Reinforced elastomeric blade

Abstract

The present disclosure provides for a reinforced elastomeric blade having a plurality of laminated layers. The laminated layers can include at least two layers of elastomeric material at least partially separated by a fiber reinforced laminate layer or an embedded metal layer.

1 . A method of fabricating a monolithic elastomeric blade composed of elastomeric material having oriented reinforcing fibers therein, comprising:
 providing a moldable preform of elastomeric material containing oriented reinforcing fibers;   disposing said moldable and curable elastomeric material preform in a first portion of a mold cavity and extending into a chamber adjoining said mold cavity, said first portion of said mold cavity having adjoining thereto and communicating therewith a second portion of said mold cavity;   displacing said moldable elastomeric material preform from said chamber, causing flow of said elastomeric material into said second portion of said mold cavity;   reorienting, by said flow, said fibers in the elastomeric material flowing into said second portion of said mold cavity into a second fiber orientation direction, while leaving fibers in said first portion of said mold cavity as originally oriented;   curing said elastomeric material preform, thereby forming said molded article;   wherein said oriented reinforcing fibers comprise at least a first and a second laminated layer of fibers; and,   said first laminated layer of fibers and said second laminated layer of fibers separated by elastomeric material therebetween.   
     
     
         2 . A reinforced elastomeric blade comprising:
 an elastomeric blade including a plurality of laminated layers;   said laminated layers including at least two layers of elastomeric material separated by at least a first layer of reinforcing fibers;   said at least two layers of elastomeric material and said at least first layer of reinforcing fibers moldable and curable in a mold cavity to form a monolithic structure; and,   said at least first layer of reinforcing fibers coextensive with a bottom surface of one elastomeric layer and coextensive with a top surface of another elastomeric layer.   
     
     
         3 . The reinforced elastomeric blade of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 at least a third layer of elastomeric material and at least a second layer of reinforcing fibers; and,   wherein said reinforcing layers are laminated between said elastomeric layers.   
     
     
         4 . The reinforced elastomeric blade of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 said first layer of reinforcing fibers are oriented in a first direction;   said second layer of reinforcing fibers are oriented in a second direction; and,   wherein said first direction is different from said second direction.   
     
     
         5 . A reinforced elastomeric blade comprising:
 an elastomeric blade including a plurality of laminated layers;   said laminating layers including at least two layers of elastomeric material at least partially separated by an at least first embedded metal scraper blade; and,   said first scraper blade at least partially coextensive with said elastomeric blade.   
     
     
         6 . The reinforced elastomeric blade of  claim 5 , wherein said first scraper blade coextensive with said elastomeric blade. 
     
     
         7 . The reinforced elastomeric blade of  claim 5 , wherein said first scraper blade includes shape sheet metal. 
     
     
         8 . The reinforced elastomeric blade of  claim 7 , wherein said shape sheet metal is selected from the group consisting of sheet steel, sheet aluminum, wire mesh, expanded metal grating, shape perforated sheet metal, and solid sheet steel. 
     
     
         9 . The reinforced elastomeric blade of  claim 6 , wherein said first scraper blade has a first working edge and a second working edge opposed to said first working edge; and,
 said elastomeric blade selectively rotatable from said first working edge to said second working edge.   
     
     
         10 . The reinforced blade of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a second embedded metal scraper blade at least partially coextensive with said elastomeric blade; and,   wherein said first embedded metal scraper blade and said second embedded metal scraper blade are coplanar with each other and positioned on opposing edges of said elastomeric blade.   
     
     
         11 . The reinforced elastomeric blade of  claim 10 , wherein said first embedded metal scraper blade includes a first working edge;
 wherein said second embedded metal scraper blade includes a second working edge; and,   said elastomeric blade selectively rotatable from said first working edge to said second working edge.   
     
     
         12 . The reinforced elastomeric blade of  claim 10 , wherein said first and said second embedded metal scraper blades include shape sheet metal; and,
 wherein said shape sheet metal is selected from the group consisting of sheet steel, sheet aluminum, wire mesh, expanded metal grating, shape perforated sheet metal, and solid sheet steel.   
     
     
         13 . A plow blade edge kit for mounting to a mold board of a plow comprising:
 an adapter blade including mounting holes for mounting to a mold board;   an elastomeric plow blade including holes for receiving mounting bushings wherein the elastomeric plow blade is selectively mounted in a first position or a second position;   a clamp bar having holes aligned with the mounting bushings;   a plurality of fasteners passing through the holes of the clamp bar, the holes of the elastomeric plow blade, and the mounting bushings for securing the plow edge kit to the mold board; and,   a reinforcement blade including mounting holes for mounting between the elastomeric blade and the adapter blade, whereby said elastomeric blade is contiguously mounted between said clamp bar and said reinforcement blade.   
     
     
         14 . The plow blade edge kit of  claim 13 , wherein said reinforcement blade coextensive with said elastomeric blade. 
     
     
         15 . The plow blade edge kit of  claim 14 , wherein said reinforcement blade includes shape sheet metal. 
     
     
         16 . The plow blade edge kit of  claim 15 , wherein said shape sheet metal is selected from the group consisting of sheet steel, sheet aluminum, wire mesh, expanded metal grating, shape perforated sheet metal, and solid sheet steel. 
     
     
         17 . The plow blade edge kit of  claim 14 , wherein said reinforcement blade has a first working edge and a second working edge opposed to said first working edge; and,
 said reinforcement blade selectively rotatable from said first working edge to said second working edge.