Adjustable sloper blade for bulldozers

Claim 2

A sloping attachment for use with bulldozers of the type having a bulldozer blade adjustably connected to the forward end of the bulldozer body, said blade having a transversely extending lower cutting edge and having the capability of being raised and lowered as well as being pivoted about a centrally disposed, generally vertical axis disposed in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the blade and also being rotated about a centrally disposed, generally horizontal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the blade, said sloping attachment comprising: a. a hinge structure connected to the rear face of the bulldozer blade inwardly a substantial distance of one lateral margin thereof, said hinge structure defining a pivot axis extending substantially normal to the plane of the bulldozer blade; b. a generally rectangular sloper blade having a cutting edge along one margin thereof, said blade being carried by said hinge structure for movement with said bulldozer blade and independently of said bulldozer body about said pivot axis from a first position wherein said cutting edge is substantially parallel to the cutting edge of the bulldozer blade, through an arc of approximately 90° to a second position wherein said cutting edge is substantially parallel to the lateral margin of said bulldozer blade, said sloper blade being of a width that in its second position the cutting edge thereof is disposed inwardly of the lateral margin of said bulldozer blade; and c. hydraulic means interconnecting said sloping blade and said bulldozer blade for moving said sloping blade from said first position to said second position.

Claim 3

A sloping blade attachment as defined in claim 1, including a plumb gage mounted on said sloper blade for use as a guide in determining the angle of the sloper blade with respect to the bulldozer blade.

Claim 4

A sloping attachment for use with bulldozers of the type having a bulldozer blade adjustably connected to the forward end of the bulldozer body, said blade having a transversely extending lower cutting edge and having the capability of being raised and lowered as well as being pivoted about a centrally disposed, generally vertical axis disposed in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the blade and also being rotated about a centrally disposed, generally horizontal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the blade, said sloping attachment comprising: a. a hinge element rigidly connected to the rear surface of the bulldozer blade inwardly of one lateral margin thereof, including; 1. a mounting plate affixed to said rear surface of the bulldozer blade; and 2. a centrally disposed, rearwardly extending hinge pin connected to said mounting plate and defining a pivot axis lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bulldozer blade; b. a sloper blade carried by said hinge element for pivotal movement about said pivot axis from a first position wherein said blade forms a lateral extension to the bulldozer blade to a second position wherein said blade is generally perpendicular to the cutting edge of the bulldozer blade, said sloping blade comprising: 1. a generally rectangular backing board; 2. a cylindrical sleeve connected to said backing board adapted to closely receive said hinge pin of said hinge element; and 3. a cutting blade removably connected to said backing board; and c. a hydraulic assembly comprising a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to the bulldozer blade and a cooperating reciprocally movable piston rod pivotally connected to said backing board.

Claim 5

A sloping attachment for use with bulldozers of the type having a bulldozer blade adjustably connected to the forward end of the bulldozer body, said blade having a transversely extending lower cutting edge and having the capability of being raised and lowered as well as being pivoted about a centrally disposed, generally vertical axis disposed in a plane generally parallel to the plane of the blade and also being rotated about a centrally disposed, generally horizontal axis substantially perpendicular to the plane of the blade, said sloping attachment comprising: a. a hinge element rigidly connected to the rear surface of the bulldozer blade inwardly of one lateral margin thereof, including; 1. a mounting plate affixed to said rear surface of the bulldozer blade; and 2. a centrally disposed, rearwardly extending hinge pin connected to said mounting plate and defining a pivot axis lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the bulldozer blade; b. a sloper blade carried by said hinge element for pivotal movement about said pivot axis from a first position wherein said blade forms a lateral extension to the bulldozer blade to a second position wherein said blade is generally perpendicular to the cutting edge of the bulldozer blade, said sloping blade comprising: 1. a generally rectangular backing board; 2. a cylindrical sleeve connected to said backing board adapted to closely receive said hinge pin of said hinge element; and 3. a cutting blade removably connected to said backing board; and c. a hydraulic assembly comprising a hydraulic cylinder pivotally connected to the bulldozer blade and a cooperating reciprocally movable piston rod pivotally connected to said backing board.

Claim 6

A sloping attachment as defined in claim 3 including a first bracing member having at one end a cup portion of a diameter larger than the diameter of said cylindrical sleeve affixed to said hinge pin and being affixed at its opposite end to the bulldozer blade.

Claim 7

A sloping attachment as defined in claim 4 including a second brace member affixed at one extremity to said backing board proximate its outboard end and affixed at its opposite end to said cylindrical sleeve.

Claim 8

A sloping attachment as defined in claim 5 in which said cutting blade is reversably mounted on said backing board and is provided with first and second oppositely disposed earth cutting edges extending along the entire length of said blade.