US4213503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Slope control system
Assignee: Danfoss Power Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1977-01-17
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Granted: 1980-07-22
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Expires: 1997-01-17
Abstract
Abstract In a slope control apparatus for the working tool of a motor grader or other earth working machine, the slope sensor used for controlling the slope of the tool is mounted on a revolving platform the attitude of which is corrected by a factor related to the rotational angle of the tool about a vertical axis and also related to the angle of the tool with respect to the line of flight axis of the machine. The apparatus is mounted in a fashion to allow the tool to be swung to a vertical position without damage to said apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 Dwayne R. Elmberg
- 👤 Royal R. Hawkins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:57
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/76; E02F3/80; E02F3/84; E02F3/844; E02F3/845
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A control apparatus for controlling the slope of an earth working tool of an earth working machine, said machine having means for adjusting the grade and slope of said tool, the tool having frame means for supporting said tool by said machine and for allowing rotation of said tool with respect to said frame means, said apparatus comprising: housing means adapted to be fixedly secured to said frame means; slope sensor means within said housing means for sensing the slope of said tool; first means adapted to be responsive to rotation of said tool, about an axis substantially perpendicular to said frame means, and connected to said slope sensor means for providing a correction factor to said slope sensor means dependent upon the rotation of said tool; and, second means adapted to be responsive to deviations of said tool from an axis parallel to the line of flight of said machine and connected to said slope sensor means for maintaining said slope sensor means substantially parallel to the line of flight of said machine, whereby said apparatus is arranged to allow for substantially 90° rotation of said tool about the longitudinal axis of the machine without damage to said apparatus.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A control apparatus for controlling the slope of an earth working tool of an earth working machine, said machine having means for adjusting the grade and slope of said tool, the tool having frame means for supporting said tool by said machine and for allowing rotation of said tool with respect to said frame means, said apparatus comprising: housing means adapted to be fixedly secured to said frame means; slope sensor means within said housing means for sensing the slope of said tool; first means adapted to be responsive to rotation of said tool, about an axis substantially perpendicular to said frame means, and connected to said slope sensor means for providing a correction factor to said slope sensor means dependent upon the rotation of said tool; and, second means adapted to be responsive to deviations of said tool from an axis parallel to the line of flight of said machine and connected to said slope sensor means for maintaining said slope sensor means substantially parallel to the line of flight of said machine, whereby said apparatus is arranged to allow for substantially 90° rotation of said tool about the longitudinal axis of the machine without damage to said apparatus.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control apparatus of claim 1 wherein said slope sensor means include a support means and a slope sensor mounted on said support means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The control apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second means comprises a cam surface adapted to be mounted on said machine and a cam follower responsive to said cam surface to sense the deviation between said frame and said machine for maintaining said support means parallel to the line of flight of the machine.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
The control apparatus of claim 2 wherein said support means comprises a platform and wherein said first means comprises a member for supporting said platform, said member adapted to be rotated in accordance with rotation of said tool about said substantially perpendicular axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
53 words
The control apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second means comprises a cam surface adapted to be mounted on said machine and a cam follower responsive to said cam surface to sense the deviation between said frame and said machine for maintaining said platform parallel to the line of flight of the machine.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
12 words
The control apparatus of claim 5 wherein said member is vertically moveable.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
The control apparatus of claim 6 further comprising position proportional sensor means for providing a signal dependent upon the position of said slope sensor means with respect to said machine, said position proportional sensor means comprising an arm, a friction drive coupled between said cam follower and said arm, a proportional sensor responsive to the position of said arm, and limit stops for limiting the travel of said arm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control apparatus of claim 7 wherein said proportional sensor means comprises a magnetic structure mounted on said arm and a Hall effect sensor responsive to said magnetic structure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
69 words
