Angle and tilt implement assembly

Abstract

An implement assembly (12) includes an implement (16), such as, for example, a blade (22) of a work vehicle (10), pivotally connected to a frame (14) for supporting said blade (22). The blade (22) and frame (14) are closely positioned to the front of the work vehicle (10) for maximum stability and balance of the vehicle (10). In the implement assembly (12) first apparatus (18) tilts the blade (22) generally vertically. Second apparatus (20), such as, for example, angling cylinders (40,42), moves the blade (22) to preselected angles relative to the vehicle (10). A subframe (50) is pivotally connected to the frame (14) and second apparatus (20). The blade (22) moves along the subframe (50) during tilting and with the subframe (50) to the preselected angles. Use of the subframe (50) substantially eliminates lateral movement of the angle cylinders (40,42) during tilting for close mounting of the blade ( 22) and frame (14) without interference with the tractor (10) while minimizing weight of the implement assembly (12).

We claim: 
     
       1. In an implement assembly (12) having a frame (14) having a longitudinal axis (30), an implement (16) .[.directly pivotally connected to said frame (14).]..Iadd., a pivot connection (23) defining a substantially vertical axis (24) pivotally connecting said implement (16) directly to said frame (14).Iaddend., first means (18) for controllably pivotally moving said implement (16) about said longitudinal axis (30) relative to said frame (14) and second means (20) for controllably pivotally moving said implement (16) .[.in a plane passing through said longitudinal axis (30) relative to said frame (14), said frame (14) being of a construction sufficient for supporting said implement (16).]. .Iadd.about said substantially vertical axis (24).Iaddend., the improvement comprising: a subframe (50) .Iadd.having a middle portion(52) .Iaddend.pivotally connected to said frame (14) .[.and said second means (20) and positioned adjacent and in contactable relationship with said implement (16).]. .Iadd.on said substantially vertical axis (24)at a location vertically spaced from said pivot connection (23)of said implement (16) with said frame (14) and being pivotally movable about said axis (24); .Iaddend.and   said implement (16) being .Iadd.totally supported by said frame (14)and .Iaddend.pivotally movable about said longitudinal axis (30) .[.along said subframe (50) and pivotally movable in said plane with said subframe (50).]. .Iadd.in sliding relationship with said subframe (50).Iaddend..   
     
     
       2. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim 1, wherein said subframe (50) is substantially free from forces exerted by gravity on said implement (16).  .[.3. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim 1, wherein said implement (16) is pivotally slidably movable about said longitudinal axis (30) along said subframe (50)..]. .[.4. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pivotal connection (23) of the implement (16) with the frame (14) defines a substantially vertical axis (24) and said subframe (50) is pivotally connected to said frame (14) on said vertical axis (24) and pivotally movable about said 
     
     
        vertical axis (24)..]. 5. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim .[.4.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., wherein said first means (18) is pivotally connected to the frame (14) on said vertical axis (24) and pivotally 
     
     
        movable about said vertical axis (24). 6. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim 1, wherein said first and second means (18,20) include tilt (28) and first angle (40) hydraulic cylinders, respectively, said cylinders (28,40) each having first and second ends (32,34;44,45) said first and second (32,34) ends of the tilt cylinder (28) being pivotally connected to the frame (14) and implement (16), respectively, said first and second ends (44,45) of the first angle cylinder (40) being pivotally 
     
     
        connected to the frame (14) and subframe (50), respectively. 7. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim 1, including third means (64) for maintaining said subframe (50) at a preselected position relative to said implement (16) in response to pivotally moving said implement (16) 
     
     
        about the longitudinal axis (30) .[.along said subframe (50).].. 8. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim 7, wherein said third means (64) includes a first guiding element (65) connected to the implement (16) and defining an opening (72) and wherein the subframe (50) has a first guide member (68) movably positioned in said opening (72).  .[.9. The implement assembly, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the subframe (50) has a middle portion (52) and first and second end portions (54,56) and is pivotally connected at the middle portion (52) to said frame (14) and the second means (20) includes first and second angle cylinders (40,42) each having first and second ends (44,45;46,47), said first ends (44,46) each being connected to said frame (14), said second ends (45,47) each being connected to a respective one of the first and second end portions (54,56) 
     
