Patents by Inventor Nathan R. BJERKE

Nathan R. 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: 11781293
    Abstract: A work tool or a wear member includes a working portion or a wear portion, and a shank extending from the working portion or the wear portion, defining a longitudinal axis, and a first lock receiving groove that defines an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Publication number: 20230287662
    Abstract: A work tool or a wear member includes a working portion or a wear portion, a hollow portion that further defines a lock receiving aperture defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The axis of rotation is transverse to the direction of assembly of work tool or wear member as the member is slid over a nose portion of a tool adaptor or the like. The axis of rotation is spaced away from the direction the pin receiving thru-hole extends a predetermined distance measured along the direction of assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: September 14, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 11746507
    Abstract: A cutter bit for a work tool on a machine includes a leading end, conical-shaped tip portion, a rearward, frustoconical-shaped tip portion extending axially rearwardly from the leading end, conical-shaped tip portion, an annular ledge extending radially outwardly from a trailing edge of the rearward, frustoconical-shaped tip portion, a frustoconical-shaped body portion extending axially rearwardly from an outer circumferential edge of the annular ledge, a cylindrical collar portion extending axially rearwardly from a trailing edge of the frustoconical-shaped body portion, and a trailing end, cylindrical-shaped shank portion extending axially rearwardly from the cylindrical collar portion. The cutter bit may also include a plurality of circumferentially-spaced ribs projecting radially outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of at least one of the leading end, conical-shaped tip portion, the rearward, frustoconical-shaped tip portion, or the frustoconical-shaped body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Marshall Congdon, David Bruno Parzynski, Jr., Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20230272602
    Abstract: A work tool or a wear member includes a working portion or a wear portion, a hollow portion that further defines a lock receiving aperture defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The axis of rotation is transverse to the direction of assembly of work tool or wear member as the member is slid over a nose portion of a tool adaptor or the like. The axis of rotation is spaced away from the direction the pin receiving thru-hole extends a predetermined distance measured along the direction of assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2023
    Publication date: August 31, 2023
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Patent number: 11697923
    Abstract: A work tool or a wear member includes a working portion or a wear portion, a hollow portion that further defines a lock receiving aperture defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The axis of rotation is transverse to the direction of assembly of work tool or wear member as the member is slid over a nose portion of a tool adaptor or the like. The axis of rotation is spaced away from the direction the pin receiving thru-hole extends a predetermined distance measured along the direction of assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20220389690
    Abstract: A corner guard includes a rear attachment portion defining a first fastener receiving void, a rear edge that is disposed along the direction of material flow, and a forward ramp portion that extends forwardly from the rear attachment along the direction of material flow, and vertically downwardly forming a front wear edge. The corner guard also includes an outer lateral side, and an inner lateral side. The outer lateral side is flared laterally, defining an outer lateral side extremity that is disposed along the direction of material flow adjacent to the front wear edge, forming a flared portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Publication date: December 8, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Bjerke, Michael Tancin, Eric Thomas Sinn
  • Publication number: 20220341133
    Abstract: A work tool or a wear member includes a working portion or a wear portion, and a shank extending from the working portion or the wear portion, defining a longitudinal axis, and a first lock receiving groove that defines an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 27, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Patent number: 11414842
    Abstract: A work tool or a wear member includes a working portion or a wear portion, and a shank extending from the working portion or the wear portion, defining a longitudinal axis, and a first lock receiving groove that defines an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Patent number: 11365529
    Abstract: A bolt retention assembly defines a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The bolt retention assembly includes an adapter including a forward abutment portion and a rearward horizontally oriented saddle portion. The adapter may also define an interior aperture. The bolt retention assembly further includes a slide including a forward threaded portion configured to fit within the interior aperture of the adapter, and a rearward horizontally oriented pronged portion configured to pass through the rearward horizontally oriented saddle portion of the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20220002983
    Abstract: A retainer for attaching a work member or a wear member to an implement of a machine includes a wavy annular body defining a central axis, and at least one detent. A tab extends axially away from the wavy annular body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20220002980
    Abstract: A work tool or a wear member includes a working portion or a wear portion, and a shank extending from the working portion or the wear portion, defining a longitudinal axis, and a first lock receiving groove that defines an axis of rotation that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the shank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Bjerke, Thomas Marshall Congdon
  • Publication number: 20220002982
    Abstract: A retaining system includes a lock including a drive portion that defines an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction, and further includes a locking portion including an outer peripheral surface. A wing extends radially outwardly from the outer peripheral surface, while the locking portion is connected to the drive portion by a wall. A rib extends axially from the wall toward the drive portion forming an annular cavity, defining at least one detent receiving aperture that is disposed in the annular cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20220002981
    Abstract: A work tool or a wear member includes a working portion or a wear portion, a hollow portion that further defines a lock receiving aperture defining an axis of rotation, a radial direction, and a circumferential direction. The axis of rotation is transverse to the direction of assembly of work tool or wear member as the member is slid over a nose portion of a tool adaptor or the like. The axis of rotation is spaced away from the direction the pin receiving thru-hole extends a predetermined distance measured along the direction of assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2020
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20210332568
    Abstract: In one aspect, a corner shroud includes a body that may have a floor portion having a floor rear surface, a floor inner surface, a floor lower surface, and a floor upper surface having a curved portion, a side portion, extending from the floor portion, and having a side outer surface, a side rear surface, a side inner surface, and a side upper surface, a front portion extending between the floor portion and the side portion, the front portion having a front surface, a front inner surface, and a front rear surface, and a top portion extending from the front portion, the top portion having a top upper surface, a top inner surface, a top lower surface, a top rear surface, and a top outer surface. The floor upper surface, the side inner surface, the front rear surface, the top lower surface, and the top inner surface define a recess.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. BJERKE, Thomas M. CONGDON
  • Publication number: 20210317741
    Abstract: A cutter bit for a work tool on a machine includes a leading end, conical-shaped tip portion, a rearward, frustoconical-shaped tip portion extending axially rearwardly from the leading end, conical-shaped tip portion, an annular ledge extending radially outwardly from a trailing edge of the rearward, frustoconical-shaped tip portion, a frustoconical-shaped body portion extending axially rearwardly from an outer circumferential edge of the annular ledge, a cylindrical collar portion extending axially rearwardly from a trailing edge of the frustoconical-shaped body portion, and a trailing end, cylindrical-shaped shank portion extending axially rearwardly from the cylindrical collar portion. The cutter bit may also include a plurality of circumferentially-spaced ribs projecting radially outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of at least one of the leading end, conical-shaped tip portion, the rearward, frustoconical-shaped tip portion, or the frustoconical-shaped body portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2021
    Publication date: October 14, 2021
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Thomas Marshall CONGDON, David Bruno PARZYNSKI, JR., Nathan R. BJERKE
  • Patent number: 11098584
    Abstract: A cutter bit for a work tool on a machine includes a leading end, conical-shaped tip portion, a rearward, frustoconical-shaped tip portion extending axially rearwardly from the leading end, conical-shaped tip portion, an annular ledge extending radially outwardly from a trailing edge of the rearward, frustoconical-shaped tip portion, a frustoconical-shaped body portion extending axially rearwardly from an outer circumferential edge of the annular ledge, a cylindrical collar portion extending axially rearwardly from a trailing edge of the frustoconical-shaped body portion, and a trailing end, cylindrical-shaped shank portion extending axially rearwardly from the cylindrical collar portion. The cutter bit may also include a plurality of circumferentially-spaced ribs projecting radially outwardly from an outer peripheral surface of at least one of the leading end, conical-shaped tip portion, the rearward, frustoconical-shaped tip portion, or the frustoconical-shaped body portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Marshall Congdon, David Bruno Parzynski, Jr., Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Publication number: 20210230845
    Abstract: A bolt retention assembly defines a horizontal direction, a vertical direction, and a lateral direction that is perpendicular to the vertical direction and the horizontal direction. The bolt retention assembly includes an adapter including a forward abutment portion and a rearward horizontally oriented saddle portion. The adapter may also define an interior aperture. The bolt retention assembly further includes a slide including a forward threaded portion configured to fit within the interior aperture of the adapter, and a rearward horizontally oriented pronged portion configured to pass through the rearward horizontally oriented saddle portion of the adapter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2020
    Publication date: July 29, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan R. Bjerke
  • Patent number: D959505
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Bjerke, Thomas M. Congdon
  • Patent number: D978923
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Bjerke, Michael Tancin, Eric T. Sinn
  • Patent number: D997209
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Nathan R. Bjerke, Thomas M. Congdon