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. 27, 2015
Filed:
Dec. 20, 2012
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Jimmy L. Stewart, Manhattan, KS (US);
Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US);
Abstract
Machines are often used to collect and transport materials in a work environment. One of the more common methods of collecting and transporting materials is with a fork. The tines of a conventional fork may damage the materials being collected by the machine. Tines are also difficult to attach other work implements to. The disclosed apparatus facilitates collecting material with less resultant damage to the material. The disclosed apparatus also simplifies the connection of other work implements to the machine, in particular, a bucket, by not requiring that the fork first be removed from the machine to attach the bucket. The tine has a base member with a distal end; a roller rotatably coupled to the base member proximate to the distal end; and a part of the roller is elevated above the base member.