Abstract: A robot has a track assembly having tracks configured to move the robot in a first direction and a wheel assembly having wheels configured to move the robot in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A toggling assembly switches between the track assembly and the wheel assembly. The robot modules can mate with each other. The robot module has an elongated shaft with a head and a narrow neck. The shaft extends outward from the side of the robot module. A mating robot module has a clamping mechanism with opposing clamps which in an opened position receive the shaft. In a closed position, the clamps define an opening which matches and engages the cross-section of the neck of the elongated shaft. The clamping mechanism has a drive mode to drive the module, a clamping mode for docking, and neutral mode for alignment prior to clamping.

Abstract: A partially tracked utility vehicle and conversion are provided. The converted partially tracked utility vehicle has a chassis, front wheels, and a trailing link suspension. The trailing link suspension has a trailing link with a first end pivotably connected to said chassis and a second end pivotably connected to a walking beam at a walking beam pivot; a shock having a first end pivotably connected to a tension shaft and a second end pivotably connected to said trailing link; said walking beam further comprising a plurality of axle mounted bogey wheels for engaging a track of said partially tracked utility vehicle; a sprocket mounted to a traction drive of said utility vehicle for engaging and providing rotational power to said track; and an actuator attached to said chassis, said actuator having a shaft pivotably connected to said tension shaft and configured to rotate said tension shaft.

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.

Abstract: An agricultural tractor includes a pair of track assemblies including rubber treads with track bars, a front wheel assembly and a controller. The track assemblies are interconnected by respective front and rear axles extending substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel. The controller automatically controls a load imposed on the front wheel assembly in order to control the load imposed at the front axle of the track assemblies to minimize rubber tread wear.

Abstract: A multi-terrain motorized wheelchair apparatus is disclosed that comprises a seating assembly for supporting a user in a seated position, a track assembly with the seating assembly being pivotable with respect to the track assembly. The track assembly includes a pair of track units positioned on opposite sides of the seating assembly. The apparatus comprises a seating orientation adjustment assembly configured to adjust an orientation of the seating assembly with respect to the track assembly. The apparatus includes at least one drive assembly mounted on the seating assembly and which has at least one drive shaft structure connected to the track units to drive the track units. The seating assembly is supported on the track units of the track assembly by the drive shaft structure.

Abstract: A tractor configuration includes a mainframe structure, a control station having a means of controlling the tractor, an undercarriage system having one left side and one right side track assembly, a wheel mechanism containing one or more wheels located forward of the track assemblies, a power train for forcing both track assemblies to travel at the same or different speeds, a controller responsible for exerting force to transfer vertical load back and forth between the front portion of the track assemblies and the wheel mechanism and controlling the amount of weight carried by the wheel mechanism. The controller causes or allows the wheel or wheels of the wheel mechanism to follow the tractor's curved path caused by track speed difference.

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.

Abstract: A tracked mobility device includes a frame, a pair of track drives connected to the frame, and a rear wheel assembly that is independent of the track drives. Each track drive has a flexible track rotating around a set of wheels, with each set of wheels including a rear powered wheel, a central weight-bearing wheel, and a front roller wheel. The wheels are fixed to the frame at a height effective to cause the track drive always to have a “V”-shaped lower surface when viewed from the side. The independent rear wheel is at a fixed and constant height with respect to the frame, with the fixed and constant height being effective to allow the rear wheel to cooperate with the lowered central portion of each of said track drives to provide a three-point contact with a flat surface.

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.

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.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle (e.g., a tracked carrier vehicle) comprising a plurality of track assemblies for traction of the tracked vehicle. Each of the track assemblies supports a portion of a weight of the tracked vehicle when the tracked vehicle is in use. Each track assembly comprises: a first wheel and a second wheel spaced apart from one another along a longitudinal direction of the tracked vehicle; a number of support wheels arranged in an in-line configuration between the first wheel and the second wheel; and an endless track disposed around the first wheel, the second wheel, and the support wheels. The support wheels may comprise at least five (5) support wheels mounted such that, when the tracked vehicle is in use, the portion of the weight of the tracked vehicle supported by the track assembly is never applied to only one of the support wheels.

Abstract: A robot has a track assembly having tracks configured to move the robot in a first direction and a wheel assembly having wheels configured to move the robot in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. A toggling assembly switches between the track assembly and the wheel assembly. The robot modules can mate with each other. The robot module has an elongated shaft with a head and a narrow neck. The shaft extends outward from the side of the robot module. A mating robot module has a clamping mechanism with opposing clamps which in an opened position receive the shaft. In a closed position, the clamps define an opening which matches and engages the cross-section of the neck of the elongated shaft. The clamping mechanism has a drive mode to drive the module, a clamping mode for docking, and neutral mode for alignment prior to clamping.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use on standard or customized wheelchairs for moving the wheelchair and wheelchair occupant up or down a stairway or stairway-like structure (e.g., a curb) with greater confidence and stability to the occupant of the wheelchair and its handler(s). The apparatus includes a motorized assembly that interacts with stair steps when the apparatus and wheelchair are tilted backwardly. The motorized assembly allows the wheelchair to glide or move up or down the steps without experiencing the bumps commonly associated with rolling a wheelchair up or down a set of stairs. The apparatus includes a headrest to provide comfort to the occupant during operation and includes pivoting handlebars to allow the operator of the wheelchair to control the movement of the wheelchair. The apparatus is mountable to, and removable from (when not in use), the wheelchair. The apparatus can be considered as a retrofit.

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.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for use on standard or customized wheelchairs for moving the wheelchair and wheelchair occupant up or down a stairway or stairway-like structure (e.g., a curb) with greater confidence and stability to the occupant of the wheelchair and its handler(s). The apparatus includes a motorized assembly that interacts with stair steps when the apparatus and wheelchair are tilted backwardly. The motorized assembly allows the wheelchair to glide or move up or down the steps without experiencing the bumps commonly associated with rolling a wheelchair up or down a set of stairs. The apparatus includes a headrest to provide comfort to the occupant during operation and includes pivoting handlebars to allow the operator of the wheelchair to control the movement of the wheelchair. The apparatus is mountable to, and removable from (when not in use), the wheelchair. The apparatus can be considered as a retrofit.

Abstract: An automotive device for the inspection of internal spaces having ferromagnetic surfaces includes at least two magnetic wheels (3) or caterpillars, or at least two magnetic legs for the advancement of the device along the surfaces to be inspected. According to the invention, the device includes actively powered rotating arms (1) attached to a wheel (3), caterpillar, or leg of the device. Each rotating arm (1) has a length longer than the shortest distance between the point of attachment of the rotating arm to the device and the surface. When the device is in a position, where there is magnetic contact to the surface in two or more points and the device is no longer able to advance due to the strength of the magnetic forces, the rotating arms are brought into non-magnetic contact with the surface in order to create an air gap between the surface and the magnetic wheel and thus reduce the magnetic forces. The device is thereby enabled to overcome the magnetic forces and advance the device along the surface.

Abstract: An electrically driven wheel for a tracked vehicle which includes a driving track wheel with built in cogs and a brushless DC motor having a mounting shaft to connect the wheels to the tracked vehicle. The brushless DC motor is coupled within the driving track wheel to develop rotational torque for rotating the driving track wheel and includes a drum, a bank of pole assemblies connected between the drum and the stationary mounting shaft, and electrical wiring for energizing the bank of pole assemblies. In an embodiment, the brushless DC motor includes permanent magnet high multiple pole motors. The electrically driven wheels are part of a drive system for the tracked vehicle. The drive system includes a track module frame, at least two flexible tracks coupled with the electrically driven track wheels, and a controller for controlling the electrically driven track wheels in response to a driver command.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a design of a driving mechanism for a vehicle to move through uneven terrain including stairways. The link-type double track mechanism in accordance with the present invention comprises: front and rear track driving sections; a built-in type control box; a set of angle-adjusting flippers, installed at front and rear ends of the control box, for adjusting the track angle; and high-speed driving wheels installed at the angle-adjusting tracks and imbedded inside. The link-type double track mechanism in accordance with the present invention does not require a complex terrain-adaptation mechanism, and thus it has advantages that the overall structure is simple and the control is very easy.

Abstract: A motor vehicle with an additional crawler undercarriage includes assemblies to reduce the load pressure transferred to the ground and to improve off-road performance. The assemblies include components used in conventional mass-produced vehicles, with a chassis (1. 1), a body with optional cargo area (1.2), undercarriage, such as axles (1.3) with steered (1.4) and/or unsteered wheels (1.5), tires (1.6), wheel suspension, spring support, steering and brakes, and an engine-transmission unit (1.7) with drive components. An additional crawler undercarriage (2) can be mounted and/or retrofitted on the chassis (1.1) between the axles (1.3) and used for traction in any terrain. The additional crawler undercarriage (2) includes an undercarriage (2.1) with drive wheels (2.2) and carrying wheels (2.3) and revolving crawler chains/crawlers (2.4) and associated elements, first means (3) for providing an optionally extendable and retractable connection of the undercarriage (2.1) with the chassis (1.

Abstract: An embodiment of a high-mobility vehicle comprises a vehicle body, a track assembly attached to the vehicle body, arms pivotally attached to the vehicle body, and trackless drive wheels mounted on distal ends of the arms. Another embodiment of a high-mobility vehicle comprises a vehicle chassis, right and left drive motors attached to the vehicle chassis, right and left power transmission mechanisms having high torque and low torque sets of gears, track assemblies coupled to the high torque sets of gears, and trackless drive wheels coupled to the low torque sets of gears.

Abstract: Endless tracks constructed from the casing of a vehicle tire by removing the casing sidewalls. The track is installed “as is” over pneumatic tires which are mounted in a frame that allows the axle centerline of the tires to be skewed relative to each other so that the track will run on-center when no side load is present. Guide rollers contact the sides of the track to limit the amount of off-center displacement when a side load is present. A spring loaded wiper is installed so that it contacts the underside of the upper run of the track and removes debris prior to the track feeding onto the front pneumatic tire which applies driving force to the track.

Abstract: Powered wheeled vehicle (1), capable of travelling both on level ground and over uneven surfaces, comprising at least one driving tread (BR11) as well as two pairs of front wheels (R61) and rear wheels (R21), of which at least one is a driving pair, wherein each wheel of the driving wheel pair is mounted on a swing arm, each arm of the swing arms (B21) of the rear wheels (R21) is secured to an actuator (V2) for placing said wheels in at least two positions, namely: a first lower position in which the ground-engaging surface of the wheels is below the ground-engaging surface of the tread so that said wheeled vehicle is moved by the wheels alone, and a second position in which the ground-engaging surface of the wheels remains in contact with the ground so that the vehicle is moved by a combination of the tread and said driving wheels.

Abstract: An electrically driven wheel for a tracked vehicle which includes a driving track wheel with built in cogs and a brushless DC motor having a mounting shaft to connect the wheels to the tracked vehicle. The brushless DC motor is coupled within the driving track wheel to develop rotational torque for rotating the driving track wheel and includes a drum, a bank of pole assemblies connected between the drum and the stationary mounting shaft, and electrical wiring for energizing the bank of pole assemblies. In an embodiment, the brushless DC motor includes permanent magnet high multiple pole motors. The electrically driven wheels are part of a drive system for the tracked vehicle. The drive system includes a track module frame, at least two flexible tracks coupled with the electrically driven track wheels, and a controller for controlling the electrically driven track wheels in response to a driver command.

Abstract: A semicrawler-type working vehicle is provided having a vehicle body (3), a front steering control wheel (7) arranged at a front side of the vehicle body, a drive shaft (26) and a pivot shaft (22) arranged at a rear side of the vehicle body, and a semicrawler unit (2) driven by the drive shaft. The semicrawler-type working vehicle comprises: a track frame (16) by which the semicrawler unit (2) is supported via the pivot shaft (22) so as to be pivotable relative to the vehicle body (3); a drive wheel (11) arranged on the drive shaft (26); a front driven wheel (12) and a rear driven wheel (13) that are supported by the track frame (16) such that a horizontal distance from the drive wheel (11) to the front driven wheel (12) is longer than a horizontal distance from the drive wheel (11) to the rear driven wheel (13); and a crawler belt (15) that is wound around the drive wheel (11), the front driven wheel (12), and the rear driven wheel (13).

Abstract: A track vehicle employing a rail track system attached to the sides of the frame of a track vehicle having a continuous track driven by pneumatic tires mounted to the frame proximate each end of the rail system along such that triangular torsion and compression links are mounted to the continuous track such that the apex end slides along the rail and the other ends extending against the track to provides lighter more even ground contact for use on snow and other soft terrain than present track vehicles.

Abstract: A four wheel drive carrier having a frame and a carrier body secured to the frame. The carrier body has brake and movement control apparatus secured therein. A pair of wheels and a pair of wheel tracks are secured to the frame for forward and reverse propulsion. A drive engine is operably mounted on the frame and is communicatively linked to the pair of wheels, and to the pair of wheel tracks by a hydraulic drive mechanisms. A throttle mechanism is operably engaged to the drive engine and one or more swing arms are operably secured to the frame.

Abstract: A vehicle for use on a battlefield, having a hull with at least one endless track unit mounted underneath, and with a plurality of selectively vertically moveable wheels. The endless track unit may cover substantially all of the bottom side of the vehicle and may wrap upward to cover a portion of the front of the vehicle. The vehicle may be operated with only the wheels, the wheels and the endless track unit in combination, or only the endless track unit in contact with the ground. The vehicle has a height variable suspension element, which may be a hydro-pneumatic spring, coupled to each wheel. The suspension elements are connected with a power unit and a control unit to allow selective controllability of suspension height, and corresponding extension or retraction of the wheels. The wheels may also be provided with a resilient suspension mechanism that is either separate or formed by the height variable suspension elements.

Abstract: A four wheel drive carrier having a frame and a carrier body secured to the frame. The carrier body has brake and movement control apparatus secured therein. A pair of wheels and a pair of wheel tracks are secured to the frame for forward and reverse propulsion. A drive engine is operably mounted on the frame and is communicatively linked to the pair of wheels, and to the pair of wheel tracks by a hydraulic drive mechanisms. A throttle mechanism is operably engaged to the drive engine and one or more swing arms are operably secured to the frame.

Abstract: A ski that attaches to the front of a motorcycle. The ski is designed to pivot, allowing it to be used automatically when needed to keep the front tire from sinking. Unlike other skis, this ski does not interfere with normal operations of the motorcycle. The ski is easily attached to the motorcycle by bolting it to the front fork of the motorcycle. Normally, the front of the ski is angled upward to prevent the ski from digging into snow or sand. In soft ground conditions, the ski pivots down. This pivoting action maintains a constant pressure on the back of the ski that lifts the front tire as it moves up and down in different densities of ground or snow. A pair of springs helps to maintain the balance of forces on the ski as it travels over varied terrain. The springs also return the ski in the elevated “attack” position when the motorcycle returns to solid ground.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vehicle that has a frame, a driving track assembly, and a pair of secondary driving assemblies mounted on opposing lateral sides of the track assembly. More specifically, the present invention relates to a vehicle that has one or more counterbalance structures for offsetting longitudinally off-center loads carried on the frame of such a vehicle.

Abstract: Disclosed is wheel and track equipment in which the running components (e.g., wheels) only used in normal vehicles are incorporated with those (e.g., tracks) used in special-purpose vehicles to provide a selective driving relationship and thereby enable a wide driving performance regardless of the type of the vehicle or the condition of the road surface. The wheel and track driving equipment also includes a link connection having a multi-bending structure provided between a pair of wheel and track to have a seesaw effect of up-and-down motion in the symmetric structure, thereby readily overcoming the obstructions and running the vehicle on the rough road surface such as rugged ground and stairway.

Abstract: A drive arrangement for a remotely controlled unmanned ground vehicle which has both tracks and wheels. The track drive and the wheel are both connected to a drive shaft assembly which includes a spring loaded axially movable splined shaft engagable and disengagable with a motor driven gear train. A ball lock key assembly is mateable with an extraction knob located at the end of the splined shaft to quickly and effortlessly disengage the shaft to allow for free-wheeling in the event of a power failure, or like problem, and to thereafter reengage the shaft for normal operation after the problem is remedied.