And At Connector Pin Patents (Class 305/104)
  • Patent number: 10800469
    Abstract: A master link box for use with a link assembly of a work machine is disclosed. The master link box may include first and second master links with first and second threaded pin bores and first and second threaded passages, a master link pin with threads on the outer circumferential surface along a distal portion, and first and second fasteners. The master link pin may be inserted into the master link box through one of the first or second pin bores. The fasteners may be secured in the threaded passages such that the first fastener abuts a proximal portion of the master link pin and the second fastener abuts a distal portion of the master link pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2020
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Michael S. Galat
  • Patent number: 8991944
    Abstract: To provide a crawler bushing and a crawler link device that can maintain a sealing function stably on a long-term basis and permits easy maintenance for recovery of the sealing function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenichi Hisamatsu
  • Publication number: 20150061370
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore. Additionally, the track joint assembly may include a pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint assembly may also include an inner bushing positioned coaxially around the pin, and at least partially within the second bore. In addition, the track joint assembly may include an outer bushing positioned coaxially around the inner bushing. The track joint assembly may also include a seal assembly positioned between the first link and the second link to form a hermetic seal between the first link and the second link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Mark Steven Diekevers, Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Robert Lee Meyer
  • Publication number: 20150061372
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. Additionally, the track joint assembly may include a second link having a second bore. The track joint assembly may also include a bushing. The bushing may include a first axial end portion disposed in the first bore. In addition, the bushing may include a second axial end portion disposed in the second bore. The track joint assembly may also include a seal assembly positioned at an axial end of the first axial end portion. The seal assembly may contact the first link at a seal-link interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Caroline Marie Brewer, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Martin Tagore Joseph Xavier
  • Publication number: 20150061371
    Abstract: Disclosed are various exemplary embodiments of a track joint assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the track joint assembly may include a first link having a first bore. The track joint assembly may also include a second link having a second bore including first and second portions. The first and second portions may have different diameters. In addition, the track joint assembly may include a solid pin positioned at least partially within the first bore. The track joint may also include a bushing positioned coaxially around the pin. The bushing may include an axial end portion disposed in and contacting the first portion of the second bore. The bushing may also include an axial end-adjacent portion disposed in and contacting the second portion of the second bore. An outer diameter of the end-adjacent portion may be larger than an outer diameter of the end portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2014
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Caroline Marie Brewer, Gregory Jerome Kaufmann, Timothy Arthur Thorson, Kevin Lee Steiner, Mark Steven Diekevers, Temitope Olayemi Akinlua, Robert Lee Meyer
  • Publication number: 20140319905
    Abstract: A seal assembly can be incorporated into a track joint assembly of an undercarriage of a track-type machine. The track joint can have a first member pivotable about a rotational axis relative to a second member thereof. The first member includes a seal member engagement surface defining, at least in part, an axially-extending seal cavity about the rotational axis and within which the seal assembly is disposed. The seal assembly can include a thrust ring and a seal member mounted to the thrust ring. The seal member includes a first member engagement surface, a second member engagement surface, a frusto-conical inner relief surface, a thrust ring engagement surface, and an outer relief surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: October 30, 2014
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Sunil Mathew, Mark Kiesel, Pradeep Chapagain
  • Patent number: 8540325
    Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Diekevers, Donovan Clarke, Kevin Steiner, Victor M. Penrod, Roger L. Recker
  • Patent number: 8511760
    Abstract: A roller element bearing 40 track bushing system embodiment for track link assemblies 14 capable of being used on a vehicle 10 having an endless track 12. Each track link assembly 14 has a track shoe assembly 20 defining a front pin bore 22 and a rear pin bore 24. Each track link assembly 14 has a front pin 26 at least partially disposed within the front pin bore 22, and a rear pin 28 at least partially disposed within the rear pin bore 24. The embodiment discloses at least one roller element bearing 40 disposed within the front pin bore 22 around a portion of the front pin 26, at least one roller element bearing 40 disposed within the rear pin bore 22 around a portion of the rear pin 28. The roller element bearings 40 cooperate to prolong the useful life of the track link assembly 14.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: GSE Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Glen Raymond Simula, Craig Floyd Hughes
  • Patent number: 8485926
    Abstract: A sealing arrangement used to create a seal between a first (12) part of a chain and a second (14) part of a chain, wherein said second part can at least be pivoted in relation to the first part, exhibiting the following features: a sealing ring (40) with an annular sealing lip (42) for sealing a lubricant area between parts which can be pivoted towards each other, an elastic ring (60) which can be fixed to one of the parts and which can be used to exert pressure on the sealing ring; in addition to a supporting ring (50) which is arranged between the sealing ring and the elastic ring; and link of a chain provided with said sealing arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: AB SKF
    Inventors: Hans-Joachim Vom Stein, Wolfgang Korte, Marcus Stojek
  • Patent number: 8465110
    Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Donovan Clarke, Kevin Steiner, Victor M. Penrod, Roger L. Recker
  • Publication number: 20130002010
    Abstract: A cartridge for a track chain is disclosed. The cartridge includes a track pin. The cartridge also includes a rotatable bushing and a rotatable bearing located on the track pin. The cartridge further includes a first thrust bearing located on the track pin between the bearing and the bushing. The first thrust bearing is configured to contact the rotatable bearing and configured to contact the rotatable bushing. The first thrust bearing is configured to bear thrust loads and not radial loads. The cartridge may further include a collar located at an end of the track pin. The cartridge includes a second thrust bearing located between the bearing and the collar. The second thrust bearing is configured to contact the rotatable bearing and configured to contact the collar. The second thrust bearing is configured to bear thrust loads and not radial loads.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Hasselbusch, Eric James Johannsen
  • Publication number: 20120193976
    Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR, INC.
    Inventors: Mark S. Diekevers, Donovan S. Clarke, Kevin L. Steiner, Victor M. Penrod, Roger L. Recker
  • Publication number: 20120161510
    Abstract: A seal assembly includes a first member that pivots about an axis of a joint relative to a second member. The seal assembly includes adhesive, a seal ring and a load ring for a seal cavity of the first member. The adhesive may be applied between at least one of the seal cavity and a first end face, the seal cavity and a first surface, the seal ring and an annular inner peripheral surface, the seal ring and a second surface, and the seal ring and a second end face. Alternatively, the seal cavity may comprise a roughened area where the load ring contacts the seal cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. DIEKEVERS, Beth A. SEBRIGHT, Guanghui LIANG
  • Patent number: 8172342
    Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Diekevers, Donovan Clarke, Kevin Steiner, Jianping Zheng, Victor M. Penrod, Roger L. Recker
  • Publication number: 20120068530
    Abstract: A track (10) for track-type vehicles is described, comprising a continuous sequence of articulated joints (12, 12?) of the hinge type, oriented according to a first axis (A-A) substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal development axis (B-B) of the track (10). The articulated joints (12, 12?), provided with pins (36, 36?), are connected to each other and maintained at a constant distance through pairs of links (14) having longitudinal development, arranged laterally and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis (B-B). Around each pin (36, 36?) a bushing (40) is mounted free to rotate with respect to the pin (36, 36?) itself and between each pin (36, 36?) and the links (14) at least one sliding bearing (44) is press-fitted. The geometric/size characteristics of the links (14) and of the sliding bearings (44) make it possible to improve the stability and the resistance to fatigue and wearing of the articulated joints (12, 12?) of the track (10).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Berco S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Grenzi
  • Publication number: 20120056472
    Abstract: A track (10) for track-type vehicles is described, comprising a continuous sequence of articulated joints (12, 12?) of the hinge type, oriented according to a first axis (A-A) substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal development axis (B-B) of the track (10). The articulated joints (12, 12?), provided with pins (36, 36?), are connected to each other and maintained at a constant distance through pairs of links (14) having longitudinal development, arranged laterally and symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal central axis (B-B). Around each pin (36, 36?) a bushing (40) is mounted free to rotate with respect to the pin (36, 36?) itself and at least one sliding bearing (44) is press-fitted between each pin (36, 36?) and the links (14).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Applicant: Berco S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Grenzi
  • Patent number: 8113597
    Abstract: A track joint seal system comprises a pin (43) having, at each end, a first track link (41) rotatably coupled to the pin by means of interposition of a bushing (49) and an end element (42) coupled to the end of the pin (43); the end element (42) comprises an annular seat (57) bearing, housed, a seal group (56) cooperating with the bushing (49) to make the sealing of the joint; the bushing (49) is provided at the end with an annular head seat (58), provided to house a bushing insert (53) provided with an abutment surface (48) destined to be in contact with a seal portion (47) of the seal group (56).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Berco S.p.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Grenzi
  • Patent number: 8100483
    Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark S. Diekevers, Donovan S. Clarke, Kevin L. Steiner, Jianping Zheng, Victor M. Penrod, Roger L. Recker
  • Publication number: 20110248561
    Abstract: A sealing assembly for a track hinge comprises a sealing ring having an annular sealing edge that sealingly abuts on a radially-extending surface of a bushing of the track hinge. An elastic ring fixedly abuts on an outer track link of the track hinge and biases the sealing ring in axial and radial directions. A support ring is disposed radially inward of the sealing ring and is connected at least substantially to a radially-inner surface of the sealing ring. The support ring at least substantially prevents the sealing ring from directly contacting a radially-inner portion of the track hinge at least in the radial direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 13, 2011
    Inventor: Wolfgang Dolata
  • Patent number: 7959239
