FOLDABLE DOZER BLADE

[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure concerns foldable dozer blades, and particularly, foldable power angle tilt dozer blades.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Work machines for moving earth, particularly work machines including attached dozer blades, are important to many construction operations. There are, accordingly, many advantages to dozer blades and dozer blade assemblies that can be removably attached to a variety of work vehicles.

[0004] However, transporting dozer blades poses several challenges. First, because the blade is typically wider than the work vehicle to which it is attached, transporting the working vehicle with the dozer blade attached increases the overall width of the load that must be transported. Wider loads require larger trailers, and in some cases, special permits to transport by road or rail, the use of which can incur additional taxes and fees, in addition to increased transport costs associated with using larger trailers.

[0005] Currently, this problem is addressed mainly by removing the dozer blade assembly and the attached actuators every time the work vehicle and blade assembly are moved. However, this present practice of disassembling the dozer blade and its related components is undesirable, because disassembly and reassembly is a time-consuming process which causes significant downtime for a machine every time it is moved.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for foldable blade assemblies which can be converted from a working state during which they are wider than the work vehicle to which they are attached, to a transportation state during which they are not wider than the work vehicle to which they are attached.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] Disclosed herein are examples of foldable blade assemblies for use with a work vehicle. In particular, the foldable blade assemblies disclosed herein may be dozer blades for use with work vehicles. The foldable blade assemblies disclosed herein are generally pivotally movable relative to the work vehicle to place the blade at an angle to a reference line perpendicular to the driving direction of the work vehicle, thus reducing the linear extension of the blade along the direction of the reference line. The foldable blade assemblies of the present disclosure may also include a folding wing positioned at an end portion of the blade, and pivotally connected to the main body of the blade. This allows the foldable wing to be moved between an expanded and collapsed configuration to further reduce the linear extension of the blade along the direction of the reference line.

[0008] Certain examples concern a foldable blade assembly. The foldable blade assembly comprises a structural member configured to attach to a work vehicle, a blade pivotally mounted to the structural member by a central pivot, a first angle cylinder extending between the blade and the structural member; and a second angle cylinder laterally spaced apart from the first angle cylinder and extending between the blade and the structural member. The first angle cylinder and the second angle cylinder are movable between a neutral position, an extended position, and a retracted position to pivot the blade relative to the structural member between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration. The first angle cylinder has a first length in the neutral position and the second angle cylinder has a second length in the neutral position, the second length and the first length being unequal.

[0009] Certain examples concern a method for transporting a foldable blade assembly comprising a blade, having a main body portion and a foldable wing for transport, a structural member, a first angle cylinder extending between the structural member and the blade, and a second angle cylinder extending between the structural member and the blade. The method comprises pivotally moving the foldable wing of the blade relative to the main body portion of the blade to move the blade from an extended configuration to a collapsed configuration. The method also comprises extending the first angle cylinder from a neutral position to an extended position and retracting the second angle cylinder from the neutral position to a retracted position to move the blade from an unfolded configuration to a folded configuration. When the blade is in the folded configuration a lateral distance between a left end of the blade and a right end of the blade is not greater than 12 feet.

[0010] Certain examples concern a foldable blade assembly. The foldable blade assembly comprises a structural member having a first end portion and a second end portion and configured to mount the blade assembly to a work vehicle at the first end portion and a blade pivotally mounted to the second end portion of the structural member by a central pivot. The blade comprises a main body portion including a recess defined by a top surface, a bottom surface, and a back surface. The blade also comprises a foldable wing pivotally connected to the main body portion and configured to move rotationally relative to the main body portion between a retracted configuration and a deployed configuration, the foldable wing comprising a projection that is received by the recess in the main body portion when the foldable wing is in the deployed configuration. The foldable blade assembly also comprises a first angle cylinder extending between the structural member and the blade and a second angle cylinder extending between the structural member and the blade. The first angle cylinder and the second angle cylinder are movable between an extended position and a retracted position to pivot the blade relative to the structural member between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration.

[0011] Numerous objects, features, and advantages of the embodiments set forth herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following disclosure in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a work machine and a foldable blade assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

[0013]FIG. 2 is a top view of the foldable blade assembly of FIG. 1 in an unfolded configuration.

[0014]FIG. 3 is a top view of the foldable blade assembly of FIG. 1 in a folded configuration.

[0015]FIG. 4 is a top view of the foldable blade assembly of FIG. 1 with angle cylinders.

[0016]FIG. 5 is a top view of the foldable blade assembly according to one aspect of the present disclosure in a folded configuration with a folding wing in a collapsed configuration.

[0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the folding wing of the foldable blade assembly of FIG. 5.

[0018]FIG. 7 is a rear view of the foldable blade assembly of FIG. 5 with the folding wing in the expanded condition.

[0019]FIG. 8 is a diagram of a controller according to one aspect of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

General Terms

[0020] The following explanations of terms are provided to better describe the present disclosure and to guide those of ordinary skill in the art in the practice of the present disclosure. As used herein, "comprising" means "including" and the singular forms "a" or "an" or "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term "or" refers to a single element of stated alternative elements or a combination of two or more elements, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0021] As used herein, the terms proximal and distal refer to direction along an attached object having a free end, relative to the point of attachment. Particularly, when an object is attached at one end, the end of the attachment is the proximal end, and the free end is the distal end. The direction along the object towards the point of attachment is the proximal direction. The direction along the object towards the free end is the distal direction.

[0022] Unless explained otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Although methods and compounds similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present disclosure, suitable methods and compounds are described below. The compounds, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting, unless otherwise indicated. Other features of the disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description and the claims.

[0023] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of components, percentages, temperatures, times, and so forth, as used in the specification or claims are to be understood as being modified by the term "about." Accordingly, unless otherwise indicated, implicitly or explicitly, the numerical parameters set forth are approximations that can depend on the desired properties sought and/or limits of detection under standard test conditions/methods. When directly and explicitly distinguishing embodiments from discussed prior art, the embodiment numbers are not approximates unless the word "about" is recited. Furthermore, not all alternatives recited herein are equivalents.

Introduction to the Disclosed Technology

[0024] The present disclosure concerns dozer blade assemblies, and particularly foldable dozer blade assemblies for use with vehicles. Generally, the dozer blade assemblies disclosed herein are configured to releasably attach to a work vehicle or to a variety of work vehicles.

[0025] The foldable dozer blade assemblies disclosed herein generally comprise a structural member that connects to the work vehicle, a foldable dozer blade, and a pivotal connector that connects the blade to the structural member and allows the blade to pivotally move relative to the structural member. The foldable dozer blade assemblies may also include one or more angle cylinders (actuators) that extend between the blade and the structural member and are configured to move (that is, pivot) the blade assembly relative to the structural member. T In some examples, the blade of the foldable blade assemblies disclosed herein includes a foldable wing that can be pivotally moved relative to the main body of the blade, such that the foldable wing can be held in a position in which it extends transverse to the main body of the blade.

[0026] The combination of pivotally moving the blade relative to the structural member, and of pivotally moving the foldable wing of the blade relative to the main body of the blade allows the lateral footprint of the blade assembly (that is, the linear extension of the blade assembly along a reference direction perpendicular to the driving direction of the work vehicle) to be reduced, and in some cases, reduced until it is less than the width of the work vehicle to which the blade assembly is attached.

Aspects of the Disclosed Technology

[0027] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 depicts an example work vehicle 100. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the work vehicle 100 can be a vehicle such as the track crawler shown in FIG. 1, but it will be appreciated that the foldable blade assemblies disclosed herein can be used with other work vehicles.

[0028] The work vehicle 100 includes an undercarriage 102 having first and second ground engaging units 104 and 106 (for example, crawler tracks) including first and second hydraulic travel motors 108 for driving the first and second ground engaging units 104 and 106, respectively. As seen in FIG. 1, a main frame 112 is supported by the undercarriage 102. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the first and second ground engaging units 104 and 106 may be left and right crawler tracks, respectively, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0029] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the work vehicle 100 includes a working assembly 122 extending alongside and forward from the main frame 112. The working assembly 122 includes one or more actuators 124 extending between the main frame 112 and a working tool, such as the dozer blade described in greater detail below.

[0030]An operator cab 140 may be located on the main frame 112, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The operator cab 140 and the working assembly 122 may both be mounted on the main frame so that the operator cab 140 faces in a working direction of the 100//, such as in the direction of the working tool described in greater detail below. A control station 110 may be located in the operator cab 140.

[0031] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a working tool, such as foldable blade assembly 200 can be mounted to work vehicle 100 at one or more connection points 150. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the work vehicle 100 can contain one or more connection points 150 associated with each of the first ground engaging unit 104 and the second ground engaging unit 106.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the foldable blade assembly 200 can include a structural member 202, a dozer blade 204, and a central pivot assembly 206 connecting the dozer blade 204 to the structural member 202. In some examples The structural member 202 can be a C-frame, as shown in FIGS. 2-5, which comprises one or more mounting arms 208, such as the first mounting arm 208a and the second mounting arm 208b shown in FIG. 2. In such examples, the foldable blade assembly 200 can be mounted to the work vehicle 100 by coupling the one or more mounting arms 208 to a corresponding number of connection points 150. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the one or more connection points 150 can comprise mounting posts 152 that extend outwardly from the main frame 112 of the work vehicle 100 (not shown in FIG. 2) to engage the structural member 202 (for example, the C-frame shown). In such examples, the mounting arms 208 (such as the first mounting arm 208a and the second mounting arm second mounting arm 208b shown in FIG. 2) can each comprise an aperture or bore (not shown) that receives the mounting posts 152 of the connection points 150, which extend therethrough and secure the foldable blade assembly 200 to the work vehicle 100.

[0033] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the central pivot assembly 206 can be a ball joint, such as that illustrated in FIG. 9. The central pivot assembly 206 pivotally connects the dozer blade 204 to the structural member 202. As shown in FIG. 2, the central pivot assembly 206 can be positioned at a forward end 210 of the structural member 202. The central pivot assembly 206 can comprise a pivot joint 212 connected to the structural member 202 by a bracket 214, which in some examples can be a pitch tower, as shown in FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 2, the pivot 212 can attach to the dozer blade 204 at a central portion 216 of the dozer blade 204. This allows the dozer blade 204 to pivotally move relative to the structural member 202 (and thus relative to the front end of the work vehicle 100) between an unfolded configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 and a folded configuration illustrated in FIG. 3. It will be appreciated that, while FIGS. 2-5 show a central pivot assembly 206 that is a ball joint, other pivotally movable structures may be similarly suitable.

[0034] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the foldable blade assembly 200 can further include one or more hinges 207, as illustrated in FIG. 9. In such examples, the hinges 207 can be vertically spaced apart from the central pivot assembly 206 (that is, the ball joint 206). The one or more hinge 207 can further contribute to the stability of the dozer blade 204, while permitting the pivotal movement of the dozer blade 204 relative to the structural member 202.

[0035]As shown in FIG. 2, the dozer blade 204 can further include a left end portion 218, and a right end portion 220. A front face 222 of the dozer blade 204 includes a blade 224 and a scoop portion 226, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6. The blade 224 is configured to engage a ground surface during a work operation, for example, to move earth or soil, and the scoop portion 226 is configured to direct soil or other material moved by the blade. According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the foldable blade assembly 200 can also include one or more angle cylinders 228, which are actuators connected to the dozer blade 204, extending between the dozer blade 204 and the structural member 202. The angle cylinders 228 can angle the blade relative to the work vehicle 100. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the foldable blade assembly 200 can include a first angle cylinder 228a positioned to the left of the lateral centerline of the foldable blade assembly 200 and a second angle cylinder 228b positioned to the right of the lateral centerline of the foldable blade assembly 200. It will be appreciated that the angle cylinders 228 can be hydraulic cylinders according to some aspects of the present disclosure. It will also be appreciated that other actuators, such as pneumatic or mechanically driven actuators, are suitable for repositioning the dozer blade 204 as described herein.

