Abstract: The field-repair assembly is used for temporarily repairing a ruptured or otherwise damaged elastomeric track mounted on a vehicle and generally allows the vehicle to proceed, preferably on its own, to a maintenance site located nearby where replacement or permanent repair of the track can be undertaken. The assembly comprises a plurality of spaced-apart and generally parallel support members, each of which being generally transversely disposed on the ground engaging outer surface of the track. The transverse members are secured to each side of the track via retention brackets. The transverse members are further linked together via flexible cables which are fixedly mounted to retention brackets. The assembly further comprises a bridging element generally mounted to a subset of the transverse members. The bridging element is generally located over the damaged area of the track and on the outer surface thereof for providing continuity and support to the damaged track.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to track systems and traction assemblies for use as wheel replacement for normally wheeled vehicles. The track system uses a traction band disposed about a sprocket wheel, idler wheels and road wheels for propulsion. The idler wheels and road wheels are typically pivotally mounted to a support frame, itself configured to be coupled to the sprocket wheel via a support member. The track system also comprises a movement limiting link mounted both to the support member and to the vehicle frame. The movement limiting link limits longitudinal and lateral movements of the track system, such as to prevent contact between the track system and the vehicle.

Abstract: A drive system has a drive-system frame operatively connectable to a vehicle. The drive-system frame is capable of pivotal movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the vehicle to steer the vehicle. The drive-system frame is incapable of pivotal movement with respect to the frame of the vehicle in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and normal to the ground when the vehicle is on flat level terrain and steered straight. A rail is pivotally mounted to the drive-system frame. A ground-engaging endless belt is in sliding engagement with the rail. The belt is operatively connectable to an engine to propel the vehicle. The drive system is operatively connectable to the steering device of the vehicle. A steering angle stopper is disposed on the vehicle such that a steering linkage of the vehicle does not bear a force created when the stopper is engaged. A vehicle is also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. More particularly, the traction assembly comprises a sprocket wheel which has a different size and number of sprocket teeth depending on whether the traction kit replaces the front wheels or the rear wheels of the vehicle. The sprocket wheel of the traction kit can also be configured such that its sprocket teeth are laterally offset. The traction kit can also comprise an anti-torque system that prevent physical contact between the traction kit and the vehicle and that can bias the position of the traction kit in order to improve the steering performance. Finally, the traction assembly can comprise a pivotable extension which lengthens the traction assembly and improves its traction capabilities.

Abstract: An elastomeric endless track for use on tracked vehicles or with wheel replacing traction assemblies is provided. The track generally comprises a ground-engaging outer surface provided with traction lugs generally disposed longitudinally according to a traction lug pitch, and a wheel-engaging inner surface provided with drive lugs disposed longitudinally according to a drive lug pitch and guide lugs disposed longitudinally according to a guide lug pitch. Such a track comprises the feature of having the guide lug pitch and/or the length of the guide lugs chosen so as to reduce the distance between consecutive guide lugs in order to reduce and/or prevent occurrences of detracking.

Abstract: A traction chain assembly for providing improved traction to elastomeric tracks is provided. The traction chain assembly comprises two side brackets adapted to be mounted on each side of the track and generally to the drive lugs thereof. The traction chain assembly further comprises generally two laterally extending chains which are attached to the side brackets and which further extend at least partially over the traction lugs located on the outer surface of the track and over which the assembly is disposed. Some of the chain links of the chains of the traction chain assembly are also generally equipped with outwardly projecting grousers for increasing the traction thereof.

Abstract: The present invention generally provides a wheel replacing traction assembly which uses, for propulsion, a longitudinally extending endless track disposed around and cooperating with a sprocket wheel, idler and/or road wheels and a supporting frame. The endless track generally comprises an inner wheel-engaging surface and an outer ground-engaging surface, the latter being provided with traction lugs. The outer surface further comprises at least one laterally extending portion which also extends along the circumference of the track; the traction lugs located on this laterally extending portion being generally higher than the traction lugs located on the remainder of the outer surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endless elastomeric traction band that is used to propel tracked vehicles. The traction band generally comprises a main body defining an outer ground-engaging surface and an inner wheel-engaging surface. The outer surface is generally provided with ground-engaging traction lugs. The inner surface of the traction band is preferably provided with one or more row of longitudinally aligned guide lugs and one or more rows of longitudinally aligned drive lugs. Additionally, guide lug reinforcements are inserted into said guide lugs and said band body to laterally reinforce the guide lugs and minimize de-tracking occurrences.

Abstract: This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. More particularly, the traction assembly comprises a sprocket wheel which has a different size and number of sprocket teeth depending on whether the traction kit replaces the front wheels or the rear wheels of the vehicle. The sprocket wheel of the traction kit can also be configured such that its sprocket teeth are laterally offset. The traction kit can also comprise an anti-torque system that prevent physical contact between the traction kit and the vehicle and that can bias the position of the traction kit in order to improve the steering performance. Finally, the traction assembly can comprise a pivotable extension which lengthens the traction assembly and improves its traction capabilities.

