This disclosure relates to blades attached to a work machine, in particular to foldable blades that are suitable for work such as digging, soil carrying, and leveling. More particularly, this disclosure relates to the operative cutting edge of foldable blades.

Work machines such as tractors and bulldozers are generally known. These work machines may have a wide variety of applications in construction and agricultural industries. These machines generally may have ground engaging tracks or wheels which support a chassis and an operator's cab, an engine and a blade for handling of materials. The blade may be wider than the work machine which allows the machine to handle more material thereby decreasing operating costs.

Transportation restrictions may require that the blade does not extend beyond the width of the work machine. However, in order to comply with transportation restrictions the overall length of the blades may have to be reduced during transportation. Work machines may be equipped with modifiable blades that may be adapted prior to transportation to reduce their effective width. Some modifiable blades may be able to fold and/or to pivot so as to avoid extending beyond the width of the work machine.

The operating capacity and efficiency of the work machine may be linked to the blade. The ability of the blade to dig into the ground may depend on the edge section (cutting edge), in particular the shape of the cutting edge, the force for pressing the cutting edge into the ground and the angle of the cutting edge when it contacts the earth. Accordingly, the operating efficiency of the blade may be determined by the structure, shape, width, height, position and digging angle of the cutting edge.

The cutting edge of modifiable blades may need to be suitably adapted to be mounted on such blades while providing the required level of operating efficiency.

WO1993007344 discloses a cutting edge member for blades of earth moving machines. The cutting edge member has interlocking engagement means with adjacent cutting edge members that have same structure. Each cutting edge member is adjustable and reversible in position relative to said adjacent like cutting-edge members. The interlocking means comprise non-tapered angled dovetailed members spaced along each side of each cutting edge member and being separated by recesses.

The present disclosure is directed, at least in part, to improving or overcoming one or more aspects of the prior art system.

In a first aspect, the present disclosure describes a cutting edge for a foldable blade of a work machine, the cutting edge comprising: a central member having opposed first and second apexed terminals and at least one central cutting side disposed between the first and second apexed terminals; a first flanking member having a first cutting side and a first inner inclined end, the first inner inclined end being contiguously positionable to the first apexed terminal; and a second flanking member having a second cutting side and a second inner inclined end, the second inner inclined end being contiguously positionable to the second apexed terminal, wherein the first and second flanking members and the central member are rectilinearly alignable such that the first and second cutting sides and the central cutting side form a continuous cutting verge.

The foregoing and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be more fully understood from the following description of various embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Fig. 1 is a front view of a cutting edge for a foldable blade according to the present disclosure;
• Fig. 2 is a front view of a portion of a central member of the cutting edge of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 3 is an end view of the portion of the central member of Fig. 2 from the direction A;
• Fig. 4 is a side view of the portion of the central member of Fig. 2;
• Fig. 5 is a view of the portion of the central member of Fig. 2 across B-B';
• Fig. 6 is a front view of a flanking member of the cutting edge of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 7 is an end view of the flanking member of Fig. 6 from the direction C;
• Fig. 8 is a side view of the flanking member of Fig. 6;
• Fig. 9 is a view of the flanking member of Fig. 6 across D-D';
• Fig. 10 is a front view of a second flanking member of the cutting edge of Fig. 1;
• Fig. 11 is a side view of a second flanking member of Fig. 10;
• Fig. 12 is an isometric view of the cutting edge mounted on a foldable blade in an unfolded configuration according to the present invention; and
• Fig. 13 is an isometric view of the cutting edge mounted on a foldable blade in a folded configuration according to the present invention.

This disclosure generally relates to a cutting edge 10 for a foldable blade 100 of a work machine. The cutting edge 10 may be mounted onto the foldable blade 100.

Fig. 1 illustrates the cutting edge 10. The cutting edge 10 may comprise a central member 12, a first flanking member 14 and a second flanking member 16.

The central member 12 may have a first apexed terminal 18 and a second apexed terminal 20. The first and second apexed terminals 18, 20 are on opposed ends of the central member 12. Central member 12 may have a longitudinal axis 21. First and second apexed terminals 18, 20 may be aligned on the longitudinal axis 21. First apex 22 of the first apexed terminal 18 and second apex 24 of the second apexed terminal 20 may be positioned on the longitudinal axis 21.

