Patents by Inventor Michael C. Layko

Michael C. Layko 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).

  • Publication number: 20230383501
    Abstract: A machine may include a body, a boom link, a swing casting, and a boom. The boom and the swing casting may be configured to rotate horizontally about an axis through the boom link. The machine may further include a mounting bracket fixedly connected to the swing casting, a position sensor fixedly connected to the boom link, a first link fixedly connected at a first end to the position sensor and configured to rotate about an axis through a rotary element, and a second link fixedly connected at a first end to the mounting bracket and at a second end to a second end of the first link. The first link and the second link may be configured to rotate horizontally with horizontal rotation of the boom and the swing casting and to transfer the horizontal rotation of the boom and the swing casting to the rotary element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2022
    Publication date: November 30, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Vincent Adam ARMSTRONG, Joshua D. CALLAWAY, Christopher Erik BRIGHT, Benjamin J. TERRY, Michael C. LAYKO
  • Publication number: 20140317967
    Abstract: An excavator has an undercarriage assembly and a turret assembly rotatable relative to the undercarriage assembly. The undercarriage assembly has an undercarriage implement support that may pivot about a lift axis. An undercarriage coupler is coupled to the undercarriage support and includes an undercarriage coupler interface that is configure to operably engage an undercarriage implement interface provide on an undercarriage implement. The turret assembly also carries a turret implement, and therefore the excavator may simultaneously employ both the undercarriage implement and the turret implement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2013
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Parker, Michael C. Layko, Justin D. Speichinger
  • Patent number: 8573336
    Abstract: A machine is provided. The machine has a forward direction of travel and includes a frame, at least one lift arm, a first torsion axle assembly, an undercarriage, and an endless track. The lift arm is pivotally attached to the frame. The first torsion axle assembly is attached to the frame and includes a first torsion arm, a first torsion shaft, and a first axle, with the first torsion shaft and the first axle extending from the first torsion arm. The undercarriage is attached to the first torsion axle assembly and the endless track encircles the undercarriage. One of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the frame and the other of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the undercarriage. The first torsion arm extends upward from the frame at an angle between 90 and 180 degrees from the forward direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mylvaganam Arulraja, Michael S. Freberg, Leslie L. Weaver, Jr., Michael C. Layko, Jeffrey M. Parker, Michael Bottom
  • Publication number: 20110227309
    Abstract: A machine is provided. The machine has a forward direction of travel and includes a frame, at least one lift arm, a first torsion axle assembly, an undercarriage, and an endless track. The lift arm is pivotally attached to the frame. The first torsion axle assembly is attached to the frame and includes a first torsion arm, a first torsion shaft, and a first axle, with the first torsion shaft and the first axle extending from the first torsion arm. The undercarriage is attached to the first torsion axle assembly and the endless track encircles the undercarriage. One of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the frame and the other of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the undercarriage. The first torsion arm extends upward from the frame at an angle between 90 and 180 degrees from the forward direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mylvaganam Arulraja, Michael S. Freberg, Leslie L. Weaver, JR., Michael C. Layko, Jeffrey M. Parker, Michael Bottom
  • Patent number: 7967087
    Abstract: A machine is provided. The machine has a forward direction of travel and includes a frame, at least one lift arm, a first torsion axle assembly, an undercarriage, and an endless track. The lift arm is pivotally attached to the frame. The first torsion axle assembly is attached to the frame and includes a first torsion arm, a first torsion shaft, and a first axle, with the first torsion shaft and the first axle extending from the first torsion arm. The undercarriage is attached to the first torsion axle assembly and the endless track encircles the undercarriage. One of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the frame and the other of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the undercarriage. The first torsion arm extends upward from the frame at an angle between 90 and 180 degrees from the forward direction of travel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar SARL
    Inventors: Mylvaganam Arulraja, Michael S. Freberg, Leslie L. Weaver, Jr., Michael C. Layko, Jeffrey M. Parker, Michael Bottom
  • Publication number: 20090321152
    Abstract: A machine is provided. The machine has a forward direction of travel and includes a frame, at least one lift arm, a first torsion axle assembly, an undercarriage, and an endless track. The lift arm is pivotally attached to the frame. The first torsion axle assembly is attached to the frame and includes a first torsion arm, a first torsion shaft, and a first axle, with the first torsion shaft and the first axle extending from the first torsion arm. The undercarriage is attached to the first torsion axle assembly and the endless track encircles the undercarriage. One of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the frame and the other of the first torsion shaft and the first axle is attached to the undercarriage. The first torsion arm extends upward from the frame at an angle between 90 and 180 degrees from the forward direction of travel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: December 31, 2009
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mylvaganam Arulraja, Michael S. Freberg, Leslie L. Weaver, JR., Michael C. Layko, Jeffrey M. Parker, Michael Bottom
  • Patent number: 7578651
    Abstract: A method of lifting a boom assembly for a machine along a lift path is provided. The machine has a work implement coupled to the boom assembly. The method includes initially moving the work implement vertically from a lowered position to a first intermediate position forward of the lowered position. The method also includes subsequently moving the work implement vertically from the first intermediate position along a slightly rearwardly inclined direction to a second intermediate position rearward of the first intermediate position. The method also includes subsequently moving the work implement vertically from the second intermediate position along a slightly forwardly inclined direction to a third intermediate position forward of the second intermediate position. The method also includes finally moving the work implement vertically from the third intermediate position along a slightly rearward inclined direction to a final position rearward of the first, second, and third intermediate positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Michael C. Layko, Jeffrey M. Parker
  • Publication number: 20090032314
    Abstract: A machine is provided. The machine has a frame, an implement attached to a front end, a power source, a first and a second drive motor, a left front and rear axle, and a right front and rear axle. The first and second drive motors are powered by the power source, and each has an inner and an outer sprocket. The left rear axle is coupled to the inner sprocket of the first drive motor and rotatably coupled to the frame. The left front axle is coupled to the outer sprocket of the first drive motor and rotatably coupled to the frame. The right rear axle is coupled to the inner sprocket of the second drive motor and rotatably coupled to the frame. The right front axle is coupled to the outer sprocket of the second drive motor and rotatably coupled to the frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventors: Justin D. Speichinger, Michael C. Layko
  • Patent number: 7264435
    Abstract: A boom assembly for a work machine including a boom extending from a forward portion of the work machine toward a rear portion of the work machine, a rear link member connected between a frame of the work machine and the boom by a first frame pivot connection and a first boom pivot connection, and a forward link member connected between the frame of the work machine and the boom by a second frame pivot connection and a second boom pivot connection. The boom assembly also includes an actuator connected between the frame of the work machine and the boom by a third frame pivot connection and a third boom pivot connection. The second frame pivot connection is located vertically below the first frame pivot connection and above the second boom pivot connection when the boom assembly is in a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Caterpillar S.A.R.L.
    Inventors: Michael C. Layko, Jeffrey M. Parker