US3889550A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Impact absorbing noise suppression device
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1973-11-19
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Granted: 1975-06-17
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Expires: 1993-11-19
Abstract
Abstract A notched drive sprocket for track-type vehicles having improved noise suppression characteristics is provided. The drive sprocket includes means for absorbing impact energy of the track bushings as they engage the drive sprocket comprising elastomeric inserts disposed within the root area of the sprocket teeth. The impact absorption means further automatically eject dirt or other materials from the root area which have been compacted therein by the bushings.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger L Boggs
- 👤 Harold L Reinsma
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 17:27
CPC Classifications
B; B62; B62D; B62D55/00; B62D55/08; B62D55/096; B62D55/0963; F; F16; F16H; F16H55/00; F16H55/02; F16H55/14; F16H55/30; 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: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
In a drive sprocket of the type used to drive an endless track assembly on a track-type vehicle, said drive sprocket having teeth and notches alternately disposed about the circumference of said sprocket, and said notches defining root areas between said teeth, the improvement comprising impact absorbing means for absorbing the impact energy of notch engaging assembly components as they engage the sprocket, said impact absorbing means including impact absorbing members comprising elastomeric plugs disposed within cavities formed in said root areas and extending outwardly into said notches sufficiently to contact said notch engaging components prior to contact between said components and said root areas, said plugs being reinforCed by wear plates secured to the outer ends thereof, and wherein said wear plates are secured to said plugs by coaction of a rod secured to each of said wear plates and a bore within each of said plugs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
In a drive sprocket of the type used to drive an endless track assembly on a track-type vehicle, said drive sprocket having teeth and notches alternately disposed about the circumference of said sprocket, and said notches defining root areas between said teeth, the improvement comprising impact absorbing means for absorbing the impact energy of notch engaging assembly components as they engage the sprocket, said impact absorbing means including impact absorbing members comprising elastomeric plugs disposed within cavities formed in said root areas and extending outwardly into said notches sufficiently to contact said notch engaging components prior to contact between said components and said root areas, said plugs being reinforCed by wear plates secured to the outer ends thereof, and wherein said wear plates are secured to said plugs by coaction of a rod secured to each of said wear plates and a bore within each of said plugs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 1, wherein the walls of said plugs and the walls of said cavities define fill spaces for displacement of the elastomer therein during impaction thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a drive sprocket of the type used to drive an endless track assembly on a track-type vehicle, said drive sprocket having teeth and notches alternately disposed about the circumference of said sprocket, and said notches defining root areas between said teeth, the improvement comprising impact absorbing means for absorbing the impact energy of notch engaging assembly components as they engage the sprocket, said impact absorbing means including impact absorbing members disposed within said root areas and extending outwardly into said notches sufficiently to contact said notch engaging components prior to contact between said components and said root areas, said impact absorbing members comprising elastomeric compression springs being secured on one end thereof to the sprocket hub and each including an impact rod extending between said spring and said notches through a bore in the tooth root area, said impact rod being mounted on a plate bonded to the other end of said springs.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
154 words
In a drive sprocket of the type used to drive an endless track assembly on a track-type vehicle, said drive sprocket having teeth and notches alternately disposed about the circumference of said sprocket, and said notches defining root areas between said teeth, the improvement comprising impact absorbing means for absorbing the impact energy of notch engaging assembly components as they engage the sprocket, said impact absorbing means including impact absorbing members disposed within said root areas and extending outwardly into said notches sufficiently to contact said notch engaging components prior to contact between said components and said root areas, said impact absorbing members comprising elastomeric compression springs being secured on one end thereof to the sprocket hub and each including an impact rod extending between said spring and said notches through a bore in the tooth root area, said impact rod being mounted on a plate bonded to the other end of said springs.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 3 wherein said plug is secured to said sprocket by means of an L-shaped bracket mounted thereon.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a drive sprocket of the type used to drive an endless track assembly on a track-type vehicle, said drive sprocket having teeth and notches alternately disposed about the circumference of said sprocket, and said notches defining root areas between said teeth, the improvement comprising impact absorbing means for absorbing the impact energy of notch engaging assembly components as they engage the sprocket, said impact absorbing means including impact absorbing members disposed within said root areas and extending outwardly into said notches sufficiently to contact said notch engaging components prior to contact between said components and said root areas, wherein said impact absorbing members comprise a plurality of elongated elastomeric strips, each said strip being disposed in a groove extending circumferentially in the entire root area from the tip of one tooth to the tip of the next from one tooth to another, said elastomeric strips being of varying cross-sectional thickness, and being narrower at the radially outermost end than at the radially innermost end thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
166 words
In a drive sprocket of the type used to drive an endless track assembly on a track-type vehicle, said drive sprocket having teeth and notches alternately disposed about the circumference of said sprocket, and said notches defining root areas between said teeth, the improvement comprising impact absorbing means for absorbing the impact energy of notch engaging assembly components as they engage the sprocket, said impact absorbing means including impact absorbing members disposed within said root areas and extending outwardly into said notches sufficiently to contact said notch engaging components prior to contact between said components and said root areas, wherein said impact absorbing members comprise a plurality of elongated elastomeric strips, each said strip being disposed in a groove extending circumferentially in the entire root area from the tip of one tooth to the tip of the next from one tooth to another, said elastomeric strips being of varying cross-sectional thickness, and being narrower at the radially outermost end than at the radially innermost end thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention of claim 5 wherein the height of each said strip is greater than the depth of its accomodating groove in order to ensure said contact.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-06-16 | 1978-12-16 | 1979-06-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-06-16 | 1982-12-16 | 1983-06-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-06-16 | 1986-12-16 | 1987-06-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |