Patent Application
20090321151
The present invention generally relates to track systems and traction assemblies used as wheel replacement for typically wheeled vehicles. More particularly, the present invention relates to track systems and traction assemblies for use on heavy vehicles such as, but not limited to, farming and agricultural vehicles (e.g. tractors, harvesters, etc.) and construction and industrial vehicles (e.g. excavators, combines, forestry equipments).
Soil compaction and flotation have always been important issues for farmers operating tractors and other farming vehicles in their fields. Having a tractor equipped with track systems assures lower ground pressure, better traction and better use of the available power. This is particularly important in row-crop production where the width of the track is required to be as thin as possible to maximize the production. Rolling with thin tires affects the ground pressure which validates the need for tracks.
However, the row-crop industry is not managed by standards. Each farmer typically chooses his row width which may vary even within some of his fields. To help these farmers with a track-based solution, custom track systems are typically required for each width required by the farmers. Custom track systems are however inherently costly.
Solutions have been proposed to provide width adjustability to track systems. However, these track systems are typically complex, difficult to repair and hard to steer and operate.
Hence, despite ongoing development in the field of track systems, there is still a need for a novel track system which mitigates the drawbacks of prior track systems while still providing the ability to select the width thereof.
The present invention therefore provides a solution to the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a novel track system which can be adjustably and selectively spaced from the vehicle frame to which it is mounted.
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the track system generally comprises a sprocket wheel configured to be mounted to one of the wheel axles of the vehicle, a support frame movably coupled to the frame of the vehicle via a support member preferably mounted near the wheel axle, and generally independently of the sprocket wheel, and a longitudinally extending endless traction band mounted thereabout. The support frame typically pivotally supports wheels such as idlers wheels mounted at the fore and at the aft, and road wheels mounted along the length thereof.
In accordance with the present invention, the track system is further provided with at least one and preferably a plurality of spacing elements, typically embodied as spacer rings or segments, each having a predetermined thickness. The spacing elements are mounted in cooperation with the sprocket wheel and can be selectively mounted on the inner side or on the outer side thereof. The spacing elements mounted on the inner side of the sprocket wheel become effectively lodged between the sprocket wheel and the wheel axle and space the sprocket wheel, and thus the track system, from the vehicle frame. By selecting a particular combination of spacing elements to be mounted between the sprocket wheel and the wheel axle, the space between the sprocket wheel and the vehicle frame, and thus the effective width of the track system can be changed.
Similarly, the support frame is pivotally mounted to the support member via a laterally extending rod to which are also mounted corresponding spacing elements, preferably embodied as spacer rings or segments. Though generally smaller in diameter than the spacing elements of the sprocket wheels, the spacing elements of the support frame are preferably provided in same number with same thickness to provide corresponding spacing.
As for the spacing elements of the sprocket wheel, the spacing elements of the support frame can be selectively mounted on the inner side or on the outer side of the support frame.
Preferably, symmetric track systems are respectively mounted on each side of the vehicle. Thus, by selectively adjusting the space between each sprocket wheel and the vehicle frame, and between the support frame and support member, the overall width of the vehicle can be selectively adjusted using simple spacing elements.
In accordance with the present invention, the spacing elements can be provided in different numbers and/or in different thicknesses depending on the size and configuration of the track systems and depending on the required precision of the spacing. Still, by selectively combining the spacing elements of the sprocket wheel and of the support frame, many spacing configurations can be achieved. Hence, the track system of the present invention can achieve different over width configurations without the need for custom pieces.
Though the present invention is particularly useful for track systems used on farming and generally agricultural vehicles, the present invention could also be used in the grooming industry for adaptation to the track sizes, or in the construction industry as an adjustment for added stability or increased manoeuvrability in small areas.
Understandably, other advantages and novel features of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described by reference to the following detailed description and considered in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols designated like elements throughout the figures.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
A novel track system will be described hereinafter. Although the invention is described in terms of specific illustrative embodiments, it is to be understood that the embodiments described herein are by way of example only and that the scope of the invention is not intended to be limited thereby.
The present invention will be illustrated using an exemplary track system generally illustrated in
Referring now to
The track system 10 typically comprises a sprocket wheel 100 adapted to be mounted to the wheel axle 30 (or wheel hub) of a vehicle (not shown). The track system 10 also comprises a support structure 200 mounted to the frame 20 of the vehicle. The support structure 200 is generally provided with wheels 300 such as idler wheels 310 pivotally mounted at the fore or front portion thereof and at the aft or rear portion thereof, and road wheels 350 pivotally mounted along the length thereof. Disposed around the sprocket wheel 100, the support structure 200, and wheels 300 is a longitudinally extending endless traction band 400 preferably made of reinforced elastomeric material.
Referring now to
As shown in
As depicted in
Mounted to the outer periphery of the central disk 115 is the support ring 113. The support ring 113 is typically secured to the central disk 115 with fasteners such as nuts and bolts assemblies.
For their parts, the peripheral portions 111 are mounted at the outer periphery of the support ring 113 using fasteners such as nuts and bolts assemblies. As best illustrated in
As this point, the skilled addressee will understand that the sprocket wheel 100 illustrated in the figures is a preferred embodiment. In fact, even though the central disk 115 and the support ring 113 have been shown as unitary components, and the peripheral portions 111 as split components, different sprocket wheel configurations could allow for a unitary peripheral portion 111 and/or for a split central disk 115 and/or a split support ring 113. Moreover, the peripheral sprocket portion(s) 111 and the support ring 113 could also be unitary. The present invention is understandably not so limited.
Referring now to
In
The added thickness caused by the spacing elements 130 located between the support ring 113 and the central disk 115 effectively pushes the track system 10 further away from the vehicle frame 20, effectively changing the overall width of the track system 10.
Notably, though in
In addition, even though the spacing elements 130 shown in
Referring back to
Support structure 200 typically comprises a support frame 210 pivotally mounted to a support member 250, the support member 250 being fixedly mounted to the frame 20 of the vehicle via conventional brackets and fasteners.
As best depicted in
For its part, and as shown in
As best illustrated in
Referring now to
Referring back to
Spacing elements 230 are preferably embodied as spacer rings. Spacing elements 230 are preferably slidingly mounted to the rod 251 and are lodged, on the inner side, between the support frame 210 and a shoulder 259 formed in rod 251, and on the outer side, between the support frame 210 and a side plate 213 fixed to rod 251 by a bolt.
The skilled addressee will understand that the spacing defined by the combination of spacing elements 130 mounted between the support ring 113 and the central disk 115 should be equal to the spacing defined by the combination of spacing elements 230 mounted between the support frame 210 and the support member 250 in order to keep the traction band 400 aligned.
It is to be noted that the spacing elements 130 and 230 may be provided in a plurality of thickness. It is thus possible to use one set of spacing elements 130 and 230 having the desired dimensions or to use a combination of spacing elements 130 and 230 giving the same desired dimensions. For example, to space the track system 10 about four inches on one side of the vehicle, a user could use a spacing element 130 four inches thick and two spacing elements 230 two inches thick, or even four pairs of spacing elements 130 and 230 one inch thick. Other combinations are understandably possible.
Typically, but not necessarily, track systems 10 mounted on each side of a vehicle will be spaced symmetrically. Still, a track system 10 mounted on one side could be spaced differently then the opposite track system 10 mounted on the other side if necessary or practical. The present invention allows such possibilities.
While illustrative and presently preferred embodiments of the invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it is to be understood that the inventive concepts may be otherwise variously embodied and employed and that the appended claims are intended to be construed to include such variations except insofar as limited by the prior art.
The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/076,531, entitled “Adjustable Width Track System” and filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Jun. 27, 2009, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61076531 | Jun 2008 | US |