Central member 12 may have at least one central cutting side 26. Central cutting side 26 may be disposed between the first and second apexed terminals 18, 20. Central cutting side 26 may be connected to the first and second apexed terminals 18, 20. Central cutting side 26 may extend along the entire length of the central member 12. Central cutting side 26 may be parallel with the longitudinal axis 21.

The first flanking member 14 may have a first cutting side 28. First cutting side 28 may extend along the entire side of the first flanking member 14. First cutting side 28 may be parallel with a longitudinal axis 30 of the first flanking member 14.

First flanking member 14 may have a first inner inclined end 32. First inner inclined end 32 may be connected to the first cutting side 28. First inner inclined end 32 may be angled relative to the first cutting side 28. First inner inclined end 32 may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis 30.

First flanking member 14 may be positionable so as to be in abutting contact with central member 12. The first inner inclined end 32 may be contiguously positionable to the first apexed terminal 18. First inner inclined end 32 may be configured to match the configuration of the first apexed terminal 18.

The second flanking member 16 may have a second cutting side 34. Second cutting side 34 may extend along the entire side of the second flanking member 16. Second cutting side 34 may be parallel with a longitudinal axis 36 of the second flanking member 16.

Second flanking member 16 may have a second inner inclined end 38. Second inner inclined end 38 may be connected to the second cutting side 34. Second inner inclined end 38 may be angled relative to the second cutting side 34. Second inner inclined end 38 may be angled relative to the longitudinal axis 36.

Second flanking member 16 may be positionable so as to be in abutting contact with central member 12. The second inner inclined end 38 may be contiguously positionable to the second apexed terminal 20. Second inner inclined end 38 may be configured to match the configuration of the second apexed terminal 20.

The first and second flanking members 14, 16 may be moved relative to the central member 12. First and second flanking members 14, 16 and the central member 12 may be positioned such that the longitudinal axes 21, 30, 36 may be mutually aligned. First and second flanking members 14, 16 and the central member 12 may be rectilinearly alignable such that the first and second cutting sides 28, 34 and the central cutting side 26 form a continuous cutting verge 40. First and second cutting sides 28, 34 and the central cutting side 26 may be formed as a continuous edge for contacting work material or for contacting ground to be leveled. First and second flanking members 14, 16 may be juxtaposed on opposite ends of the central member 12.

The central member 12 may further comprise a second central cutting side 42. Second central cutting side 42 may be parallel to the central cutting side 26. Second central cutting side 42 may be disposed between the first and second apexed terminals 18, 20. Second central cutting side 42 may be connected to the first and second apexed terminals 18, 20. Second central cutting side 42 may extend along the entire length of the central member 12. Second central cutting side 42 may be parallel with the longitudinal axis 21.

The central member 12 may be rotated so that the second central cutting side 42 occupies the position of the central cutting side 26 such that the second central cutting side 42 may form a continuous blade verge with first and second cutting sides 28, 34.

In an embodiment, the central member 12 may comprise a first central portion 44 and a second central portion 46. The first central portion 44 may have the first apexed terminal 18. The second central portion 46 may have the second apexed terminal 20.

The first central portion 44 may have a first inner end 48 and the second central portion 46 may have a second inner end 50. First inner end 48 may be disposed opposite the first apexed terminal 18. Second inner end 50 may be disposed opposite the second apexed terminal 20. The first inner end 48 may be abuttingly positionable to the second inner end 50. The first inner end 48 may be contiguously positioned to the second inner end 50.

The first flanking member 14 may have a first outer inclined end 52 that is opposite to the first inner inclined end 32. The second flanking member 16 may have a second outer inclined end 54 that is opposite to the second inner inclined end 38.

With reference to Fig. 2, a first central portion 44 of the central member 12 is illustrated. The following description duly applies to corresponding features on the second central portion 46 that have not been herein described.

First central portion 44 may have parallel cutting sides that are portions of the central cutting side 26 and the second central cutting side 42. The first and second cutting side portions 56, 58 may be formed between the first apexed terminal 18 and the first inner end 48. First and second cutting side portions 56, 58 may each have a length of 1107.7mm. First inner end 48 may have a height of 126.2mm. First inner end 48 may be perpendicular to the first and second cutting side portions 56, 58.

First central portion 44 may have a front central face 60. Front central face 60 may be bound by first and second cutting side portions 56, 58, first apexed terminal 18 and the first inner end 48.

First central portion 44 may be provided with holes 62 for receiving bolts or rivets to mount the first central portion 44 on the foldable blade 100. Holes 62 may extend through the first central portion 44. The holes 62 may be aligned along the longitudinal axis 21. The holes 62 may be aligned on the longitudinal axis 21 so as to allow the central member 12 to be rotated such that second central cutting side 42 replaces the central cutting side 26 at the continuous cutting verge (40). The holes 62 may be mutually spaced by a distance of 152.4mm. In an embodiment, the holes 62 are square shaped.

With reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the first apexed terminal 18 may have sloped sides 64. Each sloped side 64 may extend between respective first and second cutting side portions 56, 58 and first apex 22. At least one sloped side 64 may have an angle α of 69⁰ from the at least one central cutting side 26. Sloped sides 64 may each have an angle α of 69⁰ from the respective first and second cutting side portions 56, 58. Each sloped side 64 may have a length of 127.8mm.

The second apexed terminal 20 may have sloped sides 66. With respect to Fig. 12, each sloped side 66 may extend between respective first and second cutting side portions 76, 78 and second apex 24. At least one sloped side 66 may have an angle α of 69⁰ from the at least one central cutting side 26. With reference to Fig. 12, sloped sides 66 may each have an angle α of 69⁰ from the respective first and second cutting side portions 76, 78. Each sloped side 66 may have a length of 127.8mm.

With reference to Fig. 2, the first apex 22 of the first apexed terminal 18 may extend beyond the end of the first and second cutting side portions 56, 58. The distance from apex 22 to the first inner end 48 may be 1217.3mm. The longitudinal length of the apex 22 extending from a point on the longitudinal axis 21 corresponding to the end of the first and second cutting side portions 56, 58 may be 109.6mm. With reference to Fig. 12, the longitudinal length of the apex 24 extending from a point on the longitudinal axis 21 corresponding to the end of the respective first and second cutting side portions 76, 78 may be 109.6mm.

The apexes 22, 24 of the first and second apexed terminals 18, 20 extend beyond the respective opposite ends of the at least one central cutting side 26 at a longitudinal distance of 109.6mm

With reference to Fig. 3, the first central portion 44 may have a rear central face 70 opposite the front central face 60. Holes 62 may extend from the front central face 60 to the rear central face 70. Front and rear central faces 60, 70 may be mutually parallel. Rear central face 70 may have a smaller dimension relative to the front central face 60. Rear central face 70 may have a smaller surface area relative to the front central face 60.

Front central surface 60 may have a transverse width of 254mm. Rear central face 70 may have a transverse width of 198.2mm.

First and second cutting side portions 56, 58 may each comprise a slanted surface 72 and a flat surface 74. The slanted surface 72 and the flat surface 74 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 21. Slanted surface 72 and the flat surface 74 may extend along the entire length of the first and second cutting side portions 56, 58.

The horizontal distance between each junction of the flat surface 74 and the oblique surface 68 from the centre of the adjacent hole 62 may be 52.9mm. The horizontal distance may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 21 of the central member 12

First and second cutting side portions 56, 58 may have a width of 19mm that extends between the rear central face 70 and the front central face 60. Each slanted surface 72 may be inclined relative to the rear central face 70 at an angle of 20⁰ to 30⁰. Each slanted surface 72 may be inclined relative to the rear central face 70 at an angle of 25⁰. The vertical distance from the rear central face 70 and the front central face 60 may be 27.9mm, the vertical distance may be transverse to the longitudinal axis 21 of the central member 12. The vertical distance may be measured from the edge of the rear central face 70 to the adjacent edge of the front central face 60. The edges of the rear central face 70 and the front central face 60 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 21. With reference to Fig. 4, the first central portion 44 may be a substantially flat panel with the apexed terminal 18 extending from the first and second cutting side portions 56, 58.

With reference to Figs. 2 and 3, the first apexed terminal 18 may have oblique surfaces 68 that are formed between front central face 60 and rear central face 70. Oblique surfaces 68 may extend from respective first and second cutting side portions 56, 58 to apex 22. Oblique surfaces 68 may be inclined from respective sloped sides 64.

With reference to Fig. 5 each oblique surface 68 may be inclined relative to front central face 60 at an angle of 55⁰ to 65⁰. Each oblique surface 68 may be inclined relative to front central face 60 at an angle of 60⁰.

With reference to Fig. 12, the second apexed terminal 20 may have oblique surfaces 82 that are formed between front central face 60 and rear central face 70. Oblique surfaces 82 may extend from respective first and second cutting side portions 76, 78 to apex 24. Oblique surfaces 82 may be inclined from respective sloped sides 66.

Each oblique surface 82 may be inclined relative to front central face 60 at an angle of 59.5⁰ to 60.5⁰. Each oblique surface 82 may be inclined relative to front central face 60 at an angle of 60⁰.

With reference to Fig. 6, a first flanking member 14 is illustrated. The following description duly applies to corresponding features on the second flanking member 16 that have not been herein described.

First flanking member 14 may have a first limit side 80 opposite to the first cutting side 28. First limit side 80 may be parallel to the first cutting side 28. First flanking member 14 may have the first outer inclined end 52 opposite to the first inner inclined end 32. First outer inclined end 52 and first inner inclined end 32 may diverge from ends of first limit side 80 and connect to ends of first cutting side 28. First flanking member 14 may have a trapezoidal shape. First limit side 80 may have a length of 748mm. First cutting side 28 may have a length of 943mm. First outer inclined end 52 and first inner inclined end 32 may each have a length of 272.07mm.

First inner inclined end 32 may have an angle β of 111⁰ from the first limit side 80. With reference to Fig. 10, second inclined end 38 of second flanking member 16 may have an angle β of 111⁰ from the second limit side 90. First outer inclined end 52 and second outer inclined end 54 may each have an angle β of 111⁰ from the respective first and second limit sides 80, 90. First inclined end 32 and second inclined end 38 may be configured so as to correspond with respective slopped sides 64, 66 of the central member 12.

First flanking member 14 may have a first front flanking face 84. First front flanking face 84 may be bound by first outer inclined end 52, first inclined end 32, first cutting side 28 and first limit side 80.

First flanking member 14 may be provided with a set of apertures 86 and a set of openings 88 for receiving bolts or rivets to mount the first flanking member 14 on a foldable blade. Apertures 86 and openings 88 may extend through the first flanking member 14. The apertures 86 may be aligned along the longitudinal axis 36. The apertures 86 may be mutually spaced by a distance of 152.4mm. In an embodiment, the apertures 86 are square shaped. The openings 88 may be positioned between the first limit side 80 and the set of apertures 86. In an embodiment, the openings 88 are square shaped.

With reference to Fig. 7, the first flanking member 14 may have a first rear flanking face 92 opposite the first front flanking face 84. Apertures 86 and openings 88 may extend from the first front flanking face 84 to the first rear flanking face 92. First front flanking face 84 and first rear flanking face 92 may be mutually parallel. First rear flanking face 92 may have a smaller dimension relative to the first front flanking face 84. First rear flanking face 92 may have a smaller surface area relative to the first front flanking face 84.

First front flanking face 84 may have a transverse width of 254mm. First rear flanking face 92 may have a transverse width of 198.2mm.

First limit side 80 and first cutting side 28 may each comprise a slanted surface 94 and a flat surface 96. The slanted surface 94 and the flat surface 96 may be parallel to the longitudinal axis 36. Slanted surface 94 and the flat surface 96 may extend along the entire length of the first limit side 80 and the first cutting side 28.

