US2598828A - Track link - Google Patents

Description

June 3, 1952 A. w. PHELPS 2,593,328

TRACK LINK Filed Nov. 9 1949 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 g N *1 R} N I INVENTOR.

A. W. PHELPS June 3, 1952 TRACK LINK 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed Nov. 9, 1949 Patented June 3, 1952 TRACK LINK Alva W. Phelps, Kenilworth, 111., assignor to The Oliver Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Application November 9, 1949, Serial No. 126,415

The present invention relates generally to crawler type tractors, but more particularly to a novel and improved construction of the link which forms the endless track for crawler type tractors.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a novel, simple and easily assembled track link for crawler type tractors in which the link consists of two identical sections, except that one is a right hand section and the other is a left hand section, both of which are secured together by a single bolt to form the track link.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel sectional track link in which the lug or tooth of the link is located in the approximate center of the track link and has a transverse bore therein to receive a bolt for securing the two sections together. In this connection it is to be noted that the lug or tooth portion of the link forms the sprocket Wheel engaging surface at a position spaced from the pivotal connection with the adjacent links.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved track link in the form of two sections secured together by a single bolt and in which the pivotal connection between the adjacent link is completely enclosed or sealed to prevent the entrance of abrasive soil into the bearing portions of said links.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and simplified sectional track link in which the pivotal connection between the adjacent links is properly sealed by a plastic or rubber ring for preventing the entrance of abrasive soil at points adjacent the inner pivotal connections or bearings between the links.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a construction and an arrangement of the various parts in the manner hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claim.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is an inside top plan view of a portion of a track embodying my improved track link;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view of one end of the track link;

Fig. 4 is an end elevational view of the other end of the track link;

Fig. 5 is a top plan or outside view of a portion of the track;

Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 66 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 11 in Fig. 2; and

1 Claim. (01. 305-10) Fig. 8 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 8-8 in Fig. 2.

In illustrating one form my improved track link may assume in practice, I have shown the same as comprising two identical track link sections, generally indicated by the reference character ill. The only difierence between these two track link sections is that one is a right hand section while the other is a left hand section. The track section in this instance comprises a flat horizontal ground engaging plate or base ll of substantially rectangular shape and a perpendicular and upwardly extending side wall or rib I2 formed integrally therewith. The wall l2 of the track link section 10 is located in substantially the longitudinal center thereof. The inner and lower portions of the wall l2 are vertical, as shown at l3, and taper outwardly, as shown at M. Formed integrally adjacent one end of the wall [2 is an outwardly projecting tapered bearing stud l5 which forms one of the pivotal connections to the next adjacent link in the manner hereinafter described. The other end of the vertical rib [2 of the link I0 is provided with an outwardly ofiset or laterally projecting portion as shown at i6 which terminates in a longitudinal extension rib I! in alignment with the outside edge l8 of the flat plate H of the track link section [0. Formed in this extension rib I1 is an inside tapered socket [9 which is adapted to pivotally receive the complementary bearing stud I5 of the next adjacent link section. The socket I9 is completely enclosed from the outside by an offset wall 20 formed integrally with the wall extension l'l so as to prevent the entrance of abrasive materials into the bearing portion of the link. The offset portion l 6 of the track link section I0 is reinforced or strengthened by a horizontal rib 2| which is formed integrally with the track section and located at a point in approximate center of the track link section. The rib extension I! has an irregular curved or cut-out recess 22 on the inner side thereof so as to allow for sufllcient clearance for the outwardly beveled end 23 of the next adjacent link on the pivotal movement of one link with the next adjacent link. The opposite ends of the plate I I of the track link section l0 terminates short of planes passing through pivotal points of the link sections, as shown at 23, so as to permit the discharge of accumulated soil or dirt between the adjacent link sections. Located in the longitudinal center of the track link section I0 and formed integrally with the vertical rib l2 and plate I I is an inwardly projecting lug or tooth 24. The outer surfaces sections I0 is a bolt 26 for securing the right and left hand track link, sections to together. In connection it will be noted that the-inner longitudinal and contiguous vertical surfaces of the lugs 24 and horizontal plates H are machine" additional strength. It will be further observed that by enoasing the pivotal points on the outside of the link sections and sealing the inner portion of these bearings by a plastic or rubber seal rin abrasive materials will be prevented from entering these bearing points to thereby reduce to a minimum the wear on these links and consequently reduce. to a minimum the repair or replacement required. a

While in the above specification I have described one embodiment which my invention may finished as shown at 21 so that the right and. left track link sections will be brought into proper alignment with one another; iormingthe com-- 7 plate link. In the drawings lE'have-shown a singl transverse and outwardly projecting tapered ground engaging lug 28, but it will, of course, be understood that other types or forms of ground engaging lugs may be formed integrally with the hor zental pla e ll of the.- t c s li k: se i ns In order to prevent the entraneeqf; abrasive or or gnv mater al in o'- the bear t .513 98% inks. I ha e PI Y dQ a p ast c or: r bber' ing 2% hich s. adapted to be seate in semie ircule annul r ec s 30; on the inner end tenuresthetwc sccfiens to e her to 01m In: this; nnec on. it ill ls he chser cd. th t. hen one 13,812.15; be ng connected to. the next adleesh the bea in studs: [5, are. inserted h hejccmn m htam recesses ill-oi the next adiacc t. nk; ter hi h he 12011 2.6 may he; ser cd; andsecurc a It will; fur her b noted that 5; avi g; theeeth o the ive sproc et. wheel 2.9356: heintermed ate portion of 'the. -track:lihls atpoints; spaced from the pivotal; ccnncctinns. Qt. he driv ng strain: smcre venly disributed hmushcntthelink n tatanci twhere the ho t eming; helink. ec icnstceether-ancrds fines, therubber rin 23 to. seal; he. he ringassume in practice, it will, of course, be understood that the same is capable of modification and that modification be made Without departing from the, spirit and scope of the invention as expressed the following claim.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

An endless belt track link comprising two longitudinallv extending right and lefthand sections having co t guo s inner fi ish surfaces contact one anmrhe Saidsecticns; includinghoriacm talflat, plates. and longit dina ly ex end ng Pen pendicular ribs spaced: outwardly from; the finished: surf c s thereof aligned and ontwardlt? hreiect e tuds orm d 0 m d c saidnihs. al gned b aringpe tl atormed n e Q herrends of: saidribs, there, being; alignedsopkets; in; said bearing portions; wellsj o med integral y with said ribs; and encasin gthe; Outer portions 023. said sockets, aligned drive wheel engaging lugsjorn ed he sa dons nth anhroxima e nter at sa se tio s. h re, b n al gned. aeertuses sa nssland molten-ts a thr gh said-en mas nr-s rinesaid;settlchstceethen.

RE EBEHQE$ CITED-:- The following references are of reeond-z inthe file of this: patent: UNITED STATES Number Nam 7 E ts c- -err '-r"-v ,i marten W gkersham "5... Ann 1,, L923 1, V&-6,292. George. Ma man, Eeb., 2Q, 1,9;23, 1,-gl8fi,37.7 neither- ,rww" Man L1,, 1924- 1,487,416 Whitloch,WW .Marall xllz 2,332,715 n mnsteh fi w Q tr26

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