Terrain conforming track assembly

• US 7,597,161 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2006
• Issued: 10/06/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/21/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Glen Brazier
• Original Assignee: Glen Brazier
• Inventors: Brazier, Glen
• Primary Examiner(s): Morris; Lesley D
• Assistant Examiner(s): ARCE, MARLON ALEXANDER
• Application Number:
  US11/517,469
• Publication Number:
  US 20070017714A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,125 Days
• Field of Search: 180/9.3, 180/9.28, 180/9.26, 180/9.21
• US Class Current: 180/9.3
• 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 55/108 with mechanical springs, e.g. torsion bars
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/125 Final drives
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/14 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/244 Moulded in one piece, with either smooth surfaces or surfaces having projections, e.g. incorporating reinforcing elements
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/305 acting on pivotably mounted idlers

Abstract

An endless track assembly that mounts to a wheeled vehicle. The assembly provides 1) a track suspension having fixed or adjustable, independently biased sets of idler wheels to vary the track contour without affecting track tension, 2) an eccentric bearing housing at a drive sprocket controls track tension, 3) a contoured peripheral edge at the drive sprocket prevents ice and mud buildup, 4) rubber-coated, plastic idler wheels facilitate track movement, 5) a multi-vehicle compatible adapter mounting plate accommodates a variety of vehicles, 6) a rotation limited torsion coupler and/or rotation limiting coupler arms prevent track contact with the vehicle, 7) a locking steering arm coupler prevents loss of steering control, 8) shaped track lugs and channels clear and direct debris away from the track suspension and drive assembly, and 9) a center, spring biased coupling suspension stabilizes and enhances the contour following and load handling capabilities in the center region of the track. The improved suspension particularly supports sets of idler wheels in pivotal relation to the track support frame and resiliently biases a pre-tensioned rocker arm that links adjacent suspension arms mounted to the adjoining idler wheels. Suspension arm movement induces expansion and contraction of tension springs coupled to the rocker arms to augments shape changes at the track contact surface to optimize traction and steering control.

Claims

1. An endless track assembly comprising:

a) a frame including a sprocket;

b) first and second and third and fourth suspension arms mounted to pivot from said frame and each supporting an axle;

c) a plurality of idler wheels, wherein first and second idler wheels are mounted to the axles of said first and second suspension arms and third and fourth idler wheels are mounted to the axles of said third and fourth suspension arms, wherein a first linkage arm is coupled between said first and second suspension arms and a second linkage arm is coupled between said third and fourth suspension arms, and wherein first and second resilient members bias movement of said first and second linkage arms, such that a pivotal movement of any of said first and second and third and fourth suspension arms is resiliently opposed or assisted by said first and second resilient members as the other of said first and second and third and fourth suspension arms attempts to follow;

d) a support member coupled to said frame via a third resilient member and coupled to said second and third suspension arms via third and fourth linkage arms; and

e) an endless track trained around said drive sprocket and said plurality of idler wheels, whereby undulations in the terrain are followed by pivotal rotation of said first, second, third and fourth suspension arms to vary a longitudinal profile of said track to complement the undulations.

2. A track assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first, second, and third resilient members comprise springs.

3. A track assembly as set forth in claim 1 including first and second adjusters coupled to said first and second resilient members to establish a preset tension or compression at said first and second linkage arms.

4. A track assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sprocket can be manipulated to vary the tension of said track.

5. A track assembly as set forth in claim 4 including an eccentric linkage coupled to said sprocket and adapted to rotate said sprocket within an interior space of said track.

6. A track assembly as set forth in claim 1 including torsion means for biasing said track assembly to an equilibrium position and limiting the rotation of said track assembly relative to said vehicle to prevent contact therebetween.

7. A track assembly as set forth in claim 6 wherein said torsion means comprises a linkage including an elastomer member coupled to said frame to resiliently bias said frame against clockwise and counterclockwise rotational movement relative to an equilibrium position and at least one stop limit.

8. A track assembly as set forth in claim 1 wherein said third resilient member comprises a spring.

9. A track assembly as set forth in claim 1 including an adjuster for varying a preset tension or compression at one of said first and second resilient members.

10. An endless track assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a) a frame including a drive sprocket;

b) first and second suspension arms mounted to pivot from said frame and each supporting an axle;

c) a plurality of idler wheels, wherein a first idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said first suspension arm and a second idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said second suspension arm, wherein a first linkage arm is coupled between said first and second suspension arms, and including a resilient member mounted to bias movement of said first linkage arm and means for varying a preset tension or compression of said first resilient member, such that a pivotal movement of either of said first and second suspension arms is resiliently opposed or assisted by said resilient member as the other of said first and second suspension arms attempts to follow;

d) a support member coupled to said frame via a second resilient member and coupled to one of said first and second suspension arms via a second linkage arm; and

e) an endless track trained around said drive sprocket and said plurality of idler wheels and responsive to pivotal movements of said idler wheels to conformally flex to complement terrain contours.

20. A track assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first and second resilient members comprises springs.

21. A track assembly as set forth in claim 10 including an eccentric linkage coupled to said sprocket whereby said sprocket can be manipulated to vary a track tension.

22. A track assembly as set forth in claim 21 wherein said sprocket is adapted for selective eccentric rotation with a tool.

23. A track assembly as set forth in claim 10 including torsion means for biasing said track assembly to an equilibrium position and limiting the rotation of said track assembly relative to said vehicle to prevent contact therebetween.

24. A track assembly as set forth in claim 23 wherein said torsion means comprises at least one elastomer member coupled to said frame to resiliently bias said frame against clockwise and counterclockwise rotational movement relative to said equilibrium.

25. A track assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein a housing coupled to said drive sprocket is mounted in an aperture of said frame such that eccentric rotation of said housing in said aperture varies the tension of said track.

26. A track assembly as set forth in claim 10 including an adapter plate that mounts to said drive sprocket and is configured to couple to a plurality of different vehicle mountings.

27. A track assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein said track includes a plurality of lugs that project from an interior surface of said track along lateral, longitudinal peripheral edges of said track and contact adjacent, externally exposed surfaces of a plurality of said idler wheels, wherein each of said lugs includes a leading surface and a lagging surface that each taper toward the other as they rise from the interior surface to a flat apex surface and wherein a side surface that abuts said apex and said leading and lagging surfaces tapers outward to one of said peripheral edges as it descends from said apex surface, whereby said lugs direct debris upward and outward from an interior space of said track.

28. A track assembly as set forth in claim 10 including a plurality of lugs that rise from lugs that project an interior surface of said track, wherein said idler wheels are constructed of plastic, wherein a circumferential surface of each of said idler wheels includes a rubber annulus that contacts said interior surface, and wherein uncoated sides of said idler wheels rotate within longitudinal channels defined between said plurality of lugs.

29. A track assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein a peripheral edge of each of a plurality of spokes projecting from said drive sprocket have lateral sidewalls defined by back-to-back arcuate surface portions that align and rotate within an inverted V-shaped longitudinal channel defined by and between a plurality of adjacent lugs that rise from an interior surface of said track, whereby said sidewalls direct debris away from said channel.

30. A track assembly as set forth in claim 10 including a coupler housing that couples to a steering member of said vehicle and wherein the housing includes a fastener mounted to said housing to draw said steering member into compression with said housing.

31. A track assembly as set forth in claim 10 wherein an idler wheel is coupled to rotate at said support member and wherein said second resilient member comprises a spring.

