Patents by Inventor John R. Muntjanoff

John R. Muntjanoff 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: 4379675
    Abstract: A dampened fully pivotal hanger (10) for a grapple (12) of a log skidding vehicle (14) or the like having a main mounting member (24) attachable to a rotator (22), first pivoting members (32) pivotal with respect to the main mounting member (24) and second pivoting members (48) pivotal with respect to the first pivoting members (32). A grapple assembly (12) is attached to the second pivoting members (48). A pair of shock absorbers (60,68) is connected between each pair of pivotally attached assemblies (24,32,48) for dampening motion therebetween. The elements of the present hanger (10) define a recess (71) through which hydraulic lines (72) are protectedly run. The dampened, fully pivotal hanger (10) prevents destructive swinging of the grapple assembly (12) when not loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 12, 1983
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: John R. Muntjanoff, Dennis M. Day
  • Patent number: 4313633
    Abstract: A self adjusting actuator system (32/32') has an actuator housing (40), a telescoping piston (52) defining therewith head and rod end chambers (58,60), and a compression spring (66) disposed for biasing the piston (52) in a preselected direction against an external force. A control system supplies fluid selectively to either of the chambers (58,60) and includes control device (33/33') for selectively permitting egress of fluid from the rod end chamber (60) to permit the piston (52) to move in the preselected direction in response to a change in the external force. Such system is particularly useful in a log grapple (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1979
    Date of Patent: February 2, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: John R. Muntjanoff, Charles E. Lanchantin, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4260323
    Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00584 Sec. 371 Date Aug. 9, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Aug. 9, 1979 PCT Filed PCT Pub No. WO 81/00396 Pub Date Feb. 19, 1981A compact grapple head (10) for use in apparatus such as a logging vehicle (11). The grapple head has a reduced overall height and utilizes four pivot connections (17,26,27 and 31) in controlling the tongs (13 and 18) thereof. The arrangement of the pivot connections relative to the tongs, an extensible device (22) and an interconnecting (28) provides an improved load-handling capability both as to maximum and minimum loads. Each of the extensible device (22) and link (28) is connected between the tongs with one of the pivotal connections (26) connecting both of the extensible device (22) and link (28) to one of the tongs (13) and a second pivotal connection (27) connecting both the extensible device and the other of the tongs (18) to the frame (12).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 1979
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1981
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: John R. Muntjanoff
  • Patent number: 4201510
    Abstract: A grapple tong system has first and second hydraulic lines for closing and raising the grapple tongs, respectively. A hydraulic system is provided for automatically, controllably passing fluid from the second to the first line in response to a preselected pressure in the first line and a higher pressure in the second line for automatically, controllably urging the grapples to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 6, 1980
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: John R. Muntjanoff
  • Patent number: 4140233
    Abstract: A load skidding vehicle including a vehicle frame and front and rear wheels on the frame. A grapple mechanism is mounted on the frame and includes a grapple outside of the periphery of the frame for partially lifting a load to be skidded across the ground. A force applying member is carried by the frame for applying a force having a substantial downward component to a load grasped by the grapple at a point spaced from the point of engagement of the load with the grapple and remote from the frame to thereby provide a reactive force tending to equalize the weight distribution on the wheels of the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1979
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: John R. Muntjanoff, Eugene M. Poplawski, Kenneth W. Timmons
  • Patent number: 4113124
    Abstract: A movable arch supporting a grapple unit at one end of a logging vehicle, the movable arch including a pair of links of different lengths being pivotably connected in spaced apart relation to a vehicle and a support beam, one end of the support beam extending rearwardly from the vehicle for connection with the grapple unit, a hydraulic jack being interconnected between the vehicle and one of the links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 12, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: John R. Muntjanoff
  • Patent number: 4074613
    Abstract: A control mechanism for regulating operation of a rotatable winch drum through a power train including a brake which is normally engaged by hydraulic pressure to secure the winch drum against rotation and a normally disengaged clutch which is selectively engaged by hydraulic pressure for driving the winch drum in a reeling-in mode, the control mechanism including a control lever which is movable for selectively communicating hydraulic fluid to the brake and clutch, first and second biasing means being associated with the control lever to provide for adjustment of the lever at different rates of modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: John R. Muntjanoff
  • Patent number: 3990552
    Abstract: A control mechanism for regulating operation of a rotatable winch drum through a power train including a brake which is normally engaged by hydraulic pressure to secure the winch drum against rotation and a normally disengaged clutch which is selectively engaged by hydraulic pressure for driving the winch drum in a reeling-in mode, the control mechanism including a control lever which is movable for selectively communicating hydraulic fluid to the brake and clutch, first and second biasing means being associated with the control lever to provide for adjustment of the lever at different rates of modulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: John R. Muntjanoff
  • Patent number: 3986520
    Abstract: An apparatus for filling and removing liquid ballast from a tire comprises a fluid circuit including a pressurized air tank and a liquid storage tank each operatively connected to an adapter releasably attached to the rim of a tire in lieu of its conventional valve stem. During removal of the liquid ballast, pressurized air is communicated through the adapter to pressurize a closed chamber of the tire to pump the liquid ballast to the storage tank. Upon refilling of the tire, pressurized air is communicated to the storage tank to pump liquid back into the tire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Roger L. Schluter, John R. Muntjanoff