Patents by Inventor David G. Kupper

David G. Kupper has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10352452
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use in a dynamic pin joint defining axial and radial directions comprises a counterface seal ring subassembly including a counterface seal ring member that includes a radially extending planar seal face and a first contoured load ring interface, and a first load ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Kupper
  • Publication number: 20180087668
    Abstract: A seal assembly for use in a dynamic pin joint defining axial and radial directions comprises a counterface seal ring subassembly including a counterface seal ring member that includes a radially extending planar seal face and a first contoured load ring interface, and a first load ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2016
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Kupper
  • Patent number: 9388906
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing between a first member and a second member of a joint, the first member being able to pivot about an axis of the joint relative to the second member, is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a first ring, a load ring, a first seal ring, and a resilient second seal ring. The first ring is for a first seal cavity of the first member. The load ring is for a second seal cavity of the second member. The first seal ring may have a sealing surface extending in a radial direction. The resilient second seal ring may have an annular seal lip. The first seal ring is held stationary by the first ring in the first seal cavity of the first member, and the second seal ring is forced axially by the load ring into axial sealing engagement with the first seal ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Kupper, Mark S. Diekevers
  • Patent number: 8876226
    Abstract: A seal assembly 10,110 for sealing between a first member 12,112 and a second member 14,114 of a joint, the first member 12,112 being able to pivot about an axis 60,160 of the joint relative to the second member 12,112, is disclosed. The seal assembly 10,110 includes an annular seal body 30,130 which has a sufficient axial dimension X,XX to span first and second seal cavities 20,120,22,122 of the first member 12,112 and second member 14,114 of a joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Kupper
  • Publication number: 20130045040
    Abstract: An elastomeric bushing can be incorporated into a pin joint assembly of a machine. The elastomeric bushing can be configured to allow at least three degrees of relative rotational movement, including roll, pitch, and yaw. The elastomeric bushing can rotate with respect to a pin about a longitudinal axis thereof. The elastomeric bushing is adapted to accommodate out-of-plane movement. The elastomeric bushing can include a plurality of alternating elastomeric layers and metal plies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2012
    Publication date: February 21, 2013
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Ronald Mark Ginn, Dan J. Becker, Sunil I. Mathew, David G. Kupper
  • Publication number: 20120161399
    Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing between a first member and a second member of a joint, the first member being able to pivot about an axis of the joint relative to the second member, is disclosed. The seal assembly includes a first ring, a load ring, a first seal ring, and a resilient second seal ring. The first ring is for a first seal cavity of the first member. The load ring is for a second seal cavity of the second member. The first seal ring may be of a metal having a sealing surface extending in a radial direction. The resilient second seal ring may have an annular seal lip. The first seal ring is held stationary by the first ring in the first seal cavity of the first member, and the second seal ring is forced axially by the load ring into axial sealing engagement with the first seal ring. A track joint may include such a seal assembly and a vehicle may include such a seal assembly. The first seal ring may be integral with a thrust ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Kupper, Mark S. Diekevers
  • Publication number: 20120161509
    Abstract: A seal assembly 10,110 for sealing between a first member 12,112 and a second member 14,114 of a joint, the first member 12,112 being able to pivot about an axis 60,160 of the joint relative to the second member 12,112, is disclosed. The seal assembly 10,110 includes an annular seal body 30,130 which has a sufficient axial dimension X,XX to span first and second seal cavities 20,120,22,122 of the first member 12,112 and second member 14,114 of a joint.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Kupper
  • Patent number: 6869244
    Abstract: An improved articulated pin joint for a track chain used on track laying work machines is provided. The articulated pin joint includes a plug positioned in a central cavity of a track pin. The plug includes an axial passage in which a needle can be inserted to inject grease into the central cavity. The invention facilitates replenishing grease in the field without removing the track chain from the track laying work machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2005
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Peter W. Anderton, Daniel D. Angot, Steve L. Arianoutsos, J. Christopher Barnes, David G. Kupper
  • Publication number: 20040114993
    Abstract: An improved articulated pin joint for a track chain used on track laying work machines is provided. The articulated pin joint includes a plug positioned in a central cavity of a track pin. The plug includes an axial passage in which a needle can be inserted to inject grease into the central cavity. The invention facilitates replenishing grease in the field without removing the track chain from the track laying work machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2002
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Inventors: Peter W. Anderton, Daniel D. Angot, Steve L. Arianoutsos, J. Christopher Barnes, David G. Kupper
  • Patent number: 6406029
    Abstract: A seal ring having a frustoconical spring completely encapsulated within an annular body provides a bias force to an annular lip seal of the annular body to assure positive contact with an opposed face of an adjacently disposed member of a joint assembly. The seal ring requires minimal counterbore depth in the member in which the seal ring is mounted, and no modifications are required in the spring or in the base of the counterbore to provide retention of the spring in the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Kupper, Jerry A. Metz
  • Patent number: D364408
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gary C. Bryant, Alan A. Davidovich, Thomas L. Howard, David G. Kupper, Sydney K. Scott, David G. Surridge, Mark W. Vannette