US1314649A - Endless-chain track fob - Google Patents

Description

B. HOLL ENDLESS 'CHAIN [RACK FOR TRACTORS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. l5, 1916.

1,314,649. mmm-dwf. 2, 1919.I

Egg. i

7n Z7 INVENTOR V BENJAMIN HOLT, 0F STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA.

ENDLESS-GHAIN TRACK FOR TRACTORS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented sept. 2, '1919.

Application filed August 15, 1916. Serial No. 115,071.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that I, BENJAMIN HOLT, a citizenn of the United States, residing at Stockton, in the county of San J oaquin and State of California, have invented new and useful Improvements in Endless-Chain Tracks for Tractors, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to endless chain tracks for use in vehicles or tractors of the self-laying track type.

My object is to improve and simplify the construction of a chain track of this type, with a view particularly, to produce a lightened form thereof, which will at the same time be economical to manufacture and possess the desired strength and durability to withstand the hard usage to which it is put in operation.

One form which my 1nvent1pn may assume is exemplified in the following description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which- 4Figure 1 is a perspective view of a track shoe and link embodying my invention.

Fig, 2is a longitudinal section. Fig. 3 is a transverse section.

Fig. 4 isa plan view of a plurality of said links connected together.

Figs. 5 to 10 illustrate in successive steps the manner of forming one of the side bars from a blank.

The endless track is made u4 of a series of articulated link sections, eac embodying a pair of parallel side bars 10. Each bar has a, struck-up flange 11 at its inner longitudinal edge and a similar flange 12 at its outer longitudinal edge, formed by punching and pressing the material of the central portion of the body of the bar into position .at right angles to the vertical plane of the bar. While adjacent links of the track are of dillerent width and have their flanges extending in different-directionaonly one form of side bar 10 is necessary. Alternate links are formed `by detachably 1connecting the parallel side bars by gudgeon pins 13 entering elongated openings 14 in the ends of the bars. The side bars of this link are positioned so that their flanges extend outwardly 'away from each other, as shown in Fig. 1,

while intermediate links or those connecting with the one already described, have their side bars reversely arranged so that the flanges extend inwardly or toward each without the use of alock.

other. 'lhe connection between successive links is made by journal pins 15 secured in the side bars and passing through axial openings in the gudgeon blocks 13. Adjacent links have their side bars overlapping so that the flan es 11, in coaction with the overlapping en s of adjacent links produce a continuous tlack, as shown in Fig. 4 to receive and support the roller truck mechanisrn of the tractor.

The outer flanges 12 are drawn out in a vertical plane from the edge of the side bar as at 2G to produce an arch-like construction and to space the flange away from the ends of the bar. To these flanges 12,0f each link, a pressed metal shoe 16 is secured, said shoe being substantially rectangular in form and having pressed ribs 17 on its outer surface, which constitute gripping members for engagement with the ground. Channels corportion engaging with the portion 19 of the .shoe.

The surfaces of the flanges 12 rest on the plates 20 between the points where the plates rest on the pillows 18, so that a limited cushioning action may take place. Moreover, the constant tension of the plate 2O tends to move the link and shoe apart, and the nuts on the bolts 21 are retained in place It will be noted that the parts are retained tightly in engagement even as against wear, and thus the danger of the bolts becoming sheared ofl' through slight relative movement between the shoe and link is overcome. The wooden pillows reinforce the interior of the ribs 17;

they are light and therefore add little to the l upon the inner surfaces of the flanges 12 and being held in place by the nuts on the bolts 21. This plate has its ends bent down over the outside of the flanges, thus holding thev A side bars firmly against Iany tendency to spread apart.- The bolts 21 v preferably bridge thel opening. in the side bars to forma transverse brace between the two ianges.

' The ends vof shoes of, adjacent links are 'designed to overlap, as shown in Fig. 2,

where 16 indicatesA the ends `of ad]1cent.

a trough-like receptacle 30, which is l'ocated in position against the gudgeoii block between the side bars where `it is held by the end -of the shoe. The trough-like receptacle supplies vlubricant to the internal bearing through a slotl or openings in the'gudgeon block and it is `convenientl7 lled rwith. lubrijcant through openings 31 located on the innerl side or next the center of the link.

The trough-like receptacle not only serves as a lubricant supply, Ibut it is an additional support for the-end of the shoe and when employedit becomes practical to dispensel with the-use jof' the pillow blocks in these links .I

The receptacle 130 is preferably made of metal' the lside walls o which will yield -slightly under the pressure of theshoe,

. whereby it will lbe retained. Vfirmly in place 'bars 10, this isshown lin successive steps in when the shoe is adjusted toits position.

As to the manner of constructing the side Figs. 5 to I10. ..A'bilank 23 shown in Fig.` 5

tis first punched -to frm transverse slots 24,

' the adjacent gends.

vshownin. Fig. 6, The blankis then sawed along a longitudinal, central line 25, as in Fig. 7, and thereafter the severed members are punched outwardly to the position shown,

in F ig. 48 to form theiian'ges 11 and 12. Thereafter the iiange 12 Tis drawn outwardly, as shown fin Fig. 9, t'o space the same in a vertical direction from the'edge surface of webs 26 are thus formed, extending from the body portion of the bar to the flange l12, and these offer an arched support for the flange in addition topermitting spacing ofthe ends of the bar from I parts are assembled..

` Such a construction as is hereinshown and described is decidedly economical to manu facture.l The parts being .detachable 'and separable throughout, are easily replaced at slight expense.

There is but oneshape of side b ar 10 necessary, and the different arrangements of the links are obtained by transposing the po` sition of-thesde bars and' 'spacing them closer or farther apart, depending upon whether they are used in embracing of ein braced links. The punching of the ianges Outwardly converging -langes and a pressure .plate between said the shoe when the4 nectlng; s aid Side bars and having openings intermediate the ends', removable shoes secured to the side bars, trough-like 'reeepta- 12'0 from the spirit thereof. l

What is claimed is v 75 1. An endle'ssftraek for tractors comp-rising a series of articulated link sections, a

shoe lbolted to each link, and a. Pressure de' vice between the link` and shoe to retain the connections tightly yengaged/ An endle ltrack for tractors compris- 'ing a`series of articulated link sections, a-

shoegn bolted to each link, -a 'spring/*plate 'between the shoe and link under tension to retain the connectionsin close/ gagement.

4.3. An endless `track for tractors comprisv` ing .a series ofI articulated link sections, a .shoe bolted to each.link, a spring plate between the shoe and link under tension to li'etain'the lconnections in close engagement, 90 said spring plate pressing outwardly atV its ends against the shoe and inwardly at its central portion against the link. 4. `In an endless chain track for tractors,

a linkt section, a shoe carried thereby, said 95 shoe having pressed ribs formed on its outer surface, wood fillers carried lin the channels formed by said ribs and a spring plate resting-on said-fillers' and held under tension portion 'of the shoe 100l against 'the intermediate by the link.

- 5. I nan endless chain'track yfor tractors,

a link,"a-`shoe carried thereby, said shoe havi ing pressed ribs formed on its outer surface, leaving channels .on its inner surface, wood fillers in said channels and a metal plate between the shoe, and the link, engaging and f retaining the iillersfin place. 'f l I `6. A;n endless chain track vfor tractors l comprising a series of articulated. link sec- 11'0 tions, each formed-with parallel side plates provided vwith straight flanges on theirl outer longitudinal edges, a shoe bolted to said shoejand ianges.` s

7 A link section fora tractor chain track embodying side 'bars and tubular blocksconcles forming supports for the ends of the shoes and bearing against the said blocks on op vo site`sides'of the intermediate openings,

sai trough-like rece tacles having openings in vthe innerl walls or the introduction of 125 lubricant. v

8. A link section for a tractor chain track embodying side bars and a tubular gudgeon block connecting the side bars at' each end of the link, said blocks having transverse open.-` 130 ings intermediate the end-s, a shoe secured to the side b'arsand having ends `projecting beyond the gudgeon blocks and a trough-like receptacle clamped between each end of the shoe and the gudgeon block at the correspending end of the link section, said receptacle bearing on the block at each side of the transverse opening in the blocks and having an opening for the introduction of lubricant.

9. A link section for a tractor chain track embodying side bars having inner and outer flanges, a shoe supported by the outer flange and a bolt for connecting said shoe and flange bridging the space between the flanges and forming a brace therefor. l

10. A link section for` atractor chain track embodying independent side bars, pivot 'connection interposed between the opposite ends of the side bars, a` shoe supported 'by fthe outer edge of theside bars, a tie\plate brldging the space between the side bars and having its ends bent to embrace and tie the sidel bars together.- and fastening 'bolts passing through the tie plate, side bars and shoe for securing the parts in position.

11. An endless track for tractors, comprising a seriesof articulated link' sections, a

. shoe carried by. leach link, and combined cushioning ,and tension means interposed between the shoe and the link.

- 12. An endless track for tractors, comprising a series of articulated link sections, tread plates-carried by the sections, depressions in said plates forming ribs on the exterior and channels on the interior thereof, and cushioning means carried in said channels and between the links and the tread plates.

' 13. An endless track for tractors comprising a series of articulated link sections, shoes carried by each link, spaced receptacles formed on the interior of the shoes, and cushioning means carried msald receptacles and between the shoes andthe links.

14. 'An endlesstrack for tractors compris-- ing a series of articulated link sections, shoes carried by the links, and tension plates interposed between the shoes and' the links.

15. In an endlesslehain track for tractors, a link section, a shoe carried thereby, said shoe having pressed ribs formed on its outer surface, cushioning `means carried in the chann'els formed by said ribs, and a tension member interposed between the shoe and the link and resting on said cushions.

16. An endless track for tractors, comprising a series of articulatedlink sections, shoes carried by said links and overlapping each other at their contiguous ends and'tcnsioning means adapted' to maintain a close joint between"the overlapping surfaces ot said44 shoes.

17. An endless track for tractors, comprising a series of articulated link sections` shoes carried by said links and overlapping each other at their contiguous ends and tensioning means adapted to maintain a close joint between the overlapping surfaces 'of said shoes and non-metallic members interposed between the opposite ends of said tensioning meansand the shoes, whereby limited resilient mov'ement maybe effected between said shoes' and said -tensioning means.

18. A n endless track for tractors comprising a series of articulated link sections, a spring plate beneath each of said sections, a shoe carried by each of the links and adapted to be secure over the spring plate and nonmetallic cus ion members interposed between the opposite ends of the spring plate and the shoe. Y

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

BENJAMIN HOLT.

' Witnesses:

MAXy L. POWELL, Nmm D. WHrrroN.

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