US3680924A - Endless track pin assembly - Google Patents

Endless track pin assembly Download PDF

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US3680924A
US3680924A US17276A US3680924DA US3680924A US 3680924 A US3680924 A US 3680924A US 17276 A US17276 A US 17276A US 3680924D A US3680924D A US 3680924DA US 3680924 A US3680924 A US 3680924A
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United States
Prior art keywords
track
pin
collars
shoe
inner race
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US17276A
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Robert J Otto
Alex H Sinclair
Ralph K Reynolds
Robert F Neargarder
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US Department of Army
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US Department of Army
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    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62DMOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/088Endless track units; Parts thereof with means to exclude or remove foreign matter, e.g. sealing means, self-cleaning track links or sprockets, deflector plates or scrapers
    • B62D55/0887Track-articulation sealings against dust, water, mud or the like
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62DMOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/18Tracks
    • B62D55/20Tracks of articulated type, e.g. chains
    • B62D55/205Connections between track links
    • B62D55/21Links connected by transverse pivot pins
    • B62D55/211Bitubular chain links assembled by pins and double connectors
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16CSHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C23/00Bearings for exclusively rotary movement adjustable for aligning or positioning
    • F16C23/02Sliding-contact bearings
    • F16C23/04Sliding-contact bearings self-adjusting
    • F16C23/043Sliding-contact bearings self-adjusting with spherical surfaces, e.g. spherical plain bearings
    • F16C23/045Sliding-contact bearings self-adjusting with spherical surfaces, e.g. spherical plain bearings for radial load mainly, e.g. radial spherical plain bearings
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16CSHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C33/00Parts of bearings; Special methods for making bearings or parts thereof
    • F16C33/72Sealings
    • F16C33/74Sealings of sliding-contact bearings
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F16ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
    • F16CSHAFTS; FLEXIBLE SHAFTS; ELEMENTS OR CRANKSHAFT MECHANISMS; ROTARY BODIES OTHER THAN GEARING ELEMENTS; BEARINGS
    • F16C2326/00Articles relating to transporting
    • F16C2326/20Land vehicles

