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:
Jan. 13, 1987
Filed:
Nov. 04, 1985
Andrew J Tonsor, East Peoria, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A track shoe deflection limiter is fastened to each outboard edge portion of each track shoe of an endless track assembly. Each deflection limiter has a first arm portion and a second arm portion. The first arm portion of each limiter overlaps a portion of the adjacent track shoe and is in close proximity to the second arm portion of the limiter which is fastened on the adjacent track shoe. When wide track shoes are used on a track-type vehicle, the outer end portions of the shoes are often twisted and deflected, relative to adjacent shoes, by an external force, such as a rock which the track shoe passes over. The shoe deflection is transferred to the track joints, including the track links, bushings, pins, and seals, which results in accelerated wear of these track assembly components. The track shoe deflection limiter of the present invention utilizes contact between adjacent deflection limiters to share externally imposed forces between adjacent track shoes, thereby limiting the deflection of individual track shoes.