US 12,448,065 B2
Track joint assembly having bushing structured for in-service transitioning from fixed to rotating
Eric James Johannsen, Washington, IL (US)
Assigned to Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed by Caterpillar Inc., Peoria, IL (US)
Filed on Aug. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/410,672.
Prior Publication US 2023/0068584 A1, Mar. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. B62D 55/21 (2006.01)
CPC B62D 55/21 (2013.01) 21 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A track joint assembly comprising:
a track link including a first link strap, a second link strap, a center section between the first link strap and the second link strap, an upper rail surface formed in part upon each of the first link strap, the second link strap, and the center section, and a lower shoe-mounting surface;
the track link further including a pin bore formed in the first link strap, and a bushing bore formed in the second link strap;
the track link further including an annular insert forming the bushing bore;
a track pin attached to the track link within the pin bore by way of an interference-fit;
a bushing attached to the track link within the bushing bore by way of an interference-fit and non-rotatable relative to the track link, the bushing defining a longitudinal bushing axis;
a first diametric interference is defined between the track link and the track pin at a uniform distance from the longitudinal bushing axis, and a second diametric interference is defined between the track link and the bushing;
the first diametric interference is greater than the second diametric interference; and
the annular insert being attached to the elongate link body by way of a tight interference-fit, and the bushing being attached to the annular insert by way of a light interference-fit.