Drive wheel for track apparatus

• US 20020130552A1
• Filed: 03/19/2002
• Published: 09/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ATI Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Original Assignee: ATI Incorporated (CNH Industrial N.V.)
• Inventors: Kahle, Glenn W., Juncker, David L., Reshad, Jamsheed
• Granted Patent: US 6,536,854 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 305/195
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/04 with tracks and alternative ground wheels, e.g. changeable from endless track vehicle into wheeled vehicle and vice versa for multi-purpose tractors B62D49/0635
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/104 Suspension devices for wheels, rollers, bogies or frames vehicle suspension in general B60G
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/12 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of driving sprockets
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/125 Final drives
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/305 acting on pivotably mounted idlers

Abstract

A drive wheel engaged with flexible track of track apparatus mountable on a vehicle axle, the drive wheel including a peripheral portion which, between radially-extending drive members, has outwardly-facing lug-engagement surfaces in position for engagement with the distal surfaces of the track lugs, to extend the useful life of flexible track. Preferred embodiments have spaces facilitating removal of debris. Certain preferred lug-engaging surfaces are provided by peripherally-spaced cross-members. The drive wheel is preferably free of side structure, allowing track lugs to adjust precise positions of engagement with lug-engagement surfaces.

Claims

1. A drive wheel engaged with the flexible track of track apparatus mountable on a vehicle axle, the flexible track having a main inner surface and spaced lugs projecting therefrom, each lug terminating in a distal surface spaced inwardly from the main inner surface, the drive wheel comprising:

a central hub portion mountable on the axle for rotational movement therewith;

a radially-extending portion terminating in a circumferential edge; and

a peripheral portion affixed to the circumferential edge and having outwardly-facing lug-engagement surfaces positioned for engagement with the distal surfaces of the track lugs.

2. The drive wheel of claim 1 wherein the peripheral portion includes an outer rim forming the outwardly-facing lug-engaging surfaces.

3. The drive wheel of claim 2 wherein the outer rim includes a plurality of spaced openings therein.

4. The drive wheel of claim 1 wherein the peripheral portion includes peripherally-spaced cross-members affixed to the circumferential edge and forming the outwardly-facing lug-engaging surfaces.

5. The drive wheel of claim 4 further including:

a rigidity ring having an outward edge parallel to and spaced from the circumferential edge of the radially-extending portion; and

the cross-members being affixed to the outward edge of the rigidity ring to span the space between the rigidity ring and the radially-extending portion, and the rigidity ring and radially-extending portion forming open spaces therebetween to receive debris during operation.

6. The drive wheel of claim 1 wherein the drive wheel is substantially free of side structure in positions laterally adjacent to the lug-engagement surfaces and radially beyond the circumferential edge, whereby the track lugs are free to adjust their precise positions of engagement with the lug-engagement surfaces.

7. A drive wheel engaged with the flexible track of track apparatus mountable on a vehicle axle, the flexible track having a main inner surface and spaced lugs projecting therefrom, each lug terminating in a distal surface spaced inwardly from the main inner surface, the drive wheel comprising:

a central mounting portion mountable on the axle for rotational movement therewith;

a radially-extending portion terminating in a circumferential edge; and

a peripheral portion affixed to the circumferential edge and having (a) radially-projecting drive members defining lug-receiving gaps therebetween and (b) outwardly-facing lug-engagement surfaces within the lug-receiving gaps in position for engagement with the distal surfaces of the track lugs.

8. The drive wheel of claim 7 wherein the peripheral portion includes an outer rim forming the outwardly-facing lug-engaging surfaces.

9. The drive wheel of claim 8 wherein the outer rim includes a plurality of spaced openings therein.

10. The drive wheel of claim 7 wherein the peripheral portion includes peripherally-spaced cross-members affixed to the circumferential edge and forming the outwardly-facing lug-engaging surfaces between adjacent pairs of the drive members.

11. The drive wheel of claim 10 further including:

a rigidity ring having an outward edge parallel to and spaced from the circumferential edge of the radially-extending portion; and

the cross-members being affixed to the outward edge of the rigidity ring to span the space between the rigidity ring and the radially-extending portion, and the rigidity ring and radially-extending portion forming open spaces therebetween between adjacent pairs of the drive members to receive debris during operation.

12. The drive wheel of claim 11 wherein:

the outward edge of the rigidity ring and the circumferential edge of the radially-extending portion are formed with alternating aligned pairs of extended portions and aligned pairs of recessed portions;

each of the radially-projecting drive members is welded to one of the aligned pairs of extended portions; and

each of the cross-members is welded to one of the aligned pairs of recessed portions,

thereby facilitating drive-wheel manufacture.

13. The drive wheel of claim 7 wherein the drive wheel is substantially free of side structure in positions which are laterally adjacent to the lug-engagement surfaces between adjacent pairs of the drive members and radially beyond the circumferential edge, whereby the track lugs are free to adjust their precise positions of engagement with the lug-engagement surfaces.

15. The track apparatus of claim 14 wherein the peripheral portion includes an outer rim forming the outwardly-facing lug-engaging surfaces.

16. The track apparatus of claim 15 wherein the outer rim includes a plurality of spaced openings therein.

17. The track apparatus of claim 14 wherein the peripheral portion includes peripherally-spaced cross-members affixed to the circumferential edge and forming the outwardly-facing lug-engaging surfaces between adjacent pairs of the drive members.

18. The track apparatus of claim 17 further including:

a rigidity ring having an outward edge parallel to and spaced from the circumferential edge of the radially-extending portion; and

the cross-members being affixed to the outward edge of the rigidity ring to span the space between the rigidity ring and the radially-extending portion, and the rigidity ring and radially-extending portion forming open spaces therebetween between adjacent pairs of the drive members to receive debris during operation.

19. The track apparatus of claim 18:

the outward edge of the rigidity ring and the circumferential edge of the radially-extending portion are formed with alternating aligned pairs of extended portions and aligned pairs of recessed portions;

each of the radially-projecting drive members is welded to one of the aligned pairs of extended portions; and

each of the cross-members is welded to one of the aligned pairs of recessed portions,

thereby facilitating drive-wheel manufacture.

20. The track apparatus of claim 14 wherein the drive wheel is substantially free of side structure in positions which are laterally adjacent to the lug-engagement surfaces between adjacent pairs of the drive members and radially beyond the circumferential edge, whereby the track lugs are free to adjust their precise positions of engagement with the lug-engagement surfaces.

14. A track apparatus mountable on a rotatable axle of a vehicle, comprising:

a continuous flexible track having a main inner surface and spaced lugs projecting therefrom, each lug terminating in a distal surface spaced inwardly from the main inner surface; and

a drive wheel having (a) a central hub portion mountable on the axle for driving the flexible track about the axle, (b) a radially-extending portion terminating in a circumferential edge, and (c) a peripheral portion affixed to the circumferential edge and having (c₁) radially-projecting drive members defining lug-receiving gaps therebetween and (c₂) outwardly-facing lug-engagement surfaces within the lug-receiving gaps in position for engagement with the distal surfaces of the track lugs.