Tractor mounted utility grader blade

Claim 2

An implement assembly for connection with a three point hitch on the rear of a tractor comprising a main frame, a hitch assembly at the forward end of the main frame for connection with the three point hitch of the tractor, means interconnecting the main frame and hitch assembly, to shift and swing the main frame laterally in relation to the hitch assembly, an implement, means mounting the implement at the rear of the main frame for adjustable movement about a vertical axis, adjustable movement about a fore-and-aft longitudinal axis and adjustable movement about a transverse axis to enable adjustment of the implement, said hitch assembly including an arcuate transverse member, means on the arcuate member for connection with the three point hitch of the tractor, said main frame including a longitudinal beam extending rearwardly from the arcuate member, said means connecting the main frame and hitch assembly including arcuate shoes connected with the forward end of the beam and engageable with the forward and rearward arcuate surfaces of the arcuate member enabling the beam to be moved laterally of the arcuate member to offset the implement in relation to the tractor.

Claim 3

The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means enabling adjustment about a fore-and-aft longitudinal axis includes a bearing assembly extending substantially perpendicular to the rear of the implement, a supporting post assembly depending from the main frame and engaged with the bearing assembly, and a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assembly interconnecting the implemenT and the vertical post in spaced relation to the bearing assembly to enable remote control of the angular position of the implement in relation to the post about the fore-and-aft axis of the bearing assembly.

Claim 4

The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for varying the angle of the implement about a transverse axis including a depending supporting post from the main frame, a bolt and bracket assembly projecting rearwardly from the implement with the bolt extending through the bracket and post, arcuately arranged apertures and bolt assemblies spaced from the pivot bolt to enable variation in the angular position of the implement in order to vary the pitch thereof.

Claim 5

The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means connecting the implement to the rear end of the main frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis includes a substantially vertical pivot shaft supported from the rear end of said main frame, said implement being supported from said shaft for pivotal movement about the vertical axis thereof, latch means retaining the implement in angularly adjusted position about the vertical axis of the shaft, said latch means being operated remotely to enable an operator of the tractor to release the latch means to enable angular adjustment of the implement, said latch means being automatically returned to latching position.

Claim 6

The structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said pivot shaft is journaled from the main frame and includes a plate having arcuately arranged apertures therein, said latch means being in the form of a reciprocal pin mounted on the main frame for selective engagement with one of the apertures for selectively locking the plate and implement in adjusted position.

Claim 7

The structure as defined in claim 1 together with fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder means interconnecting the hitch assembly and main frame to shift and swing the beam around the arcuate member with the beam being substantially perpendicular to a tangent of the arcuate member in all relative positions thereof.

Claim 8

The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein the forward shoe on the beam engages the inner surface of the arcuate member, said forward shoe being adjustably mounted on the beam to compensate for wear against the inner surface of the arcuate member, said shoes transmitting the forces exerted by the beam to the arcuate member thereby preventing transmitting such forces to the fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assembly.

Claim 9

The structure as defined in claim 7 wherein said piston and cylinder assembly includes a linkage mechanism connected between the beam and the piston and cylinder assembly to enable a standard 8 inch stroke hydraulic piston and cylinder assembly to be employed to shift and swing the beam from one end to the other of the arcuate member.

Claim 10

The structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said means connecting the implement to the rear end of the main frame for pivotal movement about a vertical axis includes a substantially vertical pivot shaft supported from the rear end of said main frame, said implement being supported from said shaft for pivotal movement about the vertical axis thereof, latch means retaining the implement in angularly adjusted position about the vertical axis of the shaft, said latch means being operated remotely to enable an operator of the tractor to release the latch means to enable angular adjustment of the implement, said latch means being automatically returned to latching position.

Claim 11

An assembly mounting the main frame of an implement to a vehicle comprising a rigid arcuate transverse member connected with the vehicle, a connecting assembly mounted on said main frame and connected with said transverse member for arcuate movement longitudinally thereof, and means interconnecting said connecting assembly and transverse member to move the connecting assembly arcuately in both directions from a center position on the transverse member thereby enabling the implement to swing and shift in dual offset relation to the vehicle, said connecting assembly including an arcuate front shoe engageable with the front surface of the transverse member and an arcuate rear shoe engageable with the rear surface of the transverse member to oppose forces exerted on the main frame by the implement and to transmit such forces directly to the transverse member in all offset positions of the implement in relation to the vehicle thereby locking the implement in position and preventing such forces from being transmitted to the means for moving the connecting assembly on the transverse member.

Claim 12

An assembly mounting the main frame of an implement to a vehicle comprising a rigid arcuate transverse member connected with the vehicle, a connecting assembly mounted on said main frame and connected with said transverse member for arcuate movement longitudinally thereof, and means interconnecting said connecting assembly and transverse member to move the connecting assembly arcuately in both directions from a center position on the transverse member thereby enabling the implement to swing and shift in dual offset relation to the vehicle, said connecting assembly including an arcuate front shoe engageable with the front surface of the transverse member and an arcuate rear shoe engageable with the rear surface of the transverse member to oppose forces exerted on the main frame by the implement and to transmit such forces directly to the transverse member in all offset positions of the implement in relation to the vehicle thereby locking the implement in position and preventing such forces from being transmitted to the means for moving the connecting assembly on the transverse member.

Claim 13

The structure as defined in claim 10 wherein said means for moving the connecting assembly includes a fluid pressure operated piston and cylinder assembly having a standard stroke output member, and linkage means interconnecting the output member and the connecting assembly, said linkage means including means imparting a mechanical advantage to move the connecting assembly a distance greater than the movement of the output member.

Claim 14

The structure as defined in claim 10 wherein said connecting assembly includes means mounting one of said shoes for adjustment relative to the other shoe, and means interconnecting the main frame and adjustable shoe for moving the adjustable shoe toward and away from the other shoe for compensating for wear and to enable locking of the main frame and implement in offset position.

Claim 15

The structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said implement is in the form of an elongated grader blade, said pivot shaft being journaled from the main frame and includes a plate having arcuately arranged apertures therein, said latch means being in the form of a reciprocal pin mounted on the main frame for selective engagement with one of the apertures for selectively locking the plate and grader blade in adjusted position, said means enabling adjustment about a fore-and-aft longitudinal axis including a bearing assembly extending substantially perpendicular to the rear of the grader blade, a supporting post assembly depending from the main frame and engaged with the bearing assembly, and a standard, 8 inch stroke hydraulic pressure operated piston and cylinder assembly interconnecting the grader blade and the vertical post in spaced relation to the bearing assembly to enable remote control of the angular position of the grader blade in relation to the post about the fore-and-aft axis of the bearing assembly, said means for varying the angle of the grader blade about a transverse axis including a depending supporting post from the main frame, a bolt and bracket assembly projecting rearwardly from the grader blade with the bolt extending through the bracket and post, arcuately arranged apertures and bolt assemblies spaced from the pivot bolt to enable variation in the angular position of the blade in order to vary the pitch thereof.

Claim 16

The assembly as defined in claim 10 wherein the main frame of the implement extends generally radially from the transverse member whereby arcuate movement of the connecting assembly longitudinally along the arcuate transverse member is resisted by frictional engagement between the outer ends of the shoes and the front and rear surfaces of the transverse member when the implement exerts lateral forces on the main frame.