Patents Represented by Law Firm Wegner, Stellman, McCord, Wiles & Wood
  • Patent number: 4382834
    Abstract: In a machine for covering a toroidal body with layers of elastomeric material wherein a cutting and stitching apparatus is provided for severing a scrap portion of a sheet of material (32) from a portion of the sheet that has been applied to a toroidal core (30) and stitching the applied portion to the core (30). The apparatus (16,18,20,22) includes actuators (45,54) for positioning the cutters (104) and the stitchers (105) in operative position on the outside periphery and the inside periphery of the core (30) with the rotatable cutters (104) in proper position for effecting a cut through the material without scoring the core (30) or other underlying material. The cutting and stitching apparatus (16,18,20,22) is rotated about the core (30) as the rotating cutter (104) severs the material. The cutter (104) is programmed to retract as the stitchers (105) continue to stitch the edge of the applied material to the core (30).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 10, 1983
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Ronald L. Satzler
  • Patent number: 4379527
    Abstract: A shuttle driving assembly (10) including an open shuttle (22) rotatably driven on an automatically opened support frame (16) by a plurality of drive roller assemblies (85,87) carried by the frame (16). Each drive roller assembly (85,87) has a drive roller pulley (84) and at least one with plural belts (192,191,190,188,186) driving groups of the drive roller assemblies. The drive rollers contact a groove (115) on the shuttle (22) to provide a positive and responsive power transmission therebetween. The shaft (82) of each drive roller assembly (85,87) is mounted in a non-concentric bearing in a web (30) of the support frame (16) to provide adjustment of the position of the drive rollers (92) relative to the shuttle (22) for centering the shuttle (22) relative to the frame (16).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Ronald T. Albo, James E. Carney, Jr., Robert E. Riehl
  • Patent number: 4371410
    Abstract: A tape-applying apparatus (10) is advanced toward a body (15) upon which a strip of tape (16) is to be applied to urge a plurality of stitching rollers (72,74) against the body (15). Further advancing of the apparatus (10) will move an applicator roller (42) and the end of the tape (16) into engagement with the body (15). As the body (15) is moved past the tape-applying apparatus (10), the tape (16) is pulled over the applicator roller (42) and is stitched to the body (15) by the stitching rollers (72,74). When sufficient tape (16) has been applied, the housing (20) of the tape-applying apparatus (10) is urged away from the body (15) which moves the applicator roller (42) out of contact with the body (15). A brake apparatus (94) on the housing (20) is activated by a cam recess (80) on the holders (50) for some of the stitching rollers (72). The brake apparatus (94) engages the applicator roller (42) to arrest further feeding of tape (16) to the body (15).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Samuel B. Stevens
  • Patent number: 4351202
    Abstract: A balancing mechanism in a conventional, multicylinder engine consisting of a mass linked to the static portion of the engine and dynamically linked to the engine crankshaft in such a manner as to establish an arcuate oscillation of the mass on rotation of the crankshaft for producing a primary harmonic shaking force and a secondary harmonic shaking force in the direction of greatest travel of the mass, and a secondary harmonic shaking force in a direction at right angles to said first-mentioned direction with these harmonic shaking forces adapted to balance other shaking forces developed within the engine. A crank-and-rocker mechanism is utilized in the balancing mechanism and the angular disposition thereof may be related to the position of maximum value of the engine harmonic shaking forces as distinguished from the dead center position of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1982
    Inventor: Robert F. Summers
  • Patent number: 4343101
    Abstract: A scraper bowl structure (11) for use in a scraper vehicle (10) having a rear wheeled support (12) and a wheeled tractive unit (15). The bowl structure (11) is defined by sidewalls (16,17) pivotally mounting a front apron (22) and a rear blade (25). Positioning devices (29,30) are associated with the apron (22) and blade (25), respectively, selectively positioning the apron (22) and blade (25) in raised and lowered positions. Spreader elements (19,20,21) for securing the sidewalls in spaced relationship further serve as supporting elements for supporting the blade (25) in the different dispositions thereof. The configuration of blade (25) is preselected so as to bulldoze earth forwardly onto the apron (22) in a lowered position of the blade (25) and apron (22).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: William H. Klekamp, Philip H. Tullis
  • Patent number: 4340126
    Abstract: A vehicle drive system including a wheel (16) to be driven, a suspension (18) having multiple relatively movable parts (24,26,28) and mounting the wheel for rotation and translation on a vehicle frame, a hydraulic rotary output motor (12) connected to the wheel for driving the wheel, a hydraulic pump (10) providing hydraulic fluid under pressure to the motor, a conduit (50) interconnecting the pump and the motor, and a flow control valve (40) in the conduit for controlling the flow. A switch (90) is associated with two of the relatively movable parts of the suspension for sensing relative movement therebetween indicative of the wheel losing contact with the underlying terrain and a valve (60) is responsive to the switch (90) for causing the flow control valve (40) to halt the flow of hydraulic fluid between the pump and the motor upon the wheel losing contact with the ground to prevent overspeed of the motor (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 1979
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Donald J. Larson
  • Patent number: 4334415
    Abstract: A universal coupling (40) for joining two rotatable shafts (42,43) in driving relation includes a pair of opposed yoke members (48,49) connected together by a multi-legged spider element (51). The ends of the spider legs (52) are journaled within bearing caps (60) which are secured to yoke flanges (56) by bolts (67). Each of the caps carry a pair of tapered keys (70) which seat in a pair of keyways (71) defined in the yoke flanges when the caps are fixed thereto. The keys (70) and keyways (71) are aligned on the bores (64,65) through which the securing bolts extend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Michael F. Hopkins, Alvin D. Mayerchin
  • Patent number: 4327694
    Abstract: In fuel injectors of the type which include a rotating plunger (12) having a double helix, or "double scroll", control edges (62, 64), a control edge configuration is disclosed which improves the starting characteristics of certain internal combustion engines. A starting groove (76) and a starting projection (78) are provided in the control edges (62, 64) which simultaneously greatly increase the amount of fuel injected into the combustion space and retard engine timing. Also provided is a control mechanism (92-96) which prevents the injectors from accidently or intentionally rotating to the start position when the engine is running.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 1979
    Date of Patent: May 4, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Ralph B. Henson, James L. Martin
  • Patent number: 4325319
    Abstract: An electrostatic painting system has a charged conductor (22) extending along the path of travel of article carriers (11) through a coating zone (15, 16). A plenum (33) with a perforate wall (25) extends along the length of the charged conductor and is connected with a blower (30). A unidirectional flow of air is directed across the charged conductor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Richards, Robert G. Smead, Paul J. Staebler
  • Patent number: 4324535
    Abstract: A slant axis rotary piston mechanism including a shaft (42) having an angularly offset eccentric (44) and a housing (10) defining a general spherical chamber (22) journalling the shaft and containing the eccentric. A peripheral, generally sinuous partition (20) is fixed in the housing and extends radially into the chamber towards the eccentric. A rotor (62) is journalled on the eccentric and is of generally spherical exterior configuration (64) and has a peripheral groove (66, 68, 70) extending about and opening to its periphery. Each of the sides (66 and 68) of the groove face a corresponding side (24, 26) of the partition and define therewith at least two working volumes of variable volume. Gears (108, 110) synchronize relative movement between the shaft, the rotor and the housing, and ports (90, 92, 94, 96) provide for ingress and egress of working fluid to the working volumes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 13, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: John M. Clarke
  • Patent number: 4320694
    Abstract: A hydraulic manifold assembly includes a body (20) having an end face (28). Bolts (26) and a flange (22) are employed to mount the body (20) within a sealed chamber (14) in nominally aligned relation with an enlarged opening (30) from the chamber (14). External threads (50) adjacent the end face (28) extend through the opening (30) and a fluid conduit (32) terminates in a port (36) in the end face (28). A nut (52) is sized to cover the opening (30) for any position of nominal alignment of the body (20) to the opening (30) and is disposed on the threads (50) such that a side (64) of the nut covers the opening. A seal (62) is carried by the nut for sealing the interface of the nut (52) and a side (10) of the chamber (14).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Charles W. Carr, Kevin G. Forster
  • Patent number: 4320725
    Abstract: A puffing swirler for use in an internal combustion engine. The puffing swirler causes the air and vaporized fuel mixture to have a controlled high velocity swirling action within the piston cylinder of the engine to provide improved high efficiency combustion of the fuel therein. The puffing swirler includes a flow directing deflector movable with the inlet valve and defining a plurality of swirl-inducing passages. A flow control device is provided for preventing delivery of the fuel fluid to the inlet port until the piston has moved substantially from the top position toward the bottom position thereof, thereby producing a substantial preselected pressure differential between the fluid supply and the cylinder to effect the desired puffing delivery of the fluid to the cylinder. Structure may be provided to releasably retain the flow control device in the full open position as during high speed operation of the engine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Inventors: Frank J. Rychlik, deceased, Alan F. Rychlik, executor
  • Patent number: 4320813
    Abstract: A control (51, 151) for automatically effecting a lock-out of an interaxle differential (14) of a wheeled vehicle (10). The control is arranged to sense a deflection of one of the axles (22) of the wheeled vehicle utilizing a springy beam (24, 124) mounting for transmitting a sensible signal through interconnecting structure (36, 136, 38, 50) from the deflectable beam to the lock-out lever (37) of the interaxle differential (14). In one form, the beam is made to be springy by being provided with a tapered end portion (32) connected through the linkage (36) and in another form, the beam connection to the linkage (136) is through a leaf spring (152). A stop (155) may be provided for limiting the deflection of the axle being sensed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Albert Manna
  • Patent number: 4318283
    Abstract: A torsional vibration damping assembly including plates (14,16,18) between which is interposed friction material (30). The plates are held in an assembly and limited against motion by unthreaded reaction pins (38) supported at both ends. The friction material (30) is located radially outwardly of the usual spring assemblies (28) to increase the moment arm over which frictional forces may act. The central plate (16) has a smaller central aperture (22) than the central apertures (20,24) in the adjacent plates and is provided with spline teeth (25) having an axial length substantially no greater than the thickness of the plates (16) so as to allow a coupling (50) to be canted with respect to the rotational axis of the assembly during assembly of a transmission input shaft thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Willis E. Windish
  • Patent number: 4318333
    Abstract: A bidirectional, multiple speed hydraulic actuator, including a differential piston (10, 24, 26). First and second ports (28, 30) are respectively in fluid communication with opposite sides of the piston and there is provided a pressure fluid supply line (40) along with a pressure fluid drain line (44). A control valve (14) is disposed between the ports and the lines and is movable step-wise through five positions providing for nulling of piston movement, and slow and rapid piston movement in either of two directions. A shifting device (60) is provided for the valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Richard A. Cemenska
  • Patent number: 4318571
    Abstract: A vehicle (10) having an operator's cab (12) which may be tilted to gain access to parts of the vehicle located beneath the cab, has a braking mechanism which automatically brakes the vehicle (10) when the cab (12) is tilted so that maintenance and tests may be conveniently performed on the components under the cab (12) while the engine is running. The mechanism consists of a pedal (34) and a linkage (40,44,48) carried by the cab (12). The linkage includes a lever arm (40), a rod (44) and a lever arm (48) connected to a brake actuating assembly. The pedal (34) and linkage are operated to activate the brake actuating assembly for conventional braking and are carried with the cab (12) during tilting of the cab to automatically activate the brake actuating assembly to set the brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Robert M. Vize
  • Patent number: 4317588
    Abstract: A door latch mechanism (15) having a rain deflector (17) for preventing passage of rain water and the like past the latch mechanism into the space (18) selectively closed by the door (13) carrying a portion of the latch mechanism. The deflector includes projections (32, 33) fitted into sockets (23, 24) of the frame (11) and includes a base wall portion (25) having a slot (34) embracing the strike (37) of the latch mechanism when installed therein. The deflector may be formed of synthetic resin at low cost and effectively hides the latch box mechanism for improved aesthetic effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Claude Marchal, Christian Van Espen
  • Patent number: 4308475
    Abstract: A solenoid-actuated fluid pump having reciprocable armature operable by a magnetic circuit and with structure in the flux path at the upper and lower air gaps to substantially change the reluctance across the air gaps as the armature moves beyond a predetermined location. The armature has slots for passage of fluid therethrough and which have a C-shaped cross-section to minimize the air gaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1978
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1981
    Assignee: Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventor: Paul J. Haeck
  • Patent number: RE31154
    Abstract: A variable rate frictional drive coupling is provided between a drive shaft and a driven member. The drive coupling will dampen torsional vibrations from the drive shaft and will transmit driving torque from said shaft to the driven member. The coupling comprises a cam and leaf springs positioned in such a way that as the shaft deflection increases, the load increases and the moment arm point of contact between the cam and the leaf springs changes such that no natural frequency is produced. The frictional forces between the leaves of the leaf spring change inversely to the spring force required to drive the driven member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 22, 1983
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: James T. Hammond, John H. Parks
  • Patent number: RE31168
    Abstract: A power drive assembly having a housing, a drive mechanism removably installed in the housing, an annular biasing spring installed in the housing for biasing the mechanism, and a wear ring arrangement including an undercut annular groove in the mechanism opening coaxially toward an end of the biasing spring and a wear ring removably installed in the groove to engage the end of the biasing spring in the assembled arrangement of the power drive assembly. The wear ring has a cross section complementary to the undercut groove cross section whereby the mechanism may be installed in the housing with the groove opening downwardly and the wear ring maintained in the groove for facilitated assembly of the power drive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1979
    Date of Patent: March 8, 1983
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Richard L. Hedgcock