Abstract:
The present disclosure relates to a blade for a vehicle. Previous blade designs may pose cost consideration issues and may be laborious to install onto the vehicle. The blade disclosed herein may provide a simple, cost-effective, light-weight and robust design which is relatively easy to manufacture and assemble.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a blade assembly, and more specifically to the blade assembly for a vehicle. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Construction machines for moving earth or soil may typically employ one or more blades therein. Many systems and methods are known for attaching these blades onto the construction machine. Known systems may utilize mounting arrangements to mount the blades onto the machines. However, these and other such known designs may be complex and laborious to manufacture and/or install onto the machine. Also, these solutions may pose cost consideration issues in manufacture and assembly onto the machine. 
         [0003]    Hence, there is a need for a blade with an improved mounting arrangement such that the blade and/or the mounting arrangement may be conveniently manufactured and implemented onto the construction machine. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the present disclosure, a blade is provided for a vehicle. The blade includes a main plate, a lower elongate member, an upper elongate member, and one or more mounting pads adapted for connection to the vehicle. The main plate has a front face and a rear face opposing one another. The upper and lower elongate members are disposed on the rear face and extend at least partway therealong. The upper and lower elongate members are spaced laterally apart so as to define a gap therebetween. The mounting pads are disposed within the gap, and have abutment portions configured for engagement with the rear face and the upper and lower elongate members. 
         [0005]    Other features and aspects of this disclosure will be apparent from the following description and the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a side view of an exemplary vehicle employing a blade in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a top breakaway perspective view of the exemplary vehicle of  FIG. 1 ; and 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the blade showing the rear face and various components thereon. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0009]    Wherever possible the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to same or like parts.  FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary vehicle  100  according to one aspect of the present disclosure. As illustrated, the vehicle  100  may embody a track-type tractor (TTT). In an embodiment, the vehicle  100  may embody an elevated sprocket TTT. In another embodiment, the vehicle  100  may embody an oval drive TTT. 
         [0010]    Alternatively, the vehicle  100  may be, for example, a snowplow, a backhoe loader, a skid steer loader, a wheel loader, a motor grader, and the like. Although a track-type tractor (TTT), a backhoe loader, a skid steer loader, a wheel loader, and a motor grader are disclosed herein, it may be noted that the vehicle  100  may be any wheeled or tracked vehicle employed in mining, agriculture, forestry, construction, shipping, and other industrial applications. 
         [0011]    As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the exemplary vehicle  100  may include a power source  102 , and one or more ground engaging elements  104 . The power source  102  may include, for example, a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a natural gas engine or any other type of engine commonly known in the art. 
         [0012]    In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the ground engaging elements  104  may be a pair of tracks (one track shown on one side of the vehicle  100 ). However, in alternative embodiments, the ground engaging elements  104  may be embodied as wheels. The ground engaging elements  104  may be operatively coupled to the power source  102  by a transmission system such as a gearbox (not shown) and/or a propulsion system such as axles (not shown). The power source  102  may be configured to drive the ground engaging elements  104  during operation of the vehicle  100  such that the vehicle  100  is propelled on a ground surface  106 . 
         [0013]    The present disclosure relates to a blade  108  mounted on the vehicle  100  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , the blade  108  includes a main plate  110  having a front face  112 . In an embodiment, the blade  108  may further include a scraping member  114  attached to a lower portion  116  of the main plate  110 . The scraping member  114  may be configured to scrape earth materials such as, but not limited to, soil, debris, snow, or ice when the vehicle  100  is propelled in the forward direction “A” while the front face  112  of the main plate  110  may be configured to collect and move the scraped earth materials. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , the main plate  110  of the blade  108  further includes a rear face  118  disposed in opposing relation to the front face  112  (as shown in  FIG. 1 ). The blade  108  further includes an upper elongate member  120  and a lower elongate member  122  disposed on the rear face  118 . The upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122  extend at least partway along the rear face  118  of the main plate  110 . Further, the upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122  are spaced laterally apart so as to define a gap “G” therebetween. 
         [0015]    In an embodiment, a width W 1  of the lower elongate member  122  may cover at least a third of a width W 2  of the rear face  118 . Therefore, a width of the gap “G” may depend on the relative widths W 1 , W 2  of the lower elongate member  122  and the main plate  110 , and a positioning of the upper elongate member  120  with respect to the lower elongate member  122  on the rear face  118 . Although, it is disclosed herein that the width W 1  of the lower elongate member  122  may cover at least one third of the width W 2  of the rear face  118 , it is to be noted that the respective widths and relative positioning of the main plate  110 , the lower elongate member  122 , and the upper elongate member  120  disclosed herein are merely exemplary in nature and hence, non-limiting of this disclosure. Therefore, a person having ordinary skill in the art may acknowledge that these relative widths and positioning of components may change to define gaps “G” of varying widths depending on specific requirements of an application. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the upper elongate member  120  may be generally planar. Also, a cross section of the lower elongate member  122  may be substantially U-shaped so as to define two limbs having free ends which mount to the rear face  118  of the main plate  110 . Although a planar form and a substantially U-shaped cross section are disclosed herein for the upper elongate member  120  and the lower elongate member  122  respectively, it may be noted that the specific shapes rendered to the upper elongate member  120  and the lower elongate member  122  are merely exemplary in nature. Any suitable shape may be used to form the upper elongate member  120  and the lower elongate member  122  such that the upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122  project outwardly from the rear face  118  of the main plate  110 . Explanation pertaining to the outward projection of the upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122  from the rear face  118  of the main plate  110  will be made hereinafter. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the blade  108  includes a rib  126  provided on the rear face  118  of the main plate  110 . For example, as shown, four ribs  126  are attached on the rear face  118 . One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the number of ribs  126  disclosed herein is exemplary and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The ribs  126  extend from the lower elongate member  122  towards and possibly beyond the upper elongate member  120 . In an embodiment, the ribs  126  may be tack welded to the upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122 . The projection of the upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122  away from the rear face  118  of the main plate  110  provides surface area such that welding of the ribs  126  to the upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122  may be accomplished thereon. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, the blade  108  further includes a mounting surface  128  resting upon each pair of spaced-apart adjacently located ribs  126 . In  FIG. 3 , two mounting surfaces  128  are located on the four ribs  126 . This is an exemplary arrangement and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The mounting surfaces  128  may be configured to allow connection of the blade  108  with one or more masts (not shown) configured to support at least one laser guiding device (not shown). In another embodiment of the present disclosure, it may be contemplated to mount the laser guiding devices of the vehicle  100  directly onto the mounting surfaces  128 . These laser guiding devices may be configured to sense one or more articulation parameters of the blade  108  with respect to the ground surface  106  and/or the vehicle  100 . 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the blade  108  further includes an attachment member  130  positioned on the rear face  118  and located substantially centrally between ends  132  of the main plate  110 . The attachment member  130  may extend from the lower elongate member  122  towards and possibly beyond the upper elongate member  120 . In an embodiment, the attachment member  130  may be tack welded to the upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122 . The projection of the upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122  away from the rear face  118  of the main plate  110  provides surface area for accomplishing welding of the attachment member  130  to the upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122 . 
         [0020]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the attachment member  130  includes a pair of horizontal slats  134  spaced apart from each other. The slats  134  may be configured to connect with the vehicle  100 . More specifically, the slats  134  may include co-axially aligned openings  136  configured to receive a pin  138  therethrough. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , a coupling arrangement  140  may be positioned about the pin  138 . The coupling arrangement  140  may include a first fastener  142 , and a collar  144 . The first fastener  142  may include an eyelet  146  through which the pin  138  may be inserted. Further, the first fastener  142  may include a first type of threading thereon (not shown), for example, a left handed threading. The collar  144  may have a first end  148  and a second end  150 . The collar  144  may include a pair of internal threads (not shown) at the first end  148  and the second end  150  respectively. The internal threads at the first end  148  of the collar  144  may correspond to a threading on the first fastener  142 , for example, the left handed threading. The internal threads at the second end  150  of the collar  144  may be opposite from the internal threads at the first end  148  of the collar  144 . The internal threads at the second end  150  of the collar  144  may be, for example, a right handed threading and may correspond to a threading on a second fastener  152  located on the vehicle  100 . The second fastener  152  may include threads thereon (not shown), for example, right handed threads. 
         [0022]    In order to couple the blade  108  to the vehicle  100 , the collar  144  may be rotated in a first direction, for example, a clockwise direction, about the first and second fasteners  142 ,  152 . Rotation of the collar  144  in the first direction may engage the first end  148  of the collar  144  to the first fastener  142  and the second end  150  of the collar  144  to the second fastener  152 . In this manner, the blade  108  may be connected and disposed on the vehicle  100 . 
         [0023]    Similarly, to de-couple the blade  108  from the vehicle  100 , the collar  144  may be rotated in a second direction, for example, a counter-clockwise direction about the first and second fasteners  142 ,  152 . Rotation of the collar  144  in the second direction may dis-engage the first end  148  of the collar  144  from the first fastener  142  and the second end  150  of the collar  144  from the second fastener  152 . 
         [0024]    In another embodiment of the present disclosure, the coupling arrangement  140 , disclosed herein, may be configured to adjust a pitch angle D of the blade  108  with respect to the ground surface  106 . The rotation of the collar  144  about the first and second fasteners  142 ,  152  in the first direction may pitch the blade  108  forward towards the ground surface  106  while the rotation of the collar  144  about the first and second fasteners  142 ,  152  in the second direction may pitch the blade  108  backwards and configure the blade  108  to approach an upright position. 
         [0025]    Although in the preceding embodiment, a coupling arrangement  140  including the first fastener  142 , and the collar  144  is disclosed, it may be noted that the first fastener  142 , and the collar  144  are merely exemplary in nature and hence, non-limiting of this disclosure. Alternative arrangements and structures commonly known in the art may be used to couple the blade  108  to the vehicle  100  and adjust the pitch angle D of the blade  108  with respect to the ground surface  106 . 
         [0026]    The blade  108  further includes one or more mounting pads  154 ,  156 ,  158  disposed within the gap “G” between the upper and lower elongate members  120 ,  122 . The mounting pads  154 ,  156 ,  158  are positioned between interior faces  159  of each pair of ribs  126  and configured for engagement with the rear face  118 , the upper elongate member  120 , and the lower elongate member  122  located on the main plate  110 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , one or more pairs of the ribs  126  are disposed proximate to an end  132  of the main plate. In a further embodiment, the mounting pads  154 ,  156 ,  158  are provided proximate to the ends  132  of the main plate  110 . The mounting pads  154 ,  156 ,  158  disclosed herein are adapted for connection to the vehicle  100 . 
         [0027]    In an embodiment as shown in  FIG. 2 , the mounting pads  156 ,  158  may be disposed adjacent to each other. Further, the mounting pads  154 ,  156  may be spaced apart from each other. More specifically, the mounting pads  154 ,  156  are located for connecting with a pair of yawing implements  160 ,  162  of the vehicle  100  respectively while the mounting pad  158  is located for connecting with a tilting implement  164  of the vehicle  100 . 
         [0028]    As indicated by arrows “B” and “C” respectively, the yawing implements  160 ,  162  of the vehicle  100  co-operatively act to alternatively extend and retract such that a turning motion “E” is imparted to the blade  108 . As shown by arrow “F”, the tilting implement  164  of the vehicle  100  may be configured to co-operate with the mounting pad  158  to bring about a tilting motion in the blade  108  about axis Z-Z′. 
         [0029]    Although three mounting pads  154 ,  156 ,  158  are shown and described herein, it is to be noted that the number of mounting pads is merely exemplary in nature and hence, non-limiting of this disclosure. Therefore, it is envisioned that a number of mounting pads used on the rear face  118  of the main plate  110  may change depending on a type of blade, a type of vehicle, and/or other specific requirements of an application. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , the mounting pads  154 ,  156 ,  158  have abutment portions  166  disposed thereon. The abutment portions  166  are attached to the mounting pads  154 ,  156 ,  158  and extend outward therefrom. For example, as shown in the accompanying figures, a pair of abutment portions  166  is shown on each of the mounting pad  154 ,  156 ,  158 . The abutment portions  166  on each of the mounting pads  154 ,  156 ,  158  may include co-axially aligned holes  168  therethrough to allow pivotal connection with the yawing implements  160 ,  162  and the tilting implement  164  of the vehicle  100 . 
         [0031]    The blade  108  may further include a socket member  170  located on the lower elongate member  122 . The socket member  170  is configured to connect with a ball stud  172  of the vehicle  100  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ). Further, the socket member  170  is configured to co-operate with the ball stud  172  during movement of the blade  108  with respect to the vehicle  100 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the blade  108  may further include one or more support members  174  extending from the upper elongate member  120  towards a top portion  176  of the main plate  110 . In an embodiment, the support members  174  may be tack welded to the top portion  176  of the main plate  110 , and the upper elongate member  120 . The support members  174  may be configured to provide flexure strength to the main plate  110 . Although four support members  174  are shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , it may be noted that the number of support members  174  are merely exemplary in nature and hence, non-limiting of this disclosure. Any number of support members  174  may be tack welded onto the main plate  110  and the upper elongate member  120  depending on specific requirements of an application. 
