CA2273896A1

CA2273896A1 - Connector for a broken rubber-type track

Info

Publication number: CA2273896A1
Application number: CA 2273896
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gilles Soucy; Marc Delisle; Stephane Gauthier; Daniel Benoit
Original assignee: Soucy International Inc
Current assignee: Soucy International Inc
Priority date: 1999-06-08
Filing date: 1999-06-08
Publication date: 2000-12-08
Also published as: AU5380700A; WO2000074999A1

Description

CONNECTOR FOR A BROKEN RUBBER-TYPE TRACK
The present invention relates to a mechanical connector used to temporarily join two ends of a ruptured or damaged rubber-type track of a vehicle and allow the vehicle to proceed to the nearest maintenance site or to a convenient location where the replacement of the track can be undertaken.
Many modern tanks and other military vehicles, as well as some off-highway utility vehicles, are supported by a set of endless tracks made of a strong rubber-type composite material. One advantage of using rubber-type tracks is that these tracks are less likely to cause damages to roads or structures on which they travel, when compared to their metallic counterparts. However, these rubber-type tracks can be cut transversely due to a defect in the material, wear or fatigue. A track may also be severed by an object on which it traveled. In the case of a military vehicle, a track may be severed or damaged by a mine, a nearby explosion or a projectile. In all instances, the affected vehicle is likely to be useless unless a repair is done on site, even if no section of the track is missing or extensively damaged.
An on-site replacement of a damaged track not always possible, especially if the failure occurred in an hostile territory or in a location which is difficult to access. Yet, some tanks can weight up to 60 tons and more. Replacing a track on such vehicle requires the presence of heavy lifting equipments that will have to be dispatched to the location where the vehicle is.
The object of the present invention is to allow a ruptured or damaged track to be temporarily repaired so that the vehicle can proceed by its own to the nearest maintenance site or to a convenient location where the replacement of the track can be achieved.
The appended figures show an example of a connector (10) according to the present invention. Other models are also possible, depending on the kind and the extent of the

2 damage as well as the model of the track. The connector (10) is preferably made of metal.
The connector (10) comprises a plurality of parallel and spaced-apart elongated rods (12). Their exact number depends on the extent of the damage and the type or the size of the vehicle . They are to be transversely set against the exterior side of the track. The length of the rods (12) is equivalent to the width of the track to be repaired. Further, the ends of some or all rods (12) are preferably reinforced by filler blocks (14,16) to provide additional stiffness and to concentrate the traction forces on the sides.
The ends of the rods (12) are connected together by means of two parallel sets of links (18,20). The length of the links (18,20) are equivalent to the distance between two drive lugs on the interior side of the track. The links (18,20) of each set are pivotally interconnected one after the other and form an articulated linkage that is adjacent to a respective side edge of the track. Each link (18,20) partially overlaps an adjacent one and the rod (12) is inserted through a slightly larger hole made through them.
The rod (12) is retained by a nut. The articulated linkage allows the connector (10) to follow the curvature of the track as the vehicle moves. Of course, another kind of articulated linkage may be used, such as a flexible strip of a plastic material or any other equivalents, as apparent to a person skilled in the art.
The connector (10) also comprises two sets of at least two L-shaped tabs (26,28) that are connected to or near a respective end of the rods (12). These tabs (26,28) are oriented inwardly. Their end section (30,32) is to be in engagement with the interior side of the track in order to maintain the connector (10) in place. The end sections (30,32) will be located between two drive lugs on the interior side of the track.
Additionally, two adjacent links (18,20) that are about the middle of each side of the connector (10), comprise an upright projecting flange (34,36). These flanges (34,36) allow one or more bolts (38,40) to be inserted through a tapped hole in the side of a corresponding drive lug or guide horn on the interior side of the track.

3 In use, the connector (10) is substantially centered with reference to the crack or damaged section in the track. By doing so, each flange (34,36) of a same side should be located next to a respective side of the crack or damaged section. The bolts (38,40) will prevent the track from bending towards the center and affect the movement of the track while going over the wheels and sprockets.
FIGS. 2 to 6 show the connector (10) once installed on a typical track (50).
The track (50) is provided with drive lugs (52) and guide horns (54). As it can be appreciated, only the end sections (30,32) of the tabs (26,28) are in contact with the interior side of the track (50). Their convenient location and small size prevent them from interfering with the driving system of the track (50).
The present invention can be advantageously used to temporarily join two ends of a ruptured or damaged rubber-type track of any kind of vehicle with an internal track driving system, for instance off-highway utility vehicles, some snowmobiles, tanks and other military vehicles. It can also be used to reinforce a section of a track that shows signs of a possible failure before it actually happens. Moreover, the present invention does not need the belting of the track (50) to be punctured between the interior and exterior side thereof, which greatly simplifies the installation of the connector (10).