Patents by Inventor Gregory J. Kaufmann

Gregory J. Kaufmann 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: 10344451
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly associated with a machine is provided. The undercarriage assembly includes a ground engaging track adapted to crawl on a ground surface. The ground engaging track includes a plurality of track shoes. The ground engaging track also includes a plurality of pairs of track links pivotally connected to one another. Each of the track links includes a body member having a first side surface and a second side surface. The body member also includes a mounting hole defined in the body member. The mounting hole extends angularly with respect to the shoe surface. The ground engaging track further includes a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism includes a coupling member adapted to be received within the mounting hole, and welded to the track shoe to couple each of the plurality of track shoes with the respective track links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kaufmann, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20180079459
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly associated with a machine is provided. The undercarriage assembly includes a ground engaging track adapted to crawl on a ground surface. The ground engaging track includes a plurality of track shoes. The ground engaging track also includes a plurality of pairs of track links pivotally connected to one another. Each of the track links includes a body member having a first side surface and a second side surface. The body member also includes a mounting hole defined in the body member. The mounting hole extends angularly with respect to the shoe surface. The ground engaging track further includes a coupling mechanism. The coupling mechanism includes a coupling member adapted to be received within the mounting hole, and welded to the track shoe to couple each of the plurality of track shoes with the respective track links.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kaufmann, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Patent number: 9701351
    Abstract: A construction machine includes a chassis, at least one continuous track supporting the chassis, at least one rim operatively associated with the continuous track, a shaft rotatably associated with the rim, and a collar operatively associated with the shaft and a guard plate. The collar has a variably angled face interfacing with the rim, and a labyrinth is formed between the collar and the rim via the variably angled face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kaufmann, Eric James Johannsen, Mircea Dumitru, Timothy Thorson, Matthew Trone
  • Publication number: 20170190367
    Abstract: A track roller assembly is disclosed. The track roller assembly may include a shaft and a cap engaged with the shaft. The track roller assembly may further include a roller shell configured to rotate about the shaft and may have a through-bore. The track roller assembly may include a crescent-based track roller seal, a toric-based track roller seal or a combination of both the crescent-based track roller seal and the toric-based track roller seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Publication date: July 6, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Thorson, Robert Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark Diekevers, Eric Johannsen
  • Publication number: 20170050687
    Abstract: A stationary collar is presented for use within a track roller. The stationary collar may have a hole in which it may attach to a stationary shaft of the track roller. The stationary collar may have a unique asymmetrical design in which the first portion of the stationary collar is different from the second portion of the stationary collar. This asymmetrical design helps prevent foreign debris from entering the track roller. Additionally, the asymmetrical design helps in aiding the track roller in expunging foreign debris from the track roller when the track roller is in operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mircea Dumitru, Darren Brent Antoine
  • Publication number: 20170050686
    Abstract: A construction machine includes a chassis, at least one continuous track supporting the chassis, at least one rim operatively associated with the continuous track, a shaft rotatably associated with the rim, and a collar operatively associated with the shaft and a guard plate. The collar has a variably angled face interfacing with the rim, and a labyrinth is formed between the collar and the rim via the variably angled face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kaufmann, Eric James Johannsen, Mircea Dumitru, Timothy Thorson, Matthew Trone
  • Patent number: 9481411
    Abstract: A roller for a machine undercarriage may include a roller body constructed from a single, unitary piece of parent material. The roller may also include a first roller tread disposed between a first end of the roller body and a second end of the roller body. Additionally, the roller may include a second roller tread disposed between the first and second ends of the roller body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Patent number: 9469358
    Abstract: An idler for a machine undercarriage includes a hub. The idler may also include a body extending radially outward from the hub, the body including a single solid disk with a first substantially planar side and a second substantially planar side opposite the first substantially planar side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Publication number: 20160236736
    Abstract: A link assembly for a track-type machine is disclosed. The link assembly includes a plurality of laterally spaced pairs of track links and a plurality of track shoes engaged with the corresponding pairs of track links. Each track link includes an elongate body having a first end, a second end distal to the firs end, a shoe face extending between the first end and the second end and one or more protrusions extending from the shoe face. The track shoe includes a base having a top surface, a bottom surface distal to the top surface and apertures extending between the top surface and the bottom surface configured to receive the protrusions therethrough. The protrusions are configured to be deformed to fixedly engage the track shoe with the track link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Thorson, Ajay D. Yadav, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Robert L. Meyer, Mark S. Diekevers, Angela M. LaMere, Rohit A. Bhapkar
  • Publication number: 20160176454
    Abstract: A track pin joint assembly includes a pin, a first link, a second link pivotable with respect to the first link about the pin, and a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a seal ring, a load ring, and a seal lip. The load ring is mounted to the seal ring and is sealingly engaged with the first link. The seal lip is connected to the second link such that the seal lip circumscribes the pin passage of the second link and extends axially from the second link toward the seal ring. The seal lip is in sealing contact with the radial flange of the seal ring.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Diekevers, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Darren B. Antoine
  • Patent number: 9359023
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly includes a link assembly, including a plurality of laterally spaced pairs of track links pivotally connected to one another at pivot joints to form an endless chain. The assembly may also include an idler, the idler including a solid disk with substantially planar sides and an outer tread surface engaging an inner portion of the endless chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson, Robert L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9359025
    Abstract: A link assembly for an endless track may include a first track link with shoe-mounting structure configured to allow attachment of a track shoe, the first track link having substantially planar sides. The link assembly may also include a second track link with shoe-mounting structure configured to allow attachment of a track shoe, the second track link having substantially planar sides. Additionally, the link assembly may include a third track link with shoe-mounting structure configured to allow attachment of a track shoe, the third track link having substantially planar sides, the third track link being pivotally connected to the first track link at a first pivot joint, and the third track link being pivotally connected to the second track link at a second pivot joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Thorson, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, Robert L. Meyer
  • Patent number: 9359024
    Abstract: A track link has a link body. The link body of the track link may include a first substantially planar side surface, a second substantially planar side surface opposite the first substantially planar side surface, a shoe face extending between the first and second substantially planar side surfaces, and a roller rail extending between the first and second substantially planar side surfaces opposite the shoe face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Patent number: 9333998
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly includes a link assembly, including a plurality of laterally spaced pairs of track links pivotally connected to one another at pivot joints to form an endless chain, each laterally spaced pair of track links including a first track link and a second track link with a space between the first track link and the second track link. The undercarriage assembly may also include a first carrier skid projecting upward into the space between the first track link and the second track link of at least one of the laterally spaced pairs of track links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy A. Thorson, Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark S. Diekevers
  • Patent number: 9290217
    Abstract: A track link for a ground-engaging track includes an elongate link body having a lower hardness material forming a lower mounting surface for mounting a track shoe, and a sacrificial higher hardness material forming an upper rail surface for contacting rotatable track engaging elements. The lower hardness and higher hardness materials transition at a material interface within the elongate link body, and the material interface is longitudinally non-uniform, such that the sacrificial higher hardness material has a varying depth from the upper rail surface to retard scalloping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin Lee Steiner, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Mark Steven Diekevers, Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua
  • Patent number: D745898
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 22, 2015
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark Steven Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson, William Jay Ulrich, IV
  • Patent number: D747365
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark Steven Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Patent number: D751609
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark Steven Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson
  • Patent number: D752656
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark Steven Diekevers, William Jay Ulrich, IV
  • Patent number: D761882
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert L. Meyer, Gregory J. Kaufmann, Mark Steven Diekevers, Timothy A. Thorson