         [0033]    The blade  108  may further include a side frame segment  178  attached to each end  132  of the main plate  110 . As shown, in one embodiment, one side frame segment  178  is positioned on each end  132  of the main plate  110  respectively. An edge  180  of the side frame segment  178  may correspond to a profile of the main plate  110 . The side frame segment  178  may include an opening  182  to allow a lifting implement (not shown) such as, but not limited to, a hook, or a tackle to be inserted therethrough in order to transport the blade  108  from one location to another during assembly or service routines. 
         [0034]    In various embodiments of the present disclosure, it may be noted that the lower elongate member  122 , the upper elongate member  120 , and the mounting pads  154 ,  156 ,  158  are generally unitary components that are welded onto the rear face  118  of the main plate  110 . Additionally, the support members  174 , the attachment member  130 , the ribs  126 , and the side frame segments  178  may further be unitary components that are welded onto the rear face  118  of the main plate  110 . The connection of the aforesaid unitary components to the main plate  110  of the blade  108  may be accomplished by tack welding and use of commonly known welding processes such as, but not limited to, Tungsten Inert Gas welding (TIG), Metal Active Gas welding (MAG), Metal-Inert Gas welding (MIG) or other welding methods known in the art. Although TIG, MAG, and MIG welding methods are disclosed herein, it is merely exemplary in nature. A person having ordinary skill in the art may acknowledge that the connections may also be accomplished by other emerging welding methods such as for example, laser/arc hybrid welding. 
         [0035]    It may be further noted that as the blade  108  of the present disclosure includes unitary components such as the lower elongate member  122 , the upper elongate member  120 , the mounting pads  154 ,  156 ,  158 , the support members  174 , the attachment member  130 , the ribs  126 , the mounting surfaces  128 , and the side frame segments  178 , these unitary components may be easy to manufacture independently. Thereafter, these unitary components may be attached to the main plate  110  using simple and cost-effective methods such as, but not limited to, tack welding, TIG welding, or MIG welding. Furthermore, it may also be noted that upon attachment of the unitary components to the main plate  110 , a flexure strength of the main plate  110  may be improved thereby allowing the main plate  110  to withstand forces encountered during operation. The blade  108  may provide a light-weight design having a robust construction. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0036]    The blade  108  of the present disclosure has applicability for implementation and use in many industrial settings such as mining, construction, agriculture, forestry, and the like. Further, the blade  108  may also be employed in outdoor civic or military applications such as clearing ice or snow and/or debris from roadways or other locations. 
         [0037]    The working of the blade  108  will now be described in detail. In order to accomplish the scraping and movement of earth materials such as, but not limited to, soil, debris, snow, or ice, the vehicle  100  may be propelled in the forward direction A, as indicated in  FIG. 2 , such that the scraping member  114  may be configured to scrape the ground surface  106  while the front face  112  of the main plate  110  may be configured to collect and move the scraped earth materials. 
         [0038]    As indicated by arrow “E” in  FIG. 2 , the blade  108  disclosed herein may be turned by the yawing implements  160 ,  162 . Further, as shown by arrow “F” of  FIG. 2 , the blade  108  disclosed herein may be tilted about axis Z-Z′ by the tilting implement  164 . Turning and tilting of the blade  108  with respect to the vehicle  100  may offer an improved dexterity to the vehicle  100  over a stand-alone steering arrangement (not shown) associated with the vehicle  100 . Thus, an operator may be able to cover maximum area of the ground surface  106  in a single pass during operation in order to scrape, collect, and move around maximum amount of earth materials. 
         [0039]    Further, as shown by pitch angle “D” in  FIG. 2 , the blade  108  disclosed herein may be pitched forward or backward with respect to the ground surface  106 . The pitching of the blade  108  forward or backward with respect to the ground surface  106  may allow variation in the amount of earth materials collected on the front face  112  of the main plate  110  of the blade  108 . 
         [0040]    While aspects of the present disclosure have been particularly shown and described with reference to the embodiments above, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various additional embodiments may be contemplated by the modification of the disclosed vehicles, systems and methods without departing from the spirit and scope of what is disclosed. Such embodiments should be understood to fall within the scope of the present disclosure as determined based upon the claims and any equivalents thereof.