WO2016099373A1

WO2016099373A1 - Hanging device for protection means of a tracked vehicle and a tracked vehicle with such a hanging device

Info

Publication number: WO2016099373A1
Application number: PCT/SE2015/051201
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jörgen OTTOSSON
Original assignee: BAE Systems Hägglunds Aktiebolag
Priority date: 2014-12-19
Filing date: 2015-11-12
Publication date: 2016-06-23
Also published as: SE538557C2; SE1451605A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hanging device for protection means (30) on a tracked vehicle (10), comprising a first portion (100) adapted to be attached to the vehicle (10), a second portion (200) adapted to be attached to the protection means (30), and a middle portion (150), wherein the middle portion (150) is connected to the first portion (100) at its first end (151 ) and to the second portion (200) at its second end (152). The middle portion (150) is pivotaliy arranged at the first portion (100) by means of a hinge device (300) and the second portion (200) is resilientiy arranged at the middle portion (150) by means of a spring element (400). The invention also relates to a tracked vehicle (10) comprising such a hanging device (40).

Description

HANGING DEVICE FOR PROTECTION MEANS OF A TRACKED VEHICLE AND A TRACKED VEHICLE WITH SUCH A HANGING DEVICE

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a hanging device for protection means of tracked vehicles and a tracked vehicle with such a hanging device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

Crawlers, or tracked vehicles, are primarily used in rough terrains, for example in military contexts, for rescue work or for construction work. These tracked vehicles are often subject to large external stress and therefore need to be equipped to handle, for example, incoming objects in the form of different types of weapons. In order to protect the track unit and its components protection means in form of so-called track skirts may be attached to the sides of the vehicle chassis. The track skirts then hang down from the chassis and cover at least part of the track unit. The track unit comprises a plurality of travelling wheels rolling within a metal track or a rubber track. The track is driven by a drive wheel arranged at the front or the back of the vehicle. In certain situations the track skirts may be in the way and may be perceived as cumbersome to handle, for example during service or installation of a track of the track unit. The rubber tracks are somewhat more complicated to install than metal tracks since rubber tracks must be pulled around the wheels in one piece. For tracked vehicles equipped with rubber tracks, it is therefore particularly important that the track skirts can be handled in an easy way, such that access to the drive wheels of the track unit is achieved.

Today there are several variants of hanging devices for track skirts, such as hinges with a locking pin, hinges with a locking pin on a leaf spring and spring hinges. A hanging device consisting of hinges with a locking pin is however not advantageous since there is a risk that the device breaks if the load on the track skirt is too large. The chassis of tracked vehicles may, due to the position of the drive wheels, be designed in a way which results in parallel hinge lines, angled hinge lines and/or broken hinge lines where the track skirts are attached at the lower edge of the chassis. Known hanging devices cannot handle angled hinge lines or broken hinge lines in a desirable manner.

Document US2780500 shows a protection device for protection of the lower part of a steel track of a tracked vehicle. The protection device is attached to the vehicle frame by means of a hanging device which causes the protection device to pivot outwards. The hanging device comprises a hinge device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Despite known solutions in the field, there is still a need to develop a hanging device for protecting means of tracked vehicles, which is safe and which solves the herein mentioned problems and disadvantages of the prior art.

An object of the present invention is to achieve a hanging device for protection means of tracked vehicles, which is durable and which minimizes the risk that the protection means detaches from the vehicle.

Another object of the present invention is to achieve a hanging device for protection means of tracked vehicles, which is suitable for vehicles with rubber tracks.

These objects are achieved by a hanging device for protection means of tracked vehicles according to claim 1 and by a tracked vehicle comprising such a hanging device according to claim 7. According to an aspect of the present invention, a hanging device for protection means of a tracked vehicle is provided, comprising a first portion adapted to be attached to the vehicle, a second portion adapted to be attached to the protection means, and a middle portion, wherein the middle portion is connected to the first portion at its first end and to the second portion at its second end. The middle portion is further pivotally arranged at the first portion by a hinge device and the second portion is resiliently arranged at the middle portion by means of a spring element. The first portion of the hanging device is suitably adapted to be attached to the vehicle chassis. The first portion of the hanging device is suitably adapted to be attached to side shields of the vehicle.

The protection means which is arranged on the tracked vehicle by means of the hanging device may relate to a so-called track skirt or similar. The protection means is suitably arranged on the vehicle in order to protect at least parts of the vehicle's track unit from incoming objects, such as weapons. The protection means is thus preferably arranged on the long sides of the vehicle, hanging down over the track unit.

Since the second portion is resiliently arranged at the middle portion by means of a spring element, the protection means is allowed to spring both inwards and outwards under external influence on the protection means when driving the vehicle. The hinge device is suitably arranged such that the middle portion and thereby the protection means can be pivoted about a first axis, which is essentially parallel to the vehicle centreline. The distance between the hinge device and the second portion, to which the protection means is attached, thus results in that the protection means can be pivoted further out from the vehicle than by the resilience, without detaching, which for example may be desirable if a large object ends up in between the protection means and the track unit. This way, a flexible and durable hanging device is achieved and the risk that the protection means is detached, damaged or deformed when objects end up between the protection means and the track unit is minimized. During service or similar, the hinge device means that the protection means can be folded outwards and upwards to a raised position. Since the hinge device and the second portion for attachment to the protection means are arranged at a distance from each other, the protection means will end up at a distance from the vehicle when it is pivoted about the hinge device and folded to the raised position. This results in that a gap is formed between the raised protection means and the vehicle chassis, which gap provides improved access for tools or similar. The longitudinal extension of the middle portion and the distance between the attachment to the vehicle and the attachment to the protection means also means that the hanging device can be attached in various ways in order to achieve a desired gap between the vehicle and the protection means, both when driving the vehicle and when the protection means is in a raised position. This way, the hanging device is also suitable for both parallel hinge lines and for angled and broken hinge lines.

The first portion of the hanging device is preferably essentially U-shaped and thus comprises a horizontal section and two vertical sections. The first portion is preferably arranged such that the vertical sections extend from the horizontal section in a direction downwards towards the second portion and thus downwards towards the surface on which the vehicle is operated when the hanging device is arranged on a vehicle. The middle portion is suitably arranged between the vertical sections of the first portion. The width of the middle portion is thus essentially the same as the inner distance between the two vertical sections of the first portion. The longitudinal extension (length) of the middle portion is parallel to the extension of the vertical sections. The extension of the middle portion which is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension and the width constitutes the thickness of the middle portion. The first end of the middle portion suitably has the same thickness as the first portion. The first portion and the middle portion both have an outer surface, wherein the first portion and the middle portion preferably are connected to each other, such that these outer surfaces are in the same plane. The outer surface refers to the surface of the first portion and the middle portion, which is facing outwards towards the surroundings when the hanging device is arranged on the vehicle. This way, a hanging device is achieved, which has an essentially even outer surface, and protruding details which may easily be destroyed and detached when driving the vehicle is thereby avoided.

The first portion may alternatively consist of two separate L-shaped parts arranged such that two vertical sections extend from two horizontal sections in the direction downwards towards the second portion. The first portion is preferably designed such that it at least partly surrounds the first end of the middle portion. The hinge device is suitably arranged such that it extends through the first portion and the middle portion and thereby connecting the first portion and the middle portion.

The first portion preferably comprises a plurality of attachment points for attachment to the vehicle. The first portion suitably comprises two or more attachment points. The first portion for example comprises four attachment points, one at each end of the vertical sections.

The hinge device preferably comprises a pin arranged such that it extends horizontally through the two vertical sections of the first portion and through the middle portion. The pin thus extends through through holes of the vertical sections and through a through hole along the entire width of the middle portion. This way, the first portion and the middle portion are connected and the middle portion can pivot about a first axis, parallel to the center line of the pin. Alternatively, the hinge device comprises two pins, which each extend through a respective vertical section and from different directions through the middle portion, essentially midway along the width of the middle portion. The two pins are suitably arranged such that their center lines coincide and constitute the first axis, around which the middle portion can pivot. The second end of the middle portion suitably comprises a horizontally extending hollow tube section with an essentially square cross-section. The tube section extends along the width of the middle portion. Alternatively, the tube section has a circular cross-section or any other shape. The second portion of the hanging device is preferably connected to the middle portion at the tube section. At least a part of the second portion is suitably arranged inside the hollow tube section. The spring element is suitably arranged inside the tube section between the tube section and the second portion, whereby the second portion, and thus the protection means, can swivel/spring relative to the vehicle.

The spring element preferably consists of a type of torsion spring. According to an aspect of the present invention, the spring element comprises a rubber spring. The rubber spring may be a solid rubber bushing in one piece, which extends along the extent of the tube section and which surrounds the part of the second portion arranged inside the tube section. The rubber spring may alternatively consist of a plurality of separate rubber elements arranged symmetrically around the part of the second portion which is arranged inside the tube section. The rubber spring may thus abut both the inside of the tube section and the part of the second portion which is arranged inside the tube section. By arranging the spring element symmetrically around the part of the second portion which is arranged inside the tube section, a durable and hard- wearing torsion spring is achieved, which allows resilience both inwards and outwards relative to the vehicle.

According to an aspect of the present invention the tube section of the middle portion comprises a coaxially arranged inner tube, in which a part of the second portion is arranged. The spring element is thus suitably arranged inside the tube section, abutting the inner tube and the tube section.

The part of the second portion, which is arranged inside the tube section of the middle portion, preferably consists of at least one angled arm. The at least one angled arm suitably comprises an essentially horizontal first arm portion, which is inserted into the tube section of the middle portion and which is surrounded by the spring element. According to an aspect of the present invention, the first arm portion is inserted into the coaxially arranged inner tube of the tube section. Further, the at least one arm suitably comprises a second arm portion arranged at an angle relative to the first arm portion. The second arm portion may be arranged with essentially 90 degrees angle relative to the first arm portion and extends in the direction away from the middle portion, in parallel with the direction of the longitudinal extension of the middle portion. The second portion further comprises at least one attachment portion with attachment points, to which the protection means is attached by fasteners, such as screws. The attachment portion suitably extends from the second arm portion, in parallel with the direction of the longitudinal extension of the middle portion. The attachment portion also extends along the width of the middle portion. The attachment portion may be substantially rectangularly shaped.

According to an aspect of the present invention, the second portion comprises at least three attachment points for attachment to the protection means. By attaching the hanging device to the protection means at least at three attachment points, it is avoided that hinge functions arise between the attachment points and a safe and rigid hanging device for protection means of tracked vehicles is thereby achieved. According to an aspect of the present invention, the second portion of the hanging device comprises two separate parts, which each is connected to the second end of the middle portion. Each part suitably comprises an angled arm with a first arm portion arranged inside the tube section of the middle portion, a second arm portion and an attachment portion. Each attachment portion suitably has at least three attachment points. The two parts are preferably identically configured, wherein the first arm portion of one of the parts is inserted from one end of the tube section and the first arm portion of the other part is inserted from the other end of the tube section. The ends of the first arm portions of the two parts may thus be arranged adjacent to each other inside the tube section. By configuring the two parts identically, the manufacture of the hanging device is facilitated.

The attachment portion may comprise so-called weight reduction holes, i.e. recesses in the material in order to reduce the weight.

According to an aspect of the present invention a shear pin is arranged in the middle portion, in connection with the hinge device. The shear pin suitably consists of a screw or similar. The shear pin is suitably arranged such that it locks the hinge device when it is intact. The shear pin thus prevents the middle portion from pivoting relative to the first portion. The shear pin thus normally, when it is intact, causes the hinge device to be locked, wherein the middle portion cannot pivot relative to the first portion. Thus, normally only the second portion can spring relative to the middle portion and the spring element alone allows the protection means to move relative to the vehicle. When the load on the spring element is too large, for example if the protection means is forced too far out, the shear pin breaks and the hinge device is activated. The middle portion is thereby allowed to pivot in relation to the first portion. By activating the hinge device the load on the spring element is decreased. This way, it is ensured that the protection means is not detached from the side shield of the vehicle, for example if a log or stone is wedged between the protection means and the track unit. During service or similar, when it is desirable to use the hinge device in order to fold up and out the protection means to access the track unit, the shear pin may be removed manually by means of a tool suitable for the purpose.

The hanging device preferably comprises steel and/or metal. The middle portion and the second portion suitably comprise steel and the first portion aluminium. Alternatively, all portions comprise steel or aluminium. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood by reference to the following detailed description read together with the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 shows a schematic side view of a tracked vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2a shows a schematic view of a hanging device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2b shows a schematic view of a hanging device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 2c shows a schematic view of a hanging device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic side view of a hanging device attached to a protection means and a vehicle, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of a hanging device for protection means on a vehicle where the protection means is folded up, according to an embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 shows a schematic view from below of a hanging device for protection means on a vehicle where the protection means is folded up, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Figure 1 schematically shows a side view of a tracked vehicle 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Said vehicle 10 may be a military vehicle, such as a tank, a crawler, an infantry gun truck, an amphibious vehicle, an artillery vehicle or a command vehicle. The vehicle 10 comprises a track unit 12 with a plurality of travelling wheels 14 rolling within a track 16. The track 16 may be a metal track or a rubber track. The track 16 is driven by a drive wheel 18 arranged at the front end of the vehicle 10, elevated relative to the running wheels 14. The drive wheel 18 may alternatively be arranged at the rear end of the vehicle 10. A tension wheel (not shown) is also arranged elevated relative to the travelling wheels 14. The tracked vehicle 10 further comprises side shields 20, on which the protection means 30 are hanged by a plurality of hanging devices 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. A protection means 30 is preferably arranged at each long side of the vehicle 10. The protection means 30 are arranged on the vehicle 10 to protect the track unit 12 and may also be referred to as track skirts. The protection means 30 may be attached to the chassis of the vehicle 10.

Figure 2a schematically shows a hanging device 40 for protection means 30 of tracked vehicles 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The vehicle 10 may be configured as described in Figure 1 The hanging device 40 comprises a first portion 100 adapted to be attached to the vehicle 10, a second portion 200 adapted to be attached to the protection means 30, and a middle portion 150, wherein the middle portion 150 is connected the first portion 100 at its first end 151 and to the second portion 200 at its second end 152. The middle portion 150 is furthermore pivotaliy arranged at the first portion 100 by a hinge device 300 and the second portion 200 is resilientiy arranged at the middle portion 150 by a spring element 400.

The first portion 100 of the hanging device 40 is essentially U-shaped and comprises a horizontal section 1 10 and two vertical sections 120. The middle portion 150 is arranged between the two vertical sections 120 of the first portion 100, such that the vertical sections 120 extend from the horizontal section 1 10 in direction downwards towards the second portion 200, in parallel with the longitudinal extension (length extension) of the middle portion 150. The width of the middle portion 150 is thus essentially the same as the inner distance between the two vertical sections 120 of the first portion 100. The extension of the middle portion 150, which is perpendicular to the longitudinal extension and the width, constitutes the thickness of the middle portion 150, The first end 151 of the middle portion 150 suitably has the same thickness as the first portion 100. The first portion 100 and the middle portion 150 both has an outer surface, wherein the first portion 100 and the middle portion 150 preferably are connected to each other, such that these outer surfaces are in the same plane. The outer surface refers to the surface of the first portion 100 and the middle portion 150, which is facing outwards towards the surroundings when the hanging device 40 is arranged on the vehicle 10. The first portion 100 comprises a plurality of attachment points 130 for attachment to the vehicle 10. Herein are illustrated four attachment points 130 for attachment to the vehicle 10, arranged at each end of the vertical sections 120. The attachment points 130 suitably consist of threaded through holes, in which fasteners such as screws (not shown) are inserted in order to attach the hanging device 40 to the vehicle 10. The hinge device 300 preferably comprises a pin (not shown) arranged to extend horizontally through both vertical sections 120 of the first portion 100 and through the middle portion 150, This way, the first portion 100 and middle portion 150 are connected to each other, and the middle portion 150 can pivot about a first axis A corresponding to the center line of the pin. The axis A, around which the middle portion 150 and thus the protection means 30 may pivot, is essentially parallel with the center line of the vehicle 10. Alternatively, the hinge device 300 comprises two pins, which both extend through a respective vertical section 120 and from different directions through the middle portion 150, essentially midway along the width of the middle portion 150. The second end 152 of the middle portion suitably comprises a horizontally extending hollow tube section 154 with an essentially square cross-section. The tube section 154 extends along the width of the middle portion 150, Alternatively, the tube section 154 has a circular cross-section or any other shape. The tube section 154 of the middle portion 150 comprises a coaxiaiiy arranged inner tube 156. The inner tube 156 may have a square cross- section, a circular cross-section or any other shape. The inner tube 158 suitably has a square cross-section and is coaxiaiiy arranged, but tilted 45 degrees, relative to the tube section 154. The spring element 400 is arranged between the tube section 154 and the inner tube 156.

The spring element 400 consists of a torsion spring in the shape of a rubber spring. The rubber spring consists of a plurality of separate rubber elements arranged symmetrically around the inner tube 156. The rubber elements are suitably arranged in the corners of the tube section 154. The rubber elements are arranged, such that they abut the inner tube 156 and the tube section 154 of the middle portion 150. This way, a durable and hard-wearing spring elements 400 is achieved, which allows the protection means 30 to spring both inwards and outwards relative to the vehicle 10.

The second portion 200 comprises two identically configured parts 200', 200", which each comprises an angled arm 210 and an attachment portion 220. Each angled arm 210 comprises an essentially horizontal first arm portion 21 1 and a second arm portion 212 arranged at an angle relative to the first arm portion 21 1 . The second arm portion 212 is suitably arranged with essentially 90 degrees angle relative to the first arm portion 21 1 and thus extends in the direction away from the middle portion 150, in parallel with the direction of the longitudinal extension of the middle portion 150. The first arm portion 21 1 of each arm 210 is inserted, from opposite directions, into the inner tube 156 of the tube section 154 of the middle portion 150. The first arm portion 21 1 thus suitably has a shape corresponding to the shape of the cross-section of the inner tube 156. During external impact on the protection means 30 attached to the attachment portions 220, the respective arm 210 and thus the inner tube 158 are affected, whereby the inner tube 158 springs against the spring element 400. This way, the protection means 30 is allowed to spring inwards and outwards relative to the vehicle 10.

The attachment portion 220 of each part 2G0\ 200" is attached to the second arm portion 212 and is substantially rectangularly shaped, with its long side extending from the second arm portion 212 in parallel with the direction of the longitudinal extension of the middle portion 150. The short side of the attachment portion 220 suitably extends from the second arm portion 212 in parallel with the width of the middle portion 150. The attachment portion 220 is suitably arranged edge to edge with the second arm portion 212. The attachment portions 220 further comprise four attachment points 230, at which the protection means 30 is attached by fasteners (not shown), such as screws. The attachment points 230 suitably consist of threaded through holes. The attachment portions 220 may also comprise so-called weight reducing holes 240, i.e. recesses in the material for reducing the weight.

A shear pin 500 is arranged in the middle portion 150, in connection with the hinge device 300. The shear pin 500 suitably consists of a screw or similar. The shear pin 500 normally, when it is intact, locks the hinge device 300, such that the middle portion 150 cannot pivot relative to the first portion 100, Thus, normally only the second portion 200 can spring relative to the middle portion 150 and the spring element 400 alone allows the protection means 30 to move relative to the vehicle 10. When the load on the spring element 400 is too high, for example if the protection means 30 is forced too far outwardly, the shear pin 500 breaks and the hinge device 300 is activated. The middle portion 150 can thus pivot relative to the first portion 100. By activation of the hinge device 300 the load on the spring element 400 decreases. This ensures that the protection means 30 do not detach from the side shield 20 of the vehicle 10, for example if a log or stone is wedged between the protection means 30 and the track unit 12. During service or similar when it is desirable to use the hinge device 300 to fold up and out the protection means 30 to access the track unit 12, the shear pin 500 is removed manually by tools suitable for the purpose, Figure 2b schematically shows a hanging device 40 for protection means 30 of tracked vehicles 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hanging device 40 is configured essentially as described in Figure 2a with a few differences. According to this embodiment, the spring element 400 is configured as a solid rubber bushing surrounding the inner tube 156. The rubber bushing 400 suitably has a centered through hole with a cross- sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the inner tube 158. The spring element 400 thus fills the space between the inner tube 156 and the tube section 154. This embodiment further differs from the one described in Figure 2a in that the second portion 200 comprises one part 200' instead of two. The part 200' of the second portion 200 comprises an angled arm 210 and an attachment portion 220, wherein the attachment portion 220 has an essentially rectangular shape. The angled arm 210 comprises a first arm portion 21 1 inserted info the inner tube 156, and a second arm portion 212. The first arm portion 21 1 suitably extends along the entire width of the middle portion 150. The attachment portion 220 is attached to the second arm portion 212 and extends with its long side along the width of the middle portion 150. The attachment portion 220 further comprises four attachment points 230 and two weight reducing holes 240. The attachment portion 220 may comprise one or more weight reducing holes in any shape.

Figure 2c schematically shows a hanging device 40 for protection means 30 of tracked vehicles 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hanging device 40 is configured essentially as described in Figure 2a with a few differences. According to this embodiment the inner tube 156 of the tube section 154 is lacking and the first arm portion 21 1 of the angled arm 210 of the second portion 200 thereby abuts the spring element 400. The spring element is herein configured as a solid rubber bushing which surrounds the first arm portion 21 1 and fills the space between the first arm portion 21 1 and the tube section 154, The first arm portion may have a square cross-sectional shape or any other cross-sectional shape. The spring element 400 suitably has a centered through hole with a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the first arm portion 21 1 . Furthermore, the attachment portions 220 lacks weight reducing holes 240. Figure 3 schematically shows two hanging devices 40 attached to a vehicle 10 and a protection means 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hanging devices 40 may be configured as described in any of Figures 2a-2c. The first portion 100 is attached to a side shield 20 of the vehicle 10 and the second portion 200 is attached to the protection means 30. The figure shows the normal state when the protection means 30 hangs essentially in line with the side shield 20 of the vehicle 10. The protection means 30 thus hangs essentially perpendicular to the ground on which vehicle 10 is operated. The second portion 200 comprises two parts 200', 200", which each comprises an attachment portion 220. The protection means 30 is herein attached to three attachment points 230 at the respective attachment portion 220. By attaching the hanging device 40 to the protection means 30 at least at three attachment points 230, hinge functions arising between the attachment points 230 is avoided and a safe and rigid hanging device 40 is thereby achieved. The second portion 200 is attached to the inside of the protection means 30, such that the attachment portions 220 of the second portion 200 normally are not visible. The first portion 100 is recessed into the side shield 20, such that the outer surface of the first portion 100 is in essentially the same plane as the outer surface of the side shield 20. The middle portion 150 is similarly recessed into the side shield 20 and/or the protection means 30 depending on where the hanging device 40 is arranged, such that the outer surface of the middle section 150 is in essentially the same plane as the outer surface of the side shield 20 respectively the protection means 30. This way, the protection means 30 and the side shield 20 are arranged in the same plane and an even outer surface without any protruding parts is achieved, and the risk that the hanging device 40 and/or the protection means 30 breaks when driving a vehicle 10 is thus minimized. By configuring the hanging device 40 with the first portion 100 at a distance from the second portion 200, the hanging device 40 may be attached in various ways to the side shield 20 and the protection means 30. In the figure, a side shield 20 is shown resulting in a broken hinge line, wherein one hanging device 40 is arranged with the first portion 100 closer to the hinge line, in order to, in the norma! state, achieve the same distance between the side shield 20 and the protection means 30 along the entire hinge line.

