Joints and connections – Articulated members – Pivoted
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-22
2001-09-04
Browne, Lynne H. (Department: 3629)
Joints and connections
Articulated members
Pivoted
C403S162000, C277S589000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283667
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to pin joints for use in pivotally connecting the linkage components for supporting and articulating a work implement or tool of a loader vehicle or the like, and more particularly, to an oil filled pin joint including at least one resiliently compressible buffer member disposed for relieving rapid pressure increases or spikes in the oil resultant from abrupt loading, unloading and/or contact with hard objects and the like.
BACKGROUND ART
Pivoting pin joints for loader linkages and the like are normally lubricated with either grease or oil. Oil lubricated joints are typically preferred because they afford greater load carrying capacity and component life than grease lubricated joints, and they eliminate the routine maintenance needed to grease the joints on a daily or per shift basis. For this reason, oil lubricated joints are commonly referred to as low maintenance or maintenance free joints. However, such maintenance free joints must have an effective sealing system to prevent the loss of lubricating oil from the joint that would otherwise result in joint failure. Reference for instance, Reinsma et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,667 issued Oct. 9, 1990 to Caterpillar Inc., which discloses a pivot joint for loader linkages and the like. This joint utilizes shear loaded face seals located in annular grooves of one of the members joined by the joint, the face seals including a sealing ring having a generally L-shaped cross-section, and an annular load ring. The load ring applies a force against the sealing ring which urges it into dynamic sealing engagement against another member connected by the joint. However, sometimes the members joined together by the joint are moved one relative to the other, such as when a heavy load is lifted or dumped, or a hard object is contacted, so as to exert a high pressure or spike against the face seal, causing the seal to be urged harder against the other member resulting in increased frictional wear and possible leakage so as to shorten the service life of the seal.
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to overcoming one or more of the problems as set forth above.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention, an oil filled pin joint including at least one buffer member for absorbing rapid pressure increases or spikes in the oil is disclosed. The present pin joint includes a pin, at least two opposed members joined by the pin for movement one relative to the other, the members defining a space therebetween, and at least one seal disposed between the opposed members sealably enclosing the space. The at least one buffer member is disposed in communication with the space, the space having a volume defined by the opposed members, the at least one seal, and the at least one buffer member. The space is at least substantially filled with oil and the opposed members are relatively movable to effectively trap at least some of the oil in the space and exert a pressurizing force against the trapped oil, the at least one buffer member being resiliently compressible by the trapped oil to reduce the pressurizing force to prevent damage to the at least one seal and to prevent oil leakage.
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Bochna David E.
Browne Lynne H.
Caterpillar Inc.
Haverstock Garrett & Roberts
Meyers Liza J.
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