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT A track pin assembly for an endless track including a plurality of track shoes pivotably connected by hinges including tapered seals protecting a spherical bearing which is mounted on an adjustable diameter track pin.
  • the track pin is rigidly connected to a portion of one track shoe and a portion of the bearing which is secured to the adjacent track shoe.
  • an endless track having a plurality of articulately connected track shoes.
  • Each track shoe is connected to the adjacent shoe by a pair of track pin assemblies including an adjustable diameter track pin, a spherical bearing, and a seal.
  • the spherical bearing is operatively positioned between adjacent track shoes with a portion rigidly connected with a collar which is attached to one shoe and another portion rigidly connected with the ad- I justable diameter track pin.
  • the pin is rigidly secured to the adjacent track shoe.
  • a tapered seal is provided intermediate a portion of the bearing and a portion of one of the track shoes.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an endless track partly broken away and in section according to the invention
  • FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the track pin assembly taken alongline 2-2 of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an alternate form I of the invention.-
  • Each track shoe includes a yoke 12 engaging removable pad 14 and road wheel pad 16.
  • the pads are bonded or otherwise suitably secured to yoke 12 which includes a center guide portion 18 guiding the track relative to the sprocket and road wheels.
  • Road wheels not shown, form part of the suspension system and engage road wheel pad 16.
  • FIGS. 2 and 3 which are shown partially in section in FIG. 1 and in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.
  • a track pin shown generally at 24 is rigidly connected to each pair of spaced apart-collars 20 and consists of an inner bolt 26, adjustable wall thickness bushings 28,
  • head 34 lies wholly within bore 21 of collar 20, while washer 33 and nut 32 lie wholly outside bore 21.
  • Bolt 26 is thus positioned and axially located in bore 21 by washer 33.
  • the nuts 32 are disposed at the edges of the track assembly where they can be reached by maintenance personnel, whereas heads 34 are inaccessible.
  • a spherical bearing shown generally at 40 is operatively positioned between each of the track pins 26 and the bore 36 of the single collar 22 which is positioned between each pair of collars 20.
  • Each spherical bearing 40 includes an inner race 42, an outer race 44, whose spherical surface may be coated or bonded with a substance, such as Teflon, or other suitable materials, and a seal 46.
  • Inner race 42 includes a cylindrical bore 43 therethrough in which adjustable diameter pin 24 is rigidly secured. When nut 32 is tightened, the inner action of the bushings 28 and washers 30 operates to remove all clearance between the bore 43 of pin 24 and the inner race 42, hence eliminating backlash and assuring proper bearing rotation. Race 42 is thus not permitted to rotate relative to the track pin 24.
  • Inner race 42 also includes an outer convex bearing surface 48 and a circumferential flange 50 extending axially on opposite sides of race 42.
  • the outer surface 48 is spherically shaped to provide uniform loading in case of misalignment of track pin 24 due to machine errors or deflection of track shoes 10.
  • axially extending flanges 50 are integrally formed with race 42 and are secured to pin 24 by a no clearance fit. The flanges 50 provide a base for seal 46 so that the bearings remain sealed against dirt even though the track pins 24 are removed.
  • Outer race 44 is concentrically located with respect to inner race 42 and is rigidly secured to single collar 22 by a force fit or any other suitable securing means.
  • the inner surface 45 of outer race 44 is concave and complementary with the outer spherical bearing surface of inner race 42.
  • bearing surfaces 48 and 45 coact to absorb axial or thrust loads, thus eliminating the need of an additional thrust bearing.
  • Surfaces 48 and 45 are free to rotate relative to each other while still maintaining uniform loading throughout. As shown in the drawing, the width of inner bearing surface 48 is slightly wider than the bearing surface 45.
  • a seal 52 is shown mounted on either side of each spherical bearing 40 and includes an elastomeric ring 54 bonded to first and second metal rings 56 and 58 (or 50 in FIG. 3).
  • the elastomeric ring 54 which can be made of rubber or any other suitable substance, is bonded to metal rings 56 and 58 (or 50 in FIG. 3) on both the inside and outside diameters. Rings 56 and 58 are then pressed or cemented into the housing and over the inner race circumferential flanges 50.
  • Ring 54 will be forced to flex by the torsional stress set up by relative movement of inner and outer rings 56 and 58, (or 50in FIG. 3).
  • seal 52 which is specifically designed to eliminate excessive shear stresses which lead to torsional fatigue failure as shown at 60
  • the pre-compressed elastomeric ring 54 is tapered such that the axial thickness becomes increasingly smaller with an increasingly radially outward distance from the inner ring 58 or (50 in FIG. 3). This taper continues for a substantial portion of the radial thickness of the elastomeric ring until the minimum axial thickness is reached at 62.
  • a tubular extension 64 is provided to improve the bond ing between the elastomeric ring 52 in the outer ring 56.
  • the taper is such that the circumferential areas formed by concentric cylinders intersecting ring 52 remain substantially constant for a substantial portion of the distance between inner and outer rings 58 (or 50 in FIG. 3) and 56.
  • the area formed by the elastomeric ring intersecting a coaxial cylinder which is adjacent to inner ring 58 or 50 (in FIG. 3) has a wide axial width; however, the diameter of the intersecting cylinder will be relatively small.
  • the width of the intersecting cylinder taken through point 62 will be relatively small, but, the diameter will be relatively large, whereby the areas of intersection in the two cases will be substantially equal.
  • FIG. 3 there is disclosed an alternative embodiment of our invention, the same being quite similar to the structure shown in FIG. 2, with the following exceptions: inner race circumferential flanges 50, FIG. 2, and inner ring 58 are replaced by a single part 50in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 3 also differs from FIG. 2 in that the track pin 24, in FIG. 3, does not utilize an inner bolt 26, an adjustable wall thickness bushing 28, washer 30 and selflocking nut 32. However a bolt fills threaded hole 81 into which a threaded pulling tool (not shown) can be screwed into part 24 to remove the pin.
  • Track pin 24, FIG. 3 is smooth and cylindrical and is retained in bore 21 and inner race cylindrical bore 43, by means of either a press fit or retaining compound or a combination.
  • the elastomeric ring 54 is bonded directly to the inner race circumferential flange 50.
  • Other components of FIGS. 2 and 3 are substantially the same.
  • Inner race circumferential flange 50 is firmly bonded or press fitted to inner race 42.
  • An endless track including a plurality of articulately connected track shoes, each of said track shoes connected to an adjacent track shoe by pairs of track pin assemblies,
  • each of said track shoes comprising a yoke including a pair of spaced apart collars located at opposite lateral edges along one longitudinal extremity of said yoke, said collars having aligned bores equal in diameter
  • each single collar of each shoe being located between a pair of spaced apart collars on the adjacent shoe, each single collar bore being coaxial with said equal diameter bores,
  • each of said track pin assemblies including a pin rigidly connected with each of said pairs of collars, the pin having at one end a head adapted to fit in the equal diameter bores and at its other end a nut that is too large to fit in the equal diameter bores, and a plurality of bushings and washers on the pin between the head and the nut, said bushings and washers adapted in the relaxed state to fit in the equal diameter bores and radially expansible to grip the surfaces of the bores,
  • a spherical bearing operatively positioned between each track pin and the single collar positioned between each of said pair of collars, said bearing including an inner race having a bore aligned with and substantially the same size as said equal diameter bores and rigidly secured about said track pin by said bushings and washers in their expanded state and having a spherically shaped outer bearing surface,
  • a seal mounted on either side of said spherical bearing comprising first and second concentric rings and an elastomeric ring bonded to said first and second rings.
  • said outer ring of said seal is rigidly secured to said single collar and said inner ring is rigidly secured to said circumferential flanges of said inner race.
  • An endless track including a plurality of articulately connected track shoes, each of said track shoes connected to an adjacent track shoe by pairs of track pin assemblies,
  • each of said track shoes comprising a yoke including,
  • each single collar of each shoe being located between a pair of spaced-apart collars on the adjacent shoe
  • each of said track pin assemblies including,
  • said bearing including an inner race secured about said flange by means of an interference fit or a retaining compound
  • said track pin being secured to said flange by means of an interference fit or retaining compound
  • a seal mounted on either side of said spherical bearing'comprising, first and second concentric rings and an elastomeric ring bonded to said first and second rings.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Pivots And Pivotal Connections (AREA)