The control apparatus of claim 1 further comprising position proportional sensor means for providing a signal dependent upon the position of said slope sensor means with respect to said machine, said position proportional sensor means comprising an arm, a friction drive coupled between said second means and said arm, a proportional sensor responsive to the position of said arm, and limit stops for limiting the travel of said arm.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control apparatus of claim 9 wherein proportional sensor means comprises a magnetic structure mounted on said arm and a Hall effect sensor responsive to said magnetic structure.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
191 words
A control apparatus for controlling the slope of an earth working tool of an earth working machine, said machine having means for adjusting the grade and slope of said tool, said tool having frame means for supporting said tool by said machine and for allowing rotation of said tool with respect to said frame means, said apparatus comprising: housing means fixedly secured to said frame means; slope sensor means within said housing means for sensing the slope of said tool; first means responsive to rotation of said tool, about an axis substantially perpendicular to said frame means, and connected to said slope sensor means for providing a correction factor to said slope sensor means dependent upon the rotation of said tool; and, second means responsive to deviations of said tool from an axis parallel to the line of flight of said machine and connected to said slope sensor means for maintaining said slope sensor means substantially parallel to the line of flight of said machine, whereby said apparatus is arranged to allow for substantially 90° rotation of said tool about the longitudinal axis of the machine without damage to said apparatus.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
191 words
A control apparatus for controlling the slope of an earth working tool of an earth working machine, said machine having means for adjusting the grade and slope of said tool, said tool having frame means for supporting said tool by said machine and for allowing rotation of said tool with respect to said frame means, said apparatus comprising: housing means fixedly secured to said frame means; slope sensor means within said housing means for sensing the slope of said tool; first means responsive to rotation of said tool, about an axis substantially perpendicular to said frame means, and connected to said slope sensor means for providing a correction factor to said slope sensor means dependent upon the rotation of said tool; and, second means responsive to deviations of said tool from an axis parallel to the line of flight of said machine and connected to said slope sensor means for maintaining said slope sensor means substantially parallel to the line of flight of said machine, whereby said apparatus is arranged to allow for substantially 90° rotation of said tool about the longitudinal axis of the machine without damage to said apparatus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The control apparatus of claim 11 wherein said slope sensor means includes a support means and a slope sensor mounted on said support means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
51 words
The control apparatus of claim 12 wherein said second means comprises a cam surface mounted on said machine and a cam follower responsive to said cam surface to sense the deviation between said frame and said machine for maintaining said support means parallel to the line of flight of the machine.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The control apparatus of claim 12 wherein said support means comprises a platform and wherein said first means comprises a member for supporting said platform, said member connected to be rotated in accordance with rotation of said tool about said substantially perpendicular axis.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
51 words
The control apparatus of claim 14 wherein said second means comprises a cam surface mounted on said machine and a cam follower responsive to said cam surface to sense the deviation between said frame and said machine for maintaining said platform substantially parallel to the line of flight of the machine.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The control apparatus of claim 15 wherein said member is vertically movable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
69 words
The control apparatus of claim 16 further comprising position proportional sensor means for providing a signal dependent upon the position of said slope sensor means with respect to said machine, said position proportional sensor means comprising an arm, a friction drive coupled between said cam follower and said arm a proportional sensor responsive to the position of said arm, and limit stops for limiting the travel of said arm.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The control apparatus of claim 17 wherein said proportional sensor means comprises a magnetic structure mounted on said arm and a Hall effect sensor responsive to said magnetic structure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
69 words
The control apparatus of claim 11 further comprising position proportional sensor means for providing a signal dependent upon the position of said slope sensor means with respect to said machine, said position proportional sensor means comprising an arm, a friction drive coupled between said second means and said arm, a proportional sensor responsive to the position of said arm, and limit stops for limiting the travel of said arm.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The control apparatus of claim 19 wherein proportional sensor means comprises a magnetic structure mounted on said arm and a Hall effect sensor responsive to said magnetic structure.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-22 | 1984-01-21 | 1984-07-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-22 | 1988-01-21 | 1988-07-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-22 | 1992-01-21 | 1992-07-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |