Patents by Inventor Robert Stolz

Robert Stolz 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).

  • Publication number: 20240068198
    Abstract: A hitch assembly for a bucket of a work machine includes a bracket adapted to be removably coupled with the bucket at any one of a plurality of hitch locations. The bracket defines a first bracket end and a second bracket end. The bracket is adapted to be coupled with a drag chain proximal to the first bracket end. The hitch assembly also includes one or more first mechanical fasteners adapted to removably couple the bracket with the bucket. The hitch assembly further includes a second mechanical fastener adapted to be coupled with each of the bucket and the bracket proximal to the second bracket end. Based on a removal of the one or more first mechanical fasteners from the bucket and the bracket, the bracket and the second mechanical fastener rotate relative to the bucket for disposing the bracket at any one of the plurality of hitch locations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Applicant: Caterpillar Global Mining LLC
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Patent number: 11649606
    Abstract: A dragline bucket includes a base member defining a first end, a second end, and a third end. The dragline bucket also includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and an end wall extending from the base member proximate to the third end of the base member such that the end wall is connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall. The end wall includes a first portion connected to the base member such that a first angle is defined between the base member and the first portion. The end wall also includes a second portion extending from the first portion. The second portion is substantially perpendicular to the base member. The end wall further includes a third portion extending from the second portion such that a second angle is defined between the second portion and the first portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Patent number: 11225773
    Abstract: A bushing assembly comprises a flanged bushing including a flange portion including a flange anti-rotation feature, and a shaft portion with an outer cylindrical surface extending from the flange portion, terminating at a free end, the outer cylindrical surface including external threads disposed proximate the free end, and a retaining ring including an annular configuration defining an inner cylindrical surface defining internal threads complimentarily shaped to mate with the external threads of the outer cylindrical surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Publication number: 20210395973
    Abstract: A dragline bucket includes a base member defining a first end, a second end, and a third end. The dragline bucket also includes a first side wall, a second side wall, and an end wall extending from the base member proximate to the third end of the base member such that the end wall is connected to each of the first side wall and the second side wall. The end wall includes a first portion connected to the base member such that a first angle is defined between the base member and the first portion. The end wall also includes a second portion extending from the first portion. The second portion is substantially perpendicular to the base member. The end wall further includes a third portion extending from the second portion such that a second angle is defined between the second portion and the first portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Publication date: December 23, 2021
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Patent number: 10544562
    Abstract: A dragline bucket comprises a base member, a first side member extending from the base member and including a first top edge, a second side member extending from the base member, and a rear member extending from the base member and including a second top edge, a mouth for receiving material into the bucket, and a first beveled wall extending from the first side member forming a first compound angle with the base member and a second beveled wall extending from the rear member proximate the first beveled wall forming a second compound angle with the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Publication number: 20190277006
    Abstract: A bushing assembly comprises a flanged bushing including a flange portion including a flange anti-rotation feature, and a shaft portion with an outer cylindrical surface extending from the flange portion, terminating at a free end, the outer cylindrical surface including external threads disposed proximate the free end, and a retaining ring including an annular configuration defining an inner cylindrical surface defining internal threads complimentarily shaped to mate with the external threads of the outer cylindrical surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2018
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Publication number: 20180305891
    Abstract: A dragline bucket comprises a base member, a first side member extending from the base member and including a first top edge, a second side member extending from the base member, and a rear member extending from the base member and including a second top edge, a mouth for receiving material into the bucket, and a first beveled wall extending from the first side member forming a first compound angle with the base member and a second beveled wall extending from the rear member proximate the first beveled wall forming a second compound angle with the base member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Publication date: October 25, 2018
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Patent number: 10030693
    Abstract: A retainer for fastening a pin in a pinned connection is disclosed. The retainer includes an annular first plate having a plurality of first mating features extending inwards from the annular first plate. The retainer also includes an annular compressible section adjacent the annular first plate. The annular compressible section may be coaxially aligned to the annular first plate. The retainer may also include an annular second plate adjacent the compressible section opposite the annular first plate. The annular second plate may be coaxially aligned to the annular first plate and the annular compressible section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Patent number: 9982412
    Abstract: A dragline bucket assembly includes a main body, and a linkage assembly for coupling a hoist chain to the main body. The main body includes a lateral sidewall that has a top edge and a bottom edge. The linkage assembly includes a pivot attachment point provided on the lateral sidewall at a first distance from the top edge. The linkage assembly further includes an elongated link member having a first longitudinal end and a second longitudinal end spaced apart from the first longitudinal end by a length greater than the first distance. The first longitudinal end is pivotally coupled to the lateral sidewall at the pivot attachment point and the second longitudinal end is attached to the hoist chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Patent number: 9869072
    Abstract: A method for maintaining a chain or chain link comprises inspecting the chain or chain link for signs of wear without using tools and changing the orientation of the chain or chain link or replacing the chain or chain link if signs of wear are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Patent number: 9719577
    Abstract: A wedge assembly for holding a rope in a socket includes an inner wedge. The inner wedge includes a tapered body and a threaded hole. The inner wedge includes a first guide feature and a second guide feature. The wedge assembly includes a first outer wedge and a second outer wedge, each outer wedge including a receiving feature. The receiving features of the first outer wedge and the second outer wedge are configured to receive the first guide feature and second guide feature. The wedge assembly includes a fastener configured to actuate the inner wedge between the two outer wedges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Patent number: 9670987
    Abstract: A method of forming a chain having a plurality of links that are formed from separate link members is provided that includes press fitting one link member into another link member. The method may further comprise cooling or heating one link member before completing the pressing operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Publication number: 20170146094
    Abstract: A wedge assembly for holding a rope in a socket includes an inner wedge. The inner wedge includes a tapered body and a threaded hole. The inner wedge includes a first guide feature and a second guide feature. The wedge assembly includes a first outer wedge and a second outer wedge, each outer wedge including a receiving feature. The receiving features of the first outer wedge and the second outer wedge are configured to receive the first guide feature and second guide feature. The wedge assembly includes a fastener configured to actuate the inner wedge between the two outer wedges.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 25, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Publication number: 20160348712
    Abstract: A retainer for fastening a pin in a pinned connection is disclosed. The retainer includes an annular first plate having a plurality of first mating features extending inwards from the annular first plate. The retainer also includes an annular compressible section adjacent the annular first plate. The annular compressible section may be coaxially aligned to the annular first plate. The retainer may also include an annular second plate adjacent the compressible section opposite the annular first plate. The annular second plate may be coaxially aligned to the annular first plate and the annular compressible section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2015
    Publication date: December 1, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLER INC.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Publication number: 20050098935
    Abstract: A book production apparatus includes a gathering line operable during a production sequence and a demand printer for producing printed pages. The book production apparatus further includes a feeding device operable to feed the printed pages to the gathering line and a controller that coordinates operation of the gathering line, the demand printer, and the feeding device during the production sequence to produce books.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: May 12, 2005
    Inventors: Michael Sittinger, Robert Stolz, Riyazhassan Azaria, Steve Martinich
  • Publication number: 20040108642
    Abstract: A finishing line for forming a square back saddle stitch book. A conveyor is arranged to receive the book and to convey the book along a finishing path to a squaring station. A book clamp is disposed on opposite sides of the path and is arranged to clamp the book at a point generally adjacent to the spine. A squaring member includes a first portion transitioning toward a second portion, the second portion disposed generally in the path and is positioned to contact and flatten the spine of a book proceeding along the path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2002
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventors: Robert Stolz, David G. Sharpe, Glenn G. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6357926
    Abstract: The fixing device is intended for a roller of the type comprising a pulley mounted on a rolling-bearing device comprising a row of rolling elements arranged between a ball race provided on an outer ring integral with the pulley and a ball race provided on an inner ring. The device comprises a screw comprising a cylindrical rod and, at one end of the cylindrical rod, a head provided with a rotary-drive. The device comprises a sleeve arranged on the screw, said sleeve comprising a gripping surface for fixing on the inner ring of the rolling bearing and leaktight seal interacting with a turning part of the roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: SKF France
    Inventors: Helmut Hauck, Robert Stolz, Bettina Stoyke, Dieter Ploessl
  • Patent number: RE48978
    Abstract: A dragline bucket comprises a base member, a first side member extending from the base member and including a first top edge, a second side member extending from the base member, and a rear member extending from the base member and including a second top edge, a mouth for receiving material into the bucket, and a first beveled wall extending from the first side member forming a first compound angle with the base member and a second beveled wall extending from the rear member proximate the first beveled wall forming a second compound angle with the base member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Patent number: RE48995
    Abstract: A method for maintaining a chain or chain link comprises inspecting the chain or chain link for signs of wear without using tools and changing the orientation of the chain or chain link or replacing the chain or chain link if signs of wear are detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2022
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael Robert Stolz
  • Patent number: D1017501
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: Mercedes-Benz Group AG
    Inventors: Achim-Dietrich Badstuebner, Michael Frei, Robert Lesnik, Uwe Schuller, Gert Stolz, Thomas Saelzle, Gorden Wagener