Caterpillar Inc.

Michael Scott Sekulich

Xiaoming Tan

Alberto O Diaz

Paul Anthony Dvorak

Robert F Hunter

James Brian Normann

Joel Robert Grimes

Allen F Boyer

Michael Anthony Calamari

Alan Robert Connor

Bradley Robert Lancaster

Anand Ramchandra Mijar

Jeffrey M Pillis

Trevor C Nienke

Diana K Jarosiewicz

Henry L Furr

Ian P Goggins

Mark A Rominger

Alessandro Magliulo

Sameer Rishipathak

A lift coupling system includes a lifting base attachable to an object. The lifting base includes a housing. Lift pins move between a retracted state within the housing and an extended state wherein a portion of each of the lift pins extend outwardly from the housing. An actuator moves the lift pins between the retracted and extended state. A lift collar includes a lift collar body configured to fit about the housing. The lift collar contacts and couples the lift pins to the lift collar when positioned about the housing and the lift pins are in the extended state and decouple therefrom when the lift pins are in the retracted state. At least one lift tab may be arranged on the lift collar body configured to enable lifting of the lifting base and the object thereby when the lift collar is coupled to the lifting base.

Lifting system with actuated lift pins and lift collar

A tool coupler for use in coupling a tool to a machine may have a frame with a first end receivable within the tool and a second end located opposite the first end. The tool coupler may also have a hydraulic cylinder pinned to the second end of the frame, and a wedge member pivotally connected to the hydraulic cylinder and configured to pass through the second end of the frame and selectively engage the tool. Engagement of the wedge member with the tool may inhibit disconnect of the first end of the frame from the tool.

Tool coupler having compact locking configuration

A lift arm cross member may connect a tilt lever support to a pair of lift arms. The lift arm cross member may have a top plate with a generally convex outer surface as the outer surface extends from a first end edge to a second end edge, and a bottom plate having first and second end edges, a first planar portion extending from the second end edge, and a curved portion extending from the first planar portion opposite the second end edge. The first end edge of the bottom plate may be connected to an inner surface of the top plate and the second end edge of the first plate may be connected to an inner surface of the bottom plate. A buffer plate may be provided within the lift arm cross member and extend between the inner surfaces of the top and bottom plates.

Lift arm cross member

A support structure for a tilt cylinder of a machine that controls movement of an articulating implement may include a mounting plate, vertical support plates extending outwardly from a top surface of the mounting plate, and a central and side gussets connected to the top surface of the mounting plate and to the outer sides of the vertical support plates. The gussets assist in transitioning lateral or horizontal forces on the vertical support plates to the mounting plate and the end frame of the machine to reduce fatigue cracking at the points of connection of the vertical support plates to the mounting plate. The support structure may further include first and second lower support plates having top edges spaced from each other and connected to the bottom surface of the mounting plate, and bottom edges connected to each other so that the lower support plates and the mounting plate form a triangle in cross-section to further assist in transitioning the forces to the end frame.

Tilt cylinder support structure

A vehicle includes a frame and an operator cab. At least one mounting assembly releasably mounts the cab to the frame. The mounting assembly is operable between a coupled position such that the cab is mounted on the frame, and an uncoupled position such that the cab is permitted to be moved relative to the frame. At least one hinge assembly releasably pivotally connects to the frame and the cab. The hinge assembly is operable between a connected position such that the cab is pivotally connected to the frame, and an unconnected position such that the cab is pivotally unconnected to the frame. The hinge assembly cannot be placed in the connected position when the mounting assembly is in the coupled position.

Operator cab tilting apparatus

A coupler configured to secure a work tool to a machine is provided. In one embodiment, the coupler comprises a first bore with a first axis configured to receive a first pin, a second bore with a second axis configured to receive a second pin, and an actuator including an actuator rod. The coupler is characterized in that if the first bore receives the first pin, the first pin is configured to pivotally support the coupler to a machine linkage about the first axis and pivotally support the coupler to the work tool about the first axis. Furthermore, if the second bore receives the second pin, the second pin is configured to pivotally support the coupler to a machine boom about the second axis. The coupler is further characterized in that the rod is configured to engage the work tool and, if engaged, the rod intersects the second axis.

Work tool coupling device for a machine

Work tool attachment coupler for a machine

In the operation of a work machine attachment of the type utilizing fluid cylinders, it is desirable provide a way to conveniently operate each of the fluid cylinders while locating any hydraulic conduits required to operate the fluid cylinders away from the operator cab. The present invention provides for a hydraulic positioning system for use with a work machine attachment of the type having a frame, a tool, and a plurality of fluid cylinders coupling the tool with the frame. A fluid deflection device is coupled to at least one fluid cylinder and is in fluid communication with an auxiliary hydraulic circuit having a fluid source. A primary hydraulic circuit is in fluid communication with the fluid deflection device and operable to selectively deflect the fluid source of the auxiliary hydraulic circuit to at least one of the fluid cylinders.

Hydraulic positioning system

Growing community of inventors

Raleigh, NC, United States of America

Michael Scott Sekulich