CA2229247A1

CA2229247A1 - Method of converting a motor vehicle into a tracked vehicle

Info

Publication number: CA2229247A1
Application number: CA 2229247
Authority: CA
Inventors: Norman Campbell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1998-02-11
Filing date: 1998-02-11
Publication date: 1999-08-11

Abstract

A method of converting a motor vehicle into a tracked vehicle. The first step involves non-rotatably securing a dual rear wheel to each rear wheel. The second step involves mounting an idler wheel forward of each rear wheel. Each idler wheel is on a common plane with one of the dual rear wheels.
The third step involves encircling each dual rear and each idler wheel with a continuous track.

Description

TITLE OF! THE INVENTION:
method of converting a motor vehicle into a tracked vehicle NAMES) OF INVENTOR(S):
Norman Campbell FIELD Ol? THE INVENTION
The' present invention relates to a method of converting a motor vehicle into a tracked vehicle and, in particular, an all terrain vehicle commonly known as a "quad".
BACKGROZTND OF THE INVENTION
Four wheeled all terrain motor vehicles known as "quads"
have become very popular in North America. However, quads have difficu=Lty manoeuvring in deep snow. There have been attempts to modij=y quads to convert them to tracked vehicles, but such attempt: have, to date, not been successful. Once unsuccessful attempt marketed by Great West Golf & Industrial Inc . which operate; out of Edmonton, Alberta involved the use of rear mounted idler wheels. A track was supported between the rear wheels of the quad and the rear mounted idler wheels. This quad tended to ride high in the back and, therefore, tended to nosedive. into snow drifts. Another unsuccessful attempted marketed by Kimpex Inc. which operates out of Drummondville, Quebec :involved the use of a centrally mounted undercarriage track. This quad rode over the snow, but lacked lateral stability. It was taken off the market after several accidents involving quads that tipped over while manoeuvring.
SUN~IARY OF THE INVENTION
Whet is required is an alternative method of converting a quad into a tracked vehicle.
According to the present invention there is provided a method of converting a motor vehicle into a tracked vehicle.
The first step involves non-rotatably securing a dual rear wheel to each rear wheel. The second step involves mounting an idler wheel forward of each rear wheel. Each idler wheel is on a common plane with one of the dual rear wheels. The third step involves encircling each dual rear and each idler wheel wuth a continuous track.
The' method, as described above, has been found to provide the requisite buoyancy for the quad to enable it to manoeuvre in dee~~ snow while also providing the requisite lateral stability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other features of the invention will become more apparent: from the following description in which reference is made to the appended drawings, wherein:
FIGURE 1 is a side elevation view of a quad that has been converted into a tracked vehicle in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
FIGURE 2 is a bottom plan view of the quad illustrated in 2 0 FIGURE :L .
FI(=URE 3 is a first rear elevation view, in section, of the quad illustrated in FIGURE 1.
FI(=URE 4 is a second rear elevation view, in section, of the quad illustrated in FIGURE 1.
DETAIhEI) DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The' preferred method of converting a motor vehicle into a tracked vehicle will now be described with reference to FIGURES 1 through 4.
Rei=erring to FIGURES 1 and 2, there is illustrated a quad 12 as it: appears after conversion into a track vehicle with a dual rear wheel 14 and an idler wheel 15. Referring to FIGURE

3, the first step in effecting this conversion is to non-rotatab=Ly secure a dual rear wheel 14 to each rear wheel 16 by bolting a collar 18 between rear wheel 16 and dual rear wheel 14. Collar 18 has a first flange 20 with a plurality of mounting apertures 23 and a second flange 22 with a plurality of mounting bolts 24. Mounting bolts 26 on axle 28 extend through mounting apertures 23 on first flange 20. Nuts 30 are then used to secure collar 18 in position. Dual rear wheel 14 is then. mounted onto mounting bolts 24 that extend from secondary flange 22 and secured in position by nuts 32. It will be apparent that with this mode of mounting, rotation of rear wheel 16 results in rotation of dual rear wheel 14.
Referring to FIGURES 2 and 4, idler wheels 15 are mounted forward of each rear wheel 16 by attaching a idler wheel support bracket 34 to a frame 36 of quad 12. The mode of attachment illustrated is by means of nuts 38 and bolts 40.
This mode of attachment is preferred as it enables idler wheel support bracket 34 to be readily removed when not required.
Referring to FIGURE 2, it is to be noted that each idler wheel 15 is on a common plane with one of dual rear wheels 14, as indicatEad by reference numeral 42. Referring to FIGURE 4, idler wheel support bracket 34 includes rotatable portion 44, to which idler wheel 15 is mounted by means of mounting bolts 46 and :tuts 48. Referring to FIGURES 1 and 2, a continuous track 50 encircles each dual rear wheel 14 and each idler wheel 15. Rogation of dual rear wheel 14 moves continuous track 50 with mo~rement of track 50 being supported by idler wheel 15.
The' forward positioning of idler wheel 15 provides buoyanc~r for quad 12 when travelling over snow. The lateral positioning of both idler wheels 15 and dual rear wheels 14 provider quad 12 with a wide and stable stance.
Although this present invention was developed for use with an all terrain vehicle, and has been illustrated with reference to an a7.1 terrain vehicle; it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the teachings are transferable to other types of motor vehicles. It will also be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined in the Claims.

Claims

1. A method of converting a motor vehicle into a tracked vehicle, comprising the steps of:
non-rotatably securing a dual rear wheel to each rear wheel;
mounting an idler wheel forward of each rear wheel, each idler wheel being on a common plane with one of the dual rear wheels; and encircling each dual rear and each idler wheel with a continuous track.

2. A method of converting a motor vehicle into a tracked vehicle, comprising the steps of:
non-rotatably securing a dual rear wheel to each rear wheel bar bolting a collar between the rear wheel and the dual rear wheel, such that rotation of the rear wheel results in rotation of the dual rear wheel;
mounting an idler wheel forward of each rear wheel by attaching a idler wheel support to a frame of the motor vehicle, each idler wheel being on a common plane with one of the dual rear wheels; and encircling each dual rear wheel and each idler wheel with a continuous track, such that rotation of the dual rear wheel moves the continuous track with movement of the track being supported by the idler wheel.