GB2104015A - Endless flexible tracks for vehicles - Google Patents
Endless flexible tracks for vehicles Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2104015A GB2104015A GB08124115A GB8124115A GB2104015A GB 2104015 A GB2104015 A GB 2104015A GB 08124115 A GB08124115 A GB 08124115A GB 8124115 A GB8124115 A GB 8124115A GB 2104015 A GB2104015 A GB 2104015A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- band
- track
- vehicle
- track according
- transversely
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
- B62D55/08—Endless track units; Parts thereof
- B62D55/18—Tracks
- B62D55/24—Tracks of continuously flexible type, e.g. rubber belts
- B62D55/244—Moulded in one piece, with either smooth surfaces or surfaces having projections, e.g. incorporating reinforcing elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B62—LAND VEHICLES FOR TRAVELLING OTHERWISE THAN ON RAILS
- B62D—MOTOR VEHICLES; TRAILERS
- B62D55/00—Endless track vehicles
- B62D55/04—Endless track vehicles with tracks and alternative ground wheels, e.g. changeable from endless track vehicle into wheeled vehicle and vice versa
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Transportation (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Tires In General (AREA)
Abstract
An endless flexible track 1, for converting a wheeled vehicle into a tracked vehicle, comprises an endless band 4 of elastomeric material reinforced with filamentary material 5. The band 4 has an inner surface 6 which is provided with inwardly- projecting, spaced-apart ribs 8 which, in use of the track, enter between the tread lugs 11 of a lug-patterned tyre 2 of the vehicle, in order to limit relative movement between the track 1 and the tyre 2 in both the circumferential and axial directions of the wheel 3 which carries the tyre 2. Preferably, the inner surface 6 is concavely curved, transversely of the band 4, and the outer surface 17 of the band is convexly-curved, transversely of the band. <IMAGE>
Description
SPECIFICATION
Endless flexible tracks for vehicles
This invention relates to an endless flexible
track of the kind employed for converting a
wheeled vehicle into a tracked vehicle.
Many proposals have been made in the past for
providing wheeled vehicles with endless flexible
tracks which are mountable on pairs of wheels
spaced apart on the same side of the vehicle, at
least one wheel of the pair being a driven wheel.
None of these known proposals has operated in a
completely reliable and efficient manner, due to the difficulty of retaining the endless tracks on the vehicle wheels unless specially shaped wheels are employed, and to the high resistance to turning of the vehicle due to the large area of track in engagement with the ground.
The present invention aims to provide an endless flexible track of the kind referred to which does not have the problems mentioned above. In particular, the invention aims to provide such an endless flexible track which is mountable on, and derivable by, vehicle wheels on which standard pneumatic tyres with lug-pattern treads are mounted.
According to one aspect of the invention, an endless flexible track for converting a wheeled vehicle into a tracked vehicle comprises an endless band of reinforced elastomeric material having an outer surface which engages the ground in use of the vehicle, and an inner surface provided with inwardly-projecting, spaced-apart ribs which, in use of the track, enter between the tread lugs of a lug-patterned tyre on a wheel of the vehicle, in order to limit relative movement between the track and the tyre in both the circumferential and axial directions of the wheel.
The inner and/or outer surface of the band may be flat, transversely of the band. Preferably, however, the inner surface of the band is concavely-curved, transversely of the band, with a curvature which is substantially the same as the curvature of the crown of the tyres with which the track is used. The outer surface of the band may then be flat, transversely of the band, but preferably the band is of substantially constant thickness, so that the outer surface of the band has a convex curvature which approximates to that of the crown of the tyres with which the track is used. With such a convex transverse curvature of the outer surface of the band, the track behaves in much the same way as a conventional tyre during turning of the vehicle. The outer surface of the band preferably has a tread pattern, which may be a lug-tread pattern.
The elastomeric material of the band may be natural or synthetic rubber or other elastomeric material used to manufacture vehicle tyres, for example polyurethane.
The reinforcement in the elastomeric material may be textile (for example nylon) or metallic (for example steel) filamentary material, and preferably takes the form of a continuous cord of the material wound in a plurality of side-by-side turns across the width of the band.
In use of an endless track in accordance with
the invention, the projecting ribs on the inner
surface of the band engage between the lugs of
the tread patterns of the tyres on which the track
is mounted, and provided the inflation pressure of -the tyres is not allowed to fall substantially below
the recommended pressure, the track will remain
in position on the vehicle tyres under virtually any
operating conditions.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a
wheeled vehicle comprises a pair of spaced-apart
wheels on each side of the vehicle and a
respective endless track, constructed in
accordance with said one aspect of the invention,
mounted on each of said pairs of wheels, each of
said wheels having a pneumatic tyre with a lug
pattern tread.
The invention will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying
drawing, the single Figure of which is a
perspective view of part of one embodiment of an
endless flexible track in accordance with the
invention, the track being shown engaged with a
tyred vehicle wheel.
The drawing shows part of an endless flexible
track, generally designated by the numeral 1,
engaged with a lug-patterned pneumatic tyre 2
which is itself mounted on a vehicle wheel 3.
The track 1 comprises an endless band 4 of
elastomeric material reinforced with a continuous
cord 5 of textile or metallic reinforcing material,
successive turns of the cord 5 lying side-by-side
across the width of the band 4. The inner surface
6 of the band 4 is concavely-curved, transversely
of the band, with a curvature which is
substantially the same as the transverse curvature
of the crown surface 7 of the tyre 2. The inner
surface 6 of the band 4 is provided, throughout its
length, with two rows of spaced-apart ribs 8
moulded integrally with the band, the two rows
being adjacent respective edges of the band. Each
of the ribs 8 extends from an edge of the band part
way towards the centre of the band, leaving a free
space 9, between the two rows of projections,
which extends throughout the length of the inner
surface 6 of the band 4.Along that part of the tyre
2 which is engaged by the band 4, the ribs 8 enter
the spaces 10 between adjacent lugs 11 of the
tread pattern of the tyre 2, with the ends 1 2, 1 3 of
a rib between the flanks 1 4 of two adjacent lugs 11 and with the inner side 1 5 of each rib 8 located
against an end 1 6 of a lug 11. In this way, the
band 4, where it engages the tyre 2, is located
against movement in both the circumferential and
axial directions of the wheel 3.
The outer surface 1 7 of the band 4 is convexly
curved, transversely of the band, the curved
surface 17 being substantially parallel to the
curved inner surface 6, so that the band 4 has a
substantially constant thickness. The outer surface 1 7 of the band 4 is provided with a tread pattern, such as lugs 1 8.
In the embodiment of the endless flexible track
shown in the drawing, each of the ribs 8 has its ends 12, 13 inclined at an angle 0 to the adjacent edge of the band 4, the lugs 11 of the tyre 2 being inclined at the same angle with respect to a radial plane of the tyre. The invention is not, of course, limited to this arrangement. Thus, in the case of a track for use with tyres having lugs 11 disposed at right angles to a radial plane of the tyre, the ribs 8 would have their ends 12, 13 disposed at right angles to the edges of the band 4. Again, it is not necessary for the outer surface 1 7 of the band 4 to have the same tread pattern as the tyre 2 on which the track is mounted.
Claims (11)
1. An endless flexible track for converting a wheeled vehicle into a tracked vehicle, comprising an endless band of reinforced elastomeric material having an outer surface which engages the ground in use of the vehicle, and an inner surface provided with inwardly-projecting, spaced-apart ribs which, in use of the track, enter between the tread lugs of a lug-patterned tyre of the vehicle, in order to limit relative movement between the track and the tyre in both the circumferential and axial directions of the wheel.
2. A track according to claim 1, in which the inner surface of the band is flat, transversely of the band.
3. A track according to claim 1 or 2, in which the outer surface of the band is flat, transversely of the band.
4. A track according to claim 1, in which the inner surface of the band is concavely-curved, transversely of the band.
5. A track according to claim 4, in which the outer surface of the band is flat, transversely of the band.
6. A track according to claim 4, in which the outer surface of the band is convexly-curved, transversely of the band.
7. A track according to claim 6, in which the band is of substantially constant thickness.
8. A track according to any of claims 1 to 6, in which the outer surface of the band has a tread pattern.
9. A track according to any of the preceding claims, in which the elastomeric material of the band is natural rubber, synthetic rubber or polyurethane.
1 0. A track according to any of the preceding claims, in which the band is reinforced with textile or metallic filamentary material.
11. A track according to claim 10, in which the reinforcement is in the form of a continuous cord of material wound in a plurality of side-by-side turns across the width of the band.
1 2. An endless flexible track for converting a wheeled vehicle into a tracked vehicle, constructed substantially as herein described with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawing.
1 3. A wheeled vehicle comprising a pair of spaced-apart wheels on each side of the vehicle and a respective endless track, constructed in accordance with any of the preceding claims, mounted on each of said pairs of wheels, each of said wheels having a pneumatic tyre with a lugpattern tread.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08124115A GB2104015A (en) | 1981-08-06 | 1981-08-06 | Endless flexible tracks for vehicles |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08124115A GB2104015A (en) | 1981-08-06 | 1981-08-06 | Endless flexible tracks for vehicles |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB2104015A true GB2104015A (en) | 1983-03-02 |
Family
ID=10523756
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08124115A Withdrawn GB2104015A (en) | 1981-08-06 | 1981-08-06 | Endless flexible tracks for vehicles |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2104015A (en) |
Cited By (21)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1985002824A1 (en) * | 1983-12-20 | 1985-07-04 | Caterpillar Tractor Co. | Frictionally driven belted work vehicle |
| GB2164616A (en) * | 1984-09-26 | 1986-03-26 | Dunlop Ltd | Tracks for track-laying vehicles |
| EP0314273A1 (en) * | 1987-10-28 | 1989-05-03 | EDWARDS, HARPER, McNEW AND COMPANY | Endless track drive system and method of retrofitting endless track drive vehicles therewith |
| US4844560A (en) | 1987-10-28 | 1989-07-04 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Endless drive track joint assembly |
| US4861120A (en) | 1987-05-14 | 1989-08-29 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Modular endless track drive system and methods of making, installing and repairing same |
| US4884852A (en) | 1987-05-14 | 1989-12-05 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Double V-shaped endless track drive system |
| US4906054A (en) | 1987-05-14 | 1990-03-06 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Endless track drive system |
| USRE33324E (en) | 1983-07-25 | 1990-09-04 | Edwards, Harper, McNew & Co. | Endless drive system |
| WO1991004145A1 (en) * | 1989-09-18 | 1991-04-04 | Herbert Clarence Spiller | Moulding of articles in plastics |
| US5005922A (en) | 1987-05-14 | 1991-04-09 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Double V-shaped endless track drive system |
| US5020865A (en) | 1988-01-20 | 1991-06-04 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Endless drive track joint assembly |
| US5040282A (en) | 1987-05-14 | 1991-08-20 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Method of making a modular endless track drive system |
| US5135427A (en) * | 1991-01-22 | 1992-08-04 | Tyco Industries, Inc. | Caterpillar-type vehicle toy |
| US5221392A (en) * | 1989-09-21 | 1993-06-22 | Mai S.P.A. | Process for making rubber tracks and rubber track made thereby |
| US5352029A (en) * | 1989-11-13 | 1994-10-04 | Warane Pty. Ltd. | Positively driven elastomeric tracked work vehicle |
| USD380419S (en) | 1994-12-29 | 1997-07-01 | Bombardier Inc. | Snowmoble track |
| GB2311971A (en) * | 1996-04-09 | 1997-10-15 | Caterpillar Inc | Drive wheel for endless ground engaging drive belts |
| EP1279482A2 (en) * | 2001-07-19 | 2003-01-29 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | An elastic track and mold for producing the track |
| EP1380498A1 (en) | 2002-07-10 | 2004-01-14 | Tweco | Flexible endless track for vehicle |
| WO2005019016A1 (en) * | 2003-08-13 | 2005-03-03 | Clark Equipment Company | Track with offset drive lugs and drive wheel therefore |
