Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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"An attachment for a prime mover"
The present invention relates to an attachment for a prime mover, for example,
for attaching to a wheeled
work vehicle, for clearing snow, debris and other material from a roadway, an
airport runway, an apron
around arrival and departure gates of an airport where aircraft stand during
boarding and disembarking
thereof.
Such attachments for a prime mover are known, and typically comprise a support
housing which is
coupled to the prime mover, such as, for example, a fixed chassis tractor or a
wheeled work vehicle of the
to type comprising a forward part and a rearward part with the forward and
rearward parts pivotally
connected together about a substantially vertical pivot axis for facilitating
steering of the wheeled work
vehicle. The support housing of such attachments typically comprise an
elongated cylindrical brush which
is rotatably mounted in the support housing about a geometrical central
rotational axis, and an elongated
plough blade which extends substantially parallel to the rotational axis of
the brush. The plough blade
may be coupled to the support housing to be operable in a lower operative
state for engaging or adjacent
the ground for clearing the material to be cleared and a raised upper
inoperative state spaced apart above
the ground and above the material. The brush may also be operable between a
lower operative state for
brushing material along the ground, and a raised upper state with the brush
spaced apart above the
ground.
The coupling mechanism which couples the attachment to the prime mover may be
configured for slewing
the support housing and in turn the brush and the plough blade between a
transverse state extending
transversely relative to the direction of normal forward motion of the prime
mover, and an offset state with
the plough blade extending at an offset angle relative to the transverse state
of the plough blade.
However, such attachments suffer from various disadvantages, for example, the
plough blade may be of a
fixed length, and in certain cases a longer or a shorter plough blade may be
required, which requires
replacing the plough blade with a plough blade of the desired length.
Additionally, it may or may not be
desirable to prevent spilling of material from one or both ends of the plough
blade.
There is therefore a need for an attachment for a prime mover which comprises
an elongated cylindrical
brush and a plough blade which addresses at least some of the problems of such
known attachments.
The present invention is directed towards providing such an attachment for a
prime mover, and the
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invention is also directed towards providing a prime mover comprising the
attachment. Further the
invention is directed towards a method for operating an attachment coupled to
a prime mover.
According to the invention there is provided an attachment for a prime mover,
the attachment comprising
a support element, an elongated generally transversely extending cylindrical
brush rotatably mounted in
the support element about a substantially transversely extending rotational
axis, an elongated generally
transversely extending plough blade supported on the support element, a pair
of end elements located at
respective opposite ends of the plough blade, each end element being
selectively operable relative to the
plough blade in at least a first forward state extending generally forwardly
and substantially
perpendicularly from the plough blade and a first rearward state extending
generally rearwardly and
substantially perpendicularly from the plough blade, the end elements being
selectively operable in a first
working state with both of the end elements in the first forward state, a
second working state with both of
the end elements in the first rearward state, and a third working state with
one of the end elements in the
first forward state and the other one of the end elements in the first
rearward state, and a coupling means
for coupling the support element to a prime mover with the support element in
a transverse state and with
the plough blade and the brush extending substantially transversely of the
direction of normal forward
motion of the prime mover.
In one aspect of the invention each end element is selectively operable in an
outward state with the end
element extending generally outwardly from the plough blade and substantially
longitudinally aligned with
the plough blade.
In another aspect of the invention the end elements are selectively operable
in a fourth working state with
one of the end elements in the outward state and the other one of the end
elements in one of the first
forward state and the first rearward state.
Preferably, the end elements are selectively operable in a fifth working state
with both the end elements in
the outward state.
Advantageously, each end element is selectively operable in a plurality of
intermediate states intermediate
the outward state and the first forward state.
Ideally, each end element is selectively operable in a plurality of
intermediate states intermediate the
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outward state and the first rearward state.
Preferably, each end element is selectively operable in a plurality of
intermediate states between the first
forward state and the first rearward state.
In another aspect of the invention the coupling means is configured for
selectively setting the support
element relative to the prime mover in the transverse state with the plough
blade and the brush in the
transverse state extending substantially transversely of the direction of
normal forward motion of the prime
mover and a maximum offset state with the plough blade and the brush in a
maximum offset angled state
offset at an angle greater than zero from the transverse state thereof.
In another aspect of the invention the offset angle of the plough blade in the
maximum offset angled state
from the transverse state thereof is at least 10 .
Preferably, the offset angle of the plough blade in the maximum offset angled
state from the transverse
state thereof is at least 20 .
Advantageously, the offset angle of the plough blade in the maximum offset
angled state from the
transverse state thereof is at least 30 .
Ideally, the offset angle of the plough blade in the maximum offset angled
state from the transverse state
thereof is up to 350
.
In another aspect of the invention the support element is selectively operable
in a plurality of offset states
between the transverse state thereof and the maximum offset state thereof with
the plough blade and the
brush in a corresponding offset angled state.
In a further aspect of the invention each end element is selectively operable
in a second forward state
extending from the plough blade generally forwardly and substantially parallel
to the direction of normal
forward motion of the prime mover when the plough blade is in one of the
offset angled states up to and
including the maximum offset angled state.
In another aspect of the invention each end element is selectively operable in
a second rearward state
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extending from the plough blade generally rearwardly and substantially
parallel to the direction of normal
forward motion of the prime mover when the plough blade is in one of the
offset angled states up to and
including the maximum offset angled state.
Preferably, the end elements are selectively operable in a sixth working state
with one of the end
elements in the second forward state, and the other one of the end elements in
the second rearward state.
Advantageously, the end elements are selectively operable in a seventh working
state with one of the end
elements in the outward state, and the other one of the end elements in one of
the second forward state
and the second rearward state.
Ideally, the end elements are selectively operable in an eighth working state
with both of the end elements
in the second forward state.
Preferably, the end elements are selectively operable in a ninth working state
with both of the end
elements in the second rearward state.
In one aspect of the invention each end element is operable from the first
forward state to the first
rearward state through the second forward state, the outward state and the
second rearward state.
In another aspect of the invention the end elements are urgeable between the
first forward state and the
first rearward state independently of each other.
In a further aspect of the invention each end element is pivotally coupled
relative to the plough blade
about a main pivot axis, and is pivotal between the first forward state and
the first rearward state about the
main pivot axis.
In one aspect of the invention the main pivot axis, about which each end
element is pivotally coupled
relative to the plough blade, comprises a substantially horizontally extending
main pivot axis.
In an alternative aspect of the invention the main pivot axis, about which
each end element is pivotally
coupled relative to the plough blade, comprises a substantially vertically
extending main pivot axis.
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In one aspect of the invention a main urging means is provided for urging the
end elements between the
first forward state and the first rearward state.
Preferably, a pair of the main urging means is provided, one main urging means
being provided for each
5 end element.
In one aspect of the invention each main urging means is configured to act
between the plough blade and
the corresponding end element.
In another aspect of the invention each main urging means is coupled to one of
the plough blade and the
corresponding end element through a linkage.
In another aspect of the invention each main urging means is coupled to the
corresponding end element
through the corresponding linkage.
In a further aspect of the invention each main urging means is coupled to the
plough blade.
In one aspect of the invention each main urging means comprises a main urging
ram.
In another aspect of the invention each end element comprises an extension
blade. Preferably, each end
element comprises a plate member. Advantageously, each end element comprises a
planar plate
member.
Alternatively, each end element is of arcuate cross-sectional shape.
In another aspect of the invention the transverse cross-section of each end
element is substantially similar
to the transverse cross-section of the plough blade.
In a further aspect of the invention the plough blade is of arcuate transverse
cross-section.
Preferably, the plough blade is urgeable relative to the support element
between a lower operative state
engageable with material to be ploughed and an upper inoperative state raised
above the material.
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Advantageously, the brush is urgeable relative to the support element between
a lower operative state for
brushing material from a surface and an upper inoperative state raised above
the surface.
Preferably, the plough blade and the brush are alternately operable in the
operative state and the
inoperative state, so that when one of the brush and the plough blade is in
the operative state thereof, the
other one of the brush and the plough blade is in the inoperative state
thereof.
Advantageously, the plough blade and the brush are simultaneously operable in
the respective
inoperative states.
Advantageously, the plough blade and the brush are simultaneously operable in
the operative state.
In one aspect of the invention a first actuator means is provided for urging
the plough blade relative to the
support element between the operative state and the inoperative state thereof.
In another aspect of the invention a second actuator means is provided for
urging the brush relative to the
support element between the operative state and the inoperative state thereof.
Preferably, the coupling means comprises a mounting element adapted for
coupling to the prime mover
and a load bearing arm coupling the support element to the mounting element.
In one aspect of the invention the load bearing arm is pivotally coupled to
the mounting element about a
substantially vertically extending first pivot axis, and is pivotally coupled
to the support element about a
substantially vertically extending second pivot axis.
In another aspect of the invention a link arm is pivotally coupled to the
first mounting element about a
substantially vertically extending third pivot axis and is pivotally coupled
to the support element about a
substantially vertically extending fourth pivot axis, the first and third
pivot axes being spaced apart from
each other, and the second and fourth pivot axes being spaced apart from each
other.
In a further aspect of the invention the spacing between the first and third
pivot axes is different to the
spacing between the second and fourth pivot axes for controlling movement of
the support element
relative to the prime mover between the transverse state and the maximum
offset state so that the plough
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blade remains substantially within the tracks defined by wheels of the prime
mover as the support element
is being urged between the transverse state and the maximum offset state.
Preferably, a third actuator means is provided for urging the support element
between the transverse state
and the maximum offset state.
In one aspect of the invention the third actuator means comprises an actuator
ram configured to act
between one of the mounting element and the support element, and one of the
load bearing arms and the
link arm.
In another aspect of the invention the prime mover comprises a wheeled work
vehicle.
In another aspect of the invention the wheeled work vehicle comprises a
forward part and a rearward part
pivotally coupled together about a substantially vertically extending pivot
axis for facilitating steering of the
wheeled work vehicle.
The invention also provides a prime mover comprising the attachment according
to the invention.
In one aspect of the invention the prime mover comprises a wheeled work
vehicle.
In another aspect of the invention the wheeled work vehicle comprises a
forward part and a rearward part
pivotally coupled together about a substantially vertically extending pivot
axis for facilitating steering of the
wheeled work vehicle.
Additionally the invention provides a method for operating an attachment
coupled to a prime mover by a
coupling means, wherein the attachment comprises a support element, an
elongated generally
transversely extending cylindrical brush rotatably mounted in the support
element about a substantially
transversely extending rotational axis, an elongated generally transversely
extending plough blade
supported on the support element, a pair of end elements located at respective
opposite ends of the
plough blade, each end element being selectively operable relative to the
plough blade in at least a first
forward state extending generally forwardly and substantially perpendicularly
from the plough blade and a
first rearward state extending generally rearwardly and substantially
perpendicularly from the plough
blade, the method comprising operating the coupling means to set the support
element in a transverse
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state with the plough blade and the brush extending substantially transversely
relative to the direction of
normal forward motion of the prime mover, and operating the end elements into
one of a first working
state with both of the end elements in the first forward state, a second
working state with both of the end
elements in the first rearward state, and a third working state with one of
the end elements in the first
forward state and the other one of the end elements in the first rearward
state.
Preferably, each end element is selectively operable in an outward state with
the end element extending
generally outwardly from the plough blade and substantially longitudinally
aligned with the plough blade.
Advantageously, the end elements are selectively operated in a fourth working
state with one of the end
elements in the outward state and the other one of the end elements in one of
the first forward state and
the first rearward state.
In one aspect of the invention the end elements are selectively operated in a
fifth working state with both
the end elements in the outward state.
In another aspect of the invention each end element is selectively operated in
one of a plurality of
intermediate states between the first forward state and the first rearward
state.
Preferably, the coupling means is selectively operable in one of the
transverse state with the plough blade
and the brush in the transverse state extending substantially transversely of
the direction of normal
forward motion of the prime mover and a maximum offset state with the plough
blade and the brush in a
maximum offset angled state offset at an angle greater than zero from the
transverse state thereof.
In one aspect of the invention the support housing is selectively operable
into one of a plurality of offset
states between the transverse state thereof and the maximum offset state
thereof with the plough blade
and the brush in a corresponding offset angled state.
In another aspect of the invention each end element is selectively operable in
a second forward state
extending from the plough blade generally forwardly and substantially parallel
to the direction of normal
forward motion of the prime mover when the plough blade is in one of the
offset angled states up to and
including the maximum offset angled state, and each end element is selectively
operable in a second
rearward state extending from the plough blade generally rearwardly and
substantially parallel to the
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direction of normal forward motion of the prime mover when the plough blade is
in one of the offset angled
states up to and including the maximum offset angled state.
In another aspect of the invention the end elements are selectively operated
in a sixth working state with
one of the end elements in the second forward state, and the other one of the
end elements in the second
rearward state.
In a further aspect of the invention the end elements are selectively operated
in a seventh working state
with one of the end elements in the outward state, and the other one of the
end elements in one of the
second forward state and the second rearward state.
In a further aspect of the invention the end elements are selectively operated
in an eighth working state
with both of the end elements in the second forward state.
In another aspect of the invention the end elements are selectively operated
in a ninth working state with
both of the end elements in the second rearward state.
In one aspect of the invention the plough blade is selectively urgeable
relative to the support element into
a lower operative state engageable with material to be ploughed from an upper
inoperative state raised
above the material.
In another aspect of the invention the brush is selectively urgeable relative
to the support element into a
lower operative state for brushing material from a surface to an upper
inoperative state raised above the
surface.
Preferably, the plough blade and the brush are alternately operated in the
operative state and the
inoperative state, so that when one of the brush and the plough blade is in
the operative state thereof, the
other one of the brush and the plough blade is in the inoperative state
thereof.
Advantageously, the plough blade and the brush are simultaneously operated in
the respective
inoperative states.
Advantageously, the plough blade and the brush are simultaneously operated in
the operative state.
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The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage
of the attachment
according to the invention is that the support element is operable in both a
transverse state, and a plurality
of offset states up to the respective maximum offset states, and thus, the
support element is operable
5 from one maximum offset state to the other maximum offset state through
the transverse state. This
advantage provides the further advantage that as the support element is
operated from one maximum
offset state through the transverse state to the other one of the maximum
offset states, the plough blade
and the brush are correspondingly operated from their respective maximum
offset angled states through
their respective transverse states to the other ones of their respective
maximum offset angled states.
10 Additionally, when the plough blade is in the transverse state, the end
elements of the plough blade may
be operable in a plurality of working states with both of the end elements
extending in the first forward
state, both of the end elements extending in the first rearward state or with
one of the end elements
extending in the first forward state and the other in the first rearward
state. Additionally, with the support
element slewed into one of the offset states with the plough blade in the
corresponding offset angled
state, the end elements may be operated in a plurality of further working
states with both end elements
extending in either the second forward or the second rearward states extending
generally forwardly or
generally rearwardly relative to the plough blade and parallel to the
direction of normal forward motion of
the prime mover. Further, the end elements may be operated in a number of
other working states with
both of the end elements extending in one of the second forward states, or
with both of the end elements
extending in one of the second rearward states, or with one of the end
elements extending in one of the
second forward states and the other end element extending in one of the second
rearward states, or with
both of the end elements in the outward state extending outwardly of the
plough blade and substantially
aligned therewith, or with one of the end elements in the outward state and
the other one of the end
elements extending in either the second forward state or the second rearward
state, or in the first forward
state or the first rearward state.
A further advantage of the invention is achieved by virtue of the fact that
the plough blade is operable
between an operative state adjacent the ground, and an inoperative state
raised above and spaced apart
from the ground, and also the fact that the brush is operable between an
operative state engaging the
ground and an inoperative state raised above and spaced apart above the
ground. This provides the
advantage that the plough blade can be operated in the operative state with
the brush in the inoperative
state, and vice versa with the plough blade in the inoperative state and the
brush in the operative state.
Additionally, both the brush and the plough blade can be operated
simultaneously in the operative states,
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and also can be operated simultaneously in the inoperative states.
A particularly important advantage of the invention is that it provides a
single attachment for a prime
mover, which can be operated to collect material when the plough blade and the
end elements are
operated as a box plough, to spill material at one or both ends of the plough
blade, and to sweep material.
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description
of some preferred
embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, with reference to
the accompanying
drawings, in which:
Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a prime mover according to the invention
comprising an attachment
also according to the invention forwardly coupled to the prime mover for
clearing material, such
as snow and other debris on a road, an airport runway, an apron of an airport
on which aircraft
stand and any other areas where it is desired to clear snow and other debris,
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the prime mover and the attachment of Fig. 1
illustrating the
attachment in a different state to that of Fig. 1,
Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a prime mover and the attachment of Fig. 1
illustrating the attachment
in another different state to that of Fig. 1,
Fig. 4 is an enlarged top plan view of the attachment of Fig. 1 illustrated in
the state of Fig. 1,
Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 1 in the state of
Fig. 1,
Fig. 6 is a side elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 1 in the state of
Fig. 1 with a portion of
the attachment in a different state to that of Fig. 1,
Fig. 7 is a front elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 1,
Fig. 8 is a front elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 1 with portions
of the attachment in the
state of Fig. 6,
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Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 1 with a portion
of the attachment in a
different state to that of Fig. 1,
Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 1 with the
portion of Fig. 9 in the state
of Fig. 9,
Figs. 11(a) to 11(l) are schematic top plan views of the attachment of Fig. 1
with portions of the
attachment in respective different states,
Fig. 12 is a top plan view of a prime mover and an attachment according to
another embodiment
of the invention,
Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the prime mover and the attachment of Fig. 12
with the attachment in
a different state to that of Fig. 12,
Fig. 14 is a top plan view of the prime mover and the attachment of Fig. 12
with the attachment in
a different state to that of Fig. 12,
Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Fig. 16 is another top plan view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Fig. 17 is another top plan view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Fig. 18 is another top plan view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Fig. 19 is another top plan view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Fig. 20 is a side elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Fig. 21 is another side elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Fig. 22 is another side elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
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Fig. 23 is another side elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Fig. 24 is a front elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Fig. 25 is another front elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Fig. 26 is another front elevational view of the attachment of Fig. 12,
Figs. 27(a) to 27(r) are schematic top plan views of the attachment of Fig. 12
in a plurality of
different states,
The drawings are not to scale, and for convenience various parts have been
omitted from some of the
drawings. In general, the drawings show various parts of the attachment in
different states in which the
attachment is operable, but not all operable states of the attachment are
illustrated.
Referring now to Figs. 1 to 11 of the drawings, there is illustrated an
attachment according to the
invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 1, for attaching to a
prime mover, in this case a
wheeled work vehicle 2. The attachment 1 is particularly suitable for clearing
material, such as snow or
other debris from a road, an airport runway or an airport apron on which
aircraft stand. The attachment 1
comprises a support element, namely, a support housing 3, an elongated plough
blade 4 mounted on the
support housing 3 for clearing snow or other debris, and an elongated
cylindrical brush 5 rotatably
mounted in the support housing 3 about a geometrical central rotational axis 6
for brushing the material
such as snow and other debris. The support housing 3, the plough blade 4 and
the brush 5 will be
described in detail below. A coupling means comprising a coupling mechanism 7,
which will also be
described below, couples the attachment 1 to the front 8 of the wheeled work
vehicle 2.
The wheeled work vehicle 2 comprises a forward part 9 and a rearward part 10
which are pivotally
coupled together about a substantially vertically extending pivot axis 11 for
facilitating steering of the
wheeled work vehicle 2. Such wheeled work vehicles as the wheeled work vehicle
2 will be well known to
those skilled in the art, and further description should not be required.
The plough blade 4 is of arcuate transverse cross-section, which for
convenience in the drawings is
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illustrated as being of planar transverse cross-section, although the plough
blade 40 may be a planar
plough blade. A pair of first carrier arms 12 extending rearwardly from the
plough blade 4 adjacent
respective opposite ends 15 and 16 thereof are pivotally carried on the
support housing 3 on respective
pivot shafts 17. The pivot shafts 17 define a common first pivot axis 18 about
which the plough blade 4 is
pivotal relative to the support housing 3 between a lower operative state,
illustrated in Fig. 5 for engaging
material on the ground to be ploughed, and an upper inoperative state
illustrated in Fig. 9 spaced apart
above the ground. The pivot shafts 17 are configured so that the first pivot
axis 18 extends parallel to the
rotational axis 6 of the brush 5, and the plough blade 4 extends parallel to
the rotational axis 6 of the
brush 5. A first actuator means, namely, a pair of hydraulically powered blade
actuator rams 19 acting
between the support housing 3 and the respective first carrier arms 12 on
respective opposite ends of the
support housing 3 urge the plough blade 14 between the lower operative state
and the upper inoperative
state. One of the blade actuator rams 19 is illustrated in Fig. 5.
A pair of second carrier arms 20 are pivotally carried on the support housing
3 at respective opposite ends
thereof on pivot shafts 22. The second carrier arms 20 rotatably carry a brush
shaft 24 in bearings (not
shown), and the brush 5 is rigidly mounted on and coaxial with the brush shaft
24. The brush shaft 24
defines the rotational axis 6 about which the brush 5 is rotatable in the
support housing 3. The pivot
shafts 22 define a common second pivot axis 25 about which the brush 5 is
pivotal between a lower
operative state, illustrated in Fig. 9, engageable with the ground for
brushing material along the ground,
and an upper inoperative state, illustrated in Fig. 5 spaced apart above the
ground. A pair of second
actuator means, namely, a pair of hydraulically operated brush actuator rams
27 acting between the
support housing 3 and the second carrier arms 20 on respective opposite ends
of the support housing 3
urge the second carrier arms 20, and in turn the brush 5 about the second
pivot axis 25 between the lower
operative state and the upper inoperative state. One of the brush actuator
rams 27 is illustrated in Fig. 5.
In this embodiment of the invention the blade and the brush actuator rams 19
and 27 are operable for
selectively urging the plough blade 4 and the brush 5 alternately into the
operative state and the
inoperative state, so that when one of the plough blade 4 and the brush 5 is
in the operative state, the
other one of the plough blade 4 and the brush 5 is in the inoperative state.
Additionally, the blade and the
brush actuator rams 19 and 27 are operable for simultaneously operating the
plough blade 4 and the
brush 5 into the inoperative state for allowing the attachment 1 to be
transported from one site to another
with both the plough blade 4 and the brush 5 in the upper inoperative states.
The blade and the brush
actuator rams 19 and 27 are also operable for urging the plough blade 4 and
the brush 5 simultaneously
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into the lower operative state, so that the brush 5 can brush any remaining
material on and in a path
cleared by the plough blade 4 as the attachment 1 is being urged forwardly in
the direction of the arrow A
by the wheeled work vehicle 2.
5 A drive motor 29 illustrated in Fig. 5 is carried on one of the second
carrier arms 20 and drives the brush
shaft 24 through a chain and sprocket drive transmission 30 for in turn
rotating the brush 5 about the
rotational axis 6.
The coupling mechanism 7 for coupling the support housing 3 to the wheeled
work vehicle 2 comprises a
10 mounting element 32 for releasably coupling to the front end 8 of the
forward part 9 of the wheeled work
vehicle 2. A load bearing carrier arm 35 which extends forwardly from the
mounting element 32 is
pivotally coupled to the mounting element 32 about a substantially vertically
extending first vertical pivot
axis 36. The support housing 3 is pivotally coupled to the load bearing
carrier arm 35 about a
substantially vertically extending second vertical pivot axis 37 which
substantially cuts the rotational axis 6
15 about which the cylindrical brush 5 is rotatable.
The support housing 3 is coupled to the mounting element 32 by the load
bearing arm 35, so that the
support housing 3 is slewable from a transverse state illustrated in Fig. 1
with the support housing 3
extending substantially transversely of the direction of normal forward motion
of the wheeled work vehicle
2, which is indicated by the arrow A, to either one of a pair of maximum
offset states with the support
housing 3 extending at an offset angle a relative to the transverse state of
the support housing 3. The
support housing 3 is illustrated in one of the maximum offset states in Fig. 2
and in the other one of the
maximum offset states in Fig. 3.
In this embodiment of the invention the maximum value of the angle a through
which the support housing
3 is slewed from the transverse state to each one of the maximum offset states
is approximately 30 , and
thus, the maximum angle through which the support housing 3 is slewable from
one of the maximum
offset states to the other one of the maximum offset states is 60 . In the
transverse state of the support
housing 3, the plough blade 4 and the brush 5 are also in a transverse state
extending substantially
transversely relative to the direction of the normal forward motion of the
wheeled work vehicle 3. In the
maximum offset states of the support housing 3, the plough blade 4 and the
brush 5 are in corresponding
maximum offset angled states with the plough blade 4 and the brush 5 extending
at a maximum offset
angle 8 offset from the transverse states of the respective plough blade 4 and
brush 5. The value of the
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maximum offset angle 8 is similar to the maximum value of the offset angle a,
namely, approximately 30 .
A link arm 38 illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5 extends between the mounting
element 32 and the support
housing 3 and is pivotally coupled to the mounting element 32 and the support
housing 3 about respective
substantially vertically extending third and fourth vertical pivot axes 39 and
40, respectively. The third and
fourth pivot axes 39 and 40 are spaced apart from the first and second pivot
axes 36 and 37 of the load
bearing carrier arm 35 for controlling slewing of the support housing 3
relative to the mounting element 32
from a transverse state illustrated in Fig. 1 to the respective maximum offset
states illustrated in Figs. 2
and 3.
A third actuator means, in this embodiment of the invention comprising an
hydraulically powered slewing
actuator ram 42 illustrated in Fig. 1 is coupled between the support housing 3
and the load bearing carrier
arm 35 for slewing the support housing 3 between the transverse state and the
respective maximum offset
states. The slewing actuator ram 42 is also configured to operate under the
control of a suitable hydraulic
control circuit (not shown) for slewing the support housing 3 into a plurality
of intermediate offset states
between the transverse state and the respective maximum offset states.
The spacing between the first and the third vertical pivot axes 36 and 39 is
greater than the spacing
between the second and the fourth vertical pivot axes 37 and 40, so that as
the support housing 3 is being
slewed by the slewing actuator ram 42 between the transverse state and the
maximum offset state, and in
turn the plough blade 4 and the brush 5 are being slewed between the
transverse state and the maximum
offset angled states, the plough blade 4 and the brush 5 remain substantially
within the wheel tracks
defined by ground engaging wheels of the wheeled work vehicle 2 when the
wheeled work vehicle 2 is
being driven forwardly with rectilinear motion.
