Belt Or Chain Driven Patents (Class 180/9.64)
  • Patent number: 11745829
    Abstract: A snow bike track assembly includes a frame assembly, at least one strut, an endless track, a plurality of top and bottom rollers, a skid rail assembly, a drive assembly, and a swing arm assembly. The frame assembly is configured to connect to a frame of a motorcycle in place of a rear wheel of the motorcycle. The at least one strut is connected to the frame assembly and configured to connect to the motorcycle frame in place of a rear shock of the motorcycle. The plurality of top rollers are mounted to the frame assembly and arranged to support the endless track. The plurality of lower rollers are mounted to the skid rail assembly and arranged to support the endless track. The drive assembly is configured to drive the endless track. The swing arm assembly is coupled between the frame assembly and the skid rail assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Inventor: Jaron L. Ball
  • Patent number: 9345993
    Abstract: To provide a cleaning apparatus suitable for removing clogging substances trapped in a surface layer of a sand filtration layer. A cleaning apparatus equipped with drive wheels serving as a driving device configured to move across a surface of a sand filtration layer. A pump and a jet nozzle are provided as an agitation device configured to agitate a surface layer portion of the sand filtration layer only at a desired depth, and which blows the clogging substances upward into the seawater in a turbid water intake pit together with a filtration sand. A perforated pipe for suctioning turbid water, a pump, an ejector, and a discharge pipe for dilute turbid water are provided as a suction and discharge device configured to suction turbid water blown upward into seawater in the water intake pit by the agitation device, and discharge it to outside of the turbid water intake pit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignees: HITACHI ZOSEN CORPORATION, NAGAOKA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Hideyuki Niizato, Takayuki Inoue, Kiyokazu Mukai, Hitoshi Mimura
  • Patent number: 8905174
    Abstract: A traction unit has carrier sections on which suction cups are mounted that are connected to a vacuum source. The carrier units are driven around the frame by a chain driven by a motor. The frame has sections which move relative to one another in order to permit turning control of the traction unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventor: Edward T. Saylor, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140238756
    Abstract: An autonomous surface treating appliance comprising a chassis having a drive arrangement and a control system interfaced to the drive arrangement so as enable control of the appliance across a surface to be treated, wherein the drive arrangement comprises at least one traction unit, each traction unit comprising a surface-engaging track constrained around a leading wheel and a trailing wheel, the leading wheel and the trailing wheel being arranged so that a track portion opposing the floor surface and extending between the leading and trailing wheels defines a ramped climbing surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2014
    Publication date: August 28, 2014
    Applicant: DYSON TECHNOLOGY LIMITED
    Inventors: James DYSON, Peter David GAMMACK, Mark Stamford VANDERSTEGEN-DRAKE, Paul Joshua BOTT
  • Patent number: 8248005
    Abstract: A braking circuit is adapted to supply generatively produced energy of the motor as load resistance to a bipolar transistor. The braking circuit has a voltage regulator, which controls a voltage, applied to the base terminal of the bipolar transistor to achieve an associated controlled voltage based on a reference voltage. A first power supply connector of the electrical motor, in the generator mode of operation of the electrical motor, is coupled to a collector terminal of the bipolar transistor and to the voltage input of a voltage regulator. A second power supply connector of the electrical motor is coupled to an emitter terminal of the bipolar transistor and is coupled to a reference input of the voltage regulator via a resistive branch including at least one electrical resistor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Dorma GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventor: Martin Römer
  • Patent number: 8033347
    Abstract: A final drive unit includes a sprocket, a hub unit and a holding portion. The hub unit is arranged inside the sprocket and includes a hub portion and a cover member mounted to the hub portion. At least the hub portion is configured and arranged to rotate about a rotational axis together with the sprocket. The holding portion is arranged on one of the hub portion and the cover member of the hub unit in proximity to an outer end of the one of the hub portion and the cover member with respect to an axial direction of the rotational axis. The holding portion is configured and arranged to hold an end of a wire-shaped member that pulls a crawler belt when the crawler belt is wound around the sprocket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Komatsu Ltd.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsui, Atsumi Araki, Yukio Kometani
  • Patent number: 8012050
    Abstract: A snowmobile is disclosed having improved drive train including a continuously variable transmission (CVT) having a drive belt looped around a driving pulley and a driven pulley, and a transversely arranged jackshaft wherein the driven pulley is connected directly onto the outer surface of one end of the jackshaft. The transverse jackshaft is preferably made from a thin-walled hollow tube and the driven pulley is preferably press fitted thereon. A method of assembling a snowmobile drive train is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2011
    Assignee: Bombardier Recreational Products Inc.
    Inventors: Xavier-Pierre Aitcin, Joel Pitre, Yan Nolet
  • Patent number: 7967088
    Abstract: A snowmobile suspension and drive train for supporting a snowmobile chassis and guiding an endless loop type track, the snowmobile suspension and drive train comprises an endless loop type snowmobile track supported by a suspension mechanism; wherein the track is being driven and guided at a rear track position with track drive sprockets and is supported and guided at a front track position with front idler wheels, and wherein an upper portion of the track is guided and supported at an intermediate position over top track wheels. The snowmobile suspension wherein the suspension mechanism includes a diagonally extending upper frame pivotally connected at a pivot point to a horizontally oriented lower frame in scissor relationship such that the suspension can move between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2011
    Inventor: Shawn Watling
  • Patent number: 7896113
    Abstract: A robotic system adapted to deploy from a police vehicle for inspecting a suspect vehicle has a robot unit and a carrier unit. The robot unit includes a robot base having a drive system responsive to a control unit having a robot transceiver, and a camera operably mounted on robot unit for inspecting the suspect vehicle. A primary display adapted to be operably positioned within the police vehicle functions for displaying the images from the camera. A remote control unit, also adapted to be operably positioned within the police vehicle, enables the user to operably control the control unit of the robot unit. The carrier unit includes a carrier housing that pivots between a raised position for carrying the robot unit, and a lowered position for deploying the robot unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Fernando Ramirez
  • Patent number: 7836984
    Abstract: A snowmobile suspension and drive train for supporting a snowmobile chassis and guiding an endless loop type track, the snowmobile suspension and drive train comprises an endless loop type snowmobile track supported by a suspension mechanism; wherein the track is being driven and guided at a rear track position with track drive sprockets and is supported and guided at a front track position with front idler wheels, and wherein an upper portion of the track is guided and supported at an intermediate position over top track wheels. The snowmobile suspension wherein the suspension mechanism includes a diagonally extending upper frame pivotally connected at a pivot point to a horizontally oriented lower frame in scissor relationship such that the suspension can move between a raised position and a lowered position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Inventor: Shawn Watling
  • Patent number: 7806209
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing vibrational effects of track chain assembly catenary hang is disclosed. A work machine includes a pair of track roller assemblies one positioned on each side of the work machine. The vibration reducing apparatus and method includes repositioning undercarriage components to vary the catenary hang from one side of the work machine to the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc
    Inventors: Michael R. Standish, James M. Hollister, Margaret M. Lamb, Roy L. Maguire, Thomas E. Oertley, Roger L. Recker, David F. Schaefer
  • Publication number: 20100133020
    Abstract: A final drive unit includes a sprocket, a hub unit and a holding portion. The hub unit is arranged inside the sprocket and includes a hub portion and a cover member mounted to the hub portion. At least the hub portion is configured and arranged to rotate about a rotational axis together with the sprocket. The holding portion is arranged on one of the hub portion and the cover member of the hub unit in proximity to an outer end of the one of the hub portion and the cover member with respect to an axial direction of the rotational axis. The holding portion is configured and arranged to hold an end of a wire-shaped member that pulls a crawler belt when the crawler belt is wound around the sprocket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Applicant: KOMATSU LTD.
    Inventors: Junichi Matsui, Atsumi Araki, Yukio Kometani
  • Patent number: 7617899
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention facilitate shifting by reducing forces on certain shifting components and includes a snowmobile comprising a chassis, an engine supported by the chassis, a drive train operatively connected to the engine, the drive train comprising a reverse sprocket assembly functionally coupled to an upper sprocket assembly, a jackshaft rotatable within the upper sprocket assembly, and a pinion operatively connected to the jackshaft and selectively positionable axially along the jackshaft to a first position that engages the upper sprocket assembly to translate the snowmobile in a forward direction or to a second position that engages the reverse sprocket assembly to translate the snowmobile in a reverse direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Polaris Industries Inc.
    Inventors: Ty Warner, Todd Zinda
  • Patent number: 7578759
    Abstract: Friction plates (53, 67) have a friction surface which contacts a friction surface on reaction plates (54, 68) to limit the torque transferred in a drive train, after the engine, in a snowmobile, while still allowing torque transmission at a predetermined level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: TEAM Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian G Eck, Karl M Leisenheimer, Dustin W Knutson
  • Patent number: 7464429
    Abstract: A mechanism (106) for selecting one of a first gear (102) and a second gear (104) for driving an automatic swimming pool cleaner (10) includes a bi-stable oscillating gear change assembly (100). The assembly is moveable between a first position wherein the first gear is engaged and a second position wherein the second gear is engaged. A first magnet (142) is carried by the assembly. A second magnet (138, 140) is carried externally of the assembly on the cleaner body (18). A cam arrangement (152, 160) initiates movement of the assembly (100) from one of the first and second positions to enable mutually repelling forces between like poles of the first and second magnets (142, 138, 140) to cause the assembly to settle in another of the first position and the second positions, thereby to change between the first and second gears quickly and cleanly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: Pentair Water Pool and Spa, Inc.
    Inventor: Herman Stoltz
  • Patent number: 7083012
    Abstract: A patient support including a propulsion device for moving the patient support. The patient support includes a propulsion system having a propulsion device operably coupled to an input system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Hill-Rom Service, Inc.
    Inventors: John David Vogel, Thomas W. Hanson, Craig Crandall, Joseph A. Kummer, Michael M. Frondorf, David P. Lubbers, Ronald P. Kappeler, Bradley T. Wilson, Darrell L. Metz, Doug K. Smith, Jeffrey A. Ruschke, John Vodzak, Terry J. Stratman, Eric W. Oberhaus
  • Patent number: 7063639
    Abstract: Disclosed is a snowmobile including a reduction drive system including planetary gears. In an alternate embodiment, a reversing unit is provided. In a further alternate embodiment, an offset is provided in the drive system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond A. Schoenfelder, Dennis Zulawski
  • Patent number: 6907951
    Abstract: Disclosed is a snowmobile including reduction drive including a planetary gear system having a shaft with a sun gear, a plurality of planetary gears spaced around the sun gear and engaging a ring gear. A second shaft is driven by said planetary gears or ring gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Arctic Cat, Inc.
    Inventor: Raymond A. Schoenfelder
  • Publication number: 20030116366
    Abstract: A drive assembly is provided that includes a roller frame, a motor located on the roller frame, and a drive system located on the roller frame. The drive assembly may also include an endless track configured to be driven by the drive system and adaptable to provide locomotion to the track-type machine. The motor may have a longitudinal axis substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the roller frame. The drive system may be driveably engaged with the motor. The endless track may be configured to be driven by the drive system and is adaptable to provide locomotion to a track-type machine. A track-type machine having the disclosed drive assembly and method of driving such a track-type machine is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2001
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Applicant: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Gerald Paul Simmons
  • Patent number: 6454037
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes an improved internal combustion engine. The engine comprises a crankcase, a crankshaft rotatably journaled within the crankcase, a cylinder block assembly extending from the crankcase, and a cylinder head assembly connected to an end of the cylinder block opposite the crankcase. A cam drive mechanism including at least one camshaft is rotatably journaled within the cylinder head assembly. A transmission is coupled to the crankshaft to transmit power from the engine to the drive assembly. The cam drive mechanism is connected to the crankshaft at a first end portion of the crankshaft. The transmission is connected to the crankshaft at a second end portion of the crankshaft opposite the first end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Atsuumi, Takashi Ashida
  • Patent number: 6435290
    Abstract: A land vehicle has a flexible central frame member which extends from a large front roller to a smaller rear roller, and is encircled by a flexible looped belt having projecting treads. An engine mounted above the belt drives the front roller, and two bogie wheels engage the belt within valleys formed in the treads. Two boot supports are fixed to the central frame member which support the feet of a standing rider. Rollers fixed to the central frame member support the belt as it travels around the frame. The minimal extent of the frame outside the belt exposes a substantial length of the belt edge to engagement with the ground, making it possible to control the vehicle by twisting and tipping, in a manner similar to the control of a conventional unpowered snowboard. A trailer or sled may be connected to the rear of the vehicle for towing cargo.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: MMMJ Inc.
    Inventors: Michael K. Justus, Lesley Justus
  • Patent number: 6431301
    Abstract: A conversion kit with track and ski steering assemblies to convert a two-wheeled land vehicle such as a motorcycle or bicycle to a vehicle suitable for over-snow travel. A ski assembly mounts to the steering fork of the land vehicle in place of the front wheel. A track assembly mounts to the land vehicle in place of the rear wheel. A swing arm connects to and pivots upon the land vehicle frame and angles downward behind the frame. A track circulates a fixed path around a track carriage. The track carriage extends forward from a pivot connection with the rear of the swing arm, and pivots vertically under the swing arm in scissors-fashion. The land vehicle is suspended upon the track assembly using a single shock absorber and load-distributing bell crank. A snow compacting ramp attaches to the track carriage compresses the snow ahead of the track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Inventor: Vernal D. Forbes
  • Patent number: RE40289
    Abstract: A snowmobile includes an improved internal combustion engine. The engine comprises a crankcase, a crankshaft rotatably journaled within the crankcase, a cylinder block assembly extending from the crankcase, and a cylinder head assembly connected to an end of the cylinder block opposite the crankcase. A cam drive mechanism including at least one camshaft is rotatably journaled within the cylinder head assembly. A transmission is coupled to the crankshaft to transmit power from the engine to the drive assembly. The cam drive mechanism is connected to the crankshaft at a first end portion of the crankshaft. The transmission is connected to the crankshaft at a second end portion of the crankshaft opposite the first end portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Mamoru Atsuumi, Takashi Ashida