    Abstract: A track assembly for a track-type machine is disclosed. The track assembly includes inner and outer track links. A rotatable bushing is positioned about a track pin and a sleeve bearing is positioned about the track pin. A first seal member is disposed between an inner track link and the rotatable bushing and a second seal member is disposed between inner and outer track links. A first thrust ring is engaged with the rotatable bushing and a second thrust ring is engaged with the sleeve bearing. A first contact member is engaged with the first seal member and a second contact member is engaged with the second seal member. The first and second contact members are configured to inhibit wear of the first and second seal members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Mark Steven Diekevers, Eric James Johannsen, Richard Edward Livesay, Kevin Lee Steiner
  • Patent number: 7850256
    Abstract: An endless track chairs for use with a track-type vehicle comprises a cartridge joined to the links of first and second link sets for relative rotation between the link sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventor: Patrick J. Mulligan
  • Publication number: 20100090523
    Abstract: A track joint seal system comprises a pin (43) having, at each end, a first track link (41) rotatably coupled to the pin by means of interposition of a bushing (49) and an end element (42) coupled to the end of the pin (43); the end element (42) comprises an annular seat (57) bearing, housed, a seal group (56) cooperating with the bushing (49) to make the sealing of the joint; the bushing (49) is provided at the end with an annular head seat (58), provided to house a bushing insert (53) provided with an abutment surface (48) destined to be in contact with a seal portion (47) of the seal group (56).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Applicant: BERCO S.P.A.
    Inventor: Francesco Grenzi
  • Patent number: 7597410
    Abstract: An endless track chain device, comprises first and second links and a track chain joint. The track chain joint comprises a radial seal unit that inhibits ingress of debris between a bushing of the joint and the second link into a region between a pin of the joint and the bushing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Patrick John Mulligan, Matthew Banowetz
  • Publication number: 20090102281
    Abstract: A track assembly for a machine includes a track having inner track seals, a rotatable track engaging element such as an idler or drive sprocket and a contact interface for protecting the seals during guiding the track about the rotatable element. The contact interface may include sacrificial wear material on the rotatable element and sacrificial wear material on corresponding track links. The contact interface may have a configuration based on a location of the seals, and is adapted to inhibit wear of the track links in regions adjacent the seals. In another aspect, the contact interface is a guide interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Mark S. Diekevers, Donovan S. Clarke, Kevin L. Steiner, Jianping Zheng, Victor M. Penrod, Roger L. Recker
  • Patent number: 7347513
    Abstract: A cartridge bearing assembly for a track chain of a track type work machine is provided. The cartridge bearing assembly includes axial/radial load bearing insert members positioned about a pin, and a rotatable bushing positioned therebetween. Crowned sleeve bearings are disposed between the insert members and the pin, as well as between the pin and the rotatable bushing. Collars are disposed at opposite ends of the pin and fixedly coupled thereto, trapping the other components of the cartridge assembly therebetween. A method of operating a track type work machine is further provided, including reducing wear between coupled track links by reacting axial loads via insert members positioned about a track pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2008
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J Johannsen, Mark S. Diekevers, Michael D. Hasselbusch
  • Patent number: 7121555
    Abstract: A seal assembly has simple assembly structures, and provides secure sealing effects. A crawler-track connection structure allows the seal assembly to be easily mounted, and securely prevents overflow of a lubricant and the like to the outside. A pair of seal rings (1) and (1) individually having lip portions (23) and (23) are disposed such that each of the lip portions (23) and (23) protrudes in a direction opposing an axial direction, and a load seal ring (2) is compressed and inserted between the pair of seal rings (1) and (1). The load seal ring (2) exerts reaction forces on the pair of lip portions (23) and (23) outwardly in the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2006
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Teiji Yamamoto, Akira Hashimoto, Hiroyuki Nakaishi
  • Patent number: 6951373
    Abstract: A seal (21) is constituted by an outer lip portion (22) to be held in abutting engagement with an outer link portion (9) of a crawler belt (7), an inner lip portion (23) to be held in abutting engagement with a bush (11), and an interconnecting bridge portion (24) bridged and connected between the outer and inner lip portions (22, 23). The outer lip portion (22) on the side of track link, the inner lip portion (23) on the side of bush, and outer bridge portion (24A) and inner bridge portion (24B) of the interconnecting bridge portion (24) are formed in thicknesses (T1, T2, T1? and T2?), respectively, which are in the relations of (T2?T2?>T1?T1?). A maximum outside diameter portion (24C) of the interconnecting bridge portion (24) is located radially outward of a median point between inner and outer peripheral ends of the lip portion (23) on the side of bush. The inner lip portion (23) as a whole is uniformly pressed against an end face (11A) of the bush (11) by the interconnecting bridge portion (24).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2005
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hideki Akita, Yoshiaki Sekiguchi
  • Publication number: 20030168912
    Abstract: A track pin bushing for cooperating with a track pin in an endless track has a tubular body with a metallurgically bonded wear-resistant coating and a method for forming such a coated track pin bushing is taught herein. The tubular body, formed of an iron-based alloy, has an outer surface that is carburized and quenched, i.e., case-hardened, in at least a section thereof. At least a portion of the case hardened section has been removed to a depth sufficient to expose a non-carburized layer of the iron-based alloy. A hard metal alloy slurry is disposed on the non-carburized layer and forms a metallurgical bond between the non-carburized layer and the coated unfused slurry by fusing the hard metal alloy. The thickness of the unfused slurry is adjusted to be from 1.67 to 2.0 times a final thickness of the wear-resistant coating. The wear-resistant coating comprises a fused, metal alloy comprising at least 60% iron, cobalt, nickel, or alloys thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Inventors: Timothy D. Wodrich, Todd B. Niemann, Gopal S. Revankar
  • Patent number: 6406029
    Abstract: A seal ring having a frustoconical spring completely encapsulated within an annular body provides a bias force to an annular lip seal of the annular body to assure positive contact with an opposed face of an adjacently disposed member of a joint assembly. The seal ring requires minimal counterbore depth in the member in which the seal ring is mounted, and no modifications are required in the spring or in the base of the counterbore to provide retention of the spring in the joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2002
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Kupper, Jerry A. Metz
  • Patent number: 6390572
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a crawler belt (7) incorporating a sealing devices (21), which are each constituted by a coned disc spring (23) and a seal ring (22), to seal up gap spaces between track links (8) and bushes (13). A seal anchor hole (12) is provided in each one of outer link portions (9) of track links (8) of the crawler belt (7), and the sealing device (21) is fitted in the seal anchor hole (12) between an outer link portion (9) and an opposing end face (13A) of a bush (13). The sealing device (21) includes the seal ring (22) in the shape of an O-ring, and the coned disc spring (23) which is arranged to press the seal ring (22) resiliently against peripheral wall surface (12B) of the seal anchor hole (12) and the end face (13A) of the bush (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Wataru Idetsu, Genroku Sugiyama, Yoshiaki Sekiguchi, Kazuyoshi Hatano
  • Patent number: 6074022
    Abstract: A track bushing for an endless track of a track-type machine includes a cylindrical tubular shape having a first end and a second end and a longitudinal axis. The track bushing further includes a first end bearing surface that is adjacent to the first end and a second end bearing surface that is adjacent to the second end. A circumferential groove is formed in at least one of the first end bearing surface and the second end bearing surface. The circumferential groove has a depth along the longitudinal axis. An abrasion and corrosion resistant material is arc welded within the circumferential groove to the bushing at a weld joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Anderton, Brett A. Jones
  • Patent number: 6045200
    Abstract: A track assembly for a track-type machine includes a track bushing that defines first and second end portions and first and second sealing end faces that are defined by the respective end portions. The track bushing also defines a bore that extends therethrough between the end portions thereof. A first bearing surface is defined on the bore adjacent the first end portion and a second bearing surface is defined on the bore adjacent the second end portion. An abrasion resistant coating is deposited on at least one of the first and second end surfaces and the first and second bearing surfaces. The coating is selected from the group consisting of chromium nitrides, chromium carbonitrides, and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Anderton, Chuong Q. Dam, Alan P. Dremann, William A. Holt, Phil J. Shankwitz