Including Passage In Or For Roller Structure Patents (Class 305/119)
  • Patent number: 11235822
    Abstract: A track roller includes a roller shell, a first retainer, a second retainer, a first holding ring, and a second holding ring. The first retainer is press-fitted to the outer periphery of a shaft and abuts on a first end face of the roller shell. The second retainer is press-fitted to the outer periphery of the shaft and abuts on a second end face of the roller shell. The first holding ring is attached to the outer periphery of the shaft on the outside of the first retainer and fixes the first retainer. The second holding ring is attached to the outer periphery of the shaft and fixes the second retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Takeya Nagaoka
  • Patent number: 10668963
    Abstract: An idler wheel includes a disk shaped idler body, and a plurality of wear plate assemblies disposed to encircle a circumferential surface of the idler body. Each wear plate assembly includes a first wear plate and a second wear plate. The first and second wear plates are adjacent to each other. Each of the first and second wear plates includes a first crawler belt contact surface and a second crawler belt contact surface. Each of the first wear plates includes a first end part that defines an end on a second wear plate side of the first crawler belt contact surface as seen in a plan view, and a second end part that defines an end on the second wear plate side of the second crawler belt contact surface as seen in the plan view. The first end part is inclined with respect to an axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2020
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Naoaki Kita, Minoru Katayama, Kenichi Hisamatsu
  • Patent number: 10046816
    Abstract: A flexible thrust washer member comprises a body including an annular skirt portion that defines an outer diameter and a central aperture having an inner diameter, wherein the body has a conical configuration that defines a conical axis and a radial direction and the outer diameter of the annular skirt portion is spaced away from the central aperture along the conical axis and along the radial direction, defining an axial dimension and a radial dimension and the body defines at least two slits that separate the annular skirt portion into a plurality of fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
  • Patent number: 10023251
    Abstract: A track roller assembly may have a track roller, a roller shaft and collars press fit onto either end of the roller shaft to retain the track roller on the roller shaft with an axial clearance between the collars and the track roller. During assembly, the collars may be press fit onto the shaft ends and forced axially inwardly until further axial movement of the collars is prevented by engagement shoulders of the track roller. A compressive axial load may be applied to the roller shaft to reduce a shaft length of the roller shaft and to cause the roller shaft to slide inwardly relative to the collars. The compressive axial load is removed from the roller shaft so that the roller shaft extends back to the normal shaft length and the collars move axially farther apart as the roller shaft extends back to the normal shaft length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Roger L. Recker
  • Patent number: 9745005
    Abstract: A roller assembly is disclosed. The roller assembly may have a roller shell. The roller shell may have a bore. The roller assembly may also have a substantially cylindrical shaft. The shaft may extend from a shaft proximate end to a shaft distal end. The shaft may be disposed within the bore. The roller assembly may also have a first collar disposed between the shaft proximate end and the roller shell. The first collar may be interferingly engaged with the shaft. The roller assembly may further have a second collar disposed between the shaft distal end and the roller shell. The second collar may also be interferingly engaged with the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
  • Patent number: 9555845
    Abstract: A roller device includes a shaft, a bushing, a roller shell, a retainer, and a seal. The roller shell is fitted over the outer circumference of the bushing. The retainer is fixed detachably to an end of the bushing, and fitted in an end of the roller shell on a radially outer side. The seal is disposed on the outer circumference of the shaft so as to seal a gap between the shaft and the bushing. The seal includes a first seal member attached to the bushing and a second seal member attached to the shaft. The first seal member is rotatable relative to the second seal member. The second seal member has an outer circumferential end disposed on an inner side with respect to an inner circumferential end of the retainer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2017
    Assignee: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventor: Naoaki Kita
  • Patent number: 9296437
    Abstract: A roller collar is provided in a roller assembly of a machine, such as a track carrier roller of a track-type undercarriage. The roller assembly includes a roller mounted on a shaft and having a seal retaining lubricant between the roller and the shaft. The collar and an inner surface of the roller form a seal cavity placing the seal in fluid communication with an ambient atmosphere surrounding the roller. The roller collar extends over an opening into the seal cavity, such as with an outwardly extending flange or teeth or with an outer surface configured to increase a distance to be traveled to enter the seal cavity, and to reduce the amount of abrasive material entering the seal cavity and potentially compromising the integrity of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventors: Allen Jay Weeks, Jeffrey Scott VanderVeen, Eric Johannsen
  • Publication number: 20140292067
    Abstract: A roller of a tracked vehicle includes a lubricating oil reservoir having an open end closed by a sealing body having an outer face and an opposed inner face facing the reservoir, and which is transparent to provide visual access into the reservoir through the open end for lubricating oil level and quality monitoring purposes. A depression with a raised rim is formed in the outer face of the sealing body, and a port is formed in the sealing body, which extends through the sealing body at the depression from the outer face to the inner face of the sealing body. A removable plug is applied to and closes the port, and is positioned in the depression and extends outwardly from the outer face of the sealing body no further than the raised rim isolating the plug from shearing forces across the outer face of the sealing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald J. Kile
  • Patent number: 8833872
    Abstract: A roller of a tracked vehicle includes a lubricating oil reservoir having an open end closed by a sealing body having an outer face and an opposed inner face facing the reservoir, and which is transparent to provide visual access into the reservoir through the open end for lubricating oil level and quality monitoring purposes. A depression with a raised rim is formed in the outer face of the sealing body, and a port is formed in the sealing body, which extends through the sealing body at the depression from the outer face to the inner face of the sealing body. A removable plug is applied to and closes the port, and is positioned in the depression and extends outwardly from the outer face of the sealing body no further than the raised rim isolating the plug from shearing forces across the outer face of the sealing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald J. Kile
  • Patent number: 8684474
    Abstract: A roller of a tracked vehicle includes a lubricating oil reservoir having an open end closed by a sealing body having an outer face and an opposed inner face facing the reservoir, and which is transparent to provide visual access into the reservoir through the open end for lubricating oil level and quality monitoring purposes. A depression with a raised rim is formed in the outer face of the sealing body, and a port is formed in the sealing body, which extends through the sealing body at the depression from the outer face to the inner face of the sealing body. A removable plug is applied to and closes the port, and is positioned in the depression and extends outwardly from the outer face of the sealing body no further than the raised rim isolating the plug from shearing forces across the outer face of the sealing body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Ronald J. Kile
  • Publication number: 20120187751
    Abstract: A roller of a tracked vehicle includes a lubricating oil reservoir having an open end closed by a sealing body having an outer face and an opposed inner face facing the reservoir, and which is transparent to provide visual access into the reservoir through the open end for lubricating oil level and quality monitoring purposes. A depression with a raised rim is formed in the outer face of the sealing body, and a port is formed in the sealing body, which extends through the sealing body at the depression from the outer face to the inner face of the sealing body. A removable plug is applied to and closes the port, and is positioned in the depression and extends outwardly from the outer face of the sealing body no further than the raised rim isolating the plug from shearing forces across the outer face of the sealing body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Ronald J. Kile
  • Patent number: 7832815
    Abstract: A track roller assembly for a track-type machine such as an excavator or a tractor includes an outer surface with no fluid ports and an inner surface free from any fluids. The track roller includes a shaft resting on self-lubricated bushings, which include a substrate that has lubricating properties, such as a substrate that carries a solid lubricant. The track roller assembly also includes a collar and a retention plate on both sides of the shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. VanderVeen
  • Publication number: 20100096195
    Abstract: A track roller assembly for a track-type machine such as an excavator or a tractor includes an outer surface with no fluid ports and an inner surface free from any fluids. The track roller includes a shaft resting on self-lubricated bushings, which include a substrate that has lubricating properties, such as a substrate that carries a solid lubricant. The track roller assembly also includes a collar on either side of the shaft, with a retention pin passing through the shaft and connecting the two collars.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. VanderVeen
  • Publication number: 20100096196
    Abstract: A track roller assembly for a track-type machine such as an excavator or a tractor includes an outer surface with no fluid ports and an inner surface free from any fluids. The track roller includes a shaft resting on self-lubricated bushings, which include a substrate that has lubricating properties, such as a substrate that carries a solid lubricant. The track roller assembly also includes a collar and a retention plate on both sides of the shaft.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 22, 2010
    Applicant: CATERPILLAR INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. VanderVeen
  • Publication number: 20100007205
    Abstract: A track roller assembly for a track-type machine such as an excavator or a tractor includes an outer surface with no fluid ports and an inner surface free from any fluids. The track roller includes self-lubricated bushings, which include a substrate that has lubricating properties, such as a substrate that carries a solid lubricant, which allows the track roller to require no liquid lubrication requiring regular maintenance. The bushing is sealed to prevent debris from entering a clearance between the bushing and the shaft as well as preventing any of the bushing's solid lubricant from escaping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventor: Jeffrey S. VanderVeen
  • Patent number: 7213894
    Abstract: The invention provides a shaft for a roller wheel which is excellent in strength and can achieve a weight saving. The invention provides a shaft for a roller wheel which rotatably supports a roller (3) outward fitted between both end portions (5a, 5b) in a state in which both end portions (5a, 5b) are fixed, and receives a load in a diametrical direction via the roller (3). Recess portions (6, 6) are provided on a side to which the load is not applied, on an outer peripheral surface corresponding to the roller (3). The load applying direction is a vertical direction. A cross sectional shape of the shaft in the recess portions (6, 6) is formed in a shape which is constituted by an upper circular arc portion (10) on an upper side, a lower circular arc portion (11) on a lower side, and a vertical connection portion (12) passing through a shaft axis (O) and connecting the upper circular arc portion (10) to the lower circular arc portion (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2007
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Teiji Yamamoto, Kenji Kooriyama
  • Patent number: 7134734
    Abstract: The invention provides a shaft for a roller wheel which is excellent in strength and can achieve a weight saving. The invention provides a shaft for a roller wheel which rotatably supports a roller (3) outward fitted between both end portions (5a, 5b) in a state in which both end portions (5a, 5b) are fixed, and receives a load in a diametrical direction via the roller (3). Recess portions (6, 6) are provided on a side to which the load is not applied, on an outer peripheral surface corresponding to the roller (3). The load applying direction is a vertical direction. A cross sectional shape of the shaft in the recess portions (6, 6) is formed in a shape which is constituted by an upper circular arc portion (10) on an upper side, a lower circular arc portion (11) on a lower side, and a vertical connection portion (12) passing through a shaft axis (O) and connecting the upper circular arc portion (10) to the lower circular arc portion (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2006
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Teiji Yamamoto, Kenji Kooriyama
  • Patent number: 6074023
    Abstract: A guide roller assembly for use in a guide roller mechanism of a crawler type vehicle, including a support shaft fixedly provided on a truck frame and a guide roller rotatably mounted on the support shaft through bearings. The guide roller has an integral unitary body structure of a stepped cylindrical shape having a radially bulged portion formed integrally by plastic deformation in an axially intermediate portion between cylindrical end portions of a smaller diameter, and having a uniform wall thickness over the entire length of the guide roller. The guide roller is improved in strength and can realize a substantial cut in production cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2000
    Assignee: Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Fujio Satou, Ken Ichiryu, Kiyoshi Tanaka
  • Patent number: 5988776
    Abstract: The soft bottom track assembly of the present invention includes inner pad assemblies, side plate assemblies, and link and cross bolt assemblies. An inner pad assembly includes a multiplicity of longitudinally arranged pads, hingedly attached one to the next, each having an upper iron casting with a rubber/urethane material bonded thereto. The pads are arranged in rows, with each row staggered from each adjacent row so that there are always pads in contact with the surface on which the track is riding. A raised area on the cast iron backing provides traction between the tire and the track assembly. Each pad includes holes for hinged attachment to adjacent pads, also permitting adjustment of the size of the track length, depending on the hole arrangement selected during track assembly installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Loegering Mfg. Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel J. Zurn
  • Patent number: 5803558
    Abstract: In order to create a track roller for crawler chains, consisting of a track oller body, an axle traversing the same as well as bearings and seals arranged between the track roller body and the axle, whereby the axle is affixed to a mount with its ends axially protruding from the track roller body, which has a long life when used as intended, the invention proposes that the bearings (3) radially arranged between the track roller body (1) and the axle (2) be designed as pivoting bearings, so that the load-caused bending of the track roller body or the axle can follow without jamming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1998
    Assignees: Intertractor Aktiengesellschaft, IAMT Ingenieursgesellschaft fur Allgemeine Maschinentechnik mbH
    Inventors: Michael Ketting, Holger Humbek, Thorsten Slowak, Frank Heyer, Harald Becker, Matthias Stauch, Frank Frohner, Heiko Holzapfel
  • Patent number: 5669680
    Abstract: To limit costs without compromising its life while at the same time simplifying its construction, the tracked running gear assembly (1) has its load-bearing wheels (4) and its track tensioning wheel (3) each comprising an idle roller (6) of austempered cast iron maintained on a shaft (7) of construction-type steel by two locking elements (8) of spheroidal graphite cast iron mounted as an interference fit on the ends of said shaft (7). The idle roller (6) comprises a lubricant chamber (9), the seal (19) being housed in the locking elements (8). The sprocket ring (26) of the drive wheel (2) is of austempered cast iron.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1997
    Assignee: Berco S.p.A.
    Inventor: Giovanni Bertoni