Abstract: A blade assembly of a motor grader includes a drawbar frame adapted for mounting to the motor grader and a circle frame adapted for mounting a blade thereto. A number of shoe assemblies are mounted to the drawbar frame in a circular array and support the circle frame and blade for rotational movement against the drawbar frame. The circle frame includes a circular frame portion and a number of ring gear segments mounted to the circular portion in a circular array. Each of the ring gear segments includes gear teeth adapted for engaging drive means of the drawbar frame. The circular portion and the ring gear segments define an assembly slidingly received between the shoe assemblies and the drawbar frame. The circular portion is slidingly received against the shoe assemblies, and the ring gear segments are slidingly received against the drawbar frame. Bearing members are disposed between the circular portion and the shoe assemblies and between the ring gear segments and the drawbar frame.

Abstract: In construction machines it quite common to utilize a plurality of control levers to manipulate a multitude of implements. It has often been a problem to quickly and accurately establish a connection between the control lever and the implement since the control lever is often quite some distance away from the mechanism that controls the implement. In many instances multiple personnel are required to properly assemble the various components. This leads to added expense and complexity of the assembly process. The present invention includes a restraint mechanism for a control lever that positively holds the control lever at a preselected location with respect to an established operational pattern.

Abstract: A door hold-open latch and dual release mechanism includes a first latch for maintaining the door in its closed position and a second latch for maintaining the door in its open position. A first latch release is mounted on the door in a position accessible to an operator located in the cab for releasing the first latch. A second latch release is mounted on the door in a position accessible to an operator located in the cab for releasing the second latch. A third latch release is mounted on the door in a position accessible to an operator located on the ground for also releasing the second latch. The operator can actuate the second latch from either the cab using the second latch release or from ground level using the third latch release. Alternately, the third latch release can also release the first latch, and the operator can actuate the first latch using the third latch release.

Abstract: A maintenance free pivot joint is disclosed that mounts a first member to a second member for relative rotation therebetween. The first member is positioned between a pair of brackets defined by the second member and both members define a plurality of bores aligned along a common axis (X). A pin assembly is positioned within the aligned bores and is secured on one end to one of the brackets and permits a small amount of axial and rotational movement of the pin assembly to allow the pin assembly to seek its own center upon connection of the two members to reduce wear and ease assembly.

Abstract: This invention utilizes a cast corner member (20) as a support base for the load bearing members (14) of a roll over protection structure (10). The cast corner member (20) has an end portion (34) comprising at least one gusset (40) which telescopically engages a tubular member (14). The gusset (40) has a tapered configuration which defines a free end portion (36) that has a reduced cross-sectional area and is positioned within the tubular member (14) in slightly spaced relationship to at least one of the side walls of the tubular member (14). When the end portion (34) of the corner member (20) is telescopically received within the tubular member (14), a groove is formed to receive a weld bead (22) which secures the two members together.

Abstract: Construction machines have, in some instances been provided with an undercarriage that may be varied in width. The method by which these undercarriages are moved require support personnel, auxiliary equipment and an extensive amount of time to achieve the desired width. The present invention provides an undercarriage of variable gage wherein movement of the undercarriage components, between extreme positions may be obtained in a very timely and efficient manner from within the operator station of the machine.

Abstract: In the operation of a wheel loader the linkage arrangement that mounts the bucket to the machine often utilizes multiple lift arms and tilting components to accommodate the loading encountered in the various excavation operations. In many instances this hampers visibility to the bucket and also greatly increases the overall weight of the linkage arrangement. The present invention provides a linkage arrangement that utilizes a single boom-type lift arm and a tilting arrangement that is substantially centered along a vertical plane in which the linkage arrangement is moved. In addition, the individual components of the linkage are specifically contoured to provide a sufficient amount of mass in critical areas of loading and reduced areas of mass in non-critical areas. The result is a linkage arrangement that provides excellent visibility to the bucket with greatly reduced overall weight.

