Movable cutting edge

Abstract

A cutting edge for earth moving equipment, the cutting edge being movably supported so as to be independently movable to change a position of the cutting edge.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cutting edge for earth moving equipment, wherein the cutting edge is movably supported so as to be independently movable to change a position of the cutting edge.  
     
     
         2 . The cutting edge recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cutting edge is pivotally supported.  
     
     
         3 . The cutting edge recited in  claim 1 , wherein the cutting edge is slidably supported.  
     
     
         4 . A cutting assembly, comprising: 
 a movably supported cutting edge; and    a driver operatively connected to said cutting edge that changes a position of said cutting edge.    
     
     
         5 . The cutting assembly recited in  claim 4 , wherein said cutting edge is pivotally supported, and said driver includes a hydraulic mover that changes an inclination of said cutting edge.  
     
     
         6 . The cutting assembly recited in  claim 4 , wherein said cutting edge is slidably supported, and said driver includes a cam that changes an extension amount of said cutting edge.  
     
     
         7 . The cutting assembly recited in  claim 4 , further including a sensor connected to said driver that senses a condition of said driver from which the position of said cutting edge is determined.  
     
     
         8 . The cutting assembly recited in  claim 5 , further including a pump connected to said hydraulic mover, a sensor connected to said hydraulic mover that senses a condition of said hydraulic mover, and a computer that controls operation of said pump based on the condition of said hydraulic mover sensed by said sensor.  
     
     
         9 . The cutting assembly recited in  claim 4 , wherein said driver is operative to change the position of said cutting edge so that said cutting edge oscillates or vibrates.  
     
     
         10 . An earth moving apparatus, comprising: 
 an implement;    a cutting edge movably supported relative to said implement; and    a driver operatively connected between said implement and said cutting edge to change a position of said cutting edge relative to said implement.    
     
     
         11 . The earth moving apparatus recited in  claim 10 , wherein said cutting edge is pivotally supported.  
     
     
         12 . The earth moving apparatus recited in  claim 10 , wherein said cutting edge is slidably supported.  
     
     
         13 . The earth moving apparatus recited in  claim 10 , further including a computer programmed to control the position of said cutting edge in accordance with a primary cutting force.  
     
     
         14 . A method of operating an earth moving apparatus having an implement and a cutting edge movably supported relative to the implement, comprising: 
 changing a position of the cutting edge without requiring a corresponding change in position of the implement.    
     
     
         15 . The method recited in  claim 14 , wherein said changing step includes changing an inclination of the cutting edge.  
     
     
         16 . The method recited in  claim 15 , wherein the inclination is changed based on a force used to cut the work surface with the cutting edge.  
     
     
         17 . The method recited in  claim 14 , wherein said changing step includes changing an amount of extension of the cutting edge.  
     
     
         18 . The method recited in  claim 17 , wherein the amount of extension is changed based on a force used to cut a work surface with the cutting edge.  
     
     
         19 . The method recited in  claim 14 , wherein the position of the cutting edge is changed in said changing step to cause an oscillatory or vibratory motion of the cutting edge.