Patent ID: 11858565
Assignee: CATERPILLAR INC.
Field: Transport (Mechanical engineering)
Classification: CPC B | IPC B

Claim 0:
1. A track joint assembly comprising:
a first track chain and a second track chain each including a plurality of track links each having an outboard link strap with an outboard pin bore, and an inboard link strap with an inboard pin bore;
a track pin defining a longitudinal axis and including a first pin end, a second pin end, and a center section extending from the first pin end to the second pin end and having an outer wear surface;
a first track joint including an outboard link strap in a first track link in the first track chain, the first pin end, a first interference-fitted insert within the outboard pin bore in the first track link in the first track chain and supporting the first pin end for rotation, and a first bearing surface extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis;
the first track joint further including an inboard link strap in a second track link in the first track chain, and a first portion of the center section positioned in the inboard pin bore in the second track link in the first track chain;
a second track joint including an outboard link strap in a first track link in the second track chain, the second pin end, a second interference-fitted insert within the outboard pin bore in the first track link in the second track chain and supporting the second pin end for rotation, and a second bearing surface extending circumferentially around the longitudinal axis;
the second track joint further including an inboard link strap in a second track link in the second track chain, and a second portion of the center section positioned in the inboard pin bore in the second track link in the second track chain;
a track guiding space extending between the first track chain and the second track chain;
the center section of the track pin has an enlarged diameter, relative to the first pin end and the second pin end, and the outer wear surface is exposed to the track guiding space;
the first pin end is rotatable relative to the first interference-fitted insert, and the second pin end is rotatable relative to the second interference-fitted insert; and
the first track joint and the second track joint further including, respectively, a first bearing surface located between the first pin end and the first interference-fitted insert, and a second bearing surface located between the second pin end and the second interference-fitted insert.