Caterpillar Inc.

Brian C Wright

Sunil I Mathew

Hong Lian

Craig Dale Goeppinger

Craig D Goeppinger

A machine system includes a first component, a second component, and a joint assembly pivotably connecting the first and second components in a finite angular pivoting range. A boot seal seals between the first and second components, and has a rest configuration where the boot seal has a curvilinear taper, and is deformable to a squished configuration forming a radially outward bulge. The radially outward bulge stores an energy of compression of the boot seal, to bias a sealing ring in the boot seal against the second component.

Boot seal for machine system and method

A threaded bearing retainer for a spherical bearing may include an annular top surface, an annular bottom surface, and an externally threaded cylindrical outer surface extending between the top and bottom surfaces and meshing with the internal threads of a housing bore. The bearing retainer may further include an annular sealing rib extending downwardly from the bottom surface and engaging the bore shoulder of the housing bore to form a substantially water-tight seal when the bearing retainer is screwed into the housing bore.

Growing community of inventors

Decatur, IL, United States of America

Brian C Wright