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:
Mar. 04, 2014
Filed:
Nov. 18, 2010
Joel R. Grimes, Fuquay-Varina, NC (US);
Wayne E. Harshberger, Oswego, IL (US);
Jason J. Hagedorn, West Chicago, IL (US);
Jia X. Zhao, Chicago, IL (US);
Susan Green, Oswego, IL (US);
Jay H. Renfrow, Kenly, NC (US);
Joel R. Grimes, Fuquay-Varina, NC (US);
Wayne E. Harshberger, Oswego, IL (US);
Jason J. Hagedorn, West Chicago, IL (US);
Jia X. Zhao, Chicago, IL (US);
Susan Green, Oswego, IL (US);
Jay H. Renfrow, Kenly, NC (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
An improved Z-bar linkage for wheel loader machines for maneuvering an implement such as a bucket or pallet forks may include lift arms pivotally connected between an end frame of the machine and the implement, a tilt link pivotally connected between the implement and a tilt lever that is pivotally connected between the tilt link and the lift arms. Lift cylinders may rotate the lift arms to raise and lower the implement, and a tilt cylinder may drive the tilt lever and tilt link to rotate the implement between a dump position and a racked position. Ratios of the lengths of these kinematic elements are provided such that the good performance with one implement, such as bucket, does not result in poor performance with another implement, such as the pallet forks.