TRUCK TRACK DRIVE
A truck track drive can include two rollers. The truck track drive can also include a tread configured to pass over top and bottom of a dual rear wheel assembly on a truck and to be moved by rotation of the dual rear wheels. The track drive can also include a compulsory drive unit.
This application is a divisional application of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/350,912, entitled “Truck Track Drive” and filed on Jan. 16, 2012.
Embodiments relate generally to track drives for vehicles, and, more particularly to a track drive for a truck.
In winter, trucks with dual rear wheels may be prone to losing traction on snow or ice.
One or more embodiments were conceived in light of the above-mentioned limitations or problems, among other things.
An embodiment can include a track drive apparatus for a truck having a track belt that passes around a rear wheel set (e.g., two wheels) and around a roller toward the forward end and a roller toward the backward end. The belt is kept in tension by a flexible rod coupled to both the front roller and the back roller.
Another embodiment can include a track drive for a truck having compulsory drive apparatus for driving the track drive tread from a chain and sprocket coupled to the wheel and the rear roller so as to be moved (or driven) by rotation of the vehicle tire.
In general, an embodiment can include a truck track drive that is driven by an existing wheel and tire of a vehicle, without a need to remove the wheel or tire. The truck track drive unit can fit around an existing dual rear wheel assembly of a truck and is powered by the rotation of the wheel/tire. Alternatively, a compulsory drive embodiment can be used.
In operation, as the wheels of the truck 100 turn, tracks on each of the dual rear wheel assemblies are moved.
The tension rod 110 can include a first portion and a second portion, each having a threaded end. The threaded ends can be mated with a spacer 111. The spacer 111 can include internal thread configured to mate with the threaded end portions of the tension rod portions. The spacer can be used to increase tension in the rod by rotating the spacer in a first direction and to decrease tension in the rod by rotating the spacer in a second direction.
All metallic components and body can be made of steel. The protective panels (see below) can be made from plastic (or from a thin sheet of metal). The bearings can be standard. The tread (or caterpillar) can be made of resin-fabric or resin-metal.
In operation, the drive gear 714, disposed between the rear wheels of a rear wheel assembly, drives the chain 702, which in turn powers the driven gear 710 coupled to the roller 712, which powers the tread 708. The tensioner platen 706 acts to keep a desired tension on the chain 702.
It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided, in accordance with the various embodiments disclosed herein, truck track drives.
While the invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, Applicant intends to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A track drive comprising:
- a first roller disposed at a front end of a tension rod;
- a second roller disposed at a rear end of the tension rod;
- a tread configured to pass over a top and a bottom of a dual rear wheel truck tire assembly and to pass over each of the rollers, the tread being powered by rotation of the dual rear wheel truck tire assembly;
- a compulsory drive system having a toothed drive gear disposed between a first wheel and a second wheel of the dual rear wheel truck tire assembly, a chain and a driven gear coupled to the second roller, the second roller mechanically engaging the tread and causing it to move when the driven gear is turned; and
- an outer shield member extending from the first roller to the second roller.
2. A track drive comprising:
- a first roller disposed at a front end of a tension rod, wherein the tension rod includes a first portion and a second portion, each of the first and second portions having a threaded end;
- a second roller disposed at a rear end of the tension rod;
- a tread configured to pass over a top and a bottom of a dual rear wheel truck tire assembly and to pass over each of the rollers, the tread being powered by rotation of the dual rear wheel truck tire assembly; and
- a compulsory drive system having a toothed drive gear disposed between a first wheel and a second wheel of the dual rear wheel truck tire assembly, a chain and a driven gear coupled to the second roller, the second roller mechanically engaging the tread and causing it to move when the driven gear is turned.
3. A track drive comprising:
- a first roller disposed at a front end of a tension rod;
- a second roller disposed at a rear end of the tension rod;
- a tread configured to pass over a top and a bottom of a dual rear wheel truck tire assembly and to pass over each of the rollers, the tread being powered by rotation of the dual rear wheel truck tire assembly;
- a compulsory drive system having a toothed drive gear disposed between a first wheel and a second wheel of the dual rear wheel truck tire assembly, a chain and a driven gear coupled to the second roller, the second roller mechanically engaging the tread and causing it to move when the driven gear is turned; and
- a spacer disposed along the tension rod and coupled to the threaded end portions of the first and second portions of the tension rod, having internal threads configured to increase tension on the tension rod when rotated in a first direction and to decrease tension on the tension rod when rotate in a second direction.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 12, 2015
Publication Date: May 12, 2016
Inventor: Yuriy Zakuskin (Orekhov)
Application Number: 14/797,155