Patents by Inventor Billy R. Bedford
Billy R. Bedford 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: 7871108Abstract: A mount for a machine includes a mounting member having an insertion portion and a shoulder portion. During assembly, the insertion portion is swaged into an opening in the frame. A mating member attached to a machine structure is seated on the shoulder portion, and a cap may be attached to the shoulder portion such that the mating member is disposed between the cap and the shoulder portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2008Date of Patent: January 18, 2011Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Danny L. Weibling, Billy R. Bedford
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Publication number: 20090218841Abstract: A mount for a machine includes a mounting member having an insertion portion and a shoulder portion. During assembly, the insertion portion is swaged into an opening in the frame. A mating member attached to a machine structure is seated on the shoulder portion, and a cap may be attached to the shoulder portion such that the mating member is disposed between the cap and the shoulder portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 10, 2008Publication date: September 3, 2009Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Danny L. Weibling, Billy R. Bedford
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Patent number: 7516805Abstract: An equalizer bar for a tracked vehicle is connected to the track roller frames via an arrangement comprising a pin which is swivel ably mounted to the equalizer bar and held rigidly by the track roller frame. The pin is positively held by the track roller frame, for example by channels in which the pin sits such that the side load is at least partially absorbed by the channel walls rather than the fasteners. The fasteners are located such that they experience minimal side load and aid a positive location of the pin in the channels.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2005Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Billy R. Bedford, Frederick R. Brotherson, Mark J. Roeder
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Patent number: 6631961Abstract: An idler wheel assembly, which supports and guides an endless track and provides sound suppression, and a method for providing sound suppression of an undercarriage of a machine. The idler wheel assembly includes a hub having a first side surface and a second side surface onto which a plurality of segments are connected. Each of the plurality of segments has a first flange positioned adjacent the first side surface of the hub, and a second flange positioned adjacent the second side surface. At least one isolation device may be mounted between the hub and at least one of the plurality of segments to provide sound suppression.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Billy R. Bedford, Gregory B. Moebs, Abram T. Valencic
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Patent number: 6568684Abstract: A method of forming a seal assembly around a shaft is disclosed. The method includes (a) urging a first seal member against a second seal member so as to produce a load between a first seal face and a second seal face, (b) measuring the load produced between the first seal face and the second seal face during the urging step, and (c) securing a first support member to the shaft when a predetermined load value between the first seal face and the second seal face is attained so as to fix the relative position between the first seal member and the second seal member such that the predetermined load is substantially maintained between the first seal face and the second seal face. An associated seal assembly geometry is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2001Date of Patent: May 27, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Billy R. Bedford, Timothy M. Waters
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Patent number: 6564539Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent endplay in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2000Date of Patent: May 20, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Billy R. Bedford, Thomas E. Oertley, Loreena S. Plouse
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Publication number: 20020163133Abstract: A method of forming a seal assembly around a shaft is disclosed. The method includes (a) urging a first seal member against a second seal member so as to produce a load between a first seal face and a second seal face, (b) measuring the load produced between the first seal face and the second seal face during the urging step, and (c) securing a first support member to the shaft when a predetermined load value between the first seal face and the second seal face is attained so as to fix the relative position between the first seal member and the second seal member such that the predetermined load is substantially maintained between the first seal face and the second seal face. An associated seal assembly geometry is also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 2001Publication date: November 7, 2002Inventors: Billy R. Bedford, Timothy M. Waters
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Patent number: 6457304Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent end play in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 1999Date of Patent: October 1, 2002Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Billy R. Bedford, Thomas E. Oertley, Loreena S. Plouse
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Publication number: 20020062638Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent end play in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 1999Publication date: May 30, 2002Inventors: BILLY R. BEDFORD, THOMAS E. OERTLEY, LOREENA S. PLOUSE
