Patent ID: 11905676
Assignee: nan
Field: Civil engineering (Other fields)
Classification: CPC E | IPC E

Claim 17:
18. An earth moving implement for forming a ditch when towed across ground in a forward working direction by a towing vehicle, the earth moving implement comprising:
a main frame defining a longitudinal axis extending in the forward working direction from a rear end to a front end of the frame;
a tow arm connected to the frame and arranged for connection to the towing vehicle;
two wheels rotatably supported on the main frame so as to be arranged to support the frame for rolling movement along the ground, the two wheels being spaced apart in opposing lateral directions from the longitudinal axis of the main frame along a lateral axis oriented perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis;
a blade assembly supported on the main frame comprising a plurality of earth moving blades arranged to be configured to extend rearwardly in said opposing lateral directions from a blade apex of the blade assembly such that the earth moving blades diverge rearwardly from the blade apex;
the earth moving blades including two main blades supported on the main frame, each main blade extending in a respective one of the opposing lateral directions from an inner end of the main blade pivotally coupled in proximity to the blade apex of the blade assembly to an outer end of the main blade such that the main blade is pivotal relative to the main frame about a respective upright axis; and
the earth moving blades including two outer blades operatively connected to the two main blades respectively, each outer blade extending outwardly from an inner end of the outer blade pivotal coupled in proximity to the outer end of the respective main blade to an outer end of the outer blade such that the outer blade is pivotal relative to the respective main blade about a respective upright axis;
each of the main blades and the outer blades having a bottom cutting edge arranged for cutting into the ground;
wherein pivotal movement of the outer blades relative to the main blades and pivotal movement of the main blades relative to the main frame acts to vary an overall cutting width of the bottom cutting edges of the earth moving blades in a direction of the lateral axis;
wherein the bottom cutting edges of the main blades occupy a majority of the overall cutting width of the earth moving blades;
wherein the main blades are pivotal into a working position oriented to extend rearwardly and outwardly from one another; and
wherein, in the working position of the main blades, each outer blade is pivotal relative to the respective main blade between an undeployed position in which the outer blade extends outwardly and rearwardly from the respective main blade and a deployed position in which the outer blade extends outwardly and forwardly from the respective main blade.