Abstract: A track for a track system has a ground-facing side and a wheel-facing side including lugs having a base and defining a wheel path on which wheels of a track engaging assembly rolls on, the wheel path having first and second track side portions, and an intermediate track portion. When the wheel supports a load smaller than a nominal load, a distance between the base and the ground-facing side is smaller than a distance between the intermediate track portion and the ground-facing side. When the wheel supports a load equal or greater than the nominal load, a distance between the base and the ground-facing side is substantially equal to or smaller than a distance between the intermediate track portion and the ground-facing side. A wheel for a track system is also described. A track system comprising a wheel and a track is also described.

Abstract: A chain system is provided that is attached to a continuous track of a tracked vehicle. Embodiments of the chain system can include cross chains that extend from a side chain, and a hook is disposed at a free end of each cross chain. To attach the chain system to the track, the hooks are attached to an inner edge of the track on a top surface of the track. Once all of the hooks are attached, the ends of the side chain are attached to each other and the chain is secured to the track to improve the traction of the track and the tracked vehicle.

Abstract: A track chain member comprises a shoe member, and a first rail member extending from the shoe member, wherein the first rail member defines a track chain traveling direction and a lateral direction generally perpendicular to track chain traveling direction, a first support surface extending generally in both the track chain traveling direction and the lateral direction defining an outer lateral extremity, and a first crest shaped member disposed laterally adjacent the outer lateral extremity of the first support surface.

Abstract: A crawler includes a crawler main body (a rubber crawler main body (12)), a tensile body (70), guide protrusions (16), and flat surfaces (40). The tensile body (70) is provided with a flat portion (72) that is arranged along a width direction of the crawler main body and a slanting portion (74) that is slanted and arranged at a width direction outer side of the crawler main body relative to the flat portion (72). The guide protrusions (16) are formed at an inner peripheral face of the crawler main body at a width direction middle portion of the crawler main body. The flat surfaces (40) are formed at the width direction outer sides of the crawler main body relative to the guide protrusions (16). Turning wheels (a driving wheel (100), an idling wheel (102) and rolling wheels (104)) provided at a vehicle roll on the flat surfaces (40).

Abstract: A tracked vehicle including a chassis, a drive train coupled to the chassis, and at least one track driven by the drive train. The at least one track having a plurality of stamped metal links each being pivotally coupled to corresponding adjacent metal links, and an elastomeric member coupled to all of the plurality of stamped metal links. The elastomeric member covers most of each of the stamped metal links.

Abstract: A crawler track where damage to drive lugs is reduced is provided. Grooves (26) in the circumferential direction of the crawler track (10) are arranged at the roots of the drive lugs (24). Thereby, tensile strain or compressive strain occurring in the roots of the drive lugs (24) when the crawler track (10) is wrapped over a wheel (14) etc. can be alleviated. Further, when the crawler track (10) meanders, a lateral load causes lateral pressure from the wheel (14) to a drive lug (24), producing tensile strain in the root of the drive lug (24). However, such tensile strain can be alleviated because the wheel (14) does not come into contact with the drive lugs (24) in the meandering movement.

Abstract: The field-repair assembly is used for temporarily repairing a ruptured or otherwise damaged elastomeric track mounted on a vehicle and generally allows the vehicle to proceed, preferably on its own, to a maintenance site located nearby where replacement or permanent repair of the track can be undertaken. The assembly comprises a plurality of spaced-apart and generally parallel support members, each of which being generally transversely disposed on the ground engaging outer surface of the track. The transverse members are secured to each side of the track via retention brackets. The transverse members are further linked together via flexible cables which are fixedly mounted to retention brackets. The assembly further comprises a bridging element generally mounted to a subset of the transverse members. The bridging element is generally located over the damaged area of the track and on the outer surface thereof for providing continuity and support to the damaged track.

Abstract: A traction band substantially made from elastomeric material is disclosed. The traction band comprises a main band body divided into a plurality of sections connected together along laterally extending pitch lines. The band body has an interior wheel-engaging surface, adapted to cooperate with the various wheels of a track system, and an exterior ground-engaging surface adapted to engage the ground. The wheel-engaging surface comprises one or more rows of longitudinally spaced-apart drive lugs and/or guide lugs typically disposed on each of the band sections. The ground-engaging surface comprises traction lugs extending longitudinally across more than one band section, these traction lugs comprising laterally extending bending regions where the traction lugs are thinner. These bending regions are substantially aligned with regions on the interior surface which are devoid of drive lugs and guide lugs.

