Blade implement and method of use

Abstract

A blade implement includes a support structure and a blade attached to a utility bucket. The blade is substantially beneath the utility bucket. A method of using the blade implement including positioning the blade against a road surface and the step of moving the blade across the road surface for road treatment.

1 . A blade implement comprising: 
 a utility bucket adapted to be attached to an industrial vehicle, the utility bucket having an open front, a closed back, a closed underside, a length, and a width,    a support structure attached to the underside of the utility bucket; and    a blade attached to the support structure and substantially beneath the utility bucket.    
   
   
       2 . The blade implement of  claim 1  wherein the support structure comprises a mounting plate approximately covering the underside of the utility bucket and permitting easy removal from the utility bucket.  
   
   
       3 . The blade implement of  claim 1  wherein the support structure comprises a swivel permitting radial movement of the blade.  
   
   
       4 . The blade implement of  claim 3  wherein the support structure further comprises a locking member for engaging the swivel and preventing radial movement of the blade.  
   
   
       5 . The blade implement of  claim 4  wherein the support structure further comprises a retainer ring adjacent the swivel for engaging the locking member and preventing radial movement of the blade.  
   
   
       6 . The blade implement of  claim 3  wherein the blade is permitted 360 degrees of movement.  
   
   
       7 . The blade implement of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of predesignated blade positions for defining a blade angle.  
   
   
       8 . The blade implement of  claim 1  wherein the blade is approximately equal to the width of the utility bucket.  
   
   
       9 . The blade implement of  claim 1  wherein the blade is only a portion of the width of the utility bucket.  
   
   
       10 . The blade implement of  claim 9  wherein the blade is positioned off-center of the utility bucket.  
   
   
       11 . The blade implement of  claim 1  wherein the industrial vehicle is a skid steer.  
   
   
       12 . The blade implement of  claim 1  wherein the industrial vehicle is an industrial loader.  
   
   
       13 . A method of using a blade implement comprising: 
 providing an industrial vehicle having a utility bucket with a closed underside and a blade attached to the underside and substantially beneath the utility bucket;    positioning the blade against a road surface; and    moving the blade across the road surface for road treatment.    
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising angling the blade relative industrial vehicle movement to permit clearing of material from the blade.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising tilting the utility bucket forward to gouge a furrow.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13  further comprising off-setting the blade relative a centerline of the bucket.  
   
   
       17 . A blade implement comprising: 
 a mounting plate adapted to be attached to an industrial vehicle;    a swivel moveably attached to the mounting plate; and    a blade attached to the swivel radially moveable beneath the mounting plate.    
   
   
       18 . The blade implement of  claim 17  further comprising a locking member attached to the swivel for engaging the mounting plate and setting a blade angle.  
   
   
       19 . The blade implement of  claim 18  further comprising a retainer ring attached to the mounting plate, the retainer ring defining locking notches for receiving the locking member.  
   
   
       20 . The blade implement of  claim 17  wherein the blade is permitted 360 degrees of movement.