US 4,364,439 AGranted

Implement assembly with pivot connection

AssigneeCaterpillar Tractor Co.

InventorJerrold R. Asal

Life of this patent

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Abstract

An implement assembly (12) includes an implement (16), such as a blade (22) of a work vehicle (10), connected to a frame (14) through a pivot connection (23) for pivotally supporting the blade (22). The blade (22) and frame (14) are closely positioned to the front of the work vehicle for maximum stability and balance of the vehicle (10). A first apparatus (18) tilts the blade (22) generally vertically and a second apparatus (20), such as fluid cylinders (40,42), moves the blade (22) to selected angular positions relative to the vehicle (10). The pivotal connection (23) has first, second, and third pivot axes (127,129,131) which allows the blade (22) to tilt and angle in various combinations without binding of the blade (22). A subframe (50) is pivotally connected to the frame (14) and to the second apparatus (20). The blade (22) moves along the subframe (50) during tilting, and with the subframe (50) during angling. The subframe (50) substantially eliminates lateral movement of the fluid cylinders (40,42) during angling of the blade (22) and provides for mounting of the blade (22) and frame (14) close to the front of the work vehicle (10).

Claims10

Dependent claims

In an implement assembly (12) having a frame (14) having a longitudinal axis (30), an implement (16), a pivot connection (23) defining a substantially vertical axis (24), a subframe (50) pivotally connected to said frame (14) and positioned adjacent and in contactable relationship with said implement, first means (18) for controllably pivotally moving said implement (16) about the longitudinal axis (30) relative to said frame (14) and second means (20) for controllably pivotally moving said implement (16) about said substantially vertical axis (24), said implement (16) being directly pivotally connected to said frame (14) by said pivot connection (23), the improvement comprising:

said pivotal connection (23) having first, second, and third pivot axis (127,129,131) intersecting at a common point (133), said pivotal connection (23) including a bracket (81) having upper and lower flanges (93,97), a pivot block (83) having a bore (91) and being secured between said flanges (93,97), a pin (38) having a first flange (107) having a bore (111) and a second flange (109) having a bore (113), said bores (91,111,113) forming an aligned passageway, and a pivot shaft (85) fitted within said passageway and securing said pin (38) to said block (83).

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.