Abstract

A track pin assembly for an endless track including a plurality of track shoes pivotably connected by hinges including tapered seals protecting a spherical bearing which is mounted on an adjustable diameter track pin. The track pin is rigidly connected to a portion of one track shoe and a portion of the bearing which is secured to the adjacent track shoe.

Description

United States Patent Otto et al.
[451 Aug. 1,1972
[54] ENDLESS TRACK PIN ASSEMBLY [72] Inventors: Robert J. Otto, Grosse Pointe Woods; Alex H. Sinclair, Southfield, both of Mich.; Ralph K. Reynolds, Saratoga; Robert F. Neargarder, San Jose, both of Calif.
[73] Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army [22] Filed: March 6, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 17,276
[52] US. Cl ..305/11, 305/58 [51] Int. Cl. ..B62d 55/20 [58] Field of Search ..305/11, 58; 74/254; 85/69 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,504,951 4/1970 Hiryck ..305/11 2,911,840 11/1959 Muller ..305/11 3,009,747 11/1961 Pitzer ..85/69 1,678,149 7/1928 Lamb ..305/58 X 2,517,429 8/1950 l-lenning ..305/42 Primary Examiner-Richard J. Johnson Att0rneyHarry M. Saragovitz, Edward J. Kelly, l-lerbert Berl and Maxwell V. Wallace [57] ABSTRACT A track pin assembly for an endless track including a plurality of track shoes pivotably connected by hinges including tapered seals protecting a spherical bearing which is mounted on an adjustable diameter track pin. The track pin is rigidly connected to a portion of one track shoe and a portion of the bearing which is secured to the adjacent track shoe.
5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures ENDLESS TRACK PIN ASSEMBLY The invention described herein may be manufactured, used, and licensed by or for the Government for governmental purposes without payment to us of any of the sprockets are connected to a power source to provide the driving power for the track.
I As would naturally be expected, track type vehicles are subjected to extreme loads and vibrations which are transmitted through the track to the track pin assemblies which connect adjacent track shoes. Such assemblies in prior art devices would rapidly deteriorate due to the uneven stress distribution throughout the bearing which was incorporated in the pin assembly. Moreover, the construction of such prior assemblies did not lend themselves to proper sealing techniques and as a result thedeterioration of the bearings would be further accelerated by dust and dirt which abrade the bearing surfaces. Another disadvantage of prior art pin assemblies is the lack of a proper connection between the track pin and the track shoe to which it is to be secured. Thisresults in slippage and resultant wear which forces replacement of the pin assembly. Moreover, the replacement of the worn track pins requires disassembly of the bearing which is cumbersome, hazardous, and time consuming.
According to the present invention, there is provided an endless track having a plurality of articulately connected track shoes. Each track shoe is connected to the adjacent shoe by a pair of track pin assemblies including an adjustable diameter track pin, a spherical bearing, and a seal. The spherical bearing is operatively positioned between adjacent track shoes with a portion rigidly connected with a collar which is attached to one shoe and another portion rigidly connected with the ad- I justable diameter track pin. The pin is rigidly secured to the adjacent track shoe. A tapered seal is provided intermediate a portion of the bearing and a portion of one of the track shoes.
Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one having ordinary skill in the art when considered in connection with the following description and accompanying drawings of which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portion of an endless track partly broken away and in section according to the invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the track pin assembly taken alongline 2-2 of FIG. 1; and
- FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of an alternate form I of the invention.-
Referring now to the drawing wherein similar nugenerally shown at 10. Each track shoe includes a yoke 12 engaging removable pad 14 and road wheel pad 16.
' The pads are bonded or otherwise suitably secured to yoke 12 which includes a center guide portion 18 guiding the track relative to the sprocket and road wheels. Road wheels, not shown, form part of the suspension system and engage road wheel pad 16.
At each lateral edge of the yoke 12 are secured a pair apart collars 20 of the adjacent shoe. Y
Each of the track shoes is permitted to oscillate relative to an adjacent track shoe by a pair of track pin assemblies, FIGS. 2 and 3, which are shown partially in section in FIG. 1 and in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. A track pin shown generally at 24 is rigidly connected to each pair of spaced apart-collars 20 and consists of an inner bolt 26, adjustable wall thickness bushings 28,
washers 30, and self locking nut 32.. By tightening nut 32 against lock washer 33, a compressive force is applied to the bushings and washers located between nut 32 and head 34. This force causes the adjustable wall thickness bushings 28 to'assume a larger diameter against bore 21 of collar 20 and simultaneously washer 33 is forced against the inner bolt 26 thereby providing an extremely tight radial fit between the adjustable diameter'pin 24 and the spaced apart collars 20. e
As is best seen in FIG. 2, head 34 lies wholly within bore 21 of collar 20, while washer 33 and nut 32 lie wholly outside bore 21. Bolt 26 is thus positioned and axially located in bore 21 by washer 33. As is evident from observation of FIG. 1, the nuts 32 are disposed at the edges of the track assembly where they can be reached by maintenance personnel, whereas heads 34 are inaccessible.
A spherical bearing shown generally at 40 is operatively positioned between each of the track pins 26 and the bore 36 of the single collar 22 which is positioned between each pair of collars 20. Each spherical bearing 40 includes an inner race 42, an outer race 44, whose spherical surface may be coated or bonded with a substance, such as Teflon, or other suitable materials, and a seal 46. Inner race 42 includes a cylindrical bore 43 therethrough in which adjustable diameter pin 24 is rigidly secured. When nut 32 is tightened, the inner action of the bushings 28 and washers 30 operates to remove all clearance between the bore 43 of pin 24 and the inner race 42, hence eliminating backlash and assuring proper bearing rotation. Race 42 is thus not permitted to rotate relative to the track pin 24.
Inner race 42 also includes an outer convex bearing surface 48 and a circumferential flange 50 extending axially on opposite sides of race 42. The outer surface 48 is spherically shaped to provide uniform loading in case of misalignment of track pin 24 due to machine errors or deflection of track shoes 10. In FIG. 2 axially extending flanges 50 are integrally formed with race 42 and are secured to pin 24 by a no clearance fit. The flanges 50 provide a base for seal 46 so that the bearings remain sealed against dirt even though the track pins 24 are removed.
Outer race 44 is concentrically located with respect to inner race 42 and is rigidly secured to single collar 22 by a force fit or any other suitable securing means.
The inner surface 45 of outer race 44 is concave and complementary with the outer spherical bearing surface of inner race 42. In addition to absorbing radial loads, bearing surfaces 48 and 45 coact to absorb axial or thrust loads, thus eliminating the need of an additional thrust bearing. Surfaces 48 and 45 are free to rotate relative to each other while still maintaining uniform loading throughout. As shown in the drawing, the width of inner bearing surface 48 is slightly wider than the bearing surface 45.
A seal 52 is shown mounted on either side of each spherical bearing 40 and includes an elastomeric ring 54 bonded to first and second metal rings 56 and 58 (or 50 in FIG. 3). To eliminate inadequate performance due to slippage between the seal and the contacting metal parts, the elastomeric ring 54, which can be made of rubber or any other suitable substance, is bonded to metal rings 56 and 58 (or 50 in FIG. 3) on both the inside and outside diameters. Rings 56 and 58 are then pressed or cemented into the housing and over the inner race circumferential flanges 50. Thus, when collar 22 rotates relative to collars 20, ring 56 will remain fixed to collar 22, while ring 58 (or 50 in FIG. 3) will rotate with inner race 42 and collar 20. Ring 54 will be forced to flex by the torsional stress set up by relative movement of inner and outer rings 56 and 58, (or 50in FIG. 3).
Particular attention is directed to the shape of seal 52 which is specifically designed to eliminate excessive shear stresses which lead to torsional fatigue failure as shown at 60, the pre-compressed elastomeric ring 54 is tapered such that the axial thickness becomes increasingly smaller with an increasingly radially outward distance from the inner ring 58 or (50 in FIG. 3). This taper continues for a substantial portion of the radial thickness of the elastomeric ring until the minimum axial thickness is reached at 62. To improve the bond ing between the elastomeric ring 52 in the outer ring 56, a tubular extension 64,'at the outer radial extremity of seal ring 46 is provided. The taper is such that the circumferential areas formed by concentric cylinders intersecting ring 52 remain substantially constant for a substantial portion of the distance between inner and outer rings 58 (or 50 in FIG. 3) and 56. For example, the area formed by the elastomeric ring intersecting a coaxial cylinder which is adjacent to inner ring 58 or 50 (in FIG. 3) has a wide axial width; however, the diameter of the intersecting cylinder will be relatively small. On the other hand, the width of the intersecting cylinder taken through point 62 will be relatively small, but, the diameter will be relatively large, whereby the areas of intersection in the two cases will be substantially equal.
As the track negotiates the sprocket or engages uneven terrain, adjacent track shoes will oscillate relative to each other. This will cause elastomeric member 52 to be subjected to torsional shear stress; however, the inner and outer rings 56, 58 (or 50 in FIG. 3) will not move relative to the adjacent surfaces of member 52, therefore the bearing seal will not abrade and deteriorate. This will cause track pins 24 to be inclined to the horizontal as shown in the drawing. With the spherical bearings employed, the inner race 42 will rotate slightly relative to outer race 44 and uniform distribution of the load will take place. The track pin 24,
of course, remains rigidly secured to the inner race 42 of spherical bearing 40 and collars 20 thus eliminating back-lash and assuring proper bearing rotation.
In FIG. 3 there is disclosed an alternative embodiment of our invention, the same being quite similar to the structure shown in FIG. 2, with the following exceptions: inner race circumferential flanges 50, FIG. 2, and inner ring 58 are replaced by a single part 50in FIG. 3. FIG. 3 also differs from FIG. 2 in that the track pin 24, in FIG. 3, does not utilize an inner bolt 26, an adjustable wall thickness bushing 28, washer 30 and selflocking nut 32. However a bolt fills threaded hole 81 into which a threaded pulling tool (not shown) can be screwed into part 24 to remove the pin.
Track pin 24, FIG. 3, is smooth and cylindrical and is retained in bore 21 and inner race cylindrical bore 43, by means of either a press fit or retaining compound or a combination. The elastomeric ring 54 is bonded directly to the inner race circumferential flange 50. Other components of FIGS. 2 and 3 are substantially the same.
Inner race circumferential flange 50 is firmly bonded or press fitted to inner race 42.
We wish it to be understood that we do not desire to be limited to the exact details of construction shown and described, for obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art.
We claim:
1. An endless track including a plurality of articulately connected track shoes, each of said track shoes connected to an adjacent track shoe by pairs of track pin assemblies,
each of said track shoes comprising a yoke including a pair of spaced apart collars located at opposite lateral edges along one longitudinal extremity of said yoke, said collars having aligned bores equal in diameter,
a single collar having a bore and located at opposite lateral edges along the other longitudinal extremity of said yoke, and
a guide portion for guiding the track,
each single collar of each shoe being located between a pair of spaced apart collars on the adjacent shoe, each single collar bore being coaxial with said equal diameter bores,
each of said track pin assemblies including a pin rigidly connected with each of said pairs of collars, the pin having at one end a head adapted to fit in the equal diameter bores and at its other end a nut that is too large to fit in the equal diameter bores, and a plurality of bushings and washers on the pin between the head and the nut, said bushings and washers adapted in the relaxed state to fit in the equal diameter bores and radially expansible to grip the surfaces of the bores,
a spherical bearing operatively positioned between each track pin and the single collar positioned between each of said pair of collars, said bearing including an inner race having a bore aligned with and substantially the same size as said equal diameter bores and rigidly secured about said track pin by said bushings and washers in their expanded state and having a spherically shaped outer bearing surface,
an outer race concentric with said inner race, being rigidly connected with said single collar, and having a spherically shaped inner bearing surface complementary with said convex bearing Surface, and
a seal mounted on either side of said spherical bearing comprising first and second concentric rings and an elastomeric ring bonded to said first and second rings.
2. An endless track as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inner race includes circumferential flanges concentric with said track pin and extending axially on either side of said inner race. I 3. An endless track as set forth in claim 2 wherein said outer ring of said seal is rigidly secured to said single collar and said inner ring is rigidly secured to said circumferential flanges of said inner race.
4. An adjustable track as set forth in claim 1 wherein the axial thickness of each of said seals becomes increasingly smaller with an increasingly radially outward distance from said inner ring whereby the area of intersection of said elastomeric ring with concentric cylinders remains substantially constant along a substantial radial distance intermediate said inner and outer rings.
5. An endless track including a plurality of articulately connected track shoes, each of said track shoes connected to an adjacent track shoe by pairs of track pin assemblies,
each of said track shoes comprising a yoke including,
a pair of spaced apart collars located at opposite lateral edges along one longitudinal extremity of said yoke,
a single collar located at opposite lateral edges along the other longitudinal extremity of said yoke, and
a guide portion for guiding the track,
each single collar of each shoe being located between a pair of spaced-apart collars on the adjacent shoe,
each of said track pin assemblies including,
a pin rigidly connected with each of said pairs of collars,
a spherical bearing operatively positioned between each of said pair of collars,
a circumferential flange member,
7 said bearing including an inner race secured about said flange by means of an interference fit or a retaining compound,
said track pin being secured to said flange by means of an interference fit or retaining compound,
an outer race concentric with said inner race, being rigidly connected to said single collar and having a spherically-shaped inner bearing surface complementary with a convex bearing surface,
a seal mounted on either side of said spherical bearing'comprising, first and second concentric rings and an elastomeric ring bonded to said first and second rings.

Claims (5)

1. An endless track including a plurality of articulately connected track shoes, each of said track shoes connected to an adjacent track shoe by pairs of track pin assemblies, each of said track shoes comprising a yoke including a pair of spaced apart collars located at opposite lateral edges along one longitudinal extremity of said yoke, said collars having aligned bores equal in diameter, a single collar having a bore and located at opposite lateral edges along the other longitudinal extremity of said yoke, and a guide portion for guiding the track, each single collar of each shoe being located between a pair of spaced apart collars on the adjacent shoe, each single collar bore being coaxial with said equal diameter bores, each of said track pin assemblies including a pin rigidly connected with each of said pairs of collars, the pin having at one end a head adapted to fit in the equal diameter bores and at its other end a nut that is too large to fit in the equal diameter bores, and a plurality of bushings and washers on the pin between the head and the nut, said bushings and washers adapted in the relaxed state to fit in the equal diameter bores and radially expansible to grip the surfaces of the bores, a spherical bearing operatively positioned between each track pin and the single collar positioned between each of said pair of collars, said bearing including an inner race having a bore aligned with and substantially the same size as said equal diameter bores and rigidly secured about said track pin by said bushings and washers in their expanded state and having a spherically shaped outer bearing surface, an outer race concentric with said inner race, being rigidly connected with said single collar, and having a spherically shaped inner bearing surface complementary with said convex bearing surface, and a seal mounted on either side of said spherical bearing comprising first and second concentric rings and an elastomeric ring bonded to said first and second rings.
2. An endless track as set forth in claim 1 wherein said inner race includes circumferential flanges concentric with said track pin and extending axially on either side of said inner race.
3. An endless track as set forth in claim 2 wherein said outer ring of said seal is rigidly secured to said single collar and said inner ring is rigidly secured to said circumferential flanges of said inner race.
4. An adjustable track as set forth in claim 1 wherein the axial thickness of each of said seals becomes increasingly smaller with an increasingly radially outward distance from said inner ring whereby the area of intersection of said elastomeric ring with concentric cylinders remains substantially constant along a substantial radial distance intermediate said inner and outer rings.
5. An endless track including a plurality of articulately connected track shoes, each of said track shoes connected to an adjacent track shoe by pairs of track pin assemblies, each of said track shoes comprising a yoke including, a pair of spaced apart collars located at opposite lateral edges along one longitudinal extremity of said yoke, a single collar located at opposite lateral edges along the other longitudinal extremity oF said yoke, and a guide portion for guiding the track, each single collar of each shoe being located between a pair of spaced-apart collars on the adjacent shoe, each of said track pin assemblies including, a pin rigidly connected with each of said pairs of collars, a spherical bearing operatively positioned between each of said pair of collars, a circumferential flange member, said bearing including an inner race secured about said flange by means of an interference fit or a retaining compound, said track pin being secured to said flange by means of an interference fit or retaining compound, an outer race concentric with said inner race, being rigidly connected to said single collar and having a spherically-shaped inner bearing surface complementary with a convex bearing surface, a seal mounted on either side of said spherical bearing comprising, first and second concentric rings and an elastomeric ring bonded to said first and second rings.
US17276A 1970-03-06 1970-03-06 Endless track pin assembly Expired - Lifetime US3680924A (en)

