Suspension apparatus for a work implement, work implement for use with such an apparatus, and vehicle provided with the suspension apparatus

1. Apparatus for the suspension of a work implement on a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a frame fixedly mounted at one end of the vehicle; a carrier fixed to the frame and having a longitudinal axis extending essentially transversely to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle,

wherein the carrier adjacent to each of its outer ends is provided with a first link having a first end and a second end,

the first end of each of the first links having a first pivot axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the carrier for pivotably attaching the first links to the carrier, and

the second end of each of the first links remote from the carrier being fixedly supported at outer ends of the work implement,

wherein each of the first links is independently pivotable about the corresponding first pivot axis,

wherein each of the first links is mounted, respectively, by means of a bearing in a first holder at each of the ends of the work implement, said bearing allowing each first holder to be angled in relation to said corresponding first link,

wherein when one of the first links pivots independently about the first pivot axis, the work implement is pivotable to positions in which a longitudinal axis of the work implement and the longitudinal axis of the carrier are not parallel to each other.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first links includes a lower carrier link and an upper torque link, and

wherein each of the lower carrier link and the upper torque link has a second pivot axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the carrier, the lower carrier link and the upper torque link forming a four-bar linkage.

3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein said four-bar linkage shaped substantially as a parallelogram.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the ends of the work implement is supported so as to be slidable in an axial direction of the work implement in relation to said first holder.

5. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the first link at each end of the carrier is provided with a torsion spring for positioning the work implement in relation to an underlying surface.

6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the torsion spring is adjustable for adjustment of a ground pressure of the work implement against an underlying surface.

7. The apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein a longitudinal axis of the torsion spring coincides with a horizontal pivot axis of the first links.

8. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the torsion spring includes an adjustable coil spring.

9. The apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the torsion spring includes an adjustable spring of an elastic material.

10. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the work implement is a plough, the respective ends of which are slidably attached to said first holders to allow the holders to pivot with respect to the first links.

11. The apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the work implement is a cylindrical brush capable of rotating about its central axis, the respective ends of which are slidably attached to said first holders to allow the holders to pivot with respect to the first links.

12. The apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein each of the first links includes a lower carrier link and an upper torque link, and wherein each of the lower carrier link and the upper torque link has an end remote from the carrier that is fixedly supported in the first holder at each end of the brush adjacent to the central axis of the brush.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the ends of the lower carrier link and the upper torque link remote from the carrier are fixedly supported in the first holder on opposite sides of the central axis of the brush.

14. The apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the brush can be made to rotate via at least one drive motor fixed to the first holder, while the central axis of the brush is angled relative to each of the lower carrier link and the upper torque link.

15. The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein an output shaft of the motor is fixed to a second holder, which is mounted so that it can slide but is rotationally fixed in relation to a continuous hollow core in the brush.

16. The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the core of the brush is formed with a non-circular cross section.

17. The apparatus according to claim 16 , wherein the core of the brush has a hexagonal cross section.

18. The apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the drive motor is a hydraulic motor.

19. A vehicle provided with an apparatus for the suspension of the work implement according to claim 1 .

20. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the apparatus further comprises a drive motor disposed remotely from the carrier at the outer end of the work implement.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the work implement is pivotable between a position in which the longitudinal axis of the work implement and the longitudinal axis of the carrier are parallel to each other, to a plurality of other positions in which the longitudinal axis of the work implement and the longitudinal axis of the carrier are not parallel to each other.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the ends of the work implement is designed to be supported so that it can slide in an axial direction in relation to the corresponding first link.

23. Apparatus for the suspension of a work implement on a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:

a frame mounted at one end of the vehicle; and a carrier fixed to the frame and having a longitudinal axis extending essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the vehicle,

wherein the carrier adjacent to each of its outer ends is provided with a first link having a first end and a second end,

the first end of each of the first links having a first pivot axis parallel to a longitudinal axis of the carrier at a first end, and

the second end of each of the first links remote from the carrier being fixedly supported at outer ends of the work implement,

wherein each of the ends of the work implement is supported so as to be slidable in an axial direction of the work implement relative to the corresponding first link, further comprising:

a holder provided at opposite ends of the work implement, the two holders being independently slideable with respect to each other along a longitudinal axis of the work implement,

wherein the second end of each of the first links is pivotably connected to the corresponding holder at a point radially outward with respect to the longitudinal axis of the work implement.

24. The apparatus according to claim 23 , further comprising a bearing provided at opposite ends of the work implement, the two bearings being independently rotatable with respect to each other about a longitudinal axis of the work implement,

wherein the holder on each end of the work implement is mounted on the corresponding bearing, the bearing at one end of the work implement being independently pivotable with respect to the bearing at the opposite end of the work implement,

wherein the holder and first link at the one end of the work implement are able to pivot independently with respect to the holder and first link at the opposite end of the work implement.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein each of the ends of the work implement is supported so that it is slidable in an axial direction in relation to the first link and the carrier.