Patents by Inventor William E. Lanz

William E. Lanz 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: 4238896
    Abstract: A loader bucket for an earthmoving machine including a bucket base having a forward end, a plurality of tooth adapters connected to and spaced along the forward end and each supporting a tooth, and a plurality of cutting edges, each extending forwardly of the front end between two adjacent adapters for cutting into the earth. The cutting edges are fastened to the lower surface of the base with bolt assemblies so as to be reversible end-to-end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: William E. Lanz, Visvaldis A. Stepe
  • Patent number: 4180926
    Abstract: A specialized load absorbing apparatus is disclosed for fastening tooth adaptors adjacent the cutting edge of an earthworking tool. The adaptor is especially useful with relatively sharp cutting edges wherein the edge itself cannot be used to absorb the load. The apparatus includes conical seats between the adaptor and the cutting edge and/or a specialized wear plate which locates below the cutting edge and absorbs some of the forces exerted on the adaptor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1978
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1980
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: Gene R. Klett, William E. Lanz
  • Patent number: 4086966
    Abstract: A composite ground engaging tool is disclosed including a first plate having leading and trailing end portions, first and second surfaces, and a cutting edge on the leading end portion, a second plate having leading and trailing end portions, first and second surfaces, and a cutting edge on the leading end portion, the plates being substantially coextensive and of a construction sufficient for spacing the leading end portions from each other during contacting of the first surfaces and being connected together to define a deep slot between them, and a wear-resistant member disposed within the slot and secured to the plates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: William E. Lanz, Harris S. Olson
  • Patent number: 4074449
    Abstract: A loader bucket comprises a bottom wall having an elongated general purpose edge disposed forwardly thereon. A reversible cutting edge is bolted onto an underside of the general purpose edge, along with a plurality of laterally spaced adapters each having a hardened earthworking tip detachably mounted thereon. In a first embodiment of this invention, a plurality of laterally spaced bores are formed to a limited depth on the upper side of the cutting edge and the lower end of a bolt stud is welded within each bore. The stud extends upwardly through aligned holes formed through the cutting edge and the adapter to have a nut threaded on the upper end thereof. In a second embodiment of this invention, a continuous slot is formed along the cutting edge to receive the studs therein. Alternatively, the bores or slot may be formed on an underside of the general purpose edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1977
    Date of Patent: February 21, 1978
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: William E. Lanz, Visvaldis A. Stepe
  • Patent number: 4052803
    Abstract: A loader bucket comprises a bottom wall having an elongated general purpose edge disposed forwardly thereon. A reversible cutting edge is bolted onto an underside of the general purpose edge, along with a plurality of laterally spaced adapters each having a hardened earthworking tip detachably mounted thereon. In a first embodiment of this invention, a plurality of laterally spaced bores are formed to a limited depth on the upper side of the cutting edge and the lower end of a bolt stud is welded within each bore. The stud extends upwardly through aligned holes formed through the cutting edge and the adapter to have a nut threaded on the upper end thereof. In a second embodiment of this invention, a continuous slot is formed along the cutting edge to receive the studs therein. Alternatively, the bores or slot may be formed on an underside of the general purpose edge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1976
    Date of Patent: October 11, 1977
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: William E. Lanz, Visvaldis A. Stepe
  • Patent number: 3974579
    Abstract: The tool of an earthworking machine has a support and load transfer lug attached to the internal surface of the tool at the cutting edge by an attaching portion and a cylindrical mating portion extending forwardly and overlapping the cutting edge. A tooth adapter is mounted on the lug by means of a cavity in one side of the adapter, the cavity overlapping the attached portion of the lug, and a cylindrical bore communicating with the cavity closely fitting on the mating portion of the lug. The tooth adapter extends forwardly and carries thereon a tooth. A bolt extends through a rearward extension of the tooth adapter and the cutting edge of the tool to detachably affix the tooth adapter to the tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1976
    Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co.
    Inventors: William J. Black, William E. Lanz