WO2005042276A1

WO2005042276A1 - Track device

Info

Publication number: WO2005042276A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/001509
Authority: WO
Inventors: David Allan Gunn
Original assignee: David Allan Gunn
Priority date: 2003-10-31
Filing date: 2004-10-29
Publication date: 2005-05-12

Abstract

A track device (10) for use in recovering a bogged vehicle including tree or more plates (11, 12, 13) joined together in line by hinge connections (17, 18), each plate (11, 12, 13) having a ground contact surface and a wheel contact surface, wherein in use the plates (11, 12, 13) are drawn under the vehicle between the wheel and the ground to provide support for the wheel.

Description

TRACK DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a device and method for assisting in the recovery of a stranded or bogged vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to an artificial track and method of its use when recovering a vehicle from a bog and especially but not exclusively when that vehicle is bogged in sand.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

There has always been a relatively sharp distinction between impediments to travel on well made roads and obstacles encountered off the beaten track. The need to travel into areas of challenging terrain has long been associated with professional activities such as farming, surveying and maintenance of remote infrastructure. Additionally, there has also been a strong recreational element associated with travel to out of the way places.

Increasing availability, coupled with growing popularity, has lead to the four wheel drive vehicle being a prevalent member of the spectrum of vehicles owned in virtually all industrialised societies. Such vehicles are also commonly found in less developed countries as the standard of roads is often poor.

In some areas, access to beaches is provided for recreational users and professional fisherman. For example, Fraser Island in South East Queensland is the largest sand island in the world, being some 120 kilometres in length and is highly popular with tourists, attracting a large number of visitors each year. As there are virtually no made roads on the island, it is necessary to use a four wheel drive vehicle to travel around and view the unique flora and fauna of the island.

A persistent risk in travelling on beaches lies in the danger of being bogged or stranded in soft sand. While various measures such as lowering tyre pressures and approaching beach exits or soft patches with considerable momentum are often successfully recruited, there inevitably arises occasions when such strategies are unsuccessful. Once a vehicle is stopped, further application of drive power will lead to one or more wheels simply digging deeper into the sand eventually resulting in the vehicle nestling down into the sand and becoming a major recovery problem.

There are many approaches in attempting to recover a bogged vehicle. The use of an electric, power take off or hand winch is very popular. However, it is necessary to have an attachment point for the winch cable and this is not always available in sandy areas. Further, the cost of such winches is relatively high and a majority of vehicles and vehicle owners are not equipped with them.

Other responses involve jacking the vehicle up, sometimes with a gas inflated bag, and then placing sticks, branches, rocks or other material in the wheel ruts to provide traction for the vehicle to drive itself out. Yet another response involves the use of "snatch straps" which are attached to a non-bogged vehicle for subsequent conversion of kenetic energy of the pulling vehicle into stored elastic energy with an end transfer to the bogged vehicle and, hopefully, recovery.

Nevertheless, there are still many occasions in which vehicles become bogged and where these recovery strategies may be ineffective, unavailable or very difficult and labour intensive.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any country.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an improved device to assist recovery of bogged vehicles, or at least to provide an alternative to existing devices. In one aspect the invention is a track device for assisting recovery of a bogged vehicle, including: three or more plates joined together in line by hinge connections, each plate having a ground contact surface and a wheel contact surface, wherein in use the plates are drawn under the vehicle between the wheel and the ground to provide support for the wheel.

The track members may be substantially planar. The track members may be formed from a rubber compound. Each track member may be formed in a plurality of layers, each of the layers fixed to an adjacent layer or layers.

The track members may include grip enhancement means. The grip enhancement means may be one or more cleat members. The cleat members may be arranged transversely to a longitudinal axis of the track device. The cleat members may be substantially parallel to each other. The cleat members may be fixed in place with bolts. The cleat members may be formed from a metal such as aluminium, polymer or any suitable material. The cleat members may be formed as two or more bar members arranged in an upwardly directed stack. The cleat members may be fixed in place by bolts, nuts and washers. The cleat members, bolts, nuts and washers may be corrosion resistant.

The hinged connection may be formed from webbing material. The webbing material may form two spaced hinged connections between each adjacent pair of track members. The webbing material may extend into the body of the combined track members. The webbing material may extend through the entire body of the track members. Preferably the webbing material extends through the full length of the track device in two spaced parallel bands. The bolts may penetrate the webbing material. The webbing material may be seat belt webbing material.

The track device may comprise 4, 5 or 6 track members. The hinge may be formed by a hinge material substantially across the full width of the track members. The track member may be curved in cross section. In a further aspect, the invention is a method of supporting a bogged wheel when recovering a vehicle, including: laying a track device on the ground in contact with the wheel and in line with a proposed direction of travel for the wheel, powering the wheel in the proposed direction and thereby drawing the track device under the vehicle between the wheel and the ground, and drawing and folding part of the track device behind the wheel thereby enhancing support for the wheel and enabling the vehicle to move forward.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a track device of the present invention. Figure 2 is a top view of the track device of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a side view of the track device of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a bogged vehicle. Figures 5a-e show use of the track device. Figure 5f shows more detail of the track device in a folded position under the vehicle. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a more extensive track device. Figure 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the track device of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to Figure 1 there is seen a track device 10 comprising three track members or plates 11 , 12, 13, each formed substantially similarly to the others and connected together in line. The track members comprise a planar upper surface 40 with cleats 15 fixed to the track members 11 , 12, 13 by bolts 16. A plate at one end of the device may be modified along a leading edge to end with a cleat for initial contact with a wheel. The track members 11 , 12, 13 are formed from multiple layers which are adhered together. While any suitable material may be used, it is preferred if the track members are formed from a material such as rubber, which has some resilience and flexibility in use. Thick layers of insertion rubber or recycled rubber may be applied. Although the multiple layers are described in the present embodiment, it is not essential and a monoblock of material may be used.

The cleats may be formed from any suitable substance to provide a grip surface for a tyre of a vehicle. One preferred option is aluminium and the cleats 16 might be formed from multiple stacks of pieces of the material. Other metallic materials may be used but are preferably non-corrosive rubber, PVC, plastic or other similar materials may also be used.

The track members are each hingedly joined to the adjacent track member or track members by fibrous webbing 17, 18.

The two strands of webbing 17, 18 each run longitudinally through the entire length of the track device to provide a firm attachment throughout the full length of the track device 10.

The webbing may be formed of any suitably strong material. Non-limiting examples of suitable materials include seat belts, welding rubber, plastic and metallic materials. Preferably in the form of hinged arrangements.

One advantage provided by the hinged attachment arises in being able to easily pack the device up to provide a stack of the track members with a cross sectional area basically equal to the area of one of the track members and a height that can be relatively low providing easy storage of the track device. This is a considerable advantage owing to the fact that space is often at a premium during off road travel, particularly if camping gear and similar are being transported as well.

The longitudinal placement of the webbing 17, 18 is apparent in Figure 2 in hidden detail. As is apparent, the bolts 16 are located along a centre line of the webbing 17, 18 and therefore provide reinforced anchor points for the transfer and resistance of forces applied during use, which can be considerable. Although other means of anchoring may be used, it is preferred if they are reasonably robust to avoid separation of the webbing from the track members. The inventor has found that the webbing used in automobile seat belts is of particular suitability in this regard.

The multi layer structure of the track members 11 , 12, 13 is apparent in Figure 3 and the central positioning of the webbing 18, between the layers is also apparent.

Nuts 19 with or without washers 20 are applied to the bottom of the bolt 16 and tightened into position. It is preferred if the bolts are corrosion resistant and stainless steel bolts are particularly preferred although their cost may suggest the use of cheaper alternatives. The nuts may be of particular assistance in locations like slippery boat ramps. Application of weight to the track members will force the nuts into a concrete surface thereby providing a focal application of weight to resist slipping.

A vehicle 21 is seen bogged in loose soil or sand 22 in Figure 4. The back left wheel 23 is caught in a self made rut or hole. The wheel 23 is heading towards being bogged down to the axle.

The driver 24 has exited the vehicle 21 and pulled out a backpack 25 containing the track device 10 of Figure 1. One of the particular advantages as previously noted is that the track device is easily packed away and may be conveniently stored in a carrying arrangement such as a backpack 25.

Figures 5a-f indicate use of the device in relation to wheel 23 of the vehicle in Figure 4. In Figure 5a the wheel is shown bogged in sand to the depth of the axle.

The driver has cleared sand in front of the wheel and laid the track device in line with the proposed direction of travel, with the leading edge of plate 13 in contact with the wheel. In Figure 5b the wheel has been powered to turn, pulling plate 13 under the vehicle between the wheel and the ground, in the directions indicated by the arrowed. If Figure 5c the wheel has turned further, pulling plate 12 and plate of plate 11 into contact with the wheel. Plate 13 has been pushed partially into the ground behind the wheel. Further pulling of the device under the wheel, accompanied by folding between plates 12 and 13 behind the wheel, is indicated in Figure 5d. The wheel now has sufficient traction to roll on the device, enabling the vehicle to move forward.

Figure 5f shows the folded position of the track in more detail. The driver 24 may clear some of the sand away from front of the wheel 23 or may simply choose to jam an edge 26 of the track device 10 into the space or region 27 at the front of the wheel 23. Of course, it may be preferable to reverse out of the bog and the approach, with the track device would be from the rear of the wheel.

Drive force has been applied to the wheel 23 in the direction of arrows 28 leading to the dragging of the track device 10 through the region 27 towards the back of the cavity 29.

The edge 26 has dug into a rear corner or wall 30 of the cavity 29. Continuing application of the force leads to the webbing 18 allowing relative rotation between the first track member 13 and second track member 12 so that the latter travels towards an abutting position with the first track member 13. The second track member 12 and third track member 11 are now positioned circumferentially around a considerable portion of the wheel 23 which gives it a grip and purchase to translate the rotational movement into forward movement and subsequent advancement of the vehicle. Quite often, once momentum is obtained a car may continue to claw its way out of a bog and drive onto more solid ground. Although a four wheel drive is shown the present invention also has benefit in a conventional drive car.

Of course, the edge 26 may also sit along the rear wall 31 in certain circumstances thereby providing a further enveloping of the wheel 23.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment 40 wherein additional track members 41 , 42, 43, and 44 are shown in outline. A manufacturer can choose to produce a track device of whatever convenient length may be required. The width can also be varied but in general is preferred to be around the width of the grip region of a wheel to minimise the space required for packaging when stored.

A further embodiment is shown in Figure 7 where the track device 50 is again formed from three track members 51 , 52, 53 which are this time joined by a continuous hinge 54. The hinge is dimensioned to provide a sufficient space 55 between adjacent track members to allow their rotation relative to each other to at least 90 degrees. This embodiment may be better suited to alignment under a wheel possibly after raising the wheel through jacking or the use of an exhaust air lift bag to raise the vehicle for clearance. Again the track device is easily packed and stored for subsequent recovery. The hinge material may be fixed to the track members by rivets as shown or by other suitable means such as bolts.

While emphasis has been placed on use with sand, it is clear the present invention may have far wider applications. It may be suitable in many circumstances of loss of traction such as wet soil, icy inclines and muddy bogs.

The invention is preferably built from recycled materials to maintain low manufacturing costs and provide a useful application for waste materials.

Any suitable arrangement to allow relative motion between track members may be used. Multi-stand materials may be applied either locally in sections across a join or across the full width of track members.

The track member may be formed from other materials such as wood, ply, metal or polymers. The track members may have the cleats added but this is not essential. Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Those of skill in the art will therefore appreciate that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the appendant claims.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A track device for assisting recovery of a bogged vehicle, including: three or more plates joined together in line by hinge connections, each plate having a ground contact surface and a wheel contact surface, wherein in use the plates are drawn under the vehicle between the wheel and the ground to provide support for the wheel.

2. A device according to claim 1 wherein the hinge connections are formed by webbing material.

3. A device according to claim 2 wherein the webbing material extends throughout the length of the device.

4. A device according to claim 2 wherein the webbing material is provided as two parallel strips.

5. A device according to claim 1 wherein the plates are formed by one or more layers of rubber material.

6. A device according to claim 1 wherein the wheel contact surface includes cleats for reducing slip between the wheel and the contact surface.

7. A device according to claim 1 wherein in use at least two plates are drawn past the wheel and partly folded together.

8. A device according to claim 1 having three plates joined by two hinge connections.

9. A device according to claim 8 wherein the plates are all substantially the same except that a leading plate is modified for initial contact with the wheel.

10. A method of supporting a bogged wheel when recovering a vehicle, including: laying a track device on the ground in contact with the wheel and in line with a proposed direction of travel for the wheel, powering the wheel in the proposed direction and thereby drawing the track device under the vehicle between the wheel and the ground, and drawing and folding part of the track device behind the wheel thereby enhancing support for the wheel and enabling the vehicle to move forward.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein the track device includes three or more plates joined together in a line by hinge connections.