Track-module apparatus and open lightweight drive wheel therefor
First Claim
1. In vehicle track-module apparatus including an upper drive wheel connectable with respect to a vehicle axle for rotation therewith, a plurality of idler and bogey wheels, and an endless flexible rubber track with a main inner surface and spaced lugs projecting therefrom, the track extending around the wheels and driven by its engagement with the drive wheel, the improvement wherein the drive wheel comprises:
- a circular middle main plate having a central portion adapted for connection with respect to the vehicle axle, the plate terminating circumferentially in an edge of first diameter and having inward and outward sides forming inward and outward surfaces of the drive wheel;
circumferentially-spaced drive members extending axially across and projecting radially beyond the main-plate edge to a second diameter, each drive member having an axially inward end portion, an axially outward end portion, a middle portion therebetween having a middle position, and an outer track-engaging surface, each drive member being affixed with respect to the main-plate edge with the main plate and the middle position substantially aligned; and
a substantially flat rigidity ring concentric with the middle main plate and affixed to the drive members at the inward end portions thereof, the ring having an inner diameter no less than about half the first diameter and an outer diameter no greater than about the second diameter.
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Abstract
A vehicle track-module including an upper drive wheel, a plurality of idler and bogey wheels, and an endless rubber track with spaced lugs which extends around the wheels and is driven by the drive wheel, which has: a middle main plate with a outer edge of first diameter and inward and outward sides forming the exposed inward and outward surfaces of the drive wheel; drive members axially across and projecting radially beyond the main-plate edge to a second diameter, each drive member having axially inward and outward end portions, a middle portion affixed at its middle position to the main-plate edge, and an outer track-engaging surface; and a rigidity ring affixed to the inward end portions of the drive members and having an inner diameter no less than half the first diameter and an outer diameter no greater than the second diameter. In some embodiments, the axial dimension of the track-engaging surfaces of the drive members is at least 50% greater than the axial dimension of the track lugs. In some, the track module has preferably annular wheel-weights around the central portion of the drive wheel.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. In vehicle track-module apparatus including an upper drive wheel connectable with respect to a vehicle axle for rotation therewith, a plurality of idler and bogey wheels, and an endless flexible rubber track with a main inner surface and spaced lugs projecting therefrom, the track extending around the wheels and driven by its engagement with the drive wheel, the improvement wherein the drive wheel comprises:
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a circular middle main plate having a central portion adapted for connection with respect to the vehicle axle, the plate terminating circumferentially in an edge of first diameter and having inward and outward sides forming inward and outward surfaces of the drive wheel; circumferentially-spaced drive members extending axially across and projecting radially beyond the main-plate edge to a second diameter, each drive member having an axially inward end portion, an axially outward end portion, a middle portion therebetween having a middle position, and an outer track-engaging surface, each drive member being affixed with respect to the main-plate edge with the main plate and the middle position substantially aligned; and a substantially flat rigidity ring concentric with the middle main plate and affixed to the drive members at the inward end portions thereof, the ring having an inner diameter no less than about half the first diameter and an outer diameter no greater than about the second diameter. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification