Patent Application
20150035354
The present invention pertains to a drive track and, more particularly, to a track for snowmobiles or other tracked vehicles, having an improved construction to decrease horse power, increase top speed and improve durability of the track when the latter is driven at high rotational speeds.
Endless drive tracks for propelling, for example, a snowmobile over snow, ice or other similar ground structure, are known in the art. The mounting of this track to a snowmobile and the mounting of such track on an all-terrain vehicle are well known. The track has a ground engaging outer side and an inner side that receives and supports, on the lower run thereof, a suspension which may consist of a wheel assembly or a slide rail assembly, both of which are also well known in the art.
Conventionally, the track rotates by means of a motor driven sprocket unit at the forward end of the vehicle and idle drive wheels are mounted at the aft end of the vehicle to support the rear end of the track. Sprockets engage a series of lugs integrally formed with the inner surface of the track.
With reference to
In spite of efforts in this field, there is still a need for a lighter, cost effective track.
More specifically, there is provided a track for a tracked vehicle, comprising a molded rubber base sandwiching a cord layer and a single layer of ply fabric extending at least in parts longitudinally in the rubber base.
Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-restrictive description of embodiments thereof, given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In the appended drawings:
As shown in
As seen in the cross-section of
The cross bar 34 may consists of a rod as known in the art, made of composite material for example. It is located at spaced intervals along the longitudinal direction of the track beneath the profiles 14 projecting from the outer side 12 of the track.
The cord layer 32 comprises a dense strand arrangement formed of a twist arrangement of strands, comprising for example at least 18 strands per inch for a cord of 1.25 mm. The strands include high strength, light weight materials such as man made fibers, such as Kevlar™, nylon, and polyester fabric for example
In
The cord layer 32 may be discontinued at locations of the track where the idler wheels pass.
The top ply of fabric 36 includes woven man-made fibers such as nylon for example.
In
In
In
As shown in
People in the art will appreciate that the present invention provides, in contrast to a track standardly made in the art and including an arrangement of rubber, a first ply fabric, cord, rod, second ply fabric and rubber, a track comprising a single layer of ply fabric, yielding a track of reduced thickness, weight and cost, while maintaining target performances thereof in terms of power and longevity. In particular, the present composition is shown to decrease horse power, increase top speed and improve durability of the track when the latter is driven at high rotational speeds. It has also been found to optimize the so-called neutral fiber 50 bringing it closer to the outer side of the track.
The present track may be used for a range of tracked vehicles.
Although the present invention has been described hereinabove by way of embodiments thereof, it may be modified, without departing from the nature and teachings of the subject invention as defined in the appended claims.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2509059 | Jun 2005 | CA | national |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/307,816 filed on Nov. 30, 2011, which is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/797,267 filed on May 2, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,083,296, which is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/434,057 filed on May 16, 2006, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,823,987, which itself claims priority on Canadian application no. 2,509,059, filed on Jun. 2, 2005. All documents above are herein incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13307816 | Nov 2011 | US |
| Child | 14456643 | US | |
| Parent | 11797267 | May 2007 | US |
| Child | 13307816 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 11434057 | May 2006 | US |
| Child | 11797267 | US |
