# US 10,246,150 B2 · Idler assembly for a track roller frame > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,150 B2 - Document ID: US10246150B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/115,017 - Filed: 2015-01-28 - Published: 2016-12-22 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2014-01-28 - Assignees: Caterpillar Inc. - Applicants: Caterpillar Inc. - Inventors: Alain Pizon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246150B2 ## CPC - B62D 55/30: Track-tensioning means - B62D 55/14: Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers - B62D 55/15: Mounting devices, e.g. bushings, axles, bearings, sealings {(with lubrication means B62D55/092)} - B62D 55/305: {acting on pivotably mounted idlers} - B62D 55/32: Assembly, disassembly, repair or servicing of endless-track systems - B62D 55/06: with tracks without ground wheels - E02F 3/7609: {Scraper blade mounted forwardly of the tractor on a pair of pivoting arms which are linked to the sides of the tractor, e.g. bulldozers} - B62D: MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS (steering, or guiding on a desired track, of agricultural machines or implements A01B69/00; wheels, castors, axles, increasing wheel adhesion B60B; vehicle tyres, tyre inflation or tyre changing B60C; connections between vehicles of a train or the like B60D; vehicles for use on rail and road, amphibious or convertible vehicles B60F; suspension arrangements B60G; heating, cooling, ventilating or other air treating devices B60H; windows, windscreens, non-fixed roofs, doors or similar devices, protective coverings for vehicles not in use B60J; propulsion plant arrangements, auxiliary drives, transmissions, controls, instrumentation or dashboards B60K; electric equipment or propulsion of electrically-propelled vehicles B60L; power supply for electrically-propelled vehicles B60M; passenger accommodation not otherwise provided for B60N; adaptations for load transportation or to carry special loads or objects B60P; arrangement of signalling or lighting devices, the mounting or supporting thereof or circuits therefor, for vehicles in general B60Q; vehicles, vehicle fittings or vehicle parts not otherwise provided for B60R; servicing, cleaning, repairing, supporting, lifting, or manoeuvring, not otherwise provided for, B60S; brake arrangements, brake control systems or parts thereof B60T; air-cushion vehicles B60V; motor-cycles, accessories therefor B62J, B62K; testing of vehicles G01M) - E02F: DREDGING; SOIL-SHIFTING (winning peat E21C49/00) ## Abstract An idler assembly for a track roller frame includes a housing element having a central cavity, the housing element being connectable to an end of the track roller frame. A yoke element is movably disposed in central cavity and has spaced apart first and second arms, the yoke element is connectable to a longitudinally extending piston in the track roller frame. At least one key element couples the yoke element to the housing element such that the yoke element is movable relative to the housing element. An idler wheel is rotatably supported between the first and second arms. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An idler assembly for a track roller frame, the idler assembly comprising: a housing element having a central cavity, the housing element being connectable to an end of the track roller frame; a yoke element being movably disposed in central cavity and having spaced apart first and second arms, the yoke element being connectable to a longitudinally extending piston in the track roller frame; at least one key element coupling the yoke element to the housing element such that the yoke element is movable relative to the housing element; and an idler wheel rotatably supported between the first and second arms. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The idler assembly of claim 1 wherein the housing element has opposed first and second sides and wherein the at least one key element extends through at least one aperture provided on the first or the second side. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The idler assembly of claim 1 wherein the yoke element is longitudinally movable relative to the housing element. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The idler assembly of claim 3 wherein the at least one key element engages a longitudinally extending slot provided on the first or second arm, the slot facing the first or second side. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The idler assembly of claim 4 wherein two key elements engage respective longitudinally extending slots provided on the first and second arm, the slots facing respective first and second sides. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The idler assembly of claim 5 wherein each key element has a flange portion to slidingly engage the slots. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The idler assembly of claim 6 wherein the key element has a panel portion with a center plane and the flange portion has a center plane offset relative to the center plane of the panel portion. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The idler assembly of claim 7 wherein the key element is mountable to the housing element in a first or a second orientation to select the vertical position of the yoke element relative to the housing element. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The idler assembly of claim 7 wherein the flange portion has first and second contact surfaces substantially parallel to the center plane of the panel portion wherein the first contact surface may be further from the center plane of the panel portion relative to the second contact surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The idler assembly of claim 6, wherein the width of the slots is greater relative to the width of the respective flange portions. ### Claim 11 (depends on 2) The idler assembly of claim 2 further comprising an opening disposed between the first and second sides wherein the idler wheel extends through the opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The idler assembly of claim 1 wherein the yoke element has a base connecting the first arm to the second arm, the base being configured for connection to the piston. ### Claim 13 A track roller frame of a track type machine, the track roller frame comprising: an idler assembly according to any one of preceding claims wherein the housing element is connected to the end of the track roller frame and the yoke element is connected to the longitudinally extending piston in the track roller frame. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The track roller frame of claim 13 wherein the piston extends and retracts in a piston chamber provided in the track roller frame such that the yoke element moves correspondingly guided by the key element coupled to the yoke element. ### Claim 15 A method of assembling an idler assembly to a track roller frame, the method comprising the steps of: connecting a housing element to an end of the track roller frame, the housing element having a central cavity; connecting a yoke element to a longitudinally extending piston provided in the track roller frame, the yoke element having spaced apart first and second arms; disposing the yoke element in the central cavity; coupling the yoke element to the housing element wherein the yoke element is movable relative to the housing element, the yoke element being coupled to the housing element by at least one key element; and supporting an idler wheel rotatably between the first and second arms.