CA1316971C - Cleat assembly for endless track vehicle - Google Patents
Cleat assembly for endless track vehicleInfo
- Publication number
- CA1316971C CA1316971C CA000552465A CA552465A CA1316971C CA 1316971 C CA1316971 C CA 1316971C CA 000552465 A CA000552465 A CA 000552465A CA 552465 A CA552465 A CA 552465A CA 1316971 C CA1316971 C CA 1316971C
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- belt
- cleat assembly
- plate
- grouser
- projections
- Prior art date
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A cleat assembly for the endless track of a vehicle which effectively reduces loosening of the cleat upon the flexible belt of the track, comprising a grouser plate in-corporating projections distributed thereover and a backing plate on the other side of the belt also having beltward projections, said projections being clamped by mounting bolts to press into the surface of the flexible belt, to provide shearing area to resist the belt load upon the grouser. The mounting holes through the belt are prevented from elongating and the cleat assembly is held firmly in position even after extended use and plastic flow of the material of the belt.
A cleat assembly for the endless track of a vehicle which effectively reduces loosening of the cleat upon the flexible belt of the track, comprising a grouser plate in-corporating projections distributed thereover and a backing plate on the other side of the belt also having beltward projections, said projections being clamped by mounting bolts to press into the surface of the flexible belt, to provide shearing area to resist the belt load upon the grouser. The mounting holes through the belt are prevented from elongating and the cleat assembly is held firmly in position even after extended use and plastic flow of the material of the belt.
Description
.
. CLEAT ASSEMBLY FCR
ENDLESS TRACK VEHICLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field: The field of the invention is endless track assemblies ~or snow grooming vehicles, and more particularly the cleat assemblies thereof, including structures for fasten-ing the cleats to the flexible plastic belting of such tracks~
State of the Art: Snuw groomer vehicles use endless tracks having flexibie plastic bPlts made endless by connec~ing the ends with lacing or the like. The belts are often rein-fo~ced by p~ie~o~ fabric incorporated into the rubber-like belt material~ Steel cleats are bolted across the belts at intervals oE a few inches. Each bel-t is engaged by a power-transmitting sprocket wheel, which forces the belt to travel around a set of guiding wheels called bogies. The powered belt imparts hori-zontal shear force to the o1eats, whlch engage the snow to propel the vehicle. Much development has gone into the design ~of the elongate cleat members,~with the~object of providing maxi-mum traction hnd resistance to side slipping. Typical cleat con-structions are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3l765,731, 4,560,211, 4,281,882 and 4,059,315. T~pically, the ground contac-ting cleat, ~also called a grouserr is fastened to the outside of the flexible belting by~bolts~or~rivets~installed in matching holes in the cleat, belt,~and~a metal backing;p.~ate on the inside~o~ the belt.
The shanks~o~ the bolts bear against a side of the holes in the belt to transfer ~he~shearing force to the cleats, perhaps in-ially aided by friction between the belt and the cleat and backlng plate. ~The belt material is malleable, and the fabric pll.es are discontinuous at the holes, so that the holes become permanently elongated hy the concentrated stresses, loosening the cLeats. The hole elongation occurs even wl~h grea~. clamping ~ .
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force between the cleat and the backing plate. This is because the belting material creeps under p~olonged stress to relieve the clamping force and substantially eliminating the initially helpful friction between the belt and the cleats and backing plate.
The use of increased numbers of holes and bolts, as indicated for example in Patent No. 4,281,882, FIG. 8., helps somewhat.
However, the belting is correspondingly weakened, so that this solution is self-limiting and has nok proven satlsfactory.
:
1 31 6~71 BRIEF SUM~R~ OF THE INVENTION
With the foregoing in mind, the disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated or substantially alleviated by pro~
viding a cleat assembly comprising an elongate, yround engaging grouser plate and a belt backing plate, both having aligned sets of spaced mountiny bores, the belt side of at least one but pre-ferably both plates having a multiplicity of projections on the sides toward the belt. Bolt and nut assemblies installed in the mounting holes forcibly press the projections into the belt. The shearing force is ~istributed among the many projections/ lessen-ing the local unit stresses upon the belt and its reinforcing fabric. The reinforcing fabric remains unbroken at the pro-jections, directly accepting the shear loads. In contrast, the shear loads must in state of the art cleat assemblies be first transferred by the bolts bearing upon the locally un-r~inforced plastic material of the belt at each hole. The stresses upon the mounting holes in the belt are greatly re-lieved in the presen~ design, in fact~probably eliminated after the belt material yields wLth passage of time. Thus, the holes are prevented rom s~retching out of shape, and the cleats do not become }oose. The projections pressed into the belt provide many times the effective shear resisting area than do the bolt shanks. ALthough the plastic material of the belt creeps plas-ticsl1y wi~th ths prolonged c1smping strsss, lt tends to set about the projections, providing continued close contact, so that the cleat remains tightly secured. According to one embodiment of~the invention, the grouser plates may bs without pro~ectionst which are ins~ead provided upon a separate gripper plate in-stal1sd between ths grouser and the belt.
It is therefore the principal object o~ the invention to provide a cleat assembly which can be mounted permanently tightly upon the ~lexible belts o~ endless track drives oE snow grooming vehicles.
' 131~971 BRIEF DESC:12IPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which represent the bes~ mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention, FIG. 1 is an upper right perspective view of an endless track assembly h~ving a flexible belt and attached cleat assemblies in accordance with the invention, the associated ~ehicle being shown fragmentally, : FIG. 2 a vertical c~oss se~tional view of a state of the art cleat assembly with a fragment of an endless flexible belt, FIG, 3 an upper left perspecti~e view of a fragment of the endless belt of FIG. 1 and an attached cleat assembly in accordance with the invention, FIG. 4 an upper left~perspective view of a fragment of the flex.ible belt of FIG. 1, partially cut away to show t~he reinforcing fabric thereof, FI~. 5 a perspective view of a cut away fragment of a flexible belt after extended use with a state of the art cleat attached theretol drawn to a somewhat enlarged scale, FIG. 6 a horizontal C~05S .6e~tion~1 vib~ of a:.f~ag~ent of a flexible belt employed with a conventional cleat assembly, showing the~distortion of the fabric from the mounting bolt larger than . the hole in the belt, drawn to the scale of FIG. 5, ~ : FIG. 7 the fragment oflFIG. 6 after extended use, showing ; the di~tortion of the mounting hole and:the fabric, drawn to the : : scale of FIG. 5, : FIC. 8 a vertical cross sectional view of a clea~ assembly - in accordance with the invention with dimple shaped projections :~
upon the grouser and backing plates, drawn to substantially full scale, FIG. 9 a perspective view of a fragment of the ~lexible : belt of FIG. 8 showing the undistorted mounting hole and the dimple shaped depressionsset into the fabric o~ the belt, drawn to the scale of FIG. 8, 1 31 6~71 FIG. 10 a vertical sectional ~iew of a cleat assembly in accordance with the invention, having spike shaped projections upon the grouser and backing plates, drawn to substantially full scale, and FIG. 11 a vertical cross sectional view of a cleat assembly in accordance with the in~ention, having punch formed tab projections upon the grouser and backing plates, drawn to substantially ull scale.
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_ 5 _ 131~q71 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
ILLUSTRA17~D :E:MBODIMENTS
An endless belt track assembly, with a cleat assembly 10 in accordance with the invention, is shown in FIG. 1 installed upon an off-road vehicle 11, fragmen~ally indicated. Vehicle 11 may be a snow gxoomer for use in ski areas, for example. The track assembly 12 comprises a flexible endless belt 13 of soft plastic, made endless by lacing its ends together. The cleat assemblies 10 are secured crosswise ~o the belt 13 at invervals.
Track 12 is supported upon the vehicle by wheels 14, one of which may for po~er punposes be connected to the en~ine of vehicle 11. The ground engaging members 15 of cleat assemblies 10, interchangeably called cleats or grousers, are constructed in many configurations, each calculated to provide improved traction with the snow, to prevent sld~ slip of the vehicle, or otherwise perform more desixably and efficiently. However, the present in-ventlon i5 not concerned with traction developing qualities, but with~methods ~or f~stening the gr~users 15 to the belt 13 in permanently tight condition.
Belt 13 is constructed of rubber-like plastic material~
sometimes called synthetic rubber, of which neoprene, butyl rubber and nitrile rubber are examples. For belts used on light-weight vehicles such as snowmobiles, such plastic material is at ~times utilized without reinforcement. See U.S. Patent No. 4,059,315 :
However, the belt material is more commonly reinforced by multiple non-elastic fabric ~liesincorpo~ated into the belt structure.
, The fabric p3ie~sstrengthen the belt and enable it to withstand high tension forces without excessive stretching. A ~ragment of belting material having four embedded plastic pIies26 is shown in FIG. 4. ~ypically, the ~Iiieshave non-elastic polyes~er threads longitudinal to the belt, but very elastic nonabrasive ny}on cross threads.
1 31 6~7 1 The material of belt 13 is elastic in the short term, but deforms plastically under prolonged stress. Both characteristics create difficulties in securing the cleat assembly 10 to the belt so that it will not loosen. The elastic give acts against develop-ing ~he high clamping ~orce~ needed to deve~op significant shear resisting ~riction on the surface o~ the belt~ The plastic give under prolonged stress exacerbates the situation by tending to relieve the clamping forces, destroying whatever friction has been successfully developed initially.
A state of the art track assembly is illustrated in FIG. 2.
The cleat assembly is secured ~o belt 13 by bolt assemblies 16 in-stalled in aligned holes 17, 18 and 19 in the grouser plate 15, belt 13 and a metallic backing plate 20 respectively. The belt contac~ing surfaces 21 and 22 of grouser 15 and plate 20 re-spectively are typically flat and smooth. Belt 13 is squeezed between grouser plate 15 and;backing plate 20 by the bolt assem-:
bly 16. Either initially or with passage of time, the friction developed upon surfaces 21 and _ may be insufficient to resist the shear load between belt 13 and the cleat assembly. The shear must then be resisted by bearing of bolt shanks 24 against sides 23 of the belt mountiny holes 18. FIG. S illustrates a fragment of belt 13 after an extended period of us~ Note the reduced thickness of the belt 13 from the squeeze of~the grousers 15 and backing plates 20. FIG. 6 shows theplijesi26 severed to provide the holes 18r and FIG. 7 the distorted holes 18 andpl~ies 26. The holes 18 are deformed by the shearing forces until the uncut eLastic cross threads near the holes can pick up the bearing forces from ~he holes and ~ransform them into tension forces in the belt. The concentrated bearing forces elongate the unsupported holés 18, permanently deforming the belt 13 at the holes and .
loosening the cleat assemblies. Manuevering the vehicle for-wardly and backwardly alternates the dixection of the forces on the holes 18, deforming ~hem both forwardly and rearwardly.
However, the cleat assembly 10 of the p:resent invention does not re]y upon transfer o~ the forces through the bolts 25 to the belt 13 at the holes 18. Rather, it pxovides for transfer of the shearing forces into the belt remotely from -the mounting holès~
A preferred em~odiment o~ the in~entive cleat assambly lO :i~
sho~n l~ perspective in FIG~ 3, and in section in more detail in FIG. 8. Cleat assembly lO comprises a cleat backing plate 20 having a large number of projections 27 on its belt side face, created by forcibly dimpling its opposite face. Grouser plate 15 has similar beltward projections 28. Projections 27 and 28 are preferably equally spaced along plate 20 and grouser 15, advan-tageously in tw~ rows. (FIG. 3~ When bolt assemblies 16 are tightened, ~imple projections 27 and 28 are pressed to seat firmly into the opposite surfaces of belt 13. Their projecting surfaces 29 provide bearing area to resist the shearing loads.
The surfaces 29 in total provide a very large bearing area, dis-tributing the loads to reduce local stresses in the belt so that it is not deformed excessively. Since the fabric layers 26 are not severed in the dimple locations, the shearing forces are picked up and tensioned by the fabricplies 26 at each projection wit~ minimaL local belt dlstortion. The local squeeze of the belt at~each dimple enhances the bond between the rubber and the fabric, assuring transfer of~he_shearing load into the belt more reliably.
The holes 18 are~distorted only minimally, because the seated projections 27 and 28 move very llttle upon the bèlt, so that the holes assume almost none of the laod. The grip of plates 15 and 22 upon the belt tends to deorease as the plastic material sets -under the sustained clamping forces~ However, the belt material sets around the dimple projections 27 and 28, maintaining in-timate contact~ Periodic tightening of the bolt assembly 16 is therefore much less critical. FIG. ~ illustrates a fragment of the belt 13 after extended service, with the cleat assembly 10 removed. The belt 13 is thinned so~ewhat where it has been clamped between the backing plate 22 and the grouser 15.
Craters 30 conform to the dimple projections 27 and 28. Note that the belt mounting hole 18 is undistorted.
FIG. 10 shows another preferred embodiment of cleat as~embly 10, wherein the grouser 15 and backing plate 20 have spike-like projections 27 and 28, instead of the previously described dimple projections. With this embodiment, the plastic material of belt 13 is damaged somewhat, being pierced by the spikes 27 and 28. Preferably, the spikes extend into belt 13 ~sufficiently to directly engage the fabric pIIeS ~6. The shearing forces may then be immediately resisted by tension in the fabric 26.
As with the dimple projections, the spikes also provide projecting bearing area ~or shear ~orce resistance.
Still another pre~erred~embodiment of cleat assembly 10 i 6 shown in FIG. 11, employing punch-formed tab projections 27 and 28.~ The tabs are, as with the dlmples, pressed intc the material of belt 13. The projecting tabs perform in substantially the same manner as do the~dimple~projections. Local cutting o~ the material o~ belt 13 ~y the tab edges may occur, but may be acceptable providing the fabric 28 is not severed. Care in manufacturing is advisable to avoid sharp cutting edges and corners.
Other possible embodiments o~ cleat 10, not illustrated, include the use o~ continuous corrugations, machined ~nurls, or other types o~ projeations for khe grouser 15 a~d backing plate 20.
_g -however, the projections, to be sufficiently effective must be substantial. Merely roughening the surEaces Zl and 22 would not pxovide significant benefits.
The projections 28 may be located in other patterns than those illustrated. Especially, the grouser and backing plate projection patterns need not be limited to the matching patterns indicated in certain of the illustrations.
Clearly, considerable benefit would nevertheless derive if only one of the other of the grouser or backing plates were provided with the surface projectionsO Also, when it is ad-vantageous to use existing grouser plates which do not have the projections, an intermediate gripper plate 31 having the projections 28 may be employed between the grouser plate and the belt. (FIG. 12) The belt shear load~is then trans~erred through projections 28 on gripper plate 31 into bolt 25 and thence to ground-engaging grouser 15. ;
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictivej the scope of the invention being lndicated by the appended claims rather than by the fore-~going description, and all changes that come within the meaningand range~of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to - be embraced therein.
i - i ..
,
. CLEAT ASSEMBLY FCR
ENDLESS TRACK VEHICLE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field: The field of the invention is endless track assemblies ~or snow grooming vehicles, and more particularly the cleat assemblies thereof, including structures for fasten-ing the cleats to the flexible plastic belting of such tracks~
State of the Art: Snuw groomer vehicles use endless tracks having flexibie plastic bPlts made endless by connec~ing the ends with lacing or the like. The belts are often rein-fo~ced by p~ie~o~ fabric incorporated into the rubber-like belt material~ Steel cleats are bolted across the belts at intervals oE a few inches. Each bel-t is engaged by a power-transmitting sprocket wheel, which forces the belt to travel around a set of guiding wheels called bogies. The powered belt imparts hori-zontal shear force to the o1eats, whlch engage the snow to propel the vehicle. Much development has gone into the design ~of the elongate cleat members,~with the~object of providing maxi-mum traction hnd resistance to side slipping. Typical cleat con-structions are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3l765,731, 4,560,211, 4,281,882 and 4,059,315. T~pically, the ground contac-ting cleat, ~also called a grouserr is fastened to the outside of the flexible belting by~bolts~or~rivets~installed in matching holes in the cleat, belt,~and~a metal backing;p.~ate on the inside~o~ the belt.
The shanks~o~ the bolts bear against a side of the holes in the belt to transfer ~he~shearing force to the cleats, perhaps in-ially aided by friction between the belt and the cleat and backlng plate. ~The belt material is malleable, and the fabric pll.es are discontinuous at the holes, so that the holes become permanently elongated hy the concentrated stresses, loosening the cLeats. The hole elongation occurs even wl~h grea~. clamping ~ .
`~
force between the cleat and the backing plate. This is because the belting material creeps under p~olonged stress to relieve the clamping force and substantially eliminating the initially helpful friction between the belt and the cleats and backing plate.
The use of increased numbers of holes and bolts, as indicated for example in Patent No. 4,281,882, FIG. 8., helps somewhat.
However, the belting is correspondingly weakened, so that this solution is self-limiting and has nok proven satlsfactory.
:
1 31 6~71 BRIEF SUM~R~ OF THE INVENTION
With the foregoing in mind, the disadvantages of the prior art are eliminated or substantially alleviated by pro~
viding a cleat assembly comprising an elongate, yround engaging grouser plate and a belt backing plate, both having aligned sets of spaced mountiny bores, the belt side of at least one but pre-ferably both plates having a multiplicity of projections on the sides toward the belt. Bolt and nut assemblies installed in the mounting holes forcibly press the projections into the belt. The shearing force is ~istributed among the many projections/ lessen-ing the local unit stresses upon the belt and its reinforcing fabric. The reinforcing fabric remains unbroken at the pro-jections, directly accepting the shear loads. In contrast, the shear loads must in state of the art cleat assemblies be first transferred by the bolts bearing upon the locally un-r~inforced plastic material of the belt at each hole. The stresses upon the mounting holes in the belt are greatly re-lieved in the presen~ design, in fact~probably eliminated after the belt material yields wLth passage of time. Thus, the holes are prevented rom s~retching out of shape, and the cleats do not become }oose. The projections pressed into the belt provide many times the effective shear resisting area than do the bolt shanks. ALthough the plastic material of the belt creeps plas-ticsl1y wi~th ths prolonged c1smping strsss, lt tends to set about the projections, providing continued close contact, so that the cleat remains tightly secured. According to one embodiment of~the invention, the grouser plates may bs without pro~ectionst which are ins~ead provided upon a separate gripper plate in-stal1sd between ths grouser and the belt.
It is therefore the principal object o~ the invention to provide a cleat assembly which can be mounted permanently tightly upon the ~lexible belts o~ endless track drives oE snow grooming vehicles.
' 131~971 BRIEF DESC:12IPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, which represent the bes~ mode presently contemplated for carrying out the invention, FIG. 1 is an upper right perspective view of an endless track assembly h~ving a flexible belt and attached cleat assemblies in accordance with the invention, the associated ~ehicle being shown fragmentally, : FIG. 2 a vertical c~oss se~tional view of a state of the art cleat assembly with a fragment of an endless flexible belt, FIG, 3 an upper left perspecti~e view of a fragment of the endless belt of FIG. 1 and an attached cleat assembly in accordance with the invention, FIG. 4 an upper left~perspective view of a fragment of the flex.ible belt of FIG. 1, partially cut away to show t~he reinforcing fabric thereof, FI~. 5 a perspective view of a cut away fragment of a flexible belt after extended use with a state of the art cleat attached theretol drawn to a somewhat enlarged scale, FIG. 6 a horizontal C~05S .6e~tion~1 vib~ of a:.f~ag~ent of a flexible belt employed with a conventional cleat assembly, showing the~distortion of the fabric from the mounting bolt larger than . the hole in the belt, drawn to the scale of FIG. 5, ~ : FIG. 7 the fragment oflFIG. 6 after extended use, showing ; the di~tortion of the mounting hole and:the fabric, drawn to the : : scale of FIG. 5, : FIC. 8 a vertical cross sectional view of a clea~ assembly - in accordance with the invention with dimple shaped projections :~
upon the grouser and backing plates, drawn to substantially full scale, FIG. 9 a perspective view of a fragment of the ~lexible : belt of FIG. 8 showing the undistorted mounting hole and the dimple shaped depressionsset into the fabric o~ the belt, drawn to the scale of FIG. 8, 1 31 6~71 FIG. 10 a vertical sectional ~iew of a cleat assembly in accordance with the invention, having spike shaped projections upon the grouser and backing plates, drawn to substantially full scale, and FIG. 11 a vertical cross sectional view of a cleat assembly in accordance with the in~ention, having punch formed tab projections upon the grouser and backing plates, drawn to substantially ull scale.
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_ 5 _ 131~q71 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
ILLUSTRA17~D :E:MBODIMENTS
An endless belt track assembly, with a cleat assembly 10 in accordance with the invention, is shown in FIG. 1 installed upon an off-road vehicle 11, fragmen~ally indicated. Vehicle 11 may be a snow gxoomer for use in ski areas, for example. The track assembly 12 comprises a flexible endless belt 13 of soft plastic, made endless by lacing its ends together. The cleat assemblies 10 are secured crosswise ~o the belt 13 at invervals.
Track 12 is supported upon the vehicle by wheels 14, one of which may for po~er punposes be connected to the en~ine of vehicle 11. The ground engaging members 15 of cleat assemblies 10, interchangeably called cleats or grousers, are constructed in many configurations, each calculated to provide improved traction with the snow, to prevent sld~ slip of the vehicle, or otherwise perform more desixably and efficiently. However, the present in-ventlon i5 not concerned with traction developing qualities, but with~methods ~or f~stening the gr~users 15 to the belt 13 in permanently tight condition.
Belt 13 is constructed of rubber-like plastic material~
sometimes called synthetic rubber, of which neoprene, butyl rubber and nitrile rubber are examples. For belts used on light-weight vehicles such as snowmobiles, such plastic material is at ~times utilized without reinforcement. See U.S. Patent No. 4,059,315 :
However, the belt material is more commonly reinforced by multiple non-elastic fabric ~liesincorpo~ated into the belt structure.
, The fabric p3ie~sstrengthen the belt and enable it to withstand high tension forces without excessive stretching. A ~ragment of belting material having four embedded plastic pIies26 is shown in FIG. 4. ~ypically, the ~Iiieshave non-elastic polyes~er threads longitudinal to the belt, but very elastic nonabrasive ny}on cross threads.
1 31 6~7 1 The material of belt 13 is elastic in the short term, but deforms plastically under prolonged stress. Both characteristics create difficulties in securing the cleat assembly 10 to the belt so that it will not loosen. The elastic give acts against develop-ing ~he high clamping ~orce~ needed to deve~op significant shear resisting ~riction on the surface o~ the belt~ The plastic give under prolonged stress exacerbates the situation by tending to relieve the clamping forces, destroying whatever friction has been successfully developed initially.
A state of the art track assembly is illustrated in FIG. 2.
The cleat assembly is secured ~o belt 13 by bolt assemblies 16 in-stalled in aligned holes 17, 18 and 19 in the grouser plate 15, belt 13 and a metallic backing plate 20 respectively. The belt contac~ing surfaces 21 and 22 of grouser 15 and plate 20 re-spectively are typically flat and smooth. Belt 13 is squeezed between grouser plate 15 and;backing plate 20 by the bolt assem-:
bly 16. Either initially or with passage of time, the friction developed upon surfaces 21 and _ may be insufficient to resist the shear load between belt 13 and the cleat assembly. The shear must then be resisted by bearing of bolt shanks 24 against sides 23 of the belt mountiny holes 18. FIG. S illustrates a fragment of belt 13 after an extended period of us~ Note the reduced thickness of the belt 13 from the squeeze of~the grousers 15 and backing plates 20. FIG. 6 shows theplijesi26 severed to provide the holes 18r and FIG. 7 the distorted holes 18 andpl~ies 26. The holes 18 are deformed by the shearing forces until the uncut eLastic cross threads near the holes can pick up the bearing forces from ~he holes and ~ransform them into tension forces in the belt. The concentrated bearing forces elongate the unsupported holés 18, permanently deforming the belt 13 at the holes and .
loosening the cleat assemblies. Manuevering the vehicle for-wardly and backwardly alternates the dixection of the forces on the holes 18, deforming ~hem both forwardly and rearwardly.
However, the cleat assembly 10 of the p:resent invention does not re]y upon transfer o~ the forces through the bolts 25 to the belt 13 at the holes 18. Rather, it pxovides for transfer of the shearing forces into the belt remotely from -the mounting holès~
A preferred em~odiment o~ the in~entive cleat assambly lO :i~
sho~n l~ perspective in FIG~ 3, and in section in more detail in FIG. 8. Cleat assembly lO comprises a cleat backing plate 20 having a large number of projections 27 on its belt side face, created by forcibly dimpling its opposite face. Grouser plate 15 has similar beltward projections 28. Projections 27 and 28 are preferably equally spaced along plate 20 and grouser 15, advan-tageously in tw~ rows. (FIG. 3~ When bolt assemblies 16 are tightened, ~imple projections 27 and 28 are pressed to seat firmly into the opposite surfaces of belt 13. Their projecting surfaces 29 provide bearing area to resist the shearing loads.
The surfaces 29 in total provide a very large bearing area, dis-tributing the loads to reduce local stresses in the belt so that it is not deformed excessively. Since the fabric layers 26 are not severed in the dimple locations, the shearing forces are picked up and tensioned by the fabricplies 26 at each projection wit~ minimaL local belt dlstortion. The local squeeze of the belt at~each dimple enhances the bond between the rubber and the fabric, assuring transfer of~he_shearing load into the belt more reliably.
The holes 18 are~distorted only minimally, because the seated projections 27 and 28 move very llttle upon the bèlt, so that the holes assume almost none of the laod. The grip of plates 15 and 22 upon the belt tends to deorease as the plastic material sets -under the sustained clamping forces~ However, the belt material sets around the dimple projections 27 and 28, maintaining in-timate contact~ Periodic tightening of the bolt assembly 16 is therefore much less critical. FIG. ~ illustrates a fragment of the belt 13 after extended service, with the cleat assembly 10 removed. The belt 13 is thinned so~ewhat where it has been clamped between the backing plate 22 and the grouser 15.
Craters 30 conform to the dimple projections 27 and 28. Note that the belt mounting hole 18 is undistorted.
FIG. 10 shows another preferred embodiment of cleat as~embly 10, wherein the grouser 15 and backing plate 20 have spike-like projections 27 and 28, instead of the previously described dimple projections. With this embodiment, the plastic material of belt 13 is damaged somewhat, being pierced by the spikes 27 and 28. Preferably, the spikes extend into belt 13 ~sufficiently to directly engage the fabric pIIeS ~6. The shearing forces may then be immediately resisted by tension in the fabric 26.
As with the dimple projections, the spikes also provide projecting bearing area ~or shear ~orce resistance.
Still another pre~erred~embodiment of cleat assembly 10 i 6 shown in FIG. 11, employing punch-formed tab projections 27 and 28.~ The tabs are, as with the dlmples, pressed intc the material of belt 13. The projecting tabs perform in substantially the same manner as do the~dimple~projections. Local cutting o~ the material o~ belt 13 ~y the tab edges may occur, but may be acceptable providing the fabric 28 is not severed. Care in manufacturing is advisable to avoid sharp cutting edges and corners.
Other possible embodiments o~ cleat 10, not illustrated, include the use o~ continuous corrugations, machined ~nurls, or other types o~ projeations for khe grouser 15 a~d backing plate 20.
_g -however, the projections, to be sufficiently effective must be substantial. Merely roughening the surEaces Zl and 22 would not pxovide significant benefits.
The projections 28 may be located in other patterns than those illustrated. Especially, the grouser and backing plate projection patterns need not be limited to the matching patterns indicated in certain of the illustrations.
Clearly, considerable benefit would nevertheless derive if only one of the other of the grouser or backing plates were provided with the surface projectionsO Also, when it is ad-vantageous to use existing grouser plates which do not have the projections, an intermediate gripper plate 31 having the projections 28 may be employed between the grouser plate and the belt. (FIG. 12) The belt shear load~is then trans~erred through projections 28 on gripper plate 31 into bolt 25 and thence to ground-engaging grouser 15. ;
The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiments are therefore to be considered as illustrative and not restrictivej the scope of the invention being lndicated by the appended claims rather than by the fore-~going description, and all changes that come within the meaningand range~of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to - be embraced therein.
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Claims (15)
1. For a vehicle track assembly having an endless flexible belt with sets of mounting holes therethrough longi-tudinally spaced therealong, each for mounting a cleat assembly transversely to the belt, a multiplicity of cleat assemblies each comprising:
an elongate, ground contacting grouser plate having a generally planar belt contacting portion, said portion having a set of spaced apart mounting holes therethrough aligned with one of the sets of mounting holes of the belt;
an elongate backing plate having a set of mounting holes therethrough aligned with the grouser plate mounting holes, wherein the belt contacting side of the grouser plate, the backing plate or both includes a multiplicity of projections; and a fastener operable through each of the aligned mounting holes, clamping the flexible belt between the grouser and the mounting plates with the projections pressing into the belt.
an elongate, ground contacting grouser plate having a generally planar belt contacting portion, said portion having a set of spaced apart mounting holes therethrough aligned with one of the sets of mounting holes of the belt;
an elongate backing plate having a set of mounting holes therethrough aligned with the grouser plate mounting holes, wherein the belt contacting side of the grouser plate, the backing plate or both includes a multiplicity of projections; and a fastener operable through each of the aligned mounting holes, clamping the flexible belt between the grouser and the mounting plates with the projections pressing into the belt.
2. The cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are carried by the grouser plate.
the belt engaging projections are carried by the grouser plate.
3. The cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are carried by the backing plate.
the belt engaging projections are carried by the backing plate.
4. The cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are carried by both the grouser plate and the backing plate.
the belt engaging projections are carried by both the grouser plate and the backing plate.
5. The cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are rounded knobs.
the belt engaging projections are rounded knobs.
6. The cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are spike shaped.
the belt engaging projections are spike shaped.
7. The cleat assembly of claim 1, wherein:
the belt engaging projections axe tabs formed by punch shearing partially therearound, said tabs remaining attached and being bent in the direction of the belt
the belt engaging projections axe tabs formed by punch shearing partially therearound, said tabs remaining attached and being bent in the direction of the belt
8. For a vehicle track assembly having an endless flexible belt with sets of mounting holes therethrough longi-tudinally spaced therealong, each for mounting a cleat assembly transversely to the belt, a multiplicity of cleat assemblies each comprising:
an elongate,ground contacting grouser plate having a generally planar belt contacting portion, said portion having a set of spaced apart mounting holes therethrough aligned with one of the sets of mounting holes of the belt;
an elongate belt gripper plate having a set of mounting holes therethrough aligned with the mounting holes of the grouser plate, the gripper plate having a grouser contacting side and a belt contacting side, the latter including a multiplicity of projections, an elongate backing plate having a set of mounting holes aligned with the mounting holes of the grouser plate; and a fastener operable through each of the matching holes to secure the grouser plate, the belt gripper plate, and the backing plate together, with the belt clamped between the backing plate and the gripper plate with the projections pressed into the belt.
an elongate,ground contacting grouser plate having a generally planar belt contacting portion, said portion having a set of spaced apart mounting holes therethrough aligned with one of the sets of mounting holes of the belt;
an elongate belt gripper plate having a set of mounting holes therethrough aligned with the mounting holes of the grouser plate, the gripper plate having a grouser contacting side and a belt contacting side, the latter including a multiplicity of projections, an elongate backing plate having a set of mounting holes aligned with the mounting holes of the grouser plate; and a fastener operable through each of the matching holes to secure the grouser plate, the belt gripper plate, and the backing plate together, with the belt clamped between the backing plate and the gripper plate with the projections pressed into the belt.
9. The cleat assembly of claim 8, wherein:
the backing plate carries a multiplicity of spaced apart projections on its belt contacting side, which are also pressed into the belt.
the backing plate carries a multiplicity of spaced apart projections on its belt contacting side, which are also pressed into the belt.
10. The cleat assembly of claim 8, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are rounded knobs.
the belt engaging projections are rounded knobs.
11. The cleat assembly of claim 8, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are spike shaped.
the belt engaging projections are spike shaped.
12. me cleat assembly of claim 8, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are tabs formed by punch shearing partially therearound, said tabs remaining attached and being bent in the direction of the belt.
the belt engaging projections are tabs formed by punch shearing partially therearound, said tabs remaining attached and being bent in the direction of the belt.
13. The cleat assembly of claim 9, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are rounded knobs.
the belt engaging projections are rounded knobs.
14. The cleat assembly of claim 9, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are spike shaped.
the belt engaging projections are spike shaped.
15. The cleat assembly of claim 9, wherein:
the belt engaging projections are tabs formed by punch shearing partially therearound, said tabs remaining attached and being bent in the direction of the belt.
the belt engaging projections are tabs formed by punch shearing partially therearound, said tabs remaining attached and being bent in the direction of the belt.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000552465A CA1316971C (en) | 1987-11-23 | 1987-11-23 | Cleat assembly for endless track vehicle |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000552465A CA1316971C (en) | 1987-11-23 | 1987-11-23 | Cleat assembly for endless track vehicle |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1316971C true CA1316971C (en) | 1993-04-27 |
Family
ID=4136898
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000552465A Expired - Fee Related CA1316971C (en) | 1987-11-23 | 1987-11-23 | Cleat assembly for endless track vehicle |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1316971C (en) |
-
1987
- 1987-11-23 CA CA000552465A patent/CA1316971C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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| MKLA | Lapsed |