Abstract: A joint assembly includes a clamp member and a spacer plate. The clamp member includes a first jaw surface and a second jaw surface that define a gap therebetween. The spacer plate is connected to the clamp member such that the spacer plate is disposed within the gap between the first jaw surface and the second jaw surface. The spacer plate includes a body and a seal member. The body includes a perimeter. The seal member is connected to the body such that it is disposed adjacent the perimeter of the body. The seal member extends over a segment of the perimeter of the body. The seal member is in sealing engagement with the first jaw surface and the second jaw surface.

Abstract: A support member for use with a support assembly for ground engaging tools comprises a structural member; and a resilient member that includes a base, and a contact surface, and wherein the structural member defines a direction of assembly and the resilient member defines a length and a width that are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of assembly, wherein the length exceeds the width and the base defines a centerline that is parallel to the length, and the contact face defines a centerline that is parallel to the length.

Abstract: A support assembly for ground engaging tools comprises a tool (106) operatively connected to a working edge (116) of a work implement (100); a support member (134) operatively connected to the working edge (116) separately from the tool a predetermined distance away (164) from the tool (106) along the sweep direction (S, S?); wherein the support member (134) and tool (106) are operatively associated with each other and are configured to provide a load path (128) between the tool (106) and the support member (134) along at least a portion of the sweep direction (S, S?).

Abstract: A spring seal for a joint assembly pivotally joining a lever arm to a machine frame includes an annular body having a W-shaped cross section. The W-shaped cross section includes a first cantilevered arm, a parallel and spaced apart second cantilevered arm, and a spring leg joining the first and second cantilevered arms. The spring seal is disposed between a bearing surface on the lever arm and a lug on the frame. The W-shaped cross section of the spring seal can collapse and relax to accommodate movement between the lever arm and the frame lug. A second spring seal can be disposed between a second bearing surface on the lever arm and a second frame lug opposite the first lug.

Abstract: A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion is connected to the proximal ring face of the ring and to the inner circumferential flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.

Abstract: A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion has a ring end that circumscribes, and is connected to, an outer circumferential ring surface of the ring and a flange end that is connected to the inner flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.

Abstract: A self-adjusting seal for sealing a joint. The joint includes a support member, a mis-alignable component, and a changeable gap between the support member and the mis-alignable component. The seal includes a first part having a generally annular configuration formed of a resiliently crushable material and defining a planar outer seal face to statically seal to the support member and a first seal part opening extending therethrough. A second seal part axially adjoins the first part. The second seal part has a generally annular configuration formed of a rigid material and a second seal part opening extending therethrough in axial alignment with the first seal part opening. The first and second seal part openings define a non-rotation feature to prevent rotation of the seal on the support member, the second seal part defining a planer inner seal face configured to dynamically and sealingly interface with the mis-alignable component.

Abstract: A pin connection for a machine is provided that comprises a structural member that defines a pin receiving bore, a bearing housing that defines a bearing receiving bore, a self-lubricating bearing that defines a pin receiving bore, and a pin that is disposed in the bores of the bearing and the structural member. The pin connection may further comprise a seal assembly that is disposed in the bearing receiving bore of the bearing housing, the seal assembly comprising a micro-cellular closed cell foam member and a first rigid member.

Abstract: A load ring for a seal assembly includes an inner axial surface, an outer axial surface, a first frustoconical surface, a second frustoconical surface, and a rib. The inner and outer axial surfaces are cylindrical and extend along a longitudinal axis. The outer axial surface is in outward radial relationship to the inner axial surface along a radial plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first and second frustoconical surfaces are annular and extend radially between the inner axial surface and the outer axial surface. The second frustoconical surface is in spaced relationship with respect to the first frustoconical surface along the longitudinal axis. The rib projects radially inwardly from the inner axial surface.

Abstract: A support assembly for ground engaging tools comprises a tool (106) operatively connected to a working edge (116) of a work implement (100); a support member (134) operatively connected to the working edge (116) separately from the tool a predetermined distance away (164) from the tool (106) along the sweep direction (S, S?); wherein the support member (134) and tool (106) are operatively associated with each other and are configured to provide a load path (128) between the tool (106) and the support member (134) along at least a portion of the sweep direction (S, S?).

Abstract: A support member for use with a support assembly for ground engaging tools comprises a structural member; and a resilient member that includes a base, and a contact surface, and wherein the structural member defines a direction of assembly and the resilient member defines a length and a width that are perpendicular to each other and to the direction of assembly, wherein the length exceeds the width and the base defines a centerline that is parallel to the length, and the contact face defines a centerline that is parallel to the length.

Abstract: A pin connection for a machine is provided that comprises a structural member that defines a pin receiving bore, a bearing housing that defines a bearing receiving bore, a self-lubricating bearing that defines a pin receiving bore, and a pin that is disposed in the bores of the bearing and the structural member. The pin connection may further comprise a seal assembly that is disposed in the bearing receiving bore of the bearing housing, the seal assembly comprising a micro-cellular closed cell foam member and a first rigid member.

Abstract: A load ring for a seal assembly includes an inner axial surface, an outer axial surface, a first frustoconical surface, a second frustoconical surface, and a rib. The inner and outer axial surfaces are cylindrical and extend along a longitudinal axis. The outer axial surface is in outward radial relationship to the inner axial surface along a radial plane which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The first and second frustoconical surfaces are annular and extend radially between the inner axial surface and the outer axial surface. The second frustoconical surface is in spaced relationship with respect to the first frustoconical surface along the longitudinal axis. The rib projects radially inwardly from the inner axial surface.

Abstract: A method for protecting the suspension and frame of a vehicle is provided. The method may include providing a first working mode where the strut is at a fully expanded state, providing a second working mode where the strut is at a partially collapsed state, and providing a fail-safe working mode where the strut is at a fully collapsed state. The method may further comprise alerting the user that the strut is operating in the fail-safe working mode and servicing the strut by placing a fail-safe member into the strut.

Abstract: A self-adjusting seal for sealing a joint. The joint includes a support member, a mis-alignable component, and a changeable gap between the support member and the mis-alignable component. The seal includes a first part having a generally annular configuration formed of a resiliently crushable material and defining a planar outer seal face to statically seal to the support member and a first seal part opening extending therethrough. A second seal part axially adjoins the first part. The second seal part has a generally annular configuration formed of a rigid material and a second seal part opening extending therethrough in axial alignment with the first seal part opening. The first and second seal part openings define a non-rotation feature to prevent rotation of the seal on the support member, the second seal part defining a planer inner seal face configured to dynamically and sealingly interface with the mis-alignable component.

Abstract: A joint assembly includes a clamp member and a spacer plate. The clamp member includes a first jaw surface and a second jaw surface that define a gap therebetween. The spacer plate is connected to the clamp member such that the spacer plate is disposed within the gap between the first jaw surface and the second jaw surface. The spacer plate includes a body and a seal member. The body includes a perimeter. The seal member is connected to the body such that it is disposed adjacent the perimeter of the body. The seal member extends over a segment of the perimeter of the body. The seal member is in sealing engagement with the first jaw surface and the second jaw surface.

Abstract: A buffer for an upper surface of a power cell of a hammer is provided. The buffer includes a substantially cylindrical body having an upper surface, a lower surface and a sidewall. A recess extends into the body from the lower surface of the body for engagement with the upper surface of the power cell. The recess has a first section having a first interior wall extending inward relative to the body at a first angle with respect to a line parallel to the lower surface and a second section having a second interior wall extending inward relative to the body at a second angle with respect to the line parallel to the lower surface.

Abstract: A spring seal for a joint assembly pivotally joining a lever arm to a machine frame includes an annular body having a W-shaped cross section. The W-shaped cross section includes a first cantilevered arm, a parallel and spaced apart second cantilevered arm, and a spring leg joining the first and second cantilevered arms. The spring seal is disposed between a bearing surface on the lever arm and a lug on the frame. The W-shaped cross section of the spring seal can collapse and relax to accommodate movement between the lever arm and the frame lug. A second spring seal can be disposed between a second bearing surface on the lever arm and a second frame lug opposite the first lug.

Abstract: A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion is connected to the proximal ring face of the ring and to the inner circumferential flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.

Abstract: A seal member for a joint between a pivot member movable about a rotational axis of a shaft includes a ring, a flange, and a resiliently flexible intermediate portion interposed therebetween. The ring includes annular distal and proximal ring faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along a longitudinal axis. The flange includes a pair of flange faces disposed in spaced relationship to each other along the longitudinal axis. The flange includes outer and inner flange surfaces extending along the longitudinal axis between the pair of flange faces at, respectively, outer and inner flange perimeters thereof. The intermediate portion has a ring end that circumscribes, and is connected to, an outer circumferential ring surface of the ring and a flange end that is connected to the inner flange surface of the flange such that the ring is relatively movable with respect to the flange.