US3825074A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interacting bulldozer stabilizer and equalizer bar
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
•
Filing: 1972-12-21
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Granted: 1974-07-23
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Expires: 1992-12-21
Abstract
Abstract A bulldozer has a brace between the blade and the main frame of the tractor upon which the blade is mounted. An equalizer bar is pivotally coupled at its midpoint to the main frame and has its ends pivotally coupled to the track frames on either side of the main frame, the track frames being pivotally fixed to the main frame.
Inventors
- 👤 R Stedman
- 👤 R Purcell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 09:02
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/02; B; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/08; B62D55/084; B62D55/0842; E02F3/00; E02F3/04; E02F3/76; E02F3/7609; E02F3/7618
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
194 words
A vehicle comprising: a main frame; first and second track frames disposed on either side of the main frame, each pivotally associated with the main frame about an axis transverse of the vehicle; a bulldozer assembly comprising first and second forwardly extending push arms pivotally mounted on either side of the vehicle, and a bulldozer blade attached to the forward ends of the push arms forwardly of the vehicle; bracing means interconnecting said main frame and said bulldozer assembly for resisting relative lateral movement therebetween; an equalizer bar disposed transversely of the vehicle and having first and second extending ends; means for pivotally coupling the equalizer bar to the main frame about a longitudinal vehicle axis and between the first and second extending ends thereof; and, means for pivotally coupling the first and second extending ends to the first and second track frames, so that at least some of a lateral load on the blade is transferred by the bracing means to the main frame, to the equalizer bar, and to the track frames, with the equalizer bar meanwhile maintaining said track frames in positive spaced relation during the pivoting of said track frames.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
194 words
A vehicle comprising: a main frame; first and second track frames disposed on either side of the main frame, each pivotally associated with the main frame about an axis transverse of the vehicle; a bulldozer assembly comprising first and second forwardly extending push arms pivotally mounted on either side of the vehicle, and a bulldozer blade attached to the forward ends of the push arms forwardly of the vehicle; bracing means interconnecting said main frame and said bulldozer assembly for resisting relative lateral movement therebetween; an equalizer bar disposed transversely of the vehicle and having first and second extending ends; means for pivotally coupling the equalizer bar to the main frame about a longitudinal vehicle axis and between the first and second extending ends thereof; and, means for pivotally coupling the first and second extending ends to the first and second track frames, so that at least some of a lateral load on the blade is transferred by the bracing means to the main frame, to the equalizer bar, and to the track frames, with the equalizer bar meanwhile maintaining said track frames in positive spaced relation during the pivoting of said track frames.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the equalizer bar-main frame pivot axis, the first extended end-first track frame pivot axis, and a second extended end-second track frame pivot axis lie in substantially the same plane.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The vehicle of claim 2 wherein said bracing means comprise a single rigid link pivotally coupled to the forward portion of the main frame and the bulldozer assembly.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The vehicle of claim 3 wherein the link is disposed generally transversely of the vehicle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
49 words
The vehicle of claim 4 wherein the first and second push arms are pivotally mounted to the track frames at the rear of the vehicle, and wherein the link extends from the link-main frame pivot on one side thereof across the main frame and to the link-bulldozer assembly pivot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The vehicle of claim 5 wherein the link is pivotally coupled to the blade of the bulldozer assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
62 words
The vehicle of claim 6 wherein the means for pivotally coupling the equalizer bar to the main frame comprise a pin fixed to the main frame and on which said equalizer bar is pivotally mounted, and wherein the means for pivotally coupling the first and second extending ends to the first and second track frames comprise first and second ball-and-socket means respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The vehicle of claim 7 wherein the first push arm and the first track frame are pivotable about the same axis, and wherein the second push arm and second track frame are pivotable about the same axis.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-22 | 1978-01-21 | 1978-07-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-22 | 1982-01-21 | 1982-07-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-22 | 1986-01-21 | 1986-07-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |