Patents by Inventor Larry G. Eftefield

Larry G. Eftefield 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: 5894908
    Abstract: An integral frame structure is provided to better absorb vibrations, stresses and/or high drawbar pull introduced in a machine by rear mounted attachments. The integral frame structure includes first and second spaced apart longitudinally extending beam members, a lower front cross beam portion connected to the first and second spaced apart longitudinally extending beam members and a rear beam portion connected to the first and second spaced apart longitudinally extending beam members adjacent the ends thereof. A rear mounted attachment mechanism is secured to the rear beam portion and adapted to attach a work implement. A portion of each of the lower front cross beam portion and the rear beam portion extends outwardly from each of the first and second spaced apart longitudinally extending beam members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 20, 1999
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Larry G. Eftefield
  • Patent number: 5511868
    Abstract: A recoil mechanism of an endless track of a material working machine has first and second springs of differing compression rates. After loads of impact are absorbed by compression of one of the springs, the load is shared by the other spring and a hydraulic cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1996
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Larry G. Eftefield
  • Patent number: 4867253
    Abstract: A dampener for cushioning engagement forces of an impacting mechanism. An impacting mechanism has relatively movable members that can be releasably coupled together. The coupling engagement produces forces which tend to deform the coupling members. An impacting mechanism, having an actuator with a releasable coupling member is coupled to a relatively movable impact plunger, contains a dampener which compresses or deforms to cushion the coupling force. An impacting mechanism having a dampener for cushioning the forces during coupling engagement prevents the coupling members from being deformed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Larry G. Eftefield, Elmer B. Phelps
  • Patent number: 4560207
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for laterally severing an asphalt layer to form a ribbon, separating the asphalt ribbon from an underlying base, elevating the separated asphalt ribbon, and fracturing the elevated asphalt ribbon by bending same. A cutting member having a leading edge which is insertable between the asphalt ribbon and base provides separation thereof along a lateral line. A ramp and elevating structure elevatingly guide the separated asphalt ribbon into a pair of breaker drums which are rotatable in opposite circumferential directions. Each breaker drum has protruding teeth which are arranged in laterally separated circumferential rows with the teeth in adjacent circumferential rows being preferably arcuately offset. Corresponding circumferential rows on the opposed breaker drums are laterally aligned and the teeth in those rows engage opposite surfaces of the asphalt ribbon during rotation of the breaker drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1985
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Larry G. Eftefield, Gerald P. Simmons, Gregory L. Stone
  • Patent number: 4397173
    Abstract: A tube expander (10), for extrudably expanding the walls of a tube (12) is disclosed.The clamping force required on a tube (12) to prevent relative movement between the tube (12) and a tube expander (10), generally limits the amount of deformation completed during single stroke forming operations. The present invention provides a tube expander (10) for partially forming the tube (12) during insertion of the expander (10) into the tube (12) and fully forming the tube (12) during withdrawal of the expander (10). The tube expander (10) has an annular forming member (44) moveably mounted on a mandrel (22) for movement between a first position at which a plane (46) of the annular forming member (44) is at a skew angle with respect to a longitudinal axis (32) of the mandrel (22) and a second position at which the plane (46) of the annular forming member (44) is normal to the longitudinal axis (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1981
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1983
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Larry G. Eftefield, Edward R. Horton
  • Patent number: 4107505
    Abstract: A weldment wherein two members are joined by a weld bounded at a back portion by a back-up member providing improved weld penetration and prevention of undesirable conditions in the weld such as root gaps or blow-throughs. The back-up member may comprise an elongated element secured to the surface of one member and, more specifically, may be welded thereto by a continuous weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Larry G. Eftefield
  • Patent number: 4098350
    Abstract: A push arm for a bulldozer including a first C-shaped plate having a first base and first and second legs, and a second C-shaped plate having a second base and third and fourth legs, the first and second legs overlapping the third and fourth legs, respectively, at the outer sides of the third and fourth legs. Welds join the first and third legs and the second and fourth legs at the overlap. A bracket for supporting a tilt cylinder to tilt the blade includes fifth and sixth legs straddling, respectively, the outsides of the third and fourth legs and connected to the first and second legs by other welds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Larry G. Eftefield
  • Patent number: 4086967
    Abstract: An end bit for selective and adjustable mounting to an earthmoving vehicle structure, such as a bulldozer blade, having opposite corner portions. The bit includes transversely extending cutting edge portions and a mounting portion adapted to be selectively mounted to either of the opposite corners of the blade with one or the other of the cutting edges exposed in cutting position and with the nonexposed cutting edge disposed in a retracted position. The mounting portion is further adapted to permit the bit to be selectively repositioned on either blade corner portion in any one of a plurality of different extended positions to compensate for wear of the exposed cutting edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Larry G. Eftefield, Paul J. Lukavich, Roger R. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4074896
    Abstract: A bulldozer blade has operatively connected therewith compression struts which include resilient means for cushioning the shock of impact applied to the blade. Each strut includes cylinder means, rod means reciprocal relative thereto, and a piston mounted on the rod within the cylinder means. First cushioning means cushion initial movement of the rod inward of the cylinder, and subsequent movement of the rod inward of the cylinder is cushioned by the first cushioning means and also second cushioning means. Rebound movement of the rod relative to the cylinder means is cushioned by third cushioning means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Larry G. Eftefield
  • Patent number: 4044481
    Abstract: A reversible bit for selective mounting to an earth-moving blade, such as a bulldozer blade, having opposite corner portions. The bit includes transversely extending cutting edge portions and a mounting portion adapted to be selectively mounted to opposite corners of the blade with one or the other of the cutting edge portions suitably disposed in cutting position whereby the bit provides substantially twice the normal life of the conventional blade bit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Larry G. Eftefield, Paul J. Lukavich
  • Patent number: 4011669
    Abstract: A power scraper, of the type which has a bowl with a forward cutting edge and an apron which assists in the loading of the bowl, closes the loaded bowl, and is elevated for dumping, is provided with improved apron operating means. The operating means includes a translating means which shifts the apron pivot axis from an initial position that it occupies when the apron is elevated so that the path of the lower edge of the apron to closed position is forward of and below an arc of a circle struck about said initial position of the pivot axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Ray H. Hahn, Larry G. Eftefield
  • Patent number: 4009530
    Abstract: An earthmoving scraper having a tractor-drawn bowl with a pivotal apron thereon, and a lift linkage assembly comprising a pair of articulately connected links, one link being articulately connected to the sidewall of the bowl and the other link being articulately connected to the center of the front side of the apron, and a hydraulic jack connected between the articulately connected links and the bowl sidewall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Larry G. Eftefield
  • Patent number: 3986784
    Abstract: A weldment wherein two members are joined by a weld bounded at a back portion by a back-up member providing improved weld penetration and prevention of undesirable conditions in the weld such as root gaps or blow-throughs. The back-up member may comprise an elongated element secured to the surface of one member and, more specifically, may be welded thereto by a continuous weld.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Larry G. Eftefield
  • Patent number: 3981150
    Abstract: A dual hydraulic motor drive system is provided for powering a material loading elevator of a self-loading scraper vehicle. Such drive system includes a pair of hydraulic motors which are disposed in a fluid circuit having a blocker valve movable between a first position to direct fluid pressure to just one of the motors to provide high speed, low torque operation of the elevator and a second position to direct fluid to both of the motors to provide low speed, high torque operation of such elevator. Actuator means responsive to loading resistance affecting the elevator being effective to automatically position the blocker valve in its first position during normal loading conditions and to shift it to its second position when severe loading conditions are encountered so as to prevent stalling of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1974
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Larry G. Eftefield
  • Patent number: 3974882
    Abstract: A cellular bulldozer blade is disclosed which is adapted to be carried by a plurality of support members. The blade includes a transversely extending moldboard having a front face for carrying earth or the like and a rear face, and a plurality of plates are secured to the rear face of the moldboard for cellular reinforcement thereof and to define a bracket receiving recess therein. A built-in bracket including a body portion having a forwardly facing surface and a rearwardly facing surface thereon is disposed in closing relation to the recess and is peripherally weldably secured to the plates. A bearing arrangement is secured to the rearwardly facing surface of the body portion of the bracket for load transferring connection to one of the support members of the blade, and an elongatably penetrating internal web extends forwardly from the forwardly facing surface of the body portion for vertically stiffening the bracket and the cellular construction of the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Larry G. Eftefield
  • Patent number: 3964803
    Abstract: A trunnion ball and socket bearing assembly suitable for coupling the push arms of a bulldozer attachment to the sides of a tractor has a removable sleeve disposed coaxially on a trunnion shaft to define a spherical surface. Separatable bearing caps enclose the sleeve and have inner surfaces of spherical configuration to form a pivot joint which is capable of a limited amount of movement at right angles to the principal pivot axis. The replaceable sleeve fits against an annular shoulder on the trunnion shaft and is held thereon by a circular retainer member secured to the end of the trunnion shaft by bolts having heads which seat in counter bores in the retainer member. The sleeve may be heat treated to provide hardness while the trunnion shaft is separately treated to provide high strength thus providing an element which is more durable than a solid ball while being replaceable when necessary without requiring replacement of the entire trunnion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1974
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Larry G. Eftefield, Leon A. Wirt