11. An endless track assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a) a frame including a drive sprocket;

b) first and second suspension arms mounted to pivot from said frame and each supporting an axle;

c) a plurality of idler wheels, wherein a first idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said first suspension arm and a second idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said second suspension arm, wherein a first linkage arm is coupled between said first and second suspension arms, and wherein a first resilient member is mounted to bias movement of said first linkage arm, such that a pivotal movement of either of said first and second suspension arms is resiliently opposed or assisted by said resilient member as the other of said first and second suspension arms attempts to follow;

d) a support member coupled to said frame via a second resilient member and coupled to said second suspension arm via a second linkage arm; and

e) an endless track trained around said drive sprocket and said plurality of idler wheels and responsive to pivotal movements of said idler wheels to conformally flex to complement terrain contours; and

f) an eccentric linkage coupled to said sprocket such that said sprocket can be manipulated relative to the frame to vary the track tension.

19. A track assembly as set forth in claim 11 including means for varying a preset tension or compression of said first resilient member.

12. An endless track assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a) a frame including a drive sprocket;

b) first and second suspension arms mounted to pivot from said frame and each supporting an axle;

c) a plurality of idler wheels, wherein a first idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said first suspension arm and a second idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said second suspension arm, wherein a first linkage arm is coupled between said first and second suspension arms, and wherein a first resilient member is mounted to bias movement of said first linkage arm, such that a pivotal movement of either of said first and second suspension arms is resiliently opposed or assisted by said resilient member as the other of said first and second suspension arms attempts to follow;

d) a support member coupled to said frame via a second resilient member and coupled to said second suspension arm via a second linkage arm;

e) an endless track trained around said drive sprocket and said plurality of idler wheels and responsive to pivotal movements of said idler wheels to conformally flex to complement terrain contours; and

f) torsion means comprising a plurality of elastomer members coupled to said frame to resiliently bias clockwise and counterclockwise rotational movement of said frame relative to first and second stop limits and an equilibrium position.

13. An endless track assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a) a frame including a drive sprocket;

b) first and second suspension arms mounted to pivot from said frame and each supporting an axle;

c) a plurality of idler wheels, wherein a first idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said first suspension arm and a second idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said second suspension arm, wherein a first linkage arm is coupled between said first and second suspension arms, and wherein a first resilient member is mounted to bias movement of said first linkage arm, such that a pivotal movement of either of said first and second suspension arms is resiliently opposed or assisted by said resilient member as the other of said first and second suspension arms attempts to follow;

d) a support member coupled to said frame via a second resilient member and coupled to one of said first and second suspension arms via a second linkage arm;

e) an endless track trained around said drive sprocket and said plurality of idler wheels and responsive to pivotal movements of said idler wheels to conformally flex to complement terrain contours; and

f) wherein a housing coupled to said drive sprocket is mounted in an aperture of said frame such that eccentric rotation of said housing in said aperture manipulates said sprocket to vary the tension of said track.

14. An endless track assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a) a frame including a drive sprocket;

b) first and second suspension arms mounted to pivot from said frame and each supporting an axle;

c) a plurality of idler wheels, wherein a first idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said first suspension arm and a second idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said second suspension arm, wherein a first linkage arm is coupled between said first and second suspension arms, and wherein a first resilient member is mounted to bias movement of said first linkage arm, such that a pivotal movement of either of said first and second suspension arms is resiliently opposed or assisted by said resilient member as the other of said first and second suspension arms attempts to follow;

d) a support member coupled to said frame via a second resilient member and coupled to said second suspension arm via a second linkage arm; and

e) an endless track trained around said drive sprocket and said plurality of idler wheels and including a plurality of lugs the project from an interior surface of said track along lateral, longitudinal peripheral edges of said track to contact adjacent surfaces of a plurality of said idler wheels, wherein a leading surface and lagging surface or each lug tapers toward the other as they rise from the interior surface to a flat apex surface, wherein a side surface that abuts said apex and said leading and lagging surfaces tapers toward one of said peripheral edges as it descends from said apex surface such that said lugs direct debris outward from an interior space of said track as pivotal movements of said idler wheels conformally flex said track to complement terrain contours.

15. An endless track assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a) a frame including a drive sprocket;

b) first and second suspension arms mounted to pivot from said frame and each supporting an axle;

c) a plurality of idler wheels, wherein at least one of said idler wheels is constructed of plastic and supports a rubber annulus of a circumferential rolling surface, wherein a first idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said first suspension arm and a second idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said second suspension arm, wherein a first linkage arm is coupled between said first and second suspension arms, and wherein a first resilient member is mounted to bias movement of said first linkage arm, such that a pivotal movement of either of said first and second suspension arms is resiliently opposed or assisted by said resilient member as the other of said first and second suspension arms attempts to follow;

d) a support member coupled to said frame via a second resilient member and coupled to said second suspension arm via a second linkage arm; and

e) an endless track trained around said drive sprocket and said plurality of idler wheels and including a plurality of displaced lugs that project an interior surface of said track to define a longitudinal channel wherein uncoated sides and the rolling surface of said at least one idler wheel rotate as pivotal movements of said idler wheels conformally flex said track to complement terrain contours.

16. An endless track assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a) a frame including a drive sprocket;

b) first and second suspension arms mounted to pivot from said frame and each supporting an axle;

c) a plurality of idler wheels, wherein a first idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said first suspension arm and a second idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said second suspension arm, wherein a first linkage arm is coupled between said first and second suspension arms, and including a resilient member mounted to bias movement of said first linkage arm, such that a pivotal movement of either of said first and second suspension arms is resiliently opposed or assisted by said resilient member as the other of said first and second suspension arms attempts to follow;

d) a support member coupled to said frame via a second resilient member and coupled to one of said first and second suspension arms via a second linkage arm; and

e) an endless track track trained around said drive sprocket and said plurality of idler wheels and exhibiting an inverted, generally V-shaped longitudinal channel defined by a plurality of displaced lugs having sidewalls that flare outward as they rise from an interior surface of said track, wherein back-to-back arcuate surface portions of a plurality of spokes that radiate from said sprocket rotate in said to direct debris away from said channel and said plurality of idler wheels as pivotal movements of said idler wheels conformally flex said track to complement terrain contours.

17. An endless track assembly for a vehicle comprising:

a) a frame including a drive sprocket;

b) a housing fitted to said frame to couple to a steering member of a vehicle such that an adjustable member coupled to said housing draws said steering member into compression with said housing;

c) first and second suspension arms mounted to pivot from said frame and each supporting an axle;

d) a plurality of idler wheels, wherein a first idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said first suspension arm and a second idler wheel is mounted to the axle of said second suspension arm, wherein a first linkage arm is coupled between said first and second suspension arms, and wherein a first resilient member is mounted to bias movement of said first linkage arm, such that a pivotal movement of either of said first and second suspension arms is resiliently opposed or assisted by said resilient member as the other of said first and second suspension arms attempts to follow;

e) a support member coupled to said frame via a second resilient member and coupled to said second suspension arm via a second linkage arm; and

f) an endless track trained around said drive sprocket and said plurality of idler wheels and responsive to pivotal movements of said idler wheels to conformally flex to complement terrain contours.

18. An endless track assembly comprising:

a) a frame including a drive sprocket and a plurality of idler wheels mounted to said frame;

b) an endless track trained around said drive sprocket and said plurality of idler wheels;

c) a linkage coupled to said drive sprocket to independent of normal sprocket rotation, non-concentrically rotate said sprocket relative to a rotational drive axis of said sprocket to thereby eccentrically manipulate said sprocket to engage said track and establish a track tension relative to said sprocket and idler wheels; and

d) a base member coupled to said frame via a resilient member and wherein first and second linkage arms pivotally couple said base member to adjacent first and second suspension arms supporting first and second idler wheels, whereby said first and second idler wheels are resiliently biased to conformally flex said track to complement changing terrain contours.

32. A track assembly as set forth in claim 18 wherein said resilient member comprises a spring.

33. A track assembly as set forth in claim 18 including an idler wheel coupled to rotate at said base member.