CA2650933C - Traction assembly - Google Patents

Traction assembly Download PDF

Info

Publication number
CA2650933C
CA2650933C CA2650933A CA2650933A CA2650933C CA 2650933 C CA2650933 C CA 2650933C CA 2650933 A CA2650933 A CA 2650933A CA 2650933 A CA2650933 A CA 2650933A CA 2650933 C CA2650933 C CA 2650933C
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
endless track
tension
track
sliding rail
sub
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.)
Active
Application number
CA2650933A
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
CA2650933A1 (en
Inventor
Robert Bessette
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Soucy International Inc
Original Assignee
Soucy International Inc
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Soucy International Inc filed Critical Soucy International Inc
Publication of CA2650933A1 publication Critical patent/CA2650933A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CA2650933C publication Critical patent/CA2650933C/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

Links

Landscapes

  • Devices For Conveying Motion By Means Of Endless Flexible Members (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending endless track disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, idler wheels and a supporting frame. The supporting frame generally comprises at least two laterally spaced sliding rails for supporting and guiding the lower run of the endless track. Pivotally mounted between the sliding rails are the two idler wheels, one at the fore, and one at the aft. The supporting frame is also provided with road wheel receiving locations for pivotally supporting one or more road wheels if necessary. The front portion of the supporting frame is also provided with a track tensioning system which uses the resiliency of the supporting frame material to provide tension.

Description

File number: 11038-105 Datc: 2015/09/01 TRACTION ASSEMBLY
Field of the Invention 100011 The present invention generally relates to traction assemblies used as wheel replacements for wheeled vehicles.
Summary of the Invention 100021 The objectives of the present invention are realized by generally providing an improved traction assembly particularly adapted to replace the front and/or the rear wheels of a wheeled all-terrain vehicle (hereinafter "ATV").
100031 More particularly, the traction assembly of the present invention generally comprises a sprocket wheel and a longitudinally extending endless track cooperating therewith. The sprocket wheel is preferably fixedly attached by means known in the art to the traction axle (or the wheel hub) of the vehicle. The traction assembly also comprises a support structure or frame on which idler wheels are mounted. These idlers wheels are preferably mounted at the extremities of the support structure. A plurality of road wheels can possibly be mounted along the support structure to increase the stability of the endless track.
[0004] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the supporting frame of the traction assembly comprises two laterally spaced sliding rails adapted to support and guide the lower run of the endless track (Figs. 1, 2 and 7).
100051 Additionally, pivotally mounted between these two sliding rails are two idler wheels; one at the front of the rails and one at the rear (Figs. 1-4). In order to assure a smooth transition between the sliding rails and the idler wheels and to provide protection thereto, the front and rear extremities of each rail is rounded and partially follows the File number: 11038-105 Date: 2015/09/01 curvature of the idler wheels (Figs. 3 and 4). The extremities of the rails also provide additional support to the endless track and prevent excessive bending thereof (Fig. 1).
100061 In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the sliding rails of the support frame are provided with a plurality of road wheel receiving locations where road wheels can be pivotally mounted if necessary (Figs. 1-4).
100071 The invention is directed to a traction assembly adapted to be operatively connected to a traction axle of a vehicle. The traction assembly comprises:
a supporting frame having an upper part and a lower part;
a sprocket driving wheel supported by the upper part of the supporting frame and adapted to be coupled to the traction axle and to an endless track to impart motion from the traction axle to said endless track;
two sliding rails supported on the lower part of the supporting frame for supporting and guiding the endless track, each sliding rail having:
a main portion for guiding a lower run of the endless track; and a front portion pivotally connected to a first end of the main portion of the sliding rail by a resilient portion;
a front and rear idler wheels located between the guiding rails at both extremities of the guiding rails to engage the endless track; the front idler wheel being connected to the pivotal front portion of the sliding rails;
whereby in use, each resilient portion of each sliding rail provides a tension in the endless track, the tension of the endless track being increased by pulling the front portion away from the main portion and decreased by pushing the front portion toward the main portion.
- 2 -File number: 11038-105 Date: 2015/09/01 [0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the traction assembly is provided with a track tensioning system for tensioning the endless track.
The track tensioning system generally comprises the front portion of each sliding rail which is connected to its respective main portion via a resilient portion. The resilient portion generally defines a first pivot point around which the front portion of the rail, onto which the idler wheel is mounted, can substantially pivot (Fig. 10).
100091 The invention is also directed to a method to adjust a tension in an endless track of a track assembly. The track assembly is as defined herein, the method comprising the steps of:
pulling the front portion away from the main portion of each sliding rail by deforming the resilient portion to increase the tension in the endless track;
or pushing the front portion toward the main portion of each sliding rail by deforming the resilient portion to decrease the tension in the endless track.
[0010] The tensioning system also comprises, for each sliding rail, a side plate mounted to the main portion of the rail and a push-bolt assembly which extends between the front portion of the rail and a point on the side plate (Figs. 7-9).
100111 By adjusting the push-bolt of the push-bolt assembly, the length of the push-bolt assembly changes, accordingly pushing or retracting the front portion of the sliding rail onto which the idler wheel is mounted. Understandably, when the front portion of the sliding rail is pushed away from the main portion by the push-bolt assembly, the tension in the track is increased whereas when the front portion is retracted and pulled toward the main portion by the push-bolt assembly, the tension in the track is reduced.
100121 Understandably, the push-bolt of each sliding rail must be adjusted substantially similarly in order to obtain a balanced tension in the track.
