GB432044A - Improvements in auxiliary endless tracks for motor and other vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

432,044. Endless - track vehicles. GALLEGOS, O. P., 368, Uxbridge Road, Acton, London. Jan. 24, 1934, No. 2409. [Class 79 (i)] Comprises the provision of an auxiliary endless track for each back or front wheel or for all wheels of a motor or other vehicle, the said track being raised and lowered relatively to the wheel and the ground, the line of contact of each track with the ground lying across a transverse line drawn through points coincident with the normal points of ground contact of the wheels. The tracks are driven from the wheels or the engine and are used for travelling on rough ground and also for braking, means being provided for raising and lowering the tracks relatively to the ground so as to take all or part of the weight. In the construction shown in Figs. 4 and 5 applied to a steering wheel 17, the wheel axle 17<a> has a frame 25 rotatably mounted thereon, this frame being provided with rollers 30 for an endless chain track 31 which also passes round a chain wheel 24 loose on the wheel axle. The chain wheel can be clutched to the road wheel by a clutch 18 controlled by a rod 23. The track frame 25 is rotated on the wheel axle, so as to bring it into use as shown in full lines in Fig. 5, or out of use as shown in dotted lines at x, by means of a link 32 and an arm 33 on a shaft 34 operated by the driver. The rod 23 controlling the driving clutch, and the shaft 34 are preferably operated by a single control lever, and this lever may control the tracks of two or four wheels. When the tracks are on the ground the ordinary wheel brakes may be applied to brake the tracks, or separate brakes may be provided for the tracks. The tracks may be driven through change-speed gearing so that their speed may be varied as they approach the ground. Modifications are described in which (1) each track passes round rollers on a shoe mounted eccentrically of the wheel axle, so that as the shoe is rotated to lower the track to the ground the track comes between the wheel and the ground and supports the wheel and is driven by it, and (2) the rollers for the track are adjustably supported on the track frame, so that the contour of the track can be varied. Two tracks side-by-side may be provided for each wheel. The track and its frame and other parts are preferably combined with the wheel to form a readily detachable unit. The tracks may be automatically brought into use when a tyre is deflated, an electric circuit being completed which causes the track-controlling means to be operated.