US3591242A - Track for tracklaying vehicles - Google Patents

Track for tracklaying vehicles Download PDF

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Publication number
US3591242A
US3591242A US807389A US3591242DA US3591242A US 3591242 A US3591242 A US 3591242A US 807389 A US807389 A US 807389A US 3591242D A US3591242D A US 3591242DA US 3591242 A US3591242 A US 3591242A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
track
links
wheel
contacting surface
contacting
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
US807389A
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English (en)
Inventor
Hans Borner
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.)
Gerlach Werke GmbH
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Gerlach Werke GmbH
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
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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
    • B62D55/26—Ground engaging parts or elements
    • B62D55/27—Ground engaging parts or elements having different types of crampons for progression over varying ground
    • 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
    • B62D55/096—Endless track units; Parts thereof with noise reducing means
    • 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
    • B62D55/20—Tracks of articulated type, e.g. chains
    • B62D55/205—Connections between track links
    • B62D55/21—Links connected by transverse pivot pins
    • B62D55/211—Bitubular chain links assembled by pins and double connectors

Definitions

  • Each [33] ig fg 1 track link has a ground-contacting surface and a wheel-con- [3 I] tacting surface which both extend transversely of the travel of the track and which both are bounded by lateral edges.
  • the [54] TRACK FOR TRACKLAYNG VEHICLES lateral edges of the wheel-contacting surface are inwardlv offset with reference to those of the ground-contacting surface. 12 Claims, 6 Drawing F lgs.
  • Connecting means pivotally connects the links for pivotal 1 Cl 305/36, movement about pivot axis extending in direction transversely 305/59 of the travel of the track and which are inwardly offset with ll!- referen e to the lateral edges of [he ground-contacting sur- [50] Field of Search 305/36, 58, f
  • a plurality f bridging members are respectively 42 located in the gaps between adjacent links and pivotably connected to the latter.
  • the bridging members each have a wheel- [56] References cued contacting face bridging the gap between the respective UNITED STATES PATENTS wheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacent links and 1,956,580 5/1934 Knox 305/59 in effect constituting extensions ofthese wheel-contacting sur- 2,30l,954 11/1942 Knox 305/36 faces.
  • SHEET 1 [1F 2 TRACK FOR TRACKLAYING VEHICLES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • the present invention relates to tracks for tracklaying vehicles, and more particularly to tracks for tracklaying combat vehicles.
  • Tracks for tracklaying vehicles consist of a plurality of pivotally connected links. It is well known that the travel and handling characteristics of tracklaying vehicles are adversely influenced by the fact that gaps exist between the adjacent links. When the wheels on which the vehicle advances over the inner wheel-contacting surface of the track, contact the edges of the links which bound these gaps, they impact against these edges and/or into the gap itself with a force which depends upon the size of the gap, the surface characteristics of the wheels and the surface characteristics of the wheel-contacting inner surface of the track. This, in turn, coupled with the shifting of the vehicle weight to these areas of impact, forces each link to perform a tilting movement about the edges of its ground-contacting surface.
  • a more particular object of the present invention is to provide an improved track for tracklaying vehicles.
  • An additional object of the invention is to provide such track wherein the development of vibrations in the vehicle provided with the track is largely suppressed.
  • a concomitant object of the invention is to provide track of the type under discussion wherein adjacent links of the track have increased freedom of pivoting movement with reference to one another.
  • Yet another object of the invention is to provide such track which is not as subject to wear as the tracks which have been known heretofore.
  • one feature of my invention resides in the provision of a track for tracklaying vehicles wherein I provide a plurality of longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of which define with one another gaps extending in direction transversely of the travel of the track.
  • Each of the track links has opposite end faces which face in the aforementioned direction, a ground-contacting surface and a wheel-contacting surface each of which is provided with lateral edges extending between the aforementioned end faces.
  • the lateral edges of the wheel-contacting surface are inwardly offset with reference to those of the ground-contacting surface of the same link.
  • Connecting means connects adjacent ones of the links for pivotal movement about pivot axes which extend in the aforementioned direction and which are inwardly offset with reference to the lateral edges ofthe ground-contacting surface of the respective link.
  • my novel track comprises a plurality of bridging members which are respectively located in the gaps between adjacent ones of the links and are pivotably connected to the adjacent links. These bridging members each have a wheel-contacting face which bridges the gap between the respective wheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacent links and which substantially constitutes an extension of these wheel-contacting surfaces.
  • the bridging members are particularly advantageous to so construct the bridging members that they extend across the entire width of the track, this dimension referring to the direction normal to the travel of the track, and resist both bending and twisting stresses. Furthermore, it is advantageous that substantially midway intermediate the opposite lateral sides of the track the bridging members are provided with upwardly extending guide projections and that they be further provided with projections at their opposite ends via which they are pivotally connected with the respective adjacent links.
  • tracks usually consist of pairs or groups of links each including two links arranged in end-to-end relationship across the width of the track. It is then particularly advantageous if each bridging member is also pivotably connected to the two links of each group intermediate their juxtaposed ends. With this construction the wear on the track is still further reduced.
  • the bridging members are constructed with side faces or sidewalls which converge in direction towards the ground-contacting surfaces of the links.
  • the upper wheel-contacting face of each bridging member is extended laterally beyond the respective side faces as close as possible to the lateral edges of the ground-contacting surfaces of the links located at opposite sides of the bridging member, so that the space between these lateral edges and the wheel-contacting face of the bridging member is as small as possible.
  • a bridging member according to my invention between each pair of adjacent links makes it possible to have the distance between the pivoting axis of each link-of which there are two parallel pivoting axesbe greater than the proximal pivoting axis of two adjacent links. This increases the traction of the track and maintains the traction high even as the groundcontacting surfacewhich is usually provided on separate members of elastomeric material constituting a part of the link-is gradually worn away. This measure further makes it possible to secure at the underside of each bridging member--that is the side facing the respective ground-com tacting surfaces--traction-increasing studs or snow and mud grippers without thereby decreasing the ability of the adjacent links to pivot with respect to one another. Such studs or grippers may extend over the entire width of the track, or only over a part of the width, and because this can be selected at will the traction of the track is vastly increased, particularly in difficult terrain.
  • FIG. I is a fragmentary top plan view of a track according to my invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a partly sectioned side elevation on the line Il-II of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a detail view of a single pair of track links with an associated bridging member, as seen in the direction of travel of the track;
  • FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but on an enlarged scale and illustrating the transmission of forces through the track into the ground;
  • FIG. 5 is a somewhat diagrammatic partly sectioned side elevation on an enlarged scale of two adjacent track links illustrated in one position of angular displacement relative to one another;
  • FIG. 6 is a viewsimilar to FIG. 5 illustrating an opposite position of angular displacement of the links relative to one another.
  • each track link is identified with reference numeral 1 and has substantially half the width of the entire track.
  • the direction of travel of the track in FIG. 1 is either towards the left or towards the right of the Figure.
  • two links 1 are always arranged in end-to-end relationship.
  • Each of the links 1 is of dual tubular configuration. Adjacent pairs of end-to-end links 1 define with one another gaps (see FIG. 2) and in each such gap there is located a bridging member 2 extending transversely of the direction of travel of the track.
  • These bridging members 2 are resistant to bending and twisting forces, as will be discussed in more detail.
  • the opposite end faces of the links 1 are provided'with bores each of which accommodates' a bushing sleeve 3 which is embedded in elastomeric material as illustrated, and which accommodates a portion of a known link pin 4.
  • the link pins are of polygonal cross section, and this cross-sectional configuration is the same over the entire length of the link pins 4.
  • the wheel-contacting surfaces of the links 1, that is the surfaces over which the wheels of the vehicle will roll, as illustrated by the diagrammatic illustration of wheels W in FIG. 4, and the ground-contacting surfaces of the links 1 are identified with reference numeral 5a and provided on groundcontacting bodies 5 which are here constructed ofelastomeric material and which constitute a part of the respective links 1.
  • the lateral edges 7 bounding the wheel-contacting surfaces 6 of each link, as well as the bushings 3 defining the pivoting axis of the links, are inwardly offset with reference to the corresponding lateral edges 8 of the ground-contacting surfaces 5a of the respective links I.
  • the distance between the edges 7 and the centers of the bushings 3-as seen in the direction of travel of the track- is smaller than the distance between the edges 8 in the same direction. This is particularly clearly shown in FIG.
  • each of the bridging members 2 is provided with a wheel-contacting face 2a which bridges the gap 15 between the adjacent wheelcontacting surfaces 6 of the adjacent links I, and which in effect constitutes an extension of these wheel-contacting surfaces 6.
  • each of the bridging members 2 is provided with an upwardly extending guide projection 9 which is located between the facing ends of the links I of each transversely aligned pair or group of links.
  • connecting portions 10 serving to connect the links of each pair as well as to connect the adjacent pairs of links, and additional connecting portions 11 are provided at the opposite ends of the respective members 2, serving the same function at the outer lateral edges of the track.
  • each bridging member 2 there remains a space 12 into which the teeth of a driving sprocket can extend.
  • the outer lateral edge at each lateral side of the track carries the cover plates 13 which in each case bridge the open space 12 at the lateral edges and extend beyond the respective connecting portion 11 of one bridging member 2 towards the proximal connecting portion 11 of the next adjacent bridging member 2 by a distance D.
  • each outer lateral edge of the track in effect is provided with an almost continuous surface which precludes or makes much more difficult the entanglement of wire or the like in the track.
  • the connection between the connecting portions 11 and the links 1 is effected via link pins 4 in known manner, and the link pins may be prevented from undersired separation also in known manner, for instance by upsetting of requisite portions or retaining members provided for this purpose.
  • FIG. 2 also shows, as mentioned before, that the distance A between the axis of each link I is greater than the distance a between the proximal axis of adjacent ones of the links 1. This makes it possible to obtain a relatively large gap 15 between the adjacent links 1 and their ground-contacting bodies 5.
  • the side faces of the bridging members 2 which are preferably constructed of closed box-shaped profile configuration, as illustrated, converge in direction towards the ground-contacting surfaces 50 so as not to interfere with free tilting movement of adjacent links 1 relative to one another.
  • the wheel-contacting face 2a of each member 2 is provided on the upper wall 211 of the respective member and this upper wall 2b extends laterally of the side faces or sidewalls 2a to such an extent as to almost complete close the gap between the adjacent links 1, as clearly visible in all of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4-6.
  • a small space 16 (see FIG. 1) remains between the wheel-contacting surface 2a and the lateral edges 7 of the adjacent links 1, and impacting of the vehicle wheels into these small spaces is thus no longer possible.
  • the force transmitted through the wheels W into the track is indicated by the broken-line arrows P.
  • the path in which these forces are transmitted through the links into the ground is similarly indicated by the broken-line arrows and it will be seen that regardless of where the forces P act upon the track, all forces acting in direction normal to the track and to the ground will be transmitted into the ground in the region between the edges 8 of the groundcontacting surface or surfaces 5a of one or of two adjacent ones of the links 1. This reliably precludes tilting of the respective links 1 about the edges 8.
  • connected adjacent links I can be tilted with respect to one another towards the ground freely, just as FIG. 6 shows that they can be tilted away from the ground and towards the wheels.
  • the tilting angle is identified with a and amounts to approximately 30.
  • the links i could be differently constructed and/or the bodies 5 of elastomeric material could be replaced with bodies of steel or the like which might or might not be provided with vibrationdamping pads of elastomeric material. Such a construction would be particularly useful if the track is to be used on combat vehicles.
  • elastomeric material could be provided on the wheel-contacting surfaces 6 and the wheel-contacting faces 2a of the members l and 2.
  • the members 2 could be constructed differently, and could consist of two or more sections, just as it could be connected with the links in different manner. What is important in all embodiments, however, is the concept that certain parts constituting together with others the track, and excepting loads transmitted by the wheels W (see FIG. 4) are supported not directly on the ground but rather indirectly via two adjacent other parts of the track.
  • a track for tracklaying vehicles comprising in combination a plurality of longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of which define with one another gaps extending in direction transversely of the travel of said track, each of said track links having opposite end faces facing in said direction a ground-contacting surface and a wheel-contacting surface each having lateral edges extending between said end faces with the lateral edges of said wheel-contacting surface being inwardly offset with reference to those of said ground-contacting surface; connecting means connecting adjacent ones of said links for pivotal movement about pivot axes which extend in said direction and are inwardly offset with reference to said lateral edges of the ground-contacting surface of the respective link; a plurality of bridging members respectively located in the gaps between adjacent links and pivotally connected to the latter, said bridging members each having a wheel-contacting face bridging the gap between the respective wheelcontacting surface of the associated adjacent links and substantially constituting an extension of said respective wheel contacting surfaces, said bridging members fur having opposite ends located at opposite lateral sides of salt .2 am being provided at each with two end connector portions pivot
  • a track for tracklaying vehicles comprising in combination, a plurality of longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of which define with one another gaps extending in a direction transversely of the travel of said track, each of said track links having opposite end faces facing in said direction, a ground-contacting surface and a wheel-contacting surface each having lateral edges extending between said end faces with the lateral edges of said wheel-contacting surface being inwardly offset with reference to those of said ground-contacting surface; connecting means connecting adjacent ones of said links for pivotal angular movement about parallel pivot axes which extend in said direction and are inwardly offset in the direction of travel of said track with reference to said lateral edges of the ground-contacting surface of the respective link, while maintaining said axes parallel and at a predetermined distance from each other; and a plurality of bridging members respectively located in the gaps between adjacent links and pivotably connected to the latter, said bridging members each having a wheel-contact face bridging the gaps between the respective wheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacent links and at least substantially coplanar with
  • each of said links being connected to the respectively adjacent links for pivoting movement about two parallel pivot axes spaced from one another in direction of travel of said track; and wherein the distance between said two pivot axes of each link is greater than the distance between the proximal pivot axes of adjacent connected links.
  • a track for tracklaying vehicles comprising in combination, a plurality of longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of which define with one another gaps extending in a direction transversely of the travel of said track, each of said track links having opposite end faces facing in said direction, a ground-contacting surface and a wheel-contacting surface each having lateral edges extending between said end faces with the lateral edges of said wheel-contacting surface being inwardly offset with reference to those of said ground-contacting surface; connecting means connecting adjacent ones of said links for pivotal angular movement about parallel pivot axes which extend in said direction and are inwardly offset with reference to said lateral edges of the ground-contacting surface of the respective link, while maintaining said axes parallel and at a predetermined distance from each other; and a plurality of bridging members having the form of closed boxshaped profiles and being respectively located in the gaps between adjacent links and pivotably connected to the latter, said bridging members each having lateral walls which extend in said direction and converge towards the respective groundcontacting surfaces of the associated links and a wheel-contacting
  • said bridging members each having an upper wall connecting said lateral walls and extending outwardly therebetween and transversely of the respective gap, said upper wall being provided with said wheel-contacting face.
  • a track for tracklaying vehicles comprising in combination, a plurality of longitudinally arrayed track links adjacent ones of which define with one another gaps extending in a direction transversely of the travel of said track, each of said track links having opposite end faces facing in said direction, a
  • connecting means connecting adjacent ones of said links for pivotal angular movement about parallel pivot axes which extend in said direction and are inwardly offset with reference to said lateral edges of the ground-contacting surface of the respective link, while maintaining said axes parallel and at a predetermined distance from each other; a plurality of bridging members respectively located in the gaps between adjacent links and pivotably connected to the latter, said bridging members each having a wheel-contacting face bridging the gaps between the respective wheel-contacting surfaces of the associated adjacent links and substantially constituting an extension of said respective wheel-contacting surfaces; link pins connecting said links and said bridging members for movement about said pivot axes; and journal bushings provided on said links and bridging members respectively coaxial with one of said pivot axes and each being adapted to receive a portion of one of said link pins.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Escalators And Moving Walkways (AREA)
  • Platform Screen Doors And Railroad Systems (AREA)
  • Tires In General (AREA)
  • Aiming, Guidance, Guns With A Light Source, Armor, Camouflage, And Targets (AREA)
US807389A 1968-03-16 1969-03-14 Track for tracklaying vehicles Expired - Lifetime US3591242A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE1680325A DE1680325C3 (de) 1968-03-16 1968-03-16 Gleiskette für geländegängige Fahrzeuge, insbesondere Panzerkampfwagen

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US3591242A true US3591242A (en) 1971-07-06

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DE (1) DE1680325C3 (de)
FR (1) FR2004083A1 (de)
GB (1) GB1225733A (de)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4139241A (en) * 1977-01-06 1979-02-13 Ing. Ludwig Pietzsch Endless track
US4141599A (en) * 1976-04-05 1979-02-27 Ing. Ludwig Pietzsch Endless track
WO1989002389A1 (en) * 1985-07-03 1989-03-23 General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc. Endless track and components thereof for track laying vehicle

Families Citing this family (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB1556872A (en) * 1975-12-06 1979-11-28 Gerlach Werke Gmbh Track construction for tracked land vehicles such as tanks
DE2554981C3 (de) * 1975-12-06 1980-03-06 Gerlach-Werke Gmbh, 6650 Homburg Gleiskette für geländegängige Fahrzeuge, insbesondere Panzerkampfwagen
SE424173B (sv) * 1976-04-05 1982-07-05 Pietzsch Ludwig Drivband med bandlenkar
SE407773B (sv) * 1978-03-02 1979-04-23 Hegglund & Soner Ab Bandkedja for bandfordon
DE2919930C2 (de) * 1979-05-17 1983-10-27 Diehl GmbH & Co, 8500 Nürnberg Vorrichtung zur Verbindung von Kettengliedern für Kettenfahrzeuge

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1956580A (en) * 1931-09-03 1934-05-01 Harry A Knox Flexible track
US2301954A (en) * 1941-05-26 1942-11-17 Harry A Knox Track shoe
US2387387A (en) * 1942-10-31 1945-10-23 Us Rubber Co Track for track-laying vehicles

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1956580A (en) * 1931-09-03 1934-05-01 Harry A Knox Flexible track
US2301954A (en) * 1941-05-26 1942-11-17 Harry A Knox Track shoe
US2387387A (en) * 1942-10-31 1945-10-23 Us Rubber Co Track for track-laying vehicles

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4141599A (en) * 1976-04-05 1979-02-27 Ing. Ludwig Pietzsch Endless track
US4139241A (en) * 1977-01-06 1979-02-13 Ing. Ludwig Pietzsch Endless track
WO1989002389A1 (en) * 1985-07-03 1989-03-23 General Dynamics Land Systems, Inc. Endless track and components thereof for track laying vehicle

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2004083A1 (de) 1969-11-21
DE1680325C3 (de) 1974-04-25
DE1680325B2 (de) 1973-10-04
DE1680325A1 (de) 1971-05-27
GB1225733A (de) 1971-03-24

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