Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a vehicle drive linkage. The track assembly includes a belted track, drive sprocket and sets of internal idler/road wheels that support interior track surfaces. Road axles having an appended, radially extending flange couple to axle housings at the framework shaped to contain one or more resilient cushions and an axle wear plate. The resilient cushions are supported in mating cooperation with channels at the axle flange and channels and appendages at the axle housings to independently compress and expand with road axle movement relative to the track framework over undulating terrain.

Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a vehicle drive linkage. The track assembly includes a belted track, drive sprocket and sets of longitudinally and laterally offset ramp/road and idler/road wheels mounted to parallel sets of vertically offset coplanar axles that support interior track surfaces. Axles mounted adjacent forwardmost and aftmost ramp/road wheels support “anti-jam” wheels that are longitudinally and vertically offset from the other axles at the framework to prevent a kinking of the track at the forwardmost and aftmost ends.

Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a vehicle drive linkage. The track assembly includes a belted track, drive sprocket, framework and sets of ramp/road and idler/road wheels that support interior track surfaces. Idler axles are secured fore and aft of co-planar pivot members at rocker assemblies laterally interleaved between suspended idler/road wheels laterally spanning the framework. Each rocker assembly supports an elastomer cushion on a rocker plate that pivots in a housing between opposed wear plates to compress and expand and resist pivoting rocker plate movements.

Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a vehicle drive linkage and is operative to vary the track geometry or profile and terrain contact surface to differing terrains. The track assembly includes controlled idler wheel rocker arm suspensions for pivoting associated idler wheels at an assembly framework. In one assembly, a wheel and tire are supported to a track drive sprocket. The shape of the track assembly can be transformed to alternately engage and disengage the track or wheel with the terrain. In other constructions, the geometry of the track can be varied between triangular and circular shapes. The assemblies include pivotally controlled idler wheel suspensions that cooperate with a drive sprocket supported expansible member to transform the track profile.

Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a vehicle drive linkage and is operative to vary the track geometry or profile and terrain contact surface to differing terrains. The track assembly includes controlled idler wheel rocker arm suspensions for pivoting associated idler wheels at an assembly framework. In one assembly, a wheel and tire are supported to a track drive sprocket. The shape of the track assembly can be transformed to alternately engage and disengage the track or wheel with the terrain. In other constructions, the geometry of the track can be varied between triangular and circular shapes. The assemblies include pivotally controlled idler wheel suspensions that cooperate with a drive sprocket supported expansible member to transform the track profile.

Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a vehicle drive linkage and is operative to vary the track geometry or profile and terrain contact surface to differing terrains. The track assembly includes controlled idler wheel rocker arm suspensions for pivoting associated idler wheels at an assembly framework. In one assembly, a wheel and tire are supported to a track drive sprocket. The shape of the track assembly can be transformed to alternately engage and disengage the track or wheel with the terrain. In other constructions, the geometry of the track can be varied between triangular and circular shapes. The assemblies include pivotally controlled idler wheel suspensions that cooperate with a drive sprocket supported bladder, offset pie-shaped telescoping plates, and a collapsible membrane or tire to transform the track profile.

Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a vehicle drive linkage and is operative to vary the track geometry or profile and terrain contact surface to differing terrains. The track assembly includes controlled idler wheel rocker arm suspensions for pivoting associated idler wheels at an assembly framework. In one assembly, a wheel and tire are supported to a track drive sprocket. The shape of the track assembly can be transformed to alternately engage and disengage the track or wheel with the terrain. In other constructions, the geometry of the track can be varied between triangular and circular shapes. The assemblies include pivotally controlled idler wheel suspensions that cooperate with a drive sprocket supported bladder, offset pie-shaped telescoping plates, and a collapsible membrane or tire to transform the track profile.

Abstract: An improved track frame assembly wherein the idler wheels are arranged to prevent loss of track contact with the terrain. Seriatim primary idler wheels are aligned to longitudinal outer lateral track edges. Secondary idler wheels are mounted interiorly of the outer wheels and longitudinally staggered to prevent the track from lifting or “caterpillaring” in spaces intermediate the primary idler wheels. The numbers, diameters, widths and positions of the secondary idler wheels are selected to overlap the track contact points of the primary idler wheels. A resiliently biased and/or slippery presser member, roller or slide assembly can alternatively be mounted to prevent vertical track flexion.

Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a vehicle drive linkage. The track assembly includes a belted track, drive sprocket and serial sets of pivoting internal idler wheel rocker suspensions that support interior track surfaces. Pinch wheels are supported in contact with the terrain engaging track surface. Frame and/or sprocket mounted tensioners establish track tension. Resilient torsion support assemblies, rollers and/or layers of resilient and/or slippery materials are incorporated between the track assembly and vehicle frame/chassis to prevent damage to the vehicle as the track assembly rises and falls with terrain changes.

Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a vehicle drive linkage. The track assembly includes a belted track, drive sprocket and serial sets of pivoting internal idler wheel rocker suspensions that support interior track surfaces. Pinch wheels are supported in contact with the terrain engaging track surface. Frame and/or sprocket mounted tensioners establish track tension. Resilient torsion support assemblies, rollers and/or layers of resilient and/or slippery materials are incorporated between the track assembly and vehicle frame/chassis to prevent damage to the vehicle as the track assembly rises and falls with terrain changes.

Abstract: An improved track frame assembly wherein the idler wheels are arranged to prevent loss of track contact with the terrain. Seriatim primary idler wheels are aligned to longitudinal outer lateral track edges. Secondary idler wheels are mounted interiorly of the outer wheels and longitudinally staggered to prevent the track from lifting or “caterpillaring” in spaces intermediate the primary idler wheels. The numbers, diameters, widths and positions of the secondary idler wheels are selected to overlap the track contact points of the primary idler wheels. A resiliently biased and/or slippery presser member, roller or slide assembly can alternatively be mounted to prevent vertical track flexion.

Abstract: A track assembly comprising an endless track trained about a sprocket and forward and aft sets of idler wheels. A plurality of apertures at the sprocket engage drive lugs that project from an interior track surface. Longitudinal stabilizer arms restrain the idler wheel axles, idler wheels, sprocket support rollers, sprocket and track against lateral movement and tension the track. Overlapping seals are formed at the idler wheels and/or sprocket support rollers. Alternative sprockets having cutouts or pockets that capture different drive lug configurations are also disclosed along with several alternative track tensioning assemblies that rotate in an eccentric fashion to tension the track.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle and suspension providing frame members that pivot relative to each other and independent of supported track assemblies. Suspension frame sections pivot at supported bearings and torsion couplers. An endless track of each track assembly is trained around a framework having a drive sprocket and sets of idler wheels. The track assemblies independently pivot relative to the vehicle from a track suspension frame and supported sets of idler wheels mounted to torsion biased rocker arms that resist and bias the rocker arms and idler wheels to an equilibrium position and conformally shape the track to the terrain. Improved track drive lug surfaces are shaped to prevent track derailment. The vehicle frame and track assemblies independently rise, fall and pivot as obstacles of differing configurations and types are encountered to stabilize and maintain an operator body substantially parallel to the ground.

Abstract: A track assembly comprising an endless track trained about a sprocket and forward and aft sets of idler wheels. A plurality of apertures at the sprocket engage drive lugs that project from an interior track surface. Longitudinal stabilizer arms restrain the idler wheel axles, idler wheels, sprocket support rollers, sprocket and track against lateral movement and tension the track. Overlapping seals are formed at the idler wheels and/or sprocket support rollers. Alternative sprockets having cutouts or pockets that capture different drive lug configurations are also disclosed along with several alternative track tensioning assemblies that rotate in an eccentric fashion to tension the track.

Abstract: A gasoline engine powered snowboard having an endless track trained about a support frame containing driven and idler wheels. Engine operation is directed from an upright operator support column. A molded chassis is hinge coupled to pivot about alternative contoured track support pan assemblies. The pan support assemblies cooperate with flexible track surfaces (e.g. fringe or pleat members) and foot supports to enable steering with foot and body movements. A lower support pan exhibits convex edge surfaces that contact track pleats or fringe pieces and includes an elliptic longitudinal channel. Alternative upper support pans provide a reciprocating wheeled steering plate, longitudinal drive lug channels and contoured snow diversion surfaces and/or an agitator. Internal track surfaces include UHMW pieces at or aligned to the drive lugs. Ground contact lugs exhibit traction promoting and snow clearing contoured profiles, shapes and recesses.

Abstract: An all terrain vehicle and suspension providing frame members that pivot relative to each other and independent of supported track assemblies. Suspension frame sections pivot at supported bearings and torsion couplers. An endless track of each track assembly is trained around a framework having a drive sprocket and sets of idler wheels. The track assemblies independently pivot relative to the vehicle from a track suspension frame and supported sets of idler wheels mounted to torsion biased rocker arms that resist and bias the rocker arms and idler wheels to an equilibrium position and conformally shape the track to the terrain. Improved track drive lug surfaces are shaped to prevent track derailment. The vehicle frame and track assemblies independently rise, fall and pivot as obstacles of differing configurations and types are encountered to stabilize and maintain an operator body substantially parallel to the ground.

Abstract: A track assembly having a drive sprocket capable of concentrically supporting several detachable drive rings containing drive teeth shaped to rotate without interfering with track support idler wheels, to provide a reduced center of gravity and substantially provide the same vehicle operating characteristic with tracks as with wheels. A track retainer guide member mounts along a peripheral edge of the track and overlies the track to resist track dislodgement. Independent and/or resiliently biased, rocker arms support track idler wheels to induce track flexion and conformance to encountered obstructions.