Patents by Inventor Kenneth A. Rhoads

Kenneth A. Rhoads 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: 4013130
    Abstract: A ripper of an earthworking apparatus includes a shank with a tapered, forwardly projecting lower end portion that has a blunt extremity, a detachable hollow shin protector which embraces the lower end portion of the shank, both to reinforce said lower end portion and to transfer some ripping forces to the upper portion of the shank which is stronger than the tapered lower end portion, and a one-piece detachable ripper tip which has a rearward mounting stub provided with spaced control surfaces that abut mating control surfaces on the shank and/or the shin protector to positively position the ripper tip and to transfer certain ripping forces through the shin protector to the upper portion of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Leon A. Wirt, Kenneth A. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 3999614
    Abstract: An earth ripping apparatus is provided with a replaceable ripper tip which is releasably attached to the lower end of a shank latching means which functions in cooperative association with a wear plate carried along the leading edge of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 1970
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Kenneth A. Rhoads
  • Patent number: 3945693
    Abstract: A track roller has a stepped diameter shaft with a pair of spaced shoulders and an outer track engaging rim with a pair of opposite end faces individually substantially alignable with the shoulders of the shaft. A rim clamping and positioning device is disposable in opposing sliding relation against the shoulders of the shaft for rotatably mounting the rim on the shaft and has a sleeve portion extending in full load bearing relation between the shoulders of the shaft. A pair of opposing clamping surfaces are each positionable in facing, tightly clamping relation against respective ones of the end faces of the rim for limiting relative axial movement between the rim and shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Sterling R. Booth, Jr., Kenneth A. Rhoads