CA2014852A1 - Endless track belt for snow mobile - Google Patents
Endless track belt for snow mobileInfo
- Publication number
- CA2014852A1 CA2014852A1 CA 2014852 CA2014852A CA2014852A1 CA 2014852 A1 CA2014852 A1 CA 2014852A1 CA 2014852 CA2014852 CA 2014852 CA 2014852 A CA2014852 A CA 2014852A CA 2014852 A1 CA2014852 A1 CA 2014852A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tractive
- belt
- substrate
- endless track
- snow
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
- B62M27/00—Propulsion devices for sledges or the like
- B62M27/02—Propulsion devices for sledges or the like power driven
- B62M2027/026—Snow mobiles characterised by the suspension means
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62M—RIDER PROPULSION OF WHEELED VEHICLES OR SLEDGES; POWERED PROPULSION OF SLEDGES OR SINGLE-TRACK CYCLES; TRANSMISSIONS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR SUCH VEHICLES
- B62M27/00—Propulsion devices for sledges or the like
- B62M27/02—Propulsion devices for sledges or the like power driven
- B62M2027/027—Snow mobiles characterised by the tracks
Landscapes
- Escalators And Moving Walkways (AREA)
- Tires In General (AREA)
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An endless track belt for snow mobile, having an enhanced tractive effect and durability, comprising (1) an endless substrate belt to be traveled along a closed track, on a lower half portion of which an endless track belt comes into contact with the snow stratum to move a snow mobile forward; (2) a plurality of tractive projections formed on the substrate belt at predetermined intervals, and extending at right angles to the traveling direction of the substrate belt; (3) transversal rigid members in the same number as that of the tractive projection extending along the tractive projections, the individual tractive projection and the corresponding transversal rigid member satisfying the relationship such that, when a portion of the substrate belt located in the lower half portion of the closed track is in an angle of zero or .theta. to the horizontal line, the pointed end portion of the individual tractive projection arranged on the above-mentioned portion of the substrate belt is positioned within a shadow region of the corresponding transversal rigid member cast in the direction of an angle of zero or 1/2 .theta. to the perpendicular line.
An endless track belt for snow mobile, having an enhanced tractive effect and durability, comprising (1) an endless substrate belt to be traveled along a closed track, on a lower half portion of which an endless track belt comes into contact with the snow stratum to move a snow mobile forward; (2) a plurality of tractive projections formed on the substrate belt at predetermined intervals, and extending at right angles to the traveling direction of the substrate belt; (3) transversal rigid members in the same number as that of the tractive projection extending along the tractive projections, the individual tractive projection and the corresponding transversal rigid member satisfying the relationship such that, when a portion of the substrate belt located in the lower half portion of the closed track is in an angle of zero or .theta. to the horizontal line, the pointed end portion of the individual tractive projection arranged on the above-mentioned portion of the substrate belt is positioned within a shadow region of the corresponding transversal rigid member cast in the direction of an angle of zero or 1/2 .theta. to the perpendicular line.
Description
YR, YMH-7806 1 - 201 ~85X
ENDLESS TRACK BELT FOR SNOW MOBILE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
l. Eield of the Invention The present invention relates to an endless track belt for snow mobiles. More particularly, the present invention relates to an endless track belt provided with a plurality of tractive projections effectively reinforced by a plurality of transversal rigid members, and having an enhanced durability for practical use.
ENDLESS TRACK BELT FOR SNOW MOBILE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
l. Eield of the Invention The present invention relates to an endless track belt for snow mobiles. More particularly, the present invention relates to an endless track belt provided with a plurality of tractive projections effectively reinforced by a plurality of transversal rigid members, and having an enhanced durability for practical use.
2. Description of the Related Arts It is known that a conventional snow mobile is provided with an endless track belt traveling along an endless track defined by at least one driving wheel and at least one guide roller.
The endless track belt comprises an endless substrate belt to be traveled along the endless track, a plurality of tractive projections protruding from the outside periphery of the substrate belt at predetermined intervals, and transversal rigid members embedded in the track belt.
When a portion of the endless track belt is located in a lower half portion of the endless track, the tractive projections on this portion of the track belt come into contact with a snow stratum and move the snow mobile forward or backward. The tractive projections and the endless substrate belt are reinforced by the transversal rigid members.
In the conventional endless track belt, each transversed rigid member is usually arranged in a center portion of a region lying over both the corresponding tractive projection and a portion of the substrate belt, from which portion the tractive projection protrudes outward. In this type of conventional endless track belt, when the tractive projections come into contact with a snow stratum, the transversal rigid member does - 2 - 2014~2 not satisfactorily absorb a stress created in the tractive projection, and thus does not sufficiently prevent deformation of the tractive projection. The deformation of the tractive projection results in difficulty in obtaining an effective and sufficient insertion of the tractive projection into the snow stratum, to a satisfactory depth. Therefore, it is difficult for the conventional endless track belt to produce a sufficient traction force for the snow mobile.
