US 12,264,461 B2
Heel shroud having stress concentration reduction geometry and enhanced durability
Ezhil Valavan Karunakaran, Ariyalur (IN); and Brandon Hammig McCaffrey, St. Louis, MO (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Mar. 9, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/690,431.
Prior Publication US 2023/0287664 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
Int. Cl. E02F 9/28 (2006.01)
CPC E02F 9/2883 (2013.01) [E02F 9/2808 (2013.01)] 14 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A heel shroud comprising:
a bottom leg; and
a side leg extending from the bottom leg, forming an interior corner with the bottom leg,
wherein the heel shroud defines a first lateral surface and a second lateral surface,
wherein the bottom leg includes:
a curved interior surface extending from the first lateral surface to the second lateral surface at least partially forming the interior corner, and
a flat bottom surface that defines a lower wear member receiving pocket, and
wherein the side leg includes a side wear member receiving pocket that is bound by a first lateral rib at a first edge of the side leg and a second lateral rib at a second edge of the side leg, wherein the lower wear member receiving pocket and the side wear member receiving pocket are contiguous, forming a L-shaped cavity.