First limit side 80 and first cutting side 28 may have a width of 25mm that extends between the first front flanking face 84 and the first rear flanking face 92. Each slanted surface 94 may be inclined relative to the first rear flanking face 92 at an angle of 20⁰ to 30⁰. Each slanted surface 94 may be inclined relative to the first rear flanking face 92 at an angle of 25⁰. The vertical distance from the first rear flanking face 92 and the first front flanking face 84 may be 27.9mm. With reference to Fig. 8, the first flanking member 14 may be a substantially flat panel.

With reference to Fig. 8, the first inclined end 32 may have a first bevel surface 98 that is formed between first front flanking face 84 and the first rear flanking face 92. First bevel surface 98 may extend between first limit side 80 and the first cutting side 28 (not shown). First bevel surface 98 may be inclined relative to first flanking face 84.

In an embodiment, first outer inclined end may be provided with a first outer bevel surface 99. The first outer bevel surface 99 may be formed between first front flanking face 84 and first rear flanking faces 92. First outer bevel surface 99 may extend between limit side 80 and cutting side 28.

With reference to Fig. 9, first bevel surface 98 may be inclined relative to first rear flanking face 92 at an angle of 59.5⁰ to 60.5⁰. First bevel surface 98 may be inclined relative to first rear flanking face 92 at an angle of 60⁰.

With reference to Fig. 11 the second inclined end 38 may have a second bevel surface 108 that is formed between second front flanking face 110 and the second rear flanking face 112. Second bevel surface 108 may extend between second limit side 114 and the second cutting side 34 (not shown). Second bevel surface 108 may be inclined relative to second front flanking face 110.

In an embodiment, second outer inclined end 54 may have a second outer bevel surface 109. The second outer bevel surface 109 may be formed between second front flanking face 110 and second rear flanking face 112. Second outer bevel surface 109 may extend between limit side 114 and cutting side 34.

Second bevel surface 108 may be inclined relative to second rear flanking face 112 at an angle of 59.5⁰ to 60.5⁰. Second bevel surface 108 may be inclined relative to second rear flanking face 112 at an angle of 60⁰.

With reference to Fig. 12, the cutting edge 10 may be mounted to a foldable blade 100. Foldable blade 100 may have a centre element 102, a first flanking element 104 and a second flanking element 106. Central member 12 may be mounted to the centre element 102. First flaking member 14 may be mounted to first flanking element 104. Second flaking member 106 may be mounted to second flanking element 106.

Foldable blade 100 may be in an unfolded configuration with first and second flanking elements 104, 106 being rectilinearly aligned with the centre element 102. In the unfolded configuration of the foldable blade 100, the first and second flanking members 14 may be positioned rectilinearly with the central member 12.

With reference to Fig. 13, the foldable blade 100 may be in a folded configuration with first and second flanking elements 104, 106 being inclined relative to the centre element 102. In the folded configuration of the foldable blade 100, the first and second flanking members 14, 16 may be inclined relative to the central member 12.

The skilled person would appreciate that foregoing embodiment may be modified or combined to obtain the cutting edge 10 of the present disclosure.

This disclosure describes a cutting edge 10 for a foldable blade 100 of a work machine. The foldable blade 100 may be folded so that the overall length thereof may be reduced for transportation of the work machine. The cutting edge 10 may have at least three members 12, 14, 16. In an embodiment, the cutting edge 10 may have four members with first and second central portions 44, 46. The cutting edge 10 may be mounted to the foldable blade 100.

In the folded configuration of the foldable blade 100, the flanking members 14, 16 may be positioned so as to be rectilinearly aligned to the central member 12. First and second inclined ends 32, 38 may be suitably configured to correspond with the first and second apexed terminals 18, 20 so that the flanking members 14, 16 may be flush with the central member 12. The central cutting side 26 may be aligned with the first and second cutting sides 28, 34 so as to form a continuous cutting verge 40. The cutting verge 40 may contact the work materials during work operations.

Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein.

Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, the reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, neither the reference signs nor their absence have any limiting effect on the technical features as described above or on the scope of any claim elements.

One skilled in the art will realise the disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the disclosure or essential characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of the disclosure described herein. Scope of the invention is thus indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalence of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.