Patents by Inventor Robert M. Vize

Robert M. Vize 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: 8172410
    Abstract: A mirror assembly comprising primary and auxiliary mirror assemblies having complimentary recesses and protrusions on respective frame portions of the assemblies, the auxiliary mirror assembly adapted to be disposed at a plurality of positions along the primary mirror assembly when the recesses and protrusions are disposed in interfitting engagement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew M Rummer, Robert M Vize
  • Publication number: 20090103197
    Abstract: A mirror assembly comprising primary and auxiliary mirror assemblies having complimentary recesses and protrusions on respective frame portions of the assemblies, the auxiliary mirror assembly adapted to be disposed at a plurality of positions along the primary mirror assembly when the recesses and protrusions are disposed in interfitting engagement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: Andrew M. Rummer, Robert M. Vize
  • Patent number: 6298906
    Abstract: A radiator assembly for a work machine is disclosed. The radiator assembly includes an engine cowling having a mounting flange secured thereto. A radiator is secured to the mounting flange. A bulb seal is provided to create an air-tight seal between the mounting flange and a heat exchange assembly of the radiator. The radiator assembly also includes a rear shroud and a fan assembly for creating a flow of air through the radiator assembly. The radiator assembly disclosed herein reduces the frequency and magnitude of vibrations or loads exerted on the radiator during operation of the work machine. Moreover, by creating an air-tight seal between the radiator and the engine cowling, leakage of air around the heat exchange assembly of the radiator is reduced relative to radiator assemblies which have heretofore been designed thereby increasing the efficiency associated with the work machine's cooling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Vize
  • Patent number: 4696409
    Abstract: A removable cap assembly for closing the open end of a fill spout of a fuel tank includes a built-in valve apparatus for venting the interior of the tank to the atmosphere. The valve apparatus further seals the liquid within the tank during certain operational conditions which could cause leakage of the liquid from the tank. Previous tank caps for closing the fill spout of liquid fuel tanks used various valve means to vent the tank, or to maintain a certain positive pressure within the tank. However, most previous liquid tank valve means were complex and would not prevent leakage of liquid from within the tank if the tank should be tipped drastically or upset. The vented fuel cap assembly of the present invention is of simple construction and will prevent leakage of fuel from the tank should the tank be tipped or inverted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1987
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Vize
  • Patent number: 4694870
    Abstract: A vented fuel system for a vehicle includes a plurality of fuel storage tanks and a fuel sump tank with at least one fuel storage tank positioned on each side of the vehicle. The sump tank is positioned on the vehicle between the fuel storage tanks and at a lower elevation than the fuel storage tanks. Each of the fuel storage tanks is connected by a fuel line to the sump tank and all of the fuel storage tanks are interconnected by air transfer lines. One of the fuel storage tanks on each side of the vehicle is provided with a filler spout and a vented fuel cap assembly for closing the filler spout. All of the fuel tanks can be filled from either side of the vehicle, and during refueling, air is expelled from the closed vented fuel cap assemblies and the open filler spout. The plurality of air transfer lines prevent air entrapment in any of the tanks by transferring air between the tanks and subsequent venting of the air through either or both vented fuel cap assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Robert M. Vize
  • Patent number: 4331185
    Abstract: Service personnel may confuse one dip stick for another in vehicles having a number of fluid reservoirs. When the reservoirs have air entrapped within them during filling, hydraulic lock can occur. Herein, a filler tube structure (20) and a dip stick tube structure (30) have their top ends held within a tubular fitting (40) which is covered by a single cap (58). This eliminates any possible confusion as to the dip stick tube structure (30) which corresponds to a particular reservoir or chamber (12). In the preferred embodiment venting of the chamber (12) to which the fluid is being added is provided via an interior passage (32) of the dip stick tube structure (30), thus preventing hydraulic lock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1980
    Date of Patent: May 25, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: James D. Rinaldo, Robert M. Vize
  • Patent number: 4318571
    Abstract: A vehicle (10) having an operator's cab (12) which may be tilted to gain access to parts of the vehicle located beneath the cab, has a braking mechanism which automatically brakes the vehicle (10) when the cab (12) is tilted so that maintenance and tests may be conveniently performed on the components under the cab (12) while the engine is running. The mechanism consists of a pedal (34) and a linkage (40,44,48) carried by the cab (12). The linkage includes a lever arm (40), a rod (44) and a lever arm (48) connected to a brake actuating assembly. The pedal (34) and linkage are operated to activate the brake actuating assembly for conventional braking and are carried with the cab (12) during tilting of the cab to automatically activate the brake actuating assembly to set the brakes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1980
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1982
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventor: Robert M. Vize
  • Patent number: 4206726
    Abstract: A reciprocating engine including a block having at least one cylinder therein, a piston reciprocally received in the cylinder and having a crown, a depending skirt and a ring-receiving groove on the skirt near the crown. The piston has a central cavity terminating near the crown and a coolant-receiving passage in heat exchange relationship to the groove. A nozzle is stationarily mounted on the engine and has first and second jets, the first jet directing coolant to the cavity and the second jet directing coolant to the coolant-receiving passage, both for all operating positions of the piston within the cylinder. A filtered oil supply for the nozzle is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 10, 1980
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: John L. Johnson, Jr., Robert M. Vize, Noel D. Wiggins