Abstract: A restraint mechanism for a control lever 10 of a construction machine maintains a control lever's position in a neutral condition with respect to a control valve. A first plate 34 is pivotally mounted to a base plate 20 on the console of the machine and is movable to a first position to engage the control lever 10 and establish a neutral position. A second plate 48 is utilized to selectively secure the position of the first plate with respect to the control lever while the proper connections and adjustments are made to the linkage arrangements connecting the control lever 10 and the control valve to synchronize their respective neutral positions.

Abstract: In the operation of heavy equipment such as wheel loaders the amount of force subjected to the linkage arrangement that connects the work implement to the loader is normally quite large. In order to accommodate such loading, it has been common practice to increase the size of the various components within the linkage arrangements. The increase in size has greatly increased the weight of the linkage arrangement thus reducing the performance capabilities of the machine. The present invention utilizes a linkage arrangement (10) wherein the specific points of greatest loading have been grouped together son the various components of the linkage. In doing so, only these areas will require areas of significant increases in mass to accommodate the more severe loading. Also the particular positioning between the various components is specifically designed to simplify their construction. These combined factors substantially reduce the overall weight of the linkage arrangement.

Abstract: In the operation of modern day construction machinery, especially those of relatively large size, it is a common occurrence for the bearings in the axle assemblies to wear during the normal course of operation of the machine. As the wear occurs, minute particles become suspended in the fluid circulated within the axle assembly. As the particulate matter increases the wear is also accelerated and failure of one or more components in the axle assembly will frequently occur. The present invention provides an axle assembly with a filter and a cooler and flow control valve to remove the particulate matter and reduce the heat from the fluid circulated within the axle assembly.

Abstract: In many instances it has been a recent trend to incorporate the use of electronic controls into various machine functions to reduce the fatigue of an operator. When incorporated into the steering functions of a machine, the electronic controls often do not provide an operator with an "automotive" feel and thus do not work as well in some machine applications as they do in others. The present invention incorporates a mechanical feedback through the steering controls to provide the operator with a feel similar to that of an automotive environment. In addition, the steering controls operate in a manner which provides a variable ratio of steering wheel rotation to steering control valve actuation depending upon the articulation angle of the machine. In so doing, the function of the steering controls will vary with and enhance the operation of each specific mode of machine operation.

Abstract: The connecting linkage between a control lever and a control valve that controls the operation or the manipulation of an implement of a construction machine is often complex and difficult to properly adjust. The present invention provides a restraint mechanism for the control lever 10 to maintain its position in a neutral condition with respect to the control valve. A first plate 42 is pivotally mounted to a base plate 22 on the console of the machine and is movable to a first position to engage the control lever 10 and establish a neutral position. A second plate 58 is utilized to selectively secure the position of the first plate with respect to the control lever while the proper connections and adjustments are made to the linkage arrangements connecting the control lever 10 and the control valve to synchronize their respective neutral positions.

Abstract: In the mounting of a control lever utilized to manipulate a machine or implements of a machine, complex designs are often required to provide lever positioning stops and operational detents. The mounting apparatus of the present invention provides a control lever that is mounted within a housing by a plurality of non-metallic bearing members. At least one side portion of the bearing member bears against the control lever. Integrally formed in this side portion is a mounting apparatus for maintaining the position of the control handle in a preselected position. In addition, a recess is integrally formed in the bearing member for resisting the movement of the control lever and indicates when the control lever is approaching a point at which a functional change in the implement, controlled by the control lever, is about to occur.

Abstract: In the operation of construction machinery, it is often desirable to be able to utilize a variety of implements on a single machine. While it extremely important to be able to attach and detach these implement very quickly, many mechanisms suffer trade-offs in a variety of design parameters. The coupling device of the subject invention utilizes a locking arrangement that provides a positive coupling force upon initial engagement of the device and maintains the positive force throughout the entire operation of each work implement. All of the components in the coupling device are maintained in linear alignment with the mounting components of the machine linkage to reduce the magnitude of operational forces transmitted therebetween and to provide a device that is extremely compact and versatile in design.

Abstract: Pressurized fluid is often times communicated from its source to the brakes associated with a remotely located axle by conduits that are exposed to the environment. In some instances, depending upon the vehicle and its usage, the conduits, especially around the axle housing, are subject to damage from debris over which the vehicle traverses. This is particularly a problem at a location where the conduits are connected to the respective brake assemblies. In the present invention, a fluid conduit assembly is provided that is positioned within the internal cavity defined by the axle housing. Further, a fluid connecting device utilized to communicate the pressurized fluid to the respective brake assemblies. The fluid connecting device is configured such that removal from outside the axle housing is precluded. This in turn protects the fluid conduit assembly that is connected to the fluid connecting device within the axle housing.

Abstract: In spark ignited engine configurations, it is common to provide a spark plug that has a spark gap that has dimension that will accommodate good starting capabilities for the engine. In some cases, this spark gap is larger than required for the engine to run efficiently, especially at high loads. As a result, the voltage required to bridge the gap when the engine is running at high loads is much higher than necessary and causes erosion of the electrode and a build up of deposits on the ground strap. Ultimately, this greatly reduces the life of the spark plug. The present invention provides a spark plug that utilizes an adjusting means that is connected to the electrode of the spark plug and functions to move the electrode with respect to the ground strap to adjust the gap therebetween. The adjusting means is responsive to the temperature of the spark plug which will vary with engine loads or an increase in pressure within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: In the operation of gas turbine engines, it is an ever increasing goal to reduce the amount of harmful elements contained within the emissions of the engine. In particular, it is of primary importance to reduce the amounts of nitrogen oxides contained within the emissions. The use of a catalytic combustor is one known means by which the formation of nitrogen oxides may be controlled. However, the use of a catalytic combustor in a gas turbine engine has been known to be effective primarily in the upper ranges of engine operation. The present invention provides a combustor arrangement for a gas turbine engine that employs a first combustor means that utilizes a catalytic bed to react a mixture of fuel and air during an upper range of engine operation and a second combustor means that utilizes a plurality of premixed fuel injectors to ignite a mixture of fuel and air during a lower range of engine operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ceramic nozzle guide assembly with an apparatus for mounting it to a metal nozzle case that includes an intermediate ceramic mounting ring. The mounting ring includes a plurality of projections that are received within a plurality of receptacles formed in the nozzle case. The projections of the mounting ring are secured within the receptacles by a ceramic retainer that allows contact between the two components only along arcuate surfaces thus eliminating sliding contact between the components.

Abstract: It is common in the design of modern day construction equipment to utilize one or more hydraulic systems that may require the use of a pressurized accumulator. Since the rating requirements for the respective systems can vary from country to country, it is necessary to provide mountings for various sizes of accumulators. In some instances an entire mounting apparatus has been required for each size adding needlessly to the expense and complexity of the mounting design, In the subject invention, a mounting apparatus is provided for accumulators that utilizes a pair of vertically spaced brackets. Mounting fasteners are provided that are centered on an axis that is spaced from a wall of the machine a distance greater than the radius of the largest accumulator that will be utilized. Being so positioned, the same mounting fasteners may be utilized to mount accumulators of various diameters.

Abstract: Construction equipment is often provided with the same size tires on both the front and the rear of the machine to maintain commonality of tire sizes and to simplify the drivetrain configuration. The present invention provides a smaller pair of tires on one end of a machine than the pair of tires that are positioned on the opposite end. In doing so, the overall height of the end of the machine having the smaller tires is reduced. This lowers the center of gravity of the machine to improve operating stability of the machine. In addition, the reduced height makes that portion of the vehicle more accessible and thereby enhances serviceability.