Support Frame for Adjustable Blade Assembly

Abstract

A support frame for supporting a blade on a machine is provided. The support frame includes a lower frame section including a first leg, a second leg and a transverse portion that extends between the first leg and the second leg. Each of the first and second legs has a respective end portion and the transverse portion carries a lower connecting element configured to connect to a blade. An upper frame section includes a first leg, a second leg and a transverse portion that extends between the first leg and the second leg, each of the first and second legs having a respective end portion. The end portions of the respective first legs of the lower frame section and the upper frame section are connected together and the respective transverse portions of the lower frame section and the upper frame section are spaced from each other.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A support frame for supporting a blade on a machine, the support frame comprising:
 a lower frame section including a first leg, a second leg and a transverse portion that extends between the first leg and the second leg, each of the first and second legs having a respective end portion and the transverse portion carrying a lower connecting element configured to connect to a blade; and   an upper frame section including a first leg, a second leg and a transverse portion that extends between the first leg and the second leg, each of the first and second legs having a respective end portion;   wherein the end portions of the respective first legs of the lower frame section and the upper frame section are connected together and the respective transverse portions of the lower frame section and the upper frame section are spaced from each other.   
     
     
         2 . The support frame of  claim 1  further including at least one brace extending between the transverse portion of the lower frame section and the transverse portion of the upper frame section. 
     
     
         3 . The support frame of  claim 1  wherein each of the lower frame section and the upper frame section have an upper wall, a lower wall, an outer wall and an inner wall and wherein the inner wall of the lower frame section runs from the end portions to the lower connecting element. 
     
     
         4 . The support frame of  claim 3  further including a front brace that extends between the upper wall of the transverse portion of the lower frame section and the lower wall of the transverse portion of the upper frame section. 
     
     
         5 . The support frame of  claim 4  further including a rear brace that extends between the upper wall of the transverse portion of the lower frame section and the lower wall of the transverse portion of the upper frame section. 
     
     
         6 . The support frame of  claim 1  wherein the end portions of the upper and lower frame sections are configured for pivotal connection to a machine. 
     
     
         7 . The support frame of  claim 1  wherein first and second legs of the upper frame section each include a respective bracket configured for connection to a lift cylinder. 
     
     
         8 . The support frame of  claim 1  further including a first support bracket extending between the lower frame section and the upper frame section near where the respective first legs of the lower and upper frame sections connect together and a second support bracket extending between the lower frame section and the upper frame section near where the respective second legs of the lower and upper frame sections connect together, the first and second brackets being configured for connection to a respective angle cylinder. 
     
     
         9 . A blade assembly for a machine, the blade assembly comprising:
 a blade; and   a support frame for supporting the blade, the support frame including:
 a lower frame section including a first leg, a second leg and a transverse portion that extends between the first leg and the second leg, each of the first and second legs having a respective end portion and the transverse portion carrying a lower connecting element configured to connect to the blade; and 
 an upper frame section including a first leg, a second leg and a transverse portion that extends between the first leg and the second leg, each of the first and second legs having a respective end portion; 
 wherein the end portions of the respective first legs of the lower frame section and the upper frame section are connected together and the respective transverse portions of the lower frame section and the upper frame section are spaced from each other. 
   
     
     
         10 . The blade assembly of  claim 9  wherein each of the lower frame section and the upper frame section have an upper wall, a lower wall, an outer wall and an inner wall and wherein the inner wall of the lower frame section runs from the end portions to the lower connecting element. 
     
     
         11 . The blade assembly of  claim 10  further including a front brace that extends between the upper wall of the transverse portion of the lower frame section and the lower wall of the transverse portion of the upper frame section. 
     
     
         12 . The blade assembly of  claim 1  further including a rear brace that extends between the upper wall of the transverse portion of the lower frame section and the lower wall of the transverse portion of the upper frame section. 
     
     
         13 . The blade assembly of  claim 9  wherein the end portions of the upper and lower frame sections are configured for pivotal connection to a machine. 
     
     
         14 . The blade assembly of  claim 9  wherein the first and second legs of the upper frame section each include a respective bracket and further including a first lift cylinder pivotally connected to the bracket on the first leg and a second lift cylinder pivotally attached to the bracket on the second leg. 
     
     
         15 . The blade assembly of  claim 9  further including a first support bracket extending between the lower frame section and the upper frame section near where the respective first legs of the lower and upper frame sections connect together and a second support bracket extending between the lower frame section and the upper frame section near where the respective second legs of the lower and upper frame sections connect together and further including a first angle cylinder attached to the first bracket and a second angle cylinder attached to the second bracket. 
     
     
         16 . A machine comprising:
 a chassis;   a blade; and   a support frame for supporting the blade on the chassis, the support frame including:
 a lower frame section including a first leg, a second leg and a transverse portion that extends between the first leg and the second leg, each of the first and second legs having a respective end portion and the transverse portion carrying a lower connecting element configured to connect to the blade; and 
 an upper frame section including a first leg, a second leg and a transverse portion that extends between the first leg and the second leg, each of the first and second legs having a respective end portion; 
 wherein the end portions of the respective first legs of the lower frame section and the upper frame section are connected together and the respective transverse portions of the lower frame section and the upper frame section are spaced from each other. 
   
     
     
         17 . The machine of  claim 16  further including at least one brace extending between the transverse portion of the lower frame section and the transverse portion of the upper frame section. 
     
     
         18 . The machine of  claim 16  wherein each of the lower frame section and the upper frame section have an upper wall, a lower wall, an outer wall and an inner wall and wherein the inner wall of the lower frame section runs from the end portions to the lower connecting element. 
     
     
         19 . The machine of  claim 16  further including a front brace that extends between the upper wall of the transverse portion of the lower frame section and the lower wall of the transverse portion of the upper frame section. 
     
     
         20 . The machine of  claim 16  further including a rear brace that extends between the upper wall of the transverse portion of the lower frame section and the lower wall of the transverse portion of the upper frame section.