Patents by Inventor Kevin L. Martin

Kevin L. Martin 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).

  • Publication number: 20170057287
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire may include a hub configured to be coupled to a machine, an outer circumferential barrier radially spaced from the hub and configured to be associated with a tread portion of the tire, and a plurality of support members extending between the hub and the outer circumferential barrier and being configured to support a load on the hub in tension. At least some of the plurality of support members may include at least one tension member coupled to one of the hub and the outer circumferential barrier, and an intermediate member coupled to the at least one tension member and one of the hub and the outer circumferential barrier. The at least one tension member may be configured not to transmit compressive load to the intermediate member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: KEVIN L. MARTIN, DAVID J. COLANTONI
  • Patent number: 9545956
    Abstract: A liner system for a bed of a material hauling machine is provided. The liner system includes a first panel having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface includes a plurality of projected sections and defines a recess between each of the plurality of projected sections and a keyway recess. The liner system also includes a second panel having a first lip portion and a second lip portion configured to interconnect with the second and first lip portion of adjacent second panels respectively. The second panel also includes a first protruding portion configured to be received into the recess and a second protruding portion configured to be received into the keyway recess. The liner system further includes a locking panel having a first extension member, a second extension member and one or more fastening means configured to fasten the second panel to the first panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Qiaoyu Lu, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Andrea Burgess Tognetti, Daniel Raymond Hettinger, Jeremy Roe Hammar, Kevin L. Martin, Kyle Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20170008341
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire may include an inner circumferential barrier configured to be associated with a hub, and an outer circumferential barrier radially exterior relative to the inner circumferential barrier and configured to be associated with a tread portion of the tire. The tire may also include at least one shear module between the inner circumferential barrier and the outer circumferential barrier. The at least one shear module may include a first reinforcement element, a second reinforcement element, and a separator between the first reinforcement element and the second reinforcement element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: KEVIN L. MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20170008342
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire may include an inner circumferential barrier configured to be associated with a hub, and an outer circumferential barrier. The tire may also include a plurality of spokes extending between the inner and outer circumferential barriers, and a shear band radially exterior relative to the outer circumferential barrier. The shear band may include an internal tension band associated with the outer circumferential barrier including at least one circumferentially extending reinforcement cord. The shear band may also include an external compression band including at least one circumferentially extending reinforcement cord. The shear band may further include at least one shear module extending between the internal tension band and the external compression band. The shear module may include at least one shear module including a first reinforcement element, a second reinforcement element, and a separator between the first reinforcement element and the second reinforcement element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: KEVIN L. MARTIN, JASON G. JURA
  • Patent number: 9523187
    Abstract: A decking assembly is provided. The decking assembly includes a pair of support joists and a plurality of planks made from a cementitious composite. Each of the plurality of planks includes a first lip portion and a second lip portion. The second lip portion is mutually opposite the first lip portion. A protruding portion of the each of the plurality of planks is configured to be received into a recess defined on one of the pair of support joists at a first end and on the other of the pair of support joists at a second end of the each of the plurality of planks. A locking panel is configured to interconnect with the second lip portion of one of the plurality of planks. One or more fastening means are defined on a first end and a second end of the locking panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Halder Rempert, Kevin L. Martin
  • Patent number: 9487046
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire may include a hub configured to be coupled to a machine, with the hub having a rotational axis about which the tire is configured to roll. The tire may also include a support structure including an inner circumferential portion associated with the hub and an outer circumferential portion radially spaced from the inner circumferential portion. The support structure may extend between opposed, axially-spaced side edges of the tire, and the support structure may include a plurality of cavities. The tire may also include a tread portion associated with the outer circumferential portion. The support structure may also include a plurality of layers of elastomeric material each having opposing faces lying in opposing planes substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis. At least some of the layers may include apertures corresponding to the cavities, and the layers may be chemically bonded to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron K. Amstutz, Stephen J. Pierz, Thierry A. Marchione, Kevin L. Martin
  • Patent number: 9440404
    Abstract: A system for molding a non-pneumatic tire may include a lower mold portion including a lower face plate configured to provide a lower relief corresponding to a first side of the tire. The system may further include an upper mold portion configured to be coupled to the lower mold portion. The upper mold portion may include an upper face plate configured to provide an upper relief corresponding to a second side of the tire. The system may also include a plurality of mold inserts configured to be positioned between the lower and upper face plates. The mold inserts may include a shell portion at least partially enclosing a void configured to provide a cavity in the tire, and the shell portion of the mold inserts is configured to remain embedded in the tire upon removal of the tire from the lower and upper mold portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Kevin L. Martin
  • Publication number: 20160237673
    Abstract: A decking assembly is provided. The decking assembly includes a pair of support joists and a plurality of planks made from a cementitious composite. Each of the plurality of planks includes a first lip portion and a second lip portion. The second lip portion is mutually opposite the first lip portion. A protruding portion of the each of the plurality of planks is configured to be received into a recess defined on one of the pair of support joists at a first end and on the other of the pair of support joists at a second end of the each of the plurality of planks. A locking panel is configured to interconnect with the second lip portion of one of the plurality of planks. One or more fastening means are defined on a first end and a second end of the locking panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Carl Halder Rempert, Kevin L. Martin
  • Patent number: 9387637
    Abstract: A method for molding a non-pneumatic tire includes placing a hub into a lower mold portion, and associating at least one temperature sensor with the lower mold portion. The method further includes placing an upper mold portion onto the lower mold portion and the hub, heating the mold assembly, heating a molding material, and transferring the heated molding material into the interior of the mold assembly. The method further includes heating the mold assembly and molding material until the at least one temperature sensor indicates that the molding material has reached a first temperature, and maintaining the temperature of the molding material at the first temperature for a first predetermined period of time. The method further includes reducing the temperature of the molding material to a second temperature after the first predetermined period of time, and separating the upper mold portion and molded tire from the lower mold portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Martin, Aaron K. Amstutz, David J. Colantoni, Stephen J. Pierz, Kevin D. Kempa
  • Publication number: 20160194035
    Abstract: A liner system for a bed of a material hauling machine is provided. The liner system includes a first panel having a first surface and a second surface. The second surface includes a plurality of projected sections and defines a recess between each of the plurality of projected sections and a keyway recess. The liner system also includes a second panel having a first lip portion and a second lip portion configured to interconnect with the second and first lip portion of adjacent second panels respectively. The second panel also includes a first protruding portion configured to be received into the recess and a second protruding portion configured to be received into the keyway recess. The liner system further includes a locking panel having a first extension member, a second extension member and one or more fastening means configured to fasten the second panel to the first panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Qiaoyu Lu, Aaron Kenneth Amstutz, Andrea Burgess Tognetti, Daniel Raymond Hettinger, Jeremy Roe Hammar, Kevin L. Martin, Kyle Schmitt
  • Publication number: 20160046092
    Abstract: A cutter system configured to sever elastomeric material of a non-pneumatic tire may include a cutter including a mounting fixture and a blade coupled to the mounting fixture. The cutter system may further include a driver assembly operably coupled to the mounting fixture of the cutter. The driver assembly may include a support member, and a cross-member operably coupled to the mounting fixture and the support member. The driver assembly may further include a first actuator operably coupled to the cross-member and the mounting fixture of the cutter, wherein the first actuator is configured to rotate the mounting fixture of the cutter relative to the cross-member. The driver assembly may further include a second actuator operably coupled to the cross-member and the support member, wherein the second actuator is configured to move the cross-member, such that the cutter reciprocates along a first axis relative to the support member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kinney, Kegan J. Luick, Jarrod D. Moss, David J. Colantoni, Kevin L. Martin, Daniel J. Pierce
  • Publication number: 20160046091