| USRE38858E1 (en) | 1983-12-20 | 2005-11-01 | Caterpillar Inc. | Frictionally driven belted work machine |
-
1981
- 1981-08-06 GB GB08124115A patent/GB2104015A/en not_active Withdrawn
Cited By (30)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USRE33324E (en) | 1983-07-25 | 1990-09-04 | Edwards, Harper, McNew & Co. | Endless drive system |
| AU578024B2 (en) * | 1983-12-20 | 1988-10-13 | Caterpillar Inc. | Frictionally driven belted work vehicle |
| EP0305647A1 (en) * | 1983-12-20 | 1989-03-08 | Caterpillar Inc. | Frictional driven belted work vehicle |
| USRE38858E1 (en) | 1983-12-20 | 2005-11-01 | Caterpillar Inc. | Frictionally driven belted work machine |
| USRE37174E1 (en) | 1983-12-20 | 2001-05-15 | Caterpillar Inc. | Frictionally driven belted work vehicle |
| WO1985002824A1 (en) * | 1983-12-20 | 1985-07-04 | Caterpillar Tractor Co. | Frictionally driven belted work vehicle |
| GB2164616A (en) * | 1984-09-26 | 1986-03-26 | Dunlop Ltd | Tracks for track-laying vehicles |
| US4687261A (en) * | 1984-09-26 | 1987-08-18 | Dunlop Limited | Tracks for track-laying vehicles |
| US5040282A (en) | 1987-05-14 | 1991-08-20 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Method of making a modular endless track drive system |
| US4884852A (en) | 1987-05-14 | 1989-12-05 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Double V-shaped endless track drive system |
| US5005922A (en) | 1987-05-14 | 1991-04-09 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Double V-shaped endless track drive system |
| US4861120A (en) | 1987-05-14 | 1989-08-29 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Modular endless track drive system and methods of making, installing and repairing same |
| US4906054A (en) | 1987-05-14 | 1990-03-06 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Endless track drive system |
| US4844560A (en) | 1987-10-28 | 1989-07-04 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Endless drive track joint assembly |
| EP0314273A1 (en) * | 1987-10-28 | 1989-05-03 | EDWARDS, HARPER, McNEW AND COMPANY | Endless track drive system and method of retrofitting endless track drive vehicles therewith |
| US5020865A (en) | 1988-01-20 | 1991-06-04 | Edwards, Harper, Mcnew & Company | Endless drive track joint assembly |
| WO1991004145A1 (en) * | 1989-09-18 | 1991-04-04 | Herbert Clarence Spiller | Moulding of articles in plastics |
| US5221392A (en) * | 1989-09-21 | 1993-06-22 | Mai S.P.A. | Process for making rubber tracks and rubber track made thereby |
| US5352029A (en) * | 1989-11-13 | 1994-10-04 | Warane Pty. Ltd. | Positively driven elastomeric tracked work vehicle |
| US5135427A (en) * | 1991-01-22 | 1992-08-04 | Tyco Industries, Inc. | Caterpillar-type vehicle toy |
| USD380419S (en) | 1994-12-29 | 1997-07-01 | Bombardier Inc. | Snowmoble track |
| GB2311971A (en) * | 1996-04-09 | 1997-10-15 | Caterpillar Inc | Drive wheel for endless ground engaging drive belts |
| GB2311971B (en) * | 1996-04-09 | 2000-01-12 | Caterpillar Inc | Metal drive wheel for endless ground engaging drive belts |
| US5758932A (en) * | 1996-04-09 | 1998-06-02 | Caterpillar Inc. | Mental drive wheel for endless ground engaging drive belts |
| EP1279482A2 (en) * | 2001-07-19 | 2003-01-29 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | An elastic track and mold for producing the track |
| EP1279482A3 (en) * | 2001-07-19 | 2003-09-10 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | An elastic track and mold for producing the track |
| US6716012B2 (en) | 2001-07-19 | 2004-04-06 | The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company | Mold for a rubber track |
| EP1380498A1 (en) | 2002-07-10 | 2004-01-14 | Tweco | Flexible endless track for vehicle |
| US7258405B2 (en) | 2002-07-10 | 2007-08-21 | Tweco | Tire track |
| WO2005019016A1 (en) * | 2003-08-13 | 2005-03-03 | Clark Equipment Company | Track with offset drive lugs and drive wheel therefore |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| WAP | Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1) |