Including Threaded Tension Adjuster Patents (Class 305/154)
  • Patent number: 11180204
    Abstract: A track-type moving device having one or more track mechanisms. The track mechanism may include a guide wheel, a driving wheel, a track, and/or a tensioning mechanism. The tensioning mechanism may include an adjusting member and/or an elastic member. The elastic member may provide a driving force that enables the adjusting member to move.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuanzhong Ran, Kang Song
  • Patent number: 10227099
    Abstract: An idler wheel for use with a track chain of a vehicle that includes a plurality of track pins and bushings comprises a main body that includes a generally cylindrical configuration defining an axis of rotation, a circumferential direction and a radial direction, the main body including a central portion disposed along the axis of rotation defining an axial extremity of the radial portion, and at least a first outside portion disposed along the axis of rotation that includes an undulating circumferential perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Caterpillar Inc.
    Inventor: Eric James Johannsen
  • Patent number: 9522708
    Abstract: The present application discloses a track support that includes a variable track frame comprising that includes four or more connector members, hinge joints that connect the connector members and configured to form a polygonal shape having sides each associated with one of the connector members, and a track varying mechanism that can actively change an angle between at least two of the connector members so as to change the polygonal shape of the variable track frame. Track engaging wheels mounted on the connector members can rotate around an axis that intercepts with or is adjacent to the hinge joints. The track engaging wheels can engage with a track belt wrapped around the track engaging wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Inventors: Zhengxu He, Xinlu Tang, Xianxiang Chen
  • Patent number: 8556354
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Levi M. Johnson, David A. Rorabaugh
  • Publication number: 20130181508
    Abstract: A truck track drive can include two rollers. The truck track drive can also include a tread configured to pass over top and bottom of a dual rear wheel assembly on a truck and to be moved by rotation of the dual rear wheels. The track drive can also include a compulsory drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Inventor: Yuriy Zakuskin
  • Patent number: 8240783
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: The Charles Machine Works, Inc.
    Inventors: Levi M. Johnson, David A. Rorabaugh
  • 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
  • Patent number: 6761236
    Abstract: An axle mount device for mounting an axle to a snowmobile track suspension frame has a base portion and an adjuster portion. The base portion has an axis and a bore coincident with the axis. The adjuster portion is secured to the base portion asymmetrically with respect to the axis, and engages an opening in the frame. The axle mount may be moved between first and second positions to vary a position of the axle with respect to the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2004
    Assignee: Arctic Cat Inc.
    Inventor: Kirk Hibbert
  • Patent number: 6432010
    Abstract: A dynamic track tension adjuster is connected between the body of a tracked vehicle and an arm-like axle member of the vehicle. The adjuster swings the arm-like member so that a wheel on the axle member engages the vehicle's track with differing force. The adjuster includes a cylinder with two pistons extending therefrom and a compressible fluid between the pistons. A motor fixed to the cylinder drives a gear train that includes a transfer gear connected to one of the pistons. A shaft co-axially fixed to the transfer gear threads with a rod such that the rod translates when the shaft rotates. Translation of the rod swings the axle member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2002
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventors: Patrick J. Palonis, James A. Capouellez
  • Patent number: 6158827
    Abstract: A tensioning assembly for a track-laying vehicle having a track trained around the leading edge of a front wheel and the lagging edge of a rear wheel where at least one of the wheels is mechanically or hydraulically driven by the vehicle's motor. The tensioning assembly includes: (1) a rigid beam assembly made of a beam element telescopically and adjustably slid inside a rigid hollow member; (2) a front and rear set of bearings attached to each end of the rigid beam assembly; (3) front and rear shafts respectively journaled in the front and rear bearing sets; and (4) a plate to respectively attach the front and rear shafts to the external face of the hubs of the front and rear wheels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2000
    Inventor: Landon B. Hostetler
  • Patent number: 5988775
    Abstract: A resilient track-tensioning device for tracked automotive vehicles has a track tensioning wheel arrangement (26) which includes a generally elongated pendular arm (38) which rotatably supports a track-tensioning wheel unit (62), a pretensioning or biassing arm (72) which is much shorter than the pendular arm and which has a first end-part for force transmission engagement with the pendular arm (38) at its end-part (74) that carries the track-tensioning wheel unit (62), and a second end-part for pivotal attachment to a carrier (20) through the medium of a pretensioning or biassing means (76). The device further includes an element (66) for adjustably fixing the distance between the rotational center of the track-tensioning wheel unit (62) and the attachment point (46) of the pendular arm (38). The invention also relates to a track support assembly which includes an inventive track-tensioning device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 23, 1999
    Assignee: Hagglunds Vehicle AB
    Inventor: Bjorn Nordberg
  • Patent number: 5725204
    Abstract: A shock-absorbing device, suitable for use with an idler for a crawler belt, contains a spring box (10) having a flange (12) secured at one end and a bracket (13) secured at the other end, with an annular partition wall (11) extending radially inwardly from a central portion of the wall of the bore of the spring box (10) to form a first spring chamber (16) and a second spring chamber (17) spaced apart along the length of the spring box (10). A first spring (23) and a first spring pushing member (20) are installed in the first spring chamber (16), and a second spring (33) and a second spring pushing member (30) are installed in the second spring chamber (17).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 10, 1998
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Komatsu Seisakusho
    Inventor: Tsuyoshi Yoshida
  • Patent number: 5671819
    Abstract: An improved tire tensioning system for use with flexible band tracks moun on dual tire sets is disclosed. The tensioning system includes first and second tensioning bars which each have one threaded end connected to a turnbuckle and a second end connected to block fixed to a respective front or rear wheel axle by a ball coupling. Also shown is an improved axle structure which can be used to adjust the toe in/out of the rear tire sets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 30, 1997
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Army
    Inventor: Donald H. Kendall
  • Patent number: 5607210
    Abstract: A modular endless track assembly which bolts to the wheel of a wheeled vehicle (e.g. pickup truck or ATV). The assembly includes a wheel retainer plate, drive drum, track frame and plurality of idler wheels, track tension adjuster, and vehicle support bracket. The drive drum and idler wheels cooperate with lugs and channels at the track. The support bracket includes an anti-torque coupler mounted between the vehicle and track frame. The coupler centers the track to an equilibrium position and prevents over rotation. The mounting position of the coupler and mounting brackets is varied at the track frame to accommodate front and rear wheel track assemblies. A recurring, W-shaped groove pattern at the track cooperates with the idler wheels to self-clean the track and maintain controlled vehicle steering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 4, 1997
    Inventor: Glen Brazier