    Abstract: A cutter may be configured to sever elastomeric material of a non-pneumatic tire. The cutter may include a mounting fixture configured to be operably coupled to an actuator, and a guide associated with the mounting fixture. The guide may include an elongated rod like member having a longitudinal axis. The cutter may further include a blade configured to sever the elastomeric material, wherein the blade is operably coupled to the guide and extends along the longitudinal axis of the guide. The blade may have a cutting edge remote from the mounting fixture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2014
    Publication date: February 18, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Christopher A. Kinney, Benjamin J. Rasmussen, Kegan J. Luick, Timothy S. Graham, Jarrod D. Moss, David J. Colantoni, Kevin L. Martin, James M. Gerstenkorn
  • Publication number: 20160016433
    Abstract: A non-pneumatic tire may include a hub configured to be coupled to a machine, with the hub having a rotational axis about which the tire is configured to roll. The tire may also include a support structure including an inner circumferential portion associated with the hub and an outer circumferential portion radially spaced from the inner circumferential portion. The support structure may extend between opposed, axially-spaced side edges of the tire, and the support structure may include a plurality of cavities. The tire may also include a tread portion associated with the outer circumferential portion. The support structure may also include a plurality of layers of elastomeric material each having opposing faces lying in opposing planes substantially perpendicular to the rotational axis. At least some of the layers may include apertures corresponding to the cavities, and the layers may be chemically bonded to one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2014
    Publication date: January 21, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Aaron K. AMSTUTZ, Stephen J. PIERZ, Thierry A. MARCHIONE, Kevin L. MARTIN
  • Publication number: 20150355056
    Abstract: A laser measurement system for tires is provided. The laser measurement system includes a rim mounting bracket including an arm. The laser measurement system includes a mounting head slidably coupled to the arm. The laser measurement system includes a laser coupled to the mounting head and configured to be positioned over at least one side surface of a tire that does not contact a ground surface when the tire is in use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 10, 2015
    Inventors: KEVIN L. MARTIN, JASON JURA
  • Patent number: 9180737
    Abstract: A molded tire may include a support structure having an inner circumferential portion and an outer circumferential portion. The inner circumferential portion may be configured to be associated with a hub. The molded tire may also include a tread portion associated with the outer circumferential portion of the support structure, wherein the tread portion may be formed from a first polyurethane having first material characteristics. The support structure may be formed from a second polyurethane having second material characteristics different than the first material characteristics. The support structure may be chemically bonded to the tread portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Aaron K. Amstutz, Kevin L. Martin, Stephen J. Pierz, David J. Colantoni
  • Patent number: 9162407
    Abstract: A reservoir for catching a portion of overflow of molding material from a non-pneumatic tire mold during molding includes a tubular portion having a proximal end and a distal end, and a flange associated with the proximal end of the tubular portion. The flange is configured to be associated with a surface of the tire mold, such that the tubular portion extends substantially perpendicular to the surface of the tire mold. The reservoir further includes a reservoir portion configured to be removably mounted around the tubular portion. The reservoir portion includes a base having an aperture configured to receive the tubular portion, and a wall configured such that molding material flowing from the distal end of the tubular portion is received in the reservoir portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Martin, David J. Colantoni, Stephen J. Pierz
  • Patent number: 9149994
    Abstract: A system for molding a non-pneumatic tire includes a lower mold portion including a lower backing plate, a plurality of lower projections extending from the lower backing plate, and a plurality of lower sleeves configured to at least partially cover the lower projections. The system further includes at least one lower retention plate configured to be positioned proximate the lower backing plate and retain the lower sleeves on the lower projections. The system also includes an upper mold portion configured to be associated with the lower mold portion. The system further includes an upper backing plate, a plurality of upper projections extending from the upper backing plate, and a plurality of upper sleeves configured to at least partially cover the upper projections. The system also includes at least one upper retention plate configured to be positioned proximate the upper backing plate and retain the upper sleeves on the upper projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Martin, Aaron K. Amstutz
  • Patent number: 9118093
    Abstract: A cooling jacket for a battery pack includes a first half and a second half. The first half and the second half are substantially identical and flip-ably connected to each other. A channel is provided in between the first half and the second half. Further, a coolant flows in the channel provided between the first half and the second half.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew R. Boettcher, Corey A. Kauk, Kevin L. Martin
  • Patent number: D731962
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Martin, Maria Cristina Herrera De Kontz
  • Patent number: D773387
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Martin, Jason Jura