Vehicle track assembly

• US 8,763,716 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2012
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Camso Inc. (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Camoplast Solideal Incorporated (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Inventors: Rosenboom, Lyn
• Primary Examiner(s): MCGOWAN, JAMIE LOUISE
• Application Number:
  US13/707,515
• Publication Number:
  US 20130126196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 572 Days
• Field of Search: 172/383, 172/384, 305/116, 305/124, 305/125, 305/129, 305/130, 305/131, 305/132, 305/133, 305/134, 305/144
• US Class Current: 172/383
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 51/04 drawn by animal or tractor
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/02 Folding frames
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 73/065 to a position essentially forward of the axis, in relation to the direction of travel
• CPC Class Codes: A01B 76/00 Parts, details or accessories of agricultural machines or implements, not provided for in groups A01B51/00 - A01B75/00
• CPC Class Codes: B60G 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/06 with tracks without ground wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/08 Endless track units; Parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/14 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/24 of continuously flexible type, e.g. rubber belts

Abstract

A vehicle wheel assembly is provided which includes a vehicle frame having a first axle, a wheel assembly having a housing with an aperture engaging the first axle and enabling the wheel assembly to pivot in a first plane about a first axis formed by the first axle. A cylindrical member is carried by the housing of the wheel assembly, the cylindrical member and housing are arranged perpendicular to the first axle. A first wheel is pivotably connected to a first portion of the cylindrical member and a second wheel is pivotably connected to a second portion of the cylindrical member. The first wheel and second wheel independently pivot in a second plane about a second axis formed by the cylindrical member. The first axis is arranged perpendicular to the second axis and the first plane is arranged perpendicular to the second plane.

Claims

1. A track assembly for a vehicle, the track assembly having a longitudinal axis and comprising:

(a) a single piece endless belt defining a ground engaging run, the ground engaging run having;

(i) first and second lateral edges and an outer ground engaging face extending between the first and second lateral edges, the outer ground engaging face defining a surface that is generally continuous over its extent;

(ii) an inner face including;

(1) a belt guide projecting inwardly from the inner face, the belt guide being located between the first and second lateral edges;

(2) a first support wheel engaging surface between the first lateral edge and the belt guide, the first support wheel engaging surface being generally continuous along the longitudinal axis;

(3) a second support wheel engaging surface extending between the second lateral edge and the belt guide, the second support wheel engaging surface being generally continuous along the longitudinal axis;

(4) the belt guide having a tip portion vertically inwardly spaced apart from the first support wheel engaging surface and from the second support wheel engaging surface;

(b) a support wheel arrangement engaging the ground engaging run, the support wheel arrangement including;

(ii) a first support wheel mounted for rotation about a first axis that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the track assembly, the first support wheel having a peripheral surface in rolling contact with the first support wheel engaging surface;

(iii) a second support wheel mounted for rotation about a second axis that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the track assembly, the second support wheel having a peripheral surface in rolling contact with the second support wheel engaging surface;

(iv) the first and second support wheels being spaced apart to define therebetween a void area for receiving the belt guide;

(c) the first support wheel and the second support wheel being mounted for pivotal movement via a pivot structure about a third axis which is generally transverse to the first axis and to the second axis.

2. A track assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the third axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the first axis.

3. A track assembly as defined in claim 2, wherein the third axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the second axis.

4. A track assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first axis and the second axis are co-linear.

5. A track assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel pivot in unison about the third axis.

6. A track assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the third axis extends generally along the longitudinal axis of the track assembly.

7. A track assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel define a first wheel set, the track assembly further comprising a second wheel set, the first wheel set and the second wheel set being mounted to a tandem arm capable of pivotal motion about a fourth axis which is generally parallel to the first axis.

8. A track assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the first wheel set and the second wheel set pivot independently about the third axis.

9. A track assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein the fourth axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the third axis.

10. A track assembly as defined in claim 1, including first and second main wheels horizontally spaced apart from one another, the belt including:

a. a portion wrapping the first main wheel;

b. a portion wrapping the second main wheel;

c. the ground engaging run is located between the portion wrapping the first main wheel and the portion wrapping the second main wheel.

11. A track assembly as defined in claim 10, wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel are located between the first main wheel and the second main wheel.

12. A track assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the ground engaging face defines a surface that is generally flat.

13. A track assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the first support wheel engaging surface is generally flat.

14. A track assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the second support wheel engaging surface is generally flat.

15. A vehicle, comprising a track assembly having a longitudinal axis, the track assembly including:

(a) a single piece endless belt defining a ground engaging run, the ground engaging run having;

(i) first and second lateral edges and an outer ground engaging face extending between the first and second lateral edges, the outer ground engaging face defining a surface that is generally continuous over its extent;

(ii) an inner face including;

(1) a belt guide projecting inwardly from the inner face, the belt guide being located between the first and second lateral edges;

(2) a first support wheel engaging surface between the first lateral edge and the belt guide, the first support wheel engaging surface being generally continuous along the longitudinal axis;

(3) a second support wheel engaging surface extending between the second lateral edge and the belt guide, the second support wheel engaging surface being generally continuous along the longitudinal axis;

(4) the belt guide having a tip portion vertically inwardly spaced apart from the first support wheel engaging surface and from the second support wheel engaging surface;

(b) a support wheel arrangement engaging the ground engaging run, the support wheel arrangement including;

(ii) a first support wheel mounted for rotation about a first axis that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the track assembly, the first support wheel having a peripheral surface in rolling contact with the first support wheel engaging surface;

(iii) a second support wheel mounted for rotation about a second axis that is generally transverse to the longitudinal axis of the track assembly, the second support wheel having a peripheral surface in rolling contact with the second support wheel engaging surface;

(iv) the first and second support wheels being spaced apart to define therebetween a void area for receiving the belt guide;

(c) the first support wheel and the second support wheel being mounted for pivotal movement via a pivot structure about a third axis which is generally transverse to the first axis and to the second axis.

16. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the third axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the first axis.

17. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the third axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the second axis.

18. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the first axis and the second axis are co-linear.

19. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel pivot in unison about the third axis.

20. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the third axis extends generally along the longitudinal axis of the track assembly.

21. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel define a first wheel set, the track assembly further comprising a second wheel set, the first wheel set and the second wheel set being mounted to a tandem arm capable of pivotal motion about a fourth axis which is generally parallel to the first axis.

22. A vehicle as defined in claim 21, wherein the first wheel set and the second wheel set pivot independently about the third axis.

23. A vehicle as defined in claim 21, wherein the fourth axis is spaced apart vertically inwardly from the third axis.

24. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, including first and second main wheels horizontally spaced apart from one another, the belt including:

a. a portion wrapping the first main wheel;

b. a portion wrapping the second main wheel;

c. the ground engaging run is located between the portion wrapping the first main wheel and the portion wrapping the second main wheel.

25. A vehicle as defined in claim 24, wherein the first support wheel and the second support wheel are located between the first main wheel and the second main wheel.

26. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the ground engaging face defines a surface that is generally flat.

27. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the first support wheel engaging surface is generally flat.

28. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the second support wheel engaging surface is generally flat.

29. A vehicle as defined in claim 15, wherein the vehicle is a cart configured for connection to a tractor.