Figure 4 schematically shows a top view of a hanging device 40 for protection means 30 of a vehicle 10, in which the protection means 30 is in a raised position, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hanging device 40 is configured and arranged at a side shield 20 and a protection means 30 as described in Figure 3. In the raised or folded-up position the protection means 30 is thus arranged at an angle to the side shield 20 of the vehicle 10. By configuring the hanging device 40 with the hinge device 300 and the second portion 200 for attachment to the protection means 30 spaced from each other, a gap G is achieved between the side shield 20 and the protection means 30 when the protection means 30 is in the raised position. The gap G results in improved access for tools or the like, for example during service of the track unit 12.

Figure 5 schematically shows a view from below of a hanging device 40 for protection means 30 of a vehicle 10, in which the protection means 30 is in a raised position, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The hanging device 40 is configured and arranged at a side shield 20 and a protection means 30 as described in Figure 3 and Figure 4. The protection means 30 here comprises an outer layer 31 and an inner layer 32, wherein the attachment portions 220 of the second portion 20 are arranged between these two layers 31 , 32 and are attached to the outer layer 31 .

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention has been provided for illustrative and descriptive purposes. It is not intended to be exhaustive, nor to limit the invention to the variants described. Many modifications and variations will obviously be apparent to the person skilled in the art, as well as combinations of the described embodiments. The embodiments have been chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and their practical applications and thereby making it possible for a person skilled in the art to understand the invention for different embodiments and with the various modifications appropriate for the intended use.

Claims

1 . A hanging device for protection means (30) on a tracked vehicle (10), comprising a first portion (100) adapted to be attached to the vehicle (10), a second portion (200) adapted to be attached to the protection means (30), and a middle portion (150), wherein the middle portion (150) is connected to the first portion (100) at its first end (151 ) and to the second portion (200) at its second end (152), characterized in that the middle portion (150) is pivotally arranged at the first portion (100) by means of a hinge device (300) and that the second portion (200) is resiliently arranged at the middle portion (150) by means of a spring element (400).

2. The hanging device according to claim 1 , characterized in that the spring element (400) comprises a rubber spring.

3. The hanging device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a shear pin (500) is arranged in the middle portion (150) in connection with the hinge device (300).

4. The hanging device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the middle portion (150) comprises an essentially horizontal hollow tube section (154), in which the spring element (400) is arranged and to which the second portion (200) is connected.

5. The hanging device according to claim 4, characterized in that the second portion (200) comprises at least a first arm portion (21 1 ), which is arranged inside the tube section (154) of the middle portion (150).

6. The hanging device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second portion (200) comprises at least three attachment points (230) for attachment to the protection means (30).

7. The hanging device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second portion (200) comprises two separate parts (200', 200"), each being resiliently arranged at the middle portion (150) by means of the spring element (400).

8. The hanging device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises steel and/or aluminium.

9. A tracked vehicle, characterized in that it comprises a hanging device (40) according to any of the claims 1 -8.