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Cited By (28)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2218498A1 (en) * 1973-02-16 1974-09-13 Caterpillar Tractor Co
US3873166A (en) * 1973-04-18 1975-03-25 Caterpillar Tractor Co Sealed self-adjusting bearing
US4007972A (en) * 1975-10-01 1977-02-15 J. I. Case Company Sealed track joint
US4244588A (en) * 1979-11-05 1981-01-13 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Shear seal assembly
US4253674A (en) * 1979-08-30 1981-03-03 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Shear seal assembly
US4262914A (en) * 1979-12-03 1981-04-21 Caterpillar Tractor Co. End face seal assembly
WO1981001273A1 (en) * 1979-11-05 1981-05-14 Caterpillar Tractor Co Shear seal assembly
WO1981001599A1 (en) * 1979-12-03 1981-06-11 Caterpillar Tractor Co End face seal assembly
US4385673A (en) * 1980-09-26 1983-05-31 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Spherical joint with flexible seals
US4553760A (en) * 1984-11-19 1985-11-19 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Flexible seal for a spherical joint
JPS6235109A (en) * 1985-08-07 1987-02-16 Tokai Rubber Ind Ltd Rod with ball joint
JPS6259320U (en) * 1985-09-03 1987-04-13
JPS62110619U (en) * 1985-12-27 1987-07-14
JPS62110618U (en) * 1985-12-27 1987-07-14
DE3824271A1 (en) * 1988-07-16 1990-03-29 Joern Gmbh JOINT BEARINGS, ESPECIALLY FOR A JOURNAL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
DE3824272A1 (en) * 1988-07-16 1990-03-29 Joern Gmbh JOINT BEARINGS, ESPECIALLY FOR A JOURNAL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
US6142588A (en) * 1997-11-26 2000-11-07 Intertractor Zweigniederlassung Der Wirtgen Gmbh Drive chain for tracked vehicle
US6371577B1 (en) * 2000-04-20 2002-04-16 Caterpillar Inc. Track chain assembly for a work machine
US6382742B1 (en) * 2000-04-20 2002-05-07 Caterpillar Inc. Cartridge assembly for a track chain of a track type work machine
US6386651B1 (en) * 2000-04-20 2002-05-14 Caterpillar Inc. Insert arrangement for a track chain assembly
US20040026870A1 (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-02-12 Maguire Roy L. Face seal assembly with integral support
US6739680B2 (en) 2002-08-21 2004-05-25 Caterpillar Inc Cartridge assembly for a track chain
US20060022412A1 (en) * 2004-08-02 2006-02-02 Clark Equipment Company Two component seal
US20110109154A1 (en) * 2009-11-09 2011-05-12 Caterpillar Inc. Bushing For A Track-Type Undercarriage
US20110293360A1 (en) * 2010-05-28 2011-12-01 Caterpillar, Inc. Seal Assembly and Method for Forming a Seal Assembly
US10024350B2 (en) * 2016-01-20 2018-07-17 Caterpillar Inc. Seal system for dry lube pin joints
US10288174B2 (en) * 2014-10-06 2019-05-14 Caterpillar Inc. Seal member for joint of machine
CN111005934A (en) * 2019-11-29 2020-04-14 中国北方车辆研究所 Dustproof hinge of shock absorber

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US1678149A (en) * 1923-02-05 1928-07-24 Roadless Traction Ltd Endless track for vehicles
US2517429A (en) * 1948-02-26 1950-08-01 Int Harvester Co Master joint structure for track chains
US2911840A (en) * 1955-06-07 1959-11-10 Rand Goetze Corp Tank track pin bearing seal
US3009747A (en) * 1956-11-23 1961-11-21 Paul Gross Bushing
US3504951A (en) * 1968-08-28 1970-04-07 Us Army Endless track

Patent Citations (5)

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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1678149A (en) * 1923-02-05 1928-07-24 Roadless Traction Ltd Endless track for vehicles
US2517429A (en) * 1948-02-26 1950-08-01 Int Harvester Co Master joint structure for track chains
US2911840A (en) * 1955-06-07 1959-11-10 Rand Goetze Corp Tank track pin bearing seal
US3009747A (en) * 1956-11-23 1961-11-21 Paul Gross Bushing
US3504951A (en) * 1968-08-28 1970-04-07 Us Army Endless track

