US3748923A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Environmental seal for a transmission shift lever
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1971-08-11
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Granted: 1973-07-31
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Expires: 1991-08-11
Abstract
Abstract A seal assembly for sealing an opening about a control element which passes through a wall. The seal comprises a plurality of plates slidably stacked in an overlapping manner about the control element to cover the opening around the lever and to permit movement of the control element throughout its control range.
Inventors
- 👤 J Babbitt
- 👤 W Young
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 07:54
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16J; F16J15/00; G; G05; G05G; G05G25/00; G05G25/04; F16H; F16H59/00; F16H59/02; F16H59/0213; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/20; Y10T74/20576; Y10T74/2093
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A seal for sealing around an opening in a wall having a pivotally movable control lever extending therethrough and having a pivot point spaced from said wall comprising in combination: a plurality of at least three curved plates, said plates being progressively smaller from engagement with said wall to engagement with said lever, the largest of said plates having an enlarged opening through which said control level extends and the smallest of said plates having a small hole just large enough for said control level to extend therethrough, and an intermediate plate covering said enlarged opening, said plates being curved to have a radius point substantially coincident with the pivot point of said lever, and slidably mounted in a stacked manner to overlap and bridge said opening between said wall and said control lever.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A seal for sealing around an opening in a wall having a pivotally movable control lever extending therethrough and having a pivot point spaced from said wall comprising in combination: a plurality of at least three curved plates, said plates being progressively smaller from engagement with said wall to engagement with said lever, the largest of said plates having an enlarged opening through which said control level extends and the smallest of said plates having a small hole just large enough for said control level to extend therethrough, and an intermediate plate covering said enlarged opening, said plates being curved to have a radius point substantially coincident with the pivot point of said lever, and slidably mounted in a stacked manner to overlap and bridge said opening between said wall and said control lever.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said larger of said plates is confined to slidable movement between stops on said wall, said opening and said slidable movement being adequate to permit said control lever to move through its necessary control positions, and the other of said plates being dimensioned and positioned to cover said opening in said largest of said plates and to permit said control lever movement.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said plates are coated with a friction reducing material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1 comprising resilient means operatively connected to said control lever and biased into engagement with said plates.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
95 words
A seal for sealing an opening around a movable control lever extending through an enlarged opening in a wall wherein said control lever is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said wall, about a plurality of axes spaced from said wall, said seal comprising: at least three curved overlapping plates, said plates curved to have a radius point coinciding with the pivot point of said control lever; said plates being slidably mounted around said control lever in a manner to overlap and progressively bridge said enlarged opening between said wall and said control lever.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A seal for sealing an opening around a movable control lever extending through an enlarged opening in a wall wherein said control lever is mounted for pivotal movement with respect to said wall, about a plurality of axes spaced from said wall, said seal comprising: at least three curved overlapping plates, said plates curved to have a radius point coinciding with the pivot point of said control lever; said plates being slidably mounted around said control lever in a manner to overlap and progressively bridge said enlarged opening between said wall and said control lever.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 5 comprising: means for resiliently biasing said plates toward said wall, said means comprising an elastomeric washer held in place against said plates by a snap ring engaging a groove in said lever.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said plates comprises progressively smaller plates having similarly dimensioned openings stacked such that the largest of said plates engage said wall and the smallest of said plates operatively engage said lever; and, each of said plates overlap and partially cover the outer portion of the opening of the adjacent larger plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US1037631A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-30 | 1977-01-29 | 1977-07-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-30 | 1981-01-29 | 1981-07-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-30 | 1985-01-29 | 1985-07-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |