US3739652A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Swing transmission for excavators
Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
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Filing: 1972-03-23
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Granted: 1973-06-19
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Expires: 1992-03-23
Abstract
Abstract An excavator comprises a revolving upper unit rotatably mounted on a tracked undercarriage. The upper unit has a power transmission removably mounted thereon comprising a speed reduction gear train and an operatively connected cartridge assembly which terminates at a swing pinion. The upper unit is revolved on the undercarriage by selectively rotating the swing pinion against a reaction ring gear secured to the undercarriage. The cartridge assembly is removably mounted in the transmission and has axially spaced piloting lands formed thereon to facilitate expeditious and precise installation of the transmission on a support housing.
Inventors
- 👤 S Caldwell
- 👤 L Cline
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 08:41
CPC Classifications
E; E02; E02F; E02F9/00; E02F9/08; E02F9/10; E02F9/12; E02F9/121; F; F16; F16H; F16H1/00; F16H1/02; F16H1/20; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/19679; Y10T74/19684
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
108 words
An earthworking machine comprising an upper unit having a support secured thereunder, a mobile undercarriage having a reaction ring gear secured thereto, means rotatably mounting said support on said undercarriage, and a power transmission comprising a hollow case detachably connected to said support, a speed reduction gear train mounted in said case and a cartridge assembly, said cartridge assembly comprising a housing detachably connected to said case, a swing shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, a spur gear attached to said swing shaft and operatively connected to said gear train and a swing pinion attached to said swing shaft and positioned thereon to mesh with said ring gear.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
108 words
An earthworking machine comprising an upper unit having a support secured thereunder, a mobile undercarriage having a reaction ring gear secured thereto, means rotatably mounting said support on said undercarriage, and a power transmission comprising a hollow case detachably connected to said support, a speed reduction gear train mounted in said case and a cartridge assembly, said cartridge assembly comprising a housing detachably connected to said case, a swing shaft rotatably mounted in said housing, a spur gear attached to said swing shaft and operatively connected to said gear train and a swing pinion attached to said swing shaft and positioned thereon to mesh with said ring gear.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said case is solely connected to said support by two groups of closely spaced fastening means which are diametrically opposed on opposite sides of said cartridge assembly.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said case comprises a cover detachably connected to a lower case member and said housing is detachably connected to said lower case member whereby removal of said cover will fully expose said cartridge assembly for removal from said lower case member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 further comprising a motor attached to said case and operatively connected to said gear train for selectively rotating said swing pinion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 4 further comprising braking means attached to said case and operatively connected to said gear train for selectively preventing rotation of said swing pinion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 4 wherein said gear train sequentially comprises an input pinion operatively connected to an output shaft of said motor to be driven thereby, a first cluster gear operatively connected to said input pinion and a second cluster geaR operatively connected to said first cluster gear and to said spur gear.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said support comprises an annular turntable rotatably mounted on the periphery of said ring gear.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said support has a sleeve bushing mounted therein, a substantial lower portion of said housing mounted in said sleeve bushing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The invention of claim 8 further comprising cooperating piloting means formed internally on said sleeve bushing and externally on said housing for precisely guiding said swing pinion and said spur gear into operative engagement with said ring gear and said gear train, respectively.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
37 words
The invention of claim 9 wherein said piloting means comprises a plurality of axially spaced lands formed externally on said housing, the diameters of said lands being progressively smaller in a downward direction toward said swing pinion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 10 wherein said piloting means further comprises an opening formed through said case and wherein one of said lands is closely seated within said opening.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said swing shaft is rotatably mounted in said housing by axially spaced and preadjusted anti-friction bearings.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
96 words
A power transmission adapted for use in an earthworking machine comprising a hollow case, a speed reduction gear train mounted in said case, and a cartridge assembly including a housing detachably connected to said case and having a cylindrical portion extending downwardly through said case, a swing shaft, axially spaced bearing means rotatably mounting said swing shaft in said housing and upper and lower gears connected to opposite ends of said swing shaft, said upper gear positioned within said case and operatively connected to said gear train and said lower gear positioned exteriorly of said housing.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
96 words
A power transmission adapted for use in an earthworking machine comprising a hollow case, a speed reduction gear train mounted in said case, and a cartridge assembly including a housing detachably connected to said case and having a cylindrical portion extending downwardly through said case, a swing shaft, axially spaced bearing means rotatably mounting said swing shaft in said housing and upper and lower gears connected to opposite ends of said swing shaft, said upper gear positioned within said case and operatively connected to said gear train and said lower gear positioned exteriorly of said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein said case comprises a cover detachably connected to a lower case member, said housing detachably connected to said lower case member whereby removal of said cover will fully expose said cartridge assembly for removal from said lower case member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 13 further comprising a motor attached to said case and operatively connected to said gear train for selectively rotating said lower gear.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 15 further comprising braking means attached to said case and operatively connected to said gear train for selectively preventing rotation of said lower gear.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 15 wherein said gear train sequentially comprises an input pinion operatively connected to an output shaft of said motor to be driven thereby, a first cluster gear operatively connected to said input pinion and a second cluster gear operatively connected to said first cluster gear and to said upper gear.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 8 further comprising piloting means for precisely guiding said upper and lower gears into operative engagement with other gears, said piloting means comprising a plurality of axially spaced lands formed externally on said housing, the diameters of said lands being progressively smaller in a downward direction toward said lower gear.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 18 wherein said piloting means further comprises an opening formed through said case and wherein an upper one of said lands is closely seated within said opening.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 13 wherein said swing shaft is rotatably mounted in said housing by axially spaced and preadjusted anti-friction bearings.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
71 words
A power transmission adapted for use in an earthworking machine comprising a hollow case, a gear train mounted in said case, a cylindrical housing extending downwardly from said case, a swing shaft rotatably mounted in said housing and operatively connected to said gear train, and piloting means comprising a plurality of axially spaced lands formed externally on said housing, the diameters of said lands being progressively smaller in a dowNward direction.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
71 words
A power transmission adapted for use in an earthworking machine comprising a hollow case, a gear train mounted in said case, a cylindrical housing extending downwardly from said case, a swing shaft rotatably mounted in said housing and operatively connected to said gear train, and piloting means comprising a plurality of axially spaced lands formed externally on said housing, the diameters of said lands being progressively smaller in a dowNward direction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
47 words
The invention of claim 21 wherein said case comprises a cover detachably connected to a lower case member, said housing detachably connected to said lower case member whereby removal of said cover will fully expose said housing and swing shaft for removal from said lower case member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The invention of claim 21 further comprising a motor attached to said case and operatively connected to said gear train for selectively rotating said swing shaft.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 23 further comprising braking means attached to said case and operatively connected to said gear train for selectively preventing rotation of said swing shaft.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 23 wherein said gear train sequentially comprises an input pinion operatively connected to an output shaft of said motor to be driven thereby, a first cluster gear operatively connected to said input pinion and a second cluster gear operatively connected to said first cluster gear and to said swing shaft.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention of claim 21 further comprising a support having a cylindrical sleeve bushing mounted therein, a substantial lower portion of said housing mounted in said sleeve bushing.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 26 further comprising piloting means formed internally on said sleeve bushing to cooperate with the piloting means formed on said housing for precisely guiding said housing into said sleeve bushing.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention of claim 27 wherein said piloting means further comprises an opening formed through said case and wherein one of said lands is closely seated within said opening.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
22 words
The invention of claim 1 wherein said swing shaft is rotatably mounted in said housing by axially spaced and preadjusted anti-friction bearings.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-06-18 | 1976-12-18 | 1977-06-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-06-18 | 1980-12-18 | 1981-06-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-06-18 | 1984-12-18 | 1985-06-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |