Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Norman J Hodge

John W Bridwell

John S Logsdon

Recurring problems associated with the manufacturing tolerances of the links, slides, rollers and other componentry forming the carriages for adjustable and reversible seats are such that, after assembly, an undesirable and annoying amount of movement or 'play' is introduced in the seat. The present invention is an improved latch assembly (15) for locking a vehicle operator's seat assembly (10) in either a forward or a reverse operating position (12,13) and includes a cam (92) selectively positionable in response to movement of the seat assembly (10) and an arm assembly (108) and a pin (118) for releasably engaging the cam (92) and cooperating therewith in locking the seat assembly (10) in position.

Latch assembly-reversible seat

The invention is concerned with the protective cover and clamping arrangement for a bottle. The arrangement comprises a first wall having hook means proceeding outwardly therefrom. The arrangement further comprises a can open along a first side and at a first end thereof, the first side thereof being fastenable against the first wall. Hook engaging means are provided proceeding outwardly from a second and closed end of the can for engagement with the hook means. A second wall proceeds generally outwardly from the first wall a spaced distance from the hook means generally equal to the length of the can. Fastening means are provided for fastening the first end of the can to the second wall to create a generally closed chamber about the bottle. Shape conforming first bottle engaging means are provided extending from the first wall to contact the bottle and shock absorbent second bottle engaging means are provided extending from the interior of the can to contact the bottle. More particularly, such an arrangement is disclosed for use with an ether start-up unit for an engine of a vehicle.

Protective cover and clamp for ether start unit

The invention is concerned with a spring loaded access door which comprises a door fitting over an opening through a wall of a compartment with the door being positionable to cover the opening. Most particularly the invention is concerned with an improved means for mounting a door to a compartment such as an engine compartment whereby the door can be stably fastened in either of two stable positions, in the first of which it is spring loaded closed and in the second of which it is spring loaded open. The improved mounting means comprises a first member extending inwardly of the compartment from the wall thereof adjacent a first side of the opening having a first post extending generally perpendicularly therefrom away from said opening and generally parallel thereto; a first bracket extending inwardly of the compartment from the door adjacent and parallel to the first member on an opposite side thereof from said first post, said first bracket having a second post extending therefrom past the first member and generally parallel to, spaced latitudinally from, proceeding generally in the same direction as and generally of about equal length with the first post. Means are provided biasing the first and second posts towards one another. Also, first means pivotally couple the first bracket to the first member at a position intermediate the door and the first post to define a first and a second position for the door, the door being biased in each of the positions by the biasing means to be stably held in place, said first pivotal coupling means being located in an area defined by a first line connecting the centers of the posts in the first position, a second line connecting the centers of the posts in the second position and the door when in the first and second positions.

Spring loaded access door

A loader comprises a pair of lift arms having a bucket pivotally mounted on the forward ends thereof. A tilt linkage, including at least one double-acting cylinder, is operatively connected between the lift arms and the bucket to selectively position the bucket in response to actuation of a control valve operatively connected thereto. A detent mechanism, including a housing movably mounted on the loader, is operatively connected to the control valve for holding it in a rack-back condition of operation. A cable is operatively interconnected between the housing and the cylinder for automatically moving the housing to release the detent mechanism in response to actuation of the cylinder for permitting the control valve to return to a neutral condition of operation.

Detent release means for loader bucket positioners

A control system for a vehicle parking brake-actuator which releases the brake when subjected to fluid under pressure and which automatically sets the brake by spring force when the fluid pressure is relieved therefrom, the actuator being controlled by a valve which blocks or allows the relief of fluid pressure from the brake-actuator. The control system includes a solenoid for moving the valve to pressure-blocking position, a spring for moving the valve to pressure-relieving position when the solenoid is de-energized, and includes an electrical circuit for de-energizing the solenoid and causing an automatic setting of the brake if the vehicle engine is stopped or if there is a loss of oil pressure or electrical power. The brake can also be set by the operator when the engine is running.

Growing community of inventors

Peoria, IL, United States of America

Norman J Hodge