Vehicle track assembly
First Claim
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.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
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.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A track assembly for a vehicle, the track assembly having a longitudinal axis and comprising:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A vehicle, comprising a track assembly having a longitudinal axis, the track assembly including:
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(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. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification