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:
Oct. 17, 1989
Filed:
Dec. 23, 1987
Robert J Purcell, Washington, IL (US);
Robert R Farris, Peoria, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
A suspension system for the idlers and guide wheels, and related structures, of a belted track-type vehicle provides cushioning for the vehicle and components as the vehicle traverses obstacles and uneven terrain. The suspension system also provides tensioning and recoil for the endless track belt during ingestion of foreign material between the belt and the idler wheel. The suspension system includes a plurality of hydropneumatic struts connected between the vehicle frame and various belt guiding and supporting components. Most endless track machines utilize auxiliary frame assembles on each side of the main vehicle frame to support track guiding rollers, idler wheels, suspension systems, and track recoil mechanisms. These auxiliary frame assembles are bulky, heavy, and complicated and generally limit the total amount of suspension and recoil afforded to the idler wheels and track guide wheels. The subject suspension system is void of any auxiliary track frames and connects all of the suspension and recoil struts directly to the main frame. This provides considerable amount of travel for the recoil and suspension struts and provides high speed capabilities for the vehicle. Additional, the subject suspension includes a controllable lock-out of a cushion cylinder to provide a stable work platform during certain work functions of the vehicle.