Patent Description:
Master links are used in track chains to connect two ends of the track chain together to form a loop. For example, a master link includes a bore at one end of the master link to connect to a mating member on one end of the track chain and another bore at the other end of the master link to connect to a mating member on the other end of the track chain. The master link can be fabricated with open circular bores and a separation that extends between the bores so that the bores can be placed around outer diameters of corresponding mating members of the track chain. Fasteners are then driven vertically through a top face of the master link into a bottom portion of the master link to close the gap and secure the bores around the outer diameters of the corresponding mating members. Alternatively, rather than fastening or clamping the master link to close the gap and secure the bores around the outer diameters of the corresponding mating members, the master link can be pressed onto the mating members.

One example of a master link is disclosed in <CIT> ("the '<NUM> patent"). In particular, the '<NUM> patent discloses a master link for a chain assembly, comprising: a body member having a first side, a second side positioned opposite the first side, a shoe surface configured to receive a track shoe, and a rail surface positioned opposite the shoe surface; first and second apertures extending through the body member from the first side to the second side; third and fourth apertures extending through the body member from the first side to the second side and located between the first and second apertures; a strut member dividing the third and fourth apertures; a first gap located in the body member and extending from the first aperture to the third aperture; a second gap located in the body member and extending from the fourth aperture to the second aperture; and a third gap located in the strut member and extending from the third aperture to the fourth aperture.

While the '<NUM> patent may provide a master link comprising a first gap located in the body member and extending from the first aperture to the third aperture; a second gap located in the body member and extending from the fourth aperture to the second aperture; and a third gap located in the strut member and extending from the third aperture to the fourth aperature, the '<NUM> patent does not disclose a master link that includes a material in a separation between a first section of the master link and a second section of the master link or that includes a separation that facilitates securing of the master link to a track chain without the use of fasteners to perform or facilitate the securing of the master link to the track chain.

<CIT> relates to a master link of a track link which has a link body having a spacer, a spacer inserted between a rail surface portion and a shoe mounting surface portion, a slit opened to the space portion from each of the pair of connection holes of the link body and a plurality of members for attaching the shoe to the shoe mounting surface. By tightening the mounting bolt, the slit is shortened and the diameter of the connecting hole is reduced.

The master link of the present disclosure provides one or more functions and/or uses that are different than what is set forth above in the art.

The present disclosure is related to a link, comprising a first portion that abuts a first face of the link; a second portion that abuts a second face of the link; a first bore located on a first end of the link; a second bore located on a second end of the link; and a material located between the first portion and the second portion and extending between the first bore and the second bore, wherein the material creates a separation between the first portion and the second portion to facilitate placement of the first bore and the second bore around outer diameters of corresponding mating members of a track chain, wherein the material is removable to remove the separation between the first portion and the second portion.

The present disclosure is related to a link as described above, wherein corresponding shapes of the first bore and the second bore facilitate securing of the first bore and the second bore to corresponding mating members of a track chain without use of a set of fasteners, wherein a separation is located between the first portion and the second portion and extends between the first bore and the second bore, wherein the separation is expandable to facilitate insertion of a material between the first portion and the second portion.

This disclosure relates to a master link for a track chain. The master link has universal applicability to any machine utilizing such a master link. The term "machine" may refer to any machine that performs an operation associated with an industry such as, for example, mining, construction, farming, transportation, or any other industry. As some examples, the machine may be a cold planer, a feller buncher, a forest machine, a forwarder, a harvester, an excavator, an industrial loader, a knuckleboom loader, a material handler, a pipelayer, a road reclaimer, a compact track loader, a skidder, a telehandler, a tractor, a dozer, a tractor scraper, or other above ground equipment, or underground equipment. Moreover, one or more implements may be connected to the machine and/or a component driven from an engine of the machine.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> of an example machine that includes a master link for a track chain described herein. <FIG> shows a machine <NUM>. For example, the machine <NUM> may be an earth moving machine such as an excavator, a dozer, a loader, or a similar machine. The machine <NUM> may include a power source <NUM> and an undercarriage assembly <NUM>, which may be driven by the power source <NUM> and supported by one or more roller mechanisms <NUM>.

The power source <NUM> may drive the undercarriage assembly <NUM> of the machine <NUM> at a range of output speeds and torques. The power source <NUM> may be a diesel engine, a gasoline engine, a gaseous fuel-powered engine, an electric engine, a hybrid engine, a power storage device, a fuel cell, and/or the like.

The undercarriage assembly <NUM> may include two separate continuous track chains <NUM>, one on either side of machine <NUM> (although <FIG> only shows one of the two track chains <NUM>). A track chain <NUM> may be driven by the power source <NUM> via one or more sprockets <NUM>. In addition, the track chain <NUM> may include one or more rails <NUM> and multiple ground engaging plates <NUM> that engage a surface (e.g., the ground). For example, the track chain <NUM> may include multiple link subassemblies <NUM>. A link subassembly <NUM> may include multiple portions of corresponding multiple rails <NUM> (e.g., two rails <NUM>) with one or more links on each portion of a rail <NUM>. As an example, a link subassembly <NUM> may include a first portion of a first rail <NUM>, a second portion of a second rail <NUM>, and a pair of links, with one link on each rail <NUM>. The link subassembly <NUM> may also include a ground engaging plate <NUM> fastened to the pair of links. A full rail <NUM> may include multiple links and a master link <NUM> (e.g., arranged end-to-end, as described in more detail elsewhere herein) to connect ends of the rail <NUM> to form a loop. The master link <NUM><NUM> may connect two ends of a rail <NUM> of the track chain <NUM> (e.g., a track chain <NUM> may include two master links <NUM>, one for each of the two rails <NUM> of the track chain <NUM>). For example, the master link <NUM> may include corresponding bores at both ends of the master link <NUM> and a separation between two portions of the master link <NUM>. Continuing with the previous example, <FIG> shows the master link <NUM> without a material in the separation to facilitate securing of the corresponding bores around outer diameters of corresponding mating members of the track chain <NUM> without use of fasteners to secure the master link <NUM> to the corresponding mating members. A mating member may include, for example, a pin, a rod, a cylinder, a bushing, a collar, and/or the like). A fastener may include, for example, a nut and bolt. The master link <NUM> is described in more detail elsewhere herein.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams <NUM> of one or more example master links that may be used with the machine of <FIG>. <FIG> shows a side view of the master link <NUM>. For example, <FIG> shows a side view of the master link <NUM> with a material in a separation between two portions of the master link <NUM>. The master link <NUM> may comprise metal, a carbon alloy, plastic, and/or the like.

As shown in <FIG>, the master link <NUM> may include multiple bores <NUM> at corresponding ends of the master link <NUM>. For example, the master link <NUM> may include a bore <NUM>-<NUM> at a first end of the master link <NUM> and a bore <NUM>-<NUM> at a second end of the master link <NUM>. The bores <NUM> may be used to secure the master link <NUM> to the track chain <NUM>. For example, the bores <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may be placed around outer diameters of corresponding mating members of one or more link subassemblies <NUM>. In some cases, the bores <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> may include surface preparation on corresponding radial surfaces of the bores <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., on radial surfaces that are to contact outer diameters of corresponding mating members). For example, the surface preparation may include creating a rough surface, creating a pattern of structures, applying an adhesive, applying a thread locking fluid, and/or the like to increase an amount of friction between a radial surface of a bore <NUM> and an outer diameter of a mating member, such as to secure the master link <NUM> to the mating member, to increase a difficulty of removing the master link <NUM> from around outer diameters of the mating members, and/or the like. As further shown in <FIG>, the master link <NUM> may include bores <NUM> between the bores <NUM>. The bores <NUM> may be included in the master link <NUM> for weight reduction purposes, to facilitate access to a fastener used to attach a ground engaging plate to a face of the master link <NUM>, and/or the like.

As further shown in <FIG>, the master link <NUM> may include a face <NUM>. For example, the face <NUM> may be a top face of the master link <NUM>, may be a face to which a ground engaging plate is attached, and/or the like The face <NUM> may abut a portion <NUM> of the master link <NUM>. The portion <NUM> may be an upper portion of the master link <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the portion <NUM> may include multiple holes <NUM> (e.g., holes <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>). A hole <NUM> may extend from the face <NUM> through the bottom of the portion <NUM> (e.g., into a corresponding bore <NUM>), without extending into portion <NUM> (described below). A fastener (e.g., a bolt, a screw, and/or the like) may be inserted into the hole <NUM> on one side of the portion <NUM> to attach a ground engaging plate to the face <NUM>. While the configuration of the holes <NUM> shown in and described with regard to <FIG> and <FIG> may facilitate securing of a ground engaging plate to the master link <NUM>, the holes <NUM> may not facilitate securing of the master link <NUM> to the track chain <NUM> based on the holes <NUM> not extending into the portion <NUM>.

As further shown in <FIG>, the master link <NUM> may include a face <NUM>. For example, the face <NUM> may be a bottom face of the master link <NUM>, may be a face that contacts one or more roller mechanisms <NUM> and/or one or more sprockets <NUM> of undercarriage assembly <NUM>, and/or the like The face <NUM> may abut a portion <NUM> of the master link <NUM>. The portion <NUM> may be a lower portion of the master link <NUM>.

The portion <NUM> and the portion <NUM> may be separated by a separation (e.g., a gap, a cut, and/or the like). For example, the separation may be formed during casting of the master link <NUM>, may be formed after the casting of the master link <NUM>, and/or the like. The master link <NUM> may include a material <NUM> that creates and/or expands the separation between the portion <NUM> and the portion <NUM>, as described in more detail below. The material <NUM> may include a metal, a plastic, a ceramic, a carbon alloy, and/or the like and may be a different material than that of the master link <NUM><NUM>. The material <NUM> may be removable from the separation to remove the separation and/or to cause contraction of the separation. For example, the material <NUM> may be removable via melting of the material <NUM> (e.g., based on the material <NUM> having a melting temperature between an expected environmental temperature of the master link <NUM> during storage, shipment, installation, and; or the like of the master link <NUM>, and a melting temperature of the material of the master link <NUM>).

As another example, the material <NUM> may be removable via application of a mechanical force to the material. Continuing with the previous example, the material <NUM> may be in a wedge shape or a block shape that can be removed via application of a mechanical force to the material <NUM>, may shatter upon application of a threshold mechanical force to the material <NUM>, and/or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, the material <NUM> may be removed by cutting the material from the separation.

<FIG> shows a particular configuration of material <NUM>. For example, <FIG> shows various portions of the material <NUM> (e.g., portions <NUM>-<NUM> through <NUM>-<NUM>) located in the separation between the portion <NUM> and the portion <NUM>. In this configuration, the portions of material <NUM> expand the separation by applying mechanical force on the portion <NUM> and the portion <NUM>. In doing so, the portions of the material <NUM> cause the bores <NUM> to have a distorted circular shape based on expansion of the separation at corresponding intersects of the bores <NUM> (e.g., causing the bores <NUM> to have a C-like shape) Expansion of the separation, and of the bores <NUM>, facilitates placement of the bores <NUM> around outer diameters of corresponding mating members of the track chain <NUM>. In the configuration shown in <FIG>, material <NUM> applies tension to the master link <NUM> to expand the bores <NUM> to facilitate placement of the bores <NUM> around outer diameters of corresponding mating members.

