, and the circle is mounted for rotation relative to the drawbar and circle support assembly about an upright axis to allow an operator to locate the grader blade in an appropriate angular position relative to the assembly for performing various work functions.
In the past, while the position of the grader blade was angularly adjustable about an upright axis through rotation of the circle, and further adjustable in a vertical plane through swinging movement of the drawbar and circle support assembly about its forward end, the fore and aft longitudinal position of the grader blade relative to the motor grader main frame was fixed.
However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the longitudinal position of the grader blade relative to the main frame is critical to the proper function of the blade in a grading operation over a relatively wide range of motor grader speeds. As motor grader speed is increased beyond a certain limit in a grading operation, it is possible that the forces acting on the grader blade may cause the work machine to bounce and the grader blade to scallop the road surface. Moreover, the fixed longitudinal position of the grader blade limits blade reach and positioning capabilities, as well as limiting the ability of the operator to align the blade with other machine implements that are mounted to the motor grader.
The present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The present invention overcomes the foregoing and other shortcomings and drawbacks of motor grader drawbar and circle support assemblies heretofore known. While the invention will be described in connection with certain embodiments, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention includes all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an adjustable drawbar and circle support assembly for a motor grader is provided. The assembly includes a rearwardly positioned circle support that is adapted for mounting a circle and blade thereto for rotation about an upright axis. The assembly further includes a forwardly positioned hydraulically extensible and retractable drawbar having one end associated with the circle support and another end adapted for pivotal connection to a main frame of a motor grader. The circle support is adapted for fore and aft movement along a longitudinal axis of the motor grader main frame by hydraulic extension and retraction of the drawbar.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the drawbar comprises a hydraulic actuator including a hydraulic cylinder and an extensible and retractable piston rod. One end of the hydraulic cylinder is associated with a forward end of the circle support. The forward end of the piston rod is adapted for pivotal connection to the motor grader main frame.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the drawbar comprises a first drawbar member having one end associated with a forward end of the circle support, and a second drawbar member in telescoping relationship with the first drawbar member. The forward end of the second member is adapted for pivotal connection to the motor grader main frame. A hydraulic actuator is associated with the first and second drawbar members for extending and retracting the first and second drawbar members relative to each other to move the circle support fore and aft along the longitudinal axis of the motor grader main frame.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the attached drawings.
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Caterpillar Inc.
Novosad Christopher J.
Wood Herron & Evans LLP
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