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. 02, 2001
Filed:
Jul. 02, 1999
Curtis W. Apgar, Maple Park, IL (US);
Yon C. Chong, Tiara, SG;
Timothy S. Conroy, Aurora, IL (US);
James K. Mathieu, Plano, IL (US);
Craig W. Riediger, Kobe, JP;
Charles F. Sieck, Dunlap, IL (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
In many types of construction machines, the frame assembly comprises a rear frame that supports the engine and the majority of the drive train components and a front frame that supports the work implement and related structure. In this type of machine, the two frames are normally pinned together and the front frame is articulated with respect to the rear frame by a pair of steering cylinders to provide steering for the machine. In order to provide the required structural support for the components of the work implement and to accommodate the steering forces, the front frame is necessarily quite large. The present invention provides a front frame (,) structure that includes a pair of main side plates (,) that are positioned a preselected distance (W) from one another and mount a lift arm assembly (,) therebetween to minimize the overall width of the frame assembly. The forward end portion of the front frame assembly (,) has a preselected height (H) that permits the front frame to have a low profile. These features provide a frame assembly that allows an operator exceptional visibility to the work implement (,).