US3795431A - Track link with replaceable rail - Google Patents

Track link with replaceable rail Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US3795431A
US3795431A US00216611A US3795431DA US3795431A US 3795431 A US3795431 A US 3795431A US 00216611 A US00216611 A US 00216611A US 3795431D A US3795431D A US 3795431DA US 3795431 A US3795431 A US 3795431A
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
rail
link
track
central portion
weldments
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
US00216611A
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
R Boggs
H Reinsma
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
Original Assignee
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 US3795431A publication Critical patent/US3795431A/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

Links

Images

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
    • B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
    • B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
    • B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
    • B62D55/18—Tracks
    • B62D55/20—Tracks of articulated type, e.g. chains
    • B62D55/205—Connections between track links
    • 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
    • B62D55/12—Arrangement, location, or adaptation of driving sprockets

Definitions

  • a track link for an endless track chain assembly has a replaceable rail secured to one edge for engaging track rollers on a track suspension.
  • the rail is welded to the link along its central portion and at its extreme ends. Intermediate the central portion and the ends of the rail, the rail is free to move longitudinally or grow with respect to the track link.
  • the rail has its central portion bolted to the track link.
  • a groove and key arrangement in the abutting surface of the rail and track link allow longitudinal growth of the rail while resisting lateral deflection forces.
  • FIG. I is an elevational view of a portion of a track chain assembly for a crawler vehicle engaged by the vehicle drive sprocket.
  • FIG. 2 is a plan view of a section of the track chain assembly shown in FIG. 1.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of a section of a prior art track chain assembly.
  • FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a track joint of the prior art track chain shown in FIG. 3.
  • FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a track joint of the present invention.
  • FIG. 6 is a side view of a track link constructed in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a track link taken along the line VIIVII in FIG. 6.
  • FIG. 8 is a side view of a portion ofa track link illustrating another embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the track link shown in FIG. 8 taken along the line IXIX.
  • FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion ofa track link illustrating still another embodiment of the present invention.
  • a track chain assembly for a crawler vehicle is shown generally at 10 in driven engagement with a sprocket 11, having teeth 12, which is mounted on a vehicle (not shown).
  • the track chain comprises a plurality of track links 13 and 13a hingedly joined together by track pins 14.
  • the track links have shoes 15 mounted on one edge thereof, and have rails 16 formed in an opposite edge which are adapted for engagement with track rollers mounted on the vehicle suspension (not shown).
  • each track link 13 has bores 17 provided in ends 18 and 19 of the link and has ends I8 and 19 disposed on pins I4 alternately inboard and outboard of the adjacent ends of adjacent links.
  • each track link 13 there is a corresponding track link 13a having its respective ends disposed on the same pins as the respective ends of track link 13 but separated therefrom at the ends disposed inboard of adjacent link ends by bushings 20 also disposed on pins 14.
  • Bushings 20 are engaged by sprocket teeth 12 shown in phantom in FIG. 2 as the track chain moves around sprocket lll.
  • Each sprocket tooth 112 exerts a force F on the bushing and pin which is resisted by track links 13 and 13a through their inboard ends 18 and 18a which are disposed on pin I4.
  • track links 13 and 13a through their inboard ends 18 and 18a which are disposed on pin I4.
  • the reaction forces of track links l3 and 13a on pin 14 are immediately adjacent the area of contact of tooth 12 on bushing 20 and pin 14. Accordingly, bending moments in pin 14 are minimized.
  • Such a track chain construction without a removable rail wear plate is shown in US. Pat. No. 3,492,054.
  • FIG. 3 The prior art arrangement is shown in FIG. 3 where the ends of the track links resisting the force exerted on pin 14' are located at the extreme ends of the pin, which maximizes the bending moments in pin 14.
  • an extended bushing 19' is provided which extends through a large bore 22 in the inboard ends of the adjacent track links.
  • this large bore in the inboard ends of the track links results in track links having a profile height D at their inboard ends. If a portion of such links were to comprise a removable rail wear plate, the overall track link height D would not allow both the removable rail portion and the remaining track link portion to be of sufficient thickness to withstand the forces imposed thereon.
  • the bores in the track links are the same on each end of the links, resulting in an overall track link profile height D, which allows for a removable rail wear plate of sufficient thickness for adequate strength, while maintaining a track link of sufficient thickness to withstand the forces imposed thereon.
  • track link 13 constructed in accordance with the present invention has a bore 17 in each end thereof and has a removable rail 24 secured to one edge 26 by weldments 28 and 30. It has been found that repeated pounding of the'rails by track rollers causes the rails to grow longitudinally. To allow for such rail growth without imposing shear stresses on the juncture of the track link and the rail, the rail is welded to the track link only along its central portion and at the extreme ends of the rail.
  • Cross bores 32 in the rail and in the track link form thin extended portions 34 of the rail which are softened by heat from the adjacent welds 30. Thus thin portions 34 relieve shear stresses in weldments 30 as the rail grows.
  • the central portion of the rail is provided with a longitudinal groove 35 to allow easy removal of the rail with a cutting torch.
  • Cross bores 36 at the ends of groove 35 also promote easy removal of the rail and avoid stress risers at the ends of groove 35.
  • alternative means of attaching a rail 24' to a link 13 may be by bolts 37 extending through track link 13 and screwed into tapped holes 38 provided in the rail.
  • an edge surface 26' on the track link adapted for engagement with the rail has keys 40 provided thereon which mate with grooves 41 provided in rail 24. Keys 40 and grooves 41 run longitudinally along the track link and rail and allow the rail to move longitudinally with respect to the track link,
  • Bolts 37 secured to the central portion of the rail serve to restrain the central portion of the rail longitudinally with respect to the track link, and as a result restrain the entire rail longitudinally with respect to the track link except for growth in the rail that may take place.
  • bolts 42 may also be secured to the rail by friction welds 43 and extend down through the track link and track shoe 44 which are secured thereto by a nut 45.
  • a link assembly for an endless chain comprising:
  • a replaceable rail having a central portion, and end portions on either side of the central portion in abutting engagement with said edge surface
  • securing means rigidly securing said replaceable rail to said link at the central portion of the rail and at the ends of the rail and stress relieving groove means located adjacent at least one of said securing means for allowing longitudinal growth in the central portion of the rail without proportional stressing of the securing means.
  • stress relieving means comprises,
  • transverse groove means provided in said rail adjacent said end weldments forming a relatively thin portion in each end of the rail whereby any shear stress in the end weldments resulting from longitudinal growth of the rail will be relieved by strain in the thin portions of the rail.
  • said longitudinal link includes means forming a pin bore of equal size in each end of the link for receiving respective pins of the endless chain whereby the ends of the link are equal in thickness and strength.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Transportation (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Chain Conveyers (AREA)
US00216611A 1972-01-10 1972-01-10 Track link with replaceable rail Expired - Lifetime US3795431A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US21661172A 1972-01-10 1972-01-10

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3795431A true US3795431A (en) 1974-03-05

Family

ID=22807761

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00216611A Expired - Lifetime US3795431A (en) 1972-01-10 1972-01-10 Track link with replaceable rail

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US3795431A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)
JP (1) JPS558384B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow)

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000029276A1 (en) * 1998-11-16 2000-05-25 Marthinus Jacobus Van Rooyen Method of repairing a worn track link
WO2011003122A1 (de) * 2009-07-09 2011-01-13 Sandvik Mining And Construction G.M.B.H. Raupenfahrwerk für bergbaumaschinen, sowie kettenglied für ein raupenfahrwerk und verfahren zur herstellung desselben
US20120193976A1 (en) * 2007-10-18 2012-08-02 Caterpillar, Inc. Machine and Track Assembly For Use Therewith
CN103608250A (zh) * 2011-05-11 2014-02-26 卡特彼勒公司 具有可替换导轨的履带链节和替换履带链节上的磨损导轨的方法
USD751609S1 (en) 2012-06-29 2016-03-15 Caterpillar Inc. Undercarriage track link for mobile earthmoving machine
US20180029653A1 (en) * 2016-07-26 2018-02-01 Caterpillar Inc. Method of track link manufacture
US10344451B2 (en) * 2016-09-16 2019-07-09 Caterpillar Inc. Undercarriage assembly

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS51132726U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-01-22 1976-10-26
JPS5382938U (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1976-12-13 1978-07-08
US7877977B2 (en) * 2008-12-12 2011-02-01 Caterpillar Inc. Master link for a track chain

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1223050A (en) * 1916-04-12 1917-04-17 Frank Hoffknecht Tread for tractors.
FR537202A (fr) * 1921-06-20 1922-05-18 Anciens Ets Sautter Harle Perfectionnements aux véhicules à chenilles
GB710821A (en) * 1952-07-08 1954-06-16 John Robertson Johnston Improvements in or relating to the repair of articulated track members of track laying vehicles, or tractors
US3237999A (en) * 1964-05-06 1966-03-01 Phillip E Pentecost Track link

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1223050A (en) * 1916-04-12 1917-04-17 Frank Hoffknecht Tread for tractors.
FR537202A (fr) * 1921-06-20 1922-05-18 Anciens Ets Sautter Harle Perfectionnements aux véhicules à chenilles
GB710821A (en) * 1952-07-08 1954-06-16 John Robertson Johnston Improvements in or relating to the repair of articulated track members of track laying vehicles, or tractors
US3237999A (en) * 1964-05-06 1966-03-01 Phillip E Pentecost Track link

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2000029276A1 (en) * 1998-11-16 2000-05-25 Marthinus Jacobus Van Rooyen Method of repairing a worn track link
US20120193976A1 (en) * 2007-10-18 2012-08-02 Caterpillar, Inc. Machine and Track Assembly For Use Therewith
US8540325B2 (en) * 2007-10-18 2013-09-24 Caterpillar Inc. Machine and track assembly for use therewith
WO2011003122A1 (de) * 2009-07-09 2011-01-13 Sandvik Mining And Construction G.M.B.H. Raupenfahrwerk für bergbaumaschinen, sowie kettenglied für ein raupenfahrwerk und verfahren zur herstellung desselben
CN103608250A (zh) * 2011-05-11 2014-02-26 卡特彼勒公司 具有可替换导轨的履带链节和替换履带链节上的磨损导轨的方法
US8905493B2 (en) 2011-05-11 2014-12-09 Caterpillar Inc. Track link with replaceable rail and method of replacing worn rails on track links
USD751609S1 (en) 2012-06-29 2016-03-15 Caterpillar Inc. Undercarriage track link for mobile earthmoving machine
US20180029653A1 (en) * 2016-07-26 2018-02-01 Caterpillar Inc. Method of track link manufacture
US10882574B2 (en) * 2016-07-26 2021-01-05 Caterpillar Inc. Method of track link manufacture
US10344451B2 (en) * 2016-09-16 2019-07-09 Caterpillar Inc. Undercarriage assembly

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS4881231A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1973-10-31
JPS558384B2 (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) 1980-03-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0006300B1 (en) Track assembly for crawler vehicles
US3795431A (en) Track link with replaceable rail
US3427079A (en) Two-piece master track link
US2796303A (en) Endless tracks for self-laying track type vehicles
CA1100162A (en) Track assembly with mid-pitch drive lug and replaceable rail
US4306753A (en) Articulated chain with mid-pitch drive and replaceable drive bushing
US5749635A (en) Reversible track link for an endless track
US3359044A (en) Tractor track shoe with replaceable wear plate
US4114958A (en) Replaceable wear members for an endless track
US2342953A (en) Flexible track
US2022567A (en) Endless track
US11807319B2 (en) Flexible shoe for endless track of heavy machinery and flexible shoe manufacturing method
JPH04232187A (ja) 無限軌道車両用の案内ガード部材組立体
US4455053A (en) Fabricated hinge track shoe
US2168053A (en) Endless track mechanism
US2982585A (en) Crawler track with wedge lock
US4893464A (en) Offset attachment sidebar chain
JPS5852866B2 (ja) 軌動リンク組立体
US2761745A (en) Endless tracks for self-laying track type vehicles
US4844562A (en) Track for tracked vehicle, E.G. a ski-trail packer
US2338819A (en) Separable track for self-laying track type vehicles
US4871216A (en) Hollow pin assembly for shoe assembly of track laying vehicle
US4332425A (en) Master track link assembly
US3116956A (en) Track assembly for endless track vehicle
EP3826906B1 (en) Attachable track shoe cover

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
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