GB553905A - Improvements in self-laying tracks for vehicles and other wheels - Google Patents

Abstract

553,905. Endless-tracks for vehicles. SINGER, O., and DEW, C.. J. Sept. 8, 1941, No. 11452. [Class 79 (i)] In a track of the kind comprising a plurality of links 2 pivoted together and enclosing at least one vehicle wheel 1 one or more chains 4, 5 or other inextensible flexible devices are passed around points or pulleys on the links in such a manner that the chain or chains will not impede the laying of the track but will pervent the links concerned from moving upwardly or downwardly away from the wheel. In the construction shown, applied to a track having six links enclosing one wheel, two chains 4, 5 are employed in triangular formations, each chain being passed over pulleys 6 on half-pulleys 6a carried by arms 7 pivoting inwardly from the track pivots 3. The chains may be free to ride around the pulleys or each may be attached to one pulley. A single chain 'may be employed to form two separate triangles. The points or pulleys 6, 6a may coincide with the link pivots 3 or they may be spaced along the links and project inwardly therefrom. Tension or compression springs may be provided in the chains to allow of a limited extension if necessitated by the movements of the track. The links may be further connected together by lazy-long linkages or other devices as described in Specification 539,106, or the wheel 1 may be centred in the track by forming the wheel and links with corresponding teeth as shown. Spuds 9 are shown in an out-of-action position and are reversed when necessary so as to engage the ground surface. The track members or links 2 may comprise framework members for emergency bridges, the wheel 1 being provided, in conjunction with the linking together of the members, solely to serve as a means of transporting the members to the site where they are to be used.