Cast-in track system component bushing
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsBenjamin I. Jones, Benoit Abello, David J. Hakes
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A component for a track-type machine comprises a body, a through-bore extending through the body forming an inner wall, and a bushing located in the through-bore. The bushing comprises a bearing surface, an outer surface engaging the inner wall, a flange extending from the outer surface and extending into the inner wall, and retention features located in the outer surface proximate the flange. The retention features comprise voids in the bushing filled-in by material of the body. Methods of manufacturing a component for a track-type system comprises casting-in-place a bushing with a flange and retention features into the component.
Claims20
A track shoe comprising:
- a base extending along a transverse direction;
- a first link extending from the base in a longitudinal direction, the first link comprising:
- a body connected to the base, the body comprising:
- a first longitudinal wall;
- and
- a second longitudinal wall;
- wherein the body has a first length extending between the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall;
- a through bore extending from the first longitudinal wall to the second longitudinal wall;
- and
- a channel positioned in the through bore spaced from the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall;
- and
- a bushing located in the through bore, the bushing comprising:
- an outer wall extending between a first end and a second end, the outer wall having a second length between the first end and the second end, wherein the second length is equal to or less than the first length such that the bushing does not extend past the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall;
- and
- a flange extending form the outer wall to be positioned in the channel;
- wherein the track shoe is monolithic such that the base, the first link including the first longitudinal wall and the second longitudinal wall, the through bore and the channel are connected in a fixed relationship.
A component for a track-type machine, the component comprising:
- a monolithic body comprising:
- a first side wall;
- and
- a second side wall;
- a through bore extending through the body, the through bore including an inner wall extending from the first side wall to the second side wall;
- a bushing located in the through bore, the bushing comprising:
- an inner bearing surface;
- an outer surface comprising a first end and a second end, the outer surface engaging the inner wall such that the first end and the second end of the outer surface of the bushing are located between the first side wall and the second side wall;
- a flange comprising:
- a first side wall extending from the outer surface;
- a second side wall extending form the outer surface spaced from the first side wall;
- wherein the first side wall and the second side wall mate with material of the body within the through bore;
- and
- retention features located in the outer surface proximate the first and second side walls of the flange;
- wherein the retention features comprise voids in the bushing filled-in by material of the body.
A track system component comprising:
- a bushing comprising:
- a cylindrical body extending from a first end to a second end over a length;
- and
- an outer diameter flange extending from the cylindrical body between the first end and the second end;
- and
- a through bore extending into longitudinal walls of the track system component;
- wherein the track system component is cast with the bushing in place to form the through bore around the bushing and form a channel within the through bore to receive the outer diameter flange such that portions of the outer diameter flange extending beyond the cylindrical body are completely surrounded by material of the track system component and the length of the cylindrical body is completely engaged with material of the track system component on either side of the outer diameter flange such that the bushing does not extend beyond the longitudinal walls of the track system component;
- and
- wherein the track system component comprises a monolithic body such that the through bore and the channel are contiguous surfaces of the material of the track system component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.