Versatile Endless Track For Lightweight Mobile Robots
First Claim
1. A versatile endless track usable by a lightweight mobile robot, the track comprising:
- a flexible track configured for mounting about a plurality of track supports, and having a changing ground-engaging portion exposed for engagement with a ground surface as the flexible track is rotated around the plurality of track supports;
a plurality of receptacles contained within the flexible track; and
a plurality of traction pads inserted into and support by the plurality of receptacles,wherein at least two different types of traction pad are included, each type of traction pad having a different ground-interfacing profile designed to provide traction with respect to ground surfaces having different traction properties, andwherein sufficient traction pads of each type are included so that at least one traction pad of each type is present on the ground-engaging portion of the flexible track at all times.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A versatile endless track system for a lightweight robotic vehicle is disclosed. The versatile endless track system includes a flexible track configured for mounting about a plurality of track supports of the lightweight robotic vehicle. A plurality of traction pads including at least two different types of traction pads are inserted into and supported by a plurality of receptacles contained within the flexible track. The different types of traction pads provide different ground-interfacing profiles designed to provide traction with respect to ground surfaces having different traction properties. Optionally, traction pads can be removable, allowing the versatile endless track to be reconfigured. A method of configuring a versatile endless track is also disclosed.
72 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A versatile endless track usable by a lightweight mobile robot, the track comprising:
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a flexible track configured for mounting about a plurality of track supports, and having a changing ground-engaging portion exposed for engagement with a ground surface as the flexible track is rotated around the plurality of track supports; a plurality of receptacles contained within the flexible track; and a plurality of traction pads inserted into and support by the plurality of receptacles, wherein at least two different types of traction pad are included, each type of traction pad having a different ground-interfacing profile designed to provide traction with respect to ground surfaces having different traction properties, and wherein sufficient traction pads of each type are included so that at least one traction pad of each type is present on the ground-engaging portion of the flexible track at all times. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of configuring an endless track with traction pads comprising
providing an endless track suitable for mounting on a lightweight robotic vehicle having a ground-engaging portion and a plurality of receptacles contained within the endless track; -
mounting the endless track on the lightweight robotic vehicle so that the ground-engaging a portion is exposed for interfacing to a ground surface; and inserting the plurality of traction pads into the plurality of receptacles in an alternating sequence of at least two different traction pad types so that at least one of each type of traction pad is present on the exposed, ground-engaging portion of the endless track when the lightweight robotic vehicle is operated. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A versatile endless track usable by a lightweight mobile robot, the track comprising:
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a flexible track configured for mounting about a plurality of track supports, and having a changing ground-engaging portion exposed for engagement with a ground surface as the flexible track is rotated around the plurality of track supports; a plurality of receptacles contained within the flexible track; and a plurality of first traction pads removably inserted into at least some of the plurality of receptacles, each having a ground-interfacing profile configured to provide traction with respect to a first ground surface; and a plurality of second traction pads removably inserted into at least some of the plurality of receptacles in an alternating sequence with the first traction pads, each having a ground-interfacing profile configured to provide traction with respect to a second ground surface, wherein the first and second traction pads are selectively interchangeable with a plurality of third traction pads having a ground-interfacing profile configured to provide traction with respect to a third ground surface, and wherein sufficient traction pads of at least two types are included so that at least one traction pad of the at least two types is present on the ground-engaging portion of the flexible track at all times.
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Specification