US3717387A - Cushioned track with cross grousers - Google Patents

Cushioned track with cross grousers Download PDF

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Publication number
US3717387A
US3717387A US00088808A US3717387DA US3717387A US 3717387 A US3717387 A US 3717387A US 00088808 A US00088808 A US 00088808A US 3717387D A US3717387D A US 3717387DA US 3717387 A US3717387 A US 3717387A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
shoe
grouser
shoes
track
primary
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
US00088808A
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English (en)
Inventor
G Cackley
G Heitzman
R Boggs
R Stedman
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.)
Caterpillar Inc
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Caterpillar Tractor Co
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 Caterpillar Tractor Co filed Critical Caterpillar Tractor Co
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3717387A publication Critical patent/US3717387A/en
Assigned to CATERPILLAR INC., A CORP. OF DE. reassignment CATERPILLAR INC., A CORP. OF DE. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST. Assignors: CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP. OF CALIF.
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60C—VEHICLE TYRES; TYRE INFLATION; TYRE CHANGING; CONNECTING VALVES TO INFLATABLE ELASTIC BODIES IN GENERAL; DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS RELATED TO TYRES
    • B60C27/00—Non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tyres or resiliently-tyred wheels
    • B60C27/20—Non-skid devices temporarily attachable to resilient tyres or resiliently-tyred wheels having ground-engaging plate-like elements

