Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Richard A. Alsup
  • Patent number: 6250726
    Abstract: In the operation of conventional track assemblies it is common for an idler to have a pair of laterally extending wear treads to engage and support the wear rails defined by the track links of the track assembly as it is driven thereabout. This ultimately creates an arcuate wear pattern on the wear rails of the track links creating an extremely rough ride when the wear rails contact the track rollers suspended from a roller frame. The present invention provides a sprocketed idler that contacts a roller bushing that extends between a pair of chain assemblies defined by the track assembly to support the track assembly as it is rotated therearound. The sprocketed idler with roller bushings provides lateral guidance for the track assembly and, in combination with the roller bushings, provides noise reduction compared to conventional track assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jon S. Burdick, Jerry D. Fidler, Roger E. Lawson