Also, the deformation of the tractive projection causes an increased friction between the endless track belt and a suspension rail, and thus the suspension rail is locally loaded, and accordingly, locally abraded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an endless track belt for a snow mobile, in which belt a plurality of tractive projections to be inserted into snow stratum are effectively reinforced by a plurality of transversal rigid members.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an endless track belt for a snow mobile, which belt is capable of creating an enhanced force of traction for the snow mobile.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an endless track belt for snow mobile, and having a reduced frictional resistance of portions of the snow mobile with which the track belt comes into contact while the track belt is traveled, and thus an enhanced durability.
The above-mentioned objects can be attained by the endless track belt of the present invention for a snow mobile, which comprises the following members:
(l) an endless substrate belt to be traveled along a closed track, a lower half portion of which an endless track belt comes into contact with a snow stratum to thereby move a snow mobile forward;
(2) a plurality of tractive projections protruding 3 2~ 52 from an outside periphery of the substrate belt at predetermined intervals, extended at right angles to the traveling direction of the substrate belt, and each havinq a pointed end portion thereof; and (3) transversal rigid members for reinforcing the substrate belt and the tractive projections, in the same number as that of the tractive projection, embedded within the substrate belt, and extending along the tractive projections, said individual tractive projection and the corresponding transversal rigid member satisfying a relationship such that, when a portion of the substrate belt located in the lower half portion of the closed track is in parallel to the horizontal line, the pointed end portion of the individual tractive projection arranged on the above-mentioned portion of the substrate belt positions within a shadow region of the corresponding transversal rigid member cast in the direction in parallel to the perpendicular line, and when a portion of the substrate belt located in the lower half portion of the closed track is inclined at an angle 0 to the horizontal line, the pointed end portion of the individual tractive projection arranged on the above-mentioned position of the substrate belt is positioned within a shadow region of the corresponding transverse rigid member cast in the direction of an angle of l/2 0 to the perpendicular line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure l shows a front view of a snow mobile having a pair of endless track belts;
Fig. 2 shows an explanator~ view of a portion of an assembly of an endless track belt;
Fig. 3 shows a locus of a tractive projection of an endless track belt of the present invention, where the tractive projection has sunk into a snow stratum;
Fig. 4 shows a geometric locus of a pointed end of the tractive projection shown in Fig. 3;
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Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional profile of a portion of a conventional endless track belt, inclined from the horizontal plane;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional profile of a portion of a conventional endless track belt located in a portion of a closed track thereof in parallel to the horizontal plane;
Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional profile of a portion of an endless track belt of the present invention, inclined from the horizontal plane; and Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional profile of a portion of an endless track belt of the present invention, located in a portion of a closed track thereof in parallel to the horizontal plane.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The endless belt of the present invention for a snow mobile comprises the elements of (l) an endless substrate belt, (2) a plurality of tractive projections protruding from the outside periphery of the substrate belt at predetermined intervals, and ~3) a plurality of transverse rigid members for reinforcing the substrate belt and the tractive projections, in the same number as that of the tractive projections.
Referring to Figs. l and 2, a snow mobile l is provided with a pair of skis 2 arranged in the front lower portion of the snow mobile l, and a pair of endless track belts 3 each traveling along a closed circling track defined by a drive wheel 4, an idle roller 5, a suspension rail 6, and optionally, one or more guide rollers 7.
~ hen the snow mobile l is placed on a horizontal plane, the bottom face of the ski 2 and the bottom face of the suspension rail 6 are substantially in parallel to the horizontal plane. The endless tractive belt 3 is provided with an endless substrate belt 8, a plurality of tractive projections 9, and a plurality of transversed rigid member l0. The tractive projactions 9 2~14~
are formed on the outside periphery of the endless substrate belt 8 at predetermined intervals, extend at right angle to the traveling direction, or the longitudinal axis, of the substrate belt, and has pointed end portions thereof.
The endless track belt 3 is further provided with a plurality of driving projections 11 protruding from the inside periphery of the substrate belt 8. The driving projections 11 are geared to mesh with a plurality of pins 10 formed on the side surfaces of the drive wheel 4 to travel the endless track belt 3. Also, the endless track belt 3 is traveled along the closed circling track, on a lower half portion of which the endless track belt 3 comes into contAct with the snow stratum and moves the snow mobile 1 forward. The lower half portion of the closed track has a substantially horizontal portion defined by the suspension rail 6 and a ~ownwardly inclined portion defined by the drive wheel 4 and the suspension rail 6. In this horizontal portion of the lower half portion of the closed track, the endless track belt 1 slides on the suspension rail 6.
