Laterally articulable blade for a bulldozer device or the like and method for use thereof
OwnerCliff Belcher, Jr.inventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A laterally articulable blade for a bulldozing device. A main blade portion and an articulable blade portion extend along the same elongate axis so that the blade portions are co-linear when the blade is in a "straight" configuration. A hinge is pivotally connected to both blade portions and extensible means are provided to displace and pivot the articulable blade portion with respect to the main blade portion providing for two motions. The articulable blade portion may be displaced forwardly of the main blade portion, and the rotated inwardly.
Claims16
An articulable blade for a material moving device, comprising:
- an elongate main blade portion having a curved front surface and a first lateral edge;
- an elongate articulable blade portion having a front surface and a second lateral edge adapted for substantially sealing against said first lateral edge in a first configuration of said articulable blade portion;
- and
- a hinge portion pivotally connecting said main blade portion to said articulable blade portion, said hinge portion being adapted to permit said articulable blade portion to move forwardly of and rotate toward said front surface of said main blade portion from said first configuration, wherein said front surface of said articulable blade portion forms a first angle with respect to said main blade portion to a second configuration wherein said articulable blade portion forms a second angle with respect thereto and substantially seals against said front surface of said main blade portion.
A method for adjusting the shape of a blade, comprising the steps of:
- providing a blade having an elongate main blade portion having a front surface and a first lateral edge, and an elongate articulable blade portion having a second lateral edge adapted for substantially sealing against said first lateral edge in a first configuration of said articulable blade portion;
- and
- moving said articulable blade portion forwardly of said front surface;
- and
- rotating said articulable blade portion toward said front surface from said first configuration, wherein said articulable blade portion forms a first angle with respect to said main blade portion, to a second configuration wherein said articulable blade portion forms a second angle with respect thereto and substantially seals against said front surface.
A method for moving material, comprising:
- providing a blade having an elongate main blade portion having a front surface and a first lateral edge, and an elongate articulable blade portion connected to said main blade portion and having a second lateral edge adapted for substantially sealing against said first lateral edge in a straight configuration of said articulable blade portion;
- positioning said main blade portion proximate material to be moved;
- moving said articulable blade portion forwardly of said front surface;
- and
- rotating said articulable blade portion toward said front surface from said straight configuration, wherein said articulable blade portion is substantially co-linear with said main blade portion, to a bent configuration, wherein said articulable blade portion assumes a first angular relationship thereto and substantially seals against said front surface, to gather said material inwardly of said articulable blade portion when said material is moved by said blade portions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.