- 3 -File number: 11038-105 Date: 2015/09/01 [0013] The invention is further directed to a method to increase a tension in an endless track of a track assembly. The track assembly is as defined hereinabove when including the push-bolt assembly and the side plate. The method then comprises the steps of:
pulling the front portion away from the main portion of each sliding rail by deforming the resilient portion to increase the tension in the endless track;
and locking the front portion in a given position using the push-bolt assembly and the side plate to maintain a constant tension in the endless track.
[0014] The invention is further directed to a method to decrease a tension in an endless track of a track assembly. The track assembly is as defined hereinabove when including the push-bolt assembly and the side plate. The method then comprises the steps of:
pushing the front portion toward the main portion of each sliding rail by deforming the resilient portion to decrease the tension in the endless track;
and locking the front portion in a given position using the push-bolt assembly and the side plate to maintain a constant tension in the endless track.
Brief Description of the Drawings [0015] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0016] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the traction assembly of the present invention.
[0017] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the traction assembly of Fig. 1, without the endless track.
[0018] Figure 3 is an outer side view of the traction assembly shown in Fig.
2.
[0019] Figure 4 is an inner side view of the traction assembly shown in Fig.
2.
- 4 -File number: 11038-105 Date: 2015/09/01 100201 Figure 5 is a front view of the traction assembly shown in Fig. 2.
[0021] Figure 6 is a rear view of the traction assembly shown in Fig. 2.
[0022] Figure 7 is an outer perspective view of the traction assembly of Fig.
1, without the endless track.
[0023] Figure 8 is an inner perspective view of the traction assembly of Fig.
1, without the endless track.
[0024] Figure 9 is a close-up view of the tensioning system of the traction assembly of Fig. 1.
[0025] Figure 10 is a close-up view of the tensioning system of Fig. 9, without the side plates.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment [0026] A traction assembly will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.
[0027] Figures 1, 2 and 3 displays the traction assembly 10 that comprises an endless track 12, a driving wheel 20, idler wheels 22, an intermediate idler wheel 23, two guiding rails 24 and a supporting frame 26.
[0028] In the present embodiment, the driving wheel 20 is generally a sprocket wheel that cooperates with extrusions 36 located on the inner surface of the endless track 12 to transmit the propulsive force from said driving wheel to said endless track.
The endless track has extrusions 13 on the outer surface to engage the ground.
[0029] In the present embodiment, two main idler wheels 22 are located at both extremities of the traction assembly. The idler wheels 22 are pivotally mounted on the guiding rails 24 by axles 28. Both extremities of the guiding rails are rounded in a way to partially follow the curvature of the idler wheels 22.
[0030] In the present embodiment, two laterally spaced guiding rails 24 are used to support and guide the lower run of the endless track. The idler wheels 22 are located in
- 5 -File number: 11038-105 Date: 2015/09/01 the gap located between the guiding rails 24. Also, intermediate idler wheels 23 could be located in the center portion of the gap between the guiding rails. The axles 28 and the supporting frame 26 connect both guiding rails together.
[0031] The guiding rails 24 are provided with a plurality of road wheel receiving locations 34 where said road wheels can be mounted, if required.
[0032] Referring to Figure 3, the guiding rails 24 are curved at both extremities in a way to partially follow the curvature of the idler wheels 22.
[0033] Now referring to Figure 9 and 10, each guiding rail is composed of a main portion 24a and a front portion 24b. The front portion is able to rotate independently from the main portion about a resilient section 36 that connects both portions of the guiding rail 24a and 24b. Tension in the endless track is decreased by pushing said front portion toward said main portion and increased by pulling away said front portion from the main portion. On both sides of the traction assembly 10 plates 90 are mounted on the main portion of each guiding rail 24a in a way to allow movement of the front portion 24b.
Once the desired tension is achieved, a bolt is screwed through an aperture 92 of said plate in a way to lock the front portion in place. As it will be understood by a person skilled in the art, both sides must be adjusted in a similar way to obtain a consistent tension in the endless track.
[0034] Still referring to Figure 10, in accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the traction assembly is provided with a track tensioning system for tensioning the endless track. The track tensioning system generally comprises the front portion 24b of each sliding rail 24 which is connected to its respective main portion 24a via a resilient portion 36. The resilient portion generally defines a first pivot point around which the front portion of the rail, onto which the idler wheel 22 is mounted, can substantially pivot.
[0035] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
- 6 -

