Patents by Inventor Kent M. Foster

Kent M. Foster 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).

  • Linkage arrangement for a loading machine
    Patent number: 5695310
    Abstract: Typical loading machines utilize a pair of lift arms to mount a work implement to a machine frame. The spacing of the lift arms and the tilt linkage mounted to the lift arms to manipulate the work implement reduce the visibility to the work implement as well as increase the overall weight of the structure. The present invention provides a boom-type lift arm that has a non-clevised configuration on both end portions thereof that mount a work implement to the frame of a machine. The tilt linkage is mounted between the lift arm and the work implement to rotate the work implement with respect to the lift arm. The work implement defines a pair of mounting plates that mount both the tilt linkage as well as the lift arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Kent M. Foster, Gregory A. Loebbaka