The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 20, 1986
Filed:
Sep. 10, 1984
Thomas S Hulting, Jr, East Peoria, IL (US);
Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A flexible positioner is provided for moving and positioning an object relative to a base member. In large industrial and vehicular engines limited access openings are provided in the cylinder block to perform internal repairs and inspection such as for the half shelled bearings of a bearing cap. The partial removal of a heavy bearing cap through a limited access opening presents an assembly and disassembly problem. The problem is further compounded when the bearing cap mounting bolts are disposed at opposite oblique angle relative to the vertical centerline of engine or when the mounting bolts are parallel but an obstruction hinders assembly and disassembly. The subject flexible positioner is adapted to temporarily replace the bearing cap bolts and includes an elongate member having an intermediate flexible portion connected between first and second end portions. The flexible positioner further includes a member connected to the elongate member to move the bearing cap relative to the cylinder block in a path nonparallel to the axis of flexible positioner. As the bearing cap moves away from the cylinder block mounting surface, the flexible portion assumes a sinuous shape to compensate for the change in distance between the oblique angle of the cylinder block threaded hole and the bearing cap hole.