Patents Represented by Attorney Frank L. Hart

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  • Hydraulic system for extremely cold environments
    Patent number: 4059042
    Abstract: A hydraulic system for use in extremely cold environments has a pump for passing hydraulic fluid from a reservoir to a hydraulic cylinder of a work element via a control valve that is positioned a relatively great distance from the hydraulic cylinder. Fluid pathways are provided for substantially continuously moving hydraulic fluid between the control valve and hydraulic cylinder during operation of the pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: John W. Bridwell, George H. Meiner, III
  • Mounting assembly for a controllably movable fluid tank
    Patent number: 4059281
    Abstract: A fluid tank apparatus has mounting structure including linkage assemblies for moving the tank between first and second positions in response to moving a pivotally movable structure of the vehicle. The mounting structure is of a construction sufficient for maintaining the tank at substantially a preselected attitude at and between said first and second tank positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1977
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventor: Dafydd W. Evans
  • Track-type vehicle wheel having impact resistance means
    Patent number: 4058352
    Abstract: A wheel of a driven track of a track-type vehicle has a rim connected to a hub with an annular chamber formed between the rim and the hub. An annular spring is positioned in the chamber and actuated by plungers in response to contacting a portion of the track. The spring controllably resists the impact forces of the track that are directed onto the wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 15, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: John W. Sogge
  • Load force bypassing apparatus for lift truck masts
    Patent number: 4056170
    Abstract: A load force bypassing apparatus is provided for a work engaging support assembly, such as a lift truck fork and mast assembly, having a plurality of rollers movably mounting a carriage assembly on a generally upright support with the rollers normally subjected to load forces imparted against the carriage assembly during a normal load crowding operation. The bypassing apparatus is positioned between the carriage assembly and the upright support in direct force transmitting relation to effectively isolate the rollers from the load forces during the normal load crowding operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: November 1, 1977
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventor: Charles R. Chelin
  • Biasing element having one or more force stages
    Patent number: 4055368
    Abstract: A biasing element has a force transmitting material positioned within a chamber of a housing having deflectable walls. A piston contacts and moves the force transmitting material into forcible contact with the housing walls in response to movement of the piston. Further movement of the piston deflects the housing walls in response to forces from the force transmitting material in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: John W. Sogge
  • Control system having override for fluid operated work elements
    Patent number: 4055046
    Abstract: A control system has override for fluid operated work elements served by at least two variable displacement pumps each serving a separate circuit. At least two work elements are served by the first circuit and at least one work element is served by the second circuit. The discharge rate of the first pump is controlled by a signal delivered from a summing valve in response to the pressures of the first and second circuits during operation of a preselected one of the work elements of the first circuit and controlled by a modified pilot pressure signal in response to operation of only the other work element of the first circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Lawrence F. Schexnayder
  • Pivotally actuated speed control means of an apparatus
    Patent number: 4047145
    Abstract: An apparatus having an electrical power source and an accelerating element has pivotally actuated control means connected to the accelerating element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1977
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Schwehr
  • Adjustable controls of a work vehicle
    Patent number: 4043220
    Abstract: In the controls of a work vehicle having first and second shafts each movable between first and second positions along pathways generally parallel one to the other, a knob is eccentrically connected to each shaft with the largest overhanging position of each knob being controllably movable to preselected positions about the center line of the shaft for positioning the knobs to accommodate the size of the operator's hand.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 23, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: David L. Kolb
  • Controllable connecting apparatus
    Patent number: 4042306
    Abstract: Connecting apparatus providing a pivotal connection controllably securing an actuating element at a preselected attitude.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventor: Kenneth R. Murray
  • Mounting for securing tools to vehicles
    Patent number: 4042261
    Abstract: A mounting for securing tools to vehicles having at least two nominally aligned, apertured ears extending from a side of the vehicle for mounting a work-performing device. The mounting includes a pair of stub shafts, one for receipt in each of the apertured ears, a base for a work-performing device, such as a winch, disposable about the ears, a pair of wedges carried by the base and interposed between the base and respective ones of the stub shafts, and bolts for effecting relative movement of the wedges on the base to tightly frictionally engage the base to the stub shafts, and thus to the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: John H. Babbitt, Jr.
  • Apparatus for removing gas from a liquid system
    Patent number: 4039305
    Abstract: Apparatus is connected in the liquid system for separating gas from the liquid, for example. The gas laden oil is directed into a filter positioned within a housing. The filter is of a material sufficient for separating gas bubbles from the oil while passing the oil therethrough. The separated gas passes upwardly and through a gas outlet opening out the top portion of the housing. Degassed oil passes through the filter and from the housing at a location adjacent a bottom end of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Richard E. Livesay
  • Securing-unloading apparatus for flatcar carried wheeled vehicles
    Patent number: 4036379
    Abstract: Apparatus for securing and unloading wheeled vehicles. The apparatus has structure for receiving and maintaining first and second ends of the vehicle against movement on a flatcar. Portions of the structure maintaining the first end of the vehicle are pivotally movable for unloading the wheeled vehicle from the flatcar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: William H. Godfrey, Neal L. Woessner
  • Piston pump assembly having load responsive controls
    Patent number: 4034564
    Abstract: A piston pump having a housing and an angularly adjustable swash plate for controlling piston displacement and the flow of fluid discharged from the pump has improved control means for controllably positioning the swash plate in response to a modified load pressure signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Howard L. Johnson, Walter Z. Ruseff
  • Noise suppressing element for continuous track of crawler type vehicle and method of operating same
    Patent number: 4035036
    Abstract: A rotatable resilient contacting element attachable to track shoes of a crawler type vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1975
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Roger L. Boggs, Eugene R. Groff, Paul L. Wright
  • Removable spline between clutch piston and cylinder
    Patent number: 4033439
    Abstract: A rotating clutch of a vehicle has a plurality of clutch discs positioned between a clutch piston and a base element. A means is provided for connecting the clutch piston to the base element for rotation one with the other as a unit and movement of the clutch piston in directions toward and from the base element and intervening clutch discs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Robert P. Nichting
  • Piston pump assembly utilizing load pressure control
    Patent number: 4028890
    Abstract: A piston pump having a housing and an angularly adjustable swash plate for controlling piston displacement and the flow of fluid discharged from the pump has control means for controllably positioning the swash plate in response to a load pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Cyril W. Habiger, Donald L. Hopkins
  • Material pushing vehicle having pivotal blade portion
    Patent number: 4029157
    Abstract: A work vehicle of the material pushing type has a blade having first and second portions. The second blade portion is pivotally movable in response to forces subjected thereupon. Biasing means is provided for urging the second blade portion in a preselected direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Gary P. Freese
  • Ground engaging element having a controlled cutting edge
    Patent number: 4027409
    Abstract: A ground engaging element having slots extending therethrough and being positioned at preselected locations, being of preselected configuration, and terminating at preselected distances from a forward cutting edge of the element for controllably breaking away selected portions of the element in response to forces subjected on the element after the forward edge has been worn away a preselected amount.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1976
    Date of Patent: June 7, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Visvaldis A. Stepe
  • Work vehicle protective cover
    Patent number: 4023838
    Abstract: A protective cover of a work vehicle has first and second frame members of a general U configuration connected to the vehicle at spaced apart locations with each frame member generally spanning the width of the vehicle with an operator's station position between said frame members. First and second supporting members of unique configuration are connected to the frame members and support an overlying roof member at preselected spaced apart locations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 17, 1977
    Assignee: Towmotor Corporation
    Inventor: Charles J. Sabec
  • Work vehicle having variable curvature blade assembly
    Patent number: 4019587
    Abstract: A work vehicle has a blade assembly formed of upper, middle, and lower generally horizontally extending blade portions that are controllably, pivotally movable for varying the general curvature of the working surface of the blade assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1976
    Date of Patent: April 26, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Meisel, Jr.