Variable configuration articulated tracked vehicle
First Claim
1. A variable configuration articulated tracked vehicle comprising:
- a chassis;
a pair of right drive pulleys and a pair of left drive pulleys rotatably attached to a right and left side of the chassis, respectively, each pair of right drive pulleys and left drive pulleys defining a right plane and left plane, respectively;
a right and a left planetary wheel moveable relative to the chassis such that each of the right and left planetary wheels is in the same plane as the respective right and left planes of the pairs of right and left drive pulleys;
a right and a left track belt, each belt extending around the pair of drive pulleys and the planetary wheel on the respective side of the chassis;
a right and a left planetary wheel arm assembly operably connecting the respective planetary wheels to the respective sides of the chassis, each planetary wheel arm assembly including a cam attached to the chassis and defining a cam path, a cam follower movable along the cam path and having an end attached to the planetary wheel, and a crank rotatably attached to the chassis, the crank being attached to the cam follower such that the cam follower is moveable relative to the crank, whereby the planetary wheel moves along an elliptical path;
a drive means for the right and left track belt; and
a means for rotating the crank.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A variable configuration articulated tracked vehicle comprises a chassis, a pair of right and left drive pulleys, a right and left planetary wheel, a right and left track, a right and left arm mechanism, and a right and left drive motor. The drive pulleys are rotatably attached to the chassis and each pair of drive pulleys is in the same plane. The planetary wheels are movable relative to the chassis such that each planetary wheel is in the same plane as its respective drive pulleys. The tracks extend around the pair of drive pulleys and the planetary wheel on the respective sides. The arm mechanisms connect the respective planetary wheel to the chassis. Each arm mechanism is rotatably attached to the chassis with a cam. The cam defines a motion path of one end of the arm whereby the motion of the planetary wheel provides a path for the planetary wheel such that the track path defined by the respective drive pulleys and the planetary wheel is a constant track length. The motors are each operably connected to the respective pair of drive pulleys for driving the track.
18 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A variable configuration articulated tracked vehicle comprising:
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a chassis; a pair of right drive pulleys and a pair of left drive pulleys rotatably attached to a right and left side of the chassis, respectively, each pair of right drive pulleys and left drive pulleys defining a right plane and left plane, respectively; a right and a left planetary wheel moveable relative to the chassis such that each of the right and left planetary wheels is in the same plane as the respective right and left planes of the pairs of right and left drive pulleys; a right and a left track belt, each belt extending around the pair of drive pulleys and the planetary wheel on the respective side of the chassis; a right and a left planetary wheel arm assembly operably connecting the respective planetary wheels to the respective sides of the chassis, each planetary wheel arm assembly including a cam attached to the chassis and defining a cam path, a cam follower movable along the cam path and having an end attached to the planetary wheel, and a crank rotatably attached to the chassis, the crank being attached to the cam follower such that the cam follower is moveable relative to the crank, whereby the planetary wheel moves along an elliptical path; a drive means for the right and left track belt; and a means for rotating the crank. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification