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US 9,869,072 B1Granted
Dragline chain
AssigneeCaterpillar Inc.
InventorMichael Robert Stolz
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method for maintaining a chain or chain link comprises inspecting the chain or chain link for signs of wear without using tools and changing the orientation of the chain or chain link or replacing the chain or chain link if signs of wear are detected.
Claims16
A chain link comprising:
- a body including two end portions and two middle portions connecting the two end portions together, wherein at least one middle portion defines at least one region including at least one wear indicator, wherein the body defines a center of mass and a Cartesian coordinate system with an X-axis, Y-axis, a Z-axis and an origin positioned at the center of mass, the end portions define a load vector for the body of the chain link and the X-axis of the coordinate system is oriented parallel with the load vector, and the at least one middle portion defines a first surface defining a first surface normal that is non-parallel to the X-axis, and the at least one wear indicator is disposed on the first surface, and wherein the first surface normal is non-parallel to the Z-axis and the Y-axis.
A chain assembly comprising:
- at least two chain links interconnected with each other;
- and
- at least one of the chain links includes
- a body including two end portions, wherein at least one end portion defines a bite region including a bite contact surface configured to contact the other chain link and that defines a load vector, the at least one end portion including a first portion with a reduced cross-section defining a first thickness measured along a direction that is non-parallel to the load vector, and a raised rib disposed between the bite region and the first portion along a direction parallel with the load vector, the raised rib defining a second thickness along a direction that is non-parallel to the load vector, wherein the second thickness is greater than the first thickness.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.