Convertible From Wheel Type Patents (Class 180/9.26)
  • Patent number: 11947362
    Abstract: The Transformable Swarm Robots for Pipe Inspection and Maintenance (TSRPIM) represent a comprehensive system that include a single or multiple robots, each featuring distinct functionalities and designs, that can work independently or collaboratively to accomplish the primary objective of inspecting and maintaining different pipeline systems. The robots in TSRPIM can be physically connected/disconnected with/from other robots through an electromagnetic locking mechanism. They can bypass each other inside the pipe through overriding techniques, and they can communicate through WIFI, Bluetooth, and Long-range RF communication, thus the system has intranet and internet communications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Fady Alnajjar, Amged Elhassan, Waleed Khalil Ahmed, Muthanna Ahmed Aziz
  • Patent number: 11642258
    Abstract: A multifunctional mobility device includes a frame that is configurable between a plurality of modes corresponding to at least a power wheelchair mode, a power scooter mode, and a power walker mode, a plurality of motorized wheels mounted to the frame, and handles pivotally coupled to the frame and communicatively coupled to the plurality of motorized wheels. Pivoting the handles operates the plurality of motorized wheels, wherein each handle is independently pivotable to independently drive rotation of a motorized wheel of the plurality of motorized wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Toyota Motor North America, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas A. Moore, Paul Nichols, Thomas Mitchell Dair
  • Patent number: 11110958
    Abstract: A steerable track system usable with a vehicle that has a chassis, an axle frame extending laterally outwardly from the chassis and having an attachment portion at an end thereof to which the steerable track system is connectable, and a driven shaft extending laterally outwardly from the chassis suitable for driving the steerable track system. The steerable track system has a frame having a cavity defined therein and being operatively connectable to the axle frame so as to be pivotable about a steering axis for steering the track system, and a gear train with components disposed in the cavity. The gear train transmits driving forces from the driven shaft to a driven wheel assembly of a plurality of track-supporting wheel assemblies. An endless track extends around the track-supporting wheel assemblies and is drivable by the driven wheel assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: SOUCY INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Charles St-Arnaud, Pascal Lafreniere, Steve Frechette, Frederik Martel
  • Patent number: 10889322
    Abstract: An oscillation limited driven steering track assembly includes a track mechanism coupled to and driven by a hydraulic motor. The motor is pivotally secured about a steering axis to a stub axle which partially supports a land vehicle. A longitudinally extensible and retractable apparatus extends between the track mechanism and the stub axle. One end of the apparatus is pivotally secured to a post secured to and extending from the track mechanism parallel with the motor shaft axis of rotation. A yoke is provided between the apparatus other end and pivotally secures the apparatus to the stub axle about the steering axis and, also, about a pivot axis perpendicular to the steering axis. Oscillation of the track mechanism about the motor shaft is limited by the apparatus. Simultaneously, the apparatus does not interfere with the track mechanism while the mechanism is rotated about the steering axis for steering the vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: Terra Drive Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Kasandra Coverdale
  • Patent number: 10744049
    Abstract: A patient transfer apparatus includes a seat assembly, a track assembly coupled to the seat assembly and including a track configured to engage the stairs in a stair traversing position, and front wheels coupled to the seat assembly for engagement with a floor in a transport position. The seat assembly includes a frame and a seat for supporting a patient. A front end of the track assembly is adjacent the front wheels without interfering with movement of the wheels in the transport position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Stryker Corporation
    Inventors: Brandon Naber, William Ross Heneveld, Jr., Christopher Hough
  • Patent number: 10123181
    Abstract: Systems and Methods for Collaborative Vehicle Mission Operations are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Jinming Huang, Andrew Graham Ball, Yufeng Liu, Kenneth R. Jongsma
  • Patent number: 10059389
    Abstract: A track system for steerable vehicles having at least one axle. The track system is capable of adjusting to changes in terrain by pivoting in clockwise and counterclockwise directions relative to an axle assembly as the vehicle moves across the ground. The pivotal movement of the track system relative to the axle assembly is restricted by a limiter attached to an inboard member of the track system frame. Pivotal movement is limited by the axle assembly housing engaging the limiter when the track system pivots in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to a maximum point along a pivot arc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventor: Cody L. Sewell
  • Patent number: 9809264
    Abstract: A dynamically balanced, tracked robot, which can switch between dynamically balanced (wheeled) operation and tracked operation, can include a body and at least one wheel rotatably mounted to the body. At least one strut can also be mounted to the body so that it extends therefrom, and an idler wheel can be fixed to the distal end of the strut. A track can be slipped over the wheel and that idler wheel, so that the track frictionally engages both the wheel and the idler wheel. The robot can have a defined vertical reference vector and a processor. The processor can have non-transitory written instructions that, when accomplished, cause the vertical reference vector to be parallel with a vector defined by the robot axis and the revised post-installation center of gravity, to continue to allow for dynamic balancing of the newly-tracked robot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Kurt A. Talke, Aaron Bruce Burmeister, Anthony Douglas Jones
  • Patent number: 8910738
    Abstract: A snow bike system includes a motorcycle converted for use in the snow with a rear suspension and belt track system. The belt track is relatively very wide and driven by a front wheel sprocket through a jackshaft. Matching shocks and struts in the rear suspension independently equalize the pressure applied to the ground. The rear strut is a sliding extension type that causes the front of the sliders to kick up when fully compressed during acceleration or climbing uphill. Increased weight on the rear track is shifted forward to keep the front ski down. The jackshaft provides both disc braking and moves the motorcycle engine drive power outboard to accommodate the wider belt track. A tubular subframe and tunnel rigidly mounts to the motorcycle's original rear swing arm pivots and shock mounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Inventor: Allen Mangum
  • Patent number: 8851209
    Abstract: To achieve a simplification and a weight saving of a support structure to a track frame and a travel machine body a working vehicle is provided with the travel machine body which mounts an engine thereon, the track frame which is arranged in a lower portion of the travel machine body, and a travel crawler which is installed to the track frame via a drive wheel body and driven wheel bodies. The track frame is structured such that a pair of steel plate bodies are detachably fastened by fastening members wide surfaces of the steel plate bodies being faced to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takeshi Fukumoto
  • Patent number: 8801115
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled, wheeled vehicle that may be converted into a multi-track self-propelled vehicle using one or more track assemblies. Each track assembly includes a carriage with a main frame that support forward and rearward idler wheels and a plurality of centrally located, inner bogey wheels, and an outrigger beam that supports a plurality of centrally located, outer bogey wheels. One of the idler wheels is movably connected to the main frame and is movable by an actuator. The carriage is removably connected to a spindle of a vehicle by an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly includes a first or lower section and a second or upper section that generally encircle a portion of the spindle housing, and which are connected thereto by a plurality of fastening elements. A sprocket is operatively connected to a wheel hub of the spindle either directly or indirectly by way of a spacer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ronald S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8794358
    Abstract: A track assembly 30 for converting a wheeled vehicle 10 into a tracked vehicle. The track assembly 30 has a longitudinally adjustable support frame 40 having a motive source 170 with a drive sprocket 190, a plurality of support rollers 80, 84, 88, a tensioning assembly 90, and an endless track 200. The track assembly 30 is connected to a vehicle 10 by articulated, resiliently biased mounting assemblies 210, 410. Each mounting assembly 210, 410 includes a first attachment member 212, 412, a link 250, 450, and a second attachment member 300, 500, with the first attachment member 212, 412 configured to be removably attached to a position on a vehicle 10 where a wheel axle attached to an internal drive unit 19 would normally reside but which has been disconnected from its control lines and removed, and with the second attachment member 300, 500 configured to be connected to the support frame 40.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Loegering Mfg., Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8776931
    Abstract: The track system includes a plurality of track assemblies, each having track; a frame structure to mount the track to the vehicle; and inner wheels in contact with an inner surface of the track. The track assembly also includes two drive gears disposed externally to the track and configured to frictionally engaged an outer surface of a corresponding one of the tires. The drive gears are drivingly connected with the track for transmitting power thereto. Each one of the drive gears has a rotation axis, a plurality of elongated traction bars extending substantially parallel and circumferentially to the rotation axis, and open ends. The elongated traction bars are spaced-apart from one another and define channels therebetween allowing granular and liquid materials to flow inwardly towards the rotation axis, and outwardly of the drive gears through the apertured ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Denis Boivin
  • Patent number: 8672064
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled, wheeled irrigation vehicles (10) that may be converted into a multi-track self-propelled irrigation vehicle (60) using one or more track assemblies (62). Each track assembly (62) includes a carriage (70) with frames (92, 94) that support a plurality of pairs of idler wheels (74, 76), and pairs of bogey wheels (80, 82, 84). A portion of one of the frames (94) is telescopically received within a portion of the other frame (92), so that the frames (92, 94) may move relative to each other in a linear fashion. A tensioning apparatus (212) is connected to the frames (92, 94) so that the frames are adjustable relative to each other. Each carriage (70) also includes a hub support frame (90) that is connected to one of the frames (92) in an offset manner. The hub support frame (90) includes an aperture (132) that rotatably receives a spindle (262) of an adaptor (258).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Loegering Mfg. Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Korus, Ronald S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8636296
    Abstract: In one example, mobile industrial equipment for coupling to a truck for on highway transportation is provided. The mobile industrial equipment includes a frame to connect to the truck, a plurality of wheels connected to the frame, and a track assembly connected to the frame. In another example a method for using mobile equipment is provided. The method includes transporting mobile industrial equipment over the highway with a plurality of wheels connected to a frame of the mobile industrial equipment. The frame of the mobile industrial equipment is separated from the truck. The mobile industrial equipment is moved while separated from the truck using a track connected to the frame of the mobile industrial equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Crusher Rental & Sales, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve L. Gilbert
  • Patent number: 8613332
    Abstract: A removable track drive can include a truck configured for supporting a vehicle tire and having two rollers adapted to contact respective surfaces of the vehicle tire. The removable track drive can also include a track disposed around an exterior of the truck and configured to pass over top of the vehicle tire so as to be moved by rotation of the vehicle tire. The removable track drive can also include a compulsory drive having a first rotating portion coupled to a vehicle wheel, a second rotating portion coupled to one of the rollers and a flexible drive member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: OAK Novations, Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuriy Zakuskin
  • Patent number: 8607904
    Abstract: A working vehicle is structured to maintain a ride quality for an operator on a control seat. Provided are a travel machine body which mounts an engine, front wheels on the machine body, a track frame on the machine body, right and left travel crawlers installed on the track frame, a rear axle which transmits a rotating force to the travel crawler, and oscillation supporting point shafts which support the track frame on the machine body so as to freely oscillate. In the case that the rear axle and the oscillation supporting point shafts are provided so as to be spaced, the oscillation supporting point shafts are arranged just below an axle case to which the rear axle is pivoted, and the track frame is connected to the axle case via link members provided in the oscillation supporting point shafts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Yanmar Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takeshi Fukumoto, Keisuke Iwamura, Shinya Kawashiri
  • Patent number: 8567536
    Abstract: A tracked climbing vehicle containing a compliant suspension apparatus to prescribe the distribution of forces on the adhering members in the tracked climbing machine capable of negotiating irregular surfaces. The compliant suspension apparatus is configured to negotiate irregularities in a climbing-surface without its tracks losing full surface contact and adhesion. It does this by distributing the loads from the climbing machine chassis to the adhering traction members in a specific prescribed fashion to avoid exceeding the allowable force in any adhering traction member and thus significantly improve the performance of the climbing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen Lee Canfield, James Walter Beard
  • Patent number: 8571711
    Abstract: A modular robotic crawler can be formed by intercoupling a selected plurality of segment modules from a preexisting collection of differing compatible segment modules. The segment modules can have at least one intercoupleable interface. The selection can be based on a planned operational scenario of functions to be performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Marc X. Olivier
  • Publication number: 20130199859
    Abstract: A crawler device includes a wheel support, wheels respectively rotatably supported thereto, and a crawler belt run around the wheels. Each of the wheels includes a rigid wheel body and an elastic material exterior part fixed to an outer periphery of the wheel body. Raised portions are formed in an outer periphery of the exterior part to continuously extend in a width direction and be arranged in a circumferential direction spaced from each other. Drain grooves extending through the exterior part in the width direction are formed between the raised portions. Top surfaces of the raised portions of the exterior part surface contact an inner peripheral surface of the crawler belt with a frictional force working therebetween. Restriction members stopping opposite side edges of the crawler belt are provided in the wheel support to restrict the crawler belt from being displaced with respect to the wheels in the width direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TOPY KOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Tomoya Inoue, Shingo Tsukui, Katsuki Fujimoto
  • Publication number: 20130175101
    Abstract: A removable track drive can include a truck configured for supporting a vehicle tire and having two rollers adapted to contact respective surfaces of the vehicle tire. The removable track drive can also include a track disposed around an exterior of the truck and configured to pass over top of the vehicle tire so as to be moved by rotation of the vehicle tire. The removable track drive can also include a compulsory drive having a first rotating portion coupled to a vehicle wheel, a second rotating portion coupled to one of the rollers and a flexible drive member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Inventor: Yuriy Zakuskin
  • Patent number: 8430188
    Abstract: The invention relates to track systems (14, 14?) that may be used to convert steerable, all-wheel drive construction equipment to steerable, multi-track construction vehicles (10). A preferred embodiment of the track system (14, 14?) includes a frame (60, 182) having a reinforcing enclosure (150, 230), a plurality of track engaging rollers (82-86, 202-206), a sprocket (102, 214), and an endless track (76, 198) operatively connected to the frame (60, 182). Tension on the endless track (76, 198) is maintained with two tensioning members (170, 244) operatively connected to the forwardmost roller (82, 202). The track system (14, 14?) preferably includes a limiting apparatus (300) that is configured to restrict the rotational movement “r” of the frame (60, 182) relative to a vehicle axle (16) to which it is attached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ronald S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8348001
    Abstract: An agricultural harvesting machine, in particular a self-propelled forage harvester, has a body which includes frame parts and parts of the outer shell, a chassis having at least two drive axles which form the ground drive, and various working units and drive units, and the harvesting machine is separatable into at least one front module and one rear module which are displaceable relative to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: CLAAS Selbstfahrende Erntemaschinen GmbH
    Inventor: Heinrich Isfort
  • Publication number: 20120222908
    Abstract: A snow bike system includes a motorcycle converted for use in the snow with a rear suspension and belt track system. The belt track is relatively very wide and driven by a front wheel sprocket through a jackshaft. Matching shocks and struts in the rear suspension independently equalize the pressure applied to the ground. The rear strut is a sliding extension type that causes the front of the sliders to kick up when fully compressed during acceleration or climbing uphill. Increased weight on the rear track is shifted forward to keep the front ski down. The jackshaft provides both disc braking and moves the motorcycle engine drive power outboard to accommodate the wider belt track. A tubular subframe and tunnel rigidly mounts to the motorcycle's original rear swing arm pivots and shock mounts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Allen Mangum
  • Patent number: 8245800
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled, wheeled vehicle that may be converted into a multi-track self-propelled vehicle using one or more track assemblies. Each track assembly includes a carriage with a main frame that support forward and rearward idler wheels and a plurality of centrally located, inner bogey wheels, and an outrigger beam that supports a plurality of centrally located, outer bogey wheels. One of the idler wheels is movably connected to the main frame and is movable by an actuator. The carriage is removably connected to a spindle of a vehicle by an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly includes a first or lower section and a second or upper section that generally encircle a portion of the spindle housing, and which are connected thereto by a plurality of fastening elements. A sprocket is operatively connected to a wheel hub of the spindle either directly or indirectly by way of a spacer element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Vermeer Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Ronald S. Hansen
  • Patent number: 8240408
    Abstract: The hybrid vehicle is mounted from a kit which includes a vehicle body that has a chassis, a first actuator assembly carried by the chassis and a motor carried by the chassis; a wheel kit including a second actuator assembly and a number of ground-engaging wheels; and a track kit that has track guide wheels, track driving wheels and a pair of ground-engaging tracks. The vehicle body can be interchangeably coupled to either one of the wheel kit thus defining a wheel mode hybrid vehicle and the track kit thus defining a track mode hybrid vehicle. In the wheel mode, the second actuator assembly is removably carried by the chassis, the ground-engaging wheels are operatively and removably coupled to the first and second actuator assemblies and the motor powers the first and second actuator assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: RPM Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Bernard, Guy Gaudreau
  • Patent number: 8146689
    Abstract: An all-terrain vehicle having a unique suspension system for enabling handicapped individuals or invalids to easily access the vehicle and be self-transportable over ground or an ice surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Inventor: Daryl Hertema
  • Patent number: 8074751
    Abstract: The powered hybrid vehicle is capable of being operative in either one of first and second distinct driving modes each including corresponding first and second directional systems. The hybrid vehicle has a control shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, a first steering member operatively coupled to the first directional system, a second steering member operatively coupled to the second directional system and a shaft coupler capable of selectively coupling the control shaft to either one of the first and second steering members. The hybrid vehicle may be steered by controlling the steering device notwithstanding which one of the first and second driving mode it is in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2011
    Assignee: RPM Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Bernard, Guy Gaudreau
  • Patent number: 8056656
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2011
    Assignee: Soucy International Inc.
    Inventors: André Todd, Robert Handfield, Robert Bessette, Chad Olson
  • Patent number: 7886852
    Abstract: The hybrid vehicle kit comprises a vehicle body capable of being interchangeably coupled to either one of a wheel kit thus forming a hybrid vehicle in a wheel mode, the wheel kit having a number of ground-engaging wheels; and a track kit, thus forming the hybrid vehicle in a track mode, the track kit having a pair of ground-engaging tracks carried by track wheels. The vehicle has a pair of powered driving hydraulic pumps and a number of wheel drives powered by a corresponding one of the driving hydraulic pumps. In the wheel mode the ground-engaging wheels are operatively mounted to corresponding wheel drives and an electronic circuit calculates hydraulic rate data on the basis of speed data to control the first and second driving hydraulic pumps so that they will administer a hydraulic rate to the wheel drives which is representative of the hydraulic rate data to control the rotational speed of the ground-engaging wheels which will propel the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2011
    Assignee: RPM Tech Inc.
    Inventors: Pierre Bernard, Guy Gaudreau, Marc-Andre Lucier
  • Patent number: 7874387
    Abstract: A track extension in combination with a track system comprises a track system having a track frame, wheels mounted to the frame and adapted to allow cyclic movement of a track about the frame, drive means in the frame adapted to transmit a drive of a vehicle to the track to drive the track in a cyclic movement. An extension frame is releasably secured to an end of the track frame. An idler wheelset is mounted to an end of the extension frame. A track is mounted about the track frame and the extension frame such that a footprint of the track is delimited at an end by the engagement of the track with the idler wheelset. A method is provided to increase a footprint of a track system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Inventor: Jean Després
  • Patent number: 7870914
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Soucy International Inc.
    Inventors: André Todd, Robert Handfield, Robert Bessette, Chad Olson
  • Publication number: 20100139994
    Abstract: The invention relates to a self-propelled, wheeled vehicle that may be converted into a multi-track self-propelled vehicle using one or more track assemblies. Each track assembly includes a carriage with a main frame that support forward and rearward idler wheels and a plurality of centrally located, inner bogey wheels, and an outrigger beam that supports a plurality of centrally located, outer bogey wheels. One of the idler wheels is movably connected to the main frame and is movable by an actuator. The carriage is removably connected to a spindle of a vehicle by an attachment assembly. The attachment assembly includes a first or lower section and a second or upper section that generally encircle a portion of the spindle housing, and which are connected thereto by a plurality of fastening elements. A sprocket is operatively connected to a wheel hub of the spindle either directly or indirectly by way of a spacer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2008
    Publication date: June 10, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald S. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100012399
    Abstract: The invention relates to track systems (14, 14?) that may be used to convert steerable, all-wheel drive construction equipment to steerable, multi-track construction vehicles (10). A preferred embodiment of the track system (14, 14?) includes a frame (60, 182) having a reinforcing enclosure (150, 230), a plurality of track engaging rollers (82-86, 202-206), a sprocket (102, 214), and an endless track (76, 198) operatively connected to the frame (60, 182). Tension on the endless track (76, 198) is maintained with two tensioning members (170, 244) operatively connected to the forwardmost roller (82, 202). The track system (14, 14?) preferably includes a limiting apparatus (300) that is configured to restrict the rotational movement “r” of the frame (60, 182) relative to a vehicle axle (16) to which it is attached.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Applicant: Loegering Mfg. Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald S. Hansen
  • Publication number: 20100012397
    Abstract: The powered hybrid vehicle is capable of being operative in either one of first and second distinct driving modes each comprising corresponding first and second directional systems. The hybrid vehicle has a control shaft operatively coupled to a steering device, a first steering member operatively coupled to the first directional system, a second steering member operatively coupled to the second directional system and a shaft coupler capable of selectively coupling the control shaft to either one of the first and second steering members. The hybrid vehicle may be steered by controlling the steering device notwithstanding which one of the first and second driving mode it is in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Pierre Bernard, Guy Gaudreau
  • Publication number: 20100012398
    Abstract: The hybrid vehicle kit comprises a vehicle body capable of being interchangeably coupled to either one of a wheel kit thus forming a hybrid vehicle in a wheel mode, the wheel kit having a number of ground-engaging wheels; and a track kit, thus forming the hybrid vehicle in a track mode, the track kit having a pair of ground-engaging tracks carried by track wheels. The vehicle has a pair of powered driving hydraulic pumps and a number of wheel drives powered by a corresponding one of the driving hydraulic pumps. In the wheel mode the ground-engaging wheels are operatively mounted to corresponding wheel drives and an electronic circuit calculates hydraulic rate data on the basis of speed data to control the first and second driving hydraulic pumps so that they will administer a hydraulic rate to the wheel drives which is representative of the hydraulic rate data to control the rotational speed of the ground-engaging wheels which will propel the hybrid vehicle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 21, 2010
    Inventors: Pierre Bernard, Guy Gaudreau, Marc-Andre Lucier
  • Patent number: 7597161
    Abstract: An endless track assembly that mounts to a wheeled vehicle. The assembly provides 1) a track suspension having fixed or adjustable, independently biased sets of idler wheels to vary the track contour without affecting track tension, 2) an eccentric bearing housing at a drive sprocket controls track tension, 3) a contoured peripheral edge at the drive sprocket prevents ice and mud buildup, 4) rubber-coated, plastic idler wheels facilitate track movement, 5) a multi-vehicle compatible adapter mounting plate accommodates a variety of vehicles, 6) a rotation limited torsion coupler and/or rotation limiting coupler arms prevent track contact with the vehicle, 7) a locking steering arm coupler prevents loss of steering control, 8) shaped track lugs and channels clear and direct debris away from the track suspension and drive assembly, and 9) a center, spring biased coupling suspension stabilizes and enhances the contour following and load handling capabilities in the center region of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Inventor: Glen Brazier
  • Patent number: 7562727
    Abstract: A track suspension system for a skid steer loader for effectively traversing rough terrain. The track suspension system for a skid steer loader includes an undercarriage attached to a skid steer loader, a drive wheel attached to a wheel axle of the skid steer loader, a front roller movably attached to a front portion of the undercarriage, a rear roller movably attached to a rear portion of the undercarriage, a plurality of lower idlers movably attached to the undercarriage, and a track movably extending about the wheels and idlers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Ramco Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald J. Hoffart
  • Patent number: 7357201
    Abstract: The invention is a conversion kit for converting a conventional two-wheeled vehicle, such as a bicycle or motorcycle, into a tracked vehicle for use on snow, mud and sand. The kit converts the vehicle without major modifications to the vehicle, and the vehicle may be converted back to two-wheeled use easily. The tracked version is powered by the original vehicle drive system, and uses the vehicles braking and suspension system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Inventor: Tim Jordan
  • Patent number: 7311160
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a wheelchair with forced driven front caterpillar wheels with a cable-hauling ratchet lever by which a user, by himself/herself, can pass over a road-block or drains on roads, lifts up the caterpillars from the ground for easy steering on caster wheel, engages/disengages the drive wheel having ratchet clutch in the detachable wheel hub to idle the drive wheel/caterpillars for converting from/to manual drive to/from drive by auxiliary power source, and prevents the drive wheel from rolling backward during climbing inclines and controls speed continuously on a slope by a band brake means. So the disabled persons on their legs can travel to outdoors by himself/herself without a care of neighbors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Inventor: Nag-Bok Lim
  • Patent number: 7255184
    Abstract: A track assembly having first and second hub assemblies that are operatively connected to a support frame by first and second attachment members, respectively. The first and second attachment members include resilient or movable mounts that are configured so that the track assembly can be attached to vehicles whose axles or wheel flanges are misaligned or have irregular rotational movement such as runout or wobble. The attachment members may be adjustably positioned relative to the support frame to accommodate vehicles having different wheelbase lengths and axle lengths. An endless track encircles the first and second hub assemblies, and the support frame, and is drivingly engaged by one of the hub assemblies. First and second rollers, which define the longitudinal extent of the endless track, are positioned at either end of the support frame. A tensioning member, with at least one upper idler roller, positions the endless track so that it is spaced from one of the hub assemblies in a spaced relation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Loegering MFG, Inc.
    Inventors: George A. Loegering, Ronald S. Hansen, Steven W. Loegering
  • Patent number: 7156185
    Abstract: A soil stabilizer treating earth includes a stabilizer frame, a rotor rotatably mounted thereon and including a cutting tool for cutting earth and being movable such that the rotor may engage various depths of earth, a rotatable axle, and a track apparatus mounted on the rotatable axle, the track apparatus supporting the stabilizer frame and providing for movement of the stabilizer frame and rotor across the ground surface. The track apparatus may include a continuous flexible track having an upper length and a ground-engaging lower length and including an inner surface, an axle wheel mountable to the rotatable axle for rotational movement therewith, the axle wheel engaging the inner surface of the flexible track along the upper length to drive the flexible track in response to rotation of the axle, and an apparatus frame for mounting the axle wheel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: ATI, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth J. Juncker
  • Patent number: 6981563
    Abstract: The drive device of the invention comprises a ready to fit unit or kit, for installing in a detachable manner on one side of a chassis of a motor vehicle. The unit comprises a flexible crawler looped round a drive wheel adapted to be mounted on a drive hub of the vehicle and round a tension wheel carried by a support frame, which comprises an internal part adapted to be secured in a detachable manner on the chassis remote from the drive shaft, an intermediate part adapted to carry the tension wheel and an external part carrying a bearing for the drive wheel. The invention is particularly of use for transforming vehicles with four drive wheels for crawler operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: OTICO
    Inventors: Olivier Phely, Denis Piou
  • Patent number: 6874586
    Abstract: The present invention is concerned with track assemblies for an all-terrain vehicle, which make it maneuverable and effective upon a variety of unstable, uneven, stable and even surfaces, while designed to maintain tension upon the endless track belts to keep them in their due course and prevent accidental loosening while having a punctually localized surface contact with a ground surface, and at the same time reducing the damages inflicted on the terrain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: A & D Boivin Design Inc.
    Inventors: Denis Boivin, Alain Boivin
  • Publication number: 20040163857
    Abstract: Disclosed is a traction device for detachable association with a motor bike for Winter driving, the bike having a rear wheel assembly including an axle and a rubber tire supported by laterally spaced bike struts. The traction device comprises laterally spaced opposed side strut assemblies each having a forward end and rearward end, a traction wheel assembly and an endless track. The side strut assemblies each include means adapted to pivotally connect the forward end of each of the strut assemblies to the bike adjacent the rear axle of the bike wheel assembly with the strut assemblies extending rearwardly of the bike, The traction wheel assembly is rotatably supported by the rear ends of the strut assemblies. The endless track has means for cooperating with the rubber tire of the bike and the traction wheel assembly to maintain the endless track centered on the rubber tire and the traction wheel assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Corbeil
  • Publication number: 20040016578
    Abstract: This invention relates to vehicles equipped with rubber tires used to drive over diverse types of terrain and, more particularly, to a tire track which consists in one or more rubber track segments, attached with a joint assembly and designed to accommodate any types of wheel diameter, thickness and ground surface, when installed on top of rubber tires. Each rubber track segment is made from a profiled outside layer and an inner layer comprising side guides to hold the track on the tire. Each segment is linked with the next one by a joint assembly using links and fastening means to ensure complete covering of the tires periphery.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventors: Yves St-Pierre, Francois Duquette
  • Patent number: 6663114
    Abstract: A skid steer vehicle has sprung suspensions that can be locked to prevent vertical movement with respect to the chassis of the vehicle. The operator controls include a switch that the operator can manipulate to lock the suspensions on command. The switch is mounted on a joystick that is used to perform other vehicle functions such as moving the vehicle, raising loader arms, or tilting the bucket or other implement attached to the loader arms. The switch is located on the joystick such that the operator can manipulate the switch without having to remove his hands from the joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Case, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. Lamela, Troy D. Bateman, Brian E. Felsing, Hong-Chin Lin, Peter J. Dix, Daniel B. Shore
  • Patent number: 6659214
    Abstract: A tracked vehicle adapted for receiving a wheeled vehicle and to be driven by the wheeled vehicle. The tracked vehicle has a chassis. Guide and drive wheels are mounted on the chassis at each side and a set of tracks are driven by the driven wheels and guided by the guide wheels. Rear wheels of the wheeled vehicle rest in a pair of drive rollers and rotating stiles are adapted for receiving steered wheels of the wheeled vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: R. Pollitt Oilfield Construction, Ltd.
    Inventor: Douglas Laing
  • Patent number: 6640915
    Abstract: A vehicle, which can be used in particular as an agricultural vehicle and/or for construction purposes, has a vehicle frame, a drive and an undercarriage. The undercarriage (4, 4a) includes on both sides wheels (12, 13) having tires, and/or chain wheels (70a, 71a) having crawler tracks/chains (72a), which are arranged one behind another in the running direction and as wheel groups (11, 11a), and also can be steered in each case as a wheel group (11, 11a) about a vertical Z-axis (21), and can be pivoted about a transverse Y-axis (19) arranged transversely with respect to the longitudinal X-axis (20) of the vehicle (1, 1a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: macmoter S.p.A.
    Inventor: Alois Johann Haringer
  • Patent number: 6615939
    Abstract: An ATV endless track conversion using sprocket rings fit over each of the tires of the rear wheels which are inflated into a tight driving connection. A swing arm extension is pivoted to the ATV swing arm and has its own spring-shock absorber suspension in addition to the existing ATV spring-shock absorber. A return idler wheel set is mounted at the rear of the swing arm extension as well as two track band shaping wheel sets which engage track band upper and lower segments forward of the idler return wheel set to maintain the track band tension and footprint without substantial friction losses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2003
    Inventors: David Karales, Daniel Karales