[0036] The one or more angle cylinders 228 can be linearly extendable and retractable along a longitudinal axis of the respective cylinder 228. Thus, the one or more angle cylinders 228 are movable between a neutral (neither extended nor retracted) position, an extended position, and a retracted position. It will be appreciated that the neutral position of the cylinders 228 is associated with a configuration of the foldable blade assembly 200 wherein the blade 224 extends substantially parallel to a transverse axis T, shown in FIGS. 2-4, and that the blade 224 may be angled relative to the transverse axis T by moving one cylinder 228 to the extended position and the other cylinder 228 to the retracted position. Thus, when the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b move between the neutral position, the extended position, and the retracted position, they can thereby move one end (for example, the left end or the right end) of the dozer blade 204 forward or backward relative to the work vehicle 100. This allows the dozer blade 204 to be angled at an angle relative to an axis T, extending perpendicular to the forward drive direction of the work vehicle 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4.

[0037] More particularly, when the foldable blade assembly 200 includes a first angle cylinder 228a and a second angle cylinder 228b positioned to the left and right of the centerline of the foldable blade assembly 200 respectively, when the first angle cylinder 228a moves from the neutral position to the extended position and the second angle cylinder 228b moves from the neutral position to the retracted position, the left end of the dozer blade 204 advances away from the work vehicle 100 and the right end of the dozer blade 204 retracts towards the work vehicle 100, which angles the dozer blade 204 to the right. Likewise, when the first angle cylinder 228a moves from the neutral position to the retracted position and the second angle cylinder 228b moves from the neutral position to the extended position, the left end of the dozer blade 204 is retracted towards the work vehicle 100 and the right end of the dozer blade 204 advances away from the work vehicle 100 to angle the dozer blade 204 to the left. Thus, the dozer blade 204 can be moved between an unfolded configuration and a folded configuration, with respect to the work vehicle 100, wherein when the dozer blade 204 is in the unfolded configuration, the dozer blade 204 is substantially parallel to the axis T, and when the dozer blade 204 is in the folded configuration, the dozer blade 204 extends at an angle parallel to the axis T.

[0038] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, when the foldable blade assembly 200 includes a first angle cylinder 228a and a second angle cylinder 228b, the two angle cylinders 228 can attach to the dozer blade 204 at different positions in an axial direction, A, as indicated in FIG. 4. Thus, the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b can have different lengths when in the neutral position by virtue of these different connection points. That is, the first angle cylinder 228a can have a first axial length when it is in the neutral position and the second angle cylinder 228b can have a second axial length when it is in the neutral position, with the first axial length and second axial length being unequal. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, a first end 260 of the first angle cylinder 228a can be connected to the dozer blade 204 at a point that is axially aligned with the central pivot assembly 206, while the first end 260 of the second angle cylinder 228b can be connected to the dozer blade 204 at a point that is axially forward of the central pivot assembly 206. Advantageously, this configuration of the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b can allow the dozer blade 204 to be positioned at a greater angle relative to the axis T than would be possible if the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b were of equal lengths.

[0039] According to one specific example, the difference between the first axial length and the second axial length when the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b are both in the neutral position may be at least 1%, such as 1%, 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, 3%, 3.5%, 4%, 4.5%, or 5%, or even higher differences as desired.

[0040] For instance, in one specific example foldable blade assembly 200, illustrated in FIG. 3, the dozer blade 204 can achieve a maximum angle relative to the axis T of approximately 25° when the angle cylinders 228 are of equal length. By replacing the angle cylinders 228 with a first angle cylinder 228a and a second angle cylinder 228b of unequal lengths in an otherwise identical foldable blade assembly 200, it is possible to increase the maximum achievable blade angle relative to the axis T to 30° or greater, thereby narrowing the overall lateral extension of the dozer blade 204 along the direction of the transverse axis T.

[0041] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b can also be spaced at different distances from a lateral centerline of the central pivot assembly 206. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first angle cylinder 228a can be positioned at a first lateral distance W1 from the axial centerline of the central pivot assembly 206 and the second angle cylinder 228b can be positioned at a second lateral distance W2 from the axial centerline of the central pivot assembly 206. Where the first lateral distance W1 and the second lateral distance W2 are different, the maximum achievable angle between the dozer blade 204 and the transverse axis T can advantageously be increased.

[0042]According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the different axial lengths of the angle cylinders 228 and/or the different lateral spacings between the angle cylinders 228 and the lateral centerline of the central pivot assembly 206 can, alone or in combination, provide that the dozer blade 204 has a maximum blade angle relative to the transverse axis T that is different depending on whether the dozer blade 204 is angled to the left or to the right, relative to the work vehicle 100.

[0043] As shown in the illustrative example of FIG. 4, the first angle cylinder 228a can have a first length L1 in the neutral position and be laterally spaced apart from the lateral centerline of the central pivot assembly 206 by a first width W1. Likewise, the second angle cylinder 228b can have a second length L2 in the neutral position and be laterally spaced apart from the lateral centerline of the first and second ground engaging units 106 by a second width W2. In such an example, L2 may be greater than L1, such that an axial spacing D, as illustrated in FIG. 4, separates the attachment points of the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b to the dozer blade 204, and that likewise W2 may be greater than W1 such that the transverse distance between the attachment points of the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b to the dozer blade 204 and the central pivot assembly 206 are unequal. When the first angle cylinder 228a is in the retracted position and the second angle cylinder 228b is in the extended position, the dozer blade 204 will angle towards the left side of the work vehicle 100 at a first angle. When the first angle cylinder 228a is in the extended position and the second angle cylinder 228b is in the retracted position, the dozer blade 204 will angle towards the right side of the work vehicle 100 at a second angle.

[0044]Because the lengths of the angle cylinders 228 and the spacing between the angle cylinders 228 and the lateral centerline of the central pivot assembly 206 are unequal, the maximum achievable value for the first angle and the maximum achievable value second angle will be unequal. In the illustrated example, the maximum achievable value of the second angle will be greater than the maximum achievable value of the first angle. For instance, in one specific example, the maximum achievable value of the first angle can be approximately 25°, and the maximum achievable value of the second angle can be approximately 30°. It will be readily appreciated, however, that by varying the geometries of the angle cylinders 228 and the spacing of the angle cylinders 228 from the lateral centerline of the central pivot 20, the achievable angles may be likewise altered. Similarly, it will be appreciated that, while the example discussed herein describes a case in which the second angle is greater than the first angle, the reverse can be accomplished when L1 is greater than L2, and/or when W1 is greater than W2.

[0045] It will be readily appreciated that, in some examples having two or more angle cylinders 228, such as the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b shown in FIG. 4, the angle cylinders 228 can be identical or substantially identical components, and the difference in the lengths of the angle cylinders 228 (for example, the difference between L1 and L2 as shown in FIG. 4) may be the result of the different position of the attachment points of the angle cylinders 228 to the dozer blade 204. In other examples, however, the angle cylinders 228 may include individual cylinders 228 with slightly different lengths, such that the difference between L1 and L2 can be the result of structural differences between the angle cylinders 228 used.

[0046] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the foldable blade assembly 200 includes angle cylinders 228 that extend between dozer blade 204 and the central pivot assembly 206 with no linkage members. That is, the angle cylinders 228 can connect directly to the dozer blade 204 at a first end 260 and directly to the structural member 202 at a second end 262. Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first angle cylinder 228a and second cylinder 228b each to the dozer blade 204 at a first end 260 and to the structural member 202 at a second end 262, with no additional components separating the angle cylinders 228 from the structural member 202 and the dozer blade 204. It will be appreciated, however, that in other examples, one or more intermediary linkages may separate the angle cylinders 228 from the structural member 202, from the dozer blade 204, or from both the structural member 202 and the dozer blade 204.

[0047]According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the dozer blade 204 can include one or more pivotally foldable wings 234 that extend laterally from a main body portion 236, which may include the central portion 216 of the dozer blade 204 as well as optionally some or all of the left end portion 218 and/or the right end portion 220 of the dozer blade 204. For example, in the example shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the right end portion 220 of the dozer blade 204 can be a foldable wing 234 positioned to one lateral side of the main body portion 236. The one or more pivotally foldable wings 234 can be pivotally attached to the main body portion 236, such that the one or more pivotally foldable wings 234 can be rotationally moved relative to the main body portion 236, between an expanded configuration (sometimes called a deployed configuration) with the foldable wing 234 extending substantially in line with the main body portion 236, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, and a collapsed configuration (sometimes called a retracted configuration) with the foldable wing 234 extending transverse to the main body portion 236, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0048] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the dozer blade 204 can also include one or more pairs of transfer plates 238, each pair of transfer plates 238 positioned laterally opposite each other across a seam 240 between the foldable wing 234 and the main body portion 236 of the dozer blade 204. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a first transfer plate 238a can be mounted to a part of the main body portion 236 of the dozer blade 204 that is adjacent to the foldable wing 234. A corresponding second transfer plate 238b can be mounted to a part of the foldable wing 234 of the dozer blade 204 that is adjacent to the main body portion 236, and vertically aligned with the first transfer plate 238a to form a transfer plate pair.

[0049] In some examples, the dozer blade 204 can include more than one pair of transfer plates 238, which may in some examples be configured to be releasably engaged with one another to retain the foldable wing 234 in the extended position relative to then main body portion 236. For instance, as shown in FIG. 6, the dozer blade 204 can further include a third transfer plate 238c attached to the main body portion 236 and a fourth transfer plate 238d attached to the foldable wing 234, and vertically aligned with the third transfer plate 238c to form a second transfer plate pair vertically spaced apart from the first transfer plate pair.

[0050] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the transfer plates 238 can include one or more apertures 242 extending therethrough. The apertures can be positioned on each transfer plate 238 such that, when the pivotally foldable wing 234 is in the extended configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, the apertures 242 of a pair of transfer plates 238 align with one another for form a single bore or channel extending through both transfer plates 238 of the pair of transfer plates 238. For example, in the example illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the first transfer plate 238a and the second transfer plate 238b include a first set of apertures 242a and a second set of apertures 242b. Likewise, the third transfer plate 238c and the fourth transfer plate 238d include a third set of apertures 242c and a fourth set of apertures 242d. When foldable wing 234 is in the extended configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the first set of apertures 242a and the second set of apertures 242b align and the third set of apertures 242c and the fourth set of apertures 242d align.

[0051]When the apertures 242 are thus aligned, they can admit one or more securing elements that extend through both transfer plates 238 of a pair of transfer plates 238. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the securing elements can be bolts 244 that extend through the apertures 242 of the respective pairs of transfer plates 238. The bolts 244 can be secured in place by a corresponding number of nuts 246. With the 244// secured in place in this fashion, the foldable wing 234 is retained in the extended configuration and prevented from moving to the collapsed configuration relative to the main body portion 236 of the dozer blade 204.

[0052] For instance, in the example illustrated in FIG. 7, in which the first transfer plate 238a and the corresponding second transfer plate 238b include the first set of apertures 242a and the second set of apertures 242b, respectively, when the foldable wing 234 is in the extended configuration relative to the main body portion 236, a set of first bolts 244a can extend through both the first set of apertures 242a and the second set of apertures 242b to secure the first transfer plate 238a to the corresponding second transfer plate 238b to secure the foldable wing 234 in the extended configuration. Similarly, the third transfer plate 238c and the fourth transfer plate 238d can be secured to one another, for example with a second set of bolts 244b as shown in FIG. 7, or a third set of bolts (not shown).

[0053] It will be appreciated that, while the examples described above include bolts 244, other securing mechanisms may be used. For example, pins may be used in lieu of or in addition to the bolts 244. Alternatively, or in addition to either the bolts 244 or the pins, the transfer plates 238 may be secured by latches, clamps, or other suitable methods of securing two opposing plates to one another.

[0054] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the dozer blade 204 can also include one or more shims 248 disposed between opposing transfer plates 238 of a pair of transfer plates 238. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 7, one or more shims 248 can be positioned between the first transfer plate 238a and the second transfer plate 238b. Similarly, one or more shims 248 can likewise be place between the third transfer plate 238c and the fourth transfer plate 238. The presence of shims between the transfer plates 238 of a pair of transfer plates 238 allows for fine control of the alignment between the transfer plates 238 of the pair of transfer plates 238. By adding or removing shims, an angle between opposing transfer plates 238 (for example, first transfer plate 238a and corresponding second transfer plate 238b) can be increased or decreased, and accordingly, the alignment of the foldable wing 234 and the main body portion 236 to which the respective transfer plates 238 are attached can likewise be increased or decreased. Advantageously, therefore, the one or more shims 248 make it possible to ensure alignment of the foldable wing 234 with the main body portion 236.

[0055]According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the dozer blade 204 can also include a mechanism to retain the foldable wing 234 in the collapsed configuration relative to the main body portion 236. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the dozer blade 204 can be secured in the collapsed configuration shown by a stopper rod 250. In such examples, the 240/ can include one or more stopper brackets 252 configured to receive the stopper rod 250. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the dozer blade 204 can include a first stopper bracket 252a mounted to the main body portion 236 of the dozer blade 204 and a second stopper bracket 252b mounted to the foldable wing 234 of the dozer blade 204. As shown in FIG. 6, the first stopper bracket 252a and the second stopper bracket 252b receive the stopper rod 250, which selectively engages the first stopper bracket 252a and the second stopper bracket 252b and prevents the pivotal movement of the foldable wing 234 relative to the main body portion 236, which prevents the dozer blade 204 from moving from the collapsed configuration to the extended configuration.

[0056]According to some aspects of the present disclosure, the dozer blade 204 can also include features for storing the stopper rod 250 when the stopper rod 250 is not in use retaining the dozer blade 204 in the collapsed configuration. For example, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the main body portion 236 of the dozer blade 204 can include two storage slots 254. The storage slots 254 are sized to admit end portions 256 of the stopper rod 250, which extend through the main body portion 236 of the dozer blade 204 as indicated in FIG. 7. In some cases, the stopper rod 250 can be secured in the two storage slots 254 by one or more removable pins 258, which can be inserted through a corresponding aperture in one or more of the end portions 256 of the stopper rod 250 as shown in FIG. 7.

[0057]According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the main body portion 236 can include a recess 264 and the foldable wing 234 can include a laterally extending projection 266 sized to be received by and to fit snugly within the recess 264. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the main body portion 236 can include a recess 264 that extends rearward from the front face 222 of the dozer blade 204, partway through the thickness of the dozer blade 204. Thus, the recess 264 is defined by a back surface 270, a bottom surface 272, and a top surface positioned vertically opposite of the bottom surface 272 (not visible in FIG. 6), forming a C-shaped recess 264 in the dozer blade 204.

[0058] Correspondingly, the foldable wing 234 includes the laterally extending projection 266 which also extends rearward from the front face 222 of the foldable wing 234 of dozer blade 204. AS shown in FIG. 6, the laterally extending projection 266 has a height that corresponds to the distance between the bottom surface 272 and the top surface. The laterally extending projection 266 also includes a rear projection surface 276 that is correspondingly sized to match the depth of the recess 264 in the main body portion 236 of the dozer blade 204. When the dozer blade 204 is in the expanded configuration (that is, when the foldable wing 234 is aligned substantially with the main body portion 236 to form a substantially straight dozer blade 204), the laterally extending projection 266 is received in the recess 264, such that the back surface 270 overlaps and abuts the rear projection surface 276 of the laterally extending projection 266 as the laterally extending projection 266 engages the recess 264.

[0059] Advantageously, this arrangement of the recess 264 and the laterally extending projection 266 which reversibly engage each other when the dozer blade 204 is in the expanded configuration, reduces potential misalignment of the foldable wing 234 and the main body portion 236. Furthermore, the disclosed configuration of the recess 264 and the laterally extending projection 266 minimizes disruptions or discontinuities of the front face 222 of the dozer blade 204, which in turn improves the continuous flow of soil across the front face 222 of the dozer blade 204 when the foldable blade assembly 200 is in use.

[0060] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, one or more of the previously discussed features can be used alone or in combination to ensure that the lateral extension of the blade 204 (that is, the extension parallel to the transverse axis T) when it is in the folded configuration illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5 is less than the spacing of the first and second ground engaging elements 104, 106. In particular examples, the lateral extension of the dozer blade 204 when it is in the folded configuration can be less than 12 feet. It will be appreciated that this may be accomplished by placing the dozer blade 204 in the folded configuration alone or in addition to placing the dozer blade 204 in the collapsed configuration, with the foldable wing 234 pivoted such that it extends transverse to the main body portion 236.

[0061] Thus, the foldable blade assembly 200, or a work vehicle 100 including the foldable blade assembly 200, can be prepared for transporting by placing the dozer blade 204 in the folded configuration. In some cases, the foldable blade assembly 200 or the work vehicle 100 including the foldable blade assembly 200 can be further prepared for transport by placing the dozer blade 204 in the collapsed configuration by pivoting the foldable wing 234 relative to the main body portion 236 such that the foldable wing 234 extends transverse to the main body portion 236.

[0062]The foldable blade assembly 200 can also be in communication with a controller, such as the controller 300 shown in FIG. 8. The controller 300 can be configured for the computerized operation, either automatic or partially automated, of the foldable blade assembly 200.

[0063]The controller 300 includes or may be associated with a processor 302, a computer readable medium 304, a database 306, and an input/output module or control panel 308 having a display 310. The control panel 308 may be a part of the control station 110 in the operator cab 140. An input/output device 312, such as a keyboard, joystick or other user interface, can be provided so that a human operator may input instructions to the controller 300. It is understood that the controller 300 described herein may be a single controller having the described functionality, or it may include multiple controllers wherein the described functionality is distributed among the multiple controllers. Some or all of the controllers may be located at a location other than the work vehicle and be connected wirelessly.

[0064]Various operations, steps or algorithms as described in connection with the controller 300 can be embodied directly in hardware, in a computer program product 314 such as a software module executed by the processor 302, or in a combination of the two. The computer program product 314 can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, or any other form of computer-readable medium 304 known in the art. An exemplary computer-readable medium 304 can be coupled to the processor 302 such that the processor 302 can read information from, and write information to, the memory/ storage medium. In the alternative, the medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the medium can reside in an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative, the processor and the medium can reside as discrete components in a user terminal.

[0065] The term “processor” as used herein may refer to at least general-purpose or specific-purpose processing devices, and/or logic as may be understood by one of skill in the art, including but not limited to a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a state machine, and the like. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0066] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, illustrated in FIG. 3, the controller 300 is configured to receive one or more input signals and to produce and transmit one or more output signals in response to or based in part on the input signals.

[0067] Particularly, a user interface 316 can be associated with the controller 300. The user interface 316 may be associated with the control station 110 of the work vehicle 100, previously described, or with a separate device, such as a mobile device, so that a user or a remote user can enter user input such as one or more signals to the controller 300 through the user interface 316. For example, the user or remote user can enter an actuator input signal 110S, which can direct the controller to issue an angle cylinder control signal 228C to one or more hydraulic valves that control the angle cylinders 228 of the foldable blade assembly 200 (for example, the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b previously described).

[0068] For example, when the first angle cylinder 228a and the second angle cylinder 228b are hydraulic actuators, the angle cylinder control signal 228C can cause one or more hydraulic valves 318 in communication with the controller 300 to move between an first, second, and third position, wherein when the valve(s) 318 are in the first configuration the angle cylinders 228, are extended, when the valve(s) 318 are in the second configuration the angle cylinders 228, are held in a constant position, and when the valve(s) 318 are in the third configuration the angle cylinders 228, are retracted.

[0069] In this way, the extension and retraction of the angle cylinders 228 can be controlled by a user with access to the user interface 316. This allows the position of the foldable blade assembly to be adjusted by driving the actuators using one or more remote signals. For example, if the controller 300 is in communication with angle cylinders 228, one or more user input signals 110S can be transmitted from the control station 110 to the controller 300, which can generate one or more corresponding angle cylinder control signals 228C. The one or more angle cylinder control signals 228C can cause the actuator to extend from the retracted position to the extended position, or from the extended position to the locked position, or retracted from the locked position to the extended position, or from the extended position to the retracted position. Advantageously, this allows a user to control the position dozer blade 204 relative to the work vehicle 100 from within the operator cab 140.

[0070] Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful FOLDABLE ASSEMBLY it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.