Caterpillar Inc.

James David Costner, Iii

David Cox

Nathaniel Harshman

Benjamin J Kovalick

Tanner Cade Koehne

Scott Shaffer

Paul Ives

Ashraf I S Idkaidek

A rollover protection structure (ROPS) for a work machine includes a rigid strut having a fixed longitudinal length. On one end of the strut, a pivot end mechanism is attached that has a mounting plate that pivots relative to the strut. On the opposite end of the strut, a jack end mechanism is attached that has a mounting plate that extends longitudinally relative to the strut. When installed, e.g., with the mounting plate on each end of the strut being affixed to the work machine such as by welding, the ROPS can be extended to span an opening in the chassis of the work machine and to impart specific compression/tension on the strut. Moreover, the jack end mechanism can be disassembled, while its mounting plate remains affixed to the work machine, and the strut can be rotated about an axis in pivot end mechanism about which the mounting plate therein pivots.

Rollover protection structure

A retention assembly to slidably retain a blade to a support bracket of a grader machine. The retention assembly includes a yoke adapted to be coupled to the support bracket, and the yoke includes a base wall, a first sidewall extending directly from the base wall, the first sidewall being configured to face the blade, and a second sidewall extending directly from the base wall, the second sidewall configured to face away from the blade and spaced apart from the first sidewall to define a cavity therebetween, along with the base wall. A retainer extends from at least one of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, and the base, and a bearing arrangement is received within the cavity and adapted to support the blade for sliding movement of the blade relative to the bearing arrangement. The retainer engages the bearing arrangement and retains the bearing arrangement within the cavity.

Retention assembly for grader machine blade

A retention assembly, to slidably retain a blade to a support bracket of a grader machine, includes a yoke, a bearing arrangement, and one or more pins. The yoke is adapted to be coupled to the support bracket, and includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a cavity defined therebetween. The first sidewall defines a first thickness and one or more first bores. The second sidewall defines a second thickness and one or more second bores. The second bores are correspondingly co-axial to the first bores. The bearing arrangement is received within the cavity and is adapted to support the blade for a sliding movement of the blade relative to the bearing arrangement. Further, the pins extend correspondingly through at least one of the first bores or the second bores, and into the cavity to engage and retain the bearing arrangement within the cavity.

A mounting assembly for a blade of a motor grader includes a mounting bracket having a groove, at least one first bore, and a second bore. The mounting assembly includes a wear element disposed in the groove. The wear element includes at least one recess. The wear element is adapted to slidably receive a portion of the blade thereon. The mounting assembly also includes a retention pin disposed in the at least one first bore. The retention pin includes an aperture provided therein. The retention pin is adapted to engage the at least one recess provided on the wear element to limit longitudinal movement of the wear element within the groove. The mounting assembly further includes a lynch pin disposed in each of the second bore and the aperture to limit axial movement of the retention pin within the at least one first bore.

Growing community of inventors

Decatur, IL, United States of America

James David Costner, Iii