Claims (15)

Claims
1) A traction assembly adapted to be operatively connected to an axle of a vehicle, said traction assembly comprising:
¨ a supporting frame having an upper part and a lower part;
¨ a sprocket wheel supported by the supporting frame and adapted to engage an endless track;
¨ two sliding rails supported on the lower part of the supporting frame for supporting and guiding the endless track, each sliding rail having:
¨ a main portion; and ¨ a sub portion pivotally connected to an end of the main portion by a resilient portion;
¨ a first and second idler wheels between the sliding rails at both extremities of the sliding rails to engage the endless track; the first idler wheel being connected to the sub portion;
whereby in use, each resilient portion provides a tension in the endless track, the tension of the endless track being adjusted by moving the sub portion away or toward the main portion.
2) The traction assembly according to claim 1, wherein the sliding rails are provided with a plurality of road wheels receiving locations.
3) The traction assembly according to claim 2, further comprising a plurality of road wheels to increase the stability of the endless track.
4) The traction assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sub portion of each sliding rail has a curved shape adapted to follow a curvature of the first idler wheel.
5) The traction assembly according to any one of claims I to 4, wherein an opposite end of the main portion of each sliding rail has another curved shape adapted to follow a curvature of the second idler wheel.
6) The traction assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a side plate mounted to the main portion of each sliding rail and a push-bolt assembly, which extends between the sub portion and a point on the side plate, the slide plate being provided with an aperture to cooperate with the push-bolt assembly to adjust the tension.
7) The traction assembly according to claim 6, wherein the push-bolt assembly and the slide plate lock the sub portion in a given position to maintain a constant tension in the endless track.
8) The traction assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper part of the supporting frame comprises an aperture to receive the axle that engage the sprocket wheel.
9) The traction assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lower part of the supporting frame comprises means to attach the sliding rails to the supporting frame.
10) A method to adjust a tension in an endless track of a track assembly, the track assembly being as defined in any one of claims 1 to 9, the method comprising the steps of:
¨ pulling the sub portion away from the main portion of each sliding rail by deforming the resilient portion to increase the tension in the endless track;
or ¨ pushing the sub portion toward the main portion of each sliding rail by deforming the resilient portion to decrease the tension in the endless track.
11) A method to increase a tension in an endless track of a track assembly, the track assembly being as defined in claim 6, the method comprising the steps of:
¨ pulling the sub portion away from the main portion of each sliding rail by deforming the resilient portion to increase the tension in the endless track;
and ¨ locking the sub portion in a given position using the push-bolt assembly and the side plate to maintain a constant tension in the endless track.
12) A method to decrease a tension in an endless track of a track assembly, the track assembly being as defined in claim 6, the method comprising the steps of:
¨ pushing the sub portion toward the main portion of each sliding rail by deforming the resilient portion to decrease the tension in the endless track;
and ¨ locking the sub portion in a given position using the push-bolt assembly and the side plate to maintain a constant tension in the endless track.
13) A method to adjust tension in an endless track disposed around a plurality of wheels pivotally connected to a support frame of a traction assembly, the method comprising the steps of:
¨ pulling a sub portion of a sliding rail of the supporting frame away from a main portion of the sliding rail by deforming a resilient portion between the sub portion and the main portion to increase the tension in the endless track;
¨ pushing the sub portion toward the main portion by deforming the resilient portion to decrease the tension in the endless track.
14) The method of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises the step of locking the sub portion in a given position with regards to the main portion to maintain a constant tension in the endless track.
15) The method of claim 14, wherein the locking of the sub portion in the given position uses a push-bolt assembly attached to a side plate of the sliding rail to maintain the sub portion in a fixed yet unlockable position.
CA2650933A 2008-01-24 2009-01-23 Traction assembly Active CA2650933C (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US2327708P 2008-01-24 2008-01-24
US61/023,277 2008-01-24

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2650933A1 CA2650933A1 (en) 2009-07-24
CA2650933C true CA2650933C (en) 2017-01-17

Family

ID=40900711

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA2650933A Active CA2650933C (en) 2008-01-24 2009-01-23 Traction assembly

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2650933C (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN105460090B (en) * 2015-12-16 2017-06-23 河北工业大学 A kind of crawler belt transformable robot mobile platform
CA2995253A1 (en) 2017-02-15 2018-08-15 Soucy International Inc. Rear track assembly for a vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2650933A1 (en) 2009-07-24

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US10005507B2 (en) Track assembly for an all-terrain vehicle
AU2007257339B2 (en) Snow traction unit for vehicles
CA2838935C (en) Drive track for a tracked vehicle
EP3371038B1 (en) Tracked vehicle with articulating frame
CA2757049C (en) Traction system for a vehicle
CN104010928B (en) Snowmobile suspension
US9994268B2 (en) Track system slack adjuster for tracked vehicle
CA2533517A1 (en) Traction assembly for a vehicle
US20100231034A1 (en) Tracked vehicle
CA2650933C (en) Traction assembly
CA2677425C (en) Traction assembly
CN107804382B (en) Vehicle chassis capable of surmounting obstacle
CN207549882U (en) Ship shape pedrail mechanism assembly
US11554822B2 (en) Endless track system suspension
CA2388294C (en) Track assembly for an all-terrain vehicle
US20210114690A1 (en) Drive track for a tracked vehicle
RU198517U1 (en) SNOWMOBILE-TOWING
FI121991B (en) Band arrangement in vehicles
US6971466B1 (en) Torque compensating rear undercarriage for track driven vehicles
CA2650931A1 (en) Traction assembly
CN112550502A (en) Tracked vehicle chassis suitable for complex topography

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
EEER Examination request

Effective date: 20140123