US3829173A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sealed pin joint for track assemblies
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1973-04-27
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Granted: 1974-08-13
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Expires: 1993-04-27
Abstract
Abstract A track assembly comprises a plurality of shoes closely coupled together by a pair of articulated link assemblies. Each link assembly comprises a plurality of fork and blade type links pivotally mounted together by a tubular pin and a pair of annular bearings. An annular seal and retaining means therefor are disposed on an outboard side of each of the bearings.
Inventors
- 👤 R Stedman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 13:55
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/08; B62D55/092; B62D55/088; B62D55/0887
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An articulated link assembly adapted for use in a track assembly comprising a pair of circumferentially adjacent first and second links, each of said links having a blade end and an opposite fork end, pivot means pivotally mounting the blade end of said first link in the fork end of said second link comprising a pin and a pair of annular bearings pivotally mounting the blade end of said first link on said pin, annular sealing means disposed in sealing relationship on an outboard side of each of said bearings, and retention means disposed on an outboard side of each of said sealing means and further disposed radially between the fork end of said second link and said pin for retaining such sealing means in said sealing relationship with a respective one of said bearings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An articulated link assembly adapted for use in a track assembly comprising a pair of circumferentially adjacent first and second links, each of said links having a blade end and an opposite fork end, pivot means pivotally mounting the blade end of said first link in the fork end of said second link comprising a pin and a pair of annular bearings pivotally mounting the blade end of said first link on said pin, annular sealing means disposed in sealing relationship on an outboard side of each of said bearings, and retention means disposed on an outboard side of each of said sealing means and further disposed radially between the fork end of said second link and said pin for retaining such sealing means in said sealing relationship with a respective one of said bearings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The link assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said first and second links constitutes a unitary construction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The link assembly of claim 1 wherein said pin is cylindrical and has a substantially uniform outer diameter throughout its axial length.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
The link assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said bearings is disposed in a bore formed in the blade end of said first link and further comprises a flange extending radially outwardly into a like-shaped recess formed on a respective outboard side of said blade end.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The link assembly of claim 1 wherein inner ends of said bearings abut each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The link assembly of claim 4 wherein each of said sealing means sealingly engages an outboard side of a respective one of said flanges.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
The link assembly of claim 1 wherein each of said retention means comprises an annular ring secured radially between said pin and the fork end of said second link.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The link assembly of claim 7 further comprising an annular recess formed in each of said rings and wherein one of said sealing means is disposed in each of said recesses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
52 words
The link assembly of claim 4 wherein each of said retention means comprises a ring mounted in a bore formed axially through the fork end of said second link and wherein the outer diameter of the flange of each of said bearings is less than the diameter of each of said bores.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
The link assembly of claim 7 wherein each of said rings has a portion extending axially inwardly into abutting relationship with an outboard side of a respective one of said bearings.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The link assembly of claim 1 further comprising lubrication means defined in said pin for continuously supplying lubricant between said bearings and said pin.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The link assembly of claim 11 wherein said lubrication means comprises a chamber formed in said pin, removable plug means normally closing an end of said chamber and at least one port formed radially through a sidewall of said pin.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The link assembly of claim 12 wherein said lubrication means further comprises an annular groove formed internally on said bearings, at adjacent inner ends thereof, and disposed at a radially outward termination of said passage for receiving and communicating lubricant circumferentially therearound.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The link assembly of claim 1 further comprising a resilient driver and a track assembly mounted on said driver comprising at least one track shoe secured to said link assembly.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
124 words
A sealed pin joint comprising a pair of circumferentially adjacent first and second members, each of said members having a blade end and an opposite fork end, pivot means pivotally mounting the blade end of said first member in the fork end of said second member comprising a pin and a pair of annular bearings pivotally mounting the blade end of said first member on said pin, annular sealing means disposed in sealing relationship on an outboard side of each of said bearings, and retention means disposed on an outboard side of each of said sealing means and further disposed radially between the fork end of said second member and said pin for retaining such sealing relationship with a respective one of said bearings.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
124 words
A sealed pin joint comprising a pair of circumferentially adjacent first and second members, each of said members having a blade end and an opposite fork end, pivot means pivotally mounting the blade end of said first member in the fork end of said second member comprising a pin and a pair of annular bearings pivotally mounting the blade end of said first member on said pin, annular sealing means disposed in sealing relationship on an outboard side of each of said bearings, and retention means disposed on an outboard side of each of said sealing means and further disposed radially between the fork end of said second member and said pin for retaining such sealing relationship with a respective one of said bearings.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The sealed joint of claim 15 wherein each of said first and second members constitutes a unitary construction.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
22 words
The sealed joint of claim 15 wherein said pin is cylindrical and has a substantially uniform outer diameter throughout its axial length.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
47 words
The sealed joint of claim 15 wherein each of said bearings is disposed in a bore formed in the blade end of said first member and further comprises a flange extending radially outwardly into a like-shaped recess formed on a respective outboard side of said blade end.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The sealed joint of claim 15 wherein inner ends of said bearings abut each other.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sealed joint of claim 18 wherein each of said sealing means sealingly engages an outboard side of a respective one of said flanges.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
29 words
The link assembly of claim 15 wherein each of said retention means comprises an annular ring secured radially between said pin and the fork end of said second member.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sealed joint of claim 21 further comprising an annular recess formed in each of said rings and wherein one of said sealing means is disposed in each of said recesses.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
52 words
The sealed joint of claim 18 wherein each of said retention means comprises a ring mounted in a bore formed axially through the fork end of said second Member and wherein the outer diameter of the flange of each of said bearings is less than the diameter of each of said bores.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The sealed joint of claim 21 wherein each of said rings has a portion extending axially inwardly into abutting relationship with an outboard side of a respective one of said bearings.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
24 words
The sealed joint of claim 15 further comprising lubrication means defined in said pin for continuously supplying lubricant between said bearings and said pin.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The sealed joint of claim 25 wherein said lubrication means comprises a chamber formed in said pin, removable plug means normally closing an end of said chamber and at least one port formed radially through a sidewall of said pin.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
42 words
The sealed joint of claim 26 wherein said lubrication means further comprises an annular groove formed internally on said bearings, at adjacent inner ends thereof, and disposed at a radially outward termination of said passage for receiving and communicating lubricant circumferentially therearound.
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) | 1977-08-12 | 1978-02-11 | 1978-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-08-12 | 1982-02-11 | 1982-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-08-12 | 1986-02-11 | 1986-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |