Apparatus for converting a wheeled vehicle to a tracked vehicle

• US 8,827,013 B2
• Filed: 11/01/2012
• Issued: 09/09/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Original Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
• Inventors: Hansen, Ronald S.
• Primary Examiner(s): BOEHLER, ANNE MARIE M
• Application Number:
  US13/666,851
• Publication Number:
  US 20130113274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 180/9.1, 180/9.21, 180/9.26, 180/9.28, 180/9.5, 180/9.52, 180/9.54, 180/9.62, 305/124, 305/126
• US Class Current: 180/9.21
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 11/20 Endless-track steering having pivoted bogie carrying track B62D11/02 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 49/0635 using additional ground engaging means, e.g. endless tracks vehicles with endless tracks and either additional or alternative ground wheels B62D55/02, B62D55/04
• 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 55/065 Multi-track vehicles, i.e. more than two tracks soil-shifting machines E02F; mining machines E21C
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/084 Endless-track units or carriages mounted separably, adjustably or extensibly on vehicles, e.g. portable track units B62D55/07 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/10 Bogies; Frames track-tensioning means B62D55/30
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/104 Suspension devices for wheels, rollers, bogies or frames vehicle suspension in general B60G
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/125 Final drives
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/14 Arrangement, location, or adaptation of rollers
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/30 Track-tensioning means
• CPC Class Codes: B62D 55/305 acting on pivotably mounted idlers

Abstract

The invention relates to track systems 14, 14′ that may be used to convert steerable, all-wheel drive construction equipment to steerable, multi-track construction vehicles 10. A preferred embodiment of the track system 14, 14′ includes a frame 60, 182 having a reinforcing enclosure 150, 230, a plurality of track engaging rollers 82-86, 202-206, a sprocket 102, 214, and an endless track 76, 198 operatively connected to the frame 60, 182. Tension on the endless track 76, 198 is maintained with two tensioning members 170, 244 operatively connected to the forwardmost roller 82, 202. The track system 14, 14′ preferably includes a limiting apparatus 300 that is configured to restrict the rotational movement “r” of the frame 60, 182 relative to a vehicle axle 16 to which it is attached. The limiting apparatus 300 has a first component 40, which is associated with the vehicle axle 16, is configured and arranged to interact with a second component 262, which is associated with the frame of the track system 14, 14′. Preferably, the limiting apparatus 300 is adjustable such that the range of rotational movement “r” can be varied.

Claims

1. A track system comprising:

a frame having a first end and a second end, the frame having first and second frame assemblies that extend between the first and second ends of the frame;

a drive sprocket mounted between the first and second frame assemblies, the drive sprocket being rotatable relative to the frame about an axis of rotation, the first frame assembly being inboard of the drive sprocket and the second frame assembly being outboard of the drive sprocket, the second frame assembly including two spaced-apart plates;

a first end roller mounted at the first end of the frame;

a second end roller mounted at the second end of the frame;

a track routed in a generally triangular path about the drive sprocket and the first and second end rollers, the track being driven by the drive sprocket about the generally triangular path when the drive sprocket is rotated about the axis of rotation;

first and second cylinders for moving the first end roller relative to the frame to tighten the track, the first cylinder being mounted to the first frame assembly and the second cylinder being mounted to the second frame assembly, at least a onion of the second cylinder positioned between the spaced-apart plates;

the generally triangular path of the track having an apex, and the drive sprocket engaging the track adjacent the apex to drive the track about the generally triangular path;

the track defining a bottom side of the generally triangular path that extends between the first and second end rollers, the generally triangular path defining a height that extends from the bottom side of the generally triangular path to the apex of the generally triangular path, the drive sprocket having a diameter that extends a majority of the height defined by the generally triangular path;

a track hub connected to the frame, the track hub being configured to allow the drive sprocket to rotate relative to the frame, the track hub including a sprocket mounting flange; and

the drive sprocket having a split configuration including at least first and second separate sprocket sections that are fastened to the sprocket mounting flange of the track hub.

2. The track system of claim 1, wherein the first and second sprocket sections are hemispherical.

3. The track system of claim 2, wherein each of the first and second sprocket sections includes outwardly extending teeth, and wherein the first and second sprocket sections define fastener openings for receiving fasteners used to fasten the first and second sprocket sections to the sprocket mounting flange.

4. The track system of claim 1, wherein the first and second cylinders are grease cylinders.

5. The track system of claim 1, further comprising a top wall that interconnects the plates of the second frame assembly.

6. The track system of claim 1, wherein the first and second cylinders move the first roller along a linear path relative to the frame to tighten the track.

7. The track system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first roller is positioned between the first and second frame assemblies, and wherein the first roller is mounted on a shaft supported by the first and second frame assemblies.

8. The track system of claim 7, wherein the first and second cylinders are both operatively connected to the shaft on which the first end roller is mounted.

9. The track system of claim 8, wherein the shaft is supported in slots defined by the first and second frame assemblies.

10. The track system of claim 9, wherein the slots are linear and are elongated in a direction that extends along a length of the frame that extends between the first and second ends of the frame.

11. The track system of claim 9, wherein the slots have open ends that face away from the first and second cylinders.

12. The track system of claim 1, wherein the diameter of the sprocket is almost equal to the height of the triangular path.

13. The track system of claim 11, wherein the diameter of the sprocket extends a majority of the length of the frame.

14. The track system of claim 1, wherein the track is an elastomeric track.

15. The track system of claim 1, wherein the track is a rubber track.

16. The track system of claim 1, wherein the track system includes first, second, third and fourth intermediate rollers for supporting the track along the bottom side of the generally triangular path, wherein the first, second, third and fourth intermediate rollers are positioned between the first and second frame assemblies, wherein the first, second, third and fourth intermediate rollers are respectively mounted on first, second, third and fourth cantilevered shafts, wherein the first and third cantilevered shafts are supported by the first frame assembly, wherein the second and fourth cantilevered shafts are supported by the second frame assembly, and wherein the drive sprocket passes between the first and second intermediate rollers and between the third and fourth intermediate rollers as the sprocket is rotated about the axis of rotation.

17. The track system of claim 16, wherein the first and second cantilevered shafts are co-axially aligned and the third and fourth cantilevered shafts are coaxially aligned.

18. The track system of claim 17, wherein the first and second end rollers are positioned between the first and second frame assemblies and are mounted on end roller shafts each supported by the first and second frame assemblies.

19. The track system of claim 18, wherein the first and second end rollers each include first and second flanges, and wherein the drive sprocket passes between the first and second flanges of the first and second end rollers as the drive sprocket is rotated about the axis of rotation.

20. The track system of claim 19, wherein the first and second frame assemblies are interconnected at a first interconnection location positioned above the first end roller, wherein the first and second frame assemblies are interconnected at a second interconnection location positioned above the second end roller, wherein the first and second frame assemblies are interconnected at a third interconnection location positioned between the first end roller and the first and second intermediate rollers, and wherein the first and second frame assemblies are interconnected at a fourth interconnection location positioned between the second end roller and the third and fourth intermediate rollers.

21. The track system of claim 20, wherein the first and second interconnection locations include struts that extend between the first and second frame assemblies.

22. The track system of claim 1, wherein the track hub includes a shaft that rotates with the sprocket mounting flange, the shaft being supported by a bearing for allowing rotation of the shaft, the bearing being mounted within a housing connected to the second frame assembly.

23. A track system comprising:

a frame having a first end and a second end, the frame having first and second frame components that extend between the first and second ends of the frame;

a drive sprocket mounted between the first and second frame components, the drive sprocket being rotatable relative to the frame about an axis of rotation, the first frame component being inboard of the drive sprocket and the second frame component being outboard of the drive sprocket, the second frame component including two spaced-apart plates;

a first end roller mounted at the first end of the frame between the first and second frame components;

a second end roller mounted at the second end of the frame between the first and second frame components;

a track routed in a generally triangular path about the drive sprocket and the first and second end rollers, the track being driven by the drive sprocket about the generally triangular path when the drive sprocket is rotated about the axis of rotation;

first and second cylinders for moving the first end roller relative to the frame to tighten the track, the first cylinder being mounted to the first frame component and the second cylinder being mounted to the second frame component, at least a portion of the e second cylinder positioned between the spaced-apart plates;

the generally triangular path of the track having an apex, and the drive sprocket engaging the track adjacent the apex to drive the track about the generally triangular path;

the track defining a bottom side of the generally triangular path that extends between the first and second end rollers, the generally triangular path defining a height that extends from the bottom side of the generally triangular path to the apex of the generally triangular path, the drive sprocket having a diameter that extends a majority of the height defined by the generally triangular path; and

the drive sprocket having a split configuration including at least first and second separate sprocket sections.

24. The track system of claim 23, wherein the second frame component includes two spaced-apart plates, and wherein at least a portion of the second cylinder is positioned between the spaced-apart plates.

25. The track system of claim 23, wherein each of the first and second sprocket sections includes outwardly extending teeth, and wherein the first and second sprocket sections define fastener openings.

26. A track system comprising:

a frame having a first end and a second end, the frame having first and second frame assemblies that extend between the first and second ends of the frame;

a drive sprocket mounted between the first and second frame assemblies, the drive sprocket being rotatable relative to the frame about an axis of rotation, the first frame assembly being inboard of the drive sprocket and the second frame assembly being outboard of the drive sprocket;

a first end roller mounted at the first end of the frame;

a second end roller mounted at the second end of the frame;

a track routed in a generally triangular path about the drive sprocket and the first and second end rollers, the track being driven by the drive sprocket about the generally triangular path when the drive sprocket is rotated about the axis of rotation;

first and second cylinders for moving the first end roller relative to the frame to tighten the track, the first cylinder being mounted to the first frame assembly and the second cylinder being mounted to the second frame assembly;

the generally triangular path of the track having an apex, and the drive sprocket engaging the track adjacent the apex to drive the track about the generally triangular path;

the track defining a bottom side of the generally triangular path that extends between the first and second end rollers, the generally triangular path defining a height that extends from the bottom side of the generally triangular path to the apex of the generally triangular path, the drive sprocket having a diameter that extends a majority of the height defined by the generally triangular path;

a track hub connected to the frame, the track hub being configured to allow the drive sprocket to rotate relative to the frame, the track hub including a sprocket mounting flange;

the drive sprocket having a split configuration including at least first and second separate sprocket sections that are fastened to the sprocket mounting flange of the track hub; and

first, second, third and fourth intermediate rollers for supporting the track along the bottom side of the generally triangular path, wherein the first, second, third and fourth intermediate rollers are positioned between the first and second frame assemblies, wherein the first, second, third and fourth intermediate rollers are respectively mounted on first, second, third and fourth cantilevered shafts, wherein the first and third cantilevered shafts are supported by the first frame assembly, wherein the second and fourth cantilevered shafts are supported by the second frame assembly, and wherein the drive sprocket passes between the first and second intermediate rollers and between the third and fourth intermediate rollers as the sprocket is rotated about the axis of rotation.

27. A track system comprising:

a frame having a first end and a second end, the frame having first and second frame assemblies that extend between the first and second ends of the frame;

a drive sprocket mounted between the first and second frame assemblies, the drive sprocket being rotatable relative to the frame about an axis of rotation, the first frame assembly being inboard of the drive sprocket and the second frame assembly being outboard of the drive sprocket, the drive sprocket having a diameter that extends a majority of the length of the frame;

a first end roller mounted at the first end of the frame, wherein at least a portion of the first roller is positioned between the first and second frame assemblies, the first roller is mounted on a shaft supported in slots defined by the first and second frame assemblies, and the slots have open ends that face away from the first and second cylinders;

a second end roller mounted at the second end of the frame;

a track routed in a generally triangular path about the drive sprocket and the first and second end rollers, the track being driven by the drive sprocket about the generally triangular path when the drive sprocket is rotated about the axis of rotation;

first and second cylinders for moving the first end roller relative to the frame to tighten the track, the first cylinder being mounted to the first frame assembly and the second cylinder being mounted to the second frame assembly, wherein the first and second cylinders are both operatively connected to the shaft on which the first end roller is mounted;

the generally triangular path of the track having an apex, and the drive sprocket engaging the track adjacent the apex to drive the track about the generally triangular path;

the track defining a bottom side of the generally triangular path that extends between the first and second end rollers, the generally triangular path defining a height that extends from the bottom side of the generally triangular path to the apex of the generally triangular path, the drive sprocket having a diameter that extends a majority of the height defined by the generally triangular path;

a track hub connected to the frame, the track hub being configured to allow the drive sprocket to rotate relative to the frame, the track hub including a sprocket mounting flange; and

the drive sprocket having a split configuration including at least first and second separate sprocket sections that are fastened to the sprocket mounting flange of the track hub.