Cited By (39)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2218498A1 (en) * 1973-02-16 1974-09-13 Caterpillar Tractor Co
US3873166A (en) * 1973-04-18 1975-03-25 Caterpillar Tractor Co Sealed self-adjusting bearing
US4007972A (en) * 1975-10-01 1977-02-15 J. I. Case Company Sealed track joint
EP0024789A3 (en) * 1979-08-30 1981-03-25 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Shear seal assembly
US4253674A (en) * 1979-08-30 1981-03-03 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Shear seal assembly
WO1981000542A1 (en) * 1979-08-30 1981-03-05 Caterpillar Tractor Co Shear seal assembly
EP0024789A2 (en) * 1979-08-30 1981-03-11 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Shear seal assembly
EP0028876A1 (en) * 1979-11-05 1981-05-20 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Shear seal assembly
WO1981001273A1 (en) * 1979-11-05 1981-05-14 Caterpillar Tractor Co Shear seal assembly
US4244588A (en) * 1979-11-05 1981-01-13 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Shear seal assembly
US4262914A (en) * 1979-12-03 1981-04-21 Caterpillar Tractor Co. End face seal assembly
WO1981001599A1 (en) * 1979-12-03 1981-06-11 Caterpillar Tractor Co End face seal assembly
US4385673A (en) * 1980-09-26 1983-05-31 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Spherical joint with flexible seals
US4553760A (en) * 1984-11-19 1985-11-19 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Flexible seal for a spherical joint
JPS6235109A (en) * 1985-08-07 1987-02-16 Tokai Rubber Ind Ltd Rod with ball joint
JPH0361842B2 (en) * 1985-08-07 1991-09-24 Tokai Rubber Ind Ltd
JPS6259320U (en) * 1985-09-03 1987-04-13
JPH0320574Y2 (en) * 1985-12-27 1991-05-02
JPS62110619U (en) * 1985-12-27 1987-07-14
JPS62110618U (en) * 1985-12-27 1987-07-14
DE3824271A1 (en) * 1988-07-16 1990-03-29 Joern Gmbh JOINT BEARINGS, ESPECIALLY FOR A JOURNAL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
DE3824272A1 (en) * 1988-07-16 1990-03-29 Joern Gmbh JOINT BEARINGS, ESPECIALLY FOR A JOURNAL OF A MOTOR VEHICLE
US6142588A (en) * 1997-11-26 2000-11-07 Intertractor Zweigniederlassung Der Wirtgen Gmbh Drive chain for tracked vehicle
US6371577B1 (en) * 2000-04-20 2002-04-16 Caterpillar Inc. Track chain assembly for a work machine
US6382742B1 (en) * 2000-04-20 2002-05-07 Caterpillar Inc. Cartridge assembly for a track chain of a track type work machine
US6386651B1 (en) * 2000-04-20 2002-05-14 Caterpillar Inc. Insert arrangement for a track chain assembly
US20040026870A1 (en) * 2002-08-06 2004-02-12 Maguire Roy L. Face seal assembly with integral support
US6739680B2 (en) 2002-08-21 2004-05-25 Caterpillar Inc Cartridge assembly for a track chain
US7367739B2 (en) * 2004-08-02 2008-05-06 Clark Equipment Company Two component seal
US20060022412A1 (en) * 2004-08-02 2006-02-02 Clark Equipment Company Two component seal
US20080237992A1 (en) * 2004-08-02 2008-10-02 Clark Equipment Company Two component pin seal
US20110109154A1 (en) * 2009-11-09 2011-05-12 Caterpillar Inc. Bushing For A Track-Type Undercarriage
US8613486B2 (en) * 2009-11-09 2013-12-24 Caterpillar Inc. Bushing for a track-type undercarriage
US20110293360A1 (en) * 2010-05-28 2011-12-01 Caterpillar, Inc. Seal Assembly and Method for Forming a Seal Assembly
US8622644B2 (en) * 2010-05-28 2014-01-07 Caterpillar Inc. Seal assembly and method for forming a seal assembly
US10288174B2 (en) * 2014-10-06 2019-05-14 Caterpillar Inc. Seal member for joint of machine
US10024350B2 (en) * 2016-01-20 2018-07-17 Caterpillar Inc. Seal system for dry lube pin joints
CN108474417A (en) * 2016-01-20 2018-08-31 卡特彼勒公司 Sealing system for dry lubrication pin connector
CN111005934A (en) * 2019-11-29 2020-04-14 中国北方车辆研究所 Dustproof hinge of shock absorber

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