Patents by Inventor Tom Oertley

Tom Oertley 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: 9751577
    Abstract: A track assembly for a machine comprising track pads with a ground engaging surface opposite link engaging surfaces and a lug protruding between the link engaging surfaces. The track assembly includes pairs of links disposed on the link engaging surfaces of the track pads. The pairs of links include an outer link having an outer bushing end and an outer pin end, and an inner link spaced-apart from the outer link. The inner link has an inner bushing end and an inner pin end. A distance between the inner bushing ends and the outer bushing ends is less than a distance between the inner pin ends and the respective outer pin ends. The track assembly includes pins connecting the bushing ends of pairs of links to the pin ends of adjacent pairs of links forming endless chains. The endless chains connect adjacent track pads in an endless loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Oertley
  • Patent number: 9688325
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly for a mobile machine includes a continuous track having a plurality of mated track links that can translate with respect to the machine. Each track link may include a shoe portion and a body portion. The body portion includes a plurality of projecting pin lugs each having a pin bore to receive a bin and link adjacent track links together. The pin lugs can include a pair of sprocket lugs for making rolling contact with a sprocket, a pair of roller lugs for making rolling contact with a plurality of rollers, and a side lug having a protruding shoulder to assist in aligning the plurality of rollers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David Hakes, Tom Oertley, Jason R. Beckerdite, Benoit Abello, Thomas Ellmann, Thomas J. Kowalski
  • Publication number: 20170057574
    Abstract: An undercarriage assembly for a mobile machine includes a continuous track having a plurality of mated track links that can translate with respect to the machine. Each track link may include a shoe portion and a body portion. The body portion includes a plurality of projecting pin lugs each having a pin bore to receive a bin and link adjacent track links together. The pin lugs can include a pair of sprocket lugs for making rolling contact with a sprocket, a pair of roller lugs for making rolling contact with a plurality of rollers, and a side lug having a protruding shoulder to assist in aligning the plurality of rollers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2015
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventors: David Hakes, Tom Oertley, Jason R. Beckerdite, Benoit Abello, Thomas Ellmann, Thomas J. Kowalski
  • Publication number: 20160176456
    Abstract: A track assembly for a machine comprising track pads with a ground engaging surface opposite link engaging surfaces and a lug protruding between the link engaging surfaces. The track assembly includes pairs of links disposed on the link engaging surfaces of the track pads. The pairs of links include an outer link having an outer bushing end and an outer pin end, and an inner link spaced-apart from the outer link. The inner link has an inner bushing end and an inner pin end. A distance between the inner bushing ends and the outer bushing ends is less than a distance between the inner pin ends and the respective outer pin ends. The track assembly includes pins connecting the bushing ends of pairs of links to the pin ends of adjacent pairs of links forming endless chains. The endless chains connect adjacent track pads in an endless loop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Publication date: June 23, 2016
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Tom Oertley
  • Publication number: 20160137240
    Abstract: A track pad for a machine having a track assembly. The track pad includes a body having top, bottom, first end, second end, and central portions. The track pad includes a ground engaging surface on the bottom, and first and second flat link engaging surfaces on the top. The first link engaging surface is disposed at the first end and the second link engaging surface is disposed at the second end. The track pad includes a lug protruding from the central portion between the first and second link engaging surfaces. The lug extends above the first and second link engaging surfaces so as to engage a drive wheel of the machine. A fastener hole is formed through the body between the first link engaging surface and the ground engaging surface, and a fastener hole is formed through the body between the second link engaging surface and the ground engaging surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Publication date: May 19, 2016
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Tom Oertley