With Self-cleaning Sprocket Or Drive Wheel Patents (Class 305/115)
-
Patent number: 10427735Abstract: A drive sprocket for driving a track of a utility track vehicle is provided. The drive sprocket includes a pair of spaced-apart inner rings having a spacer fixedly attached between the inner rings. An adapter is attached to an outwardly-directed surface of one of the inner rings. A plurality of rods are attached in a spaced-apart manner about the outer peripheral edge of the inner rings. A guide ring is attached to each end of the rods in a perpendicular manner, wherein the guide rings are substantially parallel to the inner rings.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2013Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: MTD PRODUCTS INCInventors: Jimmy N. Eavenson, Sr., Tim Dilgard, Ryan Cmich, Axel Schaedler
-
Patent number: 10392061Abstract: A sprocket (10) is capable of engaging with engaging portions (22) on an elastic endless belt (21). On a tooth face (F) of a tooth (12) of the sprocket (10), a portion of a tooth base on at least one side of a center line (O1) of the tooth (12) is a tooth base surface (12b), and the tooth base surface (12b) is inclined relative to the center line (O1) of the tooth (12) at an angle (A1) in a range of 0° or greater to 7.5° or less so as to approach the center line (O1) of the tooth (12) towards a tooth tip surface (12d).Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Mizusawa
-
Patent number: 10377433Abstract: In an elastic crawler (10) and an elastic crawler drive mechanism (100), at least a portion of the outer edge of an engaging portion (12) has a cross-sectional arc shape such that both the trajectory drawn by the outer edge of the engaging portion (12) from when the engaging portion (12) starts to enter a tooth groove of a sprocket (20) until engagement between the engaging portion (12) and teeth (22) is complete and the trajectory drawn by the outer edge of the engaging portion (12) from when the engaging portion (12) starts to disengage from the teeth (22) until disengagement is complete do not project further outward than the outer edge of the engaging portion (12) when the engagement is complete.Type: GrantFiled: February 12, 2016Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATIONInventor: Takashi Mizusawa
-
Patent number: 9663918Abstract: A track assembly for a work vehicle includes an endless track and a drive wheel, the drive wheel defining an inboard side, an outboard side, and a central plane extending therebetween. The drive wheel includes a partition extending between an outer wall and an inner wall. The partition defines an inboard division substantially closed off from an outboard division to reduce an amount of debris or other material from reaching the work vehicle adjacent to which the track assembly may be positioned.Type: GrantFiled: May 30, 2014Date of Patent: May 30, 2017Assignee: CNH Industrial America LLCInventors: Brian Vik, Daniel Zurn, Jordan Weckerly, Russell Stoltman
-
Patent number: 9415943Abstract: Various embodiments of conveyor system devices, such as sprockets and idlers, are disclosed. The conveyor components can comprise axial and/or radial openings that facilitate the discharging of debris and other contaminants, which can reduce wear and/or prolong component life. In some embodiments, the conveyor component ramps convey the debris and contaminants to the openings.Type: GrantFiled: August 25, 2014Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignee: SYSTEM PLAST S.R.L.Inventors: Osvaldo Carrara, Giuliano Marella, Alain Berenbach, Philippe Seyer
-
Patent number: 9334001Abstract: A sprocket for a tracked vehicle. The sprocket has a plurality of sockets for engaging drive lugs on an inner surface of a track driven by the sprocket. The sprocket also including a support surface for engaging with an inner surface of the track and which is in rolling contact with the inner surface of the track.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2011Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: CAMSO INC.Inventors: Alain Lussier, Francois Leblanc, Patrice Boily
-
Patent number: 8746815Abstract: A vehicle track-module including an upper drive wheel, a plurality of idler and bogey wheels, and an endless rubber track with spaced lugs which extends around the wheels and is driven by the drive wheel, which has: a middle main plate with a outer edge of first diameter and inward and outward sides forming the exposed inward and outward surfaces of the drive wheel; drive members axially across and projecting radially beyond the main-plate edge to a second diameter, each drive member having axially inward and outward end portions, a middle portion affixed at its middle position to the main-plate edge, and an outer track-engaging surface; and a rigidity ring affixed to the inward end portions of the drive members and having an inner diameter no less than half the first diameter and an outer diameter no greater than the second diameter. In some embodiments, the axial dimension of the track-engaging surfaces of the drive members is at least 50% greater than the axial dimension of the track lugs.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2011Date of Patent: June 10, 2014Assignee: ATI, Inc.Inventors: Jamsheed Reshad, Duane Tiede
-
Patent number: 8544573Abstract: A robotic system that can have a chassis and a track drive system is described. The track drive system can be configured to move the chassis. The track drive system can have a pulley, a pulley cap having a larger diameter than the pulley, and a track. The pulley cap can be rotationally fixed to the pulley. The track can be engagable and disengagable with the pulley cap. The methods of using and making the robotic system are also described.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: October 1, 2013Assignee: RoboteX Inc.Inventors: Nathan D. Gettings, Adam M. Gettings, Taylor J. Penn, Edward J. Siler, III, Andrew G. Stevens
-
Patent number: 8434575Abstract: A robotic vehicle system is disclosed. The system can have a body and a track drive system configured to move the body. The track drive system can have a pulley and a track. The pulley can have an outer pulley surface. The track can have an inner track surface. The pulley can be configured to form at least one pocket between the inner track surface and the outer pulley surface when a foreign object is introduced between the pulley and the track. The foreign object can have a long axis (e. g. maximum width) greater than about 0.2 cm.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2012Date of Patent: May 7, 2013Assignee: RoboteX Inc.Inventors: Nathan D. Gettings, Adam M. Gettings, Taylor J. Penn, Edward J. Siler, III, Andrew G. Stevens
-
Patent number: 8100205Abstract: A robotic system that can have a body and four flippers is described. Any or all of the flippers can be rotated. The flippers can have self-cleaning tracks. The tracks can be driven or passive. The robotic system can be controlled by, and send audio and/or video to and/or from, a remote operator control module. The methods of using and making the robotic system are also described.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2010Date of Patent: January 24, 2012Assignee: RoboteX Inc.Inventors: Adam M. Gettings, Edward J. Siler, III
-
Patent number: 7896449Abstract: A sprocket used to transmit drive force to a coreless crawler track having rubber projections arranged at predetermined intervals on the inner peripheral surface of the crawler track. The sprocket has, on its circumferential edge, sprocket teeth arranged at the same pitch as the rubber projections. A cutout is formed at the outer circumferential tip of each sprocket tooth. Even if meshing between the rubber projections and the sprocket teeth has a trouble caused by the entry of soil and sands, the rubber projections are affected less, which greatly contributes to improvement of durability of the crawler track.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2006Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Bridgestone CorporationInventor: Shuichi Matsuo
-
Patent number: 7370918Abstract: The present disclosure concerns embodiments of an improved wheel assembly for a drive track unit of an all-terrain vehicle that inhibits the accumulation of snow, ice and/or other matter between the track and the wheel assembly. In one implementation, an improved guide wheel assembly for a track unit has a rotatable hub and at least two axially spaced apart guide wheels mounted to the hub that engage the inner surface of an endless track. A flexible and/or deformable sleeve covering the outer surface of the hub is capable of deforming under external pressure applied to the sleeve through contact with snow and/or ice as the vehicle traverses the ground. The deformation of the sleeve is effective to inhibit snow and/or ice from adhering to the sleeve outer surface. Hence, disengagement of the track from the guide wheels caused by accumulated ice and/or snow can be avoided.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: May 13, 2008Assignee: Tucker Sno-Cat CorporationInventor: Jasper J. Tucker
-
Patent number: 7316458Abstract: A ventilating wheel provides a plurality of angled vanes extending from a hub. The ventilating wheel secures to the slide rail of a snowmobile suspension system. An endless track extends over the underside of the slide rail. A Hyfax may secure to the slide rail interposed between the track and slide rail to reduce friction therebetween. The ventilating wheel is in rolling contact with the track and is rotated thereby to draw air and snow over the slide rail. In some embodiments, air and snow flow over the radiator is induced. The ventilating wheel may serve as an idler wheel defining the shape of the track. In other embodiments, the ventilating wheel mounts to a straight portion of the slide rail and serves to reduce pressure on the Hyfax. In still other embodiments, the ventilating wheel serves only to increase air and snow circulation.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2005Date of Patent: January 8, 2008Assignee: Slydog, Inc.Inventor: Jody L. Lemme
-
Patent number: 7188915Abstract: A tracked vehicle produces a pressure no more than 3 psi on the ground by increasing the number of contact points on the inner surface of the track. The stiffness of the track is also selected to minimize bowing between the idler wheels or rollers. The track is therefore kept substantially straight between the rollers to increase the efficiency associated with transferring power to track. The drive sprocket is positioned above the ground so as to eliminate complexity in the design and yet effectively transmit power to the tracks. Positioning the drive sprocket above ground also prevents derailing of the track. The track is also held in a constant state of tension on the driver sprocket and the roller. This too prevents derailment. The undercarriage of the vehicle includes torsion axles and sealed bearings to provide for a lower maintenance track. Components associated with the undercarriage do not require constant greasing and cleaning of the idler wheels.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2001Date of Patent: March 13, 2007Assignee: A.S.V., Inc.Inventors: Gary Lemke, Brad Lemke, Cary Safe, Edgar Hetteen
-
Patent number: 7156474Abstract: A tracked vehicle capable of traversing a variety of surfaces without damaging the surface traversed includes a track having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a pitch line between the inner surface and the outer surface. Driving lugs are attached to the inner surface of the track. The vehicle also includes a driver sprocket assembly having a number of driving portions for engaging the driving lugs to drive the track. Each drive lug has at least one angled sidewall which, as the drive lug is engaged with the drive portion, presents a wall either substantially parallel to a line between the axis of rotation of the sprocket and the driving portion of the sprocket or slightly declined with respect to a line between the axis of rotation of the sprocket and the driving portion of the sprocket.Type: GrantFiled: June 30, 2003Date of Patent: January 2, 2007Assignee: A.S.V., Inc.Inventors: Cary Safe, Brad Lemke
-
Patent number: 6976742Abstract: A snowmobile is propelled by an endless track that is operatively connected to the snowmobile's engine by two drive sprockets. Each drive sprocket includes one set of external teeth and two sets of internal teeth that engage three corresponding sets of track teeth formed on the track. Alignment cleats are mounted on the inside of each of one of the sets of track teeth. During low-load operation, contact between the cleats (and the track teeth on which the cleats are mounted) is minimized or eliminated, which reduces or eliminates noise caused by collisions between the metal sprocket and the metal cleats. During higher load operation, the track deforms such that the set of external sprocket teeth engage the cleats and associated set of track teeth.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2003Date of Patent: December 20, 2005Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.Inventors: Dominic Girard, David Belzile, Eric Bertrand
-
Patent number: 6883876Abstract: The invention provides a crawler type traveling apparatus which can be stably used for a long time period, and furthermore provides a crawler belt sprocket and a segment thereof which is best suited for the crawler type traveling apparatus. A crawler type traveling apparatus is provided with a crawler belt (3) and a crawler belt sprocket (2). The crawler belt (3) is structured such that a plurality of links (4) are connected via a bearing structure body (5) having a pin (7) a bush (8) which is outward fitted to the pin (7), and seal member (10, 10) which are arranged in both end sides of the bush (8). Guide portions (G, G) making an intrusion into a portion between the relatively facing links (4, 4) are protruded from both side surfaces of the sprocket (2). The sprocket (2) is connected via the bearing structure body (5), and a gear tooth portion (26) thereof makes an intrusion into the portion between the relatively facing links (4, 4) so as to be engaged with the bush (8).Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2003Date of Patent: April 26, 2005Assignee: Komatsu LimitedInventors: Teiji Yamamoto, Akira Hashimoto
-
Patent number: 6848757Abstract: An elastic crawler traveling apparatus having an elastic crawler in a shape of an endless belt, a sprocket for a crawler belt arranged to be brought into contact with an inner face of the elastic crawler, a driven wheel, and a rolling wheel, the elastic crawler including a belt main body, a plurality of projections formed to project at intervals along a peripheral direction on an inner face of the belt main body, and a tension member embedded at an inner portion of the belt main body for restricting elongation of the belt main body, in which the sprocket has a contact portion to contact the belt main body and a contact width of the contact portion in a belt width direction of the elastic crawler is wider than a root width of the projection in the belt width direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2004Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yoshio Ueno
-
Patent number: 6698850Abstract: An elastic crawler traveling apparatus having an elastic crawler in a shape of an endless belt, a sprocket for a crawler belt arranged to be brought into contact with an inner face of the elastic crawler, a driven wheel, and a rolling wheel, the elastic crawler including a belt main body, a plurality of projections formed to project at intervals along a peripheral direction on an inner face of the belt main body, and a tension member embedded at an inner portion of the belt main body for restricting elongation of the belt main body, in which the sprocket has a contact portion to contact the belt main body and a contact width of the contact portion in a belt width direction of the elastic crawler is wider than a root width of the projection in the belt width direction.Type: GrantFiled: June 18, 2002Date of Patent: March 2, 2004Assignee: Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd.Inventor: Yoshio Ueno
-
Patent number: 6543862Abstract: A drive wheel is provided for mounting on a rotatable axle of a vehicle for driving a continuous flexible track. The flexible track includes an inner surface having a plurality of lugs and terminating at terminal surfaces. The drive wheel includes a central hub mountable on the axle of the vehicle for rotational movement therewith. First and second side-surfaces extend radially from the central hub and an outer rim interconnects the radial outer edges of the side-surfaces. It is intended that the terminal surfaces of the lugs engage the outer rim of the drive wheel such that the lugs are supported when the flexible track is driven by the drive wheel.Type: GrantFiled: July 28, 2000Date of Patent: April 8, 2003Assignee: AgTracks, Inc.Inventors: Glenn W. Kahle, David L. Juncker, Jamsheed Reshad
-
Patent number: 6536854Abstract: A drive wheel engaged with flexible track of track apparatus mountable on a vehicle axle, the drive wheel including a peripheral portion which, between radially-extending drive members, has outwardly-facing lug-engagement surfaces in position for engagement with the distal surfaces of the track lugs, to extend the useful life of flexible track. Preferred embodiments have spaces facilitating removal of debris. Certain preferred lug-engaging surfaces are provided by peripherally-spaced cross-members. The drive wheel is preferably free of side structure, allowing track lugs to adjust precise positions of engagement with lug-engagement surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 2002Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: AgTracks, Inc.Inventors: David L. Juncker, Glenn W. Kahle, Jamsheed Reshad
-
Patent number: 6536851Abstract: A debris stripping apparatus 64 is provided for an endless track laying work machine 10. The debris stripping apparatus 64 includes a wear bar 66 that protrudes from the outer circumferential surface 56 of the drive wheel 30. During operation the wear bar 66 acts as a sacrificial member that strips away mud and debris from the track roller assembly 12. Thus, the wear bar 66 creates a clearance allowing the drive wheel 30 to rotate without making abrading contact with the debris.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Caterpillar IncInventors: Robert J. Grob, Bradley R. Jones, Sean C. McGinnis, Paul J. Mobley
-
Patent number: 6386652Abstract: A pneumatic driver tire (10) for tracked vehicles (1) has a carcass reinforcing structure (30) having two or more bias angled plies (32, 34), the cords of the first ply (32) being oppositely oriented relative to the cords of the second ply (34). The tire (10) has no integral belts on breakers and preferably has an aspect ratio of about 100 %. The tire (10) has a tread (12) with voids (70) that extend across the entire tread (12) creating soil discharge channels (70). Preferably the tire tread (12) has a central area (66) exhibiting a high net contact area and axially outer areas (60, 62) having lower net contact areas. The tread lugs (40) also have a radiused portion (48) designed to limit the tires sidewalls (16) from contacting the track.Type: GrantFiled: February 5, 2001Date of Patent: May 14, 2002Assignee: The Goodyear Tire & Rubber CompanyInventor: Mark Leonard Bonko
-
Patent number: 6371579Abstract: The invention concerns a wheel for a flexible track comprising two rolling paths (36) surrounding an intermediate zone (50), in particular a drive zone. At least one of the rolling paths has a multiplicity of cavities (200) of selected form opening radially towards the outside of the wheel and laterally towards the edge of the wheel so as to promote lateral evacuation of any material object liable to be caught between the wheel and the flexible track. The wheel is generally used for all-terrain vehicles.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2000Date of Patent: April 16, 2002Assignee: OticoInventor: Olivier Phely
-
Patent number: 6123399Abstract: A mobile construction vehicle has a pair of parallel first and second track assemblies. Each track assembly has a continuous drive belt with a plurality of teeth thereon, driven by a drive wheel with a plurality of lugs thereon. The drive belt teeth and drive wheel lugs have substantially identical matching profiles, to provide drive belt retention for preventing the teeth from disengaging from the drive wheel lugs, during a turning maneuver of the vehicle.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1998Date of Patent: September 26, 2000Assignee: Blaw-Knox Construction Equipment Corp.Inventor: Craig L. Snyder
-
Patent number: 6045295Abstract: In the operation of a landfill compactor, it is a common problem for the wheels to pick up debris, especially wire and cable, and carry it around with the wheels as they rotate. When the debris falls from the wheels in the direction toward the frame and the axles, it becomes packed between the frame and the axle hampering machine operation and requiring hours of corrective maintenance. The apparatus of the subject invention for inhibiting the wrapping of debris about the axle assembly provides a hook member to ensnare debris. As the wheel rotates, the debris picked up by the hook member is dragged across a serrated blade portion mounted on the axle assembly to pull apart the debris and thus prevent the debris from wrapping around the axle assembly.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 1998Date of Patent: April 4, 2000Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: John E. Puchosic
-
Patent number: 6030058Abstract: A paving machine is driven by track assemblies utilizing continuous rubber belts driven by drive wheels. Each drive wheel is driven by a planetary gear assembly. Each drive wheel is formed from a pair of annular ring members rigidly connected together and spaced apart to provide a passage for directing debris falling from a rotating drive wheel away from the planetary gear, to minimize damage to the planetary gear assembly.Type: GrantFiled: April 2, 1998Date of Patent: February 29, 2000Assignee: Blaw-Knox Construction Equipment CorporationInventors: Craig L. Snyder, Thomas A. Roth, Thomas Thomason, Randy Webb, Jerry F. Rau
-
Patent number: 6000766Abstract: A crawler belt apparatus includes a drive wheel having engaging teeth, a crawler belt having engaging projections engageable with the engaging teeth, and a plurality of discharge passages formed between root bottoms defined by the engaging projections, and top ends of the engaging teeth, for discharging foreign substances such as dirt and sand entered between the root bottoms and the top ends. The foreign substances passing through the discharge passages are not compressed by the drive wheel and hence do not become a solid mass.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 1997Date of Patent: December 14, 1999Assignee: Honda Giken Kogyo Kabushiki KaishaInventors: Masashi Takeuchi, Masayuki Yamamoto
-
Patent number: 5938301Abstract: A track assembly for a track laying vehicle or implement, such assembly comprising a rotatable hub having a plurality of track support members, each such member having an outwardly curved outer surface; such hub further having an inner suspending and positioning means, such means being capable of fixedly suspending such members in a circular pattern; such means suspending and positioning such members in a circular pattern; and, a continuous loop track, having an exterior ground engaging side, and having an outwardly curved interior hub engaging side, the hub engaging side of such track being in frictional contact with the outer surfaces of a plurality of such members.Type: GrantFiled: June 5, 1997Date of Patent: August 17, 1999Inventors: Dewey Hostetler, Raymond Forpahl
-
Patent number: 5899541Abstract: A snow and ice-clearing track assembly (16) for a vehicle (10) is provided which has a plurality of rotatable track wheels (22-26) including a specialized drive wheel (24) together with a continuous loop, substantially imperforate track (34) disposed about and engaging the wheels (22-26). The track (34) includes a plurality of inwardly extending drive lugs (36) which are received within circumferentially spaced lug openings (56) and snow and ice-clearing passages (58, 60) on opposite sides of the central openings (60). An alternate drive wheel (70) has a pair of polyurethane rings (84, 86) on opposite sides of lug-receiving openings (78) preventing buildup of ice and snow adjacent the drive wheel.Type: GrantFiled: February 10, 1997Date of Patent: May 4, 1999Assignee: Central Power Products, Inc.Inventors: John L. Ying, Jack L. Highfill
-
Patent number: 5769512Abstract: Present drive wheels for use with an endless belted track fail to adequately disperse the debris at the interface between the drive wheel and the endless belted track. The present drive wheel includes a mounting hub having a plurality of cantilevered drive members. An opened ended slot is provided between each of the plurality of driving members to provide an effective escape path for debris.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 1996Date of Patent: June 23, 1998Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Dewaine A. Kautsch
-
Patent number: 5758932Abstract: Driving systems for belted machines have in the past utilized a common material interface to drive the belted machine. For example, rubber belted machines have generally used a rubber drive therewith. The present drive wheel is made of metal and includes a plurality of contacting elements attached to the outer surface of a drum. Each of the contacting elements have a contacting surface have a generally diamond configuration defining a leading point of contact, a trailing point of contact, a major length and a minor length. The plurality of contacting elements are arranged on the drum in a plurality of spaced apart rows which extend circumferentially along and axis and each of the major lengths coincide with the axis. Furthermore, the major length is greater in length than the minor length. The plurality of contacting elements extend from the outer surface a preestablished distance and the interface of the preestablished distance and the contacting surface form a sharp edge 67 or a point 68.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 1997Date of Patent: June 2, 1998Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventors: Wayne A. Klopfenstein, Gerald P. Simmons
-
Patent number: 5707123Abstract: Prestressed compressible drive blocks are positioned on an endless belt of a track machine. The blocks are mateable with openings in drive wheel and function for driving the track and for guiding the track. Drive bars are associated with the drive wheel openings for exerting pressure on the drive/guide bars while maintaining the drive/guide bars against excessive wear.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 1995Date of Patent: January 13, 1998Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.Inventor: Robert J. Grob