GB411836A - Improvements in or relating to endless track apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

411,836. Endless - track vehicles. BARTLETT, B. G. W., 1, Cartmell Terrace, Brinkburn Road, Darlington. Dec. 8, 1932, No. 34851. [Class 79 (i).] Relates to endless-track apparatus of the kind wherein a plurality of endless series of wheels, rollers, balls or the like 5 are disposed around and roll on the periphery of an elongated member 11 and wherein the wheels &c. in at least one series are disposed in staggered relationship to those of another or other series. According to the present invention means for spacing apart the wheels in a series are provided by or formed or mounted on the axles of the wheels &c. of another or other series. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2 wheels 5 arranged in four endless series 1 .. 4 run on the periphery of the member 11, and each wheel axle 6 projects between the wheels of the next series and carries a spacing roller 7 engaging two wheels of the next series. The wheels of alternate series may be mounted on common axles as shown, and these axles may project beyond all the wheels and carry rollers 8 which engage flanges 9 on plates 11 fixed to the member 11 and thus retain the wheels in contact with 11. The wheels may have grooves 12 to engage ribs 13, 14 on the member 11 and spacing rollers 7 respectively. In alternate series the wheels may have convex faces 23 to reduce friction against adjacent wheels. The wheels may form the endless track which engages the ground or they may engage the lower or the lower and upper inner surfaces of an endless flexible track bearing on the ground. In the construction shown in Fig. 5 the wheel axles 6 are connected together by hoops or rings 20, or the axles may be connected by ordinary chain links one or more of which may be resilient. In another modification the axles are connected together by annular rollers similar to the rings 20 but forming additional series of track rollers. According to the Provisional Specification the wheels may be maintained in staggered relationship by means of shrouded gear wheels formed on some of the wheels or axles of each unit, these gear wheels engaging rack teeth on the elongated member 11, or by providing cranked axles common to two or more series of wheels.