US3762780A - Buffer means between link and shoe plate in a crawler type apparatus - Google Patents

Buffer means between link and shoe plate in a crawler type apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
US3762780A
US3762780A US00146723A US3762780DA US3762780A US 3762780 A US3762780 A US 3762780A US 00146723 A US00146723 A US 00146723A US 3762780D A US3762780D A US 3762780DA US 3762780 A US3762780 A US 3762780A
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United States
Prior art keywords
shoe plate
resilient
buffer
ribs
links
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
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US00146723A
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English (en)
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K Tomizawa
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Individual
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Individual
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    • 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

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to heavy construction machines. More specifically, the present invention relates to buffer means arranged between the links and shoe plate in a crawler-type apparatus, e.g., bulldozers, shoveldozers and the like.
  • a crawler-type apparatus e.g., bulldozers, shoveldozers and the like.
  • Heavy construction machines such as bulldozers, shoveldozers and the like used at present in working the earth employ a crawler traction system requiring low ground contact pressure to supply mobility'to'the machine.
  • a shoe plate is bolted directly to the rear of two links.
  • the shoe plate is subjected to shock and vibration caused by obstacles, e.g., rocks and the like, and the irregular contour of the earth.
  • shock accelerates abrasion, breakage and fatigue in the machine components resulting in shortened machine life.
  • buffer pads are provided between each link and the shoe plate of a crawler-type apparatus.
  • Two sets of paired link guides or ribs are arranged on the upper surface of the shoe plate, forming buffer pad receiving channels.
  • a link is positioned between each set of ribs and connected to the shoe plate through a resilient pad, whereby the shock inflicted upon the shoe plate may be absorbed by the elastic deformation of the resilient pad; and abrasion of the link and rotary wheels, and damage to the bearings is prevented by reducing the intensity of the mechanical shock between each link and the lower rotary wheel.
  • a set of ribs is arranged adjacent each link and in contact therewith for increasing the tractive force applied to the shoe plate from the links.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional link and shoe plate structure for use in a crawler-type apparatus
  • FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled buffer means according to the present invention.
  • FIG. 3' is an exploded perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 2 with one link omitted for ease of description;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IVIV in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 1 a conventional shoe plate 1 is shown'connected directly to a pair of links 2 by means of nuts and bolts 3.
  • the buffer means according to the present invention is shown in FIGS. 2 through 4.
  • a shoe plate 5 having two pairs of rigid, spaced, substantially parallel link guides or ribs 6 and 6a fixedly arranged thereon.
  • Each pair of link guides or ribs 6 and 6a has semi-circular notches 7 and 7a, respectively, symmetrically formed in the front and rear thereof and arranged for axial alignment with bolt apertures 8 and 8a, respectively, formed in the shoe plate 5.
  • Each pair of ribs "6 and 6a defines a resilient-memher-receiving channel for receiving a resilient member or pad 10 and maintaining the longitudinal position of the resilient pad 10 relative to the shoe plate 5.
  • the resilient memberslO each include semi-circular notches 11 and 11a capable of mating with notches 7 and 7a, respectively, forming bushing holes axially aligned with apertures 8 and 8a, respectively.
  • each resilient member 10 includes a locking protrusion or key 10a adapted to fit within the portion of the channel 5a, formed in the upper surface of the shoe plate 5, that is within each receiving channel formed by the pair of ribs 6 and 6a, to lock. the resilient member 10 against substantial transverse movement.
  • the resilient members or pads 10 may be formed from a high polymer compound such as sythetic rubber, polyurethane and the like.
  • Links 13 are mechanically coupled to the shoe plate 5 and provide mechanical coupling of the tractive forces thereto.
  • the links 13 include flanges 14 and 15 integrally formed therewith and arranged between the ribs 6 and 6a, in contact therewith.
  • the flanges 14 and 15 include notches 14a and 15a capable of mating with notches 7 and 7a of the ribs 6 and 6a, respectively, forming bushing holes axially aligned with apertures 8 and 8a, respectively.
  • the notches7 and 7a formed in the ribs 6 and 6a cause portions of the ribs 6 and 6a circumjacent the notches 7 and 7a to extend outwardly in a semi-circular configuration, it is to be understood that the ribs 6 and 6a may be made wider to eliminate the outward projections-
  • the ribs 6 and 60 may also include reinforcing ridges l7 and 17a connecting the ribs 6 and 6a to the shoe plate 5 for further strengthening the ribs 6 and 6a.
  • Cut-out sections 18 are formed at the rear edge of the shoe plate 5, generally extending approximately the width of the spaced ribs 6 and 6a, for allowing the toothed periphery of the sprocket (not shown) to pass therethrough during operation of the crawler-type apparatus.
  • the resilient members or pads 10 are fitted within the receiving channels formed by the two sets of paired ribs 6 and 60, respectively, and placed in contact with the ribs 6 and 6a and the upper surface of the shoe plate 5.
  • Notches 11 and 11a are mated with notches 7 and 70, respectively, axially aligned with bolt apertures 8 and 8a, respectively.
  • Links 13 are placed upon the resilient pads with the notches 14a and a mated with notches 7 and 7a, respectively, and thereby forming bushing holes adapted to receive locking bushings 23.
  • Bolts are inserted through the bolt holes 8 and 9 from the lower surface of the shoe plate 5, as shown in FIG. 3, and locking bushings 23 are positioned circumferentially about the threaded portion of the bolts 20 in the bushing holes, as shown in FIG. '4. Nuts are mated with the bolt threads to provide a compressive force which acts on the peripheral flanges 24 of the locking bushings 23 to hold the resilient members 10 and links 13 in position relative to the shoe plate 5.
  • the links 13 are held by the compressive action of the bushing flanges 24 on the rib surfaces circumjacent the notches 7 and 7a and on the flange surfaces circumjacent the notches 14a and 15a of the links 13, the resilient pads 10 are thereby compressively held beneath the flanges 14 and 15 of the links 13.
  • the thickness of the ribs 6 and 6a relative to the flanges l4 and 15 and resilient members 10 is such that the locking bushings 23 compressively retain the resilicnt members 10 with a compressive force below the averageload and within the elastic limit of the resilient members 10 to provide a buffer action.
  • the elasticity and hardness of the resilient members 10 may be advantageously varied in response to machine and ground hardness.
  • any shock inflicted upon the shoe plate 5 is absorbed by the vertical deformation of the resilient pads 10, and the shock between the links 13 and lower rotary wheels (not shownlis substantially reduced.
  • the resilient pads 10 may protrude, slightly beyond the transversely extending ribs 6 and 60; however, since the resilient pads 10 are held in position by the locking bushings 23 within semi-circular notches ll and Ila, and the locking protrusions 10a are positioned within the channel 5a, the resilient pads 10 are prevented from working free during operation.
  • Buffer apparatus for use with crawler-type apparatus, comprising:
  • each pair of said ribs being arranged to receive one of said resilient pads and one of said links to maintain the longitudinal position of said pads and said links on said shoe plate and increase the tractive force applied to said shoe plate from said pair of links, and
  • said shoe plate includes a channel between said ribs of each pair of ribs
  • each of said resilient buffer pads includes a depending protrusion received by said channels for locking said resilient buffer pads against transverse movement on said shoe plate to maintain the relative position between said shoe plate and said resilient buffer pads.
  • each of said tractive force increasing ribs includes reinforcing means connecting said ribs and said shoe plate.
  • Buffer apparatus for use with crawler-type apparatus, comprising:
  • link means mechanically coupled to said shoe plate to provide coupling of the tractive forces thereto
  • resilient deformable buffer means arranged between said link means and said shoe plate to absorb shock and vibrations encounted by said shoe plate
  • tractive force increasing members mounted on said shoe plate adjacent said link means and in contact therewith for increasing the tractive force applied to said shoe plate from said link means and for retaining said resilient buffer means and said link means against longitudinal movement relative to said shoe plate, said tractive force increasing members being transversely extending positioning ribs which are coupled to said shoe plate for maintaining the longitudinal position of said resilient buffer means and said link means relative to said shoe plate, said ribs are formed on said shoe plate extending transversely therealong in a spaced, substantially parallel arrangement, defining a plurality of separate buffer receiving channels, each of said ribs having at least one notch arranged therein,
  • said shoe plate includes apertures arranged therein axially aligned wtih said rib notches,
  • each of said locking bushings having a peripheral flange positioned circumjacent said bushing holes in contact with said link flange and said adjacent rib, and
  • said compressive coupling means including bolt means arranged within said shoe plate apertures and extending axially through said locking bushings for exerting compressive holding forces on said link flanges and said ribs through said peripheral flange.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Advancing Webs (AREA)
  • Vibration Prevention Devices (AREA)
  • Train Traffic Observation, Control, And Security (AREA)
  • Handcart (AREA)
US00146723A 1970-07-29 1971-05-25 Buffer means between link and shoe plate in a crawler type apparatus Expired - Lifetime US3762780A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
JP7544670 1970-07-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3762780A true US3762780A (en) 1973-10-02

Family

ID=13576475

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00146723A Expired - Lifetime US3762780A (en) 1970-07-29 1971-05-25 Buffer means between link and shoe plate in a crawler type apparatus

Country Status (5)

Country Link
US (1) US3762780A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2122476A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2097786A5 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1316543A (enExample)
SU (1) SU457206A3 (enExample)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4014581A (en) * 1975-10-14 1977-03-29 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Shoe assembly
US4098543A (en) * 1977-04-15 1978-07-04 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Adapter pad for track link and track shoe
US6120405A (en) * 1998-01-06 2000-09-19 Caterpillar Inc. Drive sprocket which has rotating members which are engaged by drive lugs of a track
US6220378B1 (en) 1998-01-06 2001-04-24 Caterpillar Inc. Drive mechanism for a track type work machine having enhanced durability
US20130002009A1 (en) * 2011-06-30 2013-01-03 Robert Lee Meyer Mobile machine track shoe
US20220289320A1 (en) * 2021-03-09 2022-09-15 Caterpillar Inc. Ground-engaging track shoe having weight relief channel
US20220340218A1 (en) * 2021-04-22 2022-10-27 Epiroc Drilling Solutions, Llc Wide base track link

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4099796A (en) * 1976-12-01 1978-07-11 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Vibration damped shoe assembly

Cited By (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4014581A (en) * 1975-10-14 1977-03-29 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Shoe assembly
US4098543A (en) * 1977-04-15 1978-07-04 Caterpillar Tractor Co. Adapter pad for track link and track shoe
US6120405A (en) * 1998-01-06 2000-09-19 Caterpillar Inc. Drive sprocket which has rotating members which are engaged by drive lugs of a track
US6220378B1 (en) 1998-01-06 2001-04-24 Caterpillar Inc. Drive mechanism for a track type work machine having enhanced durability
US6322473B1 (en) 1998-01-06 2001-11-27 Caterpillar Inc. Drive sprocket which has rotating members which are engaged by drive lugs of a track
US20130002009A1 (en) * 2011-06-30 2013-01-03 Robert Lee Meyer Mobile machine track shoe
US8876227B2 (en) * 2011-06-30 2014-11-04 Caterpillar Inc. Mobile machine track shoe
US9004619B2 (en) 2011-06-30 2015-04-14 Caterpillar Inc. Mobile machine track shoe
US20220289320A1 (en) * 2021-03-09 2022-09-15 Caterpillar Inc. Ground-engaging track shoe having weight relief channel
US11745811B2 (en) * 2021-03-09 2023-09-05 Caterpillar Inc. Ground-engaging track shoe having weight relief channel
US20220340218A1 (en) * 2021-04-22 2022-10-27 Epiroc Drilling Solutions, Llc Wide base track link

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2097786A5 (enExample) 1972-03-03
DE2122476A1 (de) 1972-02-03
GB1316543A (en) 1973-05-09
SU457206A3 (ru) 1975-01-15

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