US 11,885,086 B2
Adjustable blade assembly
Jeremy Kushner, Raleigh, NC (US); Mathew Chance Frana, Holly Springs, NC (US); and Lucas G. De Caroli, Cary, NC (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Dec. 3, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/247,208.
Prior Publication US 2022/0178099 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
Int. Cl. E01H 5/06 (2006.01); E02F 3/815 (2006.01); E02F 3/76 (2006.01)
CPC E01H 5/066 (2013.01) [E02F 3/7631 (2013.01); E02F 3/8155 (2013.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A blade assembly comprising:
a support structure having a frame;
a blade pivotably attached to the support structure,
wherein the blade is movable relative to the frame over a first range of motion; and
a wing pivotably attached to an end of the blade,
wherein the wing is movable relative to the blade over a second range of motion,
wherein the wing is pivotably attached to the blade via a rotation mechanism,
wherein the rotation mechanism includes a first pin, a second pin, a third pin, a fourth pin, a fifth pin, a first linkage, and a pair of second linkages,
wherein the second linkages include a second linkage and a third linkage,
wherein the first pin pivotably connects the wing to the blade,
wherein the second pin pivotably connects the wing to the first linkage,
wherein the third pin pivotably connects the first linkage to the second linkage,
wherein the fourth pin pivotably connects the third linkage to the blade,
wherein the fifth pin pivotably connects the second linkage and the third linkage to an actuator,
wherein the first linkage is between where the second pin pivotably connects the wing to the first linkage and where the third pin pivotably connects the first linkage to the second linkage, and
wherein the second linkage is between where the fifth pin pivotably connects the second linkage to the actuator and where the third pin pivotably connects the first linkage to the second linkage.