Patents by Inventor Laurence J. Cobb

Laurence J. Cobb 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: 9926024
    Abstract: A master link joint for a drive chain is disclosed. The disclosed master link joint includes two master links. Each master link includes a first half link and a second half link that engage each other along mating abutment surfaces. The two master links are disposed on opposite sides of the chain. The first half links are coupled by a pin that traverses the chain and the second half links are coupled by a bushing that traverses the chain. The mating abutment surfaces include a first ramp that meets a second offset ramp at a junction or root. An angle ? defined by the second ramps of the mating abutment surfaces and a line parallel to the rail or bottom pad of the half links ranges from about 45 to about 53°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Donovan S. Clarke, John M. Plouzek, Laurence J. Cobb, Matthew W. Trone
  • Publication number: 20110316331
    Abstract: A master link joint for a drive chain is disclosed. The disclosed master link joint includes two master links. Each master link includes a first half link and a second half link that engage each other along mating abutment surfaces. The two master links are disposed on opposite sides of the chain. The first half links are coupled by a pin that traverses the chain and the second half links are coupled by a bushing that traverses the chain. The mating abutment surfaces include a first ramp that meets a second offset ramp at a junction or root. An angle ? defined by the second ramps of the mating abutment surfaces and a line parallel to the rail or bottom pad of the half links ranges from about 45 to about 53°.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2011
    Publication date: December 29, 2011
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Donovan S. Clarke, John M. Plouzek, Laurence J. Cobb, Matthew W. Trone
  • Patent number: 6117041
    Abstract: A planetary gear set is disclosed that includes self-aligning carrier shafts for the planetary gears that greatly reduces the wear to the carrier shaft caused by torque-induced loads on the planetary gear set. The carrier shaft includes a first cantilevered member extending from a carrier deck, which is connected, to a second cantilevered member that extends toward the carrier deck. A bearing member of the planetary gear is mounted to the second cantilevered member and the planetary gear is mounted to the bearing member. Under a torque-induced load on the planetary gear, the first cantilevered member is deflected in a first direction and the second cantilevered member is deflected in a second direction opposite the first direction, thus a carrier shaft designed in accordance with the present invention enables offsetting deflections under torque-induced loads leading to a reduction in the wear of the bearing member and the carrier shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Bennett W. Avery, Laurence J. Cobb, Valerie R. Wiest
  • Patent number: D665826
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Donovan S. Clarke, John M. Plouzek, Laurence J. Cobb, Matthew W. Trone