     
        of said subframe (50)..]. 10. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim .[.9.]. .Iadd.1.Iaddend., including first and second guiding elements (64,66) connected to said implement (16) and each being of a configuration sufficient for maintaining said first and second end portions (54,56) of said subframe (50), respectively, at respective preselected positions relative to said implement (16) in response to pivotally moving said implement (16) about said longitudinal axis (30) 
     
     
        .[.along said subframe (50).].. 11. The implement assembly (16), as set forth in claim 1, wherein said subframe (50) is of a construction sufficient for receiving and transmitting generally horizontal forces exerted on said implement (16).  .[.12. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim 1, wherein said subframe (50) has a bearing pad (58) abutting said implement (16) in response to moving said implement (16) with said subframe (50) and in slidable contact with said implement (16) in response to moving said implement (16) along said subframe (50)..]. .[.13. In an implement assembly (12) having a frame (14) having a longitudinal axis (30), a subframe (50) pivotally connected to said frame (14), an implement (16) associated with said subframe (50), first means (18) for controllably pivotally moving said implement (16) about the longitudinal axis (30) relative to said frame (14) and second means (20) for controllably pivotally moving said implement (16) in a plane passing through said longitudinal axis (30) relative to said frame (14), said frame (14) being of a construction sufficient for supporting said implement (16), the improvement comprising: said implement (16) being directly pivotally connected to said frame (14); and   said subframe (50) being positioned adjacent and in contactable relationship with said implement (16) and connected to said second means..]. .[.14. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim 13, wherein said subframe (50) is substantially free from forces of gravity exerted on said implement (16)..]. .[.15. The implement assembly (12), as set forth in claim 13, wherein said subframe (50) is of a construction sufficient for receiving and transmitting generally horizontal forces   
     
     
        exerted on said implement (16)..]. 16. An implement assembly (12), comprising: an implement (16);   a frame (14) having a longitudinal axis (30) .[.and being pivotally connected to said implement (16) and of a construction sufficient for supporting said implement (16).].; .Iadd.a pivot connection (23) pivotally connecting said implement (16) directly to said frame (14) and defining a substantially vertical axis (24) normal to said longitudinal axis (30); .Iaddend.   first means (18) for controllably pivotally moving said implement (16) about said longitudinal axis (30) relative to said frame (14), said first means (18) including a hydraulic tilt cylinder (28) having first and second ends (32,34) and being connected at the first end (32) to said frame (14) and at said second end (34) to said implement (16);   second means (20) for controllably pivotally moving said implement (16) in a plane passing through said longitudinal axis (30) relative to said frame (14), said second means (20) including a first hydraulic angle cylinder (40) having first and second ends (44,45) and being pivotally connected at the first end (44) to the frame (14) and at the second end (45) to said subframe (50);   a subframe (50) .Iadd.having a middle portion (52) .Iaddend.pivotally connected to said frame (14) .Iadd.on said substantially vertical axis (24) at a location vertically spaced from said pivot connection (23) of said implement (16) with said frame (14) in and being pivotally movable about said axis (24); .Iaddend.and positioned adjacent and in .Iadd.sliding .Iaddend.contactable relationship with said implement (16) and being substantially free from forces exerted by gravity on said implement (16);   a first guiding element (64) connected to the implement (16) and being of a configuration sufficient for maintaining said subframe (50) at a preselected position relative to said implement (16) in response to pivotally moving said implement (16) about the longitudinal axis (30) along said subframe (50); and   said implement (16) being .Iadd.totally supported by said frame (14) and .Iaddend.pivotally movable about said longitudinal axis (30) .[.along said subframe (50) and pivotally movable in said plane with said subframe (50).]..