Patents by Inventor Robert J. Madera

Robert J. Madera 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: 10378181
    Abstract: A guard rail system for use with a machine is provided. The guard rail system comprises a handrail member, a support member that defines a longitudinal axis and an open channel that extends along the longitudinal axis and a snap receiving aperture that is in communication with the channel, and an insert that includes a snap feature that is configured to fit within the channel and the snap feature is configured to be disposed in the snap receiving aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Terril James Johnson, Christian D. Ritchie, Gary C. Bryant, Robert J. Madera
  • Patent number: 9963854
    Abstract: A guardrail for a walkway of a machine includes a vertical channel post having an end wall and side walls forming an open channel. The vertical channel post may taper in the side-to-side and fore-aft directions as the post extends bottom to top. The vertical channel post may also transition from a generally rectangular cross-section near the bottom to a more rounded cross-section at the top. Curved top notches at the top of the vertical channel post allow a top rail of the guardrail to rest on top of the post and be attached. Intermediate notches along vertical edges of the side walls receive an intermediate rail of the guardrail. The top notches and the intermediate notches are arranged so that the top rail and the intermediate rail may be vertically aligned and parallel to each other and to the walkway enclosed by the guardrail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, John M. Teter, Dennis D. Wetterich, Timothy N. Zier, Terril J. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20170335543
    Abstract: A guard rail system for use with a machine is provided. The guard rail system comprises a handrail member, a support member that defines a longitudinal axis and an open channel that extends along the longitudinal axis and a snap receiving aperture that is in communication with the channel, and an insert that includes a snap feature that is configured to fit within the channel and the snap feature is configured to be disposed in the snap receiving aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2016
    Publication date: November 23, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Terril James Johnson, Christian D. Ritchie, Gary C. Bryant, Robert J. Madera
  • Publication number: 20170130424
    Abstract: A guardrail for a walkway of a machine includes a vertical channel post having an end wall and side walls forming an open channel. The vertical channel post may taper in the side-to-side and fore-aft directions as the post extends bottom to top. The vertical channel post may also transition from a generally rectangular cross-section near the bottom to a more rounded cross-section at the top. Curved top notches at the top of the vertical channel post allow a top rail of the guardrail to rest on top of the post and be attached. Intermediate notches along vertical edges of the side walls receive an intermediate rail of the guardrail. The top notches and the intermediate notches are arranged so that the top rail and the intermediate rail may be vertically aligned and parallel to each other and to the walkway enclosed by the guardrail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: May 11, 2017
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, John M. Teter, Dennis D. Wetterich, Timothy N. Zier, Terril J. Johnson
  • Patent number: 9487080
    Abstract: A draining system for draining fuel from a fuel tank is disclosed. The fuel tank includes a holding chamber for holding fuel and a fill port assembly for adding fuel to the holding chamber. The fill port assembly includes a fill port passageway in fluid communication with the holding chamber and a valve system for regulating a flow of fuel through the fill port passageway. The draining system includes a coupling member having a drainage passageway. The coupling member is detachably connected with the fill port assembly. An actuating member selectively actuates the valve system to permit fuel to flow from the fill port passageway into the drainage passageway. An outlet conduit is in fluid communication with the drainage passageway such that fuel can flow from the drainage passageway into the outlet conduit. A flow regulating member is configured to regulate flow of fuel through the outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Teter, Robert J. Madera
  • Publication number: 20160031314
    Abstract: A draining system for draining fuel from a fuel tank is disclosed. The fuel tank includes a holding chamber for holding fuel and a fill port assembly for adding fuel to the holding chamber. The fill port assembly includes a fill port passageway in fluid communication with the holding chamber and a valve system for regulating a flow of fuel through the fill port passageway. The draining system includes a coupling member having a drainage passageway. The coupling member is detachably connected with the fill port assembly. An actuating member selectively actuates the valve system to permit fuel to flow from the fill port passageway into the drainage passageway. An outlet conduit is in fluid communication with the drainage passageway such that fuel can flow from the drainage passageway into the outlet conduit. A flow regulating member is configured to regulate flow of fuel through the outlet conduit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2014
    Publication date: February 4, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Teter, Robert J. Madera
  • Publication number: 20160001707
    Abstract: A hinged service step assembly including a first tread plate and a second tread plate connected to the first tread plate with a hinge. The hinged service step further including an attachment bracket connected to the second tread plate machine. The attachment bracket attaching to a machine having a lift arm.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2014
    Publication date: January 7, 2016
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, John M. Teter
  • Publication number: 20150136523
    Abstract: A ladder is provided. The ladder includes a frame having a first side wall and a second side wall. The first and second side walls are connected by a plurality of steps. The plurality of steps is provided in an axially spaced apart arrangement relative to each other. The ladder also includes an actuator coupled to the frame. The actuator is configured to provide a rotary movement to the frame for positioning the ladder in any one of a deployed position and a stowed position. The ladder further includes a torsion plate. The torsion plate is provided on the frame in cooperation with the actuator. The torsion plate is configured to transfer at least a portion of a torque associated with the rotary movement from the first side wall to the second side wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, Joshua C. Bedyk, Christopher P. Cherwin, John M. Teter
  • Patent number: 8905172
    Abstract: An integrated service center has an outward facing wall. A first and second section are recessed from the outward facing wall, each with a plurality of walls and a lower end, which forms an opening in the lower end and extends to the outward facing wall. The first section has a fluid access point disposed at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees below a reference plane. The second section has an electrical access point. A door assembly is mounted to move between an open and closed, which abuts the outward facing wall and covers the first section when closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, Joshua C. Bedyk, Jeffrey P. Sayre, Adam M. Plecker
  • Publication number: 20140284126
    Abstract: An integrated service center has an outward facing wall. A first and second section are recessed from the outward facing wall, each with a plurality of walls and a lower end, which forms an opening in the lower end and extends to the outward facing wall. The first section has a fluid access point disposed at an angle between 30 and 60 degrees below a reference plane. The second section has an electrical access point. A door assembly is mounted to move between an open and closed, which abuts the outward facing wall and covers the first section when closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, Joshua C. Bedyk, Jeffrey P. Sayre, Adam M. Plecker
  • Publication number: 20140261286
    Abstract: A modular structure is provided. The modular structure may be detachably mounted on an engine enclosure. The modular structure includes a first section and a second section. The first section is configured to house at least one of an aftertreatment module and a muffler module. The second section is configured to house an air cleaner module. At least one of the first section and the second section is configured to be detachable from the engine enclosure to provide access to an engine within the engine enclosure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Madera, Joshua C. Bedyk, John M. Teter
  • Publication number: 20120274101
    Abstract: A fender for a mobile machine having a traction device is disclosed. The fender may have a frame connectable to the mobile machine at an outer periphery of the traction device, and at least one slat joined to the frame and having a width extending a distance in a radial direction of the traction device. The at least one slat may be configured to block debris thrown by the traction device. An open space is formed by the frame and the at least one slat. The enclosed space provides a view of the outer periphery of the traction device from an operator's perspective onboard the mobile machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Rafal T. MYSLAK, Robert J. Madera
  • Patent number: D819226
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Terril J. Johnson, Robert J. Madera