With Vertically Movable Wheel Support Patents (Class 305/141)
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Patent number: 8556354Abstract: A tensioning system for a tracked vehicle. The present invention provides for adjusting tension of a track by moving the sprocket relative to the rollers in a substantially vertical direction. The system comprises a sprocket assembly, a roller assembly, a track, and a tension adjustment assembly. The tension adjustment assembly includes a tension bolt threaded through a tension nut. The bolt threads through the nut and contacts the roller assembly. As the bolt is threaded or unthreaded, the sprocket assembly is moved relative to the roller assembly in a substantially vertical direction. As the assemblies move relative to each other, tension in the track is resultantly adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: October 15, 2013Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.Inventors: Levi M. Johnson, David A. Rorabaugh
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Publication number: 20130118817Abstract: A vehicle equipped with a double wishbones and double tandem members suspension system to suspend the vehicle, the double tandem members being operatively interconnected together and adapted to receive idling wheels adapted to support and guide an endless belt thereon to provide significant suspension travel and prevents an endless belt disengagement from the idling wheels. A suspension system and a kit thereof are also provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 9, 2013Publication date: May 16, 2013Applicant: L'EQUIPE FABCONCEPT INCInventor: L'EQUIPE FABCONCEPT INC
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Patent number: 8414091Abstract: A crawler has a track tensioning system. The crawler includes a crawler frame having a bottom; at least one drive tumbler supported on the frame; a track made of a plurality of connected track shoes and is wrapped around the drive tumbler so that a plurality of the shoes are in contact with the drive tumbler. The track tensioning system, mounted to the frame, includes a roller engaging the inside surface of the track; and a roller positioning structure attached to the frame that can raise the roller relative to the bottom of the frame to thereby increase the tension of the track.Type: GrantFiled: February 9, 2009Date of Patent: April 9, 2013Assignee: Manitowoc Crane Companies, LLCInventors: David J. Pech, Joel D. Zick, Kenneth J. Porubcansky
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Publication number: 20120212045Abstract: A steerable track system for steering a vehicle with a main frame and a track includes an undercarriage with pivoting links connected to the main frame; a bendable flexible track to provide a vehicle-surface interface for propelling the vehicle; a plurality of idler wheels which engage the track and are connected to the undercarriage; and a plurality of bogie wheels which engage the track and are connected to the undercarriage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2010Publication date: August 23, 2012Inventor: James B. Prohaska
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Patent number: 8240783Abstract: A tensioning system for a tracked vehicle. The present invention provides for adjusting tension of a track by moving the sprocket relative to the rollers in a substantially vertical direction. The system comprises a sprocket assembly, a roller assembly, a track, and a tension adjustment assembly. The tension adjustment assembly includes a tension bolt threaded through a tension nut that is secured to the sprocket assembly. The bolt threads through the nut and contacts the roller assembly. As the bolt is threaded or unthreaded, the sprocket assembly is moved relative to the roller assembly in a substantially vertical direction. As the assemblies move relative to each other, tension in the track is resultantly adjusted.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2009Date of Patent: August 14, 2012Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.Inventors: Levi M. Johnson, David A. Rorabaugh
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Patent number: 8205695Abstract: A suspension system for a lightweight robotic crawler is disclosed. The suspension system provides for mounting of a flexible endless track thereon. The suspension system includes a forward guide and a rearward guide around which the endless track can be looped. A deflector positioned between the forward guide and the rearward guide downwardly deflects a ground-engaging portion of the endless track to form a peaked area. The peaked area can support the lightweight robotic vehicle allowing alteration of a distribution of load over the ground-engaging portion of the endless track with respect to a supporting surface.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: June 26, 2012Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Brian J. Maclean, Ralph W. Pensel, Christopher R. Hirschi
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Patent number: 8002365Abstract: A suspension system for a lightweight robotic crawler is disclosed. The suspension system provides for mounting of a flexible endless track thereon. The suspension system includes a forward guide and a rearward guide around which the endless track can be looped. A deflector positioned between the forward guide and the rearward guide downwardly deflects a ground-engaging portion of the endless track to form a peaked area. The peaked area can support the lightweight robotic vehicle allowing alteration of a distribution of load over the ground-engaging portion of the endless track with respect to a supporting surface.Type: GrantFiled: November 13, 2007Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Raytheon CompanyInventors: Stephen C. Jacobsen, Brian J. Maclean, Ralph W. Pensel, Christopher R. Hirschi
