US3854345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Noise attenuating impact absorbing means for sprocket teeth and track
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1974-03-20
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Granted: 1974-12-17
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Expires: 1994-03-20
Abstract
Abstract A noise attenuating impact absorbing system for noise reduction and shock absorption in track laying vehicles. A plurality of devices are mounted within the teeth of the vehicle drive sprocket. Each device includes a spring means mounted within a radial bore for coacting with a plunger to which is removably attached a threaded bolt. Resilient seal means surroundingly engage the bolt and plunger and effectively close-off the bore from ingress of abrasive recrement potentially damaging to the spring. A device also includes a rigid washer member and sleeve flange portion which partially protectively cover the seal means to guard against impact damage. A track chain with which the inventive sprocket devices are associated is equipped with a plurality of bolts which are removably attached to the track link means between adjacent pairs of track bushings. The track mounted bolts are adapted to directly engage the bolts of the sprocket teeth devices to transmit impact forces thereto. The track bolts are equipped with shim means for adjustment thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 H Reinsma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:35
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16H; F16H55/00; F16H55/02; F16H55/30; B; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/08; B62D55/096; B62D55/0963; F16H2055/306; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S474/00; Y10S474/901; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/1987; Y10T74/19893; Y10T74/19907; Y10T74/19949; Y10T74/19963; Y10T74/19967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
A drive sprocket for a track-laying vehicle having a plurality of equiangularly spaced teeth and notches and having impact absorbing noise suppressing means comprising; spring means mounted circumferentially about said sprocket within at least One of said plurality of teeth for absorbing impact energy, first contact means separate from said spring means and mounted radially outwardly from said spring means within said at least one tooth for coacting with said spring means and for transmitting impact forces to said spring means for absorption thereof, seal means mounted within said at least one tooth radially between a portion of said first contact means and said spring means for protectively sealing said spring means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
A drive sprocket for a track-laying vehicle having a plurality of equiangularly spaced teeth and notches and having impact absorbing noise suppressing means comprising; spring means mounted circumferentially about said sprocket within at least One of said plurality of teeth for absorbing impact energy, first contact means separate from said spring means and mounted radially outwardly from said spring means within said at least one tooth for coacting with said spring means and for transmitting impact forces to said spring means for absorption thereof, seal means mounted within said at least one tooth radially between a portion of said first contact means and said spring means for protectively sealing said spring means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said first contact means include plunger means movable radially with respect to said tooth, said plunger means in direct engagement with said spring means for respectively storing and releasing energy in said spring means upon movement of said contact means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 2 wherein said first contact means further include bolt means for removable connection with said plunger means for movement therewith.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said impact absorbing noise suppressing means are disposed within radially disposed cylindrical bore means in said tooth, said seal means including an annular bushing member fabricated from elastomeric material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said annular bushing member has a centrally disposed aperture therein for receiving a portion of said bolt means therethrough.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said aperture also receives a portion of said plunger means therethrough, said impact absorbing noise suppressing means further including sleeve means firmly mounted within said bore means for receiving a radially outwardly extending peripheral edge portion of said annular bushing member to secure said annular bushing member within said bore means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 6 wherein said sound absorbing noise suppressing means further include rigid guard means disposed upon said bolt means and said plunger means and movable therewith relative to said sleeve means for protecting said elastomeric annular bushing member from impact damage.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said bolt means include a threaded bolt having an enlarged head portion and a shank portion, said shank portion being screw threadably received within a threaded passage of said plunger means for ready selective removal of said bolt from said plunger means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
81 words
The invention of claim 1 in combination with a track having a plurality of track link means each with adjacent track bushings adapted to be drivingly received within said notches of said sprocket, at least one of said track link means having second contact means for contacting said first contact means and for transmitting impact forces thereto, said second contact means including a member removably attached to said at least one track link means between an adjacent pair of track bushings.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said first contact means include plunger means movable radially with respect to said tooth, said plunger means in direct engagement with said spring means upon movement of said contact means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said first contact means further include bolt means for removable connection with said plunger means for movement therewith.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said impact absorbing noise suppressing means are disposed within radially disposed cylindrical bore means in said tooth, said seal means including an annular bushing member fabricated from elastomeric material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein said annular bushing member has a centrally disposed aperture therein for receiving a portion of said bolt means therethrough.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein said aperture also receives a portion of said plunger means therethrough, said impact absorbing noise suppressing means further including sleeve means firmly mounted within said bore means for receiving a radially outwardly extending peripheral edge portion of said annular bushing member to secure said annular bushing member within said bore means.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
44 words
The invention of claim 14 wherein said sound absorbing noise suppressing means further include rigid guard means disposed upon said bolt means and said plunger means and movable therewith relative to said sleeve means for protecting said elastomeric annular bushing member from impact damage.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The invention of claim 11 wherein said bolt means include a threaded bolt having an enlarged head portion and a shank portion, said shank portion being screw threadedly received within a threaded passage of said plunger means for ready selective removal of said bolt from said plunger means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said second contact means include a threaded bolt removably attached to said track link means by means of a nut, shim means between said bolt and said track link means for adjustment of said bolt relative to said track link means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-16 | 1978-06-17 | 1978-12-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-16 | 1982-06-17 | 1982-12-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-16 | 1986-06-17 | 1986-12-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |