APPARATUS FOR CONVERTING A WHEELED VEHICLE TO A TRACKED VEHICLE

• US 20100012399A1
• Filed: 12/11/2007
• Published: 01/21/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Loegering Manufacturing Incorporated (Manitex International, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hansen, Ronald S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,430,188 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 180/9.260
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/20 Endless-track steering having pivoted bogie carrying track B62D11/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/0635 using additional ground engaging means, e.g. endless tracks vehicles with endless tracks and either additional or alternative ground wheels B62D55/02, B62D55/04
• 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 55/065 Multi-track vehicles, i.e. more than two tracks soil-shifting machines E02F; mining machines E21C
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/084 Endless-track units or carriages mounted separably, adjustably or extensibly on vehicles, e.g. portable track units B62D55/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/10 Bogies; Frames track-tensioning means B62D55/30
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/104 Suspension devices for wheels, rollers, bogies or frames vehicle suspension in general B60G
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/125 Final drives
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/14 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/30 Track-tensioning means
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/305 acting on pivotably mounted idlers

Abstract

The invention relates to track systems (14, 14′) that may be used to convert steerable, all-wheel drive construction equipment to steerable, multi-track construction vehicles (10). A preferred embodiment of the track system (14, 14′) includes a frame (60, 182) having a reinforcing enclosure (150, 230), a plurality of track engaging rollers (82-86, 202-206), a sprocket (102, 214), and an endless track (76, 198) operatively connected to the frame (60, 182). Tension on the endless track (76, 198) is maintained with two tensioning members (170, 244) operatively connected to the forwardmost roller (82, 202). The track system (14, 14′) preferably includes a limiting apparatus (300) that is configured to restrict the rotational movement “r” of the frame (60, 182) relative to a vehicle axle (16) to which it is attached. The limiting apparatus (300) has a first component (40), which is associated with the vehicle axle (16), is configured and arranged to interact with a second component (262), which is associated with the frame of the track system (14, 14′). Preferably, the limiting apparatus (300) is adjustable such that the range of rotational movement “r” can be varied.

Claims

1. A track system for attachment to a vehicle having an axle;

wherein the track system is connected to the axle;

the track system comprising;

a frame having a plurality of track engaging rollers;

an endless track operatively connected to the frame such that it contacts the rollers; and

a limiting apparatus secured between the frame and the axle;

wherein the limiting apparatus restricts rotational movement of the frame relative to the axle;

wherein the limiting apparatus is adjustable such that the degree of rotational movement can be varied.

2. The track system of claim 1, wherein the limiting apparatus comprises a limiting assembly having at least one post and a collar having at least one stop;

wherein the limiting assembly is configured and arranged to be attached to the frame;

wherein the collar is configured and arranged to be attached to an axle of a vehicle, and wherein the stop is configured and arranged to contact the post thereby preventing rotational movement therepast.

4. The track system of claim 2, wherein the collar comprises a first section and a second section removably connected to each other and configured and arranged to be positioned about an axle housing of a vehicle to which it is attached.

5. The track system of claim 2, wherein the limiting assembly comprises a first member connected to the frame, the first member having first and second spaced apart posts.

6. The track system of claim 5, wherein at least one shim is removably secured to the first member at a location between the first and second posts, with the shim serving to effectively shorten the distance between the spaced apart posts.

8. The track system of claim 2, wherein each stop has a first contact surface and a second contact surface;

wherein the shims are complimentary shaped to the first and second contact surfaces, respectively, to distribute the force of the shim contacting the stop.

9. The track system of claim 6, wherein the shim is generally wedge shaped with converging sides that define an angular range of about 1 to about 6 degrees.

10. The track system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of rollers includes a forwardmost roller and a rearwardmost roller, the track system further comprising a pair of tensioning mechanisms having a force exerting members operatively connected to opposite ends of a shaft supporting the forwardmost roller, wherein the force exerting members maintain tension on the track by urging the forwardmost roller in a forward direction with respect to the frame.

13. The track system of claim 10, further comprising at least one a force restoring element, wherein the restoring element urges at least one force exerting member into a forward operating position.

15. The track system of claim 1, wherein the axle is a steerable axle;

the track system further comprising a spacing element that positions the respective track system away from the vehicle such that the normal steering range of the vehicle is maintained.

16. The track system of claim 15, wherein the spacing element includes a cylindrically shaped body having a first and second end, with the first end having a flange and the second end having a plurality of recesses.

29. The track system of claim 1, wherein the vehicle is a construction vehicle selected from the group comprising a trencher and a boom lift.

3. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

11-12. -12. (canceled)

14. (canceled)

17. A track system for attachment to a vehicle having an axle;

wherein the track system is operatively connected to the axle;

the track system comprising;

a frame having first and second ends and a plurality of track engaging rollers;

an endless track operatively connected with the frame; and

a limiting apparatus, comprising a limiting assembly that is secured to the frame;

and a collar that is secure to a vehicle axle housing, with the limiting apparatus including at least one post and with the collar including at least one stop;

wherein the rotational movement of the frame is limited by the post as it encounters the stop of the collar.

18. The track system of claim 17, wherein the limiting assembly includes a plurality of spaced apart posts, and wherein each post has a contact surface that is configured and arranged to engage a stop as the frame rotates beyond a predetermined angle of rotation with respect to the vehicle axle housing.

19. The track system of claim 17, wherein the limiting apparatus is adjustable such that the range of rotational movement of the frame relative to the vehicle axle housing can be varied.

20. The track system of claim 18, further comprising at least one shim removably attached between the posts of the limiting assembly, wherein the distance between the spaced apart posts may be adjusted with the addition and removal of shims.

23. The track system of claim 17, wherein there are two limiting assembly members, and wherein each member include two spaced apart posts.

24. The track system of claim 17, further comprising a pair of tensioning mechanisms operatively connected to the forwardmost roller;

wherein the tensioning mechanisms have a force exerting member that maintains tension of the endless track.

26. The track system of claim 17, wherein the axle is a steerable axle;

the track system further comprising a spacing element that is interposed between the frame and the vehicle axle housing to which it is attached so as to position the respective track system away from the vehicle such that the normal steering range of the vehicle is maintained.

27. The track system of claim 26, wherein the spacing element includes a cylindrically shaped body having a first and second end, with the first end attachable to the wheel hub of a vehicle and with the second end attachable to a drive sprocket that is operatively connected to the frame.

21-22. -22. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

28. (canceled)

30-31. -31. (canceled)

32. A method of restricting the rotational movement of a track system that is operatively connected to a vehicle;

the method comprising the steps of;

providing a track system attached to a vehicle;

the track system including a frame, an endless track operatively connected to the frame, and a limiting apparatus that includes a collar with at least one stop and a limiting assembly with a post, with the collar secured to an axle housing of the vehicle and with the limiting assembly secured to the frame;

wherein the stop and the post of the limiting apparatus are configured to engage each other and restrict the rotational movement of the frame relative to the axle to a first range of positive and/or negative rotational movement; and

adjusting the limiting apparatus to change the first range of positive and/or negative rotational movement to a second range of positive and/or negative rotational movement.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein the vehicle is construction vehicle selected from the group comprising a trencher and a boom lift.

34. The method of claim 32, wherein the limiting assembly includes a shim that is removeably positionable between the stop and the post, wherein the shim serves to reduce rotational movement of the frame relative to the axle and define a second range of positive and/or negative rotational movement.

35. The method of claim 32, wherein the limiting apparatus is adjusted by the addition and removal of shims removably secured to the frame.

36-37. -37. (canceled)

38. A support frame for a track system that can be attached to a vehicle;

the support frame comprising;

a first plate and a second plate parallel to the first plate and operatively connected thereto, each plate having an inner face and an outer face; and

an enclosure attached to the outer face of the second plate;

wherein the enclosure and the outer face of the second plate define a chamber.

39. The support frame of claim 38, further comprising a first aperture in the second plate sized and configured to receive a first tensioning mechanism, wherein the enclosure is arranged and configured such that the aperture is inaccessible from the outer face of the second plate.

40. The support frame of claim 38, further comprising a second aperture in the first plate sized and configured to receive a second tensioning mechanism.

41. The support frame of claim 40, wherein the first and second tensioning mechanisms include a force exerting member selected from the group consisting of a grease cylinder and a hydraulic cylinder.

42. The support frame of claim 41, wherein the first and second tensioning mechanisms include a restoring element that is a compression spring that generally surrounds the respective force exerting members.

43. The support frame of claim 38, wherein the operative connection of the first and second plates comprises at least one strut extending between the first and second plates.

44. The support frame of claim 38, the enclosure having a first wall, a second wall, a front panel, a top wall and a bottom wall.

45. The support frame of claim 44, wherein the first wall and the second wall are substantially parallel to each other and each has an end that extend upwardly past the top wall.

47. The support frame of claim 38, each plate having a first end and a second end, the support frame further comprising a rail on each end of each plate on the respective inner surface.

48. The support frame of claim 38, further comprising a flange extending from one of the plates;

wherein an intermediate roller may be connected to the flange.

46. (canceled)

49. A track system for attachment to a vehicle having an axle;

wherein the track system may be connected to the axle;

the track system comprising;

a frame having a first and second plates connected to each other in a spaced-apart relation by at least one strut and a plurality of track engaging rollers;

wherein the plurality of track engaging rollers include a forwardmost roller and a rearwardmost roller;

a sprocket rotatably connected to the frame;

an endless track connected to the frame, the endless track engaging with the rollers and the sprocket;

a tensioning mechanism secured to each one of the plates, the tensioning mechanisms each having an end that is operatively connected to an end of a support shaft of the forwardmost roller, each tensioning mechanism having a force exerting member that generates a forward facing force with respect to the frame; and

an enclosure secured to the second plate and enclosing a portion of the respective tensioning mechanism.

50. The track system of claim 49, wherein the sprocket comprises first and second sections that are removably attached to a main hub that is connected to the frame.

51. The track system of claim 49, wherein the tensioning mechanisms are fluidly connected to each other such that the outward force applied by the tensioning mechanisms on the forwardmost roller is balanced.

53. The track system of claim 49, wherein the strut has a generally hollow interior and wherein a conduit fluidly connects the tensioning mechanisms;

wherein the conduit extends through the generally hollow interior of the strut.

54. The track system of claim 49, further comprising at least one intermediate roller and two inwardly extending flanges extending from both of the plates;

wherein the intermediate roller is connected to the flanges.

57. The track system of claim 49, wherein the tensioning mechanisms each include a restoring element that is a compression spring generally surrounding the force exerting member;

wherein the compression spring maintains the force exerting member in an operating position.

52. (canceled)

55-56. -56. (canceled)

58-65. -65. (canceled)