CA1118018A - Dirt seal for removable rubber belts - Google Patents
Dirt seal for removable rubber beltsInfo
- Publication number
- CA1118018A CA1118018A CA000318570A CA318570A CA1118018A CA 1118018 A CA1118018 A CA 1118018A CA 000318570 A CA000318570 A CA 000318570A CA 318570 A CA318570 A CA 318570A CA 1118018 A CA1118018 A CA 1118018A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- belt
- track
- members
- sealing
- radially outer
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
- B60C27/00—Non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tyres or resiliently-tyred wheels
- B60C27/20—Non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tyres or resiliently-tyred wheels having ground-engaging plate-like elements
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Tires In General (AREA)
- Fluid-Damping Devices (AREA)
Abstract
DIRT SEAL FOR REMOVABLE RUBBER BELTS
Abstract of the Disclosure Elongated resilient sealing strips seal the spaces between pairs of adjacent articulated traction shoes of a removable track for tires. Each sealing strip is of chevron-or V-shaped cross-section and is integrally molded of the belt. Each leg of the chevron or V is provided with a surface for engagement with the surface of one of said traction shoes. Biasing means may be incorporated into the sealing strip to further assure sealing engagement. The composition of the strip may differ from that of the outer elastomer layer of the belt.
Abstract of the Disclosure Elongated resilient sealing strips seal the spaces between pairs of adjacent articulated traction shoes of a removable track for tires. Each sealing strip is of chevron-or V-shaped cross-section and is integrally molded of the belt. Each leg of the chevron or V is provided with a surface for engagement with the surface of one of said traction shoes. Biasing means may be incorporated into the sealing strip to further assure sealing engagement. The composition of the strip may differ from that of the outer elastomer layer of the belt.
Description
~D9~ o~ the Invention mis invention relates generally to a removable track for an annular resilient tire, and in particular to a removable track provided with dirt-sealing stripsO m e track has a substantially inextensible annular belt ~or mounting on the outer circum~erential surface o~ the tire and wear-resistant metal traction shoes clamped on the radially outer sur~ace of the belt. m e track-tire assembly is especially suited for of~-the-road use over rock or other sharp or abrasive materials which have caused excessive cutting damage andtread wear of conventional o~f-the-road tires.
In~lation o~ the tire produces a tight seal between the belt and the tire; however~ wear of the belt under the shoes has been a problem because of dust~ dirt~ rock particles and other foreign materials entering the space between the shoes and the belt. me accumulation of such foreign material places additional stress on the traction ;`
shoe retainers~ decreasing fatigue life of the same.
~lring operation of the track-tire assembly~ the traction shoes and belt undergo complex movement. Upon entry and e~it of the adjacent traction shoes into the footprint or ground-engaging area of the tire, a torque about a horizontal axis is present in the traction shoe just leaving or just engaging the ground. mis torque is caused both by the vertical load imposed upon the traction shoe by the vehicle and tire weight and the torque transmitted ~rom the vehicle axle through the tire and the traction shoe to propel the vehicle. This torque within the traction shoe results in a ' ~
displacement of its leading edge and trailing edge sur~aces that is much more severe than simple articulation which occurs in all metallic vehicle track members or in articulated corlveyor belt systems. I~ the vehicle is turning, an additional di~eren~ torque will be imposed upon those traction shoes entering9 exiting~ or fully within the ~oot-pri~t region. mis torque is about a vertical axis and causes the axially inner and axially outer portions of the leading and trailing edgas of adjacent traction shoes to be at different distances ~rom one another. The move~ent o~
adJacent track members in or near to the footprint reg~on ~ay be even further amplified if one of the track members or a portion thereo~ engages a rock or other non-unifor~ity on the ground. Such non-uniformity can result in very severe local loading o~ the track member and annular belt resulting not onl~ in a change of the angle between the leading edge surface and the trailing edge surface but also in a radial shifting of adjacent -track members.
Various devices have been proposed for sealing the space between adjacent traction shoes. In U. S~ Patent No.
3,899~220~ issued to Grawey~ sealing is effected by including transverse raised solid ribs on the belt surface between traction shoes. The leading and trailing edges of adjacent track shoes abut against the raised ridges on opposite sides thereof to effect sealing. Alternatively~ sealing groovas may be provided in the belt s~rface which mate with ridges on the shoes. In U. S Patent No. 4~043~6099 issued to Vidakovic et al~ a transverse rib or plug is positioned between the shoes of adjacent assemblies. Alternatively~ the rib or plug is integrally formed of the outer surface of the belt.
In both embodiments, the rib portion is formed of a resilient elastomer into a solid body whose sides sealingly engage the leading and trailing edges of adjacent traction shoes. In U. S. Patent No. 4~046,~28, issued to Bauer~ sealing is e~fected by providing a separately manufactured elongated resilient sealing strip having slender ribs or fingers between each pair of adjacent articulated traction shoes.
Such attempts at sealing the spaces between adjacent traction shoes have not proven fully effective. Solid rib or plug designs depend upon compression of the sides of the elastomer rib or plug against the adjacent traction shoe surfaces for sealing. m e amount of movement of the traction shoes relative to the seals often exceeds the amount which the rlb or plug is compressed thus resulting in loss of sealing engagement. The elastomer cannot be compressed beyond a certain amount without permanent damage or deformation ~hus~ the effectiveness o~ these seal designs is limited by the elastomertscompressive properties Additionally~ mo~ement o~ one traction shoe is transmitted through the solid rib or ply to affect the adjacent traction shoe. Movement of one traction shoe may result in loss of sealing e~fectiveness not only to itself but also to its neighbor. If the sealing
In~lation o~ the tire produces a tight seal between the belt and the tire; however~ wear of the belt under the shoes has been a problem because of dust~ dirt~ rock particles and other foreign materials entering the space between the shoes and the belt. me accumulation of such foreign material places additional stress on the traction ;`
shoe retainers~ decreasing fatigue life of the same.
~lring operation of the track-tire assembly~ the traction shoes and belt undergo complex movement. Upon entry and e~it of the adjacent traction shoes into the footprint or ground-engaging area of the tire, a torque about a horizontal axis is present in the traction shoe just leaving or just engaging the ground. mis torque is caused both by the vertical load imposed upon the traction shoe by the vehicle and tire weight and the torque transmitted ~rom the vehicle axle through the tire and the traction shoe to propel the vehicle. This torque within the traction shoe results in a ' ~
displacement of its leading edge and trailing edge sur~aces that is much more severe than simple articulation which occurs in all metallic vehicle track members or in articulated corlveyor belt systems. I~ the vehicle is turning, an additional di~eren~ torque will be imposed upon those traction shoes entering9 exiting~ or fully within the ~oot-pri~t region. mis torque is about a vertical axis and causes the axially inner and axially outer portions of the leading and trailing edgas of adjacent traction shoes to be at different distances ~rom one another. The move~ent o~
adJacent track members in or near to the footprint reg~on ~ay be even further amplified if one of the track members or a portion thereo~ engages a rock or other non-unifor~ity on the ground. Such non-uniformity can result in very severe local loading o~ the track member and annular belt resulting not onl~ in a change of the angle between the leading edge surface and the trailing edge surface but also in a radial shifting of adjacent -track members.
Various devices have been proposed for sealing the space between adjacent traction shoes. In U. S~ Patent No.
3,899~220~ issued to Grawey~ sealing is effected by including transverse raised solid ribs on the belt surface between traction shoes. The leading and trailing edges of adjacent track shoes abut against the raised ridges on opposite sides thereof to effect sealing. Alternatively~ sealing groovas may be provided in the belt s~rface which mate with ridges on the shoes. In U. S Patent No. 4~043~6099 issued to Vidakovic et al~ a transverse rib or plug is positioned between the shoes of adjacent assemblies. Alternatively~ the rib or plug is integrally formed of the outer surface of the belt.
In both embodiments, the rib portion is formed of a resilient elastomer into a solid body whose sides sealingly engage the leading and trailing edges of adjacent traction shoes. In U. S. Patent No. 4~046,~28, issued to Bauer~ sealing is e~fected by providing a separately manufactured elongated resilient sealing strip having slender ribs or fingers between each pair of adjacent articulated traction shoes.
Such attempts at sealing the spaces between adjacent traction shoes have not proven fully effective. Solid rib or plug designs depend upon compression of the sides of the elastomer rib or plug against the adjacent traction shoe surfaces for sealing. m e amount of movement of the traction shoes relative to the seals often exceeds the amount which the rlb or plug is compressed thus resulting in loss of sealing engagement. The elastomer cannot be compressed beyond a certain amount without permanent damage or deformation ~hus~ the effectiveness o~ these seal designs is limited by the elastomertscompressive properties Additionally~ mo~ement o~ one traction shoe is transmitted through the solid rib or ply to affect the adjacent traction shoe. Movement of one traction shoe may result in loss of sealing e~fectiveness not only to itself but also to its neighbor. If the sealing
2~ ribs are not located properly relative to the traction shoe sites~ they may not be in sealing engagement with the traction shoes. Solid sealing rib designs require extreme accuracy.
Such accuracy is difficult and costly to achieve. Separately manufactured seals may be torn loose under the noxmally severe operating conditions o~ the track-tire asse~bly, Seal designs having ~ultip~e slende~ flexible :~ingers ror engage~ent wlth a particular traction s~oe are n.ot o~ly di~ ult to manufacture integral with the bel-~ bu~ are also vulnerable to tearing or other damage~ l~en l;he seal is adhered-to one or both ol-a pair o~ adjacent traction shoes~ the movement o~ one traction shoe necessarily e.~ec~
engageme~ o~ the seal ~th the othe~ traction.slloe~
Fïllers have been used o~ art~.cula~ed conveyor bel~s to provide an uninter~upted sur~ace~ ~xamples o~ such arra~gemen~ are given in U~ SO P~ent l~o~ 3520?~266 to Schmermund. However~ the lengths o~ these conveyor belts are not svb~ect to the stresses and ad~erse opera~:in~ con~
ditions und~,r which the txac~io.n shoes o~ a -tracX-~.ire 15 assembl~ st operate. Adjacent links o:l~ tllese can~eyox belts do 31Qt ur~dergo ~h~ hereinbeEore-described complex mo~ement ~elative to each other as do ad jacent trac. .ion shoe~D Also~ it. ~s XlOt desirable t~ :Eil1 the space be'~ reen ~he tractlon shoe sites at the l~adially outermost sur:~ace because ~hîs reduces the ~ractioxl proviaed l)y l;he shoes and detracts ~rom cleaning of the tread~
` `~According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a removahle 9 su.bstantiàlly inextensible annular 'belt ~or use in a track tire assembly5 wh:Lch assembly in~
~,~ cludes a plurality of metal track members on -the radially outer surface of ~said belt at circumferentially spaced-apart positions, said belt having on its raclially ou-ter sur:~ace a plurality of circumferentia~y spaced-apart sealin~
members 9 each o~ said seal~ng members being of resilient . ~_ ~, i material and extending transversely of the circumferen-tial direction of said belt, each of said sealing members being in-tegrally formed with the radially outer surface of said belt, each of ~aid sealing members including circumferentially extreme first and second legs projecting radially outwardly from the radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by a first curved edge portion, said second leg being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by a second curved edge portion, said first leg having connected to said first curved edge portion a first generally radial planar sealing face, said second leg having connected to said second curved edge portion a second generally radial planar sealing face, said first and second legs of each sealing member in their undeformed state being spaced-apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the belt defining a gap between -them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount sub-stantially equal to the radial dimension of said legs, whereby the radial planar sealing face of each leg of each sealing member and curved edge portion is adapted for sealing engagement with a corresponding one of said plurality of track members.
According to an aspect o~ the invention there is provided a removable, substantially inextensible traGk.
for an annular resilient tire comprising: an annular belt having a radially ou-ter surface, and a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circumferentially spaced-apart positions, each of said 135)18 track members including a generally planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt engaging surface, and at its circumferen-tially opposite end, a generally planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, said belt including a plurality of sealing members joined wi-th the radially outer surface of said belt, one of said sealing members being disposed between each adjacent two of said track members, each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending transversely of the cir-cumferential direction of said belt and having circumfe-rentially opposite first and second curved edge portions at its juncture with said radially outer belt surface for en-gagement with the corresponding first and second curved surfaces o~ -the corresponding adjacent track members, each of said sealing members having adjacent its circum-ferential ends first and second legs projecting substan-tially radially outwardly from said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg having a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circumferential side for engage-ment with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said sealing face being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by said first curved edge portion, said second leg having a second generally radial planar sealing face on the circum~erentially opposi-te side for engagement with the trailing edge surface of the c:orresponding one of said track members, said sealing face being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by said second curved edge portion, said first and t ~
~118S~
second legs of each sealing member prior -to installation of the respective track members on said belt being spaced-apart in the circumferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of said first and second legs.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a track~tire assembly including an annular resilient tire, and a removable, substantially inextensible track mounted on the radially outer circumferential surface of said tire, sa:id track including an annular belt having a radially outer surface, a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circumferen-tially spaced-apart positions, each of said track members including a generall~ planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt engaging surface, and circumferentially opposite 9 a generally planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, and a plurality of sealing members, one of said sealing members being disposed between each adjacent two of said track members, each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending transversely of the circumferential direction of said track, each of said sealing members being joined with the radially outer surface of said belt, each of said sealing members having adjacent its circumferential ends first and second legs which rise substantially radially outwardly from said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg being connected to the radially outer surface of ~ .~
L~
said belt by a first curved edge portion adapted for en-gagement with -the first curved surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said first leg having connected to said first curved edge portion a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circumferen-tial side for engage-ment with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members 9 said second leg being connected to the radially outer surface of said belt by a second curved edge portion adapted for engagement with the second curved surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said second leg having connected to said second curved edge portion a second generally radial planar sealing~ face on the circumferentially opposite side for engagemen-t with the trailing edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said first and seconcl legs of each sealing member prior to installation of the respective adjacen-t track members being spaced-apart in the circumferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from the radially outermost ends of said first and second legs radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of said first and second legs.
According to an aspect of -the invention there is provided a removable, substantially inextensible track for an annular resilient -tire comprising: an annular belt having a radially outer surface, and a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circum-feren-tially spaced-apart positions, each of said track members including a generally radial planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt 8~
engaging surface, and at its circumferentially opposite end, a generally radial planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, said belt including a plurality of sealing members integrally formed with the radially outer surface of said belt~ one of said sealing members being disposed between each adajcent two of said track members~ each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending t~ansversely of the cir-cumferential direction of said track, each of said sealing members having at its circumferentially opposite ends first and second curved edge portions at its juncture with the radially outer belt surface for engagement with the corres-ponding first and second curved surfaces of the corresponding track members, each of said sealing members consis-ting of first and second legs projecting radially outwardly ~rom said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg having connected to said first curved edge portion a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circum~erential side for engagement with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said second leg having connected to said second curved edge portion a : second generally radial planar sealing face on the circum-ferentially opposi-te side for engagement with the trailing :~
edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said first and second legs of each sealing member prior to installation of the respective adjacent track members being spaced-apart in the circumferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of the legs.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention then comprises the features hexeinafter fully descrihed and particularly pointed out in the claims.
The following description and annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention these being indicative of the preferred way in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
Brief DescriE~ion of the Drawings The invention presented herein is shown in the following drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a removable track-tire assembly mounted on a rim (not shown);
Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross~section of a fragment of the belt illustrating one of the sealing members accord-ing to a preferred embodiment of the invention in its free as-molded form;
Fig. 3A is an enlarged fragmentary view like Fig.
1 showing the sealing strip in sealing engagement with the traction shoes;
Fig. 3B is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view like Fig. 3A;
Fig. 4A is an enlarged fragmentary view like Fig. 3 -6~-sho~ing the sealing strip in sealing engagement wi-th the traction shoes which are deflected as when the shoes are in engagement with the ground;
Fig~ ~B is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view like Fig ~A;
Fig 5A is an enlarged fragmentary view like Fig 3 showing the sealing strip in sealing engagement with two adjacent traction shoes during articulation of the traction shoes relative to one another;
Fig 5B is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view like Fig 5A;
Figs 6~ 7a and 8 are enlarged cross~sectional views of three different embodiments of sealing members according to the invention shown in their free as-molded form;
Figs 9~ 10~ and 11 are enlarged cross-sectional views of three additional embodiments of sealing members according to the invention shown in their free as-molded form~ said members containing various means to ~urther urge the sealing faces into engagement with the traction shoes; and Fig 12 is an enlarged cross-section of a strip of uncured elastomer.
Referring to Fig 1~ a removable track 10 is shown mounted on an annular resilient tire 11 which may be mounted on the rim of a whee7 (not shown). m e track 10 may be of the type l~herein the tire 11 is of resilient rubber or other rubber-like material reinforced by a ply or plies and having an outer circ~ferential surface 12 on which a cylindrical belt 13 of the track 10 is mounted. The belt 13 is an annular body of resilient rubber or o-ther rubber-like material reinforced by circumferentially-oriented cords of steel or other substantially non-extensible material --7~
J~
so that the belt is in ths form of a f'lexible ring which ma~ be placed over the outer circumferential surface 12 of the tire 11. In the preferred embodiment~ the tire 11 is pneumatic and the belt 13 of the track 10 is held on the outer circ~mferential surface 12 of the tire by inflation of the tire providing torque transmi-tting and sealing engage-ment between the -tire and the belt.
The belt 13 extends longitudinally along the cir-cumference of the tire 11 and carries a plurality o~ track members 1~ which may be of steel or other wear-resisting material for engagement with the earth. The traction shoes 1~ are mounted at circumferentially spaced-apart positions along the belt 13 and are clamped to the bel-t by suitable means. In the present embodiment, mounting bars 1~ are fitted into slots 20 molded on the inside sur~ace of -the belt 13 at spaced-apart positions circumferentially of the belt. ~he ends of the mounting bars 15 extend from the edges of the belt 13 and have openings in alignment with openings in the traction shoes 14 through which fasteners such as bolts 16 extend, Retainer plates or nuts 17 are positioned under the ends of the mounting bars 15 and have threaded holes in alignment with holes in the ~ounting bars and traction shoes 14 for threaded engagement with the bolts 16~ Tightening of the bolts 16 clamps the traction shoes 1~ to a radia~ly outer surface 18 of the belt 13.
As shown more clearly in Figs. 3A and 3B~ each of the traction shoes 14 has a leadlng edge surface 19 and trailing edge surface 22. m e leading edge surface 19 and the trailing edge surface ~2 are connected to a belt-engaging surface 23 of the traction shoes 1~. The leading edge surface 19 and the belt engaging surface 23 are generally flat and connected by a curved surface 240 Like-wise~ the trailing edge sur~ace 22 and the belt-engaging surface 23 are generally flat and connected by a curved surface 25~
The space between the lea~ing edge surface l9 and the trailing edge surface 22 0~ adjacent shoes is sealed by a sealing member such as sealing strip 26 positioned between adjacent track shoes to prevent passage of abrasive material, such as dirt~ dust~ crushed rock~ or other foreign material from entering the space between the beltwengaging surface 23 of the traction shoes and the radially outer surface 18 of the belt 13. The sealing strip 26 may be of a resilient plastic or rubber-like material and in the pre-ferred embodimen-t is a molded elongated body of rubber having high resistance to permanent comp:ression set~ abrasion~ and tearing.
As shown more clearly in Fig. 2~ the sealing strip 26 has a longitudlnally elongated base 27 with curved edge tapered portions 34 and 35~ which base is i~tegral with the radially outer surface 18 of the belt 13~ The sealing strip has - two legs 28 and 29~ each of which rises substantially radially outwara from the outer surface 18 of the belt 13. Legs 28 - and 29 have a space or hollow between them to enable free movement of their sealing faces 30 and 31 without substantial bulk compression of the elastomer circumferentially between the~, In a preferred embodiment, such as that shown in Figs. 2, 3A~ 3B~ 4A~ 4B3 5A and 5B7 the sealing strip in its free as-molded form is of a chevron-shaped or V-shaped cross-section, I'he radially oriented surfaces 30 and 31 most circumferentially spaced apart are substantially parallel. ~urface 32 of the firs-t leg 28 and sur~ace 33 of the second leg 29 are adjacent and preferably are not parallel but diverge from the radius at their radially innermost points, ~uch configuration insures easy release of the belt 13 with integrally molded seal members 26 from its mold.
It is desirable that the legs of the seal member be of greater cross-section near their base 27 and of lesser cross-section at their outermost t-Lps 36 and 37, mis not only aids mold release ~ut also aids in even transmission of the sealing force through each tapered leg to its radially oriented sealing surfaces 30 or 31, In a preferred embodi-ment~ the angle formed by surfaces 32 and 33 is about 11 degrees and the width o~ the radially outermost tip of each leg is about .30 inches when the length of each leg is about .50 inches. As shown in Figs, 3A9 3B, ~A9 4B~ 5A~ and 5B9 the height or length of each of the legs 28 and 29 is such that they reach slightly above the shoulders 38 and 39 of the track shoes, mis is to insure that sealing contact will be maintained during displacementof the traction shoes relati~e to one another as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, e sealing strip 26 in its free state or as molded form is shown clearly in Fig, 2~ Legs 28 and 29 are circum ferentially apart from one anotheri When traction shoes 1~
are fastened to the annular belt 13 on either side of a given sealing strip 26~ the legs 28 and 29 are circumferentially disposed toward one another as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B~
reducing or eliminating the gap between them. It is not essential that the gap between the legs 28 and 29 be eliminated upon installation of the traction shoes~ It is essential that each leg be displaced circumferentially from its initial as-molded position so as to bend or rotate the leg and thus create a moment or torque which acts to urge the sealing surface 30 of leg 28 and 31 of leg 29 against its respective traction shoe. m e dimensions of the sealing member 26~ the spacing between its ]egs 28 and 29~ the size of the traction shoes and their circumferential spacing may be chosen such that when the traction shoes 14 are fastened to the belt 13 with the proper torque the gap between legs 28 and 29 will be virtually eliminat;ed~ as shown in Figs. 3A
and 3B.
As the tire 11 and track 10 rotate~ th~ traction shoes 14 will engage the earth and the tire and belt 13 will be brought from the position shown in Fig. 3A to a position such as that shown in Fig. 4A, As the traction shoes 1 articulatea the angle D between the leading edge surface 19 and the t~ailing edge surface 22 decreases to an angle D'~
further bending and/or compressing the legs 28 and 29 of the sealing strip 26 to maintain the seal during this articulation~ Additionally~ the shoes may move closer together in the load-bearing region o~ the track-tire assembly.
As previously men-tioned, upon entry and exit of the adjacent traction shoes into the footprint or ground-engaging area of the -tire~ a torque about a horizontal axis is present in the traction shoe just leaving or just engaging 5 the ground. This torque within the traction shoe 1~ results in a displacement of the leading edge surface 19 and the trailing edge surface 22 of adjacent trac-tion shoes such as is depicted in Figs. 5A and 5B. This movement may be ~urther amplified if one of the track members or a portion thereof engages a rock or other non-uniformity on the ground or if the vehicle is conducting a turning maneuver. The result is not only a change of the angle D between -the leading edge surface 19 and the trailing edge surface 22 but also in a radial shifting of the shoulder portions 38 and 39 of adjacent track members. Turning ma.neuvers will cause the leading edge surface 19 and trailing edge surface 22 to be unequally spaced at their a~ially i.nboard and axially out-board ends and to define an angle between them (not shown).
S~ch severe service demands extremely high con~orm ability of the sealing member to assure continuing engagement of its surfaces 30~31 with those of adjacent track members 1~.
Con~ormability as used here means the ability of the seal to change shape or of parts of it to change position to maintain contact o~ each s~aling edge surface with its respectlve traction shoe surface. Upon installation~ as previously discussedg the legs 28~29 of each sealing member 26 were circum~erentially displaced thus creating a torque within each leg. This torque is utilized to maintain contact of the sealing sur;Eaces 30~31 even though the leading edge sur~ace 19 and trailing edge swrEace 22 of adjacent track shoes 14 undergo relatively large movement to one another, Each leg is free to conform independently oE the 5 other, If the dimensions of the track belt 13 9 sealing members 26 and traction shoes 14 are properly chosen, attach-ment of the tractlon shoes 14 to the belt 13 can result in sufficient circumferential displacemen,t of the legs 28929 of each sealing member 26 so they not only abut one another 10 but are in circum~erential compression as well as in radial compression~ mis arrangement maintains contact of surfaces 30~31 of the sealing member 26~ legs 28929~ with the traction shoe surfaces 19722 first by release of the compression of the elastomeric material o~ the legs 28929 and second by a 15 spreading or di~ergence oE the legs 28~29 ~rom internal torque, Sealing engagement with the traction shoes can be maintained over a nmch greater movement o~ the traction shoes than with previous integrall~ molded seals. Prevlous integrally molded seals maintain sealing engagement only to 20 the poi nt where their sealing ~aces ha~e reco~rered to their as-molded dimensions minus the amount oP compression set the elastomer o~ the seal has taken, Another embodiment o~ a track belt seal in accord with the lnvention is shown in Fig, 6, me general cross-25 sectional con~iguration o~ the seal member is similar tothat shown in Fig, 2, However~ the radially outermost portions 42~43 ~or legs 409 41~ respectively~ o~ the seal are modified such that when they are urged together in a -13~
circumferential direction a shallow pocket ~5 as shown by the dotted lines is formed between theml When in -the ~oot-print area, earth contacting the seal will enter this pocket ~orc~ng the radially outermost portions of the legs of the seal apart from one another thereby increasing the ~orce with which the sealing surfaces interact with the traction shoes.
In Fig. 7~ legs 50 and 51 are each in the ~orm of an inverted taper. This embodiment will provide ef~ective sealing but is more dif~icult to mold integral of the belt.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 87 legs 60 and 61~ respec-tively~ ha~e circumferentially overhanging projections 62~63 at their radially outermost tips. These overhanging pro-jections are designed to engage with the traction shoes 14 above their shoulders 38~39. When the shoulder of a traction shoe moves radially outward~ the seal leg in engagement there-with is tensioned radially9 and projec~ion 62 or 63 is pulled into tighter engagement with its respective shoulder of the traction shoe.
Biasing means may be incorporated into t~!e sea ing Toem~a~s tG ~ ther 0nSU~ cfJ.~ta.~t oi~ -~he C'~ lg sllr'.~a(~s with the traction shoes~ Upon mounting of the traction shoes~ the biasing means are energized In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9~ legs 70 and 71 o~ the sealing member are urged circum~erentially toward one another upon mounting of the traction shoes 14 thereby compressing the arms 75~76 of spring 74. Biasing member 74 aids in maintaining sealing engagement o~ surfaces 72 and 73 o~
with the traction shoes. In place of spring 7~ may be employed two separate biasing members so that legs 70 and 71 may operate ~ully independent of one another.
- In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the sealing ~aces 81,82 of seal member 80 are urged into seali~g contact by the action of spring 85 upon plates 83~8~. It is under-stood that faces 81 and 82 are urged toward one another upon attachment of traction shoes 14~ thereby energizing spring 85. Spring 85 and plates 83~4 are embedded within the elastomer. The amount o~ elastomer co~ering spring 85 need o~ly be sufficient to protect it from the harsh operating co~ditions of the track-tire assembly~ A groove 87 separates legs 88 and 89 radially outward of spring 85 and an aper-ture 86 separates legs 88~89 radially inward of spring 85.
In the embodiment shown in ~ig. 11~ sealing member 90 has within it a chamber 93 which is sealed at the axial extre~ities of the seal member. ~lis chamber may be pressurized~ Upon mounting of traction shoes 1~, sealing faces 91~92 are urged circum~erentially toward one another thereby raising the pressure within chamber 93 above its ; as-molded sta-te, During operation of a track tire assembly having se~l member 909 the pressure in chamber 93 urges sealing faces 91~92 into engagement with the traction shoe surfaces. It is to be understood that the shape of chamber 93 may be any appropriate shape and is not to be limited to an annular cross-sectional configuration.
A ~rack belt ha~ing the integrally molded sealing members of this in~ention is formed by laminating layers of vulcani~able elastomer and circumferential reinforcement according to well-known methods. Embodiments other than those sho~m in Figs. 9~ 109 and 11 may be formed by extrusion of the elastomer of the radially outermost layer o~ the belt during its molding and vulcanizationO Preferably~ however, additional strips of elastomer that have been calendered or extruded to a cross-sectional shape similar to that shown in Fig~ 12 are added to the raaially outermost layer of the belt at circumferentially spaced-apart positions corresponding to the gaps between adjacent traction shoe sites. This minimizes distortion of the reinforcement layer of the belt and defective belts due to incomplete formation of the seal-ing members. For the embodiments shown in ~igs. 9~ 10~ and 11, the unvulcanized sealing members may be ~ormed in a separate operation and placed on the unvulcanized belt in their proper locations prior to vulcanization into a unit.
This procedure may also be emplo~ed for the other embodiments~
As previously mentioned, the compound chosen for the sealing strips should be ~ormulated to yield high values of resistance to abrasion~ cutting~ tearing~ and permanent com-pression set. Compounds which are optimal for the radiallyoutermost layerof the belt ma~ have a different balance of characteristics than those re~uired for the sealing member To increase the service llfe of the sealing ribs? a ~ibrous reinforcement~ such as nylon staple~ may be mixed into the compound of which the sealing ribs are formed. Preferably~
the nylon is treated with an RFL adhesive prior to its in-corporatio~l into the compound. Other fibers~ for example~
aramidg fiberglass~ polyester~ or rayon may be employed and preferably are treated with a suitable adhesive prior ~o dispersion into the compound.
~16-~ ~8~L8 While certain representati.ve embodimen-ts and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention~
it will be apparent to those skilled in the art -that various changes and modifications may be made therein without depart-ing from the spi~it or scope of the invention.
Such accuracy is difficult and costly to achieve. Separately manufactured seals may be torn loose under the noxmally severe operating conditions o~ the track-tire asse~bly, Seal designs having ~ultip~e slende~ flexible :~ingers ror engage~ent wlth a particular traction s~oe are n.ot o~ly di~ ult to manufacture integral with the bel-~ bu~ are also vulnerable to tearing or other damage~ l~en l;he seal is adhered-to one or both ol-a pair o~ adjacent traction shoes~ the movement o~ one traction shoe necessarily e.~ec~
engageme~ o~ the seal ~th the othe~ traction.slloe~
Fïllers have been used o~ art~.cula~ed conveyor bel~s to provide an uninter~upted sur~ace~ ~xamples o~ such arra~gemen~ are given in U~ SO P~ent l~o~ 3520?~266 to Schmermund. However~ the lengths o~ these conveyor belts are not svb~ect to the stresses and ad~erse opera~:in~ con~
ditions und~,r which the txac~io.n shoes o~ a -tracX-~.ire 15 assembl~ st operate. Adjacent links o:l~ tllese can~eyox belts do 31Qt ur~dergo ~h~ hereinbeEore-described complex mo~ement ~elative to each other as do ad jacent trac. .ion shoe~D Also~ it. ~s XlOt desirable t~ :Eil1 the space be'~ reen ~he tractlon shoe sites at the l~adially outermost sur:~ace because ~hîs reduces the ~ractioxl proviaed l)y l;he shoes and detracts ~rom cleaning of the tread~
` `~According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a removahle 9 su.bstantiàlly inextensible annular 'belt ~or use in a track tire assembly5 wh:Lch assembly in~
~,~ cludes a plurality of metal track members on -the radially outer surface of ~said belt at circumferentially spaced-apart positions, said belt having on its raclially ou-ter sur:~ace a plurality of circumferentia~y spaced-apart sealin~
members 9 each o~ said seal~ng members being of resilient . ~_ ~, i material and extending transversely of the circumferen-tial direction of said belt, each of said sealing members being in-tegrally formed with the radially outer surface of said belt, each of ~aid sealing members including circumferentially extreme first and second legs projecting radially outwardly from the radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by a first curved edge portion, said second leg being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by a second curved edge portion, said first leg having connected to said first curved edge portion a first generally radial planar sealing face, said second leg having connected to said second curved edge portion a second generally radial planar sealing face, said first and second legs of each sealing member in their undeformed state being spaced-apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the belt defining a gap between -them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount sub-stantially equal to the radial dimension of said legs, whereby the radial planar sealing face of each leg of each sealing member and curved edge portion is adapted for sealing engagement with a corresponding one of said plurality of track members.
According to an aspect o~ the invention there is provided a removable, substantially inextensible traGk.
for an annular resilient tire comprising: an annular belt having a radially ou-ter surface, and a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circumferentially spaced-apart positions, each of said 135)18 track members including a generally planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt engaging surface, and at its circumferen-tially opposite end, a generally planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, said belt including a plurality of sealing members joined wi-th the radially outer surface of said belt, one of said sealing members being disposed between each adjacent two of said track members, each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending transversely of the cir-cumferential direction of said belt and having circumfe-rentially opposite first and second curved edge portions at its juncture with said radially outer belt surface for en-gagement with the corresponding first and second curved surfaces o~ -the corresponding adjacent track members, each of said sealing members having adjacent its circum-ferential ends first and second legs projecting substan-tially radially outwardly from said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg having a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circumferential side for engage-ment with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said sealing face being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by said first curved edge portion, said second leg having a second generally radial planar sealing face on the circum~erentially opposi-te side for engagement with the trailing edge surface of the c:orresponding one of said track members, said sealing face being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by said second curved edge portion, said first and t ~
~118S~
second legs of each sealing member prior -to installation of the respective track members on said belt being spaced-apart in the circumferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of said first and second legs.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a track~tire assembly including an annular resilient tire, and a removable, substantially inextensible track mounted on the radially outer circumferential surface of said tire, sa:id track including an annular belt having a radially outer surface, a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circumferen-tially spaced-apart positions, each of said track members including a generall~ planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt engaging surface, and circumferentially opposite 9 a generally planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, and a plurality of sealing members, one of said sealing members being disposed between each adjacent two of said track members, each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending transversely of the circumferential direction of said track, each of said sealing members being joined with the radially outer surface of said belt, each of said sealing members having adjacent its circumferential ends first and second legs which rise substantially radially outwardly from said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg being connected to the radially outer surface of ~ .~
L~
said belt by a first curved edge portion adapted for en-gagement with -the first curved surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said first leg having connected to said first curved edge portion a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circumferen-tial side for engage-ment with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members 9 said second leg being connected to the radially outer surface of said belt by a second curved edge portion adapted for engagement with the second curved surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said second leg having connected to said second curved edge portion a second generally radial planar sealing~ face on the circumferentially opposite side for engagemen-t with the trailing edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said first and seconcl legs of each sealing member prior to installation of the respective adjacen-t track members being spaced-apart in the circumferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from the radially outermost ends of said first and second legs radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of said first and second legs.
According to an aspect of -the invention there is provided a removable, substantially inextensible track for an annular resilient -tire comprising: an annular belt having a radially outer surface, and a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circum-feren-tially spaced-apart positions, each of said track members including a generally radial planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt 8~
engaging surface, and at its circumferentially opposite end, a generally radial planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, said belt including a plurality of sealing members integrally formed with the radially outer surface of said belt~ one of said sealing members being disposed between each adajcent two of said track members~ each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending t~ansversely of the cir-cumferential direction of said track, each of said sealing members having at its circumferentially opposite ends first and second curved edge portions at its juncture with the radially outer belt surface for engagement with the corres-ponding first and second curved surfaces of the corresponding track members, each of said sealing members consis-ting of first and second legs projecting radially outwardly ~rom said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg having connected to said first curved edge portion a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circum~erential side for engagement with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said second leg having connected to said second curved edge portion a : second generally radial planar sealing face on the circum-ferentially opposi-te side for engagement with the trailing :~
edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said first and second legs of each sealing member prior to installation of the respective adjacent track members being spaced-apart in the circumferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of the legs.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention then comprises the features hexeinafter fully descrihed and particularly pointed out in the claims.
The following description and annexed drawings setting forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention these being indicative of the preferred way in which the principles of the invention may be employed.
Brief DescriE~ion of the Drawings The invention presented herein is shown in the following drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a removable track-tire assembly mounted on a rim (not shown);
Fig. 2 is an enlarged cross~section of a fragment of the belt illustrating one of the sealing members accord-ing to a preferred embodiment of the invention in its free as-molded form;
Fig. 3A is an enlarged fragmentary view like Fig.
1 showing the sealing strip in sealing engagement with the traction shoes;
Fig. 3B is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view like Fig. 3A;
Fig. 4A is an enlarged fragmentary view like Fig. 3 -6~-sho~ing the sealing strip in sealing engagement wi-th the traction shoes which are deflected as when the shoes are in engagement with the ground;
Fig~ ~B is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view like Fig ~A;
Fig 5A is an enlarged fragmentary view like Fig 3 showing the sealing strip in sealing engagement with two adjacent traction shoes during articulation of the traction shoes relative to one another;
Fig 5B is a greatly enlarged fragmentary view like Fig 5A;
Figs 6~ 7a and 8 are enlarged cross~sectional views of three different embodiments of sealing members according to the invention shown in their free as-molded form;
Figs 9~ 10~ and 11 are enlarged cross-sectional views of three additional embodiments of sealing members according to the invention shown in their free as-molded form~ said members containing various means to ~urther urge the sealing faces into engagement with the traction shoes; and Fig 12 is an enlarged cross-section of a strip of uncured elastomer.
Referring to Fig 1~ a removable track 10 is shown mounted on an annular resilient tire 11 which may be mounted on the rim of a whee7 (not shown). m e track 10 may be of the type l~herein the tire 11 is of resilient rubber or other rubber-like material reinforced by a ply or plies and having an outer circ~ferential surface 12 on which a cylindrical belt 13 of the track 10 is mounted. The belt 13 is an annular body of resilient rubber or o-ther rubber-like material reinforced by circumferentially-oriented cords of steel or other substantially non-extensible material --7~
J~
so that the belt is in ths form of a f'lexible ring which ma~ be placed over the outer circumferential surface 12 of the tire 11. In the preferred embodiment~ the tire 11 is pneumatic and the belt 13 of the track 10 is held on the outer circ~mferential surface 12 of the tire by inflation of the tire providing torque transmi-tting and sealing engage-ment between the -tire and the belt.
The belt 13 extends longitudinally along the cir-cumference of the tire 11 and carries a plurality o~ track members 1~ which may be of steel or other wear-resisting material for engagement with the earth. The traction shoes 1~ are mounted at circumferentially spaced-apart positions along the belt 13 and are clamped to the bel-t by suitable means. In the present embodiment, mounting bars 1~ are fitted into slots 20 molded on the inside sur~ace of -the belt 13 at spaced-apart positions circumferentially of the belt. ~he ends of the mounting bars 15 extend from the edges of the belt 13 and have openings in alignment with openings in the traction shoes 14 through which fasteners such as bolts 16 extend, Retainer plates or nuts 17 are positioned under the ends of the mounting bars 15 and have threaded holes in alignment with holes in the ~ounting bars and traction shoes 14 for threaded engagement with the bolts 16~ Tightening of the bolts 16 clamps the traction shoes 1~ to a radia~ly outer surface 18 of the belt 13.
As shown more clearly in Figs. 3A and 3B~ each of the traction shoes 14 has a leadlng edge surface 19 and trailing edge surface 22. m e leading edge surface 19 and the trailing edge surface ~2 are connected to a belt-engaging surface 23 of the traction shoes 1~. The leading edge surface 19 and the belt engaging surface 23 are generally flat and connected by a curved surface 240 Like-wise~ the trailing edge sur~ace 22 and the belt-engaging surface 23 are generally flat and connected by a curved surface 25~
The space between the lea~ing edge surface l9 and the trailing edge surface 22 0~ adjacent shoes is sealed by a sealing member such as sealing strip 26 positioned between adjacent track shoes to prevent passage of abrasive material, such as dirt~ dust~ crushed rock~ or other foreign material from entering the space between the beltwengaging surface 23 of the traction shoes and the radially outer surface 18 of the belt 13. The sealing strip 26 may be of a resilient plastic or rubber-like material and in the pre-ferred embodimen-t is a molded elongated body of rubber having high resistance to permanent comp:ression set~ abrasion~ and tearing.
As shown more clearly in Fig. 2~ the sealing strip 26 has a longitudlnally elongated base 27 with curved edge tapered portions 34 and 35~ which base is i~tegral with the radially outer surface 18 of the belt 13~ The sealing strip has - two legs 28 and 29~ each of which rises substantially radially outwara from the outer surface 18 of the belt 13. Legs 28 - and 29 have a space or hollow between them to enable free movement of their sealing faces 30 and 31 without substantial bulk compression of the elastomer circumferentially between the~, In a preferred embodiment, such as that shown in Figs. 2, 3A~ 3B~ 4A~ 4B3 5A and 5B7 the sealing strip in its free as-molded form is of a chevron-shaped or V-shaped cross-section, I'he radially oriented surfaces 30 and 31 most circumferentially spaced apart are substantially parallel. ~urface 32 of the firs-t leg 28 and sur~ace 33 of the second leg 29 are adjacent and preferably are not parallel but diverge from the radius at their radially innermost points, ~uch configuration insures easy release of the belt 13 with integrally molded seal members 26 from its mold.
It is desirable that the legs of the seal member be of greater cross-section near their base 27 and of lesser cross-section at their outermost t-Lps 36 and 37, mis not only aids mold release ~ut also aids in even transmission of the sealing force through each tapered leg to its radially oriented sealing surfaces 30 or 31, In a preferred embodi-ment~ the angle formed by surfaces 32 and 33 is about 11 degrees and the width o~ the radially outermost tip of each leg is about .30 inches when the length of each leg is about .50 inches. As shown in Figs, 3A9 3B, ~A9 4B~ 5A~ and 5B9 the height or length of each of the legs 28 and 29 is such that they reach slightly above the shoulders 38 and 39 of the track shoes, mis is to insure that sealing contact will be maintained during displacementof the traction shoes relati~e to one another as shown in Figs. 5A and 5B, e sealing strip 26 in its free state or as molded form is shown clearly in Fig, 2~ Legs 28 and 29 are circum ferentially apart from one anotheri When traction shoes 1~
are fastened to the annular belt 13 on either side of a given sealing strip 26~ the legs 28 and 29 are circumferentially disposed toward one another as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B~
reducing or eliminating the gap between them. It is not essential that the gap between the legs 28 and 29 be eliminated upon installation of the traction shoes~ It is essential that each leg be displaced circumferentially from its initial as-molded position so as to bend or rotate the leg and thus create a moment or torque which acts to urge the sealing surface 30 of leg 28 and 31 of leg 29 against its respective traction shoe. m e dimensions of the sealing member 26~ the spacing between its ]egs 28 and 29~ the size of the traction shoes and their circumferential spacing may be chosen such that when the traction shoes 14 are fastened to the belt 13 with the proper torque the gap between legs 28 and 29 will be virtually eliminat;ed~ as shown in Figs. 3A
and 3B.
As the tire 11 and track 10 rotate~ th~ traction shoes 14 will engage the earth and the tire and belt 13 will be brought from the position shown in Fig. 3A to a position such as that shown in Fig. 4A, As the traction shoes 1 articulatea the angle D between the leading edge surface 19 and the t~ailing edge surface 22 decreases to an angle D'~
further bending and/or compressing the legs 28 and 29 of the sealing strip 26 to maintain the seal during this articulation~ Additionally~ the shoes may move closer together in the load-bearing region o~ the track-tire assembly.
As previously men-tioned, upon entry and exit of the adjacent traction shoes into the footprint or ground-engaging area of the -tire~ a torque about a horizontal axis is present in the traction shoe just leaving or just engaging 5 the ground. This torque within the traction shoe 1~ results in a displacement of the leading edge surface 19 and the trailing edge surface 22 of adjacent trac-tion shoes such as is depicted in Figs. 5A and 5B. This movement may be ~urther amplified if one of the track members or a portion thereof engages a rock or other non-uniformity on the ground or if the vehicle is conducting a turning maneuver. The result is not only a change of the angle D between -the leading edge surface 19 and the trailing edge surface 22 but also in a radial shifting of the shoulder portions 38 and 39 of adjacent track members. Turning ma.neuvers will cause the leading edge surface 19 and trailing edge surface 22 to be unequally spaced at their a~ially i.nboard and axially out-board ends and to define an angle between them (not shown).
S~ch severe service demands extremely high con~orm ability of the sealing member to assure continuing engagement of its surfaces 30~31 with those of adjacent track members 1~.
Con~ormability as used here means the ability of the seal to change shape or of parts of it to change position to maintain contact o~ each s~aling edge surface with its respectlve traction shoe surface. Upon installation~ as previously discussedg the legs 28~29 of each sealing member 26 were circum~erentially displaced thus creating a torque within each leg. This torque is utilized to maintain contact of the sealing sur;Eaces 30~31 even though the leading edge sur~ace 19 and trailing edge swrEace 22 of adjacent track shoes 14 undergo relatively large movement to one another, Each leg is free to conform independently oE the 5 other, If the dimensions of the track belt 13 9 sealing members 26 and traction shoes 14 are properly chosen, attach-ment of the tractlon shoes 14 to the belt 13 can result in sufficient circumferential displacemen,t of the legs 28929 of each sealing member 26 so they not only abut one another 10 but are in circum~erential compression as well as in radial compression~ mis arrangement maintains contact of surfaces 30~31 of the sealing member 26~ legs 28929~ with the traction shoe surfaces 19722 first by release of the compression of the elastomeric material o~ the legs 28929 and second by a 15 spreading or di~ergence oE the legs 28~29 ~rom internal torque, Sealing engagement with the traction shoes can be maintained over a nmch greater movement o~ the traction shoes than with previous integrall~ molded seals. Prevlous integrally molded seals maintain sealing engagement only to 20 the poi nt where their sealing ~aces ha~e reco~rered to their as-molded dimensions minus the amount oP compression set the elastomer o~ the seal has taken, Another embodiment o~ a track belt seal in accord with the lnvention is shown in Fig, 6, me general cross-25 sectional con~iguration o~ the seal member is similar tothat shown in Fig, 2, However~ the radially outermost portions 42~43 ~or legs 409 41~ respectively~ o~ the seal are modified such that when they are urged together in a -13~
circumferential direction a shallow pocket ~5 as shown by the dotted lines is formed between theml When in -the ~oot-print area, earth contacting the seal will enter this pocket ~orc~ng the radially outermost portions of the legs of the seal apart from one another thereby increasing the ~orce with which the sealing surfaces interact with the traction shoes.
In Fig. 7~ legs 50 and 51 are each in the ~orm of an inverted taper. This embodiment will provide ef~ective sealing but is more dif~icult to mold integral of the belt.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 87 legs 60 and 61~ respec-tively~ ha~e circumferentially overhanging projections 62~63 at their radially outermost tips. These overhanging pro-jections are designed to engage with the traction shoes 14 above their shoulders 38~39. When the shoulder of a traction shoe moves radially outward~ the seal leg in engagement there-with is tensioned radially9 and projec~ion 62 or 63 is pulled into tighter engagement with its respective shoulder of the traction shoe.
Biasing means may be incorporated into t~!e sea ing Toem~a~s tG ~ ther 0nSU~ cfJ.~ta.~t oi~ -~he C'~ lg sllr'.~a(~s with the traction shoes~ Upon mounting of the traction shoes~ the biasing means are energized In the embodiment shown in Fig. 9~ legs 70 and 71 o~ the sealing member are urged circum~erentially toward one another upon mounting of the traction shoes 14 thereby compressing the arms 75~76 of spring 74. Biasing member 74 aids in maintaining sealing engagement o~ surfaces 72 and 73 o~
with the traction shoes. In place of spring 7~ may be employed two separate biasing members so that legs 70 and 71 may operate ~ully independent of one another.
- In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the sealing ~aces 81,82 of seal member 80 are urged into seali~g contact by the action of spring 85 upon plates 83~8~. It is under-stood that faces 81 and 82 are urged toward one another upon attachment of traction shoes 14~ thereby energizing spring 85. Spring 85 and plates 83~4 are embedded within the elastomer. The amount o~ elastomer co~ering spring 85 need o~ly be sufficient to protect it from the harsh operating co~ditions of the track-tire assembly~ A groove 87 separates legs 88 and 89 radially outward of spring 85 and an aper-ture 86 separates legs 88~89 radially inward of spring 85.
In the embodiment shown in ~ig. 11~ sealing member 90 has within it a chamber 93 which is sealed at the axial extre~ities of the seal member. ~lis chamber may be pressurized~ Upon mounting of traction shoes 1~, sealing faces 91~92 are urged circum~erentially toward one another thereby raising the pressure within chamber 93 above its ; as-molded sta-te, During operation of a track tire assembly having se~l member 909 the pressure in chamber 93 urges sealing faces 91~92 into engagement with the traction shoe surfaces. It is to be understood that the shape of chamber 93 may be any appropriate shape and is not to be limited to an annular cross-sectional configuration.
A ~rack belt ha~ing the integrally molded sealing members of this in~ention is formed by laminating layers of vulcani~able elastomer and circumferential reinforcement according to well-known methods. Embodiments other than those sho~m in Figs. 9~ 109 and 11 may be formed by extrusion of the elastomer of the radially outermost layer o~ the belt during its molding and vulcanizationO Preferably~ however, additional strips of elastomer that have been calendered or extruded to a cross-sectional shape similar to that shown in Fig~ 12 are added to the raaially outermost layer of the belt at circumferentially spaced-apart positions corresponding to the gaps between adjacent traction shoe sites. This minimizes distortion of the reinforcement layer of the belt and defective belts due to incomplete formation of the seal-ing members. For the embodiments shown in ~igs. 9~ 10~ and 11, the unvulcanized sealing members may be ~ormed in a separate operation and placed on the unvulcanized belt in their proper locations prior to vulcanization into a unit.
This procedure may also be emplo~ed for the other embodiments~
As previously mentioned, the compound chosen for the sealing strips should be ~ormulated to yield high values of resistance to abrasion~ cutting~ tearing~ and permanent com-pression set. Compounds which are optimal for the radiallyoutermost layerof the belt ma~ have a different balance of characteristics than those re~uired for the sealing member To increase the service llfe of the sealing ribs? a ~ibrous reinforcement~ such as nylon staple~ may be mixed into the compound of which the sealing ribs are formed. Preferably~
the nylon is treated with an RFL adhesive prior to its in-corporatio~l into the compound. Other fibers~ for example~
aramidg fiberglass~ polyester~ or rayon may be employed and preferably are treated with a suitable adhesive prior ~o dispersion into the compound.
~16-~ ~8~L8 While certain representati.ve embodimen-ts and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention~
it will be apparent to those skilled in the art -that various changes and modifications may be made therein without depart-ing from the spi~it or scope of the invention.
Claims (13)
1. A removable, substantially inextensible annular belt for use in a track tire assembly, which assembly in-cludes a plurality of metal track members on the radially outer surface of said belt at circumferentially spaced-apart positions, said belt having on its radially outer surface a plurality of circumferentially spaced-apart sealing members, each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending transversely of the circumferential direction of said belt, each of said sealing members being integrally formed with the radially outer surface of said belt, each of said sealing members including circumferentially extreme first and second legs projecting radially outwardly from the radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by a first curved edge portion, said second leg being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by a second curved edge portion, said first leg having connected to said first curved edge portion a first generally radial planar sealing face, said second leg having connected to said second curved edge portion a second generally radial planar sealing face, said first and second legs of each sealing member in their undeformed state being spaced-apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the belt defining a gap between them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of said legs, whereby the radial planar sealing face of each leg of each sealing member and curved edge portion is adapted for sealing engagement with a corresponding one of said plurality of track members.
2. A removable, substantially inextensible track for an annular resilient tire comprising:
(a) an annular belt having a radially outer surface, and (b) a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circumferentially spaced-apart positions, each of said track members including a generally planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt engaging surface, and at its circumferentially opposite end, a generally planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, said belt including a plurality of sealing members joined with the radially outer surface of said belt, one of said sealing members being disposed between each adjacent two of said track members, each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending transversely of the circumferential direction of said belt and having circumferentially opposite first and second curved edge portions at its juncture with said radially outer belt surface for engagement with the corresponding first and second curved surfaces of the corres-ponding adjacent track members, each of said sealing members having adjacent its circumferential ends first and second legs projecting sub-stantially radially outwardly from said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg having a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circumferential side for engage-ment with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said sealing face being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by said first curved edge portion, said second leg having a second generally radial planar sealing face on the circumferentially opposite side for engagement with the trailing edge surface of the corres-ponding one of said track members, said sealing face being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by said second curved edge portion, said first and second legs of each sealing member prior to installation of the respective track members on said belt being spaced-apart in the circumferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of said first and second legs.
(a) an annular belt having a radially outer surface, and (b) a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circumferentially spaced-apart positions, each of said track members including a generally planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt engaging surface, and at its circumferentially opposite end, a generally planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, said belt including a plurality of sealing members joined with the radially outer surface of said belt, one of said sealing members being disposed between each adjacent two of said track members, each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending transversely of the circumferential direction of said belt and having circumferentially opposite first and second curved edge portions at its juncture with said radially outer belt surface for engagement with the corresponding first and second curved surfaces of the corres-ponding adjacent track members, each of said sealing members having adjacent its circumferential ends first and second legs projecting sub-stantially radially outwardly from said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg having a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circumferential side for engage-ment with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said sealing face being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by said first curved edge portion, said second leg having a second generally radial planar sealing face on the circumferentially opposite side for engagement with the trailing edge surface of the corres-ponding one of said track members, said sealing face being joined to the radially outer surface of said belt by said second curved edge portion, said first and second legs of each sealing member prior to installation of the respective track members on said belt being spaced-apart in the circumferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of said first and second legs.
3. A track-tire assembly including an annular resilient tire, and a removable, substantially inextensible track mounted on the radially outer circumferential surface of said tire, said track including an annular belt having a radially outer surface, a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circumferentially spaced-apart positions, each of said track members including a generally planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt engaging surface, and circumferentially opposite, a generally planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, and a plurality of sealing members, one of said sealing members being disposed between each adjacent two of said track members, each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending transversely of the circum-ferential direction of said track, each of said sealing members being joined with the radially outer surface of said belt, each of said sealing members having adjacent its circumferential ends first and second legs which rise substantially radially outwardly from said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg being connected to the radially outer surface of said belt by a first curved edge portion adapted for engagement with the first curved surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said first leg having connected to said first curved edge portion a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circumferential side for engagement with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said second leg being connected to the radially outer surface of said belt by a second curved edge portion adapted for engagement with the second curved surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said second leg having connected to said second curved edge portion a second generally radial planar sealing face on the circumferentially opposite side for engagement with the trailing edge surface of the corres-ponding one of said track members, said first and second legs of each sealing member prior to installation of the respective adjacent track members being spaced-apart in the circum-ferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from the radially outermost ends of said first and second legs radially inwardly an amount substan-tially equal to the radial dimension of said first and second legs.
4. A belt according to Claim 1, a track according to Claim 2, or an assembly according to Claim 3, wherein each of said sealing members has two radially extending legs.
5. A belt according to Claim 1, a track according to Claim 2, or an assembly according to Claim 3, wherein said belt has a radially outermost layer of elastomer and each of said sealing members is formed of an elastomer compound different from that of which the remainder of said radially outermost layer of said belt is formed.
6. A belt according to Claim 1, a track according to Claim 2, or an assembly according to Claim 3, wherein each of said sealing members is formed of an elastomer compound having staple fibers dispersed throughout.
7. A belt according to Claim 1, a track according to Claim 2, or an assembly according to Claim 3, wherein for each of said sealing members in its undeformed state said first planar sealing face of said first leg and said second planar sealing face of said second leg are substantially parallel and the circumferentially opposite faces of said legs face one another and define between them an acute angle which opens radially outwardly of said radially outer surface of said belt.
8. A belt according to Claim 1, a track according to Claim 2, or an assembly according to Claim 3, wherein one of said sealing members has embedded therein biasing means.
9. A belt according to Claim 1, a track according to Claim 2, or an assembly according to Claim 3, wherein one of said sealing members has embedded therein biasing means comprising a spring of substantially L-shaped confi-guration.
10. A belt according to Claim 1, a track according to Claim 2, or an assembly according to Claim 3, wherein one of said sealing members has embedded therein biasing means comprising a spring of substantially U-shaped confi-guration.
11. A track according to Claim 2 or an assembly according to Claim 3, wherein each of said track members includes a shoulder at the radially outermost extent of each of its generally planar leading and trailing edge surfaces, and the radially outermost end of each first and second leg of said sealing members is at a radius greater than that of said shoulders.
12. A track according to Claim 2 or an assembly according to Claim 3, wherein each of said track members includes a shoulder at the radially outermost extent of each of its generally planar leading and trailing edge surfaces, and said first leg of each of said sealing members has near its radially outermost end a projection extending in the circumferential direction of said belt for engagement with said shoulder of the leading edge surface of the corresponding track member, and said second leg of each of said sealing members has at its radially outermost end a projection extending in the opposite circumferential direction of said belt for engagement with said shoulder of the trailing edge surface of the corresponding track member.
13. A removable, substantially inextensible track for an annular resilient tire comprising:
(a) an annular belt having a radially outer surface, and (b) a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circumferentially spaced-apart positions, each of said track members including a generally radial planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt engaging surface, and at its circumferentially opposite end, a generally radial planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, said belt including a plurality of sealing members integrally formed with the radially outer surface of said belt, one of said sealing members being disposed between each adjacent two of said track members, each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending transversely of the circum-ferential direction of said track, each of said sealing members having at its circumferentially opposite ends first and second curved edge portions at its juncture with the radially outer belt surface for engagement with the corresponding first and second curved surfaces of the corresponding track members, each of said sealing members consisting of first and second legs projecting radially outwardly from said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg having connected to said first curved edge portion a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circumferential side for engagement with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said second leg having connected to said second curved edge portion a second generally radial planar sealing face on the circumferentially opposite side for engagement with the trailing edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said first and second legs of each sealing member prior to installation of the respective adjacent track members being spaced-apart in the circum-ferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of the legs.
(a) an annular belt having a radially outer surface, and (b) a plurality of metal track members mounted on said radially outer surface at circumferentially spaced-apart positions, each of said track members including a generally radial planar leading edge surface connected by a first curved surface to a belt engaging surface, and at its circumferentially opposite end, a generally radial planar trailing edge surface connected by a second curved surface to said belt engaging surface, said belt including a plurality of sealing members integrally formed with the radially outer surface of said belt, one of said sealing members being disposed between each adjacent two of said track members, each of said sealing members being of resilient material and extending transversely of the circum-ferential direction of said track, each of said sealing members having at its circumferentially opposite ends first and second curved edge portions at its juncture with the radially outer belt surface for engagement with the corresponding first and second curved surfaces of the corresponding track members, each of said sealing members consisting of first and second legs projecting radially outwardly from said radially outer surface of said belt, said first leg having connected to said first curved edge portion a first generally radial planar sealing face on one circumferential side for engagement with the leading edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said second leg having connected to said second curved edge portion a second generally radial planar sealing face on the circumferentially opposite side for engagement with the trailing edge surface of the corresponding one of said track members, said first and second legs of each sealing member prior to installation of the respective adjacent track members being spaced-apart in the circum-ferential direction of said belt defining a gap between them extending from their radially outermost ends radially inwardly an amount substantially equal to the radial dimension of the legs.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US87252978A | 1978-01-26 | 1978-01-26 | |
| US872,529 | 1992-04-23 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1118018A true CA1118018A (en) | 1982-02-09 |
Family
ID=25359758
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000318570A Expired CA1118018A (en) | 1978-01-26 | 1978-12-22 | Dirt seal for removable rubber belts |
Country Status (12)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS54115806A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU523400B2 (en) |
| BE (1) | BE873441A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR7900424A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1118018A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE2903002A1 (en) |
| ES (1) | ES477105A1 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2415549A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2013145B (en) |
| IT (1) | IT1110691B (en) |
| LU (1) | LU80801A1 (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA794B (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TW201332755A (en) * | 2012-02-13 | 2013-08-16 | wen-jun Xue | Assembled-type solid wheel |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1183014B (en) * | 1961-04-20 | 1964-12-03 | Alfred Schmermund | Press chain for feeding tobacco, e.g. B. to tobacco cutters |
| FR2126916B1 (en) * | 1971-01-08 | 1974-08-19 | Wakabayashi Manzo | |
| US3899220A (en) * | 1972-08-22 | 1975-08-12 | Caterpillar Tractor Co | Flexible sealed track belt |
| US4043609A (en) * | 1975-10-06 | 1977-08-23 | International Harvester Company | Armored tire having a flexible tapered belt arrangement |
| US4046428A (en) * | 1976-01-05 | 1977-09-06 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Traction shoe seal |
| US4086947A (en) * | 1976-01-05 | 1978-05-02 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Traction shoe seal |
-
1978
- 1978-12-22 CA CA000318570A patent/CA1118018A/en not_active Expired
-
1979
- 1979-01-02 ZA ZA00790004A patent/ZA794B/en unknown
- 1979-01-04 AU AU43116/79A patent/AU523400B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1979-01-12 BE BE192867A patent/BE873441A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1979-01-12 FR FR7900763A patent/FR2415549A1/en active Granted
- 1979-01-17 LU LU80801A patent/LU80801A1/en unknown
- 1979-01-24 ES ES477105A patent/ES477105A1/en not_active Expired
- 1979-01-24 BR BR7900424A patent/BR7900424A/en unknown
- 1979-01-24 DE DE19792903002 patent/DE2903002A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1979-01-25 IT IT19593/79A patent/IT1110691B/en active
- 1979-01-25 JP JP765779A patent/JPS54115806A/en active Pending
- 1979-01-26 GB GB7902841A patent/GB2013145B/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| ZA794B (en) | 1979-12-27 |
| AU523400B2 (en) | 1982-07-29 |
| BR7900424A (en) | 1979-08-21 |
| LU80801A1 (en) | 1979-05-16 |
| IT1110691B (en) | 1985-12-23 |
| AU4311679A (en) | 1979-08-02 |
| FR2415549A1 (en) | 1979-08-24 |
| DE2903002A1 (en) | 1979-08-09 |
| IT7919593A0 (en) | 1979-01-25 |
| GB2013145A (en) | 1979-08-08 |
| BE873441A (en) | 1979-05-02 |
| GB2013145B (en) | 1982-11-24 |
| FR2415549B1 (en) | 1983-10-14 |
| JPS54115806A (en) | 1979-09-08 |
| ES477105A1 (en) | 1980-03-01 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |