US3539230A - Endless tracks for traced vehicle - Google Patents

Endless tracks for traced vehicle Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3539230A
US3539230A US771899A US3539230DA US3539230A US 3539230 A US3539230 A US 3539230A US 771899 A US771899 A US 771899A US 3539230D A US3539230D A US 3539230DA US 3539230 A US3539230 A US 3539230A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
elements
ground
track
vehicle
engaging elements
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US771899A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Edouard Martin Comellas
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3539230A publication Critical patent/US3539230A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/18—Tracks
    • B62D55/24—Tracks of continuously flexible type, e.g. rubber belts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/18—Tracks
    • B62D55/26—Ground engaging parts or elements

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A track for a tracked vehicle having series of Uoso 3 n l l l l l I s s n 1 l l n s l l s t 3 t i t no a 305/56 adjacent rows, said ground-engaging elements being either [51] Int.
  • the present invention relates to endless tracks for tracked vehicles and more particularly to an endless track assembly comprising a plurality of articulated ground-engaging elements including wheel guide elements.
  • An object of the invention is to provide improved vehicle tracks of simple design, manufacture and assembly.
  • An important object of the invention is to provide vehicle tracks comprising an assembly of a plurality of ground-engaging elements wherein some of saidelements are provided with projecting lugs adapted to laterally restrain the track relative to wheels riding thereon.
  • a more specific object of the invention is to provide wheel guide elements adapted to keep a vehicle track aligned and having a gradual curve adapted to produce a minimum of friction between wheels on the vehicle and the wheel guide elements of the tracks.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide vehicle tracks constituting assemblies of pivotally connected ground-engaging elements of two types only.
  • Another object of the invention is to provide wheel guide elements and driving elements adapted to be assembled in a plurality of ways, whereby to accommodate wheels of various types and width.
  • the present invention defines track arrangements for vehicles constructed with series of ground-engaging elements set longitudinally in a plurality of adjacent rows wherein the elements of any one row are staggered longitudinally with respect to the elements of the adjacent row or rows.
  • FIG. I is a top view of the bottom lay of one embodiment of endless track according to the invention.
  • FIG. 2 is an elevation view of the track shown in FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a transverse cross-sectional view, in elevation, as seen along line 3-3 of FIG. 1, with a tire in operative association thereto;
  • FIG. 4 is a top view of the bottom lay of another embodiment ofthe invention.
  • FIG. 5 is an elevation view of the track shown in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view in elevation, as seen along line 6-6 of FIG. 4; with dual tires in operative association thereto;
  • FIG. 7 is a view similar to views I and 4, showing a further embodiment ol'tlie invention
  • FIG. 8 is an elevation view ol'the track shown in FIG. 7;
  • FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevation view, as seen along line 9-9 of FIG. 7, with a wide tread or drum wheel tire operatively associated thereto;
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional elevation view, as in FIG. 9, but showing an air roll or wide tread tire
  • FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIGS. 3, 6, 9, and 10 but showing a drum wheel operatively associated with the track;
  • FIG. 12 shows a section through a track assembly for a wide track dual wheel tire.
  • the tracks subject to this invention comprise only two ground-engaging elements, a driving element 1 and a wheel guide element 2.
  • the driving element I comprises a block of rubber, plastic or the like material having a flat surface 3 and 45 cuts 4 extending at each end of flat surface 3 in order to make room for travel of the track and of the driving elements 1 around sprockets provided for carrying and driving of the endless tracks.
  • each driving element I The lower face of each driving element I is provided with a traction lug 5 at each end of said driving element.
  • a concave surface 6 separates the end traction lugs 5 and determines therewith an efficient groundtraction contour.
  • Each driving element 1 comprises a pair of inserts 7 disposed longitudinally of the element and completely embedded in the driving element 1. Inserts 7 are of metal or any other rigid material.
  • a pair of transversal holes 8 are provided through the driving element 1 and the insert or inserts 7, for a purpose better defined in detail later.
  • a metallic washer element 9 is provided and recessed in an annular space surrounding the end of each hole 8.
  • the wheel guide element 2 is of a somewhat more complex shape, as can be seen from the various FIGS. of the drawings.
  • Wheel guide element 2 has substantially parallel lateral sides and a flat top surface 10 terminated at both ends by curved surfaces 11 in order to allow pivoting of the adjacent wheel guide elements 2 relative to each other around the sprockets carrying the endless track.
  • the ground-engaging lower portion of the wheel guide element 2 has a contour similar to the contour of the corresponding portion of the driving element 1; that is, the lower face of each wheel guide element 2 is provided with a traction lug 12 at each end thereof and a longitudinally concave surface I3 separates the end traction lugs I2 and determines therewith an efficient ground traction contour.
  • each wheel guide element 2 is formed with a transversely concave and inclined curve I4 defining a transversely arcuate longitudinally extending guide ridge I5 disposed along one side of the element 2.
  • the concave and'inclined cu'rve wheel guiding surface I4 meets the crest of ridge 15 at an acute angle and joins with the other parallel side of the element 2 at substantially right angle to said other side.
  • the curve of guiding surface I4 is made purposely gradual and of a substantially large radius to accommodate all known types of tires and wheel arrangements adapted to be used inconnection with tracked vehicles.
  • the curved' l4 gradually moves away from contact with the outside surface of the tire cooperating therewith, thereby reducing the friction between the track and the tire running thereon.
  • the wheel guide element 2 is also constructed of rubber, plastic or the like material and is reinforced by metallic inserts l8 and I9 embedded longitudinally therein.
  • insert I8 is substantially larger than insert I9 and extends upwardly and longitudinally in guide ridge I5 to impart transverse rigidity thereto.
  • inserts 7, I8, and I9 can be made of any rigid, or substantially rigid material, including wood and appropriate plastics.
  • thedriving elements and the wheel guide clement2 are arranged in adjacent rows wherein the elements ofany one row are staggered longitudinally relative to the elements of the adjacent row or rows, as best illustrated in FIGS. 1, 4, and '7.
  • ground-engaging elements I and 2 are articulated by transverse rod arrangements as defined in detail in copending U.S. Pat. application No. 769,224, filed Oct. 2l, I968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,531,165, entitledi ANTIFRICTION PIVOTAL CONNECTION FOR ELEMENTS UNDER TEN- I SION".
  • the articulation defined in the above-mentioned patent application basically comprises three parallel transverse rods 20 pivotally mounted in contacting association to each other whereby pivoting of the ground-engaging elements I and 2 will cause rotationof the transverse rods 20. It should be appreciated that pivoting between the ground-engaging elements could be obtained by various well known ways, such as by a single pivot extending transversely through each hole 8.
  • FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show an embodiment of the invention wherein the vehicle track is adapted to cooperate with a single wheel.
  • a pair of adjacent rows of wheel guide elements 2 are aligned withthe curved surface 14 facing each other and a row of driving elements 1 is aligned adjacent each side of said pair of adjacent rows.
  • FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, particularly in FIG. 6, is shown an arrangement adapted for use with regular dual wheels. This arrangement is different from the FIG. 3, or single wheel arrangement, by the fact that the wheel guide elements 2 have their curved surfaces 14 facing away from each other.
  • FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and I show an arrangement adapted to be used with a drum wheel, an air roll and, generally, wide tire types of wheels.
  • the extra width of the wheel or tire compared to the single wheel, is provided by the rows of driving elements being inserted between the two rows of wheel guide elements 2 instead ofoutsidc, as in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. I I shows a wide track arrangement adapted for a wide drum wheel arrangement and FIG. l2 illustrates a further possibility, this time, for widely spaced dual wheels.
  • a track arrangement for a wheeled vehicle comprising: a plurality of i'nterarticulated ground-engaging elements set longitudinally in a plurality of adjacent rows, the ground-engaging elements of any one row being staggered longitudinally with respect to the ground-engaging elements of any immediately adjacent row, said ground-engaging elements being elongated blocks having a pair of parallel lateral sides and a bottom ground-engaging surface; and a ridge extending along From the various embodiments of the invention illustrated one side of at least some of said ground-engaging elements in a direction opposite to said bottom ground-engaging surface, the ground-engaging elements provided with said ridge defining an inclined guiding surface extending between the crest of said ridge and the other side of said pair of lateral sides, said inclined guiding surface sloping towards the vehicle wheels such-as to cooperate therewith to cause substantially frictionless lateral guidance of the track arrangement relative to the wheels.
  • a track arrangement as claimed'in claim I wherein the portion of said inclined guiding surface joining with the other side of said pair of parallel lateral sides, meets said other side at substantially 4.
  • ground-engaging elements are made of a material selected from rubber, plastic or the like, each of said groundengaging elements having a reinforcing insert embedded therein, said reinforcing inserts extending into said ridges to provide transverse stiffness to the latter.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Delivering By Means Of Belts And Rollers (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)
US771899A 1968-10-30 1968-10-30 Endless tracks for traced vehicle Expired - Lifetime US3539230A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US77189968A 1968-10-30 1968-10-30

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3539230A true US3539230A (en) 1970-11-10

Family

ID=25093277

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US771899A Expired - Lifetime US3539230A (en) 1968-10-30 1968-10-30 Endless tracks for traced vehicle

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US3539230A (enExample)
DE (1) DE1953973A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2022328A1 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1252058A (enExample)

Cited By (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3649085A (en) * 1970-02-19 1972-03-14 Edouard Martin Comellas Ground-engaging track for tracked vehicles
US3993367A (en) * 1975-07-07 1976-11-23 Panatrac Manufacturing Corporation Limited Guiding element for a vehicle track
US3993366A (en) * 1975-07-07 1976-11-23 Panatrac Manufacturing Corporation Ltd. Vehicle tracks
US4141600A (en) * 1975-07-04 1979-02-27 Panatrac Manufacturing Corporation Limited Traction element for a vehicle track
US4856853A (en) * 1987-03-30 1989-08-15 Salah E. A. Bayoumi Endless belt-type drive mechanism
US5482364A (en) * 1991-08-26 1996-01-09 Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company Replacement endless vehicle tracks
US5704697A (en) * 1993-02-10 1998-01-06 Intertractor Aktiengesellschaft Chain link for a traction chain
US5988776A (en) * 1997-12-02 1999-11-23 Loegering Mfg. Inc. Soft bottom flexible track belt assembly

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3649085A (en) * 1970-02-19 1972-03-14 Edouard Martin Comellas Ground-engaging track for tracked vehicles
US4141600A (en) * 1975-07-04 1979-02-27 Panatrac Manufacturing Corporation Limited Traction element for a vehicle track
US3993367A (en) * 1975-07-07 1976-11-23 Panatrac Manufacturing Corporation Limited Guiding element for a vehicle track
US3993366A (en) * 1975-07-07 1976-11-23 Panatrac Manufacturing Corporation Ltd. Vehicle tracks
US4856853A (en) * 1987-03-30 1989-08-15 Salah E. A. Bayoumi Endless belt-type drive mechanism
US5482364A (en) * 1991-08-26 1996-01-09 Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company Replacement endless vehicle tracks
US5704697A (en) * 1993-02-10 1998-01-06 Intertractor Aktiengesellschaft Chain link for a traction chain
USRE37254E1 (en) * 1993-02-10 2001-07-03 Intertractor Zweigniederlassung Der Wirtgen Gmbh Track link for tracked crawlers
US5988776A (en) * 1997-12-02 1999-11-23 Loegering Mfg. Inc. Soft bottom flexible track belt assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE1953973A1 (de) 1970-05-14
GB1252058A (enExample) 1971-11-03
FR2022328A1 (enExample) 1970-07-31

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US3480339A (en) Belt track for vehicles
US3498684A (en) Traction belt
US5713645A (en) Snowmobile track profile
US3754798A (en) Track for snowmobile or the like
US3619012A (en) Snow track
US6402268B1 (en) Endless belt for use with heavy duty track vehicles
US2476460A (en) Friction drive track
US6030057A (en) Tractor endless tread
US4023865A (en) Staple cleat for snowmobile track
US6974196B2 (en) Endless track for industrial or agricultural vehicles
US3930689A (en) Drive belt assembly for snowmobiles
US7866767B2 (en) Traction band
US3539230A (en) Endless tracks for traced vehicle
US7063396B2 (en) Endless track with various hardnesses for a recreational vehicle
US6322172B2 (en) Endless belt for use with heavy duty track vehicles
US2999723A (en) Chain for tractors
US3497271A (en) Track pad
US3704918A (en) Endless track
US2064890A (en) Track for track laying vehicles
US3883191A (en) Endless track
US2707658A (en) Endless track
US3934944A (en) Ground engaging drive track apparatus for snowmobiles and the like
US3712689A (en) Track for snowmobile or the like
US3604763A (en) Endless track for track-laying vehicles
US1513459A (en) Traction belt and sprocket wheel