Definitions

  • a resilient spacer means such as a pneumatic rubber tire, has an endless track assembly mounted thereon.
  • the track assembly comprises an annular and articulated link assembly positioned on each side of the spacer means to closely couple a plurality of ground engaging track shoes together.
  • Each track shoe has a ground engaging grouser secured thereto to be disposed parallel relative to the rotational axis of the cushioned track.
  • a cross grouser is attached to each shoe to extend substantially perpendicularly relative to the first-mentioned grouser to resist lateral sliding movement of the cushioned track during operation thereof.
  • cushioned track machines has facilitated expeditious and efficient performance of earth working operations.
  • a cushioned track vehicle may tend to slide laterally relative to its intended direction.
  • the problem is made particularly apparent due to the vehicles high degree of stability and agressiveness regarding the wide variety of work tasks which it is capable of performing.
  • An object of this invention is to overcome the above, briefly described problems by providing a secondary or cross-grousered track shoe particularly adapted for use in the track assembly of a cushioned track.
  • the cushioned track exhibits a high degree of working efficiency, especially during side hill earthmoving operations and the like, due to the ability of the crossgrousers to resist the tendancy of the cushioned track to slide laterally.
  • the cushioned track comprises an annular resilient spacer means mounted for rotation about a central axis thereof and an endless track assembly mounted completely around the spacer means.
  • the track assembly comprises a plurality of ground engaging track shoes and annular connecting means attached to the shoes to closely couple them together.
  • a primary grouser is secured exteriorly on at least some of the shoes to extend in the direction of such central axis.
  • Such shoes further have a secondary or cross-grouser attached thereto to extend at least approximately perpendicular relative to the primary grouser.
  • FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a cushioned track employing a cross-grouser embodiment of this invention therein;
  • FIG. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of a track shoe and attached links sub-assembly employed in the FIG. 1 cushioned track;
  • FIG. 3 is a partial top plan view of two of the FIG. 2 sub-assemblies attached together;
  • FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the FIG. 3 sub-assemblies
  • FIGS. 5 and 6 are partial top plan and side elevation views, respectively, illustrating a modification of the FIG. 2 sub-assembly
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 are partial top plan and side elevational views, respectively, illustrating another modification of the FIG. 2 sub-assembly
  • FIG. 9 is a partial top plan view illustrating another modification of the FIG. 2 sub-assembly
  • FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken in the direction of arrows X-X in FIG. 9;
  • FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 10, but illustrating a modification thereof;
  • FIGS. 12 and 13 are partial isometric and end elevational views, respectively, illustrating a modified track shoe.
  • FIGS. 14 and 15 are partial isometric views illustrating further modifications of a track shoe.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates a cushioned track 20 adapted to replace conventional tires or the like employed on standard earthworking equipment, such as wheel-type tractors.
  • the cushioned track comprises an annular resilient spacer means 21 having a substantially annular and polygonal-shaped endless track assembly 22 mounted completely therearound.
  • the resilient spacer means may comprise an air inflated rubber tire or air bag, for example, mounted on a conventional rim assembly.
  • spacer means are disclosed in U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 884,903, filed on Dec. 15, 1969 by Robert A. Peterson et al., for Cushioned Track and Method for Driving Same," assigned to the assignee of this application.
  • the rim may be suitably connected to a vehicles drive train (not shown) to be rotated about a central axis X thereof by an internal combustion engine (not shown).
  • the illustrated tire spacer means embodiment may comprise suitably integrated interliner, body plies and tread plies.
  • the endless track assembly comprises a plurality of closely coupled ground-engaging shoes 23 circumferentially surrounding the spacer means.
  • the shoes have widths defining outboard portions extending a substantially equal lateral distance beyond a respective side wall of spacer means 21.
  • An annular articulated link assembly or connecting means 24 is preferably connected to respective outboard portions of the shoes and in slightly spaced relationship relative to a respective side wall of the spacer means.
  • the identical link assemblies may be bolted or otherwise suitably connected to radially inner surface portions of the outboard portions of the shoes to closely couple them together (FIGS. 1, 2 and 3).
  • the substantially flat and uninterrupted inner surface portions of the shoes intimately contact and compress a substantial portion of the periphery of the spacer means so that such periphery assumes a substantially circumferentially continuous and polygonal-shaped configuration for driving purposes.
  • Such driving relationship is fully described in above-referenced U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 884,903.
  • FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a portion of the track assembly as comprising an adjacent pair of identical links 25.
  • Each pair of links are pivotally connected together for pivotal movement about a common pivot axis Y by pivot means 26.
  • the illustrated link embodiment is of tegrally with shoe 23 and cooperates with cross-grouser 31 for purposes hereinafter more fully explained.
  • the pivot means 26 comprises a pivot pin 33, and preferably a mating bushing, positioned substantially parallel relative to the central rotational axis X of the cushioned track (FIG. 1) and substantially intermediate a respective pair of adjacent shoes connected together thereby.
  • a pivot pin 33 and preferably a mating bushing, positioned substantially parallel relative to the central rotational axis X of the cushioned track (FIG. 1) and substantially intermediate a respective pair of adjacent shoes connected together thereby.
  • Such an arrangement facilitates a close coupling of the shoes together and also permits the grousers to move into contact with the ground at the formed footprint in a substantially smooth and uninterrupted manner.
  • the shoes are permitted to completely mask the periphery of the spacer means for protection and anti-dirt infiltration purposes.
  • first and second lugs 34 and 35 are formed integrally with each shoe at respective length-wise ends thereof.
  • the complementary lugs function in conjunction with the disposition of pin 33 to completely mask each other during rotation of the cushioned track.
  • first lug 34 of one shoe will substantially underlie the covering second lug 35 of an adjacent shoe to protect the spacer means against damage and to prevent dirt infiltration during all phases of machin operation.
  • the grouser extends radially outwardly from the track shoe and fully across the width thereof.
