Abstract: A linear motion impactor device includes an impactor (28) which provides force to a hammer shank (56) only upon application of the hammer against a surface to be impacted thereby saving power and reducing noise during periods of non-use. The impactor (28) which operates on the hammer shank (56) is mounted in a housing (12) and is formed with a bore (30) normally coincident with the axis of rotation (22) of an eccentric cam (24) which is rotated by a power source (20). The impactor (28) is retained in this center-line position by a compression pad (38) positioned between the impactor (28) and the housing (12) and further positioned diametrically opposite the hammer shank (56). In the two embodiments described, either linear bearings (76, 78) or shear pads (42, 44) ensure linear motion to the impactor (28) during operation.

Abstract: An improved articulate chain (10) including pivotally interconnected sections (12,14,16) of spaced, coacting links (18,20,22) having the chain driving members (54) intermediate the pivot connections (58,60) to reduce the chain loads thereon. The links (18,20,22) are locked together in a common plane (56) by integral externally splined projections (82) extending therefrom into the internally splined drive bushing (96) to resist torque loads and increase the structural integrity of the chain (10). The links (18,20,22) are releasably coupled together to permit expeditious disassembly and reassembly thereof for servicing.

Abstract: A keeper assembly (10) includes an arcuate keeper member (46) having a pair of planar side surfaces (56,58) and a preselected U-shaped configuration in cross section adapted to be seated in a correspondingly profiled annular groove (64) in a first member (16) having a central axis (18). A second member (32) having a force transmitting surface (76) transverse to the axis (18) loads the keeper member (46) and the force is transferred into the first member (16). The keeper assembly (10) can be used in an endless chain joint (14).

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00495 Sec. 371 Date July 11, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date July 11, 1979 PCT Filed July 11, 1979A compacting apparatus (10) has an impact apparatus (17) and a compactor (19). The impact apparatus (17), such as, for example, a rock breaker, provides impacting forces on the compactor (19). The compacting apparatus (10) is positioned on, for example, a work structure (12,14,15) of a work vehicle (16). It is necessary to compact material in order to provide, for example, proper filling of a trench (74) after a pipe has been placed in the trench. Compaction, as done by the compacting apparatus (10), is provided by simultaneously compacting the material and applying a compressive force to the material and remolding the material. Therefore, satisfactory compaction can be provided in the trench (74) by the work vehicle (16) which is also usable to excavate and refill the trench (74).

Abstract: It is recommended practice to turn each bushing in a track chain of a track-type vehicle which is composed of interconnected bushings and links after a measured amount of wear has occurred to expose different wear surfaces and extend the useful life of the track chain. Heretofore, such turning of the bushing required time consuming disassembly and reassembly of the track chain or the use of inefficient tools. A method and apparatus are provided for rotating the bushing and exposing a new wear surface. The method includes torquing the bushing (14) and impacting the link (12) to turn the bushing (14). The apparatus includes a clamp (24) which engages and torques the bushing (14) and an impactor (36, 38) for impacting the link (12) until the bushing (14) rotates relative to the link (12).

Abstract: A wheel (16) in a continuous track assembly (12) has a hub (18) and a rim (20) connected to the hub (18). First apparatus (29) engages a track (14) of the assembly (12) to drive an associated work vehicle (10). Second apparatus (42) mounts the rim (20) in a movable relationship to the hub (18). The first apparatus (29) in movable relationship to the rim (20) to substantially absorb and isolate noise created by engagement of the wheel (16) and track (14) to drive the vehicle (10). The rim (20) is movable relative to the hub (18) to substantially isolate impact forces exerted on the wheel (16) resulting from operation of the vehicle (10).

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00187 Sec. 371 Date Mar. 23, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Mar. 23, 1979 PCT Field Mar. 23, 1979 PCT Pub. No. W080/02059 PCT Pub. Date Oct. 2, 1980A keeper assembly transmits force from a second member (32) for a forced transmitting surface force (68) to first member (16) having an annular groove (42). A plurality of keeper segments (40) are located in the groove (42) and transfer force from the forced transmitting surface (68) into the first member (16). Each keeper segment has an axially outwardly opening side seat (56) and retaining means (44) are releasably connected to the side seats (56) for holding the keeper segments (40) positively in the groove (42).

Abstract: A track structure (10) having an annular seal (24) defined by a C-shaped cross section for movably sealing the end (18) of the track pin (17) to an outer bushing surface (20). A shallow portion (32) of the seal is impregnated with lapping compound to lap the confronting sealing surface (20) of the bushing so as to provide a positive seal therebetween. The improved seal eliminates the need for lapping the sealing surfaces of the track structure prior to assembly. The portion (32) of the sealing surface of the seal impregnated with lapping compound provides the desired lapping of the confronting track structure surface as the result of relative movement between the seal and that surface which may be effected during a break-in period as desired.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00504 Sec. 371 Date July 16, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date July 16, 1979 PCT Filed July 16, 1979A method and apparatus for assembling an articulated track chain (10) affording controlled minimum end play, the chain (10) comprising a plurality of coacting, overlapping pairs of oppositely disposed links (20,22,24,26) having integral interconnecting pin and sprocket engaging members (16,18). An apparatus (122,124) for locating the coacting, overlapping pairs of links (20,22,24,26) at a preselected position on the pin (16,18), regardless of the variations in the link thickness due to manufacturing tolerances is disclosed.

Abstract: An impact mechanism for rock breaking, pile driving and pile extracting, and the like, includes a head assembly (18) with a pair of shank members (24,26) movably mounted thereto and flywheel (76,78) and eccentric crankshaft parts (74) rotated by a motor (84). The crankshaft parts (74) intermittently contact one of the shank members (24,26) to drive it outwardly from the head assembly (18) by transmitting flywheel energy thereto. A biasing and dampening device (110) associated with each shank member (24,26) absorbs rebound energy from the shank member (24,26) and maintains the shank members (24,26) disengaged from the crankshaft parts (74) until it is positively urged thereagainst. The head assembly (18) is movably mounted at the end of an articulated arm (10) for maneuvering it into desired work position.

Abstract: A seal (58) is provided between two piece parts (14,18) on each side of a track joint of a track chain (10). An inner cylindrically-shaped sealing ring (60) having an inwardly flared lip (62) is pressed into a slot (72) in one piece part (14) and is sealingly engaged by an overlapping outer cylindrically-shaped sealing ring (64) having an outwardly flared lip (66) pressed into a slot (74) in the facing surface of the other piece part (18). The sealing rings (60,64) are concentric, thin walled case hardened steel and engage along an interface at an angle of approximately five degrees. The piece parts (14,18) inside the oil cavity may be machined to act as thrust faces (48,54).

Abstract: An improved ripper assembly (10) wherein a ripper shank (19) is mounted to the beam (11) of a tractor by a clevis pin (22) so as to minimize side forces acting on the shank pin (25). The vertical axis of the clevis pin may be aligned with the distal end (34) of the ripper tip (21) and the horizontal axis (24) of the shank pivot pin (25). The impact surfaces (28,29) of the impacting mechanism (18) and shank (19) preferably define a plane of abutment in which lies a radius (30) from the horizontal shank pivot pin axis (24). This plane is further preferably accurately perpendicular to the ripper tip axis (31) extending perpendicularly to the radius (30). The arrangement provides a free pivoting action of the ripper assembly about the vertical axis of the clevis pin so as to effectively minimize side loads for improved extended life of the ripper assembly (10).

Abstract: A detachable impact tip (10) for an impact rock breaker (B) has a mounting socket (11) and an improved tooth (12) which has a rectangular base (13) abutting the socket (11), and a body (14) which is wedge-shaped in side elevation and generally spade-shaped in plan. The body (14) has smoothly rounded longitudinal margins (17), and an extremity (15) which forms a generally blunt edge smoothly rounded from top to bottom and gently convex from side to side, and smoothly curved forward margins (18) between generally triangular sides (14a) of the body (14) and said extremity (15).

Abstract: A rock-crushing apparatus is provided with a stationary annular member in which a rock-crushing mechanism is supported. The rock-crushing mechanism has at least two pivoted rock-crushing shanks which are successively impacted by an eccentrically mounted member. The eccentrically mounted member is rotatably driven by a motor and flywheel assembly. The shanks may be biased outwardly so as to trap rocks between the shanks and the stationary member whereupon the successive impacts from the eccentrically mounted member progressively crushes said rocks.

Abstract: It is recommended practice to turn each bushing in a track chain of a track-type vehicle which is composed of interconnected bushings and links after a measured amount of wear has occurred to expose different wear surfaces and extend the useful life of the track chain. Heretofore, such turning of the bushing required time consuming disassembly and reassembly of the track chain or the use of inefficient tools. A method and apparatus are provided for rotating the bushing and exposing a new wear surface. The method includes torquing the bushing (14) and impacting the link (12) to turn the bushing (14). The apparatus includes a clamp (24) which engages and torques the bushing (14) and an impactor (36,38) for impacting the link (12) until the bushing (14) rotates relative to the link (12).

Abstract: A keeper assembly (10) includes a keeper (46) having central axis (18), a pair of end surfaces (48), a planar side surface (60) for receiving force from a first member (32), and a convex side surface (64) facing away from the planar side surface (60) for transferring the force obliquely into a second member (16). The keeper assembly (10) can be used in a track joint (14).

Abstract: An endless track assembly for a track-type vehicle comprises an articulated chain for pivotally connecting each pair of adjacent track shoes together. Each articulated joint of the chain comprises a one-piece pin having a pair of laterally spaced pin portions and a bushing portion disposed intermediate the pin portions. A pair of first links are secured to the pin portions and a pair of second links are pivotally mounted on the pin portions. An annular seal is disposed between each adjacent pair of first and second links and a snap ring is secured to an outer end of each of the pin portions to prevent axial displacement of the links. A cavity is defined in the pin to communicate lubricant to the pivotal connections of the second links on the pin and end caps are secured on the ends of the pin to close the cavity and to cover the snap rings.

Abstract: An articulated chain is secured to a plurality of track shoes of an endless track assembly for a track-type vehicle. Each articulated joint, connecting laterally spaced pairs of links of the track chain together, comprises a pin including a pair of longitudinally aligned pin members. A tubular bushing is mounted on the pin members and a bolt extends longitudinally therethrough to clamp the pin members and the links together.

Abstract: a track assembly has a continuous track and a tire is provided in contact with the track. A plurality of protrusions extends from one of the track and tire, and openings extend into the other of the track and tire. These protrusions and openings are mateable one within the other. The mating elements can be a multiplicity of configurations.Rotation of the tire by a power source progressively engages protrusions and openings, and the track is driven, as might be employed as drive mechanism for a track-type vehicle. The tire, for example, can be a pneumatic tire, preferably a tire of the beadless type.The flexible properties of the tire eliminates the need for a fixed distance between the track and drive axle and increases the contact area between the tire and track driving elements. Further, noise is reduced in the track system and the tire can provide an air suspension for the vehicle.

Abstract: An impact rock breaker includes detachable mounting means and latching means operative to mount the rock breaker on the stick of a backhoe or excavator adjacent the bucket such that the rock breaker can be pivoted between a non-operative position out of the way of the bucket to permit normal operation of the bucket and an operative position latched to the bucket for movement with the bucket for normal operation of the rock breaker.