Patents by Inventor Nathan Bjerke

Nathan Bjerke 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: 10190291
    Abstract: A sidebar protecting wear member includes a module having a length extending in a length direction from a first end to a second end, and a width extending in a width direction from a first side to a second side, the length being greater than the width. The module includes a generally planar surface and a first sidebar engaging abutment protruding from the generally planar surface adjacent the first end and a second sidebar engaging abutment protruding from the generally planar surface adjacent the second end. The module includes an attachment tab at only one of the first and second sides of the module and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the generally planar surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20190017250
    Abstract: A shim for use with a wear member comprises a body that defines a first aperture that includes a closed end and an open end, wherein the first aperture is defined by at least three surfaces including two side surfaces and at least one surface that defines the closed end and that further defines a surface normal that points toward the open end, and a second aperture that includes a closed end and an open end, wherein the second aperture is defined by at least three surfaces including two side surfaces and at least one surface that defines the closed end and that further defines a surface normal that points toward the open end. The surface normal of the first aperture forms an angle with the surface normal of the second aperture that is greater than zero degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2018
    Publication date: January 17, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Patent number: 10106959
    Abstract: A shim for use with a wear member comprises a body that defines a first aperture that includes a closed end and an open end, wherein the first aperture is defined by at least three surfaces including two side surfaces and at least one surface that defines the closed end and that further defines a surface normal that points toward the open end, and a second aperture that includes a closed end and an open end, wherein the second aperture is defined by at least three surfaces including two side surfaces and at least one surface that defines the closed end and that further defines a surface normal that points toward the open end. The surface normal of the first aperture forms an angle with the surface normal of the second aperture that is greater than zero degrees.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Patent number: 10106960
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes a compressible base. The compressible base includes a front face and a back face. The front face and the back face may each have a noncircular shape. The lock assembly includes a rigid latch member extending from the front face of the compressible base. The latch member includes a ramp extending away from the front face. The ramp may have a low end and an elevated end, the elevated end extending further away from the front face than the low end. The latch member includes a tool engaging feature extending into the ramp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Otto Jeske, Brian Thomas Rimmey, Nathan Bjerke
  • Patent number: 10036412
    Abstract: A counterbore plug comprises a generally cylindrical annular body defining: a cylindrical axis and a radial direction, a first end and a second end that are disposed along the cylindrical axis, an aperture that extends at least partially from the first end to the second end, the body including a radially inner annular surface, a radially outer annular surface, and a plurality of projections that extend radially from the radially inner annular surface that at least partially define a polygonal perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Publication number: 20180179730
    Abstract: A dozing blade assembly includes a dozing blade and a multi-piece cutter mounted to the dozing blade and including an elongate body having a first outer body piece and a second outer body piece that are mirror images of one another, and each including an inboard stem having a linear leading edge profile, and an integral outboard end bit having a curvilinear leading edge profile. The outer body pieces are structured for mounting to the dozing blade such that digging faces of the outer body pieces are oriented at a shallower angle than digging faces of the middle body piece, relative to a horizontal plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Congdon, Nathan Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20180163379
    Abstract: A sidebar protecting wear member includes a module having a length extending in a length direction from a first end to a second end, and a width extending in a width direction from a first side to a second side, and a main body portion extending along only a first portion of the length of the module and across the entire width of the module. The module includes a first projecting element adjacent the first end of the module and extending along a second portion of the length to the first end of the length, and extending across only a first portion of the width of the module, and a second projecting element adjacent the second end of the module and extending along a third portion of the length to the second end of the length, and extending across only a second portion of the width of the module.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20180163378
    Abstract: A sidebar protecting wear member includes a module having a length extending in a length direction from a first end to a second end, and a width extending in a width direction from a first side to a second side, the length being greater than the width. The module includes a generally planar surface and a first sidebar engaging abutment protruding from the generally planar surface adjacent the first end and a second sidebar engaging abutment protruding from the generally planar surface adjacent the second end. The module includes an attachment tab at only one of the first and second sides of the module and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the generally planar surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2017
    Publication date: June 14, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20180073543
    Abstract: A counterbore plug comprises a generally cylindrical annular body defining: a cylindrical axis and a radial direction, a first end and a second end that are disposed along the cylindrical axis, an aperture that extends at least partially from the first end to the second end, the body including a radially inner annular surface, a radially outer annular surface, and a plurality of projections that extend radially from the radially inner annular surface that at least partially define a polygonal perimeter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Publication date: March 15, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Publication number: 20170306591
    Abstract: A shim for use with a wear member comprises a body that defines a first aperture that includes a closed end and an open end, wherein the first aperture is defined by at least three surfaces including two side surfaces and at least one surface that defines the closed end and that further defines a surface normal that points toward the open end, and a second aperture that includes a closed end and an open end, wherein the second aperture is defined by at least three surfaces including two side surfaces and at least one surface that defines the closed end and that further defines a surface normal that points toward the open end. The surface normal of the first aperture forms an angle with the surface normal of the second aperture that is greater than zero degrees.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2016
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Publication number: 20170145665
    Abstract: A lock assembly includes a compressible base. The compressible base includes a front face and a back face. The front face and the back face may each have a noncircular shape. The lock assembly includes a rigid latch member extending from the front face of the compressible base. The latch member includes a ramp extending away from the front face. The ramp may have a low end and an elevated end, the elevated end extending further away from the front face than the low end. The latch member includes a tool engaging feature extending into the ramp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2016
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Clifford Otto Jeske, Brian Thomas Rimmey, Nathan Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20170051776
    Abstract: A plug is disclosed for excluding foreign material from the drive socket of a driven element including a plug body having top, bottom, and a plurality of side portions extending between the top and bottom portions. The plug body is sized and shaped to be received within the drive socket. A magnet is disposed in the plug body. A plurality of ribs is disposed on the plurality of side portions of the plug body, the ribs sized and shaped to be removably received in the drive socket and exclude the intrusion of foreign material into the drive socket and at least one removal feature is formed at or near the top portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2015
    Publication date: February 23, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Craig D. Samuelson, Nathan Bjerke, Thomas M. Congdon
  • Patent number: 9556595
    Abstract: A wear member for an earth-working implement includes a body having front, rear, top, bottom, inner side and outer side portions. A cutting edge is defined along at least a portion of a bottom interface. The wear member includes a contoured upper front surface, which extends between a top edge along a top interface between the front portion and the top portion, an outer side edge along an outer side interface between the front portion and the outer side portion, a ridge on the front portion, and a spearhead edge along the bottom interface. The wear member includes a contoured lower front surface formed on the front portion of the body adjacent the contoured upper front surface, which is between an inner side edge, which is disposed along an inner side interface between the front portion and the inner side portion, the cutting edge, and the ridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Congdon, Sudhir R. Kallu, Nick W. Biggs, Nathan Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20160040399
    Abstract: A wear member for an earth-working implement includes a body having front, rear, top, bottom, inner side and outer side portions. A cutting edge is defined along at least a portion of a bottom interface. The wear member includes a contoured upper front surface, which extends between a top edge along a top interface between the front portion and the top portion, an outer side edge along an outer side interface between the front portion and the outer side portion, a ridge on the front portion, and a spearhead edge along the bottom interface. The wear member includes a contoured lower front surface formed on the front portion of the body adjacent the contoured upper front surface, which is between an inner side edge, which is disposed along an inner side interface between the front portion and the inner side portion, the cutting edge, and the ridge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2015
    Publication date: February 11, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Congdon, Sudhir R. Kallu, Nick W. Biggs, Nathan Bjerke
  • Patent number: D842346
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Patent number: D842347
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Patent number: D846002
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon