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US 6,564,539 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for retaining a track chain joint
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsBilly R. Bedford, Thomas E. Oertley, Loreena S. Plouse
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AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorsBilly R. Bedford, Thomas E. Oertley, Loreena S. Plouse
Estimating the term…
A method and apparatus of assembling a joint of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent endplay in the joint is disclosed. The joint includes a pair of links and a cylindrical pin. Each link includes a outwardly offset outboard end collar having a boss extending outwardly therefrom and a bore therethrough. Each boss has an outer surface. The pin includes opposite end portions. Each end portion is pressed and non-rotatably mounted into respective one of the bores of the outboard end collars. The method comprises the steps of forming an annular groove about each of the end portions, placing a swage tool against the outer side surface of the boss in axial alignment with the pin, and applying a sufficient force on the swage tool to form at least one mechanically formed nodule protruding from the outer side surface into a respective ones of the grooves. The nodule having a cross-sectional configuration substantially conforming to the groove.
An apparatus for mechanically connecting joints of an endless track chain for track-type machines to prevent end play in such joints, each joint including a track link and a cylindrical pin, each link having an inboard end collar with a first bore therethrough and an outboard end collar with a pin boss extending outwardly therefrom and a second bore therethrough, the boss having an outer side surface, the pin having an end portion being pressed and non-rotatably mounted into a respective second bore of the outboard end collar, the apparatus comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.