A pair of end elements 44 provided by planar end plates are pivotally coupled
at the respective opposite
ends 15 and 16 of the plough blade 4, and are pivotal about respective
horizontally extending main pivot
axes 45 between a first forward state illustrated in Fig. 1 and Fig. 11(a)
extending generally forwardly from
the plough blade 4 and perpendicular thereto to form a box plough, and a first
rearward state illustrated in
Figs. 6 and 11(b) extending generally reanNardly from the plough blade 4 and
perpendicular thereto to
form a reverse box plough should it be desired to use the attachment 1 as a
box plough when the
wheeled work vehicle 2 is operating in reverse, or to spill material from one
or both ends 15 and 16 of the
plough blade 4 when the attachment 1 is being urged forwardly in the direction
of the arrow A by the
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wheeled work vehicle 2.
A mounting bracket 49 extends from each end element 44 for coupling the end
element 44 to the plough
blade 4 adjacent the corresponding end 15 or 16 thereof. Carrier brackets 47
extending rearwardly from
the plough blade 4 at the respective opposite ends 15 and 16 thereof pivotally
carry respective main pivot
shafts 48, which extend from and are rigidly secured to the mounting brackets
49 of the corresponding
end elements 44 for pivotally coupling the end elements 44 to the plough blade
4. The main pivot shafts
48 define the horizontally extending main pivot axes 45 about which the end
elements 44 are pivotal
between the first forward state and the first rearward state. The two main
pivot axes 45 coincide with
each other, although this is not essential. Each end element 44 and its
corresponding mounting bracket
49 are formed by a plate member of steel plate material and are substantially
planar.
Main urging means comprising a pair of hydraulically powered main urging rams
50 act between the
plough blade 4 and the respective end elements 44 for urging the end elements
44 independently of each
other between the first forward and first rearward states. One of the main
urging rams 50 is illustrated in
Figs. 5 and 6. Each main urging ram 50 is pivotally coupled to the plough
blade 4 adjacent the rear
thereof by a mounting bracket 43, and is coupled to the main pivot shaft 48 of
the corresponding end
element 44 through a linkage, namely, a link member 46. One of the link
members is illustrated in Figs. 5
and 6. One end of each link member 46 is pivotally coupled to the
corresponding main urging ram 50,
and the other end of each link member 46 is pivotally coupled to the main
pivot shaft 48.
Additionally, the main urging rams 50 are operable for in turn operating the
end elements 44 relative to the
plough blade 4 between a plurality of selectable working states, in this case
three selectable working
states, namely, a first working state in which the respective end elements 44
are both in the first forward
state extending forwardly from the plough blade 4 to form with the plough
blade 4 the box plough as
illustrated in Figs. 1 and 11(a), a second working state in which both of the
end elements 44 are in the first
rearward state extending rearwardly from the plough blade 4 either to form a
reverse box plough or for
facilitating spilling of material from the plough blade 4 at one or both of
the respective opposite ends 15
and 16 of the plough blade 4, see Figs. 6 and 11(b) and a third working state
illustrated in Figs. 11(c) and
(d) in which one of the end elements 44 is in the first forward state
extending forwardly from the plough
blade 4, and the other one of the end elements 44 is in the first rearward
state extending rearwardly from
the plough blade 4 to facilitate spilling of the material from the plough
blade 4 at the one of the ends 15
and 16 thereof, in which the end element 44 is in the first rearward state.
For example, in the
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configuration illustrated in Fig. 11(c) the end element 44 at the end 15 of
the plough blade 4 is in the first
rearward state, so that material can be spilt from the plough blade 4 at the
end 15. The end element 44 at
the end 16 of the plough blade 4, which is in the first forward state in Fig.
11(c) prevents material being
spilled from the plough blade 4 at the end 16 thereof.
Typically, when the end elements 44 are operated in the third working state,
in other words, with one of
the end elements 44 in the first forward state, and the other one of the end
elements 44 in the first
rearward state, when the support housing 3 is being operated in one of the
offset states with the plough
blade 4 in the corresponding offset angled state, the end element 44 adjacent
the one of the ends 15 and
16 of the plough blade 4 which is the leading end of the plough blade 4 is
operated in the first forward
state, and the end element 44 adjacent the other one of the ends 15 and 16
which is the trailing end of the
plough blade 4 is operated in the first rearward state, see for example Fig.
11(g) in which the end 16 is the
leading end of the plough blade 4, and the end element 44 thereof is in the
first forward state, and the end
is the trailing end of the plough blade 4, and the end element 44 thereof is
in the first rearward state.
In use, with the attachment 1 coupled to the wheeled work vehicle 2 by the
coupling mechanism 7, and
the blade, brush and slewing actuator rams 19, 27 and 42 and the main urging
rams 50 connected to the
hydraulic system of the wheeled work vehicle 2, the wheeled work vehicle 2 and
the attachment 1 are
ready for use. The support housing 3 is set either in the transverse state
with the plough blade 4 and the
brush 5 also in the transverse states extending transversely of the direction
of normal forward motion of
the wheeled work vehicle 2, or the support housing 3 may be slewed relative to
the wheeled work vehicle
2 by the slewing actuator ram 42 into one of the offset states with the plough
blade 4 and the brush 5 in
the corresponding offset angled states extending at a desired offset angle
relative to the transverse state
of the plough blade 4 and the brush 5. The support housing 3 may be slewed
into any desired offset state
up to and including either one of the maximum offset states, with the plough
blade 4 and the brush 5 in
the corresponding offset angled state up to the corresponding maximum offset
angled state of
approximately 30 to the transverse state.
When the support housing 3 has been set in either the transverse state or the
desired offset state, and
when it is desired to use the plough blade 4 as a box plough, the end elements
44 are operated into the
first working state with the end elements 44 in the first forward state
extending generally forwardly and
perpendicularly from the plough blade 4. The plough blade 4 is then lowered
into the operative state, and
generally the brush 5 is raised into the inoperative state. When it is desired
to use the plough blade 4 as a
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reverse box plough or to spill material from both ends 15 and 16 of the plough
blade 4, the end elements
44 are operated into the second working state, with the two end elements 44 in
the first rearward state.
When it is desired to spill material being ploughed from one of the ends 15
and 16 only of the plough
blade 4, the end elements 44 are operated into the third working state with
the end element 44 at the end
of the plough blade 4 from which material is to be spilled in the first
rearward state and the end element 44
at the other end of the plough blade 4 in the first forward state.
Typically, when it is desired to spill material from one of the ends 15 and 16
of the plough blade 4, the
support housing 3 is slewed by the slewing actuator ram 42 into a selected one
of the offset states, and
the end element 44 adjacent the end 15 or 16, which is the leading end of the
plough blade 4 is operated
into the first forward state, while the end element 44 at the trailing end of
the plough blade 4 is operated
into the first rearward state. Alternatively, when it is desired to spill
material from one of the ends 15 and
16 of the plough blade 4, the support housing 3 may be slewed by the slewing
actuator ram 42 into a
selected one of the offset states, and both of the end elements 44 could be
operated into the first
rearward state, and in which case, material would normally be spilt only from
the end 15 or 16 of the
= plough blade 4 which is the trailing end of the plough blade 4.
When it is desired to operate the attachment 1 for brushing or sweeping
material along the ground
forwardly of the direction of normal forward movement of the wheeled work
vehicle 2, the brush 5 is
lowered into the operative state, and the plough blade 4 is raised into the
inoperative state. The brush 5
is rotated in the direction of the arrow B by the motor 29, and as the wheeled
work vehicle 2 is driven
forwardly along the ground urging the brush 5 forwardly, with the brush 5
rotating in the direction of the
arrow B, material on the ground is swept forwardly as the wheeled work vehicle
2 progresses forwardly in
the direction of the arrow A.
When it is desired to operate the brush 5 to sweep material remaining on the
ground in the path of the
plough blade 4 as the plough blade 4 is being urged forwardly by the wheeled
work vehicle 2, both the
plough blade 4 and the brush 5 are lowered into their respective operative
states. Thus, as the
attachment 1 is being urged forwardly in the direction of the arrow A by the
wheeled work vehicle 2, with
the brush 5 rotating in the direction of the arrow B, any material remaining
on the ground in the path of the
plough blade 4 is swept forwardly by the brush 5 as the attachment 1 is being
urged forwardly by the
wheeled work vehicle 2.
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Should it be desired to drive the wheeled work vehicle from one site to
another, both the plough blade 4
and the brush 5 are raised into their respective operative states, and the
wheeled work vehicle 2 is then
driven from one site to the next.
5
Referring now to Figs. 12 to 27, there is illustrated an attachment according
to another embodiment of the
invention, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60, also for mounting
on a prime mover, for
example, the wheeled work vehicle 2. The attachment 60 is substantially
similar to the attachment 1, and
similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The
attachment 60 is also suitable for
10 clearing material such as snow or other debris from a road, an airport
runway or an airport apron on which
aircraft stand.
In this embodiment of the invention the coupling mechanism 7 is also
configured to operate the support
housing 3 from the transverse state through a plurality of offset states to
the two maximum offset states,
15 and in this embodiment of the invention the coupling mechanism 7 is
configured to operate the support
housing 3 through the maximum angle a of approximately 35 from the transverse
state into each one of
the maximum offset states. Thus, as the support housing 3 is slewed between
the two maximum offset
states, the support housing 3 is slewed through an angle of 70 , and the
plough blade 4 is also slewed
through an angle of 70 .
The main difference between the attachment 60 and the attachment 1 is in the
end elements of the plough
blade 4, which in this embodiment of the invention are identified by the
reference numeral 62 and are also
provided as end blades, each of which comprises a planar plate member of steel
plate material. The end
elements 62 are pivotally coupled to the plough blade 4 adjacent the
respective opposite ends 15 and 16
of the plough blade 4. However, in this embodiment of the invention the end
elements 62 are pivotally
coupled to the plough blade 4 about respective vertically extending main pivot
axes 64. Mounting
brackets 65 extending outwardly from the plough blade 4 adjacent the
respective opposite ends 15 and 16
carry respective vertically extending main pivot shafts 66 which pivotally
carry the end elements 62, and
define the vertically extending main pivot axes 64 about which the end
elements 62 are pivotal relative to
the plough blade 4.
In this embodiment of the invention the end elements 62, since they are
pivotal about respective vertically
extending main pivot axes are pivotal from the first forward state to the
first rearward state, which are
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similar to the first forward state and the first rearward state of the end
elements 44 of the attachment 1.
However, in this embodiment of the invention the end elements 62 are pivotal
from the first forward state
to the second forward state through respective outward states, with the end
elements 62 extending
outwardly from and aligned with the plough blade 4. In Fig. 16 the end
elements 62 at both ends 15 and
16 of the plough blade 4 are illustrated in the outward state.
When the support housing 3 is in one of the offset states, including either
one of the maximum offset
states, with the plough blade 4 in the corresponding one of the offset angled
state, the end element 62
which is located at the leading one of the ends 15 and 16 of the plough blade
4 may be operated in a
second forward state with the end element 62 extending generally forwardly
from the plough blade 4 and
substantially parallel to the direction of normal forward motion of the
wheeled work vehicle 2, namely, the
direction of the arrow A, and the other one of the end elements 62 which is
adjacent the trailing one of the
ends 15 and 16 of the plough blade 4 may be operated in a second rearward
state with the end element
62 extending generally rearwardly from the plough blade 4 and substantially
parallel to the normal forward
direction of the wheeled work vehicle 2.
Since the support housing 3 is operable between a plurality of offset states
from the transverse state to
each one of the maximum offset states, and since the plough blade 4 is
similarly operable through a
plurality of offset angled states from the transverse state to each one of the
maximum offset angled states,
each end element 62 is operable into a plurality of second forward states, and
second rearward states
corresponding to the offset angled state of the plough blade 4. Thus, in this
embodiment of the invention
as each end element 62 is being pivoted from the first forward state to the
first rearward state, the end
element 62 pivots through any one of the second forward state, the outward
state and any one of the
second rearward state, depending on the offset state of the support housing 3.
In Fig. 18 the support housing 3 is illustrated in one of the offset states
and the plough blade 4 is
illustrated in the corresponding one of the offset angled states. Also in Fig.
18 the end element 62
adjacent the leading end 16 of the plough blade 4 is illustrated in full lines
in the corresponding second
forward state, and the end element 62 adjacent the trailing end 15 of the
plough blade 4 is illustrated in full
lines in the corresponding second rearward state.
Main urging means, in this embodiment of the invention main urging rams 67
acting between the plough
blade 4 and the respective end elements 62 selectively and independently pivot
the end blade 62 between
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the respective first forward states and first rearward states, which are
similar to the first forward state and
the first rearward state of the end elements 44, with each end element 62,
when in the first forward state
extending generally forwardly and perpendicularly from the plough blade 4, and
when in the first rearward
state extending generally rearwardly and perpendicularly from the plough blade
4. Each first urging ram
67 is pivotally coupled to the plough blade 4 by a corresponding mounting
bracket 68, and each main
urging ram 67 is coupled to the corresponding end element 62 through a linkage
63. One end of each
linkage 63 is pivotally coupled to the corresponding main urging ram 67, and
the other end of each linkage
63 is pivotally coupled to the corresponding end element 62 by a mounting
bracket 69 secured to the end
element 62. The main urging rams 67 and the linkages 62 are illustrated in
some of the drawings only.
When the support housing 3 is in one of the offset states and the plough blade
4 is in the corresponding
one of the offset angled states, the main urging rams 67 are operable for
urging the end element 62 at the
leading one of the ends 15 and 16 of the plough blade 4 into the second
forward state, and the end
element 62 at the trailing one of the ends 15 and 16 of the plough blade 4
into the second rearward state.
The first urging rams 67 are also operable for urging the end elements 62 into
the respective outward
states with the end elements 62 extending outwardly from either or both of the
ends 15 and 16 of the
plough blade 4 and substantially aligned with the plough blade 4 irrespective
of the state of the support
housing 3 and the plough blade 4, in other words, irrespective of whether the
plough blade 4 is in the
transverse state or in any one of the offset angled states.
Accordingly, in this embodiment of the invention the plough blade 4 and the
end elements 62 are operable
in nine different working states as follows:
(a) a first working state similar to the first working state of the end
elements 44 of the attachment 1
with both of the end elements 62 in the first forward state. Typically, in
this embodiment of the
invention the end elements 62 are operable in the first working state when the
support housing 3 is
in the transverse state and the plough blade 4 is in the transverse state, see
Fig. 12,
(b) a second working state which is similar to the second working state
of the end elements 44 of the
attachment 1, with both of the end elements 62 in the first rearward state. In
general, in this
embodiment of the invention the end elements 62 would be operated in the
second working state
when the support housing 3 is in the transverse state and the plough blade 4
is in the transverse
state, see Fig. 17,
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(c) a third working state which is similar to the third working state of
the end elements 44 of the
attachment 1, with one of the end elements 62 in the first forward state and
the other one of the
end elements 62 in the first rearward state. Typically, the end elements 62
would be operated in
the third working state when the support housing 3 and the plough blade 4 are
in the respective
transverse states. Although it will be appreciated that the plough blade 4 and
the end elements 62
may be operated in the third working state with the support housing 3 in one
of the offset states,
and the plough blade 4 in the corresponding one of the offset angled states.
(d) a fourth working state with one of the end elements 62 in the outward
state, and the other one of
the end elements in one of the first forward state and the first rearward
state. Typically, the end
elements 62 would be operated in the fourth working state when the support
housing 3 and the
plough blade 4 are in the transverse state. Although it will be readily
appreciated that the end
elements 62 may be operated in the fourth working state with the support
housing 3 in one of the
offset states and the plough blade 4 in the corresponding one of the offset
angled states,
(e) . a fifth working state with the end elements 62 both in the outward
states, see Fig. 16. The plough
blade 4 and the end elements 62 may be operated in the fifth working state
both when the support
housing 3 and the plough blade 4 are in the transverse states, and when the
support housing 3 is
in one of the offset states and the plough blade 4 is in the corresponding one
of the offset angled
states,
(f) a sixth working state with one of the end elements 62 in the second
forward state, and the other
one of the end elements in the second rearward state, see Figs. 18 and 19. The
end elements 62
would be operated in the sixth working state when the support housing 3 is in
one of the offset
states, and the plough blade 4 is in a corresponding one of the offset angled
states,
(g) a seventh working state with one of the end elements 62 in the outward
state, and the other one of
the end elements 62 in one of the second forward state and second rearward
state, see Fig. 14.
The end elements 62 would be operated in the seventh working state when the
support housing 3
is in one of the offset states and the plough blade 4 is in a corresponding
one of the offset angled
states,
(h) an eighth working state with both the end element 62 adjacent the
leading one of the ends 15 and
16 of the plough blade 4 in the second forward state, and the end element 62
adjacent the trailing
one of the ends 15 and 16 of the plough blade 4 in the first forward state,
see Figs. 27(a) and 27(j).
The end elements 62 would be operated in the eighth working state when the
support housing 3 is
in one of the offset states and the plough blade 4 is in the corresponding one
of the angled offset
states,
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(i) a ninth working state with the end element 62 adjacent the trailing
one of the ends 15 and 16 of the
plough blade 4 in the second rearward state, and the end element 62 adjacent
the leading one of
the ends 15 and 16 of the plough blade 4 in the first rearward state, see
Figs. 27(b) and 27(k).
Needless to say, there are many other working states in which the end elements
62 may be operated,
some of which are illustrated in Figs. 27(a) to 27(r) and others are
illustrated in Figs. 11(a) to 11(l).
In use, with the attachment 1 coupled to the wheeled work vehicle 2 by the
coupling mechanism 7, and
with the blade actuator ram 19, the brush actuator ram 27 and the slewing ram
42 and the main urging
rams 67 coupled to the hydraulic system of the wheeled work vehicle 2, the
attachment 60 is ready for
use. When it is desired to operate the attachment 1 with the support housing 3
in the transverse state
with the plough blade 4 also in the transverse state, if it is desired to
operate the plough blade 4 as a box
plough, the first urging rams 67 operate the end elements 62 into the first
working state with end elements
62 in the first forward states. With the support element 3 in the transverse
state when it is desired to
operate the plough blade 4 as a reverse box plough or to spill material from
the opposite ends 15 and 16
of the plough blade 4, the end elements 62 are operated into the second
working state with the end
elements 62 both in the first rearward state. With the support housing 3 still
in the transverse state, if it is
desired to operate the plough blade 4 to spill material at one of the ends 15
and 16, the end elements 62
are operated into the third working state with the end elements 62 adjacent
the end 15 or 16 of the plough
blade 4 from which material is to be spilled in the first rearward state, and
the other one of the end
elements 62 in the first forward state.
While the support housing 3 is still in the transverse state, should it be
desired to extend the width of the
plough blade 4 to its maximum width, the end elements 62 are operated into the
fifth working state with
both of the end elements extending outwardly from the plough blade 4.
Additionally, with the support
housing 3 in the transverse state, should it be desired to extend the plough
blade 4 by the length of one of
the end elements 62, the end elements 62 are operated in the fourth working
state with one of the end
elements 62 extending outwardly from the plough blade 4 and the other one of
the end elements
extending in either the first forward state or the first rearward state,
depending on whether the end of the
plough blade 4 adjacent the end element 62 which is being operated in the
first forward state or the first
rearward state is to be configured to collect material or to spill material.
When the coupling mechanism 7 is operated to set the support housing 3 in one
of the offset states
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including one of the maximum offset states with the plough blade 4 in the
corresponding one of the offset
angled states, the end elements 62 may be operated in any one of the first
working state to the ninth
working state, and many more working states. Typically, while the attachment
60 with the support
housing 3 in any one of the offset states could be operated with the end
elements 62 in any one of the
5 first, second, third and fourth working states, in general, it is more
likely that with the support housing 3 in
any of the offset states, the end elements 62 would most likely be operated in
one of the fifth working state
to the ninth working state.
With the support housing 3 in one of the offset states, and the plough blade 4
in the corresponding one of
10 the angled offset states, if it is desired to extend the length of the
plough blade by the length of two of the
end plates 62, the end elements 62 are operated into the fifth working state.
With the support housing 3
in one of the offset states, when it is desired to operate the plough blade 4
as either a forward box plough
or a reverse box plough, the end elements 62 are operated into the either the
eighth working state or the
ninth working state, as appropriate.
With the support housing 3 in one of the offset states, and the plough blade 4
in the corresponding one of
the offset angled states, and it is desired to extend the length of the plough
blade 4 by the length of one of
the end elements, the end elements 62 are operated in the seventh working
state, with either the end
element 62 which is at the leading end of the plough blade 4 in the second
forward state or the end
element 62 which is at the trailing end of the plough blade 4 in the second
rearward state, and the other
end element in the outward state. Whether the end element 62 is operated in
the second forward state or
in the second rearward state depends on whether it is desired to collect
material or to allow material to be
spilt.
With the support housing 3 in one of the offset states and the plough blade 4
in the corresponding one of
the offset angled states, and it is desired to operate the plough blade to
spill material at the trailing end
thereof, and to collect material at the leading end thereof the end elements
62 are operated into the sixth
working state, with the end element 62 adjacent the trailing one of the ends
15 and 16 of the plough blade
4 being operated in the second rearward state, and the other one of the end
elements 62 being operated
in the second forward state.
In this embodiment of the invention the blade actuator rams 19 and the brush
actuator ram 27 are
operable in a similar manner as the blade actuator rams 19 and the brush
actuator rams 27 of the
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attachment 1 are operable for alternately raising and lowering the plough
blade 4 and the brush 5 from the
respective operative states to the respective inoperative states. Accordingly,
when it is desired that the
attachment 60 be operable with the plough blade 4 in the operative state
adjacent the ground and the
brush 5 in the inoperative state spaced apart above the ground, the blade
actuator rams 19 are operated
for lowering the plough blade 4 from the inoperative state to the operative
state, and the brush actuator
rams 27 are operated for raising the brush 5 from the operative state to the
inoperative state.
Alternatively, should it be desired to only sweep material by the brush 5, the
plough blade 4 is operated by
the blade actuator rams 19 from the operative state to the inoperative state,
and the brush 5 is operated
by the brush actuator rams 27 from the inoperative state to the operative
state.
Should it be desired to operate the plough blade to clear material from the
ground and to operate the
brush to sweep any remaining material left in the path of the plough blade 7,
both the plough blade 4 and
the brush 5 are operated downwardly into the operative state.
Should it be desired to drive the wheeled work vehicle 2 from one site to
another, both the plough blade 4
and the brush 5 are operated into the inoperative state.
While the main urging means for urging each end element about the horizontal
or vertical pivot axes, as
the case may be, relative to the plough blade have been described as
comprising a corresponding
hydraulic ram, it is envisaged that a rotary actuator, for example, an
hydraulically, a pneumatically or an
electrically powered rotary actuator may be provided for pivoting the end
elements relative to the plough
blade. Needless to say, pneumatic rams could be used instead of hydraulic
rams.
While the brush has been described as being operable by a pair of
hydraulically powered actuator rams
between the operative and inoperative states, in certain cases, it is
envisaged that a single hydraulically
powered actuator ram may be sufficient for operating the brush between the
operative and inoperative
state. It is also envisaged that a single hydraulically powered actuator ram
may be sufficient for urging the
plough blade between the operative and inoperative states. Needless to say,
the actuator rams may be
pneumatically powered, and it is also envisaged that the brush and the plough
blade may be operated
between the operative and the inoperative state by an electrically powered
motor which may be a rotary or
a linear motor.
While the attachments have been described as comprising components which are
described as being of
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specific materials, the components of the attachments may be of any other
suitable or desired material.
For example, it is envisaged that the plough blades and all the end elements
may be of materials other
than steel, for example, plastics material which would be suitably re-enforced
or supported on a suitable
re-enforced structure.
While the brush has been described as comprising an elongated cylindrical
brush, the brush may be
provided in a plurality of relatively short cylindrical segments abutting each
other on the brush carrier
shaft, or spaced apart from each other longitudinally on the brush carrier
shaft.
While the prime mover has been described as being a wheeled work vehicle
having a forward part and a
rearward part which are pivotally coupled together about a vertical pivot axis
for facilitating steering of the
wheeled work vehicle, it is envisaged that the prime mover may comprise any
suitable prime mover, for
example, a rigid chassis prime mover, a tractor or any other suitable prime
mover. It will also be
appreciated that while the attachment has been described as being mounted on
the forward end of the
wheeled work vehicle, the attachment may be mounted on the rearward end of the
wheeled work vehicle
or indeed on the rear end of any other suitable prime mover.
It is envisaged in certain cases that the plough blade may be planar.
While the brush has been described as being carried on a pair of carrier arms,
the brush may be carried
on any suitable structure, which may be adapted for moving the brush upwardly
and downwardly relative
to the support housing between the operative and inoperative states, or
alternatively, the mounting
structure for the brush may be such that the brush would be fixedly mounted on
the support housing of the
attachment.
While the attachment has been described as being coupled to the wheeled work
vehicle for facilitating
slewing of the support housing between the transverse state and the offset
state, it is envisaged that in
certain cases the attachment may be coupled to the wheeled work vehicle or to
any other prime mover
without the support housing being slewable from a transverse state to an
offset state, and in which case,
the attachment would be secured to the wheeled work vehicle or other prime
mover with the support
housing, the plough blade and the brush in the transverse state with the brush
and the plough blade
extending substantially transversely relative to the direction of the normal
forward motion of the prime
mover, or alternatively, the attachment could be secured to the wheeled work
vehicle or other prime
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mover with the attachment support housing in a suitable fixed offset state
with the brush and the plough
blade in a corresponding offset angled state extending at an offset angle
greater than zero and less than
900 to the direction of the normal forward motion of the prime mover.
While the attachments have been described as being coupled to a prime mover by
a coupling mechanism
which is configured for slewing the support housing of the attachments between
respective maximum
offset states through a transverse state, it will be readily apparent to those
skilled in the art that the
coupling mechanisms may be configured for slewing the support housings 3
between the transverse state
and one single maximum offset state. Additionally, it will be appreciated that
while each maximum offset
states of the support housing have been described as corresponding with a
maximum angled offset state
of the plough blade relative to the transverse state of the plough blade of
approximately either 300 or 35 ,
it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the maximum
offset state of the support housing of
the attachments may correspond with a maximum offset angled state of the
plough blade relative to the
transverse state of the plough blade of less than 350, for example, an angle
of 30 , an angle of 25 , an
angle of 20 , or indeed, an angle of 10 relative to the transverse state of
the plough blade. Needless to
say, it is also envisaged that the maximum offset angled state of the plough
blade may be greater than
35 , for example, 40 or even 450 relative to the transverse state of the
plough blade.
