APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REINFORCEMENT OF A LOAD BEARING STRUCTURE

• US 20130058748A1
• Filed: 09/07/2011
• Published: 03/07/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Caterpillar Incorporated
• Inventors: Springer, Steven, Musheno, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 8,992,158 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 414/722
• CPC Class Codes: E02F 3/38 Cantilever beams , i.e. booms;, e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for booms for booms with cable suspension arrangements E02F9/14 takes precedence; Dipper-arms , e.g. manufacturing processes, forms, geometry or materials used for dipper-arms; Bucket-arms E02F3/34 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/13 Hollow or container type article [e.g., tube, vase, etc.]

Abstract

A reinforcement device for a load bearing structure is disclosed. The reinforcement device may include a tubular wall including a first end, a second end, a throat disposed between the first end and the second end, and a curved portion disposed between the throat and each of the first end and the second end. The tubular wall may also include a first dimension at the throat and a second dimension at each of the first and second ends, the first dimension being smaller than the second dimension.

Claims

1. A reinforcement apparatus for a load bearing structure comprising:

a tubular wall including

a first end,

a second end,

a throat disposed between the first end and the second end, and

a stress diffuser disposed between the throat and each of the first end and the second end.

2. The reinforcement apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tubular wall has a first thickness at the throat and a second thickness at each of the first and second ends and wherein the first thickness is smaller than the second thickness.

3. The reinforcement apparatus of claim 2 wherein the second thickness is at least two times greater than the first thickness.

4. The reinforcement apparatus of claim 2 wherein each stress diffuser includes a cross-sectional profile comprising a curve.

5. The reinforcement apparatus of claim 4 wherein the tubular wall is configured to have a first outside diameter at the throat and a second outside diameter at each of the first end and the second end, wherein the first outside diameter is smaller than the second outside diameter.

6. The reinforcement apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a rim disposed about each of the first end and the second end.

7. The reinforcement apparatus of claim 6 wherein the rim disposed about each of the first and second ends includes a bevel edge.

8. The reinforcement apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubular wall is of unitary construction.

9. The reinforcement apparatus of claim 1 wherein the tubular wall comprises a first wall segment and a second wall segment, each of the first and second wall segments including a throat portion and a stress diffuser portion, the first and second wall segments being joined at each of their respective throat portions by a weld.

10. The reinforcement apparatus of claim 9 wherein the first wall segment and the second wall segment comprise a cast metal.

11. A linkage assembly for a machine comprising:

a load bearing structure including

a first sidewall including a first aperture and

a second sidewall including a second aperture,

the first sidewall being spaced apart from the second sidewall; and

a reinforcement apparatus disposed between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the reinforcement apparatus including

a tubular wall including

a first end,

a second end,

a throat portion disposed between the first end and the second end, and

a stress diffuser portion disposed between the throat portion and each of the first end and the second end,

wherein the tubular wall has a first dimension at the throat portion and a second dimension at each of the first and second ends, the first dimension being smaller than the second dimension, and wherein the first end is arranged in cooperation with the first aperture and wherein the second end is arranged in cooperation with the second aperture.

12. The linkage assembly of claim 11 wherein the first end is joined to the first sidewall at the first aperture and the second end is joined to second sidewall at the second aperture.

13. The linkage assembly of claim 12 wherein the first end is joined to the first sidewall by a first weld disposed about the first aperture and the second end is joined to the second sidewall by a second weld disposed about the second aperture.

14. The linkage assembly of claim 11 wherein reinforcement apparatus comprises a first casting and a second casting, the first casting and second casting being joined at a centerline by a weld.

15. The linkage assembly of claim 14 wherein the tubular wall defines a channel, the weld being accessible through the channel.

16. The linkage assembly of claim 15 wherein the load bearing structure is a boom.

17. The linkage assembly of claim 15 wherein the load bearing structure is a stick.

18. A method for reinforcing a load bearing structure including a first sidewall including a first aperture and a second sidewall including a second aperture, the method comprising the steps of:

placing a reinforcing apparatus between the first sidewall and the second sidewall, the reinforcing apparatus including a tubular wall including a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is placed in cooperation with the first aperture and the second end is placed in cooperation with the second aperture;

joining the first end to the first sidewall; and

joining the second end to the second sidewall.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the first end and second end are joined to the first sidewall and the second sidewall, respectively, by a welding process including the steps of disposing a weld about the first aperture and disposing a weld about the second aperture.

20. The method of claim 18 further comprising the step of assembling the reinforcing apparatus by joining a pair of tubular wall segments, each tubular wall segment having a throat and a stress diffuser that define a channel, the pair of tubular wall segments being joined at their respective throats by welding within the channel.