Referring to Fig. 2, the endless substrate belt 8 in the endless track belt 3 is composed of a core layer 8a, an upper reinforcing fabric layer 8b, laminated on the upper surface of the core layer 8a, a lower reinforcing fabric layer 8c laminated on the lower surface of the core layer 8a, an upper covering rubber layer 8d laminated on the upper reinforcing fabric layer 8b and a lower covering rubber layer 8e laminated on the lower reinforcing fabric layer 8c. The tractive projections 9 are formed on the upper covering rubber layer 8d of the substrate belt 8 at predetermined intervals and extend at right angles to the traveling direction of the substrate belt 8. The driving projections 11 are formed on the lower covering rubber layer 8e of the substrate belt 8 at predetermined - 6 2~1 4~
intervals.
In Fig. 2, the endless track belt 3 is provided with a plurality of transversed rigid members 12 in the same member as that of the tractive projections 9. The transversal rigid members 12 are arranged, for example, between the core layer 8a and the upper reinforcing fabric layer 8b of the substrate belt 8, protruded into the corresponding tractive projections 9 so that they are embedded within the portions of the track belt 1 lying over both the substrate belt 8 and the corresponding tractive projections 9, and extend in parallel to the tractive projections.
In Fig. 2, three endless track belts 3 are connected to each other through connecting members 13.
The core layer 8a of the endless substrate belt 8 comprises a flexible material, for example, reinforced by aramide, polyester or nylon fibers or a rubber material steel cords. ~he tractive projections 9 comprise an elastic material, for example, a soft rubber material which is resistant to frictional contact with snow and serves as a cushion material when the endless track belt 1 comes into hard contact with a solid body while the snow mobile is running.
Each individual tractive projection 9 has a substantially triangular cross-sectional profile and is provided with a pointed end portion 9a.
Where a portion of the substrate belt located in tne lower half portion of the closed track is inclined at an angle g to a horizontal line, and a tractive projection formed on the above-mentioned portion of the substrate belt comes into contact with an upper surface of a horizontal snow stratum, the pointed end of the tractive projection sinks into the horizontal snow stratum in the locus as indicated in Fig. 3.
Referring to Fig. 3, where a portion 8f of the substrate belt comes into contact at an angle 0 with an upper surface 15 of a horizontal snow stratum, while the ~ 7 ~ 2~4g~2 portion 8f of the substrate ~elt moves in the direction shown b~ the arrow A, the pointed end 9b of a tractive projection 9 sinks into the snow stratum along a locus 14. The locus 14 is inclined at an angle 1~2 ~ to a pexpendicular line X-X.
Referring to Fig. 4, the portion 8f of the substrate belt is represented by a line A-O which is inclined at an angle o to a horizontal line Z-O. When a pointed end 9b of the tractive projection 9 moves from a position A to a position O in the closed track, and no slippage occurs between the tractive projection and the snow stratum, the snow mobile is moved horizontally forward for a distance L represented by a line OZ in Fig. 2.
The triangle AOZ is an isosceles, and thus the angle AZO is equal to (90 - o/2) degrees. Accordingly, the angle ZAQ of the locus AZ to the perpendicular line Q-Q drawn through a point A is l/2 0 [180 - 90 _ (90 - 1/2 0)]-Therefore, when a pointed end of a tractive projection moves in a snow stratum in the direction of from A to Z, inclined at an angle 1/2 ~ to the perpendicular line Q-Q, the tractive projection is stressed by a force in the opposite direction of from Z
to A.
Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional profile of a portion 3a of a conventional endless track belt. In this portion 3a, a portion of a substrate belt 8 is inclined at an angle ~ to a horizontal plane, and a tractive projection 9 comes into contact with a horizontal upper surface 15 of a snow stratum.
Accordingly, a stress P is applied to the tractive projection 9 in the direction inclined at an angle 1/2 to the perpendicular line Q-Q. This stress must be borne by a transversal rigid member 12, to reinforce the tractive projection 9 and the substrate belt 8.
The transversal rigid member 12 can bear the - 8 - 2~4~2 stress P in a shadow region S thereof casted in the opposite direction to that of the stress P. This opposite direction is inclined at an angle l/2 ~ to the perpendicular line.
Referring to Fig. 5, a pointed end portion 9a of the tractive projection 9 is not contained in the shadow region S of the transversal rigid member 12, and therefore, the pointed end portion 9a is not satisfactorily reinforced by the transversal rigid member 12.
Referring to Fig. 6, when a portion of a conventional endless track belt 3 comes into contact with a horizontal upper surface 15 of a snow stratum and is moved horizontally in the direction, as shown by an arrow, along a suspension rail 6, a horizontal stress F
and a perpendicular stress P are applied to a tractive projection 9 in the directions as shown in Fig. 6, respectively.
Accordingly, a sliding metal member 16 fixed to the endless track belt 3 comes into contact with and slides on a sliding face 6a of a suspension rail 6. If the perpendicular stress P applied to the sliding metal member 16 is unevenly distributed on the sliding face thereof, the sliding resistance produced between the sliding face 6a of the suspension rail 6 and the sliding metal member 16 becomes uneven.
This uneven perpendicular stress P results in a decreased durability of the sliding metal member 16 and the suspension rail 6.
In Fig. 6, the pointed end portion 9a is outside of the shadow region X of the transversal rigid member 12 cast in the perpendicular direction, and thus the transversal rigid member 12 cannot satisfactorily bear the perpendicular stress P applied to the pointed end portion 9a of the tractive projection 9. Therefore, the perpendicular stress P is unevenly applied to the sliding metal member 16.
2~$~2 _ 9 Referring to Fig. 7, when a portion of an endless track belt 3 of the present invention comes into con~act with a horizontal snow stratum in a manner such that a portion of a substrate belt 8 is inclined at an angle 0 to the horizontal face 15 of the snow stratum, and a pointed end portion 9a of a tractive projection 9 comes into contact with the snow stratum and moves in the direction as shown by an arrow in Fig. 7, a stress P is applied to the pointed end portion 9a in the direction inclined at an angle 1/2 0 to the perpendicular line Q-Q.
As Fig. 7 clearly shows, the pointed end portion 9a of the tractive projection 9 is located within the shadow region S of the transversal rigid member 12 cast in the direction inclined at an angle 1/2 ~ to the perpendicular line Q-Q. Therefore, the stress P can be sufficiently borne by the transversal rigid member 12.
Therefore, in the endless track belt of the present invention, the pointed end portion 9a is reinforced by the transversal rigid member 12, and thus the deformation of the tractive projection 9 when the tractive projection 9 penetrates the snow stratum is minimized, and thus the endless track belt can provide a maximum traction force.
Also, referring to Fig. 8, a portion of an endless track belt 3 of the present invention comes into contact with a horizontal snow stratum and moves in the direction as shown by an arrow.
The pointed end portion 9a of the tractive projection 9 is located within a shadow region K of the transversal rigid member 12, and thus the perpendicular stress P created in the direction as shown in Fig. 8 on the pointed end portion 9a of the tractive projection 9 is sufficiently borne by the transversal rigid member 12, and is evenly applied to the sliding metal member 16. Therefore, the sliding resistance between the sliding metal member 16 and the sliding face 6a of 2 ~ 2 the suspension rail 6 is lowered. This lower sliding resistance results in an increased durability of the sliding metal member 16 and the suspension rail 6.
In the endless track belt of the present invention the cross-sectional profile of ths individual tractive projection along the longitudinal axis o~ the track belt is preferably asymmetrical with respect to a line Y-Y
drawn throuqh a pointed end 9b of the tractive projection 9 and a transversal axis 12a of the transversal rigid member 12, as shown in Fig. 7.
This asymmetric cross-sectional profile of the individual tractive projection is effective for reducing the resistance thereof to penetration of the snow stratum and for producing a floatation force when the tractive projection comes into contact with the horizontal snow stratum.
Also, in the endless track belt of the present invention, the individual tractive projection is preferably provided with at least one linear protrusion formed on the outside periphery of the tractive projection and extending in parallel to the tractive projection, as shown in Fig. 2.
The linear protrusion i5 effective for increasing the friction between the outside face of the individual tractive projection and the snow stratum, and thus for enhancing the tractive effect of the tractive projection.
The endless track belt of the present invention has the following advantages:
(1) The transversal rigid member can sufficiently bear the stress created on the pointed end portion of the corresponding individual tractive projection due to the resistance of the snow stratum against the movement of the corresponding individual tractive projection.
Therefore, the transversal rigid member arranged in accordance with the present invention effectively reinforces the corresponding tractive projection and the 2 ~ 2 corresponding portion of the substrate belt. Namely, when the tractive projection is stressed by the snow stratum, the deformation of the tractive projection is prevented by the corresponding transversal rigid member.
Therefore, the endless track belt of the present invention can produce a high tractive force for the snow mobile.
(2) The perpendicular stress applied to the sliding faces of the sliding metal member of the endless track belt and the suspension rail is even, and thus the sliding resistance between the sliding faces of the sliding metal member and the suspension rail is even and small. This even and small sliding resistance results in enhanced durability of the sliding metal member and the suspension rail.
(3) The transferred rigid member is effective for decreasing a moment created on the individual tractive projection, and thus the undesirable deformation of the corresponding position of the substrate belt is prevented.
Therefore, the flexural fatigue of the substrate belt is decreased or prevented.
The endless track belt comprises an endless substrate belt to be traveled along the endless track, a plurality of tractive projections protruding from the outside periphery of the substrate belt at predetermined intervals, and transversal rigid members embedded in the track belt.
When a portion of the endless track belt is located in a lower half portion of the endless track, the tractive projections on this portion of the track belt come into contact with a snow stratum and move the snow mobile forward or backward. The tractive projections and the endless substrate belt are reinforced by the transversal rigid members.
In the conventional endless track belt, each transversed rigid member is usually arranged in a center portion of a region lying over both the corresponding tractive projection and a portion of the substrate belt, from which portion the tractive projection protrudes outward. In this type of conventional endless track belt, when the tractive projections come into contact with a snow stratum, the transversal rigid member does - 2 - 2014~2 not satisfactorily absorb a stress created in the tractive projection, and thus does not sufficiently prevent deformation of the tractive projection. The deformation of the tractive projection results in difficulty in obtaining an effective and sufficient insertion of the tractive projection into the snow stratum, to a satisfactory depth. Therefore, it is difficult for the conventional endless track belt to produce a sufficient traction force for the snow mobile.
Also, the deformation of the tractive projection causes an increased friction between the endless track belt and a suspension rail, and thus the suspension rail is locally loaded, and accordingly, locally abraded.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide an endless track belt for a snow mobile, in which belt a plurality of tractive projections to be inserted into snow stratum are effectively reinforced by a plurality of transversal rigid members.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an endless track belt for a snow mobile, which belt is capable of creating an enhanced force of traction for the snow mobile.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide an endless track belt for snow mobile, and having a reduced frictional resistance of portions of the snow mobile with which the track belt comes into contact while the track belt is traveled, and thus an enhanced durability.
The above-mentioned objects can be attained by the endless track belt of the present invention for a snow mobile, which comprises the following members:
(l) an endless substrate belt to be traveled along a closed track, a lower half portion of which an endless track belt comes into contact with a snow stratum to thereby move a snow mobile forward;
(2) a plurality of tractive projections protruding 3 2~ 52 from an outside periphery of the substrate belt at predetermined intervals, extended at right angles to the traveling direction of the substrate belt, and each havinq a pointed end portion thereof; and (3) transversal rigid members for reinforcing the substrate belt and the tractive projections, in the same number as that of the tractive projection, embedded within the substrate belt, and extending along the tractive projections, said individual tractive projection and the corresponding transversal rigid member satisfying a relationship such that, when a portion of the substrate belt located in the lower half portion of the closed track is in parallel to the horizontal line, the pointed end portion of the individual tractive projection arranged on the above-mentioned portion of the substrate belt positions within a shadow region of the corresponding transversal rigid member cast in the direction in parallel to the perpendicular line, and when a portion of the substrate belt located in the lower half portion of the closed track is inclined at an angle 0 to the horizontal line, the pointed end portion of the individual tractive projection arranged on the above-mentioned position of the substrate belt is positioned within a shadow region of the corresponding transverse rigid member cast in the direction of an angle of l/2 0 to the perpendicular line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure l shows a front view of a snow mobile having a pair of endless track belts;
Fig. 2 shows an explanator~ view of a portion of an assembly of an endless track belt;
Fig. 3 shows a locus of a tractive projection of an endless track belt of the present invention, where the tractive projection has sunk into a snow stratum;
Fig. 4 shows a geometric locus of a pointed end of the tractive projection shown in Fig. 3;
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Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional profile of a portion of a conventional endless track belt, inclined from the horizontal plane;
Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional profile of a portion of a conventional endless track belt located in a portion of a closed track thereof in parallel to the horizontal plane;
Fig. 7 shows a cross-sectional profile of a portion of an endless track belt of the present invention, inclined from the horizontal plane; and Fig. 8 shows a cross-sectional profile of a portion of an endless track belt of the present invention, located in a portion of a closed track thereof in parallel to the horizontal plane.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The endless belt of the present invention for a snow mobile comprises the elements of (l) an endless substrate belt, (2) a plurality of tractive projections protruding from the outside periphery of the substrate belt at predetermined intervals, and ~3) a plurality of transverse rigid members for reinforcing the substrate belt and the tractive projections, in the same number as that of the tractive projections.
Referring to Figs. l and 2, a snow mobile l is provided with a pair of skis 2 arranged in the front lower portion of the snow mobile l, and a pair of endless track belts 3 each traveling along a closed circling track defined by a drive wheel 4, an idle roller 5, a suspension rail 6, and optionally, one or more guide rollers 7.
~ hen the snow mobile l is placed on a horizontal plane, the bottom face of the ski 2 and the bottom face of the suspension rail 6 are substantially in parallel to the horizontal plane. The endless tractive belt 3 is provided with an endless substrate belt 8, a plurality of tractive projections 9, and a plurality of transversed rigid member l0. The tractive projactions 9 2~14~
are formed on the outside periphery of the endless substrate belt 8 at predetermined intervals, extend at right angle to the traveling direction, or the longitudinal axis, of the substrate belt, and has pointed end portions thereof.
The endless track belt 3 is further provided with a plurality of driving projections 11 protruding from the inside periphery of the substrate belt 8. The driving projections 11 are geared to mesh with a plurality of pins 10 formed on the side surfaces of the drive wheel 4 to travel the endless track belt 3. Also, the endless track belt 3 is traveled along the closed circling track, on a lower half portion of which the endless track belt 3 comes into contAct with the snow stratum and moves the snow mobile 1 forward. The lower half portion of the closed track has a substantially horizontal portion defined by the suspension rail 6 and a ~ownwardly inclined portion defined by the drive wheel 4 and the suspension rail 6. In this horizontal portion of the lower half portion of the closed track, the endless track belt 1 slides on the suspension rail 6.
Referring to Fig. 2, the endless substrate belt 8 in the endless track belt 3 is composed of a core layer 8a, an upper reinforcing fabric layer 8b, laminated on the upper surface of the core layer 8a, a lower reinforcing fabric layer 8c laminated on the lower surface of the core layer 8a, an upper covering rubber layer 8d laminated on the upper reinforcing fabric layer 8b and a lower covering rubber layer 8e laminated on the lower reinforcing fabric layer 8c. The tractive projections 9 are formed on the upper covering rubber layer 8d of the substrate belt 8 at predetermined intervals and extend at right angles to the traveling direction of the substrate belt 8. The driving projections 11 are formed on the lower covering rubber layer 8e of the substrate belt 8 at predetermined - 6 2~1 4~
intervals.
In Fig. 2, the endless track belt 3 is provided with a plurality of transversed rigid members 12 in the same member as that of the tractive projections 9. The transversal rigid members 12 are arranged, for example, between the core layer 8a and the upper reinforcing fabric layer 8b of the substrate belt 8, protruded into the corresponding tractive projections 9 so that they are embedded within the portions of the track belt 1 lying over both the substrate belt 8 and the corresponding tractive projections 9, and extend in parallel to the tractive projections.
In Fig. 2, three endless track belts 3 are connected to each other through connecting members 13.
The core layer 8a of the endless substrate belt 8 comprises a flexible material, for example, reinforced by aramide, polyester or nylon fibers or a rubber material steel cords. ~he tractive projections 9 comprise an elastic material, for example, a soft rubber material which is resistant to frictional contact with snow and serves as a cushion material when the endless track belt 1 comes into hard contact with a solid body while the snow mobile is running.
Each individual tractive projection 9 has a substantially triangular cross-sectional profile and is provided with a pointed end portion 9a.
Where a portion of the substrate belt located in tne lower half portion of the closed track is inclined at an angle g to a horizontal line, and a tractive projection formed on the above-mentioned portion of the substrate belt comes into contact with an upper surface of a horizontal snow stratum, the pointed end of the tractive projection sinks into the horizontal snow stratum in the locus as indicated in Fig. 3.
Referring to Fig. 3, where a portion 8f of the substrate belt comes into contact at an angle 0 with an upper surface 15 of a horizontal snow stratum, while the ~ 7 ~ 2~4g~2 portion 8f of the substrate ~elt moves in the direction shown b~ the arrow A, the pointed end 9b of a tractive projection 9 sinks into the snow stratum along a locus 14. The locus 14 is inclined at an angle 1~2 ~ to a pexpendicular line X-X.
Referring to Fig. 4, the portion 8f of the substrate belt is represented by a line A-O which is inclined at an angle o to a horizontal line Z-O. When a pointed end 9b of the tractive projection 9 moves from a position A to a position O in the closed track, and no slippage occurs between the tractive projection and the snow stratum, the snow mobile is moved horizontally forward for a distance L represented by a line OZ in Fig. 2.
The triangle AOZ is an isosceles, and thus the angle AZO is equal to (90 - o/2) degrees. Accordingly, the angle ZAQ of the locus AZ to the perpendicular line Q-Q drawn through a point A is l/2 0 [180 - 90 _ (90 - 1/2 0)]-Therefore, when a pointed end of a tractive projection moves in a snow stratum in the direction of from A to Z, inclined at an angle 1/2 ~ to the perpendicular line Q-Q, the tractive projection is stressed by a force in the opposite direction of from Z
to A.
Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional profile of a portion 3a of a conventional endless track belt. In this portion 3a, a portion of a substrate belt 8 is inclined at an angle ~ to a horizontal plane, and a tractive projection 9 comes into contact with a horizontal upper surface 15 of a snow stratum.
Accordingly, a stress P is applied to the tractive projection 9 in the direction inclined at an angle 1/2 to the perpendicular line Q-Q. This stress must be borne by a transversal rigid member 12, to reinforce the tractive projection 9 and the substrate belt 8.
The transversal rigid member 12 can bear the - 8 - 2~4~2 stress P in a shadow region S thereof casted in the opposite direction to that of the stress P. This opposite direction is inclined at an angle l/2 ~ to the perpendicular line.
Referring to Fig. 5, a pointed end portion 9a of the tractive projection 9 is not contained in the shadow region S of the transversal rigid member 12, and therefore, the pointed end portion 9a is not satisfactorily reinforced by the transversal rigid member 12.
Referring to Fig. 6, when a portion of a conventional endless track belt 3 comes into contact with a horizontal upper surface 15 of a snow stratum and is moved horizontally in the direction, as shown by an arrow, along a suspension rail 6, a horizontal stress F
and a perpendicular stress P are applied to a tractive projection 9 in the directions as shown in Fig. 6, respectively.
Accordingly, a sliding metal member 16 fixed to the endless track belt 3 comes into contact with and slides on a sliding face 6a of a suspension rail 6. If the perpendicular stress P applied to the sliding metal member 16 is unevenly distributed on the sliding face thereof, the sliding resistance produced between the sliding face 6a of the suspension rail 6 and the sliding metal member 16 becomes uneven.
This uneven perpendicular stress P results in a decreased durability of the sliding metal member 16 and the suspension rail 6.
In Fig. 6, the pointed end portion 9a is outside of the shadow region X of the transversal rigid member 12 cast in the perpendicular direction, and thus the transversal rigid member 12 cannot satisfactorily bear the perpendicular stress P applied to the pointed end portion 9a of the tractive projection 9. Therefore, the perpendicular stress P is unevenly applied to the sliding metal member 16.
2~$~2 _ 9 Referring to Fig. 7, when a portion of an endless track belt 3 of the present invention comes into con~act with a horizontal snow stratum in a manner such that a portion of a substrate belt 8 is inclined at an angle 0 to the horizontal face 15 of the snow stratum, and a pointed end portion 9a of a tractive projection 9 comes into contact with the snow stratum and moves in the direction as shown by an arrow in Fig. 7, a stress P is applied to the pointed end portion 9a in the direction inclined at an angle 1/2 0 to the perpendicular line Q-Q.
As Fig. 7 clearly shows, the pointed end portion 9a of the tractive projection 9 is located within the shadow region S of the transversal rigid member 12 cast in the direction inclined at an angle 1/2 ~ to the perpendicular line Q-Q. Therefore, the stress P can be sufficiently borne by the transversal rigid member 12.
Therefore, in the endless track belt of the present invention, the pointed end portion 9a is reinforced by the transversal rigid member 12, and thus the deformation of the tractive projection 9 when the tractive projection 9 penetrates the snow stratum is minimized, and thus the endless track belt can provide a maximum traction force.
Also, referring to Fig. 8, a portion of an endless track belt 3 of the present invention comes into contact with a horizontal snow stratum and moves in the direction as shown by an arrow.
The pointed end portion 9a of the tractive projection 9 is located within a shadow region K of the transversal rigid member 12, and thus the perpendicular stress P created in the direction as shown in Fig. 8 on the pointed end portion 9a of the tractive projection 9 is sufficiently borne by the transversal rigid member 12, and is evenly applied to the sliding metal member 16. Therefore, the sliding resistance between the sliding metal member 16 and the sliding face 6a of 2 ~ 2 the suspension rail 6 is lowered. This lower sliding resistance results in an increased durability of the sliding metal member 16 and the suspension rail 6.
In the endless track belt of the present invention the cross-sectional profile of ths individual tractive projection along the longitudinal axis o~ the track belt is preferably asymmetrical with respect to a line Y-Y
drawn throuqh a pointed end 9b of the tractive projection 9 and a transversal axis 12a of the transversal rigid member 12, as shown in Fig. 7.
This asymmetric cross-sectional profile of the individual tractive projection is effective for reducing the resistance thereof to penetration of the snow stratum and for producing a floatation force when the tractive projection comes into contact with the horizontal snow stratum.
Also, in the endless track belt of the present invention, the individual tractive projection is preferably provided with at least one linear protrusion formed on the outside periphery of the tractive projection and extending in parallel to the tractive projection, as shown in Fig. 2.
The linear protrusion i5 effective for increasing the friction between the outside face of the individual tractive projection and the snow stratum, and thus for enhancing the tractive effect of the tractive projection.
The endless track belt of the present invention has the following advantages:
(1) The transversal rigid member can sufficiently bear the stress created on the pointed end portion of the corresponding individual tractive projection due to the resistance of the snow stratum against the movement of the corresponding individual tractive projection.
Therefore, the transversal rigid member arranged in accordance with the present invention effectively reinforces the corresponding tractive projection and the 2 ~ 2 corresponding portion of the substrate belt. Namely, when the tractive projection is stressed by the snow stratum, the deformation of the tractive projection is prevented by the corresponding transversal rigid member.
Therefore, the endless track belt of the present invention can produce a high tractive force for the snow mobile.
(2) The perpendicular stress applied to the sliding faces of the sliding metal member of the endless track belt and the suspension rail is even, and thus the sliding resistance between the sliding faces of the sliding metal member and the suspension rail is even and small. This even and small sliding resistance results in enhanced durability of the sliding metal member and the suspension rail.
(3) The transferred rigid member is effective for decreasing a moment created on the individual tractive projection, and thus the undesirable deformation of the corresponding position of the substrate belt is prevented.
Therefore, the flexural fatigue of the substrate belt is decreased or prevented.
(4) The production of the endless track belt of the present invention can be easily carried out without changing the design and the elements of the belt.
Claims (3)
1. An endless track belt for snow mobile, comprising the members of:
(1) an endless substrate belt to be traveled along a closed track, on a lower half portion of which an endless track belt comes into contact with snow stratum to move a snow mobile forward;
(2) a plurality of tractive projections protruding from an outside periphery of the substrate belt at predetermined intervals, extending at right angles to the traveling direction of the substrate belt, and each having a pointed end portion thereof; and (3) transversal rigid members for reinforcing the substrate belt and the tractive projections, in the same number as that of the tractive projections, embedded within the substrate belt, and extending along the tractive projections, said individual tractive projection and the corresponding transversal rigid member satisfying the relationship such that, when a portion of the substrate belt located in the lower half portion of the closed track is in parallel to the horizontal line, the pointed end portion of the individual tractive projection arranged on the above-mentioned portion of the substrate belt positions within a shadow region of the corresponding transversal rigid member cast in the direction in parallel to the perpendicular line, and when a portion of the substrate belt located in the lower half portion of the closed track is inclined at an angle .theta. to the horizontal line, the pointed end portion of the individual tractive projection arranged on the above-mentioned portion of the substrate belt positions within a shadow region of the corresponding transversal rigid member cast in the direction of an angle of 1/2 .theta.
to the perpendicular line.
(1) an endless substrate belt to be traveled along a closed track, on a lower half portion of which an endless track belt comes into contact with snow stratum to move a snow mobile forward;
(2) a plurality of tractive projections protruding from an outside periphery of the substrate belt at predetermined intervals, extending at right angles to the traveling direction of the substrate belt, and each having a pointed end portion thereof; and (3) transversal rigid members for reinforcing the substrate belt and the tractive projections, in the same number as that of the tractive projections, embedded within the substrate belt, and extending along the tractive projections, said individual tractive projection and the corresponding transversal rigid member satisfying the relationship such that, when a portion of the substrate belt located in the lower half portion of the closed track is in parallel to the horizontal line, the pointed end portion of the individual tractive projection arranged on the above-mentioned portion of the substrate belt positions within a shadow region of the corresponding transversal rigid member cast in the direction in parallel to the perpendicular line, and when a portion of the substrate belt located in the lower half portion of the closed track is inclined at an angle .theta. to the horizontal line, the pointed end portion of the individual tractive projection arranged on the above-mentioned portion of the substrate belt positions within a shadow region of the corresponding transversal rigid member cast in the direction of an angle of 1/2 .theta.
to the perpendicular line.
2. The endless track belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the individual tractive projection is provided with at least one linear protrusion formed on the outside periphery thereof and extending in parallel thereto.
3. The endless track belt as claimed in claim 1, wherein the individual tractive projection has a cross-sectional profile along the longitudinal axis of the track belt, which is asymmetrical with respect to a line drawn through the pointed end of the tractive project and a transversal axis of the transversal rigid member.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP1096422A JP3054629B2 (en) | 1989-04-18 | 1989-04-18 | Track belts for snowmobiles |
| JP1-96422 | 1989-04-18 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2014852A1 true CA2014852A1 (en) | 1990-10-18 |
Family
ID=14164548
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2014852 Abandoned CA2014852A1 (en) | 1989-04-18 | 1990-04-18 | Endless track belt for snow mobile |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JP3054629B2 (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2014852A1 (en) |
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD380419S (en) | 1994-12-29 | 1997-07-01 | Bombardier Inc. | Snowmoble track |
| US5713645A (en) * | 1995-02-22 | 1998-02-03 | Bombardier Inc. | Snowmobile track profile |
| US9694863B2 (en) | 2014-01-29 | 2017-07-04 | Hans Hall Gmbh | Traction chain for a caterpillar chain of a tracked vehicle, and kit for a caterpillar chain |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS5016778Y2 (en) * | 1972-06-20 | 1975-05-24 | ||
| JPS57131U (en) * | 1980-05-30 | 1982-01-05 | ||
| JPS6239987U (en) * | 1985-08-26 | 1987-03-10 |
-
1989
- 1989-04-18 JP JP1096422A patent/JP3054629B2/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
1990
- 1990-04-18 CA CA 2014852 patent/CA2014852A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD380419S (en) | 1994-12-29 | 1997-07-01 | Bombardier Inc. | Snowmoble track |
| US5713645A (en) * | 1995-02-22 | 1998-02-03 | Bombardier Inc. | Snowmobile track profile |
| US9694863B2 (en) | 2014-01-29 | 2017-07-04 | Hans Hall Gmbh | Traction chain for a caterpillar chain of a tracked vehicle, and kit for a caterpillar chain |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| JPH02274682A (en) | 1990-11-08 |
| JP3054629B2 (en) | 2000-06-19 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Dead |