  • the grouser is also preferably positioned closely adjacent to pivot means 26 to induce a smooth transition of the track assembly and related desiderata at the formed footprint during rotation of the cushioned track over the ground.
  • both primary grouser 32 and secondary or crossgrousers 31 are tapered in a direction radially outwardly from the shoe to facilitate penetration during operation of the cushioned track.
  • the primary grouser is preferably slightly higher than the secondary grouser (FIG. 4) to assure that the secondary grouser will not unduly interfere with the normal forward and reverse movement of the cushioned track which is primarily occasioned by the primary grousers.
  • Secondary grouser 31 may be disposed perpendicular relative to the primary grouser, or at least approximately so, as illustrated by the approximate seventy degree disposition illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • Secondary grouser 31 extends at least half-way and preferably substantially fully across the length of flat outer surface portions 36 of the shoe, between primary grouser 32 and lug 35.
  • the substantial height and length of a secondary grouser provides a substantial broadside area or surface area means for preventing the cushioned track and attached vehicle from slipping sideways.
  • the illustrated primary and secondary grouser combination is particularly useful on side hill earth working operations wherein the footingvis somewhat unstable.
  • An absence of secondary grousers 31 might result in inducing the cushioned track vehicle to skate sideways down the side of a hill on the tips of primary grousers 32.
  • a conventional track-type vehicle does not normally face such a problem due to the larger number of by an a.
  • a like numbering procedure is used for the 31f is disposed in perpendicular relationship relative to further described embodiments of FIGS. 7-15, but with the numerals appearing therein being accompanied by successive lower case letters b through g.
  • two aligned bolt means 29a attach a support means or plate 300 to each track shoe 23a and an underlying link 25a.
  • a cross grouser 31a is disposed perpendicularly relative to primary grouser 32a and in parallel relationship to an imaginary line connecting aligned bolt means 290. As illustrated in FIG. 5, such cross-grouser may thus be placed closely adjacent to a free edge of the track shoe or may be reversed thereon to place the cross-grouser substantially inboard thereof.
  • FIGS. 7 and 8 embodiment comprises a support means or plate 30b attached to a track shoe 23b and an underlying link 25b by means of three bolt means 29!). Laterally spaced and parallel cross-grousers 31b and 31b are secured to opposite ends of the plate and disposed perpendicularly relative to primary grouser 32b.
  • FIGS. 9 and 10 embodiment discloses a cross grouser 31c attached to conically shaped and spaced support 300.
  • the support means are in turn attached directly to a flat portion 360 of track shoe 23:: by means of rivets 290 or the like.
  • Links 250 may be independently secured to the underside of the track shoe by bolts or other suitable fastening means.
  • FIG. 11 illustrates a-variation of the FIGS. 9 and 10 embodiment wherein bolts 29d are releasably attached to conically shaped supports 300 in lieu of the rivets 29c.
  • FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate an embodiment wherein a support means or flange 30e, formed integrally with cross-grouser 31c, is attached to the underside of flat surface portion 36a of track shoe 23e by bolt means 29e.
  • the cross-grouser is disposed in perpendicular relationship relative to primary grouser 32c and extends fully across surface portion 362.
  • a link 25c may be suitably attached to each of the track shoes by suitable bolts or the like (not shown).
  • FIG. 14 illustrates a support means 30f attached to flat surface portion 36f of a track shoe 23f by suitable inertia welding techniques or the like.
  • a cross-grouser primary grouser 32f The cross-grouser is intersected by an integrally formed third grouser 31 disposed in parallel relationship with respect to grouser 32f at right angles relative to the cross-grouser.
  • the cross-shaped grouser arrangement 31f-31f presents a substantial side area to resist lateral movement of the cushioned track regardless of the degree of rotation afforded to the one-piece grouser unit during securance thereof to the track shoe by weld means.
  • the FIG. embodiment comprises two ninety degree angles welded together at their corners and further welded at their bottom support portions to surface 36g of track shoe 23g.
  • the cross-grouser thus comprises the two substantially aligned portions 313 whereas a third grouser, disposed perpendicularly relative to the cross-grouser, comprises aligned angle portions 31g.
  • a cushioned track comprising an annular resilient spacer means mounted for rotation about a central axis thereof, and
  • an endless track assembly mounted separately around said spacer means, said track assembly comprising a plurality of closely coupled ground-engaging shoes circumferentially surrounding said spacer means and an annular articulated link assembly positioned on each side of said spacer means and connected to said shoes to closely couple them together, each of said link assemblies comprising a plurality of links and pivot means pivotally connecting each circumferentially adjacent pair of links together, at least some of said shoes having at least one primary grouser secured to outer surface portions thereof to extend radially outwardly therefrom and laterally in the direction of said central axis substantially fully across the width of said shoe, at least one removable secondary grouser secured to each shoe having a primary grouser secured thereto, said secondary grouser positioned adjacent to at least one lateral end of said shoe and on said shoe to extend radially outwardly therefrom and approximately perpendicular relative to a respective primary grouser to define substantial surface area means on said secondary grouser extending at least one-half of the distance across the circumferential length of a respective shoe, for resist
  • common bolt means extending through an integral portion of each one of said secondary grousers and a respective shoe releasably attaching such secondary grouser and shoe to a respective link.
  • pivot means comprises a pin pivotally connecting each adjacent pair of said links together; the longitudinal axis of each pin is positioned substantially parallel relative to said cen- .tral axis and further positioned substantially intermediate a pair of adjacent shoes and further comprising curved and complementary lug means formed on each length-wise end of each shoe to be at least substantially parallel with respect to said central axis and positioned thereon to continuously and completely overlap a lug means of an adjacent shoe whereby the entire periphery of said spacer means is completely masked during rotation thereof.
  • said securing means comprises three of said bolt means disposed in triangular relationship with respect to each other.
  • outer surface portions of said shoe are flat and said support means comprises a flat plate portion abutting and secured to said outer surface portions.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
US00088808A 1970-11-12 1970-11-12 Cushioned track with cross grousers Expired - Lifetime US3717387A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US8880870A 1970-11-12 1970-11-12

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US3717387A true US3717387A (en) 1973-02-20

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US00088808A Expired - Lifetime US3717387A (en) 1970-11-12 1970-11-12 Cushioned track with cross grousers

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US (1) US3717387A (mo)
BE (1) BE775205A (mo)
BR (1) BR7107602D0 (mo)
CA (1) CA947629A (mo)
FR (1) FR2114564A5 (mo)
GB (1) GB1372249A (mo)

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3913986A (en) * 1972-12-01 1975-10-21 Fiat Allis Construct Machine Endless track for vehicle
US20040140717A1 (en) * 2002-12-05 2004-07-22 Mcnutt Thomas Grouser assembly
US20080157588A1 (en) * 2006-12-29 2008-07-03 Modest Izrailevich Lyasko Track shoe having integral, trapezoid-shaped teeth
US9102370B2 (en) 2011-12-08 2015-08-11 Ernie Freeman Track pad
US20170014940A1 (en) * 2015-07-14 2017-01-19 Caterpillar Inc. Methods of Fabricating a Track Shoe Using Friction Welding and Resultant Track Shoes
US9650091B2 (en) 2012-05-25 2017-05-16 Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. Crawler track
US11390341B2 (en) 2015-12-24 2022-07-19 Jb Innovations Limited Device to enhance the traction of a tracked vehicle
US12116058B2 (en) 2021-10-04 2024-10-15 Caterpillar Inc. Track shoe assembly including a shoe plate and a grouser and related method of manufacture
US12246784B2 (en) 2018-11-16 2025-03-11 Jb Innovations Limited Device to enhance the traction of a tracked vehicle

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1820743A (en) * 1928-02-09 1931-08-25 Vernon G Honstain Creeper for tractor belts
US1832926A (en) * 1929-12-16 1931-11-24 Edstedt John Renewable grouser
US2134559A (en) * 1937-12-20 1938-10-25 Edwin F Junger Creeper for tractor belts
US2273950A (en) * 1940-05-14 1942-02-24 Camille P Galanot Traction device
US3355225A (en) * 1966-01-04 1967-11-28 Joy Mfg Co Grouser configuration for track tread links
US3601212A (en) * 1969-12-15 1971-08-24 Caterpillar Tractor Co Cushioned track

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1820743A (en) * 1928-02-09 1931-08-25 Vernon G Honstain Creeper for tractor belts
US1832926A (en) * 1929-12-16 1931-11-24 Edstedt John Renewable grouser
US2134559A (en) * 1937-12-20 1938-10-25 Edwin F Junger Creeper for tractor belts
US2273950A (en) * 1940-05-14 1942-02-24 Camille P Galanot Traction device
US3355225A (en) * 1966-01-04 1967-11-28 Joy Mfg Co Grouser configuration for track tread links
US3601212A (en) * 1969-12-15 1971-08-24 Caterpillar Tractor Co Cushioned track

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3913986A (en) * 1972-12-01 1975-10-21 Fiat Allis Construct Machine Endless track for vehicle
US20040140717A1 (en) * 2002-12-05 2004-07-22 Mcnutt Thomas Grouser assembly
US20080157588A1 (en) * 2006-12-29 2008-07-03 Modest Izrailevich Lyasko Track shoe having integral, trapezoid-shaped teeth
US9102370B2 (en) 2011-12-08 2015-08-11 Ernie Freeman Track pad
US9650091B2 (en) 2012-05-25 2017-05-16 Joy Mm Delaware, Inc. Crawler track
US10000247B2 (en) 2012-05-25 2018-06-19 Joy Global Underground Mining Llc Crawler track
US10179618B2 (en) 2012-05-25 2019-01-15 Joy Global Underground Mining Llc Crawler track
US10526028B2 (en) 2012-05-25 2020-01-07 Joy Global Underground Mining Llc Crawler track
US20170014940A1 (en) * 2015-07-14 2017-01-19 Caterpillar Inc. Methods of Fabricating a Track Shoe Using Friction Welding and Resultant Track Shoes
US11390341B2 (en) 2015-12-24 2022-07-19 Jb Innovations Limited Device to enhance the traction of a tracked vehicle
US12246784B2 (en) 2018-11-16 2025-03-11 Jb Innovations Limited Device to enhance the traction of a tracked vehicle
US12116058B2 (en) 2021-10-04 2024-10-15 Caterpillar Inc. Track shoe assembly including a shoe plate and a grouser and related method of manufacture

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2114564A5 (mo) 1972-06-30
BE775205A (fr) 1972-05-10
CA947629A (en) 1974-05-21
GB1372249A (en) 1974-10-30
BR7107602D0 (pt) 1973-02-22

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AS Assignment

Owner name: CATERPILLAR INC., A CORP. OF DE.,ILLINOIS

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP. OF CALIF.;REEL/FRAME:004669/0905

Effective date: 19860515

Owner name: CATERPILLAR INC., 100 N.E. ADAMS STREET, PEORIA, I

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST.;ASSIGNOR:CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO., A CORP. OF CALIF.;REEL/FRAME:004669/0905

Effective date: 19860515