Including Nonmetallic Part Or Component Patents (Class 305/203)
  • Patent number: 8876226
    Abstract: A seal assembly 10,110 for sealing between a first member 12,112 and a second member 14,114 of a joint, the first member 12,112 being able to pivot about an axis 60,160 of the joint relative to the second member 12,112, is disclosed. The seal assembly 10,110 includes an annular seal body 30,130 which has a sufficient axial dimension X,XX to span first and second seal cavities 20,120,22,122 of the first member 12,112 and second member 14,114 of a joint.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: David G. Kupper
  • Patent number: 8789898
    Abstract: A track for an all-terrain vehicle, and namely for an armored vehicle, comprising links hinged together so as to form a closed chain, each link carrying at least one body equipped with a track shoe intended to come into contact with the ground, track wherein it incorporates a row of median bodies that is arranged so as to be longitudinally offset with respect to the row of lateral bodies, each median body being thus positioned staggered between four lateral bodies, each median body being further hinged, by means of at least two parallel pins, to four lateral bodies, that is to say two lateral bodies from each lateral row, the pins being positioned at an equal distance from one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Nextar Systems
    Inventors: Frédéric Bonnetain, Yann Gendry
  • Patent number: 8562081
    Abstract: An improved track shoe assembly for a continuous track vehicle. The track shoe assembly comprises a pin which is rotatable relative to a shoe of the track shoe assembly. The track shoe assembly comprises an elastomeric tube through which the pin extends, the elastomeric tube being rotatable with respect to one of the pin and the shoe and being fixed with respect to the other of the pin and the shoe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Bleeding Edge Ensys, LLC
    Inventor: George R. Sturmon
  • Patent number: 8292375
    Abstract: The invention relates to a linking pin between the chain links of a vehicle track and the connectors of these links, such pin incorporating at least one ring of a synthetic material coating, positioned between the pin and at least one link, the pin incorporating at least two supports on either side of the ring, characterized in that it comprises at least one axial bore enclosing a material incorporating a liquid phase and enabling the calories that may build up in the ring to be evacuated towards the connectors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Nexter Systems
    Inventor: Michel Brun
  • Publication number: 20100270857
    Abstract: An improved track shoe assembly for a continuous track vehicle. The track shoe assembly comprises a pin which is rotatable relative to a shoe of the track shoe assembly. The track shoe assembly comprises an elastomeric tube through which the pin extends, the elastomeric tube being rotatable with respect to one of the pin and the shoe and being fixed with respect to the other of the pin and the shoe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 28, 2010
    Inventor: George R. Sturmon
  • Patent number: 7766433
    Abstract: A cartridge is provided for use as a joint between links of an endless track chain. The cartridge is designed for assembly prior to attachment of the cartridge to the links. An associated method is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: Deere & Company
    Inventors: Patrick John Mulligan, Daniel Frederick Bihl, Kevin Douglas Schrauben, Timothy Dirk Wodrich
  • Publication number: 20100148576
    Abstract: The invention relates to a linking pin between the chain links of a vehicle track and the connectors of these links, such pin incorporating at least one ring of a synthetic material coating, positioned between the pin and at least one link, the pin incorporating at least two supports on either side of the ring, characterized in that it comprises at least one axial bore enclosing a material incorporating a liquid phase and enabling the calories that may build up in the ring to be evacuated towards the connectors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: NEXTER SYSTEMS
    Inventor: Michel Brun
  • Patent number: 7604304
    Abstract: A crawler having a crawler pin and a crawler bush having lubrication between the crawler pin and the crawler bush without lowering the strength of the crawler at the running time, thereby to prevent the creak or seizure, as might otherwise be caused at the running time. A metallic sliding member having an excellent wear resistance can be arranged in the clearance between the crawler bush and the crawler pin. The metallic sliding member can be capable of holding lubricating oil and/or a lubricant. In addition, the clearance between the core bush and the crawler pin can be narrowed, so that the resulting structure retains the imbalance load on both the crawler bush and the crawler pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Takemori Takayama
  • Publication number: 20080073972
    Abstract: A cartridge is provided for use as a joint between links of an endless track chain. The cartridge is designed for assembly prior to attachment of the cartridge to the links. An associated method is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Inventors: Patrick John Mulligan, Daniel Frederick Bihl, Kevin Douglas Schrauben, Timothy Dirk Wodrich
  • 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: 7240973
    Abstract: A crawler having a crawler pin and a crawler bush having lubrication between the crawler pin and the crawler bush without lowering the strength of the crawler at the running time, thereby to prevent the creak or seizure, as might otherwise be caused at the running time. A metallic sliding member having an excellent wear resistance can be arranged in the clearance between the crawler bush and the crawler pin. The metallic sliding member can be capable of holding lubricating oil and/or a lubricant. In addition, the clearance between the core bush and the crawler pin can be narrowed, so that the resulting structure retains the imbalance load on both the crawler bush and the crawler pin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventor: Takemori Takayama
  • Patent number: 6450594
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a vehicle track, conveyor chain or the like has at least one bearing lacquer coated onto at least one of the mutually contacting surfaces of the pin or bushing and having a binder or carrier of the polyamide/polyimide type or of a molecular structure with alternating amide and imide monomers. A filler of molybdenum disulfide, molybdenum oxides and/or hydroxides and graphite is provided in the carrier or binder. Other lubrication is not required and the bearing lacquer has a long life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2002
    Assignee: Intertractor GmbH
    Inventors: Michael Ketting, Mathias Woydt, Jürgen Tomaszewski, Christoph Pietzsch
  • Patent number: 6145941
    Abstract: A track bushing for an endless track of a track-type vehicle includes a first end, a second end and a middle portion, an outer surface and an inner surface, a first sealing surface adjacent the first end and a second end sealing surface adjacent the second end, a first inner bearing surface adjacent the first end and a second inner bearing surface adjacent the second end, and an abrasion resistant coating deposited on at least one of (a) at least one of the first end sealing surface and the second end sealing surface, and (b) at least one of the first inner bearing surface and the second inner bearing surface. The coating is selected from the group consisting of chromium nitrides, chromium carbonitrides, and mixtures thereof. The track bushing exhibits much superior abrasion, corrosion, erosion and galling resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2000
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Peter W. Anderton, Phil J. Shankwitz, Chuong Q. Dam, Alan P. Dremann, William A. Holt
  • Patent number: 6142588
    Abstract: A drive chain has a plurality of pairs of link elements with the elements each pair extending longitudinally parallel to each other and having relatively widely spaced outer ends formed with transversely open and confronting blind bores and relatively closely spaced inner ends formed with axially throughgoing and transversely aligned bores. Each pair of inner ends lies between a respective pair of outer ends with the bores coaxial and receiving respective pins defining respective transverse axes, each fitting tightly in the bores of the inner ends, and having ends rotatably seated in the respective bores of the respective outer ends. Respective sleeves surround the pins between the respective inner ends. Respective outer seal rings between the outer ends and the pin ends define with the pin ends outer compartments and respective inner seal rings between the inner ends and the sleeve define between the respective pin, sleeve, and inner ends an inner compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignees: Intertractor Zweigniederlassung der Wirtgen GmbH, IAMT Ingenieursgesellschaft fur Allgemeine Maschinentechnik mbH
    Inventors: Michael Ketting, Frank Frohner, Volker Wottawah
  • Patent number: 6076901
    Abstract: A shoe for an endless track has an internal frame with an elastomeric coating. The frame includes tubular supports to receive a pivot pin for interconnection of adjacent shoes. The pin is located within the tubular supports by elastomeric bushings that accommodate relative pivotal movement by torsional deflection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Inventors: Mark T. Rankin, Wayne D. Whittaker, David A. Kuhl
  • 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
  • Patent number: 5829850
    Abstract: A track system for a track vehicle which has a crawler chain and a driving sprocket wheel. The chain has links each of which has a pin assembly with a bushing or one piece bolt the outer periphery of which at least is composed of a material consisting of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 silicon nitride or a zirconium oxide with at most 15% of sintering additives. The driving sprocket wheel can have segments formed with the teeth and bolted to a disk, the segments being composed of a material consisting of Si.sub.3 N.sub.4 silicon nitride or zirconium oxide with less than 15% of sintering additives.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 3, 1998
    Assignee: Intertractor Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Michael Ketting, Mathias Woydt, Wolfgang Kunkel, Friedrich Bottger, Karl-Friedrich Fischer