Abstract: A traction band substantially made from elastomeric material is disclosed. The traction band comprises a main band body divided into a plurality of sections connected together along laterally extending pitch lines. The band body has an interior wheel-engaging surface, adapted to cooperate with the various wheels of a track system, and an exterior ground-engaging surface adapted to engage the ground. The wheel-engaging surface comprises one or more rows of longitudinally spaced-apart drive lugs and/or guide lugs typically disposed on each of the band sections. The ground-engaging surface comprises traction lugs extending longitudinally across more than one band section, these traction lugs comprising laterally extending bending regions where the traction lugs are thinner. These bending regions are substantially aligned with regions on the interior surface which are devoid of drive lugs and guide lugs.

Abstract: A deflector for reducing the ingestion of snow and/or other debris in one of the sprocket wheel and the idler wheel area of a vehicle equipped with endless tracks is provided. The deflector generally comprises a rigid plate associated with the vehicle and positioned near the sprocket wheel or the idler wheel thereof, and a resilient pad having an upper portion coupled with the rigid plate and a lower portion freely extending from the upper portion and extending toward the inner surface of the track to limit the ingestion of snow and/or other debris in the sprocket wheel or idler wheel area of the vehicle during its operation. The lower portion of the resilient pad is generally provided with reinforcing elements which allow the resilient pad to be essentially rigid in the direction of ingestion yet pivotable in the opposite direction.

Abstract: This invention relates to an endless elastomeric traction band that is used to propel tracked vehicles. The traction band generally comprises a main body defining an outer ground-engaging surface and an inner wheel-engaging surface. The outer surface is generally provided with ground-engaging traction lugs. The inner surface of the traction band is preferably provided with one or more row of longitudinally aligned guide lugs and one or more rows of longitudinally aligned drive lugs. Additionally, guide lug reinforcements are inserted into said guide lugs and said band body to laterally reinforce the guide lugs and minimize de-tracking occurrences.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device to deflect debris and to reduce the accumulation thereof in the guide lug receiving space defined between the inner and outer portions of a wheel of a tracked vehicle. The device generally comprises a resilient band structure having a loop or collar portion partially disposed around the wheel of the vehicle and inside the guide lug receiving space thereof, a connecting portion adapted to be mounted into a support element fixed to the tracked vehicle and located about the wheel, and a deflecting portion extending between the loop portion and the connecting portion. The loop portion at least partially embraces the wheel and generally remains in a slipping contact therewith in order to support the deflecting portion. The deflecting portion effectively deflects debris away from the guide lug receiving space of the wheel and also prevents excessive accumulation of debris therein.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for mounting a windshield onto small vehicles such as all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles or other similar vehicles. The mounting system generally comprises a pair of receiving elements, each of them being adapted to be mounted to the vehicle and comprising a receiving cavity. The mounting system also comprises a windshield support frame which is adapted to support a windshield panel and which also comprises a pair of mounting elements or protuberances receivable in the receiving cavities of the receiving elements. Once the mounting elements are received in the receiving cavities, the frame is fixedly retained on the receiving elements by a pair of locking mechanisms. By a simple actuation of the locking means, the windshield panel and its support frame can easily be installed or removed from the vehicle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a traction assembly for a vehicle which uses an endless traction band and a plurality of wheels for propulsion. The traction assembly pivots around a pivot point located under the traction axle of the vehicle. This pivot point is preferably longitudinally displaced in relation to such axle.

Abstract: This invention relates to endless tracks and systems used to propel track laying vehicles [i.e., vehicles which use endless tracks rather than tires to contact the terrain over which they are driven, e.g., tractors, tanks, bulldozers, etc.] and, more particularly, to an improved rubber track design and system allowing the endless track to be driven more efficiently at highway speeds. The track is made from a polymer adapted to travel over a drive sprocket, a plurality of guide wheels and a tensioning wheel, the track having a first exterior ground engaging surface and a second interior drive sprocket engaging surface, the track comprising: a carcass portion in which reinforcements are embedded into the polymer; a plurality of tread lugs disposed on the first engaging surface; a plurality of drive lugs disposed on the second engaging surface and a plurality of guide horns disposed on the second engaging surface.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sprocket wheel used with endless tracks used to propel heavy track laying vehicles [i.e., vehicles which use endless tracks rather than tires to contact the terrain over which they are driven, e.g., tractors, tanks, bulldozers, etc.] and, more particularly, to an improved polymer sprocket wheel allowing the endless track to be driven more efficiently at highway speeds.

Abstract: An endless belt system for a vehicle having a negative trail steering geometry is provided. The endless belt system replaces the wheels that steer a vehicle, particularly an all-terrain vehicle, to provide increased steerability and floatation over soft terrain.