US3295619A

US3295619A - Self-powered sled

Info

Publication number: US3295619A
Application number: US345919A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leland H Plank
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1964-02-19
Filing date: 1964-02-19
Publication date: 1967-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 1984-01-03

Description

Jan.3,1967 L.H.PLANK SELF-POWERED SLED 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 19, 1964 Jan. 3, 1967 H. PLANK SELF-POWERED SLED 5 Sheets-Sheet Filed Feb. 19, 1964 INVENTOR LZZHZVZ fiffi mr BY w l ATTORNEYQJ Jan. 3, 1967 L. H. PLANK 3,295,619

SELF-POWERED SLED Filed Feb. 19, 1964 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 ATTORNEYS United States Patent Filed Feb. 19, 1964, Ser. No. 345,919 13 Claims. (Cl. 180-6) The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in self-powered sleds and has as its primary object the provision of a self-powered vehicle which contains certain novel features of construction, whereby the machine may be directed and propelled rapidly over the surface being traversed.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a self-powered sled wherein steering, supporting and propelling devices may be readily applied to a manufactured or a complete, new unit.

Another specific object of the present invention is to provide a bridging structure, detachably securing the surface supporting runners to the vehicle body, in combination with a tensioning means for correcting inadvertent longitudinal misalignment of the runners.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a resiliently mounted steering medium selectively movable toward or away from the traversed surface and controlled from within the drivers compartment of the vehicle body, in combination with rotors having radially extending tines mounted on steering knuckles.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a propelling device movable arcuately toward or away from the surface, and having its motor and controls disposed within the vehicle body in combination with rotors comprising radially extending tines so spaced as to present the propelling device to the surface traversed in an even and efficient manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a braking device mounted on and moving arcuately with the propelling device in combination with an air compressor and a remote controlled valve for actuating the braking device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a supplemental motor mounted within the vehicle body imparting power to propelling device and air compressor.

With the foregoing general objects outlined and with further objects in view, which will be apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, the present invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed can be made within the scope of what is claimed without departing from the spirit of the invention.

The invention has been illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters denote like parts in all of the views.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevation of my improved selfpowered sled with the propelling and steering mechanisms in retracted position;

FIGURE 2 is a plan view with parts broken away illustrating the supporting, propelling and steering means beneath the sled body;

FIGURE 3 is a longitudinal side elevation of my sled with parts broken away for clarity;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary perspective of the propelling device and means for controlling it;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detailed section taken on line 55 of FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of one of the runners constructed in accordance with my invention and the means for attaching it beneath the sled body; and

Ice

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 77 of FIGURE 6.

In the accompanying drawings numeral 10 denotes the body of my sled which may be of new construction or a converted vehicle having the usual steering apparatus. The vehicle body 10 has within its confines four compartments: a hooded area 11, a driving compartment 12, a passenger compartment 14 and a motor compartment 16 adjacent its rear end. Detachably secured beneath the vehicle body It) are a pair of longitudinally disposed surface supporting runners designated generally as at 18. Each of the runners 18 are separable intermediate their respective ends as at 22, thereby providing

short half runners

24 and 26 which when removed may be trans ported within the storage area 14. Each of the

half runners

24 and 26 has an upwardly curving tip or extremity 28, a horizontal surface engaging portion 32, and a beveled end 34. The beveled ends 34 are adapted to mate with one another when the

runner portions

24 and 26 are secured in longitudinal alignment beneath the vehicle body 10.

The vehicle may be of conventional type with the usual motor (not shown) in the hooded compartment 11. On the other hand, compartment 11 may be devoid of a motor and the space may be used for storing the runners 18 and suitcases or the like, as desired.

An adjustable bridging structure designated generally at 36 is positioned to detachably support the vehicle body 10 upon surface supporting runners 18. The bridging structure 36 comprises a plurality of spaced vertical hollow uprights 38 preferably of square cross section. Afixed to the lower end, and on opposite sides of the uprights 38 are a pair of channel shaped braces 42. The upper legs of the channel braces 42 are permanently secured to the uprights 38 by welding or the like while their lower legs are provided with a threaded aperture 44 to receive machine screws 46 passing through the surface engaging portion 32 of the runners 18. This, while presenting a rigid joint, provides a simple means for quick detachment of the runners 18 from the uprights '38.

Permanently secured within the confines of the upper end of each upright 38 is a bearing block 48, having an upper end terminating in a cylindrical stud 52, the purpose of which will be hereinafter described. Each curved tip 28 of the runners 18 has secured thereto a wing pad 54 receiving one end of an angularly disposed tensioning turnbuckle 56, the other end of the turnbuckles 56 passing through one of a pair of wing pads 58 secured near the upper end of the next adjacent upright. Addition-al turnbuckles 62 extend downwardly at an angle and are secured to wing pads 64 alfixed to the channel members 42 of the next adjacent upright 38, each of the successive uprights 38 being individually tensioned in their respective order. An adaptor plate indicated generally at 66 is adapted to be permanently secured to and beneath the sled body, as by welding or the like. The adaptor plate 66 has spaced along its length a plurality of apertures 68 positioned to receive the stud portion 52 of the bearing blocks 48 secured within the uprights 38. Each stud 52 has a rectangular slot 72 therein for accommodating a wedge-shaped key 74 thereby detachably, yet rigidly securing the bridging structure 36 beneath the sled body 10. Key 74 in conjunction with slot 72 and stud 52 comprise a toggle joint. Composition washers 76 are positioned upon studs 52 between the keys 74 and the adaptor plate 66 to prevent movement of the keys 74 due to excessive vibration or the like, thus presenting a flexible yet rigid supporting structure that is easily knocked down for carrying Within the storage area 14 of the vehicle body 10.

A steering mechanism generally indicated at 80 is disposed within and extending beneath the body 10, and

comprising a floating axle 82 secured against horizontal movement by a pair of inverted U-shaped brackets 84 depending from, and permanently secured beneath the frame of the vehicle body 10. The ends of the axle 82 terminate in the usual steering knuckles 86 each carrying a pair of steering rotors 88 rotatably mounted thereon. Each rotor 88 comprises a hub 80 having extending tines 92 for positive engagement with the surface and a pair of circular support rings or bands 94 spaced concentrically about the hub 90 through which the tines 92 extend for securing the tines against displacement.

Disposed between the axle 82 and the frame of the vehicle body is a compression spring 96 urging the axle 82 downwardly away from the vehicle body 10 thereby maintaining the rotors 88 in positive engagement with the surface. An air cylinder 98 pivotally secured to the body 10 at one end has its piston rod 102 afiixed to the axle 82 and its controls mounted within the drivers compartment 12 of the vehicle body 10. The air cylinder, Whose power source is described below, is adapted to raise the axle under pressure thereby defeating compression spring 96 and raisin-g the rotors carried by the axle 82 out of engagement with the surface. A conventional steering wheel 104, gear box 106 and tie rods 108 are employed for the manual pivoting of the steering knuckles 86 mounting the rotors 88.

A propelling unit designated generally as at 112 is positioned beneath and adjacent to the rear of the vehicle body 10. The propelling unit 112 comprises a horizontal drive axle 114 having a conventional differential 116 intermediate its length. The ends of the axle 114 are rotatably journaled to the rear portions of a pair of link arms 118, pivotally secured on stub shaft 122 to wing pads 124 rigidly affixed to the vehicle body 10 by welding or the like. Air cylinders 126 carried by the arms 118 are adapted to operate conventional brake bands acting on the ends of the axle 114 through piston rods 12 8 extending from the cylinders, Similar air cylinders 130 are positioned beneath the motor compartment 16 and are adapted to direct the link arms 118 in arcuately moving the propelling unit 112 toward or away from the surface being traversed. Compression springs 132 between the link arms 118 and the piston rods of cylinders 130 allow for limited movement of the propelling unit 112 with respect to the vehicle body 10. Thus it will be seen that irregularities of the surface being traversed are compensated for by the spring bias when the propelling unit 112 is under downward pressure by the cylinders 130. As best shown in FIGURES 4 and 5, the propelling unit axle 114 carries a series of horizontally spaced rotors 134 extending between the dilferential 116 and the link arms 118 on either side. Each of the rotors 134 comprises a plurality of surface penetrating tines 136 aflixed to and extending radially from the axle 114. Times 136 are staggered circumferentially about each succeeding rotor, and have circular supporting bands or rings 138 disposed concentrically between the axle 114 and their free ends, thereby securing them against displacement.

A gasoline engine 140 for powering the propelling unit 112 is located within the motor compartment 16 and has Within its depending drive shaft 142 a magnetic clutch 144 controlled from the driving compartment 12 of the vehicle 10. A universal joint 146 is secured between the drive shaft 142 and the power shaft 148 of the differential 116 to allow arcuate movement of the propelling unit 112, during the rotation of engine drive shaft 142. Air compressor 152 is positioned adjacent to and driven by the engine 140 through a V-belt drive 154 interconnecting the two. A remote controlled air valve 156 connected to the compressor 152 is also within the motor compartment and selectively distributes air pressure from the compressor 152 to the

cylinders

98, 126 and 130 through suitable conduits (not shown). Controls indicated generally as at 158 are provided in the driving compartment 4 for actuating the magnetic clutch 144 and the air distributing valve 156.

As shown, the sled vehicle is without conventional wheels, which may be added when desired.

Thus there is disclosed equipment providing for the advantages and objects herein mentioned. Other objects and advantages, and even modifications of the invention will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading this disclosure. However, it is to be understood that this disclosure is intended to be exemplary only, the scope of the invention being defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A self-powered sled comprising:

a vehicle body,

surface supporting means disposed beneath said body for supporting and sliding said body with respect to said surface,

said supporting means being separable transversely intermediate their respective ends,

a bridging structure secured to said supporting means and having a plurality of quickly detachable toggle joints interlocking said structure with said vehicle body,

propelling means pivotally secured to said vehicle body,

and

means for rotating said propelling means.

2. A self-powered sled comprising:

a vehicle body,

surface supporting means disposed beneath said body,

an adjustable bridging structure detachably interlocking said surface supporting means with said vehicle body,

tensioning means disposed within said bridging structure for adjustably maintaining longitudinal alignment of said surface supporting means,

propelling means pivotally affxed upon said vehicle body, and

means for rotating said propelling means.

3. A self-powered sled comprising:

a vehicle body,

surface supporting means disposed beneath said body,

an adjustable bridging structure interlocking said supporting means and said vehicle body for adjustably maintaining longitudinal alignment of said surface supporting means,

a propelling means comprising a plurality of spaced rotors pivotally mounted on said vehicle body, and

means for rotating said propelling means.

4. A self-powered sled comprising:

a vehicle body,

surface supporting means disposed beneath said body,

a bridging structure detachably interlocking said surface supporting means with said vehicle body,

propelling means pivotally mounted on said body comprising an axle having extending radially from it a plurality of radially spaced rod-like tines supported intermediate thin length and staggered circumferentially about said propelling means, and

means for rotating said propelling means.

5. A self-powered sled comprising:

a vehicle body,

an adjustable bridging structure detachably interlocking said surface supporting means with said body,

tensioning wires disposed within said bridging structure for adjustably maintaining longitudinal alignment of said surface supporting means,

propelling means pivotally mounted on said vehicle body, and

means for rotating said propelling means.

6. A self-powered sled comprising: a vehicle body, surface supporting means disposed beneath said body, an adjustable bridging structure detachably interlocking said surface supporting means with said body, tensioning Wires disposed within said bridging structure for adjustably maintaining longitudinal alignment of said surface supporting means,

propelling means comprising a plurality of spaced to tors pivotally mounted on said vehicle body, and

means for rotating said propelling means.

7. A self-powered sled comprising:

a vehicle body,

surface supporting means disposed beneath said body,

a propelling means including a plurality of spaced rotors pivotally mounted on said vehicle body,

a plurality of radially spaced tines staggered circumferentially about each succeeding rotor, and

means for rotating said propelling means.

8. A self-powered sled comprising in combination:

a vehicle body wherein jointed surface supporting means disposed beneath said body,

said surface supporting means separable intermediate their respective ends,

an adjustable bridging structure securing said surface supporting means to said body,

rotary steering means resiliently supported upon said body,

controls within said body for actuating said steering means,

a rotary propelling device pivotally affixed to said body,

controls within said body for controlling said propelling device,

a braking device carried by said propelling means and controls disposed within said body actuating said braking device, and

a motor rotating said propelling means disposed within said body and remote controls for controlling said motor wherein said vehicle body includes a driving compartment, a

storage area, and a motor compartment,

said jointed surface supporting means comprising runners being disposed in juxtaposition beneath and full length of said body,

said runners being transversely separable intermediate their respective ends,

each half of said runners terminating in an upwardly curved portion at the outer end thereof, and

a beveled edge at the inner end with the beveled edges of each runner mating with one another in longitudinal alignment,

said bridging means comprises spaced vertical uprights removably affixed to said runners,

said uprights providing interlocking means at their upper ends for removably securing said bridging structure to said vehicle body, and

adjustable tensioning rods disposed between said runner tips and the next adjacent upright additional tensioning rods extending between the upper and lower ends of each successive upright thereafter.

9. A self-propelled sled as recited in claim 8 wherein said steering means includes a steering axle secured beneath said body and terminating in a steering knuckle at each end thereof,

a plurality of rotors mounted upon each of said knuckles, and

tines extending radially from each rotor,

said sled further including a compression spring positioned between said axle and said body normally maintaining constant pressure between said tines and said surface, and

an air piston interposed between said body and said axle for raising said axle against the bias of said spring and controls mounted within said body for actuating said piston.

10. A self-propelled sled as recited in claim 8 wherein said propelling means comprises an axle,

a differential centrally disposed therein,

control arms pivotally secured between said body and the ends of said axle transmitting arcuate movement to said axle,

a plurality of rotors secured to said axle in spaced relation between said arms and said differential,

surface penetrating tines extending radially from said rotors,

said tines being progressively staggered circumferentially from one another about each succeeding rotor, and

rings disposed between said axle and the ends of said tines.

11. A self-powered sled comprising in. combination:

a vehicle body,

jointed surface supporting means disposed beneath said body,

said surface supporting means separable intermediate their respective ends,

rotary steering means resiliently supported upon said body,

controls within said body for actuating said steering means,

a rotary propelling device pivotally affixed to said body,

controls within said body for controlling said propelling device,

a motor rotating said propelling means disposed within said body and remote controls for controlling said motor, wherein said vehicle body includes a driving compartment, a

storage area, and a motor compartment,

said runners being transversely separable intermediate their respective ends,

said propelling means comprises an axle,

a differential centrally disposed therein,

surface penetrating tines extending radially from said rotors,

rings disposed between said axle and the ends of said tines.

12. A self-powered sled comprising in combination:

a vehicle body,

jointed surface supporting means disposed beneath said body,

said surface supporting means separable intermediate their respective ends,

supporting means to said body,

. rotary steering means resiliently supported upon said body,

controls within said body for actuating said steering means,

a rotary propelling device pivotally affixed to said body,

controls within said body for controlling said propelling device,

a motor rotating said propelling means disposed within said body and remote controls for controlling said motor, wherein said braking device includes an air brake carried by and acting on said propelling means,

an air piston carried by said propelling means,

a piston rod disposed between said cylinder and said 1 air brake for actuation thereof,

an air compressor disposed within said motor compartment energizing said cylinder,

a valve disposed between said compressor and said piston for directing said air, and

remote control within said drivers compartment for actuating said valve.

13. A self-powered sled comprising in combination:

a vehicle body,

jointed surface supporting means disposed beneath said body,

said surface supporting means separable intermediate their respective ends,

an adjustable bridging structure securing said surface supporting means to said body, 7

rotary steering means resiliently supported upon said body,

controls within said body for actuating said steering means,

a rotary propelling device pivotally aflixed to said body,

controls within said body for controlling said propelling device,

a motor rotating said propelling means disposed within said body and remote controls for controlling said motor, wherein,

said steering means includes a steering axle secured beneath said body,

said axle terminating in a steering knuckle at each end thereof,

a plurality of rotors mounted upon each of said knuckles, and

tines extending radially from each rotor,

an air piston interposed between said body and said axle for raising said axle against-the bias of said spring and controls mounted within said body for actuating said piston.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 970,008 9/1910 Arnet 6 1,391,506 9/1921 Riley 1806 1,637,533 8/1927 Pearson 1806 1,649,873 11/1927 Sylvester 1806 1,937,923 12/1933 Taylor 1806 2,770,465 11/1956 Dandurand 28012 2,793,704 5/1957 Faszczuk 1806 FOREIGN PATENTS 418,210 9/1910 France.

54,441 10/1934 Norway.

LEO FRIAGLIA, Primary Examiner.

Claims

1. A SELF-POWERED SLED COMPRISING: A VEHICLE BODY, SURFACE SUPPORTING MEANS DISPOSED BENEATH SAID BODY FOR SUPPORTING AND SLIDING SAID BODY WITH RESPECT TO SAID SURFACE, SAID SUPPORTING MEANS BEING SEPARABLE TRANSVERSELY INTERMEDIATED THEIR RESPECTIVE ENDS, A BRIDGING STRUCTURE SECURED TO SAID SUPPORTING MEANS AND HAVING A PLURALITY OF QUICKLY DETACHABLE TOGGLE JOINTS INTERLOCKING SAID STRUCTURE WITH SAID VEHICLE BODY, PROPELLING MEANS PIVOTALLY SECURED TO SAID VEHICLE BODY, AND MEANS FOR ROTATING SAID PROPELLING MEANS.