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Publication number: 20010003895Abstract: A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent endplay in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2000Publication date: June 21, 2001Inventors: Billy R. Bedford, Thomas E. Oertley, Loreena S. Plouse
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Patent number: 6213471Abstract: Metal-to-metal face seals are commonly used between relatively rotating components to maintain a quantity of lubricating fluid within one component while keeping dirt and abrasives from entering. The positioning of the sealing faces of the seal rings is critical to their function and, for any number of reasons, the interface between the seal rings has been known to become angled with respect to the axis about which they are positioned. The present invention provides a seal assembly that have a pair of seal rings that are maintained in engaging contact with one another by a pair of load rings. Each load ring has a first end portion that engages the respective seal ring and a second end portion that engages a recess in an adjacent housing. The recess defines an angled surface that is adapted for engagement with an annular surface of the load ring to stabilize the seal assembly to maintain proper positioning of the seal rings.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 1998Date of Patent: April 10, 2001Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Michael D. Anderson, Billy R. Bedford
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Patent number: 6086069Abstract: In a metal to metal face seal assembly, a metal ring seal has a J-shaped cross-section with the hook portion of the ring seal forming an annular notch which receives and restrains a resilient load ring.Type: GrantFiled: August 27, 1997Date of Patent: July 11, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Billy R. Bedford
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Patent number: 6047969Abstract: A metal-to-metal face seal assembly comprises a static seal ring secured to a rotating element, such as a track roller of a tracked machine. The static seal ring has a seal face, and a dynamic seal ring has a seal face in sealing engagement with the seal face of the static ring. The dynamic seal ring has a ramp thereon extending at 8 degrees relative to horizontal in a direction away from the seal face thereof. The seal assembly further includes a seal housing, which may be the end collar of the track roller, having an annular ramp formed thereon confronting the ramp of the dynamic seal ring, which seal housing ramp extends at 10 degrees relative to horizontal. The ramps converge in a direction away from a seal plane defined by the mutually-engaging faces of the seal rings. A load ring disposed between the ramps is pre-compressed to its maximum strain level to provide the desired face loads on the seal faces.Type: GrantFiled: October 17, 1997Date of Patent: April 11, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Thomas M. Hoefft, Billy R. Bedford, Michael D. Hasselbusch
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Patent number: 5763956Abstract: An end face seal for sealing between first and second articulately coupled members of a track joint is disclosed. The seal is provided with a flexible dirt shield of elastomeric material. The dirt shield extends radially outwardly from the seal ring and has a distal end that is adapted to sealingly engage the first member at a location externally of the load ring to prevent the ingress of abrasive materials between the seal ring and the load ring and eliminate the abrasive erosion of the load ring, thereby maintaining the axial seal bearing force of the load ring against the seal ring throughout the useful life of the seal.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 1996Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Jerry A. Metz, Billy R. Bedford, Steve L. Arianoutsos
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Patent number: 5527046Abstract: A seal assembly for sealing the area between a stationary member and a rotatable member includes first and second mating metal seal rings and first and second resilient load rings. The load rings are adapted to apply a load to the metal seal rings. Each load ring is cup-shaped and columnar in cross-sectional configuration and is adapted to flex toward the sealed area and prevent dirt from entering the sealed area and from eroding the load ring.Type: GrantFiled: December 15, 1994Date of Patent: June 18, 1996Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Billy R. Bedford
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Patent number: 4776113Abstract: A corner tooth assembly is provided on the corner of an implement for protection thereof from wear during use. It is necessary to provide a tight fit between the corner tooth and the corner portion of the implement so that unnecessary movement of the corner tooth on the corner portion is avoided while at the same time not subjecting the corner tooth to undue stresses during initial installation of the corner tooth on the implement. The present corner tooth assembly includes a corner portion integrally connected to the implement with first and second load transferring pads defined on a leading edge thereof and first and second holes defined therein and a corner tooth adapted for releasable connection to the corner portion.Type: GrantFiled: October 27, 1987Date of Patent: October 11, 1988Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Billy R. Bedford, Martin V. Kiesewetter, Gene R. Klett, William J. Renski