Assembly for a motor grader

Abstract

An assembly for a motor grader is disclosed. The assembly includes a blade operatively attached to a frame of the motor grader and configured to engage a ground surface. The blade includes a first segment and a second segment. The assembly further includes a movement actuator for moving the blade with respect to the frame in a first direction. The movement actuator includes a rod member having a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is secured to the first segment of the blade and the second portion is secured to the second segment of the blade.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An assembly for a motor grader, comprising:
 a blade configured to be operatively attached to a frame of the motor grader and to engage a ground surface, the blade including a first segment and a second segment; and   a movement actuator configured for moving the blade with respect to the frame in a first direction, the movement actuator including a rod member having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being secured to the first segment of the blade and the second portion being secured to the second segment of the blade.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly of  claim 1  further comprising a bracket member movably coupled to the frame, wherein the movement actuator is supported by the bracket member. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly of  claim 2  further comprising an actuating member coupled to the bracket member and the frame, the actuating member configured for moving the blade with respect to the frame in a second direction. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the bracket member is coupled to a connecting member rotatably disposed between a pair of arms extending from the frame, and wherein the blade moves in the second direction about a rotational axis defined by the connecting member. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the movement actuator comprises a cylinder coupled to the bracket member, and wherein the rod member is slidably disposed within the cylinder to move the blade in the first direction. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the bracket member comprises:
 a first projection member defining a first aperture therein; and   a second projection member spaced apart from the first projection member, the second projection member defining a second aperture therein,   wherein the first projection member and the second projection member are configured to receive the cylinder of the movement actuator therebetween.   
     
     
         7 . The assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the cylinder of the movement actuator comprises:
 a first leg portion configured to be received within the first aperture of the first projection member; and   a second leg portion disposed opposite to the first leg portion, the second leg portion configured to be received within the second aperture of the second projection member.   
     
     
         8 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the first segment comprises:
 a first support member disposed adjacent to a first end of the blade; and   a first mounting member configured to be coupled with the first support member and the first portion of the rod member.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the second segment comprises:
 a second support member disposed adjacent to a second end of the blade; and   a second mounting member configured to be coupled with the second support member and the second portion of the rod member.   
     
     
         10 . A motor grader comprising:
 a frame;   a bracket member movably coupled to the frame;   a blade configured to be operatively attached to the bracket member to engage a ground surface, the blade including a first segment and a second segment; and   a movement actuator supported by the bracket member and configured for moving the blade with respect to the frame in a first direction, the movement actuator including a rod member having a first portion and a second portion, the first portion being secured to the first segment of the blade and the second portion being secured to the second segment of the blade.   
     
     
         11 . The motor grader of  claim 10  further comprising an actuating member coupled to the bracket member and the frame, the actuating member configured for moving the blade with respect to the frame in a second direction. 
     
     
         12 . The motor grader of  claim 11 , wherein the bracket member is coupled to a connecting member rotatably disposed between a pair of arms extending from the frame, and wherein the blade moves in the second direction about a rotational axis defined by the connecting member. 
     
     
         13 . The motor grader of  claim 10 , wherein the movement actuator comprises a cylinder coupled to the bracket member, and wherein the rod member is slidably disposed within the cylinder to move the blade in the first direction. 
     
     
         14 . The motor grader of  claim 13 , wherein the bracket member comprises:
 a first projection member defining a first aperture therein; and   a second projection member spaced apart from the first projection member, the second projection member defining a second aperture therein,   wherein the first projection member and the second projection member are configured to receive the cylinder of the movement actuator therebetween.   
     
     
         15 . The motor grader of  claim 14 , wherein the cylinder of the movement actuator comprises:
 a first leg portion configured to be received within the first aperture of the first projection member; and   a second leg portion disposed opposite to the first leg portion, the second leg portion configured to be received within the second aperture of the second projection member.   
     
     
         16 . The motor grader of  claim 10 , wherein the first segment comprises:
 a first support member disposed adjacent to a first end of the blade; and   a first mounting member configured to be coupled with the first support member and the first portion of the rod member.   
     
     
         17 . The motor grader of  claim 10 , wherein the second segment comprises:
 a second support member disposed adjacent to a second end of the blade; and   a second mounting member configured to be coupled with the second support member and the second portion of the rod member.   
     
     
         18 . The motor grader of  claim 10 , wherein the movement actuator is configured to be in communication with a hydraulic system of the motor grader to move the blade in the first direction based on an input from an operator. 
     
     
         19 . A method of operating a blade of a motor grader, the method comprising:
 receiving an input from an operator;   moving ground engaging members of the motor grader over a ground surface based on the input from the operator; and   moving the blade, via a movement actuator, in a first direction with respect to a frame of the motor grader, wherein the movement actuator comprises a cylinder supported by a bracket member of the frame and a rod member slidably disposed within the cylinder, the rod member comprise a first portion and a second portion being coupled to the blade.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising moving the blade, via an actuating member, in a second direction with respect to the frame, wherein the actuating member is coupled with the bracket member and the frame.