Other configurations of the material <NUM> and/or the bores <NUM> are possible. For example, the master link <NUM><NUM> may include a single portion of the material <NUM> that extends from the bore <NUM>-<NUM> to the bore <NUM>-<NUM>. Additionally, or alternatively, the master link <NUM> may include a single portion of material <NUM> between one of the protrusions formed by bores <NUM> and/or by bores <NUM> (e.g., the master link <NUM> may include a single portion of material <NUM> between the protrusions between bores <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>). Additionally, or alternatively, the master link <NUM> may include a different quantity of the bores <NUM> (e.g., one bore <NUM>, three bores <NUM>, four bores <NUM>, etc.). In this case, the quantity of portions of the material <NUM> may be adjusted as needed to cause expansion of the separation between the portion <NUM> and the portion <NUM> based on the quantity of bores <NUM> included in the master link <NUM>.

<FIG> shows another side view of the master link <NUM><NUM>. For example, <FIG> shows the master link <NUM> in a state prior to the material <NUM> having been inserted in the separation between the portions <NUM> and <NUM> (e.g., after the master link <NUM> is formed) or after the material <NUM> has been removed from the separation (e.g., after installation on the track chain <NUM>).

As shown by reference number <NUM>, the separation between portions <NUM> and <NUM> may have a narrower width than that shown in <FIG> based on the material <NUM> not being present in the separation. For example, the width of the separation may facilitate securing of the bores <NUM> to the corresponding mating members of the track chain <NUM>, without the use of fasteners to close the separation, after the master link <NUM> has been installed on the track chain <NUM>. Continuing with the previous example, the master link <NUM> may be configured such that the portions <NUM> and <NUM> contract toward each other upon removal of the material <NUM> from the separation to place the master link <NUM><NUM> in the state shown in <FIG>. In this state, the bores <NUM> may have a shape that matches that of outer diameters of the corresponding mating members of the track chain <NUM> (e.g., a circular shape) and/or dimensions to secure the bores <NUM> to the corresponding mating members. This facilitates securing of the master link <NUM> to the corresponding mating members without the use of fasteners through, for example, the face <NUM> and into the portion <NUM> to close the separation, thereby conserving material that would otherwise be used to manufacture the fasteners, reducing a weight of the master link <NUM> and/or a machine on which the master link <NUM> is installed, and/or the like. In the configuration shown in <FIG>, the lack of material <NUM> (shown by reference number <NUM>) causes bores <NUM> be in a shape that facilitates compression of bores <NUM> around outer diameters of corresponding mating members, thereby securing the bores <NUM> to the outer diameters.

The separation between the portion <NUM> and the portion <NUM> may be expandable, as described elsewhere herein. For example, the separation may be expandable by a machine to facilitate insertion of the material <NUM> into the separation (e.g., to form the configuration of the master link <NUM> shown in <FIG>), to facilitate removal of the master link <NUM> from the track chain <NUM>, and/or the like.

As indicated above, <FIG> and <FIG> are provided as one or more examples. Other examples may differ from what is described in connection with <FIG> and <FIG>. In some implementations, rather than using one or more portions of material <NUM> to expand the master link <NUM> to facilitate placement of bores <NUM> around outer diameters of corresponding mating members, the master link <NUM> may include corresponding fasteners that are driven through holes <NUM> to portion <NUM> to expand bores <NUM> and bores <NUM>. In this case, after the bores <NUM> have been placed around outer diameters of corresponding mating members, the fasteners may be removed from holes <NUM> to allow contraction of the master link <NUM> to the form shown in <FIG>, thereby securing the master link <NUM> around the outer diameters of the mating members.

<FIG> is a flow chart of an example process <NUM> for manufacturing a master link for a track chain. For example, <FIG> shows an example process <NUM> for manufacturing a master link <NUM> for a track chain <NUM>, described above. Notably, while example process <NUM> is described in the context of a master link <NUM>, the implementations described with respect to process <NUM> apply equally to other possible configurations of a master link <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> may include forming a link for a track chain (block <NUM>). For example, one or more machines of a factory may form a master link <NUM> for a track chain <NUM>. The one or more machines may be partially or totally controlled by a computing device (e.g., that includes a memory, a processor, and/or the like).

The one or more machines may be capable of cutting, casting, melting, and/or the like material to form the link, may be capable of machining bores (e.g., bores <NUM> and/or bores <NUM>) into the link, and/or the like. For example, the one or more machines may form the link such that the link has a first surface (e.g., a face <NUM>) and a second surface (e.g., a face <NUM>) that are generally parallel to each other. The master link <NUM> may include a third surface and a fourth surface (e.g., a front surface shown in <FIG> and <FIG> and a rear surface, respectively, of the master link <NUM>) that the first surface and the second surface abut. The one or more machines may form the link such that the link has a first bore (e.g., a bore <NUM>-<NUM>) and a second bore (e.g., a bore <NUM>-<NUM>) that extend through the third surface and the fourth surface. The one or more machines may form the link such that the first bore is located at a first end of the link and the second bore is located at a second end of the link. The first bore and the second bore may have corresponding shapes that match corresponding mating members around which the first bore and the second bore are to be placed (e.g., the corresponding shapes may be a result of forming the link).

As further shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> may include forming, in association with forming the link, a separation in the link that extends from a first bore of the link to a second bore of the link (block <NUM>). For example, the one or more machines may form, in association with forming the master link <NUM>, a separation in the link that extends from a bore <NUM>-<NUM> to a bore <NUM>-<NUM>. The one or more machines may form the separation such that the separation creates a first portion of the link (e.g., a portion <NUM>) that abuts the first surface and a second portion of the link (e.g., a portion <NUM>) that abuts the second surface. A width of the separation may facilitate securing of the first bore and the second bore to corresponding mating members of a track chain.

The one or more machines may form the separation using one or more techniques. For example, the one or more machines may use electro-discharge machining (EDM), sawing, and/or the like to form the separation. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more machines may form the separation during casting of the link. For example, a cast used to form the link may cause the separation to be included in the link.

The one or more machines may prepare a surface of the bores <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> on corresponding radial surfaces of the bores <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., on radial surfaces that are to contact outer diameters of corresponding mating members). For example, the surface preparation may include creating a rough surface, creating a pattern of structures, applying an adhesive, applying a thread locking fluid, and/or the like to increase an amount of friction between a radial surface of a bore <NUM> and an outer diameter of a mating member, such as to secure the master link <NUM> to the mating member, to increase a difficulty of removing the master link <NUM> from around outer diameters of the mating members, and/or the like.

As further shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> may include applying, after forming the separation, a mechanical force to expand the separation to facilitate insertion of a material within the separation and between a first portion and a second portion of the link (block <NUM>). For example, the one or more machines may apply, after forming the separation, a mechanical force to expand the separation to facilitate insertion of a material (e.g., material <NUM>) within the separation and between portion <NUM> and portion <NUM> of the master link <NUM>. The material may be associated with maintaining expansion of the separation to facilitate placement of the first bore and the second bore around outer diameters of the corresponding mating members of the track chain.

The one or more machines may expand the separation to a width that facilitates placement of the first bore and the second bore around the outer diameters of the corresponding mating members of the track chain. For example, the one or more machines may expand the separation to a width that causes the first bore and the second bore to have a distorted circular shape that facilitates placement of the first bore and the second bore around the outer diameters of the corresponding mating members. The one or more machines may apply heat to the link to facilitate expansion of the separation.

As further shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> may include inserting, after expanding the separation, the material between the first portion and the second portion (block <NUM>). For example, the one or more machines may insert the material <NUM> between the portion <NUM> and the portion <NUM> after expanding the separation. The one or more machines may insert the material in a solid form or a quasi-solid form (e.g., in a heated, but not molten, malleable form). For example, the one or more machines may insert a wedge or a block of the material into the separation between the first portion and the second portion. Alternatively, the one or more machines may insert the material by flowing a molten form of the material into the separation between the first portion and the second portion. For example, the one or more machines may place one or more retainers around the separation to contain the molten material, and may flow the molten material into the one or more retainers after placing the one or more retainers around the separation.

The one or more machines may attach a ground engaging plate to the link in association with inserting the material between the first portion and the second portion. For example, the one or more machines may align the ground engaging plate with the first surface of the link and may attach the ground engaging plate to the first surface using one or more fasteners. As described above, the fasteners may be driven through the first portion and not into the second portion. In this way, the fasteners may not be used to close the separation and secure the link to a track chain.

As further shown in <FIG>, process <NUM> may include releasing, after inserting the material, the link from application of the mechanical force that is expanding the separation (block <NUM>). For example, the one or more machines may release, after inserting the material <NUM>, the master link <NUM> from application of the mechanical force that is expanding the separation.

When the one or more machines insert molten material or quasi-solid material, the one or more machines may release the mechanical force after the molten material or the quasi-solid has cooled to below a particular temperature. For example, the one or more machines may cool the molten material to below the particular temperature (e.g., as determined by using one or more sensors). The particular temperature may be based on properties of the material to maintain expansion of the separation at different temperatures. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more machines may use one or more sensors to monitor for a failure of the material to maintain expansion of the separation (e.g., after the material has cooled or when the material is inserted in a solid form). For example, the one or more machines may monitor a width of the separation, a shape (or dimensions) of the first bore and the second bore, and/or the like.

The one or more machines may package the link for shipment and/or storage. The one or more machines may load the link onto a vehicle (e.g., a truck, a train, a plane, a boat, and/or the like) for delivery to a destination. The one or more machines may send a set of instructions to the vehicle. For example, the set of instructions may identify the destination, may identify a scheduled delivery time for the link, may cause the vehicle to depart to the destination, and/or the like.

The one or more machines may install the link on a machine. For example, the one or more machines may install the link on a track chain of the machine. The one or more machines may install the link by placing the first bore and the second bore around outer diameters of corresponding mating members of a track chain, and may remove the material from between the first portion and the second portion. The one or more machines may remove the material by melting the material (e.g., where the material has a melting temperature that is less than a material of the link), by applying a mechanical force to the material perpendicular to the third surface and the fourth surface, and/or the like. The one or more machines may uninstall the link by cutting the link from the track chain, by expanding the separation to a width similar to that when the link was installed and removing the link from around the outer diameters of the corresponding mating members, and/or the like.

Two or more of the blocks of process <NUM> may be performed in parallel.

<FIG> and <FIG> are diagrams <NUM> illustrating a top-view and a side-view of an exemplary track chain <NUM>, respectively. As shown in <FIG>, the track chain <NUM> may include various link subassemblies <NUM>, which may include a pair of inner links <NUM> or a pair of outer links <NUM>. The inner links <NUM> and the outer links <NUM> may include holes <NUM> similar to that described elsewhere herein to attach a ground engaging plate <NUM> to a link subassembly <NUM>. As further shown in <FIG>, the track chain <NUM> may include a pair of master links <NUM>, where a first master link <NUM>, of the pair of master links <NUM>, is included in a first rail <NUM> of the track chain <NUM> and a second master link <NUM>, of the pair of master links <NUM>, is included in a second rail <NUM> of the track chain <NUM>. As further shown in <FIG>, a link subassembly <NUM> may include a pair of mating members <NUM> to connect links of different rails <NUM>. A mating member <NUM> may include a substantially cylindrical bushing <NUM> disposed about a substantially cylindrical pin <NUM>. A mating member <NUM> may include a pair of bearings (not shown) that are freely rotatable relative to pin <NUM> and may include a pair of collars <NUM> that are fixed relative to pin <NUM>. A collar <NUM> may be disposed at an end of pin <NUM>, a bushing <NUM> may be disposed substantially in the middle of pin <NUM>, and a bearing may be disposed between a collar <NUM> and a bushing <NUM>.

Turning to <FIG>, an inner link <NUM> may include bores <NUM> configured to receive a first mating member <NUM> and a second mating member <NUM>. An outer link <NUM> may be disposed in a substantially similar orientation as an inner link <NUM>, and may be configured to similarly receive opposing ends of the second mating member <NUM> and a third mating member <NUM>. A mating member <NUM> may interface with a bore <NUM> of an inner link <NUM> and an outer link <NUM> such that consecutively connected link subassemblies <NUM> may be pivotally interconnected to one another to form track chain <NUM>. For example, an inner link <NUM> may be configured to engage the bearings via the bores <NUM> and pivot with respect to pin <NUM> (reference number not shown in <FIG>) and an outer link <NUM> may be configured to engage collars <NUM> (reference number not shown in <FIG>) via corresponding bores <NUM> of the outer link <NUM>. As such, adjacent link subassemblies <NUM> may be configured to pivot with respect to one another to form an articulating track chain <NUM>. Similarly, a master link <NUM> (e.g., outer link <NUM> in <FIG>) may be interconnected between two link subassemblies <NUM> to connect two ends of a rail <NUM> of track chain <NUM>.

A corresponding ground engaging plate <NUM> may be connected to link subassemblies <NUM>. A ground engaging plate <NUM> may include a base portion, a ground-engaging surface, a leading edge, and a trailing edge. A ground engaging plate <NUM> may additionally include opposing side edges (only one of which shown in <FIG> for the ground engaging plates <NUM>) disposed between the leading edge and the trailing edge. Additionally, a ground engaging plate <NUM> may include one or more holes <NUM> for corresponding fasteners <NUM> to secure a ground engaging plate <NUM> to a link subassembly <NUM>. A ground engaging plate <NUM> may connect to a pair of opposing inner links <NUM> or to a pair of opposing outer links <NUM>.

As indicated above, <FIG> and <FIG> are provided as one or more examples. Other examples may differ from what is described in connection with <FIG> and <FIG>.

The disclosed master link (e.g., a master link <NUM>) may be used with any machine where such a master link is needed. The master link may be configured with a separation between two portions of the master link (e.g., portions <NUM> and <NUM>). The separation may include a material (e.g., material <NUM>) between the two portions. A width of the separation with the material may facilitate placement of bores of the master link (e.g., bores <NUM>) around outer diameters of corresponding mating members of a track chain (e.g., a track chain <NUM>). Conversely, a width of the separation without the material may facilitate securing of the bores of the master link around the outer diameters of the corresponding mating members. The master link may be configured such that fasteners are not needed to close the separation to secure the master link to the mating members. This conserves material and costs that would otherwise be used to fabricate the fasteners (e.g., a threaded hole configured to receive a bolt) to close the separation. Furthermore, this conserves material and costs that would otherwise be needed to fabricate the master link to permit a fastener to be inserted (e.g., in a threaded hole configured to receive a bolt or another type of fastener). In addition, this reduces weight of the master link as installed on a track chain relative to a master link that needs fasteners (e.g., a long, heavy bolt) to close the separation. Conserving weight conserves fuel resources of a machine on which the master link is installed.

As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" are intended to include one or more items, and may be used interchangeably with "one or more. " Also, as used herein, the terms "has," "have," "having," or the like are intended to be open-ended terms. Further, the phrase "based on" is intended to mean "based, at least in part, on.

Claim 1:
A link (<NUM>), comprising:
a first portion (<NUM>) that abuts a first face (<NUM>) of the link (<NUM>);
a second portion (<NUM>) that abuts a second face (<NUM>) of the link (<NUM>);
a first bore (<NUM>-<NUM>) located on a first end of the link (<NUM>);
a second bore (<NUM>-<NUM>) located on a second end of the link (<NUM>); and
a material (<NUM>) located between the first portion (<NUM>) and the second portion (<NUM>) and extending between the first bore (<NUM>-<NUM>) and the second bore (<NUM>-<NUM>),
wherein the material (<NUM>) creates a separation between the first portion (<NUM>) and the second portion (<NUM>) to facilitate placement of the first bore (<NUM>-<NUM>) and the second bore (<NUM>-<NUM>) around outer diameters of corresponding mating members (<NUM>) of a track chain (<NUM>),
wherein the material (<NUM>) is removable to remove the separation from between the first portion (<NUM>) and the second portion (<NUM>).