Master link end for master link assembly and related methods
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsStan R. PARROTT, Jason L. SEBRIGHT
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A master link end of a master link assembly includes a length, a thickness, and a mating surface. The mating surface includes a first ramp, a second ramp, a third ramp, and a tooth formed by and between the first ramp and the second ramp. The mating surface may include a concave surface between the second ramp and the third ramp. The tooth includes a convex crown formed by a plurality of facets. Each facet of the plurality of facets shares a common edge with one or more facets of the plurality of facets. The common edges define or approximately define an arc of a circle.
Claims20
A master link end of a master link assembly, comprising:
- a length and a thickness;
- and
- a mating surface including a first ramp, a second ramp, a third ramp and a tooth formed by and between the first ramp and the second ramp, wherein the mating surface includes a concave surface between the second ramp and the third ramp;
- wherein the tooth includes a convex crown formed by a plurality of facets;
- wherein each facet of the plurality of facets shares a common edge with one or more facets of the plurality of facets;
- wherein the common edges define or approximately define an arc of a circle.
A method of manufacturing a master link end of a master link assembly, comprising:
- forging an approximate shape of a master link end;
- machining a tooth formed by and between a first ramp and a second ramp, and machining a third ramp;
- machining a plurality of facets to form a convex crown on the tooth, wherein a width of each facet of the plurality of facets is tangent or approximately tangent to a circle.
A master link assembly, comprising:
- a first master link end having a first mating surface;
- a second master link end having a second mating surface;
- and
- wherein, the first mating surface and second mating surface each include a tooth and a substantially continuous concave surface, the tooth including a convex crown formed by a plurality of facets;
- wherein, each facet of the plurality of facets shares a common edge with one or more facets of the plurality of facets;
- wherein, each facet of the plurality of facets includes a width, wherein the width of each facet of the plurality of facets is the same or approximately the same;
- wherein, the first mating surface is configured to engage the second mating surface such that the tooth of the first mating surface is received within the substantially continuous concave surface of the second mating surface, and the tooth of the second mating surface is received within the substantially continuous concave surface of the first mating surface.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.