U.S. patent application number 13/345226 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-11 for plow blade assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to KENNAMETAL INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Timothy James Diehl, Kenneth Douglas Fouser, Terry Alan Manway, Preston Russell Raffensberger, Stephen Michael Ross. Invention is credited to Timothy James Diehl, Kenneth Douglas Fouser, Terry Alan Manway, Preston Russell Raffensberger, Stephen Michael Ross.
Application Number | 20130174452 13/345226 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48742057 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130174452 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Diehl; Timothy James ; et
al. |
July 11, 2013 |
Plow Blade Assembly
Abstract
A plow blade assembly includes a moldboard adapter plate, a
cover plate, and an articulating blade mounted between the
moldboard adapter plate and the cover plate. The articulating blade
includes a bushing assembly mounted therein, wherein the bushing
assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric
spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing. In one
aspect, the non-elastomeric spacer is positioned adjacent a top
edge of the elastomeric bushing.
Inventors: |
Diehl; Timothy James;
(Bedford, PA) ; Manway; Terry Alan; (Jeannette,
PA) ; Ross; Stephen Michael; (Greensburg, PA)
; Raffensberger; Preston Russell; (Huntingdon, PA)
; Fouser; Kenneth Douglas; (Everett, PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Diehl; Timothy James
Manway; Terry Alan
Ross; Stephen Michael
Raffensberger; Preston Russell
Fouser; Kenneth Douglas |
Bedford
Jeannette
Greensburg
Huntingdon
Everett |
PA
PA
PA
PA
PA |
US
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
KENNAMETAL INC.
Latrobe
PA
|
Family ID: |
48742057 |
Appl. No.: |
13/345226 |
Filed: |
January 6, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
37/233 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E01H 5/063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
37/233 |
International
Class: |
E01H 5/06 20060101
E01H005/06 |
Claims
1. A plow blade assembly, comprising: a moldboard adapter plate; a
cover plate; and an articulating blade mounted between the
moldboard adapter plate and the cover plate, the articulating blade
including a bushing assembly mounted therein, wherein the bushing
assembly includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric
spacer non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing.
2. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the moldboard
adapter plate includes a first aperture and the cover plate
includes a second aperture, the first aperture and the second
aperture being generally axially aligned with the non-elastomeric
spacer of the bushing assembly.
3. The plow blade assembly of claim 2, wherein a mounting bolt
extends through the first aperture, second aperture, and the
non-elastomeric spacer for connecting the moldboard adapter plate,
cover plate, and the articulating blade.
4. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-elastomeric
spacer is positioned adjacent a top edge of the elastomeric
bushing.
5. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the elastomeric
bushing is generally square.
6. The plow blade assembly of claim 5, wherein the non-elastomeric
spacer is generally square.
7. The plow blade assembly of claim 6, wherein a top portion of the
non-elastomeric spacer is generally contiguous with a top edge of
the elastomeric bushing.
8. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the articulating
blade is structured and arranged for movement relative to the
moldboard adapter plate and cover plate.
9. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the non-elastomeric
spacer has a thickness greater than a thickness of the elastomeric
bushing.
10. The plow blade assembly of claim 1, wherein the articulating
blade includes a bottom surface containing a plurality of hard
inserts for contacting a surface.
11. An articulating blade for a plow blade assembly, the
articulating blade comprising: a blade segment having a bottom
surface for contacting a surface; and a bushing assembly mounted in
the blade segment, wherein the bushing assembly includes an
elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally
located in the elastomeric bushing.
12. The articulating blade of claim 11, wherein the non-elastomeric
spacer is positioned adjacent a top edge of the elastomeric
bushing.
13. The articulating blade of claim 11, wherein the elastomeric
bushing is generally square.
14. The articulating blade of claim 13, wherein the non-elastomeric
spacer is generally square.
15. The articulating blade of claim 14, wherein a top portion of
the non-elastomeric spacer is generally contiguous with a top edge
of the elastomeric bushing.
16. The articulating blade of claim 11, wherein the non-elastomeric
spacer has a thickness greater than a thickness of the elastomeric
bushing.
17. The articulating blade of claim 11, wherein the bottom surface
of the articulating blade contains a plurality of hard inserts for
contacting the surface.
18. An articulating blade for a plow blade assembly, the
articulating blade comprising: a first blade segment having a
bottom surface for contacting a surface, the first blade segment
further having a first angled chamfer formed on an end thereof; and
a second blade segment adjacent the first blade segment also having
a bottom surface for contacting the surface, the second blade
segment further having a second angled chamfer formed on an end
thereof, wherein the first angled chamfer and the second angled
chamfer are structured and arranged for cooperating with each other
to provide for variable degrees of movement of the first blade
segment and the second blade segment relative to one another.
19. The articulating blade of claim 18, wherein the first blade
segment includes a bushing assembly mounted in the first blade
segment, wherein the bushing assembly includes an elastomeric
bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally located in the
elastomeric bushing.
20. The articulating blade of claim 18, wherein the second blade
segment includes an additional bushing assembly mounted in the
second blade segment, wherein the additional bushing assembly
includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer
non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention pertains generally to a plow blade assembly
for use in conjunction with snow plows and like vehicles, wherein
the plow blade assembly travels over the surface of a substrate
(e.g., the surface of a roadway) to remove snow and ice, as well as
other debris and material, and provide for improved impact and
performance properties.
[0002] Snow plows are well known and carry a relatively-long
moldboard which extends generally laterally (or across) of the
substrate surface being worked by the blade. It is conventional
practice to mount a snow plow blade, e.g., a cutting blade, on the
lower edge of such moldboard with the blade, in turn, extending
downwardly below the lower edge of the moldboard. The blade has a
lower leading edge that forms the working surface of the blade. The
vehicle carrying the blade then moves over the surface of the
substrate in a direction generally perpendicular to the length of
the moldboard. The blade then contacts or impacts any material
(e.g., snow and ice and other materials) on the surface of the
substrate so as to dislodge and remove the same.
[0003] In the past, such blades have been made of steel. Steel
blades have the advantage of being relatively inexpensive, but also
the disadvantage of wearing out rapidly since the scraping
operation can be a very abrasive operation. Once worn out, one must
replace the steel blade to avoid damage to the moldboard.
Replacement of the steel blade is, of course, time consuming and
represents downtime for the equipment. Thus, various techniques,
such as impregnation and hardfacing of the blade cutting edge with
carbide particles. For example, cemented carbide inserts can be
attached into or onto the blade edge in an attempt to prolong the
life of the steel blade.
[0004] While known blades appear to operate reasonably well under
the operating conditions for which they were designed, most blades
seem to embody one or more shortcomings in terms of complexity,
performance, durability, reliability, and/or cost effectiveness.
Thus, there remains a need to provide an improved blade structure,
e.g., snow plow blade that exhibits more acceptable performance
properties.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In accordance with an aspect of the invention, a plow blade
assembly includes a moldboard adapter plate, a cover plate, and an
articulating blade mounted between the moldboard adapter plate and
the cover plate. The articulating blade includes a bushing assembly
mounted therein, wherein the bushing assembly includes an
elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer non-centrally
located in the elastomeric bushing. In one aspect, the
non-elastomeric spacer is positioned adjacent a top edge of the
elastomeric bushing.
[0006] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, an
articulating blade for a plow blade assembly includes a blade
segment having a bottom surface for contacting a surface and a
bushing assembly mounted in the blade segment. The bushing assembly
includes an elastomeric bushing and a non-elastomeric spacer
non-centrally located in the elastomeric bushing.
[0007] In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, an
articulating blade for a plow blade assembly includes a first blade
segment having a bottom surface for contacting a surface, the first
blade segment further having a first angled chamfer formed on an
end thereof. The articulating blade also includes a second blade
segment adjacent the first blade segment also having a bottom
surface for contacting the surface, wherein the second blade
segment further has a second angled chamfer formed on an end
thereof. The first angled chamfer and the second angled chamfer are
structured and arranged for cooperating with each other to provide
for variable degrees of movement of the first blade segment and the
second blade segment relative to one another.
[0008] Advantageously, it will be appreciated that the plow blade
assembly of the invention provides: for better conformance to a
substrate, e.g., road surface to provide for better cleaning and/or
removal action; for improved movability to avoid obstructions,
reduce shock, and vibration and reduce damage to a road surface;
and smaller blade sections for ease of installation and
replacement, as well as improved ability to conform to the road
surface.
[0009] These and other aspects of the present invention will be
more fully understood following a review of this specification and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a plow blade assembly in
accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the plow blade assembly
shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a front view of a bushing assembly in accordance
with an aspect of the invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view of the bushing assembly shown in FIG.
3 in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a front view of a blade segment of an articulating
blade of the invention in accordance with an aspect of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a top view of the blade segment shown in FIG. 5 in
accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the blade segment shown in FIG. 5
in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 8 is a partial bottom view of adjacent blade segments
in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated a plow
blade assembly 10 in accordance with an aspect of the invention.
The plow blade assembly 10 may be mounted on or used in association
with a vehicle (not shown) for plowing or grading a surface, such
as, for example, a road surface or earth strata.
[0019] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the plow blade assembly 10
includes a moldboard adapter plate 12, a cover plate 14, and a
flexible or articulating blade 16 mounted between the moldboard
adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14. As best illustrated in
FIG. 1, the moldboard adapter plate 12 may be a continuous member.
The cover plate 14 may include multiple cover plate members 14a
corresponding to multiple articulating blade segments 16a of the
articulating blade 16. Thus, it will be appreciated that the
components of the plow blade assembly 10, i.e., the moldboard
adapter plate 12, the cover plate 14, and the articulating blade
16, may be provided in various configurations and arrangements as
desired and necessary for particular uses and applications of the
plow blade assembly 10.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 2-5, each articulating blade segment 16a
includes one or more bushing assemblies 20 mounted or formed in the
blade segment 16a. The bushing assembly 20 includes an elastomeric
bushing 22 and a non-elastomeric spacer 24 non-centrally located in
the elastomeric bushing 22. The non-elastomeric spacer 24 may be
formed of, for example, steel.
[0021] The non-elastomeric spacer 24 defines an opening 26 that is
generally axially aligned with an aperture 28 formed in the cover
plate members 14a of the cover plate 14 and another aperture 30
formed in the moldboard adapter plate 12 such that a bolt 32 may
pass therethrough and cooperate with a nut 34 for assembling the
plow blade assembly 10. It will be appreciated that other means for
assembling, connecting, or attaching the various components of the
plow blade assembly 10 may be provided in accordance with aspects
of the invention.
[0022] As described herein and illustrated in the figures, the
non-elastomeric spacer 24 is non-centrally located in the
elastomeric bushing 22. In one aspect, the non-elastomeric spacer
24 is offset from the center of the elastomeric bushing 22. In
another aspect, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 is positioned
adjacent a top edge 36 of the elastomeric bushing 22. In another
aspect, a top portion 38 of the non-elastomeric spacer 24 is
generally contiguous with the top edge 36 of the elastomeric
bushing 22. Advantageously, by positioning the non-elastomeric
spacer 24 within the elastomeric bushing 22, as described and
illustrated herein, enhanced and improved flexibility of the
articulating blade 16 can be achieved. This, in turn, provides for
improved performance and durability of the articulating blade 16
that contacts a surface which results in overall improved
performance of the plow blade assembly 10.
[0023] In another aspect of the invention, the elastomeric bushing
22 may be generally square. In addition, the non-elastomeric spacer
24 may also be generally square. However, it will be appreciated
that the elastomeric bushing 22 may be provided in other shapes and
configurations and that the non-elastomeric spacer 24 also may be
provided in other shapes and configurations. Also, the elastomeric
bushing 22 may have a different shape than the shape of the
non-elastomeric spacer 24.
[0024] In operation of the plow blade assembly 10, the articulating
blade 16 is structured and arranged for movement relative to the
moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14 as the plow blade
assembly 10, and more particularly, the articulating blade 16,
contacts a surface for providing a plowing or grading operation. In
one aspect, the relative movement of the articulating blade 16
relative to the moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14
is provided by the non-elastomeric spacer 24 having a thickness T1
that is greater than a thickness T2 of the elastomeric bushing 22.
(See, for example, FIG. 4.) Thus, when the articulating blade 16 is
arranged between the moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate
14, as described herein, the non-elastomeric spacer 24 with the
greater thickness T1 contacts the moldboard adapter plate 12 on one
side and the cover plate 14 on the opposing side so as to allow for
each blade segment 16a of the articulating blade 16 to move
relative to the moldboard adapter plate 12 and the cover plate 14.
This relative movement of the articulating blade 16, and more
particularly, the relative movement of the articulating blade
segments 16a, allows for the articulating blade 16 to remain in
more direct contact with the surface that is being plowed or
graded. It will be appreciated that the bolt 32 assembly also
contributes to the relative movement of the articulating blade
segments 16a.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 7, a bottom edge or bottom surface 40 of
the articulating blade 16 includes a plurality of hard inserts 42
for contacting a surface. The hard inserts 42 may be made of, for
example, tungsten carbide, for providing increased wear and
performance of the plow blade assembly 10.
[0026] Referring to FIGS. 5-8, another aspect of the invention
provides for increasing maneuverability of the blade segments 16a
that form the articulating blade 16. More particularly, angled
chamfers 44 are formed on opposing ends of each of the articulating
blade segments 16a. Thus, when the blade segments 16a are
positioned adjacent to one another, one angled chamfer 44 from a
first blade segment 16a cooperates with another angled chamfer on a
second blade segment 16a so as to provide for variable degrees of
movement between the two blade segments 16a. (See, for example,
FIG. 8.) It will be appreciated that the blade segments may move
more freely in an up-and-down direction and side-to-side direction
relative to one another during use of the plow blade assembly 10.
The angled chamfers 44 also advantageously operate to reduce the
amount of material that may accumulate between ends of adjacent
blade segments 16a during operation.
[0027] Whereas particular aspects of this invention have been
described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to
those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of
the present invention may be made without departing from the
invention as defined in the appended claims.
* * * * *