Patents by Inventor Daniel I. Knobloch

Daniel I. Knobloch 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).

  • Patent number: 11919584
    Abstract: A track roller includes a body having a revolved configuration defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction disposed about the axis of rotation. A first axial extremity and a second axial extremity are disposed along the axis of rotation. The body of revolution further includes a first rim portion disposed proximate to the first axial extremity, and a second rim portion disposed proximate to the second axial extremity. An outboard track contact surface is disposed axially proximate to the first rim portion, and an inboard slot is disposed axially proximate to the second rim portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2024
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Steiner, Eric Bernard Weisbruch, Daniel I. Knobloch, Timothy Michael Nenne
  • Patent number: 11613316
    Abstract: A track idler includes a body of revolution defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction disposed about the axis of rotation. A first axial extremity and a second axial extremity are disposed along the axis of rotation. The body of revolution further includes an outboard track contact surface that is disposed axially proximate to the first axial extremity, and an inboard slot is disposed axially proximate to the second axial extremity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Steiner, Eric Bernard Weisbruch, Daniel I. Knobloch, Timothy Michael Nenne
  • Publication number: 20220194495
    Abstract: An idler assembly includes a cylindrical hub defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. A stepped circumferential surface of the cylindrical hub has a first radially inner face, and a radially outer cylindrical face. Mounting holes extend radially into the radially outer cylindrical face. A first idler segment is attached to the cylindrical hub, and includes an at least partially flat body having a first planar chain link contacting surface. The cylindrical hub has a first set of metallurgical properties that is different than the second set of metallurgical properties of the first idler segment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2020
    Publication date: June 23, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Steiner, Donovan Stuart Clarke, Robert Donald Bierman, Eric B. Weisbruch, Jason L. Sebright, Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier, Daniel I. Knobloch, Philip Steffen Ricketts
  • Publication number: 20210229764
    Abstract: A track idler includes a body of revolution defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction disposed about the axis of rotation. A first axial extremity and a second axial extremity are disposed along the axis of rotation. The body of revolution further includes an outboard track contact surface that is disposed axially proximate to the first axial extremity, and an inboard slot is disposed axially proximate to the second axial extremity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Steiner, Eric Bernard Weisbruch, Daniel I. Knobloch, Timothy Michael Nenne
  • Publication number: 20210229762
    Abstract: A track roller includes a body having a revolved configuration defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction disposed about the axis of rotation. A first axial extremity and a second axial extremity are disposed along the axis of rotation. The body of revolution further includes a first rim portion disposed proximate to the first axial extremity, and a second rim portion disposed proximate to the second axial extremity. An outboard track contact surface is disposed axially proximate to the first rim portion, and an inboard slot is disposed axially proximate to the second rim portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Steiner, Eric Bernard Weisbruch, Daniel I. Knobloch, Timothy Michael Nenne
  • Patent number: 9387893
    Abstract: An idler wheel assembly for a mobile machine is disclosed. The idler wheel assembly may have an idler body defining a cavity between a hub portion and a rim portion. The idler wheel assembly may also have a sound suppression device. The sound suppression device may have a first side plate attached to the idler body and enclosing at least a portion of the cavity to form a closed space, and a second side plate attached to the idler body. The sound suppression device may further have a dampening member disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate, and dampening material positioned inside the closed space and in contact with a surface of an inner portion of the rim portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Steiner, Daniel I. Knobloch, Robert A. Eissler
  • Publication number: 20160096564
    Abstract: An idler wheel assembly for a mobile machine is disclosed. The idler wheel assembly may have an idler body defining a cavity between a hub portion and a rim portion. The idler wheel assembly may also have a sound suppression device. The sound suppression device may have a first side plate attached to the idler body and enclosing at least a portion of the cavity to form a closed space, and a second side plate attached to the idler body. The sound suppression device may further have a dampening member disposed between the first side plate and the second side plate, and dampening material positioned inside the closed space and in contact with a surface of an inner portion of the rim portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2014
    Publication date: April 7, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Kevin L. Steiner, Daniel I. Knobloch, Robert A. Eissler
  • Patent number: 9180921
    Abstract: An idler wheel assembly for a track-type machine includes a circular body, and a sound dampening member. The circular body includes a central hub portion, an annular flange portion integral with the central hub portion, and a circumferential rim portion to define an annular cavity along with the central hub portion and the annular flange portion. The sound dampening member disposed in the annular cavity and a retainer plate positioned adjacent to the sound dampening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier, Daniel I. Knobloch
  • Publication number: 20150266527
    Abstract: A link for a track assembly for a machine is provided. The link includes a link body defining an aperture configured to receive a track pin therein. The link body further includes a first surface configured to contact a rotatable element of the track assembly and a second surface configured to contact a track shoe coupled to the link body. The link further includes a plurality of markings defined on the link body proximal to the first surface. Each of the plurality of markings is indicative of a progressive wear of the link body with respect to the first surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2015
    Publication date: September 24, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Temitope O. Akinlua, David J. Hakes, Daniel I. Knobloch, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers
  • Publication number: 20140306516
    Abstract: A track shoe is disclosed for use with a mobile machine. The track shoe may have a base plate with an inner surface and an outer surface, and a grouser bar extending from the outer surface away from the base plate. The track shoe may also have a vibration damping coating applied to opposing ends of the base plate at the inner surface. The vibration damping coating may have a thickness about equal to a thickness of the base plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel I. KNOBLOCH, Kevin L. STEINER, Martin T.J. XAVIER
  • Publication number: 20140091615
    Abstract: An idler wheel assembly for a track-type machine includes a circular body. The circular body includes a central hub portion, an annular flange portion integral with the central hub portion, and a circumferential rim portion to define an annular cavity along with the central hub portion and the annular flange portion. A sound dampening coating provided on the circular body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel I. Knobloch, John M. Plouzek, Jay H. Cline, Aaron K. Amstutz, David W. McKeever, Peter M. Zuehls
  • Publication number: 20140091616
    Abstract: An idler wheel assembly for a track-type machine includes a circular body, and a sound dampening member. The circular body includes a central hub portion, an annular flange portion integral with the central hub portion, and a circumferential rim portion to define an annular cavity along with the central hub portion and the annular flange portion. The sound dampening member disposed in the annular cavity and a retainer plate positioned adjacent to the sound dampening member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier, Daniel I. Knobloch