Caterpillar Tractor Co.

Paul L Wright

Eugene R Groff

Richard E Livesay

Roger L Boggs

Todd D Creger

Thomas J Richards

Delbert D Dester

Joseph C Hafele

Lawrence E Fox

Steven R Nelson

Daniel G Roley

An improved articulate chain (10) including pivotally interconnected sections (12,14,16) of spaced, coacting links (18,20,22) having the chain driving members (54) intermediate the pivot connections (58,60) to reduce the chain loads thereon. The links (18,20,22) are locked together in a common plane (56) by integral externally splined projections (82) extending therefrom into the internally splined drive bushing (96) to resist torque loads and increase the structural integrity of the chain (10). The links (18,20,22) are releasably coupled together to permit expeditious disassembly and reassembly thereof for servicing.

Articulated chain with mid-pitch drive and replaceable drive bushing

A keeper assembly (10) includes an arcuate keeper member (46) having a pair of planar side surfaces (56,58) and a preselected U-shaped configuration in cross section adapted to be seated in a correspondingly profiled annular groove (64) in a first member (16) having a central axis (18). A second member (32) having a force transmitting surface (76) transverse to the axis (18) loads the keeper member (46) and the force is transferred into the first member (16). The keeper assembly (10) can be used in an endless chain joint (14).

Keeper assembly

Apparatus for measuring angles

A tube expander (10) for extrudably deforming tubes (12) into conformity with a flange (16) has a plurality of first and second forming members (28,30) circumferentially arranged on a mandrel (20). In an initial position, the forming members (28,30) are axially offset and radially retracted for ease of insertion into the bore (13) of the tube (12). After insertion, the mandrel (20) is partially withdrawn by an actuator (64) and by such action, the forming members (28,30) are brought together in an abutting, axially aligned, and radially expanded relationship such that workpiece-contacting surfaces (40,42) of the forming members (28,30) are brought into substantially continuous circumferential contact with the tube bore 13. The workpiece-contacting surfaces (40,42) are maintained in continuous circumferential contact with the tube bore 13 as the forming members (28,30) and the mandrel (20) are withdrawn from the tube end, thereby uniformly extruding the tube.

Tube expander and method

A keeper assembly (10) includes a keeper (46) having central axis (18), a pair of end surfaces (48), a planar side surface (60) for receiving force from a first member (32), and a convex side surface (64) facing away from the planar side surface (60) for transferring the force obliquely into a second member (16). The keeper assembly (10) can be used in a track joint (14).

An endless track assembly for a track-type vehicle comprises a plurality of track shoes secured to an articulated chain. The links of the chain are pivotally interconnected together by pin and bushing assemblies adapted to engage a drive sprocket of the vehicle. A cushioning lug is secured to each track shoe, intermediate each pair of adjacent pin and bushing assemblies, for attenuating the noise level of the track assembly upon its engagement with the drive sprocket and for aiding in cleaning the sprocket. Each cushioning lug assembly comprises a resilient cushioning block composed of an elastomeric material, a cap mounted on the cushioning block and offset arcuate bearing flanges and a cleaning flange formed integrally on the cap.

Armored cushioning lug for track-type vehicles

An endless track assembly for a track-type vehicle comprises a plurality of track shoes secured to an articulated chain. The links of the chain are pivotally interconnected together by pin and bushing assemblies adapted to engage a drive sprocket of the vehicle. A cushioning lug is secured to each track shoe, intermediate each pair of adjacent pin and bushing assemblies, for attenuating the noise level of the track assembly upon engagement therewith with the drive sprocket. Each cushioning lug assembly comprises a resilient cushioning block composed of an elastomeric material, a cap mounted on the cushioning block and a tensioned cable secured between the cap and a respective one of the track shoes. A ball secured to the upper end of the cable may be connected to the cap by an annular retainer formed integrally with the cap, or by a separate member secured to the cap and covered by a plug.

Tensioned cushioning lug for track-type vehicles

An electrostatic coating system in which the workpiece to be coated is charged to a high DC potential. A conveyor moves the workpiece through the coating zone past a charged conductor. A suspended workpiece support includes a swivel joint to accommodate tilt and sway of the workpiece. A charge collector on the support has a spherically contoured surface which swings from the swivel joint so that the spacing of the collector from the conductor is substantially constant, stabilizing the voltage induced on the workpiece and minimizing the danger of sparking.

Electrostatic coating system

A rotatable resilient contacting element attachable to track shoes of a crawler type vehicle.

Noise suppressing element for continuous track of crawler type vehicle

A resilient contacting assembly attachable to track shoes of a crawler type vehicle. The contacting element is formed of a plurality of discs for improving the wear life of the contacting element.

Noise suppressing assembly for continuous track of crawler type vehicle

A wheel for carrying continuous track of crawler type vehicles has a set of spaced pairs of inner and outer panel members that are connected together through vibration barriers. One of the inner or outer panels is formed of a laminate.

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Peoria, IL, United States of America

Paul L Wright