Abstract: An endless belt body for a track assembly, comprising through holes, between traction lugs of the ground-engaging surface thereof, along a length thereof, located in at least one of: i) the central region of a width of the endless belt body, and ii) on the lateral parts of the width of the endless belt body.

Abstract: A traction system for a vehicle has a support frame that defines a circular track belt support that is revolvable about an axis at its center, a flexible track belt; and a track belt stretching assembly comprising one or more track belt stretching rollers. The system has one traction configuration in which the flexible traction belt is held on said support track forming a substantially circular, wheel-like traction surface, and can change to a stretching state in which said rollers engage said belt and stretch it from its state in said one traction configuration to a stretched state to define one or more other traction configurations of the system.

Abstract: An elastomeric endless track for use on tracked vehicles or with wheel replacing traction assemblies is provided. The track generally comprises a ground-engaging outer surface provided with traction lugs generally disposed longitudinally according to a traction lug pitch, and a wheel-engaging inner surface provided with drive lugs disposed longitudinally according to a drive lug pitch and guide lugs disposed longitudinally according to a guide lug pitch. Such a track comprises the feature of having the guide lug pitch and/or the length of the guide lugs chosen so as to reduce the distance between consecutive guide lugs in order to reduce and/or prevent occurrences of detracking.

Abstract: The track design for use with a tracked vehicle includes a cantilever cut made down into the outward side of each tread just outboard of the position where the inside of the track contacts the outboard edge of the tread of the outer wheel of each pair of track-supporting dual wheels. This cut significantly reduces lateral “roll-out” of the guide lugs from between the dual wheels when traversing uneven surfaces. When the outer edge of the track passes over sharply uneven terrain, this cut in the tread allows the outer edge of the track belt to lift away from the flat main surface under the wheels. Thus the interior surface of the track maintains contact with both tires of each pair of dual wheels by reducing twisting of the track belt that may cause the guide lugs to tip out of the mating surfaces formed between the dual-wheel pairs.

Abstract: This invention refers to the traction lugs of reinforced elastomeric endless traction bands, and more particularly to those which are used on heavy vehicles like defense vehicles or for skid steer vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to traction lugs which are angled with respect to the transversal axis of the traction band and preferably disposed in chevrons, which optimize the band's traction while reducing the occurrences of teeth skipping and the level of vibrations and noise induced by the interaction of the traction band with the sprocket.

Abstract: This invention relates to annular or endless elastomeric track 10 for use in vehicles for civil engineering, construction works and agricultural works. The track 10 has a thin belt 20 which includes a primary table 59 made of corrosion resistant galvanized steel. The track 10 further has a plurality of spaced rubber traction tread lugs 30, on the outer surface oriented generally inclined, transverse or substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction and guide lugs 32 on the internal surface 31.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endless vehicular rubber track. The invention particularly relates to such track having hard rubber guide lugs with a softer guide support layer. It is to be appreciated that such guide lugs may also be positively driven drive lugs. The invention further relates to a vehicle having such track.

Abstract: An elastic crawler has a crawler body formed like an endless belt out of an elastic material, a plurality of driving projections provided on an inner circumferential surface of the crawler body with a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction thereof, and a plurality of traction lugs provided on an outer circumferential surface of the crawler body with a pitch different from that of the driving projections.

Abstract: A crawler traveling apparatus includes a rubber crawler belt having a plurality of driving projections formed with a predetermined peripheral pitch on an inner peripheral face of the belt, a drive wheel rotatable when engaged with the driving projections of the crawler belt for driving the belt, and a plurality of free wheels rotatable for laterally guiding the driving projections under movement. Each driving projection has an upper half having a lateral face including an upper half lateral face portion and a lower half having a lower half lateral face portion, the upper half lateral face portion having an erect inclination angle smaller than an erect inclination angle of the lower half lateral face portion. Each free wheel has an inner lateral face opposed to the driving projection, the inner lateral face having an inclined guide face having an inclination parallel to the lower half lateral face portion of the driving projection.

Abstract: It is possible to achieve a light structure by making a part of a core bar thin and to prevent an elastic body from strain deforming by a smooth rib reinforcing portion from which an edge portion of the core bar does not protrude. It is possible to achieve a strength even when piercing a hole in the core bar and to prevent the elastic body from being cut by an edge portion of a hole. Accordingly, in a core bar (10) of an elastic body track shoe fastened to each pair of joint links of a crawler by bolts, recess portions (1a, 1b) formed in a substantially inverse-trapezoidal shape or recess portions (10a, 10b) formed in a substantially inverse-trapezoidal shape toward front end portions are formed in non-grounded surface sides of right and left wing portions in a direction of a crawler width. A recess portion (1e) formed in a substantially inverse-trapezoidal shape or a through hole (1f) may be formed in a center portion.

Abstract: This invention relates to the guide lugs of reinforced elastomeric endless traction bands, which are used on heavy vehicles like defence vehicles. More specifically, the invention relates to guide lugs which are partly nested into each other around the curved portion of the traction band in order to minimize de-tracking occurrences.

Abstract: This invention relates to annular or endless elastomeric track 10 for use in vehicles for civil engineering, construction works and agricultural works. The track 10 has a thin belt 20 which includes a primary table 59 made of corrosion resistant galvanized steel. The track 10 further has a plurality of spaced rubber traction tread lugs 30, on the outer surface oriented generally inclined, transverse or substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction and guide lugs 32 on the internal surface 31.

Abstract: A shoe (10) for a crawler track has two roller paths (16, 17) thereon, upon which a dual rim roller travels in use. The roller paths (16, 17) are aligned with leading and trailing lugs (11, 12) respectively, of the shoe 10. Drive lugs (18, 19) are provided on the outside of the roller paths (16, 17). In use, the drive lugs (18, 19) are engaged by sprocket teeth to drive the crawler track. The drive lugs (18, 19) stand proud of the roller paths (16, 17), but may also be recessed below the roller paths.

Abstract: This invention relates to annular or endless elastomeric track 10 for use in vehicles for civil engineering, construction works and agricultural works. The track 10 has a thin belt 20 which includes a primary table 59 made of corrosion resistant galvanized steel. The track 10 further has a plurality of spaced rubber traction tread lugs 30, on the outer surface oriented generally inclined, transverse or substantially perpendicular to the circumferential direction and guide lugs 32 on the internal surface 31.

Abstract: A crawler traveling apparatus includes a rubber crawler belt having a plurality of driving projections formed with a predetermined peripheral pitch on an inner peripheral face of the belt, a drive wheel rotatable when engaged with the driving projections of the crawler belt for driving the belt, and a plurality of free wheels rotatable for laterally guiding the driving projections under movement. Each driving projection has an upper half having a lateral face including an upper half lateral face portion and a lower half having a lower half lateral face portion, the upper half lateral face portion having an erect inclination angle smaller than an erect inclination angle of the lower half lateral face portion. Each free wheel has an inner lateral face opposed to the driving projection, the inner lateral face having an inclined guide face having an inclination parallel to the lower half lateral face portion of the driving projection.

Abstract: A tracked vehicle capable of traversing a variety of surfaces without damaging the surface traversed includes a track having an inner surface, an outer surface, and a pitch line between the inner surface and the outer surface. Driving lugs are attached to the inner surface of the track. The vehicle also includes a driver sprocket assembly having a number of driving portions for engaging the driving lugs to drive the track. Each drive lug has at least one angled sidewall which, as the drive lug is engaged with the drive portion, presents a wall either substantially parallel to a line between the axis of rotation of the sprocket and the driving portion of the sprocket or slightly declined with respect to a line between the axis of rotation of the sprocket and the driving portion of the sprocket.

Abstract: A caterpillar made from elastomer material and having a plurality of guide teeth projecting from the inside surface of the caterpillar, the said guide teeth having lateral faces and front and rear faces in the longitudinal direction of the caterpillar, with at least one insert arranged inside each guide tooth, the caterpillar being characterized in that each insert located inside each guide tooth has a generally hollow shape enclosing a free volume to absorb in large measure the expansion of the elastomer material of the guide tooth during the molding and cross-linking of the material.

Abstract: A travel driving apparatus for a track-type earthmoving machine is provided which can reduce abrasion wear of a sprocket and a bushing and which enables easy replacement of worn members. A contact member is detachably mounted to an opposing surface of a track shoe to a sprocket, and a tooth top portion of the sprocket is brought into contact with the contact member, thereby securing a gap between a bushing of a track chain and a tooth bottom portion of the sprocket. The tooth top portion of the sprocket and a surface portion of the contact member have surface portions which are brought into contact with each other at a time when the sprocket rotates.

Abstract: The invention relates to an endless vehicular rubber track designed for extreme cold temperature working environment. The invention particularly relates to such track having a combination of tread, supporting carcass and guide lug components of rubber compositions intended for such purpose.

Abstract: The device (10) is used for temporarily repairing a ruptured or otherwise damaged rubber-band track (50) of a vehicle and allow the vehicle to proceed on its own to the nearest maintenance site or to a convenient location where replacement or permanent repair of the track (50) can be undertaken. A method for temporarily repairing a damaged rubber-band track (50) is also disclosed. The device (10) comprises a plurality of spaced-apart and parallel support members (12), each being transversely disposed on the exterior side (50a) of the track (50). A plurality of linking members (18) is extending between corresponding ends of two adjacent support members (12) and are pivotally connected to each adjacent linking member (18). A plurality of track retention members (30) maintain the device (10) on the track (50). Damaged portions of the track (50) are also positively secured to the device (10) by fasteners or the like to prevent them from moving.

Abstract: A core bar for a rubber crawler includes: right and left wing parts; an engaging part for drive; right and left protrusions for preventing the coming-off of a rolling wheel; and right and left outside rails that are formed on outer sides of the right and left protrusions, respectively, and have overhanging parts extending in the widthwise direction of the wing part. The overhanging part is formed on an edge portion thereof with a slanting surface downwardly slanting from a top surface of the outside rail.

Abstract: In a conventional rubber track of the type supported and driven by wheels mounted on a vehicle, the terrain-contacting lugs are modified specially for use on high speed multi-terrain vehicles to increase energy efficiency of track operation. The thickness of each terrain-contacting lug is only tapered outboard of the central portion of the basic carcass/belt that is in direct contact with the rubber-tired supporting wheels so that, when traversing flat and hard terrain (e.g., when on pavement), these tapered portions are substantially out of contact with the terrain, thereby reducing the frictional drag of the lugs. However, as the terrain softens, the contact between these same tapered portions and the terrain increases to provide additional traction when traversing uneven, wet, or snow-covered surfaces.

Abstract: In a rubber crawler, lags are generally are formed on the outer surface of an endless belt-like elastomer, and rubber projections for transmission of driving force and prevention of the rubber crawler from coming of off from a wheel are formed on the inner surface of the elastomer at regular pitches. Rein forcing cord layers are embedded in the elastomer along its longitudinal direction. An abrasion resistant member is embedded in the rubber projection along the width direction of the rubber crawler. Its both end portions are exposed at the sides of the rubber projection. The abrasion-resistant member has a central portion having a small diameter and a pair of end portions connected to the ends of the central portion and having a large diameter. In the exposed portion of the end portion which is exposed at the side surface of the rubber projection, its most interior portion in the radial direction is positioned above the base portion of the rubber projection.

Abstract: The soft bottom track assembly of the present invention includes inner pad assemblies, side plate assemblies, and link and cross bolt assemblies. An inner pad assembly includes a multiplicity of longitudinally arranged pads, hingedly attached one to the next, each having an upper iron casting with a rubber/urethane material bonded thereto. The pads are arranged in rows, with each row staggered from each adjacent row so that there are always pads in contact with the surface on which the track is riding. A raised area on the cast iron backing provides traction between the tire and the track assembly. Each pad includes holes for hinged attachment to adjacent pads, also permitting adjustment of the size of the track length, depending on the hole arrangement selected during track assembly installation.

Abstract: A positive drive endless rubber belted track is adapted to be attached to track links of an endless track link assembly. The particular construction of the core and grousers of the belted track permit the rubber belted track to stretch as it passes over the driving mechanism and idler of the machine.