Linkage assembly for implements of machines

Abstract

A linkage assembly for an implement of a machine is disclosed. The machine includes a frame. The linkage assembly includes a bell crank assembly that is pivotally connected to the frame and coupled to the implement. Further, a pair of fluid cylinders are positioned generally parallel to a length of the machine. Each of the pair of fluid cylinders are connected to the frame at one end and connected to the bell crank assembly at an opposite end. The pair of fluid cylinders are extended to raise the implement.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A linkage assembly for an implement of a machine, the machine including a frame, the linkage assembly comprising:
 a bell crank assembly pivotally connected to the frame and coupled to the implement; and   a pair of fluid cylinders positioned generally parallel to a length of the machine, each of the pair of fluid cylinders being connected to the frame at one end and connected to the bell crank assembly at an opposite end, wherein the pair of fluid cylinders are extended to raise the implement.   
     
     
         2 . The linkage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the machine is a track type tractor. 
     
     
         3 . The linkage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the pair of fluid cylinders is configured to pivot relative to the frame and angularly vary relative to the length of the machine. 
     
     
         4 . The linkage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bell crank assembly includes a first bell crank lever and a second bell crank lever, each of the first bell crank lever and the second bell crank lever being respectively and pivotally coupled to the pair of fluid cylinders. 
     
     
         5 . The linkage assembly of  claim 4  further including a cross-linking member coupled between the first bell crank lever and the second bell crank lever. 
     
     
         6 . The linkage assembly of  claim 5  further including an arm coupled between the cross-linking member and the implement. 
     
     
         7 . The linkage assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the bell crank assembly includes one or more bell crank levers with a boomerang shaped structure having a fulcrum. 
     
     
         8 . The linkage assembly of  claim 7  further including a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending away from the fulcrum. 
     
     
         9 . The linkage assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the first arm portion is defined at an angular offset relative to the second arm portion. 
     
     
         10 . The linkage assembly of  claim 8 , wherein the pair of fluid cylinders are retracted to attain a lowered state of the implement, the second arm portion being inclined towards the implement in the lowered state of the implement. 
     
     
         11 . A track type tractor comprising:
 a frame;   an implement;   a linkage assembly for raising and lowering the implement relative to the frame, the linkage assembly including:
 a bell crank assembly pivotally connected to the frame and coupled to the implement; and 
 a pair of fluid cylinders positioned generally parallel to a length of the machine, each of the pair of fluid cylinders being connected to the frame at one end and connected to the bell crank assembly at an opposite end, wherein the pair of fluid cylinders are extended to raise the implement. 
   
     
     
         12 . The track type tractor of  claim 11 , wherein the pair of fluid cylinders is configured to pivot relative to the frame and angularly vary relative to the length of the machine. 
     
     
         13 . The track type tractor of  claim 11 , wherein the bell crank assembly includes a first bell crank lever and a second bell crank lever, each of the first bell crank lever and the second bell crank lever being respectively and pivotally coupled to the pair of fluid cylinders. 
     
     
         14 . The track type tractor of  claim 13  further including a cross-linking member coupled between the first bell crank lever and the second bell crank lever. 
     
     
         15 . The track type tractor of  claim 14  further including an arm coupled between the cross-linking member and the implement. 
     
     
         16 . The track type tractor of  claim 14 , wherein the bell crank assembly includes one or more bell crank levers with a boomerang shaped structure having a fulcrum. 
     
     
         17 . The track type tractor of  claim 16  further including a first arm portion and a second arm portion extending away from the fulcrum. 
     
     
         18 . The track type tractor of  claim 17 , wherein the first arm portion is defined at an angular offset relative to the second arm portion. 
     
     
         19 . The track type tractor of  claim 18 , wherein the pair of fluid cylinders are retracted to attain a lowered state of the implement, the second arm portion being inclined towards the implement in the lowered state of the implement. 
     
     
         20 . The track type tractor of  claim 18 , wherein the pair of fluid cylinders are extended to attain a raised state of the implement, the first arm portion being inclined towards the implement in the raised state of the implement.