With Deflector Or Guard Mounted To Track Body Patents (Class 305/108)
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Patent number: 10351186Abstract: An undercarriage includes a plurality of bottom support rollers defining a bottom support roller platform distance and front and rear wheels defining a wheel pitch distance, and a track chain defining a link pitch distance and a ratio of the bottom support roller platform distance to the wheel pitch distance ranges from 0.70 to 0.95 and a ratio of the roller spacing distance to the link pitch distance ranges from 0.75 link pitch distance to 1.50 link pitch distances.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2017Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Luke B. Fischer, David F. Schaefer
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Patent number: 8827382Abstract: A track cleaning system for continuous cleaning of an endless track assembly on a machine so equipped. The system has at least one first side wiper bar assembly, and at least one second side wiper bar assembly. The system also has at least one track shoe that is a member of the endless track assembly. A track assembly inside cavity is formed by a track assembly outer periphery of the endless track assembly, where upon rotational operation of the endless track assembly, the track cleaning system rotates about the track assembly inside cavity. Debris is scraped from and away from the track assembly inside cavity and removed. As a result, less debris is introduced to the endless track assembly components of the endless track assembly.Type: GrantFiled: January 5, 2012Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Inventor: Michael R. Jeffs
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Publication number: 20120146399Abstract: A ground engaging track for a track-type machine includes a set of identical standard track shoes each having a relatively narrow shoe footprint, and a sweeping track shoe having a relatively wide shoe footprint. The sweeping track shoe is connectable via track links with the standard track shoes in an endless chain configuration such that the sweeping track shoe juts outwardly of the standard track shoes, for sweeping debris from a clearance between the track and a main frame of the track-type machine. The sweeping track shoe includes bolting apertures formed therein and communicating between an upper shoe surface and a ground contacting shoe surface, the bolting apertures being arranged in a directional link bolting pattern. The directional link bolting pattern defines a minor shoe axis and a major shoe axis, and the sweeping shoe body may be configured such that an inboard sweeping edge is spaced further than an outboard edge from the minor shoe axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Kenneth Nebergall, Stephen Garnett, Britta A. Jost
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Publication number: 20120146398Abstract: A ground engaging track for a track-type machine includes a set of identical standard track shoes each having a relatively narrow shoe footprint, and a sweeping track shoe having a relatively wide shoe footprint. The sweeping track shoe is connectable via track links with the standard track shoes in an endless chain configuration such that the sweeping track shoe juts outwardly of the standard track shoes, for sweeping debris from a clearance between the track and a main frame of the track-type machine. The sweeping track shoe includes bolting apertures formed therein and communicating between an upper shoe surface and a ground contacting shoe surface, the bolting apertures being arranged in a directional link bolting pattern. The directional link bolting pattern defines a minor shoe axis and a major shoe axis, and the sweeping shoe body may be configured such that an inboard sweeping edge is spaced further than an outboard edge from the minor shoe axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: June 14, 2012Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.Inventors: Kenneth Nebergall, Stephen Garnett, Britta A. Jost, Eric J. Johannsen
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Patent number: 7404608Abstract: An elongated beam assembly for a tracked suspension includes an inverted āUā shaped member having a first upper surface disposed at an outwardly descending lateral angle; and a plurality of track wheels coupled to the bottom of the member and disposed inside the member. In another arrangement the assembly includes a curved plate disposed between and fixed to both an inner wall and outer wall of the āUā shaped member, with the free edge of the curved plate extending outward over the top edge of the outer wall.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2006Date of Patent: July 29, 2008Assignee: CNH America LLCInventors: Sean M. Plante, Edward Wagner
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Publication number: 20040174068Abstract: A detachable grouser assembly for use with vehicles having continuous flexible tracks includes a traction grouser adapted and constructed to fit onto a track of the vehicle. A selectively releasable mechanical attachment assembly connects the traction grouser to the track of the vehicle.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 1, 2004Publication date: September 9, 2004Inventors: Thomas Walton McNutt, Darby O'Gill McNutt
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Patent number: 6267458Abstract: A tractor includes a track assembly having a frame, an idler wheel mechanically coupled to the frame, a drive wheel mechanically coupled to the frame, an endless track disposed around the idler wheel and the drive wheel, and a number of mid-rollers interposed between the idler wheel and the drive wheel. The tractor also includes a first protection member having a first upper edge and a first lower edge. The first protection member is secured to the frame such that a portion of the frame is positioned behind the first protection member. The tractor further includes a number of first guard members secured to the first protection member so that (i) the first guard members extend downwardly beyond the first lower edge toward the endless track and (ii) the first guard members are spaced apart from each other along the first lower edge such that a gap is defined between adjacent first guard members.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 1999Date of Patent: July 31, 2001Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Gary W. Hansen, Lynn A. Sutton, Michael B. Miller
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Patent number: 6007166Abstract: An improved system in an endless track unit of an all-terrain vehicle. A track is driven with a drive wheel that has sprocket disks drivingly engaging the track with more than two teeth from those disks drivingly engaging the track at any given time. The track is trained around the drive wheel and a plurality of undriven guide wheels. A damper wheel may sit downstream of the drive wheel between the drive wheel and the first guide wheel and supports the underside of the track. A preferred embodiment has a sprocket disk with thirteen cogs that have a generally tear-shaped cross section forming teeth of the sprocket, more than two of which drivingly engage a stretch-resistant track at any given time. The track a continuous belt formed of molded rubber with stretch-resistant chords imbedded therein.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 1997Date of Patent: December 28, 1999Assignee: Tucker Sno-Cat CorporationInventors: Emmitt M. Tucker, Jasper J. Tucker, Jr., Maralee V. Sullivan
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Patent number: 5762408Abstract: Apparatus for removing debris from a position between a laterally inner edge of a continuous drive track and a motor vehicle on which the track is mounted including a stripper bar adapted to be mounted laterally adjacent the lateral inner edge and mechanism for mounting the stripper bar on a laterally inner edge portion of the track.Type: GrantFiled: December 4, 1995Date of Patent: June 9, 1998Inventor: Preston L. Marsh