Patents by Inventor Allen Jay Weeks
Allen Jay Weeks 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).
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Patent number: 11964711Abstract: A track link for a ground-engaging track system includes a link body having a pin bore formed in a first link strap and a bushing bore formed in a second link strap. The link body includes, upon an outboard link side, a bore peripheral surface extending circumferentially around a bore center axis, and a guide protrusion including an outer bump surface located outboard of the bore peripheral surface. The pin bore receives a track pin attached by swaging and defines a diametric plane through the bore center axis oriented parallel to an upper rail surface. At least a majority of the outer bump surface is between the diametric plane and the upper rail surface, and an entirety of the outer bump surface may be between the bore center axis and the upper rail surface. The guide protrusion protects material of the track link and/or track pin from wear that can prevent re-swaging.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2021Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Craig Richard Rust, Allen Jay Weeks
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Publication number: 20230033046Abstract: A track link for a ground-engaging track system includes a link body having a pin bore formed in a first link strap and a bushing bore formed in a second link strap. The link body includes, upon an outboard link side, a bore peripheral surface extending circumferentially around a bore center axis, and a guide protrusion including an outer bump surface located outboard of the bore peripheral surface. The pin bore receives a track pin attached by swaging and defines a diametric plane through the bore center axis oriented parallel to an upper rail surface. At least a majority of the outer bump surface is between the diametric plane and the upper rail surface, and an entirety of the outer bump surface may be between the bore center axis and the upper rail surface. The guide protrusion protects material of the track link and/or track pin from wear that can prevent re-swaging.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 28, 2021Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Craig Richard Rust, Allen Jay Weeks
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Patent number: 9656705Abstract: A track roller for a mobile machine is disclosed. The track roller may have a shaft defining a central axis, and a roller body connected to the shaft and configured to rotate around the central axis relative to the shaft. The track roller may also have a sealing member positioned between the shaft and the roller body, and a collar member secured to the shaft and at least partially covering the sealing member. A passageway having an opening may be defined between the collar member and the roller body. The track roller may further have a guard member secured to the shaft, the guard member having a main body and an upper rim extending from the main body towards the roller body. The guard member may also have a plurality of projections extending from the main body towards the roller body, and a plurality of openings formed between the upper rim and the projections.Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2015Date of Patent: May 23, 2017Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Donald John Kalmes, Allen Jay Weeks, Connor John Haas, Timothy Richard Hoyt
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Patent number: 9333999Abstract: A seal packing guard is provided in a roller assembly of a machine, such as a track carrier roller of a track-type undercarriage. The roller assembly includes a roller mounted on a shaft and having a seal retaining lubricant between the roller and the shaft. A collar and an inner surface of the roller form a seal cavity placing the seal in fluid communication with an ambient atmosphere surrounding the roller. The seal packing guard is attached to an outward surface of the roller and extends over an opening into the seal cavity to reduce the amount of abrasive material entering the seal cavity and potentially compromising the integrity of the seal.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Allen Jay Weeks, Jeffrey Scott VanderVeen, Eric Johannsen
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Patent number: 9296437Abstract: A roller collar is provided in a roller assembly of a machine, such as a track carrier roller of a track-type undercarriage. The roller assembly includes a roller mounted on a shaft and having a seal retaining lubricant between the roller and the shaft. The collar and an inner surface of the roller form a seal cavity placing the seal in fluid communication with an ambient atmosphere surrounding the roller. The roller collar extends over an opening into the seal cavity, such as with an outwardly extending flange or teeth or with an outer surface configured to increase a distance to be traveled to enter the seal cavity, and to reduce the amount of abrasive material entering the seal cavity and potentially compromising the integrity of the seal.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Allen Jay Weeks, Jeffrey Scott VanderVeen, Eric Johannsen
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Publication number: 20150284042Abstract: A track roller for a mobile machine is disclosed. The track roller may have a shaft defining a central axis, and a roller body connected to the shaft and configured to rotate around the central axis relative to the shaft. The track roller may also have a sealing member positioned between the shaft and the roller body, and a collar member secured to the shaft and at least partially covering the sealing member. A passageway having an opening may be defined between the collar member and the roller body. The track roller may further have a guard member secured to the shaft, the guard member having a main body and an upper rim extending from the main body towards the roller body. The guard member may also have a plurality of projections extending from the main body towards the roller body, and a plurality of openings formed between the upper rim and the projections.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2015Publication date: October 8, 2015Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Donald John Kalmes, Allen Jay Weeks, Connor John Haas, Timothy Richard Hoyt
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Publication number: 20140125117Abstract: A roller collar is provided in a roller assembly of a machine, such as a track carrier roller of a track-type undercarriage. The roller assembly includes a roller mounted on a shaft and having a seal retaining lubricant between the roller and the shaft. The collar and an inner surface of the roller form a seal cavity placing the seal in fluid communication with an ambient atmosphere surrounding the roller. The extends over an opening into the seal cavity, such as with an outwardly extending flange or teeth or with outer surface configured to increase a distance to be traveled to enter the seal cavity, to reduce the amount of abrasive material entering the seal cavity and potentially compromising the integrity of the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.Inventors: Allen Jay Weeks, Jeffrey Scott VanderVeen, Eric Johannsen
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Publication number: 20140125116Abstract: A seal packing guard is provided in a roller assembly of a machine, such as a track carrier roller of a track-type undercarriage. The roller assembly includes a roller mounted on a shaft and having a seal retaining lubricant between the roller and the shaft. A collar and an inner surface of the roller form a seal cavity placing the seal in fluid communication with an ambient atmosphere surrounding the roller. The seal packing guard is attached to an outward surface of the roller and extends over an opening into the seal cavity to reduce the amount of abrasive material entering the seal cavity and potentially compromising the integrity of the seal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.Inventors: Allen Jay Weeks, Jeffrey Scott VanderVeen, Eric Johannsen