Patents by Inventor John M. Teter

John M. Teter 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: 9963854
    Abstract: A guardrail for a walkway of a machine includes a vertical channel post having an end wall and side walls forming an open channel. The vertical channel post may taper in the side-to-side and fore-aft directions as the post extends bottom to top. The vertical channel post may also transition from a generally rectangular cross-section near the bottom to a more rounded cross-section at the top. Curved top notches at the top of the vertical channel post allow a top rail of the guardrail to rest on top of the post and be attached. Intermediate notches along vertical edges of the side walls receive an intermediate rail of the guardrail. The top notches and the intermediate notches are arranged so that the top rail and the intermediate rail may be vertically aligned and parallel to each other and to the walkway enclosed by the guardrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, John M. Teter, Dennis D. Wetterich, Timothy N. Zier, Terril J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20170130424
    Abstract: A guardrail for a walkway of a machine includes a vertical channel post having an end wall and side walls forming an open channel. The vertical channel post may taper in the side-to-side and fore-aft directions as the post extends bottom to top. The vertical channel post may also transition from a generally rectangular cross-section near the bottom to a more rounded cross-section at the top. Curved top notches at the top of the vertical channel post allow a top rail of the guardrail to rest on top of the post and be attached. Intermediate notches along vertical edges of the side walls receive an intermediate rail of the guardrail. The top notches and the intermediate notches are arranged so that the top rail and the intermediate rail may be vertically aligned and parallel to each other and to the walkway enclosed by the guardrail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, John M. Teter, Dennis D. Wetterich, Timothy N. Zier, Terril J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9487080
    Abstract: A draining system for draining fuel from a fuel tank is disclosed. The fuel tank includes a holding chamber for holding fuel and a fill port assembly for adding fuel to the holding chamber. The fill port assembly includes a fill port passageway in fluid communication with the holding chamber and a valve system for regulating a flow of fuel through the fill port passageway. The draining system includes a coupling member having a drainage passageway. The coupling member is detachably connected with the fill port assembly. An actuating member selectively actuates the valve system to permit fuel to flow from the fill port passageway into the drainage passageway. An outlet conduit is in fluid communication with the drainage passageway such that fuel can flow from the drainage passageway into the outlet conduit. A flow regulating member is configured to regulate flow of fuel through the outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Teter, Robert J. Madera
  • Publication number: 20160031314
    Abstract: A draining system for draining fuel from a fuel tank is disclosed. The fuel tank includes a holding chamber for holding fuel and a fill port assembly for adding fuel to the holding chamber. The fill port assembly includes a fill port passageway in fluid communication with the holding chamber and a valve system for regulating a flow of fuel through the fill port passageway. The draining system includes a coupling member having a drainage passageway. The coupling member is detachably connected with the fill port assembly. An actuating member selectively actuates the valve system to permit fuel to flow from the fill port passageway into the drainage passageway. An outlet conduit is in fluid communication with the drainage passageway such that fuel can flow from the drainage passageway into the outlet conduit. A flow regulating member is configured to regulate flow of fuel through the outlet conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Teter, Robert J. Madera
  • Publication number: 20160001707
    Abstract: A hinged service step assembly including a first tread plate and a second tread plate connected to the first tread plate with a hinge. The hinged service step further including an attachment bracket connected to the second tread plate machine. The attachment bracket attaching to a machine having a lift arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, John M. Teter
  • Publication number: 20150136523
    Abstract: A ladder is provided. The ladder includes a frame having a first side wall and a second side wall. The first and second side walls are connected by a plurality of steps. The plurality of steps is provided in an axially spaced apart arrangement relative to each other. The ladder also includes an actuator coupled to the frame. The actuator is configured to provide a rotary movement to the frame for positioning the ladder in any one of a deployed position and a stowed position. The ladder further includes a torsion plate. The torsion plate is provided on the frame in cooperation with the actuator. The torsion plate is configured to transfer at least a portion of a torque associated with the rotary movement from the first side wall to the second side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, Joshua C. Bedyk, Christopher P. Cherwin, John M. Teter
  • Publication number: 20140261286
    Abstract: A modular structure is provided. The modular structure may be detachably mounted on an engine enclosure. The modular structure includes a first section and a second section. The first section is configured to house at least one of an aftertreatment module and a muffler module. The second section is configured to house an air cleaner module. At least one of the first section and the second section is configured to be detachable from the engine enclosure to provide access to an engine within the engine enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, Joshua C. Bedyk, John M. Teter
  • Publication number: 20130146084
    Abstract: A system for removing objects from a surface is disclosed. The system may include at least one sensor, a controller, and at least one vibration motor. The sensor is configured to detect an object on the surface and to generate a signal indicative of the object characteristics. The controller may be operatively coupled to the sensor. The controller can receive the generated signal indicative of the object characteristics, and then determine a desired frequency and amplitude of vibration to apply to the surface based on the object characteristics. At least one vibration motor may be in communication with the controller and configured to apply the desired frequency and amplitude of vibration to the surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis D. Wetterich, John M. Teter
  • Patent number: 6063152
    Abstract: A novel air filter is provided for a vented area for minimizing or limiting electromagnetic interference (EMI) leakage and for providing ventilation, by allowing the egress of gases out of the vented area, and air filtration, by preventing or deterring the ingress of undesirable environmental conditions into the vented area. Such a vented area may be cabinet having a plurality of walls which houses electronic systems or subsystems. The air filter includes a dimple provided in the surrounding surface of the vented area. The dimple has a ventilating port provided therethrough. The air filter further includes a non-woven material covering the ventilating port. The non-woven material allows the passage of gases therethrough and substantially prevents the passage of liquid therethrough. The size of the ventilating port determines the amount of EMI leakage allowed through the air filter. The non-woven material is preferably adhesively attached to the surrounding surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: Marconi Communications Inc.
    Inventor: John M. Teter