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Patent number: 7997666Abstract: A crawler traction device for a crawler vehicle, in particular a tractor, the device having a carriage, a drive sprocket rotating about a first axis, an idler wheel rotating about a second axis parallel to the first axis. The track is looped about the drive sprocket and the idler wheel and meshes with the drive sprocket along a meshing arc. The traction device has a noise and vibration damping device having an auxiliary roller which rotates about a third axis parallel to the first axis and is eccentric with respect to the drive sprocket as well as smaller in diameter than the drive sprocket. The noise and vibration damping device only cooperates with the track along a portion of the track located, in use, immediately upstream from the meshing arc and interposed between the auxiliary roller and the terrain.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: CNH America LLCInventor: GiorgĂo Bordini
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Publication number: 20110174555Abstract: A crawler travel gear that can be applied to a crawler-mounted crane. The crawler travel gear includes a crawler carrier, rollers arranged at the crawler carrier and a crawler chain, with a respective adjustment mechanism provided in the front region and rear region of the crawler carrier for selectively adjusting the contact surface of the crawler carrier relative to an underlying surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 20, 2011Publication date: July 21, 2011Applicant: Liebherr-Werk Ehingen GmbHInventor: Hans-Dieter WILLIM
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Publication number: 20110037312Abstract: A levered centerpoint suspension of a caterpillar drive comprises a pendulum arm, coupled to a frame via an elastic element, and an internal pivot pin geometrically coinciding with the rotational axis of a driving shaft of the drive. A balancing lever provided with track guiding wheels and/or track wheels and/or track slide guides is connected to the pendulum arm so that is capable of swinging thereon. The driving shaft with traction wheels rotates about the axis, and the pendulum arm's socket is swingable about the driving shaft. In an embodiment, the pendulum arm has a fork-like shape, whereas the balancing lever is H-shaped and comprises two longitudinal girders interconnected by means of a crossbar. The balancing lever is disposed between the pendulum arm blades and is connected to the pendulum arm, as to swing on a transverse axis. The suspension allows for improving the caterpillar drive's compactness.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2009Publication date: February 17, 2011Inventor: Eduard Arkadjevich Geraschenko
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Patent number: 7644788Abstract: A trailer that includes a belts that each encompass a front wheel and a rear wheel and have a ground engaging surface and a wheel engaging surface, the wheel engaging surface having lugs thereon for mating with the apertures in the front wheel and the rear wheel such that when the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel rotates, the belt is positively driven and at least one belt tensioning system for maintaining tension on the plurality of belts, the at least one belt tensioning system includes a track tension cylinder operatively mounted between an axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel and the main frame, wherein the track tension cylinder maintains tension on the belt by moving the axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel in a horizontal.Type: GrantFiled: September 8, 2006Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: Scheetz Inc.Inventor: Timothy R. Scheetz
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Patent number: 7641006Abstract: A military vehicle, e.g., tank, that includes a turret, a gun mounted on the turret, a plurality of belts, wherein each of the plurality of belts encompass a front wheel and a rear wheel to provide a positive belt drive system for rotating the belt, at least one suspension system for absorbing load stresses, each suspension system having a suspension cylinder that is operatively and pivotably mounted to a military vehicle frame pivot on a main frame of the military vehicle, at least one belt tensioning system for maintaining tension on the plurality of belts, by moving the axle of the at least one of the front wheel or the rear wheel in a horizontal direction, and at least one electric drive system that includes electric drive motors for rotation of the at least one of the front wheel and the rear wheel and braking.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Scheetz Inc.Inventor: Timothy R. Scheetz
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Patent number: 7267414Abstract: A track driven device having a suspension system, positive hydraulic braking system, positive drive belt system and belt tensioning system for an improved ride, reducing belt wear and belt failure.Type: GrantFiled: February 28, 2005Date of Patent: September 11, 2007Assignee: Scheetz, Inc.Inventor: Timothy R. Scheetz
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Patent number: 7083241Abstract: A track tensioner for a drive track of a work machine includes biasing element configured to urge an idler wheel into contact with the drive track. The biasing element may include an air spring.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2004Date of Patent: August 1, 2006Inventor: Herbert D. Gunter
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Patent number: 6109382Abstract: A snowmobile and more particularly to an improved suspension arrangement for a snowmobile that provides an elastic stop for limiting the movement of the drive belt upwardly relative to the frame assembly and which operates independently of the cushioning units so as to avoid undue loading and wear of themType: GrantFiled: September 29, 1997Date of Patent: August 29, 2000Assignee: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Takahiko Kubota