Thomas C Meisel

US Patent:

41282779, Dec 5, 1978

Filed:

Jun 2, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/802614

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meisel - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B62D 5528

US Classification:

305 54

Abstract:

An endless track for a tractor or the like comprises a pair of laterally spaced link assemblies attached to a plurality of track shoes. In a first embodiment of this invention, a single stiffener extends laterally across each track shoe and is releasably attached to a pair of laterally spaced links of the link assemblies and to one of the track shoes by common bolts. In a second embodiment, a pair of stiffeners are each releasably secured to one of the links and to the track shoe.

US Patent:

42419565, Dec 30, 1980

Filed:

Jun 12, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/914312

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meisel - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B62D 5524
B62D 5528

US Classification:

305 35EB

Abstract:

A track assembly for crawler-type vehicles including a pair of spaced endless belts formed of flexible material and disposed in a generally parallel relation, a plurality of shoe-mounting cross bars extending through each of the belts to project from both sides thereof, the cross bars in one belt being aligned with the cross bars in the other belt, a plurality of elongated shoes spanning the belts and secured to corresponding aligned ones of the cross bars and disposed on the outer sides of the belts, a plurality of inwardly directed, sprocket engaging, nose-shaped lugs disposed in the space between the belts and extending inwardly of the inner sides thereof and secured to adjacent ends of aligned ones of the cross bars, and a plurality of inwardly directed, lateral guides on the inner sides of the belt extending inwardly of the inner sides thereof and secured to remote ends of aligned ones of the cross bars.

US Patent:

42783925, Jul 14, 1981

Filed:

May 19, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/907454

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meisel - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B66C 2306

US Classification:

414569

Abstract:

A log skidder including a vehicle having a frame with front and rear ends, ground engaging devices on the frame so that the vehicle may traverse the underlying terrain, an elongated boom on the frame and mounted thereto for pivotal movement about a generally horizontal axis between an upright position at least adjacent the rear end and a lower position intermediate the ends, a log engaging device, a lever mounting at one end the log engaging device and horizontally pivoted at a location remote from the lever one end to the boom at a location spaced from the horizontal axis, the lever one end extending rearwardly with relation to the frame, a motor on the frame for moving the boom between the positions thereof, and a linkage for maintaining the lever one end directed generally rearwardly for all positions of the boom on the frame.

US Patent:

42277485, Oct 14, 1980

Filed:

Nov 9, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/092915

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meisel - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B22D 5530

US Classification:

305 10

Abstract:

A continuous track assembly (12) has a frame (16) and a first element (18) pivotally connected to the frame (16). A second element (20) is pivotally connected to the first element (18). Each element (18,20) has a rotatable wheel (22,24) about both of which a track (30) is positioned. The wheel (22) of the first element (18) is rotated by power and driving apparatus (36,44) in an associated work vehicle (10) to drive the track (30). Tension in the track (30) is maintained at a preselected level by apparatus (50) which moves the second element (20) relative to the first element (18) to position the wheels (22,24) against the track (30). The wheels (22,24) are freely pivotally movable as a unit to enable the track assembly (12) to readily adapt to its environment and maximize tractive effort. Maintaining the desired track tension substantially overcomes problems associated with a track which is too loose or tight which can result in slipping or damage to the track assembly (12).

US Patent:

41497570, Apr 17, 1979

Filed:

Jan 27, 1977

Appl. No.:

5/762906

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meisel - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B62D 5530

US Classification:

305 10

Abstract:

A tensioning and recoil apparatus for the idler wheel and track of a crawler-type vehicle, such apparatus including a recoil spring and a hydraulic cylinder interposed between the spring and idler wheel. Hydraulic fluid is added to or released from the cylinder, as needed, to maintain a predetermined pressure level in the cylinder and a constant tension in the track trained around the idler and to provide a fluid damping of peak loads on the idler wheel and track during forward drive. Fluid is trapped in the cylinder when in reverse drive so that the cylinder then functions as a solid link between the recoil spring and idler wheel.

US Patent:

42303419, Oct 28, 1980

Filed:

Sep 25, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/945270

Inventors:

Cullen P. Hart - Peoria IL
Thomas C. Meisel - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

B60G 1704

US Classification:

280702

Abstract:

A vehicle suspension system is provided for a vehicle (10) which has a frame (12) and a plurality of ground engaging wheels (18,20,22,24). The suspension system (26) includes apparatus (26) for connecting the wheels (18,20,22,24) to the frame (12) and maintaining the frame (12) at a preselected elevation. The frame (12) moves elevationally less than one-half the height of an obstacle during movement of one of the wheels (18,20,22,24) over the obstacle.

US Patent:

60418702, Mar 28, 2000

Filed:

Apr 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/065176

Inventors:

William H. Zimmerman - Edelstein IL
Thomas C. Meisel - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

E02F 376

US Classification:

172811

Abstract:

A dozing machine comprises a tractor having a transverse dozing blade mounted at the forward end thereof. Steering changes can made by shifting the lateral centerline of the blade laterally relative to the longitudinal centerline of the tractor. To this end, a linear actuator is connected between the blade or a blade push arm and the tractor. The actuator is extended or retracted to shift the centerline of the blade. The centerline may also be shifted by extending the length of the blade to one side of the tractor centerline. Automated methods and apparatus are disclosed which utilize blade centerline shifting to maintain a desired direction of travel or to automatically achieve any desired path. Also, sideshifting of the blade may be useful for purposes other than steering the tractor.

US Patent:

43599141, Nov 23, 1982

Filed:

Aug 25, 1978

Appl. No.:

5/937004

Inventors:

Thomas C. Meisel - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Tractor Co. - Peoria IL

International Classification:

F16H 344
F16H 5710

US Classification:

74788

Abstract:

A drive assembly (20) has a planetary gear assembly (27), driven member (22), and first housing element (28). The assembly (20) is, for example, part of a final drive (12) of a work vehicle (10) or pulley drive for a material handling system. A first bearing element (30) supports the driven member (22) in rotatable relationship relative to the housing element (28). A second bearing element (32) supports the housing element (28) in rotatable relationship relative to the gear assembly (27). On the vehicle (10), gear reduction taken inside of a tandem housing (14) has heretofore resulted in an overturning reaction force on the housing (14) which creates unequal wheel loads. In the drive assembly (20), the first and second bearing elements (30,32) are positioned between the driven member (22) and housing element (28) and a ring gear element (40) of the gear assembly (27) and the housing element (28), respectively, to provide gear reduction substantially within and to substantially prevent the reaction force on the tandem housing (14).