Caterpillar Inc.

Ronald Mark Ginn

Chad Arnold

Dana D Branham

Daniel Joseph Sordelet

Stephen John Pierz

Susan Marie Graham

Allen F Boyer

Kirt D Leyda

D Michael Godwin

Keith L Stanley

Chad M Arnold

A pin joint for coupling a first component with a second component is provided. The pin joint includes a shell disposed within an opening in the first component. The shell has a bore and a coupling portion. The pin joint also includes a sleeve disposed concentrically within the bore of the shell. The pin joint further includes a retainer disposed proximal to an end of the sleeve and detachably coupled to the coupling portion of the shell. The retainer is configured to axially retain the sleeve within the bore of the shell. The pint joint includes a pin received through the sleeve and the retainer. The pin is engaged with the second component.

Pin joint for coupling components

A retention system is provided for use in connecting a replaceable tool to a work implement. The retention system may have a generally cylindrical pin with a first hollow end, and a second hollow end located opposite the first hollow end. The retention system may also have a first fastener configured to engage the first hollow end and cause the first hollow end to flare radially outward. The retention system may further have a second fastener configured to engage the second hollow end and cause the second hollow end to flare radially outward.

Retention system having double-ended expandable pin

A pin for use in a dynamic pin joint is provided that comprises a core member that defines a longitudinal axis and an outer diameter and a self-lubricating material overlay that is disposed about the outer diameter of the core member along at least a portion of the longitudinal axis of the core member.

Self-lubricating oscillating pin joint

A method of verifying proper coupling of an implement assembly to a lift arm assembly by an operator who is located in a cab of a work machine is disclosed. The work machine includes the implement assembly and the lift arm assembly. The implement assembly includes a hinge plate. The hinge plate has a first coupling aperture extending therethrough. The lift arm assembly has a lift arm and a cylinder. The cylinder is secured to the lift arm. The method includes the step of actuating the cylinder so as to move a pin from a first pin position to a second pin position. The pin is spaced apart from the first coupling aperture when the pin is located in the first pin position. The pin extends through the first coupling aperture when the pin is located in the second pin position. The method further includes the step of viewing the pin when the pin is located in the second pin position by the operator from a position within the cab whereby proper coupling of the implement assembly to the lift arm assembly is verified by the operator without having to exit the cab.

Method of verifying coupling of an implement to a work machine

A linkage assembly for connecting an implement to a frame of a work machine which provides greater visibility for an operator of the work machine is disclosed. The linkage assembly includes a box-boom lift arm having a frame end portion and an implement end portion, wherein (i) the frame end portion is pivotally coupled to the frame, (ii) the implement end portion is pivotally coupled to the implement, and (iii) the frame end portion includes a first extension and a second extension spaced apart from each other so as to define a first lever space therebetween. The linkage assembly also includes a lift cylinder having a frame end and a lift arm end, wherein (i) the frame end is pivotally coupled to the frame, and (ii) the lift arm end is pivotally coupled to the box boom lift arm. Moreover, the linkage assembly includes a rear tilt link having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is pivotally coupled to the frame. The linkage assembly further includes a-rear tilt lever having a cylinder end and a link end, wherein (i) the link end is pivotally coupled to the second end of the rear tilt link, (ii) the rear tilt lever is pivotally coupled to the box boom lift arm at a location which is interposed between the cylinder end and the link end, and (iii) the rear tilt lever extends through the first lever space. The linkage assembly also includes a tilt cylinder having a lever end and an implement end, wherein (i) the lever end is pivotally coupled to the cylinder end of the rear tilt lever, and (ii) the implement end is mechanically coupled to the implement.

Linkage assembly for connecting a work implement to a frame of a work machine

A lift assembly for lifting an implement relative to a frame of a work machine is disclosed. The lift assembly includes a lift arm having a frame pin bore, a cylinder pin bore, a linkage pin bore, and an implement pin bore. The frame pin bore and said cylinder pin bore define a first line. The frame pin bore and said implement pin bore define a second line. The second line is located above said first line. The first line and said second line define an angle which is greater than three degrees. A plane intersects said first line at a center point of said cylinder pin bore and is normal to said first line. A said plane divides said lift arm into a frame-side segment and an implement-side segment. The first line includes a first segment which is entirely coincident with said implement-side segment of said lift arm. The linkage pin bore is defined in said frame-side segment. The lift assembly further includes a tilt lever which is pivotably coupled to the lift arm at said linkage pin bore. The lift assembly further includes a tilt cylinder which is coupled to said tilt lever for tilting said implement which is pivotably coupled to said lift arm. The lift assembly further includes a lift cylinder for moving said lift arm between an upper position and a lower position, wherein said lift cylinder is coupled to said lift arm at the cylinder pin bore.

Growing community of inventors

Morton, IL, United States of America

Ronald Mark Ginn