Patents by Inventor Joseph J. Wirkus

Joseph J. Wirkus 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).

  • Shoe trimming tool
    Patent number: 11970224
    Abstract: A mining machine includes a frame having a guide rail, the guide rail having a central portion. The mining machine also includes a shoe having a recessed area that defines a roller path, the shoe further having a drive lug, wherein the central portion of the guide rail is configured to be disposed within the recessed area. The mining machine also includes a cutting tool coupled to the frame and positioned such that the cutting tool is configured to abrasively remove material from the drive lug as the drive lug passes by the cutting tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2024
    Assignee: JOY GLOBAL SURFACE MINING INC
    Inventors: Matthew L. Gross, James M. Hutsick, Joseph J. Wirkus, Josh Severson, Ethan Pedretti, James Popp
  • SHOE TRIMMING TOOL
    Publication number: 20210179209
    Abstract: A mining machine includes a frame having a guide rail, the guide rail having a central portion. The mining machine also includes a shoe having a recessed area that defines a roller path, the shoe further having a drive lug, wherein the central portion of the guide rail is configured to be disposed within the recessed area. The mining machine also includes a cutting tool coupled to the frame and positioned such that the cutting tool is configured to abrasively remove material from the drive lug as the drive lug passes by the cutting tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: Matthew L. Gross, James M. Hutsick, Joseph J. Wirkus, Josh Severson, Ethan Pedretti, James Popp
  • CRAWLER TRACK TENSIONING ASSEMBLY
    Publication number: 20140144716
    Abstract: A track tensioning assembly rotatably supports an idler wheel and actuator to simplify maintenance and repair. The track tensioning assembly can be provided in a crawler tack assembly forming part of a work machine, and includes a sliding frame with an idler wheel rotatably mounted on the sliding frame. A hydraulic actuator including a cylinder is mounted to the sliding frame. A ram extends from the cylinder away from the idler wheel, and includes a rod port extending through the ram for supplying hydraulic fluid to the actuator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Inventors: Joseph J. Wirkus, Guido Stanski, Uwe Esch